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PUBLISHED SINCE OCTOBER 6, 1990 • Vol.XI NO. 3,236 • SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2014 • N100.00
DISCOURSE How A Special Minister Fights Corruption
ANALYSIS Interpreters Of Maladies - Pages 23-24
Pages 16-17
Fight Against Insecurity, African Leaders Urged
THE Secretary General, Pan African Writers’ Association, (PAWA) Professor Atukwi Okai has called on African Leaders to brace up in the fight against insecurity in African Continent. Professor Atukwi made in Chibok School are now the call yesterday during in. This situation is not a a courtesy visit to Nigerian matter. This is Comrade Adams an African issue which is Oshiomhole in calling upon all our Government House, African leaders to simply Benin City. consider the issue of According to him, “Let security not only of our us first of all express on continent but also of our behalf of all the writers of people. African our heartfelt He noted “It’s a great sympathy for the situation honour for us to be here in which our many African because Edo State is an girls are being abducted ancient African State and
we are also in the home state of great achievers like the Governor who is a distinguished and dynamic person. “We have every reason to say so. We were recently here on occasion of the burial of our late brother, Professor Festus Iyayi who is from this state. We are grateful for the role which the governor participated in the burial process and his support. “I was here first ten years ago and when I came recently I
discovered great development especially your roads have become roads. Also, recently, you have instituted the comrade cabs which give people the opportunity to earn their living. We are
happy to note that you have put in place the Azurra Power Project, infact, you are a problem solving state”. Professor Okai disclosed that they were on a special mission to
brief the governor on the Pan African Writers Association Conference coming up on the 7th of November, 2014 and to invite him to grace the occasion taking place in
Accra Ghana. Responding, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole represented by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Pius Odubu commended Pan African Writers
Continued on page 4
Commissioner Condemns Sexual Abuse Of School Girls
By MARTIN ERHARUYI THE Commissioner for Higher Education Technical and Tertiary Institution, Barr. Washington Osifo has condemned an alleged sexual abuse of 11 Secondary School Girls by their school administrator. The Commissioner made the condemnation in his office while addressing a group of protesters under the
aegies of Child Protection Network (CPN) an NGO in Benin City yesterday. Barr. Osifo stated that the act was not acceptable, even as he expressed worry over the level at which child molestation and other forms of moral decadence are prevailing in schools and the society, adding that his administration would fight corruption in the educational sector to the root. According to him “I want
to assure you, I am in this battle with you just as every sensible person should be in this battle”. He urged the group to remain steadfast in their determination to fighting corruption in the society since it takes a collective effort to fight corruption and injustice. Speaking earlier with the W E E K E N D OBSERVER, the leader of the CPN, Jennifer Ero, described sexual abuse
Continued on page 4
MOMENT OF SCRUTINY 2014 World Cup
Can the Super Eagles Soar Higher - Page 5
COURTESY VISIT: Dr. Pius Egberanmwen Odubu, Edo State Deputy Governor welcome Prof. Atukwei Okai, Secretary-General, Pan-African Writers (PAWA) with Prof. Ben Egede Poet, Professor of English, AAU, Ekpoma during a courtesy visit to Government House by PanAfrican Writers (PAWA).
POLITICS Northern Governors Have Failed The Citizens Of Nigeria - Page 15
PERSPECTIVE
A Challenge To Nigerians And The World - Page 19
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N ws Confab: Committee Proposes Religious Equity Commission The National Conference Committee on Religion has recommended the establishment of a Religious Equity Commission to tackle religious discrimination in the country. Co-Chairman of the committee, Alhaji Nuruddeen Lemu, made this known in an interview with in Abuja on Thursday. He said the establishment of the commission would go a long way in tackling religious problems in the country. “One of the main
recommendations of the committee is the establishment of a religious equity commission that will focus specifically on religious discrimination. “This is to help handle the problem of religious tension and building of harmony”, he said. It will be recalled that the committee’s terms of reference include state and religion, state and public sponsorship of pilgrimages, restoration of national values, national ethics, morals and culture, among others.
Man Bags 1Month In prison For Assaulting Girlfriend L-R: Detachment Commander MI 35 Helicopter, Air Cdre Remi Ekeh; Commander, 75 Strike Group, Nigerian Air Force Yola, Air Cdre Emma Anebi and Director of Defence Information, Brig-General Chris Olukolade during the visit of the Director to Yola and Maiduguri on Thursday.
Confab: 20 Standing Committees Ends Deliberations, Proceed To Plenary TWENTY standing committees of the National Conference have concluded their work and are ready to proceed to plenary on May 19, an official said. Akpandem James, the conference Assistant Secretary on Media and Publicity, confirmed the development in an interview with newsmen in Abuja. “Committees have started turning in their recommendations and as at this afternoon about seven committees are ready with their reports. “All of the committees should have sent in their reports by 2 p.m. tomorrow,” he said. Reports state that the committees, which had gone
through four weeks of thorough deliberations on the terms of references given to them by the conference secretariat, commenced sitting on April 22. The committees conferred with senators, ministers, ambassadors, chief executives of parastatal agencies as well as other relevant stakeholders on various burning issues. The committees, which were divided into two groups, with each group made up of 10 committees, met at the National Judicial Institute (NJI) and NICON Luxury Hotel. The first 10 committees that sat at NJI were committees on Devolution of Power, Political Restructuring, National Security, Environment,
Politics and Governance. Others were Law, Judiciary and Human Rights, Social Sector, Transportation, Science Technology and Development as well as committee on Agriculture. The second set of 10 committees that sat at NICON Luxury Hotel were
those on Civil Societies, Labour and Sports, Public Service, Parties and Electoral Matters, and Foreign Policy and Diaspora Matters. Others were Land Tenure and National Boundaries, Economy, Trade and Investment, Energy, Religion, Public Finance and Revenue and Immigration and related matters.
have appeared before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing a container laden with motorcycle spare parts worth N35 million. Ezeorach, 24, and Chibuike, 36, are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and obtaining money under false pretences. The prosecutor, DSP Etim Nkankuk, told the court that the accused committed the offences on July 23, 2013 at Alaba International Market, Lagos.
Nkankuk said the accused and the complainant, one Mr. Ochie Moses, were business partners. According to him, the accused obtained the goods which he promised to sell. “The accused sold the goods and converted the money to personal use.’’ He noted that the offences contravened Sections 285, 312 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges. The Chief Magistrate, Mrs.
the court that the complainant, Miss Augustina Sati, of Gishiri Village, Abuja, had lodged a report against the accused at the Utako police station on May 5. Ibrahim told the court that the accused beat up the complainant in public and inflicted injuries on her. The prosecutor said that the complainant lost her Nokia phone valued at N7,000 during the assault. In his plea, the convict told the court that he did not know what came over him when he committed the crime. ‘‘She (complainant) made me angry and I could not control myself; please have mercy on me. I will not do it again,’’ he pleaded.
2015 Elections: INEC urges Members To Be Neutral The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged its staff to be neutral and unbiased in the conduct of the 2015 elections. The Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, disclosed this at a one day retreat for the staff in Rivers at Bunu-Tai, Tai local government of Rivers State. Jega, represented by Mrs. Thelma Iremiren, National
Commissioner for Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states, emphasised the imperativeness of giving Nigerians credible elections in 2015. He reminded the staff of the need for better performance in next elections. The INEC chairman called on the members of the staff to embrace integrity, honesty,
2 Brothers Docked For N35m Spare Parts Theft
TWO brothers - Ezeorach Chinedu and Chibuike Chinedu
A Kado Upper Area Court in Abuja has sentenced a 30year-old man, Ogah Godwin of Mararaba, Nasarawa State, to one month in prison for assaulting his girlfriend. The presiding judge, Mr. Abubakar Sadiq, sentenced Godwin after he pleaded guilty to a two-count charge of criminal force and assault. Sadiq, however, gave the convict an option of N5,000 fine. The judge declared that the sentence would deter others from engaging in similar acts, and warned the convict to be of good behaviour after serving his jail term. Earlier, police prosecutor, Mr. Simon Ibrahim, had told
A.A Demi-Ajayi, granted the accused bail in the sum of N1million each with two sureties each in like sum. Demi-Ajayi said the sureties
must show evidence of three years tax payment to the Lagos State Government and adjourned the case till June 30 for mention.
and neutrality in handling electoral issues. According to him, the main focus of every INEC staff is to be efficient, and always think of how to give better services as staff of INEC. Earlier, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Rivers, Mr. Aniedi Ikoiwak, expressed confidence in the viability of the Retreat to mould a better INEC staff for credible elections. Ikoiwak said that it was the expectation of every staff to work in tandem with the goal of the commission, which according to him is ‘’to be one of the best electoral bodies in
the world’’. The REC urged the staff to be disciplined and committed to duty, adding that it was time to resist negative attitudes to work. Mr. Mike Ogini, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Cross River, said that INEC was created by law with the vision of delivering free and fair elections. Ogini charged the staff to adhere strictly to the Commission’s constitutional mandate, which he said should be the guideline of every staff. The REC assured that the commission would conduct a free and fair elections in 2015.
Couple Arraigned Over Alleged Assault On Landlady A man and his wife, who allegedly beat up their landlady, has appeared before an Ikorodu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos. Mr. Ibrahim Mukaila, 34, and his 29-year-old wife, Mariam, who reside on Odokekere Road, Odongunyan,
Ikorodu, Lagos, are standing trial on a charge of assault. The Prosecutor, Sgt. Iyabo Johnson, told the court that the couple beat up Mrs. Monsurat Dahool following an argument on April 20. Johnson added that the accused pulled the landlady’s hair while beating her up.
According to the prosecutor, the accused had been threatening to deal with the landlady. Johnson said that the offence contravened Section 172 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. Reports state that Section 172 prescribes a three-year jail term
for assault. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge. Senior Magistrate B.A. Sonuga granted them bail in the sum of N100, 000 with one surety. Sonuga adjourned the case till June 11 for mention.
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Association on their impact on the s o c i o e c o n o m i c development of the African continent through their writings. Oshiomhole said” on assumption of office our mission was to do the greatest good to the greatest number of persons in the shortest possible time. Your testimony just now proves positively that we are willing in that regard. This is to assure you that we will continue to deliver the deliverables because we have no other way to go but to give our best to the people of Edo State. “I know that your association is full of men and women of proven scholastic integrity. Their tools of trade are their mental and positive use of their biro. I recognise the saying that the biro is more dangerous sometimes than the gun.
He maintained, “We must rise up as brothers, as Africans to defend ourselves because terrorism knows no boundary and it has no jurisdiction and it is very sad that they are now kidnapping young persons.
SOME corps members serving in Abuja have called on the FCT Minister to build an NYSC lodge in the city for members whose employers cannot afford to accommodate them. The corps members made the call while speaking to newsmen in Abuja. They said that though the responsibility of providing accommodation for corps members was that of employers, the FCTA could introduce a housing scheme for them. Miss Nnoli Ogozirim, a batch ‘B’ member, said
students or their parents and therefore described the allegation to be false. She said that the school had been an anti corruption institution, stressing that the allegation was instigated by one of the sacked staff who promised to ruin the school. The parents of the abused children that spoke with newsmen however ascertained that their children confirmed the sexual abuse to be true. All effort to speak with the commissioner of police on the issue proved abortive as he was said to be attending a crucial meeting in the command.
accommodation was one of the major challenges facing corps members. “I am from a state where accommodation and transportation is relatively cheap. “It is not easy getting accommodation in Abuja. Living here in the city is expensive. Even when you get it, you will pay so much. “I am now staying on the outskirts of Abuja and my allowance from the NYSC, in addition to what they give me from my primary place of assignment, ends up being spent on accommodation every month,” she said. Ogozirim also appealed to the Federal Government to increase the monthly allowance paid to FCT Corps members. Also speaking, Mr Madu Melody, a batch ‘C’ member, said the appeal was necessary because of the difficulties experienced in the FCT in obtaining accommodation. “Though our NYSC letter of posting states that our employers are responsible for our accommodation, we appeal to the FCT Minister to build a lodge so that we can live in it and move out for the next batch of corps members.
of his total support and commitment to the development of the college, thanked the association for finding him worthy to name an endowment fund after him. “I must appreciate you for establishing this endowment fund in the interest of developing the secondary school that we all attended. “I strongly believe that this is the right direction for us to go. “This endowment fund, I believe, will strengthen and support the school with the ambitious plan of making it the largest boarding secondary school for the less privileged children and those children with disabilities.’’ He thanked the association and the entire school for their condolences over the death of his younger brother, Capt. Sabo Sambo, who was also an old student of the school. Earlier, Baba-Ahmed said they came to intimate the Vice President with the activities of
the association and their plans to restore the school to its old glory. He noted that the school, being the largest boarding school in the northern part of the country, also catered for children living with disabilities. He said the college, which recently celebrated its 100 years of existence, had instituted N250million Excellence Endowment Fund, which would be inaugurated during its Annual General Meeting in June. He said the fund would be known as Arc. Mohammed Namadi Sambo Excellence Endowment Fund. Baba-Ahmed explained that it was named after the vice president because he had carried the flag of the college far and beyond any product of the college. “We are very, very proud of your service to our fatherland.’’ He added that the aim of the fund was to reinvent the
“I am appealing to government to come to our aid by providing affordable accommodation for corps members in the FCT,’’ he said. Another member, Mr Babatude Femi, said that the NYSC members were not asking for a big house. “We are asking for a room to a corps member. We will provide our beds, mattress,
supporters of the aggrieved leaders Mr. Victor Edobor said their refusal to follow the leaders, stems from the need to continue to work together to move the party from strength to strength. He noted that their resignation from the APC was uncalled for as all avenues for conflict resolution in the party have not been explored.
pillows. “The lodge could be in form of a hostel for corps members in the city to reduce some of the challenges we are facing. “The only lodge we have in the whole of FCT is the small one in Nyanya, Abuja, which cannot contain much people. “We are really facing a lot of problem, we call for the intervention of government to reduce this trouble for us,” he said.
The spokesman for the former followers of the aggrieved leaders who resigned from the party, assured of their continued support for the All Progressive Congress. Mr. Felix Ogedengbe on his part says APC remains a party to beat in Evboesi ward. The party’s secretary in Orhionmwon Hon. Felix Obamwonyi who spoke on behalf of the local government APC chairman thanked the party members in Evboesi community for their courage to dissociate themselves from the leaders who resigned from the party over the recently conducted congresses. Evboesi ward chieftain Princess Elizabeth IduozeAmadin assured the members that their consistency would not go unrewarded as the party executive in the local government have taken note of their hardwork and perseverance.
African Value System, Only Way To PROF. Duro Adeleke, a Development - Don professor of language at the University of Ibadan, Oyo State has said African value system was the only way to develop the society. Adeleke made the assertion in an interview with newsmen while speaking on the place of values and virtues in the African society. He said that a government that failed to recognise the embedded norm and tradition of its environment would not develop to its full potential and better the lives of its citizenry. The professor emphasised that tolerance and patience were important virtues in the culture and tradition of the people, which result to religious and social integration.
Sambo Asks Old Students To Complement Govt’s Efforts school to continue to serve as VICE President Namadi To Develop Education the beacon of excellence and Sambo has in Abuja asked alumni associations to complement the efforts of Government in the development of the education sector. Sambo made the call at the State House, Abuja when he received the National Executive Committee of the Alumni Association of his Alma Mata, the Alhudahuda College, Zaria, Kaduna State. The association was led by its National President, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed. While expressing delight with the visit, the vice president stressed that alumni associations should complement efforts of government in the provision of infrastructure, equipment and instructional materials as well as financial support to their schools. According to him, this has become imperative in view of the fact that the schools had positively impacted on their lives. Sambo, who assured them
APC Evboesi Ward Members Did Not Resign
NYSC Members Want FCT Minister To Provide Accommodation
Commissioner Condemns Sexual Abuse Of School Girls Continued from page 1 as an illicit act that is capable of destroying the children’s future, adding that children should be free from all forms of abuse. She said that the children deserved to be protected, loved and cared for and not to be sexually abused by the school administrator. She appealed to authorities concerned to punish the alleged perpetrator accordingly. Also speaking, the school proprietress Mrs. Elizabeth Olayebi said that she was shocked to learn of the allegation as she was not informed by any of the
Oshiomhole enjoined other Nigerians and the whole world to call on the abductors to release the Chibok school girls unharmed and prayed for their safe return to their parents and promised to continue to partner with PAWA in its activities in Africa.
THE All Progressives Congress (APC) members of Evboesi ward in Orhionmwon Local Government Area have dissociated themselves from the recent resignation by some leaders from the party. The members who were former supporters of the aggrieved party leaders made their position known during a meeting at Evbuesi which was attended by party members and some Orhionmwon APC leaders. Spokesman for the APC members who were former
“These behaviours can be seen in an individual’s attitude, which include respect for elders and good mannerism as being stipulated by the norms and values of the people’s cultural heritage. “Obviously, it is not the different imported religious names that determine good attitude, rather the conscious understanding and strict adherence to traditional moral values,’’ he explained. The traditional religion, according to him, which teaches the necessary moral values has been neglected and relegated to the background as a result of the influence of the western
culture. The don also warned about the possible extinction of the rich traditional religion of the people in Nigeria owing to the constant neglect of the religion. According to him, ‘’traditional religion will go into extinction, if this present negative attitude of this generation continues without caution.’’ “Of course, there is an urgent need for all and sundry in Africa to go back to their grassroots and religiously give due attention to our value system for the purpose of an egalitarian society,’’ he said.
Dentist Tasks Nigerians On Proper Dental Care
service to the country, stressing that it would be unique in the history of the country. “The fund is expected to transform the school into a national centre of excellence.’’ While thanking the vice president for his continued support to the school, BabaAhmed also appreciated the contributions of late Governor Patrick Yakowa and current Governor Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna state to the college.
DR Grace Odah, a Dentist at the Federal Medical Centre in Yenagoa, has advised Nigerians to develop the habit of visiting a dentist twice in a year. The surgeon, who gave the advice in an interview with newsmen said the effort would ensure that their teeth are in good condition. “To keep human tooth in good condition, people should learn to brush their teeth with a medium-textured tooth brush and tooth paste that contains fluoride. “Avoiding a lot of carbohydrates, chocolate and
POPE Francis has cancelled his engagements because of a cold and will not make a planned visit to a Rome parish this weekend. Reports from the Vatican said it was to enable him rest ahead of a trip to the Middle East next week. Vatican Spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said there were no worries about the health of the 77-year-old
pope and everything “is tranquil”. He said that the pope was likely to resume his engagements but that he would skip a visit to a sanctuary outside Rome that had been planned for Sunday so he could rest. Francis is due to make a trip to Jordan, the Palestinian Territories and Israel May 24 to 26.
Pope Cancels Engagements Due To Cold, Need Rest Ahead Of Trip
sugary foods will help in fighting against toothache resulting from bacteria,’’ she said. She also said that food like vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, wheat, oat which constitute a rich source of dietary fibre help in making teeth stronger. According to the dentist, food that is high on dietary fibre acts like a scouring pad to cleanse and flush the digestive tract. “The Fibre high food decreases the amount of cholesterol in the blood stream and helps to eliminate cancer-causing chemicals in the body.’’ Odah said that dental caries (decay in teeth) and trauma, among others, were the major causes of toothache, adding that caries could weaken the tooth and make one to lose it. She advised mothers to ensure that they care for the teeth of their children from the early stage to avoid them having dental problem later in life. The dentist also advised mothers to cultivate the habit of using wet cotton wool to clean their babies’ gum before they start growing teeth.
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“With just about four weeks to the mundial, sincere pundits cannot bet that Nigeria can advance beyond the preliminary. At least this is my view. Interestingly, the best Super Eagles team ever assembled was the 1994 World Cup team that was handled by Clemence Westerhof.” THE salient question which all sincere soccer pundits in Nigeria in particular are asking is: Can the Super Eagles make any significant impact in the 2014 FIFA World Cup billed to take place in Brazil? With just about four weeks to the mundial, sincere pundits cannot bet that Nigeria can advance beyond the preliminary. At least this is my view. Interestingly, the best Super Eagles team ever assembled was the 1994 World Cup team that was handled by Clemence Westerhof. The team was formidable and surperb. It was composed of many talented and skilful footballers who were world beaters. The team had the likes of Amunike, Sunday Oliseh, Amokachie, Kanu Nwankwo just to mention a few who had the will and determination to prove their mettle. Memorably, the team was ranked 5th in that year ’s FIFA ranking, whereas in the run-up to this years World Cup the Super Eagles is ranked 44th. Although I have no qualms about the capacity and capability of the Super eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, however his refusal for an assistant foreign coach would eventually be his Achilles heel. The importance of an assistant foreign coach which was offered him by the NFF cannot be overemphasized. I believe that Coach Keshi knew all along at the bottom of his belly that he needed the assistant of a foreign coach if his team is to progress beyond the preliminary stage of the 2014 World Cup but decidedly opted out. But as it is today, so much water has passed under the bridge, as the
Can The Super Eagles Soar Higher 2014 World Cup:
foreign coach would have been able to give an added bite to the performance of the team, especially in the technical and strategic areas. The foreign assistant coach would have been able to provide detailed information on the opponents the Eagles would confront to the
manager of the team. It is needless to emphasise the importance of a foreign coach/assistant to reiterate what I said earlier. But from what is on ground it appears that the Super Eagles have some short comings as far as the composition of the technical crew is concerned.
Stephen Keshi, Super Eagles Chief Coach
Simply put Stephen Keshi would have to surpass his best if his team is ever to scale the hurdles beyond the preliminary stage. It is easy to say we will get to the quarter finals, we can even win the cup! Many Nigerian soccer fans and enthusiast are mere sycophants and
hypocrites, who says yes aloud when what they really mean is no. They are egging Keshi on believing that the poor man can perform miracle whereas at the back of their minds they know that miracles doesn’t come easy or cheaply. At the 2014 mudial the super Eagles will face,
Aminu Maigari, NFF Chairman
“Today, the game of soccer has assumed a new dimension. “Football has change now. It is no longer football where you picked individuals and expect them to do well. Now it is more about team work, team dynamics, teams schemes, things that are planned out like how to look at the opponent, how to bring about antidotes to the opponents playing star”.
Argentina, Iran and Bosnia Herzegovina. Obviously these are not second rate teams, neither should they be regarded as such. Just because Nigeria won the AFCON cup in 2013, does not equally mean that it may go forth to triumph in the World Cup. Surely, the Super Eagles are going to find it extremely difficult to eclipse the Iranians and
Bosnia Herzegovina for the simple reason that they are equally prepared for the competition, and ready to give of their best. For instance Manchester City striker, Edin Dzeko is one of the high profile player and striker of Bosnia, while Argentina has the like of Lionel Messi of Barcelona; even Iran has some unknown talents too. Today, the game of soccer has assumed a new dimension. “Football has change now. It is no longer football where you picked individuals and expect them to do well. Now it is more about team work, team dynamics, teams schemes, things that are planned out like how to look at the opponent, how to bring about antidotes to the opponents playing star”. Just how far the Super Eagles have imbibed these key strategies are questions left to the technical crew to answer. Our concern here is to save a lot of Nigerians from having high blood pressure, because many Who may end up being disappointed by the performance of the super Eagles at the mundial. Soccer is a game of the unpredictable. No one can say for sure that such would be the case. On the other hand soccer is a game of competition. It is a highly combative game, requiring passion, zeal, determination, skills, talent and resilience. In the game of soccer only the strong truly survive, the weak sooner crumbles along the way. In the final analysis if we are truly and sincerely wearied of our experience in the past world cups tournaments the super Eagles have featured, we should know that the Super Eagles have not play efficiently and effectively to go beyond the preliminary stage.
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A alysis Jonathan Doesn’t Know Poor Nigerians
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IF anybody wanted proof that Nigerian “leaders” do not occupy the same space and time as most of their country folk, President Goodluck Jonathan amply provided it in an astonishing speech he gave last week. On April 4, World Bank President, Jim Yong Kim, had stated in New York City that Nigeria was among five countries containing most of the world’s poorest people. India, China, Bangladesh, and the Democratic Republic of Congo were bracketed with Nigeria in this unflattering league. The Nigerian president appeared to have spent close to a month mulling an appropriate, decisive response to the World Bank’s president. Mr. Jonathan seized an opportunity on May 1, celebrated in his country and many other parts of the world as Labor Day. In a speech to workers, the man who runs Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, essayed ‘what must have struck him as an eloquent rebuttal. Nigeria, President Jonathan argued, isn’t— could not possibly be—a poor country. His country’s problem, he owned, was not so much poverty as the business of wealth redistribution. To buttress his argument, he pointed to the august Nigerian business mogul, Aliko Dangote, listed by Forbes magazine as one of the world’s 25 richest people. How could a country be home to one of the richest billionaires in the history of planet Earth and yet be deemed poor, Mr. Jonathan seemed to wonder? And the Nigerian president did not leave the argument at Dangote. “Nigeria is not a poor country,” he let the World Bank henchman know. “Nigerians are the most travelled people in the world. There is no country in the world you go that you will not see Nigerians there. The GDP (gross domestic product) of Nigeria is over half a trillion dollars and the economy is growing at close to 7 per cent.” And then, for definitive effect, he proudly shared an anecdote about a recent outing in Kenya where he participated in a program organized for Nigerian and Kenyan business executives. Nigerians, the president revealed, strutted their rich stuff on Kenyan soil, leaving their hosts dazzled. A paraphrase of that
presidential anecdote won’t do. It makes eminent sense to hear the story in Mr. Jonathan’s own words. Here goes: “The number of private jets that landed in Nairobi owned by Nigerians that day was a subject of discussion in the Kenyan media for over a week. “If you talk about ownership of private jets, Nigeria will be among the first 10 countries in the world. Yet, they are saying that Nigeria is among the five poorest countries.” I implore the reader to please pause for a few seconds, take a deep breath, and then take that in. Okay, I know what you, the readers, are thinking. You don’t believe that the president spoke the words attributed to him. Some addle-headed online critic must have made it all up. Or some mischievous foe must have concocted the story in order to create a cartoonist image, to scandalize a good president’s name. I sympathize. At first, I too found it hard, if not impossible, to believe that Mr. Jonathan marshaled this line of argument. But I waited for three agonizing days to read a disavowal. As I write, none had appeared. I have no choice, then, than to believe that the president voiced the (hard-tobelieve) words, that he expressed the (improbable) sentiments. Our president, in other words, must believe that what he said amounted to a solid rebuke of the World Bank’s dismal outlook on Nigeria. I’m nothing short of astonished. If the president read from a text, then whoever wrote that speech deserves to be fired. If, on the other hand, the remarks were extemporaneous, then some of the president’s advisers ought to muster the courage to counsel him to refrain from such off-thecuff remarks. The president’s argument merely pointed to a grave deficiency of argument. Going by the evidence of what he said, he had no facts he could commandeer to call the World Bank’s evaluation into question. And, lacking anything remotely interesting or tenable to say, he should have maintained a studied silence. He was under no compulsion to pronounce on the matter. If he felt an irresistible urge to weigh in, he might have taken the noble path. That is, he
By
OKEY NDIBE
President Jonathan should have acknowledged the sobering state of affairs in his country—and then announced a set of proposals to begin the task of reversing the trend. Instead, he spoke in a vein that betrayed profound alienation. He demonstrated a weak grasp of the fate of Nigerians, and a deep misapprehension of the meaning of poverty and wealth. In no place did he articulate any measures to achieve his goal of redistributing the billions in a few hands to the nearly 200 million Nigerians who don’t—can’t—own a bicycle. Running for president, Mr. Jonathan had made great capital out of his deprived, shoeless past. His May 1 speech seemed calculated, cruelly, to mock that campaign narrative, to thump his nose at those who today suffer as he suffered in the past. It is easy to stretch Mr.
Jonathan’s “argument” to ludicrous conclusions. In his shoeless days, how would the president have felt if somebody had insisted that Mr. Jonathan had more than enough shoes because the children of some wealthy family owned ten pairs
each? Would that argument have brought relief, a smile, to the young Jonathan? Nigerian public officials routinely travel abroad to receive quality medical treatment. Should we invoke that fact to claim that Nigerians enjoy one
of the best healthcare systems? Electric power supply in Nigeria remains woeful, even though Aso Rock, the seat of presidential power, as well as the residences of 36 state governors enjoy round-the-clock power from mammoth generators. Mr. Jonathan might as well assert that Nigeria has more than enough electric power—the only problem being that of distribution. Come to think of it, since so many Nigerians own private jets, why, the president can argue that Nigerian Airways, his country’s now moribund airline, is in robust shape. In Chinua Achebe’s A Man of the People, we encounter a learned and principled Finance Minister who is cast to the hounds, reduced by a manipulative Prime Minister to a widely ridiculed caricature. The minister’s crime in the novel is to balk at the prime minister’s order to print worthless currency in order to paper over a looming economic crisis in the country. It seems to me that there’s little to choose between the prime minister’s recourse to a deceptive panacea and Mr. Jonathan’s bizarre way of reckoning his country’s fortunes. Thanks to a career in politics, the Nigerian president is now far from the days of shoelessness. Perhaps his many, many pairs of shoes have blunted his imagination, erased his memory of what it means to live in dire circumstances, and estranged him from all but billionaire Nigerians. Somebody close to him ought to whisper to his ears that he does not preside over a country of billionaires and private jet owners. He ought to spend more time among his country’s slum dwellers, including those in his home state of Bayelsa. Only then will he grasp what the World Bank knows and has stated with such unanswerable authority.
“Nigerian public officials routinely travel abroad to receive quality medical treatment. Should we invoke that fact to claim that Nigerians enjoy one of the best healthcare systems? Electric power supply in Nigeria remains woeful, even though Aso Rock, the seat of presidential power, as well as the residences of 36 state governors enjoy round-the-clock power from mammoth generators. Mr. Jonathan might as well assert that Nigeria has more than enough electric power”
THE WEEKEND
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SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2014
P litics Between Nigeria And South Korea
o
THE events leading up to the resignation of the South Korean Prime Minister, Chung Hongwon, has made us in Nigeria realise that the mindless killings by Boko Haram, Fulani herdsmen, as recent discoveries have revealed – ritualists and the abduction of 230 schoolgirls from their school in Chibok, Borno state, will not be tolerated on any scale in more civilized societies where human lives are considered worthy and sacrosanct. The Sewol ferry with 476 people aboard – over 300 of them, school children and their teachers – sank off South Korea on April 16 while on a trip to the holiday Island of Jegu. Over 92 people are still missing. The sober Prime Minister cited corruption and “deeprooted evil” for the sinking of a passenger ship that left 187 people dead. The families of the victims vented out their frustration and anger over the slow response of authorities to the tragedy even as Chung Hong-Won admitted he had not been up to the task of overseeing rescue operations after the Sewol capsized offering his unreserved “apology for having been unable to prevent the accident from happening and unable to properly respond to it afterwards.” ‘ Here is the part that Nigerian leaders never get: “As the prime minister, certainly, I had to take responsibility and resign.” That is a man of honour. A leader who understands what it means to take responsibility especially as it affects the lives of the citizenry. Compare the ongoing thorough inquiry by prosecutors into why the ferry sank to the already forgotten investigation into various acts of terrorism and other acts of injustice against the Nigerian people. There is a disturbing silence as regards the investigation of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) stampede that led to the death of about 20 unemployed graduate Nigerians. The 325 South Korean pupils on excursion in the ship had their Vice Principal aboard. He was among the survivors. South Korean Police
reported that Kang Minkyu, 52, was found hanging dead from a pine tree on Jindo, an Island near the sunken ship where survivors have been housed. His suicide note said he felt guilty for being alive while more than 200 of his students were missing. Bring it home, barely 48 hours after the lethal
By THEOPHILUS ILEVBARE project Nigeria A cursory look at the trajectories of countries like Singapore and postapartheid South Africa reveal that the quantum leap they have made in the last three decades or so cannot be divorced from Lee Kuan Yew and Nelson
Chung Hong, Former Prime Minister
Nyanya explosion that left 75 persons dead and over 200 wounded at a bus station in Abuja, throwing the victims’ families into lamentation and mourning, President Jonathan was caught on camera dancing Azonto over the graves of the deceased in Kano state in the name of a political rally. Responsible leaders elsewhere will be commiserating with the families of those caught up in the blast, while overseeing efforts by security agencies to unravel the remote and immediate causes of the explosion. Politics must not stand in the way of decency Nigeria is a failed state.
Mandela respectively, both are visionary and astute leaders. Be it an institution, organization, state or nation, its altitude is ultimately determined by the quality of leaders piloting its affairs. This skewed political arrangement of ours that throws up incompetent and mediocre leaders has done too much damage. The subsisting political framework and electoral process makes it difficult for competent leaders to offer themselves for public office let alone win election. The problem of leadership is as much as that of followership. The dictum: “A people deserve the kind of leadership it gets,” has
Our leaders have failed the country as well. The lack of purposeful leadership has been the bane of Nigeria’s development. We crave a new crop of leaders capable of taking responsibility and willing to be held accountable for
people have failed to hold their leaders accountable for their transactional rather than developmental attitude to governance. It is a problem of followership that rented crowds still throng the venue of such campaign rallies like in Kano. Discerning followers in more civilized societies will boycott such rallies and if
Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan already gained relevance in Nigeria. For so long, Nigerians have resigned to fate. They have given the ruling class the liberty to run the rule over their lives while watching helplessly on the sidelines – the ruination that has become of the Nigerian state. Nigerians are the architect of the leadership misfits currently in power. They have chosen, encouraged, permitted and supported mediocre leaders. Countries like the Philippines, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia and more recently, Ukraine, have shown how people power can bring about change. The Nigerian
“When you juxtapose Nigeria and South Korea today, the latter, use to be a country devastated by war, misruled until the early years of its independence.”
anyone turned up, it will be to pelt the president with stones. Nothing short of a low profile is expected from the presidency in these trying times. The sombre mood that pervades South Korea is a sharp contrast to the fanfare with which the current administration strut the country on 2015 campaign rallies ignoring news of daily insurgency by dare devil terrorists. When you juxtapose Nigeria and South Korea today, the latter, use to be a country devastated by war, misruled until the early years of its independence. “Korean Miracle” is a term that now describes the astounding sporadic economic growth, how a country moved from a highly impoverished nation to becoming the 12th largest economy in the world. The outcry for the whereabouts of the missing schoolchildren in the ferry that sank resonates the agony of parents of the
abducted Chibok schoolgirls in Nigeria. The unconvincing nature of the rescue effort from the Nigerian army has compelled the parents of the missing girls to comb the dreaded safe haven for terrorist – Sambisa forest – for their beloved children, not minding the dangers that lurk therein. PDP blames the opposition, APC, for the incessant Boko Haram menace, claiming the leaders and governors of the progressive party are sponsors of the insurgents. Abba Moro made excuses and even blamed the applicants for the death of Nigerians in his poorly planned and executed recruitment exercise. Our leaders have abdicated their responsibility as enshrined in the constitution and in the oath of office they took to provide security for the lives and properties of Nigerians. The trappings of public office – power, unhindered access to loot, fawning loyalists and all the jazz that comes with political office in this part of the world will perpetually perish any thought of resignation upon any allegation of wrong doing. Here, sit tight is the name of the game. It is a country where a serving Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, seeks to use a court injunction to stop the House of Reps from probing her alleged splurge of N10billion of tax payers’ money on a chartered private jet for her private trips. This illustrates the kind of leaders we have. Chinua Achebe’s book entitled, The Trouble with Nigeria, succinctly describes our leadership problem: “The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership. There is nothing basically wrong with the Nigerian character. There is nothing wrong with the Nigerian land or climate or water or air or anything else. The Nigerian problem is the unwillingness or inability of its leaders to rise to the responsibility, to the challenge of personal example which are the hallmarks of true leadership.”
THE WEEKEND
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SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2014
e
P rspective THE scene in Nigeria over the last few weeks can be taken to be an adaptation from a blockbuster première movie in Nollywood. Everything is just a jest. In fact, Nigeria is a disgrace and President Goodluck Jonathan is a big disgrace and I think he should resign with immediate effect, if he has any iota of shame in him. This country is a complete joke and a disgrace. Maybe I should be clear, I don’t believe that Nigeria is a great country and I don’t believe that we are good people in Nigeria. Some days ago, some 200 or more girls were abducted from a secondary school in Borno State, or is it the case that they were stolen? Were they simply nobbled or kidnapped? Why is it that Nigerians are not asking questions? Where are these girls? What is happening to them? Is someone raping them at will; morning, afternoon, in middle of the night; anytime, anyhow and anywhere for that matter? And if anyone of them dare to resist this assault or rape, were they being killed? How many of them are still alive? Are they being used for rituals in some voodoo, in some juju and/or some other form of religious cultism? Why was it that only girls were kidnapped? Could it be that someone wants a lot of vagina? Or could it be that someone needs a lot of breasts, wombs or whatever? Why? Why? Why?
I Weep For Nigeria How were they kidnapped in the first instance? I thought there’s some form of Emergency Rule with ‘curfew’ and ‘tight security’ in Borno? So, what you are telling me is that the Boko Haram insurgents came in the middle of the night, open the schools gate and entered the girl’s dormitories, load the girls into trucks, drove through the streets of Borno and disappeared without anyone seeing anything? How amazing? How convenient? Or are you saying that they are still in Borno? Are you sure of that? If you are not so sure, how come no
“Some days ago, some 200 or more girls were abducted from a secondary school in Borno State, or is it the case that they were stolen? Were they simply nobbled or kidnapped? Why is it that Nigerians are not asking questions? Where are these girls? What is happening to them?”
By ABAYOMI OJO one has seen them? Are they being kept in an isolated building? Are there no Nigerians close to the place where these girls are being raped or whatever? Are you sure that such place or places exists in Nigeria? Maybe they are not even in Nigeria? The news circulating the media is that the girls had been transported out of Nigeria into Mali, Chad and Cameroon and ‘sold into marriage’ with some unknown persons at $12, just like you would do to a
piece of yam and cloth at the Market Square. How offensive! Do we have a president in this country or just figurehead? What is the stand of the Security Council of Nigeria? Or do they even have a stand at all? Do they have a clue at all? Or could it be true that we don’t even have a Security Council? I saw some members of some form of ‘security council’ including Christian Association of Nigeria’s boss, Pastor Ayo
Oritsejafor on the TV smiling after a ‘security meeting’ a few days ago in Abuja. Could it be that they are happy? What is the cause of their happiness? Is that not a disgrace in itself? More Questions! Do we have Journalists in Nigeria at all? What are the names of these girls? Do they have parents and what are the names of their parents? Where do they live? Are they Muslims or Christians? Do they have favourite food, colour or music? Do they desire to
become teachers or traders in the future? Or are they just ‘kidnapped secondary school girls’ to us? Nonsense Journalism! Our journalists are more interested in Nyanko and Jonathan and Confab. Nonsense! Investigative Journalists should be plenty on the streets of Borno by now and in the suburbs, scavenging for intelligence. Or are they doing that and no one knows about it? Is that even possible? I think our journalists do not care. It is either that or that they are simply lazy and don’t know how to go about these things. Christian Association of Nigeria threatened to release the names of these girls some days ago, O yes you got me right, threatened! Because, we are still waiting! Why aren’t Nigerians asking questions? Why hasn’t anyone been arrested? Is there any search going on? If any search is going on, why isn’t anyone saying anything to Nigerians? Are we that bad that we don’t care about what is happening to other people as long as they are not our daughters, friends or members of our church or mosque? Are we humane at all in Nigeria? Honestly, I weep for Nigeria. And as at today, I’m definitely not proud of Nigeria, at all.
THE WEEKEND
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SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2014
CRIME
NEWS EXTRA
Court Fix July 8 To Hear Agbakoba’s Suit Against Minister A Federal High Court, Of Finance Lagos, has fixed July 8, to hear a suit seeking to restrain the minister of finance from allocating revenue to caretaker committees of local government councils. A lawyer, Dr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), had filed the suit seeking an order restraining the minister of finance from making allocations to states that have not conducted council elections. Joined as respondents in the suit are the AccountantGeneral of the Federation and the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee. Agbakoba is praying the court that such funding be suspended, pending the determination of the Music legend, Professor Victor Uwaifo MON (right) being received by Pastor Monday Aigbe, Acting General substantive suit. Manager, BNCL during a visit to the premises of the BNCL, publishers of the Observer group of newspapers last When the case was called Thursday. Photo: LUCKY AGIE.
Police Arraign Reporter Over Chibok School Girls Protest In Lafia
THE Police has arraigned Mr Hir Joseph, Nasarawa state correspondent of Daily Trust newspaper, before Chief Magistrates’ Court 2 sitting in Lafia, on allegation of injurious falsehood. Police prosecutor, Mr Joshua Abolarin, told the court that the accused wrote a story captioned “Female NSCDC, Police personnel Demand Rescue of Chibok girl,” published on page 9 of May 9, 2014 edition of Daily Trust newspaper. Abolarin said that the accused further published another story captioned “Police detained six female corps over save our girls
protest” on page 56 of Sunday Trust newspaper of May 11, 2014. He alleged that the accused wrote the stories with the intent to injure or cast aspersions on the credibility of the Nigeria Police Force or give the impression that Nigeria Police women were against the wisdom of the Federal Government in steps taken to rescue the girls. According to him, the accused was charged with the offence of injurious falsehood under section 393 sub-
section 1 of the Penal Code. Abolarin, therefore, prayed the court to remand the accused in prison custody, adding that if granted bail he might commit another offence. When the charge was read to the accused, he pleaded not guilty to the offence. However, counsel to the accused, Mr Mohammed Danjuma, argued that the offence was a bailable offence, since it was not a capital offence. He cited section 340 of the Criminal Procedure Code to
buttress his argument. He urged the court to grant the accused bail having pleaded not guilty and should be presumed innocent until proven otherwise.
Police Arraign Woman For Allegedly Beating 9-yr-Old House Maid Into Coma A 35-year-old woman, Omolola Adebola, has arraigned in an Ado-Ekiti Magistrates’ Court for
Unemployed Arraigned For Damaging N2.5m Car AN unemployed man, Jimoh Kareem, has been charged before an Apapa Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly damaging the windscreen and roof of a car valued at N2.5 million. The accused, 37, who resides at Apapa area, is facing a two-count charge of breach of peace and
malicious damage. The prosecutor, Cpl Ajaga Agboko, told the court that the accused maliciously damaged the windscreen and the roof of a car, property of one Mr Daniel Amasiatu. He said the accused also conducted himself in a manner likely to cause a
breach of the peace. According to Agboko, the accused committed the offences on February 22 on Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, Lagos. The offences, he noted, contravened Sections 166 and 348 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. Reports say that Section
Taxi Driver Arraigned Over Theft Of Lebanese Customer’s N28,000 A 46-year-old taxi driver, Harrison Obini, have been arraigned in an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, over the theft of N28,000 belonging to a Lebanese customer. Obini, of No. 58, Toyin St., Ikeja, Lagos, is facing a charge of stealing. The prosecutor, Sgt. Oladele Adebayo, told the court that the accused committed the offence at about 9:00p.m. on May 8, at No. 17, Chevy View Estate, Chevron Drive,
Lekki, Lagos. Adebayo said that the accused stole N28,000 from a bag containing N500,000 cash which belonged to one Mr Ali Sharif, a Lebanese businessman. He said that the complainant, who was a regular customer of the accused, noticed the missing money after requesting him to carry the bag from his taxi into his apartment. Adebayo said that Sharif raised an alarm and
subsequently informed the police, which led to Obini’s arrest. According to him, the offence contravenes Section 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. Reports state that Section 285 prescribes three years imprisonment for anyone convicted of stealing. Obini, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge. The Magistrate, Miss A. Tobi, granted the accused N50,000 bail, with two sureties in like sum.
Ruling on the bail application, the Magistrate, Yakubu Eggah, granted the accused bail to the tune of N150, 000 and a surety, in like sum, who must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court. He adjourned the case till June 19 for hearing.
counsel to the applicant, Mrs Adanna Duru, informed the court that they had served all court processes on the respondents. The respondents have also filed a response to their application. She therefore prayed the court for a hearing date. Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke fixed July 8 for hearing. In his interlocutory application, Agbakoba contends that the failure of states to conduct local government elections was fatal. He argued that such states were therefore not entitled to receive public revenue from the Federation Account, adding that the constitution guaranteed a system of local government run by democratically elected executives. It would be recalled that on March 26, the court granted the plaintiff’s application to amend his originating summons. Reports say that the first and third respondents have entered appearance in the suit, while the Accountant General of the Federation is yet to enter appearance.
166 prescribes a fine of N15, 000 or three months imprisonment for breach of peace, while Section 348 provides a two-year sentence for damage to property. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges. The Senior Magistrate, Mr M. Owumi, granted the accused bail in the sum of N300, 000 with two sureties in like sum. He adjourned the case to May 26 for mention.
allegedly beating her house maid into a state of coma. The police prosecutor, Cpl. Bamikole Olasunkanmi, told the court that the accused committed the offence on May 10 at 100, Ekute Quarters, Ado-Ekiti. The prosecutor said the accused was arraigned on a two-count-charge of exploitative labour and assault. He alleged that the accused had on the said date unlawfully forced the nineyear-old girl into forced and exploitative labour. Olasunkanmi said the accused beat the girl with a cable all over her body, resulting in serious injuries and her being hospitalised. He said the offence contravened section 28(3) of
the Ekiti State Child’s Rights Law, 2006 and section 355 of the Criminal Code, 2012. The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge while her counsel, Mr Rotimi Adabembe, prayed the court to grant bail to his client. The prosecutor, however, opposed the bail application, saying the victim was still receiving treatment at the hospital. Magistrate Taiwo Ajibade granted bail to the accused in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum. She said that the sureties must be civil servants on at least grade levels 12 and 14 and must show evidence of tax payment. The case was adjourned till June 2 for further hearing.
Court Sentences 30-Year Old Man For Insulting Neigbours A Grade 1 Area Court in Karu, Abuja, has sentenced one Joseph Adu to two months imprisonment for insulting his neighbours and calling their mother a prostitute. Adu, 30, of Karu area, pleaded guilty to the offence of intentional insult and attempt to commit an offence contrary to section
263 and 95 of the Penal code. Judge Hassan Ishaq, however, gave the accused an option of N4,000 fine after he pleaded for mercy, saying he did not know it was an offence. The police prosecutor, Stephen Eimoga, told the court that neighbours of
the accused, Felix and David Ugar, both male reported the accused to Karu police station on May 12. Eimoga said the accused went to the apartment of the complainants in a rage and threatened the family with a knife and also called their mother a prostitute. The prosecutor also said the accused admitted the offences in a confessional statement to the police.
THE WEEKEND
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SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2014
A alysis
n
IN March this year, the PDP campaign organization led by President Goodluck Jonathan went to Onitsha end of the Niger Bridge to continue the endless and primitive politics of building a second Niger Bridge. The political promise to build the second Niger Bridge to lessen the burden of commuters and boost commercial activities in Igboland and Nigeria has been going on since former President Obasanjo’s days in office. The political promise continued with the late President Yar’Adua of blessed memory with no avail. The matter featured prominently in President Jonathan’s campaign in 2011 and in March this year the Nollywood Actors went to Onitsha to kick off the project, promising that it will be delivered in four years, through Public Private Partnership (PPP). The implication of this is that Igbo are being made to finance the construction of the bridge as they would be placed in bondage for the 25 years the construction company will tax users to collect the huge N117 billion we are told the bridge will cost to build. Now, as we wait for 2018 when the second Niger Bridge will be delivered according to President Jonathan, traffic chaos will continue to be the hallmark of that very important bridge till 2018. On Friday 25th April I was returning to Lagos around 9.00am and on reaching Onitsha, I was held for close to four hours just to access the bridge. Those coming from Asaba were held
Second Niger Bridge: Four More
Years Of Pains And Tears? also and as I drove past them I noticed the frustration on the faces of travelers, the trailers, the tankers, luxury bus drivers. Consequently I figured that their sufferings will go on for four more years assuming the Nollywood Actors in PDP get their acts together and keep the long-awaited promise. I have been trying to imagine what commuters will go through in the next four years while waiting for this bridge? I have been trying to figure out what will be lost by Onitsha/Nnewi business axis in the next four years. I have been trying to imagine how many people will die on that corridor before the bridge will be delivered in four years. I have been thinking of what the South East and South South will lose in four years while waiting for the bridge. The plight of millions of Igbo and non Igbo who travel home for Christmas and Easter holidays are better imagined in the next four years. I learnt that what I witnessed on that bridge that day is now the daily picture of chaos, tension and endless suffering that Igbo have to endure. When I returned to Lagos, I was disturbed by the news that the Minister of Works said that work on the bridge has stopped because necessary Environmental Impact assessment was not done. I smelt rat. The minister’s position was to be countered later in far
By JOE IGBOKWE away Rome by the former Governor of Anambra State who is neither the Minister of Works nor the spokesman of the Jonathan government. I knew it was an extension of the queer and
efforts to manage what is certainly an ugly development but I want to keep my fingers crossed. What is happening today on this bridge is the price to pay for the inability of Igbo leaders to
GEJ is a desideratum for Ndigbo. Now tell me where this decision will lead Igbo politically in Nigeria. People must blow their own trumpet. People who seek for a better future must lay the foundation today. When a people lack vision, there is no
nebulous politics that is being promoted in Igboland today, which promises Ndigbo a lot of placebos while other sections cart away the choice fruits of governance. Even as Julius Berger were to firm up Obi’s rebuttal, I smelt rat. The minister who is supervising the ministry of work can’t be wrong. I knew these were deft
put a stop to politics of the stomach and play strategic politics. Igbo leaders through greed and political dishonesty have mortgaged the future of Ndigbo and turned them into beggars in a country where they are critical stakeholders. After the PDP convention that produced General Obasanjo in Jos in 1999 Igbo political pundits figured that if the South West takes 8 years, and the North picks 8years, then by 2015 it will be the turn of the Igbo in PDP to produce the President of Nigeria. Next year is 2015 and Igbo do not belong to PDP and neither are they in APC. The chance to be relevant in 2015 was lost when Igbo sold to President Jonathan politics in 2011. Now as the 2015 general elections draw near Igbo leaders have been shouting from the rooftop that to elect President
hope for such a people. Today the Nollywood Actors in PDP called politicians have tricked Igbo once again on the Second Niger Bridge and the target is 2015 general elections. In August last year the same Igbo leaders were made fools in Enugu Airport without them knowing when they were gathered like people without heads to witness the so-called official opening of Enugu ‘International’ Airport. You need to see our people dancing atilogwu music in the name of celebrating an International Airport that is not by any standard or stretch of imagination an International Airport. After the dance of shame I decided to travel to Nnewi via Enugu Airport to see things for myself. Can you imagine what I saw? These clowns just changed few things and repainted the old and outdated Airport and
“I have been trying to imagine what commuters will go through in the next four years while waiting for this bridge? I have been trying to figure out what will be lost by Onitsha/Nnewi business axis in the next four years. I have been trying to imagine how many people will die on that corridor before the bridge will be delivered in four years.”
invited the world to come and celebrate mediocrity. Again, Igbo was shortchanged, and scammed for 2015. You can take this or leave it, Igbo has paraded the worst form of governors in Nigeria since 1999 except two or three of them. No wonder bandits and kidnappers seized the entire South East while the governors looked helpless. Governor Peter Obi had the capacity to build the Second Niger Bridge, and he would have solved the biggest problem facing South East and South South in terms of land transportation. South East governors would have pulled resources together to build that very important Bridge and take the glory but political timidity and lack of vision beclouded their sense of reasoning. Governor Fashola built a longer bridge in Lagos and so did Governor Uduaghan of Delta State in building the Asaba Airport. All we have from the present loud political players in the East is politics of self and stomach and in such a selfish position, they accept anything so long as it would enrich them in the long run. 44 years after the Nigeria/Biafra war have been a long time for Ndigbo to use their tongues to count their teeth. This slave mentality must stop forthwith. This idea of blowing trumpets for other people to be President in a nation that belongs to all of us is unacceptable in the 21st Century. Nigeria still stands on a tripod but political traders in Igboland have consistently made efforts to remove the third leg that belongs to them for politics of the stomach. I suggest that a radical revolution is needed in Igboland to clear the Augean Stable and replace them with men and women who play politics of ideas and advancement. Collective politics must take over personal politics for personal gains.
THE WEEKEND
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SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2014
P litics NO public commentator has as yet delivered as robust an analysis of the forthcoming 2015 presidential election as a regular columnist in the Vanguard, the intrepid Femi Aribisala. In a recent article, titled: ‘The 2015 presidential election will not be televised’, Aribisala presented a reading of the watershed election and postulated: “If, as many believe, Goodluck Jonathan is going to run for reelection in 2015, then the next president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will be Goodluck Jonathan.” Be that as it may, this writer is concerned that the sense of inevitability conveyed by Aribisala’s article may have stemmed from a reading of the situation that does not fully take into account several factors that now dominate the Nigerian political space. These factors include the growing sophistication of the electorate, the realities of Jonathan’s performance in office (discounting the propaganda for and against him), the past records of Jonathan’s would-be opponents, and the future expectations of Nigerians. To be fair, Aribisala did explore the chances of General Muhammadu Buhari—the most likely candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC)—at the 2015 presidential election. According to Aribisala, “Supporters of Buhari should read the tealeaves. How long will it take before they realise that a Buhari presidency is a pie-inthe-sky? With every election Buhari has run, he has lost more woefully than the last one. With every election he has lost, he has gone in protest all the way to the Supreme
Aribisala, Jonathan And 2015 Election
Court, but to no avail.” Aribisala added that, “There is nothing like fourth time lucky for Buhari. The “luck” is on the side of this man called Goodluck.” And for those who may think that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar might pose a challenge to a Jonathan re-election, Aribisala warned that, “politicallyexperienced Atiku lost the [2011] PDP primaries by a landslide to ‘inexperienced’ Jonathan. If favouriteson Atiku could lose so woefully to Jonathan in 2011 when the president was a political neophyte, Northern strategists know they don’t have any hope against Jonathan in 2015, after he would have been in power for six years.” Lest anyone mistakes his candour for some form of affection for President Jonathan, Aribisala declares, “I am not a Goodluck Jonathan supporter and have never been and will never be a cardcarrying member of the PDP. All I do is call it as I see it; and this is what I see quite clearly: the result of the 2015 presidential election will be declared the day Goodluck Jonathan finally declares his candidacy. That is the reality of Nigerian politics today.”
By KAYODE OJO
While Aribisala is entitled to his views, it is somewhat unfair of him to foresee a Jonathan victory in 2015 purely on the basis of incumbency. It is even more unfair to discount the effects of Jonathan’s performance in office, as if Nigerian voters are unable to see and think; as if the J o n a t h a n - l e d administration did not create 1.6 million new jobs in 2013 alone. To be clear, even critics of the President have conceded that the unbundling and privatisation of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) is one of the best policies ever initiated by government in the interest of all Nigerians. Moreover, it is on record that Jonathan signed into law the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Bill which led Shell Petroleum, a foreign oil company operating in Nigeria, to engage a Nigerian company, S.C.C. Limited, to manufacture high pressure line pipes at a cost of N7.8 billion ($49.9 million) for the first time ever. Under President Jonathan, the Federal G o v e r n m e n t
c o m m e n c e d implementation of the National Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP), which is aimed at industrialising Nigeria and diversifying the nation’s economy. The
As the President himself remarked in his 2014 New Year message, “I am pleased to note that as a result of our backward integration policies, Nigeria has moved from a country that produced 2 million metric tonnes of
of Representatives Committee on Agriculture, Mohammed Monguno—a member of the APC—said, during an official event televised and broadcast by the AIT, “I must say that the agricultural transformation agenda being pursued by your [ J o n a t h a n ’ s ] administration is unparalleled and unprecedented. We
cement in 2002, to a country that now has a capacity of 28.5 million metric tonnes. For the first time in our history, we have moved from being a net importer of cement to a net exporter.” In the same vein, the President further revealed that foreign direct investment (FDI) into Nigeria has remained high. He said, “For the second year running, the UN Conference on Trade and Development has named Nigeria as the number 1 destination for investments in Africa.” Additionally, even the Chairman of the House
must learn to give credit where credit is due and I’m doing exactly that.” Still under agriculture, it is well-known that 4.2 million farmers received subsidized input through the Jonathan-led administration’s e-wallet system in 2013 alone. Even without delving into more aspects of his c o m m e n d a b l e performance, it is selfevident that the inevitability of Jonathan’s re-election in 2015 is not as a result of the incumbency factor—as Aribisala would have us believe— but a direct consequence of the President’s verifiable
Jonathan
proof that the NIRP is achieving results is seen in the fact that, for the first time in her history, Nigeria is exporting rather than importing cement.
“I am not a Goodluck Jonathan supporter and have never been and will never be a card-carrying member of the PDP. All I do is call it as I see it; and this is what I see quite clearly: the result of the 2015 presidential election will be declared the day Goodluck Jonathan finally declares his candidacy.”
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a
N ture Preserving Medicinal Trees
IN the developed country of Great Britain, there are botanical gardens set up for researchers in medicine of plant conservation. These gardens had help in preserving medicinal trees and plants that could have long gone into extinction. So, the idea of cooking with fire wood does not exist as the towns and country side across England, Whales and Scotland have been provided with gas for cooking and backing of food items. In Benin and other parts of Nigeria, Kerosine could have been an alternative to British Gas but it is not within the reach of the elite in the urban centers less to talk of people in the rustic environment. As long as wood is still regarded as kerosene or gas in the villages, the need to explore more wood for this purpose continues to increase on daily bases. In a d d i t i o n , indiscriminate bush burning had adversely affected our trees and local herbs. No fewer than three hundred indigenous Benin local plants extracts hold value for the treatment of diverse ill health. According to local
researchers who examined the effectiveness of about 50 plants growing in Edo State concluded that our traditional herbs and roots are as effective for the treatment of diverse ailments.
Trees provide shelter for so many species of wild life. Despite the harsh environment bush animals find themselves, they have constantly stood the test of time adjusting themselves
By EKAIWE IGINUA OSEMWEKHA
to the different e c o l o g i c a l degradation as a result of tree felling, flooding and bush burning. Another important tree that are very medicinal and providing shelter for
water. In the Bight of Benin about 85% of game fish from nomadic fishermen depend on them. They create a barrier that protects coastal areas from storm and
so many endangered species of animals, reptiles and birds is called mangroves. Like their relative trees in the forests they also protect the environment in which it found themselves by faltering polluted
tides. These trees are highly revered and worshiped by Ijaw migrant fishermen who see them as the best God have given to nature. The trees are easily sighted in
“As long as wood is still regarded as kerosene or gas in the villages, the need to explore more wood for this purpose continues to increase on daily bases. In addition, indiscriminate bush burning had adversely affected our trees and local herbs.�
aggregate of the universal tropical sea shores, mangroves are type of tree or shrubs that include members of several families. They generally grow in the intertribal areas between land and sea where the water is a
mixture of sea water and fresh water despite the fact that the water is much saltier, most plants can stand mangroves, handle the conditions with ease. The medicinal properties of the tree had been carefully harnessed for the treatment of sores and snake bites. Throughout the universe many people preferred wood because of its beauty due to the fact that wood is naturally endowed. Every piece is different. Each part of wood
removed from a tree or even from one board is not exactly the same. The colour and strength may be similar but not the same pattern of grains. What rendered many people to wood products is it’s diversity of colour, strength and workability. A tree is not a cheap building materials rather wood that is well treated can provide the shelter that can stand the test of time for our hundred of years. There is another sea buckthorn tree, a small shrub colourful tree. As a temperate tree it can be found in Russia and the mountainous region of north Western Europe, the Attar mountains of Asia and the northern part of China. Buckthorn trees was first brought to North America by migrant Russians during the 20th century Amongst the enormous health values of the tree includes, folic acid, fatty acids vitamin C and fluorides. Some modern researchers have attested to the benefits of the sea buckthorn in the treatment of cancer as well as cutting cardiovascular risk factors and also for the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal ulcer, liver sickness and disorder of the skin. Apart from the berry drink being used for diverse ailments it is also very refreshing and taste good.
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o
P litics EVERYWHERE in the world, there are people who go into politics because they feel a genuine call to service. Others do so, either for self aggrandisement or in furtherance of some ignoble objectives or simply to protect their crooked and morally u n s c r u p u l o u s background. Whatever the circumstances, it is our character that determines the motivation and pattern of our politics. Anyone who remembers the dying days of military dictatorship in Nigeria and the activities of prodemocracy groups would hardly forget Ahmed Bola Tinubu. Those concerned enough to study his background and personal profile knew how difficult it was to sift the real from the fabricated. It was common knowledge that in Tinubu’s records – from family history, through education and working career to political activities – nothing simply seemed to add up. Much of what was said or written about Tinubu belonged to the rumour category and was, therefore, of no significance to seriousminded Nigerians. Of what concern, for instance, was Tinubu’s doubtful parentage, whether or not the late Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji was, truly, his biological mother? Why would Nigerians bother, if he did or did not attend Government College Ibadan, whether or not he obtained a degree from Chicago State University, unless the qualifications acquired from these institutions were presented for the purpose of securing appointment? Nor, was it of relevance to many in the 1990s – when Tinubu came into the political limelight – whether or not he grew up as an area boy (the euphemism for social miscreants) in Campus Square of Lagos Island
Challenge Tinubu, If You Can! or, indeed, whether or not he was once a political thug? What seemed most crucial to Nigerians at the time was that the man played an active role as one of the founding fathers of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) that fought the nation’s military
By FEMI AYELABOWO the sudden rise of Tinubu’s profile? First, he was Governor of Lagos State, the richest State in the country, for eight years during which he was the Alpha and the Omega. Then, he
behalf of the Lagos State Government. In actual figures, the Lagos State Government makes over N40 billion from IGR every month and based on the percentage of commission agreed upon
Ahmed Bola Tinubu
dictators to a standstill. So, when Tinubu ran away on self-exile in 1994-98, it was conveniently interpreted as an escape from military persecution. But, he might have had other reasons for abandoning his fatherland. Tinubu’s rise, on the political ladder, since his return from exile, has been so meteoric that he appears to have forgotten his humble beginning. Having acquired enormous wealth and power, he now wears the toga of “Asiwaju.” Information has it that he is pressing hard to enthrone himself as the “Asiwaju of Yorubaland”, with or without the blessings of the Yoruba people. Now, what accounts for
installed one of his most loyal subordinates who agreed that his godfather must stick around for their mutual benefits. The juiciest part of the agreement, it seems, was that Tinubu’s company, Alpha Beta (Consulting) Ltd, would be in charge of the assessment and collection of all taxes and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) due, payable and paid, on
between godfather and godson, Tinubu’s company rakes well over N4 billion belonging to the long-suffering people of Lagos each month. So, in effect, Tinubu holds Lagos State by the jugular. Tinubu’s rise appears unstoppable, especially after his transformation to the status of national leader, following the
merger of the defunct ACN with other parties giving birth to the APC. He now sees himself as Nigeria’s President-inwaiting or, at least, VicePresident to be; which explains why he is desperately seeking recognition as the idolized leader of the Yoruba race. In fact, he made the point abundantly clear the other day when he challenged the Awo dynasty (even with Mama Hannah almost clocking 100 years) for a final determination of who should be the Leader of the Yoruba. No doubt, Tinubu has lost respect for traditional Yoruba values. Those who may be reading inordinate ambition into Tinubu’s apparent desperation should take serious note of the man’s policy: “If recognition is not willingly given to you, procure it.” It is a policy anchored on the absolute power of wealth. To a large extent, it appears to be very effective, especially in the South West–dominated media where there is hardly any voice of criticism against Tinubu, no matter what he does. In fact, Tinubu believes that with money, the entire Nigerian media – and politicians too – can be bought. He may be right, considering the number of accomplished journalists, editors and columnists who sing his praises on a daily basis and would find nothing wrong, even if he
commits murder! As the saying goes, “power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Bola Tinubu believes that he has conquered the South West (almost all the States therein, except stubborn Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo). In some of the States, he has successfully deployed his army of area-boys. With Lagos State under his firm grip and the daily inflow of massive funds guaranteed, he believes that he is now capable of raising a military outfit that can defeat the Armed Forces of the Federal Government. That must have been Tinubu’s source of confidence when he recently threatened that “election riggers in Ekiti and Osun States”, during the forthcoming governorship contests in the two States, would be “roasted”, rather than face normal legal processes. Now back to the critical question: Why is Tinubu in politics and why is he so eager to acquire more powers and resources? The answer is simple: he needs power to cover up his not too pleasant past and mountains of infractions – some purportedly criminal – against the people. He also needs the resources, perhaps, to continue to appease the Lagos masses that he has impoverished. That is Tinubu’s politics. Challenge Tinubu, if you can!
“Tinubu’s rise appears unstoppable, especially after his transformation to the status of national leader, following the merger of the defunct ACN with other parties giving birth to the APC. He now sees himself as Nigeria’s President-in-waiting or, at least, Vice-President to be; which explains why he is desperately seeking recognition as the idolized leader of the Yoruba race.”
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P litics El’Rufai And His Intellectual Bout
GOING by the dexterity and zest with which Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai awkwardly throws his weight against the government and, most times, the personality of President Goodluck Jonathan, one cannot
By ODIMEGWU ONWUMERE
that El-Rufai blatantly presupposed that the Jonathan government, Ndigbo and the once Niger Delta insurgents were bent on measures to extirpate northerners. Being loquacious and
the people of Northern Nigeria, (because the man in the helm-ofaffairs of the country is from the South). In El-Rufai’s known
always looking for cheap publicity since his political relevance expired, El-Rufai could be connected with the statement of ‘no Boko Haram’, but that the government was supposedly using the Nigerian Forces to destroy the activities and
irritating approach to making comments before he reasons, he was also credited with the statement that it was Ndigbo that were in the art of planting the bombs “here and there”. He vehemently extricated Boko Haram from being in existence.
El-Rufai
refuse, but agree that there is a cult of ignorance in Nigeria, especially since this Boko Haram madness deepened in Jonathan government. People like the voluble El-Rufai have not refused to show their brand of Boko Haram, which they in-aroundabout-way tailored on the part of intellectual discourse. But regrettably, they always misfire and show their mountainous hatred for not only the government which Jonathan was duly elected to head, but the person of Jonathan. In not-too-far account, it could be presumed
But with the current pleas by the so-called northern leaders to bargain with the group in seeing to the release of the Chibok students they said were abducted, has further exposed the many lies and ethnic sentiment of El-Rufai of using his intellect in the most indecorum form. Whether the likes of ElRufai want to make money from the government in their bid that government should pay ransom in swap for the release of the girls or make exchange with the alleged detained Boko Haram members in the prison, does not meet the eyes. Today, Nigerians have known better that all that El-Rufai has been expending his energy for inguise of exhibiting his intellect is just claptrap of ethnic and religious jingoism. ElRufai’s rather antiintellectualism shames! The sad side of it is that his comments continue to mislead the young-atheart in the north who erroneously take him as one of their big brothers, oblivious that his comments strains and are nurtured by false notion. Somebody would say that El-Rufai means: ‘my ignorance is just as good as your
“Somebody would say that El-Rufai means: ‘my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.” El-Rufai is not a personality for change and not the one whose comments are geared towards change, except the change of indirectly bolstering one ethnic divide against another”
knowledge.” El-Rufai is not a personality for change and not the one whose comments are geared towards change, except the change of indirectly bolstering one ethnic divide against another, which is getting completely out of hand and he had been invited severally by security apparati to substantiate his many ‘throwing fire on the mountain’ stances. He is good at calling dissenters thugs, please, go ask Asari Dokubo. You may say that Nigeria is unfortunate with this ElRufai with his many unedited comments that could have opened the doors of gulag for him many times if the country were to eschew religious and bigmanism and tribal sentiments in its cause of executing justice as enshrined in the western-like constitution it operates. El-Rufai oozes out outdated bitterness known of the northerners of the old, although many of them from the north still believe the dummy they were sold to by the ancient British colonial masters and mistresses that they were ‘born to rule Nigeria’ at all cost. It behooves any sensible persons to imagine what could have been the fate of the Southerners in the hands of the El-Rufais’ of this country if the oil in the South-East and South-South were to be in the North. There, perhaps, could not have been ‘one Nigeria’ for a long time. Courtesy of the El-Rufais’! His comments are above the All Progressives Congress, APC, politicking in all ramifications. El-Rufai’s
new found occupation after being a failed minister is about Jonathan, Ndigbo, South-South, SouthEast and calling any supportive voice to Jonathan from the South thug. El-Rufai is not thinking and talking about how to bring to life the natural resources in the country which sources recently said that the country had over 20 untapped natural resources across the country and these are also deposited in the north where the El-Rufai comes from. The revenue that ElRufai was supposed to be talking about that should come from the north is his pseudointellectualism to abuse the collective sensibilities of this government and Nigerians who are not from the north or who are in totality opposed to the madness called Boko Haram, which has killed and destroyed many lives and the property of Southerners in the north. Let El-Rufai not see other people as lazy as he may be. He should know that no Igbo person, South-South or South-East peoples care much about the resources of this country the way northerners want to die for them in seeing that they control the power and the resources of the country. In ‘Waiting for Godot’ Samuel Beckett warns the likes of El-Rufai: “All I know is that the hours are long... and constrain us to beguile them with proceedings which ... may at first sight seem reasonable, until they become a habit.”
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P litics APART from Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa state, one has to come to terms with the fact that many governors and elders of the north have woefully failed the citizens of Nigeria, northern, southern and the visitors from abroad in their states. When there is gross insecurity and free-flowing genocide of people in your ward, the reaction of a normal human being is not to wait for 2015; it is not to simply task the Presidency to come fix the problem; no, the reaction of any normal, God-fearing human being is to raise global awareness to the problem and engage in decisive steps to counter the problem at all levels, strategic and tactical. If the Federal security forces fail to secure your domain, if they fail to arrest a single sponsor of terror when many of these are well known, you should take determinate steps to accord the people in your ward the necessary security they deserve. In the pogroms of our painful history, the northern leadership failed to aggressively abate the inhumane acts of violence and carnage to the people, most especially southerners in the north; again today, as massacres akin to the pogroms of the day, eliminate entire villages in the north, the elders and governors fail to act strongly to protect life. Northern leaders have a complaisant reaction to death of theirs and foreigners; this is the reality we must come to terms with. Though many may disagree with Governor Murtala Nyako’s blunt approach and outburst, it is recognized that anyone who has such spate of continuous, recurrent easy massacres of people within his state, which the Federal authorities fail to check for a span of four years, would begin to accuse the government of complicity at the very least. If the ongoing spate of killings were happening in any part of southern Nigeria, we know the elders and governors would have done and reacted ten times the combined reaction of all northern leaders. In fact, what obtains in the north
Northern Governors Have Failed The Citizens Of Nigeria
today can frankly never obtain in the south of Nigeria with things remaining as same-stuffdifferent-day; and it is time we point fingers where they should be–at the northern leaders. There are decisive steps that should be taken. In Algeria between 1991 and 1999 in what was called the black decade, as I recently penned in the article, “Self-defense
By PEREGRINO BRIMAH broadcast this thoroughly on national television to get the terrorists informed on what they will encounter when they go to villages. Why have the northern governors not forced for this similar measure? Do
Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State Militia: How Algeria Checked Its “Boko Haram” crises in the 90’s Black Decade”, when similar terror massacres occurred across Algeria, the government immediately trained and armed locals to defend themselves and
the northern leaders not know as the entire world does, that Nigeria does not have a rapid response squad? And that the Federal slow-response is inefficient? Why then do they still leave their citizens to call on and wait
for government forces when their villages come under Boko Haram attack? The Bama attack earlier this year was a typical case where the village head called the army ahead of the attack,
With such continuous attacks and exposure of citizens to unlimited Boko Haram terror, would wellmeaning governors not have clamored loudly for the right of the people to defend themselves with arms as coordinated, supervised and
Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State but the Federal army failed to come for the eight full hours of free carnage. All other attacks have been similar including the recent Zamfara massacre which spanned an entire 3 hours with no security intervention.
monitored by state security? What solution to this problem are the northern governors and elders working on? 2015? Who knows who will be alive till then and what this unlimited terror would
“If the ongoing spate of killings were happening in any part of southern Nigeria, we know the elders and governors would have done and reacted ten times the combined reaction of all northern leaders. In fact, what obtains in the north today can frankly never obtain in the south of Nigeria”
have done to the country by then. Is this the best solace they can offer to the families of the abducted 234 Chibok school girls from around Nigeria? Is waiting on Abuja the best hope they offer the girls being married off to Boko Haram terrorists in the bushes of Sambisa that the army refuses to enter? Should the northern elders not lead a campaign for armed vigilantes to raid the forests and border territories for the missing girls immediately? Related to this, we noticed in a recent news release that some senators promised to raise a motion to impeach the President for serous offenses they had listed and to raise the noise of his failures globally. This initially read as impressive, and action at last, till it was noticed in the last sentence of the news release that they were only deciding to do the dutiful because their seats were threatened. The paragraph in Vanguard of April 28th, read: “Since the President does not want peace and he is going for our jugular, it’s a fight to finish this time around and he stands to lose more at the end of the day.” Pathetic! They will only stand for “justice” and deliver the bulky evidence they have of crimes against humanity, when they personally feel threatened, and not immediately the evidence precipitates in the best interest of 168 million suffering, dying and abducted Nigerians. It is time Nigerian citizens come to terms with the fact that the leadership, both state and Federal does not care about them, is addicted to politics, and safe in their bullet and bomb proof vehicles, will only pursue the maths of electoral victory and maintaining power; never taking off the gloves and standing up to determinately secure the people’s lives and their future. It is time the Nigerian masses think of and for themselves as the treacherously detached leadership does, northern, southern and between. We ask the northern leadership: what is your plan and when is your plan?
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D scourse DR. Good luck Jonathan is a young but vastly experienced politician who rose from the ranks to become the President of Nigeria in 2011 by popular mandate in a toughly contested national poll. When he assumed
How A Special Minister By EMMANUEL ONWUBIKO
Nigerians to imbibe the attitude of embracing government as their own. One of Nigeria’s
Jonathan
office, one item that confronted his presidential attention was the hydra-headed monster of official corruption and economic crimes. Criticized stridently for not paying enough attention to confront and defeat the menace of corruption which has frustrated all attempts to institutionalize good governance, President Jonathan decided to appoint a minister to take charge of the Special duties and intergovernmental affairs whose mandate covers the national assignment of bridging and effectively stopping all the leakages that encourages corruption in the execution of federal projects across board. Also, this Special Ministry is to institutionalize a peopledriven ownership process of governance so as to compel
foremost anti-graft campaigner and a former Police officer who headed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC] at inception Mallam Nuhu Ribadu summed up public apathy towards governance as follows; “Nigerians have massive tolerance. They don’t even see it. They don’t seems to look at government money as their own…there is a total disconnect with government money and the people. That is why it is easy for people to go into government to steal…In Nigeria, if someone is caught stealing [from another person] they can even burn him. But when you steal government money nobody seems to connect it and say it is my money that was stolen…” On February 28th 2014, the Bureau For Public Procurement
claimed [without any shred of empirical data] that it helped government to save N95.79 billion that would have been stolen by rogue contractors. The imperative for the creation and sustenance of the ministry of special duties and intergovernmental affairs can not therefore be over emphasized. The lot fell on the Kebbi state-born widely experienced lawyer and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria Alhaji Kabiru Tanimu Turaki who is also a distinguished fellow of the prestigious chattered institute of Arbitration. Named the minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs a little over a year ago, Alhaji Turaki’s job is clearly cut out for him given that there is a general national clamour for bridging and effectively stopping all noticeable leakages in the implementation and execution of government projects especially those categorized as constituency projects from which large scale corruption takes place. The mandate handed over to the current Special Duties ministry by President Jonathan are as follows; Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation of Constituency Projects; monitoring and Evaluation of the implantation of Federal Executive Council approved policies and projects by other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and report back to the President in Council, c o n d u c t i n g , coordinating, promoting good and harmonious relationship amongst the Three Tiers/Arms of Government and relevant International
bodies. The Special Duties ministry is expected to drive the process of providing leadership in the development of risk
redistributed to the affected citizens ought to regularly brief Nigerians on how the donations are used. As a researcher in the
Alhaji Keberu Turaki, Minister of Special Duties & Intergovernmental Affairs
reduction measures and disaster management, extending Fire Service facilities to the Grassroots, providing leadership for a safer sustainable and resilient society, intervening in specific areas as directed by the President. The Special Duties Ministry is to oversee the implementation of Government policies on Anti-Corruption Crusade, handling all functions of Ad-hoc nature, handling specialized requests for assistance such as flooding. By the way not much has been heard about the billions collected from private sector donors to assist the thousands of victims of floods disaster in 2012 because majority of the victims have surely been shortchanged. Alhaji Aliko Dangote charged with the supervision of how these contributions are
human rights sector concerned about how to effectively institutionalize good governance at all strata of governance in the country, I have decided to investigate what the federal government has put in place to curb corruption associated with the implementation of what is called constituency projects all across Nigeria.
The decision is der from the groundswe allegations constituents who represented at National Assembly elected members these representat have collectively faile deliver the spec projects identified constituency project over a decade democracy stage come back. This is of the reason for widespread poverty across Nigeria. Even as ordin Nigerians cry out they are being s changed in the execu of the so-ca constituency proje one of the princ leaders of the Nati Assembly and speaker of the fed House Representatives A Aminu Waziri Tambu shifted the blame to executive branch government. Speaker Tambu who was the gu speaker at the 2 International A corruption organized by Nigerian Bar Associa (NBA) in Abuja a alleged that Economic and Finan Crimes Commiss (EFCC) was v corrupt, saying the graft body ne accounted for h sums of money received from do
“Nigerians have massi see it. They don’t seems as their own…there government money an easy for people to go Nigeria, if someone is person] they can even government money no say it is my money that
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D scourse
i
r Fights Corruption
rived ell of by are the y by that ives ed to cific d as ts in that ed a one the y all
agencies. Specifically, this writer will return to analyze the allegation of ineptitude and corruption against the hierarchy of the anti-
writer based on request, clearly defended the central government’s anti-corruption strategies. Reading through the 9–
nary that hort ution alled ects, cipal onal the deral of Alhaji uwal o the h of
uwal uest 2013 AntiDay the ation also the ncial sion very antiever huge y it onor
David Mark, Senate President
graft bodies, but the scope of this piece is on the strategies being put in place by the Nigerian State to seal up the observable leakages in the execution of the constituency projects which are seen as some of the most prized grass roots oriented developmental projects. The current minister of Special Duties in a document sent to this
page position paper handed to me, the major points highlighted as strategies for stopping all leakages in the execution of the constituency projects will be discussed shortly. Primarily, the minister of Special Duties and inter-governmental affairs said President Jonathan in an effort to check leakages has ordered that contractors
ive tolerance. They don’t even s to look at government money is a total disconnect with nd the people. That is why it is into government to steal…In caught stealing [from another burn him. But when you steal obody seems to connect it and t was stolen…”
handling constituency projects will only be paid upon authorization by his office to the Federal Ministry of Finance currently headed by the coordinating minister for the Economy-Dr. (Mrs.) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. The other strategies are that; the ministry is collating data from participating government departments and ministries on all projects and programmes from 2009 till date, and is compiling a list of abandoned projects/ programmes and updating submissions received from government agencies and ministries. So far, this investigative campaign by the Special Duties minister is said to have yielded some results even as the ministry has identified a list of Two Thousand, three hundred and ninety nine (2399), Constituency Project/ Programs in the 2013 Appropriation for implementation by the Nigerian Federal G o v e r n m e n t . Government is said to have named specific government coordinators for each of these projects to ensure transparency. Also the government held a Stakeholders Forum on the 5th September 2013, of which the following resolutions were reached, that the widely held misconception that Constituency Projects are conduit pipes for members of National Assembly was wrong, Constituency projects are conceived and allocated by members of National Assembly in accordance with their envelopes and implementation is done by ministries with supervisory oversight from members of the National Assembly whose role is key in identification and location of projects.
However, participants at that conference clearly disclosed that there are a number of abandoned projects spread throughout the Country as a result of the way
senate and so the prayer of Nigerians is that the National Assembly passes this legislation on time so the President can sign it into law to ensure that the poorest of the poor among the citizenry are provided good governance at the grass root. To stop the menace of
Tambuwal, Speaker, House of Reps
contracts are awarded to Contractors who in some cases do not know the terrain where these projects are sited and at times, some of the projects do not get awarded largely because of non-release of funds and non-compliance with due process by some ministries. Importantly, it was generally accepted that Constituency Projects provide Rural dwellers the dividends of democracy since most of the projects have quickwin effect and impact positively on the developmental indices of the Nation, there is the need to look into and establish a legal framework for implementation of Constituency Projects. To achieve the above noble objective, a Bill is already being processed by the National Assembly and has gone through its second reading by the
abandoned or substandard projects, the ministry of Special Duties has taken it upon itself to ensure that the financial capacity of Contractors handling Constituency Projects is properly assessed. The office of the minister of Special Duties and intergovernmental Affairs saddled with the task to effectively supervising and implementing the constituency projects is not sufficiently funded to carry out these objective therefore the need to seek alternative transparent source of funding is imperative. From my extensive observation, I think what the late historian Dr. Yusuf Bala Usman stated in one of his seminal lectures on widespread disregard for human rights is important as we discuss the necessity for ending the leakages that give rise to corruption in
the delivery of constituency projects to Nigerians. Writing under the title; “Some observations on the historical context of Human Rights in Nigeria: 1966-1999”, Dr. Usman had written thus; “The enactment and the exercise of, and the abrogation and violations of human rights in Nigeria, took place within a context primarily shaped by the country’s political economy. A key and largely neglected aspect of this political economy was the subordination of the public realm and the public services, where human rights provisions of the constitution, and other laws, are to be upheld, to private interest and the private accumulation of wealth by those in public office”. Looking at the provision of the constitution in section 14(2) (b) which provides that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government,” it is clear that there is the need for the ministry of Special Duties and intergovernmental affairs at this point of our national life especially as Nigerians continue to raise alarm of widespread corruption in the execution of the constituency projects. The mechanism being put in place by the ministry of Special Duties for a frame work to necessitate the following up on the impact, benefits and sustainability of the constituency projects through community ownership should be supported by all and sundry because if good governance fails to trickle down to the marginalized, there is really no good governance in such a society that exclude the poor. The Nigerian Constitution has clearly legalized the participation of the people in the governance of their affairs.
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P rspective “AND so the lion fell in love with the lamb…” he murmured. I looked away, hiding my eyes as I thrilled to the word. “What a stupid lamb,” I sighed. “What a sick, masochistic lion.” ? Stephenie Meyer I have two lovely lads, I can’t begin to narrate, explain, introduce, discuss, and analyze how
much they mean to their mom or me. However, once, I took turn to pick them from school and one of them was stuck in the toilet for some 10minutes, in which the whole school searched everywhere for him. Everywhere we looked, but the toilet. I can’t begin to explain every 10 seconds in that everlasting 10 minutes, the trauma, confusion and all that. So back to Chibok, having commented last week on the schoolgirls abduction, I had in my hope believed by now, we would be talking about the rescue mission, how it happened, who was the hero, but importantly that the girls were with their families. Painfully, we are now on bringbackourdaughters and bringbackourgirls, what I would call the usual spot. And before you wonder, what and where is the usual spot, I would tell you, it is that spot where there is an
Nigeria: If We Had 10 Seconds
To Bring Back Our Girls interlude before the closure. In other words I tell us painfully if care is not taken, soon we may consign these girls to history.
only! Would you spend 10secs-debating Boko
We just blame the president for everything. We Nigerians like to
We want our girls back, but a friend captures it, saying we didn’t speak out when a governor was stealing billions and cutting the hands of poor citizens
So I just wondered, if your daughter, sister, mother, was abducted, in 10secs what would you want. 10secs in the forest of Sim-whatever. 10secs with Boko Haram to get your loved one. What would occupy your mind? Would you be looking for popular human rights lawyer and activist, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) to sue this administration over its failure to rescue the innocent victims of Boko Haram terrorists? It’s that you would do with10secs
Haram as Northern conspiracy against a South-South president? Or bother about soldier motivation, corruption and insincerity on the part of the government in the fight against Boko Haram. In the 10secs that you have, I am not too sure; you would care about WAEC, still trying to find out the exact number of students abducted. It would concern us less that even the Chibok school principal’s story is incoherent.
criticize and score cheap political point without providing the alternatives to the problem. So would you rather go-a-blaming or looking to get our girls. If Boko Haram picked my boys, the last thing on my mind would be whether the government sets up a committee or the 1st lady, is threatening to stage a protest match to Chibok, Borno, if the abducted schoolgirls were not released or volunteering to get shot for them.
who stole chicken just to score a cheap political point. We made small noise about Sanusi and co., but we did not #bringthemoneyback, I could reel out a list of atrocities we did not change…and now to even #bringbackourgirls has become a political tool. We have spent loads of seconds debating “To an ordinary Southerner, Boko Haram is the creation of Northern elites to make the Jonathan’s a d m i n i s t r a t i o n
By PRINCE CHARLES DICKSON
“Painfully, we are now on bringbackourdaughters and bringbackourgirls, what I would call the usual spot. And before you wonder, what and where is the usual spot, I would tell you, it is that spot where there is an interlude before the closure. In other words I tell us painfully if care is not taken, soon we may consign these girls to history.”
ungovernable. To an ordinary Northerner, Boko Haram is the creation of the Jonathan-led government in order to decimate the population of northerners and to destroy their economy. But to Boko Haram there is no distinction between northerner and southerner or Muslim and Christians. Their goal is to cause terror and their target knows no such bounds.” While others are noisemaking as netzens, and our daughters are out there, so what would I do if I had 10secs? I would tell us this small gist. And leave us to reflect on what matters On July 4, 1952, Florence Chadwick was on her way to becoming the first woman to swim the Catalina Channel. She had already conquered the English Channel. The world was watching. Chadwick fought the dense fog, bone-chilling cold and many times, the sharks. She was striving to reach the shore but every time she looked through her goggles, all she could see was the dense fog. Unable to see the shore, she gave up. Chadwick was disappointed when she found out that she was only half a mile from the coast. She quit, not because she was a quitter but because her goal was not in sights anywhere. The elements didn’t stop her. She said, “I’m not making excuses. If only I had seen the land, I could have made it.” Two months later, she went back and swam the Catalina Channel. This time, in spite of the bad weather, she had her goal in mind and not only accomplished it but beat the men’s record by two hours. Would we continue fighting each other, trading blames, uncovering and discovering conspiracies, or rather fix our eyes on our goal and neglect all the distraction and discouragement by the elements along our way? Do we really want to #bringbackourgirls, it depends on what our focus is, are we ready to #bringbackourdaughters– only time will tell. Yours In High Regards
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P rspective The Chibok Girls: A Challenge
DID anybody watch Dame Patience Jonathan outburst on Chibok girls in a meeting with women in Abuja the other day? Did you see the drama? Did you see the body language? Did she believe that the girls are missing? What did it suggest to you as the wife of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria? Can we trust this woman? Last week Mrs Kema Chikwe the National Women Leader of PDP shocked Nigerians with these questions: how did it happen? Who saw it happen? Who did not see it happen? Who is behind this? Kema Chikwe of PDP was reacting to the abduction of the over 200 Chibok girls which had been trending for weeks now. Now, look at this. A day after the bombing at Nyanya where nearly 100 people died, President Jonathan jetted to Kano to dance Azonto music and to continue his campaign for 2015. Many saw this as an outrageous display of leadership failure, lack of concern, lack of empathy, lack of tact and disparaging the rules of engagement. But ask yourself; does the President believe that the girls were abducted in the first place? Does he believe that even with the worldwide uprising against the kidnap, that some Nigerian girls were kidnapped? If Dame Patience Jonathan does not believe the girls were abducted, and a Kema Chikwe the Woman Leader of PDP earlier questioned that kidnap, where does that leave us? What does it tell you about the ruling party and its leaders? Dame Patience Jonathan sleeps with the President of Nigeria and if she says that no girl is missing, you can then understand the mindset of the President and the wife. Until the list of the Chibok
To Nigerians And The World girls were published, I do not think the presidency believe the story about the Chibok girls. The supporters of the Jonathan presidency and the PDP members are still doubting Nigerian girls were kidnapped. They scrounge every space to put a lie to the stories of the kidnap and everything that seems to question the creditability of the kidnap story. If they do not believe that any kidnap took place, how and where will they start rescuing the kidnapped girls as the whole world is demanding now? Days ago the bubble burst after the leader of Boko Haram issued a statement in a video coverage that the girls are with him and even threatened to sell them to punish Nigeria further. The doubting Thomases now know that the abduction is real and not a circus show. The whole nation has been challenged, the whole 150 million Nigerians have been challenged, the whole security agencies have been challenged and the whole real men in Nigeria have been challenged and we must do something. Watching and following the international media shows that the kidnap
By JOE IGBOKWE case is one of the hottest news items in the world today but the presidency and his party seem not to believe and that is why many are scared.
would-be mothers were abducted for weeks now and the president goes about dancing and campaigning for 2015 elections. Like I said, the
been telling a thousand lies to cover their inadequacies, weaknesses and mediocrity. Have we forgoteen the egregious lie from the military that it had rescued the girls few days after their
President Goodluck Jonathan Few years back a little American girl was trapped in a well and the whole America remained awake, all day, all night until the young girl was rescued. In Nigeria our more than 200 girls, our
president, his wife, Kema Chikwe and many PDP Chieftains do not believe our girls were abducted. Some others have been lying about it just to earn a living. Our security agencies have
kidnap only for it to be proved a ruse some days later? Maybe we do not know the enormity and how grave this matter is in the eyes of the world. In another serious clime the whole country would
“If President Jonathan is still in doubt of the true situation of things, I think he should wake up. There is war in the land and the bucks stop at the president’s table. Now it is becoming clear that the seat of power in Abuja is no longer safe. No city or State in Nigeria is now safe. And if reality is to prevail the President must act as the commander-inchief, being presidential and taking responsibility.”
have been put on hold until the girls are rescued. All the security agencies would have been mobilized and deployed to the letter. But this is Nigeria where impunity, selfishness and political irresponsibility take the centre stage in matters of national significance. My submission is that Nigeria deserves something better than this at a time like this. If President Jonathan is still in doubt of the true situation of things, I think he should wake up. There is war in the land and the bucks stop at the president’s table. Now it is becoming clear that the seat of power in Abuja is no longer safe. No city or State in Nigeria is now safe. And if reality is to prevail the President must act as the commander-in-chief, being presidential and taking responsibility. This is not the time to continue to listen to the types of Bishop Oritsejafor or Chief Edwin Clark. The President must use his power to arrest the situation and restore his dignity and the dignity of Nigeria. It is going to be a collective responsibility with the President leading all Nigerians to rescue the girls. Elders are known for standing up when the need is greatest. Let the Northern leaders work with Southern leaders to retrieve the soul of Nigeria from lost soulless scoundrels and lost generation. Consequently, the world must help Nigeria to defeat Boko Haram because Boko Haram is a threat to world peace. If a group rises up anywhere in the world to claim that education is evil the world must feel challenged and therefore respond accordingly to crush that group. We cannot go back to the Stone Age. Shekau and his Boko Haram must be stopped now!
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e
P rspective THE identities of the 100 or so-known, “Fulani gunmen” who have been massacring various towns in the north, clad in military fatigues and supported by helicopters has been exposed.
members from the various affected states gathered at Yargaladima village of Dansadau Emirate, Maru Local
have been levying the villagers, collecting taxes of up to N80, 000
Munjagara. They were arrested many times but released. They have
The leaders include: Buhari (not the expresident), Kundu and Munjagara. These men have their terror dynasty settlements in known areas, that is— known by the locals and the security services, and have been terrorizing communities with full impunity for years. In this recent April large scale attack; over 2000 community
Government Area of Zamfara State to discuss their security options. During the meeting they were attacked by the armed bandits who knew about their gathering. According to Alhaji Amadu, the village head of ‘Yar Galadima, who made the revelation in WeeklyTrust, these members
routinely. The organized terrorists have also been abducting girls for sex, sending them back with some money for their upkeep after they’ve gotten pregnant. His words: “The government knows them. They know their leaders like Buhari (not the ex-president), Kundu and
established their dynasties where they rule like traditional title-holders. The government knows that, they should therefore deal with them.” The treacherously betraying part of his exposition, which he said he was making now because with so many killed, he is no longer afraid, that these murderers
The 100 Uniform Clad By DR. PEREGRINO BRIMAH
“The treacherously betraying part of his exposition, which he said he was making now because with so many killed, he is no longer afraid, that these murderers have been arrested by state security services several times and been released again.”
have been arrested by state security services several times and been released again. According to the report, many other villagers said they believed strongly of a link between the criminals and the government. On the openly known operation and locations of these marauders who operate “dynasties of terror,” a resident further stated in the Trust report: “For example, we have some dynasties like that of Gidan Sarkin Fulani Mai Kudi, Hannu Tara, Dutsen Baika, Na Alhaji Shehu, Rabe Sarki, among others. They’re dangerous, but they can be crushed.” Like our corrupt government officials in this era of demonic impunity, the murderous terrorists also enjoy impunity from our government to decimate our populations. It is important to mention that many of these marauders are not Fulani or Muslims—by virtue of their lifestyle, raping and impregnating, etc, and speak foreign languages; they are mercenaries paid to do a job in Nigeria. These hired assassins should be viewed by the public as criminals; terrorist criminals enjoying the freedom of
government support and immunity, and nothing more. There is no race, creed or sex that exclusively owns or is immune to terror and criminality. What caps crime in all societies is fear of God and functioning security services where there is justice and recompense for crime. A similar account of criminals being released back to continue their terror was made by a valiant JTF commander in the Niger Delta, MajGen. Emmanuel Atewe, two weeks ago when he arrested two Britons who attempted to bribe him with $66,500; the upright c o m m a n d e r complained that one of the culprits acting in concert with the British oil thieves, Joshua Orupere was a repeat criminal who had been handed over to State security (EFCC) in the past, only to be released again. This level of government betrayal is wicked, treacherous and evil beyond words. How can the people expose criminals and end the reign of terror in their communities, when they know the government will release them right back into society to come and slaughter them for aiding and Continues on pg. 21
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e Fulani Herdsmen Marauders P rspective Contd from pg. 20
facilitating their arrest? This is a c o m p l e t e compromise of the security of the people and the integrity of the nation. The Zamfara village head, Alhaji Adamu complained that his people were being wiped out systematically and determinately by this system, with those not killed, leaving in a mass exodus; exasperated, he said he has no more villagers to lead and with the farming crumbling along with the marauders stealing hundreds of livestock, all hope is lost. The same predicament has befallen Benue state, Nasarawa and other parts of the North middle belt. It can be recollected that in December of 2010, when kidnapper gangs were destroying Abia, the hometown of the ex-Chief of Army Staff, General Ihejirika, he organized a battalion
of over 3000 troops in a mission that was so secretive, the soldiers did not even know what they were going for—thinking it was a training session, until they were given live rounds—to suddenly strike and smash the entire terror network. Kidnapper kingpin, Obioma Nwankwo was arrested and killed in that successful mission. This is the non ‘kidglove’ approach, that the government has decided not to apply in the ravaged areas of the north and even the Niger Delta and other areas of the south where oil business vandalism and kidnapping has destroyed the ecosystem and fiber of society: impunity, romance and cooperation with criminals. The truth and summary of the exposure of the identity of the 100 military clad “Fulani herdsmen” is that they are the government. This is a government mission. This is a government
of terror. There is no other justification and explanation for the g o v e r n m e n t tolerating and supervising these known terrorists ravaging the north from Benue to Borno. It is time we Nigerians go after the terrorists and their supervisors. It is them or us. As desperation and betrayal compresses the communities, the
Zamfara people have promised to personally revenge on these gangs, by themselves when next they dare attack, no longer waiting for the army. This is another Zamfara “Civilian JTF” in the formation as obtains in Borno. The reality as we the people keep needing to establish our Civilian forces to protect ourselves with mere
clubs and knives, in the face of a useless government is that we are put in harm’s way and society further breaks down irredeemably. As a people we must collectively address the root of the problem—the compromised government at the head of the army and state security department, who no longer serve the
needs and protect the lives of the people but rather aid and abet terror. It is time for our collective and individual revolt against the devils in power and their cabal associates. It is time for the Nigerian Masses revolution! We either get rid of them or they continue to succeed in getting rid of us.
“It is time we Nigerians go after the terrorists and their supervisors. It is them or us. As desperation and betrayal compresses the communities, the Zamfara people have promised to personally revenge on these gangs, by themselves when next they dare attack, no longer waiting for the army. This is another Zamfara “Civilian JTF” in the formation as obtains in Borno.”
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o
C unselling Wonders Of The World THE Seven wonders of the Ancient world. The erreat pyramid of Giza, Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, Statue of Zeus at Olympia, Mausoleum of Halicarnassus also, known as the Mausoleum of Mausolus, Colossuse of Rhodes and the lighthouse of Alexandria as depicted by 16th century Dutch artist Iteemskerck (G. Wilcox). Various lists of wonders of the world have been compiled from antiquity to the present day, to catalogue the world’s most spectacular natural wonders and manmade structures. Research shows that the seven wonders of the ancient world is the first known list of the most remarkable creations of classical antiquity, it was based on guide books popular among Helenic sightseers and only includes works located around the Mediterranean rim. The number seven was chosen because, the Greeks believed it represented perfection and plenty and because it was the number of the five planets known anciently, plus the sun and moon. The Great Pyramid of Giza, the only wonder of the ancient world still in existence. The colosseum in Rome, the Great wall of China, Hagia Sophia, stone Henge, MJachu Picchu, Tai Mahal, Empire state Building, Golden gate, bridge, the Victorial falls contain the largest sheet of falling water in the world in terms of area. The Great Barrier Reef. CN Tower, Chichen Itza, old city of Jerusalem. The Aurora Borealls or northen lights, Grand Canyon, the London sewerage system’s original Abbey Mills pumping station. According to research the classic seven wonders were Great Pyramid of Giza, Hanging Gardens of Babylon, statue of Zeus at Olympia, temple of artemis at Ephesus, mausoleum at Halicarnassus, Colossus of Rhodes, Light House of Alexandria. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, some writers
wrote their own lists with names such as wonders of the middle Ages, seven wonders of medieval mind and Architectural wonders of the middle ages. Great pyramid of Giza also, known as the pyramid of Khufu or the pyramid of cheops, is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids in the Giza Necropolis bordering what is now El
Giza, Egypt. It is the oldest of the seven wonders of the ancient world and the only one to remain largely intact. Based on a mark in an interior chamber naming the work gang and a reference to fourth dynasty Egyptian Pharoh Khufu. Egyptologists believe that the pyramid was built as a tomb over a 10 to 20-year period concluding around 2560 BC. Initially at 146.5 metres (481 feet) the Great pyramid was the tallest man-made structure in the world for over 3,800 years originally, the Great pyramid was covered by casting stones that formed a smooth outer surface. What is seen today, is the underlying core structure some of the casting stones that once covered the structure can still be seen around the base. Research shows that the Great Pyramid of Giza is the only pyramid in Egypt known to contain both
With
O.C. Madu
ascending and descending passage. The main part of the Giza complex is a setting of buildings that included two mortuary temples in honour of Khufu. One close to the pyramid and one near the rule. Three smaller pyramids for
2,500,000 cubic metres (88,000,00 cu.ft) based on these estimates of building this in 20 years would involve installing approximately 800 tonnes of stone every day. Similarly, since it consists of an estimated 2.3 million blocks, completing the building in 20 years would involve moving an average of more than 12 of the
unexplained just how the stone blocks were moved and fitted together. In the book “Lao-Tse” (2nd edition, German), one of the Grail message foundation, we find the following sentence in the description
Khufu’s wives, an even smaller “satellite” pyramid, a raised cause way connecting the two temples and small mastaba tombs surrounding the pyramid for nobles. History and description – it is believed the pyramid was built as a tomb for fourth dynasty Egyptian Pharoh Khufu and was constructed over a 20 year period. Hermon or Hemiunu is believed by some to be the architect of the Great pyramid. The great pyramid was originally 280 Egyptian cubits tall, 146.5 metres (480.6 ft) but with erosion and absence of its opyramidion, its present height is 138.8 metres (455.4 ft) each base side was 440 cubits 230.4 metres (755.9ft) long. The mass of the pyramid is estimated at 5.9 million tones. The volume including an internal hillock, is roughly
blocks into the place each hour, day and night (Egyptologist, Sir Flinders Petrie in 1880-82. The questions who lifted the stones in those days when there was no lift, no machineries to lift the stones. The answer is simple. The people of ancient, bygone cultures had more knowledge of cosmic forces than we have today. Ancient traditions tell of the neutralization of gravity in men and objects. In the case of large constructions it is said to have been possible to move the heaviest stone into place without effort. Vollmann (1985) said in this connection we recall, for example the stone blocks of the pyramids or the massive squared stones of the Inca buildings, weighing up to 200 tonnes. Although, here are enough theories about the building methods of those days, it has still to this day remained completely
of the building of the temple; Precious stones from distant quarries were brought along with the aid of animistic helpers”. In the volume “Ephesus” of the same book – series it says: while the women were engaged in preparing the meal and tending the animals, the men fetched trees from the forests to build their dwellings, hauling them along with the powers of giants. Hjalfdar knew how to summon and make use of Special Forces, so that the building of their dwellings advanced rapidly. In Atlantis, too, the nature beings helped with heavy work through their colossal power – “past Eras Awaken” vol. II, what kind of powers could these have been, which long, long ago were consciously used to transport heavy stones and timber heavy work? Apart from mechanical aids, one involuntarily thinks in this
GSM: 08056379608
connection of the neutralisation of gravity or rather of a counteraction to gravity through the use of certain forces of nature. To accept this is by no means so far-fetched today, in this age of atoms and radiations. There is a direct reference to gravity in the book. From past millennia (3rd edition), in a prophecy thousands of years old, which points to the present time and near future. There it says: “Age – old wisdom which, for seeing, sang of this time is becoming truth. Only now does man grasp the treasures of the earth an how to apply them to bring blessing.” He is learning a new way to control the powers of the universe, man discovers a the eternal laws of nature. Through wise instruction, he is learning to neutralize the gravity of bodies. To what is perfect he gives new forms, everything strives upwards. Some attempts to neutralize the mysterious power of gravity have also, been made in more recent times. By evoking a certain vibration, by producing anti gravitational fields and screening devices, through a metal alloy which renders the invisible cosmic radiations ineffective in a certain direction or by electro gravitation. There is also, mention of laser beams, which could be used to neutralize gravity. In the end, all the attempts to neutralize gravity on earth are probably base don effecting certain structural changes in the elementary particles of the atoms. The pyramid reminded the tallest man-made structure in the world for over 3,800 years unsurpassed until the 160-metre –tall (520ft) Spire of Lincoln Cathedral was completed C1300. This article is about natural and constructed phenomena and structures of the world. The American society of Civil Engineers compiled a list of wonders of modern world. Knowledge is power. Thanks for reading.
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n
A alysis TWO truths are indispensable to leaders. First, they will be criticized. Second, criticism always changes the leader. Unhappy people tend to attack the point person. As a leader, how do you respond to criticisms? When the storms come, do you let fear, anger, and distrust take better part of you? We all know that politicians are hypersensitive to criticisms. Fighting back his critics, President Goodluck Jonathan once said that he was the most criticized president in the world. If the president had been adequately briefed on events around the world by his coterie of media aides, he would count himself lucky to be a president in Nigeria. As expected, the Aso Rock attack dog and attack lion of Reuben Abati and Doyin Okupe respectively have been playing the offensive and defensive roles with exceptional brilliance to shield the president from criticisms even to the admiration of his critics. Criticism and confrontation come within the territory of governance. But the defenders and apologists of the president do not understand the difference between constructive and destructive criticism. They fail to look beyond the criticism to see the critics. They ought to guard their own attitude toward the critics: don’t get defensive but stay objective. They forget that even good people get criticized. They should learn not to see only the critics but see the crowd whether the criticism is widespread or not. They should be matured enough to be patient and wait for time to prove the critics wrong. And above all, they should
Interpreters Of Maladies
concentrate on their mission, correct their mistakes and focus on the big picture. I borrowed the title of my piece from Jhumpa Lahiri’s book “Interpreter of Maladies.” I’ll not bore you with summary of the book. However, I find some parallelisms in the themes, motifs, and symbols in the book with the utterances of the president, his cabinet, and his image makers concerning the state of the Nigerian state. More often than not, communication between Aso Rock media hordes and the Nigerian people is haphazard, deceptive, and full of lies ending in d a m a g i n g consequences to the administration. Communication breaks repeatedly in “Interpreters of Maladies.” Just like Mr. Kapasi, who is the interpreter of maladies in the book, has lost his ability to communicate with his wife, Mr. Jonathan, Abati the erstwhile Guardian columnist-critic of Mr. Jonathan, and his cousin Okupe the medical doctor turned propagandist, have lost their ability to communicate the truth to the Nigerian people. They all fail to see the truth in the criticisms of the Jonathan administration. That’s the danger of romanticism. They romanticize the president and his “Transformation Agenda.” This results in insensitivity and danger to the progress of our nation. They see what they want to see. The scene from the hopeless Nigerian situation is separate from their own reality. Their arguments are based on nebulous facts of the daily
By BAYO OLUWASANMI
experiences of Nigerian masses. They see critics through their tint that block others’ views of the Jonathan administration.
which prevent them from seeing clearly the Nigeria that majority of us see, hence their
lenses. It is not surprising therefore that they construct a life that does not actually exist. They operate in a state of
President Goodluck Jonathan They watch critics through the rear view mirror which distorts their views. Both the president, his cabinet, and damage controllers wear visors
inability to engage with it. Rather than engage with Nigerians and the reality of the mess created by them, they resort to bland descriptions and pictures from their own
fertile infatuation and with imaginary willful ignorance and armslength engagement than accept the disappointments and failures of the Jonathan
Reuben Abati, Special Adviser to the President on Media
administration. The latest manufactured event from the stable of J o n a t h a n ’ s administration outfit of interpreters of maladies was the rebased Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $510 billion, which make Nigeria the largest economy in Africa. The StatisticianGeneral of Nigeria, Dr. Yemi Kale, announced in Abuja few weeks ago with fanfare that the “current GDP of the country stands at $150 billion.” The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) recalculated the value of GDP based on production patterns in 2010, increasing the number of industries it measured to 46 from 33 and giving the greater weighing to sectors such as telecommunications and financial services. The rebased GDP set off media firestorm coming at a time when the Jonathan administration has exhausted every ounce of oxygenated credibility and the looming 2015 presidential elections. Election propagandas are about to go into overdrive and the Jonathan administration has a huge platform behind it. One of its biggest ever-new product is the rebased or refurbished GDP. While Finance Minister Okonjo-Iweala and other interpreters of maladies of the Jonathan cabinet are beating their chests and with thumbs up for Nigeria being the largest economy in Africa, Dr. Jim Kim, the man who got the World Bank job ahead of Okonjo-Iweala, classified Nigeria among the world’s extreme poor countries. “The fact is that twothirds of the world’s extreme poor are Continues on page 24
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A alysis has made tremendous
Continued from page 23 efforts and has been
concentrated in just five countries: India, China, Nigeria, Bangladesh, and the Democratic Republic of Congo,” said Kim. All of us or most of us, have become wiser as time goes by. We now know that the Jonathan administration dos not sincerely care about people, but about propaganda that will win Mr. Jonathan a second term. “Power,” Emerson once reminds us, “resides in the moment of transition from a past to a new state. The “Transformation Agenda” of Mr. Jonathan continues to move precariously on pages of propaganda without any corresponding concrete evidence on ground to show for it. The choreography of his electioneering campaign is now moving from four years of failure to another four years of guaranteed disaster for the nation. In the parallax of this double perspective, a dress up, camouflage of the state of the economy is crucial to Mr. Jonathan’s reelection. The maladies of this administration have been interpreted or rather misinterpreted on all subjects and on all fronts. The president once told us, corruption in Nigeria was not as bad as it has been painted by critics and the media. In a survey in 2013, Tr a n s pa r e n c y International found 84% Nigerians believe corruption had increased in the past two years, a higher percentage than most any other country in the world. Dr. Precious Gbenol, Special Assistant to the President on Millennium Goals, said Nigeria had succeeded in reducing the number of people that were suffering from extreme hunger by 50%. “The country as a nation
able to reduce the number of people by half that suffers from extreme hunger way ahead of 2015,” said Gbenol. Which country is she talking about? How many Nigerian cities, towns, and villages did she visit to witness hunger at work? The government claims it’s winning the war on Boko Haram. But the fresh killings in Abuja recently by the terrorist group confirmed the opposite. According to the United Nations spokesperson on UNHCR, Mr. Adrian Edwards, 17,000 Nigerians are now refugees in neighboring countries of Cameroon, Chad, and Niger Republic. Also, recently, NNPC rented a crowd of mostly women to stage a protest in Abuja in support of the embattled Minister of Petroleum, Diezani AlisonMadueke. AlisonMadueke has been embroiled in a financial controversy over the N10 billion she spent on chattered jets. On job creation, the Chief Interpreter of Maladies, President Jonathan last year claimed that his government has created 1.6 million jobs. “We are keenly aware that in spite of the estimated 1.6 million jobs created across the country in the past 12 months as a result of our actions and policies, more jobs are still needed to support our growing population, aid Mr. Jonathan. The story on unemployment reads like a funeral program for the middle class: Forty million youths are unemployed. In 2012, more than 60% of Nigerian graduates are jobless. According to the Director General of the National Center for Te c h n o l o g i c a l Management, Dr. Willie Siyanbola said 2.5
...Of Maladies
Arch. Namadi Sambo, Vice President of Nigeria
Doyin Okupe million jobs must be created yearly by government and private sector to meet job
demands of Nigerian graduates. Project Director of the Sure-P Internship
Scheme, Mr. Peter Papka said out of 83,000 unemployed graduates registered with the scheme, only
800 were able to secure internship with the scheme. It was reported elsewhere that about 90 million Nigerians are willing and able to work, but 70 million of them have no gainful employment. So, Mr. President, where are the jobs? On electricity, in a story published by SaharaReporters in January, Abati said “before president Jonathan came to office, nothing was happening in the power sector, he went into that sector and dealt with issues of management and infrastructure.” “President Jonathan has brought light,” said Abati. “Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he isn’t,” says Francis Bacon, “and a sense of humor to console him for what he is.” Seems to me the interpreters of maladies of the Jonathan regime have neither. The phony invention and reinvention of lies and maladies by President Jonathan and his administration have become a treasure political hunt for critics. The President’s men and women behave like cooks without recipe books. They have become ingrained in indulgence sarcasm at the expense of dignity, credibility, and predictability. Leaders must be willing to submit themselves to the governed. But those who hold leadership positions based on lies and other fabricated maladies find this difficult to accept. Willing subordination of a leader is required for greater l e a d e r s h i p responsibilities and success. The closer will get to 2015, the more we are going to witness maladies interpreted by lying cretinous propagandists. Nigerians brace up, the flight is going to get turbulent!
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Foreign Extra
IN a country that has been sensitized on rape, the responses from the politicians and some big names remain insensitive. “Boys will make mistakes,” Samajwadi Party Leader and father of the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Mulayam Singh Yadav said of rape in a public speech recently. His
raped.” Mr. Yadav’s lieutenant, Abu Asim Azmi, meanwhile invoked Sharia law to call for the death penalty – but, for the victim. “Even the woman is guilty, “he quoted to a Mumbai daily. Mr. Azmi
students be made to wear shirts and trousers as uniform to reduce chances of their being subjected to lewd comments or
culture society as a whole and that erosion of traditional Indian values were more pronounced in urban areas. Spiritual leader Aasaram, who is
remarks making light of such a heinous crime illustrate just why the feminist battle in India has barely begun. He firmly believes new rape laws, introduced after the 2012 rape-and-murder of a Delhi woman, are being misused by women to punish their boyfriends. “When their friendship ends”, Mr. Yadav asserted, “the girl complains she has been
believes that if “any woman, whether married or unmarried, goes along with a man, with or without her consent she should be hanged”. Banwari Lal Singhal, a BJP leader in Rajasthan state wants the state government to prohibit private schools from making girls wear skirts as uniform, citing it as the reason behind the rapes. He demanded that girl
harassment and underpinning his statement, he further added that the proposed school uniform would save the students from extreme weather conditions too. The Rasthriya Swayamsewak Sangh (aide of BJP party) chief Mohan Bhagwat recently claimed that the incidence of rape were the result of western
currently in jail for the alleged rape charges, had earlier courted controversy for suggesting that the victim of the brutal gang rape cum-murder in Delhi (2012) was equally responsible for the crime and saying the girl could have called her assailants brothers and begged them to stop. The bitter truth, though, is that these kind of
Pro-Rapist Face Of India By VIKRAMADITYA SANGWAN
“Reports show that there is a great diversity in the way targeted women act or dress. Women are raped from the age of three to ninety three. Rape is an act of violence not sexual gratification. The suggestion of avoiding walking alone, especially at night is a common suggestion to avoid sexual assault. However, only 9% of rapes are committed by strangers and in the overwhelming majority of the cases, the perpetrator was known to the victim.”
attitudes are not exclusive to the Samajwadi Party, BJP and spiritual aleaders only. From the Puducherry Minister who wants women covered up in over coats to the Delhi community leaders who scapegoat Africans for rapes; from Shiv Sena leaders of Maharashtra who blame migrants for rape to the Haryana Khap Panchayat leader who says it happens because of hormonal excess he attributed to chowmein (chinese noodles) – there is no shortage of Indians willing to blame rape on anything and everyone other than the rapist. The hideous truth is that in India, as in many other countries, there is something that can only be described as prorapist lobby that extends beyond political pulpits into the streets and homes. The renewed feminist activism of the recent years has left patriarchy scrambling for new bogeys and new ways to protect itself. Illi n f o r m e d scaremongering about the “draconian” provisions of the new amendments to sexual assault has been a handy tool. Very often it is claimed that the women did not fight back otherwise it could not have been a rape. For India’s women, rape is part of a continuum of violence that begins in the womb. Contrary to the myth that rural India is safer than urban India of 24,923 cases registered in 2012 by police, 3,035 took place in major cities. Reports show that there is a great diversity in the way targeted women act or dress. Women are raped from the age of three to ninety three. Rape is an act of violence not sexual gratification. The suggestion of avoiding walking alone, especially at night is a common suggestion to
avoid sexual assault. However, only 9% of rapes are committed by strangers and in the overwhelming majority of the cases, the perpetrator was known to the victim. Moreover, it has been found that most rapes are pre meditated i.e they are either wholly or partially planned in advance. The data also tell us the typical rapist is not a feral juvenile, crazed by raging hormones or bad up bringing. Young doctors Vasundhara and Geetanjali said that studies have indicated that 5% of men are psychotic at the time of their crimes and that men who commit sexual violence come from every economic, ethnic, racial, age and social group. The common pro-rapist thought that the women did not fight back during rape is well contradicted by the famous local social activists Amandeep and Adesh Hooda. According to them, men who rape or sexually assault women and girls will often use weapons or threats of violence to intimidate women. Faced with the reality of rape, women make second by second decisions, all of which are directed at minimizing the harm done to them. At the point where initial resistance, struggling, reasoning have failed the fear of further violence often limits women resistance. For many years, studies have suggested that false reporting rapes are no different from false reporting rates for any other crime in India. Hence, if you have been raped or experienced any other kind of sexual violence, no matter where you were, what you were wearing, if you were drunk or under influence of drugs, it was not your fault and you did not deserve this. The pro-rapist thoughts have rightly caused outrage. They should also lead to some hard introspection into how many of us believe slightly more benign version of those very words to be true.
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Vi ew Point
Cliven Bundy Assures Black People That Slavery Times Was Better Than President Obama’s America
NEVADA rancher Cliven Bundy is being hailed as a hero and patriot in his stand-off with the Federal Government over cattle grazing in Nevada by most white conservatives in the media and across the nation as well as by many in the Republican party, a mostly white dominated party in America. The 67-year-old white rancher recent comments about race again remind the world, global blacks in particular, about the age long American ailment of race obsession which has taking a worse turn since the coming of the Obama presidency. Bundy’s bigoted
mindset recently poured out the following statements according to the New York Times. “I want to tell you one more thing I know about the Negro,” he stated. Mr. Bundy recalled driving past a public-housing project in North Las Vegas, “and in front of that government house the door was usually open and the older people and the kids — and there is always at least a half a dozen people sitting on the porch — they didn’t have nothing to do. They didn’t have nothing for their kids to do. They didn’t have nothing for their young girls to do”. “And because they were basically on govern-
By JOHN EGBEAZIEN ment subsidy, so now what do they do?” he asked. “They abort their young children; they put their young men in jail, because they never learned how to pick cotton. And I’ve often wondered, are they better off as slaves, picking cotton and having a family life and doing things, or are they better off under government subsidy? They didn’t get no more freedom. They got less freedom.” Bundy’s statements expose the thinking of race in America even at a time when the new multicultural America under president Obama
is overpowering the dwindling culture of White power and influence in continental America. Bundy and his mostly white militias in military fatigues, patrolling the land, reminds America of the old slavery times when blacks rather than cattle were the center of dispute with the federal government. Bundy’s injection of Blacks in his dispute with the federal government who accused him of refusing to pay grazing fees $1 million is again revealing of how Blacks are being used by white extremists to play out their anti-government
sentiments. It is now very clear that the protection of Blacks in race conscious America through civil rights rulings have become more profound under the first black American U.S. Attorney General, Eric Holder in the Obama presidency. It is no exaggeration to suggest that built-in-anger has widened among some whites like Bundy with the election and the re-election of Barack Obama to the office of President of the United States. The so called stand off by Bundy’s armed supporters with the federal rangers could in fact be a symbolic extension of the pains,
tears and anger showed by many of Mitt Romney’s supporters during the 2012 Presidential election when he lost to a black or multiracial man, Barack Hussein Obama. The anger being shown by Bundy and his supporters reminds us of the students at University of Mississippi who took to the streets to voice their racial anger and prejudices over Obama’s win. The persistent racial inequality in America will no doubt continue but as the nation turns more black and brown the white extremists will need to start learning new cultural and coping skills under our ever expanding and diverse America.
Why President Obama Will Not Visit Nigeria BARRACK Hussein Obama is not only the leader of the most powerful nation on earth, but he is the celebrated black president of the United States. Love him or not, he is at a pinnacle for the black race on the earth today. However, the black president of America has thus far refused to visit the biggest black nation in the world and by all projection, will not do so till he completes his second term as U.S. president if things remain the same with Nigeria. Why will Obama not visit Nigeria? Here are some of the reasons: The Nigerian government is a bunch of bandits. The military leadership of the nation aids and abets terrorists. The military leadership of Nigeria lies that it has freed captive girls. Repeat: The military leadership of Nigeria lies that it has freed captive girls. Nigeria’s military chiefs, ministry of defense and
heads of state security lead the deliberate massacre of innocent civilians and soldiers. Abuja, the nation’s capital is the residence of thieves and hideout of terror sponsors. Abacha, a dictator, killer and treasury looter is honored in Nigeria.
By DR. PEREGRINO BRIMAH Al Mustapha, M.K.O. Abiola’s wife’s murderer and an Abacha marksmen team leader is freed. Bayelsa, the home state of Nigeria’s president is the most toxic piece of land on planet earth with
USA President, Barack Obama
40 oil spills recorded every month. Nigeria pollutes the sea more than any oil producing nation on earth. Nigeria today does not arrest sponsors of terror whose money now
finances Al Shabaab and Al Qaeda. There are more kidnappings in Nigeria than any nation. Nigeria currently hosts the most dangerous high sea piracy events on the planet. Nigeria this 2014 has succeeded in scoring the highest number and worst cases of death and violence from terror than any nation on earth. Nigeria’s youth are the most deprived on the planet, considering the nation’s immense wealth. Nigeria’s government steals from almajiri (beggars), the youth and unemployed to give to the government bloated thieves and Cabal. Nigeria is the only nation on earth that rather than developing is regressing. $20-127 billion dollars, oil revenue has been stolen by Nigeria’s government officials and their partner, billionaire Cabal. WhereIsOurMoney? Nigeria’s fourth republic civilian regimes
are worse than its military dictator regimes. Nigeria has an oil goddess, Diezani AllisonMadueke. Nigeria has achieved the highest level of government corruption ever recorded in the history of planet earth. And finally: Not only is Nigeria’s government clueless, and recklessly hopeless, but so are its people also recognized to be for permitting such a Cabal regime and system to remain in power. There have been civilians like Gandhi and soldiers like Rawlings who have walked their nations out of the mess, but of its 168 million victims of the treacherous, lootocratic fourth republic, Nigeria does not have a single civilian or soldier, talk less thousands willing and able to deliver its children, elders and most helpless. This is why president Obama does not only not visit, but does not even talk of or remember Nigeria, a nation in a new dark age.
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Today’s Diet With Pastor E. A. Adeboye
Anointed Vessel For Divine Utterance MEMORISE: “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.” Isaiah 61:1 Read: Jeremiah 1:6-10 THE anointing of God has some similarities with electricity. It flows from God, through man to men. One major purpose of the anointing as enunciated in Isaiah 10:27 is to destroy the yoke the devil has placed on men: “And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.” One of the methods through which the anointing flows through a man is by divine utterance. God is the One that anoints or sets aside a man for divine utterances. I pray that you will be anointed for divine utterance in Jesus’ Name. A man is anointed by God to bring solution to the problems of his generation. Anointed vessels are set apart by God for leadership purposes. They are also set apart as watchmen to warn God’s people, like Ezekiel. To be an
anointed vessel for divine utterance, you must be sensitive to the voice of God (1 Samuel 3:4) and obedient to both God and your human superiors like Joshua was to Moses. You must also be truthful, faithful and have unfeigned commitment to the work of God. An anointed vessel for divine utterance should be available, teachable, meek, patient, holy, bold, prayerful and should love God. You can be an anointed vessel for divine utterance today if you make up your mind to hear and to speak the voice of God, obey His voice and encourage others to do the same. A person that desires to be an anointed vessel for
divine utterance must understand the Personality behind the voice he seeks to relay, especially with respect to His dealings with and His desires for His people. He must understand that our God is good and there is no iota of evil in Him. He is the God of Solution. He is a strong Rock and Foundation (Psalm 31:23). As a Rock, God cover believers with strength (Psalm 18:32). He grants excellent physical, spiritual and material health. As a Rock, He grants instant and ultimate salvation to His own. As a Rock, God overtakes, defeats and destroys all the enemies of His children, bringing them to submission (Romans 8:30-32). God is our fortress (Psalm 18:2). As our fortress, God turns mourning ACTION POINT to dancing, turns Seek to be an anointed childlessness and vessel of God for divine barrenness to fruitfulness utterance today. and turns poverty to Nothing as profitable. wealth. isGod is our deliverer. He knows all things, sees all things and performs all good things for His people.
“A person that desires to be an anointed vessel for divine utterance must understand the Personality behind the voice he seeks to relay, especially with respect to His dealings with and His desires for His people.”
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
EMIANTOR – I formerly known, called and addressed as Mrs. Josephine Omoalete Emiantor now wish to be known, called and addressed as Miss Josephine Omoalete Garuba. All former documents remain valid. Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, other concerned authorities and general public should please take note.
EIGBE – I formerly known and addressed as Miss Eigbe Dorcas Lametu now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Ehiemuan Faith Afua. All former documents remain valid. Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, other concerned authorities and general public should please take note.
CHANGE OF NAME
CHANGE OF NAME
MUSAH - I formerly Miss Musah Fatimat, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Shielu. M. Fatimat. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.
CHANGE OF NAME OKEKE- I formerly Miss Okeke Onyinyechi Genevive, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Ucheonye O n y i n y e c h i Genevive. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.
CHANGE OF NAME EBOIGBODIN – I formerly known and addressed as Miss Flourish Ekenofu Eboigbodin now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Evbuomwan Flourish Ekenofu. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and general public should please take note.
EHIMEN- I formerly known and addressed as Miss Anthonia Ehimen now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Egbiaye Origho Felicia. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.
CHANGE OF NAME OSAWE - I formerly Miss Sarah Eseosa Osawe, now wish to be known, called and addressed as Mrs. Sarah Eseosa Enotoe. All former documents remain valid. National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and the general public should please take note
CHANGE OF NAME ADJOTO- I formerly known and addressed as Adjoto Olayi now wish to be known and addressed as Rabiu Musa. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities, Ministry of Finance and the general public should please take note.
CHANGE OF NAME OSUGHE- I formerly known and addressed as Miss Oshiovue Precious Osughe now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oshiovue Precious Omozuwa. All former documents remain valid. Concerned public and general public should please take note.
CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, IDEHEN OGOLO OSASUMWEN wish to bring for the information of the general public that I am the same person as Ehigiator Osasu and Ogolo Osasumwen Idehen. Henceforth, I am now properly known and addressed as Idehen Ogolo Osasumwen. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.
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SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2014
i
V ew Point
A University Chancellor And His Preachments On Violence
ONE of the tragedies of our time is that misfits are fitted with coats meant for the sober and level headed. That is the tragedy of picking the new chancellor for the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH). To think that the last holder of that office was Basorun M.K.O. Abiola, the man who gave his life for the democracy many misfits are now relishing in, and throwing their weights around and nauseating the rest of us, it is surprising, actually dumb-founding. It is numbing that a man, who has not openly confessed his sins of forging university qualifications, would be given this office and talk the way he did within the university grounds. No wonder he made the kind of comments he made there about rigging and roasting; a language meant for motor-park touts, political thugs and area boys was brought within the four walls of a university, because, as the popular saying goes, “by their fruits you shall know them,” or the one my Christian friends always quote, “from the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” You can only give what you have. Did anyone also read the comments of His Excellency, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, at the matriculation of the North Western University, Kano? What is it with all these PDP people who joined Tinubu and his cotravelers? Suddenly, they have imbibed his ways – the Area boys mentality in all its fullness. It is curious that the fullness of these attributes are manifesting among these latter day progressives only after being in the same political bed with Tinubu. I wonder what our dear General is doing in this company of
By MUSTAPHA ABDULLAHI undisciplined characters. Is the desire for power that demanding that a goat will join the street dog to eat faeces from the bin? General, please return to the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), or let us set up something else because we can still make it. In his momentous speech at LAUTECH, the Asiwaju who is endeared to Robin Hood by his own confession, believes it is all right to rob the rich to take care of the poor; but the good people of Lagos who know how much is paid to a revenue consulting firm he is known to have interests in are asking why they are not getting part of what the Lagos State Government, the richest state entity in Nigeria, is being robbed off. So where has the over N3 billion monthly been going to? Is it to win more States in the South-West and feather the nest of the Robin Hood Empire? What about proceeds from Lekki toll gates? This man says he is a progressive. Hmmm. Read him: “These conservative elites still dominate the political landscape. While we strive for a progressive era of development, democracy and human respect, this conservative network seeks to relegate you to the status of modern serfs living ramshackle lives, so desperate for a hand-out that you actually thank them when they deign to give you back a small fraction of what they have stolen from you. “They soak their feet in milk and champagne while the people struggle to find clean water to soak garri. Even brave Robin Hood would run from Nigeria because it operates on principles
reverse to those endearing the mythic hero to our imagination. Our system steals from the poor to give to the rich. What is vice and condemned elsewhere is virtue and commended here. This is Nigeria today. But it can’t stand as the Nigeria of tomorrow. Change must come; we are ready and strongly determined to break the shackles of poverty and ignorance.” If we are to believe the statisticians in the World Bank that Nigeria, like great countries like China and India, houses the largest population of the extreme poor; it follows that the States of Lagos and Kano house the largest of these poor persons in Nigeria. By some wicked twist of fate, these are the States of the progressives! It is instructive that Tinubu, like Buhari, is toeing the same path with government on the Boko Haram menace noting that in due season, the Boko Haram foot soldiers shall be made to pay for what they have done. We hope their sponsors and encouragers will suffer a worse fate. In one breath, the Asiwaju says, “As for me and my party, we abhor
Bola Tinubu
them and their violent ways. We have no part with them and they have no part with us. Although we are in intense political competition with the ruling party, our competition stays within the confines of electoral competition. We seek your vote, not your lives. Boko Haram is our enemy for the Nigeria we seek has no place for their wicked recreation.”
In another breath, on the LAUTECH premises, this one who wants to be described as a statesman and says his party abhors violence declares that if elections are rigged in the coming Ekiti and Osun elections, “we are prepared not to go to court but to drive you out. We will not take it anymore. If you mess up in Ekiti and Osun states, you will see our reactions. For every
“They soak their feet in milk and champagne while the people struggle to find clean water to soak garri. Even brave Robin Hood would run from Nigeria because it operates on principles reverse to those endearing the mythic hero to our imagination.”
action, there must be a reaction…. No government that wants people’s votes that will be doing what they are doing. They are planning to rig the elections but be ready to protect your votes. It is going to be rig and roast.” These were unguarded statements; and, Freudian slips like these is reason the APC is tagged as people with a “Janjaweed” mentality and area boy tendency by PDP propagandists and other commentators on public affairs. What else can make a man pretend to have finesse, and yet expose himself for the violent man that he truly is? A leopard cannot change its spots. By the way, on matters of rigging, can Tinubu truly cast the first stone? Or, is it because his henchman in the Court of Appeal has been finally thrown out that he is now judiciary shy? These are, indeed, interesting times.
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o
F r The Record Hon. Justice Christopher Mitchell Chukwuma-Eneh Has Proven to Be An Asset To The Legal Profession Being A Speech Delivered By Mr. K.S. Okeaya-Inneh. San On Behalf Of The Body Of Senior Advocates Of Nigeria At The Valedictory Ceremony To Mark The Retirement Of The Hon. Justice Christopher Mitchell Chukwuma-Eneh From The Bench Of The Supreme Court of Nigeria On 30 April, 2014
Mr. K. S. Okeaya-Inneh [SAN] delivering a speech at the valedictory ceremony Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen I am honoured by your kind invitation to members of the inner bar, who in turn gave me the opportunity to deliver this address today at the Valedictory Session of this honourable Court in honour of an illustrious son of Nigeria and an eminent Jurist, the Hon. Justice Christopher Mitchell Chukwuma Eneh, JSC. My Lord, accept my hearty congratulation on this historic occasion in your life, which height you attained in a grand style. We are not gathered here because, it has become a ritual but an offshoot of section 291(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and for us at the inner bar, to join your Brother Justices to openly identify with you and appreciate your contributions to the survival of our profession and country while in service. My lord, the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria has reviewed appropriately your intimidating profile, so
I do not intend to reiterate it but to make reference to some of you r decisions by which our legal jurisprudence has improved. It is always an honour to wish a distinguished Justice of your caliber farewell, as to rise to the position of a Justice of the Supreme Court is a supreme honour and privilege that flows from a distinguished practice at the bar on the bench of the High Court and intermediate appellate courts. I dare say with all sense of humility that my lord Justice ChukwumaEneh qualifies on all vanguard: an astute, erudite and affable judge whose candour and calmness on the bench is greatly appreciated by all we appeared before. My lord, the Hon. Justice Christopher Mitchell Chukwuma-Enen has, no doubt made himself relevant in the Legal Profession he close, right from his days in the foreign land where he exhibited uncommon excellence as a pupil and a part-time Lecturer in Law. Similarly,
drawing inferences formed the testimonies I have read of him and the impression formed of him thereafter, I can say, that he is a man who has proven to be an asset to the Legal Profession in learning, character and in the observance of judicial ethics; particularly the four attributes, which the ancient philosopher, Socrates stated to be: to hear courteously, to answer wisely, to consider soberly, and to decide impartially. My lord, the Hon Justice Chukwuma-Eneh has demonstrate the above characteristics as reflected in his sequence of judgments that air replete in the Law Reports which have improved the Nigerian Legal jurisprudence, particularly, but not limited to this principle, which is on what must be shown where the Supreme Court is invited to overrule Ls previous decision as reported in Bakare v. N.R.C (2007) 17 NWLR (Part 064) 621. My lord, succinctly ruled that ‘... the onus lies squarely on the party requesting for me departure to show that there have been new developments since the earlier case which rendered the decision of the Supreme Court therein no longer good law or which rendered the application of the decision in his case oppressive or unjust. The above and other plethora of decisions reached by my or the Hon. Justice Chuhwuma-Eneh and his precise presentations in bun antics are eloquent testimonies of his service to the improvement of the Nigerian Legal System and justice delivery. My lord, the Supreme Court is a special court, which I consider colloquially as the final court of our judicial process. Those, like yon who are privileged to have: sat in this Honourable court are men of great distinction who have made the exceptional sacrifice of
leaving a lucrative legal practice to dispense justice for a lower remunerative value but at a higher moral and social calling for the benefit of your countrymen My lord, we honour and thank you for this supreme sacrifice. Your place in history is assured because your judgments are recorded for posterity for academia, Practitioners and Judges to look upon for legal learning and inspiration. Above all, your fine diction and use of language which is the hallmark of a fine and articulate Lawyer and Jurist shall surely be missed. It is so, because this virtue is lacking in spectacular manner in present day advocacy in our country. I salute your courage and zeal put up in service to your fatherland, even in circumstances that seemed adverse to justice delivery, sound mind and body, but it is obvious that you came, saw and conquered. Members of the inner bar join you to appreciate your wife and Children for sharing your sacrifices of service to your fatherland. However, an occasion like this presents the opportunity for one to speak about certain pressing issues facing the legal profession and indeed the bench. I shall touch on them just a little bit because today is a day of thanksgiving and merriment not for pondering about policy. I know that we are all at one that, our noble profession and noble bench need reform. There is in my humble opinion a pressing need therefore for reform at all levels. We are basically trying to deliver legal services and dispense justice with a late 19th century and 20th century legal engine. I do not think one needs to be a rocket Scientist to realize that it will not work. Little wonder that, we are having serious problems! In the development of any nation, the judiciary holds
a special place and has a special function. It is the most important of the three arms of government and it is the balancing force in the workings of the structure of government as it relates to the separation of powers. It has the supreme and fundamental function of enforcing the principles of the rule of law upon which the stability of all nations lie. In this regard, it is imperative that the independence of the judiciary must be sacrosanct and ingrained in the fabric of our national life. I agree with my lord the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria when she expressed some time ago the need for the monies due to the judiciary to b given directly to the heads of the judiciary. It is an anomaly that the executive continues to disregard this important element of judicial independence. No wonder therefore, there is a widespread opinion that the judiciary is still not independent by any parameter. The Constitution in itself Did not make any difference, as there are instances where the judiciary is made to approach the Executive to make progress. It is not speechifying to urge that it will promote good governance if the Constitution, which is meant to ensure checks and balances between the three arms of government, is respected and/or upheld at all times. It is therefore apt and in my view to submit, that the role of the Governor in appointing and exercising disciplinary control over the Chief Judge of any State is subjected to the participation of the National Judicial Council and the House of Assembly of the State in their exercise to ensure transparency and observance of the rule of law and upholding the Constitution. I am fortified to hold this view considering, if given a
clear interpretations, sections 153(1)(i),(2), 271(i),292(i)(a)(ii) and paragraph 21 of part 1 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which deals with the appointments, removal and exercise of disciplinary control over judicial officers. Sometime ago at a public forum, My lord, the Chief Justice of Nigeria frown at the habit of some members of the bench who regularly traveled overseas “without letting their heads of court known”, which is abnormal in conduct and character as a judicial officer, but it is more worrisome to observe that, even regular meetings of the heads of court, either with the NJC or otherwise have been a clog in the wheel of judicial progress. Their meetings ought to be programmed to avoid clash with Court Sittings, save for urgency. There is no doubt that, we are in the course of reinventing the distorted judicial system by going beyond mere rhetoric to taking decisive actions. This should include in my view, the appointment of some members of the inner bar to the bench of the Supreme Court, provided such appointee has not attained the constitutional retirement age of seventy years. This is being practiced in some advanced countries of the world. This will advance the legal jurisprudence and enhance justice delivery system. Conclusively ladies and gentlemen, we at the inner bar congratulate you once more and assure you that Nigeria Judiciary will surely miss you. It is our prayer therefore that the Almighty Father will grant you long life, good health and a cheerful disposition throughout the rest of your life. It is my hope that your wealth of experience will be considered in Nigeria’s course for development in all facets of human endeavours. My lords, ladies and gentlemen, I thank you all for your attention. May God bless you all.
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Insight THE recent defection of some politicians from the All Progressive Congress APC to the Peoples Democratic Party PDP in Edo State is nothing strange in our polity and should not give anyone sleepless nights but rather should provoke us to ask questions about where lies our integrity as a people. We should by now know that we are living in a time that the global trend is so unpredictable and not until you stop breathing you should be prepared for the unexpected, the least expectation should be at the upper most of your mind so that when it occurs, it will not come as a rude shock to take you unawares. When it rains early in the year even though experts claim it is as a result of global warming, or there is a hurricane or earthquake in some parts of the world, that is no more strange, and if we hear of politicians jumping ship and moving from one political party to another in Nigeria, that is not quite strange either. It was common even right from the first republic, when politicians had to move to a political party or align themselves with a group where their interests will be protected or where they will be accommodated and offered juicy appointments. It was only few politicians who can forsake the filthy lucre of
SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2014
Edo 2016: Politicians
And Their Integrity
political patronage and not be swayed by the bandwagon effect. So at times like this it is always expected that there will be some shaking up and a
By EUBALDUS ENAHORO
cross carpet to where they can have a strong bargaining power. I have heard some
party. The questions being raised by the public is who is really a man or woman
Attahiru Jega, INEC Chairman realignment of political interest for the future. The politicians who know how to ply the trade cannot be surprise with what is playing out in our polity nay Edo State today. This is not a new phenomenon as we have seen dozens of politicians
persons say that the decisions of those defecting have only portrayed some politicians as people without integrity while others believe this is the right thing to do to break the monopoly of power enjoyed by a political
of integrity when it comes to politics. Let us remember that integrity denotes honesty and fairness in our dealings with ourselves and others. A man who is not fair to himself can never be fair to others. When you are
“The questions being raised by the public is who is really a man or woman of integrity when it comes to politics. Let us remember that integrity denotes honesty and fairness in our dealings with ourselves and others. A man who is not fair to himself can never be fair to others. When you are going for an election you should be honest to yourself that you may win or lose it.”
going for an election you should be honest to yourself that you may win or lose it. When you are defeated in an election, will you be honest to yourself and congratulate the winner. When preparing for an election will you use your money to buy arms and ammunitions and give to young men to cause mayhem before, during and after the election because you must win at all cost. Will you get the electoral officials to write the results of the election even when it has not been concluded. As part of the logistics to winning elections, will you get the security agencies on your pay role, and use them during the election to scare off legitimate voters while the hired thugs take over and cart away ballot boxes to the house and stuff it full of ballot papers. It is not a secret that elections in Nigeria are won by toughened people who can withstand the rigors, of elections, no wonder there are no gentlemen in politics. It is also for those who have enough money to throw about to be able to mobilize the people where ever they may be even if they are in the hole. When you see politicians have their differences, it is always advisable to leave them alone, because only them know where they are coming from, what they have done together in secret and in the open, where they have gone for consultations both in the day and night. All that you see or believe to see and what you are told can sometimes be misleading if you don’t read or look beyond the lines. The actions or inaction of the politicians are calculated for a particular goal which
an uninitiated will sometimes take for granted. So, when there is a calculated and well orchestrated action to cause a ripple effect either positively or negatively like cross carpeting or resigning your membership of a political party or resigning your appointment from a government because you are aggrieved, that action can only be taken seriously by the innocent public after a long while. It is not as if one or a group of people cannot decide what they want at any particular time, yes, but the innocent public should not be too bothered with such a decision because when they are sleeping in the night only God knows what is happening and when there is a reconciliation of the perceive differences then you are left in the dark. The issue of integrity is not restricted to our politicians alone but it runs through all facet of life and according to Prof. B I C Ijomah, ninety percent of Nigerians don’t have integrity, they are not consistent and it is openly displayed by our politicians who behave as if Nigeria is for sale. As we approach another election year our politicians should know that their actions will make or mar the nation and several people will be affected either positively or negatively by their actions. They should endeavour to be honest and whatever they do should be examined properly and it should be in the interest of those who voted for them. In the words of Prof. Ijomah, “there is no quality better than virtue. Whatever you do success will come and go but the only permanent quality is virtue which leads us to wherever we want to go. Integrity is an everlasting attribute that is consistency in good behavior and good deeds.
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Emotional Barcelona Farewell For Puyol
CARLES Puyol says he has no intention of looking for another club this summer when he leaves Barcelona having been unable to recover from the serious knee problems which have troubled him for over two seasons now. At an emotional event at the leaving the club, he did not Camp Nou on Thursday Puyol feel he would be able to confirmed that he was leaving contribute elsewhere in the the Camp Nou club after 15 future. years, but had not yet made “The idea now is to recover,” up his mind on the next step Puyol said. “This year I have in his career. played so few games, I have The 36-year-old told felt bad, unable to help the reporters that having been team when they needed me. unable to feature much in So it would be difficult to play Barcelona’s campaign this somewhere else. term, and having announced “I will try and sort out knee in March that he would be problems, not to play, but to
have a full life, be able to run, play Padel. At the moment I cannot do that.” Puyol explained that he had extensively tried to find a solution to the issues with his knee, but it had not been possible to recover — and he would not ask for a dramatic send-off by playing in Saturday’s title decider against Atletico Madrid. “I am not going to play [on Saturday],” he continued. “I have spoken with the coaches. We are fighting for the title, I am not 100 percent, not even for bench. As I said some months ago the knee
problems have not gone. “I have tried everything, but my stage as a Barca player will end on June 30. I will not give in; I will keep trying, now without the pressure of having to play.” During a heartfelt address, the former Spain international said he did not see himself as a future blaugrana coach, but did not rule out returning to the club in some capacity in the future. “I have won a lot of trophies, but most important is the human part of this club,” Puyol said. “I have lived the dream of many children for 19 years. The most important now is to prepare for what I want to do. “I do not think that being a coach is what I’d like most. Maybe some other area of club, but I have not decided anything yet.” Puyol denied that his exit — and that of long-serving goalkeeper Victor Valdes — marked the end of an era for the Camp Nou club. “This is the end for me, and for Victor, but not for them,” he continued. “The other players are still young, with lots of quality. For sure they will keep winning.” The event was attended by Barca’s current squad, previously exiled club legend
Johan Cruyff, as well as past presidents including Joan Laporta and Jose Luis Nunez — but ex-chief Sandro Rosell was reportedly unable to make it due to other commitments. Louis van Gaal, Patrick Kluivert, Demetrio Albertini, Luis Enrique, Pep Guardiola, Eric Abidal, Gerardo Martino and veteran physio Angel Mur also appeared in a video screening. Xavi Hernandez, next in line
to take over as club captain if he stays on for the 2014-15 season, spoke of Puyol’s career from the podium. “All us players thank you for everything — your courage, sacrifice, generosity,” Xavi said. “You were always giving advice, help... You’re the best professional I have ever shared a dressing room with, by far — both before we were winning trophies and during our successful times.”
UEFA To Probe Ghost Seats At Europa Final UEFA will investigate why nearly 6,000 seats were left unoccupied at the Europa League final between Benfica and Sevilla in Turin. Fans jeered when an official attendance of 33,120 was announced during Wednesday’s match at the Juventus stadium, although UEFA said it had sold all 39,000 tickets. The situation highlighted UEFA’s ticketing policy for major finals where less than half the tickets are made available for supporters of the two teams involved.
Benfica and Sevilla were allocated 9,000 tickets each for Wednesday’s game and another 9,500 were sold to fans worldwide via UEFA’s official website. The remaining 11,500 tickets were allocated to the local organising committee, national associations, commercial partners and broadcasters, and for the corporate hospitality programme. “There will be a review in the coming weeks to understand why tickets, which were sold, were not used,” UEFA said in a statement.
CSKA Moscow Retain League Crown
Charles Puyol
Deschamps Hits Back At French Media FRANCE coach Didier Deschamps has claimed his nation’s media behave just as badly as the country’s much-maligned footballers. With memories of the infamous players’ strike at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and the illdiscipline of some squad members, notably Samir Nasri, at Euro 2012, some of the French public have fallen out of love with Les Bleus. In addition, two key players, Karim Benzema and Franck Ribery, who were both named in Deschamps’ 23-man World Cup squad on Tuesday, were caught up in an underage prostitution investigation before being cleared earlier this year. Given such precedents, the media could scrutinise the behaviour of Deschamps’ men when they arrive in South
America prior to their opening Group E game with Honduras on June 15. However, when it was pointed out to Deschamps that there was a brothel 500 metres from the squad hotel in the Brazilian city of Ribeirao Preto, the former France captain suggested the media had ulterior motives for finding out such information. “Apparently, you’re better informed than me,” Deschamps told monde.fr. “It’s bizarre, because you must frequent the same places as the players. When we went to play in Ukraine, I also know the media’s evenings were quite animated. “Curiously, you go to the same places, but that is less well-known. Often, I find out about it all the same. Just in case. Because you might have
files on the players, but I also have them on you. It’s good to know what’s going on. After that, each person does what they want.
CSKA Moscow retained the Russian Premier League title with a 1-0 home victory over city rivals Lokomotiv as they celebrated a fairytale end to the season on Thursday. Zoran Tosic struck early in the second half to secure a 10th successive league win for CSKA, who emerged from the slipstream of long-time leaders Zenit St Petersburg to top the table by one point and claim a fifth Premier League title. Zenit, guided by former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur coach Andre VillasBoas, won 4-1 at Kuban Krasnodar but were left to rue a defeat by Dynamo Moscow in their penultimate match that
was marred by fan violence. “It’s a fairytale,” said CSKA coach Leonid Slutskiy. “No one could have scripted how this year ’s championship would unfold. “Last year’s campaign was difficult because we were leading for a long time. This is a lot of pressure. This season we had to catch up and we did this only right at the end of the season, which kept the pressure off us.” “We have a team that is capable of doing anything and that can achieve miracles, even when no-one believes in us.” Tosic struck after the break, the Serbia winger latching on to a mistake by ex-Tottenham
CSKA Moscow’s players Vasili Berezutski (L) and his brother Aleksei celebrate with the Russian Championship Cup
Hotspur defender Vedran Corluka and sending a longrange drive creeping into the net off a post. Lokomotiv, who created few chances, could have levelled in the closing stages when Dame N’Doye’s shot hit the upright. The Army team’s spectacular late run of form made sure Slutskiy’s side snatched a 12th top flight crown overall including their Soviet Union era successes. CSKA finished with 64 points from 30 games and striker Seydou Doumbia ended up as the league’s top scorer with 18 goals. Lokomotiv came third on 59 points. Zenit’s campaign imploded against Dynamo Moscow last Sunday when fan violence marred a dramatic season finale. Dynamo were leading 4-2 in the 86th minute when a few hundred Zenit fans invaded the pitch and one of them punched defender Vladimir Granat in the head, leaving him concussed. Zenit were penalised with a 3-0 technical defeat that took the destination of the league title out of their hands. “We won today, but we were not in control of our own destiny,” said Zenit’s Portuguese boss Villas-Boas. “We lost the championship when we suffered our defeat to Dynamo Moscow and we no longer had the lead at the top of the table. We played some good football in Krasnodar, but that was not enough in the end.”
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CMYK
Blatter Admits Giving Qatar World Cup Was ‘A Mistake’
FIFA President Josef Blatter (R) hands over the World Cup trophy to the Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani (L) and his wife Chair of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community development Sheikha Moza bint Nasser Al-Mi
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has admitted that it was “a mistake” to choose Qatar to host the 2022 World Cup. Blatter said that the technical report into Qatar’s bid had warned that it was too hot but despite that, FIFA’s executive committee had voted for the Middle Eastern country. The FIFA president said it was now “probable” that it would be played in the winter rather than the summer due to the heat. Blatter told Swiss TV station RTS: “Yes, it was a mistake of course, but one makes lots of mistakes in life. “The technical report into Qatar said clearly it was too hot but the executive committee -
FA Cup Final And La Liga Decider
Arsenal, Barca To Celebrate On Magical Day For Fans THERE is a fantastic day in store for football fans on Saturday with both the FA Cup final and the Liga decider taking place today. It is a shame that both much it means to them – are on at the same time singing about going to but if I was given a choice Wembley at every of watching only one of opportunity. Equally for Hull it is a the two games I’d take the FA Cup final every massive occasion - a completely new time. Even for me as child experience after a growing up in Denmark – fantastic ride. The FA Cup has its the FA Cup final was THE match that everybody detractors but it will be a magical day for both sets watched. Denmark internationals of fans. When it comes to the were not even broadcast live but the Cup final was match, you have to say and I can recall every Arsenal are the big single one of them favourites as they have played themselves back growing up. You were intrigued and into form at the end of the gripped by all the build- season. They look defensively up and then you had the mystique of Wembley very strong, which I which was the biggest actually think they have stadium you’d ever seen been all season against the lesser teams. It is only as a young boy. I still remember the first the better teams that one I watched – it was have really exposed Arsenal v Liverpool in them. I think it will take a very 1971 when I was seven and my favourite one was big effort from Hull to beat the 1979 Cup final when them, especially without Arsenal beat Manchester their two main strikers Nikica Jelavic and Shane United 3-2. Without doubt one of Long who are cup-tied. We shouldn’t forget that the reasons why I moved to England and signed for Arsenal won quite Liverpool was because I comfortably at the KC wanted to play in an FA Stadium just a couple of weeks ago but Steve Cup final. Looking ahead to Bruce is a clever Saturday’s match and it is manager – he knows his a huge day for both clubs. team’s limitations and will Arsenal may have played put out a line-up that will in the Champions League look to frustrate Arsenal. Hull will keep it tight and for years, but their fans have let everybody know the longer the game goes in recent weeks how on without a goal, the
more nervous Arsenal will become. The pressure is all on Arsenal and as we saw in their last Cup final – the 2011 League Cup decider against Birmingham – they got more nervous the closer the match got to the end and those nerves saw them make a mistake which cost them the match. Who knows, the same thing could happen on Saturday? There is no doubt that Arsenal’s trophy doubt is a factor going into this match. There are certain things you can never get away from in football and Arsenal’s drought is now linked to the club. You can have lots of new players, but as soon as you step in the door at the Emirates, you know it is your job to try and end that trophy hoodoo. Arsene Wenger has an important role to play here. He has to make sure his players see that he is ready. Wenger is not the type of manager who shouts, screams and motivates in the dressing room – he leaves that to the players – but he has to make sure the players are prepared. Arsenal need to get a grip of things early and not give Hull any encouragement. Hull won’t be content to just make up the numbers. It will a massive disappointment for them if they lose because they
know they might never be in this situation again. Even if you are a big underdog, you never go into a match like this thinking: if we get beat then so what? I think it will be a tight game – you very rarely see a lot of goals in these Cup finals, but I do think if Arsenal get the first goal that will then ease the pressure and they can push on and win 2-0. Looking at the Liga decider between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid and I can’t help
but feel that the trophy has fallen into Barca’s lap. They have been given an opportunity that nobody thought they would get and I don’t think they are going to pass up on this one. They are most definitely not the force they were one or two years ago but I still think they’ve got one big game left in them. Atletico Madrid have done well against them this season but after qualifying for the Champions League final, it seems almost like Atletico have now become overwhelmed by the situation they find themselves in.
with a large majority decided all the same to play it in Qatar.” There have also been numerous corruption allegations about the bidding process for the tournament and reports of alleged abuses of the rights of migrant workers employed on World Cup projects. Blatter insisted however that Qatar had not “bought” the World Cup - the bid did spend large amounts of money on sponsorship and d e v e l o p m e n t programmes. He added: “No, I have never said it was bought, but that it was due to political considerations.” A report in the Daily Mirror in March claimed that over a thousand people have died in Qatar during their £39 billion building spree for the 2022 World Cup. In a Special Report for Eurosport last September, Philippe Auclair exposed the unseen human cost of holding the World Cup in Qatar. “Qatar can boast of the highest GDP per capita in the world - $106,000 (£68,000) in 2012, according to the International Monetary Fund. But this figure doesn’t reflect the huge disparity between the incomes of Qatari nationals and the nonnational transients who make the overwhelming majority of the population, and whose lot is a sorry one,” wrote Auclair. “The recruitment process itself is highly suspect, relying on a system of sponsorship
via placement agencies which is widely abused; passports may be confiscated on arrival; and, once in situ, those immigrants are routinely denied basic rights granted to workers in most parts of the world. They are de facto noncitizens. Football has, so far, chosen to ignore this. “According to all independent reports, those migrant workers toil six days a week (no summer break for them), 10 hours a day, for less than $10 (£6.40) a shift. They are crammed in rudimentary camps mostly devoid of decent sanitation and – not a luxury in Qatar – air conditioning. “Though official statistics are not available, credible evidence has emerged to suggest a staggering death rate among the young, fit men who come to work there.” In March, Qatar’s 2022 World Cup organising committee were forced to come out and deny being aware of any alleged payments by the disgraced former head of the country’s football association to an ex-vice president of FIFA. Britain’s Daily Telegraph newspaper reported that a company under the control of Mohamed Bin Hammam paid $1.2 million to Jack Warner, the former president of North American football’s governing body CONCACAF and a member of the FIFA committee which chose the 2022 World Cup hosts.
Eto’o Hits Back At ‘Fool’ Mourinho
SAMUEL Eto’o has hit out at Jose Mourinho, t e l l i n g africanfootball.com the Chelsea manager is “a fool” for questioning his age. Mourinho suggested Eto’o may be older that he claimed in off-therecord comments broadcast by French TV station Canal Plus earlier in the season, with the striker reported to be “very annoyed” by the remarks. The Cameroon international had memorably told Mourinho he was “a s— ” during his time with Barcelona in 2005, but they later worked together at Inter Milan, winning the Treble in 2010, and the striker lavished praise on the
Portuguese prior to his move from Anzhi Makhachkala to Chelsea last summer. He ended the season as Chelsea’s second top scorer with 12 goals in all competitions, trailing only Eden Hazard, but with his one-year contract nearing expiry, it appears he is certain to leave the Blues — and he intends to prove a point by moving on to another Champions League club. “Today, I am 33 years old and it is not because a fool called me an old man that you must believe it,” Eto’o said. “You may have noticed that the old man was better than the youngsters [at Chelsea]. “I am going to carry on playing in the
Champions League. Where? I am not going to tell you, but I am going to carry on playing because physically and mentally I feel great. Some believe I am going to retire in the United States or in the Middle East, but I have regained the joy of the Champions League. “So I am going to go to this World Cup and to the next one when I will be 37. Some did it at 42 [fellow Cameroon international Roger Milla], so I can still play in two more World Cups.” Eto’o, named in the 28man preliminary Cameroon squad for the World Cup, hopes his country can make an impression this summer as they face hosts Brazil, as well as Croatia and Mexico, in Group A.
“I have never been afraid — if you are scared, don’t become a football player,” he said. “But you need to have respect for your opponents. “It will be 11 men against 11 men. It is true, Cameroon lost to Brazil in 1994, but I was part of the team which defeated Brazil at the Confederations Cup, and I scored a great goal to Dida in the 88th minute. And then we beat them again at the Olympics. It tells you that football is not an exact science. “It is going to be difficult, for sure, but in football everything is possible. I have a lot of respect for all those great players, but I am not afraid. We will have our chances, and we need to take them.
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