Weekend observer 03 05 2014

Weekend

N ews

PUBLISHED SINCE OCTOBER 6, 1990 • Vol.XI NO. 3,234 • SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2014 • N100.00 FOCUS A National Master Plan For Employment

ISSUES ASUP, COEASU Strikes

The Truth Of The Matter Page 9

- Page 29

Effective Service Delivery Is Essence Of Govt

By QUEENNETH A. OROBEDO

EDO State Governor, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole has reaffirmed that the essence of government is effective service delivery.

Governor Oshiomhole remarked that his stated this yesterday in “Conviction about the role Benin City at the 54th of doctors in the society Annual General with respect to medical Conference and delivery is not politically Delegates Meeting of the motivated,” noted that Nigerian Medical “inspite of the financial Association with the crisis informed by oil theft theme: “Health Care in Nigeria, Edo State has Delivery and National managed to do more to Development; A Critical improve the income and Appraisal In Nigeria’s 100 working conditions in the Years Existence”. medical sector and will The Governor who

Nyanya Blast

continue to do more”.

Addressing the delegates, Governor Oshiomhole also stressed on the need for Nigerians to agitate for judicious application of resources and getting value for actual money released rather than dwelling on budgetary allocations only.

The governor

- Oshiomhole

equally commended the leadership of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) for putting issues of health care delivery in national discourse just as he charged them that their first inspiration should be the

interest of their patients.

President, NMA, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, in his welcome address, enjoined Nigerian government to see doctors as partners in progress. He said the

conference is to reflect past, present and future challenges of the medical profession in relation to national development.

According to him, “the conference provides delegates with

opportunity to critically cogitate on issues concerning the medical profession, health care delivery system and the Nigerian state”.

Dr. Enabulele noted that a significant feature of this year’s conference is the conduct of a free medical mission, which is a brainchild of the current

Continued on page 4

Death Toll Hits 19 ... 60 Wounded, 3 IED Recovered the scene of the

By JOSES SEDE THE police has confirmed that 19 people died and 60 others injured in Workers’ Day bomb blast at Nyanya in the Federal Capital Territory.

This is even as President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday, summoned security chiefs to a special security meeting following Thursday’s explosion which occurred just few metres away from the scene of last month’s attack in Nyanya, Abuja.

The President’s Spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, who posted the information on his twitter handle – (@abati 1990), said, “the meeting is

ongoing at the Villa.”

The police spokesman, CSP Frank Mba, confirmed the figure yesterday, at a news conference at Nyanya,

incident.

The spokesperson of the Department of State Services (DSS), Marilyn Ogar, and an

Continued on page 4

Chief Adun Appointed Sole Administrator Of Edo Line EDO State Governor, Comrade Adams Aliu Oshiomhole has approved the appointment of a Sole Administrator for Edo Line Transport Service.

He is Chief John Osamede Adun (JP).

Until his appointment, Chief John Osamede Adun was the Chairman, Small and

Medium Scales E n t e r p r i s e s Committee, Edo State.

In the letter of appointment signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, the appointment takes effect from 1st May, 2014.

MOMENT OF SCRUTINY Boko Haram

Set The Children Free - Page 5

MEETING: Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, being welcomed by the out-going President of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Osahon Enabulele to the 54th Annual General Conference and Delegate meeting in Benin City, yesterday. Photo: SUNDAY OSADEBAMWEN.

MEDIA

Commentary On World Press Freedom Day 2014 - Pages 16 - 17

RELATIONSHIP

What Men Want But Won’t Say! - Page 28

NEWS

CRIME 5 Suspected Armed Robbers Arrested By Police

By RAHEEM IBRAHIM

MAY DAY: L-R: Lagos State Commissioner for Establishment and Training, Mrs. Florence Oguntuwase; Governor Babatunde Fashola; Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; Sen. Ganiyu Solomon (Lagos West) and Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa during 2014 May Day Celebration in Lagos recently.

FIVE suspected armed robbers have been arrested by the Police at different parts of Lagos and many sophisticated weapons were recovered after gun duel.

It was gathered that on 26/ 4/2014 at about 1600hrs, policemen attached to OkoOba Division acted on information and had a gun duel with some armed robbers in the area, leading to the arrest of three of the armed robbers and recovered two locally made pistols.

Also, two live cartridges and a Bajaj Motorcycle snatched from the owner by the robbers were recovered and the case is pending at State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba.

Similarly, two out of suspected five armed robbery gang were intercepted by the Police from Victoria Island,

Police Arrest Some Members Of Internet Fraud Syndicates

By RAHEEM IBRAHIM THE Police Special Fraud Unit (SFU) has arrested some members of internet fraud syndicate that specialized in defrauding unsuspecting wealthy foreign women who are in dire need of husbands.

According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SFU, DSP Ngozi Isintume-Agu, a petition was received via the Unit’s e-mail from one of such victims, a US citizen resident in New Jersey alleged that sometime in April 2013, she met the 2nd

suspect Henry Chinedu Ogu on a dating site and both started a relationship which lasted for months until the suspect manipulated and made her to believe that he was in trouble in Nigeria and needed some financial assistance.

The statement read, “She further stated that she sent the sum of $350,000.00 to the two account numbers provided by the suspect. The account numbers were Sky Bank Account Number 36204796 and Ecobank account No. 04087350 belonging to

Faneece Business Services International”, the PPRO revealed.

She added, “Police investigation showed that the account holder is one Yunusa Okonkwo of No. A1 Giwa Road, Umaru Muazu Kaduna where he was subsequently arrested. His apprehension led to the arrest of the principal suspect, Henry Chinedu Ogu”.

According to the PPRO, “Yunusa Okonkwo a 42year old from Amuri Nkanu West LGA of Enugu State, is a patent medicine dealer that

Shoot On Sight Anyone Found Carrying Guns And Weapons - ACP

By RAHEEM IBRAHIM THE Commander of Area ‘A’ Police Command, Lion Building, Lagos, the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Imohinmi Edgal has directed his operatives to shoot on sight at anyone found carrying guns and other weapons capable of inflicting injuries on members of the public.

The Shoot on Sight Order was issued after an emergency Security Council meeting summoned by the Chairman of Lagos Island East Council Development Area, Kamal Salau- Bashua, following the high rate of crime being committed on daily basis by some notorious youths which had led to the death of some people, several injured and properties worth hundred millions of Naira vandalised.

It would be recalled that two people lost their lives while

several others injured and property worth several millions of naira destroyed in a violence on the island during the last Easter celebrations.

In a statement released after the emergency Security Council meeting, the Chairman of the council said the order issued by the AC Police became necessary to restore peace and order within the council area.

Kamal in the statement described the violence that marred the Easter period as condemnable, retrogressive to the relative peace enjoyed over the last two years saying security operatives are combat ready to prevent recurrence.

He lamented that any form of violence on Lagos Island portends great danger to the economic activities since major businesses are located therein and also capable of

sending wrong signals on peaceful coexistence in the state.

On his part the Area Commander, ACP Edgal warned criminals and hoodlums to steer clear of the island noting that his men have renewed commitments to stop violence in any part of the island.

The police boss noted that residents and business owners also have responsibilities to alert security operatives on suspicious movements and activities in order to prevent breakdown of law and order in the council area.

In attendance during the emergency Security Council meeting were the Council Chairman, police chiefs, Traditional rulers, Community Development Associations, neighbourhood watchers and members of the Road Transport unions.

runs a Bureau De Change. He confessed that he is the account holder of Faneece Business Services International and admitted that he provided his two bank accounts for the illicit transactions.”

The SFU spokesperson stressed further, “He also stated that the 2nd suspect.

Henry provided him with his account number where he transferred the money after converting it to Naira. The account detail is Diamond Bank account No. 0021206871 with account name Raydeus Synergy Nigeria Limited. He also added that he always deduct his commission of N2.00 per Dollar before paying in the money”.

Henry Chinedu Ogu is 29years old from Amafor – Ishingwa Umuahia, Abia State.

He claimed to be one of the Directors of a company called Raydeus Synergy Nigeria Limited. He confessed to the alleged crime that he sent the account details of the 1st suspect to the victim who in turn paid the sum of $295,000.00 into the account which the 1st suspect Yunusa converted to Naira before paying into his Diamond Bank.

He corroborated the Complainant’s statement that they met on a dating site last year January 2013 and started communicating and exchanging e-mails. He also confessed that he deceived the victim into believing that he wanted to marry her but was stranded in Nigeria and needed financial assistance.

He further admitted that he had spent all the money that he used N9million to purchase a

heavy duty generating plant which Police had recovered.

Also he purchased a plot of land for N800,000.00 along Lagos – Ibadan Expressway.

The cash sum of N2million was also recovered from him.

Investigation is on-going.

Effort is being intensified towards the recovery of the remaining monies fraudulently obtained from the Complainant or the proceeds thereof.

The statement said that the suspects will be charged to Court to serve as a deterrent to others.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, SFU, CP Umar Farouk Idris used the medium to reassure the public of the Unit’s commitment to fight internet fraudsters and advises that such cases should be promptly reported through the Unit e-mail addresses: specialfraudunitlagos@yahoo.com, sfulagos@yahoo.com and info@specialfraudunit.org.ng.

Lagos during a routine check along the road.

It was reliably gathered that on 26/4/2014 at about 23.35 hours, police patrol team attached to Victoria Island Division while on stop and search at Cowry pin down point intercepted a Volkswagen commercial bus with Reg. No. APP 291 XG and five occupants for a routine check.

On sighting the Police who were demanding for vehicle particulars and identification of the occupants in the bus, they jumped down and took to their heels and the policemen gave them a hot chase.

Two of them namely Rasaki Ogunbiji ‘m’ age 22yrs and Dare Ganiyu ‘m’ aged 20yrs were arrested while others escaped.

Items recovered from the vehicle are one chief revolver pistol and one cut to size locally made pistol with two live cartridges.

It was gathered that the case is presently being investigated at the SCID, Panti, Yaba.

Meanwhile, two youths who specialised in illegal removal of exhorted vehicles from where the cars are packed have been arrested by the police in Lagos following a tip-off from members of the public.

According to source, the suspects, on 28/4/2014 at about 20.00hrs, were noticed of some unusual characters at Ketu area by some members of the public and the Police were alerted.

Immediately, policemen attached to Ketu Division acted on the tip-off and arrested two suspects namely Jimoh Ahmed ‘m’ aged 19years and Adamu Hamisu ‘m’ aged 26years with a Honda S/Car with Reg. No. KJA 612 AE allegedly removed from park at a church premise in Ojudu.

The suspects were later transferred to State AntiRobbery Squad, (SARS), Ikeja for further interrogation.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ngozi C. Braide who confirmed the incidence and arrest said that the suspects are under investigations and would soon be taken to courts for prosecution.

Court Remands 2 Over Attempted Murder AN Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrate’s Court has remanded two men, Arije Dare,32, and Oluwajuwon Oni,25, in prison custody over alleged attempted murder.

The prosecutor, Cpl. Bamikole Olasunkanmi, told the court that the accused committed the offence on April 24 at Ilupeju-Ekiti.

He alleged that on the said date, the accused tried to murder one Temitope Adeyemi by attempting to cut off his head with a cutlass, but ended up cutting his hand.

Bamikole said the offence contravened section 324,320(2) of the Criminal Code Cap C 16, Laws of Ekiti

State, 2012.

The prosecutor said he had duplicated and sent the case file to the office of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice.

The accused pleaded not guilty, and their counsel, Mr Lucas Ogundele, prayed the court to grant his clients bail, promising that they would not abscond.

Chief Magistrate Idowu Ayenimo refused the bail application, and ordered the accused to be remanded in prison custody pending receipt of the advice from the DPP office.

He adjourned the case till May 12 for further hearing.

e Police Nab Internet Fraudster

N ws

A 31 year-old man that specialize in hacking into West African Examinations Council (WAEC) website has been arrested by men of the state police command. The alleged internet fraudster also opened a special website on the internet where he posts questions and answers of the ongoing WAEC exam at an agreed fee per subject.

The suspect, Altharamen Ehizokhai Favour was alleged to have designed website on the internet where he allegedly posts WAEC questions and answers. In the internet, he had requested the sum of (N5, 000) five thousand naira per

subject from students writing WAEC exam.

Some of the subjects include Mathematics, English, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and others. Some students who got in touch with the suspects for the WAEC questions and answers were advised to pay into a Bait Account No. 30651117802 with the name Akharamen Ehizokhai Favour of a Commercial Bank.

Worried with the alleged fraudulent act, men of the state police command laid siege and arrested the suspect in Ekpoma Edo State.

The suspect admitted to have

Death Toll Hits 19 ... 60 Wounded, 3 IED Recovered Continued from page 1 official of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) also attended the briefing.

Mba explained that apart from the 60 injured, six others had been treated and discharged.

He also said three unexploded Improvise Explosive Devices (IEDs) were recovered from the scene, adding that they had been rendered safe.

“Investigations are ongoing and we appeal to the citizens to rally round the security forces at this critical point in our history; It will take the unity of all of us to defeat terror,’’ Mba noted.

On whether any arrest has been made, the police PRO submitted, “I will not speak at this stage on ongoing investigations but investigations are ongoing and we will give facts when it is right to do so.’’

Also speaking, Ogar, DSS spokesperson, noted that the cooperation of all Nigerians was required to win the war against terrorism.

“We must take our security into our hands because the security agencies cannot do it all alone, it must be collective; the call here is for all Nigerians to rally round security agencies, it is not a time to say they are not doing what they are supposed to do.

The number of security personnel in the country is very small compared to the population, rally round us through information, no information is useless,’’ Ogar appealed.

Mba had given a casualty figure of 12 dead and 19 wounded on Thursday, shortly after the explosion. He, however, described those figures as “provisional.”

It could have been a peaceful workers day on Thursday, but for a reported fresh bomb blast that occurred some minutes past eight o’clock in the night in NyanyaAbuja.

The explosion reportedly took place near the scene of the previous attack that claimed scores of lives.

An eyewitness said the explosion occurred at about 8.20pm in a white Gulf car.

Traffic congestion according to the police is hampering rescue operations.

Residents of the area have also been cautioned to restrict their movement to enable emergency personnel get easy access to the scene of the unfortunate incident.

The daring gunmen had apparently taken advantage of seeming porous security situation in surbubs of Abuja, the Federal Capital City to hit the Federal Capital Territory.

As at 9:05 pm 16 corpses were counted at the Emergency Ward of the Asokoro Hospital while ambulances were still rushing to ferry in more of the dead and the wounded.

The bombers, whose identities were yet to be unmasked, struck at the same transit point they attacked on two weeks ago at Nyanya in the suburb of the FCT just as workers who went for the May Day celebration were retuning to their bases.

Unlike the last blast, which was targeted at the major bus terminal, the latest attack was concentrated on the opposite side of the terminal, which is used by commuters.

Security men, who were taken unawares by the deadly attack, as usual, promptly mobilised and blocked all routes leading to and from the scene of the attack.

Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police, Abubakar Mohammed, who arrived at the scene of the blast 45 minutes later refused to give details, urging Nigerians to wait until proper investigation is carried out.

The development has worsened the gridlock on the Nyanya-Abuja-Keffi Road and frustrated many commuters.

committed the crime, said the purpose is to defraud unsuspecting students who are writing the WAEC exam.

The state commissioner of police, Mr. Foluso Adebanjo confirmed the arrest and described the suspect as the leader of a syndicate that hacks various websites of institutions in the country. Mr. Adebanjo warned students writing WAEC exams to ignore such fraudulent means of passing examination.

He assured that, the suspects will be charged to Court upon completion of investigation.

THE Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu has expressed shock and grief over the death of the Second Republic Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Wash Pam, describing it as a collective loss to the Senate and the nation in general.

This was even as he expressed deep sadness over the deaths and injuries arising from the May Day bomb blast in Nyanya, Abuja.

Senator Ekweremadu, further described the late Deputy President of the Senate as “an uncommon patriot and elder statesman”, saying that his death was a loss to the Senate in particular and the Nigerian legislature in general.

Ekweremadu Mourns Sen Wash Pam, 2nd Nyanya Bomb Victims

By JOSES SEDE He said: “This is indeed one loss too many. Senator Pam was a distinguished lawmaker and will be remembered for his eloquence, as well as the force and conviction of his words. He represented the best of our democrats and will be sorely missed.”

Senator Ekweremadu condoled with family of the former Deputy President of the Senate as well as the Government and good people of Plateau State.

The Deputy President of the Senate has also condoled with the families of the victims

of the second Nyanya bomb blast, describing it as a “dastardly, wicked, and ungodly act by enemies of the nation”.

Senator Ekweremadu who called for concerted efforts by all Nigerians to rid the nation of all traces of terrorism and insurgency, called for courage among Nigerians.

He added: “We have overcome difficult challenges in the past, and this too shall be overcome. I urge courage among compatriots, as we must never surrender our collective innocence and values, sanctity of human life to the enemies of the nation”.

Mark Mourns Former Deputy Senate President, Wash Pam THE Senate President, David Mark has lamented over the death of second republic Deputy President of the Senate, Senator John Wash Pam. Wash Pam was said to have died on Thursday at National Hospital Abuja, after a battle with cancer.

This is contain in a statement issued by his Chief

Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, and made available to newsmen.

Mark described Wash Pam as a democrat per excellence and one of the pillars of the country’s democracy.

It expressed regrets that with Wash Pam’s death, Nigeria had lost an unrepentant democrat, who was in the fore front of the

return to civil rule.

The statement said the exploits of late Wash Pam especially in the first, second and third republics could not be forgotten.

According to the statement, he died when his wealth of experience is needed to navigate through the nation’s murky political waters.

“His death at this time of our

nation’s political history is a big blow. He was a great parliamentarian who contributed positively to the political evolution of Nigeria.

We shall miss him.’’

It urged the government and people of Plateau to immortalise the foremost legislator and politician who stood to be counted when it mattered.

complaints in Kaduna State in 2013.

This is contained in a report released to newsmen in Kaduna.

The report said that the commission had resolved 341 out of the cases it received during the period under review.

It said that the remaining 1012 complaints were being investigated.

The report said that most of the complaints received had

to do with breach of contract, wrongful dismissal, nonpayment of salaries, land related matters and non payment of severance benefits, among others.

It said that 36 complaints were lodged against the state’s Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) over alleged unlawful dismissal by some of its workers.

A breakdown of the cases,

according to the report, shows that the commission has received 112 complaints relating to non payment of salaries, 38 over wrongful dismissals, 22 for non payments of death benefits and pensions, among others.

The report quoted the Commissioner in charge of the commission in the state, Alhaji Mohammed Maude, as saying that the commission would continue to promote social justice.

handling mechanisms in handling cases reported to it.

The report said that the commission would also ensure that the rights and privileges of the people were not denied, as enshrined in its enabling Act CAP. P. 37, LFN, 2004.

It urged members of the public to always lodge their complaints bothering on administrative injustice to the commission.

Commission Receives 1,353 Complaints In THE Public Complaints It said the commission Commission (PCC) says it 2013 In Kaduna State would also continue to use a has received 1,353 professional complaint

Ovia North East Dismisses Claim On 300 Teachers

THE authority of Ovia North-East local government council has once again dismissed the claim in certain quarters that the council chairman systematically removed the names of 300 teachers from the payroll of the council under the pretext of being ghost workers.

According to the chairman of the council, Barr. (Mrs) Lucy Omagbon, there is need to continuously correct the falsehood being peddled by a top labour leader in Edo State concerning the removal and nonpayment of

November and December salaries of the affected teachers.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Ovia North East LG Council does not have the power(s) to employ, transfer or stop payment of any teachers’ salary as all of such matters including discipline of erring teachers is strictly vested on the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and not the council. And as a matter of fact teachers’ salaries are also deducted at source

from the federal level.

We find it a little bit awkward that the top labour leader in Edo State who ought to know and inform others accurately on any labour issue has decided to obliterate facts.

It is on this note we urge the public to disregard whatever statement made by the labour leader as it is tainted in bad faith and orchestrated to smear the good image and soaring popularity of Barr. (Mrs) Lucy

Omagbon who has done everything possible to ensure the happiness of workers of the council by ensuring prompt payment of their salaries.

We also advise the concerned labour leader to always get his facts right before making any statement in order not to misinform the general public.

Trade unionism and activism can only thrive on well reasoned, articulated and definite facts and figures which are the core elements that drive modern day society.

between hygiene and reduction in rates of infection, she stated

that hand washing with soap in particular has reduced diarrhoeal diseases by 50 per cent while germicides have also caused reduction in vaginal candidiosis significantly.

Reckitt Benckiser Offers Recipe For Cost Effective Illness Prevention

AS Nigerians continue to clamour for improved healthcare delivery, a global health, hygiene and home care products manufacturer, Reckitt Benckiser, has identified hygiene promotion as the most cost effective strategy to reduce illness in the country.

According to a member of the Global Hygiene Council, Dr. (Mrs.) Nneoma Idika, in her presentation on behalf of the company in Benin City, hygiene promotion has become increasingly important to public health policy makers as a low cost illness reduction strategy.

She said this while making a presentation titled, ‘Dettol’s Contribution to Health and Hygiene in its 50 years in Nigeria’, during the scientific session at the ongoing 54th Annual General Conference and Delegate Meeting of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), sponsored by Dettol at the Edo State capital.

Dr. Idika said further that common hygiene behaviours that could improve cleanliness

and lead to good health include frequent hand washing and bathing with soap and water among others. According to her, “Hygiene practice in the home, environment and hospital plays an important role in preventing infection transmission like common cold, influenza, gastroenteritis, diarrhoeal infections and so on.”

While pointing out that several empirical studies have tent credence to the association

Effective Service Delivery Is Essence Of Government Continued from page 1 NMA leadership.

Chairman of the occasion, one time Governor of the defunct Bendel State, Dr. Sam Ogbemudia, commended NMA for their work so far and charged them to do more.

Also present were the Minister of Health, Prof.

Onyenbuchi Chukwu, Minister of State for Health, Dr. Khaliru Alhassan and Secretary to Edo State Government, Prof.

Julius Ihonvbere, amongst other dignitaries.

“I believe the time has arrived for President Goodluck Jonathan more than ever before to use all necessary and appropriate forces against the sect Boko Haram, those nations, organisations and individuals responsible for the abduction of the 234 school children at Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.”

ONLY quite recently someone asked what is this Boko Haram. I bet not many people can actually answer the question, or give a clear cut definition of what Boko Haram is, apart from Boko Haram being interpreted as Western education is forbidden, not much can be said about the sect.

But from all account, Boko Haram has portrayed itself purely as a terrorist group – with no set goals nor objectives one cannot clearly state that Boko Haram is an Islamist group, since it targets both the church and mosque in its murderous adventures and rampage.

It is surprising that the Federal Government has innocuously attempted to bring down this devilish sect that is threatening to bring down the foundation of this fragile nation to its kneels.

Each time the sect has struck, the President always assures the bereaved Nigerians that the perpetrators of the heinous crimes would not go unpunished.

I believe the time has arrived for President Goodluck Jonathan more than ever before to use all necessary and appropriate forces against the sect Boko Haram, those nations, organisations and individuals responsible for the abduction of the 234 school children at Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.

Thus no political or religious, or ethnic cause can justify the abduction of these innocent children, just as nothing can justify the continued killing of innocent people by the Boko Haram sect.

The abduction of the school children is a crime against humanity and all

Boko Haram: Set The

Children Free

that is good and civilized.

These acts of terrorism, these insurgency which are synonymous terms that is now taking roots in the soul of Nigeria, if not totally uprooted immediately, shall soon develop into a hydra headed tentacles that would devour the entire land.

The oracle has spoken, and it now depends on the presidency to act quickly and swiftly, not by paying lip service to the issues but by taking the bull by the horns.

The security agencies involved in the operation to root out Boko Haram from the North east of Nigeria has had an uphill task behind it.

In spite of the so-called state of emergence placed on the three troubled states of Yobe, Adamawa, and Borno, nothing significant has been recorded so far.

The Military must alter its strategies and practices

President Goodluck Jonathan in order to be able to eliminate the atrocities of the dreaded sect.

According to the Muslim

rights concern, the National Assembly should probe the military over its handling of the cause of

“These acts of terrorism, these insurgency which are synonymous terms that is now taking roots in the soul of Nigeria, if not totally uprooted immediately, shall soon develop into a hydra headed tentacles that would devour the entire land.”

the Chibok missing school girls. It has goofed and should apologise to Nigerians.

Only recently, the military authorities had erroneously reported to Nigerians that some of the girls who were abducted had been found. But it retracted the report a day later.

“The Nigerians military has been engaged in a brutal fight with Boko Haram. Rights groups accuse both sides of ruthlessness – Boko Haram of indiscriminate attacks, and the military of extrajudicial killings, but when it comes to the abduction of girls – and there have been many, the military has had a difficult time”.

Thus from all indications, it is clear that the military needs to change its tactics in order to surmount the difficulties it is facing both on and off the field.

Just imagine if the Federal Government is unable to root out terrorism, but allow it to continue to take root?

Truly the Nigeria government needs the help of its allies in confronting terrorism at this auspicious times. The Federal Government needs to capture the leaders of Boko Haram sect, seize their resources, disrupt their networks and deter their sponsors. Only in this way can it win the war!

On the moral front, the Federal Government would need to tackle head on the issue of injustice and corruption in the country. It must expose all the forces that creates poverty, intolerance, hatred and social economic degradation that has led to much instability in the land.

In the final analysis, does President Jonathan really have the political will, the courage, the integrity and the bravery to as I earlier mentioned, use all the necessary and appropriate forces against the Boko Haram sect in order to return peace once again to this traumatized nation?

The unnecessary abduction of 234 innocent school children is an ominous sign that this country is edging swiftly, and drifting into another ready made civil war.

This is simply a fact of the modern world, and to ignore it, is at the peril of the nation.

The end result will not be victory in a war but will produce general crises throughout the land.

I sues

s

FEW years ago, Nigerians were anxiously concerned on how the federal government can tackle the corrosive and caustic corruption, education, agriculture and power failure, but the recurring spate of hapless killings in the Northern parts of Nigeria diverted the minds of Nigerians to make the federal government to concentrate on tackling security threats in the country. Government is meant to protect her citizens and property but in Nigeria the reverse is now the case. Over 10,000 innocent people had been killed while property worth millions of naira destroyed for no just cause and the federal government has abysmally failed to bring the unsympathetic committers to book. The emergence of this extremist called” Boko Haram” which means against western education has gone beyond the educational philosophy but politically motivated by some elements that derived joy in seeing fellow human beings being slaughtered as domestic animals and rendered homeless.

It is apparently clear that Boko Haram members are not unlettered as it was formerly described but assembled with highly educated people who are sponsored to disintegrate Nigeria in the hands of President Goodluck Jonathan.

President Goodluck Jonathan should know that if the GDP of the country increases to 60 percent and number 26th economy in the world, her citizens are not protected, then the much celebrated GDP is zero percent to

The Problems, Challenges, Solutions To Insecurity In Nigeria Nigerians.

The coldhearted and ruthless killings has also affected the security agencies deployed to these Northern parts of the country. Though Boko Haram has not made it clear to Nigeria why the continuous bombings of property and hapless killings of people, unlike when the Niger- Delta militants made their demands known to the federal government and amnesty was extended to them without no rancor. At the spate of bombings, President Goodluck Jonathan had intended to extend olive branch than the carrot and stick approach by giving Boko Haram members amnesty but was out rightly rejected by the sect who felt the present national leadership is a threat to Northern region.

Kidnapping was more pronounced in the NigerDelta region until late President Musa Yar’Adua extended amnesty compensation to the militants while the south east part of Nigeria was also experiencing high profile kidnappings but was quickly averted by security agencies. The countless bombings of churches, mosques, schools, government buildings and others have equally put Nigeria into a terrorist list which indicated that the federal government has to improve on the welfare of security agencies in Nigeria. Boko Haram

By GODDAY ODIDI members are not spirit but human beings like us.

One thing the government has failed to do is to comb out the sponsors of this dreaded

in 2011 elections after the democratic victory of President Goodluck Jonathan that Nigeria would be ungovernable because of his failure to

President Goodluck Jonathan sect not the executors.

The executors are just messengers to the highest order.

In one of the dailies reported recently where overambitious and c o n t r o v e r s i a l Presidential candidate of one of the frustrated opposition parties told his veritable supporters that if voted for in 2015, security problem will be tackled immediately and in the same vein another notable politician in Nigeria has made it clear

“Though Boko Haram has not made it clear to Nigeria why the continuous bombings of property and hapless killings of people, unlike when the Niger- Delta militants made their demands known to the federal government and amnesty was extended to them without no rancor.”

secure the presidential ticket. President Jonathan once said that Boko Haram members are part of his constituted cabinet.

Boko Haram insurgence not just started today, it all started from the military eras where letter bombs were used to execute top Nigerians that felt the government then were tyrannically domineering and oppressive. The unpopular government policies in the military governments then prompted some audacious Nigerians to stage some organized protests across the country to halt the autocratic leadership that brought the existence of democracy.

Apart from food insecurity, financial insecurity and others, security failure has eaten deep into the fabrics of the society making Nigerians not to be confidence with President Goodluck Jonathan’s leadership anymore. Boko Haram insurgence does not stop

churches from evangelizing the gospel of Christ in the north as far Christ continues to exist on earth.

Several attempts have been made

by Boko Haram members to bomb government institutions but recently intercepted by our trained security operatives in Nigeria. The fear of living in the Northern region is the beginning of many Nigerians being rendered homeless. The worst is the security unrest at a frightening level where the Hausa and Fulani herdsmen now sacking some middle Belt and Isoko communities from their farmlands through sophiscated arms and ammunition, while many farmers have been unjustly killed by these desperate cattle rearers who want to take possession of their farmlands by force.

With the ongoing national conference, insecurity should be critically addressed with the spate of unemployment among our growing youths in Nigeria and to avert heartless killings in 2015.

The issue of Boko Haram sponsors should be seriously tackled to bring these elements to book.

Boko Haram is not the problem of Nigeria but those who felt the present leadership never ceded to their region decided to arm young people to cause political havoc on innocent Nigerians.

President Goodluck Jonathan is a detribalized leader with integrity. The recent centenary celebration was an indication that President Goodluck is a called leader sent by God to unite Nigeria against disintegration. The recent discovery of evil forest in Ibadan where human beings were slaughtered for ritual purposes could portent the state of insecurity in the country if not prevented by Nigeria security agencies.

Thousands of security operatives had sacrificed their precious lives in protecting Nigerians from Boko Haram onslaught.

Politics of bitterness is one of the problems creating security unrest in Nigeria where politicians see political positions as do or die affairs. Boko Haram members almost foiled jail break in SSS custody in Abuja where handful members escaped and few were re-arrested.

Again, the state of youth unemployment in Nigeria, Boko Haram will continue to increase if necessary machineries are not put in place to combat the situation. The Northern leaders and elders have many questions to answer on the spate of bombings in the region than blaming Jonathan’s leadership at the central. It sad that a top political leader once said that Boko Haram members are well- equipped than the Nigerian security agencies.

In other words our Nigerian security agencies are in total failure. Even federal government declaring states of emergencies to those troubled northern states have not prevented Boko Haram attacks.

Some of the views indicated that most Boko Haram members are not Nigerians but are paid to cause political havoc in the country as far President Goodluck continues to remain in power till 2019. It is the duty of government to protect her citizens.

Political statements by politicians should be verified by media organizations before publications to avoid unstable leadership in Nigeria. We have so far buried innocent Nigerians and President Jonathan must swift into action to curtain Boko Haram insurgence and other criminal activities in Nigeria. It is time for Boko Haram members to embrace President Goodluck Jonathan’s amnesty drive now. Nigeria must unite in Jesus name.

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P litics IN Nigeria’s political arrangement, the President is the highest office. Over the years the picture that has been presented to the world is Nigeria as a majority Islamic country. As we go further down we will see how this picture appears to be changing and why the pace of crisis of all kinds seems to have picked up speed in the recent time. Goodluck Jonathan is a Christian from the south and he is currently Nigeria’s President.

To maintain the picture of Nigeria being Islamic, whoever that occupies the prominent and symbolic position of the President in Nigeria at any given time is important. Nigeria as a union of different ethnic peoples and diverse cultural/religious persuasions was brought together into an inconvenient marriage of strange bedfellows through the accident of British colonialism.

These different ethnic, cultural, religious and linguistic divisions are not just merely mutually contradictory; they are mutually antagonistic and irreconcilable. In order to fix the Nigerian problem, this colonial mistake of joining peoples of different ideological and cultural convictions must come completely undone.

Nigeria must be divided into separate independent countries along these existing ethnic, cultural and religious lines.

We will look broadly at how these divisions occur. In the southern part Christianity is dominant while Islam dominates the northern part. The British left the country on independence in 1960. They are often accused today of deliberately handling power and leadership of the country to the northerners through some unorthodox and unfair means.

By this singular gesture it is said that the north came to believe that they

Nigerian Presidency, The British And The Invention Of Boko Haram have the prerogative to control and rule the country and define its image, and how the country should be seen by the outside world.

Most analysts have traced the so-called northerners’ born-to-rule

By OSITA EBIEM Birom, Tiv, etc. and, as well as British and other European citizens.

(There are numerous cases of these unnecessary and

President Goodluck Jonathan

disposition as having its root from this poor judgment on the side of the colonialists.

Unfortunately, today everyone seems to be suffering from this mistake; the indigenous peoples and the colonialists alike.

The case in point here is the prevailing terrorism as unleashed on all by the Islamic jihadists – a display of impunity created through this unfair allocation of political power in Nigeria.

unfortunate killings by the Northern Nigeria jihadists but we will refer here to only two such incidents. The March, 2013 killing of 7 foreign hostages: A British, an Italian, a Greek and 4 Lebanese citizens by the Ansaru Islamic group and the murder of British Christopher McManus and Italian Franco Lamolinara by Boko Haram group in March, 2012 The clearly defined and widely proclaimed goal of the

Islamic fundamentalist groups like Boko Haram and Ansaru are on the rampage and in the process they are murdering Igbo people,

Islamize the entire country and establish a Saudi Arabian replica of an Islamic state in the heart of Black Africa.

Nigeria in the opinion of the Islamists is strategic and seen as a coveted trophy which they will

David Cameron, British Prime Minister

northern Nigerian jihadists is to establish a separate Islamic state in the north of Nigeria.

And here lies the root cause of the endemic ethnic/religious crisis going on in Nigeria today. This in itself is the readjusted objective of the northern peoples’ original agenda. The original plan was to use the political power inherited from the colonialists to intimidate and overwhelm the southern peoples,

“They are often accused today of deliberately handling power and leadership of the country to the northerners through some unorthodox and unfair means.”

give anything to add to the list of conquered territories in their pursuit of the overall global Islamic agenda. When one looks at the prevailing political contours and power struggles in most of the dysfunctional colonial countries on the Southern part of the Sahara Desert, it is not hard to understand why there are so much sociopolitical and cultural/religious conflicts.

It is the Islamic agenda of territorial acquisitions and forceful proselytizing that has left most Black African societies in a state of perpetual social tension, bloodletting conflicts, complete breakdown of law and order, political corruption, impunity and societal instability. With

these many problems the peoples are left with little or no time to embark on projects and initiate programs that engender progress and encourage economic prosperity in their societies. It’s been a longstanding Islamic agenda to Islamize the Southern part of the Sahara as it was done in the Northern part where the Arabs did not only Islamize the population; they nearly exterminated the entire indigenous Black population of that part of Africa and occupied their land.

Here is a little illustration of how the colonial and other external influences have helped create the ongoing disasters; the common saying is that the thief who was sent by the father (a father-figure backer) to go steal will instead of being stealthy and discreet about it, by maybe finding a way to pick the lock, will rather break the door using his feet or any other loud noise producing method to gain entrance to the house. Most times such bold thief apart from the fact that he might be acting under the influence of drugs, is also emboldened because he has this false belief in the father-leader who could not possibly be wrong. An experienced investigator of a crime scene usually begins on the premise that if the thief had displayed much impudence and foolhardy bravado then he must be acting from a gang backed by a powerful leader as against a thief that is acting alone. If there is an existing list of active gangs and gang leaders, from the list the investigator begins by looking for this sort of signature evidence as a clue.

The above illustration Continue on page 8

o

P litics Continued from page 7

helps us to understand why there is so much display of bold and scandalous impudence in the Nigerian political and social “robbery” scenes. The “thief” (the leading political class and the ordinary citizens) is acting believing he was right in doing what he is doing. In the eyes of the child the father is hardly ever wrong. This partly comes from the British colonial legacy and the infamous role played by the British during the Biafra-Nigeria war.

Let’s relate it to a particularly difficult aspect noticed often by an observer of the Nigerian inter-ethnic and sociopolitical relationships. Very often there is friction which results from the north people complaining about the people from the south whom they believe regard the northerners as being stupid. Why this is so may not be difficult to see by an objective careful observer. The south people find it difficult to understand why the north people can be so bold and impudently assertive by always insisting on being entitled to have most of the leadership positions and resource allocations in the country without the due consideration of the other partners in the Nigerian union. The south finds this seemingly irrational attitude of the north too hard to rationalize so they tend to think that the northerners’ attitude is not just foolhardy but actually stupid.

Femi Fani-Kayode is from the southwest and was a Nigerian federal aviation minister and a

...The Invention Of Boko Haram regular commentator on the country’s issues. In reference to the ongoing contentious Nigerian National Conference this is how a southwest delegate to the conference, Adekunle Adesina Odunmorayo as quoted by Fani-Kayode succinctly puts the north peoples’ attitude; “I see arrogance. I see harassment. I see it’s either our way or no way by the same group [the north people] who felt the country belongs to them only- the people who are holding this country by the jugular at this conference. The same way they have been behaving since the creation of the Nigerian state is the same way they are aggressively exhibiting their character at this conference.

But gone are the days when any part of Nigeria can be intimidated, can be coerced or harassed into submission. The majority of Nigerians have realized that 50 years of their domination, albeit illegally, has come to an end. They must sit down now and discuss. The odds are not in their favor. The threat of boycott or walkout will not change anything. We are all equal before the law. We are all equal before God” F a n i - K a y o d e commenting on Odunmorayo’s statement said; “Odunmorayo’s words shall go down in history as being a prophetic and final warning to a people that have lost touch with reality and that feel that they must always have their way in Nigeria. The message is loud and

Sambo, Vice President

David Mark, Senate President

clear and it basically says that there are no more slaves and slavemasters in Nigeria. It says that we are all equal

“But gone are the days when any part of Nigeria can be intimidated, can be coerced or harassed into submission. The majority of Nigerians have realized that 50 years of their domination, albeit illegally, has come to an end.”

before God and we will never go back to the old days of northern masters and southern serfs. If the north walks out of the conference simply because they are not allowed to operate what amounts to an effective power of veto when it comes to voting, then they may as well walk out of Nigeria as well.

And if they do so, to hell with them. It is time for

the south to begin to come together and insist on their rights. Some things are way and above party politics and they are basic and fundamental- this matter is one of such things.

The north does not own Nigeria and the rest of us do not live for them or at their beck and call. We all own this country and the wishes of the north cannot be forced down the throats of the south.”

Northern peoples’ conception of what the Nigerian state stands for is very contrary to what the southerners believe.

Moreover, due to the distorted discoloration resulting from the north mixing Islamic religion and politics, the typical northerner’s perception of what the Nigerian state should be runs contrary to realities and what is reasonable in today’s world such that it is simply impossible to continue sustaining the unity of Nigeria as one country. In a plain language all the sides or parties to the Nigerian union simply do not understand why they should exist together as members of the same country and cannot see eye to eye on most issues. And the only reasonable response to this dilemma is to resolve it by dividing Nigeria along the existing dividing lines of culture, religion and ethnicity.

The confusion resulting from the forced unity is so real and is behind virtually all the major troubles that are going on in Nigeria today. It is this confusion that is responsible for the very unbelievable level of poverty among the over 85% of the population in spite of so much available and potential wealth-creating resources. It is also responsible for the kind of beyond-all-reasons political and social corruption in the country

where no one who breaks the law expects any punishment whatsoever. The same confusion is responsible for why peoples of other religions or ethnic groups find it easy and even justified to not just discriminate against others from other religions and ethnic groups; they simply feel justified to kill those from other groups just because they believe, think and act differently.

This confusion in Nigerian society and polity justifies each ethnic/religious group in believing that they are exclusively right and others are inexcusably wrong in every issue that is of common interest to all parties to the union of one Nigeria. At the root of all the problems in Nigeria are the diversities of irreconcilable cultures, religions and different original indigenous sociopolitical ideologies.

The real solution to Nigeria’s problems will be found on the day that all who are concerned about Nigeria decide to solve this problem from this fundamental angle.

The various peoples in the Nigerian union must choose to separate themselves from one another into the precolonial, originally occurring demarcations of ethnic, religious and cultural boundaries, and form genuine independent countries.

Nigeria as it is, is the conception and creation of foreign colonial masters who did not understand nor appreciate the existing deeply dividing and unbridgeable ethnic, cultural and religious lines of the peoples. No one can dream of fixing the seemingly many problems of Nigeria by ignoring the existence of these demarcating lines and the indigenous peoples must abandon the colonial map and redraw it to reflect realities.

s

I sues OF recent, Nigerians have been served with an over-dosage of sponsored propaganda by politically minded unions leaders and their drum-beaters who deliberately seek to mislead the unsuspecting education loving people of our great nation on the prevailing issues concerning the prolonged strike actions by Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union, COEASU. They take advantage of the fact that most Nigerians refuse to ask critical questions about half truths and outright falsehood presented to them by union leaders during trade disputes. These union leaders also exploit the stereotype that whatever goes wrong must be placed at the doorstep of the Federal Government and her officials.

The simple fact about the extremely prolonged strike by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union, COEASU is the fact that the ball has remained in the court of the union leaders for over four months.

Clear-cut agreements have been repeatedly reached for the strikes to be called off. However, on each occasion, the union leaders after assuring that the concessions made by the Federal Government would lead to the end of the strikes, turned around prolong the strike.

At every step of the way, the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Education made critical concessions aimed at resolving all the key four demands reached after the unions, Education Committees of the National Assembly and the Federal Ministry of Education met at the beginning of these prolonged strike actions.

Of the four key demands agreed by all parties for the resolution of the strike actions, the Federal Government has resolved three. What is outstanding is the payment of arrears for migration to higher levels for staff and CONTISS 15.

The demands that have been resolved by the Federal Government include the establishment of Needs Assessment Committees and the setting up of governing councils.

The office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation has concluded work on the White Paper.

ASUP, COEASU Strikes:

The Truth Of The Matter The white paper of the Polytechnics and Colleges of Education will not be released in isolation. They are to be released alongside those of universities.

Contrary to what the public is being misled to believe, the payment process of arrears owed the

By SIMEON NWAKAUDU ignored the unions.

The Federal Government has severally engaged the striking unions through officials of the Federal Ministry of Education and Federal Ministry of Labour.

Countless meetings have

framework to comprehensively address other concerns raised by ASUP and COEASU leaders at the meeting with officials of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Federal Ministry of

Wike, Supervising Minister of Education ASUP, COEASU and other staff, which stand at over N40billion has been concluded. The Federal Government has placed an offer before the two unions in terms of the payment.

Right in the presence of journalists, the Supervising Minister of Education, Barr.

Ezenwo Nyesom Wike announced the Federal Government offer to pay the striking workers in two installments. The unions agreed at the beginning, only to renege through a letter written by ASUP. Prior to this public meeting which ASUP objected, the ASUP President had claimed that the Federal Government

been held at both levels of top officials and at the Ministerial level.

The Supervising Minister of Education has met with the unions repeatedly as well as meeting with leaders of National Association of Polytechnics Students in very key steps to resolve the strike. He has convened a public meeting with union leaders, students and Journalists in attendance.

The meeting agreed that the onus was on the union leaders to act in favour of the development of the education sector.

At present, the Federal Ministry of Education is implementing a new

Education.

It is necessary to bring before the public court once again, several progressive steps that the Jonathan administration has taken to improve Polytechnics and Colleges of Education.

These are hard facts.

The Jonathan administration released a grant of N12.4 billion to all 51 Federal and State for the equipping of their laboratories to enhance their ability to deliver quality Technical and Vocational Education.

Staff members drawn from the institutions have also gone through training to enhance their

“At every step of the way, the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Education made critical concessions aimed at resolving all the key four demands reached after the unions, Education Committees of the National Assembly and the Federal Ministry of Education met at the beginning of these prolonged strike actions.”

competence in the management of the new facilities. In addition, N2.6 billion has been provided for the rehabilitation of existing laboratories in the institutions.

Aside the above investments, eight Polytechnics and eight Colleges of Education have benefitted from the TETFUND High Impact Fund to improve critical infrastructure in these schools. They are spread across the six geo-political zones. Each of this school got N1billion.

Under normal TETFUND interventions, the Jonathan administration raised the bar. More than any other time in the past, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education are now better funded. For Polytechnics, TETFUND support for each institution increased from N240million in 2011 to N337million in 2012 to N443million in 2013. As for Colleges of Education grants increased from N190million in 2011 to each school to N319million in 2012 to N390million in 2013.

The Federal Government under President Jonathan has also expended N12billion for the construction of teaching laboratories for State and Federal Colleges of Education. This in addition to the several training local and international training programmes that academic and non academic staff participated in to improve their capacity.

In the course of the last four weeks, the Supervising Minister of Education, Barr.

Wike and officials of TETFUND held town hall meetings in the six geopolitical zones on TETFUND investments in Federal Universities, Federal Polytechnics and Federal Colleges of Education. At every meeting, civil society officials, students, parents and media practitioners witnessed first hand the massive improvement that have been associated with positive investments by the Jonathan administration in all the nation’s tertiary institutions. These town hall meetings witnessed unrestricted question and answer sessions. While

ASUU participated in two of these meetings, ASUP and COEASU instructed their members to stay away.

The ASUP President, Chibuzor Asomugha has embarked on an unproductive negative false productive to the effect that the Federal Government cares less about technical and vocational education.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Development of Technical and Vocational Education is one of the focal areas of the Federal Ministry of Education Four Year Strategic Plan.

Nigerians are witnessing the on-going construction of vocational schools for Nigerians in the South-East and South-South zones.

Nigerians must know that Polytechnics and Colleges of Education are having the best treatment under President Goodluck Jonathan. The investments by the administration have been targeted at lifting the institutions from their hitherto neglected conditions.

Nigerians should begin to ensure that union leaders account for their actions.

The power to strike is a critical asset that must not be used frivolously. These strike actions have down to the issue of payment of the arrears, which the Federal Government has committed to pay in two installments.

Discerning Nigerians would have clearly discovered that aside hauling of insults at the Supervising Minister of Education, the union leaders bring nothing to table.

Restoring the Polytechnics and Colleges of Education to their days of glory is a process that the Jonathan administration started since 2010. Before then, these schools suffered two decades of total neglect. The facts as outlined above speak for themselves.

In the coming days, all education stakeholders must demand as a right that these union leaders respond positively to Federal Government’s offer of paying the outstanding arrears in two installments.

The future of millions of Polytechnics and Colleges of Education students is at stake. This can no longer be left in the hands of these union leaders. Nigerians must ask critical questions and demand immediate answers. There is no reason whatsoever why these strike actions should continue.

sEducation: The APC Example In Lagos

I sues THE on-going drama in Lagos State between the students of the Lagos State University (LASU) and its owner, the government of the State over school fees, puts a lie to all the talks of being progressives trumpeted by the All Progressives Congress (APC). The fiasco shows the last battle between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the federal government as a child’s play: not because of the duration of that last strike, but that a s u p p o s e d l y “Progressives” State can consider charging the huge fees that Lagos government threw at the students.

It is difficult to understand why the APC government will contemplate charging between N190, 000 and N330, 000, when in the same Lagos, the federally-owned University of Lagos charges less than N20, 000.

Many have suggested that the APC government is desperately in search of funds to prosecute the 2015 national elections, but that sounds too preposterous even for the leader of the party to consider. But there may be some measure of truth in the other suggestion that funds are need for the huge, deep pocket projects that the Lagos government is embarking on.

A day after the Lagos Assembly gloatingly, through its Speaker, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, last January, commended the students’ union for using the e-voting system for a successful election of its officers and called on Professor Attahiru Jega and the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) to take lessons

from the students and organize a credible evoting elections in the country in 2015, the state government suffered the embarrassment of the LASU management shutting the school.

What a way not to be an example!

It said in a statement then: “In the wake of the violent protest by some affected students of Lagos State University (LASU) over the closure of the university portal for registration of courses for second semester 2012/2013 examination, the university management has decided to shut down the university indefinitely.

Also, examinations have been put off till further notice. With this decision, students are expected to vacate the university premises until further notice.”

For two days, students of the school made a mess of the image of an APC government that claimed it was pursuing its education agenda better than the PDPcontrolled federal government that had universities shut for five months on account of dissatisfied school lecturers. This time, it was students who should be in school that were bearing the brunt of a government that is being made to look irresponsible in its handling of such a vital sector and its most important segment.

Students of the school went on rampage destroying the school’s property, burning tyres on the expressway and disrupting the second semester examinations.

According to newspaper reports, they were not happy with the management for closing the registration portal against about 1,292 of

By FEMI AYELABOWO its students who had not yet registered for the second semester examinations.

The examinations were disrupted by the angry students who vowed not

crisis in the state university, the beacon of the opposition APC, watchers have warned, is a clear indication of how the bumbling party may handle education if

Fashola

to carry over their courses to the next semester due to their inability to pay the exorbitant fees charged by the school.

At the time the students went gaga, only about 700 students were able to register before the portal was shut and were the only ones approved to take the exams. Soldiers, the same federally paid ones like the policemen, got the Lagos government out of the logjam of dealing with the riotous students.

The inscriptions on some of the placards the students carried were instructive: “Fashola, pity us, our parents are poor,” “Obafunwa (the vice chancellor), open the registration portal or there will be no exams.”

The management of the

it ever wins the election at the centre. It is another vote of no confidence on the party that is at the middle of an internal crisis. Even the much vaunted Fashola magic is failing to work in this crucial sector, and many are teasing that governance is not all about construction and turning of the State into

a business haven.

Lagos has the rich and the poor; the very rich and the very poor that need services, so Fashola will do well to help all.

In his reasons for the imbroglio, the Vice Chancellor, Obafunwa said “In a joint meeting between the Governing Council and the university management team, it was deliberated extensively on whether the registration portal should be opened for the affected students to register for their 2012/ 2013 second semester courses or otherwise.

After the deliberations, it was decided that the portal should remain shut for smooth commencement and effective administration of the scheduled 2012/ 2013 second semester examination.

“There is little or nothing the management can do at this moment to open the portal, because it is the decision of council and not Obafunwa’s decision.

“Of the over 12,000 students in the university, about 1,292 could not meet the registration deadline.

Examination dockets have been printed so there is no way the portal could be opened again for registration.

However, the council also decided that those

who failed to register before the deadline, but have paid their tuition fees and are not legible to write the examinations would not pay tuition fees again, when they come for resit of the courses.”

“This portal cannot be opened at this moment (January)…. There is nowhere in the world where it is done. If we allow the portal open, where examination dockets are already printed, students will go and do addition and deduction of courses which will definitely distort the information on their dockets. This will amount to huge complications for the university to handle. We have been so lenient with the students. A twoweek grace for registration was extended to two months, so we believe that is enough time for students to pay their tuition fees and proceed for registration of courses.”

Obafunwa may be right in his position, but these are also Nigerians, and they need his understanding, and that of the APC, because the arrogance being displayed by all concerned shows that these are not people who can be trusted to run Lagos again, talk less of Nigeria. A word is enough for the wise.

“Obafunwa may be right in his position, but these are also Nigerians, and they need his understanding, and that of the APC, because the arrogance being displayed by all concerned shows that these are not people who can be trusted to run Lagos again, talk less of Nigeria. A word is enough for the wise.”

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P litics THE only reason why the former Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew, former President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashivili, the leader of Dubai Mohammed Bin Rashid Maktoum and the President of Botswana, Ian Khama stand out as successful leaders of their respective countries today is not only because they had or have a clear vision of where they wanted to take their countries to but they also had or have the right team to work with. You only need to visit Singapore, Georgia, Dubai and Botswana to see things for yourself what intelligent leaders can do when they work with the right people. A good leader with bright ideas and right focus may have good plans but the wrong crowd or wrong cabinet can create a big problem for the leader.

Having a bad crowd or cabinet can ruin a great leader, all things being equal. Even the action of one person in a team can create a big problem that will affect the entire system.

Now enter Senator Musiliu, a Minister of State in the Ministry of Defense. The day Senator Obanikoro was appointed a junior Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is the day I wrote off this government. The day Mr Adesiyan, a suspect in the murder of the late Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Bola Ige was appointed the Minister for Police Affairs is the day I wrote off this Federal Government. But Adesiyan matter will definitely come up another day. Today our focus is on Senator Obanikoro. Senator Obanikoro came to the limelight when he became the Executive Chairman, Lagos Island Local Government few years back. During his tenure, the vibrant and viable local government was looted with reckless abandon, and everything he touched turned to ashes. When it was time to leave, history had it

Musiliu Obanikoro Endangers The Nigerian Army

that the LGA was set ablaze by the forces traced to his table in the bid to cover up. The rest is now history.

Obanikoro was later to be forgiven when the battle for democracy was won in 1999. He was rehabilitated and made a Commissioner by the then Governor Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the then Alliance for Democracy (AD).

By JOE IGBOKWE additional money to bring the robbed Lagosians back. After the ugly episode Asiwaju BAT contemplated sacking C o m m i s s i o n e r Obanikoro but people like Governor Rauf Aregbesola and few

his party by joining PDP. His last outing before he became a Minister was an Ambassadorial position in Ghana.

As 2015 elections draw near, I guess Senator Obanikoro must have begged President

others prevailed on the governor to give the irritant and bad boy another chance to see whether he can be turned around to become a good boy but a leopard can never change its skin.

Finally, Asiwaju BAT decided to make him a Senator under Action Congress, but Obanikoro got to Abuja and betrayed

Jonathan to specifically make him a Minister of Defense so that he can deliver Lagos and South West to PDP in 2015 through the use of military to create enough tension and siege in Lagos. In doing this I guess their thinking is that Lagosians will be so cowed and intimidated that they will put no resistance at all

Obanikoro

C o m m i s s i o n e r Obanikoro, was made to lead a delegation of Lagos Muslims to pilgrimage in Mecca.

Senator Musiliu Obanikoro as Ameerul Hajj pocketed the money meant for the upkeep of the Lagos Muslims. He abandoned them in Mecca. Lagos State Government had to raise

“PDP and its spin doctors have found out that they do not have the capacity and capability to unseat APC in the South West and hence the need to resort to brutal force and intimidation using the federal might.”

and PDP will take over Lagos and South West.

This is the reason why Senator Obanikoro invaded Ondo State during a House of Representatives Byelections in the name of fighting for PDP. Recall that El Rufai went alone to Anambra to monitor the last year Guber elections and was stopped by the State Security Services but it was okay for Obanikoro to invade Ondo State with soldiers to steal votes for PDP. As if that was not enough, Obanikoro invaded Lagos with military personnel to stop Housing Projects in Lagos Island and the one close to Adeniji Adele and of the Third Mainland Bridge called Illubirin on the pretext that the land belongs to the Federal Government. Now what is the meaning of this? Is Obanikoro fighting for Lagosians or for his pocket? Is it for personal ambition or for PDP’s advancement in the South West. Obanikoro’s invasion of Lagos, Qui bono?

APC has commissioned an enquiry into the motive for this brigandage in Lagos and got a damning report that Obanikoro and his co-travelers have concluded plans to inflict maximum disorder and confusion in Lagos in preparation for the 2015 general elections. PDP and its spin doctors have found out that they do not have the capacity and capability to unseat APC in the South West and hence the need to resort to brutal force and intimidation using the federal might. That is why Senator Iyiola Omisore, a suspect in the murder case of the late Attorney General of the federation, Chief Bola Ige is the PDP Guber candidate of Osun State.

That is the reason why

Ayo Fayose, a thug and a bus conductor who is standing trial for murder in Ekiti State is the flag bearer of PDP in Ekiti State.

Successive Federal Governments under civilian dispensation have used the police and other agencies of government to win elections in Nigeria since 1979 and only the military has been spared of this mess. But now that Obanikoro has dragged the well-respected Armed Forces of Nigeria into politics, what do we expect in 2015? Can anybody see and feel the danger of dragging the Armed Forces of Nigeria into local politics? Can anybody imagine the consequences of this dangerous trend in the history of Nigeria? Yes the Army of Nigeria has been involved in the business of military coups in the past but not in local politics. This is the reason why Senator Obanikoro must be investigated by the Army of Nigeria and sanctioned if found guilty.

Did President Jonathan authorize his brigandage in Lagos? Can a political thug like Senator Obanikoro be allowed to ridicule the Army of Nigeria? Can he get away with this lawlessness without sanctions?

My take on this is that Senator Obanikoro should be sacked from the Ministry of Defense.

His actions and deeds since he assumed office is unbecoming of anybody that is privileged to be a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. As for 2015 elections Obanikoro and his soldiers or thugs will meet us in Lagos and the South West and I can bet that they will kiss the dust once again. I have said it before that PDP Lagos lacks common sense, strategy for critical thinking, they are not cerebral, and they are not pro-active. This invasion of Lagos will backfire in 2015 and Lagos PDP will cry again. This I can assure you.

Politics CHIEF Martin Agbaso has of recent not said anything political-wise without sounding regretful for the now humiliatedassistance he said that he bestowed to Governor Rochas Okorocha, which tremendously saw to the success of the later on the platform of All Progressives Gland Alliance (APGA), in the 2011 elections.

In that regard, Agbaso has said that he wants to succeed Governor Rochas Okorocha in 2015. It could be known that, to a certain extent, the name Agbaso rings a bell in Nigeria, but many only came to know about the Agbasos, when Sir Jude Agbaso, the former Deputy Governor of Imo State, was in political skirmishes, over an undefined contract awards, with the authorities of the Imo State Government.

It is believed that it was Chief Martin Agbaso who made the Agbasos to be enunciated and on whose political wizardry Jude his younger brother emerged as the deputy governor.

The elder Agbaso had contested the gubernatorial elections in the state in 2007, but did not show up in 2011, hence the choice of his younger brother to be the running-mate to Okorocha.

Jude it was believed was later set up with the blast of a contract that nearly brought the name of the Agbaso family to wreckages; but for the elder Agbaso who put his head, it was later learned in a well publicized correspondences that Jude was cleared of all the allegations against him.

Much of the elder Agbaso’s worry today is not about the circumstances that led to the reprehensibly ouster of his brother as deputy governor, but the belief that the present crop of leadership in the state is not doing enough to assuage the fester in road infrastructure, education, health, water and recreation, amongst others.

According to him, it was his profound belief to support Okorocha in the 2011 elections with regards that the distribution formula would elevate in reality the status of teachers, civil and public servants in the

Imo 2015: Martin

state, but he was deceived to be reading such elevations only in the media.

Those who have come in contact with Martin Agbaso know him as a man of high self-esteem and principle, so it was not out of place when the people of Imo State marshed out en masse to support Okorocha perhaps, because Agbaso was there, which was a decision that Agbaso said was not an easy one for him to take.

Agbaso, His Regrets

By Odimegwu Onwumere

financially to contest the 2011 election, therefore he allowed Okorocha to do so in APGA. Regretting what he feels has become of Okorocha today against him, Agbaso says that he cannot believe that this is

Rochas Okorocha, Imo State Governor

Chief Martin Agbaso

His unenthusiastic ordeal in the 2007 elections and the loss to court proceedings to reclaim the mandate he believed that he was robbed of that saw to the emergence of Mr. Ikedi Ohakim as governor, Agbaso would say that he was not prepared mentally, physically, or

funds when he was not governor, he could do a lot more if given the chance to be in a position of authority. However, not told to Agbaso that not all that glitters are gold!

Agbaso would say that Okorocha is still miles

his or her people of putting in place development whereas the outcome becomes ruse.

This is also the thought of many Imo people who have said they thought that they knew Okorocha very well and acted upon their ‘little’ conviction of his philanthropic gestures

the same man who was pleading to him to allow him to run the Imo guber in 2011 under APGA and would be governor for just four years.

Agbaso says that his conviction to support Okorocha was that since Okorocha was training other people’s children with his (Okorocha’s) own

away from keeping to the promise he gave to the people of Imo State during the electioneering campaigns, there is hardly today that promised-industralised Imo State and the windows of opportunity are farfetched. Agbaso also believes that it is very shameful for one to lie to

“Agbaso would say that Okorocha is still miles away from keeping to the promise he gave to the people of Imo State during the electioneering campaigns, there is hardly today that promised-industralised Imo State and the windows of opportunity are farfetched.”

to give him their support; nevertheless it has dawned on them that an insignificant number of Imo people today know who the governor really is and this number is still hyping his name to where it gets.

The regrets of Agbaso which are in piles are that Okorocha gave them a glimmering light before 2011 that he would be succeeding the biblical Moses who led his people to the Promised Land, but the song on the lips of majority of Imo people like Agbaso is that Okorocha is not far from being a shame, a sham and a scam.

One thing that observers could notice that is working for

Okorocha is his sugar mouth, which may not have been adequate with the much hyped-works Nigerians are being fed with that dot the crannies and corners of Imo State.

While Martins Agbaso has shown that he is licking his wounds in the hands of Okorocha, there is a school of thought which suggests that Okorocha should diminish his tales by moonlight in the cause of governance, which invariably has not helped the state to come to abreast the Utopian environment that many Nigerians have the mindset that Imo State has become under Okorocha.

Conversely, some of the observers of the politics of Imo State are of the viewpoint that Agbaso should stop deafening their ears with his regrets of what they believe was a ‘business agreement’ between Okorocha and him that later went sour.

As the elections of 2015 are but months away, it is not certain if Agbaso will liberate the state if given the opportunity just as Okorocha was given this rare opportunity many are regretting today that they did not know Okorocha would later abandon them to their old fate of suffering in high profile dishonesty and politicking.

Whether Agbaso would be the light that Imo people are really in need of owing to their statements in different quarters, Plato once warned mankind that we can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.

Whichever way, Imo people should accept the apology of Agbaso that he did not know that Okorocha would betray him by not living upto his promises. They should despise the rituals of fake friendship, like Agbaso has said that he has suffered in the hands of Okorocha. After all, Henry Kissinger warns that corrupt politicians make the other ten percent look bad.

o

P litics WHEN it comes to the game of propaganda, not even the legendary Paul Joseph Goebbels – the Minister of Propaganda in the Hitler’s Third Reich – can match our own Mallam Nasir El-Rufai. Times over, he has proven that he has no equal in the art of treachery and cunningness. His ability to manipulate public discourse to suit his own view and agenda has not been matched yet. And if he has something to say and no one seems to be listening, he has an uncanny way of bulldozing his opinion into the public space and consciousness through his stooge medium, Sahara reporters, using fanciful pseudonyms.

After his infamous tenure as minister of the FCT where buildings of thousands of honest and hardworking Nigerians were brought down in a phantom city sanitation exercise, sending many to their early graves, only to re-allocate hundreds of plots of such demolished space to himself, his family and cronies, he now sits as Twitter warlord and media sponsor to continue his damaging business; only that this time, he demolishes people’s reputation and frustrates their efforts at political ascension.

On Twitter, El Rufai presents himself as an altruist, whose major concern is the welfare of Nigerians, so he constantly takes a swipe at any perceived “anti-people” policy. But the discerning ones know that this is mere fronting. El Rufai cannot be described as a humanist.

The only person El Rufai cares about is El Rufai.

Was he not the arrowhead in the campaign of silencing the opposition or perceived enemies during the OBJ administration?

Have we forgotten how

El-Rufai: Trails Of

Betrayals, Propagandas Chief Audu Ogbeh was shoved through the exit door at gunpoint? Have we forgotten the numerous atrocities committed by the OBJ regime, some of which were traced to the accidental public servant?

Indeed, if there are traits that cut across many present day Nigerian politicians, it is inconsistency and a lack of ideology. Many of our so called politicians cannot be identified with a notable ideology. They change with the weather; they move with the tide.

That is why you see a Nigerian politician who benefitted so much from the establishment, suddenly become an emergency activist after seeing the rug pulled off his feet. Or another who has sapped the national treasury cross over to the opposition and start to throw stones at those in government, while projecting himself as incorruptible to the public.

That is the reason some of us are not so amazed at how Mallam El-Rufai has transformed from a pain in the asses of Nigerians into an activist and their number one friend who is so concerned about their welfare that he battles the government of the day on their behalf.

History of Betrayals and Doublespeak Betrayal and speaking with both sides of the mouth are another hallmark of Mallam ElRufai while in and out of office. Let’s start with former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who considered El-Rufai a loyalist when the accidental public servant

By MOHAMMED SEIDU was appointed to chair the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE). But when OBJ and Atiku fell out, it was El-Rufai who headed the team that

propaganda machine against the goodintentioned Yar’adua and started to plant stories in the media to paint the late President as weak-willed

Adeniyi in an interview with Sunday Trust of March 12, 2012.

It is interesting to note that El Rufai himself later came clean on this cabal issue shortly after paying a visit to the newly appointed Vice President, Namadi

Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, Former Minister of FCT dragged the Turaki Adamawa’s image in the mire, trumping up his excesses for the Nigerian public to see.

Then came the Yar’adua regime. We were all regaled with the tale of how El-Rufai was instrumental in foisting Yar’adua on Nigeria then.

But when Yar’adua was not doing his bidding, ElRufai turned his

“With a long list of betrayed friends and cronies in his trail, my advice for Lamido Sanusi, his newfound ally, is to thread softly. Man, you better watch your back; as you might be the next in line for backstabbing by your bosom friend.”

and a puppet controlled by the cabal. God bless Mr. Segun Adeniyi who told Nigerians the whole truth in his book, Power Politics and Death; thus helping us to see El-Rufai in his true colour.

During Yar’adua’s health crisis, stories were flying around about a cabal supposedly led by Turai Yar’adua who purportedly held the nation to ransom.

To be frank, I was one of those who believed that grand concoction of ElRufai. However, Segun Adeniyi’s book enlightens us that a cabal never existed, and that it was all a fabrication of El-Rufai – a claim the former minister has never denied. Imagine what a laugh he must have had over us all then, with the press and public discourse agog over tales of a certain cabal that never existed.

“I didn’t lie about him, he can’t deny it. There were people there; there were witnesses.” Those were the words of Segun

Sambo. Perhaps, he thought he would be appointed to the inner caucus of President Goodluck Jonathan, now that Yar’adua was out of the equation.

His doublespeak was crystallised in a United States diplomatic cable made public by Wikileaks in 2011. In the cable, El-Rufai described President Jonathan as “clean and honest”. The confidential cable with reference 07ABUJA77 reveals that El-Rufai gave the endorsement during an interactive session with the former American Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr John Campbell, as the 2007 general elections was in top gear. Was Mallam ElRufai hallucinating when he returned the verdict of “clean and honest” on GEJ then? How come he is now the lynchpin who feeds the foreign media with damaging scoops about the Nigerian people and government as recently revealed by an

investigative reporter?

His treachery also came to fore during the last election when his friend, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu contested for the presidency. At the last minute, while Mallam Ribadu was betrayed in the South West for few billions of naira, El-Rufai led the foot soldiers of crusade against Ribadu’s candidature to elders in the north. Such backstabbing on such large scale Nigeria has not witnessed in a long time. The same thing he did to Donald Duke, another avowed friend of his, who is now left licking the wounds of betrayal from a trusted ally.

Not long ago, sensing that General Buhari’s large following in the north would threaten his own presidential ambition, El Rufai came public to label the retired general “unelectable.” Now, after being pushed to a corner on account of that statement, he has made a detour to sing the praise of the same man he so labelled.

The Tgrand finale of all his lies is manifest in his memoir, The Accidental Public Servant.

A publication that has been generally discredited by all the living characters covered therein. The ONLY character in that memoir that is saintly is Mallam ElRufai. Soludo described the memoir as an “intellectual fraud”; while Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and others dubbed it a “cocktail of lies.”

El Rufai is reputed for serial lying among those who really know him. It is also an open secret that he is a major financier of Owoyele Sowore and his Sahara reporters crew.

And that is his major propaganda medium for feeding the Nigerian and foreign readers (as well as copycat reporters and bloggers) with false news in the name of scoops that Sahara reporters usually propagate from “unidentified sources.” It also believed that El Rufai is the brain behind Lamido Sanusi’s recent public expose about the federal government, after having collected his own N5 billion controversial contract from CBN. With a long list of betrayed friends and cronies in his trail, my advice for Lamido Sanusi, his newfound ally, is to thread softly. Man, you better watch your back; as you might be the next in line for backstabbing by your bosom friend.

o Lagos Power Show: Fashola Versus Obanikoro

P litics WHAT Fashola and Obanikoro are trying to prove can only work to the detriment of the good people of Lagos State.

This writer has to disclose his bias against Obanikoro up front. He gave the Yar ’Adua Administration an excuse, not the reason, to ditch Bode Augusto for the position of Finance Minister. Lagos lost Finance Administration only to gain Ambassador to Ghana.

In this case Obanikoro thinks he has reason to oppose Fashola about sand filling Ilubirin for building a housing estate.

Though, he is not the Minister of Housing like another Lagosian, Wahab Docemu that asserted Federal Authority in Lagos, during the Shagari Administration. It seems this Federal power goes into their heads against their states of origin.

Docemu bragged then that he could declare any land in Lagos as a Federal territory.

Well, Fashola is not a saint either. He handed Tinubu the best of Lagos land. More importantly, Obanikoro raised a good point. Out of all the dry land that is flooded in every raining season, Fashola could not find any from Eti Osa to Ikokomaiko for urban renewal. Fashola did a good job in Isale Eko area when he called owners together reallocated some, financed and rebuilt their slum into modern apartments giving them the option to move back or rent. Omooko!

This is not the place to discuss Eko Atlantic, but reclaiming areas that would disturb adjacent land resulting in new flooding is worse than addressing areas already claimed as dry land. Of course landfilling is more capital intensive and calls for engineering capabilities that have to be sourced to foreign contractors leaving our graduates pandering to foreigners as we see today in Eko Atlantic. The

cost itself as Obanikoro pointed out would be out of reach to our neighbors.

Jakande has laid a foundation for every Governor of Lagos State. He built schools and housing within, which Lagosians can

By FAROUK MARTINS ARESA deep slums that still need attention.

We have to be careful about creating government sanctioned blogged drainage in the name of new housing. If Fashola did his

Fashola afford. Apart from that, government should not build houses that working and medium income people cannot afford. The best we can expect from government if they are worried about degeneration is to build mix income housings where people of different classes can live in peace and harmony. If anyone messes up, he loses that privilege.

Unfortunately, decay of beautiful housing, schools and parks is not the handiwork of the poor or the uninformed alone, but lack of maintenance mentality.

Watch how Surulere is going down or what happened to FESTAC. Anyone that knew Ikoyi and Victoria Island, woke up, would go back to sleep again. Fashola has certainly made a difference in the upkeeps of the new places he built. We must give him his dues. It does not negate the

guards when on a visit to his State. Another Federal power Sen. Christy Anyanwu tried it with Owelle Okorocha’s motorcade. We have to understand that working for one level of

rechanneled by our engineers and in the process some permits were issued while old permits fell under their reconstruction.

Moreover, after so many years, some influenced their ways out of drainage.

Obanikoro homework and found Ilubirin suitable, there is no reason he and Obanikoro cannot work together to bring Federal presence to Lagos. The benefit of having a local representative in the Federal is to enhance local interest. But Lagosians and others, we must admit think they have to display Federal might to spite the home Governor.

Some of you may remember Joseph Wayas as Senate President with all the Federal accolade and

government or the other does not mean we should disrespect each other. We are all serving the same people without whom we are powerless. Our power comes from the people.

Another case in point was one of our respectable chiefs in Lagos. Before he built his house, he got permit some 30 to 40 years ago and it took him about 20 years to build. Then, drainage was albatross anyone would avoid. But over the years, drainage has be channeled and

Therefore, some 30 years later the honorable Chief was told his house was blocking drainage! Drainage is now a fact as well as a political tool. This is what we witness in Lagos. It is not clear whether Obanikoro gave the reason for drainage at Ilubirin as afterthought but it makes sense. The people of Lagos have enough political fights within the families.

These are grown informed men that should be looking out for Lagos instead of – man

pass man position pass power!

We do not know if there is anyone left that can call these politicians to order since it was reported that one of the Lagos usurpers told the Oba of Lagos to mind his business since he, made him. Can you imagine a non-native of the soil in any village in Nigeria putting the Emir, Obi or Oba of a prominent town in his place? Oh well, nobody has Lagos. It belongs to no one.

However like any village, the real OmoOnile Lagosians have to wonder and ask: if politicians in Lagos do not listen to them, who in Lagos do they listen to?

Many of their cousins and relatives lament that they have no influence over a state they fought so hard to create and build while accommodating everyone. States have developed the fear of sharing land or resources. Even worse, it has spread like wild fire where people have become less tolerant of other Nigerians.

Nonetheless, Obanikoro has to be careful and learn from Wahab Docemu on what belongs to Lagos and what belongs to Nigeria.

Power either locally or nationally is transient dependency like drug, which can cloud the legacy of man. Our reputation lives forever after we are gone. As for those that care very little about their legacy, Lagos is after all a very small village. They know one another and which house Agbole each comes from.

“In this case Obanikoro thinks he has reason to oppose Fashola about sand filling Ilubirin for building a housing estate. Though, he is not the Minister of Housing like another Lagosian, Wahab Docemu that asserted Federal Authority in Lagos, during the Shagari Administration.”

oNeed For Emergency Rule Extension?

F cus

I was invited to join a team brainstorm on the security situation in Nigeria early last year when Boko Haram had made its most dangerous advances, occupying most of Borno state, and daring to attack military barracks’. At this time, Nigeria was on the verge of losing Borno completely to the terrorists.

On May 8th, 2013, we released the article through the media, it was captioned: “Nigeria At War.” It can be recollected that at this time, the president of Nigeria was in Namibia enroute South Africa. With the events in Nigeria including the attacks of military barracks’ and the release of our important intelligence article, the Nigerian president was forced to cut short his trip and return to Nigeria. On May 14th, he declared a State of Emergency.

It can be recalled that during the days between, there was much debate in Nigeria about the need for this, with virtually every politician kicking against the declaration, advising the president not to listen to those advising it who “did not have the interest of the nation at heart,” as our push was categorized.

We still believe our analysis was correct and the state of emergency was the critical course of action at the time; however, it must be pointed out that along with the declaration of the state of emergency, we listed several other recommendations in our

Alex Badeh

prescription which were either partially followed, or not followed at all. This lack of commitment to full action has at this point ended up undermining the effort.

Though long, it is necessary to quote our full eight point recommendations made last May, at a time when we had a different feeling about Nigeria and the government: Outline Nigeria Must Commence in Full Wartime Response (May 8th, 2013) 1. State of Emergency: Nigeria must immediately declare a full state of emergency in Borno and parts of Yobe States. The governors must be retired for the time being till the situation is put under control. Over 1,600 people have been killed by Boko violence in Borno and about half this figure in Yobe, the two states at the center of the violence.

2.

Full military deployment to Borno State to man the borders and coordinate search and eliminate missions into the bordering territories of Chad, Niger and Cameroon, this in concert with Nigeria’s neighbors.

3.

Nigeria must immediately engage with the leaders of its North eastern neighbors. The leaders of Niger, Chad and Cameroon have been complacent in seeking out and squashing terrorists’ training camps on their terrain. The failure to take a determinate action against the terrorism brewed on their soil is

By DR. PEREGRINO BRIMAH related to their fear of being prey to Boko Haram.

However they must recognize that such a growing threat to Nigeria

the lives of the military are being sacrificed in reckless disregard. No war of the current dimensions are fought without adequate

expedient trials and prosecutions. We also strongly recommend the transporting of all prisoners outside Nigeria to foreign prisons.

It can be seen reviewing these recommendations

President Goodluck Jonathan will soon affect them regardless. Joint military forces must sweep the border areas linking the four countries.

4. Nigeria’s citizens in the north east must be informed to evacuate.

Temporary refugee camps should be created to accommodate the families during the war against this rebellion. Borno is a war front and civilians cannot be left in the crossfire till the situation is solved.

Nigerians cannot be left to live in a region being taken over by terrorist governments. Marte, Magumeri, Mobbar, Gubio, Guzamala, Abadam, Kukawa, Kaga, Nganzai and Monguno Local Government Areas have largely fallen under Boko control.

Evacuating citizens will be properly registered and searched as they depart to permit full combat.

5. Mobilize the full strength of the Nigerian armed forces, Air, Land and Water. Nigeria’s air force must immediately be deployed to Borno. Jet bombers and helicopters must be recruited. The predominant land force cannot combat a superior rebel army without concordant assistance of air operations. Presently

aerial support.

6. Security overhaul including at the very least, acquisition of advanced counterinsurgency hardware and know-how should be prioritized. The national assembly should as a matter of urgency approve a supplemental budget towards this objective (Drones, Advanced helicopters, Military jets, Armored personnel carriers) Drones: Drones like the ScanEagle can be purchased for just $100,000 a unit. Nigeria should immediately begin the process of procuring surveillance and attack drones. This is affordable and critical.

7. Sealing Nigeria’s Borders.

The NewsRescue article of April 12th, fully detailed the insecurity issues of Nigeria’s borders. The current Nigerian government must immediately and aggressively secure its borders and plan long term maintenance of this measure.

8. Prisoners: Arrested Boko Haram fighters are war criminals. They must no longer be imprisoned in the vicinity.

We recommend quick

that the president of Nigeria and the security department only partially flowed few of them at best.

We had recommended the governors be ‘retired’ for the time being. The president of Nigeria was afraid to do that, as he did not have the guts to oppose politician’s desires, even if in the interest of life.

Hence he left a situation that was convoluted, with two leaderships and the

Abubakar Mohammed

ability to trade blame and deny responsibility. It was important, as we recommended that the governors were retired for the mean time, otherwise the governors and not Abuja should have been in charge of directing the military operation.

It is also noticed that no evacuations were made as we recommended, and due to this, the villagers have been caught and massacred in the cross fire with the war dragging intractably; soldiers attacking terrorists and terrorists retaliating by wiping out the masses.

This was not our plan, and would have been avoided had the border villages been temporarily evacuated and a full, total sweeping force been sent to eradicate terrorists from the entire forests in a one or two week full operation, before the citizens were returned.

Border control and partnership with our neighbors has also been shoddy and porous as has been the recommended upgrade of our military hardware and intelligence department.

Deadly prison break attempts and escapes are the result of the Nigerian security services delaying justice on the terrorists and keeping them in local prisons, also contrary to our recommendations.

Contd on page 30

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WORLD Press Freedom Day in 2014 focuses on three inter themes: media’s importance in development; safety of journalists and the rule of law; and the sustainability and integrity Of journalism.

Next year, 2015, the lofty Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) will come to an end.

Their influence in shaping flows of development aid, and national policies and practices has been significant.

In the place of these towering targets will likely be a new set of objectives, which are being debated internationally under the label of “the post 2015 Development Agenda.”

A high-level Panel of Eminent Persons (HLP), co-chaired by the President of Liberia, President of Indonesia and Prime Minister of United Kingdom has been assembled by the United Nations Secretary General to m a k e recommendation on the issue, which is tagged A new global partnership; Eradicate poverty and transform economies through

Commentary On World P

Theme: Reaching New Goals: F

2015 Development Agenda

By GBEMIGA BAMIDELE

David Cameron, British Prime Minister

s u s t a i n a b l e development; a campaign, pushing for a strong and legitimate successor framework to the Millennium Development Goals.

The report of the High-Level Panel of Eminent Persons

(HLP) makes detailed recommendations towards twelve universal goals for the decade after 2015.

The 2014 World Press Freedom Day is envisaged as a further contribution to the shaping of the

“With good governance, other new goals become attainable because good governance implies efficient and effective public administration, rational policies and sound management of all resources.”

President of Liberia, Sirleaf Johnson

ongoing discussion around development after 2015.

Some of the goals listed by the High Level. Panel of Eminent Persons (HLP) have a direct link with the current MDGs while others are relatively new.

Noteworthy amongst the new goals are those ensuring good governance and effective institutions, and in which freedom of speech and the media, openness, transparency and access to information are specifically highlighted.

With good governance, other new goals become

attainable because good governance implies efficient and effective public administration, rational policies and sound management of all resources. Good governance calls for the ability of a state to anticipate challenges to its well being, provide core services to its people and then augment these services, act as a catalyst of change and guide the various forces in a society towards harmony.

Besides, good governance implies ruling on the basis of equity and social justice and an end to corruption, nepotism

and political manipulation of public institutions. It is only when citizens have the belief that their government operates on their behalf, in an open and accountable manner, will governments be able to obtain their willing cooperation in, for example mobilizing resource for development. In the same manner, good governance is critical to creating and sustaining an environment which fosters strong and equitable development and it is an essential complement to sound economic policies.

The importance of press freedom in promoting good governance is underlined by the increasing numbers of people who has access to an expanded realm of media platforms.

Popular participation in decision making process based on political and social pluralism; and on freedom of expression and association is one of the six fundamental elements of good governance.

A free, pluralistic and independent news media, on all platforms, is important for facilitating good governance and transparency.

Journalism is the act of bringing information

and pub prov for d a ra pert deve env scie yout and Only are inve critic polic can g take Tra gove mak p r inves c o proc app prev and

e

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Press Freedom Day 2014

Free Media Fortifies The Post

President of Indonesia

opinion into the lic arena. It vides a platform discussion across ange of issues taining to elopment, such as vironment, ence, gender, th, peace, poverty participation. y when journalists free to monitor, estigate and cize a society’s cies and actions good governance hold. ansparency in ernment decision king procedures, o c e s s e s , stment decisions, n t r a c t s , curement and ointment is to vent corruption enhance

economic efficiency and effectiveness. A lack of transparency ultimately feeds corruption which is one of the hardest issues that states have to face in the development process.

A society that is guaranteed access to public documents and public decision making processes is able to bring conflicts of interest to light and empower citizens with information about development process.

I n d e p e n d e n t investigative journalism is an ally of open government and thereby enhances the effectiveness, and hence the legitimacy of development process.

Development is damaged when

Ban Ki Moon, UN Secretary General

journalists, publishers are subjected to political or financial coercion and manipulation.

Whistle blowers as sources for journalists are also persecuted even though, corrupt practices they report on are by definition at odds with development.

The greatest harm to development is killings of journalists.

More than six hundred (600) journalists have been killed in the last ten years. It is not possible to speak of good governance when some of the most visible members of the

society, those who are responsible for bringing information and news to the public are being murdered.

Development need to be an environment where attacks, intimidations, harassments, abductions, arbitrary imprisonments, threats and killing of journalists are rare expectations

and not the norm and where any violations are properly dealth with under the rule of law.

Sustainability and professionalism of journalism is also part of development for free, pluralistic and independent media to play their full role in development they need to provide a

platform for s u s t a i n a b l e , professional and credible journalism.

Development not only needs journalists to be free, pluralistic, independent and safe.

It also rests on the sustainability and professionalism of journalism itself. As such, the state of journalism itself is a development issue.

Sustainability in this context means a viable institutional basis that enables and protects the independence of journalism.

Professionalism refers to standards, such as authentication of information in the interest of the public so that they are not misinform or misled. It is this conduct that gives journalism its integrity and distinguish it from other users of freedom of expression.

Professionalism also encompasses the ability of journalists to report on key development issues, not least those entailing issues of social marginalization, poverty science and development.

In summary, World Press Freedom Day 2014 examines the development of media as part of broader development.

It also attracts attention to the sustainability and literacy of its producers and consumers.

“Only when journalists are free to monitor, investigate and criticize a society’s policies and actions can good governance take hold.”

s

I sues THE upsurge of Fulani cattle rearer is becoming a life threaten and health hazards to the good subjects of the Benin Monarch. In a bid to exploring areas for grazing, the animals are moved from the nook and crannies across the state.

This recent influx and illegal activities is verifiable in the following local government areas, Oredo, Ovia North East and Ovia North West, Orhionmwon and Uhunmwode Local Government Areas of the state. In the course of this endless migration, the animals defecates in all their foot path and destroy farm lands.

At Orogho village in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State, the incessant burning of forest by Fulani cattle rearers is turning some part to look like semidesert in a rainforest said, Dr. Umweni a geologist at A.A.U. Ekpoma. These cattle rearers indulge in this illegal activities in order to create fresh grass for their livestock.

A respondent Mr. Osarodion who hails from the area said, “apart from the incessant burning of our forest by these nomadic cattle rearers, so many cases abound where our women going about their legitimate jobs in the farm have been sexually molested by

Upsurge In The Evil Activities Of Fulani Cattle Rearer And Ijaw Migrant Fishermen these miscreants who call themselves cattle rearers. On several occation the youths have to chase them away and they fight back with long knives and diggers.

Researchers have proved that animal waste contain similar bacterial as human waste.

So, the indiscriminate dump of cattle waste by the river bank could fast track bacterial mobility.

About 80% of our population today is without safe dependable water and the consequences are enormous. No fewer than a thousand people are killed annually through water related diseases, such as Bilharzias which afflict so many people, filariases the world biggest cause of blindness affect so many people in the Northern part of the country Nigeria.

Dysentery, cholera and typhoid continue to destroy human lives which many ignorant people in the rural areas may attribute to witchcrafts attacks. But to the enlightened people amongst them know that contaminated water is usually responsible for the menance of these dangerous bacterials.

It had been confirmed by experts in their

By EKAIWE IGINUA OSEMWEKHA survey of many developing countries that about 95% of all infant mortality could be avoided through safe water utility and good management of refuse disposals.

More than ninety percent of people in the

drinking water.

Motorist on our highway are vulnerable to mad cow who simply jump on the highway and before you know it, they collide with moving vehicles whereby causing several vehicles

rural communities across the country are daily consuming water in their house hold, animals wastes and pit toilets of over 20 million rural dwellers abide in their backyard consequently, flies carry micro-organism from the areas to their cooked food and

to run into one another.

A particular scenario still fresh in my memory was when three cows ran into a moving petrol tanker lorry at Benin Abuja road in Edo State.

The three cow were annihilated on the spot by the petrol tanker lorry which somersaulted and busted into flames.

“Motorist on our highway are vulnerable to mad cow who simply jump on the highway and before you know it, they collide with moving vehicles whereby causing several vehicles to run into one another.”

Consequently, many motorists lost their lives in the inferno.

In another scenario, a nomadic school had been established for the Ijaw migrant fishermen for more than two decades ago and these facilities have been misused by these people following the

accommodating and hospitable to immigrants especially to “Izon” who were trading on “Bonga Fish” they caught for several decades.

A respondent Mr. Ezekiel an electronic mechanic at New Benin who hailed from the area said “the Ijaws are

endless migration of the different species of fishes, the Ijaws have been migrating from one coastal village to the other in Benin Kingdom trying to take undue advantage of the harmless fishes. Why not run after sharks in the Atlantic ocean?

When they first appeared at Gele-Gele Port about a hundred and fifty years ago, they met “Ohen” the traditional priest of the land who is mandated to oversee the affair of the land and people residing in the area by Omo’ No’Oba Ne’Edo Uku Akpolokpolor, Oba of Benin. Their irregular presence became possible because the Benin people are very

now becoming a threat to the indigenes of the area, they are now using the militancy in the coastal area of Bayelsa to intimidate the original owners of the land. They have forced Oil Company operating in the area to recognize them as the owner of the land and that any matters c o n c e r n i n g compensation should be paid to them.

In the light of the above the federal Government should rehabilitate the Fulani cattle rearers and Ijaw migrant fishermen in their state of origin in order to forestall or prevent the break down of law and order in their host communities.

e

P rspective CORRUPTION and gross, malicious ineptitude of the fourth republic has taken its toll on the Nigerian security department, the last remaining, touted vestige of decency in the nation.

It can no longer be denied that the military and entire security network of the nation right up to the office of national security, ONSA and ministry of defense has been compromised.

In September last year, PremiumTimes and SaharaReporters broke a story about a Security massacre of innocent citizens squatting in a building in Apo area, Abuja. The Nigerian forces had reportedly simply fired upon squatting civilians who they were reportedly trying to evict from the building. The security department claimed it was a battle with terrorists and that guns were found.

Their claims were all later proven to be lies and this month the Nigerian Human Rights (NHRC) indicted the Directorate of State Security, DSS of murder.

Prior to this, there had been several reports and serious complaints by human right associations and concerned citizens that the military was killing as many or more innocent civilians than the terrorists were, as it battled Boko Haram in the north.

There were and still are many complaints of the military actually withdrawing forces to permit Boko Haram terror attacks, including in the killing of distinguished army veteran, General Muhammed Shuwa in 2012, in whose case it was reported by PM News that soldiers actually watched as he was killed.

In February of this month, the Nigerian president threatened to pull out forces to “illustrate” to the northern leadership the effect of the military in the north; shortly after his

National Security: Nigeria’s

Military Being Compromised announcement, there was a reported pull out of troops stationed near a school in Yobe which was subsequently attacked by terrorists, with dozens of students massacred.

About a hundred military dressed gunmen or groups of this number have been ravaging the middle belt of Nigeria, killing all people in sight and burning buildings in towns they visit. This situation has never been accosted by the Nigerian security department and has lasted for three years. It was believed that there were no leads, however an exasperated community head of the recently attacked Yar Galadima village in Zamfara where 250 were killed, revealed that the perpetrators and their camps were known by the town’s men and the security department; and that several had been arrested and released to continue their mayhem.

The village head even gave the names of the terror leaders arrested and released by the state security department.

In Keana, a town in Nasarawa state, this month at least 15 civilians were summarily executed while burying a relative. The attack was initially reported in the nation’s top dailies as a successful military engagement against terrorists, however as the actual details unfolded and it was found to be a military men massacre of innocent cooperating civilians, the military retracted their ownership and submitted that an investigation was

soldier who made the revelation was not a real soldier in the Nigerian army; however since the report, we have spoken

Borno, embezzling funds for security equipment and mobilizations, sometimes placing two army units in one zone to reduce costs while sabotaging security delivery. The report revealed that ammunition

with other military men, including others attacked in the same reported ambush, who substantiated the report that they were left with one or two magazines and ambushed by their own military.

A recent report by SaharaReporters alleged that junior officers had complained that the generals were undermining the mission of the army in

was in inadequate supply, allowing the superiorly kitted Boko Haram terrorists, with things like night-vision goggles Nigeria’s troops did not have, and more rounds of superior ammunition, the capacity to defeat the Nigerian army. Even food was scroungy, further defeating the morale of the soldiers.

In latest news reports,

By Dr. PEREGRINO BRIMAH being conducted into the true occurrences.

This same April, a Voice of America, VoA broadcast suggested that there was

Jonathan

top level military, treasonable sabotage, with military on military ambushes and slaughters of the nation’s security men by their own trainers.

The report captioned,” Army, Boko Haram Working Together in Parts of Nigeria?” was a seriously embarrassing news piece, which the Nigerian military quickly denied, claiming the

“Prior to this, there had been several reports and serious complaints by human right associations and concerned citizens that the military was killing as many or more innocent civilians than the terrorists were, as it battled Boko Haram in the north.”

according to the Borno government office, the school involved and the populace, the Nigerian military dangerously lied about the release of the abducted 100+ girls. The military had claimed it had released the girls; this was allegedly a very evil and deadly lie, as the citizens said their wards were still in the bushes with the terrorists.

Nigeria’s security department has visibly, deliberately failed to curb terror freely plaguing the nation; not a single sponsor of terror has ever been prosecuted, despite preponderance of evidence including the Abba Moro White report indicting Borno politicians in the establishment of Boko Haram. These politicians exiled by the Borno populace now live safe in the nation’s capital. The army has also been accused of not responding for up to eight hours when villages call and report impending and ongoing attacks. Helicopters have been reported to be surprisingly flying in Nigeria’s monitored air spaces across the north, also indicating dangerous compromise and sabotage of the army and State security department. The security department seems further compromised, accused of aiding and abetting terror and lying to condone military massacres and failures.

When Nigeria’s former head of state security, NSA Andrew Owoye-Azazi had revealed that terror in the nation was not accidental but was sponsored and supported by top rulingparty, PDP politicians, he was fired, and killed in a helicopter crash later that year. Nigeria is today in a very precarious situation as terror increases across the nation, especially its northern parts. More than 21,000 people have died of the violence since Jonathan came into power.

Not a single sponsor of terror has been prosecuted by this government.

s

I sues SINCE the unfortunate Nyanya Bus Park bomb blast which Boko Haram have claimed responsibility, residents have complained about the unnecessary hours spent on traffic occasioned by military checkpoint which gave the impression that they are an unwanted politically cursed appendage of Federal Capital Territory.

The military checkpoints have reduced the normal four-lane traffic on Abuja-Keffi Road to a one-lane affair and recently due to adjustments by the Defence Headquarters, a slow moving two-lane gridlock is still being experienced..

Driving from Makurdi to Abuja during the Easter week, I encountered the holdup and spent close to three hours between Mararaba and Nyanya Bridge before I could reach my destination inside the city. The next day, having an assignment around Keffi, I left Abuja around 8 am and was excited that vehicular movement between AYA through Abacha Barracks was free flowing but having reached the Nyanya Bridge the level of traffic gridlock witnessed was demoralizing and

Nyanya Bomb Blast: Traffic Hold-Up,

Politically Cursed Residents frightening, spanning through to ‘One Man Village’ and some residents later told me that at times the gridlock reaches Masaka and they stay up to 7 hours bottled inside. On my way back same day, I was in that traffic from 2.30 pm to 7.30 pm, a 5 hour period. The next day, I spent three hours back through that road and on Easter Sunday, I spent two hours forty five minutes between Mararaba and Karu Bridge, despite that day being work free.

Afterwards I cancelled whatever took me to that axis till common sense returns to the situation.

It is obvious from the positioning of the checkpoint that the powers at Abuja are more interested in their own safety than the safety of residents within that axis. There is no checkpoint to protect residents of NyanyaMararaba-Masaka axis from the rampaging terrorists but the one to protect the Emperors at Abuja is well fortified.

The checkpoint was positioned at the border lines between the outskirts and the city ie Nyanya and Karu Bridges-giving the

By OBINNA AKUKWE impression that these residents are the problems of the powers that be at Abuja.

Impliedly, the ancestrally and politically cursed residents of NyanyaMararaba, who are not actually wanted in the El Dorado City of Abuja, must be stopped, searched and frisked properly before they infect the entire beautiful capital with their curses, poverty and Boko Haram virus.

Inside Nyanya, Mararaba and Masaka lie the lower class, middle class and upper middle class of civil servants who actually move the nation’s administrative system forward. The drivers, cleaners, clerks, officers and even some Directors of Ministries, Departments and Parastatals have made their abode in this axis to avoid the cut throat cost of rent inside the city. Nyanya axis also has many wealthy residents contented with living a low profile life while contributing immensely to the development of Abuja and the nation.

Apart from Karu and

“It is obvious from the positioning of the checkpoint that the powers at Abuja are more interested in their own safety than the safety of residents within that axis.”

parts of Jikwoyi, governments have refused to invest massively in infrastructure in those areas. Mararaba and

compounded problems.

Equally, vehicles that exhausted their fuel and gas portion inside the traffic are being forced to either buy 2 litres of fuel from peddlers at N1000 naira or park by

nothing to understand and that the soldiers should invent other means of tracking vehicles with arms, ammunitions and explosives without creating a worse security risk.

Treating the residents of Nyanya-MararabaMasaka axis as though they are ancestrally and

Senator Bala Mohammed, Minister of FCT Masaka, though under Nasarawa State jurisdiction, have suffered untold neglect.

In the midst of all thesesome Boko Haram terrorists blew a hell out of their lives and the powers at Abuja used military checkpoints to compound their problems.

Due to hours inside hold-ups, the cooling systems of many vehicles have overheated; top gaskets got burnt, engines got knocked and hapless motorists faced with

the side of the road awaiting help from nowhere.

It is obvious that the situation is a big security risk to the entire motorists and passengers on that road.

God should be praised that the terrorists have not deemed it fit to catch in on the situation to inflict more harm.

Federal Ministry of Information and the Defense Headquarters have asked for understanding.

Residents have complained that there is

politically cursed is not good for their psyche.

The military should invest on high-tech tracking equipment and mount such on that road such that any vehicle with arms, ammunitions or explosive materials could be detected and stopped while other motorists move about without much let and hindrance. Treating the residents like politically and ancestrally cursed animals will soon be counterproductive, especially in an election year.

e

P rspective ON my way home from work the bloody day in Nyanya, Abuja, a lot of depressive thoughts were going through my mind as we encountered a huge traffic situation on our route, a major road in the city. In any case, I had achieved nothing in office that very day after news broke that the merchants of death have finally struck again in Abuja, leaving scores dead and many more critically injured. The television footages of littered corpses and mangled body parts irresponsibly and constantly flashed at intervals did not help matters either. Yes, as I tried to interrogate the sad occurrence of the day in my mind, especially how life has become so cheap in our country in the past three years, I was woken from my pensive mood only by the innocent sighs of the taxi driver behind the wheels.

Without any prompting, the driver had told me that with what his eyes saw that very day at the Nyanya bombing site, he had lost every hope in our leaders. I was at least glad that, he has only given up on the politicians, not our country. The driver told me how disappointed he was that every morning there is no longer any encouraging news other than bloodletting, harvest of deaths and melancholy.

He even went ahead to question his own sanity by remaining in the city where life is no longer safe to earn a living. “Oga, wetin I dey do for this town sef?

Imagine if this wicked people come to attack us in this traffic, who will defend us? Well, it is only God that can save us!” At this point, I jerked into life.

Wait a minute; have our security people who are clearly overwhelmed by this new vista of terror in the land figured out this?

Is there anything they can do about it? Do they have enough personnel and equipment? Are they getting enough support from the people by way of information or encouragement? Or are they demoralised by the wrong public perception that they are not doing enough?

Perhaps this is the time to start telling ourselves some home truths about our security situation in the country. First, how did we get to the point that we are

Boko Haram Insurgency: Time For now that nobody is safe in the homes, schools, churches, mosques, parks and other public places?

When the former National Security Adviser (NSA), the late General Andrew Azazi spoke up and put the blame squarely on those politicians who began to appropriate their right to rule while disqualifying others, he was shouted down. But the question which

Some Home Truth

nobody has provided the answers to is: why did the Boko Haram insurgency escalate after the emergence of Goodluck Jonathan as President?

Yes, those trying to obfuscate the truth pontificate how the insurgency predates Jonathan in a deceitful attempt to erase every nexus between the emergence of the Jonathan presidency and the escalation of insurgency in the northern part of the country.

We all lived in this country when President Yar’ Adua was in power.

The nation was very peaceful then except for the destructive agitations of the militants in the Niger Delta, which the amiable former president admirably dealt with. The hint of what was to come became evident with the manifest opposition against the constitutional empowerment of Jonathan as Acting President by some politicians mainly from the

as the candidate of his ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). People like Adamu Ciroma, Atiku Abubakar and their like never ceased from shouting how Jonathan was not qualified to run on the basis of a nebulous zoning clause in the PDP’s constitution. For those who have forgotten, Atiku was presented as the northern consensus candidate against Jonathan at the PDP presidential primaries and the former vice president was taken to the cleaners.

But from then on, statements purported to make Nigeria ungovernable should Jonathan be elected began to emerge from some northern politicians and as it is said the rest is history!

Those who are interrogating Jonathan’s handling of the Boko Haram terror are not entirely wrong though. He is the President whose job is to protect lives and property. Has he been

alive to this responsibility?

The answer is yes. Has he succeeded yet? No. Is the President getting the necessary support or assistance from the opposition? If you ask me the way that some

comments and body language of the opposition, particularly, the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership, that seem to suggest that they are happy that President Jonathan has issues on his hands to deal with. This was exemplified in the statement of APC leader,

politicians especially from the opposition clan seem to be gloating over the sad tragedies that Boko Haram is unleashing on us as a people is really worrying.

Many of those who should know are wrongly seeing the tragic attacks on defenceless citizens as the problem of President Goodluck Jonathan. Yes, Jonathan is the president on whose table the buck stops yet that does not justify the unpatriotic

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on the Nyanya bombing when he stated that the shedding of blood has continued because the Jonathan administration has not devised a grand strategy against the menace, either locally or internationally.

And as if gloating over incident, Tinubu remarked that, “just as Jonathan laps up praises, he must bear responsibility and accept blame over the Boko Haram’s deadly attacks.”

By ABBA ADAKOLE North when it became obvious that President Yar’ Adua was no longer fit to carry out his functions as president. This antiJonathan stance resurfaced when he sought to present himself

Sometimes, it is difficult to decipher what the leadership of the opposition and a section of northern elders want from Jonathan. We are all witnesses to the severe pressures that President was put to force him withdraw the soldiers in Borno and Yobe states by the so-called elders who accuse the soldiers of harassing “innocent” citizens. When you factor in that the presence of the soldiers inspires confidence in the locals on the ability of the state to protect them, you definitely question the motives of those calling for the withdrawal of soldiers from troubled areas.

Ironically, whenever the insurgents strike, it is this same group of elders that will question Jonathan’s efforts in protecting the people. A while ago, not a few Nigerians were shocked by the call of some northern leaders for the prosecution of the former chief of army staff, General Azubuike Ihejirika, for war crimes simply because he apparently fought the terrorists ferociously.

While it is easy to condemn and abuse Jonathan whenever a terrorist bomb goes off and leaves sorrows, blood and tears in its trail, the opposition are not suggesting any strategic option to the government as responsible citizens the world over would do.

Instead they are simply gloating over the tragedies and blaming Jonathan who is, in fact, a victim of what germinated as a product of their incendiary comments!

“We all lived in this country when President Yar’ Adua was in power.

The nation was very peaceful then except for the destructive agitations of the militants in the Niger Delta, which the amiable former president admirably dealt with.”

o

C unselling THE legendary lost continent that would have fit the archaeologist whimsy a bit more. Lost lands found by scientists – national geographic news.

Beneath the rolling, restless seas lie the mysteries of forgotten civilization, swept by the tides, half – buried in the sands, worn away by terrific pressure, are the remnants of a culture little known to our age of today.

Where the mighty pacific now rolls in a majestic sweep of thousands of miles, there was once a vast continent. This land was known as Lemuria and its people as Lemurians (Wishar S. Cerve).

He said we pride ourselves upon the inventions, conveniences and developments of today. We call them modern, but these ancient and long forgotten people excelled us. Things we speak of as future possibilities, they knew, as everyday realities. Science has gradually pieced together the evidences of this lost race.

If you are a lover of mystery, of the unknown, the weird, read this rightup. Remember, however, this write-up is not fiction but based on facts, the result of extensive research.

Account of Lemuria differ, but all share a common belief that a continent existed in ancient times and sank beneath the ocean as a result of so many things both spiritual and physical (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia).

It is generally recognized by science that what is now dry land on the surface of our globe, was once the ocean floor and that what is now the ocean floor was once dry land.

Geologist have in some cases been able to specify the exact portions of the earth’s surface where these subsidences and upheavals have taken place and although lost continent of Atlantis has so far received scanty recognition from the World of science, the general consensus of opinion has for long pointed to the existence, at some prehistoric times of a vast southern continent to which the name of Lemuria has been assigned.

During the course of many millions of years,

With

Atlantis: The

Lost Continent ever since organic life existence on the earth, land and water have perpetually struggled for supremacy.

Continents and islands have sunk into the sea and new ones have arisen out of its bosom.

Lakes and sea have been slowly raised and dried up and new water basins have arisen by the sinking of the ground.

submerged continent of Lemuria in the Pacific Ocean. Lemuria continent was very physical and very real.

The question is: why did Lemuria submerge into the Pacific Ocean?

Atlantis – a nation, shrouded in a legend, which disappeared into the depths of the ocean long, long ago, now almost

followed it, into the dept of the ocean.

Ororun recounted how he was the ruler of the land.

Ororun means lord of the land. His brother Orokun, ruled the seas.

Orokun means lord of the sea. The people had erected a giant stone statue of him to the north and Ororun’s own on the other hand was in the

Peninsulas have become islands by the narrow neck of land which connected them with the mainland sinking into the water (Alfred Wallace).

The name Lemuria was originally adopted by Muscatel in recognition of the fact that it was probably on this continent that animals of the Lemuroid type were developed.

There are many theories about a land called Lemuria Pacifica of Mu. As with the Atlantis – one has to wonder if Lemuria ever existed in the physical realm. As we have the Atlantis in the Atlantic region, w e must have its pacific counterpart Pacifica.

Main stream history has chosen to forget about the lost continent that once existed in the pacific. But to many esoteric researchers including me.

Lemuria should be in academic text books.

Evidence of a magnificent civilization that once flourished on the now

forgotten but which still lives on as a faint and distant memory in a man – Atlantis will once again emerge from the sea. The elementals are busy feverishly working to raise it out of the depths. They are at work everywhere.

They work according to a definite plan and everything they do counts.

Parts of Atlantis which escaped the great flood at that time are today called Greenland, Spitsbergen, Novaya, Zemlya. What is to be seen in warmer south regions of Atlantis, emerged from the sea in the course of millennia.

These islands are filled with treasure from Atlantis, some have found and mankind of today continues to puzzle over it.

Ororun was the last king of Atlantis, who is now permitted to narrate the story of his nation, its rise and fall. According to him on God’s command, owing to the quilt of its inhabitants Atlantis sank in a single night and the day that

south.

The brothers lived in harmony and great powers flowed in them. But, the people looked upon them as gods and they let that happened because they thought it would be of benefit to the people and would not do any harm to the most High, who had revealed himself to them.

Indeed, the conceit of human beings does Him no harm, but, it brought them destruction and ruin.

Like he said, they knew that they were not the first humans. There were people before them whom they disdainful referred to as humane animals or Lemurians. For a long time, these human animals ruled over all animals, from which their spiritual core, the spiritual seed, differentiated them. And this spiritual seed gradually transformed them externally. They walk on their hind legs alone and climbing of trees was discontinued. Then a new human race blossomed in them. The Lemurians

O.C. Madu GSM: 08056379608 became completely extinct.

It was neither an act of judgement from God nor a flood that swept them away, rather, the natural, continuing development as willed by God, made them ancestors to all of us, become extinct. This did not happen with the same degree of swiftness, everywhere on earth and human beings did not develop homogeneously everywhere. Too much was dependent upon cold, heat, nourishment and the like.

People of Atlantis were warned that the gods were angry with them and were given many years of graces to no avail. They said, if they are to perish, let them at least enjoy life first.

Research shows that there were no sins they did not commit. A mania for pleasure broke out, the like of which the world has never seen, not before and not since.

According to research, there was no vice that did not gain currency and become widespread.

Paralyzing despair and listlessness crept into their otherwise proud little group.

The moon was coming closer, the sun had lost its brilliance and the ground continued to rumble.

One night, the earth rumbled more powerfully than usual. A strange smoke filled the air. They rushed out of their homes, up in the sky, there was a reddish glow like that of an enormous fire. The glow became more and intense.

They saw their two highest mountains in the vicinity were spewing rocks and fire which devastated vast stretches of land all around.

Until Atlantis sank, research has it that the volcanoes no longer ceased to erupt and in the course of time, spring floods were added to this.

It seemed as if the inexorably approaching moon was sucking up the waters such that they raised high up to towards it.

Then came the day when the moon, moving at incredible spread, struck the earth. It was flaming red

and enormous in size. Was that still the moon or some other burning star? Now finally everyone was in shock. This was it. This was it now.

For a moment it seemed as if the whole earth was rocking, as if they had been sucked into a maelstrom of fire and then…it was over.

With the same velocity, the moon drew away, it could be clearly seen how the distance between it and them once again increased.

Great was the jubilation that rose to the heaven.

People who had been standing petrified silence as if under a spell, danced for joy in wild ecstasy. Saved, saved. There was nothing like the end. The seers’ calculation was wrong.

Their priests lied. They were still alive, the moon is gone. Now all other things will quickly get better again and there would be peace once again in Atlantis.

Research says there was wild commotion and chaos and the cries of the people virtually drowned the convulsions raging in the bowels of the earth. The waters surged as if they would rush after the moon and the ground on which they stood began to sink, over at the beach the waves were already spilling over, burying whole rows of houses.

The people’s mood research said changed abruptly. The cries of joy turned into cries of dismay and loud lamentations.

Then they moved enmass.

Mountains were burning and were sinking along with the rest of the land.

Thunderstorm broke out, the sky turned pitched dark.

There were lightning flashes in all directions.

Then it hailed big hailstones which injured both man and beast.

Research says the horrors lasted one day and one night, then Atlantis, proud, beautiful Atlantis was gone. Ororun, the last king of Atlantis, call this out to you change at this eleventh hour to avoid destruction.

Thanks for reading.

I sight The Filth Called Boko Haram, A Season Of Shame

n

PERMIT me to begin this contribution with some basic truisms: firstly that God is great and that He alone forges the destiny of nations and rules in the affairs of men. Secondly that He is faithful and true and that He alone is worthy of our fear and of our praise. Lest despair and despondency sets in, it is right and proper to always remember this and to continue to reiterate these truisms given the horrific things that we are witnessing on a daily basis in our country today. This is a season of brutality, sadness and fear.

A season which has witnessed more carnage and bloodshed than ever before. A season of tears and sorrow that has brought pain and shame to our nation’s doorstep. A season in which the entire world has focused it’s attention on Nigeria for all the wrong reasons. A season in which over 200 of our compatriots were slaughtered in cold blood by a bomb blast in Nyanya, Abuja and in which over 100 pubescent girls were abducted from their school in Chibok town, Borno state. A season in which horror, blood, sweat and tears has pinned us down and gripped us. A season in which children were plucked from their mother’s arms and slaughtered like rams and infants mourned the loss of their parents, grandparents and siblings.

Even by Nigerian standards what happened was particularly chilling.

Our story seems to be the same- horror after horror, carnage after carnage, ineptitude after ineptitude and insensitivity after insensitivity. And in all this it is the poor, the vulnerable, the less privilaged and the weaker members of our society that suffer the brunt of the carnage. What a tragedy.

We have entered a season of anomie and utter anarchy.

I hereby condemn, in the strongest terms, both the bomb blast that took place in Nyanya and the abduction of the young girls in Chibok.

Once again I hereby call on the Federal Government not to hold back and not to give an inch or a quarter.

They must take off the kid gloves, cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war. They must rise up to the occassion, crush the terrorists with ruthless precision and protect the

Nigerian people. And we the people must give them our full support as they do so. If we can do that I have little doubt that those that are secretly behind Boko Haram and that employ the use of terror for political ends will soon be exposed.

Those that delight in bloodshed and that revel in carnage will soon be defeated. Those that secretly encourage them and that covertly fund them will soon be shamed.

Those that rejoice each time they hear that others have had their limbs blown off, their lives snuffed out and their children abducted will soon be brought to justice. And those that are confused and that fail to understand what is really going on or what purpose this sheer madness and pure wickedness is designed to serve will soon be enlightened.

Let us make no mistake about it: Nigeria is in for the fight of her life. What we are faced with in our country today is nothing less than a full scale war.

It is a war between the forces of light and the forces of darkness. A war between the islamists and the secularists. A war between the agents of the devil and the servants of God. It is a war that was fought in the 19th century in Turkey and that was fought in the early 1990’s in Algeria. It is a war that was also fought in Lebanon, Chechyna, Yemen, Iraq, Egypt, Somalia, Malaysia, Palestine, the Phillipines, the Sudan, Syria and Indonesia in recent years.

It is a war that is being fought in Pakistan,

By FEMI FANI-KAYODE Afghanistan and, once again, in Syria today.

In Turkey, Kemal Attaturk, the founder of that great muslim nation, slaughtered no less than one million islamists in order to establish a

Somalia, Yemen, the Sudan, Syria and Malaysia thousands were slaughtered over the years in order to preserve the secularity of the state and to protect it from the evil of islamic fundamentalism.

In Syria, once again, we are witnessing the same bitter struggle: you have an embattled secularist government being challenged by a brutal and unrelenting Al Qaedasponsored islamist army that is hell bent on turning that country into a primitive islamic fundamentalist state. Whether we like to

President Goodluck Jonathan modern-day secular state in which the rights of muslims and non-muslims were guaranteed. In Algeria the military slaughtered no less than 150,000 islamists in a brutal and prolonged war in order to achieve the same goal. In Lebanon, Egypt, Indonesia, the Phillipines, Chechyna, Iraq, Palestine,

Today, in Pakistan and Afghanistan, with the full support of NATO and the American military machine, they are waging the same war and are doing the same thing and hundreds of thousands have been killed in the process.

“Even by Nigerian standards what happened was particularly chilling. Our story seems to be the same- horror after horror, carnage after carnage, ineptitude after ineptitude and insensitivity after insensitivity. And in all this it is the poor, the vulnerable, the less privilaged and the weaker members of our society that suffer the brunt of the carnage.”

admit it or not we are faced with the same struggle and war in Nigeria. It is not a war between christian and muslim or between the north and the south. It is not a war between the ethnic nationalities or between the hausa-fulani and the rest of us. It is a war between the wahabbiindoctrinated and salifistinspired islamists who wish to send us back to the stone ages on the one hand against the secularists, the moderate muslims, the christians, the agnostics, the athiests, the traditional worshippers and all the rest of us, who wish to preserve and develop a modern 21st century Nigerian state, on the other.

And whether we like it or not we must fight that war and we must win it. The truth is that an islamist is not a true muslim and he does not represent islam.

It therefore does not matter how many islamists have

to be killed in the process of fighting this war. They must all be eliminated and sent back to hell where they came from. They and their whole rotten and evil philosophy of hate, violence, imposition, butchery, carnage, abduction, slavery and murder. Boko Haram is evil. They are the spawn of the devil and the children of hell. They shed blood and they drink it. They are not muslims but vampires that feed on misery, wickedness and heartache. They are also cowards. Cowards that target innocent and helpless Nigerians including women and children and that are not man enough to meet the Nigerian military in the open field of battle. They deserve no pity and they have no honour.

Simply put, they and those who secretly sponsor and support them, are despicable. Their ultimate desire and goal is to create fear, panic and terror and to either dismember our country or turn it into an islamic fundamentalist state where christianity is banned and where true islam is not practised. Yet this will never happen. No matter how many people they kill and no matter how hard they try it will NEVER happen. They shall fail and ultimately the Nigerian people shall prevail. Of this I have no doubt because the one true Living God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of the Armies of Israel, the God whose name is the I AM, THAT I AM, the God who never slumbers or sleeps and who never lies, the God that is known as the Man of War, the Lord God of Hosts and the Ancient of Days wills it and because He has said it. And every single Nigerian, including this writer, is here to fight that war when and if he or she is called upon to do so.

Yet we must guard against ignorance and disinformation which may further divide our ranks.

And one of the most dangerous submissions that is presently making the rounds in the north was well captured by a misguided and misinformed individual by the name of Usman Jimeta

Continued on page 24

I sight

n

Continued from page 23 who wrote the following.

“All Northern Muslims must know that the killings in the North of Muslims is solely sponsored by Goodluck Jonathan.

Jonathan agreed with his people of South East and South South that our population must be eliminated through massacres.

Those carrying out the massacres in the different States of the North are well trained

...A Season Of Shame the watchful eyes of the Ethnoreligious Goodluck Jonathan. Why is Ayo Oritsejafor, the CAN President not talking, because a job well done is carried out by Boko Haram, the Militant wing of CAN, in their desire to wipe off Muslims in Nigeria!”

Have you ever heard such senseless and unintelligent rubbish? Yet

Abubakar Mohammed, Inspector General of Police Igbos and former Niger Delta militants who were trained in Israel and clandestinely in some Countries. President Jonathan, once told a Northern elite that a revolution must be started in the North to pave the way for killing all our elites.

Jonathan, assassinated General Mohammed Shuwa, assassinated Jarman Katagum, attempted to eliminate Ado Bayero, Kwankwaso, Sultan of Sokoto, to mention but a few.

Jonathan has declared a genocide on Northern Muslims!

President Goodluck Jonathan, gave orders to the Military to wipe off Fulanis in Nigeria.

It is now clear to even skeptics that Boko Haram is trained and funded by CAN, Christian Associatio n of Nigeria and in collaboration with President Goodluck Jonathan. Under the design, Muslim Clerics, Muslim Elites, Muslim Cities obliterated under

as absurd as they are I believe that Mr. Usman Jimeta’s dangerous and hateful assertions deserve a clear response lest some people are misled by him.

The suggestion that the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is BEHIND Boko Haram and that they are using it to attempt to “wipe out northern muslims” is absurd and reckless.

In case those that are peddling this divisive

rubbish did not know, thousands of christians have been killed by Boko Haram in the last few years as well and hundreds of churches burnt to the ground. Are CAN behind that too?

Equally importantly thousands of southerners that live in the north have also been butchered by Boko Haram.

Was that the handiwork of CAN as well?

The leadership of CAN may have made some mistakes in the last few years and indulged in one or two strategic errors but that does not mean that we ought to peddle lies and falsehood in order to create even more division and strife in our land. That does not mean that we should accuse them of being homicidal maniacs that seek to “christianise” Nigeria and wipe out the muslim faithful and islam.

Nothing could be further from the truth and as a christian I take great exception to such absurd categorisations.

People like Mr. Usman Jimeta are being misled by some of his own northern muslim leaders and it is those same leaders that secretly rejoice whenever Boko Haram strikes and kills our people. For example a highly celebrated northern muslim friend of mine who is a former Minister has consistently peddled the idea that Boko Haram is a creation of CAN, MOSSAD and the CIA and that they are using it to fight and destroy northern muslims and the entire northern region. This is absolute nonsense and he must desist from saying such things otherwise he must provide us with his evidence.

His covert campaign to try to discredit the leadership of CAN particularly and to divide the north and the south in an attempt to create a political constituency for himself must stop. If he does not do so some of us shall take up his challenge, rise to the occassion, call him out on it and join issues with him in a very forceful and profound manner indeed.

I would never seek to undermine, discredit or accuse the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs or the JNI for terrorism, mass murder, child abduction, slavery, waging war against the Nigerian state and

same to CAN unless he can provide us with the necessary evidence to back up his claims. Boko Haram is an enemy to EVERY Nigerian, whether northerner or southerner and whether christian, muslim or traditional worshipper.

They are not a creation of CAN that are designed to wipe out northern muslims. Rather they are a creation of satan that are designed and mandated to wipe us ALL out, to destroy our collective destiny, to put us back in the stone ages, to shroud us with a cloak of darkness and to capture and steal the very

christian or muslim, APC or PDP, APGA or Labour, northern or southern, in government or outside of government, believer or athiest, light-skinned or dark-skinned, young or old, rich or poor, military or civilian our collective enemy makes no distinction and seeks to kill us all and change our way of life forever. If there were anytime to come together, drop our differences, draw the line and say “enough is enough” this is it.

We must rise up like men and collectively fight this evil. We must encourage and support our security agencies and Armed Forces and let them know that they are going into battle with the whole nation fully behind them. We must let them know that every

Air Marshal Alex Badeh subversion without any tangible evidence against them out of respect for the muslim community and out of my fear of God. He should stop doing the

“May the souls of all those that were cut short by Boko Haram rest in perfect peace. May God the Avenger, the Defender of the Weak and the Deliverer of the Poor avenge us speedily, defend our nation and deliver us from our enemies. God bless Nigeria.”

soul of our nation.

They are of the devil and they are from the devil. Anyone that suggests otherwise is simply insane.

Meanwhile I call on every able-bodied Nigerian to brace up and prepare for war. No sacrifice is too great for our motherland Nigeria. Let us remember that we are first and foremost Nigerians and that we must be ready to do whatever it takes to jealously guard and protect the lives and integrity of our people and to destroy the enemies of our destiny.

Let the bickering stop and let us identify our real adversaries and face them down.

Whether we are

single self-respecting Nigerian is praying for them and willing their victory. It is time to knuckle down and get real and to stop running away from the problem.

Our very lives and destiny as a nation depends on it.

This is the final battle of the war for Nigerian independence and, no matter the cost, we must win it. And, by the grace of the Living God, the Lord God of Hosts and He that is more than able, win it we shall. May the souls of all those that were cut short by Boko Haram rest in perfect peace. May God the Avenger, the Defender of the Weak and the Deliverer of the Poor avenge us speedily, defend our nation and deliver us from our enemies. God bless Nigeria.

Ag ro Business AFRICAN agribusiness is set for a huge leap, according to a World Bank report Imagine for a moment the impact of a $1 trillion African agribusiness sector on the lives of Africans. Currently worth about $313 billion, the sector already provides jobs for 70% of the poorest people on the continent. An increase greater than threefold will bring jobs to lift millions out of poverty; most stomachs will be filled with nutritious meals; Africa’s agricultural exports will dominate global markets; and the continent’s farmers, who have borne the brunt of harsh economic conditions, will get a new lease of life as they become competitive in the global marketplace.

This is not an unreachable dreamland; a World Bank report published in March 2013 argues that it could soon be a reality. The report, Growing Africa: Unlocking the Potential of Agribusiness, projects that African agribusiness could be worth $1 trillion by 2030. It’s the latest in a string of positive reports about the continent’s socioeconomic development prospects, despite political instability in a handful of countries.

No magic wand But no magic wand will cause a $313 billion agribusiness sector to grow into a $1 trillion behemoth. The World Bank cautions that everyone will have to work hard— governments, the private sector, farmers, and so on.

However, the elements for a pole-vault jump are in place. For example, in addition to huge, untapped water resources, Africa has more than 50% of the world’s fertile and unused land—that’s a whopping 450 million hectares. The continent uses only 2% of its renewable water resources, while the global average is 5%.

The steady and

African Agribusiness:

All Eyes On $1 Trillon increasing private sector interest in African agribusiness is just the icing on the cake.

Also, while global prices of agricultural commodities are rising due to increasing demand, supply of these commodities is slowing due to factors like land degradation and water scarcity in many

countries, especially in Asia. “Water scarcity has become a major constraint because of competition from rapidly growing industrial sectors and urban populations,” states the Word Bank. Yet Africa has both water and land in abundance.

At first glance, the World Bank report paints a glowing—even celebratory—picture of African agribusiness prospects. But the report also rigorously highlights many stubborn and recurring obstacles in the path of development progress. It states that “to generate the jobs, incomes and food so badly needed for Africa’s growing population over the next 20 years, agro-

industries need to undergo a structural transformation,” and it calls for more concerted investment in the sector.

Infrastructural needs African agribusiness desperately needs improved infrastructure.

“Infrastructure is a high

Asia produced per hectare, according to the World Bank. A major reason for that low production is the African countries low percentage of irrigated arable land, only 3% on average compared to a 47% average for Asian

improvements lately, notes the report. Even so, only 7% of Africa’s agriculture comes from foreign direct investments, compared to 78% for Asia. The good news is that due to rising commodity prices, “the appetite is growing among investors, private equity, and investment and sovereign funds to

priority for jump-starting agribusiness throughout Africa. Best bets for infrastructure are irrigation, roads, and markets,” according to the report. In 2010, for instance, Africa produced 1,300 kilograms of cereals per hectare of arable land, which was about half of what South

countries, states the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). On top of that, a lack of rural roads impedes farmers’ access to markets and increases post-harvest losses.

Although increased financing is needed in the agribusiness sector, there have been

tap into Africa’s agriculture and agribusiness markets.”

Partially because of the lack of infrastructure and investment, a continent with half of the world’s fertile land spends $33 billion on food imports annually, including $3.5 billion on rice imports.

Gone are those years, in

By KINGSLEY IGHOBOR/AISSATA HAIDARA

“African farmers and businesses must be empowered through good policies, increased public and private investments and strong public-private partnerships.”

the early 1990s, when sub-Saharan Africa was a net exporter of agricultural products.

Currently, imports are as much as 30% greater than exports.

The report suggests it should be astonishing that developing countries such as Brazil, Indonesia and Thailand export more food products than all of sub-Saharan Africa combined. “The value of agricultural exports from Thailand (a country of 66 million people) now exceeds that of all subSaharan Africa (a region of 800 million people).”

This situation is not sustainable, says Gaiv Tata, the World Bank director for financial and private sector development in Africa.

“African farmers and businesses must be empowered through good policies, increased public and private investments and strong public-private partnerships.”

African leaders face the challenge It’s not as if African leaders need any convincing about the need for more investments in agriculture, but more actions must match their words. In 2003, the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), an African Union framework for the c o n t i n e n t ’ s socioeconomic development, launched the Comprehensive African Agriculture D e v e l o p m e n t Programme (CAADP) “to eliminate hunger and reduce poverty through agriculture.” By signing on to CAADP, most African governments agreed to invest at least 10% of their national budgets in agriculture and to raise agricultural productivity by at least 6%.

Through CAADP, Africa is slowly but steadily moving forward.

Countries such as Ghana, Ethiopia, Rwanda

Continued from page 26

Ag ro Business Continued from page 25

and others have placed agriculture at the top of their development priority list. Martin Bwalya, the head of CAADP, says that over the past years, between 9 and 15 countries have made significant investments in agriculture, while 23 others have finalized their investment plans.

However, the NEPAD 2011 annual report highlights that just eight out of Africa’s 54 countries have met the target of 10% of budget allocation, while just 10 surpassed the target of 6% productivity growth.

To commemorate 10 years of CAADP, African leaders in 2012 declared 2014 “the Year of Agriculture and Food Security in Africa.” With African agriculture growing at 4%, the leaders hope to build on that momentum in the coming years.

Even these modest gains are commendable, analysts believe. They are a “strong contrast to what many acknowledge to be inadequate or even nonexistent national strategies that previously governed Africa’s agricultural sector,” according to the Brookings Institution, a Washington-based think tank. Hennie van der Merwe, CEO of the South A f r i c a – b a s e d A g r i b u s i n e s s D e v e l o p m e n t Corporation (ADC), adds that “Africa is currently experiencing a revival in terms of its focus on agribusiness, not only to increase food selfsufficiency, but also to create jobs and economic activity, specifically in rural areas.”

The World Bank concurs: “Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, and Zimbabwe all have been successful exporters in terms of market share.…

Ethiopia, Ghana, Mozambique, and Zambia stand out as African success stories in terms of significant

increases in export market shares since 1991.”

Land problems Political commitment and investment aside, another lingering problem is land allocation and acquisition. Farmers in many countries cannot expand their farming because they have limited access to land, and discriminatory laws that sometimes prevent women from gaining ownership. The World Bank report addresses the need for judicious and equitable land allocations, stressing that such allocations shouldn’t threaten people’s livelihood. Land purchases also need to follow ethical standards; for example, buyers should pay fair market rates after consultation with local communities.

In 2011, the Oakland Institute, a US-based think tank, reported unfair land deals in South Sudan, under which foreign companies bought up fertile and mostly uncultivated land.

Such deals did not clarify land tenure and usage, and worse, even threatened the land rights of rural communities.

“Governments and investors must also put in place effective environmental and social safeguards to reduce potential risks of a g r i b u s i n e s s investments, especially those associated with large-scale land acquisitions by investors,” the institute advised.

Taking the ICT route Experts generally agree that technology, particularly information and communication technology (ICT), will boost agriculture. In an earlier report titled ICT for Agriculture in Africa, the World Bank listed ways in which ICT could support agriculture at every stage: pre-cultivation (crop and land selection, access to credit, etc.); crop cultivation and harvesting (land

...All Eyes On $1 Trillon

By EKAIWE IGINUA OSEMWEKHA

p r e p a r a t i o n , management of water, fertilizer and pest control, etc.); and post-harvest ( m a r k e t i n g , transportation, packaging, food processing, etc.).

Geographical information systems (GIS) can be used for land-use planning and climate change adaptation, for example, the Bank stated.

Already farmers in Kenya and Zimbabwe have deployed ICT in ways that have increased their income and

productivity. Charles Dhewa, a Zimbabwean communication specialist, in 2012 launched eMkambo, an integrated virtual market where farmers and buyers share knowledge and transact business by means of mobile phones (See Africa Renewal December 2013 edition).

Farmers are also using ICT in other ways: to share new production processing and

marketing skills in Burkina Faso; to trace mangoes via a system that connects Malian farmers to global consumers; to garner important information that improves forest governance in Liberia; to provide SMSbased services developed by Zambia’s National Farmers Union.

The World Bank says such ICT initiatives have been successful in part because “real economic value was added either because of savings resulting from the use of

ICT or an increase in revenue or profitability.”

Such is the importance of ICT to agriculture that in 2011 the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the UN agency dedicated to poverty eradication in developing countries, called for policy innovations to make technology the main driver of African agriculture.

There is still some distance to cover to realize the dream of a $1 trillion agribusiness. But many hands are already on deck. Ghana and Senegal are forging

ahead with rice production; Zambia’s 88 million hectares of available land are said to be quite suitable for maize; and Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Nigeria already account for two thirds of the world’s cocoa.

There are abundant water and land, increasing private sector investment and political commitment, all of which provide flickers of hope for a sector under revival.

The World Bank says that an African agribusiness sector is not just important for the sake of Africa but “essential for ensuring global food security.”

“There is still some distance to cover to realize the dream of a $1 trillion agribusiness. But many hands are already on deck. Ghana and Senegal are forging ahead with rice production; Zambia’s 88 million hectares of available land are said to be quite suitable for maize; and Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Nigeria already account for two thirds of the world’s cocoa.”

Today’s Diet With Pastor E. A. Adeboye

Secret Of Church Growth MEMORISE: “Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Acts 2:47.

Read: Acts 4:32-33 GOD is interested in the growth of His church, be it local, national or global; whatever the denominational label.

Growth comes as a result of the mercy of God connected with the pastors and ministers developing the mind of Christ. Growth comes to those who allow themselves to be filled more and more with the love of God and who are not willing to let anybody perish. The church of Christ is not a place, a building or an organisation. The church is a living organism.

God’s plan for His church is growth - biblical growth. God is not interested in fishing without catching (Luke 5:4-1 1), lost sheep that are not brought back into the fold (Matthew 18:1114), a lost coin not sought for (Luke 15:810) or of ripe harvest not reaped (Matthew 9:3638).

Ministers of the gospel sometimes lament that their churches do not grow. They present inabilities, weaknesses and shortcomings as reasons for lack of growth in their local churches. For example, many complain of lack of education. This is not tenable. God can use the unlearned for His work as seen in Acts 4:13: “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter

and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus .”

What matters to God is sweet fellowship with Him. Some complain that they lack communication skills.

This is also not acceptable because God can put His word in your :1 mouth (Exodus 4:10-1 2). Another complaint is lack of experience.

The scripture confirms that God sometimes c o m m i s s i o n s inexperienced children Jeremiah 1:4-10). Some complain of lack of equipment and resources as reasons their churches are not growing. To such people I will say, “Let God get hold of you”. When God gets hold of you, materials and money are not problems to Him.

God can do much with little. He can do everything with nothing.

Some complain of lack of support and encouragement. This could be true, but God’s love and His promises are enough support for you church to grow. God wants your church to ‘grow. He gives growth.

A growing church should however resemble the New Testament church.

It should be one whose membership and work are opened only to those who are saved. A growing church should be one that continues steadfastly in fellowship, study and prayer. Each believer amongst them should grow and become strong in the Lord. The church that will grow must be a studying church, a sharing church and a praying church with manifestations of signs, wonders and miracles, just like the early church.

CHANGE OF NAME

RECONCILIATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

IKEKU – I, formerly known and addressed as MISS GLORIA OMOSO IKEKU now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OSHAWO GODWIN GLORIA OMOSO. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and general public should please take note.

I, OLADAPO ADEBAYO –JOGH wish to bring for the information of the general public that I am the same person as OLADAPO ADEBAYO, OLADAPO JOSEPH OGHENETEGA ADEBAYO as appeared in my various. Henceforth, I am now known as OLADAPO ADEBAYO JOGH. Former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities and general public should please take note.

EGHAGHE - I, formerly known and addressed as MISS MABEL N. EGHAGHE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS MABEL N. OSAYUWARE. All former documents remain valid. Local Government Service Commission and the general public should please take note.

RECONCILIATION OF NAME

OJEMHEN – I, formerly known and addressed as MISS CHERRY OJEMHEN now wish to be known and addressed as MRS CHERRY ANEGBODE. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities, Edo State Civil Service Commission and the general of the public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ONYIA – I, formerly called MISS NNENNA ADAEZE ONYIA now wish to be called MRS NNENNA ADAEZE IDAHOSA. All former documents remain valid.

All concerned authorities and the general public should take note.

CHANGE OF NAME OGBAIFO – I, formerly called MISS MERCY OGBAIFO is now known and called MRS O M O R E G B E E OGHENEWOKE MERCY. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ANABAMU – I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ANABAMU EBOGHOGWE JULIET now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. E T H U A K H O R O Y O W I E B O G H O G W E JULIET. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

I, IFEANYICHUKWU N K E M D I L I M OBUAKUCHUKWU JACINTA ANITA is the same person as IFEOMA NKEM JACINTA and IFEANYICHUKWU N.A. Henceforth, I now wish to be known as IFEANYICHUKWU N K E M D I L I M OBUAKUCHUKWU JACINTA ANITA. All former documents remain valid. University of Benin, other concerned authorities and the general public take note.

Advertise In The Weekend Observer And Go Places

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

AMHANDIN – I, formerly called AMHANDIN IVIE AGATHA is now known and called ALI PRECIOUS. All former documents remain valid.

Concerned authorities and the general public should please take note.

ADDITION OF NAME I, IGBINOWEGIE SAMSON IDUKPOLOR wish to bring for the information of the general public that I am the same person as IGBINOWEGIE SAMSON. Henceforth, I am now properly known and addressed as IGBINOWEGIE SAMSON IDUKPOLOR. All former documents remain valid. Concerned authorities, Edo State Pensions Board, UBA and the general public should please take note.

Action Point: Pray to god and trust him for growth in your church

“Growth comes to those who allow themselves to be filled more and more with the love of God and who are not willing to let anybody perish.”

L-R: Brand Manager, Dettol, Reckitt Benckiser, Ms. Morolake Onifade; National Sales Manager (Health Care), Reckitt Benckiser, Mr. Dickson Ikhuoria; Speaker for Reckitt Benckiser on Gastro Oesophageal Reflux Disease, Dr. Michael Ezeanochie; member, Global Hygiene Council/Speaker for Reckitt Benckiser on Dettol, Dr. Nneoma Idika; Marketing and Activation Lead, West Africa, Reckitt Benckiser, Mrs. Omotola Bamigbaiye-Elatuyi; and Area Sales Manager, Lagos and West, Reckitt Benckiser, Mr. Gbenga Olotu at the 54th Annual General Conference and Delegates’ meeting of Nigerian Medical Association in Benin at the weekend. Photo: OSADEMBAMWEN SUNDAY.

e

R lationship

What Men Wants But Won’t Say!

By CHELSON

WOMEN have always complained that men do not understand them, many men believe they are the ones who are mostly misunderstood, it could be in the workplace, family circle,

home and even in the bedroom.

Often, it is due to breakdown in communication, a disconnection between a man and woman, in what the man says or feels and what

“A man tend to keep things bottled –up (inside) which gives the woman the opportunity to define him as she wants or wishes. It gives her the leverage to decide what he likes or dislikes, his emotions, when how he feels and if he should feel them again.”

the woman hears or believed, which usually leads to infidelity, financial problem, abuse, or any other obstacle that threatens relationship. Men are in tough situation because they do not usually

express themselves as well as women do.

A man tend to keep things bottled –up (inside) which gives the woman the opportunity to define him as she wants or wishes. It gives her the leverage to decide what he likes or

dislikes, his emotions, when, how he feels and if he should feel them again.

Oftentimes, women are not even close in their assessment of the hopes, aspirations and needs of their men, they don’t know the men they are with, they only know the man, they have helped to create.

Women need to do a lot more listening to their men.

So, what would a man want to tell his woman but feels his honesty would be misunderstood, misinterpreted, hurt her feelings or result in ugly arguments. Well, the first thing should be telling his woman that he wants her to understand him.

Because, men often times bury their true self under a facade of masculinity, display of ego. Men needs the support and understanding of their women. He wants more concrete commitment

build on realistic expectations and goals.

Most men believe that their women are never satisfied even when they are doing all they can and should do. Man wants assurance from his woman that he is the most important person, aspect of her life. He wants to hear her say it, show it, making him know she is safe with him. He wants her to be open with him and help him or encourage him to be open. Though men would not admit it, but many long to cry when hurt or in pain, to laugh, to love and even lower their guard and not feel, they have to always be oblivious to the softer side of life. But cannot express these emotions so that women will not call them weak. This pent-up emotions are the causes of anxiety, frustration and general sense of powerlessness a man feels.

To be continued next week

o

F cus IN the midst of the insecurity challenges bedeviling this nation there is a monster waiting to devour and tear to pieces the fabric that holds the unity and sustenance of life of the people.

The teeming numbers of unemployed Nigerians is so frightening and a source of great concern if we must continue to exist as a peaceful nation.

Every year the number of graduates keep increasing without a corresponding increase in the provision of jobs for them and they roam the streets in search of non existent jobs.

It has been advocated that graduates should focus on being self employed rather than waiting to be employed but it is not as easy as it is being said.

It is becoming alarming to see the number of young men and women who trade on different articles on the highway and you begin to wonder if some of these products they are trading on could really sustain them and their families.

The labour market which has been fully saturated has led some of our youths to resort to fraudulent means to make out a living, irrespective of the risk involve.

For those who want to be involve in legitimate means of survival do menial jobs, dropping their certificates, hawking wares along the road with little capital they can find and It is no more news that graduates are okada and keke riders.

But many have become so desperate and they have resorted to any illegitimate means of

keeping soul and body together.

The increasing rate of oil theft and criminality can also be traced to the lack of available jobs for the helpless youths who have decided to join unholy gangs to perpetuate such heinous crime on the nation.

They don’t care if the scourge is affecting the nation’s economy, they are even bent on unleashing more grievous blow on the nations pipelines to get

A National Master Plan For Employment

By EUBALDUS ENAHORO sad that such ventures are being politicized and therefore not achieving the intended goal of reducing the level of unemployment in the nation.

rate of unemployment which is becoming a national problem.

The government attitude of shying away and leaving the private sector to provide industries, and

Emeka Wogu, Minister of Labour and Productivity their own share of the nation cake.

We have heard of different empowerment schemes by government to provide source of livelihood for the unemployed but is very

It is not that nothing is being done by the government to ameliorate the plight of the unemployed in the society but they need to do more by declaring a state of emergency in the rising

“The Federal government has no doubt put in motion several plan of action to address the issue of unemployment but more efforts and attention should be focused on this area because without a source of livelihood is like waking up in the morning and wishing you have woken up that day.”

commercial ventures that can employ people should be revisited and made a priority because they have the resources.

The drive by some state governments to bring in foreign investors should be commended and they should intensify and increase their budgetary allocations to this sector.

It is time we encourage the setting up of large scale farms, manufacturing and processing industries like the advanced nations where people can work in shifts. We should not just concentrate on providing infrastructures alone.

We should work towards revolutionizing agricultural

production in the country on a large scale across the local government areas.

Let us go to the villages to find out what each village is good for in agriculture.

If one village is good for yam, they should encourage them by providing all that is needed there.

They should find out what their best crops are, it could be cassava, yam, rice and so on. In each of the villages they should create a sort of community cooperatives for the farmers and each of the cooperative societies should also be encouraged to come together and form partnership with the government, with this people will gladly embrace farming as a source of employment.

As the delegates to the ongoing National Conference brain storm over fine-tuning what is best for the nation, let them not forget that the majority of the nations human capital are roaming the streets and that can be very dangerous.

Since they have been mandated to come up with ways and means of saving Nigeria from doom, it behoves the delegates to ponder on ways to provide enough jobs for the people because as they say an idle mind is the devils workshop.

The Federal government has no doubt put in motion several plan of action to address the issue of unemployment but more efforts and attention should be focused on this area because without a source of livelihood is like waking up in the morning and wishing you have woken up that day.

The graduate internship scheme for unemployed graduates organized by the federal ministry of finance through the Subsidy Reinvestment Empowerment Program, SURE P for fifty thousand graduates to get jobs is

also commendable.

At a training workshop held in Benin City last week, Mrs. Ngozi Okonkwo who represented the Director of the Graduate Internship Scheme, Mr. Peter Pakpa appealed to the participants to take the programme seriously and to add value to the employer they are attached as well as to work hard for them to be retained.

During the scholastic presentation the unemployed graduates and would be employers were informed that though most Nigerians have lost confidence on the government to provide jobs for the unemployed young men and women the graduate internship scheme is one of the project running under the SURE P. It was gathered that the SURE P which is a social community project are implemented by different federal ministries to impact on Nigerians and the aim of the graduate internship is to engage fifty thousand unemployed graduates that will be deployed to reputable firms to be mentored according to a mentoring plan.

Though this will have a multiplying effect, it is now the responsibility of the interns to debunk the notion that Nigeria graduates are unemployed, and an opportunity to prove it is wrong and a fallacy.

However there is a challenge facing the graduate internship scheme and that is the need for more firms to register to take up this graduates and that is hampering the success of the scheme If this step taken by government is given the required push and support by some of firms to come out to absolve these graduates, we would definitely be making progress somewhere.

o

F cus Contd from page 15 All these failures, due to politics, gravid corruption and lack of true commitment by the government have turned a situation that could have been crushed into chronic and intractable crises.

N e w Recommendations The above appreciated; the time has come again for a renewal of the state of emergency. Of course, once again, the northern governors do not want this.

The truth is, this time they have a point. The last state of emergency was not an actual state of emergency; there was no emergency declared in the states. It was simply states with military action and on and off curfews, which can be continued without an official declaration of the three words.

The true position today is different from last year.

Very so. Today there is decreasing confidence in the government and unfortunately, also in the current military division in the north. The Joint Task Force was highly effective and worked with the people, gaining their trust and collaborating harmoniously with the Civilian-JTF. This led to remarkable success in eliminating Boko Haram considerably. However for unexplainable reasons, just as the mortal wounding of Shekau was announced August last year, with his death on August 20th, reported by Nigerian and global intelligence departments, the president of Nigeria suddenly withdrew the effective JTF and replaced

...Emergency Rule Extension? them with an army division.

The army division was unable to continue the success of the JTF and was also unable to effectively partner with the Civilian-JTF and Boko Haram started forced abductions and conscriptions of more soldiers, effectively recouping. Secondary to this there has been an inevitable development of distrust in the army and the federal government.

Coupled with media releases of alleged security sabotage, including pre-attack troop withdrawals and possible troop on troop ambush, the situation and our options for addressing the terror crises are drastically different and must be updated in consideration of these peculiar challenges.

Candidly, more than any other part of Nigeria that clamors for regional control, the affected parts of the northeast should be screaming for this. This is the new, undeniable recommendation for controlling Boko Haram terror. Other regions desire regionalism for resource awuf (abundance), the northeast desperately needs regional control for security and protection of the lives of its citizens if it truly cares about them.

Nigeria fails to function as a nation. We are unable to utilize our security departments and military.

Our president lacks the wisdom to direct the administration and to select apt and committed defense ministers and heads of national security.

Under control from Abuja,

Governor Shettima of Borno State

Governor Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe State

Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State

our military mission in the north will not be trusted, will be discombobulated and will not be capable of success. The Nigerian president in Namibia, this 2014, mentioned addressing Boko Haram with ‘kid gloves,’ a 4 years long, well proven deadly rebel force of several thousand fully armed combatants—with kid gloves! Amnesties are still being thrown at these killers. Abuja does not understand the problem in the northeast and avoiding saying they actually are pleased by it, we can confidently say they do not

care about it.

There is also not much confidence in our northern politicians. They cannot lead the effort against Boko Haram. It is not a job for fine, manicured men.

That’s apart from the governor of Adamawa, rtd.

Vice Admiral Murtala Nyako. Nigeria’s north and northeast needs a warrior leader who will work with and arm locals—with the creation of an armed version of the Civilian-JTF, working with the Nigerian military under his command, to finally wipe out Boko Haram once and for all.

This local, Kanuri preferably, military commander, will be the head commander of all affairs of the state(s) for the period of this war. We should forget about our trying to address this as a modern state.

We have failed. We cannot even wipe our behind, talk less organize a military response to terror. Nigeria’s security department is yet to solve a single case of murder, talk less track 100 military uniformed marauders ravaging the middle belt or Boko Haram terrorists. Our departments fail. Our

intelligence units failed even in urban combat.

Hundreds of cattle are stolen in the heart of Nigeria, carted in lorries and they cannot be found.

200 girls are stolen in four lorries in our cities and this can be done successfully and these girls can be hidden successfully too in open forests, and not found. Spots can exist with over 700 vehicles hidden from the sight of our armed—air forces. The truth is, either the armed forces are sabotaged or they are really not up to the task right now. Right now, our local hunters need to be employed. We need a local, traditional-smart warrior leader to direct this effort and clear out that bottomless Sambissa forest.

We need a security force in the north that can be called and depended upon by the locals; a force that will answer the calls of villages under threat without eight hour delay or responding that the village is “not in their jurisdiction.”

A locally controlled defense force so that Abuja would no longer be accused or blamed of pulling out forces before massacres; and also so that maniacal Abuja cannot threaten to pull out forces to “demonstrate their value.”

As a matter of urgency, the northern governors, if they do have the interest of their people at heart and care about the life of their people—which Abuja simply does not—should decide who their warrior leader(s) will be. He could be a retired army general like Sarkhi Mukhtar, Yar’Adua’s NSA, or any other reliable, competent northern or Kanuri military youth, or even a current Civilian-JTF leader. Give him his choice of security personnel, from the army, weapon trained and armed Civilian-JTF and any other type of security tools he needs. Put him in charge of directing all affairs of the states, including sentencing politicians and sponsors to prison or death, and the control of security and budget disbursement, especially utility of the security vote; and let him end the crises plaguing and embarrassing the northeast once and for all.

Europa League

Sevilla Through To Final

SEVILLA booked their place in the Europa League final after Stephane Mbia’s last-gasp header sent the Andalucians through on away goals following a 31 defeat on the night.

Mbia’s powerful header in stoppage time cancelled out goals from Sofiane Feghouli, Jonas and Jeremy Mathieu at the Mestalla after a determined fight-back from a 2-0 first leg deficit.

The highest scorers in the competition this season took only 13 minutes to break the deadlock through talented playmaker Feghouli when the Algerian turned inside and fired past Sevilla keeper Beto.

The second goal was simply a matter of time for high-pressing Valencia.

On the left wing, Juan Bernat delivered an inch-

perfect cross in the 25th minute for Jonas who headed home off the woodwork and past the helpless Sevilla keeper.

Valencia scored a third on 69 minutes when Mathieu struck his first Europa League goal of the season to send the home fans into raptures. It was the first time Valencia had gone ahead in this tie.

Yet, despite lacking clear-cut chances, Sevilla broke thousands of hearts inside the Mestalla when Mbia, on loan from Queens Park Rangers, headed past Alves from inside the six-yard-box to mark a historic return to Valencia for ex-boss Unai Emery.

Emery’s side face Portuguese side Benfica in the final on May 14th at the Juventus Stadium in Turin.

Guardiola Sticks To Style Of Play BAYERN Munich coach Pep Guardiola says he is “open to new ideas” but does not intend to change his style of play.

The 4-0 loss to Real in Munich on Tuesday was extremely bitter for the Bavarians, who had been virtually invincible up until clinching the league title with seven games left in March.

“I am surprised that we did it so well in this season,” Guardiola told reporters ahead of Saturday’s league game against struggling Hamburg SV. “We showed a lot of good things. I am satisfied with this squad. We were outstanding with this system and these players,” said the Spaniard, who joined Bayern this season after a year out following a hugely successful four years at Barcelona.

Guardiola said he would not change a thing in the way his

team played after their overwhelming possession against Real over both legs failed to yield a single goal.

He said the reason for a disastrous first half after which they trailed 3-0 was because Bayern did not control possession.

“I have my ideas and I have to convince my players,” he said. “Following this defeat I am even more convinced of my philosophy.”

Bayern, who set a string of league records on the way to the title, can still add the German Cup to their collection when they face rivals Borussia Dortmund in the final this month.

Guardiola said the remaining league games against Hamburg and VfB Stuttgart were key in preparing for the final.

“We have to focus on these two games now so we have a good preparation for the Cup final,” he said.

Stephane Mbia (centre) of Sevilla celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg match between Valencia

Protestors Defend Villarreal Fan A campaign has been launched in support of the Villarreal supporter who threw a banana at Dani Alves last weekend, with one of his relatives saying he has been “lynched” by the media.

Barcelona and Brazil culprit and banned by right-back Alves peeled and Villarreal before being ate the banana thrown at arrested by the local police him during a La Liga game and charged with provoking at Villarreal on April 27. a racist incident.

Neymar, his colleague for However, the media club and country, then reaction, which has included immediately set in motion a the widespread publication pre-planned “banana- of Campayo’s photo, has themed” social media anti- angered the youth’s family racism campaign, which and friends. A protest received support from a against this coverage was number of high-profile called for Vila-real’s Plaza players, including Sergio Mayor on Thursday evening, Aguero, Luis Suarez and with the organisers using the Mario Balotelli. Leading slogan “We are all David” — global political figures such an apparent play on the as Brazil president Dilma “ # w e a r e a l l m o n k e y s ” Rousseff and UN secretary hashtag Neymar used when general Ban-Ki Moon also launching the social media offered support. campaign.

David Campayo, 26, was An unnamed family swiftly identified as the member told the EFE news

agency: “One thing is the error he has made, which he will pay for; another is the lynching, which has been disproportionate.”

Marca, meanwhile, quotes another anonymous supporter as saying: “Some journalists and media outlets have been very eager to do damage to our colleague, David.

“A protest has been organised against all the press and their negative actions — they have done nothing more than dirty the name of our town and its inhabitants. He is no racist nor a violent person. He threw the fruit purely because he was angry in the moment. His action does not deserve this continuous lynching.”

According to AS, about 1,000 people attended the protest, displaying placards

that read: “Turn off the TV, open your mind” and “Stop journalism, stop misinformation.” AS also reported that there were “moments of tension” between the protesters and reporters sent to cover the event.

The incident, and especially the reaction from Alves and Neymar, has brought extra focus on the issue of racism in Spanish sport. El Pais published a feature that examined the many incidents that have occurred over the last decade, accusing clubs and government authorities of failing to take action amid talk of “isolated incidents” and people getting carried away in the heat of the moment.

“The attitude of the [Spanish government’s] Commission Against Violence and Racism is lazy and laissez-faire,” campaigner Esteban Ibarra told El Pais. “All that happens here is that we cover up racism and violence.”

Conte Rages At Clattenburg After Exit

Pep Guardiola

JUVENTUS coach Antonio Conte blasted referee Mark Clattenburg after his side were knocked out of the Europa League

by Benfica, saying the Englishman was not good enough to officiate such an important match.

The Serie A leaders failed to overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first leg of their semi-final, only managing a goalless draw with the newly-crowned Portuguese champions in

Turin.

Conte was convinced that his side should have been awarded a penalty when Fernando Llorente’s 65th minute header appeared to strike defender Luisao on the hand. One goal would have put his side through to the final on away goals.

“Today there should have been a penalty, after the penalty not given for a foul on (Giorgio) Chiellini on the

first leg,” Conte said.

Conte also claimed Clattenburg had failed to control what he saw as Benfica’s spoiling tactics.

“The referee allowed them to obstruct the play the whole game. Before the game he told is us that he wouldn’t stop play every time a player hit the floor, but that’s what happened.

“We feel like we’re not being taken seriously, and UEFA should show us

more respect by sending a referee of the required standard.”

Juve missed out on the chance to contest the Europa League final on home turf, with Benfica returning to the Juventus Stadium on May 14 to take on Seville.

However, they are eight points clear at the top of Serie A and should seal their third straight league title when they host Atalanta on Monday.

Premier League...Premier League...Premier League...Premier League...

We’ve Been Consistent - Wenger ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger has claimed his side are closer to the Premier League’s top three sides than his critics suggest, as the Gunners close on confirming a 17th successive season of Champions League qualification this Sunday.

Victory against West finish for the Gunners and Bromwich Albion at Emirates while Wenger accepts that Stadium in Arsenal’s final “success” is not enough, he home game of the season will believes they are not far cement another fourth-placed behind their title rivals.

Heavy away defeats at Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea left a dent in Arsenal’s title ambitions, but Wenger believes those setbacks could have been

Rui Faria Give 6-Game Stadium Ban

CHELSEA assistant firstteam coach Rui Faria has been hit with a six-game stadium ban and been fined 30,000 pounds by the Football Association following his behaviour during last month’s 2-1 loss to Sunderland.

Faria was dismissed for angrily confronting the match officials during the defeat at Stamford Bridge — a result which dealt a huge blow to the Blues’ Premier League title hopes.

The Portuguese was charged by the FA for using abusive language towards fourth official Phil Dowd as well as for his improper conduct after being told to leave the technical area.

Faria admitted the charges and requested a nonpersonal hearing, with the FA announcing its decision on Thursday.

An official statement read: “Following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing, Chelsea coach Rui Faria has been given a sixmatch stadium ban with immediate effect, subject to any appeal, after he admitted two breaches of FA Rules.

“The first breach was that Faria used abusive and/or insulting words towards the fourth official during Chelsea’s game against Sunderland on April 19, 2014.

“The second breach was that his behaviour following the match referee’s request that he leave the technical area amounted to improper conduct.

“Faria, who requested a non-personal hearing, was also fined £30,000 and warned as to his future conduct.”

Blues boss Jose Mourinho was also charged with improper conduct following the comments he made in the aftermath of the Sunderland clash.

Mourinho has denied the charge and requested a nonpersonal hearing.

absorbed if they had converted home draws against City and Chelsea into victories.

“We had a good strong home record, but the restriction we had was in the big games we didn’t win some of them,” Wenger told reporters at Arsenal’s London Colney training HQ. “That’s where the missing points are at the moment because we are very close to the top. Maybe one or two wins at home would have made that difference.

“One of the ingredients we have this season is a response

when everybody was writing us off. We have always responded in a very strong way, which means the mentality is strong and healthy and united inside the camp.

“We started the season with a big loss, a big disappointment against Aston Villa and we had to go three days later to play Fenerbahce to play maybe one of the most important games of the season [Champions League qualifier] and we responded

in a very positive way, and we have done that all season.

“I think overall in the season we have been remarkably consistent. We have missed some vital games and that is the regret we have of the season, some turning points in the season away from home where we failed to turn up with the right performance, but overall we have been remarkably consistent. “[We played] in the Champions League against Bayern, we are in the final of the FA Cup playing many big

teams, we are seven points off Liverpool who only played one competition, so we have been consistent. In the Premier League we missed some games and we pay for it now.”

Wenger again suggested that injuries to key players was the central reason why his side failed to sustain their title surge, with the return of Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil in recent weeks having a big impact on the team’s performances.

“When you come out of Christmas, we were in a strong position and what you want then is to have your strong players available in March, April, February,” he said. “We had too many injuries.

“It is very, very difficult — you can have one or two but after that when you have too many injuries you always have to play the same players and that is detrimental to the efficiency of the group. The regret we have is that too many players were out at the same time between Christmas and April.”

Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker insisted earlier this week that his team did not deserve a top-three finish after their disappointing results against their title rivals and Wenger accepted his observations had some merit.

“It is a fair comment because if we had just won one of these games, we would be in the top three,” he added.

“The regret we have of the season is that when I tell you we have been remarkably consistent, it is against the teams who did not fight for the Premier League title.

Especially not away from home in some of the big games, we could not bring the points.”

Jose Mourinho and Chelsea’s staff drag assistant Coach Rui Faria away from referee Mike Dean during the 2-1 defeat to Sunderland.

Prem Clubs Paid £1.8b In Wages PREMIER League clubs made a loss of 291 million pounds ($491 million) while paying their players and staff record wages of 1.8 billion pounds ($3 billion) in the 2012-13 season, a study in the Guardian has shown.

Clubs spent two-thirds of their turnover on salaries as they increased by 11 percent in a sign of football’s propensity to give aboveinflation rises to players.

The Guardian’s review of the Premier League’s annual accounts showed five clubs made a loss of at least 50 million pounds — Aston Villa, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and relegated Queens Park Rangers — and seven others made smaller losses.

QPR, who finished bottom of the league, recorded the biggest loss — of 65 million pounds — and had a wage bill, of 78 million pounds, that was substantially bigger than their 61 million-pound

turnover.

City had the highest wage bill, of 233 million pounds, which was 31 million pounds higher than in their titlewinning campaign of 2011-12, and the third biggest turnover, of 271 million pounds.

Manchester United had the biggest turnover, of 363 million, but wages only accounted for 50 percent of that. United had the division’s biggest debt, of 389 million, incurred by the Glazer family’s takeover in 2005.

Chelsea had the third highest wage bill (179 million pounds) and the fourth highest turnover (260 million pounds) and lost 56 million, second only to QPR. Of the leading clubs, Arsenal’s balance sheet looks the healthiest with turnover of 283 million, the second most, and a wage bill of only 154 million. They had a profit of seven million pounds.

Everton, who had the 10th highest wage bill and came

sixth in their final season under David Moyes, punched above their financial weight and recorded a two millionpound profit. West Bromwich Albion, who finished eighth with the sixth smallest wage bill, also flourished and ended the year in the black.

The biggest profit was recorded by Swansea, who made 21 million pounds while finishing ninth and winning the Capital One Cup with the fourth lowest wage bill in the division.

Villa, who had the eighth biggest wage bill but were nearly relegated and recorded a 52 millionpound loss, were one of the underachievers.

Wigan had the lowest wage bill in the division, of 44 million pounds. They were relegated but won the FA Cup. Southampton’s

executive chairman Nicola Cortese was the best-paid director, taking home 2.129 million pounds.

Premier League Table Liverpool Chelsea Man City Arsenal Everton Tottenham Man Utd Southampton Newcastle Stoke C Palace Swansea Hull West Ham West Brom Aston Villa Sunderland Norwich Fulham Cardiff

P 36 36 35 36 36 36 35 36 36 36 36 36 35 36 35 35 35 36 36 36

W 25 24 24 22 20 20 18 14 14 11 13 10 10 10 7 9 8 8 9 7

D 5 6 5 7 9 6 6 10 4 11 4 9 7 7 15 8 8 8 4 9

L 6 6 6 7 7 10 11 12 18 14 19 17 18 19 13 18 19 20 23 20

GD 50 43 58 24 21 3 20 7 -18 -11 -15 -1 -9 -11 -12 -17 -20 -32 -42 -38

PTS 80 78 77 73 69 66 60 52 46 44 43 39 37 37 36 35 32 32 31 30

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