Where is Chime? by Advocate Nigeria

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ADVOCATE ...for Equity and Justice

www.theadvocatengr.com

Vol. 1 No. 10, Monday, November 19 – Saturday, November 25, 2012

Fuel subsidy: Leave Ubah alone, S-East CAN tells FG Page 6

N150

PDP govt is a failure – Onyia Page 17

Where is Chime?  On vacation, hale and hearty – Govt  He is sick, say Concerned Citizens  Anxiety mounts in Enugu  Lawmakers undecided Story on page 5

Stories on Page 4, 18 & 19

Page 20 Gov Chime

ENUGU EAST 2015:

Page 3 pg 8

THE

Monday, November 19 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Saturday, November 25, 2012

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Monday, November 19 – Saturday, November 25, 2012

Special Report

ENUGU EAST 2015:

Why Nnaji, Nwobodo may clash By Larry Onwuta & Chioma Jumbo

he scuttling of the public hearing on the review of the 1999 Constitution organized by Senator Gilbert Nnaji at Agbani, Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State by men of Enugu State Police Command allegedly acting on the orders of the council chairman, Mr. Ekene Okenwa, has pitched the senator against the Chief of Staff to the state governor, Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo. Nnaji represents Enugu East senatorial district at the National Assembly while Nwobodo currently serves as Chief of Staff in Enugu State Government. The senator had on November 14, 2012 organised the public hearing at Agbani which is the headquarters for Enugu East Senatorial zone and as he claimed, he duly communicated relevant stakeholders in the zone including the Nkanu West Council Chairman, Mr. Okenwa on his desire to host the event at the council secretariat. But when thousands of the constituents from the senatorial zone gathered that Wednesday morning to make their input into the proposed review of the constitution, officers of the state police command led by the Divisional Police Officer for N k a n u We s t , C h i e f Superintendent of Police, CSP, Sampson Ihuabuenyi stormed the venue and chased them away. When Nnaji arrived the venue, the DPO approached him inside the arena and informed him that they had "orders from above" to stop the public hearing from taking place at the council secretariat and asked the senator to comply with the order. The DPO, who refused promptings from the Senator and his close friends and aides to allow the public hearing to hold, shouted openly, “We are acting on orders from above and this event must not hold here.” As the senator attempted to address the people to inform them of the ugly development, the DPO stepped forward, collected the microphone and tried to address the crowd but was shouted down. When contacted to ascertain why the DPO stopped the public hearing, Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, said, “The DPO and his men were only at the venue to provide security and maintain law and order” and could not say who gave the order for stoppage of the event.

Sen Gilbert Nnaji Okenwa was not available at the venue just like his counterparts from Enugu North, Enugu South, Enugu East, Nkanu East and Isiuzo and could not speak on the development. Efforts to speak with him on phone were also unsuccessful as his mobile telephone line was not accessible. Nnaji, who later addressed his constituents including the traditional rulers, the clergy and civil society groups, lamented that the council chairman had denied them opportunity to make input in the constitution amendment process. He said, “It is unfortunate that of all the public hearings going on through out the 109 senatorial districts in Nigeria, the one for Enugu East Senatorial District was thwarted because of petty politics by an individual who wants to take over my seat in 2015.” The senator accused the Nkanu West council chairman of conniving with a top government official for sabotaging the event. "What is happening in Enugu is very disturbing. I see no reason why anybody should play politics with such a national exercise. If anybody is interested in taking over my seat in 2015 this is not the way to go about it, let the person wait for our people to decide because time is not ripe for this kind of petty politicking. I will take up this matter when we get back to the Senate," Nnaji said told reporters. The State Commissioner for I n f o r m a t i o n , M r. C h u k s Ugwoke, who spoke on the development, dismissed the senator's claim that the Chief of

Ifeoma Nwobodo

Staff and some government officials were behind the stoppage of the public hearing. He said the “state government has no hand in the entire thing and even the Chief of staff had no business with what happened there.” However, in an appreciation message personally signed by Senator Nnaji, he thanked the people of Enugu East senatorial district, the professional bodies, civil societies, the clergy, traditional rulers, community leaders women and youth organizations who trooped out en masse for the aborted public hearing. The statement reads in part: “It is unfortunate that an occasion that was packaged to offer the people of Enugu-East Senatorial District their right to air their views on how they shall be governed, was scuttled due to political ambition of an individual. “I wish to assure you all that necessary steps are being taken to constitutionally address the wicked and barbaric acts. Your right to express your opinions on how to restructure our dear country cannot be wished away because of desperate quest for power by a fellow who does not understand that politics is different from governance, and of course that power belongs to the people,” Nnaji stated. While commending the people for their “firmness of character and sense of patriotism in conducting yourselves in the most decent, peaceful and patriotic manners in the face of the organized hooliganism that was displayed at the venue”, the Senator further said:

“It was even more worrisome and shameful that a senior police officer, in the person of CSP Sampson Ihuabuenyi, the Divisional Police Officer of Agbani Police Division, was used to perpetrate the dastardly act.” “Now the fundamental question is: When police begins to aid crime brazenly, what then becomes of the citizenry in future?” he queried. Nnaji, however, reassured his constituents that “no amount of intimidation or sabotage shall make me lose sight of your democratic sacrifices particularly when it mattered most. I shall not fail you, especially now that the expectations are very high. I shall not relent in fighting for your right. I am rather more challenged to continue to offer you effective and responsive representation. It is your right and you worked for it.” There had been speculations that Nnaji and Nwobodo had been having a cold relationship since the 2011 elections over some undisclosed political issues but their indifferences were not made public until the latest event when the senator fingered her as having connived with the council chairmen in the senatorial zone to scuttle the senatorial public hearing. Although Nwobodo has never declared any interest publicly to contest the Enugu East senatorial seat in the next election, Nnaji and his supporters alleged that her actions in the past pointed to the fact that she was eyeing the position after the expiration of Governor Sullivan Chime's

administration in 2015. But some of the people close to her are of the view that she was unnecessarily being dragged into an issue that she did not play any adverse role as she was said to have called the Nkanu West council chairman to cooperate with the senator in hosting the public hearing. “She couldn't have turned around to scuttle or sabotage the public hearing, after all, what would she gain from that? She is too busy to be involved in such a thing because since the governor travelled she has been working tirelessly with the deputy governor to sustain the activities of the government,” one of the governor's aides told The Advocate. Meanwhile, sources said a crucial peace meeting was held at the house of the former Minister of Information, Frank Nweke jnr in Enugu Saturday night to seek way of resolving the face-off between Senator Nnaji and the Chief of Statff on one hand and between the senator and the council chairmen after which the participants reportedly agreed to reconvene the public hearing at a later date. The dependable sources said meeting which began at about 8pm Saturday was said to have ended at 3am Sunday and in attendance were the Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, Senator Ayogu Eze (Enugu North), Senator Gilbert Nnaji, the Chief of Staff, Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo, the host, Mr. Frank Nweke jnr and the Nkanu West Council chairman, Mr. Okenwa. Ekweremadu was said to have convened the meeting following Governor Chime's telephone call to him in which he (governor) expressed anger over the report on the aborted public hearing in Enugu East and asked him to intervene with a view to remedying the situation. After apologizing to Senator Nnaji for the embarrassment caused him last Wednesday, it was learnt that the meeting agreed to reconvene the public hearing with the Chief of Staff promising to mobilize the six local government chairmen in the senatorial zone to organise the event at a later date even though the time given by the National Assembly for the zonal public hearing had elapsed. It could not be ascertained at the weekend if Senator Nnaji accepted the resolution but sources said his supporters were no longer willing to participate in the exercise since it had been overtaken by events.

THE

Monday, November 19 – Saturday, November 25, 2012

The

Obi is responsible for APGA crisis –Umeh  Vows to open up on Ojukwu's illness and death By Ted Peters

Name: Ude Maryjane Birthday: 21st July 1993 Hobbies: Acting and sports Likes: Dancing and Acting Dislikes: Playing Phone: 08130140383

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he lingering crisis in All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA is fast assuming a dangerous dimension as the National Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh, has threatened to expose the intrigues by Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State and Ambassador Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu which allegedly caused the late Ikemba Nnewi and leader of the p a r t y, D i m C h u k w u e m e k a Odumegwu Ojukwu the stroke that eventually claimed his life. Umeh, who spoke with newsmen in Enugu while reacting to a recent claim that he and Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State shunned a peace meeting convened by Governor Peter Obi in Awka on November 6 to resolve the APGA crisis, said that he would not hesitate to tell the world all he knew about Ojukwu's death. He blamed both Governor Obi and Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu for the problem in APGA, saying he (Umeh) had been disposed to reconciliation but the duo of Obi and Bianca were bent on causing trouble in the party in furtherance of their plot to unseat him as the party's National Chairman for no just cause. The APGA chairman, who viewed the media report as an attempt to portray himself and the Imo State governor to the public as those who do not want peace in the party, said the time was ripe to expose the activities of those behind the unholy intrigue in the party. Umeh, who claimed that the late Igbo leader suffered heart attack as a result of pressure from some quarters, vowed to expose everything he knows about Ojukwu's illness and death once the one year remembrance of Ojukwu was done with on November 26. Umeh said: “Let November 26 come and go and I will expose all of their activities as they claim to be upholding the ideals of Ojukwu. The way things are going, very soon I will start granting interviews again to put things in proper perspective both for Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu, Governor Peter Obi, Dr. Tim Menakaya; all of them that are destroying this party now. “I will come back to the public with their activities, with details one after the other so that people will know what they are doing. It's time for me to expose everybody. Now, that time has come. “I take no blame for what is happening. If there is any reconciliatory meeting, any meeting where the progress of APGA will be discussed, that meeting should be properly

convened, people should be properly invited and notified, I will be the first person to be there.” The APGA boss, who said he was surprised to read in the papers that a text message was sent notifying him of the purported reconciliation meeting at Awka, because Obi never invited him and Okorocha to any meeting. Describing the media reports as “spurious and cheap blackmail” aimed at portraying him and Governor Okorocha as being indifferent to restoring peace in the party, Umeh stated that if there was anybody who wanted peace to return to the party, it was himself and not the “sponsors” of the crisis. He said: “I wish to state unequivocally that nobody sent me any text message inviting me to any meeting at the Government House Awka for the purpose of pursuing reconciliation in APGA. “On Friday November 2, 2012 I travelled to London to attend the APGA UK Chapter convention scheduled to hold on November 3 in London and also to attend an invitation of Igbo union in Oxford to attend Ojukwu's birthday held by the Igbo union in Oxford where I was one of the guest speakers. “Before my departure on November 2, there was no invitation that there will be a meeting anywhere where reconciliation in APGA will be discussed. Because I had planned to make this trip on November 2, I had concluded my travel plans to leave Nigeria on November 2 and to return to the country from London on November 7. “I was therefore shocked when I returned to Nigeria to read in the newspapers that I was invited to a reconciliation meeting and I shunned it. Nothing can be farther from the truth. I investigated this story and I was told that when I travelled to London, Governor Peter Obi had on November 3 being Saturday sent text messages to some people inviting them to a stakeholders' meeting at Government House Awka on Tuesday, November 6, 2012 by 1 pm. “I was also shown a text message sent to Governor Peter Obi by Chris Ejike Uche, the Deputy National Chairman, South of APGA informing Governor Obi that he should shift the meeting to Tuesday, November 13, 2012 because both myself and Rochas Okorocha had travelled to London and will come back on November 8, 2012. He went further to say that the Tuesday meeting was sudden and that there was need for both myself and governor Okorocha to be in attendance in any meeting that should be held.

“From what I have now got, I have now seen it as one of the spurious blackmails going on against me to create an impression to the discerning public that I don't want peace in APGA. If Gov Obi wanted to hold a peace meeting it is curious that he would be said to have sent me a text message instead of sending me a letter and send one of his aides to drop it in my house or even put a call to me either by himself or through one of his aides that there will be a meeting and that I was expected to attend. None of these happened.” Umeh said that it was therefore very clear to him that he was not wanted in the meeting allegedly convened by Governor Obi, adding that the said publications were part of the propaganda being launched to create the impression that he (Umeh) was responsible for the crisis in the party. Recalling that several peace meetings had been called by eminent persons in Anambra State, including highly respected Bishops, the Obi of Onitsha, Alfred Achebe and other major stakeholders for the purpose of restoring peace in the party, Umeh revealed that such peace efforts were frustrated by Governor Obi and his supporters, who he said, were bent on removing him from office. “I have never instigated any crisis in APGA, it is therefore hypocritical that the people who are instigating crisis and sponsoring crisis in APGA are trying to portray me as somebody who is not amenable to reconciliation. “The present crisis ravaging APGA was being sponsored by Governor Obi since 2011 but he kept denying it until it came to the centre stage where he now took over. All kind of things had been done to remove me as National Chairman of APGA starting from last year when they sponsored a petition against me to the EFCC in October 2011. “The EFCC thoroughly investigated me, my bank accounts, everything I have, my transactions as an Estate Surveyor and Valuer which I made all the records available to them. At that time I was accused of embezzling the party's fund but the EFCC after the investigation cleared me of wrongdoing. “The auditors appointed by the party at the Convention we held at Okpara Square also audited the APGA account and returned a verdict of transparent running of the affairs of the party. The INEC appointed auditor that submitted report of the audited APGA account also returned the same verdict of transparent handling of

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Monday, November 19 – Saturday, November 25, 2012

NEWS

Where is Chime? By Ted Peters and Larry Onwuta

HE Governor of Enugu State, Barrister Sullivan Iheanacho Chime travelled out of Nigeria since September 20, 2012 after informing in writing the State House of Assembly his intention to embark on a long vacation that would last for about six weeks. In the letter addressed to the Speaker, Barrister Eugene Odoh, the governor was said to have informed the lawmakers that he had not gone on leave since he assumed office as governor in 2007 and would therefore use the period of the vacation to travel out of the country for a rest. He actually jetted out of the country on September 20 but his destination was not known and he has not returned till since then even though the six weeks had long expired and his long absence from his duty post has raised so much dust that even in public buses and market places, people discuss it. Some say the governor is sick although no one knows the kind of ailment while others are unhappy that the governor's aides were economical with the truth about the governor's state of health. Concerned citizens of the state are of the view that even if the governor was sick he should not be blamed for it, but insisted that the people he leads deserved to know the true state of his health. The State Government had through the Commissioner for I n f o r m a t i o n , M r. C h u k s Ugwoke denied various media reports on the governor's illhealth and his purported treatment in an Indian hospital, insisting that Chime “is hale and hearty”. Ugwoke stated that the Governor was enjoying his vacation, the first he has taken since he was sworn into office five years ago, adding that Chime had announced to all members of the State Executive Council at the last meeting he presided on September 18, 2012 that he was proceeding on his annual leave and constitutionally handed over the reins of power to his deputy, Sunday Onyebuchi, who had been acting since then. But following the prolonged absence of the governor in the state, anxiety has continued to increase among the people of the state. They challenged the governor's aides to give a clear explanation on the governor's

whereabouts, saying it was completely wrong to have kept the people who voted him into office in the dark for close to 60 days. Speaking on the development, Mr. Osita Okechuwu, the National Publicity Secretary of Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, who is also an indigene of the state, said that it was wrong to hide the governor's state of health since nobody is above falling sick. He said: “Our point is that we are all human beings. We are prone to be sick; we are prone to be well. It is the alternative nature of life that sometimes we are sick and sometimes we are well. So, there is nothing to hide if he is sick and nothing to be ashamed of no matter the office anybody is occupying. “If you are governor or president you should let your people know where you are because as a p u b l i c o ff i c e r, t h e y a r e interested in your welfare. As a governor you are the epitome of the people, you are their symbol of a father. Because of that, whether you are a governor or president, you must let your people know where you are because you are a symbol of a father. “We are saying that if Governor Sullivan Chime is sick, there is nothing to hide from his people because we are all human beings. It is odd for a governor to spend 60 days out of his state without the people knowing exactly where he is and his state of health. We thought we could have learnt from the late President Musa Yar'Adua's experience in Saudi Arabia and Germany.” On the perceived apprehension in the state over the governor's prolonged absence, Okechukwu, who was the governorship candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, in 2011 election in the state, said: “There couldn't have been any apprehension because the 1999 Constitution as amended states clearly that when a governor or a president is out of the state for more than 21 days, the deputy automatically becomes the governor of the state. “He becomes an acting governor or acting president with full powers capable of convening Executive Council meetings and d i s c h a rg i n g o t h e r e x t a n t functions under the law. So, in the present case, Chime's deputy, Sunday Onyebuchi should assume full powers as governor in the absence of the incumbent until he returns.” But the Chairman of Action

Congress of Nigeria, ACN in the state, Mr Emeka Udeh, noted that the prolonged absence of the governor was unhealthy for governance. Udeh said in Enugu that the governor was entitled to his vacation but that where it became too long, the people also had the right to be worried. “It is not healthy for the state. I don't know if the deputy governor has all the executive powers in his acting capacity. But what I want is that the state must be working,” he said. Other residents of Enugu who spoke on the issue, however,

the victims not to talk of providing any form of relief to them. I don't believe that he is incharge of affairs in the state,” said a resident who preferred anonymity. However, the Information commissioner dismissed the concerns raised by the residents with a wave of the hand, insisting that the state government was on course on under the deputy governor stressing that nothing had changed since the governor took his accumulated vacation. “Activities have been on. There is no activity of government that

Gov Chime expressed worries over the government's failure to give a clear explanation on the matter, arguing that if the governor was incapacitated and could no longer pilot the affairs of the state, full powers should be transmitted to his deputy to carry on with the running of the state. “Right now we are told that the deputy governor is acting but we don't see him performing the duties of the governor. For instance, during the recent flood disaster in parts of the state the deputy governor ignored the public outcry by the victims who were displaced in Uzo-Uwani and Nsukka local government areas even when other governors in the affected states were on their toes working day and night to rescue their people. The deputy governor could not visit

slowed down because you realise that there is an acting governor who is fully in-charge. Work is in progress at the new secretariat and on some ongoing road projects. So also with the rural development, where some communities are being connected to the national grid,” Ugwoke said. The commissioner said the governor would return as soon as his vacation was over, pointing out that he had not exceeded the duration of his vacation. On his part, the Chairman of PDP in the state, Chief Vita Abba, said there was nothing unusual about the governor's absence. “There is nothing unusual regarding the governor's absence. He is a governor who has been on seat

for the past six years and taking a consolidated leave. “He did not abscond, he properly and formerly handed over to an acting governor who has been playing the role very well. So there is no vacuum created,” the PDP Chairman said. T h e A d v o c a t e , h o w e v e r, gathered that some kind of pressure had been mounted by certain stakeholders in the state on members of the State House of Assembly to invoke necessary sections of the constitution regarding the long absence of the governor but the Eugene Odoh-led Enugu State Assembly was not disposed to take such action. Although it could not be confirmed if the decision of the government to send the lawmakers on a study tour of United States of America for a period of ten days was part of efforts to douse tension which is said to be mounting amount some members on the issue, sources said the tour was approved by the governor himself before he travelled overseas. The speaker and 16 members out of the 24-member assembly had been in America since last week leaving behind seven others who received members of the Senate Constitutional Review Committee for the South East zone public hearing held in Enugu on Thursday and Friday. The deputy governor had been acting in the absence of the governor since he travelled but it is clear that the activities of government had slowed down as the deputy could not take key decisions nor participate in functions that are not delegated to him either by the governor or by a powerful officer in the government house who was said to have recently locked up the governor's office and kept the key in her custody. There are reports that the governor might stay longer overseas to enable him recover fully from his undisclosed ailment before returning home, but his aides have repeatedly dismissed such reports as false, insisting that the governor was hale, hearty and not incapacitated. However, many people of the state, who are eager to see their governor, who had been away for about two months believed that “Chime is sick” and they have continued to blame his aides for not disclosing his true state of health just as they faulted the secrecy surrounding the entire issue.

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Monday, November 19 – Saturday, November 25, 2012

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NEWS

Fuel subsidy: Leave Ubah alone, S-East CAN tells FG

hairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, South East zone, Bishop Emmanuel Chukwuma, yesterday, condemned in strong terms the recent attack launched against Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah, Managing Director of Capital Oil and Gas Industry Limited by the Presidential Committee on Fuel Subsidy saying the development had once again exposed the injustice against Ndigbo and their economic interest. Calling on the Federal Government to dissolve the Presidential Committee headed by Aig-Imoukhuede, which he accused of being biased having engaged in what he called “selective negligence”, Rt. Rev. Chukwuma who is the Anglican Bishop of Enugu Diocese, said that available evidence had shown that “there is an act of intimidation and attempt to ruin the business of Ifeanyi Ubah.” The CAN Chairman, who also frowned at the refusal of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Alome Mukthar to swear

in Justice Ifeoma Jombo-Ofo as Justice of the Court of Appeal and the ongoing conflict among leaders of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, asked all Igbos both home and in Diaspora to rise up and “save Ndigbo” from “selective negligence, wickedness and attempts by some people to portray Igbos in bad light. Noting that Ubah and his company had provided job opportunities to over 3,000 persons and made available petroleum products particularly Kerosene and petrol to the public especially at the grassroots level, Bishop Chukwuma said Ubah had the potential of helping to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians during the festive period by ensuring adequate supply of petroleum products. “All we are saying is that they should leave Ifeanyi Ubah alone. There is a lot of intimidation and injustice going on against him. The Federal Government should urgently intervene and ensure that Ubah,

Bishop Emmanuel Chukwuma who has contributed so much to the petroleum sector, should please enjoy his peace. If there is any problem they have let them resolve it rather than public maligning, intimidation and destruction of character always targeted at Igbos,” he said. “From my own personal investigation, this man (Ubah) has no case to answer. It is a matter of injustice and intimidation against him, which we don't want. This was how Ibeto was almost strangulated as an Igbo businessman because they wanted to protect another

PDP tasks NASS members from S-East on state creation

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) South East zone has challenged its members in the National Assembly to work assiduously towards the creation of additional states in their zone, to bring it at par with other geopolitical zones in the country. National Vice Chairman of PDP, South East zone, Austin Akobundu, threw the challenge at the weekend in his speech at Zonal Executive Meeting of the party in Enugu. Akobundu commended the efforts of the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha who are the Chairmen of the committees for constitutional amendment in both chambers of the National Assembly for the good job they are doing. He noted that the current constitutional amendment exercise has generated great national interest and participation and called on National Assembly members to present and pursue all those

aspects of constitutional amendment that are of great interest to their people, particularly the creation of additional States in the South East geo-political zone. Akobundu also expressed hope that a replacement for the outgone power minister would come from the South East because of the strategic nature of the ministry, adding that the party has eminently qualified people who can occupy the vacant position. He however drew attention of the federal government to the deplorable state of roads in the South East zone, noting that in spite of assurances given by the minister that the road would be fixed, the situation has presently assumed very critical and emergency proportions. Akobundu called on the Ministry of Works and Federal Road Maintenance Agency to expedite action on the roads as we enter the dry season, stressing that it has got to a point that a state of emergency should be declared on South East federal roads.

“Our people also want action on funding ecological projects as well as commitment on the start and completion of the 2nd River Niger Bridge by this administration” the PDP zonal chairman said. On the issue of returnee party members, he noted that the issue has generated so much interest, saying, 'while our doors are open to receive new and returning members into the strongest political party in Nigeria, we shall continue to ensure a level playing field for aspirants into party, executive and legislative offices at all level'. He pointed out that internal democracy was fundamental to the party's reform priorities, but assured that returning members who pose a toxic risk to the fabric of the party's unity, cohesion and conscience were not welcome. “I repeat South East PDP will not throw its doors open to persons of dubious character who will come here to cause us trouble and cost us electoral victory” he said.

man's interest who was in cement business,” the Bishop added. Bishop Chukwuma also called for the immediate swearing-in of Justice JomboOfo as a Justice of the Appeal Court having been cleared by the National Judicial Council to occupy the office or Justice Mukthar should resign from her position with immediate effect. On the crisis in APGA, the Anglican Bishop said he was very sad that soon after Dim Chukwuemeka OdumegwuOjukwu's departure the party was engulfed in crisis.

Ifeanyi Ubah He promised to personally summon a peace convention of the party to seek ways of reconciling the warring parties in order to ensure that the interest of Ndigbo in the party was not jeopardized. While urging the Federal Government to ensure adequate protection of lives and property i n t h e c o u n t r y, B i s h o p Chukwuma decried the government's acceptance to dialogue with Boko Haram explaining that it would amount to setting a bad precedence for the government to succumb to the request by the killer group to compensate its members.

How to protect judiciary from abuse – Fashola, Adoke By Chioma Jumbo AGOS State Governor, Babatunde Fashola and Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke at the weekend in Enugu stressed the need for high ethical conduct and decency in legal profession as way to protect the judiciary from abuse. The duo spoke at the 4th reunion gathering of Class 88 of the Nigerian Law School, held iat Nike Lake Resort Hotel, Enugu. Fashola who chaired the occasion, explained that reforms and ethicsin the legal profession means one thing, which is to comply to law and order. He charged Attorney Generals to go beyond being advocates of the state, adding that they should get involved in criminal prosecutions, to avoid charges that ridicule the judiciary. “Attorney Generals should rise up and protect the judiciary. They should not only be advocates of the state government. They should get involved I criminal prosecution. They should contribute in

enthroning decency in the legal profession. “Look at those charges that ridicule the judiciary. We say we have 70 count charges. How many witnesses will you need? How long will the case last? Talking about reforms and ethics means one thing. To comply with law and order” Fashola said. He said it was unacceptable to try cases in court through newspaper advertorials, even as he noted that many people are seen in court these days wearing head dresses. Fashola maintained that rules of conduct must apply in these areas, saying it was unimaginable to him to see a situation where lawyers appear on television to tell the public how to administer aspirin or an injection. Delivering a lecture with the theme “Ethics and Discipline at the Bar: Repositioning the Legal Profession in Nigeria”, Adoke noted that the distinctive mark of a profession is its willingness and ability to regulate the conduct and behavior of its members.

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Monday, November 19 – Saturday, November 25, 2012

Commentary

The plot to destroy Ifeanyi Ubah and Capital Oil: Dr. Cosmos Maduka, a willing tool? By Sam Eke

n the Daily Sun, Wednesday October 31, 2012 contained an advertorial titled SPURIOUS ALLEGATIONS AGAINST CAPITAL OIL & GAS INDUSTRIES LTD spread over six pages explaining the travails of the company. Even before this lengthy explanation, some pundits have already passed underserved negative judgments on Capital Oil & Gas Industries Ltd and heaped silly innuendos on the MD of the company Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Uba. The first reaction on the advertorial was to dismiss the entire write-up but the logic and explanation kept recurring in one's mind as straight, balanced and incontrovertible except of course those detailed points were simply made-up. The ice was broken when two days later, an article appeared in the N AT I O N N e w s p a p e r o f November 2nd page 5 titled “N400B subsidy cash: Federal Government asks indicted oil marketers to face trial”, by one Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor Northern operations. Reading between the lines, it was clear that the article was in response to the SUN advertorial of October 31st. The article, if it was intended as a damage control created quite the opposite because it forced many to seek out the Capital Oil & Gas Industries Ltd detailed explanation for further scrutiny and only an imbecile would declare that the advertorial was a propaganda piece. The Nation's article was so infantile in its submission that one can bet anything that Yusuf Alli did not read the Capital Oil explanation to insinuate to the public that it was propaganda and this explains why the reading public discount opinions of our journalists. The Nation piece craftily employed the very propaganda Yusuf Alli accused Capital Oil by suggesting that keeping quiet at a meeting between operatives of EFCC and an accused is an admission of guilt. The article in question was so one sided that what the Nation newspaper lost was the advertorial price it failed to collect from the sponsors of the article. The issues raised by Capital Oil & Gas Industries Ltd shall be analyzed one by one. The first was that the presidential committee waded into supplies in 2010, a year that was not included on the mandate given to the presidential committee on the verification and reconciliation of fuel subsidy payments hereafter will be

referred simply as PC and yet went on to give full explanation to the 4 batches supplied in that year. It is instructive like everything Nigerian that discipline can hardly be maintained in serious matter such as mandate adherence especially one given by the president. This intrusion raises serious ethical questions on the PC and for capital oil not to get legalese and still went on to offer full explanation demonstrated that the company has nothing to hide. The two agencies NAVY and NIMASA were severally mentioned as the defaulting agencies that failed to submit their reports that would either

Agencies, namely DPR, NPA and PPRRA. The Dr Maduka angle is to paint Capital Oil as a false reporter of imports and supplies but as an interested party in his claims of N21 billion loan secured by him that attracts interest payments of N380 million every month, two posers for Dr Maduka, and by extension to Access Bank. (1) Is the secured loan not for the joint platform created by himself and Dr Ifeanyi Uba to do fuel importation business. (2)Does Dr Maduka have sufficient collateral to cover such a huge amount. These two pertinent posers are raised to show that both Dr Maduka and Access Bank were

Dr. Cosmos Maduka exonerate or nail Capital Oil but only partially because three other associated federal agencies have already submitted their reports confirming the importation and deliveries of the PMS that are fuel subsidy clients. If any party is to be blamed or sent to the Special Fraud Unit, it is definitely not Capital Oil because the company has no control whatsoever over the two agencies in question. In fact if Capital Oil had made moves to get those reports, the public will be more susceptible to be accused of influence peddling. Dr Cosmos Maduka had been most forceful in his attempt to “expose” Capital Oil and hinges his entire accusations on Capital Oil failure to reconcile arrival of fuel commodities with the L/C issued by his bank, Access Bank. But this allegation flies on the face of details of the Presidential Committee report that shows the detail confirmation by 3 Federal

not honest brokers in the first instance in these transactions. It is quite conceivable that Dr Maduka only started crying wolf when there were delays in the payment of the fuel subsidy due Capital Oil because reading between the lines of Daily Sun of Monday, November 5, 2012, Dr Maduka himself admitted that Capital Oil is owed roughly N14 billion on yet unpaid Sovereign Debt Notes (SDN). Two characters namely Dr Cosmos M a d u k a a n d M r. A i g Imoukhuede have a lot of explaining to do. First they must convinced the banking public that banks are not turned into personal piggy banks where bank directors secure bank loans personally and create joint venture platforms for the purposes of making huge profits exposing banks precariously when such expected huge profits don't quite materise. The Central Bank should please take note of these self confessions by Dr

Cosmos Maduka and his final pledge to die does not impress anyone reading the advertorial of Capital Oil alongside. “My story, by Maduka, Coscharis boss, an unbiased reader will definitely believe Capital Oil for its detailed explanation. The story by Maduka was characterized by troubling ethical questions of mixing banking and profit sharing thereby exposing himself, his bank to the vagaries of business uncertainties. The bottom line in Dr Cosmos Maduka's story is “give me my money” plus my profit and please do not mention anything about losses. The weakness in his chosen path to get anything at

Ifeanyi Ubah all is that he jeopardizes everything and has allowed himself to be a willing tool for a much larger conspiracy to destroy capital oil. Being in a position to understand that without Capital Oil receiving the outstanding SDNs, Capital Oil cannot be in any position to payback the bank's exposure and by the simple fact that Dr Maduka admitted that himself, Access Bank and Capital Oil did ender some arrangements for commercial profit making have got all of them in the same boat that will together they either sail or sink. Dr Maduka risks unfortunately to lose everything by continuing in the path he is treading on as these issues and by his own admissions he has roped himself tightly in this web of suicidal risk taking. Mr. Aig-Ihoukhuede as the chairman of the PC a position he should in the first instance reject knowing how deeply involved he is in the petroleum subsidy

scheme allowed himself to be an issue. He cannot now claim that he was not hands-in-glove with Dr Cosmos Maduka in the business arrangement with Capital Oil. Dr Maduka is making fulitile attempts to distance Mr. Aig-Ihoukhuede from the whole profit making business or how else can one explain the exposure Mr. AigIhoukhuede was prepared to commit Access Bank with. These are principles cast in granite about banking and business and the two do not mix and when the do parties should suck their nectar when it succeeds and lick their wounds when it fails. One cannot have it both ways and that is the golden rule of doing business. If Dr Cosmos Maduka and Mr. AigIhoukhuede have strictly minded their banking business both men could not have taken the quick sandy positions they are taking now. When Dr Cosmos Maduka declared that “Aig-Ihoukhuede's character and integrity can never be faulted” he exposed his stark ignorance to the standards adopted to make such a declaration. It is not up to him to clear Mr. Aig-Ihoukhuede character and integrity on this and other issues. AigIhoukhuede's character and integrity came into serious question in the manner his bank, Access Bank acquired Intercontinental Bank, as unsettled matter that is still begging for resolution. If he exonerates Aig-Ihoukhuede and is so willing to condemn Dr Patrick Ubah, on what premises did he reach such conclusions. Is it in the details of Coscharis/Capital Oil Letter of Credit (LC) transactions table he provided himself to the Daily Sun Newspaper. For starters that information is that of Coscharis and is no reconciliation whatsoever from Capital Oil. Coscharis must come to terms with the fact that amongst his numerous claims his company has never laid any claim as a joint owner of Capital Oil and as such his company's claims have limits to all the facts. Dr Maduka drifted into a completely dangerous arena by turning himself a whistle blower on the activities of another company he did some business with especially inciting some criminal aspects of unsubstantiated claims which were clearly discounted by federal agencies that were in position to know. Chief Dan Ulasi appearing in the Channels TV offered a very

Continues on page 34

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Monday, November 19 – Saturday, November 25, 2012

NEWS

State creation dominates presentation at Reps' Public Hearing in Enugu By Chioma Jumbo

reation of additional state for the South East zone to equal it with other parts of the country took the centre stage yesterday during the public hearing on the review of the 1999 constitution for Enugu state. But stakeholders who gathered at the eight federal constituencies in Enugu State voted for creation of Adada State out of the present Enugu State as the sixth state in the southeast, before any other state consideration in the country. They also unanimously voted for the creation of additional local; governments in the southeast, stressing that the unequalled number of local

governments in the zone was the basis for the alleged marginalization being complained about by the people. Moving a speech applauded with claps, Member representing Enugu north/South federal constituency, Prince Offor Chukwuegbo had told the gathering that the House of Representatives, decided to bring the hearing to local and constituency levels to enable the people make their genuine inputs, stressing that it was in recognition of the role by the people of the country. He told the gathering which included, former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, former governor, Jim Nwobodo

and several Senior Advocates of Nigeria [SAN] and eminent politicians, that several issues have been marked for review, stressing however that whatever they agreed upon would form the new constitution of the country. Nwobodo, said that inability of the southeast to have at least one additional state to come at par with others had denied the zone rapid development, noting that he was glad that the people were being given opportunity to air their feelings. He insisted that there was need for the government to begin to address the imbalances in the country, noting that agitations have swayed because the people wanted a sense of belonging. At Udenu, the headquarters of

Udenu local government, where the stakeholders agreed that Nsukka area which is clamouring for Adada state as the only province that had not been named a state capital, member representing Udenu/Igboeze north federal c o n s t i t u e n c y, I f e a n y i Ugwuanyi, said that the lawmakers would not go out of the way to begin an amendment without being empowered to do so by the people. He assured that their votes would be presented to the House, stressing that it would form the basis for the amendment. Also in Isiuzo/Enugu East federal constituency, the people unanimously voted for state creation as well as approved 43

other issues of amendment in the proposed constitution review. However at Nkanu West/East, the gathering voted against the creation of state police for the country, stressing that Nigeria as presently constituted was not ripe for such. Other issues that received overwhelming affirmation in the review were rotation of power among the six zonal structures, funding of local governments, independence of state legislature, tenure of office of the president and governors, which received a general approval that it remained for two terms of four years, i m p r o v e d w o m e n representation, disability rights and presidential system of government.

Jesse riot: 6 shot dead, 25 injured

ESSE–SECURITY agents shot dead six persons and left about 25 others critically injured at Idjerhe (Jesse) Kingdom in EthiopeWest Local Government Area of Delta State. The Advocate was told that soldiers opened fire when villagers who wanted to lynch a suspected ritualist stoned and prevented them from taking away the suspect from the palace of the monarch for interrogation. In a reprisal attack, irate villagers razed the palace of Ovie of Idjerhe, His Royal Majesty, Erhikevwe I, who, they suspected, invited the soldiers. A source said: “Three persons were killed at first, but the death toll increased later, as the youths continued their attack on soldiers.” Soldiers, however, whisked the embattled monarch away from the palace to save his life. “Jesse is on fire, soldiers are everywhere, there is tension,

nobody knows what is going to happen next. This is disastrous,” a concerned villager told our reporter. The palace itself was a no-go area, as soldiers, who cordoned the bastion, refused our reporter access. Spokesperson of the Police in Delta State, Mr. Charles Muka, said: “Please, give me some time, we are still gathering information on what happened.”. At about 2.00 pm, Muka confirmed that three persons were shot dead, one hospitalised and 12 others arrested in connection with the incident, adding that the Police did not shoot anybody. Trouble supposedly started when the villagers seized a man, suspected to be a ritualist, and brought him to the palace of the king, expecting that he would authorise them to carry out jungle justice on the suspect. For two weeks running, a source said, ritualists had been

on the rampage in the area, killing about nine persons, a development that made the monarch to set up a committee to probe the development. It was gathered that the villagers mounted a search party and the efforts reportedly paid off when one of the suspected ritualists was nabbed in the bush and brought to the palace. T h e m o n a r c h , h o w e v e r, resisted the pleas of his people to lynch the suspect and consequently invited security agents to handle the matter. He urged the people to allow security agents to interrogate the suspect and get more information about the activities of his gang. His subjects, particularly the youths, were angry that soldiers came to take away the suspect for interrogation and stoned them. “They tried to stop the soldiers who came lawfully take away the suspect and that made the soldiers to shoot

indiscriminately, gunning down about three persons in the first instance, another person later died,” the source stated. Hell was let loose in Jesse when the people saw that some persons had been shot dead. “That was what made them to

attack and set the palace ablaze,” he added. As at 10.00 am, soldiers had taken over the streets of Jesse, while some of those injured were seen being taken to the hospital for treatment.

IGP Abubakar

Theft, floods hit Nigerian oil production – IEA LAGOS - Flooding and largescale theft of crude drove Nigerian oil output to the lowest level for more than two years in October, the IEA said on Tuesday, highlighting challenges facing Africa's biggest producer. Oil production in Nigeria fell to 1.95 million barrels per day in October, the International Energy Agency said in its monthly report, with production in recent months having ranged between 2.0 and

2.5 mbd. The drop from September to October was around 110,000 barrels per day, it said, leaving Nigerian production at "the lowest level in around two and half years." It said: "By early November, production levels were recovering, with export schedules showing increased volumes for December." It was enough to keep Nigeria as Africa's top producer ahead of Angola at 1.79 million

barrels per day, but the drop comes amid growing warnings that the country must take action to avoid stagnant output in the future. The IEA report cited heavy flooding which hit Nigerian production this rainy season as well as the continuing problem of large-scale and organised oil theft in the continent's most populous nation. It cited findings that "oil bunkering, or theft, costs the government an estimated $7

billion in lost revenue per year." By comparison, Nigeria's annual total budget is around $31 billion. Theft and sabotage often leads to pipeline damage, causing oil firms to cut output. Shell has been Nigeria's biggest producer, with major firms such as Exxon, Chevron and Total also present. Nigerian oil production sharply rebounded after a 2009 amnesty deal for militants in the Niger Delta region following years of

unrest which had cut output by around half for a period of time. However, future output is in question over a number of factors, including a long-stalled overhaul of Nigeria's oil industry that has created uncertainty among energy firms, freezing investment, as well as theft. Beyond that, a boost in production in the United States -- the IEA believes the US will become the world's top oil

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EDITORIAL

Igbos and agitations for more states

he agitations for more states in Nigeria are as old as the agitations for independence after the second-world war in 1945. It was this global conflict that Nigerians as colonial subjects, some who fought with the British against the Germans saw the future of colonialism as a political exercise in futility. Therefore the Atlantic charter that stated that every people has the right for selfdetermination after the second world war was the tonic. Nigeria as one of the British colonies in Africa saw the tide rising after the global conflict in 1945 and decided to cash on it. The agitations for freedom and selfdetermination gathered momentum after different constitutional journeys got terminated with self rule for West and East in 1957, while North got theirs in March 1959. However after series of constitutional conferences both here in Nigeria and in London-Britain. It was agreed that the year of the political emancipation would be in October 1st, 1960. But before this could be possible there were agitations by the minorities, especially in the Eastern part of the country, Calabar Ogoja-Rivers (COR) state movement started to agitate for separate states from the main ethnic Igbo people of the then Eastern Region. There were also the Middle-Belt people who were also demanding for the then colonial government to carve them out of the Northern part of the country; hence, they feared the domination of Hausa/Fulani Oligarchy. The same goes with the agitations by the minority peoples of the present Edo and Delta state, who feared the domination of the Yoruba tribal group led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo. But instead of addressing the issue by taking the bull by the horns, the then colonial government appointed a commission to look into the way to allay the fears of the minorities after independence in 1960. The Willink commission was appointed in 1958 two years before independence and after their assignment was over, the commission, merely swept the problem under the carpet. The commission recommended the set up of Niger-Delta Development Board to oversee the economic problem of the people in this area of the country. It was even stated that the people of Abakaliki appeared before this commission to state their case. It was only in 1963 that the present Delta and Edo states were created as the fourth region in Nigeria, as Mid-west region. Later, on the eve of the civil-war in 1967, the military government of General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) created twelve states on the 27th May, 1967 and these states were Lagos, West, Midwest, Kwara, North Centra, Benue/Plateau, North-East, North West, Kano, EastCentral, South East and Rivers states. The states started functioning but because of the civil-war that broke out in 1967 on the 6th July, sequel to the secession of the former Eastern Region on the 30th may, 1967, the states in the Eastern part of the country did not function, especially the East-Central

state. After the civil-war in 1970 and with the collapse of Biafra on the 15th January 1970, the East-central state government was set up in Enugu as the capital of the new state. The post-civil-war Chief Executive was Mr. Anthony Ukpabi Asika from Onitsha in the present Anambra State. In spite of the setting up of this post-civil war government in Enugu, there were still agitations for more states out of the former EastCentral state. There was a movement for the agitation of Wawa or Enugu state, Imo State and even a merger of Onitsha people with their kit and kin across the Niger. The Owelle of Onitsha, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe in a lecture he delivered to Political Science students of University of Nigeria, Nsukka in May, 1975, he called for the demerging of the EastCentral state based on the old Onitsha and Owerri provincial system and creation of Niger State to include Onitsha, some parts of Nsukka and Igbo speaking people across the Niger river. All these beehives of state agitations were going on underground until another military coup unseated the government of General Yakubu Gowon (rtd). The successive military government under the late General Murtala Mohammed set-up Irikefe panel for further states'

creation exercise, which was actualized on the 3rd February, 1976. And the creation of these states of Imo, Ondo, Ogun, Oyo, Benue, Plateau and Gongola pushed the number of states in the country to 19 states. Still the agitations continued during the second republic that lasted from 1979 to 1983. The military government headed by General Muhammadu Buhari did not create any state, until he was toppled on 27th August, 1985 by General Ibrahim Babangida, whose government created two additional states of Akwa-Ibom and Katsina in 1987. Later in August 1991, more states like the new Anambra, Abia, Enugu, Jigawa, Ekiti, Kogi among the states that were created. Abacha's military government created more states on the 1st October 1996 to bring the states in the country to 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja. In spite of five state creation exercises that spanned across four decades of the political existence of the country, more agitations are still very much alive. The recent exercise by the National Assembly members from the five states of the South-East zone saw the Igbos agitating for one more state to be carved out to bring the states to six instead of five in the zone, hence it is only the South-Eastern zone that has only five states while others have six each. The

states agitated for are Adada state, from the present Enugu state; others are Equity, Anim, Orashi and Orimili states. Reports indicated that lack of consensus on the location of the state led to a rowdy session on the second day of the public hearing as placards carrying youths besieged the legislative chamber of Enugu state House of Assembly venue of the event, shouting down those presenting their demands for a new state. This is the moment of anxiety and apprehension as there is no consensus on the state to carve out from south-eastern zone. Hence if there is no consensus, there is the danger that the disagreement could lead to no creation of any state in the zone. Let history not repeat itself, as it would be recalled that in 1976, the zone would have gotten Imo, Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi. But because there was no consensus on the number of states among the Igbo area, Imo and old Anambra states were created, while the Yorubas got Oyo, Ondo, Lagos and Ogun states. The South East zone is now demanding for one additional state, which they would have gotten since a long time ago if they were united. What is important now is for the zone to present their case on a consensus basis rather than doing the first thing last, and the last thing first.

Cartoon He needs surgery... No. He is resting

Confusion in the Theatre

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Opinion By Gabriel Agbo

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Monday, November 19 – Saturday, November 25, 2012

am the Alpha and Omega the beginning and the end," says the Lord God. 'I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come, the Almighty one" (Revelation 1:8 NLT). "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;" (Hebrew 12:2 KJV). The right understanding of God's authority over the affairs of all creation will always enhance our relationship with Him, and also inspire our confidence in His words. The God we are serving is the creator of all things; both living and non-living. Everything exists by Him and through Him. He made all things and is always in perfect control of the whole universe - heavens, earth, waters, humans, spirits, plants, animals, events. Everything! Nothing can exist or function without Him. Narrowing this down to ourselves, He brought us into existence. He has His master plans for our life and He is ever-willing and capable of bringing to pass all His purposes for our life. Our main text from Revelation chapter one and verse eight was our LORD trying to authenticate the message He was given to the church through John. It was like a signature on the message. The LORD Jesus wanted John and the entire church to know that all He had told them would ultimately come to pass. Hence, His putting His position and authority as a seal here. He wanted them to know that He (Jesus) was still in full control of events. And remember the church (Christians) was going through serious persecution at that period and needed a message of encouragement and hope. That was immediately Jesus ascended. He had to reassure them that He was coming back as He promised. That all they were passing through would be temporal, as He was coming to bring everything to an end. His signature to this was, "I am the Alpha and the Omega - the beginning and the end, the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come, the Almighty One." Amen! Alpha And Omega The LORD said to the church that He is the Alpha and the Omega - the beginning and the end. Alpha is the first letter in the Greek alphabet, while Omega is the last. What this title signifies is that Jesus is the beginning and the end of everything; the first and the last. He started it all and He will also end it. If we go back to the beginning of the world,

the bible said that the earth was empty, formless and in total darkness until God sent in light and began to create. I want to take it for granted here that you already know that Jesus is God. And that the bible clearly told us that He created all things. So, He is the beginning of all things. The Alpha of the creation, and in the book of Revelation, He is also showing how He would end what He started. It is very important that we understand this and also apply it in our lives and relationship with God. We must begin to understand that we are like projects in His hands. He started it all. He initiated our existence, our faith, our visions, and our ministry. He gave us those visions we are running with. And if that is true, then He will not fail to faithfully conclude what He started. He does not abandon His projects on the way. When we fully appreciate this, then, we will begin to have full confidence in our relationship with Him. Our faith, our life, our family, everything about us in perfectly in His control and He will see them all to perfection. I believe this is also why He once told Jacob, "I will not leave you until I have fulfilled all that I spoke concerning you." You know, there are times we get so afraid that we begin to wonder if we will get to our destination. Maybe, because of the hindrances, turbulence; like the whole thing is going topsyturvy. Surely, that is the right time to remember that we have the Alpha and Omega; who is the author as well as the finisher of our faith. We must continue putting our faith in Him till the victorious glorious end. He was telling the troubled church through John that He would surely complete what He started, according to His promises. Who was, who is, and who is to come He also made them to know that He is unchangeable. He does not change in character, essence and integrity. What He is, he was and ever shall be. He is the eternal God. Nothing, nobody, no situation can change Him and His words. Look at the way James 1:17 puts it, "... the father of lights with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning (---who created all heaven's lights. Unlike them, he never changes or casts shifting shadows).” And what He said, He is saying and will always stand by. You can always trust His words. He said, "For I am the Lord, I change not;" And David said that He (God) is the same, and that His years shall have no

News

end. Almighty One By declaring that He is the Almighty One simply means that He is having all power. He is the most powerful. His power is beyond measure. Yes, there are powers and authorities in different realms. There are great powers in the air, waters, forests, on earth. There are powers in the occult world and the dark kingdom. There are powers in the kingdom of men on earth, but our LORD wants the church to know that He is the Almighty One - All powerful. He made all of them. Nobody, no other power can stand on His way or thwart His plans and programmes. Whatever He purposes, He executes without any form of hindrance. When we recognize these, no spirit or human will be able to intimidate us. This is why the bible said that if you know your God, you will be strong. I remember when I was having the press war with the head of the Ogboni secret cult the other time (Ogboni is the most influential and dangerous secret society in Nigeria ), some people actually wrote me, warning me to be careful and all that; that those guys could be very dangerous and so on. Yes, I understood what they were saying, but I also knew that it would have been (as it is still) impossible for any occultist to successfully harm me. Why? Because I know and function in the authority of the Almighty One! Another one wrote me and advised me to stop talking about the powers and name of Jesus; that it was elementary. That I should come and read great mystic books that will enhance and launch me to greater influence and power, etc. I just laughed at him. I reminded him that at the mention of the name JESUS, great powers of darkness (including the one he is serving) have always genuflected and bowed. Yes, the gospel is the simplest, yet, the most powerful. We must recognize that our God is the Almighty One and we must constantly function in that knowledge. He can do all things. He is the creator and head of all principalities, powers, dominions, authorities, thrones, and that at the mention of His name every knee must bow. So, go in this might and begin to conquer every opposition and situation in your life.Till next week, God bless! Rev. Agbo is a minister with the Assemblies of God Nigeria. Tel: 08037113283 Email:gabrielagbo@yahoo.com

Rivers spends N7.2bn on new model schools –Amaechi Rivers State governor, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi, has said that his administration spent well over N7.2 billion in the building of new model schools in Etche Local Government Area of the state. Amaechi spoke at a town hall meeting with the people of Etche at Etche Local Government Council Secretariat, Okehi. He said all schools still under construction in Olakwo I, Ndashi, Igbo-Etche, Obibi, Ekem and other communities in Etche, would be completed soon.

He said: “Let me assure you that all schools still under construction that I have mentioned would soon be completed. The Commissioner for Education has told you the problems and challenges involved, so you need not worry, the projects will be completed.” Amaechi, while taking enumeration of beneficiaries of overseas scholarship, said about 78 students of Etche ethnic nationality had benefited from the scheme in the current p o litic al d is p e n s a tio n to promote quality education, human and manpower development in the state.

Gov. Amaechi

Facts about Nigeria Cont.d from page 14 Soviet Union in 1985 and the silver medal in Saudi Arabia in 1989. In the 1994 World Cup competition, Nigeria led its group to qualify for the second round. In professional boxing, Nigeria has produced three world champions (Hogan "Kid" Bassey (featherweight, 19571959); Dick Tiger, (middleweight, 1962-1963) and Massachusetts resident, Bash Ali (cruiserweight, 1987). Nigeria's athletes have also won Olympic medals in long jump, 400 x 4 relay and several other track and field events. Dozens of Nigerians are today professional athletes in Europe and America. A Nigerian based in the US, Hakeem Olajuwon, is today roundly adjudged the best basketballer in the world. Petroleum: Nigeria's Economic Bedrock Since 1908, when German engineers first drilled the first oil well in Nigeria, a buoyant, viable industry has sprung up. Oil is today the bedrock of Nigeria's economic development, accounting for more than 80 per cent of its

foreign exchange earnings. Nigeria's oil reserves are the ninth largest in the world. In 1987, crude oil reserves totalled 16 billion barrels. It is projected that by 1997, the reserves could rise to 20 billion barrels. Nigeria is a member of OPEC (the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. A Nigerian has been elected Secretary General of OPEC for a record sixth term. Nigeria also has vast largely unexplored natural gas reserves, the world's fifth largest. Dozens of European and American businesses are currently exploring joint venture businesses in gas production. But Nigerians themselves now realize the danger of overdependence on the oil sector. In the past few years, deliberate attempts have been made to concentrate on agriculture and encourage manufacturing. Various schemes have been established to assist farmers at every level, resulting in impressive cutbacks in Nigeria's food import bills while changes in Nigeria's industrial policy are encouraging foreign

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Foreign news

DR Congo: Fighting erupts near Goma city

resh fighting has broken out in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo between UN-backed government troops and M23 rebels, forcing people to flee. A BBC reporter at the scene says he has heard heavy gunfire and shelling north of the regional capital, Goma. Nearly 500,00 people have been displaced since April when the rebels mutinied from the army. The UN accuses Rwanda and Uganda of backing the rebels allegations they both deny. The BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse says the fighting - around the village of Kibumba about 30km (19 miles) north of Goma - is the most serious since July. The government has sent reinforcements, including helicopter gunships, to the area, he says. A column of UN peacekeepers could also be seen. Army spokesman Col Olivier

Hamuli said more than 10 people had been killed in the fighting, with casualties on both sides. Our correspondent says it is not clear who started the most recent clashes. But he says when he was in rebel territory on Wednesday, he saw the M23 - also known as the Congolese Revolutionary Army - redeploying their forces and preparing for a fight. People are fleeing southwards towards the governmentcontrolled areas, carrying their belongings on their heads, our reporter says. Some are going towards a large refugee camp at Kibai on the northern outskirts of Goma, he says. On Tuesday, Uganda closed the Bunagana border crossing into DR Congo. This followed a request from the DR Congo government, which said M23 was illegally

M23 rebels have been fighting the government since April raising money from people travelling between the two countries to finance its operations. Last month, a UN panel of

experts said Rwanda and Uganda were supplying M23 with weapons in what is seen as an on-going battle for control of the region, which is rich in

minerals. The UN and US imposed a travel ban and asset freeze earlier this week on the group's leader, Sultani Makenga.

Three Israelis killed by Gaza rocket as violence escalates

hree people have been killed as rockets fired from Gaza struck southern Israel, amid escalating violence. They died when a four-storey building in the town of Kiryat Malachi was hit. It marks the first Israeli fatalities since Israel killed Hamas' military chief in Gaza on Wednesday. Fifteen Palestinians, mainly militants but also children, have reportedly been killed in the continuing Israeli operation. About 200 rockets have been fired into Israel, the army says. It says that 145 of them were destroyed by Israel's Iron Dome interceptor system. Hundreds of rockets were fired into Israel by militants in Gaza, and Israel carried out numerous air strikes as cross-border violence soared in recent weeks. British Foreign Secretary William Hague said that "Hamas bears principal responsibility for the current crisis", also urging all the sides involved to "avoid any action which risks civilian casualties or escalates the crisis". Meanwhile, Egyptian President Mohammad Mursi condemned the air strikes, after recalling his ambassador from Israel. Dozens of anti-Israeli protesters held a rally in the capital Egypt. Hamas' political leader Khaled Meshaal vowed to continue the "resistance" against Israel, Reuters news agency reported.

In a separate development, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas reportedly cut short a trip to Switzerland and was returning to his base in the West Bank to deal with the growing crisis. The three Israelis - two women and a man - died when a rocket hit the top floor of the building in Kiryat Malachi, about 25km (15 miles) north of Gaza.

Three other people - a fouryear-old boy and two babies were injured, Israel's foreign ministry said. The building's residents were warned by sirens about the impending attack, but did not have enough time to escape, reports said. Speaking to the BBC after the attack, local resident Yerumichael Simon said: "I live across the street and I used to live inside that building. We grew up together." "It's very hard for me to think about what happened. At 08:00 in the morning we heard the alarm and a big boom. When I went outside I saw the big hole". The BBC's Yolande Knell, who is at the scene of the rocket strike in Kiryat Malachi, says sirens continue to wail at regular intervals across southern towns, sending residents rushing for cover. She says usually when rockets fired from Gaza are heading for a populated area interceptor missiles fired by Israel's Iron Dome batteries can be seen, with loud booms heard overhead and vapour trails visible cross-crossing the sky.

But she adds that some rockets still get through and the one that hit the building left a gaping hole on the top floor where two Israeli families were living. Meanwhile, seven Palestinians - two children and five militants - were killed in Israeli air strikes on Thursday, Hamas said. There were no immediate details about the exact locations of the strikes. The BBC's Jon Donnison in Gaza City says vapour trails from rockets being fired by Palestinian militants can be seen, and intermittently large mushrooms of smoke from Israeli air strikes appear.

Reports in Israel's media say that a rocket hit a house in Ashdod without causing injuries and another rocket landed close to a school in Beer Tuvya. There were also reports of rockets landing in Ofakim and Ashkelon. Hamas on Thursday said it had fired missiles at Tel Aviv - but the claim was denied as "psychological propaganda" by the Israel Defence Forces. So far the violence does not appear on the same scale as the last Gaza war almost four years ago when hundreds of Palestinians were killed on the first day of Israel's operation,

our correspondent adds. Thirteen Israelis also died in that conflict. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that his country is prepared to extend its operation against Hamas. But in a televised statement, he said Israel would continue to do "everything in its power" to avoid civilian casualties. He accused Hamas of the "double war crime" of firing at Israeli civilians and then hiding behind Palestinian civilians, saying the militants deliberately placed their rockets and missiles in civilian areas.

New law would let Uruguayans grow marijuana at home, in clubs

ruguayans will be able to grow marijuana at home or in clubs, but the state will be in charge of the trade from cultivation to sale under a government-led legalization bill presented in Congress on Wednesday. The use of cannabis and other drugs is already legal in Uruguay, one of the Latin America's safest countries and a trailblazer on liberal lawmaking, but the sale and cultivation of drugs is not. President Jose Mujica, a former leftist guerrilla fighter, says the p r o p o s ed law w ill h elp undermine smuggling gangs and fight petty crime in a region hit by drugs-related violence. Critics say it risks luring more Uruguayans to harder drugs. "The idea is to grant licenses for

production, distribution, storage and forretail. We haven't said whether that will be done by the private or public sector, the government will decide that," said Sebastian Sabini, a ruling party lawmaker who heads a congressional committee on drugs and addiction. The bill, which the government hopes will become law early next year, says the state will be responsible for managing and regulating the marijuana trade from cultivation to distribution. Mujica's allies control both houses of Congress so the bill is expected to pass despite resistance from opposition legislators. It would give Uruguay some of the world's most permissive legislation on drugs.

Households will be allowed to have up to six plants, or as much as 480 grams (about 17 ounces) of marijuana, the bill presented for discussion by the congressional committee showed. Cannabis consumers would be allowed to buy a maximum 40 grams each month under the bill, which also sets out regulations for smoking clubs with up to 15 members, 90 plants and annual production of up to 7.2 kilograms (15.8 pounds). A National Cannabis Institute would be created to control the drug's production and distribution, impose sanctions on rule-breakers and design educational policies to warn about the risks of marijuana consumption.

THE

Monday, November 19 – Saturday, November 25, 2012

FROM THE

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COURT

Divorce suit: Court jails ‘adamant' husband

n Agege Grade 'A' Customary Court yesterday in Lagos sentenced a man, Edem Asuquo, to two months imprisonment for contempt. The president of the court, Mr. Emmanuel Sokunle, said Asuquo should be kept behind bars for flouting a subsisting judgement. Asuquo's wife, Grace, had filed a suit seeking the dissolution of her 13-year-old marriage on the grounds that her husband was

threatening her life because she was childless. Forty-two-year-old Grace, who lives at No. 4, Thompson St., Ishaga, a Lagos suburb, had been sent out of the house by the husband. However, in his earlier ruling, the court's president ordered the man to allow his ex-wife to pack her belongings from her matrimonial home, but the adamant husband refused. Sokunle said: “I gave a judgement on Oct. 30 and I

Court grants bail to 27-year-old armed robbery suspect

n Enugu High Court presided over by Justice Catherine Nwobodo on Tuesday granted bail to one Okwudili Nkama, 27, accused of armed robbery. Nwobodo granted the bail on the grounds that the state did not raise any objection to the bail application filed on July 18 by the counsel to the accused, Mr Foster Okoye. Okoye had reminded the court that his client had been in police custody for three years and was a victim of circumstance.

``I pray this court to discharge my client pending when the state is ready for the case; my client was robbed by gun men and in turn was arrested,'' he said. Nkama was accused of robbing one Ikenna Ogbodo of his Nokia handset valued at N8,000 and cash of N65,000 at Inyaba Bridge, Amaechi, Awkunanaw Enugu on Aug. 30, 2009. The court granted Nkama bail in the sum of N300,000 with one surety in the like sum. In another development, the court adjourned a case of

ordered the woman to go with some policemen to pack her property from Asuquo's house, but he refused. “He insisted that he would not leave the woman even after judgement was given and this is tantamount to contempt of court. “Asuquo is hereby sentenced to two months imprisonment for contempt of court”. In his defence, Asuquo, 51, who lives at No. 4, Ikokoyi Close, Iju Water Works, urged the court not to dissolve his marriage.

He said his wife accused him of battery and threatening her life and that attracted the court's sympathy. “I have never beaten her; I love her unconditionally even without having any child for me. “She deserted me because of my physical disability caused by an accident. She left me when I needed a shoulder to lean on. “It is sad that the woman I trusted all my life could do such a wicked act to me,” Asuquo, a driver, said sobbing.

defilement against one Okwudili Nnaji, 35, till Dec. 19. Nwobodo adjourned the case for continuation after examination and cross-examination of a key witness. Mrs Veronica Innocent, the mother of the victim, said the incident happened when her daughter was hawking groundnuts. Innocent also told the court that her daughter narrated to her how the accused had canal knowledge of the eight-year-old. ``The police have the medical report of the defilement of my daughter,” she said. The restaurant attendant was accused of defiling the girl on Sept. 21, 2011 at No. 61. Abagana Street, Coal Camp, Enugu.

Enugu Community protests alleged manipulation in Igweship contest

Prosecutor's ill-health forces court to adjourn rape case against pastor

K a r u C h i e f Magistrates' Court, Abuja, on Tuesday adjourned to Jan.15, a case of criminal intimidation, impersonation and assault brought against Pastor Basil Princewill, and his church member, Pauline Okoh. The trial of the pastor for

allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl had earlier been adjourned to Nov. 13 for continuation of hearing and presentation of more witnesses. Chief Magistrate Ahmed Shaibu adjourned the case because the police prosecutor was absent in court due to ill-health. ``As you can see, the prosecutor

Nigeria Council of Judges

has sent a message through the court clerk that he is not feeling fine and prays the court to give them another date to enable him take care of his health and resume fully for the continuation of the case,’’ he said. The chief magistrate adjourned the case to Jan. 15 for continuation of hearing.

HE contest for the throne of Igwe Amodu-Okowo C o m m u n i t y , Awkunanaw in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State, took a sudden and dramatic twist yesterday as some natives of the area protested strongly what they regarded as alleged plot to manipulate the town union's constitution to favour a particlar candidate. Vanguard was informed that so far the contest for the traditional throne which has remained vacant since eight years ago the last Igwe joined his ancestors, is between two aspirants - Engr. Gillis Emmanuel Onyeabor, an American-trained retired civil engineer and Okechukwu Ogbuka, a businessman based in Enugu. The protesters, comprising old men and women, youth and even a blind man who was being led by one of the natives, as well as a man walking with crutches, carried placards bearing inscriptions such as "Engr. Emma has WASC, Crown him," " A . T. U . F o l l o w t h e Constitution", "A.T.U. Give Our Igwe His Crown", "A.T.U. Give Us the Result of our Interview", "Emma's co-contestant has not submitted his WASC certificate as the constitution provides", among others. Singing pro-Onyeabor songs, the protesters marched peacefully to the Amodu Primary School where the leadership of Amodu Town Union (A.T.U.) held a crucial meeting apparently in respect of the Igweship contest. The peaceful protest followed

The estranged wife had told the court that she had suffered all kinds of inhuman treatment in the hands of Asuquo. “He is irritated at everything I do and anytime I gave him food he threw it at me. “The day he sent me out of the house he did not allow me to take any of my clothes, threatening to kill me if I return to the house,” “I have just paid two years' rent on our apartment before he threw me out. I want the court to dissolve the union,” Grace said.

the alleged plot by the kingmakers to turn the town union constitution on its head in order to favour a certain candidate. "No constitution, no election", the protesters said repeatedly as they pumped their clenched fists into the air. Subsequently, another small group comprising few red-eyed, sweating youths, carrying planks, sticks and placards bearing "Emma Onyeabor should go back to America", "We want Okey", and other unprintable inscriptions, stormed the arena and almost turned the protest violent, but the presence of armed police men and the president of A.T.U., who quickly intervened saved the situation. "We don't want constitution," they shouted vehemently. "We want open ballot," they said. The president of the A.T.U., Mr. Batholomew Edeh, collected the placards from the protesters and assured that their complaints would be looked into, adding that the process of the election for the Igweship would be conducted in a proper manner. "We want to make sure that the election of the Igwe Amodu is done accordingly. Please, I appeal to you people to remain calm," Edeh said. But the A.TU. president could not respond to reporters' questions on the accusation of the plot by the union's leadership to subvert the town union's constitution during the election. He also did not explain the provision of the constitution on the qualification of an aspirant to the throne of Igwe.

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Monday, November 19 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Saturday, November 25, 2012

INTERVIEW

Onitsha is better than I met it â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Council Boss Chief Ugochukwu Ezeani is a lawyer, politician and as well the Chairman Onitsha South Local government, in this interview with the Editor Larry Onwuta, he speaks on the filthy nature of the environment in Onitsha South council area, illegal collection of revenue, tempering of peoples shops and other issues. Excerpt Sir, we would want to know your relationship with governor Obi and how does it affect your leadership at the council level especially now that people cries of armed robbery? Well, he who wants equity must come with clean hands, mostly where transparency works in full force, we are in a democratic government where there is a need for effective transparency and a c c u r a c y. G o v e r n o r O b i approaches democracy in Anambra state not as a leader but as a person that wants the welfare of his people and we apply it here in Onitsha south. In Onitsha South, we have been able to put down a lot of development because the local government was not in this form, before now people used to run away from the area due to the activities of hoodlums, but as you can see, there is calmness in the council area. The story of Onitsha is no longer that of armed robbery, it can be testified and the fact speak for itself, there is calmness and conducive atmosphere except some detractors who one time or the other painted the picture in a bad light. We are bringing the democratic dividends down to the grassroots making sure that the lives and property of the people are secured that is the kind of peace the governor has tried to initiate in Anambra state. And we did not hesitate in bringing it to Onitsha South likewise in every sector of development. What have you achieved within the time you have spent in office? In life nobody scores himself a pass mark but if you give me the opportunity, I will score myself a pass mark to a reasonable extent. Fumigation is one of the areas we are much concerned about because once in a while the council under-goes this programme of fumigation to make sure we prevent this consistency of malaria and other sicknesses. So at least to get it down to a zero number, we do it once every two months to the people of Onitsha South and likewise all other sectors of development that we have been embarking upon.

How do you feel about the new edifices in Onitsha South local government? Well, I did not know that I was going to be the first person to enter the complex as Chairman and I was not in a haste, you know when you are with God you work patiently, formally we were sharing an office with Zik's Avenue primary school but governor Obi initiated the idea of having a new complex as you know this place has not been existing before but governor Obi brought the local government out from a class room where it was and coincidentally I am the first Chairman to have opened the secretariat so it is an act of God. Do you have the intention of contesting for the Chairmanship position if the local council election comes up? I like following things naturally as it calls for, so if it is still the act of God then we keep on going, it is left for people to say and the voice of people will be the voice of God. Sir, we would want you to react to filthy nature of the environment in Onitsha local government? You can look within the environment; Onitsha South does not appear in this form before but because of our consistent nature of clearing the environment, opening the drainages, so if rain comes the whole water will go into the river Niger. You are aware that some people have indulged in illegal collection of revenue in your council so what is your take on that? Onitsha is a commercial center; there is no doubt that people go around call themselves all sorts of names, some call themselves youth formation, some say they are from different areas of associations, trying to disrupt the peace and free movement of the revenue of this local government. Then, we keep pursuing them, arresting and directing them, I think it is coming down to the minimum. There was a time you were accused of tampering with some people's shops so what happened? It is a fallacy, we are not interested in people's shops and that is where they failed. But the position is that Bridge Head is

Ojukwu's gateway so we must have to do everything we can to make that environment clean which is the most important thing. So we are not interested in any demolition of shops within that place. So whoever is saying that we are demolishing shops is not putting the picture very clear, in fact it is a fallacy. There is this publication in one of the dailies, that the chairman of Onitsha south was arrested by members of Economic and Finance Crime Commission, EFCC, so what really happened? Thank you very much for that question, it is part of the fallacy we are talking about, when we are staying in a commercial city like Onitsha, there is nothing you can not see. I know quit well that not everybody is happy that the Chairman is in the council as the Chairman that opened this Complex. That the Chairman is doing a good work, opening drainages, that the Chairman is trying to put up a monument that will beautify the environment so many of the politicians are not happy and they can go ahead to say whatever they like. But I am quit sure that nobody has come here to arrest the Chairman of the local government. The development of the area is done in partnership with the state. I call them detractors and I kept on praying for them every morning I pray to God, asking the almighty to forgive them for they don't know what they are doing even all the efforts the governor, the president are making, you will still sea some people criticizing them that they are not doing good things. So it is still the same thing even Jesus Christ was also criticized, my own was still simple that they are just writing it on the papers but Christ was crucified on the cross. This is a man that turns around to heal the people to make the blind see and to make the dead to be alive so my case will not be different. The transitional government at the local council level, do you think that it is proper as a lawyer? To start with the first question, the transitional issue is constitutional, that is why it is being minimized within three months. If you go in there for the first three months and you fail to perform you will be removed but if you are doing what people expect then you keep on going because it is constitutional. The issue of being there as a Chairman or not is not the case, if I am not performing as a Chairman, I should be removed so that another person who will perform can do the job or rather will come in. So it is constitutional, there is no bad idea about the transitional government. The issue there is, the law made it in such a way that it is going to last for three months

Barrister Ugochukwu Ezeani, Onitsha South Council Chairman

and when you are doing well it will be renewed to a reasonable number of times. I do not see anything wrong about transition nor being an elected person and I can't even envy anybody who has the opportunity to be Caretaker Chairman of a local government at the end. If somebody is not working at the level of such leadership then the person should be removed. The most important thing is that whatever we are doing will be for the interests of the masses and for the state. You have been here for the past one year, police activities is nothing to write home about so what is your reaction on that? So the issue of police harassing everybody, I think all of you are aware that former Divisional Police Officer in Onitsha was removed, it is because of one of those things we are talking about when you come in and failed to perform you will be removed. So the issue of harassing people is dropping down, we can not allow our people to be molested, threatened or handled in the manner that it should not be, if you look at the situation, the environment is observing calmness. The illegal collection of revenue by some people, has anybody been arrested by your council. There is also this allegation that the governor is monopolizing the local government fund, so what is your view? The allegation against governor is a big fallacy, what ever we are doing in the state remains a joint action between the local government and the state. There is no way a person can say the governor has not conducted the local government election because he is monopolizing the council's fund. I am not saying it because of my position as Chairman but because it is what is obtainable, the state and the local government work in partnership so it is like a joint action. The issue of threat to life is also a fallacy, the government or the Chairman can not threaten anybody and I can not even remember when this one

happened. So many things might have been happening at my back, you can see somebody taking money from some people and claimed that chairman sent him, so in a commercial centre like this, it is all over the world, there is something you can not see but what we are doing is to make sure that it is reduced to a minimum point. Whether the council has made any arrest, as I am speaking to you, these bad boys were arrested recently and many are now in police custody, we arrested them at Ochanja because they were extorting money from people. So anybody that will bring disorderliness in this local government must not go unpunished. In the past, the governor used security problem as reason for not conducting the council poll but today it is believed that Anambra is peaceful so what is holding the election? There is also a speculation that your party APGA is not on ground so how do you react to this? It is a big lie. My position is keeping somebody who does what people appreciate that is the most important thing. We are not afraid of other parties or anybody and as a matter of fact many people are joining APGA because the party has been tested and leaders under the party are performing What about the crisis in the party? No, APGA, is not in crisis and the party will not be in crisis. It is now that we are observing maximum peace in the party because nobody is fighting with each other. Tell us the major focus of your administration? We are concerned about three things, cleaning up of environment, opening of drainages which bring fort to construction of culverts that gives people free entrance to their different homes, beautification of the city. There is a way Onitsha South used to be in the 70s, we want to bring back the way it used to be so we are concerned about these three factors.

THE

Monday, November 19 – Saturday, November 25, 2012

ADVOCATE

FLASHBACK

Nigeria’s Founding Fathers (4) Nwafor Orizu Prince Abyssinia Akweke Nwafor Orizu (1915–1999). was a Nigerian of Igbo origin and Nigeria's third Senate President from November 16, 1960 to January 15, 1966, during the Nigerian First Republic. Orizu was also Acting President of Nigeria from late 1965 until the military coup of January 1966. His nephew, His Royal Highness Igwe Kenneth Onyeneke Orizu III is the current Igwe (King) of Nnewi.

Background Orizu was born in 1915 into the royal house of Nnewi, Anambra State in southeast Nigeria, a son of Eze Ugbonyamba, Igwe Orizu I. He went to the United States in 1939, earning a degree in government at Ohio State University and earning an M.A. at Columbia University. He was an advocate of the "horizontal", broad system of American education as opposed to the narrow "perpendicular" British system, and earned the nickname "Orizontal", a play on his name and a reference to his constant discussion of the theme. As discussed in his 1944 book Without Bitterness, he was a passionate advocate of introducing the American system to Nigeria. He established The American Council on African Education (ACAE), which obtained

Population: About 120 million

Ethnic Groups: More than 250, 4000 dialects Size: 577,355 sq miles; that is two and a half times the size of California. Number of States: 36 plus Abuja, the Federal Capital territory Major Ethnic Groups: Yoruba, Hausa, Fulani, Ibo, Igala, Kanuri, Tiv, Ibiobio, Ijaw, Edo, Efik, Urhobo, Edoma, Itsekiri. The story of Nigeria is a selfless history of leadership in many areas. Nigeria's citizens are, not surprising, serving as the epitome of this leadership globally in the sciences, arts, humanities, sports, diplomacy etc. Nigeria is a massive country of almost 100 million people comprising 250 ethnic groups speaking 4000 dialects. In size, it is more than two and half times the size of California. The diversity of Nigeria is reflected in its rainbow of creeds and complexions, views and

numerous tuition scholarships from American sources for the benefit of African students. Around 1949, Orizu bought the Enitona High School and Enitona printing press from a supporter for only £500, which he borrowed. Another supporter sold him a luxury bus on an installment plan. He established a newspaper known as The West Africa Examiner and became the managing Director, while M.C.K. Ajuluchukwu was the editor. He went to Enugu to console the striking miners after the shooting of 21 miners on November 18, 1949. Possibly in reaction to a fiery speech that he made there, the British colonial authorities sentenced him to seven years in jail for allegedly misappropriating the funds of the ACAE. But later Roy Wilkins, chairman of ACAE in the USA, wrote a letter to Nnamdi Azikiwe ("Zik") exonerating Dr Nwafor Orizu of any financial impropriety.

Political career Orizu ran successfully for election as an independent candidate to represent Onitsha Division, and became the chief whip in the Eastern House of Assembly. Later he joined with other independent candidates to form the National council of Nigeria and Cameroon (NCNC). He played a central

leadership of the republic had been eliminated, including Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Premier of Northern Region Sir Ahmadu Bello and Premier of the Western Region, Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola. Orizu made a nationwide broadcast, after he had brief Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe on the phone the decision of the cabinet, announcing the cabinet's "voluntary" decision to transfer power to the armed forces. Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi then made his own broadcast, accepting the "invitation". On January 17, Major General Ironsi es tab lis h ed th e S u p r eme Military Council in Lagos and effectively suspended the constitution.

Later career Nwafor Orizu

role in helping Zik become premier of Eastern Region, using his influence in the NCNC to persuade Professor Eyo Ita to resign as premier of the Region. Zik appointed Orizu the minister of local Government. When Nigeria attained independence on 1 October 1960, Orizu became the President of the Nigerian Senate.

Military coup The President of Nigeria,

Nnamdi Azikiwe left the country in late 1965 first for Europe, then on a cruise to the Caribbean. Under the law, Orizu became Acting President during his absence and had all the powers of the President. A coup was launched on 16 January 1966 by a group of disaffected young military officers led by Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu. The army quickly suppressed the revolt but assumed power when it was evident that almost all the

Basic Facts about Nigeria counterviews, stretching from the fringes of the desert in the North to the Atlantic waters in the South. With one of the highest literacy rates in Africa, Nigerians are their own harshest critics, loudly establishing organs to make sure they are heard. The country has the largest and most vocal press in Africa, publishing views and opinions freely expressed. However, while debates are impassioned and views varied, Nigerians largely remain united in a single, unswerving thread: ONE NIGERIA. It is this oneness that has been the guiding posts of Nigeria since independence even as it embarked upon state creation exercises in a bid to perfect its federal structure. Nigerians have often lost their patience, but not their way, or faith, the one that reminds them that clouds may often overrun the skies; they cannot control it; that beyond the eclipse, light awaits.

Nigeria's Leadership in

Global Peacekeeping Since joining the United Nations in 1960, Nigeria has consistently committed itself to the cause of peacekeeping and peacemaking. She sent her first troops to participate in the UN peace mission in the Congo, only days after its independence. In World Citizen, a former advisor to Presidents Kennedy, Johnson and Carter, Prof. Ruth Morgenthau says of Nigeria "is among the most committed countries to maintaining the degree of international order that the present UN decision making process permits." Today, Nigeria leads the world in international peacekeeping. Of the 80 countries contributing troops to over 20 global operations, Nigeria has more than 6,500 men keeping the peace outside its borders in places such as Bosnia Herzgovena, Iraq, Kuwait, Western Sahara, Liberia, Angola, Rwanda. Nigerian troops have also served in

Somalia, Mozambique and Cambodia, The Congo, Chad, Lebanon, India, Pakistan (Kashmir). The key thing in global peacekeeping are the men and women risking their lives in the interest of peace. Nigeria has more of those people than any other country in the world.

Nigeria: Leadership in Education There are more than 18 million students in Nigerian schools at all levels. That is more than the total human population of South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Egypt, Morocco, Tanzania and the school population of France, Britain and Spain. The country adopted a 6-3-3-4 educational policy in 1982. The policy requires six years primary education, a two-tier (3year junior, 3-year senior) secondary education and four years of University education. There are 31 universities in Nigeria today. Apart from fully funding primary education all around the

After the coup, Orizu faded from the political scene but remained active in education. Before the civil war he had set up a high school, the Nigerian Secondary School, in Nnewi. He remained its proprietor until the state government took over all the schools after the defeat of Biafra. After that he continued as a teacher and an educator, publishing several books. Also, between 1974 and 1975, the government of the defunct East Central State, led by Dr. Ukpabi Asika, appointed him the C h ai r ma n o f th e S tat e ' s Teachers' Service Commission in Enugu. country, the government also runs secondary schools, and funds technical colleges, polytechnics and universities in all 30 states of Nigeria. In addition, there are hundreds of privately-owned schools duly approved by government for the benefit of those who prefer to send their children to private schools. While literacy rate stands at about 50 per cent, one of the highest in Africa, the goal of Nigeria is to eradicate illiteracy in the shortest time possible.

A Leader in Global Sports Nigeria has made its mark in global sports competition. Its national soccer team, the Super Eagles, is adjudged the best in Africa and one of the best ten in the world. Nigeria won the first World Cup in the under-16 category in China in 1985 and came second in the same category two years later in Canada. Its Under-20 soccer team won the bronze medal in the Junior World Cup competition in the

Continues on page 10

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Monday, November 19 – Saturday, November 25, 2012

Odd world

A 3-month baby boiled by maid over salary issue A House maid has been arrested after she allegedly boiled her employer's three months-old baby. This was apparently in revenge to her employer's failure to pay her on time. The maid, Nyathi is alleged to have boiled the infant in a container. The infant's mother, Karen Dube, collapsed when she saw her baby in the container. The maid was arrested a day after the gruesome murder and appeared before Western Commonage magistrate, Mr Richard Ramaboea facing murder charges. She was remanded in custody. Some residents said the maid and her

employer had a turbulent relationship. It is understood that the maid usually gets paid on the first day of every month but at the time of the murder, the woman's salary was overdue by two days. “I do not think that money was the reason for all this. Dube did not trust her because she has caught the maid stealing her belongings on several occasions. The employer tried to fire her but the maid resisted. So I think that might be the major reason behind the cruel deed,” said the source. It is reported that on the day in question, Nyathi asked Dube to give her her salary. The

employer said she did not have the money and promised to get it by the end of the week and left for work thereafter. Nyathi, however, appeared not to have believed her employer's promise. She is alleged to have taken the three-month old baby and put it in a container and boiled the infant on a stove. The maid then took her belongings and left. On her return in the evening, Dube found her baby still in the container and was so shocked that she fell unconscious. The woman was discovered by a neighbour lying on the floor. An ambulance was called to the scene while the body of the infant was taken to a mortuary

Arizona woman runs down husband with car for not 35-year-old man stabbed to death voting –Police over N200 debt

35-year-old bricklayer, Mr Ugochukwu Ekwuribe, from Amuzu-Olokoro, near Umuahia, was allegedly stabbed to death over a N200 debt reportedly owed to his suspected killer. Ekwuribe's father, Mr Andrew Ogazi, a security man, told newsmen in Umuahia on Thursday that the incident happened around 7.30 p.m. last Friday. Ogazi said that he learnt from several witnesses that his son bled to death after he was stabbed with a bottle at a beer parlour located at Itaja-Olokoro. Narrating the incident, he explained that he was in his house at Amuzu, when news came to him that ”Ugochukwu is dead”. He said that he immediately rushed to the scene of the incident where it was confirmed that the deceased was stabbed during a fight with the suspect. The suspect, identified as Tochukwu Azuonye, popularly called Tobinto, is said to be at large. Ogazi said that he was informed that Azuonye allegedly accosted his son at the bar and asked him to buy him a bottle of beer. “'My son was reported to have promised that he would oblige him his request the following day being Saturday,” he said. He said that the suspect, not satisfied with the promise, demanded that the deceased pay him the outstanding N200 he

owed him for the towel he sold to him. “I learnt that from there, a fight ensued and the suspect grabbed a bottle at the bar, broke it and stabbed him on the left arm. “He reportedly bled profusely from the deep cut until he slumped and was rushed to a nearby maternity at Ahia-Ukwu Olokoro for first aid,” he said. He explained that the deceased was rejected at the maternity and referred to the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, where he reportedly gave up the

ghost, shortly after doctors commenced treatment on him. Ogazi, who explained that the police had waded into the case and called for justice in the handling of the matter. A senior police officer at the state Criminal Investigation Department confirmed the incident , saying that it was transferred from Ubakala Police Station. The officer said on condition of anonymity that “full investigation into the case has commenced,” promising that the suspect “will certainly be apprehended”.

I caught my wife in bed with my best friend – Man, 50

r. Abayomi Orioye has urged an Ijanikin Customary Court, Lagos, to dissolve his marriage to Mrs. Elizabeth Orioye because he found that she had sex with his best friend. And to add salt to injury, the incident took place in their matrimonial home. Narrating the incident, Abayomi, 50, told the court that he told the wife on the day the sacrilegeous act took place that he was going on a tour only to return home unexpectedly and caught his wife having sex with his best friend. He added that his wife got pregnant shortly thereafter, but the boy she delivered did not

resemble him. The applicant therefore urged the court to dissolve the marriage and grant him custody of the children, because he didn't want to have anything to do with Elizabeth anymore. The wife, 31, pleaded that the court should not dissolve the marriage as she still loved Abayomi. She also appealed to the court to help her beg her husband as, according to her, she was ashamed of herself. She claimed that the situation made her feel guilty, asking her husband to forgive her for the sake of their children. Meanwhile, the court president, Mr. S. K. Hussain, adjourned the case for further hearing.

n Arizona woman, in despair at the reelection of Democratic President Barack Obama, ran down her husband with the family car in suburban Phoenix because he failed to vote in the election, police said. Holly Solomon, 28, was arrested after running over husband Daniel Solomon following a wild chase that left him pinned underneath the vehicle. Daniel Solomon, 36, was in critical condition at a local hospital, but is expected to survive, Gilbert police spokesman Sergeant Jesse Sanger said. Police said Daniel Solomon told them his wife became angry

over his "lack of voter participation" in last Tuesday's presidential election and believed her family would face hardship as a result of Obama winning another term. Wi t n e s s e s r e p o r t e d t h e argument broke out in the morning in a parking lot and escalated. Mrs Solomon then chased her husband around the lot with the car, yelling at him as he tried to hide behind a light pole, police said. He was struck after attempting to flee to a nearby street. Obama won the national election with 332 electoral votes compared with 206 for Republican challenger Mitt Romney. Arizona's 11 electoral votes were won by Romney.

Fish seller flaunts her i-pad while selling fish

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Monday, November 19 – Saturday, November 25, 2012

ADVOCATE

Health

Akunyili tasks FG on provision of safe medicines F

ORMER Minister of Information and one time Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration, NAFDAC, Professor Dora Akunyili, has charged the Federal Government to be proactive in its campaign for safe drugs for Nigerians by implementing policies that support the concept of “access to safe medicine”' in line with recommendations of World Health Organization, WHO. Akunyili, a pharmacist, who spoke during the 85th annual national conference of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, PSN, “Ogun 2012”, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, urged Government, health care

By Our Reporter

enate President David Mark pledged his support for establishment of more functional dental clinics in all the existing Primary Health Care Centres in the country. Sen. Mark, who made the call at the inauguration of National Oral Health Policy and Oral Health Champion in Abuja on Tuesday, said that the people at the grassroots needed access to good oral health services. “I shall strive to project the image of oral health in the spirit of the National Oral Health Policy and its priority goals to achieve optimum oral health for Nigerians through sustainable awareness creation with particular focus on effective integration of oral health into relevant national health

professionals and all patriotic Nigerians to unite to ensure that Nigerians have access to safe medicines and good health. In her presentation entitled “Safe Medicines for Nigerians Who Care?”, she said: “Governments, health professionals and health policymakers should be aware of the increasing needs of Nigerians for safe medicines. It is in fact a right and should never be viewed as an act of charity. Government must be proactive.” Urging pharmacists to take the bull by the horn and lead this campaign, Akunyili said a proactive approach would express and enshrine government values and

medicines regulatory Authorities and other key stakeholders in the health sector. The overall goal of an efficient healthcare delivery system is to ensure a healthy population. This cannot be achieved without the component of safe medicines which is paramount to patient safety.” She lamented that in Nigeria, the number of people without access to essential medicine is huge because of the widespread poverty. “Recent statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics indicate that as at 2010, 69.1 percent of Nigerians live on less than $1 per day. This translates to more than 110 million people at an estimated population of 160 million people. Even for those who can afford the medicines, there is a huge challenge of quality.”

MARK seeks more dental clinics nationwide programmes. “With the majority of our population living in the rural areas, I shall passionately strive to ensure the attainment of our target of having a functional dental clinic in all existing Primary Health Care (PHC) Centres nationwide in the shortest possible time. “This is very crucial to achieving any meaningful impact on the lives of the masses. Being grassrootsbased, this policy will certainly make oral healthcare accessible and affordable for our people.” The senate president decried the low awareness on oral

Second hand clothes cause candidiasis, hepatitis expert medical expert, Dr Elizabeth Uzorji, has said that users of second hand clothes risk contracting candidiasis and hepatitis A, B and C. Uzorji said in Jos that such diseases were air borne and could be contracted easily through the constant use of second hand clothes. “Those that patronises second clothes do not have the slightest idea of who the first user was. “Those selling the wares also do not take their time to wash these clothes very well before marketing them. “So the lack of adequate information about the negative effects of these second hand clothes among our people has

commitments and will create a supportive environment for promoting and enforcing access to safe drugs for Nigerians. “When health systems fail and collapse, it constitutes a grave obstacle to increasing access to safe medicines,” she argued. In order to improve access to safe medicines in Nigeria, I would humbly suggest the strengthening of our healthcare system. This includes increased funding and adequate management system. It has been shown that access to safe medicines depends on effective, integrated, responsive and accessible health systems.” She said: “The Federal Ministry of Health must ensure that adequate drug policies are in

place and well implemented. Policies must specify the obligations of government and other stakeholders with regards to access to safe and essential medicines and with emphasis on vulnerable groups. “Pharmacists must be involved in formulating health and drug policies, particularly those on the selection, procurement and distribution of drugs. The regulatory bodies especially Pharmacists Council of Nigeria should step up its inspection and regulatory activities. PCN should also be in the forefront for finding a lasting solution to the current drug distribution problem.” In her message, Akunyili traced the concept of safe medicines as one that has been in the fore front of global health concerns for some time now. “It is a priority for WHO, national

placed users at high risk and a major cause of concern to public health experts,” she said. The medical expert decried the situation where some women buy inner wears from the second hand clothes dealers and declared that such women were at the risk of contracting vaginal infections. She advised the people to ensure that the items were washed before being used, stressing that such step would go a long way in reducing the chances of such infections. Uzorji specifically advised that such second hand clothes be washed with hot water and detergent before being used so as to reduce the chances of any infection.

health in the country and urged stakeholders to collaborate by developing programmes to generate more awareness about the benefits of oral health. He, however, said with the policy on oral health, there was hope of overcoming the many challenges in oral health services in the country. Mark pledged his support in projecting a positive image that would promote oral health activities. He said the 2012 appropriation bill provided fund for oral health project and programmes, adding that effort would be made to attract similar attention in 2013 appropriation act. Also speaking, the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, said the goal of the oral health policy was to achieve optimal health for Nigerians through sustainable awareness creation, strategic research and coordination of oral health activities. According to Chukwu, at least 50 per cent of all National Health Insurance Scheme enrolls should be able to access primary oral health care. Chukwu said that oral health would be integrated into the community-based social health insurance scheme by 2015. The minister recommended that dental record should be included in all hospitals for easy identification of accidents victims such as plane crash, terrorists and criminals. He said the curriculum of dental medical schools and Police

From the left Dr. Onyebuchi Chukwu and Sen. David Mark

College should be upgraded to abreast with the benefits of forensic medicine. The Managing Director, Unilever Nigeria PLC, Mr Thabo Mabe, said tooth decay had been a major concern for

children and adults in Nigeria and other countries. Mabe said over 70 per cent of Nigerians had one issue or the other with their mouth, noting that the importance of oral health could be over-stressed.

PFN builds hospital in Anambra

ealthcare delivery in Anambra State has received a boost as the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has built an ultramodern hospital in Amawbia, Awka South local government area of the state. The hospital known as Jesus our Physician Specialist Hospital, said to be the first of its kind not only in the Southeast but also in the entire country is located along Onitsha-Enugu Expressway. Governor Peter Obi inaugurated the hospital recently. Obi, who expressed happiness at the group’s commitment to healthcare, promised to tar the link road to the hospital from the expressway. He also promised to donate an ambulance to the hospital.

He said further that such a venture is what his administration had been preaching in the state, adding that it has indicated that PFN is a group to partner with any time. Chairman of the group in the state, Bishop David Eberechukwu, explained that the hospital is a spiritual one where medical workers care but God heals. The specialist hospital has 32 private wards, in addition to an administrative block as well as quarters for doctors and nurses, equipped with standard facilities valued at over N100m. Before now, the group began construction of the hospital somewhere in Awka before a group of military men stormed the arena and destroyed it on the orders of their boss, who claimed to own the land.

THE

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Monday, November 19 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Saturday, November 25, 2012

Interview

PDP government is a failure in Nigeria â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Onyia CHIEF ENECHI ONYIA, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former Vice President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, prefers being called a nationalist rather than a politician. He is currently, the Chancellor of Enugu North Anglican Diocese. The legal luminary spoke with newsmen in Enugu recently where he bared his mind on a number of issues. He described the 13 years of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP administration in Enugu State and Nigeria at large as wasted years. EXCERPTS By Ted Peters The country is facing numerous challenges today. How do you feel about this situation? This country is for all of us but unfortunately, Zikism is trying to be killed and buried. Zikism is one Nigeria. Admitted that there are so many tribes and sections, but he said irrespective of these problems, we can be a country. So, I am saying that this country has come to stay. We are drifting because we are now talking of what is convenient today. We have no philosophy guiding us and a politician who is not a philosopher is a cut and nail politician. Even in whatever you are doing, in your family and you do not have a philosophy to develop your family, everything you do is impromptu. We are now talking about having a constitution for the federal republic of Nigeria. I have been hearing people talking about six zones. Those people who are talking about six zones are short of the history of this country. Are you going to get the Yoruba into six zones? All the Yorubas won't come into six zones. All the Igbos won't come into six zones. Are we now having any reason to support the idea of six zones, except that some people want to put themselves where they would be on top. Some people who are even irrelevant in their community want to put themselves in a position that they will be in control. Instead of amending the constitution to make sure that benefits of democracy go to the villages, we are talking about zones. Who are the zones made for? First of all, if you want to make a new constitution, you must first of all correct the idea of joint account between the states and local government, so that each local government will get its own share, and develop its local government. That is the first

thing. Any arrangement that you make and you allow this kind of joint account to come, you are wasting your time. They will spend the money. So, if the revenue meant for Udi or Ezeagu is given to them, they will develop the place. They will create jobs. Look at the local governments today, have you seen any development? This is because the money is used and they sign all the papers for another purpose. Secondly, by this six geo-political zones, we also seem to be dividing Nigeria again. It means that there is no Nigerian who loves Nigeria to the extent that he can rule Nigeria without bias. Unless an Igboman rules Nigeria, I won't be satisfied. Unless a Yoruba man rules, the Yorubas won't be satisfied. Unless an Hausaman rules Nigeria, Hausas won't be satisfied. I don't want to be in such a country? I want to be ruled by a Nigerian, with Hausa origin, with Igbo origin, but a Nigerian that believes in Nigeria. That makes progress and development to be universal. That has something to offer the nation, not to offer a particular section. So, if you look at these things as we are going now, we are going near the abyss. I have talked to my friends from other places, the struggle for creation of states is based on sidelining. If an Udi man comes here as Governor, everything will go to Udi. That is not the art of scientific governance. If a Yorubaman comes, he will send everything to Yorubaland. That is not equity. What is the essence of asking that your man must be governor or must be President? I will like Nigerians to stop thinking that way. Is it in the interest of Nigeria? It is your man or nothing. I say, it is not from developed minds. From the way that you are sounding, it appears that you do not share the same opinion

with your Igbo brothers who are gunning for Igbo presidency. At Ekwume's 80thbirthday carnival at Okpara Square, many prominent Igbos like you called for Igbo presidency. Why are you against it? I am not definitely against the Igbo President. I am for Igbo president but not because he is Igbo. He must be excellent. You see, once you start making it that a President must be Igbo, you have become sectional. It is no more Nigerian President. When Hausaman says that Nigerian President must be Hausa, he is becoming sectional. He is becoming sectional. What interests have you that it must be an Hausa except somebody who can do something. I hope you appreciate the differene. What has the Igboman to derive from the Igbo Presidency if the man is incompetent? Is it just because he is Igbo? No Igboman will tell you that he doesn't want Igbo presidency. But what are the qualifications of that man who will be Nigerian President. Is it because you are Igbo? What I am saying is that nobody should be disqualified because of tribe. Nobody should say because of tribe, you can't contest. The Nigerian constitution is very clear. But in a situation whereby we have zones, and some zones have been there for sometime, don't you think that equity and fairness demands that other zones should have it? Again, that is the constitution. What do you want to achieve. First of all, if you are preparing a law for your country, what do you want to achieve? You have short term and long term. Is Igbo President or Hausa presidency or Yoruba presidency, a short term or long term programme? That is certainly what you have to ask. It is sentimental. Yes, your man is going to be the President or the Governor,

Chief Enechi Onyia thereafter what next? So, what is the best thing to do? The best Nigerian should be the President irrespective of the tribe. If it is an Igboman, why not allow him? You seem to be against the six zonal structure. But somebody like former Vice President Alex Ekwueme is being celebrated because he suggested that there should be a six zonal structure for the country. Why have you not joined the bandwagon? I am celebrating Ekwueme. He is my friend. He has contributed much to the progress of this country. He was once Vice President Nigeria. But, not for six zones because I think we should progress. We have moved further than six zones or eight zones. You people should know that we had opted for eight zones first. We discussed it in this hotel here with all Nigerian elite and what stopped it was that I asked a question. If we have eight zones, where would Port Harcourt be? Enahoro told me that Port Harcourt would be in Rivers, I said no. it is dangerous that the Igboman has no seaport. It was Enahoro who suggested eight zones and that was how it was rejected. Because you can't get a people who have no seaport and you say that you are powerful. So, If you are looking at this, do not look at it as a short term programme. Nigeria is going to be for years to come. So, my brother, what is the best thing for Igboman. Can't Igboman

compete in Nigeria? Is it not better to allow competition instead of saying, Hausa, Yoruba. But, they can compete among themselves. Since, it has been like that, it should not be an open thing. Have you not looked at it that way? What I am telling you is that I am not accepting North, South dichotomy. I am not accepting it. I detest it. It is just because the white men did not want us to become united. Otukpo was under East before, up to Makurdi but when they saw how the Igboman was doing, they brought the thing down to Otukpo. If you pass ObolloAfor, all the towns there are bearing Igbo names-Eke-and all these things. We should be going to history to know what we are doing. How many of us are not of Igala origin. So, people who are going to talk about people must know the history of the people. If you are going to talk about Nigeria, you must know the history of Nigeria. If you talk in the air of sentiments, you are being sentimental and sentiment solves no problem, permanently. So, you are saying that an area can produce the President even if that area has been producing the President before now. don't mind. I have no time to decide that the President must come here. If it is your family that is very good doing this

Continues on page 27

THE

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Monday, November 19 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Saturday, November 25, 2012

INTERVIEW

Peter Obi, Bianca Ojukwu National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Victor Umeh spoke to Journalists in Enugu recently alleging moves by Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State and his aides to blackmail him in the media over the reconciliation meeting purportedly convened by the governor in Awka on November 6. The APGA boss says the governor's plot to portray him as being opposed to restoration of peace in the party had been exposed vowing that if pushed to the wall he would expose everything he knew about Obi and Bianca's activities in APGA as well as the circumstances that led to the stroke attack that claimed the life of the late Ikemba Nnewi and leader of the party, Dim Chukwuemeka OdumegwuOjukwu. EXCERPTS By Ted Peters

stakeholders meeting at Government House Awka on It was reported in the media Tuesday, the 6th of November few days ago that you shunned 2012, by 1pm. I was also shown a stakeholders meeting a text message sent to Governor summoned by Governor Obi Peter Obi by Chief Chris Ejike to resolve the crisis in APGA. Uche, the Deputy National Why did you stay away? Chairman (South) of APGA, My attention was drawn to informing Governor Obi, that he newspaper publications should shift the meeting to yesterday, where it was reported Tuesday, 13th of November 2012 that I and Governor Rochas because both myself and Okorocha shunned the peace Governor Rochas Okorocha had meeting convened at Awka on travelled to London and will November 6, 2012. It was come back on the 8 t h of reported that a text message was sent to me, notifying me of the November 2012. He went meeting, but I deliberately further to say that the Tuesday shunned the meeting. I wish to meeting was sudden and there state unequivocally that nobody was need for both myself and sent me any text, inviting me to Governor Okorocha to be in any meeting at Government attendance in any meeting that House Awka for the purpose of would be held. This text pursuing reconciliation in message was also shown to me. But from what I have now read, I APGA. On 2nd of November have now seen it as one of the 2012, being Friday, I travelled to serial blackmails being London to attend the APGA UK launched against my humble self chapter convention, scheduled to create an impression to the to hold on November 3rd in discerning public that I don't London and also to attend on the want peace in APGA. invitation of Igbo Union in Are you saying that the entire Oxford, to attend Ojukwu's episode was a set-up? birthday, held by Igbo Union in If Governor Obi wanted to hold Oxford where I was one of the a peace meeting, is it through guest speakers. Before my text message that he should departure on November 2, there invite the National Chairman of was no indication that there his party. It is curious that I was would be a meeting anywhere said to have been sent a text where reconciliation in APGA message instead of send me a would be discussed. Because I letter, which any of his aides had planned to make this trip on could have dropped in my house November 2, I had concluded or even putting a call to me either my travel plans to leave Nigeria by himself or through any of his on the 2nd of November and to aides that there would be a return on Wednesday from meeting that I was expected to London on the 7th of November. I attend. None of these happened. was therefore shocked when I It was therefore, clear to me that returned to Nigeria and read in I was not wanted in the meeting. the papers that I was invited to a Are you nursing any suspicion reconciliation meeting and I why Obi does not want you at shunned it. Nothing can be the meeting? farther from the truth. Governor Obi did not want me to Were you able to find out how attend the meeting so that they the report came about? will continue to launch this I investigated this story and I propaganda against me as being was told that when I travelled to difficult, for people to read. Let London that Governor Peter Obi me say without equivocation on the 3rd of November, being that if there is anybody who Saturday, sent text messages to wants peace to return to APGA, some people, inviting them to a it is me, Chief Victor Umeh, the

National Chairman of the party. I have never, instigated any crisis in APGA. It is therefore hypocritical that the people who are instigating crisis in APGA are trying to portray me as somebody who is not amenable to reconciliation. Can you name the people behind the crisis in APGA? The present crisis ravaging APGA was being sponsored by Governor Obi since 2011. But, he has kept denying this until it came to the centre stage where he now took over. All kinds of things have been done to remove me as the National Chairman of APGA, starting from last year when they sponsored a petition against me to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in October 2011. The EFCC thoroughly investigated me, my bank account, everything I had, my transactions as an estate surveyor and valuer of which I made available all the records to them. At that time, I was accused of embezzling party funds and living in opulence. The EFCC after going through records of my income as a private professional estate surveyor and valuer and after justifying all that they found that I had, cleared me of any wrongdoing. The auditors appointed by the party at the convention that held at Awka last year, also audited the APGA account and returned a verdict of transparent running of party accounts. The INEC appointed auditor that audited the account of APGA for 2011 returned the same verdict of the transparent handling of the financial affairs of the party. That is why they no longer talk about my embezzling party funds. On 19th of June 2012, some people from our National Working Committee were procured to launch an attack of removing me from office. They pursued that one and that one has failed as INEC has pushed them away with a letter affirming me as the National Chairman of

Umeh APGA and particularly dismissing all the purported actions they took against me and the National Secretary. They returned to the High Court in Enugu State where they got Jankara order, stopping me from parading myself as National Chairman of APGA and they boasted that within two weeks, the whole thing will be over at the Enugu State High Court. That matter is still pending with the twists that followed the matter. They sued us at State High Court, Awka, to remove us as officers of APGA, that suit is still pending. This week again, on my return from London, I was told that a summons was pasted at the party secretariat Abuja, emanating from Asaba High Court, from the same sponsors. What are the issues they are canvassing in these court actions? In all the suits against me and sometimes with the National Secretary of the party and sometimes with other national officers of the party, the sole issue that they have been canvassing in all these courts is that there is no convention that elected me as the National Chairman of APGA and also the other officers of the party. But Nigerians know that on the 10th of February 2011, at Awka, APGA held a national convention where all the national officers were elected for another four year. At that same convention, APGA adopted President Goodluck Jonathan as our presidential candidate. That convention was monitored by INEC who also produced a report for the convention, approving the convention and election of new officers of the party. The INEC report is also available and it has

been tendered in the court. That same convention was attended by Governor Obi, Bianca Ojukwu, Dr Menakaya. All the people who are now launching attack against the elected leadership of the party were at that convention, but what they are claiming now is that there was no secret ballot in electing us from that election as enshrined in the party constitution. You do secret ballot when two people are contending for one position. The officers of the party were elected unopposed at the convention. Therefore, there was no need for secret ballot. They are also claiming that we ought to have resigned from office at least two months before the election. Our constitution provides that an officer is eligible for re-election for another four year term, but if anybody wants to contest for another office, that person will be required to resign from his present office, two months before the convention. In other words, if the National Secretary wants to run for the office of National Chairman, he will resign as National Secretary to be able to contest as National Chairman at the convention. These were the issues. Are the people opposing you not aware of these facts? They are aware of all the frivolous actions they are filing in court but all the efforts are aimed at destroying the party and keeping the party in a manner that it can no longer function. These are actions that they can never win in any court in Nigeria. They cannot win it in any court in Nigeria. Why I have taken time to elaborate this is for me to show you that the people who are destroying the party are

Continues on page 19

THE

ADVOCATE

Monday, November 19 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Saturday, November 25, 2012

POLITICS

want to kill APGA â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Umeh Continues from page 18

the people who are now crying wolf that they want to make peace in APGA. I read in the papers where Nwobu-Alor said that I must leave office two months from now, that he has perfected it, that in two months time, it will be certain that I am no longer the Chairman of APGA. I don't know whether he will kill me or whether their case will progress from High Court to Court of Appeal, to Supreme Court, within two months, to be able to get rid of me as Chairman of our party. I want to use this opportunity to assure Nigerians, members of our party, both in Nigeria and Diaspora and the Igbo people, that I have voted all my efforts towards making this party, APGA , succeed. You recall that it was when APGA won the Governorship election in Imo and also won majority of the seats in Imo and Anambra State Houses of Assembly, producing House of Representatives members and a Senator, that it suddenly occurred to them that I am incompetent. Why are they now saying you are incompetent? The war against me is that I am incompetent, simply because I told Obi to conduct local government election in Anambra State. At this time when the world celebrates democracy, somebody is trying to suppress democratic culture and trying to divert the attention of the public. It is just because I said, conduct local government election so that local government system will be democratised in Anambra state. For so many reasons, they started fighting this war of blackmail and removal from office till date. I have spoken about this before, both the issue of governorship of Anambra state that is coming up in 2015, where Obi wants to anoint somebody without consultation with the party. These are the problems generated in the party that heated the crisis in the party. Instead of addressing these simple issues, he is still chasing wind and this time around, the effort is to tarnish my image and project me to the Nigerian people as somebody who doesn't want peace in APGA. I want peace in APGA and I am ready for any meeting, anywhere that is properly called where the issues that will bring peace to APGA will be discussed. It is Governor Obi who does not want peace in APGA. He does not want peace in APGA. He sowed this crisis. This crisis that is ravaging the party, he planted it and he has kept denying it,

running round the rings, using his aides to say all kinds of things. Obi's lawyer, Barrister Onyechi Ikpeazu had approached me and my lawyer for a reconciliation meeting with Obi, I agreed, my lawyer agreed. Onyechi Ikpeazu went back to Obi, Obi refused. And Onyechi Ikpeazu called me and said he has tried. Igwe Alfred Achebe, also called me for a peaceful settlement between me and Obi, I agreed. Obi refused that the meeting should take place. I am

Africa, he will be in New York, he will be all over the world, that he will give him a date that will be convenient. We patiently have been waiting for Obi to give him a date for this meeting to take place. On the 27th of October, Bishop Paulinus EzeOkafor called me with regrets that Obi had told him that he was not ready for the meeting. How can he now use people and go to press that I am shunning a peace meeting with all these details I have given you. So, I was not

Bianca calling people who are alive. The traditional rulers' council from my local government, Anaocha where I come from with Obi, approached me for a meeting where me and Obi will come so that they will resolve any differences we have but Obi shunned that invitation. Another group from my local government, called Odimma Anaocha local government, visited me for mediation in this matter. I agreed. They went to Obi, Obi refused. Chief Chris Eze, the President of Ndigbo Lagos, discussed this matter with me, I agreed for him to mediate. He went to Obi, Obi refused. He was not ready with that. All these happened at different times. Finally, in September 2012, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Dr. Paulinus Eze-Okafor, called me when I was in London, that he wanted to see him. I told him that I will see him on my return from London. On 12th of September, I went to see him at Awka and he told me he wanted to mediate between me and Obi so that there will be peace in APGA, I agreed. He now went to Obi to get a date for us to meet him, Obi kept telling him, he will be in Japan, he will be in South

myself to a local government party agent in the Governorship election in Imo State to ensure that APGA succeeded. I have done all these. They are making noise today because when Chekwas Okorie came to register UPGA, if not for my strident efforts opposing that application, he may have registered UPGA and you have APGA and UPGA. All of them would have been hiding their faces in shame. None of them contributed in mounting that

Gov Obi invited to any meeting. So, I challenge Governor Obi to get a text from Zain and whatever network that he is using to show Nigerians the text message he sent to me, inviting me to the meeting because none came to any of my phones till date. I have laboured to make this clarification so that Nigerian public, especially the Igbos will not take this hypocritical posturing that I am impervious to peace in APGA. All the people who are the provocateurs of this crisis in the party, they know themselves and the only thing that they can do to allow posterity not to be harsh on them is to allow APGA have peace. You are sounding so confident. What gives you this confidence? I have not seen anything they can do to achieve their wild goose chase in dismantling the leadership of the party because they were part of creating the leadership of the party. And I have never as Chairman of APGA worked against APGA or any member of APGA in any manner whatsoever. Instead, I have devoted my energy in building this party. In 2011, because of our desperation to get this party going, I reduced

challenge to preserve the recognition of APGA. I had to do this. Even when our litigation ended in February 2012, I prepared a position paper on how to rebuild APGA after the end of seven years of litigation with Chekwas Okorie, which I gave to Obi, I gave to Bianca Ojukwu, I gave to Dr. Tim Menakaya. All the suggestions that I made on how to rebuild APGA are there with them. Has anything been done with your position paper or road map to rebuilding APGA? They have refused to do what is reasonable, claiming to be the people promoting APGA when they are in fact, by their actions, they are sabotaging the party. Let us wait for one year memorial service of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, I will go back and present all the activities of those who are claiming to be preserving his legacies, their infamous activities.So, I take no blame for what is happening. If there is any reconciliation meeting where the progress of APGA would be discussed, that meeting would be properly convened, people who will attend, would be properly notified and I would be the first person to be there because one

by one, I would look at their faces and tell them what they have been doing which I have refused to tell the public. And with the way things are going, very soon, I will start granting interviews again, to put things in proper perspective, both for Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu, Governor Obi, and Dr. Menakaya. All of them that are destroying the party now, I will come back to the public with their activities, with details one by one, so that people will know what they are doing. It is time for me to expose everybody now. But, from what we are reading in papers, these people seem to be at the vanguard of restoring peace to APGA. Why do you see them in a different light? How can people who are crippling the party with multiple litigations now, claim to be looking for peace in the party? Governor Obi is sponsoring multiple litigations to cripple the party and he is now talking about pursuing reconciliation. I think what is important is that what somebody can do in the dark, he should own up in the daylight. There is no point hiding in the dark and sponsoring evil in the day just to tarnish the reputation of an innocent man. I have not spoken on any subject concerning APGA and Governor Obi. It is very clear now they don't want the party to survive anymore, but I will assure them that all their evil plots against this party, none will succeed because we are united in what we are doing. Governor Rochas Okorocha has also been portrayed as somebody who does not want peace in APGA. What do you have to say about this? An attempt to drag the name of Governor Rochas Okorocha into the matter as somebody who does not want peace in APGA has defeated the text message I was shown where he described Governor Rochas Okorocha as his brother. He is turning around now to blackmail him as somebody who doesn't want peace in APGA. If there is anybody who is promoting the interest of APGA in Nigeria, it is Governor Rochas Okorocha. He doesn't hide his APGAness. He flies APGA flags in all his cars. If you go to Imo, you see APGA flags in the Government House, about 20 or 30 flags of APGA hoisted in the Government House. The Hero Square, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu centre, all of them are adorned with APGA flags all over the place. He is a proud member of APGA but Obi wouldn't like APGA to move. He

Continues on page 27

THE

Monday, November 19 – Saturday, November 25, 2012

ADVOCATE

Special Report

BIAFRA: BZM Leader, Onwuka, 100 others in jail

 Accused of waging war against state  6 women inclusive

EADER of the Biafra Zionist Movement, BZM, Mr. Benjamin Onwuka, who was arrested along with 100 members of his group after re-declaring the “Republic of Biafra” by Enugu State police command are now on an awaiting trial list at the Enugu prison. They were arrested on November 5, charged before an Enugu Magistrate Court few hours later and remanded in prison the same day by Senior Magistrate Grade I, F. E. Chukwu Esq, after they were c o l l e c t i v e l y c h a rg e d f o r conspiring with one another to levy war against the state. The one-count charge number MEN/678C/2012 brought by police prosecutor, ASP Peter Eze, reads: “That you Benjamin Onwuka …(100 others) and others now at large being members of the outlawed Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) on the 5 t h of November, 2012 at Agbani Road Enugu in Enugu Magisterial District did conspire with one another to levy war against the State and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code Act Cap C. 38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.” No plea was taken from the accused persons as the Senior Magistrate ordered that they be remanded in prison custody pending their trial at the State High court which has jurisdiction to entertain such case. But he granted bail to two minors among them, Daberechi Iloanochiezi and Okafor Ebuka listed as 28th and 29th accused persons respectively in the sum of N100,000 each with a sure in the like sum who must be a civil servant of not less than Grade Level 14 and must reside within the jurisdiction of the court. Onwuka and the other accused persons were reminded by the court of their constitutional rights to apply to the higher court for their respective bails while the case was adjourned sine die. The Advocate observed in the charge sheet made available by some of their counsels that six females were charged along with the accused persons but they were identified by the police on the charge sheet as males. They included Magareth Kalu, Comfort Kanu, Ukamaka Chikwubuikem, Mercy Okoro and Benedict Nzekwe, some of who claimed that they were on their way to Ogbete main

Pro-Biafra members during a rally market, Enugu when they were rounded up along with the proBiafran members. Meanwhile, one of their counsels, Barrister Emeka Njoku, said necessary bail applications had been filed before the Enugu State High court but no date had been fixed for hearing of the case. The BZM leader (Onwuka), who made good his threat to redeclare the “Republic of Biafra” in Enugu on November 5, had stated that the life and property of the Biafran people were no longer safe and guaranteed in the entity called Nigeria, hence their resolve to re-declare their independence with effect from November 5, 2012 based on Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu on May 30th 1967 "in order to guarantee the Biafran people's right to freely worship their God without being bombed or killed according to the United Nations Convention on the Freedom of Association." "Today November 5th 2012, the re-birth of the Rep of Biafra is finally actualized at the long last. I thank all Biafrans for the sacrifices that they have made since this struggle began in 1967. “We are today a free nation endowed with all God-given right to re-claim our lost sovereignty stolen from us in 1914. Let it be known from

today that the Biafran people are determined to build a country that will be democratic and transparent. “A country that would be based on the Principles of Justice, Equity and Fairness; We shall be united to build a country that would be based on a sound economic platform that would uplift Biafran citizens from economic poverty and set us up at equal par with world economic powers in Europe, Asia and America,” Onwuka said. But shortly after the event, Onwuka and hundreds of his supporters were arrested near the Central Police Station near Ogbete main market and subsequently charged and remanded in prison where they are currently awaiting trial for

allegedly “conspiring to levy war against the state.” In its reaction to the arrest of the BZM members, the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, described the action of the splinter pro-Biafra group as childish. Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, the MASSOB Leader in a reaction through the MASSOB Director of Information, Mr. Uchenna Madu disclosed that the leader of the purported group, BZM, Mr. Onwuka was expelled from the movement because of his anti MASSOB activities. “That Ben Onwuka (Leader of BZM) was a former member of MASSOB in Lagos who was expelled because of antiMASSOB activities and rebellious tendencies as well as

Onwuka, BZM Leader

Samuel Edeson (National Chairman) who was once a regional administrator in Onitsha before he was also expelled because of his rebellious tendencies as well as using the MASSOB platform to negotiate for monetary compensation”. He disclosed further that, “the said BZM has no office or Biafran structures as a platform for running Biafra affairs. The Biafra declaration was done by MASSOB leader, Chief Ralph Uwazurike on May 22nd, 2000 at freedom square, Faulks road, Aba after sending Biafran Bill of Right to United Nations". But the Campaign for Democracy (CD), South-East region has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to order the unconditional release of all the pro-Biafra group members in detention. In a statement signed by Uzor A Uzor, Chairman of the CD in the zone, he said, "it is very unacceptable and wicked for police in Enugu to arrest defenseless activists, who are not armed with any weapon". "The movement was just agitating for their freedom as enshrined in chapter 4; section 33, 34, 35, 36, 37 and 38 of the amended 1999 constitution", the group said, demanding that all the arrested persons should be allowed to enjoy their freedom.

THE

ADVOCATE

Monday, November 19 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Saturday, November 25, 2012

7 Important fashion items a lady must have

3 Flat shoes are comfortable and sexy you can wear it with almost anything, there are different colors and designs, Red flat shoes lightens up an outfit.

Flared Jeans - you may not wear this all the time but this is flattery to most body types. Pair them up with platforms or wedges to get an extra height while keeping the look casual and comfortable

7 BOLD Belts accentuates the waist, it can be worn on gowns, shirts etc. Lets emulate KIM and show off that tiny waist.

6 Bold Wrist watches have always been there, apart from the fact that are time pieces they also serve as bracelet when worn loosely, Gold wrist watch are always better.

A statement necklace can make a simple outfit strong, classy and feminine, it brings attention to your chest especially if you have a good cleavage, we all should have one.

THE

Monday, November 19 – Saturday, November 25, 2012

IN THE

uys, let me tell you a secret that will have that special lady in your life falling all over you. Are you ready? Show her that you love her. Now, wasn't that easy? Notice that I didn't say "tell" her you love her. There's a reason. Let's face it, guys, saying "I love you" and showing that you love her are two completely different things. And I'm not talking about buying her flowers or candy on Valentine's Day. Women know the difference between words and actions. While you may think that saying "I love you" every so often means that you're racking up points, unless you back it up with actions, she'll start to realize your words are just empty and hollow. And that's not scoring you any point at all. So, you need to show her how much you love her. It doesn't take a lot of work or energy either. Here's a list of just twelve things you can do today to show her how much you love her. It's not a complete list spend just a few minutes

thinking about your wife or girlfriend and you'll come up with a few special ideas all your own. 1. Write a love poem and leave it on her pillow. It doesn't have to be a wonderful work of art. Even a quick variation on "Roses are red" will mean a lot. 2. Cook a special meal for her.

City

dates. Send her a card for the day you first kissed or the anniversary of the first day you met. She'll love that you remembered. 5. Spend 15 minutes when she gets home from work talking about her day. Give her the opportunity to share her experiences and frustrations.

something different and fun. Don't just get stuck in the "dinner and a date" routine. Make sure you spend quality time talking together. 8. Share a romantic bubble bath together. Here's another place where you don't want to forget the candles. Not only is this incredibly romantic, but it's

12 ways to show you love her Have it ready when she comes home from work. Make sure you fix her favorite food (you do know what that is, don't you?) Don't forget the candles. 3. Do the laundry. And don't make a big deal out of it. In fact, don't even tell her that you did it. She'll notice and you'll score big points. 4. Remember those special dates - birthdays, anniversaries - and surprise her on other

Make sure you listen and don't try to fix the problems. She'll appreciate your time and attention. 6. Leave a rose and a love note in her car so she'll see it when she goes to work in the morning or stop by her work during the day and leave a note in her car so she sees it when she leaves at night. She'll be impressed you went out of your way to do this. 7. Schedule a game night. Try

environmentally-friendly, too! 9. Surprise her for lunch. Show up to work and "kidnap" her for lunch. Take her to a favorite restaurant or just pack a picnic lunch and go to the park. 10. Give her a back rub. She's probably got a favorite lotion or skin cream. Use it. And don't just do one of those superficial neck squeezes. Go all out on this one. Add a candle and this can become the start of a

ADVOCATE

fabulous night of who-knowswhat! Taking time to show your special lady that you love her doesn't take a lot of effort or creativity, but can be incredibly rewarding. She'll appreciate your thoughtfulness and you'll notice that the flame of romance will burn brighter. The key to this is not to do something special just once and forget about it. Make surprising your love an ongoing activity. 11. Accept her the way she is, discover her uniqueness as special, please never compare her with your ex, take time to study her ,make her feel special like 'she's the only woman in the world' the transformation will amaze you. 12. Compliment her often. Women love compliments. We spend time trying to look our best for our lovers and for ourselves as well, we need these compliments as it serves as an affirmation that the time spent wasn't in vain; it goes without saying that we feel bad when we don't get complimented especially by our lovers.

How to dress for Christmas party on a budget

hristmas party is probably one of the most cheerful events you attend during a year. So, looking good at it is essential. But unlike your friends you might not be able to invest a fortune into clothes. Don't worry, we can help you make your Christmas look without spending all you have. Christmas is a great holiday which can be celebrated at home with traditional food and in a traditional tracksuit or at a party with cheerful friends and in a lovely outfit you should think about beforehand. If you want to impress people with your look but can't afford something chic and expensive you definitely need our tips on

How to Dress for a Christmas Party on a Budget. First of all we can assure you that you can look perfect without spending a fortune on your outfit. Besides, you don't want to pay all you have for an outfit you will hardly wear again. If you agree with us you have two options. One is to buy a cheap dress, sandals, clutch and jewelry. But if things are cheap this is usually obvious unless you know how to make them look better. Another option is wiser but you will have to make an effort. What we offer is to combine pieces you already have with those you can afford buying.

A dress. Every girl has a basic dress in a neutral color which she wears to different occasions. To look great at a Christmas Party you should dress up your dress. Invest into accessories which will change your look dramatically and no one will ever guess that you've recycled your dress. The same thing can be done with a party dress that you have already worn repeatedly. Think about accessories which focus attention on them and this way distract it from your party clothes. Black Slacks are also a musthave in any wardrobe. Slacks look interesting with a variety of tops. Try a close-fitting one with festive, shining details to make you stand out. (There are many tops of these kind for a reasonable price.) Accessories. Accessories can “make” your outfit, transform it from dull and plain into eyecatching. For a Christmas party you will need a bag, earrings, necklace, and rings. You don't have to buy the dearest pieces, just find those which look like they are dear. A few rules of accessorizing you might need:  If you are going to wear your hair down and your dress or top has a demure neckline you will need a long simple necklace, a statement ring and a glitzy clutch.  To finish the look with a dress

or top with deep bold neckline you won't do without a statement necklace and a small bag with a long chain handle.  For a dress or top with an open back you will want statement chandelier earrings, a cuff and a beautiful satin clutch. Wearing hair up is the best option. Shoes are important if you plan to build your entire outfit around them. If you don't, just pick the pair which suits the outfit, looks good and makes you feel comfortable. Don't forget about your hair and makeup. These are essential. If you have dirty hair and puffy face people won't notice your clothes. With these tips and a little patience you will be able to make an outfit your friends will be impressed with. Demonstrate savvy and think of spending your money for something more important than a party outfit.

1. Don't over do your make up, less is more when it comes to make up as you age. 2. Stay away from dark lips, as we age our lips thin dark lips or skiny lips isn’t attractive. Try shades likes rosy red, pink or go for natural colours 3. Try eye pencils instead of liquid eye liners, eye pencils are softer than liquid liners which can be harsh on aging eyes 4. Make your eye the center of attraction with the right eye shadow shades. 5. Use a good facial moisturizer to smoothen your facial skin to avoid looking messy after you’ve made up

THE

ADVOCATE

Monday, November 19 – Saturday, November 25, 2012

Entertainment

he positive effect of Nollywood, as Nigeria's booming film industry is widely known, on tourism to Nigeria was discussed at length this week, following the release of the World Travel Market (WTM) 2012 Industry Report and WTM Global Trends Report. The report states that the popularity of Nollywood all over the continent (it names Sierra Leone, Cameroon, Gabon, Kenya, South Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo and Gambia) means 'Nollywood films attracts domestic and regional African tourists to

Nollywood driving tourism to Nigeria Nigeria, visiting film locations'. The report goes on to predict a 3% rise in tourism to Nigeria in the next four years - claiming that in addition to leisure tourism drawn by the industry, the growing revenue generated by Nollywood will attract business travel. The report discusses the hotel boom in Nigeria's capital city Lagos. This year Radisson Blu,

Four Points by Sheraton and others opened in the city, while Hilton Worldwide, Accor, InterContinental Hotels Group and Protea all have hotels under construction or plan to break ground shortly. According to This Day Segun Runsewe, Director-General of t h e N i g e r i a n To u r i s m Development Corporation, said: “The reports we are getting in the World Travel

Market of 2012 becomes the sixth of its kind in the recent time. That means Nigeria is making major impact in terms tourism development. “ He added: “To me, I want to be very grateful to the owners of these reports for seeing the real facts that President Goodluck Jonathan's government has made concerted efforts to promote tourism development and I am happy that we are being recognised on the two reports. “On the Nollywood, you know that Nigeria is the second in the

world in terms of film production and that is why we have been very strong on entertainment tourism. So to me, all these reports is reawakening call on us as a people to continue to put as much as we can in tourism development. If the world is now saying we have potentials, if the world said that there is something good that can come out of us what are we waiting for? It's for us to protect and showcase that interest to the world that “yes we can- we also can do it.”

Mo'Cheddah: Nigeria's Hip Hop Princess

odupe Oreoluwa O yeyemi, better k n o w n a s Mo'Cheddah, was born in 1990 in Osun State and grew up the fourth of five children in Lagos. The 22-year-old is a talented vocalist and capable rapper. Her popularity as a rapper has proven that with talent and dedication women can break into the notoriously maledominated Naija hip-hop music scene. She came to fame in 2008, but people really started to pay attention when she joined Ashionye and Nikki Laoye on the Girl Power tour the following year. Also in 2009, she came second in the Hennessy Artistry 2009

competition. In 2009 she collaborated with top Nigerian talent, including M.I, Sasha, Terry the Rapman, Mode9 and eLDee. These collaborations, as well as her outgoing persona and impeccable fashion sense earned her a loyal fan following. Mo'Cheddah released her debut album Franchise Celebrity to much fanfare in 2010. The album sold out on its first day in stores. The singles “If You Want Me” and “Ko Ma Roll” were huge successes even before the album dropped. The young star has won several high profile awards in her fledgling career so far. In 2010 she won the Channel O award for most gifted female video as

Mo'Cheddah well as being named the MTV Brand New act. She is a favourite to win in the Most Gifted Female category at this weekend's Channel O Music

Video Awards. Earlier this year, shortly after graduating from the University of Lagos with a Bsc, the young star left her record label

KnightHouse. In September this year she released the first single from her new album - a track called “Coming For You” which features May D.

Anita Quansah London: Queen of African Jewellery

nita Horsfall is the Creative Director and Head Designer at Anita Quansah London, one of the world's trendiest and most fashionable jewellery lines. Anita has made a name for herself by simply using her creative abilities to craft timeless pieces of jewellery made with that hip and gorgeous customer in mind. Her approach, a flawless combination of flair and respect for creativity, enables her to impress a long clientele list that includes some world famous celebrities. She is half Ghanaian - half Nigerian and a product of the Chelsea College of Art and Design, over the years she has experimented with personalised jewellery, developing fine pieces of art loved by many. The thing about Anita most of her admirers find fascinating, is her ability to incorporate the very raw elements of art into

modern-day accessories whose texture are simply amazing, and feature an intricate and vintage range made out of recycled fabric and frills. “Anita Quansah London is a curation of varying mix of unexpected elements fused with reclaimed parts of vintage jewellery, semi precious stones, rare African beads and textiles, all masterfully pieced together to create expressive, unusual, handmade, one-off strong statements which have strong stories weaved into them,” a note on her website reads. “Each bespoke piece conveys a message which is relevant in the past, now and the future. Anita Quansah London jewelleries are not only a celebration of creativity and art but each one is curated with love and passion a signature of the brand”. Hardworking and dedicated to what she does, she created Anita Quansah London in

2006, after graduating from the Chelsea College of Art and Design. Her entry into the United Kingdom's fashion market took off when she worked on paidfor jobs for some leading textile and fashion design brands at the time including Christian Lacroix, DKNY, Diane Von Furstenberg, Ischiko, Victoria Secret, Ecko and textiles Weisbrod Zurrer and Sandy Starkman. With an ever present and readyto-roll UK media carefully watching her from the sidelines, she became an overnight fashion brand as news of her art, spread far and beyond. International publications in the “German Vogue, Elle Germany, Elle Serbia, British Vogue, Elle UK.com, The Independent, Dare2magazine, Muse, German Tush, Flux, SVA, Fashizblack, Pref, Sublime, and Candid, among others, all

featuring her jewelleries,” also followed, sending waves of her extraordinary craft around the world. Winner of several awards including the recent GUBA

awards for Best African Fusion Designer, Quansah uses bold and elaborate neck art that has subtle traces of the love and passion she attaches to what she does.

Anita Quansah

THE

Monday, November 19 – Saturday, November 25, 2012

ADVOCATE

POLITICS

ANAMBRA 2014 POLL:

Why I want to govern Anambra – Aspirant

The governorship election coming up 2014 in Anambra state is what many described as battle of titans. It is a struggle through which the electorate choose a candidate of their choice from any political party through the ballot. The Advocate Editor Larry Onwuta takes a holistic view on an aspirant who has already indicated interest to run for the election in the state. seeming crowed political arena

t will be a war of supremacy. Political parties have started regrouping even as the newly registered United Progressives Party, UPP, has thrown its weight in the contest, and it has also begun to work under ground to ensure that its presence in the political arena is not only noticed but the party would work assiduously so as to win the governorship election come 2014 in Anambra state. Anambra State remains a peculiar state in the South East region where politics is seen as a serious business, this is a state where after the election everybody goes back to his or her business waiting for another day. And this is the time for people to identify themselves with parties; many have done that while some are still at the planning stage. The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is a strong force to reckon with when it comes to an election in Anambra state though the lingering internal political crisis that had torn the party into factions had remained unsolved even when some members especially the Dr Andy Uba group had continued to claim that all is well in the party. Source reliably told The Advocate that Senator Uba had reached secret path with the incumbent governor of the state for him to relinquish power to him come 2014. Uba's democratic strength has continued to grow as he managed to find himself in the Senate which is a very good beginning but the hatred that some people in Anambra state have for him remains irreversible due the fight between the brother and Dr Chris Ngige during which some vital institutions in the state were burnt. These are some of the problems that is confronting Senator Uba from getting it this time. Dr Okechukwu Dave Umeano while speaking to The Advocate on his ambition to contest the gubernatorial election in Anambra state said the presence of Senator Andy Uba, Senator Chris Ngige and other

Umeano, UPP Anambra guber aspirant politicians in the state will not stop him from expressing his political aspiration in the coming election which according to him will focused on being the governor of the Anambra state come 2014. Umeano has indicated interest to run for the governorship race under the platform of United Progressives Party, UPP, the newly registered party by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. The National Publicity Secretary of UPP, Chief Ogbuehi Dike, told The Advocate that the registration of UPP by the Commission was conveyed to them via INEC letter reference number INEC/DPPM&;/UPP/446/VOL . 1/167 dated 4th October, 2012 signed by the Secretary of the Commission, Alhaji Abdullahi.A. Kaugama. The letter stated inter alia. “Your letter on the above subject dated 24th May, 2012 refers. The Commission, at its meeting held on Tuesday 2nd October, 2012 approved the registration of the United Progressive Party as a Political Party”.

“The Party Constitution, Manifesto, Logo/Flag and the list of its National Executive Officers were also approved. The Certificate of Registration will be issued in due course. Please accept the assurance of my high esteem”. Umeano while answering question on why he chose to contest the election under the new party said he got captivated following the constitution and manifesto of the party. “United Progressives Party is unique in the sense that it is designed to be a mass movement belonging essentially to Nigerian masses without the claim of any known or unknown cabal to its origin, formation or ownership. UPP is the product of the special circumstance in which Nigerian citizens found themselves having been alienated from the control and democratic choice of popular leadership and representation by the existing political parties that are in the firm grip of cabals of different conspiracies and gangs”. “We are conscious of the challenges that confront an emerging political party in a

such as the situation in Nigeria today. We are resolutely determined and committed to hit the ground running and to carry out strong message of hope and political liberation to every nook and cranny of Nigeria”. There are other parties and good politicians in the state. The incumbent governor of Anambra state Mr. Peter Obi remains a force that should not be treated with the wave of hands and according to a reliable source the governor is working for a candidate outside his party. APGA is still faced with serious crisis and the principal actors in the battle have refused to see reasons for them to settle the case out of court. Sources told The Advocate that some of the reasons why Obi is engaging the APGA National Chairman in legal tussle was to frustrate the chairman Sir Victor Umeh from having a governorship candidate in the forthcoming 2014 gubernatorial race in the state. And if All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, failed to produce a candidate, then automatically the party will be losing and the same time creating an opportunity for other political party to take over Anambra state. Senator Chris Ngige is also another force in Anambra politics as he pulls crowd where ever his presence is notice in the state. Ngige is not contesting the governorship ticket with anybody in A c t i o n Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in Anambra state. ACN is another strong party in the state that is not engulfed with crisis, so my likely lock-horns with the new party, UPP. The general belief of the UPP aspirant is focused on the fact that the election shall be conducted based on the general principle of decency, credibility and fairness. Umeano, is a medical Doctor, he won his option A4 (open ballot) election into the National Assembly, House of Representatives in 1992. The aspirant said that

during his time as a lawmaker that he moved the first joint sitting motion (termination of military Regime in Nigeria) on the 5th of May 1993 on the floor of representatives and Senate successfully and the motion was unanimously adopted. He affirmed that despite his contributions in the House of Representatives as a lawmaker, that he has vast knowledge to administer a state and he has written a book titled the coming of Ikenga into the National Assembly which is a 200 page book, according to him, the book was published in 1994 and as well co-authored the Return of Hope, Umeano stated. The governorship aspirant said that the crisis in other political parties in Anambra state will separate those with good leadership quality, zeal to develop the state from people whose interest was to accumulate wealth through governance. Umeano noted that his aspiration was to develop Anambra state, reposition the state from its present glorified status of a state. He expressed optimism that having worked as director of campaign, Mr Peter Obi campaign organization that has gotten the experience to protect his vote. But the politics in Anambra state has be domesticated in such manner that people from outside may not cope with the type of politics going on in the state. It is a state that money bags parades themselves with money looking for a way to manipulate the election. Political experts said the contest may not go the usual way. This is because the people from Anambra North are agitating that it is their turn to produce the governor of the state. The clamour for the zone to have equal representation as affects governorship may favour Umeano having come from Anambra north. It will split the vote of those within the state and people from Central and Anambra South who are tired of crisis may also opt for the new party UPP as alternative to their political future. The Advocate learnt that some aggrieved politicians from PDP, APGA and other parties that could not find their position in those parties as orchestrated by greed and inhuman treatment meted to their members in terms of sharing political positions in the state have started crossing over to the new party UPP. Well, the earlier those parties in crisis mend their fences the better for them as they will not achieve any thing good or political future with greed and rancor in their pursuit to emerge as political leaders in the state.

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THE

Monday, November 19 – Saturday, November 25, 2012

ADVOCATE

RELIGION

The Advocate Christianity is under threat, in Africa THE VALUE OF – Primate Okoh WORSHIP T Gospel This Week

John 12:1-6 Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honour. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages." He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. A celebratory dinner had been organised in Bethany! Lazarus, who had been dead for four days, was alive because Jesus had called him out of the tomb (John 11:43-44). So Jesus was the Guest of Honour, Lazarus was at the table, his sister Martha served the food and Mary had planned a special surprise for Jesus. She had about half a litre of very special perfume, a fragrant oil from the Nard plant. During the dinner, Mary broke open the bottle and poured the pungent oil over Jesus' feet, then dried His feet with her hair. The fragrance filled the house. It was Mary's way of saying that she was Jesus' servant (only servants touched the feet of guests) and that He was more valuable than the most precious thing she owned. It was her way of worshipping Jesus, Son of God; the Life-giver. By contrast, Judas Iscariot (the traitor who would later betray Jesus (John 18:2-3)) complained. He was the treasurer: looking after the money people gave to Jesus, using it to buy food and give to the poor. But he was also a thief, helping himself to the money. All Judas could see was all the very expensive perfume going to waste. He pretended that it could have been sold and given to the poor. But he had no real interest in anyone's welfare other than his own. He did not honour or love Jesus. And so Judas could not see the value of worship, even when it was right in front of his nose. Mary's sacrifice was Judas' waste. She gave the most costly thing she had to honour Jesus. Judas wanted the money for himself. What a contrast, but both were expressions of worship. Judas honoured himself but Mary gave of her best to honour the Giver of Life. Today, God is watching to see who we consider to be the most valuable, ourselves or Him. Romans 12:1 says, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship." True worship of God comes from a grateful heart and is expressed in an eagerness for the Lord to have the best of what we can give. Perhaps today's message will help us to reconsider how much we really do love Jesus, or whether our religion is masking our greed and self-pleasure.

Prayer: Lord God. Thank You that You always distinguish real worship from self-pleasing. Forgive me when I hide behind a spiritual mask in order to satisfy myself. Please help me to value Your love for me, in forgiving me and bringing me into Your family. May I freshly determine to worship You with all I have because I love and follow Jesus. In His Name. Amen.

HE Primate, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh has cautioned African nations, saying that with the level of insecurity, poverty, doctrine of prosperity among other factors, it is obvious that the Christian faith is seriously under threat in the continent. The primate who spoke at the 2012 Divine Common Wealth Conference (DIVCCON) with the theme: 'Contending For The Faith' in Abuja, said there was need by all Christians to imbibe common Christian faith in line with the Bible. His words: “The Christian faith is seriously under attack in Nigeria from without and within. From without, we are concerned about violent expressions of Islam represented by Boko Haram. “In some parts of the North, the Christian faith is an endangered specie. Boko Haram is not just against Christians, but has stated emphatically that it wants the Christian faith rooted out of the North. “This is the idea behind the bombings, shootings, slaughtering and maiming it has been executing. As a result of the violence, many Christians have been intimidated and had relocated to safer places. Our dioceses in Maiduguri, Damaturu, Kano, Bauchi, Yola, Zaria, Jos, etc are now drastically depopulated. “The next threat is African Traditional Religion, and its various expressions in cults. This is a threat in two ways: outright violent confrontations as in the examples of Afikpo Diocese, Diocese on the Coast, Western Izon, etc. The other threat is more subtle, presenting paganism as culture and tradition, with many ignorant Christians swallowing it hook, line and sinker; thus promoting a syncretistic faith. “The main threat from within is, disunity among Christians which exposes the Church to so many disadvantages. There is scarcely a common understanding of how to approach the advance of violent Islam some canvass fire-forfire approach; others believe that Christians must continue praying and even try to preach to the Muslims with a view to converting them. Meanwhile, the killing and Muslim advance

continue unchecked. “In between the two extremes are those who believe in dialogue and seminars. Unfortunately, Boko Haram is a faceless mafia, which makes this proposition merely academic, and non-effectual. Another threat from within the Church is the fact of nominalism the case of faith that is one mile wide and one inch deep, leading to distorted beliefs. “An aspect of this fact arising partly from it is the ease with which individual traders, carpenters, civil servants, housewives, unemployed graduates now establish their own churches, become the archbishops, general overseers and teach whatever catches their fancies. “In addition, against the harsh economic realities of our country, is the growth and acceptance of the doctrine of prosperity. All this distort the orthodox faith. In the larger African setting, violent religious extremists such as we have in Nigeria are spreading to other African countries such as Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. “Recently, in Dar es Salaam, seven churches were burnt by Muslims on the excuse that a boy urinated near a mosque. Kenyan and Ugandan churches have at different times been attacked by the extremist AlShabaab Islamic group which is very active in East Africa. Kenya is executing a full military campaign against this sect. “The situation in Sudan is complex and complicated. The Islam of Sudan is a fundamentalist brand, and there is a high traffic between that country, Nigeria, Kenya and other neighbouring countries. In addition to all this, there is the fluid situation in Egypt under the Muslim Brotherhood as well as the boiling situation in Lybia. Again, Nigeria is exposed. Apart from all this, the Twareg rebels in North Mali have added to the threatening situation against Christianity. “They have formed a group, movement for Jihad in West Africa, which openly threatened Nigeria, should it send troops to intervene in the situation in Mali. Furthermore, the problem of disunity is growing within the African Church (provinces) at CAPA, with the rich Western

powers employing effectively the divide-and-rule tactics by literally buying consciences of church leaders. “We also have political, social and economic problems which equally threaten our faith such as political instability, poverty and hunger as well as the hydra-headed dragon so well known in Africa, corruption! The problem of war and internally displaced persons all combine to make the African Christian Faith quite tenuous. “In the wider Anglican Communion, the picture is not brighter. In England and Scotland the political authorities have taken over the homosexual crusade; they are moving slowly but steadily towards TEC and the Anglican Church of Canada. “We pray for the new Archbishop of Canterbury. Officially, only the Roman Catholic Church authorities are standing for historical orthodoxy. And of course, the last Indianapolis Convention Resolutions have made it clear that TEC has no sentiments about Orthodoxy and the rest of the Communion. Where does this leave us? “The 'faith' is something which is delivered to us. It is not something which we have discovered for ourselves. The facts of our faith are handed down to us from generation to generation a tradition, going back to Jesus Himself. “The Christian faith is something which is once and for all delivered to us. There is something permanent and unchangeable about its content, but certainly to be rediscovered and appropriated in every age. It is this: Jesus Christ came into the world and lived and died to bring salvation to men. “The Christian faith is something which is entrusted to God's consecrated people. It is not the property of any one person. It comes down within the Church, it is preserved within the Church, and it is understood within the Church. “The Christian faith is something which must be defended. Every Christian is a defender of this Faith. Every Christian of every generation must defend it. It is the duty of every generation to pass it on uncorrupted and unperverted,” the primate stated.

THE

ADVOCATE

Monday, November 19 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Saturday, November 25, 2012

INTERVIEW cont.d

PDP government a failure APGA heading for destaster Continues on page 17 thing, come and do it as far as it must be Nigerian President. There was this outburst by former Anambra State Governor, Chukwuemeka Ezeife that other leaders who came from other regions, particularly the North who ruled Nigeria, ruined Nigeria and that only the Igboman can salvage things. How did you see the outburst? Let me tell you, a capable man is very slow and he knows where he is going. I don't want to be tribalistic. I have been the Secretary of University of London African Society and I have dealt with Africans. I have won my own things by being open minded. You choose the best man. We all are saying that we are one Nigeria. Why do we refer to Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba? You are the press men, tell me why I should be saying, Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa. Why I am saying this is that this thing is getting on the nerves of every Nigerian. It is only my man who will rule and I will love him. It is only the man who gives you the dividend of democracy that you should love. A man who gives you a place to live, who won't steal your money, who won't put you in jail, this is the type of man you want to lead. Who will see you progress, who won't be jealous of you. That is why I say, I believe in Zikism. You have really raised very salient issues. Do you think the Constitutional review, the kind we are seeing at the National Assembly today can address these issues or do you belong to the school of thought that there should be a Sovereign National Conference (SNC)? I am of the school of thought that there should be a Sovereign National Conference, a conference of all the tribes in Nigeria. And it can bring about what is happening, why these six zones will never succeed because they are creating a bonfire. The moment you get it done, other people will start agitation, 'that your man is governor, he is not helping us'. But if you look at this local government and give the local government, the complain will be localised because you know the money you gave. They must complain. But, your own people will say, your man is doing it. Its no more. With this, every local government becomes a leader. I agree that the people of the East can come together and have joint board for cooperation and this joint board for cooperation, will make way for roads, airways and all these things to make sure that all adjoining areas have good roads, good

water, electricity and other things. That is how constitutions are made. Constitutions are not made by villagers. Who are only thinking about themselves and not thinking about the interest of the people. The primary interest of the constitution is to protect the interest of the people. The moment that you continue to say it must be Yoruba, Hausa, this country will not make progress. Let me tell you, the Hausaman is a more sophisticated politician. Have you ever seen Hausas want Hausa. Throughout their history, have you ever seen a Northerner say, I want Hausa leadership. Have you ever seen a Yoruba say we want Yoruba leadership? But, of course when it suits them, they will use it. But, they won't come open and say it. What do you do to the small tribes, that are not as big as the Igbos. How many tribes are in Nigeria? Are you now saying that their interest will not be protected by the bigger tribes? But Chief, from what you are saying that any good leader is okay, so far how would you like to look at the performance of the President, Goodluck Jonathan vis avis his coming back in 2015? Well, as far as I am concerned, I haven't assessed Jonathan's administration, but I know that PDP government has been unable to develop Enugu State in any form for the past 13 years. You see, if I start looking at his administration as a person, I will become sentimental because he seems to be my brother. But, I have to look at the programme. If I start looking at Jonathan as a person, what is PDP? What have they done? Obasanjo was there, Yar'Adua was there and then Jonathan. It is now 13 years. What have they done for us? The coal corporation is dead. Electricity is dead. No national industry in Enugu state. What have we got? As far as I am concerned the PDP has failed us. Because if you put another person, he will do what they have done even if he is a Yorubaman or Hausaman, and he continues with this their quality, we have not got a change. If they are going to continue with this their quality and our people accept it, well, that is left for our people. Let us widen the horizon. How would you assess the PDP government in Nigeria? In Nigeria, the PDP government is a failure. For the past 13 years, corruption has gone to a height not experienced at any place at any time. I knew when I came back in 1962, policeman can't take bribe in seeing me. They use to go into the bush. If they get money, they go there and put it. So that they will not be

caught. Today, policeman will see me at my gate and ask me for money. How do you think that a country that is corrupt will ever change? Let me ask you, how many people have been imprisoned, high rated people like that for being corrupt? Let us think of Nigeria of tomorrow. Build on Nigeria of today for Nigeria of tomorrow. That is what all of us should be doing. The press men build the nation. I can tell you. In England, the press men build the nation. How did Obama come up? After he made a speech in a convention, they (Americans) said, 'this man can rule us'. Have you seen America, have you seen Canada, have you seen England? Are we the only people who have tribes? Why must we localize to tribalism. What is the best way to come out of this predicament? The best way is to find a Nigerian who is a good leader. One, limit the number of political parties. Capitalist party, be able to say I am a capitalist. I want to pursue capitalist policy. Socialist party, be able to say I am a socialist. I want to practice socialism. Communist party, be able to say I am a communist. Those who do not know where they belong, we can give them a party. Not just 35 or 40 parties, to do what? What are they going to do? What is their political philosophy? That is the problem of Nigeria. It is because we have no philosophy. What is the philosophy of government today? Can you tell me the philosophy of Nigerian politicians today? Okpara has pragmatic socialism. Awolowo has democratic socialism. But the ones of today, when they are talking, they will never talk about any ideology or philosophy. They will be talking about what they will do as if the country is their own. Now that the constitution amendment is on course, what are the necessary ingredients you think should be built into the constitution to make us achieve what you are just saying? Corruption must be outlawed. If you are found to be corrupt, just reasonable suspicion of corruption, you will stop what you are doing and be investigated. You won't be in a job and they investigate you. Corruption is not only money. Two, we should be leaders of our country. We should not be leaders of other nations. What I have found is that we are agents of other nations. Therefore as long as we are agents of other countries, we will not make progress.

Continues from page 19 issues relating to the Igweship

is the one dragging APGA back by playing hide and seek to e v e r y b o d y, s p o n s o r i n g blackmail everywhere. So, I challenge Governor Obi to come out with a date when there will be a meeting and invite pressmen. I will be there once it is the progress of APGA that will be discussed. Today, it is easy for somebody to say, I send a text to Victor Umeh to attend a meeting. Nobody will ask him, is that the way to invite your national chairman to a meeting. Text message, you don't know whether it is delivered or not. People should know when lies are told and when blackmail is being contrived, but like I said, I am very happy with response of party members when I returned. They have been calling me to pledge their support, loyalty and solidarity in all these travails. Together we are going to defend this party and we will come out triumphant at the end of the day, they will see it happen. Enugu Community protest alleged manipulation in Igweship contest The contest for the throne of Igwe Amodu-Okowo Community, Awkunanaw in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State, took a sudden and dramatic twist last Tuesday as some natives of the area protested strongly what they regarded as alleged plot to manipulate the town union's constitution to favour a particular candidate. The Advocate was informed that so far the contest for the traditional throne which has remained vacant since eight years ago when the last Igwe joined his ancestors, is between two aspirants - Engr. Gillis Emmanuel Onyeabor, an American-trained Civil Engineer and Okechukwu Ogbuka, a businessman based in Enugu. The protesters, comprising old men and women, youth and even a blind man who was being led by one of the natives, as well as a man walking with crutches, carried placards bearing inscriptions such as "Engr. Emma has WASC, Crown him," " A . T. U . F o l l o w t h e Constitution", "A.T.U. Give Our Igwe His Crown", "A.T.U. Give Us the Result of our Interview", "Emma's cocontestant has not submitted his WASC certificate as the constitution provides", among others. Singing pro-Onyeabor songs, the protesters marched peacefully to the Amodu Primary School where the leadership of Amodu Town Union (A.T.U.) held a crucial meeting where they discussed

contest. The peaceful protest followed the alleged plot by the kingmakers to turn the town union constitution on its head in order to favour a certain candidate. "No constitution, no election", the protesters said repeatedly as they pumped their clenched fists into the air. Subsequently, another small group comprising few red-eyed, sweating youths, carrying planks, sticks and placards bearing "Emma Onyeabor should go back to America", "We want Okey", and other unprintable inscriptions, stormed the arena and almost turned the protest violent, but the presence of armed police men and the president of A.T.U., who quickly intervened saved the situation. "We don't want constitution," they shouted vehemently. "We want open ballot," they said. The president of the A.T.U., Mr. Batholomew Edeh, collected the placards from the protesters and assured that their complaints would be looked into, adding that the process of the election for the Igweship would be conducted in a proper manner. "We want to make sure that the election of the Igwe Amodu is done accordingly. Please, I appeal to you people to remain calm," Edeh said. But the A.TU. president could not respond to reporters' questions on the accusation of the plot by the union's leadership to subvert the town union's constitution during the election. He also did not explain the provision of the constitution on the qualification of an aspirant to the throne of Igwe. However, a leader of the community, said the A.T.U. had already received their petition on the need to stick to the constitution of the town union which, he insisted, was written long ago without the intention of bending it or departing from it to favour anybody during matters like this. "We have told them to stick to the constitution. Every one in the community accepted the constitution after it was written and nobody should deviate from it. But from what we are seeing now, it appears the community leaders are deviating from it. We are being informed that they have formed another electoral committee, whereas the constitution says, only the kingmakers are authorised to select the Igwe Amodu. After those kingmakers have written their reports and submitted to them, they abolished it and started preparing electoral committee," he said.

THE

Monday, November 19 – Saturday, November 25, 2012

ADVOCATE

CRIME WATCH

Customs intercepts N744m goods –spokesman

ustoms intercepts goods worth N744m, says spokesman The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ikeja, said it impounded 2,142 different contraband goods valued at N744 million between Jan. 1 and Oct 7. 2012. Uche Ejesieme, the Public Relations Officer of the unit, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos. He said that the Duty Paid

Value (DPV) of the seizures was N890 million. “We are saddled with the responsibilities of not just suppressing smuggling but also enforcing compliance. We are on top of this assignment going by the admonishment of the CGC, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko, and also from the clear leadership style of the Controller, Federal Operations, Comptroller Dan Ugo, who has put everybody on his toes in that assignment. “We are not relenting on the

issue of suspects because the CGC is very particular about ensuring that we get suspects alongside some of these seizures and we are glad to let you know that we have arrested a total of 233 suspects during the same period. Some of the cases are being investigated while others are being prosecuted.'’ Ejesieme said that the Area Controller, Mr Dan Ugo, had been trying his best to ensure zero tolerance for all poultry products based on the directive

of the comptroller-general of customs. “We have our reasons for doing that because first, we need to protect the nation's economy. We need to also let people know that what they are consuming is also hazardous to health. We need to also think about growing our economy internally. To that effect, the Federal Government in its wisdom placed a ban, which we are enforcing. “The Federal Operations Unit from June to Sept. 2012, seized

a total of 13, 418 cartoons of assorted poultry products. The value of seizures is N41, 981, 400 only, with a Duty Paid Value of over N51 million.” Ejesieme said the level of voluntary payment and compliance with the fiscal policy was on the high side as a result of the unit's commitment. He said the management would not relent in equipping the officers, adding that it would also ensure improved performances.

UK Police arrest Nigerian over hacking Engineer's bank accounts

Nigerian man has been arrested on suspicion of trying to get into the bank accounts of a British engineer murdered in the Alps alongside family members. Abiodun David John, 33, is said to have tried to access money belonging to Saad Al-Hilli, 50, who was shot dead close to Lake Annecy, in eastern France, on September 5. The wife and mother-in-law of

Mr Al-Hilli, of Claygate, Surrey, died alongside side him, while a French cyclist was gunned down nearby. Now it is claimed that John tried to access Mr Al-Hilli's Royal Bank of Scotland and HSBC accounts within a few days of the quadruple murders. John's arrest by Greater Manchester Police in Salford followed a request by Annecy Magistrates and Surrey Police,

who are leading the hunt for the killer. A raid on his flat yielded numerous mobile phones and documents, said an investigating source. John, in turn, insists he is innocent, and told the Manchester Evening News: 'I believe that people have been tapping into my phone and accessing my internet. 'When the police came into my

house I did not know what they were talking about. They were talking about a dead man and said that I did it - took some money from a dead man's account. Police searched the Annecy scene of the murders of Saad Al-Hilli, his wife Ikbal, mother-in-law Suhalia and a cyclist. The quadruple murder took place in the forest near

Varsity lecturer, 2 others killed

wo people including, a lecturer with the University of Maiduguri, UNIMAID, and a Deputy Director in Borno State Ministry of Land and Survey were, yesterday, killed by some gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram members. The UNIMAID lecturer with the Department of Geography, Mr. Babagana Kolo, was trailed by his assailants to his house in Ummarari Ward of Maiduguri metropolis at 5pm, Monday, and shot dead, while the Deputy Director, Mallam Yerima was equally trailed to his house in Galadima area at 7:30am, yesterday, and killed. This was even as suspected armed robbers, yesterday afternoon, raided the popular Wapa Bureau de-Change in Kano State, killing a teenager and carted away huge amounts in foreign and local currencies. An eyewitness said that the robbers struck at 1pm, when Muslims were observing their midday prayers. The Joint Task Force, JTF, spokesman in Maiduguri, Lt.Col. Sagir Musa, said he was not in Maiduguri, but at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja for an official assignment. JTF source However, a top security officer attached to JTF, who spoke on the condition of anonymity,

confirmed the separate killings. He said: “Monday at Galadima area of Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, one Yarima, a Deputy Director in the Ministry of Land and Survey, was shot dead at his residence by unknown gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram members. “Yesterday, at Umarari Flour Mills area of the metropolis, one Babagana Kolo, a lecturer in the Department of Geography, UNIMAID, was shot dead at his residence by suspected Boko Haram sect members.” Robbers in Kano Meanwhile, in Kano State, a source said some armed robbers who were dressed in police uniform had arrived the scene on four motorcycles and two utility vehicle. The source said: “Their barrage of gunshots sent everyone around scampering for safety.” According to the source, the bandits made straight to a particular stall, where they shot and killed a teenager and made away with both foreign and local currencies already stocked in sacks. Wapa Bureau de-Change is located at the heart of the Kano Business District, surrounded by two military checkpoints and a Divisional Police Station. But the area had witnessed

several violent incidents in recent time. Yesterday's attack, however, triggered pandemonium around the city, forcing people to close their shops temporarily at the adjourning Sabon Gari Market. Security agents booed Security agents were said to have arrived the scene of the incident after the robbers had fled the area, leading to their being booed and yelled at by

those around. Confirming the story, the acting Police Public Relations Officer, Kano State Police Command, Mustapha Abubakar said details of the incident were sketchy, adding that a press statement would be issued on the matter later. Abubakar further noted that the Command, working in concert with other security agencies, had extended their dragnet to arrest the fleeing robbers.

Lt. Gen. Ihejirika

Chevaline and Lake Annecy in the French Alps. 'Somehow they connected this to me. I do not know where this has come from. 'They took me to the police station and they explained why I had been arrested. 'I was completely shocked. I did not know where the police were coming from. I am totally innocent. 'I do not know where this whole thing has come from.’ John is due to answer bail at Guildford police station in Surrey on Tuesday. More than 150 officers are involved in the Anglo-French operation to try and find the Annecy killer, but so far there have been no arrests. Detectives have been baffled as to why Mr Al-Hilli, his wife Ikbal, 47, and mother-in-law Suhalia, 74, were shot dead. A variety of theories have emerged regarding the motive for the killings. Media reports have linked Mr Al-Hilli with a secret trust account thought to include £15million in illegal kickbacks to Saddam Hussain's regime. But French police last month denied any link between the British engineer and Saddam Hussain. The idea that the killer may have been a lone psychopath was 'gaining ground' according to police. Officers suggested that the type of gun the killer used - a 7.65mm Luger - is not consistent with the work of a trained assassin. It has also been suggested that the cyclist killed may have been the main target and that the family were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Annecy prosecutor Eric Millaud admitted that there was no 'immediate prospect' of the crime being solved and that the investigation would be a long process.

THE

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Monday, November 19 – Saturday, November 25, 2012

BUSINESS

FOI: Court grants coalition leave to sue PHCN over contract details

Federal High Court in Abuja has granted leave to the Nigerian Contract Monitoring Coalition to apply for an order to compel the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to disclose to it details of a World Bank-supported contract for the supply and installation of High Voltage Distribution systems in Abuja, Lagos and Ibadan. Justice A.F.A Ademola granted the Coalition leave following a suit instituted on September 21, 2012 on its behalf by one of its members, the Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC), which is the National Convener of the Coalition monitoring the award and implementation of the contract for the Federal Government project funded with a credit facility obtained from the World Bank. Other members of the coalition include the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Media Rights Agenda (MRA), the Centre for Organizational and Professional Ethics (COPEAFRICA) and the Initiative for Environmental and Health Society (IFEHS). The Nigerian Contract Monitoring Coalition is a division of the West African Contract Monitoring Coalition which is being regionally coordinated by the Ghana AntiCorruption Commission (GACC), and is implementing a project titled “Multi-

stakeholder Engagement for Effective Public Procurement Process in Nigeria. In a motion ex parte filed by its lawyer, Mr. Godwin N. Chigbu, the Coalition sought an order granting it leave to apply for the prerogative order of mandamus to compel PHCN, its General Manager in the Project Management Unit, Mr. B.C. Nwozor; and the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation to furnish the coalition with copies of procurement documents and information relating to Bid No. NGP-D2 for the supply of 300 units of 11 KV, 500A On-Load Sectionalizers for installation at the High Voltage Distribution System (HVDS) networks at Karu in Abuja; at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), in Ogba and in Agege, all in Lagos as well as Challenge in Ibadan. Specifically, the Coalition asked the court to compel the respondents to disclose to it the following documents and information:  PHCN's procurement plan for the contract  The report of the needs assessment that preceded the contract  Documentation on the design and specification requirements  Documentation on the scope of the procurement  Bidding documents issued to all bidders for the

FCT targets 10,000 for employment By Favour Nnabugwu

BUJA –Federal Capital Territory, FCT, has targeted employment of 10,000 women through its Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, SURE-P, before December 31. FCT Minister of State, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, said in A b u j a , y e s t e r d a y, w h i l e receiving FCT chapter of the National Council of Women's Society, led by the President, Mrs. Nancy Bulus, in her office. Akinjide explained that the FCT Administration had established a Project Implementation Unit for the programme towards empowering and training women and youth in different

skills and vocation. She said: “The administration of President Goodluck Jonathan is gender-friendly and has initiated some programmes to economically empower our women and youths. “One of the programmes is the SURE-P, which was established to oversee and ensure the effective and timely implementation of projects to be funded with the savings accruing to it from partial removal of subsidy on petroleum products. “There is going to be massive employment of women and youth in the FCT before the end of this year. We are employing about 10,000 women and youth under the SURE-P.”

procurement  A list of all the contractors that submitted bids for the procurement  A copy of bid evaluation report of the technical subcommittee of the Tenders' Board for the procurement  Minutes of the Tenders' Board meeting approving the winning bids  Copies of the letters of award of the contract and final contract award documents for the procurement  Documentation on the current status of the procurement exercise  Documents showing the contract sum, conditions of the contract and payment terms and schedule; and  The names and addresses of all distribution companies on whose behalf the

procurement was undertaken and which will subsequently be responsible for the utilization and management of the goods and works procured In a 12-paragraph affidavit in support of the motion, Ms Seember Nyager, Procurement Administrator at the PPDC, explained that the Federal Government obtained the credit f a c i l i t y f r o m t h e Wo r l d Bank/International Development Agency (IDA) towards the improvement of the Nigerian Electricity and Gas Project. She said PHCN published Invitation for Bid in several national newspapers, including page 41 of The Guardian of May 6, 2011 calling for bidders to undertake the supply and installation of the equipment. Ms Nyager deposed that the

contracts had been awarded and that on August 30 and 31, the coalition applied to both the PHCN and the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company Plc, one of the beneficiaries of the project, for the contract documents and information but that PHCN refused to furnish the coalition with the information while the Abuja Distribution Company replied on September 5, 2012 stating that it was the PHCN that carried out the procurement and had all the relevant documents and information. After listening to Mr. Chigbu's arguments in support of the Motion Ex parte, Justice Ademola granted the coalition's application for leave to apply for the order of mandamus. Further hearing in the suit has been fixed for November 20, 2012

Airlines get six months to install safety gadget

irline operators in Nigeria have been given six months to install Automated Flight Information Reporting System, AFIRS, the newest safety device in aviation, in their aircraft or face sanction. Director-General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Dr. Harold Demuren, who issued the ultimatum to airlines in an interview with journalists, shortly after the presentation of his paper at the ongoing Airbus Industry Wo r k s h o p T r a i n i n g f o r indigenous airline operators in Lagos, yesterday, said it cost NCAA about $30,000 to acquire and install the equipment in its headquarters in Lagos . He noted that all the airlines currently operating in Nigeria were interested in fixing the equipment in their airplanes and that it would cost them more. He, however, said they could pay in installment to the manufacturer of the equipment after the initial payment of about $60, 000 on each aircraft. Demuren said: “I think we are giving them six months to install the gadgets in their airplanes. We need to give them sometime. It is not a thing you can do in one day. “After that, no aeroplane would operate in the public category carrying passengers for hire and reward will be allowed again in the country. I think it is good to

promote safety in the industry.” “Any snag would be detected automatically. Every one of them wants to do it. Look, if you think this is expensive, go and try accident. It is the latest in the world. You know we have been complaining that pilots don't record snags in their logbooks, but this automatically records everything. “You can't hide or change it. Everyone would have it; the airline and even the NCAA. We will know the problem and we would be able to fix it. “It is a fraction of the money they will use to buy an airplane. It's nothing. The system entirely for NCAA cost us about $30, 000. For the airlines, we are talking of initial payment of $60,000 and then a yearly payment till they finish paying.”

Also speaking on the issue, the International Safety Programme Director, Airbus, Mr. Marc Ballion, said AFIRS would automatically be fixed on all Airbus planes from 2015. He said with this installation, speculations arising from probable causes of aircraft accident would be over, stressing that before the airline could come out with the latest technology; it took two years of intensive research. “Again, we have to be predictive and pro-active in our approach to safety of airplanes and passengers in the sector. We don't have to wait for an accident to occur before we take step. This device reveals all the components of aircraft and monitors the movement of aircraft,.” Ballion said

THE

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Monday, November 19 – Saturday, November 25, 2012

WOMEN WORLD

African Women’s role in political and economic development

Aileen Serif Johnson

By Okey Anyichie

s African countries have now assumed over five d e c a d e s o f sovereignties, since 1950s, it is pertinent to x-ray the role played by the female members of these independent African countries. Africa as a very big continent fell under the colonial influence of some European countries like Britain, France, Portugal, Spain and Germany during the 19th century. However at the dawn of 20th century, some of these European colonies in Africa started a movement towards the frontier of freedom and Liberation. These agitations and struggle for freedom later saw the light of the day as some colonies like Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia and Sudan got librated in the early and Mid-50s. However it was Ethiopia that was never colonized since it was founded in 1040 AD, except the invasion

Mrs Margaret Ekpo of the country by Italy in 1935 and occupied the country till 1942, when the allied forces drove the Italian occupation troops out of the country. After the second world war in 1945, the tempo of militant nationalism took place in most African countries still under the colonial yoke. Again the agitations for freedom saw most colonies like Nigeria, Ghana Senegal, Chad, Guinea, Republic of Benin Cote D'voire, Togo, Congo-Brazzaville, Congo Republic, Central Africa, Mali, Burkina-faso, Cameroun among other countries gaining independence from 1957 From 1957 to present, there is no colony in the continent. After these African colonies gained independence, the task of nation-building started in earnest, with some of these independent African countries going in a positive direction while some going in a negative direction. Such is the situation now that most of political and

Mrs Funmilayo Ransome Kuti

economic activities in some African countries create the picture that most African leaders are yet to understand the dynamics of nation-building. Instead of going in a clock-wise, they have chosen to go in anticlock wise direction. This is part of problems of nation building efforts that are overwhelming the political and economic development in different African countries. However since the struggle for the political emancipation in Africa, women since the dawn of independence in the 50s and 60s have not played a significant role with their men counterpart, until recently, some countries started to accommodate their female citizens, that they complement their male counterparts by diving into the waves of nation-building and made their mark in political and economic development. In Kenya, in the 60s, the daughter of the president of Kenya, Margaret Kenyatta, was

... And the Nigerian Women’s contributions to development

he Nigerian woman has proved to be more than a mere bench-warming spectator even in the midst - of the male-dominated professional congregation. Three of such male dominated professions - the Nigerian Medical Association, the Nigerian Bar Association and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria - have been led in recent times by female presidents. These feats according to an accomplished, professional, Chief Mrs. Bola Kuforiji Olubi, apart a from testifying to the resilience, determination and unyielding "spirit" of women, cast in bold relief two useful and challenging facts. These are firstly, that leadership traits are not genetically acquired and - have nothing to do with gender. Women can effectively participate in policy making and governance, if given the chance. They can hold their own in very difficult and stressful situations and can do as well, if not better, than

men. Secondly, that men admire and respect women who wield power whether it be economic or political. This fact dismantles the confusing and misleading notion that successful women are abhorred and constitute a threat to the society and especially to their husbands and associates. According to Chief (Mrs) Kuforiji Olubi, the foregoing implies that successful women need not spurn marital and filial commitments in search of sociopolitical advancement. In other words, they have options and possibilities for forging a workable communal, political, participatory programme from the springboard of economic viability alongside their traditional responsibilities. The steady advancement of women in contributing to the nation's socio-economic development and their progressive prominence in the national scheme of affairs have, to a large extent,

Ngozi Okonjo Iweala impacted on the Federal Government; and the Government has responded positively in many ways. Mrs. M Babangida was active in the promotion of women-related issues and interests during her husbands's tenure as President. During this period the Better Life for Rural Women Programme was established for the purpose of empowering women economically and socially. The subsequent creation of the National Commission for Women

Hajia Gambo Sawaba,

elected the mayor of Nairobi, the capital city. Another woman, Grace Onyango was appointed a minister. In the next door neighbouring country of Tanzania, Madam Bibi-Titi Mohammed was a strong political force in the country. In Ghana in 1957, when this West African country became independent, five women were elected into the National Assembly of the country. Their dynamic president, Dr Kwame Nkrumah encouraged a lot of women to participate in the political affairs of the country. In Nigeria, after independence in 1960 a woman was appointed into the Upper-House called the Senate. This Pioneer Woman Senator was Chief (Mrs) Wuraola Esan and later in 1983, Chief Francisca Afegbua became the first elected Senator. There were other female pioneer politicians like Mrs Margaret Ekpo from Cross-River State, Chief (Mrs) Janet Mokelu from Anambra state, Chief (Mrs)

Funmilayo Ransome Kuti, Hajia Gambo Sawaba, these stormy petrels impacted very vigorously on the political “turf” of Nigeria's first republic from 1960 to 1966. During the second republic, a woman, Mrs Ebun Oyagbola was appointed a minister of National planning and other three women were also in the national cabinet from 1979 to 1983. Now there are five ministers, two holding important ministerial positions. Liberia set the record of electing a woman president, called Aileen Serif Johnson. She is now holding on to her presidential position. Malawi equally has a woman as the Chief executive of the country. All these highlight the present day role of women in the nation-building exercise in Africa. This also goes to the point that women are essential in the orbit of partisan politics for the purpose of stability and political leadership in Africa.

and a ministerial portfolio for Women Affairs provide additional avenues for the promotion of women-related issues and the enhancement of the role of women in national development by way of a statutory body and a Ministry. At this juncture it is pertinent to pose a number of vital questions: Are these achievements, with an ever present spectre of tokenism hovering over the potential of the future Nigerian women, farreaching enough? Can they translate into permanent structures that will guarantee the desired equitable society in terms of gender relations? Can they be used as yardsticks for measuring the latent calibre of the future Nigerian woman and her placement within the national scheme? To avoid succumbing to a narrow political scope, the foregoing questions are juxtaposed on the assertions of Professor Ali Mazrui in his 1991 Guardian Lecture titled, 'The Black women and the problem of gender: Trials, Triumphs and Challenges" where he sought to establish a distinction

between political visibility or centring and political empowerment. To him, the greater proportion of positive developments for women in Nigeria can be classified as "the politics of centring or liberation." His words in part: "A woman can be at the Centre without being empowered, a woman can be Liberated without being either centred or empowered.... The strategy of redemption needs to go beyond liberation and beyond centring towards genuine powersharing between the two halves of the Black world, male and female ....in real life, motherhood leaves the African women at the center but not necessarily in power (Mazrui, 1991). ." It is only in redressing the obfuscation of centering without empowerment in the various domains involving women that issues inherent in the answer to the foregoing questions and the path leading to the emergence of the future Nigerian woman could be addressed. Source: Online Nigeria

THE

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Monday, November 19 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Saturday, November 25, 2012

MOTORING

The 2013 Infiniti JX T Infiniti JX in Review

Infiniti JX Seating

Trunk

Engine

Tail light

he 2013 Infiniti JX ranks 18 out of 20 Luxury Midsize SUVs. This ranking is based on our analysis of 15 published reviews and test drives of the Infiniti JX, and our analysis of reliability and safety data. The all-new 2013 Infiniti JX offers a lot of standard and available features, but testers say that unless you're a technology buff, there are much better luxury crossovers to fill the empty spot in your driveway. Most testers are not impressed with the 2013 Infiniti JX's performance, though nearly all of them note that buyers who don't prioritize sporty driving dynamics might not mind. Reviewers complain about the V6 engine, the only one available, saying it doesn't feel nearly as powerful as most of the JX's rivals. Most reviewers also mention the JX's continuously variable transmission, saying that although it's one of the best available, they would still prefer a traditional transmission with real gears, which could help performance. Finally, reviewers say the JX's handling is floaty and disconnected from the road, although the standard 18-inch wheels absorb bumps fairly well. Overall, the Infiniti JX is tuned for comfort and fuel economy, which test drivers complain about, but is something luxury SUV buyers might not mind. Like most Infiniti models, the JX is jam-packed with technology. Many reviewers rave about its available Around-View Monitor, a 360-degree exterior camera, and its unique Back-Up Collision Intervention system, which can bring the SUV to a halt if it senses an obstacle in its path while reversing. Plus, testers love the fact that the second row slides forward and folds a bit in order to allow access to the third row, even with a child seat in place. There is some Wheel Cap disagreement about whether there is enough space in the second and third rows for adults, but most concur that the front row is plenty roomy. One of the biggest complaints about the JX's interior is that in order to get the coolest hightech features, you have to opt for an expensive Premium package first, and then choose the packages with the technology you want. That ends up increasing the JX's price significantly. However, the JX does come standard with a competitive list of features, like push-button ignition, triHead Light zone automatic climate control and heated front seats.

Victoria Island Porsche Centre: The benefits of buying locally

ictoria Island in Lagos is the location of Africa's newest Porsche dealership following the opening of the Porsche Centre. This is the most modern facility of its kind in Sub Saharan Africa, built to world class standards that allow customers to indulge in the Porsche experience as they would in any other Porsche showroom worldwide. Nigerians now have the option to own a Porsche with full local dealer support, and drive a vehicle that has been customised for the unique driving and fuel conditions found in Nigeria. The showroom is a playroom for Porsche enthusiasts - with a fitting lounge that boasts a full range of colour, leather and Alloy rim samples thus allowing customer to select the vehicle colour of choice and match this with the interior colour and wheels to build a truly customised vehicle no two vehicles have the same options. A vehicle configurator allows customers to view their vehicle with both interior and exterior views as they build their vehicles and allows customers to see their cars in real time. Customers and those who have yet to be convinced of the value of driving one of these luxury

Porsche Center in Victoria Island, Lagos cars have the option of test driving a demonstration vehicle prior to purchasing so as to experience the ride and performance of each model. Porsche Centre's sales staff are trained abroad and it shows in their professionalism and product knowledge. Not only do patrons have the option of building their own custom vehicles but they can purchase a complete range of Porsche branded clothing and accessories from the Porsche design Drivers Selection boutique in the showroom. All new vehicles have a standard

two year unconditional factory warranty with the option of extending the warranty annually for up to nine years or 200 000 km whichever comes first. Service plans are available on selected models to ensure fixed motoring costs for customers. Full service and parts facilities are available in both Lagos and Abuja with the additional quick service coming soon to the Victoria Island showroom thus allowing customers to wait in the coffee lounge or make use of the chauffeur drive service to drop them at work. Full custom tailored financing

options are available to suit customers' needs with as little as 20% deposit and terms of up to 60 months with monthly payments as low as 398 000 Naira making owning a Porsche more affordable. The complete range of models is available starting with the new Boxster for 12 200 000 Naira and Cayenne from 16 000 000 Naira through to the Panamera from 25 000 000 Naira. The complete model range has been fully tropicalised with extra cooling and stronger suspension to cater for the challenging driving conditions in Nigeria.

The Cayenne SUV is the biggest seller in the range, while the Panamera with height adjustable suspension has also been very well accepted due to the good ground clearance and ability to deal with the conditions in Nigeria. Basic specifications of all models for the Nigerian market are much higher that other markets such as USA and Europe where customers would have to pay for such options. All models for Nigeria are built to the Euro 4 emission levels due to the low quality of fuel available and ensure optimum performance. Nigerians have traditionally purchased their luxury vehicles abroad with the perception that the vehicles are cheaper; however, there are many disadvantages of buying such vehicles as they are not suited for African conditions and many experience overheating and poor air-conditioning. The vehicles built for other markets are built to Euro 5 specifications and are not suitable for operating with the fuel available in Nigeria and therefore drivers may experience many problems with the engine management systems which can lead to permanent damage to the engine.

THE

ADVOCATE

Monday, November 19 – Saturday, November 25, 2012

TELECOMMUNICATION

Boko Haram destroy 150 base stations in Northern Nigeria

t last count, recent attacks on telecoms facilities across the northern Nigeria by Boko Haram, the dreaded Islamist group have destroyed 150 base stations, accounting for the epileptic telecommunications services being rendered in the region. Investigations revealed that all the 150 base stations attacked were strategic sites that other offsite stations rely on to function. Also attacked were Mobile Switching Centres (MSCs) which is a telephone exchange that makes the connection between mobile users within the network, from mobile users to the public switched telephone network and from mobile users to other mobile networks. The MSC also administers handovers to neighbouring base stations, keeps a record of the location of the mobile subscribers, and is responsible

for subscriber services and billing. Experts say if an MSC is down all the base stations talking to it will be rendered inactive. Operators are also reluctant to put the damaged base stations back to use as a result of fragile security situation in the states. To add salt to injury, some base stations in Kano state are said to have been locked down by some government agencies without notices. But operators appear to have adopted a strategy of not negotiating with government agencies in that part of the country on any base station locked down without pre-notice, leaving subscribers to bear the poor quality of service. It would be recalled that Boko Haram sect had on September 5 added a twist in their rebellion against the Nigerian state with attacks on telecom facilities in Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, and Kano States.

Few days later suspects believed to be members of the Boko Haram sect also attacked several telecommunications facilities, in Zaria, Kaduna State. Spokesman of the group, Abu Qaqa said his group wanted to punish GSM companies because they have helped security agencies to arrest and kill many of its members. It would be recalled that telecommunications companies in Nigeria spend some $90 million annually in repairs of fibre network cut by activities of government contractors building roads and vandals. Fiber optic cables are major building blocks in the telecommunication infrastructure because of their high bandwidth capabilities. But the damage being done to the telecommunications infrastructure is hampering efforts to provide robust ICT services. Operators also warn that if urgent measures are not taken by government and other

One of the base station regulatory authorities, about $25 billion investments recorded in the sector so far will be seriously affected. As it is today, Nigeria lacks

major infrastructure and cannot afford preventable damages of its facilities as a result of government neglect and security lapses.

Will mobile sensors revolutionise healthcare?

ow the phone in your pocket could help power a revolution in healthcare that will allow your doctor to spot problems and intervene no matter where you

University of Southern California, specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease using wearable and implanted devices. She believes that networked gadgets, such as an iPhone fitted with a heartrate monitor, could be the start of a revolution in healthcare that will allow your doctor to spot problems - and intervene even if they are thousands of miles away. enriched and empowered with She tells BBC Future about what this relatively inexpensive an aeroplane.” measure could mean for global Ebube who was notified of her health. winning, via a phone call immediately opted for the cash value of the plane, which is N64m. She said, “I am short of words, there is no word to describe what I feel right now, it is almost as if The Nigerian Communications it is a dream but I know that Commission (NCC) has warned nothing can be more real than telecommunications operators what I am feeling right now. This against running lotteries and must be the best Christmas gift promotions. ever. It is truly wonderful.” This is contained in a statement Speaking on the process leading issued by Mr Tony Ojobo, the to the selection of winners for Director, Public Affairs of the the promo, the Assistant commission in Abuja. Director, Lagos zone of the The ban covered approved NLRC, Mr. Obi Iriegbu, said had promotions and lotteries in been transparent and credible. which the NCC signed a “We started this journey Memorandum of understanding together, ensuring that the with the National Lottery c o n s u m e r s ' i n t e r e s t s a r e Regulatory Commission. protected and that the brand The statement said the ban fulfils its promises. So far so would be in place until such a good, it has been a credible and time as might be determined by transparent process leading to the commission. the Ultimate winner of the The commission had in recent aeroplane promised, from the times been inundated with beginning of the promo,” he s e v e r a l c o m p l a i n t s f r o m stated. consumers and stakeholders are in the world. Dr Leslie Saxon wants to be able to measure anybody's heartbeat, no matter where they are in the world. The cardiologist, from the

Student wins MTN's N64m aeroplane

bube Essien-Garricks, a 27-year-old student of College of Health Science and Technology, Rivers State, has emerged the winner of a Cessna 182T aircraft in the MTN Ultimate Wonder promo. She won after a draw held at the head office of MTN in Lagos on Tuesday. Chief Marketing Officer, MTN, Mr. Larry Annetts, said the draw leading to the winner was interesting, credible and transparent. He said, “When we came out with the promo, many doubted us but today we have an Ultimate winner who will go home with the promised Cessna 182T aeroplane. The take-home for us here is that MTN is committed towards enriching the lives of its consumers. “When we say we will do something, you can be sure that we don't renege on our promises. The can-do- spirit is forever guiding our paths in offering utmost satisfaction to our consumers and we are glad that today a Nigerian has been

IPhone 4

NCC bans telecommunication operators from lotteries, promotions against the various promotions offered by the operators. It said the commission had evaluated the complaints received against the backdrop of sustaining the integrity of the networks and the general interest of the consumers. The statement further said that the commission was mindful of one of its statutory responsibilities; to protect and promote the interest of consumers against unfair practises. It said the promotions had increased the number of minutes available to subscribers for use within a limited period of time, thereby, creating congestion in the networks. It also said that on-net calls were now being offered by operators

at tariffs well below the prevailing inter-connect rates, thereby, introducing anticompetitive practises and behaviour. It further said the termination of calls was becoming difficult between networks, making it extremely hard for subscribers to make calls successfully. It listed the Telecom Operators a ff e c t e d b y t h e b a n a s : GLOBACOM, MTN, INTERCELLULAR,VISAFON E, ETISALAT, AIRTEL and MULTILINKS The commission said it was determined to ensure that the quality of service offered by the networks were such that delivered value to the consumers.

THE

ADVOCATE

Monday, November 19 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Saturday, November 25, 2012

November 15 2012. APPRECIATION I humbly wish to once again thank you, the good people of Enugu-East Senatorial District, the professional bodies, civil societies, the clergy, traditional rulers, community leaders, women and youth organizations who trooped out en masse on Wednesday, November14th 2012 to partake in the public hearing on the proposed constitutional amendment at Agbani, Nkanu-West Local Government Area. I equally acknowledge the volume of memoranda and submissions that you all came with. It is unfortunate that an occasion that was packaged to offer the people of Enugu-East Senatorial District their right to air their views on how they shall be governed, was scuttled due to political ambition of an individual. I wish to assure you all that necessary steps are being taken to constitutionally address the wicked and barbaric acts. Your right to express your opinions on how to restructure our dear country cannot be wished away because of desperate quest for power by a fellow who does not understand that politics is different from governance, and of-course that power belongs to the people. I specially commend your firmness of character and sense of patriotism in conducting yourselves in the most decent, peaceful and patriotic manners in the face of the organized hooliganism that was displayed at the venue. It was even more worrisome and shameful that a senior police officer, in the person of CSP Sampson Ihuabuenyi, the Divisional Police Officer of Agbani Police Division, was used to perpetrate the dastardly act. Please refer to Punch, Vanguard, National Mirror, Sun and many other newspapers of November 15th 2012 some of-which were even reportedly confiscated upon arrival to Enugu. Now the fundamental question is: When police begins to aid crime brazenly, what then becomes of the citizenry in future? May I one more time repeat that I reached out to all those concerned especially the council chairmen and top government functionaries within my constituency. As the host council chairman, I held several meetings with Mr. Ekene Okenwa of Nkanu-West Local Government Area concerning the event. It was given adequate publicity. th You would recall that five (5) days before the date, precisely on Saturday, November 10 2012, in the course of attending the public hearings for the three (3) federal constituencies within our senatorial zone I ensured that it was roundly-announced. The venues were Enugu-North Council Headquatres for Enugu-North and South Federal Constituency, Enugu-East Council Headquatres for the Enugu-East and Isi-Uzo Federal Constituency and the same Nkanu- West Council Headquatres for Nkanu-East and West Federal Constituencies where I and Ekene Okenwa jointly circulated the information. Witnesses abound in thie regard. But page 49 of The Nation Newspaper of Monday, September 5, 2011 is a true reflection of a man who is enjoying public trust at this stage of our political development. My heart bleeds! However, may I passionately appeal to you, the eminent men and women who are the direct victims of the high-level conspiracy, particularly those of you who witnessed the orchestrated sabotage at the Council Headquatres Agbani, to please remain calm and law-abiding even in the face of further provocation(s). Nigeria is above an individual, despite how highlyplaced or connected the fellow is. It is my hope that this show of shame and attempted abortion of democracy shall certainly help to address all the series of injustices and subjugations that have become your lot lately. No amount of intimidation or sabotage shall make me lose sight of your democratic sacrifices particularly when it mattered most. I shall not fail you, especially now that the expectations are very high. I shall not relent in fighting for your right. I am rather more challenged to continue to offer you effective and responsive representation. It is your right and you worked for it. Thank you and may God continue to bless you all!

Senator (Prince) Gilbert Nnaji, ENUGU-EAST SENATORIAL DISTRICT

THE

Monday, November 19 – Saturday, November 25, 2012

ADVOCATE

NEWS FROM STATES MANGROOVE STATE AGITATION: The plot to destroy ABI/ Yakurr Federal constituency can separate state through genuine accommodate the people of Abi Ifeanyi Ubah join – Nsan and logical grounds leaving the a n d Y a k k u r r F e d e r a l most important and By Edem Archibong, Calabar

he former Minister during Mohammed Buhari era, Dr. Emmanuel Nyong Nsan has declared support for the creation of Mangrove state since Ogoja state creation out of the present Cross River State is very likely while the remaining seven LGA's in Southern Senatorial District opt to join their Oron/Okobo kit and kin in Akwa Ibom State to form the new Mangrove state. Speaking with The Advocate on the eve of constitution review f o r u m i n C a l a b a r, D r. Emmanuel Nsan who was the front liner for the creation of 'Atlantic state'in 1996 recalled that he had submitted the request to Justice Mbanefo's panel but that exercise did not see the light of the day due to some personal interest then. He explained that they had the foresight ahead of time that, Ogoja people who accepted to belong to the present Cross River, would eventually agitate for their long overdue state when the time comes which necessitated for the people of Southern Senatorial district to stretch their arms for their kit and kin to merge together because of close ancestral affinity. Dr. Nsan commended the people of Ogoja for rising to the challenge of demanding for their

other component parts to decide their faith which is the reason the agitation for Mangrove state is revisited with a change of name from the former atlantics state to Mangrove due to new development as Eket ethic group in the present Akwa Ibom State are also making agitation for Atlantics state. On his confidence over the creation of Mangrove state, the former Minister now with the College of Medicine, University of Calabar as well as an adviser in the palace of Obong of Calabar reasoned that the case of ceding of Bakassi peninsula to the Republic of Cameroon on the bases of ICJ judgment is one of the factor why the residual Cross River State should be allowed to merge with Oron/Okobo for a new state. For the choice of mangrove state and urgent abandoning of their former name, “Atlantic state,” he revealed that it was a consensus decision of the residual Cross Riverians with the leaders of Oron/Okobo community to change that name to reflect on a common demographic feature like the mangrove forest which the people are blessed. On the issue of maintaining Calabar as the Capital of the new proposed state, he confirmed that the leaders of the two fronts unanimously agreed to allow Calabar as their state capital for obvious reasons while promising that they can

constituency into the Mangrove state if they insist to remain with her. Abi Local Government Area in the present Cross River State is the home of Senator Liyel Imoke who claimed he represented the former Calabar/Ogoja Accord signed between the leaders of the two zones for the purpose of selecting a governor of the state in 1980. The Advocate investigation revealed that the people of Calabar which comprises the present Southern Senatorial district made up of seven Local Government Areas have only mounted the governorship saddle for once during the former Donald Duke eight years tenure while the Ogoja axis had it once during the period of Mr. Clement Ebri as governor for two years as well as the Senator Liyel Imoke's eight years expected to be completed in 2015. However, Senator Imoke had recently told the people of the state that he would no longer validate the erstwhile Calabar/Ogoja Accord at the end of his eight years tenure but instead transfer power to the Northern Senatorial district as a new political nomenclature although Senator Imoke's administration is being accused of favoring only his Abitribesmen in both employment and contracts awards

Jesse crisis: Delta House urges Uduaghan to intervene

SABA DELTA State House of Assembly, yesterday, passed a resolution urging the governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, to direct the Commissioner of Police and other security agencies in the state to move into Jesse and restore order to the troubled community. Six persons were feared dead in the community and the palace of the monarch was razed by an angry mob over the king's refusal to allow them to lynch a suspected ritualist. The motion, which was moved under matters of urgent public importance by the member, representing Ethiope West Local Government Area, John Nani, was unanimously adopted by the lawmakers. He said there was total anarchy in the area because of the incident, adding that the order was to allow for proper investigation.

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realistic advice to Dr Cosmos Maduka. He advised Dr Maduka to return home to Nnewi and use the traditional ways to reach settlement of the claims he is making. Nnewi has a highly respected traditional ruler Igwe Orizu who many believe will settle this matter amicably. It is not in anyone's position to set the guidelines for such intervention, the Igwe in council must have it's own guidelines. Since Chief Dan Ulasi has opened this window of opportunity for both parties to seek settlement Dr Cosmos Maduka must stop his grass propaganda in his infantile TV interviews in which he continues to cast Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah in the most unspeakable manner because if the truth must be told, he is not standing on any grounds at all. Rushing from one TV studio to another does not in any way advance his case. Rather he has exposed the inner workings of a bank, a bank director and the sordid ways they are conducting their banking activities which incidentally contravenes all known banking regulations, whoever is advising him must be his mortal enemy because any adviser must have alerted him on the need to keep his arsenals tight just incase the matter drifts into litigation. Capital Oil has rightly declared that he has instituted court action and had nothing more to say except the detailed explanation it published in the Daily Sun of 31st October. Dr Cosmos Maduka missed the

fundamental point in this whole saga and that is his admission that his group entered a joint venture (JV) with Capital Oil. This was after Dr Maduka admitted that compassion was the reason he decided to form a joint venture platform called Vibrant Ventures after as he claims that no bank or lending institution will advance any loans to Capital Oil. Since Dr Maduka have decided to front load his facts it is a fair game to dissect same for the numerous inconstancies contained therein. The Joint Venture company must take full responsibilities for all actions of the fuel importation and distribution because going by what was admitted one can safely assume that Access bank must have opened the L/Cs in the name of the Joint Venture Company or that would not have been necessary in the first place to create a joint venture platform. The bank covered itself in steel armor by also insisting on warehousing the products, an excellent financial instrument to protect the bank. For Dr Cosmos Maduka to be shouting about getting his money to the last kobo is stretching emotions to a very ridiculous length and exposes him to some degree of illiteracy. It is suggested in same quarters that Nnewi sons and daughters namely Chief Dan Ulasi, Prof ABC Nwosu, Dr Dozie Ikedife, Mrs. Stella Okoli, Chief Chikason Okafor, Dr Cletus Ibeto, Engr. Owudili Nwosu call their two sons home for soul searching meeting and resolve their financial differences.

Fashola raises alarm over wife's impersonation in Facebook

Gov Uduaghan Majority Leader, Chief Monday Igbuya, Keston Okoro, Dennis Omovie and others, who spoke in favour of the motion, stressed the need for immediate action to

avoid a spillover of the crisis. D e p u t y S p e a k e r, B a s i l Ganagana, who chaired the session, agreed that the situation should be brought under control.

ov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, yesterday denied the involvement or existence of any Facebook account for his wife, Abimbola, the First Lady of the state. According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media,, Mr. Hakeem Bello, the First Lady of the state does not operate a Facebook, Twitter or indeed any social media account “Perpetrators of the criminal act should desist henceforth or should be ready to face the music when the long arm of the law catches up with them.,”the Special Adviser warned. Describing impersonation

as a criminal offence punishable by law, Hakeem warned unsuspecting members of the public should avoid falling victims of fraudsters impersonating the First Lady on the facebook or any social media outlet. “For the avoidance of doubt, the First Lady of Lagos State, Dame Emmanuella Abimbola Fashola does not operate any Facebook, Twitter or indeed any social media account,” he stated. The warning became necessary following the recent alert over the activities of impostors posing as the wife of the Governor of Lagos State.

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ACHEBE: Stirring up a desirable controversy May God bless him. Others should tell their own stories. And may all Nigerians learn lessons from the past so that we can build a more caring society. Fact Number Three is quintessential Achebe: He apportioned blames for the pogrom, mass starvation of innocent children and genocide. He singled out General Gowon as the Head of State/military government at the time. He singled out Chief Awolowo as the deputy chairman of the Federal Executive Council and Federal Commissioner for Finance. He singled out the British government and its Prime Minister at the time, Mr. Harold Wilson, and finally the United Nations, and its Secretary General U Thant. Achebe clearly does not subscribe to the concept of “unknown soldier”, and “unknown government officials” so as to be politically correct. As expected, Achebe's traducers and abusers have focused their attack mainly on the infamous policy that “starvation is a legitimate instrument of war”, which was very robustly defended by Pa Awolowo on behalf of the Federal Military Government. True to his honest self, Chief Awolowo admitted this and gave his justification. His 140-page book titled “Awo On The Civil War” published in 1981, reprinted 1982, by John West Publishers, Ikeja told his story. This book also contains the verbatim report of the twoday meeting in Enugu in 1967 between Lt.-Col. Odumegwu Ojukwu and Chief Awolowo leading the National Conciliation Committee comprising Prof. Aluko, Chief Mariere and Chief Onyia. Achebe's abusers should please read this book to know who said precisely what at the Enugu meeting. With regard to the explosive policy of “starvation as a weapon of war”, more damaging evidence abound especially from non-Nigerian writers. I shall quote one of these in full. Mr. John de St. Jorre, Oxfordeducated and author of “The Brothers War: Biafra And Nigeria” (1972) was explicit. He wrote on pages 243 and 244: “In the federal camp the Hardliners, who included some of the leading soldiers, politicians (Notably Awolowo) and many of the top civil servants who were concerned about the internationalisation and cost of the war, advocated the Quick Kill. For them, starvation was a legitimate weapon of war and Awolowo defended the concept publicly”.

He continued: “The moderates of the federal side notably Gowon thought differently. For as Gowon often said, the war was not against innocent Igbo masses but was designed to win them back to the federal side. Nourishing their bodies was one way of retrieving their hearts and minds and it consistently featured in Gowon's thinking and actions”. These comments are from John de St. Jorre, not Achebe. Others abound. The books are freely available in Nigerian bookstores. Expectedly Frederick Forsyth's book: The Biafra Story, also treated this issue exhaustively in Chapter 11, pages 194 to 241. Achebe's traducers should deal with the evidence and not resort to abuse. Achebe and Ndigbo do not hate Pa Awolowo as a person. It is noteworthy that Ndigbo and Biafrans do not attack Pa Awolowo for the swift change of the Nigerian currency. What they quarrel with is Chief Awolowo's robust defence of the Federal Military Government's inhuman policy of mass starvation as a result of which millions of Biafran children died. Ndigbo also quarrel with Pa Awolowo and the Federal Government's policy in 1970 of expropriating Igbo funds lodged in Nigerian banks (after the war of unity had been won and lost) in exchange for the “ex-gratia” award of 20 pounds for each Igbo person who could authenticate his account, no matter the sum in that account. I must emphasise that this “exgratia award” was not for every Igbo person who survived but only for those who had bank accounts. Ndigbo lost so much money by this inhuman policy, through which Nigeria saved an enormous amount of money. For Ndigbo, it did not make any sense for Nigeria to further savage Biafra by this 1970 inhuman policy, while at the same time announcing to the world a so-called “Marshall plan type agenda of the 3 Rs”. Ndigbo are intrigued by Pa Awolowo's defence that he merely approved the recommendations of committees set up on this matter. He was the vice chairman of the Federal Executive Council and Federal Commissioner of Finance. The buck on matters of finance stopped on his table on their way to council. Ndigbo believe that the policies of starvation and 20 pounds “award” (not full payment of one's legitimate savings) could not have been the handiwork of Igbophilic Nigerians. So much for these. Fact Number Four is very

closely related to and intertwined with the starvation agenda of the Federal Military Government at the time. It concerns the Relief Politics. On this subject, there is also a surfeit of evidence. It is a welldocumented fact that the Federal Military Government, the International Committee on the Red Cross (ICRC) and other relief agencies played a cat and mouse game over the ferrying of food to the starving children of Biafra. It is also a fact that a Nigerian MIG fighter shot down a Red Cross DC-7 aircraft carrying tons of food from Fernando Po to Biafra's starving children. All crew members (foreigners) died. The aircraft did not carry any arms, simply food supplies. With regard to relief corridors, the literature is again replete with evidence as to who did what. Achebe's traducers should read “Biafra: A Facts on File Publication” edited by Peter Schwab: War Of Nigerian Unity, by Sir Rex Niven, and Mr. Kirk-Greene's two volumes of “Crisis And Conflict In Nigeria”. It will be obvious that both sides had serious reservations and objections to routes proposed by the other being used to military advantage. Certainly, Nigeria flatly rejected third-party guarantees along the proposed corridor as demanded by Biafra; and used its diplomatic and military advantages to frustrate the issue of relief corridor. For Femi Fani-Kayode, Odia Ofeimun and shockingly Alhaji Femi Okunnu to suggest that Biafra rejected a relief corridor so as to use pictures of starving children for propaganda purposes is extremely wicked of them. Their view is sick and twisted. Nigerians are better than this. Nigerians are not this inhuman and can all work together to build a caring society. To these sick and twisted minds, I say that Ndigbo abhor the shedding of blood and love their children dearly. Ndigbo have a strong sense of family and loved ones, and the starvation of the children of Biafra is a very sore point with them especially in a “Civil” war designed to unite the country. The starvation of innocent children was most painful and Achebe has soothed our pains by letting it out. To the poet, Ofeimun, who insists that we should be held responsible for our starving children because we declared “a sovereign state of Biafra” without formidable arms, I wish to refer him to another poet Claude McKay (1891 to 1948) and his poem titled: “If We Must Die”. A few lines will suffice:

“If we must die, let it not be like hogs Hunted and penned in an inglorious spot While around us bark the mad and hungry dogs M a k i n g t h e i r mock………………”. The circumstances that induced Claude McKays poem were less tragic and horrid than those that led to the declaration of Biafra. Fact Number Five concerns the acquiescence and the deafening silence of our compatriots, neighbours and friends as the pogrom and genocide unfolded. What can we really say on this? Except to express our amazement and our pain as close confidants, workmates, schoolmates, boyfriends and girlfriends, watched silently, said nothing, did nothing as we were hounded out of Nigeria. I concede that our friends and sympathisers may have been powerless to do something. Therefore, to those like Dr. Tai Solarin and Prof. Soyinka and others who did something, we remain thankful. Perhaps if our friends and sympathisers had found their collective voice, the war may have been averted especially after Aburi and Nigeria may have been a better country by now. We will never know. Fact Number Six is the infamous role of the British Government under Prime Minister Harold Wilson. Achebe has called him a “villain” and we should let the matter rest, except to remind ourselves that it was Britain that choreographed the pogrom, arms supplies and diplomatic cum economic blockade that frustrated relief supplies to Biafra's starving children. Prominent Biafrans like Sir Francis Akanu Ibiam renounced his British Knighthood. Dick “Tiger” Ihetu, Africa's most celebrated boxer to date, renounced his Queens honour. Need we say more? Fact Number Seven concerns post civil war neglect and marginalisation of Ndigbo and the South-East geo-political zone of Nigeria, and Achebe's insistence that the neglect persists till today. The evidence on this is weighty and again in Achebe's favour. Indeed, the well-recorded persistent and unrelenting struggle by the leaders of the South-East in the past two decades to redress their marginalisation in Nigeria, and the current agitation for a sixth state in the zone so as to achieve parity with other zones bear out Achebe's assertion. Given the economic and political disadvantages of this matter of sixth State in the South-East, Achebe is very right. I have a most interesting

pamphlet by Major-General Phillip Effiong (who signed the Biafra surrender document) titled “Rehabilitation: True or False?”. The pamphlet included Effiong's detailed letter to the Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, submitted through General Olusegun Obasanjo. The letter addressed matters like relief supplies to survivors; security of lives and property; post-war rehabilitation; the 20 pounds “ex-gratia” award; reabsorption of civil servants; absorption and/or demobilisation of ex-Biafran armed forces personnel, among others. True to his honesty and character, General Gowon commented on the margins of the letter and signed his comments dated January 19, 1970 (19.1.70.) The letter and comments speak for themselves. In conclusion, let me reiterate that Achebe's book, Truths, Warts and All, is a very serious book that tells his story of the Civil War. I believe that it has not been an easy book for Achebe to write because he spent over 40 years to reflect on it. Don Burness, one of the reviewers of the book, states that “one senses that this has been a painful book to write and that is why it has taken Achebe so long to write it”. In writing the book, Achebe has discharged his duty to self and community. When the present frenzy subsides, it is my expectation that Nigerians will evaluate dispassionately what Achebe has written because it is precisely how most Ndigbo feel on the subject of the Civil War. It is also my expectation that since Nigeria has trivialised its “Truth and Reconciliation Commission” (Oputa Commission), Achebe's latest book on Biafra may provide us with an opportunity for national healing. Nigeria needs to come to terms with its past. Nigeria needs a soul to transform effectively into a nation. As the poet, Khalil Gibran, writes: “Pity the nation that is full of beliefs and empty of religion.” “Pity the nation that acclaims the bully as hero.” “Pity the nation that is full of beliefs and empty of religion.” “Pity the nation that acclaims the bully as hero.” “Pity the nation whose statesman is a fox, whose philosopher is a juggler and whose art is the art of patching and mimicking.” “Pity the nation divided into fragments, each fragment deeming itself a nation.” Prof. A. B. C Nwosu, Former Minister of Health, Federal Republic of Nigeria

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Monday, November 19 – Saturday, November 25, 2012

EDUCATION Education board decries dumping of refuse in public schools' premises

he FCTA Universal Basic Education Board has decried the use of public school grounds in both rural and urban centres in the territory for the dumping of refuse. The board's Director, Mr Adamu Noma, who stated this in Abuja stressed that such practice had adverse consequences on the health of the school children. “Let me use this opportunity to call on members of the pubic to desist from doing that kind of thing where school premises are used as dumping grounds for refuse; it is very bad; if they knew that it is not good for their own children, they wouldn't be doing that. “In most of our schools we have designated incinerators where refuse are dumped on weekly basis and sometimes on daily basis, fire is set on them and you burn them. “In some areas and communities, people capitalise on some of these areas and then send their refuse and even dump them even beside the school and

then the evacuation of some of those things will be beyond the capacity of the school. “We have so many places like that especially if you look at the schools in urban centers here where some of the school premises are used as dumping grounds by the neighborhood. That is very bad; we must desist from doing that kind of thing.'' The director, who also stressed the need for rural infrastructure development to promote sound learning and enhance grassroots development, noted that neglecting rural communities, placed the school children there at a great disadvantage. He, therefore, called for synergy between relevant government agencies in the provision of these facilities. “Let me call on all the agencies charged with the responsibility of providing some of these basic social amenities to our rural communities. “For instance who is supposed to provide rural roads to rural communities so that our teachers will find it convenient

to travel to their respective areas. “Who is charged with water, the provision of water to rural communities, so that our schools can equally benefit. “Mention any social amenities in rural areas; there are agencies charged with the responsibility of providing some of these facilities. “If these facilities are provided, you find out that we in government, we in the Universal Basic Education Board, will not spend money again providing them. “Now take for instance, in the urban centres here we don't spend much money again in providing water facilities because already some of these schools have water connected to them. “It is in the rural and semi-urban areas where these facilities are not provided that we have to spend extra money in providing the facilities ourselves to these schools.'’

ADVOCATE

Grandfather gets first class in University g r a n d f a t h e r, M r

Aderemi Alli, was among the 21 first class graduates produced by the University of Ibadan (UI) at its convocation last Thursday in Ibadan. The university graduated a total of 1,582 students for the 2011/2012 academic session with 243 graduating in Second Class (Upper Division) and 920, Second Class (Lower Division). A total of 135 of the students graduated with Third Class and 203 Pass. Alli, 57, was among the three first class graduates produced by the institution’s Faculty of Law. He had had a first degree in economics education 31 years ago. Alli, whose last child is studying electrical engineering in UI, told journalists at the ceremony that he was motivated to study law because many of his schoolmates had become Senior Advocates of Nigeria. “I feel I can still participate in the society in spite of my age. I am using this medium to advise others that they can do it, If I can

do it,” he said. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Adewole, said that of the 21 first class graduates, one was produced by the Faculty of Arts and 17 came the university’s affiliated institutions. He expressed regret that the university did not produce many first degree graduands due to the disruption of the 2011/2012 academic calendar which prevented some final year students from completing their courses. Adewole urged the graduating students to be relevant to their society. “There is no doubt that the University of Ibadan has laid the foundation that will enable you to face the challenges of the 21st century and the demands of the present-day labour market. “It is, therefore, your responsibility to prove that the education you have acquired is world-class,” Adewole said. The vice chancellor gave the assurance that the university would continue to lay the foundation for life-long learning.

Qur'an: Jigawa govt offers scholarship to 50 students

ov. Sule Lamido of Jigawa on Tuesday said his administration had

offered overseas scholarship to 50 students to enhance the teaching of the Qur'an and

Islamic Religious Knowledge (IRK) in the state. Lamido, who was speaking

while inaugurating the 27th state Qur'anic Recitation Competition in Dutse, said the

Nigeria spends N1.5 trn annually on students studying abroad, – NGO

he Exam Ethics International, a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) has said Nigeria spends about N1.5 trillion annually on Nigerian students studying abroad. Mr Ike Onyechere, the Chairman of the NGO, told the News men in Abuja that the amount covered monies spent on scholarships, private and government owned institutions and individuals. Onyechere said there was need to stop the trend to ``prevent this huge economic loss. This is the greatest negative balance of payment any country can suffer''. He attributed the development to the decay in the country's education sector and the incessant strikes which had disrupted schools' calendar. According to him, the development has caused the country huge economic losses and seriously contributed to the under-development of the sector which is key to driving other sectors. ``A country like Ghana for instance is gulping Nigeria's

N160 billion annually, UK also has in its kitty N80 billion which is the cost of sending our children to their shores for studies,'' he said. He stressed the need to over haul the sector, saying: ``unnecessary experimentation by those saddled with the responsibility of developing the sector would prevent it from imminent collapse''. The chairman said part of the overhaul should include the scrapping of some examination bodies that were making things worse. ``A body like the Joint Admissions and Matriculation (JAMB) for example is nothing but a calamity for the country. Check out the top 50 universities in world, how many of them have parastatals that regulate admissions? ``JAMB has gone through series of metamorphosis, yet it has nothing to show for it if not making access to education more difficult.'' According to him, the introduction of an e-testing for candidates is another wrong step in the wrong direction.

Onyechere said every good education policy should take at least four years gestation period before its implementation process. ``For JAMB to just wake up one day and say it is introducing such a test is laughable. ``The idea of one body solely responsible for the admission of candidates into the many higher institutions we have in the country is totally unacceptable.''

JAMB), had on Nov. 1, launched the e-testing, a Computer Based Testing (CBT) for candidates sitting for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME). The Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa'i, had during the launch of the CBT described it as one of the transformative efforts of the government toward revamping the sector.

Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa'i

students were sponsored to Saudi Arabia and Sudan. He said that the gesture was to promote the teaching of the Qur'an and Islamic education, adding that three students, who would emerge winners in the ongoing competition, would also be offered similar scholarship. ``No fewer than 50 students are currently in various universities in Saudi Arabia and Sudan under the state government's scholarship scheme. ``We have offered scholarship to many students to further their education in the last five years,'' Lamido said. The governor admonished Muslim faithful to devote themselves to the tenets of Islam and pray for peace, unity and prosperity of the country. Also speaking, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Haruna Wakili, said the state government had adopted proactive measures to reinvigorate the sector. Wa k i l i a d d e d t h a t t h e government had executed various school development projects and introduced free education programmes for girls and the disabled to enhance access to education. According to him, the state government has also offered overseas scholarship to 171 students to study medicine, science and engineering in the last five years.

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Monday, November 19 – Saturday, November 25, 2012

SPORTS

Honouring Nigeria’s past Football Heroes - The need for Hall of Fame L Stories by Okey Anyichie

ast September some members of the ExRangers football club of Enugu, held a press-conference, where they called for the Immortalization of founding fathers of the legendry football club. Hence when this titanic soccer outfit was formed by Chief Jerry Enyeazu, the club impacted very vigorously on Nigerian soccer scene by winning both national and international soccer laurels. According to sports report on the “Vanguard” newspaper, three ex-Rangers players, Stanley Okonkwo, Dominic Nwobodo and Nwabueze Nwankwo stated, “At a press briefing at Umuabhia, the group led by its chairman, Mr Stanley Okoronkwo, also called for the immortalization of the founding fathers of the club for future generations to keep records and emulate. Okonkwo who was flanked at the briefing by Dominic Nwobodo and Nwabueze Nwankwo, also appealed to the governors to assist in immortalizing the founding fathers of the club and named some of them to include Chief Jerry Enyeazu, Dan Anyiam, Tony Nzeribe, Clifford Eneli and Eto Amaechina, among others, saying that their contribution in development of football in the zone should not

Gov Sullivan Chime be allowed to be in vain. The group named 25 ExRangers players who were dead saying that family members of most of them live in pathetic condition, hence the call for assistance of the governors. With this pathetic call for the remembrance of the past officials and players of the club, it is an appeal that should have the listening ears of the five South-Eastern States governors, as their contribution towards making the game of football, a

Gov Peter Obi

functional reality after the war in 1970 should never be forgotten in the history of the game in this part of the country. The same should be said of those who operated at the national level. For since football became a national competition in 1945 and in 1949, Nigerian footballers became the first from West Africa to play the game in London. Hence the UK tourist team as they were called exported the brand of football from Nigeria during the colonial

days and they were acknowledged as good footballers even though they played without football boots. They made history by winning some, drawing and losing some in London. Since that first international outing in London, Nigerian footballers had traded tackles in different international competitions both continentally a n d g l o b a l l y. N o w t h e generation of footballers that started playing for the country

since after the Second World War in 1945, has not been well immortalized. It will surprise a lot of football writers to discover that there is no record of Nigerian footballers who played for the country for the three decades of our existence. Infact in 1987, when an attempt was made to remember the past sports men and women including footballers, a controversy arose, when the name of Emmanuel Ifeajuna did not feature among those to be honored. Later that exercise of honoring past heroes and heroines of sports went into limbo. Nothing is ever talked of our past 'action' men and women now. Infact it is a terrible oversight in the organization and development of sports in the country and that is why the continuity is not there in sports; hence it is a case of a hailed hero today and a “forgotten” hero yesterday. Such an exercise is never the ideal in great approach to sports development and achievement. The time to rectify this anomaly is now. It is a great disservice to these past heroines and heroes of sports, only to create a situation that they never did anything for the country. That cold attitude to our hero's past efforts in sports should to say the least disappear from our sports organization.

Motivating the Enugu athletes for the All-Nigeria sports festival this month – a step in the right direction

ast week, the Enugu State Commissioner, for Youth and Sports, Mr Agu encouraged the state athletes preparing for the All-Nigeria sports festival coming up in the later part of this month in Lagos. The Commissioner approved some amount of money as their camp allowance apart from feeding them, while in camp. This is indeed a step in the right direction of motivating the athletes to train hard and prepare for a very vigorous competition, when the sports festival begins in Lagos. It is a straight forward situation for the athletes to train very hard as they are going to compete with the best from 36 states including the capital territory of Abuja. Enugu state since the creation in 1991 has been trying to catch with top states like Lagos, Delta, Edo and Rivers. In the last edition of the festival hosted by Rivers State, the host state won and won clearly. This time around in Lagos, it is

likely that it would be a straight fight between Lagos and Delta State or Edo state. These three states since the festival started in 1973, had been dominating this Nigerian mini-Olympics. For in that maiden edition of the sports festival, Midwest state now Edo and Delta states 'cleared up' all the gold medals in the swimming, producing Vincent Ekunwe. He won seven gold medals in this aquatic sport. Mid-west also did very well in the field and track events otherwise called athletics. This sporting state was in a position to achieve the feat because of total commitment of the second military governor of the state, the retired Brigadier Sam Osaigbovo Ogbemudia, whose military government laid a solid foundation for sports in the former Mid-west state. And so what the state government of Enugu did may produce results when the festival begins in Lagos this month.

Female Athletes in an international competition

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Monday, November 19 – Saturday, November 25, 2012

ADVOCATE

SPORTS

The game of Lawn-tennis in Nigeria: Taking a stock since the days Stories by Okey Anyichie

n 1927, the expatriate officials that brought the game of lawn-tennis or Tennis as it is called now, started the competition in Lagos. This open tennis championship produced expatriate singles and doubles champions players until 1955, when a Nigerian won the singles championship to break the monopoly of foreign champions. This All Nigerian Tennis championship after producing the first Nigerian singles champion, Herbert Oranye from Onitsha in 1954 later gave way in 1955 to his compatriot, Walter Obianwu. These two were the pioneer tennis players at the national level and they later on played for Nigeria in the yearly tennis contest between Nigeria and Ghana. After the year of independence in 1960, the game was very much part of the sporting events in most post primary schools in Lagos, then Western and Eastern Regions. There was a national competition for secondary schools, which was dominated by the junior players of Lagos, as well as the eastern tennis junior players. In the former Eastern Region,

Two Tennis Players in action in one of the competitions the inter-secondary schools Lawn tennis championship started in 1963. The championship was keenly contested by Government College, Umuahia, Christ the King College, Onitsha, College of the Immaculate Conception, Enugu, Stella Maris College, Port-Harcourt among other post-primary institutions that competed in this tennis competition for Eugene Oba

Cup. The cup was donated by the Chairman of Enugu Municipal council, Chief Eugene Oba, from Asaba in the present Delta State. These secondary schools from the former Eastern Region participated in this tennis competition in the third term of the school year starting from September and ending in December. The competition was usually held in October at

the present lawn-tennis courts of Enugu Recreation club situated at the Ogui Road opposite the present Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium. The competition came to an end sequel to an outbreak of the civil war on the 6th July 1967. After the civil war in 1970 to present, many junior players had emerged from Enugu after playing for Enugu based postprimary schools like Nike

Grammar school, College of the Immaculate Conception, Enugu, Union Boys Secondary School Awkunanaw and St. Patrick's secondary school, Emene. It would be recalled that one of these top secondary schools tennis player, Tony Mmoh later on became the national champion. He later went overseas, where he played professional tennis in the mid80 and early 90s. Others like Kierian Nwokedi and Paul Areh were the two top players that played in different sponsored tennis competition in Enugu at Sports Club and Premier Tennis Club all in Enugu. The last under 18 tennis championship organized to honour the former vicepresident of Nigeria, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, last month was another climax of promoting the game in this coal city of Enugu. After three days of thrilling tennis encounters, two junior players from Lagos qualified for the final. Balama Umaru beat Emmanuel Idoko, 6-4, 6-4. Tennis like Chief Ezeibe the C h a i r m a n o f o rg a n i z i n g committee stated, Tournaments life is extremely tough going for the majority of players in the 16 to 26 age group. To have a chance of reaching the height that only a few can possibly attain, they must commit themselves to tennis and nothing but tennis.

Falcons fail to fly high in African Eagles' defence worries women soccer championship Shofoluwe

he Nigerian “Amazons” in the Africa women soccer competition have finally been grounded after the Semi-final encounter with their South African counterparts last Wednesday in Equatorial Guinea. This bienniel female senior championship had been dominated by the Nigerian female footballers. The Nigerian Ladies had won the competition, a record six times, but lost to Equatorial Guinea in 2009 in Equatorial Guinea. Later in 2010, won back the championship in South Africa. But behold, Nigeria has now failed to stand up to be counted in this year's competition in the same Equatorial Guinea, where they lost to the hosts in the final two years ago. Reports from the Island of Equatorial Guinea, disclosed that Nigeria lost to South Africa by a lone goal, while the hosts, Equatorial Guinea, defeated Cameroun, one of the qualifiers in the football tournament of 2012 Olympic Games by 2-0.

Last week end, the hosts, Equatorial Guinea, beat SouthAfrica to win the cup. Nigeria lost to Cameroun for the third place winners. It would be recalled that Nigeria lost to Cameroun in the last qualifying match for the 2012 Olympic soccer qualifier in London. With this development, Nigerian Ladies will now go back to the drawing-board to reorganise for another attack in the 2014 encounter. Hence with the loss to their South African counterparts, they will not

represent Africa in the world senior female soccer championship that have been dominated by USA and West German Ladies since the global female soccer championship started in China in 1991. Nigeria was among the countries that traded tackles in that maiden edition of the competition in 1991. Now it seems that the fire is about to be extinguished in the race for Nigeria's supremacy in the female soccer competition in Africa.

Nigerian women football team the “Falcons”

ormer Nigerian i n t e r n a t i o n a l , Yi s a Shofoluwe has stated that a solid defence line is key to Super Eagles enjoying a successful outing at the 2013 Afcon. Shofoluwe reacted on the 3-1 win by Super Eagles over Venezuela's La Vinotinto in Miami, Florida on Thursday. He expressed happiness with the team's win but acknowledged that the backline should give head coach, Stephen Keshi and his assistants "cause for concern." "It's a good result for the team I must say. But I'm sure the coaches including Stephen Keshi will be looking at what the team failed to do right. For instance, the defence should give the coaches real cause for concern as they prepare for the Nations Cup next year. "Attack-wise I think the team is very rich and even the coaches have options. The concentration should be on the defence now because we have just about two

months or so to the Nations Cup. And if you want to win a major competition like the Nations Cup you must be solid from the back up to the front. And I believe the coaches will really work on that area," said Shofoluwe, known as the Dean of Defence during his playing days.Shofoluwe also pointed out that Keshi remains on the right path of building a team for the Africa Cup of Nations by handing debuts to Shola Ameobi, Bright Dike and Solomon Kwambe. "There's nothing in giving new players the chance to play in friendly matches. They are called friendly matches and they are meant to help the coaches correct errors in the team and bring in players that can fit their plans. So there's nothing wrong in trying out new players," remarked the former Nigerian defender. Shofoluwe played for Nigeria at the 1988 Afcon in Morocco, where the team finished as losing finalists after

THE

ADVOCATE

Monday, November 19 – Saturday, November 25, 2012

SPORTS

iverpool striker Luis Suarez has said he is very happy at the club and wants to stay at Anfield for many years. The 25-year-old has been linked with a January move to Manchester City. But he told Liverpool's website: "It's about enjoying myself and trying to be here for as many years as I can. "I'm at a club where I'm very happy, my family is happy, I've got fantastic team-mates and a manager from whom I'm learning so much. I'm at a club where I've always wanted to be." The Uruguay international signed a new deal at the Anfield club in the summer. He has been in good form so far

this season, scoring 11 goals in 16 appearances and is the joint top scorer in the Premier League with eight goals. Luis "As a player, it's vital to have the backing of your manager and so I think that the confidence Brendan [Rodgers] is showing in myself and the team as a whole is very important and it's down to us to repay that trust out there on the pitch," added Suarez. "The other important thing is that the squad is very united. In spite of not getting the results we would have liked, we have a great spirit of togetherness and let's hope we can continue to pick up points." Manager Rodgers has said there

Novak Djokovic dedicates World Tour Finals win to father

orld number one Novak Djokovic dedicated his victory over Roger Federer at the ATP World Tour Finals to his ill father. The Serb beat Federer 7-6 (8-6) 75 to win the season-ending title at London's O2 Arena. He later described how he had been motivated by his father Srdjan, who is said to be suffering from an acute respiratory illness. "This was a title for him," said the 25-year-old from Belgrade. "He's much better now. At a certain stage it was very critical. We didn't know what tomorrow brings, but now he's much better and he's recovering. "He's still in intensive care. I'm going to visit him and see how it

avid Beckham has "no plans" to play in the ALeague after the Football Federation of Australia (FFA) claimed preliminary talks had taken place with the former England captain. The FFA said in a statement on Friday that they had been approached by the LA Galaxy midfielder's management over a possible short-term move to Australia. A number of A-League clubs are understood to have made offers. But a Beckham spokesperson said: "There are no plans to play in Australia." Beckham, 37, signed a new twoyear deal with LA Galaxy in January, but could be available for loan when the MLS season ends in a fortnight. Perth Glory chief executive Paul Kelly says the club would be

will be no "bidding war" for the striker who made a £22.7m move from Ajax to Liverpool in January of 2011. "If we lost Luis then we have no strikers, so I can't afford to lose anyone," he said of a striker who scored 17 goals in 39 appearances in his first full

season at the club, "He is certainly not anyone we want to sell or move. We want to add to the squad." Suarez's time in England has not been without controversy. He was found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra, banned

for eight games and then widely criticised for his decision to refuse Evra's handshake when the two came face-to-face at Old Trafford. However, the pair did shake hands when Liverpool played Manchester United for the first time this season at Anfield.

goes and try to bring the trophy with me and at least make him smile." Djokovic admitted that his achievement of retaining the yearend top ranking felt comparable to his amazing achievements of 2011, when he won three of the four Grand Slam titles and racked up a 43-match winning streak (including two matches in 2010). It came to a fitting climax in London on Monday, when he saw off an at-times rampant Federer with a performance of incredible

grit and determination. "All in all, it was a fantastic year where I've had to face a lot of difficulties off the courts as well," he said. "Especially coming into this tournament, having my father fighting his own fight for health gave me extra strength that I wanted to play for him in a way, that's one of the reasons I really gave it all every match, especially tonight." He added: "I actually feel more satisfied right now than last year,

even though I had an incredible 2011. "I feel this year, considering the circumstances that I had to face on and off the court, the expectations, all these things, has been even more successful for me." Djokovic fell behind in both sets against Federer but over the course of two hours and 14 minutes he fought his way past the 17-time Grand Slam champion. "He's somebody that's aggressive, that likes to finish his points very quickly" said Djokovic.

"Especially when he's a break up, he's probably the best player I ever played against, he comes up always with his 'A' game when he's up. It's very difficult to handle that. "But I managed to gets lot of his shots back into the court, being passive, a couple of metres behind the baseline, coming into an aggressive position. "That was one of the goals tonight, to always try to get him into the long rallies where I think I had the better chance." And asked about the stunning backhand winner he made on match point, he added: "It's the best way to finish the match, I guess, with a passing shot - one of my favourite shots.”

interested in signing Beckham. "We are always happy to speak to players of the calibre of David Beckham," he said. "At the end of the day it's the coach, Ian Ferguson who makes these decisions and we have a process that we follow when recruiting players. "But we would be mad not to seriously consider David Beckham." However, Beckham's spokesperson says the former Manchester United player's focus is solely on his career at LA Galaxy. "David is completely focused on the MLS play offs and winning another Championship with the Galaxy," the spokesperson added. "There is always enormous interest from clubs across the world in signing David as a

player." Two high-profile players Alessandro Del Piero and Emile Heskey - moved to Australia recently.

Del Piero, who was capped over 90 times by Italy, signed for Sydney FC in the summer and has scored three goals in five games.

Former Aston Villa striker Heskey joined Newcastle Jets in September and has impressed in his short time in Australia so far, scoring five goals in six games.

David Beckham

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Vol. 1 No. 10, Monday, November 19 – Saturday, November 25, 2012

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Peter Rufai

...for Equity and Justice

Back page comment

ACHEBE'S THERE WAS A COUNTRY: Stirring up a desirable controversy By Prof. A. B. C Nwosu

ROF. CHINUA Achebe's latest book titled: There was a country: A personal history of Biafra”, has expectedly stirred up an important but desirable controversy, notably from the disciples of late Pa Obafemi Awolowo. This was predictable. Achebe, true to his character will be unfazed by the insults and abuses, but will welcome criticisms. A writer of his stature should be used to all these. In my view, the controversy including the orgy of abuse is desirable because it brings out into the public domain, bottled-up and vile ethnic prejudices. In my view also, it is preferable for such prejudices to be aired rather for them to remain and fester in the innermost recesses of ethnic minds, to be secretly whispered around from door to door, neighbour to neighbour and passed on from generation to generation. Closet ethnicism to me is very dangerous and militates against nation-building. There are many who believe that certain things are best not said at this time. I disagree. It is best for these things to be said so that brethren and compatriots will be aware of what others truly think of them. Therefore, let the criticisms, insults and even abuse continue to come out into the open so we can better understand ourselves as individuals, and as micro-nations within the macronation Nigeria. Three write-ups and interviews, one by Ayo Turton, the national legal counsel to Egbe Omo Yoruba U.S.A and Canada, posted on October 11, 2012 (Sahara Reporters), the second by Mr. Odia Ofeimun, a diehard Awoist on Sunday October 14, 2012, (The Guardian) and the third by Alhaji Femi Okunnu on Monday October 15, 2012 (Tribune) engaged my attention. I was particularly shocked by the anger and language of Mr. Ofeimun who said: “All that rubbish of children with ribs and swollen stomachs and the rest of it, what did you expect in a war?” Mr. Ofeimun has three more shockers from me. One, “If Awolowo did not say that starvation is a weapon of war, he needed to have said so because it is a weapon of war”. Two, “Many of the children who died in Biafra died because their leaders took stupid decisions”. Three, “True, all the Igbo killed in the pogroms in the North are Nigerians, and their families needed to grieve and mourn, but if you want to grieve and mourn, do you slaughter the next generation of your family?” Alhaji Femi Okunnu, who is about the same age as Achebe, says that “It is Ojukwu who used starvation as a weapon of war”. These quotes speak for themselves and I shall not respond to them.

Given the kind of vitriol spewed by Mr. Ofeimun, my recommendation to him is to please write his own “personal history” as Prof. Achebe has done. Mr. Ofeimun is a writer, and we all shall benefit one way or another from his book. Meanwhile, my generation is grateful to Prof. Achebe for writing his book on Biafra because to us, it offers an opportunity for national conversation and catharsis, a kind of cleansing and purging of the Nigerian soul of the evil of pogrom, genocide and mass-starvation to death of millions of innocent Biafran children in a “war of unity”. At this stage, it is important for me to point out to Achebe's traducers and abusers that his latest book is not about Pa Obafemi Awolowo. It is not about General Yakubu Gowon either. The book, as the title clearly states, is about Biafra and Achebe's “Personal Account” of what transpired. Achebe was careful and thoughtful to state that it was a “personal history”. The book (333 pages) is about the events, the principal actors, the victims, those that died on the Biafra side, especially the over two million children who starved to death in what the Times of London in its full-page leader of 28th June 1968 described as a “Policy of Famine It is also about those Biafrans who survived, for some of whom the trauma persists till date. Achebe, who was present in Biafra to the end, owed us, a duty to write his story. Others including his critics should write their own stories. We have a right to know what happened. Chief Ebenezer Babatope has observed correctly that Achebe's views on Pa Awolowo (and other Nigerian leaders) were lucidly stated as far back as 1983, in his angry booklet titled “The Trouble With Nigeria”. In that book, Achebe took very serious swipes at Pa Awolowo, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and Alhaji Tafawa Balewa and had kind words only for Mallam Aminu Kano. Achebe wrote this book in 1983, almost 30 years ago, so what is new about his views on Pa Awolowo? There are several facts, which stand out in Achebe's latest book. I shall dwell on seven of these facts in this write-up. Before I do this, let me point out that enormous literature exists on the subject of the Nigerian Civil War, or NigeriaBiafra War, if you choose. Indeed, archival materials and pictures have found and are still finding their way to various internet outlets. Continuing to ignore the subject or clinging to the position that certain things are best left unsaid is playing the ostrich and amounts to self-deception. Fact Number one is that there was pogrom, genocide and mass starvation of innocent children directed against Ndigbo in Nigeria in 1966 and from

1967-1970. The celebrated writer Frederick Forsyth devoted an entire chapter (pages 257 to 271) to this vexed issue. A writer of Achebe's stature cannot, therefore, ignore this fact. One of the duties of a writer is to tell the truth, especially inconvenient truths. This is also what is expected of an Nze in the Igbo society. And these are precisely two obligations that Achebe has discharged by writing his latest book. Lest we forget, haunting pictures of Biafra's starving innocent children abound on the internet; they are also there on front page of LIFE magazine of July 12, 1968 titled: “Starving Children of Biafra War” (pages 20-29). Ditto LIFE magazine of 23, 1968 (pages 50 -52). Mr. Steve Jobs, co-founder of APPLE Computer Company renounced Christianity indignant over the matter of Biafra's starving children. By September 4, 1968, a massive airlift of starving innocent Biafran children to Sao Tome was initiated by Caritas Internationalis, the Catholic Relief Agency. This was followed on October 31 of same year by similar airlift of the starving children to Albert Schweitzer hospital at Lambarene, Gabon on the initiative of the daughter of the late Nobel Peace Laureate, Dr. Albert Schweitzer. A statement issued in late 1968 jointly by United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the World Council of Churches, and Caritas Internationalis was clear that Biafra was its biggest emergency since World War II. And yet ours was a civil war, a brother's war, a war of unity! And in case we have forgotten, Mr. Bruce Mayrock, 20 years old of Old Westbury New York, a part-time student of Columbia University, died of burns after he had set himself afire outside the United Nations Headquarters with a sign that read: “you must stop genocide please save nine million Biafrans”. We shall not say more? Fact Number Two is that anyone who was in Biafra, that is at the receiving end of the pogrom and genocide, and lost loved ones in those days of starvation of children, and bombing and strafing of churches, hospitals and markets, carries a big emotional scar of those horrific days. This includes Prof. Achebe as is evident from his account of why, when and how he fled Lagos, and his account of the war. To trivialise Achebe's story, the Biafran story, our story, is wrong and it hurts. To trivialise pogrom and genocide and mass starvation of innocent children is wrong. Genocide dirties the soul and diminishes a nation. Achebe has simply told our story fearlessly and truthfully. We have waited for this book and Achebe has not disappointed us. Continue on page 35

Peter Rufai (born 24 August 1963 in Lagos) is a Nigerian retired footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

Club career Rufai started his career in his country, playing with Stationery Stores F.C. and Femo Scorpions. In 1986, he moved to Benin, with AS Dragons FC de l'Ouémé, becoming the first player in his position to play abroad. At a more professional level, Rufai spent six years in Belgium, with K.S.C. Lokeren Oost-Vlaanderen and K.S.K. Beveren, although he appeared sparingly. In 1993–94, he played 12 matches for Dutch neighbours Go Ahead Eagles, which finished 12th. In 1994, Rufai started a Portuguese adventure with S.C. Farense. In his first year, he was instrumental as the Algarve side only conceded 38 goals in 34 matches, qualifying to the UEFA Cup for the first time ever. His solid performances earned him a transfer to La Liga, but he struggled to start for lowly Hércules CF during his stay, in an eventual relegation. However, Rufai signed with established Deportivo de La Coruña the ensuing summer, backing up another African, Jacques Songo'o, for two seasons - this included keeping a clean sheet in a January 1998 home success against CD Tenerife (10), as the Cameroonian was suspended. He then returned to Portugal for one final year, with modest Gil Vicente FC, also being second-choice. In 2003, Rufai returned to Spain, settling in the country and opening a goalkeeper's school.

International career Rufai played 65 international matches for Nigeria (scoring once), and represented the nation at two FIFA World Cups, always as starter: 1994 (Nigeria's first ever appearance, where the player also acted as captain) and 1998, also helping the Super Eagles win the 1994 African Cup of Nations in Tunisia.

Personal Rufai was the son of a tribal chief in the region of Idimu. In early 1998, as his father died, he was allowed by his club (Deportivo) to return to Nigeria to discuss the succession, but turned down the status for himself. His oldest son, Senbaty, played as a midfielder, having tried for Sunshine Stars

Published by THE ADVOCATE Newspapers Ltd, Corporate Office: No. 30 Edinburgh Road, Ogui New Layout, Enugu Phone: 08087631127. Editor: Larry Onwuta 08080803085. E-mail: editor@theadvocatengr.com, editoradvocate@ymail.com Website: www.theadvocatengr.com