I had Cancer of the Nose but now free – Chime by Advocate Nigeria

THE

ADVOCATE ...for Equity and Justice

www.theadvocatengr.com

Vol. 1 No. 15, Monday, February 11 – Sunday, February 17, 2013

N150

Court sacks Umeh-led APGA NWC, voids 2011 party convention  Enugu Cj’s verdict not surprising , We'll appeal' - Umeh Page 20

ECCIMA raises alarm over multiple taxation, levies in Enugu  Page 7

I had Cancer of the Nose but now free – Chime I have no regrets for what I did read my Obituary in the papers Stor Back to office y on p age

Ezzu River Tragedy: CLO fingers SARS Page 6

Governor Sullivan Chime and his two sons, Nnamdi Chime (L) and little Ugomsinachi Chime at the Governor's Lodge shortly on his return to Enugu last week.

Page 14

Ogun herbalist nabbed with fresh human tongue, arm  Page 22

THE

Monday, February 11 – Sunday, February 17, 2013

ADVOCATE

I had Cancer of the Nose but now free – Chime By Ted Peters & Uba Ani

fter spending about four and half months abroad where he had gone for the treatment of Cancer of the Nose that was discovered by medical experts in United Kingdom in August last year, Enugu state Governor, Mr. Sullivan Chime returned to the state last week. The governor, who is now recuperating from the long process of treatment, opened up on his medical mission against earlier claim that he travelled abroad to enjoy his accumulated vacation. In this interaction with newsmen in Enugu Monday night, Chime narrated how it all began and what the experience had thought him. My Story: “Let me say first and foremost that it is heartwarming to be in your midst today after exactly four and half months outside the country. I decided to call this meeting for us to have the opportunity to clarify a few issues because while I was away I ready so many embarrassing publications from the print media. Most of them conflicting, almost all of them false and it was so embarrassing not to my person, personally, for those of you who know me, such things don't embarrass me, I am not interested, you can write anything provided it doesn't bother on defamation. But I decided to call this (media briefing) may be to clear the air for the interest of our people because I noticed that that generated a lot of interests. Some many people became interested. People who did not know of my existence, when I came back I got all sorts of text messages from strange people thanking God for my return. Because of the interest it generated, I felt there is need for us to come together in the hope that after today we will put to rest everything that bothers on rumour and falsehood regarding my leave. I don't know whether I should just tell a smooth story of how I proceeded on leave before the barrage of publications started coming or I should go ahead and attempt to address some of the issues that I felt should be addressed in the sense that some bothered on constitutionality, others bothered on morality and so many things. I think I will go for the first one - let me tell the story of what actually happened. I hope your tapes are on. Well, in August or thereabout, late August or early September, I am

not sure again of the dates, but it is about that time. I was privileged to be one of those nominated by the Nigeria Governors Forum to go to Germany to understudy their federal system. A Governor was picked from each of the six geopolitical zones. I represented the South-East and of course, we were led by our Chairman, Rotimi Amechi. On our way to Germany, I decided to go a little bit earlier, passing through London to do my medicals because of what I will call lack of our time. We do not have time here. So, I decided to take that opportunity, got to

short of time. I made arrangements with them to help me set up appointments for closer examination of the growth. So the next day I left for Germany to join my colleagues. On that trip was my commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Dr. Jude Akubuilo and my SSA Investment. They were already in Germany waiting for me and so, I joined them. At the end of the day, about a week after they had set up the arrangement, I left Germany. I left my colleagues. I told them where I was going, went back to London and did the proper screening of that particular growth. They did biopsies and all that. So, in the process it was discovered that it was cancerous. The growth was cancerous. It was confirmed I had Cancer

came down to London with the Commissioner. The SSA hadn't UK Visa then, so he traveled back to Nigeria from Germany. In London we made arrangement and agreed on when to come. I sent a letter to Speaker Enugu House of Assembly

So we came back to Nigeria and within the two weeks, I was able to make arrangements for transition. I wrote a letter to the Speaker of the House of Assembly in accordance with the constitution, informing him of my decision to proceed on leave and of course sought his cooperation to work very well with the Deputy Governor, who would work as governor in my absence. Within the two weeks, we held two exco meetings, the last was held on

the cure for cancer is not these drugs you buy off the counter. By the time you go through Chemotherapy and radiotherapy, you will be a changed person. So I started treatment, the treatment altogether lasted for twelve weeks, throughout the period of my treatment, I was an outpatient. I was never admitted in any hospital, all my treatments, I took as an outpatient. During the period of treatment, I personally had challenges with the treatment because like I said, except you see somebody that has taken that kind of treatment, it is not easy to imagine. I read my obituary in the papers So when I started reading in the papers, how I went to India, how I died at so, so place, to us it was a kind of entertainment. Anytime

Governor Sullivan Chime acknowledging cheers from the crowd that gathered at the Akanu Ibiam Airport Enugu to welcome him back to the state after his prolonged vacation. London and did my medicals and was certified fit. I was given a clean bill of health. But I had a little growth here (pointing at the right side of his neck) that was not visible to anybody. I am a very observant person. I noticed it, showed it to my doctor and he touched it and said he didn't feel it is anything serious, that I should just try and forget it. So, I thought they would have seen anything if there was anything wrong when they were doing the general scanning and screening, but nothing was found. So, I just singled it and said, please, this particular thing, I will like it to be investigated. I was referred to GB who after examining me and asking me questions, because I told him, no symptoms, no pains, no discomfort from anywhere. He said as far as he was concerned, there was nothing wrong but as a professional advised me to investigate it further because I was almost running out of time,

of the Nose Further investigation further revealed that the main tumour, because this actually turned out to be the lymph node, but the main tumour was behind my nose. It actually turned out to be what they called nasopharyngeal cancerthat is cancer of the nose. At that stage when you hear cancer, you will declare yourself dead before any further examination. Then I asked them what should be done, they told me straight away that they will subject me to further screening to know if it had spread. So luckily it hadn't spread, it is just only in those two places. They said the good news is that it was curable and not manageable. It was curable, that was when I became interested. And they said as soon as I was ready, they would commence treatment. Originally we had planned to go from Germany to Lebanon on our way back to Nigeria but I cancelled that trip, went back to Germany, informed my people I went with,

Tuesday, the week I left. After the EXCO meeting, I told my EXCO members that I was proceeding on long vacation which I wouldn't know how long it would last to treat myself. That was the information they got and of course I told them to cooperate with the acting governor. The following day, I left for Abuja, which was a Wednesday and again attended the meeting of the governor's forum, that night. Then Thursday morning, we had National Economic Council meeting and the Deputy Governor was there to represent me. I went back to London to commence treatment I got to London and settled in and the following day Friday went to see the Oncologist who had already made arrangements for treatments to begin and on Monday, I started treatment. I don't think any of you has had an experience. Cancer is a deadly disease and the cure is also deadly, the cure for cancer is not Panadol,

we felt like being entertained, we call up the Nigerian papers online and we will be laughing. So it was a lot of entertainment to us but what became worrisome was the deliberate and sustained attempt to undermine the government of Enugu state. Over the years, if you people have been following events especially when we addressed our people, yes, we have invested a lot of money in infrastructure and other spheres of life but I have always said that one thing we would like to leave behind is a workable system, that had always been topmost on our agenda because when we came in, yes, I was part of the last administration but unfortunately when we came in there was no system in place, not even a bad o n e . S o we felt there was this need to have a system in place because that is the only way you can encourage continuity because in this place, a governor comes and he will want

Continues on page 31

THE

ADVOCATE

Monday, February 11 – Sunday, February 17, 2013

Rapists to face life imprisonment under new law– Reps C

hairman, House Committee on Human Rights, Hon. Beni Lar, has said that rapists would face life imprisonment once the current Violence Against Persons Bill becomes law. Lar, who made this known in Abuja, said the National Assembly had decided to expedite action on the passage of the bill, considering the increasing prevalence of rape in the country. She pointed out that the bill would not only protect rape victims but equally provide protection for victims of violence including physical, sexual, psychological, domestic, harmful traditional practices and discrimination. She said: “My only concern is that in our laws today, the punishment for rape is very light and that is why you find people committing rape against children. It's unfortunate. “It is because of issues like this that it has come to the attention of the National Assembly that we have the Violence Against Persons Bill. “It is a bill that seeks to eliminate violence in private and public life, to prohibit all forms of violence

Hon Beni Lar including physical, sexual, psychological, domestic, harmful traditional practices, discrimination against persons and provide maximum protection and effective remedies for victims and punishment for offenders. “Part one of this bill, which has

passed second reading in the House, defines a rapist as one who intentionally violates another person and the conviction for this offence is life imprisonment. “The National Assembly is seeking to stiffen punishment for

rape because the punishment has been so light. People feel they can do it easily and get away with it but once this bill is passed you would think twice before committing rape because they can go to jail for life.“ Law won't exempt couples caught in act of rape The chairman stressed that the law would not exempt couples caught in the act of rape, adding that women deserve their respect and right to life. She called on friends and relatives of victims of domestic violence as well as victims themselves to break the culture of silence by reporting rape cases. She said the law could only take full course when cases of rape were reported to law enforcement agencies, particularly the Police. Lar urged people to desist from the stigmatisation of victims, adding that stigmatisation is largely responsible for the culture of silence. She also said that people always take advantage of the culture of silence to rape those related to them, adding: “It would no longer be business as usual with the passage of the law. “Why we have an increase in this

violence is because we have a culture of silence. Most of the people that commit acts of violence against women are people that are known to women. “For instance, domestic violence, it is either your spouse, or in cases of rape, especially the rape of infants, it's mainly people around them, their guardians, their wards, so-called family friends and people who are known to them. “All of these contribute to increase in cases of violence but I'm happy that now women are beginning to speak out. On soldiers who raped 4 women “For instance, the recent case that happened in Abuja where unidentified soldiers raped about four different women, one of them being a married woman for no reason at all. “First of all those soldiers were not even mandated to pick up socalled prostitutes. That was not within their mandate. They were posted on a different assignment somewhere and they decided to be mischievous and of course their target was women. “I am very happy that they did not get away with it. Right now they are facing trial in a court of law. “They've been dismissed from the army because they went beyond their duty and if they are found to be guilty by the court, of course they would face the punishment.”

Boko Haram training camps found in Mali' H Over 200 Nigerians trained for 10 months in Timbuktu'

undreds of Boko Haram members stayed at training camps with Malian militants for months in Timbuktu, learning to fix Kalashnikovs and launch shoulder-fired weapons, a report has said. The Nigerians fled the city into the desert, along with the other militants, days before a French airstrike on January 20. A man who said he was hired to cook for the militants said the Boko Haram members trained for about 10 months at what is now a bombed-out customs-police building on Timbuktu's desert fringe, intermingling with a local al Qaeda offshoot called Ansar Dine. "Every day I saw people coming here, saying they want to sign up," said the man, whose description of the militants' activities matched those offered by four neighbours. Locals were quoted as saying that until just a few weeks ago, the bombed-out customs-police building in Timbuktu was one of bustling training centers populated not only by local al Qaeda-linked militants but also

by hundreds of Boko Haram members. Well over 200 Nigerians arrived in Timbuktu in April 2012 in about 300 cars, the cook said, after al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) swept into the city. Residents said about 50 Boko Haram militants lived and trained at the customs building, and 50 more lived in an annex across a giant sandy lot, while others took up in other abandoned government buildings. The presence of Nigerian trainees in Mali confirms statements earlier made by authorities that some Boko Haram fighters trained in Mali. Last year, a senior security chief gave a briefing in which he said Nigeria was going to Mali primarily to uproot the Boko Haram training facilities. Also, Chief of Army Staff LtGeneral Azubuike Ihejirika said last month that Boko Haram received training in Mali, making it imperative for Nigerian troops to join the international campaign to free northern Mali from militants. Running a war college The report quoted neighbours as

saying that in Timbuktu, AQIM ran a sophisticated war college from several abandoned buildings. Judging by locals' accounts of the training, this was where Boko Haram militants gained skills to allow them to expand beyond their typical quick-hit bomb strikes. On dunes just west of the customs house, Boko Haram fighters fired shoulder-fired arms, the cook and four neighbors said though it couldn't be determined if they were describing sophisticated rockets or more rudimentary mortars. In its Nigeria attacks, Boko Haram appears not to have used shoulder-mounted weapons. Within a week of the foreign militants' arrival, the al Qaedabacked groups began offering jobs to locals. A gunman came to the cook's door, looking for someone fluent in the Hausa language which the cook had learned in Kumasi, a trading town in Ghana with a large Hausa population. They paid him about N3,000 a day, he said, to cook for Ansar Dine and Boko Haram. A restaurateur said he sometimes brought tubs of couscous and spaghetti to the training camp, but said the Boko Haram fighters

didn't extend much courtesy to locals. "They are extremely rude," said the restaurateur, adding: "They pay whatever price you want." On a typical day, after rising before dawn to pray and read the Quran, the militants ran five laps around the sand-choked lot, the size of several football fields, said the cook and neighbors who witnessed the exercises. After push-ups in the sand, the militants ate a breakfast of bread and powdered milk. They then met with specialists, the cook said. He described an arms specialist from Pakistan, who he said taught Boko Haram and Ansar Dine members how to break apart and reassemble assault rifles, over and over again. There was a computer specialist who appeared, to the cook, to be mostly occupied making fliers extolling the fundamentalist cause. A heavy arms specialist who the cook said was from Afghanistan told militants how to breathe steadily when firing a shoulder-mounted rocket. "Swear to God, every day, new people, they come," said Moulhar Arby, a girl in the earthen-wall house next door to the customs

Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekarau office. "Nobody knows how they come here." Commanders from Boko Haram and Ansar Dine gave newcomers 4,000 West African CFA, the local equivalent of N1,250, to enlist, the cook said. After training, he said, recruits were given about N4,700their first taste of money following months of sharing bathrooms with scores of militants. Days before the French bomb hollowed out the customs building, the Nigerians sneaked away, neighbors said. Every night, a few came back to toggle the lights, these people said, presumably to convey to surveillance planes above that Boko Haram was still in Timbuktu, the report said.

THE

Monday, February 11 – Sunday, February 17, 2013

The

ADVOCATE

Gunmen kill 9 female health workers in Kano, 30 Farmers in Nasarawa

total of 9 female Health workers have been shot to death at two Community health centres in the ancient city of Kano by unknown gunmen in two separate attacks. Eyewitness account told Our Reporter that the first offensive on the polio workers at Filin Kashu, Ungwa-Uku General area left two dead, while 4 others were critically injured. The account explained that the gunmen in tricycle arrived the Community health centre by 9.00am, opened fire on the defenseless paramedics and subsequently escaped in the ensuing pandemonium. In another attack recorded at Hotoro Haye, 7 female workers were shot dead at the Community health centre. Eyewitness say the assailants also came in a tricycle and sprayed bullets at the female workers on duty. The Kano State Commissioner of Health, Dr Abubakar Labaran Yusuf while confirming the incident explained that “6 were shot at UngwaUku but two died while 4 survived”. The Police Public Relation

Officer, Kano Police Command, ASP, Magaji Musa Majia confirmed that “9 female health workers were shot dead in the separate attacks” ASP Magaji also disclosed that the bodies of the victims have been deposited at the Murtala Muhammad Hospital in the city” According to Magaji “investigations have immediately commenced” Meanwhile, the feud between Fulani herdsmen and Eggon farmers in Nasarawa State heightened on Thursday as fresh fighting erupted in R a n d a Vi l l a g e , n e a r Kwandere, causing tension in Lafia, the state capital. No fewer than 30 people were said to have been killed with several others wounded. Sources said that Kwandere Village where the Fulani are taking refuge has become the base from where they operate and carry out reprisal attack on nearby villages,'' adding that tension was high in Ombi 1, Ombi 2, Nasarawa Eggon and Kwandere all in Lafia North Local Government. Many residents including the Nasarawa State Polytechnic students were seen running helter-shelter

for fear of attack by Fulanis from the nearby village. The cause of the on-going fight was not immediately known. When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Michael Ada said that he was not in the position to say anything until he get full details. The Nasarawa State government ordered deployment of policemen in the troubled areas but the attack had not subsided. According to a security source, the Fulani attackers invaded the village called, Igah unknown to the soldiers deployed to ensure security, leaving eight persons dead. This attack started barely a week after the state government asked the displaced people to return to their ancestral homes with security beefed up in the various communities. L a s t S a t u r d a y, t h e government organized a round table discussion with the Fulanis and the Agatu people, urging them to forget the past and live in peace with each other. Meanwhile, the bodies of the deceased had been deposited at the Dalhatu Specialist Hospital in Lafia.

Youths, women protest killing of medical doctor in Mbaise

Name: Happiness Jumbo Date of Birth: Nov. 25th Hobby: Singing and Writing Dislike: Greediness and Lies Occupation: Working Class E-mail: chiomajumbo@yahoo.com

cores of youths and aged women, Thursday blocked the ever busy OwerriUmuahia federal highway at Nkwogwu, Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area to protest the gruesome murder of their son and medical practitioner, Dr. Nonye Nwaise. The peaceful protest, which lasted over two hours, disrupted free flow of traffic on the highway until a detachment of policemen, led by J. P. Modi, a Chief

Superintendent of Police, was moved in to restore peace in the area. The slain Dr. Nwaise, who was a staff of Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, was reportedly attacked and killed at a viewing centre, by three armed men, who were operating on a motorcycle. All the people who spoke on the ugly incident, expressed anger over what they termed “the increasing spate of insecurity in Imo State.” The villagers recalled with grief, how the late doctor

attended to the health challenges of the villagers and most times, at no cost to the patients and their relations. Particularly touching was the participation of a 73year-old woman, Mrs. Chinyere Ogu, in the protest. She condemned the killing of the 42-year-old doctor, saying: “He was down to earth during his life time. He was a solid defender of his people, especially the downtrodden. We have truly lost a rare gem.”

THE

ADVOCATE

Monday, February 11 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Sunday, February 17, 2013

Bakassi peoples Assembly consents to day spring and Qua Island resettlement Edem Archibong, Calabar

Bakassi Peninsula while advocating for strong and peaceful relationship between Nigerian and Cameroonian he foot dragging Bakassi Government. returnee resettlement palaver She argued that the Bakassi kith and between the Cross River State Government and some indigenes of the area after the hasty ceding of the Bakassi Peninsula to the Republic of Cameroon in accordance with the ICJ judgment and subsequent refusal of Federal Government to present fresh facts in The By Chioma Jumbo Hague, may have been resolved. Speaking during the Bakassi Peoples he Senior Special Assistant to the town hall meeting convened by Senator Governor of Enugu State on Public Florence Ita-Giwa, the foremost Adviser Enlightenment, Chief Paul on Legislative Affairs to President Nnajiofor has advised the people of Uwani Shehu Shagari, Chief Archibong Abbi Community in Uzo-Uwani local Archibong Omon, who chaired the government area of Enugu State to embrace occasion, remarked that the case of dialogue in the settlement of the ceding Bakassi peninsula has refused to misunderstanding between them and some influential people from the area. die natural death and will never die. Nnajiofor gave the advice while He noted that even though the history of ceding Bakassi peninsula to the addressing the people of the area who were Republic of Cameroon was still very at the Government House, Enugu on a fresh in their memory in spite of being p e a c e f u l p r o t e s t o v e r a l l e g e d belated, the hope of Bakassi indigenes mismanagement of government water and indeed Efik Kingdom who are scheme in the area by some group of people. The governor's aide noted that their subjects to the stool of Obong of Calabar allegation of denying them access to water is not yet lost. was disheartening and assured them of He expressed happiness over the government's readiness to look into their news that President Goodluck Jonathan claims. had ordered the setting up of a fresh While urging them to be law abiding, committee chaired by the Cross River Nnajiofor said that the state government State Acting Governor, Barr. Efiok Cobham with Senator Florence Giwa as a member, to resettle the people. He expressed optimism that the Committee would hasten up to ensure that the accepted resettlement area which is Day Spring 1&2 and Qua Island were part of the Bakassi peninsula not ceded to Cameroon since it is a coastal region to give the people a sense of belonging and fast track the development of the area. In her speech, Senator Florence ItaBy Ted Peters Giwa, the convener of the town hall meeting, expressed gratitude to the three he national leadership of the wards of Ikang North, Ikang South and Progressive Peoples Alliance, PPA, Ikang Central in Akpabuyo Local has reiterated its earlier warning Government Area which had been that on no account should a member, group converted to be the new Bakassi Local of members or state chairmen engage in Government Headquarter during the any merger or alliance talk with any political party. period of temporary settlement. In a statement by the National She also frowned at the ugly development against Bakassi returnees Secretary of the party, Comrade Peter at Ikang where concentration of Bakassi Ameh, the party specifically fingered Abia Local Government funds meant for ten State where a group of people were said to be discussing with a political party for councils ward to be now inequitably possible merger. spent for only the present three phantom The statement said just as people were wards, leaving out the real Bakassi free to associate or join the Progressive indigenes from development benefit as Peoples Alliance, the party would not not less than 80% of the Bakassi people prevent anybody from leaving if he or she no longer resides in Ikang but had so wished, adding that the exit of a few preferred to go back to their homes in individuals from PPA to another party does not amount to merger or alliance. Cameroon. Comrade Ameh said it was normal to The Bakassi Princess used the opportunity to appeal to the Federal experience vertical movements of Government and UN related bodies for politicians across political parties, real economic empowerment and especially when politicians feel their assistance for the displaced people of political aspirations would be better

kin that had stayed back in Cameroon were of right entitled to peace and tranquility but in event of any strain relationship between both countries â&#x20AC;&#x153;it is very likely that it is going to adversely

affect them.â&#x20AC;? She cautioned the Cameroonian authorities to desist forthwith from maltreating Bakassi Peninsula indigenes who have decided to stay back in Cameroon.

Chime's aide urges peaceful resolution of communal disputes

Gov Chime under the leadership of Governor Sullivan Chime has the interest of the people at heart and would not allow any act that would put them to hardship. He commended the people for their peaceful protest urging them to embrace peace at all times and avoid violence as the state government has zero tolerance for actions capable of causing chaos.

Earlier in a speech, the leader of the group, Mr. Raymond Ugwu called on the state government to save the people of the area from the hands of some influential people in the area that deny the community water supply provided by the state government. Ugwu lamented that Uwani Abbi water borehole, a project of the Millennium Development Goals of the State for 2011, has been converted to personal use by an indigene, who allegedly mobilized touts to scare people away from fetching the water. He added that one Dr. Amah formed a committee made up of his friends and relations to oversee the administration of the borehole for his selfish interest instead of involving representatives of the villages that made up the community to ensure equity and justice. Ugwu called on the state government to intervene in the matter by dissolving the committee formed by Dr. Amah and constitute a genuine one.

Don't engage in merger talk with any political party -PPA warns members T

achieved in their party of destination.

The PPA scribe further warned that the party would not hesitate to disown any agreement entered into by renegade members who according to him did not have the authority of the party. He urged PPA members nation-wide

not to allow the recent movement of the party's former BOT chairman, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu into the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, discourage them, adding that PPA had been forging ahead since 2011 when Dr Kalu actually left the party.

Dr Orji Uzor Kalu

THE

Monday, February 11 – Sunday, February 17, 2013

ADVOCATE

Ezzu River Tragedy: CLO fingers SARS Senate, NBA sets up investigation panel NEMA abandons responsibility as situation snowballs into serious health crisis

s anxiety rises following the mystery surrounding corpses found afloat in Ezzu River in Amansea, Anambra State a border town to Enugu State is yet to be unraveled in several weeks of horror, water scarcity and disease, the residents of the communities at the bank of the river and indeed, South East geopolitical zone are gripped in fears, The Advocate Acting Editor, UBA ANI reports. Water they say is life, without it there will be no life. That's why there's no known life in any other planet except earth where there's water. Once there's no water, life may become extinct as it is a basic necessity of life. As the people of Ugwuoba, Amansea, Ebenebe and all other communities, made up of over 550,000 people, along the bank of Ezzu river whose only source of water has been polluted following the decomposing dead bodies numbering over 25 found afloat in the river on the 19th January 2013, the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has remained docile, probably did not consider it a matter that requires emergency response to the needs of these affected people, so that water and other support materials could be given to them. One wonders what could be considered a serious emergency other than lack of this life giving liquid. Ordinarily man can at most survive without water for only three days and is said in an Igbo local parlance that “a goat owned by many lacks food” since no one cares. So the people of Ugwuoba, Amansea, Ebenebe and all other communities, who are unfortunately caught up the present circumstance, are really facing a problem of their lives as they battle with lack of water situation. Except for the aids that are coming from Anambra State Government and well-meaning individuals from all works of life which is not enough to meet their needs, human life within the affected communities may be a sort of hell as long as mystery lasts. The Advocate gathered that those who had taken the water for their domestic uses before the bloated corpses started afloat are mostly sick at various hospitals in the state. A former lawmaker in the Anambra State House of Assembly from the area, Mr. Boniface Okonkwo, said that he has “been running from pillar to post to ensure that those affected are taken care of” as NEMA seem not perturbed by the sordid situation which is capable of wiping the entire people affected by the incidence, if proper care is not taken. It will be recalled that Mr. Emeka Chukwuemeka, spokesman of the Anambra State police command on Monday, January 21 said they have recovered 18 dead decomposing bodies found floating at the Ezzu River on the 19th January 2913. Also both police and Anambra state

government sources, further confirmed that about four more corpses were again seen afloat somewhere in the river on Wednesday, January 24, a signal that more of the dead bodies may have been stuck or even vandalized by aquatic cannibals under the river or has been moved to other banks of the river by water current. Since then the situation has been a matter of serious public concern to

circumstances surrounding the incident. The petition entitled, “Re: Killing and dumping of 20 human corpses in Ezzu River Amansea, Anambra State, by men of Anambra State Special Anti- Robbery Squad, SARS, Awkuzu, portends danger to the image and security of the country,'' dated January 28, 2013, and signed by the Zonal Director of CLO in the area, Mr Olu Omotayo said that “It noted that although the

their souls rest in peace. This is how bad the situation is”. “On Saturday, January 19, 2013, the people of Amansea Community in Anambra State reportedly woke up to find 18 bodies floating on River Ezzu, a River that runs through many Enugu and Anambra States Communities and empties into the River Niger. I understand that 4 more bodies were later found on the River”. “Nobody, I repeat, nobody to date,

Victims of Ezzu River tragedy government and people of both Anambra and its neighbouring State Enugu. The discovery of those dead bodies in the river has brought about serious apprehension among the residents of the communities along the river bank and indeed in the entire South East geo-political zone of Nigeria. This is basically because both the identity of people whose corpses were dumped in the river, the circumstances that led to their death, and those who brought them and dumped them in the river has remained a mystery. The Commissioner of Police Enugu State, Musa Daura and his Anambra State counterpart, Bala Nassarwa jointly visited the area and had dispatched officers and men from their commands for proper investigation into the circumstances surrounding the mystery dead bodies. According to the Commissioner of police Anambra State, there were no violent injuries on the corpses based on police preliminary investigation but emerging facts are allegedly pointing at the police as possible perpetrators of the dastardly act. A resident of Awkuzu in Oyi Local Government area of Anambra State who pledged anonymity said, “some of the corpses cannot be traced far from the inmates of the police SARS cell at Awkuzu” but called for caution that “the way things are going portends serious danger for anyone that will rise to allege or claim knowledge of police involvement in the abhorable act as the person may also disappear in mysterious circumstances. In a petition written by the Civil Liberties Organisation to President Jonathan on the tragedy, the Southeast Director Olu Omotoya called on the President to order full scale investigation into the

police in the state claimed there were no gunshot wounds or other forms of injuries on the dead bodies, a report posted on internet revealed that the corpses were riddled with bullet wounds, just as there were blood drops and stains on the bridge and the path to the Ezzu river”. According to the CLO, ''this clearly contradicts the claim by the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State, that there was no mark of violence on the bodies. Suspicion was aroused following the way the State government working in concert with police hurriedly buried the corpses in a mass grave at the bank of the river after they were found, a situation that attracted criticisms from various human right organizations both within the country and beyond. Consequently, the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, 30th January, expressed its determination to unravel the mystery surrounding the 18 corpses that were found afloat on Ezzu River on January 19, 2013, which runs through many communities in both Enugu and Anambra States. Okey Wali, SAN, National President of the Association, who disclosed their stand in Abuja, said the association had already constituted a committee with a responsibility to closely follow investigations currently being conducted into the matter by security agencies. He said: “Whenever we remember our yesteryears, we lament our fate. We must move away, and very quickly, from lamenting our fate and find durable and lasting solutions. We cannot continue in this state of affairs, with daily loss of lives and properties. Just recently, on January 19, 2013, there was an attack on the life of the Emir of Kano which led to the death of five of his aides. May

has accounted for who they are and how they came floating on the river. This is happening in 2013 Nigeria, what a shame! “The Nigerian Bar Association is determined to get to the root of this ugly incident and so, I have set-up a committee, headed by the 1st Vice President of Nigerian Bar Association and Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association Human Rights Committee, Mr O.J. Irahbor, with former Chairman of Abakaliki branch of Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Tony Okah, as secretary, to a very closely follow up the investigations by the security agencies”, He concluded. Worried by this disturbing mystery; a situation which has been described at various quarters as barbaric and an embarrassment on the country, the Nigeria Senate also after critical deliberation on the motion moved by Senator Andy Uba, on the floor of the Chambers which was supported by members resolved and detailed its committees on Police Affairs and Security and Intelligence to commence a thorough investigation into the dead bodies recently found in Ezzu River of Anambra State. The Senate President, David Mark, expressed surprise that such a thing is happening in the present day Nigeria and said, "Until this moment, no explanation has been proffered as to the possible origin of the dead bodies, while the autopsy ordered by the governments of Anambra and Enugu states has yielded no report." "I think it is a very serious thing that no community in this country has reported that they can't find one person; not one community has made a report. Even if police is inefficient, even if security agencies are inefficient, the communities themselves or the families

themselves, nobody can come to say we can't find our son. It is very disturbing," Senate President lamented. According to the Senate President, "I think the bigger problem is not what happened but, where did these dead bodies come from? I think the river that is flowing, the dead bodies wouldn't have just emerged from nowhere; they would have come from a certain place before they got to where they were eventually found. So it is a bit strange. “Even if they were in boat that capsized, who are they? So it is strange and we need to be very concerned about it. In addition to that, of course the villagers naturally will be concerned and they may not want to go to the river anymore, but unless we are able to say who these people are, I think there'd be big problem for us in this country. And it is not just about security agencies alone, I think every community in this country now is involved”. "I think the bigger problem is not what happened but, where did these dead bodies come from? I think the river that is flowing, the dead bodies wouldn't have just emerged from nowhere; they would have come from a certain place before they got to where they were eventually found. So it is a bit strange”, he said. It will be recalled that it was when criticism trailed the quick mass burial of the bodies that the government of Anambra state ordered that the bodies be exhumed for a full autopsy on the bodies. The Advocate further gathered that preliminary result of the autopsy carried by a team of experts shows that contrary to the earlier statement by the commissioner of Police Anambra State that the bodies have some kind of wounds on them that seem to suggest that they were killed. Some of the possible questions from the people that are yawning for an answers are, who set up the autopsy team, what level of independence do the team enjoy, more so when there's an allegation of police complicity in the act. Another question remains, are there the right technology and expertise to do a thorough medical investigation as was obtain in Abuja 'Akpo' killing especially as the bodies are already rotten. What matters to the affected communities now are not the committees that are being set up here and there but how will they survive in their present lack of portable water, how they will survive the outbreak of disease in the area and how they will cope with the horror and trauma associated with the situation. Only God knows how long it will take to end up this whole issue and possibly sanitize the river for use by the people, otherwise they are in for some kind of dilemma and their suffering may linger longer; after all some of the victims of flood disaster are yet to get government promises in many states several months after.

THE

ADVOCATE

Monday, February 11 – Sunday, February 17, 2013

NEWS

A-IBOM 2015: Gov. Akpabio, SSG disagree on zoning of guber seat By Unyime Isemin, Uyo

h e a d o f 2 0 1 5 gubernatorial polls, there are indications that Akwa Ibom State might taste turbulent political waters if the Secretary to the State Government, Obong Umana Umana remains adamant to his interest of flapping the governorship zoning arrangement upheld in 2006. Obong Umana in a new year dinner of the Great Akwa Ibom Project (GAP) in Ikot Ekpene expressed his readiness to flap the so-called PDP zoning formula in the state by running for the

governorship position in the forthcoming elections in 2015. He made his position known after a strong agitation by the members of GAP that are out to drum out support to him if he is ready to take up the challenge of contesting against all pressure from any quarter. A former secretary to the state government, Obonganwan Grace Ekong, who spoke on behalf of the women of the group, said it was high time for the third citizen of the state to ignore fears of what people may say about zoning and stand firm in his aspiration. "I know you are busy with your job, but we can't allow you to leave office and go home. We love what

the governor Chief Godswill Obot tenure. We've found you fit and Akpabio is doing and want it to ready to take over from him", she continue after the expiration of his said. Umana, who was stunned at the agitation said, "I will run because you have shown in me but for now, I have a job I am concentrating on. It is full time job, but be assured that I've accepted your challenge and will not disappoint you". Meanwhile a PDP stalwart and the immediate past Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Chief Nduese Essien had already declared his strong position against the aspiration of Obong Umana in the forth-coming PDP primaries. According to Chief Essien, the PDP caucus in the state in a meeting held on Saturday, October Gov. Akpabio 22, 2006 unanimously agreed on power shift from the Uyo Senatorial district to Ikot Ekpene district and later to Eket Senatorial district. He said that the decision of the meeting was later made known to the public in a press conference held in Uyo on Friday November 10, 2006. He pointed out that so far Eket senatorial district is yet to take her turn in producing a governor for the state pointing out that the zone “is fit and ready to assume the responsibility come 2015.” Chief Essien also called on politicians especially those soliciting support for Obong Umana not to distract the present government from the pursuit of its uncommon transformation programme in the state with the zoning policy since Gov. Akpabio, a beneficiary of zoning arrangement as a promise keeper will keep to his promise by upholding power shift arrangement to Eket senatorial The affected building at Popoola street, off Toye Junction, Iju Lagos. district. Zoning which has become a burning issue that has recently dominated discussions in the the country as 3rd fastest growing sophisticated crime in the political arena in the state, came to e c o n o m y , p o v e r t y a n d country, stressing that government a head when Governor Akpabio unemployment had remained should redouble efforts to check was asked by journalist during a high. crimes. press briefing what his The chamber president said that He called for the inclusion of the position on the matter was. there was no way investment and organized private sector in the Governor Akpabio in an attempt to business climate could be seen to SureP program, stressing that it answer the question narrated a be friendly and ordinarily would work to boost employment story of a woman who went to attractive with the spate of rising of the teeming Nigerian youths. court seeking dissolution of her marriage and the judge in-charge asked her how old she was and she said 33 years, then the judge asked her to go and settle the difference with her husband. Three years later, she came to the same court and met the same judge on the same matter, and the judge asked the same question - Madam, how old are you? According to Akpabio, she gave the same answer, 33 years old and she was asked why she was 33 three years ago and 33 then, she said that she was not ready to change her words on the divorce. Akpabio at that point in proverbial way explained that he was not ready to change his position on what has been. ECCIMA President, Dr Theo Okonkwo

Ground victims of Dana air-crash paid $30,000 each

ASTOR Daniel Omowumi, the owner of the two-storey building where the Dana air plane crashed into at the Iju-Shaga area of Lagos State and other ground victims have been paid USD 30,000 each as compensation. Earlier, Pastor Omowunmi in conjunction with the Committee for the Defence of Human Right, CDHR, Funmilayo Unit had protested with other victims of the accident blocking the entrance to the Dana Air head office at Allen avenue, demanding the sum of N500 million for his property that were destroyed by the crash. Head Corporate Communication, D a n a A i r l i n e s , M r. To n y

Usidamen who confirmed the payment of compensation to the ground victims, said Dana Air insurers were committed towards ensuring that all claimants were fully compensated to the extent of their losses. Mr. Usidamen however pointed out that although the payment of compensation to the ground victims took some time, it was done according to the laid down processes by law and the settlement reached by all parties concerned. According to him, “We can confirm that payment of compensation to affected IjuShaga residents has commenced and the process is still on-going.”

ECCIMA raises alarm over multiple taxation, levies in Enugu By Patrick Okolie

HE Enugu Chamber of C o m m e r c e , I n d u s t r y, Mines and Agriculture [ECCIMA], yesterday, raised an alarm over multiple taxation and arbitrary levy collection going on in Enugu State, saying the development has constituted major impediments to business activities in the state. Speaking at the 39th annual general meeting of the chamber, ECCIMA President, Dr Theo Okonkwo called on the state government to do all within her power to stop the disturbing cases of multiple taxation and levies which, he said, had seriously discouraged investment in the state. He stated that it was disheartening that while state government agencies were charging and collecting various levies, local government councils were also charging businesses based on the same levies, stressing that it was

adding to the cost of doing business in the state. Okonkwo, who though praised government efforts in checking decongestion of the city centre from indiscriminate parking, noted the excesses and abuses of the effort by government officials and called on the government to check the trend to avoid presenting a wrong picture of the state. He said, “We suggest that appropriate and visible signage be put in place to guide motorists where to park and where not to. We also would wish to partner with the Ministry to create parking lots in strategic areas of the city to provide plausible alternatives and guide against people not finding convenient places to park their cars”. He said that the country's business economy was still beleaguered with a number of challenges particularly infrastructural deficit, stressing that despite the official data from the Bureau of Statistics for the last quarter of 2012 placing

THE

Monday, February 11 – Sunday, February 17, 2013

ADVOCATE

NEWS

Only a strong national political party can vote out PDP in 2015 -CPC By Patrick Okolie

HE Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) said the only way to bail out the country and fix back her collapsed infrastructure was to form a united national political platform with the capacity and certainty to mobilize Nigerians to vote out the People Democratic Party (PDP) come 2015. Gubernatorial candidate of the CPC in the 2011 general election in Enugu State and member of the CPC merger committee, Mr. Osita Okechukwu stated this at the weekend in Enugu while briefing members of the party in the state on the ongoing merger

talks between Action Congress of Nigeria(ACN) and Congress for Progressive Change; in the first phase and with other progressive political parties in the second phase. He said that the concept of the merger was born out of the patriotic zeal of the leadership and members of ACN, CPC and other progressives in the country to save the nation, her fledgling democracy and the constitution from the ineptitude and squandermania of the ruling PDP. “We are witnesses of how in the last 13 years the PDP has squandered our unprecedented oil revenue, subverted our constitution, impoverished our citizenry, by adopting the

philosophy of Food is Ready and the motto of Share the Money, anchored on a nebulous economic policy that government has no business in business,” he said. Noting that Ndigbo had been voting for the PDP since 1998 without anything to show for it, Okechukwu expressed regrets that the party had serially failed to fulfill its promises. According to him, the PDP's “philosophy of Food is Ready and motto of Share the Money had led to decayed infrastructure, dilapidated social services, gross unemployment and monumental corruption; consequently sliding Nigeria dangerously into a failed state. ”He stated that their goal was to provide welfare and security to the good people of the country, adding that the business of their

government come 2015 would be investment of public resources. His words: “We reasoned that the only way to bail out the country and fix back the collapsed infrastructure is to form a united national political platform with the capacity and certainty to mobilize Nigerians to vote out the PDP come 2015. “Indeed the merger concept enjoys national consensus and collective rationality from members and supporters nationwide; even from the multitude of members of the PDP who are tired of the failed party, but has no other alternative platform to run to. “Shall we allow those who have no regard to their oath of office, those who convert our collective patrimony to personal estate and those who mortgage the prosperity of present and future generations

of Nigerians to prevail in 2015 elections? No! No! No! “They will tell you that Ndigbo are not in the merger, tell them that not only are credible Ndigbos like Senator Chris Ngige in the top echelons of the merger parties; that we are for good governance, transparency and accountability.

“This merger is going to work and most importantly it is not alliance, which easily fails. In sum, neither the ACN nor the CPC can win the presidency single handedly; therefore the imperative of the merger.”. Many members of the party who spoke at the meeting applauded the move by leaders of the two parties to create a stronger political platform that would give then better advantage in the 2015 elections

Enugu monarch sets agenda for Ohanaeze Ndigbo

HE traditional ruler of Ibeagwa-Nike in Enugu East local government, Igwe Emmanuel Ugwu has urged the new leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to as a matter of priority work assiduously for the protection of Igbo language and culture. He said that the apex Igbo sociocultural organization was in a good position to ensure that the Igbo language and culture did not diminish further, adding that everything possible should be done to guard and sustain them. Igwe Ugwu also stressed that Ohanaeze Ndigbo had a major role to play in settling disputes among Ndigbo in various communities in order to reduce workloads for traditional rulers. The royal father gave the charge when the new Enugu state leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo paid him a courtesy call at his palace. During the visit, Igwe Ugwu was conferred with the patron of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo for Enugu East Senatorial zone in recognition of his commitment to peace and tranquility in his kingdom and in the state. The Monarch pledged that as a member of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, he would ensure that the organization is made more potent and forceful. “ We n e e d t o c h a n g e o u r orientation to ensure quality leadership and unity of purpose. We shall make Ohanaeze Ndigbo better. Ohanaeze is in a better position to settle disputes because it has all calibre of persons. You have given me a responsibility as your patron and I will not disappoint you,” the traditional ruler said. The new state Chairman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Eric Ebeh said that the traditional ruler was chosen as the patron of Ohanaeze because of his

impeccable leadership quality which he said had been acknowledged by all and sundry in the state. Ebeh, who issued certificate of

return as patron to the monarch, said the organization was hopeful that the traditional ruler would use the same wisdom of his kingdom to take care of Ohanaeze.

Also speaking, Deputy State Chairman of Ohanaeze, Chief Barrister Mike Nwakaife, said that the new leadership of the organization was focused and

committed to the defense of Igbo culture and tradition, assuring that they would carry everybody along in the task for moving the Igbo nation forward.

Bayelsa Skill Acquisition Project gulps N97m By Philip Eke, Yenagoa

a y e l s a S t a t e Commissioner for Transport, Mrs. Marie Ebikake says it will take the state government the sum of N97 million to complete the ongoing skill acquisition block. Conducting journalists round some projects embarked upon by her Ministry as part of activities marking the one year anniversary of Governor Henry Seriake Dickson's administration, the commissioner who said the project is expected to be completed in June 2013, called on Bayelsans particularly automobile drivers to take advantage of the centre. She accused previous administrators of the ministry of killing government facilities, stating that the restoration government of Dickson injected flesh and life into it. Ebikake further said the immediate past regime in the state fraudulently procured some vehicles in the name of some government officials but luck ran out of the administration as its operators were unable to clear the vehicles at the Onne Port until it was ousted. “There was the fraudulent purchase of vehicles by the past government in the name of individuals. They were at the Onne port and we retrieved them,” she said. She announced that the present administration resolve to establish a Maritime Academy at Okpoama, maintaining that the Ministry within its first one year procured

15 armored patrol boats at the cost of N339m and 200 Restoration vehicles at the cost of N508m while 34 buses were procured at the cost of N456m and 11 patrol vans for the state's security outfit, Operation Doo Akpo at the cost of N60 million. Other achievements of the ministry included the installation of vehicles tracking device at the cost of N100 million, five armored and another five unarmored boats at the cost of N403.5 million,

stressing that buses were also provided for the Niger Delta University (NDU) and the state College of Arts and Science (BYCAS). Ebikake, who said certain responsibilities will be delegated to the Bayelsa Transport Company after the Ministry had gotten idea of how much revenue it can raise from the transport sector periodically, was however furious when journalists sought to know

her ministry's relationship with touts who have persistently terrorized road users in the state capital. “Do I look like an Agboro or do I look like somebody encouraging Agboros? This Ministry is a responsible ministry,” she said. Ebikake had earlier served as chairperson of Brass Local Government Council and Commissioner in the state Local Government Service Commission.

Bayelsa govt recovers N18.6B from FAAC IN 2012, refunds N7.4B By Philip Eke, Yenagoa

ayelsa State Government says it has recovered the sum of N18.6 billion Derivation Funds from the Federation Account Allocation Commission, (FAAC) just as it refunded the sum of N7.4 billion to the neighboring states. The N7.4 billion refunded represented over payment of Excess Crude/Augmentation from 2006 to 2010 and Okori and Ndah Fields to other states. Raising a poser over the refund made on Okori and Ndah Fields while briefing newsmen on the financial status of the state as part of the activities marking the Governor Seriake Dickson led administration's one year in office, the State Commissioner of Finance, Mr. Duate Iyabi said, 'we are however, disputing the N2 billion refund because Bayelsa State had never benefitted from any revenue generated from Okori and Ndah Fields. Clearly we cannot refund what we never received.”

He said the development had deprived the state of its rights of income, adding, we are in the process of recovering over N100 billion Derivation funds due to Bayelsa state but wrongly credited to other states, because oil wells in the state were wrongly assigned to other states. In its efforts to shore up its revenue base, Mr. Iyabi said the government has proposed monthly Internally Generated Revenue of between N1bn and N2bn, adding that this would assist the present administration in its bid to transform the state. According to him, “the current Internally Generated Revenue of between N400 to N600m a month is low. Government is taking concrete steps to shore up the IGR. First, a new Board made up of seasoned professionals has been appointed.” Already, Government has set up a target of N1 billion Internally Generated Revenue per month which is expected to increase to about N2 billion in two years. On Investment profile, the Commissioner disclosed that the

Ministry of Finance holds share with a nominal value of N12.34bn and market value of N9.442bn while the dividend collection for the year ended 31st December was N126.401m. The Commissioner added that the present administration has acquired additional 35.18% of the Ordinary Shares of Linkage Assurance Plc at a cost of 50k per share giving an aggregate purchase consideration of N1,686,900,418.82bn. Also, during the 2012 fiscal year, the Government through legislative approval spent N1.5bn out of N3.1bn it is having in its Strategic Savings Account on flood related matters. On the pay-roll fraud, the Commissioner disclosed that the present administration inherited a monthly payroll bill of N5.4bn but has been able to reduce it to N4.1bn. His words, “the present administration on assumption of office in February 2012 met a monthly payroll bill of N5.4bn. Government took definite steps to reduce this amount including promulgation of a law. We are succeeding as the figure has since dropped to N4.1bn.”

THE

ADVOCATE

Monday, February 11 – Sunday, February 17, 2013

FOREIGN NEWS

Illegal immigrants in the US will be entitled to citizenship

h e 11 m i l l i o n i l l e g a l immigrants living in the US will be entitled to future citizenship regardless of nationality but first must undergo background checks and ensure their taxes are up to date, the White House has said. Providing more details on President Barack Obama's plan for a “common sense” reform of US immigration, White House domestic policy director Cecilia Muñoz said the administration was trying to resolve the problem of 11 million undocumented immigrants “without respect to nationality”. Paying taxes and ensuring that

their tax affairs are “up to date” has to be part of the legal process to put

illegal immigrants on the road to becoming US citizens, said Ms

Muñoz. She acknowledged that the undocumented had to “feel safe” to c o m e f o r w a r d a n d u n d e rg o background checks, and that the legalisation process had to be designed to ensure they were comfortable, otherwise the reforms would not work. The president hopes a Bill will come before Congress within four to six weeks, she said, and he would introduce his own if a proposal offered by the cross-party group of senators became “bogged down in the Senate”. House Republicans, meanwhile, are coming up with their own compromise immigration reform.

9-year-old girl gives Women in Paris finally birth to a daughter allowed to wear trousers in Mexico O n January 31, Najat VallaudBelkacem, France's minister of women's rights, made it officially impossible to arrest a woman for wearing trousers in the French capital. The law required women to ask police for special permission to "dress as men" in Paris, or risk being taken into custody. In 1892 and 1909 the rule was amended to allow women to wear trousers, "if the woman is holding a bicycle handlebar or the reins of a

nine-year-old girl has given birth to a baby of her own, authorities in Mexico revealed today. The baby girl was born on January 27 in Zoquipan Hospital, in Zapopan, Mexico's western Jalisco state. It weighed 5.95lbs. The mother of the girl, identified only as Dafne, told local officials: 'The girl was just over eight when she got pregnant. The father is a boy who is 17, but

we have not found him, since he ran away.' Jorge Villasenor, from the state prosectors' office, said: 'We are looking for the young man to get his story because she does not understand what has happened. This is a molestation or child sex abuse case.' Both girls were released from the hospital over the weekend, apparently doing well but the hospital said it would have to do extensive follow-up due to the new mother's age.

horse.” The law was kept in place until now, despite repeated attempts to repeal it, in part because officials said the unenforced rule was not a priority, and part of French "legal archaeology." In July however, in a public request directed at Ms Vallaud-Belkacem, Alain Houpert, a senator and member of the conservative UMP party, said the "symbolic importance" of the law "could injure our modern sensibilities," and he asked the minister to repeal it.

THE

Monday, February 11 – Sunday, February 17, 2013

ADVOCATE

POLITICS

Amaechi, Wike feud: Ex-NBA President wades in By Abraham Ajaero, Port Harcourt

he lingering internal disagreement between the Governor of Rivers State Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and his erstwhile Chief of staff and Minister of State for Education Hon. Nyesom Wike has become a source of serious concern to political and religious leaders in the state. The ruling party, the PDP and Ikwerre indigenes are now divided into two camps with each camp in support of either the Governor or the minister. Several unsuccessful efforts have been made in the past by respected men of God in the state including one of the sociocultural organizations in Ikwerre land (the Ogbako Ikwerre), to resolve the disagreement and bring the duo together once again. Both the Governor and the minister hail from Ikwerre ethnic bloc. The Advocate learnt that the latest move by a one-time president of Nigeria Bar Association Barrister O.C.J. Okocha (SAN) to resolve the matter was the last effort to return peace to the state and avoid unnecessary heating up of the political system ahead of the 2015 general elections. On January 3rd 2013, Governor

Amaechi honoured an invitation to be a guest of Barrister Okocha in his residence at Rukpakwolusi Obio/Akpor LGA. Both went into closed door meeting that lasted over three hours. Okocha had a week earlier hosted the minister to the same marathon meeting. Although the outcome of the meetings were not made public,

but they were not unconnected with the lingering disagreement between the Governor and the minister. Okocha in his reaction said, “the visits of both Governor Amaechi and Chief Wike to my residence on different dates in the recent past were private visits. I certainly do not wish such private visits to

Chief Nyesom Wike

become the subject of speculations in the public media.” His reaction was contained in a reply to a text message sent to him in that regard. The Advocate was further told that Wike's camp had expressed fears that in the event that President Goodluck Jonathan reshuffles his cabinet before the end of 2013 as being speculated, Amaechi might decide to ensure that Wike never get re-nominated again as a minister representing Rivers State, hence the consistent effort to resolve whatever differences existing between them. Amaechi and Wike had been political associates since 1998 when the minister won election as Chairman of Obio/Akpor local government area. Their relationship became stronger when in 2007 the People's Democratic Party PDP denied Amaechi the party's flag in the governorship election of that year even when he clearly won the party primary election. Wike stood by Amaechi throughout the period of the legal battle to reclaim the lost mandate, and got rewarded with a position of Chief of Staff after Amaechi was declared the Governor of Rivers state by the Supreme Court. As Chief of staff, Wike allegedly became the 'de facto Governor' of Rivers state, taking decisions on

Cost of governance in Nigeria worrisome – Obi

nambra State Governor, Peter Obi, has described the increasing cost of governance in Nigeria as “very saddening and worrisome.” Obi said this at the 10th annual lecture organised by the Centre for Values and Leadership in Lagos on Wednesday. The lecture was graced by eminent Nigerians including the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar; Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi; former Governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke; an industrialist and former chairman, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Felix Ohiwerei, and founder, CVL, Prof. Pat Utomi. Other personalities who attended the occasion include the former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, and former Information Minister, Jerry Gana, among others Speaking on, 'Leadership Values: The challenge for the next gneeration of leaders', Obi said bureaucracy, corruption, waste, retinue of aides and business-asusual-syndrome were some of the factors that had been increasing the cost of governance.

He said, “If you see the cost of governance in this country, you will feel very sad. Corruption cuts across every segment of the country. If you go around the country, you see corruption everywhere by everybody. When you talk about values, where does it start from?” Obi, who said corruption had eaten deep into the moral fabric of the nation, alleged that he was impeached because a contract awarded to a Speaker's brother at N298m was executed by him with N43m. He said almost everybody was culpable in encouraging corruption in the country, saying “corruption in Nigeria is encouraged by everyone in every facet of life.” Obi said, “This is a country where you vote people in and six months after, he buys five cars, have houses and suddenly he is doing a thanksgiving in church and people will be celebrating such a man that is supposed to be handed over to the police. “On his part, Fayemi said Nigeria needed a serious rescue in the area of corruption, saying it had spread to every facet of national life. He urged leaders to take mentorship very seriously to be

able to produce a succession and a new generation of leaders. Fayemi said, “The cultural model of leadership is about raw power get it before you know what to do with it. That is the bane of our leadership in Nigeria. “The litmus test for success as leaders is the number of people

they are able to transform. If leaders are to make impact, they must be statesmen. They should not think about next election only but how to impact on the lives of the next generation.” Also the Sultan sued for unity, saying that one of the easiest ways of destroying a nation was for leaders to have preference for one tribe over another.

Governor Peter Obi

who should get what government contracts as well as those who should visit the governor. His actions as Chief of staff were widely condemned by Rivers people prompting the Governor to recommend him for a federal appointment in order to keep him at bay. Wike was said to be unhappy with the decision of the Government to remove him as Chief of Staff more so being replaced by his political arch rival, Hon. Tony Okocha his fellow kinsman. The Minister had wanted his own nominee as a replacement, but the governor was said to have turned down the request. As their disagreement lingers, their followers are presently counting their losses. Some of the local government chairmen in sympathy with the minister have been allegedly blacklisted by Amaechi's camp and are said to have even been penciled down for removal as council Chairmen even before the expiration of their tenures. Several other supporters of Wike have also been denied political appointments in the state and were excluded from the Governor's 2012 Christmas gifts, forcing the minister to quickly send his own gifts of bags of rice, cows and cash to his own supporters early January this year. The disagreement is also taking its toll on the activities of Ogbakor Ikwerre. On December 26, 2012 when the socio-cultural group organized its usual Ikwerre National Day of Thanksgiving, three of the four council Chairmen in Ikwerre land from Emohua, Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt City LGAs, said to be in sympathy with the minister, stayed away from the event, so also their supporters. David Ibiyiomie, the guest minister at the event, in his sermon spoke extensively on the need for unity among Ikwerre people, a veiled reference to the disagreement between the governor and the minister which drastically reduced the attendance at the gathering. The battle has also recently shifted to the landed properties owned by Wike and his political associates. Some of the properties were recently revoked by the Rivers state government forcing some of the Minister's supporters affected to seek protection from the courts with injunctions restraining the state government from destroying the properties. Reacting to the development, David Oyofor the Chief press secretary to Governor Amaechi denied that the Governor's visit to OC J. Okocha was to resolve the disagreement between Wike and the Governor. The Chief Press Secretary's reaction was also contained in a text message he sent to The Advocate.

THE

ADVOCATE

Monday, February 11 – Sunday, February 17, 2013

NEWS

Nebo will deliver on power, UNN VC assures By Ted Peters

E W LY a p p o i n t e d Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo has the ability to tackle the chronic problems in the nation's power sector based on his previous performance, Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof Bartholomew Okolo, has said. Okolo, who succeeded Nebo as the 13th Vice Chancellor of UNN, expressed confidence that the power minister would certainly succeed in his new assignment because of his “exceptional skills as an administrator”. He stated, “We do not have any doubt that he will perform creditably. Nebo is a good administrator and has a good record of accomplishment of success in administration of complex entities. He has excellent people and project management

skills necessary for tackling the intrigues in the sector, probably because of his background, and a capacity for weathering that kind of storm arising from the Nigerian factor.” The University of Nigeria community as well as analysts regard Nebo's tenure at the institution as successful as he managed the contending interests threatening to explode in the school as well as set the institution on a path of growth that Okolo has built on. The UNN Vice Chancellor said that Nebo has “a special characteristic” requisite for success in administration. According to Prof Okolo, “Nebo is free of ego. It is only when you are free of ego that you can harness the human resources around you. He has the capacity to identify, select and manage human resources.” Okolo, who is currently hosting the first meeting of the Scientific Advisory Board of the UNESCO

Category 2 International Biotechnology Centre at the institution, added that Nigeria's power challenge required effective administration and

harnessing of all resources. He assured Nigerians that Nebo is the right man to fix the problem, adding, “All the same, we are praying for his success in this

role.” President Goodluck Jonathan swore in Prof Chinedu Nebo on Tuesday and named him Minister of Power.

President Goodluck Jonathan with Prof. Chinedu Nebo (left) and Alhaji Kabiru Turaki (right) after their swearing in as new ministers, Monday, at the State House, Abuj

Over 30 gunmen attack police station in Kano ...as robbers kill 2 cops in Enugu

OLICE officers, Friday night, successfully repelled an attack by suspected terrorists on Minjibir Divisional station, 32km east of Kano city. Security sources said that the assailants, numbering over 30, stormed the station at about 8.30pm on motorcycles and tricycles and launched an offensive on the station. The sources stated that the officers on duty responded gallantly in the ensuing firefight that lasted 45 minutes, as the windscreen of parked police vehicles and windows adorning the building were shattered. It was gathered that although, there were no casualties, two fleeing suspects were arrested. Confirming the incident,the Kano State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Kpotun Idris said, ”the gallant officers on duty successfully repelled the attack”… ”two fleeing suspects were arrested by my men and we have commenced an inquiry into the motives of the attack.” The CP however, stressed that no part of the police division was damaged. ”There is no fatality nor injury on our side aside the windscreen of our vehicle and windows that were shattered during the gun duel”. The police enjoined residents to report any suspicious element within their vicinity, adding that “we are also trailing all those that escaped with bullet wounds.”

Two mobile policemen shot dead in Enugu In a related development, two mobile policemen serving in Enugu including a sergeant met their untimely death Friday night as armed bandits operating within Emene area of the Coal City gunned them down during a night robbery operation. The incident, according to sources, occurred near the Catholic Church-owned Annunciation Specialist Hospital, Emene at about 9pm Friday. The Advocate gathered that the armed bandits numbering about ten were operating at a compound a few metres away from the hospital when the two policemen

who were innocently driving towards their direction, were attacked by the gang. It could not be confirmed if the policemen had their guns at the time of the attack. “The policemen one of whom was identified as Sgt. Boniface Aji, were driving out of Annunciation hospital after visiting their colleague on admission in a Hilux patrol van with revolving lights and ran into the armed robbers that were operating at a compound within the area. “Immediately the robbers sighted the patrol van they thought that the policemen were on a rescue mission and shot at the vehicle killing the two occupants

instantly. The robbers fired several shots and riddled the vehicle with bullets not knowing that the two cops were not even aware of their presence there. It was very unfortunate,” said the source. The cops were rushed to the Annunciation hospital by sympathizers after the robbers had finished their operation and fled, but doctors on duty reportedly confirmed them dead and their remains were later deposited at the hospital’s morgue. When contacted yesterday, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, confirmed the incident but said

that only one of the policemen died in the attack. He said that the state police command had already commenced investigations into the incident “in which suspected armed men laid ambush against a patrol team at Emene on February 8, 2013 at about 9pm leading to the death of one police man.” The police spokesman further said: “Following a distress call received that hoodlums were operating at Annunciation road, Emene at about 9pm the Divisional police officer of the Area quickly dispatched his men to the scene and on their way were ambushed and attacked by hoodlums numbering about ten.”

TELECOM Case for stiffer sanctions against promos by mobile operators

he recent ban imposed by t h e N i g e r i a n Communications Commission on lotteries and promotions being conducted by mobile phone network operators is one that has received mixed reactions in the media, some of which are against the ban. Arguably, the key point by those opposed to the ban is that promotions and lotteries have contributed to lowering the costs of services. This may be true in some case because as operators compete to offer perks to woo more subscribers, they end up in reduced prices for some consumers. Some others are opposed to the ban because its

ban has deprived media houses and advertising agencies of a major source of income. While one will not dispute some of these arguments, the truth is that only few consumers benefit from lotteries and promotions at the detriment of the majority of the subscribers. It is not all subscribers that devote their precious time seeking promotions that have also become too frequent, and sometimes, confusing. But the concern of many discerning Nigerians is whether those opposed to the ban are giving due attention to the reasons adduced by the telecom regulator in Nigeria for imposing the ban. Spokesman of the regulator, Mr.

Tony Ojobo, was quoted as saying that the ban was informed by complaints from the consumers, and the quality of service issues that the promotions has caused in the networks. According to him, “the Commission has, in recent times been inundated with several complaints from consumers and industry stakeholders against the various sales promotions offered by telecommunications operators.” He also affirmed that regulator has 'carefully evaluated the complaints received especially against the backdrop of sustaining the integrity of the networks, the general interest of the consumers, the socio-

economic impact of these promotions on operators and other relevant stakeholders.' In most cases, when subscribers are offered bonuses during promotions, it results in more people making calls at same time in order to utilize the bonuses. Usually, the networks become congested. At the end, only the operator smiles to the bank while subscribers are shortchanged. It has been a case of double jeopardy for subscribers but since the ban came into place, most of the consumers are saved they are aware that all promotions or lotteries are banned.

THE

Monday, February 11 – Sunday, February 17, 2013

FROM THE

ADVOCATE

COURT

Bus conductor, arraigned for stealing N18,000 granted bail of N50,000

N 18 years old bus conductor operating at Lugbe bus stop, Abuja, Mr. John Benson was on Monday arraigned before the Wuse Zone 2, Senior Magistrates' Court, for alleged joint act and theft. The Police Prosecutor, Mr Anigbo Paul, told the court that, one Eucharia Igwe, of Zone 7, Lugbe, Abuja, reported the matter to the Lugbe police station on January 30. “The accused and one Dickson, now at large, jointly snatched her bag containing a blackberry phone valued at N18,000, an ID card, a GT Bank ATM card and N650.'' The prosecutor added that the accused was caught on the spot and confessed during police

investigation that they stole the bag. He said the offences contravened Sections 287 and 97 of the Penal Code.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him in court. The Magistrate, Mrs Binta Dogonyaro, granted the accused

bail in the sum of N50,000 and a surety in like sum. She added that the surety must be a responsible citizen with a means of livelihood and must be resident

Court remands 2 over shooting at Enugu community market By Ted Peters

WO young men allegedly involved in the shooting incident that recently caused pandemonium at the Orie Market in Obe community of Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State have been

remanded in prison custody by an Enugu Chief Magistrate Court. Their remand in prison was sequel to a two-count armed robbery charges slammed on them by the police. The charge against the suspects read: “That you Edeh David, Ugochukwu Eneh and others now at large on the 17th day of January

2013 at Orie market Obe, Nkanu West, Enugu magisterial district, being armed with guns and offensive weapons did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit armed robbery. “You thereby committed an offence punishable under section 6 (b) of the robbery and firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap

26 yrs old man jailed two months for stealing Noodles, soft drinks

Magistrates' Court sitting at Kado has sentenced a 26-year-old phone repairer, Stephen Iyiogwe to two months imprisonment for allegedly stealing three cartons of Indomie noodles and one carton each of Lucozade Boost and Coca Cola. The prosecutor, Corporal Simon Emmanuel, told the court that the

accused jumped over a fence and entered the premises on January 26, 2013 at about 2pm where he stole the items. He said the offence, criminal trespass and theft, was contrary to section 3L/2 and 288 of the penal code law. The prosecutor said Iyiogwe was arrested with the stolen items by a policeman attached to Mopol 50 force headquarters Abuja on the

same day and was taken to Jabi Life Camp police station. The accused who admitted to committing the crime told the court that he was a phone repairer at Wuse Market before the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) taskforce seized his work tools thereby rendering him jobless. He added that having been left without any means of livelihood

and exhausting all his money on his sick mother in the village he decided to steal with the hope of selling the stolen items to buy new work tools. Magistrate Zubairu Mohahmed sentenced him to one month imprisonment on the two count charge of criminal trespass and theft with the jail terms to run concurrently, or a fine of N500 each for each of the charges.

Cross River NUT pleads for regular payment of salary By Edem Archibong, Calabar

he newly-elected Chairman of Nigerian Union of Teachers in Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State, Comrade Okon Morris Ene, has promised to ensure that the current delay in payment of teachers' salary in Akpabuyo Local Government Area would soon be a thing of the past. Speaking after being declared the winner of a keenly contested Union election in Ikot Nakanda, the Headquarter of the Local Government, Comrade Ene also promised to work with extra vigour and strength for the benefit of bridging the existing gap found between the Secondary and Primary School teachers in the area. He identified lack of trust and confidence within the umbrella union for teachers as one of the major setbacks responsible for the poor performance of pupils during common entrance examinations therefore resulting to overall dropping of intakes into

within the jurisdiction of the court. Dogonyaro adjourned the case to Feb. 26 for hearing.

secondary schools. Ene, who polled a total of 82 votes to beat his two other opponents, Etim Etim Asuqou and Effiom Etim Asuquo who scored 45 votes and eight votes respectively, expressed gratitude to the delegates at the election who found him worthy to mount the saddle as the frontrunner of the great teaching profession. He promised to be loyal servant and not that of master and servant relationship as being practiced in Nigerian secular politics. The former education Secretary in the area also said that he would certainly put his wealth of experience into bear in ensuring eloquent and apt employment of high sense of diplomacy in tackling those issues that may militate against teachers from getting their rewards on earth in the Local Government. He promised to ensure the regular and prompt payment of their salary like other class of civil servants in the state. Other keenly contested position is that of the Secretary of the Union where Chief Francis Okor polled a total of 85 votes to beat his

opponent, Mr.Kingsely Edum who scored 44 votes to emerge the first Union secretary that has been re-elected for second term in office. In a brief chat with journalists after the election, Chief Okor attributed his re-election to God Almighty as well as the wisdom of the teachers who always

recognize excellence which he exhibited during his first tenure in office. He also promised to be fair and firm to all manner of people as role model which the Nigerian political class should emulate to transform the country's battered political image to emerge as leaders in the comity of states.

EFCC arraign 20 suspected internet fraudsters

HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned 20 suspected Internet fraudsters before a Federal High Court sitting in Benin, Edo State. Spokesman of the EFCC, Wilson Uwajiaren, said the accused persons were arrested by men of the Joint Task Force (JTF), in a building located at 56 Siluko Street, Benin City and were handed over to the Commission for further investigation. He explained that one Peter Sunday (a.k.a Richmon), believed to be the leader of the syndicate was arrested along with 19 others, while 40 computers and other hardware were seized in the raid. According to him, “the suspects were arrested by the JTF and

handed over to us. The suspects operated from a cyber café, so intricately designed it will never occur to anybody that any criminal activity took place there. "They scammed people from all over the world from inside of a mud house located on No. 56, Siluko Road, which was used to deceive outsiders; no one will think any criminal activity went on inside of the mud house.” However, the suspects who were slammed with a six-count charge pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Their Counsel, Barr. Olayiwola Afolabi, laboured to obtain bail for the suspects after the Counsel to the EFCC Gabriel Edobor observed that there was no affidavit before the court to that effect.

R11, laws of the federation of Nigeria 2004 as applicable in Enugu. The second charge brought against the accused persons also reads: “That you Edeh David, Ugochukwu Eneh and others now at large on the 17trh day of January 2013 at Orie Obe market armed yourself with guns and other offensive weapons to rob one Ejike Obiorah Romanus of his Nokia handset valued at N17, 000 and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 1(2) (a) of the robbery and firearms (special provisions) Act R11 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 as applicable in Enugu State.” Counsel to the accused persons, Chijioke Okereke, however, raised an objection over the charges brought against the duo insisting that the facts of the matter did not support the charges brought against them. He urged the court to peruse the case file and convince itself that the facts disclosed by police investigation establish the charges before the court. He said that unless the court convinces itself that the fact supports the charges it has the powers to direct the police to consider other charges supported by the facts. However, police prosecutor, Opara Mathew (ASP) urged the court to disregard the application which he said is an attempt at misdirecting the court and cause distraction of justice. He argued that the court cannot make such a directive since the charge is predicated on the facts; “the law permits the police to charge accused persons to court within 24 hours and that's constitutional.” Presiding magistrate Mrs. Okoye dismissed the application on the grounds that the laws cited by the defense counsel had been overtaken. She said that the court cannot look into the case file based on recent changes in the state legal system. “It is the duty of the AttorneyGeneral; unless where the charge does not tally with the law. " She therefore remanded the accused persons in prison custody and adjourned the case sine die.

THE

ADVOCATE

Monday, February 11 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Sunday, February 17, 2013

FLASHBACK

Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Founding Fathers (9) Aminu Kano

Aminu Kano (1920April 17, 1983) was a Muslim politician from Nigeria. In the 1940s he led an Islamic movement in the north of the country in opposition to British rule.The Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport and the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, both in Kano, Kano State, are named after him. Life and early career Aminu Kano was born to the family of an Islamic scholar, Mallam Yusuf of the scholarly Gyanawa fulani clan, who was a mufti at the Alkali court in Kano. He attended Katsina College and later went to the University of London's, Institute of Education, alongside Tafawa Balewa. He earned his teaching certificate

after completing his studies at Katsina College and subsequently became a teacher; he started teaching at the Bauchi training College. While in Bauchi, he spoke freely on political issues and extended his educational horizon by engaging in some various political and educational activities beyond his formal teaching duties. He wrote a pamphlet, 'Kano, Under the Hammer of the Native Administration, and along with Balewa, was a member of the Bauchi General Improvement Union. He was also a secretary of the Bauchi Discussion Circle, a group whose activities were later constricted as a result of an attack on indirect rule by Aminu Kano. In 1948, he became the head of the

Margaret Ekpo

Margaret Ekpo (1914-2006) was a Nigerian women's rights activist and social mobilizer who was a pioneering female politician in the country's First Republic and was a leading member of a class of traditional Nigerian women activists, many of whom rallied

women beyond notions of ethnic solidarity. She played major roles as a grassroot and nationalist politician in the Eastern Nigerian city of Aba, in the era of an hierarchical and male dominated movement towards independence, with her rise not the least helped by the socialization of women's role into that of helpmates or appendages to the careers of males.she was also a prominent political and a well behaved lady off her class Early life and education Margaret Ekpo was born in Creek Town, Cross River State, to the family of Okoroafor Obiasulor and Inyang Eyo Aniemewue. She reached standard six of the school leaving certificate in 1934. However, tragedy struck at home with the death of her father in 1934, her goals of further education in teachers training was as a result put on hold. She then started working as a pupil teacher in elementary schools. She married a

teacher training center in Maru, Sokoto and was also the secretary o f t h e N o r t h e r n Te a c h e r s Association. During this period, he established an organization to improve the quality of Koranic schools in the north. Pre-Independence and first republic While in Sokoto, he became a member of Jam'iyyar Mutanen Arewa, a Northern Nigeria cultural association that later evolved into a political party and became the dominant party in Northern Nigeria during the Nigerian First Republic. However, in 1950, he led a splinter group of young radicals from Jam'iyyar Mutanen Arewa, and formed the Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU). Notably, a few years earlier, an Igbira man and trader, Habib Raji Abdallah had founded an organization called the Northern Elements Progressive Association in Kano. The organization was founded along the nationalistic political thoughts of Nnamdi Azikiwe. In 1949, a few of Azikiwe's supporters were jailed including Abdallah, leading to the breakup of the organization Nevertheless, a new progressive union led by Aminu Kano and composed of progressive leaning teachers and some radical intellectuals such as Magaji Dambatta, Abba Maikwaru and Bello Ijumu emerged to fill any vacuum in political radicalism in the region. The members were largely connected together in their opposition to the management style of the native administration in Northern Nigeria. In 1951, the party contested for seats in the Kano primary elections and was fairly successful. However, with the formation of the Northern People's Congress, Mallam Aminu

began to face formidable challenges especially in two federal elections. In 1954, Aminu lost a federal House of Representative seat to Maitama Sule and in 1956, he failed to clinch enough votes to win a seat on the Northern Regional Assembly. It wasn't until the 1959 parliamentary election that he succeeded in gaining a major regional seat. He won the Kano East federal seat as a candidate of NEPU, which was already in alliance with the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons. While in the Federal House of Representative, he was a deputy Chief Whip. After the first republic was cut short by a military coup. Aminu Kano later served in the military government of General Yakubu Gowon as a federal commissioner for health. Second republic After 12 years, the military government in September 1978, lifted its proscription of political parties. In the following months, five newly formed parties began to emerge: the Nigerian People's Party, the Unity Party of Nigeria and three others. Among them was the People's Redemption Party, led by Aminu Kano, Sam Ikoku, and Edward Ikem Okeke. The party leaned towards a populist framework and enjoyed the support of prominent labor leaders such as Michael Imoudu. In 1979, the party presented Aminu Kano as its presidential candidate but he could not muster enough votes to win. Nevertheless, the party won two gubernatorial seats. Reformist ideas Aminu Kano co-founded the Northern Elements Progressive Union as a political platform to challenge what he felt was the autocratic and feudalistic actions

of the Native Northern Government. He geared his attack on the ruling elite including the emirs, who were mostly Fulanis. The potency of his platform was strengthened partly because of his background. His father was an acting Alkali in Kano who came from a lineage of Islamic clerics, Aminu Kano also brought up Islamic ideas on equity in his campaign trails during the first republic. Many talakawas (commoners) in Kano lined up behind his message and his political stature grew from the support of the Kano commoners and migratory petty traders in the north. Many of the tradesmen later manned the offices of NEPU. He also sought to use politics to create an egalitarian Northern Nigerian society. Another major idea of his in the prelude to the first republic was the breakup of ethnically based parties. The idea was well received by his emerging support base of petty traders and craftsmen in towns along the rail track. The men and women were mostly migratory individuals searching for trade opportunities and had little ethnic similarities with their host communities. He also proposed a fiscal system that favors heavy taxation of the rich in the region and was notably one of the few leading Nigerian politicians that supported equal rights for women. Mallam Aminu Kano is highly respected politician in Northern Nigeria. He symbolized democratization, women's empowerment and freedom of speech. A college in Kano and a major street are also named after him in Kano. His house where he lived and died and buried has been converted to Centre for Democratic Research and Training under the Bayero University Kano.

doctor, John Udo Ekpo, in 1938. He was from the Ibibio ethnic group who are predominant in Akwa Ibom State, while she was of Igbo and Efik heritage. She later moved with her husband to Aba. In 1946, she had the opportunity to study abroad at Rathmines School of Domestic Economics (now DIT Aungier Street), Dublin. She earned a diploma in domestic science and on her return to Nigeria she established a Domestic Science and Sewing Institute in Aba. Political career Early politics M a rg a r e t E k p o ' s f i r s t d i r e c t participation in political ideas and association was in 1945. Her husband was indignant with the colonial administrators treatment of indigenous Nigerian doctors but as a civil servant, he could not attend meetings to discuss the matter. Margaret Ekpo then attended meetings in place of her husband, the meetings were organized to discuss the discriminatory practices of the colonial administration in the city and to fight cultural and racial imbalance in administrative promotions. She

later attended a political rally and was the only woman at the rally, which saw fiery speeches from Mbonu Ojike, Nnamdi Azikiwe and Herbert Macaulay. By the end of the decade she had organized a Market Women Association in Aba to unionize market women in the city. She used the association to promote women solidarity as a platform to fight for the economic rights of women, economic protections and expansionary political rights of women. Activism Margaret Ekpo's awareness of growing movements for civil rights for women around the world prodded her into demanding the same for the women in her country and to fight the discriminatory and oppressive political and civil role colonialism played in the subjugation of women. She felt that women abroad including those in Britain, were already fighting for civil rights and had more voice in political and civil matters than their counterparts in Nigeria. She later joined the decolonization leading National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NGNC), as a platform to

represent a marginalized group. In the 1950s, she also teamed up with Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti to protest killings at an Enugu coal mine, the victims were leaders protesting colonial practices at the mine. In 1953, she was nominated by the NCNC to the regional House of Chiefs and in 1954, she established the Aba Township Women's Association. As leader of the new market group, she was able to garner the trust of a large amount of women in the township and turn it into a political pressure group. By 1955, women in Aba had outnumbered men voters in a city wide election. She won a seat into the Eastern Regional House of Assembly in 1961. A position that allowed her to fight for issues affecting women at the time. In particular, were issues on the progress of women in economic and political matters, especially in the areas of transportation around major roads leading to markets and rural transportation in general. After a military coup ended the First Republic, she took a less prominent approach to politics. In 2001, the Calabar Airport was named after her.

THE

Monday, February 11 – Sunday, February 17, 2013

ADVOCATE

'How Biafran govt will be formed on February 20’ By Ted Peters & patrick Okolie

bia State-born Ben Onwuka and his pro Biafra group, Biafra Zionist Movement (BZM), became popular after they were arrested in Enugu on November 5, 2012 for redeclaring the Republic of Biafra at an open space in the coal camp area of Enugu. Onwuka and 100 members of the group were picked up by the police, as they were marching round the streets of Enugu with Biafra, United States and Israeli flags shortly after re-declaring the Republic of Biafra. For the next 38 days, the detainees languished at the Enugu Prison awaiting trial for allegedly waging a "war" against the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Onwuka grew up in the United Kingdom and has lived in London for 28 years. He studied Law and International Politics. He practiced law for about 10 years in London before returning to Nigeria to champion the course of Biafra. He declared: “I decided to return home because the means that Biafra issues have been fought have not been internationalised. The international community does not understand or does not know the aspirations for independence by the Biafra people. And to do that Biafra must align itself with the United States of America; though it's difficult because of Great Britain; and at the moment I am categorically assured that the United States, Israel and France are on our side. And with the US on our side we will defeat Britain diplomatically, in order that Biafra can be independent." Fresh from prison custody, Onwuka, who vowed that he would not relent in the struggle for Biafra, addressed a press conference announcing February 20, as the date fixed for the inauguration of the Biafra government in Enugu. In this interview with newsmen in Enugu the BZM leader shares his prison experience and also threw more light on the proposed February 20 inauguration of Biafra government. Sir, what was it like, spending 38 days in prison? It was quite horrendous; we were mixed up with hardened criminals; we were mixed up with murderers, armed robbers, kidnappers, just name them. All night, nobody slept; the place was like an oven; they smoke 24 hours of the day and any slightest mistake you will be beaten to hell by the inmates. So it wasn't a very good experience, but it's part of the struggle; you cannot emancipate your people, as a leader without tasting that. It's also good we went there because we saw a lot of injustices being done to the inmates; even though a lot of them have committed a lot of crimes they are suffering unjustly. For instance, a lot of them have been condemned because they have nobody to speak

for them; lawyers will go in there, take money from inmates and they will disappear and their case is completely forgotten. I saw hundreds of young men who have been there for eight to nine years and forgotten because their lawyers have disappeared. It's good we went there because we are going to make sure that this issue of lawyer or the judiciary is going to be completely overhauled and reformed; when you are paid you must do your job. So it wasn't physically a good experience, but it was good we saw the other side of the world; it's really an inside world; when you are there you don't know what happens outside. It wasn't quite pleasant, but it was good we went there and I am prepared to take it again for the sake of this struggle. Were you put in a common cell? I was in a common cell, with about 53 other inmates; and in that cell you are not allowed to misbehave; any slightest thing you are beaten thoroughly. They have their laws and if you do not dance to the tune of the inmates you find yourself in a very hot soup. Can you give an instance of what you mean here? They have their routine; for instance, you are not allowed to speak to somebody when there is quietness; they have time when nobody must speak a word. If you just make any turn to talk to somebody you are sent to the toilet to spend the night. If it is time to bathe, you mustn't spend more than five minutes in the bathroom; if you stay more than that you'll go and stay in the corridor the whole night. If you don't flush the toilet properly, because there they ration water, you are going to stand at that toilet the whole night and nobody will rescue you. If a mobile phone is brought in for you and you are recharging without informing the boss in the cell there, they will seize the phone from you and sell it. Our cell is an open hall without window; there is little or no ventilation and people sweat all through the day. We were 53 inmates in all and there were five BZM members with me in the cell. They kept increasing and reducing the number of inmates, but at the last count before we left we were 53. Who informs a new inmate of the rules in a cell? It's the inmates; inside each cell we have a governor; you have a 2i/c, that is like the deputy; you have all the positions, just like you have in government. So each cell has a governor and this governor is like a president and is very powerful. When he is coming in from work, because they are chosen as a task force men and they become administrators within, everybody shows respect. These are people that have spent seven to eight years in prison. The taskforce works with warders to check the cells. The governor has everything; he has his own bed, we sleep on the floor, but the governor has a bed; he has

mosquito net covered for him; he is paid. The government pays him; you know inmates are entitled to about N20 daily. They don't give it to prisoners; it rather ends up with the governors and you dare not complain. In another way, it's good because they maintain law and order in the prison because some inmates there committed terrible crimes and if you give them another chance they will do same even in the cell there. The governors are on their toes to ensure that nothing goes wrong in the prison because if you give them a chance they will kill you there; they can kill you, Most of them committed murder. Is there no separate cell for hardened criminals? No. But they asked me if I wanted a private cell; you have to pay N35, 000 to stay on your own, where you can have access to people and all that. So what are the things you would change in the prison system if

a deterrent…there are very young people there who committed very serious crimes and they confessed they did it; some raped a 70-yearold woman and all sorts of thing. So we will make sure that anybody that takes human life will pay for it. Could you tell us more about the inauguration of the Biafra government on February 20? There is no compromise to the Republic of Biafra issue. The president of Nigeria will be the president of Nigeria and the President of Biafra will be a president of Biafra. Our message to him and to the world is that Biafra has been re-declared on November 5, 2012 and it's our right to opt out of Nigeria when we feel that the security of the lives of our people is no longer guaranteed. Our people are being killed on a daily basis across Nigeria; there is no security for us. Go to our churches in the North they have become ceaseless targets and most of the worshippers

Ben Onwuka you have the opportunity? First is the legal system; the legal system is failing them; they are human beings, like us. The situation where lawyers go extorting money from prisoners must be stopped; a lot of prisoners are there waiting endlessly for their lawyers. They will go there to visit them and say 'oh look I 'm going to handle your case, but you'll pay N400, 000.' The family will run around and pay the money and then the lawyer will disappear. So it's very bad; a lot of boys are suffering there because their lawyers have disappointed and nobody cares about them. Also, there is a lot of abuse by the inmates themselves; they smuggle telephones to the prison and use it to extort money from outside. So we will reform the prison to be a place that would correct people; we will also entrench the basic individual rights. In Biafra we are going to restore the death penalty to serve as

are easterners and mainly Igbo. So you cannot have a state where, within that state, a group or a tribe is targeted on a daily basis. Biafra was declared in 1967 to purely provide security for our people; this is fundamental international law; it's not against anyone. So the president of Nigeria will be there; we informed him we were going to redeclare Biafra in November and we did it. Again, we have come out; we are pursuing the same agenda; now is the inauguration of the government and to tell the world that there is Nigeria and also there is a Republic of Biafra. So our message to the Nigeria president is: we wish him well, as he runs the affairs of Nigeria. Nigeria and Biafra are brothers, so we can cooperate; we will cooperate with them; where we will disagree, we disagree with them. The security of our people is very important to us and we will go to any length to protect our people and give the

right to freedom of worship. Why do you say that the there is no compromise on the issue of Biafra? Remember, Nigeria is an artificial creation; it was an amalgamation of the three components, mainly the easterners, the westerners and the northerners. Our view was never sought when it was amalgamated and we have seen that the Biafra, particularly, the Igbo side of Nigeria, has been the target of killing; we have lost over 3.8 million Igbo, who make up more than 80 percent of Biafra since 1914. Again, people say Ijaw, Efik, Urhobo, Igala; no; if you go to the North they don't differentiate; they say we are all one. If you go to the West they say you are all one. So if we are going to be targeted all the time; killing, shedding blood, no; we have the right to seek our own independence. It is done elsewhere why not here. That's why we are saying no compromise on Biafra. We have informed the international community; Nigeria has been informed, we have also informed the US; it's no longer a hidden thing. What's next; what do we expect on February 20? The next thing is the formation of government on February 20; because you cannot just declare a country without forming a government. So next is the inauguration of the Biafra government on February 20 here in Enugu; it won't be in secret; the world will see it. What have you put in place to make it a success? We are not going to reveal our strategy. Are we expecting a Biafra president to emerge that day? Yes. BZM will elect who will be the president of Biafra. Let me clarify this situation; whichever group that will make sure that Biafra is actualised or re-declared, as a sovereign independent state and recognised internationally, has the power and the right to form the government. Let me give you an example. In South Africa, the ANC formed the government because it was the ANC that pioneered the independence of the country. If you go to Zimbabwe, it is still the Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front led by Robert Mugabe that has been in power since 1980. BZM did it on November 5; BZM wants to establish a government of Biafra; however, we want to also incorporate all groups to come together because Biafra is not oneman bandwagon. So we want other groups to send in candidates for ministerial appointments. It's an inclusive government for all, but the group that champions it, that is at the forefront that is easily recognized by the international community will form the crux of the government. What will be the picture of the government? It will be a presidential system of government not parliamentary.

THE

ADVOCATE

Monday, February 11 – Sunday, February 17, 2013

TELECOMMUNICATION

Reps accuse NNPC, NCC, others of diverting N9 trillion

House of Representatives' report has revealed that some revenue generating agencies have short-changed the Federal Government N8.8 trillion. The report listed the agencies to include; Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC); and Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) among others. The agencies collectively generated N9.3trillion but remitted only N174.9bilion to the treasury between 2009 and last year according to the House report. The agencies have acted contrary to the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA), 2007 and a 2011 Federal Ministry of Finance directive. The FRA allows agencies to remit to the Treasury based on their annual operating surplus framework. The Finance ministry's directive requested them to remit 25 per cent of their gross collection to the Treasury. Independent revenue derived from Internally Generated revenue (IGR), is 100 percent dedicated to the Federal Government to the exclusion of other tiers of government. The agencies were supposed to have remitted N3.06trillion generated in 2009 as independent revenue, but they sent in N46.8billion or 1.53 percent to the Treasury. The report also revealed that in 2010, the agencies generated N3.07trillion, but remitted N54.1bilion or 1.76 percent to the Federal Government. In 2011, N3.17trillion was generated, but only 2.33 per cent or N73.8b was remitted to the Treasury. NNPC and its subsidiaries

generated N6.1trillion (excluding proceeds from crude oil and gas) during the period but remitted nothing to the Federal Government. A general analysis of the agencies' submission (excluding the NNPC's) shows expected remittance of N189billion as at October, last year. Only N80bilion had been paid to the Treasury (42 per cent compliance), leaving a shortfall of N109billion. Some of the agencies apart from the NNPC, and NCC are: Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian Ports A u t h o r i t y ( N PA ) , N i g e r i a n Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and the Federal Mortgage Bank (FMBN) among others. With the exception of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), all the agencies prepared and submitted their audited accounts to the office of the Auditor General outside the time stipulated in the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007. The report of the House Committed on Finance on independent revenue generation and remittances to the Consolidated Revenue Fund by government-owned agencies that was considered yesterday by the lawmakers, however, praised five agencies for attempting to adhere to the FRA to some extent by regularly remitting their independent revenues to the Federal Government. These are: CBN, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and two others. Abdulmumin Jubrin, chairman of the committee presenting the report, said between 2009 and 2011, the

Firm Threatens to Destroy MTN Facilities over Debts

TN Nigeria is facing the threat of demolition of its installations in the Niger Delta region over alleged indebtedness to one of its major contractors, Procomtel. The threat came from Gbaruka Resources, a service provider based in Bayelsa State, which is a sub-contractor to Procomtel. In official correspondence to the MTN Nigeria MD, Gbaruka Resources claimed that having made fruitless efforts to get paid for its labour by Procomtel, allegedly because MTN refuse to pay for the work, it was left with no choice than to return to the trenches. The Gbaruka Resources group said that failure by MTN Nigeria to settle with Procomtel on or before February 15 will see it commence the demolition of all MTN installations in Rivers State by third week in February, those in Bayelsa and Delta states by the end of fourth week of February,

and the demolition exercise in other states of the Niger Delta region in the month of March. MTN Nigeria is no stranger to debt controversies as in 2010, Alan Dick and Company (West Africa) Limited, a telecommunications engineering company, had dragged it to court over N1 billion debt allegedly owed the engineering firm. Alan Dick asked the court to enter judgment against MTN in the sum of N1.1 billion being the amount admitted by MTN to be due to the plaintiff (Alan Dick) arising from telecommunications engineering and construction services rendered by the plaintiff to the d e f e n d a n t ( M T N Communications) prior to the plaintiff's liquidation. Messrs. Kunawing Nigeria Ltd. a contracting firm also alleged in 2011 that MTN Nigeria owed it N26.76 million through Messrs. IHS Africa Plc. a major contractor to MTN.

NNPC and all its subsidiaries generated N6.132trillion as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), but remitted no part of it to the Federal Government. According to him, the money excluded what was generated from crude oil and gas sales. The report also revealed that the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) provided confusing accounting figures of its independent revenue in 2009. While N5.6m was declared, when the agency's audited account was reviewed, another sub-head of N323m was discovered. According to the committee's findings and in consonance with the submission of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), most of the reviewed agencies were found culpable of not adequately making returns to the Treasury as well as also preparing different sets of account. The agencies were found to have

always prepared one account for the FRC and another for the Auditor General's office. The lawmakers, in adopting the recommendations of the report, mandated the Finance Committee to work on the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) 2007 within four weeks so as to check various loopholes that enable government agencies spend what they generate without recourse to the National Assembly. The Committee on Finance is to probe other agencies that were not captured in this exercise to ascertain their status. “Agencies that have refused to cooperate with the committee are to do so within seven days or Section 89 of the constitution will be invoked on them. The other recommendations are that: The Ministry of Finance should compel agencies which have outstanding balances to be paid to pay up immediately; Any agency found to be spending

Jokes Special Announcement Happy Valentines day!! The chairman of the National Association of Husbands And Boyfriends (NAHAB), Naughty Ashnaam,wishes to announce our annual 3 days strike which will start on 13 feb and end on 16 feb. Please note;our cell phones will not be working during the strike and our relationship commitments start on 17th feb,we apologies for our inconvenience caused to our wives and girlfriends who were hoping to be with us on valentines day!!

Bill Gates goes to purgatory. St. Peter says, "Now Bill, you have done some good things, and you have done some bad things. Now I am going to let you decide where you want to go". First, St. Peter shows Bill an image of Hell with beautiful women running on beaches. Then, St Peter shows Bill an image of Heaven with robed angels playing harps on clouds. Bill chooses Hell. About a week later, St. Peter checks in on Bill in Hell and finds him being whipped by demons. Bill says to St. Peter, "What happened to all the beautiful women and the beaches?" St. Peter replies, "That was just the screen saver."

AkPOS baptizm AkPOS was baptized and dipped in water 3 times. At the 3rd time the Pastor said: "You are now baptized. You are a new creation the old one is gone.No more drinking of alcohol for you. Your new name is Jacob." Akpors now Jacob went back home and headed straight for the fridge. He took a Heineken,dipped it in water 3 times and said:"You are now a new creation, the old one is gone. Your newname is Orange Juice!!!...

outside budgetary provisions should be punished; All revenues due to the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federal government must be paid as and when due; The Accountant General of the Federation should submit to the Committee a detailed monthly report of remittances of Federal Government independent revenue; The FRC should sanction any agency that fails to submit its audited annual account as and when due; All agencies should henceforth present evidence of remittances into the Consolidated Revenue Account to the relevant Committees of the H o u s e d u r in g th eir b u d g et performance defence; and The Federal Ministry of Finance should immediately ensure that all funds hidden in various agencies' bank accounts should be mopped up and promptly remitted.

Of the Just a reminder! A man goes to court to sue his wife that she is not faithful. Surprising enough the judge was Naughty Ashnaam. Naughty Ashnaam: Madam can u defend yourself? Madam: Ok first of all my husband here is a poor man.so in the morning when i leave home for work i take a taxi.since i have no money to pay,the driver gives me an option.He says "madam,are you paying me or what?". Then i take the "or what" option. When i go to hospital since i don't have money to pay my bill the doctor asks me "Are you paying the bill or what?" and i go for the "or what option".Last week our son was kidnapped and they asked me "Madam are you giving us the ransom or what?" then i chose the "or what" option.That is how i became unfaithful to my husband" The judge(Naughty Ashnaam) looks at her and asks... Naughty Ashnaam: Madam are you now ready to lose the case OR WHAT?

Walahi na woman they give theirself Heart Attack. Wife thinks : Why is he not talking to me? Why? Is he thinking of another woman? Does he like someone else? Is he seeing someone? Don't I appeal to him anymore? Are wrinkles showing on my face? Is he trying to dump me? Is he now finding me ugly? Have I put on weight at the wrong places? Does my make up repel him these days? Is he upset with my nagging? WHY IS HE UPSET? What the Husband is really thinking:Why on earth did Wenger release Van Persie to Man United? WENGER MUST GO!!!

THE

Monday, February 11 – Sunday, February 17, 2013

ADVOCATE

THE

ADVOCATE

Monday, February 11 – Sunday, February 17, 2013

City

THE

Valentine's day gifts for your spouse For him

Flat screen Tv

For her

Chocolate: On Valentine's Day, a man can never go wrong by giving chocolate. Whether it's in the form of chocolate dipped strawberries, she will

Perfume Suit T-shirt

Wallet Boxers

his year's valentine is on a Thursday, if you have to go to work every morning like me, wake up ealier, go over to his place and make his favorite breakfast, this act will not only tell him that he's about to have the most incredible val of his life, it will make him fall in love with you more. if are married, better, wake early and surprise him with your kitchen “talent”. You'll never get him to admit he's lost, so keep him on the right track with a GPS system Chances are, over the years, his wallet has taken on a bulky, spherical shape-encourage him to throw out those receipts from 1998 with a new leather wallet

Guarantee yourself a year of cozy nights in--sign him up for a Netflix subscription and load it up with his favorite movies. You know that favorite fitted black t-shirt of his-the one that looks as worn as it is? Instead of breaking his heart by using it as a dust rag, replace it with a few new, intact tees in the same brand and style that he l o v e s . Wow him with lingerie-but suck it up and get him something that's more his taste than yours. He'll appreciate the sacrifice-probably so much that you'll only have to wear it for a few minutes Use this opportunity to change his underwear this gesture is really intimate. Make him think of you

every time he wear his under wear and he does this every day, you could go as far as writing your name or his name on one or two of the under wear you bought for him Looking for a romantic gift? Nothing will tug at his heartstrings like beer. He'll think of you all year long with a membership to a Beer of the Month club. Drink responsible though. If you can't stand the thought of him showing up to another wedding in that pastel blue corduroy suit, get him a tailored suit that he'll look and feel like a million bucks in. Got money to burn? Get him a piece of art for his place--a flat-screen TV.

3 valentines gifts money can’t buy Real love

hen you love someone show it and Say "I love you". It doesn't cost anything but it says and means a great deal.

ake a walk down memory lane together. Take your beloved to somewhere they told you was special to them as a child. Spend time walking around it and asking questions about their feelings. Explain that it might not be the same as when your beloved was young but that now your beloved

has two memories of the special place one without you and one with you. Be sure to take a photo of the two of you there, talk about when you first met and what made you decide to spend the rest of your life him/ her. Talk about what you love most about your spouse and what you enjoy doing together, this will help bring you

Beer

Don't be shy; say it a lot during the day. Tell your love how you really feel. He or s h e w i l l appreciate your honesty and it will mean more than any gift could.

Be spontaneous. Do the unexpected and thrill your beloved. Secretly learn a few dance moves and surprise her by taking out to dance. Memorize his favorite poem and recite it after dinner, then present him with a rose you've grown yourself. Make it appear as if the two of you are set to have a movie night in, then suddenly gasp: "Oh my! We mustn't miss ......" And drag her out the door to see the sun set, watch a movie, listen to a visiting band, or whatever else you think is most appropriate, just be creative. A good relationship is the reward of hard work, when you are in love, you will have fun doing it. Am in love, are you in love?

together and your relationship will be better for it. Another way of remembering the past is to dig out old photos and go through them together. Look at photos from both your childhood times and your times together. It's great to have an excuse to enjoy all those photos that get stowed away and Have a wonderful forgotten about!

Valentine's Day.

alentine's Day is right around the corner. If you are looking for an ideal gift for the lady in your life, check out these fabulous Valentine's Day gifts for women.

omantic romantic getaway. getaway She'll thank you for it. The gift of rest and r e l a x a t i o n i s Lingerie a l w a y s If you want to give a p p r e c i a t e d - a Valentine's Day especially for the gift that keeps on woman who is giving, present always on the go. your sweetheart Find a nearby bed with some sexy and breakfast, lingerie. If you book a babysitter don't want to risk and head out for a being too risque

Perfume For a man, it can be difficult picking out the right perfume. But on Valentine's Day, it won't be so difficult, there will be plenty lovers trying to pick a perfume for their loved ones, you can ask them for a tip on what perfume you should buy for your woman or ask the attendant at the supermarket, you can't go wrong ..Spa day It's difficult to find a woman who wouldn't

Heart pendant Jewelry and Valentine's Day is a perfect fit. No matter what stage of the relationship you are currently in,

the gift of comfort. Silk ropes are usually appreciated by women, it's a sexy rope an d most women love anything that makes them feel sexy and appreciated. Make out sometime and visit a good shop, don't forget to pick our favorite colors, choose red, pink or lilac.

iPhone For the girl who loves her gadgets, the iPhone is a must. The iPhone is the most popular gadget in the world and makes a great gift - even on Valentine's Day. She will definitely fall in love again.

Diamond earrings

Silk robe Being comfortable around the house is easy with a silk robe. On Valentine's Day, give the love of your life

Flowers: The most popular gift on Valentine's Day is the gift of flowers. If you can't figure out which flowers to get, longstemmed red roses are always a hit on Valentine's Day.

with your gift, go with sexy yet practical lingerie that is sure to spice up your bedroom.

If you want to give her a

enjoy a day at the spa. locate a spa in your neighborhood and make a reservation for your lady. Ask for a special Valentine's Day service. Some spas will give extra goodies such as flowers and chocolate dipped strawberries for the full Va l e n t i n e ' s D a y experience.

undoubtedly love your Valentine's Day gift, though she will prefer a blackberry any day, any time. Still try a cool chocolate for a change.

you can't go wrong with a heart pendant. It doesn't have to cost a leg or an arm, make her happy because the wonderful women in your lives deserve it

gift that will be remembered always, start now to make part payment, diamonds are cherished and treasured by women because we know how much they are worth. Thrill her with a diamond necklace,When Valentine's Day comes, you will find out why they say diamonds are a girl's best friend.

THE

Monday, February 11 – Sunday, February 17, 2013

ADVOCATE

All is fair in war and love? Mazi Chike Chidolue

uppose he was magnanimous enough to entertain such complaints, the critical question would have been: who was more valuable to Biafra, Nzeogwu or the phantom senior officer? The answer is obviously Major Nzeogwu. Biafra lost the unmatchable services of Nzeogwu because of Ojukwu's intrigues, indiscretion or poor judgment. Again, Ojukwu should have given the command of the Mid-West E x p e d i t i o n t o C o l o n e l Ti m Onwuatuegwu rather than Colonel Banjo who had nothing to recommend him for that position except that he was Ojukwu's amoral playmate. Of Onwuatuegwu, Major Adewale Ademoyega, one of the five majors that planned the January revolution in his book, Why We Struck, the most authentic account of that glorious event said, “Another shining light in the Nigerian Army was Captain Timothy Onwuatuegwu. He was the adjutant of the 5thBattalion when I joined that unit in December 1963. Onwuatuegwu was a brilliant cadet at Sand hurst and the first Nigerian to be made a junior under-officer in that world famous institution. He was unmarried when we first met and we shared the Mess life together. A Roman Catholic, he was active and could hardly be faulted in military duties. Because he was humble, senior officers found him useful, loyal and dependable; at the same time, junior officers found it easy to work with him; he made himself like one of them … He had an untiring endurance!” Colonel Onwuatuegwu would not have halted at Ore as Colonel Banjo did. He would have continued to Ibadan where it was said, Yoruba zealots led by Wole Soyinka were waiting to accompany the brave Biafran troops to Lagos. If this had happened, Gowon would have had no other option than to flee to Kaduna; the Yorubas would have been freed from the military anvil of the Hausa-Fulani, the civil war would have ended with much less casualties and destruction and the history of Nigeria changed for the better! I hold Chief Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu singularly and personally responsible for the collapse of Biafra, the murder of Major Chukwuma Nzeogwu and Colonel Tim Onwuatuegwu, the deaths of many Biafran freedom fighters such as Dr. Imegwu, Chris Okigbo, Imperial Major Willy Archibong, Col. Chude Sokei and others, and the unmitigated suffering that has been the special lot of the Igbos ever since; above all, Ojukwu sent the Biafran dream to an untimely grave. The dream that, as he said in the Principles of the Biafran Revolution, encapsulated as THE AHIARA DECLARATION 'is the culmination of the confrontation between Negro nationalism and white imperialism … a resistance to the Arab-Muslim expansionism which has menaced and ravaged the African continent for twelve

Mazi Chike Chidolue centuries and which is the most deadly threat to modern civilization as we know it today. A deadly threat that is the latest recrudescence in our time of the age-old struggle of the black man for his full stature as a man … This is why we in Biafra are convinced that the Negro can never come to his own until he is able to build modern states(whether national or multi-national) based on a compelling African ideology, enjoying real rather than sham independence, able to give scope to the full development of the human spirit in the arts and sciences, able to engage in dialogue with the white states. No matter the odds, we will fight with all our might until black men everywhere can, with pride, point to this Republic, standing dignified and defiant, as an example of African nationalism triumphant over its many age-old enemies.” Ojukwu knew that while preparing for victory in any war, one should also prepare for defeat, because either of them is possible. Ojukwu should have arranged for all the surviving members of Nzeogwu's men to be within earshot during the last days of the war so that he would seek safety in flight with them or have them shot by own troops which would be a less painful death instead of their being captured by the enemy, just as the Nazis did not allow Hitler to be captured by the Allied Powers. Only the disciples of the killers of Ironsi know what horrible and indescribable fate befell Onwuatuegwu! Because Ojukwu abandoned Colonel Tim Onwuatuegwu to an unknown fate, unsung and unmourned, I will therefore pay to Onwuatuegwu the tribute that was paid to Field Marshal Rommel by Field Marshal Sir, Claude J. E. Auchinleck, British Army Commander-in-Chief in the Middle East, because it belongs as much to him as to Rommel. ONWUATUEGWU, NOW THAT YOU ARE GONE, I SALUTE YOU AS A SOLDIER AND A MAN FOR YOUR AMAZING SUCCESSES AS A LEADER OF MEN IN BATTLE. Like Rommel, who was the youngest Field Marshal in the German Army during the Second World War, Onwuatuegwu should have been made a Field Marshal in

Chinua Achebe the Biafran Army.Ojukwu could not recognize the need to reward outstandingly brave patriotic service. During the recapture of Owerri, Onwuatuegwu leading the Biafran 'S' Division cleared over 95%of Owerri. As soon as he accomplished this, Ojukwu relieved him of command of 'S' Division, posted him to the School of Infantry as the Commandant and made Colonel Ogbugo Kalu Commander of 'S' Division. With the momentum already set in motion by Onwuatuegwu, Kalu cleared the remaining less than 5% of Owerri and was promoted a BrigadierGeneral! Ojukwu might not have known that Onwuatuegwu converted the training officers and men of the School of Infantry into a fighting force which he used to slow down Obasanjo's Third Marine Commandos advance to Uli and therefore enabled Ojukwu to escape. It was this patriotic temporary holdup by Onwuatuegwu that Obasanjo referred to as an ambush to kill him. Though I do not commend Ojukwu's conduct of the war, I relish the military and national burial given to him, solely because that burial inflicted incalculable anguish on the likes of Obasanjo and Danjuma. The analysis of the services or disservices rather, of Zik, Ironsi and Ojukwu to the Igbos is a minus with respect to the pre/post war condition of the Igbos. The herculean burden imposed on the Igbos by the unpatriotic conduct of these men has compelled me to embark on a literary work with title, Zik-IronsiOjukwu: Wreckers of Igbo Nation. In spite of what many know as the intention of the Five Majors who plotted and executed the January revolution, it is still called an Igbo coup! Odia Ofeimun debunks this falsehood. He wrote in his Forgotten Documents of the War, “Therefore, let me make a clean breast of it: my one great rationale for wanting to see the documents 'outed'is to help shore up nationsense among Nigerians by rupturing the culture of falsehoods and silences that have exercised undue hegemony over the issues. I take it as part of a necessary revolt against all the shenanigans of national coyness and the culture of unspoken taboos that have beclouded and

ruined national discourse. What primes this revolt is, first and foremost, the thought of what could have happened if the forgotten documents had seen the light of day at the right time. How easy, for instance, would it have been to stamp the January 15,1966Coup as being merely an Igbo Coup if it was known that the original five majors who planned and executed it were minded to release Awolowo from Calabar Prison and to make him their leader …” Concluding his write-up, Odia Ofeimun tried to make Awolowo a champion of the One Nigeria Project.But we know that Awolowo had stood out for long as a true and pure agent of Yoruba interests, a stand that hurts nobody as others could canvass for their own ethnic empire. Achebe is therefore correct in advancing the charge that Awolowo's new interest in the One Nigeria Project was because of the opportunity to deal a death blow on Igbos who, among other 'sins' b r i d g e d t h e developmental/economic/education al gaps between them and the Yorubas rather too quickly and unexpectedly. At the dawn of Internal Self Rule in Nigeria, while Zik was prepared to wait for Sardauna to come along, Awolowo implored Zik that both of them should team up to create a Southern Federation which would be more manageable and beneficial to its citizens. Awolowo was very right in this prognosis because this unbundling of Nigeria would have been painless, peaceful and effortless, especially as petroleum has not been discovered in commercial quantity in Eastern Region. Above all, Awolowo's conversion to the One Nigeria Project might be to show gratitude to Gowon for freeing him from prison, just as Ojukwu joined the National Party of Nigeria on his return from exile, we do not know the unwritten terms of the pardon. Another instance of Awolowo's steadfastness as a Yoruba patriot is to be found at the appointment of the first Nigerian Principal of the University College, Ibadan. When the tenure of the last British incumbent of that office, Dr. Parry, was about to expire, Dr. Akanu Ibiam, then Chairman of the University College Council went to London to confer with Sir Charles Morris, Chairman of the InterUniversity College Council, on the appointment of a successor to Dr. Parry. During their discussion, Sir Morris said 'Why do you come to us? You have your man there (Prof. Kenneth Dike). You are lucky to have a ready-made man on the spot' (courtesy of Life & Thoughts of Professor Kenneth Onwuka Dike by Emeritus Professor Alex. O. E. Animalu). On Dr. Ibiam's return from London, a meeting of the Ibadan University College Council was convened. According to the chronicler of Dike's biography, “When I (Dike) went that morning to the meeting of Council … the first item was the appointment of Principal. To my surprise, the

Chairman asked me to leave the room.I left the room and went home … I told my wife they would spend a whole day on this, because knowing our people, everybody was going to put up his own candidate. This was the first time a black man was going to be appointed in Black Africa to head a new University. But fifteen minutes later, the Registrar came to tell me that I was required back in the Council Chambers … When I got back to the room, everybody clapped. I was told that I have been unanimously elected the Principal. 'As the appointment was flashed in the 1 pm news by Radio Nigeria … Mrs.Ona Dike (wife of Kenneth Dike) recalled,' “The Chiefs who were sitting in the Western House came in groups to congratulate him and know him. As Ken has mentioned, he re c e i v e d a c o n g r a t u l a t o r y message from Chief Obafemi Awolowo but he did not mince words in telling him that his position should have been given to the oldest Nigerian professor (Prof. Onabamiro) In the University.” As if Awolowo didn't know that apart from scholarship, which Dike and Onabamiro have in common, leadership position demands other competences, which Dike displayed abundantly as Vice Principal of the University College. If Awolowo were in Ibiam's shoes, he would not have bothered to consult London. He would have gone ahead to get Prof. Onabamiro installed as Principal at all costs! In contrast, Dr. Akanu Ibiam followed due process, which in Nigeria today, receives only lip service from those in authority. Dele Sobowale had from the beginning of this simulated crisis, announced his neutrality. While the Awoists were hitting Prof. Achebe below the belt, Sobowale delivered the 'unkindest cut' by wishing Achebe dead! He said in the Sunday Vanguard of October 21, 2012, 'Here are “the brightest and the best” from both ethnic groups parading prejudice and fanning the embers of latent mutual hatred all in defence of two individuals; one dead, the other at death's door'. How did Sobowale know that Chinua Achebe is at death's door? The Igbos have a saying which approximately translates as follows: 'the tree that is expected to fall, did not; but that which is healthy fell instead'. So, Sobowale is the most deadly Yoruba enemy of Achebe. I wish Sobowale a sufficiently long life to witness Achebe hit his ninetieth and possibly hundredth birthday. Because Ofeimun did not see the war at close quarters he is entitled to ask 'So what was Biafra's handle on the basis on which the world was told that no power in black Africa could subdue her?' Obasanjo who took part in the war as a combatant, said in his book My Command “The rebels then resisted vigorously with foreign materials and mercenary support. The Federal side, which was thinking of celebrating victory in 1968, got bogged down and mauled. The 'Biafran' resistance, born out of

Continues on page 25

THE

ADVOCATE

Monday, February 11 – Sunday, February 17, 2013

EDUCATION

UNESCO, Oxford University to site pharmaceutical firm at UNN By Ted Peters

HE International Centre for Biotechnology Research and Training at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, may benefit from the establishment of a non-profit pharmaceutical manufacturing plant to produce patented drugs from Oxford University in addition to its own researches. The proposal of a pharmaceutical plant is one of several initiatives aimed at giving the UNESCO Category 2 centre for biotechnology a strong footing, as disclosed by Prof Maciej Nalecz, Director of Basic Sciences and Engineering of UNESCO while speaking on “Biotechnology: Prospects and Challenges in Africa” at a seminar held at UNN yesterday. His words, “It is at a very early stage, and I hope it will be useful to the University. From what I understand, it will be useful. I understand Oxford University has a company which is operational in the UK, but they would have a branch of this company somewhere in Africa, and they are interested in it purely for developmental reasons. They would like to help Africa develop faster, so, it is nothing about business or making money or whatsoever.” Speaking further, Professor Nalecz also urged for the creation of a culture of inter-disciplinary science as a basic requirement for advocacy and popularisation of biotechnology which he claims is being threatened by a rising trend of brain drain. Nalecz recalled that a Ministerial Roundtable in 2007 under the auspices of UNESCO had

identified as the main challenge for science and technology the declining interest and enrollment of young people into science, mathematics and engineering faculties, especially women, at a time when there is an increasing need for them. He warned that “failure to meet this challenge of capacity will result in insufficient numbers of scientists, continued brain drain, skills shortages and ongoing impact on development, especially for developing and least-developed countries.” Nalecz, who is also Executive Secretary of the International Basic Sciences Programme at UNESCO, called for investment

in science in Africa. He urged that biotechnology is an obvious choice for Africa as it offers not only exciting research possibilities, but almost endless applications crucial to development such as in the agriculture, medicine and/or energy sectors. The seminar held inside the Princess Alexandra Auditorium, UNN, was part of a series of events put together by the International Biotechnology Centre, UNESCO Category 2, to mark its inaugural conference on Biotechnology. It featured biotechnology and research experts from UNESCO and its

collaborating Centres from across the globe. The International Centre for Biotechnology at the University of Nigeria is the first UNESCO Category II Biotechnology facility in Africa. UNESCO expects the Nsukka Centre to engage in identifying and developing of scientific talents, equipping teachers who would promote scientific knowledge and have strong institutional links with industry. Nigeria and the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation signed the final agreement on the establishment of the Centre on

October 16, 2012. Minister of Education Prof Ruqqayatu Ahmed Rufai signed on behalf of Nigeria while UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova signed for the United Nations body. UNN Vice Chancellor Prof Bartho Okolo was elected Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board for the International Centre for Biotechnology during the meeting of the Advisory Board on Tuesday. Prof Okolo said the University was glad for the collaboration that has enabled the Centre come under the umbrella of UNESCO, adding the it would further the internalisation drive of the University and its quest to become a global centre of excellence.

Group Blames fallen education on bad leadership

he Association for Childhood Education Practitioners (ACEP) has blamed the fallen standard of education on bad leadership, poor training of teachers, and lack of will power by parents to monitor their wards' activities. It also expressed worry that many problems still exist in the funding of educational programmes, including human capacity development of teachers, by competent training institutes. Speaking during the annual dinner/award, its President,Mrs Islamiat Olaitan Oshodi, listed teachers' welfare, and improved salary scale and promotions as areas crying for urgent attention. These, she said, would motivate teachers to giving their best to the students. Mrs. Oshodi attributed the high rate of crime today to poor health facilities, high mortality rate and

political wrangling among others, amid the government's helplessness in the face of declining education. She, therefore, advocated the effective promotion of education for all, training and development of care givers, teachers and teacher educators, commitments to raising the quality of education as well as girl-child education. “Teachers play major roles in the educational system of the nation including ensuring discipline and sound moral values among students. Teachers are central to initiating ideas towards community development, adopting innovative teaching techniques as well as helping students imbibe positive attitudes towards national unity.” She said individuals would be able to develop study skills that would make them more employable, adding that good

education gives an individual a well-rounded understanding of the world and prepares him for adulthood. As part of its contribution, Mrs. Oshodi said ACEP is partnering with institutions of higher learning including the University of Lagos, Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, and Michael Otedola College of Primary Education in the training and professional development of teachers. She said the association would continue to protect the rights of the Nigerian child, focus more on child development, early childhood and children's education development, and professional development of care givers. The occasion, she added, was meant to strengthen the working relationships/partnerships as well as honour deserving members who had excelled in their chosen career in the education sector Prof Uduogie Ivowi, one of the

guests, also debunked the claim that there are no qualified teachers in most schools. He noted that corruption, lack of infrastructure and political will by the government have been the major challenges confronting the education system. He said: “There is corruption! That's why we are having poor performances and this will continue for as long we don't attend to the factors that are resulting in poor performanceswell-paid teachers, provision of adequate facilities, including teaching materials, such as text books, laboratory equipment and workshops.” Managing Proprietor of Victory Group of Schools Chief Christian Francis Olaniyan, one of the awardees, thanked ACEP for the award. He called on the government to desist from politicising education, one factor which he believes has stunted the sub-sector.

Jonathan's govt not responsible for education Says 57% of lecturers have no PhD’ decay - Obi

nambra State Governor Peter Obi has said President Goodluck Jonathan's administration should not be blamed for the rot in the education sector. Speaking at a meeting of the review committee on the report of the Needs Assessment of Nigerian Public Universities in Abuja, Obi argued that the government has been trying to fix the decay with the support of states. Obi, who is the Chairman of the committee, vowed to submit a

proposal to the National Economic Council (NEC) for consideration in the next two weeks His words: “We have set up a technical committee that, within two weeks, will give us a proposal that we can recommend to NEC and subsequently to the Federal Government and the states. “President Goodluck Jonathan's administration is committed to changing the sorry state of our universities. We, the states, are committed; and we want those issues addressed as quickly as possible. We should start wking

our talk; we can no longer continue to have committees upon committees without seeing results. “We may not achieve 100 per cent result, but we now want to put 100 per cent effort. Otherwise it will become the same committee report that yielded no result. Defending the establishment of new universities, Obi said Nigeria still needs more of them. “Nigeria needs more universities. If you look at our population, you will know that we need more. We cannot say because we have allowed the existing ones to decay, then we should not create

more, same goes for primary and secondary schools. How can we allow our schools to be this deplorable? But the present government is taking a bold step to fix it. “What the Federal Ministry of Education is doing is to change from where we are today to skillbased education because we need to create the skill. We can no longer have people with certificates that make them unemployable.” A recommendation document given to the committee, and made available to The Nation, revealed that 57 per cent of lecturers in

Nigerian universities have no PhD. It recommended that all proprietors of universities should be given a moratorium of five years in which 90 per cent of their lecturers should have PhDs, while visiting lectureship should be regulated. Present at the meeting were Governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako; Deputy Chairman National Planning Commission, (NPC), Shamsudeen Usman and Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike.

THE

Monday, February 11 – Sunday, February 17, 2013

ADVOCATE

19 year-old autistic boy found, receiving treatment in hospital

19 year-old boy, Ayomide Omope, with history of autistic behaviour who was declared missing last week has been found. He was found after a vehicle knocked him down in Obalende, Lagos Island, Wednesday. Ayomide was immediately taken to General Hospital in Marina by some good spirited Nigerians. While receiving treatment, some of the health workers who had earlier been informed of a missing boy through various social media, and radio announcement, suspected he could be the missing boy. It was gathered that the posted information and photograph were

immediately sourced and printed out from facebook which confirmed the same Ayomide was in their care receiving treatment.

A call was immediately put through to one of the numbers listed on the bulletin and the traumatised father at the other end

could not hide his joy. Meanwhile, not fewer than 200 parents under the aegis of Parents Against Autism Initiative, PAAI, have resolved to offer necessary assistance to Ayomide. The group which is led by Mrs. Angela Emuwa, has been

advocating for the provision of medical facilities that could aid early detection and treatment of autism in children in the country. It was not clear as at press time the detail of the assistance the group is ready to offer.

Youths, women protest killing of medical doctor in Mbaise

over two hours, disrupted free flow of traffic on the highway until a detachment of policemen, led by J. P. Modi, a Chief Superintendent of Police, was moved in to restore peace in the area. The slain Dr. Nwaise, who was a staff of Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, was reportedly attacked and killed at a viewing centre, by

three armed men, who were operating on a motorcycle. All the people who spoke on the ugly incident, expressed anger over what they termed “the increasing spate of insecurity in Imo State.” The villagers recalled with grief, how the late doctor attended to the health challenges of the villagers and most times, at no cost to the patients and their relations.

Particularly touching was the participation of a 73-year-old woman, Mrs. Chinyere Ogu, in the protest. She condemned the killing of the 42-year-old doctor, saying: “He was down to earth during his life time. He was a solid defender of his people, especially the downtrodden. We have truly lost a rare gem.”

Court sacks Umeh-led APGA NWC, voids 2011 party convention 'Umezulike's verdict not unexpected, we'll appeal' - Umeh

HE entire National Working Committee, NWC of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA led by the party’s National Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh, was yesterday sacked by an Enugu State High Court presided over by the state Chief Judge, Justice Innocent Umezulike. The court declared the February 10, 2011 election and the party’s national convention that produced the current members of the National Executive Committee as “unconstitutional, null and void” just as it restrained Chief Umeh from parading himself as the National Chairman of the party henceforth. To fill the vacuum created by the judgment, Justice Umezulike

directed the NEC of the party, which has been dissolved by the order, to meet and fix a date for the election of new NEC members to pilot the affairs of the party. Justice Umezulike, who made these orders while delivering judgment in the suit filed by an expelled member of the party in Enugu State, Mr. Jude Okuli, held that the tenure of Umeh and his executive came to a legitimate end on December 2, 2010, adding that since the party failed to conduct a valid election that could have produced another executive, the party is deemed not to have a valid executive in place since the expiration of the tenure of that executive. He resolved all the seven issues set out for determination by the

plaintiff (Okuli) in his favour saying the party leadership under Umeh did not comply with Section 18 of its constitution in the conduct of the February 10, 2011 election while agreeing with the plaintiff that he was not rightly expelled from the party. He said that the party’s constitution was violated when at that convention voice vote was used to re-elect the Umeh-led executive instead of the prescribed secret ballot, adding that even though the matter was an internal affairs of the party, the court had powers to look into the issues affecting the political parties if their constitution was violated in the conduct of its affairs. But in his reaction to the judgment, Chief Umeh said that the verdict of

APGA National Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh

Justice Umezulike did not come to him as a surprise, as he had reached the same conclusion even before trial commenced as earlier published by the national dailies. He said: “It is very clear that Justice Umezulike is very confused in his conclusion. He voided the National Convention held by APGA on February 10, 2011 and sacked the entire members of the National Working Committee elected with me. He declared the election a nullity and turned around to make an order that the NEC of APGA should elect another executive of the party. First of all, if you remove the entire National Working of you have practically left the party without any leadership. So, who is going to convene the meeting to elect a new executive? “Justice Umezulike was asked to make an order by the plaintiff that congresses of the party shall commence from the Wards, Local Government, States up to the National Convention to elect officers of the party. He did not make any pronouncement on that prayer made by the plaintiff knowing that there is no way he can validly make the order because those officers were not joined in the suit. “True, NEC members which he sacked were 29 in number. The plaintiff sued only me (Chief Umeh). If he was challenging my election through that convention, he was bound to join all the people elected at that convention, and this is one of the reasons why we have said that the suit before him was incompetent. Necessary parties were not joined in the suit

including APGA who constitution he was invited to interpret. “By sacking the National Working Committee of APGA that was elected at the National Convention of 10th February 2011 which the court declared null and void, Justice Umezulike has completely decapitated APGA and left it without a leadership. This is like removing the head of a trailer and the body of the trailer can no longer move. By this his judgment, there is no organ of the party left to execute the orders he made and his judgment did not create an alternative leadership for the party. Therefore the orders are in vain as there is nobody to execute them. Nobody including Governor Peter Obi, the sponsor of this suit can derive any benefit from the judgment until the matter is determined at the two levels of appeal available (Court of Appeal and Supreme Court). “Umezulike’s mishandling of this case is still being handled by the National Judicial Council which forwarded to me Umezulike’s reply to my petition last month for my further reaction which I submitted to the Chairman of NJC on February 5, 2013.” Umeh further stated that Umezulike’s judgment “is clearly inchoate and cannot be sustained on appeal, he clearly showed that he was desperately on a manhunt for the National Chairman of APGA without thinking about the collateral damage which his pronouncement against me will do to the party and the entire executive under my leadership. If he was there to deliver justice, he would have looked at the originating summons to know that he cannot make any order legally restraining the leadership of APGA.”

THE

ADVOCATE

Monday, February 11 – Sunday, February 17, 2013

CRIME WATCH

Police arrest final year poly student for stealing 4-yr old boy By Our Reporter A 20 year-old final year female student of Delta State Polytechnic Ogwashi-Uku who allegedly stole a toddler from a Daycare school in Asaba, Delta State was paraded by the State police command on Monday. State police commissioner, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba said that “the suspect who once did her IT in the said day care and primary school

in Asaba sneaked in and took away the child. Unfortunately, she forgot her bag which assisted us (police) in tracing her to Onitsha where the child was rescued”. The suspect (names withheld) who claimed to be presently pregnant and a mother of two denied stealing the baby. “I was teaching the child during my IT in that school (names withheld) around Bonsac area of Asaba. I only saw the child

wandering around last Friday and I took him to Onitsha because when I took him to the school nobody was found there and wanted to bring him back today (Monday) before I was arrested,” she told reporters at the Police Headquarters in Asaba. Also the CP described last weekend incidents as “black day”, saying that his men had gone underground to track down the hoodlums that attacked

member representing Aniocha/Oshimili federal constituency, Mr. Ndudi Elumelu among other operations. Said he, "I want to assure the people of Delta State that already we have started picking some of the bad elements within our midst. We will get them." He also doled out the sum of N2.5 million to public spirited individuals and volunteers drawn from Asaba, Ughelli and Warri

axis for “aiding the command with useful information that led to the bursting of some high profile crimes. “In a renewed bid to encourage the revitalized intelligence outfit of Delta State police command to m a k e f o r a m o r e proactive/intelligence based policing, and altogether nip in the bud incidence of kidnapping and violent crime, Delta State government doled out a whopping sum of two million five hundred thousand naira to Delta State police command for this purpose”, he stated.

We were paid N13m ransom before releasing ex-Gov's wife - Prime kidnap suspect

prime suspect in the kidnap of Mrs. Titilayo Oluwole Rotimi, wife of the former Governor of Western State last year, has said that his gang was paid N13 million ransom before they agreed to release the woman.

Mrs. Oluwole Rotimi was abducted on December, 10 last year by the suspects within the premises of her company, Oak Enterprises in Ibadan. She was released two weeks after by her abductors in Ogun State. She was said to have left the country after

her release. While parading three of the suspects at the State police command, Eleyele, the commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu said the suspects were arrested in Ogun State.

According to the suspect who identified himself as Godwin Mfon from Akwa Ibom State, “We collected N13m. I collected N2.5m. I used N1.1m to settle my debt and used the remaining change to buy a navy blue Honda Accord car with registration

PDP chieftain murdered in Nsukka By Patrick Okolie

PDP chieftain, Mr Ejike Onah, popularly called `Papa Nsukka' has been murdered in his Agbani Nguru Community in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State. An eyewitness who disclosed this in Nsukka on Tuesday, said said that some yet-be -identified persons visited the deceased on Sunday night and inflicted machete cut on his head and shoulder, and fled. “Some members of his family raised an alarm that attracted villagers who rushed him to St Michel's Hospital at Obollo Road, Nsukka,'' said the eyewitness, who sought anonymity. The eyewitness said that Onah's assassination might not be unconnected with land dispute he had with some people. The PDP Chairman in Nsukka Local government area, Mr. Alpho Nweze, who confirmed the m u r d e r, d e s c r i b e d i t a s `unfortunate.' “The party will ensure that those behind the killing do not go unpunished,'' he promised. When contacted, Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), who confirmed the incident, said the police had commenced investigation into the circumstances that led to the murder of Papa Nsukka. He said: “The Enugu state command of the Nigeria police force has commenced

investigations into the alleged killing of one Ejike Onah in Nsukka. The victim was allegedly attacked in his house on 03/2/13 by yet to be identified persons over an alleged incidence of destruction of some parts of the dwelling house of one Ndubuisi

Ugwu at Agbani Nguru Nsukka as a result of land dispute where he was allegedly given several machete cuts. “ This however made the victim to be unconscious and was taken to St. Michael's Hospital at Nsukka for rehabilitations and on 4/2/13,

he gave up the ghost. His corpse has been deposited at the Bishop Shanaham Hospital Mortuary for autopsy.” Reports said most residents of the community had fled the town for fear of being arrested by the police.

Kidnappers abduct priest, demand ransom from church

NMA Chairman's wife also kidnapped in Anambra

HE pastor in charge of St Paul's Anglican Parish, Umunachi in Dunukofia local government area, Rev James Achigbu and the wife of the Anambra State chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, Dr. Emmanuel Ekwesianya have been kidnapped at two different locations in Anambra State. While Rev Achigbu was kidnapped along Umunachi Eziowelle road at about 8.00 pm as he was returning home, on Monday, the wife of the NMA chairman was abducted at about 7.30 am as she was about to drive her children to school in Ihiala. Venerable Obi Ubaka in charge of Ogidi Archdeaconry said, Tuesday, that Rev Achigbu was with his wife, Uju, at the time of the incident. He said: “Rev Achigbu and his wife were returning home in their Honda Accord car after visiting St. John's Church, Eziowele when

the kidnappers blocked them along the Umunachi Eziowele road and forced him into their vehicle. One of the kidnappers forced his wife out of the Honda car. ” According to Ubaka, the kidnappers have since then been demanding for ransom from the parish, adding that the church has consistently been telling them that it would not be involved in such transaction and appealed to the kidnappers to release the priest. Police public relations officer, PPRO, in the state, Mr. Emeka Chukwuemeka confirmed the incident and said that effort were being made to effect the release of the pastor. Elsewhere at Ihiala, the kidnappers of the NMA chairman's wife have demanded ransom of N50 million. Mrs. Ekwesianya had prepared her children for school and as she opened their gate and drove out,

IGP Abubakar the kidnappers blocked her with an SUV vehicle and forced her into the vehicle, leaving the children stranded. Twenty four hours later, the abductors established contact with her husband, who is the director of medical services at Anambra State University, Uli and demanded payment of N50 million ransom.

number LAGOS LSR 446 BB”. Mfon who claimed to be a graduate of a University in Calabar, stated further that his mistress was instrumental to his arrest. Asked how he delved into the criminal act, he said it was frustration that led him into it. “I contested election for a local government cuncillor in ward 2, Akwa Ibom, but I was defeated. It was then my friends invited me to Lagos where they introduced me to kidnapping”. The second suspect, Johnson Kingsley also confessed that he took part in the kidnapping saying he got N2m from the heinous crime. However, there was heated argument between two of the suspects, Kingsley and Akiniyere Sunday, an Okada rider who claimed not to know anything about the incident. He said, "When they were coming. Tehir Nissan car had fault and they asked me where to get a mechanic. I told them and I used my Okada to convey them not knowing they are kidnappers. Even, a bag containing N250,000 that belonged to Daniel who was mobbed was in my house. I went to Akwa Ibom to hand over the money to the people of Daniel. I don't know anything about this.” But, other suspect insisted that he was lying adding that they used his house as relaxation point and that that was the third kidnapping they did and shared the booty together. Another kidnapper identified as Daniel was said to have been lynched in Ogun state before his arrest when he was behaving as a mad person. They beat him up and police rescued him but he died before he got to the hospital. The CP said, “we arrested four suspects in connection with the crime. They are from the South South part of the country and they have confessed to the crime. During investigation, we discovered that an ex-staff of the company masterminded the kidnapping”

THE

Monday, February 11 – Sunday, February 17, 2013

ADVOCATE

$40,000 money laundering: Gov. Lamido's son remanded, granted bail By Our Reporter Justice Fatu Riman of the Federal High Court, Kano on Monday ordered that Aminu Lamido, eldest son of the Jigawa state governor, Sule Lamido be remanded in prison custody pending when his application for bail will be considered. The remand order

followed his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission which accused him of not declaring a sum of $40,000 on his way to Egypt last December. The governor's son was arrested last December at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport for declaring only $10,000 to the Nigeria Customs Service out of a total sum of $50,000 he was

travelling with. The offence, the EFCC said in the charge sheet, is contrary to Section 12 of the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act Cap34, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, and Section 2(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition ) Act, 2011 and punishable under Section 2 (5) of

the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011. When the charge was read to the junior Lamido, he pleaded not guilty after which his Counsel, Barrister Bassey Offiong (SAN), applied for his bail on the ground that he was already enjoying an administrative bail. The prosecution counsel, Saad Hanafi Saad, however opposed the bail application, arguing that the accused person had tried to evade being served with the charges.

Ogun herbalist nabbed with fresh human tongue, arm By Chioma Jumbo

with human tongue, arm and a woman's private part in IjebuIgbo, in Ijebu-Igbo North-East A herbalist identified as Chief Local Government Area of Ogun Dandola Owotomo aka Amuludun State. Isese has been reportedly caught He was said to be one of the three

suspected ritualists arrested by police in the state in connection with the disappearance of a 70year-old Kehinde Rabiu, who was declared missing at Idode-Imomo in the area.

Army Corporal guns down Police Inspector

n army corporal, Tuesday, shot dead a Police Inspector in Mikang Local Government Area of Plateau State following an argument. The duo, who were security officials on duty in the local government, had a misunderstanding which resulted in a shouting match between them before the soldier pulled the trigger, killing the policeman. It was gathered that the problem started at about 12.30 p.m. when

the inspector and the corporal began to exchange words following which their colleagues intervened and tried to pacify them. But apparently still bitter about the hot exchange of words, the soldier reportedly went for his gun, corked it and shot the police inspector, simply identified as Doe, at close range. One of the security men, who confirmed the shooting, said they were shocked to hear gunshots

after they had pleaded with their colleagues to keep the peace and on rushing to the scene, they found the policeman on the ground. Police spokesman in the state, DSP John Omuogbo, confirmed the incident, saying it followed an argument between two security men. He said the army corporal had been arrested while investigations had begun into the matter. He said the suspect would be arraigned on completion of investigations and urged the people of the area to be calm and not take the law into their hands.

Bayelsa paid militants N250m monthly– Dickson By Our Reporter

ayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, Tuesday, revealed how his predecessor doled out a whopping sum of N250 million to militan ts mo n th ly f o r rendering no services to the state. He said that on assumption of office he stopped the monthly payment to the militants in order to challenge the beneficiaries to work and earn a decent living and create equal opportunities for natives of the state to benefit from its resources. Dickson told journalists in Abuja that he had to put an end to the illicit practice because he knew that it could not be sustained and that the beneficiaries were not entitled to such largesse.

He added that he had created an enabling environment for all to excel and achieve their set goals and would continue to explore ways and means of catering for the majority of the people. According to the governor, the insecurity that was once the hallmark of the state was due largely to inadequate investment in human capital by past administrations, which bred “a teeming youth population without adequate education to earn a living in an economy requiring skills and knowledge.” He added that some people who engaged in kidnapping were doing so purely out of criminality and that his administration had decided to be firm in its decision to stamp out all forms of criminality in the state. The governor said it was in a determined bid to stamp out

criminality and give hope to the people that his administration had decided to pay unprecedented attention to education and agriculture as a means of preparing the state for the post-oil era. He said that his administration had commenced a massive investment in education with the award of various categories of scholarships from secondary school to doctorate level, revealing that the state had so far expended over N3.1 billion on the scheme. No fewer than 789 indigenes of the state studying in 20 countries around the globe have benefitted from the programme with an unprecedented 137 PhD scholars pursuing their dreams in various universities in and outside Nigeria.

Investigations revealed that Owotomo, 65, was arrested at his residence in Oke Agbo, Ijebu-Igbo in Ijebu North Local Government Area by policemen from Atan Police Division following a tipoff. A police source, who pleaded anonymity, said that the man was picked up by policemen after his house was searched where a shrine was uncovered with fresh human parts. The source further said the police got a tip-off from a member of the Idode-Imomo Community Development Association, CDA, in the area. It would be recalled that a kidnappers' den was uncovered in the same area recently after the mysterious disappearance of the aged man which led to the arrest of three suspects. According to the police source, “we went to Ijebu-Igbo with the support of the CDA member after we got a tip-off from the people. When we got to the man's house, it was an eyesore. We discovered a calabash in one of his rooms where a fresh human tongue, human palm and a woman's private parts were kept in a shrine drenched with blood assumed to be human blood. “We transferred him to Eleweran on Sunday and the Commissioner of Police has shown much interest in the case and had ordered that investigation should commence into the matter and he has promised to get to the root of the matter.” When contacted, the police spokesman in Ogun State, Muyiwa Adejobi, who confirmed that some people had been arrested, said he was yet to be briefed on the latest happening. Meantime, residents of the area have begun deserting their houses to neighbouring towns such as Atan, Eruwon, Odosimadegun and Ijebu-Ode following the fear of kidnappers and ritualists in the area. Reports said the residents believed their lives were no longer safe in the town following the discovery of the underground kidnappers' den.

However, at the resumed hearing of the case on Tuesday, the court granted bail to the governor's son. Delivering judgement on the bail application, Justice Fatu Riman said, “It is trite that judicial discretion should be marked by fairness and must be guided by law”, adding that ” I am persuaded that the prosecution failed to prove that the accused person will jump bail if granted.”

I want my N60 bride price back, Monarch tells court By Our Reporter

monarch in Anambra State, Igwe Samuel Ezekwo, has dumped his 17-year-old marriage, dragging his wife and father-in-law before a customary court sitting in IgboUkwu and presided over by Barr Chinelo Egili to demand the sum of N60, which he paid as bride price to marry his banker wife, Lolo Chizoba Ezekwo, 17 years ago. When the matter came up for hearing yesterday, Chizoba's counsel, Barr Madubuike Churchill, who also represented Chizoba's father who is the second respondent, filed a petition seeking the dismissal of Ezekwo's petition on the grounds that the court lacks jurisdiction to entertain the matter. Churchill told the court that the marriage was conducted under the Marriage Act, and that the court lacks jurisdiction to hear the matter. He called on the court president to strike out the matter and award the cost of the case to Ezekwo for wasting the respondents' resources. Barr Ezeonwuka Ezeonwuka, counsel to Ezekwo, insisted that the matter is within the jurisdiction of the court as no formal wedding was conducted between the couple, and that what they called a wedding was a mere church blessing which was not conducted under the Marriage Act or in a licensed place of worship. He urged the court president to dissolve the marriage as the parties were tired of living together, more so as several parties had tried to mediate between the couple without success. After considering the argument of both counsel, the president of the court, Barr Egili, adjourned the matter for ruling on February 18

THE

ADVOCATE

Monday, February 11 – Sunday, February 17, 2013

7 Nigerian pediatric doctors to undergo training in United States By Patrick Okolie

ampers, one of the leading brands of Procter & Gamble, says it has concluded plans to sponsor seven Nigerian pediatric doctors to the United States of America (USA) for observership and research scholar programs. The company announced this at a press conference Enugu as part of the 44th Annual conference of the Paediatric Association of Nigeria. The program called the Nurturing Children's Development (NCD) program is a partnership between Pampers and the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC) is aimed at improving the healthy development of infants and children worldwide. The program, which is fully funded by Pampers, consists of

two months observerships and a nine-month research scholarship at the prestigious Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Centre - one of the top pediatric hospitals and child health research institutions in the United States, which has produced some of the most renowned pediatric research scientists, including Dr. Albert Sabin, discoverer of the oral polio vaccine. The Regulatory and Technical Relations Manager for Procter and Gamble Nigeria, Mrs. Adebusola Opanubi, said of the seven paediatricians to benefit from the NCD program, six would benefit from the 'Observership scholarships' while one would take part in the research program. “The programs would enable these doctors travel to Cincinnati to share knowledge on medical advances and administrative innovations at theCincinnati

Children's and other hospital institutions in the surrounding area. The beneficiaries of this program would be selected from hospitals across Nigeria through collaboration between Procter and Gamble and the Paediatric Association of Nigeria; PAN. “The program which commenced in 2012 has so far seen three pediatricians' leave to experience the observership programme and one research scholarship experience the nine month research scholarship programme. Another three paediatricians will leave later in 2013 to experience the observership program,” she said. Opanubi further said, “As a company we are inspired by our purpose to 'touch and improve lives'. Procter and Gamble recognizes there are several challenges that face the Nigerian child today and we are focused on programs that help improve life for the Nigerian child and that

contribute to the attainment of the 'Millennium Development Goals. “This program, aimed at nurturing child health and development provides an excellent platform for the transfer of global best practices in child health care and management from CCHMC - to the benefit of the Nigerian child.” This is also just one of the ways Procter and Gamble on the platform of Pampers® is helping to develop Human Capital in Nigeria. Dr. Dorothy Esangbedo, the President of the Paediatric Association of Nigeria, also speaking at the press conference, said that the capacity building programme by Procter and Gamble is very intuitive as it provides mid-career pediatric scholars to experience world class standard and replicate what has been learnt into the Nigerian system. Esangbedo thanked P&G and urged other corporate bodies to emulate the company.

Dr. Ekanem Ekure, the pioneer observer pediatrician from the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) commenting on her experience thanked the Pampers brand of the Procter & Gamble Company for giving her the exposure opportunity. “Due to the training I received in the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Centre, my skills in pediatric echocardiography have improved greatly, and no child requiring pediatric echocardiography leaves the hospital to look for this service. They are all attended to here,” she said. According to Professor Adekunle Dawodu, the CCHMC Coordinator of the program, “The partnership was borne of a shared vision by Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and The Procter and Gamble Company to contribute to improvement in the healthy development of infants and children worldwide.”

New hope, as doctors say cancer can be managed

ancer will soon become a manageable disease rather than a death sentencethanks to a revolutionary treatment, which will be available within five years, British specialists predict. All patients will soon have their tumour's DNA, its genetic code, sequenced, enabling doctors to ensure they give exactly the right drugs to keep the disease at bay. Doctors hope it will be an important step towards transforming some types of cancer into a chronic rather than fatal disease. The technique could enable terminally ill patients, who can currently expect to live only months, to carry on for a decade or more in relatively good health, according to specialists at the Institute of Cancer Research in London. “We should be aspiring to cure cancer, but for people with advanced disease, it will be a question of managing them better so they survive for much longer for many years,” said Prof. Alan Ashworth, chief executive of the institute. “Cancer often appears in people, who are old, and if we can keep them alive long enough for them to die of something else, then we are turning cancer into a chronic disease.” Ashworth said that understanding of how different cancers were caused by different genetic triggers was building “incredibly rapidly.” Genetic profiling of tumours is already used to some extent, but current methods only look for a few genes. Women with advanced breast cancer are tested to see if their tumours have a particular

variant of the HER2 gene, which causes a fifth of cases. Those with it are given Herceptin, but the same drug would do no good for those without the gene variant. Advanced melanoma patients with a particular gene mutation are prescribed Vemurafenib, a pill that has been shown to increase survival, on average, from 9.6 to 13.2 months, and help patients feel much more energetic. But average survival times hide massive variations. One patient at the Royal Marsden in Chelsea, where the institute is based, has survived 10 years so far with advanced breast cancer on Herceptin. Ashworth said that such cases were the exception. But he added, “we would hope that they will become the norm. By actively profiling patients who respond well, and sequencing their genomes, we can find the genes that are responsible for that.” The institute wants to build a DNA database to identify lots of genes responsible for cancers. It is l a u n c h i n g a t h r e e - y e a r, £3?million project called the Tumour Profiling Unit to advance knowledge of the genetic profile of cancer. Ashworth said, “none of this is science fiction. One would think in five or 10 years this will be absolutely routine practice for every cancer patient.” He thought the method would have “a big impact” on a range of cancers within a decade, but added, “over the next two to three years, there will be individual patients, who receive substantial benefits from these technologies.” He also thought genetic profiling would make developing new drugs quicker and less expensive. But tumours can sometimes

develop resistance to drugs in months. Scientists hope to counter this by monitoring tumour DNA. Currently, this requires repeated biopsies, which are invasive. Scientists at the institute are developing a blood test to examine free-floating DNA from tumours instead. Prof Ashworth admitted that personalised cancer medicine was in its “early days.” Resistance to drugs was a major obstacle, he said. “People have

described this as a game of whacka-mole you knock one on the head and another comes up,” he said. “But this isn't black magic. The knowledge is accumulating incredibly rapidly. Despite the setbacks, most people are optimistic.” One implication is the use of drugs designed for one cancer on a different type, if they share the same genetic cause. Charlotte Beardmore, of the Society and College of Radiographers, described

personalised cancer drugs as a “fantastic” development. But she cautioned, “we will still need other treatments, too, we won't replace them.” Prof. Jane Maher, chief medical officer at Macmillan Cancer Support, said, “the concept in principle is a really exciting one. But technologically there are real challenges in knowing how quickly this will happen.” She said that tumours were often genetic mosaics and very good at developing resistance.(The Daily Telegraph)

NDLEA nabs Nigerian S-African-based barber myself with my barbing business with 6.100kg cocaine back in South Africa. If I had

Nigerian, based in South Africa, has been arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA with 6.100kg substance suspected to be cocaine ,at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. The 45-year-old suspect identified as Ozoh Hycenth Chukwuemeka, was apprehended during the outward clearance of passengers on board Arik Air to South Africa. Explaining how Ozoh was arrested, the agency's Airport Commander, Hamza Umar, said that the substance was concealed in a false compartment in his luggage. When a search was conducted at the baggage checking desk at the departure hall, the substance was discovered to be cocaine,which street value was estimated at N50 million. However, upon interrogation, the suspect, who claimed to have been living in South Africa for 10 years as a barber, admitted that the

luggage was his. But he claimed the sustenance was given to him by a friend . “A friend of mine in South Africa asked me to bring a bag containing chemicals from Nigeria to South Africa for $3,000. When I asked him if it was drug, he said it was just chemicals. He paid for my return ticket. I never knew it was cocaine. I am only struggling to take care of

known that things will turn out this way, I would have rejected the proposal,” said the Anambra state-born suspect. But his explanation, according to NDLEA Chairman, Ahmadu Giade, was unacceptable, saying that ignorance was not an excuse in law. He added that the suspect would be charged for unlawful exportation of cocaine at the end of investigation

THE

Monday, February 11 – Sunday, February 17, 2013

ADVOCATE

ODD WORLD

Police arrest son for killing father over gratuity

 Another suspect on the run

he Cross River State Police Command has arrested one Ekemini Bassey for allegedly killing his father, a retired University of Calabar lecturer, Prof. Nathaniel Bassey, in a bid to claim his N40m gratuity. Ekemini's brother, Odiong Bassey, is also wanted by the police for being an accomplice in the alleged murder. Sources said that the duo had been having a running battle with their late father, who was not pleased with their recent negative behaviours. A family source, who pleaded anonymity, said Ekemini and

Odiong, who are university dropouts, had been making frivolous financial demands on their late father. It was further learnt that the retired lecturer was said to have complained to some of his colleagues that his children were intimidating him into borrowing money to meet their demands, which did not go down well with him. Police sources told our correspondent that things, however, became tense in the house after the boys got clues that their father was due to be paid N40m. One of the sources said, “Ekemini

confessed that they got some clues that their father, who was teaching on contract basis after his retirement, was about to be paid his benefits and gratuity of over N40m and they decided to kill him so that the money would be paid to them as the next of kin.” The sources added that Ekemini confessed during interrogation that they stabbed their father three times in different parts of the body and stuffed his mouth with old newspapers so that he would not cry for help. It was learnt that penultimate week, Ekemini and his brother killed their father and tactically dropped a knife beside him to

create the impression that their father committed suicide out of frustration. Luck, however, ran out of the brothers after Ekemini hired an ambulance to convey the father's corpse to Nsit-Ubium in Akwa Ibom State for burial. He was accosted by security agents, who were brought by some senior staff of the university. A source at the university said, “On getting wind of the death of the lecturer, the university security authorities swung into action and arrested Ekemini while his brother took off to unknown destination.” Sources at the state Criminal Investigation Department in Calabar said that Ekeminin was being interrogated and as at the

time of filing this report, Ekeminin was still with the police interrogators for his role in the alleged murder of his father. U N I C A L' s D ep u ty ViceChancellor, Administration, Prof. James Utsalo, said, “Well, we cannot comment on the matter because it is a criminal case and police are handling it, so we are still awaiting the official report. Besides, the autopsy report is not out; when it is out we will know what killed him.” The Officer-in-Charge, Homicide unit of the State CID, Mr. Joseph Inuyashi, confirmed the incident, saying investigation on the matter was ongoing. He said the police were still on the trail of Odiong, who is on the run.

Russian Police nab 5 suspected car snatchers 'sleeping judge' By Our Reporters resigns after video exposé Man gets 5 years imprisonment for By Agency Reporter forcing teenagers to masturbate

Russian judge has resigned after a video apparently showed him asleep during a trial in which he sentenced the defendant to five years in a penal colony, Russian media reported on Friday. Critics of the Russian justice system, which has a notoriously high conviction rate, were outraged when the video purporting to show judge Yevgeny Makhno sleeping through a defence lawyer's speech in court was posted online in January. ``The Judges Qualification Panel accepted Makhno's resignation," regional judge and panel member Valentina Pozharskaya told state news agency RIA Novosti. The film, allegedly shot during a fraud trial last July in the Blagoveshchensk, seems to show Makhno slumped in his chair fast asleep with his head cocked to one side. The businessman sentenced to five years with hard labour will have a new trial on Feb. 14, after an appeal was lodged over the ``unjust'' sentence, Russian media said. Russia's justice system had been in the spotlight recently over several high-profile court cases including the trial of punk protest collective Pussy Riot. The band's three members were sentenced to two years in prison on charges of hooliganism motivated by religious hatred after they performed an anti-Putin prayer in Moscow's main cathedral in 2012. Makhno will eventually be able to return to his post provided he retakes his exams, Russian media said.

HE Lagos State Police Command, Tuesday, said it had begun an onslaught against car snatchers in the state, declaring that five suspected members of separate car syndicates have been arrested in two days. One of the suspects identified simply as Olatunde, was reportedly at the verge of being lynched by an angry mob along Ijebu-Ode road, Ikorodu, after a failed attempt to snatch a vehicle. Olatunde, who had earlier been arrested over similar offence, attempted to snatch a white colour Mazda bus with number plate EJ 917 SMK, from where it was parked at a fuel station. Luck ran against him after its owner raised an alarm, following which an angry mob descended on him and inflicted machete cuts all over his body. But for the arrival of policemen from Shagamu Road Division, Olatunde would have been set ablaze by the mob. Confirming the arrest, spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Ngozi Braide said four other robbery suspects who specialised in snatching vehicles from where they were parked , were also arrested. She explained that one of the arrests was made at about 1.30pm Tuesday, by policemen from Shagamu road. “Acting on tip off, the policemen stormed Odogunyan, in Ikorodu and arrested three armed robbers namely Adekeye Muyideen , Adetokunbo Adebanjo and Sunday Olise, recovering two locally made revolver pistols , one locally made cut to size double barrel pistol, one Toyota Sienna space wagon with plate number GH58 KJA , suspected to have been stolen and the sum of N90,500. “Same day, policemen attached to Maroko division chased four men

in a Ford Mondero saloon car with plate number MN 626 AAA along Jazz 38 road, lekki. At the end, one Nura Abubakar of no fixed

address was arrested while others escaped. A metal object cast in form of a pistol, was recovered from the vehicle”, Braide said,

ordered that the sentence was with Samad said that the first hard labour. He said that the incident happened on Dec. 16, convict should go to prison and 2012 at the Inalende Area, Ibadan. think about what he had done and The second and third incidents to change his ways. occurred on Jan. 7 and Jan. 8 at the Earlier, the Prosecutor, Insp. same Inlende area, adding that the Aliu Samad, told the court that the offence contravened Section 217 convict indecently assaulted the of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo three boys and forced them to State of Nigeria 2000. The masturbate and later used his convicted had pleaded guilty to handkerchief to clean them. the three-count charges.

n Ibadan Magistrates has sentenced one Olaniyi Sarafa to five years imprisonment for forcing three teenagers to masturbate while he watched them. Senior Magistrate, Mr Olaide Amzat, sentenced Sarafa after he pleaded guilty to the offence. Amzat, who did not give the convict an option of fine, also

adding that all cases had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba for further investigation.

Dumped Baby: Mother fails to produce baby's father

he 16-year-old Fatima Altine of Rigasa area in Kaduna metropolis, who abandoned her own baby in refuse dump and came back a week after to look for the baby, has failed to produce the baby's father. The dumping of a fourmonth-old baby girl in garbage along Yusuf Close near Bakin Ruwa area in Kaduna by her own mother. Residents found and carried the baby hours after she was dumped. A week after the baby was found by passersby, her mother Fatima went to the spot and asked residents of the whereabouts of her daughter. At first, she lied that the baby was stolen in Abuja and she heard over radio that the baby has been found. However, after thorough interrogation at the

Uguwar Sanusi police station she confessed that she threw the baby in refuse dump following pressure from her parents. The police authority and residents asked her to produce the father of baby before the baby will be returned to her.

Yusuf, the baby's foster father said the baby is still with him. “The baby's mother is nowhere to be found. You know, when she was asked to produce the baby's father she left with the pledge to do that the following day. Almost a month after she has not returned,” he said.

THE

ADVOCATE

Monday, February 11 – Sunday, February 17, 2013

NEWS

All is fair in war and love? Continues from page 18 fear of extermination, grew to outmatch the Federal offensive action. Owerri, a major 'Biafran' town which was captured by Federal troops, was re-taken by rebel soldiers with heavy casualties on both sides. “By the end of April 1969, after almost two years of bloody and destructive war, the envisioned quick victory had eluded the Federal side. The rebel enclave had been drastically reduced in size, but the 'Biafrans' were still holding their own and had achieved a stalemate. They were in the process of turning the stalemate into reverses for the Federal side … The recapture of Owerri by the rebels was quickly followed by a southward thrust to Port Harcourt. The Federal toehold on Aba was slipping. The morale of Federal soldiers was at its lowest ebb. The despondency and general lack of will to fight was glaringly manifest in the large number of cases of self-inflicted wounds among Federal soldiers. Officers were apathetic, if not downright disloyal. Distrust and absolute lack of confidence plagued the ranks of the officer corps. They openly rejoiced in the misfortunes of one another. “With restrictions imposed by the Federal Military Government on many items of imported goods, and the country in the grip of high inflation, the civil population had started to show signs of disgust with the war, which appeared to them unending, and with the Government's handling of it. Some highly placed Nigerians had started to suggest that the Federal Government should sue for peace at all costs to prevent the calamity and disaster that would befall the Federal side in a possible rebel victory.” That was one of the war situations which Obasanjo, a fighting soldier, saw which Ofeimun, a civilian did not see! But for Ojukwu's mismanagement of Biafran war effort, Biafra would have survived on her own steam. If Ojukwu had utilized the incredible and invaluable potential of Nzeogwu and his men instead of hounding them, if he had appointed Onwuatuegwu to command the Mid-West Expedition, if he had not been so colonially mentally dominated that he did not see the need to seek help from the USSR as Col. Nasser did during the Suez Canal crisis of 1956, if he had not allowed his ego to blind him in critical decision making, and so many other ifs, Biafra would have survived. In 1956, Nasser demanded from France and Britain that part of the toll collected from Suez Canal from international shipping should be given to Egypt on whose land the canal was built. When the demand was rejected, Nasser blockaded the canal and France and Britain declared war on Egypt. Nasser prudently cried for help to Khrushchev who contacted the American President asking him to tell France and Britain that they must leave the Suez Canal within seventytwo hours. They complied promptly. As soon as they left, Nasser mounted

Cairo Radio and said, 'GONE ARE THE DAYS WHEN THE BRITISH LIONS ROARED AND E V E RY B O D Y T R E M B L E D , NOW THEY CAN TERRIFY NOBODY'. The USSR ambassador visited Enugu while the crisis was building up to inspect the sites of the Teaching and Specialist Hospitals that Dr. M. I. Okpara had convinced the USSR to set up in Eastern Nigeria. On that visit, a journalist told the ambassador that there was no need for the inspection of the sites as war was threatening. The ambassador calmly retorted 'If we are building hospitals here, there will be no war.' But Ojukwu, ‘n his wisdom’ thought that communist support was a dangerously malignant virus which would kill the soul and body of Biafra faster than the alliance of western imperialism, muslim Arabism and Nigeria. This was the first case in world history where communism and capitalism colluded to suffocate a people struggling for survival. All these happened because of the bad, poisoned and uncritical education Ojukwu received at the feet of capitalism and imperialism! Ofeimun's recital of all the 'goodness' visited on the Igbos by Nigeria at the end of the war, were clearly and absolutely vitiated by the Abandoned Property Policy, the reduction of every bank account operated in Biafra during the war to twenty pounds, the Indigenization decree, at a time the Igbos could hardly feed themselves and many other instances of woes. Major Hassan Katsina's declaration of a six day police action to bring Biafra back to the Nigerian fold was due to that officer's very poor appreciation of the implications of war. When Ofeimun said “Not to forget the egregious observance of eight-hour war-day on the Federal side and the deliberate slowing down of Federal aggression which, sometimes humanitarian but based on scheming for power in Lagos, lengthened the period of warfare and may unwittingly have been responsible for the many civilian deaths through hunger.”, he needs to be informed that we did not notice any of these in Biafra. The weapons of war, 'holy and unholy', Nigeria did not use during that war were those she did not have. The scene of the destruction of Murtala's division at Abagana sector by gallant Biafran forces, confirmed the above statement. At Abagana, horsetail whips laced with razor blades to be used on Biafran males were seen! Biafran senior army officers similarly inflicted inhuman treatment on fellow Biafran soldiers and civilians due to the very poor understanding, planning and execution of the war and utter lack of ideological clarity by Biafran military high command. Ojukwu did not know that a war of survival is a revolutionary war in which the relationship between the soldier and the people is like that between fish and water. A glance at The Reminiscences of the Cuban Revolutionary War by Dr. Ernesto

Che Guevara the greatest guerrilla that ever lived confirms my statement. My personal experience also confirms it. The day I reported for training at the School of Infantry in Biafra, a friend who had just passed out advised me not to let it be known that I am a university graduate if I wished to come out alive from that school. On another occasion, while I was supervising the movement of some troops of our Strike Force to the Tactical Headquarters on the orders of Captain Felix Ogbuagu, our commander, Brigadier Amadi suddenly surfaced. I promptly came to attention and saluted him. He left some minutes later only to come back in less than thirty minutes interval. Jumping down from his Jeep, he took a horsetail whip from his boys and flogged me to his satisfaction while I was surrounded by his goons of body guards with their rifles on the ready. He said that he did not want to meet an officer twice at the same spot within thirty minutes. If there was no war and with my B.Sc. Hons degree in Physics, there would have been no stage where I would have met Brig. Amadi as an inferior especially as I had no plans of joining the army. In Biafra, we got tired of telling this set of soldiers that we were no career officers, that we were only freedom fighters who would leave the army for them at the end of the war. With all that we now know about the January 1966 revolution, many Nigerians persist in calling it an Igbo coup because of what Chinua Achebe identified as The Igbo Problem in his booklet The Trouble With Nigeria. He said “Nigerians of all other ethnic groups will probably achieve consensus on no other matter than their common resentment of the Igbos … The origin of the national resentment of the Igbo is as old as Nigeria and quite as complicated. But it can be summarized thus: The Igbo culture being receptive to change, individualistic and highly competitive, gave the Igbo man an unquestioned advantage over his compatriots in securing credentials for advancement in Nigerian colonial society. Unlike the Hausa/Fulani he was unhindered by a wary religion and unlike the Yoruba unhampered by traditional hierarchies. This kind of creature, fearing no God or man, was custom-made to grasp the opportunities; such as they w e re , o f t h e w h i t e m a n ' s dispensation. And the Igbo did so with both hands. Although the Yoruba had a huge historical and geographical head-start, the Igbo wiped out their handicap in one fantastic burst of energy in the twenty years between 1930 and 1950 … “The rise of the Igbo in Nigerian affairs was due to the self-confidence engendered by their open society and their belief that one man is as good as another, that no condition is permanent. It was not due, as non-Igbo observers imagined, to tribal mutual aid societies. The “Town Union” phenomenon, which has

often been written about, was in reality an extension of the Igbo individualistic ethic. The Igbo towns competed among themselves for certain kinds of social achievement, like building of schools, churches, markets, post offices, pipe-borne water projects, roads, etc. They did not concern themselves with pan-Igbo unity nor were they geared to securing an advantage over non-Igbo Nigerians. Beyond town or village the Igbo has no compelling traditional loyalty. “The Igbo State Union was a paper tiger whose bogey value may have been exploited by a handful of self-appointed leaders in such places as Lagos and Port Harcourt; but among the Igbo elite, it was largely a joke and to the Igbo masses, it was quite unknown, “The real problem with the Igbo since independence is precisely the absence of the kind of central leadership which their competitors presume for them. This lack has left them open to self-seeking, opportunistic leaders who offered them no help at all in coping with a new Nigeria in which individual progress would no longer depend on the rules set by a fairly impartial colonial umpire.” I say again, the January 1966 revolution was not an Igbo coup since the leaders of that movement intended to free Awolowo from prison and hand over the Federal Government to him. All those including Gowon who say that the Biafra-Nigeria War was caused by the secession of the East and the declaration of Biafra, are suffering from convenient amnesia or Katabasis. The war started smoldering right before May 1966 when the Hausa/Fulani hegemonic jihadists who were destabilized by the glorious January revolution launched their campaign of pogrom and genocide against Easterners in general and Igbos in particular and given government sanction when Gowon said that the basis for unity did not exist, which pushed them into widespread ethnic cleansing! From the time Gowon became nationally visible as head of state till now, he has not shown any seriousmindedness or intellectual depth. He has remained Jack the Jolly Boy which explains but does not justify the following: i)He repudiated the ABURI ACCORD and allowed his 'super permanent secretaries' to interpret that document which was written in very simple English language! If Gowon had co-operated to implement the Aburi Accord as signed in Ghana, on January 5, 1967, there would have been no war; Ii) He said that the Aburi Meeting was only an opportunity for members of the Supreme Military Council to meet again in full strength and exchange pleasantries. Ojukwu countered by saying that he went to Aburi to work and that he did work; Iii) After they killed Ironsi, Gowon took the title of Supreme Commander until Ojukwu asked him 'can you really supremely command? (Which made him step down to the title of Commander-inChief); Iv) He said at another time that the

killing of Igbos had got to an unacceptable level, prompting Ojukwu to ask him if there was a level within which the killing of Igbos was justified. V) Gowon also said that God in His infinite mercy had put the government of this country in the hands of another northerner, which was a hollow and shallow conception of national affairs. When Gowon said that he was ready to face trial at the International Court of Justice he seemed to have forgotten the several apologies he had tendered to the Igbos. At the Oputa Panel he said “It came to me as a shock when I came to know about the unfortunate happenings that happened to sons and daughters of Asaba domain. I felt very touched and honestly referred to (the killings) and ask for forgiveness being the one who was in charge. Certainly, it is not something that I would have approved of … I was made ignorant of it, I think until it appeared in the papers.” In conclusion, those Nigerians like Odia Ofeimun who argue “As I see it, a distracted individualism which some people preferred to describe as republicanism, is priced above a genuine sitting down to plan with and for the people. What it calls for, instead of inventing enemies and see competition in zero-sum terms, is a mobilization of effect and resources to rise above the disabilities that we share as Nigerians. We do need to bring the Civil War to a proper end by looking into the past without flinching and wresting ourselves from the goblins of pernicious fictions”, must reconcile themselves with the fact that you cannot make omelet without breaking eggs. The Igbos have been the greatest protagonists of the “One Nigeria Project”. The people that have debauched and sabotaged the Project are precisely those who contributed little or nothing but have benefited most from the Project and others who are paid to execute it. Ofeimun, please speak to this people and not to the injured and longsuffering Igbos. It is true and significant that the war has not been brought to a proper end, as you rightly pointed out; the onus of bringing the war to a proper end rests on you, victorious Nigerians, not on vanquished Igbos. Even though the Igbos lost their war of survival, there is no need to add insult to injury unless you belong to the Obasanjo group, which insists that the Igbos as a defeated people should not raise their heads for another two hundred years. Chinua Achebe, without mincing words correctly reported Awolowo's war dictum and its effects. It should be clear to this specie of Awoists that they cannot mount a successful rearguard action on this issue. Awolowo's place in Nigerian history is very secured and quite sublime. For me, among Azikiwe, Awolowo and Ahmadu Bello, I would have chosen Awolowo as the best of the troika to lead Nigeria. Mazi Chike Chidolue B.Sc.Hons. Physics, University of Biafra (1967) Former Officer, 12 Commando Brigade Biafra Army E-mail: cchidolue@gmail.com Telephone: 07032361122

THE

Monday, February 11 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Sunday, February 17, 2013

ADVOCATE

RELIGION CPM ELELE: Now National Pilgrimage Center

The Advocate Gospel This Week

A TIME TO GRIEVE T Text John 16:20-22 I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no-one will take away your joy. (NIV)

Narration: The crucifixion of Jesus would bring huge grief to the disciples, Jesus' mother and family, and others who loved Him. It was an enormous grief to Jesus too. He had to endure the cross alone, with its shame and pain, but He was strengthened by the knowledge of the joy of heaven ahead (Hebrews 12:2). The same principle is given in these verses to the trainee apostles: the grief comes first, the joy comes later. Just like in child birth: first the pain and then the joy. However, the cross produced a different reaction in the Lord's enemies. They rejoiced over His suffering and gloated over His humiliation (Psalm 22:17). So, the death of Christ brought two radically different responses, and two radically different destinies. The resurrection of Jesus, which brought such joy to the disciples, was the crushing defeat for Satan. It also announced the utter misery of those who continue to reject the Saviour and wake up in a Christless eternity. They choose the self-centred joy of pushing Jesus away, and earn the everlasting grief of hell. That principle is still true. Those who resist, despise and reject Jesus and the salvation He offers, have no hope, joy or peace in eternity. But, despite sufferings of different kinds, everybody who welcomes Jesus can confidently look forward to His promised eternal joy. These contrasts are at the heart of the gospel. They pivot on how every person responds to Jesus. Those who welcome Him have joy ahead to sustain them through suffering; those who refuse to submit to the Saviour Christ enjoy themselves now, but forfeit the joy of heaven for ever. Such stark eternal contrasts should urge us to tell the Christless world of His love and mercy, inviting them to surrender their hearts to Him while there is still time. Share the good news of the eternity today and help family, friends and colleagues to focus on Jesus.

Prayer: Saviour God. Thank You for promising eternal life for all who trust in Jesus. Thank You that even when suffering comes, You will sustain me until I have the joy of being with You. I am sorry to think that I have been careless about my friends who reject Jesus, not appreciating the seriousness of their state before You. Please help me to keep looking to Jesus in the good times and the bad. Give me courage and urgency to speak of Him to those around me. In His Name. Amen.

he Pilgrimage Centre of Eucharistic Adoration and Special Mariam Devotion Elele, Rivers State is now a national pilgrimage center. The Catholic Bishops conference of Nigeria, which approved the upgrading of the center, recently said the 28 years old pilgrimage center met all the qualifications to be made even an international pilgrimage center. The pilgrimage center of Eucharistic Devotion Elele was founded in 1984 by Very Rev/ Fr. Emmanuel Edeh, to care for personal needs of millions of people, especially the sick and suffering people. Inaugurating the center as a national pilgrimage center the representative of the Pope Most Rev. Augustine Kasuija who delivered the pope's message, said the Catholic Bishop conference of Nigeria approved the center having been satisfied with the Eucharist activities of the ministry. In his homily during the high mass to mark the occasion and presided over by the representative of the Pope to Nigeria and many ecclesiastical dignitaries, his Grace Rt. Rev. Joseph Ukpo the metropolitan Arch Bishop of Calabar said the center is known for providing millions of Gods faithful the opportunity to always interact with God through the Eucharist and perpetual Adoration. Commending Fr. Edeh for this spectacular achievement, Rt. Rev. Ukpo described the first National pilgrimage center in Nigeria and Africa as ideal and urged Christians to fully embrace the activities of the center. While Fr. Edeh who responded attributed the achievement to Jesus the saviour, the administrator of the centre Rev. Fr. Oliver Udeaya said the center had helped people from all over the world, Asia, USA, Europe and other African countries. The center he

said is designed for prayers, peace, reconciliation, justice, holistic care for the sick and total rehabilitation of the suffering people of God. The Bishop led by the Papal Nuncio, also blessed the holy water (fountain) designed for healing and purification of the sick. Thousands of families have benefited from the peace and reconciliation department of the ministry, as confirmed by Chief Patrick Ndubuaku and Nze Linus Ibeanu both of whom had worked in the department for about 28 years. All the center for the abjectly poor (Umuogbonye dept)Rev. St. Stella Maris Eze gave account of the activities at Umuogbonye Unit. Beneficiaries of the unit most of whom are the sick and abjectly poor, recounted their gains this way. In deed, it is the prayers of many beneficiaries that the center be further elevated to a sanctuary.

Fr. Emmanuel Edeh

Zimbabwe Devil worshipers demand freedom of worship

ur world is indeed coming to an endâ&#x20AC;Ś.A group of devil worshipers is causing a stir in Zimbabwean Prison, where they are demanding to be allowed to worship freely. The two alleged devil worshipers say they are going on with their work and have managed to recruit more inmates into their

world of darkness. As if to show that their religion is growing, the trio has since written to prison authorities asking for paraphernalia for them to conduct their religion. Among other things, they asked for a razor blade, a red coffin and red garments. Like seriously? They were arrested after, they gave a written application to open a devil worshiping center.

THE

ADVOCATE

Monday, February 11 – Sunday, February 17, 2013

NEWS FROM STATES CALABAR AIRPORT RUNWAY SETS FOR EXTENSION By Edem Archibong, Calabar

he Acting Governor of Cross River State, Mr. Efiok Cobham, has lauded the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for planning to extend the runway of Margret Ekpo's International Airport into a full fledge cargo airport in Nigeria to enable it function optimally and meet the status of a cargo airport. Mr. Cobham stated this when he received the Director of Cargo Airport Development, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Roland Uchena Ofulue who paid him a courtesy visit in Calabar recently to acquaint the Government and people of the state about this development. He explained that it was pertinent for the runway of the Airport to be extended, saying, “If you want to run a cargo airport, cargo airport is not run with the run way of less

than four kilometer,” while commending the initiative which will add value to the value chain as farmers would not find market locally but in international scene as well as boost competition and food sufficiency. Recalling the challenge faced by farmers in the past, the Acting Governor expressed optimism that, the initiative will afford the farmers the opportunity of receiving buyers of farm products into their respective farms instead

of begging for one and boost the state economy. On the level of discipline and quality of service delivery by the Aviation Ministry, Mr. Cobham commended them while promising the state's Government continuous partnership synergy with the Airport Authority to strengthen the focus in making the state the destination for business and leisure in Nigeria. Speaking earlier, Mr, Roland Ofulue said the purpose of his visit was to seek possible

collaboration with the Cross River State Government on the Agro Perishable Cargo business initiative aimed at encouraging farmers into commercial farming meant for exportation. He explained that Agro perishable Cargo business initiative is the main and big chain that would create employment opportunity, checkmate the issue of Rural-Urban migration, strengthen the serene atmosphere of the state as well as boost profit for the nation's survival outside

oil and gas sector. The Director extols Cross River State Government for its developmental projects particularly the construction of Calabar Airport bye-pass way from Atimbo to 8 miles and pointed out that it would help in facilitating both human and Cargo Traffic to and from the airport as well as the provision of 500 KVA caterpillar generator and 33000 liter of diesel generator to smoothen the airport operation.

Kidnappers abduct Edo lawmaker

do Sate House of A s s e m b l y, M o n d a y, suspended sitting following the abduction of the member representing Esan Central Local Government Area of the state, Mr Victor Edoror, by gunmen, suspected to be kidnappers. The Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr Uyi Igbe, who

confirmed the incident to newsmen, yesterday, in Benin City, said Edoror was kidnapped in Irrua, the administrative headquarters of Esan council on Sunday in company of his driver. Fear gripped the lawmakers, including the Speaker, when they stormed the state Government House, yesterday, apparently to brief Governor Adams Oshiomhole on the situation.

Already, security had been beefed up at the legislative quarters in GRA, Benin City. Igbe explained that the lawmakers were informed of the suspected kidnap by the wife of the victim, saying that no contact had been made between the abductors and the family. He said the House had suspended sittings till further notice in protest over their kidnapped colleague,

who is considered as a vibrant member of the House. It was learnt that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, lawmaker was on his way to a meeting in his constituency when the armed men struck. Contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Ejiroro Awahra, said the police were investigating the matter.

Man jailed 5yrs for stealing gold earrings

young man, one Emmanuel Michael was Tuesday, sentenced to five years imprisonment with hard labour by a Chief Magistrate Court in Asaba, Delta State, for

stealing gold earrings worth N25,000. Presiding Chief Magistrate, Sylvester Ehikwe, in sentencing him stated that “he does not deserve mercy as burglary is next to armed robbery.”

Upon arraignment, the convict immediately pleaded guilty to the two-count charge preferred against him and began to weep in the dock, saying “I was hungry.” The prosecution stated that the accused “on the February 1, 2013

at the back of NTA Asaba in the Asaba Magisterial District did break into the house of one Okechukwu Uheghbu and stole a pair of gold earrings and its pendant valued at N25,000, property of Mr. and Mrs.

Okechukwu Uheghbu and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 411(1) of the Criminal Code Cap C21 Vol. 1 Law of Delta State of Nigeria, 2006.”

ENSG tasks youths on self employment By Chinenye Chinwe

he Enugu State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr. Chijioke Agu has advised youths in the state to start on time to plan for self employment even while in the schools to be able to outgrow the

problem of unemployment. Mr. Agu gave this advice during a youth leadership and entrepreneurship seminar organized by the Anabel Leadership Academy in collaboration with the University of Nigeria at the Enugu Campus of the

university. He said that the seminar was aimed at creating awareness for youths to begin to look at areas where they could become employable and employers of labour. Commissioner Agu expressed the readiness of the state government to

support and partner with the initiative for the benefit of the teeming youths in the state. He said that the administration of Governor Sullivan Chime had done a lot to find a solution to the problem of youths unemployment through the Songhai/Enugu Agricultural initiative where the

Rivers govt reverses self over deductions from workers' pay By Abraham Ajaero, Port Harcourt

he clandestine moves by officials of Rivers State Board of Internal Revenue and Ministry of Finance to rip-off civil servants in the state through unauthorized deductions from their (workers) salaries has been strongly resisted by the workers and organized labour in the state. Commissioner for finance in the state, Dr. Chamberlain Peterside, who had earlier defended the illegal deductions while addressing a section of the media in the state, told The Advocate in an exclusive interview that the state government has finally bowed to pressure from workers who demanded the suspension of further deductions and commence without delay the process of refunding

monies illegally deducted from the civil servants' salaries. The Advocate learnt that some outspoken senior civil servants had noticed massive cut in their pay and raised alarm questioning the rationale behind the deductions without prior notice. Their insistence to know why government took such action led to the invitation of the organized labour into the matter. Unfortunately the leadership of the organized labour in the state has been alleged to be privy to the secrete arrangement to deduct the workers salaries, The Advocate was told. However, labour leader in the state, Dr. Oruge could not be reached to defend this allegation as he was said to have travelled out of the state on official assignment when The Advocate called his office last week. The Rivers state governor, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi while addressing the issue during an interactive session with the media in the state insisted that the Board of Internal Revenue

and officials of the ministry of Finance deviated from the directives he gave concerning the deductions. Though he admitted approving the deductions but differed with the actors on the modalities and time to commence the exercise. According to the Governor, the timing and the modalities for the deductions were wrong. He revealed that the monies when deducted were meant to take care of the statutory social services levy and contributory pension scheme which all civil servants in the state are expected to be part of. However, the explanations of the governor did not impress the workers as some of them alleged that the Board and the ministry officials had ulterior motives other than the reasons given by the Governor. “Otherwise why would a civil servant who has less than two years to retire from service be made to also contribute to the pension scheme when it is obvious that the worker will not complete the mandatory three

years contribution before leaving the service and as such will not benefit from the scheme. What then happens to the money he has so contributed?” they queried. Civil servants in the state have threatened to embark on strike if government failed to reverse its decision to deduct money from their salaries for whatever reason. This threat, The Advocate learnt, forced the Commissioner for finance Dr. Peterside to beat a retreat and ordered the refund of the monies so deducted from the workers' salaries. When The Advocate visited the state Board of Internal Revenue to confirm compliance to the directive of the Commissioner, the chairman refused to entertain questions from the press. Meanwhile, as at the time of going to press last weekend, the ministry of Finance has commenced computation of monies illegally deducted from the salaries of civil servants with a view to refunding them to those affected as directed by the finance commissioner.

y o u t h s w e r e assisted to have their own farms. Speaking in an interview, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Professor Bartho Okolo, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ifeoma Enemuo, noted that the target of the seminar was the students who could face challenges of unemployment after their studies. Professor Okolo expressed hope that the seminar would empower the student to not only get employed but to give employment to others and make Nigeria a better place for all. Also in his speech, the Chief Executive Officer of Anabel Leadership Academy, Mr. Nicholas Okoye explained that the programme entitled :Empower Nigeria” was aimed at shifting the focus of job creation from the role of the government to that of the private sector. Mr. Okoye said that the greatest crisis Nigeria had was unemployment, adding that the problem of insecurity would continue to be challenging if the youths were not engaged in jobs. He noted that with proper guidance, the youths had their own ideas that could get them self-employed. Participants in the seminar were students drawn from different departments of the university.

THE

Monday, February 11 – Sunday, February 17, 2013

ADVOCATE

BUSINESS

PHCN decries poor payment of electricity bills in Bayelsa By Philip Eke, Yenagoa Business Manager of Power Holding Company (PHCN) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Mr. Godwin Orovwiroro has condemned the reluctant compliance of electricity users in the state to pay their tariffs In an exclusive interview with our correspondent in his office, Mr. Orovwiroro expressed sadness that some power-users who occupy single-room apartments with high power consuming appliances will

be dictating to pay between N300 and a little more than that. Drawing analogy from the use of candle, the Business Manager said; “even if you are using a stick of candle which cost N20, such user would end up spending an average of N600.00 in a month. So is it the candle that should be more expensive than electricity? “And in such rooms, it will baffle you that the person could have a fridge, fan, boiling ring and in some cases, electric cooker and uses between 160 and 200 units of electricity”.

Enumerating some of the challenges faced by PHCN in the state, Orovwiroro expressed dismay that in spite of the regular enlightenment campaigns carried out by the company, some users have continued to keep their security lights on even in the day hours, thereby increasing the rate of electricity consumptions. While speaking on the increasing rate of non-professionals who temper with the company's facilities, especially transformers, Mr. Ovovwiroro lamented that some communities have continued to hire the services of illegal electricians who had been damaging their installations while

trying to draw electricity from low tension and removing fuses from transformers. Fielding questions on the compliance of tariff payments, the company's Business Manager posited that though there is nothing wrong in community billing which had also been applied in the state, some community development committees (CDCs) and those elected by communities and streets have made the situation worse, as they, in some instances, collect tariff from users and refuse to make remittance. In some cases, he added, they pay much less than collected amounts, nothing that the community billing system was

stimulated by the non-numbering of houses and naming of streets by concerned authorities. He said on his assumption of office, the state government that took responsibility to pay initial bills of private users was indebted to PHCN to the tune of N2 billion, but pointed out that there were continuous efforts to recover the bill through systematic negotiation. Ovovwiroro said though the company met initial stiff resistance from power users who attacked PHCN's staff on tariff collection, with regular sensitization, the people were gradually becoming more positive in their mindset.

FG to institute maritime intervention fund

HE Federal Government has concluded plans to provide intervention funding for the development of the maritime industry following such intervention to other sectors of the economy. Speaking on the issue in an interview, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Maritime Matters, Mr. Leke Oyewole said that the decision was reached at the Presidential maritime retreat held in Abuja last year. Oyewole disclosed that the report of the retreat was ready and that the President has directed the Economic Monitoring Team to study it and make recommendations that will be brought to him before the funding is made available. Operators in the maritime industry, particularly the local shipping operators, had protested exclusion of the sector in the provision of intervention fund to different sectors of the economy.

Reacting to the exclusion of the maritime sector, Secretary of the Indigenous Ship owners Association of Nigeria, ISAN, Captain Niyi Labinjo said that the government has not shown seriousness to the development of

the maritime sector, adding that this has been the same situation with successive governments. Labinjo noted that over $500million was given to the aviation industry, and $200million given to the entertainment industry

while nothing was given the maritime sector. He stated that the sector was capable of generating five million jobs at any point in time noting that the industry has suffered high level of under development due to the

neglect by past government. He explained that the industry loses more than one trillion naira every year compared to the N100billion lost in the aviation industry.

Immigration uncovers 1,487 illegal routes to Nigeria By Our Reporter

igeria Immigration Service has uncovered about 1,487 illegal routes to the country just as it confirms 84 regular borders. The Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, stated this on Tuesday in Abuja while responding to questions on the porous nature of the nation's borders. The service, he added, had taken steps by patrolling the routes in order to check the illegal

movement of people and goods into the country. Moro said, “Since I assumed office, we have taken deliberate steps in conjunction with National Boundaries Commission to identify our borders and the routes that lead to Nigeria from other countries, and in the process, we have been able to identify 84 regular borders and over 1,487 irregular routes to Nigeria.” The minister, who said the President Goodluck Jonathan

administration was battling with the security challenges facing the nation, noted that the government had taken proactive steps to control the influx of illegal aliens into the country. He added that plans were underway to use the Public Private Partnership model to demarcate further Nigeria borders post with her neighbouring countries to ensure better border management. The minister said, “We are contemplating using the Public Private Partnership model to see how we can construct graders around our borders. As it is today, if you go to many of our land

borders, you hardly can define when you are in Nigeria and when you are out of it, and that is because of the lack of physical structure that will separate Nigeria from the other countries.” Moro promised that within the year, construction work would start at some of the border posts to ensure effective patrols and better border management. On the influx of aliens into the country, the Minister said though the problem was not peculiar to Nigeria, the NIS had not relented in its responsibility of ensuring that unauthorised persons were eased out of the country.

CRIME Bricklayer arrested for raping his daughter By Chioma Jumbo

39-year old bricklayer has been arrested at Ajah area of Lagos State for allegedly raping his 14-year old daughter several times. The suspect, Olanrewaju Wasiu, who lives at Awoyaya in Ajah was arrested by officials of the Office of Youth and Social Development, an arm of the Lagos State Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development. The suspect was brought to the taskforce office by the officials of the state government to be kept in custody and arraigned in court later Wednesday. It was gathered that the suspect allegedly raped her 14-year old daughter (name withheld) twice a week and threatened to kill her if she confided in anyone about the

illicit sexual act. The girl was said to have confessed to the taskforce officials that her father had sex with her twice a week. She further alleged that her father beat her mercilessly any time she refused to have sex with him. The girl disclosed the illicit acts to her school authorities, when they summoned her to the office to enquire about her plight when a teacher saw her crying in the school. She confided in them that her father had been sleeping with her as well as maltreating her. The school authorities reported the case to the state government, which led to Wasiu's arrest, while the little girl remains in government's custody. When contacted, Taskforce chairman, Bayo Sulaiman, confirmed the incident and disclosed that Wasiu would be charged to court Wednesday.

Wasiu admitted that he raped his daughter but only did it on two occasions. According to him, "I did not know what came over me. It is not my fault. I don't know how it happened. It is the devil's work. I

only slept with her twice and twice weekly." He alleged that his daughter tempted him by always sitting on his lap and demanding for fun with him, which was why he carried out

the act. "I beat her because she stole my money. They should forgive me," he said, adding that he had the girl through illicit relationship and that he never married her mother.

Robbers abandon AK 47 riffle after robbing politician of N2m

gang of robbers which launched a dramatic operation in Calabar, the Cross River State capital abandoned an AK 47 riffle after carting away over N2million belonging to a politician. The robbery which took place at a building construction site at Ekorinim, a suburb of Calabar Municipality at about mid morning, weekend, took the politician (names withheld) unawares as he was busy passing instructions to his construction staff when the gang invaded his SUV vehicle and carted away the money inside. The victim brought the money to

pay for the services of a bulldozer and over 15 casual workers at the close of work but the robbers carted away the money while he was at the slope passing instructions to the workers. He said: “When I arrived the plot, I securely locked the doors of my car after I had alighted and walked down to the slope where the bulldozer was piling sand but after some time when I went to the car, it was open and the money was no more there.” He said that while he was passing instructions to the workers who were some distance away from, the hoodlums, “apparently acting on

information swooped on the car, used a master key and unlocked the vehicle and carted away my money”. According to the politician, he and his workers including the bulldozer driver mounted a search operation, only to discover one AK 47 riffle, loaded with a magazine where the bandits had laid ambush. He said he had since reported the matter to thee Police at Diamond Hill and the AK47 recovered. DSP John Umoh, the spokesman for the Cross River State Police Command said the police was carrying out investigation to fish out the hoodlums

THE

ADVOCATE

The war within EME… as Wizkid shocks fans

t's still early in the year; just the second month that announces love and Valentine; no one saw this coming but Wizkid is causing a panic; scaring fans; as rumours continue to swirl even louder that he is walking out on E.M.E; the label that literally gave him life. Because of the deafening silence within the E.M.E label no one can confidently put a finger to the cause of the fracas; all anyone has are the tweets from Wizkid himself. On his twitter handle, Wizkid has removed his management name EME/Konvict to Disturbing LDN (Tinie Tempah) and Godwin Tom his new manager after sacking Osaghie Osarenkhoe. Reports also reveal that Wizkid has moved out of the E.M.E's 'mansion' in Lagos and acquired his own home in Lekki Phase 1, this was shortly after he bought his BMW X6 auto-mobile late last year.Fans particularly were shocked because they had been pacified by BankyW in an interview only some days ago where he (Banky) assured everyone that nothing was amiss; he said all was well in E.M.E.

Monday, February 11 – Sunday, February 17, 2013

Wizkid Trouble within the pack, evidently had been going on for some time now. It is reported that the E.M.E all stars concert which held in December last year pulled through only with the stroke of luck as Wizkid hardly made it to the crews' pre-show rehearsals. His tweets show a disgruntled perhaps frustrated young man and no one knows for sure why. Speculations spew left and right that it has to do with his contract. It alleges Wizkid is

unhappy with the huge amount taken off his income by E.M.E as conditions of his contract. Wizkid is the most selling artist in the E.M.E label. The young star is suspected to be feeling 'used' as a money machine to finance the E.M.E label and the individual careers of other E.M.E acts Skales, Niyola and Shaydee. These speculations further state that E.M.E plans to turn a more stronger attention to it's other artists this year with Skales releasing new videos after the success of his hit single 'Komole'. Niyola has also come strongly in the picture with her video “Don't delay me” steadily gaining momentum in the music-sphere. It is alleged Wizkid is afraid his new album which is in the making could be delayed as a result of this and so has taken his destiny in his own hands. In February last year, D'banj and Don Jazzi called it quits to their Mo'hits empire after months of muted disagreements. We fear this might be the case here. Whatever the reason is for this fall out within E.M.E no one is saying anything yet, but time as always, will tell. What is clearly certain is that this means trouble for E.M.E and for the many careers involved.

Tiwa Savage is engaged!

ensational singer Tiwa Savage has been engaged by her boyfriend/manager Tunji 'Tee Billz on the night she celebrated her 33rd birthday. Tiwa had no inkling that this was coming; she was shocked when in the heat of the party 'Tee Billz went down on his knees in the presence of friends and colleagues and in a very emotional Tiwa Savage voice proposed to her. The moment was witnessed by a Jazzy, Dr SID, Banky W, Beat few celebrity friends, including FM Personality Toolz and several Tiwa's Mavin Records boss Don others.

Tiwa in the past had repeatedly denied any romantic link with Tee Billz who on his own part made no comments either. It's evident now that they'd both been living a lie. At some point it was rumoured that they had gotten married; Tiwa effortlessly stamped it out in her tweets. With this engagement, Tiwa can now heave a sigh of relief as a lot of the pressure from the media and fans will be off her. Big congratulations to them both.

Tuface & Annie Macaulay to Wed March 23rd in Dubai

Tuface & Annie Macaulay Annie announced her wedding week. Happy for the fine date on her facebook page last couple.

Ibari Ogwa village sets for valentine entertainment assembly

bari Ogwa Village, in its usual tradition would be igniting lovers and their loved ones to a scintillating evening of fun and entertainment, come February 14th, 2013. The red attire evening for all comers, which is tagged: Va l e n t i n e E n t e r t a i n m e n t Assembly 2013 would as well hold at the popular Ibari Ogwa Village which is located at #1 Chief Emma Ugorji Street, Off Port Harcourt road, Owerri, Imo State. O b v i o u s l y, t h e management of Ibari Ogwa Village which could proudly boast of their unbeatable record in setting a pace on the country's entertainment map, again staked for all Thomas to visit the place, as they reel out the best of music and comedy for their valued customers. In the same vein, the CEO Mr. Chukwudi Ofoha assures all fun loving Africans of

their comfort, adding that with the management's unalloyed effort in updating their old styles of entertainment and services into new ones that the confectionary will be a place to be on Valentine's Day. In his words, “since we were able to upgrade from entertainment haven east of the Niger into African brand, we will not relent in feting our customers. We know we have gone a long way, and we have realized our current fan base, we will never let our valued admirers and customers down this time,” he assured. Meanwhile, performers like Uche Ogbuagu, Mr. Patrick, Uncle O, Ichie N'Laffingas, XBuster, Silver Crew, Achara Man, Mr. UJ, Asopal, Cindy O, Eva, Ice Babe, Kokoma, Body Language, Uncle JBs, Young Evangelist, Osu Baba and host of others will be thrilling on stage.

I'll always be a politician – Okey Bakassi Celebrity Birthday: Omotola

or some time now, the t a l e n t e d a c t o r, w r i t e r, producer and stand-up comedian, Okey Bakassi has been off the big screen because, he took a break to serve his father land as the Senior Special Adviser on Entertainment Matters to the past Imo state Governor, Ikedi Ohakim. The Imo State born actor is fully back on the trenches.He was spotted in recent new films and has also been participating actively in the affairs of the industry. Speaking recently with HVP, the television and radio presenter said, he prefers showbiz to acting as that will give him what he needs in his career. “ I will prefer to go more into showbiz because, that is what will give me what I need. I am not saying that I cannot act, I can act but it depends on the script. I cannot just jump into

Okey Bakassi any script I see. It is not the quantity of movies you have acted, it is the quality that matters”.The Agricultural Engineer- turnedentertainer attributes his success in acting to his background. Being somebody that grew up in the barracks, he was opportuned to meet

different people from different tribes and he was able to learn how to adapt to such condition thereby building his acting career. He also didn't deny his intentions of jverring into politics. “Every man is a political animal. If the need to serve my father land comes up again, I will not desist from doing that. I am still much willing to serve if the time comes again for me to do so”.The father of three applauded Nollywood's development and contributions in the country's economic development. He said the that the industry has tried so much by giving job to so many Nigerians who would have been jobless roaming the street. He therefor assures his fans to expect more from him especially, more from showbiz

Jalade Ekeinde clocks 35

exy Nollywood actress, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde is today, Thursday, February 7, 34 years old. The actress, after four children, is still one of the sexiest celebrities in Nigeria. She is an international star who is an Amnesty ambassador. She is one of the most sought after screen divas in Africa also with one of the highest pay per movie role. She is reported to be the only Nigerian celebrity with the highest online fan based in Nigeria. Omosexy, as she is fondly called,

is happily married to Captain Mathew Ekeinde, who is a respected pilot in the aviation industry in Nigeria.

Omotola Jalade Ekeinde

THE

ADVOCATE

Monday, February 11 – Sunday, February 17, 2013

2013 Africa cup of nations at quarter finalsa tale of seven West African qualifiers By Okey Anyichie

his 2013 edition of the African Cup of Nations is both colourful and strange. I say this not that the standard of the sixteen teams were all that high, but that this is the first time that seven out of the sixteen teams that qualified for the quarter finals are from one geographical zone. In fact, it was very strange as teams from North Africa namely; Morocco (the 1976 champions) Algeria (the 1990 champions) and Tunisia (the 2004 champions) all crashed out of the race to the quarter finals encounters. The three North Africans failed to qualify from their groups. And this is the first time the Northern African countries had that uncomfortable soccer experience at this continental competition since it started in 1957 and a Northern African country, Egypt, won the cup in that maiden edition of the competition. Egypt had since 1957 gone ahead to win the competition in 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008 and 2010, a total of seven times since 1957. In this 2013 edition Egypt did not even qualify to play among the fifteen African countries in South Africa. That is football, a case of when “god of soccer” failed to smile at the perceived Icon of soccer. However the strangest event of 2013 competition is the avalanche of seven West African countries invaded the quarter finals encounter. It was only South Africa that was an odd qualifier. Hence, Nigeria, Ghana, Cote D' Ivoire, Mali, Togo, Burkina Faso and an island, off the coast of Guinea Bissau called Cape Verde. This 'green horn' of a team was the surprise of soccer commentators at the South Africa’s, AFCON 2013. However, they were eliminated from the quarter final level by Ghana,2-0. South Africa, the odd team in quarter final level was also shown the way out of the competition last Saturday with 31 by Burkina-Faso. Then on Sunday the clash of two West African titans, Nigeria and Cote D' Ivoire. At the end of 90 minutes gallant encounter between the two soccer giants, Cote D' Ivoire was knocked out of the competition by Nigeria with two goals that the Ivorians replied with one goal. The second encounter between another two West African countries of Mali and Togo saw Togo bidding farewell to 2013 edition of the competition in South Africa after conceding a lone goal to Mali. With this situation after the four quarter final matches the semi-

Super Eagles of Nigeria and Drogba of Elephant of Ivory Cost final setting this Wednesday 6th February will be Ghana versus their northern neighbours, Burkina-Faso while Nigeria trading tackles with their name sake of Malian Eagles. Nigeria's Eagles are known as Super Eagles. After the Semi-Finals between the two Eagles, we shall know which one is grounded and the one that will fly to lofty height

to the finals. The answer lies in the efforts of the two teams after 90 minutes of the 'soccer duel' With this setting, the 2013 Nations Cup Soccer Competition will be brought to a grand finale on the 10th of February 2013 being Sunday. And which ever team that would emerge champion of the competition that is 56 years old will join other past champions to

belong to the African Cup Of Nations 'Hall of Fame' since 1957. For the record the four Semi Finalists have antecedents of the AFCON since they started getting involved in the competition. First is Ghana, this West African country hosted and won the competition in 1963 in Accra the capital city and Kumasi, the capital city of ancient

Ashanti kingdom and beat Sudan 3-0. Then came the edition in Tunisia in 1965, Ghana retained the championship after beating the host nation, Tunisia, 2-1. This small but mighty soccer playing country from West Africa 'retired' the first trophy donated by General Mustapha of Egypt in 1957, after it for keeps in 1978 in the finals in Accra. Ghana beat Uganda, 2-0, to set the record of winning the cup three times and thus keeping the cup in their soccer ‘cup-board’ forever. Nigeria was a late entry into the competition in 1963 and kept out of the competition until they resurfaced in Ethiopia in 1976 and won a bronze medal. Then in 1980, as host had a crack at the game, beating Algeria, 3-0 in the finals. In 1994, it was another sweet performance again in the finals with Zambia pipped 2-1, in the final. Will Nigeria shoot into the final and make it the third victorious outing? It remains to be seen. The other two, Mali and Burkina-Faso had little or nothing to write home about in the competition, except Mali that was runner-up to Congo Brazzaville in Cameroun, 1972 after losing 23 to the Congolese. Burkina-Faso hosted in 1998 but came fourth in the competition. This was the situation until the final sought out the winner.

Enugu govt approves N187.3m for sports devt T By Patrick Okolie

he Enugu State Government has approved over N187.3 million for the execution of projects and sports development in the state. The State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Chuks Ugwoke announced this while briefing newsmen at the end of the State Executive Council Meeting chaired by the State Acting G o v e r n o r, M r. S u n d a y Onyebuchi. The Commissioner, who was accompanied by his Ministry of Works counterpart, Mr. Goddy Madueke and SPA on Project Development, Prince Abel Nwobodo (Jnr) said that council gave the approval to ensure a steady implementation of the administration's programs in the state. Ugwoke said of the total amount, the sum of N50, 085,000

is for the execution of the contract awarded to Orion Elevator Limited for the installation of three number eight passenger elevator and 500 KVA Power Generating Set at the State Liaison Office, Abuja. The Commissioner told the press that the installation of the elevator and power generating set became very necessary in the five storey building to enhance its social and economic status and attract more prospective tenants. He also disclosed that over N40.5 million was allocated for the fencing of the State Motor Mechanic Village at Akagbe Ugwu to facilitate movement of the mechanics to the village while more than N47.2 million was for the renovation of the Old Eastern Nigeria Housing of Assembly. He stated that the renovation work which will be through direct labour will not distort the original structure/outlook of the historical monument but will include

Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi renovation of the main building, fencing of the entire premises, renovation of the plant house and procurement of 60 KVA electric power generating plant. Ugwoke stated that N50 million is for the 2013 annual inter-house sports competition in public secondary and technical schools in the state in keeping with Governor Chime's

administration promise to promote grass root sports. He said that successes recorded during last year’s schools sports competition, whose products formed the nucleus of the team that represented the state at the last national sports festival in Lagos necessitated the huge investment in sports development.

I had Cancer of the Nose but now free â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Chime Continued from page 2 to chart his own course but if you have a system in place if a governor comes in, he will build on what is existing. The system in Enugu worked in my absence This was a kind of opportunity to put to test the system we have put in everything kept on happening as if the governor was not on leave, nobody talked about strike, nobody talked about nonpayment of salaries, no contractor agitated over payment of fees, everything and life continued to be normal. It was like we had increased activities in my absence and I can say that I can beat my chest to thank the Deputy Governor who led the team and who ensured that the system worked in my absence. I am happy that we have almost attained that height and when we will be leaving in a few years time, we will be glad we have built a system and it is a good thing to notice that we didn't have problems in spite of all attempts made by our brothers and sisters to undermine us. The government of Enugu state has come to stay; the system put by us has come to stay. My treatment ended officially on December 10, 2012 The treatment officially ended on 10th of December and of course when treatment ends, that is when the real thing starts. When I had commenced treatment, what my doctors said is that I should stay off office for six months, that was their recommendation, but by first week of January when we went to review my state, they were shocked at the recovery rate, they were happy with the recovery, the scan they did showed that the tumour and nose fluid had disappeared completely, not even a scar was left behind. I was declared cancer-free And I won't like to use the expression that they have declared me cancer free, but that was exactly what happened. Cancer is cancer and one will be required to go there from time to time for check up to make sure it does not raise its ugly head again. But as things are now, they have succeeded in curing that disease that was dictated in September last year. Attacks on my staff unfair Coming to my staff, all attacks on them that they were hoarding information and all that was an unfair attack on them. First and foremost, they didn't have all the information, all they knew was that I was going on vacation and I didn't know it was the business of people to know what my activities will be when I am going on vacation. So I decide to use the period of my vacation to take care of myself I don't see how it should concern anybody, I don't see why we should owe anybody any apologies. The important thing is

compiling with the law, making sure that as governor of the state, you ensured that the ship of governance remained on course and not abandoning your people. So, all those of unfair attacks I found a little bit mischievous and actually exposed ignorance of some of our people. I was officially discharged (not on admission) and I am still in the process of recovering, you won't expect to see me tomorrow running but I am fitter now to resume duties, I am fit enough to ensure that government is on course with the assistance of my co-pilots. After addressing the newsmen, Chime called for question if any: How come you did not let the people around you know you were traveling knowing that you are a public officer? I believe it was a similar situation when late president Yar'Adua was here and later died when he was brought back? The truth was that those people, who should know, actually knew. I don't think there is any public officer who goes on leave abroad to take care of health challenges. It is not Nigerian, you are trying to compare it with Yar'Adua situation is unfortunate and wrong. Yar'Adua traveled sick, I didn't travel sick. Cancer is something that you may have, and you look normal and act normal. I wasn't grounded because of the sickness. I was the person that decided on when to attack it. I actually choose the period because I looked at the time table between now and end of my tenure and I said that was the only window I had because at the end of this year, we will be talking about local government local election. I decided on when to attack it. It was not easy for me spending Christmas in London. I was telling somebody the other day that since I was born excerpt during the Nigerian war when everybody was forced out that was the first time that I was spending four months outside Enugu since I was born. It never happened, even when I was in school, even when I did my service. So it wasn't an easy thing to be away for four and half months, but it was in the interest of the people of Enugu state and also myself I as well as the system we are trying to put in place to seek treatment at a time that will not adversely affect that system. It would have been more challenges to the system if I had been away at the time of the local government elections, you can imagine what it could have looked like. That was actually what informed my decision to seek medical attention immediately. It was not an emergency at all. I decided to do it and thank God it is now past. The attacks against me started two

weeks after I left, some people had started writing nonsense, they were not interested in the truth and going on vacation had nothing to do with my going to India and dying there. Why tell the nation that I was hurried into the plane, which it was an emergency that I collapsed. I went to London as somebody feet and proper and unfortunately, they decided to handle the way they choose. Based on your experience, do you have any plan of establishing a cancer clinic at the government hospital? What is your message to the people of the state? L i k e I s a i d e a r l i e r, t h i s government is not about my person but what will be right and what will benefit Enugu people. Right from day one when we came in, I think it is in our four point agenda, we set out to build an ultra modern diagnostic centre. Unfortunately almost three years to the contract period, we were very badly disappointed by our c o n t r a c t o r, I d o n ' t l i k e remembering that but happily we have been able to engage new contractors who are working day and night to ensure that we have such a diagnostic centre that will make provision for all these scanning machines. If we had it in place by the time I traveled, p r o b a b l y, I w o u l d h a v e discovered the cancer in Enugu and not in London. So the important thing is to have this thing in place to know what your problem is. If you are properly diagnosed, you start looking for how to cure yourself. It is not just something Enugu state can do alone, but we want to provide the basic things. The entire infrastructure we are building is to attract investors and once they see a fertile ground they go there. We are praying that we will se an investor who can come here and establish a merger hospital. We will encourage such a venture. Enugu state as a government will not be ale to provide all that. For now we are providing Medicare, something that can sustain our people and we pray that someday we will get there. I will like to thank the people of Enugu state for their patient, their prayers and belief in the system and for being able to rebuff all attempts by enemies to drag the state down and cause trouble. I have to thank the people for being there for us. We will try to provide as much goodies as we are able to afford, we will continue to serve our people to the best of our ability, we will continue to use our resources the best way we can the best way it can serve our people, so that no matter where you are, you will feel the impact of governance. We will not like to leave this place and we will hear that community A or B did not benefit. By the time we leave

government we will like to be having testimonies from even the remotest village in the state that it was this government that gave us light, it was this government that gave us road, it was this government that gave us water, there must be something you must be thankful to government for. That is our aim. So we are here to serve our people. We have two years to round off and the two years, we will use fully. We will work until 29th of May 2015 and we expect that whoever is coming in will be part of the PDP family. There were stories making the round like you said, people confused here and there. People expected you to speak when you came back. So why did you not speak on the day you came back, was it deliberate or part of the strategy? If you were at the airport you would not have asked the question. When the aircraft stopped, looking out through the window, I saw the acting governor with his wife, I saw our own local service chiefs, the commander Garrison, the police commissioner and all that. Everything looked orderly, immediately I alighted from the plane, those people disappeared. I had to stop that I won't move an inch here until I see the acting governor and they made way for him, everywhere was chaos. That was how I saw him. So you expected me in that madness to start addressing press? Of course I entered my car and we came here and relaxed. There is no urgency. I am just doing this in the interest of people who have been misled. There was no opportunity to address the press. Now that you are back, have you written to the House of Assembly to tell them your back and when are you resuming duties? The problem we have is that it is like you prying into the affairs of your neighbour's family. That was exactly what happened. It was a case of people trying to come into Enugu to find out how we run our domestic affairs. We were watching NTA from Uk, there was one person who felt agitated and doubted if the letter was written. He said if the letter was written, there will be record of it in the record of proceedings of the House of Assembly and how the approval was given and I laughed my head. Read your constitution, I don't need the approval of the House of Assembly to go on leave. You are not required to write to the House of Assembly, you are required to write to the Speaker for his information, that you are proceeding on leave and once you are on leave, the Deputy automatically starts acting so that when he approaches the House of Assembly for the budget presentation, they don't turn him back to say we don't know you.

That is the essence of the letter and I am expected that once I came back, I will write to him [speaker] for his information. The constitution is so clear. I am not seeking his approval to resume duties, the constitution is clear. And that is to say, I am back, incase anybody comes to you to ask of the governor. The simple answer to your question is yes, I have transmitted a letter to the House of Assembly, that I am back so that you wont have a situation where you will say we have two captains in one ship. So like you just come here now, you will notice that I did not address the deputy governor as acting governor. So we don't have two captains in one ship so that my orderly will know whom to take instructions from. It is one ticket and once one person is away, the other person takes over. When the Deputy governor is away, I take over his duties, if he comes back, he resumes. To again answer part of your question, it is not true that governors don't stay away for two weeks. The governor of Abia state stays at least one month every year outside. Infact under Obasanjo, there was one governor who was ruling from abroad. Some even ascribed the period to say I have stayed over 140 days and where this is from, I do not know. Some even said I have over stayed a time limit, it was not so in my letter. There was no question of time frame. I am back and I am back. But I will tell you frankly, may be not for any ailment or cancer but if I have the opportunity of doing this again, I will like to repeat it. I have no regret whatsoever, I believe I did the right thing and the comments you people dished out were based on either ignorance or people being just mischievous. I have no business telling you my story; it is not your business. The first colleague of ours that we lost in our first term, the governor of Yobe state, he died in the USA. Who knew about his problem until he died? You don't make it so unattractive, the office of the governor. They are human beings who are entitled to some level of privacy. When I traveled to London in September, I did not travel with anybody, I went alone at least to tell you how stable and fit I was. I didn't go even with my three year old son. My SSA on Investment joined me one week later. I didn't travel with any human being; I was able to take care of myself. I don't need security abroad. What you people did, I am sure will scare a lot of people who would want to be governor in the future. What ailment was not ascribed to me? There was a time they left ailment and said my son was arrested for money laundry and that when I went to bail him, I was arrested in place of my son.. so it is really sad but thank God all that is over.

THE

Vol. 1 No. 14, Friday, February 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Friday, February 8, 2013

ADVOCATE

www.theadvocatengr.com

SPORTS STAR Nwankwo Kanu Efe Ambrose

...for Equity and Justice

Back page comment

End this hoax on State Creation By Okechukwu Alaku

o a large extent the issue of state creation has lingered too long that even the National Assembly and indeed the government have remained unable to stick to its guns. In the event of outrageous demand for states, our distinguished senators should rise above partisan interests to produce a state of its choice. Nigerians are aware of the advantages inherent in state creation and having tested the infrastructural development usually associated with this various voices including those crying louder than the bereaved now shout out their request for a new state. No one, among these late comers ever thought of corruption and mismanagement of resources shrouding the administration in local government nor do they share the belief that they have good dreams for the nation. This led to some few well meaning people advocating for elimination of the third tier of government. As much as the battle for creation of more states has turned a hard task for the Government, an impartial observer would believe that a closer knit relationship binding the country should be on focus as a desired alternative yardstick for state creation. The wisest thing is to create a state in the South East to complement the short fall among other geopolitical zones in the country which have six states except the South East with five states. In line with this trend Adada State which has most support from various groups should be given the nod to complement the cry for marginalization. Fresh survey show that Nigeria's economies are fast

Map of Nigeria growing and with support of International donor agencies including the World Bank UNIDO, among others, our economy will surely attract a draw down of investors to various regional scapes and states of the federation. Returning to regional structure now may not be ideal as proposed by few eminent Nigerians some of who believe that Nigeria was better managed in the past than after the states' creation. Many forces may also be considered while thinking in the direction for today's budgets by the state governments are even higher than what the regional governments then budgeted for the year which shows how buoyant the states are today. Moreover Nigeria's population today has soared and cannot cope with the administration of the past without

people raising an eye brow from various quarters. It is believed that review of the Nigerian Constitution will certainly deal with the registration of Parties' in the country. This will reduce the number of parties for a more healthy competition. On the other hand if the parties can merge like the progressive (ANPP, CAN, DPP, CPC) have initiated in the past a true structure will be built up and have way to a better co-operation among politicians. Our elites as well politicians should see Nigeria like one family and on their individual capacity be steadfast in yielding to activities that bind us and not divide us. The federal character had been the mission of our leaders of the past and we should not deviate from this vision since Nigeria will ever remain a bloc among the black race.

Efetobore "Efe" Ambrose Emuobo (born 18 October 1988) is a Nigerian footballer who currently plays as a centre back for Scottish Premier League club Celtic and the Nigeria national football team. Career Early career Ambrose started his professional career at Kaduna United in 2006 and two years on, he was on loan at Bayelsa United for the 2008/09 season but remained with Kaduna United after helping them win promotion. FC Ashdod Ambrose joined Israeli Premier League club FC Ashdod in June 2010. Ambrose made his debut for the club in a 2-0 loss against Maccabi Netanya and later on his first season, he would score his first goal in a 4-1 loss against Maccabi Tel Aviv on 22 January 2011. Celtic Ambrose joined Scottish Premier League club Celtic in the summer 2012 transfer deadline day, signing a three-year contract. After joining the club, Ambrose praised his new team mates at Celtic for helping him settle down in Glasgow quickly. Ambrose also revealed he studied British football in order to join Celtic by watching both Scottish Premier League and English Premier League games on TV upon hearing about Celtic's interest in him. Ambrose made his debut as a substitute for Celtic captain Scott Brown against Dundee in the Scottish Premier League, a 2-0 victory. He played his full debut against Raith Rovers in the Scottish League Cup, in a 4-1 victory. He scored his first goal for Celtic in a 5-0 win over St Mirren on 20 October 2012. Ambrose would also made his Champions League debut, where he played 90 minutes in a 3-2 win over Spartak Moscow. Ambrose made a mistake in a last minute when he heads in a own goal, in a 2-2 draw against Dundee United on 4 November 2012. After the match, Ambrose says he let himself down and felt that he could have clear the ball away. Ambrose made two starts and played against Barcelona with one game is each a win and lose for Celtic. Ahead of the match against Barcelona, Ambrose says he made a promise to give his best ever performance for the club.After the match, Celtic won 2-1 and Ambrose spoken out the match, that winning against Barcelona was a 'perfect way to celebrate Celtic's 125th anniversary and gave credit to God for the scoreline. International career Ambrose was a Member of the Nigeria national under-20 football team at 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada. He later represented Nigeria U-23 and played two games at the 2008 Summer Olympics. He was called up to Nigeria's 23-man squad for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

Published by THE ADVOCATE Newspapers Ltd, Corporate Office: No. 30 Edinburgh Road, Ogui New Layout, Enugu Phone: 08087631127. Ag. Editor: Uba Ani 07066097362. E-mail: editor@theadvocatengr.com, editoradvocate@ymail.com Website: www.theadvocatengr.com