Enugu workers least paid in Africa, says Osmond Ugwu by Advocate Nigeria

ONLINE Vol. 2 No. 103, October 8, 2014

NIGERIA

N150

Page 2

Enugu workers least paid in Africa, says Osmond Ugwu *Says 'There is no reflection of development in Enugu' *What we earn is a Slave Wage â&#x20AC;&#x201C; TUC Secretary By Ted Peters

nugu State Civil Servants are the least paid in the whole of Africa and they have continued to work under most dehumanizing conditions, President, International Solidarity for Peace and Human Rights Initiative, Comrade Osmond Ugwo, has said. The Human Rights Activist also scored the Sullivan Chime administration low in human development index saying he has not seen a reflection of development in Enugu State going by the indices used in measuring developments all over the world. Comrade Ugwu, a former Chairman of Civil Liberties Organization in the state, lamented in an interview with Advocate Nigeria that in addition to poor remunerations, Enugu civil servants were allegedly denied their basic fundamental rights of expression, assembly and agitation which, he said, was the hallmark of democracy. His words: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I can tell you authoritatively that a Director in Enugu State is paid about N91,000 a month including all allowances. A Director on a middle grade of about three years earns N87,000 as take-home pay and he is not entitled to vehicle and accommodation. If that is the state of the directors you can imagine what workers at the lower cadre are

Continues on page 3

Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State flanked on his right by his deputy, Rev. Ifeanyi Nwoye and Speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Eugene Odo, Mr. Obinna Oji, Mrs. May Oji, left, shortly after he was conferred with the National Honour of the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) by President Goodluck Jonathan, at the International Conference Center, Abuja

Page 7

HORROR Ebonyi man beheads Igbo Community where woman, throws old age is a taboo body into stream Page 23

Page 17

October 8, 2014

NIGERIA

Awgu people oppose zoning of guber slot to Nsukka zone By Ted Peters & Rex Arum

he people of Awgu in Enugu West senatorial zone have strongly kicked against the rotation and zoning of the 2015 governorship slot to Enugu North Senatorial zone by the State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) saying the arrangement was discriminatory. The PDP leadership in the state had zoned the next governorship slot to Enugu North Senatorial zone (Nsukka), saying it is for equity and justice as well as to give the area a sense of belonging. But Awgu people who met under the aegis of Save Awgu Forum Enugu (SAFE) in Enugu last week, insisted that they are the most marginalized people in the state, explaining that allowing the move by PDP to stand would be like keeping them perpetually down and out of power in the state. According to them, there is an unwritten design to rotate power between Nkanu, Nsukka and Udi, leaving out Awgu, stressing that they would resist it with all their might. They rejected the move to have them as part of the proposed Etiti state, stressing that they would remain in Enugu to sort out the imbalances and injustices being meted to them. They vowed to field candidates for all elective positions in the state next year, saying they are willing and ready to work with any group, zone or individual that share in their aspirations, pains and values. But a drama of sort occurred last week as the state government used security officials to prevent the people from holding the summit at the Golden Royal venue as advertised. The well armed security officials had arrived the venue as early as 7.00 am, blocked and occupied the entire premises. Sensing danger however, the group which included former M i l i t a r y a d m i n i s t r a t o r, Commodore Anthony Oguguo, Catholic Priest, Rev Fr Ejike Mbaka, traditional rulers among others relocated to the Ofu-Obi Cultural Centre where the event eventually held. Rising from the maiden edition of their summit in Enugu, indigenes of Awgu, under the aegis of Save Awgu Forum Enugu (SAFE) and led by Emperor Beywood Ibe, said they would no longer fold their arms and watch what they described as “serial marginalization and injustice going on in the state against the people of Awgu”.

They lamented that the marginalization of Awgu had continued despite their contribution to the development of the state and as one of the old divisions that facilitated the creation of the state, stressing that past and present governments had not done anything to address the injustice. For instance, they said that Awgu people had not been considered fit enough to hold even the position of Special assistant in the present arrangement in Enugu, stressing that their son who was appointed a Vice Chancellor of the state university was relieved after five months. The summit had resolved among others to take Awgu people back into the mainstream of Enugu Politics, adding that the present political arrangement of the PDP promotes discrimination and

marginalisation of Awgu people. The statement read by Ibe added: “We are ready and prepared to field candidates of All Elective Positions in Enugu State for the forthcoming 2015 general elections “Having identified our brothers, who are enemies of Awgu, who have been working against the interest of Awgu people, we shall take calculated steps by inviting the wrath of God of Awgu to go after them. “That going forward, we shall no more accept the imposition of candidates for elective and appointive positions due to Awgu local government area by anybody in our party in future “That we are willing and ready to work with any group, zone or individual that share in our aspirations, pains and values. “We call upon our sons and daughters at home and in

Diaspora to rise up, speak out and fight against this monster of opposition, discrimination, injustice and marginalisation of our people now and in future “That unless our grievances are addressed, redressed and the right thing done by the leadership of our party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), we will not hesitate to seek for another platform to realize our collective goals and aspirations. “We shall continue to be loyal to our party (PDP) and as law abiding citizens, uphold democratic ethics and principles in all our dealings. “We reaffirm our position not to play second fiddle again no matter the pressure and determination from our adversaries. “Also, for the umpteenth time,

we reiterate that SAFE remains a Non-Partisan Organisation and has not endorsed any candidate for any position for the next general elections”. Earlier, Oguguo, who was chairman of the event, urged the people of the area to rise and say no to ongoing political plan to “perpetually keep them out of politics and under develop them” He said that history will not forgive them should they fail to take Awgu back to the center of politics in Enugu state, even as they rejected the move to carve them into the proposed Etiti state.

Mbaka laments marginalization of Awgu people Speaking on the political marginalization of Awgu people in Enugu State, Rev. Father Ejike

Camillus Mbaka of the famous Catholic Adoration Ministry, Enugu, said that “people are mistaking the humility of Awgu people for timidity”. According to him, Enugu state made up of Nkanu, Udi, Nsukka and Awgu, has perfectly reduced Awgu into a perpetual beggar with the way things are programmed politically and otherwise. He gave a graphic picture of power distribution in the state, saying that from Nkanu, Jim Nwobodo, Chimaroke Nnamani had ruled as governors in different times, adding that Professor Barth Nnaji had also gone from the area as Minister. Impeached Deputy Governor Sunday Onyebuchi also came from the area and has been replaced by another Nkanu person, Rev Ifeanyi Nwoye. Udi, he added has produced Onoh and incumbent Governor

Sullivan Chime, produced incumbent Minister of Power, Prof Chinedu Nebo, former Minister Fidelia Njeze, an Ambassador, INEC Secretary, Federal Commissioner NPC, Chairman UNTH board among others. For Nsukka, he said that the area has produced a governor, deputy governor, Minister, national chairman of the PDP, national S e c r e t a r y o f t h e P D P, Ambassador, federal commissioner NCC and member TETFUND among others. Mbaka stated that the injustice against Awgu had continued in the present administration to the point that no Awgu person has been found worthy “enough to be named a Personal Assistant to the state governor”. He further gave an insight on how

other positions are allocated in the Chime's government, excluding the people of Awgu: “Speaker of Enugu House of Assembly (Nsukka), Secretary to State government (Udi) Chief of Staff (Nkanu), Commissioners one per local government with four from Udi; Provost College of Agriculture (Udi), Provost College of Education (Nkanu), CMD, ESUT Teaching hospital (Udi) and Liaison Office, Abuja (Udi). Others are President Customary Court, Enugu (Udi), Vice Chancellor ESUT (Nsukka), Chairman PPSMB (Nsukka), Chairman Civil Service Commission (Udi), Chairman ENSIEC (Udi), Chairman LGSC (Nkanu), Rector IMT (Udi), Chairman ESUT Council (Udi), Chairman IMT Council (Nkanu), Chairman ESCET (Udi), Chairman College of Agriculture (Nsukka), Chairman Board of Internal Revenue (Udi), Member National Rural Electricity Board (Udi) and member National Census Bureau (Udi). He stated that the only Commissioner appointed from Awgu in the Chime government was removed without a replacement from Awgu. He reeled out location of eight institutions of higher learning in the state and said that none was cited in Awgu, stressing that Awgu has become a “slave zone”. Continuing, Mbaka said: “Now Nsukka that has remained prominent in the scheme of things has been asked to produce governor in 2015, after which power will return to Nkanu in 2023 and another eight years to Enugu West. “The only one for Awgu probably is current Deputy Senate president, who though not from Awgu is being felt by our people due to his kind heart. But that position they want to remove from us and give to Udi and there is no plan to give us anything in government; we will stand to resist this, it will not happen any longer. We cannot continue to suffer in the midst of plenty”. Mbaka, who could not hide his anger over the inability to access the earlier venue scheduled for the occasion (Golden Royal Hotel), said it was part of the plot to marginalize the area, stressing however that he “pity those behind the act, especially our son at the State Assembly being used by a woman to perpetrate the evil against his people”. The Catholic Priest told the people that time had come for them to wake up from their slumber and reposition the area in the scheme of things in the state. Leader of SAFE, Chief Chris Baywood Ibe, said the summit

Continues on page 11

October 8, 2014

NIGERIA

Enugu workers least paid in Africa, says Osmond Ugwu Continued from front page earning in the state. “Enugu state workers are not only the least paid in the entire country but in the whole of Africa. I have carried out a survey on this and I can confirm to you that our workers are in penury. “Apart from the condition of service being the poorest, the condition under which they work is most dehumanizing. They don't have tools with which they work. Even those in the other sectors like teaching and medical, are suffering the same thing. That is why those in the medical and teaching profession have been protesting and threatening industrial actions. “The most worrisome of it is that they are denied their basic fundamental rights of expression, assembly and agitation, which is the hallmark of democratic practice in the world. Enugu state is therefore as dictatorial as military dictatorship. “The fundamental rights of the workers are being violated and they are in penury and that has invariably affected the entire population of the state because it is the workers that feed other sectors of the state. Enugu is not an industrial state; Enugu operates a civil service economy and other persons earn their living from the pay of the civil servants.

No development in Enugu “The developmental process in the state is at zero level. It is only road projects that you can see as only developmental project that takes place only in the metropolitan Enugu North, South and East councils. “In Enugu State today, nobody hears about the local government, whatever things going on in Enugu state are being credited to the governor, which means that the local governments are not working. “It is high time people begin to look at the developmental policies of the state so as to be able to hold the government accountable for the resources that come to the state. If the councils are not performing their roles they should be made to account for the funds they receive.” Continuing, Ugwu said: “I do not see a reflection of development in Enugu state going by the indices used in measuring developments all over the world which is known as human development index. If you use human development index to assess development in Enugu State, definitely the state will score zero. “These indices can be identified from the Millennium Development Goal (MDG). If

Gov. Chime you look at the provisions of the MDG, you will see clearly that the state cannot score any point in terms of development because the development is measured by the level of quality of living of the people.

“So, if development programme is not reflecting on the quality of security, education, health, dietary intake of the population, freedom and liberty of the people, among other things, definitely there is no human development

and this cannot be found in Enugu State, and that is why the level of poverty is too high in the state. “There is no job, those in the services their salary is too poor and there is high level of decay within the institutions and facilities in health and education sector. Apart from vehicles provided for the police, the Neighborhood Watch groups are not provided with facilities and necessary training and that is why you see a lot of armed robberies in Enugu both day and night and yet the government claims Enugu is the most secured state. The reality on ground does not support the claim. “The policemen patrol the highways but they don't get to the hinterlands where the people live and that is where the crime wave has been on the increase in the state.” Reacting to the disruption of the recent meeting of the S a v e Aw g u Forum, Enugu ( S A F E ) convened at the Golden Royal Hotel, Enugu by policemen acting on the orders from Government House, Enugu, Comrade Ugwu said that a situation whereby people can no

longer assemble peacefully has invariably portrayed “Enugu state as a dictatorial state and I call on the entire people of the state to rise up and defend the rights of the people and democracy.” “That is the only way people can think about enjoying the dividends of democracy. Enugu state as it is now is a pariah state because it is against the existence of the people and this should be resisted by all.'

Enugu workers earn Slave Wage When Contacted, Comrade Theo Obasiani, State Secretary of the Joint Negotiating Council, JNC, of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, painted a gloomy picture of what civil servants in Enugu State had passed through under the Chime administration. He said that workers in the state had been earning a “Slave Wage” while the state government had been maintaining poverty rather than alleviating it, expressing regrets that all efforts made by labour leaders to get a living wage

Continues on page 8

Current Enugu State Salary Chart obtained from the Ministry of Finance

October 8, 2014

THE

NIGERIA

EBHA urges politicians not to heat polity By Damian Ike

oliticians in Ebonyi state and Nigeria have been advised to o ff e r r e s t r a i n t w h i l e conducting their political activities to avoid acts that would heat the polity and cause disaffection. Members of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly made the urge during its plenary on Friday, as Chief Odefa Obasi, representing Onicha West constituency moved a motion towards that effect. Odefa urged the House to advise politicians on dangers of making unguarded comments and indulging in unwholesome political activities.

“Next year's elections are around the corner, so politicians should not heat the polity, as the country is presently battling with the control of Ebola Virus Disease and insurgency in the North-East zone. He warned politicians especially some of them in the state, against endangering the existing peace and overall development in the state in order to realize their ambitions. “Parties are presently outlining their various guidelines, politicians are therefore advised not to jump the gun but wait for the appropriate time before embarking on their activities. Mr Chike Ogiji

representing Ikwo South constituency said that the motion does not seek to restrict individuals' right of association and other activities but carrying them out peacefully. “Power comes from God and the people have the right to vote for individuals of their choices, as politicians cannot achieve success through violence. The members of the House also commented on the motion and commended the state government for its various infrastructural and social strides. Mr Chukwuma Nwazunku, The Speaker of the House commended the members for their contributions and noted that only a peaceful atmosphere would ensure the success of next year's elections.

A'Ibom State Professionals mobilizes support for good governance ? Donates over 22,000 textbooks to schools By Christopher Okon, secondary and tertiary institutions in the state to Uyo

he league of Akwa Ibom State Professionals is duty bound to promote reliable collaboration mechanism between the state government and her citizens as well as mobilize support for good governance. The chairman, Comrade Mbuotidem B. Affia mad this known in his address during the maiden inaugural lecture held at Le'Meridien Hotel, Uyo. He said their efforts towards these regard have been felt in diverse sectors of our economy and education with the recent delivery of more than 22,000 copies of free textbooks in different disciplines in primary,

support of the state government free and compulsory education programme. According to him, “I want people to assist in attracting more small scale industries to the state through proposals as well as know-how to provide entrepreneurial skill and industry to reduce endemic poverty and provide gainful employment opportunities for the terming populace. He said they would not disappoint the people but continue to work diligently to achieve their purpose, leaving a mark that generations would continue to remember while enjoining all professionals not to stand in isolation but to see the

league as an avenue to promote their wealth of experience for growth and development. E a r l i e r, A k w a I b o m Secretary to the state government, Mr. Udom Emmanuel encouraged them to always continue their good aims and objectives and advised them to emulate governor Akpabio's leadership style as the league would surely go places adding that their members should work as a team to achieve their purpose. He said the state is a safe haven for investment, because of its natural resources and very attractive economic policies since the life of the present administration and called on investors to invest in the state assuring them of no crisis.

Obasanjo goes back to school to study Christian theology

Anosike Nancy Name: Name: Okoli Brenda 10th August DateHobby: of birth:Modeling and Acting Dancing & listening to music Hobby: Likes: Honesty Likes: Honesty, Humbleness Dislike: Dishonesty Dislike: Dishonesty & Pretence Email: brendyo417@yahoo.com Occupation: Student Source: st santos productions Email: anosikebeauty@yahoo.com

07067899677

igeria's former P r e s i d e n t , O l u s e g u n Obasanjo, is set to go back to school for a higher degree in Christian Theology. Mr. Obasanjo on Tuesday formally enrolled as a graduate student at the headquarters of the National Open University of Nigeria in Lagos. Having obtained a Post Graduate Diploma in 2009, Mr. Obasanjo will now be working towards a doctorate degree, beginning

first with a Masters degree, Mr. Obasanjo confirmed he was returning to school. He said it was important for him to make some commitments towards achieving his aspirations in life. “I'm going back to school because I have to have something to aspire to in every endeavour of life,” Mr. Obasanjo said. “I always aspire to something new in my farm. I do that in my international activities. I do it in my writing. I do it in the improvement of my

academic work which helps to sharpen my brain and strengthen my faith.” When asked how he was going to cope combining his studies with his tight international engagements, Mr. Obasanjo said he would take advantage of the flexibility of the National Open University's system. “Fortunately, the Open University is flexible enough and I will definitely be able to cope. I was able to cope when I did the Post Graduate. I was also busy during the period,” he said.

October 8, 2014

NIGERIA

UNN to author Chukwuma, Innoson Chairman's biography …Innoson donates building to UNN Business Admin Faculty By Ted Peters

he multi-million naira Faculty of Business Administration building of the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, donated by the Chairman of Innoson Group of Companies, Chief Dr. Innocent Chukwuma, has been commissioned. Vice Chancellor of UNN, Professor Benjamin Ozumba, speaking during the commissioning ceremony at the Enugu campus attended by members of the academic community, expressed deep appreciation for the magnanimity of the donor, Chief Chukwuma who, he said, had contributed immensely to the advancement of education in the country. He directed UNN writers to commence the biography of Chief Chukwuma to enable young Nigerians learn from his endowed entrepreneurial and business skills. Ozumba said: “I want to thank specially Chief Dr. Innocent Chukwuma for his magnanimity in donating this building. It is not everybody that has money or resources that is willing to give but Innoson has in his quest to further education in Nigeria especially business education where he has distinguished himself remarkably by donating this building. “From outside I could not appreciate the magnitude and beauty of this building but when I went inside I saw the classrooms and auditorium and I know that this building will make a difference in academics, intellectualism and advancement of business not only in University of Nigerian but in Nigeria. “Chief Chukwuma has blazed the trail as a successful businessman by being the first Nigerian that set up motor manufacturing industry successfully. I am hereby commissioning our writers to write the biography even at this early stage of Chief Dr. Innocent Chukwuma so that young people will read it and he will stand out as an icon, to see how he was able to achieve so much. It is said that achievements made by great people were not made by sudden flight but they work at nights while others slept. I was able to observe that life has not been a bed of roses for him (Chukwuma), he has had to cross many oceans and many rivers to get to this height and today we are beneficiaries of his largesse.” The UNN VC prayed God to reward Chukwuma for his good gestures just as he urged him to give opportunity to UNN students

Chief Dr. Innocent Chukwuma, Chairman Innoson Group (3rd from right), Professor Benjamin Ozumba, Vice Chancellor of UNN (3rd from Left) and staff of the university during the commissioning of the Business Admin Faculty Building donated by Inooson on Thursday to do internship in his chain of businesses “to see how things are done, to study him and acquire practical experience in entrepreneurship.” “Mark you, Dr. Chukwuma is an entrepreneur per excellence. In his curriculum vitae you will not see that he studied Engineering

but he has beaten all the people who have done their PhDs in Engineering. “It is in recognition of his excellence that several universities are now competing to give him their honourary degrees. The UNN will never forget him for this largesse and I believe

indeed generations to come will continue to point at this building that will serve as an icon,” Ozumba said. Earlier while commissioning the building, Chief Chukwuma said that he embarked on the project in his humble quest for promoting the pursuit of academic

excellence in the country. He urged staff and students of the Department of Business Administration to utilize the building judiciously towards the development of business education in the country. Chukwuma, who recalled that he had donated other buildings to some academic institutions including the one recently built for the General Studies department of Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, said that despite competing financial needs, he had continued to invest in education in realization of his avowed commitment toward quality upbringing of the youths The Dean, Faculty of Business Administration, Professor Justie Nnabuko, in her remarks expressed the gratitude of the staff and students of the department to the donor, who she said, commenced the project in 2008 following an appeal made to him by the former Dean, Chief John Eze. “We are here today to commission this building with our hearts filled with gratitude to this illustrious son of our land who has magnanimously shown us love. If he did not love us, his academic family, he will not bestow on us his hard earned money to use. Our prayer for him is that God will continue to shower him with favour in all areas of his business, riches untold so he will continue to give divine health, grace and mercy all his lifelong,” said elated Professor Nnabuko.

S-East, S-South retired war-affected police officers protest underpayment of benefits By John Matthew

he Nigeria police officers from the South-East and South-South states of the country who served in Biafra and were formally retired following the Presidential Amnesty granted them on May 29, 2000 have cried out against the alleged underpayment of their retirement benefits. The over 1,000 affected police officers have therefore appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to intervene in order to ensure that justice was done to the case so as to bring their 14 year's agitation for the payment of the retirement benefits “to a glorious and early end.” The retired officers alleged that the Police Pensions Office, Abuja misinterpreted and misapplied the letters and spirit of the Presidential Amnesty by erroneously predicating the date of their retirement as taking effect from January 15, 1970 contrary to the Amnesty Provision that May 29, 2000 was the approved date of retirement.

In a statement signed by the National Chairman of the Association of R e t i r e d Wa r Affected Police Officers South-East and South-South States of Nigeria ( A RWA P O ) , Barrister Matthew Udeh, the retired police officers lamented that their members were grossly underpaid gratuities by the Police Pensions Office on account of t h e w r o n g interpretation of the Presidential Amnesty. They alleged that the affected officers that have so far received their entitlements were grossly underpaid monthly pensions while more than half of the 1,000 retired police officers were disqualified from earning their deserved pernsions by the Police Pensions Office. “They have not

President Jonathan paid over 50 retired police officers any benefit whatsoever since payments started in 2007,” they added. The association said that its delegation had pointed out to the

Director-General Pensions Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) “that Military Pensions Authority interpreted the letters and spirit of the amnesty correctly and are paying ex-Biafran soldiers who are similarly covered by the Presidential Amnesty full retirement benefits by deeming each military officer retired on May 29, 2000 as having served for 35 years, by virtue of the amnesty.” They, however, appealed to the PTDA DG to correctly interpret and apply the letters and the spirit of the amnesty as the military authorities had done and recomputed and pay to the retired war-affected police officers or the next-ofkin of dead officers, accumulated arrears of balances of their full retirement benefits (gratuities and pensions). The retired officers also urged the PTAD to urgently “compute and pay full retirement benefits to officers or their next-of-kin who have not been paid even a mite

October 8, 2014

NIGERIA

Ray Nnaji returns to court to determine authentic leader of Enugu PDP

ormer National Auditor of the Peoples Democratic P a r t y ( P D P ) , M r. Raymond Nnaji has dragged the leadership of the party at the national and state levels to court asking it to determine the authentic leadership of the party in Enugu state. Nnaji, a lawyer, who claimed he was the duly elected state chairman of the party in 2008, told Journalists in Enugu that he decided to go to court to relist the suit which was suspended in 2008, following certain ugly developments at the state chapter of the party. He alleged that the Governor Sullivan Chime and his Chief of Staff, Ifeoma Nwobodo have “killed the party and politics of the state” through their conduct, stressing that there was need to recover and restructure the party. Nnaji had on Monday filed an application asking the Federal High Court, Enugu to join the party's national chairman, Adamu Muazu, national secretary, Adewale Oladipo and South East zonal chairman, Austin Akobundu in the suit. He warned the Vita Abba-led state executive to steer clear of further actions on 2015 polls until the matter was resolved.

Barrister Ray Nnaji He filed the suit first in 2008 after a parallel congress of the party in Enugu which produced him and Abba but the matter could not be resolved following an appeal against the ruling of the court on preliminary objection on the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the matter raised by Abba. Later in 2010, the suit was adjourned sine die, pending the determination and hearing of the

appeal filed by Abba. Abba was said to have withdrawn the appeal and same was struck out by the court. Following the development, Nnaji had approached the court for the re-listing of the matter which was formerly in Court 1 and the Court on Monday gave its approval and transferred the matter to court 2 for hearing. Although no date has been fixed for fresh hearing of the suit,

Obiano hosts GUS TV Reality Show participants By Uche Chukwu, Awka

he improved security situation and enabling environment provided to attract investors and tourists to Anambra State by the present administration have once again turned the State into a beehive of activities, the latest being the choice of the State as host to this year's edition of Gulder Ultimate Search TV Reality Show holding in Aguleri, Anambra East Local Government Area. An elated governor of the State, Chief Willie Obiano could not hide his feelings about the development and told the organizers and participants whom he hosted during a courtesy call at the Governor's Lodge, Amawbia mid week that the State has huge tourism potentials for exploration. Governor Obiano said most of the sites including the Ogbunike Cave have numerous appeals and bring people closer to nature. He commended the team for their wisdom in choosing Aguleri and Anambra State for the Show, assuring that they would enjoy secured, peaceful and serene environment throughout the duration of the search.

Gov. Obiano The governor who gave historical facts of the community noted that the visit would offer them opportunity to widen their knowledge and understanding of the State and Aguleri. He explained that the Pillars of Development and their enablers of his administration were designed to expand scope of

investment, create employment and fresh windows o f r e v e n u e generation. Governor Obiano enjoined Nigeria Breweries, the Brewers of Gulder Beer, that sponsors the programme to extend their investment to the State as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility as the State offers huge market to their various products. Earlier, the Corporate Affairs Adviser of the C o m p a n y, M r. Kufre Ekanem noted that they chose the State and Aguleri because of the secure and conducive environment as well as remarkable achievements recorded by the Obiano administration. Mr. Ekanem who observed that the State had become a reference point in the country assured that they would use the programme to showcase the remarkable achievements, recorded by the State to the outside world.

Nnaji stated that the matter had been delayed due to the absence of a Judge at the Court 1 of the federal high court, Enugu. The last Judge was moved in February this year. He told Journalists Tuesday that until the matter was resolved, all the claims by anybody on the 2015 elections in the state was not genuine, insisting that he decided to give life to the matter because “Governor Chime and his Chief of Staff, Ifeoma Nwobodo are messing up PDP in the state”. Said Nnaji, who is an Enugubased legal practitioner and politician: “The issue of political structure of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu state has not been resolved; the matter was sometime suspended because there was an appeal by Vita Abba, who lost at the federal high court challenging the jurisdiction of the court. “Along the line, he withdrew the application and it was struck out.

Now the matter has resumed at Court 1, there is no Judge in court one presently and we have to apply for transfer to Court 2 which has been approved and a date is being awaited. The matter was filed in 2008 and adjourned sine die in 2010, pending an appeal withdrawn and struck out. “I want to tell you that the matter is alive and whoever is doing anything while the matter is alive is wasting his time. If anybody doing anything now on the ground that there has been another congress since then, he should go and read Omehia Vs Amaechi and know what Supreme Court says when a matter is pending in court”. On the endorsement of Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as consensus governorship candidate of the PDP in the state, Nnaji said: “The party constitution did not say you should select. If Chime thinks he can handpick anybody, he is making a great mistake because the issue of the party structure in Enugu state is yet to be resolved by the court. All that they are doing is to cause problems in the state. They want people to believe that something is happening when nothing is happening. Chime and his Chief of Staff have killed Enugu politics and what they are doing now is killing PDP and pretending they are helping the party.”

FRSC commander tasks officers on improved Zonal corps' rating By Damian Ike

r Samuel Obayei, the Federal Road Safety Corps, Zone 9, Zonal Commanding Officer has urged officers under his command to work hard to improve on their corps' annual zonal rating. The Zonal commanding officer gave the urge in Abakaliki when he addressed officers of the Ebonyi sector command during a familiarisation tour of the command. He noted that the present 7th position of the zone out of the 12 zonal commands in the country was unacceptable, as the officers are expected to redouble their efforts to reverse the trend. “It is expected that we would be the best among the zonal commands in the country and to achieve this, the zone would continue to reward committed and dedicated officers while punishing erring ones. He noted that the command would continue using churches, mosques, schools and other sources to disseminate information to the public on the need to obey traffic regulations. “Theses sources would help us in

enlightening the public to shun over speeding, overloading, drunk and careless driving, dangerous overtaking, making calls while driving, among others. Obayemi noted that the zone on its own, would intensify its patrols to educate the public to ensure the functionality of their tyres, wipers among others, especially this rainy season. “I solicit the assistance of special marshals, road safety clubs among others, in the task of properly enlightening the public to obey traffic regulations. He noted that the task of ensuring safety on the roads is a collective one that involves all stakeholders, as everybody must work together to achieve the goal, especially this rainy season. The Ebonyi Sector Commander of the corps, thanked the zonal commander for the visit and promised that the officers would redouble their efforts in improving the fortunes of the corps. “Motorists in the state are enjoined to cooperate with the corps in ensuring that road accidents are reduced in the state for the benefit of all. The states under the zone include: Ebonyi, Enugu, Abia and Enugu states.

Enugu depot closure:

NUPENG President laments impact on members By Augustina Eze

resident of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Igwe Achesi has lamented the closure of the Enugu Depot of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), saying that the closure has had serious economic effects on members of the union. Achesi, who briefed journalists in Enugu, said the telling effects of the closure cut across all the states under the region the depot used to service such as Enugu, Ebonyi, Anambra, Benue and Kogi. “Honestly, economically, it has affected members in Enugu State, more especially, the neighbouring states across the region where the Enugu depot served – talking about Ebonyi, Anambra, Benue, Kogi states. Most of them come over here to lift their product. It has gone a very long way to affect them economically,” he said. He added: “You will agree with me that a lot of individuals have also lost their jobs.” The closure followed the incessant activities of vandals on the oil pipeline that supplied Enugu depot from the Aba depot. “What has caused Enugu depot to find itself where it is today is because of pipeline vandalization of the line that supplied the product to Enugu depot from the Aba depot,” Achesi said. Our reporter learnt that there was alleged collaboration between security men who were asked to man oil pipelines and the vandals; hence the vandalization went on endlessly till the closure of the depot by the federal government some eight years ago. For now, no one is sure when it will be reopened. He recalled that in those days when the Enugu depot was full of activities, the workers there used to find life there full of fun, although the reverse is the case now that the place is closed. “Of course, you are aware, like I keep saying when the depot ws viable and vibrant, and activities were going on, it was fun. I remember that it created a lot of jobs for Enugu citizens – those who were cooking 'mama put', those who were around the depot looking for one small job assistance or the other,” he said. Achesi, who said he is currently aspiring to be President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in February 2015 , also said he would bring harmony into the nation's labour system and ensure the welfare of Nigerian workers. He said: “There are a lot of new things to bring in by the grace of God. For me, I think the incumbent President, Abdulwahab Umar has done so well, and every new leadership must come with a new idea in terms of how to move the Nigeria Labour Congress forward. One of the few key things is to bring harmony to the system, trying to make sure we bring all affiliates together to also move Nigerian workers forward and Nigeria as a whole.”

October 8, 2014

NIGERIA

How Ugwuanyi emerged Enugu PDP consensus guber candidate

Chime last Sunday where he got

*NASS members, Enugu residents hail his nomination the approval of the lawmakers to in the *I'm aspirant for Enugu governorship seat – Ayogu Eze fly the party's flag governorshi *Enugu North PDP caucus fault Eze p poll. By Ted Peters & Augustina Eze

The member representing Udenu/Igbo-Eze North Federal Constituency of Enugu State, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, last weekend, emerged as the People's D e m o c r a t i c P a r t y, P D P, consensus candidate for Enugu State in the 2015 governorship election. His endorsement, which elicited a lot of excitement among the people of the state, followed a meeting convened by Governor Sullivan Chime and attended by all the gubernatorial aspirants and party stakeholders from Enugu North Senatorial zone. Chime had summoned the meeting to dialogue with the stakeholders and the numerous gubernatorial aspirants from the zone on the possibility of selecting a consensus candidate in order to reduce bitterness among the aspirants. Participants at the meeting, however, endorsed Ugwuanyi, who is the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Marine, with an appeal to other contestants to support him. The Enugu North PDP Caucus said the choice of Ugwuanyi popularly called Gburugburu was a welcome development as he has the capacity to move the state to another level after the current regime. A member of the caucus, Jude Eneh, described Ugwuanyi as a humble and peace-loving gentleman, who would build bridges, sustain the development in the state and keep the PDP

intact. Before Ugwuanyi's endorsement, an insider source said that the lawmaker would be chosen because the governor had pleaded with the caucus that he preferred a candidate who would unite the party and sustain his administration's development. Chime reportedly advised the members of the caucus to lay out a plan to bring out a consensus candidate who would be presented to the other zones before the state caucus and the State Executive Committee of the party for endorsement. Following the governor's intervention, it was learnt that the state chairman, who was also an aspirant, Engr. Vita Abba, addressed the caucus and stepped down for Ugwuanyi. Abba reportedly told the meeting that Ugwuanyi was the most suitable aspirant since he possesses the virtues the party expected from its candidate. After the chairman stepped down, nine of the other 11 aspirants also stepped down and the caucus requested that a motion be moved for his adoption as the consensus candidate. Chief Fidel Ayogu, however, moved the motion and it was seconded by the former Deputy Governor Okechukwu Itanyi. Before the motion was adopted, the governor reportedly asked the aspirants if any of them was opposed to it. The motion was unanimously adopted by a voice vote when there was no objection. Those who stepped down for Ugwuanyi are Abba, Eddy Ugwu, Chief Okechukwu Itanyi, Pat

A t t h e meeting held in Abuja and attended by Governor Chime, the t h r e e senators and all members of the House o f Representati ves from the state, the lawmakers reportedly said that they w e r e comfortable w i t h Ugwuanyi's nomination as they have nothing against his e m e rg e n c e as the party's Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi consensus gubernatorial candidate for the Asadu, Prince Mathew Agu, partry. Ambassador Fidel Ayogu, Prof. B u t S e n a t o r Ay o g u E z e , Osita Ogbu, Chief Ikeje Asogwa, C h a i r m a n o f t h e S e n a t e Prof. Simon Ortuanya and Dan Committee on Works, who had Onyishi. declared his interest to contest the Chime advised Ugwuanyi to governorship election, had before mend fences with those who the meeting addressed reporters at refused to step down for him. Abuja where he insisted that he Ugwuanyi has reportedly visited would not withdraw from the one of those who declined to step contest on account of the down, Eugene Odo, the House of endorsement of Ugwuanyi as Assembly Speaker. He held a consensus candidate. He said that closed-door meeting with him but remains an aspirant in the race for the outcome of the meeting was n e x t y e a r ' s E n u g u S t a t e not made public. governorship seat. Eze opposed Ugwuanyi has also met other PDP the alleged endorsement of stakeholders in the state including Ugwuanyi. his colleagues at the National Assembly along with Governor

Igbo cattle going into extinction, says UNN don

he Head of Department of Animal Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Professor Arinze G. Ezekwe, has decried the rapid decline in the production and productivity of the Igbo cattle otherwise known as muturu cattle in the southeast zone of Nigeria. Prof. Ezekwe said if nothing was done to check the decline of the animals (efi or ehi as people call it in some Igbo communities) in the zone, the future generation might not set eyes on them again because the animals would have gone into extinction. Addressing participants during a workshop on conservation of Muturu cattle breed in the southeast zone, in Enugu, he said it was regrettable that the Biafra-Nigeria war was one of the major factors that affected

the Igbo cattle (muturu cattle) when soldiers on both sides of the war sacked communities and killed the cattles which they used as food. The workshop was organised by the Federal Government in collaboration with the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) in the south rain forest of Nigeria comprising mainly some parsts of the southeast and the southsouth geo-political zones of the country. Prof. Ezekwe explained that “The relevance or the significance of this workshop is born out of the fact that the muturu cattle which is synonimous with Igbo cattle appears to be going into extinction because the number is drastically going down.” He added that “the government is keen on reversing the trend

now,” hence the workshop was to sensitise the people again to see what could be done to “reverse the trend in the declining of the population of the animal.” He further explained: “The Hausa people call it muturu because muturu means small – but the English name is West African suck-horn, and our people call it Igbo cattle (efi or ehi). In many communities in Igbo land, the cattle is reverred, used in so many traditional and cultural activities. And with declining population, the fear is that if nothing is done to reverse the trend, then future generations may come to see that there is no more Igbo cattle again.” Prof. Ezekwe recalled that in 1992 when the last census conducted by government on livestock in Nigeria by Resource Inventory Management Limited, the population given for muturu

cattle then was 115,000 all over Nigeria. “By now it must be lower than that number. So that is the problem; it is not even up to 200,000,” he lamented. Ezekwe said it was unfortunate that presently in some Igbo communities where the the Igbo (muturu) cattle exist, the animal was being kept by older people of , say, in age brackets of 50, 55, 60 and above, insisting that the younger generation must show interest in sustaining the animals otherwise they would go into extinction when the older generation finally retired or passed on. Also speaking at the workshop, the Director, Animal Production and Husbandary Services in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Ademola Raji said the Federal Government was determined to ensure the nation's selfsufficiency in food production in general and beef meat from muturu cattle breed in particular.

October 8, 2014

NIGERIA

Enugu workers least paid Continued from page 3 from the government had yielded no dividends. H e a r h i m : “ We a r e v e r y uncomfortable with what is happening in this state as far as the welfare of workers is concerned. We have been saying that the wage earned by civil servants here is unfair, an unjust wage and the whole thing boils down to 'poverty maintenance wage'. We have tried our best to solve this problem but the government is not willing to address it. “What is happening in Enugu State is maintenance of poverty and not reduction of poverty. We are just maintaining poverty in Enugu State because on 25th of every month the wage is paid to enable the workers to continue to maintain their poverty and not alleviating it because what they e a r n i s meaningless. “ We h a v e dialogued with government and we thought our last discussion will end this quagmire but unfortunately the government could not do anything tangible to improve the salary paid to workers. “The last salary chart the government brought had many flaws which we drew their attention to and they saw with us that there were many flaws but unfortunately up till this time I am talking to you government has not done anything to rectify the anomalies in that particular chart. “What we have in Enugu state is almost a slave wage. In most states of the federation nobody is talking about whether it is a review, increase or minimum wage, other states that have the interest of workers at heart are talking about how to increase or improve on what they have yet in Enugu State we are still talking about minimum wage. “Using the salary chart in the South East as yardstick for salary payment Enugu is the least. Even some 'analogue states' that do not earn revenue like Enugu, which has digitalized revenue collection system, are paying more than what Enugu is paying her workers. We have appealed to them, we have talked to them and still talking to them and we are saying let us dialogue and resolve this matter but the government seems not interested in what we are saying.

“Since 2011 the federal and other state governments have improved on the salary structures for their workers but Enugu State has remained static claiming that it is implementing minimum wage bill and it is very unfortunate. This has subjected the workers in the state to perpetual poverty. The government is only maintaining poverty and not alleviating or reducing it. What we earn is a slave wage “The flaws we pointed out to the government at our last meeting was that the government is not implementing the minimum wage but the government claimed it is paying N22, 000 as minimum wage against the approved N18,000 for workers on Grade Level 1 step 1. We pointed out that they were not because at the end what the worker on that lowest grade level earns is just N18,000. “They never paid N22,000 because there is nowhere in Enugu where anybody can pay N1,500 f o r accommodati on not even for a one r o o m apartment yet t h e government pays N1,500 as rent allowan ce. The normal graduation ought to be done in the salary chart are not there. So what they are paying is not realistic and they have failed to understand this.”

The wage we need Continuing, Comrade Obasiani said: “We believe in dialogue first, jaw-jaw and not war-war. We have written to the government drawing their attention to the anomalies which they said we should go back and midwife a realistic chart and we have since done that. But unfortunately they are now saying it was not incorporated in the 2014 budget. We told them to do a supplementary budget or virement to correct the anomalies. We also know that there were so many expenditures that the government had implemented that were not contained in the 2014 budget but we are not going to those areas. “What we want is a fair realistic wage for the workers. So we have called them and we are still calling

on them. The problem is not from us and we have said that let it not degenerate to the point of the handshake becoming a hand shove.”

Wage comparison In the entire country Enugu is the lowest in terms of salary payment, including states that are not oil

“But in Enugu State September 2011 salary of workers is still being held by the government for insisting on No Work No Pay. The government withheld the salary during the Minimum Wage agitation strike by Enugu workers. “We have called on them to pay the salary. It is not a question of implementing a policy without considering its consequences. There had been agitations by ASUU and other trade unions in Nigeria yet such policy was not implemented against the affected workers. Why should the poor workers in Enugu be subjected to such punishment? Why should government ignore the cries of the less privileged that only agitated for improvement of their welfare? The government should pay the outstanding salary without further delay. It is however, very unfortunate that the government later adopted a divide and rule style as it paid some of the workers secretly and left majority to suffer. “We have been appealing to the government to pay the salary because the money is not what they cannot pay. To ensure industrial peace in the state let them pay. Workers have been friendly to this government even when the government has antiproducing like Ekiti. Let me also workers policy.” say on this issue, there is no state in any federation during the colonial See below current Enugu or military era that has ever implemented No Work No Pay S t a t e S a l a r y C h a r t policy. The federal government obtained from the Ministry never did, the military never did it of Finance: and British Colonial Masters never did.

October 8, 2014

NIGERIA

Ekweremadu assures on Justice Sector Reforms, tasks NBA on corruption

he Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu has given assurances that all justice sector reform bills pending at the National Assembly would receive accelerated legislative attention.

He gave the assurances when the newly elected national executive committee of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, visited him in his office in Abuja. “On the justice sector reform bills, we are all on it and I want to

assure you that these will also be concluded in no distant time”, he said. Senator Ekweremadu, however, stressed the need for the NBA to support the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mariam Aloma

(R-L) The Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu; President of the NBA, Mr. Augustine Alegeh; Senate Leader, Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba; and the NBA National Secretary, Mazi Afam Osigwe during a courtesy visit by the newly elected executive of the NBA to the Deputy President of the Senate to his office in Abuja last Tuesday.

Mukhtar, in the fight against every form of corruption in the judiciary. He observed that justice sector reform was not just about making new laws or amending existing ones, but also about guarding the integrity of the sector and ensuring strict application of laws. He said: “While we talk about corruption in the system, the least anybody expects is that there should be corruption in the judiciary because if we have corruption in the system; it is just like saying that the head of the fish is rotten and the rest of the body is gone. “Members of the judiciary must be sanctified in their behavior and the NBA has a critical role to play in this respect to ensure that people receive justice, no matter who is involved.” The Deputy President of the Senate decried the nation's weak regulatory agencies. “We have very weak regulatory agencies and that is why people get away with certain impunities, but as long as we enforce our laws

and regulatory agencies do their work, we will have a better society”, he emphasised. Senator Ekweremadu also urged the NBA to work harder holding people in public office to a higher standard of behavior and stressed the need for the lawyers to get more involved in the lawmaking process. In addition to public hearings, he said the Senate was favourably disposed to having technical sessions with lawyers to ensure that every bill was well considered by all those who have the technical competence to do so. Earlier in his remarks, the NBA President, Mr. Augustine Alegeh, announced the setting up of theLawyers in Legislature Forum and named the Deputy President of the Senate as one of the presiding officers by virtue of his membership of the Bar and position in the legislature. He called for the immediate consideration and passing of several justice sector reform bills and the Petroleum Industry Bill pending before the National Assembly.

Police arrest 20 suspected criminals, recover 70 stolen vehicles in Enugu By Ted Peters

he police in Enugu State have arrested 20 suspects in connection with various criminal activities including armed robbery, car snatching, child trafficking and cultism within the month of August and September, this year. The command said it also recovered 70 suspected stolen vehicles in different parts of the state. Also, operatives of Awkunanaw Police Division, in line with the state police command's renewed bid to make the entire state safe and secured, have through its proactive measures made some recoveries of firearms and stolen vehicles as the division embarked on constant raids of criminal hideouts. The raid was aimed at keeping the entire Awkunanaw area and its environs safe and secured in partnership with relevant stake holders in line with community policing principles. The state police public relations officer, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, who disclosed this in a statement in Enugu Friday, said that the state command in its renewed onslaught against crime and criminality in the state had within the last two months made significant arrest of suspected criminals.

He said that within the period under review, the command also recovered different categories of arms and ammunitions through its security operatives, adding that about 70 vehicles were also

recovered. Meanwhile, the state commissioner of police, Mr. Abubakar Adamu Mohammed has assured that the command would stop at nothing to ensuring

that the state maintains its status as safest through the improved partnership between the police and members of the public as well as other sister security agencies and stake holders.

He however appealed for useful and timely information from members of the public as information about criminal activities was vital for positive performance.

Group pledges to solve dilemma over Elechi's successor By Damian Ike

group known as Steve Egbo Friends and Associates (SEFA) has pledged to resolve the dilemma of who succeeds Chief Martin Elechi as the Governor of Ebonyi State in next year's general elections. The group noted on Friday in Abakaliki that the state needs someone that is capable of turning around the plight of the state saying and that Dr. Steve Egbo, an academia has the best credentials to take over from the governor having distinguished himself as a philanthropic and selfless Ebonyi man. Addressing journalists during a press conference in Abakaliki, Chairman of the group, Hon. Ugonna Ozuluigbo, said SEFA is mobilising and sensitizing the people and would generate over

Elechi 900,000 votes for Egbo in the 2015 election. “We would not lack funds to

prosecute this venture as we also do not lack men and women of proven integrity who would work assidioulsy to ensure that Egbo rescues Ebonyi state from its present condition. He noted that Ebonyi people have witnessed poverty and marginalization, as the election was the state's chance to be saved through the person with the vision of God”. O z u l u i g b o , represented by his colleague, Hon. Patrick Mgbebu, one-time member of the Ebonyi state house of assembly said they had put in place structure that would

galvanize the campaigns of Egbo to win the governorship election. “We are only waiting for Egbo to accept to contest the election, as he possesses the qualities of the man who would at any point in time ensure that the wellbeing of the people are uplifted at all times. He noted that Egbo would decide on the platform on which platform he would contest, noting that they would be comfortable with any political party he selects to run under. “He can run under the APC, PDP or whichever as all we need is to direct our electorate right”. The SEFA chairman explained that their candidate has greater chances of winning the election, more so as the southern zone of the state, where he comes from had been preferred by the state's present governor to produce his successor. “Indeed, the confusion as to who should go for the south has by our research and finding, been settled, as Egbo who is from Onicha LGA, a bridge between old Abakaliki and the south.

October 8, 2014

How Ugwuanyi emerged Continued from page 7 Eze, who handed reporters a statement entitled: “I am Still the Candidate to Beat for Enugu Government House 2015” , said he would not step down for any “anointed” candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He said the consensus candidate of various interest groups in the state should be allowed to test their acceptability at a primary election to determine who flies the PDP flag for the governorship election. The statement said: “I've been inundated by calls and personal visits by my supporters, who have expressed worry and outrage about reports purporting that a consensus candidate has been anointed for Enugu State 2015 governorship election. My supporters are particularly worried by the aspect of the story claiming that I have stepped down for the anointed candidate. “I wish to state clearly and unambiguously that I have not and will not step down for any anointed candidate. I'm still squarely in the race for the Enugu Lion Building in 2015. “I was invited to a meeting of a gathering of the people of my senatorial district, presided over by the governor at the Governor's Lodge in Enugu on Friday, September 26, 2014. “Prior to our arrival at the Government House, the agenda of the meeting was not circulated; neither was the criterion for selecting those attending the meeting made known to me.

“At the meeting, I pointedly stated that although I was in their midst in a sort of an ambush, I was not bound by their decision, to which I believe they were entitled. It is their inalienable right to choose a consensus candidate in the same manner that to my supporters and well wishers I'm also a consensus candidate. “I look forward to all the consensus candidates of the various interest groups meeting in the field at the PDP governorship primaries on November 29, to test who, among the various consensus blocs, is numerically stronger. “Democracy is about elections and the will of the people. Those elements of democracy will be put to test when we arrive on the field for the primaries. “I'll gladly accept the outcome of the primaries and go the extra mile to work for the party with resources and whatever it will take to give the opponents of the PDP a run for their money. “Let me state categorically that my respect for the governor and leader of PDP in Enugu State is not diminished in anyway by this development. My loyalty to the party is also unalloyed. “I urge the party to do the right thing by providing a level-playing field for all legitimate aspirants and consensus to express themselves in a truly democratic and fair manner…” ENUGU North PDP Caucus faults Eze Enugu North PDP Caucus quickly reacted to Eze's comments and insistence that he would continue to

pursue his ambition in spite of the e m e rg e n c e o f a c o n s e n s u s candidate, advising him to abide by the decision of the party. A member of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the zone who participated in the senatorial district caucus meeting where Ugwuanyi was adopted, Amb. Mrs. Justina Eze, described Ayogu's comments as unfortunate and a strange act that should not be encouraged in the interest of the people of the senatorial district who have been yearning for a sense of belonging in the affairs of the State. Speaking with reporters in Enugu, Amb. Eze insisted that the process that led to the emergence of Ugwuanyi as the Party's Consensus Candidate from Enugu North Senatorial District was not only democratic but also in conformity with the dictates of the PDP Constitution, 2012 as amended. She noted that such a distraction if not controlled could endanger the chances of the zone to produce the next governor of the State. Amb. Eze therefore, urged Senator Eze to take the decision of the Party in good faith and join hands with the preferred candidate to secure victory for the Party both at the Party primary election and the general elections. Also reacting to the development, one of the aspirants who stepped down for Hon. Ugwuanyi, Hon. Dr. Godsmark Eddy Ugwu described Senator Eze's comments as unbecoming of a Senator who has severally benefited heavily from the Party through the same process he is

NIGERIA

now antagonizing. He noted that the PDP family in Enugu State, which saw Senator Eze to the Senate for two consecutive times, has been magnanimous enough to him for him to appreciate the Party and abide by its decisions at all times. Ugwu therefore, stated that “it is spurious and a great sign of mischief” for one to allege that a properly constituted meeting of the Enugu North Senatorial District Caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which unanimously endorsed Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as its Consensus Candidate for the 2015 Governorship election is “a meeting of a gathering of people of my senatorial district”. He went ahead to add that Senator Eze's outburst was a mark of disrespect to the Party hierarchy and an attempt to undermine the powers of a properly constituted organ of the Party. “For me, this is an insult to our Party Leaders in Enugu North Senatorial District. How can someone we elected to represent us in the Senate reduce us to a gathering of people of my senatorial district, when we had in the said meeting, great leaders of our Party such as the former Governor of the old Enugu State who is a former National Chairman of the Party and a Board of Trustees member, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo; the State Chairman of the Party, Engr. Vita Abba, the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly with all other members of the House from the zone, serving and former members of the National Assembly from the zone, Members of the PDP State Executive Committee from the zone, Local Government Party

Chairmen from the zone, Council Chairmen from the zone and their Vice, members of the State EXCO from the zone, Party Elders from the zone, among others”. “ It is also pertinent to note that this meeting of the Enugu North Senatorial District Caucus which Senator Ayogu has now reduced to “a gathering of people”, according the PDP Constitution is saddled with the responsibility of considering “urgent and important political and economic issues affecting the Party, the Senatorial District and the State,” Ugwu said. Ugwu reminded Senator Ayogu that the Governor's participation in the meeting was as a result of his status as the Leader of the Party in the State and his passionate love for the people of Enugu North Senatorial District to succeed him in 2015 through a smooth and transparent transition, devoid of rancor or bitterness. He also disclosed that the endorsement of Ugwuanyi has not in any form disqualified anybody who has a contrary opinion against the Party on the matter to participate in the Party primary election, as he (Ugwuanyi) will still go through the party primaries. He therefore asked the general public to disregard the erroneous impression created by these unfounded and misleading statements made by Senator Ayogu. Meanwhile, Ugwu has continued to receive the solidarity and support of the people of Enugu State from across the zones including members of the Ebeano political family that produced Governor Chime and all members of the National Assembly including Ugwuanyi in 2007.

MASSOB demands release of arrested members

he Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), has warned against harassment of its members by soldiers in the South Eastern zone of Nigeria, urging the military to concentrate more on combating dreaded Boko Haram insurgents. The MASSOB acting Director of Information, Sunny Okereafor who spoke to newsmen in Aba, Abia state Monday, decried the manner soldiers came to the venue of its monthly meeting at Ohafia with four Hilux vans and arrested 12 of their members. Wondering why the arrest should be made by the soldiers, he said that despite the fact that the meeting was peaceful without arms or anything that could mar peace and order in the place yet the soldiers swooped on our members without recourse to the law. Okereafore warned that MASSOB would not take it kindly with the military should anything sinister thing happen to any of its members in their custody, noting that this was not the first time their members would be arrested in such a provocative manner. “This is not the first time our members are arrested by soldiers

without any just cause and we have been pushed to the wall too far and may change our tactics if this persists. “There is a limit to which the

MASSOB can take these reckless displays of naked force on her members by soldiers. “Imagine soldiers fleeing from the Boko Haram, only to turn around to arrest MASSOB members who are non-violent.”

The groups spokesman called for the immediate release of the arrested members at Ohafia, whose names are given as to Ferguson Okorie, Chika Uluocha, Innocent Kalu, Marshal Akpan, John Kalu Obuh, Ibem Nmecha,

Godwin Nwabueze, Evans Okoronkwo, Udonsi Kalu Ogbuka, amongst others “Failure to release them, we will rise up in our own way to defend the arrested members,” he threatened.

Ohanaeze seeks cancellation of new polling units, calls for fresh census

hanaeze Youth Council, OYC, has frowned at the recent creation of additional 30,000 polling units by chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, barely five months to the 2015 general election and called for immediate cancellation of the exercise. The group said the cancellation became necessary because the 2006 census on which the recent creation of new polling units across the country was based was flawed and lopsided. It, therefore, called for conduction of fresh census, saying no census was conducted in Igbo land as there was no conducive atmosphere for 2006 census. The group, in a statement signed by its Sec. Gen, Mr. Uzochukwu C. Uzochukwu and Sec Board of Trustees, Mazi Okwu Okwu,

described the exercise as crooked. According to the group, there is no justifiable reason for 21,000 units allotted to the Northern part of the country, adding that it was a ploy to continuously give the North undue advantage over other parts of the country. It declared: “It is appalling that the INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, could descend so low as to play ethnic politics, especially the dictates of the Northern irredentists by using the highly flawed, controversial and contested census as a basis for polling units delineation. “It is on records that the Igbos account most for the so-called Northern populations that have been erroneously used to give North more polling units. “We the NEC of Ohanaeze Youth Council grievously strike out against the dubious undercurrents of INEC as electoral umpire in the

allocation of polling units to geopolitical zones in the country and accuse INEC of a premeditated attempt to rig the 2015 general elections.” especially the Presidential election in favour of the North,” they said. “We do not know of any rule and or sensibility measures that will permit the criminal acts of changing the electoral law cum rules few months to 2015 general elections, not to talk of obnoxious creation of superfluous polling units fewer months to the electioneering campaigns and voting time. “This is a ploy for rigging at the electioneering polling units that will continue to give the selfstyled “born-to-rule Arewa North” flagrant influences and favour at the expense of the South. “We, therefore, call for fresh census exercise that will reflect the social indexes and internal

contradictions that will help in accountability, governance, socio-economic and elections planning and sustainable development that will take care of tribes, religions and cultural strata.”

CHANGE OF NAME OKORO – I formerly known as Miss Okoro Amuche Cynthia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Emecheta Amuche Cynthia. All documents bearing my former name remain valid. The general public please take note.

October 8, 2014

NIGERIA

Awgu Never Adopted Chime – Enugu Community By Our Reporter

he people of Awgu in Enugu West Senatorial Zone of Enugu State have denounced their purported adoption of Governor Sullivan Chime for the Senate in the 2015 general election as reported by a national daily. A statement made available to newsmen in Enugu Tuesday by the President of Ugwulesi Autonomous Community Town Union in Awgu Town, Dr. Dominic Ogbu, said those who visited Chime were “selfappointed political jobbers representing no community from Awgu, hence neither represented the views of their village, let alone those of Awgu people.” According to Dr. Ogbu, “there are three autonomous communities in Awgu town and Chief Stephen Onuoha is not a

Traditional Prime Minister to any of the three traditional rulers in Awgu and could not be representing any autonomous community in Awgu town since he has no mandate whatsoever to act in that capacity”. The statement read in part: “Although we understand the quest for endorsement to be Governor Chime's desperate reaction to the rising agitation by our people against the age-long marginalization of Awgu in the political equation of the State, it would be illogical and foolhardy for him to believe that we would ever abandon the worthy cause by supporting the senatorial ambition of a Governor who has not only sustained the injustice against our people, but has

Chime consistently taken conscious steps to worsen our lots within the Enugu commonwealth”

“We, therefore, advise the Governor to immediately ask for a refund from his handlers and those political contractors who sold him a false endorsement because they have played a fast one on him.” Dr. Ogbu insisted that Awgu people were “unshaken in their total resolve to ensure that the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu returns as Senator of Enugu West Senatorial Zone come 2015 because he has acquitted himself most excellently in this position, bringing about quality representation and rural transformation.” “We therefore further advice Governor Sullivan Chime and his vain-chasers to count Awgu people out of his desperate quest for endorsement”, the statement added.

Onitsha tanker fire kills pregnant woman, not be ascertained as the owners lane to the other lane of the 3 others, injures 20 were still lamenting their expressway.

o fewer than four persons, including a pregnant woman, were feared dead Monday, while 20 others sustained various degrees of injuries as a gasoline-laden tanker somersaulted and exploded on the New Auto Spare Parts Market Flyover, Nkpor, near Onitsha, Anambra State. The accident, which occurred in the afternoon as a result of what eyewitnesses said was brake failure and loss of control on the part of the driver, also wiped out thousands of livestock, tubers of yam, second hand clothing and other items worth millions of

naira as some quantities of gasoline (diesel) flowed down to the livestock and yam section of the nearby Nkpor Main Market. An eyewitness said by the time men of the state fire service arrived the scene, the tanker, birds in the livestock market and yams had been burnt. According to the witness, the fire fighters prevented the fire from extending to more kiosks housing livestock, yams and clothing materials. At press time Monday, the actual estimate of the livestock, yam tubers, clothes and sweet potatoes roasted by the fire could

misfortune, even as the fire fighters were still pumping water into the burning market. The driver of the burning tanker could not be located among the crowd that thronged the scene to assist in putting out the fire and rushing the injured victims to a nearby hospital for medical attention. Men of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, arrived the scene later, while officials of Anambra State Traffic Agency, ASTA, police and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp, NSCDC, were seen trying to divert vehicles from the accident

This resulted in heavy traffic from Nkpor to Onitsha and Nkpor to Ogidi. The Director of Operations of the fire service, Ikechukwu Nzegwu, told newsmen that some people had been rushed to hospitals for medical attention, but the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, at Ogidi, Mr. Musa, who also confirmed the incident, said he was not yet aware of any casualty. He added that those who sustained injuries had been rushed to Onitsha and St. Charles Borromeo hospitals for medical attention.

Awgu people oppose zoning Continued from page 2 was called to foster the sustainable empowerment and development of Awgu people, adding that it was a pursuit of the peaceful objective of inclusiveness in the affairs of the state and Nigeria. Ibe stated that the policy of inclusion has been abandoned in the way of doing things in Enugu state, stressing that governance had become the winner takes all. He added that the situation has brought about marginalization in infrastructure and other appointive positions and asked the state government to strive to right the wrongs of past years.

Enugu proJonathan group, TAN wants Awgu Council Chairman arrested Leaders of the group campaigning for President Goodluck Jonathan's

reelection, the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) in Awgu council, Enugu state have cried out over alleged threats and attacks being sponsored against his members by the leadership of the council under Nnanna Nzeh. In a petition to the police commissioner in Enugu state in which they copied President Jonathan, Senate President and his deputy as well as Inspector General of Police, the group alleged that the threats “have graduated from verbal to physical attacks and bodily harm to our members”. But in a swift reaction yesterday, Awgu council chairman, Nnanna Nzeh denied the allegation of attack, explaining that he is being accused falsely. He said through a text message: “I am the chairman of Awgu local government area and leader of PDP in Awgu, so the allegation is false and unfounded. Everybody knows that Enugu state is for

Jonathan”. In a three page petition, entitled “Clarion call to save us from Hon Nnanna Nzeh and his armed thugs” by the TAN Coordinator and Secretary for Awgu local government, Sir Peter Udeogu and Hon Udoka Chukwunweike, respectively, they accused the council chairman of using thugs to disrupt their activities. The petition added: “On Sunday, September 7, TAN held her legitimate prayer meeting in the house of Hon Robert Ohaeri, TAN C o o r d i n a t o r f o r Anikenano/Ugwueme ward. Members were invited from the five communities that make up the ward. “We had earlier sought and got permission for our prayer meetings from the state commissioner of Police as well as DPO of Awgu but Hon Nzeh and his thugs have always resorted to violence and intimidation to abort our prayer meetings.

“The latest physical assault by Nze and his cohorts is not the first one. For instance, On Aug 31, when we held similar prayer meeting in Awgu ward 1, Nze came personally with thugs to disrupt our prayers. “On 7th September, his cohorts came again and this time armed with machetes, locally made pistols and other dangerous weapons blocked the three major entry points of our prayer meeting venue at Nkwe. The buses conveying our members were attacked and most of them were injured, robbed of their phones, cash and other personal effects”. The petition stated that some of the attackers have been identified; adding that already the police in Awgu have arrested three of them. The group has asked the State police commissioner to order the arrest of the council chairman and be compelled to produce the three persons he allegedly took on bail.

There's no dichotomy here, Abia PDP tells party's integration committee

he ten-member National Integration Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to reconcile internal problems within the party nationwide has been told that there is no existing internal wrangling within the party leadership and in its structure in Abia State. The PDP National Integration Committee arrived which Abia State on Monday held interactive meeting with major stakeholders and supporters at the party's secretariat along Finbarrs Road in Umuahia. In his welcome speech the state Chairman of the party, Emma Nwaka, commended the National Working Committee (NEC) of the party for improving and cementing the existing bond among party faithful in respect to winning the 2015 general election for President Goodluck Jonathan's second term bid. He equally commended the national leadership of the party for setting up the National Integration Committee with the mandate to reconcile warring factions in the South East. Nwaka said the state chapter of the party has no problem, as the “old syndrome of Abuja and home politicians does not exist anymore,” and earnestly pleaded with the party headquarters not to be hoodwinked into encouraging those who lack humility to go to their roots to seek friendship. “There is no dichotomy here; we are one and we intend to guide our oneness jealously,” he said. The chairman, however, said the meeting was for new and estranged members, explaining that estranged members refer to those whose membership is current but are marginalised by any form of ill treatment, adding that the meeting was not for nonmembers. Other members of the party who spoke at the meeting included the Deputy Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Asiforo Okere, who said the committee was not necessary since the party in the state is in peace. He called on the committee to help draw the attention of the Federal Government to the infrastructural decay of the zone especially the Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway, urging it to intensify work on the road in order to sustain the peace in the state. Also speaking, Kingsley Imaga, chairman of the party in Ohafia Local Council, an elder of the party, Eme Okoro, and Kate Obiechina said Abia PDP enjoys peace, which they said was necessary for the 2015 elections.

October 8, 2014

NIGERIA

The Nigerian Nationalist

Egbert Udo Udoma S

ir Egbert Udo Udoma (21 June 1917 2 February 1998) was a lawyer and justice of the Nigerian Supreme Court. He was Chief Justice of Uganda from 1963 to 1969. He spent 13 years as a judge on the Supreme Court of Nigeria and was chairman of the Constituent Assembly from 1977 to 1978. He was one of the founding fathers of Nigeria. Life He was born in the Ibibio area of Akwa Ibom State and attended Methodist College, Uzuakoli. After completing his secondary education, he proceeded abroad to study at Trinity College, Dublin (TCD) with the support of his community and the Ibibio Union, an organization which he later led. At TCD, he served as President of the University Philosophical Society, the student debating society. He later earned a postgraduate degree at Oxford University. He returned to Nigeria to practise law in the mid-1940s, but became intrigued and moved by the nationalistic politics of the time. At the time, Nigeria was attracting returning emigrants who had left previously. He joined the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons early

on, but left the party following a crisis in the former Eastern Region that saw the removal of Eyo Ita, a Calabar man, from office as the leader of the Eastern Region by Azikiwe. From 1953 to 1959, Udo Udoma was a member of the federal House of Representatives, under the platform of the United National Independence Party, then he was a leading proponent for the creation of a Calabar/Ogoja/Rivers state. However, his failure to succeed in the creation of an independent region or state in south-eastern Nigeria, and the triumph of the three major regions at a constitutional conference in 1958, led him to concede politics to the dominant parties. He spent four years as a high court judge before he was appointed Chief Justice in Uganda. He also belonged to the group that championed Nigerian

Udo Udoma independence from Britain and was one of the founding fathers of Nigeria. He died at the age of 80 on 2 February 1998. He was the subject of two

biographies: The Man: Sir Justice Udo Udoma by Dennis UdoInyang, and Law and Statesmanship: The Legacy of Sir Udo Udoma by Ekong Sampson.

In 2008 the Estate of Sir Udo Udoma released The Eagle In Its Flight: Being The Memoir of the Hon. Sir Udo Udoma, CFR (Grace & Son)

NEWS

Government house drivers laud Gov. Obiano's leadership

overnment House Drivers have described the administration of G o v e r n o r Wi l l i e Obiano as 'dynamic and pragmatic,' adding that the governor's relatively short time in office has brought about the initiation of programmes and policies which are immensely beneficial to the people. Speaking under the aegis of the Permanent Site Abagana Drivers' Welfare Association Government House Awka, the chairman of the association, Chief Ejiofor Chinwuko, said the state has undergone massive and positive transformations in diverse sectors of the economy and enjoyed

Chief Ejiofor Chinwuko

such unparalled p e a c e a n d tranquility. According to Chief Chinwuko, the governor's Four Pillars of Development and its enablers, and his Unique Joint Security Outfit have not only created a viable economic base in the state, but has also inculcated quality value system in the youths by opening up more windows of employment opportunities. Chinwuko said a m a j o r breakthrough in infrastructural development as

well as the creation of enabling environment to boost investment has made Anambra State the envy of other states in terms of security and peace. Citing examples of the unique and great effect of his Security Network System (the operation Kpochapu), the Chairman said that criminals are on the run from the state and all kidnappers' dens are being demolished without recourse to caring about who owns them or their location. While describing the administration's agricultural bluePrint as a model in Nigeria and one that will provide employment opportunities to thousands of unemployed young graduates, the Drivers Welfare Association boss eulogized Governor Obiano as a focused leader who is gradually but progressively laying a solid foundation for a better tomorrow in the state through his convincing and value-driving

leadership. On the governor's victory at the Supreme Court over the duo of Chief Chris Ngige of the APC and Chief Tony Nwoye of the PDP, Chief Chinwuko decribed it as a victory for democracy and the entire people of Anambra while adding that it is sign that shows the APGA government has come to stay. He assured Governor Obiano of the unwavering support of the association, even as he admonished the entire citizenry of the state to be supportive of the governor's government so as to encourage him to continue his good works. The chairman also expressed his happiness with what he described as an unprecedented progress of the state government media outfits the ABS and the National Light Newspaper, as well as the Orient Daily Newspaper and attributed such progress to strong character, integrity and high sense of professionalism of the executives of these media houses.

October 8, 2014

NIGERIA

Chime fails again to pacify Enugu NASS members not to contest 2015 polls Lawmakers hail Ugwuanyi's nomination as PDP at their own risk and urged them guber candidate to go back and think further By Ted Peters

resh move by Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State to pacify the members of the National Assembly from the state not to contest the 2015 Senatorial and House of Representatives elections as he earlier decreed was again resisted by the federal lawmakers who insisted that the governor has no right to stop them from prosecuting their legitimate ambitions. The federal lawmakers told the governor at the meeting held in Abuja Sunday evening that he should reconsider his position and support their ambition to seek re-election to the National Assembly even as the governor asked them to respect the decision of the party in the state to give way to fresh contestants including himself vying for Enugu West senatorial seat. According to one of the participants, Chime told the federal lawmakers all of who were present at the meeting that he was at Abuja to appeal to them to respect the party's earlier decision that they should not seek re-election in 2015 in order to give fresh contestants from the state the opportunity to contest. He also informed them of the decision by governorship aspirants and PDP Stakeholders from Enugu North Senatorial zone to back one of the federal lawmakers representing IgboEze North/Udenu constituency, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Gburugburu) as the next governor of the state. ADVOCATE NIGERIA was informed that immediately the governor finished addressing the lawmakers including the Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, the member representing Enugu North/Enugu South federal constituency, Ofor Chukwuegbo responded on behalf of his colleagues by telling the governor that they were strongly opposed to his decision to stop their ambition.He was said to have told the governor that the lawmakers were not a party to whatever decision by the state chapter of the party to ban them from re-contesting the National Assembly elections and that they were prepared to go ahead with the election. One of the Senators who had served just one term was being asked by the governor to forget about seeking reelection, was also said to have told the

Chime governor that he had a legitimate ambition to seek another term since he had done just one term but the governor reportedly told him that no senator from his zone has ever done two terms

and that his case would not be different. Following their insistence, the participant further said, Chime told them that if they insisted on re-contesting they were doing so

about his proposal to drop their ambition at this stage. However, the lawmakers were said to have also asked the governor to go back to Enugu and think about their own insistence to participate in the election, saying they should be allowed to exercise their constitutional rights and whoever fails to scale through in the election should be left to his fate. “The governor told us that we are contesting the election at our own risk that he will not stop anybody from running but the federal lawmakers should know that they are running against the party's decision. The lawmakers said there was no decision by the party to stop them from recontesting and that the move by the governor to scuttle their ambition was totally unfair and would be resisted,” one of the lawmakers told ADVOCATE NIGERIA on telephone Monday. On the nomination of one of them as Chime's successor, the lawmakers were unanimous in their endorsement of Ugwuanyi's candidature saying they have no problem whatsoever with the decision of the Enugu North stakeholders.

They promised to give him their support to emerge as the next occupant of the Enugu Lion Building. One of the lawmakers was said to have told the governor to beware of his new political allies and advisers in the state particularly the former Senate President, Chief Ken Nnamani, who, he said, was allegedly among those that fought against Chime's emergence as governor in 2007 and 2011 and went ahead to pressurize the president to stop former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani from installing him Chime as his successor. “It is unfortunate that those people who said that you (Chime) will not be governor in 2007 and 2011 are now your best allies while those who stood firmly behind you have been sidelined and are being told to retire from politics. Those people who were against you then are now the people deciding who should run and who should not. This is not fair and the earlier you realize this the better,” the lawmaker was quoted as having told the governor at the meeting. The meeting was however adjourned to enable the governor and the federal lawmakers go back and rethink about their counter submissions on the National Assembly slots.

Supreme Court judgment:

It's a victory for all – Obiano

nambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano has reacted to the Supreme Court judgment which reaffirmed his declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the governor of the State and upheld by the tribunal and the Court of Appeal, saying it is a victory for everybody. Governor Obiano who was reacting to the apex court judgment at the Governor's Lodge, Amawbia, yesterday shortly after the news of the judgment filtered in pointed out that the victory has only strengthened his resolve to serve the people of the State diligently and selflessly. He restated that his team's determination to move the State to the next level in a new dawn of glory and used the opportunity to call on his political opponents in the November 2013 governorship election who challenged his victory in the courts to join hands with his administration in building the State. Reacting to the judgment, the

traditional ruler of Nawfia, Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo expressed delight that the Supreme Court has reaffirmed the mandate given to the governor by the people of the State, describing it as a landmark judgment. Also speaking, the President of Ohanaeze-Ndigbo, Kano State, Chief Chukwubuzo Azuka hailed the judgment of the Supreme Court, noting that it has

brought to an end judicial litigation and unnecessary distraction. He urged the governor not to see the challengers as enemies but opponents, advising that as the governor of the State, he should extend his hand of fellowship to them to contribute meaningfully to the development of the State. In his reaction, Senior Special Assistant to governor Obiano

and National Chairman of Join Jonathan Journey (JJJ), Chief Ben Obi praised the apex court for its fair verdict. Chief Obi said the judgment was part of divine mandate for the governor to continue to develop the State, stressing that the judgment would spur the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to further victory in future elections.

Traditional Rulers asked to shun lifestyle that help their subjects when they are negatively affects subjects in need, noting that some of them By Uche Benson, Onitsha.

raditional rulers in the country particularly, South East have been told to live a life that will impact positively on their subjects, especially the youths as any negative lifestyle by them will send wrong signals to those who see them as role models that should be emulated. The call was made by Chief Victor Nnamdi Nwawue in his speech after receiving a Chieftaincy title as Eze Alusi Ayaya of Nando, by the Traditional Prime Minister of

Awkuzu Chief Matthew OzuaOkoye at Ubaru Isi Oye, Anambra East Local Government Area of the State. He said "unnecessary flamboyant life style some people in position of authority live to some extent accounts for the get rich quick some of their subjects are involved in". According to Nwawue, when their subjects especially, the youths get involved in one crime or the other, the traditional rulers will not have the courage, moral rights and justification to advise them to behave well. He called on traditional rulers to

have the capacity of setting up businesses for their subjects to start life, but are not helping. "Some are not even in touch with their subjects, some live the lifestyle that makes their subjects wonder if such are the lives that should be emulated" he said. He called on Governor Willy Obiano to create jobs for the unemployed in the state to alleviate their suffering. He said that "a lot of people are hungry, they need food on their tables, so with employment generation, the security of lives and property this administration has brought will be sustained.”

October 8, 2014

From The

NIGERIA

COURT

12 soldiers get death sentence for attacking GOC, five discharged

military court sitting in Abuja on Monday sentenced twelve soldiers tried for alleged mutiny and other offences to death just as it discharged five others who were not found guilty. One of them was however jailed for 28 days with hard labour. The President of the Court Martial, Maj. Gen. C.C. Okonkwo, said the 12 soldiers were found guilty of three of the most heinous charges bars. The soldiers had on May 14, 2014 fired shots at the General Officer Commanding the newly created 7 Division of Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Ahmed Mohammmed, in Maiduguri. The act is viewed in the military as mutiny. Those discharged are David Robert, Mohammed Sani, Iseh Ubong, Sebastine Gwaba and Naaman Samuel. Jeremiah Echocho was sentenced to 28 days with hard labour. Those who were sentenced to death are Jasper Braidolor, David Musa, Friday Onuh, Yusuf Shuaibu, Igonmu Emmanuel,

Andrew Ugbede, Nurudeen Ahmed, Ifeanyi Alukagba, Alao Samuel, Amadi Chukwuma, Alan Linus, and Stephen Clement. They were found guilty of criminal conspiracy, mutiny, attempt to commit murder (shooting of the vehicle of the GOC); insubordination to a particular order; insubordination and false accusation. The legal team of the convicts pleaded with the court martial to temper justice with mercy.

The team reeled out pathetic stories about the family backgrounds of the convicted servicemen. One was said to be the only son of his octogenarian widowed mother. Another is the father of a fivemonth-old baby. The defence team argued that giving them maximum sentence would do more harm than good, adding that it would increase the agony of their dependants. The attack on the GOC and his

men reportedly occurred when they visited the cantonment. The Maimalari Cantonment is the headquarters of 7 Division, the newest Division of the Nigerian Army. Military sources said that soldiers at the cantonment had been complaining of insufficient ammunition, food and allowances prior to the GOC's visit. They were also reportedly unhappy and their morale was at its lowest ebb because there had not been troop rotation for a long time since their deployment to

combat Boko Haram terrorists in the North- East. “The GOC's visit coincided with the arrival of the corpses of soldiers killed in an ambush in Chibok on the night of May 13, 2014. “The apparently agitated soldiers, on sighting the corpses of their slain colleagues became hysteric. Some opened fire on the GOC, who was lucky to have escaped unhurt. However, the bullets hit and seriously injured some of his bodyguards, who also fled to safety,” the source said.

Man in court for attempt to allegedly deposit fake naira notes in bank

2 8 - y e a r- o l d m a n , Oluwaseun Clegg, on Friday appeared before an Igbosere Magistrates' Court in Lagos charged with attempting to pay some fake naira notes into his Wema bank account. Clegg, who resides at No. 2, Odufege St., Lagos Island, is facing charges of conspiracy and being in possession of forged naira notes.

The accused, however, denied the charges. The Prosecutor, Sgt. Emmanuel Ajayi, told the court that the accused committed the offences alongside others now at large at noon on Sept. 17, at the Ikoyi branch of Wema Bank Plc. He said that Clegg, with the intent of defrauding the bank, tendered to a teller three counterfeit N500 notes. Ajayi said that the accused in an effort to trick bank officials mixed the

counterfeit notes with genuine ones. He said that luck, however, ran out on Clegg when the vigilant teller discovered the counterfeit notes and handed over the accused to the bank's security guards. The prosecutor said that the accused, when interrogated by the bank security personnel, confessed to have more fake notes in his residence. According to Ajayi, the offences

contravened Sections 364(2) and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) r eports th at S ectio n 3 6 4 prescribes three years imprisonment for forgery. The Magistrate, Mrs Funmilayo Dalley granted the accused bail in the sum of N5,000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case to Oct. 17 for mention. (NAN)

Enugu 2015: Police re-arrest Royal Father close to Ekweremadu

HRH Igwe Hayford Agana

en of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Nigeria Police, Enugu State Command, last Friday, rearrested the dethroned traditional ruler of Amandim-Olo in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State, HRH Igwe Hayford Agana along with four cabinet chiefs loyal to him. This is even as the Enugu State Government last Thursday issued a Certificate of

Recognition' to a new traditional ruler, Chief Pastor Eric Nwankwo whom it allegedly imposed on the community. Igwe Agana who had earlier told journalists that he was being persecuted for associating with the Deputy President of the Senate, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, was initially removed as the Chairman of Enugu West Traditional Rulers Council where both Senator Ekweremadu and Governor Sullivan Chime

hail from, before h e w a s subsequently suspended allegedly for failing to return a bus and N1 million donated to him by Ekweremadu, which the Enugu S t a t e Government claimed were assets of the Traditional Rulers Council. H o w e v e r, t h e monarch in his reply dated March 11, 2014 and backed with receipt of purchase and vehicle registration particulars said: “The vehicle you were referring to was a gift given to me b y H i s E x c e l l e n c y, I k e Ekweremadu. Since July 12, 2013, when he gave me the bus, I have used it not only for myself, but for the purpose of Enugu West Traditional Rulers. That act of magnanimity on my part cannot however change the fact that the vehicle was given to me personally.” Chief Ekweremadu corroborated

the explanation in a letter to the Enugu State Government. “I did not buy or donate the bus to the Traditional Rulers Council of Enugu West. I also gave him the sum of N1m as donation to assist him with the initial operating cost of the said bus”, the Deputy Senate President explained. However, the State Government in a July 18, 2014 letter entitled 'Withdrawal of recognition as traditional ruler', and signed by the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Matters, Pastor Emeka Abugu, said: “I am directed to refer to my earlier l e t t e r N o : MCM/CM/605/VOL.111/101 dated June 17, 2014, suspending you as the traditional ruler of your community. “Consequent upon your refusal to comply with government directives therein, your recognition as traditional ruler is hereby withdrawn pursuant to section 10 of the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Law.” About a fortnight ago, the police came down hard on members of the community protesting the dethronement of their traditional ruler and imposition the same person defeated by Igwe Agana in 2002. The African Independent Television, AIT, had on Saturday, September 13, 2014 showed footages of police allegedly beating up and using teargas on the protesting elderly men and

women. Igwe Agana was subsequently arrested for allegedly using thugs to disrupt a state government programme in his community. However, a statement by the Enugu Rescue Group had faulted the arrest insisting that “those elderly men and women peacefully and legitimately protesting the impunity and dethronement of their traditional rulers could not have been thugs”. It took the intervention of over forty royal fathers who stormed the police formation to secure the release of their colleague (Igwe Agana). Although efforts to speak with the Enugu State police command proved abortive, there are indications that the Igwe's rearrest was not unconnected with the said protest and 2015 political calculations. However, Igwe Agana told newsmen that he and members of his cabinet were later released that night on the orders of the State Police Commissioner, Adamu Abubakar. It could be recalled that an Enugu labour leader, Comrade Osmond Ugwu was in 2011 arrested by the men of the Nigeria Police during a Minimum Wage Rally in Enugu and held in prison for over three months for alleged attempted murder against a policeman.

October 8, 2014

NIGERIA

Open Letter: Call for UN Investigation on Biowarfare more like a military invasion and with Ebola Virus in West Africa occupation rather than a humanitarian 19th September, 2014. Mr Sam Kahamba Kutesa, Republic of Uganda, President of the 69th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. 760 United Nations Plaza, New York 10017, USA. Your Excellency, Open Letter: Call for UN Investigation on Biowarfare with Ebola Virus in West Africa We, the Global Prolife Alliance (GPA) are calling on the 69th UN General Assembly to strongly condemn the Biological Warfare with Ebola Virus against the people of West Africa. It is a well established fact that, the present Ebola virus causing the pandemia in West Africa is a product of a biological weapon program. Scientists have established that, the genome of the present Ebola virus is synthetic and differs from the wild type from the D.R.Congo by over 300 mutation sites. The genesis of this infection has been traced to a biological weapons laboratory located in Sierra-Leone funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates

Foundation and Monsanto. The involvement of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation along with Biotech companies requires to be investigated by the International Criminal Court (ICC), as well as the parliamentary and regional bodies in the different nations affected by the Ebola Crisis. On 14th May, 2014, the GPA in a letter to the United States Congress titled: A CASE FOR C O N G R E S S I O N A L INVESTIGATION INTO: BILL GATES FUNDING OF BOKO HARAM IN NIGERIA AND BREACH OF BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS ANTI-TERRORISM ACT (BWATA) provided evidence linking Bill Gates and the Biotech companies with Boko Haram insurgency, which has killed over 80,000 farmers and displaced three million from their farms now taken over by Cargill, Monsanto and others for genetically modified organisms' (GMOs) crops, aiming to hijack the food security of Black Africa (http://crimefacts.org/grouppetitions-us-congress-over-bill-gatesgmos-crops-threat-to-food-securityin-nigeria-others/ ). Failure to act now on these leads, would embolden the perpetrators who

have chosen to expand their aggression by an attack with a deadly synthetic Ebola virus. The rising rate of infection in Liberia resulted from a deliberate infection of mercenaries, unknown to them. The mercenaries were prepared for the insurgency in Nigeria on 'suicide viral bioterrorism' missions, as was the case with the American-Liberian, Mr. Patrick Sawyer, who caused the first spread of Ebola virus in Nigeria. The successful containment of the virus in Nigeria has provoked a second level more deadly attack. The uninformed Liberian 'suicide viral bioterrorists' were secluded in camps in Liberia in preparation to infiltrate Nigeria tospread the infection, but got very sick earlier than the expected incubation period. Their fellow fighters becoming aware of what happened fought to liberate them from the camps. These infected 'suicide viral bioterrorists' went home and spread the infection in their respective communities. The unraveling public health emergency in Liberia requires an international public health response, not a military one. Liberia as a small country of 4 million people is being forced to host 3,000 soldiers of the world strongest army. This looks

mission. Africa rejected the AFRICOM army, which aimed to turn Africa into the global theatre of War on Terror away from the Western countries. Africa again rejects the use of the Ebola crisis as a pretext to legitimize military occupation that breeds New International Conflicts in the region. We do not reject any legitimate humanitarian medical aid, which consists of food, civilian medical personnel and materials. Furthermore, it is alarming that, there is a deceptive attempt by Africa's detractors to associate Boko Haram, ISIS and Al-Shabab in an alliance. Not only is this falsehood perpetrated by the very people using mercenaries to operate under these names. It is a cover story to introduce 'white' mercenaries of the 'Special Forces', who work under the trade name of Blackwater (Xe services or Academi), to directly now confront the Nigerian military, who are now making considerable progress in defeat of the Boko Haram insurgency. We thank you in anticipation. Yours truly, Signed Academician Prince Dr Philip C. Njemanze MD Chairman, Global Prolife Alliance (GPA).

NEWS

Ekiti police arrest six over attack on court

ix of the suspected hoodlums who invaded the premises of Ekiti State High Court and sent a judge scampering for safety on Monday have themselves been arraigned by police before a magistrate's court on charges of malicious damage. The suspects had created mayhem on the court premises where a case on eligibility to stand for the June 19 governorship election was being heard against Ekiti State G o v e r n o r - e l e c t , Ay o d e l e Fayose, by Justice Segun Ogunyemi. They were said to be protesting the judge's decision to assume jurisdiction in the case in which a group, E-11, and a political party, Citizen Popular Party (CPP), were challenging the eligibility of Fayose on ground of his impeachment on October 16, 2006 by the state House of Assembly for gross misconduct while he was serving as Governor.

Ekiti State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Victor Babayemi, who dropped the hint of the arraignment of the hoodlums, said their case was being heard by Magistrate Modupe Afeniforo in Ado-Ekiti. The suspects were arraigned on a five-count charge of conspiracy, malicious damage, contempt of court, obstruction of course of justice and disruption of judicial process, he said. The accused were, however, said to have been granted bail by the magistrate after meeting the bail conditions of N100, 000 each with two sureties. State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, also visited the scene of the trouble on Tuesday for an on the spot assessment of the damaged facilities in the court. The Governor together with his d e p u t y, D u p e A d e l a b u , condemned the attack on the judge and other court officials, urging relevant stakeholders in the judiciary to rise to the occasion and protect the hope of the common man. “The maximum weight of the

law must be brought against those who were arrested. The role of security and law enforcement agents must be properly investigated. “The judge was almost lynched, he was saved by police, I would expect that individuals who were affected would bring their own actions against those who perpetrated this heinous act. “I really think it is a sad day for our democracy and we all must do everything within our powers to rescue this nation. “And I hope this is not the path the Ekiti is returning to; a path of brigandage, a path of criminality, a path of one week, one trouble in which thugs and criminals

take over the state after we have witnessed four years of uninterrupted peace,” Fayemi said. He added: “I believe that officers of the law and those of us who are lovers of democracy must speak out against this bizarre action. The Chief Justice of Nigeria must get a full report from the Chief Judge of this state of what transpired here. “The president of the NBA must take a stand on the protection of judges to be able to do their work without let or hindrance in the society. “The bar in Ekiti State must also play its own role because I understand some lawyers were

involved in bringing criminals to court. “If that is true, then the disciplinary committee must a l s o i n v e s t i g a t e comprehensively the role of the officers of the law who should be workers in the temple of justice played. “Even the President of the country must be seen to be on the side of protection of those who dispense justice,” the Governor said. However, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on which platform Fayose rode to power has exonerated its members of the attack.

Man murders wife over infidelity, reports self to police

OLICE in Warri Delta State have arrested one, Michael Akpore of Urhiephron, Ughelli South Local Government Area for reportedly killing his wife, Julie Akpore, 32, over claims of promiscuity. Police Public Relations Officer,

Delta Command, Mrs Celestina Kalu, in a statement indicated that the suspect reported himself to the Jeremi Police Division last Thursday, a couple of days after luring Julie to the bush along Iwhrekan/Ekakpamren Road, where he allegedly butchered

her. Kalu stated that the suspect claimed he “killed the wife because she confessed that she was having extra marital affairs. He was promptly arrested, the crime scene visited and corpse of the woman recovered and deposited at the Jeremi Hospital Mortuary for autopsy.”

October 8, 2014

NIGERIA

FNIVS, KSJ, OFR

The Staff and Management of ADVOCATE NIGERIA NEWSPAPERS heartily congratulate the National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Sir Victor Umeh on his decoration by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, with the Prestigious National Honour of OFFICER OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC, OFR. Ohamadike, your worthy contributions to the development of our fatherland have been acknowledged by the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This is indeed a reward for quality leadership which you have offered by successfully steering the ship of APGA since the past eight years. May the Almighty God continue to strengthen you in all your endeavours. Congratulations Signed: MANAGEMENT, ADVOCATE NIGERIA NEWSPAPERS

October 8, 2014

NIGERIA

Igbo Community where old age is a taboo By Rex Arum father, but for God's intervention ld age is wildly believed he survived from the pond where to be a blessing from God he was thrown into and abounded as few human creatures' to die. attend such status but for Ohamuje Narrating the incident to our

Autonomous Community in Aku, Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu state, old age seems a taboo. In Ohamuje anybody whether male or female, man or woman who attains 70 years and above, such person is seen as a witch or wizard and therefore is seen as possible danger to the community. Consequently Elder Okanyi Ugwoke was on 20th of August 2014 allegedly murdered by some youths of Ohamuje and Odie Autonomous Communities in Aku on suspicion that he may have used witchcraft to kill his late elder brothers' son Obumuneke Ugwoke.

Advocate Nigeria gathered from family sources that on that fateful day the youths rose in unison to lynch this eldest man of the family, Okanyi Ugwoke. One of his sons, Onyema would have suffered the same fate as his

correspondent, Onyema thanked God for saving his life, to tell the story of ordeal his family suffered in the hands of their kinsmen. “My father did not kill Obum and those who murdered my father would not see old age. “It is not a crime to attend old age as it is a blessing from God but for those who snuffed life out of my father old age will elude them”, he said repeatedly. The incident that led to the gruesome murder of my father, Okanyi, he said, started with the death of his cousin, Obumuneke Ugwoke who until his death on 16th of August, was living in faraway Minna, Niger state while Papa Okanyi was living in Ohamuje in Aku, Enugu state. Obumuneke's elder sister, Ogechukwu Ugwoke was also said to have died in August 2013. According to Onyema, “on 16th

August I received a call from my immediate younger brother Emenike Ugwoke. He told me that our cousin, Obumuneke is dead, but because I am residing in Nsukka town, on 17th being Sunday I returned to our village. When I got home I met Nnabike Ugwoke the immediate elder brother of the deceased Obumuneke and consoled him. I asked him what caused his death, but he replied that he didn't know as he is yet to receive details from people living with him in the north and I left to my house.

which is my father and his in-laws agreed to go for fact finding. They asked my father (Okanyi) to look for a native doctor, while they will also get theirs. After that discussion the two native doctors were summoned, after all there incantations they said that Obumuneke was killed by somebody. The two native doctors didn't reveal the name(s) of his killer(s) and they left to their various homes. Continuing, Onyema said, Nnabuike Ugwoke and the youth leader of the village, Sunday

On the following day 18th all members of Ugwoke family which my father, Onyema was the eldest man gathered to discuss how to bring the deceased body back from Niger state. At the meeting it was concluded that every member of the family should contribute money to convey the body back to the village and at the end of the contribution, we were able to raise some money. However, during the discussion the maternal home of Obumuneke, led by his uncle came in with a message that a traditional inquiry into Obum's death should be instituted as they suspect that somebody may have used voodoo to kill him. Onyema said he didn't know they had a mindset that his father was the suspect. Their message was well welcomed and the two families,

Ezeorah started accusing his father of being behind the death of Obumuneke and Ogechukwu their sister who died last year. Sunday Ezeorah is a teacher at community secondary school, Iro Nze in Udi council area of the state.

Advocate Nigeria also gathered from community members that while the cause of Obum's death is not yet known as autopsy is yet to be carried, Ogechukwu died of abortion complication. Some villagers who spoke to our correspondent said they were aware of the abortion that led to her death. Onyema noted that while Nnabuike continued with his accusation that my father who incidentally was his uncle poisoned his brother, I asked him to go and get the medical report of his younger brother but he

refused. Later, himself, Ik Ogbonna and the youth's leader ganged up and came to my father that we must go with them tomorrow being 21st to undisclosed place to see a fortune teller. “Sensing danger, I asked them where they are preparing to take my father to but Nnabuike and his gang said, “I do not suppose to know the place. I called my younger brother, Boniface Ugwoke who is living at the state capital, Enugu to come home immediately, that these people want to kill my father”. Our correspondent also gathered that when Boniface returned and was briefed on the situation, he left to see Nnabuike and the youth

leader who also told him that they will kill his father and his other brothers as well should his father fail to show up on 21st August for the journey to unravel the death of Obumuneke. Our correspondent learnt that following the threat to life, Boniface took his father (Okanyi) on the evening of 20th August to Ogbede Police station to make official report should anything happen to them. On the morning of 21st, August, three policemen from Ogbede division came following the report made earlier by Boniface to prevent breaking law and order. “On sighting the policemen the youths flared up and started beating, kicking and slapping me. As they were beating me, my father was also being tortured with all kinds of inhuman treatment. They stripped and dragged two of

Continued on page 24

October 8, 2014

NIGERIA

Chime breached his agreement with me â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Nnaji Hon. Raymond Nnaji is a political analyst and chieftain of PDP who have held various distinguished positions in Enugu state and beyond. In this interview with The Advocate he gave insight into the goings on in Enugu political front especially on the deepening political imbroglio between Chime and Ekweremadu and the 2015 elections. By Rex Arum You were quoted by some sections of the media that Governor Sullivan Chime owes you over a billion naira. What was the transaction? Yes, if it is quantified in cash, but there was no cash statement that was made when the discussion was held between me and Governor Sullivan Chime on 8th of May 2010. When you quantified those things in the agreement you find out that it will get to that amount. When I was made the chairman of the state Peoples Democratic Party in 2007 he didn't like my face. It was Vita Abba that he wanted though according to him he did his own congress separately from where we did our own but our own was the recognised centre by the national secretariat of the party and when the matter started getting to a point of having problem, I made every effort for the man to recognise and work with me, he refused because of the fact that he believed I was tied to his predecessor, who even made him the governor, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani and as a result of that he didn't like my face and he didn't want to work with me. Knowing full well of my right and privileges and everything attached to the office of the chairman, having served as former national auditor and founding member of the party I was very difficult to be cowed. I maintained my right and eventually I went to court and the matter is still pending at the federal high court Enugu against Vita Abba, then Prince Vincent Ogbulafor. Based on the fact that the matter lingered, the man felt that he is being short-changed and he was also having problem, he started sending emissary to me. I conceded for discussion with them after not being recognised by my own group, Chimaroke Group. Then I started to consider his younger brother Jide Chime's appeal, who is now terribly misbehaving. I am disappointed in him. He was following me from January to April lobbying me, after which I agreed to meet Sullivan first on the 18th of April inside the old government lodge where we had a discussion. Joe Mmamel was there, they were all looking for favour from the governor and they took the credit to have brought me to have a discussion with the governor. On

that very day after a few moment of discussion, further discussion was fixed for the 8th of May which eventually I had another discussion with him personally. Frankly speaking I didn't come through the front door; instead there was an exit door which he is the only person that use, that was the door I used to his inner sitting room of the old government lodge. We had frank discussion and I believe as a governor that he ought to respect it. Why I didn't insist that the agreement be written was because as at that time they were lobbying and trying to lure me. I look at a person who is a governor suppose not to denied an agreement he entered. We agreed on so many things. He asked me of the immediate ones I told him. I also told him the ones that will be done in the future because it was in 2010 going towards the 2011elections and everything was concluded. So, on that premises I went and put an application to withdraw myself because it was a representative action at the federal high court, so I cannot withdraw the suit entirely.

Wa s t h e A g r e e m e n t breached? After his re-election, the man eventually failed to leave up to the agreement and I was terribly disappointed. I made every effort to see him but could not; I relaxed, thinking he has it at the back of his mind. Meanwhile I followed him during the campaign of his reelection and toured the 17 council areas of the state and I did everything to make sure that the party which I was a founding member succeeded in winning the election, and which eventually this man won. Do you know that afterward he started telling me stories? I wrote three requests for audience with the governor which happened when he returned from medical trip overseas. But before he travelled on the 9th of July 2012 I wrote him for an audience which I meet him and had a review of some of the agreement and he promised that he is going to fulfil them, and then he travelled.

What was involvement with Save Enugu Group and Chimes' five months whereabouts? You know what happened during the five months of his whereabouts question. That was the time issue of Save Enugu Group came up. When the group

Hon. Raymond Nnaji was formed, we signed a letter asking the whereabouts of the governor because there were rumours; sometimes they say he is dead, another time they say he is alive and so many stories. Nobody knows his whereabouts and you could believe me his cabinets' members were criminally mopping up papers that were writing anything about the governor and the state was gradually coming to a halt and nobody knew who was in charge. So we signed that paper to know exactly the whereabouts of the man. Eventually a publication of his picture with some governors came. When I saw it, I said ok we have known his whereabout. I didn't know it is a sin that I have committed. When he came back, Joseph Mmamel being one of the highest toadies we know started championing this course of trying to show that he is more Catholic than the Pope; that he loved the governor more than any other person, behaving that Save Enugu Group was 'Destroy Enugu Group' and querying why should I be a member of the group. As a result of that, that should take over the agreement I entered into with the governor and I didn't agree. When I waited for the governor to do something and eventually he could not do anything, I started writing. I wrote some letters to him through his

brother Jide Chime though before then I went to Jide personally and told him that I am not happy with his brother the governor. He promised me that he will fix a meeting between me and the governor but unfortunately he did not do that for over three weeks. I wrote him a letter and copied May Orji because I know that there was role she can play. At the end of the day I copied, Joe Mmamel, Vita Abba and nothing was said, no response and no acknowledgement from them. Somebody who I don't want to mention his name decided to make Jide to see reason why there should be a meeting between me and the governor. On the 27th April, 2014 we had a meeting with the governor at the government house lodge and that meeting turned out to be a forum meant for Jide and Joe Mmamel to show that they love the governor more than anybody. As Mmamel was terribly sycophanting at that the meeting it did not end well. Surprisingly the governor did not call Mmamel to order because he was raising the issue of Save Enugu Group there to truncate the meeting and the meeting was actually truncated. I left the government house at about 7:40pm and that was the situation. I have written formerly to the chairman of the p a r t y E n g r. Vi t a A b b a

complaining about the situation but no response has been given, no acknowledgement equally. What they wanted is a situation whereby we go extra mile but I told the governor that I am not that kind of person, even if they have been dealing with other people using and dumping them. As former national auditor of the party I have served the party at the highest echelon and equally I am a founding member of this party. Infact it's very unfortunate I have not gotten anything commensurate to my position. I know people who have not contributed anything, I have long list of Sullivan's people, his cronies and his family, sons and relations I know the details of what they have. Why should they? Were they part of formation of this party or is it because he armed himself as governor? That is the reason why he can do to anybody the way he likes, even when he has entered into an agreement, he cannot fulfil it. He has less than one year to stay and I must continue to ask him to fulfil the agreement. He knows me very well; when he was commissioner for Justice, I was commissioner for sports. I can only respect somebody I don't fear any human being. I faulted him initially because of his behaviour. I faulted him for three years and eight months before he begged me and I decided to concede believing that we were going to work together but he surrounded himself with sycophants. People who are not helping him and by the time he is out of office he will better understand the way he is behaving now.

But this agreement was not written? You don't need to have written agreement for you to enforce an agreement and it's not all agreements that are in writing. When I confronted him, he did not deny, the only thing he was saying was that what I was saying is not the way and manner he makes promises and I was asking him, are you saying that I am lying he said no. He knew that I was saying the truth. As a governor I will like him to come out openly and in the public to say I am telling lies. I want to be satisfied that he as governor comes out and say I am telling lies. There is a position you will hold in this country you cannot tell lies in certain things and those conditions are very trivial. What he asked was why now, that I was seeing him and I replied him, 'which time did I have to see you.' That I made three requests to see you and it was turned down even when I see you at the public function I should start reminding you that you owe me, is that the best way and place to remind

Continues on page 21

October 8, 2014

NIGERIA

Nigeria can't move forward without implementing key decisions of 2014 National Conference – Prof. Nwosu Professor A.B.C Nwosu was both Political Adviser and Minister of Health under President Olusegun Obasanjo. He was at the just concluded National Conference. He speaks on the achievements of the conference, the Boko Haram Insurgency, Ebola scourge among other topical issues. EXCERPTS You were a member of the just concluded National Conference, where do you see Nigeria going from that conference? I see Nigeria correcting the past mistakes by adopting major decisions of the conference. I see Nigeria accelerating its rate of development, banishing poverty and dramatically improving the welfare and wellbeing of citizens by adopting major decisions of the conference. I see Nigeria and Nigerians becoming a great country with confident citizens by adopting the major decisions of that conference. Let me explain. First, the federation that was bequeathed to us by our founding fathers became derailed by military intervention and became a unitary state. The 2014 National Conference brought back the Nigerian federation into its proper track by insisting that Nigeria shall comprise of the Federal Government and the States as federating units. No more, no less. The conference also reaffirmed earlier recommendations that there should be an Accountant General of Nigeria distinct from the Accountant General of the Federal Government. It is this Accountant General of Nigeria that shall monitor the accruals from the over 60 sources of the federal revenue to ensure that these are paid as and when due and preside over revenue sharing. All these decisions and many more were to return Nigeria to true federalism and fiscal federalism. You can see why I believe that Nigeria will become a better nation by implementing the decisions of the 2014 National Conference of Nigeria.

There were unresolved issues from that conference such as derivation and revenue formula; amendment to the 1999 constitution or a new constitution and the matter of referendum. What are your views on these? Derivation debate was very robust and heated. I was in the committee. There were ugly moments. In the end, we saw derivation in its true light as the land and the people living on it deriving benefits from the resources that God placed on their land. So, it was unanimously agreed that the 13 percent should be reviewed upwards. The problem was what percent it should be reviewed to, whether

18 percent, 21.5 percent, 25 percent or 50 percent or 100 percent total resource control. In my recollection, consensus was almost formed on 18 percent before it was decided to refer the matter to experts chosen by the Federal Government. My recollection is also that it was agreed that it must be reviewed upward from 13 percent. So you can see that it was not really as contentious as people presented it. It was just that it was decided that a panel of experts should look at what percentage it should be reviewed upward to without drastically affecting the other areas. The issue of whether we should have 1999 Constitution or a new constitution, to me, is easily resolvable. The present constitution is greatly flawed and require a major overhaul not amendment. It also bears the inelegant title of “The Constitution of Nigeria (with two alterations)”. In my view therefore, it is best to have a new constitution based on the 1999 Constitution with its alterations incorporating the decisions of the conference. The fear of some people is that it would then become the 2014 Constitution and mindless politicians would regard the election under this new constitution as first term. There are more than 12 ways of preventing this from happening. The matter of referendum speaks for itself. Every constitution we have begins with “we the people of Nigeria” but all of them have not been subjected to the people for their imprimatur. The National Assembly derives its power from the people. The president who appointed us into the National Conference derives its power from the people. So, who is afraid of the people? Next year everybody shall go to the same people to renew the mandate but the same people are afraid to let the people decide on the constitution on which they shall be Governor. In my view, if a constitution is not decided in a referendum by the people, it is not a constitution of the people.

There were innovations like 5 percent National Revenue for mineral resources development r eco mmen d ed b y th e conference. How do you see this being implemented to increase the amount of national revenue available for development of Nigeria? The welfare and wellbeing of

Nigerians and indeed the future of Nigeria depends on the implementation of this recommendation. The recommendation came simultaneously from about three committees – Public Finance, Devolution of Power and another. The aim was to have a venture capital fund that shall be used to exploit the abundant mineral resources of Nigeria, not only oil. There is coal which Nigeria has ignored. There is iron ore which Nigeria has also ignored after building a very expensive steel

and many other armed vigilante outfits throughout Nigeria. In Anambra at one stage we had the Bakassi Boys. The term Federation implies multi-tier policing. In Nigeria native police was created before the Nigeria Police and that is a fact. What the recommendation by the 2014 National Conference wishes to achieve is uniformity in training, operations and command of this second-tier policing in alignment with Nigeria Police Force. It envisages a situation like in the USA where you have Federal

Nigeria which has refused to adopt a state religion. It is tantamount to rebellion and should be seen and treated as such. It is different from the Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) which was based on resource control and which the leaders of the Niger Delta worked with the Federal Government under President Yar'adua and Vice President Jonathan to stop.

How can the insurgency be contained? In my view, the insurgency has reached a level where it should be treated as a full-fledged war which must be won fast to minimize collateral damage.

Do you think that Nigerian soldiers can win this war fast as you have proposed?

complex in Ajaokuta, there is gold, there are precious metals, there are barites that are heavily used in the oil industry which are today being mined in states like Nasarawa, Zamfara etc with billions of naira lost in royalties and without derivation to these states. I am also aware that Nigeria has the second largest deposit of bitumen in the country outside Canada stretching from Edo through Ondo, Ogun to parts of Lagos. If all these are developed, all parts of Nigeria not just the Niger Delta, shall begin to derive benefits due to them via derivation.

There was also the contentious issue of the State Police… (cuts in) State police is not contentious; it is an imperative for Nigeria. It already exists as Hisbah in Kano

Bureau of Investigation, FBI, and State's Police Departments such as NYPD, LAPD etc. I therefore do not see what is contentious about a system that enhances the security of lives and property in Nigeria. I wonder whether the opponents of State Police are saying that the current policing of Nigeria is working throughout the length and breadth of the country.

Insurgency was raging before the national conference and it is still raging. What do you think is really the motive? I cannot go beyond what the Boko Haram has started is their motive that Western Education is bad and they want to establish an Islamic Republic and Caliphate wherever they gain control of. This is dangerous in a country like

I think so. I definitely think so. When I hear that Nigerian soldiers are not as well equipped as Boko Haram I laugh at such stupid comments. I was a combat officer in Biafra. What does a soldier need in an asymmetrical battle? Does he need to be carrying 105mm Howitzer guns (shelling machines) or mortar guns etc? Or are people saying that the supply lines of Boko Haram are better organized than those of the Nigerian Army when Boko Haram is engaging in a hitand-run war. Or that Boko Haram will defeat Nigerian Army in a sustained fire-fight lasting hours? I believe that the Nigerian Army still has welltrained courageous officers and soldiers who can win this war very fast. Cowardly soldiers, Boko Haram sympathizer soldiers and runaway soldiers should be dealt with in true military fashion to restore morale. The Boko Haram war cannot be tougher than the Nigeria-Biafra war. I shall say no more.

We are now facing a new problem of Ebola Virus Disease. As former Minister of Health how do you think we can improve on what we are doing? I want to commend the Health Minister for their containment strategy. There are two major concerns that I have namely tracing and documenting of all persons who have made contacts and quarantining these people effectively. Ebola is a viral disease and not hospital based. It is population based. I sympathize with the minister because Nigerians will contact the disease and sneak into villages and

Continues on page 21

October 8, 2014

NIGERIA

We're still the best, despite our mistakes, Ohakim claims

Mbakwe and that it has done only about 18 months?

Former Governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, recently declared his intention to move back to his former office in next year's election. In this Interview with journalists, Ohakim who was enmeshed in controversy before the 2011 election gave reason for his second time around. Excerpts

Some of your fellow aspirants are insisting that they have the singular capacity to defeat the incumbent governor? That's the crux of the matter. You guys in the media should be the

You have declared to run for the governorship election in Imo state come 2015 and it is eliciting a lot of reactions. Are you surprised? I am surprised. The massive buyin of Ndi Imo is unprecedented. It surpasses my imagination and I am quite humbled by the way our people are reacting positively to

So why are you so determined to come back? If I may borrow your word, I want to return to put Imo back to work and to put Imo back to the path of economic prosperity. There have been calls by well-meaning citizens of Imo state who have been worried about the economic loss of abandoning the key projects we started that would have laid a solid foundation for a t a k e - o ff i n t o s u s t a i n a b l e economic growth. If you recall, the thrust of my administration was to establish an economy for the state. That was why we went ahead to start some mega projects. But because such things like that take time to mature, some people did not have the necessary patience. Some of my colleagues who got their second term after 2011 are just completing some of their key projects.

But you lost the 2011 reelection even when the people or structures you are claiming were there? We did not lose the 2011 governorship election and I know you know that. We won that election on April 26, but because there was a conspiracy to stop me by all means, one thing led to the other and there was a supplementary election on May 6, 2011. I am sure you have read several accounts of what happened on April 26, when the State Returning Officer refused to admit the results from Ohaji-Egbema local government area which had already been declared at the LGA level and we got over 28,000 votes as against APGA which got a little above 3,000 votes. You know what happened at the supplementary election. Our party members and supporters were chased away by soldiers using armoured vehicles. I do not want to go into details but

Chief Ikedi Ohakim all I can say is that I am running to prove that if anybody thought that Ikedi Ohakim had been sent to political oblivion because of what happened in 2011, I am sorry they will be disappointed. I believe my emergence as candidate of the PDP will bring down the political temperature both within the party and in the s t a t e . Wi t h o u t s o u n d i n g immodest, I am the only fellow who will command the respect of other aspirants if I emerge.

But some of the aspirants have alleged that you gave them the nod to run and

now you have come out to contest? Was I in a position to ask anybody to run or not to run? If somebody came to you to tell you that he wants to run for an election, what moral authority do you have to tell him not to run? Can I even tell my son not to run? They came to me out of courtesy and courtesy requires that you encourage the fellow. Some of them came to me while I was still in court pursuing my case. It would be rude to tell a man who has gotten to the level of aspiring to become a governor not to aspire. I don't think it is proper. It is possible that the situation at that point in time was such that some of them thought I will not be able to run. But politics is the most dynamic thing in human endeavour. Having said that, I don't think there is any problem yet. The aspirants are all my personal friends and political associates and we have one common objective, which is to make our party to get back to power in Imo State. When the time comes, we all know what to do. I don't think there is any problem.

ones to educate the people on what constitutes capacity. Capacity is not only money or the claim to wealth. If you use only money to measure capacity then we will not go anywhere. Some aspirants boast of capacity because of their fabled wealth or that of their sponsors. With the highest sense of responsibility, if anybody has capacity in all its ramifications among the aspirants, it is Ikedi Ohakim. There's no doubt that the next election will involve enormous resources but I can assure you that none of the aspirant in PDP including me will be found wanting if given the ticket. If it is about money, Imo people know what I am capable of doing. But that is not even the issue. I have just told you that I am the only one amongst them that has a structure that cuts across the entire state by virtue of the fact that as immediate past governor, the people I worked with are still very much on ground.

But Owerri zone people argue that Okigwe has done a total of eight years, that is putting together your tenure and that of late

With due respect, I do not think it is proper for me to argue about Owerri or Mbakwe regime which was in old Imo before the advent of PDP. If you trace the apparent indoctrination over the Owerri zone matter and the avalanche of media reports, you will discover that it is coming from the government in power. You may be surprised to hear this. That does not mean that Owerri people are not agitating. But the orchestration is coming from government because the people there now know that if the PDP is pressured into giving Owerri zone the ticket, Okigwe will vote Rochas Okorocha and he will continue. If you look at the age of the aspirants from Owerri zone, they are all in the same age bracket. Therefore, there is peergroup jealousy among them. So, they will prefer somebody from outside the zone who will do only four years so that they can return to the ring in 2019. Another reason for that orchestration is that Okorocha is afraid of my candidature because that is the only one that can bring him face to face with somebody who has a record of performance; that will enable Imo people put both of us on the scale, project by project, quality by quality, income by income, economics by economics and in terms of affinity for democratic governance. In spite of what people are sponsored to write in the newspapers, you and I know that Imo people have since seen that my administration was more focused and sophisticated. And that they have discovered the lies told about me. So, that is why the Okorocha's camp is panicking over my candidacy. They have devised a way of secretly latching into the Owerri agitation.

There are some aspirants from Okigwe zone like you who are against zoning because they believe that a party in opposition does not zone? First, go and find out what such people said about zoning before now. They supported it before but have only changed because of certain emerging factors. More importantly, the postulation that a party in opposition does not zone is utter rubbish. Which theory of political science is that?

Recently, there were media reports that a Catholic Priest in Enugu, Reverend Father Mbaka absolved you on the allegation that you assaulted a Reverend Father when you were governor and that he was misled into launching an Continues on page 21

October 8, 2014

NIGERIA

Chime breached his agreement with me – Nnaji Continued from page 18 nothing has taken place. Who do you think the you? pendulum will swing to as Can you tell us some of the battle for Enugu east content of the agreement? senatorial seat between the Let me tell you, he promised me that he is going to do so many incumbent, Sen. Gilbert t h i n g s . Yo u k n o w w h e n Nnaji, Chief of Staff, Dr. somebody is in politics, actually Chimaroke Nnamani and you can make promises which Frank Nweke (jnr)? unfortunately you might not even fulfil, but not a situation that you are a governor and knowing full well my position as former national auditor and founding member of the party. Somebody who is conceding a position of chairman to you, because that was the request he made “I want you to concede your position as chairman of our party to Vita Abba, accept Vita Abba and I will do this and that for you” and I accepted. Don't you think there was a condition? Let me tell you my friend in 1997 I was local government chairman; I don't know what Sullivan Chime was then. We found this party in 1998. I laboured and suffered and I cannot be sycophant for anybody for the person to do anything for me. What I am asking for is that you made me to change my position, you made me conceded a position I was holding for the interest of peace, interest of development of the party and for your own interest and now you are telling me nonsense.

Is the governor opposing your membership to Save Enugu Group? Does it have it anything to do with an agreement? An agreement was reached and concluded. The only thing is that it was not in writing because of his position as governor that is why I did not insist. I did not expect him denying tomorrow after accepting certain fact. So, even if I have decided to go to APC, it doesn't mean that he should not fulfil the agreement he entered into and he cannot use it as a yardstick. So there is nothing I would have done that would make me not to renege from coming to that meeting.

Is the said agreement enforceable in a law court? What are you talking about; if you don't know, you should know that unwritten document is enforceable and written document is enforceable that is what I would like to tell you and let Sullivan deny it, first. It doesn't matter whether it is written or not, I want him to deny that there was no such agreement. Then the question will be what do you think, am I a Father Christmas, I am the only person that have document, I am the chairman of the party, I was in court what actually do you think that may have made me to say let me concede to him and you think

I also learnt the former deputy governor is interested in the race though he has not told me formally but let me be frank with you we have followed this politics for a long time. Frank Nweke is just trying to make people know him; he has no business going to the senate. For the incumbent Sen. Gilbert Nnaji, he was lucky to have gotten to the senate because of the fact that all of us decided that

PDP as a party could not be disgraced but in this dispensation, Sen. Nnaji has not

impressed anybody at the senate. How many times have you had him speak, how many times have you had him contribute at the plenary or have he made meaningful input in any debate. So you think that the senatorial seat is just hereditary because he is the son of late Igwe Edward Nnaji, a handsome man that has a lot of money and so should be left for him. You go there to be collecting allowances without even making an input or making the live of the people you are representing change. I am not God but for Gilbert Nnaji, he has contributed and made his own impact. He was two terms Reps member by the virtue of the fact that Chimaroke assisted him but after that, he got to the senate by the virtue of the fact that Chimaroke did not listen to our

We're still the best ... Continued from page 20 attack against you. Do you feel vindicated? It is the people that feel vindicated and relieved by the revelation. For me I never labored any worries because I know that God Almighty who knows everything knows the truth. The worst they did was to use it as an aspect of the conspiracy that rubbed me of the mandate I got from the people in 2011. Since God allowed that to happen who was I to query Him? I know that at the appropriate time, He will make the people know the truth.

Do you think the new development would enhance your chances? That's not the issue. My happiness is that the people of Imo state now feel relieved that

the truth has been revealed about that particular incident. Many Imolites knew earlier what Fr. Mbaka said but that was the first time he was making it public.

There was this question of 10,000 jobs created by your administration which was scraped by your successor. Some other governorship aspirants are saying they will restore the people sacked if they are elected. Do you think they want to reap what they did not sow? Not at all. It is not a question of anybody reaping what he or she did not sow, it is a question of appreciating what is good and condemning what is bad.

miracle churches out of ignorance thinking that they are running away from Ebola only to infect more people. Consequently, we need to intensify contact tracing and quarantining to stop the disease from reaching epidemic proportion. The doctor who is incharge of the Centre for D i s e a s e C o n t r o l , D r. Abdulsalam Nasidi, is a very effective officer and I am not surprised that he is giving everything to contact tracing. He is expending every effort that he has on contact tracing and quarantining. I worked with him. My expectation is that the ministry shall succeed.

You were acclaimed to have combated

Guneaworm scourge, is there anything we are doing wrongly in tackling the present Ebola challenge? There is a mounting of difference between guinea worm disease and the Ebola virus disease. The proper containment strategies are being applied by the Federal Ministry of Health in combating the Ebola scourge and I believe they are on the right track. If it hadn't been for the insanity of the Port Harcourt incident the Federal Ministry of Health was on its way to having contained the disease.

There are both underground and overground moves towards 2015. How do you think

Continues on page 22 thinking person who get to a position of authority would most likely reverse it.

You said earlier that other aspirants will have no difficulty in supporting you if you emerge as candidate, what about Senator Ifeanyi Ararume; it is no secret that both of you are not seeing eye to eye despite coming from the same locality?

Governance is a continuous thing. The laying off of 10,000 graduates we employed into the state civil service was an atrocity against the people not against Ikedi Ohakim. So any right

Nigeria can't move forward without ... Continued from page 19

advice and he left the party because if he has been a member of PDP and was interested in the senate, I don't think Gilbert would have been in the senate by now. So trying to comeback is trying to take his luck too far, he is taken his luck too far. Probably he wanted to contest so that he will have it as a carrot to see if something can be given to him because some of these people who have tested power for a long time, who have being in the corridors of power will find it difficult to do any other thing apart from being in the corridors of power, from 1999 he has been in power. So it will be very difficult for him to be out of power, so that is why he is ready to do anything but the Chief of staff who happen to be my wife, I

this will play out? Only God can predict. But what I can see are those routing for Mr. President and those determined to take it away from Mr. President. Those routing for president fall into many categories – those who think he has done well and they are citing what he has done and what he shall do if re-elected. This is what I want to happen. That is issuebased and fact-based campaign. The others routing for Mr. President are simply hustling wanting to be heard and positioning themselves for patronages. These are the groups I don't want to be associated with. Those who want to take power from Mr. President, that is the opposition, confound me completely. They haven't said what they shall do if they get the power from the president. They

It is absolutely not true that two of us do not see eye to eye. I have no problem with Senator Ararume. Most of these things are exaggerated by people who benefit from the imagined enmity between the two of us. If he emerges as candidate of the PDP, of course I will support him whole heartedly and I believe he will also support me if I emerge. only say that they shall do better than the president without saying how and where they will do better. More importantly, we don't know who they want to project to become the president and vice president because the personalities they put forward will determine for Nigerians whether they are serious or not. So far what I can see is they organizing to get power. I don't see them organizing to develop Nigeria and improve the welfare and wellbeing of Nigerians. If they are, they haven't told Nigerians what and what they shall do. So, until they tell Nigerians what they want to do with the power and present the candidates who they shall use to do those things people like me are not taking them seriously. When they present their agenda and their candidates, we shall then assess them against what we have now and make an informed choice.

October 8, 2014

NIGERIA

Private Schools Proprietors condemn operation of illegal private schools in A'Ibom By Christopher Okon, Uyo qualitative education for her

he national Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, Akwa Ibom State Chapter, (NAPPS) said the operation of illegal private schools has become worrisome especially the rising unethical practices in our educational system which has contributed in tarnishing the association image in the state. This was disclosed by the state president, Prince Ubong-Abasi I. Equot (JP) in Uyo while answering questions from Journalists over issues of illegal private schools and Ebola virus disease during a training workshop for teachers in public / private and secondary schools on control of Ebola disease organized by the ministry of education, Akwa Ibom State. Prince Ubong-Abasi, who is a crusader of rapid development of education, said their activities has become questionable as stakeholders are seriously worried over the issue and advised them to desist from such activities and obtain the necessary government approval for successful operation as their practice is causing set back on the current educational system. According to him, such development in this present democratic dispensation does not provide standard and

pupils or students. Expressing dismay that the association does not have the right to close down illegal private schools rather as a recognized body should report to ministry of education on their

activities for proper action. He commended the government for improving the educational sector of the state to frustrate issues of kidnapping, poverty, negative vices and violence as well as ensuring smooth and effective educational system in

the state. He said that Akwa Ibom Government organized the workshop to train teachers on control of the spread of Ebola virus disease in the schools; a mandatory programme which is in keeping with the federal

government directive towards fighting the Ebola disease epidemic. He said, “the workshop would surely go a long way in order to monitor the health status of our school children to enjoy maximum protection and reduce fear or suspicious of fellow students in the school environment.”

Enugu Schools amongst the reopened for 2014/2015 session By Unah Linus, Enugu

s controversy continues to trail the Federal Government's directive for schools to resume on September 22, primary and secondary schools in Enugu resumed Monday to commence the 2014/2015 academic session. Also, schools in Edo, Kaduna and Ebonyi states partially reopened as students and pupils were reported to be milling around with few teachers reporting for duties. As of Monday morning, hundreds of students and pupils were seen filing into different primary and secondary schools in the metropolis, while some schools such as Purple Krown College and University of Nigeria Secondary School, Enugu Campus provided disinfected water at their entrance for washing of hands. “I feel very happy to see my

school resume again," said Chidera Onovo,12, a pupil of Zik Avenue Primary School II with apparent happiness written all over her. ‘‘We can't wait to see our teachers helping us to add to our body of knowledge." Onovo's classmate, Felix Nwachukwu, 10, said, “We are

very happy to go back to school and continue learning. We have stayed at home for a very long time, and I miss my friends and teachers." The outbreak of Ebola virus which according to the World Health Organization has killed more than 2,400 in West African

countries of Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Nigeria, forced the federal government to shift the resumption date to October 13. But following thorough considerations with stakeholders and the Ministry of Health confirming that nobody is infected with the virus as of present, a new date of September 22 was fixed. The National Union of Teachers (NUT) has, however, asked its members nationwide not to resume until adequate health gadgets are provided by the government to enable resuming schools take preventive measures against the deadly virus. Some states such as Lagos, Ogun and Cross River have deferred their resumption to October. “You we have stayed at home for a very long time; so coming back to school is something we are very excited about. I just want to get to listen to my teachers again," said Ugochukwu Achara,14, of Purple Krown College.

Chime breached his agreement with me – Nnaji Continued from page 21 must have to tell you, the woman has an edge in terms of emerging as flag bearer of the party if for instance Chimaroke is not contesting with her in the party. It is not clear whether Chimaroke is in PDP or not but if he is in PDP and the waver has being given to him to contest, it is going to be very difficult battle between Chief Ifeoma Nwobodo and Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, but if that is not the case it is a battle between Ifeoma, Gilbert, Frank Nweke and the deputy governor. The only person that can give Chief of Staff problem in that struggle is the deputy governor but eventually she is going to beat the deputy governor because she started this race earlier than all of them and she has made a lot of contact and has garnered a lot of support.

What will work against Ifeoma Nwobodo The problem which I am envisaging is that if she emerges the flag bearer of the party what happened in Edo State when Oba of Benin came a night to the day of election and made some sentimental comment which

made a popular candidate to lose may also happen. What I am trying to tell you is that the issue of sentiment is going to come whether a woman who is from Udi axis not withstanding she is our wife can go to senate to represent us when we have our own son who is in another party. Is going to be a major battle that will determine who will go and that is why I said it is going to be a battle between Chief Ifeoma Nwobodo and Chimaroke Nnamani because eventually I am foreseeing a situation where Chimaroke if not given opportunity to contest under PDP will contest under another party and is not going to be an easy fight.

What if Governor Chime uses state machinery to make Ifeoma senator? Forget what you are trying to tell me. Let me be frank with you most of the PDP members, though Governor Chime has relatively done well in terms of infrastructural development but in terms of party patronage, in terms of members of the party being happy I will tell you

greater percentage of the members of the party are not happy. So I cannot determine what is going to happen tomorrow but I am trying to tell you that Chime in terms of performance, development, working and rest of them, he has relatively done well, but human development, human relationship and so many other things which actually will calumniate into galvanizing support for whoever will go under the banner of PDP is going to be every big factor.

Governor Chime wants to retire in the senate and DSP Ekweremadu wants to return to senate for Enugu west senatorial seat. (Cut in) why I want to cut you here is because that zone is not my zone. I don't belong to the Enugu West and I cannot authoritatively talk about Enugu West but I will have to tell you one part. That Ike Ekweremadu being a tested politician and deputy senate president, Speaker of ECOWAS parliament, he is a very strong politician, it's not going to be easy and governor

Chime being an incumbent having a lot of structure on ground is not going to be easy either. Though what will now happen in effect is that whoever that will have the support of the national will emerge the winner at the end of the day because whatever happens here might not determine whose name will be submitted to INEC at the end of the day. You know quite well that the national have the exclusive right to submit any other person not even the person that won the primary and there are decided cases in that effect and nobody can fault it. So far the person filed his papers and was among those people who contested the primaries, even if he came last, he/she might even be submitted by the party and there is nothing you can do about it. Except there is any electoral problem which is a pre-action issue which you are to go to court, so that fight is not going to be easy between Ekweremadu and Chime. But it is a pride fight, fight in the sense that Ike has represented the zone three times, ordinarily he would have said no I am no more interested. Sullivan Chime too, as governor

for 8yrs who actually before now was telling me that he don't even know who will like to succeed him, that when he finishes he will go to his village and relaxed suddenly decided to be interested in the senate. Ekweremadu will like to use it as a forum even if he failed there will be a carrot dangled for him to say you have failed we will give you this to continue. I am not saying he is going to fail because I don't know his permutations but he is a very strong politician who has rose through the rank. We were all colleagues in 1997, he was Chairman in Aninri when I was chairman of Nkanu west, so we were all colleagues, so he has rose through the rank yet it is not going to be easy. Sullivan is just over night politician. He was not politician before Chimaroke brought him into the fold in 1999. So he doesn't even know the game very well notwithstanding the fact he has the structure and what it takes but he doesn't know the game. Ekweremadu have what it takes and he knows the game, so they are two different things. So, it's going to be a difficult fight.

October 8, 2014

NIGERIA

Ebonyi man beheads Suspected mad man kills two girls in Bauchi woman, throws body into stream

bonyi State Police Command on Thursday paraded a 32-yearold man, Chinedu Nweke, for allegedly beheading a middle aged woman, Mrs. Philomena Nwega, 45, from Amuda in Ezza North Local government area of the state. The suspect who admitted killing the woman was paraded with the head of the woman which he concealed inside a polythene bag. The Commissioner of police, Maigari Dikko, revealed that the suspect waylaid the woman and cut off her head while she was returning from the farm on September 6, this year. According to the police boss, the suspect killed the woman and threw the headless body into Ogbor stream in Amuda and buried the head in the nearby bush. Dikko also disclosed that both the body and head of the deceased have been recovered by the operatives of the Command. “The suspect confessed that on 06/ 09/2014, he waylaid and cut off the head of Philomena Nwega, a 45-year-old woman from the same village while she was returning from the farm. After committing the murder, the suspect threw the headless body into Ogbor stream in Amuda and buried the head in a nearby bush”, the Commissioner said. The police boss added that the suspect would soon be arraigned in court, but pleaded with members of the public to report any suspicious gathering of people to the police to help rid off hoodlums from the society. Other breakthroughs recorded by the command included the arrest of armed robbery suspects, illegal arms carriers, cultists, and recovery of stolen vehicles. He also revealed that a medical doctor, Kester Onurah, had been kidnapped, saying that the police were tracking the kidnappers. He explained that it was not needful to give details on what the command was doing to rescue the doctor. He said he was kidnapped at No. 1 Eziowere Street Abakaliki while he was attending to patients at about 10.pm. Dikko reiterated the preparedness of the command in making sure that the forth coming general election is rancour-free, as he disclosed that he would soon reach out to all the aspirants to intimate them on how to play according to the rules of the law.

auchi State Police Command has arrested one Musa Sale for stabbing two girls to death in Sabon Garin Sade village of Darazo Local Government Area of the state. In statement made available to journalists on Sunday, the command, said the culprit, aged 6o and suspected to be insane, went berserk on Saturday evening, killing the

girls and injuring others, with a sharp knife. T h e c o m m a n d ' s spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed, said one of the injured, six-month-old baby girl, Maryam Disu, narrowly escaped death after the culprit slit her throat. It gave the names of the two girls killed as Ilawisa Abdullahi and Ummi Saidu, aged two and 12, while two other persons, Ilu Masani and Hassan Garba, were also

injured, along with the baby. “The suspect killed two girls Ilawisa Abdullahi and Ummi Saidu aged two and 12 years respectively. “Two other persons Ilu Masani and Hassan Garba were also attacked and injured by Sale,” it said. According to the command “the corpses of the deceased had been released to their parents after an autopsy was carried out, while the injured had been admitted to the General Hospital, Darazo.” It said investigations into the matter had commenced.

Police arrest two nurses, four pregnant ladies in Abia Baby Factory he Police in Abia have paraded two suspected nurses and four pregnant inmates in a hospital used as baby factory in Aba, Abia state on Monday. It was gathered that one of the suspected nurses was the mother of a two year old baby, discovered during a raid on the

management, “who in turn sells them to willing buyers”. The Police Spokesman gave the name of one of the inmates with a little baby as Sopuruchi from Eneka in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, explaining that the command is walking assiduously towards reuniting the inmates whom he

150 suspects since August. He noted that about 50 suspects had been arraigned in court while those arrested for drug-related offences were referred to the Enugu zonal office of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

said hospital. The State Police Public Relations Officer, Geoffrey Ogbonna, during the parade of the suspects in Umuahia, Abia state said that men of the Command were still on the trail of the Medical Director of the private hospital located at Ihie Umudem Isuochi in Umunneochi council Area of the state who fled during the raid. The PPRO said, the fleeing doctor, (names withheld) and the nurses used the hospital as shelter for young women with unwanted pregnancies, who upon delivery usually sell the babies to the hospital

said were all non Abians, with their family members. However the Police warned that dubious medical practitioners and charity homes in the state that use their facilities as baby factories should desist from the act or will be made to face the full weight of the law if apprehended. Some suspected kidnappers and robbers arrested at different parts of the state were also paraded. Speaking further, the PPRO disclosed that following weekly raid of suspected criminal hideouts in the state the police have arrested over

While restating its readiness to rid Abia State of criminal elements and provide maximum security for all residents, the PPRO said that the Command have adopted several proactive measures and strategies to curb criminal activities in the state especially as the Christmas and New Year festivities are approaching . Ogbonna revealed that the police had rescued unhurt, one kidnap victim, identified as Ugo Charles Ajieke of Power Line in Obingwa council. Ajike it was gathered was abducted last week at the gate of his compound.

SHAMEFUL DESIRE: ABU lecturer disguised with Hijab, caught in female hostel

teaching staff at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria was apprehended Sunday night at a private female hostel in Samaru, Zaria. It was gathered that the lecturer disguised by wearing Hijab (veil) and attempted to sneak into the hostel before he was intercepted. A witness, Khalifa Sha'aibu, alleged that, it was not the first time the lecturer was entering the hostel to visit his girl friend. Sha'aibu added: “The most annoying thing is the fact that the man used Hijab. As a Muslim, I feel sad that somebody would use something that women of faith are known with to perpetrate crime. “I wonder why the man would not get a hotel room to perpetrate his immoral act. It was a vigilante member that noticed the structure of the man and exposed him. After

he was caught, we discovered that he has been entering the hostel with the consent of the girl. The owner of the private hostel had barred men from entering the rooms.” It was further gathered that the lecturer was handed over to a team of army personnel that are manning a check point close to the university. It was learnt that the soldiers ransacked the lecturer's house. When contacted, Director of Public Affairs in the university, Dr. Ismail Shehu, said he heard something like that but that no official report has been made. He added that when an official report is received, the university will take action. “As you know, ABU does not tolerate indiscipline. Investigation would be carried out and both the lecturer and student would be punished accordingly. There is no doubt about that,” he said.

October 8, 2014

NIGERIA

Elechi's Kinsmen endorse him for senate By Damian Ike

raditional rulers and Leaders of Thought of Ikwo Noyo clan in Ikwo local government area of Ebonyi state have unanimously endorsed Governor Martin Elechi for the Ebonyi Central Senatorial Position in 2105. This was part of the resolution reached after a crucial peace and development meeting of top traditional rulers, Ozos, political leaders and renowned stakeholders of the clan at Illi (tomb) Noyo in the council area. In a communiqué which was read to newsmen yesterday by Senator Emmanuel Onwe on behalf of other stakeholders in Abakaliki, the group called on all sons and daughters of the clan to continue to give their unequivocal support, loyalty, solidarity and remain steadfast with Elechi's

s u c c e s s f u l transition on May 29, 2015. Ikwo, clansmen of the governor called him to respond affirmatively to the tremendous clamour and agitation by the citizens of the zone to pick the mandate and represent them in the red chambers of National Assembly. They also noted that E l e c h i h a s demonstrated extraordinary capacity to manage c o m p l e x Gov Martin Elechi relationships with competing political interests administration until he completes within the state both at the lowest a smooth, peaceful and and highest levels, thereby giving

“Ebonyi state the best positive public image it has ever enjoyednationally and internationally”. According to them, “Elechi has earned the people's admiration, praise and great respect for his outstanding ability to sustain peace and stability in the state, despite occasional mischiefmaking by very few undisciplined and thoughtless citizens”. “We call on His Excellency, Chief Martin Elechi to create time and embark on a commissioning exercise of some of the impressive projects he has executed for Ebonyi people so that the record of his legacy will claim a pride of place in history”. Adding credence to the resolution of the stakeholders, the state PDP Youths Leader and National President of Ebonyi Youths Assembly, Comrade

Chinedu Ogah, noted that all they are asking the governor was just to accept the clarion call, while they campaign for him. “What we are just asking him is to accept to run. He should not bother himself on how we will do it. We will buy form for him, campaign for him and make sure he emerges victorious in the election. All we aresaying is that he should sit down and watch us do the work and he should not reject our call because we will not allow that to happen, Ogah said. The clan also commended the governor for his decision to honour the dictate of “justice and equity” by championing the rotation of the governorship position to the southern zone of the state, which according to them is “an inspirational act of wisdom, maturity, integrity and fair mindedness”.

Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) will not resort to blackmail to woo electorates By Christopher Okon, Uyo

he Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) Akwa Ibom State Chapter said during the weekend that they would not resort to blackmail, condemning and criticizing any political party for selfish purpose. The state chairman, Mr. Cyril Michael Ekpo said this in an

interview with newsmen in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State saying that such attitude is not in their character as a political party, rather vision and focus to transform the state to a level where citizens will have impact of democracy when it captures 2015 governorship election. He maintained that the party is focused on setting example on how political party ought to be

run in order to make sure things are done in the right direction instead of blackmailing, condemning and criticizing the government in power unconstructively. According to him, “we really understand the significance of being a political party when showcasing our manifesto to ginger citizens to join the party and we cannot be intimidated

while our dream cannot be frustrated despite whatever challenges because we have resolved to surely achieve our goal.” The chairman said the party is waxing stronger on a daily basis since they were been inaugurated in the state by the national body, describing the party as people oriented and a where platform people can air their views without

fear or favour. He commended the party national executive for their role and advices to the chapter to exhibit love, unity and peace which will unite them as one family inorder eschew discrimination and move the party to a greater height. He called on other political parties to emulate them through understanding that politic is not do or die affairs and continue to contribute to nation building rather than condemning one party or the other.

Community where old age is a taboo Continued from page 17 us round the village”, Onyema said. It was gathered that the three policemen who could not control the situation because they were also attacked by the youths which made them to quickly retreat and whisked Boniface. Our source revealed that the police in Ogbede contacted the traditional ruler of the community to ascertain the true situation, he was said to be in his Nsukka resident as he rarely visits his kingdom. A police source told Advocate that when the traditional ruler best described as political monarch arrived he was asked to go to his community and bring Okanyi and the son to the station. When he came and saw that Okanyi has been killed and son thrown into pond, he returned to the station and told the police that Okanyi was still alive. As a result some policemen were dispatched to the community to bring the man his traditional said he was alive. But alas, the information that elder Okanyi was still alive as the traditional rulers claimed was a fallacy because even policeman

saw that he was already died before the monarch came. Investigations revealed that when the boys saw that Okanyi was dead, apparently to justify his murder, they forced the son, Onyema who had no knowledge that his father had been murdered to say that his father killed Obumuneke. According to Onyema, “After they had stoned my father to death, they took me to a bush near the village and told me to say that my father killed Obumuneke and Ogechukwu or they will also kill me in that bush but I told them that my father was innocent of the allegations. “When I didn't yield to their demand, the youth leader, Nnabuike, Ik Ogbonna, Obiora Ugwu, Abumchukwu Ugwuogo and some people from Nnabuikes' maternal home brought in petrol and tyre. They told me that if I don't say what they asked me to say that they will kill me like they killed my father.” “They were videoing me with phone camera and when I could not repeat after them”, Onyema said they hanged tyre on his neck

and poured petrol on him, “I don't know when I started repeating after them. I said yes my father killed Obumuneke; all inorder to save my live. I vaguely remembered when they pushed into a pond and probably I may have fainted. The next thing was that I found myself in the hospital. Boniface Ochi of Amakpo-Aku, Okanyi's tenant told our correspondent that he has lived with the Papa Okeanyi for three years and in those three years he treated him and his family like a father which he is. He regretted that some youths were tricked to murder a man who he said “has done nothing”, if the man is a murderer he would have killed me or my children who is a stranger. “So I saw the allegation as baseless and unfounded. I was surprised when I saw my landlord with his son stark-naked and was led into the house by elder brother's son, his uncle from mother's side, some youths of the village and onlookers. “When they came they collected my hoe went straight to the backyard digging ground apparently to bring out what they

termed as the medicine he used in killing Obumuneke, but at the end they discovered nothing. They equally broke into his house and destroyed all the doors in search of the said killing medicine yet they saw nothing”. One Eze Okechukwu popularly known as 'Igwe' described the murder of the old as a taboo as there is no evidence to show that he killed his elder brothers son as being alleged by his in-laws who actually ganged up the youths. He st said it is ridicules that in this 21 century somebody will die even in US, it would be alleged that such person was killed by somebody in this community. “This Obumuneke died in faraway Minna, Niger state and somebody here who probably do not know location of Niger state was being accused to have killed him without medical report or any other examination to know exactly what killed him. I can tell you that the murder of Okanyi was borne out of wickedness and those who participated in the murder will not go free even if our legal system frees them, they will not escape God”.

The younger brother of the youth leader, Fidelis Ezeorah told our correspondent that murder of late Okeanyi is not a unanimous decision of entire youths of the community. He regretted that his elder brother was coaxed to join in the murder of Okeanyi who incidentally is the most elderly person in our kindred Ugwoke family. “Okanyi has represented our family well in everything done in the community, so I do not see justification in his murder by mere suspicion. I have known this man as a good and hard working. His murder is as painful as he has neither wronged anybody in our family since he started representing our clan nor have we had any case against him. So the murderers are aware that what they did is against the law and natural justice”, he said. In a response, the state police public relations officer PPRO Ebere Amaraizu told our correspondent that the command is on top of situation as two people has been arrested among the people that killed Okanyi even as effort is on to track-down the remaining ones.

Release delayed pension refund, Workers union tell govt By Christopher Okon, Uyo

he Nigeria Union of Civil Service Secretariat and Stenographic workers (NUCSSASW) have appealed to government for the release of delayed pension refund to the workers which has caused hardship on them. The national president, Comrade Yahaya Yashi made the appeal during Union South-South /South-East 33th Zonal Conference in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state. Though the president commended government for being workers friendly he expressed believe that it will quickly address the matter so that workers will not continue to experience hardship because of the pension refund issue. While noting that strike is not in their character rather members believe in hard work to achieve their professional dream, he said his administration would continue to protect members welfare to ensure great transformation in their lives. He advised members to exhibit love among themselves, adding that those that contest elections should respect the rules, with the understanding that they are not politicians but professionals that should be emulated by others. The acting chairman, South-South / South-East, Comrade (Mrs) Paulina Isaac commended the national president's spirit to advocate for the members over pension refund issues, showcasing his primary responsibilities of solving problems of workers as a true unionist. She called on government to correct the effective date of conversion and grade level of the secretariat assistants who were converted to data processing officers cadre and try to promote the serving civil servants as at when due adding that workers should continue to maintain good working relationship with government without crisis. The acting chairman commended government developmental strides and called it to tackle the problem of civil servants in the state who have worked tirelessly towards the achievement of the uncommon transformation ringing bell across the state and nation at large.

Enugu community divided over presentation of two candidates to fill vacant monarch seat By Rex Arum

he recent presentation of a second candidate as monarch-elect for the vacant traditional stool of Ogonogoeji Ndiagu Akpugo Autonomous Community in the Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State has created confusion in the on-going process to replace deceased Igwe Gabriel Nnaji who died last year. The leadership of the Community town union however reacted to the development at the weekend

maintaining that the first candidate Chief John Nwafor Nneji who was presented to the Nkanu West Local Government authority on July 25th 2014 is the duly nominated Igwe elect for the community. The controversy started when recently some members of the community who were received at the Council Headquarters in Agbani by the Vice Chairman, Mr. Onyekachi Onwe presented one Chief Emmanuel Nwobodo to the local authority as the Igwe elect. But in a swift reaction the town union executive in a letter made available to newsmen in Enugu

alleged plans by some people in the community to deceive the people of O'Eji Ndiagu Community as well as the entire public. The statement signed by the President General of the town union Chief Augustine Ede, Secretary General Prince Goddy Nnaji and four others noted that Nwobodo was not nominated by anybody in the community nor did he obtain application form from the chieftaincy selection committee. “That he was never in anyway eligible to be a traditional ruler in our community.

Those making claims that they are the executives of the town union and other mentioned names are impersonators. “That the person duly nominated and recognized by the Ogonogoeji Ndiagu Akpugo Community as Igwe elect is Chief John Nwafor Nneji and have been presented to the Nkanu West Local Government authority on July 25th 2014. “We the executive members of the town union and the Chieftaincy selection committee appeal to the public to discountenance the report because there is only one Igwe elect for the community.”

Gov. Obiano sets up testing lab to curb building collapse

n a bid to curb the incidence of building collapse in the state, the Anambra State government has established a multi-million Naira Building Materials Testing Laboratory at Awka, the state capital, with over 180 state-of-theart equipment for testing various building materials to ensure that they are suitable for building and that every project meets required standard and specifications. The Building and Construction Materials Quality Control Laboratory project, the Chairman & members of technical Committee of first of its kind in the Anambra State Materials testing laboratory, Awka South-East, is aimed at reducing the incidence of structural Hypolite Onyekwere to oversee Technical Committee. failures occasioning collapse of the affairs of the laboratory with He charged prospective builders buildings, roads, bridges and the mandate to determine the to use the services provided by overall policy of the laboratory the Ultra Modern Materials other infrastructural facilities. And to expedite action on the with particular reference to its Testing Laboratory at Awka to project, the governor has set up a financial, operational and ascertain the competence and nine-man Materials Testing administrative programmes; to suitability of materials used for L a b o r a t o r y T e c h n i c a l provide the necessary measures construction. Committee (MTLTC) headed by for quality control of buildings Engr. Dr. Onyekwere also a renowned engineer, Engr. Dr. and construction materials in observed that the establishment conformity with the Standard of the Materials Testing Organization of Nigeria (SON) Laboratory by the Obiano Act; administration has become The committee will also necessary in view of the high designate, establish and approve incidence of building collapse standards in respect of building witnessed in the state. and construction materials as T h e M a t e r i a l s T e s t i n g well as advise the state L a b o r a t o r y T e c h n i c a l volume of his musical set, government on national and state Committee Chairman called on p o l i c i e s o n s t a n d a r d s , all Anambra state government which had been constituting a specifications and quality Ministries, Departments and n u i s a n c e t o t h e control on building and civil Agencies (MDAs) to show environment.The victim was, engineering (construction) e x e m p l a r y l e a d e r s h i p b y afterwards rushed to the materials, and with the mandate subjecting all their high-rise that every storeyed building buildings and road construction Federal Teaching Hospital constructed in the state must activities to "routine materials Abakaliki, FETHA, by his wife undergo similar test and if any check" by the Quality Test and concerned neighbours for fails, it must be pulled down. Laboratory in compliance with medical treatment when it Addressing a meeting of the the vision and mission of the State Materials Testing state government. became obvious that he was LAnambra a b o r a t o r y T e c h n i c a l While condemning the activities lapsing into coma. Committee (ASMTLTC) at of the numerous technically As at the time of this report, the Awka, the chairman of the unqualified individuals parading victim who did not want to committee, Engr. Dr. Hypolite as engineers in the society and e r e w a r n e d t h a t who have been encouraging speak on the matter, was still hOennyceekf w orth, all storeyed substandard construction waiting to be discharged from buildings in the state must be activities, Dr. Onyekwere the hospital as plaster was seen constructed in accordance with expressed optimism that soon the guidelines stipulated by the these "quacks" will lack on the side of his head

Man, 35, beaten to stupor for playing loud music in Ebonyi 35- -year-old man, Mr. Paul Igwe, was weekend beaten to stupor at Enyibuchiri Street, off Ezza Road, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, for disturbing his cotenants by raising the volume of his musical set too high. Igwe was allegedly beaten by his co-tenants, leaving him with deep cuts on the back of his head as blood was seen gushing out from the injuries. Sources said that the victim was attacked after rejecting several appeals to lower the

October 8, 2014

NIGERIA

patronage and find the way out as his committee is committed to entrenching quality service delivery in all aspects of building and construction activities, even as he stated that with the establishment of the Quality Control Lab, these quacks in the building and construction industry will have no room to deceive the public anymore. He reminded the state citizenry of the existence of a legislation in the state which spells out penalties for embarking on the construction of storeyed buildings in any part of the state without the certification of the underground sub-soil quality, just as he stated that there must be a satisfactory Tests Certificate issued genuinely from the State Materials Testing Laboratory in Awka before embarking on such constructions. In an earlier meeting with members of his committee, Engr. Dr. Onyekwere reminded them of their onerous responsibilities and called for their co-operation, stressed that they cannot fold their hands and watch in perpetuity the ugly situation in the falling standard of the quality of building and civil engineering materials used by some people in their construction activities in Anambra State. The chairman therefore charged the committee members to deploy their full talent and experience and explore current trends and the latest technological developments in their assignment. Members later inspected the state-of-the-art equipment as over 180 of them in the Building Materials Quality Control laboratory took a thorough look at the equipment situated at the State Ministry of Works premises in Awka. Fielding questions from reporters in Onitsha, Engr. Prof. Onyekwere warned that the time of 'quack' contractors is over in the state. He stated that his Committee will deal decisively with erring builders, warning that the law stipulating the necessary conditions before any construction work must be obeyed to the letter.

October 8, 2014

The Advocate Gospel This Week

Right Violations:

7 women sue Spiritual Director Upper Room Ministries for N8M

TEXT: Matthew 20:17-19 Now Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took the Twelve aside and said to them, 'We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!' (NIVUK)

NARRATION The disciples were the trainee apostles. In such a short time, Jesus called the men He had chosen, and exposed them to a wide variety of ministry situations - including many sessions of teaching after which He would explain the parables. All this training was to equip them for the time when they would lead the fledgling church, in Jesus' absence, under the direction of the Holy Spirit. But that time of training was shortly going to come to an end: violently, on the cross. While most of Jesus' teaching was designed to intrigue the disciples so that they would ask further questions, Jesus had already specifically told them about His death twice already (Matthew 16:21, 17:22-23). This was to be the third time. It was not a riddle to amuse or stimulate them; and it was not in response to any known question. It was as though Jesus had deliberately stopped by the roadside and said to the twelve men, "I have something important to tell you, you must listen". We know what He was talking about, but the disciples could not understand something which was so shocking. Nevertheless Jesus told them exactly what would happen. Every detail was accurate because Jesus knew what would happen; indeed the Lord has orchestrated every part of the terrible suffering so that it would be a just punishment for the sins of the whole world. The resurrection was also a part of the big gospel plan. If Christ merely died, then there would be no hope for the church. However His resurrection gave proof that He was stronger than death, and would inspire many millions of believers to put their trust in the living Lord Jesus Christ. Unlike human society in which power comes through military or political conquest, the kingdom of God depends upon the suffering of its Leader, and those who lead after Him. It will happen - said Jesus. And yet He was not afraid. What an example to those men, most of whom would be martyred for their faith. People who come to Jesus for all the 'added benefits' may also go away when the good things fail to materialise. A gospel that is all blessing and no suffering is flawed. If you are suffering for Christ's sake, your faith is not defective; you have not believed a lie. Suffering is all part of the package which comes with Jesus (Philippians 1:29; 3:10). When it comes - do not treat it with distain, but bear it with intentional courage as Jesus and the apostles chose to do.

Prayer:

Dear Lord God. Thank you that Jesus did not shrink back from the cross. Nor did the apostles value their lives more highly than that of Jesus Christ. I am sorry for when I have chosen the easy options, avoiding pain and suffering wherever possible. Please teach me how to bear what You allow and to value the privilege of sharing in the suffering of Christ. I pray too for my brothers and sisters worldwide whose faith is currently being tested by suffering. May they have Your strength and joy so that they can endure it. In Jesus' Name. Amen

NIGERIA

even women farmers in Enugu state have dragged the Spiritual D i r e c t o r, U p p e r R o o m Ministries, Rev. Fr. Anthony Nnaji before Chief Magistrate Nmuta Adaeze Odo of Enugu East Magisterial court for alleged human right violation. The women are claiming the sum of eight million naira (N8m) exemplary damages against the defendant for his wrongful, unlawful and tortuous conduct/action among other things. The Plaintiffs: Mrs. Fidelia Nwonu, Maria Nwoku, Blessing Nwode, Anna Nwoku, Ufuo Theresa, Maria Nwanya in their claim in CME/494/2014, averred that on 29th of July 2014, they were detailed by the CEO of CONRAWS NIGERIA Ltd,

acting through a surveyor, called Owoh, to clear the bushes on an expanse of land situate at Edevu, UgwuomuNike, in Enugu East local government area of the state. They said that as they were clearing bushes on the said land, a group of about 15 boys armed with machetes stormed the place, wrested and dispossessed them of their cutlasses, insisting that they must stop work forthwith. Not satisfied with the seizure and detention of their working materials, they averred, the boys who claimed they were working on the order of the defendant, matched them to the compound of the Upper Room Ministries against their will and detained them for over three hours. The women prayed the court

for a declaration that the conduct of the defendant acting through his agents in keeping, holding and detaining them within the compound of the ministries against their will and the same time preventing them from escaping or going out of the said compound, amounted to false imprisonment. “A declaration that actions of the defendant (Rev. Fr. Anthony Nnaji) in authorizing his agents to match or order them into the compound of the Upper Room Ministries, Ugwomu-Nike, Enugu under the threat of harm, amounted to assault. When the case came up yesterday for mention, the defendants were not in court and the Magistrate adjourned the case to 13 October for plea and hearing.

Senate to probe Synagogue building collapse Asks COREN, SON, others to enforce compliance Panel report will determine next move, says LASG

enate on Tuesday blamed the high incidences of building collapse in Nigeria on corruption, breach of building regulations and lack of patriotism on the part of professionals and other sharp practices in the building industry. Consequently, it has mandated its Committee on Land, Housing and Urban Development to organise a sensitisation for public hearing on the menace of building collapse to forestall future occurrences. The Upper Chamber also urged federal and states Ministries of Land and Housing, Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and other regulatory agencies to wake up and ensure

compliance with building rules and regulations. It called on all the rescue operations in the country, including the National E m e rg e n c y M a n a g e m e n t Agency (NEMA), Fire Service, the Red Cross Society, Nigeria Police, Nigerian Army, and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to always be at alert and facilitate rescue of lives and property in similar incidences. The Senators also observed a minute silence in honour of those who lost their lives in the collapse building at the Synagogue Church of all Nations a fortnight ago in which about 115 persons have been confirmed dead. In a motion of urgent public importance by Abdulmumin Hassan representing Jigawa

South West titled: 'The alarming rate of building collapse in Nigeria', Hassan who led the debate observed that the rate of building collapse in Nigeria was not only alarming but also “horrifying, unfortunate and worrisome”. He regretted that the rampant incidences of building collapse had claimed many lives and property worth billions of naira, especially in Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna and Port Harcourt. The lawmaker who noted that in the last two years, most major cities in Nigeria had witnessed at least two to three building collapse incidences insisted that 60 per cent of structures were built without approvals by the relevant agencies, while 85 per cent of building materials in Nigeria are substandard.

October 8, 2014

NIGERIA

SON starts implementation of cement standardization policy

he Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) Tuesday in Lagos began the implementation of the cement standardisation and reclassification scheme with a zonal stakeholders' forum on blocks and allied products in the South-west. SON also received directives from the Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment, to immediately commence the full enforcement of the policy across all segments of the cement and allied products sector. The federal government's regulator of quality and standards began with the official unveiling of the new packaging and labelling model for the three different classes of cement in the nation's market, with clear labelling and colour coding to help stakeholders easily distinguish between the lower 32.5 cement grade and the higher 42.5 and 52.5 grades to prevent misuse. Following the spate of building collapse in the country which is still ongoing with the recent incident at the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) that killed over 100 people, the SON had began a review of the standards of the major building materials beginning with iron rods, steel products and roofing sheets in 2012/2013, and then cement and allied products in 2014. Kick starting the implementation of the cement standardisation scheme, the Minister of States for Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Samuel Ortom, expressed delight over move by SON to strengthen the regulatory frame work for building materials in the country, including cement and its allied products such as sandcrete blocks. He also endorsed the decision to contrive the new cement packaging and labelling in line with the recently approved Nigeria Industrial Standard for Cement, stressing that these steps would go a long way to enhance sanity in the building and construction industry. “One key focus of standardisation all over the world is continual improvement aimed at customer satisfaction and this is only attainable through the diligent implementation of specifications for products and services as prescribed in the relevant approved standards. Standards in themselves are dynamic in that they undergo reviews as necessary towards ensuring continual improvement in products quality. “Today's event I understand is one of the quality assurance initiatives as part of the implementation of the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) for all locally manufactured products in Nigeria to ensure that they meet minimum specifications in applicable standards that are safe and would give value for money before being

offered to Nigerians for patronage. This will also ensure consumer confidence and repeated patronage that will ultimately lead to increased capacity utilization and employment creation in line with the transformation agenda of the

federal government,” Ortom explained. He therefore implored all professionals in the manufacturing, building and construction sector in Nigeria, including artisans and sandcrete

block moulders, to ensure the use of only certified materials and engage only those with requisite knowledge and skills in order to correctly interpret and apply the approved specifications in the standard. According to him, “The recent review of the Nigeria Industrial Standard for Cement which addressed among other issues, correct labelling to guide users' application is also in furtherance of continual improvement as required in standardisation. It is therefore important to ensure mass sensitisation of stakeholders nationwide on the new labelling requirement part of which this occasion is set to achieve. “I wish to reiterate the determination of the federal government to continue to provide the needed support and encouragement to its agencies including the Standards Organisation of Nigeria to ensure the effective implementation of their mandates.

“I also call on all Nigerians to endeavour to demand for quality as a right, take steps to seek redress when dissatisfied with product q u ality, p r o v id e clas s if ied information to regulatory agencies on suspected substandard products and take advantage of the myriad of expertise and knowledge base which the SON officials have to offer you and your businesses through their offices Nationwide. “On this note, I wish to flag-off the Mandatory Certification of all Sandcrete Blocks moulded in Nigeria and direct SON to commence full implementation of the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) for all locally manufactured products in Nigeria. “Also to the glory of God and the benefit of Nigerian economy, I hereby unveil the newly approved cement packaging/labeling in line with the recently approved Nigeria Industrial Standard with a view to safeguarding lives through compliance to standards.”

Nigerian Women group set to hit global market with palm oil By Christopher Okon, Uyo

h e N i g e r i a n quintessential business women association at the weekend said their vision is to make Nigerian women top players in the global market with a mission of connecting and supporting women in business and leadership while maintaining the highest standard of ethic and values. MRS INIOBONG OKONKO, the state president, Akwa Ibom Chapter, stated this while making the association's vision known at the inauguration of Akwa Ibom State Chapter in Uyo. Mrs Iniobong Okonko said the association's vision would be realized as women would benefit in areas of soft loan, and

members through their registered cooperative societies would be able to acquire the necessary equipments and tools for improved and large scale business / farming, while palm oil production, for which the state is known for would now be processed under high standard condition and packaged for offshelf sale and export. According to her, the reminiscence of the Malaysian experience with our oil seedling still haunts us as the association would avail itself in the state as the major palm oil producer in the country and explore the sector in line with global standard. She said at least forty types of business venture have been identified for financial support under the association and a great

opportunity for members from all part of the states to key in and transform their economic lives; the economic wellbeing of their families, their communities, the state and by extension the country. The occasion chairman, Mr. Unyime Idem said despite being a civil service state commended the association's courage and initiative towards industrialization as it would create employment paving way to frustrate negative vices, kidnapping and poverty in the society while he advised them to exhibit unity among them. He said the association members stand to gain a lot through exposure, interaction and training to take their business to the next level calling on other women especially those in the

rural areas to embrace the gesture which is laudable national project. A member of the association, Mrs Eno Kufre said the association has come to stand as they are set to achieve their dream in the business world hitting the international market and showcasing Nigerian products not minding the Malaysian experience. Our correspondent reports that the association commended federal government for their genuine concern towards the cause of women and for approving the release of CBN loan for women to enhance the realization of the millennium development goals in the area of poverty reduction, gender equality and environmental protection.

Sterling Bank targets N8.5b deposit from 3PA

terling Bank Plc, the most innovative bank in Nigeria has set a target deposit of N8.5 billion from its new initiative, Third Party Acquirer (3PA) by the end of December 2014. During the first six months of its introduction, the bank says it realized over N2 billion in deposit. The Sterling Bank 3PA is an initiative that provides opportunity for those engaged in either formal or informal employment as well as institutions such as multi-level and strategic fund managers to

make additional income by referring potential customers to the bank and in the process make additional income. While addressing the press in Lagos, the Bank's Executive Director, Finance & Strategy, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman who spoke on the success story of the initiative said: “We are here today to celebrate one of the many innovations that Sterling Bank has introduced in the nation's banking industry. We are also celebrating a scheme that has provided additional income for over 1000 Nigerians who have enlisted in the initiative so

far and one that has elicited overwhelming reaction from the market and has generated a deposit of over about N2 billion in the first six months of its introduction”. Mr. Suleiman who disclosed that the bank has set an achievable target of N8 billion in deposit liabilities from 3PA by the end of the year when the bank will celebrate the first anniversary of the initiative said: “We all need to think of initiatives to support our people to make additional income and in the process enrich their lives just as the Bank also benefits. We are using the 3PA

initiative to add value to the lives of our people by providing a platform for them to “sell” banking solutions to the banking public at a premium. Also speaking at the event, Mr. Donald Osa-Edokpolo, the bank's Group Head in the Retail Banking Directorate said that the success story of the initiative was based on the process put in place to ensure that only the right people were engaged by the bank. Besides, he said that the initiative has been a blessing to the Bank and those engaged by the bank because “as the bank grows its deposit through the scheme, our 3PAs also get corresponding income for their effort”

October 8, 2014

NIGERIA

Vocational Rehabilitation Centre, Emene, Enugu suffers neglect

Dilapidated Vocational Rehabilitation Centre, Emene, Enugu By Ted Peters

h e Vo c a t i o n a l Rehabilitation Centre in Emene, Enugu, Enugu State which was set up for vocational training of the vulnerable and disabled is now in a total state of decay and abandonment. The centre built by the former Eastern Regional Government was intended to provide vocational education to the physically challenged and the destitute to prevent them from roaming the streets. At its inception some decades ago, the centre reportedly lived up to its responsibilities as the destitute including the mentally challenged, were confined to the centre and effectively rehabilitated before they are released to their families. The present disturbing practice whereby the physically and mentally challenged persons roam the streets begging for alms was not the case then as such people were sent to the rehabilitation centre where they were taught different skills to make them contribute their quota to the economy of the state and that of their families. The Emene Vocational Centre

has classrooms, workshops, administrative and staff quarters among others but these facilities have since been left to decay due to long neglect by successive administrations in the state. The centre has therefore become inhabitable and the inmates now share the classrooms and hostels with rodents. The centre was handed over to the State Ministry of Gender Affairs and Social Development to manage and it currently runs twoyear programme for inmates, majority of who are physically challenged. The inmates are mentored to acquire different skills in line with the objectives of the founders. Those who graduate from the centre after two years are issued Proficiency Certificates. But when our Correspondent visited the centre last week, only about three persons who identified themselves as staff of the centre were seen in the expansive premises. They said that the students of the centre were on vacation. But from the main entrance the high level of infrastructural decay at the centre was visible and a first time visitor would not believe that human beings

occupy the decayed buildings at the centre. Some of the houses built in the early 70s are no longer habitable as the doors, windows, ceilings and the roofs have fallen off. The water borehole sunk for the centre does not produce water forcing both staff and the inmates to drink rainwater during the rainy season and depend on shallow well water during the dry season. According to one of the workers, who pleaded anonymity for fear of being sanctioned by the government, no serious rehabilitation work has been done on the dilapidated buildings and other facilities since the centre was built decades ago. He said that in spite of repeated promises by the state government that the centre would be rehabilitated nothing had been done even as some of the buildings have started collapsing. “So many people have been coming here both from the Federal, State and Nongovernmental organizations and each time they take pictures of the decaying facilities here but nothing has come out of it. We don't know if they are using this centre to play some games that are not known to us.

“We are living hopelessly here and unless people come to our aide urgently, this vocational centre will close down because as you can see, most of the buildings here are collapsing gradually due to long neglect and total lack of care. “We are expecting more students by the time the school reopens and as things are now we don't know if any help will come before then but we are getting used to the situation here. We will continue to do our best to render the services expected of us,” said the staff, who claimed to have worked in the centre for over six years. But while the staff of the vocational centre are lamenting the poor state of affairs, the staff of Enugu State University Teaching Hospital managing the Psychiatric Department of the centre has most of the facilities needed to discharge their functions. Many workers were seen in their offices and in the clinical section where the mentally challenged persons are treated. The Head of the Department was not president when our Correspondent visited but it was observed that most of the buildings in the premises were

rehabilitated while new ones were constructed. It was learnt that the state government had designated the department as the Psychiatric unit of ESUT College of Medicine and this led to the provision of basic infrastructure for Psychiatric studies. Also, the Federal School of Social Works which shares the same fence with the Vocational Rehabilitation Centre and which offers Diploma Courses in Social Works has basic infrastructure for teaching and learning. Effort to speak with the state Commissioner for Gender Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Ndidi Chukwu, on the poor condition of the vocational centre was not successful as she was not in office when our Correspondent called at her ministry but one of her staff said that government had plans to rehabilitate the centre as it had done to the neuropsychiatric department, disclosing that the centre was allocated some funds in this year's budget. He said that the rehabilitation work was being handled in phases, assuring that the vocational centre would soon be a given face-lift.

also received the National Honours Award of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR). President Jonathan also directed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator. Bala Mohammed to give a flat each to a taxi driver, Umeh Usuah; Head Presidential Steward, Onuh Isaac Michael and a traffic warden, Corporal Solomon Dauda, who were also awarded national honours. While Michael and Dauda were conferred with the Member of Order of the Niger (MON) award, Usuah received the award of

Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR). Michael, the Head Presidential Steward has served nine Presidents, while Dauda had been dedicated to his job as traffic warden. Specifically, Usuah the taxi driver was given the award for his honesty in returning N18 million cash left in his cab by a passenger.

thousand naira, a passenger forgot eighteen million naira in his taxi, and went away. “The man did not have Mr. Usuah's name or his phone number. The honest Nigerian spirit in Mr. Usuah led him to go hunting for the owner of the eighteen million naira and he delivered it to him, intact. This is how it should be. “For many of you in Abuja or who visit our nation's capital, you must have seen a hard-working traffic warden who does his job with great dexterity, glee and happiness. As a traffic officer, he delights in entertaining commuters by graceful

gyrations and gesticulations as he efficiently directs traffic. CPL Solomon Dauda carries on his job with evident pride and dignity! “Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, we all enjoy Nollywood, but one man experimented with the idea of telling stories in ways that have revolutionised the movie industry in Nigeria. His name is Kenneth Nnebue. Through him, many stars, including those whom we have honoured, stand tall on the global stage of acting today. Steward rewarded for having served nine heads of state

At last, Akinkunmi, designer of Nigerian flag, bags national award

fter years of neglect of the designer of the Nigerian Flag, Mr Taiwo Akinkunmi came to a dramatic end Monday as President Goodluck Jonathan, while conferring him with a national honour award, also announced his appointment as a Special Assistant, with a salary for life. This was the highlight of the ceremony which saw the conferrment of national honours on more than three hundred Nigerians from all walks of life. Akinkunmi, who is 77 years old

Why taxi driver was honoured – Jonathan Justifying the award and reward for some of the awardees, President Jonathan said: “Take Mr. Ime Usuah, the taxi driver, whose daily income was not more than ten

October 8, 2014

NIGERIA

Entertainment plus

Jim Iyke's ex-fiancée opens up! S

he sounded absolutely distraught, and utterly disconsolate. Her usual exuberance, the bonhomie which she wears like a badge of honor was missing both in her voice and in her demeanor. She was inconsolable, pained and emotionally devastated. She had every reason to feel that way.

For over six years, she had given her all to a romance that had been celebrated, touted and written about as one that was made in heaven. For six years, they had projected the image of a blissfully happy couple that could do no wrong. Her boyfriend of six years the one that is famously referred to as the 'Nollywood bad boy', Jim Iyke has finally acted out his moniker and it is not pretty at all. “These days, I ask God: Why has thou forsaken me? How can a man with whom we had gone through the highs and the lows; a man who had professed so much undying love for me over the past six years just walk away like that? I don't know what happened and I wish I could put a finger on it,” Keturah told our reporter, sounding sad and exasperated. Their romance was strong, and Jim had spoken

severally of plans to walk down the aisle with her. He had told the world many times that in Keturah, he had found “a perfect mate someone who was “sexy, intellectually curious, exotic and edgy.” Keturah was known all over the world as Jim Iyke's girlfriend a wife in waiting. They had traveled round the world together, and she had stood by him through most of the scandals that have continued to trail his professional and private life. Not even when another woman claimed to have dated Jim Iyke and later accused him of battering her and a business deal gone awry which was amplified in the media, she didn't threaten to end the affair. Keturah Hamilton, the Jamaican-born actress, model and business woman was the partner tailormade for Jim Iyke. She had accepted and tolerated all of the actor's 'foibles, issues and challenges' and was determined to stick with him through thick and thin.“And then…Just when people thought the wedding invitations will soon be mailed out; just when people believed that two love birds had reached a point of no return in their relationship, the news broke out that the story book of romance had ruptured; that the center of the relationship could no longer hold. Jim Iyke had 'bailed' out of the affair and appeared to have acted out some of the elements in their joint reality show “Jim Iyke Unscripted.” He was said to have ended their six year-old affair in a most emotionally callous way. He simply walked away “without even a phone call” recounted tearful Keturah. “He took away six years of memories, of support of love and all that I did for him-just like that. How mean and callous can one get?

Amaju Pinnick elected new NFF President

t the end of the second round of voting, Delta FC chairman Amaju Pinnick has been elected as the new president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). In the first round, Pinnick took the lead with 25 votes, w h i l e Ta i w o Ogunjobi from Osun polled 9 votes. Dominic Iorfa from Benue State was able to get 6 votes. while Shehu Diko from Kaduna had 4 votes. Amanze Uchegbulam, Imo and Mike Umeh Anambra had no vote. Pinnick, Iorfa and Ogunjobi then went

Amaju Pinnick head-to-head in the second round, to determine the winner of the election via simple majority. After the second round, Pinnick polled 32 votes, Iorfa got 8 votes, while Ogunjobi had 4 votes.

I want a sugar boy – Cossy Orjiakor

f you are desperately in search of a sugar mummy, then search no more as controversial actress turned singer, Cossy Orjiakor has come to your rescue. The busty actress said, her male fans wouldn't let her be, as they want her to be their sugar mummy. On that note, the actress has reeled out some criterion for considering them. Yes they have actually been disturbing me for that. But I told them that if you must be my sugar boy there is need for you to be a good cook, a good house boy and a driver. I have even asked some of them to send a picture of themselves cooking in the kitchen and what they are preparing. But they weren't sending the picture I want. At the moment, none of them is qualified to be my sugar boy. If they had qualified, I would have employed at least three of them and placed them on salary, she said.

Lionel Messi: A direct descendant of altercation with a Hebrew Goliath the Philistine goatherd named David and

Continued from page 30 located in Sicily. His children and his children's children were slave traders after him. Their children and their children's children were head hunters. In the late 1800s, history repeated itself. Like their forefather, Galut before them, the managers of The Battaglius Head Hunting Agency wrecked the family business. Looking to make a fresh start, a clutch of them joined the Great European Immigration Wave to Argentina and settled in the country's capital, Beunos Aires. Till this day, Goliath's descendants live all over Argentina. One of these descendants is a Santa Fe born, 5ft 9 Italo Argentine football genius named Lionel Messi. Messi is short in the same way his ancestor, Goliath was tall.

Due to his lack of height, Lionel Messi will never slam dunk a basketball and he will never buy clothes anywhere besides Baby Gap. However his low center of gravity gives him perfect balance that allows him to play with a coordination and grace rarely seen in world football today. Ligo hat syndrome is responsible for Lionel Messi's vertical underdevelopment. Several of his relatives also suffer from the disease. His cousin is the famous Latin American pornographic performer, Cojones Gigantes who boasts a twentynine inch penis. His uncle is the famous late bloomer, Luis Alejandro Sebastien Martino Ricardo Alberto Romario Cevallos who did not hit puberty till the age of forty-seven. Goliath famously had a fatal

Lionel Messi's inability to get along with people named David is well documented. From his incompatibility with Barcelona team mate, David Villa to his enmity with rivals Cristiano David Ronaldo and Lima David Fereira a.k.a Pepe, the facts speak for themselves. Though separated by millennia, Messi and Goliath suffer the same sickness and fight against rivals of the same name. Goliath was the most feared soldier in the world and Lionel Messi is the most revered footballer in the world. Goliath struck men down with his powerful left hand blow and Lionel Messi scores goals with his powerful left foot shot. How is it that these two men born in different eras and who have never met still share so much in common? That is the miracle of genetics.

October 8, 2014

NIGERIA

By Okey Anyichie

ast Friday, hundreds of soccer fans were at Abatete in Idemili North Local Government Area to honour Mr. Albert Onyeanwuna, the fallen icon and hero of Nigerian soccer from 1950s to 60s. This Nigerian soccer ace, who once captained the national team and Port Harcourt team, the 'Red Devils' impacted very much on Nigeria soccer scene especially in 1960s. Albert Onyeanwuna was among the members of Nigerian team that played against Egypt in December in 1959 for the 1960 Olympic Games soccer qualifier in Lagos and lost by 6-3 to Egypt and lost again in the second leg in Egypt in January 1960 by 3-0. He was again among the national team, the 'Green Eagles' that played in Nigeria's first participation in the Africa Cup of Nations which started in 1957. This Nigeria's first outing in the cup of nations in 1963 was hosted in Ghana. The Nigerian team in that e n c o u n t e r, w h e r e A l b e r t Onyeanwuna and other members of the team from Nigeria played in Kumasi in a group with Sudan and Egypt. Although Nigeria did not qualify in

The transition of two Soccer Icons, Albert Onyeanwuna and Ernest Ufele

Ernest Ufele the group but benefited from that first experience at the cup of nations, the first time after independence in 1960. Nigeria was also there for the second time in the

competition in 1976 in Ethiopia. Albert Onyeanwuna while as the star inside forward was a beauty to watch at the old Enugu sports stadium during the Challenge Cup

Soccer Competition now FA Cup Soccer Competition. He was known as 'Soccer Minister' by the soccer fans who were thrilled by his stylish and mesmerizing handling of the ball. This also made him one of great footballers from Port Harcourt. He was also known as one of the member of four 'Onyes.' There were himself, El-Kana Onyeali, Cletus Onyeama and John Onyeador. He will be remembered for his great ability for making football very easy while he was in action. Another footballer that has just transited is the great right full back of the titanic Rangers Football Club of Enugu, Ernest Ufele. This 'rock of Gibraltar' was in Rangers defence right from 1970, when the club was formed and contributed immensely to football in Enugu and Nigeria in general. He started his game of football in Zixton Grammar School, Ozubulu in the early 60s. He was so good that in 1963 he earned a well-deserved

shirt in the Eastern Nigeria Academicals, a football team that represented the Eastern region during the inter-regional all Nigerian Secondary Schools Soccer Competition for Sir Samuel Manuwa Cup.The Eastern region won the competition in 1962, 1964, and 1965; it was only the crisis of 1966 and subsequent civil war in 1967 that prevented the Eastern Academicals from winning the competition a record seven times. After his post-primary school education, he played for PortHarcourt Red Devils in 1965 and 1966. After the civil war, he was one of the pioneer members of Rangers International of Enugu. He played for the club from 1970 to 1975. He would be remembered for coming from the defence to score very vital goals, like he did against Mighty Jets of Jos in Enugu sports stadium in March 1972 and against Mehalla Football Club of Egypt in Egypt in October, 1975. He was one of the great solid defenders produced by Rangers that should be immortalized for making Rangers a titanic football club.

Lionel Messi: A direct descendant of Goliath the Philistine business papers, family records- of a deceased Roman business man by the name of Titus Battaglius. The scrolls included a family tree which revealed that Titus was a descendant of Goliath the Philistine. Researchers using recently translated Roman tax and

population census records have traced Titus' lineage from ancient times till now. Their findings are truly intriguing. Titus Battaglius was a slave trader whose business headquarters was

Continues on page 29

Tennis Club to Host 3-Day Competition in Enugu

ionel Messi has been traced down the family line of the same Philistine who fell to David's sling in bible times; they both suffered the same growth problem but the outcome was different for them. Also, this history exposes why the link in the rivalry between David and Goliath to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo Genetics is a curious thing is it not? It is amazing that physical and behavioral traits can be passed from parents to offsprings. It is an absolute miracle that some of these traits can endure for generations. People have been known to have in common with their forebears of several generations, such things as allergies, talents and sexual habits. The most unfortunate genes are those that carry disease.Some diseases can be hereditary. One such disease is the growth disorder, ligo hat syndrome. Ligo hat syndrome results in the

accelerated, excessive, slow or insufficient growth of one or more body parts. The first documented case of ligo hat syndrome dates back to about 1060 BC. Its sufferer was a ten-foot Philistine named Goliath. Like all big, strong men of his time, Goliath was a soldier and he participated in several military campaigns for the Philistine army. However, during times of peace, Goliath dedicated his time to pursuits of a more refined nature. In his heart of hearts, the giant Philistine killing machine was a hair technician/scientist. Goliath was a hair dresser, wig maker and hair care product manufacturer and he is believed to be the originator of the phrase "yra iha adbd" which in English translates to ''bad hair day.'' Goliath married a Roman immigrant named Laila and together they had a son who they named Galut. After Goliath's death from a blunttrauma-induced brain hemorrhage,

ownership of Goliath Hair Care Inc. transferred to Galut, but wealth was not the only thing Goliath transferred to his son. Galut inherited ligo hat syndrome from his father and he suffered from excessive hair growth- he was shaving by age nine. By the time Galut bankrupted the family business and went to live with his maternal grandparents in Rome, he had fathered five kids from two marriages and one late night kebab club bathroom rendezvous. After Galut's relocation, the Goliath family lineage trail goes cold. It is as if Goliath's five ligo hat suffering grandchildren disappeared into thin air. It was not until the discovery of the Crixan scrolls in 1326 BC that the fate of the Goliath family was finally discovered. Discovered buried underground in the outskirts of Rome by a farmer named Crixus, the scrolls were the personal documents- tax receipts,

By Unah Linus & John Mathew

he Enugu Table Tennis Club, a group under the aegis of Enugu State Table Tennis Association, will be organizing a three-day competition for the creation of awareness and promotion of table tennis in Enugu. The table-tennis competition which is the maiden edition will begin on Friday, 3rd and end on Sunday, 5th October, 2014. In an interview with The Advocate, the coordinator of the competition and secretary of the club, Mr. Ezeofor Tochukwu said the group is poised to lift table tennis in the state to greater heights. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The aim of the

competition is to create the necessary awareness and cultivate the interest of table tennis players and lovers in the game. We want to see players from the South-east also representing Nigeria in different national and global competitions.â&#x20AC;? Mr. Tochukwu said the club will remain dedicated to promoting tennis in Enugu, adding that all residents of the state are invited to enter for the competition which will be held at the Sports Council secretariat in Enugu. The competition which is sponsored by Albertina Nigeria Ltd, Achina Farms Ltd and Brifing Gardens is only open to residents of Enugu.

NIGERIA

October 8, 2014

Ideye topples Mikel, Moses as Nigeria's highest earning footballer W

est Brom Albion striker Brown Ideye has toppled Nigeria's big guns like Chelsea star Mikel Obi and Yakubu Aiyegbeni as the country's highest earning footballer in Europe. Mikel Obi in the 2012/2013 season was Nigeria's highest paid footballer earning four million pounds a year. Yakubu Aiyegbeni with a move to Chinese club Guangzhou beat Mikel to earnings by taking home 5.4million pounds. But in an unprecedented turn of events, Brown Ideye this season beat all former big earners by penning down a 10 million pounds deal for West Brom Albion of England emerging as the highest paid Nigerian footballer. But who is Brown Ideye? The 25-year-old player began his career with Bayelsa United before crossing over to Ocean Boys and was a member of the Ocean Boys team that won the Nigerian Premier League. He signed for European club Neuchatel Xamax, a Swiss side in January 2008 and moved to France to sign for French Ligue 1 club FC Sochaux. Again he moved on July 6 2011 to sign a five-year deal with Ukrainian side Dynamo Kjev. In August 2012, Ideye scored the winner in a Champions League qualifying 3rd round second-leg game against Feyenoord, in which Kjev progressed. In July 2014 he signed a three-year deal with English Premier League club West Bromwich Albion, becoming the club's record signing at £10 million. On the continent however, other top footballers plying their trades across foreign leagues in the world earn more than Nigerian players. Players like Yaya Toure, Kolo Toure and Didier Drogba of Cote d'Ivoire, Asamoan Gyan, Michael Essien, Andrew Ayew of Ghana, Samuel Eto'o of Cameroon and Seidu Kaita of Mali smile to their banks weekly or monthly while Nigerian stars on their part only made marginal increases as the case may be. Reports reveal though that some Nigerians playing outside the popular major leagues in Europe take home good sum of money than most of their counterparts in the top leagues like the English Premiership, Spanish La Liga and Italian Serie A. This is not to say, though, that they are not earning well. Reports reveal that some of them get quite enough. Particularly, those playing outside the popular major leagues in Europe take home good sums of money, compared to what most of their counterparts in top leagues like the English Premiership, Spanish La Liga and Italian Serie A earn. John Mikel Obi A n n u a l Wa g e : £4.16million The Chelsea midfielder was previously earning £2,600,000 (£50,000 per week) before signing a five-year contract extension in 2 0 1 2 w o r t h £4,160,000 annually. His hefty pay packet however suffered substantial tax cuts under the United Kingdom tax rules. He joined Chelsea in 2006 from Norwegian club FC Lyn Oslo on a US$25m move. The 25-year-old Jos-born player is a big investor in real estate and owns mansions in Jos, Lagos and London worth about N800m. Mikel also has shares in top companies.

Yakubu Aiyegbeni A n n u a l Wa g e : £5.04million The widely travelled N i g e r i a n international has played for Julius Berger, Gil Vicente, Maccabi Haifa, Hapoel Kfar Saba, Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, Everton, Leicester City and Blackburn Rovers. He made a big money move to China's Guangzhou R&F, where he was reported to have been pulling in nearly £100,000 a week, before joining a Qatari side recently for an undisclosed amount. Aiyegbeni's annual take-home at his former Chinese club was placed at £5,040,000. John Utaka Annual Wage: £2.08million Rumour has it that the former Super Eagles winger took home £80,000 a week at Portsmouth at a time when the club was in dire financial straits! But he insists he only earned about £30,000 at the club. Utaka joined Montpellier in 2011 in a two and a half-year deal estimated at £40,000 per week. Joseph Yobo Annual Wage: £1.8million The former Super Eagles skipper earned £1,974,000 annually at Everton, but took a pay cut after Fenerbahce coughed out £2.5m to Everton FC for his transfer. The cut was, however, insignificant, since Yobo was reported to have earned in the region of £1.8m in wages per year in the three-year deal at Fenerbahce. The plus for Yobo was that his earnings were barely taxed in Turkey, unlike his colleagues in the United Kingdom who pay up to 35% tax on income. Kalu Uche Annual Wage: £1.04million, plus a £630,000 transfer payout It was payday in a big way for the erstwhile Super Eagles midfielder, when in 2012 he was paid £630,000, being half of his transfer fee from Espanyol to Turkish club Kasimpasa. Kalu, who had moved to Espanyol on a free deal

from his previous Swiss club Neuchatal Xamas, which was later declared bankrupt, had an agreement with Espanyol to take 50% of any subsequent transfer fee, if Espanyol were to sell. That plus his estimated £20,000 weekly wage fetched him a place on this list. Victor Moses Weekly Wage: £55,000 Moses joined Chelsea in the 2012 season for £9m, after leaving Wigan. Failing to secure a regular shirt in Chelsea, he secured a deal on reduced terms with Liverpool, but the club was concerned about the forward's £55,000 a week salary. Obafemi Martins Annual Wage: $6, 695,000 The on-loan Levante of Spain forward has played for top clubs like Inter-Milan of Italy, Newcastle United of England, Birmingham City of England, Vfl Wolfsborg of Germany, Rubin Kazan of Russia and is currently with the Seattle Sounders in the United States of America. The widely travelled Martins was the fifth highest paid player in United States Major League Soccer for the 2013 season, according to a players' union release. He is also the highest paid ever player for Seattle Sounders, with an annual basic salary of $6, 695,000. The 28-year-old striker owns two mansions at Victoria Garden City in Lagos worth N500m, a massive home in Como, Italy valued at N800m and top hotels in Italy. Martins, who recently delved into philanthropy, put N400m into his charity foundation. Brown Ideye Transfer Fee: £10m Ideye began his football career with Ocean Boys where he won the Nigerian Premier League before venturing to Europe. He was seen then as the most aspiring youngster from Nigeria. 20 years old at the time, he joined Swiss outfit Neuchatel Xamax. A failed trial at Dutch side Willem II Tilburg along the way made him land in Ligue 1 with Sochaux, which cost about £4m. He has since upped his price, particularly after joining Dynamo Kiev for £7m in 2011. West Bromwich Albion went all out to buy the Super Eagles forward for a £10m transfer fee, breaking their own record. But many questions have been asked since they bought the striker from Dynamo Kiev. Who is he and what has he done to justify that kind of money?

Vol. 2 No. 103, October 8, 2014

ONLINE

NIGERIA

Ademola Adeshina

Back page comment

Ebola in West Africa and Nigeria's winning ways By Olamide Bakare

nitially, the quest for the knowledge of its natural reservoir threw researchers into bewilderment. However, epidemiologists eventually discovered that it is zoonotic. In other words, it is an animal disease that can be transmitted to humans via contact with its hosts, especially African native animals. Consequently, the disease was named after Ebola River in Yambuku in the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire) where the Ebola Virus (EVD) first appeared in 1976. It is, however, unfortunate that in the same year in the DRC, the first epidemic outbreak of Ebola Haemorrhagic Fever (EHF) recorded the highest casualties in history, claiming 280 lives out of 318 reported cases, representing approximately 90% case fatality rates (CFR) of any human pathogenic virus. Epidemiologists are of the opinion that the cause of the rapid spread of the EHF is due to the fact it is not easily detected because its symptoms are much related to the symptoms of ordinary fever. Among the earlier symptoms of EVD are arthritis, diarrhea, headache, nausea, sore throat and vomiting while the late symptoms include bleeding from the eyes, ears and nose. Other symptoms include gastrointestinal bleeding (bleeding from the rectum), eye swelling, extreme pain and rashes on the skin. It is unfortunate that the disease has spread like wildfire across West Africa, claiming several lives in quick succession. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) media centre, in Sudan in 1976, EVD killed 151 people out of the 284 cases, representing 53% CFR. Also in Sudan in 1979, 22 lives were lost in 34 cases, representing 65% CFR. Also, in Sudan in 1995, 254 people succumbed to EVD out of 315 cases, representing 81% case fatality rates. In 2000, it was a colossal loss to the people of Uganda as EVD claimed 224 lives of the 425 cases, which represents 53% CFR. In 2007, 31 years later after the first outbreak in DRC, 187 people died of the deadly virus out of the 264 cases, representing 71%. In the same year in 2007, again, Uganda lost 37 people of the 149 cases, representing 25% CFR. In Gabon, 2001-2002, 53 people lost their lives out of the 65 cases that were reported, which represents 82% case fatality rates (CFR). Again, five years after the last outbreak in Uganda, the EVD struck again, killing 17 people, representing 71% CFR out of the 24 cases. In like manner, five years after the last

outbreak in DRC in 2007, 29 people were also confirmed dead, representing 51% CFR of the 57 cases of Ebola Haemorrhagic Fever (EHF). However, of all the aforementioned EHF cases, none of them has ever attracted global attention as the 2014 outbreak. An emergency meeting was held in Geneva, Switzerland, with more than 150 medical experts in drug research, epidemiology, ethics, regulation and finance. According to WHO, the Ebola Virus Disease has claimed 1, 427 lives out of the more than 2, 600 case while 77 people have succumbed to the disease between August 18th and 20th, 2014.The huge financial and humanitarian aids which the affected countries in the West Africa have received from the international community suggest the seriousness of the outbreak. In the bid to arrest the situation, the

Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) disbursed the sum of US$250,000 during the 44th Summit of the heads of state and government in Yamoussoukro, Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, 2014. Interestingly, at the event, the Nigerian government donated the sum of US$500,000 to the Liberian government with a view to helping Liberians fight against the virus. In the same gesture, the Nigerian business baron, Aliko Dangote donated about US$920,000 to help the government defeat the EVD epidemic. It was also reported in March 2014 that the European Commission (EC) gave €500,000 to help contain the spread of the virus in Guinea and its neighbouring countries. Interestingly, another US$1.5 million in addition support was budgeted to be disbursed through the WHO, UNICEF

and Red Cross to fight the course on Ebola Virus. In the same generous spirit, the UK government also doled out £2 million to help fight in this battle of EVD. However, among the Ebola-stricken West Africa countries, the way and manner in which the Nigerian government has proactively handled the epidemic has been greeted with global commendations. The first casualty of Ebola case in Nigeria was one Patrick Sawyer, a LiberianAmerican citizen who died on 25th July, 2014, having come to Nigeria from Liberian where he was infected with the EVD. Sadly, the doctor, Ameyo Adadevoh, who was treating the index case (Patrick Sawyer) eventually died, having tried to resist the violent Sawyer on the sick bed. Dr. Adadevoh's bravery did not only receive local commendation, but also applauded by the international community for the role she played in curbing the spread of the virus in Nigeria. According to the UN's health organ's report in Geneva, the EVD has claimed 2, 097 lives out of 3, 944 people infected in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone. On the other hand, Nigeria has recorded eight deaths out of the 22 cases while 30 more people have died in a separate outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Although international communities have expressed great fear should the dreaded virus spread wide in Nigeria, considering its population of over 167 million and its supposedly inability to handle such deadly epidemic. On the contrary, the Nigerian government has been able to prove its critics wrong by rising to the occasion. This remarkable proactive measure has continued to earn her global commendations, especially from international health agencies. The WHO Country Director for Nigeria, Dr. Rui Vana Gaz, commended the Nigeria government, particularly the Lagos State Government Nigeria, during her courtesy visit to the Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, at the State House, Alausa, Ikeja. In the same vein, Assistant Country Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Osareti Adori, lauded Nigeria for treating the EVD with all the seriousness it deserves. Going by the aforementioned commendations, it implies that the EVD is under control and that other countries outside Africa can at least join in encouraging Nigeria for the good work done so far on the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease.

Ademola Adeshina (born 4 June 1964) is a former Nigeria international football midfielder. He currently is technical advisor of Nigeria National League team Prime F.C. Career Born in Nigeria, Adeshina played club football for local sides Abiola Babes and Shooting Stars F.C., before a brief spell in Belgium with Sporting Lokeren. Adeshina represented Nigeria at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. He also made several appearances for the senior Nigeria national football team, including five FIFA World Cup qualifying matches, and he played at the 1984 and 1988 and 1990 African Cup of Nations finals.

Bakare wrote in from the University of Lagos.

Published by ADVOCATE Newspapers Ltd, Corporate Office: No. 30 Edinburgh Road, Ogui New Layout, Enugu. Phone: 08087631127. Editor: Rex Arum 07066097362. website: www.theadvocatengr.com ADVOCATE NIGERIA (ISSN 2408-4824) e-mail: editoradvocate@ymail.com