Sun 13 Apr 2014

Garki Model CITYFILE 6

Market Fire: One

Inferno, Many

Controversies

S U N D A Y

E D I T I O N

INTERVIEW 58

‘The Church Should Transform Citizens For Leadership’

2015 ELECTION: COVER 17

Urgent Need

To Create BUSINESS 37

Logistical Lapses, Jobs, Tackle Other Concern Insecurity

Security,

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Sunday, April 13, 2014

Vol. 30, No. 12,890

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Boko Haram: Confusion, As JAMB Redeploys 400 Candidates

By Eno-Abasi Sunday (Lagos), Kanayo Umeh (Abuja), Uju Atueyi (Calabar) and Joseph Wantu (Makurdi) OLLOWING the renewed FtheBoko Haram insurgency in North East, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has moved, at least, 400 candidates scheduled to sit for yesterday’s Unified Tertiary

• Taraba Candidates Scared Off By Tiv-Fulani Crisis • FG Insists On 2015 Deadline For End Of Paper Pencil Test • Restates Commitment To Improving Access To Tertiary Education Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Borno State to undisclosed centres.

The Guardian reliably gathered that the affected candidates could not sit for the examination due to fear of

Boko Haram attacks, which, at the weekend, claimed scores of lives, most of whom were alleged candidates for yesterday’s examination.

There were reports on Friday that some sect members

unleashed attacks on four communities in Borno, precisely Dikwa, Kala Balge, Gambulga and Gwoza, leaving dozens dead.

JAMB, however, described the conduct of yesterday’s exami-

nation in other parts of the country as a huge success saying everything went as planned. Public Relations Officer of the Board, Fabian Benjamin, in a chat with The Guardian yesterday expressed doubts regarding the involvement of UTME candidates in the attack, as widely speculated.

According to him: “Because of the peculiar security situa-

tion in Borno State, we made arrangements for them (Borno UTME candidates) to write their examination somewhere, so they could not have been affected by any form of blast as being claimed.

In some Nigerian cities, which The Guardian monitored, the examination CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

NEWS 3

Police Arrest 5 With Human Heads In Ogun

‘How To End Killings Over Grazing Fields’ • Nigerians Seek Resolution Of Crises • Our Grouse, By Fulani Herdsmen • ‘Nomadic’ Crisis Averted In Cross River

By Marcel Mbamalu, News Editor cocktail of opinions from A Nigerians regarding the recurring conflicts between

President Goodluck Jonathan (second right), handing-over his daughter, to the Officiating Minister/Prelate, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Revd. Nicholas Okoh, Mr. Godswill PHOTO: PHILLIP OJISUA Edward (left) during the wedding ceremony of daughter of the President, Faith and Godswill in Abuja, yesterday.

Fulani herdsmen and local farmers, especially in Benue and Plateau states, yesterday, sought immediate end to the crises. Some, analysts, who spoke on the matter, also emphasised the need to restrict grazing animals to ranches, as it is done in other parts of the world.

Security analyst and retired military officer, Umar Aliyu Babangida, however, told The Guardian that the recurrent nature of the attacks was an indictment on Nigeria’s law enforcement.

He said it “erodes confidence in the ability of our law enforcement (agencies) to protect us, not less so send signals to observers at home and CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

2 | NEWS Sunday, April 13, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

NEWS

APC Validates Fayemi’s, Aregbesola’s Candidacy From Muyiwa Adeyemi (Ekiti), Iyabo Lawal (Ibadan), Kamal Oropo (Lagos), AlemmaOzioruva Aliu (Benin City), and Tunji Omofoye (Osogbo) HE All progressives T Congress (APC), yesterday, validated the candidacy of governors Rauf Aregbesola and Kayode Fayemi of Osun and Ekiti states for the forthcoming elections. Aregbesola reportedly recorded 269,631 ‘yes’ votes against zero ‘no’ votes to win thedirect primaries, which took place throughout the 332 wards and 30 local governments of the state. He will fly the party’s banner in the August 9, 2014 governorship elections in the state.

Governor Fayemi, on the other hand, secured the official nod to fly the party’s flag in the June 21 governorship election. As the sole aspirant of the party, he polled 192,767 votes in 177 wards.

Except a few places in Iseyin and Ibarapa areas, where there were skirmishes, the local government council congress of the APC also held peacefully in 31 of the 33 councils in Oyo State.

And for the second time in two weeks, the congress could not hold in the Atiba and Oyo West local government areas.

Security was tight at the centres used for the congress, which lasted barely 40 minutes after starting.

This, The Guardian learnt,

was due to the fact that the majority of the candidates were elected by general affirmation.

In Ido Local Government, for example, the 24-member executive for the party were elected less than 30 minutes after their names were announced. The council chairman, Professor Joseph Olowofela, attributed this to the strategies put up by the party elders in the council to ensure that members of all the component political parties that merged to form APC

• Exercise Records Violence In Edo were represented in the new party.

The process in Ekiti was supervised by national officers of the party, led by its organising secretary and chairman of the six-member panel, Senator Osita Izunaso.

Other members of the panel include the National youth leader and Secretary of the panel, Alhaji Abubakar Suleja, Barr Isah Maduto, Capt Bala Jubril , Alhaji Yemi

Sanusi, and Barr. Steve Asimoke. Representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were also at the primaries, while the men of the police and the State Security Service were at hand to provide security.

Presenting the certificate of return to Fayemi, Senator Izunaso said the APC is not just a political party, but a movement that would cleanse the

country of corruption and liberate the people from the pangs of misrule in the hands of the Peoples Democratic Party. The incumbent governor will fly the party’s flag in the June 21, 2014 governorship election.

In Osun, Governor Aregbesola will confront his main rival, Senator Iyiola Omisore, who had earlier picked the PDP ticket.

Omisore, a former deputy governor of the state was declared winner of PDP governorship primaries ahead

of Akinlabi Olasunkanmi and Oluwole Oke. Isiaka Adeleke, a former governor of the state, had withdrawn from the contest.

Omisore polled 1,128 votes to beat Mr. Akinlabi, who polled 35 votes and Mr. Oke, who got five votes, to set a confrontation with Aregbesola.

Meanwhile, Adeleke, who has petitioned the National Executive Committee of the PDP, said that in spite of the result declared in favour of Omisore, he has no intention of crossing to any other party.

especially the Police and the Military, to ensure that neither the herdsmen nor the farmers are allowed to carry arms under the pretext of self-protection.

Meanwhile, Mr. Christian Ita, the chief press secretary/special assistant to the governor of Cross River State, Dr Liyel Imoke, said the herdsmen, who arrived from Benue State in the heat of last year’s crisis have gone back to Taraba.

Communities in Obanliku Local Government Area of Cross River had accused the state government of dumping Fulani refugees in their localities.

Clan heads of Utanga, Bagga and Besenge communities frowned at the idea of having over 3000 Fulani refugees (said to be indigenes of Taraba) escorted by armed soldiers into their community without prior notice. They called on Cross River State government to return them to Taraba if the Benue State government could

no longer accommodate them in Katsina Ala and other places in the Benue.

Immediate past chairman of Obanlikwu Local Government area, Mr. Benjamin Ajua Ambe, had described their presence as “security threat.”

On arrival in Cross River, spokesman of the displaced herdsmen, Alhaji Wakili Shede Abdullahi, who spoke through an interpreter, Alhaji Yusu Usman, the chief Imam of Obudu Central Mosque, said they had fled their home land in Takum, as a result of intertribal war between Fulani and Tiv. They had moved to Katsina Ala, in Benue State, from where they were forcefully moved to Obanliku in Cross River.

An Ardo (Fulani herdsmen leader), Dodo Shehu, attributed the conflict between Fulani herdsmen and Berom farmers to persistent rustling of their cows by the Berom natives, a situation he described as “very unfortunate.”

Our Grouse, By Fulani Herdsmen CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 abroad that our security apparatuses are befuddled by this trend in crime.” The Niger State-born security expert is an ex-Army officer and certified member of the International Foundation of Protection Officers (IFPO), who served in the Nigerian Army (Military Intelligence), where he commenced his career as security and intelligence practitioner.

The persistent armed conflicts in Plateau and Benue states have assumed alarming proportion, leading to loss of many lives due to what has been described as organised raids on unsuspecting communities — on grounds that cattle were killed by village farmers, or that crops were destroyed by the animals. The conflicts have, no doubt, fueled insecurity, especially in the North, compounding the onslaught of the Boko Haram menace. Similar attacks, the other day, had claimed 100 in Kaduna.

The House of Representatives had, through a recent motion initiated by Mrs. Christ Alaaga (Gwer East/Gwer West: Benue), sought to proffer permanent solution to the recurring crises, which she said, had

claimed many lives and destroyed properties worth millions of naira.

Claiming that the herdsmen, in continuation of their attacks on farmers in her constituency, had unleashed mayhem on Agena, Mbatsada and villages in Mbalom council ward of Gwer East LGA, Mrs. Alaaga painted a gory picture of the incidence during the plenary of the House presided

by Speaker Aminu Tambuwal.

“Heavily armed herdsmen,” she said, “laid siege to the village overnight and by dawn when people were waking up, they fired sporadically in the air and as people ran helter skelter, they mowed them down with A-47 rifles and slaughtered them with matchetes. A total number of 20 bodies were found and deposited at the federal medical centre hospital in Makurdi Benue State. The village is located close to Ikayoungo, and it is some 25 kilometres from Makurdi, the

Benue State capital.”

Calling for a law on cattle rearing, a Lagos-based businessman and investor urged the federal Government to restrict herdsmen to ranches. “All over the world, there are cattle rearers and they do not move around everywhere with their cattle. Instead, they are restricted to their ranches,” he said.

Wondering “why the Federal Government cannot pass a law restricting whoever that wants to do cattle rearing or business to ranches where they will be restricted and fed as it is done all over the world,” he advised that designating “nomadic (grazing) routes or reserves,” as is being canvassed in some quarters, could worsen the conflicts. He also explained that encouraging cattle rearers to acquire private ranches without government’s involvement would resolve the nagging issues, especially in Plateau and Benue states.

The businessman emphasised the need for security agents,

FG Insists On 2015 Deadline For End Of Paper Pencil Test CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 including Calabar, Lagos, Markurdi and Abuja, there were no major incidences apart from a few unscrupulous persons making efforts to assist their friends or relatives to cheat.

Benjamin attested to the largely calm atmosphere when he said, “From reports that we are getting from around the country, examination went on as scheduled and on time in most centres.

This is a very positive development, which I would describe as a huge success.”

He debunked allegations of leakage of examination materials ahead of the examination in Lagos saying, “no negative report, specifically, the leakage of answers to examination questions, has come to my knowledge from any part of the country.”

Registrar and Chief Executive of JAMB, Prof. Dibu Ojerinde who monitored the conduct of the examination in Abuja, said the 400 candidates would write their examination at a date to be announced later by the board. Their examination would, however, be computer-based.

Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, MacJohn Nwaobiala, also confirmed Federal Government’s plan to do away with the Paper Pencil Test (PPT) exami-

nation.

While monitoring the UTME examination at Base University, Abuja, he said, “The computer-based test is more efficient and it’s something that is global in nature. I know that a lot of work has been done to ensure that by the time we transit completely next year to the CBT, more candidates will easily flow and join the process.

“Right now, we still have more people opting for the PPT, and this is because when moving from one stage to another sometimes, people are usually worried, and unsure of what the future holds. So they still want to stick to the old and traditional ways of doing things.

But we are encouraging them to ensure that from next year they comply with the CBT completely.

A total of 1,606,753 candidates applied for yesterday’s examination, which held in 392 examination towns in Nigeria and seven foreign centres.

When The Guardian visited Pavilion Two of University of Calabar, Calabar, some police officers, invigilators and parents were aiding some candidates to cheat. The atmosphere was also rowdy as candidates freely moved about under the pretext of visiting conveniences.

At a point, confusion nearly broke out when a National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officer, Ude Kokola, requested a police offi-

cer on duty to sign an examination malpractice form, as a prove that a suspected examination cheat has been handed over to the police. The police officer and his colleagues turned down the request. But when the NSCDC official insisted, a group of young men surrounded him and warned him against pressing ahead.

“You have handed the suspect over to police, there it ends. You don’t have any business as to what the police will do with the suspect. You will not see him again and nothing will happen. You are not the only one in this job, people have been working before you,” one of the men said.

A disappointed Kokola later told The Guardian, “I caught a boy here writing this examination on behalf of his sister, and handed him over to the police. And on three occasions, I called the officer to come and sign the examination malpractice form, to confirm handover of the suspect, but he refused. Now, the suspect’s whereabouts is unknown to me. I am here on behalf of JAMB and I must report without any compromise.”

Supervisor of the Centre, Dr. Nneoyi Egbe, who had earlier informed The Guardian that there was no case of malpractice, said 32 candidates absented themselves while 540 wrote the examination.

He pleaded with Mr. Kokola to

bear with the situation, as there is nothing he could do.

Within the same pavilion, where another examination centre was located, there was high level of examination malpractice. Mercinaries and parents engaged the services of police officers and invigilators to ferry answers to their children and wards inside the examination hall.

When The Guardian confronted the Supervisor of the centre, Mrs. Margret Uda, she summoned the invigilators and expressed her disappointment thus: “I don’t like what is going on in your classes, someone just observed that there was massive disorderliness and loitering and you all are here. Please madam, forgive us, I don’t want this to be in the papers.

Some candidates for the examination, who claimed to have come from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, arrived the examination centre 45 minutes to the end of the examination. When they were finally allowed to write, they brought out pieces of paper and inserted in the answer script. When one of the supervisors attention was drawn to the ugly development, she retorted, “allow them to write.

They just came in not too long ago. We are only making them believe that they are writing an examination. If we refuse to give them writing materials, they will cause problem here or even attack us.”

Sunday, April 13, 2014 3

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

NEWS Soyinka, Amaechi Visit Port Harcourt World Book Capital 2014, London oBEL laureate, Prof. Wole N Soyinka and Rivers State Governor, Rotimi

APC members being accredited at the Ibadan North local government congress… yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

ogun Police Arrest Five With Human Heads, Parts

By Charles Coffie Gyamfi, Abeokuta HE ogun State Police ComT mand and the Special Anti Robbery Squad Lagos Command yesterday arrested five suspects in the Joju area of otta in Ado

odo ota, Local government Area of ogun State with human heads and flesh (in pieces).

The arrest followed a tip off from good people of the area yesterday at 9.10am.

A statement issued on behalf of the ogun State Commissioner for

Police, Mr. Ikemefuna okoye by the Command’s spokesman, Mr. olumuyiwa Adejobi, said that the Divisional Police officer (DPo) in charge of otta Division of the Command, Mr. Gabreal Idibie, led a team of operatives to the Joju area where five suspects were arrested and

the exhibits recovered. okoye revealed that suspects arrested included Kubura Salami, Tantolorun Abimbola, Kafaya Popoola, Wahid Ibrahim and Adamu Rafiu.

The exhibits recovered include one complete human head and pieces of human

Confab: North Will Reject Almajiri Status, Says Mustapha From Saxone Akhaine, Northern Bureau Chief HE Lamido of Adamawa, AlT haji Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha, has described the North as architect of its own misfortune, adding that the ongoing national conference is designed to break up the country and make beggars of Northerners.

Recently, Mustapha, who is the chairman of the Adamawa council of traditional rulers and a delegate at the national conference, said that if Nigeria splits, his people would migrate to Cameroun.

The Lamido of Adamawa who spoke to the British Broadcasting Corporation’s (BBC) Hausa service monitored in Kaduna, said: “They have gathered us from all over Nigeria, that we should come and assist by giving advice on how Nigeria should be strengthened, to have unity and to ensure peace and harmony. But since we came and started, for three days now, I have sat down and observed how some people are talking with arrogance; they talk authoritatively. They want to turn the North, as if we are beggars or Almajiri who have nothing to do.”

He went on: “That’s the reason I spoke. I told them that mine is a warning to the people because from the way we were going, this gathering will disperse without achieving anything, and if we don’t do anything, many things will happen including the disintegration of Nigeria.”

He said that the North is blessed with abundant natural resources, like agriculture, but the “laziness of my people” have turned them away from the ex-

ploitation of the natural endowment and make them dependent on oil.

Mustapha said: “Just as I have said earlier, these people who come from oil producing states are looking at us as if we are beggars, gold diggers who have nothing to do. That is why I said the non-oil producing states are not cowards; they don’t fear anybody.

“Everybody is contributing his quota to make Nigeria great, but these people from oil producing states think that if what

they want is not given to them, they have been wronged and they would even prefer to stay out of Nigeria. That is why I said, for us too...even the expanse of land is a natural endowment. I said if that is the case, we have agreed they should go with the oil money 100 per cent. And the other part of the country, all the non-oil producing states in Nigeria, not only the Northern states…

“There are non-oil producing states in the Southwest and in the Southeast, also in the

North. Between 28 to over 30 states have no oil but are blessed with land. That is why I said the oil-producing states should go with their oil a hundred per cent and we, the others, would keep our land. The larger percentage of the land belongs to us including Abuja. So, if they want to use the land and what is on the land, including the federal authorities, it will become a must for them to pay tax to these states before they make use of them.”

flesh in a container stained with a liquid substance suspected to be human blood.

According to the statement, “okoye has ordered that the case be handed over to SARS Lagos for discrete investigation since it’s a follow up to an ongoing investigation with the Lagos men. ogun Command will complement Lagos command in the course of its investigation.”

The commissioner also assured the general public that the police would not condone any act of criminality and inappropriate behaviour within the state, as it is ready to harness all available resources to have robust intelligence-driven policing.

He commended the people of ogun State for their support and promised that the police in the state will not disappoint them in carrying out its statutory duties.

Consensus Rules At Kogi APC LG Congress From John Akubo, Lokoja oLLoWING the reconciliaFthetion among the factions in All Progressive Congress (APC) in Kogi State the party delegates for the Local Government Council congress gathered in all the 23 LGA to elect leaders at that level.

At the Lokoja Local Government Council congress consensus was the order of the

day as all the chairmen of the 11 wards came out to affirm that they have agreed on candidates for the positions zoned to them.

However, for the positions of chairman and secretary, which were zoned to Kakanda ward and ward C Lokoja respectively, consensus could not be reached.

The chairman of the Lokoja Local Government congress

committee Gimba Umar said: “We believe in consensus, so let us give them 10 minutes since our leaders are intervening.”

When they could not reach consensus, election was conducted using option A4.

The chairmanship position was won by Alhaji Haruna Alfa.

In a twist of luck just before the election for the secretary,

the other three candidates for the post of secretary stepped down for Mayaki Abubakar. So Abubakar was declared winner unopposed.

Dr Saadu A.K. Alanamu, the Kogi State congress committee boss, said the event was encouraging in the state compared with other states.

He said pockets of problems couldn’t be ruled out but that the situation is under control.

‘Amnesty office Did Not Neglect Delegates In UK’ HEPresidential Amnesty ofT fice (PAo) has disputed a report in a section of the media that it neglected its delegates studying in higher institutions in the United Kingdom owing to non-payment of their allowances.

The PAo said of the 653 delegates in over 60 institutions in the UK, only about 150 of them were yet to get their in-training allowance at the time of that report, owing to the late pas-

sage of the 2014 Appropriation Bill by the National Assembly and delay in remitting foreign exchange through the banks.

The Amnesty office in a statement issued by the Head, Media and Communications, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, explained that while it is true that the payment of the monthly intraining allowance of the delegates was delayed, the incontrovertible fact is that this was occasioned by the delayed passage of the 2014 Ap-

propriation Bill by the National Assembly.

“It is a known fact that the National Budget for 2014 was only passed by the two chambers of the National Assembly about 48 hours ago. This had resulted in some funding challenges for the programme and its beneficiaries; a situation that was communicated through an advertorial: “Delay in Payment of Stipends and Allowances to all Amnesty Programme Delegates” published in some local

and national media in February 2014.”

The office explained that regardless of this daunting challenge, the PAP Chairman and Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Hon. Kingsley Kuku, made effort to secure some funds, which enabled it commence payment of the stipends and allowances of the beneficiaries while the National Assembly was still considering the budget.

Amaechi on Thursday, April 10, visited the stand of the Port Harcourt World Book Capital, PHWBC 2014 at the London Book Fair (April 8-10), held at Earls Court Expo Centre, London.

The two who are Goodwill Ambassadors to the PHWBC, gave messages in support of the project, with Amaechi promising that Port Harcourt was indeed ready to serve as the World Book Capital of the World for the next 12 months, starting this month.

They, in company of the Vice Chancellor of the Kwara State University, Prof. AbdulRasheed NaAllah and the Project Director for the World Book Capital, Mrs. Koko Kalango, also witnessed a panel discussion by Nigerian writers abroad on the significance of the World Book Capital Project to the fortune of Nigerian writing, publishing and educational development.

The formal opening ceremonies of Nigeria hold April 22-26, 2014 in Port Harcourt featuring special programmes on eminent Nigerian writers including Prof. Wole Soyinka, Prof. John Pepper-Clark-Bekederemo, Captain Elechi Amadi, Prof.

Zainabu Alkali, and Dr Gabriel okara. There are also programmes planned for throughout the year dedicated to celebrating unique books in Africa.

NGo Announces Name Change oLLoWING a board deciFtionsion, Family Care Associa(FCA), an international non-governmental organisation (INGo) involved in intervention initiatives in the health and education sectors, has announced a name change and will henceforth operate under the name Development Africa (DA).

In a statement issued in Lagos, Country Director of Development Africa (DA), Joshua Kempeneer, stated that the organisation is also expanding the scope of its intervention initiatives in the health and education sector while continuing with its charity work.

“The name change is the completion of a rebranding process and it comes with the launch of numerous sustainable development projects and interventions, such as the construction of fully equipped and solar powered ‘Maternity Referral Centres’ and training of medical personnel, which is currently ongoing in several states within Nigeria. our competent and experienced staff, dedicated volunteers and INGo – which is one of the most active in the region, having carried out projects throughout the continent of Africa as well as in over 25 states within Nigeria – deserve a name which reflects the core goals and quintessence of the organisation. All this and more is what the name Development Africa represents,” Mr. Kempeneer stated.

4

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Sunday, April 13, 2014

NEWS

Obasanjo, Amaechi At Jonathan’s Daughter’s Wedding

By Mohammed Abubakar, Abuja HE wedding of President T Jonathan’s daughter, Faith, brought together Jonathan and the Rivers State governor, Rotimi

Amaechi, at the National Christian Centre (NCC), Abuja yesterday The two have been at odds for over one year.

Amaechi has been having a running battle with the first

Group Makes Case For Riverine Governor From Ann Godwin, Port Harcourt RIVERS GAINST the backdrop of re-

A ported endorsement of supervising Minister for

Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike, for Rivers State governsip, the Ijaws have insisted that it would not be fair if the riverine area of the state are not allowed to produce the next governor in 2015.

Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Eastern Delta People’s Association (EDPA), Lawrence Jumbothe, said: “The cause of equity and good neighbourliness will be

served if a riverine man or woman emerges as governor of Rivers in 2015. When viewed against the fact that since 1999, Rivers has been governed by two upland sons: Sir Dr. Peter Odili and Rotimi Amaechi, it will make sense that the position shifts.”

He stated that Rivers consists of different ethnic nationalities, each of which is capable of producing more than 20 qualified and suitable persons.

NATIONAL family since the last Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) election in Abuja in May last year.

Amaechi is presently the chairman of a faction of the NGF, which he won against the Jonathan-backed Plateau State governor, Jonah David Jang. He polled 19 votes to defeat Jang, who had 16. Jang established a parallel NGF. Amaechi has long defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) along with his other governors from Adamawa, Kwara, and Sokoto.

He attended the wedding

despite the series of crises that have engulfed Rivers State since the NGF election.

He, however, left the church by 10.30 am before the service ended.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who also attended the wedding, clad in a white Agbada, arrived at the church a few minutes past 11am, after Pastor Adeboye’s sermon had ended.

The couple, Faith and Godwill Osim Edward, was joined in marriage after declaring their marital vows.

The bride read the New Testament lesson from Ephesians 5:21-33.

The General Overseer of

the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Adeboye ministered at the occasion.

He said that the success of marriage largely depends on the head of the family. He urged the wife to submit to the husband if she wants peace in the home, irrespective of the passion for women liberation globally.

Adeboye urged the bridegroom to listen to the advise of his bride. He warned relations of the couple to avoid interference in their marriage. He also reminded the congregation of the coming marriage between Christ and the righteous at the Sec-

ond Coming.

Other men of God also prayed for the family and the nation during the service.

Movement around the Central Area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was hampered due to the event.

There was gridlock in some areas leading to the venue.

Reception followed immediately at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

Governors at the church included Theodore Orji (Abia State) and Martin Elechi (Ebonyi State).

The chairman of PDP Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih, was also at the service.

FCT Community To Aprove Future Demolition, Says Senator From Abosede Musari and FCT Itunu Ajayi HE senator representing T the Federal Capital Territory, Philip Aduda, has given assurance that no part of Abuja will, henceforth, be demolished without due consultation and consent of members of affected communities.

Aduda said, at a meeting of Original Inhabitants Development Association (OIDA), Friday, that he has had an extensive discussion with the FCT minister on the matter and that there will be no demolition unless the consent of affected communities is obtained.

The new plan, according to him, will not exclude non-indegines who settle within the FCT. He enjoined residents and indigenes to abhor violent agitations so that issues can be easily re-

solved.

“My discussion with the minister is that, on no account, should any place be demolished without consultation with the community, he said, adding: “let’s continue to be peaceful and support government so that we can get whatever we want.”

It would be recalled that the FCT, in 2012, marked 19 communities for demolition. The attempt met some resistance at Galadimawa, a nearby village to Suncity Estate. Media reports had it that women of the community protested half naked.

Reacting to this, Aduda enjoined the people to shun violence when making their demands. According to him, Galadimawa is still standing today because of his peaceful intervention.

Vice Chancellor of the Kwara State University, Prof. AbdulRasheed NaAllah (left), Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka and Project Director for the World Book Capital 2014, Mrs. Koko Kalango at the Port Harcourt World Book Capital stand during the London Book Fair, Earls Court Expo Centre, London

Ignore Critics, Stay Focused, Mark Tells Jonathan From Kodilinye Obiagwu (Southeast Bureau Chief) ENATE President, David SGoodluck Mark, has urged President Jonathan not to be discouraged by the barrage of criticisms against his person and his administration, but instead, should remain focused.

Speaking at the South East Unity and Reconciliation rally of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu, at the weekend, Mark, who hailed the contributions of the South East zone to the development of the party, told President Jonathan “the large turnout is an indication of the love the people have for you.

“Don’t get discouraged when people criticize you. If they don’t criticize you, who

will they criticise. Unfortunately, the criticisms that ought to be constructive are not, but you must ignore them and remain focus as you have always been.

“We have you and you have our support. The National Assembly will continue to support you.”

The president, who had in his earlier remarked noted the support of the South East zone, “which my administration fully appreciates,” called on party faithful at all levels to ensure that the democratic tenets, for which the PDP was known for was maintained.

He said: “Despite what our critics and the opposition say, they can never match our democratic credentials. We are the only democratic party. We don’t suffer from imposition of candidates and

our our national chairman has the powers to cancel ward congresses. We have due process.

“It is he only party where people like me from unknown background and didn’t wear shoes while in primary school can stand as a president.”

Welcoming the member of the House of Representatives representing Owerri North/West/Mnicipal, Ezenna Oyewuchi who decamped from the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jonathan made light of the progressive credential of parties where “a governor is a dictator. Where are they progressing to? If you are a governor, it is only those around you will be councilors Netherlands chairmen. Are they progressing to hell or where?”

Campaign To Speed Up Justice Underway From Lawrence Njoku, Enugu HE Human Rights Law Services (HURILAWS) has launched a fresh effort aimed at speeding-up the administration of criminal justice in the country.

According to HURILAWS, the new campaign, which is state-based, become necessary due to the poor interest the Federal Government and the National Assembly have shown towards criminal justice reform.

Speaking at stakeholders’ interactive forum held at Enugu, Collins Okeke, a senior legal officer with the group, disclosed that the organisation is currently working in five states of the federation.

He stated that HURILAWS, a public interest law services organisation, chaired by Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), “partners with others across the country to reform and strengthen critical demo-

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NATIONAL cratic institutions and laws.

The reform of the criminal code of Enugu state is one of our many reform initiatives”.

He recalled that the Federal Government under the Obasanjo administration set

up a National Working Group in 2004, which was charged with the responsibility “to develop a first draft of an administration of criminal justice bill aimed at reducing delay in criminal trials and generally modernising the criminal justice system in the country.

Ezekwesili Tasks Women On Leadership

By Gbenga Akinfenwa ORMER Vice President Fone-time World Bank (Africa) and Minister of Education, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, wants women to excel in their various assignments.

Speaking recently in Lagos at a conference, themed ‘Woman as change agent’, organised by the interdenominational fellowship ‘Daughters of Destiny’, Ezekwesili said Nigerian women are many things wrapped in one. “Women have the power and capacity to change

things in their various vocational assignments. Each and every one of us has one talent aligned with the word of God that says women should replenish, multiply and dominate,” she said.

She said no barrier should stop women from fulfilling their purposes in life, spiritually, economically or politically. She noted that many women who play laudable roles in society remain unseen and advised them to do more in transforming the society.

Sunday, April 13, 2014 5

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Controversies Trail Benue SURE-P From, Msugh Ityokura, Lafia HE Benue State SURE-P T scheme recently launched

by Governor Gabriel Suswam on February 24, 2014 in Makurdi, where over 8,000 indigenes of the state were offered employments has been described by critics as a conduit pipe for siphoning funds.

They noted that barely a month after take off, the scheme is yet to find its fitting due to administrative bottle neck.

One of the graduate intern-

ship benefactors who spoke to The Guardian, said, “those engaged by the scheme are yet to be shown their places of service or issued letters that show that they have been gainfully employed under Benue SURE-P as promised by the governor during the launch.”

Also, some of the beneficiaries in the scheme’s transport section have lost hope in the scheme, saying as unemployed youths, where does

government expect them to get the 40 per cent down payment of the cost of the Nissan Urvan buses government promised to release to them and called on Governor Suswam to be sincere to the youth.

A chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the State, Dr. Mliam Gee has warned against using the people to siphon government resources, describing SURE-P as a conduct pipe.

He wondered why govern-

ment that is thinking of tackling unemployment would in ask some youth to deposit 40 per cent of a cost of a vehicle before it will be leased to them.

“Experience has shown that government officials designed this laudable scheme, but with stringent conditions which could hardly be met by those it is meant for, and at the end of the day, they buy the facility themselves. As of now, the scheme is not on. We

are watching them,” he said.

According to Gee, hundreds of Benue youth were subjected to all sort of hardship at the IBB Square for the screening exercise, but at the end, only the PDP stalwarts’ relations were shortlisted as benefactors.

As at press time all efforts to get the comments of the Benue State Head of Service, Mr. Terna Ahua, who is also the state chairman of SURE-P Implementation Committee failed.

NEWS Imo Legionnaires Affirm Ogbuji’s Leadership From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri ETIRED military officers in R Imo State, under the aegis of Imo State Council of the Nigeria Legion have alerted the public that they recognised only the leadership of Col. Nnukwumadu Ogbuji (rtd) as the authentic state chairman of the body.

In a statement issued on Saturday in Owerri after the group’s meeting and made available to The Guardian, the body urged the public never to recognise any person parading himself as the chairman, adding that after an election an executive team led by Ogbuji emerged and should be accorded the right and recognition anywhere.

The retired military men disclosed that the chairmanship of the organisation and other positions have been harmonised to rotate among Okigwe, Orlu and Okigwe, which make up the three geopolitical zones of the state Continuing, the statement warned that the body should not be dragged to political parties, adding that only retired military officers are allowed to join the organisation.

NSCDC Flays Community Heads Over Pipeline Destructions Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Prof Modupe Adelabu (left); Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Managing Director/E-i-C, Champion Newspapers, Mrs. Nwadiuto Iheakanwa; Ekiti State Governor (Awardee), Dr Kayode Fayemi and his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal; and former Ekiti State Governor, Niyi Adebayo, during Fayemi’s investiture as Champion Newspapers’ Governor of the Year (2013) in Lagos ... on Friday.

Nnamani Centre Commends Rebasing of Nigeria’s Economy HE Ken Nnamani Centre Centre, Prof. Ebere On- we have a population count He dismissed the view of matters is that planning in T wudiwe, in a statement, noted that approximates the actual some commentators who dis- this country’s economy has has commended the leadership of the National Bureau that the Bureau has done so number of Nigerians that it parage the rebasing of Nige- been hampered by false numof Statistics, NBS, for coming up with the recent rebasing of Nigeria’s economy. The Centre said the exercise was long overdue and a courageous step, which will afford the government the right statistical data to confidently stand and engineer our economic development.

The Executive Director of the

well that its chief executive, Dr. Yemi Kale, should join hands with the headship of the National Population Commission (NPC), to give Nigerians a true population count that will revise the current number of Nigerians up or down.

According to him, it is when

shall be said that we have become serious about development.

“He has given us a truer nominal GDP, the next best thing if I were the President is to ask Dr. Yemi Kale to help the NPC give us a new and truer demographic data base for policy making,” Onwudiwe stated.

ria’s nominal GDP as voodoo economics; a defamatory term a former US presidential aspirant George Bush, Snr., used to attack “Reaganomics,” Ronald Reagan’s economic policies that turned out to be great for the American economy.

Onwudiwe insisted that what

bers for too long and needs to be corrected, which the Bureau has done.

“Others confuse the intention of rebasing the economy altogether, saying it is an overnight growth without development, as if we did not have growth without development at the old GDP level.”

contribute to the economic development of the state. We must improve Oyo State; Oyo State must develop and we have started already,’’ he said.

Governor Ajimobi appealed to members of the association to continue to maintain the existing peace in the state by desisting from any form of criminal activities.

Earlier in his address, the President of the association, Alhaji Hamzat Yisau said Ajimobi administration has brought peace, progress and abundant resources, which would be sustained through prayers.

Highlight of the event was the decoration of Governor Ajimobi as the Grand Patron of TAAN.

Ajimobi Increases Artisans’ Interest Free-Loan To N150m OVERNOR Abiola Ajimobi G of Oyo State has approved an additional N100 million interest-free loan for members of the state chapter of Tradesmen and Artisans Association of Nigeria (TAAN).

He gave the approval while speaking at a special prayer for the sustenance of peace and progress in the state, organised by the association at the House of Chiefs, Ibadan, last Friday.

The governor said the decision to add to the N50 million earlier approved for the association was based on the expanded membership of the association coupled with the determination of his administration to improve the socio-economic activities in the state.

Ajimobi said that his administration would not relent in its efforts at supporting and maintaining cordial relationship with tradesmen and artisans as well as those engaged in legitimate businesses for their immense contribution to the economic

development of the state.

The Governor assured that his administration would not play politics with the various supports being given to traders, adding that he remained the governor of the people of the state and not that of a particular party. ``Oyo State is a state of traders and these are the people contributing to the eco-

nomic development of the state. We must encourage them as much as possible, even if we give them more than that (N100 million). It is not too much; they have 80 different associations with each association having about 5,000 members. ``They have to be supported; we must encourage people to

From Ann Godwin, Port Harcourt HE Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Rivers State has flayed some community heads in the state for encouraging pipeline vandals and as well, making their jobs difficult.

The command frowned at some elders in the communities that shelter pipeline vandals from being arrested and prosecuted.

The Acting Commandant of the agency in the state, Christiana Abiakam expressed worry over the ugly development, warning that it is affecting the nation’s economy as well the activities of oil companies in the state.

Assuring the public that the command is not relenting in its efforts at tackling the menace she said, “ community heads should advise pipeline vandals that what they are doing is not good instead of habouring them.”

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Al-Makura Berates Defence Chief Over Nasarawa Crises From, Msugh Ityokura, Lafia HE Nasarawa State Government has said it is appalled by comments credited to the Chief of Defence Staff, Air ViceMarshal Alex Badeh that the military operation in Keana Council Area of the State caused the exchange of gun fire between insurgent group and soldiers, which led to the death of some soldiers.

Addressing a press conference in Lafia, the commissioner for Information and Ethical Orientation, Hamza

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Elayo, expressed dissatisfaction with the vituperations of the defence chief and called for a harmonious understanding to tame the level of insecurity in the state and Nigeria at large.

“We are appalled of the comments made by the Chief of Defence Staff on NTA Network News of Thursday, April 10, to the effect that the military operation in Keana caused the exchange of fire between insurgent group and the military. We do not want to join issues with the CDS on

this, as it took the military high command seven days to explain what Nigerians and the families expected from them,” he said.

Elayo recalled that the present administration inherited the on going border crisis and was confronted by its ugly face in the first week of its assumption of office.

He enjoined individuals, communities and institutions to continue to preach peace rather than pour oil on troubled waters by their comments.

Elayo noted: “The CDS said the Governor of Nasarawa State, Umaru Tanko Almakura commended him for the exploits of the military in the operation. I want to confirm to you and Nigerians that the Governor did not speak to the CDS before or after the incident. In fact, the Governor has not ever met or spoken to the CDS in his lifetime. We view this claim as unbecoming of a respected Air Vice-Marshal and head of the military high command.

“ We expect a candid report of that misadventure in Keana considering the status and respectable position of the CDS. Also, required by Nigerians is a show of remorse given the operational failure, regrettable but human too, and assurance of a review of the operation to forstall future mishaps” He urge stakeholders to join the state government in the crusade to cleanse the society of brigands and blood thirsty militants.

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Sunday, April 13, 2014

NEWSEXTRA Allegation Of Instability In Aviation Sector, A Ruse, Says Dati

By Daniel Anazia OLLOWING the removal of Princess Stella Oduah as Minister of Aviation, and the subsequent replacement of various helmsmen in the ministry’s agencies — Director General Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Managing Director Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Managing Director Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), and the Rector Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) — and as the Federal Government awaits the audit report on the aviation sector by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), coordinating

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spokesperson for the aviation agencies, Yakubu Dati, has debunked insinuations that the high level of corruption and inconsistency of policies and frequent changes of persons in the agencies could affect the country’s attempt to retain its Category One (Cat 1) status from the United States government.

Dati made this known while reacting to a statement credited to a former DC-10 pilot with the defunct Nigeria Airways, Captain Dan Omale, that such a change carried out by former Minister of Aviation, Princess Oduah was “unprecedented anywhere else in the world,” adding “with

such a high turnover of the heads of the NCAA, instability in the system becomes inevitable and it is now showing.”

He said the allegation that three director’s general of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) were changed within a period of three years was false and baseless. “Now a quick look at that statement shows that it is false. Dr Harold Demuren was the director general NCAA until 2012. Ms Oduah met him in that position and he continued in that office until 2012, when his statutory final year tenure ended.

“No substantive director general of NCAA was ap-

pointed until early 2013, when Captain Fola Akinkuotu. So, where are the three director-generals that were changed? As a matter of fact, Capt. Akinkuotu, the second director general, was only recently removed,” he stated.

Dati also denied the insinuation that Air Operator Certificate (AOC) and licences for chartered operations were issued to loyalists of people in government, saying particularly that only persons or organisations that met the stringent standard requirements were given the approval to operate.

“Aviation is not an industry you just gate crash because of its capital-intensive nature

To save the country from further embarrassment, the Ministry of Aviation had to issue a directive that all foreign registered aircraft operating in the country’s airspace should re-register with the NCAA. Many charter operators were not comfortable with this policy and stringent safety and security requirement. So, even if you are a so-called ‘loyalist’, and you do not have substantive capital base, you cannot make headway in the sector. Moreover, records show that in the past three years, not more than five

companies were issued new AOCs. The aviation industry here is a small one, such that the players know one another,” he said.

He noted that some charter operators had formed the habit of collecting foreign registered aircraft with foreign crew and would not pay them. “On some occasions, the Ministry of Aviation had to wade in to save the reputation of the Federal Government and the Nigerian aviation industry,” he said.

He added, “to save the country from further embarrassment, the Ministry of Aviation had to issue a directive that all foreign registered aircraft operating in the country’s airspace should re-register with the NCAA. Many charter operators were not comfortable with this policy.”

On the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) re-assessment of Nigeria’s CAT 1 safety status concluded in Lagos last week, Dati said the Federal Government had done enough in the aviation industry to merit the retention of the certification.

He said that Omale and his co-travellers have resorted to paranoid self-serving media attacks because they were not allowed to operate foreign registered aircraft illegally in Nigeria, adding that such acts of impunity belongs to the past and would never happen again in the sector.

“He (Omale) runs Prime Air, which is unlicensed as a commercial carrier but operates commercial charter flights.

This is very dangerous under the radar activity which violates and downgrades the integrity of the Nigerian aviation safety records. Simply put, it is like operating kabu kabu service in the air,” Dati said.

The aviation parastatals spokesman also alleged that Omale’s company wanted to import foreign registered aircraft without due process and when he was stopped he heightened his media attacks at his real and imagined enemies.

“They just refused to submit to the five steps of obtaining AOC. This was the old order in civil aviation, where aircraft from other jurisdiction are brought into the country and they start operating. The clamp down by NCAA on these risky and illegal activities made people like Omale unleash attacks on those they believe stopped their illicit activities.”

Dati concluded, “In aviation, most criticisms are motivated by self-interest; not to reposition the sector for better performance. We don’t expect Omale to exhaust his

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Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Cityfile

Garki Model Market Fire: PHOTOS: ITUNU AJAYI

A section of burnt shops at Garki Model Market, Abuja

One Inferno, Many Controversies From Itunu Ajayi, Abuja ASES of fire outbreaks in both private and public facilities have continued to plague the country. Usually, blame for these infernos are put on power surge from electricity providers. In some instances, the culprit has been explosion. On December 4, 2013, 10 people were reportedly injured when the Conoil filing station opposite the NNPC Tower at the Central Business District of the FCT went up in flames. Also in Abuja, on Sunday, January 12, a fire broke out when a gas cylinder exploded, claiming the life of a final year Microbiology student.

On February 19, eight people lost their lives at the home of a former minister of state at Garki Area 8. Again, on March 2, the MRS fuel station along the airport road was gutted by fire. Kuje market went up in flames on December 2013 and in January this year.

Traders at Garki Model Market, Garki 11 District of the FCT, closed for the day at 6pm on Friday March 28 like they had always done. Business had been good. Thanks to shoppers preparing for the weekend. They went home excited, hopeful of even better sales the following day. Their expectations were, however, stillborn. Little did they realise that fate had a sour grape in the waiting. At the early hours of Saturday, they received distress calls from the market’s management and sympathisers.

An inferno had reduced 60 shops and all the goods in them to ashes.

According to the Abuja Markets Management Ltd (AMML), a private company employed by the FCT authority to oversee running of the market, a security man had heard an explosion and subsequently noticed flames emanating from a cold room.

The traders, however, dismissed the ‘explosion story’, claiming their shops were first looted and then deliberately set ablaze.

They argued that there was no correlation between the burnt remains and what they left behind the previous day.

Other questions raised by the traders touched on the reliability of fire extinguishers in the market and claim by the market management that its men acted immediately when the fire began. The traders reasoned that had the management responded promptly as it claimed, there would have been reduction in the number of gutted shops.

Friday Ozochi is the chairman of Garki Model Market association, an umbrella body consisting smaller associations. He told The Guardian that the management of the market is playing pol-

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Various scenes of destruction at the market

itics with the plight of the traders, a situation he described as unfortunate.

He said: “I received a call at about 6am that there was a fire in the market, so I rushed to see fire brigade personnel and other people. What I gathered from one of the firemen I spoke with was that some persons, not even the management of the market, called them, saying there was a fire, and that before the fire department arrived, 60 shops had been razed. Another thing we found was that fire extinguishers at the market had not been properly serviced. I think fire experts should service extinguishers rather than ordinary individuals. In fact, I will like to know the firm responsible for servicing this equipment.”

According to Ozochi, the agreement between the traders and the Abuja Market Management Ltd from inception was that fees paid by the traders would be used to maintain fire extinguishers, dispose refuse and provide security, among others.

“When this incident happened, we were made to understand that the fire extinguishers here were mere decorations. They had all expired and so could not work. The traders again are asking why there was no security man on ground when this thing happened because we make monthly payments for security too. This kind of fire would never happen if the management had on ground what it claimed, such as fire extinguishers and security personnel. At least, they should have been able to stop the fire and not allow all this damage.

The people at this section pay N2,500 while some others pay close to N5,000. Besides paying rent, we also pay service charge but we are not seeing any service.”

He alleged that the management has not related well with the Abuja Environmental Protection Agency, which is in charge of waste disposal and as such the agency has been disturbing the traders on environmental issues. He accused the management of taking unilateral decisions without consulting the traders. Ozochi said that the traders would rather pay directly to a dedicated account of the government instead of paying service charges that yield nothing.

“We are ready to pay directly to the government and have it provide the services for us directly. Even if the FCT administration would use an agency, they should use one that would serve the purpose. We are being marginalised here; they treat us as if we are not Nigerians. For a market this big, a fire service vehicle ought to be stationed here permanently,” he said.

He lamented that the managing director of the agency responsible for the market has not identified with the traders in their time of grief. “Some of our members are aggrieved that the minister has not come. Even the person representing the minister, here, has not come. It is expected that he should be the eye of the minister in this market, because the minister cannot be everywhere,” he said.

HIKA Egwuonwu is the chairman of Igbo traders association.

C He told The Guardian that on the fateful day, he arrived the market and saw commotion at the entrance with security operatives denying access to the market. He, however, said that by 8am, the traders were allowed into the market, at which time both his shop and storehouse had been destroyed.

“I was not able to bring out anything from the two shops. But what I noticed was that some people might have tampered with my shop before setting it ablaze. The reason is that the remnants I saw was nothing compared to the volume of goods I left behind. I know the quantity of the goods I had and what I saw was not commensurate. At least, if tinned tomatoes burn, the can, whether empty or badly burnt, should be seen. Or did the fire melt the tins too? The management also claimed that an explosion caused the fire. I have gone round the burnt area and am yet to find any cylinder to that effect. Every cylinder in the cold room where they said the fire started from is intact. We are yet to see any one that exploded.

“We have supposedly high tech security persons in this market, and they are always in position when we leave. But the security men did not alert anybody. The market manager, Mr. Joe Yahaya, told me that the fire started by 6am. He has not even called us up till now to express concern or tell us what might have been responsible for the flames. Even the managing director of the agency, Usman Abubakar, has not come here to see us and sympathise with us. And to worsen it all, the FCT minister, Senator Abdulkadir Mohammed, has not condoled with us whether through the media or by any other means,” Egwuonwu said.

The corporate affairs manager of AMML, Innocent Amaechina, said the management did sympathise with the traders, noting that as managers of the market, the company is moved by the

CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

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Sunday, April 13, 2014

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CITYFILE gency management team came; they chased them away. They beat up our staff. The department of public works came, they also chased them away. A team from the special adviser to the minister on security came, they chased them away. And but for the presence of security men, we don’t know how this market would be by now. Even with the presence of the security men, they still rave.

“The essence of cordoning that place off was to allow investigation, then sit with the affected people to chronicle what happened, to enable us put together a report. From day one, we have been asking the traders’ association to come so that we can have meaningful discussion, to know the number of those who are involved and the value of what was burnt. We wrote them formally, and finally yesterday (Wednesday, April 2, 2014), we were able to meet and we formed a committee involving the management, the traders and security men. The committee has started work immediately and it is expected that it would give us something substantial to work with.”

He said the allegation of sabotage by the traders is unfounded.

According to him, “This is a wild allegation. There is no truth to it and it is very unfair. For the sake of those who claim they pay service charge, this market pays the least in all the markets in Abuja, and even at that, they don’t pay. But we would still continue to talk to them, to enlighten them on the need for this.

We had a meeting with them before the fire and we spoke to them on disaster management. We told them to have individual fire extinguishers and stressed the importance of insurance. With all these discussions before the fire, it is strange that the traders would turn around and accuse us of sabotage.”

The Guardian asked why fire service vehicles are not stationed at all markets in the FCT, even if traders would have to pay for them. Amaechina replied that the management of the market is already discussing the possibility, and talks would be initiated with the fire department.

Egwuonwu

NE Adebayo Etanami told The Guardian that he is the chairO man of Abuja cold room dealers’ cooperative society. He said the aggrieved traders beat him up because he tried to mediate between them and the management. He said that although the fire did not affect his shop, he is of the view that the traders should work in collaboration with the management so that government would be guided on how to bring succour to

Amaechina

The burnt area was cordoned off by the firemen, but the traders removed the tapes and chased our men away. Since then, they have been in the habit of chasing away anybody or any agency that comes there.

The FCT emergency management team came; they chased them away.

They beat up our staff. The department of public works came, they also chased them away. A team from the special adviser to the minister on security came, they chased them away. And but for the presence of security men, we don’t know how this market would be by now. Even with the presence of the security men, they still rave.

Ozochi

plight of the traders and do not think trading blames would solve any problems at hand. He said the traders were misinformed about fire extinguishers.

Amaechina said the inferno might have been caused by one of the cylinders in the cold room area or a compressor from a refrigerator. “We cannot trade blame with traders who suffered loss. What we need to do now is show them sympathy and facilitate whatever needs to be done to ease their pain. When the fire started a few minutes to 6am that day, it was our security man who was on ground that alerted us. He told us that he had heard an explosion. While we await the preliminary report from the fire service, the initial speculation is that the explosion might have come from a gas cylinder or a compressor from a fridge because there are a number of cold rooms owned by fish sellers there. But we are still waiting for those who are more competent to come out with the report. We will not want to do their job for them.”

Amaechina said the security man who saw the fire first was the one that mobilised his colleagues, called the fire service men. And while these were on their way, the staff of the agency tried to do their best to contain the fire with the extinguishers available. He said it took the effort of firemen to put out the fire and keep it from spreading further. Amaechina explained that had the firemen not turned up, the entire market would have been razed. He regretted that actions by the traders have not helped the management in its effort to assuage their suffering.

According to him, “The burnt area was cordoned off by the firemen, but the traders removed the tapes and chased our men away. Since then, they have been in the habit of chasing away anybody or any agency that comes there. The FCT emer-

them. He said that the traders would hear none of his proposals; hence they beat him up. According to him, the case is before the police, following a complaint he lodged.

“Apart from all the people the traders chased away, they also confronted the police. I have advised them repeatedly that they cannot confront the same government that might be of help to them. I told them to allow government do its constitutional duty and they have refused all advice. The truth I am telling them was responsible for the beating they gave me. They chased the FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) away.

Representatives of the FCT minister were here to have firsthand assessment and report back to the minister, but they were chased away. They cannot arrogate power to themselves. I told them to allow the management do its job. Now, they have accused the management and the police of setting their shops on fire. The market itself belongs to the management, and the police are there to provide security. I don’t know why the police and the management should now be targeted, including some of us that are telling them to toe the path of honour and have some integrity in what they do. They are saying heads must roll because their shops were burnt. I am in pain also because it affected people that are close to me; nobody is happy. I was invited to the meeting as a stakeholder representing people with cold rooms and they chased me away, saying that I was not needed. And none of my members was part of the meeting.”

He claimed that his life is under threat from the traders, informing his reporting the matter to the police. “You are aware of killings every day in Nigeria, so I have to cry out to the authority and I believe they will come to my aid. The police have already taken up the matter,” he said.

Ozochi, however, said Etanami’s claim that he was beaten up is untrue. He described Etanami as a stooge of the management of the market and that none of the traders really know where his shop is in the market. He said: “It was not true that he was beaten. The issue is that AMML wanted to use that man to achieve their aim by introducing him to the agencies that came

‘I Lost Two Shops To A Blaze…Fainted’

By Ijeoma Opara Y the time I heard what happened, I fainted,” said Mr. Ezeani, a seller of electrical stabilisers at Oshodi market. The day was October 20, 1999.

Ezeani lost two shops in the blaze. The cause, he said, was electrical. According to him, “It started at about 10pm. People were calling those who stayed around to come. I stay in Festac and so didn’t know what happened. By the time I heard what transpired; I simply fainted.

“After the incident, I managed to get back on my feet again. I had to sell most of my property and get help from my wife and relatives. There was no form of compensation from the government.”

The chairman of Owonifari Oshodi electron-

“B

ics market, Rotimi Bamidele, said, “the cause of fire outbreaks in markets can be traced to the use of substandard wires for electrical connections. Another, is when traders lock up their stores without putting off their electrical appliances. Another way will be a deliberate attempt by an individual or people.

“By the special grace of God, we are not praying for any fire incident but in case it happens, we have extinguishers in the market. Besides, everyone in the market uses a separate meter, and before we leave the market, we make sure that all lights are switched off. We don’t leave electrical appliances running here, and since the beginning of this market, we haven’t experienced such incidence.”

On the issue of congestion at the market,

to see what happened to us, as chairman of the market. He is a cooperative society chairman and I don’t think he has any right to come and take charge over an issue that concerns Garki Model Market. As far as I am concerned, he does not have a shop in the market. He has not shown me any cold room he owns. Whether he has one or not is not even the issue. The traders did not beat him. And again, he should stop parading himself as the chairman of Garki Model Market Association. We have more than 20 associations in the market, but all of them are under GAMMA. If he does not stop this, we can sue him for impersonation.”

Egwuonwu, corroborating Ozochi’s position on the alleged beating of Etanami, explained: “His claim is a lie. The guy is working for a paymaster; he went to the police station to tell them that I ordered Igbo traders to beat him up. And I said, ‘for what?’ He claimed he has a cold room but we found out later that he is not the owner of the cold room. The case is at the Garki police station now.”

The director general of the FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Abbas Garba Idris, told The Guardian that the claim by the management of the market that the traders chased away his team is not true. He said that even though the traders were infuriated by the loss, his agency was able to perform its duty as scheduled.

He said: “We were the ones that extinguished the fire, and then we did a follow up because the honourable minister asked me to go and commiserate with the traders who lost their goods. There was an uproar, as would be expected in that kind of situation. It was just a misunderstanding between the traders’ association and the market management, but we were able to carry out our responsibility. We were able to assess the damage and later we met with them.

“What we are doing now is trying to stabilise the affected traders because in a situation like this, people become destabilised. We want to see what we can do to offer some relief. We are waiting for a report from experts and we would now take decision based on that.”

On anger by the traders that the FCT minister has not visited them, the DG said he is in the capacity to represent the minister, adding that the traders could demand to see the minister if they desire for other purposes besides the issue of the burnt market. “They can’t say that. I was there because the minister asked me to go there. At the time, the zonal PDP rally was taking place in Bauchi and there was no way the minister could be here and there at the same time. Since he has delegated me, I think that should be okay, except if they just want to see his face,” he said.

HE Guardian was at Utako market. The difference between Tat this and Garki Model Market is striking. All the lock-up shops Utako had concrete rooftops with roll up steel doors. This is to prevent fire from spreading. Shop owners at the market said any fire that starts from a shop would most likely consume such shop alone.

It was, however, noticed that the doors of some shops in Utako market have disappeared. Some traders put blame for this on unscrupulous shop owners eager to make a little ‘extra money’.

The culture of keeping personal fire extinguishers is lacking among many Nigerians. Traders at Utako market said the management of the market had tried to introduce individual fire extinguishers to them. They, however, alleged that the move was a ploy to exploit them. According to a trader, the management had attempted selling extinguishers worth N1,500 at N2,500, hence they rejected the deal.

Many of the fires that occur at night have been blamed on power surge and carelessness on the part of traders. Some traders, however, are said to be in the habit of cooking meals with electric stoves and leaving them on at the end of the day, especially when power outages happen.

At the headquarters of the fire service at Area 10, Mr. Ime Eyo, the operational commandant, was not on seat. However, this reporter spoke with him later on the phone and he rescheduled an appointment. On the date fixed, he was not around and had not responded to his calls or SMS messages till the time of filing this report.

Bamidele noted that although this could cause a fire, adequate care is taken to ensure there is no inferno. “If it is a plank market, congestion can lead to a fire. The market was built this way by the state government and it depends on their plan. We met the stores like this, and I know that there are cases where two to three traders occupy a storehouse. This can result in congestion but then I don’t think it can cause a fire outbreak.”

Princewill, a seller of motorcycle parts, said: “We don’t pray for anything to happen but if it does, the fire service station is somewhere along Ikeja road, and I don’t know their emergency numbers.”

Another trader, Mr. Jide, who sells television sets, said: “This place was once gutted by fire.

All I laboured for disappeared in one day. After the incident, I had no assistance from anywhere. I had to go into ‘Kabukabu’ business to

raise money to start up again. I thank God that today I am alive and in the same shop and doing better.”

A fire prevention expert, Mr. Adeyemi Toluwani, said fires in markets start as a result of several factors. “Deliberate ignition, smoking or carelessly discarded smoking materials, such as cigarette butts and matches, cooking and heating appliances which are left unattended to, unsafe use and storage of flammable liquids and gases are among causes of market fires,” he said.

He explained that having a standby fire tanker or station in every major market is advisable. Also, “effective training and awareness should be implemented to enhance fire fighting capacity among market men and women.

Every market must also have procedures to ensure the safe evacuation of people from buildings in the event of a fire.”

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Sunday, April 13, 2014 | 9

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Sunday, April 13, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Backlash Abraham Ogbodo

08055328079 (Sms only) abogbodo@yahoo.com

I Have Rebased To A Rich Man HAVE been doing the wrong thing all along!

Iyears I have been struggling since I left school 27 ago to break even and join the privileged club of stupendously rich individuals. Nobody told me that I could rebase and cross over to the other side just like that. In fact, it is surprising that no Nigerian finance minister before now knew that there was some very simple process called rebasing in macroeconomics that could make Nigeria rich over night.

You see, I have always complained about this mediocrity in public administration in Nigeria. If former President Olusegun Obasanjo had not discovered Dr Mrs Ngozi OkonjoIweala and dragged her from the World Bank to help us, we would still be here lamenting our inability to get rich quickly and overtake South Africa in prosperity. E se gan Baba Iyabo!

God bless you for Nigeria!

If you ask me, I will suggest that Ngozi should be awarded the Presidency in 2019 without contest, given that President Goodluck Jonathan will still try his luck again in 2015. But if by some unusual twist of events, Goodluck decides to stop pushing his luck, Ngozi can pick the award right away instead of waiting till 2019. If the marvellous rebasing cannot qualify Ngozi for the presidency, I wonder what else can! If as a mere finance and coordinating minister for the economy, she could pull this through, it only can be imagined the miracles that will follow if she becomes oga madam patapata at the top. We will be aiming to overtake the US and not common South Africa.

I see a wonderful opportunity here for Ohaneze N’digbo, which has been asking for the presidency since the start of this dispensation to make dream come to reality. Instead of searching far and wide for a candidate that may not pass the national aptitude test, the FTER more than 14 years of democracy, A going into another election year shouldn’t be with unsure steps and doubts. But the case with Nigeria is difficult to understand. Till date, it is not clear whether President Jonathan wants to fly the flag of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). That is worrisome because if there must be 2015, he should confidently demonstrate it. His body language and those of his foot soldiers points at a particular direction, but that is not the kind of lame assurance democracy thrives on.

There is anxiety out there on account of 2015 and it is all about Jonathan. It is no exaggeration to suggest that if the man makes a commitment today, the stock market and even crude oil prices will react, depending on whether it is aye or nay. That is how tough next year’s election could be and the other stakeholders are not hiding their hunger and thirst for Aso Rock. And that is legitimate, provided the rules are adhered to. But there is something unsettling about the whole thing.

Even development partners and friendly countries are worried because so much is at stake and they are anxious, even as they watch developments closely. They are not too sure Nigeria could deliver an all round credible and acceptable election without repeating the ugly and sad history of post election violence recorded in the northeast in 2011. By 2011, Boko Haram had not become this bad, so that makes it more challenging. For that reason, they are putting money to build capacity in the civil society and fund some of INEC’s endless challenges. That is in addition to INEC’s budget, which is quite substantial.

Last week, Jonathan was so sure that 2015 will be better than 2011. With a careless smile on his face he promised that the elections would be very smooth. Even INEC has also not stopped pounding its chest, and you wonder where this confidence is coming from. Yet, the President has not demonstrated similar confidence to indicate interest to contest the 2015 presidential election. He still kept mum at the weekend in Enugu, where Southeast leaders of the PDP were all over him, begging him to run. For now, these Igbo leaders are willing to suspend their quest for a president of Igbo extraction, all for Jonathan. But trust GEJ. He wouldn’t break the silence, which as at today is deafening, because all over the place, the signs are there that Jonathan would run. The billboards are saying it; newspapers adverts are shouting it and even radio jingles are singing his praises.

A transformation network is currently run-

best option is to adopt Ngozi at both ends as a daughter of Anioma in Delta State and as a wife in Abia State and field her as a united Igbo candidate. The chances appear brighter this way than otherwise.

I do not see how Nigerians across the divide are going to reject Ngozi. Who else in the history of Nigeria has been able to create such a tremendous turnaround from practically nothing? I say nothing because none of the indices we consider as vital to development actually added up to give this great result. Power generation is still at about 3000 megawatts for 170 million people, yet we have come this far.

Imagine what will happen if generation peaks at 170,000 megawatts, which is the new projection, according to the just ended Lagos Economic Summit, that the economy requires to run efficiently.

It is clear at once that the issue of unemployment in the country has been deliberately over stated and orchestrated by enemies of the Nigerian state to achieve a sinister purpose.

Countries with idle people do not expand their GDP in leaps and bounds over night. Only countries with active working population such as Nigeria can do so without stress. We can therefore safely say that the March 15 tragedy, in which some 20 people were trampled to death in different locations across the country had nothing to do with an alleged mammoth crowd that had thronged the locations to participate in an aptitude test in lieu of placements in the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

One finding said some soccer promoters had put together a match between Chelsea Football Club and city rival Arsenal to be played at the National Stadium Abuja, Nigeria. It added that instead of live broadcast of the epic encounter to homes, the promoters mounted giant screens in selected stadiums nationwide as

viewing centres and restricted the broadcast of the match to only these centres. Those that could not make it to Abuja were given the opportunity of watching the match live on these big screens. The finding concluded that the crowd that invaded the Abuja stadium especially, and other stadiums on that fateful March 15, were actually irrepressible soccer fans that wanted to watch live their darling clubs play in Nigeria.

This sounds more like it. I am happy that the truth is gradually coming out. It is now left for the Information Minister, Labaran Maku to ask the National Assembly to appropriate some good money for him to finance an intensive media cum publicity campaign to correct the wrong impression. It is possible that enemies might have had inkling of the good news (Rebase) well ahead and decided to distort the facts of the March 15 tragedy just to detract from this glorious moment of Nigeria becoming the biggest economy in Africa.

Whether the enemies like it or not, Nigeria has overtaken South Africa as Africa’s biggest economy and that is authoritative. They can jump inside the Atlantic and perish for all I care. It is also their cup of tea if they decide to lampoon this impressive record and say the size in question is not anything better than the size of a barrel without crude oil in it. At least for once, there is some content and substance to the claim that Nigeria is the Giant of Africa.

President Jonathan now has enough to take to the market if he decides to join issues in 2015. He shouldn’t rack his brain trying to create a captivating slogan to drive the processes.

He should forget about ‘Transformation Agenda’ and stuff like that and look in the new direction and make good electoral capital from the rebasing windfall. I can give a working guide right away: With Jonathan, Nigeria Is First In Africa, Continue With Jonathan And Nigeria Will Be First In The World. Wow! The President’s handlers can work around this and hammer out dependable catch phrases in the 2015 electioneering. Expectedly, other good news has been following the rebasing breakthrough. In fact, it is like Nigeria has begun shifting from the spectator stand to the field of play in the global market engagement. Last week, global rating agency, Fitch said a few more nice things about the economic strength of the country, noting that as a result of the new GDP figure of $510 billion, Nigeria’s sovereign and overall balance sheets, current account surplus, debt service

SUNDAY NARRATIVE Alabi Williams oruku35@gmail.com 08116759790 (Sms only)

2015: Jonathan Is Still Consulting ning jingles on national radio of how the President has fixed railways and transformed the power sector. Mr. President has not told anybody in the open that he is still interested in this difficult assignment.

But if the man decides to keep his cards to his chest, why is that a problem to anybody, even when it is less than a year to election? It is not too clear where the law stands on this matter, but what is trending is that the political class across the parties has conspired to render the electorate act limp on the exact time frame to run campaigns. It was the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) that first went about holding rallies and consulting stakeholders.

They went all over the place and now it is the turn of the PDP, to hold rallies and consult.

From what we have seen, our politicians cannot stay by the rules. They will end up spending four years on campaigns, rallies and consultations, leaving just a few months to address issues of development.

Jonathan’s initial excuse was that he did not want to heat up the polity by making an early declaration. That has now become his style, to keep opponents and friends guessing until it is a few months to election. He did that towards 2011 and it seemed to work because he wearied his formidable opponents for months. It was like some psychological weapon to wear out a potential opponent by keeping him guessing. In the end, the game narrowed between him and Atiku Abubakar, by which time Jonathan had got the backing of the governors of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to finish the job landslide at the Eagle Square on January 13, 2011.

Towards 2015, Jonathan has again almost wearied all his opponents. Governors and other frontline politicians in the PDP who showed early prospects for Aso Rock, but did not have the patience to accommodate Jonathan’s style have dumped the party.

Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Murtala Nyako, Bukola Saraki, Atiku Abubakar and others have left in anger for greener pastures. It was commonsense and wise counsel, perhaps, that prevailed on Muazu Babangida-Aliyu and Sule Lamido to still hold on. They are holding on and waiting for the President to make up his mind. And by the time he does, it might be too late for them, which is all part of the gamble called politics.

The question to ask is whether Jonathan’s style of keeping mum on 2015 is a healthy tonic for this democracy and whether that has helped to deepen the process beyond where the baton was handed to him in 2010?

We also need to know whether his style has stopped the polity from overheating or, as a matter of fact, has endangered the internal combustion system of the statecraft.

Some people are of the opinion that if democracy were working well here, it should not take an incumbent three and half years to make up his mind to either continue in office or to return to Otuoke. The fact Jonathan is shy to declare for 2015 is a sign that this democracy has k-leg. It has given birth to black market campaigners.

Like they say, an incumbent American president does not struggle for a second term ticket with other party hopefuls. He is allowed to face the job and when the time comes, the entire party supports him to validate his bid at the party convention. I’m not sure it is written in the party constitutions in the United States that other party members should not challenge an incumbent president for a presidential ticket, I think practice and common sense dictate that party members should not distract a healthy and successful incumbency. If an incumbent president is doing well to deliver the party programmes and citizens are happy, why should his party members engineer an op-

ratio and external liquidity are all stronger than previously. The Ministry of Finance took time to push all of this added value across to the media so that the public would know that, in truth, the Sleeping Giant has woken up and ready to contest.

But pessimists are not relenting. They have come up with a diabolic arithmetic that makes the enormous gain look like peanuts. They say if spread among 170 million human beings that live in Nigeria, the celebrated GDP leap from $258.55 to $510 billion, representing an unprecedented 90 per cent increase, would come to a paltry $3000 per head. In the same breath, they contend that South Africa’s $384.3 billion GDP would give every human being living in that country about $7,336, more than twice the per head income in Nigeria. This is called Per Capita Income in technical jargon.

These critics are saying in effect that we are poorer than South Africa in real terms. What kind of thing is this now? Why can’t we have one good version of a story in this country without somebody, somewhere coming to spoil it with a bad version?

Anyway, so much for Nigeria! Let me talk about myself. I opened this page with my desire to rebase so that I can represent myself to rating agencies for proper rating. I left school, I mean the university, 27 years ago and I have remained in gainful employment for 25 of these years. If the one-year compulsory youth service is added, it will be 26 years of working nonstop. I have been to all the continents of the world except Australian.

Also, I have raised graduates outside my own children. I have mentored a whole lot of people. In fact, many of those I taught English Language and Literature as a corps member teacher at New State High School, Mushin Lagos between 1987 and 1988 are very big people today. One of them is Sandra Achums, the Nollywood actress who has somehow become scarce on the screen. Now and again, I run into a few others in my day-to-day operation and they are all too ready to render to me the reward of a teacher. Once, Sandra offered to pick my bill when we met at a supermarket in Isolo, Lagos. I felt proud being a teacher.

All of these taken together, I am of the humble opinion that I should rebase to a rich man. I don’t know what you think but I have successfully rebased and I shall send my name immediately to Forbes Magazine and other rating institutions for proper listing among the world richest individuals. position from within, to cause distraction and overheat the polity? It is also not a good marketing strategy for a decent ruling party to haggle noisily over its presidential ticket from within. To do that is to admit that an incumbent, who is fronting for the party has failed, thus making him and the party an easy prey for the opposing party. But if a government system is built on fraud, what you get is a cross current of endless dissension.

We are not saying we must do it exactly the way they do in the US. No! The point is that after close to 15 years in this business, the Nigerian political class should develop a character that will combine with the laws to deliver a system that works seamlessly. It is the political class that should develop ways and means to strengthen the system. Instead, they have rendered the laws impotent and make it difficult for regulators to insist on due process.

The electoral Act is very clear on what amounts to political campaigns and the timeframe for political parties to market themselves. But political activities have been all over the place even before INEC gives the go ahead. Politicians claim they are holding rallies, but they are actually campaigning and promising to capture power in 2015. And I ask, what will they do different from what they are doing now when INEC, in order to fulfill the law, blows the whistle for real campaigns to commence? Where is the budget for all these noise coming from and what are regulators of the airwaves doing about the jingles that are right on air and the subtle political innuendos that pass as commercials in the print media?

Is this the style of 2015, to subvert the rules and just manageably hold an election, without deepening the process one bit? Is it INEC’s concern to just hold elections and attract feeble applause from an anxious crowd of local and international observers? There are complaints in Osun and Ekiti that the Continuous Voter Registration exercise failed to capture all eligible for the June and August governorship elections. And I ask, when will Nigeria be able to conduct civic registration without making life difficult for willing and law abiding citizens?

Just as Mr. President is taking his time to declare for 2015, there are reports that some political appointees who want to be governors are also stealing time. Instead of resigning from their ministerial offices to allow others to step in, they are holding on and refusing to function optimally. New ministers, we are told, are still coming, as part of the 2015 game plan.

Is this how we want to deepen this democracy?

TheGuardian

www.ngrguardiannews.com

Sunday, April 13, 2014 11

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Outlook NJC Vs Rivers: Vertical, Horizontal Dividing Lines T

By Biola Phillips

HE vertical and horizontal lines that define our system of government are the key battlegrounds at which issues of democratisation will be joined. If we remain firm in our resolve, we will be well on the way to building the kind of institutions that are the surest bulwarks against the everpresent threat of the rule of man. The vertical lines separate executive from legislative from judicial, while the horizontal lines separate federal from state from local government. The parity implicit in vertical lines reflects a reality in contradistinction to the assumption of hierarchy innate in horizontal divisions. It is at these places – these junctures – that the path to democracy is trod and epochal battles won and lost.

Amid the din and clamour, it is yet again Rivers State that is the lab rat in our nation’s journey in evolving a democracy. Of particular interest in the ongoing struggle to appoint and dismiss the Chief Judge of Rivers State is the fact that both vertical and horizontal dividing lines are simultaneously tested. And in the process, legal rights and political expediency are joined.

I was once under the sway of a professor whose lenses were principally those of realpolitik and so I am periodically prone to seeing things as they are rather than, as I would wish them. The distinction is important in understanding the way and manner a governor would come to a decision on the appointment of a state Chief Judge. The legal right to appoint a state Chief Judge lies with the governor of the state; period. It is not an unfettered right; the governor has a duty to consult the National Judicial Council. The governor is not required to accept the NJC’s recommendations but he is required to solicit their views and hear them out. The NJC can counsel and recommend, it cannot appoint. That is the law.

Then there is convention. There is, for example, the convention that the most senior judge ought to become the head of an appellate court when an opening arises. That is convention, it is not law. Conventions do not have the force of law. So it is that Justice Nnamani could be elevated to the position of Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria without ever spending a single day on the bench prior, and our jurisprudence is all the richer for his elevation.

Again, convention was done away with when Taslim Elias was appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (the pinnacle of the judiciary) without having spent one day prior on the bench; his experience was as an academic and as an Attorney-General. I offer these examples to demonstrate that in the highest and most hallowed of our judicial halls, conventions do not have the force of law.

It is axiomatic that in a federal system (horizontal lines), a power residing with the governor of a state (to appoint a state judge) cannot be subsumed to the centre in the person of the NJC. Once the governor has

CONversation

Fed. Attorney Gen/Justice Minister, Mohammed Adoke

Gov. Rotimi Amaechi

satisfied himself that the person being considered is qualified (i.e. has ten years at the bar, is of sound mind, etc.) the final decision is his. For a federal quasi-judicial organ to arrogate to itself the power of veto is ultra vires the NJC. The considerations that exercise the mind of a governor appointing a CJ are of interest but he is not bound to share them. Once the mandatory boxes (including consulting the NJC) are ticked off, the governor is unfettered. He will address his mind to a range of other considerations, including those that reflect the political facts on the ground. So, in the case of Rotimi Amaechi, I would fully expect those political facts to include the intentions and mindset of those with whom he has been joined in a titanic political struggle.

He would do well to recall how easily the high places of state judiciaries are subverted by rampaging executives; witness the indecent haste with which the sitting Lagos State CJ at the time Femi Pedro was being summarily evicted convened a tribunal. Amaechi will be wary of a judiciary in the hands of persons potentially pliant and compliant to his adversaries.

The NJC recommended the Honourable Justice Daisy Okocha to succeed the Honourable Justice Iche Ndu as Rivers State CJ. She ticks the mandatory boxes. One trusts, however, that a sitting member of the NJC, Chief OCJ Okocha, who has actively campaigned for the Honourable Justice Daisy Okocha (his sister) to be appointed state C.J recused himself when the matter came before the NJC. Given how proactive Chief Okocha has been in this saga, one cannot

help but conclude that the earlier overt promotion of his sister’s cause further served to tarnish the role and reputation of the NJC. One can only imagine that some of the more honourable members of the federal judiciary and NJC must be wondering how they allowed themselves to be sucked into the vortex of political machinations that is Rivers State politics. The manner in which the NJC has succumbed to the political embrace means that the way the NJC is constituted, as well as whether it is indeed fit for purpose, is an issue very much ripe for consideration.

It is naive in the extreme to imagine that the choice of a CJ in a state in which there is open warfare between the state government and an array of adversaries inside and outside the state could be a process devoid of extraneous considerations.

Every appointment of a state CJ is by omission or commission a political appointment; by leaving the final decision to the state governor, the crafters of the constitution understood that and enabled it.

The crossover point in this particular saga from vertical to horizontal lines is yet another front in the struggle for true federalism. It is inconceivable that the role and functions of the NJC could ever have been conceived as the means of a breach in the boundaries of true federalism. Such a provision flies in the face of the very fundamentals that federating units assign to the centre.

Woe betide us if we fail to see what continues to play out in Rivers State as any-

Chief Justice Aloma Mukhtar thing but what it truly is: a struggle to preserve an antiquated conception of federalism that continues to see the centre as some kind of Big Daddy to be obeyed, feared and curried for favour, versus a vision of federalism that accepts that it is the federating units that must determine what to consign to the centre.

It has as I said fallen upon Rivers State to be the lightning rod around which the current struggles crystallise. The state governor, Rotimi Amaechi clearly relishes the role of gadfly and seems to be to the manner born.

Many do not care for him, seeing in him haughtiness at variance with the sounds of service that he readily emits when on the public hustings. It matters not. He is not my cup of tea but I am still honour-bound at the cost of my personal integrity to acknowledge that he has not shied from raising his head above the parapets in reaffirming the most basic tenets of a federal system of government. And for that reason alone he is deserving of our steadfastness.

The manner in which the National Judicial Council has acquitted itself in Rivers State – interfering and interposing itself in the realm of politics – is a siren we would do well to heed. The invisible but known hand behind the NJC has clearly made its preferences known. The vertical walls that lie at the heart of the doctrine of separation of powers (between the executive, legislative and judiciary) are again tested in their extremities; they must remain impervious to fleeting attentions.

•Phillips is a Lagos-based legal practitioner

By Obe Ess

TheGuardian

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Sunday, April 13, 2014

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Editorial A Needless Altercation HE riposte, at the Peoples Democratic Party’s rally the other day in Bauchi, by President Goodluck Jonathan to the 12 northern governors’ disturbing accusations against the Federal Government and its security agencies may have served its political purpose but did not serve Nigeria’s purpose.

Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako, a retired Chief of Naval Staff, at a forum in the United States of America blamed the central government for the insurgency in the northern part of the country. President Goodluck Jonathan in response chose the podium in Bauchi to point out where the governors, Nyako included, had failed. If the States funded education well, Jonathan said, the problem would be over. If the governors would just do their job and stop accusing him, the President said, insurgency would end. Both sides operated on the cheap.

That exchange was, of course, subject of sensational headlines but it certainly will not help the resolution of the conflict that ravages the north-eastern part of the country and severely threatens three other states in the north-central zone. The exchange was not even good politics. If at all Governor Murtala Nyako’s utterances to US officials needed a response, the Federal Government was expected to give a measured one, a point-by-point rebuttal. That would indicate a seriousness commensurate to Nyako’s weighty allegations, impolite and discomforting as his choice of venue for such may have been.

But, it is even more important to observe that, as the 2015 elections approach, it seems as though the frightening state of insecurity is becoming politicised, if not trivialised, a very serious threat to the nation is being reduced to rather pedestrian verbal altercation and political point-scoring by the very persons entrusted with the mandate to secure the state and protect life and property. The language in the air is even un-edifying. It is amazing just how anyone who loves his country and cares for its people can, reasonably, concentrate his mind on elections yet to come when and where the polity is at present unsafe and the electorate is systematically decimated.

There is too much talking by high officials and which is distracting from a focused collaboration between the federal and state authorities to fight the raging terrorism and the other social ills. And, beyond collaboration, Nigerians would want to see more concrete result of pacification of the affected areas. It is embarrassing that terrorists pick their targets at will, move in a convoy of many vehicles, kill, maim, and destroy even at police and military barracks. The question cannot but be asked: Can there be some whose interest in whatever form is served by a prolongation of this strife? Only the government with its huge gamut of men and machinery can, and should, answer this.

Nigeria’s political leaders, it must be clearly stated, must do nothing to make any section of the country feel alienated and unwanted. The law of complementarity proves that we need one another. This being so, it behoves now the leadership of four identifiable subsets of the Nigerian nation, namely: the Christians, the Muslims, the political class and the military, to come together and work out a solution to the clear and present danger.

T

LETTER How Finance Minister Can Redeem Reputation IR: In an article titled Sundo “Recent setbacks will not Nigeria’s Progress” published in the Financial Times of March 13, 2014, Finance Minister, Ngozi OkonjoIweala, promises amongst other things to ensure tight fiscal policy, following reports of about $20 billion oil proceeds unaccounted for and ostensibly stolen from the petroleum ministry and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). She states that a portion of oil revenue “will be put aside to insulate the economy from external shocks”, and that she will ensure that “the acting central bank governor is committed to tight monetary policies”.

Ordinarily, ensuring tight fiscal policies and maintaining economic stability ought to be the normal job of the finance minister, even without the embarrassing fraud of this magnitude as a trigger. In the article, there is no mention of how much of the oil revenue is to be put aside for insulating the economy, and neither was there any indication that the looting in the oil industry was as a result of the failure of the past CBN governor to commit to tight monetary policies.

Her promise at this time to “ensure tight fiscal policy” is not only fatally flawed and hollow but it fails completely to inspire confidence in a system in which the government is yet, or unable, to take any

action against those superintending over the petroleum ministry and NNPC, but rather moves speedily to suspend a CBN governor, clearly, over his exposé of this massive fraud.

This government action speaks volumes of its involvement, tacit approval, or at best knowledge of this criminality. Her continued defence of the government’s financial policies, her inability to cause the petroleum minister to explain the whereabouts of this huge amount of money, and her failure to insist loudly and clearly on financial accountability at the highest levels of government suggest a worrying degree of her naivety of the wellentrenched criminal resourcefulness of the political class and their business partners.

Furthermore, she unwittingly provides cover for the continued looting of Nigeria’s oil resources by a cabal that is well known to, and some will say is a part of the government, as well as for the incompetence or complicity of the petroleum minister, who ought to take full responsibility for the mess in her ministry and the oil industry. Gnosis’ article is a public relations gimmick aimed at hoodwinking the international community into believing that

Nigeria’s economic indices remain healthy even in the face of such massive fraud. Her suggestion that the delay in the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) by the National Assembly is somehow responsible for this fraud detracts from the core of the matter, and is a poor attempt at shielding the perpetrators and protecting government. The article itself therefore does great disservice to her person and diminishes her well-earned reputation.

For the so-called planned forensic audit to be truly independent, devoid of influence, restore stakeholder confidence or even achieve anything meaningful, the minister of petroleum and heads of all agencies under the ministry including NNPC, on whose watch this systematic looting has occurred, must be removed from office immediately. To redeem whatever is left of her reputation, she needs to be fearless, bold and courageous enough to call for the much-needed sweeping changes in the petroleum ministry. Alternatively, she should resign forthwith.

Unless and until this is done, Okonjo-Iweala, as coordinator of the Nigerian economy, risks accusation of complicity of some sort in this massive fraud, a situation with potentially grave dangers for Nigeria’s economic progress.

•Reginald Oranye, Toronto, Canada.

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Sunday, April 13, 2014 | 13

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Sunday, April 13, 2014

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Sunday, April 13, 2014

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SPOTLIGHT

P/16

DEJI-KURUNMI:A Dimpled Smile On The World’s Face

COVER

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2015 ELECTION:Security, Logistical Lapses And Other Concerns

SPECIAL REPORT P/23

ADEFARASIN: The Church Should Transform Citizens For Leadership

ESCRAVOS:The Crack In Multibillion Dollar Economy

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

16 Sunday, April 13, 2014

SPOTLIGHT

DEJI-KURUNMI: A Dimpled Smile On The World’s Face

By Ijeoma Opara EBORAH Initiative for Women (DIW) is a ministry that engages the Word and spirit of faith to raise strong women of God, able to do and become everything for which the Lord created them. This platform was founded by Adebola Deji Kurunmi as an outreach for women to enable them give full expression to the potentials bequeathed on them by the Creator, thereby rising above any limitations.

“We are a ministry that is Godcommissioned and fully faithbased,” she says. “As at now, we have a leadership of over 80 partners and we reach out monthly to diverse audiences of a large number of women, youth and men in Lagos, Ibadan, Port Harcourt, Abuja, Canada and the U.S. The greatest motivation for leading this ministry is the knowledge that God called me to reach women so He can change them and doing this gives me joy, as I know God is proud of me.

“I have seen the true transformation that comes from finding God’s purpose. I have seen women arising from the ashes into strength and reaching for greater heights. I have seen the destitute receive life through our mission’s work. I have witnessed marriages saved by the Word of God and many young ladies, who have refused to bow to pressure, because we provide a Christian community. The testimonies of changed lives keep me going.”

All this not withstanding, Adebola still finds time to explore other aspects of her being aside the missionary work. “I am an author of eight books, a leader in the Baptising Church with the DIW, which has three major divisions covering over 10 various units. The work we do reaches out to girls in secondary schools, ladies in the universities, women in career and business, as well as the men.

“We have a mission outreach focused on the destitute, those in need, the homeless and we also have a school of ministry, which is growing to become one of Africa’s biggest providers of Christian education in leadership, ministry and faith for women primarily in an online learning format. We are already looking at partnerships with Christian leaders including John Maxwell, Mike Murdock, Darlene Zschech, Dotun Arifalo, Segun Obadje and Dele Osunmakinde as our teachers and mentors.”

In addition, she is the head, Foundation Initiatives at the RegCharles Foundation (a member of the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs) that are providing strategic leadership for the execution of social mission spanning financial inclusion, entrepreneurship education, strategic philanthropy, microcredit and cooperatives, women empowerment and non-profit advisory.

It is obvious Adebola has deep interest and concern for the feminine gender. Asked what her driving force is, she says: “The motivation is God’s purpose and ordination over me. It is how I’m wired. I find myself relentlessly passionate about helping girls and young women. It has been so all my life. My belief is that the female is a life giver and a nurturer.

If we give a woman hope, it is an entire family and sometimes the community that we strengthen.

“I have found in the last 10 years of leading, mentoring and working with women that they are a vital tool for social change because they carry fire. When a woman believes in a thing, she will pour herself into it without restraint. I have ac-

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complished the most extraordinary things working with women.”

While growing up, studying Estate Management as her first degree was as a result of her father’s desire to see her become an architect and her keen interest in environmental management, which provided the intersection.

“On getting to the university, I found Estate Management was more about real estate than the environment. But looking back now, I can clearly see that my course of study has provided a strong and versatile background for all I have branched into, from HR Management to consulting and now, international social development. It is all making sense and adding up— my first degree has made me a very far reaching thinker, as well as a strong professional with a touch of many things.”

For her, the challenge so far has been an internal one, which has to do with growth, though she says that nothing on the outside is strong enough to hold her or the work back. “It is hard work of growing, expanding, learning and raising dependable leaders for the work and this is the real challenge for leaders with a vision. It is not about the external opposition; it is more about the internal trajectory you take towards finding yourself, and enlarging your territories,” she says.

As a writer, life coach and a social entrepreneur, Adebola describes her journey as an exciting one. “I am one woman who is full of zest and life. I love having fun, doing things and building structures of eternal consequence. I am living my best life each day and I’m committed to giving my all to become an institution. Like I always say, I believe that I have been able to accomplish so much because I have a strong support system in my life. I keep a vital faith walk with God and I have the loving support of my parents, siblings, faith friends and mentors.

“I am married to my lover, best friend and partner in the life’s journey. He inspires me and provides the stability I need for the kind of energy flowing through me. And because I know my husband supports me completely, I am able to go out there and make a difference. Though my life is full and I am a very busy woman, my family takes priority. I know that my family is my first constituency. So, being a mother and wife are roles I don’t take for

granted. My husband and I are committed to being friends for life, and to being the best parents for our children,” she explains.

There is no doubt that Adebola is excited about people who want to live, as she says: “Life is a call to arise and win against the odds, to evolve and emerge into new possibilities. It is about learning, loving, trying out new things and changing as quickly as success demands.

When I meet people, who love life and are ready for the challenge called living, I just feel like dancing.”

She describes herself as a dimpled smile on the face of the world. “Though I may come across as a very fun, warm and cheerful person, I am rather a mix of warmth and discipline. There is a very serious side to my soul and when it’s time to push for results, I don’t take excuses. I have a primarily joyful, playful and purposeful style of living, which helps me win over life’s stress. But when I need to, I know how to go away and be alone to rejuvenate. I tell my husband to take me on holiday in the Bahamas. This Lagos hustle and bustle na wah.”

Recounting her growing up, she says: “I had an exciting childhood as a first girl and second child of very loving parents – Pastor and Deaconess Adedayo Adeoye, in an upper class urban part of Lagos. My father instilled a strong possibility mentality in me, and I actually grew up thinking girls were at more advantage than the boys. That’s how strong my parents’ loving influence was on me. I grew up in a loving, non-critical setting and though my father is a disciplinarian, he has such a humorous side that balances things out. I am today, a self-loving, confident and visionary woman because of my parents and upbringing.

She had her primary and secondary education in Lagos and obtained her first degree in Estate Management at Obafemi Awolowo University. She also holds a postgraduate executive certificate in social innovation and international development from Pan Atlantic University and United Nations University for Peace.

Adebola admits to being a voracious reader and a lifelong learner; so, she continues to acquire valuable learning through orthodox and unconventional methods. Her philosophy is that life is lived by design, not default. “A great life is not the result of mindless repetition but creative ideation.

By Geraldine Akutu ER passion for co-ordinating things and making people happy propelled Blessing Jimmy into starting an event company called LightHouse Events in Lagos. A native of Akwa Ibom State and from a family of five, Blessing, while growing up, was a very lively and inquisitive child, who enjoyed taking part in purposeful activities both at home and outdoors. As an adult, she derives a lot of joy and satisfaction from helping people whenever the need arises.

It is easy to wonder what the University of Calabar graduate of Policy and Administration and University of Lagos Masters degree graduate of Jurisprudence and International Law is doing with events and catering. But this enterprising young lady has no regrets at all because cooking is second nature to her.

With a broad smile on her face she says, “I love everything about organisation and planning. I was brought up by very strict parents, who instilled in my siblings and I love and discipline. They taught us to be independent and this has helped me a lot in my business.”

Blessing loves being thorough in anything she sets her mind to do.

She also enjoys catering for people and making every event a success.

Before venturing into this field, she had a stint with an insurance company and an event outfit where her interest in the line of business grew. It was only a matter of time before she got the inspiration and developed the idea to start her own company.

“The company ‘LightHouse Events’ was set up in 2010 and is into catering services, supplies (outfits for camping and sporting activities for both children and adults). It also supplies uniforms for rallies and campaigns.

“I have a passion for organising, co-ordinating and planning. The journey has not been easy, but I thank the Lord, family, friends and clients for referrals. We had to go on air to advertise and rebrand. I am particularly happy we got good feedback from clients and guests from the events we have organised.”

So, what makes her stand out?

Says she: “The fact that I treat my clients like my friends and family makes them feel they have a shoulder to lean on. I go the extra mile to give them maximum satisfaction.

My challenges are nepotism and fluctuation in prices of foodstuffs due to the economic instability in the country. People never want to accept that they have to add an extra ‘0’ to their digits because they have a budget to follow.

“I have come to realise that for me to make the best of my business or

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JIMMY: Managing Events With Panache what I offer, there is need for proper communication and understanding between my client and I. As much as possible, I try to work within my client’s budget.”

Assessing event management in Nigeria, Blessing believes the sector is confronted with several challenges such as trust, ethnicity and fluctuation in prices of goods.

She emphasises the need for prospective clients to trust their event managers. In her opinion, Nigerian women are strong, determined and goal oriented. They also know how to balance work and family very well.

“For Nigerian women to stand out in their businesses, they should always have self-esteem, be courageous and disciplined. They should always strive for excellence and be creative to succeed in business.”

With regards to her fashion taste and inclinations, she says: “I love to look good because it is how you dress that people will acknowledge. Also, if the individual is well dressed, he/she will feel confident. When meeting a client, you have to present yourself well.

“You don’t necessarily have to break into a bank to look good. Just ensure that your attire is neat and properly combined to give you that nice look. I love merging colours and make sure that what I wear fits me and that it is not tacky. This has really worked for me a great deal.”

For Blessing, work and social life are important but she tries to balance the two effectively. “My social life is minimal consisting of just my family and close friends. It doesn’t interfere with my work life. At work, I am a different person and try not to allow this get in the way of spending time with loved ones. I stay focused, conscious with no distractions and determined to deliver my job thoroughly and professionally.”

How does she unwind? “I relax by going somewhere serene because I love tranquillity. It also relaxes me when I’m having a good time with my partner and family. This is my way of relieving myself of work stress because I believe the human body needs rest to avoid a breakdown,” she says.

She advises aspiring young entrepreneurs to be persistent, focused, dream big and be prayerful. “Women who think starting a business is a smooth ride should have a rethink. There are times things would not work the way they should, but you just have to be strong, tenacious and focus on your goal. Another thing is to swallow your pride and be open to learning because nobody knows it all. Never forget your family and make them your number one staunch supporter.”

TheGuardian

Sunday, April 13, 2014

www.ngrguardiannews.com

17

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Cover

Voters

2015 ELECTION: Security, Logistical Lapses And Other the upsurge in cases of kidnapping of persons for ransom, have raised the level of HE saying in diplomatic circles that poli- criminality in the country to an unbearable tics is a war by other means may have level. taken a new connotation in Nigeria, as Apart from constituting threats to the free the country prepares for the next general and fair conduct of election, the high numelection, with the process of seeking political ber of criminals on the prowl, whether they power for the general good gradually turnare engaged in insurgency, kidnappings or ing into the art of war itself. militancy have created a pool of possible With allegations that the insurgency currecruits for desperate politicians to be rently plaguing the Northern part of the engaged in their undemocratic quest to country and the Borno, Yobe and Adamawa truncate the electoral process. axis in particular could be linked to the Various groups of militants who did not quest for political power, the high rate of surrender their arms in time to the authoriinsecurity and criminality is certainly going ties as requested before the Amnesty to have negative effects on the conduct and Programme commenced during the outcome of next year’s exercise.

Yar’Adua administration in the Niger Delta While the general belief was that the insurhave been clamouring for inclusion and gents whose deadly activities have claimed may have indeed been incensed by the posithousands of lives and millions of naira tion of the Amnesty Office headed by worth of property and caused a thick cloud Kingsley Kuku, one of the dramatis personof apprehension hanging over the very exisae in the exercise, that the door has been tence of the country, were against the emerclosed on them. They have used various gence of a Southern Christian as the means to seek publicity could have been President of the country, the allegations last incited by some politicians to disrupt the month, by some leaders of thoughts from the North Eastern flank that the insurgents may have become useful instruments in the hands of politicians who would not want election to be held in that part of the country, have created a new dimension to the scenario.

Indeed the additional security burden of marauding Fulani herdsmen who are leaving tears and blood on their trail, the resurgence of militants in the creeks along the coastline as seen last Saturday during the House of Representatives bye-election in Ondo State, From Niyi Bello, Akure

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bye-election.

The arguments was that during the exercise proper, bands of armed youths who had informers at some units to monitor the trend of voting, reportedly began to hijack ballot boxes towards the close of the exercise at some polling booths to, obviously, reduce the returns the party they are not in support of.

With the level of criminality and insecurity in Ekiti State going up a notch immediately after all the major candidates in the governorship election scheduled for June 21 became known, observers believe that the ground is being prepared for hoodlums on the payroll of politicians to play active roles in the determination of the winner.

For about two weeks now, and almost on daily basis, there have been reports of attacks on campaign trains, torching of political party offices and physical assaults on opponents in Ekiti and except there is a recourse to normalcy, which is most unlikely in the short time to the June election, the same trend is likely to be witnessed in the

With the level of criminality and insecurity in Ekiti State going up a notch immediately after all the major candidates in the governorship election scheduled for June 21 became known, observers believe that the ground is being prepared for hoodlums on the payroll of politicians to play active roles in the determination of the winner.

neigbouring Osun State as the political scene gets heated with the emergence of the gladiators.

In all these, the country’s security apparatus and coercive instruments appear helpless from the unsuccessful attempts of the Armed Forces so far to effectively defeat the insurgents even after emergency rule had been declared in the most-affected states. The inability of the intelligence community to monitor the movements of the Fulani marauders and cut their arms supply and the failure of the various governments to provided job opportunities for unemployed youths, political thuggery without knowing it might be on the upswing.

Another dark cloud in the horizon is the level of preparedness of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which despite the claim of putting effective machinery in place, have been recording low outings in most of the exercises since the conduct of the controversial 2011 general elections.

The disclosure by the electoral umpire that 114,882,000 multiple registrations were discovered in the Voters’ Registers of both Ekiti and Osun during the recent updating of the documents in preparation for the election has raised the level of concern that the 2015 may not be a seamless exercise.

According to INEC’s Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, who said the entries have been expunged from the registers, out of the obtained 688,950 voters in Ekiti, 77,609 multiple entries were detected, while out of the 1,355,393 in Osun, 37,273 were found through the use of Advanced Fingerprint CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

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THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com 56

Sunday, April 13, 2014

COVER

Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency Bye Election: Not An Ordinary Election From Niyi Bello, Akure OR the first time since the 2010 Electoral Act came into operation, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) last weekend in Ondo State invoked Section 36 of the election operational guideline to declare as inconclusive, the bye-election to fill the vacant seat of the Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

Specifically, the section stipulates that “(1) Where a date has been appointed for the holding of election and there is a reason to believe that a serious breach of the peace is likely to occur if the election is proceeded with on that day or it is impossible to conduct the elections as a result of natural disasters or other emergencies, the commission may postpone the election and shall in respect of the area concerned, appoint another date for the holding of the postponed election, provide that such reason for the postponement is cogent and verifiable.”

The section is believed to have been inserted in the Act to dissuade politicians from embarking on one of their numerous pranks i.e., instigating violence and confusion, through polls disruption and hijack of ballot boxes in areas where they are not popular on Election Day, so that the exercise would be cancelled thereby, reducing the strength of their opponents.

It is believed that the section would reduce the incidents of thuggery and politically induced insecurity so that a level playing ground would be provided and atmosphere of peace prevail on the day of election.

Prior to the commencement of the inconclusive poll, a group of militants prevented election materials from being distributed at Arogbo Ward 2 of the riverine Ese-Odo local council while protesting that they were left out of the Amnesty Programme of the Federal Government, which since the Yar’Adua administration had been rehabilitating and empowering restive youths in the Niger Delta region to put an end to militancy.

Although the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta Affairs and Chairman of the multi-billion naira Amnesty Programme, Kingsley Kuku is a stakeholder in the election, being a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party from the nearby Arogbo Ward 1, the PDP alleged that the disruption was instigated by the ruling Labour Party (LP) to reduce the strength of the PDP in its stronghold.

On the other hand, however, the LP said the election was disrupted because of the mishandling of the Amnesty Programme by Kuku, in line with a well-planned script of the PDP to truncate the electoral process.

Apart from the fact that election was prevented from being held in the 12 units of Arogbo Ward, where about seven thousand registered voters were disenfranchised, bands of armed hoodlums were moving around in some of the polling units towards the close of the exercise to hijack ballot boxes and emptying their contents into the creeks.

Despite the deployment of about 25,000 security personnel made up of policemen, soldiers, naval ratings and officials of the State Security Service (SSS), scenes of violence were recorded in three units in Ogogoro, Mahin Ward 2 of Ilaje local council that contained about 1,500 voters and Itu-Igboran unit of Apoi Ward 2 in Ese-Odo local council, where about 600 voters are registered, while election could not hold in New Jerusalem unit of Arogbo Ward 1, said to contain about one thousand voters because of allegations of infiltration of the register with fictitious names.

Although the final collated results of the exercise, which was mainly between Adewale Omojuwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Kolade Akinjo of the LP and Adewale Kukute of the PDP, saw the LP leading its closest rival, the PDP by 1,298 votes, the electoral umpire declared that a clear winner cannot be announced because of the recorded lapses.

According to the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Akin Orebiyi, the authenticated results that showed the APC scoring 9,232, the LP, 23,926 and the PDP 22,628, could not be a true reflection of the electoral wish of the people because a substantial number of the electorate were disenfranchised in the exercise.

The Returning Officer for the poll, Babatunde Adeyemi, relying on sub-section 4 of the relevant potion of the Act which stated that election could be rescheduled if returns from disenfran-

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Electoral officers attending to voters during the bye election in Ondo State

chised areas could affect the outcome of the exercise, stated at the Constituency Collation Centre at Igbokoda headquarters of Ilaje local council that the decision to declare the poll inconclusive was hinged on the fact that the difference between the winner and the runner up was far less than the number of cancelled votes.

He pointed out that over 7,000 voters could not participate in the election and that the development “violated the electoral law and hence the need for INEC to conduct supplementary elections in areas where elections could not hold. I cannot return the LP candidate despite polling the highest number of votes as the electoral law empowers INEC to declare such elections inconclusive.”

While the PDP through its Publicity Secretary, Ayo Fadaka welcomed the conduct of a supplementary poll to redress the anomalies of the election, the LP, through its chairman; Dele Akinyele expressed shock at the decision of INEC. Fadaka in a press release where he commended INEC for organising a credible election and also congratulated all the security agencies for their professionalism and vigilance during the conduct and collation of the results, called on the people of the areas where supplementary election will be conducted “to brace up to cast their ballot for a party that has pedigree, which the PDP represents.”

According to Akinyele: “It is instructive to note that the election took place and returns were made in 21 out of 22 wards that made up the Federal Constituency. The returning officer’s duty is to collate the lawful votes from various units and wards, and declare the candidate that scored majority of lawful votes.

“The election tribunal, which was constituted by the President of the Court of Appeal has the sole responsibility and duty to determine any complaint of irregularity or compliance, or non-compliance with the law.

“The use of the word “inconclusive” introduced by the returning officer to abort the will of the people will not be applicable in this case because the only condition for declaration is that, the candidate must score majority of lawful votes; which has been satisfied in this case.”

It is not clear whether the LP will take part in a supplementary election based on its position, which was also accentuated by its national chairman, Dan Anyanwu, that the lid on the poll be closed and the party is said to be seriously considering challenging INEC decision in court in accordance with sub-section 5, which states that “the decision shall be suspended until the matter is determined.”

A political resolution is also being found to

the issue as the state governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, last Thursday on a visit to the President called for his intervention in the matter, “so that the foundation of our democracy would not be jeopardised.”

The election has generated so much heat within the state’s political scene that many followers of event prior to and after its conduct wonder how so much was at stake in an isolated election involving only two out of the 18 local councils in the state.

Discerning observers, however see the poll as an important milestone, not only in who occupies the seat left vacant by the demise of LP’s Raphael Nomiye last year November, but in who controls the political fortune of the state and by extension, the Southwest geo-political zone in 2015, between Mimiko and his LP and the mainstream PDP. Central to the struggle that has reduced the contestants to mere pawns in the hands of political gladiators is also the cutthroat competition for who controls the purse of the presidential campaign next year.

To the PDP at the state level and lately at its national headquarters since the new chairman, Adamu Muazu came on board, it is time to withdraw the patronage that Mimiko had been enjoying in Abuja because he has allegedly not fulfilled his promises of formally joining the ruling party.

And in this era of defection at the National Assembly, a development that has reduced the numerical strength of the PDP and threaten its grip of control, the party is said to be determined to add the fresh representative from Ondo to its already depleted membership, moreover as the LP members in the House of Representatives have no political relationship with the PDP. For Mimiko, who is believed to be desirous of maintaining his position as the closest political personality to the President in the Southwest opposition zone and who has so far nurtured his party to become the third force in the politics of the region, winning the constituency will further strengthen the claim that he is in total control of the state’s political apparatus as a loss may signify loss of grip and influence.

Because the area in contention is believed to be the stronghold of the PDP since the commencement of the current democratic experiment in 1999, a win for the local branch of the party, which despite all odds, made an impressive outing in the last governorship poll, will bring it back to reckoning and boost its morale towards winning back a state it lost to the LP via a judicial pronouncement in February 2009.

Signs that the election was going to be beyond the ordinary were seen early in the preparation of the poll as the PDP in Abuja showed an

unusual interest in its conduct, when the party’s national publicity secretary, Olisa Metu, at a campaign rally to draw support for Kukute in Igbokoda, warned members of the party to be wary of politicians “who claimed to love President Goodluck Jonathan and at the same time continue to undermine the success of the President’s party even when they refused to join our party.”

Amid allegations and counter-allegations of plans to rig by both parties, Mimiko, to underscore the importance of the election, relocated the seat of government to Okitipupa, took residence at a hotel in the town and embarked on the most extensive campaign ever witnessed in the state in just a federal constituency.

As the campaigns were going on and LP foot soldiers deployed to embark on a house-tohouse exercise, the governor also embarked on commencements, inaugurations and inspections of projects to correct the impression that his government had abandoned the oil areas since inception of his administration, even though opposition politicians said the projects “are pajawiri (emergency) projects that would soon be abandoned after the end of election.”

Three days to the poll, minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, who many analyst believed was brought to the federal cabinet to shore up the support of the PDP in the Southwest and Lagos in particular in preparation for 2015, landed at Akure Airport in company of Kuku and ex-warlord, Asari Dokubo of the Niger Delta Volunteer Force (NDVF).

Stressing that the PDP was determined to win the election Obanikoro said, “It is right that the government in this state is a friendly one, but we are PDP and we have a candidate for the election, so we are determined to win.

“This election is not just a bye election, a representative at the national level is a serious position and don’t forget that the general election is less than a year away, so any election that comes now we have to take serious because there is need to ensure that the President comes back in order for us to continue the transformation agenda.”

As Obanikoro was addressing a rally at the riverine community of Ajapa, Mimiko was at Igbo-Egunrin on the other side of Ilaje council to mop up support for Akinjo and there he expressed the fear that the PDP was planning to rig the exercise.

According to the governor, “the only strategy left for the PDP is for them to cause mayhem in the stronghold of the ruling LP so as to give them advantage in their own stronghold, but we are prepared for them. We won’t allow them to do that.”

If this were to be a dress rehearsal for 2015, then the next general election will not be an ordinary election.

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THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

COVER From Tunji Omofoye, Osogbo HE Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy of All Progressives Congress of Nigeria (APC), Osun State chapter, Mr Kunle Oyatomi noted that INEC despite its assurances to hold free, fair and credible election still has a long way to go. He said the commission would need to sit up and review its strategies if the body means business and has genuine concern for Nigerians to have credible and hitch-free election.

According to Oyatomi, the first task before the commission is to redeem its image by ensuring that all eligible voters in the country are properly registered as part of good preparation for the election. He observed that the commission has failed to pass this test going by the development during the Continuous Voters Registration exercise conducted by INEC in Osun State. He faulted INEC’s showing during the exercise, saying many of the Data Capturing Machines (DCM) brought by the commission for registration were defective and left many eligible voters stranded for days. To further worsen the situation, he said the electoral umpire flagrantly turned deaf ears to calls by Nigerians to extend the registration exercise to enable eligible voters participate in the important exercise.

“What this means is that many eligible voters were unable to register as the law prescribes to enable them qualify to vote during elections and this may have negative effect on the outcome of the August 9, 2014 election scheduled

by INEC to hold in the state and the 2015 general elections.”

Besides, he said there were reported cases of multiple registrations in the voters’ register, which allegedly the commission is yet to clear.

“Whatever INEC is going to do, we believe will be something that the INEC itself will be proud of. We have heard about the Anambra drama, the Ondo State bi-election is said to be inconclusive, but if what we read in the media is anything to go by, then INEC will have to put its house in order. All this maladministration of INEC process and the rest will not be too good for them to want to use as a kind of testimony for a good work. It cannot be a model for free, fair and credible election. We are waiting here in Osun to see what INEC is going to do and will be able to raise its head that it has done a good job. We will like to have faith in Professor Attahiru Jega and the leadership of INEC to perform.

“However we will like to put it on record that the elections coming up especially in Osun and Ekiti will be critical to the survival of democracy in Nigeria, which makes it more imperative for INEC to go extra mile to ensure that the conduct of the election is not only seen to be free and fair but the INEC’s credibility should also be impeccable in the exercise.”

He said the party had made its feelings and observation on discrepancies noticed during the registration of voters known to INEC and security agents because the party was surprised

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OSUN: Stakeholders Urge INEC To Shape Up

Aregbesola

Omisore

that common registration of voters turned to violence, whereby hoodlums chased away citizens who left their houses to perform their civic responsibility.

“Our position and what we observed during the registration of voters is that not all eligible voters in Osun were able to register. We are not even talking about our party supporters alone but prospective voters in Osun were largely denied the opportunity and freedom to register because inadequate security led to hooliganism and gangsterism.”

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bola Ajao noted that INEC must first put its house in order before beating his chest that it was ready to conduct credible and acceptable elections.

He said the leadership of the commission cannot say that all is well with the preparation for the Osun and 2015 elections, when critical allegation concerning serving members of the commission have not been properly and satisfactorily addressed by INEC. For instance, he said the allegation of bias raised against the Resident Electoral Commission (REC) in Osun State, Ambassador Rufus Akeju by an opposition political party is still hanging in the air and remains unresolved to date.

The Osun REC was alleged by the PDP to be a

former aide to the national leader of APC and former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu and therefore sought for his removal to enhance free and fair conduct of the Osun governorship election.

However, the INEC chairman Professor Attahiru Jega during his recent visit to Osun on sensitisation meeting with stakeholders replied the PDP that the allegation against the REC was unfounded. Jega said the commission had conducted a thorough investigation, saying the commission discovered that it was false, but the PDP insists that Akeju has vested interest in the APC leader and should be replaced. Ajao, while agreeing that the INEC still has much work to do in readiness for the 2015 polls called for a thorough review of the voters’ register in order to filter multiple registrations from the list.

He said noticeable violence by political thugs during the recently concluded Continuous Voters Registration exercise in Osun was a danger signal that all might not be well when it comes to real voting in the August 9 Osun governorship election and the 2015 general elections. He accused a particular political party of perpetrating violence during the registration exercise, saying, the police and allied security agents should come up with stiffer sanction against those caught engaging in electoral disturbance.

The Executive Secretary, Justice Now Foundation (JNF) and coordinator, Osun Civil Society Coalition, comrade Waheed Lawal said the civil society movement has been keeping a close watch on the activities of INEC and its avowed promises to ensure that Nigeria gets it right in planning and conduct of the election in 2015.

He noted the Anambra episode in particular was an eye-opener and exposed INEC weaknesses and the commission’s poor capacity to effectively manage election in a plural society like Nigeria.

“The mere fact that in many cases in Anambra election materials were in short supply to some local councils or did not even arrive some areas in good time explained the reason why Nigerians should be apprehensive about INEC’s claim that it is ready for the 2015 election which is going to be held in many states of the federation simultaneously.”

“Professor Jega and his team should stop playing on our intelligence because in Anambra State we were all living witnesses to what happened there during the election and the most disturbing aspect is the bye-election held last Saturday (5/4/14) in Ondo State in just one federal constituency. If INEC with the huge resources at its disposal can still run into trouble while conducting election in a state then we don’t know the magic the commission will use to engender a hitch-free election in 2015 when elections will hold in many states on the same day.”

He said information at the disposal of the civil society indicated there were discrepancies in the Continuous Voters Registration held recently in Osun and Ekiti states, adding that in some cases, names of eligible voters were missing on the list while in others there were multiple entries. To him the continuous voters register should be a continuous process that will allow as many people of voting age to approach designated centres for registration before the election period.

On security, the activist observed that the government should provide security men deployed to monitor election with necessary arms and ammunition. He noted that a situation whereby policemen appear at polling stations with ordinary batons might not offer them and the people they are expected to protect adequate security in the face of hoodlums who might be in possession of superior weapons.

Lawal noted that hoodlums often take advantage of unarmed security men on duty during election to intercept election materials or prevent outright distribution to designated centres.

This anomalies and other noticeable lapses according to the civil rights crusader show that INEC is yet to get its acts right and the commission might likely resort to giving same excuses as usual for its failings in the Osun, Ekiti and 2015 elections.

ENABULELE: INEC Is Not Ready For 2015 Destiny Enabulele is the Lead Director, Cradle of Black Civilization Initiative and the spokesperson for Conference of Non Governmental Organisations (CONGOS). He spoke to ALEMMA-OZIORUVA ALIU in Benin City on his thoughts about 2015. o you trust the assurances by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that 2015 general elections will be smooth?

In a newspaper report of 2nd February 2014, APC governors were said to have rejected INEC timetable. Also, the INEC chairman (Prof. Jega) has told Nigerians not to expect any perfect elections in 2015. Based on the electorate’s distrust of the political class, as a result of poor performance in their electioneering promises, I do not expect anything wonderful.

What will you say about the recent bye-election in Ondo State?

What played out in the Ondo State bye-election for a Federal constituency is a clear indication of the pattern 2015 general election is going to take. From the result available to us, as observer of the election process, the election took place and returns were made in 21 out of 22 wards that made up that Federal Constituency. The word “inconclusive” as imported by the returning Officer to stymie the collective will of the people of that constituency should have been left to the election tribunal to decipher.

According to reports, suspected ex-militants disrupted the deployment of materials, thereby disenfranchising about six thousand voters. There were reports that the voters’ register was laced with fictitious entries, all of which led to the cancellation of election in the area. How do you view this, knowing that 2015 is just by the corner? Why wouldn’t they (Militant) disrupt the process, when they smile to the banks every

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minute? Let me put it on record, any nation that recompense lawlessness endangers society’s morality.

What do you expect in a nation that pays less emphasis on human capacity development? Unemployment is skyrocketing year in and year out, Nigeria is third on the World Poverty Index and come 2015; there is a ready army to decode the calligraphy of the political vampire. As a student of history, do you know that history has a way of repeating itself? The politics of the early sixties between NCNC and others is about to take the centre stage.

With these, what do you think about security issues ahead of 2015?

Without being a Northerner or Southerner, you will agree with me, even without the Boko Haram issues that elections in Nigeria are very disreputable, with political borderlines falling along same ethnic and religious divides. Thomas Hansen, a senior analyst for Africa at Control Risk, said both PDP and APC were already using the insurgency as a political tool. With Thomas Hansen allusion, the Nigerian electorates have been declared persona non grata. Recent happenings at ward congresses of All Progressives Congress (APC) nationwide are a pointer to larger scale violence come 2015.

Till now, electronic voting has remained a mirage?

We are very unserious in Nigeria. How can you talk of electronic voting when we produce less than 5,000MW of electricity, when South Africa, with less than 50 million people produces over 30,000MW of electricity? Nigeria has failed to plan therefore failure is inevitable. You have said it e-voting is a mirage.

Do you worry about what the security challenges in the Northeast could do to 2015?

What the security challenges in North-east and kidnapping across the country portend is that our political elites are clueless and 2015 if not checked will manifest United States’ prophesy.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

20 Sunday, April 13, 2014

COVER

UGBODAGA:Our Election Inefficiencies May Be Worse In 2015 Dr Philip Ugbodaga is the national President, Coalition to Save Nigeria (CSN) and a former Edo state chairman, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA). He spoke with ALEMMA-OZIORUVA ALIU There are fresh concerns that despite assurances

by INEC and government, 2015 may not be smooth sailing. What is your opinion on this?

HE concerns about the ability or otherwise of INEC to conduct a free, fair, transparent and acceptable election in 2015 are not fresh. The concerns and fears are age-long, consistent, persistent, and widespread. At the end of the 2011 elections with all the issues associated with the election, INEC and everyone knew that the next general elections in Nigeria would be due in 2015, which gives the electoral body four clear years for preparations. Less than a year to the next elections, I feel extremely concerned that we may not get it right in 2015. We may once again be listed among countries with a flawed electoral system, where late arrival of materials, missing names, ballot snatching, thuggery and all forms of electoral malfeasance would be widespread. The telltale and diagnostic signs are there because nothing has changed about our preparations for elections in Nigeria. Our layback attitude regarding important national assignments in this country is legendary. We cannot continue this way. Any national rejuvenation action plan that is not founded on a sound electoral system is bound to fail. No economic or political or social order can be established without a progressive leadership to lead the movement and this itself if founded on acceptable elections.

Our electoral system is founded on quicksand.

At the moment, many voters are already discouraged by the reasonable assertion that votes do not count in Nigeria. Voters’ registers that are meant to undergo continuous updating are in INEC’s cupboard, and the permanent voter’s cards are yet to be produced, let alone issued to voters. The bane of our problems is continuing to do the same things and expecting different results. So my fears on the 2015 general elections are genuine and based on empirical evidence of an electoral system that is programmed to fail.

We may not get it right in 2015.

The bye-election in Ondo State showed some flaws. Does that add to your fears?

That is exactly the point I am making, that when you fail to plan, you are actually planning to fail.

We have no electoral system and culture. You cannot imagine that an election held in only a federal constituency would still be a subject of controversy and would be declared inconclusive. All the problems associated with large-scale elections in Nigeria were manifested in a mere constituency bye-election in Ondo State. I feel sad for our country. The engine of the Nigerian State has since knocked. What we have been

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doing is to rework the engine and attempt to keep it moving. We need a brand new engine to move us purposefully alongside the rest of the civilized world. We need to change our strategies. We need to change our attitudes. We need to change our perspectives and we need to change our perception. We certainly cannot continue this way. In the Ondo bye-election, all the critical stakeholders failed the Nigerian people. INEC failed us. The security agencies failed us. The politicians failed us. Everyone involved in the conduct of the election failed woefully and they should bury their heads in shame. The election presented a golden opportunity for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to redeem its image both locally and internationally, as a credible electoral umpire and was a litmus test for INEC, which it woefully failed.

Reports had it that suspected ex-militants disrupted the deployment of materials, thereby disenfranchising about six thousand voters.

That is what we all read in the newspapers.

Were the security agencies unaware that exmilitants abound in that locality? Were there no security concerns and reports before the election took place? Was there not a security vote for that election? What were the security agents paid for? Was it not to forestall such occurrence? Having failed in their duties to anticipate and deal with such security breach as occurred in Ondo State bye-election, what actions have been taken by the relevant authorities against the security operatives sent to ensure a smooth election in Ondo State? It is this culture of impunity that fuels our endless electoral woes. It is business as usual until the next electoral checkpoint when we will exhume and beatify the lamentation crusade. It is a sad commentary on our political and electoral evolution that we cannot organise violence-free elections in only one of 360 federal constituencies in Nigeria. It is very saddening.

There were reports that the voter register was laced with fictitious entries, all of which led to the cancellation of election in the area. How do

you view this, knowing that 2015 is just by the corner?

This is not the first time that a voters’ register would be laced with fictitious names and photographs in this country. Dead people have voted in elections in this country. In the 2007 gubernatorial election in Edo State, Mike Tyson voted or someone voted for him because his name was found in the voters’ register used for the election and he was credited with a valid vote until the courts voided the toxic vote and such others like that.

Tell me, what happened to those people who brought our country to such a disreputable state? Absolutely nothing happened to them.

That is why I talked about the culture of impunity. Nothing ever happens to those who manipulate our electoral, political, social, and religious systems for their selfish and devilish aims. So if we do not deal with this situation now, it may be worse in 2015 where the electoral body is expected to superintend elections in the entire country.

So in 2015, if we are not careful, Obama and even Nelson Mandela may vote in the election. The INEC chairman, Prof. Altahirru Jega told the whole world before the gubernatorial election in Anambra State last year that over 100,000 fictitious names had been discovered in the Voters’ Register to be used for that election. I am sure that this is also prevalent in other states and we have done absolutely nothing to ensure that such fictitious people do not get to the polling booth. So we need to clean up the entire register before the 2015 polls.

With these, what do you think about security issues ahead of 2015?

Adequate security is indispensable to the conduct of an acceptable election. I have said it repeatedly that the ground is gradually being prepared for a truncation of the 2015 general election. If all these security issues are not addressed very quickly ahead of the next election that is just around the corner, we may wake up on the morning of the elections to see only a few Nigerians waiting to exercise their franchise. Nobody wants to die for politicians who do not even care for the welfare of the people.

Some years ago, I saw how a private secondary school in Benin City organised elections to choose its senior prefect and others. A manifesto event was held, accreditation was done, the students cast their votes, which were counted in the open and results declared. Thereafter, the loser of the election gave a speech in which he conceded defeat and congratulated the winner.

So I am asking, why can we not integrate this practice into the school curriculum from primary to the tertiary level such that in future, the snatching of ballot boxes, thuggery and other electoral misbehaviour would be an extremely odd thing to do? At that time we would not need the police or any security presence to conduct peaceful elections that will also be credible and acceptable.

...Security, Logistical Lapses And Other Concerns CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17 Identification System (AFIS).

Although Jega put the blame of the finds on “the misdeeds of politicians who have devised new methods of multiple registrations” and promised to run AFIS on the country’s entire Voters’ Register, many observers believe that a cutting edge technology that would frustrate the antics of desperate politicians should have been employed by the commission.

It would be recalled that controversies trailed the composition of the Ondo Voters’ Register before and after the October 2012 governorship polls when opposition parties alleged that as may as one hundred thousand names found their way into the documents without a major registration exercise, an oddity that INEC itself admitted during the tribunal proceedings that followed the poll.

Despite the Ondo experience, the same allegations trailed the Anambra governorship poll of November 2013, even though INEC claimed that the document would be sanitized before the voting exercise, confirming the belief that politicians may have devised a means of getting victory through unwholesome process.

The arguments of the Ondo Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Akin Orebiyi, before the conduct of the poll, was that the commission had devised a way around the mischief of the politicians through an iron-cast election regulations that would not allow multiple voting and that whosoever had extra card in his possession would discover on election day that it would be useless.

Except for the fact that a bloated register would make the electoral body spend more money than necessary, the Orebiyi postulation of turning a card bearing fake identities to an ordinary paper in the hands of the holder, seems to be the most plausible way of beating the politicians in their games.

This appears to have been effectively done last Saturday in Ondo as only 62,362 voters were accredited out of a total register of 178,883 in the two local councils of Ilaje/EseOdo federal constituency, where the poll was held and 58,296 or 34.8 percent actually voted, meaning that majority of the names on the register may have been faked. The other argument is that of voter apathy, whereby, voters are simply not persuaded to come out to vote.

Analysts are of the opinion that apart from finding ways of using technology to check desperate politicians and strengthen the electoral system to withstand the onslaught against credible polls, stakeholders should be enlightened on the desirability and beauty of the sanctity of the ballot paper as the very pillar on which participatory democracy rests.

Many however believed that the system already has enough checks to discourage unwholesome electoral activities and that the problem lies in the operators in the officials of the umpire, the security agents and the politicians themselves who in many case compromise the procedure for selfish gains.

The declaration of the Ondo election as inconclusive by INEC after the exercise was disrupted by the militants and other hoodlums which cited the provisions of Section 26 of the Electoral Act 2010 to order a supplementary poll is seen as one of the built-in mechanism of the electoral body to discourage politicians from deliberately disrupting polls in the strongholds of their opponents, but on the other hand some view it as a double-edged sword that can be used to provide undue advantage to an underdog and frustrate the victory of the winning candidate.

The concern is that if threats to security could affect the election in Ondo, an isolated exercise involving only two local councils the way it did last weekend, with the entire strength of INEC concentrating on the area manned by 25,000 security agents and the registers update could be so compromised in Ekiti and Osun, also isolated cases, then the outcome of a nation-wide exercise that would stretch the strength of the commission and security agencies to their limits could not be imagined.

With the Northeast becoming a no-go area even to social workers, innocent students, traders and members of the National Youth Corps, a massive security sweep to make the area peaceful, accessible and conducive for elections, should be the next major challenge for INEC. How INEC would be able to sanitize the system to have a credible election that would be seen to be free and fair and stakeholders at all levels tackle the threat of insecurity in the fast-approaching 2015 remains in the realm of conjecture. Perhaps, if enough efforts are put in place to face the challenges in the June 21 Ekiti and August 9 Osun elections as test cases for 2015, the country could begin the journey to a functional democracy

THE GUARDIAN

Sunday, April 13, 2014 /21

www.ngrguardiannews.com

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RAFSANJANI: INEC Readiness Is In Serious Doubt Mr. Auwal Ibrahim Musa Rafsanjani, presently a delegate at the ongoing National Conference is the executive director at Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC). He told KAMAL TAYO OROPO that the readiness of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) for the February 2015 general elections is yet to be seen.

How ready does INEC appear to you in preparation for the 2015 general elections?

NEC has always assured Nigerians of its readiness only for the people to be disappointed and the commission will start apologising and offering all manner of after-thought excuses and telling the people over and over again that they are going to improve on things.

But from what we have seen in Anambra State and the voters’ register in Ekiti State, it shows that there is still a lot to be done in order to boost the confidence of Nigerians that the umpire is ready.

And secondly, we have not seen much of civic education coming from INEC and even the political parties. This is a big lacuna. Many Nigerians still make a lot of mistake in terms of campaign themes and issues, knowing and following procedures on electoral process. And that is where we expect INEC, through its public education department, to really come to town to sensitise and educate Nigerians.

This is why it is important to start making the effort and waking the commission to its duties.

Like I said, INEC has not been able to convince anyone that it has been active in civic education and enlightenment. And the civil societies have limited resources to do some of these things and to get the electorate to get to comply with electoral procedures. If the political parties and INEC have not been doing what they are supposed to be doing; we in the civil society are expressing serious concern.

Again, the commission has not been seen to be taking a very firm stand on erring political parties, who have engaged in serious violations of the electoral act. For example, the Special Adviser to the President on political matters has allegedly written a letter to all the ministries and parastatals to contribute certain amount of money to the re-election bid of President Goodluck Jonathan. This is a gross violation of the Electoral Act and a calculated attempt to steal or divert public fund. INEC, to the best of my knowledge, has done nothing to caution those who are busy undermining the Electoral Acts in this brazen manner.

Truth is that the commission has hardly inspired confidence in many people that it is ready for this coming election. We look at the February 2015 election as if we are talking of an event in a distant future, but like I said, the election is tomorrow. INEC’s role has gone far beyond just waking up on election day, conduct election and going to bed. They have to realize that they are the regulatory body of the electoral system, ensuring that the rules of the game are adhered to and the procedures are not compromised; unfortunately, we have not seen that coming from INEC. This extortion the agents of government are doing in the name contributing to the president’s re-election is an issues the commission should have taken a very progressive and firm action against.

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updated to capture this, would that not amount to willfully disenfranchising a certain category of persons?

We should not see this election as if it is just an event. It is a process, a procedure and a continuous exercise. INEC work is not tied to only conducting election on election day. It is a continuous exercise that we are supposed to be doing.

Unfortunately, that has not been the case. This time around when you conduct election, you are going to need a lot of people doing the right thing at the right time. INEC has not also done enough to clean the voters’ register after some people registered twice or more. We have not seen that demonstrated properly.

The sanctions against electoral malpractices are too poor to deter any would-be electoral offender.

Looking at the security situation in the Northeast, do you think that part of the country will be ready for this election in 2015?

The sole responsibility of the government is to ensure protection of life and property of the citizens and if the government should flounder in that responsibility, we should hold the government accountable; and responsible for whatever that is happening in that part of the country.

It is clear that a lot of what is happening in the name of insurgency has got many Nigerians worried about the true state of things. People are beginning to wonder, and frequently so, if security agents are not involved in the insurgency. Many are now convinced that it is not ordinary people that are doing what they (the so-called Boko Haram) are doing. These people are acting with a lot military precision, only acquired through military training.

Is the election good to hold by February in some of these troubled zones?

Election is very possible because it is the role and responsibility of the government to ensure that election holds and that wherever there is a problem, such problem is confronted headlong.

You don’t wait and allow the situation to deteriorate to the extent that when it now comes to election time, you would come up with the excuse that you cannot conduct election because there is insecurity; when you had all the time in the world to put a stop to the insecurity. It is dereliction of duty.

But if you keep quiet because it is the ruling and the commission will continue to tell the As far as we are concerned the government is party or you would be seen as being partial, you people that they had a very short time to do responsible for ensuring that election holds are just setting a very bad precedent. Definitely, their work. even in this trouble spots. We can see clearly one day the table will turn.

How comfortable are you with effort made so that this is not an act from children who do not There are certain things the commission must far on update of voters’ register? know how to hold guns but people who are ensure are not condoned, no matter whose This is part of the problem we have been trained. What’s more, it is not everywhere you horse is gored. Indeed, there is so much left to talking about. The voters’ register is supposed have the challenge of insecurity in the be done by INEC and if we just allow things to to be updated and at very regular basis.

Northeast; it’s some pocket of places and these go the way they are going, the whole system Somebody may be 17 years last year and are done through active connivance of some may boomerang on the faces of all; Nigerians under our laws he or she will be eligible to security people. The government must assure would continue to be disappointed by the INEC vote by now, but if the document is not being Nigerians that this is not part of the calculated attempt to rig election or make sure that some part of the country would be unable to exercise Again, the commission has not been seen to be taking a very firm stand on their electoral franchise.

As a delegate at the national conference, some erring political parties, who have engaged in serious violations of the elechave argued that the conference was put in toral act. For example, the Special Adviser to the President on political mat- place to distract attention from the general election. Why can’t the national conference be postters has allegedly written a letter to all the ministries and parastatals to con- poned after elections? tribute certain amount of money to the re-election bid of President Goodluck What till I see about the national conference is that it is an opportunity to voice out concerns Jonathan. This is a gross violation of the Electoral Act and a calculated worries about the state of the nation. The attempt to steal or divert public fund. INEC, to the best of my knowledge, has and outcome of this conference, hopefully, would done nothing to caution those who are busy undermining the Electoral Acts assist in the constitutional development of the country.

in this brazen manner

WAKILI: INEC Should Earn People’s Confidence Ali Wakili is a retired deputy comptroller of Customs and member of National Institute. In this interview with ALI GARBA in Bauchi, Wakili says INEC needs to earn the confidence of the people.

HAT challenges have you identified that could disrupt 2015?

Everyone knows the security challenges bedeviling our great nation. It’s not a secret that we in the Northeast are under siege with the insurgency that has led to the loss of innocent lives and property. This is compounded by the ravaging poverty and absence of enabling atmosphere for citizens to earn a living. Many are being killed by hunger, as they could not farm in the last season. Naturally, the culture of fear pervades the land. The ugly scenario that took place at the SSS headquarters is unimaginable, the killings in Zamfara is unexplainable. The scorch-earth guerilla killings in Benue, Nassarawa and Kaduna states are well known.

Alleged security breach of our Air Space by saboteurs unchallenged cannot be fathomed. Alleged theft of crude

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oil etc, etc; one can go on and on to enumerate the challenges.

Human trafficking, ritual murder, baby factory and baby selling are part of the security challenges and transnational crimes bedeviling us as well. Only good governance and rule of law can resolve these challenges.

What lapses do you notice in INEC handling pre-election matters?

Free, fair and credible elections have been elusive to us as a country. We had hopes in Professor Jega. But our experiences have cut short our hope. We expect INEC to learn from past mistakes. INEC needs to be proactive in terms of preparation and advocacy. INEC needs to earn the confidence of the people.

There must be good governance at all levels. Leaders must be responsible and responsive; leaders at state level must be alive to their responsibility and staying within the confines of their states so as to be in the know of the goings, so that untoward incidences could be nipped in the bud. The culture of probity and transparency in the disbursement of the state resources must be imbibed so that the resources are not pilfered.

22 Sunday, April 13, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

COVER EKITI GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION: Violence Threatens Exercise From Muyiwa Adeyemi (Head South West Bureau Ado Ekiti) HE last three and half years had been peaceful T in Ekiti State, after almost seven years of war of attrition that nearly rubbished the state’s claim to being a “Fountain of Knowledge.”

The peace and tranquility enjoyed of recent has translated into measurable dividends of democracy as manifested in the improvement of the social infrastructure and geometric increase in the economic and commercial activities in the state.

But the story of peace in Ekiti State is gradually changing with the violence that is creeping in with the election campaigns, and if the wave of violence is not checked, Ekiti may relapse into a state of anarchy, which obviously will affect the June 21 governorship election.

Though the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega was recently in Ado Ekiti to give assurance that the electoral body is ready to conduct free and fair election, analysts are beginning to wonder if that would be possible as Ekiti is degenerating into a violent environment.

While Ekiti residents may not have much control over the activities of the INEC, a peaceful environment that will not allow for annulment or declaring the election inconclusive is not beyond their control.

Governor Kayode Fayemi has been preaching peace and appealing to politicians and their supporters not to truncate the peace enjoyed so far. As the candidate of the APC, he promised that his campaign would be issue-based.

So also is the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former governor Ayo Fayose, who said he is already a changed person, matured, responsible and promised not to engage in any violent activities.

In the same vein, the candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Hon Opeyemi Bamidele has also condemned violence and promised the electorate a scientific campaign.

Despite the declarations against violence, the supporters seem not to agree that Ekiti could hold election without bloodletting. There is mutual suspicion in town. Some members of the APC believe that the PDP specifically elected Fayose as its candidate because of his capacity to use violence. They recall how Fayose practically chased away former governor Niyi Adebayo and his Alliance for Democracy supporters from the streets of Ado Ekiti.

And to lay credence to this, Adebayo, during the flag off of Fayemi’s re-election campaign publicly said: “They said I was too gentle in 2003 and that was why we lost the election, but let me tell you that I will not take what happened then now. If you slap me once, I will retaliate three times.”

The three major candidates, Fayemi, Fayose and Bamidele are no strangers to themselves. They had at one point or the other worked together and they know their strengths and weaknesses. Fayose worked with Fayemi in 2009 during the re-run

Destroyed vehicles in Ekiti (Inset), Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State, Felix Uyanna

governorship election and Fayemi and Bamidele had been in the same political camp until Bamidele decamped to the LP. The APC says it is difficult to believe the verbal promises of peace by Fayose because they believe a Leopard will not change its spot; they do not want to be caught off guard and allow history to repeat itself. But observers believe APC members should be careful not to overreact, which may precipitate crisis that will encourage the Federal Government to declare another state of emergency in the state.

Crisis began to manifest when the APC alleged that Fayose’s supporters attacked its members on the day the latter returned from Abuja, where he had gone to collect his certificate of returns.

The APC in a statement alleged that some PDP supporters shot at the convoy of the governor at the Fajuyi area in Ado Ekiti and some vehicles were damaged. The party also paraded one Babatunde Fatoye who sustained injury on his left arm during the attack and the smashed vehicles were displayed to the press.

But the spokesperson of the PDP candidate, Mr Idowu Adelusi was quick to dismiss the allegation.

He said Fayose’s supporters were heavily guarded by security men and they had been instructed by the former governor to be peaceful.

Two days after, the chairperson of Irepodun/Ifelodun Market Women Association, Mrs. Aduke Seriki addressed a press conference where she alleged that some of her members on

their way from the meeting of National Council of Women Society (NCWS) were attacked in IgedeEkiti by suspected Labour Party thugs.

The women who were conveyed in a brand new 18seater bus donated by the State Government to the Market Women Association said, but for the intervention of the police at Onigede Palace, all of them would have been wounded by LP thugs who damaged the vehicles.

The rear screen of the vehicle was smashed while some parts of the vehicle got damaged.

Salami the media aide of LP candidate But Ahmed Opeyemi Bamidele, absolved the members of the party of complicity in the alleged attack. According to him, “It was strange that our members were being accused of attack when the APC knew it actually stage-managed the incident to make it look real.

“Throughout our stay in Igede-Ekiti that day, many government vehicles crossed the road and nobody was attacked. So we didn’t know where they got this from. I want to state that if there was any attack at all, the APC should look elsewhere for the perpetrators.”

Also, the LP had its taste of the bloodletting crisis last weekend as the party alleged APC of attacking its members at Ilawe-Ekiti.

The party in a statement signed by its Media and Publicity Secretary Bolanle Olatunde-Bruce alleged that, “live ammunitions, machetes, axes and stones were freely used in attacking faithful party members who were peacefully campaigning for

Bamidele. In Iye Ekiti in Ilejemeje local council, one of our youth leaders was attacked and was hospitalised.”

She, however, called on the inspector General of Police, Muhammed Abubakar, the INEC and good people of Ekiti State to call APC leaders to order before they start another orgy of violence.

She said, “Nigerians deserves peace. Ekiti needs peace, most of all in crucial times like this and our party is peace loving. We have so far conducted our affairs in a peaceful manner since political campaigns started.”

While sounding the note of warning that LP may have to resort to self-help if the attack continues, Olatunde-Bruce said, “We hereby implore the security agencies to call the APC to order as no one has the monopoly of violence.

We will not fold our arms and watch our members and supporters being frightened, injured and maimed. We will remain law abiding but will protect our members in the face of provocation.”

But the mother of all attacks which sent shivers down the spine of many Ekiti residents was the alleged attack of the Governor’s convoy on Monday April 7, by Fayose boys while the governor was driving along Adebayo area of the state capital, where Fayose campaign secretariat is located. There was an alleged counter attack that saw Fayose’s office and vehicles riddled with bullets.

OGUNLOLA: Blame APC, PDP And LP For Political Crisis In Ekiti Ekiti State chairman of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), Prince Tunji Ogunlola said political parties are to blame for violence at campaign ground. He spoke to MUYIWA ADEYEMI (Head South West Bureau).

What is your impression of the spate of politically motivated violence in Ekiti State?

HE truth is that in the last one month, what has been happening in Ekiti State is heart breaking. And it has been giving everybody concern because in the last three years we have been enjoying relative peace in the state. There had been a lot of elections conducted in this state without violence. We had the National Assembly election here in 2011, there was no bloodletting; it went peacefully. But many politicians have forgotten that they cannot force themselves to power, it is not possible. Unless God ordains somebody, he cannot get to power, no matter how powerful he is, or how much he can muster force to suppress others.

And the people you want to rule are observing you. They will not want a murderer, they will not want somebody in power and people will be kidnapped on a daily basis. They want somebody that is serious as a governor. They want a performer; they want somebody who will rescue them from poverty. This is the leader Ekiti people need, and an average person here is getting concerned about the reported cases of attacks we hear on a daily basis.

I want to use this opportunity to appeal to all these Okada riders. They seem to be ready tools in the hands of those perpetrating these heinous acts. Some of them give impression that they do not have future, because anybody with a future will know what is good. There was a time Ijaw youths were very violent and destructive, but as soon as they began to feel development being put in place by President Goodluck Jonathan, they now allow peace to reign and they are now seen to have a future.

We also want to appeal to our traditional rulers to summon a

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what is happening today in Ekiti State, I don’t know if you have been to the Pavilion and other Legacy projects going on in this state, but I am sure you will notice the infrastructural development across the state. Can somebody just wake up one day from the slumber and say he can do better. I am not saying the current governor has scored 100 per cent, but if another person is coming, we want somebody better than him. Ekiti is a fountain of knowledge and people should see us as such and that should also guide us in choosing our leaders. You cannot bring a nonentity to our Government House; the problem is being caused by over ambition of some elements.

Will you say the Police are doing enough to curb the trend?

I want to specifically commend the present Commissioner of Police Felix Uyanna and the Director of State Security Services (SSS); they have been like fathers to all the political parties in Ekiti State. They call for meetings intermittently. But the problem is that these troublemakers never attended most of the meetings summoned by these security agencies. By next week again, we shall have another meeting with the Commissioner of meeting of their subjects and warn them against violence. I Police, come if you will see them attending this peace meeting. believe all these okada boys are from one town or the other.

It has been to a stage that the CP must use his power to compel These monarchs should not pretend as if they do not know all aspirants to attend this meeting where the issue of peace and what is happening. This is the time for the monarchs to play security of lives and property of Ekiti people will be discussed. their roles and tell whoever that is fomenting trouble that CNPP is the umbrella body of all political parties, what are you enough is enough. doing to ensure this state is not set on fire?

Ekiti State has witnessed a state of emergency, would you say We are doing the little we can. You know all of us are in this you politicians have learnt any lesson? game to get power, so we are all players. But before now we We are saying the same thing; those characters that caused tried to encourage peace during voters registration, we succeedthat problem are still the same people causing some of these ed with it along with INEC. We are having a lot of programmes problems we are witnessing now. If we politicians are being for this election. I believe we shall succeed with those prodriven by personal interest, what about the people, have they grammes. also forgotten all that happened before in this state? It is not Apart from CNPP, there are other organisations doing one proonly the politicians that have not learnt any lesson; the elecgramme or the other to ensure we have conducive environment torates also look like bad students of history. And this is why I said the time has come for our traditional rulers to act fast; they for a free and fair election. We are ensuring that all the 21 political parties in Ekiti State work together and do not see this elecare in a better position to nip this ugly trend in the bud. tion as do or die affair. It is the PDP and APC that are giving us The question we should ask is why the violence in Ekiti? problems, but recently, Labour Party has joined the league of Because I can say that we have a performing governor, look at troublemakers in Ekiti.

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Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Special Report If nobody listens to us, we believe God does. This is what we have chosen to do and we will continue till our help comes. Those we believed would represent us have failed. on several instances, they have mortgaged our common destiny for personal gains. It is time we took our destiny into our hands.

When people are as helpless as we are, they should turn to God

EsCrAvos...

Protesters at Ugborodo, host community of Escravos.

The Crack In Multi-billion Dollar Economy ing progress and achievements to the community leaders.

Dr. Ayodele Ayomike, whose father served as secretary at inception of the trust, said the position of chairman had always been reserved for an educated individual because the community felt, from the onset, that such person must be knowledgeable in economic matters necessary for securing fair deal on behalf of fertiliser plant, a seaport, a five-star hotel, the people. He also noted that the appointbanks and 5,000 housing units. ment process was purely a communal affair But a protracted communal conflict that is threatening the completed multi-billion until recently.

Indeed, the tradition of the community dollar EGTL in the island is also stalling the seems to have been tinkered with. David take-off of the EPZ initiative that would Tonwe served as chairman of the governing reenergize the construction tempo of the council until he resigned for an elective posicommunity. Like many oil-producing tion as council chairman of Warri South West communities in the country, the crisis is 2007. He handed over to Thomas Ereyitomi, rooted in conflict of interests over who who was his vice. Ereyitomi, according to takes charge of the community’s purse.

Eghare Oja, Wellington Ojogor, was given a Following the coming of Gulf Oil to the fresh mandate in 2008 to continue the mancommunity in 1965, the community decided to modify its leadership structure to agement of the governing council’s affairs. He said the constitution of the trust provides for accommodate Ugborodo Community three-year tenure.

Trust. The trust was established in 1969 Problem started when Ereyitomi’s tenure and registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in 1985 with a Board of ended in 2011. While Ereyitomi was interested in continuing his headship, the community Trustees. The trustees are charged to appoint governing council with consultation leaders thought otherwise and sought a replacement for him. The elders, led by the Ojoof key leaders of the community. gor and Olaja Orori, Omadeli Benson Dube, found Tonwe still useful for the position.

EFORE the institution of the community trust, its affair was managed by the While Ereyitomi’s second term as chairman of the governing council was inaugurated unOlaja Orori and Eghare Aja, who were reder the watch of the Security Adviser to Govergarded as its spiritual head and prime nor Emmanuel Uduaghan, Rear Admiral minister respectively.

Kpokpogiri (rtd), Tonwe was given the same The trust gave birth to a third leg of remantle in Warri by exiled Ojogor, Dube and sponsibility (chairman of the governing other elders two days earlier, a development council of the community trust). Chairman and other members of the governing that snowballed into factional leadership that council, who are drawn from the different is currently tearing the community apart, villages, serve as ‘external affairs’ represen- while casting shadow on the multi-billion tatives of the community. They spearhead socio-economic negotiations while reportCoNTINUED oN PAGE 24

It seemed they had fortune when drippings of black gold was found in their community 49 years ago. They rolled out drums in celebration knowing that the gods had smiled on them after centuries of sufferings, tears and sorrows. Unfortunately, decades after, the community sinks in more penury and misery. And a community-based trust that should have united them in the search for a better future has further divided their paths. This is the story of Ugborodo, the host of Escravos multi-billion dollar oil economy, GEoff IyATsE reports: N 1960, Britain granted Nigeria political independence. Over five decades after the historic decision, however, the only language that speaks to the heart of an average indigene of Ugborodo, an island community in Delta State, is freedom. All – the elderly, the youth and kids – desire and fight for the liberation of their ancestral community. The crude oil deposit that should have brought them prosperity is the same chain that holds them in bondage fifty-four years after they were set free, like every other Nigerian, by the colonial masters.

Ugborodo, a community in Warri Southwest local government, is located just tens of miles away from the famous oil town. It is also located 100 kilometers south east of Lagos, the country’s commercial hub. But the advantage it enjoys from its closeness to these coastal cities, it surrenders to a body of water that separates it from the rest parts of the country.

For this reason, perhaps, it remained a pariah fishing settlement until 1965 when Gulf Oil Corporation (GOC), which later merged with Standard Oil of California (SOCAL) to form the present-day Chevron Corporation, struck petroleum in the obscure community. And Ugborodo began to reinvent itself.

The story of Ugborodo has proved that man can prevail against any barrier when there is sufficient justification to give a fight.

Notwithstanding its physical limitation, other cities, towns and villages of Nigeria

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have closed in on the oil-producing community. Government officials have crossed the water to pay homage to their kings while investors alike have also gone to kiss and embrace their sons and daughters.

N 2002, Chevron, the Nigerian National ISasol, Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the South Africa chemical giant, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the siting of the $10-billion Escravos gas-to-liquid (EGTL) project in the community. The project is designed to process 325 million cubic feet of natural gas per day from the Escravos Gas Plant (EGP) into diesel, kerosene, naphtha and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). With initial production capacity of 33,000 barrel per day, the company’s 10-year plan is to scale up output to 120,000 barrel per day. With the construction process completed, production, which was initially billed to commence last year, is expected to take off in three months time.

While the construction phase of EGTL was winding down, the Federal Government in collaboration with Delta State announced the choice of Ogidigben, one of the five villages that form Ugborodo, as beneficiary of the proposed $20-billion (N3.1 trillion) Export Processing Zone (EPZ) project. The project, a joint venture of the Federal and state government, is expected to house a gas hub, a petrochemical, methanol and

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UgBOrOdO: As Tension Builds In The pidgin, she was knowledgeable enough to know that Ugborodo gives Nigerian economy much more than it gets in compensation. She pointed to the ramshackle houses, while asking if such were true testament of oil deposit in their land.

Another elderly woman, who identified herself as Timeyin, said the residents were dying of hunger because the aquatic life was destroyed by oil pollution. She queried why multinational companies that operate in the community would still employ outsiders to do jobs “our children can do.

“If you enter Chevron, you will see young girls that work there. We also have educated girls who can do some of those jobs. But they do not employ them. Every year when children finish the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), they return home with the hope of securing jobs at home. Look around (pointing to mass of youths that sat or stood in fives and sixes) and count how many graduates are here without jobs. They pay peanuts to the few ones they take for casual jobs. How can they feed their parents and have something extra to improve their lives?”

HE story of able-bodied Samuel Oritsejobomi is similar, but more personal. OritT sejobomi, who must have crossed 40 years, said he had waited patiently for community job slots that never came since his youthful days. He noted that members of the commuCONTINUEd FrOM PAgE 23 are willing to compete for jobs in the Both old and young spoke vaguely about freedom. Occasionally, speaker after nity companies if given a chance. He dismissed dollar economy of the Escravos. speaker shouted freedom, while the audience responded in like manner. Few claims that “we are not employed because The Religion Of Freedom UT the leadership tussle does not seem to meters away from the venue were stems of coconut and palm trees that could we lack useful skills and competences.”

The freedom prayer meeting, it was learnt, feature on the top problems of ordinary holds 9am and 5:30pm on Mondays and citizens of the coastal community anymore. not survive the huge oil spillage. About half a kilometer away from the dried The conveners explained that the Mondays and Thursdays are special days in vegetation including the dead economic trees was the parameter fence of the Thursdays. morning section is attended by unemployed their life. They are not special days because youths and elders, while the evening is for they are set apart for merrymaking. No! The vast premises that houses Chevron. The abundant wealth the youth leaders both workers and non-workers. But three people meet on both days at pitch (that referred to were, indeed, not farfetched weeks ago, the evening meeting was reconlooks like the ancestral village square of the vened at 4:30pm outside the usual schedule five communities that are split by seas) to the variation of temperature. They spoke terms of distance and how far apart they to enable the concerned people brainstorm discuss their common fate and most impor- about the need to continue their struggle for were in terms of class. and ask questions on the way forward. tantly, to seek the intervention of God in the freedom against all odds; they were reasBoth old and young spoke vaguely about Apart from verbal talks, the quest for freematter that concerns them. sured of victory that would come one day. freedom. Occasionally, speaker after dom flows in the community the same way “If nobody listens to us, we believe God Now and then, the social media savvy youths speaker shouted freedom, while the audiblood runs in veins. There are sufficient indoes. This is what we have chosen to do and were tweeting and facebooking. They were ence responded in like manner. Few meters scriptions on cardboard neatly pasted on we will continue till our help comes. Those also sharing visual pains via WhatsApp. away from the venue were stems of coconut walls constructed with roofing sheets to tell we believed would represent us have failed.

Lodge, pointedly told the people that they and palm trees that could not survive the a visitors that Ugborodo is, indeed, ‘rediscovOn several instances, they have mortgaged were not fighting aimlessly, but they (all) huge oil spillage. About half a kilometer ering’ itself 49 years after oil was found it its our common destiny for personal gains. It is knew the cause of the battle. He repeatedly away from the dried vegetation including bowels. Youths and kids alike read statetime we took our destiny into our hands. told the crowd, which had formed a circle the dead economic trees was the parameter ments on freedom. Some of the statements When people are as helpless as we are, they with some individuals jumping occasionally fence of the vast premises that houses read “Churchill Umedeli Says Freedom”, should turn to God,” submitted Louis Atoto, to see the three or four youths who were at Chevron. The abundant wealth the youth “Gowon Says Freedom,” “Mandela Says Freea young graduate of the community. the centre of the field, that they were no leaders referred to were, indeed, not fardom” and “Saro Wiwa Says Freedom.” These No doubt, Ugborodo have taken their mat- longer interested in “rebranding” (referring fetched. are strategically glued. ter to God. On Monday, March 24 when The to those fighting for positions in the commuSimilar messages run on the placards disGuardian was in the community, the first nity trust). He complained about the vast Poverty and Misery In Oil Wells played at the rally/prayer meeting. Children shocker was a call on every member to poverty in the land amid plenty. While he RS Awuwe Ajemigbitse, an Octogenarwho are barely old enough to leave their parmarch to the field for the ritual prayer. The continued to raise the tempo, the majority of ian, who was at the ‘freedom’ field said ents’ huts without guidance carried placards time was 4:30pm when the call was made. the audience turned to look at the sparkling they wanted the government to pay more with messages such as “Mr. President, we And in less than 10 minutes, the venue was Chevron yard as if they just rediscovered how attention to the development of the comneed freedom, say children of Ugborodo” jam-packed with men/women old enough close the facilities and their abode were in munity. Even though she could barely speak to be great grandparents and kids as young as seven years. The majority were teenagers and youths. Still, the villagers kept emerging from their shed-like homes.

There was no visitor apart from the reporter who paid an unexpected visit. For about 30 minutes, a young lady (about 25 years), who struggled to tuck a medium size bible into her armpit like it was her weapon of warfare, roved at the centre of the square while leading the praise and worship section. In two to three minutes, she would change the song. She would raise her pitch if response from the ‘congregation’ was not encouraging.

Anyone who came there with the mindset of meeting villagers would be shocked. The songs were contemporary like those sang in modern churches in Lagos, just as both young and old responded to every tune and jigged their bodies. The pattern of praise could pass for a Kirk Franklin concert. The prayer section, led by a vibrant young man, did not quench the excited spirit either. Centred on God’s involvement in their battle against deprivation, it continued (for almost 30 minutes) until when the Ugborodo Youth National President Michael Lodge, sent a suspension signal to enable him update the people.

In less than five minutes, the people transformed from the sanctimonious mood to that of aluta. One could feel the change like Oil spillage and affected economic trees.

A child on errand during school hours, a threat to girl-child education.

PHOTO: gEOFF IYATSE

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Apart from a few-meter path paved by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), behind 30-block of flats said to be built by the Itsekiri National Youth Council (INYC), behind the site for the proposed new Town at Madagho, there is no single road in the community. Along its coast, abandoned ships corrode on the water that sustains the economy of the people.

Botched New Town Project HE New Ugborodo Town was to be sited at Madagho; it would be situated at the back of the only secondary school in the community, which now houses part of the Forward Operation Base of the Nigeria Navy. The land was cleared about 12 years ago, while sharp sand (to be used for filling the waterlogged parcel of land) dotted by seashells is strategically tipped on four or five spots. Sources said the sand, which was sourced from Lekki Beach over a decade again, cost Chevron over $15 million dollars.

It took the reporter 55 minutes to traverse the project site. About eight building foundations that are almost completely covered by hyacinth and other weeds were counted.

Seven other blocks of flats have reached lintel level. Loads of block supplied by Osagbajumi Andrew and Spencer are still left at the site while those who sold them said the contractor still owes them over N5 million.

They supplied 50,000 pieces at N250 per block, while the contractor, Accelerated Building Technologies, sources said got the building project at N5 billion, provided cement and sand, according to Andrew. He said only half of the money was paid as at the time the ambitious project was abandoned.

Few meters away from the neglected projects are standing beams of a building Spencer said was a community civic centre Chevron started some years ago. The project is also in dilapidated form, and might have to be demolished for fresh work to commence whenever anyone is ready to build on the land.

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HE new town, which may not come on stream in the next few years, was to accommodate health centres, schools and social facilities. And the people are asking questions. First, they want to know the whereabouts of $6 million counterpart funding Chevron released for the housing projects several years ago. There were reports suggesting that the money was misappropriated until Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan openly dismissed the speculation in January.

Uduaghan said the money was intact in a fixed deposit account with Oceanic Bank Plc, which been acquired by Ecobank. The governor said the money, which was paid in naira, has not been ultilised because some “public utilities were supposed to be put in place on site first.” He also said the stealing of the reclamation sand by the community was also part of the cause of the delay.

A branch manager of Ecobank reportedly confirmed that the money, amounting to N705 million was fixed with the bank on December 18, 2008. As at January 23, the deposit was said to have hit N968, 614. 613 million. Still, the community leaders are not satisfied with the governor’s explanation; they want the money released to the people, saying that was the reason the highly politicized Ugborodo Trust was set up. But Chevron entrusted the fund to the Istekiri Regional Development Committee (where Uduaghan ancestral homes belongs) where Ugborodo has five out of the total 23 communities.

The Tonwe-led faction of the governing council of the community trust also claimed to have discovered a document showing that Delta State has released N3.8 billion for the housing project, an independent assessor said has not gulped more than N60 million so far. Uduaghan, without stating what his administration has spent on the project, also dismissed the allegation as misleading.

The Guardian sought for further explanation from the state government on the allegation and crisis of interest at Ugborodo but learnt that only Secretary to the Delta State Government, Comrade Ovuozorie Macualay, apart from the governor, is authorised to speak on the matter. When con-

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Ship wreck at Shell Beach, Ugborodo.

Protracted Communal Conflict And The Fate of $20b EPZ tacted, Macaulay said via SMS that “the leadership of the (reconciliation) committee inaugurated by the government has since returned to the Chief of Naval Staff in Abuja. I am really not playing any role in the matter for now.” Subsequent SMS sent saying explain that the government has other issues to clarify about the affairs of the community besides the reconciliation process, attracted no response from Macaulay neither did he pick calls made to his mobile line.

Battle Of Attrition ECENTLY, Uduaghan announced the appointment Mr. Austine Oborogbeyi as Chairman of the EPZ Interface Committee, which was earlier dissolved over the inability of the polarized community to come to terms. Oborogbeyi, a lawyer and Delta Internal Revenue Board member, was reportedly nominated by the Olu of Warri, Ogiamwe Atuwatse II. But the community leaders, including the Eghare Oja, rejected the nomination, saying the governor could not chose for himself somebody who would negotiate with him on behalf of the community. But Uduaghan has insisted that the Olu was the only recognised tradition leader of the Itsekiri nation, and that no other person has ground to parade himself as leader of Ugborodo.

Several times, the community accused Uduaghan, whose wife is said to hail from Ugborodo, of meddling in its affairs for selfish reasons. And now, they say the Olu, who is a lawyer, should have known that the matter he dabbles into is before the court, has taken side in an internal conflict that is affecting an independent community. The Guardian requested an audience with the first king but the palace employees said “he does not grant press interviews and would not want to speak on Ugborodo crisis.”

Three years after the crisis started, both factions still lay claim to the legitimate right of leadership. Interestingly, both factions were alledely inaugurated by authorities of considerable influence – governors’ men and community leaders. Tonwe’s and Ereyitomi’s factions were inaugurated two days apart of each other. But while Ereyitomi was inaugurated in the community, Towe’s inaugura-

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Several times, the community accused Uduaghan, whose wife is said to hail from Ugborodo, of meddling in its affairs for selfish reasons. And now, they say the Olu, who is a lawyer, should have know that the matter he dabbles into is before the court, has taken side in an internal conflict that affecting an independent community

tion happened in Warri.

However, But the ‘prime minister’ of the community said there was nothing wrong executing Tonwe’s appointment in Warri.

He argued that the trust’s constitution could not clarify where the election would be conducted, just as it would be irrational for anyone to argue that Nigeria’s constitution should specify that “the President must be elected in Nigeria.” He said his team was forced to act from a safe distance.

Today, Tonwe goes about his responsibilities as chairman of crisis-ridden governing council in exile while Ereyitomi also holds sway in government house and at home. But while Tonwe seems to enjoy broader recognition from the community leaders, Ereyitomi is the government’s favourite. The Olu of Warri also declared Ereyitomi the authentic executive at a reconciliation meeting, which held at his palace. But neither has stepped down for the other, even while the contested tenure ends in August.

Casualties HE conflict has claimed several casualties.

In February, armed naval officers evaded Ode-Ugborodo amid renewed animosity, killing one person and injuring several others. Two years back, three persons were reported killed and two declared missing after a gun battle. Many people have suffered losses since the crisis began. Key actors in the crisis are still trading blames over whose side sponsored the recent attack by naval officers.

Shortly before the ambush by naval officials, a 10-year old niece of Ayiri Emami, a notable member of the Ereyitomi-led faction, was kidnapped in Warri, an incident that was attributed to the three-year convolution.

In 2012, the Eghare-Aja was allegedly kidnapping by unknown individuals his family suspected were working for Ereyitomi’s team. His son, Tuoyo Ojogor, who narrated how he among others employed by Chevron as part of the implementation of the MoU, were laid off few months after their engagement, claimed several assassination attempts have been made on his father.

The Eghare-Aja kidnap incident happened shortly after Chief Johnson Ayomike narrowly escaped assassination attempt. The famous historian, who is the father of Dr. Ayodele Ayomike (Tonwe’s sectional secretary) has never ceased to condemn Gov. Uduaghan’s involvement in the communal issue. He has since inception remained faithful to his son’s faction.

Olaja Orori, the third key community leader that inaugurated Tonwe and has given all absolute support had his home razed in the course of the communal clash. He was subsequently arrested and charged for various allegations, including illegal oil bunkering.

It took the intervention of the court to stop a

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subsequent recent re-arrest plan. The group sympathetic to him said the charges were trumped up.

When approached at P.K. Hotel located at Esisi Road two weeks ago for comments on his role in the complication, Tonwe said he would not say anything that would jeopardise the peace process, which has commenced. He pointed to the government as the fifth columnist, which he said they would jointly fight when the warring factions eventually embrace each other.

Tonwe said the big picture was that the government has connived with the multinational to under-develop Ugborodo. He preferred to focus on the government, while regarding the crisis that caused so much anguish as internal conflict.

Ereyitomi’s faction is even more difficult to reach for explanation. Mr. Isaac Botosan, the factional vice chairman, has promised to arrange a chat with Ereyitomi. As at last week, he maintained the chairman (Ereyitomi) would speak, but continue to parry every attempt.

On The Negotiation Table N Warri South, the Ugborodo crisis is a household matter. The educated analyse its causes and effects, while market women also talk about it in hush manner. Perhaps, the matter has earned its place in Warri South Council because it is the power base of Tonwe. Also it is where the majority of Ugborodo kith and kin who are on exile as a result of the crisis settle with their relations.

On March 25, a reconciliation parley was scheduled at PK Hotel. Few members were on ground, but the chairperson of the discussion, Olaja Orori, was said to have returned to the community for an equally important meeting. Yet, not fewer than two dozens of armed men kept vigil, while a patrol van of the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) was stationed in the premises. The second day when the meeting was reconvened, more security men were on ground, while at least, three vans belonging to NAF and the Joint Task Force (JTF) were parked in front of the hotel till few minutes before 6pm when the meeting ended.

If Ugborodo is militarised, efforts being made to reduce the tension in the community are not conducted in a relaxed atmosphere. Individuals, it appears, come to the truce meeting without lowering their guards, hence the build up of military might at the venue of the parley.

Sources said each faction refused to shift ground to accommodate modifications necessary for peace building. The arrangement is to create a united ‘government’ from the two factions to secure a process of returning Ugborodo and Escravos to a peaceful environment. But that may only happen when the warlords accept to mend their differences.

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Ugborodo kids who ought to be at schools carrying placards, stating their demands.

One Long Journey Through The Creeks

By Geoff Iyatse HEN I rushed home in the afternoon of March 23 to pick essential things needed for a trip scheduled to commence later that day, there was no hunch that that short visit to Delta State would be unusual.

About four weeks earlier, when my editor asked me to do a background check on Ugborodo community, the only thing that sounded definite was that the place is lying somewhere in Delta.

In less than an hour, I had read over six news reports on the crisis of leadership rocking the community. I also read extracts of interview granted by those entangled in the crisis. Two names stood out of the labyrinth of web result: David Tonwe and Thomas Ereyitomi. I did a haphazard background on them, paying attention to anything that could unwrap their previous political leanings and involvement in communal struggle.

It was not until about 12 days before the journey that it became clear it was an assignment I could not dodge.

Of course, there was no question about Ugborodo’s ethnic affiliation. I knew it was Itsekiri. Perhaps, that also affected my thought process. If it were an Ijaw village, I might have been more inquisitive. But it wasn’t.

Still, I called two of my siblings, who have lived in Warri town for the past eight years.

They were both casual in their response, though I later l learnt they have both visited there several times. They simply told me it could be a riverine community. And I thought to myself “a riverine community could just be a settlement along the coastal line.” With my false assumption about Itsekiri people, I did not think I should worry much about the ease of getting there much as I did about the safety of the warring village.

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In Search Of ‘Unknown’ Ugborodo I left for Warri that Sunday evening without any foresight of what to expect. I did not call either of the two contacts I had among whom was a university don. The following day, I quickly hooked with a sibling for a one-on-one interaction. Being a construction engineer, he is knowledgeable about youth restiveness in Warri.

This gave me the confidence that he would know the parable of a community in disharmony with itself. And if he did actually, I was sure he would be honest with me.

“Oh, you are talking about Ayiri and others. I have never seen people who are as selfish as those guys. They will sell job slots given to their communities, while their youths keep fighting for unemployment. I really don’t know what they want in addition to the billions of naira they make from oil contracts they handle,” he complained, at the end of the 24-minute meeting.

Maybe my adventure scared him and he didn’t know how to tell the danger ahead of me. Still, he managed to draw a sketch on why I needed to take some precaution.

He asked me to be careful and be sure that the assignment was worth crossing the water. For the first and last time, he said “crossing the water” in a hushed tone.

He must have eavesdropped on my conversation (the first time I called him) with Dr. Akaruese, who told me on telephone that he would wait at Esisi Road, Warri South, to see me briefly before “leaving for Abraka in an hour. I will give you direction on how you can get to Ugborodo.”

I had called Whisky (who said he was at a meeting) for possible clues earlier and in a relaxed and informal tone, he promised to reply my call in “an hour’s time.”

The telephone discussion with Akaruese was unnervingly revealing. The don gasped and paused for some seconds, when I told him I wanted to visit the crisis-torn community. He must have been shocked by my determination and then paused to mull over the consequences.

“Do you know Warri very well?” he finally asked.

No part of the town was completely new to me except that I would need proper explanation to get to some places. Akaruese explained how I would get to Esisi Road through NPA Road, using the Nigerian

National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) zonal office and Warri Main Market as pointers. I took a cab, and because I was already nervous, I engaged every individual I met on the way to downplay my worry over the trip or reinforce it.

VENTUALLY, I understood why my E groundwork was affected. The place I planned to go is popularly known as Escravos: that is the name everybody is used to. I have heard about the story of oil exploit there over a thousand times. Ugborodo is only relevant in the discussion of the tradition of the host community that has existed for hundreds of years. And that was the community name that masked my mission to the turbulent region.

I was to stop at PK, a popular hotel at Esisi Road. PK is tucked away between Esisi Road and Edema Street. I got to the Club Gate before Akaruese asked me to find my way to the main gate. It took me another eight minutes to circumnavigate to the reception. I was still there expecting my host to show up in pajama and slippers when he called, asking me to walk down the adjacent street to the gate.

I emerged from the hotel to the sight of the waving hand of an advanced man in knickers and tee-shirt. Immediately, I realised I was not meeting a reserved individual, but someone who would give me every relevant piece of background information if he was not planning a trip to Abraka.

“You are from Ogbodo?” he asked once again. Without waiting for a response, he added: “na my oga o.” That took the place of what should have been the usual introduction. Then he asked further: “When do you want to go to Ugborodo? It takes about two hours on the water depending on the boat.” Again, without giving me an opportunity to respond, he suggested I commence the journey the following day so as to have sufficient time for my mission.

At this point, I felt like saying I was not sure I would embark on the journey after all. After some time, fear was beginning to overcome the adventure instinct in me. I thought about the oil facilities, the burning blaze, the spillage creeks and other memorable experience I would gain. Most importantly, I thought about the possibility of sitting down with militant youths to hear their undiluted story.

I followed the Itsekiri host into a vast compound of three fully detached storeybuildings. We headed towards the wide

opened main entrance on the last house. The short meeting was disturbing and unsettling but revealing. We snaked through the scarcely furnished parlour to take seats at a supposedly dining table that was crammed with library of books.

Shortly, a younger man Akaruese would introduce as his cousin emerged from a room to join us. While he would be leaving for Abraka “to teach”, he pledged the support of his cousin, Dr. Ayodele Ayomike, for my mission.

For a while, they exchanged remarks about Ugborodo, while Ayomike intermittently made phone calls. And I thought to myself, “this Ugborodo must be hell.” But the more frightful I was, the stronger my curiosity to visit the place became. At a point, the visit was becoming an obsession. I just wanted to be there even if that was the last adventure I would take.

“For Abraham to say you should see me, it means I have a responsibility I must fulfil,” Akaruese soothed me. For the first time, he was thoughtful and appeared disturbed as he continued: “ I will go to Abraka to teach today (pointing to Ayomike across the table) but he will take it up.”

As if to bolster the budding mutual trust, he continued: “Do you understand Yoruba?

Then, listen to him (gesturing to Ayomike).

You should be able to pick one or two things from what he is saying on the telephone.” Ayomike had made, at least, three phone calls to different individuals. I supposed he was making inquiry about the security situation at the community.

Shortly Ayomike turned to me and asked, “Where do you come from?” “Lagos,” I responded. “Where are you from?” he asked further. I supposed the second question was about my place of origin; hence, I told him Edo State. “Which part of Edo,” he probed further. “I am from Etsako, the northern part,” I told him.

All along, he wanted to know if I could swim but, perhaps, felt awkward asking straightaway. So, he wanted to approximate. I guessed he lacked sufficient ground for proper conjecture before he eventually asked me whether I could swim.

Those early days in the village, I was quite involved in swimming games, but they were crudely amateurish. “A sea where speed boats spend two hours doesn’t sound like a backyard stream, where a primitive swimmer can take to a game of chance,” I thought. Right

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Sailing On The Atlantic Without CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27 away, I told the university teacher I couldn’t swim.

“Then, you need a life jacket before you can embark on the journey,” both men concluded, while Ayomike resumed his telephone calls after he had informed Akaruese that he had no lifejacket to spare. He observed that many commercial boat operators have some they give to passengers but his cousin (Akaruese) did not appear comfortable leaving such important matter to chance. He reiterated, once more, that Ogbodo must have reposed much faith in him, which he would not want to betray.

I was still sitting at the dining, when the two academics left to take their seats at the main parlour, leaving me to ruminate over the 20-minute brainstorming. Shortly, two more individuals (younger than Akaruese and co) strolled in. One of them was addressed as DPO, and that drew my attention.

Alias DPO, a chubby fellow who eventually introduced himself to me as Franklyn, was as funny as his frame suggested. I studied him to find a clue for a possible role in my psychological state and professional engagement. “Could he have been a military man engaged for some militia job, including overseeing my security at the creeks?” I mused.

Amid the deep reflection on what I knew already about Ugborodo crisis, I pondered on theories of politics, human institutions, the drive for power and the philosophy of life. I tried hard to uncover the specific interests of my hosts. Among the books on the table were Understanding Politic, Ideas, Institutions & Issues, The Student History of Philosophy, African Philosophy, Philosophy and Contemporary Issues.

Much as these suggestions of the tittles kept me more educated, they also gave me more insight into the motives of the occupants of the house. Not too long, I understood from the classification of the literature that either Akaruese or Ayomike or both had given to idealistic postulations of Karl Marx and Vladimir Ilyich Lenin. What they would tell me about the deprivation of Ugborodo was just an addition to the opinion I already held about their philosophy.

I was not waiting for a life jacket to jump into a waiting boat straight off for there was already an agreement, albeit tentatively, that I would go the following day “so that by 10am you are there.” I was to join the first

There was barely sufficient space left in the boarding boat. Before we hopped in, I turned to Choice to ask about the life jacket but he did not seem particularly interested in responding... I considered the fact that he must have abandoned his family and, perhaps, business to take me to his ancestral home. I also recall the significance of my mission was; perhaps more important that any saftefy measure that could interrupt it! And the sight of the two women who sat unperturbed without anything that looked like life jackets on them also held me back boat.

I was in a company of three in a house tucked away in the serene part of the oil city. But my heart was breaking already through physical and mental obstacles, far and near, to lay hold on the settlement that has suddenly become so notorious (or famous). I was not certain if I could truly be described as acquaphobic. But there was a certain weekend during my service years in Port Harcourt when I was to visit Bonny Island. I had passed through the Creek Market when suddenly the sight of unusually calm Atlantic forced me to give up my plan.

As a young village boy, I looked forward to sunny noondays in streams. But, interestingly, it was getting to noon that Monday in Warri. And it was difficult to understand whether I would still enjoy floating on ocean, at least, if I would not dive into it like I used to do about 20 years ago.

The Life Jacket Palava UDDENLY, there was an overlaying suggestion from Dr. Ayomike. That came after he educated me on how a prince from Benin Kingdom founded Warri, a development Ugborodo and similar communities predated. He suddenly saw reasons I should head to the community right away.

Sooner than I expected, I was at the waterside in the company of Choice Olouh and Franklyn (alias DPO), who drove us there in a black Toyota Prado. I exchanged phone

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numbers with him, while Choice and I snaked through the crowded shoreline market to a jetty, where both men and women attended to travellers. There was barely sufficient space left in the boarding boat. Before we hopped in, I turned to Choice to ask about the life jacket but he did not seem particularly interested in responding. I recalled Akaruese charging him to kit me properly before the trip commenced except that I did know where they said he could source one. I considered the fact that he must have abandoned his family and, perhaps, business to take me to his ancestral home. I also recall the significance of my mission was; perhaps more important that any saftefy measure that could interrupt it! And the sight of the two women who sat unperturbed without anything that looked like life jackets on them also held me back.

The fully-boarded boat left the shoreline of Warri at 2:02pm. In addition to the two operators, we were 22 passengers on board, including two women.

Few minutes into the journey, one of the women (old enough to be my mother), who sat beside me on the second bench, started munching away, while sipping from a bottle of juice. I wondered why she felt so unruffled in a constantly bouncing vehicle. The second female passenger sat at the edge of the third bench. She was not also bothered by the condition I considered a turmoil.

Amid the disturbing and constant war between the belly of the boat and the water current, only one young man who sat in from of me put on a life jacket. Terrible things kept going through my mind while I sat frozen.

Supposing the unexpected happened, could I really swim? And for how long? I was bothered.

At 2:42pm, we stopped over at a jetty in an Ijaw community, where I asked a passenger whether we were half way into the journey.

He didn’t wait for me to end my enquiry before answering in the negative.

Turbulence On The Atlantic LL along, the can of water I bought from Warri was stuck in my right fist, while I held on to something (I can’t remember what) tightly. About 2:55, we stopped at a Naval checkpoint to sort out something a passenger confirmed was a ticket. When I managed to look back, not less than onethird of the travellers, including Choice, had dozed off. It looked odd but they were, indeed, snoring as loud as the constant banging of the boat stomach and the patter of

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waterway.

Suddenly, the boat was twisting left and right at every five seconds on a narrow track. Few minutes later, we were on the vast Atlantic once again. It was now beginning to look like I was part of the ‘real’ journey. I remember that I had not tasted food that day. I quietly pulled my bag closer, unzipped the main compartment to bring out a bottle of peanuts I bought from a local shop before we boarded. And I started chewing them.

By now the woman sitting behind me had joined the sleeping co-travellers. Surprisingly, the second female passenger remained calm on the fringe of the vehicle with her right hand on the cheek, a position she might have adopted to support her slightly bending sitting arrangement.

She remained in that state throughout the journey; the only time I saw her shifting her body was when she had to change seat, when the operators had to reshuffle some passengers (based on body mass) to balance the weight of the boat. She was asked to move from the right edge of the same bench to the left, a directive she complied with without asking any question.

You would almost mistake her for a dumb person. I can’t remember if she spoke a word throughout the two-hour journey. She seemed to cut the picture of a regular traveller on the route. She was neither moved by the sight of water-top villages nor fascinated by the odd reactions of the village fishermen to passing boats and ships. She fixed her eyes droopily on the loosely arranged luggage on the bow of the boat. While some passengers occasionally reached out for their luggage to re-arrange them, what became of hers did not seem to mean anything.

At a point, I was beginning to connect with other passengers. I conquered fear and gazed around to examine coastal life. I saw both old and young casting their nets along the coastline; I saw the determination of village women to earn a living on top of broiling sea. I saw men and women toiling under excruciating weather condition to catch fish to feed their families. I beheld once blossoming vegetation that has shrivelled and turned to an unappealing chocolate colour.

The courage of men, who appeared to stand atop water to fell timber was as fascinating as it was frightful. The dark, greasy skins of village folks, who were into everything, both imaginable and unimaginable, to survive seemed crude though their living standard was strikingly different from people who have come in contact with oil business.

For a long time, I ruminated on the sheer excitement of some kids, who waved at boats through small windows on some cabins erected on the tributaries. Perhaps, they were ‘locked’ up by parents, who must have gone out in search of food. But they looked unperturbed in the sheds, which seemed to float on top of the ‘boiling’ ocean. I wondered at that kind of life in isolated communities. These are scenes you don’t see when you fly at 35,000 feet above the sea level across the coastal region. You don’t also catch the glimpse when you are chauffeured around on Abuja boulevards or Lekki crescents.

It was not long I started enjoying the journey that I noticed and felt a change in the weather. The bright and scorching sun immediately quietly gave way to a cloudy day. I lived in the Niger Delta long enough to know that there is nothing like waterproof dry season. And even if there was, it was already March 24, and Warri with its neighbouring towns was already soaked.

That rain could lose its patience and pour down was a possibility.

Worry Over Rain OR about 60 seconds, I scanned the entire boat for anything we could possibly use as a cover if it started raining. There was nothing in the boat that looked like an umbrella let alone a canopy. Supposing there was a canopy, how and where would it be spread? And what happened to it if there was a storm? Would it also cover the

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On Escravos’ unsafe creek

PHOTOS: GEOFF IYATSE

Sunday, April 13, 2014

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Life Jacket operators? The questions sound silly, but I could not help asking myself how prepared we were to combat the venom of rainfall. And if we were going to bear rain like we had endured prickly sun, what happened to the diary, recorder and telephones I so much relied on?

The questions kept coming; and I knew there was another problem as disturbing as stuffing 22 passengers into a boat that had a single life jacket. What was also perturbing was the speed the ‘water boys’ were cruising on the twirling sea.

The constant smacking of the body of water by the belly of the boat reminded me of an experience between Shomolu and Bariga on a particular night in July. Until that night, I had not been on that road for as long as five years, and was not aware it had completely broken down. With the heavy rainfall in Lagos that evening, the road had turned into some sort of pond. I was already deep inside the pool before I noticed how serious it was but could not stop to contemplate an option because the area itself is a den of criminals. So, I kept driving.

Then, I recalled leaving a family behind; I thought about life in Lagos. It seems human thought process is closer to the positive side of life, when a man comes in contact with what looks like a threat to life. I had no feeling I was confronting death, yet it didn’t appear I was completely alive amid the worry over probable rainfall on an open boat.

Knowledge of basic geography increased the tension that was welling inside me. If it was going to rain at this time of the year, the associated storm could be destructive.

Interestingly, it appeared I was the only passenger that was bothered. There was nothing in the general mood that suggested that others were half conscious of the misty weather as I was. I thought of raising a concern or, at least, talking to the next person to me. But it appeared I would be sounding stupid to ask how we could cover a speedboat on a sea. I kept to myself as we continued the journey, not minding the message on the sky.

We got to the home of Tompolo with the daylight dim, and the boat pulled to a stop at a shabbily constructed jetty. I had no doubt that out destination was still several miles away; hence I did not mistake the rustic community for Escravos. Rather I thought to myself: “These guys have, indeed, noticed that the rain was approaching and have decided to stop over.” I was almost picking my luggage, when one of the operators tossed a black leather bag to an approaching young lady who appeared to have been waiting for the boat. And the journey continued!

We passed through a somewhat modern town I later understood has become a major reference the Itsekiris point to each time they grumble over the neglect they have suffered from government. Before we moved far from the ‘model’ town, the ocean and, indeed, the weather regained their brightness. “It is not going to rain,” I consoled myself.

In The Jaws Of Ugborodo Warlords T 3:55pm, what looked like a voyage in eternity seemed to have come to an end when we arrived Shell Beach. Before then, I sighted the oil facilities of Chevron, while a fellow traveller, as if he noticed my unease, hilariously announced to me that we were at Ugborodo. Two or more passengers disembarked and had their luggage flung to the shore. But Choice said to me: “just sit down, we will follow the boat to the next community.” And we did.

But the violent wave that welcomed us wrestled with the boat in the six minutes we spent between the beach that belongs to Shell and Ode-Ugborodo was almost unbearable. For the first time during the dreadful journey, I almost screamed for help. And that is the same turbulence the villagers at Ahuton, the administrative centre of Ugborodo ancient kingdom, and those of Madagho (the commercial hub) wade through everyday to interact with one another. For those working at the oil installations, it is the same route they also cannot bypass. And it was the same route I passed several times in the course of my assignment that lasted two days on the island.

We were received by fierce looking young village boys at Ahuton. If the concern of my

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siblings in Warri was not enough signal that I was heading towards a war zone, what I witnessed at the jetty was sufficient.

The village vigilantes, which I concluded they were, called on every passenger because “na style them dey take carry guns enter” to identify himself, ransack himself and his luggage to the view of the boys, while declaring his mission to the community. I was not sure if I was not one of the unwanted species in the community.

Hence, I simply told them I was with Choice, who was already beginning to sound like a village champion to me. I was also warned by the travellers to keep my camera till we were some distance into the village, an injunction I followed religiously to the letter.

At the jetty was a welcoming green cardboard with a bold inscription “Gowon says freedom.” There is no prison anywhere close to the community,yet its inhabitants want to be freed. That told me there was a sort of communal regeneration where I was heading. This would be confirmed few steps into the village, when about six boys emerged from a corner and were making a call that sounded like “freedom, to the field” in unison. The reaction from some village women was “Aiye don come again.

Wetin them dey find?” I recalled I had not heard the word – Aiye – for a long time since I left school.

In the village, I saw swarms of mosquitoes fighting to secure a position on the scantly clad parts of my body. I saw what looked like oil curse everywhere I turned. I saw unmatched misery. I became more interested in spending more time with the villagers to hear their tales and see their pains.

The following morning, as early as 6:28am, I was at the jetty with Choice. We arranged for a boat and sailed across a moderately quiet Atlantic Ocean to Madagho, where I saw a vehicle, though a pack-up Peugeot van, for the first time in my stay.

Unlike Ode-Ugborodo, Madagho boasts of a few modern houses except that the community looked like an abandoned town.

There was also an attempt to distort the communal bond — the erection of a fence.

The community was a pseudo representation of the oil-producing community. I can’t recall if I saw a single kid or elderly man or woman there. It appeared to be a youth square or a parade ground of the Nigerian armed forces.

I saw the need to go across the fast awakening Atlantic back to Ode-Ugborodo. And we arranged for a boat and navigated back in a moment. I hurriedly took some photographs, while Choice had his breakfast, scouted for fish and arranged for a boat that would take us back to Warri. At 10:08am, we left the shores of the troubled Ode-Ugborodo on a journey that would take exactly 97 minutes.

Three interrelated factors worked for me on the return trip. We were few on the boat. I guess that was the reason we were able to move faster than the previous day.

Most importantly, the intensity of the ‘war’ between the ocean and the boat was less; and that reduced the unsettling sound of the conflict.

For the first time, I felt chauffeured. I wouldn’t know what made the journey worthwhile, but I remember the titillating feeling I got from the coastal morning breeze. I also remember I sat relaxed without clutching anything apart from a bottle of water because there was no panic.

Returning was more of a boat ride than a journey on water. We were three passengers in the solo-operated speedboat until the operator picked a female trader at Tompolo village, shortly after the NNPC mega station that sat on the sea. I thought about my upcoming leave and if a trip to Bonny Island I dodged six years ago would not be a nice idea.

It was reassuring believing I had finally conquered concealed phobia for water until I was told later the same day that the Olaja-Orori of Ugborodo I was rushing back to Warri to see passed me on his way to the village for an emergency meeting and that it would be nice I took another

Ereyitomi.

Tonwe

Peace Has Returned To Community, Govt Claims From Hendrix Oliomogbe, Asaba HE Secretary to the Delta State Government (SSG), Comrade Ovuozourie Macaulay, has explained that the government never distanced itself from the crisis that has turned apart the Ungborodo community.

He said a committee, which was set up on January 10, 2014 at a meeting in Abuja, replaced the Thomas Ereyitomi’s executive dissolved last November.

The quest for peace was the reason why the government held an inaugural peace parley of the committee January 19 in Asaba, Delta State.

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The crisis, the scribe insisted, has been resolved amicably while a neutral party would be set up by the government to ensure peace in the oilproducing community.

He pleaded with the warring parties to put an end to the human carnage and destruction of properties in the community.

“Nobody should henceforth claim leadership position and lay claim to the gas project until the issues are resolved.

“My interest is to ensure that there is peace in the community and that the project succeeds because it will not benefit Itsekiri Land

but the entire country. I have no personal interest in this matter, both factions are known and close to me.”

The SSG said he was in Abuja earlier this year where he met Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba, the former Chief of Naval Staff, a meeting that led to resumption of work by Julius Berger.

Also, Delta State Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Mr. Mofe Pirah said that the Federal Government has since taken over the responsibility of brokering peace in the community, a reason the committee was expanded to iclude a representative of the Chief of Navy Staff.

Sunday, April 13, 2014

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Oil-producing Community and “Mr. Governor, we are fighting for freedom.”

One would think children of such age would be more interested in provision of unavailable maternities and schools. But when asked what they would want the government to do, an eight-year old Peter Ayo said: “I want freedom.”

Broken Promises And Sounds Of War Drums HE placards also drew attention to historical issues that have remained unattended. An example is MoU the community was said to have signed with Chevron Nigeria Limited in 2002, which is said to have remained in the pipeline till date. The MoU, which was to be in force for five years, was to guide and regulate the relationship between the host community and the oil giant with its contractors who operate on the Escravos.

The eight-page document was sealed on July 7, 2002, the year EGTL was also signed by its three partners. It was endorsed by former governor of the state, James Ibori; Chairman/Managing Director of Chevron Nigeria Ltd, the Olaja Orori of Ugborodo and representatives of different interest groups, including the slain Ugborodo Youth leader, Eric Igban, who was said to have “died in the struggle.”

While the community committed itself through the MoU to creating peaceful environment for the operating companies, Chevron pledged to undertake a robust corporate social responsibility (CRS) programmes that would have revved up the socio-economic status of the host. Parts of the company’s commitments are providing electricity for Ode-Ogborodo for residential and cottage industry use through connection to the company’s power system, provision of water supply for Ode-Ugborodo and Ugbegin, construction of teachers’ quarters for four primary schools and construction of a block of classroom and teachers’ quarters at Ogidigben Grammar School.

With effect from 2002/2003 academic session, tertiary institution students of the community were to be paid bursaries of N50,000 each, which was to be increased to N75,000 the subsequent year. Those in secondary schools were to also receive N10,000 for the base year and N20,000 the following session.

Under the social and economic development phase, women of the community were to be organised into cooperatives for the purpose of receiving assistance for fish, shrimp, poultry farming and other sustainable aquaculture. The company also promised to provide a competitive market at its Escravos operations for the farm produce.

Also, female indigenes were to be registered by the company to supply foodstuffs at competitive rates.

Chevron also extended employment opportunities for the youths. Fifteen individuals were to be absorbed by September 1, 2002 as a take off, while another five more would be engaged before the end of the year, a process that was to continue annually for the five years. While beneficiaries were to be subjected to the recruitment process of the company, the MoU said promised not to “prejudice any other employment that would otherwise have been done for the community indigenes.”

There were sundry provisions in the ambitious MoU, including the official residences for the Eghare Aja and Olaja Orori. The houses, according to the document, will be passed from current occupants of the offices to their successors.

Delta State also undertook to give the community a modern township that was to be known as New Ugborodo Town. According to the MoU, construction was to commence on the housing units immediately “as soon as site is made ready for the building projects.”

The host community would enjoy an Eldorado, but would patiently commit “to the use of dialogue and peaceful persuasion or other lawful means for the resolution of all disputes and eschew violence and act of trespass as a means of expressing their differences.”

It would also prevail on the employees and

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In a year’s time, it would be half a century when Ugborodo indigenes rolled out drums to celebrate the discovery of black gold on their shores. Its story is that of neglect, misery, agony, trauma, sorrow and, most disturbing, unending disappointments. It is a NIgerian Syndrome located in Ugborodo; an African story narrated (depicted) by its occupants. Along the shorelines are withered economic trees that once provided food for the people. Cocoa nut trees dried to the stems while those that have life struggle to produce scanty nuts. In the morning, villagers queue along the shorelines to use the shabbily-built cabins on top of waterway. In turns, they pass their wastes into the same ocean they will toil the rest of the day for fish that are fast going out of extinction, owing to oil spoilage contractors from the community to discharge their obligations to the company as specified by the terms of contracts. Besides, it imposed a responsibility on the community to ensure that due processes are observed by members of the communities in dealing with the company.

Apart from electricity and water that are supplied to the community, which is a fulfillment of the first two obligations of Chevron, there is nothing at Ugborodo that shows that the promises made are kept. But for the horde of the Nigerian Naval staff that keep violence at bar, the mood of the villagers does not also confirm that they are ready to “use dialogue and peaceful persuasion” to channel their demands. The host community and operating companies along with government are at variance, while the youths are spoiling for war.

EVEN years after the MoU is deemed to Sbehave expired, Lodge said its contents must implemented, while Eyikimi Endurance Spencer, Madagho Youth Chairman, said the youths would make the place uninhabitable for the companies and other establishments if they continued to play politics with the understanding signed 12 years ago. Spencer said the activities of Chevron have affected all aquatic lives, including human beings and that it would be wicked for the company to neglect the host community.

Officials of corporate communication division of Chevron were engaged on why the

Ugborodo community (INSERT: children helps their father on trading during school hours ).

company abandoned the MoU and whether it still considers it relevant. Relevant questions were emailed and SMS to them but they were not forthcoming with information. Ibe Ojo, who requested for the questions, which according were forwarded to the general manager of the department, said the company addressed the issues before now. Until last night, The Guardian was still waiting for the general manager’s response.

N a year’s time, it would be half a century Idrums when Ugborodo indigenes rolled out to celebrate the discovery of black gold on their shores. Its story is that of neglect, misery, agony, trauma, sorrow and, most disturbing, unending disappointments. It is a NIgerian Syndrome located in Ugborodo; an African story narrated (depicted) by its occupants.

Along the shorelines are withered economic trees that once provided food for the people. Cocoa nut trees dried to the stems while those that have life struggle to pro-

Abandoned building equipment at the New Ugborodo Town project site.

duce scanty nuts. In the morning, villagers queue along the shorelines to use the shabbily-built cabins on top of waterway. In turns, they pass their wastes into the same ocean they will toil the rest of the day for fish that are fast going out of extinction, owing to oil spoilage.

There are no waste disposal systems. Refuse are either left to decay in the neighbourhood or thrown into nearby waterbody. There are no schools, maternity facilities, and if there is a medical need, residents embark on a two-hour journey to Warri or visit poorly equipped clinics at neighbouring Ijaw communities, which are still about 40 minutes away.

During school hours, kids in the community either saunter along with ‘freedom’ fighting youths or run on errands for parents. It is a pitiable sight of how the life of “future leaders” burns away like a stick of

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NOTEBOOK

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State (standing) addressing participants during the British African Diaspora Conference held at the Houses of Parliament, London

PHOTOS: HENRY UNINI

At The British Parliament With Big Bros

By Abraham Ogbodo HEN London was mentioned, what registered immediately with me was the weather condition. It was not a very fine experience last November and I was not prepared to live it all over again in March. I kept faith with international weather reports to know what was prevalent. The figures kept fluctuating between 7 and 10 degrees centigrade which were not encouraging altogether. I was just coming in from the hospital after a three-day malaria treatment and not in any shape to withstand a winter or spring in the UK. But this was coming from my governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, who had not asked me out once in his many shuttles outside the country.

He had been afield preaching the Gospel of Delta Beyond Oil to bring offshore investment to the state. I felt it would be worthwhile to experience firsthand how Dr Uduaghan conducts his economic sermons abroad to attract foreign investors. The doctor said also that I was good to go.

The experience started right at the departure lounge of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos. My brother, Eddy Odivwri, was on the trip. We stuck to each other all through like Siamese twins. At the British Airways Business Class lounge, Eddy and I were sandwiched between two human towers. To our right was the Great Chief Subomi Balogun. Like a deity, the old man with his wife sat unmoved in his place. Others that entered, no matter how big they looked in our eyes, came to meet Baba and did obeisance.

Eddy and I debated briefly if we also could go and pay homage to the banking icon.

“What if he probes about us?”

“We will tell him we are journalists.”

“Ha, you never can tell, that may put him a bit on edge.”

“Okay, we can lie and say we work in some branch of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) in Delta State.”

“Haa! You know the old man is a genius; he may go ahead to ask questions that we may not be able to answer correctly.”

We allowed Baba to be.

To our left was Pastor (Papa) Ayo Oritsejafor, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria

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(CAN). He also moved over to congratulate Baba Balogun on his “80th birthday” and told him, “God bless you.” People also moved to and fro the location of the man of God. It was exciting darting our eyes 90 degrees to the right and then another 90 degrees to the left intermittently to catch a glimpse of how the two men were managing their fellowship with all and sundry in the BA lounge which had become a sudden and rude leveller.

Mr. Abegor, the Delta State director of protocols entered to announce that yet another big man who was in some other location needed us. It was Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan who deliberately climbed down from his height to perch at some corner in the open lounge. It was his own way of gaining little respite from intruders because nobody in the drifting crowd would associate the governor of Delta State with that particular spot of the departure lounge of the airport. But there he sat, face down and looking like a school boy who was on daddy’s ticket to London.

The man enjoys pulling such stunts and oftentimes dissolves into the background like an undercover just to create effect. I can remember, one evening in Asaba, after a game of tennis, he asked that I go with him in his car. He was driving.

Much of the passenger space, front and back, was taken up by sundry items, leaving only the ‘owner’s corner’ free. I hesitated on seeing the bigger picture but he ordered me in and so it went. I became the proud ‘owner’ of the latest BMW 7 Series and Big Bros became ‘my chauffer’ for the distance between the Government House Club and the Governor’s Lodge.

All interactions ended as soon as we boarded.

The Big Men went the big way and we went the small way. The re-union at Heathrow Terminal 5 was brief. Beyond the immigration checks, the connecting line between the governor and us got temporarily broken. Some limousine would have been waiting to take him to location but the Piccadilly Line from Heathrow to City Centre was in service and it was not so much of an effort for Eddy and I hitting Hyde Park Corner on a direct ride. We walked the subway to emerge at the eastern end and then sauntered across to Hilton on Park lane, the adopted rendezvous for the governor’s team.

Executive Director, African Partnership Development, Mr. Tunde Alabi (left), Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Nigeria, Meg Hillier MP during the conference

We got all useful briefings on the mission from the state commissioner of information, Chike Ogeah, and adviser to the governor on foreign relations, Omah Djebah. Reservations were made in our names at the Metropolitan Hilton on Edgwear Road. There was something that didn’t quite fall in place at the point of checking in and Eddy had to tell the lady at the counter that both of us had been together, sharing platforms, since 1975 when we got into secondary school and that was not going to change even in London. At this, the bookings were adjusted and we were put on the same floor and in adjacent rooms.

The schedule was chokingly tight to say the least. We left Lagos on Sunday night, arrived London at dawn, attended the event at the British Parliament in Westminster on Tuesday evening, left London on Wednesday morning and arrived Lagos in the evening. It left very little space to jump around on Oxford Street or elsewhere in London to do big shopping. Besides, the biting cold with a daily average of about eight degrees centigrade did not encourage any form of adventure in that regard.

It was therefore most profitable to stick to the business of the visit. We were back at the Hilton Park Lane rendezvous at 5.00pm on Tuesday as directed by the team leaders. We had about 30 minutes of fellowship with the governor in his suite on the 24th floor. With Uduaghan, others often do the talking while he does the listening. Actually, he is a better listener than he is a talker.

We dispersed from the 24th floor to reassemble at the lobby and continued the fellowship for a little more time.

At 6.00pm, we were set to push ahead to Westminster. A middle-aged lady who had been calm in the background all along suddenly emerged to take charge. She had a British accent and appeared like the liaison between the British Parliament and the Nigerian team. But she wasn’t; she was one of us. She is Queen Mother Nkem Victoria Ikechukwu, the mother of the Dein of Agbor and Delta State commissioner in charge of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Her identity instantly explained her obvious cultivation and tendency towards reservation.

The build up over, the stage was set for the main

Houses of Parliament

Now, after the intense intro, Governor Uduaghan did not just have to speak but do so convincingly because all eyes were on him.

And without a script, the task seemingly became even more daunting. It was precisely why the governor, like Ulysses, had to descend into Hades. He climbed down from his elevated table to the hot arena below to stage his performance. Naturally taciturn, but on this day, something in Dr Uduaghan was activated to place him on overdrive... event at 6.30pm on March 25. It was the British African Diaspora Conference and the theme – Nigerian Environment, Beyond Politics And Amalgamation –narrowed the issues to Nigeria.

The specific location was the Grand Committee Room of the British Parliament.

Perhaps, there was a disconnection somewhere in the build-up to the zero hour. The well-articulated written address of the governor, which had been prepared into a pamphlet, was nowhere handy. Meanwhile, Tunde Alabi, Executive Director of the African Partnership Development, organisers of the conference, had set a strong tone for the sixth edition of the conference. He said the 2014 version was “really an exciting opportunity for members of the Diaspora and friends of Nigeria to network together to identify and build opportunities in Nigeria with the aim of encouraging development”, adding, “our objective is to create a platform for governments, businesses and the Diaspora to engage in constructive discussion that will promote sustainable development in the UK, among the Diaspora and Africa.”

MP (Member (British) Parliament) Meg Hiller, chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Nigeria strengthened the point saying, “Nigeria is the second most successful immigrant group in the UK.” As if to underscore that claim, Chi OnCONTINUED ON PAGE 30

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Sunday, April 13, 2014

31

NOTEBOOK CONTINUED FROM PAGE 30

Cross section of participants at the conference

Chi Onwurah MP (left), Mr. Tunde Alabi, Governor Uduaghan and Meg Hillier MP

wurah, MP for Newcastle Upon-Tyne Central is a Nigerian, and she sat there to the right of the governor at the Grand Committee Room. The records say her family left Nigeria for Britain at the outbreak of the Nigerian civil war. She entered parliament in 2010 and was actually appointed junior shadow minister for Business, Innovation and Skills in October of the same year.

Another governor, Aliyu Wamako of Sokoto State, stopped over in the UK from the US where he and nine of his colleagues from the North had gone to discuss the specific challenges of the region with some listening ears in Washington DC. He briefly told the gathering where the shoes hurt in Sokoto State and hurried off to the airport to catch his flight back to Nigeria.

Now, after the intense intro, Governor Uduaghan did not just have to speak but do so convincingly because all eyes were on him. And without a script, the task seemingly became even more daunting. It was precisely why the governor, like Ulysses, had to descend into Hades. He climbed down from his elevated table to the hot arena below to stage his performance. Naturally taciturn, but on this day, something in Dr Uduaghan was activated to place him on overdrive.

He reached out for evocative stories to present the right imagery of poverty, environmental degradation and allied matters in the Niger Delta and especially Delta State to the British audience. His story of the loss of the pregnant woman and her baby as a result of lack of antenatal care explained why health, especially maternal and infant health care, occupies the top spot on the priority scale in Delta State.

Also, no report could have captured better the parlous state of the environment in the Niger Delta than this gist by the governor: “When I was growing up in the village, I would put plantain or yam on fire, vanish into the stream and before the stuff was cooked, I would return with fish to eat what was on fire. If it was soup, you could put the pot on fire and retire into the bush to attend to

your traps or hooks and hope to come home with enough catch to cook a good pot of soup.”

The story, according to the governor, started changing with the discovery of oil in the Niger Delta in 1956. “Today, the flora and fauna of the Niger Delta are all lost and you can stay on stream and afield all day and night without the smallest catch to eat your plantain or make an average pot of soup.”

This, according to the governor was the despondency that precipitated the crisis in the Niger Delta because oil had crudely destroyed the peoples’ means of livelihood without offering a replacement or alternative. He added that although the crisis has been significantly contained, but for the story to end well like a proper melodrama, a new world outside the petroleum economy has to be created to effectively put the people back into reckoning. And Governor Uduaghan has woven this into a new official economic direction he calls Delta Beyond Oil. That, in a nutshell, was the story he told at the Grand Committee Room in Westminster.

Put differently, the governor was in London pursuant of the vision of Delta Beyond Oil and to tell the Diaspora that the Delta State government is ready to go into strategic partnerships far and wide to unlock fresh economic opportunities outside oil and gas. In proclaiming the new economic order, the governor understands the deeper responsibility of government. That is, the mix is only right when peace and security is guaranteed and the necessary infrastructure is in place.

There were no changes to the schedule. Following day, the cabman was on time to take us to Heathrow Terminal 5. He charged 20 pounds extra for waiting 20 minutes beyond the appointed 5.30am for take-off to Heathrow. Eddy caused it.

The lesson was however not lost. In London, business is conducted differently. There is little or no room for lapses and when they do occur, someone, somewhere has to pay a prize. We parted ways with the governor because while we were returning to Lagos, he would be leaving by night

This Is Not British!

HE counter at the Hilton Metropolitan on T Edgwear had talked me into making a £50 deposit to cover incidentals, which included

Governor Uduaghan (right) presenting a souvenir to Meg Hillier MP (left)

the use of the Internet. I did not use Internet but ran the mini bar to the tune of £16 or so.

The fellow at the counter on my departure day promised to put the balance back on my debit card. I agreed. At the airport, the folk at the tax refund desk said something that I couldn’t quite reconcile. She said, “The system is down” and recommended the option of having my £113 uploaded onto my debit card.

System down at Heathrow Terminal 5? It

sounded like a piece of tale but I could not insist on having it my way because I did not know what would infuriate them into calling in the police. I needed to get to the office in Lagos same day. I accepted and moved on.

I am using this opportunity to say nothing has hit my card from both the Hilton and Heathrow ends since then. In other words, the British economy (government inclusive) owes me almost £150. That is more than twice the minimum wage in Nigeria and so much money too, even by British standard. Besides, I badly need the money to rebase my own economy and climb higher.

National Conference: The President And TheLocutions Of ‘Luck’ From Adidi Uyo N christening their children, parents who want to be original engage in various lexical combinations and permutations. This is a phenomenon that you can easily discern by decomposing most of our names. Perhaps the most prominent example of this phenomenon in Nigeria today is the name, Goodluck.

As you know very well, Goodluck locks together two words, the adjective, “good,” and the noun, “luck.” Luck comes from the German word, gluck, which means, “fortune, or good luck.” I do not know whether the parents of our president had any idea about the etymology of “luck” before they used it to name their child, but I can surmise that they have a good knowledge of English words.

Another thing I can readily surmise is that our president’s parents must be in love with the phenomenon of lexical combination, otherwise they would have just done what many other parents do: Name their child with just one word, Lucky.

To be sure, “lucky” means “to have luck,” which, in turn means “good fortune, success, prosperity, advantage, etc.”

I do not know anybody who bears the name Prosperity, much less, Advantage, but I do know of people who bear the name Prosper, Success, or Fortune. I have even been fortunate enough to have a student in my class whose name is Fortunate. That is to say, people who bear these names are namesakes of our president, but none of them have manifested their parents’ desire in giving them such names as much as our president has done.

That is not to say that they have been luckless, only that the president has been luckier, even though, by far! Goodluck is his name, indeed. And there seems no doubt that he is a veritable manifestation of good luck.

Early in March, March 9, to be exact, there was a news story in The Punch, with the headline: “Presidential drama: President Jonathan’s N9bn jet refuses to fly.” The lead of the story read: “President Goodluck Jonathan and some top government officials on Saturday escaped an air mishap at the Minna Airport,

I

LANGUAGE ON PARADE Niger State, when a presidential jet developed a technical fault, while they were aboard.”

According to news story, “several minutes after Jonathan had bade (sic) farewell to those who accompanied him to the airport, and the door of the aircraft was (sic) shut, the aircraft failed to move…When it became obvious that the fault could not be easily fixed, the commander of the Presidential Air Fleet, Air Vice Marshall Uko Ebong, ordered that a smaller presidential jet, 5N-FGW, which conveyed the Vice-President to the state be brought to fly Jonathan.” And “Jonathan disembarked from the faulty jet at about 3.30 pm and quickly moved to the smaller aircraft.”

I am relating this news story because the event took place on or about the same day that 239 unlucky passengers boarded Flight MH370, the Malaysian plane that took off from Kuala Lumpur for Beijing? If luck had smiled on the passengers the same way it had smiled on Goodluck, their plane would have developed a fault, and that disappointment would have been the good luck. Here is a man, who, because of his name, is never down on his luck.

If I am not wrong, from an ordinary teacher, albeit, lecturer, he became a Deputy Governor. While he was Deputy Governor, bad luck hit his boss and he became Governor. Before you could say Alams, he was again in luck and was plucked from his governorship and was catapulted to Abuja, as Vice-President. And before you could say, “Servant Leader,” his boss in Aso Rock was down on his luck, afflicted by an uncommon disease that took his life.

One thing some people say about President Goodluck Jonathan, but which I am not so sure of is that he is a man who does not push his luck. That is to say, he is somebody who does not take unnecessary risks in an already favourable situation.

An example which those who so believe give is his behaviour

during the period President Musa Yar’Adua was ill. It was other people who did all the work that made him become Acting President, and later President. For all that happened to him, Jonathan is certainly the luckiest president Nigeria has ever had.

Tell you what, never think of letting him come near your shed in a bazaar if you are playing lucky dip, because any time he puts his hand into that bag, he will come up with all your fat prizes!

But as I was trying to say, I am not so sure whether the president is a man who does not push his luck. On that the jury is certainly still out. And this is why. After seeing no sense in holding a Sovereign or Plain National Conference for as many years as he has been in office, he suddenly became an apostle of a National Conference and immediately decided to try his luck.

The locution, “try one’s luck,” to be sure, is different from the one, “push one’s luck.” It means “to do something without being sure of the outcome.” Any Nigerian who loves his or her country must wish her luck, good luck, to be precise, for if the National Conference belies all the luckless predictions and succeeds in bringing about any fundamental restructuring of our country, we shall all be the better for it. But what is the reality on the ground, as the saying goes?

That question brings me to this grand locution on luck. It is an adage that I find most sobering. “Luck,” says Hunter S. Thompson, “is a very thin wire between survival and disaster – and not many people can keep their balance on it.”

When you look at the inaugural address of President Goodluck Jonathan to the delegates of the National Conference, you see a man who is trying to do just that. But besides that, you will find that the speech reveals Goodluck as a president who may not be pushing his luck, but is trying his luck.

Do not ask me to expound that locution of luck, for to set forth the reasons would amount to derailing our train from language onto politics. And on the language train, politics is our sweetest taboo!

TheGuardian

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32 Sunday, April 13, 2014

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Junior Guardian Grandmates Holds Inter-House Sports HE director of Grandmates T Schools, Ago, Olusola Adepoju has urged Lagos State government to provide facilities that would enable students showcase their talent in the psychomotor domain.

Speaking last weekend at the 10th Biennial Inter-house sports competition of the school held at MKO Abiola Stadium, Oke-Afa, Lagos, Adepoju said government needs to encourage grass-root sporting activities by providing space for private schools.

Said he: “We can only nurture talents, when opportunities are given to children to display their talents.

Every child has one talent or the other and it is the duty of the school to bring out the best in them.”

Guest speaker at the event, Onuzulike Ikenna said over- concentration on the cognitive and affective domains would only produce an academically sound child. But a combination of the cognitive, affective and psychomotor skills would produce thoroughbred youths, who will not only be knowledgeable and disciplined, but will in future be able to chart the course of the country as great

Grandmates Schools’ students on parade during the event

JOKES GLIMPSE GENERAL

RAVENOUS LONGING

MANSION ENGRAVE

LINGUIST TENDER

Johnny And His Teacher Summer vacation ended and little Johnny returned to school. Two days later, his teacher phoned his mother to tell her that Johnny was misbehaving.

“Wait a minute,” she said. “I had Johnny with me for three months and I never called you once when he misbehaved!”

Mathematical Problem The teacher came up with a good problem. “Suppose,” she asked the students, “there were a dozen sheep and six of them jumped over a fence. How many wouttld be left?”

“None,” answered little Deji.

“None? Deji, you don’t know your arithmetic.

“Teacher, you don’t know your sheep,” replied Deji.

“When one goes, they all go!”

By Olalekan Bakare olalemany@yahoo.com

leaders.

To buttress this, he said that in the past, people viewed footballers as useless persons but today, they are being celebrated worldwide.

“Every child has his/her own hidden treasure apart from the academics. Parents and teachers should, therefore, help to bring the treasure out through proper trainings,” he said.

The Chairman of Ejigbo Local Council, Hon. Kehinde Bamigbetan said building a total child requires that the school set aside a day, when children should leave their everyday academic life in the classroom for a while to attend to the their physical wellbeing.”

At the end of the event, Green House clinched the first position with 25 gold, 13 silver and 12 bronze medals. Yellow House came second with 13 gold, 14 silver and 60 bronze medals, while the third position went to Red House with eight gold, 12 silver and nine bronze medals.

The students entertained guests with an exciting display of dances in different Nigerian cultures.

—Gbenga Akinfenwa

WORD POWER GAME Frail a) fragile b) weak c) delicate d) feeble Clumsy a) awkward b) inept c) ungainly d) gauche Prance a) dance b) frolic c) caper d) gambol Sluggish a) inactive b) slow c) listless d) lethargic Debacle a) fiasco b) tragedy c) disaster d) catastrophe Douse a) drench b) soak c) wet d) cover Cringe a) wince b) recoil c) flinch d) jump Gusto a) delight b) passion c) zest d) enjoyment Verve a) vitality b) vigour c) vim d) spirit Barter a) trade b) exchange c) swap d) negotiate

POEM What I Ask Of The Lord I do not crave riches Nor wealthy pomp and power All I ask from the Lord is free air And shelter from the elements Give me three rights necessary for man The right to think The right to say my thoughts The right to stand erect And call my soul my own Then let a fitting throne My humble heart provide Where kindness may abide

By Chukwuemeka Mmuoloo Okota-Isolo

Adeola, Adebayo, Onyejiaka Emerge Winners At Contest OR their expertise in poem FAdeola recitation, master Nathan of Greensprings School, Lekki, Demilade Adebayo of Corona School, Gbagada and Olachi Onyejiaka of Pampers Private School, Surulere, have emerged winners of 2014 Declamation Contest in the junior, intermediate and senior categories.

The exercise, packaged by Greensprings School under the Association of International School Educators of Nigeria (AISEN) platform, thoroughly engaged participants drawn from 18 schools in a rhetorical delivery exercise putting into consideration

qualities of good public speaking.

Omoregie Osaruwense and Michelle Dairo came second and third respectively in the junior category; Mesom Ugwu and Chimzara Egbosimba also won the prize for second and third positions in the intermediate category, while Valerie Ekong and Emmanuel Eniduanya won same prize in the senior category.

Plaques and Galaxy Samsung tablet were presented to the first and second place winners, while books were given to those in the third position category.

The Elementary school Princi-

pal, Mrs. Magdalene Okrikri explained that developing communication skills for pupils in the elementary years is imperative since good public speaking develops critical thinking skills, fine tunes verbal and non-verbal skills, as well as influences the world around us.”

One of the judges and Managing Director, Speak Right, Sound Right, Mr. Sidney Ufeli, expressed satisfaction at the children’s presentation, noting that for pupils to become more competent in general speaking, such exercise should be conducted more often for the Nigerian child. “You have nothing if you cannot express

Sunday, April 13, 2014 | 33

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IBRUCENTRE

Beware Of Men Of God, Who Combine Fetish Practices With The Biblical • They Are Agents Of Darkness, Religious Leaders Warn The salvation of man, as well as healing, deliverance, prosperity, fruit of the womb and security among others, are all embedded in the accomplished work of Christ on the Cross. That finished work of grace, which was perfected over 2000 years ago is matchless and there is nothing to add in order to improve man’s relationship with God. However, the lifestyle of some so-called ‘men of God’ is not consonant with the Christianity they profess, otherwise, what on earth would make a church leader or general overseer combine fetish practices with Biblical truth? Before you conclude please read this: “I was accused of carrying fetish things to appease the gods at a Tjunction.” This was the confession of one ‘man of God.’ And just this year, a South African pastor convinced his members to eat grass, meant for animals. Here in Nigeria, the police is currently investigating a particular church in Lagos, where the pastor was alleged to have buried a two-year-old girl alive in a church building. Sometimes it is a life cow that was reportedly buried in a church building. And for what, you may ask? To perform miracles and attract worshippers to the church! But is this practice consistent with Biblical Christianity? Some religious leaders that aired their views on the issue told CHRISIREKAMBAand ISAAC TAIWOthat Christians are to blame because of their insatiable thirst for miracles.

If I Discover That A Church Leader Is Involved In Fetish Practices, I Would Leave The Church’ (Toyin Apariola, Redeemed Christian Church of God) F I were to be in the shoes of any church member that discovII would ered that his/her Church leader is involved in fetish practices, leave that church immediately because the ultimate aim of my going to church is to make heaven. I know that in any congregation, no matter how bad the leader may be, he

would still have those that sympathise with his cause. Therefore, it would be foolish on my part to say I would report him because the person I tell about him might turn out to be one of his admirers. I may intimate those that are very close to me and whom I am very sure of their determination to also make heaven of what I saw and my decision not to continue with

that kind of fellowship. However, if any member later demand to know my reason for leaving, I won’t hesitate to tell him/her.

Anyone who has the unwavering goal of making heaven can decide to seek for the truth elsewhere. I will never compromise my eternity and stay in such a church or sympathise in any way with such a leader, let alone following him/her.

‘Christians Must Be On Alert Concerning Where They Worship’ RULY, we are in the endT time and the second coming of Jesus is very imminent.

Nobody, who indulges in fetish practices, should be called a man of God. It is an abomination to bury alive or dead a human being, cow or any other animals in a church building in order to command a large followership of worshippers. Such a thing is not far from “the abomination of desolation” spoken of by Daniel, which Jesus Christ referred to in Matthew 24:15. To

be an agent of the devil and yet claim to be a man of God is a complete contradiction of the gospel. The Bible does not support the church and Christians getting involved in fetish practices. The scripture is very clear on this, “For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?” (I Corinthians 6:14-15).

‘The Quest For Money And Desire To Perform Miracles Is Responsible’ T’s so sad that the practice of Inewsyncretism, which is not anyway, has gained nationwide notoriety. To mix fetishism with Christian practices is a gross spiritual abomination, which God has frowned at from time immemorial because it’s an awkward, un-Biblical and ungodly practice (Lev.18: 21-24; Deut.12: 28-31; 18:9-14). Satan, the promoter of error and chief deceiver is behind this inhuman act to lure fake ministers and charlatans with their followers into eternal perdition. The quest for quick money, desire for power to perform miracles, fame and large clientèle, by all means is largely responsible for this bizarre and ungodly syncretic practice.

Sadly, our weak, corrupt legal system, poverty, igno-

(Pastor Ezekiel Joel, Full Salvation Believers’ Assembly International, Anambra State) rance and weakness of both Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) due to freedom of religion, have made it easy for wolves in sheep’s clothing to engage in syncretism. Of course, this is one of the evil signs of the last days (l Tim.4: 1, 2; 2 Tim.3: 1-9; 4:14; 2 Peter 2:1-3; Jude vs. 4). It is

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Christianity has been commercialised today. There are now many so-called men of God who, in actual fact, are satanic and demonic agents. The fact that they operate in church buildings with Bible on their pulpits does not make them men of God. As shown in the word of God, fetish pastors are agents of darkness, who have deceitfully transformed to agents of light. “For such are false apostles and deceitful workers,

transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder. For Satan transforms himself into an angel of light.

Therefore, it is no surprise if his ministers also transform themselves into so-called ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works (II Corinthians 11:13-15).

This is why Christians must be doubly alert about where they worship. Today, there are many outside there, who have left mainstream churches only to put themselves inno-

cently under the yoke of spiritual leadership of demonic ministers. Indeed, the devil is busy attracting multitudes into his kingdom through spiritual gymnastics and counterfeit miracles of his ministers. This is why the word of Christ is appropriate at this end-time, “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in my Name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. (Matthew 24:4-5).

Therefore, watch out!”

(Rt. Rev. (Dr.) Michael Olusina Fape, Bishop, Diocese of Remo (Anglican Communion, Ogun State)

‘Anywhere Fetish Practices Take ‘Many People Want Miracles And Not Salvation’ Place Is Not A Church’ RACTICE of Christianity P today has taken a bizarre dimension. It is not only dis-

ID I hear you say a man of D God? A man of God cannot indulge in fetish practices. Today in Nigeria, just anybody can wake up and call himself a man of God. Perhaps that is why you use the term. A man of God is someone, who has had an encounter with Jesus and genuinely repented of his sins. He lives his daily life in purity and whenever he errs, he is penitent and seeks the Lord’s mercy and grace. The call of God that is upon his life makes him an agent of change for the betterment of society. He is totally sold out to the propagation of the gospel for the salvation of sinners. His goal is heaven and winning as many souls to God as possible. But the charlatans you refer to are not even children of God, but of the devil.

(Rev. Francis Ejiroghene Waive, General Overseer Fresh Anointing Missionary Ministries Inc./Senior Pastor, Church of the Anointing, Warri, Delta State) These are those the Bible refers to as “whose god is their belly” and it says ‘from such, turn away.’ They will go to any length to satisfy their greed. The Ten Commandments have not and will not be amended: THOU SHALL

CONTINUED ON PAGE35

turbing and alarming, but runs totally against the foundation upon which Christianity stood —which is Faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of the Living God and love for Him and our neighbours. People have perverted the faith, combining it with many other religions and incorporating idolatry into their worship.

The quest to make money and fame has taken over the heart of men. They are ready to exploit every means to get there at all cost. It is very saddening to see that many people have gone back into the practice of Baal worship. This was a religion, which has been running parallel to the worship of Jehovah God in the days of the Israelites, which God was totally against. The story of people, who had no calling from

(Rt. Rev. Kehinde Adeyemi, Bishop of Lagos Central, Methodist Church Nigeria) God but want to set up a church and go to the extent of burying human beings in their places of worship, has taken an uncontrollable turn.

This is actually a fulfillment of Bible prophecies for the endtime as in 1 Tim. 4:1-2 “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving

CONTINUED ON PAGE35

‘The Practice Is Unarguably Inconsistent With Bible-based Christianity’ HE act of so-called ‘men of T God’ indulging in fetish practices up to the point of burying a human being alive or a life cow inside what is considered to be a ‘church building’ is absolutely unbiblical, diabolical, anti-God; it is an evil practice, unacceptable and unarguably inconsistent with Bible-based Christianity.

No matter the motive behind

such an inhuman practice, it cannot be termed less than an act of extreme wickedness.

I have heard of so-called ‘church leaders’ burying cows inside their so-called ‘church buildings’ with the intention of attracting a crowd and performing magic in the name of performing miracles. But it is something else when it now

goes to the extent of a socalled ‘leader’ of a congregation burying an innocent child alive. Apart from God’s judgment that may not be imminent, the law of the land should take its proper course and the murderer if he/she escapes death sentence in any way, should be sentenced to life imprisonment. We have

also heard of so-called ‘church leaders’ shedding blood regularly at the doorpost of their ‘church buildings’ at certain period of the year to retain their congregation. All these are unbiblical and acts of wickedness. It is very clear that these categories of ‘church leaders’ are not working for the true God, but Satan. They

are only covering up but definitely they are not far from those ‘churches’ that boast of belonging to the devil and their ‘church’ members go to ‘church’ naked. Those of us, who, by the grace of God, are privileged, to be in Biblebased churches, will continue to kick against such unchristian malpractices.

(Pastor Johnson Odesola, Special Assistant to the General Overseer, Admin./Personnel, The Redeemed Christian Church of God)

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Sunday, April 13, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

IBRUCENTRE

Sunday School Concept Of Marriage (1)

... With Pastor Enoch Adeboye

Memory verse: “And the LORD God said it is not good that the man man and wife before God, Gen. 2:18; Gen 2: 21 – 24, Prov18: 22; Gen. should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.” Genesis 2:18. 1:26. Matt. 19:5-6, “Till death do us part” is still prominent in many marriage vows, Rom 7:1-3. It is sacred, honourable and emBible passages: Genesis 2:15 -25. powering.

Distortions Introduction Marriage is now defined as a “relationship between or among HE earliest human institution is marriage, Gen.2: 18. It exists individuals, usually recognised by civil authority and/or bound in one form or another in virtually all races and cultures. by the religious beliefs of the participants.’ This all inclusive God’s design was monogamy, that is, between a man and and permissive redefinition is not of God Gen.3: 1-6. It depends woman for life. But man has gone to great lengths to distort, on what works for you. A marriage between a child and adult corrupt, defile and redefine this honourable institution, which enjoys recognition in some places and a union between man is fundamental to the health and well being of the human race. and animal now enjoys sympathy in some quarters.

We now have polygamy, polyandry, civil unions, same sex Polygamy: (Marriage between a man and two or more women) unions, pre nuptial arrangements, etc. Man’s interference has Polyandry: (Marriage between a woman and two or more men) left in its trail pain, destruction and grotesque aberrations that Cohabitation: Consensual intimate relationship between an defy, Psalm 119:89. unmarried man and woman under the same roof.

Marriage is a physical and spiritual life long covenant between

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Registered Partnership/Civil Union: Same sex couples with access to the legal benefits of marriage.

Same Sex Marriage: Union of two people of same gender.

Open Marriage: Marriage in which parties are free to engage in extra marital affairs.

Serial Monogamy: Several marriages to one person at a time during the life of the parties.

Divorce is the dissolution of a marriage during the life of the parties, Mal 2:14 -16, Matt. 19: 4-6, 1 Cor. 7:39.

These are all distortions by the forces of darkness to destroy the marriage institution, Gen 19: 4-6, 23-25; Prov. 1:24 -32, Rev.21: 8.

Conclusion Marriage is of God. Every attempt to vary the original design would bring frustration, disappointment, sorrow and death.

It can lead to hell on earth and eternal damnation. Your marriage will be heaven on earth.

No Profit In Gaining The Whole World ELOVED, I am much disB turbed by the level of greed for materialism, which this generation has attained and which has caused them good relationship with their Maker. This elicits many questions begging for an answer. I, therefore, ask you that want to acquire everything in this world, that are amassing all the wealth of your country because you have the privilege, what it shall profit you if you gain the whole world and lose your soul. Will you take the things of this world to your eternal home? Remember, naked you came and naked you shall go, what then will be your profit at the last call?

Mark 8:36 says, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”

The Lord is asking what it shall profit you; if after you have gotten all that you are looking for and your soul is lost. What shall it profit you, if you gained the whole world and lose your soul? I want to let you know that if you put the whole world together, put together all the things you think you can see today, it will not be enough to buy a single soul.

If that is the case, why are you pursuing them, something that cannot save your soul? The devil can make you pursue those things from morning till night and

cause you not to examine your life in order to check if there is anything standing between you and God. Thus, you do not care where your soul will be at the end of this life. The Lord is asking through this message, what shall it profit you?

That partner you want to marry, that position you are looking for, that certificate, qualification and title that seem so important to you, are they what have taken godliness from you? Every day you are looking for what to eat and wear, how to enjoy yourself from morning till night, how to build houses, buy cars and you never think of your soul. But

you never prepare for your soul that can never die.

Those things do not count in the sight of God; rather they are instrument by which devil enslaves man. If the devil has positioned everything before you and everyday you are looking for those things, the Lord is asking you today, what shall it profit you?

Matt. 24:1 says, “And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.” It took a total of 70 years to complete the magnificent edifice they came to show Jesus, the temple, which was built by man. It was a beau-

tiful structure, one of the wonders of the world; no cost was spared, no art left untried to make it sumptuous. But what was the response of the Lord.

Verse 2 says, “And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? Verily I say unto you, there shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”

They were showing Him great temple but Jesus told them not to look at these things, because the time shall come when you will not see a stone on it. Christ foretells the utter ruin and destruction that will come upon the temple. And in not too distance time after the

Muoka resurrection of our Lord, the temple was destroyed by the Roman Empire. The temple was indeed glorious, but it has a beginning and, therefore, must have an end. The building that people were attracted to, that was so beautiful and magnificent is gone.

Judas Agrees To Betray Jesus

When Last Did You Go For Confession?

By S. K Abiara

By Gabriel Osu

HE above Bible verses sum up the beginning of Jesus’ arrest and trial, which eventually led to His crucifixion. The point is, as soon as the religious leaders’ opposition to Jesus got to the climax, they launched an aggressive plan to murder Jesus. The religious leaders felt that they had to kill Him because of His growing popularity (20:19; 22:6). But they had a problem: they greatly feared the people. Jesus was a popular teacher, and there were many Galileans in the city that would have rioted if Jesus had been taken captive without considering the timing.

However, for every word that was spoken by God concerning Jesus to be fulfilled, a close associate of His volunteer to sell Him to His enemies. One of Jesus’ twelve disciples came to them willingly to act as a betrayer and an accuser. The religious leaders had planned to wait until after the Passover to take Jesus, but with Judas’s unexpected offer, they accelerated their plans. Judas, in turn, began looking for

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“The Festival of Unleavened Bread, which begins with the Passover celebration, was drawing near. The leading priests and teachers of religious law were actively plotting Jesus’ murder. But they wanted to kill him without starting a riot, a possibility they greatly feared.

Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples, and he went over to the leading priests and captains of the Temple guard to discuss the best way to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted that he was ready to help them, and they promised him a reward. So he began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus so they could arrest him quietly when the crowds weren’t around.” Lk. 22:1-6. an opportunity to betray Jesus, when there would be no Passover crowds to prevent Jesus’ capture and no possibility of a riot. As a betrayer, Judas contracted to turn Jesus over to the chief priests for 30 pieces of silver.

He accomplished this act of treachery by singling out Jesus with a kiss in the Garden of Gethsemane (John 18:2-5).

In the final hours of His life on earth, Jesus suffered unimaginable emotional and physical pains, including desertion and betrayal by friends, public humiliation and physical torture.

“Some of the governor’s sol-

diers took Jesus into their headquarters and called out the entire battalion. They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. They made a crown of long, sharp thorns and put it on His head, and they placed a stick in His right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before Him in mockery, yelling, “Hail!

King of the Jews!” And they spit on Him and grabbed the stick and beat Him on the head with it. When they were finally tired of mocking Him, they took off the robe and put His clothes on Him again. Then they led Him away to be crucified”-Matt.

27:27-31.

Prophet Abiara, General Evangelist, CAC Worldwide. skabiaraofciem@yahoo.co.uk

I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah (Psalm 32:5) HEN last did you go to W God in confession? I mean when was the last time you swallowed your pride and knelt before God in sincere repentance? But I don’t need any confession; after all, I have not committed any serious sin, you may say. You are wrong. We are all sinners.

As long as we live, we will never be perfect.

As humans made of flesh, we will always find ourselves struggling to overcome some form of weaknesses. ‘For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God’ (Romans 3:23) We are imperfect. We can only be made perfect, when we die and are welcomed into the kingdom of God, where sin permeates not. It is then that we

shall wear a glorious body, courtesy of the saving grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Until then, we must always be ready to confront the daily challenges that life brings in our lives, families and social engagements.

Temptations will surely come, and sometimes we will fall. When we do, we have a choice. We can be weighed down by sin or rise and make peace with God. It will not be easy though. One of the devices of the devil is to make us feel guilty over our sins. He is quick to condemn us and make us feel unworthy. But we must not allow our sins to bug us. We must learn to rise up quickly when we fall into sin.

God loves us but hates sin.

Each time we fall into sin, we move away from Him. And the more we move farther away from Him, the dimmer His divine light in us grows. That is what the devil wants. He wants you to grow farther away from God each day so that after a while, your conscience becomes dead to repentance.

That is when we severe ourselves from God’s saving grace! The Church is always

mindful of this; hence it provides a way out through the sacrament of reconciliation.

Each time we fall into sin, we are called to quickly reunite ourselves with God by going to confession before a priest, who absolves us of our sins. Once we repent of our sins, He is more than able to forgive us of all our righteousness and erase all our faults. God does not bear grudge. He does not remember old sins. If God should keep record of our sins, no one would be worthy to come to the throne of grace. If God should bear malice, who would be saved?

All through this season of lent, there has been so much emphasis on repentance. It is the essence of the season. We must forsake our old ways and become united in God. Today, as we celebrate the Palm Sunday, the day Jesus Our Saviour made a triumphant entry into Jerusalem to commence His passion, let us reflect on God’s eternal love for us.

Very Rev. Msgr. Osu, Director, Social Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos.

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IBRUCENTRE Springs Of Wisdom

Challenges Of Life (6)

By Gabriel Agbo MAN of praise can never be defeated. I A can say this again and again. But before I comment more on praise, God instantly spoke to Jehoshaphat and Judah after that very powerful, comprehensive and strategic prayer. He told them not to be afraid. He assured them that He had taken over the battle. What a great relief for the already harassed and traumatised Judah. I can hear God telling you same today. Listen, “That battle is not yours, I have taken it over.”

God specifically told them to go to the battlefield the next morning. Action! My God! You have prayed enough, now you must march out against those challenges. You must go out now to face those enemies. And remember that when God tells you to go up against something, it automatically means that He has already

given you the victory. True! God cannot lead you into a lost battle. No way! Listen, tomorrow arise and go against those challenges. The LORD has given you victory!

I want us to note something here, God did not actually, in details, tell Judah exactly what He was going to do. He just told them to go up against the enemies the next morning. Faith is very important in our walk with God. You cannot face and win the challenges of life without having total faith in God and His words. This is very vital! Faith! Faith! Faith! You must adjust to the divine (God’s) level if you must remain a winner in this river of challenges called life. Luckily, we will delve into this from next week. Please, don’t miss out.

So, Jehoshaphat and Judah obeyed God, buried their fears and marched out early the next morning. Mark the word ‘early’.

God’s instructions must be obeyed totally

and promptly. When God says today, He means today. When He says tomorrow, He means tomorrow. And when He says wait, just wait and also be very alert for the next instruction. So many people have missed God at this point. They were not prompt to obey divine instructions, so they missed out. May God not allow us to miss out at this point in Jesus name! God works with time and that is why the Bible also tells us that there is time for everything under the sun. There is time to stay, time to move and to take action.

Now, Jehoshaphat went to this motherof-all-battle with a very unconventional, most unlikely weapon. Listen, “After consulting the leaders of the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the LORD and praising Him for his Holy splendour.

Rev Agbo is a minister with the Assemblies of God Nigeria. gabrielagbo@yahoo.com

BSN Tasks Leaders On Transparency

By Kenechukwu Ezeonyejiaku IGERIAN leaders have been urged to N be transparent and also imbibe relevant values needed to command a good followership. This call was made at the Sixth Founders Day Annual Lecture and Award Ceremony of the Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) held in Lagos last weekend with the theme: “Transparency in Service, the Hallmark of a Good Leader.”

At the event, the General Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of BSN, Rev. Richard Dare Ajiboye said that Nigerian leaders lack values and leadership traits adding that for one to be a good leader, he must be open and a person of integrity for him to lead well.

He said: “the challenges of leadership in Nigeria today starts with the leaders

themselves. The leaders we have today have the wrong values and as a result of that, they have no way of influencing people positively to willingly follow them because what we experience is people talking and doing different thing. So, most leaders in our nation today lack integrity and integrity is one of the main characteristic to being a good leader. We are not also transparent. The belief of an average leader in this country is to amass wealth more than his predecessor. Leadership ineptitudeness is one of the challenges of leadership in this country today. Most of our leaders are not even trained to be leaders in the first place; they don’t have what it takes to be called leaders and yet, they leading others. How do they want to be good leaders? It is not possible. If you are

going to be a good leader, you must have integrity, you must be humble you must be able to be open and let people know that you don’t have any hidden agenda in whatever you are doing.”

Delivering his lecture, the guest speaker and Director General of Institute for National Transformation, Prof. Vincent Anigbogu said that the problem with the country is that the leaders operate in systems.

Anigbogu who illustrated the systematic operation of things with the account of creation stated that Nigerians and Africans in general neglected the road map, which was given in the Holy Book and have lagged behind. Awarded at the event were Sir Molade Okoya-Thomas and Sir Kesington Adebukunola Adebutu for their philanthropic works.

Spiritual Revival (2)

By Seyi Ogunorunyinka HE reason a lot of people have reT mained the same is because they lack the spiritual revelation to see the reasons behind their problems. We need to pray for revelation to see what our lives look like in the sight of the Almighty; maybe then we will be better able to understand the reasons our lives are the way they are now and will help us change. However, it is one thing for God to show you where you are going wrong, and another for you to accept and then walk with it.

There are some people, who have been used to having their way all their lives; people look up to them and they have never been in a situation where someone will tell them what to do. It is very difficult for such people to accept the revelation that comes through the servant of God about their lives. If it were not for circumstances, they would not even be in the house of God, where they are being

told what to do and how to do it. Even if they were in the house of God, they would choose to be in a place, where they would be exalted and nobody will tell them when they are doing wrong.

Matthew 13:16-17 states, “But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.” This scripture states that your eyes are only blessed when they can see into the spiritual, and your ears are only blessed, when they hear what the Almighty is saying. Many people have eyes that cannot see anything and ears that cannot hear. It is still not complete, however, until you begin to walk by what you see and by what you hear.

There was a sister, who was told that she should send her young daughter away if she wanted to see improvement in the girl’s life. She refused to do so because she

could not understand the reasoning behind the instruction. She thought that the man of God who was telling her to send the child away was just being wicked.

When the Lord speaks, He does not have to give you the reasoning behind His instructions; it is not for you to figure it out but only to obey. After four years of no progress, the sister finally decided to do what the Lord had said and sent her child away. On the first attempt, she saw a remarkable change in the child. However, if she had done what the Lord had instructed her to at the beginning, who knows how much the child would have improved?

A lot of people are spiritually blind. The more the Lord tries to open their eyes, the more their flesh will resist such attempt.

Pastor Ogunorunyinka, General Overseer, The Promisedland Restoration Ministries, Surulere, Lagos. pastorseyiogunorunyinka@gmail.com

Men Of God, Who Combine Fetish Practices Are Agents Of Darkness CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33 sad that at this time our nation is facing serious and escalating security challenges, some evil people are hiding behind freedom of religion to engage in heinous crimes of ritual killings. Wherever such is done is not a place of worship of the true and Holy God. All men of goodwill must rise against such evil practice and place. We should also intensify prayers, as we do in our church every Sunday, for national spiritual revival, economic rebirth and social engineering to avert God’s wrath, which will surely fall upon any nation that allows syncretism a free reign.

NOT KILL! Anywhere fetish practices take place is definitely not a church. Such practices are not Christian but satanic. Those involved are not serving God either and I should think they know it. While it is clear that promoters of such places have sold themselves to the devil, my concern is the

possibility of ignorant souls patronising them in the name of the Lord. Every worshipper must ask himself/herself the purpose of going to a particular church. The lifestyle and teachings of the leaders must also be scrutinised.

spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron.

The success of these ‘so-called’ pastors and prophets is hinged on the fact that many people want miracles and not salvation.

Their congregation is composed of those that could not wait on God to fulfill His promises at the right time. This made the pastors devise their strategies in the religion business as a means of making money.

Money making business is tied to the availability of ‘customers’ in need of their wares.

People must seek the Lord and not miracles, the Creator and not the creatures including the pastors. We Christians have been instructed by the Lord in 1 John 4:1 saying: Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. My advice to everyone is in 2 Tim 2:19 “Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi

Traits Of An Effective Leader NE character trait distinguishes successful leaders from other O men: they are single-minded, focused and determined, especially in times of difficulty, conflict, opposition, persecution, confusion and pressure. Nothing could dissuade, discourage or distract them. No wonder they record very uncommon achievements. One man in the Bible that best fits this mould was Nehemiah. He took on a daunting task and was constantly the butt of opponents’ machinations. But he faced his duty with so much fervor and fortitude. He obviously had many examples in the Bible, as explained by the letters of his name, viz: Noah, who was focused on finishing the project of building the Ark. And despite opposition and frustration from scorners, he kept to his vision for 120 years. Enoch, who followed the Lord faithfully, walked with the Lord without deviation for 300 years and was dignified by God, who allowed him the privilege of being translated to the world beyond without tasting death. Hezekiah, a king in Israel, doggedly reversed the prophecy of death through prayer. He knew that he still had much to accomplish for the Lord; hence, he prayed and additional 15 years were added to his life.

Elisha was a man who sought the double portion of Elijah’s spirit, and he was focused on this goal, purpose, desire and request, and would not permit any distraction. He was a man of one goal and one destination. Moses, a model leader for all times, spurned the chance to become a great political figure in Egypt, and rejected the throne and royalty in order to be a deliverer of God’s people.

Isaiah was outstanding in that he, through the Holy Spirit, gave prophecies that were difficult to believe in his time, but fulfilled eventually. Abraham, in seeking to obey God, showed that he was willing to offer his only son, Isaac, as sacrifice to the Almighty. Hannah had a problem, and despite the taunts from opponents, focused on her prayer for a male child, whom she would later give back to the nation of Israel as a prophet.

These Old Testament believers saw what others failed to see through faith, therefore, their focus was on one goal, passion and pursuit. Like them, Nehemiah was a single-minded man and very focused. He set his face steadfastly in the direction of God’s calling and nothing could deter him. Unlike many others, he was not a double-minded man, for then he would have become unstable in all his ways. He was going to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem to restore its lost glory. There was no hesitation, indecision, excuses, fear, retreat or compromise. Everything about a single-minded man points to his whole-hearted determination to do God’s will.

He deliberately refused royalty; choosing rather, like Moses, to suffer affliction with the people of God. Although there was no pressure or motivation, the information he got about the state of Jerusalem made him decide to work for God, notwithstanding the challenges he would face.

Single-mindedness does not only show in one’s attitude or language, it is also revealed in comportment, character and consecration. Nehemiah was resolute and irresistible. Like him, we must be determined and resolute in giving our lives to whatever work God has handed to us.

Nehemiah came from the palace with royalty, prestige, position, experience and letter of recommendation from the king. Yet, the people did not recognise him. In the midst of reproach and contempt, he was single-mindedly committed to the call God gave him. The great work Nehemiah did could not have been done by an attention-seeking, praise-hungry, self-conscious, skilled and talented man. Nehemiah was single-minded and dead to self. When he knew that God had set the direction of his life, he committed himself unreservedly to following through. The enemy may want to make us forget the promises of God, the prize of our high calling and goal. But, like the Psalmist, our hearts must be fixed on God’s unchanging word and promises. Tobiah and Sanballat were no mean or weak enemies: they were strong and powerful. They had royal authority and military might on their side. They had patriotic and zealous followers as well as noble supporters. They were also well connected with influential people in the inner circle of Nehemiah’s team. They employed some people with prophetic ministry who sought to frighten Nehemiah by their prophecies and dreams. Without single-mindedness, Nehemiah would not have had a chance in a thousand to be successful. These enemies, Tobiah and Sanballat, were actively opposed to him from the very beginning to the end. It took a single-minded man to persevere in the face of similar opposition and persecution. Anyone with less dedication and devotedness would have lost his bearing; and the walls might never have been built. Each of us needs the mind and motivation of Nehemiah today.

The goal of the enemy is to stop us from doing God’s work. But with Christ on our side, we shall overcome all his tricks. No good thing has ever been done on earth without opposition. Because Satan is still in the world, he opposes the work of God. And those who wait for better times before doing something meaningful for God will never find it. Some believers, who are ignorant of the Scripture and the purpose of God, lamely succumb to the pressures of the persecution they suffer. Even as wicked men wax worse and worse, Christians should become stronger and tougher. Nehemiah for one, was determined that not even the fierce opposition he faced would stop the great work he was engaged in. Nehemiah was always ahead of his enemies because of his strategic plans. He divided the workforce into two: those who were committed to building the walls and those who kept watch with their weapons of war.

References: Nehemiah 4:1-23; 4: 1-6; Isaiah 40:6,7; Psalms 57:7; 108:1; 112:7; 119:23, 23, 22,51, 60-63; 69, 83, 87, 95, 110, 141, 143, 161, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18; Nehemiah 4:7-11; Daniel 9:25; Psalm 2:1-8; Nehemiah 4:16-23. (All scriptures from King James Version).

Last week’s article on “Hallmarks Of Integrity” has actually ended.

36| Sunday, April 13, 2014

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IBRUCENTRE

By Ernest Onuoha ‘If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be...’ Jh. 12v26.

ECOMING a Christian and deciding to folB low Jesus has some costs and some of them can prove difficult for us. No doubt, we have prices to pay, sacrifices to make, challenges or hurdles to overcome. It is not easy at all.

In Luke 9v57-62, we saw some people who attempted following Jesus, but they were full of excuses. One said: ‘I am newly married, I need to be exempted for one year,’ the other said: ‘I bought a new donkey’ (he was a farmer) that he needed to test out the animal on the field and the last said: ‘let me bid my people farewell’.

Good excuses they may be, but they did not meet the requirement for following Jesus.

Jesus had said: ‘No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God,’ Luke 9v62.

Notice, Jesus said: ‘if anyone serve me, he must follow me…’ implying serious, committed, genuine, true, not giving to excuses will follow me.

To those who must follow Him therefore, we must take these to heart.

First, we must forfeit the world and its system

From The Rector Ibru International Ecumenical Centre, Agbarha-Otor

The Cost Of Following Jesus of pleasure. This forfeiting of the world can cost us family ties, Matt. 10v34-37. It will stop us from following the patterns of the world, Rom. 12v2. We will seek to do only the will of God and not ours, James 4v13-16 and more importantly, we will choose to serve God and not man, Joshua 24v15. Those who wish to follow Jesus must turn their back to the world and its pleasures.

Second, we will be persecuted by the world.

By this, we have accepted (as followers of Jesus) hardship, Acts 14v22. We have also accepted to be hated, Jh. 15v18-21, noting that we are not to lose heart because the world first

hated Jesus, the Saviour of world. Then we have yielded ourselves to a great persecution, II Tim. 3v12. This persecution may come from our homes, offices, schools or wherever we find ourselves simply because we are followers of Jesus.

Third, we will suffer as a test of our faith.

From time to time as followers of Jesus, suffering may come our way, but this we are to bear with great equanimity. I Pet. 1v6-9 says: ‘Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, ye have been put to grief in manifold trials, that the proof of your faith, `being’ more precious than gold that perisheth

though it is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ: whom not having seen ye love; on whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory: receiving the end of your faith, `even’ the salvation of `your’ souls.’

Ven. Ernest Onuoha, Rector, Ibru International Ecumenical Centre, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State. www.ibrucentre.org

Leadership And Relevance

By Taiwo Odukoya The hand of the diligent will rule…

(Proverbs 12:24a) N a brilliant article titled Irow’, ‘Here Today - Gone TomorMark Miller tells a story I

Director, Bishops’ Training School, Rt. Rev. Ken and Dr. (Mrs.) Ngozi Okeke (centre) with some Bishops, during the Bishops’ and Wives’ Training School at Ibru Centre, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State, held March 10 to 22, 2014.

Adesina To Speak On Winning The Media War BOOK entitled: “Effective A Media Relations for Churches and Pastors,” written by Mr. Sunday Oguntola of the Nation Newspapers will be launched on Sunday, April 20, at Ikeja Business Club, 50, Hakeem Balogun

Street, Central Business District, Alausa Ikeja, Lagos from 4pm to 7pm. The fiveyear research work, according to the author, is based on his field experiences of covering churches and ministries within and outside

Nigeria for over 15 years.

Expected to deliver the keynote address is the President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Mr. Femi Adesina and he would be speaking on the theme: “Winning the Media War.”

Catholics Celebrate The Gift Of Motherhood

By Ijeoma Opara O mark the Mother’s Day celebration, St. AuT gustine’s Catholic Church, Ikorodu on the outskirts of Lagos, recently, held a reception at the church premises after the Sunday mass.

The event featured talks, drama, debate, comedy and dance. During the homily of the mass, the Parish Pastor, Rev. Fr Augustine Medaiyedu expressed his happiness and joy at celebrating with the women.

Quoting from Proverbs 14 that the wise woman builds her home and the foolish woman destroys it, he explained that although we all live in a time when the family is being torn apart, women as home builders should find ways to work out their family challenges and work towards re-structuring the home.

“The stability and peace of the home rest on the shoulders of a woman, even as the character formation of children is built while watching the woman.”

Fr Medaiyedu said that women assuming their rightful places contribute to the peace of the home, as they should not assume the position of the man in the home. “No matter the profession a woman practises, she shouldn’t neglect her duties as a wife and mother in the home, which are the virtues the children will grow up to imbibe.

The women, who were dressed in beautiful outfits of blue and white, filled the church to capacity. During thanksgiving, they presented

gifts of clay pot, Holy Rosary and Bibles.

Addressing women during a talk, Mrs. Agnes Ajaji said that the gift of womanhood started in the time of Adam and Eve, when God created Eve from Adam’s ribs. “Women should be great companions to their husbands by bringing their “helping self” into the home, which also include financial assistance.”

She advised women to be respectful to their husbands, as the head of the home though women have been created to be powerful with inner energy, which enables them face difficulties. She encouraged mothers to use this power to bring about unity.

“Being prayerful and creative are important for a godly woman. Women should avoid idleness. They could start a small business instead of just sitting in one place. Go back home and reflect, try and change your old ways,” she concluded.

In her speech, Mrs. Nwagwu said fathers are tagged as the ‘reverend father’ in the house and so, things move smoothly when the man is the head. She explained that the roles of the woman in the home are enormous apart from bearing children.

“A woman must have high moral standards like the Holy women in the Bible. Even from a tender age, a woman starts proving her worth by carrying out domestic chores. A virtuous woman is diligent and dependable even when the husband possesses bad character.”

found particularly instructive.

He said: “I stopped by our local Honey Baked Ham store to pick up some smoked turkey for sandwiches. When I arrived, I noticed three employees and no customers. I made a comment about the long line the last time I visited. The man behind the counter said, “It must have been during the holidays.” Then he went on to say, “However, the holidays weren’t really that busy either.” When I asked why, he said, “Our customers are dying, and young people don’t eat with us.” Wow! Within 10 minutes, I was on the phone with my wife talking about what I might pick up for lunch. She suggested a fantastic local restaurant; I thought it was a great idea.

However, I couldn’t go there — they don’t take credit cards — bizarre behaviour in 2014.

Since I had neither cash nor cheque, I went somewhere else.”

Miller’s encounter raises the question of relevance. Any leader or organisation that will not embrace change will become irrelevant. Technology continues to change the way we communicate, work, do business, and organise our lives. Workers, once valued for their ability to handle mundane repetitive tasks are now valued for the possession and

application of specialised knowledge. Businesses that only had to bother with local context and competition now have to grapple with the realities of an interconnected world, where global trends define local consumption patterns and allow for global competition. The truth is, change is upon us, and it won’t abate. This has startling implications for leadership at all levels of life.

It was Nancy Garberson of Marketing and Communications Strategies that said, “New products, new regulations, new market configurations, new customers and new technology in almost every industry are changing at such a rate that a project lasting more than 35 days is obsolete before it can be finished.” Thus, leaders who intend to remain relevant, meeting the needs and satisfying the aspirations of their constituencies, must be forward-looking and willing to embrace change. They must consistently evaluate their organisational capacities and strategies vis-à-vis new technology and global trends. To insist on yesterday’s tools and strategies in the face of today’s realities is to be left behind. To gain and sustain competitive advantage therefore, leaders must not only be prepared to adapt to change, they must be innovative, anticipating the evolving needs of their followers and creating products and services to meet them.

The truth is, whatever you leave unattended will diminish. Life does not tolerate re-

dundancy, as it only breeds retrogression and decay. No matter how high up you are, you must recognise that the skills that took you up the ladder, will no longer be sufficient to sustain you there. The only justification for the existence of any leadership therefore, is continuous improvement, a constant drive to serve the needs of its constituency in better ways.

Any leader that hopes to stand the test of time must of a necessity pass the test of relevance. Leaders, who often fail to improve themselves and their processes in the face of changing realities and new challenges often have an exaggerated opinion of themselves and offices. Unaware of how irrelevant they have become, they set themselves up for a forceful eviction, usually a mass rejection or negative consequences.

A cursory inspection of key infrastructures across Nigeria, from airports and roads, to the railway system (which is still at the level the British bequeathed it to us half a century ago) will readily reveal how unamenable to change our successive governments have been.

Nigeria has a great future!

Over 10, 000 Pastors For Foursquare Conference O fewer than 10, 000 minN isters and workers are expected to attend this year’s annual International Conference for Ministers and Leaders (ICML) holding at the Foursquare Camp, Ajebo Ogun State.

Organised by the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, the event is expected to attract participants from within and outside the country. A statement by the Chairman of the Planning Committee for the event, Rev. Albert Aina, said the theme of the conference is making maximum impact.

He stated that there would be 56 speakers for the conference, which ends on April 19, and learning track sessions

with 19 seminar modules covering church growth, ICT, youth, mission and mentorship.

He added that there would be live streaming of proceedings at the conference, where the General Overseer of the church, Rev. Felix Meduoye; Prof. Yemi Osibajo, Rev. Mike Adegbile and Prof. Vuyani Ntintili from South Africa, would be ministering.

Aina said: “This conference would usher the church and the body of Christ into a season of explosion triggered by energised and trained manpower.”

Participants would be given a souvenir containing all the 23 plenary session, 19 learning

tracks, 26 groups/unit training and 13 regional Discipling A Whole Nation (DAWN) presentations.

Meanwhile, a one-day praise explosion, special service, organised by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Redemption House Parish Lagos Province 2 holds next Sunday at 3pm. It is billed for RCCG Redemption House Parish 09 Junction Garden chicken & Meals, Mowe in Obafemi/Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The Pastor-in-Charge, Pastor Idowo Senowo, said those ministering include Ayan Jesu, Bukky Bekes, Tosin Bee and Redemption Voices among others.

TheGuardian

Sunday, April 13, 2014 37

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Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Business ‘There’s Urgent Need To Grow Economy, Create Jobs, Tackle Insecurity’ ous ministerial corrective initiatives on this and related issues should be encouraged, as a step in the right direction, regardless of our natural inclination to see a quick fix to most problems.

The above are just the more obvious elements of the wide-ranging transformation agenda, under the current oil and gas sector leadership.

As you have agreed, most of these are just initiatives. How do we judge what will come out of them eventually?

You are right. A non-industry expert, like you cannot form any accurate judgment of the likely impact of the PIB or Gas Master Plan, or other initiatives that are yet to be fully implemented. This is precisely why I want to seriously advise caution that major transformative initiatives that are prematurely truncated, because of our incapacity to correctly project their future impact, can be really disastrous for any nation, because of the financial and opportunity cost involved. To this, has to be added the loss of confidence from relevant global partners, who may be reluctant to get involved with us in strategic future ventures. The proposed product export initiative (ex-Port Harcourt) in the 1990s, involving one of the Chargoury family companies, through project finance, serves as a good example, out of many, of the serious legal and direct cost implications, when transformative initiatives are carelessly aborted.

Factors that can lead to truncation of potentially beneficial initiatives in the Nigerian Context are – lack of continuity in the tenure of the key initiators of a transformation programme.

In some stable oil producing countries, ministers and heads of the NOC hold office for four to eight or 10 years and more, as a norm, i.e., two terms of three to five years each. Here in Nigeria, it is becoming increasingly difficult to complete even one term because of our peculiar circumstances. If these circumstances must apply, we should at least be able to ensure that the incumbent, whether for a day or for a whole term, is not too distracted to deliver a legacy commensurate with his or her tenure.

In this instance, what constitutes distraction to the minister or whoever?

Briefly, political distractions of a nature that kills morale, initiative and espirit de corps, or else creates divided attention or loss of focus should be avoided. Excessive publicity of issues that bring a bad image to the governance of the sector, in a manner and form that scares away the international capital and know-how support, needed for key aspects of a particular transformation agenda to succeed will not do

His Royal Majesty Dr. Edmund Daukoru, the Amanyanabo of Nembe, is not an easy catch for even the most resilient of reporters. He is in Lagos today, Yenagoa tomorrow, his kingdom the following day, and somewhere again the day after to attend some official business. His being a delegate representing the traditional institution in the ongoing National Conference has only added more weight to the already loaded schedule of the Mingi XII of Nembe kingdom. Since disengaging from the public space as Petroleum Minister and President of the OPEC Council, hearing his voice has been scarce. Yet, there are issues in the public domain, especially in the oil and gas sector, that require treatment by one of Nigeria’s leading oil technocrat who made it to the topmost position in both the private and public bureaucracy of the oil and gas sector. A fellow of the prestigious Imperial College of London and holder of the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), King Daukoru was cornered by ARMSFREE AJANAKU at the venue of the Conference to say something in the face of the current turbulence in the petroleum. It was a tight encounter as His Majesty itched to move on in spite of the reporter.

How do you see the present state of the Nigerian Petroleum Industry?

SEE the industry going through a major transformation, the key elements of which are as follows: (1) The Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), currently in the NASS. This is the culmination of a sector reform effort initiated under President Obasanjo, and brought up to the stage it is now, with great courage and commitment by the present Minister of Petroleum Resources (MPR).

(2) The Nigeria Content Act initiated by, and already in operation under the present Minister, with immense contribution to the Nigerian economy: The administrative structure focalised in the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), to actualise the legislative provisions, is in itself a tremendous achievement, since without the NCDMB, the law alone would have achieved next to nothing.

(3) The Gas Master Plan, which opens the way for massive investment in gas exploration, production, processing and transmission for utilisation in power generation, LNG, fertiliser, petrochemicals, and as piped gas export commodity etc: This is of extreme importance to the nation, as gas is not only the future global fuel of preference for environmental reasons, but also a major potential revenue earner for the nation, long after the oil reserves will have been depleted.

(4) Indigenisation of the upstream sub-sector, through the admission of a growing number of serious Nigerian players such as Sahara Energy, Oando, and Seplat etc: The bold initiative to empower the NPDC, (as never before) to increasingly assume the operatorship role envisaged for NNPC in the Joint Operating Agreement (JOA) with the IOC’s, is part of this E&P indigenisation package. The same goes for the expanded marginal field offerings in recent years.

(5) In the downstream sub-sector, uninter-

I

CONTINUED ON PAGE 38

Daukoru

rupted availability of white petroleum products must be counted as a major achievement: Some Nigerians with short memories of the long fuel queues that this country once witnessed, would of course equivocate. These people have forgotten so soon, that they were the ones who once said that Nigeria being a member of the league of major producers, they did not care what government paid or did, all they wanted was fuel availability 24/7 at the pump. The benefits of fuel availability, achieved under this kind of social pressure, are nevertheless still huge, in terms of personal convenience/lifestyle and facilitation of economic activities, especially transportation and industrial production. The major abuses, that have attended the various programmes to

make fuel available at all times, are of course an outrage to us all including, I sincerely believe, the government itself.

This not withstanding, I for one, am satisfied that enough is being done now, and that the will is there to do even more to tackle the challenge of these hugely unpopular practices. It is still a process and not quite a destination yet.

Can we now say it is all well with the sector?

Obviously, some unpatriotic Nigerians have, just like the self-serving Wall Street practitioners that precipitated the recent global recession, thrown basic morality to the winds, by exploiting an otherwise well-intentioned scheme, to the detriment of everybody else. Against such rabid display of greed and selfishness, I sincerely believe therefore, that the vari-

Obviously, some unpatriotic Nigerians have, just like the self-serving Wall Street practitioners that precipitated the recent global recession, thrown basic morality to the winds, by exploiting an otherwise well-intentioned scheme, to the detriment of everybody else.

Against such rabid display of greed and selfishness, I sincerely believe therefore, that the various ministerial corrective initiatives on this and related issues should be encouraged, as a step in the right direction, regardless of our natural inclination to see a quick fix to most problems

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Sunday, April 13, 2014

BUSINESS Dangote, Elumelu, Others Make Case For Competitive Economy

By Geoff Iyatse HE President of DangotT Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Minister of Communication Technology, Omobola Johnson and Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Mr Tony Elumelu, said building a competitive economy is critical to achieving collective prosperity.

The trio, who spoke at the board meeting of the National Competitiveness Council of Nigeria (NCCN) in Lagos, recently, observed that the contribution of the private sector is key to achieve the needed change and promote economic reforms, which could be driven by a competitive economy.

Also, Chief Executive Officer of NCCN, Chike Mordi, enjoined government to streamline tax payment system in order to ease the process of doing business.

Mordi noted that the involvement of too many federal and state agencies in tax collection is a major reason the country is consistently ranked low in Doing Business Report, a World Bank’s yearly assessment.

He also called on relevant government agencies to make conscious effort to raise the bar of transparency and reduce the cost of doing business in the country.

He suggested making the tax collection process fully electronic would reduce the time spent by business owners paying taxes and other levies.

Mordi expressed confidence in the ability of the country to emerge as one of the prosperous economies in the world. To get to where the country wants to be, he asked the government to “get rid of bureaucracy.”

Disclosing that the council

is currently working to engage stakeholders on how market barriers could be removed, the former banker canvassed a deeper engagement between the government and the private sector

especially before major market policies are taken. According to him, a number of hostile effects occasioned by public policies would be averted when those who play in the sectors are given the

opportunity to make inputs.

Mordi also raised concerns about the inefficiency of public infrastructure. He noted that functional infrastructure is critical to building a competitive economy, adding that

NCCN would continue to dialogue with the government in this direction. He was optimistic that government will continue to listen to superior views.

The NCCN role is to recom-

mend meaningful initiatives and facilitate discussions between the private and public sector to engender change that to create a more prosperous society.

Head, Dealer Management, Felix Ideh (left); Globacom Divisional Director, Abuja, Alhaji Ibrahim Fadipe (2nd left) and National Sales Coordinator, David Maji, present key of a car to MD Sumbifo Nigeria Ltd, Lekan Kutelu, a Globacom Trade Partner, at Glo Partners’ Awards held at Intercontinental Hotel, Lagos… recently.

‘Excessive Publicity On Issues Affecting Oil Sector Should Be Avoided’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 37 us any good. Besides, the greater danger of such unwholesome image, whether deserved or not, is that it may long outlast the principal actors, that were the targets of the headlines, thus making all of us losers in the ultimate.

In the context of what you have said about the dangers of lack of continuity and adverse publicity for the sector and all that, how do you view the ongoing controversy over private jet charter by the NNPC? WELL, I do not have the facts, and so I am not in a position to comment in detail. However, in the general context I have sketched above, the particular controversy you refer to is nothing strategic at all. It is purely operational, and reminds me very much of the publicity over the hotel bills of a former NNPC GMD at the Transcorp Hilton. Though that episode and the current one are not at all on the same scale, there is nevertheless a resemblance in kind between the two.

These are really operational issues, as distinct from strategic mismanagement. Yes, there are allegations of misapplication of public funds, but there is need to weigh this carefully, against NNPC’s claim that what they did was in response to business needs.

On this, the jury is still out, and while that is the case, we should exercise utmost restraint in our comments for the reasons discussed earlier, and for the inherent sensitivity of the one industry we have that contributes the lion’s share of our foreign exchange. Also, without necessarily wishing to draw a direct comparison, I can say categorically that in the 1990s NNPC owned a fleet of helicopters, Twin-Otters, a Haw-Siddley jet, and a somewhat larger Falcon jet.

The Twin-Otters were for routine staff shuttles, the H/S-125 was exclusively for the GMD

and GEDs, while the Falcon was for the honourable minister’s use.

In Shell, where I was Director of Exploration and Deep Water, the MD/CEO, the directors and two divisional managers were entitled to shuttle in a Mitsubishi jet, albeit locally, while the rest of the staff used a Twin-Otter.

The question of lease, own/maintain, or spot charter is often a routine corporate decision based on cost-benefit, as presented by management to the board for approval.

Somehow, when I was GMD in the early

These are really operational issues, as distinct from strategic mismanagement. Yes, there are allegations of misapplication of public funds, but there is need to weigh this carefully, against NNPC’s claim that what they did was in response to business needs. On this, the jury is still out, and while that is the case, we should exercise utmost restraint in our comments for the reasons discussed earlier, and for the inherent sensitivity of the one industry we have that contributes the lion’s share of our foreign exchange

1990s, we never saw it in the context in which it is being viewed today. How times have changed!

My warning still stands however, that we will all be losers ultimately, if we allow operational issues, which are fairly normal globally, and are specific to the culture of a particular industry, to threaten the continuity of tenure and good reputation that are critical success factors of the ongoing very laudable transformative sector agenda. I am somehow comforted, however, that the House Committee handling this matter appears to be very much aware of this sensitivity from the point of view of the broad implications I have outlined, judging by the mature and methodical approach they have shown so far.

And how is the conference doing? You made a few remarks to AIT on the day of the inauguration.

Yes, they did ask me what I considered to be the main issues for deliberation. My reply was that there was urgent need to grow the economy, create jobs and tackle insecurity, head on. National unity is, of course, an abiding task for everybody.

Three weeks on, and listening to speaker after speaker discuss the inaugural speech of Mr. President, my views have not changed much.

I still believe that we will continue to have our differences as a people, over a whole range of issues: devolution of power, resource control, true federalism, structure of government, education, justice etc. But the desperation with which some of us espouse these issues is, to my mind, largely borne out of lack. And lack arises because we are failing to create abundance in the economy. Equally, an economy without linkages cannot generate jobs fast enough for an exploding population such as ours, which leads to insecurity, vio-

lence, hopelessness etc.

Of course, I am also here to table the subset of issues that affect my geopolitical zone, and my own people of Nembe: the environmental devastation, lack of development, and lack of opportunity and sense of belonging. Not the least, I have also been involved in the advocacy to regain formal recognition of the traditional institution in the constitution. But we must first fix the things from which the solution to all these things will naturally flow. Basically, I believe that if one asks the questions that are sufficiently fundamental, they will lead inevitably to the very many little things that need fixing. This is not the case, if you start with a narrow mindset. We know this much from the scientific method, where one starts with a general theory, from which all the detailed consequences, even the ones that one would never have thought of, can suddenly surface.

And what do you think of Mr. President’s speech itself?

Oh, it was wonderful. We have near unanimity as to its excellence in content, style, and delivery. He was relaxed, thoughtful, and frank, and the speech itself has set the agenda for this conference with great clarity. We expected much from him, and we are not disappointed: the overarching goals, the challenges, and the working modalities are all there. His deep love for Nigeria and passionate commitment to its unity, peace and progress, as conveyed in this benchmark speech, serve as the keynote to which, as delegates, we must now respond in unison. We have been patriotically tasked by Mr. President, and we have to work as one people, diverse but inseparable, to re-launch our nation, Nigeria, to a new level of greatness.

EMPOWERNIGERIA /46

KEN FISHER

CAREER / 43

10 Wisdom Nuggets For Fresh Graduates MONDAYS–FRIDAYS IN THE GUARDIAN

SUNDAY, April 13, 2014

Students of the Dramatic Arts department displaying the greatness of OAU, Ile-Ife

Kris’D, Mr. Wazobia Releases Another Single

By kenechukwu Ezeonyejiaku

uSIc lovers and fans of M the artistes Kris’D, within and outside the Nigeria are

Zuriel Oduwole, is a young Nigerian, reportedly committed to rebrand Africa by showing the positive things in and about the continent.

At the age of 10, she was named one of the 100 most influential people in Africa interviewed in Forbes magazine. By age 11, she had interviewed more than 14 past and present African Heads of States, focusing on the economy of the continent and the need for the

now dancing to Shebi, a new hit single by the young, waves-making entertainer.

Fun-loving residents of the Federal capital Territory, Abuja thronged the venue of his Kris’D Abuja Invasion recently, a public performance of the first hit single.

According to the Enuguborn singer, the song came as an early morning inspiration to call on the world to think positive because attitude is everything. He described it as a sermon, which preaches positive attitude and thankfulness. The new song is captivating and danceable from start to finish.

The Abuja based artiste carved a niche for himself, especially in value re-orientation with his Wazobia hit, a musical sermon on national peace and unity.

OuTED by some as the next T Larry King, and ARISE News as the next Oprah Winfrey,

CAREER /41

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11-Year Old Zuriel Inspires Young People To Dream up, Speak up, And Stand up girl-child education.

Worried by the fact that not every girl has a right to get an education or a chance to accomplish their dreams like her, Zuriel says she is determined through her project, Dream Up, Speak Up, Stand Up, which has taken her to different schools in Africa to inspire

CARTOON SERIES /40

youths, especially girls, to accomplish this mission.

Speaking recently during her visit to ADRAO International School, Victoria Island, Lagos, she urged the students to dream big, speak up the dreams and what they believe in and stand for their rights.

“When they dream big, it helps shape your future and positively affects it, and that of the peo-

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DR. DO-WELL

Get Weird..

ple around you.

Revealing her own dreams, which she said includes becoming an athlete, a Bio-engineer and the President of the united States, when she becomes older, the American-born Nigerian, whose father is from Ogun State said she intends to achieve this so that she can be able to not only affect the lives of Americans, but also that of Nigerians, Africans and the world at large.

While interpreting the meaning of her name, Zuriel, a Hebrew word meaning ‘God is my rock’, she advised the students to have a strong foundation upon which they can build their dreams and revealed that

Oduwole her name is her foundation.

The Public Affairs Officer, united States consulate, Lagos, Dehab Ghebreab, who visited the school with Zuriel, expressed her admiration for the young girl and what she is doing.

Ghebreab, revealed that she met Zuriel for the first time in November 2012, when the Williams sisters — Venus and Serena Williams — came to Nigeria to perform, and stated that she was impressed with the courage she exhibited and the way she interviewed the athletes and others.

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CAMPUS

YOUTHMAGAZINE

UNIOSUN VC Seek More Supports From Benefactors At Convocation Dinner eration higher institutions were naturally dependent on HE State of Osun University, the government that estabUNIOSUN, has held its third lished them and they were convocation ceremony, and funded. part of the activities for the “In the early years of indeevent was the ‘Benefactors pendence, the leaders of the Dinner’, which held at the newly independent nation of Western Sun Hotel, Ede, a Nigeria were inspired enough sprawling town in the state. to inject millions of the Speaking at dinner, the Vice Nigerian pound into the Chancellor of the institution, establishment and nurturing Prof. Adekunle Bashiru of these institutions — the Okesina, stated that the conUniversity College, Ibadan cept of the dinner was borne now University of Ibadan; the out of the reality of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka Nigerian educational system, (UNN), the University of Lagos, particularly the fund raising the Ahmadu Bello University, challenges that confronts terti- Zaria and the University of Ife ary education and institutions now Obafemi Awolowo in Nigeria.

University (OAU).

“As part of the third convoca“They benefited from the tion ceremony of the universi- eagerness of the leaders to ty, we have designed this dindevelop a huge pool of human ner to provide a platform for resource that was meant to friends of the state of Osun and provide the needed manpowOsun people to have a strategic er for the new nation, unlike engagement with the universi- the old Yaba Higher College ty. It is about strategic visionnow Yaba College of ing and sustainability of the Technology (YABATECH) university,” he said.

Lagos, which was designed to He added that the dinner, is train manpower meant for also about strengthening the only the lower cadre of civil partnership with the corporate service. friends of the state and the According to Okesina, at that University, and also an opportime, university education tunity to involve and pool oth- was fashionable and universier public-spirited friends and ty graduates were akin to socially responsible bodies to European manpower. Hence, partner with the university in for any first republic politician its drive to provide manpower to nurture such educational resources for the nation as well legacy was to be foresighted. as serve as a centre of academic This was one of the reasons excellence. why the late Yoruba sage Chief The VC stated that the dinner Obafemi Awolowo was was particularly designed to revered. His uncompromising serves as a platform for image commitment to university branding and fund raising for education in Western Nigeria the institution. He noted that was visible in his funding of in the history of university edu- the University of Ile-Ife (now cation in Nigeria, the first gen- OAU).

By Daniel Anazia

T

TWO WORDS

powered by

uki@poisenigeria.org,

Get Weird..

Uki Dare Experience is the best teacher, but the tuition fee is very high...

Get Weird “Average doesn’t win award” – Mavi Isibor, Group C.E.O, Poise Nigeria N MY VIEW, there is no reason to be normal.

The problem with being normal is that normal is normal and most of the time, it is average, regular and unremarkable. Sometimes being good enough is not enough, you need to be abnormal. Please let me explain with a personal experience:

I

Tina returned from her interview so excited. It had gone very well, so well in fact, better than she expected. She went over all the questions that the members of the panel had asked her and she knew she answered them well. I can testify to that because I was on the panel, we interviewed about 27 people that day.

Tina knew she answered us well because she downloaded an interview skills manual from the internet and when she cross checked after the interview, she was proud of how close to the manual her answers were. She followed the format perfectly, she used the rights words and so on, “Lucky me!” she thought, she shut down her computer, “I am so sure they will pick me.”

While Tina was reveling in her great performance at

home, the other interviewers and I were going over Panelist B :“Yes, but we also have to take that intelligent funny one who said he was selling pure water our scoring of all the candidates. We were discussing and trying to decide on which 5 to call back in school and still came out with a 2:1.” and our conversation sounded a little like this: Panelist A: ”I almost forgot him, great! Add him as Panelist A: “Most of them sounded the same to me. well. Does anyone remember any other person that stood out? For good oh! Not the one that wore jeans I am looking at the names and the CVs and I am struggling to even remember half of the things they and was saying he could not remember what the vacancy is for because he sent is CV to so many said.” Everyone nodded. places.”

Panelist C: “What about that Emeka guy?”

Everyone roared with laughter and the session endPanelist A: “Yes! The one that said he ran an NGO ed. while in school.” Everyone smiled, and comments The sad truth is that I do not know Tina. Her like “I liked him”, “sounds intelligent”, “I recomname could have been Titi or even Tope. She is a mend him” flowed. representative of all those who scored high but Panelist B: “There was also that girl that spoke so blended into the crowd because they followed passionately, what was her name?” good guidelines to the point of losing their individuality. Though they did well, they were all Panelist C: “Ah! I cannot forget that one, Bola, she grouped together as ‘the others’. seems to have so much drive. I think she will bring ‘Get Weird’ is not saying that you new life to her department if we choose her.” should just be weird for the sake of being weird.

I am not saying that you should be different just Panelist A: “She is chosen already, no contest. Let for the sake of being different. Just embrace the us call those two back add any three of the others things about you that make people say “Why are that got high scores, just pick any three. Let’s see your own things always different.” When you them next week.” discover what is different/weird about you and Panelist C: “Please there was a girl named Chioma, you learn how to sell it, then that is true packaging. Someone could be ashamed of the fact that she shouldn’t fall into the others o. She got high he sold pure water, recharge cards or even food scores but her explicit dressing will put people in in school but if he learns how to package it, then trouble” it becomes an edge that makes people admire

his resilience.

Someone might be a scatter brain who always forgets where they keep things. You just might be chosen as a perfect marketer for a company that sells Key Holders with SIM Cards in them. Whatever it is about you that makes you feel weird: If it is good: Embrace It You don’t want to stand out for bad performance so, if it is bad: Overcome It If it is neither good nor bad: Enhance It When you are done: Package it To be abnormal can also mean ABOVE NORMAL. So, in all you do, feel free to follow the guidelines, don’t break the rules but please, embrace your individuality and don’t be afraid to …GET WEIRD PS: Please do not throw away your preparatory manuals for interview skills, you only need to learn how to let your personality shine through. I also teach interview skills (with a twist) at Poise’ Graduate Finishing Academy so feel free to stop by if you want some tips. uki@poisenigeria.org

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JOBS & CAREERS

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44 Sunday, April 13, 2014

JOBS & CAREERS

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National Development Strategy Series

NICHOLAS OKOYE, Founder EMPOWER NIGERIA Initiative,

FROM THE DESK OF THE CEO PILLAR TWO :

ACCESS TO CAPITAL Paper 8 E have been talking about access to Capital for National Development and I listed this as number two in my nine drivers of National Development. In providing a NATION with access to finance I detailed how this access can be make available for the public sector, which uses the financing to build infrastructure and create a sustainable business environment for the private sector. In return the private sector must also have access to capital so it can build the businesses needed to create jobs and provide citizens with a sustainable high standard of living. In a smooth system like this, the citizens pay taxes to the Government so the Government uses the tax revenue to invest even more in infrastructure and an enabling environment which includes security, education and so on. And the circle continues as more and more people will be encouraged to set up more businesses which in turn will create more and more jobs and provide for the citizens an even higher standard of living and therefore inspire more citizens to do even more to benefit from the stable and enduring structure that has been laid before them by a responsible and caring Government. So it is in the interest of the Federal Government of Nigeria and Governments all over Africa that Entrepreneurs have access to funding to take risks, start new businesses, fail if they must and start again until they get it right. Jobs are created in the process, taxes are paid in the process and society is growing by and large.

Funding for Private Ventures The first call for any entrepreneur is to first approach family and friends. Alhaji Aliko Dangote says that he got started by taking a 500,000 naira loan from his rich uncle Alhaji Dantata. Mark Zuggerburg got his start up investment from his friend who later became his business partner. The most important thing for any young person to understand is that your family and friends know you well. And they are the most likely candidates to know if you have the passion to succeed or not. Please note I said passion, and not knowledge, as passion is almost always the difference between success and failure for every private venture. When you have a burning desire to start a new business, put all the information down on paper, do your research study the industry, the market and the product or service and arrange all the information in an easy to understand format for the opportunity you need to go after. Then you will need to assemble your friends and family into a room and make a presentation to them as if they were the most skeptical bankers. They must trust that you know what you are talking about and in most cases the startup capital will come from them. Or from people who they have convinced to be a part of your business. How can the World trust you if the people that are close to you do not trust you? Get them to believe in what you are doing and the chances are that they will know someone or a group of people that have a strong interest in your idea or your new business venture.

In the international community this early stage funding is normally taken care of by a group of investors called Angel Investors. In recent time the Angel investors are even more organized than their Private Equity and Venture Capital

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counterparts. Angels will take an idea from its inception, when you have no offices, no deals and no hope and provide the initial needs of the business. Such as offices, licenses if necessary, early staff, and early development of the product or service. Angel Investors would normally come up with $10,000 up to $250,000.00. Anybody who has watched Dragon’s Den will know that angel investors can be tough and in many cases they demand large amounts of equity from the entrepreneur in return for their early stage funding.

However half bread is better than nothing so even if you have to give up some parts of your company it is important for you to get started.

Ten percent of a global company is better than one hundred percent of a tiny village company with no prospects.

Private Equity Private Equity is much more organized in Nigeria and indeed Africa. And many real estate developers have begun to realize that there is funding available for good projects sited anywhere in the country. The Telecommunications industry has also benefited to a great deal from the growth of the private equity industry. Sometimes these PE firms overdo it. They have teams and teams of Harvard and MIT MBAs that go over the figures and they come up with very negative projections which in most cases are based on their limited understanding of the location they are studying, I know this because I was one of them when I worked with Merrill Lynch in Boston.

I was at my desk at Merrill Lynch when the entire Wall Street financial community were inundated with the story of the Nigerian Telecommunications bid round being conducted by the Nigeria Communications Commission under the leadership of Ernest Ndukwe. Many of the World’s largest telecommunications companies are based in the United States so you can be sure it sparked their interest. They got us in the financial community of Wall Street interested as well. However the work was handed over to a group of financial analysts that were supposed to be the experts on Telecommunications and another group that were the supposed experts on Africa. They crunched their numbers and came up with the following conclusions.

1. Nigeria was too risky. A similar bid process for GSM licensing was carried out by General Abacha and 26 licenses were given out including licenses to his sons. The process was faulty, and was not transparent. And so they felt that is Nigeria and the new telecommunications GSM licensing round was going to be a bad bet.

2. The GDP per capita for Nigeria was far too low to generate any meaningful revenues from the citizens, according to the World Bank, (World Bank reports are read by all Investment financial Analysts especially as it related to African Countries). Other reports from other sources including the IMF, IFC and many other sources detailed that Nigeria was a poor country and that Revenues per user ( RPU) could not exceed $30 per annum. And so the analysts felt that Nigerians did not have the money to pay

for the services even if the investments were to pour in.

3. The overall GDP for Nigeria was very low and Nigeria’s heavy external debt (Nigeria was heavily indebted to the Paris Club at this time), did not make it a strong or viable investment destination. The long term outlook for Nigeria was negative and so investing the heavy investment required for the new Nigerian GSM industry was a misplaced step.

4. The Nigerian people had been managing the inefficient and incompetent NITEL which had given the entire Nation a total of 600,000 lines for the past twenty years. And so they did not believe that Nigerian people were ready or even wanted a national GSM system that will make communications for every citizen common place.

Well…….

They made their conclusions and their conclusions formed the basis of the final investment decisions made by ATT, VERIZON, SPRINT, T’MOBILE, ORANGE, VODACOM, etc. All of them decided that they were going to stay out of Nigeria.

Thank God analyst opinions have disclaimers otherwise the analysts of Merrill Lynch, JP Morgan, Chase and so on would have been sued by these Telecommunications companies after they found out what happened. We now know they were wrong so very wrong.

One thing the Analysts could not predict and one thing they did not know about in spite of all their Harvard, Stanford and MIT MBAs, was that Nigeria had a man called Ernest Ndukwe who could drive a process in the most transparent manner ever experienced in Africa at that time and ensure that only creditable investors would get the license. And those creditable investors just happened to be African borne investors, not the Europeans or the Americans but Africans ourselves. Companies such as MTN and ECONET at that time that were African in heart and soul and could take a risk on Nigeria in spite of the odds and they would stay the course to see it through and make it happen.

The land scape has since changed since those early days, MTEL (owned by NITEL) joined the party and then left the party far too early.

ECONET changed to Vee-Mobile, then to Zain, then now to Airtel,a dispute with the original ECONET investors is still ongoing. Globacom (now GLO) joined after a tough running with the regulators regarding an earlier bid under a name, CIL. And then Etisalat joined after an investment road show was held in Dubai which was led by Malam El Rufai then Minister of Federal Capital, and Mubadala Invested in a forth license. Recently SMILE Telecommunications another African borne investment group, which has a 4G LTE license Ernest Ndukwe was the driver of the GSM revolution that saw unprecedented growth in a sector that cre- has joined the party and the game goes on and ated over 500,000 direct jobs in the last ten years, and millions of indirect jobs. The Telecommunications on. So much for the predictions of the Harvard sector is now contributing 8.63 percent of GDP which is a whopping $44.3 billion, up from $2.3 billion MBAs that advised that Nigeria was a basket before the revolution began. case and should not be touched.

46 Sunday, April 13, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

EMPOWERNIGERIA

YOUTHMAGAZINE

CASE STUDY

Guide to Personal Development

GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURAL LEADER

KEN FISHER: AN INFLUENTIAL

By Nicholas Okoye

nokoye@empowernigeria.com

BE THE DREAMER AND DREAM THE DREAM

INVESTMENT ADVISER ENNETH Lawrence Fisher was born on November 29, 1950 and is an American investment analyst, and also the founder, chairman, and CEO of Fisher. He writes a monthly column in Forbes magazine, contributes to other financial and news magazines, has written ten books, and has written research papers in the field of behavioral finance. Fisher is on the 2013 Forbes 400 list of richest Americans and Forbes list of world billionaires, and as of 2013 is worth $2.3 billion. In 2010, he was named to Investment Advisor magazine's "30 for 30" list of the 30 most influential people on the investment advisory business over the last 30 years. As of 2010, Fisher’s firm manages $50 billion and has been called the largest wealth manager in the United States.

Kenneth L. Fisher was born in San Francisco, California, the third and youngest son of Dorothy and Philip A. Fisher, an investor and also an author of three books, most notably Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits. He was raised in San Mateo, California. He went to Humboldt State University to study forestry, but graduated with a degree in economics in 1972. Citing contributions to the finance world and the ongoing study of redwood ecology, Humboldt State recognized Fisher with its Distinguished Alumni Award in 2007. After graduating, Fisher worked for his father, Philip Fisher, who was a noted money manager and author. Fisher started his own company, Fisher Investments, in 1979. Fisher has three adult sons.

In 2007, Fisher and Thomas Grüner founded "Grüner Fisher Investments". In 2009, Fisher received the inaugural Tiburon CEO Summit award for Challenging Conventional Wisdom.

Charles Schwab received the inaugural award for Maintaining a Focus on Consumer Needs. Fisher also has a Bernstein Fabozzi/Jacobs Levy Award for published research. In 2010, Forbes published an accounting of Fisher’s stock pick performance, as made in his columns, over the last 14 years. His stock picks beat the S&P 500 overall on average, and have beat the S&P in 11 years out of 14 (as measured by Forbes). In 2011, Fisher was ranked as one of the top 25 most influential figures in the financial industry by Investment Advisor Magazine.

Fisher’s theoretical work identifying and testing the price-to-sales ratio (PSR) is detailed in his 1984 Dow Jones book, Super Stocks. James O'Shaughnessy credits Fisher with being the first to define and use the PSR as a forecasting tool. In Fisher’s 2006 book, The Only Three Questions That Count, he states the PSR is widely used and known, and no longer as useful as an indicator for undervalued stocks. However, the PSR is still frequently included as required curriculum for the Chartered Financial Analyst exam and has allowed Mr. Fisher to successfully miss significant portions of several bear markets over his career.

Small-cap value was not defined as an investing category until the late 1980s. Fisher Investments was among the institutional money managers offering small-cap value investing to clients in the late 1980s.

Fisher does research in the study of behavioral finance. He has co - authored several research papers on the topic in collaboration with Meir

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Statman, the Glenn Klimek Professor of Finance at the Leavey School of Business at Santa Clara University. Specifically, some of Fisher's research has been on the supposed link between stock market P/E ratios and stock prices. In a paper published in 2000, Fisher jointly with Statman found there to be no meaningful link between a stock's P/E or its dividend yield and its future return.

Fisher also studied the relationship between consumer confidence and stock returns. Their research shows there to be no statistically significant link, meaning consumer confidence doesn't seem to predict future stock returns. As of 2009, Fisher has authored over 18 research papers on topics ranging from stock markets to consumer confidence to behavioral finance.

Fisher has authored ten investing books including Super Stocks (Dow Jones, 1984), The Wall Street Waltz (McGraw-Hill, 1987), 100 Minds that Made the Market (McGraw-Hill, 1993), The Only Three Questions That Count (John Wiley & Sons, 2006), The Ten Roads to Riches (John Wiley & Sons, 2008), How To Smell A Rat (John Wiley & Sons, 2009), Debunkery (John Wiley & Sons, 2010), Markets Never Forget (John Wiley & Sons, 2011), Plan Your Prosperity (John Wiley & Sons, 2012), and The Little Book of Market Myths (John Wiley & Sons, 2013).

The Only Three Questions That Count, The Ten Roads to Riches, How to Smell a Rat, and Debunkery were all New York Times bestsellers.

Fisher wrote the introductions to the Wiley Classics Series re-publications of Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits, Paths to Wealth Through Common Stocks, both by Philip A. Fisher, and The Battle for Investment Survival by Gerald M. Loeb.

Fisher also wrote the introduction to The Warren Buffett Way by Robert Hagstrom. Fisher's books have been translated to German, Spanish, Portuguese, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, and Italian.

Fisher's "Portfolio Strategy" column in Forbes has appeared monthly for over 29 years, making him the magazine's third-longest running expert columnist in the magazine's 96 year history. Fisher has also authored investment-related articles appearing in Research Magazine, Financial Planning, Journal of Portfolio Management, The Financial Analyst’s Journal, The Journal of Investing, The Journal of Psychology, and The Journal of Behavioral Finance, among others. In the UK, Fisher has written for Bloomberg Money, Investment Week, and The Financial Times. He currently writes monthly columns for UK investment blog Interactive Investor International, and a weekly column in a major German newspaper Focus Money.

Fisher has launched a publishing imprint in partnership with John Wiley & Sons, Fisher Investments Press. Books published under the imprint so far include Own the World, 20/20 Money, and a series of sector investing guides. In 2010, John Wiley & Sons published The Making of a

HE Dreamers have rules this World and that is a FACT. I sometimes wonder why Nigerians do not fully understand the value of dreaming. When we catch our children day dreaming we shout at them we rebuke them, we could them.

Employees are not allowed to dream, partners in a marriage are not allowed to dream. STOP DREAMING one partner will tell the other. YOU ARE A DREAMER. I was always told when I have tried to build something out of nothing either at the Nigeria Stock Exchange or at Trancorp. You have to be a dreamer if you want to succeed, and if you want to reach peak performance as we all do then you must be a dreamer.

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Market Guru: Forbes Presents 25 Years of Ken Fisher by Aaron Anderson, commemorating Fisher's over 25 years of writing a regular column for Forbes.

Fisher is founder and CEO of Fisher Investments, an independent money management firm. The firm manages money for both high net worth individuals and institutions with offices in Woodside, California, San Mateo, California and Camas, Washington as well as in London, England under the name Fisher Investments Europe.

Fisher Investments manages more than $50 billion in assets.

Arbitration Award Against Fisher Investments.

On July 7, 2011, Bloomberg News reported that, according to an interim arbitration award, "Fisher Investments Inc. may have to pay damages of $376,075 for breaching its fiduciary duty to a retired investor", Sharyn Silverstein. According to the arbitrator, Karen Wilcutts, Silverstein contacted Fisher Investments to request a copy of a free book. According to Bloomberg: "In conversations with Fisher representatives in 2007 Silverstein made it clear that she and her husband, Seth, intended to take withdrawals from their investments after her husband retired, which he was planning to do at the end of that year, the [interim award] said. When her assigned investment counselor with the firm drew up her recommended portfolio... he entered that she had no income needs from her portfolio and that her only objective was to increase the value of her investments at the time of her death. The Silversteins have no children and therefore have no need to leave an inheritance.

Fisher's ongoing study of redwood ecology, particularly the emerging field of study of redwood canopies appears to have grown from a love which developed in the 1950s while growing up in San Mateo, CA two blocks from Crystal Springs Canyon near ancient redwood logging camps.

Fisher even lived in an elaborate two story tree house in McKinleyville, CA for a period of time.

The home was outfitted with a phone, wood burning cook stove, skylight, and electricity.

Shortly after graduating college from Humboldt State University Fisher moved his family to Kings Mountain located in Woodside, CA (at the northern end of the Santa Cruz Mountains south of San Francisco, separating the Pacific Ocean from San Francisco Bay and the Santa Clara Valley in the redwoods). This was the same mountain and remote canyons he hiked through in 1967 as a teenager and found what would be his first deserted trapper's cabin.

It was the dreams of Christopher Columbus that insisted that he wanted to discover a brand new World that gave him the courage to set sail for the unknown and the result as the United States. The father of Microbiology Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek lived in a world of fear and superstition, it was he who using the aid of a few lenses was able to discover the tiny world of microorganisms which were unknown to anybody in those days. In 1654 he was able to prove to the world that single cell organisms were indeed alive and well and lived in a parallel World side by side with the Human race. It was hundreds of years later that people like Alexander Flemington were able to link the microorganisms to disease (bacteria) and even go as far as isolating penicillin an exact from a special plant that destroyed he organisms and saved the life of the patient. Before this the backward thinking was that all diseases were caused by the Devil and Evil spirits as many still believe in Nigeria and across Africa. Henry Ford dreamt of building a Car that all Americans could enjoy, Thomas Edition dreamt of a lamp, that could be lighted by Electricity and after ten thousand attempts he was able to make it happen. All because he dared to DREAM. All knowledge, all achievement, all discoveries, all inventions in all of Man Kind’s history has always started with a dream and that dream has been turned into reality by the share drive and tenacity of that dreamer.

We need more Dreamers in Nigeria and that’s a FACT. Become a Dreamer and the World is yours.

Sunday, April 13, 2014 47

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

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BY BENSON IDONIJE benidoni@yahoo.com

All That Jazz

I Remember Julian ‘Cannonball’ Adderley TO say that alto saxophone player Julian ‘Cannonball’ Adderley is an extension of Charlie Parker is an understatement. Some called him the ‘super Charlie Parker’, considering the creative manner in which he used Parker’s influence as stepping stone for forging his own formidably individual direction and approach. Which is why art is truly derivative.

Actually there is hardly any artist(e), whose career has not been inspired by a mentor or idol – whether you are a musician, writer, visual artist, broadcaster, you name it. It is those with no talent that spend the whole time imitating their mentors; and of course, their careers are often cut short for lack of ideas. Adderley rocketed to instant stardom on account of his incredible talent: He had listened to Charlie Parker - he would have been a fool not to. But he also listened to the very different Benny Carter.

And when he went to work for Miles Davis, after he got pushed too quickly into stardom and had to disband his quintet, he listened to John Coltrane, too, who was playing up there on the stand with him every night. And he absorbed, and his music changed, as Miles Davis did when he was fortunate enough to play with Charlie Parker and listen to Dizzy Gillespie.

There is a world of difference between influence and imitation. Stravinsky once said, “Bad artists borrow, great artists steal.” So, I know that Cannon ball has Parker and Carter and Coltrane in his playing, and I don’t mind. And Stan Getz and Coltrane and Sonny Rollins all have the great tenor saxophonists Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young in their playing, and I don’t mind. And Miles Davis has Louis Armstrong in his playing, as does any trumpet player who ever picked up a horn. And I don’t mind.

And to move on up, there would be no Kris Kristofferson without Johnny Cash or John Prine without Bob Dylan, or Bob Dylan without Woody Guthrie. And I don’t mind. In the same vein, there would be no George Benson or Earl Klugh without Wes Montgomery or Charlie Christian. And I don’t mind. To get more current, there would be no Antiballas without Fela Anikulapo Kuti just as there would be no Geraldo Pino without James Brown and there would be no Majek Fashek without

Bob Marley. And I don’t mind. Without Otis Redding and Al Green, there would be no Timi Dakolo just as there would be no Farrell without Curtis Mayfield. And I don’t mind.

But I am somehow bothered about Joe Coker because I have heard Ray Charles (of whom he is a caricature), and by Charles Lloyd because I have listened extensively to Coltrane, the comic named George Carlin who might not even be working if Lenny Bruce were still alive at the time. I am also worried about Michael Bolton because I have listened with engrossed interest to Otis Redding and almost all the pioneers of soul music. This is probably my prejudice: I love Aretha Franklin who sounds like Mahalia Jackson who sounded like Bessie Smith. It’s the difference between utilizing and ripping off, and I can’t explain it, but I can hear it.

So, much for influence and imitation: Cannonball made considerable impact in the 50s when he recorded with as many as eight jazz giants including Art Blakey, Bill Evans, Percy Heath, Milt Jackson, Philly Joe Jones, Sam Jones, Wynton Kelly and trumpeter Blue Michel; but his real stardom was ahead of him. Riverside was his first congenial recording home, and when he left Miles Davis after nearly two years, he tried to be a leader again, once more with his brother Nat who played fine trumpet; and this time, he made it big. It was the time of ‘roots’, ‘funk’ and ‘soul’.

The early fifties, the Eisenhower years, had, fittingly enough, been characterized by bland jazz from the West Coast that was really white man’s music. But back in New York, black musicians, among them pianist Horace Silver of The Jazz Messengers started to return to the roots that, as Martin Williams has written,” saved both the emotional heart of jazz and its very substance from a precocity, contrivance and emptiness that certain tendencies in ‘cool’ jazz might have led to.”

Cannonball, among the most articulate of jazzmen, had never agreed with Miles Davis’ legendary disdain for verbal communication with the audience, as he was, after all, a teacher. He added to his repertoire songs with ‘soul’ titles (which started off with Bobby Timmon’s This here) and he would, in a highly informative, amusing and congenial way, tell the audience the origins of the music he was about to play, conducting a short course in “What To Listen For in Jazz.”

Adderley The audience enjoyed it, Cannon ball enjoyed it, and the rest really is, by now history. But this seeming counter – revolution eventually spawned some highly unpleasant racial ugliness, based on the opinion that white men could not play jazz, but happily, Cannon ball was never part of that.

When the pianist and composer Bobby Timmons left his band, Cannon ball eventually replaced him with a white European, the Austrian pianist Joe Zawinul who wrote some of the most popular pieces in the quintet’s book — among them, Mercy, mercy, mercy.

And Miles Davis, who employed Bill Evans, was once asked why he used the great white arranger Gil Evans so often. He replied, reasonably, that if anyone knew of a black man who could write as well as Gil, he would be happy to hire him. It was perhaps this objectively accommodating spirit, with no racial bias, that marked Cannon ball and Miles Davis out as genuinely talented jazzmen.

Known for hard bop and especially soul jazz for which he won accolades, Julian Cannon ball Adderley had an exuberant and happy sound that communicated immediately to listeners. The intelligent presentation of his music helped to make him one of the most popular of all jazzmen.

During his Riverside years which lasted until 1963, the Adderley Quintet played primarily soulful renditions of hard bop, and he really excelled in the straight ahead settings.

He has hundreds of reissues to his credit, and his soulful jazz is still as contemporarily relevant as ever. Perhaps his biggest hit was “Mercy, mercy, mercy, the album of the same title recorded at the club, in actual performance in 1966.

In the 70s, Cannonball already acquired status as one of the giants of jazz. He was maintaining a solid presence in jazz and an awesomely promising future. He began to revisit the past, recording new versions of his earlier materials, but before he could evolve his music any further, Adderley died suddenly from a stroke in 1975. I remember

NIHOTOUR Food Fair Holds Next Month HE National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) is organising an international food fair, scheduled to hold from May 6 to 10 at the Eagle Square in Abuja.

Christened, Nigerian Food and Cultural Fair, the event is a baby of the management of the institute, aimed at bringing together experts and food enthusiasts from across the country; just as it’s expected and designed to promote Nigerian cuisines. It is also an addition to the calendar travel and tourism programmes in the country.

Dr. Munzali Dantata, director general of NIHOTOUR, who made this known recently, noted that though the institute has exhibited in the past in Beijing, Abuja, Lagos, Dubai and London; however, this year’s fair is special because of Nigeria’s centenary celebration, which the institute is using to trace Nigeria’s food and cuisines history since 1914.

According to him, “In 1914, Nigeria’s population was 17 million people, at Independence, it was 55million and in 2014, it’s estimated at 170 million people,” he pontificated.

“I’m sure and convinced that the eating habit of the North that is known and associated with tuwo masara/shinkafa, has expanded; the Igbo and their traditional onugbo soup has expanded, the Yorubas’ gbegiri and ewedu have long been expanded to include so many other delicacies, just as the Niger Delta axis that is also known for their banga soup and edikankong,” he added.

Dantata said Nigerian meals can be internationalised, just like the Chinese, Thai, Japanese, India, among others that have all become household names globally.

The fair will also create a platform, through which many industries can effectively promote their brands in a relaxed and receptive atmosphere. “Nigerian Food and Cultural Fair’ is not just about food and drinks, but a total lifestyle, therefore, creating the platform for the effective promotion of a wide range of products,” Dantata noted.

Nigerian Food and Cultural Fair is an event, where visitors will be able to sample dishes from the finest Nigerian cooks and chefs; unique and flavourful local delicacies, interact with prolific celebrity and experience worldrenowned luxury brands right here in Abuja.

With many exhibitors expected from many industry that

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are associated with makers of cooking, beverage, storage facilities in attendance, there won’t be a dull moment at the Nigerian Food and Cultural Fair.

In addition to exciting restaurant and lifestyle exhibitors, the festival will be bursting with activities to keep the crowd entertained with live music, where live cooking demonstrations will be showcased.

Visitors will also learn how to prepare their favourite Nigerian cuisines and learn more about Nigeria’s food history.

The 4-day event is expected to receive over 100,000 visitors.

“They would be mainly well-travelled young professionals and families, who are food, drink, art and lifestyle enthusiasts.

“We also expect a high turnout of the expatriates and diplomatic communities respectively,” Dantata revealed.

Established in 1988 by a tripartite agreement between the Nigerian Government, the United Nations Development Programme [UNDP] and the International Labour Organisation [ILO] in 1987, NIHOTOUR has since its inception trained well over 5,000 skilled and craft trainees, servicing the various sectors of the Nigeria’s Travel, Tourism and Hospitality industry.

Guy:MaggiChickenBringstheBestAroma,Taste,Flavour ESTLÉ’s Category Business Manager (Culinary), Guy Kellaway, has said that the new Maggi Chicken has the best aroma, colour, taste and flavor, stressing that, the brand is available in cube and tablet formats for family consumption while in large 800g powder for caterers and restaurants.

“Maggi is all about innovation, constantly pleasing consumers, always one-step ahead of the game. We are very excited; it’s a new renovated cube, it provides the best colour, aroma and taste to all of

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Soyinka, Amaechi Assure On World Book Capital

OBEL laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka and Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, on Thursday, April 10, visited the stand of the Port Harcourt World Book Capital 2014 at the London Book Fair, which held from April 8 to 10 at the Earls Court Expo Centre, London. The two gave goodwill message in support of the project, with Amaechi promising that Port Harcourt was indeed ready to serve as the World Book Capital of the World for the next 12 months, starting on April 23. They, in company of the Vice Chancellor of the Kwara State University, Prof. Rasheed NaAllah and the Project Director for the World Book Capital, Mrs Koko Kalango, also witnessed a panel discussion by Nigerian writers abroad on the significance of the World Book Capital Project to the fortune of Nigerian writing, publishing and educational development.

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your dishes. We encourage everyone to try it. Maggi is available in cube and tablet formats; it is already available for caterers and restaurants in large 800gram powder format.”

Kellaway said this recently in Lagos at the launch of the new brand, where hundreds of consumers were treated to a wide array of local and continental cuisines garnished with the new seasoning.

Nigerian media personality who just got an endorsement deal with the brand, Toke Makinwa and comedian Bovi added glitz and glamour to the event with their rib-cracking jokes and their interaction with the guests.

Speaking to the media about what informed the decision to relaunch the brand, the Brand Manager for Maggi, Emeka Nwodo, stated: “Maggi is the original seasoning and clearly the number one; we have high level of trust and that means that we are always bringing the best product into the market. Maggi star cube, which is the original cube, is totally unique; made of fermented soya beans, iodine salt, fortified with iron, best colour and aroma of all chicken seasonings.”

The brand, which has been targeting young and old women for many years, has not relented its efforts in acquiring new and old conservatives. In other strategic efforts, Maggi is also appealing to the low rung of the seasoning market. This was why popular restaurants like Ghana High and White House had a corner at the event to give guests wet-tasting experience of local and continental dishes, prepared with Maggi.

Other MAGGI seasoning flavours include MAGGI Star Cube, MAGGI Crayfish, and MAGGI Mix’py in four different variants.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

48 Sunday, April 13, 2014

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YOUTHMAGAZINE

Voluntary Union: Reshaping Nigeria With Truths

By Armsfree Ajanaku UDDENLY, 100 years after the hisScussions toric colonial exertion of 1914, disabout the future of Nigeria have assumed a feverish pitch. First, there is the ongoing National Conference, which is providing Nigerians across the country’s six geo-political zones the opportunity to vent their spleen about the direction of the country, and proffer ways to arrest the drift of a perpetually potentially great nation. The fear of the unknown enveloping the Nigerian space, accentuated by the latest challenge of state authority by the audacious onslaught of Boko Haram is eliciting a range of conversations in far flung corners of Nigeria.

The fundamental questions revolve around the age-long issues, most of which have been left unattended to, due to a combination of fear, and the fact that across board there is a critical mass of beneficiaries whose clout and influence ironically overshadow the most consistent and forthright voices that have pushed the call for a change.

Significantly, the question about whether Nigeria is to be a single, monolithic and indivisible entity, seems to have been unanimously answered by a vast majority in the affirmative. Of course, there still exist the unyielding and unrepentant irredentists, who really cannot come to the front of the podium to advance their arguments for the disintegration of the world’s most populous black nation. Ironically, irrespective of the fact that the proponents of the dismemberment of Nigeria have some cream of logic to oil their divisive advocacy, the logic of the prounity camp has been further bolstered by the sentiments about the place of Nigeria in Africa and the world, as well as the compelling nature of its manifest destiny.

Nations are not built on logic; nations are built on sentiment, which then coalesce into a form and dimension of national logic.

Chuks Akamadu’s 198 page treatise, Voluntary Union: A Centenary Imperative is one representation of the unity side of the Nigerian discourse that calls on all actors to go beyond the rhetoric of unity.

Through personal narratives, and astuteness in projecting the realities of the Nigerian condition, Akamadu calls on the rest of his countrymen to take responsibility for the future of their country. The author stridently condemns the tendency for quick fixes to the nation’s intractable challenges. Leaning on the facts of history and contemporary realities, Akamadu stresses the well noted point that Nigeria is not yet a nation, but a country of several nations (p.8).

It is on this premise he advocates for a “voluntary union” entered into by all Nigerian ethnic nationalities by choice, (p.48).

He, therefore, coaxes Nigerian statesmanship to begin to rise above the limitations of tongue and tribe to position Nigeria as a national brand of great repute in the comity of nations.

More importantly, however, the unique selling point of Voluntary Union is the fact that the author ensures that his suggestions about possible ways out of the drift do not end with talking and pontificating.

He takes it as a point of duty, through his own experiences to practically demonstrate how citizens can intervene and help with their own initiatives to help address the national crisis that is currently stifling Nigeria’s march to its rightful place in the sun.

Akamadu ,all through the book, shows himself to be a conscientious student of history. For instance, the preface of the book is preceded by a poignant quote, wherein a message from the British crown is relayed through Nigeria’s first Governor General, Frederick Luggard to express good wishes and shower blessings on

voluntary unity. He illustrates this ences. His dose of medication for point with experiences about how Nigerian unity is that the people should enjoy their diversity, and work he worked with great Nigerians from different parts of the country together to lift the country from its current doldrums. Using the wordto achieve civic and social goals. ings of Nigeria’s present and previous Nonetheless, the author contends that the right quality of leadership is anthems as evidence, the author spotcrucial for Nigeria to find its place in lights the fact that Nigerian leaders have tended to run away from the the sun. It is on this basis he flays bad leadership as exemplified in his realities of the country’s diversity, instead of understanding and deploylacerating lashes reserved for the ing them for progress. The author dictatorship of the late General Sanni Abacha. In his analysis of the therefore calls on Nigerians to face the June 12 debacle the author narration problems of nation building frontally, captures the history of betrayals and and defeat the divisive factors of ethback stabbing that have character- nicity, sect and creed, insofar as they ized nation building in the Nigerian stand as obstacles to nation building.

Consequently, with the proliferacontext. tion of new media technology in an He writes of Abacha: “Before the coming of Gen. Abacha, he had suc- era of revolution in information technology, the book also incorporates the cessfully sold himself to the populace as an extremely apolitical and views of a broad spectrum of Nigerians commenting about the disciplined officer, an impression future of the country on the ubiquithat encouraged Chief Abiola to tous space known as social media. reach an understanding with the infantry general to the effect that the This is an acknowledgement of the latter would sack the ING and invite fact that the conversation about Nigeria as carried on by the youth, no the former to form and head a longer goes on through the traditionNational Unity Government—an option that appealed to most demo- al channels of yester years. It now hapcratic tendencies in the land at that pens through online platforms with multiplier effects that reverberate material time.

“Contrary to expectations, however, across boundaries, social categories and many hitherto undefined spaces. the involuntary marriage of the two 1954) and the issues that are at hand; a Gen. Abacha quickly consolidated case of stereotyping the Yoruba, one In all, Akamadu challenges us to reach sides that formed Nigeria. his hold on power. Betrayed and within and tap the seeds of our greatThe poignancy of the message is in would say. Was that truly a Yoruba with a terribly bruised ego, Chief “coup”? Or an Awo “coup”? What is the Abiola in 1994 took his destiny in his ness. Creating the template for the the sentence by the English king difference between th,e two? evolution of a “voluntary union,” the George R.I, expressing his “earnest own hands by declaring himself hope that great prosperity may be in “It should however, be noted that Dr. ‘president’ in Epetedo, Lagos State. author posits is one of the most important tasks before the ongoing store for them (the peoples that had Azikiwe, having been out-politicked in Hence, the now famous Epe the Western Region, so to speak, hurried- Declaration.”

National Conference. If heeded, this is been arbitrarily joined together via the amalgamation of 1914). The pros- ly left for the East, where he fell back on Akamadu implies that Nigerians do a call that would definitely catapult the position his party had hitherto Nigeria to its place in the sun. perity in question must have been not need to obliterate their differframed in terms of stability within the reserved for Prof. Eta. This again, some context of inter-group relations. From historians insist, was manifest tribalism, since many believe Dr. Azikiwe had his the book, it is crystal clear that the way because Ndigbo (Dr. Azikiwe’s kith best wishes from England have not

By Omiko Awa translated into what they should have and kin) were the dominant tribe in AGOS, the hub of entertainment opportunity to enjoy varieties of both NCNC and the entire Eastern menu.” been. The author with this quote and business in Nigeria, on With a growing variety of gourmet implies that the responsibility for get- Region.”

Monday, April 7, saw top restauThe astuteness of the author in being restaurants now available in Nigeria, ting things to work falls squarely on rants in the state up their services the peoples who were compelled by able to balance all of the actions of politi- and thrill their customers to different especially Lagos, Restaurant Week cians across ethnic groups, and rightly will grant restaurants the opportunithe forces of history to dwell in one cuisines, owing to the on-going identify these, not as the extant position Restaurant Week celebration. ty to show their specialty to the largcountry.

In the first chapter of the book, the of an ethnic group, but as a manifestaOrganised by Lagos lifestyle guide, er audience as well as offer guests the opportunity to explore different author talks about how Nigeria’s colo- tion of the desperate stratagems of Lost In Lagos, the maiden edition of nial masters conceived the amalgama- politicians trying to play their games at the event is featuring 21 restaurants cuisines.

Commenting on the celebration, tion idea to suit their administrative the expense of the nation. Akamadu selected from eateries across Ikeja, therefore gives context to the inter-ethMr. Tunji Adeyinka, representing needs, and not because they cared Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Lekki. nic squabbles in Nigeria, depicting them The managing director/founder of MasterCard, the official sponsor, said: about the welfare of the numerous “Restaurant Week serves as platform ethnic nationalities they had lumped as wars designed to advance not the Lost In Lagos, Tannaz Bahnam in a course of the ethnic group, but the selftogether. He also contended that briefing to unveil the event in Lagos to reward our customers. We encourage every MasterCard holder to visit there is no historical evidence to show ish aspirations of the elite. In the next said, “the essence of the week is to one hundred years of Nigeria, when it Priceless Africa to partake of the varithat the British sought to cobble promote dinning. What we have eventually overcomes all of its structural done is select 21 of the top restaurants ous benefits of the event.” together the Nigerian edifice on a deficiencies, the above point is one lesOther companies supporting celeweak foundation. in Lagos and showcase their uniqueson that Nigerians across all ethnic bration include Tranzit, represented “Truth is that the imperialists, at ness to the public.

by Ugochi Ugbomeh and CityChops, some point, got fed up with routinely divides must learn to ensure national “Restaurant Week will be offering represented by Nike Adeleye. running northern protectorate’s gov- unity and harmonious inter group rela- three course meals at the price of tions. ernment on a deficit economy and N4,000 for lunch and N6,000 for din- During the 10-day event, which will On the whole, Akamadu’s central argu- ner excluding drinks, tax or service. on April 17, Lagos’ most exclusive sustaining it with subsidy accruing from the southern protectorate’s sur- ment in Voluntary Union is that it is possi- What we want to achieve is to make restaurants will offer set prix-menus plus. Their logical response to the fes- ble for Nigerians of all ethnic nationalithese restaurants more accessible to for lunch and dinner (excluding ties to live in peace and harmony and Saturday) and will also allow visitors tering imbalance was to fuse both people and also to give them the north and south into one. Hence, Nigeria!” These are some of the arguments that would continue to engage scholars of Nigerian history for a long time. Akamadu helps situates the discourse by undertaking a relay through the tracks of Nigerian history. By so doing, he attempts to explain and interpret some of the well known By Ijeoma Opara that the children really understand and know what stories in ways that point to the possiit is going on, but we always assume that children S part of activities marking the third season of bility of Nigerians working out a hardon’t know what is going on. This tells us that as Vision of the Child painting competition and monious living space. adult we have to be careful when we behave because exhibition, 32 students, who scaled through the Talking about Nigeria’s politicians screening processes, were engaged in a live painting these children are watching; they are observing and and the entire debate about how they competition to depict the theme: ‘The rule of law are putting it on record”. institutionalise the destabilising poli- and the law of impunity’. The live painting competiThe year’s exhibition of Vision of the Child begins tics of ethnicity, the author goes back tion was designed as an interactive session to test next week Monday, April 14 to 21 at Freedom Park, to history to provide a insight into Lagos Island. Other aspects of the festival will youthful creativity. how actions of politicians aimed at include drama presentations, boat regatta, which The screening exercise and adjudication were dividing Nigerians due to desperation based on skill, craftsmanship, understanding of the will involve traditional boat displays, night of poets tend to be taken as the actions of the theme, verbal expression, appearance and originali- and the Lagos carnival – for adults and children people they supposedly represent. An ty. Speaking at a media session held at Freedom Park alike. example is the famous cross carpeting recently to announce the vision of the child live Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs and incident on the floor of the Western Tourism, Mr. Disu Holloway, said the government painting competition, Coordinator of Lagos Black Region House of Assembly in the Heritage Festival, Jahman Anikulapo, who represent- would oversee the events for the entire week as it 1950s involves children. He added that the routes would ed Festival Consultant, Prof. Wole Soyinka, comAkamadu notes that: “Till date, many mendedthe level at which young children have been take a slight difference for the adult carnival still regard this as unjustifiable back- able to discern and interpret the meaning of the considering the adjustments and maintenance stabbing and point often to its impact theme they were given to work on, which he said going on, noting, “We are going to be changing the on the politics of Nigeria as well as routes a little bit; it is going to be slightly longer and was remarkable. other spheres of life, even when facts complex but it will still be a site of attraction”.

He stated, “this year is about the rule of law and on ground suggest no connection Like its first edition, Diamond Bank Plc is supportimpunity which ordinarily we think should be between that unfortunate event of above the concentration of the children. From what ing the children’s section of the festival.

1953 (which hit its climax on January 7, we saw last year, which was on corruption, it shows

Lifestyle Guide Out For Restaurant Week

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Lagos Black Heritage Festival Begins With Vision Of The Child Art Competition A

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Birthdays OGUNMUPE, Chief Bayode Robiu Olagunju; journalist, economist and blogger, will be 66 on Friday. Born on April 18, 1948 at Ilobu, Osun State, he attended the International School, Ibadan; University of Ibadan; University of Geneva, Switzerland and the London School of Economics, U.K. He was History master, Oranyan Grammar School, Oyo; Senior Tutor, Lautai High School, Gumel, Jigawa State and Principal, Okebadan High School, Ibadan. He was Political Editor, Daily Sketch; Production Editor, Nigerian Tribune; Senior Sub Editor, Daily Times; Associate Editor, Newswatch; Chief Economist, Mega Equities Limited, Lagos and Columnist and literary critic on The Guardian. He is the author of Nigerian Politics In the Age of Yar’Adua andOgunmupe.blogspot.com. He is the Seriki Balogun of Oyo; Akede Adinni of Ilasamaja and San-

Ogunmupe

Dangote

Chime

Bankole

Akhaine

Sanusi Dantata and started trading in 1978 with a loan from his uncle, Sanusi Dantata at age 21. He eventually built his companies, Dangote Group in a conglomerate with interest in Sugar, flour milling, cement and salt processing. He has his hands in many pies of the Nigerian economy. His name pops up whenever people are talking about successful Nigerian businessmen. His interest in

trading started when he was eight years old, despite being born in a rich family. A major stakeholder in corporate Nigeria, his business interest transverse several sectors from manufacturing to commerce. From modest beginning in the late 1970s, he has today built a multi billionnaira conglomerate. Dangote has many things going for him as the first black Nigerian billionaire on records.

banjo University, Ago-Iwoye, where she bagged Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (Education). She did her Post Graduate Studies at the University of Lagos, where she studied Adult Education for her Master’s degree. She had her Doctor of Philosophy in Education from the same University in which she graduated in 2010 as a Ph.D holder in Education. A recipient of several awards, she is the Director of AGOB Education Services and Proprietress of Mercyland International Group of Schools. She is the Otun Suade of Gbagura and the Asiwaju Erelu of Owuland in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Bishop (Dr) Chris Kwakpovwe flanked by his wife, Ejiro (left) and American Evangelist, John Fair and wife, Debbie at the post MPM event at the TBS, Lagos.

CHIME, Sullivan Iheanacho, administrator, politician and Executive Governor of Enugu State was 55 on Thursday, April 10, 2014. Born on April 10, 1959 at Park Lane Hospital, GRA, Enugu, Enugu State, he attended the College of Immaculate Conception (CIC) in Enugu for his secondary education between 1971 and 1978.

He studied Law at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, graduating in 1980. He then enrolled at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos and graduated on July 10, 1981, when he was called to the bar. He ran a private legal practice in Enugu for almost two decades. He was Secretary of

Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Enugu Branch between 1992 and 1994. He was later appointed as Special Adviser (Legal Matters) to the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani. In 2001, he was appointed Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice of Enugu State. In April 2007, he successfully ran for the number one seat in Enugu State on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He took office on May 29, 2009, succeeding his former boss, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani.

mori Adini of Idiaraba, Lagos.

He has won awards in the Nigeria Media Merit Awards in 1993 and the Ladi Lawal Journalist of the year 2010 award.

DANGOTE, Alhaji Aluko, industrialist, administrator, business mogul and President, Dangote Group of Companies was 57 on Thursday, April 10, 2014. He was born in Kano to Muhammad Dangote and Hajiya Mariya

Msgr Gabriel Osu, Parish Priest, Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, Lekki, with members of the CWO, cutting a cake during the recent Mother's Day celebration in the parish.

Funeral rites for late Mrs. Olori Chief Comfort Fagbamigbe Olateru-Olagbegi at the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Oke-Ogun, Owo, Ondo State. Left, Justice Adesuyi Olateru-Olagbegi, his wife, Lande, Lanre Famakinwa, Pastor Rotimi Adegborioye, Chief (Mrs) Abeke Adegborioye and Mrs. Ebun Abiodun.

BANKOLE, Dr. (Mrs.) Anuoluwapo Ayodeji, teacher, philanthropist and renowned educationist was 45 on Tuesday, April 8, 2014.

She was born on April 8, 1969 at Abeokuta, Ogun State and started her education at the Trinity Nursery and Primary School, Ijaye, Abeokuta; Reverend Kuti Memorial Grammar School and Baptist Girls College, all in Abeokuta; Federal College of Education, Osiele, Abeokuta, where she studied Business Education.

She attended Olabisi Ona-

AKHAINE, Sylvester Odion was 50 yesterday, April 12, 2014. Public lecture to honour him was delivered by Dr. David Mandiyanike, Senior Lecturer, Department of Political Science, University of Botswana at Imperial Hall, Otunba Jobi-Fele Way, MKO Gardens, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

Compiled by Gbenga Akinfenwa gbengaherkin@yahoo.com

Kabiyesi of Oja Village in the old Village Headmaster, Dejumo Lewis (right), Femi Esho, Chairman/MD, Evergreen Musical Company Limited,(third right), Ganiyu Davis, Nigeria’s first cenematographer and former Chief Cameraman, Nigerian Television Service, Victoria Island, Lagos and others when Davis marked his 80th birthday during the week.

Nigerian Idol Season 4 top 3 contestants to make it to top 12 stage, Nex2 (1st left), Miss Oge (2nd left), Xolani (1st right); and Nigerian Idol Season 4 host, Ill Rymz (2nd right) at the Etisalat-sponsored Eviction show of Top 30 Group 2, Nigerian Idol Season 4 at the Dream Studio in Lagos.

The Bridge Clinic Assures Best Conception Services For Nigerians OR efficient delivery of quality health service, the management of the Bridge Clinic has assured Nigerians of providing exceptional quality assisted conception services for couples having challenges with childbearing, to get best chance of a pregnancy.

The senior Consultant Gynecologist of the clinic, Dr. Babatunde Ogunkile made this known at a press conference organised recently by the

F

clinic, where he affirmed that it has recognised that effective running of an IVF Clinic requires the incorporation of quality management element along with a standard clinic design format.

He added that with that, it has deemed it worthy to voluntarily submit itself to stringent quality management system to ensure best practices and provide exceptional quality assisted conception services in Nigeria.

“We are armed by a mission to use our knowledge of the science of human reproduction in giving couples having challenges with child-bearing their best chance of a pregnancy. To date, over 1500 babies have been born following the treatment at the Bridge Clinic,” Ogunkule said.

He said the clinic is the first in West Africa to have instituted a Quality Management System according to EN ISO9001: 2000 standards in 2004; suc-

cessful re-certification exercise between 2005, 2006 and 2007 respectively of the Bridge’s Quality Management System (QMS) in accordance with EN ISO 9001: 2000; In 2010, successful audit and upgrade of the Bridge Clinic’s QMS in accordance with ISO 9001: 2008, and in 2011, another successful re-audit was carried out.

Others are: The first conception and live birth following Intracyloplasmic Sperm Injec-

tion (ICSI); the first conception and live birth following ICSI with surgically collected sperm following In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and gestational surrogacy.

“Following the successful reaudit of the Bridge Clinic in 2013, it was awarded the ISO 9001:2008 certificate of Quality Austria,” he stated.

Ogunkule said; “We established the clinic’s ethic committee to ensure that

decisions on patient management fall within the ethical, moral and social frameworks of the society”. Our IVF lab procedure adhere to the strict code of conduct of HFEA – Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority which covers management of human gametes and ethical issues associated with it. A clinic of this quality is set to bring Nigerians the best IVF has to offer.

— Gbenga Akinfenwa

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Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Opinion The Giant In The Dark AST June at the International Conference Centre in Abuja, the Nigerian government launched its Presidential Mid-term Report to celebrate its achievements since 2011.

The report opened with a review of the power sector, with which this comment is concerned, and was lavish about the performance of the current administration.

It noted improved power generation of about 4502 megawatts in December 2012, “the highest level” since 1999.

The government then bragged: “By July this year power generation will hit 6,000 megawatts and by December this year it will hit 10,000 megawatts.”

It attributed the “improved power supply” partly to the emergency declared in the gas sector in 2012 by President Goodluck Jonathan, pointing out that his intervention had led to greater gas production than was required for domestic consumption.

“Today, large parts of an unprecedented number of cities and towns across the country are enjoying between 14 and 16 hours of uninterrupted power supply, except in some few areas where localized problems of power distribution network have created bottlenecks for smooth transmission,” the report said.

The back-slapping and disclosure of amazing new targets were taking place as the government was selling the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to private investors as part of its reform.

Curiously, on June 3, Sam Amadi, who chairs the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, told the News Agency of Nigeria that Nigerians were to expect only between 5000 and 7000MW megawatts by 2014.

But apparently conscious of the need to protect his job, he acknowledged the government’s midterm report, saying, “By our projection, we will get up to 10,000 megawatts by first quarter of 2014, but the commission prefers to expect a much lower figure, which is 7,000.”

July arrived, there was no 6000MW. In September the government formally handed legal control of 15 PHCN companies to their new

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owners.

December arrived, but there was no 10,000MW either. Actually, in December, officials of the government were still buying generators.

And then we entered 2014 and all the outlandish reports and projections began to crash on their faces in earnest. Nationwide, there are increasing reports of worsening electricity supply, with confirmed generation capacity only of 3,220mw.

Still, on February 10, the government threw more fuel into the fire, adding a new $550m gamble to its $1bn Sovereign Wealth Fund aimed at solving the electricity riddle.

On February 20, Nigeria’s busiest international airport, Murtala Muhammad Airport in Lagos, was thrown into total darkness.

Various reports on March 25 said power outages were becoming worse nationwide, sometimes for several days in a row. On April 1, a survey by NOI Polls, which studies power supply to households, reported 54% of Nigerians as saying power supply had gone bad, or worsened.

“Findings across the geo-political zones indicate that the highest proportion of respondents that reported bad/worsened power supply was from the South-West region with 66 per cent of respondents, followed by the South-South region with 59 per cent and the North East region with 58 per cent,” NOI said.

A Vanguard newspaper survey last week found that Nigerians now enjoy only about two hours of electricity weekly (about 17 minutes per day), and that some areas have not seen a flicker in about three weeks.

A report in the Daily Trust, also last week, underlined the deterioration of power supply in Abuja, and in nearby Nassarawa State. The newspaper also confirmed that electricity generation has stagnated at about 3220MW. That figure was actually announced three weeks ago by the Minister of Power, Chinedu Nebo, who blamed the mess on gas pipeline vandalism in the country. He told journalists in Abuja that in the past few months, about 2,300MW has been lost to the vandalization of five different pipelines that supply gas to the

national grid.

Even if we had all of that, we would still have been miles behind the government’s propaganda, but worse news was in store for consumers last week.

At Ehingbeti 2014, the Seventh Lagos Economic Summit, power sector operators warned Nigerians to expect no quick answers, citing problems they had apparently never imagined as they purchased chunks of PHCN, such as infrastructure, revenue collection, pricing, and gas supply.

Despite all of that, frustrated consumers are being asked to pay more for the power they are not consuming. Little wonder they are beginning to take their exasperation to the streets.

Twice last week, residents of various Lagos communities under the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC), including Ikotun, Mafoluku, Ojota, and Agbede-Ikorodu held public protests.

“We came here to demonstrate the deep pain in our hearts that the power supply in our area has gone from bad to worse,” one man said.

I have no doubt that the Jonathan government is more committed to the electricity question than his predecessors since 1999.

If true progress is to be made, however, it must be clear that his commitment is a matter only of degree, not of substance. Such success will not come not through public declarations of commitment, but from tough policies that address the real challenges, and from transparency.

Among such problems is the cozy relationship between top officials of the government and criminal businessmen who benefit by the billions of dollars from generator importation, and from pipeline vandalism.

For as long as the government continues to support the extremely lucrative generator and diesel importation racket, these businessmen will find no real motivation to support the so-called reforms in the power sector.

A similar concern extends to pipeline vandalism. It is curious that the government declared an emergency in the gas sector in 2012, for instance, with no discernible security component, allowing those vandals to dictate whether

sonala.olumhense@gmail.com Twitter: @Sonala.Olumhense the reforms succeed or not.

Transparency: the government continues to negotiate foreign loans, including in the power sector, ostensibly for the purpose of boosting development. Nigeria’s $1billion bond, for instance, was over-subscribed four times over; giving ammunition to a government eager to feed the propaganda that Nigeria is Africa’s investment destination of choice.

Perhaps, but our experience is that those foreign investors are certain to make a huge profit, alongside ruthless local businessmen and politicians who take their share of those loans, completely unconcerned that nothing is delivered to the people.

If this giant is to come out of darkness, the government must find the character to fight for the stated objectives, and for offenders to go to jail.

So far, it has not shown it can do either of these.

Transparency: the government must win the confidence of the people, but it cannot achieve this by means of the bogus statistics it continues to manufacture.

Nigeria was never going to achieve electricity generation of 6000MW in July 2013, let alone 10,000 in December. While we are on this point, let us remember its target is 20,000MW by 2020. Clearly that is another statistic probably penned by the same government alcohol drinkers who say Nigeria will be one of the world’s top economies by that year.

It is not impossible, but as Nigeria demonstrated last week by the rebasing exercise, Monopoly money does not feed an empty stomach.

A Steeper Descent Into State Of Nature

By Femi Oguntoyinbo T will not be difficult for those who are familiar with the theory of ‘Social Contract’ and the proponents of this idea to know the proper connotation of the term ‘state of nature’. The current socio-political climate in which this unfortunate generation finds itself, coupled with our seeming insipidity and ignorance, served as catalysts that compels me to call the attention of fellow Nigerians to the imminent danger that looms over our dear fatherland.

According to Thomas Hobbes, state of nature is characterized by violence and insecurity. This was substantiated by his statement that: “Man is naturally and exclusively self-interested” (Internet encyclopedia of philosophy-www.iep.utm.edu/soc-cout). Thomas Hobbes, Jean Jacques Rousseau and John Locke, all defined state of nature in their own terms, but they certainly had the same conclusion about the idea of the state of nature. Their conclusions being that modern state evolved from the ‘state of nature’, hence the much talked-about ‘social contract theory’.

Hobbes submitted that in the state of nature, life was short, nasty, brutish and violent – a classic example of the domination of the weak by the powerful, survival of the fittest, if we chose to use another terminology.

For John Locke, state of nature was about competitions that arise from property ownership and preservation. In his claim, he said that violence could erupt when there is an attempt to dispossess a man of his property, and invariably, one is bound to defend himself against any act that is inimical to his overall wellbeing.

Rousseau’s own submission was both natural and normative, considering his view on the evolution and development of modern society. However, this noteworthy statement, “man was born free, but he is everywhere in chain” (www.iep.utm.edu//soc-cout) credited to Rousseau should not be neglected in addressing the issue of social contract.

The afore-mentioned 18th century Philosophers/Political thinkers did not only discuss the evils associated with the state of nature, they went ahead to proffer solution to the problems posed by the social malaise (violence and insecurity). Hobbes suggested the establishment of Unaccountable Sovereign, Locke on his own part advocated establishment of: the law, the executive and the judges — the three arms of government (the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary) that form the machinery of the modern state. This arrangement is referred to as ‘social contract’.

‘Social Contract’ is the relationship between the elected Government officials, saddled with the responsibility of conducting the affair of the state and the people (citizens), who elected

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them. This arrangement is designed to be a mutually beneficial contract. Thus, literally, ‘social contract’ is the pursuit of good governance.

If we reflect on our political history, and current security challenges/breaches of peace and social order, a fair-minded observer and an impartial judge or analyst will agree with me that Nigeria is an endangered society, and it is nose-diving into the ‘state of nature’ once envisaged by Thomas Hobbes.

If we go down memory lane, Nigeria in the colonial era was relatively peaceful, quixotic, orderly and productive in all its socioeconomic sectors. There was sanity and healthy competition in the educational sector. The various regions were buoyant and productive in the agricultural and other sectors of the economy. The railway, the telecommunication and other services were efficient and reliable. The earliest Nigerians, who benefited from the white man’s education showed great potentials for leadership positions and responsibility.

However, it is quiet unfortunate that, our leaders, past and present had failed to see that Nigeria was set on the path of failure, since her independence in 1960. “It is now widely known that Sir James Robertson played an important role in overseeing the elections (or lack thereof) at independence… In a sense, Nigeria’s independence came with a British Governor-General in command, and, one might say, popular faith in genuine democracy was compromised from its birth”. (Chinua Achebe, 2012 in There was a Country, pg. 50/51).

From available historical revelations, one would be right to say that the interest of the British colonialists in Nigeria and Nigerians were purely in business and our natural and human resources. From annexation of Lagos State (1861) to indirect rule and the subsequent amalgamation of Northern and Southern Protectorate in 1914, the colonial masters were primarily concerned about their business interest and the glory of the Queen of England.

It must be noted, however, that the white man’s adventure in West Africa was a blessing in disguise. If our leaders at independence had followed the administrative footsteps of the white masters and recognize and take advantage of the numerical strength and geographical importance of the amalgamated regions, may be Nigeria today would have been a haven of sort to both the citizens and the foreigners as well.

We could not dissociate Nigeria’s numerous problems from ethnic resentment, religious intolerance, naivety, favouritism, corruption and kamikaze-politics. Atop the list of Nigeria sociopolitical problems is leadership and administrative incompetence or outright lack of it. From personal experience, growing up in the early 80s afforded me the opportunity of seeing

things differently. In the early and late 80s, Nigeria was not this volatile. There was nothing like insurgency or youth restiveness that I knew of. Never in my wildest imagination did I envisage suicide bombing in this part of our world.

In this 21st Century, to see a nation that had survived many threatening religious and political crises, as well as civil unrests and war (Nigeria-Biafra war, 1967-70) still grappling with satisfying its citizens’ basic lower needs (biological and safety needs) is, to say the least, disappointing.

The most worrisome of Nigeria’s current social malaise is the mindless killing of fellow Nigerians by Boko Haram insurgents and ritual men. If we were to keep record of the killings, lootings, kidnappings and destruction of properties, carried out by these terrorist groups, such record will be so alarming and disheartening.

A nation where favouritism and god-fatherism is the order of the day, and where merit is sacrificed on the altar of mediocrity and man-know-man, is definitely not stable. A country where there is mutual distrust and probable fear of the unknown is an endangered society. A nation where kidnappers and ritual men hold sway is not safe, either. A country where peaceful protesters (January, 2012 hike in the pump price of petrol) were brutalized and dispersed by soldiers could not be said to respect people’s rights and sanctity of life.

A nation where certain individuals and cabals appear stronger than the state typifies the state of nature. A nation where the golden goose that lays the golden eggs (NNPC and the subsidy saga) ended up eating its own eggs is certainly in danger of the state of nature. There is hardly a day that one does not read in the dailies or hear in the news stories of gruesome killings and rape of innocent citizens of this great nation, among whom are under age children.

The socio-political events that now define our current political climate as they unfold on a daily basis are evidence of reversion to the state of nature where life was short, cruel and nasty. The power game in this country now is synonymous with survival-of-thefittest (the stronger dominating the weak). Example of this practice is boundless, and they are perpetrated by citizens against one another, as well as by government against the citizens and its agencies.

Ambitious political office holders, aspirants and their minders could sing discordantly about this but whether we like the truth or not, Nigeria, like most African countries, is already a jungle in the hypothetical state of nature.

•Oguntoyinbo, author of A Log of Wood: An X-ray of Security Network in Nigeria wrote from Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria.

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Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Opinion “Good Money, Delegates.” Trouble Hails!

ITH the exception of Pastor Bakare and SAN Agbakoba. And a bow of recognition towards SAN Falana! It is good money indeed to all the delegates! Top of the money to you! “More like good mourning to Nigerians, if you ask me,” cut in Alaba with a grin (green?) of envy and a smack. All I am saying in good English is good morning. “In other words . . .” No, in other sounds . ..

Before the national confab took off, there had been suggestions that those participating in it should not be paid for their in-put. The Yoruba language newspaper Alaroye (01.04.2014) had put it clearly in its back page (editorial) column: Lakoko, bo ba se pawon eeyan yii fee se e ni, ko ye ki won gba owo kankan rara, iyen to ba je looto ni ife ile wa lokan won.

(Right from the beginning, if these people are serious about being useful to their country, they should not have accepted to be paid at all, that is, if they really had the love of their country in their hearts, not in their bank accounts!) After all they are exposing themselves to all manner of insecurity coming so brazenly to Abuja where other beggars had only a few days before had been evicted.

And there is also the risk of their dozing off contentedly after a visit to the various bank accounts being reported by disrespectful journalists who have not been properly settled in a princely fashion.

All the same, at the end of the day, when all is said and done, they are doing a good job, seeing that their ten assistants are not being paid. Only one assistant and one driver are being paid per delegate. They have debated their programme for the three months and wondered if three months would be enough for them to finish discussing everything to do with the country. After all, how

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many years has it taken the National Assembly to make the few changes to the constitution of 1999? Uncle Trouble, this is Alaba again, you are not suggesting that the national confab should last for fifteen years? Why not? Such a time line can then allow for proper representation of every nook and every cranny of the country! And there would also be new challenges that need to be discussed. In the meantime, the national confab gurus have asked the Naija public to submit memoranda to the national confab within the next two weeks. That, at least, is settled.

Something else was also settled. And it shows that some of these people do not have the love of Naijiria in their hearts. Lamido, a delegate, says he is prepared to join Cameroon, if he does not get more money from Nigeria. Trouble has been in the Cameroon recently, and if Lamido knew the state of that nation, he would not wish to shift to that side. But then Lamido speaks for many of these ethnic nationalists, all of them. Naijiria does not speak to them. The drift of the right thinking world from single language, single religion, single vision countries to multi-language, multi-religion and multi-vision countries has not touched them. It has not dawned on these people that for Naijiria to succeed we need to be citizens of a single constitution. That is why the talk, the conferencing and the coming together speaks to the remodelling the constitution to make that document acceptable to all of us. So, if Lamido and the others do not represent Naijiria, who represents Naijiria at the national conference?

I myself, and me.

You, Mr. Trouble? You represent Naijiria?

Proudly too, do I stand in Eagle Square to represent Naijiria at the national confab.

Mr. Trouble represents Naijiria at the national confab where everybody else represents his or her ethnicity.

Who nominated you? You see, someone, or something has to nominate you.

I have been nominated by all the troubles that Naijiria has had for the last one hundred years.

This is alarming! There is nothing alarming about it. Yorubas nominated Yorubas, lawyers nominated lawyers, chiefs nominated chiefs, and so Troubles nominated Trouble. You see, Trouble is the only nationality, the only ethnic group, let’s call it what it is, the only tribe that has never asked to be allowed to rule the country alone, to the exclusion of others. And yet Trouble has always made the case for us all to be constitutional citizens. Once we are constitutional citizens of Naijiria, there would be no trouble!

You are causing confusion now, really. What you mean is that you are here to ensure your own elimination? You are a clever one, Alaba. I, Trouble, representing all the troubles of Naijiria, come here to eliminate those troubles. If the Yoruba could eliminate their Yorubaness, and the Igbo eliminate their Igbo Kwenu, and the Fulani forget their ambition of conquest and

root for a Naijiria free of all ethnicities and devoted to constitutional citizenship of the country, we would have solved the problem of the country. We would not need a strong leader, as one governor was asking for the other day. We need leaders who obey the constitution and the enabling rules and regulations which surround the constitution and make it function. That’s all!

Shikena!! O pari!!!

But why only single you? Representations are in multiples. Why just one single Mr. Trouble?

Every trouble in Naijiria can be represented by one single trouble: lawlessness. You can expand it to represent impunity, impudence, devilry, shenanigans. Lawlessness is the sauce with which we eat the trouble of Naijiria. Don’t you mean ‘source’, like origin? I mean ‘sauce’ ‘a liquid served with food to improve its taste’ (Fakinlede Yoruba Modern Practical Dictionary p.373.)

Lawlessness is the sauce with which we eat up and destroy Naijiria.

And do you know the joke doing the rounds at the conference? How many Naijirians does it take to change a light bulb when its light is gone? All of them or none of them, especially when the burnt light bulb does not want to be replaced!

Quintessential ‘G.O.K’, A Lawyer’s Delight

By Wahab Shittu T is hard to believe that our Godwin Olusegun Kolawole (G.O.K) Ajayi – the uncommon, cerebral, intelligent, principled, hardworking, visionary, skillful, professional, dogged and one of the greatest lawyers this country has ever produced is no more.

Expectedly, since this enigma and uncommon lawyer passed on, tributes have been pouring in, in torrents. When a journalist called in to break the news of his death and requested for my immediate reaction, I wrote in response as follows: “G.O.K. was Jurisprudence personified. An extraordinary advocate with great talent, G.O.K. was on the same pedestal and rating with the likes of Chief F.R.A Williams, Chief Afe Babalola and Chief Gani Fawehinmi in terms of professionalism, efficiency and effectiveness. A principled and disciplined advocate, G.O.K. easily qualifies as one of the greatest and most colourful lawyers this country has produced. I had the privilege of being led by him in a few cases and I can attest to the fact that he was a man of uncommon intellect, rare integrity, discipline and compassion – a cerebral Nigerian and the real human being.”

This brief summary may not have reflected the depth of the pain and grief I share on this monumental loss especially given my personal experiences with this extraordinary legal luminary of uncommon stature.

Indeed, long before I met G.O.K., his towering reputation preceded him. I was his silent admirer who had watched from the sidelines, several of his legal encounters with equally formidable lawyers in the courtroom. I recall his legal exchanges and fiery arguments founded on sound logic and high jurisprudence with the likes of Chief Williams, SAN (of blessed memory) and of course our own Afe Babalola (SAN). Naturally, at the end of such legal exchanges, one could not but marvel at the sheer wizardry and advocacy skills of G.O.K. and so my admiration for him continued and remains with me till date. I had looked forward to a personal encounter with this enigma and prayed earnestly for an opportunity to meet this legal colossus.

My prayer of a personal encounter with him was answered when at the incarceration of Chief Fredrick Fasheun, founder of the Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC), the lot fell on G.O.K to defend him and someone smuggled my name into the defence team and I came face-to-face with the legendary G.O.K. It was one opportuni-

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JAW JAW By Didi Onu

ty I grabbed with both hands. The encounter may have exposed me and the legal team which included Chief Ayo Opadokun and many others to the practice world of G.O.K. Characterized by such traits as ‘early to come to the office, disciplined disposition, the professional work rate of the lawyers in his chambers, calm disposition to clients, excellent organisation of his law firm, civil and genial nature, reputation as a team player, deep and vast knowledge of the law, willingness to help and support his subordinates, deep sense of humor and patriotism’, G.O.K. was always willing to share his experiences and knowledge with those of us who looked up to him for guidance in the murky terrain of legal practice.

I recall that in the proceedings that later followed before His Lordship Hon. Justice Rhodes Vivour (now of the Supreme Court), the judge had come in earlier than expected while the defence team was awaiting the arrival of G.O.K who was on his way. The matter was called and I was forced by circumstances to announce appearance for the defence with the intention of yielding the floor to G.O.K. upon his arrival in order to tap from his wealth of experience. Not long thereafter, G.O.K. walked in and to my surprise, he requested I should carry on with the proceedings. This to me was humility at its best and an indication that G.O.K. was interested in the theory of allowing the young to grow. This was the hallmark of greatness and G.O.K. was definitely a great man.

In subsequent proceedings, I had the honour of watching G.O.K. as he marshaled forensic arguments in defence of the liberty of the accused person, which arguments ultimately resulted in the freedom of Dr. Fredrick Fasheun from captivity. As those present at the proceedings would attest, G.O.K. was in his elements and his advocacy skills was brought to bear to the admiration of all-present in the courtroom.

G.O.K saw the courtroom, as a theatre and his baritone voice and rich delivery of legal arguments in a professional and methodical manner were his assets. Indeed, his cautious manners and orderly presentation of materials were attributes that every lawyer must aspire to emulate, as G.O.K. was certainly a pride to the legal profession.

It was perhaps in reference to these advocacy skills that Professor Akin Oyebode, eminent professor of international law and jurisprudence wrote of him: “…late Ajayi exuded a methodical advocacy, superb intellect and dogged commitment to excellence, “the like of which is uncommon in our environment.

The former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) also alluded to this trait when he wrote: “G.O.K, as he was fondly called by his admirers and those who knew him, was an advocate indeed. He was debonair, unobtrusive, resilient, principled, courageous and decent. He was a man in whose presence one felt a sense of overwhelming and outstanding knowledge of law...”

What of G.O.K.’s famed generosity? I had the opportunity of witnessing his generosity and hospitality when in the course of other proceedings in which I was also privileged to appear with him and tap from his wealth of experience, he had graciously extended invitation to me and Barrister Kayode Ajulo for dinner at his Surulere residence. The invitation afforded me the opportunity to marvel at G.O.K’s table manners, (a characteristic that every decent lawyer ought to possess). However, the surprising element of that encounter was G.O.K.’s readiness to play the role of the perfect host as he moved round to ensure everyone at the private dinner was comfortable. It turned out that the chemistry between him and his wife was highly infectious. It was clear that G.O.K. had a home that was peaceful, loving, caring and full of accommodation and compassion. Again, G.O.K. was a great man and a family man who was respected and adored at home.

I also recall G.O.K’s mastery of English Language and the excellent manner he organized his works and materials to the delight of everyone. Indeed, he was a delight to watch within and outside the courtroom.

G.O.K. was also a humanist and very generous to a fault. I will illustrate this attribute of generosity with two examples. I recall many cases that he handled probono for worthy causes including funding the trips in pursuit of such cases from his personal pocket. My good friend, Adesina Ogunlana, publisher of the Squib Magazine would recall how G.O.K. stood resolutely in his defence when attempts were made to sanction him because of his principled publications. G.O.K. would have none of that as he stood solidly behind Ogunlana and went as far as defending him before the relevant authorities until justice was done. That was vintage G.O.K. No wonder the legal community and the rest of the society have been paying tributes at his sudden exit. I mourn the exit of this great jurist called G.O.K - a lawyer’s lawyer, a gentleman and a fine advocate.

•Shittu is based in Lagos.

Sunday April 13, 2014 | 55

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

BUSINESSAGRO

‘Why FMN Is Investing N15 billion In Cassava Value Chain’ Paul Gbededo is Group Managing Director of Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc (FMN), one of the leading food and agro-allied company in Nigeria, which has been providing for the food needs of Nigeria for more than five decades. He told FABIAN ODUM the group with its diversified business employs over 12,000 people and has been aggressively pursuing a progressive investment program totaling N570 Billion (USD 3.6Billion) from 2007 to 2016. A supporter of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) and its realisation, Gbededo says FMN is fully committed to ensuring food security and sufficiency.

LOUR Mills of Nigeria, is known as the biggest flour miller and fast moving consumer foods company in the country with huge investments in agriculture and agriprocessing. Why this move in the sector?

Flour milling and fast moving consumer foods are still our core business and we are growing together with the Nation providing quality flour and flour derived products such as Semovita, Pasta, Noodles and Snacks, but we have recognised that as a large Food Group, we cannot remain dependant on imported raw materials for our food basket and that we need to grow and process crops in Nigeria. Our shareholders have a vision of being the preeminent food producer in the region, providing quality staple foods to every household at reasonable cost. To achieve this strategic vision, we have to invest in the full value chain of growing, processing, packaging and distribution throughout the Nation.

What actual investments have been made to achieve these goals?

FMN’s has invested over N220 Billion in its Agro Allied Division, which includes the largest feed mills in sub-Saharan Africa located in Ibadan and Calabar, one of the largest palm and soybean oil extraction and refining plants in Africa, supported by our own oil palm plantations in Edo State and soybean farm, in Niger State. We also have the largest fertilizer blending plant in Nigeria and the largest agro-sack manufacturing facilities in Africa. We recently invested in a sugar refinery, one of the largest in Africa, which includes the development of a large sugarcane plantation and mill at Sunti in Niger State. We have two of the largest commercial farms in the country growing maize, sorghum, soya, cassava and rice – in all our agricultural investments span over 50,000 hectares of farmland.

Cassava has been the recent focus of Government attention, what investments have FMN made in the Cassava value chain?

What have we done, well probably more than anyone else in this sector. Through our subsidiary, Thai Farm International (TFI), we are the

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Gbededo sampling loaves from company’s baking facility biggest purchasers of cassava tubers buying over 150mt per day from over 2 000 farmers, we produce most of the High Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF) in the country in our Ososa plant, where we recently doubled the capacity to 90mt of HQCF per day. We support multiple outgrower schemes together with PIND and USAID and have spent one billion naira developing our own 5 000ha cassava farm at Shao in Kwara State, the largest in the Country, and we estimate spending a further three billion naira on that project over the next three years. We grow 1,000ha of Cassava at our Kaboji farm and have two other cassava plantations we are developing at Raba and Sunti, all in Niger State.

This is just the beginning; we are serious about cassava supply chain and see real benefits and opportunities in the downstream processing into flour, starch and syrup sweeteners like Glucose and Maltose. This is a crop where Nigeria can be really competitive and we have started introducing cassava chip plants on our farms and collection centres to take advantage of the needs of our animal feeds business and export opportunities. All told, our investment plans in cassava amount to over N20 Billion.

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture argue that

the policy for cassava inclusion in wheat flour is not enough to change usage of Cassava in Nigeria and is now advocating passing a Bill to make it mandatory to include specific levels of cassava in wheat flour. What do you make of this direction?

I think it is true that policies for cassava inclusion have not been very successful in the past.

To change established behaviour and habits takes time and there needs to be incentives for making the change, particularly where a new raw material or product is not as well appreciated by the consumer as the alternative that it replaces. Nigerians are used to wheat flour based products and in particular bread, where they are used to the taste, smell and appearance – Nigerians should be given a choice. A policy that advocates replacing part of the wheat flour with cassava flour has to demonstrate that the end product will not be inferior, or if it is not as good, then a lower price is needed to justify the difference. Great advances have been made in developing these composite flours to the point where the bread it produces is of a similar quality to that produced with wheat flour but initially there has been no cost advantage, so there is no real incentive for the baker to make the cassava bread and it has not taken off as much as one hoped.

I think it is therefore somewhat premature to push for legislated inclusion levels of cassava in bread flour. The commercialisation of cassava and the industrialization of the sector are in their nascent stages and the only certainty in the future is change. Laws are too rigid to respond to the needs of an industry that is in a state of change. Rather than threaten the stakeholders in this initiative with criminal penalties, FMARD needs to take cues from the success-stories of the cement and sugar industries, where their policy incentives brought about the desired results without introducing new laws. Together with FMARD, we would like to see the agricultural sector become a cornerstone of the Nigerian economy once again much like the petrochemical industry is today - so I would prefer to give a welldesigned and strong policy a chance to work first and only if this fails to consider a well crafted Bill that provides clear measurements and incentives to drive the change based on its economic merit and not on criminal penalties. Wheat Flour Millers will be expected to fully co-operate and will be positively incentivised to do so.

Are you saying that the proposed legislation runs contrary to free-market economics?

I am saying that the world over, there is no precedent of a successful cassava programme resulting from state-mandated cassava inclusion – it is indeed the market economics that will drive the change so it is these economic

factors that policy must support. It is generally accepted that state-mandated demand for goods is artificial and unsustainable in any market that supports free-market principles and that ultimately sustainable demand needs to be consumer-led, and the ultimate choice for whether or not to include cassava in their diets should reside with the consumer.

You may be concerned about the effect legislation will have on wheat flour and on the downstream industries that use flour as a key raw material but will the Bill not result in more choices and lower cost for the consumer?

The current draft makes it mandatory to include cassava flour or sorghum flour in all wheat flours and this would restrict the right of the consumer to choose, so any policy or bill needs to be broader in scope and be equally supportive of the many other applications of cassava, thereby putting the choice in the consumers’ hands.

Currently, the impact on consumer demand of higher levels of HQCF inclusion is not fully understood and neither are the cost implications to the producers - in the event that consumers reject these new products, legislation would backfire and damage the future development of this industry. I don’t think we can mandate to Nigerians what type of bread they must eat.

There is also the potential problem that legislation for mandatory inclusion will not only raise the price of cassava through increasing demand, but will also limit its availability. For example, last year the prices moved from N10,000 to N25,000 due to a flood created shortage in supply. Cassava is a basic staple for more than 100 million Nigerians who could be forced to find an alternative staple while at the same time the price of flour-derived products such as bread, biscuits, pasta, noodles, confectionary and snacks, would increase significantly as a result of the legislation.

It would also disproportionately impact the 450,000 small-scale bakers in Nigeria who may no longer rely on their traditional hand-mixing methods at the higher HQCF inclusion levels, and may therefore be displaced by large-scale bakers, leading to consolidation and reduced competition across the sector.

If inclusion policy alone is enough to drive change then what has FMN done to develop local content?

Development has been slow and that is why I said earlier that previous cassava inclusion policies have not been successfully implemented across the sector. We were the first Millers in Nigeria to invest in changing our mills to allow for the inclusion of cassava flour but our initial efforts placed us at a disadvantage against our competitors, who were not including and the quality of our flour deteriorated against theirs resulting in lost market share. It has taken a lot of time and investment in trials and research to develop improvers that compensate for the negative effects of the cassava flour in producing bread. We have now reached the point where we can safely and economically include five per cent cassava in our composite flour in the mills and have good results in bread baking, – unfortunately the cost remains similar so there is no great price advantage to the composite flour but this will change as we continue to reduce our costs of HQCF production and the flour and bread ‘improvers’ become more effective in loaf yield. However, baking demonstrations have shown that up to 20 per cent cassava flour can be added at the bakery level and produce acceptable quality and yield of bread loaf.

FMN has thrown its weight behind the Cassava research initiatives on viable usages for cassava derived food products - we have come a long way already and the results are encouraging. We continue to think about and invest in improving the cassava value chain beyond bread inclusion, such as snacks, food starches, industrial starches, sweeteners, animal feed, and ethanol. We believe this is where great opportunities lie.

Do you think there has been enough investment in cassava value chain to support the cassava inclusion needs of the nation if the Bill is passed?

It depends on what is finally agreed as the inclusion levels each year. With nearly 25,000MT of installed milling capacity in Nigeria, a 10 per cent HQCF inclusion translates to 2,500mt of HQCF daily. This figure represents more than today’s monthly production of HQCF across the country and is therefore out of reach in the near-term and a more gradual inclusion is needed as capacity is built. The FMARD has raised more than N100 billion from the wheat import levy and is trying to build processing capacity by assisting SMEs producing HQCF with upgrading their equipment and providing working capital.

It is also working with the private sector to build six (initially) medium sized HQCF plants, (60MT/day), to be operational in 2015.

These small and medium HQCF mills would provide some of the additional HQCF needed to support the inclusion policy. We are not saying we will not get there, it is just that it will take time.

56 | Sunday, April 13, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

GRASSROOTS Still No Respite As Al-Makura Inaugurates Council Chairmen NASARAWA Stories by Gbenga Akinfenwa ASARAWA State is yet to reN cover from the tension generated in the aftermath of the recent local government election, even as Governor Umaru Tanko Al Makura swears-in elected chairmen in the disputed election. Three local governments of Nasarawa, Obi and Akwanga were highly disputed.

Amid claims and counterclaims by the ruling All Progressives Party (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), over who won majority council seats in the March 22, 2014 council poll, the election umpire, Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission (NASIEC) did a re-run in the disputed councils last week, which was boycotted by the PDP. But state chairman of PDP, Chief Yunana Iliya has described the development as a big joke, threatening that it would take-over its stolen chairmanship seats from APC. Before the re-run, NASIEC boss, Dr. Abdullahi Modibo had insisted that election into the council areas were inconclusive, a claim which contradicted the position of Returning Officers of the affected councils, who allegedly declared PDP candidates as winners.

According to the results earlier announced, APC won in

six local government areas (Awe, Doma, Wamba, Karu, Toto, and Lafia), while PDP dominated in four (Kokona, Keffi, Keana and Nasarawa Eggon). Election in three local governments, Nasarawa, Obi and Akwanga were declared inconclusive by the electoral commission.

It was gathered that in Akwanga, the local government of the Deputy Governor, Damishi Luka, who recently defected from the APC to PDP and Obi, where NASIEC declared the election as inconclusive, PDP was initially declared winner by the re-

turning officers.

But the electoral commission’s boss, Modibbo, was said to have overruled the returning officers, declaring the that elections would be held in four wards in Akwanga and in three wards in Obi. When he was summoned by the legislators with five other commissioners, the NASIEC boss admitted to the House that he erred by failing to announce results from Obi and Akwanga local government areas, which were already declared by the respective returning officers as having been won by PDP

HEAD the 2015 general A elections, a major division in the rank and file of the All Progressives Congress (APC) seems to be tearing the party apart in Osun West Senatorial District, especially in Iwo, a stronghold of the party.

This development, The Guardian learnt, is not unconnected with the with the alleged senatorial ambition of the state’s Secretary to the Government (SSG), Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, who is warming up to clinch the sole ticket.

Adeoti, who is from Iwo and former state chairman of the party until his appointment as the SSG in 2011, is reportedly nursing the fear that he may not be returned as the SSG, even if Governor Rauf Aregbesola wins a second term in August.

Thus, he is said to be working covertly to contest the party’s ticket with the incumbent, Senator Mudahir Hussein,

barricaded the busy Akwanga-Jos road close to the Police Station, made bonfires and chanted solidarity songs in support of PDP candidates.

They were later dispersed with gunshots and teargas by security operatives, but reconverged at another spot on the road.

In spite of the raging controversy, Al Makura sworn-in the new chairmen, calling on them to imbibe the spirit of transparency, accountability and fear of God in the discharge of their official responsibility.

At the chambers of government house, venue of the event, the state governor noted that with the election

of the chairmen in the various councils, the state was fully democratised to address issues of underdevelopment, assuring that his administration would accord the heads of the local government the free hands to perform their functions.

“As an administration that believes in the rule of law, we are going to accord you the necessary independence to enable you bring development closer to the people without interference.”

Iliya, who described the development as big joke, said as a law-abiding political party, the PDP would approach the election tribunal for what he described as its stolen chairmanship seats.

Group Tasks Nigerians On Ethnic, Religious Tolerance OR Nigeria to transcend Flence, ethnic and religious vioconscious efforts must

Al-Makura

Senatorial Ambition Tears APC Apart IWO

candidates.

He was therefore directed to go and make proper announcement of the results from the affected areas, but he flouted the order and chose to follow the order of his employer by organising a re-run early last week, which the PDP and some groups in the state boycotted.

The re-run was not only boycotted, angry youths in the affected areas and others in solidarity with them prevented the police and electoral officers from distributing materials for the election.

The youths, who claimed that winners were already declared in the first election

who hails from Ejigbo, the headquarters of Ejigbo Local Government Area of the state.

Investigations, however revealed that party members in Adeoti’s hometown are not satisfied with the performance of their kinsmen elected on the platform of the party for various positions, including members of both the state House of Assembly and the House of Representatives, Ezekiel Adeyemi and Gafar Akintayo Amere respectively, who they claim were imposed on them by Adeoti in the first place.

They believe the two men representing them at the two legislative arms have failed to give them adequate representation.

In a press statement issued by some party members from Iwo Local Government under the auspices of Concerned Iwo Patriots, and signed by one Babatunde Onileola, they pledged their continued and unalloyed support to Aregbesola’s re-election, but

advised the governor to avoid any form of imposition in the party.

They also alleged that Adeoti is plotting to single-handedly zone the slot for the House of Representatives for the OlaOluwa/Iwo/Ayedire Federal Constituency in the state currently being occupied by an Iwo indigene to Ayedire, apparently to pave way for his ambition; even when the people of Aiyedire have stated categorically that they are not prepared for the post in the next dispensation, given the subsisting zoning arrangement in this federal constituency.

Another source said; “We need to let people know that APC is different from other parties and we are not ready to condone any form of imposition again. People are built around parties, and we don’t want a party where certain individuals will think they can take far-reaching decisions from their rooms, except the party is ready for strong divi-

be made by civil society groups and credible leaders to re-educate, sensitise and re-orientate Nigerians about the inherent dangers of being used by politicians for the purposes of undermining the national project.

This was the position of the Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civic Education (CHRICED) at a media briefing, which held at the Yankaba Quarters, Kano. CHRICED called for a paradigm shift of focus to ensure that Nigerians are educated, trained and empowered, to have the useful and relevant knowledge they need to construct a democratic polity in which all citizens will live in peace and

KANO harmony.

Executive Director of the group, Ibrahim Zikirullahi, told Journalists that in October 2011, it launched its project of promoting democratic participation in Gwale and Kumbotso Local Government Areas of the state, with support of MISEREOR/KZE, Germany, with the aim of contributing to the advancement of democratization process by facilitating effective popular participation in governance and political accountability by elected public office holders to their constituencies.

Zikirullahi said: “This is necessary to address the serious threats posed to democratisation by Nigeria’s thriving au-

thoritarian political culture and elite monopoly of the political space. CHRICED believes that enhancing effective popular participation and improving political accountability are necessary to counter these threats.”

According to Zikirullahi, the project, which targets elected holders of public offices, community leaders and activists (including women and youths), has been pursuing those ends by three key means.

“Firstly, the project has build and developed capacity of the target group in the two council areas with the skill and knowledge essential for effective popular participation in governance, specifically in the budgeting and legislative processes.

Oba Community In Lagos, Honours Retired Health Director, Obumneme OBA NDIGENES of Oba CommuIernment nity in Idemili Local GovArea of Anambra State, resident in Lagos came out in their large numbers recently to honour one of their sons, Mr. Chidi George Obumneme, a retired Director from the Food and Drug Services Department of Federal Ministry of Health, who recently retired from active service.

The event which took place at his Abiona Aina Street residence, Abule-Egba, was aimed at appreciating a devout community leader, who had displayed a rare leadership and sterling qualities as the President of Oba Patriotic Union, for serving his fatherland meritoriously.

An Alumni of University of Ibadan, his work experience spanned out with Food and Drug Administration and Laboratory Services, which transformed to Food and Drug and Control, then to National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), all in the Federal Ministry of Health.

His work led to his obtaining a professional qualification as a Public Analyst.

He served in various government bodies as chairman National Codex Committee and members of various government committees.

He was a member of the Governing Council and Board member of Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria, where he served as Assistant Secretary, Secretary

General and Treasurer, among others.

He served as Financial Secretary of his town union, Oba Patriotic Union between 1882 and 1988 and presently, President of the union in Lagos.

The elated Obumneme told Journalists that having accomplished all, he felt satisfied, that though there were ups and downs during his 35 years service, but added that he had no regret.

“The secret of my success is hard work, dedication, diligence and humility. There are so many factors that contributed to my success. I want to advise those still in service to be faithful to their employers because on the long run, they would surely reap and benefit from doing so,” he said.

of lives and property worth millions.

Referring to the rumour of the slain soldier concocted by some wicked elements in the community, which led to the commotion, and exodus to other communities, he pointed out that for Ijebu-Ife to progress socio-economically, there must be sincere love, cooperation among all parties and total religious tolerance.

He added that no religious activities should interfere

with the right of citizens. Explaining that the right of the Oba as the prescribed authority of the community must be respected and taken in to cognizance before any traditional rituals is observed.

He admonished Mr. kolawole Ogunde, the acclaimed Oloja of Sakoyi Iwoye, who has been restrained by court to desist from parading himself as the subsisting Oloja in Ijebu Ife, pending the determination of his appeal.

Ogun Debunks Rumour Of Attack On Community IJEBU-IFE GUN State Government O has assured residence of Ijebu-Ife in Odogbolu Local Government Area of continuous support to ensure protection of lives and property within and outside the community.

The assurance came on the heels of a brewing tension in the community over the rumored murder of a soldier, which led to commotion and mass exodus from the

area.

The unrest, which started on March 29, 2014 led to the departure of hundreds of thousand of people out of fear of likely reprisal attack from the soldiers, but the situation has been brought under control when the state government emissaries on assessment tour, discovered that it was a fabricated story purported to distabilise the peaceful of the town.

In a bid to further uncover the immediate and remote

causes of the commotion, all stakeholders in the community were invited to a peace meeting in Abeokuta.

Presiding over the meeting, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Basorun Muyiwa Oladipo, Ajalorun, Oba A. A Oguntayo, community chiefs, leaders of various religious body and stakeholders, urged the people to show love to one another, and work for the progress of the town.

He assured stakeholders to be

calm and go about their legitimate businesses without any fear, saying the present administration would do everything possible to protect lives and property of people across the state by beefing up security, especially in Ijebu-Ife axis.

Oladipo said the people fled the community when they remembered the huge devastation recorded on December 5, 2009 when one Police Area Commander was murdered in the town, which led to loss

Sunday, April 13, 2014 | 57

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

POLITICS

Mimiko’s Second Term:Soaring On Eagles’ Wings

By Tunde Adewusi N the build up to the October 20, 2012 governorship election in Ondo State, there was a lot of negative propaganda by many hired writers against the Ondo State government. In “Jagaban returns to Lagos empty-handed,” veteran columnist, Niyi Akinnaso, provides a neat summation of the antics of such writers and why their failure was so pronounced. While the blackmail continues, the Olusegun Mimiko administration, celebrated worldwide, has focused squarely on its covenant with the people of Ondo State.

Certainly, the writer who has enough mischief to rubbish the achievements of Dr Mimiko as Ondo governor has not been born yet! Such a writer would be up against the United Nations and an endless list of eminent Nigerians who continue to attest to the revolution in Ondo State. That the Mimiko administration is already a global brand can only be disputed by the wilfully blind.

In the letter announcing Mimiko as winner of the United Nations’ 2012 Habitat Scroll of Honour award during the 6th edition of the World Urban award held in Naples, Italy, coordinator of the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour, Ana Moreno, said: “Dr. Mimiko was selected among many nominees for the most coveted award in the human settlement sector. The UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour is the most prestigious human settlement award in the world which aims to acknowledge initiatives which have made outstanding contributions in various fields such as shelter provision, leadership in developing and improving the human settlements and general enhancement in overall quality of urban life.” These are awards that are not for sale or that money can never buy.

Thus, when The Guardian’s Niyi Bello, a reporter who has never hidden his disdain for the government and people of Ondo State, published his latest offering in the ongoing campaign of hate against the Ondo State government at the weekend, he was engaging in a fruitless exercise. Entitled “Ondo: A season of political reengineering,” the doggerel attests to the writer’s uncanny ability for bolekaja writing, a unique blend of lies, tantrums and outright ignorance presented as “political analysis.” Since the lexical item, which escaped the writer’s mind, is ‘realignment’, this response will show convincingly why he needs self-realignment, if he can succeed in a project of damage control following the egregious illogic that he purveyed.

Taking off from the blatant lie that “when the governor presented this year’s budget to the lawmakers on the last working day of last year, two-third of the house membership stayed away from the chamber,” Mr Bello came to the very strong conclusion that Mimiko and the Labour Party were no longer in control in Ondo State! And, wait for this: “The list of those in contention is former Jonathan’s Special Adviser on Foreign Affairs, Dr. Pius Olakunle Osunyikanmi, who now heads the Directorate of the Technical Aids Corps, Gbenga Elegbeleye, the Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC) and Abayomi Sheba, a member of the board of the Federal Character Commission (FCC).”

This is really no surprise as, during the budget presentation by Mimiko, Bello verily and most certainly marked some lawmakers “within the complex discussing non-legislative matters.” But Bello neither disclosed the identities of these fictional characters within the ambit of his fertile imagination nor the specific “nonlegislative matters” they discussed. Away from Bello’s farce, however, the Ondo lawmakers – not the prisoner’s within Bello’s Plato’s cave – actually swung into action the moment the N168bn budget, comprising N71.9bn for recurrent expenditure and N96bn for capital expenditure, was presented and passed it in record time. Yet if he were schooled in budget defence, Bello would have realised that only one-third of the state need be present at a budget presentation.

Although, last Wednesday, The Guardian newspaper reported the LP’s ward meetings, the bolekaja critic boldly declared that “The waning influence of the LP is seen by many as selfinflicted, as members have been thrown into total disarray, which reflected in the non-hold-

I

Mimiko

ing of ward meetings after the October 12, 2012 (sic) gubernatorial election victory.”

While details of the job that Bello and his colleagues did to avert the October 20 (not 12) which he now glibly refers to can be obtained by simply typing his name into the Google search engine, it is no surprise that, in Bello’s estimation, “government seemed to have gone on recess in terms of delivery of dividends of democracy to the people since the commencement of the second term.”

Of course, when Bello wrote his former doggerels trumpeting that “no meaningful development has taken place in Ondo State,” arrogating to himself the right to determine what is meaningful or not for the people of Ondo State whom he does not credit with enough commonsense to judge things for themselves, we decided to ignore him, but a response is in order at this state if only because of gullible readers. It is indeed unfortunate that when the palms of hack writers are not being greased, they turn bitter critics, resorting to blackmail.

Otherwise, how can anyone claim that governance has gone on recess in Ondo State? Barely one month after he resumed office for a second term, Dr Mimiko rolled out the Kaadi Igbe Ayo, a multipurpose card described as Nigeria’s latest in digitalised delivery of social services, and which the Information Minister, Labaran Maku, promised would be replicated at the national level during its inauguration

in March 2013. Bello was present when Dr Mimiko inaugurated the Mechanic Village in Akure, the first of its kind in Nigeria.

From May, ultramodern markets were commissioned, including the Moferere in Ondo; NEPA market in Akure, followed by markets in Akoko, Ore, and many other places. He was at the commissioning of the Akoko road linking the northern axis, and was part of the team that accompanied Senate President Mark on his tour of the Medical Tourism Village in Ondo.

He was at the retreat for 84 workers on Kaadi Igbe Ayo (KIA); and also accompanied Governor Mimiko to the Mother and Child hospitals across the state. If not for mischief, how could he have descended so low with his latest doggerel? The Guardian should be careful; a reputation built for about three decades may be easily destroyed in an unguarded second. Hack writers do no good.

It would be beyond Bello’s brief to remark on the status of Akure as the cleanest state capital in Nigeria. And just in case he has actually forgotten, only last October, Mimiko won the Bill Gates’ best performer in polio eradication award, saying it was an added impetus to pursuing more aggressive health care projects in Ondo State. The occasion was witnessed by President Jonathan and co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Mr Bill Gates, among others. Polio eradication is a long process; it is a huge achievement.

Bello would never write about the thou-

How can anyone claim that governance has gone on recess in Ondo State? Barely one month after he resumed office for a second term, Dr Mimiko rolled out the Kaadi Igbe Ayo, a multipurpose card described as Nigeria’s latest in digitalised delivery of social services, and which the Information Minister, Labaran Maku, promised would be replicated at the national level during its inauguration in March 2013. Bello was present when Dr Mimiko inaugurated the Mechanic Village in Akure, the first of its kind in Nigeria.

sands of women receiving free care from pregnancy to childbirth at no cost in the Abiye programme, hailed by the World Bank as a model for Africa. Within a spate of four years, the high rate of infant and maternal mortality which raised the concern of World Health Organisation prior to year 2009 was reduced by 71 per cent.

In the last couple of weeks, there has been a gale of commissioning of health facilities in the southern senatorial district of Ondo State where six special Basic Health Centres were established in six communities in the riverine areas of Ilaje and Ese-Odo local governments. In pursuing the vision to reduce child and maternal mortality to its barest minimum, the state government has continued to consolidate on its achievements while exploring more avenues to give more succour to the people.

Naturally, writing about the cocoa revolution in the state would not be in the interest of the ‘writer.’ Just in one year cocoa revolution has taken the centre stage as the state took hold once again on its leadership position in Nigeria. Currently, Ondo State produces more than 40 per cent of the total annual cocoa production in Nigeria just as a large expanse of land has been acquired at Oda, headquarters of the cocoa revolution initiative.

A collaborative effort now makes it possible for the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) to supply the revolution with improved hybrid seed and technical expertise. What about the food security initiative and the paddy rice project with effective collaboration and partnership agreement with the Forum for Agriculture Research in Africa, FARA/IITA/FUTA and the four components framework for employment generation; food security; source of foreign exchange earner and as a micro/ mini research centre for farmers on their own. The chair of FARA, Charity Kruger, could not hide her admiration for the state government’s initiative while commending it to others.

Would it be proper for Niyi Bello to mention the 34.2km Igbokoda-Ugbonla road in the Southern senatorial district of the state awarded at the cost of N4.313 billion; the international market in Igbokoda with over 1000 shops; the emergency service centre at Federal Medical Centre, Owo, to take care of accidents on the northern axis; the modern dome in Akure which the naysayers claimed would never be a reality. Did the writer recall that, as he himself reported, on February 5, 2014, Mimiko commissioned the 22.3km Ikare, Ugbe-Iboropa–Ise road and the Afira bridge in Akoko North-East local government area of the state, promising to complete 104 road projects before end of second term?

“This administration will continue to place premium on the construction of new roads and rehabilitation of old ones, so as to give those plying these roads the expected comfort in their journeys,” Mimiko had said. In October last year, there was wild jubilation in Idanre when the Ondo State government presented to the people of the town, eight Tata buses to convey students and pupils to and from school free of charge, as part of the administration’s free school shuttle policy.

Many urban towns like Ondo, Owo, Akure, Ile Oluji, Ikare, Araromi Obu and so many others are happy beneficiaries.

In the same month, the governor rounded off his week-long commissioning exercise of seven mega schools in six towns in the state.

Mimiko inaugurated a mega school each in Idanre, Ilara-Mokin, Igbara-Oke, Akure, Ore, with two in Ondo etc, saying education is the most potent and most viable tool for achieving social cohesion, mobility and empowerment. In all, 44 mega schools have been built, with another six commissioned in January this year.

Again, has our “friend” forgotten the more than 600 concrete confidence-building projects scattered through the nooks and crannies of Ondo State and still counting for which the people have taken ownership?

Certainly, this is not the time to pull down but to build up, not to destroy but to construct.

Adewusi is a staff of Ministry of Information, Ondo State.

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INTERVIEW

ADEFARASIN: The Church Should • Speaks On Word Dominion Conference

Pastor Paul Adefarasin, the Senior Pastor of the House on The Rock, in this interview with MARCEL MBAMALU, speaks on the idea behind the Rock Cathedral, a Social Justice and Transformation Centre, through which the Church makes special interventions in technology, education, training, and youth empowerment. Pastor Adefarasin explains what ought to be the role of the church in transforming citizens for leadership.

With House On The Rock, where did it all begin?

OUSE on The Rock started at No. 4 Molade Okoya-Thomas at an all-night prayer meeting on July 15, 1994, with just seven people in attendance.

What will you say is House on the Rock’s Mission?

House on the Rock is an agency for transforming the world by training and influencing the value system and culture of people, using the principles taught in God’s Word. It is a national transformation centre, where we groom and train people to be part of the transformation process in our nation.

What really are the factors that facilitated the Church’s growth?

There are 13 core values that drive our ethics here at the House on the Rock. First of them is prayer (warfare); second is worship; third is the Word (the Bible); others are networking, excellence, user-friendliness, leadership (and I refer to servant leadership), innovation, empowerment, social responsibility, embracing diversity and training.

Those are the 13 values that drive us.

Prayer has always been an important part of the atmosphere here at the House on the Rock. The ‘Word’ is very strong; we speak to people’s destinies; and help them discover what God has called them to do; we provide them with a deep sense of family belonging; we challenge them to go much further than they thought they could, to be much more than they thought they could be; to do all they can for God; to seize the opportunity of

H

God’s great largesse to have a human life, to make their contributions to the development of humanity, and in our particular context in Nigeria.

The Rock Cathedral prides itself as being a centre for social justice. How does this description tie into what it does?

This facility (the Rock Cathedral) is built on about forty thousand square feet, and the auditorium is less than 50 percent of the project. In the building, we have capacity for 250 executive personnel; we have a 4-bed in-patient hospital, with capacity for diagnostics and consultancy. The hospital will become the hub for 46 mobile clinics (by the time the vision is fully implemented) - that’s one for each local government area (of Lagos State) for primary healthcare delivery. We have collaborated with Lagos State Government Hospitals and other private hospitals for medical cases beyond our capacity. Every single doctor or paramedic or nurse or pharmacist in the church is potentially a part of the medical unit of the church.

There are 25 teaching spaces in the building to partly cater for five school systems we’re developing - A Primary school, a Secondary school, a Bible School, an institute of leadership and governance & an artisan school. This gives us the opportunity, amongst many others, to provide education to children with special needs.

Artisans are a very important part of any economy. In the days I grew up, we had electricians; today, you have ‘rewires’. The Artisan school will help us provide various techno-

local workforce. Of course, we pass them through our church system and integrate them back into society as people who enjoy the endorsement and the accreditation of the church leadership. This probably gives them a second opportunity of life. You find a number of them who have languished in prisons are often not convicted. Others are unjustly incarcerated or often serve more years than the proper length of their sentence, mainly because of a lack of legal aid and representation. So, one of the other things we do is provide free legal aid for hundreds of inmates in the Lagos area prisons. And this has cut across the spectrum of House on the Rock churches across the country.

That for us is a significant joy - that House on the Rock is able to positively affect communities.

On Education, other countries in other parts of the world are literarily investing hundreds of billions of dollars every year, and Nigeria barely invests a few million dollars. This does little to empower our human capital so they can deliver on Nigeria’s best possibilities. Certainly, we like the rest of the church, are in the vanguard of challenging the issues of human capital development in Nigeria. I am happy that in our country today, the best universities are actually Christian-run/ church-based or faith-based.

Is government really incapacitated?

Maybe government needs more righteous people from the faith-based community; people who have a genuine sense of public service, and who don’t see public service and political appointments as opportunities for self-service. I think that Nigeria is slowly moving in that direction and I believe that we will get there, sooner or later.

Do you think the church is doing enough in nation building?

I think that the real church is contributing to nation building and I know that may not be easy to identify but the Bible says that ‘By their Fruits, we shall know them’. If the fruit is positive and it is making a positive impact on the nation, then, you can identify that as the genuine church.

In the days of our parents, the church person — clergy and laity — were taught that your worship, your priesthood and your work were to be sequestered within the four-walls of the church. And that the role of logical opportunities to people who want to priesthood, that is, going to God on behalf of develop their talents in that area. the people, was the preserve of the clergy.

Furthermore, we are quite involved with The entire Christian body, by the scripture, Lagos State schools, and have provided upwards of 540 computers for about 16,000 stu- is called a royal priesthood and by royal, it dents through our Lagos State Computer Lab infers a governmental priesthood — a priesthood that is also in the service of its generaProject. Several schools have benefited from tion: at the same time, a priesthood that this. The schools provide us with an empty classroom that we refurbish, provide with air intercedes for its generation. conditioning, resurface the inside (floors and How well are Christians carrying out that rewalls) and equip with computer systems. Our sponsibilities today?

That has not been the message or the emgoal is to provide a minimum of 100 schools in Lagos State with this same facility. It is also phasis. The church has not taken the responsibility for the transformation of the earth the first deployment of the windows multiand the world systems into Godly systems, point server in all of West Africa.

Godly culture, Godly values, Godly rules, and In addition, we have an urban alternative Godly regulations because it is, today, conservice, which caters to over 700 area boys, sumed with going to heaven and, as a result, drug addicts, prostitutes and ex-convicts has not taken much responsibility for earth. whom we feed, provide with primary health I will give you quick examples: some care and expose to skill acquisition programmes, so they can go back into society, em- mythologists who are Christians, demographers and statisticians tell us that Christenpowered to make a contribution. We even dom is a majority of Nigerian demographics send some to university. and that, in spite of the numbers, Nigeria reWe also run a very vibrant prison ministry, mains one of the most corrupt countries in where, in the prisons, we feed, counsel, prothe world. Yet, we have crusades and several vide health care and train the inmates in difevents where people are consumed with ‘I ferent skills, so that when they are out of must make heaven, I must make heaven’. prison, they become viable partners in the

God is just; He is humanitarian; He is equitable. He loves fair play and we need to bring these values to the way people live here on earth. People are still being taught on how to go to heaven; but they need to be taught to become socially responsible for the land in which they live. I struggle with Nigerians amassing vast amount of wealth and living in their most palatial homes while right outside their front gate, the gutter is blocked; there are potholes on the roads… I struggle with that.

Sunday, April 13, 2014 59

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

INTERVIEW

Transform Citizens For LeaderGod is just; He is humanitarian; He is equitable. He loves fair play and we need to bring these values to the way people live here on earth. People are still being taught on how to go to heaven; but they need to be taught to become socially responsible for the land in which they live.

I struggle with Nigerians amassing vast amount of wealth and living in their most palatial homes while right outside their front gate, the gutter is blocked; there are potholes on the roads… I struggle with that.

That sounds like a paradox; doesn’t it?

It absolutely is. To put it very simply, when the church gets her mandate correct, she will shift from a ‘bless me’ club to a responsible people, who take responsibility for the real estate of their God and King, to develop its systems, its infrastructure, industrialise it, make her people productive and create opportunity for all and sundry.

In heaven, everything works perfectly; in heaven, everything is renewed; in heaven, there is an automated maintenance system: in heaven, there is fair play; in heaven, there is no dying or crying; in heaven, there is a respect culture; in heaven, there are proper protocols; in heaven, ungodliness and immorality are not tolerated for a split second; in heaven, love is the rule; in heaven, being your brother’s keeper is the responsibility of every citizen. A Christian is meant to be a citizen of both heaven and earth.

A Christian, once he gives his life to Christ, is already seated in heavenly places, but he also has a responsibility: to be at work on earth.

And this is a huge privilege What do you think of people amassing wealth and not being responsible enough for their environment?

You would agree with me that to prosper is not a bad thing. To prosper illegitimately would be a criminal thing. That means prosperity is for a purpose. God is the One who creates opportunities for prosperity and He aptly defines the purpose of prosperity in Deutronomy 8:18. He said: “Remember the Lord your God for it is Him who gives you power to get wealth, so that He can establish His covenant on the earth.”

The purpose of wealth is to establish God’s kingdom, God’s rule, God’s reign here on earth. And God’s reign certainly benefits everybody, gives everybody an opportunity, empowers everybody, creates equity for every human being, just as it is in heaven.

The Experience Lagos — what do we expect this year?

This year, we are adding The Word Conference this April, immediately following Easter and we will be hosting Dr. Mike Murdock, Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, Bishop Tudor Bismark and Dr. Mensah Otabil, a good friend from Ghana. That conference will be hosted here (at the Rock Cathedral), and will run from Wednesday night up till Sunday morning. On the morning of Saturday April 26, we will be calling out as many men as will come for a special meeting for men only.

The emphasis is on the ‘Word’; which is why it is called The Word Conference and the theme for this year is ‘Dominion.’ Again, dominion has a lot to do with some of the things we have been talking about — the kingdom of heaven on earth.

In the evening of that Saturday, there will be a special concert here at the Cathedral with Donnie McClurkin, Micah Stampley, Pita, who is a Nigerian artist with an incredible grace gift on his life, Eben, Nathaniel Bassey and several of the Lagos Metropolitan Gospel Choir and her several recording artists, which will include Sammie Okposo, Mike Aremu, Onos, Kikelomo Mudiaga, and Glowreeyah. These are very established voices in the music ministry and industry in Nigeria today.

And then on Sunday 27 April, we have the super celebration service. The purpose of the conference is to teach people dominion, teach them how to bring heaven’s culture, heaven’s principles, heaven’s purpose, heaven’s realities to earth; as we all pray in the Lord’s Prayer: ‘Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth, just as it is in heaven.’

Later on in the year, in late September/early October, we will hold our Holy Ghost Conference, and then of course after that, we go into the season of preparing for the Experience concert at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) in December.

How would you describe the economic impact of the Experience Lagos, especially regarding

the huge turnouts?

With The Experience, I am told one of the international news agencies reported that the economic impact on the Nigerian economy in that one weekend was $25million. I don’t know how they arrived at their statistics, but if true, you will agree with me, that impact is huge. The value would be from airfares, the memorabilia orchestrated by different people who take advantage of the Experience, the transportation in and out of Lagos, the hotels and all of that.

The Experience has also helped re-brand Nigeria, in the sense that many Americans, who would have said, “can any good thing come out of Nigeria?” come to the Experience in shock and awe that something of this magnitude is done here.

It has also given the opportunity to raise the profile of Nigerian gospel musicians and created opportunities for their collaboration with people like Don Moen and Grammy award winning musicians.

It has helped lift the profile of Nigerian Gospel music and this is important to us because we see the same thing hap-

pening in the secular music industry.

Nigerian music has come of age and become a very powerful part of the international society and entertainment. Likewise, Nigerian gospel music is taking her place with her international counterparts, and The Experience is an important part of that global process.

The Experience is multi-layered; it is also a big unifier for the church because, though denominational dogma and doctrine will often divide the church, we all worship to the same music. So, instead of dividing us, worship tends to bring us together because it is not involved with arguments about doctrines. And that has allHope Drags As Lagos-Badagry Rail Project Crawls owed us to bring together the various denominations to have significant discussions.

This is important because you don’t have to fight a divided church; she will surely destroy herself. But when you unify the church, she becomes a formidable church, a veritable force for good and for change.

That (unifying the church) is an important aspect of the Experience.

Have you ever thought of monetising The

I believe in God; and I believe in His belief in us fulfilling His mandate for the geographic area in which we live. I must believe in Nigeria and when I look at the talents in my church members — the passion for progress, the excellence with which they have created all the different things that they create — I am moved to believe deeply in Nigeria.

Experience Lagos?

We will never charge a gate fee or take a financial offering at The Experience. It will defeat the purpose. When you have many people worshipping and praying together, it causes convulsion in the kingdom of darkness. It sends a message that Christianity is here to stay; it sends a message that we are a united people, who can work together and provide significant leadership, especially to the youthful generation; that we are people who govern ourselves well.

One of the things we pride ourselves on, is that, on the same pew, you see the janitor and the judge; you see the CEO and his clerk; you see the rich and the poor, because the cross and the church is a leveling place.

How much belief do you have in Nigeria as a country?

I believe in God; and I believe in His belief in us fulfilling His mandate for the geographic area in which we live. I must believe in Nigeria and when I look at the talents in my church members — the passion for progress, the excellence with which they have created all the different things that they create — I am moved to believe deeply in Nigeria.

I just think that the best have not had the opportunity to serve the rest and as a result, the values and the ethics that drive the various aspects of the ship called Nigeria are not functioning with their best possibilities.

But the church and other faith-based communities must now begin to create pathways and other deliberate opportunities for the best to serve and lead the rest. And by the best, I mean people, who are conscientious, who have capacity and have competence.

2015 is around the corner, what would be your advice for politicians?

Entering elected offices must not be a do or die affair.

Another advice to politicians is: Please don’t go into public office nor seek political appointments if you don’t intend to bring positive change. There are few areas we need change: we need real infrastructural development; we need security; we need education (we need to develop our human capital); we need industry and very key to industry is electricity.

Can a pastor go through the current electoral process in Nigeria and still come out unscratched?

If it requires 200 blows of an axe to bring down an Iroko tree, it may take 10 men, delivering 20 blows each. So, the first man may go and deliver his 20 blows and retire. It may look like he didn’t make much impact, but his contributions, as with other 19 men, are equivalent. However, the man whose 20th blow (who also happens to be the 20th man) delivers the final blow that brings down the tree is the one who gets credit. But eternity will validate all of them and perhaps, the first man who was willing to dare the task.

If God is with you, you don’t need to say so; it will be evident sooner or later. Just say, this is what I believe and this is why I am going for this. I’m vying for this office or that office.

And when you get there, do well with the offices. If you don’t get there, make the best attempt you could; be spirited about it; speak the truth in the matter; criticise the system or the process that does not create space for righteousness, right living and right thinking people and know that, even though you did not bring down the ‘Iroko’ tree, you at least created the initial indentation for others to follow, so that after they have made their impact, eventually, somebody will bring down the ‘Iroko’ tree and people will now have fire with which to create some warmth in the night.

If you were asked to pray for Nigeria, what would you say?

My prayer for Nigeria will certainly embody the second stanza of Nigeria’s national anthem. I almost wish it were the first stanza.

(Oh God of creation; Direct our noble cause; Guide our leaders right; Help our youth the truth to know; In love and honesty to grow; And living just and true; Great lofty heights attain; To build a nation where peace; And justice shall reign) My prayers would also include; ‘God help us to get rid of people who are engaged in ruining this country; push them aside, and then do not give them access to influence the determination of the outcome of our country.’

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FOREIGNNEWS

Bomb Blasts Kill 12 In Election Violence INDIA WO bombs planted by susT pected Maoist rebels have killed at least 12 people in the eastern Indian state of Chhattisgarh as voting continues in the general election.

The first blast hit a bus car-

rying election officials in Bijapur district, police said, killing seven.

The second attack - half an hour later - killed five police in an ambulance in the Bastar district.

India began five weeks of general election polling last Monday.

Officials said the bus in

Bijapur district was blown up by a landmine as it travelled between Gudma and the town of Kutru. Four people were injured.

Gunmen Seize Two Buildings In Sloviansk

Fresh Claims Of Poison Gas Attack HE government and opposition forces in Syria have accused each other of using poison gas in an attack on a village on Friday.

State TV said the jihadist Nusra Front group launched the attack on Kafr Zita in Hama province, killing two people and injuring dozens of others.

But opposition groups quoted doctors as saying that an attack by regime planes led to suffocation and

T

SYRIA poisoning.

There was no independent verification of either of the claims.

“Regime planes bombed Kafr Zita with explosive barrels that produced thick smoke and odours and led to cases of suffocation and poisoning,” said Rami Abdel Rahman, from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Abbott Says Signal ‘Rapidly Fading’ For Missing Plane MH370 AUSTRALIA IGNALS in remote seas Smissing thought to be from the Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 are “rapidly fading” and finding the jet will be a “massive, massive task”, Australia’s PM says.

Tony Abbott said he was confident “pings” detected by search teams were from the aircraft’s black boxes.

But no new signals have

been confirmed in the search area since Tuesday.

“No one should underestimate the difficulties of the task still ahead of us,” Mr Abbott warned.

Correspondents say Mr Abbott appeared to be couching his comments from Friday, in which he said he was “very confident” that signals heard by an Australian search ship were from the missing Boeing 777.

Tehran Angry Over Washington Visa Refusal For UN Envoy RAN has insisted it will not IUNreplace its new envoy to the in New York and accused the US of acting illegally by refusing a visa to the diplomat.

A senior Iranian official said they would “pursue the matter via legal mechanisms” with the United Nations.

The US accuses Hamid Aboutalebi of links to the group that seized the US embassy in Tehran in 1979, an incident that soured ties between the countries.

IRAN Mr Aboutalebi says that he only acted as a translator for the group.

Congress passed a bill last week that would allow the US to refuse an ambassadorial selection if the candidate posed a security risk.

Earlier this week, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif condemned the move by Congress.

UKRAINE RMED men have seized a police station and a security services building in eastern Ukraine, officials say.

Police said the men fired shots and used stun grenades to seize the offices in Sloviansk, near the Russian border.

The interior minister called the gunmen “terrorists” and said special forces would repel the attack.

Pro-Russian activists have seized government buildings elsewhere in east Ukraine. Kiev accuses Moscow of orchestrating the unrest.

Interim Foreign Minister Andrei Deshchytsia urged Moscow to end “provocative” actions by its agents.

Eastern Ukraine has a large Russian-speaking population and has seen a series of protests since the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych in February.

Protesters in largely Russian-speaking Donetsk, 130km (80 miles) from Sloviansk, have been occupying government buildings for days and demanding a referendum on becoming part of Russia.

A similar move prompted a Russian takeover of Ukraine’s Crimea region earlier this year.

The US and EU have put sanctions on Russian and Crimean people they say were connected with the takeover.

Russia has denied responsibility for the protests in eastern Ukraine, but Western nations have expressed concern over a build-up of Russian troops along the border.

A

Democratic Alliance (DA) leader, Ms. Helen Zille, shouts political slogans while she leads a march of supporters through the streets of the Jabulani district of Soweto… yesterday. General elections are on May 7.

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Sports BASKETBALL: The Foreign Push

Ike Diogu against France at the London 2012 Olympics

By Adeyinka Adedipe HE ambition of every country is to present T the best athletes at every international competition, in order to boost its chances of winning medals or at least present a good showing and prove to rivals that it also has the wherewithal to rub shoulders with top teams in the world.

Nigeria is not an exception, as coaches, administrators and heads of sports, strive to select the best athletes for major events, even in the face of undue interference from higher quarters.

These head of federations face a lot of criticism, so much that it greatly affects their judgment and they are quickly blamed for any woe that befalls the team.

However, the practice in today’s sports circle, which gives opportunity for countries to bring in their best athletes wherever they are born may have increased their chances of success at international competitions. The development has given countries the latitude to bring in top athletes to compete for them within the rules and regulation guiding such practice.

Just like many other countries, Nigeria capitalised on this to bring in athletes who were born to Nigerian parents in other countries and its usual to see one or two representing the country in every international competition.

This rule was well exploited by Nigeria at the London 2012 Olympic Games, with the entire Nigerian basketball team, plying their trade abroad and nine of the 12-man team, were Nigerians, who hadn’t stepped foot in the country before the Games.

The team had Ike Diogu, who was born in Garland, Texas; Richard Oruche was born in Illinois; Adeola Dagunduro was born in Los Angeles, California; Chamberlain Ogwuchi was

born in Houston, Texas; Abdul Alade Aminu and his brother Al-Farouq Ajiede Aminu were born in Georgia; Ekene Brian Ibekwe was born Los Angeles, California; Aniekan Archibong was born California, while Derrick Obasohan was born in Houston.

The three players who had links with the country, before going abroad were the captain, Olumide Oyedeji, Tony Skinn and Ejike Ugboaja, the first African player to be drafted by the American NBA straight from Africa (Cleveland Cavaliers, second round, 2006) without playing for a European team or American college.

Before the Olympic qualifiers in Caracas, Venezuela, basketball buffs gave the Nigerian team no chance of qualifying for the London Olympics. The odds were against the team and respected basketball analyst, ESPN’s Fran Fraschilla wrote Nigeria off and predicted a poor outing for D’Tigers.

But the never-say-die Nigerian spirit and the technical acumen of coach Ayo Bakare propelled the team to the Olympics, with the D’Tigers stunning the world by beating European powerhouse, Greece and Venezuela to berth in London. The team went to London and defeated African champion, Tunisia 60-56 in the opening games, while also creating a record of the highest margin loss to the U.S. (156-73).

Despite the team’s achievement, basketball buffs are not convinced that the arrangement would benefit the game locally. They are of the opinion that the Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF) must have a quota for local players so that they can also get exposed and develop themselves by playing at international competitions.

However, the NBBF noted that the best

Nigerian players should be selected for tournaments; provided they have the ability to do the country proud. It also defended the selection procedure, arguing that all the players (both local and foreign) invited to camp had equal opportunities before the final selection was made.

The NBBF also noted that the inclusion of foreign-based players would continue to enhance the quality of the national team, since the players coming in from abroad are exposed to better facilities and training. However, stakeholders countered this position by charging the NBBF to develop the local league and see the wonders the players would perform at international tournaments.

Some also questioned that the players, motive for agreeing to represent the country. They feel that they may want to use the opportunity as a springboard to greater height and not necessarily because of patriotism. But others say that it is a bit of both for most players, arguing that once an athlete puts on the jersey of his country, he would have to put in his best (patriotism), because it is by doing so that he can also boost his own profile.

Meanwhile, a board member of the NBBF and the proprietor of Markmentors Basketball Club of Abuja, Igoche Marks expressed belief that the inclusion of home-based players in the D’Tigers, would go a long way in improving the squad.

Speaking on the backdrop of the number of discoveries made at the Mark D’Ball Annual Basketball Championship, Mark noted that there were talented home-based players ready for the challenge if called upon to represent the country.

He stated: “We confronted the coach Ayo Bakare on this issue after the games and we were made to understand that there was an open camp where all the players fought for shirts.

“If Coach Ayo Bakare, who is now the technical director, is going to still be the coach of the team, we are going to urge him to give more opportunities to home-based players. I believe that is the only way we can have more international players; we have to enforce that on the national team coach, though with some limits.”

Ugboaja, who also made a call for the incorporation of home-grown talents in D’Tigers, stated that the non-inclusion of home grown tal-

ents showed that the national team handler had no confidence in the local league. “If you are an indigenous coach, and you close the door on home-based players, it means that you have no regard for the league and its organisers,” Ugboaja added.

Coach of First Deepwater Basketball Club, Lateef Erinfolami told The Guardian that the inclusion of players in Diaspora would have a positive impact on the national team. He said the quality of the game would improve due to the experience they would bring into the team, while the home-based lads would also gain from interacting with the players on and off the court.

“If properly managed, bringing players from Diaspora can actually help our national teams.

They would bring their experience into the team and the home-based players would also learn from them. It will also be a source of inspiration to the home-based players who will also want to move out and improve themselves in foreign leagues.

“My position is that the players from abroad can train in the country for at least two weeks, so that they can relate with the players instead of coming just two days, which is grossly inadequate to make an impact. In our days, when I came home to represent the country, we had more time to train with the players at home and the bond we create helped us to move forward as a team,” Erinfolami added.

He also stated that inferiority complex on the part of the home-based players could be a major problem of bringing in foreign players.

He, however said that a true professional athlete should not be in such situation, if he or she hopes to excel.

Erinfolami, who is also a former national team player, stated that the local league would also benefit from the arrangement since the players would get the opportunity to showcase what they have learnt, while playing with the foreignbased players in their respective teams.

“There was a time Late Mohammed Acha came home with an American, Jason Dickson, who played for Ebun Comets in one of the continental championships. I am sure the players learnt few skills from him. Many also look up to superstars like Tunji Awojobi because they saw the giant stride they made in their career. Similarly, the Dream shakes also became popular after Hakeem Olajuwon trained with the senior and junior national teams, while he was playing for

Sunday, April 13, 2014 SPORT 63

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That Makes The Difference At Home Houston Rockets.

According to the former Tedamon Zouk of Beirut player, quota system would only work if the national team handlers are looking at helping local players develop by getting the necessary exposure at international competitions.

He, however, noted that the kind of exposure foreign players get from playing abroad would give them an edge over the local lads. He stated that the national team handler must strive to have a team and not a bunch of individuals, who go onto the court to show off instead of playing for the good of the team. “For me, a national team player must be talented and have a good attitude. He must also be ready to sacrifice his game for the benefit of the team and must be selfless.”

Erinfolami also commended organisers of various basketball camps in the country that have helped produce players, adding that with renewed focus, the country would benefit more from them. “I must say that all those camps have made an impact, but some organisers are using it to scout for players that are taken to various schools and teams abroad. But I am sure they will be more successful if the motive is to discover talents. However, the female players have benefitted more, having moved on from those camps to teams in the local league.

Speaking on how he was able to get the players to play for Nigeria, Bakare told The Guardian that the professionalism and the credibility of the NBBF programmes convinced the players to opt for Nigeria instead of their country of birth.

“I think it was rather the professionalism and credibility of the programmme selling itself to the players, more than my personal persuasion.

Many people underestimate just how efficient and organised the NBBF national team program is. Once the players could see the level of organisation, the level of commitment from the Federation, how their concerns such as insurance and welfare were taken care of, they all became eager to play for the national team.

In other words, you can say I did not need to do much convincing, I just rode on the crest of the waves already created by the Federation.

The NBBF technical director said the country has players who have the passion to play for the country, noting that they need to be patriotic to play for Nigeria, while not denying the added perks that come from playing for the country.

He stated: “Nigeria is blessed to have basketball players who are burning with passion to represent their country. The prime reason why our professional basketball players play for Nigeria is to fulfill a desire born out of patriotism. Of course, there is no denying the fact that the Nigerian basketball programme has become a highly visible and high profile program, therefore playing on the Nigerian team can have added perks such as exposure and career enhancement. However, in my experience, representing their country has been the prime motivating factor for our foreign based players.

Bakare also agrees that the influx of these players must rub of on the game locally, which is gradually improving. “Nigerian local basketball is constantly improving and growing in leaps.

Admittedly, we are not yet at the pinnacle of where we hope to be, but all hands are on deck working to meet the high expectations. Money drives everything and unfortunately, we do not have anything near enough of that at the moment.

“We need to be able to organise more training for our referees, coaches and officials. We need to be able to guarantee our players a playing season of at least 40 competitive games to enable them develop their skills to the level of players that can favorably compete internationally.

“We need to have lucrative leagues (just like Angola), that will encourage our players to stay and play at home instead of running off abroad to play for peanuts. We need to have Leagues that are financially able to attract professional players from abroad to come in and raise the standard of our games, since no league thrives well based on locally produced players alone (even the NBA is spiced up by 92 imports from 39 countries as at the start of the 2013/2014 season). But Nigerian basketball is moving forward

to injuries.

“There is no standard basketball score board in Nigeria and so we use table top score boards meant for training sessions. Only two sponsors are available since 2008. For me, Nigerian basketball appears to be like a glorified inter house sports,” Ahmedu added.

He, however, agreed that basketball camps have been helpful, commending the organisers for their commitment. “A lot of players have secured scholarships to U.S colleges and higher institutions through these camps.

Recognition has also come from the NBA for the players from these camps.

This was the route used by Olumide Oyedeji, Ugbuaja and Chukwudi Maduabum to be drafted to the NBA. Also, these camps help to improve the fundamentals of the players.

Ahmedu, who is the proprietor of Dodan Warriors Basketball Club affirmed that there is no need for quotas in the national team. For him, both home-based and foreign-based players should be given equal opportunities to fight for shirts.

He, however, disagreed that only foreign stars are good to play for the country at international competitions. “This is wrong.

Angola and Tunisia have won the Nations Cup for Men with home-based players, rubbishing the notion by our administrators that only those who play in foreign land are good enough. We have good players locally that can make the national team,” he maintained.

Ahmedu said players aspiring top play for the national team must be skillful, and he/she embraces our culture and show patriotism, which includes being able to sing our national anthem and must be ready to face the hardships associated with playing on the African continent.

Bakare

Ahmedu

incredibly fast compared to the resources available at the moment.

“Purely based on the theory that ‘no knowledge is wasted’, the various camps have had appreciable positive impact on the development of Nigerian players and their exposure. I can say this even for those camps, which we know are organised primarily to raise donations for the material benefit of the organisers.

They still help to expose and educate our players, and are far better than nothing.

“However, what the Federation must begin to consider is how to become more actively involved in these camps and pay closer attention to the NBBF’s statutory supervisory and regulatory role regarding them. That will help ensure the quality of these camps and could help protect our young athletes from some of the exploitation, which takes place within these systems.

The Ebun Comet proprietor noted that there should always be a quota of 12 Nigerians on every the team. These twelve should always be the best players available to us at that point in time, and who would best fulfill our objective of competing as best as we can in the tournament.

“Where those players are geographically located should not matter unless we are merely being sentimental. They can be based in Ibadan or New York. As long as they are Nigerians, why are we introducing the sentiment of whether they are home-based or based abroad? Once any home-based player gets good enough, do they not graduate to become foreign-based?

When those local players graduate to foreignbased, should we then start discriminating against them too?

“We have to get our priorities right and stop baseless sentiments. Everyone (including my humble self) likes the idea of locally based players being on the national teams, but we must not promote this desire to the extent of putting undeserving players on our national teams over better qualified players. If we do so, we are rewarding and encouraging mediocrity. Let all our players, regardless of geographical location compete for spots on the national team. Do not let us discriminate against or in favour of any player.

He continued: “Instead, if we do not have a satisfactory number of home-based players capable of winning spots on our national team, then let us regard it as a call-to-arms to do more to improve the quality of our local leagues to make the players more competent to contest for spots on the national team. There is a lot we can do to make this happen aside from idle sentiment. I will personally be very happy the day we can boast of all 12 players on our national team being locally-based, because it would show that we then have a very strong league and we have done all the right things to develop our local talent. Until then, I personally lack the training to reward mediocrity or discriminate against competence.”

According to Bakare, to play for Nigeria, the foreign-based players (or indeed any player) must simply be Nigerians, talented enough to merit

a spot on the national team, and dedicated and committed to the objectives of the team.

Head of Dodan Warriors Basketball Programme, Sam Ahmedu, stated that the motive of players coming to play for Nigeria differs. He said some players, especially those who cut their teeth in the local scene before travelling, do so for patriotism, but questioned the motive of those with dual nationality, who were playing for the country for the first times.

“Some of the foreign players, especially some of those coming for the first time and who have dual citizenship, chose to play for Nigeria to showcase their skills to foreign clubs with the hope of being recruited, because they cannot make the national teams of their first countries.

“If Nigeria never qualified for the 2012 Olympics qualifying tournament, some of the players would never have turned up for Nigeria.

Some earlier failed to show up for the 2011 Nations Cup in Madagascar. It was observed that some of our players at the qualifiers and 2012 Olympic G a m e s could not sing the country’s national anthem, which in my view is where patriotism starts.”

Ahmedu disagrees with Bakare on the level of the local game. He stated that the game is comatose and lamented that it is plagued by poor administration, nepotism, poor technical base and lack of adequate equipment.

“We cannot procure the right equipment for our televised games. Presently, an outdoor plastic floor is in place for our League games at the indoor hall of the National Stadium, L a g o s instead of an indoor synthetic floor, leading Oyedeji and a French player after a game at the last Olympics in London

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Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Arsenal’s French striker Olivier Giroud (left) battles with Wigan Athletic’s English goalkeeper Scott Carson in yesterday’s English FA Cup semi-final at Wembley Stadium in London

Arsenal Keep Title Dream Alive, Hit FA Cup Final RSENAL reached the FA A Cup final by beating holders Wigan on penalties to keep alive their hopes of ending a nine-year trophy drought.

Jordi Gomez opened the scoring for the Championship side from the penalty spot at Wembley after Per Mertesacker clumsily brought down Callum McManaman.

Mertesacker levelled with a close-range header to force extra time.

Gary Caldwell and Jack Collison had penalties saved before the decisive kick was scored by Santi Cazorla Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had said before yesterday’s semifinal that more teams have a realistic chance of winning it.

While the priority for top flight clubs is strong performances in the Premier League, Wenger concedes only a few teams could claim the top prize in English football.

Wenger last enjoyed success in the FA Cup in 2005 when Arsenal beat Manchester United on penalties at the Millennium Stadium, the club’s last piece of silverware.

The Gunners are favourites to lift this season’s FA Cup,

but it was a difficult day seeing off Wigan in yesterday’s semi-final at Wembley.

“Last year Wigan won the FA Cup, this year you have Sheffield United in the semifinal and that kind of dream open to everybody makes the competition special,” Wenger had said before the game.

Arsenal will play Hull City or League 1 Sheffield United in the final next month.

“If you are in the FA Cup everyone can dream of winning it at the start of the season, while the championship - only seven clubs can dream of winning it,” Wenger had said.

“In the championship you can talk and talk, but we know the biggest budget will win it; that open dream is what makes this competition special in football.

“In basketball if you play against a team from Division Two, there is absolutely no chance unless you give them 30 points, only in our sport

can create that excitement because it is uncertain.”

Wenger had been accused of being a ‘specialist in failure’

by Chelsea counterpart Jose

Mourinho earlier this season as the pressure was ramped up in the Premier League title race.

The Gunners have since fall-

en out of the picture for topflight glory, but Wenger insists he still has a determination to secure silverware.

“Don’t imagine I sacrifice

every day of my life not to win a trophy. Everybody fights for that,” he added. “We all play to win something.”

English Premier League

Everton Displace Arsenal, Spurs In Dramatic Comeback VERTON moved into the cleared off the line by John by Eriksen’s top-corner lev- tant win.

E Premier League’s top four Stones with Tim Howard beat- eller.

Hugo Rodallega scored the after Sunderland’s own goal en. Gus Poyet’s side remains gifted them a seventh straight win that keeps Sunderland bottom of the table.

Also, it was drama at the Hawthorns, as Tottenham came from three goals down to draw 3-3 with host West Brom.

A spirited Black Cats display was undone with 15 minutes to go when Brown diverted Gerard Deulofeu’s cross into his own net while trying to clear.

Sunderland’s best chance saw Fabio Borini’s shot

seven points adrift of safety, with six games to go.

West Brom lost a three-goal lead against Tottenham as Christian Eriksen’s injurytime goal left them three points clear of the drop zone.

Matej Vydra volleyed West Brom ahead on 25 seconds before Chris Brunt doubled the lead with a volley.

Tottenham’s Emmanuel Adebayor had a penalty saved, before the hosts’ Stephane Sessegnon slotted in. Jonas Olsson’s own goal and Harry Kane’s header were followed

Crystal Palace beat a lacklustre Aston Villa to secure a third successive Premier League victory, which leaves them seven points clear of relegation.

Palace created the better chances, although Cameron Jerome needed to clear Ciaran Clark’s header off the line.

Jerome then hit the crossbar at the other end and Yannick Bolasie went close, while referee Howard Webb appeared to award Palace a penalty only to reverse the decision. But Jason Puncheon and Bolasie combined to secure an impor-

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only goal to give Fulham a precious win in their relegation duel with Norwich.

Rodallega swept home Lewis Holtby’s first-half free-kick after it had been flicked on by Steve Sidwell.

It leaves third-bottom Fulham just two points behind Norwich, who have a treacherous final four matches. New Canaries boss, Neil Adams will wonder how his side failed to gain any reward from three excellent chances before Rodallega struck.

Premiership Results Crystal Palace 1 - 0 Aston Villa Fulham 1 - 0 Norwich Southampton 0 - 1 Cardiff Stoke 1 - 0 Newcastle Sunderland 0 - 1 Everton West Brom 3 - 3 Tottenham