SUN 11 AUG 2013 by The Guardian Newspaper

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Power Reform:

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Efforts To Create Paradise On Earth

Anambra 2013 – The Abuja Factor, Consensus Option And The Zoning Question

What Clerics Say On Early Marriage And The Girl Child

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APC: We Are Beyond Buhari, Tinubu, Say S/West Leaders • El-Rufai Accuses Jonathan Of Ethnic, Religious Politics From Saxone Akhaine (Northern Bureau Chief, Kaduna) and Ikechukwu Onyewuchi (Lagos) N response to the allegation IAllthat the newly-registered Progressives Congress (APC) has ethnic leanings, key Southwest members, at the weekend, said the party is poised to unite the zone and move beyond the characters of its two prominent leaders, Muhammadu Buhari and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The leaders declared their position, just as APC’s Deputy National Secretary, Mallam El-Rufai, yesterday, accused President Goodluck Jonathan of using ethnicity and religion as major instruments in dividing Nigerians towards his 2015 Presidential ambition. Speaking at separate interviews with The Guardian, CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

NEWS 3

Africa’s Exports To US Hit $35bn In 2012 NEWS 3

Anambra PDP ‘Endorses’ Jonathan NEWS 5

Fuel Inferno Kills Eight In Niger State NEWS 4

Poor Education Sector Undermines Nigeria’s Economy, By Kings College Principal

The Apostolic Faith Church Choir/Orchestra during the 2013 Camp meeting concert at Igbesa, Ogun State… yesterday.

PHOTO: SUNDAY AKINLOLU

CONCESSION:

‘Airport Deals Skewed To Defraud Nigerians’ By Marcel Mbamalu (News Editor) and Geoff Iyatse IGERIANS and the economy will remain the ultimate losers if the airport terminals are run as handed over to private operators, according to Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. George Uriesi.

• Ex-Officials Connived With Concessionaires To Milk Aviation Sector Dry • ‘Banks’ N38bn Loan For 12-yr Concession Fraudulent’ • Bi-Courtney Insists on 36-yr Contract, Says Deal Was Transparent But Bi-Courtney Aviations Services, the concessionaires of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMA2) terminal, yesterday, debunked FAAN’s claims saying the deal followed due

process and was devoid of subterfuge or corruption. Uriesi, who expressed strong reservations on what he described as ‘doctored agreements’ to cede national airport facilities to “private

interests,” said the arrangement left FAAN almost bankrupt. Following disagreements and litigations arising from CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

NEWS 4

Policy Review Threatens Enugu’s Health Initiative, Say Civil Societies

TheGuardian

2 | Sunday, August 11, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

2015: El-Rufai Accuses Jonathan Of Ethnic, Religious Politics CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Senator Ayo Fasanmi, Professor Akinjide Osuntokun and former Governor of Ekiti State, Niyi Adebayo, stressed that, although the new party had a huge influence in the zone through the now defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), it is prepared to push for a more united Nigeria with the support of other parts of the country duly represented in the APC merger. Adebayo, who is also the Interim Vice Chairman of the APC in South West, described the perception that the party is hinged on personalities of Tinubu and Buhari as wrong, saying that it is, instead, a congregation of well-meaning individuals who have a lot to contribute to Nigeria’s nascent democracy. “The Party consists of more than two people. The APC does not belong to two or three persons; no, it is a party that belongs to millions of its supporters. Yes, there are individuals who have taken the lead in the merger process; but it is not a party that belongs to any individual. When people say it is built around some persons, they do so to denigrate the party.”

Professor Osuntokun, who is a member of Presidential Advisory Council on International Relations and former Ambassador to Germany, said the emergence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is good for Nigeria, because it would thicken the political climate and give Nigerians a credible opposition party to consider if the sitting Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) fails to live up to expectation. He stressed that the issue is not about Tinubu delivering the Southwest or Buhari delivering the North, as “nobody can deliver anybody.” On his part, Fasanmi debunked the insinuation that APC runs a one-man show, stressing that it neither pursues Yoruba nor Southwest agenda. He said the character of Bisi Akande is enough to challenge the images of Tinubu and Muhammed Buhari. El-Rufai, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), however, noted that poor performance would count against him, because, according to him, Nigerians can no longer be deceived. The APC chieftain spoke, yesterday, as guest of the Kadunabased Liberty Radio, saying that the campaign by some

Ijaw leaders, including chief Edwin Clark and Asari Dokubo, has reduced the nation’s Presidency to ethnicity and religion. El-Rufai, who spoke on two different interview sessions — Hausa and English — argued that, going by the conduct of state affairs by Jonathan, coming back to the Presidency in 2015 for him would be impossible. He lamented the condition of the nation’s domestic economy, noting that a situation where 70 percent of national resources are devoted to running government and 30 percent for development purposes is bad for the country. El-Rufai argued: “Let us apply 70 percent of the nation’s resources to development of the vital sectors, you would see that Nigerians would get up and praise the government themselves. Right now, we are doing the exact opposite. “We are using more than 70 percent of our resources in running the government. Only about 30 percent is used for electricity, road, education and so on. Our school system has failed; welfare services have also failed. In 2010 alone, Nigerians spent N4 billion for medical treatment abroad. And this is from Central Bank records. This is not right.”

Former External Affairs Minister, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi leading members of the Presidential Committee on Boko Haram on a visit to a female victim of Boko Haram attack in Kano Hospital.

FAAN, Bi-Courtney Row Over Airport Concession Deepens CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 the concessioning of key services, the Nigerian aviation sector has generally been in the news for the wrong reasons. Central to the recent altercations are FAAN, BiCourtney Aviation Services, and the AIC Nigeria Ltd, among others. But FAAN says it is working with the Aviation Ministry to explore the exit clauses in the agreements, which, according to Uriesi, is skewed against national interest. “For the first time, BiCourtney has been tackled smartly by FAAN. They are experts at obtaining exparte orders and flashing them as Judgment. It is not near the way it seems. We are working smartly with lawyers to arrive at where we want to. And I have no doubt that we are going to arrive there. I don’t like the fact that we are

going through this; I would like us to resolve it,” he said. Uriesi, who spoke with The Guardian in an exclusive interview, said global aviation business, being a “captive” industry, allows concession for effective airport management. But such deals, according to him, are structured in a way that “both the airport and the concessionaire make money.” Regrettably, he said, the scenario in Nigeria became ‘fraudulently’ different and created untoward opportunities for friends of government to milk the country dry. Said he: “Concession allows a fee that is usually a percentage of the earnings. What is important is that both the airport and the concessionaire make money. But in Nigeria, it became a different matter. It was a situation where powerful people would look at the airport and say it would be

nice to collect money from the place. “They concocted arrangement that gave them critical assets through their friends in government to the detriment of the airport itself. For many years, people got away with the frauds.” According to the FAAN chief executive, the situation had a telling impact on the Authority as government only struggled to maintain other key infrastructures apart from the terminals being run by the concessionaires. “When I came and looked around, it was an organisation that was struggling to pay salaries and maintain the airports; it had a terrible balance sheet with cash-flow problems. “To rescue such organisation, the first question was: why is the situation that bad? We started looking at the concessions, and they were baffling. I would be reading the concession agreements in the night and would be furious. It was robbery. When I discussed the possibility of meeting with the concessionaires to re-negotiate with them, they would say ‘leave this one alone and concentrate on your assignment because it is beyond you. Yet, if the issue were not tackled, the organisation would not be turned around. Many of them started talking me down, saying: ‘who is this, what is he going to do’?” Uriesi said the issue was not that Bi-Courtney was given a concession, but that “it was a mismanaged concession. I cannot understand how you can concession a terminal for 12 years. I have heard of 15 years; in some cases 20 or 25. It

is difficult to recoup your investment within 12 years except you don’t know what you are doing. “Secondly, the concession was a piece of land, which you could configure as you wanted. But you now use the land to do car park, terminal and have very small left for aircraft. “You claim the terminal is four million or 4.5 million passenger capacity but you do not have enough room for aircraft to park, which limits your capacity. What they have is 14-aircraft stand, forgetting that the main business is airport. Hence, it cannot do more than two million passengers because it has space for only14 aircraft. “The concession is for 12 years; but, because of who they are, they have put a clause that says there will be no other domestic scheduled airline terminal in Lagos State for the period of the concession. That is ridiculous! “Going further, you now altered the period to 36 years, without changing the terms that are already ridiculous for 12 years because you are the master of the universe. The concession is for 12 years but they have tried everything in the books to extend it to 36 years. FAAN approved the design of a terminal that was N3.9 billion. What they built is not what FAAN approved; they claimed to have built it with N38 billion. Take a valuer there to find out the actual cost of the terminal. “A consortium of Nigerian banks lent them N38 billion for a 12-year concession…to

build a terminal on a 12-year concession with number that will not return that kind of loan. “They now went back to the government and said, instead of N3.9 billion, we spent N38 billion, let us extend the period. They argued that an international consultant said it would take them 36 years to recover the investment. That was irrespective of the fact that there are already ridiculous terms for the 12-year period. It does not make sense. Come let us re-negotiate, they will say no.” Reacting to the allegation that the controversial concession agreement was written by Bi-Courtney, the concessionaire, yesterday, challenged Uriesi to publish FAAN’s version of the agreement for Nigerians to see. Insisting that the concession agreement was co-authored with FAAN, Bi-Courtney’s spokesman, Steve Ajulo, denied allegation of collusion with government and FAAN officials. He said the Authority now makes wide allegations after losing all the court cases it instituted against BiCourtney, while advising it to take its grievances to the Supreme Court. On the issue of extension, BiCourtney argued that, although the original concession agreement was for 12 years, FAAN itself extended it to 36 years through a letter — Supplemental Agreement — signed by one of its directors on behalf of the Managing Director at the time. “It is not a matter of BiCourtney extending a 12-year concession to 36 years. FAAN wrote a letter signed by a

director on behalf of the MD offering us 36 years and we replied to accept the offer.” “If you have been able to establish the case of corruption in the process, you go to the court and prove it. All these arguments have been marshaled in the court of law and they failed. These are wide allegations. What have they been able to do with the officials we colluded with in FAAN?; it actually means there is rot in FAAN,” said Ajulo. According to him, the concession arrangement has an “opening,” including the Arbitration Committee, for resolving disagreements. “They (FAAN) took the matter to the Committee, which took the issues one-by-one and resolved them in our favour. They also went to the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal and lost on all fronts. Now, they are whipping sentiments. “We believe in Nigeria’s legal system; the Supreme Court is there. You can appeal to the Supreme Court. “As far we are concerned, that concession is for 36 years because everything has been settled by the Arbitration. From the way official of FAAN are talking, it is clear that they have not seen the agreement. There are two agreements, the original one and the Supplemental Agreement, which increased the concession to 36 years.” “The time the agreement was to take off, FAAN didn’t allow it to take off because of bureaucracy, which means that, from day one, FAAN has been flouting the agreement.” FULL INTERVIEW ON BUSINESS PAGE 50

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

NEWS Cross River Takes Delivery of $1m Sports Equipment From Anietie Akpan, Calabar

HE Cross River State GovT ernment has taken delivery of the last batch of equipment worth over $1m for its comprehensive Sports Development programme. The Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Mr. Patrick Ugbe, who took delivery of the equipment at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar, said government is excited at the arrival of the items. He said, “these equipment, which represented the last batch of supplies were ordered from the United States of America, are meant for the development of sports in Cross River. Today’s arrival are equipment for the development of boxing and weightlifting; we also have some of the athletics equipment as well. “The equipment we received, so far, are worth more than a million US Dollars. Our sports administrators have been mandated to maintain the equipment and use them with care in the course of training our budding youngsters in sports. “All the equipment were manufactured in the United States of America for our programme and some of them have been put to use already at the All Nigeria/ Cross River Athletics championship, which we have been hosting for years now. “We are also preparing continuously for the hosting of the 2014 National Sports Festival (NSF) and the Obudu International Mountain Race within the same period”. The State Director of Sports, Dr. Jude Amadi, noted that the arrival of the equipment would boost Cross River’s Comprehensive Sports Development programme, the 2014 NSF and the Obudu Mountain Race as “the equipment are all-embracing.” Sports Development Consultant to Cross River State government, Dr. Bruce Ijirigo, also emphasised that the equipment would be judiciously utilised for purposes intended and “we are going to use it strictly for the development of these young athletes. We believe that the equipment will enable us to develop training programmes for individual athletes. “We intend to nurture these athletes appropriately over a long period of time; specifically to peak at certain competitions and certain age for them to be successful. Ijirigo said some of the equipment will be distributed to six schools of sporting excellence across the state and “it is primarily for us to intensify our training and be specific in what we want to achieve for our children. We have enough equipment for primary, secondary schools athletes and for our elite athletes.”

Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun (middle); All Progressives Congress (APC) Chieftains, Alhaji Roqeeb Adeniji and Chief Wole Adesiji; Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Alhaji Yusuf Olaniyonu; SSA on Social Development, (left) and Mr. Tunde Sanusi (right) during the governor’s inspection of the ongoing Ilo-Awela road project in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of the state, at the weekend.

Africa Exports To US Hit $35bn In 2012 Nigeria Leads Call For Growth Opportunity Act Extension From Laolu Akande, New York ITH Nigeria’s contribuW tion atop, the total Africa exports to the United States under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) grew to nearly $35 billion in 2012 alone, according to the US State Department, just as the 12th yearly AGOA forum opens in Addis Ababa. Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, Prof. Adefuye Adebowale, at a pre-AGOA forum in Washington DC, called for an AGOA trade hub in Nigeria, and the extension of the AGOA law, which is expected to expire in 2015. The Nigerian envoy noted that such an extension period of between 10 and 15 years would give Nigeria and other eligible African countries “reasonable time to build competitive capacity in the global

market and ensure that meaningful investment opportunities are realised.” Besides, the US Commerce Department noted that, by the middle of last year, US exports to the entire Sub Saharan Africa was about $21 billion, revealing a rising trade expansion with African countries because of the AGOA. According to a statement issued by the US State Department at the weekend, “AGOA enables the 39 eligible sub-Saharan African countries to export most products duty-free to the United States, adding that the total African exports under AGOA “have more than quadrupled” since the programme’s inception about 13 years ago. Continuing, the statement stated, “AGOA provides incentives for African countries to improve their investment cli-

INTERNATIONAL mates, reduce corruption, respect human and labour rights and the rule of law, improve infrastructure and harmonise trade standards to help them become more competitive in the global marketplace,” having disclosed that “in 2012, AGOA-eligible countries exported nearly $35 billion in products to the United States duty free under AGOA and its related Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) provisions.” Commenting before he left Washington DC to join the Nigerian delegation to the 12th AGOA forum in Ethiopia, Adefuye disclosed that there are more than 6,400 products covered under AGOA from the 39 African countries, including Nigeria. But he added that even

though AGOA is about to expire in two years, “many African countries have not benefitted,” from the provision of the US law that grants dutyfree trade into the US. “Even Nigeria has not optimally utilised the provisions of AGOA as the component of its huge trade with the US is mostly crude oil,” Adefuye added, while canvassing a broader products window under the Act, “so that our value-added agricultural products could be allowed into the American markets.” The Nigeria Ambassador to the US then suggested, as he noted at the pre-AGOA forum meeting in the US Capital last week, that access for highvalue and semi-processed agric products into US markets from Nigeria “should be part of the renewed AGOA.” More specifically, the Ambas-

sador added that when AGOA is extended, Nigeria would expect the Americans to assist Africa with trade infrastructure such as safe ports, shipping, roads and rails to connect the sub-region and to foster regional trade. He also stated that the country needs technical assistance in the area of Phyto-Sanitary Compliance, the absence of which he disclosed “has led to the denial of access into US market of most of its agric products.” The 12th AGOA Forum will be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with the theme “Sustainable Transformation through Trade and Technology,” and the US State Department said the forum would bring “together senior administration officials, African government ministers as well as US and African business and civil so-

2015: Anambra PDP ‘Endorses’ Jonathan, Holds Unification Rally From Uzoma Nzeagwu, Awka HE Anambra State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has passed a resolution to amend the PDP constitution with the aim of adopting President Jonathan for the 2015 presidential election. Anambra State PDP Chairman, Prince Ken Emeakayi, moved the motion, which was unanimously approved by PDP members during a political

rally to showcase aspirants for various political positions in the forthcoming council and governorship election at Ekwueme Square, Awka, during the weekend. Emeakayi said he would personally take the motion to all the 36 state chapters for ratification, before its final adoption and insertion into the party’s constitution at its next national convention. According to him, President

Nwoye, Charles Odunukwe, Ugochukwu Okeke and Prince Jonathan has performed credi- Nicholas Ukachukwu. Emeakayi who boasted that bly and deserves an automatic ticket for a second term. members from the 326 wards The governorship aspirants of the state have converged at a who graced the occasion and very short notice, advised made speeches include Mrs. party faithful to go home and Josephine Anini, Senator work hard to ensure victory for Emma Anosike, Chief PDP at the election. He disclosed that the crisis Akachukwu Nwankpo, Dr. Alex Obiogbolu, Obinna Uzoh, Wal- rocking the party is resolved: ter Uba Okeke, Sylvester “We have come here to launch Okonkwo, Comrade Tony operation ‘win-to-win’ and I

ANAMBRA

urge you to go home, tell those who are still angry that the fighting is over and the crisis has ended.” Speaking at the occasion, the National Vice Chairman, South-East zone, Col. Austin Akobundu, said that all aspirants have agreed to collapse their structures and work to win Anambra: “We have been struggling to rule Anambra and now the time has come, now!”

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

4 NEWS

NEWS Sambo Seeks Support For Jonathan Administration From Mohammed Abubakar, Abuja ICE President, Mohammed Namadi Sambo, has solicited the support of Nigerians for the present administration. He also gave assurance to the people of Kaduna State that they will continue to receive support from the Federal Government. The Vice President spoke in Zaria, Kaduna State, yesterday, at a reception organised by the Zazzau Emirate Council in honour of State Governor, Alhaji Mukhtar Ramalan

Yero. The event, held at the emir’s palace, attracted dignitaries from all walks of life. Sambo extended the goodwill of President Jonathan to the governor, the emir, Alhaji Shehu Idris, and the people of the state. In the spirit of Sallah celebrations, the Vice President paid a visit to the home of the governor’s father, Alhaji Ramalan Yero, to felicitate with him. Sambo said that the Jonathan administration is

ABUJA delivering on its campaign promises. He enumerated several projects being executed by the Federal Government in the state, including power, roads, railway, water supply and education, among others. “President Jonathan has approved the construction of hydropower plant at the Kubau Dam, providing water for the Zaria water project,” he said, adding, “all necessary

equipment for the 315 megawatt Kaduna power plant located at the Kudenda area of the state are on site and work is going on steadily.” On transportation, he noted that rail services have commenced from Kano through Zaria to Lagos, stressing: “Rehabilitation is also in progress on the rail line from Zaria to Kaura Namoda in Zamfara State. This will be extended to Sokoto and Kebbi States and subsequently to Niamey in Niger Republic.”

Sambo said that the AbujaKaduna fast train project is on course and would be delivered on schedule. He also gave assurance that the perennial water supply problem in Zaria is being tackled with determination. He appealed for prayers for peace and unity in the country, and expressed the appreciation of the Federal Government to the government and people of Kaduna State, the Emir of Zazzau and people of the Emirate for their continued support.

Policy Review Threatens Enugu’s Health Initiative, Say Civil Societies From Lawrence Njoku, Enugu IVIL Society Organisations (CSOs) in Enugu have expressed worry over the Free Maternal and Child Health (FMCH) programme of the state government, saying it could fail as a result of policy review. Governor Sullivan Chime had, six years ago, introduced the scheme, which is aimed at reducing mother and infant mortality and offering health care to children below the age of five. At a town hall meetin g organised by Partnership

for Transforming Health Systems (PATHS-2) in Nsukka at the weekend, the CSO’s said review of the free health policy to include evidence of tax payment before pregnant women could benefit has adversely affected the programme. Spokesperson for CSO’s in the state, Mr. Crownwell Chibuzo, told attendees, including government officials, that the exercise, which targets the vulnerable in society, is now beyond their (vulnerable) reach because of inability to

ENUGU present evidence of tax payment, among others. “The evidence of payment should be completely removed. If somebody is vulnerable, it means that he is incapable of paying. Asking such to pay tax will be a challenge. “However, we are mindful of the fact that government runs its programme on tax payers’ money. We are also suggesting that taxes in rural areas be paid on the basis of rural community, so that at

the end of the year, when they must have done their meeting, they could raise the money and present it to the government and receive their clearance certificate.” Chibuzo said that the initiative could fizzle out at the end of the present administration unless there is a backing from members of the state legislature. The group also called for safety of the facilities and adequate sensitisation of people on the initiative. The state’s Commissioner for Health, George Eze, said

the tax introduced by the state government for beneficiaries of the programme is not directed at pregnant women but at their husbands. He said that the state government has made strides in health care delivery through the district health system and development and adoption of the Strategic Health Development Plan 2010 -2015. He also disclosed that the state has supported HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria programmes as well as trained health workers on advanced life-saving skills.

Group Commends Ajimobi, Aregbesola On LAUTECH

OSUN GROUP, Amalgamation of A Citizens, Concerned with Development of Education in Yoruba Land (ACCDEY), has praised Governors Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, and Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State for inaugurating the Governing Council of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso. A statement jointly signed on behalf of the group by Aaron Olajiire Adewuni and Muhib Gbolagunte, Chairman and Secretary General, respectively, described members of the Council, headed by Professor of Animal Science, and two- time Vice Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Wale Omole, as qualified for the task of repositioning LAUTECH. ACCDEY said persons on the 8th Council have what it takes, academically and administratively, to govern any university in any part of the world, adding: “We believe strongly that with the choice of these men of high repute, the future of education in Yoruba land and particularly in LAUTECH is bright and purposeful.” The group further said that it is bothered by situations where moneybags, rather than use their money for the development of education in the region, are busy castigating well-meaning people. It described attacks on the person of the newly inaugurated Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council, Prof. Wale Omole, as unfortunate.

At Convention, RCCG Announces 20 New Provinces, Ordains 10,720 Officers LAGOS From Isaac Taiwo HE Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has ordained 10,720 Deacons, Deaconesses and Assistant Pastors. It has also announced the creation of 20 new Provinces, bringing their number to 160. General Overseer of the church, Pastor Enoch Adejara Adeboye, disclosed this during the 61st convention of the church at Redemption Camp, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The yearly event, which draws thousands of worshippers from across the world, ends today. Speaking on ‘Change’, the theme of the event, Pastor Adeboye said: “The only way you can experience change in your life, nature, attitude and relationship with God is to accept the only way He has proffered, so that you can experience progress, fulfillment and enjoyment with Him eternally. Note, however, that the change will cut off so many things in your life including old friends. But be sure, God will give you new

Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Dr. Adewale Omirin (left); Osun State Deputy Governor, Otunba Grace Laoye-Tomori; Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Interim National Chairman, All Progressive Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande; and Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, during a courtesy call on the APC leader at his home town, Ila Orangun, Osun State... on Friday.

‘How Poor Education Sector Undermines Nigeria’s Economy’ From Ikechukwu Onyewuchi GAINST the backdrop of the lingering strike by the Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (ASUU), the attention of stakeholders has again been drawn to the need for more investment in the education sector. “There is a linear correlation between development and education. The most developed countries in the world are the most edu cated countries. If you invest in education, then you are likely going to raise your per capital income and become a global economy. You

cannot be a global economy if your education sector is poor.” This was the submission of the Principal of Kings College, Lagos, Dele Olapeju, during an exclusive interview with The Guardian, last week. Olapeju said: “Education should take priority, rather than be a social amenity. If you build bridges, you can point to your bridges. A politician would not want to invest in education because people will not see it. Meanwhile, people see it.” He said: “A university lec-

NATIONAL turer today is well paid, because their jobs are being compared to blue-chip companies and jobs. Tertiary teachers are some of the best paid workers in the country. They are even better paid than the bankers now. There is job security for them. You don’t have the fear of, say, rationalising the banks and throwing away workers. That doesn’t occur in education. He, however, noted: “For secondary schools, there is still more government can do in terms of remuneration

of staff. Government should encourage and pay them better too. It is not about the basic salary; it is about the condition of service - you don’t have a house or a car; there is no provision for car loans and accommodation. A lot of school leavers will like to remain unemployed than go into teaching.” Olateju revealed that the recent overhaul of the old curriculum has made secondary school education more relevant, stressing that the new subjects are in tandem with the realities of society. He noted: “Every student

that is leaving basic education will have to go through pre-vocational subjects, and the subjects comprise home economics, agricultural science and social studies. It is a good punch. “At least when you leave basic school, you should have what it takes to face vocational subjects for the future. Most of the things that are imported from China are not made by highbrow firms; they are made by cottage industries. We have to get back there and promote Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).”

NEWS 5

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

NEWS World Bank Scores Osun High In Community Devt

OSUN From Tunji Omofoye,Osogbo EADER of the World Bank Task Team for Community and Social Development Project (CSDP), Prof. Foluso Okunmadewa, has scored Osun State high in the implementation the bank-sponsored community projects. He said out of about N1.2 billion earmarked for such projects in the state, about N9OO million has been disbursed to various communities. This, he said, will enhance the living condition of the rural dwellers. Prof. Okunmadewa, who led other World Bank officials on inspection of projects, said the level of implementation is remarkable. He told journalists that Osun has become a reference point, in terms of commitment to CSDP project execution.

Webster’s Ghanaian Campus Gets Accreditation INTERNATIONAL Chairman, Council of Faculty Presidents, the University of Lagos, Nelson Oluwafisayo (left); SUG President, Yaba College of Technology, Afeez Babalola; and Ex-SUG President, the Lagos State University, Agbomeji Ibrahim, at the launch of Glo Bounce, a new product for the youth in Lagos…yesterday.

Akande Flays Jonathan’s Leadership Style From Tunji Omofoye, Osogbo HE Interim National ChairT man of the newly-registered All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande, yesterday, reflected on the challenges facing the country, noting that President Goodluck Jonathan’s leadership style has worsen the situation. He condemned what he described as the President’s lackadaisical attitude to serious national issues. Akande accused Jonathan of turning down quality counsels well-meaning Nigerians, including himself, have given him. He said the President in-

stead pre-occupies himself the 2015 agenda. The APC leader, who spoke with journalist at his country home (Ila Orangun), in Osun State, said he had engaged Jonathan on serious national issues bordering on development but the President rebuffed the gestures. He advised the President to forget his ambition to continue in office beyond 2015, insisting that APC is waiting to take over power through lawful and democratic means. When that happens, he said, the country will get have access good governance that is currently lack-

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n g . His words: “Jonathan has not taken national issues seriously; he is more concerned about his third-term... By his attitude, he has succeeded in reducing Nigeria to kindergarten governance.” Akande noted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) cannot address the challenges facing the country while urging the people to reject the party in 2015. Describing the PDP as a reactionary force, he said Jonathan has trivialised his

office as President because “he sends the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after his perceived opponents.” Akande said the priority of the party is to embark on massive mobilisation and registration of members across the country to give the party a strong structure that would kick PDP out of office in 2015. “PDP has expired because Nigerians are tired. I am happy that a credible and reliable party in APC is waiting as an alternative to the ruling party, which has not moved the country forward since

1999 it has been in control at the centre. “We have overcome the challenge of registration; our next preoccupation is registration of members across the country. How to pick candidates for political positions would be decided in future,” he said. He said the uproar that greeted the registration of APC and its geographical spread are enough signals that the days of PDP are numbered. He said the party would adopt high internal democracy to remain united ahead the 2015 elections.

Diya, Others Commiserate With Fashola By Gbenga Akinfenwa ORMER Chief of General F(rtd); Staff, Lt.Gen Oladipo Diya Executive Chairman, Lagos State Civil Service Commission, Alhaji Hakeem Danmola and former member of

the Senate, Anthony Adefuye, have commiserated with the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, over the death of his father, Alhaji Ibrahim Ademola Fashola. They described the late Fashola as an astute adminis-

LAGOS trator and eminent religious scholar. In separate condolence letters, they prayed for the repose of the deceased while asking God to console the

Fasholas. Diya described the late Fashola as a community and religious leader of note, who devoted his life, talents and resources to the greatest and best service of God/mankind. Danmola, on his part en-

seller. The two Toyota buses that were following the tanker caught fire, burning all the passengers beyond recognition. It was also gathered that the villagers, who came for rescue mission sustained various degree of injuries from the inferno. The driver and the conductor of the tanker as well as eighteen villagers who sustained high degree of injuries were

NIGER rushed to Federal Medical Centre Bida and the rural hospital Lapai, but two of them were said to have died yesterday morning. That is apart from those who died at the spot. A senior official of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Mohammed Shaba, who confirmed the incidence, said eight deaths

have been recorded while twenty others have sustained different degrees of injuries. He said those who died at the spot were burnt beyond recognition, which necessitated their being buried at the spot. Those who sustained injuries were taken to hospitals at Bida, Minna and Lapai for treatment. “I am on my way from Lapai to Bida where some of the victims, with various degree of

campus located in Accra, after a thorough review. The university is in the process of securing approval location from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) for the Ghanaian campus. When approved, graduates of Webster, Accra, will earn degrees recognised by both US and Ghana. Since 1925, Webster University has been accredited by HLC, a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, the United States. “As a global university, Webster has embraced the ideals and impact of globalism over nearly a century of growth,” said its President, Elizabeth Stroble.

Aspirant Hails PDP’s Reconciliation Efforts

EKITI joined Nigerians to emulate the sterling qualities and exemplary achievements of the deceased. Senator Onafuye said the deceased was a caring and disciplined father worthy of emulation.

Fuel Inferno: Eight Feared Dead John Ogiji Minna T least eight persons have lost their lives in a fire accident involving a petroleum tanker and two Toyota cars in Birni Maza, along Lapai-Lambata-Abuja Road, Niger State. The accident was said to have occurred on Friday night in the town, about 20 kilometres to Lapai, when the PMS that the tanker was carrying gushed out and cut fire believed to be fueld by a tea

HANA’S Ministry of EduG cation has accredited Webster University’s new

injuries, are hospitalized. The cause of the accident is the dilapidated nature of the road, it is unfortunate that the road that link the Federal Capital Territory and Southwest is in that shape,” Shaba said. Meanwhile, the Emir of Lapai Alhaji Umar Bago commiserated with the families of those who lost their lives in the accident while praying for the quick recovery of those receiving treatment.

From Muyiwa Adeyemi, Ado Ekiti N Ekiti State’s governorA ship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Adedayo Adeyeye, has hailed Seriake Dickson-led National Reconciliation Committee. He said the team’s effort so far is a signal that different factions will soon come together. In a release signed by Director General of his campaign organisation (Prince Adedayo Adeyeye Movement), Bisi Kolawole, the aspirant commended the 30-man committee for paying attention to Ekiti. Adeyeye described intraparty conflicts as the bane of the growth of PDP in the South West, attributing success of the opposition Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the region in 2011 to disputes in PDP.

TheGuardian

6 Sunday, August 11, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Cityfile

Enugu’s Independence Layout:

Degeneration Of A Onceimpressive Residential Area An abandoned police post at the Layout.

From Leo Sobechi, Abakaliki MAGNIFICENT feature of Enugu, the capital of Enugu State, is its unique urban planning. Many visitors and observers have reflected on the beauty of the Coal City, as it is called, and concluded that the clever delineation of residential from commercial and industrial areas remains the enduring legacy of colonial masters. In Enugu there are different names for various areas of the capital city. There is Asata, Ogui, Coal Camp, Iva Valley, Ogui New Layout, Uwani, New Haven, Achara Layout, Abakpa and Emene. While Emene is cut out as the industrial layout, Coal Camp, Ogui, Ogui New Layout and Abakpa serve as commercial cum residential areas. Of all these, the GRA and Independent Layout stand out as distinct residential areas for influential citizens and government officials. It was against the backdrop of the environmental cleanliness and serenity provided by the distinct building plans of the Layout and GRA, that the civilian administration of Jim Nwobodo established the Trans Ekulu Layout. Some government officials of that administration disclosed that it was actually the desire of the government to ensure that both the GRA and Independence Layout (sometimes called the new GRA) remain inviolate and unsullied by congestion that the government put up the Trans Ekulu with its uniform prototype building designs. Enugu State Government under His Excellency, Governor Sullivan Chime, has been doing its best to ensure the protection and preservation of the beauty of Enugu. Upon mounting the saddle as Governor, Chime stated his intention to carry out urban renewal, stressing that he wants Enugu to adorn the toga of a modern capital city comparable to any state capital anywhere in the world. Part of the state government’s efforts at reclaiming the capital city from squalor and confusion could be seen in the improvement of street roads and beautification of the environment. As it continues to keep Enugu away from the indiscipline of building development, the state government not only created the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, (ECTDA). The mandate of ECTDA includes

.Noise, Miscreants Take Over maintenance of infrastructure and ensuring that building constructions are done with strict observation of existing regulations and in line with layout designations. However, despite the strict delineation of Enugu into specific areas for commerce or residence, a new regime of defacement of the city has been let loose by the activities of tenants, otherwise known as squatters. Sadly, at no other area have the activities of squatters been more defined and in reckless abandon than the Independence Layout. Houses here attract a rent of over N1m yearly and serve as prime choice of respectable denizens. But taking advantage of undeveloped plots and open spaces, squatters, some of who are engaged in nondescript commercial activities, have erected shanties, kiosks and improvised stores made of disused containers. Women of easy virtue find these shanties transit abodes to await their patrons. At daytime, the makeshift shops sell cigarettes; ‘abacha’ (a local delicacy made from shredded cassava); and other daily needs, including GSM recharge cards. At night, most of these are said to transform to mini brothels while others double as hard drug dispensing points. A lot of relaxation joints have also been springing up in the erstwhile respectable residential area. OW, as if to underscore the defacement of Independence Layout, street trading, corn and bean cake frying, along major roads, take place at a disturbing rate. But the most worrisome is the noise pollution from churches and relaxation joints. All the churches that have rushed to the area seem to be competing with themselves over whose public address systems would emit the loudest noise. During late night hours, the churches contest with the illegal relaxation joints to attract attention and cause commotion. It takes great nerves to survive the high decibels produced from myriad loudspeakers at night. It has become unthinkable to raise well-behaved children in the once revered Layout. Worse still, residents have turned to passive insomniacs, as they are now forced to keep awake from ungodly noise in the neighbourhood! Little wonder, the invasion of Independence Layout by all manner of persons is currently having its toll on the area. Not long ago, one Mrs. Egbo had her car

snatched along Nza Street junction in broad daylight. Two years ago, when the former Chief Press Secretary to Governor Chime, Dan Nwome, was kidnapped, his abductors were said to have disclosed that they came into Enugu and hung out at one of the relaxation spots, waiting for their prey. The kidnappers said they did not know who he was but were motivated to pick him because he drove a government vehicle. It is curious that a police post built by residents some time ago has been abandoned. Instead of police officers, squatters could be seen making use of the facility. Already, the situation has led to mass exodus of some residents of Independence Layout, especially investors and high net worth captains of industry and expatriates. One of the fleeing former residents, Dr. Ifebuche Okoye, lamented the deplorable state of affairs. “I have lived in that place for the past 40 years. In the days of Okpara and even Jim Nwobodo, it was unthinkable for anybody to come and mount a street shop at Independence Layout, without having it pulled down the next minute. But to my greatest surprise, even Enugu State Waste Management Agency, (ESWAMA) and the Ministry of Environment seem to collude with these squatters to erect shops in the area. They do not seem prepared to take any action. Instead, you notice the officials hobnobbing with these dubious shop owners.” The prominent medical practitioner said the way to reclaim Independence Layout from the path of imminent squalor is for the government to take action. Okoye said the first thing is to ask owners of undeveloped plots to develop them, in line with the allocation mandate within a definite period. An expatriate resident of the Layout regretted that Nigeria officials are not so serious in the fight against crimes. “You cannot be trying to reduce crime or fight insecurity when a lot of places serve as haven for people to smoke marijuana (Indian hemp). Government should remember to deal with the drug angle. I love Independence Layout, but honestly, the place is currently at risk because of these drug joints,” he said.

E stated that all over the world, proliferaH tion of crack joints, where cocaine, heroin and other harmful substances are sold, in any city, is inimical to sanity and security. On how the government can move without causing an outcry, the expatriate said, “as a lawyer, the governor should know the implications of people flouting rules and regulations,” pointing out that the best time to curb what is happening is now. “Did the government give approval for street trading in a residential area? That is the critical question.” He advised that government should also look into the possibility of constructing shopping complexes to rent to persons who want to sell things at the Layout, pointing out, “your people love shops.” It would be recalled that recently, Governor Sullivan Chime noted with pain that the road shoulders and bus shelters have been taken over by petty traders. He regretted that the city’s beautification project, which cost a lot of taxpayers’ money to construct, is being rubbished by the activities of street traders. However, instead of becoming despondent, the government should execute its policies and ensure that unscrupulous citizens do not make a shipwreck of its programmmes. There is growing fear that if nothing is done and expeditiously too, squatters in Independence Layout would start forming associations preparatory to asking for compensation or litigation. It happened at Polo Field before the Shoprite Mall was erected. Like the expatriate development officer stated, “this is the time to deal with the menace of squatters in Independence Layout,” especially given the fact of its contiguity to Government House. The question that is irritating most of the genuine residents of the area, is: what is Enugu Capital Territorial Development Authority doing about the increasing number of squatters, street trading, noise pollution and most agonizingly, the conversion of residential houses into relaxation joints and churches in Independence Layout? Attempts to reach the Commissioner in charge of Enugu Capital Territory, Ikechukwu Ugwuegede, was unsuccessful, as the Commissioner did not reply or return calls to his phone at as the time of filing this report.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

CITYFILE

Tears, Grief, Tributes, As The Guardian’s Oloko Goes Home By Chuks Nwanne HE entire sleepy town of Ore-Olachor Okpoma in Yala Local Council of Cross River State was woken up, recently, as the remains of Paul Oloko was brought home for interment. A photojournalist with The Guardian, Oloko, who first took ill of malaria in February 2013, gave up the ghost on July 16, 2013, at exactly 9:45am. As soon as the ambulance conveying his body wheeled into the Oloko Ogadegbor compound for lying-in-state, it dawned on the community that truly, their renowned photographer is gone. When the white casket was opened to the public to pay its last respect to a fallen brother, the whole compound broke down in tears. Children cried, men grieved and women wailed uncontrollably; it was a pensive atmosphere. All through the night, the compound was in low spirit. In his sermon during the funeral mass at Christ The King Catholic Church, Okpoma, Rev. Fr. John Japa noted that death is inevitable in the life of man. “Death has been here always; right from the very first day we were born, we are qualified to die. You don’t need to be told you would die on a particular day for you to be wise; whether you like it or not, all of us will die someday.” Fr. Japa observed that, though we pray against death, the reality is that someday, everyday, people must die because it is

destined unto man to die. “Our life is one of struggle. Vanity upon vanity, all is vanity. A man in Christ is living. We may not be perfect, but through struggle, God perfects us. Those who put their trust in God are never disappointed. We must struggle to die in Christ. Those who died in Christ will resurrect with him. However, God will not do for us what we can do for ourselves,” he said. After the requiem mass, Oloko’s body was moved to his graveside, where the priest prayed for a peaceful repose of his soul. At the site were his brothers, sisters, wife, three children, family members and sympathisers, who watched as the casket was lowered, amid tears and grief. “So, you left me here? If it is somebody that killed you, may you rise and fight. But if it is the wish of God, may your soul rest in peace,” Oloko’s wife, Grace cried as she performed the traditional dust-to-dust ritual. In her tribute, Grace noted that her 26 years and 10 months with her late husband would forever be etched in her heart. “My life with you every year was an adventure; proudly with you, I was blessed with the best children that God could give. With you, I was able to live the test of time. With you, I was able to face the world without fear or shame; with you, I was able to live a life that was challenging. We did a lot together; we shared ideas too. You were my husband, sweetheart and my

Wife of the deceased, Grace Oloko (second left); elder brother, Joseph Oloko (first right); the children; and sympathisers during the interment.

Towards Improvement, Expansion Of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway By F.A.O Oseni OUR editorial of Sunday, July 28, 2013 highlighted some of the issues which should be addressed in implementing the above - mentioned project, such as the need for alternative routes during the proposed construction period of four years, adherence to international standards, timely restoration of the right of way, use of rigid pavement (concrete) instead of flexible pavement and adequate funding to ensure smooth cash flow during the entire construction period. However there are still some issues, particularly with regard to the planning of the project, which also should be addressed by the Federal Ministry of Works. The expressway was originally conceived in the early 1970’s as a model to show the standard of safety, comfort and convinience which motorists can enjoy while travelling along a motorway with access limited to its ends and interchanges at a few strategic locations. However a lot of development, most of it indiscriminately, has occurred not only within the right of way but, most importantly, within its corridor, which may be defined as the rapidly expanding Lagos Mega City Region. There is, therefore, a need to plan the expansion of the expressway to take account of these developments before engineering designs for the reconstruction works can take place. The Governments of Lagos, Ogun and Oyo States will need to be involved in order to take account of their regional development plans in achieving a comprehensive plan for the expansion of the expressway. Also special provisions have to be made for truck and container terminals. The planning and development of the Service Areas in the original concept of the expressway should now be carried out. The proposed expansion should be a dual divided expressway with at least 10 lanes. The existing construction already allows for expanding each inner carriageway to three lanes, which means that the additional outer carriageways need only to have two lanes each to achieve 10 lanes. It is recognised that existing interchanges, especially the Shagamu interchange, will

CITIZEN’S WRITE need to be re-planned and then designed to accommodate 10 lanes or more. This should, however, be done now, especially taking into consideration, the fact that the expressway is the most important arterial in the rapidly growing Lagos Megacity Region. It should also be noted in this connection that the Abuja Airport Expressway is currently being reconstructed to a 10-lane dual divided expressway in conformity with the trend for dual divided expressways. Limiting the improvement to eight lanes will lead to undesirable convoy driving on the main carriageways. Containers for shipping of goods internationally are increasing in size and load carrying capacity unfortunately their destinations are not limited to the ports of discharge. In the days when the railway was functional, trucks carrying containers were very few on the roads. However, by 1974, they had become very significant to the extent that the late Professor John Olufemi Jackson, then a Lecturer at the University of Lagos, after investigating the effect of lorry loads on our highway pavements recommended to the Federal Ministry of Works that north-bound lanes along Federal highways should be designed and constructed to higher standards to cope with the heavy containers being carried from the ports to inland destinations. The Ministry decided instead to install weigh bridges at strategic distances near the ports so as to control and limit the maximum load that a truck going on a Federal road would carry. Any excessive load was to be removed from the trucks at such locations. Provision was therefore made for the installation of Weigh Bridges along Federal roads in the Third National Development Plan of 1975-1980. The first location for the weighbridges was the southern end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Shortly after the station became operational in 1978 on the opening of the expressway to traffic, transporters protested to the Federal Government that limiting the load a truck could carry was hampering trade and the use of the

friend. You did everything possible to protect me, even in the face of problems, accusations and misconceptions. Rest in peace my love,” she prayed. Paying tribute to her late father, Oloko’s first child, Omari, recalled fond memories with her late father. “You taught me to be strong willed, confident in myself and be good to people. We always had out father-daughter arguments, but even through it all, we always had each other’s back. I often dreamt of having kids someday just to see the smile on your face when they call you ‘grandpa.’ Though you didn’t live to see that happen, I would tell my children all the lessons you tried to impact on me. You showed strength and love, right up to your last days with us. Thank you for everything you have done for all of us over the years.” Oloko’s second child, Ochuole, described her late father as a selfless man, who sacrificed a lot to give his family the best in life. “You made me who I am today. Whenever I’m confused and weak, I will remember your courage and strength. You left so soon, but you have accomplished so much for us; your life was big and great. I miss you, and love you; there will never be another father like you,” she said. N his tribute to his late father, Oloko’s only son, Stephen, noted that, though his father was not a perfect man, he was a good man. “It takes few to understand the connection a father and his only son share; the bond is unmistaken. It is indeed a sad thing that such an overwhelming illness took him away from this world. Good bye dad, we will meet again one day.” Born on March 2, 1958 into the family of late Chief Oloko Ogadebor and Madam Umari Uguge Oloko, both of Olachor Ore village, Okpoma, late Paul Oloko’s interest in photography dates back to his days in Secondary school where he joined the photography club, which had Mr. G Watt, the school’s principal, as patron. The club deepened his romance with the art of photography and fascination in creativity. Few years after his school, late Paul had his first camera and was taking shots. His journey to photo journalism continued as he left home to join his elder brother in Lagos, where he stayed prostituting from one media house to another, shooting photos as well as running his studio at Osho Drive, Olodi Apapa, Lagos. As his quest for higher education grew, he sought and gained admission into Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, where he graduated with a Diploma in General Photography in 1987. He also attended the Nigeria Institute of Journalism (NIJ), where he earned a certificate in news reporting in 1991, all in an effort to strengthen his professional background in photography. He was an employee of The Guardian Newspapers from 1987 until his death. Following a track record in his chosen field, the late Oloko received several recommendations from The Guardian and was co-winner of the Photo Feast National Award in 1998. He won the first prize in the professional category on environmental photography contest tagged, Focus on our environment, in 1996, organised and sponsored by the British Council, Lagos. He was the winner of the Mother Jones International Fund for documentary photography in 1997, sponsored by the American Government across Africa. He was best journalist of the year (Action photography) at the 6th Diamond Award for Media Excellence (DAME) in 1997.

weigh bridges was therefore cancelled. There is need to install weighbridges along Federal roads to reduce the damage heavy trucks cause on the roads. Also, the containers are usually not well secured on the trailers and they often fall off thereby causing accidents resulting in injuries and even death to other road users. It will take several years before the railway can be constructed to a stage to allow for the diversion of container traffic substantially away from the roads. Installation of weighbridges should, therefore, be given top priority. There is also need to construct storage areas for containers near the ports and major industrial areas from where they can be used for goods to be exported or returned to their ports of origin. This will improve safety on our highways considerably. The typical road cross section of the Federal Ministry of Works, based on a 3.65meters traffic lane width needs to be reviewed in view of the sizes of the vehicles commonly in use in the country today. The sport utility vehicle (SUV), which is now the preferred personal car is in general, wider, longer and higher than the Peugeot 403 saloon car, which was the most common car on our roads in the sixties and seventies when the current standard cross section was adopted. Also, many of the SUV’s do not have transparent windshields and they therefore drastically reduce the sight distance of a driver following them. Similarly, lorries are now mostly of the articulated type with the trailers averaging more than 10 meters long. Overtaking has become more precarious leading to formation of long convoy of vehicles on the most travelled links of the Federal highway network. In view of the foregoing, it is recommended that the minimum lane width should be increased to 4 meters for single carriageways along Federal roads. In addition, special provisions, such as climbing lanes and emergency parking areas should continue to be provided. In the case of dual carriageways, special truck lanes 4.5 meters wide should be provided. This will encourage and assist truck and other heavy goods vehicle drivers to use this lane conveniently and comfortably, thus enhancing road safety considerably. The lane should be designed to higher standards to minimise maintenance costs. These innovations should be incorporated in the project. Finally, it is recommended that the Federal Ministry of Works should appoint an indigenous engineering consultant or a consortium of such consultants to carry out the planning and engineering design of the Improvement and Expansion of the Lagos – Ibadan Expressway as outlined above.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

CITYFILE

A section of the Iwhreko Goods Market in Ughelli, Asaba, Delta State.

evwe; Mr. Chadwick Okposio; Pa Samson Okotie; Joshua Sukulu Olotu and Mr. Daniel Igbudu (President-General of OtorIwhreko Kingdom). The defendants are the Government of Delta State of Nigeria; the state’s Commissioner for Commerce and Industry; the state’s Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry; and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice. The counsel to the claimants/plaintiffs, Chief Peter Wanogho, prayed the court to grant an injunction restraining the defendants from tampering with the market, except in accordance with the law; and that the land where the Iwhreko Goods Market is situate, not having been acquired by the Delta State government, the government cannot determine what the land should be used for because what is on the land is part of the land. Wanogho argued that the government did not follow due process on the matter. He reasoned that government should have, first, set up machinery to feel the pulse of the people and carry out a survey, seeking public opinion. He stressed that any law that is against public opinion does not work, and that any law that does not take the consciousness of the society into consideration is meant for lawmakers only and not for the governed. Prior to instituting the court case, The Guardian learnt that traders at the market, mostly women who are against the relocation and demolition, marched through the streets of Ughelli with placards in protest. They vowed that they would not leave the market. Also, a women group, the Niger Delta Women Movement for Peace, severely criticised the planned demolition of the market, calling the state government a violator of women’s rights. The national coordinator of the group, Caroline UsikpedoOmoniye, said: “The rights of market women and other people did not bulge. will be infringed upon, if government chooses to use force in For over two years, the dualisation of the road stopped at the evicting the women or bringing down the market, since market end, as contractors allegedly waited on government to women sell their goods there and any disruption will lead to relocate the traders, before the market is demolished and reloss of income, property and even life.” designed to fit into the road project, and give the environment a There are, equally, fears that the location of the Ughelli-Ogor new lease of life. ultra modern market could pose danger to the traders who Trouble started when the government in it’s daily newspaper - have to cross the busy Warri-Port Harcourt dual carriageway The Pointer of June 1, 2013- informed store owners and traders at (East-West Road) daily. the Iwhreko Market that business activities would be shut down According to a prominent Ughelli leader, Chief Austin Uloho, 45 days from the date of the publication, preparatory to reconthe East-West Road would pose immense danger to traders and struction. buyers and could cause heavy traffic gridlock, if government inAccording to the publication signed by the Commissioner for sists on relocating and destroying the Iwhreko market. Commerce and Industry, Dr. Kingsley Eze Emu, the market Wanogho said: “There is a disconnect between the governwould be rebuilt as a modern facility in strict compliance with ment and the people and it has made the government to lose town planning rules and regulations. the people’s confidence. The government cannot dissolve the The Commissioner, a few days after the publication, visited the people; it is the people that can dissolve the government, so the Ughelli-Ogor market where he made comments that betrayed wish of the people is of paramount importance to governance. the actual intention of government. “There is nowhere in Nigeria where a traditional market that He is quoted as saying: “Without destroying the Ughelli main has served as a rallying point for the community has been demarket, the Ughelli-Ogor ultra modern market will not kick off, stroyed to make way for another. Ogbogologo market in Asaba because most of the traders in Ughelli main market own stores is in the centre of Nnebisi Road. Has it been relocated? Is there in the ultra modern market.” no land towards Okpanam Road where the market can be reloThe development instantly set in motion a chain of actions cated? Because it is a traditional market, you can’t relocate it. and reactions from the low and mighty in Ughelli kingdom Relocate Ogbogologo market, relocate Warri main market, reloThe kingdom dragged the Delta State government to court cate Ogbe-Ijoh market, and relocate Igbudu market. These are with seven claimants, namely His Royal Majesty Wilson Oharisi traditional markets; they have been there. When you relocate (the Ovie of Ughelli Kingdom); Chief Kenneth Iwhehwe (Presithose markets, whatever thing you construct, people will not dent General of Ughelli Descendants Union); Pa Patrick Akpow- go there. Rather, they will use their houses as shops.”

Monarch, Subjects, Drag Govt To Court Over 50-year-old Market From Chido Okafor, Warri LTHOUGH the script to relocate traders at the over 50- yearsA old Iwhreko Goods Market in Ughelli was written at Government House, Asaba, its authors never envisaged the stiff opposition they would meet. According to the plan, the market would be demolished and the traders moved to the recently built Ughelli/Ogor ultra modern market in Ughelli North council, Delta State. Led by their monarch, Ovie of Ughelli Kingdom HRM Oharisi III, the people refused to buy the dummy that demolishing the market would pave way for a brand new one on the same spot, viewing the proposal with suspicion. The monarch listed conditions government has to meet if it intends to proceed with the plan –build a new market around Government Reserved Area (GRA) in Ughelli to ensure that immediate and neighbouring communities do not have to travel long distances to buy goods. Since 2007, it was learnt that government had been weighing how to shut down the market, especially as it needed more space for dualisation of the old Ughelli road, which passes through the market. It has also been argued in government quarters that the location of the market is not conducive to trading, in view of its limited space and proximity to the dwindling Ughelli River. The plan became intense around 2008 after the completion of the new Ughelli/Ogor ultra modern market. Pressure was mounted on the traders to move to the new market. But they

From The Back To The Front Of ‘Where’ By Adidi Uyo

CITY SHOT

LANGUAGE ON PARADE

HAT can you say about ‘where’ in the following sentence W extracted from The Guardian’s editorial of Tuesday, August 6, 2012? “Even from the information in the public domain, there is nowhere in the world where people who do so little get so much pay.” I’ll be damned, if you do not know the identity of the people the newspaper, because it is the most guarded public secret in Nigeria. But just in case you don’t, here is title of the editorial: “Legislators’ unbearable jumbo pay.” I’ll be doubly damned if I allow my feelings about that opprobrium to divert our attention from the question we asked at the outset. As you must have duly noticed, ‘where’ appears twice in that sentence: first, as a compound in ‘nowhere,’ and, second, just by itself, ‘where.’ This is a word that lurks everywhere in speech or writing, because everything we talk about is done or said in a place, and the simple and plain meaning of ‘where’ is “a place or situation.” Just to tickle your fancy, may I know where are you, right now? Are you in a room at home, in an office, in a vehicle: Just where are you? I have no magical powers or anything, but I can tell you that I do know where you are at this very moment: the language train, of course! Jokes aside, ‘where’, as we were saying during the last excursion on the language train, is a word that admits of other words or morphemes at its back or front – a morpheme being the smallest unit of meaning. Then, we dwelt mainly on words that form compounds with ‘where’ from the back, its posterior. We had called them posterior amalgams. Today, we move to the front of “where.” So many months after a state of emergency was imposed on those three northern states – Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe – we still read headlines like, “36 feared killed in fresh Borno attacks,” a story in The Guardian of August 1, 2013. Tell me, when you read such stories, do they make you wonder whether the forces of the Federal Government have the wherewithal to execute their assignment or not. Well, I may not know what the JTF or whatever the forces are called are doing, but I do know that “wherewithal” is word that has “where” as its base, with two morphemes joined to it at its front. These are “with” and “all,” with one “l” removed. The word means money or other means required to do something. In this case, means would include the arms and ammunitions, military vehicles, intelligence, determination, and skills. I hesitate to demand that Nigerians need to know whether

the current state of affairs has to do with the wherewithal of the military forces or not, since that amounts to dabbling into politics. But I gladly announce that I saw that same word in a recent editorial that touched my heart immeasurably. It was an editorial by The Guardian on August 1, 2013, with the title, “State of the nation.” In its fourth paragraph, the editorial related the worry of a renowned elder statesman about the skewedness of Nigerian’s federalism, and his call for the collapse of the existing 36 states into more viable and functional units, whereupon it asserted: “Apart from their formal legal status, the states after all lack the wherewithal for sustainability.” As you-know-who will say, I do not give a damn whether you second that motion or not, since what interests us in that editorial assertion is “wherewithal,” and the word “whereupon” in the statement preceding the assertion. Both, of course, have their base as “where,” but we need to point out that both are not compounds. Whereas “upon” is word by itself, and can stand on its own, “withal” is not a word by itself and cannot stand on its own. Unlike “upon” which is a free morpheme, “withal” comprises two morphemes, which are “with” and “al.” True, “with” is a free morpheme, but “al” can be a morpheme only if its clipped “l” is returned to it to make it “all.” Makes you wonder: Why spell it “wherewithal” and not “wherewithall” – with its double “l”? One of the things that make English quirky, I must say. From where I am, I cannot say for sure what the true situation is, but a friend of mine tells me that since INEC registered the latest party in Nigeria, wherever you go in political circles, APC is the word on the lips of the politically minded. When I asked him whether he was contemplating joining the new party, I was surprised by his reply: “Wherefore are you asking me such a question?” I was surprised because I never expected him to use such a formal word, for I have always known him as a very plain person. To be sure I heard him well, I shot back: “Did I hear you say ‘wherefore’?” Again, to my surprise, he retorted: “Yes, of course. I meant to say, why you are asking me such a question.” When I then tried to tease him by asking, “So why did you choose to use ‘wherefore’ instead of just ‘why’?” he returned to the person I knew him to be by saying: “Abeg, make you no mind me. Na my way of telling you say dis APC no be de common APC wey dey cure ordinary headache. Anyway, sha a, I still dey contemplate de matter!”

Desperately in need of change... A campaign banner surrenders to hostile weather at Presco Junction, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. PHOTO: LEO SOBECHI

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

CITYFILE Meiran Residents Task Water Corporation On Unfair ‘Policy’ By Gbenga Akinfenwa ESIDENTS of Meiran, a suburb of Lagos R State, say that for several months their taps have remained dry.

A bridge undergoing construction in Itoku-Abeokuta, Ogun State, being part of infrastructural renewal by the Governor Ibikunle Amosun administration.

Secretary, Anioma Peoples Association, Cynthia George Adolise (left); President, Henry Ogochukwu, and representative of the guest speaker, Dammy Olisemeha, during launch of the Anioma Development Stategy at Pleasant Hotel/Suites, Fadeyi, Yaba, Lagos. PHOTO: CHARLES OKOLO

Traditional Rulers Inaugurate Forum To Boost Relevance By Ikechukwu Onyewuchi HE relevance of traditional leaders in NigeT ria’s nascent democracy has for sometime been a source of intense debate. Their affairs have been mostly limited to their core area of influence -their communities. They also settle local and community disputes. Their contribution to policies at the national level has been minimal, or, at best, negligible. In an attempt to reverse this trend, assert themselves as critical stakeholders in the actualisation of a united Nigeria, and push for a reasonable consideration of their zones, traditional rulers from the South-South and SouthEast decided to unite under the umbrella of South-South and South-East Monarch Forum. At the inauguration of the Forum, last month at the Ijaw House, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, the royal fathers put their foot down to express their collective opinion. They canvassed the integration of monarchs in the zones, noting that development cannot be achieved in isolation from traditional values and cultures, especially in a typically traditional society such as Nigeria. At the event, King Amalate Johnnie Turner, the Obaema of Ogume Kingdom, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa, urged the country’s monarchs to be in the forefront of quest on the country’s unity and progress. He pleaded with his colleagues to “harness the cultural, social and political affinities to direct Nigeria’s fortunes, be it political, social and or economic.” The Obigbo Mikimiki I of Ogume reminded the traditional rulers that Nigerians are one and stressed the need to act accordingly in purpose and actions. “This is the opportunity to be united; for it is only in unity that we can help fight current ills and prevent the import of alien vices into our regions and communities,” he said. In line with this, a private company, Culvic

Holdings Nigeria Limited, has called on the Forum to leverage its relationship with international figure, Reverend Jesse Jackson, and the Rainbow Push Coalition, to facilitate development in the zones in line with the Forum’s aspirations. This, contained in a document signed by Columba Opara and released to The Guardian, was hinged on the recommendations of Jackson when he visited Nigeria recently. The visit, Opara said, was to leverage the business opportunities arising from the gaps in grassroots penetration. He said: “Our analysis was that if the private sector is effectively mobilised to increase their stake in several government initiatives working with especially youth and women in communities, a symbiotic relationship is generated that would enhance private sector activities spread and deepen return on investment; then wealth is created and people empowered. “This, we believe, is only realised by effectively engagement of the private sector in community development initiatives across the country.” He urged the royal fathers to encourage the governments of Akwa Ibom and Ebonyi States and Bayelsa State with whom Jackson already enjoys a relationship, as sample investment states of the zones to accompany the President on his tour of selected states in September 2013. All this is in consonance with the recommendations of Jackson during his last visit. He encouraged President Jonathan to take time off at the 2013 UN Generally Assembly to visit selected cities across the United States to meet the US public and Diaspora, and enlighten them on the huge investment opportunities in Nigeria. He also promised to mobilise CEO’s of top 500 American companies to participate in the Presidents’ promotional tour.

Their sorrow stems from what they describe as the “No Electricity, No Water Policy” of the Meiran office of the Lagos State Water Corporation, located at Baale Street, Meiran. This, according to them, is despite regular payment of water bills. They also criticise what they say is the insensitivity of the corporation’s officials to their plight. The residents say repeated attempts to compel the corporation to deploy power generators in the event of outages has yielded no result. Last week, when The Guardian visited the communities, like Akintan village, Baale, BabaEgbe, Omi ata, and Ile-Ewe bus stop, among others, residents were seen making frantic efforts to get water. Empty jerry cans placed at various water taps indicated that the commodity in Meiran is a luxury. The residents accused the officials of selling diesel allocations for the corporation’s power generator. The Asipa of Meiran, Chief Kabiru Adeyinka Ayoola, said the problem is a long-standing one. According to him, since January the corporation has not used its generator to provide water for the community. “They always receive diesel but they do not use it to power the generator. I have had to accuse one of them, once or twice, why they get fuel and do not give us water. They always sell off the fuel and put the entire community in problem,” he alleged. Ayoola said the corporation is putting blame

on two faulty boreholes, but added that if such is the case, it ought to have informed the community, and also write the government on the matter. Another resident lamented that despite regular payment of bills, the communities do not enjoy water supply as expected. According to him, the taps flow once or twice monthly. He complained that despite the unpleasant situation, officials still go ahead to disconnect homes that do not pay up. When The Guardian visited the Meiran office of the Lagos State Water Corporation, officials refused to comment on the allegations. They said that they are not in a position to speak to journalists.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday August 11, 2013

Backlash Abraham Ogbodo

08055328079 (Sms only) abogbodo@yahoo.com

The APC Challenge HE efforts are now far gone and irreT versible. The All Progressives Congress (APC) is a reality and its promoters have begun doing things to make the new party a strong contender in the 2015 political outing. This to me, is the real challenge much more tasking than the sustained campaign to make the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) register the party, even at a time when the commission was deregistering other political parties for observable weaknesses. Information on the grand strategy of the APC to dethrone the PDP is still scanty. The guys are still beating about the bush on the vital issue of power allocation. It is generally believed however, that the key partner in the alliance, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) is prepared to surrender the presidential slot to the North. This is actually why the North is running away from the PDP, which has been systematically primed to throw up President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term in 2015. The region is desperate about returning to the presidency and it is not ready to gamble within the PDP as it did in 2011. It is also hoped that if the APC presidential slot goes up North, which is almost like given, the region will be wise enough to manage its internal contentions to present a front. I am saying this because too many people from the North are seeing themselves as presidential materials. Those five governors from Adamawa, Niger, Kano, Jigawa and Sokoto States are not travelling from one city to the other and meeting elder statesmen for the fun of it. They have their eyes fixed on something else. There is also Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, who is more comfortable in opposition circles than he is in the house of the PDP, on whose platform he landed in the National Assembly and later schemed to be-

ITH open arms we welcome the final regW istration of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The journey seemed endless, as if the obstacles on its path to being licensed were insurmountable. But now the new party is born and there is excitement in the polity. Yes, this baby has to grow and quickly too, because there is no time to waste. That is the level of expectation and that means APC has to do things like an adult, even before it has time to grow up. Many citizens who have no affiliation with political parties are happy for the new mega party, but they have time to listen to speeches and media propaganda that cannot win elections. So, it is up to APC to convince citizens that this is no time for jokes. To do that, there is need for the leadership to attempt a redefinition of the character of the Nigerian opposition. What we have seen since 1999 are opposition parties that do not have staying power. Once they lose an election, the next thing is to either fizzle out or team up with the ruling party. There are exceptions, however and this is very commendable. Gen. Mohammadu Buhari has not shifted ground since 2003, when he began to challenge the ruling party at the polls. A man of moderate taste and self-respect, there is no amount of wooing that would lure Buhari to want to taste the privileges of the ruling class. That may not have translated to electoral victory, because not too many people are willing to travel along that same narrow road and be denied of participation in government. A good number of frontline politicians within the Peoples Democratic Party as at today started out in 1998/99 as members of the All Peoples Party. But they did not have stamina and after being out of the catchment area of political power for a few years, they abandoned ship and joined the ruling party. It needs to be restated here, that the PDP did not become this huge and menacing from day one. Even though it appeared to be the favourite party of the ‘kingmakers,’ particularly the retired Generals at inception, the PDP did not enjoy any special status in the hands of the umpires. Politicians moved around freely until they gravitated to the point where they felt comfortable enough to hibernate. Thus we had the PDP, APP and the Alliance for Democracy (AD). Later, the AD and the APP felt close enough to share a joint presidential ticket, an effort

come Speaker of the House of Representative. In all of this, the Southwest may choose to be magnanimous and allow the vice presidential slot to shift elsewhere. Somehow, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu who, so far remains the highest single investor in the APC is prepared to let so much go away. His brand of politics is getting too generous for comfort. He is offering political IOUs to all and sundry without attaching stringent conditions. Some say he is looking far beyond 2015 and that he will call for the retirement of these IOUs when it is most auspicious. Others say if the calculations work out fine and the APC holds sway in 2015, the Southwest may settle for the senate presidency in the interim, while the zone organises for something bigger in the years ahead. This arrangement leaves the vice presidential slot open for contest between the Southeast and the South-south. This is where Governors Rotimi Amaechi and Rochas Okorocha come into the works. Both men are working very hard to convey the right impression and to win the same trophy. Okorocha for instance, without discussing the matter with stakeholders, took the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to the APC. He has been suspended from APGA for anti-party activities, even as he continues to work to give the APC a foothold in the Southeast. But he has a lot of grounds to cover. For now, he is perfectly encircled in a region where he is a lone ranger. Support will however come from Anambra State, if Senator Chris Ngige can reinvent himself for the umpteenth time and convince the voters to choose the APC in the governorship election in the state. If it works exactly that way, at least the two men can then join forces to dilute the PDP hold in the Southeast and also ask for something (the vice presidency) in return. The mathematics is not too different in the South-south, where Amaechi’s sustained denial

of an ambition to run as vice presidential candidate to a Northern principal has failed to make a difference. He has been held down to it and it is becoming clear, that the governor may very well, damn all things and choose to die once and for all. He may be among the rumoured 10 PDP governors who are waiting for the appointed time to openly pitch tent with the APC. Another name that may come up in the mix is Adams Oshiomhole, who after an acclaimed brilliant performance in Edo sees himself as good for a higher calling. It is too early in the day to say how all of this will be determined. For now, what is clear is that Amaechi has managed to push himself to the fore as a champion. He is the gallant knight tearing through the barricades with Elizabethan chivalry, to save democracy from being killed. The alliance is very impressed with his performance so far and they are holding on to him, believing that he has got so much to offer. The thinking is that Amaechi equates South-south support and getting him on board the new APC with bringing so much to the table. If this is the thinking, the APC will be taking too much for granted. The party needs more than an Amaechi to secure the South-south geo-political zone. Also, the party should not be carried away by the gains in Edo State because the choice in the last governorship election in that state is not so much between the ACN and the PDP as it is between Oshiomhole and Charles Airhiavbere, the PDP candidate. In other words, the people, including the Binis voted for Oshiomhole because of his performance and the man still would have won if he had come on a different political platform. To now think that the South-south has come under APC conquest because of the advent of Oshiomhole and Amaechi is over simplification of a rather complex issue. People are embracing the APC because they believe it can give what the PDP cannot offer. But if in the fullness of time, the APC proves even less worthwhile than the PDP, the drift will continue in a reverse order. The Southeast and the South-south may prove hard nuts for the APC, yet they remain the zones that can change the game in 2015. For now, the APC does not seem to have a winning formula outside the encouragement it is receiving from Governors Okoracha, Amaechi and Oshiomhole. Definitely, when the time comes to cross the bridge, very vital questions will be asked and

SUNDAY NARRATIVE Alabi Williams williams.alabi@ngrguardiannews.com 08116759790 (Sms only)

Welcome APC, May Your Road Be Rough which was not good enough to form government. But the two parties had sufficient presence not to allow the PDP become uncontrollable. With the combined strength of nine states for the APP and six for the AD, the opposition appeared fairly strong to become a healthy obstacle for the PDP. But that did not happen. What we saw was a gradual malnourishment of the two opposition parties and the swelling of the PDP. It was not magic that the PDP became this strong, even though it had access to more resources, but it was absence of men of courage and principles in the opposition parties that gave the PDP the courage to annex and displace. On that count, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu also deserves thumbs up, because he has shown great capacity to remain where his beliefs are. This man did not buckle when he was surrounded by the PDP. He could have traded off his principles and transmute into a PDP kingpin in the Southwest. At a great cost, he went to the drawing board and designed a rescue mission that saw his faction of the AD becoming Action Congress and later, Action Congress of Nigeria, and also winning back all Southwest States, except Ondo into the progressives fold. The point is that the opposition has to build itself. It is not PDP that will renounce its hunger for power or quest to remain big and strong in order for the opposition to thrive. The character of the opposition has to change, from being lukewarm to being disciplined and focused. Ogbonnaya Onu, who was chairman of whatever remained of the ANPP before the emergence of APC is another hero of this struggle. The man was not overwhelmed by the intimidating presence of the ruling party and the arrogance of some members. Were it not for him, there probably won’t be any party to take the merger talks, because governors of the party, prior to 2011 had succeeded in dismembering ANPP into small holdings. You needed a calm

and persuasive voice to bring them back and that was Onu. The challenge now is how to instill discipline into members of the APC, particular, those who love to move from one party to another. Some PDP members who were disgruntled in 2011 now see the APC as opportunity to get back at their former party. It is among this crowd of fairweather politicians that you find those who make the loudest noise, but they are largely empty and the APC should beam a searchlight on them. Should things go awry in this new formation, they will be the first to run out. Some of them had tasted all the parties and were about being stranded before this rescue came. One of the frontline members of APC started out as an ANPP member; then he branched off into the PDP, branched out to form his one-man party and ended up in APGA. The sad point here is that he did not have kind words for any party each time he had the need to move on. Is that politics? How does APC harmonise all the tendencies that have coalesced at its doorstep? This is a worry for stakeholders outside the party, because if the PDP is said to be an amalgamation of strange bedfellows, the APC is likely to be more riotous. For instance, the APP or ANPP at inception was a conservative party, while the PDP appeared a bit more liberal, at least, in terms of willingness to reach out. Even though APP and AD explored the possibility of a joint ticket in 1999, that move was borne out of an urgent need to produce the president and not an initiative based on a shared ideology. The ACN on the other hand is traditionally leftist, in line with Southwest’s political tradition. The party insists on making life comfortable for the people, through packages that encourage enterprise, education and social service. Even though the current crop of governors seems constrained to want to drive citizens hard in order to generate more revenue, ACN is sup-

the content of the answers to those questions will, to a large extent, determine the way forward. For instance, Rochas Okorocha will be asked by his fellow Southeast governors if the Igbos have had it any better in the Nigerian Federation than they are having under the Jonathan presidency. It shall be a moment of truth and so Rochas will be forced to get sober and answer the question as faithfully as possible. And in the course of this, it will be clear also if the governor is bringing the APC to the Southeast to save Ndigbo or serve himself. The questions will even be tougher in the Southsouth, where, whoever is expected to convince a bemused audience that the vice presidency is better than the Jonathan presidency will have an explanation to make. The assumption that Nigerians are tired of the PDP and will welcome anything fresh is too cheap to qualify for a veritable political strategy. Yet, the APC, which has been presenting itself as good enough to create a difference, is holding on to this point as if that is all that is required to chase the PDP out of power. It is much more complex than that unfortunately. I can say right away that the issue of the lacklustre performance of Jonathan, as president will take a back row when these questions will be asked and answered. This is why it is advisable for the APC to plan on its own strength and hope less to convert the so-called weaknesses of the PDP to automatic political capital. It hardly works that way in the Nigerian context, where the considerations for alignment and re-alignment in politics are more subjective than they are objective. Put differently, the APC has a greater responsibility to manage itself well ahead the 2015 task. It can begin with a smooth resolution of its internal contentions to avoid a catastrophic implosion. Too many people are seeing the party as a safe haven from the PDP and this is not good. Worse still, the APC is not doing enough talking. It is allowing everybody to go on a wild goose chase without specifically saying what is going where or who is getting what. In the build up to the registration, the focus was undivided and nothing specific was said on the sharing formula. The stakeholders maintained an ominous silence on that point, hoping to tackle it when the deed is done. Now, like band of robbers, they will be faced with the challenge of equitable sharing of what is looted. How well this is handled will say if the APC challenge in 2015 will be real or not.

posed to be friends of citizens. The CPC’s ideology is not very clear yet, because the party has not been tested at the centre. In Nasarawa State where the party is in charge, Tanko Almakura is himself a conservative businessman, a blend of NPN, NRC, PDP, CPC and now APC. As for Buhari, the symbol of CPC, the man is a populist and revolutionary. He is Spartan, not wasteful; he hates corruption and wants the good of the masses, without the patience of academic polemics. Without much stress, it is easy to decipher, that Buhari has strong socialist (leftist) tendencies, even though he has his excesses too. Blending all the ideologies and tendencies could be a problem for the new party. APC needs crowd no doubt, but more than that, it needs men of strength and good character, who are willing to trade off immediate comfort for the good of all. Some of its members have been out of paid job for many years and will be driven by their hunger for privileges, rather than service. A simple way of settling the logjam of conflicting interests could be for the party to adopt the ideology of the people, the voters and the masses. You do not need political scientists to remind you that Nigerians are in dire need of good governance. They want a stable polity with a good economy. They want stable electricity and jobs for teeming school leavers. Nigeria needs a new social order, to redirect the energies that have been wasted in pursuit of fruitless ethnic nationalism and mindless religious bellicosity. This is the time to move on. And for the PDP, this is a good time to take stock. Those who were mouthing ‘transformation agenda’ without understanding what it means to transform now have a good opportunity to rewind and get it right. The PDP has been quite lucky, to have remained so dominant for 14 years. The other two parties it started out with in 1998/99, AD, APP have ceased to exist. AD is thoroughly abused and nearly out of use, while the other has changed names and is now subsumed. What else can the PDP ask for, except to thank God, and give back to the people? From now on, Nigerians are going to become very critical of the ruling party. President Jonathan and his party must hit the ground running, they haven’t even climbed down, not to talk of running.

TheGuardian

Sunday, August 11, 2013 | 11

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Outlook New Wave Of Illegal Migration To Europe By Geoffrey Chapp-Jumbo N the 60s, 70s and early 80s, the plethora of migration from the African continent to the outside world, took the form of students leaving the African continent in search of the golden fleece and holiday makers leaving in their droves to different parts of Europe and America. This was the period when the economy of most African countries was in the pink of health. A preponderance of these students on completion of their studies peregrinated back home to join hands in nation building. Holiday makers in those days returned back to their desks. The hard fact was that most African countries national currencies then were very strong and robust and so there was no need to stay back in foreign countries. The approximately 40 developing countries of Sub-saharan Africa form a diverse group in terms of economic structure, income levels, policies and performance. While some are endowed with large deposit of mineral resources to support their economies, others are doubly disadvantaged by poor resources and a landlocked location, which raises transport costs. Almost all Sub-saharan African countries are poor: many have low levels of income per head and with severe poverty among large parts of the population. Another chink in the armour of the Sub-saharan African countries is that they are vulnerable to imperfections in primary commodity markets with unstable prices. In their bid to balance their terms of trade, they end up taking loans from the IMF with severe strings attached and in most cases having their national currencies totally devalued. Most of these countries are overburdened with overdue loan repayment regimen. In most cases, hunger, famine, war and natural disasters seemed to have triggered waves of migration to Western Europe. Added to this is the fact that unemployment rate in most Sub-saharan African countries has risen astronomically. Most young schools leavers find it extremely difficult to get paid employment. So, the only lifeline for them is to follow the line of least resistance by migrating to Europe to eke out a living. Net immigration flows continue as long as there is a wide gap in income per head between the sending and the receiving countries. Because of the battered and parlous state of most Sub-saharan African countries economy, there is a wide gap in the income per head between the African countries and receiving countries of Europe. This scenario seemed to have triggered the flow of mass migration to Europe. For some years now, Morocco has been used as a transit cum escape route by Sub-saharan African migrants for their journeys to Europe. This is anchored on the fact that Morocco is a shouting distance from Spain. The Moroccan

CONversation

government had in the last few years cracked down on black African migrants without proper documentation. In 2003, the CNN carried a documentary on illegal immigrants in Morocco whose sole aim was to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Spain. Television footages showed a number of Nigerians who pitched their tents in Morocco’s coastal forests living like pre-medieval people. One Mr. Osas who claimed to be a graduate of UNIBEN was asked why he was risking his life by living in the forest. He claimed to have left the country because of the harsh economic condition at home then. In 2006, the then Moroccan Communication Minister, Nabil Banabdellah complained bitterly in Paris that the EU had been promising 10s of millions of dollars in aid for the last six years, which has never materialised. In his words: “Morocco cannot assume by itself the burden of all the misery on the African continent. The influx of Sub-saharan African migrants to Morocco reached a crescendo in 2005. Matters came to a head in September, 2005 when some Sub-saharan African migrants lost their lives while trying to enter two tiny Spanish enclaves – Ceuta and Melilla. The African migrants had walked for days from the vast Sahara to reach high perimetre fences topped with sharp razor wire that separated their world from the two tiny Spanish outposts. The attack was pre-arranged as it had all the trappings of a well coordinated assault. With cell phones in their kitty, they were able to coordinate their attack on the fences. To show that they were well prepared for the task ahead, they came with ladders, hand gloves and loose clothes to ensure their scaling over the fence. At the appointed time and with clock-work precision, they charged at the perimetre fences like human avalanches in their hundreds. In the ensuing melee, some of them were crushed to death while some others were shot by Spanish Border Guards. Ever since, there have been wave upon wave of would-be immigrants making desperate attempts to clamber over those high perimetre fences. The deaths and the attempted crossings are part of a sustained bid by thousands of Sub-saharan Africans living in tents in Moroccan coastal forests to reach Spain. Some have made it to their dreamland while others have either been repelled or crushed to death. The Spanish authorities had to raise the perimetre fences from three metres to six in order to reduce their chances of scaling over the fences. With the Morocco-Spain maritime migration

corridor plugged, Sub-saharan African migrants discovered other maritime corridors to Europe. The Western Sahara-Canary Islands route later became prominent. Cases of dug out canoes ferrying illegal African migrants capsizing off the coast of the canary islands were reported years ago. In most of the incidents, many occupants of these rickety boats got drowned. Just last week, a repeat of the September 2005 coordinated attack on the perimetre fences at Ceuta and Melilla was re-enacted. This time around, about 300 African migrants stormed the six metre perimetre fences, surrounding Spain’s North African enclave of Melilla in an attempt to enter Spain. The attempt was repelled by eagle eyed Spanish Border Guards. This frontier frontal attack coming seven years after the first attack and after the Spanish authorities had reinforced the perimetre fences goes to show that these migrants are very desperate. Also last week, Malta appealed to the EU for assistance after rescuing 291 African immigrants on board a rickety boat that was drifting. Malta told the EU that being the smallest EU member; the country should not be left to carry the burden of illegal migration into the EU alone. Pope Francis was on a visit to Italy’s fishing port of Lampedusa — a major entry point for African migrants on July 8, 2013. The choice of Lampedusa as the first official visit of the Pontiff outside Rome was highly symbolic as he said that news reports of the deaths of desperate people trying to reach a better life that had been like “a thorn in the heart”. He spoke to young African migrants before celebrating mass. The fishing port of Lampedusa has been a major migration corridor for African migrants as it is only 128 nautical miles from Tunisia. He thanked the people of coastal Lampedusa for accepting and sheltering these hapless migrants. He further stated that “we have become used to other people’s suffering, it doesn’t concern us, it doesn’t interest us, it’s none of our business”. He had harsh words for human traffickers who he said profited illegally from the misery of others and asked for the forgiveness of those at the helm of affairs whose action or inaction must have created conditions that led us to this quagmire. Before the Pope arrived, a boat carrying 165 migrants from Mali steamed into Port as if to welcome the Pope to this main port of entry that receives the buck of migrants to Italy. The EU countries of Spain, Italy and France

The brass hats at the Brussels EU headquarters have discovered that no number of Spanish, Italian and French warships in the Mediterranean Sea are likely to reverse this natural law — human beings have always wanted to escape poverty, misery and today many Africans see Europe as their final destination where they can eke out a living.

all have maritime frontiers temptingly nearer, poorer countries on the African continent. Immigrants from Sub-saharan African countries are irresistibly lured to Europe. These EU countries have on a regular basis experienced an upsurge in the in flow of African illegal immigrants and over the years, they have pooled their resources to stem the tide. They partnered and networked by enacting more stringent laws. Apart from introducing sound and stricter immigration control measures, they equally provided a flotilla of Naval ships and coast Guard vessels to patrol the Mediterranean Sea to track down boats ferrying illegal immigrants. Squadrons of spotter aircraft have equally been provided for aerial patrol and surveillance of the Mediterranean skyline. Highrise observation posts have equally been built at designated coastal points where watchmen with high-powered binoculars will be on the look out for infiltrators. The EU has discovered that all these measures have not deterred would-be migrants from embarking on the perilous and hazardous trip to Europe. Just like a balloon that is tied off in one place only to expand in another, the EU countries can’t cope with the ever-increasing influx of illegal immigrants from Sub-saharan Africa. The brass hats at the Brussels EU headquarters have discovered that no number of Spanish, Italian and French warships in the Mediterranean Sea are likely to reverse this natural law — human beings have always wanted to escape poverty, misery and today many Africans see Europe as their final destination where they can eke out a living. The only way out is for Europe to collaborate with the sending countries in tackling the root causes of this unending illegal migration. Years ago, the EU opened a job centre in Dakar, Senegal that offers seasonal contract jobs to Sub-saharan Africans to work in Spain, Italy and France. The EU equally opened its first immigration centre outside Europe in Bamako in October, 2008. The centre is aimed at helping would-be immigrants to find legal work in Europe and reduce illegal migration. The centre also helps to raise awareness about the dangers of illegal migration. This new initiative by the EU will go a long way in stemming the flow of illegal African immigrants. This is actually a bold move by the EU and coupled with the yearly injection of foreign Direct Investment into the economies of Sub-saharan African countries, African youths will have an enabling environment to take part in private entrepreneurship. The youths should be sensitised on the dangers inherent in illegal migration. They should be informed that only legal and documented migration pays-off. In doing this, these loose cannons on the prowl will be taken off the perilous and hazardous trans-Atlantic sea journey to Europe and thereby contributing their quota in nation building instead of becoming public charges to the receiving countries of Western Europe. •Chapp-Jumbo is the Deputy Comptroller of Immigration.

By Obe Ess

TheGuardian

12 | Sunday, August 11, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Editorial Fuel Subsidy Protest Victims HE order some time ago by an Ikeja High Court that the sum of N4 million be paid as compensation to families of victims of the fuel subsidy protests last year carries a mix of sadness and joy. The judgment sum appears too small compared to the inestimable loss inflicted on the family of the deceased. But bringing the government or its security agencies to judgment is, however, pleasing. During the protest against fuel subsidy removal in January 2012. Segun Fabunmi, then Divisional Police Officer of Pen Cinema Police Station recklessly shot four protesters, during which one Adedamola Daramola died instantly and three others were seriously injured. Worse still, these victims were, allegedly, not directly involved in the protest, but were playing soccer on the street, illustrating vividly the much talked about brutality of the police and the inherent tensions in civil-military/paramilitary relations in democratic Nigeria, particularly during conflict situations. To begin with, Nigerians, like others elsewhere, have a right to dissent, especially when the government deliberately and provocatively breaches the social contract between it and the people, as was the case with the fuel subsidy palaver. Since the protest was largely peaceful, civilised governments, as has been witnesses recently in Greece and Brazil, would respond in civilised manner through moral suasion, lobbying and other peaceful methods. Instead, the Nigerian government resorted to massive deployment of security agents to forcefully suppress the protest. This shows government’s lack of appreciation and respect for the fundamental human rights of the people, including the right to life, right to freedom of movement and right to human dignity. The import of this is that the crisis could have been avoided all together, if the government attached any significance to the rule of law. Nevertheless, the recent judgment has raised some hope in the judicial system. The relatively timely disposition of the case is commendable. But the new hope can only be sustained provided the court order is obeyed by the appropriate authorities. Disobedience of court orders by government is not how to run and consolidate democracy. In the event of default, however, the plaintiff should follow up with all legal means, including going on appeal and filing an additional suit on contempt, to ensure adequate compliance.

…And An Update

T is now about one and half years since Nigerians trooped out to protest the removal of the so-called fuel subsidy. Government’s claim was that what it was spending to subsidise fuel was not only outrageous, but also unsustainable, insisting that the solution was in total deregulation of the downstream oil sector, beginning with the total removal of fuel subsidy. Specifically, the government claimed that a cabal had highjacked the oil subsidy regime, making it counterproductive. Removing subsidy, therefore, said the government then, would help undercut the cabal and the network of corruption, it would also free up more financial resources to develop infrastructure and that failure to do this would lead to the total collapse of the national economy. The civil society vehemently opposed government’s position, claiming, among others, that what the government should do was deal with the cabal rather than punish ordinary Nigerians with the inevitable hardship the removal of subsidy would cause. It was also advised to stop corruption in the oil sector and bring to justice corrupt individuals instead of punishing Nigerians for its failure and inefficiencies. Government was also urged to first create a conducive environment for deregulation. Despite all entreaties from civil society and the promise of further consultations, the government went ahead to remove the so-called fuel subsidy on January 1, 2012, with over 100 per cent increment in the fuel pump price. The removal generated protests. In order to regain some legitimacy, the government came up with what it called Subsidy Reinvestment Programme (SURE-P), which mandate was to help channel the proceeds of the eventual partial subsidy removal into infrastructural development, thereby alleviating attendant suffering, both in the short and long run. One and half years after, nothing has changed? To what extent has the SURE-P been able to adequately respond to the unintended consequences of the fuel subsidy removal? From all indications, it would appear that Nigerians have been swindled again by their own government. In fact, not only have situations not improved, they have actually deteriorated. Most of the promises made, if not all, have gone unfulfilled. To add salt to an already festering injury, none of the indicted major oil marketers has been tried and convicted. Their collaborators in government in the Ministries of Petroleum Resources and Finance, as well as in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), have also not been brought to justice while, regrettably billions of naira still go as subsidy payments. Nigerians must continue to insist on the prosecution of all indicted in the fuel subsidy probe. The judiciary too must help facilitate the process and thereby erase the popular impression that impunity never gets punished in Nigeria.

LETTERS

Same Sex Union, Useless Distraction IR: When the same sex marSduced riage bill was first introsome time back and was kicked off like hot potato, I knew that those pushing for the bill would only rest for a short while to get their energies and resources back, before trying again. It is very obvious that they have signed an odious agreement with the U.N human rights association to push for a bill that is not considered a right in Nigeria and that there is a hidden agenda behind the so-called gay rights. You will all agree with me that in Nigeria, there are a thousand and one significant, necessary and critical issues that need to be tackled urgently because they border on life and death. For example, we have the issue of terrorism by the Boko-Haram, which has claimed over 4,000 lives, lack basic amenities like potable water, electricity, poor health facilities, poor educational standards, bad roads which claim lives on a daily basis, escalating unemployment which has also led to increase in crime rates. In fact, the list is endless. Yet some over-fed selfish persons who may have taken money to pursue a course that goes against right reason and common sense have come up with this ridiculous same-sex trash, which clearly goes against the Nigerian culture. I think the person clamouring for same-sex marriage in these precarious times should be ousted from his position, because it is very obvious that

he has no sense of importance and direction. We can imitate the science and technology of a country, but culture on the other hand is something different, because in culture is the identity of a people. I think it an insult and a shame for the U.N Human Rights Association to want to force a foreign culture on us. I think I support the comment of a man who said, “na poor we poor, we no craze” because it is madness to force a sovereign country to adopt an absurd culture with sanctions on not complying. I think this is a use-

less distraction, and propose that the jail term for whoever is thinking of indulging in such, instead of seeking for medical help, should be prolonged. I want to commend the decision of the House of Reps. and Senate on their decision to uphold the values and culture we all treasure as Nigerians. Let us all in unison say NO to grants and aids laden with useless conditions. The U.N can keep their aids and grants for all we care. •Omosefe Oseghale, Lagos.

Archbishop Tutu And A ‘Homophobic God’ Sir: I am writing to draw the attention of the general public particularly our religious leaders to the recent bold and thoughtful pronouncement of the retired archbishop of Cape Town and Nobel Prize Laureate, Desmond Tutu. Speaking at an event organised by the UN to promote gay rights in South Africa, Tutu said categorically that he would never worship a ‘homophobic God’ and that he would prefer going to hell to going to a homophobic heaven. “I would refuse to go to a homophobic heaven. No, I would say sorry, I mean I would much rather go to the other place,” Tutu said. He compared his campaign against homophobia to that against apartheid in South Africa. Tutu’s statement is coming at a time of rising waves of

homophobic attacks, persecution and killing in different parts of Africa. An anti gay legislation is awaiting the signature of the president in Nigeria. Gay activists have been murdered in Uganda and Cameroun. Homosexual act is a crime in many African countries, and many gay people are languishing in jails across the region. The moves to tighten the laws against homosexuality have the strong backing of Christian and Muslim leaders. I hope some Christian and Muslim leaders in Africa would emulate Archbishop Tutu and begin to openly denounce and dissociate themselves from the ‘popular’ reverence and worship of a homophobic ‘God’ in the region •Leo Igwe University of Bayreuth, Germany

| 13

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday August 11, 2013

NEWSPEOPLE

Eve At 60: Born To Give, Loves To Serve By Daniel Anazia

VE Esererone Enakimio is indeed a very happy woman. On August 17, she will be 60; but that is not the main source of happiness for the Chairperson, Eve Development Entrepreneurs Foundation (EDEEN Foundation) and Adam & Eve Restaurants. At 60, she has impacted on humanity in her own right and has no regrets ever doing service to better the life of others than herself. Esere means ‘Gift’ while Rone is ‘Never Lost’ in her dialect and when you put them together, it means a ‘gift is never lost,’ she says. Eve believes the name has been propelling her because she is sold on giving and that, really gives her the real happiness. Born Evelyn Esererone, she is the first of her parents, Chief Omatsebi Thompson and Alice Idedevbo children, a position that prepared her for the many tasks and roles she plays in society as wife, mother, sister, friend, and educator. Looking at her physique, you will wonder if she is really that age as she looks fortyish and carries herself with lot of grace and elegance. “As the first child of my parents and perhaps they had gone to inquire about my future, I was born for responsibility and from my childhood I was trained to be responsible for people around me; not just for my siblings but also for the extended family members. While growing up, my father on different occasions asked me to look back, and each time I do, I don’t see anything but he will say, don’t worry you will understand as you grow older because you have brothers and sisters. “Today, I would say I always look back as my life been a journey of responsibilities. As early as my third year in secondary school, I was already being responsible for my cousins. One had come from Warri to see my father for his school fees, but unfortunately, my father was serving in the north during the war. And I told him, Papa no dey, how you go do am now.” “But because I have trained to be responsible for others, I had to give him the school fees from the money I had saved while in school at St Theresa College, Ibadan. My father had challenged me that for every amount I saved, he would double it. So, I cultivated the culture of saving. Though, he was older than me, I was responsible for him at that time and today, we are the most bonded in my family.”

Enakimio Based on this background, it appears God specifically prepared her for the responsibility she’s handling. She says, “I have always seen and taken other peoples’ challenge and burden as mine. As a student, I have always been given official responsibilities. At St Theresa’s College, I was demoted as a House Prefect because I failed to report my colleagues who had gone out to watch sound music, even though it was the same day we returned to school from holiday. Though my time was up and nobody took the position, but that incident made me not to go back to the college for my HSC.” On why she is passionate about charitable projects such as raising school fees for indigent students, taking care of the aged, and sourcing funds for the building of a church cathe-

dral, the former NTA Floor Manager says, “Giving has been part of my life from childhood. I hate to see people be in need when I can help them. Giving brings me joy, happiness, peace and rest; it makes me sleep like a baby. This is responsible for my championing various charity-oriented projects. At the moment, I’m trying to raise N50 million for the building of Holy Family Catholic Church, Ewupe, Sango Ota in Ogun State.” For her, raising N50 million may be a herculean task, “but with grace of God being sufficient, it will happen. I have seen God do more than expected in my life and he has promised to do it again. I got involved in the project as the ‘mother’ of the church through Rev. Fr. Comas Olufemi Famoroti of blessed memory. He died in October 2011,” she said. What was childhood like? Taking a deep breath, Eve says, “It was fun and filled with love. My father told me I was her sister’s reincarnate. They were so close and bonded the most; so, as the first child, he shared the same love and bond that he had with his sister for me and other children.” With a checkered education, Eve journeyed from St Theresa’s College to Abeokuta for HSC. “My education I would say was checkered. And like they say, life is not a bed of roses. After my secondary school and HSC, I had some challenges; so, I came to Lagos and got a job with Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), where I incidentally met my husband, Ihria Enakimio.” She continues, “he got a scholarship to study Film Production at New York University and we all left for America. But while in the States, I had so many things I could study but because I’m passionate about cooking, I ended up studying Catering at the New York Institute of Dietetics. While studying, I worked at Kentucky Fried Chicken as a sale girl and the Salvation as a cook. “Apart from working in these two places, I also teach little children in our Spanish neigbhourhood in Brooklyn how to read; this was a result of my one-year old son’s ability to read at the time. So, parents saw this and they started sending their children for evening lessons in English Language.” Dissatisfied with her educational attainment, Eve returned to Nigeria and enrolled at the Yaba College of Technology, where she studied Management and graduated as the overall best student. She proceeded to Lagos State University (LASU) for her MBA. And like a gold fish that has no hiding place, Eve was elected President, Association of Women in MBA (AWINMBA) thereafter. Even now, she is still rearing to do more, being in the midst of an on-going project notwithstanding.

TheGuardian

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Lafete After Ritual Pursuit, It’s Homecoming For UI Theatre Alumni BY GREGORY AUSTIN NWAKUNOR N a country where theatre can be found in the rich and ancient oral tradition of indigenous people — the folk tales around the fires and in the village squares — and an audience ranging from the young to the old. In a country as expressive in song and dance, where theatre has been found to represent each culture and its evolution through a combination of visual and audio experiences. In fact, in a country where theatre acts as the voice of the people and affects society by promoting reflection and change, as Shakespeare’s Hamlet explains, ‘the function of the performance arts is to allow audiences to reflect upon culture, intentions, and the world at large’. That was the state of theatre in Nigeria academic environment until the School of Drama, University of Ibadan, was established in 1962. Then theatre was distinctly underrepresented in the educational curricula. When it was present, it was used primarily for the purpose of entertainment. Due to the continent’s political and social history, the colonialists did not consider the place of theatre in the academic environment. Yet, when the majority of the country was still illiterate, this was the most effective tool for establishing propaganda and communication — especially the Colonial Film Unit of Ministry of Communication with its mobile cinema — the creative stylisations of the indigenous people were accepted and promoted. The emergence of theatre arts as a course of study has spawned a variety of other disciplines, each with its very particular personality. The cream of the country’s early talent and creativity in the performing arts, the For more than a decade and a-half before the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, complemented the School of Drama’s effort, the department fulfilled its mission of producing creative talent and academic required for the growth of theatrical tradition in the country. In as many years, it became a major factory for the production of Nigerian theatre elite, who went on to take charge of the country’s theatre scene. Most of the key members of state’s cultural centre, and the country’s culture missions were mainly Ibadan products. The department equally produced scholars who ranked among the best in the world. Profs. Adedeji, Ogunba, Adelugba, Soyinka, Ebun Clark, Zulu Sofola and Femi Osofisan. The department was a theatrical haven, where theoreticians, practitioners and researchers came for interventionists’ purposes.

Front of House... This is where bonding for the students begin organising committee, said the department sion in the Arts Faculty, offering Diplomas deserves commendation for keeping to the both for non-graduates, and also at the graduinitiative of welding its members together, ate level, with the late Kola Ogunmola becomwhich is lacking among other departments ing the first student in residence. This was to in various institutions in the country. prove historic, when, through another grant In the words of Dr. Chuks Okoye, Head of from the Rockefeller Foundation, Ogunmola Department Theatre Art, University of created the unforgettable stage adaptation of Ibadan, the department was fully ready for Amos Tutuola’s The Palmwine Drinkard. the anniversary adding that the recent ratThe school also created a wonderful producing of Nigerian universities by National tion from Nkem Nwankwo’s Danda, which University commission (NUC), which puts UI was performed at the Festival of Arts held in first, was an indication that “this is our Dakar, Senegal. It was the performance that year.” revealed Demas Nwoko’s immense talent as a theatre ‘technician’ of repute. HE department started modestly as a In 1966, the Rockefeller Foundation funds School of Drama in 1962. Prior to this, in ran out. But by then, the arguments for the the original plan for the university by the School had been firmly established. The founding fathers, nothing at all had been Nigerian Universities Council not only acceptenvisaged for drama as a separate discipline. ed to finance the School, but also to upgrade Even the construction of the Arts Theatre it into a full-fledged department. This dream in 1955 was motivated only by the need to could not be realised, however, for another provide a venue for the holding of concerts four years, owing to the outbreak of Civil War and film shows. in the country. But the arrival on campus in the mid-50s But in the 1970-71 session, with the cessation of theatre enthusiasts among the teaching of the war, the department finally took off HE emergence of Ibadan School of Drama has staff — Martin Banham and Axworthy, espewith Wole Soyinka as its inaugural helmscially — helped to shape the new course of affected a whole lot of drama liturgy in the man. country. Little wonder the scene is buzzing with events. Since then, the department has grown These members of staff began an active excitement, especially with the coming of tremendously and expanded its proNollywood, whose major practitioners are gradu- programme of production at the Arts thegrammes. In the 50 years of its existence, it atre, using mainly the University College ates of theatre arts. has turned out hundreds of graduates, and Dramatic Society (comprising students) and With almost every university in the country accumulated important achievements as the the Arts Theatre Production Group (a Staff providing active space for the study of drama — foremost theatre institution in black Africa. group) — and, in addition, ran a series of theindigenous and Western — music, dance and Since establishment, prominent alumni atre workshops for the departments of satire to West End and Broadway hits, classical and faculty of the Department of Theatre Arts opera, and ballet, add to the multitude of events English and of Extra-Mural Studies, as well as at the University of Ibadan include Profs. the Institute of Education. So popular and so that offer an almost unlimited range of theatriGeoffrey Axworthy, Joel Adeyinka Adedeji, important were these activities indeed, that cal experiences for the Nigerian student. No Wole Soyinka, Dexter Lyndersay, Ebun Clark, the 1961 Visitation Report recommended doubt, Nigeria is the cusp of theatrical fertilisaDemas Nwoko, Dapo Adelugba, Femi Osofisan that theatre be not left any longer to “enthution. and Esohe Molokwu. Others are Profs. Duro siastic volunteers”, but should be organised Come August 28 to 31, the Department of Oni, Lanrele Bamidele, Ezekiel Kofoworola, Theatre Arts, University of Ibadan, will be mark- properly as an academic discipline. Saint Gbilekaa, Charity Angya, Mabel Thus, the following year, with a grant from ing its 50th anniversary with International Ervwierhoma, Segun Ojewuyi, Sunday Enesi the Rockefeller Foundation, the School of Conference and a grand Homecoming Dinner. Ododo, Drs. Matthew Umukoro, Hyginus As part of activities commemorating the gold- Drama began, the first of its kind in Africa. Ekwuazi, Chuks Okoye, Reuben Abati, the en jubilee celebrations, the 1st Geoffrey Axworthy Regular courses started in the 1963/64 sesSpecial Adviser on Media and Publicity to Lecture held on March 8. Prof. Wole Soyinka delivered the lecture titled, The Ritual Pursuit. The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Service) University of Lagos, Prof. Duro Oni, who is also chairman of organising committee, at a NEW book, which chronicles the exploits ing compendium also gives an insight into the media briefing to herald the Homecoming, said of Super Eagles at the last African Nations behind the scene involvement of both the international conference was aimed at unit- Cup in South Africa, is set to be released. President Jonathan and the Minister of Sports, ing “scholars, practitioners, and government Published by Vanguard Media Limited in Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, to the effect that the officials across five continents to investigate 50 association with Sola Ojewusi and Associates, Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), the techniyear of theatre in the African Academy.” the book, which is titled, Great Leader, Great cal crew and indeed the national team made According to him, “the conference will interro- Victory: The Story of President Goodluck dramatic changes in attitude and determinagate issues around topics such as Theatre In Jonathan and The Super Eagles, is in honour of tion unlike in recent past. Africa and African theatre, Methods of Theories President Goodluck Jonathan. It further analyses the implication of the vicand Framework, Africa and African Theatre in It has a total of 200 pages, which trace the tory as against the initial doubts about the the Diaspora, Regional Studies, Gender and various stages of preparation and execution Super Eagles before the competition, noting Identity studies, Theatre and Cultural of the action plans and strategies that culmithe impact of regeneration, resilience, courage Orientation, Theatre and the Africa Film nated into the success at the continental fiesand patriotism on the part of the players, the Industry and others.” ta. coaching crew led by Stephen Keshi and of Longly Evru, vice chairman of the The all-gloss, international standard printcourse their supporters.

Great Leader, Great Victory… Set For Release

President Jonathan, Oba Gbenga Sonuga, and immediate past Editor of The Guardian on Sunday, Jahman Oladejo Anikulapo. According to Oni, “the beauty of the discipline is that products are able to pursue careers in a wide variety of areas, including: film and video production, broadcasting, public relations, tourism/travel agencies, journalism, cultural ministries, arts councils, advertising, banking and financial institutions, religious establishments, administration and teaching.” Reflecting on his Ibadan years, Olateju Kareem said: “Nigerian Universities Theatre Arts Festival (NUTAF) formed and shaped me beyond the university education acquired. My fire was cut at NUTAF, which is our own version of National Arts Festival or Sports Festival. NUTAF brought the collection, competition and exchange of ideas among universities offering theatre. You see your mates and assess their level, their discipline and many more.” He continued, “the current generation of theatre students is missing out by not having a forum as this any longer. I employ some of them in technical theatre area and I know they don’t have that hand-on experience that we got from NUTAF.” According to Patrick-Jude Oteh, Artistic Director of the Jos Repertory Theatre, “the sore point in those years was always the perception that theatre art students were simply ‘dancers’ and ‘players’. Looking back, one was amazed at the quality and quantity of work that we were all involved in. It was always fun having rehearsed all night and the very next morning running to elective classes in English, Education and Social Sciences with those who had either been socialising all night or who had gone to parties and in examinations one was still tops ahead of this group. I wonder why we were never taken serious!” Oteh added, “the level of interaction between staff and students was extremely high. It was not uncommon then to see lecturers and students gisting along the corridor.” Gregory Muyiwa Odutayo is also nostalgic about the celebrations. While reminiscing his days in UI, Odutayo, who was Director of Programmes between 1989 and 1990, said, “my days here was fun and exciting. We had a robust education — theory and practice.” Like Odutayo, Joseph Uchea, a past president of Association of Theatre Arts Students, University of Ibadan, believes from out set it was theatre for him.” Uchea, a 1990 graduate of the department, is ecstatic about the homecoming, which will provide opportunity for him and many others to meet a lot of old students, and possibly, interface with the new ones.

THE GUARDIAN,Sunday, August 11, 2013

15 BY BENSON IDONIJE benidoni@yahoo.com

All That Jazz

Black Audience For Jazz Music Has Diminished, By Shepp

ARTSVILLE BY TOYIN AKINOSHO

CORA’s Book Party For Next Sunday HE Committee For Relevant Art (CORA) is holding a Book T Party for writers shortlisted for the $100,000 Nigeria Prize for Literature (NLP). The reading and networking feast is scheduled for Sunday, August 18, 2013 at the Eko Hotel on Victoria Island. The shortlist is expected to be announced tommorrow, according to the promoters, the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG. The Prize this year is devoted to Poetry. “The party is traditional,” says Jahman Anikulapo, CORA’s programme chairman. The Book Party is usually staged to preface the announcement of the final three laureates, out of which the winner of the Prize money will emerge. “This is the 5th edition of the party, and CORA is setting up an elaborate feast to honour the shortlisted works and authors, out of the near 200 entries, which the organisers said they received for the 2013 prize”. The former editor of The Guardian On Sunday says that the essence of the Party is to enable the public encounter the poets and engage the works that have been adjudged fitting to earn the $100,000 (N16million) prize money. “As experienced in the past four editions of the Party, the shortlisted authors will be brought face-to-face with the core of Lagos literary community as well as members of the public. The shortlisted works would be reviewed, discussed and critiqued even as the individual poets read from their work”. It is a package of literary feasting, featuring performances, wining and dining, where the shortlisted authors and their works are celebrated for emerging as some of the very best in the country. Anikulapo describes CORA as “a group of artistes, art enthusiasts, art promoters and art writers committed to the development of the Arts of Nigeria and their enabling environment.”

El Rufai, Julius Agwu To Headline LABAF 2013 VER the years, there has been a systo the pawn shop and maybe get a saxoO tematic decline in the patronage of phone for a hundred dollars. Or as my jazz by black audiences, a phenomenon,

a very special type of music that has been created. It has evolved over a century or grandmother did, she helped me buy a sax- so into a rather complex music – complex which is even more rampant and notice- ophone for five hundred. But today, a saxo- art music. Though Negroes are hard able in Europe and America where it all phone costs five thousand dollars. What pressed to understand that for some reabegan. youngster in the ghetto is going to be able son.” This reality fully dawned on me four to buy a saxophone? Of course, they buy According to Shepp, the situation has years ago when, in London, I attended a records and turntables and they create new come with farreaching implications and few jazz clubs including Jazz Café and instruments. They’re making something consequences – the prospect of jazz Ronnie Scott’s Club. At Jazz Café where out of nothing. I’m all for these young peo- becoming ‘white’ music – its domination saxophonist Archie Shepp performed, ple. In fact, I think we have to come over to by white players and producers: “There is only this writer, his son, two of his their side. We should begin to make connot a single major night club in the Nigerian friends and the pianist Funso nections with their life style, their culture United States owned by an African Ogundipe were black among the teem- and their music. I would love to have heard American. African – Americans don’t ing population of the white audience Coltrane play with Digable Planets or James make saxophones. We don’t produce that filled the club to over- flowing. On Brown. Those things just never happened trombones. We play them. We’re not proanother occasion, the story was the because our people never saw the connecducers. We’re basically consumers. We same at the famous Ronnie Scott’s tion.” don’t own anything and we don’t control whose ambience and operational tradiShepp blames the low attendance of black anything. And so it’s no accident that Ella tion had completely changed in favour audiences on the distance of venues saying, Fitzgerald is being replaced by some of white culture and supremacy. Even “In the 20s and 30s up until the 50s, many young white singer. Coltrane has become my good friend, Ademola Johnson who of those clubs were located right in the a white man. At all the big, so – called jazz used to be honoured with a special seat community. Connie’s Inn was in Harlem. concerts, there are fewer and fewer – for his remarkable patronage and pas- White people went to the Negro neighborAfrican Americans performing – more sion for jazz – told me he had not been hoods to hear jazz music. Now, blacks have and more white players who are being to the club in years. to go to Lincoln Center in New York to hear put in the place of those African I had been wondering why this sudthis music, to hear players like Wynton Americans. I just did a documentary film den reversal of situations until I stumMarsalis, who have now become the black in France. The young man was talking bled on Archie Shepp’s interview with bourgeoisie. This used to be a people’s about great saxophone players. And I the All About Jazz magazine where he music. It is no longer. The music has actual- mentioned George Coleman. Of course, spelt it all out. His explanation was quite ly been taken out of our community and he was talking about Joe Lovano and the illuminating and lucid. The reasoning awarded to middle class white communifact that Joe is now playing two instrubehind his contention was as sound and ties, where poor blacks are now expected to ments at the same time. Joe Lovano used cogent as his credentials for making the go on buses and trains to hear their own to come to my gigs and sit in at Sweet pronouncement. The interview roamed music. And actually, the music they‘re Basil years ago. Now he’s a big super star. from the genesis of this attitudinal shift expected to hear is music that they never I love Joe. Nice guy. I then said, well, to its impact on today’s generation of hear on radio. The music they hear on radio haven’t you guys ever heard of George black musicians who are embracing the is popular music. They’re not hearing Coleman or Gary Bartz? And you know hip hop culture; and the solution to the Coltrane and Ellington on most of the pop- what they said? “Who are they?” problem: “I can understand why African ular stations. You have to tune to so-called The point the ex – Coltrane disciple and - American audiences are not in tune jazz stations for that. And really, to listen to university professor of African- American with so- called jazz music,” Shepp conthis music requires special training.” Why? Studies is making is that jazz is black art tends. “First of all, up until the ‘40s and “African - American art music is serious music. It is not black dance music, so ‘50s – let’s say until Coltrane – much of music. It’s just like classical music. You can’t called jazz music. It is music people listhis music still had roots in the African – just come on in the middle of Coltrane play- ten to and not dance to. So we do have American community. Coleman ing “Impressions” or “Transition” and black art music. Unfortunately, we have Hawkins lived in Harlem. Dexter expect you are going to pat your feet. This is not bothered to treasure that music! Gordon, all these people, they came from the African – American community. Today, more and more of the socalled jazz musicians are fleeing into NEW show that focuses on indentifyparticipate, said, Kaka Marycollete Kekong, suburbia like all the other black middle ing artistic talents of kids is set to com- CEO of Shade & Powder. class people. And so how can they expect mence later in the month in Lagos. Kekong, who won several awards in artiswe can relate to people we no longer Tagged Future Star Talent Hunt, the show tic performance while in secondary school, associate with? There are no longer any targets primary school children. said the show is not meant to divert kid’s references.” Promoted by Shade and Powder attention from education, but to compleAbout the current situation’s effect on Entertainment Company, auditions hold ment it and hone their natural skills. the young generation of musicians and on August 17 at Water Park, Ikeja. She said the event was designed to add to their audiences, Shepp is not surprised The show will also look out for special efforts put forward to give Nigerian child a at all that young black kids are listening skills and abilities of the participants. This balanced education, reiterating the call for to rap music. “When I was a boy”, he will help the organisers to offer career the institution of measures that guarantee explains, “to buy a saxophone, I could go counseling to parents and kids who will an all-round training to kids.

Future Star Talent Hunt Holds August 17

Agwu, the comedian and Nasir el-Rufai, former JtheULIUS Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, will be headlining 15th annual Lagos Book and Art Festival, running from Noember 15 to 17 at the Freedom Park on Broad Street in Lagos. Agwu, who has just published his biography, Jokes Apart – How Did I Get Here?, will open the Green Festival (children) segment of the three day Festival with a mentoring talk and performance skits to a throng of 8-15 year olds. The Book In My Life is the working title of the Comedian’s engagement with the kids. El Rufai, author of the much-debated book The Accidental Public Servant, a searing insight into governance in Nigeria, will be interviewed in public by Martins Oloja, editor of The Guardian in what promises to be a very provocative conversation. The 2013 edition of the LABAF comes with the theme: Nigeria’s Centenary, The Lagos Narrative. It will feature 10 panel conversations around 20 fictional and non-fictional books on politics, art, romance, the economy, business, religion in the course of the three days. There are book displays, a visual art exhibition, a jazz concert, live poetry and spoken word sessions, an art party, a film documentary for adults and lots of workshops, readings and excursions for children. Organised by the Committee for Relevant Art, CORA, the LABAF is a grand cultural picnic with a heavy book content.

Quintessence’s New Shop Is Elegant, Roomier AVING moved from its storied location in the Falomo H Shopping Centre in Southwest Ikoyi, Quintessence has opened a new shop in Parkview, which is, in the opinion of Ikoyi snubs, “more Ikoyi” than Falomo. At Falomo, where it resided for over two decades, Quintessence projected itself as an arty hangout, with displays of a varied collection of craft, treasured cultural bric-a-brac, a wide array of thoughtful literary texts and object d’art. The place also featured regular art exhibitions and occasional book-readings. The new location is not on the mainstreet in the way the shop at Falomo shopping centre was. But the disadvantage of being in a non-commercial environment is countered by the sheer size of the new place, twice the old place, with room for an interior terrace, and spacious outdoors, which can be transformed into half garden and half parking space. Here you don’t feel the clutter that you felt in the Falomo shop. The roomier space has allowed for designing a more relaxed ambience. This translates to a very appropriate venue for a book reading. The new, Quintessence shop is the first place you reach after driving through the Parkview gate. Which means that the commerciality of the location is high in the considerations of the owners. But driving out can be quite clumsy; because of the narrow, one-lane- on- either- side, you get in the way of vehicles driving out or into the estate.

Protest Art At The Grillo Auditorium HE photographer Kunle Ogunfuyi is exhibiting a collection T of ‘protest’ photographs at the Yusuf Grillo Auditorium of the Yaba College of Technology. Titled Flashback, An Exhibition of Archival Photography, the show runs from August 15 to 31, 2013. The event is being promoted by the sculptor Olu Amoda, who teaches at th Department of Fine Art at the College.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday August 11, 2013

Sunday, August 11, 2013

OAU Retains Rating As Nigeria’s Best Varsity

BUSINESS

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Ill-conceived Concessioning And Aviation Service — Uriesi

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...Efforts To Create Paradise On Earth

‘I Was Wrongly Accused And Paid Dearly...’

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Clerics On Early Marriage

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THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Special Report Living In

By Gregory Austin Nwakunor 15, 2030. The day dawns quietly, as The Temple started in 1956 in Indianapolis, Jday,ANUARY Kehinde Holloway prepares for work. Every as a racially integrated church that focused from 6.30am, he takes about 400 metres walk to a restaurant called Rehoboth, where he enjoys a free breakfast, like every inhabitant of this new settlement, Okitikpo. Kehinde is one of the 25, 000 inhabitants of the settlement, which emerged from the tousled coastlines of July 2020 that destroyed coastal towns of the world. His house, a walled compound with fruit trees everywhere, is on a seedy stretch of road, about a kilometre from his working place — A welfare centre. This morning, there’s a long queue at the restaurant, and so many people are struggling to get their share of the day’s ration. Kehinde is hamstrung to bribe the stewards. “Should I do it?” he wonders aloud. “If I don’t, I’ll remain on the queue for a long time.” He looks at his wristwatch, it is 7.20am, and he has to be at workplace. He brings out some money and gives to the steward, who quickly ushers him in. As soon as his meal is served, Kehinde is overwhelmed by guilt. He remembers his old village, Ileoto, where people bribe their way through to get even the commonest thing: drugs from the hospital. “Not in my life will I do it again,” he says. “Corruption pollutes the system.” Outside of the restaurant, he discovers the city is already wriggling with life. A lot of people are prowling through the streets while some young ones are running about, driving imaginary cars and blithely ignoring the adults. Okitikpo is an unbelievable holiday destination. The city is green, leafy and welcoming. It is a dwelling in a lush, park-like setting far from the maddening crowd. From mountain vistas, sweeping vineyard, roaring rivers and bush landscapes, it’s a land of incredible beauty. It is a place where existence is positive, harmonious and eternal. It is a paradise on earth: No illness. No pains, whatsoever. There is peace, prosperity and happiness. Since its emergence, the inhabitants have carved out a life for themselves between strict religious control and modern dictates. Among cities of the world, Okitikpo stands out. Except that it is a fictional city. An irony in a world filled up with poverty and hunger, and driven by dreams of Millennium Development Goals — Eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, Achieving universal primary education, Promoting gender equality and empowering women, Reducing child mortality rates, Improving maternal health, Combating HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases, Ensuring environmental sustainability and Developing a global partnership for development —that were officially set by the United Nations in 2000.

... And The Search Begins most of history, men have concerned FgainOR themselves with how to eliminate and rethe paradise lost in the Bible. Men have always sought for a place where they can enjoy the safest, healthiest and wealthiest lives. Why religious leaders have continued to promise their faithful a paradise in heaven, free from all anxieties, depression and delusion, political leaders have made the electorates stooge. With their say-along phrases and catch lines, they build empty hopes of an utopian commune. Still remember? Food and Shelter for all by the year 2000 that was very popular during the second Republic of Alhaji Shehu Shagari and General Ibrahim Babangida’s regime? HECK Rev. Jim Jones and the Peoples Temple: The failure of government to provide the people what they needed made him to seek solace in a commune situated in the jungle. Jim was a charismatic man, who demanded loyalty and preached sacrifice. He had a vision for a better world and he established the Temple to help make that happen.

on helping people in need. He established soup kitchens and homes for the elderly and mentally ill. They also helped people to find jobs. He used healing rituals and food to attract new followers. The Temple was destroyed in 1978 via the infamous Guyana Tragedy, which consumed Jones, too. ACK in 1947, the same year the late B Prophet, Pastor and Founder of Celestial Church of Christ, Samuel Bilewou Joseph Os-

hoffa, received his ‘celestial’ revelation; some apostles had established what looked so much like a paradise on water called Aiyetoro, meaning the world is at peace, aimed at engineering redemption from poverty. Located in Ilaje Local Council of Ondo State, the town is a creation of circumstances by the Apostles. In 1943, there was a religious crisis in Ilaje land, which pitched the Apostles, who were preaching against killing of twins and other human sacrifices, against the natives. As a result, the Apostles sought for alternative place where they could worship and practise their religion. On January 12,1947, they moved from their various places in Ilaje to a spot called Aiyetoro. Though they were challenged, persecuted and even imprisoned until May 1949 when the then District Officer (D.O) called a conference at Erunna, Aiyetoro. A treaty was signed between Ilaje Native Authority and Holy Apostles’ Church. In 1948, the Apostles decided to pull their resources together into a common purse so as to provide for the individuals basic necessity of life such as housing, feeding and clothing. Members were compartmentalised into economic groups, and worked in common, whatever they realised from their work place was sent to the central purse. The community provided all and everybody is needed. There were different economic ventures where people worked free of charge without salary. There was a central food store that the people went to and collected food. There was also a central cafeteria where the people went to eat free of charge because the nature of their jobs did not allow them to cook. It was a place of communal excellence with members combining economic wealth pos- Canaan Land... heavenly paradise on earth terity, moral purity and religious uprightpanion of poverty, Odumosu started Univerness. sal College of Regeneration. A spiritual paraThe design palette of Aiyetoro was idyllic. However, no golden age lasts forever, history dise. With his indoctrination and brainwashteaches. And so, the paradise at Aiyetoro being, he sired a commune of ‘regenerated’ gan to degenerate from great, in 1968, to souls, who avoided contact with the outside merely good, when the spirit of communalism started waning, as a result of world eco- world. He was the god and everybody worshipped him. Odumosu died in 1988, leavnomic recession that also affected the ing behind a commune that is still in search community. of identity. That year, the people came together and thought of the way forward. The communalN the early 1970s, Chief Adeyemi Lawson ism was modified and the church allowed individuals to have properties of their own with thought of a total environment, which a proviso that one–third of their income must promoted high standards of healthy living condition for all. His vision was of two come into the town’s central purse. kinds: Economic and spiritual. For those In 1986, the idea of remitting one-third of the people’s income was stopped, in its place two purposes, Agabara Estate and Grail land in Iju emerged. came individual taxes. That symbolised the For Agbara Estate, he conceived a new end of communalism. town with balanced industrial, commercial, Be that as it may, despite the invasion of westernisation, there are no thieves or police residential and recreational land use, which are complemented by efficient infrastrucstation in the town. Nightlife is quiet and tural services and community facilities. An moral codes are strict as Christian injuncestate with a definite character and identity tions are adhered to, here. through design of industrial, commercial No one is allowed to swear by traditional gods such as Aiyelala or Ogun and residents and residential buildings with emphasis on landscaping and maintenance. The estate is hardly go to hospitals because they believe blessed with most of the facilities lacking in fervently in God’s miracles. modern cities such as Lagos, Ibadan and Abeokuta. VER the years, some other people have Water is mainly sourced from the underconceived their own paradises where poverty is conquered. Immanuel Odumosu, ground reservoirs through the boreholes popularly known as Jesu Oyingbo, was one of drilled by the management of the estate. the eager explorers in the search for the lost The water is treated in the treatment plant Eden. Odumosu’s goal was to create a world from where it is circulated through underground mains into residential properties outside the present for his members. for domestic use. Not only is the estate conTo escape the risk of homelessness, a com-

nected to the National Grid, an 11/33KV station has already been energised in the estate. Natural drainage is by streams that drain down to Ologe Lagoon, a fresh water lake. Artificial drainage is by V-shaped earth drains abutting all the roads to the estate. The earth drains are grassed (30,000m2 of grass planted by hand) and mowed regularly. There is also a Sewage Treatment Plant, an Aerated Lagoon System that collects and treats both domestic and industrial effluents through oxidation process before discharging the treated effluents into the Ologe Lagoon through a stream. The sewage pipes are laid to connect individual residential, commercial and industrial properties to the treatment plant and manholes are provided at road boundaries of all plots.

Eden… In God’s Name N the last two decades, Nigeria has also Imunes seen an increase in the number of combuilt by churches: Redemption Camp, International Bible Training Centre, Canaan land and others. On Kilometre 46, Lagos/Ibadan Expressway is the Redemption Camp owned by the Redeem Christian Church of God. Apart from fulfilling a spiritual purpose, the camp has now become a haven for the nouveau riche, who buys up apartments so as to enjoy the best of facilities that the general society lacks. There’s assured power

THE GUARDIAN,Sunday, August 11, 2013

SPECIAL REPORT

Paradise On Earth

and water supply, adequate security and good shelter. Though set out to be a place of spiritual retreat, the Redemption Camp of the Redeemed Christian Church of God has grown beyond its original plan. Accommodation at the camp is said to be very tight, especially during a major programme. And for easy administration, accommodation is divided into three: International Guest House, Chalets and Resorts. The International Guest House has three buildings labeled Block A, Block B and Block C. The Chalets, which are two kinds — Executive chalets, mostly a room and parlour bungalow with two beds in the room, are stylishly furnished. The ordinary chalets, also bungalow houses are beautifully furnished and well spaced are constructed with the user comfort in mind. The resort comprises two types of suites — Corner Suite with two bedrooms and a living room, and Chalet comprising a bedroom with spacious living room. The front view of the Redemption Resort in an extraordinary serene atmosphere has facilities suitable for conferences, banquet, lectures and hosts of other events. The Resort also has a three-storey with an atrium dining in the middle. The clinic — Redeemer’s Clinic — is located on Holiness Road, and is staffed with a qualified doctor and nurses, who attend to common health issues. The University Campus consists of the

the percentage of those living in absolute poverty —those who can barely afford essentials of life like food, shelter and clothing rose to 60.9 per cent in 2010, compared with 54.7 per cent in 2004. The Guardian gathered that the failure of policymakers to address structural flaws in the economy, interests that undermine competitiveness (subsidies to cronies), rising unemployment and lack of coherent vision have encouraged the emergence of alternative forms of government. The scarcity of public leaders committed to long-term goals, especially when it comes to elimination of poverty rather than near term recognition, has made many to think of solace in other places, especially the church. Political commentators and watchers of events have argued that while the ‘lost’ middle class, and also, the nouveau riche are target of religious leaders in Southern Nigeria, in the North, it is the downtrodden and the poor that are the catchment areas. They are those whose parents pushed, threw or forced out of the home in their early, innocent ages to become Almajiri, willing tools for all forms of heinous crimes. That’s why they can die for paradise. If they can’t acquire western education, nobody should, because it is a sin. The Guardian’s investigations reveal that activities of the political class, bad governance and serially failed leadership, endemic corruption at all levels, unemployment, ignorance, poverty, abuse of the Almajiri system of education and wrong religious (doctrinal) adulteration have made the poor class willing tool, especially in the North. John Samuel, a founding member of Global Call to Action Against Poverty says, “the biggest tyranny in the world is that of an empty stomach.” In his lectures, A Vanishing middle class in Southern California, delivered at the Pat Brown Institute on March 22, 2006, David Fleming, president, Economic Roundtables, notes, “the foremost economic challenge of the society is to have coherent vision of its attributes, priorities and growing path.” university’s three main colleges, students’ However, the failure of political leaderhostel, library, a cafe, Internet facility (WIFI), ship is not only the reason for the emerand the administrative blocks. The Regence of these exclusive habitations. deemer’s High School is located at the heart Pastor (Mrs.) Yetunde Ogunmola of the of the camp adjacent to the university with Holy Nature of Christ Assembly, Lagos, suitable facilities for recreation and physical says, “there’s only one place that a Bible beactivities. lieving Christian aspires to be: Heaven. The presence of commercial banks such as That’s our paradise, definitely, not in this Access Bank, Ecobank, United Bank for Africa world.” (UBA) and the church’s community bank — Pastor Chidi Maduakor of New Creature Haggai Community Bank and New life Com- Assembly, Ilamose, Ejigbo, points out, munity Bank, all make the camp a bustling “paradise is a reaction to human sufferand complete city. ings and endless struggles of man.” He adds, “I’ll rather have a room or squat Growth And Challenges in heaven than concentrate my attention on earthly paradise. My goal is heaven and HAT is behind this growth? that’s what I teach my members.” There’s an obvious answer: Poverty. It According to Christiana Akpan, a Univerhas become monstrous in the country in the sity of Port Harcourt-trained microbiololast two and a-half decades. gist, when poverty is reduced, the young Statistics puts the number of people living ones would be less attracted to evil and below poverty line in Nigeria at over 60 per wrong doctrines. cent. While not supporting violence and not In the 80s, it was a little less than 30 per giving a lending hand to anarchism, Idcent. Despite being the third biggest econowu Oluwatoyin Fredrick, a sociologist omy on the continent, Nigeria ranks around and lecturer in the department of Indus160th out of 177 countries on the scale of the trial Relations and Personnel ManageHuman Development Index (HDI). ment, Lagos State University, says, “they Though it is recognisable fact that Nigeria are needed because government as instituhas one of the world’s highest economic tion has failed in its responsibilities of progrowth rates, averaging 7.4 per cent, a wellviding adequate accommodation for the developed economy, and plenty of natural re- people. What some of the religious organisources, it retains a high level of poverty, sations have been able to do is cash-in on with 63 per cent living on below one dollar the gap created to reduce the problem of daily (N116) implying a decline in equity. housing. Beyond serving as retreat and According to statistics released in February campsites, they have upped the ante by 2012 by the National Bureau of Statistic (NBS), building housing units within their envi-

ronments.” Fredrick adds, “they have helped to reduce some of the societal challenges such as unemployment, housing and crime rate. By this position, I mean that, with construction works in their sites, many are employed and able to meet some of their physiological needs, especially food and clothing.” For him, “they do not pose any security challenge but I would suggest that they beef up security surveillance within and around the camps or sites. Though, some have security post but there is need to engage the service of both government securities such as the Nigeria Police, and licensed private security outfits in the domain to prevent it becoming a hideout to some hoodlums, who may enter the place under the guise of retreating or camping.” Adebola Tugbogboh, a sociologist and lecturer in the department of Industrial Relations and Personnel Management, Lagos State University, holds contrary views. He says, “they are anti-God, and good example to the avaricious people. They destroyed the social strata and act as a negative change agent. Also, they cause general instability to the society.” Okonji Patrick Ifechukwude, a lecturer in the Department of Sociology, University of Lagos, says, “sociologically, if religious sects have camps within the society, certainly it will boost social interaction.” He continues, “religious component in social gathering of that nature, boosts peace and harmony in the society. Religion is very important for the sustenance of the society, so all those camps will further help to bring people together under an umbrella of an organisation that will help in brokering peace and harmony among the people.”

It’s Not Yet Uhuru UT it is hardly given that provision of all B these in the communes is a route to social security. What has become clear, however, is that some of these paradise or religious enclaves are breeding ground for terrorism. Everybody knows one thing for sure: people are not always safe where some of these communes are. Those pressing for more scrutiny have argued that many of these enclaves are security risk. Many have wondered why and how religious groups have been allowed to create enclaves governed by their own rules. They also query the situation where such groups have confrontations with the police as the sect members grew. They note that a ‘settlement’ that is not free is a gateway to tyranny. They say that transparency is essential for a just society. In the last two decades, the search for paradise has yielded too many ugly scenes, including graphic horrors from Maitatsine to Boko Haram sects. For him, “they do not pose any security challenge but I would suggest that they beef up security surveillance within and around the camps or sites. Though, some have security post but there is need to engage the services of both government securities such as the Nigeria Police, and licensed private security outfits in the domain to prevent it becoming a hideout to some hoodlums, who may enter the place under the guise of retreating or camping.” And if there’s doubt that terror is linked to some of these enclaves, check activities of “the Congregation of the People of Tradition for Proselytism and Jihad (Jam ’a Ahl al-sunnah lida’wa wa al-jih d), better known by its Hausa name Boko Haram, ‘Western education is sinful’ and Maitatsine. After his education, Mohammed Marwa, best known by his nickname, Maitatsine, moved to Kano, in 1945, where he became known for his controversial preaching on the Qur’an. By 1972, he had a notable and increasingly militaristic following of Yan Tatsine. As his following increased in the 1970s, so did the number of confrontations between his adherents and the police. His preaching attracted largely a following of youths, unemployed migrants, and those who felt that mainstream Muslim teachers were not doing enough for their communities. By December 1980, Yan Tatsine opened attacks on other religious figures and police forced the Nigerian army to become involved. Subsequent armed clashes led to the deaths of around 5,000 people, including Maitatsine himself.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

SPECIAL REPORT

Guru’s Kingdom Of Heaven On Earth By Gregory Austin Nwakunor and Emma Agozino any of our members, go and look at our history. It is just because Nigerians will not want to listen to Maharaji Ji over the years. We have perfect security and the perfect living master secures our lives here. You can never find any of our members in many of the bad tragedies that befall the ordinary people in this country on daily bases,” says Obama Agomoo Obinka, a tall, fair complexion devotee, who hails from Unubi, Nnewi South Local Council of Anambra State, boastfully. Obinka, who is an aspirant coordinator, reveals that meeting Maharaji Ji, is the greatest miracle in his life. He boasts, “it has taken so many centuries. We have been separated from one another and the father has tried in many ways to bring us together. To experience the feeling of being with your brothers and sisters, come and discover what happened to our not cordial relationships in the past. That father we have been expecting is around. He is called Sat Guru Maharaji Ji. His presence has brought the reunion we have been longing for. He has been relentlessly walking on the earth in the task of restructuring the entire human society to save it from ultimate shocks that might accompany an impending global de-ecology. Fast changing times demands a fast movement in the millennium. He wants you back home and meeting him will make your life complete.”

T is not always that Maharaji Ji, the selfIation, styled Perfect Living Master, Father of creand Custodian of universal knowledge, opens his sprawling Kingdom of Heaven on Earth at the Ibadan end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to the public, especially, nosey reporters. But an encounter with the Master recently revealed much about the Kingdom. It means different thing to different people: Holy Land, camp of death, abode of anti-Christ, to some, den of criminals, murderers and vampires. But to the devotees and Maharaji Ji, it is the holiest place in the universe, a place where the Almighty God began creation, a place of His holy power, a land of opportunities flowing with milk and honey, where presidents, prime ministers and governors, among other notable dignitaries around the world, are made. It is a place where divine and cosmic knowledge flows from the perfect master himself to the rest part of the world, a place where people do not fall sick. The beats of the camp could be heard, this morning as they resounded from afar as these reporters walked inside. The holy enclave incensed them. The first object they encountered was an imposing life-size image of Maharaji Ji, sitting relaxed on a concrete base. A car park is on the left side for visitors. One reports to another security gate where details regarding name, mission, the time of arrival, phone number and other information are taken down. And while writing the time, it must be in Greenwich Meridian Time (GMT), which the devotees say translates to Guru Maharaji Ji Time. According to them, it was originated by Maharaji Ji, but was changed by European imperialists just to undermine anything black man. Surprisingly, the GMT time is always one hour ahead of the local time. To buttress the fact that you are about stepping into a holy land, and a proof of what the entire vast enclave portends, no visitor is allowed to wear his or her shoes, be that person a governor, traditional ruler or even a president. Devotees of Maharaji Ji believe that these are worldly things that will soon pass away and should not be seen in the holy land, which symbolises perfect order of creation. A visitor is welcomed to the sprawling camp by a group of youths, wearing some specially designed dresses of red, or yellow, two conspicuous colours in the camp. Some- Maharaji Ji times, devotees wear white colours. rated with flowerpots, colour ribbons and The first question you are confronted with lightings. His seat at the alter is a very large is whether you have an appointment with colouful one with big arms, which swallows the Perfect Living Master. If your answer is the Perfect Living Master anytime he sits and yes, then, the bamboo gate is lifted up for his voice billows to devotees. you to drive in, if you are with a car or walk A few meters away are the herbal clinic and in, barefooted. office of public affairs, manned by a fair comBut if your answer is negative, you may be plexion member called Engr. Nwaoha. turned back or may be allowed in dependNwaoha, from Ihite Uboma Local Council of ing on your ability to convince the security Imo State, pays glowing tribute to Maharaji Ji, men. But you must pull off your shoes besaying all the power he (Nwaoha) has were fore saying anything, no matter who you giving to him by the Perfect Living Master, are. when they first met many years ago. You either leave them with the men at the Surprisingly, he could tell you who and gate or hold them in your hands. At the Ma- what you have in mind and how Maharaji Ji haraji Ji Kingdom of Heaven on Earth, every- could help you overcome many of life’s danthing is completely natural and life is lived gers. To him, every illness has a cure. as it was in the beginning times. “There are no diseases that we cannot treat At the back of the second security post, or heal in this place including HIV/AIDS. We there’s a large hall for worshippers. It is dec- don’t even need to see the patient. We can orated with many red and yellow ribbons. At stay in the holy land here and heal anybody the entrance are about 10 different life-size in any part of the world,” he says, confidently. pictures of Maharaji Ji. There is also his burst He adds, “ some pastors who condemn Maplaced beside that of Oduduwa, the founder haraji Ji come here and we reveal difficult of the Yoruba race. things for them I tell you. It is just because Many baskets filled up with assorted flow- they will not allow their members to know ers are placed on the side of the giant picthat is why they don’t let people know they tures of Maharaji Ji. The flowers are replaced come here. That is why we are not ashamed of when they wither. what we are doing. This is a place that every One interesting trait of the devotees is Nigeria should come to get a solution to their their love for flowers and the wearing of a problem. The problem churches face arises badge with Maharaji Ji’s portrait. Maharaji Ji because they don’t want to use Maharaji Ji’s and his devotes, in fact, believe their enclave name.” is the Biblical Garden of Eden. At the herbal clinic, a 12 by 12 ft ramshackle At the worship hall in Satsang are hunstructure, are bottles and containers of varidreds of white plastic chairs, musical instru- ous herbal preparations. Not far from the ments manned by youthful singers. clinic, at the Eastern side of the Holy Land, is a Maharaji Ji’s altar, about 10 metres away, footpath leading to the Perfect Living Masfaces the auditorium. It is beautifully deco- ter’s bathroom.

LL devotees are complete vegetarians A and they have their good reason for this. Animal must not be killed because

On the entrance is a signpost with a red inscription: Warning, Bathing/ Washing 3am6am. 3pm -7pm. An untarred road, which appears to form a ring around the camp, leads the visitor to the carpentry workshop, the two kitchens, one for visitors and the other for devotees, a day care centre, the photographic department, the bakery and the mechanic workshop and other facilities. At the Mechanic workshop are unserviceable vehicles, which formerly belonged to Maharaji Ji. One of the devotees, who stays in the workshop, says the place is not for devotees alone, as outsiders also bring their cars there for servicing. Northern flank of the camp is bordered by the Ogunpa River, while a 20-acre farmland, where different food crops are cultivated is at the Western flank. Here is where the devotees get what sustains them, it was learnt. Maharaji Ji’s office is a red brick, one story building at the centre of the camp. A giant power-generating house, which provides an alternative source of power to the residents, is at the Southern flank of the camp. A borehole-supplying water to the residents is at the centre with many overhead tanks. It may also amaze any first time visitor to discover that many of the accusation against the sect may not be seen. In fact, the devotees are very friendly and hospitable in all cases. They ensure that everything is done to satisfy the visitor. “It is not possible for any of our members to be involved in road accident or plane crash like the Dana Air crash. Believe you me, this kind of a thing cannot happen to

they have souls like humans. God also created them like human beings. Maharaji Ji says, “animals were created the same time that God created man. They, however, misbehaved, just like man, and God got angry with them. If you watch the way animals behave with their little ones, you will never want to kill them. Besides, those who derived joy in killing animals are people with less spiritual development and such, could harm their spiritual growth. That is why we don’t kill animals.” He continues, “there will always be bumper harvest for any one who believes whether rain falls or not. I have revealed to people the true name of the creator. We now know that the colonial masters lied about creation and creator. In order to rule forever, scandalised, brutalised and de-humanised the black race to feel inferior by deceiving them to turn their back against culture tradition and our ancestors. They concocted the word God to create accidents, death, suffering, misery and cultism in our society. They made the world to believe falsely that the European did not come from Africa, whereas it was those who were submerged under the sea during the Atlantis deluge who emerged as whites. What I am saying I am the link or bridge for this generation.” Apart from walking barefooted in the holy land, there are several other dos and don’ts in the camp. A book, 32 Appearance: Celebration of Humanity’s Best Friend in Nigeria contains the rules. No smoking of cigarettes/tobacco, no drinking of any alcohol, no indecent relationship, no private food items, no talking in the canteen, no electronic gadgets, photographs, videos, recorders etc, all legally allowed items should be deposited in the luggage untied and no medicines and cosmetics allowed. Others include: No womanising, no blue colour allowed because blue is a dull colour and a sign of spiritual retrogression, women should cover their heads, women in trousers are not allowed, no bag should be taken to the Satsang Hall and no fighting in the Holy Land.” The book further informs that Maharaji Ji is not an Indian word, but original name of the creator, who Christians call God is derived from Sanskrit, the mother tongue of creation, which the European elite and colonialists changed at their council of Constantinople Conference in AD 21 through AD 60, and that has been the beginning of man’s problem in life.

HE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

SPECIAL REPORT The Eden That Immanuel Built By Gbenga Salau HOUGH the estate left behind by the T late founder of Universal College of Regeneration is not fenced and enclosed, anyone who visits this part of Maryland where it is located will know that all the structures from the middle of Manor Street to the end belonged to one person: the late Pa Immanuel Odumosu, popularly called Jesu Oyingbo, in the early 70s. Reason? All the buildings are painted in two colours — blue and white. The structures and the entire estate were his temple. They were the vineyards he and his faithfuls camped before he died. The estate served as home and work place, it was the Garden of Eden on earth for Pa Odumosu and his followers. Walking round the estate, you’re sure to notice that the buildings are still in fairly good shape. However, there has been some adjustment to the original plan as new, attached structures have sprung up as additional residential rooms. Also, in most of the buildings facing the road, the front roll of the ground floor is now made up of lockup shop. Unlike when Jesu Oyingbo was alive, Jesu Oyingbo’s former paradise... now a business centre where only the faithful of his religion were allowed to stay within the vineyard, now people with different faiths and beliefs occupy the expansive compound. When he was alive, and was the over- By Daniel Anazia seer of his flocks, none of his devotees went out of the camp, as all they HE calm facade that welcomes visitors to the needed were provided. Jesu Oyingbo Living Faith Church Worldwide, popularly made all necessary facilities available known as Winners Chapel international headfor them, though they had to work in quarters, Canaan Land, on Sango-Idi-Iroko his businesses. He ensured there was Road, Ota, intensifies the urge for adventure. no reason for the devotees to feel any Like a lamp on a hill, the serene atmosphere need to leave the camp. They were fed, and lush ambience appeal to the minds and accommodated and provided all nesouls, tickling the heartbeats and ennoble the cessities within the temple. But give it senses with its beauty. to his children; all the images that give From the lemon green painted giant gates a sign of a holy ground or temple have (one side permanently shut and the other not been removed. partly opened), you can’t help but instantly beWhen The Guardian visited, the bakgin to savour the beauty of the well-manicured ery he left behind was still functioning lawns and beautifully trimmed flowers as well 25 years after he passed on. Some as the clean access roads that are lit with street workers were seen offloading trays of lighting facilities to provide illumination at bread from the bakery oven. However, nights, thereby yielding no place to dark alleys, beside the bakery, a block-making fac- black spots or dark moments. The architectory has been added. tural masterpieces that adorn the landscape Averagely, the estate looks well kept, leave you in awe and marvel. there are, however, signs that some of Aside from being a place of worship, it is a the buildings needs to be touched. beehive of activities with institutions and facilAlso, one of the buildings, which was ities you would not even see in many cities in gutted by fire recently, has not been the country. And with a capacity to generate its renovated. own power, it is to say the least, a complete The camp is no longer a temple for city. worship, a sole purpose that it was set Covering over 10,500 acres (42 km2), Canaan up for and used for. Now, it is purely a land is made up of an estate, a university camcommercial and residential site man- pus, the 50,000 seat capacity Faith Tabernacle aged by the children of Jesu Oyingbo. auditorium; church secretariat, youth chapel, a Virtually all his followers once lived primary school called Kingdom Heritage on Manor Street, occupying different Model School, a full boarding mission secondapartments in the buildings called ary school known as Faith Academy with an es‘’Merciful and Mighty’’ and ‘’Everlast- timated population of over 1,500 students. The ing Father,’’ encircled by images of university — Covenant University, accommoChrist, sculptures of lions and merdates more than 5,000 students, with fully maids with water sprouting from their equipped faculty buildings, staff quarters as mouths. well as ultra-modern hostel facilities for the He brought uniqueness to worship- students. ing God through having a camp where Navigating through the roads to the imposfaithful stayed permanently, not inter- ing Faith Tabernacle, which has been described acting with the outside world, as they as the largest church auditorium in the world; worked and lived in the enclave. the sheer architectural splendor of the giant So, members of his Universal College edifice stands it out differently from other of Regeneration lived and worked in places of worship within and outside the counhis businesses: a bakery, a restaurant, a try. And like the biblical Canaan filled with barbing saloon, a construction commilk and honey, everyone, either coming out pany and a printing plant all within or going in, beams with smile like the rising the camp. morning sun. Today, the estate hosts scores of flats, Within the expansive land is a bakery, a botseveral makeshift shops and a retinue tled water processing factory known as Heof small-attached structures of shops bron; a petrol station, restaurants, shopping and residential rooms. stores, and residential houses for the over The name Jesu Oyingbo, meaning Je2,000 church employees. Also, within the essus of Oyingbo, was acquired when he tate are branches of three commercial banks, a had his church in Oyingbo area of La- Micro-Finance Bank and guesthouses set up gos. He was so called because of the pu- and operated by the church. ported wonders he performed and the Owned and promoted by the head and form of worship he introduced. From founder of the church, Bishop David Olaniyi Oyingbo, his church moved to OniOyedepo, an architect by training, construcpanu and finally berthed at Maryland tion of the massive church complex started on where he had an expansive temple. August 29, 1998, to accommodate the increasing number of worshippers due to the over-

Milk, Honey Aplenty In Canaan

flow of people during each of the four services, which often caused heavy traffic in the IyanaIpaja area of Lagos metropolis. The gigantic project, which was built debt free, was completed within 12 months, and this some experts in real estate said could only have been a miracle as a project of such magnitude takes minimum of three years to complete. It was dedicated on September 18, 1999 with 97,800 people in attendance. Despite the gridlock experience along the Sango-Ota-Idiroko Road as well as other access roads to the expressway leading to the church during some of the church’s major programmes such as Sunday Service and Shiloh, a yearly event that holds in December, the blessings that have accrued to the area since Canaan land came to be especially in terms of opening up the axis, and development far outweigh the challenges. “Unlike before, commercial properties are now on a higher demand because more people are coming into the area and new settlement are springing up. The coming of Canaan Land has helped to accelerate the speed of development. However, whenever there is service, especially on Sunday and any major programme

of the Church, traffic is usually terrible as everywhere will be locked due high rate of human and vehicular movement,” said a resident of Sango-Ota. A visit to the university’s campus showed that it is world of its own in a serene and secure environment. Unlike most universities in the country, shuttling round the campus is with ease and comfort, as the buses do not carry more than the normal passengers. And for the students, it is mandatory to always dress corporately for classes. The Covenant University has a mandate to: “raise a new generation of leaders through a qualitative and life-applicable training system that focuses on value and skill development, through a broad based qualitative education built on sound biblical principles culminating in the birth of pathfinders, pacesetters and trailblazers, who shall redeem the battered image of the black race and restore its lost glory as these trained army of reformers begin to build the old wastes, repair the wasted cities and raise the desolation of many generations. The university is further defined thus: A departure from ‘Form’ to ‘Skill’ A departure from ‘knowledge’ to ‘empowerment’ A departure from ‘figures’ to ‘future-building’ A departure from ‘legalism’ to ‘realism A departure from ‘points’ to ‘facts’ A departure

‘Presumed Paradise Is Security Risk’ Dr. Olufemi Akintayo is a psychologist and senior lecturer in the Department of Psychology, University of Lagos. In this chat with GBENGA SALAU, he talks on the socio-psychological implications of having religious camps. What is your reaction to the growing number of religious camps and grounds seen by members as paradise on earth? HEY are products of indoctrination and brainwashing. And the idea is to subject every member to the leader’s tenets. They have their own ways of life, and those ways must be followed — which sometimes, do not take into cognisance, laws of the land. They are independent of the government, people around them or their community. And each of them follows the same pattern: They carve out an area that all those within are self-sufficient, there is everything needed so that the residents do not interact with the outside world and this is because once you are isolated, just like the security people trying to interrogate, you are kept away from outside information and you are made to follow a pattern of behaviour. There is nothing that you want to say that will appeal to these converts. They will not believe you; all they know is their master. The psychological effect of this The psychological effect is that as soon as you are indoctrinated, it goes into your psyche and there is nothing anybody wants to say, however close that person is; that you accept. It is a major problem and in any community, there

should be surveillance of where these people are because whatever happens within their society can cause a major problem for the entire community. Thus, it does not matter the religion, once a group of people comes together to have a particular belief, irrespective of the constitution of the land, it is a security risk. Once people just believe that in-group (their group) is better than the out-group. With that, they are ready to lay down their lives to convert more people to join them and defend what they believe in. I do not know what the security agencies are doing. As soon as something strange like this is noticed, some surveillance should be mounted and when it is observed that they go against the law of the land, the law should take its due course. But in Nigeria, there is nothing like that. Nobody cares about what they preach to convert people, and what they say against government or people outside their group. And this portends a lot of danger for the citizenry and the state; it is a major problem. And the effect is what we are seeing now, small boys killing people. Under normal conditions, they are not likely to have done that. But they have been indoctrinated and brainwashed, the next thing is that they want more converts to their group. And whoever wants to resist is in trouble. Taking what is going on in Egypt as example, under Hosni Mubarak, the leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, Morsi, was taken to prison many times.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

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PERSPECTIVES

CIVIL WAR: I Was Wrongly Accused And Paid Dearly, FOR chief Patrick Isioma Goodluck Onyeobi, former Secretary and Head of Service to the Government of Bendel State (formerly Mid-west and now Edo and Delta states), October 8, 1967 will always be one hell of a day that will be forever memorable. On that day, Onyeobi, now the Iyase (traditional Prime Minister) of Asaba, was marked for death when Federal forces recaptured his hometown of Asaba from the rebellious Biafran soldiers during the unfortunate Nigerian Civil War of 1967 to 1970. A young soldier shot the young and upwardly mobile civil servant, without provocation, but he miraculously survived. In the subsequent orgy of violence and looting that followed, over 10,000 of his unlucky kinsmen were savagely murdered. Born on August 7, 1933 in Asaba, presently the capital of Delta State, the octogenarian spoke on his days at the University College, Ibadan (UCI), his time in the Civil Service, the shot that almost killed him, war crime by the federal troops and his twenty seven months incarceration during the war. Hendrix Oliomogbe reports from Asaba. Memorable Days at Ibadan I ATTENDED the famous Government College Ibadan (GCI). The late chief Hope Harriman was my classmate. You found out that your mates were already in the university and so you were fired with ambition because of the university environment at Ibadan. There were people like Prof. Wole Soyinka, who was a year senior to me at the university, Christopher Kolade and Chris Okigbo, who grew up with us in Asaba. They were already at the University in Ibadan. I used to see them from time to time and they always tell me that I must come to the University, particularly, Okigbo. I decided to enroll for a correspondence course to get myself prepared to go into the university. I studied very hard and at the same time I applied for the Awolowo scholarship of the Western Nigeria government. I attended the interview and was given an admission conditional on my gaining admission into the University College, Ibadan (UCI) for a Bachelor of Arts degree in History in 1954. There was a strong agitation then for the colonial masters to go and all the regional governments were anxious to train people who will take over from them. Awo was in the forefront. I resumed in October 1954. At UCI we were made to behave like gentlemen. Beginning of Civil Service career HAVING got a Western Region government scholarship, I was bonded to work for the government and so I joined the Western Nigeria Civil Service in 1959 in Ibadan, after graduation. They were looking for people to come and take over from Europeans and it was just a year before Independence in 1960. I was assigned to the Ministry of Works as an Assistant Secretary, to take over from a European who was on the desk. The man stayed a week and left after I resumed. You were given a year or two to pass the Civil Service examination on rules and regulations, otherwise you will not be confirmed. The Civil Service suited my temperament, as I was brought up like a gentleman in Mellanby Hall at UCH. I Left for Benin when Midwest was Created I was there (Ibadan) until 1963 when the Midwest Region was created and we were given 24 hours to move to Benin. I have never really lived in Benin before, except that I used to pass there to Ibadan. In Benin I reported to my ministry, which was Works. I slept in my car and started looking for accommodation the next day. Benin wasn’t prepared for such influx of people. It was in Benin that I got married in 1963. In 1964, I got a promotion as Senior Assistant Secretary.

Onyeobi Civil War Terminated my Career in the Civil Service MY career in the Civil Service progressed but was terminated by the Civil War in 1967. There was general insecurity and war hysteria. There was mutual suspicion. Being an Igbo, whether you knew Biafra or not, you were singled out as a Biafran. On the morning the Federal troops entered Benin, somebody came to knock on my door and told me that I had to leave. You had the good and the bad. I left with my family and luckily got to Agbor and then to Asaba. The war was a very difficult period. We had never seen war in Asaba and most parts of the country, so we didn’t know how to behave, what to anticipate and how to handle the issue of security. Because of war hysteria, all sorts of stories were carried and you know that in time of crisis, all sorts of people use it to settle old scores. Asaba Genocide IN October 1967, the Federal troops entered Asaba. We didn’t know what to expect. In fact, on October 7, people carried dancing group to receive them at Ogbesowe. They were just surrounded and mowed down. In my own part of the town, Umuezei, we didn’t hear, so we didn’t run. Most people who heard what had happened ran to the surrounding village. I didn’t run, I stayed with my family. How I was Shot by Federal Troops and Left for Dead ON October 8, I had my own baptism. I was sitting with an uncle and some relations in a house very near my father’s house and we were chatting when we suddenly saw some soldiers walk past at about 3 pm. They were four of them. Their leader, I guess a lieutenant asked us if there were women and children here. I answered saying no. Then, he just said, ‘kill them’. I thought it was a joke but a soldier entered and opened fire point blank at me. I was surprised that I was still conscious when I opened my eyes. I asked myself what kind of life is this. Why should it happen? I tried to be calm, but it was a serious matter. I just kept

calm thinking that was the end and that they will go away but they didn’t. I think the same officer came back and started touching us one by one. When he touched me, he said, ‘this one has not died, come and shoot him again’. I heard another shot but surprisingly I was still not dead. Then he checked again and said that I was dead and that they should go. It was when they left that I opened my eyes. I tried to get up to go to my father’s house. That was I realised that I had been hit on my thigh. I couldn’t stay there. A lot of blood was pouring out. I managed to hold the wall. All along, my parents were standing in front of our house and saw what was happening. I started limping until my parents came to carry me. I was afraid that this people were on a mission to kill me. I told them that I had a feeling that these people will come back. A False Grave Was Dug to Fake my Death SO I told my parents to go and dig a grave and bury plantain stems? I managed to climb to the ceiling of my father’s house. You know in those days when they build houses, they leave portions where they keep boxes. I opened one of the boxes and saw a bottle of schnapps and poured it inside the wound and I drank some. Even then I was still worried because there was no treatment. I was afraid that I would die if I stayed there. By then it was night. I was dressed up like a woman to escape I told my mother that we must find a way out. Early the next morning, they dressed me up like a woman and we started to walk through the bushy part of the town towards Achala. My mother carried water along. When we walked some distance, we stopped to drink water. We continued walking until we got to a stream. It was a matter of life and death, so I had to manage to walk. The alternative was to slump and die. It was only one leg that was hit but luckily enough for me, the bullet didn’t pierce my bone. It was a miracle. It entered from one side and came out through the other as if some forces deflected the bullet. The second bullet didn’t hit me when the soldier shot me the sec-

ond time. Till today I still wonder if the young man that was ordered to kill me actually wanted to kill me, because he could have shot at my head, but he shot at my leg. We managed to get to Achala and a Good Samaritan gave us a small room where we stayed. We got a native herbalist to take a look at the wound who promised to treat me. He started the treatment with native herbs until about three weeks later when things cooled down and the chemist shops opened. We now met trained nurses and bought some drugs. We bought drugs for treatment and the wounds started healing. The Beginning of My Incarceration BUT before it finally healed in November, those of us who were alive were asked to re-apply to the Civil Service. I think they wanted to take a census of those civil servants who survived. We all applied, but the next thing we heard was that the government had set up what was called, the Justice Omoh Eboh Tribunal to look at rebel activities. That was in 1967. Many of us from this area, the Western Ibo area were accused of one thing or the other and were required to appear before the tribunal to clear ourselves. I moved from Asaba to Agbor to stay with a friend. From there, we used to move in groups to Benin to appear before the tribunal. It was a good thing that that tribunal was set up because a lot of stories as a result of war hysteria and those who wanted to be mischievous had been whipping up a lot of anti-Igbo propaganda. As a result, many people did not want to see us alive, not to talk of returning to the Civil Service. When the tribunal started, many people who said that we had done this and that, when they were subjected to cross examination, their cases fell like a pack of cards. One of the allegations against me was that I was Ojukwu’s friend, but I had never met the man in my life until long after the war. The allegation was that rebel soldiers used to come to my house with the late Biafran leader. My lawyer, the late Justice Maidoh asked the accuser how he knew. He said that he used to climb a mango tree to look at me. Maidoh asked him if he was not afraid that soldiers will see him if he climbed a tree at night. He replied that he was prepared to die. He was being used. I don’t want to go back to all that because the past is past. I cannot tell the details without hurting myself and hurting other people. It is the present that matters. The tribunal went on for some weeks and when they found out that most of the stories were not true, they couldn’t found out ways of disbanding the tribunal. Sometimes in January 1968, they sent words that the governor wanted to see us. We went, but instead of taking us to the governor, they took us straight to the prison and told us that we were under detention and so we started the journey of detention in Benin Prisons. After about sixteen months, because we were not allowed to see our people and send letters, stories went out that we were taken to Benin to be killed. We decided to test our detention in court and so Justice Maidoh took the case to Justice Ayo Irikefe’s court. After some weeks, Justice Irikefe ruled that our detention was illegal and that we should be released. We rejoiced that day that we were going home, but early in the morning of the following day at about 4 or 5, we heard knocks on our detention cells telling us to open up the door. This was in 1969, after fifteen months in detention. They ordered us to pack our things and that we were traveling. So, instead of being released, we entered a lorry and started another journey. We thought we were going to be shot dead as it was wartime, as anything could just happen. The lorry took off, but when we got to Lagos Road, we asked them where they were taking us. They told us that they were taking us to Ibadan. The security men comprised of police and soldiers. They said they were asked to take us to Ibadan Prisons. We drove all the way to Ibadan and got there in the afternoon and parked in front of the prisons. The leader of the team, a security man went inside. When he came back, he said they were not going to take us in unless they produce the warrant. He said we had to try Kaduna Prisons and we started the long journey by road. We arrived Kaduna Prisons by six in the morning and they went in again to tell them that they had people to be detained. Initially, they refused because there was no warrant, but after some time, they told the man to phone the Director of Prisons in Lagos. I think the boss told him to take us and that they will send a warrant later. So, we were taken in. When we assembled at the office of the Chief Superintendent of Prison, he was surprised. He asked me who I was and I told him that I was a

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THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

PERSPECTIVES

But I Bear No Malice, Except Charity Towards All Civil Servant. I was an Assistant Secretary then, I told him that we were being detained for alleged pro-Biafran sympathies, though we are not Biafrans. He said that was not the story that he was told. He said he was told that we were Biafran soldiers who were captured in the warfront. He said that he was going to detain us until such time that the prison decided that we should go away. So we started our detention again in Kaduna. After ten weeks, they got a warrant and decided to separate us. One group was taken to Sokoto. I was in the group that was taken to Bauchi. So we started the third leg of our detention. About fifteen of us were taken to Bauchi out of the twenty of us. Ten went to Sokoto. We were there until the war ended on January 15, 1970, but we were still not released, whereas Biafrans who fought the Federal Government were freed and moved down to Lagos to start their businesses. Freedom I think some of our people got worried and went to meet Gen. Yakubu Gowon to complain that we were still in detention. People like chief Mike Agbamuche, who later became Attorney General and Minister of Justice under Gen. Sani Abacha had the connection and so met Gowon. Gowon said he was surprised and ordered our release. On March 18, 1970, the Chief Warder came to our hostel to announce that we had been released and were free to go home. We were shocked and asked him where and how. He explained that we were no longer detainees and should go home. He gave us 500 pounds each and said he will take us to the police barracks, where we will sleep in the common room to find our way home the next day. I was a bit scared because I had been in incarceration for twenty-seven months and didn’t know how the outside world was. My family in Asaba didn’t know where I was. The story was that I had been killed because at that time, if you took somebody to the North, it was a death sentence, because those that were taken to the North were not sure of their faith. We slept in the police common room and the next day, we went to the motor park and entered a lorry to Jos first, and from where we entered another lorry. The other person from Asaba said that he was going to Enugu and was not coming home yet. We entered a lorry and drove to Onitsha. At Onitsha, the bridge had been destroyed and so we had to use a canoe across the River Niger to Asaba. Back Home from the Dead WHEN I landed at Asaba by the head bridge, I saw some young men who were taxi drivers. I asked one of them to take me to my house and he told me how much to pay. He asked me where I was going and I told him, I was going to Umuezei. The driver said that a relation of his was married to one Goodluck Onyeobi from Umuezei and that he heard that he had been killed in the North. I asked where the relation was and he answered that she was working in Agbor. I was happy that my wife was alive. I continue to direct him until we got to the front of my house. It had been destroyed by bombs and my parents were living in the kitchen at the back of the building. I left the kitchen as it was till today. Some people saw me and shouted that Goodluck has come back. They called my mother to tell her that Goodluck was back, but she demanded to know which Goodluck they were talking about. They replied that it was Goodluck her son. I came out of the car and she came out of the house and was looking at me. I told her I was her son. She didn’t know what to do, as I had been presumed dead. I followed her to the back of the house where they were staying. The crowd started coming. The story was that I had been killed. A small structure was quickly erected to accommodate the people that were coming to greet me. To show you how people can be, people who were just recovering from war started giving me money. This taught me a lot. They continued coming, but the problem now was what I was to do. Back to the Civil Service AFTER some months, I decided to write to the Governor, Brig-Gen. Samuel Ogbemudia to explain that I did not go over to Biafra, but was detained by the Federal Government and so the government knew where I was all the time and as a result I had the right to be reinstated to the civil service, which was my career. After some months, they wrote reinstating me to the Civil Service. I resumed work December 1970 and was posted to one of the ministries. I had decided

that the Civil Service was my career and despite the fact that some people who were junior to me had been promoted while I was in detention, I decided that I will stay and make a career of what I had chosen. I gave all those who had been promoted above me while I was in detention the greatest respect. After some time, I was transferred to another ministry. I just behaved as if nothing happened because I thought that that was the only way of maintaining my sanity. The mere fact that God had kept me alive was enough to show gratitude instead of malice. So I decided to adopt the policy of malice towards none but charity towards all. I continued with my career in the Civil Service and got my promotion until I was appointed Permanent Secretary in 1974 by Ogbemudia. In October 1983, Ogbemudia became the civilian governor of Bendel State and made me Head of Service, but in December 1983 the army struck again. I was bitter. Brig-Gen. Jeremiah Useni was posted to Bendel State as military governor. I didn’t know him before. I thought it was the end of my career. I was already Head of Service, which was separated from the Secretary to the State Government under civilian rule. I continued doing my work as the most senior civil servant. There were all sorts of pressures on Useni to remove me as a result of alleged pro-rebel activities. You know people wa CIVIL WAR: I Was Wrongly Accused And Paid Dearly, But I Bear No Malice, Except Charity Towards All nt to be mischievous and continued digging the past, which was gone but he didn’t listen to them. He was watching my performance until one day he called me and told me to write a letter appointing myself as Head of Service and Secretary to the Military Government. He said he would sign it. I wrote the letter but he was taken aback and asked if this was all I could write. I answered yes and explained that a gazette will take care of the rest. I started serving in my dual capacity as Secretary to the Military Government and Head of Service under Useni and we worked amicably. We did as much as we could to make the state recover. We had to trim the civil service down from the over bloated size. Under the civilian government of Prof. Ambrose Alli we had four Permanent Secretaries in one ministry. There was no command as everybody felt he was equal to the other and so we had to trim down. Permanent Secretaries had to be reduced from 45 to 16. It was not a popular decision but for the system to survive, we had to take measures. Hard decisions had to be taken in order to streamline the structure and the government. There was serious overstaffing and these measures had to be taken to be able to pay salaries. These are not popular decisions, but they were necessary decisions. We continued to do our best so that the state could survive. I think to a certain stage of Useni’s administration, the government was acknowledged to be the best in the country. He left in

...with Osadebe, Premier of defunct Mid-West region

September 1985 to go to Lagos as Minister of Aviation. Then Col. John Mark Inieger took over from him as the governor and still retained me. Retirement IN the history of Bendel State, I am the only one that has served three successive governments - one civilian and three military until I decided to retire on my own. I retired voluntarily and was not sacked with immediate effect. I started my voluntary leave in 1986 and retired with effect from March 30 1987. I started a new life. Looking back, it was a most rewarding 35 years of working experience from junior civil servant to the pinnacle as Secretary to the State Government and Head of Service. We tried our best. The civil service was a learning school. You had to learn personal discipline. Present state of the Civil Service I can’t talk on what I don’t know about. I am no longer in the system. I can only talk on the civil service that I met during my time. We tried to lead by example. There was great discipline and people were made to work and to serve with dignity, respect, integrity and honesty. Somebody told me a story when I was Secretary to the State Government. He said he was driving past the Ministry of Agriculture and saw some people chatting outside and were rebuked by one man who was walking past. He said: ‘Let Onyeobi catch you.’ There was some discipline and not necessarily because of fear, though there was fear because if in the ministry, you offended badly, you were retired with immediate effect. You had your name announced on air. So there was fear and discipline. And again, people were made to place value on what they were doing. Your contributions were valued and there was no question of not coming to work on time. As Secretary to the State Government, I made sure I was there by 8 am. I led by example. So if you know that the Head of Service was in the office by 8 am, who are you to still be at home by 9 or 10. I didn’t go round the ministry. If you cannot behave as the Head of Service behaves, then whatever you see is your responsibility. Mind you, I served under civilian rule as Head of Service for three months. During the early days of Independence, we had served from 1960 to 1966. In the West it was Chief Obafemi Awolowo. When we came to the Midwest in 1963, it was Chief Dennis Osadebey, until the coup of 1966 came. Quest by Asaba People for Reparation We have been thinking about that, but what we want the Federal Government to do for us …We didn’t want the Federal Government to give us the Odi treatment. We wanted the Federal Government to build a University of Agriculture by utilizing the Anwai campus of the Delta State University. We thought that would serve our people more, as it will create

Iyase of Assaba

employment opportunities. Our children will go there to get educated. With every successive Federal Government, we had made that request but so far, we have not been successful. We are not giving up because we think that is a way of compensating us for the massacre, which resulted in the death of over 10, 000 people. Most families were affected and have still not recovered as the breadwinners were killed. Some generations were wiped out. To some families, the pain is still there. It is not easy to forget. Our people have forgiven but not forgotten. It is difficult for them to forget and that is why every October 7, that is the Asaba Memorial Day, we hold service at the centre where the massacre took place at Ogbesowe. We are building a Memorial there. How much individual compensation will the Federal Government give, but if they compensated us by building a federal university here, it will be a memorial. It will be a way of wiping off our tears. Our people are still pushing for that, but we are told that there is only one federal university in each state. The one for Delta has been given to Effurun, but there should be exemption to the rule. We think that compensating Asaba people for the massacre of October 7 1967 will be a way of wiping away our tears. Secret of longevity I read a lot and the writing of one Christian Nun influenced me greatly. She wrote: ‘Let nothing bother you, let nothing dismay you. Everything passes, patience gains all, God alone is enough.’ This has been the central theme of my own life philosophy and it has guided me even when I was in detention. I eat sparingly. I don’t smoke, I don’t drink and I don’t go where I shouldn’t go. I try to live a quiet life. I have learnt to manage the little I have, to enable me maintain myself respect. I am not in competition with anybody because I have gone through the crucible of fire and coming back to live till today. I have made a successful career out of the civil service and reached the pinnacle. Now I’m in the private service. I have seen a lot, I don’t allow these things to get into my head, because I believe that the best one can get in life is a sound education. Education teaches you humility, because the more you know, the more you know you don’t know. On insecurity and nation building IT is very unfortunate but the road to nation building is always very rough. In life and in history you go through a lot. I think we are going through a learning process. With time, all these problems will pass away, but I am amazed that the government allowed all these to happen and the decay which some of these centrifugal forces have caused. I hope everybody has learnt his lesson. They said that experience is the best way of education, only that the school fees are too high. I pray that Nigeria will continue to survive as a nation. We should learn to respect ourselves and respect the individuals because the country belongs to all of us. We just have to learn to live together in peace or as Martin Luther King said, perish together as fools.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday August 11, 2013

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

HEALTH Practical Psychology

Dealing with Spousal Violence (2) By Passy Amaraegbu

F course, every couple’s story cannot be like that of Agnes and Dave. Every couple’s case is peculiar. Therefore, in handling or dealing with this malignant problem, we shall consider some time-tested principles. The first principle we consider is that of acknowledging that marital or spousal abuse or violence is abnormal and abominable. Until one comes to this understanding, one may never make progress in addressing the problem. Couples must stop giving reasons and excuses (rationalization) for marital violence. From the male point of view, some of the excuses include; I am hot tempered. My spouse provokes me to violence. She talks too much. Women are like children and only physical violence can checkmate them. Wife beating runs in our family;… From the female’s side, the rationalisations include; he is lazy and irresponsible. The only way to rouse him from slumber is through nagging. I resorted to using my fists against him because he is bringing shame to the family. I am tired of being beaten, so I learnt to revenge… The excuses may be inexhaustive. Yet they can never solve the problem. Any couple

How Healing Takes Place By Moji Solanke

HETHER we attribute healing to drugs, surgery, herbs, nature or that sincerely desires solution to marital viprayer, God is the foundation, cenolence should begin with being conscious ter and circumference of healing. A profesof the abominable nature of this mannerism. You should begin to acknowledge it as sional or health expert may readily explain being evil. Part of this is that the couple has the phenomena [effect or appearance] of to stop rationalizing their misbehavior, and healing, but the actual noumenon (the accept responsibility for it. It is time to end source not apprehended by material the game of passing the buck. Husband or sense), of the phenomenon, the actual why wife nagging (verbal abuse) and beating and wherefore of healing, is beyond the (non verbal assault) are abnormal and unken of human knowledge or intellectual fruitful ways of solving marital problems. reasoning. Healing is a spiritual activity Sometimes, one or both partners have that is manifested physically. It is imporreached the decision that spousal violence tant to establish this fact because it has a is abominable but found it difficult to make decided impact on how to approach, not progress. A major reason for this stagnaonly the issue of health, but also healthtion is negligence of or inability to handle care. More importantly, it gives hope to old or past hurts. It is like trying to lay the foundation of an upstairs on top of that of a anyone struggling with health issues, rebungalow. The right approach is to destroy gardless of the nature of the ailment. Understanding that healing is a spiritual the latter before you begin the former. The activity, and realising that man is in reality right sequence is, when one discovers that a wholly spiritual being, means that healmarital violence is an abominable behaving is readily available for any one. The maior, reconciliation should be the next step of action. terial symptoms, physical diagnoses and aggressive picture that may be painted by a • Dr. Amaraegbu, a clinical psychologist; lives in Lagos. health condition, are in truth subordinate drpassy@yahoo.com to the spiritual status of man. The reason

Health And Your Mind

Mind And The Kingdom Of Heaven (12) By Babatunde Ayo-Vaughan

ET me state it categorically that if you have not really got the import of this discussion by now, it is to let you know that many of us have come to the conviction that the universe we are living in and the functions of our individual being is predicated on intelligence. The beauty in the magnificence the universe operates have clearly given us the conviction that there must be a creative power behind it. Those of us in this school of thought I am talking about would like to appreciate the beauty in the concept of God that has been ascribed in name of the creator or creative ability.

However the mystical or mysterious notion that had been attached to this concept over these ages and which had created a lot of impediments in the name of religion on its clear understanding and comprehension had begun to make many concerned people to believe that they need to rise up and begin to put the nature of God in proper perspective. God, most people would want to believe cannot be the God of confusion and chaos. It borders on insanity indeed when people will love to tell you that God is the God of peace, Love and prosperity and when you look around you, what you get to see is great con-

fusion, unlimited hatred poverty and want. If God is in all this or approves all this, then who needs the devil? However what concerned people have come to observe is that with the profound level of intelligence that they can see which operates the mechanism of nature and the universe, then perhaps may be God himself needs a new name. A new name that can really bring his majesty to the practical level of understanding and comprehension of collective humanity.

• Ayo-Vaughan, a psychologist, lives in Lagos babatund_2@yahoo.com

why more individuals continue to suffer under the effects of ill health is because there is ignorance in the power, ability and willingness of God, Spirit, to heal. In certain cases, fear and doubt prevent man from trusting in a Deity that is deemed invisible, and whose help is believed to be far off, and not as reliable as what is tangible to the five material senses. But in recent times, many professional and health experts, as well as individuals of faith, and those desperate for healing, are beginning to discover that man is not shut out of the spiritual activity of healing. Mary Baker Eddy gained valuable insight into spiritual healing, and wrote about her discovery in a book titled Science and Health with key to the Scriptures. More importantly, she put her discovery into practice, healing all kinds of ailments quickly and permanently. She found out that while it is God who knows how healing actually takes place, He has, through His Word and the example left behind by holy men through the ages, especially Christ Jesus, given man practical rules, which when followed, result in healing. Eddy subjected the spiritual insight she gained on healing to the broadest tests humanly possible, and did not find them wanting. It was scientifically exact and accurate. She called this system of spiritual healing Christian Science. So, while we may not be able to tell how healing takes place, we can know that the fact that it is an activity of God and from God is enough assurance that man is entitled to it at all times. We can also know that the rules for the practice of the system of spiritual healing have not only been clearly stated, but continue to prove practically that they are efficacious today. Then, when the phenomenon of healing is manifested, we can rejoice that this activity, though physical, has at its heart, a spiritual immutable authority, that can be relied on again and again. m_asolanke@hotmail.com

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

COVER

Tinubu

Akande

How Far Can This APC Go In Southwest From Niyi Bello, Akure F there was any lesson learnt in the formaICongress tion of the newly registered All Progressive (APC), it is that the political landscape in Nigeria, as it is all over the world, is dynamic and susceptible to change in the eternal struggle for political power by politicians in a functional democracy. The new platform, which came into being via a merger of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the dominant political party in the Southwest geo-political zone, the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), both parties with sizable followership in the North West and North East zones, has narrowed down the choice of the Nigerian electorate. And as characteristic of older democracies in Europe and America, the new path, being charted for Nigerian democracy through this merger, is several steps nearer a two-party formation, which many political analysts believe is the best option for Nigeria. Although the military had experimented with a two-party structure with the formation of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the National Republican Convention (NRC), during the aborted Third Republic, ideologically dividing the platforms into “a little to the left of the centre and a little to the right of the centre” respectively, the new development seemed to follow the treatise of the late chief Obafemi Awolowo, who once predicted that two dominant positions would eventually emerge in the flux that the politics of the First Republic was going through. But unlike the Awolowo prediction, which was based on purely ideological differences, the kind of which emerged in the global scene with the appearance of communism and its lesser brother, socialism, in contrast to open market economy and capitalism, there is no clear-cut ideological line in Nigeria’s political firmament, even with the emergence of the new party. The driving force seems to be the quest for political power, as the new APC has no discernible identity, in terms of manifesto or followership, to differentiate it from the party it wishes to replace in the coming 2015 general elections. Equally of importance is the ease with which the Nigerian politician, like a chameleon, changes colouration, from conservative to progressive, bending or vice versa, a development that has made defining who is truly a progressive politician, a big deal. Apart from raising the stakes in the country’s political firmament, the new party, by facili-

tating a merger between elements in the Southwest with their counterparts in the Northwest and Northeast, has opened a new frontier of political cooperation hitherto unachieved in the country’s political history. In the earlier attempts at democracy, except during the brief two-party period of Babangida’s unending transition, when the SDP platform that bestrode the nation produced a president, the core North and the Southwest have always been at opposing camps of each other. During the independence era and the First Republic, it was convenient for the Northern Peoples Congress (NPC) and the NCNC to form the government, while the Action Group (AG), the dominant party in the West became the official opposition in parliament. The same scenario repeated itself in the Second Republic, when the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) entered into an accord with the Nigeria Peoples Party (NPP) for it to have a grip on the National Assembly. Again, the Southwest party, the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), was saddled with the responsibility of playing opposition. This perhaps was one of the reasons why Southwest politicians, particularly those belonging to the old political order in the zone, preferred playing within the confinement of the region and hardly venturing across the Niger. An experiment with swimming in the mainstream of national politics that was brought about in 2003 largely by the latter-day support for the Obasanjo presidency and the naivety of all the governors, except former Lagos governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, came crashing and the region reverted back to its old secluded self in the ACN. With the emergence of the APC and the final drafting of the Southwest into the mainstream politics as a major stakeholder through the ACN, a whole new experience is set to unfold in the emerging definition of the role of the West in the new dispensation. But how far can the region go in this attempt at playing a deciding role in the formation of a national government, with pockets of internal oppositions threatening its new-found strength and the burden of playing its cards straight within the politics of the APC. Presently, the Labour Party (LP), which controls Ondo and is believed to be preparing for a shot at taking over Ogun and Ekiti States in the coming polls is one of the major threats to the ability of the ACN politicians, led by Tinubu, to take the region to the negotiating table of the APC, as a powerful contiguous bloc that would be able to dictate the directions to follow.

The same thing goes for the PDP, which rapid resurrection in Ondo State in last year’s governorship election, where it came from near-oblivion to clinch the second position ahead of the better-funded ACN, and ongoing efforts of its regional leaders to mend broken walls, could put the party in a position of strength to compete for space in the zone. A stronger LP and PDP in the region will certainly reduce the influence of the Yoruba in the APC, by denying it a full run of the Southwest space, but some analysts don’t see the LP as a serious threat because according to them, in the unfolding scenario, the LP will either have to fuse or enter into a working accord with either of the PDP or the APC. Although leaders of the LP who spoke to The Guardian in Akure, re-echoed the insistence of their national chairman, Dan Nwuanyawu, that the party was being nurtured to take over as the dominant political platform at the national level, many observers point to the politics of its most influential member, Governor Rahman Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, as the major impediment of that dream. Mimiko, a consummate politician who parted ways with the leadership of the PDP to form the LP, when he failed to secure the party’s governorship ticket in 2006, who fell out with the leaders of the ACN when they insisted on his joining their party after allegedly assisting in the retrieval of his stolen mandate from his former party, is believed to be gallivanting towards the PDP. The recent politics of the Nigeria Governor’s Forum and the earlier allegation, curiously from within the PDP fold in Ondo State, that the Presidency and the national leadership of the party in their handling of the last governorship poll gave Mimiko an undeserved advantage, hoping for his return to the party, were cited as pointers to suspicions that the governor would eventually move to the ruling party. It is however believed that Mimiko’s moving back to the PDP would change the entire political calculation in the state, because a sizeable number of LP supporters, particularly those brought on board on the premise that the PDP was the common enemy, are still averse to any attempt to go back to the party and it is because of this segment of the LP that the governor was still undecided. Apart from this segment, Mimiko is believed to have secured the sympathy of the old brigade of Yoruba politics, who had a score to settle with former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his PDP, which pulled the rug

off their feet during the 2003 gale that swept their political arm, the Alliance for Democracy (AD) out of office, due largely to the leaders’ naivety. A public endorsement of PDP by Mimiko, would also incur the wrath of these leaders who are also believed to be another reason why he refused to join the ACN, because the leaders have also fallen out with Tinubu, who as “the last man standing” in 2003, took over the authority of the regional party from the old men. The implication of this is that those LP supporters would be forced to join the ACN elements in the APC, while the bulk of the PDP, which is shouldering the burden of their party, allegedly without the support of their national office, may not find it funny being in the same boat with Mimiko, whose dexterity had led to their decimation. Some of them are believed to be talking to the ACN elements in the APC already, preparing an entry for themselves in the case of Mimiko coming to take over the PDP, which is obvious, giving the enormous influence governors have over their parties and their machineries. Whichever way it goes, the ACN/APC is expected to reap bountiful harvests in the unfolding political events, even as the governor’s new focus on governance to the detriment of politicking is costing the LP its enormous goodwill and followership among the political class. The test of strength of these expected alignments and realignments would come during the 2015 elections, when Mimiko, who is identified by Abuja as a potent force to ward off ACN/APC foray into Southwest, would want to prove his prowess. In Ogun, the fulcrum of the LP as an opposition to the APC seems for now to be reserved for members of the PDP who now seem homeless as a result of the endless crisis in the party. They are galvanizing and might team with disgruntled ACN/APC members, who do not have sufficient accommodation in the Ibikunle Amosun government. If care is not taken, cracks within the Ogun government may provide an avenue to reduce the strength of a ruling party. The LP is also kicking and threatening to make inroads into Ekiti, where they may get easy facilitation if the ruling party fails to organise itself properly as one cohesive family. Osun, for now remains strictly divided, between the PDP and the APC, Labour is yet to rear its head here. Political events are still unfolding and further realignments would occur as parties make costly mistakes for others to reap hugely from.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

COVER

FASANMI: APC, Not One Man’s Show, Neither A Yoruba Agenda Ayo Fasanmi, elder statesman and dogged progressive politician was so excited about the birth of the new baby, the All Progressives Congress (APC). The octogenarian, who has seen it all in the past 50 years spoke with TUNJI OMOFOYE on the desirability and challenges to expect, as the Southwest joins mainstream national politics. Do you think the leadership of the APC is strong enough to upstage the ruling People’s Democratic at the centre? HE first question, which you raised relates to the challenges, which one encounters not only in politics but also in life. Any life without any challenge is not worth talking about. How to meet these challenges is important; for every life there must be challenges, for every life, you must encounter a struggle, but the problem is how you respond in meeting the challenges. In the past we have had parties coming together for one thing or the other. There was the United Progressives Grand Alliance (UPGA). It was not a merger, but a political arrangement to counter the conservatives who dominated the national politics; but this time around, we have a very formidable force made up of people who have been tried and tested, people of impeccable integrity and transparent. When you take a look at the three parties, Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), including a faction of the All Progressive Alliance (APGA) that have come together to form APC, and you look at the leadership and how they have performed in the Southwest, you can beat your chest with pride that these are the people who will succeed in this new venture. The interim chairman of APC, chief Bisi Akande is a cool-headed, consistent, hardworking and transparent person. You know what he did in Osun State during his tenure as governor. And look at the people who surround him, his lieutenants, starting from Bola Tinubu, the governors of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ekiti, Edo and Osun states, and see the wonders that are being performed by these eminent leaders, you can be rest assured that the future of APC is very bright. And when you look at the Congress for Progressive Change under the able leadership of a tested army general, Mohammadu Buhari, who had tried to be president on two or three occasions but did not succeed, and you know how popular Buhari is in the northern axis of the country; and when you look at the ANPP also under the leadership of Ogbonnaya Onu, what else do you really want? And the party, coming on board particularly at a time when the PDP has reached its final stage of disintegration, indiscipline, lawlessness and what have you, APC knows very well that it has its own challenges. There will be people from the opposing side who will not want it to succeed, but such people will fail. Those of us who are elders have made it known that whatever they do must should not be based on self interest or personal ambition, and I’m sure by their record they place the overall interest of the country at heart. The APC will succeed and transform this country out of the present mess, in spite of the evil machination of the opponents. All of us know that the future of this great country depends on the kind of leadership we put in place, beginning from November this year when the Anambra governorship election will come up and 2015 when the presidential election will hold. My calculation is that with the formidable force of men who constitute APC, at least by the grace of God, APC will not win anything

Fasanmi

The APC is the antidote against corruption, against lawlessness, if we miss it this time around, it may take us a long time before we get our bearing right. And these are the challenges the leaders face. The entire country is yearning for a new leadership, the late chief Obafemi Awolowo had done it before at the regional level and he did it at this level as a showpiece, it is that showpiece that the Awolowo disciples and those who believe in his leadership style are carrying to the centre less than 30 states in Nigeria. It will not be anything less than that as long as we do not allow the riggers to do their job. Nigeria has to undergo a tremendous change if the nation is to move forward. I’m confident APC and its leadership is up to the task. We should give the party a chance and assist with prayers to enable it succeed. Do you think Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu has the capability to lead the Southwest to a major political outing the APC has set out for itself? APC project is not a one man’s show. It is equally not Yoruba or Southwest agenda. It is a national movement arising from the urgent need to salvage the country from imminent collapse. Now back to your question, it is not Bola Tinubu alone, people should remember that tested and trusted patriot and leader, Bisi Akande is there, a lot of other credible leaders and elders are also involved in the political project. It is going to be collective effort, not individual effort and that is why I’m saying per-

sonal interest should not be involved. The Yoruba collective leadership under Bisi Akande has been constituted and Bola Tinubu happens to be part of that leadership. One must however admit, that Bola Tinubu has played a prominent role in the promotion of this new order. So whatever is done must be collective and there must be internal democracy that will regulate the activities of the APC. There is not going to be a oneman show, the will of the people under a collective leadership must be the deciding factor. Do you think Southwest people are ready to go along into this political venture? Mass mobilisation has begun already and people are happy at the new development. What has happened in this country nobody would have believed it. This is the first time in the history of the country that we will be having this type of merger that has brought APC on board. The Yoruba ethnic nationality has given unqualified backing to the project. Our people in Oyo, Ekiti, Osun, Ogun, Lagos, everywhere, even in Ondo State, which is now temporarily under the control of Labour Party have given their support. And as I told you under the collective leadership of these men of honour, we will succeed. They need our prayers, we must not fail. The APC is the antidote against corruption, against lawlessness, if we miss it this time around, it may take us a long time before we get our bearing right. And these are the challenges the leaders face. The entire country is yearning for a new leadership, the late chief Obafemi Awolowo had done it before at the regional level and he did it at this level as a showpiece, it is that showpiece that the Awolowo disciples and those who believe in his leadership style are carrying to the centre. They will succeed, they will not falter or fail by the grace of God. Despite its challenges, the PDP is still formidable in the Southwest and the party is, in fact, strategising to regain control in the zone. Don’t you think there is still some challenge? We do not expect them to be sleeping. The registration of APC has taken them by surprise and we know they are planning to scuttle APC objectives, but we will not allow them. The APC leadership is not going to

leave any stone unturned to checkmate activities of the opponents, This is the reason why we have put so much emphasis on internal cohesion by party leadership and the entire followership. Whatever the leadership does must be on the popular will of the people. We should not rely on personal ambition and they recognise that self interest should be ruled out of the game, they should recognise that this golden opportunity should not be allowed to slip by and they know there are some hurdles to come, it’s not going to be easy you know; you don’t expect a party that has been in power for the past 14 years to surrender easily. I know they are planning, but the APC is not sleeping either. It is the will of the people that is paramount and that will govern whatever decision APC leadership takes. This is the first time that we are having a party which has a strong representation from the North, strong representation from across the country, go to the middle Belt, go to the Northeast, go to the Northwest, go to the North-central, go to the South-south, go to the Southeast, APC is everywhere. APC is strongly rooted in all the geo-political zones and everybody is praying that come 2015,the party will usher in the dawn of a new era, to the consternation of the opponents. It is only natural if you have been in a system for nearly 15 years and somebody comes around saying he wants to topple you, definitely you will put in everything in your arsenal in defense and sustenance of your political hegemony. But this time around, the conservatives should realise that the game is up and they must be prepared to quit the stage through democratic means. I understand many PDP governors are bidding their time to come over to the APC, we will gladly welcome them because we need everybody in the new dispensation. There is going to be a meeting in Nasarawa State, it is then that the PDP will know that they are on a sinking ship. What we are trying to do now is that, there is a shipwreck, the PDP has constituted themselves to a party that looks like a shipwreck, and the APC is seriously concerned about this situation and will salvage it in the interest of the nation. As I said, the APC leaders know the magnitude of their responsibilities, they know the danger that lie ahead and they are not sleeping, they will not take anything for granted. How for instance, do you think that in the entire Southwest that any party, rather than the APC will succeed? In the southeast, South-south and in other parts of the country the PDP is in trouble. The APC people are mature, tried and tested politicians, who know the magnitude of the challenges they have and the likely dangers ahead, but in the end come 2015,they will overcome. The APC seems to regard PDP as the only obstacle to their ambition to win government at the centre, what about the strength of the Labour Party in Ondo State and the serious progress the party is making in Ogun and Ekiti states? We know what governor Segun Mimiko is doing in Ondo State, judging from the outcome of the recent governorship election, which gave him a second term. And you find that Mimiko is in Labour Party, but serving as an appendage of the PDP. And in Ekiti, the Labour Party has no chance at all, Fayemi is in charge and he is doing very well. Anybody who thinks that he can overturn Fayemi in Ekiti is daydreaming, it is impossible. Go round Ekiti State and see what is happening. I agree there is opposition and there should truly be, in tune with democratic norm, but in spite of whatever anybody may do, Labour Party is only ruling in Ondo State, nowhere else in the country. The real labour man is in Edo State, the pseudo labour man is in Ondo State, you can see that dichotomy. Look at the revelation made recently about the situation in Anambra State, where a substantial figure was said to have been smuggled into voters’ register, the situation is similar to Ondo State in the last election, because one of the allegations made against the ruling party is that all sorts of names were also smuggled into voters register. Now, Nigerians have learnt CONTINUED ON PAGE 29

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

COVER

ADEBAYO: We Now Have A Viable Alternative For Southwest People most important thing is that all the groups should have the interest of the Yoruba people at heart. All I will say is for the people of the region to continue to support the APC, because it is a continuation of their support for ACN and the party will continue to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people. What makes you so sure that the APC can actually deliver the dividends of democracy to Nigerian? ACN had been doing so before we dissolved into the merger. If you place the ACN governors side by side with different governors of other parties across the country, you will agree with me that the ACN governors have been excelling. So it is that essence of excellence that we as a party are bringing into the APC. Some sectors believe the issue of internal democracy, especially for the presidential ticket will be an issue for the party, what is your position on this assertion? People, especially our detractors, will always find issues that will break us apart. Before we yourself, but evidence shows. When it comes were registered they said we would never be able from various parts of the country to form a to election in the Southwest, the people of the to form the party. When we got to put the combroad-based national party and that is what is mittees to proceed with the merger process, they region have cast their votes for the ACN and happening now. You will always have Yoruba said we would not succeed. They said we would they have joined that goodwill of the people people in various parties, what I am saying is, not agree on the name, logo and everything. But with the APC. based on the representation of the people by today we have agreed on all those things. When I honestly believe the crisis among the protheir governors, which is five out of six states, we agreed on all those things they said we would one can say the Yoruba people are in full support gressives in the region will be resolved with never be able to register or fulfill all those conditime. I think it is a matter of different of the party. That means you are leaving Ondo out of the new approaches, everybody has different ideas on tions, but we fulfilled all those conditions and the party has been registered. They are just lookhow to get to where we are going, and the arrangement and other PDP members too? ing for other issues that they think will break us, but I can assure you, the membership of the party, especially the leadership of the party are all determined that we get it right this time. This country is in a bad shape, the unrepentant PDP government is just running the country into the ground and we believe it is our duty to save this country and we believe that can only be done when we have a viable opposition; and we assure you that we will run the APC based on the tenets of proper democratic principles, in a very open and transparent manner. We have to identify the fact the people have compromised a lot to put this together. APC is more than just a party, it is a party that the teeming millions of Nigerians have been yearning for in a long time, this is evident by the overwhelming reactions that greeted the registration of the party. All over the country, there was a feeling of euphoria and happiness when the party got registered. APC is a political movement that people see as being able to free them from the bondage of the PDP. We will wrest power from the PDP just as we did in the Southwest. One thing I know is, when the people decide to be in one place, there is nothing the incumbent can do about it. This time around we are going to insist as we have been insisting the elections should be based on pone man one vote. There should be no rigging. Unfortunately, for the PDP, they have pushed their luck too far; the people are already tired. You are in Nigeria and you know what people say around you. Before they were worried that they had no viable option, but now they APC is on ground to fulfill their hope. All we need is to translate the hope into votes. Internal democracy is part of the tenets on which our party is built. Efforts are being undertaken, meetings are being held and we are fashioning out how to deliver Nigeria Adebayo from the claws of the ruling PDP.

Niyi Adebayo, former governor • This Country Is In A Bad Shape, We Have A Duty To Rescue Her of Ekiti State and interim vice more than two people. The APC is not a party that PDP in the Southwest is not formidable, all to two or three persons, no, it is a party they do is talk. What is the big deal in talking? chairman, Southwest chapter of belongs that belongs to the millions people and support- Is it not to organise journalists and address them? They don’t do more than that, so they ers of the party. Yes, there are individuals who All Progressives Congress have taken the lead in the merger process but it are not part of the issues on ground. As for not a party that belongs to any individual. We Ondo State, I can assure you we have a very (APC), believes the new merger ishave strong party there. Now we have an opportua number of governors in this same party, nity to sit down and reorganise ourselves and it is not possible to ascribe the party to a parwould adequately represent the so focus on making sure we get our message ticular party. The APC is a party of many memacross to the electorate, with a view to winWhen people say it is built around some interest of Southwest people. In bers. particular persons, they do this to denigrate the ning Ondo back. I think the way people feel about Tinubu is not something that I can comthis interview with TUNDE AKI- party. ment about, but one thing I know is that they Do you see the Yoruba going along with this had their perception in the last election, yet NOLA, Adebayo said the APC is political venture? All Yoruba people will never go in one direction, ACN still won Lagos. So I don’t see how that would affect the APC in the Southwest. They a viable alternative that can that is not possible; it has never been possible. were not members of ACN when we won five What we are saying is, for once, we have the deliver the people from oppres- majority of the Yoruba people as represented by states out of six, but I will not stop anybody from being what he or she wants to be. You the votes they cast for the ACN in various elecsion. can call yourself whatever you want to call tions, having them link up with other people How do you see the decision by the Southwest political leadership to join mainstream APC as a good option? THINk it is as a result of being sagacious that we were able to actually look into the future and talk to ourselves as leaders of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), that it was time that the mainstream of Yoruba people were involved in a national party. We have been working towards this for a long time. What has happened with the formation of All Progressives Congress (APC) is the combination of many years of hard work, reaching out and discussing and trying to put together a broadbased national party. We thank God that finally we have been able to make it happen. I believe it is a wise move because this is what the Yoruba people that we represent have been looking forward to for very long time. Yes, people say we have Yoruba people in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which is a ruling party today. But then, it is not the same because the Yoruba people who are in the PDP do not represent the views and progressiveness of the Yoruba people as a whole. This has been demonstrated over time. Finally, we have been able to form a broad-based national party, which involves the mainstream political leaders of the Yoruba people. The Southwest is fully integrated into the merger because we are being represented by the ACN. ACN is a full part of the merger; the party controls five of the six states in the region. If you look at the large number of supporters the ACN has in Ondo State, which is the sixth state in the region you will see that the Southwest is a major participant in the merger. On the issue of leadership, there is the perception that the new party is going to be monopolised by the two strong personalities, Tinubu and Buhari? There may be a perception, but that perception is not necessarily true, because if you look at what we have in the ACN, we have many leaders from the Southwest who are party to this merger. So it is not one or two people. I get amused when people tell me the party revolves around the personalities of Tinubu and Muhammadu Buhari. The party consists of

APC, Not One Man’s Show - FASANMI CONTINUED FROM PAGE 28 their lesson and eternal vigilance is the order of the day now. Nobody should take Nigerians for granted again, next year it will be 100 years that we will celebrate the amalgamation of the country, we are not going to celebrate that amalgamation in chaos and anarchy, in a way that has no respect for the rule of law, because what is happening at the national level now is rule of lawlessness. Look at the PDP, the Presidency and the leadership of party, they leave much to be desired due to the misrule they have foisted on the nation. Give us one or two months more, you will find that the PDP is no longer on ground. One good thing is that we are going to have two major political parties, it’s likely that Mimiko and his Labour Party may migrate to PDP, but the fact is that all of them will meet their waterloo.

You are a leader of Afenifere and you are not unaware of the differences among members of the group. A school of thought believes that some elements in Afenifere could work with the other side. I have made that appeal before and I want to repeat it again for the sake emphasis, all progressive elements in this country have to come together. We must not allow personal ambition to ruin the course of democracy. Internal democracy within the rank and file of every political party must be guaranteed. In Afenifere that you mentioned, I have many friends including Ayo Adebanjo, Olu Falae and so on. I have been trying to make contact with some of them, whatever differences we may have, let us come together because in unity lies strength, but in the final analysis, it is the majority that is going to triumph. My colleagues in Afenifere, I don’t see how

they can rock the boat. For instance, we had elections in Ekiti and Osun States, they did not rock the boat, so, I don’t see how they can rock the boat in future engagements. But I still appeal to all Afenifere members to let us forget the past and forge a collective front in the moving train. On Bola Tinubu, we have to understand that Bola is a human being who has his own way of doing things and you either like him or you don’t like him. But in spite of whatever you may feel about him, he is still moving the nation forward, and now a new baby in form of APC has been born. Thanks to him. I’m not saying that he is perfect, because like every human being he has his own shortcomings but by and large, he has become a powerful force to be reckoned with and you either decide to like him or decide whatever you feel about him.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

COVER

OSUNTOKUN: Party Is National And Ideologically In Tune With Yoruba Political Tradition Professor Akinjide Osuntokun, member of Presidential Advisory Council on International Relations and former Ambassador to Germany says the materialisation of APC portends a good omen for the Nigerian democracy. In this interview with TUNDE AKINOLA, the Professor of History and Strategic Studies thinks the APC will give the Southwest the opportunity to genuinely belong to mainstream politics, just as it was in the case of the SDP. HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has been T registered, with the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) as a major partner. This is the first time the Southwest (Yoruba) is surrendering itself in a major political alliance and also venturing to take the Yoruba into mainstream national politics. Do you see the leadership of the ACN as being sagacious enough to identify an opportunity to play at the centre or you think it is risky? THE emergence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is good for Nigeria, because it provides our people a viable alternative to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government that has been in power for more than 14 years. Most Western democracies operate a two-party system, that is, there is always a party in government and another one in opposition, keeping the one in government on its toes and providing a standing alternative to the government in power. This is the essence of democracy in many Western countries. There are of course countries in continental Europe, like Germany and France where as a result of their culture; coalition governments of sometimes two or three parties seem to be the rule, because of the intense factionalisation in those countries. It reminds me of what General Charles De Gaulle used to say about French men, that if you lock two French men in a room and ask them to form a political party, they are likely to come out with three political parties. In the history of Nigeria, the first time we ever had a semblance of a two-party system was during the Babangida era, when two parties, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the National Republican Convention (NRC) were decreed into being. Although we tend to criticise the military for all our problems, the imposition of the two-party system by General Ibrahim Babangida at that time was a masterstroke. This was the system that gave us the best election that we have ever had and that produced chief Moshood Abiola as the president that was never sworn in. Hopefully, the emergence of the APC will lead to credible elections 2015. At least we now have a choice of two national parties; one that has been in power for 14 years and for which we have nothing to show for it and

The issue is not about Tinubu delivering the Southwest or Buhari delivering the North. In fact, nobody can deliver anybody. The point is the disenchantment, disillusionment and dissatisfaction of the people with what is going on. If the PDP were wise, they should quickly realise that the issue is not about personalities, but about programmes and performance. So any campaign based on discrediting Tinubu, Buhari and other leaders of the APC would not work

another one that is ready to take power and has some credentials, especially judging from the performance of some components of it in the Southwest. Do you see Bola Ahmed Tinubu as having the capacity to lead the Yoruba into this major political outing? The assemblage of seasoned politicians with credibility, like Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and Senator Bola Tinubu and others should give the APC some leverage with Nigerian voters. A lot of work, of course, has to be done in fashioning out a manifesto that is at least left of centre and that would be totally opposed to the abysmal corruption that the PDP has elevated to a philosophy of government. The two main planks of the APC for now are firmly rooted in the Southwest and the North generally; so demography favours the APC, come 2015. Democracy is about one man, one vote and with the lack of performance of the PDP generally, it should be possible for Buhari, Tinubu and other APC leaders to mobilise support in the North and in the Southwest and also because the PDP itself is collapsing from inside, it will not be impossible to get the other parts of the country to join a winning band-wagon. All these of course are predicated on the kind of candidates the APC is able to choose for its presidential ticket. I speak as an outsider, if Buhari and Tinubu are able to control their personal ambitions, to look for a younger combination of credible people to run on the APC platform, the party stands a good chance of winning. The party should avoid anything that may make it look like a tribal or a religious coalition or party, because opponents would definitely exploit this if there is a tendency of the party in that direction. Do you see the Yoruba going along with this political venture? As for the Yoruba people, they now have a choice to make. The PDP used to appeal to some elements in the Southwest by suggesting that the people would reap a lot of democratic dividends if they belong to the mainstream. The APC, being a national party and more ideologically in tune with Yoruba political tradition should give the Southwest the opportunity of genuinely belonging in the mainstream of Nigerian politics, just as was the case with the SDP. The kind of mainstream offered by PDP has been found out to be totally not in consonance with Yoruba political tradition. After all, Obasanjo as president dragged the Yoruba into the so-called mainstream and they

have nothing to show for it. The collapsed infrastructure in the Southwest is a testimony to the PDP’s misrule, even under Obasanjo. I would like to point out that what is good for Nigeria should be good for the Yoruba people. The Yoruba people do not want to be favoured over others and they do not want to be discriminated against. Rather, what they want is equitable representation of all groups at all levels. Any fair assessment of the present regime cannot but come to the conclusion of total marginalization of the Yoruba people and the Southwest. A situation in which the first ten positions in the country do not have a single Yoruba among them is totally unacceptable for a people constituting about 40 million of Nigerians. The strength of the APC in the Southwest is directly related to this marginalisation. Secondly, the performance of the former ACN governors, particularly in the uplift of the infrastructure of the area is a strong testimony of what APC when it controls the federal government will do in the Southwest. The PDP used to control the Southwest before now and people should be reminded that their governors did virtually nothing for the people. In fact, people are now asking why it has been relatively easy for the ACN in the Southwest to transform the infrastructure in the area, while their predecessors were not able to do much. Just go to Ibadan, Abeokuta, Ado-Ekiti, Oshogbo and Benin City and see what has been accomplished. These are the issues. Yoruba people are highly educated people and they like to play politics of issues, not of personalities. Even though leaders like Tinubu, Bisi Akande, Segun Osoba, Adeniyi Adebayo, Kayode Fayemi, Ibikunle Amosu, Abiola Ajimobi, Rauf Aregbesola and others are good mobilisers, but mobilisation alone would not do unless there are issues around which people can be mobilised and the main issue in the Southwest is the non-performance of the PDP and the marginalisation of the Yoruba people. It is not just the leaders in the Southwest who are saying this, ordinary commuters on the dilapidated roads and those who need power to run their small businesses and those who need security in their homes and on the streets are grumbling loudly and who do they blame, they blame the PDP-led Federal Government and this is rightly so. The issue is not about Tinubu delivering the

Southwest or Buhari delivering the North. In fact, nobody can deliver anybody. The point is the disenchantment, disillusionment and dissatisfaction of the people with what is going on. If the PDP were wise, they should quickly realise that the issue is not about personalities, but about programmes and performance. So any campaign based on discrediting Tinubu, Buhari and other leaders of the APC would not work. This question of issues will also resonate, I must say, among other Nigerians, even in the SouthSouth, not to talk about the Southeast. It is unfortunate that politics in Nigeria is based on the coalition of ethnic groups against other ethnic groups. One hopes that 2015 would usher in the same kind of movement that produced the same result of the election of a muslim-muslim ticket of Abiola and Babagana Kingibe in 1993. PDP is still relatively formidable in the zone; Labour Party is very strong in Ondo State and making steady progress as a viable alternative in Ogun and Ekiti; there are remnants of Afenifere, who do not envy Tinubu’s guts and will stop at nothing to bring him down politically; don’t you think the APC has enough to grapple with? As for the Labour Party in Ondo being a vanguard for the division of the Southwest in 2015, I do not see that happening. The Labour Party in Ondo is built around the charismatic leadership of Olusegun Mimiko, a young man that I admire very much. But this is a flash in the pan; when Mimiko finishes his second term, the Labour Party will be swept out of the Southwest. There have been instances of political parties built around a one-man charismatic leadership in the past. That was the case with Professor Chike Obi and his Dynamic Party in the First Republic. But after the initial enthusiasm and the election of the charismatic Mathematics Professor, the party died a natural death. Mimiko will of course find his way into the PDP, where he would remain uncomfortable ideologically and in person, but not in spirit because the Mimiko that I know is not a right-wing politician like those in the PDP. As for the old Afenifere in the Southwest, I am sure when they see where the wind is blowing, they would follow suit. There is no way Afenifere will be comfortable with the PDP, even though Ebenezer Babatope, who in his heart of hearts knows that he is in the wrong political party will continue to shout at the top of his voice of being an Awoist, to the embarrassment of those of us who grew up with him. Finally, my advice to the APC is that it should look for a crop of young people to whom they would hand over the mantle of leading this country to its promised land. I have just returned from Ghana and I see the amazing spectacle of what young leadership can do for a country. In Ghana, the people running the show are people in their 30s, 40s and 50s; and the APC should follow the Ghanaian paradigm. Its mobilisation of the Nigerian electorate should be based on programs not on personalities or what General Collin Powell calls the ‘Big man syndrome of African politics.’ This should be the way forward. If it is good for Nigeria and it will be good for all ethnic groups, including the totally marginalised Yoruba people.

As for the Yoruba people, they now have a choice to make. The PDP used to appeal to some elements in the Southwest by suggesting that the people would reap a lot of democratic dividends if they belong to the mainstream. The APC, being a national party and more ideologically in tune with Yoruba political tradition should give the Southwest the opportunity of genuinely belonging in the mainstream of Nigerian politics, just as was the case with the SDP. The kind of mainstream offered by PDP has been found out to be totally not in consonance with Yoruba political tradition Osuntokun

COVER CONTINUED ON PAGE 57

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday August 11, 2013

TheGuardian

THe GUARDIAN,Sunday, August 11, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Junior Guardian Loral Graduation Ceremony T was fun-filled afternoon for pupils of ISchool, the Loral International Secondary Festac, Lagos, as the school, two

weeks ago, held its 18th Graduation/Award Giving ceremony. The graduands and other pupils, who were treated to some cultural displays and other side attractions, were, however, advised to embark on personal development to bring out hidden potentials. Dr Beatrice Chienyem Ogamah, the Head of the Department of Home economics at the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of education, Ijanikin, who was Guest Speaker at the event, said hard work in personal development would unlock dormant potentials in young people. But she highlighted a number of negative behavioural traits that could hinder such potentials as cultism, alcoholism, drugs abuse, drug addiction, social media addiction, gangsterism and sexual intercourse, which predisposes young adults to unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. As a way forward, she recommended hard work, focus and determination to one’s studies. Admonishing the pupils to take responsibility of their lives and actions and maintain the character of curiosity, Ogamah urged the pupils to pay close attention to learning new things on daily basis. The Home Management expert warned against peer pressure, saying that every child has unique and distinguishing pursuit in life and, therefore, should not follow the negative ways of other children. She advised parents and guardians to monitor the activities of their children, Cross section of students of Loral International School, Festac during their graduation ceremony advocating regular checks on their children, whether in secondary or higher institutions. “The fact that they are of another; rather success comes through to use this to help the generations to graduates of secondary school does not come.” make them adult; so, we need to monitor hard work. “These actions distract them According to the Senior Principal, from their academic world. Marriage after them.” Loral International Secondary School, secondary school is not an option now. I Ogamah warned that intimidation of Mrs. ezinne Uzuegbunam, the annual hope the pupils and parents will be able other pupils does not guarantee success ceremony remains exciting because

Students Of Grace School Move Higher

CHARLES OKOLO

the schools have consistently maintained a culture of excellence and quality assurance in educational

development of the young people.

— Chijioke Iremeka

SAY IT IN FReNCH! By Asuquo Dennis

The French Alphabet He word alphabet originated from the first two letters of the Greek alphabet alpha and beta. Alphabet is set of letters or symbols in a fixed order used for writing a language. The letters of the alphabet are very essential in language learning process. They are used to store and retrieve information. As a beginner in French, you’ll need to learn and master the French alphabet so you’ll be able to spell out words correctly in French. If I may ask, can you spell your name in French? In this episode, you’ll learn, in details, the letters of the French alphabet and of course, how to spell your name in French. Happy reading! Here’s the French alphabet. Please follow the pronunciation guide beside each letter.

A [ah] G [jay] M [em] S [es] Y [igrek] B [bay] H [ash] N [en] T [tay] Z [zed] C [say] I [ee] O [o] U [eu] D [day] J [jee] P [pay] V [vay] e [ ] K [kah] Q [queue] W [dublvay] F [ef] L [el] R [er] X [iks]

Cross section of students at the occasion.

He Principal, Scholastic T Hall, Lagos Mrs. Pamela Umebuani recently told the graduating students of Grace Children School Gbagada, Lagos to stand for justice when they get to secondary school. Speaking as the Guest Speaker at the 39th graduation ceremony of the school, Mrs. Umebuani who is also an educational consultant told the children not to allow anyone to bully, be unfair or maltreat them while in college and all the days of their lives.

She urged the children to be conscious of the major differences between primary and secondary schools and adjust quickly to the new environment. One important thing the children will need to learn is time management, as they will be taking more subjects at the secondary level. They will also need to read more because the course content is wider than at primary level. She also advised them to be more careful about their choice of friends, as bad company can affect their aca-

demic performance. Self-motivation and encouragement are the two other ingredients needed to cope effectively with whatever challenges that may come up at the college. The graduating students were urged to develop their innate skills. Chairman of the occasion, Barrister Victor Kolade advised parents to choose the best school for their children while calling on the federal government to stop the proliferation of universities. Highlight of the event was

the presentation of prizes to brilliant children.

Observation • The French alphabet comprises 26 letters just like the english alphabet. Capital letters in French are called majuscules while small letters are called minuscules. • eight of these letters [f, l, m, n, o, q, s, and z] have almost the same pronunciation as their english equivalents. • The english pronunciation of the letters g and j is interchanged to get the French pronunciation. Spelling There is no much difference in spelling out words in english and in French. A notable difference is in the case of double occurrence of the same letter in a word. While the english will prefer the word double (as in double o in BOOK), the French will use deux meaning two. For instance, the word Anne is spelt A deux N e. I hope you’ve had a nice time. So go ahead and spell those words in French! asuquodennis@yahoo.com Tel. 08030964502

THE GUARDIAN,Sunday, August 11, 2013

Junior Guardian Questions And Answers • What breaks a rolling ball? Ans: Friction. • How much water can a pelican hold in its beak? Ans: A huge bucketful. • How long is a football goalpost? Ans: 7.30x2.40 metres. • How many horns does the African Rhinoceros have? Ans: Two. • Which elephant has two trunks ends? Ans: The African Elephant. • Why don’t tigers eat small animals in Africa? Ans: Because they prefer the big, juicy animals. • Are there crocodiles in Europe? Ans: Yes, in the zoo.

The Secret of Success Many years ago, man wandered in the forest Searching for the secret of success without the initiative That it is only he that climbs that can fall down But if wishes were horses, beggars might ride Great men of success were toiling in the night while Others were in their rooms sleeping like logs and Snoring like lions Rome wasn’t built in a day, a little sleep and a little slumber Maketh a man poorer than before Good manners are always ruined by evil engagements Remember that in a race it is only an individual That wins and failure teaches success only when it is heeded When you ask, you are granted and when you seek earnestly You find Do not fold your hands in idleness saying that there is nothing I can do Of course, I cannot is a dwarf and obedience is better, And greater than sacrifice. — Uko Onwuwwe DE MOCRACY Solutions To Brain Teaser (17) STORAGE

Cross section of the graduands

Adebayo Rules At Pacific College Graduation Ceremony realised that the only way to get to the ter people. DEBANJO Adebayo emerged the best He also thanked fellow graduands like A graduating student at the Pacific Com- top was to work hard. He said being made the head boy was Akpobome Omene, Ifewenbi Ikenna, prehensive College Valedictory Service and Prize giving Day, held at the school premises in Shasha, Akowonjo, Lagos. Adebayo won the top prize in English Language, Biology, Economics, Government, Financial Accounting, Commerce and Further mathematics. Adebayo, who is also the head boy of the school, said he and his colleagues thought the school was too difficult in beginning but soon

REUGE

EXERCISE

ANCESTOR

PERFECT

CALORIE

RUDIMENT

Water

a challenge but he was glad to take on the duty. He noted that the school has been able to inculcate discipline into the lives of all the graduating students. “The college is like a refinery, it has cleaned and purified us, modeling us into new individuals who can face the adult world with confidence and pride.” He said the graduands could not have achieved excellence without the principal, Andrew Mekwunye and other teachers whose invaluable contribution has made them become bet-

Hameedat Adeyemi (the best female graduating student), Adebowale Osabinge, Dede Linda and others “for making these six years some of the best of our lives.” The school proprietor and chairman board of trustees, Omosowon Idowu Remigious advised the students to make career choices that leaned on their natural talents, interest and ability. He said with their good secondary school background, whatever is built on it would remain permanent such that they can acquire relevant skills, knowledge and proficiency in their careers.

Poems Fairy

Water, you are so important to life How you make me want to drink you Without you, I cannot live I drink you everyday Water, you make me feel relaxed and healthy everyday We use you to wash our hands after eating We use you for anything we want We also bathe with you And brush our teeth with you By Princess Aniagbaso Yr 2 Ocean Crest School, Lekki

I have diaries of fairies First was Tinker Bell And next Winker Bell I have a diary of a special fairy Her wings glow as she flows Her wings glow as she flows She is also serious And at the same time curious And always precious

By Stephanie Green Yr. 3 Heartfield Foundation School, Surulere

THESAURUS

Madonna School Marks 10th Anniversary AST Saturday, management, staff and pupils of Madonna Day Care, Nursery & Primary Catholic School, Denro, Ogun State, rolled out its drums to celebrate the 10th year anniversary of its existence. The event, which held at the school permanent site in Denro and graced by the crème-de-la crème from within and outside the state was also used for the launching of the Nursery School block. For the period the event lasted, guests and parents were glued to their seats, as the pupils treated them to a nice musical and dance presentation. The joyous pupils who were filled with excitement lit up the event with beautiful songs and other presentations. In her speech, the Headmistress of the school, Rev. Sr. Ifunanya Nwokorie, who could not hide her joy, attributed the journey so far to the glory of God, saying the success is awesome. She noted that the greatest challenge faced by

Bleary a) wet b) hazy c) cold d) right

the school is the issue of bad road network that has forced many parents to withdraw their children due to their terrible experience during the raining season. “We can do little about this because we don’t have the money to do it alone. I have personally visited the Ogun State Governor’s office in Abeokuta and met the Chief Press Secretary with the promise that things would be done. Its over two years now and nothing has been done,” she said. She disclosed that the school had to devise a means of using canoe to move the pupils across the water. She cited an instance when herself and a pupil fell into the water. The Parents Teacher Association (PTA) Chairperson, Mrs. Maureen Iheonu said the association has been very helpful to the school for their supports, saying that they have always worked together as a family.

— Gbenga Akinfenwa

Dogged a) determined b) followed c) beat d) locked Anguish a) ask b) buy c) crawl d) suffering Cleave a) take b) say c) slice d) bind Bumper a) end b) head c) abundant d) draw Concoction a) mixture b) chop c) cream d) paint Paradigm a) example b) double c) push d) wave Rapier a) paper b) wrap c) blade d) trace Posh a) dear b) aristocratic c) warm d) nice Arid a) dry b) curve c) like d) poke COMPILED BY KIKELOLA OYEBOLA

News

PTE Academic Competition For Students ELLAZ Education Services B and Training, an education agency dealing with the placement of students to study abroad, is planning a PTE (Pearson Test of English) academic competition for prospective international students who need SELT-secure English Language test for their admission process. PTE Academic is a computer based test, which assesses the listening, reading, writing and speaking abilities of prospective international students, as it gives quick and accurate scoring to test English proficiency, and is recognised by the UK, US, Australia, Canadian institutions as well as UKBA. The competition is being organised in partnership with London School of Business and Finance (LSBF), as Bellaz is also their recruitment agent. LSBF is offering up to 50 per cent scholarship to several students with outstanding score performance after taking the PTE academic test. There are also consolation prizes. Mrs. Ogechi, CEO, Bellaz Education Services and Training said: “We also register and prepare students for PTE academic, and have successfully registered and trained over 500 students since PTE academic was launched in Nigeria. Interested students can log on to our website for further information.”

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

CAMPUS

OAU Retains Rating As Nigeria’s By Dhikru Akinola HE Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), IleIfe, has, again, been rated the first and the best university in Nigeria and authorities of the university are already celebrating the ranking of the public varsity as the best in Nigeria and eighth in Africa by the Spain-based research group Cybermetrics Lab. Shortly after the group released the latest rankings, the university issued a statement announcing the development. It also displayed the news of the rankings conspicuously on its website, announcing: ‘Latest Webometric Ranking: Again, OAU Rated The Best In Nigeria, 8th In Africa’ University spokesman, Abiodun Olanrewaju, said the impressive ranking of the institution “underscored the premium placed on research, development, learning and teaching by the university’s administration.” In the last rankings released earlier this year, the university was also rated number one in Nigeria but 14th in Africa. OAU was established in 1962 as The University of Ife. The name was later changed to honour Nigerian nationalist, statesman and politician, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who died in 1987. The development has been hailed by academ-

ic analysts and managements of universities in Africa as a monumental leap for educational advancement in the country. This is the first time that a Nigerian university would be so ranked consecutively. Other tertiary institutions listed in the top five of the rankings are Auchi Polytechnic in Edo State, University of Ibadan, University of Lagos and the University of Nigeria in Nsukka, in that order. The top five African universities are the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania;

University of South Africa; American University in Cairo, University of Nairobi in Kenya and the Mansoura University in Egypt. According to Cybermetrics, the Ranking Web or Webometrics is the largest academic ranking of higher education institutions. Reacting, OAU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bamitale Omole, attributed the giant strides recorded by his administration to the unparalleled research output, administrative acumen, technical know-how of the academic, administrative and technical staff of the university,

adding that only a focused leadership, which is the hallmark of his management team, can produce such a spectacular feat. Omole applauded the dedication to duty of all stakeholders in making sure that the ideals of the founding fathers of OAU become a reality in its entirety. He urged the federal government not to relent in its efforts at improving the funding of education, particularly the universities, to stem the increased penchant of travelling abroad for academic programmes.

AUN unveils smart-library INCE the library of the American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola, was established in 2005, it has greatly expanded its services for the university community and pushed forward its goal of developing an e-learning strategy. This focus on e-resources has increased access opportunities for users, as all resources are now available 24/7, regardless of location. In 2012, there was a dramatic increase in the use of the library’s e-resources via netbooks, tablets and smartphones, while the use of physical items greatly decreased – and these trends continue in 2013. According to Amed Demirhan, library director at AUN, open access and libraries centred on online learning and research are key in developing countries. “In 2012, we decided to change the

NANS Condole With NUJ Over Death Of Journalists

HE National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has condoled with the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) over the death of three journalists. The journalists, Adolphus Okonkwo of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Kafayat Odunsi of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and Tunde Oluwanike of Radio Nigeria, Ibadan network died in an auto crash on August 2, 2013 along Ife-Akure Expressway. In a statement signed by its national president, Yinka Gbadebo, NANS prayed that God in His infinite mercy would grant the families of the deceased the fortitude to bear the loss. The statement reads in part: “On behalf of the over 40 million Nigerian students at home and in diaspora, we are very sorry to learn that this nation has lost, forever, three vibrant and assiduous journalists. We would like to extend our sincerest condolences to their family and their colleagues at NUJ. “Having just suffered the loss of some of our comrades, including the Senate President of NANS, Comr. Donald Onukaogu, we have some idea of what the families are going through. No comfort is adequate for such a loss.

library’s traditional focus to that of technology – the e-library. This year, we are focusing on becoming a ‘mobile’ library. This includes the use of more mobile applications and better use of space, including the arrangement and shape of the library’s furniture. “For example, all the following pieces of equipment have been replaced by a smartphone: scanner, desktop computer, laptop, photocopy machine, and telephone. This is providing a new level of efficiency and effectiveness. It saves money, is more environmentally friendly, consumes less electricity, and takes up less space,” he said. Demirhan added that the university is working to integrate the students’ community into making the most of the library and its multiple resources. “For example, all first-year students must

take classes on how to use these new learning resources and staff are encouraged to show their students how to use eresources to accomplish their research objectives.” This month, the library will move to its new home, which will increase the effectiveness of library services while lowering the cost of building collections, in relation to infrastructure and staff expenses. In the new building, there will be more comfortable mobile chairs, fewer stationary tables and less traditional seating. Users will have more opportunities to choose their study area, whether working alone or in a group. This will create greater flexibility and free up considerably more space than in traditional libraries. As learning devices become more sophisticated and learning resources more diverse, the need for these forms of ‘smart’ libraries will only increase and AUN is proud of its role in this regard.

Morgan Consultancy Sends Forth Canada Pre-University Graduates WISECRACKS N continuation of its mission to ensure sustenance of quality education to Nigerian students seeking to study in Canada, Morgan Consultancy Services, a Lagos-based Canadian education agency, during the week, graduated its 2012/2013 pre-Canada university students. Co-hosted with International Learning Network, a subsidiary of the firm, the occasion was also used to orientate the students who gained admissions into various Canadian universities. This is to ensure that they co-exist effectively with the citizens and the land rules. With the theme: “Winning strategies for studying, working and immigrating to Canada”, Mrs. Abiola Anyakwo, CEO, Morgan Consultancy Services, said Canada is a preferred destination for offshore study due to its policy makers’ huge investment in education. Citing a recent study by Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development Programme for International Students Assessment (PISA), she said that her high school students are top performers in sciences/maths, reading and literacy. Besides, Canada offers higher life quality, lower living costs/tuition fees for international students, work and is permanent residence friendly. Noting that immigration is characterised by culture shock including anx-

iety, confusion, food change and weather among others, she urged the students to avoid plagiarism, ensure course works/ registration deadlines are timely met, maintain a healthy relationship with course advisors, as they could serve as reference for job employment, be actively involved in school’s leadership roles as well as being

mindful of telephone freebies. She also urged parents to monitor their children’s academic performances through the online schools’ programme calendar and ensure they change unwanted courses on time, to avoid reflecting this in their transcripts, as well as develop a budget plan for them to guide them in spending.

Don’t let yesterday take up too much of today. Will Rogers

Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Johann von Goethe If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn’t lead anywhere. Frank A. Clark Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler. Albert Einstein

Let us know

2012/2013 pre-Canada university students

Every week, LIFE CAMPUS reports on events in students’ communities across the country. You can contribute by sending stories, gossips, reports on events and your pictures for Campus Faces to us at: templer2k2@yahoo.com or guardianlife2005@yahoo.co m

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

IBRUCENTRE

What Clerics Say On Early Marriage And The Girl Child Eniafe

In attempt to amend Section 29 (4b) of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, which says, ‘any woman, who is married shall be deemed to be of full age, the Senate stirred up trouble recently, especially when one of its own, Senator Ayo Akinyelure, representing Ondo Central Senatorial District, apologised amidst tears before members of his constituency in Akure, saying he voted in error. Reacting to the subject matter, some religious leaders, who spoke to CHRIS IREKAMBA, OMIKO AWA and ISAAC TAIWO expressed displeasure over the purported resolution.

Akintola

No Age Factor In Islamic Marriage

(Professor Ishaq Akintola, Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) HE Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) will like to put the records straight before too much damage is done in the polity. Islam is a complete way of life and its institutions, including marriage, are divinely ordained and in a well documented rules. Whoever wishes to legislate constructively or comment objectively on any aspect of Islam must, therefore, arm himself with the documentary evidence. Anything short of this will earn lawmakers or commentators the wrath and contempt of Islam. The conditions of marriage in Islam are four, namely: proposal and acceptance (al-Ijaab wa alqubuul), approval by both parents (ridaa alwaalidayn), payment of dowry by the groom (al-mihr) and the presence of at least two male witnesses at the ceremony (shaahidayn ‘aadilayn). Age is, therefore, not part of the conditions, which must be met before marriage can be solemnised in Islam. Where the bride is a ‘minor,’ Islam prescribes protective solemnisation of marriage without consummation. This means that the girl, who is deemed to be of tender age, is left untouched by the man until she attains puberty. Another major condition for child marriage is that the girl, herself, has the right to repudiate the marriage, when she attains maturity if she does not like her ‘spouse.’ MURIC believes that honourable and dignifying child marriage is better than child prostitution, which is rampant in some cities or red light zones. In comparison, the globalisation and promotion of homosexualism, lesbianism and same sex marriage is a direct challenge of God’s divine order. Whereas child marriage involves two proud and happy families, same-sex marriage drives families of the two parties underground, embarrassed and emotionally devastated. The notion of a secular Nigeria is an unmitigated farce. We

Kumoluyi

Odubogun Newton-Wusu challenge those behind this monumental deceit to produce the word ‘secular’ from the Nigerian constitution. How can you say Nigeria is a secular nation when the word ‘secular’ is not in our constitution? It does not exist. It is a mirage. The fact of the matter is that Nigeria is a multi-religious country. It is when some people want to rob Muslims of their Allah-given and fundamental rights that they label Nigeria ‘secular.’ Any constitution that does not take the people’s culture and religion into consideration is not only draconian, but has been designed to fail from the onset. For instance, the Nigerian matrimonial law, which stipulates marriage to only one woman, is designed to cater for Christians. Legislators must leave alone those clauses, which cater for Muslim marriage, otherwise, they will be unfair to Muslims. We must all remember that justice is the soul of peace. Let us learn to respect our differences. It is paradoxical that some feminists and activists, now, claim to be defending the rights of the Muslim girl-child; where were they when millions of Muslim women were disenfranchised in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and other states in the South during the 2007 and 2011 general elections because they were in hijab? Why are they crying more than the bereaved? The rat should be careful when the cat starts performing ablution.

Uwanaka

on the age to marry and God does not expect anyone, who is not responsible or have not reached the age of accountability to marry. As a result of this, the Bible does not in any way support child marriage. It is regarded as anathema and absolutely unacceptable. This is not even what our lawmakers should be engaging themselves with or be championing. It is like they have forgotten that they are there to protect the interest of every citizen, both old and young. This is not what we are paying them to do; they are expected to follow ethics. We cherish the example of one of them that after contributing to such unethical debate came out weeping. How we wish everyone who participated in such a debate would emulate the man. I heard that the Senate President denounced that it was not so, but what we are saying is that if by any means it was so, such a debate or law should be thrashed. A nation with a vision would not even talk about such a thing. It is absolute wickedness on the part of anyone that supports that; children are expected to be in school, preparing for their future and contributing effectively to nation building. The implication of this to the nation and the church is that absolutely, such marriage will not last. The poor child, at first, would be traumatised and by the time she knows that she has been forced against her right to ‘Only A Mature Lady destroy her, she would quit the Can Reasonably Help marriage. The society would The Husband’ then be filled with unmarried (Rev. Isaac Newton-Wusu, Direcwomen. Another implication is tor, Voice of Christian Martyrs, that the child-mother lacks the Nigeria) knowledge of parenting, which OD’S plan right from the be- is why we have a lot of ‘Almajiris’ ginning is that two adults — in the North, where the girlmale and female — should come child marriage is practiced with together in marriage. In the no respect to child right. book of Genesis, He said: “Therefore, should a ‘man’ leave his fa- ‘An Underage Girl ther and mother and cleave to Knows Nothing About his wife…” God was very specific that a man should marry a Training Up A Child, woman and if He had wanted Feeding A Child, him to marry a girl, He would Bathing A Child’ have stated it clearly. He, also, called the woman ‘a help meet.’ (Rev. (Prof.) I. C. E. Uwanaka, It is only a mature lady that can General Overseer, Pentecostal Restoration Church, Mafoluku and reasonably help the partner — husband. The Bible is very clear former Zonal Chairman, PFN,

Martins

Makinde

marriage in this way, the Senate has bruised the sensibilisinging his own song. Our law- ties of decent people across the Mafoluku, Lagos) makers should deliberate on HE Bible did not specify a nation and across all religious particular age for marriage, serious issues and not irreledivides who have condemned but then, somebody should be vancies such as child marriage. this resolution. I urge the Senmature before getting married. They should tackle the issue of ate to expunge section 29 (4b) A child doesn’t even know what power outage; give us good of the Constitution, as it not road and better education. marriage is all about, so, how only amounts to truncating can she be given out in marthe future of our children, it riage? She doesn’t know the im- ‘Such Children Easily also contradicts other parts of plication of childbearing; she the same Constitution. doesn’t understand the respon- Become Victims Of Vesico-Vaginal Fistula’ sibility of taking care of chil(Archbishop Alfred Adewale Mar- ‘Quran Does Not dren in the home. tins, Catholic Archbishop of Again, those calling for childSupport Child marriage should consider the Lagos) Marriage’ health implications. We were NY attempt by the Senate to (UZTAZ TAOFEEK Y. ENIAFE, Chief told Vesico-vaginal Fistula (VVF) hold on to its present posi- Missioner, Dairatul Razakiyat Asattacks women, especially those tion would mean giving consociation of Nigeria and Imam, who start having children very sent to an obnoxious Anu Oluwapo Mosque, Orile Osearly in life. Child-mothers lack provision that found its way hodi, Lagos) the knowledge to take care of into a military-engineered HERE is no portion in the their babies, which include, constitution, which deprive Holy Quran that justifies feeding, bathing and, even car- many a girl-child the right to that a man should marry an rying them. Girl-child marriage grow into healthy and produc- underage girl. In all sincerity, will result in our women not tive adults. Retaining that pro- marriage in Islam is somehaving proper education that vision of the 1999 Constitution thing very vital because will prepare them for the future would amount to endorsing a Prophet Muhammad emphaand as such depend on the hus- provision that robs children of sised on it. He said it is necesband for all her needs. The im- their childhood. The argusary for everyman in Islam to plication is that, she will ment that their decision is not marry based on four condicontribute less to the society. about child marriage flies in tions: First, the girl and the the face of reason because if man must accept and under‘Under Age Marriage Is they agree to define adulthood stand each other very well. Secby marriage they automationd, they must know each Child Abuse’ cally approve the action of the other’s family and identify (His Eminence, Sunday Ola lecherous old man, who marwith them. Third, there must Makinde, Prelate, Methodist ries a 13-year-old girl and be a special gift (sadaki) from Church) makes her an adult, when by the husband to the wife; this HE Bible did not categorithe same Constitution, she may be a car, house or just anycally mention the age a lady cannot vote in an election. thing and lastly (salahuddin) is expected to marry, but in Such children are denied their the witnesses of the marriage clear terms it condemns under- childhood and easily become from both families. age marriage. The Bible regards victims of vesico-vaginal fisUnderage girl does not know this as child abuse. We can also tula because their bodies are her left from her right, she deduce from biblical facts that not ready to carry or nurture knows nothing about life. This those that are married in the babies. Obnoxious laws do not is called child abuse. Islam Bible did not marry as confer pregnancy and mother- talks about puberty age, which teenagers. A good example, was hood, because nature prepares is from 18 and above. Somewhen Mary was betrothed to the woman for them. Joseph, both of them were fully Our children deserve to have body of 18 years will be able to mature. Giving out a girl of 13 in access to qualitative education reason; she can distinguish marriage is child abuse, which and opportunity for self-actu- what is right from what is should not be encouraged. Cul- alisation. Unless the Senate re- wrong. At that age she can tell turally, it is wrong and the Bible scinds its resolution, it would the kind of a person she wants to marry. The Nigerian Constidoes not support it. Biologihave failed woefully in protect- tution supports this age. cally, a girl of 13 is still an under- ing our children and giving Quran does not support child age and has a small pelvic; apart them the opportunity to remarriage, it only specifies that from her naivety in terms of alise their potentials to the a man can marry more than handling a home or having fullest. The Senate should be one wife, if only you have the knowledge of what marriage passing resolutions to the efpower; and talking about means, it is amoral to engage fect that all children below 18 power, it includes feeding, her in marital affairs. When I years of age should be in catering, clothing, sexual satisheard that the Senate has school rather than legitimise faction and others needs. passed a resolution in support child abuse and all sorts of The person that supported the practise, I called the Senate health complications that the bill we could see is only tryPresident, who told me it was arise from child marriage not what they discussed. It then through this ridiculous resolu- ing to justify himself. But to be meant that someone was only tion. By consenting to child CONTINUED ON PAGE 39

THe GUARDIAn, Sunday, August 11, 2013

IBRUcenTRe

Sunday School The new Man (3)

... With Pastor Enoch Adeboye

Memory verse: “Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the peo2 Tim.2:21. Our heavenly father certainly wants us to be sanctiple with his own blood, suffered without the gate,” Hebrews 13:12. fied, 1 Thes. 4:3. Jesus christ was sanctified by God, Jn. 10:36; and his followers were also sanctified, 1 Thes. 5:23-24, Eph. 5:26, 2 Thes. 2:13. This great privilege is obtainable through the word of God, Bible passages: John 17:13-23, Acts 2:1-8. Jn. 17:17, the blood of Jesus, Heb. 13:12, and by heart surgery as the Introduction individual surrenders unto God. The new man, as a sanctified AST week, we discussed that the new man is identified by a life, lives a holy life, easily bears fruit, and has guarantee for eterjustified life; a life assured of salvation. Today, we will be ex- nity in the lord, Rm. 6:22, Gal. 5:22-23, Acts 26:18. amining the new man as characterised by sanctified and Holy A Holy Ghost controlled life Spirit controlled life. May the Holy Spirit continue to unveil new The new man has a lifestyle that is patterned after and conrevelations to us in Jesus’ name. trolled by the Holy Spirit. Our lord, Jesus christ, promised to A sanctified life send the Holy Spirit to comfort us, Jn. 14:26, Jn. 15:26. The Holy The new man is sanctified unto God, 2 Chr. 29:5, 15-18. A christian Spirit gives power over sin, Gal. 5:16; power for service, Acts 1:8; cannot be fully used by God until he or she has been sanctified, power to rebuke and cast out demons, Acts 13:8-11, Rm. 8:16;

By Gabriel Agbo He worship of Osun — the river goddess of Osogbo — like T every other act of idolatry and occultism is forbidden by the Almighty God. The lord made this clear in various portions of the scriptures. He said that He will punish anybody that indulges in such and the worse is that the punishment will also go for generations. It will go from parents to children and to subsequent generations. That is, even after the offenders have died, their children and children children will also be punished for the idolatrous sins of their fathers and mothers. Terrible! exodus 20:2-5 confirms this. “I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shall have no other gods before me. Thou shall not make unto thee any graven

power to witness to our spiritual adoption, Acts 9:1-2, Gal. 4:6, 1 Jn. 3:24. He helps us to bear fruits unto repentance, Gal. 5:22-23; guides us into all truth, Jn. 16:13; controls the movement of believers, Acts 10:19; directs the selection of christian leaders, Acts 13:2; and chooses the fields of operations of God’s servants, Acts 16:6. He also gives life, Jn. 6:33, Rm. 8:11, 2 Cor. 3:6, 1 Pet. 3:18. conclusion Two outstanding qualities of a new man are sanctified and Holy Ghost controlled life. Be honest and check your life to see if you are truly a new man. If not, pray and live a holy live in Jesus. The lord remains your present Help.

Osun Osogbo And Generational curses (3)

fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generations image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above or that hate me.” that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the God said that we must not worship, serve, make any image earth. Thou shall not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I, the Lord, thy God is a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the (representation) or bow down to principalities, powers, demons, fallen angels, mermaids, mermen, spirits, humans or their agents in the heavens (air), on earth (land) or in the water under the earth (seas, oceans, lakes, rivers, springs, etc). And the later is where the principality Osun; the river goddess of Osogbo belongs — in the water under the earth. In other newer Bible translations, these are also represented by birds, animals and fish. They are all saying the same thing. They represent the demonic powers residing in these three realms. God said that He (Jehovah, the creator of the universe, the Almighty, the God of heavens and earth) is the only person that should be worshiped. He sternly warned that anybody that flouts this instruction would definitely and severely be punished with their children and generations after them. now, before we get into these terrible curses, I will first of all like you to note the place of this instruction in God’s commandments. It is the first! And this clearly shows how important it is to Him. God totally hates idolatry and occultism in any form. He says that He is a jealous God and would not allow anything or anybody to take His place in creation. Yes, He made all things and will not allow His creation to leave Him to worship other things. It is just as simple as that. He says that we should serve Him and be blessed or serve Satan and these demon spirits, their image representatives and be terribly cursed. let’s see some of these curses: Death Commissioner for Education, Rivers State, Dame Alice Lawrence-Nemi (left), Bishop, Diocese of Evo, Rivers State, Rt. Rev. Innocent U. Ordu, his wife, Chinyere, The word of God made it clear that there is a divine death Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Rivers State, Sam Eyiba and Commissioner for Information and Communications, Rivers State, Mrs. Ibim Semenisentence hanging on anybody that involves in idolatry, tari, at the first session of the second synod of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Diocese of Evo at St. Simon’s Anglican Church, Okporo, Deanery witchcraft, sorcery or occultism. They are different branches Obio, Port Harcourt, Rivers State…. last Sunday. of the same tree. There are always mysterious deaths over the persons, families, communities, etc, that worship false Discipline is called ‘the way of gods like Osun. Why? One, God’s anger and lack of divine life,’ Proverbs 6:23. It saves one protection will always cause these deaths. Two, the demon from destruction and allows gods directly and, sometimes, indirectly demand for human one to escape both folly and hand, the Hebrew and Greek By S.K Abiara sacrifices from time to time. And I hope you know that some God’s condemnation of the words commonly translated as IScIPlIne is a latin word, ‘discipline’ are sometimes transworld, 1 Corinthians 11:32. ‘It helps of these dreaded, bloodthirsty secret societies like the Ogwhich means ‘instruction’ lated as ‘reproof,’ ‘warning,’ ‘reus learn to share God’s holiness boni, Osun cults, etc, have links to Osun. In fact, there are about three Ogboni buildings right inside the Osun groove or ‘training.’ According to Mi- straint,’ ‘correction,’ or Hebrews 12:7, and gives us the crosoft encarta 2009 discipeaceful fruit of righteousness’, at Osogbo. Ogboni is the elitist, very dangerous and most (especially in KJV) ‘chastisement.’ dreaded secret society in nigeria. And most influential peopline can be defined in Hebrews 12:11. Without disciGod disciplines His people as a ple from almost all spheres of life in the country are bevarious ways such as training loving father disciplines his pline, we will be mired in sin, lieved to belong to this cult. They involve in various to ensure proper behaviour; abandoned by God (Leviticus beloved son. This is evident in dangerous demonic rituals, satanic worship and human the practice or methods of 26:23-24) and swallowed up by the life of the children of Issacrifices; using others and also their wives, children, teaching; and enforcing acdeath (Proverbs 5:23) and deraelites. “So you should realise that ceptable patterns of behavfriends and relations. struction (Proverbs 19:18). just as a parent disciplines a child, iour. It also means order and the Lord your God disciplines you to Discipline is important, and we now, the Old Testament laws of the Bible recommend that control; a controlled orderly are encouraged to learn from anybody that indulges in the worship of these gods, idols, help you,” Deuteronomy 8:5. My state, especially in a class of child, don’t ignore it when the Lord our heavenly Father and live for- discipline rather than react spirits and other occult practices should be stoned to death. schoolchildren; calm conever? Hebrews 12:5-7. against it. The Bible says,“No dis- Yes, that is the extent of God’s hatred for idolatry. In fact, He disciplines you, and don’t be distrolled behaviour; conscious couraged when He corrects you. For According to the Scripture, a cipline is enjoyable while it is hap- calls it spiritual prostitution, adultery, harlotry, Great control over lifestyle; and pun- the Lord corrects those He loves, just wise person should love disci- pening, it is painful! But afterward wickedness and abomination. He told Moses and Israel to ishment designed to teach there will be a quiet harvest of as a father corrects a child in whom pline. “To learn, you must love stone such offenders to death. But since we are now in the somebody obedience. discipline; it is stupid to hate right living for those who are he delights,” Proverbs 3:11-12. “My time of grace — the new Testament era, and nobody is stonIn summary, discipline is the child, don’t ignore it when the Lord correction,” Proverbs 12:1. One trained in this way” (Hebrews ing anybody to death physically, the penalty has shifted to measures taken to ensure con- disciplines you, and don’t be diswho is disciplined is ‘blessed’ 12:11). spiritual and eternal death. When you serve these gods or formity to the accepted stansays the Psalmist, “Happy are Prophet Abiara, General Evangel- you don’t have a relationship with the God Almighty, you couraged when he corrects you. For dard that shapes a person’s those whom you discipline, Lord, ist, Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) the Lord disciplines those he are spiritually dead. And when you die in that state, you aucharacter. To discipline means loves… If God doesn’t discipline and those whom you teach from skabiaraofciem@yahoo.co.uk tomatically go to hell and suffer forever. To escape from this to help others live their lives, you as he does all of his children, it your law. You give them relief death, you have to repent and seek Jesus christ for salvation. so that, they can do what they means that you are illegitimate … from troubled times until a pit is Rev. Agbo is of the Assemblies of God Nigeria. ought to do. On the other cheerfully submit to the discipline of dug for the wicked”-Psalm 94:12. gabrielagbo@yahoo.com

The Rewards Of Discipline D

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

Don’t Use Money Meant For The Poor To Finance Unnecessary Lifestyles — Ituah Ituah Ighodalo, General Overseer of the Trinity House, Victoria Island, Lagos, spoke to Timothy Okojie-Ave and Biodun Awopetu on national issues to commemorate the third anniversary of his church. HEN did you become a W born again Christian? I became a born again Christian in 1993, before my 31st birthday. Before then, I believed there was a creator — God; but I never really thought about Him deeply 1993. Why did you contemplate committing suicide, after being born again? I attempted to commit suicide in 1994-5 because of the challenges of life. I went into a business, where I invested all my personal resources and that of others entrusted to me, but they all went down the drain. It was like the whole town was coming after me; so, I said, instead of facing all the people, it would be better for me to face only one person — God. I, then, decided to jump into the Lagos Lagoon, but was rescued by an unseen hand. What’s the secret of the growth of your church that has just clocked three? I don’t think we have any secret other than the desire to pray and to serve God. We make sure we do His will, obey His instruction and be useful to mankind. As we do these, things begin to happen. It is a call to set the captive free, save souls and help people fulfilled their purpose in life.

have these three things, within a few years, the country will be transformed. Is the absence of credible Christians in government not part of the woes, because Christians are said to be the light of the world? Well, let me not say Christians per se, but the right kind of people with the right mindsets. Even when you talk about Christians, you need to be careful because a lot of people profess Christ, but do not have the Christ-like qualities in them. Honesty, hard work, prayerfulness, no corruption, love, empathy and sympathy for mankind are the real qualities of a good Christian; and if our leaders could have all these, they will not only do the right thing, but would also see the future and Pastor Itua take the people there. What’s your stand on corruption in the country? Why did you leave the ReCorruption is, indeed, increasdeemed Christian Church of ing on daily basis, especially God (RCCG)? within the public sector; but that I left RCCG about four years ago. I love the church and still is not to say the church has not consider all of us as one body played its role to reduce it. In in Christ. My experiences and fact, if not for the role of the churches, corruption would what I learnt there cannot be wished away; I really appreci- have been worse in the country; ate the church for all it did for as there would have been total chaos, so, the springing up of me. churches in every part of the As a 52-year-old Nigerian, are you satisfied with the country? country have actually helped to reduce corruption and other Not really! There are lots of things to make Nigeria better. vices. Nigeria is the greatest country The issue of pastors acquiring private jets; what is your take on in the world and part of our that? mantra in Trinity House is to The truth of the matter is that continue to pray and wish her well. What we need in Nigeria jet is an expensive means of is a change of mindset; we all transportation, though very efficient. However, acquiring it deneed to think positive! Apart from greed and selfishness, we pends on the assignment you have been given and the rereally need visionary leaders sources at your disposal, because that can see the future and lead the nation to it. If we can there must be a balance between

looking after the poor and the weak, and doing God’s assignments. As for President Goodluck Jonathan, he needs it for his national assignments. Also, there are pastors that need them to reach out to their flocks spread across the globe, but we still have those that do not need them, but have them. However, we must be careful of our needs, so that we do not use money meant for the poor to finance unnecessary lifestyles. As a pastor, I don’t think I will ever have that kind of a schedule to buy a jet. The Pope, for instance, I am not sure has any private jet, but if he needs a quick trip, he leases one instead of tying down money on parking fees, fueling, paying pilots and all that, in the midst of poverty in the land. I won’t do that, but if the case arises to make a quick trip, I would lease one, which is a more reasonable way of doing it. Three years down, what do you tell those that have supported you? The vision God gave us is very clear; last month, we opened our first branch in the United States. We are also looking forward to opening a branch in South Africa and, a few, in Lagos and other parts of the country. So, our job is to spread the gospel from Jerusalem to Judaea, Samaria and the end of the earth. Trinity House has passion for the weak, the poor in our reach out centres such as the university campuses and others. As for well-wishers, I want to assure them that they have been on God’s side and thank them for their support and faithfulness.

‘Mothers Are Role Models For Children’ S Muslims mark the end of the right way to go, and if the body that believes in God A Eid-el-Fitr, Alhaja Kuburat children obey them, they will should worship Him wholeOkoya, wife of a frontline industrialist, Chief Razaq Okoya, has called on women across the country to live up to expectation of their divine roles to their children and the community. She said women are homebuilders as well as role models for their children. According to her: “mothers are next to God because they have to teach their children

grow to be people of good character and conduct. Be she a Muslim or a Christian, mothers have to bring up their children in the fear of God. Speaking to The Guardian, last Thursday, in Ajah, Lagos, on the importance of Sallah celebration, Okoya said, “as a Muslim, we believe in the existence of Prophet Mohammad and we believe in God. And any-

heartedly. There is no twoway of worshipping Allah. He wants your concentration and devotion, so, that your prayer can be answered.” Calling on those in authority to make good laws, Okoya advised they should rule in the fear of God and do what is right so that they can Okoya move the country forward.

Child Marriage: Clerics Views CONTINUED FROM PAGE 37 sincere with you, it will have bad implication on Islam; the Senate did not consider the Islamic angle. During the life of Prophet Mohammad, a lady ran to him, and said: ‘my parents want to give me out in marriage to a man who I don’t know.’ Prophet Mohammad instructed the parents not to give their daughter in marriage without her consent because she is the person going to live with the man as you (parents) will not be there with her. It will have bad implication on Nigeria as a society because the outside world will be watching. A lot of Islamic countries are not doing this. The very person that supported underage marriage, when he wanted to marry, went to Egypt and picked a girl from there and did the marriage in Nigeria. Why didn’t he consummate the marriage in Egypt? In fact, I preached against it in the mosque on Friday and have been educating the congregation on what marriage is all about.

‘Anyone With Good Conscience Will Not Support Child Marriage’

(Rt. Rev. Oluranti Odubogun, Bishop, Diocese of Ife (Anglican Communion) CHILD is a child and, of course, still remains an adolescent at the tender age of 13. When a child of that age is given to marriage, invariably, she does not understand what marriage means, let alone the responsibilities attached to marriage. One, who does that, is only bringing confusion to the life of the child. Therefore, child marriage should not be encouraged in any way. A 13 year-old child is still under nurture, yet to be exposed

to life and therefore, does not yet know how to cope with life and the vagaries of life. Anyone with good conscience will not support child marriage. There are specific instructions in the Bible as to how marriage should be contracted. Marriage is to hold between two matured persons or adults. While child marriage is prevalent in the North, the consequences are also there. Since a child‘s pelvic has not yet developed at that tender age, some organs get ruptured or damaged when she is forced into early marriage. They are prone to health hazards and many examples of these are found in the North. Child marriage should never be encouraged.

‘They Will Have Less Than Primary Education’

(Prophet Dr. Babatunde Kumoluyi, General Overseer, The Word Bible Church, Palace of Healing, Ketu, Lagos) HILD marriage is a mad talk, which does not make any sense to me as a man of God. Who are the people that conceived these things? I don’t know their plan for this country. Is that the major problem we are facing in the country? If government introduces child marriage, that means they don’t want our children to have more than primary school education or are they planning to take away education from the system. It is total madness to give out a 13-year-old in marriage. The implication of underage marriage in the society would affect the country negatively because if there is no education the country will be in a mess. Senate should discuss how the country should move forward, rather than the issues of child marriage…it is cheer madness!

IBRUCENTRE Springs Of Wisdom By PASTOR W.F KUMUYI

Danger Of Dabbling In Dark Powers ARK or satanic powers are, by nature, too dangerous to be D toyed with. Which is why anyone who is not just innocently afraid of evil spirits, or merely showing curiosity about satanic activities, but submits to being initiated into evil powers, is willfully disobeying God. Some seek to excuse their involvement in witchcraft, for instance, by signposting their supposed good intention. A woman accused of witchcraft may confess to her children that she does nothing evil with her dark powers, but rather seeks their prosperity. Some even draw a distinction between what they term black magic — which they say is evil and destructive; and white magic — which they extol as a tool for attracting prosperity and such other good things. In reality, there is nothing to be recommended about Satan, witchcraft or familiar spirits. They are all works of darkness; they are evil, and will be punished by God. A certain fearful and fiery repercussion awaits all those who possess, and operate by dark powers. The only escape route for them is to sincerely, completely turn away from their evil ways, plead with God for forgiveness and pardon for their past actions, and rest their confidence on the grace that God bestows through Jesus Christ, to help them live a new life. The activities of those who operate by dark powers are captured in an instance in the New Testament, where “a certain man called Simon which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria.” Then, there was the story of a king in the Old Testament who sought to hire a man who turned out to be a false prophet, to curse or ‘bewitch’ the Israelites. The king pleaded with the man: “Come now, therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land: for I wot that he whom thou blessed is blessed and he whom thou cursest is cursed.” He wanted a spell cast on the Israelites, because he felt threatened by their very presence. He “saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. And Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel. And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this company lick up all that are round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field.” You see, witches and wizards do quite often curse, or cast a spell on hapless persons not for any wrong doing whatsoever, but to satisfy a wicked desire to stop such people from making progress in life, to weaken them, obstruct their dreams, and to defeat and destroy all their worthy aspirations. Examples of this can be seen in sometimes, inexplicable circumstances surrounding certain individuals and families. Members of a family, for instance, just cannot seem to make a headway in life: business stagnates, mature men and women are unable to get married, and those that are married cannot have children even when all medical tests have shown that the couples are medically sound. Other people are weakened through protracted illnesses or litigations that serve as a drain on their financial, mental and other resources. Evil forces often seek to weaken people so as to destroy their resistance to all machinations. Had the Israelites been cursed, it would have led to their defeat, which in turn will result in their complete destruction, extermination, and eventually, the disruption of God’s eternal plan both for the Jews and for the rest of mankind. A prostrate Israel will warrant no expense from their enemies to engage in a fight. Such sly strategies are what Satan and all his cohorts operate by. And our Lord Jesus Christ captured this sentiment well when he summarised the Devil’s agenda thus: “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy…” The Bible also reveals another realm of the operations of witchcraft when it spoke about “the multitude of the whoredoms of the well floured harlot, the mistress of witchcrafts, that selleth nations through her whoredoms and families through her witchcrafts.” God here, associates whoredom or prostitution, immorality or adultery and fornication, with witchcraft. While immorality destroys character, witchcraft destroys lives. Both are agents of defilement and destruction. In the case of the Israelites, God had expressly warned the prophet not to curse them because they were blessed. But the prophet succumbed to the inducements of the king who promised to promote him. Many people unwittingly subscribe to the vain promise of promotion, wealth, popularity or fame, which the devil deceitfully offers. For the prophet, the lure of sudden riches promised him by the king perverted his knowledge of God’s express commandment. Ironically, the Bible account shows that he did not receive what he was promised. But what he could not achieve through the power of darkness, he got through adulterous inducements. He advised the king to unleash his women on the men of Israel on the understanding that once they began to commit immorality God will turn away from them, allowing their enemies the chance to destroy them. That strategy worked, because Israel fell into the trap, resulting in the untimely death of twenty-four thousand of them. This calamity shows clearly that when witchcraft combines with fornication, adultery or any form of immorality, it leads to great destruction. Little wonder then that witches and persons possessing familiar spirits tend to be very seductive by the way they dress, talk and wink their eyes, they entice and seduce unwary and naïve men and women. What witches find difficult to do by enchantments and divination, they easily achieve by moral defilements. Christians need to be particularly careful because their adversary the Devil, like a roaring lion, walks about seeking whom to devour, those who would fall by his evil machinations. He would only succeed in his bid to kill, steal and destroy when you give him room, in this case, through any form of immorality. Once the moral defence of an individual is removed, the Devil through his agents, begins the operation of all kinds of evil works. These come in different forms — sickness or disease, or demonic oppression. References: Acts 8:9; Numbers 22:6, 2-4; John 10:10; Nahum 3:4; (All scriptures are from Kings James Version).

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

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IBRUCENTRE

Why Evil Forces Succeed In The Life Of A Believer (2) Lord, who was seeking for an occasion to confront the Philistines; for at that time LOT of people do not know they are under at- they were ruling over Israel.)” Samson was carried away by tack because they are lookDelilah’s looks in the same ing for the physical signs, way Eve was carried away by not realising that most the look of the forbidden times the attacks do not fruit. It is impossible to deusually come the way they feat an enemy when you expect. Samson never thought that the attack will don’t know or recognise him; this is the only way you come through a single will fight and win. Most spirwoman — he had in his mind a battalion of soldiers. itual battles are lost because Samson never saw Delilah as of ignorance — ignorance of an agent of Satan, notwith- how, when, and what the standing the fact that his fa- enemy is going to use to attack. The greatest enemy of ther warned him not to man is ignorance. have anything to do with Anytime we reject God’s those people. Judges 14:1-4 counsel, we choose to be igsays, “Samson went down to norant, we become vulneraTimnah and saw there a ble to the enemy. Each time young Philistine woman. God tells us something that When he returned, he said to is in our own interest and we his father and mother, I have use time, people or society as seen a Philistine woman in excuse, it is an indication Timnah… she’s the right one that we have not dealt with for me.” (His parents did not our flesh. This is why it is know that this was from the

By Seyi Ogunorunyinka

very important that anyone who wants to be a Christian must kill the flesh. The flesh is your greatest enemy. There is no way you can be a follower of Christ if you are still operating in the flesh. It is pure ignorance for us to say that what God wants for us is not good enough. It is also as a result of our ignorance because we should have known that God’s plans for us are certainly the best. Any time we disobey God, using our head knowledge and giving excuses about what God expects of us, we disappoint the Almighty and the consequences could be very grave. Luke 19:41-44, says “As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, ‘if you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace but now it is hidden from your

eyes… They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.” Here, Jesus agonised over the ignorance of the Jews in Jerusalem. The Lord is doing the same for Nigeria. The Lord is not happy that Nigeria is still in this state of underdevelopment. Many of the things that He has told our leaders to do, they are not doing them. There is no attack that comes to a believer that God will not have warned him or her ahead of time, but what guarantees ones’ success is his obedience to God. Pastor Ogunorunyinka, General Overseer The Promisedland Restoration Ministries, Surulere, Lagos. pastorseyiogunorunyinka@gm ail.com

Director of Social Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Very Rev. Msgr. Gabriel Osu, Sir Molade Okoya-Thomas, Bishop of Ijebu-Ode Diocese, His Lordship, Most Rev. Albert Fashina, Catholic Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos, His Grace, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, Bishop of Osogbo Diocese, His Lordship, Most Rev. Gabriel Abegunrin and other clergy and faithful during the celebration and cutting of cake to mark the first anniversary of the installation of His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Alfred Adewale Martins as the Catholic Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos…last Sunday

Be Wary Of Over-ambition By Gabriel Osu “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted,” Matthew 23:12 AVE you even been conH sumed by a burning passion to attain a certain goal, such that you are ready to do whatever is humanly possible for? Have you ever been so engrossed in a particular project (aside God) such that every other thing takes the back stage? Is there a position of prominence that is so appealing to you that nothing else matters unless you grab it? If your answer is yes, then you are part of the group of people I wish to describe as being ‘over-ambitious.’ Most people would often like to be at the top. It is a natural trait for humans to want to be at an advantageous position over others; to ‘lord over others’, as it were. To attain this level of prominence, many strife day and night in search of power and knowledge that would place them at an edge over others. Some do so through dint of hard

work and perseverance while some seek prominence through clandestine means. For the latter, the end justifies the means. This is where we need to be careful. 1Timothy 6: 9 says, “...those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.” Now, there is nothing wrong for one to be ambitious. Most lofty goals in life are attained through the people, who strife to better their lot. A man without ambition is a purposeless man, a loser who has no hope in life. Man is not meant to be docile. God has built in everyone the ability and capacity to attain great heights; to go into the world and subdue it. That is why humans are endowed with the necessary intellect and superior spirit to rule over other creatures —animals — of God. It is only man that can write breathtaking poetry; build bridges and planes and other creative ingenuities that dot over our climate. It is only man, through the use of his

adventurous spirit that has been able to defy all others and plunge into other planets, including landing in the moon. These days, it is not uncommon to see all sorts of motivational books giving tips on how to achieve all that you set your heart to do. You know them; books like Think And Grow Rich, The Power Of Creative Thinking, The Richest Man In Babylon, The 48 Laws Of Power, etc. These are powerful motivational books that can make the most complacent of men to wake up from slumber. While they can, indeed, serve some purposes, they may also become obsessive tools for the weak and vulnerable. Remember, the bible warns that it is vanity if we gain the whole world and lose our soul. Have you wondered why some people indulge in money rituals? It is because they want to get money quick. I once read the confession of a repentant ritualist, who revealed that not all who indulge in money ritual achieve their goals because not every-

one is destined to be a millionaire. According to him, the charms work for only those who have been destined to be rich in the first place. It merely accelerates the attainment of their destiny. There are stories of some power brokers, who in their quest for earthly glory, bow down before all sorts of gods. Our Lord, Jesus Christ, was also tempted, but he stood firmly on the path of honour. Matthew 4:8-10 says, “the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world… Then Jesus said to him, ‘be gone, Satan… ‘you shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.” What a reply! What a way of rebuking the tempter! Have you ever wondered why some people easily fall victim to fraud stars? It’s because of greed. May God teach us to toe the path of humility and avoid the crave for wealth, power and fame… amen. Very Rev. Msgr. Osu, Director, Social Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos

Living Waters By Pastor Lazarus Muoka

Filthy Dreamers Of The Time “Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities,” Jude 1:8. HERE is no doubt that the era we are, now, in is the EndT time. It’s the end of dispensation of grace, the time of bringing the affairs of this world to an end. One of the noticeable signs of this time is the presence of filthy dreamers, who speak evil of dignities, misrepresent the truth of the Scripture and whose stock in-trade is calumny and slandering. These ungodly dreamers, who change the truth of God into lie, have in these last days, penetrated into many institutions, particularly the Christendom, to deceive believers. This class of people trade only in falsehood and deceit, and can go to the extent of attempting to shake our belief in Christ Jesus. We must take heed, so that they do not deceive us. We must beware of filthy dreamers, who pretend to have revelation, and admit them without sufficient proof; who teach that, which is contrary to the truth found in Jesus; we must like a plague, have nothing to do with them. Romans. 2:2 says, “but we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them, which commit such things.” It is certain that we know that God frowns against filthy dreamers. You are aware that the wages of sin is death. So, as Christians, we should know that it is a greater wickedness to approve and applaud sins, than it is to act and commit them. When a man takes pleasure in the wickedness of others, it demonstrates he has a strong affection to sin, and this brings him nearer to the devil. He that has pleasure in those that do evil no doubt loves wickedness and thus, encourages sinners to sin. He also, by these acts, heaps the guilt of others upon himself. “Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the Lord, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the Lord,” Jer. 23:32. Beloved, we have been warned to flee from filthy dreamers and their instruments through which they tend to enslave us. Those, who flee from this enemy shall not only have bread and water, but would by faith see the beauty of holiness. Let us, as genuine Christians, have nothing to do with filthy dreamers; so that we can maintain our relationship with God.

Celestial Church Crisis, Solution Underway HERE are indications that the perennial leadership criT sis that has split the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) into factions for decades will soon be over. Chairman of the unification committee set up by the church to explore practical ways of resolving the dispute, General Ekundayo Opaleye, in a chat with journalists in Lagos, said, “the crisis will soon be resolved. In the thick of the crisis, a 33-member committee was set up by the church in 2010 to resolve all issues. Opaleye said, “having studied the situation and consulted stakeholders the committee has come up with farreaching recommendations, which if implemented would bring a lasting peace to the church.” According to him, the report has been submitted to the Elder’s Council for consideration and implementation. “The committee among other things advocated for transparency and accountability in the administration of the church. It has, also, made adequate provisions to eradicate abuse of church liturgy”, he said. The committee in addition called for a unique model of sound ecclesiastic administration and equitable remuneration that would serve the peculiarities of the church. Opaleye dismissed insinuations that the committee’s recommendations may not have the intended effect because of perceived division within the group itself, saying the composition of the committee is quite representative of every interest. “This committee comprising men and women of proven integrity commenced work on August 12, 2010 at CCC Makoko, Lagos. The 15 months, thereafter, witnessed serious deliberations among members and robust consultation with many interested groups within the church. We are using this medium to appeal to all members to accept the outcome of the committee for the overall good of the church,” he said.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

IBRUCENTRE By Ernest Onuoha other time is the Church of God in trouIandNblenosome than now. All sorts of teachers have risen with unwholesome teaching moving from one Church to another. It is not surprising, therefore, that some members of the Church have fallen prey to this sort of teachers. But how long then should the Church leadership continue to sit and watch while souls perish everyday? Apostle Paul saw the danger ahead, in his days, and was bold to point out to the young Timothy of what some men will do to the teaching of the original gospel. These teachers are clever, they have already known that some men have itching ears and can take anything, hook, line and sinker. They are not like the mature Christians of Berea, who will hear the word of God, go home and dissect it to see if it is in line with the original gospel. It is on record that the type of teaching and preaching given out by these teachers is only to suit their desires. A greater number of them are, now, after money and as such dish out any type of preaching that will not hurt those who listen to them. Empty and deceitful prophecies are released rather than revealing the whole counsel of God. We saw this type of preaching and prophetic ut-

From The Rector Ibru International Ecumenical Centre, Agbarha-Otor

Unwholesome Teachings In The Church terance in the days of Jeremiah and the Bible cautions us: “Do not listen to the word of the prophets, who prophesy to you. They make you worthless; they speak a vision of their own heart, not from the mouth of the Lord. They continually say to those who despise me, ‘the Lord has said, ‘you shall have peace’ and to everyone, who walks according to the dictates of his own heart, they say, ‘no evil shall come upon you.” Jer. 23:16-17. Paul’s prediction of the perilous times has caught up with us. Unfortunately, though, when some church congregations are over flowing some people mis-judge it as a sign of spiritual growth. Yes, they can have three or

four services in a day, after all, money is the inthing and the state of souls really is not their concern. One is greatly worried about the rate of these unwholesome teachings going on in some of these churches today. But we’re to be comforted according to the holy writ ‘not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven,’ Matt. 7:21. I think time has come for real men of God to sit up and give their congregations the undiluted word of God, which gives eternal life. The statement of the Ethiopian Eunuch is highly instructive here, ‘how can I understand unless there is someone to guided me?

Therefore, we commend the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo, Rt. Rev. Innocent Ordu in his recent charge to the faithful. Speaking on the theme, The Word Of God Is A Great Treasure,” he said, “it is in the real study of the word of God that souls are recovered unto the Lord.” According to the Psalmist: “Your word is lamp to my feet and light to my path” Ps. 119:105. Indeed, we need the true word of God than the poisonous substances being dished out in some churches. May the Lord help His Church! Ven. Onuoha, Rector, Ibru International Ecumenical Retreat Centre, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State. www.ibrucentre.org

MFM Women Programme Empowers Women To Pray From Ayoyinka Olagoke, Uyo HE Regional Overseer of T Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, South South V

Wife of the Regional Overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, Southsouth V Regional Headquarters, Eket, Akwa Ibom State, Mrs. Remi David (middle) with Pastor’s wives and female ministers in the region, during the Women Marathon Prayer programme, at the Regional Headquarters in the state… recently

God Has No Record Of Abandoned Project, Says Muoka By Chris Irekamba HE General Overseer of the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries, Pastor Lazarus Muoka has called on worshippers at the just concluded two-day crusade of the church to hold on to the promises of God. Speaking at the headquarters of the church in Lagos, to round off the crusade held between July 27 and 28 with the theme, God Has The Answer, Muoka, who quoted copiously from the Bible took his text from Matthew 19:26; which says: “But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them. With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” The General Overseer, said from the message of July 27, God has proved that He has answers to all life problems. “I don’t know what you are going through, but I am assuring you that God has no record of abandoned project. For whatever is the problem, solution will follow you home. From the beginning He has been doing wonderful work and He will con-

tinue with it. God said, ‘let there be light’ and there was light. It didn’t take Him years to bring light, if you make up your mind to live right and give your life to Jesus and promise God never to go back to sin, you will see the work of God in your life.” Muoka urged the people to identify the problem that brought them to the crusade ground and believe God for solution. “If your duty, here, is for God to give you salvation, sanctification, Holy Ghost baptism, and all the gifts of the Spirit believe that that matter is settled. Or you are here for healing or promotion, husband, wife or children I will encourage you to identify your problem today. In fact, if you identify any problem count it done. “A young man, who discovered that his health was depreciating, went to the doctor to examine his body and after that the doctor said: “you have HIV” his reaction was ‘doctor, you are the one that has it.’ That piece of information did not go down

If your duty, here, is for God to give you salvation, sanctification, Holy Ghost baptism, and all the gifts of the Spirit believe that that matter is settled. Or you are here for healing or promotion, husband, wife or children I will encourage you to identify your problem today well with the young man, so he started crying, but when it dawn on him that we had women programme, not men, he said to himself, ‘I will be there’. When he got the church here, he was still crying but at the end of the programme, we cancelled all their problems and set them free. As he went back home, on Monday, he visited the doctor again, low and behold! HIV has been cancelled and positive turned to negative. If you are positive it shall turn to negative”, Muoka counseled.

Region in Eket, Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Abiodun David, has stressed the need for women to have divine encounter with God in managing the crisis in marriages, parenting, children and other issues at homes. David made this known, during the women’s marathon prayer programme held at the regional headquarters of the church. The cleric said women are special vessel in God’s hand and if they can get closer to their creator most of the problems witnessed in homes and society at large will be over. Speaking on, The Power Of Divine Touch, David said divine touch is to have encounter with God that can separate the past from the present, adding that encounter with

God is a memorable moment that could not be forgotten easily. “There are no time women sincerely called on God that heaven will not respond. And if our leaders can have divine encounter with God through Jesus Christ and live a life of holiness and righteousness there will be a new Nigeria”, he said. The Regional Overseer stressed that with divine encounter with God all manners of sickness will flee. On steps to divine encounter, David said the first is to accept and confessing Jesus Christ as one’s personal Lord and Saviour, asking for forgiveness of sin and cleansing as well as living a holy life as stated in the scriptures. His words: “Divine encounter is having a divine touch with God. When women have divine encounter with God, all marital crisis, divorce in homes,

strange women, children misbehaving, bareness and fear of unknown, which leads to various sicknesses such as hypertension, high blood pressure and stroke will completely go away through Jesus Christ. “Crisis in homes that degenerate to crisis in the society will receive divine solution with encounter with God through Jesus Christ. If women can have divine encounter with God and stay away from sin, take on holiness and righteousness, there is nothing positive they ask that God will not give them. The wife of the Regional Overseer, Mrs. Remi David said the women marathon prayer programme is part of the women foundation programme headed by the General Overseer, Dr. Daniel Kolawole Olukoya. The programme aims at making women pray for their homes, families and the country.

Christianity, Witchcraft And Women By Moji Anjorin Solanke is generally agreed that ItheTwitchcraft is predominantly preserve of the feminine gender. It is seen as evil, mysterious and linked closely to the occult or juju practices. Witches are deemed to possess unholy power, with which they negatively influence the unsuspecting. However, before the spread of Christianity, witches were traditional healers, who had a way with herbs and recorded relative success as midwives. It is from these early healers that the word ‘witch’ is derived. The origin is from the word ‘wicca’, meaning ‘wise one.’ In the western world, legend and myth represent witches as wearing black pointed hats, flying on broomsticks, brewing evil potions in seething cauldrons, casting spells and living with a black cat as their pet of choice. This witch is usually old, ugly, tooth-challenged and female. In African traditionalism, witches are the epitome of evil, gathering in covens for the purpose of wreaking evil. The word strikes terror in the heart of

many Christians and nonChristians alike, as witches are believed to possess power to afflict the spiritually unprotected, the ignorant or the careless. Again they are usually female, but with the advent and growth of Christianity in Africa, they are seen to target churches. All in all, witchcraft is a subject that significantly occupies the thought of Christianity, especially in Africa. Reports reveal that the preponderance of self confessed witches are female. Those accused of witchcraft are usually mothers-in-law, wives and daughters, apart from female colleagues. The church is employed to expose, denounce and bind these aberrant offenders of decent society, and regenerate them through the power and blood of Christ Jesus. The tendency to label only females as witches by many Africans, including the church, is a curious one, especially in the light of what the Bible, itself, has to say. Does God condemn one gender to incline towards evil, while generally sparing the other? Genesis 1:27 categorically states that God made man in His image — male and female. In Galatians

3:28, Paul informs that God makes no differentiation between male and female, rather, we are all one in His eyes. Peter also learnt that God is no respecter of persons, Acts 10:34. In Science and Health with key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, a devout follower of Jesus Christ, writes, ‘both man and woman proceed from God and are His eternal children.’ The belief in witchcraft, entertained either by the selfconfessed, or by her accuser, must be decisively addressed. Christianity is well equipped to do this by following the example of Jesus, as well as the Sermon on the Mount and the Golden Rule. The primary purpose of Christianity is to save mankind from evil; and evil, by whatever name or nature, has no gender, and it is destroyed through Christ. Christians must obey Jesus in casting out the beam in their eye, in a bid to clearly see the speck in another’s; even if they think this other is a witch, or a woman. Solanke is of the Christian Science Committee on Publication Nigeria (West)

TheGuardian

Sunday, August 11,

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Business Power Reform:

Big Project… Tough Debate

By Marcel Mbamalu and Geoff Iyatse (Lagos), Emeka Anuforo (Abuja)

We Are Paying Off Electricity Workers Already — Govt

T would seem that government, on behalf of many Nigerians, including the investors who believe in the current privatisation efforts, are winning the battle, pushing past “age-long” hurdles in an ambitious countdown to the sale of the power plants. Power assets that have been successfully sold by the BPE include 10 distribution companies (Ikeja, Eko, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Yola, Jos, Abuja, Benin and Kano) and five power generation companies (Shiroro hydro plant, Ughelli Thermal Plant, Sapele Power Plant, Kainji Hydro Plant and Geregu Power Plant). The Afam Generating Plant and the Kaduna Distribution Company are yet to be sold. At least, $2.6 billion (about N408 billion, going by conservative estimates), according to the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), will hit the national coffers by the time the exercise is successfully concluded; that will amount to some N408 billion going by conservative estimates. But, to complete this process, government needed to soothe frayed nerves — the electricity workers — whose new (or modified) demands, apart from insistence on receiving all entitlements, are becoming major obstacles. Two weeks ago, officials of the Power Ministry boasted— and it was actually confirmed — that the Federal Government had finally begun the process of paying off the workers preparatory to handing over the

power plants. Although the Labour Union claims there are over 50,000 electricity workers to be “settled,” government says it has, so far, verified 40,000. A source within the Ministry alleged that some of the workers had issues with their records, “and this is being sorted out,” according to the source. Notwithstanding the fact that the workers lay claim to over N400 billion as severance package, government insists that the entire process will cost N384 billion, with an additional N16 billion payable to retirees and pensioners, according to the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo. Government says it is holding talks with new owners to encourage them to absorb as many workers as they can. But General Secretary of the National Union of Electricity Employees, Mr. Joe Ajaero, in an exclusive interview with The Guardian, said he had the mandate to negotiate complete pay off for all members and allow a new condition of employment for those that would be re-absorbed by private investors. Despite denials of payment in some quarters, Minister of Power, Prof Chinedu Nebo, on Friday, insisted that “pay off” for electricity workers has actually commenced. Part of the agreements with labour is that government would pay workers their full severance packages before they are disengaged for new owners who have paid the initial 25 percent for the nation’s generation and distribution firms.

But Nebo accused labour of trying to create confusion in the system. In a telephone interview, the Power Minister alleged that the workers were unnecessarily trying to distort the process by bringing up allegations of non-payment when, indeed, payment had commenced. He said over 40,000 workers of the PHCN headquarters and the successor firms had been verified, even as he stressed that the payment process is being conducted in batches. Said he: “We have started paying. Remember that this is a disengagement activity. The workers have to go to the bank after receiving the alert to fill a form committing themselves to the agreements reached before they can have actual access to the funds paid into their accounts. “ We have also agreed that instead of paying in piecemeal, we would take the workers in batches and pay each worker in each batch completely before proceeding to another batch. Labour is not happy about this. They want us to pay even if it is 30 percent to each worker at once. We felt that this is not the way to go.” He asked rhetorically: “Why make part payment to everybody when we could as well take them batch by batch and pay every worker their complete package as it gets to their turn? Why should we pay piecemeal and create confusion in the system?” He said severance package, which commenced two weeks ago, started with

PHCN headquarter staff and those in generation companies. The distribution companies, he said, would follow suit. “About 40,000 workers have been verified for payment. I do not have the sack figures where I am, but I can confirm to you that we now have over 40,000 workers so far verified.” However, Ajuero told The Guardian that government did not have enough money to pay the severance package. “Well the position clearly is that the Nigeria Government does not have money to finance reforms and if they don’t have money to finance reforms, they are taking certain steps and actions that are capable of derailing the process, while, at the same time, they are trying to shift the blame to the workers. Negotiations were concluded since last year and, on daily basis, they have been making claims of when they are to pay or whether they have started paying. “Up till now, nothing concrete has taken place. Rather, the meetings we have been involved in the last few weeks are meetings where they are trying to tell us that they don’t have enough money. So, I think if they don’t have enough money we have to sit down and review the whole process and how best to go about it. “But my own understanding as at now is that it appears Nigerian Government does not have money, and the proceeds from the sale of PHCN would not be enough to settle the labour liabilities in PHCN…” Minister of State for Power, Zainab Kuchi, who gave timelines for the eventual handing

CONTINUED ON PAGE 45

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

BUSINESSCOVER The signpost in front of your office still bears NEPA, is it not going to change? VEN if the signpost bears NEPA, this is our Secretariat. Although we gave one room for cash collection, any moment from now they will leave for another place, where people in this area will pay their bills. Actually, this is the Secretariat of the National Union of Electricity Workers. I think it was an oversight; but nothing has changed really. NEPA was changed to PHCN; we don’t know the next name because now that private businessmen are coming on board, they answer their fathers’ names. From the electricity workers’ point of view, what is the update on the ongoing privatisation of the power sector? The update is that we negotiated, and nothing much has happened, after that. And it appears that the government does not have money to execute the reform. After entering agreement with them in February, the Minister of Labour came on air to say that they would commence payment the following day. Between February and now, we have been hearing, ‘we will pay tomorrow or next tomorrow.’ We don’t know if the payment was captured in the budget, because after the National Assembly probed the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), we said the proceeds of the sale should go into the Federation Account and be appropriated; that they can’t just sell and then spend it. If you look at it, assuming they want to get the proceeds and use it to pay the PHCN workers, you will discover that the proceeds will be about 50 per cent short of the required money. N400 billion is required to pay close to 50,000 staff. This was an agreement. The Federal Government has not embarked on privatisation process of up to 20, 30 per cent of PHCN. It is bigger than NITEL; it is still a big exercise. That was why we were worried whether they were prepared for it. So, if you are selling a utility company for N200 billion while the entitlement of the workers is N400 billion, you

If you look at it, assuming they want to get the proceeds and use it to pay the PHCN workers, you will discover that the proceeds will be about 50 per cent short of the required money. N400 billion is required to pay close to 50,000 staff. This was an agreement. The Federal Government has not embarked on privatisation process of up to 20, 30 per cent of PHCN. It is bigger than NITEL; it is still a big exercise

Govt Doesn’t Have Money To Pay Off Workers, Says Union Scribe Shortly before the recent government’s directive on immediate payment of workers’ severance benefits, SecretaryGeneral of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Joe Ajuero, in an interview with MARCEL MBAMALU, enumerated the conditions that still have to be met before the final hand over of the power plants to private investors. Excepts: should ask yourself the kind of economy you run. There is a problem with the privatisation process, because the Federal Government undervalued the assets for whatever reason. PHCN makes about N300 billion in a year, and you sold the same company for N200 billion. If your father has a house where you collect a rent of N300 billion yearly, will you sell it for N200 billion? If you do that you are a prodigal son. So, this is a kind of prodigal economy. Where they now get the excess of N200 billion to pay the workers is their business. Assuming the investors pay 100 per cent, you will realise about N200 billion. They were asking if they could pay 8,000 people and after which they look for more money. But we thought it could create problem in the system. They later asked if they could pay 30 or 50 per cent of the money and the balance later. We disagreed. Even if they paid that, the companies can’t take over until they finish payment. And we have watched patiently. This is not even captured in the 2013 budget. We are still worried where the money is coming from. Is it from the sales or elsewhere? The same thing is happening between the government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). The trust gap between the government and trade unions is very wide. The government had an agreement with ASUU in 2009, which is yet to be fulfilled four years after. Now, you

want me to believe when you say you will pay me one naira now and later pay the balance. There is no way any unionist will believe them. I think they were unprepared and did not assess what it will cost them to privatise PHCN before embarking on it. Are you saying that the new deadline is no longer feasible? I don’t know how they would do it because unless labour issues are settled you can’t handover a public company to private hands; this is the universal practice. The person owing will settle what he owes before handing over to private hands. Maybe, they will secure loans from somewhere to settle it. What is the content of that agreement and the milestones so far achieved? The content was clear and in line with condition of service. If you work in any place, there is always condition of service that states what you get if you work for 10 years and want to leave. We looked at the new Pension Act and had an agreement with two components. The first is the Pension component, which they are not ready to pay in cash. That is fine. If you are not ready to pay us cash, you should pay it into accounts of Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs). We have registered with PFAs expecting that the accrued funds should have been remitted to them. As at the last meeting with them, we said they should start by paying the pension arrears to the PFAs since they don’t have money. We suggested this should be done pending when what they will pay in cash, that is the gratuity component, will come. They said no. They want to pay a small portion of the entitlement and tell the whole world that they have paid. And when you leave, your pension, which is your life, will not have been credited. We disagreed on that. I said something about trust. When you pay into my account, I will get alert that N10 million, or so, has been credited to my Pension Account. When you give me this, I will go with it. Maybe monthly, I will be accessing my Pension money so that, if the new investor does not need my service, I will leave comfortably. If you have not been paid cash and your account has not been credited, the new investors will not allow you to enter the premises when you come to lodge complaints. From your posture, it appears your people do not subscribe to the entire idea of privatisatio? I think we have gone beyond whether privatisation is the answer or not. We did not have any input in the reform roadmap. The process did not factor us in. Up till now, we don’t know what they are doing. I have said that part of the blackmail is that they want to keep us out. If you are valuing a house for, maybe N3 million, whereas the land alone is more than N10 million, the workers should be able to say it. But they did the valuation without our inputs because of personal interest. We are not even going into that. In the Presidential Villa, maybe they understand the problem of PHCN better than the workers. They did their own academic work. That is why nobody will tell workers to leave one naira behind; they don’t understand what they are doing. Your workers are believed to have sabotaged previous efforts to provide stable electricity just so that the privatisation effort will be considered a failure. How correct is this? I am not aware of any established case where a worker destroyed pin. Rather, you have established cases of contracts awarded to politicians that were not executed. Those are the problems in the sector. If we generate 2,000 megawatts, that is what the workers will deliver to Nigerians. The workers cannot use their blood to give supply. If the government has built plants worth 10,000 megawatts, it is the same amount of megawatts that will be delivered to Nigerians. Workers don’t award contracts; they don’t construct power plants. It is when the plants are completed that they are given to them to manage. Even repair contracts are not given out by workers. So, I don’t know why the workers should be blamed. Government has said that new owners will retain good workers. How do you interprete this statement; does that mean anything to you? We are not even going into that. That is another employment. The former job ends when you pick up the new one. No one can transfer employment. The former contract must be severed. The new terms and conditions of the new employment will be discussed afresh. If the man wants to bring someone from NITEL to run PHCN, so be it. If he wants to hire a broadcaster, it is fine. But if he believes those who have been running it are in better position to make it work, we will go into fresh agreement and conditions of service. What if your job is not terminated, and what we have is just a transfer of ownership? If one worked for PHCN for 20 years and later worked for Ajuero and Co. for 10 years and assume that Ajuero will pay for the previous 20 years, that person is the greatest fool. Even before the completion of 25 years in service, Ajuero will dismiss the person, making him lose the 20 years he had served; the person only need to come late to work one day. The wisest thing is to collect the entitlement of 20-year

CONTINUED ON PAGE 44

Ajuero

We have never supported privatisation. We can’t even support it. But since the government and some Nigerians have said it is the best thing, we say it is good to test it

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

BUSINESSCOVER CONTINUED FROM PAGE 43 service before discussing fresh employment. This is because private employment is not the same thing as public employment. They are two different things, you can’t merge them. What one can merge, for instance, is the pension contribution. But if anybody is trying to pamper or romance us, it will not work. If the government agrees to pay the N400 billion, would it address the concerns you are raising? If they pay today, the next day, I will order everybody to leave. The Power Minister has said no way, because that means there would be no electricity. That we are going to guide it and we have said no problem if that is what they want. The mandate I was given is that, if they pay us today, they will not see the workers there tomorrow. They are free to bring their brothers and sisters to run the sector. That is the mandate I was given and we are going to follow it to the latter. The experts and other people in the Ministry understand that if they ask us to vacate the place, there will be no electricity in the country because there is nobody to man the place. Does it mean the Union is not really in support of the privatisation? We have never supported privatisation. We can’t even support it. But since the government and some Nigerians have said it is the best thing, we say it is good to test it. Few weeks back, some people, including organised labour, said the tariffs are rising. Why shouldn’t it rise when the private sector is in charge? You mean the owners will act as Father Christmas? The very moment you are not merging social service with economic service, the private sector will make its profit. If you transfer the cost of gas to the consumer, he will not be able to pay the tariff. But under public utility, the government regulates the price of gas. In fact, today, PHCN is not even paying the market price for gas; and it can’t just pay. When the private sector comes in and they buy gas at market prices and you expect them to supply power to Nigerians for free, you are joking. We equally call for guided privatisation. In 2005, they gave licenses to about 20 private organisations to generate and distribute power. But we now realise that those people were interested in buying the PHCN they said was inefficient, obsolete and ineffective. None of them built one plant that

‘Workers Showing Enough Patriotism’ The same thing is happening between the government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). The trust gap between the government and trade unions is very wide. The government had an agreement with ASUU in 2009, which is yet to be fulfilled four years after. Now, you want me to believe when you say you will pay me one naira now and later pay the balance There is no way any unionist will believe them generates one watt. They rallied round to buy the same power plant everybody said was bad. First, they divided it into 18 successor companies—the same PHCN, the same 4,000 megawatts! Our argument was clear: you didn’t need to sell NTA, before allowing AIT and Channels to come into operation. If PHCN was generating 4000 megawatts, maybe Geometrics, 500mw, another, 500mw, there would be a robust sector. But there is still a big monopoly in PHCN? You should break the monopoly. That was what they did in 2005 when they issued licenses. The transmission is owned by the Federal Government. It is a vehicle that conveys the current that is generated. When you do a regional or unit arrangement, you can do the same. Since 1929, a private sector electricity company has been in existence in Jos. Its name is Nigeria Electricity Supply Company (NESCO). The workers there are our members. They generate and distribute electricity within the Jos metropolis. In fact, they were the main source of power to the tin miners then. They are still there; they have their own line and are generating. Let’s look at the case of the United States. When Nigerians want to borrow ideas they borrow them wrongly. The central government of the US generates 250,000 megawatts of electricity while it targets one million. The state governments, local governments, municipals and the private sector also generate. The American government keep the 250,000 megawatts because there is need for military installations, hospitals and others to have

Staﬀ of PHCN protest privatisation move at the company’s headquarters, Abuja

constant power supply, in case other bodies collaborate to withdraw supply. But here we have given all to the private sector who now say, unless they increase tariff to a certain amount, they cannot generate power. The decision will backfire on us. I am not aware of any country in pre-industrialisation Europe that went to the market and said the private sector should be the source of electricity generation. It could be a post-industrialisation concept. The private man and government do not borrow at the same rate. If I borrow to generate electricity, at what return on investment am I doing business? I will run at a loss. We tried to tell them we should try to match availability with affordability (that the commodity that is not available cannot be affordable), everybody said no. We don’t want a situation where someone will say the union is a saboteur. If there is any parameter to measure patriotism, maybe we should have used it to measure our level of patriotism. You wouldn’t want to lose your jobs, which was why many think you were not sincere? Let me tell you why I am working. It is because of my earning. If you pay me my entitlements I should be able to do some other thing with it. That is what we have secured for our members. Since they want privatisation, let them go ahead so that every Nigerian will test it. Why haven’t your workers been able to address the problem of inefficiency associated with the PHCN? We are not in charge of awarding contracts; we don’t pay or even run it. We are only interested in the welfare of workers. But of late, we started going into some level of agitation to favour Nigerians. That is what we have done. On the problem of electricity in the country, I don’t want us to take it in isolation. When I was growing up, I was aware that the rail system was working, that train ran from Lagos to Kano, everyday. Today, I am an adult and I have realised that train travel from Lagos to Kano once a week. At a stage, we were having almost 12 hours supply of electricity; today maybe by luck we have six hours. Before, the University system produced the likes of Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka and people who are the best brains in the world over. Today, JAMB cut-off is between 180 and 150. When we take electricity alone, we will not be able to find out the level of decadence in all

aspects of our national life. But all of these are linked to the problem of power infrastructure… Tell me a sector that is performing well, then I will admit that electricity workers have done badly, even when we are not the managers or in control. We will now have to go through re-orientation to fit into the society. Pass through our roads and experience what I am saying. Nothing is happening; we are under-developing and electricity is not an exception. From 2000 to 2001, former President Olusengun Obasanjo and Liyel Imoke, repaired so many things. Within two to three days, they were able to bring back the 4000 megawatts. It stayed there for three days before it suddenly went down. We are celebrating less than 4000 megawatts, 10 years after. It is even getting worse because, on daily basis, the demand is going up. New houses and gadgets are coming. More people are connecting to the national power grid. It will continue to decrease. Meanwhile, there is no conscious master plan to say, maybe yearly, we will add 500 or 1000 megawatts to the grid. If you allow power generation to remain constant, and the demand continues to increase, there will be a time when you won’t get even one-hour supply. This is the situation. In the spirit of patriotism, is there going to be any form of sacrifice on the part of the Union? We have made the necessary sacrifices already. The Pension Act says the employer and the worker shall contribute 7.5 per cent each but that those doing more than this before the enactment of these Act should continue. We were doing 25 per cent before the Act. Those who have retired from 1970 till date were treated based on that. Our own should have even been better if you are asking us to go to the labour market. There was much sermon. At the end, we took that 25 per cent. The law didn’t say you should abolish what you were doing. We were contributing before PenCom came. We had Supernation Fund, which was where we collected our pensions. We don’t collect pension from the Federation Account. The trustees are drawn from the Unions, the management and government. We contributed every month. The people they appointed as MDs and ministers at a stage during the Obasanjo administration tampered with the Supernation Fund, such that it is not even enough now to pay all the people involved. They tried to give us Kado Estate and some other places as compensation because those appointees mismanaged the fund. El Rufai sold the same Kado Estate they gave us; and we are in court. If the money was there, we could have had a closed pension policy that is with us, not any PFAs. The liability now, based on that shortage, is even higher than the assets. PenCom decided not to register the Supernation Fund as a Closed Pension Fund. That was the initial problem. What then is the solution? We say return what the workers have contributed so that we can run it independently. After much argument, from 2007 we decided to take 15 per cent and, thus, joined PenCom as a way of striking a

We equally call for guided privatisation. In 2005, they gave licenses to about 20 private organisations to generate and distribute power. But we now realise that those people were interested in buying the PHCN they said was inefficient, obsolete and ineffective. None of them built one plant that generates one watt. They rallied round to buy the same power plant everybody said was bad. First, they divided it into 18 successor companies—the same PHCN, the same 4,000 megawatts!

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

BUSINESSCOvER

Minister of Power, Nebo

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 42 over of the various PHCN assets to investors, said labour issue (the only hindrance to seamless transfer of the assets) had been resolved. On the lingering labour conflict, the Minister told journalists: “We are finalising on labour, the labour is what is standing between us and the handing over. And all the issues that were there had been addressed. We are about to begin payment. As soon as the payments are finalised by June ending, we will definitely be handing over to the successor companies by the end of July. That is the projection we have here; and that is the stance of the BPE, which has a timeline created with the labour issues in mind. “We have taken over all the problems and addressed all the issues. The fund is there for the payment of labour. What we are doing is data computation, and as soon as we are done handing over will follow.” The Guardian had reported that electricity employees threatened industrial unrest if the Federal Government failed to meet all of their demands contained in a letter addressed to the Ministry of Power on July 8, 2013. The letter had an ultimatum, which the Secretary-General of the Union, Ajuero, said would expired two weeks ago. The BPE had already asked the successful bidders, all of whom are to offset the remaining 75 per cent of the bid values on, or before, September 21, after which unspecified penalties will be meted out to defaulters. OvERNMENT, indeed, had indicated G that “all labour issues” relating to the privatisation process have been resolved. For instance, an Implementation Committee, under the Chairmanship of the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Power, was set-up to drive the implementation of an agreement signed between the Federal Government and labour in December 2012 following which a sub-committee was given the task of ascertaining the correct number of bona-fide staff and obtain their bio-data. The sub-committee was also asked to determine components of staff entitlements, including severance, gratuity, pension, among others. Notwithstanding the deal that was struck in December last year (and fine-tuned two months ago, the PHCN workers, on July 8, issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Ministry of Power to effect double promotion for staff and pay balance of one year entitlement that were not part of the original dis-

‘Our Grouse With Power Sector Reforms’ cussion. Ajuero, who also hinted that government — even though it is selling PHCN and its facilities at a ‘give-away’ price, will be paying about N400 billion in gratuities, pensions, and other benefits to almost 50,000 employees. Describing the scenario as not being economically viable in the present circumstances, Ajuero insisted that, apart from the so-called successor companies, the PHCN’s buildings across the country are worth N400 billion; electric poles, N200 billion; and transmission facilities, N400 billion. In response to disclaimers in official quarters, the NUEE scribe accused the Labour Ministry of not acknowledging letters but warned that he has a mandate from the workers to insist that all their demands are met. Although results of the bidding process indicate that government could make N400 billion from the sale, Ajuero insists that Nigeria could, at best, get N200 billion from the sale, an amount, which the assets being offered for sale could generate as rev-

The pension still hangs on the necessity or otherwise of converting the savings to the Retirement Savings Account (RSA) as instructed by the government. Last year, the Federal Government and staff union traded blames over PHCN Superannuation Pension Fund. There were allegations that NUEE, the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) in collaboration with the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-owned Companies (SSASCGC) incorporated the Nigerian Electricity Power Authority (NEPA) Superannuation Fund Limited in 2005 to replace the hitherto NEPA Superannuation Fund

enue in less than eight months. Over 50, 0000 employees, according to the NUEE, were identified. Ajuero had accused the government of playing games with the process. “It appears the Federal government does not have money for the reform,” he said. According to him, rather than keep to the terms of the agreement, the Ministry of Power took steps to break the ranks of the NUEE by promoting some senior employees without a recourse to the Federal Character Policy, Public Service Rules and other relevant policies. ESIDES, the workers observed that the B agreement and severance calculations signed between the Unions and the Federal Government captured “up to June 2012. But due to delay of conclusion of their disengagement, another year has passed. “Consequently, we demand that workers’ entitlement for one year not captured by the agreement should be computed pro-rata and paid to (members of) staff before full severance payment is effected,” said the Union. A copy of the workers’ letter to the Ministry, said the Union was reliably informed that the Power Ministry has, without recommendation, commenced “the promotion of a selected few,” as a way of “bribing some Union leaders.” The NUEE, which threatened industrial unrest, stressed that PHCN’s condition of service makes provision for annual promotion of workers and requested that eligible employees in PHCN be “urgently” promoted by two grade levels in line with “the norm.” But a source in the Presidency, said the Ministry of Labour was already interfacing on the matter, as they “will always dialogue.” The source, however, explained that “most of the stakeholders have not seen the letter (ultimatum)” issued by the workers. Interestingly, the government seemed to have taken a swift but good move last week. It, unprecedentedly, directed an immediate release of severance pay to the workers. The announcement came after many postponements.

The announcement was issued concurrently with the release of N5.2 billion special intervention fund to distribution and generation companies for operation and maintenance. The action of the government is interpreted as last-minute effort to save the sector and, perhaps, motivate the investors. And it is also believed that the assistance given to the sector drives the severance payment order. Maybe the government, which seemed to have taken its commitment to the power reform to a new height sees danger in the body language of the electricity workers and wants to avert it this time. The Power Minister had said he had approved the payment to start immediately and was hopeful that the workers would get their severance pay soon. Highlighting some challenges that previously plagued the electricity sector, he said: “Labour negotiations were stalled because of complaints about non-coverage of temporary members of staff in the settlement scheme. There were existing schisms between Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and Manitoba because of unclear delineation of roles. Consequently, Manitoba’s members of staff were not allowed access to their offices. The transmission network, which hitherto had received very little investment, was becoming increasingly unstable and more sensitive to new generation. There was uncertainty and loss of confidence among some of our key investors and critical development partners about the commitment of the government to the reform process and the transformation of the power sector in general. The new move to resolve the severance pay debate, as commendable as it is, comes with a snag. Sadly, the offer falls short of what the workers are demanding. Previously, the government offered to pay 30 or 50 per cent of the money pending when it would get more resources to offset the balance. Ajuero said it even wanted to settle some components first. But afraid that they would lack the strength to compel the government to pay up, the workers rejected all offers, insisting on full payment. The pension still hangs on the necessity or otherwise of converting the savings to the Retirement Savings Account (RSA) as instructed by the government. Last year, the Federal Government and staff union traded blames over PHCN Superannuation Pension Fund. There were allegations that NUEE, the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) in collaboration with the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Governmentowned Companies (SSASCGC) incorporated the Nigerian Electricity Power Authority (NEPA) Superannuation Fund Limited in 2005 to replace the hitherto NEPA Superannuation Fund. There were claims that billions of naira that where supposed to be saved in the RSAs of individual workers were lodged in accounts opened in the name of the organisation in a manner the government described as fraudulent. Debate on the appropriateness of the union’s decision took the larger part of last year, causing a distraction for the reform process. Of course, there were suggestions that the controversy was sponsored to blackmail Union leaders while those sympathetic to the government questioned the moral standing of the workers to ask for more pension entitlements. No doubt, the journey to privatising the unbundled PHCN is full of conflicts. In 2010, the newly mooted plan was greeted with protests in different cities. The workers insisted the move would not solve the problem of epileptic power supply. They also alleged that those saddled with the task of privatising the company were more interested in protecting their selfish agenda, and would, therefore, hand it over to cronies. They berated the Federal Government, which they said, has been insensitive to workers’ welfare. The only solution to the problem of unstable power supply, according to them, would be building of more power plants and paying adequate attention to staff welfare. But the workers’ argument would be punctured by government officials, who accuse Union leaders of using the workers to sabotage the system and champion a cause that benefit few, at the expense of improved power supply the entire economy, and, indeed, all Nigerians desire.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

BUSINESS

‘Agriculture Can Drive Nigeria’s Export’ Ade Israel is the chief executive officer Business Craft Limited, an agro-allied product processor. He spoke to BISI ALABI WILLIAMS on the Nigeria’s comparative advantage in farming, the untapped opportunities in the sector and how the country can regain its place in agro business. How would you describe past policies on agriculture? E cannot start assessing the sector with this administration, which is just about three years in old. The administration couldn’t have done much since the challenges have been there for several years. We cannot talk about government policies without looking at how Nigeria started with cocoa and groundnut. Over the years, we have not had supportive and sustainable policies; there has not been legislation to support agriculture. However, I commend the present administration, especially the Minister of Agriculture, Adewumi Adeshina, who is doing his best to ensure that the right things are done. He has been working very hard to ensure that the sector develops. Everybody is now realising the strength of agriculture, which we must go back to. We must change our focus from oil because the sector cannot solve the problems facing the country. The Minister is weighing several options, drawing strength from several angles. It was not until recently that Nigeria has a dynamic Minister of Agriculture. What should government be doing in sector? Since we now have a minister, who knows what he is doing, we can leverage that to move away from being a mono-product economy. As a country, we must develop our products. The Minister has identified some of the country’s strengths; cassava, which Nigeria is the biggest producer, is one of them. It produces about 35 million metric tones yearly, which is huge. Meanwhile, the country spends about 635 billion on wheat yearly whereas cassava can easily complement wheat. We can add some percentage of cassava flour to wheat to reduce the foreign exchange money we spend on wheat. We can also improve on the production of systemic feed. If we do, we will double what we produce now. We can also double that of cocoa. In time past, government would make provision for fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides just for middlemen to hijack them and sell at inflated prices to farmers. By the time farmers run round to raise money, it would have been too late. In some cases, the fertilizer would not even get to the farmer: the result is poor yield. We must ensure that the raw materials are available in time and that they are accessible to the farmers. This is what the Minister is doing. Now, the inputs are not only available but they also get to the farmers directly. If this present tempo is sustained, where do you think the country will be in the nearest future? Let us base our discussion on facts. Nigeria spends about N355 billion on rice importation alone. This means that the country spends NI billion every day on rice. We can produce that volume and even export it. Nigeria spends N335 billion on bread and confessionary. We have a good substitute to

VERY employer is required to analyse E each workstation and the surrounding work environment to ensure it meets the

Isreal

that. We can eat 100 per cent cassava bread, which is very nutritious. The country also spends N97 billion on fish. Can you imagine how much it will save if this money is domiciled in the local market if we produce half of these items we import. In the next two or three years, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will increase tremendously. We will create more jobs; there will be food for all. We can then look at export. Nigeria produces 250 metric tones of cocoa. We can double it. We need to improve on the volume we produce. We need to ensure that we make good use of the arable land that is lying fallow. Could this be an effective way of making agriculture attractive to unemployed youths? Why not? Government can use agriculture for effective job creation. It must ensure that chemical and equipment needed by farmers are available are assessable at the right time. For instance, power supply must be stable to process tomato paste, cassava starch and yam sugar. Government should look for ways to preserve the large volumes of water lost to ocean and upgrade the existing food storage facilities to meet future needs. It must boost irrigation for rice production and train farmers as an effective way of upgrading their expertise and skills. It should also improve on road network to help farmers transport their goods to the markets. Government can donate trucks to various communities for this purpose. And continue to provide soft loans. The bank of industry is doing a very good job in this area. This will encourage the youths to invest their time, potentials and energies into developing the sector. How can government identify the states that are strong in certain products and consolidate on the strength? For instance, Lagos State has comparative advantage in rice production in places like in Epe, Ibeju Lekki, Badagary and Ikorodu. So, government needs to open up those areas. They should be processing centers and the Lagos state is already doing that in Badagry in partnership with the World Bank. They need to expand on this. Government can ensure that similar centres exist in neigbouring Ogun, Oyo and Osun states. Government can

identify areas that are strong in the production of fruits like Benue and Plateau states and assist the efforts of the farmers there. In the long run, all this efforts will ensure more food for local and consumption and for export. We need to add value to all the things we are producing cocoa, cashew, kernel and shea oil so that other countries will stop taking undue advantage of export opportunities available to us. We need to improve our planting material and on our produce to compete favourable in the international national market. We must re-appraise ourselves. So that we will not only maintain our previous positions in the international market but we must win new markets and conquer the world. We have what it takes. Federal Government to come out with a policy that can drive export in terms of putting up export input village based on what is available in regions or states in the country, funding of farmers and provision of fertilizer and other necessary things. We have the human, material and natural resources to rule the world so we should not be satisfied with little successes here and there. What attracted you to farming? We got into the agro business because of passion in ensuring that there is food for every Nigerian. Secondly, Nigeria has comparative advantage in farming because of its large expanse of land. The population is a huge market. We saw that there are challenges and a lot of prospects that if well annexed, farming can be the country’s number one source of revenue. Also, in terms of business, we saw that there is a huge gap in terms of the supply of raw materials and its provision and we saw that we could fill some of that gap. This realization informed our decision to go into farming. How has it been since you started this business? What are the challenges and opportunies in the industry? We’ve been in agro business for ten years. It’s been very interesting and rewarding. Agro business is peculiar because agro produce is time bound. The products are perishables.

FG Set To Promote Indigenous Technology, Tackle Unemployment (R&D) products of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO) and other research institutes HE Federal Government has re- to be commercialised for the benefit stated its commitment to the of the Nigerian populace. development of the science and The Board Chairman of FIIRO, Dr. technology sector to drive the de- Alexander Andrew Obi (MFR), who velopment of the country disclosed this on Tuesday at the inthrough development of its inaugural meeting of the board held digenous technology and creation at FIIRO’s conference hall said Presiof meaningful jobs for unemdent Jonathan is committed to deployed Nigerians. veloping the sector to drive the Towards this end, the President development of Nigeria. Jonathan led administration has He lamented that the political willmandated the commercialisation ingness of the past administrations of research and development has really brought about the set-

UK Vs Nigeria (3) By Helen-Linda Azodoh

By Fabian Odum and Gbenga Akinfenwa

Health, Safety At Work:

backs witnessed by the sector in the past years, adding that government is really anxious to promote the products developed by the various research institutes. Obi said implementation of various research products is very essential for easy accessibility, saying there is a big lacuna between expectation, development of the research products, implementation and the expectation of the people. “Government should fund research and implement the product of research. Let there be a guiding national policy that

requirements set out in the Regulations. This includes eyesight tests on request of the employee, breaks from the use the equipment and provision of health and safety information about the equipment to the employee. The strict enforcement of the Health and Safety laws and regulations, is the reason, this law is taken extremely seriously in the UK. It is adhered to strictly at all levels, so much so it can be a source of irritation to the Nigerians who do not quite appreciate the essence of this law and regulations. For instance, at a school reunion party in the UK recently, the organisers gave a deadline for registration. This was to enable them know the exact numbers of people that were attending and therefore secure the appropriate venue. There are strict laws to the number of people that are allowed in a room as a result of safety laws. This is to enable the venue effectively put into effect, there well practised drill, in the event of a fire, whilst also adhering to the laws. This fact was lost on the Nigerian alumni, as weeks before the event, the organisers were accused of being heavy handed by not taking any more registrations! Of course the organisers tried to explain the reasons behind their decisions, but it still did not go down well with the Nigerian alumni. Here lies the cultural difference between attitudes to Health and Safety in the UK and Nigeria. Nigeria HEN I visit offices, shops or public buildings in Nigeria, the first thing I tend to do is look out for the fire exit signs, smoke alarms and fire extinguishers. Needless to say, this is often times a fruitless exercise, except for very few exceptions. In the UK, these are basic standard requirements. I then would usually mentally plot an exit for myself, just in case, the worst case scenario happens. You see, fires can break out at any time, without prior warning. And where there are no smoke alarms to alert one, it would help if everyone adopted the same mind set and always think of an escape route, in case of a fire. What would help even more is, if there are strict laws and regulations governing the provision of safety equipment in public places. In a country like Nigeria, where the Fire Brigade is more or less non existent or grossly inadequate, the provision of such a law would go a long way towards the preservation of human lives But for such a law to work in Nigeria, there must be strict punitive measures attached (e.g. custodial sentence) for failure to adhere to it, for it to make an impact. We need to borrow a leaf from the health and safety laws and regulations in the UK. A lot of the office blocks in Nigeria are very huge structures. I have been to one of those and noticed that there were quite a few exits in the building, which is good. However, I found the building a bit of a maze and often wondered what would happen if a fire were to break out. Even though the fact that there are a few exits is good, but there are no clear signs indicating these exits or the fire exits. I have also noticed that even though there are long corridors in the building, some of them have gates attached, which makes it a hazard in case of a fire. Such big structures should have clearly marked fire exits. They should have fire hydrants on each floor, as well as fire wardens on every floor. Regular fire drills are a must, so that people know what to do in case of a fire. The role of a fire warden in any organisation is a vital one. The fire warden is usually an existing member of staff, who has volunteered and received some training in that area.

would ensure that. There should be determination from government that things are done properly. “President Jonathan recognises the need for the commercialisation of FIIRO products, the minister has said it needs to start to address serious unemployment problems in the country. The President wants Azodoh, Chartered MCIPD (London), is a us to create jobs, meaningful jobs. human resource consultant based in the China is moving forward today UK. She is also MD of Orchardview HR through the development of its indigenous technology, we don’t Solutions, accompany that provides HR have to import pepper grinder and training to organisations in Nigeria. those little things from other counEmail:helen.azodoh@virgin.net tries.

1THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

BUSINESSAGRO Soybean’s Nutrition Quality Gets Boost, AllTech Leads Way By Fabian Odum

any consumers have heard of soybean, also called Soya bean but the wealth of its nutrient attributes is not yet fully explored and utilised by so many more. In these days when people need to eat right to maintain and preserve health, observing healthy lifestyle should not be compromised. In a release by Alltech Nutrient Limited, plans are well underway to bring more of this product to family dinning tables in a bid encourage people to enhance the nutritional quality of both primary and value-added foods eaten nation-wide. “It is important to eat the right food, in the right amount and combination, because invariably you are what you eat. Nonetheless, some foods are better than others in terms of their nutritional components, benefits to the body, applications and usage processes in the human body. While some foods digest easily, others require time to be broken down and absorbed into the body,” the release said. But soybeans makes a lot of difference in what would have been an ordinary meal. It changes the nutrition equation when the powder is added to semo products or cassava flour (lafu) and gives additional nutrients to tasty staple foods like white Amala, Tuwo Masara or Semo. “Owing to the innumerable benefits of soybeans, it would be great to incorporate it into your daily diet in order to promote your health and fitness. Pre-packaged soya products such as Soy meat, soy flour and soya bean powder that can be used to make milk or added in other foods. Incidentally, the company is poised to preach the good news of soybean richness by its distribution to reach health conscious consumers.” Rich in protein and nutrients, soya is a globally recognised pre-packaged meal for humans and a source of protein for animal

feeds around the world. Outside of processed food and extracted oils, there are a number of other ways to consume soya, each having different respective positive health implications such as weight loss. Soybeans are very rich in nutritive components, high biological value and are relatively cheaper with higher protein content than most protein within its category. Soy product qualifies as one of the cheapest form of dietary protein available. They contain rich unsaturated fatty acids and low in saturated fatty acids. “Soybeans are also considered by many agencies to be a source of ‘Complete protein.’ A Complete protein is one that contains significant amounts of all the essential amino acids that must be provided to the human body because of the body’s inability to synthesise them. Soybeans also include all of those amino acids, which are essential in a human diet and part of the reason soya is used as the basis for meat substitute products. This means soy is a good source of protein for vegetarians and vegans or even for people who wish to reduce the amount of meat they eat (although by no means as an exclusive source of protein). “Soy products are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and they contains contain isoflavones which is considered by dietitians and physicians to be useful in prevention of diseases and certain cancers such as the risk of colon cancer. This is possible due to the presence of sphingolipids. “Phytochemicals in soybean also prevents blood clotting from taking place and aids in protecting the heart against oxidation. Another impressive feature of Soybean nutritional is that it serves as an excellent source of essential fatty acids, calcium, magnesium, lecithin, riboflavin, thiamin, fiber, folate (folic acid), and iron. Soy products have no cholesterol. Soy protein products can be good substitutes for animal products because, unlike some other beans, soy offers a ‘complete’

Animal Health College Partners FG, MDGs, Trains Youths OVERTY eradication and employment cre- Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Abdullahi P ation are gains expected as the six-week Abubakar, said the Federal Government was training of 200 youths in poultry production and goat/rearing by the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology (FCAH&PT), Ibadan, ended last week Friday with empowerment of each participant with 50 chicks with feed and a male and female goat for those who were trained in poultry and goat/sheep rearing respectively. The training was organised by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and the office of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to reduce the rate of unemployment among youths from the six geopolitical zones of the country. Provost of the college, Dr Ademola Raji, said during the graduation ceremony that the youth should see the training as a tool which has the potential to redefine their lives, and that they should endeavour to practicalise the skills they had acquired. Head of Gender and Youths, Federal

determined to empower jobless Nigerians and agriculture appeared to be the only effective means of actualizing it. He argued that the technologically compliant youths were the set of people needed to revolutionise the sector in order to make food more abundant, create more wealth and drastically reduce poverty. Representative of the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Lakan Quadri, said the if the trainees would do it right, they would be recommended to obtain credit facilities from the Bank of Agriculture, urging them to take what they had learnt with all seriousness and be part of success story of modern agriculture in the country. Participants from zones other than the South West were asked to collect their kits in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture offices in their respective states in order to avoid endangering the livestock in transit.

Dr. Alex Obi, FIIRO Board chairman displays cassava bread of the institute while the DG, Dr. Gloria Elemo appreciates the commitment

protein profile. Soy protein products can replace animal-based foods—which also have complete proteins but tend to contain more fat, especially saturated fat— without requiring major adjustments elsewhere in the diet. The gold standard for measuring protein quality, since 1990, is the Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS) and by this criterion soy protein is the nutritional equivalent of meat, eggs, and casein for human growth and health. Its protein isolate has a biological value of 74, whole soybeans 96, soybean milk 91, and eggs 97. Soy protein is essentially identical to the protein of other legume seeds and pulses. Moreover, soybeans can produce at least twice as much protein per acre than any other major vegetable or grain crop besides hemp, five to 10 times more protein per acre than land set aside for grazing animals to make milk, and up to 15 times more protein per acre than land set aside for meat production. “Soybean, being a fabulous source of proteins, aids in lowering the cholesterol

level. Genistein, an isoflavone in soybean, protects the body from the clutches of plague disease. In the market, three kinds of soybeans can be spotted, namely, fresh immature (green) soybeans, known as edamame, fresh mature soybeans, and dried soybeans. “It is often called the Miracle seed because of its high nutritional components, numerous uses, applications, widespread availability and affordable price. Soya bean also nicknamed “meat of the field” or “meat without bones” is an annual antioxidant-rich legume with high protein content. “The US initially adopted it as a forage crop until the 1920s when increased production triggered advances in soy processing technology, propelling soya into a major economic crop ranking only after corn and wheat. “Today, the United States produces over a third of the world’s soya beans. Soy is one of the food products that have bounced Brazil back to economic reckoning. Brazil is one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of the commodity after the United States,” the document stated.

Olam Agricultural Initiative To Increase Rice Production By Fabian Odum HE initiative of Olam T Nigeria in local rice agriculture is expected to produce 16,000 tonnes of rice annually using a model endorsed by the Rockefeller Foundation. In a statement issued by Ade Adefeko, Olam Nigeria’s Head, Corporate and Government Relations, with the model, Olam expected out-grower numbers to reach 16,000 by 2018 to realise the target. Adefeko said the Foundation highlighted Olam rice initiative as a “catalytic innovation” in agriculture on the continent. “The company believes the model is timely as demand for rice is rising and Nigeria is looking to diversify its economy and it will support efforts towards greater selfsufficiency” the statement noted. As a result of its outstanding work, Olam International was chosen by the Foundation to feature in its centennial series and recent Abuja Summit on “Realising the Potential of African Agriculture: Catalytic Innovations for Growth.”

Selected from nearly 150 potential case studies, Olam Nigeria’s pioneering rice farm was showcased alongside seven other public, private and non-profit agricultural initiatives in Africa, the statement explained. It said the presentation was made before an audience that included President Jonathan of Nigeria. Others present at the occasion included Finance and Agriculture ministers from across the continent, as well as influential leaders from international agencies and business establishments. Shedding more light, the statement said the Nigerian rice farm initiative of Olam was being implemented in two phases in Nasarawa State, and “will benefit both the Company and local smallholders.” “A central commercial farm of 10,000 hectares acts as the ‘nucleus’, already providing employment to the local community and therefore income and new agricultural skills to invest in surrounding family rice farms. “By the end of 2014 these small-holders and others will be able to participate in an ‘outgrower’ scheme whereby

Olam will buy their rice at prevailing market prices in addition to the rice grown on the commercial farm” the statement disclosed. According to the statement, out-growers would make up around 90 per cent of the workforce, and once the farm became fully operational, over half of the workforce and beneficiaries would be women. Adefeko said that in addition, Olam Nigeria was partnering with the West African Rice Development Association to test new varieties of high-yield rice. C.D. Glin, Associate Director at The Rockefeller Foundation Africa Regional Office, commented “Olam’s rice nucleus programme in Nigeria was selected as part of a showcase of practical and scalable ways to strengthen African agricultural markets and value chains to benefit economies and small-holder farmers” Chris Brett, Olam’s Head of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability described the rice initiative as “an inclusive model that combines large-scale commercial farming with small-holders to bring benefits all round.”

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

Birthdays ADEFUYE, politician, seasoned administrator, astute scholar, religious and community leader would be 69 on Wednesday, August 14, 2013. Born to Pa Christopher Adefuye and Madam Rebecca Adeola Adefuye at Okesuna Area of Lafiaji, Lagos. He started his education at St. Matthias Catholic Primary School, Lafiaji, Lagos, before proceeding to the Yaba College of Technology and later to the University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos to study Mechanical Engineering. He is a fellow of the Nigeria Society of Engineers (FNSE). Married to an educationist and lawyer, Chief Mrs. Oluwasunmisola Adefuye, Nee AgbeDavies, Adefuye also had a stint at Blackhood Hedge Ltd, as its manager as well as de-

funct Electricity Corporation of Nigerian before establishing the Arawa Engineering and Construction Company Ltd., ARESCO in 1980. A philanthropist and former Senator in the Second Republic, Adefuye was one time Chairman, Somolu Local Government, as well as a National Leader of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP). He is a patron of many social clubs, NGOs. AWODIYA, Dr. Muyiwa Peter, author, arts administrator, arts consultant and university teacher will be 66 on Wednesday August 14, 2013. He was born on August 14, 1947 in Ilesa, Osun State and attended St. Charles Grammar School, Osogbo, 1964 – 68. He read Theatre Arts at University of Ibadan in 1976 and for his masters’ degree, proceeded with govern-

Awodiya

ment scholarship to the University of Georgia in United

States of America between 1977 and 1979. He was cultural officer, Oyo State Council for Arts and Culture, 1980-82; former lecturer Arts Management, Department of Theatre Arts, University of Ibadan 1980–81. Head, Department of Theatre Arts, University of Benin, Benin City, 2002–2004, 1989–1991; General Manager, The Musical Society of Nigeria, MUSON Centre, Lagos, 1996–1999; Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow in America, 1999–2000. Best Lecturer Award, Department of Theatre Arts and Mass Communication, University of Benin in 2006-2008 academic sessions in assessment of lecturers by their students. Presently, he is a Professor of Theatre Arts in the Department of Theatre Arts and Mass Communication, University of Benin.

Compiled by Gbenga Akinfenwa, gbengaherkin@yahoo.com

Mr. Olayinka Odeyemi and his wife, Olamide after their wedding held at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Livingspring Model Parish, Oke-Ira, Ogba, Lagos.

Events • Ijebu-Ode Grammar School Old Boys Association, JOGS ‘78-83, (a.k.a Abimbola Kehinde Memorial Set), would be celebrating its 30th Anniversary, to mark the milestone achievements of the famous school, the first school in Ijebuland on Saturday, August 17, 2013 at Grands Inns & Suites, Stadium Road, GRA, Ijebu-Ode by 1pm prompt. • The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Ewekoro Chapter has installed new officers for the Council in the Local Government for the next four years. The candidates cut across the 10 wards to reposition the organisation and ensure good representation in governance. The officers are: Gabriel Adesanya (Coordinator), Jelili Lawal (Deputy Coordinator), Segun Akinwande (Secretary), Seun Akinode (Asst. Secretary), and Olayinka Soluade (Treasurer). Others are Idowu Adepegba (Auditor), Olayinka Ijaola (Welfare Secretary) and Tope Oguntimehin (Organising Secretary).

Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; and his Deputy, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, (Middle, front row) flanked by the first Set of Six (6) 'Fayemi Scholars', as part of his support for Education and Human Capital Development, during their presentation ceremony, at the Lady Jibowu hall, Ado-Ekiti... on Thursday.

Left, Colonel Texas Chukwu assisted by his wife, decorate Captain Nureni Alimi during his elevation in Jos

Left, Mr Ogunleye Abiodun, Director Sanitation, LASEPA; Mrs Adetundun Marsh, COO, James Marsh & Associates; Adewale Marsh, CEO, James Marsh & Associates; Adetona, LASEPA official; Rasheed Asabi, General Manager, LASEP; Mrs Eko, PRO, LASEPA; Adewakun Folawe, Head, QEHS LASEPA at a recent workshop on food safety organised by LASEPA & James Marsh & Associates.

Proprietress Diadem Institute of Advanced Studies Lekki, Lagos, Mrs. Abimbola Oladinni (left), presents Academic Excellence Award to Master Uhiah Philemon Oga with his mother Mrs. Philemon Oga at the graduation ceremony of the institute held in Lagos.

• The first year anniversary of His Glorious Chapel Ministry (aka) The City Righteousness, comes up from 28th and 29th August by 6pm daily. Night of Praise on 30th August by 11pm and ends Sunday, 1st of September with thanksgiving service at the church auditorium; 2, Taiwo Street, Off Modina Road, Egan, Lagos. Ministering: Pastor Oladipupo, Rev. Divine Olise, Rev. M. A. Idris. Hosts; Pastor and Mrs Smart Akpughe.

The Mayor of Maryland and President of the World Conference of Mayors, USA, Dr James Walls (left), handing over the keys to the city of Districts Heights to the Director-General of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii; and Coordinator of Nigerians in the Diaspora, Chief (Mrs.) Temitope Ajayi, at the 2013 United States’ World Conference of Mayors in Milwaukee, where Orhii was honoured with the citizenship of the State of Maryland in recognition of his leadership in the use of cutting-edge technology to fight global drug counterfeiting.

Christ Apostolic Church, Purity and Power Assembly Choir group with their Pastor, Moses Ajibola and wife during the church 9th annual thanksgiving celebration at Mowe, Ogun State.

Mr. Godwin Chukwunenye Ezeemo, APC gubernatorial aspirants for Anambra State (6th from left), surrounded by the executive members of Anambra Reality Group (ARG) at the reception held for him recently in Lagos.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday August 11, 2013

SPOTLIGHT

Florence And Her love For The Elderly , Vulnerable Although she read Agricultural Economics, Florence Babatunde-Olofinjana realised she is more inclined towards taking care of the aged, after working and acquiring professional experiences at Homes for the elderly in the UK. It is, therefore, not surprising that she continues with this line of business after returning to Nigeria three years ago. The Health and Social Director of Beachmore Homecare Ltd. told KIKELOLA OYEBOLA recently, that Nigerians unable to take adequate care of their old ones should engage the services of professionals. T’S only now it is beginning to dawn on Florence Babatunde-Olofinjana that caring for others might be her calling after all. Although she never saw it that way, she has been caring for others in different ways all through her life. First, it was the children in her neighbourhood that she took it upon herself to teach for free while she was in primary school. “I was taking them in such subjects as English, Economics, Music and Biology among others and I was so good and effective at it that in my secondary school days, I was advised to start charging fees. So, I began collecting N50 per month. And even while on holiday in my university days, I still carried on with it, although by then I had increased the fees to N150,” she recalls. But rather than spending all the proceeds on herself, Florence opted to assist her mother and other relations financially during the lean periods. Her mother, a successful trader, had to care for Florence and her siblings when their father was away on his numerous travels, occasioned by the nature of his job. “I found it was not only money I was giving them. I was also giving them love because it is something that comes naturally from within me,” she says. As a child, her one dream was to become a lawyer in continuation of the urge to protect and support people, especially the vulnerable. But this was not to be, as her father insisted she studied medicine. He was so desirous of her becoming a doctor that he engaged the services of a science tutor to teach her privately and perhaps thereby kindle the desire in her also. “In the end, however, I studied agricultural economics because I wasn’t really a pure science student.” All the same, she was able to pacify her father, albeit indirectly, as she got married to a medical doctor, Dr. Olusegun Babatunde Olofinjana. Fate continued to play a prominent role in her life when in 2003, her husband had reasons to leave Nigeria for the UK, for further studies and after a couple of months Florence, together with her twoyear old son, had to join him. Not one to stay idle for long, she began searching for a job a few weeks after settling down in London. “The search was fruitful because I was able to secure a job almost immediately as a domestic staff at Middlesex Hospital, London. And although it wasn’t my line, I discovered I was throwing myself wholly into the work and after five months of working diligently, I was able to save enough money to study Health and Social Care at the London Progressive College, Hackney, after which I started working as a Care Assistant at a health and social care agency,” she says. In 2005, Florence was posted to relieve a cworker at Beachmore Homecare for the elderly in Bromley and it was while she was there that the picture started becoming clearer and the shape her future would take was established. “One day after spending about two months on the job, the Manager of the Home suddenly approached me with an offer of a permanent job as the Healthcare Assistant in the organisation. It was such a surprise. After a thorough deliberation on it, I started working officially at the place in 2006. I worked diligently and received more education, knowledge and training in the Health and Social Care. I continued to develop myself by attending two of the best colleges for the profession by the names of Orpinton and Bromley Colleges. “I give glory to the Lord and Beachmore Homecare for the Elderly, which completely sponsored my education in these two colleges. That job and the organisation are the reasons for my present occupation because the inspiration, vision and talent to care for the vulnerable were discovered there,” she says. And as if to seal the deal, she had experiences that made it discernible that she was on the right path and through such, Florence finally realised she is endowed with a knack for calming and caring for the aged. And so, it was only a matter of time for the decision to continue with it to materialise. She returned to Nigeria with her family in April 2010. Her husband had decided to come back home to give more attention to his own hospital in Lagos. And now armed with her numerous certifi-

cates in health and social care, Florence couldn’t think of any other work to do than caring for the elderly. It also didn’t take long for her to get employment at Wellcare Home for the Elderly in Lagos. She worked at Wellcare for only eight months before the urge for excellence and professionalism prompted her to resign. “I felt l could do more and that the onus is on me to do things properly by offering quality services in this field. It will be a shame to allow to go to waste all the experience and training I have acquired,” she says. While still pondering on how best to go about implementing her numerous ideas, she got a nudge from a most unexpected quarter. “After my resignation, I was just driving home with my daughter one evening when I got a call from a woman who said a physiotherapist had recommended me to her while she was looking for a professional to care for her aged mother. And my daughter just said, ‘mummy, that could be the beginning of your business,” she recalls. And that indeed was how Beachmore Homecare Ltd., Nigeria came into being. Florence had paid a visit to the unknown caller and after some discussions and negotiations, an agreement was reached and she got her first client. Three years down the line, Florence couldn’t

client, working for 10 days per shift as a livein Care Assistant or nurse. There is also a Relief worker, who is expected to stand in for the live-in key worker when he/she is offduty for a minimum of five days. “We also provide Supervision Visits, which are made by a professional team consisting the Care Manager, supervisor, nurse and medical practitioner. They go to assess the health of the client and the visit is done fortnightly. This visitation enhances the quality and standard of care and nursing services provided by our organisation, because during that time, the client is observed, records are checked, needs are met for both the client and the care givers, although we don’t charge for this separately, as it is already part of the care services.” Aside all this, however, there is also the Doctor’s visit, which is done once a month and attracts a separate , unless already incorporated in the package with the consent of the client at the commencement of the service. This is specially packaged for debilitating patients, those recuperating from illnesses or those needing to be followed up due to chronic illnesses and diseases. The Special Care Visit provides a therapist of choice for clients that require such. In the same vein, the organisation’s UK trained Massage therapist, who combines aromatherapy to enhance quick recovery from muscle, bone and nerve pains comes in handy to care for clients needing it. “But most of all, the fact that my husband is a medical practitioner has been of tremendous help. Through his wealth of experience, we are able to take good care of our clients. He handles the medical aspect, while I take care of the social aspect and because his hospital is big and reputable with a pharmaceutical department, we are able to supply quality and guaranteed drugs to our clients,” she says. But is she sure of a future for her line of business, bearing in mind that the African culture is not favourably disposed towards the idea of individuals taking aged parents to a Home for the elderly? “The issue has nothing to do with the culture. Rather, it is the time and pressure resulting from the inevitable modern, fast-paced lifestyle of Nigerians that is the determinant factor. One out of every 10 Lagosians will need care for their elderly. And rather than leaving this to just anybody, why not engage professionals capable of delivering quality services? “Then there is the level of joblessness in the country, which is making it possible to employ qualified people to do the job although in most cases, we have to train them especially in areas of morals, presentation and psychology among others, so that they will perform to the satisfaction of the clients,” she says. In the nearest future, Florence dreams of putting up a facility that can provide an ultra modern nursing home, hospital, a recreational centre, day care and shop all under one roof. “The idea is to have a place where the elderly can have some respite and really enjoy themselves while having fun and interacting when their children or the relatives they stay with travel abroad have wished for anything better. She is findand are not able to look after them. The ing fulfilment in her job and although she is place will be a home away from home, caring for many people (her nuclear family, where we’ll be helping the elderly age gracerelations, her grandchild and some others), fully. she is enjoying every bit of it. “Old age comes with pain, but this need So, what services does Beachmore Homecare not be so. The modern time and its deprovide and how are these carried out? mands can be very stressful. So, Nigerians “First, we carry out an initial assessment on must embrace the idea of safe arrangement the client. This comprises checking the for official social support for the elderly. client’s state of health, possible treatment, Government should also play its part in the maintenance and possible risk or hazards care for the elderly through prompt paypresent in his/her immediate environment. A ment of retirement benefits. Relations team comprising a medical practitioner, a should work as a team to take care of the nurse and a public health officer usually unelderly. dertakes the assessment. In the process, we “Health and social care awareness is not also do the stock taking and an inventory of prominent in Nigeria. So, we are appealing the client’s possession as a matter of choice,” to philanthropists and government to help she says. the elderly in the society, knowing full well After this, the client is then given a report in- that we are going to be in that state one dicating the type of service required for the day.” particular case. There is also included at this Born to the late Justice and Mrs. Olayimika stage, an advice about the health hazards that Odumosu, Florence is the second of six chilthe client may be exposed to and the treatdren, raised in a loving and comfortable ment for prevailing ailments. background. “We then prepare a written medical report She attended Hope Children School, Apapa and care plan, which are given to the client’s for her primary education and Federal Govrelations or next of kin. When all these aspects ernment Girls College, Bida for her secondhave been taken care of and an agreement ary education. She later proceeded to the reached, the care work begins immediately.” University of Ibadan, where she obtained a So, depending on the case, there might be degree in Agricultural Economics. While in need for a main worker that will stay with the the UK, she also attended Orpinton and

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

BUSINESS

How Ill-conceived Concessioning Almost Crippled Aviation Services, By Uriesi

Uriesi

Following disagreements arising from the Federal Government’s concessioning of key airport services to some private sector operators, the Nigerian aviation sector has generally been in the news for the wrong reasons. Central to these recent altercations are the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Bi-Courtney Aviation Services, and the AIC Nigeria Ltd, among others. Consequently, The Guardian’s team of MARCEL MBAMALU and GEOFF IYATSE took some of the issues bordering on airport concessioning/reversals and remodeling, among others, to the Managing Director of FAAN, Mr. George Uriesi, who rather alleged that the Authority is being victimised by Bi-Courtney. Excepts: There seem to be too many regulatory authorities in the aviation sector such that people don’t even know who does what. What specifically does FAAN do? VER the years, because FAAN runs the airport, people seem to associate the Authority with everything. Often, I refer people, who come to FAAN, to other agencies that handle the specific issues they come up with. There is the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), which handles very critical function. Many people might not know much about it but you will recall that it issued a warning about last year’s heavy rain. Not many people heeded the warning but it did happen after which many remember that NIMET gave the alert. We also have the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), which regulates the airlines. Every agency has a role to play. FAAN is the major service provider in the airport. Are there areas of overlap? If there are, how do you come around them? In normal circumstance, everybody is very clear about his or her role; there is hardly any need for conflict. But some times, conflict can arise out of personality issues – not over tangible reasons. Fortunately, we don’t have any conflict now. On

• Says FAAN Was Forced Into Bankruptcy • ‘Banks’ N38bn Loan For 12 yr-Concession Fraudulent’ regular basis, we do have meetings with the minister where conflicts are ironed out. Previously, everybody was on his own and the Minister would have parallel relationship with the different agencies. Because there was no constant interaction, conflicts might arise from time to time. But now, we are able to review things; we set agenda and assess them at a joint meeting. We have developed a close relationship such that, even when there are areas of conflict or somebody gives wrong information to the media, all you need to do is call the person in a friendly manner to resolve it. Which agency drives this inter-agency meeting? The Minister of Aviation, who takes the forum very seriously, chairs the leadership. When the Minister is not around, the Permanent Secretary chairs it. It is a crucial because it gives us time to understand what other agencies are doing. This helps us to manage the agenda well; it helps you to gauge the impacts of what we are doing. I think it is something that should be sustained. In the past few years, focus has shifted to private sector participation, especially in the aviation industry. What actually was the philosophy that drove (or still drives) the arrangement because we don’t know where things went wrong? There seems to be a recall of some decisions that were made in the past... Concession is normal in airport management. The debate is that the airport operator is an expert in managing the logistics platform. Over 300 different businesses could take place at the airport; it is impossible for the airport operator to administer everything. So, we just provide the platform. And aviation is a captive business. People travel daily; and they need different services when they are travelling. What we do is bring different business peo-

ple to the airport to operate. Otherwise, the operator will be doing everything. Meanwhile, FAAN is not an expert in everything. Concession allows a fee that is usually a percentage of the earnings. What is important is that both the airport and the concessionaire make money. But in Nigeria it became a different matter. It was a situation where powerful people would look at the airport and say it would be nice to collect money from the place. They concocted arrangement that gave them critical assets through their friends in government to the detriment of the airport itself. For many years, people got away with the frauds. When I came and looked around, it was an organisation that was struggling to pay salaries and maintain the airport; it had a terrible balance sheet with cash flow problem. To rescue such organisation, the first question was: why is the situation that bad? We started looking at the concessions, and they were baffling. I would be reading the concession agreements in the night and would be furious. It was robbery. When I discussed the possibility of meeting with the concessionaires to discuss with them, they would say ‘leave this one alone and concentrate on your assignment because it is beyond you. Yet, if the issue were not tackled, the organisation would not be turned around. Many of them started talking me down, saying: ‘who is this, what is he going to do’? When the Minister, who is also an entrepreneur, saw the numbers, she was shocked. All the agreements have exit clauses and we decided to exercise our exit rights. In each case, we went to them and said ‘you know what, this is not sustainable. We are not going to ask you to bring everything but let us re-negotiate into a position of equity going forward.’ They would run to Abuja and other places so that FAAN would be prevailed

upon. They are still running around but have not found any comfort, because anybody, who listens to the two sides of the stories, is always shocked by what they did. This is what amazes me: If you have a business to do with FAAN today, you have opportunity to make money in a fair deal. Why, then, do you have to take so much even beyond what is fairly given? Why will you want to extend it to 30, 40 or 50 years; are you the only one that is wise? It is easy to forget that somebody will emerge from somewhere some years later to say this cannot continue. Only one of them agreed the deal should be renegotiated. The others feel they can continue because there is a signature on the document that says this is how it is going to be. This country has to change. They have gone everywhere to blackmail me but I say boldly that if not that Nigeria is as it is these people would go to jail for what they have done. They are still getting away with it; they are dribbling. But they can’t dribble me, or the Minister. If Nigeria were a normal country, they would go to jail because we have enough to send them to jail for what they have done. Unfortunately, they continue to play the victim game. What the other side is saying is that due process should be followed in exercising the rights. An agreement is an agreement, whether done in good faith or not, and it is up to you to find a way around it in accordance with the law. Is that the case now? The Constitution forbids the government from doing anything that is not in the public interest. Fundamentally, every government transaction has to be in the public interest. We have not even got to that argument yet. What we are arguing is that these concessionaires are not used to speaking the language of FAAN. When they are confronted with the language of airport business, they stand like rabbits caught in the red lights of an oncoming vehicle. The moment you go into the concession agreements and say it is a precedent in the whole world it is not done like this, let us re-negotiate, they refuse. Then, we said we are exiting from the deal. In every decision we take, two smart Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) who have told us that you can-

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

BUSINESS

‘Authority Has Enough Facts To Jail Owners Of Bi-Courtney’ not be forced to do what is not right advise us. They still believe that this is Nigeria and that once they meet their friends they will frustrate us. They find it difficult to believe that that era has gone. You have to come to equity with clean hands. Nobody can claim that it is personal vendetta against anybody. One you read the agreement, you will be clear. Yes, somebody said an agreement is an agreement; you have to follow it through. But I think I am only privileged, out of 167 million Nigerians, to have occupied the position; I am not smarter than them. It is a trust and I accept the responsibility. Somebody could say they will fire you. My response is that I will leave happy that I put my money where my mouth is. I have been complaining about this before, now that I have the opportunity I should make some difference. It would be easier if it were all about personal benefit not to take the position I have taken. I have been blackmailed and insulted. I did want to take security, but, eventually, I was prevailed upon. They said I had to because I have too many powerful enemies. At least, I have a family. I wanted to be free, drive around. Somebody just have to get sanity to prevail. You will still make money if you do it right. Why do you want to do it wrong, then? They expect that everything there is new management in FAAN there are people who will be afraid to lose their jobs and will allow it to continue. There are concerns that the way you are going about it could scare investors; how are you addressing these concerns? We are addressing them. We have a different argument. We went on a road show where we spoke to investors. First, I can speak the language of the airport. There are people who are specifically airport investors (they know me anyway). When they ask me this question, I tell them what the situation is. We have been here almost two years now and we have struck several new deals. Unless, somebody is smoking Indian Hemps, nobody who see what we are doing will say it is rubbish. The concessionaires will still make money if they had done it the way the rest of the world do it in terms of the rate of return and other indices. We are still doing deals; we have done three hotels in MMA. Aerotropolis is coming and people are putting their money down. The investors set down with you and you speak in numbers, and you do that for months before you sign. If is not like this backyard arrangement when agreements will come from Abuja and they will say sign. We put together the criteria for reaching concession. You should ensure that the agreement does not kill FAAN so that it will be around to package another one tomorrow.

We have had flashing moments like these before in public administration but they are wiped off as soon those who promoted them leave office. Are there processes to institutionalise these changes so that personality issues won’t easily reverse the gains made? That is a difficult question I must acknowledge. We have tried to create corporate governance system, a kind of leadership team that scrutinises potential deals that are coming into airport business. I have told them over and over, that if I leave today, whoever becomes the managing director must be compelled to be part of the team. He must be part of the Wednesday executive meeting. Of course, the managing director may be very powerful and decides he is not going to be part of it. But if you look at the quality of appointments the government has been making in recent years, you will agree that there is a departure for the past. If is not just about politics, they are beginning to get round pegs for a round holes. It will be very stupid for the government to wake up tomorrow and says let us pick a politician to head the place. Then, we will go back to the days of FAAN being a largesse distribution agency. No work will be done. Part of the Transformation Agenda is to build strong institutions. The problem does not lie in ‘them’ but ‘us.’ We are the ones who put pressure on the managing directors to do things that are not right. With specific reference to Bi-Courtney, is the concessionaire running a parallel structure? By concession, bi-Courtney runs the MMA2, which is a major line of operation. Is that the kind of concession you are also advocating? HERE are so many types. You can concession a major area or a small aspect of airport operation. Giving Bi-Courtney a concession was not a problem. But it was a mismanaged concession. I cannot understand how you can concession a terminal for 12 years. I have heard of 15 years; in some cases 20 or 25. It is difficult to recoup your investment within 12 years except you don’t know what you are doing. Secondly, the concession was a piece of land, which you could configure as you wanted. But you now use the land to do car park, terminal and have very small left for aircraft. You claim the terminal is four million or 4.5 million passenger capacity but you have no enough room for aircraft to park. And that limits your capacity. What they have is 14-aircraft stand forgetting that the main business is airport. Hence, it cannot do more than two million passengers because it has space for only14 aircraft. The concession is for 12 years but because of who they are they have put a clause that says for the period of the concession there will be no other domestic scheduled airline terminal in Lagos State. For a period of 12 years, there will be no other domestic terminal. That is ridiculous! Going further, you now altered the period to 36 years, without changing the terms that are already ridiculous for 12 years because you are the master of the universe. The concession is for 12 years but they have tried everything in the books to extend it to 36 years. FAAN approved the design of a terminal that was N3.9 billion. What they built is not what FAAN approved; they claimed to have built it with N38 billion. Take a valuer there to find out

the actual cost of the terminal. A consortium of Nigerian banks lent them N38 billion for a 12-year concession, a number that will never deliver N38 billion. We should also ask Nigerian banks: what are you people up to? Why would you give somebody N38 billion to build a terminal on a 12-year concession with number that will not return that kind of loan? They now went back to the government and said, instead of N3.9 billion, we spent N38 billion, let us extend the period. They argued that an international consultant said it would take them 36 years to recover the investment. That was irrespective of the fact that there are already ridiculous terms for the 12-year period. It does not make sense. Come let us re-negotiate, they will say no. Government officials colluded with the concessionaires to… Yes, many top government officials are going to be in trouble if we look at these things. Why can’t you look at them; how much of government support do you really have? I believe we have much support. If not, we won’t have come this far. Am I interested in going back to prosecute people? No. If you want to be digging everything, you will lose your purpose. I am not really saying we should prosecute. What I am saying is that they must come to re-negotiate with us. If they come and say do you people really want, we can then spell out no-go areas. We don’t also want them to lose; so, we will structure out something. But we will also query their actions. How come you built a terminal for N38 billion when we approved N3.9? There seems to be a stalemate. Bi-Courtney says you don’t have the right over the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) while there is also issue over erection of signpost; then, there is also the crisis with AIC. The impression is that persuasion is failing; hence, you want to use force. Where are you on all of these issues? Generally, in Nigeria, we always back the underdog. People feel that because FAAN is a government agency, we are the ones undoing the concessionaires. They don’t even know that we are the victims. They will not believe that FAAN is just trying to breathe after being beaten for many years. What I can say on the AIC is that FAAN advised against it when they wanted to do it. The argument was that the place was penciled down for the expansion of the MMA international terminal. But nobody listened. They tell people that it was a result of a competitive bidding. But that is a lie. Let them produce evidence if they are sure of what they are saying. And they concessioned it for 50 years. I have heard of 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 years but have never heard of 50 years. Fifty years is two generations; that is too far. The highest we should have is 30 years so that there will be history in case you want to renew. Thirty years is enough for a business to reap all the benefits of the investment, leaving the decision to renew with the airport operator. Fifty years is ridiculous but that was what they put. As soon as the civilians came, FAAN raised the issues saying it would not work for security reasons. You don’t have to be an expert to be shocked that a hotel will be built in that position. But, for some reasons, they decided to do it. We can give them land elsewhere to build the hotel if they want to negotiate but not that particular location. And the court has agreed with us. Since 1998, they have not done anything there. Anyway, assuming they built the hotel, we could only have been biting our fingers because we could not have destroyed it. The explanation for the delay was that FAAN did not pay its counterpart funding for the project… How could you compel the concessioner, apart from giving the asset, to invest $6 million? Where would the money come from? What they can tell you is that FAAN signed it. Of course, FAAN signed; but it did under instruction. Where would the MD get $6 million to invest in deal? Can FAAN even sign a $6 million deal? We don’t put money on any deal we sign because the person coming is the one that hold the privileges. We expect you to invest while we gain. Yes, there is a clause that says FAAN will invest $6 million but where would the money come from? How are we even sure they would use the money if we had it to pay. FAAN had argued in a particular document that it needed to take up 25 per cent equity in the proposed hotel. Couldn’t the Authority have easily extricated that commitment if it was against the deal?

CONTINUED ON PAGE 52

The concession is for 12 years but they have tried everything in the books to extend it to 36 years. FAAN approved the design of a terminal that was N3.9 billion. What they built is not what FAAN approved; they claimed to have built it with N38 billion. Take a valuer there to find out the actual cost of the terminal. A consortium of Nigerian banks lent them N38 billion for a 12-year concession, a number that will never deliver N38 billion. We should also ask Nigerian banks: what are you people up to? Why would you give somebody N38 billion to build a terminal on a 12-year concession with number that will not return that kind of loan?

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

BUSINESS dled since 1999 when the funny concessions started happening to the extent that FAAN could not meet its obligations. It was no longer a going concern. In short, it was technically bankrupt. In 2010, FAAN gave out only three-month airport maintenance cost to the airports. When you saw the airports in comatose it was because there was no funding. But some people were feeding fat on FAAN’s revenue lines. That has changed to a large extent. Another thing was that FAAN was totally relying on aeronautical infrastructure, with respect to revenues whereas it has huge capacity to generate non-aeronautical revenues through commercial offerings. What the remodeling has done is that it boosted the commercial offerings that reduce dependence on aeronautical source. When we finish the MMA, we would have quintupled the commercial offerings. At the domestic terminal we have finished, we quintupled the commercial offerings. In all the airports, as we finish remodeling, we quadruples the commercial offerings. As we are opening we are giving criteria on who can have a shop there so that the offering is primed to earn us money. We carried a lot of debts of many years ago on our balance sheet. These were debts from Okada Air and other airlines that no longer exist. We know that we would not be able to get the money back. Hence, we need to find a way to write off the debts so that the balance sheet will begin to look like something one can invest in. Can’t FAAN also take advantage of the intervention fund packaged by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the aviation sector? FAAN has capacity to be very buoyant, and that is where we are going. To do that, we need to expand our business like entrepreneurs. It is assumed that no airline is solvent and that they are just trying to survive. Is that not a big challenge to the revenue stream of the Authority? That was the reason I said we have to find a way to be less dependent on aeronautical revenues. The problem with the domestic airlines is a puzzle. We are just trying to understand what is wrong. If you fly to Abuja through the immigration and security, will today, the aircraft will be fully booked. And I change. We have new arrival. We have got three can guarantee that everybody on the flight high-capacity baggage belts. You will not have a pays. Each time I fly, I wonder what the probsituation where the air-conditioner will fail tolem is. We are all racking our brain to figure tally. We have immigration and departure, out the problem. which are 11 counters in total. That will take In the same country, passengers pay away the stress people go through at the moN35,000 for a one-way trip. That is enough ment. for a round-trip in other places, including Are the runways okay now? the United States. Can FAAN intervene issues It was resurfaced few years ago, but it was done like this? without fixing the runway lights. In normal cirIt is difficult to address the problem. The cumstance, that is crazy. We did it in Port Harairlines have the discretion to charge fares. court and we did it in Lagos. The argument is that charges imposed on We resurfaced runways without putting light. the airlines are very high… But I think that is a FAAN that has gone. It is very Airlines say that all over the world. The fact difficult to do the light after you have opened is that airport and other auxiliary charges the runway because it will require closure of the are not more than five per cent of costs inrunway. Eventually, we did that of Port Harcurred by airlines. It is between four and five court. Now NAMA has put light on 18 left so that per cent, depending on the efficiency of the aircraft can depart and land on a good weather. airline. The major costs are fuel, salaries and It is only when the weather is a bit shaky that airline maintenance/services. Even if we reyou have to use 19-right, which is an internamove our charges, it will not rescue them. tional runway. Recently, some aircraft were found on the Such mistakes are very strange; I think they are streets of Lagos, and the incident raised fresh kinds of things people need to go to psychiatric controversy over the issue of abandoned airfor. But those mistakes will not happen again. craft at the airports. What has FAAN done People believe FAAN was pushed into the reform about this? by paucity of funds… We have taken them out. They used to litter Partly. MMA but they have been scrapped. The airWhat level of funding does the Authority enjoy craft that people saw was one of them, now? which somebody said he wanted to use for FAAN has always been self-funded with respect teaching. Nigerians, being who we are, to salaries and maintenance. The Federal Govraised the alarm. ernment brings money for capital projects, such Taking aircraft from one location to anas remodeling. other is a normal thing everywhere. When My problem is that FAAN’s revenues have dwin- aircraft is no longer useful, people can take it to their home or even Victoria Island to use as restaurant. When it happened people raised alarm; some even said the plane crash. There were even editorials, saying, since when have they started towing aircrafts. The man carried it at night but the truck got spoilt, which was the reason it could not get to where it was going before dawn. We have cleaned the airport. We will now go to Benin to do the same thing. Bi-Courtney claimed it has won all the court cases against the Authority. Is that true; where are you now on the matter? For the first time, Bi-Courtney has been tackled smartly by FAAN. They are experts at obtaining exparte orders and flashing them as judgment. It is not near the way it seems. We are working smartly with lawyers to arrive at where we want to. And I have no doubt that we are going to arrive there. I don’t like the fact that we are going through this; I would like us to resolve it.

‘We Had A Mismanaged Concession’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 51 It is just like Bi-Courtney deal. FAAN spent a lot of money to get a respected SAN’s law firm to draft the agreement. What did FAAN ended up signing the agreement that Bi-Courtney wrote. We spent money to do a concession agreement but they set it aside and said: sign this one that come from the concessionaire’s law firm. There was one the Managing Director said he was not going to sign. He was suspended while the Director of Operations was made Acting Managing Director just to sign. What else could he have done when the managing director was suspended? When you talk about concession agreements with FAAN’s signature, the fact was that FAAN did have the room to disagree; its role was just to sign them. They lie when they say they won legitimate tender. Yes, there was anger inside FAAN but it ended there. They had to be signed. FAAN started searching for investors for the same hotel since 1979. Wasn’t the hotel the Authority was calling on investors to build supposed to be sited on the land said to belong to AIC? No. The land was earmarked for terminal. Actually, there was going to be terminal A, B, C, D and E; but they started with the last two. Even if FAAN had called for bid for hotel in 1979, it was definitely not there. Could you tell us where FAAN originally planned to site the hotel? I am very sure it was not there. One of the things I have complained about is lack of archives. We have checked but can’t even find the drawing of the MMA. So we had to go back to the consultant. I am sure they were there when they were done but preserving was a challenge. That is why we want to store them electronically so that anybody can go to the computer to get the drawing. I have no problem with any of the investors. But you should believe that you are coming to deal with professionals and that you are not going to impose anything on anybody. Who do you blame —Nigerians (who brought pressure on public servants to do what was not right) or the government that was used to create the situation? What I believe is that these things cannot last forever. And when you are doing such things you should be ready to fight because it only lasts for a period of time. If you sign a straightforward and transparent deal that will benefit everybody, there is no reason why anyone will come to harass you. I keep saying that I will avoid the temptation of looking back; I want to

look forward. Out there, even in South Africa and Dubai, when you come to an airport, you see a façade that gives some comfort. But there is no Nigerian airport that has such view. Is that what you intend to do, starting with Lagos? Yes. Remember that we have started with Enugu; we are about starting other terminals in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kano. They will be like MMA when it was just built in 1979. Back then, it was the best in Africa. In Nigeria, in few minutes you would have traversed an international airport whereas in other places you will walk for a long time before you get out of the airport… HE story is the same. You don’t build an airport and go home to sleep. For 34 years, the MMA has been in operation, this is the first time we doing something serious to upgrade it. We would cannibalise one generator to maintain five, two to maintain four and three to maintain three. We are on the last one now. We are about to open the new powerhouse that we built. The generator we are using now has served this country for more than many people who have national honour. That was why I told the Minister sometime ago that it should be taken to museum or even given national honours. The same thing applies to the chiller of the air-conditioner. The air-condition works but it is so weak that it is only in the morning when people are not there that you feel the coolness. When people are there, we have to start putting additional chiller power. When we finish what we are doing, we will take out one of the chillers. I want to also take it to the national museum. Isn’t it the responsibility of FAAN to maintain those facilities? The way I look at it, it is not just FAAN. It is the way the country is. We just leave everything the way they are. Everything that came with the building is there. Amid the abuse, I have personal respect for our engineers for keeping all these things running. I can’t bring my former colleague from South Africa to show these things. They will be shocked. Anyway, we are changing just that we are doing very late. It is a hard task but, when we finish, Nigerians will see reputable airports. What are the timelines for completing these projects? By the end of this year, the major issue, which is the processing of passengers

We would cannibalise one generator to maintain five, two to maintain four and three to maintain three. We are on the last one now. We are about to open the new powerhouse that we built. The generator we are using now has served this country for more than many people who have national honour. That was why I told the Minister sometime ago that it should be taken to museum or even given national honours

TheGuardian

Sunday, August 11, 2013 53

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Opinion Now That The APC Is Licensed WARMLY welcome Nigeria’s newest political of his limitations. The Jonathan that has emerged since 2010 is, even by PDP standards, not a marparty, the All Progressives Congress (APC). ketable one. Unless Nigerians are such fools that As constituted on February 6, 2013, the APC that they will again mistake “clueless” for “shoecomprises the former All Progressive Grand less,” it is unlikely he will make it past his own Alliance, the Action Congress of Nigeria, the All party’s primaries. Nigeria Peoples Party, and the Congress for In other words, in the 2015 elections, the APC will have more than a fair chance to wipe the slate Progressive Change. As I understand it, the merger is to advance the clean. best interests of Nigeria through correcting the But the task is not just removing the PDP; it is putting in, and putting first, Nigeria. To do that, lapses in our polity identified since 1999. It is widely-known that those lapses are sym- the APC must demonstrate the capacity, not just bolized by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the rhetoric, for democracy. It is an age-old chalwhich has wielded power at the centre since lenge: many proclaim it, but few are strong enough to understand its implications. that time. Now, the sins of the PDP are many. So are its sin- The question is whether, in practice, the replacement party is cut from the same cloth as the ners. But Nigeria’s sinners are not only in the PDP. Since you cannot get yam from cocoyam, PDP. The PDP has become the symbol of will the men and women offered by the APC be Nigeria’s decay only because of its carnage in the achievers and people of character? center, but none of the parties that have held The new party has outlined its priorities to power in the States in the past 14 years are inno- include agricultural development, jobs, free education, affordable healthcare, infrastructural cent. In other words, the real issue is not the PDP; it is development, adequate power supply, eradicathe Nigerian politician. The question is whether tion of poverty and corruption, and rapid techthe Nigerian politician of the APC is different, or nological advancement and industrialisation. That is all very good, but it is also just an overwill be. It is known that the immediate objective of the loaded shopping basket. Any political party, APC is to unseat the PDP and President Goodluck especially a new one, can tender such a shopping cart at the checkout counter. Does the APC have Jonathan in 2015. Mr. Jonathan has not confirmed he will run. If the political and patriotic capital to pay for it? he does, that would indicate an unrepentant I certainly hope so, but the new party may be looking at the microscope from the wrong PDP. It will also be good news for the APC because end. Regrettably, that is the same exhaust pipe Jonathan ought to be pretty easy to defeat. In my from which the PDP has always looked at the view, Jonathan’s biggest opponent in 2015 will country, and it is the end from which Nigeria has be Jonathan, not a party or a presidential candi- been sold the most rotten goods. The correct and sensible place to start is for the date. In 2011, he never debated anyone but himself; in ACP to assume the character of a party that seeks 2015, he will. Since 2011, he has put in the most power not for the sake of power, but for service. atrocious shift a Nigerian ruler ever has, and How is the APC to be seen to be programmed to failed to honour his promises and pledges. In serve, and not simply to serve its members? Jonathan’s care, Nigeria is worse than an open My answer is that the new party must set clear standards, and demonstrate that those standards sewage. Jonathan is Jonathan’s biggest weakness are higher than partisan politics and the APC because his presidency has been but a broadcast itself. Before contesting for power, it should

show that it is serious about things being done, and done right. In this regard, I challenge the APC to set such standards into a code of conduct and of obligations, and publish it. This will demonstrate that the party understands the quality of the challenge that is before our nation, and that it intends to subordinate itself to it. The APC must understand that it will be held to a higher standard than the PDP because, by its nature, it has proclaimed itself to be the superior of the two. Is it? Beyond any doubt, Nigeria’s failures stem from a dearth of men and of institutions, and it will require the most courageous and patriotic of Nigerians to commence the rectification of this problem. Is the APC the right batch of men, or are they simply taking advantage of the moment? Let the new party define its character by publicly setting the lowest limits of its aspirations at the level of the most essential reforms that Nigeria needs. In this respect, the first, most desirable, and lowest-hanging fruit is our electoral system. A system where the party in power, through the president, defines elections through the pivotal ability to appoint the electoral boss is a joke and cannot guarantee decent elections or attract decent candidates. The APC should, therefore, pick the Uwais Report, which contains all the answers, off the floor, and labour to make it the basis of true electoral reform. There is no reason to start over. Think about it: so we have an “Independent” National Electoral Commission (INEC)? If so, exactly what is INEC independent of? It is certainly not independent of the ruling party or the president. Here is proof: In 2010, Attahiru Jega, the current INEC chairman, loudly announced that the new electoral register had captured many well-known multiple-registering politicians. Jega was effusive that he would make an example of the offenders by prosecuting them. Two and a half years later, he has done no such thing. The reason is simple: most of them belong to his employers: the PDP. If we implement the recommendations of the

sonala.olumhense@gmail.com Justice Uwais panel, we will be spared these hypocrisies. Second, the APC should put into play, without delay, a nationwide voter- education plan that will not only consolidate it as a political party, but will demonstrate a grassroots machinery of education and voter-registration. That is how you broaden party membership and develop national presence. Three: a true anti-corruption response. If the APC considers itself to be ready for prime-time, it must tell Nigerians how it intends to combat corruption. Without a dogged and determined anticorruption plan, the APC will simply become the PDP in another name. Nigerians know that the current “anti-corruption” scheme is a ruse. A true war will have many of the current anti-corruption leaders in jail within one month, and stripped of their loot. The same regime will also put proponents of the ACP on trial and separate them from both their loot and their hypocrisies. The APC must demonstrate that it is willing, ready and capable of assuming this challenge. Nigeria does not lack resources for development; what we lack are men who will retrieve the resources from our many thieves and plough them into development. The PDP must go. But the APC must prove that it is the answer. *First Published As “Welcoming the APC,” February 17, 2013

From Adjustment To Transformation By Ebere Onwudiwe HE Economic Report on Africa produced and recently launched in Abuja by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) comes at a good time when Africa’s economic growth level is more than the global average. This alone may justify the measured exuberance in the well-crafted report. But does laudable economic growth economic development make? True, our hopes and dreams for economic development still have their nemeses, including meddlesome public sectors, macroeconomic mismanagement (although there are noticeable improvements in some countries such as Ethiopia,) and the mother of it all, corruption. When you add these problems to the emerging rapidity of democratic recession that is now abroad in the continent (from Mali to Egypt, most recently,) you begin to swallow your budding growth euphoria with a pinch of realism. This necessary caution apart, the new ECA report presents new comparative information on the performance of African countries and recommends transformation as the focus of development efforts. It calls for structural transformation of African economies rather than structural adjustment as the best way to go. This is wise and very much overdue. The unstated motivation of structural adjustment programs (SAP) that ran riot in this continent from the 1980s was not to develop Africa; it was to save money for the repayment of debts owed to foreign banks. In many African countries, SAP hurt many people by reducing public investment in health. It reduced the quality of education by slashing public investment in education. And so on. The huge funds saved by its cruel brunt were used to repay monies lent to African countries, most of which was stolen callously by its leaders. Still some economists continue to make the very wet claim that SAP corrected market distortions occasioned by inefficient government interventions in African economies. Bunkum! What SAP actually did to Africa was to excruciatingly under-develop it, a good reason that that period of our post-independence life (1980s and the 1990s) has been fittingly christened Africa’s “lost decade.” The structural transformation path championed by this ECA Economic Report on Africa 2013 thankfully has a different impulse. Structural transformation is necessarily linked to industrialization and, therefore, offers a more realistic chance for the development of this continent, other things including good governance being equal. We all know and feel the fact that Africa’s much eulogised economic growth has brought little poverty reduction across the continent, although Nigeria has not done as badly as other

African countries on this count. But in the other world regions, poverty levels are falling even as their economies are not growing as fast as Africa’s. What is the meaning of this apparent contradiction? Is it not another evidence of the paradox of plenty, whereby the more natural bounty that you are blessed with, the more badly off you tend to become? This is why the ordinary folk on the street, cramped by poverty, is right to ask policy makers or economists question like “I still have no job, my life is not improving; so, what kind of wayo growth is this one?” Well, anyone can answer that question. It is raw material-led growth, the type that is not marked by value addition. The type we have endured under the rule of king oil all these doom years, a commodity which has crowded out our development prospective and made us more dependent rather than selfreliant. This is another reason the ECA report is right on the mark. It asks whether Africa can industrialize through primary commodities, a natural bounty with which Allah has over-blessed it. How can Nigeria, for example, make its share of the blessing propel it to the very distant heaven of development? (Hint: It is not by selling your Bonny Light oil and importing petrol, stupid!) This continent ranks first in the global production of gold, platinum, vanadium, cobalt, diamonds and chrome. And there are so many others from bauxite to phosphate to oil and gas, plus a matchless expanse of arable lands that can grow anything edible by man and livestock. And yet, we are steadily shipping our commodities sheepishly to other countries for almost nothing, and importing them back as finished products at killer prices at the expense of jobs for our millions of unemployed many of whom are consequently experimenting with Boko Haram, kidnapping and burglar models of survival. The ECA report clearly recognizes that any growth that counts must be sustainable, must create jobs, must reduce poverty and must lower inequality. The report is right to emphasise that only structural transformation of the economies of African countries can achieve these rewards, and one way for this to happen is through value addition in the extractive sector of African economies. That’s the link that transformation rather than adjustment has with industrialisation. Overall, the report shows that ECA has been fairly consistent over the years in its view of the appropriate development path for the continent, a path that respects the structure of production and the human beings that enjoy its benefits or suffer its limitations. We may all recall that in 1989, ECA’s alternative framework to structural adjustment opposed the IMF and World Bank’s SAP for Africa with the argument that it was inadequate for Africa

in both empirical and theoretical grounds because it failed to take into account Africa’s structure of production and consumption. But as we all also know, ECA is not the most radical institution in the world, so it is no surprise that it has taken almost a quarter of a century since that 1989 rush of courage for it to give us a detailed, firm and bold model of structural transformation as a model of industrial development of the continent. I dare say that this is the difference that leadership makes. At ECA, there seems to be a new no-nonsense kid on the bloc by the name of Carlos Lopes. Listen to him: “ECA’s mantra going forward will be ‘Africa First’. By this we mean that we will put the interests of this continent first in all that we do. It also means that we will address emerging and other issues from the lens of their impact on Africa. We must drive the process of structural transformation on the basis of our own vision and priorities.” You will notice in the above statement no self-pity; no the Westate-our-cake abuse excuse; no tired blame colonialism mantra. What hits you is a can-do attitude of a leader that knows where he is going. Now, that’s a very good start. But that is hardly enough because the report he has produced is only one part of the equation for a continent serious about development. The other part is this, what will the leaders of African countries do with the report? Sadly, if we were to go by experience, the answer is ‘pretty little.’ As a Nigerian, I can say this without fear of contradiction. Reports by themselves, no matter how excellent, do not develop a country. If reports develop countries, Nigeria would have been a member of the G8 countries already. We churn out the stuff with amazing alacrity around here. But no leader in the particular case of our great country appears to be bothered with any of them. Which is why the problem with Nigeria and indeed all of Africa is not paucity of good ideas, or good reports or committees and commissions, it is the problem of implementation. Prof. Emmanuel Nnadozie, Director, Macroeconomic Policy Division, of the ECA who brilliantly outlined the industrial strategies to promote commodity-based industrialisation in Africa was pushed by the audience at the launching on this important issue of implementation. He characteristically gave a short and correct answer: “You can lead a horse to the river, but you can’t make it drink.” Now, if you are tempted to ask why ECA keeps dragging our governments to the bloody water year after year, when it should be obvious that they aren’t ever thirsty. Don’t! No condition is permanent. Prof. Onwudiwe is the Executive Director of the Ken Nnamani Centre for Leadership and Development. Opinion expressed here is his and not that of the Centre.

TheGuardian

54 | Sunday, August 11, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Opinion Double Standard Campaign Against Teenager By Musa Abubakar SEEK to lend my voice in this debate over what some media houses dubbed ‘endorsement of underage marriage’ by the Nigerian senators. When the senators were deliberating on renunciation of Nigerian citizenship in the proposed amendment to the 1999 Constitution, some people succeeded in hoodwinking Nigerians, through sponsored writeups, to believe that the distinguished senators have endorsed child marriage by stealthily smuggling it in our constitution. As a result, the ever-gullible Nigerian public believed them to the extent that some ‘seat- warmers’ among the senators thought they committed an abomination and were reportedly shedding tears over what they consider as erroneous endorsement of underage marriage by them. It is declared here that the public has been misinformed of what actually transpired in the Senate. Most of the write-ups were embroiled with falsehood, insincerity and lack of objectivity in an attempt to set one segment of the community against the other. Those sponsoring such write ups are either mischief makers who would want to sensationalize the issue or are simply harbouring an ingrained pathological animus against the distinguished Senator for daring to make his religious leaning public. Perhaps, if it was any other person the matter could have sailed through the chamber unnoticed. As reported in the media, there was never a discussion on child marriage before the Senate in recent time. The pre-eminence of our constitution makes it less likely for such issue to feature in it. Thus, legislators enact separate laws like the Marriage Act to deal with such issues What actually came before the Senate was a proposed amendment on renunciation of Nigerian citizenship under section 29 (4) of the 1999 CFRN (as amended). The section reads: ‘29.(1) Any citizen of Nigeria of full age who wishes to renounce his Nigerian citizenship shall make a declaration in the prescribed manner for the renunciation. (2) The President shall cause the declaration made under subsection (1) of this section to be registered and upon such registration, the person who made the declaration shall cease to be a citizen of Nigeria. (3) The President may withhold the registration of any declaration made under subsection (1) of this section if• the declaration is made during any war in which Nigeria is physically involved; or • in his opinion, it is otherwise contrary to public policy. (4) For the purposes of subsection (1) of this section. • “full age” means the age of eighteen years and above; • any woman who is married shall be deemed to be of full age.’ The question is whether the Constitution should retain section 29 (4) (b), which deems any married woman to be of full age. What this suggests is that irrespective of her age, a married woman may renounce her Nigerian citizenship as provided under this section. It is noteworthy that this provision has been in our constitution since 1979 and was never an issue until now when it was sought to be expunged. This prompted Senator Ahmad Sani Yerima to raise a point of order by referring his colleagues to the exclusive legislative list which only allows the National Assembly to legislate

JAW JAW By Didi Onu

Senate President, David Mark

on statutory marriages and marriages contracted under customary or Islamic law. Majority favoured the retention of the provision as it has been. Unfortunately, many misinformed human rights NGOs and individuals like Fani Kayode, Luke Onyekakeyah, Sulaimon Olarenwaju, etc condemned the Senate as promoting paedophilic tendencies by ‘making mothers out of children’ in utter disregard to the Nigeria’s international obligation. For the purpose of clarity, let it be known that age of majority may not necessarily be the marriageable age. That is why under our laws there is always difference between voting age, age of criminal responsibility and age of sexual consent. If 18 years is the international threshold why not make all these uniform such that all under 18s are incapable of giving sexual consent, are not criminally responsible, have no voting right and are incapable of entering into marriage contract. It must be stressed here that 18 years is not an internationally endorsed minimum age for marriage. The international community employ cultural relativist approach in negotiating any culturally sensitive international convention. Hence, none of the United Nations conventions stipulates minimum age for marriage. For instance, the CONVENTION ON CONSENT TO MARRIAGE, MINIMUM AGE FOR MARRIAGE AND REGISTRATION OF MARRIAGES, 1962 was the first attempt to secure the agreement of international community on minimum age for marriage but it did specify a particular age. Article 2 of this Convention requires state parties to specify in their laws minimum age that no marriage shall be valid below that age. Since 9th December 1964 when this Convention came into force only 55 countries ratified as at 25th January 2013 and Nigeria is not a state-party to it. On 1st November 1965 the UN General Assembly, via resolution 2018 (xx) recommended 15 years as minimum age for marriage, and which may be lowered in certain cases. Principle II of the Recommendation on Consent to Marriage, Minimum Age for Marriage and Registration of Marriages reads: ‘Member States shall take legislative action to

specify a minimum age for marriage, which in any case shall not be less than fifteen years of age; no marriage shall be legally entered into by any person under this age, except where a competent authority has granted a dispensation as to age, for serious reasons, in the interest of the intending spouses.’ The move to stipulate 18 years as minimum age for marriage was also thwarted during the negotiation on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. When the Second Polish Draft on Child’s Rights Convention, which put 18 years as the age of majority, was debated, it was contended that given the divergent legal and socio-economic traditions of member states of the United Nations, and for ‘variable local adaptation’ allowance must inevitably be made to accommodate the differences. According to A M. Pappas: ‘The outlawing of ‘‘child marriages’’ is far from being a reality: quite a few States have no provision regarding an absolute minimum age for marriage, while several others expressly allow marriage (with parental consent, etc,) at very young ages, particularly where girls are concerned. Compare Australia, Congo, Egypt, Greece, Kenya with China, Cuba, Israel, Norway, U. K and U.S.A. (see Pappas, A. M in Pappas, A. M (ed) Law and Status of the Child Vol.1 1983 edition, pp.xxvii-lx at p. Xl) The Draft was thus rephrased to accommodate other cultures whose age of majority is lower than as contained in the Polish Draft. That is why there is neither minimum age for marriage in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child nor any provision outlawing child marriage and child betrothal. Article 1 of the UNCRC reads: ‘‘For the purposes of the present Convention, a child means every human being below the age of eighteen years, unless under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier.’’ Going through a document prepared by Hannah Cartwright for the Global Justice Initiative titled ‘Legal Age of Consent for Marriage and Sex for the 50 United States’ one realises that the Legal Minimum Age of Consent for Marriage is 18 in all the 50 states in the U. S. However the minimum age for marriage varies from one state to another, with most of them adopting 16 years, thus requiring parental or judicial consent to solemnise it. In fact, in some states it is even lower than 16. For instance, California (no age limits), Daleware (no age limits), Massachusetts (Male 14: Female: 12), Mississippi (no age limits) and New Hampshire (Male: 14 Female:13). In the United Kingdom, child marriage is not unlawful as long as the necessary parental consent is acquired. Under section 2 of the Marriage Act, Cap 76 of England and Wales the minimum age for marriage is 16 years. (NB in Scotland a person aged 16 years does not need parental consent to marry). Section 2 of the English Marriage Act reads: ‘A marriage solemnized between persons either of whom is under the age of sixteen shall be void.’ Such marriage is considered child marriage thus requiring parent consent. Section 3 (1) of the Marriage Act provides: ‘Where the marriage of a child, not being a widower or widow, is intended to be solemnised on the authority of a certificate issued by a superintendant registrar under part III of this Act, the consent of the person or persons specified in subsection (1A) of this section shall be required. One important lesson we should learn from this provision is that a child widow or widower

is an independent entity. Therefore he or she needs no parental consent in solemnising a subsequent marriage. In the same token, for the purposes of renunciation of citizenship in Nigeria, a married woman is an independent entity capable of making such a decision herself. Ironically, it is only under Article 21 (2) of the African Charter on the Right and Welfare of the Child that child marriage is considered a taboo and even classified as ‘Harmful Cultural and Social Practices’ which member-states must prohibit by pegging the minimum age for marriage at 18 years. One begins to wonder what the drafters of the Charter want to achieve by this imposition. Who are they imitating, the United States or the United Kingdom that colonised most of the African states? Why did African states like Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, South Africa, Zimbabwe, etc choose to ignore the Africa Charter and allow marriage under 18 years? Are the drafters of the Charter not overzealous in their approach to sensitive issues? Why is the Charter being observed more in breach than in compliance? Is this not the reason why the Nigerian Child’s Right Act, 2003 is being resisted in Muslim states when in fact the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child remains the most widely ratified convention since the formation of the United Nations? Given the state of affairs in the United Kingdom, the United States of America and indeed most countries in the world, those calling our distinguished senators who voted for retaining section 29 (4) (b) as paedophiles may as well declare American and British legislators and indeed all the permanent representatives to the United Nations General Assembly as such. The simple fact is that in Nigeria we find pleasure in infantilizing our physically and sexually active teenagers by considering them unfit for marital life yet fit for pre-marital sex. By pegging the voting age at 18 years, we ‘childify’ them, belittle their intellect, delimit their capacity and disenfranchise them; but ironically use them in political thuggery and election rigging. Interestingly, despite all these incapacitations, we ‘adultify’ them as capable of committing crimes at the early age of seven. In any case, any student of constitutional law knows retaining section 29 (4) (b) or expunging it will not invalidate marriages solemnised under personal laws. All that the removal will achieve is to depower women in deciding their citizenship status. After all, renunciation of Nigerian citizenship is rarely in vogue. In the foregoing, it is clear that what was before the Senate has nothing to do with marriageable age. That the issue of marriage was grafted to possibly overheat the polity and make issue out of nothing. That 18 years has not been universalised as minimum age for marriage for Nigeria to be considered in breach of its international obligation. Indeed, child marriage is legally recognised in even the most developed countries in the world. Therefore those fanning the embers of discord should appreciate the relativity of cultural/religious orientation and that the essence of federalism as a political arrangement is to accommodate differences. So live and let live others. •Abubakar is of Zamfara State Judiciary.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

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POLITICS

ANAMBRA 2013: The Abuja Factor, Consensus Option And The Zoning Question From Leo Sobechi RUE to type, Anambra State 2013 governorT ship poll is revealing all that is curious about party politics in Nigeria. Virtually all the aspirants for the governorship have their political umbilical cords tied to Abuja. In most of the political parties, indications emerged that decision as to who flies the flag was being taken in Abuja. The situation has vindicated old warhorses that waited till INEC’s release of timetable before activating their machineries. Most of the new faces that begun quite early have spent themselves dry and are being stunned by emerging intrigues and calculations, they are throwing in all in their arsenal to ensure they do not fall by the wayside. As things stand, ‘consensus’ has become a catch phrase in the ongoing plots to ensure that favoured aspirants appear on the ballot. PDP: Back to old ways? In the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), for instance, what is dominating the centre of public discourse is the planned abortion of governorship primaries by the party leadership. The Guardian gathered that PDP is considering the idea of reserving the party’s ticket for Senator Andy Uba, so as to cement the reconciliation between President Goodluck Jonathan and his mentor, former President Olusegun Obasanjo. A source close to the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP confided that the party decided to adopt Uba as the consensus candidate following representations by eminent stakeholders. He disclosed that prior to the resolution to hand Uba the ticket, the party was working on the possibility of retaining former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Professor Chukwuma Soludo, as its standard bearer, since he was the last custodian of the party’s ticket in the state. “But close associates of Uba argued that if the party was interested in restitution, Uba, who ran for the Court annulled governorship election in 2007 should be compensated,” the source hinted. He added that even Uba wondered why the issue of who gets PDP’s ticket in Anambra should be a subject of discussion. He was said to have pointed out that apart from contesting and ‘winning’ in 2007, he (Uba) should be handed the ticket because he was the person who recommended that Jonathan be made late Umaru Yar’Adua’s running mate in 2007. The source further disclosed that it was on the strength of that understanding that Soludo was advised by the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) chairman, chief Tony Anenih, to forget about picking the expression of interest form of the party. Before the talk of using consensus option, the party had expected that raising the amount payable for the expression of interest form from N250, 000 to N1m would reduce the number of aspirants to a manageable level. However, as the idea of reserving the party’s ticket for Uba, the favoured aspirant filtered into Awka, PDP faithful kicked. The State chairman, Prince Ken Emeakayi, when contacted blurted out: “There will be nothing like reservation of PDP ticket or imposition of candidate; the choice of PDP governorship candidate would be decided by the delegates elected for that purpose through a transparent and credible primary election.” Emeakayi said one of the observations made by the party in the course of its reconciliation efforts was that imposition of candidates during elections causes disaffection and disenfranchises members from choosing who should represent them. “Therefore,” he said, “any attempt to bring back imposition or adoption of consensus for the governorship was a clear invitation to a possible loss of the election.” Also, a PDP top notch in the State and former Special Adviser to Anambra State Government on Security Matters, Bonaventure Maduafokwa, said, reservation of governorship ticket should not be tolerated by the people. “If they allow somebody to be foisted on them, the person would not faithfully serve them in future. You know that in PDP we have several aspirants. What we should do is to ensure a level playing field and that the best emerges from the process. We should not allow people from Abuja to determine who runs for governor of the state,” he declared. Maduafokwa added: “Our people are getting completely disenchant-

Soludo

Obi

Ngige

Uba

Ekwunife

ed with the whole notion of democracy and the essence of voting. They don’t come out any more because of this habit, where, from the very beginning you discover that election has already been rigged. An election is rigged when at the first point you discover that nobody was allowed to have a free and fair primary. So that is a fact because the next thing they would do is to give the person materials to conduct his election.” He said it was wrong to allow anybody such privilege, “because that is not the essence of democracy,” pointing out that “the essential ingredient of democracy is that you are free, if you are qualified within the context of existing laws to contest any election.” While recognising the place of consensus in party politics, the former State chairman of All People’s Party (APP) contended that in the context of genuine democracy, such consensus should be hammered at home and not by outsiders in Abuja! You would recall that PDP lost election in Anambra State again and again because of interference from outside the shores of the state. “If PDP wants to win election, the only way they could achieve that is to ensure a level playing field for everybody. If they do not provide a level playing field, there is no way the party could win any election in the state,” he added. Maduafokwa, who is also a security consultant,

noted that any contraption that limits the power of Anambra people to choose their leaders, including zoning should be resisted. “Governor Peter Obi’s leadership is a strange one; Obi is too small to determine who becomes governor after him; because when you say you want the next governor to come from a particular zone, you have already rigged the election. What it means in concrete terms is that there would not be any free and fair election in the state.” Youth resistance Perhaps stung by the underhand schemes to abort primary election for PDP governorship aspirants, stakeholders of the party championing the transition of power to the youth held an interactive session at the Golden Royale Hotel, Enugu. The session dwelt on how to move Anambra State forward. Tagged: “Meet with the people of Anambra State – to change fortunes of Anambra State not too difficult,” participants regretted that despite the amount of resources flowing into the state, there was nothing in Awka, the State capital to show for it. They maintained that the recycling of leaders causes the stagnation of development of Awka, in terms of urban design and infrastructure. In their remarks, Franklin Okoye and Mr. Ossy Nwabude bemoaned the challenges facing

Anambra State, insisting that there was lack of creativity and political will among the leaders and indigenes. Okoye noted that it was hard to divorce personal interest of the leaders from their actions, lamenting that parochial interest supersedes overall interests of Anambra people. Nwabude insisted that Anambra deserves a change that could impact positively on the people. The stakeholders thumbed down zoning, stressing that the state would benefit more when the people support and vote for a candidate with the capacity to develop the state. They pledged to support one of their own, to ensure that the dream and vision for the creation of Anambra State could be realised. Labour Party: Facing challenge of new aspirants WITHIN the fold of Labour Party (LP) the fact of new aspirants seeking to run for the governorship on its platform is at the root of new challenges in the party. The Guardian gathered that some stalwarts of PDP have begun moves to see them run on LP in the light of the possible resort to consensus in the party. A source disclosed that the removal of the former state chairman of the party, Mr. Jude Ezenwafor, over allegations of financial impropriety made it hard for the Senator (Uba) to exercise control over the party. “What is happening is that the Senator has been trying to sponsor a crony to run on LP platform,” the source declared. He explained that it was perhaps on the basis of that speculation that an aspirant refrained from working with the state Working Committee of the party. The Guardian gathered also that the aspirant is not involving the SWC in his campaigns, a situation, which may give his rivals room to snatch the ticket. A former aide of President Jonathan is also said to be finalising plans to join the party and run for the governorship primary fixed for August 19, 2013! At the last count, three aspirants have bought the nomination form to contest the governorship on LP platform. APPA: Singing a new song! THE newly rebranded All Progressive People’s Alliance (APPA) disclosed that the exit of its haymakers opened a new frontier of leadership in the party. In an interaction with The Guardian in his office, State chairman of APPA, chief Matthias Ameke, said the exit of the likes of former and incumbent Abia State Governors, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu and Chief Theodore A. Orji and former Imo State Governor, Ikedi Ohakim, paved the way for the rebranding and reorganisation of the party nationwide. Ameke recalled that because impunity became a style of democratic politics from 1999, the essence of members’ loyalty and financial contribution to the party was lost on them. He noted with joy that the exit of some of the former members of the party challenged those that remained to fund the party from their contributions, instead of waiting for a money bag to pay its bills and dictate who gets what in the party. Ameke said: “The common belief among some people then was that PPA was dead. But we have braved the odds and rebranded. Today many people have joined the party such that one legal practitioner based in London, Barrister Baby Ulasi, has shown serious intentions of running for the governorship on our party.” Ameke expressed optimism that APPA as piloted by chief Nkire would produce the next governor of Anambra State, stressing that the party was not afraid of big names and deep pockets in the governorship race. APGA: Soludo dissolves the equation ONE of the major developments in Anambra governorship election in the preceding week was the entrance of former CBN Governor, Soludo into the race. In a spectacular manner, the talk of ‘Mr. Solution’ as Soludo is called in the state started dominating discussions. One version of the stories making the rounds was that after being asked not to waste time chasing the PDP ticket this time around, the cerebral governorship candidate of PDP in the 2010 went a shopping for a viable platform. He was said to have made contacts with Labour Party. But a reliable source told The Guardian that some influential Anambra citizens, who

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THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

56 |

POLITICS 2013: FCT Opposition Parties Forge Working ANAMBRA Many Factors At Play Alliance Ahead 2015 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 55

By Alabi Williams HILE preparing grounds for the eventual registration of the mega All Progressives Party (APC) by the Independent National electoral Commission (INEC), opposition political parties in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) gathered on July 3, for the inaugural sensitisation meeting on the need to work together. Based on experience at previous elections, parties in the FCT have realised that going into elections individually would always give the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) the advantage to win. They figure therefore, that pulling men and resources together could just be the magic they need to break the jinx. The meeting was put together by the Alliance for Credible Elections (ACE) and was chaired by former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. (Hon) Aminu Bello Masari, who is deputy chairman of the APC interim executive committee. Masari blamed the opposition for lacking the discipline required of people outside government. To Masari, a strong opposition is a pre-condition for the deepening of democracy and without a strong opposition, ruling parties will not respond to the yearnings of the people. To recapture the Nigerian destiny, he said the opposition must put something on the table, to counter the huge resources at the disposal of the ruling party. Masari said the first thing the opposition needs is to be strong in terms of organisation. He said even without resources, the opposition should begin with good organisation. He said; “critical to good organisation is discipline. If you lack discipline you will lack organisation. Opposition has to be consistent, based on ideology and principles. The structure of the opposition is very weak, but it is not all about resources. Aminu Kano’s NEPU and PRP did not have money, but they were very disciplined and strong enough to win in Kano and Kaduna. Some people in the opposition are just looking for job to do, that is why we must put men of character, uncompromising leaders in key positions to lead the opposition.” He urged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to adapt themselves with the challenges ahead, because the ruling party will not fold its arms. Conference co-chair and chief host, Mr. Emma Ezeazu, General Secretary of ACE called on opposition political parties to put their houses in order. Ezeazu expressed worry that in spite of being week, opposition parties do not adhere to democratic tenets such as internal party democracy, party discipline, committed membership and practice of issue-based politics. Ezeazu said it is a combination of these infractions that have robbed opposition political parties the capacity to make the desired impact in Nigeria’s democratic space, especially in the FCT. He said the Civil Society is desirous to help entrench opposition politics in order to provide the people with a political alternative. The conference did a review of the performance of opposition parties in FCT council election of March 2013. Ms. Toni Akinluyi of Fusion Consulting did a presentation on the voting pattern in the FCT. Voter apathy was identified as the major drawback of that election. The public opinion poll identified poor sensitization of voters by both the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and political parties as the major reasons for the low turnout. It was observed that the elite, particularly civil servants do not take advantage of elections to go out and vote. Instead, they think it is a holiday to sit at home. It is ordinary citizens in the suburbs who take elections as serious issues. The survey also showed that incumbency does not favour opposition parties, as state security apparatus are used in favour of the party in power.

Participants at the meeting Buba Galadima, strong member of the former APC and former national Secretary of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) said it is a tall dream for the opposition to take over because opposition elements are their own enemies. He identified the inability of INEC to conduct constituency delimitation and update on the voters register as some of the major reasons for low voter turnout in the FCT Council elections and previous polls elsewhere in Nigeria. He said that given the number of demolitions in the FCT and the attendant dislocation of registered voters, it has become necessary for INEC to conduct fresh constituency delimitation and update on the voters register, to enable voters who had been displaced from their previous places of residence to update their records accordingly with INEC. Galadima also stressed the need for INEC to make adequate provisions for voters who registered in places far flung from their places of residence. In a paper presented on behalf of the chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (now part of the APC), Alhaji Abdulmalik Usman, said internal sabotage and sellout by opposition political party leaders was fingered as reason for the poor performance of the opposition, especially since 2004. He called for increased internal party discipline and opposition party unity as the only panacea to PDP continued domination in the FCT. Comrade Peter Adejubi, chairman FCT Labour Party called on opposition political parties to pay more attention on building quality membership if they are to have a healthy political structure that thrives on discipline, internal party democracy and party supremacy. He also identified the inability of INEC to update the voters register and conduct constituency delimitation as a major reason behind voter apathy in the FCT, a condition he said always work to the advantage of the ruling party. Immediate past chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria, FCT chapter, Mr. Sunny Moniedafe harped on the need for internal party democracy and party discipline in order to entrench party supremacy. He decried the weak membership capacity of opposition parties, a situation he blamed on obsession by party members for political position at the expense of service to the party. He said that there is need for party members to make regular financial contributions to their parties in order to ensure financial independence for the party, instead of leaving funding for a few

financiers, who then become godfathers. The chairman of the Conference, Masari argued that for a healthy political party system, the leadership of political parties must be empowered to direct political office holders. He said a situation where state governors and even Mr. President imposes party leadership at different levels is unhelpful as it creates room for discontent and indiscipline in political parties. Ambassador John Mokhai, a chieftain of the Labour Party, identified money politics and dysfunctional intra party relationships as the bane of political parties in the country, especially the opposition parties. He called on the leadership of opposition political parties at national, state and local government levels to forge harmonious working relationship with one another, in order to reduce intra party strife and tensions. Alhaji Yusuf Adams, FCT ANPP deputy chairman, said to enthrone party discipline and supremacy, campaign funding must be warehoused within political parties and not controlled by individual candidates. He also called for effective party structure and leadership at polling unit levels. Alhaji Tanko Abari, a Second Republic Federal Legislator from the FCT identified greed as the major bane of political party leadership in Nigeria. On INEC, Ms. Saadatu Bowsan of the Alliance for Credible Elections said the Commission has already launched a fiveyear strategic action plan going into the 2015 general elections. She said that it is up to the political parties to acquiesce themselves with the provisions of the strategic action plan in order to ascertain how best to engage INEC and play effective watchdog role over the electoral process. She noted that INEC has publicly admitted that it might not be able to conduct constituency delimitation prior to the 2015 general elections. She urged opposition parties to follow up with INEC regarding this. She also challenged opposition political parties to strongly identify with the campaign for electoral reform, especially with regards to call to INEC to commence publishing of election results in each polling unit. Galadima pointed out that the failure of INEC to conduct constituency delimitation works in the best interest of the ruling party at the centre. He also said that such a failure is a clear violation of the constitution that demands that INEC conducts constituency delimitation every ten years.

were acting on the charge by President Jonathan that they search for a credible candidate to stabilise governance in Anambra State, decided that the best alternative after the PDP ticket was ruled out was the beleaguered APGA. It was gathered that at a meeting between the major combatants in the APGA crisis, including Governor Obi and Umeh, Soludo pleaded to be allowed to fly the APGA flag in the November 16, 2013 governorship election. He was said to have elected to pick the litigation bills to ensure genuine reconciliation in the party. That was after a party leader was said to have claimed that he sold his houses to prosecute the Court cases. The source, which was privy to the discussion, disclosed that though Obi did not put in a contrary view over the design to have Soludo run on APGA ticket, he rushed home from Abuja to announce to the surprise of those present at the parley, that nothing would deny Anambra North zone the chance to produce his successor. Those who attended the reconciliation and consensus meeting in Abuja included Prince Arthur Ezeh, Mr. Chudi Offodile and Ozo Augustine Ndigwe, the traditional prime minister of Awka Kingdom. But every pretension that those were fairy tales evaporated when Soludo went to his Isuofia ward to pick his APGA membership card. He is billed to declare his intention to run for the governorship within the coming week. Already, text message soliciting Soludo’s candidacy has gone viral in the State. The text message reads: “Everybody says SOLUDO is the best to take Anambra to the next level after Peter Obi. All opinion polls say he will win. We are collecting one million signatures to urge Soludo to run for Governor; text ‘Yes’ to the following numbers… if you support.” Governor Obi, in answer to a reporter’s question on what becomes of his avowals to zone the governorship to Anambra North Senatorial district in the light of the reconciliation with chief Victor Umeh, said he still maintains that, but that it depends on Umeh. Sources also disclosed that another meeting was fixed in Abuja to fashion out modalities of reaching out to Anambra North senatorial zone to accept the position of running mate to Soludo, based on the new realities in APGA. “At the meeting, the deal is to offer Dr. Chike Obidigbo, the running mate position, while the current Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Oseloka Obazee, would retain his portfolio in the incoming administration. But feeling insulted by the intrigues aimed at denying aspirants from picking the ticket, reports say leaders of Anambra North, including the Omabala Union, are embarking on strenuous campaign to ensure that Soludo does not upstage their hope of mounting the governorship saddle of the state for the first time since its creation. UPP: Upping the zoning gambit AFTER refuting suggestions in certain quarters that his party was on the verge of striking an understanding with Obi faction of APGA to prosecute the local council and governorship elections, national chairman of United Progressives Party, (UPP) chief Chekwas Okorie, said the party has zoned the Anambra governorship to the North Senatorial Zone. Okorie, who made the declaration while briefing journalists in Enugu, asserted that the decision was to assuage the feelings of political marginalisation of the people of the area. “It is also in consonance with UPP’s belief in upholding equity, justice and fair play,” he added. While calling on people of the zone to put their “best foot forward to actualize their political aspiration and agenda in Anambra State,” the UPP strong man also announced a financial waiver for interested women aspirants, saying that their male counterparts would pay Five Million Naira nomination fee. Okorie, who was flanked by other national officers of the party at the briefing declared: “It is on record that the United Progressive Party is the only political party in the present dispensation in Nigeria to extends this gesture to the good people of Anambra North senatorial zone, to assuage their feeling of political marginalisation in the State.” Describing the payment for expression of interest form as extortionate, Okorie explained: “We don’t have anything to do with expression of interest. All the aspirants are expected to pay Five Million Naira non-refundable nomination fee, which qualifies them to participate in our primary election.”

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

COVER

ODUMAKIN: Still Hard To Find Replacement For Awolowo Yinka Odumakin, publicity secretary of pan-Yoruba political and sociocultural organisation, Afenifere, here revisits the subject of chief Obafemi Awolowo’s enduring political legacy in the Southwest and why it is hard to find a successor who could fit into the late sage’s world. He spoke with KAMAL TAYO OROPO. What makes following Awolowo’s political thought so enduring that many years after his passing, his political philosophy remains the rallying point in the Southwest? WOLOWO’S thoughts are eternally relevant because they are deep and products of rigorous intellectual introspection. The fecundity of his analytical skills and the power of wellresearched solutions are unassailable. Awolowo was a man who devoted quality time that his peers devoted to hedonistic pleasures to researching into the problems of his society and proffering well thought out solutions. He had the benefit of hindsight and the power of foresight to give insight into the issues of his era. He was an original thinker who was not afraid of intellectuals around him and this gave him the advantage of irons sharpening iron. More importantly, he was able to test his ideas as Premier of Western Nigeria from 19511959 and his unparalleled leadership in service of the people burnished his thoughts further. Like the Biblical King Solomon, who carried out virtually all experiments on behalf of humanity and gave timeless wisdom, Awolowo provided a template for development that would need only updates for several generations to come. It is just a sheer tragedy that what we have seen since his demise is that politicians lie with his ideas to claim power without living the lowest of his ideals in their misadventures

in power. That makes it so difficult for anyone to step into his shoes? It has been difficult stepping into his shoes because they are too large for the tiny feet of most of the aspirants. Awolowo was a rare gift to the Yoruba nation and indeed Nigeria. He was not only a great thinker, but also a magnificent doer. He was disciplined, honest and full of integrity. Not once, in his public life, did he do what he could not defend and never lied to the public. There were no scandals around him throughout his political career. He detested unscrupulous characters and charlatans in power. He was a straight shooter without can’t. He never compromised principles and virtues for narrow political exigencies. Someone once painted a scenario that if a party member were given money to deliver to a constituency and he failed to be faithful Akintola would call the person and say, ‘Mr. XYZ, please when next we send you to people let them say thank you to us.’ But that Awolowo would not play such niceties with a dishonest person and would rather say. ‘Mr. XYZ what happened to your integrity?’ And when you look at the quality of service he rendered with little resources, because he shunned greed, it is not difficult to see why stepping into his shoes is a very big challenge. Is there any need to even have such a political figure, given that the present situation is so bad? We still need an Awolowo-like figure, who can show the way once again. In his last visit to Ibadan, shortly before he moved on to higher glory, Awolowo was quoted to have lamented that there was no one to warm the soup that he took time to cook. I shuddered recently when I saw politicians attired in Aso ebi to commission a bridge in a city where Awolowo gave the Yoruba nation a TV station in 1959, when the French were yet to watch TV. We need a visionary leader who can lift our gazes to the sky once again, the way Awo made us look at the height of Cocoa House. We need a leader with character, who can mobilise our

Odumakin people for a value-driven paradigm. What are the central ingredients a would-be successor should possess? A would-be successor must be a man of character with clear vision. His pedigree must be sound and should not be under the cloud. There should be manifest transparency around him to command the hearts of the people for the task of rebuilding our fallen walls. He must be a selfless leader who is ready for self-denial and will see leadership as opportunity to serve, rather than opportunism. We need a leader who respects the people and is ready to function in a collegiate and not a solitary me-I-and-myself. Such a leader must be an exemplar, whose life can inspire the people especially the young people for noble causes and communal

spirit. Amongst the present crop of political leaders in the Southwest, is there anyone who can sufficiently aspire to that sort of leadership? There is no one yet who has fitted into this picture fully. To a large extent, former Lagos State governor, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has demonstrated astute political acumen; don’t you think he can rally the Yoruba? Senator Bola Tinubu has indeed demonstrated some acumen and he has a very deep pocket, but leadership in Yorubaland goes beyond that. What values does he represent? What ideas has he espoused? Where does he stand on the core values of Yoruba people? What is his scorecard in office? These are the questions that must be answered first before Yoruba can consider him a rallying point. If not Tinubu, who then? Tinubu to my mind does not fit into that paradigm of Awosque leadership as his foray into politics was from the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua’s school of politics, that had no known ideology but only about power and the use of money to get it. Yar’Adua’s favourite read was ‘Everyman Has A Price.’ I have no specific person in mind at the moment, but whoever it must be should not be a stranger to the Awolowo foundational principles and the core values of Yoruba nation. In the scheme of things, where do you place the gradual but steady incursion of the Ondo State governor, Segun Mimiko-led Labour Party into political equation of the Southwest? The Mimiko phenomenon is not yet fully formed. He has done well in governance and is grounded in Awolowo philosophy but he needs to show his political astuteness beyond his Ondo State, so that the Yoruba nation can assess his skills. The Labour Party needs to show a serious organisation that is ready for the challenges of now. Mimiko has a lot to do to present an alternative to the Tinubu machinery, which though rickety at the moment is still well oiled. To confront such machinery requires a lot of deft moves and serious organisation.

BABATOPE: The Contradictions That Will Face APC Are Better Imagined By Kamal Tayo Oropo T every point in history, a nation or people often have a cenA tral rallying point, which could be an individual, group of individuals or an institution. This is particularly so in the case of the Yoruba ethnic-nationality of Nigeria, which according to many, had the good fortune of having chief Obafemi Awolowo as one of their leaders. Speaking to The Guardian, one of his followers and former Minister of Transport, chief Ebenezer Babatope said the First Premier of the defunct Western Region Papa Obafemi lived many years before his time. Fondly called ‘Papa’ by his followers even 26 years after his death, Babatope said: Papa Awolowo was such a visionary and disciplined personality that a lot of his followers believed very highly in him. Papa Awo led by unique examples. It is difficult for all supporters to easily forget a leader like him.” This, he said, is what makes following Awolowo’s political thought so enduring that many years after, his ideals remain the rallying point in the Southwest. Since Awolowo’s demise, precisely on May 9, 1986, the zone has struggling to replicate Awolowo’s leadership style. Explaining why this is so over the years, Babatope said: “It has not been easy to find a leader who combines vision with total frankness on issues and discipline. Papa as a true leader had capacity to listen to people. People simply loved him.” Asked whether present day Southwest can do with such transparent leadership given the highly devalued polity, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain stressed that any society itching for positive change must embrace good leadership. “Developing societies must embrace a leadership that is focused and full of ideas. Awolowo surrendered his leadership with brilliance and personal integrity.” If that is so, then what are the central ingredients a would-be successor is expected to possess? A would-be successor to Awolowo, first and foremost, according to Babatope, must be disciplined. The individual must have Spartan discipline, must lead by personal examples, and must be corruption free. But above all, Awolowo’s successor must have the spirit to accommodate the views of others without being vicious and vindictive. “Nature does not permit a vacuum. There are those who are capable of providing Papa Awolowo’s leadership qualities. Opportunities may not be there for them to demonstrate those

Babatope sterling qualities. We may soon be opportune to have the emergence of such people.” Former Lagos State governor and one of the prime movers of the newly registered All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is a politician of serious political credentials. When the hurricane that swept his other five colleagues in the then Alliance for Democracy (AD) out of their governorship stools, Tinubu turned out to be the-only-man-standing. The Asiwaju masterminded the re-emergence of the Southwest political order, developing the Action Congress (AC), later rechristened Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Tinubu did not stop at that; he also masterminded the takeover of neighbouring Edo State and attempted to do the same in Ondo.

Asked if a man with Tinubu’s political acumen does not deserve to succeed Awolowo, Babatope, a man not known to hide his feelings, dismissed the question as unfair to him. “Bola Tinubu and I do not belong to the same political party. Bola Tinubu’s supporters should be asked such a question,” said Babatope. He however volunteered: “Whoever will want to wear Papa Awolowo’s shoes must prove himself as Papa Awolowo did. Money and material possession cannot make anyone to be robed with Awolowo’s leadership qualities. I cannot answer for Bola Tinubu. His supporters should provide the answer.” What about Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, whose admiration for Awolowo know no bounds. “Governor Mimiko has stated times without number his love and admiration for Papa Obafemi Awolowo. Visit Ondo State today, you will discover that what you have there brings reminiscences of the Awolowo era in Nigeria’s politics. It is not about propaganda, but about real facts and figures. Mimiko has warmed himself to the hearts of the people as an achiever. Mimiko has done very well indeed,” Babatope said in answer to the question of where he places the gradual but steady incursion Mimiko’s Labour Party into political equation of the Southwest. But can the Mimiko provide the alternative to the Tinubu-led political establishment in Southwest? Babatope said the electorate should be left free to pronounce on leadership qualities of those who want to govern them. The former minister retorted: “Like I stated not too long ago, Bola Tinubu and I do not belong to the same party. Whatever he and the others make of their APC is their business. I know that at the end of the day, the truth shall prevail.” But is the PDP bigwig not bothered about the emergence of the APC? Babatope simply declared, “I am not worried at all about the registration of the APC.” He, however, admitted that PDP would never underrate the APC, even as he insisted that history is surely on the side of the PDP. “The contradictions that will face the APC very soon are better imagined. We of the PDP are very confident of victory at the polls over the APC,” Babatope said. Could this necessarily translate to meaning that Babatope and the PDP are confident of winning back what the party lost in the Southwest in the last general elections? “If PDP leaders are able to close their ranks then the PDP will triumph over the APC. We are more focused than ever before. If we fail to unite, it will be very unfortunate for our party,” he said.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

The Core Issues On The Long Road To Israeli-Palestinian Peace By Kamal Tayo Oropo SRAELI and Palestinian negotiators will aim to Inine reach a “final status” agreement over the next months to end their long conflict, even as another meeting between the two sides would be held in either Israel or the Palestinian territories in the next two weeks. This is not necessarily the end of the age-long feud as this meeting would, hopefully, begin the process of formal negotiations, where “all issues” would be on the table for discussion. “They are on the table with one simple goal: a view to ending the conflict, ending the claims.” Mr. John Kerry, the American Secretary of State who has been in the forefront of driving the peace deal, said the parties were committed to “sustain, continuous and substantive negotiations on the core issues” that divided them. He was speaking at a news briefing after two days of talks between the two sides in Washington DC. Earlier, American President Barack Obama met the Israeli and Palestinian negotiators –– Israeli Justice Minister Tzipi Livni and lead Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat –– at the White House. “I know the path is difficult. There is no shortage of passionate skeptics. But with capable, respected negotiators... I am convinced that we can get there,” Kerry said. The meetings in Washington had been described as constructive and positive. Yet, the skeptics cannot be ignored. This is not the first attempt at brokering peace between the two peoples. The latest effort began again following a three-year hiatus after Israel approved the release of more than 100 Palestinian prisoners. That is after the issue of settlement building John Kerry, US Secretary of State with Israeli Prime Minister, Netanyahu at a recent peace meeting halted the last direct talks in September 2010. Settlements are considered illegal under interThe US accepts the Israeli need for security but national law, although Israel disputes this. have to stay but they will argue for a minimum vious family homes, the Palestinians maintain also the need for Palestinian statehood and recthe “right of return”, arguing that without it a number and a land swap for any that are left. T the center of the feud is the status of great injustice would not be put right. However, onciling these is the aim of its diplomacy. It is They left the last round of talks after a partial unlikely, however, to recognise a state of Jerusalem; incidentally a city meaning ‘city of Israeli moratorium expired on September 26, there has been regular talk among Palestinians Palestine, which has not emerged from negotiapeace’. The Israeli government is unwilling to that this “right” could be met by compensation. 2010 and was not renewed. divide Jerusalem, held to be the political and The Israeli government has previously insisted They refuse to recognise the concept of Israel as a tion. While the US has appointed Retired US Gen religious centre of the Jewish people. She stands on keeping the major Israeli settlements in East “Jewish State”, saying that this is unnecessary John Allen as special advisor on Israeli security by the 1980 Israeli Basic Law that says, and that it ignores the Israeli-Arab citizens of Jerusalem and the West Bank. Any departure needs, the Palestinians argue that security will “Jerusalem, complete and united, is the capital Israel. from this would break up the coalition, which come from a stable two-state solution not the of Israel”. In the past there has been room for Israel rejects the idea that Palestinian refugees forms the government. Israel refused to reinmanoeuvre on the margins. In talks in 2000 and troduce a partial freeze on settlements as a pre- from previous wars should be allowed any “right other way round. They want as many attributes of a normal state as possible. Palestinian 2007, the then Israeli governments proposed of return” to their former homes. They say that condition for returning to talks. The last one Authority President Mahmoud Abbas fears that exchanging some outlying annexed districts. this is a device to destroy the State of Israel by expired on 26 September 2010. client-status would be untenable and open to a The Palestinians, on the other hand, want East demography in order to establish a unitary state The US on the other hand, and consistent with Hamas takeover. Jerusalem, which was occupied by Jordan before its position on the annexation of East of Palestine. For that reason Netanyahu has being captured by the Israelis in 1967, as the cap- Jerusalem, has not recognised the international called for Israel to be recognised as a Jewish State. N the more than 45 years since June 1967, there ital of a Palestinian State. The Old City contains Similarly, on the question of security, the Israeli legitimacy of the Israeli West Bank settlements. have been many peace plans and many negotithe third holiest place in Islam, the al-Aqsa government is afraid that a Palestinian State But it accepts their reality and may support a mosque, and the Dome of the Rock, from where compromise. might one day fall into the hands of Hamas or be ations. While some of these have been successful, Mohammed is said to have visited heaven. While the US understands the Israeli refusal to used to attack Israel. Therefore it is insisting that including those between Egypt and Israel and Israel and Jordan, but a settlement has still not The US does not recognise the Israeli annexait keeps a large measure of security control, take back refugees and hopes that this can be tion of East Jerusalem and maintains its including in the Jordan Valley, and that a state of been reached in the core conflict –– the dispute resolved by compensation and development between the Israelis and Palestinians. It is hope embassy in Tel Aviv. President Barack Obama aid for those whose cannot go back to their pre- Palestine be largely demilitarised. that this fresh US initiative will yield good result. has opposed the building of homes for Israelis in East Jerusalem though he said before becoming president that dividing the city would be “very difficult to execute”. Jerusalem is, however, not the only issue. There are scores of other contentious issues as well. For example, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accepts that there should be a Framework for Peace in the peace between Egypt and Israel of the UN Charter, under which By Kamal Tayo Oropo Palestinian State and that there will have to be Middle East. It laid down princihas not been warm. President Security Council resolutions are an Israeli withdrawal from parts of the West Peace proposals since 1967 ples for peace, expanding on resoSadat was himself later assassinatrecommendations, not under Bank (captured by Israel in 1967) to accommoN Security Council Resolution lution 242, set out what it hoped ed. Chapter VII, which means they date this. Israel has already withdrawn its troops 242, 1967 Resolution 242 was was a way of resolving what it are orders. Many peace proposals and settlers from Gaza. Israel would like the borpassed on 22 November 1967 and The Madrid Conference, 1991 called the “Palestinian problem”, refer to 242. Resolution 338 is usuders to include the major Israeli settlements embodies the principle that has HIS conference, co-sponsored agreed that there should be a ally linked to it. This called for a that have grown up on the West Bank and guided most of the subsequent treaty between Egypt and Israel ceasefire in the war of October by the US and the Soviet Union, Jerusalem. However, some right-wing members peace plans - the exchange of and called for other treaties 1973 and urged the implementawas designed to follow up the of the cabinet and Netanyahu’s Likud party do land for peace. between Israel and its neightion of 242 “in all its parts”. Egypt-Israel treaty by encouraging not accept the idea of a two-state solution to the The resolution called for the bours. The weakness of the first other Arab countries to sign their conflict with the Palestinians. “withdrawal of Israeli armed Camp David Accords, 1978 agreement was the section on the own agreements with Israel. They Palestinians want the talks to start from HERE were several peace plans Palestinians. The plan aimed to Jordan, Lebanon and Syria were the basic position that land captured by Israel in forces from territories occupied in the recent conflict”, and following the 1967 war, but set up a “self-governing authoriinvited as well as Israel and Egypt. 1967 - the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza “respect for and acknowledgenothing happened until after the ty” in the West Bank and Gaza, The Palestinians were also reprebelongs to a future Palestine. Any land given to ment of the sovereignty, territori1973 Yom Kippur or October War. leading to eventual “final status” sented, but as part of a joint delethe Israelis would have to be compensated for al integrity and political indeThere followed a new mood for talks, but the Palestinians were gation with Jordan and not by by a balanced land swap. They hope UN recognipendence of every state in the peace, as shown by a historic visit not party to the agreement. Yasser Arafat or other leading figtion and new EU policy-making based on the area and their right to live in to Jerusalem by the Egyptian The second accord was the The ures in the Palestine Liberation 1967 ceasefire lines has strengthened their hand peace within secure and recogPresident, Anwar Sadat, in Camp David framework for the Organisation (PLO), to whom the in talks with Israel. nised boundaries free from November 1977. peace treaty between Egypt and Israelis objected. However, the United States agreed that the threats or acts of force”. US President Jimmy Carter capiIsrael. This followed in 1979, after The conference eventually led to starting point, but not the end point, should be The resolution is famous for the talised on the new mood and an Israeli withdrawal from the a peace treaty between Israel and the 1967 lines and that a land swap will have to imprecision, in English, of its ceninvited President Sadat and the Sinai. This was the first recogniJordan in 1994, but corresponbe the basis of any agreement. The US will tral phase concerning an Israeli Israeli Prime Minister, Menachem tion of Israel as a state by a major dents say this probably would encourage this during the next rounds of talks. withdrawal - it says simply “from Begin, for talks at the presidential Arab country. The talks probably have happened anyway. Israeli Even if consensus were reached on the status territories”. The Israelis said this retreat at Camp David near stand as the most successful talks with Syria and Lebanon took of Jerusalem and border, settlement camps may did not necessarily mean all terriWashington. The talks lasted for negotiations in the whole peace place after Madrid but have since prove to be an Achilles heels. Ideally, the tories, but Arab negotiators 12 days and resulted in two agreeprocess. The treaty has lasted, and stalled, complicated by border Palestinians would like all Israeli occupied setargued that it did. ments. it substantially strengthened tlements to be abandoned as they were in Gaza. It was written under Chapter VI The first was called A Israel’s position. However the However, they appear to accept that some will

Israeli-Palestinian Peace Proposal Since 1967 U

CONTINUED ON PAGE 59

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

Zimbabwe Polls: Now Enters The Blame Game By Kamal Tayo Oropo OTERS in Zimbabwe have cast their votes for a new president and parliament, some queuing for hours to do so. And Robert Mugabe has been returned for another five years as Zimbabwe president. The country’s Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai, has made allegations of vote-rigging by Mugabe’s party. The African Union and other regional observers, however, have praised the peaceful nature of the election, while another group, Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN), has described the vote as “seriously compromised”, saying up to a million Zimbabweans were prevented from voting. The real stakeholders in this election, Zimbabweans, according to a BBC compilation are of mixed grill:

a winner at the end of the day. Accept defeat and move on.”

really care. Another five years of despotic rule? God help us all...”

But Natalie, Bulawayo was bitter at the outcome, which may again deny Tsvangirai’s ambition to rule Zimbabwe: “I cast my vote yesterday (on Wednesday) in the sure knowledge that the ruling party would steal it –– there is no way that a party that has run a country into the ground could ever win a free and fair election - a party that intimidates and steals from its own people is not a popular party. I weep in the knowledge that nothing will be done about this blatant theft, once again. The Zimbabweans are too cowed and the international community doesn’t

To Nadia, Harare: “I voted on Wednesday and was quite surprised at the big turnout by all races in my constituency. However, it has been the same issue after each and every election –– of vote rigging and fraud, it does not shock me in the least. If the election has been compromised, what does it mean for an ordinary Zimbabwean such as myself? The answer, nothing changes if nothing changes. This is quite tragic really.” Unregistered Kimberly, Harare: “I didn’t vote

Remigio, Harare has this to say of the election that returned 89-year old Mugabe to power: “This election was held under very peaceful conditions. The people voted freely and as such the election was very free and fair. No harassment of people was witnessed and any claims of the election being unfair because there are dead people on the voters’ roll should be dismissed with the contempt they deserve because the dead people did not vote. Those who were not on the roll may not have registered and in any case, no-one knows who they were going to vote for. Please Zimbabweans, we need to be serious and accept the will of the people. This country needs to move forward. If Tsvangirai has lost he should own up and congratulate RG (Mugabe).” To Dwandwari, Beitbridge: “This was a real election, so quiet and peaceful. It’s normal to refute defeat in the first instance, but political maturity dictates that someone has to emerge

Mugabe

Tsvangirai

Prime Minister, Ehud Barak, fighting an election campaign, said, “nothing is agreed upon until everyCamp David, 2000 thing is agreed upon”. He said that ARIOUS attempts were made he could not commit a subsequent (including at Taba in 1995, Wye River in 1998 and Sharm el-Sheikh in government to what he called the “ideas” coming out of the talks. 1999) to speed up the withdrawal With the election of Ariel Sharon in and self-government provisions of February 2001, time ran out. Oslo. Then in 2000, President Bill Clinton sought to address the final Arab Peace Initiative, 2002 status issues - including borders, FTER the failure of bilateral talks Jerusalem and refugees - that Oslo and the resumption of conflict, had left aside for later negotiation. the Saudi peace plan presented at The talks took place in July between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud an Arab summit in Beirut in March 2002 went back to a multi-lateral Barak and PLO Chairman Yasser approach and in particular sigArafat. There was no agreement. nalled a desire by the Arab world as However, the negotiations were a whole to put an end to this dismore detailed than ever before. Correspondents say the basic prob- pute. Under the plan, called the Arab lem was that the maximum Israel offered was less than the minimum Peace Initiative, Israel would withdraw to the lines of June 1967, a the Palestinians could accept. Israel offered the Gaza Strip, a large Palestinian state would be set up in the West Bank and Gaza and there part of the West Bank, plus extra would be a “just solution” of the land from the Negev desert, while refugee issue. keeping major settlement blocks In return, Arab countries would and most of East Jerusalem. It prorecognise Israel. The plan was reposed Islamic guardianship of key sites in the Old City of Jerusalem and endorsed by another Arab summit in Riyadh in 2007. contributions to a fund for Its strength is the support given by Palestinian refugees. Arab countries to a two-state soluThe Palestinians wanted to start with a reversion to the lines of 1967, tion. Its weakness is that the parties have to negotiate the same issues offered the Israelis rights over the on which they have failed so far. Jewish quarter of the Old City and wanted recognition of the “right of The Roadmap 2003 return” of Palestinian refugees. The failure at Camp David was fol- THE roadmap is a plan drawn up by the “Quartet” - the United States, lowed by a renewal of the Russia, the European Union and the Palestinian uprising or intifada. United Nations. It does not lay down the details of a final settleAt Taba, 2001 LTHOUGH he was about to leave ment, but suggests how a settleoffice, Bill Clinton refused to give ment might be approached. It followed efforts made by US Senator up and presented a “bridging proposal” which set up further talks in George Mitchell to get the peace process back on track in 2001. Washington and Cairo and then The plan was preceded by an Taba in Egypt. These talks were not at the top level, but differences were important statement in June 2002 narrowed without being overcome. by President George W Bush who There was more flexibility on territo- became the first US president to call for a Palestinian state. It proposed a ry and it was reported by EU phased timetable, putting the estabobservers that Israeli negotiators lishment of security before a final accepted the concept of East settlement. It is designed to create Jerusalem being the capital of a confidence, leading to final status Palestinian state. talks. A statement afterwards said, “It Under phase 1, both sides would proved impossible to reach underissue statements supporting the standings on all issues”. The Israeli implemented.

disputes and, more recently, the 2006 war between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah militants. The Palestinian track soon gave way to secret talks that led to the Oslo agreement. Oslo Agreement, 1993 HE Oslo negotiations tried to tackle the missing element of all previous talks - a direct agreement between Israelis and Palestinians, represented by the PLO. Its importance was that there was finally mutual recognition between Israel and the PLO. The talks took place in secret under Norwegian auspices and the agreement was signed on the White House lawn on 13 September 1993, witnessed by President Bill Clinton. The PLO leader, Yasser Arafat, and the Israeli Prime Minister, Yitzhak Rabin, shook hands. The Oslo Agreement stipulated that Israeli troops would withdraw in stages from the West Bank and Gaza, that a “Palestinian Interim Self-Governing Authority” would be set up for a five-year transitional period, leading to a permanent settlement based on resolutions 242 and 338. The agreement spoke of putting “an end to decades of confrontation and conflict” and of each side recognising “their mutual legitimate and political rights”. Therefore, though not stated explicitly in the text, the implication was that a state of Palestine would one day be set up alongside Israel. There was an exchange of letters in which Yasser Arafat stated: “The PLO recognises the right of the State of Israel to exist in peace and security.” Yitzhak Rabin said: “The Government of Israel has decided to recognise the PLO as the representative of the Palestinian people.” Hamas and other Palestinian rejectionist groups did not accept Oslo and launched suicide bomb attacks on Israelis. There was opposition within Israel from settler-led groups. Oslo was only partially

Sekuru, Harare “In Ward 20 (Zengeza East constituency, in Chitungwiza) all those who cast their votes were asked to register with Zanu-PF officials camped some metres away from the polling station. I was a local observer myself, and I saw this happening. Besides that, some very well known individuals were in full police gear but they are not police officers. Some Zimbabwe Electoral Commission officials deliberately delayed the process so that voters would be disfranchised, and go home. This did not deter them from wanting to vote for real change. Polling officers were deployed away from their areas where they had registered to vote. Some, therefore did not cast their votes.” Louise, Harare”I went to vote yesterday but was turned away because of my ‘alien’ status even though my name was on the voters’ roll. I had a polling station outside my house too and people were still queuing at eight last night - calm and peaceful, yes, but we don’t know what is happening behind closed doors in the tents where the votes are being counted.”

Peace Proposal Since 1967 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 58

because I was not registered, but several of my friends and family members were turned away from polling stations where they had been registered for years! I feel that these elections were far from ‘free and fair’, and I think it’s disgusting that the Zanu-PF can say the voting ran smoothly.”

Caleb, Harare: “These elections are free and fair. Most of the complaints are being made by people who want to refuse the outcome. The voters’ roll was delayed to all the parties. The existence of dead people on the voters’ roll is known by every Zimbabwean because we do not have a mechanism to remove people off the voters’ roll if the relatives of the deceased do not obtain a death certificate and there is currently no law to compel the relatives to get a death certificate. In any case, the people are dead; therefore they cannot vote two state solution, the Palestinians hence they should not affect the result. The would end violence, act against “all boxes are guarded by the political parties those engaged in terror”, draw up a until counting, thus there is very little chance for abuse. The world should give Zimbabwe a constitution, hold elections and chance and uphold results of this election the Israelis would stop settlement despite who wins. The economic recovery of activities and act with military Zimbabwe is what Zimbabweans are voting restraint. Phase 2 would see the creation, at for.” an international conference, of a Lionel, Harare : “This election was largely Palestinian state with “provisional peaceful and characterised by long lines so it borders”. Phase 3, is final agreeappears Zimbabweans are determined this ment talks. time around to effect change. l think Zanu-PF The road map has not been have resorted to new and perhaps sophisticatimplemented. Its timetable called ed methods of rigging such as tampering for the final agreement to be reached in 2005. It has largely been with the voter roll. It’s a shy away from the old overtaken by events, but remains a and more primitive use of intimidation and violence but, nevertheless, l feel that the old reference point for negotiations. man is going to lose this time around because l have never seen Zimbabweans more deterGeneva Accord, 2003 mined and more inspired.” WHILE official efforts foundered, an informal agreement was IF during the run-up to the election, camannounced in December 2003 by paigns were relatively subtle, if not outrightly Israeli and Palestinian figures Yossi Beilin, one of the architects of mature, the war of words, charcterised by bitOslo, on the Israeli side, and former terness and polarisation, reminiscent of the 2008 experience, are already taking shape. Palestinian Information Minister These narratives, which started even before Yasser Abed Rabbo on the other. the last vote was cast, may dominate The Geneva Accord reverses the Zimbabwe’s political atmosphere in the comconcept of the roadmap, in which ing days. the growth of security and confiMovement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) dence precede a political agreecandidate, Tsvangirai, has been quick off the ment, and puts the agreement first, which is then designed to pro- mark, condemning the entire process - apart from the counting, anyway - as “a sham” and duce security and peace. “a huge farce”. Its main compromise is that the Its numerous complaints –– from the rushed Palestinians effectively give up their “right of return” in exchange and flawed voter registration process, to the last minute release of the voters’ roll, to the for almost the whole of the West exclusion of “almost 40 percent of voters” on Bank, though there could be a token return by a few. Israel would polling day itself –– will no doubt form the basis of numerous court battles in the weeks give up some major settlements ahead. such as Ariel, but keep others closTsvangirai’s objections are given added er to the border, with swaps of land weight by the ZESN, which claimed to have in Israel for any taken in the West had 7,000 “trained and accredited citizen Bank. Palestinians would have the observers” nationwide. The network concludright to have their capital in East Jerusalem, though with Israeli sov- ed that the elections have been “seriously compromised by a systematic effort to disenereignty over the Western Wall in franchise up to a million urban voters”. the Old City. Surely, Tsvanigirai should not expect to be Another unofficial agreement the only one in the narrative game of the was one drawn up by a former head of the Israeli Shin Bet internal “true story” of what just happened to security service, Ami Ayalon, and a Zimbabwean democracy. He faces a formidable opponent in the shape of Mugabe’s Zanuformer PLO representative in PF, and possibly the various regional and Jerusalem, Sari Nusseibeh. This envisaged a return to the 1967 lines, international organisations with observer teams in the country. an open city of Jerusalem and an The African Union’s small team of observers end to the Palestinian claim to a has already described the process as “orderly right of return to former homes. and peaceful”.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

FOREIGNNEWS

Malians To Elect President Today HE people of Mali will go to the T polls today to vote in the presidential election run-off that is considered crucial for the return to constitutional rule and stability in the West African nation. Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, 68, a former prime minister with a reputation for toughness, won last month’s first-round ballot with nearly 40 per cent of the vote but fell short of an outright majority to avert a second round. He faces Soumaila Cisse, a former finance minister. Cisse, 63, the head of the West African monetary union (UEMOA), took just 19 per cent of the firstround vote with promises to improve education, create jobs and reform the army. The first round attracted 27 candidates and Keita, popularly known as IBK, has secured the endorsement of 22 of the 25 losing candidates. Once seen as a model for democracy in turbulent West Africa, Mali was

MALI rocked by violence last year when alQaeda-linked rebels capitalised on the coup to seize control of the vast desert north, where they imposed a harsh version of Islamic law. France, Mali’s former colonial master, sent troops in January, destroying the enclave, which it said threatened the West. Despite ongoing tensions with Tuareg separatists in northern Mali after a ceasefire last month, France is looking to pull out most of its remaining 3,000 troops. “My first priority, will be to pursue ... a lasting peace deal,” Keita told French news channel France 24. “That will be a real peace, not a false one.” Today’s election should unlock some $4billion in aid and allow France to hand responsibility for maintaining security to a 12,600-strong UN peacekeeping mission being deployed. With the end of campaigning coin-

ciding with the Eid al-Fitr festival to mark the end of Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting, both candidates cancelled their main political rallies. Keita has captured the popular mood by avoiding outspoken criticism of the coup leaders, earning the tacit blessing of the military. He has also successfully courted Mali’s powerful religious leaders, several of whom have endorsed him. Critics say Cisse, who condemned the coup, defends a corrupt political class that dragged Mali into the current crisis by ignoring rising frustration at poverty.

The majority of Mali’s 16 million people live on less than $1.25 a day. Cisse rejects the claim, saying he is a defender of democracy. After challenging the result of the July 28 election, alleging systemic fraud, he has vowed to accept the outcome of the second round. “I call on you all to vote on Sunday. Trickery will not triumph,” Cisse told cheering supporters at a rally. With hundreds of anti-government fighters killed and those who survived scattered by the French-led offensive, the most pressing challenge facing the new president will be peace talks with the Tuareg MNLA

separatists. A ceasefire that allowed voting in northern Mali obliges a new government to open talks within 60 days. Today’s vote comes as rebel factions from the north have reached a reconciliation agreement following talks in neighbouring Mauritania. The agreement announced late on Friday is between secular Tuareg rebels and Arab fighters. Both operate in Azawad. The MNLA, the High Unity Council of the Azawad and the Arab Movement of the Azawad all said they had “decided to open a new page in the history of Azawad based on tolerance.”

Morocco Bus Crash ‘Kills 16 Royal Guardsmen’ between Tetouan and al-Hoceima but that the cause of the crash was T least 16 royal guardsmen have not yet known. been killed in Morocco after their The injured have been taken to a provincial hospital in al-Hoceima. bus plunged into a ravine, media Eight are said to be in a serious reports and doctors say. condition. More than 40 other guardsmen The guards were said to be headwere injured in the crash near aling to al-Hoceima to cover the Hoceima in the north of the counking’s visit there. try. MAP reported that the king had The guardsmen were reportedly announced after the accident that travelling north to prepare for a he would cover the medical and visit by King Mohammed VI. The 6,000-strong Moroccan Royal funeral costs for the families Guard is part of the military but its affected. The Moroccan Royal Guardsmen sole function is royal security. are recognisable by the red berets The Moroccan news agency MAP they wear and always accompany said the bus had fallen into a 200the king when he is in the country. metre (656ft) ravine on the road

MOROCCO

Six Die In Indonesia Volcano Eruption IX people have been killed in a volcanic eruption on a tiny island in Indonesia, officials have said. Mount Rokatenda, on the island of Palue some 2,000km (1,250 miles) east of Jakarta, spewed ash and rocks 2km into the air. Disaster officials said hot ash covered a nearby beach, leaving four adults and two children dead. The volcano had been rumbling since late last year, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of people. A 3km exclusion zone was set up after an eruption last October. But Surono, a spokesman from Indonesia’s volcanology agency, said many villagers had become accustomed to the volcanic activity and ignored the mandatory evacuation order. Surono said the latest eruption had begun at 04:27 on Saturday (20:27 GMT Friday) and lasted for

INDONESIA nearly four hours. He urged villagers to stay clear of the affected area, saying it was difficult to predict if there would be further eruptions. Palue is about 4km wide and lies a short distance off the north coast of Flores, the main island in East Nusa Tenggara province. The ACT Alliance humanitarian group reported in April that eruptions in Palue in October and again in March this year had forced hundreds of people from their villages, with significant losses of income in farming, trade and fishing. Much of the Indonesian archipelago lies on the Pacific “ring of fire”, an area prone to volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. At least 350 people died and 250,000 were displaced when Mount Merapi in central Java erupted in 2010.

Spain, France Bust People-Smuggling Ring GANG that smuggled Chinese citiA zens into the United States and Europe, sometimes, sexually exploiting them, has been busted with 75 arrests in Spain and France, authorities announced yesterday. The trafficking ring was based in — and directed from — China, but its two suspected leaders in Europe were arrested in the operation, in Barcelona, Spanish national police said in a statement. Besides the two main suspects, Spanish police arrested 49 others carrying forged passports at the airports in Barcelona, Madrid, Palma de

SPAIN Mallorca and five other cities. In France, there were 24 arrests. The smugglers charged 40,000 to 50,000 euros ($53,000 to $66,000) to transport Chinese citizens, assigned with false identities, to the United States, Spain, France, Greece, Italy, Britain, Ireland and Turkey, the statement said. Spain was the next-tolast stop for many before they went to the preferred locations of the United States and Britain, the statement said.

Police seized 81 forged passports, ostensibly from Japan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan — but all made in China, they said. Investigators also found three laptop computers, printers and 22 rubber stamps used to forge documents at homes they said the gang used in Barcelona, police said. The probe began two years ago. Investigators said the trafficking ring was intricately structured, divided into independent and virtually isolated cells to avoid detection, police said.

Deaths Reported In Syria’s Latakia Raids IR strikes by the Syrian military have killed at least 20 people in A the northwestern province of

in the north of Latakia. Assad’s army has hit wounded and those in serious con- back; prompting fierce fighting Latakia, according to the Syrian that has left dozens dead on both dition among them.” Observatory for Human Rights. In recent days, rebel forces have sides, according to the Syrian The attacks are seen as an effort by captured a number of villages in Observatory. President Bashar al-Assad to prevent Jabal Akrad, a mountainous district AMERICA armed rebels fighting him from information through surveillance advancing on communities in the and other means about unspecified stronghold region of his Alawite sect. threats. “The toll in several air strikes on A worldwide alert said that althe town of Salma in Jabal Akrad rose T least 33 people have been IRAQ Qaeda could be planning attacks in to at least 20 people,” Rami Abdel reported killed in a series of car the Middle East and North Africa. Rahman, the London-based watchbombs in Baghdad as Iraqis cele- ing 33 people had been killed, Meanwhile, the US government dog group’s director, told AFP news brated the Eid al-Fitr holiday, offi- while Reuters quoted health and this week warned its citizens to police sources as saying the toll agency yesterday. cials said. avoid traveling to Pakistan, while He said that 10 of those killed were The blasts hit mainly Shia areas was 50. some US diplomats from Yemen In a separate attack, at least 10 believed to be civilians, although of Baghdad yesterday evening, evacuated and US nationals were people were killed and 45 injured many of the bodies were so badly dis- with targets including cafes and told to leave the country immediate- figured that it was not immediately markets. yesterday when a car bomb explodly. possible to identify them. Al Jazeera’s Imran Khan, reported in the town of Tuz Khurmato, President Barack Obama, during a At least six of those killed were 170km north of Baghdad, where ing from the Iraqi capital, said White House press conerence, jurisdiction is claimed by both the Syrian rebel fighters, while four were seven car bombs had been detodeclined to comment on reports of central government and foreign volunteers, he said. nated in six neighbourhoods. drone strikes in Pakistan that target“The number of deaths is expected autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan The AP news agency quoted ed suspected fighters in that counauthorities. to rise because of the number of unspecified Iraqi officials as saytry.

US Embassies To Reopen After Alert IGHTEEN of the 19 US embassies E closed this month due to worries about potential attacks will reopen today, the US state department said. The embassy in the Yemeni capital, however, would remain closed. “Our embassy in Sanaa, Yemen, will remain closed because of ongoing concerns about a threat stream indicating the potential for terrorist attacks emanating from al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula,” state department spokeswoman, Jen Psaki, said on Friday. The US will also keep its consulate in Lahore, Pakistan, shuttered, Psaki said, adding it closed on Thursday due to a “separate credible threat”. On August 2, the US shut the 19 embassies in the Middle East and North Africa, saying it had picked up

Mount Rokatenda on the island of Palue has been on high alert since October [AFP]

SYRIA

Deadly Car Bombs Rock Baghdad A

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday August 11, 2013

TheGuardian

62 | Sunday, August 11, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Sports Memories of Moscow ‘80 By Gowon Akpodonor th

S the 14 IAAF World Championship ‘Moscow 2013’ flagged A off yesterday at the famous Luzhniki Arena, sports lovers across the globe remembered fondly the 1980 Olympic Games in the city, which was boycotted by several major athletics nations, including the United States, West Germany and Kenya due to ‘political reasons.’ Great athletes across the world now have a big task at hand, knowing their sport is in need of public rehabilitation after a year of seemingly endless doping scandals. Positive drugs tests this summer from Tyson Gay and Asafa Powell, the second and fourth fastest 100m runners of all time, have arguably been most dispiriting for athletics fans, while host nation, Russia, has 44 athletes currently suspended for doping - more than any other country. For athletes and officials of Team Nigeria, the desire will be on how to avoid another pitfall at the Luzhniki Arena, where the nation failed to pick a single medal in 1980, despite fielding a crop of promising stars at the Olympics. Officials of the National Sports Commission (NSC) and those in the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) will be aiming to make up for the country’s many unsuccessful attempts at the IAAF World Championships, having failed to make it to the podium since 1999 in Spain. With a contingent of 20 athletes and some tested coaches in the nation’s athletics, Team Nigeria is full of optimism of bridging the gap this time around. Just like the scenario at the London 2012 Olympic Games, the nation’s medals hope in Moscow rests mainly on Blessing Okagbare, who became the first Nigerian and African woman to duck under 10.80 seconds in the women’s 100m dash recently, when she smashed the African women’s 100m record twice on her way to victory at the London Anniversary Games. Her performance on the track this season has given Nigerians hope of medals in this world championship. Nigeria was one of the countries that competed at Luzhniki Arena Stadium 33 years ago, but with no medal to show for its appearance, despite the presence of the likes of Peter Okodogbe, Hammed Adio, Yusuf Ali, Sunday Uti, Hope Ezeigbo, Felix Imadiyi, Dele Udo and Christopher Ossai (boxing), among others. That is at the Olympics level. Records also show that Nigeria has not won a gold medal in the IAAF World Championship since the maiden edition in 1983. The country’s best performance was three silver and three bronze medals, a record seen as ‘very poor’ compared to the performances of other African countries like Kenya, which has won a total of 38 gold, 33 silver and 29 bronze medals in the same championship. One area of strength Team Nigeria is hoping to break the 13year old jinx is the female event. Since the commencement of this year’s athletics season, the women have done far better than their male counterparts and this has raised the hope that something good could come Nigeria’s way. At the moment, Okagbare is rated among the three top leading athletes in the women’s 200m. She posted the best women’s 200m time of 2013, when she ran 22.31 (wind +1.3m/sec) during a meet at Mount San Antonio College campus east of Los Angeles, earlier this year. She also won the 200m on June 30 at the Birmingham Diamond League in 22.55 seconds. The Delta State-born star is among the top three in the women long jump and 100m events. Two weeks ago in London, Okagbare posted a stunning 10.79 seconds to win the 100m title, beating Olympic champion, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and others in the final. Before then, she won the long jump event at IAAF Diamond League on July 5 in Lausanne, with 6.98 metres before crossing to Monaco IAAF Diamond League, where she recorded a personal best of 7.04m also in the long jump. Okagbare has been entered for four events in the championship, including the Long jump, 4x100m relay, 200m and 100m. She will compete in the 4x100m relay alongside Gloria Asumnu, Stephanie Kalu and Peace Alphonsus Uko. Asumnu, Kalu and Okagbare are Nigeria’s candidates for the 100m race. If things work out well, Okagbare and her team should be able to make it to the final and possibly pick a medal for Team Nigeria. That is, if the task of competing in four events does not have a damaging impact on her. While Okagbare is featuring in four events, her American rival, Jeter Carmelita, is registered for the 100m only. Team USA also registered Funmi Jimoh for the women long jump event, only so as to preserve her energy in her anticipated battle with Okagbare. Jamaica’s speed star, Fraser-Pryce Shelly Ann, will compete in three events, including the 100m, 200m and 4x100m. Some analysts believe that the duo of Asumnu and Kalu may not have the wherewithal to match America’s Jeter and Jamaica’s Fraser-Pryce in the 100m battle for medals, even in

Regina George qualified in the 400m heat event yesterday.

• Meet Dampened By Tales Of Doping the absence of Jamaican speed star, Veronica CampbellBrown, who is serving a ban for use of drugs. However, Asumnu and Kalu may be useful for Team Nigeria in the 4x100m relays, if they are able to put their acts together. Homeboy, Ogho-Oghene Egwero, was the first to crash out yesterday. He was Team Nigeria’s only contender in the men’s 100m race. Omolara Omotoso is featuring in two events for Team Nigeria. She is expected to combine well with Bukola Abogunloko, Josephine Ehigie, Regina George and Tobi Ogunmola in the 4x400m relay. Omotoso is also in the 400m race alongside Ugonna Ndu and Regina George. Going by their performances this season, analysts say USbased Regina George stands a better chance of making it to the final in the 400m. London-based Tosin Oke is Team Nigeria’s sole contender in the men’s triple jump event, just as the country is hoping on Salihu Isah, Abiola Onakoya, Odeka Gerald Oghenemaga and Noah Akwu to do well in the men’s 4x400m relay. Adejoke Odumosu carries the nation’s hope in the women’s 400m hurdles. So much has changed since the Luzhniki Arena played host to Moscow ’80 Olympic Games and many countries, including Nigeria, are hoping to make big headlines at the end of the championship. President of AFN Solomon Ogba and Technical Director, Navy Commodore Omatseye Nesiama told The Guardian at separate interviews before departing for Moscow that they were optimistic of Team Nigeria recording success this time

Officials of the National Sports Commission (NSC) and those in the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) will be aiming to make up for the country’s many unsuccessful attempts at the IAAF World Championships, having failed to make it to the podium since 1999 in Spain.

around. To Nesiama, the country’s athletics is on the right path and his vision Rio 2016 Olympics looks bright. The very first IAAF World Championships was held in 1983, having been agreed in 1978 at the IAAF Congress in Puerto Rico. In far back 1913, the IAAF decided that the Olympic Games would serve as the World Championships for athletics. This was considered suitable for over 50 years until in the late 1960s, when the desire of many IAAF members to have their own World Championships began to grow. In 1976 at the IAAF Council Meeting in Puerto Rico, an Athletics World Championships separate from the Olympic Games, was approved. The IAAF Council awarded the inaugu-

THE GUARDIAN Sunday, August 11, 2013

Olympics, As Race For Medals Begins including the men’s 20km race walk, women’s long jump, women’s discus, decathlon, women’s 10,000m and the men’s 100m, which Bolt is already tipped for gold. He won his heat with ease yesterday. The false start that cost Usain Bolt his 100m world crown two years ago remains the Jamaican’s only major championship failure since he began redefining sprinting five years ago. He has run quicker this season than any of his rivals who are also in Moscow, with the event weakened by the absence of injured champion Yohan Blake plus Tyson Gay and Asafa Powell, who failed doping tests earlier this summer. Former champion, Justin Gatlin, poses the most obvious threat to Bolt, while James Dasaolu, who put himself in medal contention when he ran 9.91 seconds at the British Championships. There could be a first ever World Championship medal for Britain in the women’s long jump final, with national record holder Shara Proctor, one of the world’s most consistent performers this summer. However, American Brittney Reese is favourite for a third successive world title. Olympic champions, Meseret Defar and Tirunesh Dibaba, will duel for the 10,000mworld title in the absence of pregnant champion, Vivian Cheruiyot. Tomorrow, gold medals will be won in six events, including the men’s pole vault, women’s shot put, men’s hammer, women’s 400m, where Team Nigeria is looking up to the likes of Regina George. The men’s 100m hurdles follows, before Okagbare is expected to battle it out in the women’s 100m with double Olympic 100m champion, ShellyAnn Fraser-Pryce, who has been tipped for the gold by many athletics buff. She has been consistent this searal competition to Helsinki, and it took place at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium (where the 1952 Summer Olympics were held). Over the years the competition has grown in size. In 1983 an estimated 1,300 athletes from 154 countries participated. By the 2003 competition, which was held in Paris, it had grown to 1,907 athletes from 203 countries with coverage being transmitted to 179 different countries. One man athletics faithful all over the world are looking forward to seeing in this championship is Jamaica’s Usain Bolt. He has won 11 global gold medals out of the last 12 he competed for. There is plenty more to savour. Great Britain’s Mo Farah will attempt to recreate his golden Olympic double. Farah’s motivation for the men’s 10,000m in Moscow will be fuelled by his agonising defeat at the hands of unheralded Ethiopian Ibrahim Jeilan at the 2011 World Championships. Farah is relishing the rematch, knowing Jeilan and the three other Ethiopians will work together against him. “They are going to come up with something; it’s exciting, they are testing me out,” admits Farah. Allyson Michelle Felix will chase a record ninth world title for Team USA, while Ethiopia’s duo of Meseret Defar and Tirunesh Dibaba are expected to rule in the long-distance track events. French pole vault specialist, Renaud Lavillenie, and the retiring Yelena Isinbayeva of Russia will attempt to scale to new heights in this championship. Today, gold medals will be won in six events,

Blessing Okagbare started the long jump with 6.83m yesterday

Gloria Asumnu

son, culminating in a world-leading time of 10.77 seconds. Okagbare’s best in the 100m this season was the 10.79 seconds she posted in London two weeks ago.

Tosin Oke Egwero... First to crash out yesterday

TheGuardian

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Great Britain’s Mohamed Farah (middle) wins the men’s 10,000 metres final at the 2013 IAAF World Championships at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow yesterday.

PHOTO AFP

Okagbare Leads Nigeria’s Medal Hunt Today seconds in the first heat of the women’s 400m event to qualify for the next round. She finished fourth in the race. Another Nigerian, Regina Farah attracted the biggest George, ran a better race in beat his closest challenger, attention yesterday, when he Ibahim Jeilan of Ethiopia, heat 5, when she came from defeated a pack of Ethiopians who also ran a Season Best behind to place second in and Kenyans to win the time of 27mins, 22:23 seconds. time of 51.01 seconds. The 10,000m gold for Team Great semi final of the women’s Omolara Omotoso began Britain. 400m event will take place the day’s activities for Team Farah ran a Season Best time Nigeria on a good note yeslater today. of 27 minutes, 21:71 seconds to terday, when she ran 51.98 Okagbare started her contest in the long jump event with a first leap of 6.83m. She qualified for the next round alongside eleven others. There will be six gold medals today, including the men’s REMIER League side Stoke nationals involving Nigeria. Kevin Cruickshank, and direc- 20km race walk, women’s City will not consider a Umejei disclosed: “It’s a pity tor of football, Mark long jump, where all eyes will move for Sunday Mba as he Mba can no longer go to Stoke Cartwright, were keen to be on Okagbare, women’s disdid not play enough games for City because of work permit invite him before they cus, decathlon, women’s Nigeria to be granted a work issues. researched that his interna10,000m and the men’s 100m, permit. “He played 10 matches out of tional appearances fall short Netherlands-based agent 20 matches, which is far of minimum required for a Richard Umejei told below the 75% required for work permit. MTNFootball.com that a prohim to be granted a work perCruickshank told Umejei, posed move to the EPL for Mba mit. Had he played another “I’ve been looking into his fell through because in the five matches, he would have playing record for Nigeria and RINIdAd and Tobago sprintlast two years, the player has been good to go. I’m not sure he qualifies for a er Kelly-Ann Baptiste has only played 10 of the 20 inter“Both the Stoke chief scout, work permit.” failed a drugs test and will not Okagbare compete at the World Championships in Moscow. Published by Guardian Newspapers Limited, Rutam House, Isolo, Lagos Tel: 4489600, 2798269, 2798270, 07098147948, 07098147951 Baptiste won 100m bronze in Fax: 4489712; Advert Hotline Lagos: 7736351, Abuja: 07098513445 the World Championships in All correspondence to Guardian Newspapers Limited, P.M.B. 1217, Oshodi, Lagos, Nigeria. (ISSN NO 0189-5125) Editor: daegu two years ago and finE-mail letters@ngrguardiannews.com ABRAHAM OBOMEYOMA OGBOdO ished sixth at London 2012. • A member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation •ABC

The 14th IAAF World Championship flagged off at LL eyes will be on Blessing the famous Luzhniki Arena in Moscow yesterday with Okagbare today, as she attempts to register the coun- Kenya’s Edna Ngeringwony Kiplagat winning the first gold try’s name on the medals’ medal. She returned at 2hrs table in the IAAF World Championship, 14 years after 25:44 seconds to win the marathon event and became Nigeria made it to the podithe 6th women to defend her um in 1999. title in the World Championship. Somalia-born Mohamed

By Gowon Akpodonor

• Omotoso, George Qualify, Egwero Crashes • Kenya Picks First Gold, Farah Wins For Britain

Work Permit Stops Mba’s Stoke City Move P

which Bolt is already tipped for gold. The Jamaican ran a slow race of 10.07 seconds to win his heat yesterday. The final of the women’s long jump event will take place at 2pm (Nigeria time) today. It will be followed by the semifinal of the men’s 100 at 2.05 and the final at 4.50pm also Nigeria time. It was a disappointing evening for Team Nigeria in the men’s 100m, as the country’s sole representative, Ogho-Oghene-Egwero crashed out in heat 6. His time of 10.26 seconds was not enough to see him through to the next round. He finished fifth to wave the championship goodbye.

Kelly-Ann Baptiste Fails drugs Test

The 26-year-old was third in the 100m at the Anniversary Games on her return to London’s Olympic Stadium last month. Former men’s world champion Tyson Gay and ex-100m world record holder Asafa Powell failed tests earlier this year.

S U N D A Y BUSINESS 42

Power Reform:

Project... Tough Debate

E D I T I O N

SPECIAL REPORT 18

POLITICS 55

IBRUCENTRE 37

Efforts To Create Paradise On Earth

Anambra 2013 – The Abuja Factor, Consensus Option And The Zoning Question

What Clerics Say On Early Marriage And The Girl Child

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Vol. 30, No.

N300

www.ngrguardiannews.com

NEWS 3

Africa’s Exports To US Hit $35bn In 2012 NEWS 3

Anambra PDP ‘Endorses’ Jonathan NEWS 5

Fuel Inferno Kills Eight In Niger State NEWS 4

Poor Education Sector Undermines Nigeria’s Economy, By Kings College Principal

The Apostolic Faith Church Choir/Orchestra during the 2013 Camp meeting concert at Igbesa, Ogun State… yesterday.

PHOTO: SUNDAY AKINLOLU

CONCESSION:

process and was devoid of subterfuge or corruption. Uriesi, who expressed strong reservations on what he described as ‘doctored agreements’ to cede national airport facilities to “private

interests,” said the arrangement left FAAN almost bankrupt. Following disagreements and litigations arising from CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

NEWS 4

Policy Review Threatens Enugu’s Health Initiative, Say Civil Societies

TheGuardian

2 | Sunday, August 11, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Former External Affairs Minister, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi leading members of the Presidential Committee on Boko Haram on a visit to a female victim of Boko Haram attack in Kano Hospital.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

NEWS Cross River Takes Delivery of $1m Sports Equipment From Anietie Akpan, Calabar

ANAMBRA

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

4 NEWS

Group Commends Ajimobi, Aregbesola On LAUTECH

NEWS 5

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

NEWS World Bank Scores Osun High In Community Devt

NATIONAL i

LAGOS trator and eminent religious scholar. In separate condolence letters, they prayed for the repose of the deceased while asking God to console the

Aspirant Hails PDP’s Reconciliation Efforts

EKITI joined Nigerians to emulate the sterling qualities and exemplary achievements of the deceased. Senator Onafuye said the deceased was a caring and disciplined father worthy of emulation.

HANA’S Ministry of EduG cation has accredited Webster University’s new

TheGuardian

6 Sunday, August 11, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Cityfile

Enugu’s Independence Layout:

Degeneration Of A Onceimpressive Residential Area An abandoned police post at the Layout.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

CITYFILE

Wife of the deceased, Grace Oloko (second left); elder brother, Joseph Oloko (first right); the children; and sympathisers during the interment.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

CITYFILE

A section of the Iwhreko Goods Market in Ughelli, Asaba, Delta State.

From The Back To The Front Of ‘Where’ By Adidi Uyo

CITY SHOT

LANGUAGE ON PARADE

Desperately in need of change... A campaign banner surrenders to hostile weather at Presco Junction, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. PHOTO: LEO SOBECHI

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

CITYFILE Meiran Residents Task Water Corporation On Unfair ‘Policy’ By Gbenga Akinfenwa ESIDENTS of Meiran, a suburb of Lagos R State, say that for several months their taps have remained dry.

A bridge undergoing construction in Itoku-Abeokuta, Ogun State, being part of infrastructural renewal by the Governor Ibikunle Amosun administration.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday August 11, 2013

Backlash Abraham Ogbodo

08055328079 (Sms only) abogbodo@yahoo.com

SUNDAY NARRATIVE Alabi Williams williams.alabi@ngrguardiannews.com 08116759790 (Sms only)

TheGuardian

Sunday, August 11, 2013 | 11

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

CONversation

By Obe Ess

TheGuardian

12 | Sunday, August 11, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

…And An Update

LETTERS

| 13

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday August 11, 2013

NEWSPEOPLE

Eve At 60: Born To Give, Loves To Serve By Daniel Anazia

TheGuardian

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Great Leader, Great Victory… Set For Release

THE GUARDIAN,Sunday, August 11, 2013

15 BY BENSON IDONIJE benidoni@yahoo.com

All That Jazz

Black Audience For Jazz Music Has Diminished, By Shepp

ARTSVILLE BY TOYIN AKINOSHO

Future Star Talent Hunt Holds August 17

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday August 11, 2013

Sunday, August 11, 2013

OAU Retains Rating As Nigeria’s Best Varsity

BUSINESS

P/50

Ill-conceived Concessioning And Aviation Service — Uriesi

P/18 PERSPECTIVES

SPECIAL REPORT

...Efforts To Create Paradise On Earth

‘I Was Wrongly Accused And Paid Dearly...’

JUNIOR GUARDIAN IBRU

Clerics On Early Marriage

P/37

P/22

P/34

Adebayo’s Day At Pacific

TheGuardian

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Special Report Living In

THE GUARDIAN,Sunday, August 11, 2013

SPECIAL REPORT

Paradise On Earth

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

SPECIAL REPORT

LL devotees are complete vegetarians A and they have their good reason for this. Animal must not be killed because

HE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

Milk, Honey Aplenty In Canaan

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

22 |

PERSPECTIVES

| 23

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

PERSPECTIVES

...with Osadebe, Premier of defunct Mid-West region

Iyase of Assaba

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday August 11, 2013

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

HEALTH Practical Psychology

Dealing with Spousal Violence (2) By Passy Amaraegbu

How Healing Takes Place By Moji Solanke

Health And Your Mind

Mind And The Kingdom Of Heaven (12) By Babatunde Ayo-Vaughan

• Ayo-Vaughan, a psychologist, lives in Lagos babatund_2@yahoo.com

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

COVER

Tinubu

Akande

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

COVER

Fasanmi

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

COVER

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

COVER

COVER CONTINUED ON PAGE 57

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday August 11, 2013

TheGuardian

THe GUARDIAN,Sunday, August 11, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Junior Guardian Loral Graduation Ceremony T was fun-filled afternoon for pupils of ISchool, the Loral International Secondary Festac, Lagos, as the school, two

Students Of Grace School Move Higher

CHARLES OKOLO

the schools have consistently maintained a culture of excellence and quality assurance in educational

development of the young people.

— Chijioke Iremeka

SAY IT IN FReNCH! By Asuquo Dennis

Cross section of students at the occasion.

the presentation of prizes to brilliant children.

THE GUARDIAN,Sunday, August 11, 2013

Cross section of the graduands

REUGE

EXERCISE

ANCESTOR

PERFECT

CALORIE

RUDIMENT

Water

Poems Fairy

By Stephanie Green Yr. 3 Heartfield Foundation School, Surulere

THESAURUS

Bleary a) wet b) hazy c) cold d) right

— Gbenga Akinfenwa

News

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

CAMPUS

NANS Condole With NUJ Over Death Of Journalists

Don’t let yesterday take up too much of today. Will Rogers

Let us know

2012/2013 pre-Canada university students

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

IBRUCENTRE

What Clerics Say On Early Marriage And The Girl Child Eniafe

Akintola

No Age Factor In Islamic Marriage

Kumoluyi

Uwanaka

Martins

Makinde

THe GUARDIAn, Sunday, August 11, 2013

IBRUcenTRe

Sunday School The new Man (3)

... With Pastor Enoch Adeboye

Osun Osogbo And Generational curses (3)

The Rewards Of Discipline D

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

‘Anyone With Good Conscience Will Not Support Child Marriage’

‘They Will Have Less Than Primary Education’

IBRUCENTRE Springs Of Wisdom By PASTOR W.F KUMUYI

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

40 |

IBRUCENTRE

By Seyi Ogunorunyinka

Living Waters By Pastor Lazarus Muoka

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

From The Rector Ibru International Ecumenical Centre, Agbarha-Otor

MFM Women Programme Empowers Women To Pray From Ayoyinka Olagoke, Uyo HE Regional Overseer of T Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, South South V

TheGuardian

Sunday, August 11,

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Business Power Reform:

Big Project… Tough Debate

By Marcel Mbamalu and Geoff Iyatse (Lagos), Emeka Anuforo (Abuja)

We Are Paying Off Electricity Workers Already — Govt

CONTINUED ON PAGE 45

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

CONTINUED ON PAGE 44

Ajuero

We have never supported privatisation. We can’t even support it. But since the government and some Nigerians have said it is the best thing, we say it is good to test it

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

Staﬀ of PHCN protest privatisation move at the company’s headquarters, Abuja

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

BUSINESSCOvER

Minister of Power, Nebo

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

BUSINESS

VERY employer is required to analyse E each workstation and the surrounding work environment to ensure it meets the

Isreal

UK Vs Nigeria (3) By Helen-Linda Azodoh

By Fabian Odum and Gbenga Akinfenwa

Health, Safety At Work:

1THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

BUSINESSAGRO Soybean’s Nutrition Quality Gets Boost, AllTech Leads Way By Fabian Odum

Dr. Alex Obi, FIIRO Board chairman displays cassava bread of the institute while the DG, Dr. Gloria Elemo appreciates the commitment

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

Awodiya

ment scholarship to the University of Georgia in United

Compiled by Gbenga Akinfenwa, gbengaherkin@yahoo.com

Mr. Olayinka Odeyemi and his wife, Olamide after their wedding held at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Livingspring Model Parish, Oke-Ira, Ogba, Lagos.

Left, Colonel Texas Chukwu assisted by his wife, decorate Captain Nureni Alimi during his elevation in Jos

Christ Apostolic Church, Purity and Power Assembly Choir group with their Pastor, Moses Ajibola and wife during the church 9th annual thanksgiving celebration at Mowe, Ogun State.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday August 11, 2013

SPOTLIGHT

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

BUSINESS

How Ill-conceived Concessioning Almost Crippled Aviation Services, By Uriesi

Uriesi

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

BUSINESS

CONTINUED ON PAGE 52

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

TheGuardian

Sunday, August 11, 2013 53

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

TheGuardian

54 | Sunday, August 11, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

JAW JAW By Didi Onu

Senate President, David Mark

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

|55

POLITICS

Soludo

Obi

Ngige

Uba

Ekwunife

CONTINUED ON PAGE 56

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

56 |

POLITICS 2013: FCT Opposition Parties Forge Working ANAMBRA Many Factors At Play Alliance Ahead 2015 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 55

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

COVER

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

Israeli-Palestinian Peace Proposal Since 1967 U

CONTINUED ON PAGE 59

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

a winner at the end of the day. Accept defeat and move on.”

really care. Another five years of despotic rule? God help us all...”

Mugabe

Tsvangirai

Peace Proposal Since 1967 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 58

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, August 11, 2013

FOREIGNNEWS

MOROCCO

Deaths Reported In Syria’s Latakia Raids IR strikes by the Syrian military have killed at least 20 people in A the northwestern province of

Mount Rokatenda on the island of Palue has been on high alert since October [AFP]

SYRIA

Deadly Car Bombs Rock Baghdad A

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday August 11, 2013

TheGuardian

62 | Sunday, August 11, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Sports Memories of Moscow ‘80 By Gowon Akpodonor th

Regina George qualified in the 400m heat event yesterday.

THE GUARDIAN Sunday, August 11, 2013

Blessing Okagbare started the long jump with 6.83m yesterday

Gloria Asumnu

son, culminating in a world-leading time of 10.77 seconds. Okagbare’s best in the 100m this season was the 10.79 seconds she posted in London two weeks ago.

Tosin Oke Egwero... First to crash out yesterday

TheGuardian

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Great Britain’s Mohamed Farah (middle) wins the men’s 10,000 metres final at the 2013 IAAF World Championships at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow yesterday.

PHOTO AFP

By Gowon Akpodonor

• Omotoso, George Qualify, Egwero Crashes • Kenya Picks First Gold, Farah Wins For Britain

Work Permit Stops Mba’s Stoke City Move P

Kelly-Ann Baptiste Fails drugs Test