Sun 16 Feb 2014

S U N D A Y

E D I T I O N

COVER 18

IBRU 34

NEWSFEATURE 32

Gale Of Defections And The Health Of Democracy

Why Financial Obligation Is Attached To Church Members’ Burial

LEPROSY: Getting The Equation

Right In Nigeria

Resolving BUSINESS 29

Nigeria’s Nousing

Challenge

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Vol. 30, No. 12,834

www.ngrguardiannews.com

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Contract Scam: EFCC Vows To Appeal Bankole’s Acquittal From Abosede Musari (Abuja) and Gbenga Akinfenwa (Lagos) OLLOWING the no-case FHighsubmission of an Abuja Court, which quashed a 16-count financial crime charge against the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole on Friday, Human Right lawyer and social critics, Festus Keyamo has described the verdict as unacceptable. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), yesterday, said it would appeal the judgment, which discharged and acquitted Bankole of complicity in the N874m contract inflation scam.

In a telephone conversation, Head of Media and Publicity at the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, however, told The Guardian that the Commission would study the charges before taking the next action.

Justice Evoh Stephen

Nigeria Ambassador to China, Mallam Aminu Wali (left); President Goodluck Jonathan, hand to hand with the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero; Deputy Governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje; former Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau; and Central Bank Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, at the Emir of Kano’s Palace during the President’s visit to the Emirate… yesterday.

INTERVIEW 4

AKINOLA: Nigeria’s Unity Is Negotiable Like Every Other Element NEWS 56

Valentine Tragedy: Fire Consumes Couple NEWS 3

796 Inmates Awaiting Trial In Enugu

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

2015: Jonathan On Tour Of Palaces

By Marcel Mbamalu (News Editor), Iyabo Lawal (Ibadan) and Philip Ojisua (Abuja) RESIDENT Goodluck P Jonathan may have begun a subtle campaign for his re-

• Holds Quiet Meetings With Bayero, Ooni, Akiolu • Nobody Can Divide Nigeria, Says Emir • President Didn’t Discuss Politics, Says Alaafin

election bid as he, yesterday, paid private visits to palaces in three geopolitical zones — North West and South West — where he held ‘quiet’ talks with four leading traditional rulers in the country.

The President visited Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Alayeluwa Oba Okunade

Sijuwade, Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olyiwola Adeyemi, and Oba of Lagos, HRH Oba Rilwan Babatunde Osuolale Aremu Akiolu I. Yesterday’s visits came just one week after Jonathan visited Sokoto on what Muktar Shagari, the Deputy Governor of the state, described as political tour.

Paying homage to the Emir of Kano, the President, who was received at the Kano Airport by the Deputy Governor of the State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, thanked the Emir and his people for the peace that now ‘reigns’ in Kano State.

The courtesy call was the President’s first visit since the

Kano Monarch returned from medical treatment abroad.

Bayero had survived assassination after gunmen attacked his convoy killing some of his bodyguards and, at least, one local council official. He subsequently traveled abroad for medical reasons.

President Jonathan had,

upon Bayero’s return four months ago, sent Vice President Namadi Sambo to commiserate with him.

Bayero, in his remarks, thanked the President for the visit, saying that Nigeria remains indivisible despite current challenges.

Also yesterday, the President visited the palace of the Ooni of Ife where he held closed door meeting with the Yoruba Monarch.

The President was received on arrival at the Ibadan CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

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2 | NEWS Sunday, February 16, 2014

NEWS Jonathan Holds ‘Peace’ Meetings With Bayero, Ooni, Akiolu CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Airport, by Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi.

He proceeded to the Ooni’s palace, where he was received by the Osun State Deputy Governor, Grace Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, and governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Iyiola Omisore, in company of traditional rulers and chiefs in Osun State.

The President, who was later accompanied to the ancient Palace of the Alaafin of Oyo by Governor Ajimobi, Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Olajumoke Akinjide and other important government and political functionaries, described the visit as very private. He lauded the monarch for the peace reigning in the State.

He told the eagerly expectant crowd at the reception hall where he was received that he had come home to visit his father and was not expecting any coverage.

Jonathan expressed appreciation to the people of the State and the entire South West for the support given to him and his party, the PDP,

during the 2011 elections but quickly refrained from speaking further on the topic.

He said: “I thank not only the people of the state, but the entire South-West for the support we received in 2011 and I have come to reciprocate the gesture with the hope that things will continue as well.

We are one, I remain your own”.

When pressed with questions, Oba Adeyemi, who initially declined to make any statement (describing the visit as purely a private one) emphatically noted that President Jonathan did not discuss politics with him but only expressed appreciation for the peace reigning in the State.

Oba Adeyemi disclosed that the President urged him and his brother Obas across the country to promote peace among the citizenry.

Former governor of the State, Omololu Olunloyo, who was part of President Jonathan’s entourage that held a onehour close-door meeting with the royal father, later told reporters that the visit was consultative and expressed the hope that President Jonathan would take a cue from governor Ajimobi, who appointed the children of the three most powerful monarchs in the state to his cabinet.

President Jonathan returns to Abuja today (Sunday, February 16) after a stopover in Lagos, where he also held closed door session with the Oba of Lagos.

Following the current political mood in the country, the President has intensified visits to states and regions, the most recent being that of Sokoto, where the Deputy Governor (Shagari), who received him at the Sokoto Airport was accused by elements loyal to Aliyu

Magatakarda Wamakko’s All Progressives Congress (APC) government of breaching official protocol. Shagari has explained that he received the Jonathan, who was on a political visit, in his capacity as loyal PDP member in the state. He insisted that he did not block any letter channeled to the

Office of the state Governor, as alleged by his critics.

Jonathan will soon visit Imo, the only Southeast state controlled by the opposition APC, following the defection of Governor Rochas Okorocha from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Okorocha’s defection leaves the APGA with only one state (Anambra). The PDP government at the centre, which looks to a Southeast block vote in the 2015 general elections, has remained comfortable with the moderate position of APGA on political and

President Goodluck Jonathan (2nd left), Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi, Alafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, Aare Musulumi of Yoruba Land, Alhaji Abdul Azeez Arisekola Alao and Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, during a visit to the Alafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, in Oyo Town, yesterday.

PHOTO

President Goodluck Jonathan (right), Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi (second right), introducing his deputy, Chief Moses Adeyemo (second left), to the president, while the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Mrs. Jumoke Akinjide watches, at the Ibadan Airport, while receiving the President...yesterday.

Keyamo, PDP, APC Differ On Bankole Judgment CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Chukwu of the Federal High Court Abuja, who was reported to have said that prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against the former Speaker, delivered Friday’s judgment.

This makes it the second case the EFCC will be losing on the former speaker. The first was the N10 billion-loan scam, which was allegedly obtained to fund the quarterly allowances of legislators; and it seems the Commission is not going to let Bankole off the hook this time without fighting back The former speaker was accused of embezzlement and contract inflation in the purchase of two bullet-proof

Range Rover vehicles, two nonbulletproof Range Rover, three Mercedes Benz S-Class 600 cars, 400 units of DSTV system, 400 television sets, 800 units of desktop computers, 100 units of Sharp Digital photographers, and 400 units of Laserjet 2600N. The EFCC had said that the purchases contravened Section 17 to 56 of the Procurement Act No. 14 of 2007.

Reports, however, read that Bankole was discharged and acquitted on all 16 charges.

“Naturally, we are dissatisfied because we are the prosecutors and we’ll take a position next week on the next step,” he said.

He noted that EFCC would do everything possible to prove its case against Bankole, saying he doesn’t want to comment on

the alleged rumour that President Goodluck Jonathan pressurised the Judiciary to ensure that the former speaker was freed.

But the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) described the court’s decision as a triumph for the Judiciary, even as the main opposition party, All Progressives Congress (APC), says his acquittal e doesn’t mean he was innocent.

Secretary of the Ogun State Chapter of PDP, Alhaji Semiu Sodipo, told The Guardian that the ruling has vindicated the former speaker to the delight of the party, saying the PDP would soon come out to celebrate the freedom.

“I don’t want to believe that the delay was asked to influence the judgment. The judi-

cial system in Nigeria took its time to ensure that all the investigations are conducted before delivering its judgment. The delay doesn’t mean he (Bankole) was guilty of the charges against him,” he said.

In his reaction, the Interim Publicity Secretary of APC, Ogun State, Sola Lawal said although the decision of the Judiciary cannot be faulted, Bankole might not be innocent as ruled. He, however, noted that the position of the judiciary must be accepted.

“We didn’t accuse him; the EFCC did. And they should appeal, if they are not satisfied.

Whatever political undertone the ruling has does not affect us. We are not condemning it and we are not applauding it…,” he stated.

Sunday, February 16, 2014 3

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

NEWS

796 Inmates Awaiting Trial In Enugu Prisons

By Kodilinye Obiagwu, South East Bureau Chief, Enugu HE searchlight has T beamed on the justice system in Enugu State, where the Carmelite Prisons’ Interest Organisation, (CAPIO), a non-governmental organisation, has sued the State Attorney General, the Director of Public Prosecution, the Comptroller of Prisons and the State Commissioner of Police for the continued detention without trial of 796 inmates in the three prisons in the State.

In a motion on notice filed on behalf of the 796 inmates, at a Federal High Court in Enugu Division on January 28, 2014, CAPIO stated that it was filing a Fundamental Right Application and is praying the court, under Hon. Justice Shuaibu, to mandate the four respondents to produce the applicants in court for trial, or alternatively to unconditionally release them.

The group is also seeking a “declaration that the contin-

uous detention of the applicants by the respondents without proper charges filed against them, trial, conviction, and sentence is a flagrant infringement and violation of their freedom of liberty as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution.”

In a statement signed by Rev. Fr. Ambrose Ekereoku on behalf of CAPIO, an organisation with particular interest in justice sector and prison reforms, the group revealed that a septuagenarian, under aged children

and women are among the 796 inmates held in the three Nigerian Prisons in Oji River, Enugu and Nsukka.

“Most of the inmates have been remanded without trial for as long as 11 years on allegations of various offenses ranging from murder, robbery, manslaughter, rape and miscellaneous offenses,” Ekereoku hinted.

According to CAPIO, “most of them have spent between five months to eight years in prison custody without arraignment before a

PDM Tackles Atiku Over Newspaper Report HE leadership of the Peo- by the editors in order to crelitical party into another one place a call to officers of PDM T ple Democratic Movement ate the false impression that is well known under the law. or officials of INEC before (PDP) has faulted the cover the former Vice President “The editors of Weekly Trust story of Weekly Trust of Saturday, February 15th, 2014, in which it was reported that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who recently decamped from the PDP, has directed all his supporters to register with APC. In a statement issued by the party and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, PDM described the story with headline ‘Atiku collapses PDM into APC’ as “unprofessionally and mischievously planted

was at any point a member of PDM and that he is in a position to collapse the party into another one. This cannot be further from the truth,” the statement read.

Describing PDM as a political party registered under the law, which cannot collapse into another political party on the pages of newspapers or by the wish of editors, who have thrown professionalism overboard, Abubakar noted that the process of collapsing one po-

are advised to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) before going to press with the outlandish caption referred to above.”

According to the party’s spokesperson, PDM and its members nationwide are embarrassed by the story as it is totally false and appears to be a hatchet job.

“This is especially so considering that all the editors of Weekly Trust needed to do to verify their facts was to

going to press. The Executive Chairman, the Managing Director and the Editor-in-Chief of Media Trust, owners of Weekly Trust and the National Chairman of PDM had cause to be under one roof for more than three hours on Thursday, February 13th, less than 48 hours before their paper went to press. There is absolutely no professional excuse for the paper to go to press with the story without hearing from PDM through our National Chairman,” he said.

court of competent jurisdiction. All the applicants have been remanded in prison custody on the allegations of various offenses ranging from murder, manslaughter, robbery, rape and other related offences.”

Details show that, in the Nsukka prison where 20 inmates are awaiting trial on murder cases for more than three years, the oldest inmate is Emmanuel Ugwuowo, who was 55 years when he was incarcerated on June 12, 2002. The longest held on the allegation of murder is Chijioke Ayogu, who was 33 years old when he was remanded on August 27, 1996, while the youngest inmate is Anslem Ozoemena, who was 15 years old when he was admitted into the prison on October 10, 2006.

Meanwhile, 38 others have been awaiting trial for robbery cases in the Nsukka prison for more than three years. The youngest inmate held on charges of robbery in the prison is Ndubuisi Ugwu, who was 16 years when he was incarcerated on August 15, 2008. The longest held is Bende Umaru, who was 24 years when he was admitted into the prison on October 10, 2005, nine years ago.

APGA Factional Chairman, Three Others, Expelled In Anambra Uzoma Nzeagwu – Awka HE crises rocking the All T progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has deepened following the announcement of expulsion of the recently anointed factional state chairman, Mr Shadrack Anakwe and three others from the chapter by the Awka North chapter of party. Others expelled by the party yesterday by a faction said to be loyal to the National Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh include Mr. Emma Ajeke, Dr Godson Amebo and Mr John Nwokoye, while Mr Ralph Enweluzo and Mr Nicholas Ibe were each suspended for six months for anti party activities.

The Awka North chapter of APGA had two weeks ago announced the suspension of these members and went ahead to setup a disciplinary committee to investigate allegations of anti party activities against them, and which was released on Friday.

The committees’ report further recommended that Casmir Ilonwa be relieved of his position as chairman of the council chapter of the party.

Aka Ikenga Bemoans Extortion On Benin Federal Roads • Petitions Oshiomhole

By Chris Irekamba KA Ikenga, an Igbo social A cultural group, has bemoaned activities of Local Government officials, who extort money from motorists passing through Federal highways in Edo State, calling on Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the Inspector General of Police and the Local Government Chairman in the area to intervene in the matter.

In a release issued recently, the group noted with dismay “the return on Benin Ring Roads, of the hatchet men and women, who disappeared from federal roads in Edo State, after we petitioned the Inspector General of Police and copied the Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and the Local Government Chairman involved.”

Vice-Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Prof. Bamitale Omole (left), Deputy Governor of Osun, Mrs Titilayo Laoye-Tomori and Pro-chancellor and chairman of the Governing Council of the University, Prof. Froeland Ndoma Egba at the 24th Nigerian University Games in Ife, Osun State yesterday.

Bamidele Challenges Fayemi To Account For N400b Allocation From Muyiwa Adeyemi (Head South West Bureau Ado Ekiti)

• He is Just Running His Mouth, Governor’s Spokesman Fires Back

HEAD of the gubernatorial election in Ekiti State, a member of the Federal House of Representatives and Labour Party Governorship aspirant in the state, Opeyemi Bamidele, yesterday challenged Governor Kayode Fayemi to account for over N400 billion, which he alleged has accrued to the state in the last 40 months, accusing the incumbent of wasting the state’s resources.

Bamidele spoke at his Iyin Ekiti country home during the LP congresses across the 177 wards in the state, which saw some members of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Ward B, Iyin Ekiti, defect to the

LP. “Fayemi became the Governor of Ekiti State on October 16, 2010. By calculation, it is now 40 months. A sum of N3 billion comes to the State every month. So, if we take the aggregate, Ekiti has taken a sum of N120 billion. Again, all the 16 Local Governments take a sum of N3 billion monthly and this amounts to N120 billion in 40 months. If we sum it up with the excess crude Ekiti has benefitted six times, we will be having about N320 billion. We also receive money from the SURE-P, MDGs Ecological Funds and the N25 billion taken from the Capital Market.”

A

He noted that, “rather than for Fayemi to be running after people like us or sponsoring fake persons to destabilise the Labour Party, he should be ready to tell Ekiti how he

had expended over N400 billion he has taken from the Federation account in 40 months”.

But reacting to the allegation, Ekiti State Commis-

sioner for Information, Mr Tayo Ekundayo, who challenged Bamidele to tell Ekiti people how he arrived at the figure, described the allegation as mere lies meant to tarnish the image of the Government.

Experts, Stakeholders Ask Jonathan To Appoint Technocrat As Aviation Minister

By Ibe Uwaleke xPERTS and aviation stakeE holders at the weekend appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to avoid the mistakes of the past by putting into consideration the sensitive and technical nature of the aviation sector by appointing a technocrat as the

next minister of Aviation.

Speaking at the stakeholders emergency meeting at their union house, on Airport Road, Ikeja, Lagos, the experts under the aegis of Aviation Round Table (ART), Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and National Association of Aircraft Pilots

and Engineers (NAAPE) said this has become imperative given the critical nature of the industry.

Addressing reporters at the venue, AON chairman, Captain Noggie Meggison traced the problems of the sector to the appointment of people who have no business in the industry.

Lagos Denies Abandoning 4th Mainland Bridge Project

By Tunde Alao and Olusola Richett ONTRARy to media reports and insinuations that the Lagos State Government has jettisoned the plan to construct the 4th Mainland Bridge, the State maintains that underground works are on going.

Speaking at a media briefing held on Friday in Lagos, Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat informed that, in spite of the existing challenges and encumbrances, the project is going on as scheduled. He explained that the seeming lull of activity on the site is as a result of changes in construction technology, whereby physical presence may not necessarily manifested until certain period.

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Sunday, February 16, 2014

INTERVIEW

AKINOLA: Nigeria’s Unity Is Negotiable Former Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Revd.

Peter Jasper Akinolarecently celebrated his 70th birthday. At this age, instead of retiring to a quiet life, Akinola has continued to impart on youths through his pet project, Akinola Foundation. Despite his recent kidnap, the cleric has vowed to double his effort to give the younger generation a better future. In this interview with OMIKO AWAand ISAAC TAIWOat his foundation in Abeokuta, the cleric commented on Nigeria and how to move the nation forward.

TTAINING 70 years, how do you feel looking AFIRST back all these years? and foremost, I am very happy for God’s benevolence upon my life and I give thanks to Him. Having passed through vicissitude of life to where I am today. My life journey up to now is full of testimonies, despite acute challenges I started contending with right from childhood.

I would say I fall into the category of those with humble beginnings and it is only God‘s abundant grace that has brought me this far. That is why I will continue to thank God. With your recent kidnap, how do feel about the nation?

Evil is evil whichever way it may manifest itself. Stealing, robbery, killing, misappropriation of fund, corruption in high and low places are all evil; they all fall into the same category.

My experience with those young people, who came to Abeokuta to kidnap us, take my car, strip me naked and took all that I had was nothing, but part of the general evil in the society. It is a pity that able-bodied youths, who should be gainfully employed, engage themselves in violence and act of robbery. I have forgiven them and I prayer they come to their senses. I pray for them to realise what they are doing and come out of it. I pray for them to repent and stop their evil before the law catches up with them. And if they do not have any trade, it would be good for them to learn one and be useful citizens to the nation.

How do you marry your experience with what is happening now in the nation?

What happened to us that day is a drop in the ocean compared to what is going on in our nation. Nigeria has been robbed to its marrow, what we are seeing today is just the skeleton; the soul of the nation has been sold to evil and corruption. There is so much money in this country, yet there is nothing to show for it, in terms of infrastructures. Look at our roads, schools, health care delivery system, electricity and other things that can make life worth living and you will discover a great deficit in all of them. Huge deficit! The young men that kidnapped me that day said that the ruling powers steal by pen and that they (the kidnappers) are stealing by the gun. Whether stealing by the pen or by the gun, stealing is stealing. I told them that killing people to steal would add more to their sins, but they said they are also pastors and I should not preach to them. That‘s what Nigeria has turned into. Everybody including armed robbers and kidnappers are claiming to be pastors.

How has that experience affected your commitment to the foundation you set up to train street people?

It was a very hard lesson, which came in two directions. Firstly, the Senior Police Officer, Alhaji Mohammed Tijani, who led the rescue operation told me while we were in the vehicle leaving the bush enroute Ayetoto to Abeokuta that whatever I have been doing for young people should not be affected by the incident. He said, ‘God save my life to do more for the youth.’

I replied him that I could not marry my experience with what he was saying. ‘They kidnapped me, took away my car, wanted to kill me and you are saying I should do more?’ I said. He replied, ‘Baba do not think that way, God spared your life to do more.’ The next morning being Christmas, my Pastor said the same thing. It was then I understood the message and surrendered. I said within myself, a Muslim preached to me to do more and my pastor again is saying what the Muslim had said without the two see-

Akinola ing each other. I then looked back and concluded that what happened to me was nothing, but trial of my faith. I, then, asked myself the question, ‘would this incident stop me from doing what God wants me to do or would it invigorate me to do more?’ I then decided that God being my helper, I would do more. In fact, it was on that Christmas Day that I said to the congregation that our Board of Trustee (BoT) plan was to take 200 trainees, but now, we will increase the number to 500, more than a100 per cent.

With incessant youth restiveness across the country, don’t you think your foundation came a little too late?

The foundation of our educational system is faulty; the system focuses more on paper qualification, which does not allow people to use their hands. This makes the people to give attention to office job, but the truth is, the world has moved away from that. Today, we have over 40 million unemployed Nigerians, who are looking for job that does not exist. Here in Abeokuta, if you want to get a good mason, painter and other artisans, you have to go for the Togolese because our people are not prepared to work. They do not see any dignity in labour. Those that have learned trade are not working with their trade and others do not

Nigeria has been robbed to its marrow, what we are seeing today is just the skeleton; the soul of the nation has been sold to evil and corruption. There is so much money in this country, yet there is nothing to show for it, in terms of infrastructures. Look at our roads, schools, health care delivery system, electricity and other things that can make life worth living and you will discover a great deficit in all of them. Huge deficit! The young men that kidnapped me that day said that the ruling powers steal by pen and that they (the kidnappers) are stealing by the gun. Whether stealing by the pen or by the gun, stealing is stealing. I told them that killing people to steal would add more to their sins, but they said they are also pastors and I should not preach to them. That‘s what Nigeria has turned into. Everybody including armed robbers and kidnappers are claiming to be pastors wish to learn. So, this intervention is aimed at taking people off the street and not just to learn a trade, but also to be useful to themselves and the country. We do a lot in the area of skill acquisition with the added value in academic areas such as book keeping and English language. We engage our students in entrepreneurial skill, driving and computer appreciation, in addition to their chosen trade. Therefore, many of our graduates, who are tailors are tailors with a dif-

You can possibly change some things easily, but you cannot change religious doctrines overnight. This group firmly believes in what they are doing and this is entrenched in their brain. They believe that it is their duty to fight ‘Jihad.’ They believe it is their duty to Islamise the north and if possible, the whole of the country. I need to remind you that there is nothing new in their action. If you go down history lane, you will discover that in 1956 we had the first ‘Araba,’ which means separation. I am an advocate of one Nigeria, but this carnage must stop.

We have to tell members of Boko Haram and their financiers that Nigeria is a multi-religious society and they cannot impose their religion on others or force people from other parts of the country to accept it.

ference, they have the ability to manage their businesses. Equally, many of our graduates who learn catering are caterers with a difference.

You have been a clergy, what gave you the inspiration to mentor the youth?

Two things. Firstly, I am not one of those who were born into wealth or fed with silver spoon.

I came out of the mud, as some would say, ‘hewed out of the rock’. I grew out of suffering and I mean suffering at its worst. My father died December 12, 1948 and I was only five years old then. There was no opportunity to go to school, but some how, with God’s own economy, and through self-effort, I am what I am today.

Secondly, it was the experience I got one day after a Communion Service. We left the service at about 9.00 a.m. and on our way home, a few meters from the Church, I saw young people playing football. That struck me and I asked myself why were they not in Church and where are their parents? I saw able-bodied young people playing football that early Sunday morning. I got to know later that they

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

Sunday, February 16, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

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INTERVIEW

Like Every Other Element CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 were unemployed and roaming the streets to keep themselves busy. I, then, decided that in our Church, we would have a programme on the youth. So, the next Standing Committee we had in Ile-Ife in 2008 was titled: Youth Of Our Church, To Have Space And Voice. My concern has been how I can in practical terms help young people become useful citizens for themselves and for our nation. I discussed the idea with some of my friends — Mr. Yinka Pitcher, Chief Registrar, Church of Nigeria; Barrister Yisa, Bishop of the Diocese of Ife; Rt. Rev. Oluranti Odubogun, the then Bishop of Mainland, who is now the Archbishop of Lagos Province; The Most Rev. Adebayo Akinde, Bishop Cartay of Port-Harcourt; and Mrs. Akinkugbe. They were so enthusiastic about the idea of founding a foundation. We came together to form the first Board of Trustee (BoT) and we have been working together since then.

How do you want government to handle youth unemployment?

I said earlier that there are 40 million Nigerian youth are jobless. This figure is equivalent to the population of about six West African countries. With this figure unemployed, Nigeria is, in fact, sitting on a time bomb. And the annoying thing about it is that our leaders do not care. We are spending so much on governance while government is ignoring the youth. Also, many Church leaders, today, pride themselves of owning jets acquired through the offerings of the poor and the rich, yet no proper attention is given to the youth. The Church, Mosque, government are all involved; it is a shame! 40 million unemployed Nigerian youths are outside there and we do not care. I pray they will not explode some day. If the youths that came to kidnap us were gainfully employed, what

Evil is evil and there must be penalty for those that commit evil. I believe and respect the law, but I am not interested in killing the youths. I am rather more interested in getting them gainfully employed. We have always been saying that youths are the leaders of tomorrow, but those that have been in governance 40 years ago are still in power or at the corridors of power; they have continued to recycle themselves at the expense of the youth. I would like to see a situation where the youths are in power, where they are given the opportunity to make mistakes, so that, they can be corrected and then move on. Our leaders should be able to know when the ovation is loudest for them to quit the stage. These sit-tight leaders should allow the youths with brilliant ideas come in and made the difference. happened to me on Christmas Eve would not have happened. If the youths of this country one day decide to come together, get themselves organised and say ‘enough is enough,’ what do you think would happen next. Out of 160 million people in the nation, one quarter of them, who are able-bodied people in their prime are roaming the streets unemployed and we are all comfortable with it. We need to act now before things get out of hand.

Do you support death penalty for kidnappers?

Evil is evil and there must be penalty for those that commit evil. I believe and respect the law, but I am not interested in killing the youths. I am rather more interested in getting them gainfully employed. We have always been saying that youths are the leaders of tomorrow, but those that have been in governance 40 years ago are still in power or at the corridors of power; they have continued to recycle themselves at the expense of the youth. I would like to see a situation where the youths are in power, where they are given the opportunity to

This group is shedding the blood of innocent citizens at an alarming rate. Just imagine what those whose loved ones have been killed suddenly like chicken would be telling the Nigeria government. A caring government cannot be smiling at the situation. It is not enough to commiserate with the families of the victims; there must be a solution. If you commiserate with the families of those killed at their prime age, what would you do to the deceased themselves. Let’s put ourselves in the shoes of either those who are killed or their family members. I still repeat, I am an advocate of one Nigeria, but this carnage must stop. We have to tell members of Boko Haram and their financiers that Nigeria is a multi-religious society and they cannot impose their religion on others or force people from other parts of the country to accept it. We have to come to that point where those who agree to have a ‘multi-religious society’ also known as a secular society can come together while those who have determined to have their own way can be apportioned their own part of Nigeria

make mistakes, so that, they can be corrected and then move on. Our leaders should be able to know when the ovation is loudest for them to quit the stage. These sit-tight leaders should allow the youths with brilliant ideas come in and made the difference. It should be entrenched in our constitution that anybody who breaks the law should be dealt with according to law, but at the same time, we should make provision that would prevent people from going into crimes by providing education, employment and as well as making the atmosphere conducive for living and investment.

How then can we overcome these sit-tight leaders?

Greed and insatiable appetite for material things are responsible for these sit-tight leaders not wanting to leave office. Greed produces indiscipline that leads to corruption and makes one to desire everything in the world.

Greed propels them to feel there is no one like them; it makes them to revolve their worldview around themselves and their family members.

This attitude is not only bad, but also sinful. As the Bible puts it, they need to confess their sins, repent and turn a new leaf, which if they do, God would forgive them, but if they refuse, they will die in their sins.

But pushing them out of this position has to be decided by Nigerians. We need to decide that once we are tied of suffering.

How do we checkmate Boko Haram in the North?

This is a very delicate and pregnant question and it will take quite some time to elaborate so that my position can be known on this.

Fighting Boko Haram is not the answer. Though, I did say about 10 years ago, when I was the President of Christian Association of Nigerian (CAN) that there is no monopoly of violence, but now I know better. I now know why they are fighting, bombing places, including churches. The solution lies in the hands of both the government and Nigerians, if only they will

be ready to face the truth. The Bible says, “thou shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” Once we know the truth and are prepared to take the bull by its horn, the problem would be solved.

We need to ask ourselves, who are these people and why are they fighting? They are simply a group of young Muslims, who believe in their hearts that they are doing the bidding of their God and that they are fulfilling their religious obligation and nothing is going to change their mind. This is why I say fighting them physically is not the answer. You can possibly change some things easily, but you cannot change religious doctrines overnight. This group firmly believes in what they are doing and this is entrenched in their brain. They believe that it is their duty to fight ‘Jihad.’ They believe it is their duty to Islamise the North and if possible, the whole of the country. I need to remind you that there is nothing new in their action. If you go down history lane, you will discover that in 1956 we had the first ‘Araba,’ which means separation. It was a type of callous and ruthless killing; it was among the issues that caused the Nigerian civil war. I must inform you that Araba, which is the desire to islamise the North as well as the whole of Nigeria, is still with us. It may change tactics, the goal remain the same.

The Matasine, Kafanchan, Kano, Bauchi and Katum riots had one goal — to Islamise the country. It is a continuous thing; they have made up their mind not to stop until their goal is accomplished. All the above riots are the offshoot of Boko Haram. The only difference between them and Boko Haram is that Boko Haram is making use of modern weapons. They are also daring the government, attacking the police, military and any one who dares to stand in their way. Their ambition is to Islamise the nation, so fighting them is not the answer.

What then is the answer?

Many people would disagree with me, but if they think deeply and pray, they will reason along with me. I repeat, you cannot change Boko Haram, neither can you stop them. Be that as it may, must we allow them to Islamise Nigeria at the expense of over 80 million Christians in the country? The answer is No! What must we do then? We have to sit down together and discuss the way forward, whether we believe it or not; or the government believes it or not, we are at a stalemate until this issue is resolved. This group is shedding the blood of innocent citizens at an alarming rate. Just imagine what those whose loved ones have been killed suddenly like chicken would be telling the Nigeria government. A caring government cannot be smiling at the situation. It is not enough to commiserate with the families of the victims; there must be a solution. If you commiserate with the families of those killed at their prime age, what would you do to the deceased themselves. Let’s put ourselves in the shoes of either those who are killed or their family members. I still repeat, I am an advocate of one Nigeria, but this carnage must stop. We have to tell members of Boko Haram and their financiers that Nigeria is a multi-religious society and they cannot impose their religion on others or force people from other parts of the country to accept it. We have to come to that point where those who agree to have a ‘multireligious society’ also known as a secular society can come together while those who have determined to have their own way can be apportioned their own part of Nigeria.

Pakistan pulled out of India for the same reason. Northern and South Sudan split on the grounds of religion. So, it is not new at all! We can agree to disagree amicably as brothers, even if it means I have to get a visa to go to Kaduna and someone in Kaduna has to obtain visa to come to Abeokuta or elsewhere. The bottom-line is that, there is peace and no more shedding of innocent blood. There is no alternative solution to this; it is the antidote and way out of this impasse. I know those who are benefitting from Nigeria’s chaos will not want to hear what I am saying. Under the normal circumstance, I will never support the idea of splitting the nation.

However, I would advocate that we carve out a territory out of Nigeria for those who have determined that Nigeria must be Islamised by all means if that would put an end to the killing of children, the old, young and even pregnant women. Since they are not ready to live at peace with the rest of Nigerians, must the govern-

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

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THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Sunday, February 16, 2014

INTERVIEW

Our Leaders Are A Bunch Of Thieves, Majority Of Them CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 ment in the name of unity allow them to kill everybody before they have their own Islamic country? Is it after they have slaughtered 80 million Nigerian Christians that the nation would be at peace? We can avoid that by carving out their own portion of the country for them. All we need is visa to visit each other.

Unfortunately, the cessation would not go without its cost. For instance, in Bauchi, we have a lot of committed Christians and the same thing is applicable in Borno, Katsina, Kebbi States and others. If Christians there would have to relocate to save their lives from those who slaughter human beings like goats, I think the pains would worth the while. I am made to believe that the reason behind the unchecked blood letting is that the perpetrators are fighting for God. Which of the gods if I may even ask? The Almighty God, who is allpowerful, does not need anyone to fight for Him. If this Almighty God wants everybody to be Moslem, He would do it without consulting anybody, so why say you are fighting Him. He said, ‘let there be light and there was light.’ If He so desires, He can give the command, Let everybody be Muslims and there would be no hesitation. And if it is the other way round, He can equally command, let everybody be Christians and no one would be able to resist Him. God has given man freedom of choice. He also commands, ‘thou shalt not kill’, He is God of peace, who wants His creatures to live in peace too.

No one can force me to practice his religion by fire or by force; in a civil society, it is criminal to infringe on others fundamental human right.

The true God that I, also, serve forbids me from forcing my religion on others. God says, ‘whosoever wills, let him come,’ He is not forcing you against your will; it is if you will. If God does not force me, why should a man force me?

To put a stop to this madness, we can amicably agree to go our separate ways.

Are you then calling for confederation?

You know the technical name you can go ahead to give it the name. All I am saying is that, no one has the right to make me a Moslem, as I have no right to force anybody to be a Christian.

I am entitled to freedom of existence in my own country.

Are you saying this should top the agenda at National Conference?

Yes, I also want to add that I do not agree with those who say Nigeria unity is not negotiable. I think I heard the President say so. The truth is Nigeria’s unity is negotiable like every other elements. And this should be among the issues that should be discussed at conference. It should top the agenda. Let us reason it together: Our fore-fathers were not called to any round table meeting by our colonisers to subscribe to what our present country, Nigeria, is called. It was rather superimposed by a drunken British officer on us, when he amalgamated the North and South protectorates in 1914.

There is no record anywhere that any Itsekiri, Urhobo, Fulani, Igbo, Hausa or Yoruba was consulted during the naming of Nigeria. 100 years have elapsed, so we need to talk.

Secondly, after the expensive civil war that the nation passed through, can we say today that we are more united than we were before the civil war? Of course, not! A lot of Nigerians, today, still see themselves in terms of ethnic minorities; we need to come together to agree on what type of Nigeria we want. I will still not pitch my tent with those who say Nigeria’s unity is non-negotiable. Looking at the prevailing situation in the country, where we share political office on quota basis, it shows we are not united. If we are truly united as Nigerians, it would not matter to us where the President comes from, whether from the minority group or not; the important thing is that we get the best person to do the job. Using quota system to decide who occupies where shows we are not united. The president, as a Nigerian can come from any part of the country, so far he can deliver. So, we need to discuss all this, including the system of government that is suitable for us whether the parliamentary or presidential system.

The Conference would be meaningful if discussants are given freedom to discuss everything about Nigeria. There should be no-go areas. We want Nigerians to agree on the type of country they want for themselves. What we have, today, is the British imposed Nigeria and not Nigerians type of Nigeria. We also need a new constitution that will spell out how we want to govern ourselves. The present constitution was

The Conference would be meaningful if discussants are given freedom to discuss everything about Nigeria. There should be no-go areas. We want Nigerians to agree on the type of country they want for themselves. What we have, today, is the British imposed Nigeria and not Nigerians type of Nigeria. We also need a new constitution that will spell out how we want to govern ourselves. The present constitution was masterminded by the military and not the free will of the people. We should stop pretending, let us break everything to pieces and start on a new plate. We want Nigeria of our own making, constitution of our own making and other things. masterminded by the military and not the free will of the people. We should stop pretending, let us break everything to pieces and start on a new plate. We want Nigeria of our own making, constitution of our own making and other things.

How do you want members of the conference to be picked?

I think the criteria for choosing participants for the conference should be basically three; firstly, anyone picked must be representing a community in Nigeria and must be well known by the people he or she is representing.

The person must have root. Secondly, a representative must not be a person of questionable character. The person must be a man or woman of integrity and impeccable character.

Thirdly, the person must be a man or woman who is knowledgeable of the country and its peoples. He must be a patriot, who will represent the mind of his people whether in the Diaspora or not.

What is your view of Jonathan contesting 2015 election?

Let’s look at it from what I told you earlier. If we are truly united, it would not matter to any one where the President comes from. Jonathan is a Nigerian, if the law gives him two terms as a President, so be it. But if the law does not give him, he should call it quits. What we should be looking at is what the constitution allows and he should simply comply with it.

Nigeria’s political horizon is saddled with inter-party feud and deflections. My assessment of the whole thing is that those showing

interest to vie for any of the positions are not doing so, because they want to give the best to the people, but are rather coming out for their selfish interests. They are only fighting for their positions and to have direct access to what they covet. I cannot see any replacement of the president from all who are making noise. Even through their utterances, you can deduce their intention. They are only looking at what to grab in politics.

What do you think we may likely harvest in 2015 elections?

We should not expect anything new in 2015 because the old politicians are still around, they would recycle themselves, rig the elections and play the same old game as usual. Let me say this, Nigerians should be weary of these politicians, they come to public pretending to be quarreling with one another, but they meet at their designated meeting points to dine and wine and share booties.

Will Nigeria break up?

My desire is for a strong united Nigeria, but this largely depends on how we handle our differences, respect our fundamental human rights and believe in the right of every Nigerian to life.

How would you describe Nigeria of the past?

You cannot in anyway compare Nigeria of the past with the present Nigeria. In the past as you are finishing school a job would be waiting for you. There was steady electric power supply by the Electricity Corporation of Nigeria (ECN). We also had Public Works Department (PWD) taking care of the roads and drainages. Health offi-

cers were always around to inspect the environment and anyone found soiling a particular place would be dealt with according to the law.

Can we have a repeat of that experience?

Yes, only if we are honest with ourselves. If we want to see the good days come back, we should be able to grab the bull by its horn and address our differences. Of course, we can still have the good old days and even better. We had not much money as we have today, and yet things were so good. Awolowo did not have oil money in the Western region, yet he built the Cocoa House and factories here and there.

Ahmadu Bello in the North did not have oil money; he made money from groundnut seed, groundnut oil, cotton, hide and skin. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and Michael Okpara did not have oil money, but money made from the sales of palm trees produce and cassava were used to sustain the Eastern region. The nationalists used the resources within their regions to develop the country. But, now, there is so much money and so much evil.

How would you score our present day leaders?

They are bunch of thieves. Though, there are a few who are good, majority of them are bad.

Majority of them are nothing, but official thieves; a situation that makes some of us who knew the past very sad.

Advice to the youth Always bear in mind that we are all here temporarily. Whether you spend 70 years or 80 years, you will one day be called back home, where you will give account to Him who sent you here. So, we should always behave well because the type of account we are going to give will determine our eternity. The question is; would you allow the infinitesimal 70 years or 80 years on earth spoil your eternity or eternal bliss? Eternity has no beginning and end; it is unlike earth life where, there is a beginning and an end. We should always be conscious of life after death. There is something better, something greater, and something more beautiful that no human language can describe the beauty for those who live to please the Creator.

So, surrender your life to Him, Jesus Christ, Who paid the price of your sins on the cruel cross.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Sunday, February 16, 2014 7

Cigarette …

Death In The Stick

By Omiko Awa E had just finished his meal, a plate of rice, fried slices of plantain and two pieces of beef, when he brought out a stick of cigarette from his breast pocket. He puts it in his mouth, lit it and sucked in some smoke; he did this thrice, then falls back to his seat in a corner like a man that seems to say, “I am now filled.” Mr. Remi Michael, age 57, started smoking after leaving secondary school, 37 years ago. Recalling how he got hooked to smoking, he said, “while in the boarding school, I do sneak out with my classmate to parties, where we saw boys, some our age and some older, smoking and with time we began to imitate them. Ever since, cigarette has been like a leech to me.”

When asked if he knows that smoking kills, he waved it aside saying, “we must all die of one thing or the other; for some, it could be cancer or lungs diseases, while to others it could be anything else. I have been smoking for over 30 years and have never had course to suffer any internal organ disorder.”

Perhaps, Michael and his likes are yet to realise the harm they are doing to themselves and that they have no right to force others (secondary smokers) into the habit.

Looking at the inherent dangers of smoking to the public at large, the Lagos State House of Assembly recently passed a bill to ban public smoking.

The bill prohibits anybody from smoking in public places such as libraries, museum, public toilets, schools, hospital, day care centres, public transportation, restaurants and others, stipulating penalties, which range from N10, 000 to N50,000 fines or imprisonment for anybody violating the restriction.

The bill which consists of 16 sections states in Section 12 that ‘No Smoking’ symbol that has a pictorial representation of a burning cigarette enclosed in a circle with a bar across should be prominently posted and properly maintained where smoking is regulated by the owner, occupier or person in charge of a place. Section 4 says those who own or occupy public p l a c e s

H

should ensure that approved ‘No-Smoking’ signs are displayed conspicuously at each entrance and in prominent locations throughout the premises.

Penalty for smoking in a ‘NoSmoking area’ is N10, 000 fine or imprisonment for a term not less than a month and not exceeding three months or both. While any person who repeatedly violates the provisions shall on conviction be liable to a fine of N50, 000 or six months imprisonment or both.

The bill also states that the penalty for non-compliance by owner/occupier of a ‘No-Smoking area would be N100, 000 or six months imprisonment or other non-custodial punishment that would be decided by the judge. The law further stated that any person who smokes in the presence of a child commits an offence and would be liable, on conviction, to a fine of N15, 000 or imprisonment for one month or both.

SPEAKING on the effect of tobacco on long time smokers, Dr. Emeka Njoku, a medical practitioner, said a stick of tobacco contains many dangerous chemicals, which are injurious to the human health.

For instance, tar, a collective term for the various particles suspended in tobacco smoke, contains chemicals, including cancer-causing substances like carcinogens. Tar, according to him, is sticky and stains teeth, fingernails and lung tissue.

In his words: “cigarette contains carbon monoxide, whose large intake could lead to less oxygen getting to the brain, heart, muscles and other organs; this on its’ own is dangerous. Also, cigarette contains hydrogen cyanide, which could stop the lungs cleansing system from working properly. Other chemicals found in a stick of ciga-

rette include hydrocarbons, nitrous oxides, organic acids, phenols and oxidising agents, all of which damage the lungs.

“In fact, smoking is dangerous.

Tobacco smoke contains over 60 known cancer-causing chemicals, which harm nearly every organ in the body, causing different diseases and reducing life span in general,” he noted.

Taking a close look at the bill, Francis Edodo, a hotelier, said the law is too harsh for the hotel business, as it failed to recognise smoking areas, where customers that want to smoke could go. He said the new law would likely make some people in tobacco companies to lose their jobs.

But Mrs. Modupe Adelalu, a school principal, disagreed with Edodo, saying, tobacco companies can always diversify, using their huge capital and land to produce other healthy goods such as tea or even cash crops. The new law, she noted, calls for persons to be mindful of our environment, health and, of course, the morals of our children.

“Smoking has actually ruined the lives of many people and homes, and if left to me, I would shift the age bracket to18 years and not just saying one should not smoke before a child. The law should have included that a child or anybody under 18 years should not sell or be involved in adverts pertaining to cigarette. “ We need to know that people do not just smoke cigarette, but hard drugs such as marijuana, which has induced many youth to be violent and be involved in crime.”

Taking the issue further, Ahmed Usman, a businessman, said it goes beyond just making laws, but also to look at the implementation, so that, it would not be ineffective like some of the laws made in the past.

“Besides, we should reorientate the people from the manufacturers to the end consumers, to know the effect of the new law and what it aims to achieve,” he

CITYFILE

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Sunday, February 16, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

CITYFILE

Oshodi Links Road, A Wait Too Long

By Paul Adunwoke ESIDENTS and road users in Oshodi in 2010 heaved a sigh R of relief when Oshodi-Isolo local council embarked on the construction of a link road from the ever-busy Church Street end to the Apapa / Oshodi Expressway. This road was completed in good time, but caved in three months after it was opened for public use.

Within the three months it was put to use, motorists and commuters said, the one-kilometer toll road helped to decongest traffic, especially by making way for heavy duty vehicles to enter the expressway, thereby enabling smaller vehicles to move with ease.

With the collapse came back the nightmare the residents and others road users thought had gone. But instead of the people being indifferent, they challenged the council chairThe section of the abandoned church street link road man to give them reasons their tax money should so wasted.

Seeing the importance the people attached to the project, Afeez Ipesa Balogun, then, council chairman asked Pamatec Global Investment Limited to revisit the project since they handled it at first. But till date it is yet to be completed, especially as Balogun’s tenure ended on October 22, 2011.

Apart from constituting nuisance in the area, the road has also provided space for local gin sellers to sell their drinks and the street urchins commonly referred to as area boys to pass time there and carry out all sort of activities, including smoking and gambling.

The tenure of the former council chairman has come and gone, leaving backlog of uncompleted projects, yet the people appeal to the incumbent, Bolaji Muse, to pick up the baton where his predecessor dropped it and complete all outstanding projects before leaving office.

According to chairman, Nawair- Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria Central Mosque, Oshodi/Mushin branch, which is located in the street, Alhaji Sikiru Ogunmuyiwa, “abandoning the road has affected the movement of people to and fro the mosque.

It has also hindered residence in the street from not bringing their vehicles home. “ The road is a link road, which when completed would serve as an easy route for vehicles entering Agege Motor Road.

Government should endeavour to construct the road to reduce pressure from other roads within and save commuters and the residents the pains of turning the place to another den of thieves. We have approached the council chairman to commence the construction, but he complained of lack of fund to do it.”

Asked if the Mosque is doing anything to embark on the construction. He said: “No, we cannot do it because we are not here for business, we are here to worship God, the little money we get from members can only be used to tidy the compound and our surroundings. We would have put some gravel on the road, but it’s beyond our power.”

One of the residents Mrs. Seyi Babajide said the project failed because the contractor and the council chairman were self-centred, they were much concerned about the money that would come out the tollgate and not bothered about doing a good job.

She appeal to the state government to come their rescue as Another part of the road the road now seems to be a forgotten project, having been abandoned for a long time.

Speaking on its importance to the Oshodi community, she said, “it is the only route that can reduce traffic build up on the expressway, because it links motorists and other road users to the adjoining streets and Agege Motorway. Abandoning it has made us to go through pains, especially in the morning when everybody will be rushing to work.”

Akindele Ogunbanjo, a commercial bus driver, said, “the council chairman has failed to fulfill its promise. He promised to complete the road during his campaign, but now the election has come and gone, he has failed to keep to his words.”

Commenting on the project, the principal information officer of Oshodi-Isolo local council, Mrs. Yusuf Adetutu, told The Guardian that “the Church Street link road is part of the projects inherited from the past administration and that they are taking their time to review some the projects and pleaded with people to exercise patience, saying all the inherited projects will be completed very soon.

“We are looking into all the inherited projects and would soon start work on them, we will surely complete them before leaving office,” she said.

Another view, of the road.

PHOTOS: PAUL ADUNWOKE

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Sunday, February 16, 2014 9

NOTEBOOK

Bombastic Appellations And Assertions

By Adidi Uyo ERHAPS, because I have always anchored the P meaning of the word on that famous quote of Shakespeare, which refers to life as ‘a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing,’ I had never bothered to find out its root — until about three weeks ago. When I ultimately turned to Webster’s to that end, I found out that ‘bombast’ is a Middle English word that means ‘cotton padding,’ and that it derives from the Middle Latin word, bombax, which means, ‘cotton.’

Cotton, as you know, is a fluffy stuff. ‘Bombast,’ according to Webster’s, is ‘talk or writing that sounds grand or important, but has little meaning.’ And its adjectival form, ‘bombastic,’ according to the same lexicon, means ‘using or characterised by high-sounding, but unimportant or meaningless language; pompous; grandiloquent.’

To me, the connection between the definitions offered by Webster’s and the root of the word, that is, ‘cotton’ or ‘cotton padding,’ has been very revealing. Indeed, trying to actually find out the meaning of bombastic, instead of just anchoring the word to Shakespeare’s famous quote or assuming that I knew what it truly meant has made me more perceptive about some things that did not usually strike me as bombastic, whenever I encountered them in the news, specifically, some appellations and assertions.

To be sure, those two words, ‘appellations’ and ‘assertions,’ are veritable examples of bombastic expressions. But I chose to use the two grandiloquent words instead of their much plainer alternatives, ‘names’ and ‘claims,’ just to show the allure of bombastic statements, which may be one of the reasons we are all susceptible to bombast.

However, like diseases, it seems that there are

some bombastic appellations and assertions well turn out to be President Julius Malema, if that are malignant, and others that are benign. his party, the Economic Freedom Fighters, EFF, When Americans, for example, call one sports defeats the ANC in the general elections. fest that exists only in the United States of Compare the Malema bombast with this one: America ‘The World Series,’ we could regard it “We Can Defeat APC, PDP Combined.” That is the as a benign tag. Compare that with a political headline of a news story in the Punch February organisation in Nigeria, which flaunts itself as 11, 2014. The lead of the story reads: “the Unity Party of Nigeria says with the help of the ‘the biggest political party in Africa.’

This assertion, many would agree, is meant to masses, it will defeat the All Progressives Conintimidate other political parties, or, at best, to gress and the Peoples Democratic Party in the aggrandise the party. But what makes the next election even if the two parties merged.” claim bear the weight of cotton — if you do re- No kidding!

As I was wondering whether this was the reinmember the root of bombastic — is that if you ask people across Africa, ‘What is PDP?’ or carnation of the party of ‘the president that “What does PDP stand for?” even one percent Nigeria never had,’ to quote the late General of people living in the next door Benin Repub- Chukwuemeka Ojukwu’s eulogy of the late lic would not know the correct answer. And Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the story continues just how meaningful, anyway, is such a claim? with this bomb: “the UPN, which has not been Do people in other African countries vote in registered by the Independent Electoral Commission, said this in a statement by its National Nigerian elections?

Oh, yeah, if a survey were to be carried out Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Adedeji Salau.”

See me, see trouble! Is it the UPN that is the across Africa on joker here, the recognior the tion or LANGUAGE ON PARADE newspaawareness of per? How political parties, the probability is very high that Mandela’s can a party that is yet to be registered be cast in ANC would be better known around the conti- this light, it’s utterly bombastic assertion given nent than the PDP, by a very wide margin. Yet, such a play? Well, I guess we can plead jourthe African National Congress (ANC) would not nalistic fairness!

Now, there are bombasts, and there are bomb find itself making an assertion like, ‘the greatest party in Africa.’ It would be a meaningless blasts! When a bombastic assertion blows your claim, because Africans don’t vote in South mind to pieces, I think we could call it a bomb blast. Such was the power of this one, captured Africa, come on!

Talking about South Africa, on Thursday, Feb- by ThisDay on January 23, 2014, with the headruary 13, 2014, The Citizen, a popular Johannes- line: “Clark: Those Fighting Jonathan Are Fighting burg-based daily newspaper had this headline God.” on page 6: “Malema: I Will Be The Next SA Presi- “Elder statesman and former Minister of Information in the First Republic, Chief Edwin Kiagdent.” Can you beat that for bombast?

Well, they say politics is the art of the possible. bodo Clark,” the news story begins, “has said So, let us wait till May 7 when South Africans go the President Goodluck Jonathan administrato the polls to elect their next President. It may tion is divinely-ordained, warning that those

opposed to his government are fighting God.” If that opening did not hit you like a bomb, maybe the exact words of the bombastic assertion in the second paragraph of the story would blow your mind off: “According to Clark: ‘Any person fighting Jonathan is fighting God. Whatever, God said you will be that is what you will be and whoever wants to remove him (Jonathan), God will fight him. Under the grace of God, Jonathan became the acting president and later president. What is yours, nobody can take it away from you,’ he added.”

Alleluia!

From that bombastic assertion, let me move you to a bombastic appellation. In the same story by ThisDay, we are told that ‘Clark’s declaration’ coincided with the alarm raised by a group, “We the People of Nigeria,’ to the effect that there are plots to blackmail President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2015 presidential election.”

Did you hear the bombastic appellation, I mean, name of the group: “We the People of Nigeria”? That includes you and me, of course — all of us! But that is not all by way of bombastic appellations.

The story reports that: “The National Coordination of the group, Mr. Elvis Agukwe who raised the alarm yesterday at a World Press Conference in Abuja declared such evil plots (sic) was bound to fail as it was the entire Nigerian electorate that would determine his fate at the poll.”

Concerning that bombastic appellation, the Nigerian Press must be held as an accomplice if not the perpetrator. I am talking about the name, ‘World Press Conference.’ What does that mean? Which news organisations from America, Europe, Asia, or even other African countries attended the press conference called by the group, ‘We the People of Nigeria?’

Methinks this bombastic appellation given wing by the Nigerian Press just has to stop!

A Letter To Mr. President On Cabinet Shake-Up

By Labaran Saleh VEN though we are not exactly E where we should have being as a nation in terms of meaningful development, it is an undeniable fact that we have made tremendous efforts and taken landmark decisions aimed at putting the country on the path of progress on all fronts. Analysts and development experts have at various times blamed an appreciable percentage of our problems on awkward and faulty leadership recruitment system, which has led to the emergence of incompetent leaders across different levels of governance. It is, however, gratifying to note that efforts are presently being made to correct that anomaly, especially by this current administration of President Jonathan.

To a very large extent, the latest rounds of shake-up in the President Goodluck Jonathan’s cabinet is a direct pointer to the fact that the old way of doing things are gradually giving way to new ideas and innovations. The old order of not daring to tamper with certain public officials with questionable records or fingered in corrupt practices is far gone. What we are currently witnessing is all about doing the right thing for the good of all and the country as a whole.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led Federal government appears to be taking landmark steps in its bid to redeem its name and image. The party, owing to the lackluster performance of its representatives across different levels of governance appears more determined and prepared to fix things right in other for it to maintain its pride of place among top rated political parties across the globe. Meaningfully leading this well thought-out campaign of ensuring the emergence of a per-

formance-driven, people-oriented and issued-based PDP is President Jonathan. He has demonstrated these new thinking through latest appointments into boards, ministries, departments and agencies. This time around, merit, competence, capability, interest and track records are largely the criteria adopted in selecting people for various positions. Aside from ensuring that all political appointees under the party’s platform are people of exceptional quality and sound character, they are also expected to display rare commitment and readiness to serve the people unreservedly.

Recent changes in the Federal cabinet are part of well articulated efforts to inject life, seriousness and professionalism into the way and manner government businesses are handled by its functionaries. It is no longer going to be business as usual. With this development, it has proved that no serving government official who is found to have soiled his or her hand in corruption that won’t be shown the exit door. These recent changes are indeed good and healthy for the system and the country as a whole. Those who think they can get into public office and indulge in primitive accumulation of our collective patrimony are no doubt still living in the past.

The message is simple and direct. This government unlike ever before is ready to name and prosecute any public official caught abusing his or her office.

President Jonathan’s administration has since realised that time is of the essence and that the era of allowing unwilling hands and minds to be part of his government is far over. Nigerians are no doubt desirous of witnessing landmark changes in all spheres of our national life. For the doubting Thomases and cynics in our midst, these changes will no doubt change

their impression about this government. The government can, indeed, be taken for its promises. We will have no reason, whatsoever, to doubt it on whatever it plans to carryout or execute. Many, including this writer doubted the sincerity of President Jonathan in the handling of the controversial bullet-proof armoured car scandal that rocked the former Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah. I had personally written off the possibility of the President having the guts to show Princess Oduah the way out.

This is no doubt, a legendary and commendable step by Mr. President.

He, indeed, earns my respect and those of other Nigerians on this particular issue. This is the time to rally round Mr. President to give him necessary support and encouragement in his avowed determination to roll out realisable programmes and policies capable of putting Nigeria on the path of economic prosperity, political stability and above all, as one of the peaceful and united nations across the globe. The challenges confronting us today are all surmountable. This particular horrific phase shall pass and Nigerians shall all smile at the end of the day. I see bright light at the end of the tunnel. Where others see disaster, I see peace and tranquility.

Where others see failure, I see success and where others conspire with enemies of Nigeria to make the country ungovernable for the President and his team, I promise to work against such elements.

The President, like never before, has a good understanding of what Nigerians seriously expect of his government. He has since realised that good and enviable legacies are far much better than promoting narrow interests. This, he has demonstrated in his recent intervention across different sectors of the economy. His administration’s resolve to improve our cur-

Jonathan rent power generation capacity is highly commendable. The agricultural sector is also doing commendably well, especially as it ensures that we produce enough food to meet local demands before thinking of export.

To other cabinet members, this is the time to redouble your efforts to make the President’s transformation agenda a reality. This is not the time to allow yourselves to be distracted by bystanders and onlookers. This is the time to ‘walk the talk’. Those whose pastime is to make more enemies for the system through careless and unrefined comments should have a rethink. The challenges before the system are so enormous that it shouldn’t be dragged into unneces-

sary face or altercation with anyone or group of persons. You guys should focus more on your jobs.

Finally, I wish to call on Mr. President to sustain this laudable tempo. He should be more interested in the legacies he plans to bequeath to generations yet unborn and give deaf ears to those beating the drums of war and disunity.

Sir, you were duly elected as Nigeria’s President and not a sectional President. Destiny has placed in your hands the unique opportunity of etching your name on the quick sand of time. You have the yam and knife, kindly slice a piece for yourself.

Labaran Saleh Salelabaran@yahoo.com

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Sunday, February 16, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Backlash Abraham Ogbodo

08055328079 (Sms only) abogbodo@yahoo.com

Memo To Big Bros E are not steeped in excessive protocols in W the Niger Delta. Stuffs like ‘Your Excellency’, ‘Your Highness’, ‘Your Majesty’, ‘Your

This’ and ‘Your That’ are not very popular notations in the everyday language. Everybody is either a bros or sis. The adjective ‘big’ is attached in a few cases to establish ranking. For instance, in comparative terms, Emmanuel Uduaghan may go as bros, while Goodluck Jonathan will earn big bros and while Roli Uduaghan will go as sis, Patience Jonathan will settle as big sis.

I am sorry for this digression. But I needed to explain why this memo is addressed to Big Bros and not President Jonathan or even Jonathan. Having made this point, I will go now into the purpose of this memo.

Big Bros, I am writing to applaud your recent decisions. I am talking specifically of the shakeups in the Presidency and the federal cabinet. It shows you are not sleeping as alleged by the opposition and other enemies. There were jubilations in Yenagoa and Warri last week when the dailies led with the news of the end of Chief Mike Ogiadomhe as your Chief of Staff. The people were not interested in the difference between sack and resignation. They said either of the words could apply for as long as both translated to the disengagement of Ogiadomhe from the Presidency.

I do not know for sure what the people have against Ogiadomhe, but one bros who pleaded anonymity said the man fitted more as a Chief Cashier than he fitted as a Chief of Staff. I did not understand what he meant and he refused to explain further. Another bros who teaches English at the University of Otueke explained that the Chief of Staff almost succeeded in converting you from a transformational leader to a transactional leader. The fellow left me more confused.

I hear that even Ogiadomhe’s own people at

Fugar in Edo State did thanksgiving in the Church to celebrate his removal. Ha, people can be mean sha! In Port Harcourt, some people said the man actually winched you to let him stay with you for that long. I guess you can crack that word – winched - without an interpreter. But just in case, they were suggesting that you came under a spell and lost your senses. I explained that both of you have been close friends since your days as jobless deputy governors and that by allowing him stick to you like a leach, you were only showing an unusual commitment to a long standing friend.

Maybe I should not have spoken that way because what I said got some people angry. One sis told me to remind you that the Presidency is a much more serious and larger business than a social club or a family estate. Big bros, I want to sincerely beg you to take some of these things people say with philosophical equanimity. The whole world cannot be united in commendation or condemnation of any person, idea or effort. Imagine what people are now saying? If you had forgotten all your friends and family members immediately you became President, the same people would have turned around to say you refused to remember your friends and brothers/sisters after you had gotten to paradise.

In fact, you are doing very well big bros. Your action is surely speaking louder than your voice in the matter at hand. We had hardly finished discussing the Ogiadomhe’s case when news came that Bros Orubebe was among the four ministers who were swept away from the Villa in the ongoing clean-up exercise. You see, when I tell people that the Presidency is not an Ijaw heritage they will be arguing with me unnecessarily. At least you have proved that point for the whole world to see. You have said most eloquently that you do not care about friends and brothers when it comes to real business. Like

the bee, you are stinging whoever falls on the firing line and it is most commendable Before now, the gist in town was that the one who calls himself a church elder was untouchable. As a minister, the man had just one major task to deliver - the completion of the East – West Road. He had promised to be done with the task in December 2014. But the last time he said something about the assignment, it was to say he needed more billions of naira, I think about N110 billion, to meet the December deadline. The completion date had been shifted for close to half a dozen times.

Big Bros, to be sincere with you, the people are not happy at all. They say the time already spent is enough to finish even if the so-called East – West Road were to be a route from Japan in the far East to Canada in the far West. We do not even know who to blame here; is it that Orubebe did not get enough capital votes to finish the road or he was too busy doing other things, like pursing a governorship ambition in Delta State, to apply himself and the resources at his disposal to the job?

In case you have forgotten, there is no other land route outside the East – West Road to Otuoke. Don’t let what happened to Baba Iyabo happen to you. When the man was President, he used to visit his home in Ota in a chopper.

He didn’t have an idea of the condition of the Lagos – Abeokuta Express Way because it didn’t concern him. Now it concerns him because the man has become an ex-president without helicopter to himself. One paper reported the other day that Baba was locked up in the traffic for six gruelling hours between the Presidential wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport and his farmhouse in Ota on account of the poor state of the Lagos – Abeokuta Express Way. As you would agree, that wasn’t a good experience for an ex-president. Except you are preparing yourself to keep hopping from the Port Harcourt international Airport to Otuoke in a private chopper after leaving office, you may choose to pay little attention to the EastWest Road. Even then, you never can tell what will happen after you have left office. The new people may in the course of ensuring good governance discover that there were gaps in the way you procured your private chopper and would use same as basis to ground it. I am not saying it will happen that way; I am just thinking aloud and ahead. As they say, to prevent is better than to cure.

The removal of the aviation princess, Stella Oduah was also commended. Although some

AM neither a member of the All Progressives Iyoked Congress (APC), nor of any of the equally and diseased political parties. But last

SUNDAY NARRATIVE

Sunday, it was with a sense of personal loss that I watched former governor of Kano State, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau struggle to explain why he had to abandon the fledgling progressive coalition for the retiring Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). I thought it was unfair for the man to be allowed to stray. And you could see it as he took pains to explain himself. What is going on now is that politicians are just moving without specific purpose or by mistake. It bothers me because I sense that many of them could get lost in the process.

While some do not bother to explain because they do not have anything meaningful to say, this former governor is taking great care to do so. Ordinarily, Shekarau shouldn’t have much to explain, because the events that brought him to the decision to swap parties were too clear for all to see. Except for those whose sense of justice has been tainted by partisanship, Shekarau’s case more or less, explains itself. But the man still offered an explanation.

According to him, the APC, of which he was a founding member had lost traction and strayed from the course the leadership had originally set for it. Meaning that six months after registration, the party was unable to press forward with its set programmes. There were no meetings at the leadership cadre, of which Shekarau was a member and nothing seemed to be happening. To me, that suggested a situation where a few persons were calling the shots, leaving other stakeholders in the dark. That was why he had to leave.

This Malam is very likely not used to frivolity and throwing stones at old friends. Unlike other politicians who would pour invective at where they were coming from simply to justify their elopement, Shekarau would not talk too much of truth that could haunt him in the future. In other words, he was being economical with the truth, which is that he did not feel comfortable with the turn out of events in the party he had laboured to bring to life; events that have seen old members like him being sidelined, to yield leadership to new entrants like the current governor of Kano State, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who had only recently ran out of the PDP. Perusing the grounds Shekarau gave for defecting from the APC, some would argue that that was not sufficient to drive him away. It could be argued that the APC in just seven

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

Defectors’ Dilemma months is still work in progress and that sufficient ground has been covered so far. The party has moved from the point of its registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to being inaugurated in the geo-political zones and all the states. Then it set up a harmonisation committee to attempt to settle disputes in states that required blending. It has recently concluded membership registration and the next item, perhaps, would be congresses.

Given the enormous challenges of forging the alliance, one would say that putting in place an interim organogram and doing all of the items mentioned above does not suggest that the APC is stagnant, as Shekarau would want us to believe. On the other hand, I think the party is very active, trying to walk before it could leap.

Therefore, rather than leaving the explanation for the APC to do, Shekarau, a man who thinks there is still honour in politics has kept on explaining and explaining. For me, the onus of explanation should be on the APC, a party that is so much in a hurry that it would use any means to win power, no matter how cruel and unjust.

I think it is cruel to create a situation that would leave a man like Shekarau out there, with little choices.

From a distance, the man comes across as one with a manageable taste, no excesses. His appearance does not betray flamboyance of speech and dress. His visage is serious and straight, like a man who has a good conscience.

His appearance at the 2011 presidential contest, where he ran on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party recommended his stage manners to a lot of people, even when that did not fetch him many votes. As a teacher, the man has cultivated good manners. His presentation in the presidential debate was almost number one.

His ideas were clear-cut and his presentation clear and straight to the point. But he came

third even in Kano, after Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and candidate Jonathan.

In other words, the debate and his good presentation did not mean much to Kano voters.

Yes, that is the stage we have found ourselves, unfortunately. Capacity and good manners do not matter yet, but if I were a political coach, I would add Shekarau to my next generation of players. If I were a political leader like Buhari, I would not let a Shekarau miss my mentorship class, no matter what the young man may have done to weaken my own ambition. Worse still, leaving him out there in the cold because of a Kwankwaso and letting him to fall into the temptation of joining the PDP dampens political enthusiasm.

Therefore, it appears this APC is going to be as cruel as the PDP. The APC is very sure that the PDP is using money to lure defectors, yet the APC has yielded leadership in the states to former PDP governors because they are the ones who have money to spend. This is the secret behind the wild romance between APC and ‘renegade’ PDP governors. What is the difference, I dare to ask, between those who lure with money and those who yield to money.

Now, how does a Shekarau fit into the PDP? The man said he would continue being himself and raising issues with his new party for the purpose of correction and playing straight. For a man who had been in the opposition for many years, how does he drop his old habits to blend with his new environment?

The PDP under Adamu Muazu has promised to mend the party’s old and crooked ways. That is a good promise because a lot of those who have found their ways into the APC did so out of frustration. The PDP under previous leaderships had no respect for itself and for others. The only thing it has done fairly well is winning elections and forming government. The party has not done anything to grow itself and chart a way

folks in Uyo agreed that the Princess did try to make a difference in a sector that had seen more hijackers than it had witnessed highflyers as managers, they did not approve of your sticking to her like a Catholic marriage after the armoured car scandal involving her. Big Bros, you have to be very careful because Nigerians have a way of picking up all sorts of information from the street. One fellow said her sack was recommended by Big Sis because she (Stella) was carrying on as if she had a licence. I don’t know the kind of licence they are talking about; the only licence I know is business licence or driver’s licence. Do they mean a business licence to import armoured cars?

Her exit leaves you with the other two women called Ngozi and Diezani. People say both women also have licences. I do not want to dwell on this licence talk. But in trying to explain why things are sometimes not in sync in the Presidency, one commentator had alleged that there were five incumbent presidents in Nigeria contending for recognition. And he named them as follows: President Goodluck Jonathan, President Patience Jonathan, President Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, President Diezani Allison Madueke and President Stella Oduah who has just been relieved of her duties.

Is this what they are describing as having licence? Don’t mind side talks Big Bros. As I said, you are doing well. You are not a small boy that will get carried away by the charming and innocent looks of Diezani. You pass that one Big Bros; I trust! But you have to follow this Ngozi woman with sense. Remember, you are the son of a fisherman and you didn’t wear shoes while growing up. Ngozi’s parents are professors and she has lived most of her life in Europe and America, while you had been mainly around the Niger Delta region as a local operator until the start of the Abuja assignment in 2007.

The point I am making is that Ngozi’s worldview is different from yours and that of most Nigerians. You may need to gently remind her that she is in Nigeria not the World Bank and she is co-ordinating an economy where there are fishermen, palm wine tappers, blacksmiths, peasant farmers, etc.

Finally Big Bros, I want to believe that the work is not finished. We await more sack or resignation in the weeks ahead. And the next batch should include Papa E.K Clark. The old man has over paid his dues. It will be rude to sack a man like that and since he is too patriotic to resign on his own, he can be retired with benefits after a meritorious service of advising you on good governance for three years.

Bye and thank you Big Bros forward for a democratic stability.

The ball is in the court of Muazu, to return confidence among members and grow the party.

This charge goes for the APC too, which for now is bent on taking over from the PDP no matter the cost. If the APC does not do a quick self-examination, in a matter of years the same scenario playing out now will happen again. There will be another exodus of party members from both sides, looking for more comfortable zones to ply their trade.

When the PDP transforms and it is no longer a sin for a member to aspire to be president or governor and there is no longer a deliberate plot to lock out any member that is when the party would have commenced the journey towards growth. Like former vice president Abubakar Atiku said, he is a political animal and the party system is his natural habitat. But when you deliberately sideline him you make him vulnerable and gasping for breath. Like a fish out of water, he is tempted to look for any lifeline. If the party system does not clean itself and play by the rules, members are likely not to show the discipline that will move the democratic game to the next level.

After the 2011 presidential election, which was fiercely contested, the Jonathan camp recognised the formidable and life threatening opposition from the Northern Elders who backed Atiku. Meetings (at least two) to reconcile both camps took place and there was an understanding that subsequent meetings would need to hold to straighten out things. But that did not take place. Once the Jonathan camp succeeded to form government, there were no deliberate follow-ups to revisit those issues that polarised the party. There were other levels of reconciliations, which did not yield good result. The PDP has set up countless reconciliation groups that never amounted to anything tangible. That was how the party ended up with two factions.

For a Shekarau to succeed in his new party, the PDP must change character. For those who left the PDP to succeed in their new party, the APC must learn to respect all members, not just those who are currently in government and have public money to dispense. Very soon, they too will leave office and become ordinary members.

For those who are moving aimlessly, particularly legislators, the onus is on their constituents to teach them some lesson. And we need voter education at that level to teach voters what to do.

TheGuardian

www.ngrguardiannews.com

Sunday, February 16, 2014 11

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Outlook The 2014 Budget Proposals

By Boniface Chizea

OME of us are simply addicted or if you prefer passionate about the annual budget, which some people regard as an annual ritual. Close to the end of the second month in the New Year, the budget proposals have not gone beyond having been laid by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy at the National Assembly.

Both chambers of the National Assembly were unable to harmonise their views on the benchmark price of oil to be used for the budget projections even though some had argued that because of opposition politics, which has assumed worrisome dimension now on the eve of 2015 elections, that the President tactfully wanted to save himself from being heckled for the alleged lack of impressive implementation of the budget.

But we must agree that the lack of commensurate implementation of the budget year-in-year cannot really be attributed to any particular party in the process not least the Executive. If at this time in the year, the budget has not been ready for implementation, how do we expect to have the record of implementation, which the rest of us clamour for and would wish to see? One classic definition of insanity is to continue to do the same thing and proceed to expect a different result. Even last year, when the National Assembly achieved the feat of ‘completing’ work on the budget before the end of the year, we are all witnesses to what has happened so far. And how even because of the lack of desirable level of implementation someone had the temerity to call for the ‘impeachment’ of the President! But this country must fashion out a robust template for budget preparation to ensure that we have the budget ready for use by the beginning of every year, which is the case in many other countries of the world that have given the budget the priority it deserves.

The budget has been christened a budget for inclusive growth, job creation and infrastructural development. This theme captures some of the critical challenges confronting the country at this point in time. The only issue missing here is ‘fiscal consolidation.’ This country must rise fully to the challenge of attaining inclusive growth as it confronts the problem of inadequate diversified economic base. We need to think outside the box to tap revenues from numerous other sources outside the traditional ones begging for attention. In this respect we read often of opportunities in the related oil and gas area; specifically the liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), which the country is not fully taking advantage of. And one of the challenges here is to ensure always that we prioritise the interest of Nigeria first before any other narrow parochial consideration particularly in the context of project location; and where funding is the issue,

S

we should be eclectic in exploring other sources of financing such as contractor finance. In this regard, it is important to highlight the fact that since Mansur Ahmed left the Infrastructural Concessionary and Regulatory Commission; it would appear the body has gone to sleep.

All the efforts, which were hitherto made with regard to infrastructural development leveraging on the Public, Private, Partnership Scheme stopped, as nothing more has been heard since then. There are also opportunities in the solid mineral area specifically with the exploitation of gold, which currently is dominated by foreigners and unorganised small-scale miners often operating illegally. There is, therefore, opportunity here waiting to be organised and fully tapped. And I am sure that there are many other areas in the economy waiting to be similarly exploited if we put our mind to it.

Lack of job for the able bodied educated youths is a time bomb, which every attempt must be made to diffuse. We must commend this government for the awareness it has shared regarding this problem and steps it had taken through various targeted schemes and programmes aimed specifically at creating job opportunities. The Coordinating Minister of the Economy indicated recently that the economy in the year 2013 added 1.6 million jobs. We salute the government for appreciating the enormity of this problem and particularly for taking steps to achieve amelioration. But it is common knowledge that what would create sustainable employment is growth particularly from outside the traditional sources.

With regard to infrastructural development, it is on record that the government hit the bull’s eye in this respect through the successful privatization of the power sector. The President has gone on record to promise Nigerians guaranteed 18 hour per day power supply by the middle of the year. This is a promise, which the President must pull all the stops, go the extra mile to ensure delivery for, in my perspective, herein lies the master key to his political future as the attainment of this goal would considerably boost productivity in the economy and alter positively the growth trajectory of the economy!

Let’s consider some salient indices of budget 2014. This is a budget with projected expenditure of N 4. 62 trillion, which represents a decrease of the equivalent of 5.69% from the N4.92 trillion, budgeted for 2013. With estimated total revenue of N3. 73 trillion for 2014, which is 4.11% less than the estimated revenue of N 3.89 trillion for 2013, the budget is coasting on the wings of fiscal consolidation.

Capital expenditure in the budget is estimated at N 1.100 trillion, the equivalent of 27.29% down from 31.9% in 2013. The Fiscal deficit is therefore projected at N 911.96 billion, which is the equivalent of 1.90% of

GDP. The net borrowing requirement for the year has been estimated at N571 billion, a decrease from N577 billion in 2013.

There has been considerable outcry that the capital component of the budget is decreasing instead of rising as should be expected if the country is to frontally confront the challenge of growing the real sector of the economy and providing badly needed jobs. The authorities are fully aware of this challenge but the reality is that there is not much anybody can do about this development. With agitations across various sectors for improved conditions of services, often resulting in upwardly adjusted remuneration, the recurrent component of the budget is bound to increase. The authorities are working on this problem but we would have to be patient and give them more time for the desired results to be achieved. There is no magic wand anywhere in the world, which the authorities can wave and the recurrent component of the budget would come suddenly crashing down.

Issues have been raised about the borrowing requirement and fear and concern is being expressed that we should be wary of regressing back to the situation of debt overhang from which the Country recently escaped resulting in the achievement of debt write off of a whopping 12 billion dollars. We must not fear debts for as long as it is of the right type and efforts are made to improve on the country’s poor record in effective utilization of such debts. If we borrow concessionary debts at low interest rate with long moratorium and repayment period; we can facilitate the efforts at transforming the economy through such borrowing. The Debt Management Office assures that the country is still within the borrowing limits incorporated in the Fiscal Responsibility Act, but I also share the concern that we should add more debts advisedly. If it is any cold comfort, we must remember that it is not all countries that wish to borrow that are in a position to do so.

Some of the baseline assumptions worthy of consideration include the following: benchmark price of oil at $ 77.5 dollars per barrel, daily oil production of 2.3883 million barrels per day, average exchange rate of N160 to the dollar, and a real GDP growth rate of 6.75%. The assumed benchmark price of oil at $ 77.5 is realistic since oil has sold for a better part of last year at a rate of over 100 dollars per barrel. But it is also a fact that the oil market is vulnerable to sudden shocks, which could see the price crashing down. A number of developments are worthy of bearing in mind in this regard; there is the shale oil and gas find in the US which means that the US can simply decide not to buy Nigerian oil, there is on-going attempt at rapprochement between Iran and the Western world which, if it is

pulled through, could lead to considerable addition to the market coming from Iran.

And on the other hand, there are upside risks arising for instance from the on-going civil war in southern Sudan and the festering insurrection in Iraq and other flash points. We have argued in the past that it is better in this connection to err on the side of caution. There is no reason why the projection in the budget could not have been based on the benchmark price of $ 74 per barrel proposed by the Executive. If there are concerns with regard to disbursements form the Sovereign Wealth Fund, we should rather address that, as it is eminently easier to operate from a position of surplus than otherwise.

There is also some concern that the level of daily crude production we have assumed is rather optimistic. Possibly, but if the current efforts to stem the wave of bunkering, outright theft and pipe vandalism which have assailed the oil sector are successful; we do not have much to worry about. It would appear that the country is already winning the war as indicated by the recent report that the level of loss in this connection is now reduced to 40,000 barrels per day down from 100,000 barrels recently.

What is required is the political will and this organized crime would be terminated.

The newspapers have been awash with allocations to various budget heads. But what is unfair about this is that nobody actually bothers to ascertain the content of a budget head before the outcry. And sometimes it is only fair that we should look at the trend before those bold sensational headlines are taken at face value. It would be somewhat unrealistic to expect a radical departure from the trend if we do not want to see a disruption to activities. Some commentators have highlighted the fact that we have not kept fidelity to some agreed protocols; the Maputo protocol on agriculture; the UNESCO recommendation regarding percent budget allocation to education and even allocation to the manufacturing sector of the economy. It is certainly unrealistic to expect the country to respect all those numerous protocols as it prepares its budget except we wish to hand this assignment over to some external body to discharge for us. But also, it is correct to observe that the on-going attempt to end the Boko Haram insurrection is gulping a disproportionate sum of budget allocations. The President has promised that this is a war, which the country must win, and we pray we do so quickly if we must end the hemorrhage, which the prosecution of this war now implies. We pray that good counsel would prevail so that the budget is approved speedily without allowing any other factors particularly extraneous to the budget itself to cause any more delays to the commencement of a determined and focused implementation this time around.

Dr. Chizea is an Economist/Management Consultant.

CONversation

By Obe Ess

TheGuardian

www.ngrguardiannews.com

12

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Editorial Controversy Over Cement Quality EPORTS that substandard quality cement is being sold in Nigeria is not only unsettling, it is crushing. Though, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has denied the existence of poor quality cement in Nigeria, the veracity of the report should be thoroughly investigated in order to reassure Nigerians that the cement they are buying is of good quality that would not pose any danger to their lives.

A coalition of civil society groups and professional bodies in the building and construction industry had, the other day, raised the alarm on the manufacturing and importation of poor quality cement into the country. These are people who are directly involved in the use of cement for various construction activities and should know.

According to the group, the standard grade of cement should be the 42.5 grade. It said that owing to the lax in regulation and enforcement, cement manufacturers and importers have taken advantage to vary their pigmentation in favour of the lower grade cement of 32.5 and the coalition accused SON of turning a blind eye to the unhealthy practice.

In a swift reaction, the Director General of SON, Joseph Odumodu, said there is no substandard cement in the country, but that cement is being misapplied by users for different purposes. According to him, people only knew the different brands of cement being produced but were unable to differentiate them on the basis of the functions they were supposed to serve. He said the 32.5, 42.5 and 52.5 grades of cement were supposed to be used for different purposes.

He said the 32.5 grade is essentially for block making and plastering purposes while the 42.5 grade is suitable for heavy concrete, highrise structures, bridges, flyovers and marine construction.

Odumodu said ignorance of the different uses usually led to abuse.

Based on the director-general’s explanation, it is pertinent to ask why the different grades of cement are not labelled accordingly to inform users what they are meant for. Reacting, foremost cement manufacturer, Dangote Cement, took exception to the allegation of low quality cement in the market, insisting that it chose to produce the 42.5 grade because it is stronger, has better qualities and higher strength.

But the other cement manufacturers differed saying there should be no limitation on the cement products in the market, as the 32.5 grade has been part of the building industry in Nigeria for 54 years.

They insist that consumers should have a choice of products to suit their needs and applications. Limiting product choices, they say, will send the industry backward and away from the current international trend.

The SON has reportedly instituted a technical committee to review standards on locally produced cement. While that is a step in the right direction, SON should expand the mandate of the committee to include all the essential building materials produced or imported and used in the country. The right quality standard should also be set for iron rods and electrical wires, among others.

Controversy over the quality of cement manufactured or imported into the country is not very common. So, there must be a reason behind this one. Since different grades of cement are used for different purposes, banning one and leaving the other may create problems in the construction industry. All the grades should be available but they should be labelled appropriately so that users would know what they are buying.

Given the high level of corruption and the penchant for cutting corners in the country, it is possible that some manufacturers or importers may have been engaging in sharp practices in order to make more money to the detriment of the people.

There are thousands of substandard products in the Nigerian market both locally produced and imported ones. About 85 per cent of products in the Nigerian market are said to be of substandard quality. It is common knowledge that Nigerian businessmen instruct their foreign manufacturers to produce low quality products for the Nigerian market. The cement importers could do the same. Which is why a thorough investigation is needed.

Given the various possibilities, it is incumbent on the SON to investigate and establish the truth of this matter. All the relevant stakeholders including the Consumers Protection Council (CPC), the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), the Cement Manufacturers’ Association, and Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria (MAN), should join in the quest for the truth.

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LETTERS Oduah: The President Has Done Well anyone still doubts, SnoteIR:theofIfthe person should take sack of at least five prominent members from the Federal Executive Council.

Prominent is the sack of the former Aviation Minister—Ms Stella Oduah, who has been struggling through a floodgate of scandals.

We want to commend President Goodluck Jonathan for taking the right steps in the right direction. But he can do much better if he is actually resolute in fighting corruption in high places. It is not enough to sack the officials involved, the proceeds from their corrupt practices should be returned to the nation’s treasury, while the same officials should be prosecuted. In this regard, Mr. President should leave no stone unturned. There should be no sacred cows, while sanitising the system.

While we also commend the giant strides that the government is taking in its Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA), we implore Mr. President to effectively deal with the twin evil of security challenges and high-level corruption threatening the peaceful co-existence and survival of this nation. Except these deadly twins are effectively dealt with, the nation cannot record any appreciable development in the real sense of it.

We give kudos to Mr.

President on his recent actions aimed at tackling corruption and we hope he will not relent or look back once he has laid his hands on the plough as regards this noble cause. May God continue to direct him and grant him the needed wisdom, while providing purposeful leadership

for this nation? What the nation needs at this critical period are visionary, purposeful and selfless leaders and not political contractors, who are daily selling the nation’s birth right for monetary gains.

• Gbemiga Olakunle, General Secretary, National Prayer Movement.

Unforgettable Experience At MMIA IR: I read with enthusiasm SFunmi the experience of AnneFatusin on the above subject as published in The Guardian newspaper of Thursday, January 2, 2014.

I had the same positive experience on September 24, 2007 and this is related below: My son arrived in Nigeria from London on Monday, September 24, 2007 via Belleview Airlines in the morning hours. He forgot the small bag containing his international passport, 250 pounds, digital camera and other documents in the trolley. When this was noticed on the way home, we drove back to the Airport to check for the missing bag and we reported the incident to the FAAN Security department and the Airport Police Command. The officials promised to contact us if there is any news about the missing bag.

Surprisingly, about two

hours later, I received a call from the Airport that the bag was recovered by Sky Blue, the outsourced company that handles the trolley at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. We were at the airport to collect the missing bag and the content was intact. I was greatly surprised for the honesty, sincerity, integrity and good ethical standard that were exhibited by Aminu Abubakar, the Sky Blue staff member that discovered the missing bag, colleague Yetunde Oguntade and the FAAN security staff on duty in the morning hours of Monday, September 24, 2007.

I, thereafter wrote a letter of appreciation to the Director General of FAAN, Security department of FAAN and the Managing Director of Sky Blue Services.

•Niyi Fadipe, Lagos.

Sunday, February 16, 2014 13

THE GUArDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

NEWS Anambra Doles Out N5bn For Continued Work In Education Infrastructure From Uzoma Nzeagwu and Chuks Collins, Awka

• Lawmakers Shut Illegal Schools

NAMBrA State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, at the Women Development Centre, yesterday, issued cheques worth N5 billion for the continued rehabilitation of schools.

A breakdown of the amount shows that Catholic and Anglican churches got N1.589bn and N1.108bn respectively, while Government-owned schools got N2.697 Billion. The amount was shared proportional to the number of schools owned by each organisation.

The Governor said funds given to the churches was for the continued rehabilitation of their schools forcefully taken by government, which Gov. Obi returned to them in 2011.

In her opening speech the State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Uju Okeke, said that the continued provision of huge amount of money for the rebuilding of school infrastructure by Gov. Obi was because the sector was in complete state of disrepair. According to her, since Obi returned schools to the ‘Mission’ in 2011, that Catholic Church had so far received a total of N2.888bn and Anglican Church N1, 708bn.

She also said that the 254 public schools in Anambra State had received N10m each for renovation of schools; N30m for rehabilitation of 39 mis-

sion secondary schools returned to them; N2m each to the 420 public/ private mission schools for the provision of library and laboratory equipment; N1m to each of the 420 public/Private Mission Secondary Schools for provision of sports equipment and sick bays; N200,000 to schools to organise sporting events; provision of 420 (30\50 kva) generators; distribution of over 23,000 to schools in the state; provision and distribution of over 400 buses to Nigerian schools.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr. Suleiman Dikko, said he had not seen the level of improvement he saw in Anambra State elsewhere. He described the practice of direct disbursement of funds to end users, as done in Anambra State, as an innovation that should be encouraged throughout the country. He said it had led to commendable rehabilitation of schools in the state, as it gave no room for stealing of the money by political leaders.

Head of UNICEF “A” office, Mr. Charles Nzuki, who witnessed the event, said that Anambra State was among the leading states that work with UNICEF. He lauded Obi’s innovative policies, linking the good relationship between the State and International Agencies to Obi’s

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commitment to the people, which he said led him to visit UNICEF Enugu office which no governor, past or present, had done.

Archbishops Valerian Okeke and Christian Efobi struck the same chord in saying that Obi remained the best Governor of Anambra State since the State was created. They commended his courage in returning schools to their owners and his continued provision of money for rehabilitation of those schools, which, according to them, had made Anambra a State worth emulating by other States in Nigeria. They prayed that the incoming Governor would not just work like Gov. Obi but surpass him.

Obi, who said he would continue working till his last minute in office, said the idea of giving money directly to end users was to ensure that every penny meant for public good was properly used. He said that before he took over, a lot of things were not working in the State, but that the entire scenario had changed. Using accredited school of Nursing and Midwifery as an example; he said the State from zero accreditation, now had 12 of such schools accredited.

In a related development the Anambra State of House Assembly has ordered the state Ministry of Education to shut down all illegal schools operating in the State.

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THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Sunday, February 16,

HEALTH

By Gbenga Akinfenwa

HE NigeriaHIVinfo.com, an organisaT tion concerned with HIV/AIDS related issues, has raised alarm on the unethical incidences of error in antiretroviral prescriptions in Nigeria, which ultimately lead to drug resistance, treatment failure, and death.

According to a statement signed by the coordinator of the group, Steve Aborisade, the result of the researches shows the grave implications to treatment outcomes in HIV patients.

He stressed that an important concern to them is the infringement that the issue could represent to the right to health of Nigerians, who are on HIV medications and on the government programmes.

He noted that the insights, which the report provides, represent a dull blight on an already contentious treatment programme dangerously buoyed by marked integrity deficits, adding that the report shows that errors were detected in the

Group Raises Alarm On High Incidence Of ART Prescription Errors prescriptions of almost all adult patients, while commonplace errors included prescribing incorrect antiretroviral drugs or combinations; prescribing drugs that were contraindicated or that interacted with other medications; and inappropriate frequency or duration of therapy.

“The study involved 14 HIV treatment centres in Nigeria randomly selected from 69 health facilities that had programme for active screening of medication errors and was conducted between 2009 and 2011. Report stated that prescriptions of 6,882 HIV-positive patients were checked for errors with a total of 110,000 prescriptions issued represent-

ing an average of 16 prescriptions per participant. Total number of drug items dispensed was 306,000. ‘‘Approximately two-third (67 per cent) of the participants were women and 94 per cent were over 15 years of age. All the participants were screened for prescribing errors, which were detected for 93 per cent of people aged over 15 years and for 62 per cent of younger people. Over a quarter (26 per cent) of errors involved prescribing incorrect antiretroviral drugs or regimens; a fifth involved possible contraindications or interactions; and 17 per cent involved inappropriate duration or frequency of medication.

The incidence of medication errors was

Irish Firm Supports UNICEF, Local Child Survival Efforts • Praises integrated approach at Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) Centre The approach enables caregivers to provide treatment for children with severe acute malnutrition in the home using IGERIA has received support to fight Ready-to-Use-Therapeutic Foods (RUTF and vaccine preventable diseases, boost routine medical services while severe health care delivery and advance child sur- cases are referred to in-patient facilities vival efforts with donations from the Bafor more intensive care nana Importers of Ireland Limited (Fyffes).

The two-day field tour showcases key The donation is a first step in addressing child survival interventions offered by other critical needs of UNICEF programme CMAM Centres including malaria and diand came at a time the country continues arrhea prevention, nutrition, immunizato make strong progress in her ongoing ef- tion as well as acute respiratory infection forts in child survival and other childhood (ARI) programming. It provided deeper preventable diseases. understanding of the challenges and opTo understand Nigeria’s progress in child portunities in programme implementasurvival programme the donor toured the tion efforts with observations and frontlines of government efforts in Kano interactions with people in the frontline State with UNICEF Ireland Ambassador, of health care delivery efforts in the counDonncha O’Callaghan. try.

Donncha has been a UNICEF Ambassador UNICEF representative in Nigeria Ms Jean since 2009 and has seen UNICEF’s work for Gough welcome the support from the children in action all over the world includ- Irish team adding, “we need the support ing in Haiti, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Jordan of everyone in Nigeria and efforts from the and now Nigeria. The outcome of the tour wider global community and those who will form the basis of a new campaign for have passion for the survival of children support from the Irish population schedule all over the world to address critical needs for between April and May 2014. of our vulnerable group. The time to adThe team of donors and Ambassador vance child survival is here and it is only praised the integrated approaches in child with supports like this that we can do it.” health care practices at the CommunityDonncha states: “it is great for us to come Based Management of Acute Malnutrition here and see all the programmes put in (CMAM) Centre as well as the series of activ- place. I can’t believe how selfless people ities of the Volunteer Community Mobilisare within their communities … these ers, Polio Survival Groups and other social people are so selfless, they think of the mobilisation efforts geared towards imgreater good of their communities. That proved health care delivery at the commu- is a bit that probably stood-out more for nity level. me. I suppose seeing the centres (CommuThe CMAM approach enables community nity Management of Acute Malnutrition — volunteers to identify and initiate treatCMAM Centre) and seeing the vaccination ment for children with acute malnutrition in place, just how really well organized, before they become seriously ill. the level and kind of professionalism … it

By Gbenga Akinfenwa

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is educating, the way they educate mothers and the way the centres are not only for nutrition … but they can chat about other family issues and support mothers.”

Nigeria is making some progress in reducing its high child mortality rate but progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) remains slow while some challenges still remains. Malaria, diarrhoea, pneumonia and newborn causes are major contributory factors to about 70 per cent child deaths in the country. While vaccine preventable diseases such as measles, tetanus or whooping cough still contribute to causes of child mortality, the country is making steady progress to ensure interruption of wild polio virus in the country in the months ahead. The level of child mortality is also being reduced with simple interventions such as immunization and integrated activities at the Community Management of Acute malnutrition (CMAM) Centres across the country.

The team toured three local government areas (LGAs) of Kano State comprising Bichi, Dambatta and Nasarawa local governments. They were received by districts heads in Bichi and Dambatta LGAs as well as key officials at the state ministry of health. In 2013 Donncha was elected to the Board of Directors in UNICEF Ireland.

By day, Donncha is a professional rugby player and has over 200 caps for Munster Rugby Club, he has over 90 caps for the Ireland International Rugby Team and he is a former British and Irish Lion. He was part of the Irish team, which won the Grand Slam in the 2009 Six Nations Championship, the first time Ireland had one this in 61 years.

The Secret To Good Health

By Moji Solanke

N order to find the secret to good health, it is important to first identify the source of goodness. Basing health on this source ensures that health is included, as an integral, inseparable part of goodness; and thus good health is established as a matter of course.

Practically all religions, and many advanced schools of thought and philosophy acknowledge God, or the divine Being as the source of all goodness. This being the case, it stands to reason that when health is based on God, or Divinity, there must be a beneficial resultant effect. Yet, many people of faith, and those who live good, moral lives, may struggle with health issues. Therefore simply having faith in God’s ability to heal, while a first step, is obviously not all that is needed.

In the book Science and Health with key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910) writes about her discovery of the laws of health. She found these laws to be universal, transcending religion, sect, race, gender and all the divisive etceteras humanity conjures

I

up She further proved consistently for almost half a decade, that these laws were readily available to be taught and learnt by anyone.

Most importantly, her work, and those of others who adhered to these laws of God, resulted, not only in good health, but also in healing.

Her discovery of the secret to good health, [if you will], was based mainly on her devoted study of Scripture, and particularly the work of Christ Jesus, who healed all without discrimination, and regardless of the name of the disease or how long it had lasted. This healing was more or less instantaneous, and on a number of occasions, he raised the dead to life.

Jesus also taught his disciples to heal, but after a few centuries, the ability to heal in this way was lost. After many years of seeking good health herself, Eddy discovered how to heal like Jesus did. She writes that God had been graciously preparing her during many years to receive the final revelation of the Science of divine healing. She wrote down this revelation in her aforementioned book, and committed the ideas to ‘honest seekers for Truth.’

Hundreds of thousands of individuals have gone on to prove, in the intervening years since, the efficacy of these laws of God, in verified accounts of healing, and in overall better health, not in any miraculous way, but naturally, and as a matter of course. Today, many in Nigeria also attest to the beneficial effect on health that they are enjoying as a result of adhering to God’s law of health, the rules of which are clearly laid out in Eddy’s internationally acclaimed book.

It is very important to prove for oneself, rather than take another’s word for it, especially when it comes to the important issue of health, and Eddy says with confidence, regarding her discovery of the secret of good health, ‘You can prove for yourself, dear reader, the Science of healing, and so ascertain if the author has given you the true interpretation of Scripture.’ For the sake of good health, it is worth a try.

m_asolanke@hotmail.com

somewhat high,” he said.

Aborisade revealed that the findings become worrisome to the organisation, as it raises serious concerns around the integrity of the country’s ART regime, especially from the research conclusion which suggests that active screening for medication errors is feasible even in resource-limited settings like Nigeria if only they would build the capacity of those manning the facilities.

Said he, “Our concerns become heightened going by the connection that this report has to the findings of the 2010 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study. The global burden of disease study is a comprehensive regional and global assessment of mortality and disability from major diseases, injuries, and risk factors involving 187 countries of the world from 1990-2010.

“HIV is said to be responsible for 3.3 per cent of all the number and proportion of disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) lost worldwide.”

He appealed to those directing the country’s intervention to see the urgent need to respond with more clarity of purpose, saying they should entrench a new regime driven by accountability and openness even in the midst of constraints to available resources.

“The Nigerian people deserve an explanation as to how we remain at this junction having in mind the huge investments in tax payers’ money and foreign donor’s grants that the HIV intervention continues to consume.”

Practical Psychology

Providing Solution To Lying Behavior

By Passy Amaraegbu

ER wedding was fast approaching and her fiH ancée was jobless. Meanwhile, Joke was newly employed in the customer’s service of a successful bank in Lagos. She needed about six months to raise the money to cover her wedding expenses.

The temptation to access the account of one of her customers and gradually replace the money was very strong. Afterall, nobody would know. Also, she intended to repay before the owner of the account would demand for the money. Using the ATM number, she withdrew one million naira (N1,000,000) from customer’s Mr. James account. The rest is an account of bitter history.

Initially, she denied taking the money. Later, she consented and confessed. Yes, Joke stole and lied.

Being in a tight corner is one of the reasons why people tell lies. What is the way out of lying?

We will use a strategy I can the four Ds. First is decision. Take a resolute decision against lying as well as speaking the truth. Note the double nature of the decision – standing against lying and standing for the truth. Without such a strong based decision, the war against falsehood may never be won. Taking such a decision means that one has discovered the high cost of lying as well as decided to be free from it: for instance if Joke had told the truth from the beginning, the bank management would have been more merciful in meting out disciplinary measures. But that initial lie earned her a sack instead of a suspension.

Fortify your decision against lie and standing for the truth by declaration. Not one or twice, but keep verbalizing your decision to stand and speak the truth. Make it a habit until every part of your brain – conscious, subconscious and unconscious accept it. Begin the process within your mind. This is referred to as auto-suggestion and continue in it in spite of the action and reaction of your environment.

Practice self-denial. Temptations and tests will pressurize you to lie, but don’t yield. Note that one successful effort at denying yourself the opportunity to lie will strengthen your resolution. Build on this.

Consolidate your decision. Even if you fail, rise up again.

Be dedicated and devoted to your decision to stand and speak the truth. This means, seeking for help to build up the new habit of truthful living. In practical terms it means, studying, seeking good counsel, meditation and prayer. Give particular attention to the new direction you have decided to move towards. The progress may not be dramatic but steadily move on and up. Move up. Greatness awaits you.

Dr. Passy Amaraegbu, A clinical psychologist lives in Lagos. drpassy@yahoo.com

Sunday, February 16, 2014

ENTERPRISE

www.ngrguardiannews.com

P/17 COVER

P/18 BUSINESS

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Gale Of Defections And The Housing Deficit: Taming ONALAJA: It’s Good To The Monster In Mortgage Know When To Move On Health Of Democracy

MEDINUS: Finding Fulfillment In Supporting Others

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

16 Sunday, February 16,

SPOTLIGHT

MEDINUS: Finding Fulfillment In Supporting Others

By Bisi Alabi Williams ECULIAR Medinus is an author and writer. She was first published as a writer when her performance was aired on the radio for emerging the best in an essay competition as a secondary school pupil. That event was a turning point, which referenced her journalistic career in Nigeria and the UK. Her parents were both educationists at grassroots level and she was tied to their apron strings. Her dad was a very gifted man with a strong personality, while her Mom is a woman with great feminine outlook and an unbeatable inner strength. These two were great inspiration to her. She takes to life with a heart of gratitude, observing how God brings channels to enable the individual arrive at his/her destination. She is indeed grateful for the great men that God has caused to cross her path and who have touched her life positively. Little wonder she advises every believer to truly model Christ. “He is my role model; so, I am satisfied in Him,” she says.

The youngest of six siblings, she is from the southern part of Nigeria and like many, her family experiences shaped her values and expectations. She grew up in a family, where discipline was the watchword and everybody in the house went to school. “Like Dad, I have no drinking or smoking male as a brother,” she says jokingly. “Never quit in the face of any challenge” was her dad’s final words to her and she remembered those words even when the end of a dark tunnel was nowhere in view.

This also has a connection with her childhood, a remarkable memory of how her blind grandmother walked her to school as an infant. The woman’s physical challenge did not stop her from taking her granddaughter to school. So, very early, the little Peculiar learnt that the power to succeed lies within her and all others who dare to try.

Growing up, her secret passion was to advance the interest of her people abroad by becoming a diplomat. She was determined to learn the ropes and planned to study law as a first degree and international relations as a second degree. Things went her way, as the University of Maryland in the U.S. offered her admission to study law immediately after secondary school.

She did not abandon the surging passion to writer. “Something seems to flow over the brinks and I don’t easily get tired.

My skills lie in the ability to communicate my area of thought,” she says.

Peculiar loves challenges because it brings out the best in her. Her ability to adapt, learn in new work settings and cope with new work situations have always stood her in good stead.

During her internship with ThisDay newspaper, she was on the City Diary desk and afterwards she wrote several freelance reports covering real estate, communications and business. It was a big switch to move from a specific beat to general reporting, as a freelance, but she enjoys taking on new challenges.

“My move from a national newspaper to a regional one as a reporter gave me the great drive and initiative to handle the business page in the absence of the editor. I had a great deal of exposure working and communicating with people from various organisations. I had a working relationship with NDIC, BPE, CBN and other financial parastatals,” she says.

As a writer, her passion swept through soothing moments of the night, and she would scribble things as they came to her.

Soon this nightlong inspiration got her restless. She discovered that all she needed was a medium to get her thoughts across to the people out there and connect with an audience.

The unique aspect of this passion of hers is that it is in alignment with the word of God. At first, there was no avenue for her to give vent to this vision in a newspaper that is tailored like the New York Times.

However, her enthusiasm made her took the chance by approaching the Editor-in-Chief, who welcomed her proposal to add a religious tone to the newspaper. “I was spared a column to write my Reflections articles, where I scroll out my divinely conceived thoughts that arrested the attention of a particular audience. I quickly realised that I was making impact through feedbacks emailed to my personal inbox. It was a great opportunity to reach out to the right hearts. I thought I needed a more flexible medium to relay my message in volume, so my first book: The Female Preacher was published.”

For her, writing is not just a passion. It is her best mode of communicating inspired thoughts to her audience. Her love for writing started with the silly scribbling of babies the moment she made an impression on her chalkboard as an infant.

Despite this, she didn’t grow up with the intention of becoming a writer. However, certain occurrences pointed in this direction later.

“I had my first print work published as an IT student with Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, where I was like an eaglet under the auspices of Dagogo Clinton, the Editor-in-Chief. I craved blue chip companies as a graduate, but ended up with ThisDay newspaper for my internship. I continued as a freelance writer for the newspaper and became the Lagos correspondent with The Tide newspaper before getting employment as a correspondent with The Abuja Inquirer.”

Interestingly, in less than two years, she was posted to London as the UK correspondent. Her editors found her writings very engaging. Indeed, two of her edited manuscripts were returned with testimonials from her editors, who promised to incorporate some of the lessons into their lives. Of course, she was very encouraged because her readers are her priority.

Her first published book, The Female Preacher does not only take the man into the very core of the feminine gender, it’s also a motivational piece to the women folk, who may not realise that they have given shape to make change. A unique feature about her books is her ability to transport her readers to the scene while relaying her stories, which is just like embarking on a trip.

“I have written only three books and I employ a writing style

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that goes with the pattern of my subject. My recent book, Never Get Hurt relates in appropriate tone that hurt is a waste.

My second book Single Act projects the consequences of a loose life without any emotional rape. In all, I am embracing the grace of versatility in writing my books”.

Her readers describe her as a prolific author with creative power. Some attest to the fact that opening her book for the first time comes with an engaging magnet that makes it impossible to put it down until they are done. A renowned coach on relationship informed her that he has her first book as a resource for his sessions with female clients.

Despite this positive commendation she craves for more feedbacks because she is convinced that her beautiful books are not yet written. Even if the intention of the critic is to downsize her vision, she always welcomes feedback as a tool for checks and balances.

She is not ashamed to say that what fuelled her purpose is

the passion that has an alignment with scriptures. She has been privileged to promote her books in some UK church denominations. Culled pages of one of her books currently runs in a church’s magazine, while she has reviews from readers on webpages too.

“Just recently, my phone rang and a reader testified to a breakthrough encounter in the midst of a maze after reading my book. I’ve got so many reviews about my books but a common feedback from every reader is that there’s more to my books than meets the eye. What I learnt from this feedback is that giving is the main course of living.”

One distinguishing feature of her books is the capacity to appeal to audience in a national, societal and individualistic bearing. Never Get Hurt is a voice against the act of personal revenge, which unconsciously contributes to societal decadence. The third part of The Female Preacher challenges African women to rise up and be productive.

She is saddened by the fact that Nigeria is blessed with nature’s qualities but could not utilise her productive capacity to be the best that she could be. A country so blessed, but yet infirm can be likened to the biblical infirmed woman. She has

remained bound for so many years. In order for her to become more attractive to Nigerians living abroad, she says Nigeria, which is already green will become greener if she recovers from this poor structure.

In her view, mentoring can be a very rewarding experience that helps to develop others personally and professionally.

She believes that the best way to become a mentor is to have one. With a smile she states, “I can say with a high sense of humility that I am happy about the outcome. I am very interested in young and creative minds. I have encouraged young writers and female writers to take it to the next level. I am hosting upcoming events to extend my support to more people with writing potentials. I realised there are so many people that have been trying to write a book for a very long time. It’s been a privilege to give publishing aid to those bent on making meaningful impact with their books.”

She advises youths to shift their focus from aca-

demic education because they have been decreased by degrees. “There is a unique you and you’ve got something within you to make a difference. There are so many youths that crave for success but don’t know the meaning of success. The first thing that youths should be taught is to understand success.

Nowadays people undervalue the meaning of success because they limit it to fame, material wealth, long tenure in office and so on. No one stands to be successful without making someone else a success. A career is not an earning path; it’s a learning path.”

Peculiar strongly believes that she has been divinely taken through a route that defines her destiny. She finds fulfilment in supporting struggling people along the path she had to also struggle. And it was with this passion that Love Boat was formed to assist people that have been caught behind the red light for a long time. This initiative has packaged four activities next year to reach out to people. Her desire is to see it make positive impact in the lives of people. “Before Love Boat, I created web pages, where I had the opportunity to encourage women and there had been transformation from the feedbacks received.”

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Sunday, February 16,

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

ENTERPRISE

ONALAJA: It’s Good To Know When To Move On

“That is what brings them back. So, an aspiring successful businessperson or entrepreneur should offer quality job, consistent service and also deliver value.

Once that is done, you are in business.”

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By Gbenga Salau FTER working with Andersen Consulting, now Accenture, for a decade, Roselyn Onalaja moved on to start her own business.

She was ready to give it all despite the fact that she knew it would not be an easy task. For her, it was more about adding value and doing what she enjoys. This, she said, was what propelled her and some other colleagues into establishing StreSERT Services Ltd. “I left Accenture in my tenth year,” recalled Roselyn, who is currently the Managing consultant of StreSert. “But the time to quit paid employment varies with people, as it involves other considerations as well. It depends on what the individual is going through at that point in time or what he/she wants to do next.

“But for me, it got to a point where, I just felt it was time to move on, to go for a change. Having learnt so much, I was confident that I could do something with all the knowledge and skills I had acquired. So, I knew I was prepared.”

So, after leaving Accenture, Roselyn was part of a team that set up a business support services company for seven years before she decided to lead another team to set up StreSert Services.

Interestingly, the whole experience turned out not as frightening, as they all had thought initially. This is partly because for her especially, it was not a new thing, but something she had done before, though under a different platform.

“The apprehension was there quite alright, the fear of the unknown and moving from certainty to uncertainty. It took a lot of courage besides being determined and focused about what I wanted.

“But because my colleagues and I enjoyed doing the business and we were also passionate about adding value to other people’s businesses and society generally, all this aided the business’ growth.

But from where did she get the start up capital? Said she: “We just started and we were offering services. We were fortunate to have an office space within a larger place. It was one of my colleague’s husband’s place. He gave us a room.

That was where we started out. As we offered the services, we were getting paid and putting the money back by using it to buy the business tools and other necessities.”

So, what is the company all about? “We offer professional support services in the areas of human resources and integrated services.

Under human resources, we cover aspects such as recruiting, outsourcing, expatriate management, and corporate structure services.

“In the area of HR consulting, we do recruitment and assist organisations to source for talents. Our clients cut across various sectors. For HR outsourcing, which is a growing business trend in Nigeria, we source for people to fill positions based on job specification.

“The difference between the two is that while one is outright recruiting, a one-off thing, the other, which is the outsourcing, we deploy and are responsible for managing the staff. In other words, they are our employees but deployed to various organisations to work. The expatriate management is basically for organisations that employ expatriates to work in Nigeria. We ensure that they have all the legal papers required to work here. We liaise with the Immigration Service to ensure this is done.”

Her experience at Accenture, where she honed her skills, she said, prepared her in no small measure to acquire the ability to handle the new business.

“Accenture is a world-class consulting organisation and it was the only place I worked before setting out to do my own thing. All the years I spent at the place were really worth it, as I was privileged to work with thoroughbred professionals, who were highly committed and intelli-

A

gent. That was where I cut my teeth and learned almost everything.”

Before going to Accenture, Roselyn had some ideas of what she wanted to do in life, and though she studied Linguistics at the university, after graduation, she became interested in secretarial administration. “So, I went for a programme in secretariat administration after my youth service year. I actually started out as a secretary with Accenture.

“The organisation is a very diverse place, where you get to learn a lot. And all the diverse experiences I had, prepared me for this. Before Accenture, I did not work anywhere. It was my first job.”

She is, however, thankful that it has been a smooth ride so far despite the occasional hitches. “We all know the difficulties involved working in the Nigerian business environment.

The cost of doing business is really high in Nigeria. There is also the issue of inadequate infrastructure and the challenge of starting out, getting known in the industry, selling yourself, the service and then convincing others that you can do it.”

In her view, though there is the tendency for clients to want to look at the big names in the business, but it is crucial to make a lasting impression by doing a good job once given an opportunity to showcase one’s business and services. “That is what brings them back. So, an aspiring successful businessperson or entrepreneur should offer quality job, consistent service and also deliver value. Once that is done, you are in business.”

She should know because this precisely was her experience. It was the first job her company landed and which came from Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija that served as the much-needed founda-

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tion for growing the business. The firm, which started with just three staff, has since come a long way with over 20 staff members currently in its employment.

The projection, she said, is to build the firm to the point, where it will be among the top business support services organisations in Nigeria.

“The aim eventually, is for us to be among the top five professional business support services organisations in Nigeria.”

Roselyn acknowledged that the success she has been able to record so far, both in her business and at the home front is due largely to the support she has been receiving from her family, which she described as wonderful. “My husband has been very, very supportive and that has been very encouraging. There is nothing to beat it, when there is somebody providing solid support, especially when the business had not started making profit.” They met during her youth service in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Her husband, a military officer, was the ADC to the then state governor.

Was there ever a time she felt like quitting? “Of course, there have been such moments. The good thing about it is that those periods did not really last; they were rather momentary. And usually, I would just pray and then move on.”

How has she been coping with the tendency for Nigerians to consider anything foreign as superior and better? “In our sector, I do not think we have that problem because we are largely local players though we have all come into the market at different times.

“I know that on the general note though, there is a preference for international things because they are thought to be better. But there are good local companies because we know what we want. Nigerians are intelligent and hardwork-

ing people, but in our industry, we are largely local players.”

On the issue of exploitation of job seekers and proliferation of illegal recruiting agencies, she said it is something she reads on the pages of newspapers, though it is being looked into by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity in conjunction with recruiting companies.

In her view, this partnership, if well-handled, will gradually rid the market of quacks.

She, however, urged Nigerians to be more discerning and not put themselves in a position, where they seem gullible. “They should ask questions. With the rate of unemployment in the country, it is possible for people to become desperate. I will advise that people become more cautious and ask questions before taking actions, especially if the recruiting agency in question is not known or reputable.”

For beginners just coming into the field, she said: “They need to be clear about what they want to do. They should also have a passion and plans for what they are doing because that is what keeps them going when the going gets tough.”

While growing up, she had lots of fun, as her family was a nice and caring one. “We are six from my mother and I am the last child. So, I was the centre of attraction, as everybody was taking care of me. I graduated from the University of Benin, with a BA in Linguistics and a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Lagos, besides being an alumnus of Lagos Business School.”

There is a particular trend in the Nigerian business world, whereby most businesses are tied to the owners, and as soon as the founders pass away, it becomes difficult for the business to thrive. But Roselyn said Stresert is not one of such, as it is not a one-man business but a limited liability company that has a board and a management team.

“It has been possible to have such arrangement because of the background my colleagues and I came from, together with the experience that we have had. From the outset, we knew the importance of having a structure in place. We also recognised the need to have an organogram in place and as we grow, the organogram also keeps expanding.

“So, the need to have a structure in place has never been a problem besides creating a conducive environment for our staff.

“Generally in Nigeria, that issue is a very big problem and that is what we advise our clients, especially the small and medium businesses that we interact with. For instance, in my organisation, we go on vacation, as at when due and the work gets done.”

For her, it is important to share the vision with the team and what would benefit them in the process so that they help to drive the vision positively.

TheGuardian

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www.ngrguardiannews.com

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Cover

By Aloysius Omo T was the inimitable Professor Claude Ake (1939-1996) who came forward with the thesis clearly explaining how politics in the postcolonial state in Africa stands in the way of development. Ake argued that because the colonial economy largely shut out the indigenous elite from engaging in productive activities, politics became the only arena where relevance and influence could be gained at independence. The consequence was the chaotic, and often bloody struggle for political power, the only means of material advancement. Politics naturally took the shape of a zero-sum game, in which fair and foul means ensured the winner took all, albeit temporarily. It was a game in which the modicum of decorum and reflection that would have allowed for some developmental inclination became absent.

Since Nigeria’s transition to civil rule in 1999, the relevance of Ake’s postulation on politics as an agency for instability has been consistently validated. Within the turbulent context of the Nigerian polity, the current gale of defections sweeping across the country generally reflects that chaotic struggle for political power, which Ake had identified to be the bane of development.

This is the light in which Nigerians should view the real estate of time and space that has been devoted to the catfights between the All Progressive Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), over the flurry of movement of members between either parties. The latest turf for the battle is the National Assembly, where the APC is doing all within its power to harvest as many members as possible from the PDP. The resultant talks about the declaration of the seats of defecting senators vacant, as well as the allegations of financial inducement in the House of Representatives are reflection of the self-portrait of the Nigerian politician as a character in a perpetual search for morsels, rather than ideas.

In a polity brimming with cerebral minds, opportunistic defections, akin to bazaars would not be the defining theme for political engagement, especially in a year preceding the crucial general elections in 2015. Although complicit through what seems to be their incurable apathy, the Nigerian people expect the political gladiators to engage with the thematic issues that touch their lives most, including creation of jobs, revamping agriculture, power generation, the development of infrastructure, the war against corruption, as well as other issues closely related to the welfare and well-being of the average Nigerian. Instead of making defection the only issue of concern one year to the election many bewildered Nigerians are interested in ideas both squabble sides are putting forward with respect to an issue like power generation.

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Gale Of Defections And The Health Of Democracy Would the APC reverse the unbundling of the privatization of the power sector? What exactly would the PDP do, in the face of the floundering generation and distribution companies that have taken over the sector and are not delivering regular power supply to Nigeria’s longsuffering people?

Does the APC agree with the direction of the Agriculture Transformation Agenda? Does it think agric in Nigeria should be driven by big business or small-scale farmers? What are its views on programmes like the Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES)? What difference would the PDP make with the GES programme that is obviously dogged with hitches that have made it ineffective? This is the nature of the conversation many Nigerians expect to see, instead of the bickering and the unimaginative undercutting that the two major parties and their allies have engaged in.

The irony however, is that Nigeria has never had it so bad. In the short lived First Republic for instance Nigerian politics was a magnetic collage of creative conversation and activities defined to some extent by ideas. For example, it was the political firmament of the First Republic that produced the idea of free education, championed by the sage Obafemi Awolowo in Western Region. All regions channeled their ideas into one area of comparative advantage or the other. Nostalgic talks about different ideas that led to agric revolution in the competing regions of the country still define the discourse of many who witnessed those rosy times.

The politics of those days were suffused with sound bites; there were quotable quotes and words that moved men. Even in the second republic, ideas shaped politics. The five cardinal progammes of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) forced opposing forces back to the drawing board. The major defection of that period was in Ondo State, where Segun Omoboriowo, the deputy to Michael Adekunle Ajasin, then governor defected to the National Party of Nigeria (NPN). The move was viewed as apostasy, unlike in these days when politicians scurry between one party

and the other at a rate that bothers on the ridiculous.

Even during the era of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the National Republican Convention (NRC), not much was heard about restless politicians jumping and hopping between parties. Perhaps, the fear of the military, which was guiding the transition process with its traditional jackboot precision was enough deterrent against such unruly behaviour.

What would have amounted to some kind of deterrence was if the political system had frowned at the practice of jumping ship at the slightest pretext right from the beginning of civil rule 1999. Defection or “cross carpeting” became an incongruous part of Nigerian political reality during the reelection bid of former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2003.

It was one of the political stratagems, which the ruling party used to weaken and demoralize the opposition AD just before it overran the Southwest. That was the point at which Senators, Dr Wahab Dosunmu, Musiliu Obanikoro and Adeseye Ogunlewe who were elected on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) defected to the PDP. The records also show that Chief Arthur Nzeribe (Imo), Senator John Nwanunu (Abia) Dr Usman Kadir (Kogi) all defected from the All Nigeria People Party (ANPP) to join the PDP. But because the actions of these politicians resonated well with the ruling party all calls for their seat to be declared vacant fell on deaf ears. Similarly, as Vice President, Atiku Abubakar was harassed by Obasanjo out of the PDP. The former VP immediately sought solace in the Action Congress. His seat was subsequently declared vacant by the Presidency, but the courts ruled the act a nullity. The lack of repercussion for defections early on in this dispensation has made it very attractive for politicians turn defection into an art.

But what does the 1999 Constitution say about defection from one party to another?

In the case of a legislator, the constitution says the defector should vacate his seat, but goes on to provide an alibi on the basis of fac-

tions springing up in a political party. For those elected into executive positions, Section 177 of the 1999 constitution clearly states that a person shall only be qualified for election into the office of the governor of the state if he is a member of a political party and. The 1999 Constitution does not provide for what should happen if a governor, deputy governor or the President or his deputy decides to change political affiliation from one party to the other.

In the case of Abubakar Atiku Vs the Attorney General of the Federation, the Supreme Court was of the view that a person sponsored by a political party to power could leave the same party to another without breaching any section of the constitution. However, for legislators, the constitution says a defecting lawmaker must vacate his seat provided that his membership of the latter political party is as a result of a division in the political party of which he was previously a member or of a merger of two or more political parties.

But the fundamental question about leaving a party over the existence of a faction or factions is, who determines the existence or otherwise of factions within political parties? The judiciary would come into the equation here.

A clear cut definition would have to be made as to what constitute a faction in a party, such that politicians would not have all the space they have had to use existence of factions to balkanize their parties. It seems like a stroll in the park for a group of defectors to simply walk out on their party, and pronounce themselves a faction as was done by the G7 governors who walked out on the mini convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in August last year to form what was designated as the new PDP. In the end, what is happening in the polity with the endless defections is that valuable time that should have been used to discuss and work for the development and growth of the nation is being expended on bickering over the bid by some politicians to cross from one political party to another. Politicians must therefore be told to put the need for stability in the polity above all of their partisan bickering.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Sunday, February 16, 2014 19

COVER

ADEDIPE: If You Leave Your Party You Lose Your Seat, Unless Factions Truly Exist

Saraki

Tambuwal

Mark

Goje

Akande

Mu’azu

Mr. Ifedayo Adams Adedipe, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) is an expert in constitutional law. He told KELVIN EBIRI in Port Harcourt, that the current avalanche of defection will persist for at least the next 10 to 15 years, because political party politics is still in its infancy Nigeria. He reckoned that the current political shift or realignment within the dominant political parties the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressive Congress (APC) - is not a threat to the democratization, rather, it will make people of like minds coalesce.

What is really the position of the law on the matter of legislators’ defection?

F you leave your party you are expected to lose your seat. But if you can show that the reason you left is because the party is factionalised, you will not lose your seat. There are two ways to look at it. When you look at it from a moral point of view, you might want to raise eyebrow and say this is not right. I mean these people were elected on a platform; on a set of promises made by the political party to which a particular legislator belongs. On the other hand, as it often happens that along the line disagreements occur on principles, on issues, that will make it imperative for an individual legislator to say I cannot take it anymore and so I am leaving. In sure circumstance, one can hardly apportion blames or call such legislator names.

Recently in Nigeria, I think there is a political shift or realignment if you like. The dominant ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is having some internal reengineering that has led to major disagreement. We cannot pretend that all is well with the ruling party, PDP. There is a disagreement. It (PDP) has been factionalised. Under the provisions of the 1999 constitution as amended, when an individual is elected to the legislature and he defects, if he leaves that party for another party, the constitution expects him to lose his seat. But he will retain that seat, if, but only if, it can be shown that the defection is as a result of internal factionalisation of the party and that is a question of fact of law. It must be established by fact. I think it will be disingenuous now for anyone to say that there are no factionalisation in the PDP. I think there is. So, for me, I think it will be a hard sell to expect those legislators to lose their seats.

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But the supposedly factionalised PDP is in court to seek to vacate the seats of 37 members of House of Representatives who defected to the APC? I am sure that the APC legislators with their lawyers will confront the case by showing that the PDP had been factionalised.

Everybody in this country, apart from those who are blind, will tell you that the PDP is factionalised. And once that is proven, it will be difficult for a court to insist that there is no factionalisation, therefore, they should lose their seats. That will not augur well for our democracy. That is where I have my real fears. Do not let us prejudge the court. We have three ties of courts namely: Federal High, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.

The Federal High Court will say one thing, the Court of Appeal may even endorse it, but they may get a spanking from the Supreme Court.

Some senators have been trying to defect without success; do the rules empower the Senator President to stall this move?

I do not think that the respected president of Senate is vested with such powers. But, what I heard him say is that the matter is in court and he would not want to prejudge the matter in court. And he referred to relevant house rules. I have not read them myself. But then, he cannot tell them not to move. The right of freedom of association is guaranteed by the constitution. So, anybody can decide to leave. You cannot hold them

Recently in Nigeria, I think there is a political shift or realignment if you like.

The dominant ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is having some internal reengineering that has led to major disagreement. We cannot pretend that all is well with the ruling party, PDP. There is a disagreement.

It (PDP) has been factionalised. Under the provisions of the 1999 constitution as amended, when an individual is elected to the legislature and he defects, if he leaves that party for another party, the constitution expects him to lose his seat. But he will retain that seat, if, but only if, it can be shown that the defection is as a result of internal factionalisation of the party and that is a question of fact of law. It must be established by fact. I think it will be disingenuous now for anyone to say that there are no factionalisation in the PDP. I think there is. So, for me, I think it will be a hard sell to expect those legislators to lose their seats.

to ransom. What you can do is to look at the law to see if the reason given can justify the man’s leaving and that pronouncement can only come from a court, not a legislator. So, the senators who wish to defect, as far as I know, they have defected. Because it is a matter of fact whether they are still in PDP or All Progressive Congress (APC). They said we have left. In telling the Senate, it is a matter of courtesy. The Senate president cannot stop them from moving. He cannot.

Defection is not new in Nigeria. Is the PDP’s recourse to challenge defection not a sign of panic?

Let us be very clear here. If you are dominant party and suddenly the chief executives in five of your controlled areas decide to leave your fold, will you be comfortable? Certainly not.

When people say it doesn’t matter, I just laugh.

It does matter. I think the movement of people from PDP to APC and from APC to PDP in the long run will be better for us because, we may have two dominant parties. Because for far too long, the PDP has held us to ransom and it became, shall we say, too comfortable not to care. And when people started complaining about internal democracy, some individuals in the party brushed them aside. I think they had this crisis some four-five years back when they were trying to reform the PDP. Some people stood resolutely against it. The PDP has everything to feel threatened because when you look at the votes of place like Kano and Sokoto, if they lose those two states, their votes are almost equivalent to the votes of the South-South. So, why will they not feel threatened? The PDP has every reason to feel threatened. My view is that the party with these events should look inward

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THE GUARDIAN

20 Sunday, February 16, 2014

www.ngrguardiannews.com

COVER Chief Gani Adetola-Kassem, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) said the constitution is very clear on the consequences of defection from one political party to another, especially as it concerns legislators in a presidential system. He said the only exception is where it can be convincingly established that the party they are leaving is enmeshed in crisis and factionalisation. He spoke with KAMAL TAYO OROPO. Is the current defection or cross carpeting from one political party to another in agreement with constitutional provisions?

HE position of the constitution, section 58 (Sub-section 1g) on the movement or cross carpeting by politicians, especially the legislators, is quite very clear. If the movement from one party to another is due to crisis of division or factionalisation in one, of course, it would be acceptable. But if it is just a member deciding on his own, the effect of this movement is he or she is expected to lose his or her seat. Of course this makes sense because the structure of the legislature may be affected if the individual in the parliament decides to change the political platform upon which he was elected. That is the general position of the constitution and that is what the constitution envisaged.

However, this current gale of movement may not be the kind that should elicit commendation. I cannot see any movement driven by principle. What we are witnessing is just a charade, in the sense that all these movements are not based on principles.

People must be in a political party based on principles. And one cannot really blame most of these people because the political parties hardly offer any known principle or ideology. You cannot say definitely, this is the ideology of this party or that one. They are all just there. Therefore, an individual can move from one party to another, like changing dresses. That is not democracy.

That is not the general concept of party politics. If we want to have solid party structures, parties must be based on ideological principles. And it is based on these principles that candidates are elected. If people are in a political party because of their belief or principle, it will be very difficult for them to switch to another party. When you have political parties with known principles that guide their conduct; principles that stand the test of time, party discipline will also be encouraged. But when people join political parties out of convenience of wanting to be in office at all cost, they only follow the party that offers the best opportunity of achieving their personal desires.

Not because they believe in what that particular party is doing, not because of what the party has done or could do, but because they can get to actualize their political ambitions. That is why one is not impressed with this ongoing spate of defection; I am not impressed at all. In my mind, it is all about achieving personal goals. The whole thing is even getting more confused.

People are beginning to find it hard to differentiate one from the other, as well a keep pace with what is going on. People don’t know which party stands for capitalism, which one stands for welfare or socialism.

Maybe, the PDP is more of capitalism, but is the alternative, the APC, any different? What are their ideologies? Are they just same of same?

I would have been happier; and it would have been a lot better for the political development of the country, if one can identify particular principles and particular ideologies and then people go there because they believe in them. I am not a member of any political party, but I am not impressed with what is going on. In fact, it is causing more confusion than what we had before. When one is casting his vote, it is not much about any specific ideology but merely in the hope for good government, economic development and programmes that are people oriented. But I have not seen any party with any clear political ideology that may want to attract one into its fold.

In the First and Second Republics we had a semblance of what I am talking about. You could easily identify the ideology of most of the political parties and make your choice

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have chosen to move are basing their case on.

While not finding fault with their positions and surely I am not criticizing them, but since the case is in court, the court will decide on the extent of division with the PDP, whether it is sufficient to warrant movement from the party to another party.

There were other times when politicians, even legislators defected to the PDP and there was no noise about it. Why is the PDP disturbed now?

It is so simple. It is case of when people are benefitting from a mischief they don’t see anything wrong with the mischief and they often forget there is going to be another day.

When they were in the majority in the House and they could easily have declared seats of defecting members vacant, they refused to do so, because it served their interest. When people always look at things from selfish point of view, they should remember that the issue have to play by the rules. All these are might come back to hunt them. That is where borne out of past experiences in the First politics of ideals, ideology and principle Republic. Even before we got independcomes in. If principles were there when the ence. In party politics, you cannot just movements favoured the PDP, the party move anyhow; the constitution does not would have insisted on the rules. allow it. So, freedom of association, yes.

The provision is very clear. When somebody But it is not freedom at large. You are free dumps his political party, he should have to move anywhere. But if you are elected been told to dump the ticket with the polition the platform of party A and you move cal party he is dumping. The PDP had not to another party, you are free to go, but you must be ready to surrender your tick- been doing that and the chicken has come home to roost and they are now crying foul. et, so that the party can sponsor another And there crying now is doubtful, because person.

Do you really think the PDP is in a signifi- there are allegations of crisis within the parcant state of crisis to justify these movety. Those who have now moved can sufficientments? ly claim that the party is no longer one as it Of course, there is evidence of crisis rock- were. They can claim to be a breakaway facing the party. There was general dissention tion of the party. by a group. There was crisis during the What happens to the electorate’s constituparty’s convention, but it will be too early tional right to recall their representatives in in the day to determine the extent of the case they do not support the defection? crisis. But generally, one can see semIt is almost in line with what I have been sayblance of it and that is what those who

ADETOLA-KASEEM: Legislators Should Be Ready To Forfeit Seat Upon Defection based on these ideologies.

But specifically, what is the position of law?

The constitution is very clear. If you crosscarpet as a legislator on your own, whether in the National Assembly or State House of Assembly, without any crack in the party, then of course, you lose your seat because you are elected on the platform of that party. But if you cross as a result of merger or as a result of division within the party and this is very clear, then you retain your seat. How these movements play out, we are yet to see.

Some of these cases are in court and one should not talk about them. We are yet to establish clearly if there is any serious division within the PDP. Some say there is division and some say there is no division. I’m sure those who have carried their own portion of the party to another party will want to insist there is division. But looking at the totality of it and judging from the number of people who had left, if there is no division, would we have had as many people as we have had moving to another party?

These are the issues. But they are issues that could be canvassed in court, where lawyers would really get to the bottom of it. And the court will take its decision based on the facts that are made available to the court, and of course, the constitution.

While we wait for the court’s interpretation, many have argued from the point of view of constitutionally guaranteed freedom of association. To what extent can this argument be sustained?

We might be confusing the constitutional right of association. Of course, that right is guaranteed. Individuals are allowed to move or join or stay in any political party of their choice. Yes, you have freedom but not for legislators to move indiscriminately from one party to another, freedom that can cause commotion. If you get elected on the platform of a political party it is because that party sponsored you. Your loyalty should be to the party, and of course to the nation, while you are in that office. Most of these provisions are also subjected to other provisions of the constitution. If the constitution says you cannot cross-carpet, you

CONTINUED ON PAGE 21

We might be confusing the constitutional right of association. Of course, that right is guaranteed.

Individuals are allowed to move or join or stay in any political party of their choice. Yes, you have freedom but not for legislators to move indiscriminately from one party to another, freedom that can cause commotion. If you get elected on the platform of a political party it is because that party sponsored you.

Your loyalty should be to the party, and of course to the nation, while you are in that office. Most of these provisions are also subjected to other provisions of the constitution. If the constitution says you cannot cross-carpet, you have to play by the rules.

Adetola-Kaseem

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Sunday, February 16, 2014 21

COVER OMOREGIE: Our Constitution Permits What Is Happening Now Dr. Edoba Omoregie is an Associate professor of Law, University of the Benin. He spoke with ALEMMAOZIORUVA ALIU on the spate of defection by members of the National Assembly.

AHow do you see the defection crisis rocking the Senate, the House of Representatives and the political parties?

IRST, there is no doubt that in the past couple of months there have been a lot of activities on account of the registration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and after that there have been defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into the APC and a few weeks now and few days, we have witnessed re-defection back to the PDP and so forth.

Some persons are apprehensive that this spate of activities, to use the popular language is over-heating the polity.

Let me say that as much as I agree that there seemed to be something untoward in a situation whereby somebody will be in a party, elected duly on the platform of a political party and then after he gets into office, for whatever reasons now defects to a political party that never fielded him/her, much as I believe that that seems to be questionable, I think that quite honestly that in a fledgling democracy, there is no way you can avoid such things, particularly if you recognise that we have had a history of non practice of democracy for a long time. So we are trying to evolve a democratic system and unfortunately, the constitutional provisions as you know are the product of people coming together to agree. If you remember it was the military that brought about this constitution and so it would appear to me that some of the problems were associated with this sort of things in the First Republic, where you had cross carpeting and so on. This ought to have been factored in, in fashioning out a new constitution that outlaws defection.

That is talking from a legal perspective. But from the perspective of democratic consolidation, I believe that perhaps, it is unnecessary to overstate the point, rather than focusing on why these movements are occurring. I think these movements are unavoidable because as politicians, they are only focused on their aspirations and once they believe that their aspirations are not met in a particular political party, really they cannot be stopped from moving to another political party. What I think we should be focusing on is to see how we can strengthen our parties’ internal democracy properly in such a way that it would not be possible for a political party to undermine its own members as seems to be the case currently in this country. You find out that political parties are virtually lords to themselves and in that circumstance people are virtually unable to express themselves freely within the context

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Omoregie

of the party. So they are always fishing, they are looking for ways to further their political aspirations. That is why you notice, a few days ago, somebody who had moved to the APC from the PDP, because he had problems with his supporters, moved back to PDP. That is clearly the evidence when the APC tried to carry out membership registration, appeared not to have got it completely right, there were so many prospective members who could not register. When you have that kind of situation, what do you do, you move on to the next political party that seems to have an open door for you to come in. We must look closely to the reasons why we have these frenetic movements and my enlightened understanding is that politicians are persons who are seeking to gain power and they will look for any platform to realise that objective.

I also believe that one way out of it apart from strengthening the internal democracy of political parties is to be able to have possibly, regional based parties. This idea of having national parties whereby, somebody from Abuja can destroy your political ambition in Eket, even for a local government election does not augur well for our democracy. In

other countries that have comparable political pedigree as ours, say for instance, India that had a similar colonial rule like ours you have opportunity for regional parties to thrive side by side with national parties. So the reason why we may find a way out is because all politics is local.

PDP is not comfortable, neither is APC now with these movements and the reason is simply because when people move like this, it affects your political fortunes considerably.

Imagine a situation where a political party that has a large following is allowed to exist everywhere, what you will find is that a lot of people will buy into the party and then of course use the party as a proper platform, unlike where you have a party that is so far from you and somebody who seems to be very powerful in Abuja can undermine you.

Look at what happened in Rivers, sincerely I don’t think that Governor Amaechi after serving as Speaker for eight years, governor for almost eight years in the party will want to move out of the party. I believe that he must have been frustrated out of the party, whether he has found a proper place in APC remains to be seen and that is the case with many of these other governors. I have advocated that there should be

strengthening of internal democracies in the national parties at the moment and where it is possible you can bring in constitutional reviews to allow local parties or regional parties, or state parties to thrive.

What will you say about the crisis as it affects both chambers of the National Assembly?

For the moment, it is still movements from both parties and therefore if any attempt is made to declare the seats of any of the political parties vacant, it will also affect the other party. The Senate president is being careful so that while stopping one party, that will also not hurt is own party. I think the matter

is being handled very skillfully by the senate president, it is good that he has given the excuse of waiting for the court to decide, but I honestly think that it is something that is obvious if you look at the provision of Section 68 and subsection 1(g) of the constitution. Its provisions are very clear, that when there is faction or division of the political platform upon which a representative was elected, then of course he/she can move and his/her seat cannot be declared vacant. What constitutes division is something that had not been decided, even though I am told that a court has said there is no faction for instance, in PDP. But isn’t there a division in PDP? And of course even now, there is division in APC with people moving away, people who were stalwarts of the party when it was ACN, ANPP, CPC. Like Ibrahim Shekarau; he joined the process of forming the party but he has moved; somebody like Bafarawa, somebody like Belgore in Kwara State. I am told that somebody like Udenwa in Imo State and others are all contemplating moving, that will indicate that there is a division. The word division from the point of view of constitutionalism seems to be very loose and there is the political question doctrine and it is very doubtful whether any court can truly by judicial determination come to a conclusion as to what constitutes a division, for the purpose of this movement. I think quite honestly we should allow all the flowers bloom, let all the political contradictions play themselves out, we should not be unduly apprehensive. Politicians have a way of always pulling out of the brinks, I can assure that in a matter of weeks and months, all these hoopla and tension will come down.

They are bound to come down because they are all part of a process leading to election.

I am not a soothsayer, but I can tell you from the assessment of the situation that indeed we are moving, we are improving, we are evolving. I am not being overly enthusiastic, I am just trying to say that what we are seeing is that our democracy is just trying to consolidate itself, if we didn’t have this sort of situation, I would have been surprised and believed that our politicians are not active enough.

The word division from the point of view of constitutionalism seems to be very loose and there is the political question doctrine and it is very doubtful whether any court can truly by judicial determination come to a conclusion as to what constitutes a division, for the purpose of this movement. I think quite honestly we should allow all the flowers bloom, let all the political contradictions play themselves out, we should not be unduly apprehensive. Politicians have a way of always pulling out of the brinks, I can assure that in a matter of weeks and months, all these hoopla and tension will come down.

Legislators Should Be Ready To Forfeit Seat Upon Defection CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20 ing. When politics and political parties are not ideologically based it is often difficult and cumbersome to achieve the ideals. Half of the total number of registered electorate should ordinarily be able to exercise this right of recall, but then, we are yet to see how practicable this provision is. To get this number of people together is another thing entirely. Don’t forget that ours is not yet a society as enlightened as we may wish to have yet.

Session 59 of the constitution stipulates that before a legislator can be recalled there must be a petition signed by not less than half the electorate in the legislator’s constituency, submitted to the INEC, which would proceed to verify the signatures that the actual number of people have signed the petition and there are no fake names. They then proceed to do a referendum in the constituency and

if the petition is supported by a simple majority of those who voted in that referendum, the commission will issue a certificate of recall, which will be submitted to the President of the Senate or the Speaker of the House of Representatives. That’s how the provision of right of recall can be effected. It looks a bit cumbersome to get 50 percent of the registered electorate, whose names appear on the register of voters in that constituency, to sign up to the petition. It is a tall order, but it is achievable if we have a bit more enlightened electorate.

We need a lot of political education to enlighten people on how to exercise their political rights. It is not enough to just vote on election day and go home bemoaning your fate when representatives act in undesirable manner.

Yet, why is it that the consequences of defection do not apply to governors as much as it does for legislators?

The law is very clear as regard to the legislators. But it is

not applicable to the executive. The legislators are members of a larger chamber, which is segmented along party lines. And when you cross from one party to another, you subsequently move to another portion of the chamber. It may only be applicable to the executive if the country were running a parliamentary system, as was obtainable in the First Republic. Under that system even the prime minister is a member of the parliament; before you can be the prime minister, you must have been a member of the parliament. If you cross carpet or a vote of no confidence was passed on you or your party loses majority in the parliament, automatically you lose your office. But it is not so with the presidential system of government. Before the president or the governor can lose his office he must have been voted out or must have been impeached by the legislators or his tenure must have expired.

22 Sunday, February 16, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

COVER OZEKHOME: The Defections Are Illegal And Unconstitutional Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN is of the opinion that there are rules guiding the practice of democracy. In this chat with GBENGA SALAU, he said the matter is simple to resolve if all stakeholders abide by the rules.

There is a logjam regarding the defection of some legislators from the PDP to APC. Do they really stand to lose their seats?

ECTION 68 of the 1999 constitution provides for when a member’s seat can be declared vacant. Therefore, a member’s seat can be declared vacant, if he seizes to be a citizen of Nigeria or may be a lunatic and all that. His seat can also be declared vacant, if he was absent from the sitting of the House of Representative or the Senate for a period that aggregates to be one-third of the total number of the days when the House meets. If the House for example 365 days in a year, the member of the House must attend the sitting of the House for at least onethird of these days and if he does not, his seat would be declared vacant.

But the one that is important to us is Section 68 Subsection 1(g); under that section, a member’s seat would be declared vacant if he was sponsored by a political party during the last election to the National Assembly whether in the House of Representative and the Senate, and suddenly he shifts base and moved to another political party before the expiration of that period that he was elected to represent his/her people. For example, every member of the National Assembly is elected for four years, if the member is sponsored by political party A and he decides to defect from political party A to B, before the expiration of the four years, Section 68 said such a member shall forfeit his seat.

Now, the question then arises, how is this seat declared vacant? Is it that we must wait for an order of the court of law as I have heard some people who are ignorant of the constitution argued or that the Speaker of the House or the Senate President, who have the duty of presiding and interpreting the rules of the House of repre-

S

OZEKHOME sentative and the Senate are the ones legally and constitutionally capable of declaring it vacant? The answer is, yes sir. How is it done?

You can find that in Subsection 2 of Section 68. The section makes it clear that either the President of the Senate, Speaker of the House or an ordinary member can present evidence to the House to show that the member has defected. In other words, what the Section requires is evidence that the member of the House or the Senator has actually defected. When that is sure, the Senate President and Speaker of the House can declare the seat vacant.

But the rider or the proviso in the Subsection 1 of Section 68 is that the Speaker

or Senate President will not declare the seat vacant, if that member defected because the political party on which he was elected has become so divided, that is, it is split by a division or that the party has merged with another political party, in which case, the merger of two or more political parties have led to loss of their identities as a political party. Or if there is so much division in that political party, then it can say that it is no longer the political party he knew when he contested.

Let us take the Senator or House Representative member for example that defected from the PDP to APC. For their defection to be lawful, legal and constitutional, they have to show that the PDP on which plat-

form they contested the election has either merged with another political party or that PDP as a political party has been divided into two, that is, suffers a division, in which case, one can no longer say that it is the PDP they knew when they contested. But the problem they will have with that, is, in October last year, a judge of a Federal High Court in Abuja, when the matter came before him, ruled that the nPDP led by 7 governors, asked that they should be given recognition as nPDP, the court ruled that there was no division in the PDP and that it remains one political party.

And that is the legal and judicial decision that has not been overturned by a higher court.

Therefore, the situation in Nigeria today, even though, you and I know that PDP suffered some internal wrangling, the legal position and that is what the law says, until that judgment is set aside, is that, there is no division in the PDP. That therefore means that the defection of those 36 members of PDP to APC, as at today is illegal and unconstitutional. What it means is that, the Speaker or any floor member can declare their seats vacant. Also, it is not a function of the court, the 1999 Constitution did not give that function to a court of law; it gave it to either the Speaker or the President of the Senate. But they must show that the member actually defected, and in this case, it is the members that actually said they had defected, then the next thing the Speaker must investigate and be satisfied with is whether there is a division in the PDP; because if there is no division in the PDP, he cannot declare any defecting members’ seats vacant. But as at today, the holding of the court of law is that there is no division in the PDP, which means that the defection is illegal and unconstitutional.

Without any bias, sentiment or emotion, that is the legal position under Section 68 of the constitution, but if the members show that that judgment of the court has been set aside by a higher Appeal Court, then their defection can be validated and allowed.

You Leave Your Party And You Lose Your Seat – Adedipe CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 and reinvent itself. Correct the errors that led to mass disaffection and see how it can persuade those who are still there not to leave. How many of their former governors are respected by the party once they leave office? There are certain things that are wrong with the party that needs to be addressed.

Do you share the view that this wave of defection will not help to deepen democracy?

I disagree. We don’t need 150 million political parties. You just need two or three dominant parties and people will have to move from one of the big ones to make the next one. APC as you know is a merger of several other parties. And then, some people left from PDP to join them. If you look at the relative strength now, it is almost 50-50. With the PDP still having some marginal advantage. But look at what APC has just done, it went on mass registration. I think PDP should do a similar thing. We need to reorganize ourselves in this country. I like what is happening. When one is too dominant, they get too comfortable and they don’t bother. A situation where somebody will sit in Abuja and decides what happens in Akure, my town or what happens in Degema cannot be right.

And I think that is what the PDP has been doing, throwing weight around. Now the chicken has come home to roost. So, I think they will reorganize. In the long run, it will make our democracy richer and deeper.

You mean defection does not portend something ominous for the democratization process?

Absolutely nothing. It portends nothing bad. People are just moving from one party to another. You have the PDP controlling 28 states at a time. So, if next time it is APC that controls 28 states, that will not threaten the country because when PDP was there, they didn’t threaten the country. it is political movement. They will move like this for sometimes until people of like minds will remain permanently on one side and people of other like minds will remain on the other side. And then we will be alternating governors. If you have PDP for eight years and you think they are not doing well, you will bring APC. if you think they (APC) are not doing well, after four years you thrown them out again. But if you have APC that is confine to the West, All Progressive Grand Alliance that is confine to Anambra, Labour party that is confine to Ondo and PDP that is towering over all the rest of them, will continue to rule and its leaders can boast that we will rule forever.

But when you have these other people coming together to form one party as the APC has done, the idea of 60 year rule, of course, has become a fairy tale. So, I think the movement is

good on the long run. If recall during President Ibrahim Babaginda days, we had SDP and NRC. We are having something like that now. At the end of the day, the dominant tendency that do not agree with the mainstream PDP will move to the APC. then, those in APC who do not share the philosophy of that party will move to PDP. They will settle down eventually and it is good for us.

This avalanche of defection started with five PDP governors, and the party is challenging this in court. Do you see the governors losing their will their seats?

For the governors, they cannot lose their seat. Under the constitution, the conditions for a governor to vacate his seat is: if he dies in office; if he resigns; if he is impeached; and if he is found incapable of exercising, for any reason, the powers of his office to which case the state executive in conjunction with medical experts will after investigation declare that he is unfit to continue to govern. Outside of that, there is no provision in the constitution for any chief executive to vacate his seat because he has left one political party for another. The Supreme Court has pronounced on this in the case of Abubakar and INEC. You remember that Atiku Abubakar left PDP for Action Congress and an action was instituted where he was referred to as former Vice President. His contention was that he could not lose his position having regards to the provisions of the constitution. The Court of Appeal agreed with him. the Federal Government under Chief Olusegun Obasanjo appealed. The Supreme Court in dismissing the appeal emphatically stated that the court cannot conduct judicial impeachment for politicians. One of their lordship looked at the morality of it and said yes, you may disagree with it, but you cannot operate outside the provisions of the constitution. If the constitution has not said it that if a governor leaves his party then he loses his seat, then it will be disingenuous to begin to interpret the provisions of the constitution to say oh it is parties that people vote for , therefore, the governors should go. If it is parties, why do you need candidates? Why do you need their particulars like ; age, local government and all the rest? The orbital in the case of Amaechi and INEC that some people are latching on to, cannot be used as creating a cause of action to lead to judicial removal of governors. It will be pure anarchy. Unless you can get the House of Assembly to remove them, they remain in their new party as chief executives. The fact that they defected, notwithstanding, they cannot lose their seat.

What will prevent defection by politicians?

You can’t really ask people not to move. You know party politics in our contemporary situation is new. If we had been in constitutional democracy since 1960 to date you will find a political party that will have had probably fifty years life span.

Its cultures, rules, norms, ethics would have percolated down to its members. But here, what we have presently are platforms. We have people using one platform to gain ascendancy to office and once they get into office they look around and ask am I comfortable with this platform or should I use another one? They are yet to become political parties. We may be on our ways to form political parties. When they become two dominant parties, to upstage the opponent, you now have to have policies , philosophy and programmes that will appeal to the electorate. And then the issue of internal democracy; the respect for party members; party discipline and so on will begin to take root. Party politics is still at its infancy the way we are and that is why people are moving from one party to the other.

Is lack of political party ideology likely reason for defections we have seen?

Ideology? Whatever is meant by ideology, I do not think it is true. For instance, when you look at a man like General Muhammad Buhari, what is his ideology? Discipline; we will fight corruption. What is the ideology of Ogbonaya Onu? I don’t know. What is the ideology of Mr. Tom Ikimi? I don’t know. What is the ideology of Lar Mohammed? I don’t know.

Everybody says we are progressive and they call the other ones conservatives. If you go to a state like Katsina , and you see what the governor there has done and you come to Rivers state and see what the governor has done, and you ask yourself what is the difference? They are bother running welfarist programme such as free healthcare; free education, quality schools, quality roads. One is progressive the other is conservation. But you know it is a question of labeling. If you go to Cross River during Donald Duke era, when he tried to create new infrastructure, will you say Cross River is a conservative enclave because the man is from PDP? And will you call Osun a progressive state where the governor has opened religious gimmie for people and we are having problems? Is that how to be progressive? So, it is a question of labeling . I do not think our political parties are operating on the basis of ideology. I simply think like I said, presently everybody is using a platform. Maybe later ideology will come in. But if you look around the world, this question of ideology is blurring from the capitalist United States to the common welfare United Kingdom. The United Kingdom is almost becoming a capitalist state and the United States tilting towards a welfare state at one time or the other. So, the question of ideology is a matter for intellectuals to argue. You know for us as lawyers, our own is what does the law say and how do we interpret it. For me, what is happening now is to be expected. We will be in this state for another ten to fifteen years, then, we will stabilize.

TheGuardian

Sunday,February 16, 2014 23

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Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Business Housing Deficit: Taming The Monster In MortBy Geoff Iyatse OUSINg has been a major challenge in Nigeria due to poor mortgage system, unfavourable land policy, high cost of building materials and lack of technical/manpower capacity. Different administrations have adopted different approaches aimed at addressing these multiple challenges while emphasis has been on mortgage.

Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), gimba Ya’u Kumo, revealed, last year, that the agency will require a capitalisation of N200 billion to make a meaningful impact in resolving housing deficit currently put at over16 million units. The capitalisation translates to 4000 per cent increase on its current N5 billion. A research by the World Bank indicates that Nigeria needs as much as N59.5 trillion to close the gap. The estimation is arrived at a conservative construction cost of N3.5 million per unit.

President Jonathan reaffirmed the enormity of the challenge when he said it would cost the country a minimum of N56 trillion to fill the gap. The cost, he said, does not include infrastructure.

Jonathan noted that mortgage, as a key component, must be addressed.

Issues concerning mortgage have taken the centre stage in efforts to achieve affordable housing dream of the country. In recognition of the importance of housing to national development and considering that banks have access to cheap sources of funds through retail deposits and adequate skills to manage associated risks, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has always encouraged lenders to support the sector.

In particular, the CBN has, through its credit policies, required banks to allocate a stipulated minimum proportion of their credit portfolio to housing/construction sector. In 1979, for instance, banks were required to set aside five per cent of their total credit for the sector. It was raised to six per cent in 1980 and 13 per cent in 1982.

Where banks failed to meet the target, the shortfalls were deducted at source from the deposits with the apex bank and transmitted to the sector through FMBN. In the spirit of free market rule, the capping was removed in 1993. The liberty exposed the under belly of real estate funding. As statutory privilege enjoyed by the sector in terms of credit was removed, banks’ interest in mortgage began to wane.

Real sector caught the interest of banks after the Chukwuma Soludo reconsolidation. On the account of huge proceeds from public offers and the temporary rise of the middle class, the banks suddenly found huge opportunities in upscale real estate markets such as Lekki, Maitama and Asokoro.

Instead of mortgage lending, banks took to direct participation in housing development. Through their Primary Mortgage Institutions (PMIs), they were aggressively involved in execution of primed estate projects, except that the ranges delivered were not in affordable scale.

Former governor of CBN, Joseph Sanusi, said the long-term funds held by insurance companies also makes the sector “well suited to provide housing finance.” He observed that, unlike banks, insurers have stable liabilities that could be mobilised for mortgage, saying: “Funds from life insurance companies also provide resources for the financing of the housing sector in Nigeria.”

A major competing institution with banks and insurance companies in housing funding is the FMBN. PMIs and building societies have also played active role. Then, there is the National Housing Fund (NHF), a special purpose vehicle (SPV) of the FMBN and the new Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC), which is expected to give life to the struggling secondary market.

The sector has, indeed, wobbled for too long. Historically, commercial banks, which place premium on short-term funding, seem to exercise more dominance than the mortgage sectors. And until recently, leading PMIs were subsidiaries of the money deposit banks (MDB). What this implies is that they could only operate under the broad plan and business model of their parent companies.

FMBN came to existence by virtue of Decree No. 7 of 1977 as a direct federal government intervention to accelerate its housing delivery programme. It is expected to expand and coordinate mortgage lending on a nation-wide basis, using deposits mobilised and equity contributions by the Federal government, CBN and private individuals at interests that are below the market rates.

By mid-1980s, the FMBN was the only mortgage in-

H

stitution in the country. The promulgation of the Mortgage Institutions Decree of 1989 provided regulatory framework for the establishment and operation of PMIs by private entrepreneurs. The FMBN under the decree became the apex institution, which also regulates PMIs, which were expected to spur private sector participation in real estate funding. The operators have gone through phases of restructuring and development but it is not clear whether they have been able to mobilise sufficient private support for housing credits.

When the NHF was established through Decree No. 3 of 1992 as a mandatory contributory scheme to mobilise cheap and long-term funds for housing credit, it looked like the required breakthrough had arrived. The Fund represented the financial component of the National Housing Policy, which was adopted in 1991.

It is aimed at encouraging a multiplication of housing finance institutions, enhancing mobilisation and growth of long-term funds and making loans affordable to more borrowers. Other objectives of the fund include: ensuring constant supply of loans to Nigerians for the purpose of building, purchasing and improvement of residential houses while providing incentives for the capital market to invest in property development. It encourages the development of specific programmes that would ensure effective financing of housing development

It is not just about opening a mortgage institution and thinking that the problems are over. We need to pay attention to infrastructure and enabling environment. We should focus on addressing the defects in the economics of loans. You can open 100 mortgage institutions. But what is the guarantee that they will be effective? Why have the existing institutions failed to boost home ownership

and providing long-term loans to mortgage institutions for on-lending to its contributors.

Most importantly, it is expected to insulate the housing finance system from the fluctuation that had characterised past reliance on government intervention. While the PMIs targets investors, NHF targets the labour force, which all workers earning N3,000 per annum or more are to contribute 2.5 per cent of their monthly salaries at an interest rate of four per cent to each savings/contribution made. gAIN, the scheme has been trailed by conA troversies and debates as to whether it has been successful or not. There are cases where employers make deductions that are never remitted to employees’ accounts. A staff of an insurance firm once told The Guardian that not a kobo was remitted into his account after his eight years of service at his former company. He only realised that the money was not paid when he resigned.

Also, a huge percentage of contributors lack appropriate knowledge of how to take advantage of it. Contributors who fulfill the minimum requirements specified by the law are to apply for mortgage loans through their PMIs. The inability of the enforcers to implement the full provisions of the scheme, which include jail terms in case default, has been a major concern. There are no record cases where companies that fail to remit contributions, for instance, have been penalised.

Also Banks and insurance companies, which are supposed to be major contributors, have failed to fulfill their obligations. It was reported that the two sectors owed about N8.58 trillion between 2006 and 2010.

Experts have made case for its amendment while workers moved for the scrapping of the Fund. Minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu, suggested some time that the Federal government would consider heeding the demand of workers. He, however, said that setting aside the scheme would require the approval of the National Assembly since it is a product of an Act. Recently the Federal government added to the list of mortgage bureaucracy that has yielded little or nothing when it established the refinance company. Indeed, experts, including President of Option One Home, ‘Biodun Adeniji, said only a robust secondary

market would unlock the huge opportunities in the sector. Some years back, Union Homes Savings and Loans Plc heralded the real estate investment trusts (REITs).

At the listing of the stocks sold at well-publicised public offers, there were lots of talks on how the funds would help the economy realise the full potential in the housing sector. Skye Shelter Fund followed the step of Union Homes, increasing the hype around REITs as the next long-awaited frontier of housing fund and the anchor of the non-existing secondary market.

But that option, too, has not added much value.

Sitting on a seed capital of $250 million, NMRC’s direct involvement in the housing sector is expected to turn out 75, 000 new homes yearly. Does this sound like the breakthrough Nigerians have been waiting for?

Steve Ozili, a real estate consultant, said the multiple approaches adopted in the years seem to have loses track with the real problems facing the sector. He noted that ownership structure, the Land Use Act and process of acquiring land are critical issues that call for fresh intervention.

“It is not just about opening a mortgage institution and thinking that the problems are over.

We need to pay attention to infrastructure and enabling environment. We should focus on addressing the defects in the economics of loans.

You can open 100 mortgage institutions. But what is the guarantee that they will be effective?

Why have the existing institutions failed to boost home ownership,” he noted.

While governments talk about public private partnership as useful vehicle in addressing the housing needs of the people, Ozili said the fundamentals for achieving success in the financing model are lacking. He said proper management of the national economy is critical to the success of PPP. Ozili described NHF as a farce, asking: “What is the earning of an average Nigerian compared to the cots of the smallest unit of house in the market? There is no correlation between the cost of building and the economy of an average worker.

A 30-year contribute of an average worker may not be able to finance one-bedroom flat let alone a bungalow. It is a combination of factors. How do people get land? What structure do we put in place to ensure that land is evenly distributed?

What encouragement/incentives does government gives to developers?”

He noted that the challenge in housing could not be addressed through a single approach, urging the government to ease the process of land procurement and scale down the cost of

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

24 Sunday,February 16, 2014

BUSINESS

Changing Times For Nigeria’s Power Sector

By Joel Attah T is not in doubt that President Goodluck Jonathan wants to leave a legacy that would be etched on rock, especially in addressing the challenges of the power sector. In that regard, the President has reaffirmed his administration’s goal to ensure that power sector is totally reformed and for Nigerians to enjoy unhindered electricity in their living homes and places of work and businesses. This concern has led the President to undertake bold initiatives in the power sector that was not undertaken by his predecessors.

In the wake of the simultaneous privatisation of 17 successor companies unbundled from Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) which experts have described as unprecedented, President Jonathan, on Monday, February 10, 2014, hosted an international conference in Abuja on the power sector in order to draw up support for the core investors that took over the companies on November 1, 2013.

The conference with the theme “private sector financing/support for electric power and infrastructure development in Nigeria” had in attendance over 1,000 people with about 310 delegates from 29 countries. In fact, a 60-member delegation from the United States led by the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Transformation, Dr Robert Ichord, graced the event.

This initiative by President Jonathan is an indication that Nigeria and Nigerians will soon get out of the wood on the power problems, as there is political will and determination to resolve the problems once and for all. The Federal Government, in collaboration with its multilateral partners, is putting systems and processes in place to guarantee power sector investments in the country. Knowing full well that the Federal Government cannot do it alone, President Jonathan’s administration has partnered the private sector in sourcing the huge money required to solve the endemic problem that has hindered the economic

I

growth of the country over the years.

This confidence on the Nigerian private sector stems from a track record of resilience, vibrancy, foresight and courage. In virtually all sectors of the national economy, this show of enterprise, creativity and patriotism by the business community has kept the national economy strong, versatile and forward looking.

In his speech to the one-day conference, Jonathan implored the private sector to collaborate with the Federal Government in order to address the energy problem in the country as it announced the establishment of Power Sector Intervention Fund with initial deposit of N300 billion to facilitate speedy development of the sector. The setting up of the Fund will enable the industry players to have access to cheap long term funds. The financial resources for the special fund will be pooled from the Federal Government, Development Financial Institutions (DFIs) as well as local, global and financial partners.

The President, who was represented by Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, also stated that the country would need about $900 billion to properly address its energy sector in the next 30 years. He said that $10 billion capital expenditure (CAPEX) would be expended by the generation and distribution companies in order to add 5,000 megawatts to the national grid. He therefore called on the conference participants to come up with practical funding strategies and help to facilitate the unlocking of the muchneeded capital for infrastructural development in Nigeria.

The President called on the new participants in the sector to redouble their efforts in ensuring stabilization of power supply in the months ahead. “While expecting that this requires time for both planning and sourcing for the needed resources, you must realize that Nigerians are looking unto you to go the extra mile in ensuring that visible and appreciable results would be seen by the end of June, this year”, the President pleaded.

Perhaps, this clarion call by Jonathan may have begun to receive attention as the African Development Bank (AfDB) has promised to assist Nigeria in its power sector transformation with Partial Risk Guarantee to the Bulk Trader to the value of $184 million. The bank’s Vice President, Mr. Zondo Sakala, who made the announcement during the conference, also said that the bank would also support the sector in terms of capacity building. The bank has also given an indication that it will provide support in order to improve interventions in the transmission systems of the power sector to the tune of $150 million.

On his part, the US Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy, Dr Robert Ichord, commended President Jonathan’s administration for the success of the power sector privatisation. He reiterated that Nigeria is a very strategic partner of the US and pledged America’s continued support for the power sector.

He urged investors to seize the opportunity to invest now in Nigeria, noting that the future markets in power are in the emerging countries of which Africa is going to be one of the leaders. He added that about 80 per cent of the electricity market in the future will come from the continent. “These opportunities are enormous. When President Obama launched the Power Africa Initiative last year, he recognised this fact… We are putting together a strong team in Nigeria to work and to try to focus on encouraging and promoting investment in the country,” Ichord noted.

He explained that necessary frameworks like the Bulk Trader and the regulator are critical to the success of the process, even as he pointed out that improvement in distribution comes from efficient collection of revenue as well as availability of gas to power the plants.

Given these developments, it may not be long before Nigeria moves out from its epileptic power situation. The dividends of stable electricity are inestimable. Stable electricity brings about increased productivity, employment

generation, industrial and economic growth, and this coupled with other infrastructural developments will move Nigeria forward from its present position to the enviable height of being the toast of the international community.

Vice-President Sambo, who is the Chairman of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP), described the outcome of the conference on the power sector as a huge success. ‘‘The very concrete commitments for access to cheaper, securitized and structured long-term funds made (at the conference) have created great hope for both on-going and greenfield projects in the power sector. The level of interest and commitment which various financial partners have expressed and are demonstrating, by way of preliminary business agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) signed, underscore the fact that our expectations have not only been met but have been greatly surpassed,’’ Sambo added. No fewer than ten MoUs were signed at the conference.

According to industry experts, the conference met its objectives, which included the creation of a forum at very high level to enable various players in power and infrastructure interact and showcase the enormous benefits and opportunities in the power sector. It also exposed operators of the power and infrastructure projects to the multi-source avenues of funds available—both locally and internationally.

For the Nigerian private sector to expend the huge sums in acquiring the power assets is a vote of confidence in the Transformation Agenda of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration. In the months ahead, the expectation is that of substantial infusion of financial resources into the power sector and the rest of infrastructure, both from national and international sources.

•Joel Attah, a public analyst, wrote from Abuja

Google’s ‘Africa Connected’: Three Nigerians In Top 20 countries across the continent, ranging from Mali to Uganda to Namibia. Each of them demonstrated how peoacross sub-Saharan Africa ple are using the web and through to the semi-finals of the ‘Africa Connected’ competi- technology to overcome challenges, do extraordinary tion. The competition was things, and be successful, not launched in August last year only for themselves but also with a call on entrepreneurs, creatives, innovators and web- for others in their communities. The projects include lovers to share their stories of how the web has transformed everything from using their lives and work. The semi- YouTube to learn about ecofriendly building techniques, finalists were selected from to an award-winning blog on over 2,200 entries from 35 mental health. Selecting the countries.

20 semi-finalists was tough, Five successful winners will but we were really impressed win $25,000 each in addition with their initiatives, and to having the opportunity to wish them the best in the work with a Google sponsor over a six-month period to fur- next round,” says Affiong Osther their online business suc- uchukwu, Google Lead for the Africa Connected initiative. cess. The competition Juliet Ehimuan, Country categories included Education; Manager, Google Nigeria, Entertainment/Arts/Sports; added, “We’re excited to see Technology; Community and good Nigerian representaNGOs; and Small Businesses. tion, as we have 3 out of 20, “We received over 2,200 enamong the semifinalists. tries from a diverse set of 35 OOGLE has announced the G 20 innovative, entrepreneurial web adopters from

Softcom To Launch Educational Tablet OLLOWING a successful piFSoftcom lot rollout in Osun State, Limited has an-

Its comprehensive package of government-curriculum based material also means it nounced plans to introduce will be useful for independits award-winning educaent JAMB and GCE canditional tablet, Knowledge dates that are preparing for Tablet, to the market. post-secondary education.

The device is Android 4.2 Apart from the standard tablet computer specially de- content, the tablet offers an signed for senior secondary array of extra-curricular maschool students. It comes in a terial, including moral insingle package, an e-library struction, educational (comprising 56 textbooks games, language lessons based on 17 core subjects), a and health information. virtual classroom and an asIts 512MB of RAM and 32GB sessment zone (containing internal storage capacity over 29,000 simulated past guarantee a consistently requestions covering a period liable and satisfying user exof ten years). perience.

Marketing & Public Relations Manager, Intel Nigeria, Adim Isiakpona (left); Sustainable Development Manager, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), Bolarinwa Onaolapo; Commissioner for Science & Technology Akwa Ibom State, Iboro Ekanem; and Head Marketing, Interswitch Transnational, Ms Enyioma Anaba, at the 2014 National School Science Fair press conference held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State... last week.

GN Scholarship Scheme: Eyes On Production Engineering ITILAYO Ashade, 21-year-old study Industrial Maintenance Scheme from my father. Beout well pleasing to Ashade T indigene of Ogba, Lagos ing a native of Ogba and Engineering in 2010. That was that Guinness strategiState and first child in family marked the beginning of her studying Engineering made cally transformed her into a of six, has, in the pursuit of academic excellence, become a role model and community leader, roles she appears to be playing very well.

Her diligence propelled her to leadership right from high school. She was Senior Prefect at the AUD Comprehensive College, Otta, Ogun State for the 2008/09 academic session. This role seemed to have prepared her for the responsibilities of being a GN Scholar.

Ashade progressed from secondary school to tertiary institution when she was offered admission into the Yaba College of Technology to

journey to fame and influence.

A true story of a family seeking genuine success, her father prompted her to apply for the Scholarship when he heard among his peers during a community session that Guinness Nigeria was offering scholarship to students of its host communities in Nigeria, precisely, Ogba, Edo State and Abia State.

As fate would have it, Ashade’s course of study was among the ones the company focused on supporting with the scholarship. “I got to know about the Scholarship

me eligible for the application,” she said.

The simple step of submitting her application at the company’s Oba Akran Office saw her shortlisted, then offered a scholarship! “I was offered a scholarship covering tuition, books and other expenses through the course of my studies. I am so joyful at this opportunity to fulfill my dreams of becoming a graduate and a force to be reckoned with in the society.”

Removing the financial burden of educating a child will always be welcome by parents or guardians. What turned

star with the manner of the presentation of the scholarship and getting her involved in community relationship building initiatives.

“I was invited to the company for the presentation of the certificate that qualifies me to be a Guinness Scholar.

I was asked to come along with my parents and one Elder in the community for this purpose. It was a moment of great joy. I was simply happy and honoured. My parents were really proud of me,” she said.

Sunday, February 16, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

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BUSINESS TCN Explores Partnership Options With Transformer Manufacturer

Director of Transmission Services, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Thomas Uwah (left); Head of Operations, Elsewedy Electric Nigeria Ltd, Mohammed Gamal; Deputy Managing Director, TCN, Abubakar Atiku; and Managing Director, Elsewedy Electric Nigeria, Raed Hassanieh, during a tour of the Elsewedy’s manufacturing equipment at the company’s factory in Badagry, Lagos.

By Geoff Iyatse Elsewedy’s transformers and meters, said the investment of the company is crucial to privatised power sector. He said HE Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and Elsewedy Nigeria needs reliable power solution providers like Elsewedy Electric Nigeria Limited have started discussion on key to meet needs of the electricity distribution companies (DISmarket opportunities they could leverage in future to unlock COs) across the country. potentials in the power sector.

Atiku disclosed that the country loses two distribution transRecently, Deputy Managing Director of TCN, Abubakar formers daily as a result of poor quality of products imported Atikur, led top management staff of the company to from Asia.

Elsewedy, the only transformer manufacturing company in According to him, regular breakdown of transformers and Nigeria, where they discussed areas of collaborations. Key to insufficient meters pose serious threat to effective distributhe discussion was the possibility of adding power transtion. With the National Electricity Regulatory Commission former/cable manufacturing to Elsewedy’s investment /, (NERC) giving Elsewedy “a pass mark,” he said there is no reawhich is already in the region of $34 million. son DISCOs should not partner the company to address distriAtiku, who expressed confidence in the standard of

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Smart Phone Makers Target Nigeria Lifestyles is run by a Nigerian, a few weeks ago, came up with a HE trendy lifestyles of Nige- new tablet, P736, a 7” screen rians have endeared them size android 4.2 dual SIM card to global smart phone makers, phone with many features, who are locked in a fierce batwhich its Chief Executive, Mr. tle for market share. The result Iyalla Buttons, said meet all is replication of gadgets the European standards. Iyalla, in features of which are merely an email exchange said the separated by very thin lines. product is specifically deFollowing the current essigned for emerging markets, capades being made by Tecno including Africa. series, the last few months has According to him, Pycine supwitnessed an avalanche of ports GSM and 3G network gadget launch, the most rewith an internal memory cacent being the Solo. Suffice it pacity of up to 62GB, which to say that ever since the Amer- also supports an optional miican phone manufacturer, Ap- cro SD card of up to 32GB, and ple, revolutionalised the a front and back camera push smartphone market, subseflash. “These are what other quent inventions by competconventional smart phones ing brands have remained cannot afford its customers,” smart in every sense of the said Mr. Buttons. word.

“For people on the move, you Indeed, many companies — do not need to visit the Intersmall and big — are exploring net cafe again as you have all new options in smart phone your email account onscreen. manufacturing with local ones You can down load any apps taking deeper dives into the from the Android Apps Store. market, putting up great deIt supports Apps like Whatvices which gives satisfaction sapp, Skype, Tango, and Viber to consumers while coming at etc for easy communication. cheaper rates. In this category The letters are legible enough is Tecno; a phone, which came to read any time of the day.” from very humble beginning Buttons said Pycine & Pycine but has turned out to be the is planning a national return toast of the youth market in policy and repair service cenNigeria. ter across Nigeria with repIn the same vein, UK-based utable communication Pycine & Pycine Limited, which outlets.”

By Kenechukwu Ezeonyejiaku

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We are looking for communication companies for the distribution of this Tablet Phone at a reasonable profit margin...”

In the same vein, a dynamic new device manufacturer and digital content provider, SOLO phones also stormed the market with what it says are revolutionary packages Google (GMS) certified, with its first two products (SOLO S350 and S450) launched in November 2013, the brand says its unique selling proposition is affordability, even as it offers free unlimited streaming and downloading of over 20 million songs (Local and International) free of charge for the span of the device. The features include digital video-on-demand rental service that allows users to stream, download and store movies (local and international), TV shows and other general mobile entertainment for up to two weeks and delivered by innovative Hotspot Kiosks which will be mounted all over the country.

By partnering with some of Nigeria’s leading mobile operators, the device offers free data bundles of up to 500MB/month for 12 months.

The SOLO S350, which was rolled into the market in the

first week of December 2013, is an Android Jelly Bean 4.1 Smartphone with a 3.5” screen, dual SIM capabilities, 4GB of internal memory and an 8GB SD card, which is expandable to 32GB. The recently unveiled SOLO S450 — the bigger version of the former — brings the unique SOLO experience through the SOLO Music and SOLO View apps.

The S450’s sleek, compact design is complemented by its bright 4.5-inch screen, 5MP camera and 16GB of internal memory coupled with an 8GB SD card which is also expandable to 32GB. Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, Founder and Global Chief Executive Officer of SOLO, Mr. Tayo Ogundipe, said product was not launched to become another hardware player. “SOLO is about bringing good, solid consumer experience to mobile which is based on a very deep and profound belief that this continent (Africa) will skip mass adoption of laptops and go straight to mobility which will be the primary platform of delivering services in the near future,” said Ogundipe.

Ogundipe applauded the feat achieved by Apple and the revolution it brought to the phone industry by changing the leverage and making customer the centre of their experience and universe, noting that SOLO has similar philosophy.

He said: “the goal of SOLO is to learn from what those guys that have done so brilliantly and to bring that Apple-like attitude and experience to emerging markets; make customer the end of our universe and make end-to-end experience the core of what we offer.”

bution bottlenecks.

He, however, charged the company, whose internationalstandard transformer is boldly inscribed with “made in Nigeria”, to open up its campaign to stamp its presence on the market. Atiku said TCN would furnish the Elsewedy with specifications of power transformers used by the transmission firm for possible integration the company’s array of products made in Nigeria.

Managing Director of Elsewedy Electric, Raed Hassanieh, promised that the factory would be expanded to accommodate power transformer, cable and insulator manufacturing when there is justifiable demand for the products. While the company added $8 million pre-paid meter to the initial $26 million entry investment, the managing director said full meter manufacturing is part of its medium-term plan.

Hassanieh said the company delivers to its customers finished products of international standard that is fully manufactured and assembled in Nigeria. With huge employment potentials for the locales and cost advantage over imported units, he said there is no reason Nigerians should continued to patronise imported products.

He said the company added pre-paid meter to its investment last year because of the success it has recorded since 2010 it has been in operations, noting that Lagos State Government and Gov. Babatunde Fashola especially contributed immensely to the feat.

Last year, management of Eko DISCO were in Egypt on facility tour of Elsewedy headquarters after which it entered into a partnership with the company. The electric giant, according to Hassanieh, is looking forward to sealing agreement with other DISCOs, a possibility that will errand massive expansion in its investments in the country.

Elsewedy’s activities at its factory on Lagos–Badagry Road, Lagos, ranges from component manufacturing, jacket making, part assemblage, finishing and testing. It is a full-manufacturing process that source 30 per cent raw materials from of country, which Hassanieh said would be increased as local capacity improves.

Apart from distribution and assembly facilities, the company operates five transformer, 16 cable, and four insulator factories in different locations.

It has distributed over 3000 transformers since it came to Nigeria while it controls over 10 per cent of the market share.

It came into the country in 2008 but its factory was not commissioned until 2010.

Buy Niger Moves To Promote SMEs From Itunu Ajayi, Abuja N line with the desire of the Federal Government to industrialise the country, the ‘Buy ‘Niger’ group says it has developed strategies to ensure that locally manufactured goods get to every household.

The President of the group, William Otabil, told journalists in Abuja that the Buy Niger campaign, a multi-stakeholder and private sector driven platform, which is a front end of the local patronage initiative of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, would concentrate on changing the perception of Nigerians on made-in-Nigeria goods and discourage undue reliance on foreign products.

He lamented that every foreign product purchased by Nigerians translates to creation of jobs in the countries of origin, noting that patronising made-in-Nigeria goods is the only way to sustaining indigenous industries, boosting the GDP and increasing local content in all facets of the nation’s economy.

“For every Thailand rice you buy, you are creating jobs for some people in Thailand. Nigeria cannot afford to continue that way. No country can survive without industries and Nigeria is too big to continue importing everything we need from other countries, he said.

Otabil said part of the strategies include design of seven categories of made-in-Nigeria baskets which will be packed with goods and services and can be given out as gifts. The big difference, he said, between the basket and the regular hamper is that the basket would only contain made in Nigeria goods and services and it would not be a seasonal thing. He said vouchers for things like cement, a certificate for occupancy (C of O) of lands, tickets for services that had already been paid for and household items would all be in the baskets.

Otabil said a road fair would be done in all 36 states of the Federation, including the FCT.

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GMD/CEO, UBA Plc, Mr. Phillips Oduoza; and Managing Director, UBA Senegal, Mrs. Amie Sow, during the Annual UBA CEO Awards organised to reward star performers across the Group, in Lagos.

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THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Sunday, February 16, 2014

BUSINESS

Economic Crisis: How $22bn Excess Crude Account Saved Nigeria From Kelvin Ebiri, Port Harcourt ITH the establishment of the Sovereign Wealth Fund, Nigeria is in a better position to manage revenue in excess of her budget, Managing Director of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, Uche Orji, has said. The NSIA boss also posited that the $22 billion Excess Crude Account (ECA) had helped the country scale through the hurdles of the 2008/2009 global economic crises.

He explained that a legal basis for managing extra budgetary revenues — the key legal challenge most commodity-rich fiscal systems like Nigeria have faced — is about how to legally spend revenues in excess of the budget. But with the Sovereign Wealth Fund, the country is now in a better position to overcome this.

Uche stated this in paper with the theme: “The role of Sovereign Wealth Funds as a tool for economic development”, which he presented at the Founders’ Day of the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

He explained that what to do with excess budgetary revenues has remained a pervasive concern especially when unexpected new sources of revenues become available as in the case of the oil price surge in Nigeria.

“Sovereign wealth funds have served as an excellent conduit for managing this excess revenue. In the case of Nigeria, prior to the SWF Act, we created what was known as the excess Excess Crude Account as a repository of this revenue that was ahead of budget.

Even before then, the government of the day had started a concept for Petroleum Trust Fund” he said.

He said the mandate of SWFs is more important now in the era of globalisation and the rising incidence of synchronised economic slowdown as they serve as a hedge in times of economic crises. According to him, it was the SWFs that enabled Norway during the European financial crises to weather the global economic crises without much pressure.

“Nigeria scaled the economic crises because we had saved up $22bn in the Excess Crude account. Today, I cannot believe that some people are asking why we need to save when we have so many similar issues. The answer is you do – otherwise by the next synchronised economic crises, it will be hard to find someone to borrow from — Ireland, Greece, Portugal, Spain and Italy

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• SWF Will Help Manage Excess Revenue, Says Orji

Public Relations Officer Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Headquarters, Kadiri Augustina (left); Deputy Comptroller National PRO, Wale Adeniyi; and Deputy Comptroller ICT Unit, Yusuf Bashar, at a function in Lagos. crowded out sources of borrowing,” he said.

Orji said most countries that have credible SWF have seen their sovereign ratings improve and their cost of capital lowered as a consequence. Nigeria, he pointed out, is one such beneficiary. According to him, every year, there is a sovereign rating exercise and the key question raised is about the effectiveness of the SWF and the mere fact that it was initiated has been a consistently cited factor in the improvement of Nigeria’s sovereign debt rating.

“Who would have believed that Nigeria wouldill borrow money at a rate lower than some western European countries – that is precisely what happened with our sovereign rating during the Eurobond exercise in 2012,” he asked.

He said the Nigeria Infrastructure Fund

would seek to bridge the infrastructure deficit in the country, and bring up the domestic investment rate in the country. he said in the immediate, the authority would focus on five key subsectors out of 18 subsectors of infrastructure such as : Power, Motorways, Agriculture, Healthcare and Real Estate.

He explained that the authority has incorporated the NSIA Healthcare Investment Company. This he said is aimed at diagnostic centers, specialist medical centers in federal medical centers and teaching hospitals. To that extent, he said the authority has signed a memorandum of collaboration with a few hospitals, including the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, and are scoping out areas of in-

vestment.

“We have signed about three other such agreements with a total of 18 in the works. We have also signed an MOU with General Electric to work together on healthcare investments. We believe our healthcare investment will aim at stemming the tide of medical tourism and improving basic medical care. Our last checks show that at least 30,000 Nigerians spend over $900m on medical tourism with most of the areas of focus including being Cardiology and Orthopedics” he added.

Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Professor Joseph Ajienka, said the SWF remains one of the most innovative ideas ever proposed by the federal government aimed at properly managing the vast resources from the country’s crude oil.

Capital Projects: Expert Calls For Increased Funding HE controversy generated by the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) for 2014-2016 between the federal government and the National Assembly may have settled down with the presentation of the 2014 appropriation bill by the minister of finance and coordinating minister for the economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in December last year.

However, the framework itself has continued to attract critical appraisal by economists and key players in the economy months after the dust raised by the disagreement on the appropriate benchmark for revenue calculation by the two chambers of the National Assembly was resolved.

The MTEF, which forms the basis for the preparation of Nigeria’s annual budget, was by the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) expected to be laid before the two chambers of the National Assembly four clear months before the end of the preceding fiscal year, but the 2014-2016 framework did not get to the legislators until the middle of September 2013.

At the inauguration of a local chapter (Fidelity Bank chapter) of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Nigeria (ICAN) in Lagos, Chief Executive Officer of Finesse Consulting, Mrs. Fola Ogunsola, who was the Guest Speaker noted that the MTEF preparation fall short of the requirements of the enabling law. Ogunsola, a chartered accountant said the FRA made the provision for the submission of the MTEF four months ahead of the next three years cover to “give enough room for reviews, debates and consensus before the preparation of the annual budget.”

In a paper entitled “The relevance of 2014-2016 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper to Economic Growth” presented at the event, Ogunsola said aside the fact that the document fall short of the timeline stipulated by the enabling law, enough consultation with rel-

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evant stakeholders were not made before the preparations and submission of the MTEF to the legislative arms of the government thereby robbing it of significant inputs. “No public hearing was held in any place in Nigeria to gather input from the people. MTEF requires inputs that come from different organizations and bodies,” she noted.

Ogunsola pointed out that a critical review of the ‘2014-2016 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper: Supporting Growth and Employment Generation’, calls for serious concerns about Nigeria’s fiscal policy. According to her, “An increase of N17 trillion in nominal GDP in the next three to four years to be accompanied by a decline in nominal Federal Government revenue and spending suggests that Nigeria’s fiscal policy is disconnected from economic reality and this yearns for urgent reconciliation; unless the government finds additional revenue to fund increased spending, promises in the MTEF to transform the economy, focus on job creation, reduce unemployment, especially of our employable youth, as well as provide enabling environment for economic diversification and growth, will amount to mere attempts to play on the aspirations of Nigerians without ever delivering on them.”

While expressing concern on the progressive decline in government expenditure on capital projects, she explained that it is glaring that revitalizing the capacity to implement capital projects even in the presence of sufficient funding has become an urgent national economic policy challenge. In her word, evidence abounds all over the world on correlation between expenditure on capital projects, development of basic infrastructure and investment inflow to any economy.

Ogunsola charged the federal government to refocus its efforts on curbing oil thief and secure the production of crude oil, which is the mainstay of the Nigerians economy, while

reinvigorating its efforts in diversifying the economy from a mono-cultural dependence of oil exports. While acknowledging the promise of MTEF to plug leakages in oil revenue and revamp the non-oil generation processes, “lower nominal revenue projection through 2016 indicates a lack of commitment to such reforms. The MTEF/FSP should create the platform for us to manage our fiscal trajectory with sustainability in view and to achieve this in a manner that promotes faster, more inclusive growth means that we have to rise to the challenge of shifting the composition of spending towards infrastructure investment.”

She also wants the government to review the nation’s tax law to eliminate all multiplications, which hinders economic activities and burden small business. Equitable share of revenue to reduces tax burdens on citizens. “Policy that increases tax burden while maintaining the interest rate is anti economic growth.”

For the Chartered Accountant, it was not all knocks for the government medium term expenditure framework, she noted that the country’s gravitation towards fiscal consolidation and its current positive medium term economic outlook provides greater opportunity for offshore investors who are seeking higher returns on their investment. Unlike in the past, she said the country does not have problem of debt overhang, especially learning from the Eurozone debt crises and the poor debt to GDP profile of some emerging economies.

She also noted that the nation’s medium term expenditure outlook is mostly geared towards economic diversification from oil dependence into areas such as Power sector improvement, Agriculture, Solid mineral development and Information Communication Technology (ICT). “Thus, any investment venture into such areas, with a market size of over 166 million people will no doubt be worthwhile.”

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Sunday, February 16, 2014

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INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

How To Start A Company At 35k Feet

By Richard Branson HERE is no such thing as a boring perT son: everyone has stories and insights worth sharing. While on the road, we let our phones or laptops take up our attention. By doing that, we might miss out on the chance to learn and absorb ideas and inspiration from an unexpected source: our fellow travelers.

I’m reminded of this because Virgin America has partnered with Here on Biz, a new mobile app for business travelers to ‘check in’ to a social network on flights. Instead of leaving it to chance, entrepreneurs can learn who else is on board to connect, chat, and perhaps even start a company at 35k ft. I’ve had my share of purposeful business flights.

When Virgin Radio tried to recruit popular British radio personality Chris Evans to join its roster in the 1990s, I jumped on his British Airways Concorde flight to New York in an attempt to win him over. We had just taken BA to court and won against its agressive ‘dirty tricks’ campaign and so taking its premier plane was a big leap for me.

With his agent trapped a few rows back and the crew fussing over the two of us, I was able to woo Chris and he agreed a deal on the back of a Concorde napkin. In the end Chris not only signed to do the breakfast show for us, he ended up buying Virgin Radio off Virgin and its partners.

This is not to say that stalking is encouraged! If you keep an open mind, inspira-

tion and ideas that change your life are bound to occur while traveling. On a recent Virgin America flight, I met Somaly Mam, a courageous former sex slave who has opened shelters for other sex trafficking victims in Cambodia. She has helped inform my awareness of the terrible global sex trafficking problem.

On another flight, I found myself chatting with the CEO of one social network while we

were running a campaign for another: all’s fair in love and social media!

A lost bet with AirAsia founder Tony Fernandes meant having to dress as a female cabin crew member and serve drinks on one of his flights. Besides raising money for a good cause, the flight resulted in meeting quite a number of business pitches and making interesting business connections.

If insights or new contacts aren’t happening to you on trips, stay open to the possibility. You never know who you are sitting next to: they might be your next star employee or future partner or someone who shares a powerful insight or idea that changes your life. Have you started a company at 35k feet, on a train ride, or another travel environment? What was the last unexpected thing you learned from a fellow passenger while on the road?

“African Union Foundation” Holds Inaugural Promoters’ Meeting • Foundation Makes First Grant Of $150,000 For Landmark Pan-African Venture OLLOWING the convening of the African Union Heads of Fmeeting State Summit in Addis Ababa, the inaugural promoters’ of the newly established “African Union Foundation” was held. The meeting was led by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Her Excellency Dr. Nkosazana Clarice Dlamini Zuma, who is also the founder as legal representative of the African Union.

Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission presented, the objectives of the Foundation for voluntary contributions towards financing African priorities at the Headquarters of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In attendance were the Deputy Chairperson of the Commission, Mr. Erastus Mwencha, the AU Commissioners, the former Prime Minister of Jamaica, Mr. P.J. Patterson,and first members of the inaugural council and guests.

Established by the AU Assembly in May 2013, the African Union Foundation aims to finance African priorities through voluntary contributions. The mission of the Foundation is to “mobilize resources in support of the African Union’s vision of an integrated, people-centred and prosperous Africa, at peace with itself and taking its rightful place in the world.”

To accomplish this mission, the Foundation will focus on five key programme areas in its first five years: 1) skills and human resource development, 2) women’s empowerment and gender equality, 3) regional integration, 4) youth development and entrepreneurship, and 5) advocacy and support for the African Union.

“It is time for Africa to mobilize our own resources in support of our development and take charge of our own destiny,” said Chairperson Zuma. The Foundation will strive to more deeply engage Africa’s private sector, African individuals and communities, and leading African philanthropists to generate resources and provide valuable insight on ways in which their success can accelerate Africa’s development. The issue of domestic and alternative sources of funding has been an intrinsic element of the continent’s commitments of the Pan African values of self-determination, solidarity and self-reliance. The AUC Chairperson called on the participants to act as good will ambassadors to the foundation.

Selection for membership of the Foundation’s Governing Council was based on clear commitment to African development and philanthropy, the highest caliber of integrity, and prominence in the sectors and geographies they represent. The Foundation’s governing Council is still formalizing its membership, but those selected who have been confirmed include Dr. Dlamini Zuma, Founder on behalf of the AU Commission; Ms. Luisa Diogo, former Prime Minister of Mozambique; President Alpha Konare, former President of Mali and former African Union Commission Chairperson; Ms. Zeinab Badawi, Journalist, BBC; Dr. Eleni Gabre-Madhin, former CEO of the Ethiopian Commodities

Exchange; Ms. Cheryl Carolus, CEO of Peotonia Holdings; Dr. Asmany Asfour, President of Egypt Business Women’s Association; Mr. James Patterson, former Prime Minister of Jamaica; Ms. Ntombifuthi Mtoba, Chairperson of Deloitte Southern Africa; Dr. Charles Okeahalam, CEO of AGH Capital Group; and Mr. Tony O. Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings.

Others who attended the inaugural meeting included Mrs. Wendy Ackerman from Pick and Pay Holdings; Dr. Bheki Moyo from the Southern African Trust and Mr. Enoch Iluenzy, representative of Mr. James Gatera, MD of the Bank of Kigali.

In response to his invitation to the Council, Mr. Elumelu

said, “I am honoured to be a part of the Chairperson’s vision for an emergent Africa developed by Africans, and look forward to participating in this effort to change the paradigm of African development.” As a clear indication of that support, the Tony Elumelu Foundation made a $150,000 donation to the start up costs of the African Union Foundation, the first contribution made to the ambitious initiative.

At the same meeting, a pledge of $100,000 was made by the Government of Jamaica, represented by Ambassador Carlton Masters, who indicated, “This underscores the commitment of the Diaspora towards African development.”

A formal launch of the African Union Foundation and comprehensive awareness and fundraising campaign is planned for later this year.

Coca-Cola Coming In Capsule

By Shannon Bond in New York OCA-COLA is served by the glass, can, bottle – and soon, the capsule.

The world’s largest beverage company by sales has taken a 10 per cent stake in Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, maker of the Keurig single-serve coffee brewer, for $1.25bn.

Coke will buy about 16.7m shares priced at $74.98 each, representing the volume-weighted average price over the last 50 days. Green Mountain shares surged 58 per cent in afterhours trading to $128.

The companies also signed a 10-year deal that will see Coke’s beverages, which include Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Sprite and Fanta, available in Green Mountain’s forthcoming cold beverage machine.

The device, which is expected to launch in 2015, will allow consumers to make cold drinks at home using single-serve capsules, or pods. It will compete with SodaStream, the Israeli company that sells soda flavourings and a machine that carbonates water.

“Keurig can do for cold beverages what has been done with hot coffee and tea at home,” said Brian Kelley, the Green Mountain chief executive who formerly worked for CocaCola. “We believe there is significant opportunity to premiumise and accelerate growth in the cold beverage category.”

The machine will make both carbonated and still drinks, meaning it can also be used for sports drinks, juices and teas. Mr. Kelley said the deal would give Green Mountain access to Coke’s global distribution system as well as to its range of drinks.

Muhtar Kent, Coca-Cola chief executive, said the deal would be an “enhancement” to the company’s bottling system, under which a number of independent companies distribute and, in some cases, produce its drinks. He said the

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bottlers would play a “complementary” role in the Green Mountain agreement.

“This is not a zero-sum game, it just provides more opportunity for our brands,” he said.

Green Mountain estimates that each of the US’s 120m households drinks 14 beverages a day. Households that have a Keurig machine use it to make just 1 to 1.5 drinks per day.

“By tapping into these beverage occasions, Green Mountain hopes to become a major player, with established retail distribution, in the $98bn retail soft drinks market,” said Jonas Feliciano, an analyst at Euromonitor International.

The deal with Coke has “potential to be a game changer if they get everything right,” Mr Feliciano said. “SodaStream has to be concerned.”

Coffee pods, pioneered by Nestlé’s Nespresso, have become enormously popular in recent years. Green Mountain is the US’s largest coffee company by retail sales thanks to the success of Keurig and its licensed pods, according to Euromonitor.

The company has a deal to sell Starbucks-branded coffees and Tazo teas in “K-Cups”, as well as Folgers, Twinings and Swiss Miss drinks. It estimates that 13 per cent of US households with a coffee maker own a Keurig.

Mr. Kelley said that as it does with the hot drink machine, Green Mountain would offer a number of brands on its cold Keurig system. He declined to comment on whether he had talked to PepsiCo about including its drinks, such as Pepsi and Mountain Dew. “We will have a number of partners and a number of brands on the system,” he said.

Coca-Cola shares were up 1 per cent in after-hours trading to $37.99. SodaStream was down 7.8 per cent to $33.

Courtesy: Financial Times

TheGuardian

Sunday, February 16, 2014 28

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Junior Guardian WORD POWER GAME Pant a) breathing b) long c) wear d) hot Crucial a) vital b) noisy c) nice d) proud Sear a) watch b) light c) burn d) drag Precarious a) risky b) pretty c) bubbly d) rough Hind a) back b) hold c) skin d) date Meander a) wander b) cross c) ride d) weigh Gloom a) shine b) darkness c) pale d) narrow Moat a) ditch b) wall c) curve d) dry Tantrum a) cry b) outburst c) laughter d) beat Banter a) Teasing b) dancing c) clapping d) racing

Sunshine Sammy’s World Of Words UnSHInE Sammy loves to Swould share new words and be delighted if you can

Gracious

also send 10 new words. This week, Sunshine Sammy is presenting words that start with the letter G. You can be part of the fun by sending in your own new words that begin with G.

Germaine

Gorgeous

Garbage

Gulp

SOLUTIOnS TO BRAIn TEASER (18)

POEMS The Star Mr. Star up in the sky You seem so far away I wish I could see you Every night and everyday Mr. Star way up high You light up the sky And you shine so bright I will make a wish And I know that it will come true What a sight you are— Mr. Star

By Omokhoje Elagonuma Heartfield Foundation School, Surulere

PASSEnGER REPUTABLE

HARBOUR GARDEn

JOURnEY HISTORY

SHELTER FAMOUS

Superhero Batman is my favourite superhero He helps people in trouble He puts bad people in prison He also helps the police He wears a special suit and a mask He drives a bat mobile Wow! Batman, my superhero

By Ayomide Ogunseinde Ocean Crest School, Lekki

Grasp Gobbling

Garrulous Gentility Grant Please send your contributions to: The Junior Guardian Desk Rutam House P.M.B. 1217 Oshodi Or kikelola_oyebola@yahoo.ca

Tenka Stops A Fight (1) STORY nE day, two brothers, Ugochukwu O and Danjuma went to visit their uncle. As they were leaving, their uncle gave them some meat. no sooner had they left their uncle’s house than they started to fight over the meat.

Ugochukwu insisted, “It was me Uncle gave the meat. If he wanted you to have some, he would have given you your own. If you want some, ask and I will give you a little bit.” Danjuma angrily replied, “Wrong! Uncle gave us the meat to share. If he wanted only you to have it, he would have said so. We must share the meat equally. As a matter of fact, because I am older than you, I should get the larger share.”

And so they continued fighting, punching and shoving each other over a piece of meat. Tenka found them wrestling themselves to the ground in the middle of the pathway. “Oooh boys, stop the fight. What is the matter with both of you? Stop fighting now I say. now tell me, what is the problem? Why are you fighting, two handsome young boys like you?”

They both started talking at once. They didn’t know it, but they were jumping from frying pan into the fire. Tenka held up his hand. “One after the other, please. now Ugochukwu, tell me why you are fighting.” “We went to see our uncle and he gave me this piece of meat and now Danjuma wants to share it with me. But I was the one that Uncle gave the meat!” Danjuma broke in, “That’s a lie! Uncle gave us the meat to share. Ugochukwu is just being selfish.”

Culled from the book, Tenka And His Magic Drum COMPILED BY KIKELOLA OYEBOLA

St. Gregory Rewards Exceptional Students HE management of St. T Gregory’s College, Lagos, recently rewarded students

to provide quality education to students to enable them compete favourably that performed exceptionwith their peers anywhere ally in academics and extra in the world. curricular activities at its He said that in 2013, the 2014 Speech and Prize Givcollege recorded excellent ing Day ceremony held in performance in several the school premises. It is the core subjects such as Engpractice of the college to en- lish, Mathematics, Science, courage and motivate stuChemistry and physics. dents that made the college He noted that the performproud. ance of the students was as The School administrator, a result of focus and dedicaMr. Edmond Akpala retion to reading. He advised marked that the college is the junior ones to imbibe committed and determined the reading culture and

learn from their seniors.

The guest Speaker, Chief Magistrate of Lagos State, Mrs. Botoku Abosede, who delivered a keynote address titled: ‘Choosing A Life Long Career,’ charged the youths to take care of their future and search for the talents in them. She also advised the students not to pursue a career because it is lucrative or fill a gap in the family business. Rather, they should let their personality determine their career

JSS I students of BBHS Abeokuta during a class party held recently in the school premises. With them is the class teacher, Mr. Adeniyi Olusegun and other staff.

choice. “When you engage in a career because of money and things do not turn out the way you want, frustration sets in. It is good to find what you have passion for,” she said. She urged the students to be focused and determined to excel in whatever they do.

Ekene Ezekafor, who had the best result in WASSCE 2013, said the college has put so much in him morally, academically and spiritually. As such, he is not likely to forget it forever.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Sunday, February 16, 2014 29

30 Sunday February 16, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

BUSINESSAGRO

FMN Embarks On N7Bn Sugarcane Mill • Sunti Sugarcane Estate To Gulp N35Bn Overall

Sugar Development:

By Fabian Odum ORk on Nigeria’s state-of-the-art sugarcane mill has commenced in Sunti, Niger state, albeit in early stages, where Flour Mills of Nigeria (FMN) Plc, owners of Sunti Golden Sugar Estates Limited, is putting up a $40million (N7Bn).

Group Managing Director, FMN, Mr. Paul Gbededo told The Guardian the high capacity plant is being constructed in line with the National Sugar Council’s development master plan of the Federal Government’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA). It is expected that the plant will be completed in a year.

The plan, he said directs all sugar refineries in the country to have backward integration set up in the bid to cut down raw sugar importation used in making refined sugar, conserve foreign exchange, create jobs and boost food security. Raw sugar is usually imported mainly from Brazil and some Asian countries.

But the mill, according to Gbededo is only a part of the total investment of $200million (N35Bn) in the 17,000 hectares farm of which 10,000 hectares is dedicated to planting sugarcane.

“For us, the Sunti farm in Niger State is a 17,000ha estate capable of sugar cultivation.

Over the next three years, it will be fully developed. We have now cleared about 4,0005,000hectares and used 2,000ha for planting.

We intend to cover the 10,000ha in the next three years,” Gbededo said.

However, the company’s drive for the realisation of the master plan is not limited to the 10,000ha at Sunti Farms. He revealed there is a discussion between it and kogi State government for 20,000ha of land for sugar cultivation for which approval has been given. That is expected to give another 200,000 metric tons

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of raw sugar, when it comes on and as part of the agreement with the Sugar Council to fast track the development as quickly as possible.

Presently about 99 per cent of the nation’s sugar need is presently met by importation but the plan is to have about 70 per cent locally produced by 2020. And the chief executive says the company is poised to invest in this.

He said FMN is committed to the Federal Government’s sugar master plan and the backward integration programme.

From the small beginning 15 years ago, FMN has vigorously pursued its investment in the

agro-allied business to become a leading agro allied company.

“We are in the food business and will do all it takes to support that. Agriculture is the future of this country and whoever does not join the train now, would be left behind. We have the capacity to grow the business,” the CEO affirmed.

Gbededo said: “Growing our food business is key. We are also expanding into the agro-allied space to be able to add more value to our products and quality of life in the country. We are still restructuring and consolidating. We are

looking for areas to create and add value, not only to our stakeholders, but also the Nigerian populace.”

He said the company is making substantial effort in the direction of food security in the country in support of the Federal Government’s agricultural and industrial transformation program.”

Part of the deal to give sugar production the prime place, is the modern sugar refining plant in Lagos, which was commissioned in 2013 and has been producing sugar for the Nigerian market. The GMD said the raw sugar produced from Sunti has the facility to be refined for distribution in the Nigerian market.

Sugarcane harvesting at Sunti

OXFAM Reiterates Commitment To Encouraging Local Female Farmers

By Paul Adunwoke HE Economic Justice campaign manager, Horn East and Central Africa, Oxfam International Mr. Marc Wegerif, has said that the organisation is committed to encouraging female farmers in Nigeria, noting that the organisation is primarily an agricultural support body focused on influencing change, promoting food security and supporting small scale farmers to improve the livelihoods of men and women in rural areas.

It was conveyed that women in farming must express themselves in matters that concern the challenges they face in the agriculture sector and policies of government.

Oxfam is committed to helping rid the nation of poverty, employing the tool of agriculture he said.

“We have a conviction that people are well capable of building a livelihood on their own once they are given the required support,” and for local projects in Nigeria, the organisation is willing to lobby government and companies to take into account the interests of the poorest people.

The picture is that women have not been given enough space in the transformation agenda in the agricultural sector; it expects the women to have specific programme in which there will be access to inputs like seeds, fertilizer and crop protection items.

At a briefing in Lagos, Wegerif disclosed that Oxfam currently works with 16 local partners across the country, international

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organisations and government institutions in fighting hunger and poverty. He said a lot has been done since last year just to celebrate women farmers in Nigeria, but now reaching out to the public and securing a wide range of supporters are important.

Oxfam wants others to come on board, create awareness for those who are interested to get our contact and get involved. Ultimately, it is to share the story of those women, who have been doing something special in agriculture to feed

their families and feed the nation at the end of the day.

Oxfam is an international confederation of 17 organisations (affiliates) networked together in 94 countries, as part of a global movement for change.

It is covering Ethiopia and Nigeria at the moment and there are other countries that will also come on board later.

Oxfam media officer in Nigeria, Safiya Akau said that programme was annual event and it does not end in Nigeria but the whole Africa.

“Our goal is to ensure that

Academy Empowers Youths For Hospitalilty Sector

By Fabian Odum HE future of the fast growing hospitality service industry T in Nigeria is promising as Culinary Academy has embarked on training skilled labour in the sector.

The Founder of the Culinary Academy, Tiyan Alile, at a private investors forum in Lagos, a large number of unemployed youth have the ability to acquire skills to service the dynamic sector with the aid of the Academy.

Alile pointed out that it not only trains professional chefs and waiters, but also has recreational classes that are designed to help develop and nurture the skills of both adults and children who have a passion for cooking.

Chairman of the school, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor added that the huge potential in a school that would service both the private and public sectors of the hospitality industry, is “the future of good investments in Nigeria.”

Alile stated that since the inception of the school, it has been able to double the capacity of skilled labour, which have been trained and disclosing that its long term plan is to train hundreds with the help of top leading international culinary institutes.

The forum offered high net worth individuals from both the financial sector and the hospitality industry the opportunity to network and discuss pertinent issues related to investing in hospitality education. At the forum, it was acknowledged that the hospitality industry is the fastest growing sector in the country and to keep up with this growth the need for skilled labour is in high demand.

men and women in humanitarian crises will be assured of both the protection and the assistant they require, regardless of who or where they are or how they are affected,” she said.

Gender officer Oxfam in Nigeria, Boyowa Roberts said Oxfam is committed to ensure that women are truly free from violence; she said, “Many more women will gain power over their lives

and live free from violence through changes in attitudes, ideas and beliefs about gender relations, and through increased levels of women’s active engagement and critical leadership in institutions, decision-making and change process.”

Oxfam Ambassador in Nigeria Tuface Idibia, who was present said agriculture, has many hindrances in Nigeria and many people

have refused to go into farming. “Our food production is going down every day so we need to get more youths involved, I produced an album telling every Nigerian to invest in agriculture because it will boost our food production.”

One of the farmers, Mrs. Oyinloye Bolatito said agriculture is very important but a challenge of farmers in Lagos state is lack of land.

FIIRO, USAID Partner On Food Development Projects

By Fabian Odum and Gbenga Akinfenwa S part of moves aimed at A enhancing national food security in Nigeria, the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO) and the United States of America Agency for International Development (USAID) have begun a collaboration to promote agro processing, value addition to indigenous food crops, production of on-farm equipment for improved livelihood of farmers, processors and consumers alike.

This would be part of series of international organisations’ strategic partnership with the institute since the 1960s till date.

The institute had worked with organisations such as UNIDO, CA’VA and FAO, among others on some food development projects.

At the official visit of USAID officials to the institute on Wednesday, the DirectorGeneral/CEO of FIIRO, Dr. (Mrs.) Gloria Elemo disclosed

that activities of development partners such as USAID have been of tremendous assistance to research institutes in Nigeria, most especially FIIRO. She noted that most of the technologies developed by the institute have been found to be very relevant and suitable across the agro-processing value chain and poverty alleviation interventions in the country. She added that this is applicable most especially to cassava, maize, rice, soybean, sweet potato and yam, among others.

Elemo disclosed the readiness of the institute to partner with USAID to drive the national economy and improve farmers’ livelihood and income for sustainable development through agroprocessing and development of agricultural value chains.

“Our expertise in this area is not in doubt and our track records have shown evidence of performance and

effective delivery on project objectives,” she stated.

In his response, the Managing Director, USAIDMarkets II, Dr. Harvey Schartup, who led USAID delegates, disclosed that it would collaborate with the institute in its seven main areas of interest, which include Sorghum, cassava, soybeans, rice, maize, cocoa and acquaculture.

He noted that the agency’s target is the small producers, those who take small scale farming as commercial business.

Reacting to Schartup’s statement, Elemo hinted the delegates on the institute’s achievements in the area of acquaculture, disclosing that it has produced fish feeds with the use of agro wastes.

She added that in the area of rice, cocoa, soybean and other areas mentioned by the agency, the institute had worked and still working tirelessly, especially the area of High Quality Cassava Flour.

32 Sunday, February 16, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

NEWSFEATURE

LEPROSY: Getting

This child may be infected with leprosy due to exposure

From Itunu Ajayi, Abuja HE tall, elegant Fati Ibrahim was living like any other Nigerian, full of life and energy until the day she discovered a patch on her skin.

To worsen the situation, she noticed that the area was numb, with no life there. After medical examination, it was discovered that she had leprosy.

Fati could not still come to terms with the reality of her condition, especially the stigmatisation and myth, which the society attach to leprosy; so, she began a hide and seek game.

Nobody should know of her condition, she told herself.

With her religious background, which stipulates that all parts of a woman’s body mustn’t be exposed under any guise, Fati found it convenient to use that as a basis for hiding her status, but not for a long time. By the time the hide and seek game was over, she had lost some limbs to the disease, but even with that, life must continue.

When a non-governmental organisation, The Leprosy Mission (TLM) Nigeria, went on a humanitarian mission to put smiles on the faces of patients at the leprosy referrer hospital Chanchaga in Minna, by way of distributing some essential commodities to them, it was an excited Fati who received her portion of the largesse.

All smiles with her baby boy in her arms, Fati was full of hope that her ordeal in the hospital would soon be over. Surprising as her case was, she was not hospitalised on account of leprosy, but jaundice complications.

Like any other diseases if attended to on time, jaundice, health workers say, is one that could be cleared within a few weeks, however, the way Fati hid her leprosy until it got out of hand, the jaundice too had already reached an advanced stage before she sought help.

A week after the TLM-Nigeria team visited the hospital, it was a devastated Pius Ogbu Sunday, operations manager, TLM-Nigeria, who received a distress call from the hospital that Fati had passed on.

Cause of death? Complications resulting from jaundice. Her case file was closed.

Experts say leprosy is an infectious disease that mainly affects the skin, peripheral nerves and mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract. It is caused by a germ called Mycobacterium leprae and is most common in places of poverty, dirty water, poor nutrition and low standards of living, it affects all age

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groups and both sexes but more common among males. The first outward sign is a patch on the skin associated with loss of feeling, peripheral nerves enlargement with or without damage.

Like anyone down with malaria, health professionals demand that persons suffering from leprosy should be able to come forth and declare their condition. But with the kind of society they find themselves, where, first they are separated from the rest of the people, and later put in colonies scattered around the country, sufferers are left to live their lives in pains.

When the outbreak was first announced in 1874 there was no known cure for leprosy. However, by the late 1920s, leprosy colonies were established in Nigeria through Christian missionaries, who could only reach out to an unloved, untouchable people to offer care and compassion.

The average prevalence of leprosy in the preindependence era was put at over 20 per cent and in keeping with prevailing global concepts and practice at that time, leprosy settlements were set up to safeguard public health and provide relief to unfortunate men and women who suffered from the disease.

The Presbyterian Church founded the first of these settlements in Itu, Akwa Ibom State, in 1928. Uzuakoli Leprosy Centre, which happened to be the second settlement was once renowned for its global contribution to research in the chemotherapy of leprosy and was acknowledged by many as one of the Methodist Church’s most enduring legacies in Nigeria.

Others like Okegbala in Kwara State, Osiomo in Edo State and Yadakunya in Kano State sprang up in the segregation era and since then, uncountable settlements are scattered in all parts of the country including the FCT. Over time, this idea of segregation gave rise to some myths and unfounded theories about the disease and the rate of stigmatisation became sky rocketed.

On January 22, Nigeria joined other countries of the world to mark the World Leprosy Day. When The Guardian spoke with Dr. Udo, national director, The Leprosy Mission (TLM) Nigeria, he could not agree less with the theme of 2014 day, which states, Early detection, less disability, get involved now.

Udo said stigmatisation would naturally fade out if only people are detected on time and given the necessary medical attention. According to him, this will reduce physical disability.

But the snag in the early detection theory, Udo said, stem from the fact that leprosy is not found unless sought for.

He said leprosy is very common where there is poverty and like any other infectious disease, poverty exposes people more to getting and contacting it. It is shrouded in some myth and falsehood and a lot of misconception associated with it.

In an attempt to dissuade the minds of people from some of the myths associated with leprosy, Udo explained: “The most common misconception is what people say that the spread of leprosy is associated with the bite of a cockroach, in fact, cockroach has nothing to do with leprosy, the only relationship one can say is that you find cockroaches more where there is poverty, around dirty environment, maybe that was why this insinuation came up at that time. There is strong correlation between poverty and cockroaches, but definitely cockroaches do not transmit leprosy.”

Describing leprosy as a global phenomenon, Udo said that 16 other countries of the world are still battling with the scourge of the disease and in 2013 alone, 3805 new cases of leprosy was discovered in Nigeria with North West zone accounting for most of the cases. 10 per cent of these cases he said were children while 12 per cent had already developed visible deformities.

The implication of this is that, new cases are reported late to health facilities and the transmission is still ongoing in the communities.

He noted, “there are 16 counties of the world

today that still find more than 1000 cases of leprosy every year and Nigeria is one of them. The issue of elimination has its benefit, but it also has disadvantage, which is worthy of mention.

When you hear something is eliminated, you will go and sleep, which is what happens and this idea was just a way of public health description of an attainment we want to achieve as a country. Now, someone says if you can only find one case out of every 10,000 Nigerians, then the disease will automatically wipe out itself, that was the point, but it does not happen. Tanzania and Liberia are suffering its scourge again, and if we don’t step up our game in Nigeria, and continue doing what we were doing before that led to the drop of its occurrence, there would be issues. There are signs already, it is not hereditary, it can only be contacted from the environment, so if you see a three year old child with leprosy, it means that child got it from somewhere within three years and that means the bacteria is still somewhere hovering around live in our communities.”

He said if Nigeria does not come up with strategic programmes backed up with political willpower and financial commitment to fight the disease, the country might experience insurgence in the epidemic. Some part of North East, South South, South East and even some part of South West still have some cases of leprosy being reported, and it is just a matter of time that they come down with disability and this may have a devastating negative effect on the social economic activity of the country.

“We all need to get involved to achieve elimination. What we have known scientifically with leprosy especially because of all the social issue, if you don’t look for leprosy, you don’t find it. If you don’t go out there to the communities and ask people to come out to be examined, our cases will become zero, which would amount to artificial achievement.

“The healthcare system in Nigeria is so much focused with what I call the ATM — AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria — that is all we do and we are neglecting some very important diseases that have the potentials to cause very significant damage to the health of the people.”

We all need to get involved to achieve elimination. What we have known scientifically with leprosy especially because of all the social issue, if you don’t look for leprosy, you don’t find it. If you don’t go out there to the communities and ask people to come out to be examined, our cases will become zero, which would amount to artifi- The Place Of Government, Stakeholders cial achievement. The healthcare system in Nigeria is so much focused with what I Other HERE is need for lawmakers to pass the call the ATM — AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria — that is all we do and we are Disability Bill so as to have a legal framework neglecting some very important diseases that have the potentials to cause very sig- to deal with issues relating to disability vis-à-vis begging in the country. nificant damage to the health of the people.

Despite the fact that Nigeria is a signatory to

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THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Sunday, February 16, 2014

33

NEWSFEATURE

The Equation Right In Nigeria the United Nations general assembly principles and guidelines for the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members, not much has been put into action in this regard.

The country is expected to appropriate legislative, administrative and other measures to modify, repeal or abolish existing laws, regulations, policies, customs and practices that discriminate directly or indirectly against these persons affected by the disease and their family members. These include forceful isolation and segregation on the ground of leprosy.

To this end, Udo said every right-holder and duty-bearer should be involved in what would eliminate poverty and its attendant consequences. He said one of the most fundamental dynamics of a rights-based approach, is that every human being is a rights-holder and that every human right has a corresponding dutybearer and that the overall responsibility for meeting human rights obligations rests with the state.

“Human rights go beyond the notion of physical needs and include a more holistic perspective of human beings in terms of their civil, political, social, economic, and cultural roles.

Rights always trigger obligations and responsibilities, whereas needs do not. Rights cannot be addressed without raising the question of who has obligations in relation to these rights.

People are often expected to be grateful when their needs are met; this is not the case when people’s rights are met.”

He added that leprosy should be put in focus and all necessary machineries put in place to see to its complete eradication in Nigeria.

“Actually, it is a shame that the world is driven by number, it is a shame that government are driven more by number, part of what has led to the government slowness in terms of response is the false believe that the country had reached a situation where only one case can be found per 10,000. The truth is that we are called to respond to the need of human beings, so even if it is just one person, TLM-Nigeria remains committed that the one person receives help, receives hope and that dignity is restored.

Imagine finding close to 4000 cases every year and the trend has not changed over the 15 to 18 years, the number of new cases we have found in Nigeria have averaged the same. Yes the number of treated cases have reduced, but the number of new cases we found every year has not changed, this simply means there is something we are yet to do to break that transmission and until that happens, everybody needs to get involved.”

Leprosy infected legs

Udo said if statistics is stuck to in the representation of leprosy cases, then the human angle to the issue would be missed. He agreed that the number of sufferers of leprosy is fewer than tuberculosis, but he said the message must not be lost that they are human beings too. This over concentration on other diseases, he added, had precipitated into the dearth of professionals in the treatment and management of the disease, who now prefers to specialise in other areas other than treatment of leprosy.

He lamented the situation where in Nigeria of today, medical students pass through the universities without seeing a single case of leprosy throughout their training period.

“The loss of expertise in leprosy is real and pervasive in Nigeria. As many of the old guard of committed leprosy workers exit the stage by retirement or death. It has become increasingly apparent that newer generations are unwilling to take over the torch. Final year medical students and young medical doctors (interns) are found to have poor level of knowledge and attitude towards treatment of leprosy.

“Leprosy is so peculiar that if you don’t look for it, you don’t find it, that is why the theme of this year is saying we should all get involved, let us be active, we can’t sit back and wait for them to come to us, we have to go to every nook and crannies of this country, we know there are pockets of them in some areas and so we need to go to those areas and actively search for them. Of course what we do is to go to these villages and announce that if you have any kind of skin patch that is lighter than your normal skin colour, you should go to centres that has already been designated with doctors and nurses to examine you. And once they come, they would be examined and if they were found with leprosy, they would be treated. So, actively looking for them is a key step.”

He said though leprosaria are no longer established, but there is the need to decongest those in existence and incorporate residents back into the larger society.

According to Udo, because of lack of technology in those days to treat sufferers coupled with the fear that the disease was contagious, they were separated from the rest of the society.

In his words, there are programmes the leprosy mission and other partners are implementing to integrate them by opening those settlements up for other members of the society to be part of.

Citing Yangoji village in the Kwali Area council of the FCT, Udo said its establishment was a

Fati Ibrahim with her child

ease had been denied the right to marry from families of their choice.

What people do not understand about the disease is that it is completely curable with MultiDrug Therapy medicine (MDT), which can be taken for between 6 to 12 months.

Twenty seven per cent of those begging on the street are persons who have leprosy and had been reduced to liability while a good number pretend they have the disease in order to beg for alms.

Mohammed Ahmed, chairman, Association for Integration, Dignity and Economic Advancement (IDEA) told The Guardian that as a sufferer, and one who shares in the feelings of sufferers, there is need for well-meaning Stigmatisation And Discrimination other Nigerians to join in the fight to stop stigma and HERE have been instances where people discrimination against people affected by lepwere laid off their jobs because they once rosy, noting that they are human beings just suffered leprosy, teachers as well as bankers like any other and so deserve love and respect had been laid off while people avoid patronis- like everyone else. ing those that are into private business like sell- “The difficulties we face due to stigma and dising and persons living with the effect of the dis- crimination include shame, low self-esteem, lack of access to education and credit, job loss, evictions from housing, insecurity and restriction from participating in community activities.

In certain extreme instances, leprosy patients have either received very poor services or out rightly denied access to treatment. I believe, the physical disabilities, the fear of infection and the false belief that leprosy is incurable are the root causes of the inhuman treatment that we often face.

“Despite this advancement in management and treatment, leprosy is still closely associated with stigma, so much that it has become a metaphor for stigma. For example, leprosy patients are often labelled as lepers. This is not acceptable. We prefer to be referred to as people affected by leprosy; people affected by Hansen’s disease or simply leprosy patient.”

Key issues in treatment of leprosy include inadequate public awareness about the disease, inadequate political commitment to the disease, weak leprosy referral services and high level of stigma and discrimination.

All stakeholders including the media should educate the public about the disease that it is curable and treatment is free, the governments at all levels should take deliberate steps to support leprosy control initiatives by providing adequate financial resources and most importantly, members of the public should stop discriminating actions against persons affected by leprosy.

With all indications that an average of 4000 Nigerians are affected newly by the disease yearly, a grade 2 disability rate of 12 per cent and nearly 10 per cent child ratio among new cases, it is necessary to maintain leprosy control measures to further reduce the burden of the disease and ensure quality care to people affected by it.

It is also crucial that services are re-organised to take into account the new setting of lowendemicity and the uneven distribution of leprosy in Nigeria.

If leprosy is lazy, according to experts, then with Nigeria, it should have an expiry date.

deliberate attempt by government to decongest or remove leprosy persons within the town and put them where they could enjoy life.

He said the village was designed to also include other non-leprosy affected persons with social amenities including schools put in place. This is to encourage other people to use those amenities, and over time, sufferers of leprosy and non-sufferers alike would be infused together and stigmatisation would be eliminated. He added that government should be committed more to the research on treatment and management of the disease.

T

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IBrUCENTrE

Why Financial Obligation Is A Condition For A Church Member To Be Buried “When my father died seven years ago, the church where he worshipped insisted that all his children must be financially upto-date for the family to be given an official date for his burial.

They said we should clear all our debts. I can’t remember the exact amount we paid then, but it was a condition for us to bury our late father. Even when I argued that I was no longer a member of that church, they said it did not matter. Eventually, the money was paid before the church fixed a date for the burial.

Without this, as l learnt, the church wouldn’t participate in the

burial, a situation that would have delayed the programme,” says Simeon Jack.

The lamentation of Simeon Jack has brought to the fore the issue of levies such as building levy, harvest levy, renewal of registration, marriage/wedding and church development dues among others, being charged members by some churches and their societies. According to Jack, this varies from church to church and where a church member was unable to pay any of the levies before death comes, the responsibility is pushed to

the deceased family, who are also encumbered with other requirements. And if the family were not financially strong to shoulder it, the church would not in any way participate in the burial or assist financially. Some people might not be as lucky as Jack and his siblings, who were financially okay. But what happens to those that are not financially okay or in the case of the member that died childless, who settles the debt(s)? Is it at all Biblical? CHRIS IREKAMBA, ISAAC TAIWO and PAUL ADUNWOKE sought the views of some religious leaders on the issue.

‘When My Father Died, We Were ‘Practising And Financial Member Is Subjected To Settlement Of Several Dues’ Entitled To A Befitting Burial’ UrIAL is as dignifying as the be necessary to collect money perienced a similar thing, MPOSITION of payment of B birth of a new baby. Just as from them. If everybody goes Idues on the deceased famwhen my father died. Before the birth of a child is celebrated away from a particular church, ily before burial is not Biblithey would agree to do the with great fanfare, when he or she comes into the world, so also burial, which marks the finality of his or her departure from the world, should be treated with dignity. Fundamentally, within the Anglican tradition, new members are welcome into the church through baptism, an outward evidence that one has been inwardly regenerated. Thus, the only condition for the refusal of burial of anybody in the Angli- (Rt. Rev. Michael Olusina Fape, Diocan Church is if he or she was cese of Remo, Sagamu, Ogun State) not baptised.

Every practising and financial member is entitled to a befit- resources, is a practical way to ting Christian burial. Just as the show commitment to God. church is proud to welcome The Anglican Church is a Bible into its fold new members dur- believing and practising ing their lifetime, the church church. It does not make payalso celebrates departed mem- ment of any money a condibers by according them befit- tion for burying committed members because such practing burial at death.

In the Anglican Church, there tice is not Biblical and cannot is a fixed amount of money a be sustained. However, there is member is expected to pay an- a place for application of comnually by way of supporting the mon sense in this matter. church financially. This is to Some congregations believe if make possible the work of evan- a member abandoned them gelism. Such amount can be as for other denominations and little as N500 or N1, 000 only. after death the children now Christianity or salvation is not want him or her to be buried for sale, but then for genuine in the former church, which Christians, good works, which he or she did not support fiinclude serving God with our nancially, while alive, it would

there will be nobody left to keep such church going in a way that will make it available for burial later. I believe there is a place for discipline in the church.

There have been instances in the past, when churches have buried active and committed poor or childless members without making any demands from the family of the deceased. The point is, as a serious and committed Christian, one must endeavour to serve God within the limits of his or her resources, while alive.

The issue of how long it should take to bury the dead must be carefully looked at.

Biblically, the dead were buried immediately. That practice differed from what is happening today. People now seem to be more concerned with the social aspects of burial for their personal financial gains. That is why burial can be delayed for as long as six or seven months. Such a long time allows them to build new houses, make arrangements for cloths to wear or plan for elaborate musical entertainment. All these have nothing to do with the departed, only for the benefits of the children or

‘Every Catholic Is Entitled To A Catholic Burial’ HIS issue is better disT cussed by a parish priest, who is always at every activity. The principle is that every Catholic that dies in a state of grace is entitled to a Catholic burial. That is the basic Catholic principle that we operate upon. I don’t know the particular circumstances you may be referring to, but I’m just saying that is the principle here. The circumstances may vary from place to place, but the basic principle is that every one that dies in a state of grace and he or

she is a Catholic deserves or is indeed entitled to a Catholic burial. I cannot give a blanket view unless there is a particular situation one is going to deal with. This is why there is need to speak with a particular parish priest, where circumstances like that may have arisen. I can’t talk generally on the matter; I can only say the principle and the particular circumstances that arise need to be addressed by the person concerned. That is the point I’m making here.

tice in the Christian fold. It is a denominational practice.

Churches where such is practised are those that bury deceased members at designated areas (church cemeteries). It might not entirely be practised the way it is done now, but you will discover from the Scriptures that when Sarai, Abraham’s wife died, he purchased a burial place for her “My lord, listen to me; the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver. What is that between you

(Pastor Isaac Adeyemi, Foursquare Gospel Church, Livingspring Tabernacle, Ikorodu) and me? So bury your dead.” And Abraham listened to Ephron; and Abraham weighed out the silver

burial, we were subjected to settlement of several dues including money for chair, painting and church development dues among others.

That is the reason I have continued asking my mother to ensure settlement of necessary dues to avoid recurrence of what happened when my father died. It is not Biblical.

(Pastor Johnson Odesola, Special Assistant to the General Overseer on Administration and Personnel)

‘At GKS, The Deceased Family Is Not Asked To Settle Debt(s)’ ATTErS relating to the Apart from financial contribuM burial of members of tions, there are other activities GKS are stated in the Organiin the church such as regular sation Instructions of the church, based on the Holy Bible. At GKS, the only mandatory payments are based on Biblical injunctions, and these are tithes.

Even then, if a member had been regular in church activities until death, but had not been faithful in payment of tithes, we do not refuse to bury because of the defaults in that regard.

The deceased’s family members are not asked to settle any outstanding bills because everybody is expected to work out his own salvation. No payments by one person or some persons on behalf of another will be of any avail, as far as salvation of the dead is concerned – Philippians 2:12; Galatians 6:4.

Fear of God is the most important factor in deciding

(Brother Godwin Ifeacho, Chairman, Executive Board, God’s Kingdom Society (GKS) whether the church should bury a member or not. Part of the duties of those that fear God is the payment of tithes and offerings, which every member is expected to pay faithfully, except he or she is not working and earning an income. All other contributions are voluntary.

attendance of services, discussing the word of God at meetings, faithfulness in discharging duties or responsibilities for the furtherance of the work of God and so on, which are taken into account when a person dies.

However, the church will not bury ex-communicated, suspended, unfaithful or lawless members when they die. Also, if any member commits suicide or is executed by the government for committing treason or murder, he will not be buried by the church – Galatians 5:19-21; 1 John 3:15.

Only faithful members are given glorious Christian burials at GKS. There is no fixed time before burials are done here. But members are encouraged to bury as quickly as possible. The Bible calls for moderation in everything –

‘We Don’t Have The Mandate To Delay Burial’ PErSON who dies childless per adventure he did not do A must have relatives, but acso in his or her lifetime, it is cording to the Quran, it’s not (His Grace, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, Archbishop of Lagos)

‘It’s Not A General Practise In The Christian Fold’ HE idea of asking for fees T from family members of the dead is not a general prac-

cal.

Every Christian is entitled to birth, marriage and burial rights, which is not in any way attached to money. They are things man should do. Churches that indulge in this habit use the occasion to raise money because they know that the hands of the deceased’s family are tied at that period. I ex-

for Ephron, which he had named in the hearing of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, currency of the merchants”(Genesis 23:15, 16 NKJV).

On the other hand, even if you do not belong to any of those churches that believe such, you will still need to pay for a burial place for yourself or somebody pays on your behalf someday. What a church does or doesn’t is according to the level of denominational revelation and don’t forget that Christianity is best enjoyed by

CONTINUED ON PAGE 35

a must. For instance, he may have voluntarily promised to do something for the mosque.

If he said that openly or secretly before he died, we cannot say the money must be paid before he is buried. But if he dies without fulfilling that promise, his family or relatives can fulfill the promise, if they wish. But that does not in any way authorise any Islamic congregation or society to delay the burial of the deceased on account of owing the mosque. It is not obligatory that the family should pay the debt before the person is buried. The debt can only be paid on his or her behalf just for the deceased to have free conscience before Allah.

We believe promise is a debt, which must be paid, but if by

between him or her and Allah, that is the God that created him/her. While he was alive, he may have had the intention of paying the debt before death came, and Allah may consider and reward him, because of that.

The only debt that must be paid by the family or relatives of the deceased is that owed another by the deceased. For example, if he/she had borrowed money or bought something without paying, these debts must be paid even though it is not obligatory, but it must be paid before his or her burial. They are only paying it so that their dead person can have a blissful journey.

In Islam, we don’t have the mandate to delay someone’s burial on account of owing either the mosque or an indi-

(Uztaz Taofeek Eniafe, Chief Missioner, Dairatul Razakiyat Association of Nigeria/Imam, Anu Oluwapo Mosque, Orile Oshodi, Lagos) vidual. That is why when a person is confirmed dead, burial commences immediately. So, the issue of whether or not he/she owed shouldn’t obstruct the burial. What can

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IBRUCENTRE

Sunday School Hypocrites In The Church (2) Memory Verse: “A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.” Proverbs 19:5.

Bible Passage: Acts 5:1-16.

Introduction A hypocrite is someone who deceives and misleads by pretending.

Hypocrisy is a carefully preconceived intentional series of acts and omissions aimed at taking undue advantage of others. Hypocrites are usually a great danger to others as well as themselves. A good biblical example is Achan in, Jos. 7.

Reasons • Honour seeking, I Sam 15:13,20; I Sam. 15:25-30. They want to be respected in the church but secretly commit sin.

... With Pastor Enoch Adeboye

• Pecuniary gain. Ananias and his wife wanted the praise given to Barnabas when they were not as faithful, Acts. 4:34; Acts 5:1-10.

• Dishonesty and lying, Prov. 11:1.

• Pride. Jesus said people love chief seats in church and public places but are not willing to pay the price, Matt. 23:2, 6.

• Irresponsibility, Matt.5:37.

• Disobedience, Jam. 1:22.

God Knows God knows all things and no one can deceive him. He knows: • The secrets and deceits of the heart, Ps.44:21; Jer. 17:9 -10; 1 Sam.16:7.

• Thoughts of man, Ps. 94:11,139:2; Isa.66:18.

• All hypocrisies, Lk. 12:1-2.

Christians Are Known By Their Fruits And Not Dreams ANY people in the world today are claiming to be Christians because they had dreams or revelation of heaven and rapture in which probably they saw great men of God. Some claim to be Christians for no other reason than that they were born into Christian families or go to church perhaps on Sundays and Christmas days. Some others claimed to be Christians because they bear names such as Mary, Martha, John, Peter and etc.

Unfortunately, none of the claimants above represented the Biblical standard by which a real Christian could be ascertained. These pretenders hiding under the cloak of Christianity have deceived many people outside Christendom to believe that everything goes in Christian faith. The work of God has often been marred and discredited by the folly of these men. These satanic agents crept into Christianity to destroy the standard laid down by our Master Jesus Christ.

Beloved, all those pretending to be Christians, whose conversion are attended with

M

disorder and public outcries, are to be suspected, no matter how striking their dream may be, because no man who is under godly influence can be disposed to engage in spiritual disorder. A Christian should be graceful in all manner of conversation, anxious to win souls for Christ, prayerful, loving and with a desire to ensure the household of God is in peace. He is not one, whose conversion disturbs all the solemnities of worship and creates division among the body of Christ.

Mtt. 7: 20-21 says, “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”

Our Master has said it all. Indeed, it is through the fruit it bears that a tree is known. We can only form an opinion of the nature and value of a tree by its fruit. The thorn can only produce thorns, not grapes and the thistle prickles and not figs. The same principle holds good in the moral world. A degenerated soul can only produce

fruits of immorality, corruption and wickedness.

A person’s character helps to determine the controlling spirit working in him. The countenance of a person may be fair but the conduct, which is the fruit in the eye of the world, determines the nature of his principle. A sinner is not a Christian and a Christian cannot be a sinner, both bear different fruits. It is erroneous for one to be taken as a Christian because he/she has a dream or revelation. Disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ were called Christians first in Antioch, not because of the dreams they shared or their revelations, for these are not the things that give distinction and peculiarity to the genuine followers of Christ but through their quality character and disposition they were identified.

Acts 11: 26 says, “And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch”

Praying In The Name Of Jesus

By S.K Abiara

W

HAT is prayer? Prayer is a request to God (our heavenly Father) through the only recognised channel, Jesus Christ the Son of God. That is, every child of God must communicate Him in the name of Jesus Christ. He said, “And I will do whatever you ask in my name so that the Son may bring glory to the Father” – John 14:13. Furthermore, he said, “you did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name” John15: 16.

“In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth; my father will give you whatever you ask in my name” – John 16:23.

“Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask (pray) and you will receive, and your joy will be complete”. John 16:24.

These few quoted Bible verses are some of the good promises of God to those that have been born into God’s family for believing in His only Son, Jesus Christ. “But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn! This is not a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan—this rebirth comes from God”-John 1:12 13.

God answers prayer, only such that is prayed according to His will. Brother John made it clear that “the confidence we have in approaching God that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of him”.

God is a righteous judge. He is ready and quick to hear and answer the request of His children based on their motives.

Does it have selfish or godly motive, if he should grant that request, will it profit His kingdom by bringing glory to Him or not? You must have the right attitude and godly motive to have your prayers answered.

Going through the Bible, Jesus Christ leaned on his Father to have His will done on earth. He taught us to always acknowledge God as our divine source of everything in life. He looked unto God for backing throughout His earthly ministry. Every prayer point offered to God by Jesus was answered because they were prayed according to the mind of God except the one He prayed in Gethsemane.

“Face to the ground and prayed, “my Father, if it is possible (if it is your will) may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will”. Matt.

26:39.

This prayer was not answered because it is the will of God that he (Jesus) should die to save the world from sin and Satan. “…So that by the grace of

God he might taste death for everyone. In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering” Heb. 2:9 & 10.

Since the predetermined plan of God for humanity through Christ, answering His prayer at that critical moment by stopping Jesus’ suffering and death spells doom for mankind thereby thwarting God’s purpose to reconcile us to himself.

He preferred the actualisation of His divine will. Jesus Christ on the other hand embraced His Father’s will completely. Instead of cancellation, God answer him by giving him strength to face the humiliation and bear death of the Cross.

The fact is that there is power in prayer and God answers prayer. He does this in diverse ways, no matter how and when He meets your need; you will be blessed in the end, while He will be glorified. What is your present predicament? What challenge are you facing? Who is oppressing you or threatening you? Are you in pain, in bondage of sin, sorrow, poverty, failure or disappointment? God can make your life and situation better if you call on Him. He can give grace for the race set before you. Like one of the Christians hymn, it is a privilege to talking to God in prayer about everything than concerns us.

Prophet Abiara, General Evangelist, CAC Worldwide. skabiaraofciem@yahoo.co.uk

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 34 revelation and not by mental knowledge. What a member pays or gives to the church, while alive, as far as I am concerned, also depends on the level of the revelation of giving that the individual Christian has. There is no place in the Bible, where the individual is compelled to give at all costs for God loves a cheerful giver.

“For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have. (II

• All the ways of man, Job.31:4; Ps.1:6.

“Rewards” For Hypocrites • They are cursed, Isa. 29:15-16; Job.15:34-35.

• They die before their time. A good example is our Bible passage.

Those who are not dead physically are died spiritually, Job.36:13-14.

• Their shame will not be hidden, Jer.13:25-26.

• Hypocrisy is a sin and will not go unpunished, Prov. 11:21.

Conclusion Hypocrisy is a sin against the Trinity. It is living a lie. Sudden death and destruction are distinctive possibilities for all hypocrites, Gen. 39:9, Acts 5:3, 9. The only solution is repentance, Isa. 55:7. We pray for repentance and restoration for all hypocrites and their households in Jesus name’.

Living Waters

By Pastor Lazarus Muoka The disciples were called Christians because they were following the rule of life laid down by Christ, and not because of the wonderful dreams they had or their revelation. Their characters, temperament, disposition and joy bind them together and made them to be called Christians- an identity, which rises above every other personality. Same character cum identity unite distant nations and tribes of men, connect diverse societies, and place them on a common level as one family that love the Lord Jesus, though speaking different languages and engaging in different pursuits in life. Those claiming to

be Christians because of dreams should show the world the evidence of their Christianity by the fruits they bear, for Christians are known by their fruits and their character produces peace and unity, which are the ingredients that salt the world.

Knowing how a Christian is identified, we must, therefore, suspect those dreamers and demand they produce good fruits vis-à-vis their character, for only this way shall they be called Christians.

‘It’s Not A General Practise In The Christian Fold’ Corinthians 8:12 NKJV); “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So, let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver” -(II Corinthians 9:6, 7 NKJV).

From these Bible passages, you can see that what individual members of a particular

church give or do not give will depend on the revelation they have. Christianity is not a religion of traditions, it is by revelation and it is a way of life.

Therefore, I will counsel that the body of Christ gets dynamic and abandon the traditions of men.

‘We Don’t Have The Mandate To Delay Burial’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 34 delay the burial from commencing that day depends on the time the person died. If he died towards evening the burial commences the next day.

But if he dies in the morning something must be done lat-

est between 2pm and 5pm. We must not delay burial in Islam and there’s nothing like we are waiting for the children and so on. If they are not around, message must be passed across and approval obtained immediately. But then, we may delay someone’s burial based on

what the deceased said while alive. He may have left word that if he dies in Lagos, his body should be taken to his hometown and if the hometown is Kaduna or Maiduguri, arrangement must be made instantly to move the corpse so that they can get there be-

‘Don’t Capitalise On Death To Exploit Family’ HE God we serve is a God of courage people to live holy, T the living and that is why we righteous and Godly life before do our best to encourage peothey die. We do not pray for the ple to live a Godly life. We believe that when someone dies; next thing is judgment. So, as a church, we do not give much attention to life after death. If someone cannot serve God while alive, is it when the person dies that he/she would do so? If a member could not pay anything while alive, it is not when he dies that we now expect the family to settle his debt. To me it is strange, and if there are churches that practise it, may be it is their own denominational doctrine. But my Bible tells me that after death judgment follows. Our church

(Rt. Rev. Sunny Faith Ugbah,Bishop of Lagos, Church of God Mission Int’l Incorporated, Mafoluku, Lagos) does not expect you to pay any debt after death.

We respect the dead and do not attach much importance after the person is gone. We en-

dead, but for the living because the dead has gone to be with God. A member is expected to be a Christian, to commit his life to Jesus Christ as his Lord and personal Saviour. The experience of salvation is the ticket for one to be a family member of Christ. There are some things expected of you, and if you are a true Christian, you should show it by the way you live, your lifestyle, commitment to Christ and so on. Once you are committed and the church sees you as a genuine Christian, when the person dies, the church participates in the burial.

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IBRUCENTRE

Okotie’s Evaluation Is Derived From Complete Ignorance, Says Martins Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martinsis the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos. In this interview with OBIRE ONAKEMU, he clarified some key issues, including the statement credited to Rev. Chris Okotie that Catholics all over the world worship Satan.

What are your views on the statements credited to Rev. Chris Okotie of the Household of God that Catholics would go to hell, because they worship Satan and that the church is led by an anti-Christ Pope, who is a friend to the devil?

N the first instance, such a statement could have been driven either by ignorance or ill-will, but I would rather insist that that kAind of statement was made in complete ignorance of what the Catholic Church is all about. With the teaching of the scripture and tradition that have guided the Catholic Church all these centuries, one would have expected that before a statement that evaluates any group of people is made, efforts would have been made to understand what they are about, know the values they stand for and from their own point of view rather than that of the person talking. I think that would have given him an opportunity to make a proper evaluation. But that evaluation is obviously derived from complete ignorance of what the Catholic Church is all about. And in any case, it is certainly not Christian’ way of life for anyone to condemn others to hell just by his own fiat. Judgment belongs to God and it is only God that can decide where anyone goes. And so, that statement was certainly made in a way that is really rather crass, not thoroughly thoughtout before it was made. …

And t h a t Catholic Church is ‘a counterfeit Church set up by Satan,’ where ‘they bow down to idols and crucify Jesus every Sunday when eat they bread claiming they are eating Jesus’ body?’

This seco n d

I

question made it clear to me that Rev. Chris Okotie is completely ignorant of what the Catholic Church stands for. The Catholic Church is one that was founded on the Rock of St. Peter. A church, which Christ Himself founded and from which all other churches separated, for one reason or the other. And so, if one is looking for a counterfeit church, it is certainly not the one everybody separated from. Such statement doesn’t really tell a good story about a genuine man of God. Saying that at the Eucharist, we are killing Christ every time we go to mass is also complete ignorance. Each time a Catholic goes to mass, he or she does so to receive the word of God, as explained in the homily.

And in addition to that, he/she receives the body and blood of Christ, as Christ Himself reflected in the gospel according to John. That unless you eat my body and drink my blood, you cannot have life in you and whoever eats my body and drinks my blood has eternal life. These are scriptural quotes, which anybody that is really interested in knowing the truth would be able to find out. And I would advise that what one doesn’t understand, one shouldn’t speak too loudly about; rather, one should first of all make efforts to understand what one wants to say.

What’s your view on Nigeria, as a nation?

Nigeria is far from where it ought to be, given the kind of human and natural resources that can make a nation great, which have been bestowed on it. We’ve had leaders over the years that have set their personal interests over and above that of the people. There are resources that have over the years been diverted to private pockets and to other places that have nothing to do with the welfare of the people. And that is why we are where we are today. We have equally had situations in the past, whereby the political class indulged in self-seeking and self-centred ventures such that the welfare of the people was neglected over the years. What we are having now is just a carry-over from what has always been and that is why one is constantly hoping that we shall have a new generation of politicians and autocrats working hand-in-hand with civil servants, who would be truly committed to the welfare of people.

Regarding the economic development of the country, we have been stuck with only oil over the years and because of that, we haven’t developed to the level that we ought to be. Prior to the intervention of the military, all kinds of resources were being developed all over, but now, even agriculture and other mineral resources are not given attention. And so, the economy has not been able to sustain the people and the kind of life that Nigerians deserve.

On ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo’s letter to President Go odluck Jonathan and the allegations contained in it In my own estimation, some of these allegations w e r e very serious such a s t h e one that

some people were being trained in the use of weapons to attack political opponents.

Those kinds of allegations are very serious.

And the government needs to respond to them in such a way as to ensure that Nigerians are not put on edge. We have had situations in the past, whereby Nigerians suffered a lot of mental trauma, particularly during the time of the late General Sani Abacha. Certainly, we don’t need that to be repeated. In that light, such allegations need to be addressed, so also those concerning money not being put in the proper national accounts equally need to be addressed and clarified by the agencies that are concerned.

One cannot make any categorical statement about corruption and the rest of it, because Nigeria has never been free of corruption. President Jonathan would have been an exception if there was no corruption at all. The government needs to fight corruption from every angle. The other day, I read in the newspaper that the man in charge of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said that they don’t have money to prosecute cases. That certainly is worrisome if it is true. Those busy ruining the nation are hardly touched by EFCC. So, we certainly need to address that area of corruption in government and society even though we have said it has been there all this while. Nevertheless, it’s something that we cannot ignore.

How can Nigeria be redesigned for the future of our dream?

Recently, the government told us that it was going to convene a National Conference, where people can say what they need to say with regard to our nation. If the conference is truly going to make any difference, then we ought to also include political scientists, erudite lawyers and others competent in areas of governance to find a way of really helping so that the conference turns out to be what it ought to be. The point I’m making is this: If the conference is going to be useful and bring about the kind of things that Nigerians are yearning for, then, it ought to have the power behind it such that what eventually comes out from it would not just be thrown to the trash cans.

Is the country heading toward disintegration, as a result of Boko Haram menace?

Nigeria is not disintegrating. I recognise the fact that there is a problem there and indeed, all of us recognise the fact that Boko Haram is a formidable threat to the nation. But at the same time, I am not sure that means Nigeria is disintegrating. I suppose that if the various interests within the nation, political interests in particular; if they are able to really come to see Nigeria as a unit, I’m sure that we can overcome this Boko Haram menace. It is well known that Boko Haram is something of hybrid – a bit of politics, religion and selfish interests of those behind it. I believe that it is not impossible for us to find a will — ways and means of dealing with the problem so that Nigeria can still continue to remain one.

The church has come under heavy criticism, especially for its devotion to materialism. What is your take on this?

Well, it is not fair to say that the church has a devotion to materialism. But we are also aware that individuals within the church — pastors and priests — sometimes incline towards material acquisition. It is a human tendency, but true Christians need to fight it very strongly. Jesus Christ is our model. When we look at Him, we should ask ourselves such questions as: will He be happy with me if I did this? Will He be happy with me if I did that or the next one? We should use that as yardstick for determining what we do. I believe that this whole issue of materialism over spiritual values would be better if truly dealt with. So, all of us, particularly those, who have the mantle of leadership in the church, need to be aware that Christ expects a lot more from us than others, because He has given us much. And because we lead the people, our values should be higher than that of the world. Human as we are, we must continue to strive to curb the natural human tendency that is in us for the sake of higher values.

Springs Of Wisdom

By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi

Conditions For Year-round Blessings NE of the most distinguishing things about God is His O faithfulness to the promises He has made. Men routinely flout their promises, failing woefully to live up to the expectation of others. But God is different. He neither fails nor forgets to keep His word. This divine faithfulness characterises God’s relationship with believers today, just as it did with Bible personalities. No wonder, Moses, just before his death, reminded the children of Israel of the faithfulness of God, assuring them that He would perform all promises He had made to them. But God’s faithfulness to His promises is like a two-sided coin — a fact lost on many Christians today.

Just as He faithfully keeps His word to bless those who love, fear, obey and serve Him, so He faithfully fulfills His promise of judgment, wrath and indignation on the people that forsake Him. “Know, therefore, that the LORD thy God, He is God, the faithful God, Who keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep His commandments to a thousand generations. And repayeth them that hate Him to their face, to destroy them: He will not be slack to him that hateth Him, He will repay him to his face”. God faithfully fulfills His promises of salvation, healing and provision in the lives of those who obey Him. Similarly, He judges to the letter, all sinners and evil doers, who refuse to repent, abandon their evil and indulgent lifestyle and experience the transformative power of a new and regenerated life. Thus, the believer must be careful to obey God’s commandments so as to enjoy His blessings. “Thou shalt, therefore, keep the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which I command thee this day, to do them.”

The Bible talks about God’s faithfulness to men: believers and unbelievers alike. Every time, everywhere, God’s faithfulness is at work. He never forgets to bless or judge according to His word. His promises cover every challenge or problem in life. He is able to solve all of them. In the old and new testaments, He is faithful. The reason we pray and have confidence in Him is because of His faithfulness to His word.

In fact, it is by His faithfulness to His promise not to reject penitent sinners who come to Him that we are saved, “for he is faithful that promised”. Whenever He makes a covenant with an individual, family or nation, He keeps it, just as He is keeping the covenant with His Son Jesus Christ to save those that believe in His death and resurrection. In God’s covenant relationship with us, He has made provision for a fruitful, blessed, joyful and fulfilled life. But it is as we keep to the terms of the covenant that those promised provisions would be fulfilled in our lives. He promises to bless His people but these promises have conditions attached to them that must be fulfilled. To live a happy, healthy and fulfilled life, the conditions described by the word “if” underpinning His promises must be fulfilled.

Continuous enjoyment of the love, provision and blessing of God demands continuous obedience, loyalty and faithfulness to Him. He promises to take away sicknesses from us and preserves us from diseases if we keep and obey His word unceasingly. Prayer and fasting are good; but they are not enough. Obedience is the God-given condition to having and enjoying blessings and fruitfulness in life. To overlook the condition and lay claim to the promises is to be presumptuous. The reason is, God knows the terms of the covenant and He is faithful to fulfill them to the obedient. If the believer will “diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His sight...”, His blessings are sure to flow unceasingly in such a believer’s life. Many people are preoccupied with the pursuit of enemies in their prayers and therefore fail to focus on the Lord because of ignorance of this fact. It is as you obey God’s precepts, that He becomes “an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries”. The blessings we receive from the Lord are also conditional upon the service we render to Him. Keeping the totality of His commandments guarantees God’s presence and security in our lives. It is erroneous to believe that one is secured eternally in God after salvation, even if he maintains a sinful and indulgent lifestyle. The truth is, there is nothing like eternal security.

God’s blessings are given on conditions of continuous obedience. Secret sin weakens and makes a coward out of a backslider. But the righteous is as bold as a lion and has nothing to fear. The Lord, speaking in the New Testament scriptures, reiterates this condition: “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in His love.” We must deny the flesh and its desires so as to be fruitful in the Christian life and service.

References: Deuteronomy 7:8-11; Psalm 36:5; Lamentations 3:2224; 1 Corinthians 1:9; Hebrews 10:23; Deuteronomy 7:12-15; Exodus 15:26; 23:22-25; Deuteronomy 11:22-27; Job 36:11,12; John 15:7,10; 12:24-26; 1 John 3:21,22; Deuteronomy 7:3-6; Joshua 23:12,13; 1 Kings 11:1-9; Nehemiah 13:23-27; 1 Peter 4:17,18; 2 Peter 2:20-22; Deuteronomy 7:21-23; 13:12-15; Psalm 50:18; 2 Chronicles 19:2; 1 Corinthians 5:1,2,7,8,13; Romans 16:17,18; Hosea 8:3,12;10:12 (All scriptures are from Kings James Version).

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Sunday, February 16, 2014 37

IBRUCENTRE

I Shall Not Die (2)

By Gabriel Agbo ES, you are not supposed to Y die prematurely. That death threat over your life can be averted. True! Nothing has the right to terminate your life just like that. This is the way I spoke to a man, who had death sentence passed on him by one of these dreaded secret societies; a cult, where they do so many unprintable things, which include using blood to wash their heads. He read one of our articles on this column and quickly contacted us. They had given him the date to die and truly, he was almost gone when we met. Yes, almost dead!

But after everything, Jesus broke that covenant he made with Satan. He is still alive and healthy today. In fact, on the day they gave him, I was physically present in his new home to celebrate his birthday. Our God is the most powerful! But this is not to encourage you to go look for wealth, power, fame, etc., from the devil. You will surely pay if you do. The devil has no free gift. He is wicked. Anybody that associates with him will always end up in pain, sorrow and regrets. True!

Please, always wait for God’s time and blessings; for He’s does not add any sorrow.

Has the enemy in any way passed any death sentence on you? Did they give you a date to die? God can reverse that today. Have they sent evil arrows, spells against you? They shall no more have effect on you and your family in Jesus’ name! All the plans being made against you will SURELY fail in the mighty name of Jesus! Look at our LORD Jesus.

All the plans made by the enemy to terminate His life never prospered. When He was born, Herod did everything to kill Him but God foiled all his plans and in anger and frustration, he slaughtered thousands of Jewish male babies around Bethlehem. But Jesus escaped! You can read my analyses on this particular divine maneuvering in my book Power of Midnight Prayer. It is very illuminating! God does exactly the same today.

When He grew up and started His ministry, the Jews didn’t like His teachings, boldness and claims; especially that He is the Messiah, the Son of God, etc. So, they made several attempts to kill Him, but He always effectively escape from

Dealing With Satanic Open Doors (4)

By Seyi Ogunorunyinka

them. I hope you understand what we are talking about here. They will raise stones to smash Him to death and suddenly, miraculously, God would remove Him from their midst. Powerful! Every plan, every attempt or process to terminate your life will be miraculously foiled by heaven in the mighty name of Jesus!

This is exactly what the Psalmist means, when he says that even when our enemies trapped us, rejoicing that our end has come, we mysteriously, miraculously, divinely, surprisingly escaped like a bird would from the trap of the fowler!

If they were unable to kill Jesus, their evil plan against you shall also not succeed!

Now, Jesus, at the appointed time, willingly, in obedience to His covenant with His father, temporally, and just for three days, submitted His life.

Even at the point of His arrest, immediately He identified Himself, all the soldiers fell down. Nobody could touch Him until He willingly submitted Himself. And the Bible clearly said that as He is, so we are.

Rev. Agbo is a Minister with the Assemblies of God Nigeria.

HIS week, we shall look at T the concluding part on the factors that can determine the types of doors that can be opened to the enemy.

Factors that can determine the types of doors that can be opened to the enemy (Contd.)

• Curses And Covenants: These are evil utterances made against a person’s life or evil agreements that are binding. If your parents or grandparents did something bad, then the effect of what they did will be binding on your life today.

• Fighting: This is another key that can open the door of your life to the enemy.

Some people are fighting with enemies, who fight without leaving any remnants or contesting with household strongmen, who are not ready to go unless they are forced to.

• Level Of Word Of God In Your Life: If the level of the word of God in your life is low, then the enemy will take advantage of you and

there will be more open doors in your life. When Satan came to attack Jesus in Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus used the word to fight the enemy.

If the enemy should come to you today, are you grounded enough in the word to be able to give the right reply based on the word of God? • What You Eat Or Drink: Many people eat or drink anywhere and anyhow. They wake up in the middle of the night and go to the kitchen to eat. It is no wonder that such people have dreams in which someone is giving them things to eat.

• The House You Live In: If you live in a cursed or polluted house, whenever you are there, attacks will occur and the doors to your life will be opened.

• Your Past Sexual Partners: These can also determine the types of doors that are opened in your life. After some sexual encounters, some people begin to have strange dreams and spirit husbands etc. If someone has had several sexual partners, it means that many demons are parading in the

life of that person.

• The Level Of Brokenness In Your Life: A broken life is one that is disciplined. The more broken you are, the less the number of doors that will be open in your life.

How do you then deal with satanic open doors?

• Discover Them: You know yourself better than anyone else and so, you must identify which doors you have opened to the enemy. You should ask God to help you identify the doors that you have opened. This knowledge could come to you through dreams and visions.

• Accept And Neutralise Them: Once you have discovered the open doors, accept them and neutralise them through warfare prayers. Be ready to seek spiritual help.

Do not be too shy to seek help from your servant of God. • Keep Yourself Pure: You must keep yourself free from sin.

Pastor Ogunorunyinka, General Overseer, The Promisedland Restoration Ministries, Surulere, Lagos. pastorseyiogunorunyinka@g

Fashola Calls For Religious Tolerance As Building Blocks Of Lasting Democracy, Prosperity

By Kamal Tayo Oropo

Flags Off 2014 Annual General Conference Of Cherubim & Seraphim Unification Church Of Nigeria

AGOS State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, while flagging off the 2014 Annual General Conference of the Cherubim & Seraphim Unification Church, has called on Nigerians to maintain peace and religious tolerance, as these represent the building blocks of sustainable democracy and prosperity for the nation.

Addressing the Congregation at the Gospel Church of the Cherubim & Seraphim, Oke-Ayo Irapada in Orile Iganmu, during the week, Fashola argued that if God has created people and made them to be different, it would be inappropriate for some of them to impose a common highway on others.

Said he: “I appeal to all of us to continue to keep the peace and to respect the right of others to worship in the way that they choose. It is not our position to judge. Those that truly believe in God cannot criticise the way others worship because if it

was not meant to happen that way, it would not happen.”

Commending the church for choosing as theme of their Conference, “I Will Make them One Nation”, the governor, who described it as an important theme and an important step, said although it is clear what God’s purpose is for His people, what remains difficult to decide is what the peoples’ purpose is for themselves.

According to the Governor, “Nation building is a continuous undertaking, which will happen within certain contexts and certain time. At one time, the purpose for Nigeria was fighting for Independence and at another time after Independence, it was in the context of developing human capital”.

“Yet, at another time, it was in the context of fighting to keep Nigeria one.

At another time nation building was about Economic Development and managing our resources. At one time nation building was simply about en-

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throning democracy. At this time, it is about speaking with one voice”; he said adding that it is only when people’s minds are united that their actions would be united.

The governor noted that from history, it has been very difficult to separate the Church from the State pointing out that though a clear line seems to have been drawn now, the lines only emphasise the inner interdependence rather that independence of the Church and the State.

“The general concept is that the Church will take care of the spiritual needs of the people and pray for them for the atonement of sin so that they can go to Heaven, while the State takes care of their physical needs. But the Church has done more than that and by this, I mean not only the Christian Church but also other Missions.”

According to the Governor, “If you look around today, we have what we call public schools around us owned by gov-

ernment. But in my time I recall that Missions owned many of the existing schools. It seems to me in my own time that there were more Mission schools than government schools”.

“We may have made a wrong categorisation by painting all of them as public schools. They may have been public only to the extent that the Missions that set them up ensure that members of their congregation could afford them and that their children could be raised and developed there”, he said.

He continued, “On Sundays, when women take their children to church, they first attend Sunday School, learning how to fear God, learning the way of God and how to worship Him. And from Monday to Friday, they are in schools; learning skills, how to read and write and at the same time learning the fear of God. The question then is, ladies and gentlemen, if God’s will is to make us one nation, have we

taken up our own responsibility in order to fulfill God’s purpose for our country?”

“And that is the theme that runs through the opening speech of the Spiritual Head this morning, the unification and responsibility. How many of us discharge our responsibilities, as parents because young and adolescent children, who become gangsters, were once babies.

Did we fulfill our own responsibility towards them?”

The governor said the importance of the Conference lay largely in its emphasis on the human resource pointing out that of all God’s creation and resources available to the world, the human resource was the most important. “We must pay more attention to the development of the character and the mind and the possibilities that exist in God’s most profound creation, the human resource,” he said.

At Chosen Crusade: Army General And Buddhist, Surrenders To Christ

By Chris Irekamba SERVING Cambodian GenA eral in the army, Heang Rottana, who is visiting Nigeria for the first time, has described the country as a nation blessed with human and natural resources.

The journalist turned soldier was in the country to see things for himself, after a Nigerian cleric prayed for him in his country and God answered his prayer.

On the strength of that experience, he came and shared his testimony at the two-day yearly programme of the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Re-

vival Ministries tagged: “From Sorrow to Joy” held at the church headquarters at Ijesha, Lagos, last Sunday.

Narrating his testimony and how Pastor Lazarus Muoka prayed for him, Rottana said: “Three days ago, I arrived the country with my family and since I couldn’t make it to Mgbidi crusade I decided to come this one, to see things for myself and I’m thrilled seeing this great crowd here today. I have never seen a crowd like this in my life. The General Overseer visited my country last year, and held a crusade there and he prayed for me concerning a misunderstanding between me, my mother

and other siblings.

“For almost 20 years now, I have been having problem reconciling with my family and because of that misunderstanding they stopped coming to me. They never cared about my marriage, wife and children. But after the prayer of the man of God, things changed and today I have reconciled with my mother and my brothers, they even escorted us to the airport.

“I’m so happy that I’m here with my family and to witness this crusade, “From Sorrow to Joy,” without Chosen I cannot come to Nigeria. Everything is now sweet after Pastor prayed

for me and I’m very happy. I was never a Christian, this is my first time. I was once a journalist before I joined the army.

How I got to know Pastor Muoka was a sheer providence.”

Comparing Christianity with Buddhism, his former religion, Rottana noted there is a great difference. “Now, I’m very happy joining the Lord’s Chosen Church. I think Chosen is better and if people have problems they easily receive immediate answer.”

To prove his newfound faith, the Army General has surrendered his house in Cambodia to the Lord’s Chosen Church for the things of God.

Brother Heang Rottana (left) with his Pastor in-charge of the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries in Cambodia, Pastor Best Ifeanyi Chukwu, during the two-day yearly crusade tagged: “From Sorrow To Joy,” at the Lord’s Chosen Revival Ground, Ijesha, Lagos… last Sunday.

38| Sunday, February 16, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

IBRUCENTRE

By Ernest Onuoha HE Church of Nigeria, (Anglican CommunT ion) would on Tuesday, February 18, 2014 at St James Cathedral Church Okebola, Ibadan consecrate the newly elected Bishop of the Diocese of Yewa, Ven. Michael Adebayo Oluwarohunbi.

He now succeeds the retiring Bishop of the Diocese, Rt Rev. S. Adebola.

The peaceful election of Ven. Michael took place at St Peter’s Chapel, Ibru Centre on January 9, 2014. The Primate of All Nigeria, Most Rev. Nicholas D. Okoh, presided over the election and was assisted by his brother Bishops.

Announcing the result of the election later, the Primate was full of joy because Ven. Michael Adebayo was his staff, being the outgoing General Secretary of Church of Nigeria. He thanked God for his election and hoped that he will bring his wealth of experience to bear in shepherding the flock of God. It is interesting to note that Ven. Michael was an inter-testamental General Secretary of Church of Nigeria. He was appointed under the then retiring Primate of All Nigeria, Most Rev. Peter Jasper Akinola and served under the then incoming Primate, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, a post he held until his subsequent election as a Bishop.

During the service of consecration, men and women of goodwill are expected to come to cheer him up and to also wish him well for this

From The Rector Ibru International Ecumenical Centre, Agbarha-Otor

Consecration Of New Bishop Of Yewa Diocese onerous task, particularly, as he prepares to take over as the new Bishop of Yewa Diocese.

Ven. Oluwarohunbi was born on April 21, 1960. He hails from Ororuwo, Boripe Local Government Area in Osun State. He has a good Christian parentage and a strong Anglican background.

For his theological formation, he attended the Diocesan Bible Training School in Abuja and was made a Deacon in 1998. He was priested in 1999 and in order to strengthen his priesthood formation, he attended the Theological College of Northern Nigeria, Bukuru from 2002 to 2005, where he obtained a Bachelor of Divinity (BD). Between 1998 till date, Ven. Oluwarohunbi has served

We All Need Divine Healing

By Gabriel Osu E live in a world of imperfection, coupled with a society that is fast losing grip of the essence of respect for the human life. Each day, as we get to hear of the death of others in unfortunate circumstances, we tend to develop thick skin of aloofness and indifference. ‘It’s none of my business,’ we would say; after all, I don’t know the victims, neither their relations or family members.’ And that is where we get it wrong. The truth is that we must and should be concerned with the tragedies that befall others and guide against the re-occurrence.

Today, you may say to yourself ‘Thank God I am not a victim of the ills rampaging our society. Beware! Who knows tomorrow! Do you know where the next bomb will explore? Do you know whose turn it would be to be knocked down along that dilapidated expressway that has been begging for attention for many years? How do you know if your immediate family would not be a victim of the rot in the aviation sector soon, unless urgent steps are

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taken to make things work?

Have you forgotten that what comes around goes around?

We have been faced with so much tragedy that it seems only theme that would be appropriate for this period in time is to direct our attention to Jesus Christ, who has all the solutions of life. He alone can heal us of our afflictions and turn the situation of our country around for good.

We are in a season that calls for divine healing. We need divine healing in our lives, our families, in our businesses and in the very core of our national life. Too many innocent bloods have been shed and the cry of the innocent has reached the ears of the Most High. He is not deaf to our cries, neither is He powerless to save us. He is a merciful God who is slow to anger, but firm in His judgment. He works in mysterious ways that are hard for the average mortal to comprehend. It may seem that God is not acting, but be assured that He is very much active and knows our situations. Psalm 34:18 says, ‘The Lord is near to the broken-hearted and saves the crushed in spirit.’

God is not asleep. He shares in our pains and our afflictions.

as Parish Priests in many Churches under Abuja Diocese. He was preferred a Canon of the Cathedral in 2005 and was made an Archdeacon in 2009.

It is good to note that this man of God is a good family man, happily married to Mrs. Grace Oluwarohunbi, his dear wife and they are blessed with godly children.

It is our considered view that the new Bishop will not lose sight of the demands of the office of a Bishop. Bishops retreat of 2014 succinctly put it thus: ‘the Bishop: An Overseer, Evangelist, Administrator and a Pastor of Pastors’. The work is not going to be easy but those who are called by God; He will always equip and use them for His glory. More so, the Holy Spirit, our

and a claim for N15 million for general damages filed by the God’s Kingdom Society (GKS), against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) among others, from revoking its right to a parcel of land at Dakibiyu area of Abuja pending the determination of the substantive suit.

While hearing the matter yesterrday, the presiding Judge of High Court 22, Justice Charles Agbaza noted that none of the defendants was in court despite being served all the relevant court processes and that they did not file a counter-affidavit to oppose the application.

Counsel to the GKS, Mr. Joshua Okah, led

by Mr. Oris Obelikpeyah, told the court that it was settled law that depositions in an affidavit are deemed to be admitted and the court is entitled to rely on them as representing the true state of affairs on a matter in the absence of a counter affidavit in opposition to the application.

He, therefore, prayed the court to restrain the Honourable Minister of the FCT, the FCTA and the FCDA from demol-

Ven. Ernest Onuoha, Rector, Ibru International Ecumenical Centre, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State. www.ibrucentre.org

Anglican Prays For Coming Elections He also assures us that those who mourn shall be comforted (Matthew 5:4) and those who are in deep sorrows, the soothing words of Revelation 21:4 says, ‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.’

All the pains we are going through at the moment are temporal, someday, they will all fade away like mist. We are also to comfort others who are afflicted and let them know that God cares (1 Peter 5: 7).

He assured us in John 14:1, ‘Let not your hearts be troubled.

Believe in God; believe also in me.’ Let me remind you that, after the rain comes sunshine. Remember the admonition of James 1:12, ‘Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.’

Very Rev. Msgr. Osu, Director, Social Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos.

By Kenechukwu Ezeonyejiaku S the 2015 general elections draw near with its uncertainties, the Anglican Communion has promised to step up prayers with the aim of promoting peace among the various parties and having peaceful elections.

This was made known by the Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos West (Anglican Communion), Rt. Rev. James Olusola Odedeji, during a press conference in Lagos, to announce the programmes for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral.

Speaking at the conference, Odedeji said that the church would continue to live up to its responsibility of being a shining light in the midst of darkness by preaching peace and ensuring it reigns in the land.

Said he: “We must say that the church is aware of the heavy responsibility of shining the light to disperse the darkness in our society. On the eve of another general election, we can assure you that the church shall step up prayers for our

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Court Fixes Land Case Between GKS And FCT Minister N Abuja High Court has fixed March A 17, 2014, for ruling on an application for an order of interlocutory injunction

mission partner will also be on guard to enable one to so perform. Yes: ‘In a work you never did, God will give you the strength you never had.’

Therefore, we at the Centre and members of the Reference Committee of Church of Nigeria headed by Barr. Abraham Yisa wish this servant of God a happy and fruitful Episcopacy.

Congratulations!

ishing, encroaching or respassing on the said land and suspending all actions relating to the revocation and/or re-allocating to another person(s) the title and/or Right of Occupancy being enjoyed by the Plaintiff over the parcel of land at plot No. 316 HDC within Dakibiyu District of Abuja covering an area of 6,500 square meters. The injunction should hold until the court determines the argument by the church that the land was duly allocated to it by the FCT minister and is, therefore, entitled to the Right of Occupancy and the Certificate of Occupancy over the said plot.

According to plaintiff’s counsel, the land was allocated to the church by the Federal Capital Territory Administration and is covered by an Offer of Terms of Grant/Conveyance of Approval dated June 25, 2003 as well as Survery Plan/Map with Right of Occupancy bearing the same date. He said that at no time did the defendants revoke the plaintiff’s title to the property and that the purported revocation/and/or reallocation of the parcel of land was illegal, null and void and ought to be set aside..

Mr Okah, accompanied by two other lawyers, Messrs Pureheart Esi and U. K. Obiorah, stated in his motion on notice that the church had paid ground rents on the land worth N1,041, 584 from 2004 2009 and had over the years expended

over N15 million in securing the land and erecting a perimetre fence and temporary structures on it pending the approval of its building plan by relevant agencies of the defendants. He said that while efforts were on to pay the required fee for issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, the church sumitted its building plans and drawings of the parcel of land at the Department of Development Control of the FCT and therefore urged the court to direct the FCT Minister, the FCDA, among others to consider and grant accelerated approval to all submissions for building permit and issue the Certificate of Occupancy on the land to the plaintiffs.

The church had brought the matter to court following the violent action of some persons that later identified themselves as agents of the FCTA and FCDA, who came without notice to the said land at Daki Biyu on January 24, 2014 with a bulldozer, claiming ownership of the land to demolish the perimetre fence and the temporary place of worship erected by the church. They also instructed the church to vacate the property and relocate,.

The church had applied for the land on March 12, 2002 and was allocated the plot by the FCT via an “Offer of Terms of Grant/Conveyance of approval” dated June 25, 2003.

country and, as usual, we shall bring the politicians together again to promote peace in the land and seek to avert bloodletting.”

While outlining the programmes mapped out for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the church tagged: ‘Jubilee of His Abundant Grace’, Odedeji thanked God for His mercies on the church which will be 50 on March 4, stating that though the church is much younger than many other churches in the diocese, it has attained the number one position prompting the choice of the theme.

“Most people would not believe that Archbishop Vining Memorial Cathedral Church is only 50 years old. It is younger than many other churches in the diocese, yet, it has attained the number one position,” he said.

When the old Ikeja Archdeaconry was created, the decision to make AVMCC the headquarters appeared only natural.

And, at the creation of our diocese on November 20, 1999, it was the unanimous choice. By the grace of God, the church

occupies a special place not only in the diocese, but in the entire Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion).”

He said that the impact of the church in preaching and promoting holiness and also in its act of generous giving beyond the country up to the U.S., where they are supporting a diocese in the propagation of the gospel.

The Chairman of the anniversary committee, Prof. Wale Omole said that the jubilee celebration, which will be done over a period of three weeks, is purely a thanksgiving celebration to God for His sufficient blessings upon the church since its inception.

He stated that the celebration will start on February 17, 2014 with a prayer and fasting and prayer fellowship, visit to the orphanages, anniversary lecture, which will be delivered by Dr. Tunji Braithwaite, praise night vigil, society celebration and recognition award day, love feast, founder’s day Holy Eucharist Service to be held on March 4, and a thanksgiving service and endowment luncheon to crown it all on March 9, 2014.

Martins Dedicates Church, Tasks Members On Reverence T was a day of joy and fulfilIlaities ment for the priests and of St. Kizito Catholic Church, Iju, Agege, Lagos, as their dream church, fully airconditioned, achieved through many years of ceaseless efforts, was dedicated and consecrated by the Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos, His Grace, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins.

The occasion, which also witnessed the administration of sacrament of confirmation to about 105 candidates brought together over 50 priests of the Archdiocese, who joined in the celebration of a Solemn Holy Mass to dedicate the church and saw the congregation, all cladded in Ankara uniform, danced and rejoiced to God for making them witness the final dedication of the church, which gulped around N150 million to get refurbished.

Delivering the sermon during the mass, Martins urged the parishioners to give ut-

most reverence to the church, stating that it is no longer an ordinary building. He reminded them that the dedication is a reminder of what happened in 1Kings 8:1, where King Solomon was privileged to build a temple for God and dedicated it to Him in the presence of his people by offering 22,000 oxen, 22, 000 cows and 120,000 sheep.

He said: “Today, as we dedicate this church and set it aside for the worship of God and a place, where people can come and make a connection with God, we are not going to offer all these animals, we are going to offer just one sacrifice, a sacrifice of Jesus Christ that takes away the sins of the world. That sacrifice is greater by all standards to all the thousands of different animals offered by the people of Israel put together because it is the blood of the lamb, the blood of Jesus Christ, the son of God that was offered on the cross.

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NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY Nicholas Okoye’s Nine Pillars of National Development

VC Urge Students To Maintain Peace On Campus, Pledge Commitment To Welfare Forum held at the multipurpose hall of the university. The forum is a regular interactive The Vice Chancellor, Adekunle session between the manageAjasin University, Akungbament and the student leaders to Akoko, Ondo State, has urged elicit inputs from students on the students of the institution issues that border on their gento continue to maintain the eral welfare and other concerns. peace being experience on cam- “I will like to plead with you to pus and focus on their academ- continue to maintain the peace. ic pursuits.

Challenges will come, but as Prof. Mimiko, made the call students, you have to decide on during this year’s edition of the how you want to handle things.

Vice Chancellor/Students’ I am pleading with you, in your

Daniel Ananzia

own interest as students, to allow peace to reign. You have done a wonderful job in terms of the way you engage with your constituents and I want you to continue in that regard,” the VC said.

He noted the university two weeks ago, had a challenging situation which was quite dramatic and unexpected.

“Lecturers that are supposed to teach and give you direction actually moved around to get

your colleagues to disrupt the peace on campus.”

“We appreciate the very crucial role that you (student leaders) played to ensure that your university did not go through the problem those who wanted students to demonstrate envisaged. The whole plan was to get students to be on the streets, attack some officers of the university and the implication of that is to make the university to force itself to close,” he added.

Pillar One:

Government Policy on

EDUCATION 2

Don’t Underestimate Your Will To Succeed, UN Chief Tells Students

By Gbenga Salau The United Nation Information Centre (UNIC) Lagos’s Officer in Charge, Ms. Envera Selimovic, during a visit by students of Federal Science and Technical College, Akoka, Lagos, urged the students to appreciate their parents for sending them to school. She charged them to reciprocate their parents’ gestures by doing well in their studies.

The students, numbering 21, and led by three teachers, were treated to a film show: ‘UN4U’ and ‘2013: Year in Review’; presentation on the United Nations (UN) and UNIC mission and current undertakings. The two films and the presentations were discussed during interactive session.

Selimonvic also charged the students never to stop schooling, as that was the first step to better life. “Be dedicated, be focused, do not forget your purpose in life and never underestimate your will to succeed,” she said.

The hosting of the students is part of the efforts geared towards ensuring that Nigerian students are well informed about the United Nations and its activities in Nigeria.

Poly Ibadan Strike Update: Students Urge Governor To Intervene

Latest news on the Polytechnic Ibadan strike is that students of the institution has called on the Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, to take steps that would urgently end the strike embarked upon by the lecturers.

Lecturers of the school under the auspices of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) have been on strike since last December to protest against the alleged underfunding of the tion was inaugurated. several attempts were made dent populace. school, non-completion of their hazard allowances and the failBy Olatunji Awe towards the reinstatement of the According to the students, some Some students spoke to Life ure of the government to constitute a governing council for the Following the proscription of members of the transition com- Campus before the election on institution. union, which were abortive, the students’ union and its hope came last Friday, February mittee became stooges of the Friday. For Olatoun Emmanuel, Speaking at a media briefing, the Students’ Union President, activities three and half years school management, except for 300L Plant Science, “It is a wel- Iyiola Oladimeji, sought the intervention of the governor, and 14, as students of the university urged the lecturers to suspend the strike while it engages the ago, by the university authority, went to poll to elect their union few individuals, and failed to come development; we have as a result of series of protest conduct the SUG election. leaders. waited three years for the rein- government in dialogue.

He said, “ASUP of the Ibadan Polytechnic must at this point that rocked the institution due However, the university man- statement of the students’ Life Campus gathered the stubring to the fore the interest of Nigerian students who they have to hike in tuition fees, and after dents hope of have its union agement as part of its renewed union and we are happy that been claiming to be fighting for. They should do so by engaging structure back was raised in the commitment to enhance the finally, we would be having our the state government and the management in further dialogue, 2011/2012 academic session upon students-management relaleaders after the election,” he PNN /47 while returning to class without hesitation.” the reinstatement of the union, tions and students’ welfare, said.

In another development, the Federal Government has denied but couldn’t materialised when recently announced February Ijigbami Wale said, “It is a reneging on the Memorandum of Understanding it reached elections could not be conduct- 14, as the date for the 2012/2013 good thing the election is hold- with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). This is comacademic session students’ ed. However, a transition coming today, but how sure we are ing after the leadership of the union accused the FG of reneging mittee saddled with the respon- union election, which received not if the management is sinon the agreements that led to the suspension of the over five mixed reaction from the stusibility of conducting the eleccere about the whole process. month ASUU strike in 2013.

At EKSU, Students Held Union Election On Valentine Day

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YOUTHMAGAZINE in association with

Re-evaluating an African’s birthrights.

Every sovereign state should have a responsibility to its citizen, when all things are equal. A society will always have expectations from it ‘s leaders that translate to favourable conditions that consequently mirror the good policies, as a matter of one’s birthright. What is being described here is an ideal case, which unfortunately is not always obtainable. It is common knowledge that Africa has a great deal of socio-cultural issues to tackle. As far as the standard of living of its citizens go: the average African citizen lives below recommended standard of human existence. Never the less the United Nations and charitable organizations have continued to invest in Africa, with the hopes that it would live up to its potential. Strides have been made but we are not nearly there. Within Africa, our leaders have made attempts at holding each other responsible as seen in the African Peer Review Mechanism, by the New Partnership for Africa’s development (NEPAD), yet we see very little in terms

of results.

In examining all of this it is important to point out that until we hold the next man’s hand in a joint effort to put an end to the problems in Africa, there may be no way out as the government and intervening institutions haven’t quite taken us to the promise land yet.

We need a REVOLUTION!!!!

Revolutions have occurred throughout human history and vary widely in terms of methods, duration and motivating ideology. Their results have always included major changes in economy and socio-political institutions.

The American Revolution initiated a series of social, political and intellectual transformations in early American society and government. Americans rejected the oligarchies common in aristocratic Europe at the time, instead they fostered the development of republicanism based on the enlightenment and understanding of liberalism.

Among the significant results of the revolution was the creation of a repre-

sentative government responsible to the will of the people. Till date, America has one of the enviable democracies throughout the world.

Again, the Young Turk Revolution in Turkey reversed the suspension of the Ottoman parliament that had been enacted by Sultan Abdul Hamid II, who abdicated in a move that marked the return to Constitutional government.

The Young Turk movement brought together various intellectuals and dissidents, many of whom were living in exile or as officers in the army.

Although the nationalist spirit that was sweeping through Europe at the time inspired it, the Revolution restored the parliament, which had been suspended by the Sultan in 1878.

The potential democratization project represented by the Young Turk Revolution had no parallel at the time among other imperial powers, such as the British and French, whose leaders were nowhere near contemplating granting self-determination to their African and Asian possessions. Imagine

if they did nothing.

More recently is the Egyptian Revolution of 2011 which is also called the Lotus Revolution took place following a popular uprising that began on the 25 January in 2011. It was a diverse movement of demonstrations, marches, plaza occupations, riots, nonviolent civil resistance, acts of civil disobedience and labour strikes. Millions of protesters from a variety of socioeconomic and religious backgrounds demanded the overthrow of the regime of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. There were also important Islamic, liberal, anti-capitalist, nationalist, and feminist currents of the revolution Protests took place in Cairo, Alexandria, and in other cities in Egypt, following the Tunisian revolution that resulted in the overthrow of the long-time Tunisian president. Although Egypt continues to go through various political and socioeconomic reforms, it is undoubtedly in a better place than it would have been if its citizens did not take the

bull by the horn.

Make no mistake; this piece is not a call to violence, but a brief revelation of the reforms that some civilizations have gone through in the past, and how it made the difference in determining their future. While the option of sitting around and waiting on change seems convenient, we as individuals can start movements that will transform our continent, if given the dedication. ‘Self reformation’ I call it. You can say no to bribery and malpractice for example, you can choose the path of integrity as you deal with people every day, you can illuminate another man’s mind where you find that his values are misplaced. There is a practice very prevalent in our societies, people see injustice all around them but do nothing. It all boils down to a price is some instances, what is the Price for your Africa?

While physical revolutions are great, as we have examined here, you too can start a revolution today, as you go through ‘self reformation’.

OAU NUGA Games: Students Say No To Unlawful Eviction From Hostels preparation for the games delegates.

The Registrar in the release, enjoined Sequel to the commencement of the the students to be law abiding and cooperative with the directive, adding 24th Nigerian Universities Games that they would be back to their halls of (NUGA), currently going on at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, residence after the games. However, following the development, students who students of the institution, have express dissatisfaction over the uni- are not contented with the directive began expressing their displeasure over versity management’s decision to the move. evict them from their halls of resiReacting to the directive, chairman, dence.

According to a release signed by the Pace Setters Movement (PSM), a students’ pressure group in the institution, institution’s Registrar, Mr. Dotun Awoyemi, students were directed to Sanyaolu Oluwajuwon, said, “we are not opposed to the games, but we are mostvacate their hostel rooms before 12 ly discontented with the fact that the noon of February 7, to allow the university management has selfishly school management, make proper

By Kemi Busari

TWO WORDS

concluded plans to force students to go back to their respective houses, shortly after they have barely returned from an horrific strike which lingered for six months.”

He maintained that students who are the actual reason for the games organisation supposed spectators should not be left out under any condition. “The management can better still lodge the delegates elsewhere or allow some hostels to be free for students who will love to stay back on campus to watch the games,” he stated.

Adejinmi described the NUGA Games as once in a lifetime educational experience for students,

Federal University, Lokoja, joins NUGA Games in 2015, this was diclosed by the VC, Rafindadi, to the savidnews.com ... recently

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uki@poisenigeria.org,

See You..

By Daniel Anazia

Than-Average’ Creative ……………………., …………………………, ………………………., ……………………….,…………………… …

“Who are you?”

Niyi said, “Henryyyy! You should know this. You can talk for Africa!” It is very nice and it attracts people to you but you get so carried away that you How do you know you are all these things? don’t allow other people air their views and it can In reality, it is very likely that 50% of the things you be very hurtful, especially when you shut them chose are not you. They are just ‘Who You Wish You down over and over again. I noticed it after knowing you for a while and I tried to tell you but you Are’. What we refer to as ‘Your Preferred Self’. insisted that people loved to hear your stories.”

Everybody has their preferred self but it is also important to also get to know your actual or ‘True Dear friends, the fact that you are you does not Self’ because that is the version of you that the mean that you know everything about you. We all whole world relates with. have strengths and weaknesses but beyond that, Henry ended his call while still roaring with laugh- we all have blind spots. You need to love yourself ter, Niyi was practically his best friend. That is if 70 enough to tell yourself the truth. If you would like to know yourself better, here are my two word sugyear old men were allowed to use the term. They gestions: had known each other for many years and had been very close on and off depending on where life Don’t pretend to be who you are not – Be You took them. It was Henry’s 70th birthday and they When people tell you things you do, and you know you don’t – Observe You had just spent the last 30 minutes gisting about Love yourself enough to - Improve You old times and making fun of one another.

Henry was happy but he couldn’t help wonder how come Niyi, was his only close friend. He knew In all, whether or not people are right about you, if you observe yourself as you go through life and if that he was a very jovial personality who was you commit to always telling yourself the truth, always considered the ‘life of the party’ when he was much younger. He laughed as he remembered you will always be able to…

SEE YOU gathering after gathering where he entertained

I have a brief exercise for you. Kindly pick the words that you feel best describe you. You can also fill in the blank spaces.

Lively, Quiet, Jovial, Crazy, Faithful, Prayerful, Conceited, Blunt Interesting Patient Impatient Lazy Hardworking Exciting Beautiful LowKey Extrovert Introvert Cheat Materialistic Down-To-Earth Annoying Talk-Too-Much Forgiving Hard-hearted, Kind, Selfish, Lonely Wise, ‘Smarter-

YENAGOA HIGH COURT presided over by Justice Nayai Aganaba, sentenced a graduate of Geology from the University of Calabar, Okonkwo Michael, to seven years in imprisonment for conspiracy and robbery of N200,000.

Okonkwo, according to the prosecuting, had in 2011 conspired with one Innocent Ebere, trailed a driver and staff of the Bayelsa State Judicial Service Commission, Monday Ikisa, from a first generation bank along the Imgbi road in the state capital and dispossessed him of N200,000 at gun point.

According to eye witness, Okonkwo and his accomplice had trailed their victim on motorcycle (Okada) and attacked him very close to the NNPC mega filling station in the city. However, luck ran out on them when the victim (Ikisa) immediately gave them a chase with his vehicle and ran them over along the Azikoro road area. While Innocent, who was said to be riding the motorcycle, escaped, Okonkwo was arrested.

Life Campus gathered Okonkwo was in 1999/2000 part of the batch B corps member in the state and had worked as a personal assistant to a serving senator from the state.

A

Experience is the best teacher, but the tuition fee is very high. I am Uki Dare, C.E.O of Poise’ Graduate Finishing Academy, mother of two and wife of one. I will share with you lessons I have learnt from my experiences around transforming from a young lady with big dreams to a young C.E.O with massive goals. I won’t bore you with long prose and philosophical arguments I promise to be real and answer all your questions in just TWO WORDS.

According to Sun Tzu (Art of War), “…if you know others and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles; if you do not know others but know yourself, you win one and lose one; if you do not know others and do not know yourself, you will be imperiled in every single battle.”

Court Slams Geology Graduate Seven Years Jail Term For Conspiracy, Robbery

everyone with stories of his time at war and of all his trips around the world. He thought to himself, ”Being the extrovert I am, I wonder how come I have only one friend? Even my kids act like they can only take me in small doses.”

This troubled him a bit and he decided to call Niyi back and ask him a simple question “Why are you my only friend? What happened to the hundreds that came along the way?” Niyi’s response was a real surprise.”

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42 Sunday, February 16, 2014

JOBS & CAREERS

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44 Saturday, February 16, 2014

JOBS & CAREERS

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FROM THE DESK OF THE CEO

National Development Strategy So after the special taxes I mentioned in the paper 6, we will need to get our school and university authorities to step up their game and begin to see the need to provide a better education. We can only do this if we provide them with a motive. I have spoken about the art and science of moving people in the past and so if we apply that principle here you will NICHOLAS OKOYE, see that is fits nicely. In order to move the Founder EMPOWER NIGERIA Initiative Universities and the school authorizes to action we have to create a healthy competition Nicholas Okoye’s The Nine Pillars of National among them. And in order to do this we have Development to get the students’ education financing tied to to train a child over four years in a Nigerian the school each student chooses. So my plan university, all other things being equal. Then if Pillar One: Government Policy (paper 7) will be this… a school is admitting ten thousand students EDUCATION continued each year, is means that that School will need FUTURE SCHOOL FUNDING WILL forty billion over the next four years to educate I love to talk about the strategies for reposition- DEPEND ON ENROLLMENT AND the ten thousand students. So we can now ing our education system. And in the last few ENROLLMENT WILL DEPEND ON determine that we must provide for this weeks I have talked about Government policy as school forty billion over the next four years to STUDENT CHOICES. a pillar of National Development, and given key fund the education of these ten thousand stuinsights into what we could do about educaLet us determine how much it costs to train dents. At this point we can determine how tion. I have been providing suggested solutions each child over a four year University educamuch we want the student to pay, how much as I love to do for the education sector from a tion for instance. And I mean the full cost, lab we want the school to pay and how much will policy stand point which could give us the costs, books, library, lectures, handouts, hoscome from the special tax provisions which I much needed boost we need to get our children tels, computers, internet, power, water, feedhave suggested earlier. The student share can back on the right path, to receiving a quality ing etc. I wonder whether the Nigerian either come from out of pocket, his or her parworld class education. The World is changing University Commission has ever carried out ents or from a student loan granted by the and Nations are beginning to compete on the this study before. I doubt it. Anyway we need Federal or State Government, which in turn is basis on the intellectual power and innovation to know the full cost of educating each child in funded by a property tax and paid directly to that is available to their leaders to push their a Nigerian University. And if we determine that the school, not the Federal Ministry of Nations ahead. Sadly African Nations do not see it will cost say one million naira a year for each Education, not the Nigeria University this National competition and so we have lead- child or four million for each child over the Commission and certainly not the Federation ers that do everything in their power to make four year period then we will have a figure to account. The school must pay a portion of the our Nations unbearable and uncompetitive so work with. Whatever the final cost, we will at amount to train its intakes so the school’s the very best brains amongst our citizens will least know what we have been subsidizing share can come from its ability to subsidize the always leave and eventually call somewhere else over the last fifty or so years. Let us say for hostel fees, the water supplies, the library home, and therefore make their greatest argument sake that is costs four million naira costs, the handouts, the computer labs, the scihuman contribution to another man’s country.

Getting our education system right is not only about saving the children in Nigeria, but is it also about reversing the brain drain and getting our best people back home to build a Nation we all can be proud off. Getting Education right is about plugging the leaks of capital flight, especially the capital that is leaving to finance the education of our middle class children population. Getting Education right is about having a skilled population that can effectively support a sophisticated society and not have our Nation to continue to depend on so called experts to get everything we need done.

Education Finance Reform continued: We cannot tackle education without answering the question of getting our people a quality education. And this world class quality education can only be possible if we identify the sources of financing education in the long term so that our children in public schools can get access to the very best education on the African continent and perhaps the World.

Doughnut Making Machines

OUGHNUTS are delicious and hard to resist especially when filled jam or custard. This snack is enjoyed at any time of the day whether fried or yourself on a lazy weekend, or to baked. Doughnuts come in all shapes and indulge in a baking adventure. sizes. They are the perfect way to treat A doughnut or donut is a type of fried dough confectionery or dessert food. The doughnut is popular in many countries and prepared in various forms as a sweet snack that can be homemade or purchased in bakeries, super-

D

markets, food stalls, and franchised specialty outlets. They are usually deepfried from a flour dough, and typically either ring-shaped or without a hole and often filled. Other types of batters can also be used, and various toppings and flavourings are used for different types, such as sugar, chocolate, or maple glazing. In addition to flour, doughnuts may also include such ingredients as water, leavening, eggs, milk, sugar, oil/shortening, natural flavors and/or artificial flavors. The two most common types are the toroid ring

ence labs etc. or the School can generate its own revenue by selling its research reports and inventions to industry and use the proceeds to subsidize student living. And the Federal or State Government share once again can come from a luxury tax, alcohol tax, Property Tax or any special provision tax made and paid directly into an Education Fund that has been set aside for the funding of education in Nigeria.

And is made available to the schools on the sole basis of student enrollment and nothing else. If students do not like your school then you should do something about it to make students like yo so you can attract more Federal and State Government funding.

This strategy will no doubt make the universities to compete for students and so it will put the power back into the hands of the students who are the customers in this case. Universities will go out of their way to attract the best teachers, the best scientists, the best administers because if they don’t, they will not get funding, which will now be tied directly to student enrollment. And for us to make sure that all Universities play by the rules, a full inspection team will have evaluated each and every school prior to take off of this strategy, and every year subsequent, the idea will be to determine how many students each university can reasonably handle without devaluing the quality of education. So if you have the capacity for one thousand new intake students a year then you will not exceed that number in your admission drive no matter how many applications you receive. And once you hit your quota, the Education Finance Reform system I have just elaborated above will kick in, making sure that every university gets the funds it needs to finance each and every student that is admitted throughout the four or five years that the student is in school.

Education is so important to the future of Nigeria and so I am laying out this strategy here, FREE of charge for all to read because I believe that if we ever get a serious minded and reform focused Minister of Education he or she can simply take on this problem with this simply but effective solution for the betterment of all Nigerians.

Government Policy as a pillar of National development will continue to stimulate development if applied right and with the right leaders. As important as education is there are a few more sectors in which a very simple Government policy can create thousands of jobs and generate billions in economic activity.

Trade and Investment is another area that is crying out for policy adjustments and I will take on this sector in the weeks ahead in an effort to provide us with a clear direction on what is possible if we have the right policies implemented in the trade and investment

doughnut and the filled doughnut—, which is injected with fruit preserves, cream, custard, or other sweet fillings. A small spherical piece of dough may be cooked as a doughnut hole. Other shapes include rings, balls, and flattened spheres, as well as ear shapes, twists and other forms. Doughnut varieties are also divided into cake and risen type doughnuts.

The Doughnut making machine, relives the stress of mixing, and baking or frying whichever the case may be. The Doughnut making machine is very efficient and helps conserve time. Every snack lover should acquire this machine due to its durability efficiency and affordability.

In Nigeria many people are beginning to enjoy the snacks of the western world and many people

have gained a fortune with this knowledge. You can too.

To find out more about this and other business ideas, visit our virtual showroom at www.empowernigeria.com, or contact our sales rep at 01277 1388

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EMPOWERNIGERIA GUIDE TO PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

YOUTHMAGAZINE CASE STUDY

GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURAL LEADER

By NICHOLAS OKOYE, EMPOWER NIGERIA Initiative,

LL GREAT THINGS come from change. I do not know why people are sometimes so afraid of change. Nothing great happens without change, nothing moves without change, no progress can be recorded without change. And so if we are expecting to move forward and to achieve greatness then we must embrace change and stop fearing it.

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INNOVATION IS BORNE FROM PRSSURE AND CHALLENGE: all the World’s great innovators will tell you that they got their inspiration from the fact that they were pressured into a corner and just had to come up with a solution.

Or that they just gave themselves a task and would not stop until they came up with a solution. If you are smooth sailing and everything is good then the chances are there will be no room for innovation as there is no improvement required. That is why children of very rich men seldom do well after their fathers’ have died. They were raised in an environment of ease and comfort. No pressure, no challenge and so they did not learn anything as regards innovation and creativity. And so once they get into a position of decision making they completely fail the company or the family as the case may be. It’s not their fault, they cannot give what they do not have. In order to be an innovative person you have to have been subjected to great amounts of pressure and challenge. There is no other way. It is was because people in the early World were tired of the wooden boats that kept sinking and killing thousands of sailors that people decided to innovate and build better ships this time made from steel and not wood. It is the pressure and challenge of the Oil industry exploring and producing crude oil on the surface within sometimes very hostile and violent communities that led to the discovery of oil and gas reserves off shore in the deep water. If you have no pressure and challenge in your life then you must create it yourself that is the only way you will learn how to be an innovative person.

STRENGTH COMES FROM THE STRUGGLE: One thing that is obvious is that Life is one unending struggle from the cradle to the grave.

However we learn lessons from every struggle and that is what makes us a complete man or woman. Life happens as they say, and it is when Life happens that we learn our most valuable lessons. The strongest tree in the forest is not the tree that is covered by all the other trees, but it is that tree that is standing alone and subjected to strong winds, rain and sun beating it from all sides and all angles. It grows strength from the resistance and that is the only way to really and truly grow strength. You must master the art of the struggle and that is your key to success. It is only when you have gained strength that you will enjoy your success when it comes. Usain Bolt the World’s fastest runner did not get to that position by resting his legs and trying to keep them comfortable, no he got there by constantly testing his legs on the 100 meters tracks for years and years until he become the best and the fastest in the World. You must find what you love and what you are good at, and then subject yourself to constant struggle and practice and you will eventually become the best in your community, your state or even our Country.

TheOprah Effect

months, her show won 100,000 more viewers than Donahue and moved her show from last place to first in ratings.

The show was later renamed The Oprah Winfrey Show and it was launched in 1986 as a nationally syndicated program. It was broadcast to 120 channels and had an audience of over 10 million by the end of it’s first year. Oprah was paid $30 million. She later gained ownership of the program from ABC with her new production company, HARPO PRODUCTIONS (Oprah spelled backwards), which enabled her to make more money from syndication.

THE QUEEN OF SHOW BUSINESS In 1994, a lot of talk show programs became more trashy and exploitative but Oprah refused to join the bandwagon and kept her show free from tabloid topics. The ratings to her show fell but

By Cheta Okorafor still earned respect from viewers and her shows popularity later kept increasing. In 1999, Oprah launched Oxygen Media, a coHEY CALL her the most popular and most founded company dedicated to producing cable and internet influential woman in the world. They refer to her as the only America’s black billionaire today. She is the number one celebrity programming for women. This secured her place in the forefront in the world. She is worth over two billion U.S dollars and ranked num- of the media industry as one of the most influential and wealthy ber 184 in forbes list of 400 wealthiest/richest billionaires in the world. people in show business. In the year 2000, she ventured into the publishing industry by launching a monthly magazine, O: The She is ranked 14 in Money magazine, 2 in tv/radio, 10 in press, 19 in Oprah Magazine and she contributed greatly to the publishing social, 25 in marketability, 13th most powerful woman in the world, world by launching her “Oprah’s Book Club”, as part of her talk 503 in Billionaires, 168th richest person in the U.S and 64th amongst show. Any book she mentioned in her program later became a the most powerful people in the world. But she is the Queen of Show bestseller. In 2004, she signed a contract to continue her show till business. Her name is Oprah Winfrey. the 2010-11 season. Right now, the show is now syndicated and Oprah is an American media proprietor, talk show host, actress, proseen in nearly two hundred and twelve U.S stations and in more ducer and philanthropist. She was born in a rural town called Kosciusko, Mississippi, on January 29, 1954. She had a troubled adoles- than one hundred countries. cence and was born into abject poverty, in a small farming communiThe Opera Effect: Opera Winfrey had a national effect on almost ty. In fact, she made the song by Dolly Parton “coat of many colors” popular, but rather than everything. If she named your book in her book club review then have a coat of many colors, she had dresses you can be sure that you would end up with a best seller. If she made out of potato sacks. She was sexually reviewed your product on her show then you became the next national sensation. Many people owe their fame and fortune and abused by a number of male relatives and friends of her mother. She later gave billions to Opera Winfrey making an endorsement of their product or service on the Opera Winfrey Show. And one person that birth to a son at age thirteen, but the can really owe his success to Opera is President Barrack Obama. It baby died after childbirth. She later was after Opera Winfrey endorsed his candidacy in 2007 that his moved to Nashville to live with her campaign really took off and the rest, as they say, is history. Time father, who was a barber and busiMagazine credited her with winning the election for President nessman. Oprah attended the Tennessee State University in 1971 and Obama and even made it a front page story. began working in radio and television broadcasting in Nashville. Later Giving Back: In 2009, she announced that her program in which she signed a contract with the ABC network, would end in 2011. in 1976, she moved to Baltimore, Maryland and hosted a tv chat show, This enabled her to move to her own network, The Oprah Winfrey Network, a joint venture she has with Discovery which left people talking about it for Communications. She is the greatest black philanthropist in eight years. She later got recruited by a American history and a dedicated activist for children’s’ rights.

Chicago television station to host her Her network (Angel Network) has raised more than $50 million own morning show, A.M Chicago. The U.S.D for charitable programs, including girls’ education in South most popular television show host at Africa and relief to the victims of hurricane Katrina. that time was Phil Donahue. Within

T

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Sunday, February 16, 2014 47

PASSNOWNOW

YOUTHMAGAZINE

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Welcome to another edition of Passnownow.com in The Guardian.

Trusting your week has been great; we do hope you enjoyed our last week’s package. Did you learn anything new? Please tell us what this column has taught you so far or what you are looking forward to seeing in the Passnownow column by sending us a mail at info@passnownow.com. This edition promises to be filled with exiting articles and tips for your learning pleasure. So what are you waiting for? Dig in!

reading. Those statements break my heart just a little every time I hear them. As an avid reader and writer, I’m frustrated by the flippancy with which young people treat the act of reading. Books, account for knowledge and so much more. It’s an escape. Reading is an addiction. You’re pulled into new worlds, ancient lands, tiny towns, and vast cities. You meet people.

You experience new things. You learn things you’d never know otherwise.

As a youthful generation entrusted with the future, we must empower ourselves further with the guidance of books. Neil Gaiman, author, lectures on the importance of reading. He also explains the remarkable nature of books: Books are the way that we communicate with the dead.

The way that we learn lessons from those who are no longer with us, that humanity has built on itself, progressed, made knowledge incremental rather than somePASSNOWNOW is Nigeria’s prime thing that has to be relearned, over and over. There are tales that are older than Learning based social Community most countries, tales that have long outthat employs contemporary solulasted the cultures and the buildings in tions and innovation to teach, enwhich they were first told. Gaiman imgage, entertain and empower plied that we borrow ideas, words, and exYoung people growing from periences from those before us through Teenage into early adulthood.

Our content provides teens, parents books. They are the past, the present, and and teachers reading selections and the future. Therefore, everything we do as games they can access during their a society will depend on reading.

And why not leisure. Our contents include; classread? After all, reading makes one more work support, test and exercises, intelligent. You develop a more expansive exam support, school forum, etc vocabulary. Your writing style shifts without you even noticing it; you begin to take after the writers whose works you read. As a writer, I have to say that this is absolutely useful.

Simply put, readers are emotionally intelligent.

In fact, readers are intelligent in general. Reading is the source of intelligence. Reading begets understanding.

Reading is everything. Reading makes me feel like I’ve accomplished something, learned something, become a better person. Reading makes me smarter. Reading gives me something to talk about later on.

Reading is the unbelievably healthy way my attention deficit disorder medicates itself. Reading is escape, and the opposite of escape; it’s a way to make contact with reality after a day of making things up, and a way of making contact with someone Why It Is Very Important For it’s else’s imagination after a day that’s all too Teenagers To Read Every day real.

(Educational Tips) Reading is grist. Reading is bliss.

By Lee Siempre Nearly every day, I hear one of my peers, fellow high school students, exasperatedly declare that they hate

This section deals with appropriate set of rules which are valid and allowable in English Language.

APPREHEND \apr h nd/ (Verb) – arrest (someone) for a crime.

- understand or perceive.

Verb: apprehend; 3rd person present: apprehends; past tense: apprehended; past participle: apprehended; gerund or present participle: apprehending Examples: A warrant was issued but he has not been apprehended.

We enter a field of vision we could not otherwise apprehend.

Synonyms: Arrest, Catch, Capture, Seize.

Synonyms (i): Understand, Comprehend, Realize, Recognize, Appreciate, Discern.

Antonyms: Miss.

FUZZY / f zi/ (Adjective) - difficult to perceive; indistinct or vague.

Of a person or the mind) unable to think clearly; confused.

Examples: The picture is very fuzzy.

My mind felt fuzzy.

Synonyms: Blurred, Indistinct.

Synonyms (ii): Confused, Muddled, Addled, Fuddled, Disoriented.

Antonyms: Clear, Sharp.

Did you know? In 2003, Nigeria adopted the Child Rights Act to domesticate the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Although this law was passed at the Federal level, it is only effective if State Assemblies also enact it. To date, Only 24 of the 36 states House of Assembly has passed it into law.

Of the 12 states yet to ratify this law, only one is a Southern state.

Intense advocacy continues for the other 12 States to pass it.

Let Us Collectively Say No To Child Labour!

So, What Happens When Your Parents Don’t Like Your Friends? (Cool Tips) You might be familiar with it. It’s that awkward situation when your parents just don’t like one of your friends. They don’t like to be around them and they don’t like you to be around them either.

I have to say, I’m really pretty lucky. Besides this one friend, my parents do truly like most of my friends — and this is actually important to me.

As far back as I can remember, my parents always let me choose my own friends, but from what I hear, that’s not always the case. When you’re little, some parents prefer their children to be buddies with their friends’ kids, making play dates and plans easier.

But not my parents. They didn’t care who I went to the land of make believe with as long as the friends were nice and we were living happily ever after — at least for the afternoon.

But things are different now because the games we’re playing at this age are for real and for keeps. There are no take-backs or do-overs — Candyland is closed. It’s now the real Game of Life where one bad move could lead you in the wrong direction, forever. And this is obviously what has my parents worried.

So what can you do to help alleviate some of your parents concerns and perhaps get your parents to like your friends? First, you need to figure out why your parents are a little freaked out by your friend. Maybe it’s something he said in front of your mom, maybe it’s something she didn’t say or do last time your parents gave her a ride home.

Now that you know why your parents aren’t so fond of your friend, it’s time to consider what they’re saying. Maybe your friend isn’t as fabulous as you think? Weigh the positives and the negatives. After all, your parents only want what’s best for you.

Once you’ve really thought it through, if you still really want this relationship, then it’s time to try to change your parents’ mind and win their approval.

Point out the positives. There’s got to be a lot of good things about your friend (of course, she’s your friend!) so share them with your parents. When your friend does something great at school or does something thoughtful for the community or for you, do tell them about it. Also, explain to your parents what makes your friend special to you, why she’s a good friend and why she deserves to be your friend.

Most importantly, keep the communication open between you and your parents. Be honest with your parents and let them know that although you understand their concerns, they have nothing to worry about. Remind them that they have raised a teenager with integrity who knows the difference between right and wrong, and who is not easily influenced by other people.

Bottom line: I’m not asking my parents to be BFFs with my friend. That’s my job — and it sure is a fun one.

N.B: Readers/Learners can send us questions on any subject of difficulty through; info@passnownow.com or visit our facebook/fan page to post your questions and you will get answers as soon as we get them. If you’re also preparing for any exam, visit www.passnownow.com to practice past questions on various subjects from JAMB and WAEC. Next week promises to bring you more interesting packages. Inform your families, friends and teachers to join this train of fun!

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48 Sunday, February 16, 2014

LAFETE been accused of connivance in the mess that Nigeria is in today, due to a perceived silence – viewed as consent – and a work ethic that pays cursory, fleeting interest in cases of official sleaze. A question that begs the situation, however, is: what training has prepared these journalists for Nigeria’s complicated media space?

In the book, Basics of Investigative and Interpretative Journalism, Ezekiel Asemah and Sunday Ekerikevwe, with substantial reference to an internet-cum-information gagged society, have produced what can be ambitiously termed a noble treatise to investigative journalism.

In the 200-page book, they compress wide-ranging issues that characterise reporting the depths of graft-plagued bureaucracies and private establishments.

It is important to note, however, that journalism, as a matter of principle, is a practise in transiting events, where a careless oversight might be catastrophic in a country bedevilled by marauding corruption. In fact, media houses cannot devote all efforts to just one case of corruption, as there are several other unwholesome practices waiting to be unearthed. The workload, really, is humungous. Hence, the need for precise, exhaustive shots at cases of sleaze in enterprise reports. But, if justice is to be done to matters exposed in the media, agents of other institutions of government, particularly the judiciary and law enforcement outfits are to continue from where media reports drop the baton.

N the recent history of Nigerian media, The investigative reporter, as envisaged by the investigative journalism has served, fairly, authors, is to be well-equipped, by all possible as a veritable tool in restoring faith to the measures, to fire as many salvos as the next case of much maligned pen-pushers profession. corruption permits.

Outings at international and national journalism awards such as CNN African Journalist Justifying the rationale for the instructional text in its foreword, Dr. Rotimi Williams Olatunji, an of the Year, Wole Soyinka Award for associate Professor with the Lagos State University, Investigative Reporting and others and the establishment of a medium – Premium Times makes a revelation that will startle any keen – dedicated majorly to investigative journal- observer of the media in Nigeria. He notes: “In a ism, demonstrates a healthy dose of hope in study I participated in, titled, Investigative and the struggle for transparency and accounta- developmental journalism education in Nigeria; a bility in government, and a voice, even if fee- curriculum road-map, sponsored by Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Reporting, with the supble, for the average Nigerian. port of Canadian International Development But journalists, in some quarters, have Agency (CIDA), 2008, it was reported that, crucial as it is, investigative journalism as a specialised aspect of journalism is conspicuously left out of the mass communication curricula recommended for universities in Nigeria by the National Universities Commission”!

He revealed that against a robust curricula covering investigative reporting in colleges and universities in America and Europe, Nigerian universities accommodate a pitiable single-semester course while polytechnics and colleges of education on the other hand have a two-semester window for ORmER Nigerian media Personality of the the course! It is such alarming neglect that calls Year, Femi Oke, is the keynoter and panel for bold steps such as this book from the academia, which should equally serve as inspiration for host at Social media Week Lagos, which practicing journalists to document their experibegins tomorrow and end on February 21.

During Social media Week Lagos, Femi will ences, challenges and successes, in order to develgive a keynote on The Stream and host a panel op a well equipped army of muckraking journalon the intersection of global health, technol- ists in the quest to reclaim our commonwealth as a people, from corrupt, thieving politicians. ogy, and social media, using Al Jazeera’s The book is divided into four parts consisting of upcoming series Lifelines as an example.

12 chapters, each tracing the practice of journalism As a speaker, Femi is a go-to moderator for from scratch through to the philosophical depths the World Bank, United Nations and of professional ethics and codes. In several chapEuropean Union. ters, as with other textbooks on mass communicaBritish by birth, Nigerian by parentage and tion, rubrics of the profession are detailed in spicy, a Washingtonian by zip code, Femi is cursimple language, seasoned with materials from rently host of The Stream on Al Jazeera the immediate environment.

English. As a web community with its own The authors have another edge over their coldaily TV show, The Stream’s award-winning leagues who have written on the subject matter in approach taps into the extraordinary poten- the fact that there is a ring of currency to the book tial of individuals through social networks as evident in several chapters where mention is made of and substantial information is provided and has attracted a large African following. on operating within a new media saturated envi“The Stream’s lively interactive format and ronment. For instance, in outlining possible our African online community are a match made in social media heaven. Just like Jollof sources in an investigative story, the authors, among others, mentioned blogs, internet chatrice and fried plantain, we’re delicious rooms, and listservs. For anyone in the know, these together and you always want seconds!”

Femi said. “Growing up I would listen to my are veritable sources of information while navigatdad’s friends gather in our sitting room and ing the cyberspace.

Explaining how listservs aid in digging up raucously discuss the big issues of the day. If sources, they write: “… tens of thousands of listyou didn’t know better you’d think they servs have been created with topics ranging from were yelling at each other, but they weren’t. politics, to economics, to society. The subscribers They were just debating Nigerian-style. I’m are knowledgeable or interested in the topic of the convinced that his love of a lively debate has list, either because of their profession, interest or rubbed off on me and I moderate just like life experiences. Posting questions to listservs can my dad used to… Nigerian-style.” connect journalists to experts and people with relmajor speaking assignments include host- evant experiences”. ing International Women’s Day for the UN Also, the chapter on research and investigative Secretary General Ban Ki moon, moderating journalism is quite innovative, albeit short. It proffers interview, observation and content analysis Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu methods to investigative reporting with decent Kyi’s first United Nations panel following explanations on how these could be deployed in release from house arrest, and emceeing a celebration with Africa’s two female heads of actual practice. It is a courageous move to cast in the mind of the investigative reporter that in the state, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and President Joyce Banda, at the opening of the quest for truth, precision is sacred. Research, basically, maps a scientific and retraceable trajectory United Nations General Assembly. to an enterprise that might end up in the law Al Jazeera English is a proud sponsor of court where facts and evidences will be relied on Social media Week Lagos. in nailing culprits implicated in the course of the story. Indepth, well-guarded research is necessary,

Retooling Investigative, Interpretative Journalists I

Femi Oke to attend Social Media Week Lagos

F

YOUTHMAGAZINE nay, an inalienable tool, in the war against corruption through investigative journalism.

It is naked truth that investigative journalism is a daunting enterprise. The authors equally echo this, citing proprietorial interference, media gatekeepers, political interference, economic constraints, and technological limitations, among others, as possible hurdles an investigative story has to leap over before it sees the light.

The bit on interpretative journalism is skilfully handled, and presented in such illuminating details that anyone would want to give it a try.

The authors charge journalists to dutifully place events and critical issues of national development in context, detailing how this can be achieved. more importantly, emphasis is placed on the question, ‘what does this mean?’ to a man, a family, a state, the country, particularly to the

victimised, helpless in the society. more than these, the authors equally outline steps in crafting a critical interpretative piece, highlighting the need to engage the senses with the use of metaphors, simple language and other literary devices.

As a form of improvement, in subsequent editions, the authors should inject supporting real-world examples of the gruelling experiences of award-winning investigative journalists together with tips on how journalists getby in tight corners. To achieve this, correspondence should be established with these journalists, as it would immensely enrich the work for the authors, students, practising journalists and the larger society. The book is deservedly an item of inestimable value for practitioners, students, researchers and lecturers in investigative journalism in Nigeria.

Waiting In The Wings, Flying On Higher Ground is to do things that other people have not Florence Utor done yet, to show example to what they can NYONE who has flown Arik Airline would do and even better and to show that beautiful testify to the quality of Wings, the highly world-class products are coming out of entertaining, informative educative and Nigeria. Besides, the former CEO of Air Nigeria, colourful quarterly inflight lifestyle magazine who is from the UK told me that seven people produced for the airline by Voyager media. had offered to do an inflight magazine for The magazine gathered contributors, adver- him, but no one did it. He was vey doubtful tisers friends of the magazine that are in Lagos that we will do it. So, I put my mind to it and for a get together recently just to appreciate we delivered the first issue called Glide for Air their alliance and patronage for the past five Nigeria, unfortunately, it was at a time they years of its existence. were going through a lot of trouble, they Each edition of the magazine contains wide- couldn’t focus on it, I decided that since Arik ranging articles spanning the worlds of fash- was a new airline, and it looked like they have ion, culture, business and entertainment, with a future in terms of growth, and it looked like its lead feature offering a colourful look into it would be getting to more destinations, I Nigeria’s best festivals, a fascinating article offered the same content and the same coninterspersed with stunning photography. cept to them so from Glide we moved to The magazine does not just focus on what Wings.”

Nigeria has to offer, but also highlights some of the most interesting aspects of Arik Air’s international designations, which features all the issues interviews with influential African designers and stylists in the Diaspora.

Speaking on the journey so far, Editor-inChief, Emma Woodhouse, said, “it’s been an incredible experience, from when we started because it’s like there is just so much happening visually and in terms of fashion and entrepreneurship and arts, it is all happening here, so, in terms of contents, it’s all so exciting and each time we start an issue, and I see a hundred blank pages, I’m excited to fill them.”

Comparing her experience as inflight magazine editor in other countries to Nigeria, she said, “I started editing an inflight magazine in Indonesia, I also edited a city magazine and I did that when that country was growing and changing, and now, I’m doing it in Nigeria, it’s an emerging market, I guess that is what it is called, but I think in Nigeria, it’s a little bit more exciting.”

Like any field of endeavour, producing the journal has its own hitches, and for Woodhouse, “having contributors all over the place, sometimes, deadlines and not having articles in on time can be very agitating, but I just focus on the positive. It has become a lot easier because in the beginning, I didn’t know who was here or there, I also didn’t know who could write and I didn’t want to get people from outside to do the writing, I wanted to make sure that I found people in Nigeria, which has worked to my advantage in the sense that, in Nigeria when people want to do something they just get it done, they don’t talk about it or do internship like the people in London, once they think of it, they just do it and they are very confident in promoting themselves and I’m trying to learn a bit about that too.”

She looks forward to having new destinations with the airline and having new content cover and adding new columns on sports, business contents and more. “Sometimes, we just have the tendency of focusing more on the things we are more interested in that’s why it looks like there is a lot of fashion and other stuff now.”

Explaining why he began the magazine, the publisher, Victor Politis said, first, “what I like Woodhouse

A

Sunday, February 16, 2014 49

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

LAFETE

YOUTHMAGAZINE All That Jazz

BY BENSON IDONIJE benidoni@yahoo.com

Lester Bowie...

Crusader Of Black Music OU can’t take it away from him. No, you simY ply cannot. Lester Bowie was the greatest and most influential jazz musician since Miles Davis.

All through the nineties, Bowie was the pivot and inspirer of the new black music, realising a revolutionary dream he began in the 60s. His death has since halted this dream. Or so it seems.

My first impression of Bowie was formed in 1977 when I met him at Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s place in Lagos. Then, Fela’s house had just been burnt down and the Afrobeat legend was temporarily occupying a specious suite at Cross Road Hotels, Jibowu, Yaba, Lagos where he had relocated. Bowie had come all the way from America without adequate preparation for the journey. By the time he came to Fela’s place, he had no money. He had no luggage. And I’m sure he had no plans as to how to survive. But from his demeanor and the ideas he generated from conversation, as he held tenaciously to his trumpet case, I had no doubt in my mind that he was a musician’s musician. And indeed, he was!

This assessment of Bowie was confirmed when he stayed with Fela for six months and recorded three albums with the Afrobeat legend on Afrodisia label - prominent among them, Dog Eat Dog, a free flowing rhythm over which horns made statements in the form of riffs.

The other side is No Agreement but it is on Dog Eat Dog that Bowie is heard in his elements, exhibiting a bag of trumpet and flugel horn tricks including half valve effects, growls, slurs, smears, bent notes and a wide vibrato, punctuating one of the most humorous, yet striking solo styles among brass players. What with the blowing of frenetic upper registers in the course of his dialogue with trumpeter Tunde Williams!

Tenor player Fela, trumpeter Tunde Williams and Lester Bowie himself all shared solo concessions but apart from helping to lift the quality of the music in solo context, his presence inspired Fela and Tunde who had never had it so good solo-wise in terms of the spirit feel that was gen-

AROUND AND ABOUT...

erated.

Bowie believed that jazz is ‘Great Black Music’ – of which Afro beat is an integral part. Bowie once said about the philosophy of his music in an interview with Glendora Review: “What we are trying to do today by the term ‘Great Black Music’ is to put emphasis on the quality of music that black people have created in this world. I mean this music is so great that each one of its sub divisions has influenced the whole world ... rock’n roll, blues, jazz, gospel, each one is a division of this music but actually all coming from the same thing,” Explaining the role and essence of jazz in the whole experiment, he said, “the thing about jazz is that it fuses all these different elements together. In fact, jazz, is becoming the first world music. It is the contemporary music of this planet at this time. Therefore it is very important for our people to know that out of everything happening to us on the planet, we have still maintained the pinnacle of culture. We still have that, this civilising force, this music.

Our art has survived because there was a time when we were running this planet, another time when yellow people were running it, every one has had their time, but our culture has survived and is still influencing the culture of today.”

Bowie had strong views about African music, especially in terms of the way it is tied up with the totality of African culture. And the Great Black Music, which he preached and propagated, was out to reveal the power of this cultural affinity. Said he: “Just like in Zaire, they go in there and take everything out of Zaire, not leaving nothing which is exactly what is happening to music, they take from the music and we ourselves do not realise the power that we have. So what we try to do with our music is to make people aware of the power of the music and the power it represents as far as how we can influence our thinking because in Africa, art was not separated from life, it was a part of it. You learn from the culture.

This is how you learned how to think, the ceremonies, the rituals, the whole sequence of

growth to maturity but you see we have gotten away from that”.

Bowie’s attitude to jazz stems from the relevance of African culture and condemns the perception of the Western world that sees culture from the ephemeral perspective, as an element of decoration. His words: “The Western world says that art is something you put on the wall... art for arts sake! Art has got to have meaning, there must be a connection, and it has to be part of our everyday lives. We are supposed to learn from our culture. It is not something we see and just go dancing. Why are we dancing?

What is the history of dance? What does it mean? We have to see how it connects to our lives, and then we can apply it to our lives.

“Consequently, we will think much better and more clearly and hopefully we can get something done. So, Great Black Music is the total embodiment of our music and what we in jazz have done is to try to bring all these different elements together because they were all separated.”

Bowie became the president of Association for the Advancement of Creative Music (AACM) in 1968. Their music had African heritage as focus, playing concerts every night and rehearsing all day with all kinds of different groups and combinations. The music was popular in Chicago,

BY SHAIBU HUSSEINI shaibu70@yahoo.com

Andy Amenechi Returns As DGN President OTABLE movie director, Andy Amenechi, last week, was N re-elected as the president of Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN). It was actually a no contest for Amenechi and the other elected officers, as they were the only candidates that stood for the election for their respective posts. At the end of voting, the electoral committee returned Amenechi, Chima Okereke, Matthew Ajallys, Eliel Otote and Mike Ogundu elected as president, secretary general, assistant secretary general, director of finance and public relations officer respectively. In his post election speech, Amenechi thanked the electoral committee for conducting what he said was a “credible, free and fair election, devoid of pettiness and rancour, in a mature, dignified and professional atmosphere.” Amenechi noted that with the election the DGN has led the way, and has proven that industry elections could be held ‘with style, sagacity and maturity’. The DGN president, who, by this election, will be serving his final two years term in office, solicited support and contribution of members in the task of positioning the guild and directing practice in the country. He said, “our job is still work in progress, as we are committed to building solid structures to implement the reforms necessary to meet the challenges of tomorrow.” The DGN Investiture and DGN Awards, the wholesome review of the DGN constitution, access to institutional and corporate funds, collaboration with supervising agencies and international partners, full implementation of our welfare package and setting up of a befitting DGN secretariat, are part of our core objectives for this second term,” he said.

turned director, Robert Peters, and produced by the trio of Dr. Kulah, Van Vicker and Peters, the flick, which stars Vicker, Hollywood actor Carl Payne (Cosby Show, Martin), and Chet Anekwe (On Bended Knees, Baby Oku in America, Unwanted Guest), has received commendation from practitioners for its excellent cinematography and story line. When One Door Closes tells the story of love, struggle, and triumph. The movie also deals with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and issues Africans in the Diaspora face. The movie was acquired as part of a new initiative

by Desmond and Victoria Elliot, through Denziot Productions, to distribute quality and exclusive Nollywood films made abroad in Nigeria. As part of this initiative, the outfit will also distribute Faces of Love, a film by Peters and Monica Omorodion Swaida.

According to Kulah, lovers of Tyler Perry’s Diary of a Mad Black Woman, A Thin Line Between Love and Hate, Waiting to Exhale, and Baggage Claim, are guaranteed riveting experience. “If you want to experience what your sisters/brothers in the Diaspora are going through, then you will love the new wave of African films that are being produced in the Diaspora and it is to this new wave that this movie belongs,” he said.

Simi’s Performance Earns Genesis Studio Commendation HE DVD release of popular TV series, Tales of Eve: Simi, has made T good impression in the market within a short time. The DVD has reportedly sold over 20, 000 copies in less than seven weeks

of release, a feat that has earned the producer, Genesis Studios commendation. Simi is one out of many moving stories of Tales of Eve, which ran for 13 weeks on several TV stations. The TV series is produced by Olatunbosun Olaegbe the brain behind the popular TV series, So Wrong, So Wright and Street Chart. Simi, directed by Adeoye Bakare, is a collection of moving stories, which portrayed Denziot Productions Acquires When One the life and experiences of African women as they live through the Door Closes’ DVD Rights trials and triumphs of womanhood obtainable in Africa environment. Simi boasts of a very impressive cast of seasoned actors and HE Nigerian production house and distribution compa- actresses, the likes of Tina Mba, Kayode Odumosu, Kate Adepegba, ny, Denziot Productions, has acquired distribution rights Ireti Osayemi, Belinda Effah and Frankincense Eche-Ben. Speaking for When One Door Closes. Nominated for Best Film and Best on the success of the movie so far, Olaegbe said, “to say that we are Director at the Golden ICONS Awards (GIAMA), awarded a excited will be an understatement. Within a short period of time screening at the San Diego Black Film Festival, and nominat- of release, we have sold over 20 000 copies. This is a feat that ed for Best Film, Best Drama, Best Director, Best Actor, Best excites us and we cannot appreciate all our fans enough.” The Actress, this critically acclaimed film is set for release in DVD copies are available in stores and film houses nationwide.

April 2014 in Nigeria. Directed by notable Nollywood starBelinda Effah

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from where it was taken to Europe in 1969.

Based in Paris, Bowie’s Art Ensemble of Chicago played at the theatre six nights a week.

Bowie’s great black music has since received wide acceptance on the jazz scene. And like a teacher and crusader of a new revolution, he was always critical of repertoires and exponents of establishment music. He never had kind words for the likes of trumpeter, Wynton Marsalis who is Down beat’s number one.

“Wynton is the key. He is the one they use to stop the music. He has helped to destroy the music.

“Now what’s happening is that all his younger contemporaries are not making any money or making a living or being accepted throughout the world because they are not doing anything. The only one making any money is Wynton”, said Bowie.

However, jazz is not all about making money. It’s like the Biblical “seek ye first the kingdom of God and every other thing will be added unto you”. Bowie and the black music revolution ensured the creatively high musical abilities of its adherents as a first step. And through recognition and acclaim for their artistic accomplishments, their concerts were packed. Their records sold.

50 Sunday, February 16, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Birthdays TEJUOSO, His Royal Majesty, Dr. Adedapo Adewale, Oranmiyan, Karunwi III, OsileOke Ona, Egba will be 76 on Wednesday, February 19, 2014. He was born on February 19, 1938 and educated at St. George’s Primary School in 1941. He also attended Mrs. Funmilayo Ransome Kuti Preparatory School and later proceeded to Abeokuta Grammar School between January 1949 and December 1950. He had a brief stint at the Medical Department of the Senior Officer’s Office in Kakawa Lagos before he gained admission to Westham College of Technology at Stafford, East London for his advanced levels in July 30, 1957. He got admitted into Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland to study Arts for four years before moving to medicine between 1958 and 1964. He did his housemanship at

Tejuoso

Murray-Bruce

the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). He later stayed on for two and half years and left as a Senior House Officer in September 1966. He founded Teju Industrial Limited, now Iyalode Bisoye Tejuoso Hospital. He was conferred

with Commander of the Order of the Niger (OON) and also a member of the Prison Reform Committee set up by the former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

President of Silverbird Productions Limited will be 58 on Tuesday, February 18, 2014. He was born on February 18, 1956 in Lagos to Ijaw parents from Akassa, Bayelsa State. He attended Our Lady of Apostle Primary School; St. Gregory’s College, Lagos; Simpson College, Iowa State University and University of Southern California (USC) in the United States of America.

On his return from USA in 1980, he started Silverbird, a music entertainment business involved in programming syndication, beauty pageants, concerts, radio, television, cinema and the operation of shopping malls. He is a member of several boards and associations and he served as Director General of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) between 1990 and 2003.

MURRAY-BRUCE, Benedict Ernest, administrator and

Compiled by Gbenga Akinfenwa gbengaherkin@yahoo.com

The First Lady of Lagos State, Dame Emmanuella Abimbola Fashola during her interractive session with the students of Caleb Group of Schools. From left is the Principal, Caleb British Academy, Ms Colette O'Hehir, Educational Administrator, Caleb Group of Schools, Dr. (Mrs) Funmi Oboye, the First Lady and the Vice Chancellor, Caleb University Imota, Ikorodu, Lagos State, Prof. Olukoju Ayodeji.

Pa. Kehinde (left), and Taiwo Obasa cutting their 80th birthday cake in celebration of their birthday at Abule Egba, Lagos.

Mrs. Iyabo Kuti, her daughter Tokunbo Alalde-Kuti with her nephew, Mohammed Aliu during her birthday in Lagos.

Olorogun David Edevwie, former Chief of Staff to President Umaru Yaradua (left), Oma Djebah, Senior Adviser, (Foreign Relations), to Governor of Delta State and Dr Festus Okubor, Chief of Staff to Delta State Governor, during a meeting at the PDP Headquarters in Abuja.

District Governor 2013-2014 International Association of Lions Club District 404B Nigeria, Lion Gbolagade Adebisi (left), Acting Board Secretary SUBEB, Olatunji Adefuye, President, Ikeja Golden Lions Club, Lion Mercy Aje-Omosun, Head Teacher of the School, Mrs. Esther Kayode, Special Guest of Honour, George Etomi, at the commissioning and handing over of blocks of classrooms to Special Needs Children by Ikeja Golden Lions Club at Bola Memorial Primary School, Ikeja, Lagos... on Friday.

Prof. Joseph Fazing Jemkur, Head of Department, Archeology and Heritage Studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Jos (left), his son, Ponfa Nathaniel Jemkur and wife, Mrs. Talatu Theodorah Jemkur at their son’s Call to Bar ceremony in Abuja.

Dr. (Mrs.) Gloria Elemo, DG, Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), Lagos (4th left) and Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (appreciating FIIRO’s cassava bread) with directors and assistant directors of the institute during the minister’s working visit … last week.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Sunday, Februay 16, 2014 51

GRASSROOTS

Creation Of More Councils Excites Communities

By Gbenga Akinfenwa HE fresh move by Osun and Ekiti States to create more council areas has been described as not only a step to fulfill the yearnings of the people, but also a move aimed at igniting participatory governance, where all citizens would be fully involved in decision making process.

Interestingly, both states have already set machinery in motion to ensure the actualisation of this dream. While Osun is proposing additional 27 local governments to be called Local Council Development Areas (LCDA), to make a total of 57, Ekiti is yet to receive the recommendation of the committee set up for the purpose on the actual number of councils to create.

Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun state, who recently presented a bill before the House of Assembly for the additional councils, as recommended by a 10-man local governments creation committee, headed by a former Speaker of the state Assembly, Mojeed Alabi, noted that the move was necessitated by the yearnings and aspirations of the people of the state.

To him, some of the existing local governments are too large, making it difficult for the state workforce to cover the entire council areas,

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• The Councils Would Be Parliamentary In Nature-Aregbesola • It Would Aid Participatory Style Of Governance-Fayemi OSUN/EKITI which is indirectly hindering government from knowing the true needs of the people.

Aregbesola explained that when passed into law, the new councils would co-exist with existing councils already specified in the 1999 Constitution Nigeria, in accordance with Section 7 and 8 as amended. He added that pending the passage, the new councils shall be called local counties.

In Ekiti, though the number of councils to be created would be based on recommendation of the seven-man committee, Governor Kayode Fayemi said it expedient based on agitation by the communities for more councils.

He noted that the demand topped the list of requests presented by communities during the annual town hall meetings with communities across the state, adding that it would aid participatory style of governance, to know the yearnings of the people to develop the state.

With this development, the general mood of residents of the two states, according to The Guardian’s survey, showed that the move is wel-

Aregbesola

Fayemi

come.

Those who spoke to The Guardian noted that creation of more local governments would further move government closer to the governed.

According to Mr. Mojeed Adebayo, a resident of Ilobu, Osun state, creation of the new councils would really touch the lives of the people by spreading dividends of democracy evenly.

One unique feature of the

strategy to be adopted by Osun, is that the councils would adopt parliamentary system of government, with the chairman and his vice, emerging from the elected councilors, in order to reduce cost of governance and ensure smooth running of government at the local level.

The system, aside its cost effectiveness, it would also be people oriented and development based.

Again, Uncertainty Heightens On Possible Shift Of Council Poll

By Gbenga Akinfenwa ORthe fourth time in a row, the Plateau State government and the state electoral body, the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) have postponed the conduct of election into the 17 local governments in the state, without genuine reason.

It was earlier slated for December 7 and later December 21, before the January 30, 2014 date was chosen. Just few days to the election, the electoral body announced the shift from the January 30 date to February 25, 2014.

The chairman of PLASIEC, Mr. Peter Dalyop, who defended the commission, said the shift was occasioned by unexpected difficulties encountered in the production of critical electoral materials. He noted that the production of the materials was taking more time than anticipated, adding that the remaining activities on the election timetable earlier released were adjusted according to the PLASIEC Law, 2013.

The statement appealed to participants and the general public for understanding and cooperation to achieve desired goals. For two years now, the inability of government to conduct the poll had increased anxiety and confusion of political parties and people of the state. Government at the initial stage, claimed its efforts to conduct the poll was frustrated by the prolonged strike embarked upon by the local government workers and the barrage of litigations by political parties.

Now, opposition parties are alleging that the delay is a ploy by the ruling party to continue

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PLATEAU to dominate the state’s political scene.

With just eight days to the February 25 date, there is an air of uncertainty on the possibility of the election-taking place.

At present, political affairs watchers are expressing fear that the election may not hold as scheduled.

According to one social commentator in the state, John Dauda, “PLASIEC may not have got the necessary logistics required to conduct the elec-

tions and government on its own seems not in a hurry to conduct the council poll or not even interested, as it could be seen that the last council elections were held in 2008.”

But in what looks like a step towards the actualization of the poll, the state governor, Jonah Jang has tasked the people of the state to ensure a peaceful conduct.

The governor, who made the call while inaugurating the campaign rally of one of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmanship candidate said the peaceful conduct of the poll would prepare the

ground for further growth and development in the state Jang, who spoke through the Secretary to State Government, Prof. Shadrach Best, said it is his belief that if the state can peacefully conduct the local government election, “as we had during the party primaries at councils and ward levels, then we are on the path of progress. We should vehemently resist any temptation that will push us into taking up arms against one another during the polls. Rather, we should display the spirit of maturity and sportsmanship.”

Monarch Installs Alebiosu As First Ezi Ogo

By Gbenga Aklinfenwa HE monarch of Ohiaocha Ancient kingdom in Umuahia Local Government Area of Abia State, Eze Loveday Uwakwaribe Ohia Chere II, has conferred the first chieftaincy title of Ezi-Ogo 1 of the Ohiaocha autonomous community on Elder Prince Adekunle Alebiosu for his contribution to the growth of the community.

The title, reserved for notable in-laws, who have shown benevolence and some level of philanthropic gesture to the community was unanimously conferred on the man.

The tradition of the community is that the title, meant for outsiders is not contestable, but based on merit.

It is also a lifetime title that can only be given to another person after the demise of

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OHIAOCHA COMMUNITY the present holder.

The monarch cited Alebiosu’s notable contributions to the community in terms of cash donations, provision of infrastructure and general facelift of the entire community, among others for choosing him.

While speaking with The Guardian after his conferment, Alebiosu, who hails from Arigbajo, Ewekoro Local Government, Ogun State said his installation as Eze is a rare opportunity that he would always guard jealously.

He noted that the conferment is a call to service, adding that what he has done in the past is a tip of the iceberg, saying he would do everything possible to develop the autonomous com-

munity.

“What we need to do is to give the monarch the needed support in order to move the community forward and to uplift the standard of living of the people. I was conferred with this title because I was identified with this community among all the in-laws. “ The best is yet to come, my contribution to the community would be continuous because when you build a house, though it is completed but maintaining the house would be on daily basis. So, what I have done is going to be continuous,” he said.

He urged members of the community and other inlaws to rally round and develop the community, saying whenever the need arises for him to contribute his quota, he would not hesitate to do so.

It would have a council manager, who would act as the administrative head and shall be a civil servant, an officer not above level 14, aside from local government economy planning board that will serve as advisory body.

The Senior Special Adviser to Aregbesola on General Matters, Mr. Fola Olajoku, who spoke with The Guardian on phone emphasised that against the belief in some quarters that creation of more councils in the state would create financial burden for government, he said running of the councils would be cheaper due to its parliamentary nature.

“The purpose of creating more local governments is to make development accessible to our people. When it was announced the people responded positively, which presumed that people accepted it. The chairman and his vice would be picked among the councilors, which would make this more cheaper than expected,” he stated.

If the bill scales through,

Aregbesola said it would reengineer the local government system in the state to serve as a pace setter for other states in the country.

For Ekiti, just two weeks ago, the Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission (EKSIEC) paid a fact-finding visit to its Lagos State counterpart, the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) to study the conduct of referendum for creating the additional local governments.

The LASIEC chairman, Justice Adeyinka, who disclosed that states have powers to create additional local government, noted that any state that has done so, must, however, notify the Senate for the listing of the new councils.

He urged the commission to carry out the referendum in conjunction with relevant technical partners, particularly office of the Surveyor General of the state for the production of Geographical Information System (GIS) map as well as the ministry responsible for Physical Planning and Urban Develop-

Gladiators Warm Up For Council Poll

By Gbenga Akinfenwa OLITICAL parties and their candidates in Nasarawa State have embarked on campaigns and other political activities as government has finally fixed Saturday, March 22, 2014 for the conduct of council poll after series of postponement occasioned by fragile security situation in the state, among other reasons.

The inability to conduct the poll for many years, according to people of the state had unjustly deprived them of effective grassroots governance.

Last November, one of the opposition parties, the United Progressive Party (UPP) threatened to drag the state government to court if it refuses to conduct the election within six months.

According to a petition signed by the party’s legal adviser, Barr. Innocent Maji, the party noted that government’s apathy to the conduct of the poll depicts the deepest political greed and insensitivity by a self-styled progressive government.

He added that most of the communal clashes in the state would have been avoided had the Al-Makuraled government conducted local government poll and the authentic people’s representatives take charge of third-tier governance.

“UPP calls on the Federal Government to stop further release of local government Statutory Allocation to Nassarawa State government until the election is conducted. UPP gives the state government a six-month ultimatum to conduct local government election in the state or face legal action,” it warned.

Following this, government announced December 14, 2013 to the delight of the people, but later announced the

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NASARAWA suspension of the poll based on what the chairman of the state Independent Electoral Commission, NASIEC, Dr. Abdullahi Modibo linked with the poor security situation in the state.

Modibo said: “We followed our timetable religiously after we agreed to conduct the council poll, but after series of consultations, coupled with expert recommendations on the insecurity in the state, we came to a conclusion that holding election now is not visible.”

A new date, March 14, 2014 was later fixed but as at the time when political parties were strategising and studying the timetable, NASIEC again announced postponement from March 14 to March 22, 2014.

While announcing the postponement, the chairman said, “We want to apologise for changing the date of the election from March 14, 2014 to March 22, 2014. This is because the electoral law stipulates that elections can only hold 90 days after it is announced. All other aspects of the timetable earlier released remain valid.”

According to him, NASIEC was unhappy that candidates of the various parties had embarked on campaigns and other political processes, but appealed to them to be patient with the commission as all efforts were being made to restore peace in the state.

Meanwhile, the commission will soon embark on massive voters’ education ahead the council poll, as announced by the commission.

“The essence of the voters’ education is to ensure that people become aware of their civic responsibilities and act accordingly to deliver a hitchfree election in March,” he said.

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POLITICS

ABARI: Our Membership Registration Was Successful, Though With Challenges the registration is going to continue online all over the country.

In line with this, the legacy parties were known for their preference for collegiate model of selection rather than open party primaries. Would there be a significant shift from this method?

You will have to realise that this is entirely a new political platform; a new party that is HERE seem to be logistic inadequacies in set to guarantee equal opportunity for your party’s registration exercise. Could everybody. The idea is to build an all-incluthis be as result of inadequate planning? sive party that will provide a level playing WHAT you call logistic inadequacies arose field for all aspirants. On the basis of that, from the fact that it is part of human nature the immediate concern of the party as at when you are having an event of this magninow is to build it to be a force that would tude, which is taking place all over the counprovide leadership at all levels democratitry all at once. Naturally, there is bound to be cally and therefore to proceed to addressing slight problems here and there. But mostly, other issues that may arise. we were confronted with people trying to Considering the influx of notable members locate their polling booths. And you know in of the PDP into the APC, serving governors, Lagos in particular, the party produced regis- senators and so on, there are fears that eventration materials in accordance with the tually the APC would be enmeshed in crisis Independent National Electoral Commission like the PDP. What is the APC going to do to (INEC) guidelines. But when we come to dismake sure that does not happen? tribution in Lagos, we did it in line with the 57 The character of the party and the constilocal governments. Because if we were to go tution of the party are what is going to ahead with the INEC’s distribution guidelines, determine that. I can assure you we are all through the wards, we would have sacribuilding a party that is going to have very ficed about 30 percent of our materials. strong institutions that is going to meet In order to address the lapses very quickly and resolve all manners of challenges that we had to swap some of the polling units to may arise from the fold. reflect only the names of the wards as reflect- Are you saying that fear is real? ed in the ATPS. There were incidences of one I am not sure if this is really a genuine fear. or two people trying to breach the guidelines. Our objective is to build a party that will be And this also, we were able to correct immedi- strong to withstand all challenges that may ately. We insisted that there would be no reg- ensue. I can only describe PDP as a party istration by proxy. There were one or two cas- that suffers from institutional capacity. That es of registration by proxy and we were able is why the party could not and cannot conto correct that as quickly as the report tain its internal contradictions. We have a reached us. lot to benefit from what has happened to Is the exercise going to be a continuous one the PDP. We have a lot to benefit from what or is there a particular time frame for formal is happening in other democracies around registration? the world. We have a lot to learn from our This situation is one of the major steps the different political backgrounds that we are party is taking towards establishing all the coming from to form the APC. organs of the party democratically.

While I don’t expect any serious problem And there is no way you will do that unless to arise, but if it indeed arises, we are going you have a body of democratically elected par- to have adequate capacity to deal with it. ty organs. This registration exercise is one of Do you entertain fears about the capacity of the steps towards the party congress that is some of the nation’s institutions, like the expected to come up very soon. Afterwards, INEC, the security agencies, the judiciary

Dr. Garba Abariis the national chairman of the membership Registration Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He spoke with KAMAL TAYO OROPO on the exercise and the challenges recorded in the field.

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Governor Babatunde Fashola, his wife, Abimbola, and Abari during the registration exercise

and others to deliver a free and fair 2015?

We have had reasons to fear that some of these institutions you mentioned had at one time or the other had reasons best known to them to have demonstrated inadequate capacity and incompetence. This must have been particularly fueled by the unfortunate situation the country found itself with a ruling party, which seems to have as motto: nothing shall be done according to rule of law. Their modus operandi is akin to impunity at all times.

As a result, they have inflicted corruption on these institutions and are killing these institutions, which were hitherto the pride of the nation. They have set a new limit as far as impunity is concerned. And to that extent they have had serious negative impact on these institutions. We have a situation where our institutions are now incapacitated on account of poor leadership, mis-management and corruption.

This is one of the reasons for our coming together as an alternative platform to rescue these institutions. We come together to rescue the country from total collapse and bring it back on the path of functionality.

In spite of this readiness you claim, where do you put money politics, poverty and ethnoreligious sentiments; don’t you think these issues might play a factor in 2015?

All over the world, all these things you mentioned sometimes, though at varying degrees, determine the political process. It is not peculiar to Nigeria. However, where you have a functional state (country) with functional institutions, when such rear their heads there are ways of getting them quickly resolved without allowing them affect the general good. It is in the light of that that I remain optimistic that a party like the APC will actually build the capacity to handle these matters and bring the country to the path of change and progress.

Shortage Of Materials And Snatching Mars APC Registration Exercise

By Kamal Tayo Oropo HE nationwide membership T registration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ended last Wednesday, after a two-day extension.

The registration took place in all the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The two days added for the exercise was to mop up prospective members who had teething problems at the start of the exercise in some states.

Such teething, or logistic problems as the national chairman of the Registration Exercise, Dr. Garba Abari, told The Guardian, were reported in many in local chapters of the party in a number of states as a result of dispute over control of the party’s membership registration exercise.

The national headquarters sent 100 membership slips to each of the 120,000 polling units around the country.

The major implication of the exercise is that members who register now would participate in electing the party’s executives at ward, local government and national levels on March 3. They would constitute the electorate.

According to reports from the states, powerful groups in the party allegedly hijacked the registration materials with their eyes on

gaining control of the party structures ahead of the party congresses.

While at the polling units limited number of registration materials were provided, elements in the party hoarded the slips.

States where hijack of materials was reported include; Kebbi, Bauchi, Adamawa, Yobe, Borno, and Rivers.

Politicians, hijacking the membership slips, reportedly used their agents to go from house-tohouse and in discreet places to register their loyalists, thereby depriving other prospective members who trooped to designated registration centres.

The national secretariat of the party had to add two extra days to enable those who could not register do so. The secretariat acknowledged receiving complaints, but said these would not be enough to vitiate the exercise.

But how the attempt to manipulate the registration exercise to favour any particular politician in the congresses would yield fruits is yet to be seen. The membership registration exercise, according to the party, would be continuous.

In Kebbi State, the registration in Kamba, Sakaba, Danko/Wasagu reportedly ran into hitches because of alleged hijack of materials by factional leaders.

In Northern Kebbi, party members claimed that registration materials were hijacked by a faction of the defunct CPC. In Katsina State, only 60 membership slips were allegedly provided per unit instead of 100 as directed by the national headquarters.

Within the state capital, no materials were reportedly taken to Yamma 1, Yamma 2, Arewa A and Arewa B wards, which are reportedly the largest wards within the metropolis. Materials for those places were allegedly collected from the Sabon Gari police station by a certain party leader.

Materials meant for Gabas 2 ward, also within Katsina, were delivered but were allegedly snatched from the collation centre by thugs.

It was not clear who took control of the membership cards in Katsina State between the side controlled by interim deputy national chairman Aminu Masari and the one controlled by former federal lawmakers who were ousted from the National Assembly by a court judgment.

There were also reports of clashes in Daura Zone, where a House of Representatives member was denied access to register until a skirmish ensued between his supporters and supporters of other prominent persons in the zone.

In Fune Local Government of Yobe State, the registration reportedly generated tension in Damagum, leading to an attack on the council chairman Alhaji Maina Digma Gana. Damagum has 10 polling centres and every centre was allocated 100 cards for proper registration but, some politicians allegedly hide 40 percent of the total cards and distributed only 60 cards to each unit against the 100 cards per polling unit.

The council chairman was allegedly targeted by aggrieved protesters and his official car was damaged.

Aggrieved youths from two rival factions, loyal to the House of Assembly member representing Fune and his predecessor, also reportedly clashed.

In Borno State, registration centres at Hausari, Bulunkutu and Bolori, all in the capital, Maiduguri, ran short of membership cards. There was similar shortage reported in Biu town and in Marama in Hawul local government areas.

Deputy Governor Zannah Umar, who obtained his card in Biu, told journalists that the shortage was “as a result of massive turnout of people.”

In Bauchi State, some members, in Ganjuwa, disagreed with the

people handling the registration, expressing fears that they would not be fair.

In Katagum, a national party official, Captain Bala Jibrin, reportedly said the delay experienced in take off of the exercise was caused by late provision of registration materials to Bauchi and Niger States.

In Adamawa State, the State Registration Committee received petitions from Shelleng, Gombi, Hong and Fufore over hijacking of registration materials.

In a petition, a group under the aegis of Membership Registration Supervisors, signed by Benson B. Ali, Yusuf E. Chumaro and Ahmadu K. Kachalla, accused a Shelleng local government official of using thugs to snatch the materials.

In Rivers State, Mr. Otonye Briggs, the 2011 governorship candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change, one of the legacy parties, asked the court to restrain Chief Davis Ikanya and Emeka Beke, the interim state chairman and secretary, respectively, who joined the APC following Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s defection to the party, from parading themselves as the executives of the party. He said he was the authentic interim state chairman.

In Kano State, some people were unable to register because of lack of photographs in some units.

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Sunday, February 16, 2014 53

www.ngrguardiannews.com

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Opinion University Of Ibadan’s Shameful Secret U NIVERSITY of Ibadan alumnus Ibukun Babarinde did the institution and Nigeria a remarkable favour last week.

Shocked at what he found of Mellanby Hall’s toilet facilities, he pulled out a camera and took several scandalous pictures that were later published online.

First, let me disclose that I am also a UI product, and a Mellanbite. As a youngster, it was my biggest dream to go to Nigeria’s finest tertiary institution. My happiest day as a teenager was probably the day I laid my hands on my admission letter.

I recall a university that prided itself on its excellent academic tradition, but it was also a clean, well-maintained and safe campus.

When I say, safe, I mean that you could walk and work anywhere on the campus at any time of the day or night.

I also mean that its facilities were exquisitely maintained. I do not recall toilet facilities, in any hall, library or faculty that you hesitated to walk into.

It would appear that Babarinde, who left the university in 2008, just six years ago, had the same general experience. His pictures show Mellanby Hall’s toilet facilities in a disgusting, embarrassing and dangerous state.

They show toilets so dirty it is difficult to believe that they belong to a public institution. I have seen cleaner toilets in Lagos markets. How can a student learn in such an environment?

In an essay I called “Nourished By The Trees,” I recalled a completely different experience.

“Ibadan proved to be all that I had dreamed. I met famous people, joined fascinating clubs, drank of the wells of ideas on offer everywhere you turned, explored the huge central library, and walked long pathways that had been walked by many a remarkable intellectual.

Sometimes, I did not want to go to bed: if you do not fall asleep, you do not wake up to find that an epochal life had been a dream.

“In the midst of all the excitement of the campus, it would take two years—two-thirds of my undergraduate programme—for the truth to sink in: the university was not really a place, and I was not there for a particular course of study. The university was a life, a culture, an atmosphere, an orientation, an awakening, a discovery. The university was an instrument, much like a pencil-sharpener, fashioned to develop blunt instruments into sharp tools.”

My favourite patch of real estate on campus was the Botanical Garden, which I introduced as a huge area of about 100 acres of tree samples from all over the world for botanical research.

“Each of the trees was dutifully identified, and a short legend told you the basics you needed to know about the plant. The size of those trees and the maintenance of the Garden told you that many people, for many years, had worked hard to see that generations of students and researchers benefited from their dream.

Along one side of the Garden ran a small, quiet brook, separated from the Garden by a small footpath…Sometimes, as you walked this path, you could hear small animals scurrying away as you approached. Birds sang in full-throated orchestras, each melody magnified and broadcast widely by the deep quiet. The Garden of Eden had to be somewhere nearby…

“It was in that final year in Ibadan and in that expertly-maintained Garden that I realised that excellence does not consist of anyone trying to do everything well. It is an individual ensuring that what he owes is faultless. If the commitment of that one person is to the larger society, indeed to posterity or time, or to doing the right thing for no other justification beyond its being right, the day arrives when there is somebody inspired by that effort.

Thirty-one years ago, I was one such man wandering around in the shadows of someone’s commitment, thinking mine was the earth…”

Even after my graduation in 1978, I visited that

garden for spiritual replenishment every chance I had. My last trip in the 1990s was complete disaster, as part of the property was being savagely destroyed for a construction project.

I left in a hurry, but that experience somehow prepared me for Babarinde’s devastating pictures, which speak darkly of a disaster that is certainly not limited to one hall.

In “One Night In Legon, Ghana,” a 2005 essay for ‘The Campus Life,’ a publication of UI’s Advancement Centre, I recalled a 1976 visit of the Debating Club to the University of Legon.

I was a participant in the first of the two-day annual debating contest that year, and I commented on how similar both institutions were as we arrived at Legon’s Main Auditorium.

“As you know, Ghana and Nigeria, raised in the well-tested colonial cauldron of Britain, are similar in many respects,” I wrote. “I did not think that either of the universities in Ibadan or Legon saw themselves as being different from, or inferior to Oxford University. That evening, as the judges took the stage and the six speakers were being introduced, you could see just how similar they both were. We might as well have been in front of the standard Trenchard Hall crowd.”

One look at Babarinde’s pictures and I am ashamed I once put UI and Oxford in the same sentence. I know that times are hard, and that Nigerian universities are battling for the finances necessary to become competitive.

Still, there is no excuse for the University of Ibadan, or a university—any university, anywhere—to have a single toilet facility of that nature. It is completely antithetical to the concept of a university and a university environment.

For three years, Professor Isaac Adewole, UI’s Vice-chancellor, has spoken about repositioning the institution as Nigeria’s premier university, following the adoption of his proposals by the Council and the Senate.

The question is what those standards really

sonala.olumhense@gmail.com Twitter: @Sonala.Olumhense

are, and whether his plan is to drag the institution into the toilet. Is it really possible for you to advance high standards when you are so dirty?

The same question is present in most public and private establishments in Nigeria, where, despite heavy posturing, only Oga’s facilities are cleaned regularly.

I once worked for a newspaper where there was only one toilet for all of the staff, and I still have nightmares when I recall having to use it.

Oga had his own toilet, and it sparkled. I worked for another newspaper where it became a priority to have excellent toilet facilities, and we worked hard to ensure them, but it was a different story when I visited several years later. Oga had his own toilet; it sparkled.

I have visited Nigeria’s presidential palace once in my life. I was shown to a visitor’s toilet, which had been exquisitely finished in marble, but the place was awful because it lacked maintenance.

The moral of this story is that in Nigeria, Oga’s mission is often to make Oga happy so that he can go out and make speeches.

At UI, are Professor Adewole’s standards really superior to those shameful toilets at Mellanby?

I guess that when his guests complain they have encountered one of those facilities, he laughs and tells them they should have come to his own.

As Nigeria Awaits Steve Wozniak

By Harry Okoruwa F Stephen “Woz” Wozniak did not exist, perhaps the world as we know it today, would be different. Perhaps computers would still have remained the exclusive preserve of the geeks, the experts who can write and understand arcane computer language.

Thankfully, Wozniak it was, whose innovation with Apple I and Apple II, set the stage for democratizing the personal computer.

The Apple II is credited with being the first ever commercially successful line of PCs. The user-friendly yet intelligent design was such that you didn’t need to have studied computer science to use a computer. Woz helped to ignite the spark that has since become a huge conflagration. Today, myriads of hand-held devices and other appliances continue to ride on that fundamental demystification and democratization of the personal computer, in being loaded with massive doses of computing power and yet subject to the whims and control of just about anybody, toddlers included.

It is a generally accepted fact now, that Apple revolutionized the computing industry by the singular fact of the radical redesign of the computer, which Wozniak’s genius sired, and the intelligent creative marketing of his friend and colleague, Steve Jobs.

What was the driver of the creativity that motivated the radical re-design of the personal computer? What can Nigerians learn from the genius of Wozniak who strove to convert a problem into an opportunity from which his organization and the larger society as well benefited immensely?

This may perhaps sum up the motivation for MTN in inviting Wozniak to deliver this year’s edition of its annual innovation lectures. And it is a clear departure from the past when the company invited such management icons as Michael Porter, Les Brown, David Plouffe (Barrack Obama’s campaign manager) and most recently, Ram Charan. As an inventor and innovator, Wozniak is skilled at identifying a problem and converting it into an opportunity. Management consultants, on the other hand have a genius for observing, discerning critical trends and patterns that ordinary people miss, and recommending solutions. Obviously, the company realizes that there is a need for a blend of both approaches: the theoretical and the practical.

It can be argued that the series of lectures that have been delivered over the years, have helped to set the tone for this year’s lecture. Only last year, for instance, Ram Charan, business advisor and formidable management consultant, shared his perspec-

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tive on the Nigerian condition, using insights from across the world. According to Charan, a look at the history of the US, Singapore, China and many other developed and emerging economies would reveal that these countries have essentially been built by the world. For instance, in crafting its developmental strategy, Singapore visualized the entire world as its constituency, not the landmass within the country’s borders.

China, he added, initially offered the world cheap labour but now offers the world’s biggest market.

With a population of circa 160 million within its boundaries and somewhere around 300million in the West Africa region, Nigeria can potentially offer the world a market, which no one dares to ignore. It is therefore critical, he argued that Nigeria strives to attract as much foreign direct investment, FDI as possible. FDI, is not just about financial inflows, he emphasized. FDI is also about technology. FDI is also about knowhow. FDI, he re-emphasized, is critical if Nigeria must leapfrog into the Comity of fast developing countries.

Using the example of MTN, he stated that the company once had dozens of expatriates (some say more than 300), running different aspects of its operations. Today, he added, that number has drastically gone down, because of a deliberate scheme of skills- and knowledge-transfer, which has seen Nigerians take over roles that were once carried out by foreigners. Such transfer of know-how and technology, he said, is just as critical to Nigeria’s development needs as inflow of financial and other material resources. Organizations that do this, ought to be systematically encouraged.

Africa has an incredible amount of raw talent said Charan. We need to harness and hone the raw talent of our people.

Wozniak’s invitation to Nigeria in 2014 appears like a direct offshoot of Charan’s exhortations. For instance, Charan made a very strong case for leveraging people. Nigeria, he stated several times, needs to embrace the culture of continuous learning, because learning has a massive multiplier effect. By developing people, we simply amplify their potential and this translates into a huge plus in several dimensions. And he gave lots of examples, all of which were drawn from the technology space to support this. Bill Gates he said, began his technological drive as a teenager. So did Hewlett and Packard. So did Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak and so many more.

Wozniak’s history is sure to inspire lots of Nigeria’s technology aficionados but also management experts as well as policy makers in the public sector. “If you want to innovate,” he once

said, “generally have a goal.” He added that “you need not know the direction to get there. If you know the direction in advance, it’s probably not a good enough goal.” In navigating a pathway to your goal, however, Wozniak admonishes that the innovator be painstaking and have plenty of self-belief.

“Try to adopt the feeling that you’re probably doing it the best way it could be done in the world.”

It would be great to hear out Wozniak and his prescriptions for a technological revolution in Nigeria. What is clear is that his prescriptions are unlikely to differ much from Ram Charan’s. He is likely to echo the need for Nigeria to harness its army of raw talent if we are to achieve a radical shift in our economic circumstances.

There is no doubt that Nigeria is currently confronted with a myriad of problems. Insecurity is one and so is the severe dearth of critical infrastructure. Thankfully, however there are pointers that progress is being steadily recorded in the area of infrastructure. Nigeria’s telephony infrastructure, riding on the back of private sector investment has grown substantially over the years since the 2001 GSM auction and has in turn driven growth in the larger ICT industry. The power industry is also in the throes of growth. A few months ago, the dismembered erstwhile Power Holding Company of Nigeria, was sold in small chunks as either generating companies or distribution companies. True, there is still work to be done in the areas of gas supply as well as transmission. What is, however, incontrovertible is that despite the temporary problems, the power situation in Nigeria is definitely never going to be the same again.

Wozniak will very likely examine this scenario and request Nigeria to brace up for change. He will likely exhort young Nigerians to spot the opportunities in what they imagine are problems and prepare themselves to exploit those opportunities for the mutual benefit of themselves, Nigeria and the developing world. He will very likely admonish youngsters to quit the short-term mentality that seeks immediate reward through technological pranks and outright technological criminality by re-directing their efforts towards true innovation. In so doing, Wozniak will be providing to Nigerians, the perfect example of someone who walks his talk. His life has after-all largely been underscored by innovation.

Okoruwa works for XLR8, a communications management consultancy.

TheGuardian

54 | Sunday, February 16, 2014

www.ngrguardiannews.com

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Opinion How Committee Keeps Trouble Alive!

T is said that when a person faces life-threatening danger, the person’s life rolls before the eyes life a documentary of every crucial point of that life. Trouble felt this way as the Gang Leader came towards him pointing his silencered pistol to the space between Trouble’s eyes. Five hundred years of Troubles on the continent and then in the diaspora and again back in the Promised Land and yet no solace! How long and how many generations of Trouble must exist before Trouble’s clan is delivered? As if in answer to his prayers, Gang Leader falls on his knees, drops his pistol and falls on his face. Two powerful arms gather Trouble and lift him out of the bus. Outside, a helicopter whose blades were rotating, ready to lift off, was roaring. Trouble was shoved into the back seat and the helicopter lifted off, shifted directions and flew to the airport off Oba-Ile Road and into safety. Trouble must be kept alive.

And Trouble found himself staying the weekend in a posh house. The house is modern to the extent that there are all the modern gadgets that a modern house would have anywhere in the world. There were paintings on the walls, pictures as well and dirty finger marks as well. There were carpets of obvious oriental origin but already covered in mud.

There was a smell of a menagerie all over the place and the undried wetness of the thick carpets. And the air-conditioners leaked water and when the electricity went, as it did every so often, if the air-conditioners were not reswitched on they would not work. Going upstairs was a health risk because of the irregular heights of the steps. And day and night,

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whenever electricity, went darkness was the order.

There were choice cars in the garage. Top of the lot was a Phantom Rolls Royce in burgundy colour. Next to it was a a Bentley in pristine cream colour. There was a Range Rover Sports for the fifteen year old scion of the family. And there was also the regulation S series Mercedes Benz which you enter and start looking for where to sit, so ample was the space within. There were also some smaller yanna speed freaks like Alfa Romeos, Lamborghinis and Maseratis. There was a particular pet of the family, a Citreon, the one like a bull frog capable of inflating itself to double its size before taking to the road. If this family had to move, they had all the wheels and more that they needed.

Trouble was at dinner that Friday evening when it began to rain. Dinner was a buffet – Nigerian food and English diet as they were described. English diet included egg sauce, tinned baked beans and tinned prawns with tomapep, a local version of tomato sauce.

Nigerian food was divided into swallow and grains. Swallow were pounded yam, amala, eba (which some thought only labourers ate) and semolina, all delicacies not chewed in the mouth but helped along the throat by tasty stews of vegetable and egusi and okro and edikaikan and such sundry miracles of the Nigerian kitchen. The grains needed chewing and many Nigerians really do not think, until recently, that such foods were really capable of filling the stomach. They were substitutes for the real thing, the swallow category of food. Trouble missed the

wine. But it seemed that wine was not served with the meal, but only after the meal. Water went with the meal. And there were bottles and bottles of good wine from all the geographical regions of the world.

But none could be drunk until the meal has been eaten!

The rain came down like sheets of water poured out of oceans suddenly left to go.

Outside, the pounding on the roofs and on the grounds was heavy, as if the roof would be beaten down and the ground bean back.

Roof gutters overflowed and gutters on the ground disappeared under the flooding that was taking place under the eyes of everyone. On all sides of the house, waters gathered as if they were coming for a menacing orgy of destruction. Trouble said under his breath there are no roads around the house anymore, just water. The surroundings reminded Trouble of Venice or Aiyetoro or that settlement near Lagos University from Third Mainland Bridge. But those places had boats and water taxis! As the meal was ending, electricity went with a clap of thunder. The rumbling that went with the thunder drowned the groan of everybody. There was no electricity from

the national grid and there was no emergency electricity from the two generators in the house because of the fact that there was no diesel. There was no diesel in the house because there had been no diesel in the city for some time because none of the local refineries refined anything. So, in darkness and in gloom, with touch lights and candles with their balloons of brightness, Trouble went to bed. He was not happy. Even if he could not drink the wine with his food, he could at least drink it after them but there was no light to open the bottles, said the father of the house.

That was not all that he said. Trouble wanted to know if he heard of Site and Service as an aspect of building in new areas. The father of the house said such things don’t work in Nigeria because our people don’t care for them. You see, we do our own thing. By tomorrow morning, there will be no roads and we will not be able to drive out of this house. But don’t worry. I have decided to build a heliport on top of the house so that my helicopter can land on the roof of the house and then we can always get away! So said the father of the house.

Stop The Nonsense At UNN

By James Ubadike VERY well meaning citizen must be flabbergasted at the determination of some shadowy forces to turn the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, (UNN) into a most rustic village primary school, a far cry from the lofty vision of the founding fathers to make it an exemplary higher institution to make a statement of colossal global consequence on behalf of the Blackman everywhere in the world. The battle cry in some quarters now is that an indigene of the Nsukka senatorial zone must be the vice chancellor of this institution, Nigeria’s first full-fledged indigenous university, which was created in 1960, the year of independence. This battle cry was first heard in the mass media three years ago when a race was on for the post of the UNN vice chancellor. Someone from outside the Nsukka zone was eventually appointed based on merit, provoking the shadowy forces to swear to make the place ungovernable for him. These parochial forces could not be consoled by the fact that Professor Bato Okolo is from Enugu State, the host state of the university.

They got emboldened when an Nsukka indigene, Dr Emeka Enejere, was last year appointed the pro chancellor of the UNN governing council. Things then became more difficult. Okolo, a former professor at Obafemi Awolowo University, could not understand why this foremost federal institution should be turned into an exclusive preserve of people from just one senatorial zone in the country. He could not understand why staff appointments should be indefensibly lopsided or how a university, which is perennially cash, strapped could provide amenities like electricity free to communities around it at a time of astronomically increasing electricity bills. Which public university has done so? Meanwhile, the vice chancellor has

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JAW JAW By Didi Onu

been facing one probe or another.

To save the university from further self-inflicted misery, the Federal Government has decided to separate Dr Enejere from the UNN. Hell has consequently been let loose. Sections of the media have been mobilized to declare war on the Federal Ministry of Education over Enejere’s removal. Every person of Nsukka extraction holding any significant position, whether in the non academic staff union or the Ohaneze youth wing, has been told to see the action as genocide against the people of this senatorial district. The propaganda is akin to the type we saw in Biafra, marked by xenophobia, paranoia and an outright rejection of the notion of peaceful co-existence. In a wellcirculated written statement in the media, a person said to be the Ohaneze youth leader says, “the UNN is Dr Enejere and Dr Enejere the UNN”. The statement is reminiscent of the infamous declaration of King Louis X1 who said: “I am France, and after me comes a deluge!” This hubristic statement was one of the immediate critical factors, which led to the famous 1789 French Revolution in which the bourgeois got guillotined.

Still, in Nigeria of the 21st Century a so-called academic would get his minions to declare that he is, indeed, the University of Nigeria and the UNN him. Have our values and sense of proportion collapsed so calamitously that there is now no difference between an academic and rabble-rouser?

The Igboland must be in a profound social crisis. Can you imagine a group of scholars in, say, the Akoka community shout from the rooftops that they will make the University of Lagos ungovernable unless the vice chancellor is from their senatorial zone? Can such a thing happen at the University of Ibadan or Obafemi Awolowo University at Ife or at Ahmadu Bello University at Zaria? The answer is hell no! The supreme irony is that while some elements of Nsukka extraction want

to create the impression that they are discriminated against by not having one of their number as the UNN vice chancellor, they have carefully turned a blind eye to the fact that an Nsukka person, Professor Hilary Edoga, is the vice chancellor of Michael Okpara University at Umudike, Abia State, and that another one, Professor Cyprian Onyeji, is the vice chancellor at the Enugu State University. How would latter-day Nsukka ultra nationalists feel if people from the senatorial zones where these universities are sited should rise up in arms against the smooth administration of the institutions because these vice chancellors are non-indigenes?

The UNN must be saved from backward-looking elements.

Who would have imagined that the UNN Law Faulty, which once paraded such great minds as Professors Ben Nwabueze, Edwin Nwogwugwu, Cyprian Okonkwo, etc, could ever fail to meet the National University Commission’s accreditation test? The immediate past UNN vice chancellor, Professor Chinedu Nebo, who is the current Minister of Power, used to bemoan the fact that its medical school was publishing the least number of academic articles among first generation universities when he assumed office. And yet this is the university, which up to 2001 was rated by the NUC to have the most rigorous academic programmes in Nigeria.

As the ongoing simulated crisis at the University of Nigeria indicates, if there is any group of people marginalizing the Igbo, it must be a handful of our own folk who are parochial, backward, opportunistic and greedy. The Great Zik of Africa who established the UNN as a first class liberal university “to restore the dignity of man” must be turning in his grave in utter disappointment at the attitude and antics of some of its stakeholders. Enough of all this nonsense.

• Ubadike is an engineering consultant in Abuja.

Sunday, February 16, 2014 55

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

POLITICS

EDUNAM: Governance Has Not Touched Eket, Akwa Ibom’s Cash Cow Dr Effiong Edunam is a former commissioner in Akwa Ibom State and former lecturer at the University of Calabar. A key player in the Oron Think Tank, the organisation driving the emergence of an Oron as next governor of the state, he told WILLIE ETIM in Uyo, that by the doctrine of fairness and equity, the Oron ethnic nationality deserves to produce the next governor.

How will you assess the polity so far?

ELL, It has been the policy of the PDP, which controls Akwa Ibom not to heat up the polity. I will rather say we have progressed into 2014. It is obvious that whoever has any stake or interest in what will happen in 2015 must begin to work towards it now. In Akwa Ibom State, I think the greatest show in town is the succession politics; who is going to succeed Chief Godswill Akpabio at the Hilltop mansion come 2015? As a citizen from Oron section of Akwa Ibom State, I consider my own people a major stakeholder in whatever will happen in 2015 and that is what is dominating the politics of Akwa Ibom State at the moment.

How would you rate governance in the past seven years?

Akpabio has been generally acclaimed as having performed exceptionally in infrastructural development. I think anybody who comes into Akwa Ibom agrees with that assessment. But if you actually live in Akwa Ibom, it will be fair to say that Akpabio’s uncommon transformation has transformed Uyo and Ikot Ekpene Senatorial Districts. It has not touched Eket Senatorial district where the resources that generate the money used in running the state come from.

There is nothing in the Oron area. No road, no School, nothing in the tenure of this administration. Eket Senatorial District generally, Ibeno that has the terminal of Mobil does not even have a road to it. You have to go through Esit Eket to reach Ibeno. Other places in the Senatorial district of Eket attest to this kind of uncommon neglect. But that of Oron really stands out given the fact that eighty percent of all derivable revenue from oil that comes to Akwa Ibom comes from Oron. If Akwa Ibom State receives N10 billon from the federation account, Oron can lay claim to N8 billon out of that. Yet, there is absolutely nothing to show for it.

Did Oron not vote for Akpabio; or what is responsible for this uncommon neglect?

Well, that question should be addressed to the governor himself. We cannot answer for him, why nothing, nothing, I emphasize, is happening in Eket Senatorial District. His numerous deputy governors do not even have roads to their homes, not one, which should come through the benefit of occupying that office. So if he cannot do it for people who work so closely with him, who else would he do for?

The East-West road is a federal project. So the governor himself has to answer why the people that produce all the resources and had patiently helped to develop other parts of the state have nothing to show for it.

Would it be correct to say Eket senatorial district is not happy with Akpabio?

Democracy is to bring dividends and if you do not see dividends it is obvious that you will not be happy. So if the people are not happy, they have a reason. And even the issue of who will succeed him, the governor had been promoting Umana Umana, his secretary up to the point that they fell apart. And he is not from Eket. Eket is the largest senatorial district in Akwa Ibom State with 12 local governments and produces the resources we put on the sharing table.

Those who have been ruling don’t have greater stake to the development of the state than the people who produce the resources.

were critical contributors in making Obong Victor Attah the governor of Akwa Ibom State.

The case of Chief Godswill Akpabio, if Otu Ita Toyo who was the state chairman of PDP at the time had allowed the run-off, which was to take place after the first primary was stalemated, the result would have been different. If he had accepted inducements offered to favour the former governor’s son-in-law, the result would have been different.

But he made sure that the run-off did not take place and that the ticket was given to Godswill Akpabio.

We have paid our dues. And apart from that, we have patiently offered the state the resources with which to develop other areas.

And so we are also asking the other ethnic components of the state to be gracious enough to support an Oron candidate to emerge because we are not second-class citizens. We are full citizens of Akwa Ibom State and we have done enough to justify what we are asking for.

Eket people also have the same argument, so how do you reconcile the two?

Eket has how many local government and Oron has how many? So if you are going to give priority to anybody you must start from Oron.

Besides, whether in the military or in civilian, no Oron man has ever been a governor.

Clement Isong from Eket had been the governor of Cross River State, standing on the shoulder of an Oron man named Senator Victor Akan. Esuene had been military governor.

Remember, Chief Ufot Ekaete was the secretary to the federal government, which Obasanjo said was equivalent to three ministers. Eket had been loaded. All through the years, only Eket produced representatives in the NDDC. This is the first time an Oron man has been appointed into the board of NDDC. It never happened before. Until this appointment, no government, no administrasituation of the succession to the current gover- tion in Akwa Ibom had ever admitted that nor of Akwa Ibom State challenges our sense of Oron was oil producing. Even when we recovered 76 oil wells from Cross River, they are religiosity and spiritualism.

Have the Oron people reached out to other sec- hanging in the air because they are not ascribed to any place. I know Bakassi was part tions of the state on the 2015 governorship of race?

Well, our interface with others has gone a long the old Oron local government Area, part of Mbo. So if Mbo were not oil producing, where way. Oron people had helped other ethnic would the oil wells belong? If you draw a groups in this state produce governors when straight line from the Akwa Ibom coast down they had the opportunity. When Esuene was the military governor in Southeastern state and toward Equatorial Guinea, you will see that 80 per cent of all the oil platforms are in Oron at a time the state was so broke, he could not waters because Akwa Ibom is essentially an offpay salaries; it was an Oron man, the late Chief shore oil producing state. Oil Lawrence Etim who brought in money to rescompanies are operating in Oron territory, yet cue that situation. When Clement Isong wanted to run for governor in Cross River state, Oron not one local government area from Oron was classified by successive administrations, for people rallied round to make him a governor.

When Chief Donald Etiebet ran for governor in purely political reasons, as oil producing. It Cross River State, Oron people were critical ele- took the visit of the National Assembly, five committees of the National Assembly, at our ments in the struggle to put him in that office.

We can also say same of Obong Akpan Isemin. own expense, which came to do verifications, We brought Liberal Convention, the three of us using helicopters, boats and things like that before they went and passed a resolution to the – myself, Otu Ita Toyo and the late Iyanam effect that Oron must be classified as oil probrought Liberal Convention from the ducing local government.

Constituent Assembly in 1989 to Akwa Ibom A fact, which was conveyed by the secretary to State. When General Babangida banned the federal government to the governor of political associations, we converted Liberal Convention, which was adjudged the strongest Akwa Ibom State and the governor, has now justified the inclusion of Etim Iyanag (Jnr) in of the political associations in Akwa Ibom to the NDDC board as a function of recognition of National Republican Convention and that was Oron. But we say that is not enough because the platform Chief Akpan Isemin used to for more than 40 years, we have been denied become the governor. Chief yanam was the the benefits even when we suffered chairman of Akpan Isemin’s caucus; a state the disastrous consequences of oil exploitacoordinator of the party and Akpan Isemin tion. Therefore, this government owes us in emerged as governor. Obong Victor Attah was arrears. the next elected governor. Myself, Chief Okon How ready are the Oron people for the 2015 Osung, Chief Jerry Okpo and the late Chief Joe Ating, who was the state chairman of the party, governorship race?

Well, Akpabio’s emergence wasn’t a function of the readiness of the Annangs. Attah’s emergence wasn’t on the account of the readiness of the Ibibios. Oron people are going to put forward credible aspirants for the race of the governorship for Akwa Ibom people to choose one.

It is not an Oron governorship. The person will be an Akwa Ibom governor of Oron extraction. Already, those who have emerged have given us hope that Akwa Ibom people cannot claim they haven’t found from the array of Oron politicians that have shown interest, somebody they can choose to lead Akwa Ibom State.

• It’ll Only Be Fair If Next Governor Comes From Oron

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Akpabio So, it is criminal to neglect Eket to that level.

That is why those who are playing the politics of succession in this state this year must be very careful, because any attempt to take the rein of power from what we consider the turn of Eket senatorial district to any other place will bring catastrophe to the state.

Can you expatiate on that, what kind of catastrophe do you mean?

Akwa Ibom State is the largest oil producing state in Nigeria. And in Akwa Ibom State, Eket Senatorial district produces the oil. So, if Eket senatorial district is not happy, can the state be happy? And you cannot tell in what manner the people of Eket Senatorial District will express their grievances.

The governor has endorsed the zoning of power to Eket senatorial district. But it looks like the people of the district are yet to agree on where the candidate should come from?

That kind of precondition or consensus has never been imposed on any section of the state that produced the governor before. So, it cannot start from Eket Senatorial District. Eket Senatorial District is made up of 12 local governments and Oron; third largest ethnic group in the state has five out of the twelve local governments. And our kindred who also produce oil, Eastern Obolo and Ibeno add up to make it seven. Together, they produce all the 99.9 percent of all the oil in Akwa Ibom. So, Akwa Ibom cannot say they do not know where power should go in 2015 if they have any sense of fairness, any sense of justice and any sense of equity. Moreover, you are aware that our state probably has the largest number of churches per capita in the world. This goes to show that our people are religious. The

We have paid our dues. And apart from that, we have patiently offered the state the resources with which to develop other areas.

And so we are also asking the other ethnic components of the state to be gracious enough to support an Oron candidate to emerge because we are not second-class citizens. We are full citizens of Akwa Ibom State and we have done enough to justify what we are asking for

THe GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

56 Sunday, February 16, 2014

NeWSeXTRA National Confab: Religious Group Advocates Review Of Modalities From Nkechi Onyedika, Abuja FAITH-based human rights A organisation, Stefanos Foundation, has urged the Federal Government to review modalities for the proposed National Conference, to include more ethnic nationalities.

Speaking at a workshop for ethnic leaders in Abuja, yesterday, the Foundation’s Programme Coordinator and convener of the workshop, Mark Lipdo, noted that the 20 per cent representation given to the ethnic nationalities is grossly inadequate and wondered how their interest would be taken care of when over 80 per cent of the delegates would be government officials.

He insisted that issues concerning Nigerian people should be given more priority at the confab while calling for decentralisation of power to take care of diversity of the country.

Rotary Club Celebrates International Understanding Month

By Paul Adunwoke THe Rotary club of Lagos, District 9110 under the Chairmanship of Dr. Michael Omolayole, will be celebrating international understanding month on Wednesday February 19th 2014 with the theme, peace and conflict resolution in collaboration with the Chris Ogunbanjo Foundation Centre and the Nigeria Institute of International affair.

The event will take place at the Nigeria Institute of International affairs along Kofo Abayomi Street in Victoria Island, Lagos. Former Secretary general of United Nations; professor Ibrahim Gambari, and a renowed scholar, and also Technocrat, professor Akin Mabogunje, are the guest speakers of the programme.

The programme will enlighten the members of the club and also the public on peace and conflict resolution.

Top Artistes, Comedians Grace Okonkwo’s Wedding eADING artistes and comeLdingdians will grace the wedceremony of Uche Harris Okonkwo and Miss Nkiru Chidinma eze-Christopher’s wedding ceremony, which holds February 22 at the Oriental Hotels, Victoria Island.

Uche is son of Sen. Annie Okonkwo. The intending couple both graduated from the Ivy League universities abroad. They met at the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) camp, Abuja. Since then, the love has blossom.

The solemnisation of the union will hold at the Catholic Church of Assumption, Falomo Ikoyi. After which a grand reception follows at the Oriental Hotels.

What does the future hold for these children at Makoko, Yaba, Lagos?

PHOTO: AYODELE ADENIRAN

Valentine Tragedy: Death Toll Hits 27 From Lawrence Njoku (Enugu) and Joseph Wantu (Makurdi) He police in enugu, yesterT day, confirmed that death of the accident at the popular Oji River Wonderful Market, which occurred February 14, has hit 27.

A trailer loaded with stones was descending the old enugu-Onitsha Highway when its brake failed. It rammed into the market, destroying goods, cars and motorcycles while killing many p e o p l e .

The Guardian, which visited the scene of the accident, re-

• As Fire Consumes Couple ported that about twelve people died at the evening of Friday while there were ongoing efforts to recover m o r e bodies from the rubble.

The police in a statement signed by Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ebere Amaraizu, yesterday, confirmed that 27 persons have died so far.

The statement reads: “At least 27 persons have been confirmed dead on February 14 in an accident that oc-

curred at the Wonderful Oji River market.

“It was gathered that the accident allegedly occurred when the brake of a lorry conveying gravel allegedly failed and lost control thereby killing people in the vicinity.”

He stated that investigations have commenced with a view to unraveling the actual number of victims as well as the likely cause of the incident.

In a related development, a husband and his pregnant

wife were on Valentines Day burnt to death in a midnight inferno that engulfed their home located at Akpehe close to Saviour Model Nursery and Primary School, Makurdi, the Benue State capital. eye witnesses account revealed that the inferno, which was believed to have been caused by electrical spark, started from the parlor at about 2.am, trapping the newly married couple Raymond Avaan and his Wife, Florence in their home.

One of the sympathisers,

IBM’s Researcher, Stewart, Features On Glo/CNN African Voices

Slain Newswatch editor, Obadina, Buried He remains of the late Asout by the elder brother, deceased stated.

YI Stewart of IBM, a NigerT sistant editor, Saturday Oluyinka Obadina, detailing After the body of the late jourU ian, will, this week, feature Newswatch, Oluwatoyin where he was born, educanalist was interred, editor of on the CNN’s African Voices, a Obadina, was buried at his Adamo residence, Ikorodu, Lagos State, yesterday, after a short funeral service.

The funeral service, officiated by pastors of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Lagos Province 21, Zone 9, Master Key Parish, was a moment of reflection on the purpose of mankind and life after death.

One of the pastors, Johnson Osakwe, who gave the sermon, exhorted people to live a meaningful life and to be mindful of the hereafter.

“Live your life with the consciousness of where you are going to. I enjoin anyone that has not accepted Jesus Christ into his/her live to do so,” he urged.

He continued: “I know we are here because of what has happened (pointing at the white and gold casket containing the remains of the late Obadina), but we have to learn to say it is well with my soul.”

The bible reading was taken by first daughter of the deceased, Ayomide Obadina, after which a brief biography of the late journalist was read

tional pursuits and married life.

“He was born in Abeokuta on November 17, 1963 to the family of Mr and Mrs Obadina. He had an OND in Mass Communication and graduated from the University of Lagos in 1991 with a B.sc in Mass Communication. He worked in several media houses, the last being Saturday Newswatch, where he was a deputy editor.

He was married to Abiola, a union that produced three children,” the brother of the

Sunday Newswatch, Mr. Olanrewaju Oyetade, gave a testimony on the kind of man the late Obadina was.

He said: “The following words describe the late Obadina: diligence, gentility and loyalty to the system for which he worked.”

Oyetade went on to restate the commitment of the Group Managing Director (GMD) of energy Group and Publisher of Newswatch Newspapers, Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim, to the family of the deceased.

APC Shops For Women Members In Imo From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri N desperate approach to capIicalture the Southeast geo-politzone, the All Progressives Congress (APC), has commissioned a membership drive to recruit at least 1,350 individuals to form APC Women Vanguard in Imo State.

Disclosing this while addressing women stakeholders of the party in Owerri, Froday, the Southeast Women Coordi-

who simply gave his name as Terso, told The Guardian that the victims actually tried to escape from the raging fire, but was prevented by the burglary doors.

“We heard them shouting for help and we came out to help them but the intensity of the fire did not allow us move close to them. When the fire started, they both struggled to the door but were overwhelmed by the inferno. We watched helplessly as they died; it’s so sad we couldn’t do anything to save them.”

nator, Mrs. Tina Adike, said each Local council would enlist 50 women to form the group.

She said: “Our governor has asked me to form the rescue mission vanguard. For this reason, I request from you 50 women from each local government area that will form the APC Women Vanguard”.

Adike said she would form next week embark on Southeast tour of the party to sensitize women and ascertain the actual database.

30-minute magazine programme sponsored by Globacom.

Stewart, a computer guru, who moved to Kenya from his New York base, is the Chief Scientist at IBM Research, Africa, IBM’s first research laboratory in the continent.

In his new role, which he assumed August 2013, from the

TJ Watson Research Centre in New York, Stewart spearheads innovation for a vast emerging market that is rapidly growing and embracing new technologies.

He leads development of advanced systems to help resolve Africa’s most pressing challenges and is responsible for technical strategy and programme management across eight global laboratories.

LAUTeCH Gets Substantive VC He Governing Council of T the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTeCH), Ogbomoso, has appointed Professor Adeniyi Sulaiman Gbadegesin as the substantive Vice Chancellor of the institution.

His appointment, contained in a letter dated February 13, 2014 and signed by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the University, Professor Wale Omole, said the appointment was for a duration of five years, non renewable.

Gbadegesin, a professor of Geography was educated at the University of Ibadan where he bagged a B.Sc (First Class Honours) in 1979, as the best graduating student in Geography. After the mandatory National Youth Service in Bauchi State, he enrolled for a postgraduate Master’s programme in Geography also of the University of Ibadan, completing it in 1981. His brilliance again showed when he completed the Ph.D programme within a record time of three years in 1984.

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Sunday, February 16, 2014

FOREIGNNEWS MPs Brawl In Parliament As Erdoğan Wins Judiciary Vote TURKEY HE Turkish parliament has T passed a law that would tighten the government’s grip

Members of parliament from the ruling AK Party (AKP) and the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) scuffle during a debate on a draft law which will give the government tighter control over the appointment of judges and prosecutors, at a parliamentary session in Ankara… yesterday.

PHOTO: AFP

on the judiciary after a heated debate and brawl in which an opposition MP was put in hospital.

The legislation, which would give the justice ministry increased control over the higher council of judges and prosecutors, which appoints and oversees judges and prosecutors, was endorsed yesterday.

Local media reported that Ali Ihsan Kokturk, MP for the main opposition Republican People’s party, was taken to hospital with a broken nose.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s government proposed the bill as it fights a corruption scandal that implicated colleagues, friends and supporters.

Erdoğan claims the charges are a conspiracy orchestrated

by followers of US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, whose Islamic movement he claims has infiltrated the police and judiciary.

The opposition says the bill, which still needs the president’s approval, limits the judiciary’s independence.

Nationalist Movement party deputy Ozcan Yeniceri criticised the bill, saying it was aimed at “meeting the needs of the AK party” to obstruct the corrupt investigation in which dozens of prominent business people, the sons of three cabinet ministers, and state officials were questioned.

The government has reassigned or dismissed thousands of police officers and hundreds of judges and prosecutors since the corruption scandal erupted on December 17.

The Republican People’s party said on Thursday it would appeal against the bill in the constitutional court if it was approved in parliament.

Peace Talks Break Up As UN Envoy Fails To End Deadlock SYRIA HE UN special envoy for Syria T failed to break the deadlock in Geneva between the Assad regime and the opposition amid fears that the peace talks could collapse altogether.

UN-Arab League mediator Lakhdar Brahimi ended direct talks between the two sides after less than half an hour yesterday, leaving the future of the negotiations in doubt.

Brahimi told a news conference that he had proposed an agenda for a further round of talks that would focus first on ending the violence and then cover how to create a transitional governing body.

“Unfortunately, the government has refused,” he said, adding that he would now seek consultations with the US and Russia, the main sponsors of the peace conference, and the UN to see how to proceed.

“Everybody needs to go back to their base and we will contact each

Two Die As Fierce Storms Continue UNITED KINGDOM WO people have died as strong winds and heavy rain hit southern England, adding to problems already caused by widespread storms and flooding.

An 85-year-old man died after a freak wave hit a British cruise ship in the English Channel.

In central London, a 49-year-old female taxi driver was killed when her car was crushed by falling masonry.

More than 120,000 homes are without power and severe weather warnings are in place for much of the UK. Energy Networks Association spokesman Tim Field said there had been “some really quite significant damage overnight”.

But Energy Minister Michael Fallon said power companies had “upped their game” since the storms around Christmas.

“I think they’re communicating better, but they were coping last

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night with one of the worst nights of the winter,” he told the BBC. Winds of up 83mph (133km/h) combined with ongoing problems due to flooding - have also caused major disruption to roads and railways.

The government’s emergency committee, Cobra, is expected to meet yesterday and Sunday to discuss the situation.

Labour leader Ed Miliband tweeted: “My thoughts and condolences are with the family and friends of the people killed in the storms last night.”

Yellow “be aware” weather warnings of icy driving conditions are now in place for most of the UK. Across the south of England, Wales and the Midlands there are also warnings of heavy rain.

BBC weather said conditions would improve through the course of yesterday with winds easing and some sunshine developing, although temperatures would drop significantly overnight.

Rescuers Search For Japanese Divers Missing Off Bali INDONESIA NDONESIAN rescuers have been Idivers searching for seven Japanese missing off the island of Bali since Friday.

The search for the group, which includes two instructors, was halted yesterday evening and will resume today.

The seven, all experienced divers, disappeared in bad weather while exploring an area of mangroves.

Conditions were reported to be bad at the time the group disappeared, with heavy winds and strong rains.

“A helicopter was deployed ... to spot victims who might be floating in the water. We have still not found any,” Bali search and rescue agency chief Didi Hamzar told AFP.

“We are putting our best efforts and hopefully we can find them in safe conditions,” he added.

The group were diving near the island of Nusa Penida, a small island some 20km (12 miles) off the coast of Bali itself.

They had gone for two diving trips on Friday morning but failed to return after a third trip in the afternoon.

The Japanese Kyodo agency quoted government officials as saying all members of the party had completed at least 50 dive trips previously, while the instructors were based locally and so knew the area.

Nusa Penida, popular with divers because of crystal clear waters and the opportunity to see rare Ocean Sunfish, is known for treacherous currents.

other to determine the coming date. It is not clear,” Brahimi said.

The sixth consecutive day of talks at the United Nations’ European headquarters came as the violence in Syria continues to escalate.

British-based opposition group, the Syrian Observatory for

Human Rights, said the death toll in the three-year conflict had now reached 140,000, with 5,000 people killed since the first round of peace talks began on January 22.

The UN warned on Friday that more than 2,700 refugees had poured across the Lebanese border as the Syrian army carried out

an offensive in the Qalamun mountains and headed towards the opposition-held town of Yabrud.

Thousands had already fled the town, but as many as 50,000 people were believed to still be inside.

Washington expressed outrage at the aerial bombings and siege of the city.

Fresh Snow Storm Leaves Three Dead, 850 Injured JAPAN FRESH snow storm in Japan A has left three people dead and 850 injured amid further disruptions to the country’s road, rail and air travel services following last week’s deadly blizzard.

Snow began falling on Friday morning in the capital Tokyo and piled up to 26 centimetres by early yesterday, a week after the

heaviest snowfall in decades left at least 11 people dead and more than 1,200 injured across the nation.

A driver was killed on Friday in a crash involving his car and a truck on an icy road in Shiga, central Japan, while a farmer died after a tractor overturned on a snow-covered road in south-western Oita, local media reported.

In a separate snow-related accident, a driver was killed and three others injured on an expressway in

central Shizuoka, the news reports said.

Public broadcaster NHK said some 850 people, including one in a coma, have been injured in snow-related accidents across the nation since snow hit western Japan late Thursday.

Drivers struggled to move their cars in the capital’s residential district of Setagaya, while snow started melting and flooding some roads in downtown Tokyo.

Policeman Dies After Protest Anniversary Bombing POLICEMAN in Bahrain has Khalifa dynasty have ruled over BAHRAIN A died of wounds from a bomb the Shia Muslim majority for blast during protests marking more than 200 years.

Friday’s third anniversary of the country’s uprising.

The interior ministry said he was one of two officers wounded in a “terror blast” in the village of Dair.

Another three policemen were injured by an explosion near the village of Dih. Protesters were marking the 2011 unrest fuelled by demands for more rights and an end to discrimination against the majority Shia community.

On Friday demonstrators attempted to reach the site of a bloody crackdown on demonstrators almost three years ago.

Several demonstrators were reportedly wounded by security forces. The interior ministry said in a statement that 26 people were arrested on suspicion of “rioting and vandalism”.

Police used tear gas to stop them from reaching the Pearl Roundabout, which was a focus of protests in 2011.

Since then, police and demonstrators have scuffled almost daily. Thousands of people have been arrested.

Associated Press quoted the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights as saying 38 protesters had been hurt in clashes since Thursday evening, with injuries caused by birdshot fire, tear gas and beatings.

The government and opposition have held two rounds of fruitless reconciliation talks, with a third expected soon.

The protesters are mostly from poorer, Shia areas in the villages outside the capital.

Protesters have repeatedly used burning tyres and other debris as a tactic to block police vehicles from entering Shia areas.

Sunni Muslims are a minority in the country but through the al-

The small island country is a key US ally in the Gulf and hosts the US Navy’s 5th Fleet.

Bahrain is also closely allied with Saudi Arabia, which in 2011 sent troops into the country to help the government quell the uprising.

Fresh Coalition Cabinet After 10 Months NEW government has been A formed in Lebanon after 10 months of talks.

Prime Minister Tammam Salam, is to head a cabinet split equally between two opposing factions the Hezbollah-led pro-Syria group and the Western-leaning March 14th movement led by Saad Hariri.

A further eight ministers have been nominated by President Michel Suleiman, who occupies the middle ground.

Lebanon has been rocked by violence spilling over from the Syrian conflict in which both sides are involved.

Shia Hezbollah fighters on the ground have backed government forces, while the Sunni-based March 14th side has supported the rebels.

The announcement of a new power-sharing cabinet brings to an end an uneasy vacuum in Lebanon, says the BBC. When Tammam Salam was asked to form a new government last April - following the resigna-

LEBANON tion of Najib Mikati - he had the support of all sides, and he said he did not expect the task of assembling a new cabinet to take long.

The fact that it has taken more than 10 months is testimony to the bitterness of the political divide in Lebanon and the extreme difficulty of getting all sides to agree to the nomination of ministers, especially to certain sensitive posts, our correspondent says.

“After 10 months of efforts, of patience, a government protecting the national interest is born,” said Prime Minister Salam in his announcement on Lebanese television.

“It is a unifying government and the best formula to allow Lebanon to confront challenges,” Mr Salam said.

From the Shia-led March 8th faction, former Energy Minister Gebran Bassil will be foreign minister, and former Health Minister Ali Hassan Khalil takes over at the finance ministry.

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INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

Nigeria, The AU, ECOWAS And The National Interest Recently, the 22nd African Union (AU) summit ended in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with renewed commitment to regional peace and food security. Our special guest analyst ambassador Ayo Adeniran takes a look at Nigeria’s national interest as a leading member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and how that plays out in the politics of the AU. Need For Today’s Projection Of Nigeria’s National Interest HERE are always no better stage to dress up the national interest and give it visibility and acceptance than at multilateral forums and major summits such as the AU summit that has just ended. In international politics, states, no matter how small or powerful, strive to promote their national interests, which could be core, secondary or peripheral in diverse ways.

Core interests include protection of the territorial integrity of the state and its institutions from internal and external threats; and protecting its citizens abroad. Historically and in contemporary times, states have gone to war to protect their core national interests. It is that serious.

And we cannot be fading off the radar if there are consistent efforts at advancing the national interest.

Another reality of international political life is that states join bilateral or multilateral institutions or bodies either at the continental or regional level, because of broad convergence of national interests. In doing so, states are guided by the fact that there are certain vital national interest goals that are better pursued within multilateral arrangements such as the Pan-continental African Union, or its regional counterpart, the ECOWAS. However, states also pursue parochial national interests within such organizations once they have been successfully put in place. This truism about international political life holds for Nigeria as other African, West African states and indeed the rest of the world.

Without going into details, it would be recalled that Nigeria has not hesitated to pursue perceived national interests within the AU and its predecessor, the Organization of African Unity, OAU, and ECOWAS from time to time, since the creation of the organizations.

Where Does Foreign Policy Come In? T can be argued in that regard, and from such a standpoint, that states use foreign policy to achieve national interests in the international system. This is why the two concepts, national interest and foreign policy, are inseparable.

Indeed, success or failure in foreign policy, all things being equal, is measured in terms of whether or not it is able to advance perceived national interest objective or goal. It is incontrovertible that Nigeria’s membership the AU and ECOWAS is informed by the need for the country to achieve certain national, regional, continental and even global interests that would ordinarily, not be achieved independently or alone. Thus what has been the subject of debate among scholars, policy makers and the enlightened public in the country is the extent to which it has been able to promote, achieve and sustain its national interest within the two bodies, or in other international fora at large. There is also growing debate as to whether or not the country should have invested vast scarce resources in pursuit of goals within the two organizations and regions or not; and whether the returns from such investments justify the huge sums expended. Most of the cases or examples that are regularly or often cited are the expenditures Nigeria made in Southern Africa, especially, Angola and South Africa, during the antiapartheid struggle in the pariah state.

So, foreign policy is the live wire of diplomatic communication and should convey our interests and goals. It should also be used to meet the new security threats that Boko haram constitutes. I have stated it at experts’ meeting, the need for scenery between the Nigerian security apparatus and the agencies and organs of identified countries on the continent and beyond, leveraging on what we are doing within ECOWAS. That’s why you have the sidelines of meetings for things you cannot put on the table for strategic reasons.

A New Role For Nigeria Nigeria championed the cause of Africa and its people, including those in the Diaspora, long before it became independent in 1960. Nigeria’s Africa policy was influenced by the informal but potent concept of the three concentric circles: West Africa, Africa and the rest of the world. The perceptions of Nigeria’s leaders of their country’s role in the international system vis-à-vis

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President Goodluck Jonathan among other dignitaries at the 22nd African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Africa, people of African descent and the rest of the world, is that the country has a manifest destiny given its enviable endowment of both human and natural resources which made it stand apart from the rest of Africa in the continent. Nigeria’s leaders then and now believe that they have a leadership role to play in Africa and indeed, the world at large. In such a situation, it will be inappropriate for the country to pursue a policy of isolation or ‘minding its own business’ so to speak. Of course, Nigeria’s Afro-centric foreign policy has been criticized by some as been too soft or ‘Father Christmas’. But in a world of sovereign independent states, a brash foreign policy would hardly yield the desired effects even

by America, the world’s sole Super Power. This is why Nigeria has never given the impression that it is a bully in spite of the disproportionate economic, human and natural resources at its disposal, against other African states, no matter how weak and small they may be. This explains why it was able to lead the moderate majority within the African unity movement in the run up to the formation of the OAU in Addis Ababa in 1963. Nigeria’s role in those events was so pronounced that the OAU Charter was dubbed ‘made in Nigeria and exported to Addis Ababa’, in 1963. Thereafter, Nigerian leaders very much believed that championing an end to racism and apartheid in Southern Africa was in their country’s national interest, and that no sacrifice would be too much to make to achieve majority rule in Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, and of course, South Africa.

Nigeria’s leaders and the intelligentsia, believed, and rightly so, that Apartheid was offensive to the integrity of black people anywhere in the world since it was based on the pigmentation of the skin. Thus, the earlier it was ended the better for Nigeria and the rest of Africa since that would enhance the dignity of blacks anywhere in the world. Nigeria created the National Committee Against Apartheid, NACA, to sensitize the populace on the evils of, and threats apartheid posed to its national security and interest. Funds were raised to also assist the anti-colonial and anti apartheid struggles in Southern Africa in the 1970s. Nationalists were given asylum in Nigeria and those that wanted to go to school were given scholarships to facilitate their education. Nigeria also contributed huge financial and economic resources to the anti-apartheid and anti-colonial struggles in the rest of the African continent.

Given all that background, the call today is the use of the primordial goodwill. Nigeria still has it. And the other day, the president, Goodluck Jonathan made references to it in Addis. The time to build on this is now and one of the platforms to use is our membership of the UN Security Council.

The Danger Of Isolationist Foreign Policy Yes, Nigeria may not have accessed the desired

dividends from its myriad investments it made in the colonial and anti apartheid struggles in Southern Africa, but that is not sufficient reason for the country to pursue an isolationist foreign policy towards African countries. After all, leadership in the international system is earned not won, and winning the respect of other states may even involve making investments from which they do not expect dividends or returns.

This holds true for all the major countries of the world. Indeed, states spend huge sums of money in small countries in Africa and elsewhere for which no returns are expected. No one will seriously argue that Nigeria did not earn the respect and even admiration of other countries within and outside Africa, for the huge sacrifice it made in Southern Africa, which no doubt speeded the collapse of colonial rule and apartheid in Southern Africa. Although Nigeria may not have benefited directly from the end of apartheid in South Africa, black majority in other countries in the region, Africa and indeed the rest of the world, are today much better off because apartheid has ended in South Africa. Nelson Mandela is a global icon and towering image even in death, has enhanced the dignity of the Blackman and the black race across the world.

That cannot be quantified in financial or economic terms and Nigeria deserves a lot of credit for championing the cause of South Africa’s liberation from racist minority regimes and the release of Mandela after twenty years in prison, to lead his country to majority rule. The outpouring of grief and love following his demise late last year and the number of world leaders that attended his funeral attested to his towering personality and influence in the world. Again, the dividends cannot be quantified in monetary terms. In short, a policy of isolation or fortress Nigeriana because of our experience in Southern Africa is misplaced and unnecessary. Great nations do not pursue isolationist policies, especially in an age of breathtaking globalization.

Nigeria should engage Africa and the world but in ways that are consistent with its national interest at all times.

Begin from West Africa

The same arguments hold with respect to Nigeria’s West African policy, much more than the rest of Africa or the world at large, because it is located in the region. More importantly, unlike human beings, states cannot relocate when their neighbours or neighbourhoods become hostile or violent. This explains Nigeria’s championship of regional economic and possibly political integration. It had explained its heroic interventions in Liberia, Sierra Leone and more recently in Mali. The reality is that Nigeria cannot remain an island of prosperity and development when it is surrounded by less endowed neighbours who would definitely continue to need its support as the most populous and powerful country in the region. In all this, national interest has clearly guided Abuja’s West Africa foreign policy and engagements. To be sure, huge amounts of scarce financial resources and invaluable manpower in the region to restore law and order in some ECOWAS members, but the alternative could have been much more costly; in terms of political and economic chaos in Liberia and Sierra Leone, huge refugee population in Nigeria and other ECOWAS member states, and finally stunted national and economic development and regional integration. As the popular cliché goes, without security there can be no development and without development, there can be no security. It is therefore in Nigeria’s national interest to ensure that peace and stability reign in West Africa in particular and the rest of Africa in general. After all, a stable and prosperous West African region could be a veritable trading partner, as Nigeria increasingly becomes a commercial hub. In conclusion, it is important for Abuja to continue to engage effectively with both its immediate neighbours and other ECOWAS member countries. This is inevitable and imperative, especially in the light of the ongoing war on terror for which it would need their support and cooperation, if it were to be successful. In short, the verdict remains so far so good. We cannot run away from the application of the concentric circles

Yes, Nigeria may not have accessed the desired dividends from its myriad investments it made in the colonial and anti apartheid struggles in Southern Africa, but that is not sufficient reason for the country to pursue an isolationist foreign policy towards African countries.

After all, leadership in the international system is earned not won, and winning the respect of other states may even involve making investments from which they do not expect dividends or returns. This holds true for all the major countries of the world. Indeed, states spend huge sums of money in small countries in Africa and elsewhere for which no returns are expected.

No one will seriously argue that Nigeria did not earn the respect and even admiration of other countries within and outside Africa, for the huge sacrifice it made in Southern Africa, which no doubt speeded the collapse of colonial rule and apartheid in Southern Africa.

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NEWSEXTRA

Wike Urges New CP To Stop Political Killing

By Kelvin Ebiri S the protracted political situation in Rivers State remains precarious, the new Commissioner of Police, Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin, has been called upon to stop the incessant politically motivated assassination in the state.

The Minister of Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike, made this plea yesterday to CP Ogunsakin, when he visited him in his residence in Port Harcourt.

The minister said prior to the deployment of Mr. Mbu to the state, the Commissioner of Police was directed to arrest people with contrary political view for trump up charges.

According to him, the situation was such that it became practically impossible to hold political meetings in the state, until this was challenged in court by the Peoples Democratic Party stalwarts.

“The outgoing Commissioner of Police has said there was no political assassination.

I want to plead with you, that you should not allow that to happen. Let those of us who

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come from Abuja come peacefully. He who is in Abuja, let him come home without any problem. So, I want to appeal to you to allow those of us who are away to return home peaceful,” he said.

Wike, who said he never knew Mr. Mbu before he was posted to Rivers State, assured the new CP that members of the PDP are no violent people and as such, they should be protected like members of any other political parties.

Mbu advised the new CP to ensure that every tinted Sport Utility Vehicles bearing Rivers State Government plate number is scrutinised and monitored because they are the agents of assassination.

He said he does not bear his critics any grudge so far be has been able to stop the previous situation where a governor sees himself as a master, a Commissioner of Police and a servant.

But the Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, has described Mr. Mbu remarks as baseless and

unfounded. She described the new CP as an intelligent man, who should not take Mr. Mbu serious based on his antecedent.

On his part, Mr. Ogunsakin explained that he had earlier met with Governor Chibuike Amaechi as part of his on going consultation with critical stakeholders in the state.

He said the State Police Command wants everybody to participate in politics legally and lawfully, without harassment and molestation.

According to him, his mission is to ensure peace prevails in the state so that electioneering process will go on unhindered by activities of criminals.

He reiterated that anyone who wants to hold political event must notify the Police Command at least five days to the event so that the police can provide needed protection, adding that failure to comply with this directive will warrant the police to prevent such political gathering from holding.

Don Tasks Government On Quality Education

By Gbenga Akinfenwa STRENGTHENING Nigeria’s public educational system has been described as the only catalyst to revive the near moribund sector, to compete favourably with other countries of the world.

This was the position of Professor Olupona of Harvard University, who said government should put its acts together to revamp the education sector.

for admission into any of the universities across the country,” he stated.

He pointed out that the Nigerian constitution actually makes access to education at

Nwaogu Eyes Governor’s Seat From Gordi Udeajah - ABA HIEF Nkechi Justina C Nwaogu, the second term serving senator for Abia Central, has said she will be the first female elected governor of Abia State.

She said this at the weekend while commissioning the three-classroom block constructed by the MDG for the Owerri Road Primary School 1, Umuocham Osisioma Ngwa local council area.

Nwaogu described the building as one of the goodies God has used her to bring to her people.

She said, “it is very difficult to attract projects from the Federal government, hence it has not been every legislator. It is survival of the fittest. I urge politicians to shun being in the opposition. I did not attract projects to my constituency while I was in the opposition.”

The lawmaker stated that she will contest for the Abia State governorship election on the PDP platform in 2015. “ I know the needs of our people, I will build on what that has been done and being done because governance is a continuum. I pledge to my God that I will be Abia State’s first female elected governor.

Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; eldest daughter of the deceased, Abimbola Abinusawa; and former Governor of Ekiti State, Engr. Segun Oni, during the Funeral of Service in honour of late Chief (Mrs.) Alice Jinadu, at Cathedral Church of Emmanuel, Anglican Communion, Ado-Ekiti... on Friday.

Olupona said, “how can we expect a citizenry that has been denied quality education to see the advantage of supporting investment in public education?

“Even educated Nigerians have somehow come to believe that the public as an enterprise is not worth investing in, forgetting that the Nigerian society at large will suffer grievously if any of its members is deprived of the advantages education can provide,” he said.

The don noted that the quality of secondary education, particularly in public schools, is a major part of the problem facing the country.

“We have been witnessing the repeated reports of cheating and fraud among students taking secondary school examinations such as JAMB, WAEC and SSCE. This will in a way decrease the number of student that could compete

all levels, stressing that a welldefined national primary and secondary school system should not be a privilege.

“It is essential to the building of Nigerian society. Our elementary and secondary schools are critical institutions that socialise and acculturate our children and our youth, which is essential to the concept of the Nigerian nation itself.

“To correct this imbalance, the state must invest in public education, assume ownership of it, and give it significant priority in its scale of preferences.

The state must recognise that the purpose of education is not just to advance private individuals, but also to advance the society at large. Because one of the primary aims of education is to educate the public for the public good, it is the responsibility of the state to ensure that quality public education is available to all citizens,” he stated.

TheGuardian

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Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Sports From Penury...Okigbazi Coasts To New Heights In Wheelchair Sports • How Victor Ochei Wheelchair Basketball Turned Physically Challenged Athletes To Celebrity In USA

Richard Okigbazi

By Gowon Akpodonor S a teenager, Richard Patrick Okigbazi’s A ambition was to become a celebrated footballer, after watching the Italia ’90 FIFA World Cup, where the legendary Roger Milla dazzled the World with the Indomitable Lions of Cameroun.

Milla ignited the World Cup with his bursts of pace, fine dribbles, clever passes and hipwiggling Makossa dance after scoring a goal, and the young Okigbazi quickly fell in love with the game.

Okigbazi, a native of Agenegbode in Edo State, had everything going well for him.

With good physique of a striker, he was always counted among the first eleven players, whenever he showed up at any football pitch. He was nicknamed the ‘Little Commander’ by his fans for his great dribbles and ball distribution in his early days.

Outside the field of soccer, the young lad was brilliant academically. He was combining sports and education so as to position himself well for the challenges of life. His aim

was to become a broadcaster should his plan of becoming a world-class footballer fail.

Unknown to him, something tragic was waiting to cut short his football ambition.

He was still in elementary school at IMG Primary School, Molete, Ibadan, when one of his legs was amputated after he was involved in an accident. It was the beginning of trouble for the young lad, who was just eleven years.

“It was as if the world had come to an end because I was beginning to imagine how possible it would be for me to realize my childhood dream of becoming a celebrated player. Who will provide my basic needs now that I lost one of my legs? So many negative things were running through my mind and there was no one to provide an immediate answer. The experience then was traumatic,” Okigbazi revealed in a chat with The Guardian.

His disability not withstanding, Okigbazi still pushed further his quest for post elementary education at Elewura Community Grammar School in Challenge area of Ibadan.

In some parts of the world, physically challenged (disabled) people are treated with dis-

dain as if they are not part of the society. In most cases, people don’t want to associate with them or give them a chance to showcase their talent.

In Nigeria, it took a group of physically challenged people several years in their battle to get government recognition, especially in sporting activities because some top officials in the nation’s sports then did not consider them as ‘normal’ people. But unknown to such administrators, what some able-bodied men and women athletes cannot do, the physically challenged ones can do, even better.

Despite his condition, Okigbazi believed so much on his physical ability and was always asking God to pave a way for him to prove ‘his ability in disability.’

His prayer was answered after Nigeria’s able-bodied athletes put up a disappointing performance at the London 2012 Olympic Games, where they returned home empty handed despite the huge financial support from the Federal government and some notable individuals. It was the first time in over two decades since Seoul ’88 Olympics that Nigeria failed to win an Olympic medal.

Few weeks later, a small contingent of physically challenge athletes left for the Paralympics Games in London and restored the nation’s pride with their five-star performance. They became instant heroes of Nigerian sports in 2012, winning a total of 13 medals, (six gold, five silver and two bronze). They equally erased several world records to finish 22nd on the overall medals table.

In appreciation, President Goodluck Jonathan rolled out a red carpet reception for them with mouth-watering cash reward and national honours.

The fate recorded by the physically challenged athletes in London cut the attention of the Speaker of Delta State House of Assemble, Hon. Victor Ochei, who immediately set up a National Wheelchair Basketball Championship as a way of fulfilling his humanitarian passion to embrace and rejoice with the physically challenged people in the society.

It turned out to be the beginning of a journey to stardom for a devastated Okigbazi, who had nearly given up the hope of survival in life.

During the maiden edition of the Victor Ochei Wheelchair Basketball Championship in Asaba in 2012, a friend encouraged Okigbazi to try his luck in the competition.

His dream of making a living in football was already dashed, so he heeded to the advice.

After a few week of training, Okigbazi was given a chance by handlers of Team Delta Wheelchair Basketball. It was an opportunity well utilized, as Okigbazi and his group went on to win the title and N5 million prize money.

My prayer is that God will continue to uplift Victor Ochei for opening the door of success for the physically challenged people in Nigeria. Through this championship, many physically challenged people in Nigeria have made good living for themselves. God will bless all those behind the sponsorship and organization

To give the championship a wider outlook, the organisers (Nigeria Wheelchair Basketball Federation), headed by former Ogun State Sports Commissioner, Bukola Olapade, decided to move the tournament to Lagos last year. It has grown in leaps and bounds, attracting countries from West Africa, Central and Southern Africa region.

By this time, Okigbazi’s confidence in the game has grown and he led his team to win the second edition in Lagos.

As destiny will play out, a wheelchair basketball scout from USA was among the spectators.

Okigbazi emerged as one of the star players of the tournament in 2012 and was immediately taken away by the American scout, thus opening his gate of success and at the same time, realizing his childhood dream of becoming a star player outside the shores of Africa.

Richard Okigbazi’s first port of call in USA was Atlanta, but he was later bought over by the Wheelchair Basketball team of Edinboro College in Pennsylvania. Today, Okigbazi is one of the most sought-after Wheelchair basketball players in USA. To show appreciation to the Victor Ochei Wheelchair Basketball Championship, Okigbazi flew into the country few days ago to be part of the 3rd edition of the competition, which will hold from February 18 to 22 in Lagos. Three other Nigerian professional wheelchair basketball players, who were discovered in the championship, have arrived from Holland, France and Portugal to be part of the competition.

Speaking with The Guardian during the week, Okigbazi was full of praises for the sponsor of the Wheelchair Basketball Championship, describing Hon. Victor Ochei as God’s gift to mankind.

“My prayer is that God will continue to uplift Victor Ochei for opening the door of success for the physically challenged people in Nigeria.

Through this championship, many physically challenged people in Nigeria have made good living for themselves. God will bless all those behind the sponsorship and organization,” Okigbazi said.

Apart from Okigbazi and those now plying their trade abroad, there is also the story of another physically challenged man, Olasunkanmi Shittu, who met his wife Foluke Omowuunmi in the course of featuring in the maiden edition of the competition in Asaba in 2012.

According to the NWBC boss, Olopade, both Shittu and Foluke now live happily and have been blessed with two children. They will play for Team Delta in this year’s edition.

Three West African countries; Togo, Benin Republic and Ghana as well as Cameroun are expected to feature alongside wheelchair Basketball teams and clubs from all states of the federation in this year’s championship. The winner of the tournament will pocket N5 million, just as the organisers have set aside N100,000 for each participating state for feeding and $2,000 dollars for the visiting countries.

Speaking with The Guardian during the week, the sponsor, Hon. Victor Ochei, said the championship would continue to grow, adding that he and a group of friends have put in place solid sponsorship programme that will drive the project by the time he bows out from office.

He said that his target is to see the Nigerian Wheelchair Basketball feature and win medal at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.

Ochei disclosed that plans have been concluded to sponsor the winner of this year’s edition to any country where the game of Wheelchair basketball is taking place so as to give the Nigerian team good exposure ahead Rio 2016.

The winner of 2nd edition was sponsored to the World Cup elimination in Angola last year, where they finished fifth position. The team won the fair play trophy. Also last year, Ochei sponsored the Nigerian U-23 Wheelchair Basketball team to South Africa, where they finished second.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Sunday, February 16, 2014 63

TheGuardian

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Sunday, February 16, 2014

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

ENGLISH FA CUP

Holders, Man City Progress, Black Cats Knock Out Saints IGAN kept their dream of W winning a second successive FA Cup alive with a 2-1 win at Cardiff City Stadium.

Uwe Rosler’s Sky Bet Championship battlers took another Barclays Premier League scalp to book their place in the quarter-finals of the competition.

Midfielder Chris McCann opened the scoring, before Bluebirds’ striker Fraizer Campbell equalised with a low drive.

Ben Watson, scorer of the winner in last season’s final win over Manchester City, hit the first-half winner with a superb strike from 30 yards.

Manchester City defeated Chelsea to advance to the last eight of the FA Cup, courtesy of goals from Stevan Jovetic and Samir Nasri.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side dominated the match to avenge their recent Premier League loss to the visitors.

Jovetic, who had earlier hit the bar, gave City a first-half lead with a low finish off the inside of the post.

Nasri, making his return from injury, completed victory when he rifled home after a neat onetwo with David Silva.

Elsewhere, Craig Gardner’s stunning goal fired Sunderland into the FA Cup quarter-finals and spared manager Gus Poyet further fixture chaos.

The midfielder’s 49th-minute strike settled a desperately poor fifth-round tie that was watched by a crowd of just 16,777 at the Stadium of Light, with Southampton’s England striker Rickie Lambert guilty of an astonShagari Mohamed of Kano Pillars Football Club of Kano (middle) vies for the ball sandwiched by two Bayelsa United Football Club of Bayelsa players in a past domestic ishing miss in the closing stages.

encounter

Pillars Crash Out Of CAF Champions League, Enyimba Promise Victory IGERIAN champions, Kano N Pillars have crashed out of the CAF Champions League after they failed to overturn a 3-1 deficit they suffered at AS Vita of DR Congo.

Pillars won yesterday’s return leg 2-1 at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano, but lost out 4-3 on aggregate. .

Etekiama Agiti gave visiting AS Vita a first minute lead, before Pillars fought back to draw level in the 66th minute through a header by Kabiru Umar. .

Pillars then took the lead in the 70th minute courtesy of Abdul Haruna, but could not score another goal that would have at least taken the game to a penalty shootout.

Last year, Pillars crashed out to AC Leopards of Congo Brazzaville in the first round of the competition.

Meanwhile, Enyimba Football Club of Aba have promised to take their chances against Anges de Notse in today’s CAF Champions League preliminary round second leg.

Enyimba had to fight back from a goal down to beat the Togolese champions 3-1 in the first leg match in Aba a week ago. .

Enyimba striker Mfon Udoh told MTNFootball.com they would make the most of their

chances in Lome. .

“We are very much ready for the return leg clash because we are expecting a lot from them,” he said.

“We lost several chances and that’s the reason they had confidence to come at us.

Once beaten, twice shy and so we won’t make the same mistake twice.” .

The former Akwa United striker added: “We know how they played us here (Nigeria) and I believe they will put more effort than that at

home. We will triple our efforts so as to overpower them in Lome.” .

Goalkeeper Femi Thomas also promised a good outing from the two-time African champions. .

“We are battle ready for vic-

tory. We have put the victory of first leg behind us. We will do our best and pray God helps not to let Nigerians down,” said the goalkeeper.

“The People’s Elephant” will be missing two-goal hero from the first encounter, Sibi

Gwar, who is sidelined by an ankle injury he suffered in the first leg.

Former Kano Pillars skipper Bala Mohammed is also out of the match because of a problem with his international passport.

Postponed NSC Retreat May Haunt More Gold-Winning Eaglets

By Eno-Abasi Sunday ERHAPS if the planned December 20th 2013 retreat on sustaining Nigeria’s performance at the FIFA U-17 World Championship, at the behest of the National Sports Commission (NSC) had held, some of the budding stars, who are seemingly in troubled waters now or those, who are on the verge of taking a plunge would have been better equipped on making right career choices.

Apart from the players, participants at the retreat were to be drawn from the NSC, Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), the business community, ex-footballers and other sports stakeholders.

P

And among other things, the retreat was to focus on drawing a blue print for sustaining Nigeria’s performance at agegrade competitions; provide the right orientation for the World Cup winners on their career progress; how to develop the right social skills; the ABC of football contracts; how to develop the right attitude to success; image and media management; financial management etc.

According to the Minister/Chairman of the NSC, Bolaji Abdullahi, the retreat was essential in order to document the strategies that ensured Nigeria’s success at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup for future purpose.

A release, which was signed by the Special Assistant to the minister on Media and Strategy, Julius Ogunro, quoted the minister as saying that, “I am sure this is the first time we are having this kind of retreat after a successful outing at a major championship.

We want to provide these young boys with the knowledge, which would help them make the right career choice.”

However, yesterday, an online medium, MTNFootball.com reported that Golden Eaglets’ star, Chidera Eze, is rethinking his options after Portuguese champions, FC Porto offered him what has been described as “peanuts”. .

Consequently, the U-17 star,

who has been on trials at the Portuguese club for a while now, may have to seek other options after he was given an offer that shocked both the lad and his handlers. Matters are even made worse as his agent appears to be inextricably tied to the Portuguese club.

“The Porto offer is not good, but his agent is tied down by another major transaction and as such it may take some time before Eze’s future is resolved,” a top source told MTNFootball.com Eze was originally to move to Porto along with the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) Kelechi Iheanacho, before Iheanacho opted for Manchester City at his father’s

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insistence. .

Enugu-born Eze played a big role as Nigeria won a record fourth FIFA U17 World Cup in UAE last November.

Yesterday, another member of the world conquering team, Musa Yahaya was due in London to sign a preliminary contract and undergo a medical with English side, Tottenham Hotspurs.

Ogunro, in an interview with The Guardian yesterday said: “The retreat was postponed owing to logistic challenges even as he informed that it was not entirely off the card.

He stressed that there was no cause for alarm over Eze’s case because as a minor, whatever might have been done between him and Porto would likely be a pre-contract, which may not necessarily hold water apart from giving the club the first right of refusal once the player in question turns 18.