Sunday 10, March 2013 The Guardian Nigeria

S U N D A Y

E D I T I O N

PERSPECTIVE 18

BUSINESS 45

IBRUCENTRE 39

PIB: No Retreat, No Surrender

We’ll Help Nigeria Reduce Oil Theft In Niger Delta, Says UK Minister Simmons

They’ve Come, Talked, And Will Elect A New Pope

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Vol. 29, No. 12,491

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www.ngrguardiannews.com

Yoruba Leaders Recount Jonathan’s Sins No,They Read History Upside Down, Says Akinjide

By Alabi Williams (Deputy Editor) HERE is a groundswell of T advocacy in Southwest Nigeria, where some Yoruba leaders are compiling figures and facts to support claims that the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan has embarked on a deliberate and systematic maneuvering to under-represent the zone in political appointments, as well as in the federal bureaucracy. They have cited instances and situations, where there is a noticeable lopsidedness against persons of Yoruba origin, who are either sacked and replaced by people of other geo-political and ethnic origin, or they are denied promotion into leadership positions in key federal establishments.

Fredrick Fasehun, founder of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Yinka Odumakin, spokesman for Afenifere, Kunle Olajide, publicity secretary of the Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF) among others are convinced that someone is out there working against the interest of the Yoruba.

Kenyan presidential candidate Uhuru Kenyatta (C) adresses the crowd after his victory in Kenya’s national elections on March 9, 2013 at Catholic University in Nairobi. Uhuru Kenyatta narrowly won Kenya’s presidential election, final results showed on Saturday, but his main rival refused to concede, raising tensions following the key poll.

AFP PHOTO / JENNIFER HUXTA

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Boko Haram Faction Executes Foreign Hostages From Madu Onuorah (Abuja), Njadvara Musa (Maiduguri), Kamal Tayo Oropo and Sunday Odita (Lagos) HE Military Joint Task Force (JTF) yesterday said it was “not certain” of reporting killing of seven foreign hostages by the Ansar alMuslimeen (widely known as Ansaru), a splinter group of the Boko Haram sect.

The militant group

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• JTF Uncertain, Kills 52 Boko Haram Fighters announced the deaths of seven workers from a construction company, who had been taken hostage last month. It reportedly released video stills of some of the bodies and blamed the deaths on a joint Nigerian-British military operation intended to free the

hostages.

There was no immediate word from those governments.

The militants, on February 18, claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of the seven construction workers taken from their office in the Northeast.

An e-mail from Ansaru said it

took the hostages two days earlier because of “transgression and atrocities” against Islam in Afghanistan, Mali and other locations.

Those kidnapped, included workers from Italy, Greece, Britain and Lebanon.

Gunmen took the workers

from the offices of Setraco, a construction company in Jama’are, in Bauchi State, according to the Police.

The company is based in Abuja and is involved in many major road construction projects in northern Nigeria.

Last night, JTF’s Spokesman, Lt Col Sagir Musa, told The Guardian that he was not “certain” of the report, adding that CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

NEWS 6

Yerima Arrested, Released Over Alleged Inciting Comments

TheGuardian

2 | Sunday, March 10, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Drama, Emotions As PIB Survives Second Reading From Bridget Chiedu Onochie, Abuja

• How Mark Won Senators’ Heart

HE crucial Petroleum T Industry Bill (PIB) did scale the Second Reading at the

Citing how South South, the oil-rich region, had gulped trillions of Naira in the last 30 years, the Senators from the North unanimously resisted any official attempt to award additional benefits to the Niger Delta.

Senator Ahmed Lawan, Yobe North, was practical in his contribution. He put the total amount expended on the oilbearing region in the last 30 years at N11.3trillion and blamed South/South leaders for impoverishing their people.

“I want my colleagues to know that 13 per cent derivation in the last 13 years equals N7.3trillion. Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in 10 years equals N2.7trillion.

Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, from 2007 to 2012, equals about N50 billion. Amnesty programme, from 2009 to 2012, gulped about N250billion, Special Presidential Initiative, including Ecological Fund, has about N73billion, totaling about N11trillion.

“Leaders of most of the communities have failed to deliver

nation’s Sixth Senate last week, but definitely not on a platter of gold.

The Bill, which touches critically on sources, exploration, exploitation and management of Nigeria’s oil, has been shrouded in controversy, as the six geo-political zones compete for space and relevance in the distribution of oil wealth.

Consequently, apprehension trailed the scheduled debate on the bill since lawmakers returned from their yuletide vacation.

The debate opened last Tuesday on a rather dramatic note. Lawmakers from the North traded tackles with their counterparts from the South over certain provisions in the Bill.

Northern Senators were dogged and united in their opposition to the oil law. They vehemently refused to shift grounds on the proposed Host Community Development Fund, involving 10 per cent of oil companies’ net profit.

with this huge amount to the host communities. We are leaders. Whether I am from Yobe or anywhere, I am a Nigerian and I am concerned with what happens there.

Injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere. It is my submission that the Host Community Development Fund should have no place at all in this bill”, he said.

Senator Isa Galaudu, Kebbi North, even went philosophical. He prayed that the bill should ‘go back to sender’.

“The bill should be sent back to sender. They have to go back and do good work on it.

We will return it to the sender so that it will be patriotic and nationalistic”, Galaudu insisted.

For the mature intervention of the Senate President, David Mark, there would have been a rowdy session, as Senators James Manager, Delta Central and Heineken Lokpobri, Bayelsa West, raised separate Points of Order, cautioning Northern lawmakers over use of abusive languages against Southern leaders.

Trading of blames continued on Wednesday. Both parties had reinforced and prepared for showdown.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Ita Enang, Akwa Ibom North-East, broke the jinx with a revelation that about 83 per cent of oil blocs in the Niger Delta are owned by the North’s ‘big men.’ It appeared as if he was carefully waiting for an opportunity to counter their claims and allegation.

Senator Mark, again, called for caution to avoid the looming rowdiness.

But was Mark actually taken aback with those revelations?

After all, Enang maintained it has been in the public domain for a long time. Well, the President of the Senate’s body language was that of shock as he quickly asked if Enang could substantiate his claims.

He (Enang) did answer in affirmative and presented written evidence, giving the web link for likely ‘doubting Thomases.‘ Enang stole the show and

holding the floor to himself, called for democratisation of oil wells. In fact, he urged President Goodluck Jonathan to revoke all oil blocs and redistribute them in line with the principle of Federal Character. How come the oil wells located at the backyards of Southerners are owned by Northerners? He asked rhetorically.

“The oil is produced in the Niger Delta, yet, it is the people of the North East and North/West and little of the North Central are the people owning oil wells, almost nothing for the South/East and South/West, yet, you are quarreling with the South/South over 13 per cent derivation.

“I did not want to introduce something that is divisive; it is not intended to divide the country. It is intended to say, ‘look, let us be realistic.’ What some of the oil wells and their owners produce in a month and take home as profit is, sometimes, more than what two or three states receive from the Federation Account.”

Well, whether Enang actually intended to divide the nation or not, one thing was sure: He succeeded in touching the

psyche of some of his colleagues. It was food for thought and many Senators, including the seemingly ignorant, would have gone home to ponder on this revelation.

When the Senate opened for action on Thursday, it was only an anti-climax. Impact of the previous day’s ‘exposition’ was glaring. Though there were pockets of resistance, they lacked the tenacity and original doggedness.

Senator Mark finished the homework with the explanation that the bill is actually a worthy one. Rather than throw the baby with the bad water, he urged his colleagues to sift good elements of the bill from contaminated ones.

According to him, it should not be seen as North Versus South affairs. He added that since they shared common view on certain issues, there was need to be united in their course in the interest of the country.

“The fact is that we all need to be on the same wave-length. I must emphasize that the bill is not North versus South, far from that. Because what is good for the North is also good for the South and what is bad for the south is bad for the north.

JTF Kills 52 Boko Haram Fighters, Arrests 70 Suspects CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 “it is not in my Area of Responsibility (AOR).”

The Guardian had tried to reach Spokesman of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Frank Mba, a chief superintendent of police (CSP) but the calls rang out. A text message sent to his mobile phone on the matter was not responded to as at the time of filing the report.

Meanwhile, the JTF in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, yesterday, said it killed 52 Boko Haram sect members, including 10 commanders in the last 10 days.

It carried out the operation in the Zajeri, Bulabulin and Bayan wards of the metropolis.

In a cordon-and-search mission, 70 suspected terrorists were also arrested in various parts of the wards, which are located two kilometres NorthEast of JTF headquarters.

The Friday operation that lasted over five hours, according to JTF sources, led to the discovery of a cache of arms and ammunition at a compound in Zajeri at about 7pm.

They include 28 rifles, 47 magazines, 20 Rapid Propelled Grenades and 11, 068 rounds of ammunition.

Displaying the terrorists’ weapons and three operational Toyota Hilux vehicles to reporters yesterday, JTF spokesman, Lt. Col Sagir Musa, said the seizure, which includes

A video grab posted online by Ansaru... yesterday. three antiaircraft guns, is the largest ever made.

Other items include General Propelled Grenades (GPG) guns, G3 rifles, 10 Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) tubes, 17 Kalashnikov rifles, 20 RPG bombs, 12 RPG chargers, 1x36 hand-held grenades, a teargas rifle, 33 AK 47 magazines, 11 FN magazines, 3 G3 magazines, box of weapons cleaning kit, two technical vehicles with mounted anti aircraft stands, four swords and two knives, five units of walkie-talkies, four VHF hand-held sets, a router and assorted uniforms and kits.

The JTF statement reads in part: “based on information and intelligence report, series of operations were conducted by the Joint Task Force’s Operation ‘Restore Order’ in the last 10 days in Borno State.

The latest was conducted at Bulabulin, Bayern Quarters and Zajeri in Maiduguri metropolis between 3-8pm on Friday. During these operations, there were exchanges of fire that led to the death of 52 Boko Haram terrorists, including 10 commanders of the sect. 70 terrorists were also arrested.

“In the period under review, the

JTF lost two personnel, three were wounded and no civilian casualty was recorded. The Task Force wishes to thank members of the public particularly our moles in the Boko Haram Camp for giving us the information that assisted in the successes so far recorded.

Thus, members of the public are reminded to continue to give credible and timely information to security agencies to combat insecurity through the following telephone numbers: 08064174066, 07065464012 and 08154429346.”

Yoruba Leaders Allege Marginalisation CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Fasehun and Olajide said they have taken the issue to Jonathan, who promised to look into it, but has not. They said the attitude of Mr. President and his body language shows palpable reluctance and that is why they too are mounting a campaign with facts.

They also claim that Jonathan, who benefitted immensely from the Southwest in the 2011 presidential election, should not be the one to plot against the zone.

However, chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Richard Akinijde has accused those championing the issue of

Yoruba marginalization as those who are reading the history of the country upside down.

According to him, the Yoruba has benefitted immensely from the earliest times and is still way ahead of other zones.

He said: “Going memory lane, the Yoruba have produced four Chief Justices of Nigeria and they were; Sir Adetokunbo Ademola; the longest serving Chief Justice in the history of Nigeria, Dr. Teslim Olawale Elias, Justice Fatai William and Justice Sowemimo. You had Lagos as the capital of Nigeria, there is the Murtala Mohammed Internal Airport, the biggest in Africa; located in Lagos, a Yoruba city; also it houses the biggest internation-

al sea port in Africa.”

“The Yoruba nation has excellently succeeded in taking its rightful place in Nigeria. Let me also quickly advise that we should not divide Nigeria into tribes. We are not a country of tribes, we are one country. And in that context, the Yoruba have fulfilled their destiny more than any other group in the history of Nigeria. Anybody who says the Yoruba are devalued or marginalised, must be reading things upside down.

But Fasehun disagrees.

“The Southwest is noted to have supported Goodluck Jonathan and we voted for him massively across party lines. And in electoral contest, when you have won the contest, you look back and pay back. The President

enjoys the support of the Yorubas and he knows it. He spoke to individual Yoruba leaders, expressing his appreciation, but when he constituted his cabinet and various other parastatals, the Yoruba people were not in reckoning.

“The Yoruba people constitute about 28 percent of the population of Nigeria, so if you are sharing anything, at least, twenty eight percent should accrue to them; but it turned out the Yoruba people did not even get half of it. We noticed it and some of these things are not just group punishment, individuals also suffer it. And we took note of this and the Yoruba leaders got together, discussed it earlier and sought to meet the President.”

READ DETAILS ON PAGES 50, 51, 52, 55 & 57

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 10, 2013

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NEWSHIGHLIGHTS Court Dismisses Against Jonathan Congratulates President-elect Kenyatta Case UNIJOS, Plaintiff

By Kamal Oropo (with Agency Reports)

RESIDENT Jonathan has sent a congratulatory message to Kenya’s Presidentelect, Uhuru Kenyatta, on his victory in Monday’s presidential election in Kenya as declared yesterday in Nairobi by the country’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.

In a statement signed by Reuben Abati, his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), the President also applauded the call by Kenyatta’s closest rival for the Presidency, Prime Minister Raila Odinga, for his supporters to remain calm and eschew violent protests while he takes his complaints about the election results to the Kenyan Supreme Court.

Kenyatta will assume office later this month as first

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•Applauds Odinga’s Conduct • Victory Portends Trouble For Kenya INTERNATIONAL Kenyan President to come into office under the country’s new Constitution, which was adopted after the crisis that followed its 2007 elections.

Jonathan urged the Kenya’s President-elect to rededicate himself to carrying forward the process of national healing and reconciliation.

He called on him to do his “utmost best to foster greater peace, unity and progress in the country” by forming a truly national administration that would meet the yearnings and aspirations of all Kenyans, including his oppo-

nents and their supporters.

According to Abati, Jonathan welcomes Odinga’s expression of confidence in the court and his pledge to adhere to the rule of law and accept the court’s verdict on the elections in good faith.

President Jonathan also commended “the ordinary people of Kenya, who showed their undying faith in democratic governance by turning out in their millions to set a new voter turn-out record of 86 per cent in Monday’s elections.”

Kenyans breathed a sigh of relief, after the tormenting vote counts that lasted five days came to an end with the Deputy Prime Minister,

Uhuru Kenyatta, confirmed as the winner of the presidential election. Even as it may not yet be uhuru for Kenyatta as he is set to face criminal charges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague in July.

The election, which had generated a lot of anxiety in Kenya and within the international community saw Kenyatta’s main rival and Prime Minister, Odinga, gave his deputy a run for his money.

At a ceremony held at the Bomas of Kenya in Nairobi yesterday the Independent and Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Isaack Hassan, formally declared Uhuru Kenyatta the duly elected president of Kenya.

Hassan stated that Kenyatta

won the election with 6,173,433 of the total votes against his closest rival Odinga who came second with 5,340,546. Kenyatta surpassed the constitutional threshold of 50 per cent plus one votes by 4,100 votes garnering him 50.07 per cent of the votes.

In his speech Hassan declared “the long road to the 2013 election is now drawing to a close” adding that it was a challenge to undertake the election in a single day as the constitution required.

Chief Electoral Officer, James Oswago, stated, “Democracy is about tolerance of diversity, but democracy where it involves competitive policies teaches a lesson on humility” as he cautioned Kenyans to “celebrate mightily” but not too exuberantly.

To Appeal PLATEAU From Isa Abdulsalami, Jos HE Federal High Court sitT ting in Jos, at the weekend, dismissed a case brought before it by a Graduate Assistant in the Department of Languages and Linguistics of the University of Jos. The erstwhile lecturer had dragged the institution’s authority to court, alleging examination fraud, illegal termination of appointment, and sexual harassment, among others.

Having reviewed the reliefs and claims sought by the plaintiff, Mrs. Augustina Otori, and the counter claims by the university, the trial judge, Mr. Justice Ambrose Allagoa, in a 45-minute judgment, said the agreement of the plaintiff with the university did not follow due process.

According to Allagoa, the termination of her appointment as a Graduate Assistant cannot be questioned because an “unconfirmed employee does not enjoy the permanency of employment, which a confirmed employee enjoys. The discretion to terminate or not cannot be questioned because the law is that an employee on probation is a temporary staff by virtue of terms of employment.”

Mimiko Appoints Adelola As SSG ONDO OVERNOR Olusegun G Mimiko of Ondo State yesterday announced the ap-

Governor Adams Oshiomhole (centre) with members of the executive committee of the Women in Management and Business (WIMBIZ), on the occasion of the group’s Annual Lecture Series, where the governor delivered a keynote address in Lagos... on Thursday

FG Flags Off Distribution Of Free Textbooks, Restates Commitment To Education From Inemesit Akpan-Nsoh, Uyo RESIDENT Jonathan, at the P weekend, said his administration would continue to give priority to education to ensure that social challenges facing the nation are add r e s s e d .

The President, who spoke in Uyo during the nationwide flag off of the distribution of instructional materials to basic education schools, said that different interventions by the Federal Government in the basic education sub-sec-

NATIONAL tor are geared towards giving all Nigerian children access to education.

Jonathan, who was represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo, said that since 2009 when the free distribution of books was introduced, the Federal Government has distributed over 96.32 million books in English Language, Mathematics, Basic Science, Social Science and Library resource materials.

According to President Jonathan, the target of the administration is to reach a pupil to book ratio of 1:1 in all subjects. He said that with sustained efforts, the administration has attained the ratio in Mathematics and English Language.

“Investment in education has remained a top priority, despite other competing demands. We at the federal level have since redoubled our efforts in policy making and implementation of tangible innovations in education

that serve as catalyst for other sectors of the economy through appropriate and sustainable reform in structured institutional arrangement and governance as well as funding and resource mobilisation,” he said.

He called on stakeholders to support government at all levels to ensure that the education sector, especially the basic education sub sector, provides a solid foundation for quality educational end a v o u r .

In his opening address,

Minister of State for Education, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, said steps have been taken to ensure that the books get to children across the country.

“Access to relevant textbooks and library resource materials is one of the fundamentals of effective teaching and learning in the school system,” he said.

Wike also said that the administration’s investment in free distribution of books has yielded significant results in the last two years.

Jang Opts For Out Of Court Settlement On NULGE Strike From Isa Abdulsalami, Jos N what seems an acceptItussle ance of defeat in the legal between the Plateau State Government and the State Chapter of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Governor Jonah Jang, at the weekend, announced a ceasefire, agreeing to settle the dispute out of court.

Local government workers went on strike for more than six months. It was suspended only when matters came to a

head, forcing the Minister of Labour and Productivity to intervene.

While the state government insisted on a ‘no work no pay’ principle, the workers said such does not exist in labour law as enunciated by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and other labour conventions. They insisted that their full salaries, during the strike, be paid.

Jang resolved to settle the dispute out of court but said the Industrial Court needs to interpret what the ‘no work,

PLATEAU no pay’ policy means.

He made this known through the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Edward Pwajok, at the hearing between the parties at the National Industrial Court, Abuja.

Pwajok told the court that government and labour will amicably resolve issues on the outstanding arrears of affected workers, but prayed the court to state, in clear terms, whether workers can go on

strike without proper notice and clarify issues about payment of salaries during a strike.

“The issue of four month’s arrears is an issue of ‘no work, no pay’. It is a very contentious matter. And if the court says that law is not applicable, we will pay. If the court says we are right, they will know the law.”

He said Plateau State Government has been committed, since assumption of office in 2007, to payment of salaries, wondering why the unions

would drag their employers into industrial disharmony.

The Presiding Judge, Justice Babatunde Adejumo, admonished the workers, through counsel to the respondent, Gani Adetola Kashim, to shift their ground and understand the plight of government towards overcoming the industrial crisis.

Adejumo commended Plateau State Government for its intention to resolve the dispute once and for all.

The matter was adjourned to April 25.

pointment of Dr. Aderotimi Adelola as the Secretary to the State Government.

Mimiko, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Eni Akinsola, said the appointment takes immediate effect.

Rotimi Adelola Ph.D, by this appointment, returns to his duty post two weeks after the Executive Council in which he served was dissolved at the expiration of Mimiko’s first term.

Adelola holds a doctorate degree in organisational psychology. His working experience spans the academia, management consultancy as well as general management responsibilities in the financial services and oil and gas sectors.

Oyo Prepares To Tackle Flooding OYO HE Oyo State governor, SenT ator Abiola Ajimobi, has directed a redoubling of efforts by all MDAs, Local Government Councils and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) towards ensuring that abnormal rainfall does not catch the state unawares.

The move follows prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) of heavy downpour in the state.

The governor made this known yesterday in a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Festus A d e d a y o .

The governor ordered a massive awareness campaign on radio and television to educate residents on the need to avoid dumping of refuse in d r a i n a g e s .

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THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 10, 2013

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday March 10, 2013

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Staff Training Gulps N2.5b, As Akwa Ibom Completes Airport Phase From Nkechi Onyedika, Uyo HE Akwa Ibom State government has completed work on Phase 1 of the Ibom International Airport.

Meanwhile, about N2.5b naira is being spent on the training of Engineers and Operational Staff for the airport’s Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility.

Chairman, Ibom Airport

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Project, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga (rtd), who disclosed this when the National Good Governance Tour Team inspected the facility in Uyo, said Phase 1 of the project comprises the runway, the control tower, the fire bay, the MRO facility and the interim terminal.

He explained that the airport was designed for maintenance and cargo operations,

To Build 10,000 Housing Units adding that the types of aircrafts expected to be maintained at the facility include Airbus 380, Boeing 747-400 series and Jet-G. In his remarks, the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, stressed the need to have modern facilities that would accommodate Nigeria’s

fast growing economy.

He commended the government of Akwa Ibom State for initiating the project, which he said, would add value to Nigeria’s aviation industry.

“We are made to understand that they have already trained many young people all over the country who are already

feeding into the aviation system. We hope that this place will be completed in good time so that commercial, and other forms of aircrafts, that are taken out of the country would be maintained here.”

Also, the Akwa Ibom State government is to build 10,000 housing units, aimed at providing houses for lowincome earners in the state.

Dep. Gov’s Resignation, Impeachment Are Rumours, Says Aide HE Deputy Governor of Imo T State, Sir Jude Agbaso, has not resigned and has not been impeached.

Senior Special Assistant to the Deputy Governor, Sir Onyema Opara, said this in a statement last week.

“The attention of the Office of the Deputy Government of Imo State has been drawn to

rumours making the rounds that His Excellency Sir Jude Agbaso, Deputy Governor of Imo State, has resigned his office.

“It is also being said in some quarters and reported in some media houses that His Excellency Sir Agbaso has been impeached by the Imo State House of Assembly on allegation of corruption,”

IMO Opara said.

The Senior Special Assistant said: “I wish to state in clear terms that Sir Agbaso has not resigned his office as the Imo State Deputy Governor and that there is no cause for him to do so. The Deputy Governor still functions as a validly elected Deputy Governor of

Imo State and has been doing all his state assignments diligently.

“On allegations of fraud, Sir Agbaso is innocent of any, real or imagined. And as a lawabiding citizen, he will be ready to prove his innocence when called upon to do so.

“The Deputy Governor is still committed to the Rescue Mission of His Excellency the Gov-

ernor of Imo State and still pledges his loyalty to the Governor and the Government of Imo State.

“Therefore, the press and the general public should discard media publications and rumours on any purported resignation and impeachment, as they are all false and only calculated to tarnish the image of the Deputy.”

Gov’s Wife Congratulates New Editors

CROSS RIVER From Anietie Akpan, Calabar IFE of the Cross River State Governor, Mrs. Obioma Liyel-Imoke, has congratulated newly promoted editorial staff of The Guardian.

The editors include Abraham Ogbodo, Julius Eto, Jewell Dafinone, Alabi Williams, Taiwo Akerele, Ehichioya Ezomon, Nnamdi Inyama, Marcel Mbamalu, Paul Onomuakpokpo, Felix Kuye, Nike Sotade, among others.

Mrs. Imoke described their elevation as reward for “hard work, dedication to duty, and loyalty”.

She said: “The Guardian has a tradition of excellence, and it has a time-tested system for rewarding faithful and diligent staff. That you have been chosen among the few to be elevated must have been on account of your excellent stewardship.”

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Baba Aladura Akinde For Burial April 20 Ebahor Is Successor HE remains of the Supreme T Head of the Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim, His Most Eminence Baba Aladura Amos Akinsanya Akinde, will be buried on Saturday April 20, 2013, at Ojokoro Mercy land, Lagos State.

Akinde died on February 23, 2013 at the age of 83.

Meanwhile, the conference board of the Holy Order has ratified the presentation of His Eminence Vice Baba Aladura Michael Ebahor as Baba Aladuraelect of the Holy Order.

In a statement signed by the General Secretary of the church, Senior Superintendent Apostle Kola Odunsi, the conference board held an emergency meeting at Ojokoro Mercy Land on March 2, 2013 where the board members unanimously ratified Ebahor to occupy the office, according to the constitution of the Holy Order.

He said the date for the induction of Ebahor will be announced later.

Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola (third right); his Deputy, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Najeem Salam (fourth left); Deputy Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Taiwo Kolawole (second right); Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola (left); Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti (third left); Senator Mudashir Hussain, representing Osun West Federal Constituency (right), during the 10th Edition of Walk to Live in Ede Zone, Osun State… yesterday.

Boko Haram: Reps Member Backs Jonathan’s Stance On Amnesty From Isa Abdulsalami, Jos EMBER representing Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Bitrus Kaze, has congratulated President Jonathan on his refusal to grant amnesty to the Boko Haram sect in the North.

Kaze had earlier joined many Nigerians in condemning calls on the Federal Government by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III and

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the Northern Governors’ Forum to grant amnesty to Boko Haram members.

In a statement Kaze personally signed in Jos yesterday, he said: “Coming at a time when security reports from terrorists’ training camps in Mali have established links between Boko Haram and Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, the advocacy for amnesty in favour of Boko Haram offends the Nigerian Terrorism (Prevention) Act,

PLATEAU 2011, which provides for effective implementation of the several International Conventions on the Prevention, Financing and Combating of Terrorism to which Nigeria is a signatory.

“The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 provides that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of gov-

ernment. President Jonathan has an obligation to enforce all international conventions on terrorism, none of which provides for amnesty to terrorists.

“The Boko Haram Islamic fundamentalists themselves have never sought for amnesty. Why should the Sultan and the Northern Governors Forum cry more than the bereaved?

“Just last week, the Boko Haram leader, Sheik Shekau

claimed responsibility for perpetrating terrorism and staunchly denied any relationship with Sheikh Muhammad Ibn Abdulazeez, who pronounced a ceasefire. All this while, both the Sultan and the Northern Governors’ Forum have consistently maintained that Boko Haram and their sponsors are faceless. How come they are now advocating amnesty for people they do not know?”

Non-payment Of $410m Stalls Firm’s Takeover Of ALSCON From Anietie Akpan, Calabar OLLOWING a Supreme Fpronounced Court judgment, which Bancorp Finance and Investment Group (BFIG) as owner of the Aluminum Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON), Ikot Abasi in Akwa Ibom State, the nonpayment of $410 million to the Bureau of Public Enter-

prises (BPE) has stalled the implementation of the court ruling.

The Supreme Court had on June 6, 2012, gave the ruling in favour of BFIG in the suit filed against the BPE. The judgment further mandated the BPE to prepare a Share Purchase Agreement (SPA), which would be handed over to the head of BFIG, Mr.

CROSS RIVER Reuben Jaja, for signing.

Nine months after, the agreement has not been signed by BFIG and no explanation has been given to this effect. However, investigations carried out revealed that a clause in the ruling had stipulated the payment of $410 million by the firm before the takeover.

In a chat with The Guardian, ALSCON Director of Public and Government Relations, Albert Dyabin, said the agreement was based on the judgment stipulating that “this amount must be paid in two installments: 10 percent ($41 million) within 15 days from the day of the signing of the SPA and later the balance 90 percent ($369 million).

“With this, BPE is ready to consider the handover of ALSCON on the condition that BFIG would pay the amount ruled by the Supreme Court for the plant. The logical thing is that if BFIG wants to acquire ALSCON as a property, then it must pay the Nigerian government the amount stipulated by the court,” Dyabin said.

Ajimobi Presents N1m To Family Of Late YES-O Cadet OYO OVERNOR Abiola Ajimobi of G Oyo State on Friday presented a cheque of N1m to the family of late Miss Bolaji Ogunnike, a YES-O cadet attached to Egbeda Local Government Council, who lost her life in an accident, recently, while on official duty.

The governor, represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Abimbola Adekanmbi, and the Chairman, Oyo State Agency for Youth Development, Mr. Gbenga Olayemi, presented the cheque to the mother of the deceased, Mrs. Margret Ogunnike at their Ogbere-Idi Osan residence.

While condoling with the family, Governor Ajimobi described the death of the cadet as very unfortunate and tragic. He said that the money is not compensation but an effort to lessen the pain of the family because “no one can compensate loss of life”.

Mrs. Ogunnike, and elder sister to the deceased, Miss Modupeola Ogunnike, described Ajimobi as a caring, sympathetic and humane leader who attaches value to the life of every citizen of the state.

THE GUArDiAN, sunday march 10, 2013

6 NEWs

NEWs

How cBN Bemoaned Wastage Of Nigeria’s Oil Wealth Behind closed Doors From Laolu Akande, New York

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cONOmic technocrats in government may have, in the last few years, been expressing deep, but secret, concern over mismanagement of Nigeria’s oil wealth during the years of “continuous” rise in price and export volumes.

Oby Ezekwesili, a former minister and World Bank Vice President, who first introduced the Due Process Unit, blew the lid recently during a lecture to mark the 42nd convocation of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. incidentally, minutes of a meeting of the central Bank’s monetary Policy committee

NATIONAL (mPc), a few years ago, showed clearly that top central Bank of Nigeria officials concluded that “there was a puzzle to be unraveled to know why foreign exchange reserves had been falling, as oil production and prices were rising.” The meeting, therefore, bemoaned declining foreign reserves during continuous periods of oil windfall.

According to the minutes, a cBN report in 2010 indicated that, while “oil export volumes recovered in 2010 relative to 2009 on account of the rebound in both output and

prices,” this was not at the level attained in 2008. continuing the document noted that “external reserves, which peaked at $62.08 billion in september 2008, had since declined steadily to $40.23 billion in April 2010 and further to Us$33.60 billion by end of October 2010.”

The minutes was dated November of that year.

Furthermore, it was noted that, “the major reason for the decline was the near exhaustion of the excess crude oil account from a peak of $20.44 billion, in January 2009 to $1.99 billion at the end of October 2010.”

Also, the minutes disclosed,

“the cBN portion of the external reserves had also been falling since August 2008 due to the high demand for foreign exchange. The report also showed that during the period, payments to the joint venture partners for cash calls and subsidy deductions for the NNPc rose significantly.

The cBN officials noted that “there was a puzzle to be unraveled to know why foreign exchange reserves had been falling, as oil production and prices were rising.” it was this same puzzle that had been expressed by technocrats in government behind closed doors, and the attendant paradox of poverty

in the midst of plenty that became a matter of public controversy when Ezekwesili decried the ravaging poverty caused by poor choices of the Federal Government, especially under the last two administrations that followed the Obasanjo presidency.

Although, the former World Bank vice President has come under increasing attacks, findings show that the depleting financial resources of the country during the highest windfall ever, has been a source of agony to those saddled with managing the country’s financial resources except that they cannot speak out publicly.

Gov. Peter Obi flags off the March 2013 National Immunization Days Plus, at the Umunachi Maternity Complex, Anambra State…yesterday.

Nigeria spends N1.6 Trillion On infrastructure Yearly ANAGiNG Director of inm frastructure Bank, mr Adekunle Oyinloye, says the country spends 10 billion dollars (N1.6 trillion) on infrastructure annually.

Oyinloye disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in lagos on Thursday at a forum of the Business club ikeja (Bci) while delivering a lecture on A Roadmap for the Transformation of Nigerian In-

frastructure for Enhanced Productivity.

He said the figure represents four per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Products (GDP), which stands at 250 billion dollars.

Oyinloye said that this figure was small when compared with china which spent 12 per cent of its GDP of about 7.3 trillion dollars on infrastructure annually.

NATIONAL He also said that the country needed to do more in channeling resources into infrastructure spending, which he added could translate to provision of more infrastructure in future.

He said that it was imperative to design a roadmap to address the infrastructure challenges and which should

be embraced by all stakeholders in the country.

The bank chief said that there was the need to identify the problems associated with infrastructure deficit and proffer solutions on systematic basis.

He said that the current administration was ensuring that there was sustainable socio-economic growth to drive its development agenda.

Oyinloye said that the prob-

lem of infrastructure deficit was also being addressed through technical and financial perspectives which had been generally accepted by all stakeholders in the industry.

He also called for public–private sector partnership to address the infrastructure deficit as well as ensuring that procurement for capital projects were fair and complied with international best practice.

APGA crisis: NEc Backs Gov. Obi, Fixes April 18 For convention From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, (Benin City)

• As Accord Party Distances Self From Merger

HE crisis rocking leadership of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) took a twist yesterday as the National Executive committee (NEc) of the party threw its weight behind Governor Peter Obi of Anambra state, adopting him as its Deputy National leaders.

The NEc at the meeting, which was held in Awka fixed April 18 for its national convention, to be held in Enugu.

The meeting, which had in attendance 36 states chairmen of

the party, adopted mr. Peter Obi as the Deputy National leader of the party. chairman of the Forum of state chairmen, Dr. Arzuka Jega, was chairman pro-tempore of the Awka meeting.

They commended the leadership of mr. Obi and called on him to continue his efforts to reposition the party. it distanced the party from merger process that gave birth to the All Progressive congress (APc).

The resolutions of the meet-

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NATIONAL ing as contained in a communiqué made available to newsmen approved 12-man-committee for the April convention.

The party resolved to re-admit without pre-conditions all former members who express desire to return to its fold. meanwhile, leaders of the Accord Party (AP) met yesterday in Benin city, Edo state, to review the performance of the party. They attributed failure

of the party to reach alliance with others to “selfish and ambitious interests” of some members.

They, however, said AP was not planning to merge with any with another party ahead the 2015 general elections.

National secretary of the party, Dr. samson isibor, disclosed this while addressing members of the National Executive council (NEc) shortly before its meeting in Benin city.

National chairman of the party, Dr. isaac Adeniyi was absent at the meeting but Edo,

Beyelsa, Kogi, rivers, cross rivers, Adamawa and lagos state chairmen were in attendance. isibor noted that the meeting was to acquaint the state party chairmen with events in the past two years and strategies on how to free the party from exploitation by individuals.

A national caucus member of the All Progressive congress (APc), a merger of opposition parties, Annie Okonkwo, said Nigeria needs a firm commitment to “a new order” to forge ahead.

APc: Yerima Arrested, released, Over alleged inciting comments

KADUNA From Saxone Akhaine, Northern Bureau Chief OrmEr Governor of ZamFsanifara state, senator Ahmed Yerima, was yesterday, in Kaduna, arrested by the state Police command while featuring on a radio Nigeria Kaduna Hausa phone-in programme, Hannu Dayawa, over his comment on the pending registration of All Progressive congress (APc) by the independent National Electoral commission (iNEc).

He was also alleged to have commented on sensitive issues about the state of the nation, the opposition in Nigerian politics and the merger that would lead to the proposed APc, as a political party. shortly after the Kaduna state Police commissioner, Femi Adenaike, met and discussed with Yerima, the senator reportedly told his well wishers that the Police came to pick him following an order from Abuja but was not categorical from which quarter the order came. it was learnt that, during the programme, a caller had told Yerima that there were moves to ensure that the APc would not be registered and sought to know what would be their reaction if the proposed party could not get registered.

Yerima, who had earlier spoken on steps taken to ensure that the APc becomes a reality, said that if the authorities denied the party registration, they would mobilise and converge on a square in Abuja and would not leave until the party is registered, similar to what happened at the Egypt’s Tahrir square during the Arab uprising. in an official statement made by Yerima to the Police, he said: “ i responded to the moderator by saying that just as it happened in Egypt, we can go to the Eagle square together with Buhari, Tinubu, shekarau and others to mobilise people — without using any weapons — for peaceful protest until our party is registered”.

customs impounds Goods Worth N164m NATIONAL From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri FFiciAls of the Federal OpO erations Unit, Zone c, the Nigerian customs service (Ncs), have seized contraband items valued N164 million in the last few weeks.

A statement said the Area controller for the zone, Victor David Dimka, made the disclosure while addressing the unit members during a parade.

Breakdown of the items seized between February 19 and 28 in the zone, which comprises south-east and south-south states, include 549 bags of rice, 900 made-inEngland cutlasses, bales of second-hand clothes, furniture materials, 71,000 pairs of rubber slippers, 193 bundles of printed wax textiles and 150 pieces of used tyres.

TheGuardian

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Cityfile Aftermath Of Last Year’s Flood Fury:

Victims Decry Govt’s Neglect As flood victims in Delta State await with bated breath the commencement of this year’s rain, they are no longer asking questions about the N500 million intervention fund released by the Federal Government but praying to God to hold back the gates of flood to avoid a repeat of the 2012 experience From Chido Okafor, Warri T is nearly four months since the ravaging flood that brought destruction, pain and agony to many communities in Delta State receded, leaving hapless families to count their loses and lick wounds that may take a long time to heal.

Those living near the bank and tributaries of the River Niger, who took the worst hit, may even take a longer time to reconcile with Mother Nature as many lost their homes to the flood. Many of them are believed to be squatting with family members till date.

After the flood dried up and stocks of the wreckage were taken, it was discovered that 231 communities in 12 local government areas of the state were adversely affected. 220 primary schools and 84 secondary schools were damaged, 357 fish farms destroyed, while 753 market stores were affected.

The 12 local councils affected by the flood were Isoko North, Isoko South, Oshimili South, Oshimili North, Aniocha South, Ughelli South, Ughelli North, Ndokwa West, Ndokwa East, Burutu, Patani and Bomadi.

Many of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who took refuge in special emergency camps set up to cater for displaced persons have since returned home to face life squarely. Some returned to meet nothing and would have to start life afresh.

When The Guardian visited some of the affected communities, the returnees were livid with anger that government abandoned them to face life with virtually nothing. Boniface Atu, a poultry farmer in Uzere, whose livestock before the flood was 3,000 fowls, said 1,000 birds drowned in the fast-flowing flood and another 1,400 birds died in the aftermath, leaving him with only 600 layers.

Atu said what saddened him most was the absence of government officials to the community since the flood receded, wondering what has happened to the N500 million released to affected states by the Federal Government.

“The flood came to us as a surprise. We were hoping we won’t be affected since Uzere was not directly on the bank of the river. We heard the announcement that people living by the bank of the river should evacuate, but the day after, we woke up to discover the whole community had been engulfed by water. Aside camping displaced persons, government has not done anything to alleviate our plight, though some NGOs came to our community to ask questions,” he said.

Sadly, many of the returnees did not have a home to return to, as their erstwhile houses had been washed away by the flood. Some could not find a single item to pick. It was learnt that in Asabase community, about 12 kilometres from Uzere, many houses were washed into the large tributary of the River Niger, which runs through the community.

Weeks after the flood receded, Asabase and Ekregbeshi communities were still inaccessible as the only road and bridge leading to the two places were washed away. However, after the January break, the communities can now be partially accessed by driving round the bush path near the washed-away bridge, which before the dry break was always waterlogged.

Reconstruction of the road and bridge was still ongoing when The Guardian visited Asabase. The construction of the bridge began last November, but it was gathered that the contractor handling the job is not committed to the project, which perhaps explains why the less than five kilometre damaged portion of the road has not been completed four months after.

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T the height of the crisis, the state government set up two comA mittees: a 12-member committee chaired by a retired Supreme Court judge, Justice Francis Tabai, to manage the N500 million flood fund released to it by the Federal Government and the Technical Committee on Flood Impact Assessment made up of academics drawn from the Delta State University to study and advice government on what to do before resettling the flood victims.

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan had instructed the committee to oversee the flood disaster and post-flood rehabilitation of victims, advise government on the judicious utilization of the funds provided by the Federal Government for rehabilitation of displaced persons, and liaise with other persons, organisations and donor agencies to raise additional funds to provide urgent relief, as well as planning and implementing long-term programmes for the Post-Impact Resettlement of affected persons and communities.

According to the technical committee, the state will need about N10 billion for the reconstruction of the infrastructure destroyed and resettlement of victims.

Prof. Chris Orubu, who presented the report on behalf of the committee, said: “We recommend immediate fumigation, construction of deep well water in the villages affected by the flood, re-

habilitation of failed portions of roads in the rural areas, supply of farm implements and machines to farmers, improved weather forecasting system to ensure accuracy in predictions, as well as cross country management of rivers to check flooding.”

OWEVER, despite the delight that greeted the H establishment of the committees, the flood victims spoken to, said no succour had come their way. For instance, it was contained in the report that many of the communities would be fumigated before the victims returned, but in many communities, nothing of such happened.

At Asabase, Uzere, Olomoro, Aboh and Igbuku in Isoko North and Ndokwa East local government areas, which were among the worst hit in Delta State, no fumigation took place before the people were resettled, even after the governor had said all the communities would be fumigated to repel reptiles and other dangerous animals from homes.

In Uzerre, Goodluck Egba, who lost almost everything to the flood, said: “We did not see any government team visit our community to fumigate or distribute mosquito nets, which was announced on radio and television. Later, some people brought forms for us to fill in December, but we have not heard anything again since then.”

For Mrs. Helen Irobo and Madam Vero Atu, the flood was the worst thing to have happened to them in their lifetime. Atu is particularly saddened that despite the “sweet talk” by government of plans to resettle the displaced persons, she and many others are yet to feel government’s action.

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THe GuaRDiaN, Sunday, march 10, 2013

CiTYFile

TARABA: Still Searching For Relief Funds, materials From Charles Akpeji, Jalingo eSPiTe the numerous hands of fellowship extended to flood victims in Taraba State by the Federal Government, corporate organisations and wealthy individuals, there is still a long way to go in terms of assuaging the pains of victims and bring smiles back to their faces.

The flood did not only cart away properties worth millions of Naira, it also hurriedly ushered humans and animals alike to their graves. Whatever hopes the victims had after President Jonathan visited the camps set up for the displaced and the immediate release of N400 million to the state by the federal government has since been diminished. according to them, relief materials meant for victims have been diverted by members of the committee, comprising top government functionaries including commissioners and special advisers, who have been assigned with the responsibility to bring succour to the thousands of displaced persons. Those lucky among them got a pair of slippers, hoe and a token of N200 from the committee before the camps were closed.

One of the victims said apart from this far from meager assistance, “nothing else has come my way, though they promised to get back to us.” He has since been left to survive on his own after his farmlands and two buildings got submerged by flood.

Saddened by the development, the victim who craved for anonymity for fear of being harassed or intimidated, said the funds made available by the presidency “would have gone a long way to wipe away our tears.”

Citing victims from other states whom he said were properly taken care of by their state governments, he could not fathomed why that of Taraba would be different.

Some of the relief materials that never got to the victims include bedding, building materials, home utensils, treated mosquito nets, beverages and food items.

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In the trail of the N400 million intervention fund released by the Federal Government, the Taraba State House of Assembly has instituted a committee to probe the flood committee, a move that has raised fallen hopes of the flood victims.

iqueD by this development and determined to ensure that P the much needed succour gets to the doorsteps of victims, members of the state House of assembly have decided to intervene and resolve the impasse, which some said is being caused by the absence of the governor, Danbaba Suntai, who is undergoing medical attention in Hanover, Germany after surviving a plane crash last year.

The House also inaugurated its own committee, assigned with the responsibility of investigating members of the flood committee. Confirming the readiness of the probe committee to leave no stone unturned in its investigation, the Deputy majority leader of the House, who is also a member of the newly inaugurated committee, Daniel ishaya Gani, said they would bring to book any of the flood committee members found guilty of worsening the plights of flood victims.

it was gathered that the flood committee members have been working round the clock since the announcement of the decision to investigate the administration of the flood relief materials, to induce members of the House of assembly, but according to Gani, they have resolved to tow the path of justice. according to Gani, “nothing can distract us from investigating the N400 million flood money that had been mismanaged and misappropriated by some of the executives. They must account for every kobo received and spent. if this is the only thing that will bring smiles to the faces of our constituents, we are ready to make them smile.”

as the news made the round that activities of the flood committee would be investigated, Tarabans, especially those affected by the flood, took to the streets in jubilation. “if done as promised, i think all the members of the House of assembly would regain their lost glories, because everybody have long lost confidence in them,” said Hassan maraya. “it is good news that the committee will be investigated by the House of assembly. We, however, pray and hope that the report will see the light of the day, because as far as i know, i have not seen any report of any committee that was implemented in this state,” he added.

LAGOS: Climate Change Summit Places Flooding, emission Reduction in Focus

By Tunde Akingbade iTHiN the next two years, lagos, africa’s fastest growing city, will be the world’s fifth largest megacity. With current projections, lagos will take the position after Tokyo, Japan.

Worried about the increasing population in the state, the effect on urbanization, pressure on scarce resources and environment, the lagos State government has decided to deliberate extensively on the adoption of a mass transit module for lagos, ostensibly to reduce the use of personal cars and curb carbon emission that contribute to the problem of climate change. it was gathered that the focus on transportation, green, and environment-friendly dwelling units (housing); and high capacity multi-purpose roads (infrastruc-

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ture) are the focus of this year’s lagos State international Summit on Climate Change.

The planners of this year’s fifth summit, which will hold from march 13to 15, 2013 at the eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria island, with the theme Vulnerability and Adaptability to Climate Change in Nigeria: Lagos State Transportation, Housing and Infrastructure in Focus are concerned about the increasing erratic weather patterns and rainfall in the country and its effect and vulnerability of coastal settlements in lagos.

Sources told The Guardian that the planners of this year’s climate based their decisions on the outcome and recommendations on previous events and more importantly, the prediction made by Nigerian meteorological agency (NimeT) that there will be intense rainfall this year. last year, many communities were overrun by flood when major rivers,

which received massive volume of water from several hours and weeks of heavy rainfall and release of water upstream, overflowed their banks. Thousands of people displaced were subsequently accommodated at relief camps established at several locations in many states in the Niger Delta and the Savannah regions of the country.

Dr. anthony anuforom, DirectorGeneral of the Nigerian meteorological agency (NimeT), who commended “lagos as the only state in the country that had a deliberate and concerted anti-flooding programme in place, which might have been responsible for its less flooding incidences,” urged other states in the federation to emulate lagos.

While presenting its annual report on rainfall patterns in the country for 2013, NimeT officials had warned that “the rains will be intensive this year and that communities located along

the Niger River basin should brace up for more flood.”

The officials in the report put the “commencement of the rains from February running through June, with a lull between early October and late December across the country.” already, lagos State government has commenced massive dredging, expansion and cleaning of drainage channels across the state in readiness for this year’s rainy season.

T the maiden edition of the Clia mate Change summit, Governor Babatunde Fashola had said: “Gone are the days when we could succinctly draw a line between the rainy season and dry season; gone are the days when harvest was predictable and bountiful; gone are the days when select species of certain fish were readily available on the menu table.”

Commissioner for environment in the state, mr. Tunji Bello, noted that lagos, as a pro-active government and convener of the summit, has devotedly implemented its resolutions in the areas of intensive advocacy, annual massive tree planting exercises, and construction of effective drainage channels to contain flood, improve waste management, recycling programmes, and exploration of renewable energy sources, amongst others. “many of the programmes carried out in the ministry are part of the climate change adaptation strategies.

We have declared July 14 of every year as a Tree Planting Day in the state, with the aim of planting millions of trees to beautify lagos and provide a carbon sink, because of our commitment to tackle climate change. Five million trees have so far been planted,” he said.

Coping With The Hot Weather

By Popoola Ibiyemi limaTe change, the extreme of bad, uncomfortable weather, has been with us for some time now. at the moment, the weather is unbearably hot and it comes with negative and unsavoury results. a lot of families now battle with several ailments caused by the hot weather, among which is malaria. Hospitals daily receive patients with malaria fever caused by perennial hot weather. Secondly, the hot weather results in skin diseases, particularly the poor. Heat rashes, bumps, small pox and eczema are rampant in many homes. another debilitating result of the hot weather is that families now spend a fortune buying fuel to maintain their generators. it has even become highly dangerous and hazardous because a lot of houses recently went up in flames caused by careless handling of fuel meant for generators. as a result of constant use of generators, there is noise pollution. added to this is air pollution caused by the exhaust fumes of generators, which could kill human beings if inhaled. There have been stories of how families have been wiped out by death after inhaling exhaust fumes of generators in the environment without cross-ventilation.

The hot weather also causes dizziness among the aged or elderly in many families. Research has shown that people always faint and pass out due to the uncomfortable hotness of the weather. added to this is the case of constant headache by children who suffer suffocation in many homes without cross-ventilation.

There are, however, several small steps one can take to protect oneself and loved ones. There is need to keep the body temperature in the range of 35.5C to 37.5C, as this will protect vital organs and allow the body to function normally.

Coping with heat during this period can also be improved by adaptive behaviours, such as staying in the house or under a shade and using fan to circulate air. also, the use of air conditioners is very effective in wade off the adverse effect of the intense heat.

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THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 10, 2013

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CITYFILE

Unplanned Urbanization Of Lagos Border Towns Raises Concerns, Endangers Inhabi• May Mar Mega City Project

By Godfrey Okpugie, Deputy Lagos-City Editor HE unplanned urbanization of Lagos border towns with Ogun State, apart from speculations, in some quarters, that it may adversely affect mega-city project, is also a source of road accidents to the residents of the areas, who commute the connecting highways.

The Guardian investigations revealed that since 2004, when the toll gate at the Lagos end of Ibadan Expressway was demolished by the administration of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, a lot of Lagos residents, who could not afford accommodation in the city, occasioned by high population, have been migrating to the emerging towns and villages at the border between Lagos and Ogun State.

The rush for accommodation in these areas provoked increased demand for plots of land, which greedy land speculators haphazardly sold to individuals, who equally built their houses on the plots in an unplanned and haphazard manner, without recourse to town planning rules and regulations.

The areas include Sango Ota and its environs, along the Lagos– Abeokuta Road. Others are Arepo, Ibafo, Mowe and other villages located along Ibadan Expressway axis.

When The Guardian visited the areas recently, it was discovered that people built their houses indiscriminately without allowing enough space to the road. This makes the not properly charted streets to be narrow and, in most cases, not linked to each other for accessibility purposes.

Some of the streets terminated abruptly and in a cu-de-sac, thus making the suburbs to be an emerging, chaotic urban sprawl.

No space was provided for public school, market, hospital, police station or even recreation. All available space in the areas, even including valleys, which ought to provide channels for floods’ escape, are dotted with houses, thus making the areas flood disaster prone.

Already, the lack of space between the houses and the streets has started to affect efforts to widen some of the roads being built into modern dual carriageway.

For example, the widening of the road, which the Ogun State government recently awarded to a contractor to construct into a modern dual carriageway to allow for free flow of vehicular traffic in Magboro, an outskirt along Ibadan Expressway, is being hindered by lack of enough space between the houses and the road.

The road, which will link Ibadan Expressway from the Mountain of Fire and Miracle (MFM Prayer City), to Sango, is expected to be one of the arterial roads that will ease vehicular movement in future in the proposed mega city.

Urban Geography and Planning expert, Professor Akinlawon Mabogunje, at a recent public lecture, revealed that the development of the proposed mega city would involve the Federal Government, Lagos and Ogun state governments.

A Surveyor, Mr. Afolabi Solesi, observed that all the suburbs around Lagos were developed without the involvement of government and town planning experts.

According to him, the owners of the land popularly known as omo Onile, sold their land indiscriminately to make money. “Even the plots were sold without standard measurement and clear-cut arrangement,” he said.

While lauding the Ogun State government for awarding the contract for Magboro Road dualisation, he said the Ogun State Governor could not be blamed for the narrowness of the road because, he (the governor), in spite of the state’s lean purse, was doing the road to fulfill his promise to the people that voted him into office.

He explained that, if the road were to be expanded, that would involve paying compensation to the owners of the houses that would be demolished for the road expansion.

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PART from the unplanned development of the suburbs, the peoA ple living in the areas, particularly those from the Ibadan Expressway axis, face the risk of accidents on their way to, and from work, in Lagos daily.

This is because the Expressway, which was originally built for fast moving vehicles, is now being used as a popular bus route, where buses stop at random to drop or pick passengers even on the main road.

Pa Adeyemi Ademola, an octogenarian, who was one of the engineers that took part in the construction of the Ibadan Expressway, told The Guardian that the road, which was constructed between 1974 and 1978, was done by three firms.

He said: “The first section from Lagos to Sagamu interchange was constructed by Julius Berger Nigeria, the second 45km long section from the Sagamu Interchange to Alapako was constructed by Dumez (Nigeria) and the third section from Alapako to Ojoo, including the Ibadan Bypass was done by Strabag Nigeria.

“The award of the contract for the road was done by General Yakubu Gowon regime, but when it was completed, the then Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters, the late Major-General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, inaugurated the highway as a toll road in 1978, on behalf of General Olusegun Obasanjo (rtd), who was the Head of State.”

Pa Ademola explained that when the road was being constructed, it was not done to serve as a high street, which buses could ply. It was meant to serve as a speed highway, where no vehicle was allowed to stop except in an emergency.

“You will recall that it was a toll highway and so, it was not designed to accommodate vehicles that would be stopping and picking passengers and that was why there where no provision for bus-stops,” he affirmed.

According to him, the original arrangement was that in future, both sides of the road were to be provided with separate dual carriageways, which would take care of going and coming vehicles at both sides of the expressway, adding that, now, that arrangement seemed to have been abandoned as the expressway is suicidally being used as a bus route by those living in the emerging suburbs on

Third lane of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway converted into makeshift bus-stops. This is a major cause of traffic snarl and accident on the busy highway.

The presence of deep potholes at the edges of the road was disthat axis.

UT Mr. Iyodo Ekundayo, one of the affected commuters, told covered to be the reason bus drivers stop on the Expressway at SecThe Guardian that though they (commuters) are aware of the retariat Bus stop, Alausa, Berger Bus stop, which often accounts for danger involved in boarding buses on the road, there was noth- the heavy traffic snarl in the areas. ing they could do because they must go to work to earn a living. Other bus stops, where buses stop on the expressway include Kara When The Guardian took a tour of the road, it was discovered Bus stop, Mawa Bus stop, Arepo Bus stop, Magboro Bus stop, and that there were no designated bus stops. The various spots, which MFM (Prayer City) Bus stop, among others. are being used as bus stops, have potholes and gullies at the sharp The ugly trend has caused many accidents, which terminated the edges, which discourage drivers from driving off the road to park lives of a lot of people. Available records from the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) confirmed that accidents occur on the well to drop off or pick up passengers.

Mr. Sunday Omole, a Danfo driver plying the road, confirmed Expressway on daily basis causing the loss of many lives. The data that the reason they (drivers) do not veer off the road when they showed that between January and March 2012, 446 persons were get to the makeshift bus stops is because the sharp edges of the involved in 61 road accidents, leaving 31 of them dead and 131 inroad and the deep potholes could puncture their tyres.

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The Marvel Of Makoko’s Floating School

By Tunde Akingbade AKOKO, the coastal community in Lagos, hosted dignitaries and members of the international community last week, as a school, which was constructed on the Lagos Lagoon with an amazing input of Dutch marine architecture, was formally opened to the public.

The people of Makoko were delighted at the opening of the twostorey building, which could host about 400 people at a time without fear of sinking, that they entertained visitors with the performances of two traditional masquerades, who floated on water to the utmost amazement of guests.

The masquerades called Sangbeto floated on mats through indescribable traditional means and “technology”. They were brought in a canoe amidst heavy drums, percussion and singing.

The people beat gongs and gyrated as cars sped off across the 11km long Third Mainland Bridge overlooking the Makoko community.

They were oblivious of the mystery and magic being unfolded by this traditional fishing community on the water of the Lagos Lagoon. But the audience watched with keen interest as the handlers of the masquerades placed two mats on the lagoon.

Then a Sangbeto masquerade, adorned with what appeared to be shredded and neatly woven nylon, gingerly lowered itself on the floating mats. The masquerade stayed afloat unlike the floating school that was being commissioned, which was built on a stilt.

Construction of the school began in October 2012 and it was completed February 2013 with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Heinrich Boell Foundation from Germany. The event also witnessed a spectacular boat regatta and water racing competition, while the performances

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showcased the untapped tourist and cultural potential of the water community.

Dignitaries, including Country Director of UNDP, Ms. Ade Mamonyane Lekoetje; Mrs. Monika Umunna of Heinrich Boell Foundation; Programme Officer, UNDP, Mr. Muyiwa Odele; Programme Officer of the United Nations Habitat, Paul Okunlola; Mr. Maximus of Climate Change Unit, Lagos State Ministry of Environment; were stunned at the incredible performances.

UNDP’s Country Director, Lekoetje said the agency was delighted to contribute to a project that will help the people transform Makoko and put smiles on the faces of young children, whose future depend on quality education and a decent environ-

The floating school at Makoko

ment. She added that the project would serve as a model to transform other coastal communities in the West African sub region.

The floating school at Makoko was designed and constructed with locally sourced materials

by Mr. Kunle Adeyemi, a Nigerian architect trained in Holland as well as the University of Lagos. He was assisted by Berend Strijland and a visiting Naval architect, Erik Wassen.

Adeyemi told The Guardian that he was delighted with the outcome of the event, noting that the huge crowd, which thronged the floating school and its ability to withstand the weight like the rock of Gibraltar, was a way of testing their marine architectural ingenuity.

Many Europeans sailed in droves from Victoria Island and Ikoyi to Makoko to watch the spectacular wonder school, which has a solid foundation of plastic drums that could withstand any storm and sea level rise resulting from global warming and climate change.

Apart from finding use for old plastics, the ecologically motivated house also uses solar energy, which will make the children of Makoko have electricity anytime they wish.

The Goethe Institute organised a film show and photography exhibition tagged The Silent Majority, which was anchored by Paschal Ott of the French School and Jahman Anikulapo, former Editor of The Guardian on Sunday.

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THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 10, 2013

CITYFILE

Amid Batter Of Notoriety, LASTMA Breathes New Life casioned by complaints of motorists on the overzealousness and highhandedness of the agency’s officials.

But the Lagos State government is looking beyond the complaints about LASTMA officers. With a current population put at about 20.19 million, government is responding to the daunting needs of Lagos status as a megacity, whose population will hit 35 million by 2020, according to the UNHabitat.

By Tope Templer Olaiya, Assistant Lagos-City Editor

Established 13 years ago, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has been faced with diverse challenges resulting from what has been ascribed to as its officers’ overzealousness. The state government, however, sees an entirely transformed traffic operatives with its ongoing reforms.

T doesn’t take a sorcerer’s mind to imagine what Lagos would have been without LASTMA. With the state traffic management agency, transiting in Las Gidi, as the state is otherwise known, could sometimes be burdensome. Without the dreaded LASTMA officials, living in the Centre of Excellence would have been horror demonstrated.

Such is the weight of responsibility being borne by the men in cream and red uniform. While the huge task of marshalling traffic in the nation’s commercial capital is complemented by the Nigeria Police Force, it is the fear of ‘LASTMAN’, their sobriquet from the people’s parlance, that has helped to instill a measure of sanity on Lagos roads.

Previously, the Nigeria Police was in charge of traffic management. But now, the police work in tandem with LASTMA and it is not strange to see operatives of both institutions at major junctions in their different uniforms. However, a string of brutality and high handedness by LASTMA’s officials had made a cross section of Lagosians feel the agency has outlive its usefulness.

John Akinyemi, a salesman based in Lagos, is always on the road. Though, he says he enjoys his job, which entails driving across the state, the part he hates is what he calls “the overzealous attitude” of the police and LASTMA officials. “I don’t like LASTMA at all,” said Akinyemi. “They are just out there to extort money from motorists.”

In an alleged case of official high-handedness, a 54-year-old commercial bus driver, Isaac Popoola, was on Christmas day, last year, killed by a LASTMA official at Brown bus-stop in Oshodi, around 6.30a.m.

HIS explains why the Senior Special Assistant T to Governor Babatunde Fashola on Transport Education, Dr. Mariam Masha, said a definite

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The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Transport Education, Dr. Mariam Masha (second left) addressing the Batch 9 participants from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) during their induction for the Career Evaluation Training Programme for Law Enforcement Officers in Lagos State. With her are the Project Coordinator, Mrs. Demilola Shitta (second right); Training Officer from LASTMA, Modupeore Macauley (right) and his KAI counterpart, Mr. Adeyemi Adebowale (left).

Narrating what led to the death of Popoola, his conductor, Aremu Salau, said they loaded the bus with 17 passengers from Isheri heading towards Oshodi, when about seven LASTMA officials doublecrossed their bus.

According to him, Popoola asked the LASTMA officials why they wanted him to come down since he didn’t contravene any traffic law. But the LASTMA officials kept insisting that he should get down from the bus.

He said the LASTMA officials continued to struggle with Popoola, and in the process, they started beating him on the head with the iron of the vehicle’s seat belt. They also began hitting his head against the bus frame and in the process, the driver fainted. When they saw that he had fainted, the LASTMA officials ran away from the scene of the incident.

But not everyone sees LASTMA’s operatives as bad guys. One of such is Kate Bassey. “LASTMA really has its excesses, but at least they have made traffic flow a lot better. On days they are not around, there is just madness on the roads,” she said.

Bassey is of the opinion that if LASTMA is removed from Lagos roads, there will be much pandemonium. “This was what many Lagosians experienced last Monday after a heavy downpour.

The rain, which poured heavily between 7 and 10pm, came with a severe traffic logjam because there were no LASTMA officials on the road. A lot of people didn’t get to their homes until the early hours of the following morning.”

A definite change has, however, started in the agency. It began shortly after the Lagos Road Traffic Law became effective on August 2, 2012 and oc-

change “has dawned on the authority with a welldefined mandate to build a culture of institutional character and a community service relation.” And the agenda in the main, according to him, is to build a team of enforcement officers, who will discharge their core responsibilities with regard to the relevant legal instruments.

The reform is already underway and evident in the career evaluation training programme, which Masha said the state government had put together for its key law enforcement officers from three institutions. The institutions basically include LASTMA, Kick against Indiscipline (KAI) and Neighbourhood Watch. Masha said the state government focused on the three institutions because of their pivotal roles to making the metropolis work daily.

About 7,916 law enforcement officers are brought into the evaluation programme, which Fashola said, was designed “to inculcate in each of the participants the core values of integrity, courage, commitment, pride of professionalism, teamwork spirit, self-respect as well as respect for every citizen.”

Of this number, Masha explained that 2,200 traffic operatives and KAI’s officers “have already undergone the evaluation programme, designed to enhance the capacity of about 2,749 traffic operatives, 1,011 KAI’s officers and 4,156 neighbourhood watchers.”

At the same time, Masha said the state government was also responding to the challenges, which she said, accompany cities with megacity status across the world. “The key objective of the programme was to equip participants with a better approach to law enforcement. The focus places premium on the need to change people’s behaviour and train our law enforcement agents to respond to challenges in line with global stan-

TheGuardian

Sunday, March 10, 2013 | 11

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Outlook Paths To A Realisable Future

By Okechukwu Emeh, Jr

ART of the evolutionary leaps of the human race is the articulation of lofty political and social ideas like democracy, separation of power, the rule of law and fundamental human rights.

Added to these are the various norms and values, which are the necessary prescriptions against abominations and acts of immorality and inhumanity. This is not to mention supra-national political and economic community building initiatives of the present era, as mirrored in both regional and continental integration, as well as globalisation and the corresponding global economic convergence.

Equally captivating are the historic scientific discoveries of man, which the resultant technologies have dramatically improved our well-being. Apart from automotive, aviation, electronics (including information and communications technologies or ICTs), medicine and space research, other astonishing advances in technology can also be glimpsed from the arcane fields of biotechnology and renewable energy sources (including those of solar, hydro, wind turbine and bio-fuel).

Amid the giant strides of man in almost the whole gamut of endeavours, which confirm the idea of progress as a key to our civilisation, is the sad reality that human beings are their own major cause of misfortunes. Just think of unwholesome human activities that have imperiled our time like oppressive rule, renewed arms race, ghastly conflicts (including genocidal killing), terrorism, nihilistic violence of doomsday religious and occultic sects (like Branch Davidian in the United States (U.S.) and Aum Shinrikyo in Japan), suicidal massacres (as witnessed in the U.S. in recent times) and trans-national crimes (including illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, narcotic peddling and trafficking in persons). Think of exploitation, deprivation, impoverishment, discrimination, oppression, inequity and injustice being suffered by millions of people around the world due to the unjust structural and institutional systems operating in their countries. What of the ecological damage wrought by selfish economic interests of man like climate change, deforestation and acid rain, which are part of the fallout of intense burning of fossil fuels, indiscriminate dumping of industrial waste, population surge and the attendant encroachment on natural resources and reckless clearing of tropical forests.

Just consider this: Man is a maker of law, which is a means of social control, yet he (or she) breaks it at his or her whims and caprices.

Think of the steady decline of spirituality, morality and values in the age of religion (sorry religiosity) and their regrettable replacement with narcissistic individualism, crass materialism and hedonism, which are the root of all evil.

Indeed, our race is our bane. Man is not the giver of life, which is sacred and inviolable, yet he (or she) takes it away at will and with impunity through ruthless and callous acts like murder, assassination, war, vicious conflict, terrorism, capital punishment, abortion, euthanasia (or mercy killing) and suicide. Think of the heavy casualties of the first and second world wars and the protracted Vietnam conflict of yore and the human cost of civil or external wars in our time, which is terrifying and unacceptable. In fact, militarism, as often manifested in military buildup, armament, war, armed conflict or aggression, is the greatest threat to our civilisation. Think of the well-coordinated and orchestrated terror attacks on America by the venomous forces of religious fundamentalism (Al-Qaeda/Taliban) on September 11, 2001, which claimed more than 3,000 lives and property worth billions of dollars. Think of the degree of violence and bloodshed generated by religious extremism in volatile places like Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Yemen, Algeria and Somalia, as well as the similar fermenting crisis of terrorism in countries like Nigeria, Mali and Kenya, which seem to be catching the lethal flu of bigotry and hatred.

Virulent ethnic nationalism is also a source of tension, conflict and depredation in most parts of the globe. In this regard, recall the genocide in Rwanda in 1994, in which more than 800,000 people, mostly members of the minority ethnic Tutsi, along with moderate Hutus, were slaughtered by Hutu government forces and Hutu extremist militias (interahamwe). In former Yugoslavia, in the early 1990s, the communal convulsions between the ultra-nationalist Serbs and their neighbours (Croats, Slovenes, Bosnians and KosovoAlbanians) resulted in a kind of Balkan tragedy, as egregiously captured in ethnic cleansing, atrocities, war crime and crime against humanity, as well as the violent disintegration of that federation of southern Slavs. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (former Zaire), the ethnic turmoil that ensued the armed struggle that toppled the authoritarian regime of Field Marshal Mobutu Sese Seko in 1998 has transformed into seemingly intractable and tragic civil war that has

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CONversation

tries like agricultural subsidies and quotas.

Think of the causal nexus between most of our environmental crises (including pollution, climate change/global warming, ocean surge, erosion, desertification, deforestation and forest fire) and scant regard for conservation and sustainability nowadays, as observed in clearing of rain forest in places like the Amazon region.

Same is man’s interference with nature at alarming rate through excessive emissions of carbons in the atmosphere, which portend danger not just locally but everywhere, as shown by the severe depletion of the ozone layer and the attendant global warming. It is feared that global warming and the associated mass migration could interact with and exacerbate old threats to international stability like crushing poverty, population explosion, regional wars, terrorism and conflict over dwindling resources like water (as looming among countries sharing the River Nile). Think of some of the emergency situations in countries like China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Brazil, Mexico, Nigeria and DR Congo, as observed through industrial accidents (including explosion and fire outbreak) and automobile and plane crashes, which occur very often not only consumed over six million lives, displaced about 2.2 mil- not out of SOD’s law but as a result of human error, negligence or recklessness. lion people and rendered the country unstable since then, but Think of the gratuitous abuse of technologies that are meant for has also made the vast mineral resources there to be plundered improvement of human life. An example is the Internet, the inforby different combatants and their foreign allies.

No doubt, the man-made problems of internecine strife and vio- mation super-highway of our time, which is now deployed in some lence have become part of the emblematic features of the interna- quarters for illegal acts like scams, espionage, piracy, pornography and incitement to occultism, terrorism and suicide. Another examtional system since the end of the ruinous ideological conflict (the Cold War) between the U.S. and Russia and their allies in 1989. ple is atomic energy, which if harnessed in the form of electricity Making the post-Cold War order a period of hot peace and great could bring the standard of living of developing countries like Nigeperil are the tumultuous socio-political events from the Middle ria to Western standards, but if channelled to manufacturing of bombs, as feared about countries like North Korea and Iran, could East (Israel-Palestine) to the Balkans (in the former Yugoslavia), unleash unimaginable human destruction in the scale of HiCentral Asia (Afghanistan and Tadjikistan) and South Asia (Pakroshima and Nagasaki. Same is for biotechnology, which, apart istan and India’s administered Kashmir) through the Horn of Africa (Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia) and the Great Lakes region from being applied for breeding of more plants and animals of im(Rwanda, Burundi, DR Congo, Uganda and Central African Repub- proved species and for medicine, could be used by irrational scienlic) — all representing the metaphors for bloody upheavals with tists for possible cloning of cruel and barbaric villains who were haters of humanity like Adolf Hitler, Pol Pot, Idi Amin, Jean-Bedel international repercussions.

In the light of the dreadful challenges presented by the post-cold Bokassa and Suddam Hussein.

As a race now facing uncertain future because of our array of selfWar era, as accentuated by unprecedented turbulence in the global arena, as mainly driven by power politics, ethnic national- inflicted wounds of crises and problems, we have no option than to ism and religious fundamentalism, many keen watchers of inter- retrace our steps from the brink of self-destruction. Of course, the national affairs are wondering whether the so-called New World visions and dreams of a whole new world of peace, order and progress are surely a fundamental aspect of authentic humanity.

Order proclaimed by international idealists like Mr. Frances Granted this, we must build a new world that will be responsive to Fukuyama (author of the famous essay The End of History) and former President George W. Bush (Jnr) of the U.S., in the wake of human needs. We must rechant humanity by placing a premium the thaw in the Cold War, is not relapsing into a New World Disor- on God and the well-being of the human person over and above mundane things like politics, power, wealth, position and influder.

Embodying this thinking are frightening and depressing devel- ence, which are ephemeral. We must give serious attention to definopments around the world in recent years. These include the fre- ing our ideals, our goals and our priorities as they regard the search quent war of words, laden with brinkmanship, between America for a new humanity. We must pursue our individual search for a and the so-called pariah states like Iran and North Korea over ac- meaning, a key to all understanding, by contemplating our place in the world and by reflecting on the impact of our actions. quisition of weapons of mass destruction by the latter and that between the Western world (chiefly the U.S. and Britain) and Rus- We must disavow individualism by finding roots in community in sia and China over nuclear rearmament and espionage by the lat- order to reap from its bounties of warmth, intimacy, togetherness and security. We must recognize our need for one another, not the ter and their support for despotic rulers who suppress their subjects like the regime of Bashar Assad in Syria, which has been kind of dog-eat-dog the human society is becoming today, as grappling with a bloody insurrection since March 2011, and that marked by pitiable lack of care and sense of affiliation. We must reof Mohammed al-Bashir in Sudan, which witnessed the secession suscitate our heritage of values for a good society, a kind of society of South Sudan about two years ago and has been battling with which allows people to commit themselves to closely held values the guerrilla uprising of non-Arab populations in the restive re- and to feel fulfiled because they can live up to their own expectations. We must shun dishonesty, greed, selfishness, self-aggrandisegions of Darfur and Kordofan.

Think of the subsisting economic recession across the world and ment, materialism and nagging demands of instant gratification, which, apart from undermining our spirituality, core values and the precipitate widespread human misery, job insecurity and high crime rates — as prompted by factors like corporate greed, sense of self-abnegation, are the motivating factors of criminality, over-speculation, big government, corruption, mismanagement, immorality and misanthrophy. We must try to live with fewer malack of clear-cut macroeconomic policies, growth without devel- terial needs, in that materialist values displace the core of human opment (because of lack of social inclusion and popular partici- activity from God and human beings to things. We must imbibe the endearing qualities of contentment, gratitude, humility, patience, pation), consumerism and profiteering of modern capitalism. perseverance, resilience, moderation, benevolence, compassion, alThink of the economic woes and the resultant underdevelopment and abject poverty in many developing countries of Latin truism and human solidarity.

To live in harmony and security and ensure peaceful development America, Asia and Africa, which could be blamed on bad governance, corruption, mismanagement, political instability, social of humanity towards its full potential, we must be duly committed unrest, poor macroeconomic planning, massive capital flight and to addressing all sorts of human conflict, whether war, terrorism, dearth of solid industrial base. This is apart from the oft-cited im- political or social strife, class war, crime or violence, through reperialistic destabilisation behind such economic misfortunes, in- moval of the root causes, including inordinate quest for power, deprivation, poverty, yawning gap between the rich and the poor, cluding subjection of many developing countries to perpetual social alienation, despondency, oppression and injustice. suppliers of raw materials and consumers of finished products from Europe, North America and the Pacific Rim countries (Japan, •Emeh, a social researcher, contributed this from Wuse, Abuja.

China, Australia) and unfair trade practices of developed coun-

By Obe Ess

TheGuardian

12| Sunday, March 10, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Editorial To Revive The Textile HERE was, as usual, a depressing narrative recently by the Federal Government’s Ministry of Trade on the nation’s textile industry: The Cotton, Textile and Garment Industrial Subsector is going from a state of coma into final death. And the story of the journey to this state is one of visionlessness. The hope is that the Nigerian government would move from hand-wringing to taking concrete actions to revive the industry.

Before the Structural Adjustment Programme, in 1986, there were 175 fully functional textile mills. The subsector, which engaged over 800,000 employees, accounted for about 63 per cent of West Africa’s textile manufacturing capacity and 60 per share of Nigeria’s textile market. But by 2008, there were only 25 functional mills, which operated at very low installed capacity level. The total workforce fell to about 24,000 while the total output shrank to about 12 per cent share of the domestic market. Needless to add, demand for cotton and other complementary local inputs also collapsed over the period.

Recent data reportedly obtained from the Manufacturers’ Association (MAN) showed that capacity utilisation in the surviving mills stood at 29.14 per cent in 2010 and 49.70 per cent in 2011. The subsector’s workers’ union disclosed at the retreat that 38 firms had benefited from N100 billion textile intervention fund. The fund, which attracts about 7 per cent interest rate, is expected to be fully accessed this year. The workers’ union has called for the fund to be increased to N500 billion with zero interest rate and 20-year tenor to enable more textile companies to have access to cheap fund so as to boost their capacity utilisation. It will appear from the foregoing that with cheap funding and guaranteed market, many dormant mills can be brought back to life fairly quickly. Doubtless, the volume of funding required by the various industrial sectors cannot be met through special intervention funding. Government should therefore embrace correct and proper fiscal and monetary methods in order to force down lending rates across-the-board to about the level attracted by the textile intervention fund.

The previous official import substitution industrialisation strategy gave birth to the earlier pre-SAP heightened activity in the subsector, which cut across the manufacturing sector. But local manufacturing was shortly after given a bad name by inconsistent policy makers as a major user of foreign exchange for imports of raw materials and capital goods while generating little or no foreign exchange in return. That judgment was terribly shortsighted and has set the country back by several decades. Surely, it cannot be gainsaid that any share of the domestic market contributed by local manufacturing (or any industrial subsector) represents savings on foreign exchange that would otherwise have been spent on corresponding imports of foreign finished products.

Additionally, local manufacturing creates direct and indirect jobs as well as facilitates technological transfer. Besides foreign exchange spent on imported raw materials pending available local supply via backward integration would be less than the outlay on imported final products (derived from the raw materials abroad). For these reasons, in the renewed effort to promote local manufacturing, no effort should be spared in shielding the large domestic market for locally based industries with the aid of tariffs and multiple levies to discourage counterfeiting and dumping.

For example, MAN has asserted that 73 per cent of textile and garment sector goods in the domestic market are smuggled. Simple solution! It required concerted policy measures by relevant government agencies to make it difficult for such foreign products to be paid for by tightening access to foreign exchange through unofficial channels. As a result, it would make economic sense for foreignbased firms from which smuggled goods are sourced to return or relocate to this country to produce in order to satisfy the protected domestic market. In this regard, it is a display of lack of both economic savvy and political will for government to set the far-distant target year of 2020 for the textile and garment subsector to achieve a meagre 25 per cent share of the domestic market. Why not target the 60 per cent share of the domestic market by 2020, a mark attained in the pre-SAP era? By that same year, government should make its vision of providing long-fibre cotton seeds at subsidised rates to all cotton farmers a reality in order to guarantee high quality textile products.

To truly save the production sector, or specifically to revive the textile and garment subsector, the critical requirement is to protect the local market for local manufactures and by extension domestic jobs.

The tattered flag of globalisation should not be hoisted at the expense of local production and local jobs.

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LETTERS

Silent War Against Lab Scientists continue to allow this to happen

A new development has Microbiologist instead of a SgleIR:emerged in the current strug- Medical Lab Scientist with spe- but for the presence of a biased between doctors and health cialty in Medical microbiology! minister who has continued to workers particularly Medical Laboratory Scientists in the country. Findings revealed that doctors heading medical institutions during the last NMA summit conspired not to offer job opportunities to medical laboratory scientists in their establishments. And to buttress this fact, recent adverts by some of the tertiary health institutions in the past few months have excluded these professionals. Most of the vacancies published by these institutions including that of Federal Medical Centres at Asaba and Ekiti have no positions for Medical Lab Scientists and where they have, it is for interns.

Investigations have also shown that despite complaints by the HODs over inadequacies in the number of medical lab scientists in the departments, the CMDs usually dismiss their demands for more hands.

Particularly embarrassing is the case of FMC, Asaba that advertised for the position of a

A lot of these sacrilegious acts are being perpetrated in health establishments thereby sustaining quackery in the already fragile health system and playing politics with patients’ lives.

No wonder we continue to have poor results and diagnosis and people will continue to suffer while the privileged ones will continue to go abroad for better services! What can a Microbiologist really do in a medical setting? Is he or she trained in investigating human diseases or carry out diagnostic investigations?

Does he or she know the principle guiding such investigations?

It has also been observed that most of these health institutions hardly advertise for senior positions to attract the best hands in the field of medical laboratory practice. This treacherous act is happening in a country like Nigeria where the laws are too weak. How can the Federal Ministry of Health

mislead the Ministry, mislead the President and even the National Assembly.

Sincerely, I am yet to understand why Mr President and the National Assembly should watch as these illegalities continue in the health sector. Many panel reports on the crisis are yet to be implemented. It is in a system like this that a doctor will hide or tamper with the Scheme of Service of health workers and even refuse to implement same in his establishment and the system continues. It is really time for the Association of Medical Lab Scientists to be on their toes, the Council must also act strongly in the face of these threats. There is the need to mount intense pressure at the National Assembly through constant advocacy visits.

The lack of unity and coercion among health workers generally is not helping matters as each group seem not ready to work for the collective interest of all but for their individual members.

•Joshua Anunibe.

Lagos.

So Much Ado About e-Governance http://osgf.gov.ng/): each icon

IR: This president no doubt has to achieve up to 85 per cent Shimself a penchant for surrounding takes you to a dead end; the budget implementation. with armchair tech- media icon takes you to a nean- I have been trying to find the nocrats and dead weights who are bereft of patriotic zealotry and administrative finesse. I often hear Ms Johnson (Minister of Information Technology) talking about having a common portal for MDAs and other shibboleths. Just do it woman and stop procrastinating! Whatever happened to the NICOMSAT that gulped billions of taxpayers’ money? Our Internet speed is still among the slowest in the world.

Just look at the corpulent SGF, was that one actually recruited to work for the Nigerian people? He can’t even run a website (www.osgf.dammy.net or

derthal press statement signed

by Emma Niboro in 2010. The profile of the SGF himself on the trash called website is no less embarrassing: it’s like something copied from Wikipedia; dwelling more on sensational, irrelevant details that would only interest rabble-rousing journalists and editors/publishers of soft-sell tabloids. Very unprofessional!

Okonjo-Iweala is clearly overrated. If she is as rated, why can’t she implement a budget less than $30 billion. Nigeria remains the only country in the world that makes revenue surplus but fails

website of the Ministries of Labour and Productivity and that of Defence for ages, it doesn’t appear there is any. Just to set up functional websites for government agencies is a big deal in my country. Little wonder they are unable to deliver in all areas.

Search no further, in finding a personified definition for the term “incompetence”: it is in the persons and actions of this administration. How else could the fate of a nation be more hapless? My heart bleeds!

• Linus Onime, Lagos.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 10, 2013

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THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 10, 2013

14

FOREIGNNEWS AFTERMATH KENYAN ELECTION

Uhuru Kenyatta: Indicted President

By Solomon Mugera S the son of Kenya’s founding father, Uhuru Kenyatta has the name, the wealth - and the burden that comes with his heritage.

Unlike his late father, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, Uhuru does not carry a fly-whisk as a mark of authority, instead he carries the heavy indictment by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity committed after the previous elections, in 2007.

Many thought the ICC charges - which he denies - would destroy his bid for the presidency.

But now that he has won, it seems the ICC only helped to galvanise support for Kenyatta and his running mate, William Ruto, among those who see the charges as foreign interference in domestic matters.

Uhuru Kenyatta’s victory has made history on several fronts.

Born in October 1961, he will be sworn in as Kenya’s youngest president; He will have followed in his father’s footsteps to lead the country; He will become the second president in Africa to be indicted by the ICC –– after Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir As a child born to a rich and powerful family, Kenyatta went to one of the best schools in Nairobi before attending Amherst College in the US where he studied Political Science and Economics.

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Mr Kenyatta may not have a natural flair for public speaking but he has a powerful voice and can be persuasive when fighting his corner.

He has his mother to thank for ensuring that he mastered the local Kikuyu language, which helps him to connect with his countrymen in rural areas.

They love to call him njamba –– meaning hero.

Growing up, Kenyatta always shied away from politics and wanted to be seen as an ordinary person at ease with ordinary Kenyans.

In July 1990, together with four other sons of prominent politicians, he issued a statement urging the then-ruling party, Kenya African National Unity (Kanu), to open up the political space.

Many in Kenya thought such a move would draw the wrath of thenPresident Daniel Arap Moi. Instead, the leader brought young Kenyatta closer and guided him into politics.

The most prominent stage in Kenyatta’s political career under the tutelage of Moi came in 2002 when the outgoing president anointed him as his successor on a Kanu ticket.

The decision saw a number of key members of Kanu such as Raila Odinga and then Vice-President George Saitoti walk out of the party and away from Mr Moi’s “Uhuru Project”.

Moi’s plan ultimately backfired and Kenyatta lost to President Mwai Kibaki, who benefitted from Odinga’s support.

During the 2007 elections Kenyatta supported President Kibaki’s

bid for a second term against Odinga.

The controversy and violence following the 2007 elections forced Kibaki and Odinga to form a coalition government.

Kenyatta became one of the two deputy prime ministers and also minister of trade. He was later appointed to the treasury as minister for finance.

One of his first moves in this role was to direct that ministers, assistant ministers and permanent secretaries return their official Mercedes Benz cars in exchange for the more economical Volkswagen Passats.

Kenyatta has been keen to demonstrate that he is his own man.

He is no longer Moi’s “project” and does not need political patronage from President Kibaki either.

He left Kanu to form his own party, The National Alliance (TNA), and has gone on to form a coalition with other parties that are backing his presidential bid.

He is also eager to show that he is modern, in tune with the country’s youth and techno-savvy. While preparing the 2011/12 budget he used Twitter to invite public contributions.

During this presidential campaign, Kenyatta has been presenting himself and his political allies as the “digital team” that is ready to get down to the business of developing Kenya.

He is ranked by Forbes Magazine as the 23rd richest person in Africa with an estimated fortune of £330m ($500m).

He is fast becoming a media mogul, the Kenyatta family owns TV channel K24, The People newspaper and a number of radio stations.

The family also has vast interests in the country’s tourism, banking, construction, dairy and insurance sectors.

They also own huge parcels of land in the Rift Valley, central and coastal regions of Kenya.

It is the land question that haunts Kenyatta and the rest of his family wherever they go in Kenya.

In an interview with BBC’s HardTalk programme in 2008, he was asked how much land his family owned.

He replied: “I don’t need to answer that question because that’s not the issue. Land reform is not about a person; land reform is about a nation.

It’s not that I won’t tell you. It’s that I don’t need to tell you.”

Land is the source of nearly all ethnic clashes that bedevil the Rift Valley. It is so divisive that the inspector general of police warned political candidates not to make it a campaign issue.

In his election manifesto, Kenyatta acknowledges that “Kenya’s future prosperity is dependent upon the transformation into a property owning and land-user rights democracy.

“Our ambition is a massive expansion of land user and ownership rights, so that all Kenyans who want to own their own homes are able to do so.”

But Kenyatta has a potentially greater fight ahead.

The 51-year-old, his running mate Ruto and two other Kenyans are charged by the ICC with crimes against humanity.

They are accused of bearing the greatest responsibility for the 2008 post-election violence that left more than 1,000 people dead and forced some 600,000 from their homes The ICC links him to the outlawed militia group, Mungiki, which is accused of carrying out revenge attacks during the violence.

For many years Kenyatta’s Kikuyu community and Mr Ruto’s Kalenjins have clashed over land in the agriculturallyrich Rift Valley.

The recent voter registration saw a massive turn out in their strongholds.

If these two communities do unite in this election, they would provide an extremely strong voting bloc, which could finally propel Kenyatta to the top job he has coveted for so long.

15

THE GUARDIAN,Sunday, March 10, 2013

Help… Bad People Want To Stain Stella Two Faces Of Justice CC entered the departure lounge to do transactions.

The heat at both the outer and inner areas of the deworking very hard. If parture section was very every daughter of Eve in close to what came out of Jonathan’s cabinet the blast furnace of works like her, some Ajaokuta Steel Complex NGos will before long, when the company was begin the campaign for producing rods in the good the 35 per cent female old days. quota in government appointments to be increased to say Haba! That didn’t look like the trade50 or more and bring women at par mark of Hurricane Stella. The air conditioners according to a source were with or above men. She is a shining testimony of the ability of a woman running on a timetable and it was to do even better than a man. In fact, just unfortunate that CC chose to enter when the stuffs had gone on one newspaper searched diligently break after a stressful stretch. Nobody everywhere in Nigeria for just one notable man in 2012 and when it was could say the exact length of their break time. One FAAN worker only impossible to find a man it settled consoled the sweaty passengers that for Stella as its “Man Of The Year the coolers would soon resume and 2012.” take over from the standing fans, She is changing the face of all the federal airports in Nigeria. That was which added to the prevailing anger a feat that Femi Fani-Kayode with all with their noisy oscillation. How soon, she did not say but as at 5.00pm his Queens grammar could not achieve. Madam is so impacting that when the Arik flight departed the tarshe has been renamed Hurricane Stella. Anytime she visits airports, the buildings are leveled to give way C is worried that those who ought to a new beginning. She is thunderto know what due process and fedously applauded as if she is spending eral character are all about are not willher own money to rebuild the airports. But that one na bad belle and it ing to apply the rules, especially when nor concern CC, whether na her own or there are plum jobs in the offing.

There is one plum vacancy somewhere government money she dey use. After the devastation in Lagos, the hurri- at FIRS, which has been vacant since the former executive chairman Mrs. cane moved eastward to Benin airOmoigui Okauru stepped aside in port where it has uprooted and April 2012. replanted.

CC was completely disorientated on Coordinating director, Support Services Group of the services, Alhaji Kabir arrival at the airport penultimate M. Mashi was appointed as the Ag. week, precisely Thursday, April 4.

Hmmm, at last something befitting is chairman of the FIRS. Recently, CC got wind of an undercoming from the centre in Abuja to the ancient city! But that was before ground move to recruit for the posiRINCESS Stella Odua, P the minister in charge of aviation is

HESE are not good times for Mrs T Elizabeth Otene. On January 1, 2013, she got a strange gift from her landlord- a quit notice asking her to vacate her present accommodation on or before March 30, 2013. Since receiving this letter, she had been looking frantically for help but none is coming her way.

Mrs Otene is one of the two widows of late Supol Simon Otene, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ogere, Ogun Otene mac for Lagos, the air conditioners State, who was shot and killed right inhad not returned to their duty side his office on December 15, 2009.

Pension Board but they have met a posts. And this was after three and On that fateful day, some dare devil brick wall. “ All the police authorities half hours of staying in hot hell. gun men had entered the Divisional keep on telling us is, ‘come today, come Obviously, enemies are at work.

Police Station, ransacked the place and tomorrow”, said Mrs. Otene.

They want to taint Stella’s impressent every police officer in the station Dateline: January 29, 2013. A federal sive credentials of a perfect public scampering into the bush for safety.

High Court sitting in Abuja, sentenced money spender and spoil her The late Otene was said to be in his ofJohn Yakubu Yusuf, an Assistant Direcchances of emerging Time Magazine fice, trying to appeal to some warring tor at the Police Pension Office to a two Man of the Year 2013. God nor go factions on the need for them to give year jail term with an option to pay a gree! peace a chance, when the gun men enfine of N.75million after he had But wait! The refurbished airport tered his office. He allegedly ran into pleaded guilty to conniving with other was commissioned last week. CC the only available safe place- the toilet. staffs to steal N27.2billion from the cofhopes the air-conditioning system It was in this toilet that his body was fers of the pension funds meant for pohas now switched to a 24-hour riddled with bullets. lice officers. mode.

Four years on, life for the members of Justice Abubakar Talba delivered the the family of the deceased police offijudgement sequel to the criminal cer has become a mirage. They could charges filed before him by the Ecohardly believe what they are going nomic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The judgement was based tion of chairman and the process did through. Reality started dawning early. During the burial, there was liton a plea bargaining arrangement benot appear transparent enough. tle or no police presence, safe for two tween the legal team of EFCC led by RoThose who were notified to come for officers detailed to escort his corpse timi Jacobs SAN, the defence lawyers, a screening exercise were not shortand family members to his homeand the judge. The police pension thief listed in the normal manner of the town, Fite, Benue State. was also to forfeit 32 houses and the public service. Instead, it was a hushAfter the burial, the two wives resum of N325 million traced by the EFCC hush affair and Last Sunday they were turned to Lagos. Elizabeth and her to the accounts of Yusuf. quartered in a hotel at Abuja for what children lived in a rented apartment This judgement has raised a lot of was supposed to be a screening exerin Unity Street, Ikeja, Lagos. They had furore over the justice system in Nigecise. Why will the handlers chose a to move out and seek a cheaper acria. Although the EFCC quickly re arSunday for a screening exercise of this commodation at Meiran, a bustling rested the convict and charged him manner and why the secrecy? community in the outskirts of the with another set of crimes, the mesCC is keeping close tab on this and state. Since Otene’s death, his family sage of how the justice system in Nigewill not hesitate to blow the whistle members had made spirited efforts to ria operates has already been sent. when the process develops further k- get his entitlements from the Police While police officers labour every day leg. for the security of the nation with all their challenges, some people up there are busy stealing their entitlement they hope to get at retirement, or what their families could get if they eventually paid the supreme price for watching over their father land.

That Slippery Process At FIRS

C

- Mustapha Ogunsakin

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 10, 2013

16 SUNDAYMAGAZINE

NEWSPEOPLE

‘Synergy Among Security Agencies Critical To Curbing Insecurity’ From John Akubo, Dutse

Jigawa State Commissioner of Police, Kayode Theophilus said the strategy of maintaining synergy with sister security organisations in the state has paid off with the sustained peace which has continued to be the hallmark of the State.

N the fresh synergy with other security O agencies in fighting crime in the State There is cooperation between the Nigeria Police Force and other sister security agencies.

The synergy between our organisations is so strong that we now work hand in hand with one objective of curbing crime.

For instance, I have high regards for Hisbah in Jigawa, they are the security agents of the Muslim group. They have been very useful especially during religious crises. They work together with the Ulamas and they have always assisted in ensuring that the crises do not escalate to the extent that we have to use force.

As the Commissioner of Police in Jigawa State, my strategy is talking to the people, moving with them; what I refer to, as communitypolicing strategy is what I employ. I have been friendly with all the people. I operate an open door policy. And my door is opened for everybody in the State; they can see me at any time.

When I resumed, I called all security agencies to let them know that I need their cooperation, I called the meeting of our entire sister security agencies; Military, Civil Defense, Custom, Immigration, SSS, Vigilante, Hisbah.

We had a very fruitful deliberation. It is by working together that we can achieve our objectives.

We will not achieve anything if we work as rivals but the collaboration has actually helped us.

Working with the vigilante group Anything that will help to bring down crime in Jigawa State to the barest minimum, I will apply. So vigilante group members are actually helping me in Jigawa because they are one of the security outfits the State is using.

They are dedicated to duty. I had meeting with them and with Hisbah guards. We came out with some of the strategies for the outfit to assist the police. I found that the strategy actually helped me to achieve the relative peace that Jigawa has been known for and I accept them 100 per cent.

In SuleTankarkar, the chairman displayed all the equipments, uniforms, motorcycles, and torchlights that can assist them and help the police because where the police cannot reach, they can get there with their motorcycles and arrest suspects which they will hand over to the police.

It is due to the cooperation I have been preaching, and because I had told them that the Hisbah are part and parcel of the police, they accepted. I told all my DPOs during the CP’s conference that they have to carry the Vigilante and Hisbah along because they are part of us. The IG had said we should work with them because they are helping to reduce crime; that has been my policy.

Cooperation with other local security outfits When the president visited last year, we were all troubled because of inadequate personnel but the situaution was helped by the cooperation of the other security outfits especially Vigilante group and Hisbah.

They were well dressed and their turn out was excellent and they were able to position themselves in areas where we had not enough police officers to cover. They were able to even control the crowd. When President Jonathan was moving from Hadejia to Kafinhausa, they took charge of the route lining for almost 7 to 10 km from Hadejia.

On his recent tour of police divisions in Jigawa State The essence of the inspection tour of Police divisions and area commands in the State is to assess what they are doing now and brief them on IG’s directives especially on the new Code of Conduct. The other is to lecture our men on discipline before the launching.

Partnering with the council of Ulamas Actually, I refer to them as crime control stakeholders. They are the people that are actually helping us in bringing down crime.

If there is any problem, they are the people we consult and they have always assisted in finding solution to most of these things.

The people I call crime control stakeholders include, the Council of Ulamas, CAN, the Achaba and the MiyettiAllah, head of the farmers association, the PCRC members, the youth leaders, market men and women, the hunters, who are assisting us in the night and others. If there is any religious problem, we contact the Ulamas, traditional rulers, and CAN. But if there is an intra crises among the Muslims sects, we also contact the Ulamas and traditional rulers they help us to solve the religious problems.

Example is like the crises in Gumel recently.

I sent for the religious sect leaders and they came to my office. I had meeting with them, we discussed and everything was resolved.

On how the hunters association help to check insecurity Gwaram is one of the border towns to Bauchi State. So also is Buji and Babaldu; all these towns that share common border with Kano and Bauchi have been critical because hoodlums sneak in through bush paths to come and cause havoc in the State.

The recent incidence of criminals coming into Jigawa through footpaths in the night was actually brought to the limelight by the hunters. The hunters gave us information about this development. They said they could restrict them because they don’t fear police but the hunters.

Then I decided to register them and inform the DPO so that he could meet with them regularly. We need them only in the night not in the daytime. These criminals don’t come in through the main road; they take the footpaths where they can maneuver their ways with motorcycles. The hunters by virtue of their routine duty they move in the Night from Gwaran through Buji to Bauchi. They normally see these people whenever they come in so we need them to help us to fight crime in the State.

On bulletproof vest and helmet for the men before any patrol I have been telling my people, I don’t want any of my police officers to be killed by these hoodlums. The Nigerian Police Force has provided for us enough bullet proof and helmet.

Let me recall the incidence whereby a policeman was killed during the Fulani/farmers clash in Guri. They were there for stop and search and some vehicle just came. We were there for the Fulani/farmers clash and some people in motion shot the corporal; it was the following day we saw his corpse with his gun beside him. He was trying to run away and they got him from the back. The vehicle was in motion while the hoodlums shot at him.

The following day, the wife brought the husband’s helmet and the bulletproof jacket to the police Station. We have given these bulletproof jacket and helmet to wear while on duty but he kept his own at home.

During this my tour of the police formations, I have been observing them but they are all complying with that directive. We have enough of the Bullet proof jacket and helmet in our armory.

I will hold the Area commander and the DPO responsible because I don’t want any policeman to be killed by the hoodlums again.

The code of conduct has to do with discipline. Everything is integrated under discipline. When a policeman is disciplined he will not take bribe, his comportment would be very good, he will use his firearms when it becomes absolutely necessary.

If a police is disciplined he will be sober with members of the public, he will not harass the public, he will not violate human rights. If you are disciplined, people will see it in you.

Positive side of your tour and the challenges I saw that the people were ready to receive me in all the places I visited; the turnout was excellent and some of them let us in to their problems. All the SOPs have been reporting good conduct.

Most of them complained of the fact that their stations are exposed, because they are

Kayode CP

not fenced. Out of 29 divisions about 22 divisions are not fenced. When the police station is exposed without fence, it is open to attacks and some of the stations are very close to the main road. That is one of the major challenges.

Assessment of the state in terms of security Jigawa is one of the most peaceful States in the country. The president had testified to it when he visited attesting that he can sleep with his two eyes closed because he has not been receiving adverse reports on security from Jigawa. He said as far as he was concerned, he sees Jigawa State as the most peaceful State in the country.

The NYSC members in the divisions I have been visiting them; there is no reason for apprehension in the State. People will find it difficult to believe that we are surrounded by States with high levels of security challenges everyday. We will continue to thank God. The Police Community Relations Council (PCRC) came on board as an association that can assist the police financially and morally and also they help us with useful information. They are sort of advisory group to the police.

The other aspect of indiscipline is when subordinates do not respect their seniors I frown at it because I regard it as one of the most seri-

ous offences in the Nigerian police.

Any policeman that fails to respect his senior is not worth being in the force.

On securing bail Bail in the station is free; somebody in detention is already having enough problems. Why do you want to add to his problem? Maybe he went to steal because he had no money and he is arrested and you bring him to the station and he needs people to bail him and you tell him to go and bring N10000. From where will he source the money? That is not part of our police duty. Bail is free it is boldly written on the wall of the police Station.

I have told people don’t give police bail money because I count it as blood money. You will be adding salt to injury because these are poor people; where will they get the money.

Another place where corruption is rampant is at the roadblocks and for that reason that was the first thing the IG disbanded when he assumed duty. Ordinarily roadblocks and check points on its value if it can be done properly is one good strategy be the police for combating crime. When there is report of any robbery incidence we block the road for stop and search, to see how the armed robbers can be apprehended after two days the roadblock should be removed. It is not meant to be there permanently.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 10, 2013

SUNDAY MAGAZINE 17

LIVINGWOMAN

‘A Teacher’s Reward Is Right Here On Earth’ the present tendency of laying too much emphasis on certificate to the detriment of genuine knowledge and ability in the individual is anti -productive.

It is often said that a teacher’s reward is in heaven but Francesca Aladejana’s sojourn in the teaching field and the experiences that have consequently come her way tell the exact opposite. Having taught for over 25 years, she is sometimes overwhelmed by the kind gestures extended to her by the many students whose lives she has touched through her profession. For a woman who has attended over 30 international conferences on education, mainly sponsored by the relevant international organisations, she cannot but ask if any other job could have bestowed on her more privileges and opportunities. Little wonder she is quick to tell anyone who cares to listen: “I am already reaping a lot from being a teacher and in a whole lot of ways, too.”

F

By Bisi Alabi Williams

S the Provost of the College of Education, Ikere–Ekiti, Aladejana is the Chief Executive Officer of the college, which means she coordinates virtually all aspects of the institution’s daily life. Charged with the responsibility of upholding discipline and academic standard in the school, she liaises between the government and the college on one hand and on the other hand work with stakeholders to ensure that the overall objective, as it concerns students and staff’ welfare is met as required by the National University Commission’s (NUC).

Upon assuming office, Aladejana’s major challenge was that of getting the school back on sound footing academically. “Hitherto, what we met on ground was a situation of massive crisis and a general laxity that obviously suggested that very little academic work was going on,” she recalls.

So, she set herself the daunting task of moving the institution forward to enable it produce teachers equipped with modern, appropriate teaching skills. “It wasn’t that easy at the beginning but we have been able to get the institution back on track and all aspects of its life are functioning optimally presently. We have seen a lot of transformation in the lives of our students, as many of them have imbibed the principles of transparency and hardwork. And for this, we are grateful to those who contributed to making the college an ideal place of learning.

“The staff are also dedicated and committed to excellence. Things are looking up at the college although I don’t believe we’ve arrived fully yet but we are still working at it and someday soon, we shall surely get there,” she says.

Francesca is one woman who is contented with life and grateful for the good things it has brought her way. If she had read Law, as she dreamed while growing up, she definitely wouldn’t be a provost now.

But how was she able to achieve her aim at the college with such relative ease? “When you want to change people’s orientation they usually become resistant. They see it as bringing stiffer measures and new ways of doing things, and as people detest changes, they are bound to resist initially.

“Some resisted because they thought with my coming from the university background, I intended turning the place into a university. Of course, they didn’t like that! But the issue is whether it is a College of education or a University, the standard thing is that it has to be academically oriented,” she says.

As a professor of Education, she is of the view that it is the input into education in Nigeria that has fallen and not the standard itself, which reflects in the quality of graduates churned out every year. She believes the curriculum being operated in schools presently is far better than what it used to be. For instance, students used to take seven subjects while in Form three but today, the JSS three students are being taught as many as 17 subjects including computer and technology education aside other new subjects.

“Today the contents have expanded considerably. The qualification of teachers has also improved but not the quality of teaching because teachers are not as committed as they used to be.

Before, people with standard six certificates were teaching. Teachers’ institutes use to teach but now the minimum qualification for anybody to teach in a primary school is NCE.” In spite of these positive changes, however, the quality of graduates being turned out from the nation’s tertiary institutions is going down. So, something is definitely wrong somewhere.

RANCESCA is the first of seven siblings and was a very lively little girl. Her father was an Inspector of Education and mom a Primary school teacher, which resulted in her having good education. Her mother was a dedicated and loving woman who singlehandedly cared for the children after her husband’s death.

Francesca finished primary school early and at the age of nine was already in secondary school. This made her the youngest in her class. She recalls being so small in Form One that her dad had to come every Friday to pack her cloths for washing, bring water for her and still supervise the washing.

“Things went very well with me. I really had a good time. Unfortunately, dad died one week to my WEAC exams,” she says. With mom being a full-time housewife and very little help in sight, Francesca barely managed to go to higher school. The family had to sell father’s car and with the proceeds, she was able to finish her ‘A’ levels.

Although she passed, she couldn’t proceed to the university because of funds. With all my siblings to take care of, she started teaching with her HSC result. This went on for three years. Just when all her colleagues and friends in the university were almost graduating, she was fortunate to secure an NCE programme in the North. She was able to earn salary with that. This opportunity spurred her into working very hard and she graduated with a distinction.

But instead of going to the university, Francesca opted to teach in order to carry her siblings along,. “As God would have it, I got married to a lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), so I moved there and the story changed,” she says.

And it was there that she started her fulltime undergraduate studies in Education. “I really enjoyed the course and the university environment because I had a car as an undergraduate. I came out with a First Class. The University wanted to retain me but I wanted a teaching job in a secondary school. But when they insisted, I took on the job. Working at the university means more hard work, extensive paper works and lots of travelling”.

Wherever she goes, Aladejana strives to be a leader. Friends and colleagues attest to her dedication and commitment in whatever she does. This has paved way for her severally to emerge as leader in many groups, associations etc. Somehow, she always finds herself entrusted with responsibilities.

How did she become a provost? “I didn’t know that the position was vacant. Neither did I know anybody in government. I only came to deliver a paper at the Ekiti Education Summit as a committee member but I ended up being the chairperson. It will interest you to know that people just unanimously decided that I could do it”.

A good leader she says plays by the rule.

Cheap compromises and easy alternatives mess people up. The bottom line for her is to do anything with a clear conscience.

Her husband has been a pillar of great support, as he has been very supportive especially in helping her in the discharge of family responsibilities whenever she has to be be away on educational assignments and travels.

“He has shown a lot of understanding and I also try to give him due respect. I have never gone on such trips without allowing him to feel he was the one advising me to go, even when I know deep inside me that I would go.

He is not intimidated or afraid of my success.

He has allowed me to grow wings and fly. A lot of men would not allow their wives to fly, but not my husband! The secret is all about compromise of which I make many anytime I am at home. I attend to everything I think I should. But for the children, I would have become a professor four or five years earlier.

But she has had to make a lot of sacrifices along the line, especially for the kids. For instance, while reading for her Masters degree, she took two leaves of absence because her children were preparing for JSS 3 and SSS 3 exams. After picking them from school, she would sit at home with them to do their assignments and generally give them love and attention.

“These are simple things that any mother must do for her kids,” she says.

A

ALADEJANA Teachers no longer feel good or confident about their profession; they are not proud to say they are teachers. If there is a profession this new generation loves to do, it is certainly not teaching. An average youth doesn’t want to be a teacher,” she says. The pertinent questions to ask at this point are: With this scenario, what will be the future of the education sector in Nigeria? Who will teach the teeming population of Nigerian children?

This, Francesca put down to teaching, which ordinarily has to do with the social status of the teacher as well as the recognition and respect accorded teachers by the society as well as the motivation put in place to ensure teachers do their job very well. In her view, the incentive given to teachers today is much poorer than what it used to be and this mainly is responsible for the problem in the country’s education sector.

“Teachers no longer feel good or confident about their profession; they are not proud to say they are teachers. If there is a profession this new generation loves to do, it is certainly not

teaching. An average youth doesn’t want to be a teacher,” she says.

The pertinent questions to ask at this point are: With this scenario, what will be the future of the education sector in Nigeria?

Who will teach the teeming population of Nigerian children?

Francesca fears that things are not likely to improve in the nearest future if the Nigerian society continues to worship wealth without questioning the source. And the refusal to see anything good in education or in the gains thereof will cost the society so much in terms of quality education. She is of the view that

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 10, 2013

18 | SUNDAYMAGAZINE

PERSPECTIVE

By G.G. DARAH

L

AST week, a new phase of the battles between Nigeria and the Niger Delta opened in the haloed chambers of the legislative emporium, the Senate of the Federal Republic. Live telecast of some scenes revealed moments of pugnacious exchanges amongst distinguished Senators over certain sections of the controversial Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). According to media reports of the rhetorical tornado, some aspects of the bill polarized the usually decorous concave into a North-South imbroglio.

Like the warning displayed on the back of Nigerian petrol tankers, the matter of oil is highly imflammable and can cause fire that water may not be able to appease. As J.P. Clark memorialized in the title of his play published in 2000, it is “All For Oil”.

Media story tellers are of the view that Senators from the “North” of the country are opposed to the section of the bill that recommends 10 per cent of revenue derived from oil and gas operations to be constituted into Host Community Fund. The name sounds like that of the Kuwait Fund which is run professionally for profit-yielding ventures such owning off-shore refineries and fuel stations.

Those opposed to the proposal reason that the 10 per cent community fund amounts to indulgent appeasement of the aggrieved hosts of oil and gas facilities. Furthermore, the antagonists complain that the oil producing states already gets 13 per cent of derivation revenue, in addition to statutory allocations to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Ministry of Niger governments of squander-mania and misuse of derivation income.

Naturally, Senators from the exploited and plundered Niger Delta states vehemently and boisterously support the 10 per cent clause as additional and necessary affirmative action to bring the host communities into partnership with the operators of oil and gas business. In the United States of America where the first successful oil well was drilled in 1859, land owners have 100 per cent right over oil wells. But I am pushing the story too fast. But Thursday, the bill scaled through second reading, thanks to the legislative dexterity of the Senate’s leadership. Whatever way debate goes, the long dispossessed nations of the Niger Delta are poised to regain their inalienable rights over some of their stolen natural resources. Let them mobilize; they have nothing to lose but the chains of economic bondage as Nigeria cannot survive without the booty of oil and gas revenue from this section of the country.

Let us return to Act One, Scene One of this tragic drama of lootocracy. The narrative began 44 years ago in 1969, the second year of the Nigeria-Biafra war. That was the year that the military regime of General Yakubu Gowon enacted the infamous Petroleum Decree 51, now the Petroleum Control Act, Cap. 351 (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990); it empowered the central government to appropriate all revenue from oil. But this obnoxious legislation, all the oil-endowed states lost their right of ownership and exploitation. The victim states in 1969 were the Midwest (Delta and Edo), Rivers (Rivers and Bayelsa), and Southeastern (Akwa Ibom and Cross River). The excuse for this wicked law of disinheritance was to deprive the break-away Republic of Biafra of oil revenue ot prosecute the war. The monopolized income from the stolen oil resources enabled Nigeria to fund the 30-month war without borrowing.

From 1954-1969, Nigeria operated a fairly equitable derivation system that allowed the regional governments to receive no less than 50 per cent of revenue generated in their territories. Section 134 (1) of the 1960 (Independence) Constitution stipulated thus: “ There shall be paid by the Federation to each Region a sum equal to fifty per cent of the proceeds of any royalty received by the Federation in respect of any minerals extracted in that region”. (Subsection (5) of this provision defines “minerals” to include mineral oil). These progressive, pro-federal elements were retained in Section 140 (1) (a) of 1963 Republican Constitution. In the First Republic, export revenue from agriculture like groundnuts, cotton, hides and skins, cocoa, palm produce, rubber, and timber yielded huge income for the regional governments. They invested the money in funding mass-oriented programmes such as free education, healthcare, highways, and communications. Nigeria was then a viable and competitive federation like India, Canada, Switzerland, and the United States of America. This justice-enhancing system was abolished by the military dictators, starting

Mark

Tambuwal

The Petroleum Industry Bill: No Retreat, No Surrender with General Gowon during the Civil War. But the Civil War ended in January, 1970, that is 43 years ago, yet the iniquitous law of economic piracy is still in force. The essentials of the 1969 Petroleum Decree 51 were incorporated into Section 274 of the 1979 Constitution endorsed by the General Olusegun Obasanjo’s military government (1976-79). The injurious fangs of the same law are revamped, sharpened and cloned into Section 44 (3) of the 1999 Constitution where it is stated that the ownership of all natural resources (oil and gas) must vest in the Federal Government of Nigeria. All through human history, soldiers and armies have been notorious for looting and plundering conquered territories. The military regimes in Nigeireia treated the Niger Delta states as conquered and enslaved territories. Elected, civilian dispensations have a moral and political responsibility to disengage and free themselves from the heinous legacies of military tyrants. This is the challenge that confronts the Senate and all legislative and judicial institutions in Nigeria. The atrocities of the past must be denounced and atoned for. The Petroleum Industry Bill is a mall but vital step in this journey of moral recovery and healing.

There are other cruel oil-related laws targeted at colonizing the Niger Delta and other coaster states. They include the Territorial Waters Act, Cap. 428, (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990), the Exclusive Economic Zone Act, Cap, 116, (Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990) the Oil in Navigable Waters Act, Cap. 337, and the Oil Terminal Dues Act, Cap. 339. Others are the Petroleum Producing and Distribution Anti-Sabotage Act, Cap. 354, the Oil Pipeline Act, Cap. 338, the Associated Gas Re-Injection Act,

Cap. 26, and the Lands (Title Vesting, etc.)

Act or Decree No 52 of 1993 made by General Ibrahim Babangida in July 1993 but backdated to January, 1975. Above all, there is the Land Use Act, Cap. 202 that practically makes all individual and community lands in Nigeria the property of government. It is expected that the bill before the Senate will encompass the abrogation of these archaic

All through human history, soldiers and armies have been notorious for looting and plundering conquered territories. The military regimes in Nigeireia treated the Niger Delta states as conquered and enslaved territories. Elected, civilian dispensations have a moral and political responsibility to disengage and free themselves from the heinous legacies of military tyrants. This is the challenge that confronts the Senate and all legislative and judicial institutions in Nigeria. The atrocities of the past must be denounced and atoned for. The Petroleum Industry Bill is a mall but vital step in this journey of moral recovery and healing.

and unjust laws.

The powerful Senators are eminently aware that the exploited people of the oil-rich states have never accepted that they are vanquished by the Nigerian government. For centuries they have valiantly and heroically combated all international and local predators. They fought the British all the way from 1885 to independence in 1960 when the Niger Delta Development Baord was established following the report of the Sir Henry Willink Commission.

From wars of economic autonomy, the region has produced heroes and martyrs such as King Pepple of Bonny, Jja of Opobo, Ossai Ossai of Aboh, Nana Olomu of Itsekiri, Oba OvonramwenNogbaisi of Benin, OshueOgbiyerin and MukoroMowoe of Urhobo, and Ambakederemo of Ijaw.

Our oil wars began in 1966 when Major Isaac Jasper AdakaBoro headed a guerrilla army that declared a break-way Niger Delta Republic.

Niger Delta personnel made supreme sacrifice for Nigeria’s federal army to overcome the threat of Biafra. When Col. OdumegwuOjukwu’s Biafran army invaded the oil rich Midwestern State in 1967, the people rallied effectively to rout the invaders-plunderers. In 1995, Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight Ogoni nationalists were unjustifiably hanged for their national resistance against exploitation and environmental injustice. The same General Sani Abacha who committed this death-inducing sin had Comrades Frank Ovie-Kokori and Milton Dabibi detained for four years because they led the historic oil workers’ strike of 1994 in defence of Chiefe M.K.O. Abiola’s stolen election mandate of June 1993.

Some of the sitting Senators were in the barricades with the masses of Nigeria in the national uprising against military despotism in the 1990s. that pro-democracy insurgence gave birth to the civilian dispensation in the country since 1999. The resource control phase of the oil struggles was hallmarked by the 1998 pipeline fire holocaust in Jesse in Delta State in which over 1000 innocent persons perished. In November of the same year, a pipeline inferno at a Shell production facility at Ekakpamre in Ughievwen Kingdom consumed pristine rainforest biodiversity and indigenous knowledge of over 10 communities.

The fury of these disasters dovetailed into the December 1998 Kaima Declaration of Ijaw Youths which fostered the emergence of armed guerrilla groups whose campaign undermined the oil economy. But for the statesmanship of Presidents Umarum Musa Yar’Adua and Goodluck Ebele Jonathan who initiated the epoch-making Amnesty programme in 2009, Nigeria’s oil dependent existence would have been terminated by the armed insurgency.

Many Senators from the South-South were in the trenches with elected governors and legislators during the resource control years from CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

SUNDAYMAGAZINE | 19

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 10, 2013

PERSPECTIVE One Day At The Red Chambers How Senators Debated The PIB

By Aloysius Omo

G

AINING entrance into the premises of the National Assembly on the second day of what the media had portrayed as a combustible debate on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), was akin to having the proverbial camel pass through the eye of the needle.

The screening for entry took place inside a makeshift container on the fringes of the complex; this registration point was filled to the brim, such that scores of people who wanted to enter had to wait in long queues, in the scorching heat of a fierce Abuja sun. Officials in charge of the screening left no one in doubt about the enormity of the powers they wielded; they gave the impression that they had to be worshipped, begged or pacified before granting the visitor’s wish of entry. As such, it was the norm to see several Otunbas or Ogbuefis bedecked in gaudy traditional attire, complete with gleaming beads of royalty, sweating profusely, waiting for a prized ‘visa’ to see one or two honourables.

There were also scores of young men, some smartly dressed in suits, not minding the heat, who milled around the premises. Their mission apparently had nothing to do with the PIB; from subtle enquiries, a number of them were there to drop their CVs with their legislators. Yet there were those who had come for other forms of ‘help,’ including cash handouts. One of them could be heard grumbling about a Personal Assistant, whom he accused of collecting what had been given to him by oga, but had been vacillating about handing it over.

Finally, with entrance granted, the reporter was confronted with the prestige and sheer opulence of the entire National Assembly Complex.

Parked at the entrance to the Senate side were custom-built state of the art automobiles. There was no mistaken the fact that these belonged to the convoy of the Senate President.

The whole environment of the complex looked spic and span, far removed from the disorder and chaos of everyday Nigerian life. One could not help thinking that all of this opulence and serenity was made possible by monies belonging to the Nigerian people.

Seated in the Senate gallery, and listening to the Senators debate the PIB, one could not feel the so-called tension and animosity between Northern and Southern senators, which had been portrayed in the media. Rather, the senators seemed to be at ease; on many occasions, they joked and laughed heartily, with Senate President, David Mark spicing his role as moderator with a lot of contextual humour. Speaking time was a major issue as most senators largely ignored the five minutes allotted to them. This prompted constant interruptions from the timekeeper, who kept shouting “time up,!” just as the senator with the floor would continue making his point. This struggle to keep to time was comic in a sense, and generated

Allison-Madueke hefty sum, they argued had not translated into any meaningful development for the ordinary people of the region, so why give another 10 percent that would end up in the same drainpipe? One Northern senator talked of how he had been shedding tears in his closet for people in places like Oloibiri, who in spite of giving Nigeria its very first oil wells, are languishing in poverty and absolute neglect.

Clarifying that it was a misconception to say that Northern senators were against the PIB, Senator representing Kano South, Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya pointed out that the allocation to four, namely Rivers, of the debate, the salient and conBayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Delta was a lot of laughter throughout the tentious issues of the PIB were more than those of 21 states of the debate. At other times, a senator brought to the fore. Majority of the federation put together. In general, would exceed his time and go on senators took exceptions to the enor- the plank of the argument of the speaking, only to be mischievously reminded that his microphone was mous powers the bill was proposing Northern senators was that if funds from 13 percent derivation, as well no longer on. He would then scram- to confer on the Minister of Petroleum. On the contentious matter as the NDDC had been properly ble to put it on, with his colleagues of 10 percent for host communities utilised, no one would be “here to laughing raucously. Not a few however, most senators from the talk about another 10 percent.”

Nigerians will be drool at the Although legislators from oil proprospect of a job in which one enjoys North were not comfortable. Their argument was that the 13 percent deri- ducing states did not counter the so much comedy at work, yet take vation and the budgetary provisions insinuation that 11 trillion from home his jumbo pay, the kind that derivation, and the NDDC had been the senators take home at the end of for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) had translated misappropriated by leaders of oil the month. producing areas, they stridently Nonetheless, in spite of this willing- into something in the region of N11 ness to amuse themselves for much trillion for oil producing states. This defended the 10 percent for host

But how does the PIB address the issue of petroleum refining, the absence of which is currently costing Nigeria about N2trillion in subsidy payment? One Senator called on his colleagues to think of ways to end Nigeria’s total dependence on importation of refined petroleum products. He therefore reasoned that a way had to be found to make Nigeria less dependent on importation

communities. Senator James Manager defended the 10 percent for host communities on the ground that the fund was host community specific. He argued that previous legislations did not specifically address the yearnings of communities.

Senator Manager also sought to know the exact amount that had been spent in prospecting for oil outside the Niger Delta.

In a move to placate those coming away with the feeling that oil producing states were seeking to take too much from the national plate, Senator George Sekibo drew attention to the fact that Nigeria has solid, liquid and gaseous minerals, which could be found in any part of the country. He counseled that wherever such resources were found and explored and exploited in commercial quantities, legislation similar to the provision of 10 percent for the host communities should be enacted to allow the benefits trickle down to the people at the community level.

Seikibo equally lamented that the bill did not go far enough in addressing the problem of pollution and environmental degradation, which comes with the exploration of oil. He advocated that provision be made for clean up and remediation of places that had been polluted, even before the bill becomes law.

But how does the PIB address the issue of petroleum refining, the absence of which is currently costing Nigeria about N2trillion in subsidy payment? One Senator called on his colleagues to think of ways to end Nigeria’s total dependence on importation of refined petroleum products.

He therefore reasoned that a way had to be found to make Nigeria less dependent on importation.

However, the high point of the debate was when Senator Ita Enang took to the floor and began reeling out the names of companies and individuals who owned oil mining and prospecting licenses. It turned out that an overwhelming majority of oil block owners come from the North.

Enang went on to call for the licenses to be revoked and redistributed in line with the principles of federal character.

Senator Enang’s “illuminating” list somewhat blunted the claim that the oil producing states were asking for too much.

Other issues that were debated included the unbundling of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the privatization of some of the unbundled components, the actual definition and designation of host communities as well as the provision for a Frontier Exploration Agency. There were also concerns as expressed by Senator Ayogu Eze that gas, the resource of the future was not addressed well enough in the PIB. He therefore called on the Senate to invite consultants to enrich the debate, and give senators perspectives and insights about the legislation.

Then the story changed. Those who came well briefed to damage the PIB became deflated, when they heard the figures unveiled by Ita Enang.

No Retreat, No Surrender ---- Darah 1969. When the conference prevaricated, the South-South patriots began a boycott and 1999 – 2003. Their combined tenacity com- caused a stalemate; Abacha’s ill-omened pelled the Obasanjo administration to start design to become president for life was in the implementation of the 13 per cent deri- jeopardy. The late General Musa Yar’Adua then headed a committee to persuade the aggrieved vation provision in 2000.

These days, people invoked the spectre of delegates to return to the conference. After tedious negotiations, a compromise was 13 per cent derivation as it it was a boon reached with the derivation raised from three freely and generously given by a benevoto not less than 13 per cent, with an implied lent federal government. It came from a understanding to increase it in due course. hard-fought battle of wits and courage Thus, the South-South delegates made a waged by South-South delegates to the General Abacha 1994-95 constitutional con- mighty concession to save Nigeria at the time. ference in Abuja. The delegates demanded The 13 per cent clause is provided for in Section 100 per cent rights over oil revenue and the 162 (2) of the 1999 Constitution. After 18 years, the derivation percentage is overdue for abrogation of the Petroleum Decree 51 of

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

upward review.

This demand for 100 per cent ownership was militantly canvassed by the South-South delegates to President Obasanjo’s aborted National Political Reforms Conference of 2005. The Delta State memorandum to the confab was unambiguous in this regard. With the tell-tale title of “Federalism and Resource Control”, the memo states at page 8 thus: “The cardinal principle of federalism underscored in the Memorandum is that the federating units of Nigeria must exercise 100 per cent right to own, explore, manage and use their natural resources and human capital. From the revenue earned, each State will pay appropriate tax to the Federal Government, part of

which may be available in a distributive pool for sharing by all states… The practice of federalism will challenge and inspire all states to devote attention to exploiting the (se) natural resources to fund development at whatever pave they may choose.”

All the Niger Delta delegations endorsed the position of Delta State on this particular issue. Professor Omafume Onoge from Delta (now late) was mandated to make the presentation at a plenary session of the Conference. We recall with nostalgia the baritone-voiced ebullience and irrefutable logic of statistical exactitude of the delivery, so edifying and

TheGuardian

THE GUARDIAN,Sunday, March 10, 2013 20

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Junior Guardian Book Review Children’s Stories OMAYINOZO’S Stories, a colSbreath-taking lection of stories told a experiences of her childhood, the rough, wild adventures she had when she was a child. Each story has a significant role it plays in life.

The character, who relates unusual tales from her childhood, helps in the moral upbringing of children. It teaches them to be obedient and follow good instructions; to love and appreciate flowers without hurting them.

But when all this is not taken into consideration, then come the consequences, ready to teach the offender bitter lessons.

— Aghasili Riyyah

Red House celebrates after emerging winner of the Effortswill School Competition in Ejigbo, Lagos.

NAFDAC Holds Workshop For School Children N a quest to safeguard the health of the nation, National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has advised school children to always look out for NAFDAC registration number and expiry date of any product they want to buy at any point in time.

Speaking at the sensitisation programme organised by the agency recently to educate pupils on the adverse effect of fake and counterfeit drugs, the Public Relations Officer of the agency, Mrs. Christiana Obiazikwor said that there is need for children to always check out for NAFDAC registration number on food and water whenever they want to buy them.

She said anti-malaria drugs are so many in the market and that majority of them are fake. She advised the children to always patronise recognised pharmacy and medicine store when purchasing drugs.

“To achieve the goal of NAFDAC, the agency has consulted with the Federal Ministry of Education to establish NAFDAC consumer safety clubs in secondary schools across the

I

country. NAFDAC has also collaborated with National Council on Health to facilitate the incorporation of information on NAFDAC regulated products in secondary school curriculum,’’ she said.

Obiazikwor said there is need to re-orientate the youths and children on safe health habits and also sensitise them to safeguard the health of the community.

She explained that one of the aims of the Consumer Safety Clubs for students is to serve as platform for the promotion of the fight against fake and counterfeit products.

She said appropriate steps should be taken by school authorities to constitute the safety clubs. Among the schools that participated at the workshop are: Priscilla Nursery and Primary School, Mind Builders Nursery and Primary School, Joanah Memorial Nursery and Primary School and Temitope Nursery and Primary school, Lagos.

Bruce Gbolahan (centre) winner of 25 awards at the Doregos Private Academy’s Prize Giving day, which took place recently at school’s premises.

PUZZZLE

—Oluwakemi Ajani

Cross section of pupils at the programme

COMPILED BY KIKELOLA OYEBOLA

(You can contact us on events for this page through: e-mail: jideoojo@yahoo.com , 08035818924)

tHe GUarDiaN, sunday, March 10, 2013

sUNDaY MaGaZiNe

21

CaMPUs ajasin Varsity Manufactures Biopesticide For Mosquito Control He Department of Plant science and Biotechnology, adekunle ajasin University, akungba-akoko, has manufactured an insecticide coil (biopesticide) for mosquito control. the Dean of the Faculty of science, Dr. Victor Olumekun, who presented the product at the 107th regular Meeting of the University senate, said the insecticide was produced from a common plant distributed throughout the tropic and subtropics. “the invention is an effort of the department to promote the adoptive use of botanicals as a replacement for synthetic insecticide through research and development,” he said. acting Head of the department, Dr. O.F. Olotuah, added that the botanicals are cheap, readily available, safer and cost effective than conventional pesticides. He noted that the plant material has been tested and utilized as a stimulant. responding, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Femi Mimiko, lauded the effort of the department and urged other departments to push out more research products. He recommended collaboration between the department and ajasin Varsity investment Limited (aViL), for commercialisation of the product.

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UNiLOriN Kicks Off Distance Learning Programme

By Mubarak Oladosu ireCtOr of the University of ilorin Centre for Open and Distance Learning (CODL), Prof. M.O. Yusuf, has described the Open and Distance Learning programme of the university as a test case for online learning in the country.

Yusuf noted that the centre actively took off last month with 13 students on the Post Doctoral Diploma in education (PDDe) programme.

Describing the pioneer students as experienced lecturers, who are self-motivated to improve on their competencies, Yusuf added that students of the pilot programme comprise Ph.D. holders and professors, 11 of whom are staff of the university. the professor of educational technology explained that the centre was set up to provide access to would-be learners to have pedagogical and other professional skills outside the four walls of the university, while meeting the requirements of the teachers registration Council and the National Universities Commission.

He disclosed that the PDDe programme is fully online with the students accessing their materials online in their virtual classrooms and interacting with their lecturers via social media.

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Catholic Varsity Holds 5th Matriculation

Centre Fires Up LASU Students On Entrepreneurship

By Nurudeen Yusuf t was a gathering of young minds aspiring to be change agents at the Okunuga Hall of the Faculty of Law, Lagos state University (LasU) on Wednesday, February 20, when a group, Career Centre initiative, held an awareness campaign with the theme On The Mandate To Change Lives.

Pioneered by Oluwapelumi Molake, a 400Level student of Banking and Finance at the Faculty of Management sciences, the pro-

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gramme seeks to ignite the entrepreneurship spirit among young people. the centre, apart from running programmes for the unemployed, undergraduates and secondary school students, also secure internship opportunities with organizations for mentees. she advised youths to shun all illicit acts and time wasting searching for menial jobs, when they can develop their latent skills in entrepreneurship.

Molake, Pioneer of Career Centre Initiative

Okorocha Urges New President to rescue NaNs The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), two weeks ago inaugurated its 27th Executive at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. Dhikrullah Akinola writes about the event, which brought together politicians and stakeholders in the education sector.

NLiKe in the recent past when non-students emerged president of the national students’ body, Yinka Gbadebo, a Diploma student of the Obafemi awolowo University, ile-ife, has charted a new course for himself with his inauguration as the nation’s number one student. as early as 10am, students’ representatives from tertiary institutions across the country arrived the venue, adjacent to radio House, abuja, to catch a glimpse of the new president. they didn’t have to wait too long before the gates opened for Gbadebo, who was the former NaNs secretary General in 2004, then an

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undergraduate at the University of ado-ekiti (now ekiti state University). the entrance of Governor rochas Okorocha of imo state; senior special assistant to the President on Youths and students Matters, Jude imagwe, who represented President Goodluck Jonathan; Vice-Chancellor, afe Babalola University, ado-ekiti (aBUaD), Prof. sidi Osho; and senator ayoade Hamzat adeseun, representing Oyo Central senatorial District, got the arena charged, as security operatives had their hands full trying to control the crowd. in his lecture, Okorocha, who spoke extempore, described the country as a rich nation with poor citizens, adding

From Gordi Udeajah, Umuahia eritas University, the Catholic University of Nigeria, abuja, last weekend held its 5th matriculation ceremony at its take-off campus in Obehie, abia state. the occasion was used to restate the mission of the institution, which is providing students with holistic academic and professional training combined with the inculcation of Christian values and teachings of the church. the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Michael Kwanashie, said Veritas University is not just a tertiary institution, but a centre of reformation. “Catholic education takes into consideration the integral formation of the Nigerian child, which is supposed to begin from nursery school to the tertiary level.”

He noted that the university’s pioneer students are presently undergoing the mandatory one-year national youth service. also, the postgraduate arm of the university would soon be introduced and once the permanent site at abuja is ready, the Obehie take-off campus will be relocated to the federal capital.

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Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State (middle) flanked by the NANS executives in Abuja.

that there is nothing wrong with Nigeria but with Nigerians. “From the federal to the local government level, we have lost the innovation to produce. We are instead growing a generation that is hell-bent on spending and consuming. there is something God has created in you to do and that is what education seeks to answer,” he said.

He charged the new NaNs executives to be creative and repackage the foremost students’ body, while avoiding to be used as a political tool in the run-up to 2015 general elections. “the onus is on the new executives to reposition NaNs so as to redeem its lost image. that way, when you cough, the nation must definitely catch cold.” the president, popularly known as ayefele, thanked the dignitaries and students for attending the event. He appealed to the Federal Government, through the Ministry of education, to find a lasting solution to the lingering accreditation problem rocking the University of abuja.

He also called on the Federal Government to fully implement the UNesCO recommended 26 percent budgetary allocation to education as a way of building capacity for continuous development of the nation. He, however, declared ban on all awards until further notice, saying that the era of giving award to undeserving individuals for money is gone.

Other members of the executives are Jide Wolimoh, Chief of staff (OaU); Daniel Munir Momodu, secretaryGeneral (OaU); Jibril ahmed, Vice President National affairs (aBU, Zaria); Peculiar asemota, VP external affairs (aaU, ekpoma); Ubon Marcus, special Duties (UNiUYO); Olaogun Victor, PrO (FeDPOFFa); Olusina Oyebisi, Director of travels and exchange (FUtMiNNa); Khalib abubakar, Director of sports (Kano

state University); alaofin Blessing, ex-Officio (Benue state University, Makurdi); and ali abdulai Muhammed, assistant secretary General (Kano state Polytechnic).

Onukaogu Donald of imo state University, Owerri is the

WiseCraCKs trying times are not the times to stop trying.

Ray Owen a champion is one who gets up even when he can’t.

Jack Dempsey We are what we repeatedly do.

Aristotle in the middle of difficulty lies opportunity Albert Einstein those who are not looking for happiness are the most likely to find it, because those who are searching forget that the surest way to be happy is to seek happiness for others.

Martin Luther King Jr.

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

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 10, 2013

22 SUNDAYMAGAZINE

NEWSFEATURE

ORJI Versus KALU:

Much Ado About A Degree Certificate • Did each member of ABSU Senate, VC receive N4 million, N8 million respectively to withdraw Kalu’s certificate?

From Leo Sobechi, Abakaliki

HE first entrance gate to Abia State University, Uturu; stands at an imposing and intimidating height. But despite its bogus nature and desire to intimidate, the structure ends up in a vain pretentious gait – lacking any restraining force, it allows all manners of creatures and contraptions.

And so, not many people, especially the staff and students were aware that some ‘giants’ were crisscrossing the intrepid gate for sundry transactions, including the ignoble and profane in the campus. But all that could not remain hidden from public knowledge for long. The withdrawal of a degree certificate the University conferred on one of its former hallowed students, is one of such.

Until the authorities of Abia State University made public its decision to withdraw the degree certificate it awarded its former visitor and former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, many people thought it was a fabulous rumour. The action of ABSU Senate, like the echoes of a bomb blast, has shattered the reclusive peace, which the university, like other Ivory Towers ought to enjoy. Analysts say that by withdrawing a degree certificate more than ten years after it was awarded, ABSU has substantially shown that Ivory Towers are not indeed insulated from the unpredictability of the secular world. “It calls to question both the admission and graduation processes in our campuses,” they argue. Other observers conclude that withdrawal of Kalu’s degree epitomizes the governance blunders that afflict state universities. The action of ABSU has triggered off reverberations, the din of which would take time to decline. Consequently, the withdrawal of a degree certificate, the first ever instance since the University was founded in 1981 by late Governor Sam Mbakwe of the old Imo State has pitted the current visitor to the institution against the former visitor.

In a bid to take responsibility and exonerate Abia State Government from the controversial action, the University Senate tried to explain the rationale for ‘its’ action. The Senate of the University in a statement signed by Mr. O.E. Onuoha, who doubles as its Secretary and the institution’s Registrar, declared: “On the strength of the findings and recommendations of an Investigation Panel into allegations of breach of the extant Academic Regulations of Abia State University, in the process of the admission and graduation of Kalu, Orji Uzor in the discipline of Government and Public Administration, of Matriculation number: 00/42226, the Senate of Abia State University, at its 69th Extra-Ordinary meeting of Friday March 1, 2013, and by a vote of EightyEight (88) against Three (3) dissenting voices only, approved the cancellation and withdrawal of the Degree result and Certificate awarded to him. The decision of Senate was based on the following grounds, among others: The violation of the Academic Regulations of the University on Admission-by-transfer, which rendered the offer irregular, ab initio. The non-completion of the mandatory Six (6) Semesters (that is, three academic years of study), before he was awarded a degree of the University. He spent only two Semesters in all.

The University Senate maintains that its action, afore said, derived from the exercise of its onerous statutory responsibility to guard and maintain, at all times, the Academic regulations of the University, its hard-earned reputation and the credibility of the Certificate it awards”.

The victim, Kalu; holds Governor Theodore Orji responsible for this “academic somersault in ABSU”. Reacting to the ABSU decision, Dr. Kalu dismissed the whole processes leading to the University’s pronouncement as “an attempt to shift the goal post after a goal had been scored.” He stressed that ABSU’s action has only succeeded in questioning the “pedigree of the men and women who make up the Senate of the university, the credibility of the certificate issued by the school and brought to fore the warped nature of the State Governor, Mr. Theodore Orji.”

While wondering how a University could withdraw a degree it duly awarded, Kalu, who made his feelings known to The Guardian from far away in Liberia, added: “No one can deny the fact that Orji Uzor Kalu was in ABSU for lectures and examinations. And to think it is the same Senate that awarded the degree that is withdrawing it underscores the intended mischief.”

The former Abia governor contended that the practice all over the world is for an institution to examine and vet admission processes prior to the graduation of its students, pointing out that the Senate could not reverse itself many years after it awarded the degree. “In elections, what the ABSU did is like cancelling an election after the winner has served out his term by looking at a pre-election matter.”

Investigations by The Guardian reveal that the major actors in the drama at ABSU seem to be working hard to perfect its acts concerning the withdrawn degree certificate. A source told The Guardian in confidence that on February 28, 2013, Governor T. A. Orji through the Chief of Staff, Abia Government House, Mr. Cosmas Ndukwe, gave N4m each to members of the University Senate while the Vice Chancellor got N8m, after their initial refusal to do the governor’s bidding of withdrawing Kalu’s degree.

Prompted by that revelation, The Guardian approached ABSU authorities for their side of the story. Attempts to speak to the VC and Registrar revealed a well-rehearsed strategy intended to keep sealed lips through ‘delay and distract’ approaches.

Upon the first contact with the University’s Deputy Registrar cum Head, Media and Publicity, Mr. Acho Elendu, he assured that the Registrar and Senate Secretary would satisfy the desire to ascertain whether the withdrawal was instigated and supported

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by the state government as well as the issue of inducement. Mr. Elendu tried to downplay the allegation of N4m gratification to senate members and N8m to his boss, the VC, Prof. Chibuzo Ogbuagu, asking rhetorically, is that not less than what people earn here? At the office of the Registrar, Onuoha, after filling the visitor’s form and waiting three hours, the Registrar, through his secretary, Mr. Chris Madu, asked the reporter to come back the following day, saying that since it was 4.00pm in the evening, he was tired and could not sit to talk.

The following day, hopes of fielding questions to the Registrar were dashed by him. The Senate Secretary would have cleared the fog surrounding Kalu’s degree certificate by indicating whether there was a petition that elicited the review, the identity of the petitioner, if there was one and how much prodding via inducement came from the Abia State Government. From 10.45am through 3.25pm, when Onuoha strolled out of his office never to return, this reporter waited only to be informed that the Registrar was not likely to come back to the office.

Was the University hiding anything? Back to ABSU Head of Public Relations, Elendu, who earlier disclosed that he had prepared a document that answers every question regarding the Kalu versus ABSU degree drama, he said though the document had been vetted with some minor corrections to be effected, he has not done the final approval to release. He said he could not afford the time to send a soft copy through the electronic mail so as not to delay the copy.

If the attempt to extract the truth at ABSU was mindboggling, the Chief of Staff, Abia Government House, who was accused of delivering the inducement, presented another side of the drama. Ndukwe invited the reporter to Umuahia for one-on-one chat since according to him, he could not discuss such a matter over the phone. But surprisingly, upon arriving Umuahia, the Chief of Staff left a message with his Personal Assistant, informing the reporter that he had a small errand to run for the Governor. He directed the reporter to see the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Chikamnayo Eze. Since the Information Commissioner had earlier told reporters that the state government had no hand in the withdrawal of Kalu’s degree without addressing the issue of inducement, it was pointless following up on that lead.

Who was the Vice Chancellor of ABSU when Kalu enrolled? Were he and the Senate at that time subjected to undue pressures, either threat or inducement to admit Kalu through admission by transfer? Tracking Prof. Ogwo Ekeoma Ogwo was not easy. After a leave of absence, the Professor of Marketing is currently enjoying a sabbatical leave. After some eternal hours of silence, the former VC, who handed over to the current Secretary to Abia State Government, Prof. Mkpa Agu Mkpa; said: “I am on sabbatical leave. Talk to those on ground.”

Reactions have continued to trail the decision of ABSU to cancel the degree certificate it earlier conferred on the former Abia State Governor, Orji Kalu. A group known as Abia Rescue in a statement signed by Agwu Uduma said: “Now that Governor T. A Orji has succeeded in bribing and intimidating ABSU Senate to revoke Orji Kalu’s certificated awarded over ten years ago, what does Abia people stand to gain from it? Will it pay the arrears of teachers’ salaries owed since November 2012? Will it rebuild roads in Aba or remove Abia as the most corrupt state?”

The group alleged that the certificate withdrawal saga is a veritable form of distraction from the massive stealing going on in

government circles, adding that good leadership and development is what Abia people are expecting from the government.

Chief Press Secretary to Abia Governor, Ugochukwu Emezuo, in an interview, disclosed that there is no reason to associate Governor Orji with the various travails of the former governor, pointing out that while his principal has a degree from the University of Ibadan, Kalu has no degree from anywhere. Emezuo stressed that Governor T. A. Orji was focused on delivering on the legacies he promised Abia people, pointing out that Kalu was out to distract the governor.

Yet, as the verbal warfare between the incumbent and his predecessor cum benefactor continues, Special Adviser to Kalu, Mr. Oyekunle Oyewumi insists that, “Governor Orji’s intimidation of ABSU Senate, leading to the withdrawal of Kalu’s certificate does not nullify the authenticity of the degree. Oyewumi stated that the Abia Governor has become adept at hiding behind others to perpetrate devious plots against the person and interest of Orji Uzor Kalu. Insisting that Governor Orji manipulated the ABSU Senate to reverse their degree awarded to Kalu, Oyewumi stated: “Days before the ignominious plot to revoke the certificate was taken, some of Dr. Kalu’s loyalists raised the alarm about the move. T. A. Orji should ask himself how the information got out even when the decision was taken in the Government House, Umuahia, with only a few of his perceived loyalists present. The fact remains that the governor is not man enough to own up his actions or come in the open to do battle with is benefactor.” Kalu’s aide further asserted that the fact of Abia State government’s involvement is attested to by the arrest of some students who got wind of the plot and started protesting few hours before the Senate sat. “Governor Orji tends to forget the saying that any man who hides behind one finger only deceives himself. Or how else can he explain the fact that money paid for the advertisement of the ABSU Senate’s decision on the withdrawal of Kalu’s certificate was sourced from Government House, Umuahia,” he declared stressing that Orji’s government is made up of utterly dissatisfied persons who do not shrink from disclosing his malicious secret designs.

A former chieftain of Ohanaeze Nd’Igbo, who spoke to The Guardian in confidence, because he was not authorized to speak on the matter; said if all what he heard and read about the withdrawal of Kalu’s degree is true, Governor Orji has become so petty. The Chieftain, who was an academic, said ABSU Senate should have advised their visitor against the step, pointing out that the action has raised a big doubt on the University and its products. Even a final year member of the University’s Students’ Union Government expressed misgivings over issue, remarking that the whole episode has put the institution on a bad spot. He wished that Governor Orji and Dr. Kalu had found a way of solving their political animosities without going to this extent. “The image of this institution is what is being soiled and violated.

Some of those passing out will nurse apprehension that the school authorities could wake up few years later to say our degrees should be withdrawn. Such things I mean, should not happen in the University,” he said.

As the hullabaloo lingers, who knows if the development would spark off fresh debates on whether degrees awarded by Nigeria Universities, especially state-owned institutions, are based on character and learning or conferred for pomp and prestige.

Could it be that corruption is also afflicting the gate-keepers of our Ivory Towers?

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 10, 2013

SUNDAYMAGAZINE 23

NEWSFEATURE To Know the standard practice among universities regarding transfers, withdrawal of certificates and rustication of erring students, CHIJIOKE IREMEKA and GBENGA SALAU sought the views of some serving and retired academics.

N University of Ibadan (UI), for instance, Igottransfer is not allowed. It used to be but it to point, where the university said no to

PROF. C.C AGBODIKE is the founding Dean, Faculty of Arts, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka, Anambra State. He is now retired.

Mode of students’ transfer N the first place, undergraduates are not transferred. Once you gain admission into one university you stay there till completion. No university transfers any student for any reason, but a student can decide to move from one school to the other for one reason or the other.

Then, when this happens, the request will emanate from the student. He demands his transcript for another university. But now, most universities don’t accept request for transfer. For instance, NAU has sealed the issue of acceptability from other schools.

So, I would say that the reasons for the initial ban, was cultism. Then, there were wild activities in most universities and some schools were more notorious than the other.

There are grounds for which a student could seek transfer, for instance, health.

A student might have health challenges that he needed to stay close to his parents to enable them mange the situation without complications. As a result, he can request a transfer to stay close to the parents.

Also, a student, who works to train himself, might want a transfer to stay close to his work place. A student can also seek transfer, when he has discovered that academic standard of the school is weak and needed to go to another with high standard. These are the grounds upon which a student might seek transfer.

On student rustication A student can be rusticated from the university for moral impropriety, or found to be dangerous to the school, or always being accused of theft and cultic activities, among others.

In NAU, one of the oaths students take during matriculation is not to be found a member of any cult. If he is caught, automatically, the school will send him away from the school.

On Certificate Revocation Certificate is not a sacrosanct. If for example, one was admitted and eventually, it was found out that he did not have the right entry qualifications for such admission, or that he was admitted in error, the certificate that he had already been given could be cancelled.

Again, if you steal somebody’s certificate to get into the university and it was discovered, even if you have started working for many years, the certificate can still be revoked.

For instance, there was a post-graduate student of Unizik who had already graduated, and he was awarded a doctorate, but in the course inspection, it was discovered that he committed plagiarism. He copied a full chapter of his thesis from another without quoting the work.

Then, I was in the Senate, when it was discovered. He was found guilty and the Senate declared the certificate null and void. Sequel to that, the faculty and the registry were asked to withdraw the certificate, which they did.

So, the mere fact that the certificate was issued to you on a wrong premise is the same reason it will be withdrawn, upon discovery that the certificate was issued in error.

On Orji’s case of certificate revocation Yes, every university has a minimum semesters’ requirement, statutorily stipulated by the school for awarding certificates and when such requirement is not met by the student, even after the certificate has been issued, it could still be revoked.

Supposing a student moved from one school to another, he had a number of semesters to cover, without which, no certificate will be awarded to him. If he doesn’t meet up with that minimum he can’t graduate and if a certificate is awarded, it was issued in error and stands to be revoked.

You may be brilliant but if you didn’t do, it becomes a problem. There is no way you can carry four-semester courses into two weeks.

It’s impossible for you to make it, when you have not statutorily met with the minimum requirement set by the school.

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Kalu

it because of the problems associated with it.

So, it seems to me that different universities have different policies on that, but in all aspects of it, the candidate for transfer always losses something. Sometimes, he losses a semester and sometimes, he losses course units.

In place like the United States, it’s not a problem at all. In fact, if you are in Pen State University and you move to Texas for a holiday, which is far, you can go to the department of Physics in Texas University to take a course in physics, if you are a physics student in Pen State University. All you need to do is to show Pen State University the course you did at Texas and your grade. And because Texas is recognized, you don’t need to take that course again.

But that is not done in Nigeria. The only transfer we accept in UI is internal transfer, where the student moves from one department within the school to another. And that is governed by a number of laws and very tough principles and guidelines.

Dismissal and certificate revocation Students’ dismissal is very rare but for academic reasons, a student may be asked to go if he scores below required grade for him to remain in such department.

In UI, if you have less than 20 units, you canOrji not move from 100 Level to 200 Level. It used to be 15, but it’s now 20. If you have less than 45 units, you cannot move from 200 to 300. If you have less than 70 units, you will not move from 300 to 400 level.

Also, if you score below these points at any given time, you could be asked to leave the school. But when you are exactly at these low points, you will be given a warning and when you go below, you will be asked to leave.

Certificate withdrawal is rare. I do not know of any case where certificate has been revoked. I cannot mention the laws that guard revocation of certificate.

But revocation of certificate occurs mainly, course adviser, up to the examination office, be- when it’s discovered that the person accause senate was misinformed and those that quired it through a fraudulent means. I are involved will have to face the music. You can’t say much about this. cannot blame the senate if it was misinformed.

With regards to Orji’s certificate withdrawal, the decision lies with the Senate and PROF. M.N. FEMI-OYEWO is the I’m sure that the Registrar has clear reasons Deputy Vice Chancellor, Olabisi On- for that. Abia State University might have something different entirely from UI.

Procedure For Transfer Of Students And Certificate Withdrawals PROF OLAIDE ABASS; President of the University of Lagos Alumni

On award and withdrawal of certificates IT is the prerogative of a university senate to award degree to people they deem to merit it. So it is also within the right of the university senate to withdraw it, if they believe that the person no longer merits it or at the time it was awarded, the person did not fulfill all the necessary criteria.

That is why you do not say you have won a degree for instance, and that is why it is said that you are awarded a degree, having merited it. If somehow, it is found out that you did not merit the award, it can be withdrawn but I am not sure of the circumstances of what happened in the Orji Uzor kalu case.

A degree is an award, which can be withdrawn by the senate of a university. So you do not earn a degree, it is an award having certified some conditions. And if it is established that those conditions had not been satisfied, it can be withdrawn.

PROFESSOR SOLOMON AKINBOYE; Head of Department, Political Science, University of Lagos.

Issuing and withdrawal of certificates T is a very simple answer; the senate of any university has the highest jurisdiction as far as academic matters are concerned. And so, anything pertaining to examination, result, it is the senate that approves, and once senate approves, it becomes authentic and if it does not approve, it is null and void.

Again, if the senate had approved and there is a justification for it to be withdrawn, issues would be raised and there would be authentic information that will be provided, which at the end of the day will provide the senate with useful information on what is to be done. So, if for instance, there has been some hanky-panky in the process of sending result to the senate and senate was misinformed or there is an allegation that led to the approval of such result, it will be considered as an error, that is, senate had approved it in error and once it is detected, the onus is on the senate to withdraw the certificate.

So senate has every right to issue certificate and withdraw the certificate, depending on the situation at stake.

Orji’s case When you have a case like that, there should be an investigation. At senate, there should be a panel of investigation that will investigate what has gone wrong and the panel will invite all those that are involved or should be involved, right from the department, HOD,

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abanjo University (OOU), Ogun State

Transfers NDERGRADUATE transfer in Nigeria is not a general thing, but it has to do with the university’s policies. It’s rare. Transfers are made on serious issues, such as, on medical grounds or a case of war situation, but it has to do with university policy. Not all the universities allow transfer. It’s difficult these days to obtain.

Once in a while, you see a student come into the university to study a course, but wouldn’t want to continue; he might take another JAMB or decide to move to another school. But in America, I know it’s normal, but you may have to step down one year.

On students’ dismissal You can rusticate a student for several reasons.

It could be on issues that have to do with cultism, examination malpractices, moral issues, criminal issues and serious disobedience to the laid down rules and regulations of the school among others.

Revocation of certificate Sometimes, a certificate could be revoked when there is an established fact showing it was fraudulently issued or the recipient had committed criminal offence. The right of awarding and revocation lies in the Senate and registry of the school because the certificate is their property.

It can be revoked at anytime if an offence is committed by the awardee.

Orji’s case I have not been around to look at the issues surrounding that, so I might not comment on that. But when there is an issue that has to do with revocation of certificate, the school has to raise a panel and in their wisdom, they can decide what happens.

But we don’t really have all the fact. Every session is made up of semesters and every student should be able to meet with requirements. At least, there has to be 70 or 75 per cent attendance to lectures by every student and if it falls below this requirement, anything can happen.

Attendant is really very important.

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DR. AYO OJEBODE, Acting Head of Department, Communications and Language, UI.

PROF. FRANCIS EGBOKHARE, is the former Director of Distant Learning and professor of Linguistics, Department of Linguistics and African Languages, University of Ibadan

Grounds for transfers HE candidate has to apply to the university and obtain his transcript, bearing his GP. The transcript requirement is to ensure that the student is qualified for the course he is going in for.

Also, there are thing schools put into consideration while accepting a transfer. There is a character check to ensure that the candidate has no problems where he is coming from.

Often a time, there is problem of bureaucracy in handling this issue. Usually, if the transcript of the candidate is not ready from the school he is leaving for another, he will not be able to do anything and the student will be losing lectures and semesters.

This is where transfers encounter bureaucracy, because most universities have not known how to manage their bureaucracies.

Transfer issue is a serious exercise, which the Senate has to decide on. Senate has to approve it.

Dismissal and revocation of certificate Well, a candidate must be found worthy in character and in learning. If you came into the university with a forged document, at any time, when the school discovers that, it has the right to withdraw the certificate. It doesn’t matter how many years after.

For rustication, examination malpractice, cultism, sexual harassment and other violent behaviours are enough grounds to rusticate a student.

There was a case in UI recently, where a PhD certificate was revoked because the candidate was seen to have plagiarised. In intellectual sense, it’s highly criminal to use the material of another man without quoting him. This leads to withdrawal of certificate.

Orji’ revocation Well, as you know, I’m not from Abia State University. I hope it’s not politics. But if it

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THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 10, 2013

24 SUNDAYMAGAZINE

HEALTH DIET & HEALTH

beeconservation@yahoo.com

BY TUNDE FABUNMI

Why Younger Nigerians Are Dying Of Stroke (3) TROKE is the result of age-long impaired blood circulation rooted mainly in over indulgence in fried and fatty foods like eggs and milk. In the United States, study showed that the eight states with the highest records of stroke eat twice as much fried fish as people living in other parts of the country. The result of an epidemiological study titled: Fast Foods Habits, Weight Gain and Insulin Resistance spanning 15 years also indicated that eating fatty foods served in eateries twice per week caused weight gain of 4.5kg on average, and having excess body weight is another trigger of stroke.

Another assault on the health of modern man is consumption of refined foods and drinks, which causes low pH, depletes oxygen in the body cells and raises acids beyond tolerable level. Low level of oxygen causes degeneration of the heart and blood vessels with stroke as its inevitable end. Stroke either ischemic or hemorrhage type arises from cardiovascular system dysfunction, while the brain bears the brunt of its final collapse Also, nobody suffers stroke without being

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dehydrated for years. How many people consume the quantity of water required daily? Refined table salt is another hidden trigger of stroke. Ironically, salt is one of the three indispensable substances to health and survival of man, the others are oxygen and water.

But if salt is indispensable to healthy living, why is the refined table salt injurious to the body? Human body does not recognise refined table salt as the salt it needs.

So for as long as we use refined table salt, the body lacks salt. According to Dr. David Brownstein, MD “If you are not eating unrefined salt in your diet, by my definition, you are salt deficient.”

Besides not compatible with the body system, refined table salt also causes dehydration and deprives the brain of natural sodium and water needed to transmit nerve impulses. Refined table salt depletes other minerals involved in nerve conduction including magnesium, calcium and potassium, thus causing dysfunction of the heart and brain. The collapse of cardiovascular and nervous

system is medically known as stroke.

Regular ingestion of caffeine particularly in soft drinks depletes the body’s stores of essential nutrients including magnesium and thiamine (vitamin B1), deficiency of which cripples the heart and the nervous system. Too much alcohol plays the same awful roles in the body. Low basal body temperature also makes the body susceptible to stroke but it is not known as indicator of ill-health by many. Studies have also shown that adults not eating diets rich in essential fatty acids, potassium and vitamins A, C, E and B-Complex have high risks of hypertension, heart disease and stroke.

Unfortunately, the prevalent unhealthy diet and lifestyles cause diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and arthritis that make the use of drugs and surgery in-

evitable. In effect, the double assault of unhealthy diet and the fatal side effects of synthetic drugs make many Nigerians succumb to stroke and premature deaths after wasting fortunes looking for illusory cure in the so- called world class hospitals in India, UK, Germany and US. Worse still, the folly that prepares the ground for stroke persists until the victims have their final breath. How? Prior to having stroke, many victims had managed their high blood pressure or diabetes or both with drug prescriptions from the hospitals. And as soon as stroke occurs, victims are also rushed to the hospitals for treatment. The question is: if drugs cannot prevent stroke, how will drugs cure it. In other words, looking for cure for stroke in the hospitals is like waiting to see sunrise at night.

Who Heals?

By Moji Solanke

HE answer to this question is vital to the wellbeing of man. Yet, the answer would vary depending on who is asked. There are many possible answers, however three obvious possibilities shall be presented for consideration. Do drugs heal, or is it doctors who heal, or does all healing depend on God? A drug is essentially a chemical substance administered to bring about a specific chemical reaction, expected to correct an anomaly, maintain a desirable condition or prevent the development of a negative condition in the body. Prophylactic or therapeutic drug treatment is based on the premise that man is material and can only be benefited using a material drug. If, however, drugs are the healing source, why are they not efficacious in reducing the inflammation of a limb that has been cut off from the body? Afterall, the amputated limb is as material as the body from which it has been severed. Also, recent studies have shown that up to 60 per cent of cases have recorded success using the placebo effect, when in fact, the drug was a sham, though the patient believed otherwise.

A doctor is a qualified professional, trained to examine a patient, in order to determine, through a diagnosis, what may be wrong with the body. The diagnosis is based on the output of specialised machines, or what the patient or the doctor may think is wrong with the body. Yet, if the doctor’s qualifications, training and experience (resulting in a diagnosis and course of treatment) are efficacious in healing, why call a medical diagnosis an opinion, and why suggest, in many cases, the need to get a second opinion? Afterall, opinions are fallible, liable to change from time to time, place to place and person to person.

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God is neither material nor human according to people of faith, who generally accept God as real, though invisible Spirit.

From the position of faith, God is able to do all things. Examples abound in Holy Books of His ability to heal diseases, regardless of their nature, or hopelessness.

In modern times, many, who have turned to God for healing, attest to the efficacy of His power. However, the majority insist on the need to assist the divine power with the use of drugs, as well as the expertise of doctors.

In answering the question ‘Who heals’, Christian Science, discovered by Mary Baker Eddy in 1866, has something different to say. As a spiritual system of healing with deep Christian roots, it insists that man and his health are governed by laws of God alone. Christian Science starts from the standpoint that man is wholly spiritual, not material, nor a mixture of the material and spiritual but the image and likeness of God, who is Spirit. Christian Science insists that God’s law of health, though spiritual, is practical and efficacious to heal every type of physical disease. In her seminal book, Science and Health with key to the Scriptures, Eddy, referring to God’s control over man (including his health), says that it is no longer an open question, but is demonstrable Science. Anyone who wishes, is invited to try Christian Science out for themselves; and deduce their own conclusions.

The question has been posed. The three cases presented. The answer as to who, (or what) heals, remains open for thoughtful consideration and demonstration. m_asolanke@hotmail.com

Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole (2nd left), Human Rights Lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (left), Chief of State to the President.

Mike Oghiadomhe, The Otaru of Auchi, Alhaji Haliru Momoh, and Representative of President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Esan Sunday at the Grand Reception in Honour of Oshiomhole and Aliko Dangote by Etsako Club ‘81 in Lagos on Thursday.

PHOTO: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI

Chief Executive Officer, EDUCOMP Solutions Africa, Shantaram Hegdekatte (left), Director Training, Edusoft Associate Ltd., Varrier Devesh, Deputy Director, Federal Inspectorate Service, Mobolaji Borha, Lagos Director of Operations, Badri Prasad and Chief Executive Officer, MAXMIND, Gaurav Goel at the Implementing Best-In-Class Solutions for Enhancing Schools Pass Rate Workshop in Lagos... on Thursday PHOTO: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI

Health And Your Mind

Truth In The Dynamics Of Faith (5)

By Babatunde Ayo-Vaughan

ESUS said ‘what defiles the man is within him and not without’. As I rounded up in the last article, this statement of Jesus is a call to everybody to be personally aware of their mental and emotional orientation. No religious leader can help anybody to achieve this without the sincere effort of the individual concerned. This is the beginning of the true understanding of the concept of knowledge. It has a lot to do with the state and condition of the mind.

This is the real truth of being and that is what the genuine understanding of the process of faith is all about and why we have called it, the process of the diligent development that religious biases ought not to have been allowed to contaminate. This calls to mind what I said recently that knowing the bible or any spiritual book from cover to cover does not necessarily suggest spiritual development or the truth of faith, which ought to be its goal.

Much more may be required. The much that may be required especially in this apparent new age of man, demands the necessity of putting the issue of faith above religious

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parochialism and contamination. This means that more than ever before, the issue of faith must be made sensible.

We thank religion for keeping the issue alive up to this point in time. But the crucial importance of the issue in the survival of man especially in these ominous times, suggests that the understanding of faith should be made vivid and robustly re-defined.

What I am saying now goes back to what had always been lacking in the understanding of the issue of faith and which I had referred to several times in this column and that is the absence of the rule of intelligence in making sense of the concept of faith. So everybody does what it likes with the issue.

To really make nonsense of the concept, there is what is called blind faith. Blind faith is a concept in practice, which has no place for the rational. It is among those who believe in blind faith that you get religious fanatics and bigots. They may believe in miracles. But to them miracles does not have to operate on intelligent platform. It depends more on ritualistic platforms such as fasting, paying tithes, praying a number of times a day and may be bathing with some par-

ticular soap or water and using some peculiar oil to adorn oneself.

It reminds me of what Jesus said about the religious people of His day particularly their leaders, the Pharisees. He said something to the effect that they were much more concerned with paying tithes and religious ceremonies rather than be concerned about the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy and faith (Matt 23). This statement of Jesus is the truth in the dynamics of faith. I call Jesus, the master psychologist. I wrote a book on Him in that title. Without trying to be immodest, I have called Him the master psychologist because of my authoritative awareness of the fact that He tried to bring the rule of intelligence to bear in what you call spiritual knowledge. There are scientific facts to validate His spiritual expositions, which in the practical development of a human being brings what could be abstract spiritual teaching down to the level of dynamic understanding that makes clear the authenticity and the power of faith in the life of man.

Ayo-Vaughan, a psychologist, lives in Lagos.

SUNDAYMAGAZINE 25

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 10, 2013

NEWSFEATURE From: Emeka Anuforo, Abuja OING by recent events in the health sector in the last few days, the gladiators over who manages hospitals are back to a familiar terrain, this time with renewed vigour.

Now, both sides are defending their propositions in such an intense manner that if nothing is done soon to calm frayed nerves, the nation could be heading towards a situation that nobody can predict. Indeed, the Ministry of Health and health workers under the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) seem to be at the end of their tether and are literally feeling very much on edge.

The tension started building once again late last year when the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria briefed newsmen where it identified mismanagement as the biggest problem of the Nigerian healthcare system and called on government to formulate laws that would bar doctors from being chief administrators of hospitals in the country.

Shortly afterwards, in December, 2012, Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations and the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) had a protest march in Abuja rallying at the National Assembly where they, among other issues, called for a new law to ensure that only seasoned administrators were the only ones to be appointed to be chief executive officers of hospitals in Nigeria.

The Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu has dismissed the position of the health workers calling it a ‘non issue’. He described the hospital as the terrain of doctors and wondered why doctors should be prevented from administrating their ‘terrain.’

Assembly of Healthcare Professional Associations and the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) are made up of National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Medical & Health Workers Union of Nigeria (M&HWUM), Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes & Associated Institutions(SSAUTHRIAI), Nigeria Union of Pharmacists, Medical Technologist and Professions Allied to Medicine (NUPMTPAM) and Non – Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions(NASU).

Two weeks ago, JOHESU issued a statement calling on government, to among other things, remove the Minister of Health, Onyebuchi Chukwu and bring in a minister who would ensure a level playing ground for all the stakeholders in the sector, alleging that the minister was in league with doctors to ensure that their demands are not met.

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HAIRMAN of the group, Dr. Ayuba P. Wabba, said: “A major grouse of our coalition is the continued exclusive role of medical practitioners as the Chief Executive of hospitals. We have argued in line with international best practice, that the skills required for that administrative office are quite distinct from the clinical skills of a medical doctor. The facts on ground prove that they have grossly mismanaged these institutions because they do not possess the administrative training and experience required for the office. International best practice is to have professionally certified and experienced health service/hospital administrators manage the institutions.”

JOHESU views were echoed by the National President of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, Godswill Chikwendu Okara, who asked Nigeria to adopt the practice in more advanced countries, where he said the situation applied.

Okara said: “The issue of management and administration of health care services is a professional occupation and we have professionals called health service administrators. By the colonial history of Nigeria, we inherited a lot of things from Britain, the United Kingdom. As we speak, the United Kingdom healthcare is administered and managed by professional health service administrators and that was what it was in Nigeria up till 1985. Before 1985 we had professional health service administrators, who in teaching hospitals were called house governors, they were the chief executives of teaching hospitals before that designation was changed from house governors to directors of administration. Just as you have health care professions and professionals, you have health services administrators as a professional group and they offer that service. This is the international best practice the world over.

“The healthcare industry is such a complex, multi-professional and multi-disciplinary industry that you want to see a situation where each professional group busies itself, providing the services to the best of its ability, while you leave the administration and management of personnel, resources, financial resources and other material resources to those who are specially trained in that area. That way, you would have the best of the system.”

He went on: “Take a survey of Europe, America, and Asia, there is not a place where you have a medical doctor as the Chief Executive Officer of any hospital. None! One medical practitioner in Lagos was very down to earth, very honest and sincere about all these and made it clear that in Germany where he trained, that no medical doctor heads a hospital as a chief executive.

“That is the standard practice all over the world. Nigeria decided just by military fiat to change that without proper consultations. Imagine that somebody will be in the theatre operating all his life and one day he is appointed to become the chief executive of the hospital. Such a person has no administrative or managerial training, no experience, nothing whatsoever in managing an establishment and he would get there and start running the place as if he is operating in the theatre.”

He said unless Nigeria addresses the issues dispassionately, the decline in the Nigeria health sector would continue.

His words: “Because people don’t have administrative and managerial training and experience, they don’t have regard for government rules and regulations. Government in its wisdom charged the National Council on Establishment with the responsibility of articulating schemes of service. Before they do it, they embark on a nationwide job evaluation exercise. It is a very rigorous process that cumulates into bringing out the scheme of service and when you come to hospitals, some chief executives of hospitals will arrogate to themselves better

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Onyebuchi Chukwu

Okara

Fresh Row Over Leadership Of Hospitals knowledge than the National Council on Establishment. They want to set aside the scheme of service of various professional groups. These things are causing a lot of disaffection and upheaval in the health sector. They stagnate professionals in their career progression and prevent them from getting to the zenith of their profession, whereas they implement the scheme of service for their medical practitioner colleagues fully.

“What you see now is that the healthcare industry has been over politicized. In 1985, the late Professor Olikoye Ransome Kuti, of course working in concert with the Nigeria Medical Association, prevailed on the military government of General Ibrahim Babangida arguing that the hospitals were better managed by medical doctors and of course because of the respect the military administration had for him, they listened to him and enacted decree 10 of 1985. And we do know from comparative analysis that ever since, our healthcare service in Nigeria has been on a steady decline because the management has gotten into the hands of people who have no management or administrative training or experience.”

He told The Guardian: “They have taken it over from people whose professional calling and training it is. Out of the countries of the Commonwealth of Nations, Nigeria health service was ranked 4th in the 60s and 70s. Since 1985 when the doctors took over, it has been a sad story of continuous decline. Over politicization has been intense up to a point that often you will see the doctors would be busy fighting among themselves who will emerge Chief Medical Director or Medical Director of the hospital. It has become like partisan politics which never was the case in the past, when professional health service administrators were in charge, it didn’t matter who you are, it didn’t matter what name you are called, whether consultant or whatever. All that mattered was the rules and regulations guiding the healthcare industry as initiated by the government. They kept to the letter and spirit of those rules and ensured that everybody worked by the rules and regulations of the service. Your business was to provide services to the patient. If you defaulted you will be called to order. You will face a panel. But what you see now? Doctors have now come together and hijacked administration and people can do anything and get away with it so long as such a person is a doctor.

“There was a particular case at the National Hospital Abuja where a doctor was accused of committing something that was unethical, something that bothered on crime, diverting anti-retroviral drugs that donor agencies had given to Nigeria to be given to patients free. This doctor was selling the drugs.

The guy was given marked money by security agents and was caught red handed. The National Hospital set up a panel. The Medical and Dental Consultants raised an argument on why a non-medical doctor should head a committee to try a doctor.

You can imagine that kind of thing. Nothing came out of that case up until today.

“Because of what is going on now, any doctor can get away with blue murder, simply because their fellow doctors are in charge, nothing happens. Schemes of service for various professional groups in the health sector are trampled upon, swept under the carpet because they feel that they are in charge and that nothing would happen. That is why the whole place is in perpetual turmoil. If we must get back to where we missed it, we need to allow management and administration of the healthcare sector to be professionalized. That is, for the health-

care management and the administrative leadership to be professionalized instead of the partisan politicization we are seeing in the healthcare sector today.”

He called on the National Assembly to repeal the contentious decree 10 of 1985 which makes the chief executive of the hospital a medical doctor should be repealed and re-enacted, and that the designation Chief Medical Director should be changed to Chief Executive Officer and that the position should be professionalized.

He continued: “For instance, the Medical and Dental Consultants have formed virtually a union and they want to dictate what goes on in the hospitals because they feel that the Chief Medical Director is their colleague and from their consistency or from their union, and because of that, they want to use that office as a platform for projecting their interest and suppressing whatever they feel is a threat to them. It has now gotten to a point that they went to the extent of influencing the Minister for Health to issue a circular in December 2010 directing that no other health professional cadre should be appointed a consultant in the health industry; that it is only medical doctors who should be appointed consultants. In the course of discussing with the Ministry of Health about that circular, we called their attention to a circular dated March 29, 1976 where the government outlined the criteria for the appointment of clinical and non-clinical consultants and payment of clinical supplementation which has now been called specialists’ allowance to both groups of consultants.

“So dating back to the 70s, we have had other health professional cadres and professionals being appointed consultants. We have many medical laboratory scientists who are consultants in various teaching hospitals and medical schools; we have physiotherapists and so on and so forth. And now, in the 21st century, the Ministry of Health is saying no other healthcare professional cadre should be called consultants, other than medical doctors. It has now gotten to the point that they passed a circular that made the management board of various hospitals to revoke the consultancy of other health professions who were previously appointed consultants. These things are at the heart of the instability and the acrimony or disharmony we are seeing in the health sector. And unless they are addressed, things will continue to go wrong in the sector.”

Health Minister, Chukwu, in an interview with The Guardian opposed the call for the review of the decree to restrict doctors to medical practice and barring them from administration.

He said: “The Chief Justice of Nigeria is a lawyer. What is the problem? And the Chef Justice is both the administrator and the technical expert as far as the judiciary is concerned. So, why should it be different in medicine? The hospital is the only place that is totally the doctor’s territory. Every other person there is in support system. And it is so in different areas. You have doctors who are working in the bank. In the bank, we have the economists, we have those who did finance and accounts; we have the accountants and financial experts. They are in charge in the banks. You also have doctors because some of them have established hospitals. The doctors working there are doing support work.

“In the oil and gas sector, it is the zone of the engineers, chemical engineers, petroleum engineers, mechanical engineers and electrical engineers. The main business there is to get out the oil, refine them. There are doctors and pharmacists working there. But they are in the support group. We have chartered accountancy firms. Accountants are in charge there, but there

26 | SUNDAYMAGAZINE

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday March 10, 2013

NEWSFEATURE

Sex-enhancing Herbal Drugs, Others Gaining Ground

By Paul Adunwoke

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HE home made aphrodisiacs, popularly called manpower in local parlance, a substance believed to increase men’s libido, increase sexual desire, and make sex more pleasurable has become a common place in the commercial city of Lagos.

Interestingly, the Murtala Muhammed International Airport road has been the base of the drug’s peddlers, as their presence was obvious in almost all the filling stations along the route.

The drugs hawkers most times showed up during traffic gridlocks. They are of the habit of moving from one motor park to another, sometimes, they change their routes from the filling stations to the airport, where they claim to enjoy good patronage. The drug hawkers can also be found in some areas like Ladipo and Oshodi markets, and other busy areas of Lagos.

While the main drugs are packaged in sachets, the herbal concoctions are put in plastic bottles with different forms and sizes, depending on the choice of the buyers and how buoyant the buyer is.

The prices of those in sachets ranges between N100 and N200 depending on the sizes and to make it potent, the drugs would need to be mixed with powder; inside Lipton or soft drinks

before sexual intercourse.

The herbal mixtures are being sold at the rate of N500 for a plastic bottle and can be used by adding water inside the bottle. Drinking a cup of the substance, at least, one hour before sexual activity is recommended by the peddlers.

One of the hawkers Amodu Isah (not a real name), in a chat with The Guardian said the drugs are mainly made for people who experience frustrations during sexual intercourse because it has the ability of boosting performances.

“The drugs are meant for people who experience frustrations during sexual intercourse, it can boost their performances. The drugs have different prices, N500 for herbals and N100 or N200 for sachets, take these drugs, for one hour during sexual intercourse, you’ll not come to point of releasing easily,” he said.

A regular buyer of the drug, Walter Idowu (not a real name), who admitted to have used the drug on several occasions, said the drugs are nice because of the enjoyment that can derive from them.

“Whenever I use the drugs to have sexual intercourse with a woman, the lady would love me forever. The drugs are very nice because of pleasure one can drive from them, I have used

HERBAL CONCOCTIONS:

With Mixtures Unknown, Inconsistent Dosage, Consumption Risky

By Wole Oyebade

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RTHODOx practitioners and pharmacists are concerned that the herbal medicines and mixtures of all sorts pose more serious danger to health than cure or “quick fix” expected from them.

While the experts are not unanimous on efficacy of some of these medicines, they however agree that the drugs are too dangerous to be freely paraded and consumed in public places.

Lecturer and Consultant Endocrinologist at the Department of Medicine, College of Medicine University of Lagos, Dr. Ifedayo Odeniyi ob-

served that herbal mixtures had been deployed in the management of so many diseases, many of which were not properly diagnosed.

The drawback, however, is that the component(s) of such mixtures are not known and if known, the dosages are not standardized.

He said everyone must be aware that “the human body will function well without any medication to boost its functions. There is really no role for all these concoctions in the normal functioning of the body.”

From his experience as a physician and an endocrinologist, these herbal mixtures are not efficacious.

“For instance, some patients who

them previously and whenever I use the drugs during sexual intercourse, the woman would be satisfied. I have been using these drugs for three years now and I have no regret; I really enjoy using them,” he stated.

On the contrary, a recent user, who would not want his name mentioned, said he used up a whole sachet of the performance-enhancer, but he was disappointed. He waited for the drug to start working, right from early evening but it was a flat story. He declared them fake though he was willing to try some other local mixtures.

Isah, the hawker; explained that there are other sets of the drugs for barren women; people suffering from coughs, teeth pains, worm control, stomach pain, waist pain and another that can reduce sugar level.

Isah, said that he has been in the business for over five years and also married with children; and feeds his family with the business.

Acting director for Special Duties of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) Mr. Abubarkar Jimoh, who spoke to The Guardian on phone on the health implication of those drugs said hawking of drugs is not acceptable by the agency and asked members of the public to be careful about their health.

“It is not acceptable because any drug that is being hawked, you cannot guarantee its safety and efficacy, even if it is genuine because any drug that is exposed to sunlight and all kind of weather; would pose danger to the user.

“We are making efforts to stop hawking of drugs, it is generally not acceptable and also to educate members of the public not to use any drug that is not registered by the agency. Anybody that uses herbal or any drug that is not registered with NAFDAC is risking his life and it is beyond our limit,” he warned.

He noted that most important thing is public enlightenment, and that is what the agency is doing to protect people from being victims of drug hawking or illegal drugs “We want use this medium to tell members of the public to stop using any illegal drugs. They are committing suicide, because your health is in your own hands,” he warned.

The President of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria Mr. Olumide Akintayo stated that using of drug that is not registered by drug experts is dangerous to the health and can be categorised as a fake drug.

“Drugs that are not registered by drug experts are fake drugs, so people should not play with their lives. What these hawkers are selling without being told is substandard; even if they are genuine these are drugs that are not kept in a standard required temperature. They will decay very quickly because they are being hawked, and are exposed to extreme temperature, which causes accelerated degradation of active performance. So anybody that is engaged in such activity is engaged with outright mortality”.

An Associate professor of medicine from the university of Lagos, and an honorary consultant endocrinologist and physician to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Dr Femi Fasanmade said using of local herbal concoctions, as means of enhancing sexual performance is poisonous and a serious hazard to the kidney and cause of liver failure.

“Several drugs are abused by lay populace and sometimes medical health care practitioners. A common group of drugs or herbals used by men are those with claims of boosting libido or sperm production. They come from local herbalists as concoctions, brews or broths; powders or even creams and some come from Asian companies in different forms.

“The dangers of these drugs range from food poisoning to kidney and liver failure and almost all have no effect on boosting libido or increase in penile length or sperm production. Many are thus a fraudulent means of enriching the manufacturers and people should be very careful and always seek a second opinion from their family doctors. Hawkers or peddlers should also be arrested and prosecuted,” he said.

Despite the warnings and revelations on the dangers of consuming the sex enhancing substances, the patronage still increases on daily basis.

much that could be done to help their situation.

“Their diabetes is not cured as the herbal practitioners claimed neither is their glucose level well controlled.

The same scenario plays out in those with hypertension and so many other diseases with the patient coming out worse at the end of the day.

“The side effects of these herbal drugs are quite serious. The liver can be damaged. The kidneys can be damaged. These are the cases seen commonly as a result of herbal use,” Odeniyi said.

Odeniyi’s colleague and consultant public health physician, Dr Fela Oridota said the problem is that in Nigeria as well as in advanced countries, many of these herbal medicines do not go through clinical trials to have diabetes mellitus would aban- check how effective the drug is, side don orthodox medicine to embrace effects, know the right dosages. herbal concoctions. The outcome “They don’t go through these scienturned out worse for them.” tific processes.”

The patient-turn-victim would later Oridota noted that efforts by regureturn to the hospital with damaged latory authorities like National kidneys, eyes that are almost blind Agency for Food and Drug Adminisand other serious complications of di- tration and Control (NAFDAC) in listabetes mellitus which by the time they ing some of the drugs should not return to the hospital there is nothing imply that they have been clinically

verified for use, adding that NAFDAC lists some of them to actually monitor their effects.

“Traditional medicine is a big international business. Our country can indeed benefit from traditional medicine but we need to put the appropriate system in place. Our people should be enlightened that just because a drug has been listed by NAFDAC or available in the market, it has gone through clinical trial. No!” He added that there is an erroneous belief that because they are herbal they do not have side effect.

“Actually, the herbal medicines, because they are extracts they have impurities that lead to serious side-effect. There are evidences around the world that some of these things that we use, including the water from spiritual places laden with heavy metals damage health.

There is no part of the body that they cannot damage.

“Some of them cause liver damage, some affect the heart, kidney that filters everything ingested and even the blood system. There is lots of damage just because these things are not regulated.

TheGuardian

Sunday, March 10 , 2013 27

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Lafete Adeola’s Beremole is from London with love

BY FLORENCE UTOR

HOMEFRONT

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ITH the rate at which foreign basedW Nigerian artistes are returning home, it is obvious that the country’s music industry has shown significant improvement. Unlike the days, when living and operating from the Diaspora was a big deal, most artistes today have seen reasons to give roots to their career, by bringing their works back to homeland.

Just recently, Adeola Ososami, who left the shores of Nigeria as a seven years old child, returned to her fatherland to identify with the industry, which has put the country on the international platform.

Popularly called Deola, the London-based singer is back with new single titled Beremole, a track that is gradually picking up on air.

In the new sinlge, the amiable singer incorporates expressive Yoruba language into the song to create a unique blend of contemporary Afro-pop, with a soulful twist. According to the artiste, her music comes from “a fusion of genres and a range of artistes such as Asa, Corine Bailey Rae, Erykah Badu and more traditionally, the Kutis and Sir Shina Peters.”

With the song produced by Dr. Mike Moodini of Lunakidz Music, the label which she is signed on, Deola, a 22-year old dentist in the United Kingdom, feels fully prepared to take on the Nigerian music industry.

According to the CEO of Moodini, bringing Deola into his team stems more from her high sense of artistry.

“She writes her own songs and when it comes to performance, she holds her own. I like the fact that she is able to perform as well as play the piano and come up with her chords, which makes everything easier.

Deola is one artiste who will go very far because as a song writer she also performs life. She has all it takes to blow in the industry.”

Deola’s sojourn in the world of music strated early, during her days in the chruch choir. Though she deveoped her skill while working with different vocal groups, Deola found time to improve on her singing ability at Tech Music School for a year, graduating with a certificate in popular music performance. She’s been awarded best performer of the year ahead of a large number of musicians, after a showstopping performance at London’s Shepherd’s Bush Empire.

Though she will be graduating as a dentist next year, Deola admits, “I have always loved music and song writing. I will definitely finish my degree, which is also one thing I love, but music is my passion; one thing I know I will do for a long time. As much as I loved music, I never wanted to study it at the University; in U.K, the practical aspect in music school is not as much as you would expect, but I did it all the same.”

As a songwriter, Adeola gets inspiration from different sources such as stories that people have said or experienced.

“It’s a combination of everything; I don’t always write from my personal experience alone. I think it is interesting to put yourself in other peoples position and feel what they feel.”

Deola’s 10-track album, which will be released in few moths to come, is a combination of English and Yoruba tracks.

“People in the U.K may obviously not fully understand, but music is a universal language and time will tell if Nigeria is going to be my biggest market or not.

There are varieties in the tracks; that is why it is called different styles of me. We worked hard to do something that Nigerians will be interested in. It is not the exact replica of what is out there; we got a new vibe to it and tried to add traditional sounds also keep it modern contemporary,” she retorts.

Asked why she chose to simply remain Deola as a performer, she says, “I have decided to just go with what I want to be known with and that’s Deola; that’s who I’m and that’s what represents me completely.”

Regarding the message in my songs, the dentist informs, “I’m quite a positive person and so every song that I do is positive, with a fun aspect added to it because you can’t be too serious all the time.”

Bovi goes on Fire today ALL THAT JAZZ 36 ARTS

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Breaking Boundaries to mentor ALL THAT JAZZ

30

Shirley Horn… you can’t just forget her!

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 10, 2013

28 SUNDAYMAGAZINE

SOMEWHEREELSE Justin Bieber ‘Hospitalised After Fainting At O2 Gig’ USTIN Bieber was taken to hospital on Jcollapsing March 7 after allegedly backstage at London’s O2 Arena.

According to The Sun, the 19-year old was performing track Beauty And A Beat when he rushed off stage, leaving many fans confused by his disappearance.

A source claimed Justin “was on the verge of tears” and could be heard saying: “My lungs hurt” as he fled the stage.

A video has since emerged of JB’s manager Scooter Braun explaining to Justin’s fans that he had been complaining of being “light of breath” for the duration of the show.

Kim Kardashian In Hospital Dash After Feeling Ill On Plane REGNANT Kim Kardashian was reportedP ly rushed to hospital on Tuesday (March 5) after being taken ill on a flight from Paris to Los Angeles. According to the New York Post, Kimmy started feeling ill on the plane and was taken to a medical facility, with doctors raising concerns for her unborn baby.

A source told the US publication: “Kim started feeling ill on the plane from Paris, and called friends as soon as she landed.

She was rushed to her doctor Tuesday night in tears… She is having a very rough pregnancy, and doctors have ordered her to slow down.”

Kim’s sister Khloe Kardashian later confirmed the reports, thanking fans for their concern.

Kanye West Rants About MTV US Hottest MC Ranking ANYE West has expressed his anger after K finishing seventh on MTV US’ Hottest MC In The Game List ranting that if he had never worn a kilt or was not dating Kim Kardashian, he may have ranked higher.

Yeezy gave the panel a piece of his mind when calling radio station Hot 97 to discuss his placing, also suggesting Big Sean should have been top five instead of sixth.

During his rant, the Power rapper also praised Lil Wayne, branding him the “number one rapper in the world” alongside the likes of Jay-Z and Eminem.

Cheryl Cole Denies Pregnancy Rumours On Twitter HERYL Cole has been forced to deny on C Twitter that she’s expecting her first child. The Under The Sun singer, who is currently dating dancer Tre Holloway, rubbished rumours after she used the word ‘pregnant’ in a message to Coleen Rooney on the social-networking site.

Cole had tweeted: “Nice to see you too, you look amazing pregnant RT “@ColeenRoo: Great night at Girls Aloud Concert!!! So nice to see lovely @CherylCole xxx.”

According to OK! magazine, fans soon started to make a link between Chezza’s recent spell of ill health, mistaking her flu symptoms for morning sickness. However, the 29-year old soon nipped any baby speculation in the bud, writing: “You lot! lmao.

I should have known not to say the word on here!! No peeps I’m not “pregnant” lol!!

HOMEFRONT

BY CHUKS NWANNE

Next 2 None partners Nollywood, others to fight human trafficking HE atmosphere at the O’jez Chinese T Restaurant, Lagos, recently was convivial with the presence of a large number of Nollywood practitioners ranging from Zach Orji, Ibinabo Fiberisima, president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, Leo Mezie, Hakeem Rahman, Ejike Asiegbu, Frank Dallas and Diggity Dunhill among many others.

But what gave the event a serious air was the presence of over seven smartly dressed officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC. The event was the nationwide ongoing sensitisation exercise of Next 2 None, a support initiative that reveals the evils of human trafficking and has over the years joined in the fight against this vice.

Mr. Ndukwe Sam Obu, a legal practitioner, facilitator and trustee of Next 2 None said the support initiative is peopled by men and women of proven integrity; “who share the same passion, dream and goal to actualize this lofty goal of affecting positive change in our society”.

The initiative Obu said, “is bound to be a Social Welfare Institution geared towards building up a vision and mission that reflects the need to improve on the socio economic status quo; to adopt an expended service delivery with programs for interventions; and above all, to target the specific groups of young men and women.

“The essence is to see that legal and moral application in governance is geared towards the transformation of the Nigerian and African youth. Our strategic and Operational Plans are constructed to attack in both aggressive manners, with all situation/consideration, hence the need for our organization to be fully outfitted to meet the field challenges.”

Obu’s Next 2 None’s vision is to “see to a new Nigeria and Africa as a whole that is free of injustice and oppression, especially that which touch on the lives of the Nigerian youth, the disadvantaged and the abandoned. We are bent on promoting the translation of faiths into feasible and realistic actions of charity and human advancement.”

Next 2 None is currently in partnership with Nollywood, the Federal Roads Safety Corps, ICPC, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, NOA, National Youth Service Corps, Ministry of Labour and Productivity, local, state and federal government bodies among others. “We are approaching other agencies and seeking for a broader based partnership because all ands must be on deck to rein in this inhuman trade.”

On the partnership with Nollywood, popular actor, Zach Orji and ambassador of the NGO, said a movie to lend voice to the sensitization activities of Next 2 None is in the offing. “As I speak, a movie that highlights the evils of human trafficking is set to be produced. It is part fiction and reality. The reality part of it is based on the personal experiences Barrister Obu had with some Nigerians abroad who are victims of this modern day slavery.”

On her part, Fiberisima, president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, pledged the guild’s support for the initiative stating that AGN was ready to partner with any credible organization in a worthy cause. “AGN is a responsible association and this marriage between us and Next 2 None is our way of contributing to make the society better. We are ready anytime we are called upon to assist in any worthy cause and what Next 2 None is doing is worth supporting. We are ready.”

Koga Entertainment set to Launch Online TV NTERTAINMENT outfit, KOGA, organisers of E the yearly musical concert, TOP10Mics, is set to launch an online TV platform to provide quality and top notch entertainment in its entirety. The platform allows the streaming of music, movies and different audio/visual programmes through the Internet for easy reception with phones and computers on the go. It is to service the need of particular target audience irrespective of their locations 24 hours round the clock.

According to Robert Jeyibo, an official of Koga Entertainment, “this is a project that aims at entertaining people on the go. It is a fresh and unique design that shows that we have gone the extra mile to make a difference, we are setting the pace in the entertainment

Obu, Ibinabo and Orji industry.”

Koga Entertainment, since its inception in 2011, has proven that it is a force to reckon with in show business. It is an outfit that serves as a one-stop shop for everything entertainment. With four state of the art studios for movies and music production, television and radio hosting, it also organises concerts such as Top10mics, Dance234, and One Night Stand. The acquisition of the most expensive camera Alexa for production by the company is a stamp of arrival to dictate the course of entertainment in an already saturated industry.

Music tops agenda for Etisalat at the Social Media Week ELECOMMUNICATIONS services provider, Etisalat, has lent its voice to discussions on the exponential growth of the music industry in Nigeria and how social media impacts this growth at the Billboard Music Day conference powered by Beat 99.9 FM as part of the recently concluded Social Media Week.

The session, which was organised as a meeting point for titans of the music industry on the local and international scenes, deliberated on issues ranging from opportunities that abound, the correlation between brands and music, financing the entertainment market and how social media tools come to play in building a structured industry.

At the session, stakeholders observed that, in laying the foundation for a robust music business operation in Nigeria, certain issues have to be addressed, one of which is the need for a strong, dynamic communication model to be put in place that will match the vibrancy of the artistes and entrepreneurs in the industry.

Speaking on the topic ‘Brands and Music,’ Idiareno Atimomo, Manager, Youth Segment, Etisalat Nigeria and one of the panelists for the session, described music as a rallying point for the youths in Nigeria with social media driving conversations.

“Social media is big among the demographics we target. As a data-centric network, Etisalat understands that social media thrives on a strong mobile broadband capability and making that seamlessly available is our focus.

Our campus activation, Cliqfest, is strongly driven by music and our commitment to identify and nurture young music talents has seen us take the position as lead sponsors of Nigeria’s biggest reality music competition, Nigerian Idol, currently in its third season. We also are the first telecommunications company to have a full 4-minute sound track and

T

music video – ‘0809ja for life,” he said.

On the role of social media in the operations of the company, Atimomo explained that the brand has strong social media presence on twitter and Facebook, where they do a lot of product and service awareness, and promotions, as well using it to resolve customer care queries. The panel, which also included Marcus Glover, Chief Creative Officer, GLU Agency, New York and Sasha P, Nigerian Rap artiste identified the need for artistes to form brand partnerships.

In his remark, chairman, Social Media Week Lagos and Storm 360 Music Label Head, Obi Asika expressed his delight at Etisalat’s involvement in the project as city headline sponsors.

Bovi goes on Fire today FTER years of playing in the entertainment A industry, stand up comedian, Bovi Ugboma, is set to test his popularity in the industry with his solo show, Bovi…Man on Fire. Billed for today at the Expo Hall, Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, the show will see the comedian entertain his audience with jokes for about an hour.

“I’ve been around for about 10 years now, so, this is the time to show the result of spending such number of years in the industry as a comedian. I thank Flytime Entertainment for making this possible and I promise to give the audience the best of my jokes,” he said.

On why he decided to start with a solo show, Bovi informed, “I have enough materials to do one hour and more. The truth is that, I’m spontaneous with my jokes; I don’t look for materials. When it comes to telling jokes, it has never been a problem for me. I know people are wondering why I’m doing a solo gig, but seeing is believing.”

With Basketmouth as host, the event will be spiced with musical performances by notable artistes such as M.I, Wizkid, Olamide and Seyi Shay, with DJ Xclusive on the steel of wheel.

“The idea is to spice up the evening with music. Otherwise, I will be the only comedian performing.”

Flytime Entertainment is the producer of the event in conjunction with Kountry Kulture Network.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 10, 2013

SUNDAYMAGAZINE 29

MOVIEDOM

BY SHAIBU HUSSEINI

shaibu70@yahoo.com

Around and about Nollywood...

Aduaka wins ‘consolatory’ prize at FESPACO 2013

Administration of AMAA, Tony Anih.

Giving the breakdown of the entries, Anih revealed that 184 short films, 108 Diaspora features, documentaries and shorts films, 60 documentaries from Africa and 319 feature films from within and outside Africa including films made by Africans living abroad were received. The AMAA head of admin explained that the number of entries received showed a great improvement compared with the average of 300 films that were entered in previous editions.

As Anih observed: “This year is a milestone for AMAA as the award will hold its 9th edition and surprisingly the French speaking African countries have finally embraced the award as the best and biggest in Africa. I want to give kudos to the promoters of this award for the commitment and dedication. We are happy about this development. We have ensured that the integrity of the award remain unassailable and this account for the level of huge participation across Africa and the Diaspora.” The award holds in Yenegoa, Bayelsa State on April 20.

Nigerian filmmaker, FhasRANCE-based Newton Ifeanyi Aduaka’s One Man Show been adjudged the best of the lot in this year’s Festival of Pan African Cinema dubbed FESPACO. However, this is based on the report of an unofficial jury constituted by the Federation of African Cinema Critics (FACC). What is official is that the jury of the 10-day long festival unanimously picked Tey (Today) the film by Senegalese filmmaker, Alain Gomis, as the best. The festival, which opened on February 23, ended March 3 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

The city has hosted the festival since 1969.

Gomis’ film, which featured Saul Williams and Aissa Maiga in lead roles, examined the relationship between the living and the dead. It beat 20 other films to clinch the star prize of this edition. This is the first time a Senegalese film will receive FESPACO’s top prize. In awarding him the prize, the jury described Tey as one ‘cinematic grace’.

Gomis dedicated the prize to his home country Senegal and its citizens. He paid glowing tributes to his colleagues in Senegal who struggle to make films under very stringent conditions. ‘’This is for all Senegalese especially those that have over the last few years struggled, toiled and persevered to make films in difficult conditions.” Gomis said. “Funding is difficult.

You have to depend on outside sources to make films.”

Heroes and Zeroes by Niji Akanni also failed to win a prize. Aduaka, whose film featured in the main category, missed the top prize — Etalon D’or while Akanni’s Heroes and Zeroes missed the prize in the video category. Aside from not winning, Nigerian films have not been accepted in official competition of FESPACO. The mentions Nigeria has had in the main category in recent years have been from Europe-based filmmakers. The organisers have always insisted that to be eligible for the main category, films must be shot on celluloid. At the last edition in 2011, two Nigerian films on the shortlist — Champion of Our Times (which got second place prize) and Figurine featured in the video category.

However, Andrew Dosumu, a United States-based filmmaker had his film, Restless City, in main competition in 2011 likewise Newton Aduaka whose film, Ezra, won the top prize — Etalon D’or de Yennenga in 2007.

Both films were shot on celluloid. In fact, Aduaka’s feat in 2007 marked the third time a film from ‘Anglophone’ Africa grabbed the festival’s most prestigious award after Ghana’s Kwa Ansah’s Heritage Africa and South Africa’s Zola Maseko’s Drum in 2005.

Aduaka would have made it second for Nigeria and fourth winning for Anglophone Africa if he had picked the top prize this time. The other winners include Yema by Algerian Djamila Sahraoui (Silver Stallion), and La Pirogue (The Dugout) by Senegalese Moussa Touré (Bronze Stallion).

The award for Best First Feature Film went to Les Enfants De Toumaron by Harri Krisna and Sharvan Anenden from Mauritius.

Nadia El Fani got the award for Best documentary for the film, Meme Pas Mal, while the award for Best Short Film went to Les Souliers de l’Aid by Anis Lasoued from Tunisia. With the theme, African Cinema and Public Policy in Africa, and promoted as a platform that allows filmmakers to network and catch up on the latest trends in African cinema, FESPACO berthed in 1969 to contribute to the expansion and development of African Cinema. The next edition is billed for February 2015.

Flower Girl to premiere in Ghana LOWER Girl, the romantic comedy from FApril Michelle Bello, will premiere in Ghana on 5. The screening holds at the Silverbird Galleria, Accra. The movie stars Eku Edewor, Damilola Adegbite, Chucks Chukwujekwu, Chris Attoh and Bikiya Graham-Douglas.

It was first premiered on February 14 at the Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island, Lagos with over 200 people in attendance including the lead actors and celebrities

iREP docufest is March 21 in Lagos HE 2013 edition of iREPRESENT (iREP) T International Documentary Film Festival will hold from March 21 to 24 at Terra

Bello from the entertainment industry, the media, sponsors of the movie premiere, friends and colleagues. Flower Girl revolves round the life of a shy florist (Kemi) who is desperate to tie the knot with her longtime boyfriend (Umar).

To make him jealous, she teams up with a most unlikely ally (Tunde), a famous Nollywood star. Directed by Michelle Bello (Small Boy) and co-Produced by Michelle Dede (Big Brother Nigeria), the movie benefited from the talent of the award winning Art Director, Bola Bello (AMAA award winner for Direction: Small Boy), award winning screenwriter, Jigi Bello (Shooter, The Waiting Room) and Director of Photography, James Costello (2011 African & Nigerian Critics Award winner for Cinematography: Inale, and DP of Last Flight to Abuja and Black November).

It is sponsored by blue chip organisations including The Guardian Newspapers, NLPC Pension Fund Administrators Limited, Gregoose/Martini, Newton and David, Tanus Books, Bella Naija, African Movie Entertainment (MNET), Vanguard Newspapers, Cool FM, Wazobia FM, Yellow

Chilli Restaurant, Beeta Universal Arts Foundation and Jungle Filmworks, Flower Girl was reportedly voted the number one movie in the Genesis Deluxe Cinemas on Valentine’s Day and it also ranked number one in the Nigerian movies charts despite having no major Nollywood stars in a lead role.

Kulture, Victoria Island and Freedom Park, Broad Street, Lagos.

The yearly festival, according to the iREP Executive Director and co-founder, Femi Odugbemi, will feature over 30 films addressing different aspects of the festival core theme from filmmakers across the Diaspora. iRepresent International Documentary Film Festival is a yearly festival dedicated to promoting awareness about the power of documentary films to serve as a means of deepening and sharing social and cultural education as well as encouraging participatory democracy in our societies.

Odugbemi disclosed that the 2013 edition would also feature panel discussions, a session on Project Pitching and a Producers Roundtable. The theme of the festival, as Odugbemi informed, is conceptualised on the framework of ‘Africa in Self Conversation’ and it is expected to explore the theme of ‘Reconnection’, which was inspired by the famous quote of the late Ghanaian leader and statesman, Kwame Nkrumah: “I am not African because I was born in Africa, but because Africa was born in me’.

However, the scope of the iREP Festival, as Odugbemi said, would cover areas “as the need for rediscovery – spiritually, morally, socially, politically and economically – a reconnection with our true identity and values, and the potential of this resulting awareness to be used as a tool for reshaping the African nation.”

The former President of the Independent Producers Association of Nigeria (ITPAN), who hinted that the Dean of African Studies of the New York University, Professor Awam Amkpa, would give the keynote, maintained that the discourse of the African identity begs for more than mere rhetoric of race and space.

He described Africa as a world that is alive in every African, at the most misunderstood and abandoned, yet, it is undeniably present. Information on festival can be sourced at www.irepfilmfestival.com.

AMAA 2013 nomination still in Malawi, Bayelsa to host awards LL roads lead to Malawi from March 15, A as organisers of the yearly African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) unveil nominees

for its 9th edition of the awards. The nomination ceremony for the 24 categories holds on March 16.

AMAA is regarded as Africa’s answer to the Oscars and filmmakers from all over the continent and the Diaspora, who sent in entries for the 2013 awards, are looking forward to a good outing. A total of 671 films were submitted for AMAA in 2013 according to statistics provided by the Director of

Odugbemi

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 10, 2013

30 SUNDAYMAGAZINE

ART

Breaking Boundaries to mentor

BY TAJUDEEN SOWOLE HIKA Aneke’s Breaking Boundaries, which C started five years ago as an exhibition series, has now become a mentoring programme for young artists in Lagos.

This much was discovered at the six-week training tagged A life-transforming Art Workshop on Mixed Media and Wood Etching for young, art enthusiasts of Grange International School, Ikeja, organised by him.

In 2008, Aneke had announced his coming in the show Breaking Boundaries I, an exhibition of paintings, prints and installations, which held at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

He returned for the second series in 2010, with Breaking Boundaries – Welcome to Motherland Africa (Episode 2) as the title of salon show held at the Lagos residence of Ambassador Dew Tuan-Wleh Mayson, the Liberian envoy to Nigeria. Aneke later took his Breaking Boundaries mission to the US as one of 20 artists selected from 21 countries across the globe.

He was Nigeria’s art ambassador in the US tour, themed International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), a professional exchange programme of the US Department of State, which covered 13 states of America.

It’s on the strength of this art ‘ambassadorial status’ that he proposed the workshop to Grange School as a ‘Phenomenal Artist –In –Residency Programme’.

Grange’s art studio, participating Iner,NSIDE students were grossly engaged in a manwhich Aneke described as far beyond what the participants were exposed to in their regular art classes. He disclosed that

during the early stages of the workshop, the young artists had it tough, particularly in draughtsmanship.

“It was important to put the students through non-stop drawing of circle section to make their wrists flexible in draughtsmanship,” he said.

Several weeks after, they became more relaxed in the workshop. “Now, they are enjoying it, saying the experience is better than it sounds. In fact, more students wants to subscribe to the workshop, but the facilities can’t take more,” he quipped.

And it’s not just art students’ thing. “The workshop is opened to all, even science students,” Aneke said.

And more curious, some of the works seen during the visit showed a running idea, which suggests a ‘jumping the gun syndrome’ usually associated with most workshops on creativity.

“Not at all,” Aneke argued. Each student, he explained, “went through the process, filled more than two sketch pads book while experimenting with all sorts of mixed media before arriving at a final concept.”

at Didi Museum, on April 12.

After Grange, the mentoring continues, Aneke assured. “I hope to extend Breaking Boundaries mentorship to other schools.”

He says the project “is for a distinguished class of people in schools and other organisations both in Nigeria and overseas.”

As a mixed media artist of Uli – Igbo native art and design extraction — Aneke sees his art as “adventure into the magical world of unending exploration of virgin techniques leading to the discovery of new creative vocabularies; new artistic idioms.”

Aneke, a graduate of Fine and Applied

Arts, University of Nigeria, Nsukka was the recipient of Ford Foundation Artists’ Prize in 2006.

his Breaking Boundaries project SmalINCE appears to have taken art out of the forclassrooms curriculum, will there not be a distortion of tutorial progression?

An understanding and cooperation, he said exists between him and the art teachers of Grange — Mrs. Bolaji Olasoji, Mr. Olumide Onasoji and Mr. Ofore Okiemute.

And to expose the participants to formal presentation of art, works produced by students are scheduled for a group art exhibition to be titled Thinking Outside the Box,

BY BENSON?IDONIJE benidoni@yahoo.com

All That Jazz

piano lessons at home before moving over to the University to study composition; her mother wanted her to develop into a classical pianist. It was around this time that she heard pianist Errol Garner’s Penthouse Serenade. This was the turning point.

“I loved Garner, that rhythm of his,” said Shirley. ”I bought all his records and learned them- note- for note. In school, I was studying all the composers and listening to jazz — Oscar Peterson became my Rachmaninoff and Ahmad Jamal my Debussy.” Soon, she was studying in the University by day and was playing jazz in Washington’s dinner clubs and cocktail bars by night. Gradually, her moonlighting turned into a full time occupation.

When she decided to put her promising career on hold to ‘Empress of the blues’. But taking the roll call from her, it would appear as though all had been born within 20 years of return to family life, she did not leave the music business, but one another — Billie Holiday (Born 1915), Ella Fitzgerald (Born continued to play in and around her hometown of 1917), Sarah Vaughan (Born 1924), Carmen McRae (Born 1922), Washington D. C. after the safe delivery of a daughter. It was the opportunity of this situation that led to her introduction Dinah Washington (Born 1924), Betty Carter (Born 1929) and to the Steeplechase label where she recorded A lazy Afternoon Shirley Horn (Born in 1934). Each one was resolutely original and could never be mistaken for anybody else. Their individu- in 1978, At North Sea, Violets for your furs, All Night Long in 1981 and The Garden of the blues in 1984. In 1992 came Here’s to life, a alities bore them out as a special breed, a generation of crecollaboration with composer – arranger Jonny Mandel. ative musicians.

For Horn, music had been a part of her life from childhood.

N 1995 came The main ingredient recorded at her Washington Her life was charted even before she was born; and it seemed, home. The liner notes of the album, funny enough, also conas there was always music. Her grandmother played organ in church but her mother did not play an instrument; she had a tained the recipe for the beef stew she cooked for saxophonist lovely voice and was always singing songs. Shirley began with Joe Henderson, drummer Elvin Jones and other musicians who played on the record and lingered in her house through the night. It reflected another of her passions outside of musiccooking; and it was also a way of showing deep appreciation to musicians who were some of the leading individualists of that period: Henderson had evolved his own hard bop style, having been properly shaped by the Rollins influence. And of course, the appearance of Elvin Jones who was jazz’s number one drummer at this time gave the recording a big boost. He was the drummer that swung The John Coltrane Quartet to prominence as the number one combo in 1961, courtesy of Down Beat magazine.

Horn’s wistful but mature voice spoke of a woman responding to life with her head as well as her heart. She could see deeply into the soul of a song and extract its essence. Her relationship with the lyrics and the intensity with which she sang them were traceable to Billie Holiday, yet she was an original whose casual artistry in bending and changing notes, and even creating silence as a way of establishing effect, was the essence of true jazz.

Often, her equally incredible piano playing overshadowed her success as a vocalist. Her major influences may have been Ahmad Jamal and Wynton Kelly — and later Bill Evans who were all favourites of the legendary Miles Davis. But she developed her own deceptively casual style. And like Count Basie, she used silence to profound effect, something that served her vocal style well.

By the time of her death, she had acquired a near cult status among her fellow jazz artists and fans around the world as an interpreter of the American Popular Song par excellence, a musician equally accomplished as a vocalist and pianist. And of course, down the line, she had been inducted into Washington Area Music Awards Hall of Fame in 1987, the Lionel Hampton Jazz Hall of Fame in 1996, and was honored by the National Endowment for Arts as Jazz Master in 2004, the same year that Kennedy Centre heralded her achievements.

Shirley Horn was the last of the great female jazz singers.

With her passing, an era ended!

Shirley Horn…

you can’t just forget her!

HIRLEY Horn is not necessarily the greatest female singer Simpact jazz ever knew. She is not even the most popular. But the she made from the 1990s till her death in 2005 is so remarkable that she cannot be easily forgotten by the jazz world. The memory has continued to linger eight years after her death.

Besides, Shirley Horn’s passionate affinity with the tradition of jazz, her towering influences and the fact that nothing in that same inspirational direction has come forth since her demise - all give credence to her uniqueness as the last in line of jazz’s great female vocalists from the ‘golden era’.

Born in 1894 into this golden era, Bessie Smith set the pace as the first major blues and jazz singer on record and one of the most powerful of all time, earning herself the accolade,

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THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 10, 2013

SUNDAY MAGAZINE 31

ARTS

THE READING NATION

The Trouble With Professor Chinua Achebe’s Book

By Ola Balogun ANY years ago, when I first read the astonishing story of Hiroo Onada, the Japanese soldier who steadfastly refused to believe that the Second World war had ended, and who remained hidden in a series of jungle hideouts in the Philippines for almost three decades awaiting fresh military orders from a long disbanded Japanese imperial army headquarters, I was simultaneously appalled and full of admiration.

On the one hand, I couldn’t help admiring Onada’s deep sense of patriotism, as well as the undeniable courage and commitment that had kept him alive in battle mode for 29 long years in the jungle.

On the other hand however, I was appalled by the degree of fanaticism that had continued to fuel his lonely crusade for so many years, ultimately leading him to hurt and kill a number of innocent Filipino villagers against whom he continued to wage a futile war long after the real war had ended...

By the time I had finished reading Professor Chinua Achebe’s latest book, There was a country (which aptly defines itself as ‘a personal history of Biafra’), I have to confess to experiencing the same mixed emotions of admiration for an astonishing degree of well-meant but ultimately futile loyalty to a lost cause, at the same time as I was appalled by the manifestation of a kind of narrow minded and near-fanatical adhesion to a disturbing belief in the supposed superiority of Igbo-speaking tribesmen and women over all other Nigerian peoples.

More than anything else, Professor Achebe leaves the reader bemused by the altogether unsubtle attempt to present the events leading up to the civil war and the civil war itself as a succession of savage onslaughts by wicked Nigerian Muslim fanatics against innocent peace loving Igbo-speaking peoples whose only acknowledged sin is their supposed intellectual superiority to their lazy ignorant Nigerian brethren...

The following passage from Professor Achebe’s current book (reproduced from his earlier book entitled ‘The trouble with Nigeria’) is both revealing and deeply disturbing: “The origin of the national resentment of the Igbo is as old as Nigeria and quite as complicated. But it can be summarised thus: The Igbo culture, being receptive to change, individualistic, and highly competitive, gave the Igbo man an unquestioned advantage over his compatriots in securing credentials for advancement in Nigerian colonial society. Unlike the Hausa/Fulani he was unhampered by traditional hierarchies. This kind of creature, fearing neither god nor man, was custom-made to grasp the opportunities; such as they were, of the white man’s dispensations. And the Igbo did so with both hands.

Although the Yoruba had a huge historical and geographical head start, the Igbo wiped out their handicap in one fantastic burst of energy in the twenty years between 1930 and 1950.”

How very sad! One would hardly have expected a distinguished and highly respected intellectual of Professor Achebe’s stature to resort to peddling such tired stereotypes in the present age and time...

Fortunately, Professor Achebe himself clearly testifies to the fact that clashes between ethnic groups in the tense political period that led up to the civil war were mostly fuelled by feuding politicians, instead of being an outcome of some inherent hatred that may be said to exist between Nigerians from different parts of the country.

The following passage from Professor Achebe’s book speaks for itself: “The social malaise of Nigeria was political corruption.

The structure of the country was such that there was an inbuilt power struggle among the ethnic groups, and of course those who were in power wanted to stay in power. The easiest and simplest way to retain it, even in a limited area, was to appeal to tribal sentiments, so they were egregiously exploited in the 1950s and 1960s.”

If Professor Achebe is so keenly aware of the real underlying causes of ethnic confrontation among the peoples of Nigeria, why does he then go on to create the impression in the subsequent portions of his book that all the other peoples of Nigeria went out of their way to gang up viciously against their Igbo-speaking brethren?

It is obviously a mistaken approach to seek to interpret everything that went wrong in Nigeria following the declaration of Nigeria’s independence in 1960 exclusively from an ethnic viewpoint.

In reality, the same causes that facilitated prolonged military rule in Nigeria were also present in several other African countries!

These causes were a direct result of the desire of the western educated African elite classes to colonize the newly independent African nations from within, to the detriment of the broad masses of the people. Almost invariably, ethnic tensions in the nascent African states were manipulated and exacerbated by elite groups who were engaged in ruthless competition for exclusive control of national resources, leading to the breakdown of the outward veneer of parliamentary democracy...

M

Achebe

the widespread riots and tragic loss of lives that were instigated in some northern cities by political and military ethnic warriors during the latter half of 1966, the Nigerian civil war could have been averted if wiser counsel had prevailed, in the same way as the peoples of Kenya have recently shown themselves capable of surmounting bitter internal divisions to make a fresh attempt at holding peaceful national elections...

But why the belated attempt on Professor Achebe’s part to rake up some of the old grievances that led so many innocent victims to an early grave during the tragic civil war era?

Why return to the battlefields of the collective tragedy of our civil war experience to light fresh fires calculated to provoke renewed anger?

And how can there ever be any hope of bringing the vanished dream of Biafra back to life?

All in all, Professor Achebe’s book can best be described a hybrid offering that suddenly morphs from an interesting and highly informative autobiographical description of the author’s coming of age in colonial-era Nigeria to an embittered and relentlessly partisan portrayal of the vicissitudes of the short-lived dream of an independent Biafran nation.

Obviously, the attempt to portray the Nigerian civil war as a confrontation between an embattled group of brilliant western educated Igbo Christians on the one hand and an odd assortment of ignorant Nigerian “Muslim tribesmen” on the other hand might have had some useful propaganda impact on Europeans and Americans who knew nothing about Nigeria and Africa, but is there any merit in recycling such crude propaganda more than thirty years later?

The book is also very revealing in that it lays bare the kind of mind set that eventually imprisoned the Biafran leadership in an “all or nothing” approach that left no room for compromise, eventually leading to the total collapse of the Biafran adventure, whose leading protagonist fled into comfortable exile without any semblance of dignity, leaving his embattled followers to what he claimed would be a gory fate...

Interestingly enough, Professor Achebe’s book has become something of an instant best seller in Nigeria as a result of a clever marketing device that has rather disingenuously sought to lay emphasis on Professor Achebe’s unjustified depiction of the late Obafemi Awolowo as a ferocious and unrelenting enemy of the Igbo tribe, beginning with an alleged crusade on Awolowo’s part to supplant Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe as the principal political figure in Nigeria during the 1950s...

Given the devious nature of the marketing strategy that has been conceived of by the book’s publicists, the unwary commentators who have allowed themselves to be drawn into pro and anti Awolowo arguments on the basis of Professor Achebe’s book have merely been helping to fuel the sale of the book, instead of providing useful insights into the issues that Professor Achebe has actually raised.

In reality, “Once there was a country” is a bold but ultimately futile attempt to rewrite the history of the Nigerian civil war.

South African apartheid regime...Could it be that these notoriously racist folks were suddenly overcome by love of Igbospeaking peoples at the same time as they were busy unleashing all manner of atrocities on a multitude of other African peoples in Mozambique, Angola, Rhodesia and South Africa?

Also, how can Professor Achebe so unabashedly welcome the fact that the only Caribbean or South American government to have recognized Biafra was the odious Duvalier regime of Haiti, one of the most ferocious and evil dictatorships known to mankind in recent times?

The militant partisanship that characterizes Professor Achebe’s book is also clearly revealed by the eagerness with which he details alleged massacres perpetrated by federal Nigerian troops, while overlooking similar massacres of which Biafran troops were probably just as guilty against the minority ethnic groups they deemed to be ‘saboteurs’, particularly in the zones where the notorious ‘Colonel’ Joe Achuzia (whom Professor Achebe actually depicts as a war hero!) held sway...

The sad fact is that choirboys do not fight wars! From time immemorial, soldiers of different nations in the course of conducting warfare have committed many atrocities. Professor Achebe would do well to look back at some of the terrible crimes that were committed by soldiers under British control in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and other parts of Africa during the era of colonial conquest. How about the French armies in Cameroun and Algeria? How about the Americans in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan?

It is obviously an illusion to believe that war can be conducted in a civilized manner. If we wish to be sincere, we should commit ourselves to struggling to eliminate wars entirely, rather than restrict ourselves to complaining when our own communities are the victims of rampaging soldiers...

Professor Achebe’s apparent conviction that secession was the only possible response to the crisis in which Nigeria was engulfed in 1966 is also open to question.

Was the Nigerian nation as a whole not led into a tragic cul de sac by the clumsy handling of the crisis by bellicose and immature military officers?

Would civil war necessarily have been the outcome if more mature civilians had been in power at the time?

Ironically, Professor Achebe’s immodest claim that Biafra was poised to become the first wholly independent and truly democratic nation in Africa is quashed by abundant evidence that he himself offers to the contrary.

Professor Chinua Achebe himself inadvertently reveals that there was actually no democracy as such in Biafra, judging by his own account of the misadventure that befell his nephew Uche Achebe, who barely escaped being court-martialled and shot for daring to wonder aloud if there was any point in continuing the war if the Biafran side was too ill-equipped to be able to repel the federal forces...

Can the kind of mob rule that led to the suppression of dissenting voices in Biafra be considered to have been a satisfactory substitute for true democracy?

There is little doubt that the summary execution of the quartet of Victor Banjo, Emmanuel Ifeajuna, Sam Agbam and Philip Alale shortly after the failure of the Biafran army’s Mid-West adventure was meant to pre-empt dissent by striking fear into the minds of all who might disagree with Ojukwu’s war aims and strategy.

The fact that General Hilary Njoku and a number of prominent leaders from the minority areas were detained without trial until the end of the war provides further evidence that no dissent was allowed in Biafra, as General Philip Effiong (who held the largely powerless post of Biafran Army Chief of Staff) subsequently pointed out in his autobiography.

It was obviously for this reason that Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe quietly opted out of the Biafran adventure when he found that Ojukwu could not be persuaded to seek a negotiated settlement to the war.

Naturally, no one in his right senses would dispute the fact that the Nigeria of today remains an imperfect construct that still has to be considered to be a work in progress.

IGERIA is not perfect, but would the interests of the peoples N of Nigeria have been better served by the fragmentation of the federation of Nigeria into several small states, as was so

ardently desired by President Charles De Gaulle and the African puppets through whom he sought to channel clandestine support for Biafra in the hope of securing greater access to Nigeria’s oil wealth?

In the final analysis, Professor Chinua Achebe would appear to belong to an unrepentant group of pro-secessionists who opted out of Nigeria in the lead up to the civil war, and who have never agreed to forget or forgive the wrongs they believe they suffered at the time.

If these Biafran irredentists are truly convinced that their best course of action is to continue to fight the civil war by wallowing in nostalgia from the safety of their present homes in Nigeria and elsewhere, they should be reminded that the honourable course of action should be to renounce their Nigerian citizenship once and for all and go into the bush to engage in actual guerilla warfare if they truly believe that the war needs to be fought all over again...

They definitely cannot have their cake and continue to eat it at one and the same time : They cannot both insist on proclaiming their adhesion to a long vanished Biafra and at the same time continue to carry Nigerian passports and to lay ROFESSOR Chinua Achebe’s short-sighted determination to claim to Nigerian citizenship.

The time is long overdue for all Biafran irredentists to wake see no shortcomings in Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu’s hanN the final analysis, the root causes of the Nigerian civil up to the fact that the country that was once Biafra is now dling of the war, as well as his dogged tendency to judge all war can be traced to the struggle for control of the nothing but an abstract memory that bears no relation to any levers of power among contending Nigerian elite groups, external intervention in favour of Biafra as intrinsically good, even if by his own admission most of the material support that physical territory in which their dreams can be actualized in rather than to some form of blind hatred of Igbo-speakthe present day world...

Biafra received came from a Portuguese fascist government ing people on the part of all other Nigerian ethnic In case they failed to notice, the curtain fell on Biafra well that was simultaneously involved in the ruthless suppression groups, as Professor Achebe would have everyone over 40 years ago! of aspirations to freedom on the part of colonized Africans in believe.

In fact, most objective observers are agreed that in spite Portuguese ruled territories, not to speak of the clandestine • Dr. Balogun is a film maker and musician who lives in Lagos support that Biafra received from the evil leadership of the of the fact that Igbo-speaking settlers bore the brunt of

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THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 10, 2013

SUNDAY MAGAZINE 33

ARTSExtra

A Gathering of the Tribes

BY GREGORY AUSTIN NWAKUNOR HE event was a gathering of the tribes, but not a Dance of the Forest to celebrate ‘the new Nigerian polity’. The ‘Tribes’ celebration’ was homecoming of ‘old boys and girls’, who turned up in their number to honour their home — the University of Ibadan Department of Theatre Arts, on occasion of its 50th anniversary and the first Geoffrey Axworthy Lecture delivered by Prof. Wole Soyinka on the theme, The Ritual Pursuit.

Prof. Soyinka represented the spirit of the gathering — a meeting of the past, the present and the future of the department. He represented proudly, the ancestral past of ‘Theatre UI’, which started modestly as a School of Drama in 1962, and which he was the inaugural head of department.

T

ELD at the Trenchard Hall, on Friday, H March 8, the lecture attracted a host of old and new students, scholars, theatre enthusiasts and practitioners including Oba Gbenga Sonuga, the Fadesewa of Simawa community near Sagamu, Ogun State; Jimi Solanke; Alhaji Adegboyega Arulogun, former General Manager of NTA Channel 5 & 10, and NTA IKeja Channel 7; Prof. Duro Oni, Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos; Prof. Biodun Jeyifo of the Department of African and African American Studies, Harvard University; Prof. Ahmed Yerima, Dean Faculty of Arts, Redeemers University, Mowe; Prof, Remi Raji-Oyelade, Dean Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan; Drs. Matthew Umukoro and Hyginus Ekwuazi and the acting Head of Department, Dr. Chuks Okoye.

Also present were Alhaji Teju Kareem, chief executive of Z-Mirage, Longley Evru of Angels Communication, Gregory Odutayo of Royal Roots Communications and Joseph Uchea.

Toye Arulogun, an old student and special adviser to the governor of Oyo State, represented the state goverment at the event.

HE arrival on campus in the mid-50s of theT atre enthusiasts like Martin Banham and Geoffrey Axworthy especially, among the teaching staff helped to shape the new course of events.

These members of staff began an active programme of production at the Arts Theatre — using mainly the University College Dramatic Society (comprising students) and the Arts Theatre Production Group (a Staff group) — and, in addition, ran a series of theatre workshops for the departments of English and of Extra-Mural Studies, as well as the Institute of Education.

So popular were these activities that the 1961 Visitation Report recommended that theatre should not be left any longer to “enthusiastic volunteers”, but be organised properly as an academic discipline. Thus, the following year, with a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation, the School of Drama began, the first of its kind in Africa.

EGULAR courses started in the 1963/64 sesR sion in the Arts Faculty, offering Diplomas both for non-graduates, and also at the graduate level, with the late Kola Ogunmola becoming the first student in residence.

This was to prove historic, when, through another grant from the Rockefeller Foundation, Ogunmola created the unforgettable stage adaptation of Tutuola’s The Palmwine Drinkard.

In 1966, the Rockefeller Foundation funds ran out. But by then, the arguments for the School had been firmly established. The Nigerian Universities Council not only accepted to finance the School, but also to upgrade it into a full-fledged department. This dream could not be realised, however, for another four years, owing to the outbreak of the Biafran conflict. But happily, in the 1970-71 session, with the cessation of the war, the Department finally took off with Soyinka as its inaugural helmsman.

Prof. Soyinka delivering his lecture

Oba Sonuga at the lecture

A cross section of guests

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ARTS

THE READING NATION

Culture, Sexuality And Taboo In Nigeria

By Unoma Nguemo Azuah ITH the rise in education, urbanisation and W globalisation, many Nigerians are abandoning the traditional ideas of the family relationship and are gradually embracing novel family values and configurations.

Nonetheless, the need for children is so vital that a childless woman or man is looked upon as unfortunate, and there is a tendency for those who do not promote or encourage child bearing to be reviled.

This is one of the reasons why the sexual minorities in Nigeria are basically despised, since some of them are not able to naturally bear children.

Because sex and issues surrounding sexuality are not topics discussed openly, the possibility of acknowledging and engaging the subject of sexual minorities as it pertains to their needs and peculiarities are near impossible.

The mystery that is wrapped around the theme of sex discourages any form of openness towards sex and sexuality generally.

Hence, religion and patriarchy is in large part responsible for the attitude towards the minority sexual communities in Nigeria. Izugbara (2004) has argued that norms around sexuality in Nigeria “are socially produced and fed by oppressive patriarchal subjectivities and ideologies that try to instill a sense of what is normal, sexually-speaking, for us all.”

Homosexuality subverts the culture of patriarchy and is thus seen as “an unruly force, which threatens humanity at large and has to be kept perfectly under control, by violence, if necessary,” (Izugbara, 2004).

In the words of Jackson and Scott (2010:2), “rather than seeing sexuality as the inner truth of our being and source of life’s most meaningful experiences, we want to locate it within the mundane actualities of social life.”

This is true of the Nigerian situation where sexuality suffers from the absolutism that shapes ideas and socially constructed entities and concepts. As Jackson and Scott (2010:2) further said, “sexuality does not denote a pre-given entity; it is a product of the social definition and ordering of erotic life, encompassing all desires, practices and identities deemed to be erotic… it is very much part of our social landscape. Yet the concept of sexuality remains rather slippery and fluid because what is deemed erotic and hence sexual is by no means fixed. Moreover, sexuality is not limited to ‘sex acts’ or to sexual identities but involves feelings and relationships, the ways in which we are or are not defined as sexual by others and the ways in which we so define ourselves.”

In other words, sexuality encompasses our sexual perception of ourselves and how others perceive us.

That is why at times some authors talk about ‘sexualities’ rather than the singular form ‘sexuality’.

Yet the term sexualities seems to embody the various nuances of the concept and the sexual identity and relations each tends to describe.

I must hasten to point out, though, that sexuality is Azuah not necessarily a function of gender but an index of longevity of patriarchy in the country. the social construction of gender.

Gender denotes “all aspects of the division and dif- Thus, we may ask, if heterosexual people, especially women and ference between women and men,” while sexuality children, are not fully protected by the law with regard to sexual is a “sphere of social life” (Jackson and Scott, 2010:2). abuse/criminality, what does one expect for the minority sexual In terms of gender relationships, sexuality encom- groups? Section 214 of Nigeria’s Criminal Code Act, for instance, passes such socio-sexual mappings as heterosexual, stipulates that any person who “has carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature” may be imprisoned for up to 14 homosexual, bi-sexual, transgender and so on.

However, in many societies the institution and prac- years — and under Section 215, anyone who attempts to do so tice of heterosexuality is the most popular ground may find themselves imprisoned for up to seven years. Section on which gender and sexuality intersect. Nigeria is a 217 criminalises an even broader category of ‘gross indecency’ good example. For not only is heterosexuality gener- between males, punishing offenders with up to three years in ally endorsed in these parts, minority sexualities are prison. Moreover, the laws of Nigeria are not the only means of controlling sexuality. repressed culturally, legally and otherwise.

Customary and religious laws also dictate, define and limit sexuality. Sex and sexuality, both in their majority and minority characterisations, are sort of taboo. Yet it remains to be proved Sexuality, law and human rights empirically whether secrecy, denial, and the effacement of rights UMAN rights is not generally promoted and pro- of minority sexuality groups really address the reality of the situtected in much of the so-called Third World. Nor ation, whether it serves or subverts the dire need of critical and dynamic sex education in Nigeria. is sex or sexuality an open or favourite subject of Although the repressive laws against ‘deviant’ and ‘unnatural’ conversation in Nigeria.

The sex discourse is a victim of the cultural residu- sexual relations in Nigeria was widely condemned internationalum that is in conflict with the postcolonial project, ly, it is also argued that a county has the right to determine what is good for its citizens. even when both have the capacity to enhance or But ‘good’ is relative and socially constructed. In a country undermine development.

To this extent, the relation between sexuality, law, where absolutism, religion and patriarchy hold sway, the definihuman rights in Nigeria is a reflection of the contra- tion of good may not always embody fairness and empiricism; dictions and hypocrisy that are at the centre of the nor would it always insulate minority views and aspirations. postcolonial. This is why homosexuality, like most Moreover, the warning by the United States Department of State other ‘woes’ of the African continent, are blamed on and 16 human rights groups from all over the world that among other dangers, the Nigerian sexuality bill would be jeopardising the West.

As in most non-Western societies, minority sexual the fight to stop or put a check on the spread of AIDS, especially practices and manifestations in Nigeria have been when Nigeria has the world’s third highest population with described as Western infusions and unnatural acts. AIDS, with more than three million infected with HIV, has not Yet it is worrisome that such acts as rape and other been taken seriously. sexual abuses have not been practically protected by UMAN rights activists like Leo Igwe have argued that homolaw in Nigeria. phobia seems contrary to the African cultural standards It is one thing to have laws against sexual crimes; because African traditional tenets have been based on the needs it is quite another to practically enforce them. For instance, rape victims in Nigeria have not been fully of the communities, on what they thought was best for them protected by the law (including Sharia in the North (Azuah & Igwe, 2009). Because of the high mortality rate, a great emphasis was placed on reproductive sex and procreation, and of Nigeria), perhaps, due to the triumph and not necessarily on any other kind of sexual practices.

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Therefore, heterosexuality was the medium; it served the need for sustaining land and offspring.

Yet, that heterosexuality was considered typical did not mean that was non-existent. He further goes on to state that same-sex relationships existed in pre-colonial Nigeria (Amadiume, 1987), as is practiced among the Igbo of Eastern Nigeria, for instance.

But I must hasten to add that these marriages are not necessarily for satisfying sexual urge but to ensure the perpetuation of the family lineage.

In other words, women marry women; an only female child could choose to marry a woman to have children in most cases to keep her father’s lineage. For the purpose of procreation, she arranges with her wife to have sex and have children with a man outside of their marriage for procreation.

In spite of its obvious positive intentions, this practice contradicts aspects of religious teachings, as a hangover from the past. Yet it is generally accepted so long as it promotes procreation.

There is no doubt that children in Africa and Nigeria enhance the social worth of families and clans.

This cultural given, combined with the taboo about same-sex relationships, explains the secrecy of the minority sexuality communities in Nigeria, including the homosexuals and others.

It also accounts for the fact that homosexuals engage in heterosexual marriages to fulfill the social, rather than the individual need for children.

Further, in northern Nigeria, there have been and still are men referred to as dan daudu. Dan daudus are men who cross-dress and act like women. They perform roles and acts considered traditionally to be women’s.

Even party organisers in these parts hire them as entertainment crews for their guests. They had been accepted and have remained part of the Hausa-Fulani culture until the Sharia Islamic law was introduced in 1999.

Perhaps, the dan daudu factor punctures the myth about minority sexuality being a gift from the West even if it is not acknowledged in the social sphere. In a sense, it reinforces the danger of HIV/AIDS in relation to the larger population.

Myth, reality and fallacy in Nigerian sexuality CONTINUED ON PAGE 35

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 10, 2013

SUNDAY MAGAZINE 35

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THE READING NATION

... Culture, Sexuality, Taboo And Nollywood CONTINUED FROM PAGE 34

HE major myth and fallacy surrounding T sexuality in Nigeria are perhaps in relation to the minority variants. Whether aberrant or not, minority sexuality is a reality in Nigeria.

The International Centre for Reproductive Health and Sexual Rights in Minna, Nigeria, conducted research that affirms the existence of non-traditional sexual choices in Nigeria and found that the Nigerian environment is very homophobic or at least appears to be (Azuah, 2005).

According to the study, there is an outward expression of homophobia in the dominant culture although among the general population, there is greater understanding and tolerance that the practices exist.

It is difficult for gays and lesbians to come out and admit to others that they are gay, bisexuals or lesbians, as they try to maintain heterosexual relationships in light of the cultural norms and taboos in Nigeria.

They marry to give a semblance of belonging to the widely accepted sexual orientation – heterosexuality – while they continue to meet their same sex partners secretly.

This trend is additionally validated by Oludare Odumuye (2004): because of the stigmatisation of homosexuality, many gay men have girlfriends and even marry to be seen to conform to cultural and societal norms. It is not uncommon… for men to insist on using a condom with a woman but not bother with a male lover since they do not always realise that AIDS can be caught from sex with another man.

The stigmatisation of minority sexualities in Nigeria permeates almost every aspect of the Nigerian culture. For instance, Nigeria’s popular film industry known as Nollywood has a cache of films with homosexual themes, and these films remain faithful to the despise attached to the lifestyle.

In other words, populist strictures of sexism and homophobia, typical of patriarchal societies, overrun Nollywood. For example, one begins to wonder if it is mere co-incidence that all the characters involved in homosexual relationships in Nollywood movies end up tragically.

Or could it be that what Cuca Hepburn and Bonnie Gutierrez (1988) describe as the function of homophobia is manifesting itself in Nollywood? In their words, “in the arsenal of patriarchy homophobia is a primary weapon used to maintain social control. The function of homophobia is to force both women and men to meet the expectations of traditional sex roles and to support the power imbalances inherent in our existing society” (Hepburn & Gutierrez, 1988) What seems to be the case is that when these Nollywood homosexual characters depart from their expected responsibilities as people required to love the opposite sex, they are doomed to a catastrophic end.

Azuah However, teenage girls are still getting pregnant. Ibrahim Dan Halilu (2012) positions the issue in a more objective stance when he states that, “the HIV/AIDS campaigners have experimented with the psychology of abstinence just like the malams and pastors but to no avail. If condom preaching promotes or enunciates safer sex, which is frowned at by the two popular religions in the country, what then is the way out? Certainly, we have Sexuality, sex education in Nigeria a problem on our hands,” he concludes.

Halilu could not have put it any better in his OME cultures in Nigeria like the Hausa Fulani have their traditional tenets for sex urgent call for a sex or sexuality education in Nigeria. In his words, “those who harbour education, particularly during coming-ofunfounded malice against sexuality educaage ceremonies. In these occasions, young men and women are trained in preparation tion should either proffer a better practical for adulthood, marriage and social responsi- solution or shed their toga of puritanism and face the reality” (Igwe & Azuah 2009). The bilities. problem is further aggravated by the fact The preparations include teaching them that parents do not freely and openly discuss how to relate to their wives and husbands.

For instance young women are educated on sex with their children. However, a new how to relate to their men in every aspect of approach to sexual topics and a more liberal attitude that would encourage a more tolertheir relationship, including sexually. ant view on sex would go a long way to However, these expositions are given for enlightening people on sexual issues; it the purposes of cultural sustenance, marwould go a long way in reducing teenage riage and procreation. pregnancies and the epidemic spread of sexThere are also traditional methods of contraception part of which include breastfeed- ually transmitted diseases. ing, abstinence and the use of herbs Conclusion (Adepoju, 2005). Despite these provisions, there is little or no room for self-expression EXUALITY issues in Nigeria are mired in and the foreign religions like Christianity ignorance, religiosity and the triumph of and Islam continue to create hurdles for the implementation of sex education in schools. patriarchy. The difficulty in understanding and acknowledging variance in sexuality In the words of Engineer Tukur M. Lawal, seems to stem from the difficult stance that “sex education as taught in our schools is sex must remain a taboo subject. Because sex evil and will certainly lead to more evil and is considered a taboo to a large extent in decadence. This is a disservice to the educaNigeria, the media becomes one of the main tion system in Nigeria” (Lawal). sources for the youth to learn more about Tukur’s opinion is not surprising because sex. both Christianity and Islam do not see the This is in spite of the impression that there need for sex education in Nigeria and this is a form of sexual freedom among youth in seems to limit the level of information peothe country. Parents and churches do the ple need to lead a healthier sex life. least in the area of sexuality education mostThese religions insist on abstinence.

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ly because they consider the subject to be forbidden.

Ironically, they, parents and adults are supposedly the ones that have the exclusive right in discussing sex and sexuality.

Even when discussed among adults, it is done in utmost secrecy.

But as Africa Health and Development International (AHADI) puts is, “it is of critical importance that we find ways to discuss sexuality. This is especially so because sex is viewed as a taboo subject in most of Africa” (2007).

AHADI further confirmed that when compared to the people in the rural areas, city dwellers, not just in Nigeria but in major cities of Africa seem to have started developing an open minded approach towards their sexual lives.

Though the older generation is more conservative when it comes to talking about sex with younger ones, the younger generation is developing a more liberal attitude towards sex.

When compared to the people in the rural areas in Nigeria, city people seem to have started developing an open minded approach towards their sexual lives.

In the same vein the older generation is more conservative when it comes to talking about sex with younger ones, but the younger generation is developing a more liberal attitude towards sex.

That is a progressive development.

Perhaps, when people are encouraged to talk about sex and sexual orientation, the Nigerian community would begin to recognize the Nigerian sexual minority groups, as the secrecy attached to their lifestyle, no doubt, contributes to the astronomical rise of AIDS. Yet the issues of minority sexuality and its controversial perceptions are not the only problems with sexuality here. In recent times, the problems and issues associated

with sexuality are evident in fashion, body language and gender role reversal. Many years ago, people would frown at boys or men wearing earrings.

Today it is almost fully accepted as vogue. Trousers and slacks were also anathema for women years ago, but today even some churches accept women with trousers in the service. What of men, including footballers, who wear braided hair nowadays? They would be out of place about 20 years ago. Not only that; sexuality is also expressed in what has been tagged indecent dressing, which is nothing but Western infusions at variance with local ones, but which are quickly finding relevance in the uncritical and contradictory social milieu in Nigeria.

Obviously, the above-mentioned social phenomena have been influenced by the media and will continue to be so influenced, in spite of campaigns to the contrary by traditionalists, church leaders, and other people. The same can be said of sexuality in general. If it has been difficult for societies in Africa to halt globalisation’s (Westernisation’s) consuming fire, it will be interesting to see how the sexuality controversies will be resolved in these parts sooner or later.

Meanwhile, the answer to Nigeria’s sexuality questions in the morning of the millennium cannot be found in secrecy and denial fuelled by myths and taboos, but in an open and more positive, if informed, approach to the issues at stake, including those bordering on rights and public health.

• Azuah is a Professor of English at Jackson College, Tennessee, US; she is also an awardwinning fiction writer. This piece is part of her residency programme at State University of New York

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 10, 2013

36 SUNDAY MAGAZINE

THE READING NATION

ARTSVILLE

How Not To Run A Media Outfit

By Banji Ojewale

In the Twilight; Kayode Adedire; Rolufol Publishers, Ibadan OLITICIANS and bureaucrats, along with entrepreneurs, who set up media houses, do not believe that professional journalists must be left alone to drive the business of gathering news and managing the process of dissemination. They must re-enact Big Brother’s role in George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four, where there is an oppressive government surveillance of the minutest activity of society.

Well, the larger society is also part of the game in a wider sense: the citizenry do not accept that the matter of governing the people should be the sole responsibility of politician they vote into power. Ditto in football: the coach must be guided by millions of ‘more informed’ soccer fans!

In the Twilight, a revised edition of an earlier autobiography of the veteran journalist Kayode Adedire, the author arrays the grave ills of playing Big Brother in a government owned media outfit.

He equally highlights the disastrous results of this overbearing official approach to supervising the affairs of such organisations. The meddlesomeness of government functionaries and their agents such as members of the ruling party as well as personal friends and associates of governor or president serves to deny the nation of capable hands.

That was the experience of Adedire as he looks back to his days at the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC). The issue of the workplace trauma he experienced as a result of fawning government interference in the affairs of the station and because of petty peer jealousies and outright disregard for due process in promotion is the dominant theme in the book.

Therefore, very early in the work (Chapter Three), Adedire begins the narrative of his travails in the twilight of his profession.

But in two chapters earlier, the author goes back to his roots in Ghana where he had his formative education.

The account also takes the reader into a combination of factors that led ‘Sir Kay’ (as his close friends call him) into journalism.

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FTER starting at the history-making WNTV-WNBS in Ibadan as a budding reporter sipping valuable skills from such masters as Ayo Vaughan, Tunji Shenjobi, Fabio Lanipekun, Henry Robin, Kunle Adeleke, Akin Akinwunmi, Yemi Farounbi etc he becomes part of the process that witnesses the transformation of WNTV-WNBS into Nigeria Television Authority (NTA, Ibadan).

He matures steadily through a series of local and overseas training courses sponsored by his employers and foreign organisations.

Later, Adedire would transfer his services to the newly founded Television Service of Oyo State, and subsequently, following the creation of Osun State, he moved closer home, being an Ijesha man.

This is the account of his stewardship there: “Anytime I have opportunity to discuss Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC), Osogbo, which today has assumed a conglomerate status, I do so with passion. It is a passion that is laced with emotions and high sense of responsibility. The reason is simple. I state with total submission to the glory of God and in all modesty that, I made invaluable contributions to the take off, as well as survival of the station and whatever success it lays claim to. I played a pivotal role in its operation as initiated during the establishment of OSBCRadio at Oketase, Ile Ife, in 1991. I headed the station’s News and Current Affairs operations from its temporary Newsroom at Trans Motel in Ife from November 1991 to August 1992 when I was deployed to OSBC –TV at Ibokun as the foundation head of the Station’s News and Current Affairs Department.

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“The challenges at Ibokun were more daunting than those at Ile Ife; but to the glory of God and support of my colleagues, I performed.

“It is these two stations that have over the years metamorphosed into Living Spring TV (Channel 32 uhf), Osogbo and New Dawn TV (Channels 22 uhf) Ibokun. (The TV arms of OSBC) as well as Living Spring 104.5Fm Osogbo and Orisun FM 89.5, F.M Ile Ife (the Radio arms OSBC).”

HAT cozy world the author romantiT cises, crashed in January 2000 when he was retrenched as the substantive Director of News. He had a second coming however in November 2003 when a new government reversed Adedire’s sack and brought him back in a new order that made the Ghanaborn journalist ‘ the centerpiece of the arrangement.’ The re-absorption saga was itself tainted with smutty politics and heavy-handed horse-trading But for the principled stand of Adedire that he deserved to be recalled and more for what he still had to offer the profession and the society and also to correct injustice than as a reward for his ‘modest’ contribution to the electoral victory of Governor Oyinlola, Adedire would have buckled under the pressure to accept a political job in the government of the day. It was a smart decision, even if it presented him a mixed bag.

Adedire was reinstated and he set upon fulfilling his desire to introduce innovations at OSBC amidst stiff opposition from some of his coworkers, who relished the old order and resisted change.

But alas, when the government brought up the idea of a Reality Television Service in Iwo, with its numerous challenges that could only be tamed by an iron – willed veteran of the stature of Adedire, the authorities balked.

The government’s hesitant position in handing over headship of the station to ‘Sir Kay’ was due to the misinformation dished out to Oyinlola that Adedire wasn’t loyal to him.

Now a politician’s most dreaded enemy is the party man or civil servant perceived to be disloyal to the government of the day. That party man or civil servant may be a harmless ordinary citizen. It matters little to the politician; he must be feared and kept out of sight or out of the scheme of things.

So, despite a needless interview to appoint the Chief Executive Officer for RTS, the matter remained unresolved with management and government oscillating on titles: Project Coordinator was what they gave Adedire as head of RTS. The author describes it as ‘nebulous and financially worthless’. There was also a row over the title of Chief

Executive Officer rather than the civil service familiarity, Director-General.

Ultimately, professional and bureaucratic justice prevailed and Adedire was made the DG of RTS. This was due more to the journalist’s unremitting quest for justice and his eminent track record than to his political connections.

Months earlier as the headship battle raged, the studios of RTS in Iwo were destroyed by fire in mysterious circumstances.

There were other extenuating events that force the author to declare: “The experience as the Chief Executive of RRS was everything but pleasant.

Having been involved in the take off from the scratch, of at least three broadcasting stations before the RRS experience, I am in a position to compare notes. The three stations are: the defunct T.S.O.S, OSBC Radio at Ile Ife and OSBC-TV at Ibokun. There is not much to appreciate about the two OSBC stations in area of their establishment, because the manner of their emergence took a fire brigade approach; and when such a situation is recorded in the broadcast industry, experience has shown that such unfortunate organisations take decades to find their feet. This became the lot of OSBC –Radio and OSBC T.V, hence I don’t consider these stations as good examples of how best to set up a broadcasting station.”

And despite the sacrifice (born out of hope to serve), he retired with unpleasant memories leading him to conclude as he bowed out: “As of the time I left office at Reality Radiovision Services (RRS) Iwo, the station could be said to be about four years old on air, but still considered to be tottering because of the unseriousness of its proprietors. An impression of sound and progressive vision was initially created for the Iwo Station at its conception stage and this was the scenario that made nearly all of us deployed from OSBC in Iwo to fall prey for the bait as it were. It was later discovered that the whole idea of establishment of the station was political; and the moment the political permutation involved, did not materialise, the interest and the zeal needed to pursue the idea waned. In fact what perhaps dealt a final blow to the idea was the mysterious inferno that totally destroyed the almost completed two state of the art studios of the station.”

BY TOYIN AKINOSHO

Mozart In Dashiki N 1983, the Lagos culture elite, which could be loosely IOpera described as the country’s political elite, routinely attended and Classical music concerts at the Italian Embassy.

Admission was strictly by invitation, the dress code was formal and the audience mostly European. Members of the orchestra were almost always Caucasian with occasional performances of the Nigerian baritone voiced singer Christopher Oyesiku, who was already in his late 50s. It seemed so natural and normal that such events took place in European diplomatic spaces in the city. Someone watching from outer space would assume you had to be white to play violin and you must be a brigadiergeneral, former commissioner, or the country’s first accountant to belong properly in those gatherings. It seemed, then, that such events were destined to disappear from the social scene. Fast-forward 30 years after, to February 2013. It’s the last day of the Valentine weekend in Lagos. The show is Mozart’s Magic Flute. Venue is the wholly owned Nigerian Muson Centre, in Onikan. The dress code is casual, gate fee is N2,000 and there’s not a hint of the idea of belonging. The 800-seat Shell Hall of the Muson Centre is filled to capacity. The only Caucasian on the performing troupe is the guest director. The lead male singer wears Danshiki, the lead female singer, a pretty 30-year-old lady, is resplendent in glistening white iro and buba befitting a Yoruba princess. They perform a 300+year old European classical opera in African traditional dresses, to an audience that listens with rapt attention, and it doesn’t look like anyone is there to merely have the music wash over them.

There are only a handful of European expatriate types in the crowd and the culture elite of 30 years ago has dwindled to a handful of men and women aged between 70 and 90. What a difference 30 years make.

Glendora, Quintessence To Pack Out Of Falomo LENDORA Bookstore and Quintessence, two iconic bookG stores and reading/book browsing haunts, will be relocating from the Falomo Shopping Centre in the next few months.

The Shopping Centre is to be rebuilt and enlarged into a bigger Shopping Mall, the way the Adeniran Ogunsanya Shopping Centre was rebuilt. The relocation, thus, is expected to be temporary. The two bookstores are, with Jazzhole (Books and music store), Signature Gallery and Treasure House Gallery down the same street, Bogobiri Lounge and Mydim Gallery help make Southwest Ikoyi a distinct Culture precinct in the city. Quintessence is more of an arty hangout, with displays of a varied collection of craft and object d’art, a coffee bar, a small art exhibition space as well as a book-reading venue. “Our focus is not to be too far away from this place, so our customers can easily locate us,” says Moses Ohiomokhare, who is the head of affairs at this compact, multipurpose venue.

Officials of Glendora Bookstores would not speak, but the company, as a chain of over six stores all over Lagos, is widely perceived to be less affected by a relocation than the one-store Quintessence.

The Life House Presses the ‘Woman, Me’ Thing

ULTURE event organiser, The Life House, is presenting its HE enduring lesson from Adedire’s T experience is that while it is neces- Cthird yearlyshowcase for the International Women’s Day sary to have state-run media houses, it (IWD). Women Rising, The Concert features a lineup of indie type, is more absolutely needful to strike a healthy balance between a professionally functioning outfit adhering to all rules of the game and a media house that owes allegiance to the people that give custodial mandate to the government overseeing the activities of the newspaper or broadcast house.

It is a balance that will outclass propaganda and sheer public relations by a government owned media. It will also put into abeyance the argument that the government media must not only make money to run its operations and pay staff, but also make money for government.

Such organisations may work out some extraneous ventures to attract funds; but to be sure not to the extent of being weaned from government financing.

To do otherwise, amounts to a gross disavowal of government’s cardinal responsibility: catering for the social and cultural soul of the people that put the government in power.

In the Twilight by Adedire has adequately addressed this great issue of modern times through a look at his own experience in the latter part of his eventful career. The book is a pleasant read, with the pages lit by good prose and names of some of the greats in the annals of electronic journalism in Nigeria. It’s a faithful recollection of a glorious age in Nigeria’s broadcast industry. But poor pagination at the opening, some spelling errors and other mishaps number among a host of shortcomings in the book.

soul and mainstream R&B female singers, including WAJE, Ruby, Modele, TemiDollFace, Ranti, Fatima, Omolara and guest poet Mozella from 5pm on March 17, 2013 at the Wheatbaker Hotel in Ikoyi. The Life House’s IWD celebrations “have infused various aspects of the arts (literature, visual art, dance, film) over the past three years and this year we are proud to continue in that tradition”, says Ugoma Adegoke, the group’s spokesperson. “This year we are especially inspired by the ambience of The Wheatbaker Hotel and jointly present an intimate evening of soul, jazz and the spoken word to a unique and enthusiastic audience”. Ticket prices are steep: starting from 12,000naira, they compare with the Valentine weekend concert tickets. But Adegoke, herself a successful fashion designer, married to an oil executive who is also a son of a wealthy Professor of petroleum geology, sees nothing of a $75 gate fee and says that proceeds will be donated to a Children charity, United for Kids Foundation (UKF). “We are also thrilled to share the evening with a host of respected creatives, thinkers and culture enthusiasts who will read interludes of poetry throughout the night including Sandra Obiago, Doris Fafunwa, Chuma Nwokolo, Wale Ajadi, Jahman Anikulapo, Lola Shoneyin, Wana Udobang, Lala Akindoju, and Lanre Shasore”.

Lagos Is Literature’s Flavour of the Month as a site of literary fictional and non- fictional narraLselfAGOS, tive, is ‘becoming sexy’, in the opinion of Toni Kan, who himis finalising a novel on the city. He cites works like the soon- to-be-released Lagos Days by Helon Habila, which comprises memoirs of the novelist’s brief stay in Lagos from 1997 to 2001. The architect John Godwin and his lifelong partner Gilian Hopgood just released Sandbank City: 150 Years of Lagos and presented it to the media on Tuesday, January 22. Kan was speaking as a panelist at an arthouse forum for reading and discussion of Kaye Whiteman’s LAGOS: A Cultural and Historical Companion, at the Freedom Park last Thursday. Deji Toye moderated the conversation, with panelists including Tolu Ogunlesi and Femke van Zeiji.

SUNDAYMAGAZINE 37

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 10, 2013

SOCIETY Birthdays DAFINONE, Senator David, chartered accountant, politician and nationalist will be 86 on Tuesday, March 12, 2013. He was born on March 12, 1927 in Sapele, Delta State and attended Government School, Benin from 1934 to 1938 and Edo College, Benin, from 1939 to 1942. Between 1943 and 1945, he moved to Abeokuta Grammar School, where he remained until completing his secondary education and emerging as the overall best candidate in Mathematics in the Cambridge School Certificate Examination in West Africa for that year. The feat automatically won him a scholarship from the then Lt. Governor of Northern Nigeria, L.H Gobble, to further his studies. He joined the Civil Service on August 28, 1946 in the lower cadre as a third class Clerk in the Registration and Records Department and worked closely under

the supervision of Mr. E. Ejueyitchie who was the administrative officer in the Finance Department. As Acting Administrative Officer in the Finance Department/Assistant Secretary to the Special Finance Committee of the Big Five, he was recommended for the First Devonshire Course in Public Administration at the University of Exeter in August 1951. He enrolled for a degree in Economics (with specialisation in accounting) in 1953 at the University of Hull. He transferred to the University of London as an external student in 1956 where he graduated in 1958.

He enrolled for his professional examinations with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. The same year, he joined J.A Miles and Company, a firm of chartered accountants as an articled clerk. Having passed his professional examinations in November 1962 and was admitted as a member of

Senior Associate Investment, Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), Franklin Edochie (left) and Director & Chief Coverage Officer, Oliver Andrews with the Project Finance African Transport Deal of the Year award won by AFC in London.

Dafinone

Osundare

Registration of Business Names Act of 1961. In 1969, the Gowon Administration appointed him a Commissioner under the Ports Amendment Decree of 1969 to serve as the Federal Government Arbitrator with Justice Fatiyi Williams as Chairman to take over the Port of Warri and Calabar from the United African Company Limited. From 1964 to 1970, he sat on various commissions as Administrator and member for the Apapa Road Project tribunal together with Justice Adefarasin as Chairman, among others. He was elected as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 1979, representing former Bendel South (now Delta Central in Delta) senatorial zone.

the Institute of Chartered Accountant in England and Wales in November 1963. He returned to Nigeria in July 1963 and joined Delloites, Haskins and Sells, a firm of

chartered accounts as an audit manager. He founded a firm of chartered accountants registered in the Federal Republic of Nigeria on August 18, 1966, under the

OSUNDARE, Prof. Niyi, university teacher, prolific poet, writer, dramatist and literary critic will be 66 on Tuesday, March 12, 2013. He was born in Ikere-Ekiti and

Mr Dimeji Ajayi and former Miss Jumoke Adeleye during their wedding ceremony in Lagos.

was educated at St. Luke’s School, Ikere, Ekiti, 1953-59; Amoye Grammar School, Ikere-Ekiti, 1961-66; Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti, 1967-68.

He gained degrees at the University of Ibadan (BA), the University of Leeds (MA) and York University, Canada (Ph.D, 1979). Previously professor (from 1989) and Head of English at the University of Ibadan, 1993-97, he became Professor of English at the University of New Orleans in 1997. Former teacher and Professor of English at University of Ibadan; former columnist with Newswatch Magazine; member, African Literature Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA); winner, First Prize, Western State, Poetry Competition, 1981; poetry prize, Association of Nigerian Authors Award, 1986; overall Joint-Winner, Commonwealth Poetry Prize, 1986; has a number of publications (poetry and fictional works) to his credit.

Mr and Mrs Nosakhare Peter Obasohan at their wedding ceremony held at All Saints Anglican Church, Obior, Aniocha North Council, Delta State.

The Rotary International Foundation Group Study Exchange: :Susan Omatsola (left), Omojeje Antwane Lee, Omowale Carl Brandy, Wunmi Oyewale, Omolola Laureen Evans, Olatokunbo Osei David and Corporate Affairs Manager, The Guardian, Bolaji Damelda during a courtesy visit to Rutam House... on Friday.

PHOTO: CHARLES OKOLO

Chief Commercial Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Wael Ammar (left), General Marketing Manager, Total Plc, Yahaya Yunusa and Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Steven Evans at the launch of Etisalat Mini experience centre held in Lagos.

PHOTO: SUNDAY AKINLOLU

Managing Director, Business Connexion Nigeria, Ian McAlpine (left), Chairman, Tokunbo Akerele and Chief Executive Officer, Benjamin Mophatlane at the company cloud computing service launch in Lagos.

Sales Manager, Eko Supreme Resources Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Maricar Tajo (left), winner, So Klin/Good Mama scratch and win promo, Abimbola Olayiwola-Abbas; Regional Sales Manager, ESRNL, South West, Demola Adewuyi and Division Manager, South West, Macio Montoclairo at the prize presentation ceremony in Osogbo, Osun State.

You can send your pictures, birthday events and reports to: jideoojo@yahoo.com

38 |

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 10, 2013

KALEIDOSCOPE

That Singles May Find Purpose In Life Ever since she yielded to the urge to share with intending mature singles, especially the youths, the urgent need to acquire the essential qualities that guarantee a successful marriage and a fulfilling life, Ada Omon has not looked back. This passion has given birth to the establishment of several outfits aimed at addressing this societal problem. The CEO of Aspiring Ladies Concept, a firm that specialises in ladies’ grooming and publisher, The Aspiring Lady Magazine among others, Ada who co-hosts the popular weekly TV show Wise Talk with her husband Bishop Emman Omon Singles’ Summit said it is all about restoring values that made marriage the bedrock of society.

By Kikelola Oyebola The beginning read agricultural science at the University of Benin and I had my first post-graduate experience in marketing and administration but shortly after, however, I realised that my passion lies in correcting certain social ills emanating from relationships problems. I later started acquiring more knowledge and insight into the likely causes, solutions and even possible preventions.

I discovered that when the chips are down in relationships, most women are at a disadvantage while majority of the men and women hardly ever regain their balance even though they pretend otherwise.

Consequently, I studied in depth the Lord’s kind of union as the option and the best possible avenue to equip and prepare people before they venture into such marriage.

So far, it is been fulfilling and target-driven.

About the Singles’ Summit The free summit generally aims at teaching the teeming mature youths moral principles in preparing themselves to be responsible while planning to get married. Besides, in every sphere of human lives, relationship and co-existence poses a big challenge.

First, I observed that finances or the economic situation in Nigeria often, used as an excuse by unwilling mature youths for not settling down, is usually not really true.

Rather, the problem is that when these youths graduate from school with reasonable jobs, including being self-employed, they get confused over the choice of their

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spouses-to-be.

Secondly, some are met with delays, which range from not getting the right person and recurring disappointments. Others might even be under negative spells or demonic bondage. All this could be very traumatic.

Again, many of religious centres don’t really deal with relationship issues. To this end, we were instructed by the Lord to create a nondenominational and not-for-profit platform as a sub ministry, themed “congratulations, you will soon be getting married”.

We shall be focusing on relationship laws or pre-marriage education because many people are ignorant of good marriage ingredients, thinking they know it all, whereas when the teething problems start, they quickly go for divorce, thereby forgetting it is a covenant. The summit aims to prepare, empower and prophetically release these hopefuls into their marital destinies.

My inspiration is drawn from the testimonies and grace that reconnects people with God’s choice for their lives. When I look back on the achieved results and smiles on participants’ faces afterwards, I feel happy.

This propels me to do more, and that is the single reason this year’s edition is filled with lots of expectations.

The participants are 18 years and above.

Though it cuts across various age groups both young and old because some singles are in their 30’s, 40’s, 50’s or even 60’s and still seeking for God’s intervention in their lives regarding who to marry. In previous summits, we have had in attendance, singles in their 50’s who are widows and widowers and hoping to remarry faithful.

Lagos as the venue for the Summit This is due to logistics challenge. It is a notfor-profit and non-denominational platform, which is still being solely sponsored by The Radiant church. It makes it easy and economical to mobilise both human and capital resources for the event, since the sponsor has its headquarters in Lagos. However, concrete plans are on going to rotate the event venues annually, as we have had participants and callers wanting to register from other western, eastern and northern states in Nigeria, including Coutonou.

It is quite unfortunate that we now live in a society where emphasis on knowledge is diminishing, including religious centres.

This is because Nigerians have suddenly become a power-driven society. People forget that no information is a waste. Breakthrough and salvation messages are good but they are not adequate without knowledge-teaching principles. I have been enjoying a good marriage. I got married 22 years ago to my husband because of the pre-teaching we were exposed to early in life and we held on to them despite peer group pressure among others. The Lord has given us the understanding to pilot our affair, which is mandatory to

ensure it works.

Expectations Since the summit is free, I expect an awesome time out with favourable atmosphere and little or no distraction. An on-line portal for registration and seat reservation is available on various social sites including the Facebook through connecting to Emma Omon. The idea is to plan properly and treat participants with dignity too.

Also, an on the spot attendant is also available for those unable to register online before the event. Security is already in place because orderliness is next to God. We only hope for a situation where people will always be grateful to God for guiding them to desired spouses. I hope to have happier and more fulfilled couples in the society.

Views on Nigerian women Gone are the days when women were rele-

gated to the background. Nigerian women are genuinely striving and bringing out their best, as there are now more women of substance in various fields of endeavour in Nigeria, Africa and the world at large. There is need for an increased support from their male counterparts though.

There is also an increased understanding that women need to be empowered but again there is the need for an increased support to enable them.

Role models They are God, my spouse, Bishop Emma Omon. My inspiration is drawn from every couple of integrity that understands the place of God in driving their homes. People often mistake the home for house. I implore couples to be more patient with each other and for the women to triumph through submission.

LANGUAGE ON PARADE

See What’s Bestriding Our FISCCAL Cliff!

By Adidi Uyo T’S a behemoth! No, it’s a colossus! Not on your life, it’s an ogre! Hey, you got to be kidding, man, this thing that I am seeing is all that put together, and much more! Yes, sir, it’s a humongous cancer! That’s right: a humongous cancer is bestriding our FISCCAL Cliff.

Take a close look at the acronym, FISCCAL, and you’ll see two Cs. The first C has three letters to its left and three letters to its right. Physically, therefore, we could say that FISCCAL, as a word, is bestridden by the first C in it, and that on our FISCCAL Cliff, this very “C” stands for the behemoth, the colossus, the ogre, nay, the humongous cancer in the Nigerian polity called Corruption.

Of all the elements that constitute our FISCCAL Cliff, perhaps none generates more public attention and concern than corruption, judging by the amount of ink and saliva that Nigerians spill on it in our various mass media, especially, our daily newspapers. Of course, our newspapers would not be devoting precious space to corruption if it didn’t exist in our society, and if weren’t important. Corruption is a fact of life in Nigeria, its consequences weighty.

To be sure, politics is the sweetest taboo on the language train, the reason we avoid it like a plague. But if one may parody our own literary prodigy, in Things Fall Apart, language is the palm oil with which politics is eaten. The volume of words unleashed on the phenomenon of corruption every day in our newspapers is simply phenomenal. And given the fact that our turf is language, we can tell you that one reason corruption pervades our newspapers, just as it bestrides our nation, is the plenitude of its semantic substitutes.

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Put plainly, corruption is a word with very many synonyms, some highbrow, others popular. As a motorist, have you ever being asked by a police officer who caught you violating a traffic offence to give him kola; and did you oblige or damn him? Courtesy of GEJ, the chief resident of Aso Rock, let me say I don’t give a damn whether you obliged or damned the police officer. All I want to say is that kola is a popular synonym for corruption. Other popular synonyms are bribery, or simply, bribe, crookedness, dishonesty, falsification, fraud, and that numeric word unique to Nigeria, 419. Highbrow synonyms of the hideous colossus include degeneration, depravity, immorality, iniquity, perversion, and, uh, unscrupulousness.

“How to fight corruption in Nigeria, By Soyinka, Others” is the headline of a news story in The Guardian of November 10, 2012. The occasion was the 2012 Kuramo Conference whose theme was “The Global environment,” Prof Wole Soyinka was reported to have stated that “corruption among government officials was monumental” and that “it manifests more in the award of contracts.” The reporter quotes him, thus: “I honestly do not know how we can tackle corruption. We found (sic) the wives of local council officials driving around in government cars. We have parallel and unofficial offices that serve as appendages and contribute in plundering the economy.

First ladies who are unelected running parallel governments and running pet projects which fizzle out as soon as possible contribute to the issue of corruption we are talking about.”

In an editorial with the title, “Corruption and leadership in 2013,” The Guardian, January 7, 2013, lamented thus: “The eagerness with which the Federal Government dismissed the

2012 report of Transparency International (IT), the global corruption watchdog, which rated the country poorly, is not the appropriate way to tackle the endemic problem…. Denying the veracity of the reports or looking for loopholes to erode their credibility is like playing the ostrich.”

With the advent of the Internet, as soon as newspapers report and comment on matters of public interest, members of the public react instantly. A news story headlined, “EFCC, ICPC probe 12 governors for massive fraud,” in The Punch of January 5, 2013, riled many readers who vented their anger in words that would have certainly ruffled some feathers in the corridors of power. Take my word for it, the reaction that follows mirrors the vehemence of most of the readers of the aforementioned news story. The reader gave his name as Byron.

“The most corrupt organisation in Nigeria, after NNPC, NPA, CUSTOMS, IMMIGRATION, and NPF is EFCC. Ever since Farida and the thief called Lamorde took over the helms of EFCC, it’s been noise all day. EFCC talks too much and practically does nothing. They only fight corruption on the pages of the newspaper…. All the so-called ex-governors that have criminal baggage are all special guests of honor in the corruption headquarters of the whole universe which is ASO ROCK PRESIDENTIAL VILLA, and you are here ranting.”

I told you some feathers could be ruffled, didn’t I? Anyway, allow me to say, it’s time for…a commercial break! When the media and the high and the low in society are dancing on our FISCCAL Cliff, and the matter under their feet is the humongous cancer called corruption, you just must stand and watch!

TheGuardian

Sunday, March 10, 2013 39

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

IbruCentre They’ve Come, Talked, And Will Elect A New Pope

By Chris Irekamba and Isaac Taiwo (With Agency Reports)

five days of closed-door debate, the redAFTER capped prelates decided on Friday to begin their secret ballot in the frescoed Sistine Chapel on the afternoon of next Tuesday following a Mass in St Peter's Basilica in the morning.

A total of 115 elector-cardinals, all aged under 80, are expected to take part in the elaborate ritual, which will continue until one man receives at least a two-thirds majority, or 77 votes.

The cardinals are likely to hold just one ballot on the first day and up to four ballots each day thereafter.

Benedict was elected in barely 24 hours in 2005. His predecessor, John Paul II, became pope after eight rounds of voting spread over three days in the 1978 conclave.

The cardinals have made clear they want another quick conclave this time to make sure they can all return to their dioceses in time to lead Easter celebrations - the most important event in the Roman Catholic calendar.

"It's been 10 days since I left the archdiocese, and as the old song goes, 'I wanna go home!'" U.S. Cardinal Timothy Dolan said in a blog on Friday.

Cardinals were in the past locked into areas around the Sistine Chapel, famed for its Michelangelo frescoes, and not allowed out until they had chosen a new pontiff.

But the rules changed before the 2005 conclave and the prelates now get to reside in a comfortable Vatican hotel while they are not voting in the chapel itself.

Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said on Friday the cardinal electors would draw lots to see which rooms they would sleep in, with all external contact, including emails and telephone calls, forbidden.

Jamming devices will also be installed around the Sistine Chapel and the hotel to stop outsiders eavesdropping and to prevent mobile phone usage in the area.

The past 11 conclaves have lasted no longer than four days, the diocese of Providence, Rhode Island, wrote on its website.

But that wasn’t always the case. In the 13th century, the election of one pope took two years and nine months, the diocese said. Catholics grew so angry at the cardinals’ indecision from 1268 to 1271, when Gregory X was elected, that they boarded them up in their chamber and tore off the roof to expose them to the elements.

The fiasco led to the creation of the conclave and its precise protocol - partly to expedite the process.

The election of any pope, and especially Benedict XVI’s successor, is not the least exciting, as events and Church traditions show.

Robes, Shoes For The New Pontiff RODUCING made to order clothes is tricky P when you don’t know who will wear them.

But Gammarelli, the Roman tailor that has dressed every pope since 1922, gets around that by catering for every eventuality.

Unveiled in its window on Monday were three ivory cassocks in small, medium and large – a choice, which it hopes, will keep it covered no matter who emerges from the Sistine Chapel as the next leader of the Roman Catholic church.

Alongside the robes would go a white skullcap, a red velvet cape and four or five pairs of red shoes, said Lorenzo Gammarelli, one of the business’s owners.

“We are providing more than three pairs of shoes because you can adjust a cassock or a suit but you must wear the right size shoes,” he said.

Once the cardinals fix a date for a conclave, the cassocks and other papal paraphernalia will be dispatched from Gammarelli to the Vatican. They have to arrive before it begins, said Gammarelli, as the new pope will need them for his first appearance before the faithful in St Peter’s square and they will not be able to enter once the secretive proceedings kick off.

The business, which has been catering to the Roman curia and papacy since 1798, has supplied every pope since 1922 when it began keeping records, Gammarelli said.

The seven pontiffs ranged in size from the portly John XXIII to his slender successor, Paul VI. However, Gammarelli, based near the Pantheon, does not have a monopoly: Benedict, who wore Gammarelli for his first appearance as pontiff, provoked some controversy during his eight years as pope when he was reported to also be ordering tunics from

Vatican Swiss guards salute as cardinals arrive for a meeting at the Vatican on Monday. Cardinals from around the world have gathered inside the Vatican for their first round of meetings before the conclave to elect the next pope, amid scandals inside and out of the Vatican and the continued reverberations of Benedict XVI's decision to retire.

PHOTO: AP /ANDREW MEDICHINI

Staff stand outside the Gammarelli tailors' shop where the clothes of the next pope, in three designs and sizes, are displayed.

PHOTO: GUIDO MONTANI/EPA

rival outfitters Euroclero.

This time, the business has had to work even harder than usual to get the clothes ready on time after Benedict’s shock abdication.

“We were completely surprised, as everyone else I think,” said Gammarelli. The fact that the pope had not died meant that the mourning period usually observed for nine days did not take place.

“We received the order a few days after Benedict declared that he was going to resign and we finished on Friday, so we took quite a while,” he said. “To make one cassock we need three and a half days.”

Fake bishop Ralph Napierski (L) poses with Cardinal Sergio Sebiastiana as the cardinal arrived for talks ahead of the papal conclave at the Vatican.

PHOTO: VINCENZO PINTO / AFP / GETTY

‘His Holiness Pope Basilius I’ IRST, was the shocking papal resignation in Fwhich 600 years, followed by a reported lightening, struck the Vatican, hours after Pope Benedict XVI announced “lack of strength of mind and body” would make him stand down, and now: a fake Bishop manages to walk past a manned Vatican checkpoint and mingle with Cardinals as they gathered for a meeting in preparation to elect a new Pope. Any superstitious interpretations?

Photographer Vincenzo Pinto’s lenses had

Lots… Lots Of Secrecy!

The Master himself may remain, as may one ecclesiastic designated by the Congregations s the cardinals arrived on Monday, they were prior to the commencement of the election. The made to swear an oath of “rigorous secrecy”. ecclesiastic makes a speech concerning the probFive interpreters working alongside them were lems facing the Church and on the qualities the new pope needs to have. After the speech conmade to do so too.

Vatican officials on Wednesday told cardinals to cludes, the ecclesiastic leaves. Following the recitation of prayers, the Cardinal Dean asks if any stop speaking to the media.

American cardinals who had been scheduled to doubts relating to procedure remain. After the hold their third media briefing in as many days clarification of the doubts, the election may commence. Cardinals who arrive after the conclave cancelled it less than an hour before it was to have started at Rome’s North American College, has begun are admitted nevertheless. An ill cardinal may leave the conclave and later be readmitwhere they are residing. ted; a cardinal who leaves for any reason other A spokeswoman for the American cardinals than illness may not return to the conclave. said “concern” was expressed at Wednesday’s closed-door meeting “about leaks of confidential Although in the past cardinal electors could be accompanied by attendants (“conclavists”), now proceedings reported in Italian newspapers”.

After all the cardinals present have taken the only a nurse may accompany a cardinal who for reasons of ill-health, as confirmed by the oath, the Master of the Papal Liturgical Congregation of Cardinals, needs such assistance.

Celebrations orders all individuals other than the cardinals electors and conclave participants The Secretary of the College of Cardinals, the Master of Papal Liturgical Celebrations, two to leave the Chapel. Traditionally, he stands at Masters of Ceremonies, two officers of the Papal the door of the Sistine Chapel and calls out: Sacristy and an ecclesiastic assisting the Dean of “Extra omnes!” (Latin for, roughly, “Everybody the College of Cardinals are also admitted to the else, out!”) He then closes the door. conclave.

A

NCE the election concludes, the Cardinal Now Let The Pope Say, ‘I Do’ O Dean summons the Secretary of the College of Cardinals and the Master of Papal Liturgical Celebrations into the hall. The Cardinal Dean then asks the pope-elect if he assents to the election, saying in Latin: “Acceptasne electionem de te canonice factam in Summum Pontificem? (Do you accept your canonical election as Supreme Pontiff?)” There is no requirement that the pope-elect do so: he is free to say “non accepto“ (I don’t accept). In practice, however, any potential pope-elect who intends not to accept will explic-

itly state this before he has been given a sufficient number of votes to become pope. This has happened in modern times with Giovanni Colombo in October 1978.

If he accepts, and is already a bishop, he immediately takes office. If he is not a bishop, however, he must be first consecrated as one before he can assume office. If a priest is elected, the Cardinal Dean consecrates him bishop; if a lay-

caught Ralph Napierski as he posed with cardinal Sergio Sebiastiana as the latter arrived for talks ahead of the conclave. His cassock was several inches too short, his sash was of a wrong colour and he wore a fedora instead of a skullcap.

‘Bishop Basilius’, as he called himself, may have caused much more embarrassment to security men. And to think that no one knows what his intentions are. He was accompanied by a small entourage of fake priest assistants, according to some Italian news reports.

The scenario, however, did not stop Richard Spinner, an online commentator, from painting a witty canvass to the entire affair. He writes: “In a remarkable turn of events, the conclave of Cardinals has named Ralph Napierski of the Corpus Dei Order as new Pope. He will become Pope Basilius I

In the 13th century, the election of one pope took two years and nine months, the diocese said. Catholics grew so angry at the cardinals’ indecision from 1268 to 1271, when Gregory X was elected, that they boarded them up in their chamber and tore off the roof to expose them to the elements. The fiasco led to the creation of the conclave and its precise protocol - partly to expedite the process.

Priests are available to hear confessions in different languages; two doctors are also admitted.

Finally, a strictly limited number of servant staff are permitted for housekeeping and the preparing and serving of meals.

Secrecy is maintained during the conclave; the cardinals as well as the conclavists and staff are forbidden to disclose any information relating to the election. Cardinal electors may not correspond or converse with anyone outside the conclave, by post, radio, telephone or otherwise and eavesdropping is an offense punishable by excommunication latae sententiae. Only three cardinals electors are admitted to communicate with the outside world under grave circumstances, prior to approval of the College, to fulfil their duties: the Major Penitentiary, the Cardinal Vicar for the Diocese of Rome, and the Vicar General for the Vatican City State.

Before the conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI, the Sistine Chapel was “swept” using the latest electronic devices to detect any hidden “bugs” or surveillance devices (there were no reports that any were found, but in previous conclaves there were discovered press reporters who had disguised themselves as conclave servants). man is elected, then the Cardinal Dean first ordains him deacon, then priest, and only then consecrates him as bishop. Only after becoming a bishop does the pope-elect take office.

(The above functions of the Dean are assumed, if necessary, by the sub-Dean, and if the subDean is also impeded, they are assumed by the senior cardinal-bishop in attendance. Notice that in 2005 the Dean himself -Joseph Ratzinger- was elected pope.)

The Ibru Centre is under the trusteeship of the Trinity Foundation Charity trust founded for the promotion of spiritual growth

CONTINUED ON PAGE 40

40

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 10, 2013

IBRUCENTRE A Conclave Amid Refractory Scandals CONTINUED FROM PAGE 39

HE conclave will be shadowed by sex scanT dals, which have rocked the Church in recent times. Although Pope Benedict XVI repeatedly offered apologies over the behaviour of his priests, critics say he did not go far enough.

A group representing survivors of sexual abuse by priests named a “Dirty Dozen” list of cardinals it said would be the worst candidates for pope based on their handling of child sex abuse claims or their public comments about the cases.

The list names three U.S. Roman Catholic cardinals and nine from other countries.

SNAP, the Survivors’ Network of those Abused

by Priests, said as it released the list Wednesday that its accusations were based on media reports, legal filings and victims’ statements.

Meanwhile, Cardinal Keith O’Brien, who was forced to resign by the pope last week, has made a dramatic admission that he was guilty of sexual misconduct throughout his career in the Roman Catholic Church.

In a short but far-reaching statement issued late on Sunday, the 74-year-old stated: “there have been times that my sexual conduct has fallen below the standards expected of me as a priest, archbishop and cardinal”.

The former archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh, and until recently the most senior Catholic in Britain, apologised and asked for forgiveness from those he had “offended” and from the entire church.

O’Brien was forced to resign last week by Pope Benedict XVI, barely 36 hours after the Observer disclosed that three serving priests and a former priest were accusing him of “inappropriate acts” against them nearly 30 years ago, in a formal complaint to the pope’s ambassador to the UK. The cardinal had “contested” those allegations, while his officials said he was taking legal advice.

But now O’Brien has effectively admitted he had been breaching the church’s strict rules on celibacy and its bar on homosexuality since he became a priest – and during his 10 years as a cardinal.

It was alleged that some of these incidents were “drunken fumblings”. One case reported by the Observer involved repeated sexual contact.

On Friday, there were claims that complaints had been made to the nuncio, Archbishop Antonio Mennini, by a fifth priest last year, about an alleged incident in 2001.

Announcing that he would now retire entirely from public life and from the frontline duties for the church he once led, O’Brien said: “In recent days certain allegations which have been made against me have become public.

Initially, their anonymous and non-specific nature led me to contest them.

“However, I wish to take this opportunity to admit that there have been times that my sexual conduct has fallen below the standards expected of me as a priest, archbishop and cardinal.

“To those I have offended I apologise and ask forgiveness. To the Catholic Church and people of Scotland, I also apologise. I will now spend the rest of my life in retirement. I will play no further part in the public life of the Catholic church in Scotland.”

His statement goes significantly further than the apology and partial admissions which he made in his resignation statement last week, when he said: “Looking back over my years of ministry, for any good I have been able to do, I thank God. For any failures, I apologise to all whom I have offended.”

O’Brien’s much wider admissions are a significant rebuff to some senior figures in the Scottish church who had repeatedly downplayed the allegations disclosed in the Observer, calling them unsubstantiated, nonspecific and anonymous.

The cardinal’s office warned the Observer it faced legal action after it first contacted him. In further disclosures this weekend, the Observer reported that one complainant had alleged: “He started fondling my body, kissing me and telling me how special I was to him and how much he loved me.”

In a fresh interview with the Observer, the former priest, who made his complaint to the nuncio in early February, said that after his disclosures he sensed “the cold disapproval of the church hierarchy for daring to break ranks. I feel [that] if they could crush me, they would.”

O’Brien’s resignation was remarkable in its speed; his apology is all but unprecedented in its frankness. Many sexual scandals or allegations of misconduct against individuals or the wider church have dragged on for years.

The cardinal was forced out only three days before the pope retired last Thursday. There is growing speculation that the Vatican acted swiftly because O’Brien had challenged one of the church’s greatest orthodoxies – saying, in a BBC interview and only two days before the Observer story was published, that priests ought to be allowed to marry and have children.

Catherine Pepinster, editor of the weekly Catholic newspaper the Tablet, said Benedict and his close aides might have been extremely irritated because O’Brien had promised to renounce his once liberal views on some church teachings when he became a cardinal in 2003.

On becoming a cardinal the Vatican had made him swear an oath to uphold the teachings of the church, binding him to uphold its orthodox positions. He then took a hardline stance against gay issues and abortions.

Pepinster said his new statement would, however, allow the Scottish church to move on.

“This is a shocking admission, but one that is in many ways welcome, not least because it seems Cardinal O’Brien must have been leading a double life, and that is now at an end.

“That must surely be a relief to him and a burden lifted. But it must also be a relief to Catholics in Scotland. The boil has been lanced, and it’s time to move on. Too many scandals in the Catholic Church drag on and on, but this one has been dealt with speedily, and a line can be drawn.”

Cardinal O'Brien resigned following allegations of sexual misconduct and asked for forgiveness from those he had “offended”.

PHOTO: JEFF J MITCHELL/GETTY IMAGES

Call Me Pope… papal name is a regnal name taken by A popes. Beginning in the sixth century, some popes adopted a new name upon their accession to the papacy; this became customary in the 10th century, and every pope since the 16th century has done so.

During the first centuries of the Church, the bishops of Rome continued to use their baptismal names after their elections. The custom of choosing a new name began in AD 533 with the election of Mercurius. Mercurius had been named after the Roman god Mercury, and decided that it would not be appropriate for a pope to be named after a Roman god.

Mercurius subsequently decreed that he would be known as John II. Since the end of the 10th century the pope has customarily chosen a new name for himself during his Pontificate; however, until the 16th century some pontiffs used their baptismal names.

After the newly elected pope accepts his election, the Cardinal Dean asks him about his papal name, saying in Latin: “Quo nomine vis vocari? (By what name do you wish to be called?)” After the papal name is chosen, the officials are readmitted to the conclave, and the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Ceremonies writes a document recording the acceptance and the new name of the pope.

Often the new pontiff’s choice of name upon being elected to the papacy is seen as a signal to the world of who the new pope will emulate,

The Sistine Chapel where cardinals will elect a new pope.

what policies he will seek to enact, or even the length of his reign. Such is the case with Benedict XVI – it was speculated that he chose the name because he wished to emulate the last Pope Benedict, and to also call attention to the fact that at 75 years that Benedict XV’s reign was a relatively short one. Benedict XVI’s own reign, which ended with his resignation on February

Enter The Pontiff!

ATER, the new pope goes to the “Room of LSistine Tears”, a small red room next to the Chapel. The pope dresses by himself, choosing a set of pontifical choir robes (white cassock, rochet and red mozzetta) from three sizes provided. Then, he vests in a gold-corded pectoral cross and a red embroidered stole. He wears a white zucchetto on his head.

Next, the senior Cardinal Deacon (the Cardinal Protodeacon) appears at the main balcony of the basilica’s façade to proclaim the new pope with the Latin phrase (assuming the new Pope was a cardinal): Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: Habemus Papam! Eminentissimum ac

PHOTO:BLOG.LIB.UMN.EDU

28, 2013, also lasted less than 8 years.

There has never been a Pope Peter II. Even though there is no specific prohibition against doing so, elected popes have refrained from choosing this name. This is because of a tradition that only Saint Peter should have that honor.

Reverendissimum Dominum, Dominum (forename), Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinalem (surname), qui sibi nomen imposuit (papal name). (“I announce to you a great joy: We have a Pope! The Most Eminent and Most Reverend Lord, Lord (forename), Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church (surname), who takes to himself the name (papal name).”)

The new pope then gives his first apostolic blessing, Urbi et Orbi (“to the City [Rome] and to the World”).

Formerly, the pope would later be crowned by the triregnum or Triple Tiara at the Papal Coronation. John Paul I, John Paul II, and Benedict XVI did not want an elaborate coronation, choosing instead to have a simpler Papal Inauguration ceremony.

When Will The ‘Holy Spirit’ Appoint A Black Pope?

HEY had been two – Nigeria’s Cardinal T Arinze and Ghana’s Cardinal Turkson. But as conclave hours draw nearer, Turkson may have stolen the hearts of the bookmakers.

Recently, the Primate of The African Church (TAC), Emmanuel Josiah Udofia, urged Roman Catholics to support suitable black cardinals for the pontificate.

According to Udofia, “change, the only constant thing” is catching up with everything else, “so it would not be out of place if a black man succeeds Pope Benedict XVI.” The Primate, who spoke at the recent TAC General Committee meeting, at The African Church Cathedral Salem, Lagos, said a wind of change is blowing in every denomination.

Citing The African Church as example, he noted that the church has been in existence for some 111 years with the Yoruba holding the primacy for 108 years, but, “by the grace of God, a non-Yoruba has been brought on.”

He said: “If we are running a church in deed and in truth, then racism should not be a fac-

tor in choosing officers. If everyone remains equal in the sight of God, I see no reason why language or skin colour should be a barrier.”

Writing on what a Turkson papacy could look like, Naunihal Singh, Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Notre Dame, South Bend Indiana, says: “Should he become Pope, Turkson will face challenges. It is not clear if the current strategy of ignoring sex-abuse scandals is tenable, especially if national governments become more aggressive about investigating and indicting Church officials. Closer to home, the next Pope will have to reform the Vatican bank, an institution which has been wracked with scandal since the 1980s. The fact that Turkson is an outsider to this mess may prove an asset or a hindrance, but either way it will prove no small problem. Whether one believes the most sensational reports of Vatican intrigue or not, it is clear that the bureaucracy will need to be reined in.

In some ways, his biggest challenge may be

that of South-South relations. If Europe is the Church’s past and Africa its future, then Latin America is its present. A demographic argument should lead to a Latin American Pope, since the region is home to over 40 per cent of all Catholics, more than any other area in the world. It is rumored that Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, of Argentina, finished second to Cardinal Ratzinger in 2005, and it may cause problems if Latin America is passed over a second time.

While the Church remains strong in Latin America, it faces increasing competition from evangelical movements on the one side and increased secularism on the other. It also has scandals of its own to deal with, including the legacy of the late Father Marcial Maciel, the charismatic founder of the Legionaries of Christ who not only fathered children but has been accused of raping them as well. If these are not handled well, they could damage the Church’s reputation in the region, as has already happened in Europe.”

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 10, 2013

41

IBRUCENTRE

Sunday School ...With Pastor Enoch Adeboye

Divine Healing (IV) Memory Verse: “He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly.” (Psalm 147:15) Bible Passage: Matthew 8:5-13

Introduction AST week, the healing power of the Word made flesh was revealed (Jn. 1:14). Today, may He heal the sick among us, in Jesus’ name.

The Word Today The Lord healed physical ailments, but also delivered the oppressed and possessed. He cast out demons by His word (Mt. 8:16). He is the Word: the healer of old, who not only healed, but

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By Msgr. Gabriel Osu God loves a Cheerful Giver (2 Cor. 9:7) RICH man had always desired a personal encounter with the Lord Jesus. The man was dedicated to church activities and was always eager to share the gospel with others. He fasted often and tried to keep the Ten Commandments.

One day, while waiting on the Lord, he received a divine message that Jesus would visit his home. The man was very excited. He began to prepare for the Lord’s coming. He cleaned his house and gave it a facelift.

On the appointed day, a haggard looking beggar approached his house, asking for alms. The rich man drove him away. ‘Please, leave my house, before you contaminate it with your filth. Do you not know that Christ would be vis-

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also delivered (Ps. 107:20). Jesus Christ often spoke to the people, not the sickness. In other words, we must listen to Him, obey him and be healed (Pro. 4:20-22).

His Word is forever settled (Ps. 119:89). He wants us to repent and be healed (Eze. 18:32; Eze. 33:11). The oppressed of the devil can come to Him and be relieved (Matt. 11:28-30). He wishes above all things that we be healthy even as our souls prosper (3 Jn. 2). It’s all right to call on elders for assistance in case of sickness or affliction (Jm. 5:13-16).

Our Role We have a role. We must believe Him (Pro. 18:7). Remember the woman who said, “It is well” and it was well with her (2Kg. 4:21-

26; 36-37). What Job greatly feared happened to him. We must repent genuinely from our sins and also cry to Him for help (Ps. 107:17-20). Be ready for instant healing because once the Word moves, He would be swift (Ps. 147:15). In the case of the Centurion, the servant was healed at the very hour that the Lord spoke (Mt. 8:8, 13).

Conclusion Therefore, if we will only listen to and obey Him, we can receive His healing too. Of course, to receive this, we must agree with Him. Cry to Him for help and be expectant.

Be healed.

Make Charity A Way Of Life iting me today?’

For the rest of the day, the rich man waited in vain for Jesus to come. Much later, feeling dejected, he enquired why the Lord never showed up. ‘But I did come,’ Jesus said to him; ‘I took the form of that wretched beggar and you threw me out.’ The man cried, ‘But I never knew it was you,’ horrified at what he had done to his saviour. Jesus answered him, ‘Whatever you do to the least of my brethren that you do unto me.’

Many of us are like the rich man above. We long to have a personal encounter with God, but fail to realise that He rarely comes to us in His majesty and glory. Rather, He visits us daily in

the guise fellow men and women in need; in the shape of a neighbour who can barely feed his family; in the guise of a wretched beggar, looking for crumbs from our dining table. He seeks to reach us in the form of a hopeless widow, looking for a miserly sum to start a petty trade.

He also comes in the form of that young man or woman who needs a listening ear and wise counsel before taking a very important step.

The question is: how well have we welcomed God into our life and homes? Have we ever welcomed Him at all?

No man is an island; we need one another to live successfully and happily. Fingers, also, are

Path To The Promised Land

By Prophet S. K. Abiara ANAAN was the destination of the Israelites, a land flowing with milk and honey. But they had to pass through the wilderness. God promised to give them the land; they did not embark on the journey blindly.

God was not confused. There was a purpose for taking them through the wilderness.

There are two reasons recorded in the Bible: “When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them on the road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest way from Egypt to the Promised Land… God led them along a route through the wilderness toward the Red Sea, and the Israelites left Egypt like a marching army.” Remember how the Lord your God led you through the wilderness for 40 years, humbling you and testing you to prove your char-

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acter, and to find out whether or not you would really obey his commands. (Exo.13:17-18; Deut. 8:3) Has God promised you a wonderful destination too? Have it at the back of your mind that the journey might take you through the wilderness. It doesn’t matter which route you take (long or short) and the experience you have on the way. The truth is: you will get to your destination in Jesus’ mighty name.

God’s promises are true but the road that leads to their fulfillment could be long and rough. God only told the Israelites of the land flowing with milk and honey. He was, however, silent on what they would face on the way.

What are you to do to endure the journey without sinning? Be patient, obedient and put absolute trust in God. Jesus Christ demonstrated these during his earthly life and ministry. He despised the Cross and looked beyond its shame and pains. He looked at the resurrection and crown before him. You have to grow to the level of maintaining a good relationship with God when the journey seems long and rough, in order to enter into your

rest.

I am sent to tell you not to be afraid. Stand firm and be resolute in your walk with God as you journey through this year. The journey might take you through the wilderness. Do not fear. “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” (Isa. 43:1-3) Once you entertain fear in any situation, you have already given room for the devil to destabilise and torment you. Any battle you go to with fear in your heart will definitely be lost.

The instruction of God to you is: fear not, no matter how threatening the situation is. Fears always blindfold one’s spiritual eye to solutions.

God bless.

skabiaraofciem@yahoo.co.uk

not equal. But they work together to achieve synergy of purpose. That is the way God has ordained nature and this knowledge is invaluable in daily existence. We cannot wish away other people. We cannot also be so self-contented that we despise the need for assistance in one form or the other. God has created us in a way that we are far from being perfect or self-sufficient. Like the flowing stream that constantly opens its tributaries to other streams, we need to be in touch to remain wholesome. This is where charity comes in.

Charity means sharing with others, to alleviate their pains and sufferings. It entails opening wide arms of hospitality to those who may need help at all times. It means acknowledging the fact that we can preach Christ through our daily living, by simply extending a helping hand at a point of need, irrespective of tribe or religion.

Charity is an act of selflessness, which may necessarily require that we inconvenience ourselves a little for the benefit of others. We do this, not because we are stupid, but because it is right to share. We also do so with love, knowing that Jesus approves of our action, and that by so doing, we shall succeed in bringing joy and smiles to people in despair.

The poor and destitute have always been part of humanity. And one who is blessed with shelter today, may, due to unforeseen circumstances, become destitute tomorrow. To this end, the Catholic Church admonishes faithful to show care to those in need. No wonder, over the years, she has been in the forefront of humanitarian services through hospitals, orphanages, charitable foundations etc.

In the New Testament, the book of Acts 2: 44, shows how the early church held almsgiving in high esteem and in Acts: 1-6, we see how, through Paul, alms were collected to help the poor. Charitable works should, as a matter of principle, be extended to all who need food, drink, shelter, medicine, employment, etc.

Those who suffer persecution also deserve our attention. It is not out of place to visit persons in hospitals or prisons and put smiles on their faces.

There are seven corporal works of charity or mercy listed by the Church – feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, befriend the homeless, clothe the naked, visit the sick, console the captive and bury the dead. When we do all these, with sincerity of purpose, we invite the favour of God to our lives. We must note that when we render charitable actions, our purpose must be genuine and not borne out of ulterior motives.

For instance, when we want to help someone in need, we must do so cheerfully and out of fraternal love. It must be done in such a manner that the person we are helping would not feel insulted or belittled. Those who are truly needy ought to be treated with regard and sympathetic kindness. We must also be cautious. Many who pretend to be in need are merely lazy. Prudence should be the watchword.

In this period of Lent, we have the unique opportunity of inviting Jesus into our homes through charitable works. Those who have realised the great spiritual blessings inherent in charity do not wait to be stirred. This is an open invitation. To those who practice charitable works, I encourage you not to give up. God will reward you abundantly.

My prayer is that the Lord will give us the spirit of charity, so that by reaching out to those in need, He would also always be there to supply our needs. Amen.

Very Rev. Msgr. Gabriel Osu is the Director, Social Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos Anglican Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Adebayo Akinde (middle); his wife, Bassey (second right); Chief Resident Minister of Chapel of the Healing Cross, Idi-Araba, Surulere, Ven. Tunde Osho (left); his wife, Ronke (right), and a confirmation candidate at the Anglican confirmation ceremony of the chapel in Lagos.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 10, 2013

42

IBRUCENTRE Springs Of Wisdom

By PASTOR W.F KUMUYI

God’s Healing Power E, as men, take so much on ourselves. We assume powers W and capabilities that are beyond us. And not until we run into a brick wall, or crash with a thud from our high horse, do we realise that we have limits. But God has no limits. He can do anything, even the unimaginable. This then explains the question posed by the Lord: “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?” This question is, of course, directed at those who may not have fully known the power, glory and majesty of God, or experienced His miracleworking power. He introduces Himself with those faith-inducing words: “I am the Lord.” He was; He is, and He will always be.

Then He adds that He is “the God of all flesh.” When He said that, He meant that He is God not just of the Jews, but also of the Gentiles, not just of the whites, but also of the blacks, not just of the old, but also of the young. To stress these great revelations, He followed up with a great question: “Is there any thing too hard for me?” How you answer the question determines what you get from the Lord. For those who believe that there is nothing too hard for Him, He does the incredible. Prophet Jeremiah, the primary subject the Lord was addressing, very instructively, gave an unassailable answer: “Ah Lord God! Behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee.”

Nobody can claim to be in a better position to say what that power can do in the life of any man than Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God. And He did just that when He told His disciples, “with God all things are possible.” With men, some problems really do appear impossible to solve. The leprosy of Naaman, the Syrian captain in the Bible, looked impossible for physicians of his day. But taking some simple steps of faith and dipping himself seven times in the Jordan River healed him instantaneously.

Think about blind Bartimaeus, also in the Bible. His condition appeared incurable to men. But the miraculous opening of his eyes, which took place when he continued to plead for the merciful intervention of the Lord, stands as a great testimony of the omnipotence of God. So do the cases of such other Biblical figures as the 38-year-old impotent man who had hoped for his healing to take place through the stirring of a nearby pool of water by an angel; the woman who was tormented by the devil for 18 years; and the mad man who was possessed of legions of devils. Their cases truly confirm that what may appear impossible, insurmountable, for man, is possible with God. The scripture is full of stories of spectacular miracles received by simple act of faith from the beneficiary. In fact, the simpler the faith the more spectacular the miracle. The parting of the Red Sea clearly illustrates how a simple act of faith and obedience to God’s Word can bring about a spectacular miracle even for a whole nation, in this case, the Israelites. The scripture is full of assurances that the Lord will answer our prayers whenever we call upon Him. At crucial times, the Lord will either intervene directly to get a problem solved or He will direct the leader in a congregation on what to do. And talking about the case of the demon-possessed mad man, the simplicity of Christ’s command and the greatness of the ensuing miracle raise a big question mark over the energy that is exerted and many hours that are spent by many a deliverance ministry while trying to cast out demons from possessed or oppressed persons. Here you have, not just 40 or 50 demons but about 2,000 of them. Yet, a simple command of faith, backed by divine authority, drove them out.

Contagious diseases, for instance, have a way of subtracting from your joy and multiplying your sorrow. You do not only live with bodily pains, you may also suffer mental pains by being quarantined from loved ones, friends and acquaintances. Of such is the pain that the leper whose story is recorded in the gospel of Matthew, suffered before he met with the power of God. “And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean.

And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.” By stretching His hand and touching the leper, the Lord showed how much He cares for the rejected and dregs of the society. If we are truly His followers, we too should care not only for the spiritual welfare of those around us, but also for their physical and material well being. However, unlike the leper, we should never express doubt as to whether God can heal us or heed our plea. While it is true that God can and does heal incurable sicknesses and diseases; while it is true that He is willing to answer our prayers and come to our rescue, He cannot impose His blessings on just everyone.

Rather, the blessings are for whoever believes. Salvation is good and, of course, God wants everybody to be saved. But the truth is, He cannot impose it on anyone. Rather, you must desire it by repenting and confessing your sin, and believing in His mercy and pardon.

Healing has been provided for everyone through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary. But the Lord does not impose His healing power or virtue on anyone. You must claim it by faith. This is, perhaps, why not everybody that hears, reads or even asks for healing receives it. This was clearly demonstrated in the encounter the Lord Jesus Christ had with two blind men in the Bible. Note that when the Lord asked them what they wanted, they replied: “Lord, that our eyes may be opened.” They were specific in their request. They knew exactly what they wanted. The reason many people do not experience miracles on time is because sometimes, they are not specific in their prayers.

They generalise their requests. But spectacular miracles take place when you are specific in your prayers.

References: Jeremiah 32:27, 7; Matthew 19:26; Exodus 14:21, 22; Mark 5:1-9; Matthew 8:1-3; 20:32-34 (All scriptures are taken from Kings James Version)

Bishop of Idoani, Rt. Rt. Ezekiel Dahunsi (left); Bishop, Diocese of Lagos West, Rt. Rev. Peter Adebiyi; Bishop of Owo Rt. Rev. Adedayo Oladunjoye; Retired Bishop of Kabba, Rt. Rev. Samuel Olayanju; Registrar of Owo Diocese, Dupe Olomolehin and Bishop Coadjutor of the Diocese of Lagos West, Rt. Rev. James Odedeji at a thanksgiving service to mark the 30th anniversary celebration of Owo Diocese at Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew, Imola, Owo. (Inset: Rt Rev. Oladunjoye and his wife, Grace, cut the anniversary cake, assisted by Bishops and Chancellor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu)

When Diocese Of Owo Marked 30th Anniversary continued help since the diocese was created. He revealed that the diocese started as a debtor but today, through the help of God, it is gradually standing on its feet financially. He prayed God to sustain spiritual, social and infrastructural development in the coming years.

Thereafter, in a colourful ceremony, a book on the history of the diocese was launched. An anniversary cake was also cut.

Dignitaries at the occasion include Mrs. R. B. Arobo (representative of the Deputy Governor of Osun State, Chief Mrs. Tomori Titilayo) B. Akeredolu (represented Senator Tinubu); Prof. S. O. Oyewole, Chancellor of the Diocese, and his wife, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu; Registrar of the Diocese, Chief Mrs. Dupe Olomolehin; Prof. A. I. Ayodele; Prof. I. O. Solarin and Dr. Mrs. T. E. Ojo, among others.

We thank God for the Diocese of Owo, particularly on its spiritual and numerical growth. It now has seven archdeaconries and 56 pastors in different church locations.

We join men of goodwill to wish the Bishop, Rt Rev. Dr J. A. Oladunjoye and faithful of the Diocese of Owo a happy 30th anniversary.

By Ernest Onuoha WO Archdeaconry became a diocese on March 1, 1983, under the spiritual leadership of former Primate of Nigeria, (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Timothy Olufosoye. It was carved out of Ondo Diocese. Its first Bishop was Rt. Rev. Abraham Awosan.

At inception, it had one archdeaconry and not more than 15 pastors. As is often the case with pioneering efforts, many things begged for attention. But Bishop Awosan, a teacher and administrator, swung into action and laid a solid foundation for the diocese.

When he retired, he was succeeded by, Rt. Rev. Peter Adebiyi, who later became the first Bishop of Lagos West Diocese in 1999.

Before his translation to Lagos, Adebiyi contributed his quota to the growth of the diocese. The third Bishop, Rt. Rev. Dr. J. A. Oladunjoye with his amiable wife (Mama Owo), Mrs. Grace Oladunjoye, took over the mantle in 2000, and God has used them mightily to give direction and leadership to the diocese.

Recalling help the diocese has received from God in 30 years, the Bishop, the Diocesan Board and faithful decided to celebrate His blessings. An anniversary committee was set up, having Ven. S. O. Obanla (chairman); Mr. S. D. Dahunsi (secretary) assisted by Rev. Canon Olatunde O. Abio-

dun and Mr. Sam Adewale (publicity chairman).

The theme of the celebration was ‘Ebenezer’ (1 Samuel 7:12) ‘Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen.

He named it Ebenezer, saying, Thus far has the LORD helped us’.

The diocese lined up activities to commemorate His faithfulness, such as pastoral visitation to some church stations, as a way of strengthening the flock of Christ and pulpit exchange programmes for pastors to enable them share God’s love and bond of unity with parishioners.

Two lectures were delivered: ‘Owo Diocese Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow’ by the Dean, Immanuel College of Theology, Ibadan, Ven. B. A. Adedapo, and ‘Empowerment of the Diocese of Owo’ by Prof. J. O. Agbede, Lecturer, Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA).

Participants described the lectures as revealing and enriching.

On Friday, March 1, 2013, there was a special Holy Eucharistic service held at the Cathedral of St Andrew’s Owo, to mark the inauguration of the diocese. Diocesan Bishop, Rt Rev. Oladunjoye, presided over the service. He was assisted by co-Bishops Rt Rev. S. S. Olayanju; Rt Rev. and Mrs. N. O. Fasogbon; Rt Rev. and Mrs. E. B. Dahunsi and Rt Rev. James Odedeji.

Preaching, the second Bishop of the diocese, Rt Rev. Peter Adebiyi, thanked God for

By Gabriel Agbo

Keys To Receiving Your Healing

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“Dear friend, I am praying that all is well with you and that YOUR BODY IS AS HEALTHY as I know your soul is.” (3 John 2)

FTER preaching in a church recently, I made an altar call to pray for the sick. I was so shocked that almost everybody in that hall came out. This is a church of about 2,000 members.

After the service, individuals and families also came to be ministered to privately.

There was a woman that was constantly hearing strange noises, having pin-like feelings on her feet and had miscarriages.

There was also an elderly minister with pains on his legs. Some had chest pains.

There was an insane young man, and some wanted breakthrough. I pray that you shall be healed of whatever sickness is in your body, in the name of Jesus!

Now, this is typical of our healing services. Daily, millions of people seek healing and solutions to numerous problems.

Some come to God, others go to the hospitals, while millions go to satanic agents, like the false prophets and other demonic healers; who pretend to help but end up attracting more problems to their victims.

So, here we want to discuss the biblical way of obtaining and keeping healing. Not just a discussion, this article is actually meant to bring God’s healing power to the reader.

I pray that the power of God will come upon you to destroy every disease and sickness in your body in Jesus’ name! You are going to have a testimony, as you believe what you will read here. Remember God said that He sent His word and it healed all their (your) diseases. Praise God! He also said that healing is the bread of His children. That means, as His child, it is your birthright to be constantly fed and nourished with good health. I think that is what the bread symbolises here. Yes, daily bread!

First, what is healing? It is simply having the power to cure somebody of a disease.

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And it can be infection, ailment, disorder, virus, etc. There is also a spiritual dimension to sicknesses. Yes, some ailments are caused by demonic powers. We will elaborate this in the subsequent parts of this message.

Whatever distorts the health of a human being can be classified as a disease and must be totally rejected. What we are saying here is that causes of sickness can be physical, spiritual or psychological. Physical— when it is caused by physiological, environmental, accidents or other physical factors; psychological— when it is mental or emotional and spiritual— when it is caused by unseen and unexplainable factors.

The good news is that no matter the cause, the duration, the type or the mode of the sickness, God says that He is the one that heals all our diseases. Mark the word ALL here. And thank God, even medical practitioners acknowledge this. Though they diagnosed and treat patients, they always accept that it is only God that heals.

This is also clearly shown in their symbol – the snake coiled on a stick. You remember the replica of a snake that God ordered Moses to make and hang on a pole, so that it would bring healing to the Israelites bitten by snakes in the desert? That is in Numbers 21.

Origin Of Sickness Sickness, diseases, death are all consequences of sin. Sickness was not in the original plan of God for man. He made man as an excellent, good, blessed and complete being. Just like Himself. There was no room for man to fall sick or die. But this was altered immediately man fell, having disobeyed God through the temptation of the evil one - Satan.

“Then God said, ‘Let us make people in our image, to be like ourselves. They will be

Ven. Ernest Onuoha, Rector, Ibru International Ecumenical Retreat Centre, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State.

masters over all life... So God created people in his own image; God patterned them after himself... Then God looked over all he has made, and saw that it was excellent in every way.” (Gen. 1:26, 27, 31) Praise God! Did you get that? God made man to be master of all life. He made him to be excellent, and in His image and likeness. So, how did sickness and diseases come in? This was only made possible when sin corroded that original form. After the fall, diseases, sickness, poverty, curses, violence, strife, etc were introduced to that once perfect creation. Satan introduced them all.

God’s Plans For Our Healing Thank God that He immediately made pronouncements on man’s redemption right there in Eden. He talked about the seed of the woman; who eventually came as Jesus Christ, our saviour. In Him, God is redeeming all that man lost in Eden. And this includes divine health. The Bible said that we are healed by the wounds Jesus, the seed of the woman of Eden, sustained on the cross. “You have been healed by his wounds!” (1 Pet 2:24).

This simply means that Jesus purchased your healing through the many painful and crushing injuries inflicted on Him before His death– wounds from the 39 strokes of cane, the spear piercing through His side, the crown of thorns, the beatings, etc. God allowed all these so that our bodies would receive divine healing. That includes that particular sickness you’re going through now. Jesus paid for it.

You must rise and receive your healing today. Yes, arise, accept and appropriate what He did for you at the Cross. If you are truly His child, He said that healing is your bread– your daily nourishment.

Rev. Agbo is author of ‘Power of Midnight Prayer’ and a minister with the Assemblies of God Nigeria,

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 10, 2013

43

IBRUCENTRE Would You Allow Your Pastor To Flog You? St. Joseph’s Ordains 27 Female Pastors, Others

By Femi Alabi Onikeku HIS is the last warning!” Pastor Kelechi thundered. “The next time you repeat such, I will give you six strokes of the cane!” To prove he would make good his threat, if the need actually arrived, the man of God walked backstage, looked behind a couch, and fetched a five-feet long stick. He leaned the object against the pulpit in such a way, even the visually impaired saw it, and fired on with his sermon.

The troublemaker was Deacon Caleb. His offence: sleeping while powerful scriptural truths were being expounded. The 47year-old father of four was backsliding and needed to be rescued from a descent into hell.

While across the world, nations are abolishing corporal punishment, the practice appears to be gaining acceptance among some religious leaders, who are increasingly finding the Holy Book too weak to produce their definitions of righteousness and propriety. Hence, sermons must be bolstered by an ugly slap in the face, a knock on the head, a kneeling down in the scorching sun, a frog jumping amid pews, and in extreme cases, a sentencing of the theological felon to death.

Proponents of flogging in Christendom, of course, have the Bible to ‘back up’ their claims. The Gospel, according to John (2: 13-17), says: “And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.”

Another argument for the cane philosophy is the injunction in Proverbs 22:15: “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.”

But the Scripture never spoke again about Jesus deploying the whip, and neither did history prove that the Apostles and Church Fathers adopted the practice. Moreover, Jesus did so to fulfil prophecy, as it is recorded: “And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.” Also, Jesus never used the whip on his disciples or on their loved ones, as the trend is today.

In churches where the practice holds sway, worshippers are led into believing that resisting the strokes amounts to rebellion against divine authority; a situation that could fetch heaven’s wrath. And so, fathers, mothers and church officials, their ages regardless, are subjected to humiliating situations at the hand of the almighty overseer.

In some places, however, worshippers have expressed satisfaction at the method, even cautioning non-members against interference. ‘We love the way Daddy handles us. It is good. We need a firm hand to control us,” they would say.

But such flimsy arguments only betray depths of indoctrination and slavishness; else, how would a normal individual leave his home for the church with the mindset that he could, in the

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Chosen Church of God (SJCCG) recently ordained Stal.itsT. Joseph’s first set of female ministers in Benin City, the Edo State capi-

SPIRITUAL-JOURNAL.BLOGSPOT.COM

course of worshipping God, receive a dirty slap in the face.

It must be stated that if a preacher could, bold facedly, look in the Bible and at the meek character of the Lord Jesus Christ and yet go on to appropriate liberty to whip his congregation, such would, in the course of time, seize more liberties, resulting in strange deeds and teachings.

“It is not rebellion or insubordination, if a member refuses to be flogged by a pastor,” says Rev. Victor Akerele of First Baptist Church, Festac Town, Lagos, “because the pastor himself is wrong. So, a member’s refusal, in my opinion, is justified. There is no Biblical backing that says the pastor should flog his members.

“Had the pastoral ministry not lost its place, pastors are held in high esteem. No matter the age of a member, even if such is 100years-old, and the pastor is 30-years-old, once the pastor speaks, that member, who is 100-years-old, will listen to the pastor. But because the pastoral ministry has lost its grip, that is why some pastors have resorted to physical means to tame their members.”

Akerele supports his position with a Biblical reference to 2 Timothy 3:16: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,” concluding: “The Word of God is sufficient whip to chastise His children. As pastors, we are shepherds. We are to lead the sheep with tender, loving care. When we correct them, it should be in love. It is absurd; it should not be heard that a pastor flogs his members.”

Were you in church today? Did your ‘Daddy’ threaten to flog you? What would you have done had he lashed you?

In a colorful ceremony at the national headquarters of the church, 43 persons, including 27 female members, were ordained pastors.

The ordination drew the curtain on a four-day 67th annual delegates conference, presided by Spiritual Leader and pioneer Director-General of the Nigeria Stock Exchange, Apostle Hayford Ikponmwosa Alile.

The occasion featured procession where each candidate carried a cross, cleaning/washing of candidates by senior ministers, robing, and anointing by the spiritual leader.

Alile was assisted by a number of senior apostles and ministers of the church, including Apostle Wilfred Omorogie, Nosa Omozuyi and Staff Pastor Levi Ogbonna, among others.

The ordained included two pastors - Samuel Ohaegbu and Obadiaru- who were upgraded to the office of apostles.

After the ordination, six of the female pastors were immediately promoted to the post of Staff Pastors. They included Pastor Pat Alile, Gloria Konyeshi, Mariam Omoregie, Bridget Dafe, Hosana Okoh and Victoria Obadiaru.

Female ordination has been a controversial issue among denominations with ministerial roles usually assigned to men alone.

The exercise follows decision by the church’s council in favour of female ordination, as part of an ongoing re-organisation.

The conference also featured selection of ministers, lectures, Bible quiz, book launch, and an award ceremony for bestdressed minister in the church.

In attendance were representatives of the Oba of Benin - the Ihekhuuoba of Benin, Chief S. O. Asuen and the Uso of Benin Kingdom, Chief Nosa Egharevba.

In his opening remark, Apostle Alile described the world as a theatre of the absurd, noting, “It is not an exaggeration to say that our world is in great turmoil.”

He said it was while he was holidaying in the United States that he received a divine revelation on this year’s theme: ‘No limit’. He said ‘No Limit’ is a spiritual mandate, which must be declared in every situation.

In a lecture, Deaconess Bridget Dafe, who spoke on ‘The vessels of God’, said: “As a vessel you are essentially a carrier, and what you carry is a function of what you have put inside you over time.”

She regretted that people often look for someone else to blame for their predicaments and wallow in self-pity and mediocrity, “thereby converting themselves into carriers of complaints, murmurers about the economy and critics of places of work and worship.”

Beware Divine Judgment, Prelate Warns Leaders

By Bisi Alabi Williams HE Prelate and Moderator of the General Assembly of The T Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Most Rev. Emele Uka, has warned the country’s leaders and citizens of God’s judgment, if

Apostle Wilson Omoregie presents a certificate to newly ordained wife of the spiritual leader, Pastor Patience Alile, during the ordination of 47 persons at St. Joseph’s Chosen Church of God in Benin, Edo State.

Why We Need To Be More Thankful, By Abiara HE General Evangelist, Christ Apostolic Church Worldwide (CAC), Prophet Samuel Kayode Abiara, has stressed the need for Nigerians to thank God for keeping the country as an entity despite numerous challenges.

“We are here to appreciate God for allowing His peace to reign in our nation,” Abiara said at the third yearly Christian pilgrimage in Odo-Owa, Kwara State, birthplace of CAC founder, Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola.

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Quoting Psalm 136:1-4, the cleric urged Nigerians to always show appreciation to God for His wonders in the land.

He said: “We have to give Him praise for the grace He gave us to start the pilgrimage, three years ago. Our God has been faithful to us. Since we started this programme, signs, wonders and miracles have continued to happen in peoples’ lives.

May the name of the Lord be praised forever in Jesus’ name.

“I want to use this medium to tell Nigerians not to be afraid

because this year is a good one, and our country will overcome its challenges very soon, in the name of Jesus. I can tell you categorically that God owns Nigeria. So, He will intervene in our situations.”

He went on: “I want to encourage Nigerians not to put all their hopes in the government because government alone cannot solve their problems. One of the things the unemployed could do is learn to become self-employed. There is still opportunity in farming and other

vocational sectors. Another is for people to keep praying for the government, so that they will create policies that will make life more comfortable for the citizens.”

On a second term in office for President Jonathan, Abiara said: “Let us pray for him and leave the rest to God to decide when his time as President would end.”

Prophet Abiara enjoined Nigerians to call on God and expect answers from Him.

they fail to walk according to His laws.

The Prelate reminded Nigerians of the fate of the Biblical King of Babylon, Belshazzar, whose refusal to honour God led to his death and take-over of his kingdom by a foreign power.

“In the same vein, judgment day is awaiting all corrupt leaders, all terrorists and their sponsors, all judges who miscarry justice, and members of the legislature who are involved in fraudulent practices,” he said.

The Prelate spoke during a sermon in Akparabong, Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River State at the funeral of a retired Justice of the Federal Court of Appeal, Elder Justice Ndoma-Egba.

On the Boko Haram insurgency, Uka said: “Our leaders attend OIC and D8 meetings which are largely Islamic/Arab organisations on our behalf. This apparently has emboldened the Boko Haram leadership to insist that they can only stop their terrorist activities if, and when the President becomes a Muslim.”

Highlighting the superiority of the country’s laws over any other interests, the Prelate recalled provision of the Constitution, which states: “if any other law is inconsistent with the provisions of this Constitution, the Constitution shall prevail and the other law shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void.”

Nigeria Needs Cleansing, Says Oyidi

By Gbenga Akinfenwa HE founder of Elyon International All Christians Ministry, T Apostle Babatunde Oyidi, has blamed bloodletting and evil spirits for the country’s troubles.

Oyidi, who spoke to reporters last Sunday, after an award was conferred on him by Christ Apostolic Church, Word and Life Ministries, Sango, Ogun State, said the land has been soiled with blood of the innocent, and only prayer could cleanse it.

“I told the president that Aso Rock is possessed with evil spirits.

Our past leaders, like late Sanni Abacha, buried charms in the seat of power. And any president that assumes office with good intentions would fail, because the spirits would cause confusion and turn the masses against him. Until Aso Rock is cleansed, nothing can happen,” he said.

Oyidi warned President Jonathan, to be wary of saboteurs and cabals that are secretly plotting to thwart his good intentions.

44 Sunday, March 10, 2013

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Business NPA Constitutes Task Force On Traffic Congestion At Lagos Seaports

By Moses Ebosele HE Nigerian Port Authority (NPA), at the T weekend, constituted a seven-man task force to ensure 24-hour free flow of traffic

made worse by the lawlessness of tanker drivers lifting petroleum products from tank farms.

The Minister explained that the Ports Reform

committee was currently collaborating with the Lagos State Government to solve the perennial traffic congestion, adding that the

Federal Ministry of Works had also commenced `rehabilitation of the access roads to the ports.

within the Lagos seaports.

Under the chairmanship of the General Manager (Special Duties), Inyeinengi-Etomi Sotonye, the task force is expected to work closely with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and other agencies.

Constituting the task force in Lagos, Managing Director of NPA, Habib Abdullahi listed its terms of reference as “identifying the cause (s) of the congestion, proffer solutions to eliminate the congestion, make appropriate recommendation to eliminate future congestion and make any other recommendation that the committee may deem necessary”.

Membership of the committee is drawn from security, Audit, Procurement, Traffic, Legal and Personnel departments and has two weeks to complete the assignment.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the economy, Mrs. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, recently attributed the problem of congestion at the nation’s ports to corruption among government officials.

Okonjo-Iweala, who was represented by Dankadi Kifasi, the permanent secretary in the Ministry, at the investigative hearing organised by the House of Representatives joint committees on Finance, Customs and Marine transport, said there was need to improve the general port operations in the country.

“Nigerian ports,” she said, “need to enhance their efficiency to come close to international best practices.”

According to her, the decongested roads in Chief Executive Officer, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar Onyema (left); Chairman, Indigenous Shipowners Association of Nigeria (ISAN), Chief Isaac Jolapamo; Chairperson, Nigeria Maritime Expo (NIMAREX), Mrs.Margaret Onyema-Orakwusi; and Executive Director, Market Operations Technology, NSE, Mr. Ade Bajomo, at the NIMAREX Bell Ringing Ceremony in commemthe port’s vicinity were being reversed to its oration of the 2013 Expo at the floor of the Exchange… last week. former state, adding that the situation was

Gas Flaring: How Facility Sharing Will Save Local Firms, By Expert stop flaring gas. The last deadline given but which was not implemented ANAGING Director, Shoreline was December 2012.

Natural Resources Limited, Dr. Bada said the government need to Ladi Bada, says unless margin field summon courage to end gas flaring. operators partner with big compaShoreline and its United Kingdom nies infrastructure sharing, many of technical partner, Heritage Oil Plc, them might not survive the gas flar- early in the year concluded the acquisiing policy. tion of 45 per cent interest of Shell Speaking with The Guardian at The Petroleum Development Company Lagos Oil Club Question & Answer (SPDC) in Oil Mining Lease (OML) 30 session where he was a guest speak- for a record deal ($850 million). er, he said most local companies With issues raised about Anthony operating marginal fields do not Buckingham (a major shareholder of have the capacity to build compres- Heritage) negatively linked to past consor stations required to monetize flicts in Africa, the deal was almost gas as directed by government. marred by controversy. But Bada said He therefore charged the firms to Shoreline did adequate background go into facility sharing partnership checks on Buckingham who he with big firms like some currently described as “a genuine businessman.” do in terms flow stations.

Admitting that oil-producing comBada pointed out that small firms munities are finding it difficult to trust who have not keyed into facility operating companies, he said sharing partnership with estabShoreline is currently engaging its lished operators might have to close host community to building a mutualoperations when the government ly benefiting confidence. He added starts implementing the gas flaring that about 70 per cent of its workforce policy. is sourced from the community.

It would be recalled that governHe wants the government to think of ment had in the past given oil and a policy direction that ties benefits gas companies series of deadline to host communities derive from oil

By Geoff Iyatse

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firms to the safety of the companies’ facilities.

“If a community knows that its benefits will cease when the company’s facility is vandalised, it will be more

involved in policing the operation of the firm. This should be a new thinking and I think it is captured in the Petroleum Industry Bill,” he noted.

He disclosed that OML 30 has ade-

quate capacity to build a gas plant just as the company would explore its oil deposit and uses the return to monetize its gas resource.

ACCA Moves To Address Knowledge Gap In Labour Market

By Chijioke Nelson HE issues of knowledge, workplace experience and integrity have dominated the employment market in recent years, especially with the rising joblessness which compels employers to, sometimes, attach importance to the institution of learning. This stirs demand for human development curriculum that is practical.

The Association of Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA) noted with concern the challenges. It also observed underlying issue – that being a graduate does not confer employability as experience has shown that many graduates lack basic practical knowledge of workplace.

To bridge the gap, the association organised a graduate fair, which was aimed at bringing employers and potential graduates from universities to interface. This was to give the students opportunity to know more about what it takes to be employed in organisations of their choices, the oper-

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ations of the companies and level of skills required.

While many ACCA tutors were also there to give the students firsthand knowledge of the requirements for the association’s certification, participants were meeting with top executives of blue chip firms and potential employers to learn effective approach to writing resumes.

About 15 employers made up of major employers in the country turned up at the event while there were also two recruitment agencies and 16 ACCA’s learning partners. The participants were KPMG, PwC, United Bank for Africa Plc, First Bank Nigeria Plc, Ecobank Nigeria Plc, Guarantee Trust Bank Plc, Airtel Nigeria Limited, GlaxoSmithKline Plc, Faith Foundation, UAC Nigeria Plc, General Electric, Poise Nigeria, Ernst &Young and Mansard.

Director of ACCA, sub-Saharan Africa, Jamil Ampomah, said the event was organised to bridge the gap between learning and practice and expose many to unfolding opportunities that exist in finance amid a rising global unemployment.

Also, ACCA Head, Nigeria, Oluwatoyin Ademola, noted that the organisation stands for future through its innovative approaches to learning and development of finance professionals.

According to her, to remain relevant in today’s challenging world, there is need for innovation, creating opportunity, diversity and accountability.

“Our environment calls for innovation, to be creative at all times, designing what is relevant at any given time.”

Network Quality In Nigeria ComparableToGhana, India, Says Research ONTRARY to widespread perception that the C network quality in Nigeria is extremely poor when compared to other developing countries,

system and a more robust infrastructure, the case is different in Nigeria.

Specifically, recent trends show that telecoms reports have indicated that the experience companies in Nigeria are currently facing major offered by GSM companies in the country challenges including erratic public power supfavourably compares to what obtains in some ply, multiple taxation and regulation, frequent climes. vandalisation of core equipment, long delays in According to a recent data generated from a site acquisition and terror attacks in some study conducted by Ericsson, based on published Northern States in the country. reports of regulators in some countries, cusDespite these challenges, the Independent tomers of GSM operators in Nigeria enjoy superi- study by Ericsson, which has offices in over 150 or network quality when compared with what is countries in the world, indicates that GSM cusobtainable in some cities in Ghana and India. tomers in Nigeria get more value for their While mobile operators in Ghana and India enjoy money when compared to GSM users in Ghana, better public power supply, healthier security Delhi, India and Uttar Pradesh East, India.

The independent study focused on different network quality KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) including Call Setup Success Rate (CSSR), Standalone Dedicated Control Channel (SDCCH) Congestion, TCH Congestion and TCH Drop.

In telecommunications, the call setup success rate (CSSR) is the fraction of the attempts to make a call that result in a connection to the dialled number. Due to various reasons not all call attempts end with a connection to the dialled number. This fraction is usually measured as a percentage of all call attempts made.

Stand-alone Dedicated Control Channel (SDCCH) Congestion Rate is the possibility of failure of accessing a stand-alone dedicated con-

trol channel during call set-up.

Traffic Channel (TCH) Congestion Rate is the possibility of failure of accessing a traffic channel during call set-up.

TCH Drop Rate is the chance of a call terminating without the user willingly terminating it – that is, when a call is terminated by network due to any reason not by the user.

According to the research report conducted in December-2012 based on regulators published report for April-2012, SDCCH Congestion in Ghana was 0.5 percent while the average of same KPI for major Operators in Nigeria was 0.4 percent. Using this parameter, the Nigeria network compares favourably with Ghana.

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THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 10, 2013

BUSINESS

We Will Help Nigeria Reduce Oil Theft In The Niger Delta — UK Minister, Simmonds Britain’s Minister for Africa, the Overseas Territories, Caribbean and International Energy, Mark Simmonds, was in Nigeria recently to explore ways of deepening economic ties between both countries. In an exclusive interview with MARCEL MBAMALU, he said the UK would help Nigeria enthrone transparency in managing its oil wealth as well as overcome challenges of theft.

Simmonds, among other issues, also spoke about the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

significant role to play in the economic development of not just the region but, also of the whole of African continent. But, there are still challenges that need to be overcome.

Let me give you two examples, one is, there needs to be more Intra-African trades; and a significaant promoter of that will be to look at reducing tarriff barriers that might get in the way of some Intra-African trade.

I also think there needs to be more cooperation in building regional infrastructure; cooperating in building roads, energy, building other transport infrastructure as well. Once you have the infrastructure in place — your power Let’s begin by talking about why you are in infrastructure in place — that is when you can Nigeria at this time... start to stimulate economic growth and HERE is the need to deepen econmic and sustainable job creation. trade ties between our two countries. You What other role is the UK going to play in will probabaly recall that President helping the country build this all-important Jonathan and Prime Minister Cameron agreed, power/energy infrastructure? in a communique, that they would double It’s one of the main issues I’ll be discussing bilateral trade by 2014. while I am here. I have discussed with the In 2000 and 2012, we increaseed bilateral trade Nigerian Minister of Trade. We discussed by 40 percent; so, we are making significant about the energy sector. Well, it is not just the progress. But, of course, there is more that obvious hydro-carbon oil sector that is needs to be done. important.

The main driver behind my visit to Nigeria is I think where the UK has a particular to find ways to deepen economic trade ties expertise is the renewable energy sector, between our two countries and establish which where you have to have a whole range of particular economic sector the UK should be different energy sources. Renewable will be focusing on, and to make sure they are alligned like solar power or wind power or other to the Nigerian government and Nigeria’s renewable energy sources that will make a economic priorities. significant contribution to producing From what you said, it appears the (trade) significant energy in Nigeria. growth figures defy the slow pace of economic Former President Bill Clinton recently recovery in Europe... emphasised the need for Nigeria to look the Yes, trade is definitely improving and has way of renewable energy and sustainable increased by 40 percent since 2000 and 2012. agriculture (he said things about producing What I want to say is that both Nigerians and ethanol). What challenges do you see in this? the people of UK are doing more business I do agree with ex-President Clinton. Buying together, particularly, new UK businesses ethanol and turning waste into energy, investing in Nigeria, in a whole range of which, of course, will help in other ways as different economic sectors — transport, creative well, could make a very significant arts, energy sector and agricultural sector. oportunity; and the expertise exists in the UK These are a whole areas where we can do more that we can export to Nigeria to help achieve bilateral trades together but, we also must not this. underestimate the potential challenges that One other key interesting thing I have exist, which is one of the reasons I’m here to see picked up in Nigeria while I’ve been here — in how we can help overcome them.

Kaduna as well as in Lagos — is the One of the challenges from the UK side is the importance of driving investment in absence of visa reprocity; what is the UK agriculture (driving agriculture yields, government doing to ensure that Nigerians investments in agriculture, technology, as doing genuine businesses in the UK get their well as not just exporting raw materials but visas in the shortest time possible? also adding value to agricultural products Simmonds We are very keen on not only encouraging UK in other parts of Nigeria. What we need to both for domestic consumption and exports. businessees to invest in Nigeria but on getting make sure is that the UK and Nigeria work All too often, it is just the raw materials and agreement that will enable Nigerian Nigerian businesses to invest in the UK as well. not the added value. And the expertise exists prisoners who are in the UK to be transferred together more appropriately and we are The visa regime is a clog-in-the-wheel; and that back to the Nigerian Prisons System. providing support in enabling the revenue in the UK and it is one of the key areas I’m is why we put particular emphasis on running a that comes from the oil and hydro-carbon going to reflect upon when I get back to the The Prime Minister, David Cameron, and very efficient business system here. We just sectors to be spent to the maximum benefit of UK; how to link businesses in UK and President Jonathan agreed on that when introduced the new fast-track visa system. It they met recently (the details of that is being the maximum number of the Nigerian people. businesses here in Nigeria. takes five days and costs a little bit more; but it To what extent could insecurity in Nigeria, worked out). It is one of the issues that I have And that is something our National is working quite well.

Development Departments are helping to do. Mali, Sudan, Somalia and others hamper the been discussing with ministers while I have We deliver a very significant proportion of An example is the Petroleum Bill now in the Intra-African trade that you talked about? been here, as to what time scale we might those visa applications within the time scale Nigerian Parliament, which is a significant, You are right to highlight the fact that, of finalise that agreement to enable prisoner that we put down. What I will certainly urge all potential positive contributor to that agenda. course, there are challenges. The challenges transfer to occur.

Nigerian business people to do when thinking And there are aspects of that we think, that that exist in some parts of Africa are still very How much really does it cost the UK to keep of coming to the UK is applying with all will still be debated. For example, we think significant. For example, we have been such prisoners? appropraite documentation so we can get the that there need be more transparency to be particularly focused in the UK in trying to put It costs the UK a lot, a significant amout of appropraite visa through the system as soon as money. And it is not just Nigeria; there are able to monitor where the revenue strings Somalia back on its feet. And while there is a possible. new Somalian government in line with the other nationals who are in the UK prisons as coming from the hydro-carbon sector are The E1, E2 visa classification, for instance, would well; and we are working with not just going.

UK trying to make significant progress, there allow Nigerian businesses live, do business and Nigerian government but other African In addition, we have agreed with the is still an awful amount that needs to be have easy access to loans in foreign currency; Nigerian government that we will work with done, but a big, important, populated nation governments to try and put in place this how disposed is the UK government to an them to reduce the amount of oil theft that is like Nigeria, with a serious economic power prisoner transfer agreement elsewhere in understanding that could afford such house, could make a really big difference to the world so that we can free our prisons for taking place, because it’s a significant opportunity to local business people? contributing factor to reducing the amount of the regional economy by assisting the the UK people.

There are a whole series or different types of countries around it trade with each other.

To what extent is the UK worried over the so- oil revenue coming into Nigeria from the oil visa. Some are short term and some are longer extractive business.

And I think it is an important facet of called squandering of Nigeria’s oil revenue term and what we need to do is to make sure What has become clear is that there is an economic growth and economic by certain governments, as alleged by that appropriate visas are given to the former Vice President of the World Bank, Oby appetite in Nigeria to ensure the revenue that development to have inter-regional trade and appropriate people. comes from the oil is used to the maximum breathe into the legitimate economy.

Ezekwesili; there were talks about inviting And, clearly, if there is a genuine business benefit of the Nigerian people. We have Some of that economy are so far at the the President to the G8 Summit to discuss need to have a longer term business visa and experiences in building governance capacity moment outside of their official statistical the issue? the appropriate documentation is provided, we calculations because we all know that there I can talk about the G8 Summit, which will to make this happen and it is something we expedite action by giving that visa as fast as are working on together. are still lots of business that are being done focuse on transparency, tax and trade — all possible to the relevant business man or Certainly, the oil theft in the Delta is quite a across boundaries and between different key issues that are relevant to Nigeria as well woman from Nigeria, because I’m very keen to significant issue and there have been ethnic groups. as broader Africa. I know that the Prime encourage additional trade and business tie discussions on how the UK government will When people start to trade with each other, Minister Cameron and President Jonathan between Nigeria and the UK; and visa is an assist the Nigerian government make a some of these tensions and challenges that have discussed G8 agenda. In terms of important part of that. significant reduction in this area. you talked about start to disappear because it invitations for the summit, we are still Recently, there were talks about spending so is in the same people’s economic interest to working on it and the deatils of the agenda much money in retaining Nigerian (and Africa remains the investment destination for get on with each other and to do business will be known in the future.

African) prisoners in the UK, suggesting now; how much role do you see Nigeria with each other to raise their standards of something like ‘prisoner swap’; how much of playing in this direction; is the country living.

Do you think that Nigeria has creditably that challenge still exists?

So, I see it the other way round: The managed its oil revenue in the last 10 years or prepared to key into the opportunities?

Nigerian government and the UK government so?

AM an African optimist. I believe the future beginning part is the trade and economic are working closely to finalise what is called The and potential of Africa is very significant. I development and then the challenges will think there has been significant economic Prisoner Transfer Agreement, which is an growth here in Lagos. There are challenges also think that Nigeria has a very positive and CONTINUED ON PAGE 46

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THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 10, 2013

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BUSINESS

Benin Joins League Of Remodelled Airports

By Geoff Iyatse overnor Adams Oshiomhole, last Friday, commissioned the remodelled Benin Airport. It was the third to be commissioned among the 11 airports listed under the first phase of the ongoing Airport Remodelling Project.

The two previously commissioned ones are the Domestic Terminal one of Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos, and the General Aviation Terminal of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. While the new Lagos airport facility was commissioned October 22, 2012 that of Abuja was opened January 21, 2013.

The remaining eight airports under the first phase are Kano, Yola, Kaduna, Calabar, Enugu, Jos, Owerri and Port Harcourt, which are at various stages of completion.

The second phase of the project involving the remaining 11 airports is expected to commence later in the year.

The airport remodelling initiative is one of the policies initiated by the government to breathe new life into the industry, which had suffered considerable neglect in the past.

Similar policies include the removal of import duties on aircraft spare parts, providing an enabling environment for the purchase of new aircraft by local airlines and establishment of an intervention fund for local airlines.

These policies are geared towards enhancing safety in flight operations and minimising financial burden of running airlines on operators in the face of harsh economy. The policies are also aimed at lowering the cost of flight.

The cost of remodelling the Benin is yet to be disclosed. But Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, earlier promised that she would make sure that the remodeling remains within the cost range of MMA, which was N648 million.

Speaking at the Benin Airport commission-

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ing, Oshiomohole said government’s effort to transform the aviation sector would go along way in enhancing capacity and better air traffic.

Odua said the terminal reflects the true face of the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan in the aviation industry.

“Anyone who knew the state of the airport terminal before its remodelling and compares it to what the terminal has become today cannot but agree that the country’s aviation industry is truly undergoing major transformation. It will therefore, not be out of place to begin to refer to the Benin Airport as the true face of the Transformation Agenda in the aviation sector. An airport terminal that constituted an embarrassment to Nigerians by reason of its antiquated infrastructure has become a thing of pride,” noted Odua.

She said the commissioning was also important because it reinstates the commitment of Jonathan to reverse the decadence in the aviation industry, a vehicle for rapid industrial and economic development in any country.

Odua was delighted that Oshiomhole, via the commissioning, threw his weight behind the change in the industry.

The Minister said the remaining eight would be commissioned in August, about the same time the second phase of the project would commence.

“Aside from the general policy of government to modernise all airports in the country in compliance with existing international standards and practices,” she said, “Benin Airport was accorded priority because of its potential for growth in regular flight and cargo operations, considering its proximity to major industries in the Niger Delta and farm settlements in Edo State.

“One of the major planks of the aviation sector master plan is the development of international cargo terminals across the country to encourage the exportation of perishable farm produce, by air, to different parts of the world.”

She said the renovated airport facilities would not only stimulate air travel in Edo and surrounding states but will also “encourage largescale farming” and industrial growth. She noted

activities created by the airport would generate more job opportunities for the youths.

Odua urged residents of Benin to ensure that the airport is adequately utilised to justify the huge resources spent in transforming the facilities.

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Of The Federal Airports Authority Of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. George Uriesi, said the remodelling

Gov. Adams Oshiomhole (left); Minister of Aviation, Stella Odua (right)and other officials at the commissioning of remodelled Benin Airport... last Friday.

entailed the expansion of the floor of the arrival and departure halls to enable them cope with growing traffic, especially at peak periods.

“More offices, shops, toilets and other related terminal facilities such as a modern VIP lounges have been added to the terminal.

This is aside from the installation of modern x-ray screening machines, Close Circuit Television (CCTV), check-in counters, conveyor belts and other facilities comparable to the best in the world,” he disclosed.

He noted that remodelling at MMA, even though it has been commissioned, is still ongoing. He said “E” and “D” fingers of the international terminal are being expanded to double the existing floor dimensions on completion.

“Work on these terminals are going on simultaneously with the remodelling of terminals in eight other airports to make them comparable, in infrastructure and service delivery, to airports in more advanced countries. This facelift will be extended to the remaining airports managed by the FAAN before the end of this year,” he said.

Manager of the airport, Sunday Ayodele, earlier said: “At the end of the remodeling, we are going to see a brand new airport. The departure hall will be able to take between 500 and 600 passengers and will come with the cooling system, screening points and offices.”

Ayodele said that a car park would be constructed as part of the remodelling, saying it has become necessary to make provision for it.

“Besides,” he said, “the airport has taken delivery of two serviceable fire tenders which are enough to handle any emergency.”

He said aviation security personnel had been detailed to patrol the airport every six hours to ward off any unauthorised entry and ensure that no undesirable object was found on the runway.

He announced that the Edo state government had pledged to rebuild the houses and airport fence demolished by the government during the construction of the airport road.

The manager’s assurance comes on the heels of complaints that something urgent needs to be done to ensure the air conditioners at the airport become fully operational.

‘Stiffer Competition Among Financial Institutions Will Reduce Cost Of Funds’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 45 dissipate over time.

Do you see Nigeria’s financial services sector as being strong enough to drive economic growth?

HERE are clearly different aspects of the financial services sector but there need to be in any successful market place, a degree of competition to ensure that Nigerian entrepreneurs who have good business models have choices about where they get money, mindful that the cost of money will

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come down.

One of the discussions I have had here is how we might be able to encourage the banking sector. You are absolutely right that to have a vibrant, dynamic and competitive economy, you have to have a very strong financial services sector. And we think that the financial services sector currently based in London could do more here in Nigeria.

Indeed, the Lord Mayor of London will be leading a financial services trade delegation here in March/April, 2013 for the exact purposes

that you are talking about.

On reliable statistics for economic growth I really think that progress has been made in Nigeria. That is not to say it is finished for adequate data in all areas or fields. But, I think what we have to do now is to learn the lessons of where it has made significant progress and why.

There are two examples: I met with the governor of Lagos. He and his team have made significant progress based on the data collection and creating a link between tax

payment and delivery of services. The people are being made to understand that it is a direct correlation for the money which they pay to be seen on the service delivery on ground.

Secondly, I discovered in Kaduna that the Department of Internal Development is working with the State government to give them the basis of statistical data so that they can analyse where the gaps are, to make sure they spend the money that comes into that account for purposes they are meant for.

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THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 10, 2013

BUSINESS

Ladipo Traders Lose Over N1.2b To Closure

By Geoff Iyatse INDINGs show that operators at the Ladipo Auto Spare Parts Market may have lost over N1.2 billion since February 25 when the market was closed by the Lagos State Government.

The figure is based on investigation, which suggests that an average shop makes, at least, N10,000 profit daily.

The estimate does not include losses incurred by street traders, mechanics, canteen operators and transporters. Braches of United Bank for Africa Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc, Guarantee Trust Bank Plc, Skye Bank Plc, Diamond Bank Plc, Maintreet Bank Limited and Enterprise Bank Limited, which were opened to serve the market experienced low activities in the past two weeks.

A branch of Ecobank Nigeria Plc within Aguiyi Ironsi Market has stopped operation since the market was closed.

Spreading from Ladipo Bus Stop to Papa Ajao in Mushin, the trading centre, acclaimed to be the biggest in Africa, is said to accommodate over 10,000 lock-up shops with at least two individuals manning a shop. The ‘squatters’, hawkers and other ‘hustlers’, including auto mechanics may have doubled the numbers of legal occupants.

Investigations conducted at the weekend show that each shop makes at least N10, 000 profit daily. Three out of every five traders who disclosed their average sales profits said they make over N10,000 daily, on the average. The remaining two said the least they make is N5,000.

Kidochukwu Amadi, a body parts dealer, said that it would be difficult to evaluate the loss. He, however, said the 42 independent units, out of which 38 are members of the Ladipo Central Executive Council (LACEC), would accommodate over 10,000 shops.

On daily profit, he said: “It depends on what you are into, the volume of business you do (which is determined by location sometimes) and the size of your shop. On the average, I don’t think there is a shop that will make less than N60,000 profit a week. During festive season when car users mostly do repair, I make N15,000 to N25,000 daily. But the market was closed early in the year when sales are poor. I make between N5,000 and N15,000.”

Another trader, who identified himself as Chike, said he makes average of N7,000 daily during dull moments. “I trade on air-condition compressors and widescreens. They don’t sell as much as engine parts. And my shop is not in open place.”

Chukwudi Anayo, who sells used tyres and rims, said he makes between N10,000 and 30,000 on a trading day. He said he makes over N50,000 when his retailer customers “come to buy from other parts of Lagos.”

However, a few traders said it was difficult to assess the actual loss because the market is largely informal. Informal organisation, which constitute over 89 per cent of Nigerian medium and small scale enterprises (MSMEs) according

F

Displaced Ladipo traders.

to a survey carried out in 2010, is characterised by improper records of transactions.

Samuel Obinna, who spoke with on the informal nature of Ladipo and how it affects accurate assessment, noted: “First, it is difficult to know the number of shops because many of the residential houses are converted to shops. You can only know the exact number if you summon all the traders. It is easy to say we have 20,000 shops… but that will be mere figure.

“Talking about the loss, it is also difficult to assess that. You can only know the loss if you know how much the traders make daily. You should know that this is informal market where it is difficult know how much people make. There are people who will borrow money to transport home after daily trading because they have not sold anything. The same day, somebody may sell only five engines and make profit of over N150,000. But the same person may stay for another two days before makes the next sale.

“There are people who don’t own shops but make more money. They just take customers around the market to buy whatever they want. And they are paid by both buyers and sellers. Each of those people may go home with over N10,000 at the end of trading day.

How do you access losses in such situation? It is difficult.”

Assistant Public Relations Officer of LACEC, Ezeigbe Nkire, at the weekend, roped Mushin Local Council and the Lagos Waste Management Agency (LAWMA) in the Ladipo closure controversy.

He told The Guardian that the council is a party to the allocation spaces occupied by shops that are being demolished. LACEC has

come under condemnation for being responsible for allocating streets and areas set aside as refuse dump and other purposes to occupants.

But Nkire, who is also chairman of Great Akiyemi Traders Association, explained that the street trading is caused by the local government who he accused of giving the streets to political loyalists to use as parking lots. The controllers, he said, eventually turn give the spaces to traders “since it pays them to do that than using the spaces as parking lots.”

According to him, LAWMA, which he alleged fail to make provision for adequate waste bins, is partly responsible for the poor sanitary condition of Ladipo. He said the agency has in the past one year removed the waste bins. This, he said, has made it difficult for the traders to maintain good sanitary condition of the market.

He disclosed that the agency only comes to the market to pick “available wastes after Thursday sanitation exercise.”

The traders also accused LAWMA of turning the market to cash cow even when it does not live up to expectation. The traders pay for LAWMA service through their associations.

Aguiyi Ironsi Traders Association, for instance, pays as much as N320,000 to LAWMA for the four times it picks its wastes a month. Aguiyi Ironsi is one of the biggest units in the market.

It is said to house close to 5,000 legal and illegal occupants. Great Akiyemi Traders Association, a unit of about 47 shops, according to Nkire, pays N20,000 to LAWMA a month.

UT a top management staff of LAWMA said B the traders lied when they said the agency is not carrying out its responsibility properly.

WIMBIZ Laud Media, Demand More Support

By Bisi Alabi Williams HE need to have more women rise to challenges of leaderT ship positions and having them realise their aspirations was the focus of the media parley organised by board members of Women in Management and Business in Nigeria (WIMBIZ) recently. The event laid emphasis on the urgent need for professional women to take up the challenge and get involved in the nation’s governance system.

Adeola Azeez, chairperson of Wimbiz said the greatest achievement of the organisation in the last twelve years has been its ability to transform the lives of many Nigerian Women and their businesses, thus raising more upwardly mobile ladies through its mentoring programmes in campuses.

She said through WIMBIZ’s market place programme, many young women have been financially empowered and are running their businesses successfully and putting food on their families’ table. She said: “As a non-profit organization, our passion is to empower more women consistently and collectively address the issues that militate against their progress and wellbeing. And this is what we will continue to do as we share our ideas about our lives and businesses.”

On her part, Yewande Zaccheaus said WIMBIZ has continually raised the profile of the corporate Nigerian woman. She said one thing that WIMBIZ can boast of is the pull of women achievers who have distinguished themselves in

Azeez

their fields of endeavour. They are great achievers in their own right. These women have been working hard to impact other younger women.

She could not authoritatively confirm whether there are still waste bins in the market but insisted that LAWMA has put sufficient measures to serve the market adequately.

“Apart the private sector participant (PSP) assigned to them, LAWMA also collects. So there is dual collection by LAWMA and PSP operator.

Obviously, when the government decides to act that is when people come up with different excuses. They hardly do their sanitation, they hardly do. Instead, they engage in fellowship and other activities.

“They don’t observe the normal rules. The issue they have is that they have different association. When this president says A, the other will say B. But we are saying they should harmonise their decision and speak in one voice.

They are extremely dirty. There is the belief that Lagos is no man’s land. People just want to do their businesses and move. We are saying that should change. If you are doing business in Lagos, it has to be within the orbit the laws that govern the place,” noted the source.

The source noted that LAWMA most times forces its way through when the traders refuse to give it spaces to put bins. She promised that LAWMA will meet with associations to agree on where additional are needed. The source could not confirm how much LAWMA generates from Ladipo, “I am not in commercial department.” The source agreed that market waste collection “is everyday affair” contrary to claim they LAWMA attends to Ladipo once a week.

Meanwhile, massive rehabilitation has commenced on the Ladipo Street, which suffered neglect in the past years. Illegal structures and trading kiosks are also being cleared as

She said; “We understand the challenges that younger Ladies have today. They have greater challenges than we had while growing up. We really appreciate and understand these numerous challenges and that is why we train and empower them to overcome these challenges on their way to the top.

Records have shown that women are more focused, diligent, prudent and honest in leadership than most men. With WIMBIZ, you need discipline, hard work and perseverance.

These are the kind of issues we deal with in WIMBIZ. You have helped us to position ourselves where we can really make a greater difference in the lives of women. We wouldn’t have gone all the way without you. That is why we want you to partner more with us in delivering our mandate.”

Another WIMBIZ member, Ifeyinwa Ighodalo Said the organisation acts as a catalyst, creating awareness and pulling women together.

She said; “In our march towards developing a more formidable army of women achievers, what BIMBIZ is looking for a partnership with the media that will help her deliver her goals and objectives. Its mentoring programme has been a huge success.”

Bola Austine Peters, an entrepreneur said, the way to the top is tough, especially for women. She confessed that because the way to the top is rough, many women do not make it. To help women overcome these challenges is also a way of making those at the top stay fit.

She said: “ the way we can help in building a better society is for those at the top to help those at the bottom and those coming behind. And that is what WIMBIZ is doing. That is why WIMBIZ is for women in management, business and public life. That is why we are trying to see those things that we can do and how best to achieve our set objectives.

“In these twelve years, you the media have been our friends. You have covered our programs and focused on the things we are doing with the women. What we need from you is to partner with us indetermination to reach more women.”

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 10, 2013

48

BUSINESS

Dangote… The Travail Of Uncommon Success

By Geoff Iyatse LHAJI Aliko Dangote rose to global limelight in 2011 clinching Forbes Africa’s richest man. Two years after, his strength to climb higher on the ladder of success and fame still appears stronger than ever before. Wealthy men have come and gone but this does not look like one who will soon fade into history books.

At 21, he had cut his teeth in the art of trading having convinced his uncle, Sanusi Abdulkadir Dantata, to allow him some air of freedom.

Eventually, his desire was granted with a N500,000 seed. The half a million-naira loan he received 36 years ago has grown into N2.4 trillion ($16.1) as at last valuation.

Dangote’s inclination to risk-taking and business shrewdness astounds both his friends and adversaries. Other entrepreneurs have shown measure of courage but no one matches the boldness he exudes.

In the beginning, his only credentials were himself and the goodwill of his maternal family. He never attended Harvard Business School.

He had no entrepreneurship training in Lagos Business School. He had no tutelage in a bluechip company. He had no outstanding formal education. But he possessed rare guts, the sort that is uncommon with his contemporaries.

And he ran with it.

Some mysterious characteristics set Dangote apart from other businessmen. In the belly of his strange trait also lie some controversies that have trailed his business exploit and involvement in policy issues.

Just few months to his recent endorsement, Dangote’s cement subsidiary raised the alarm that Cletus Ibeto’s importation line was causing glut in the market. It shut down his Gboko plant claiming it was no longer profitable to run it in the face of massive importation, which it said contravened the backward integration policy pursued by the government.

Of course, Ibeto fought back through advertorials where it alleged that Dangote’s scheme was part of the grand plan to assume monopolistic control of the country’s commodity market. The battle of words between the duo only renewed the perennial ‘cold’ war between the equally determined entrepreneurs.

The rivalry started in 2005 when former President Olusegun Obasanjo ordered the closure of Ibeto’s bulk cement terminal in Port Harcourt over alleged misrepresentation of facts in obtaining 800,000 tonne qouta allocated to it by government. Prior to the closure, the government had formulated a backward integration policy, where licences were given to some companies to import cement in order to boost the shortfall in supply. But there was a proviso attached to the rule — prospective beneficiaries must have proven investments in the manufacturing of cement. They were also to own and operate land-based import terminal.

Controversy over whether Ibeto fulfilled the conditions continues till date. Though Dangote admitted his key rival, Ibeto, completed its development of land-based terminal, which was leased from the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), to enable it take full advantage of the backward integration policy, he alleged that Ibeto had no investment in the local manufacturing or had any interest to invest.

Ibeto’s conclusion that Dangote deployed his connection in the presidency against him did not shock many people. The industrialist did throw his financial weight behind the campaign project of Obasanjo. The Kano-born billionaire reportedly played a prominent role in the funding of Obasanjo’s re-election campaign in 2003 – a cause he ‘invested’ N200 million. He also gave N50 million to the National Mosque under the cover of Friends of Obasanjo and Atiku.

He was said to have contributed another N200 million to Obasanjo’s Presidential Library project.

Femi Otedola, another billionaire who made his fortune from oil, also had open and subtle altercations with Dangote. A strong-worded advertorial placed on national dailies by the management of African Petroleum (AP) Plc, now Forte Oil Plc, a company chaired by Otedola, accused Dangote and Nova Finance and Securities Limited of devaluing the share price of the company, using unethical “crossing” trick. The advertorial seemed to confirm what was hitherto a speculation — that the erstwhile business buddies were in no-hold-bar duel. The two had strutted the business landscape for years like twin titans before then.

But both men threw old friendship and caution to the winds, as they engaged in battle of words. Otedola accused Dangote of wasting shareholders wealth just to settle a personal

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score with him, calling on the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to investigate the matter. Though the two settled, the sore of the prolonged clash may take time to heal.

After preliminary investigation, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) suspended Nova Finance and Securities, a company owned by Ugene Anenih, son of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), from further participation in transactions on the floor of the exchange following its alleged complicity in the share manipulation allegation. It was also fined N500,000.

But no sanction was meted to Dangote who was first Vice President of the Council of the exchange then. The decision was followed by controversy and intense condemnation, especially from the market operators, who felt that such a lopsided punishment signaled that Dangote’s incursion into the market would rupture the investment platform that was in dire need of stability. But the presence of the billionaire in NSE would raise more dust in months ahead.

Few months after the AP share manipulation saga, Dangote was elected President of the NSE via a voting process former Director General (DG), Prof. Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke, described as “unanimous acclamation” of council members. But a consistent push for justice by shareholders of the oil marketer led to a Lagos High Court’s nullification of the election in March 2010. Expectedly, the industrialist challenged the nullification at the Court of Appeal and got the decision of the lower court revised last year.

Before the NSE Annual General Meeting, where Dangote was elected president, speculation was rife that some council members were opposed to his emergence and concerned about his domination of the exchange. Using his alleged involvement in the AP share price manipulation for which he was cleared by the Investment Securities Tribunal, they moved against his emergence.

But they could not stop him.

Perhaps, Dangote’s clash with equally-unyielding Okereke-Onyiuke was the most abra-

sive and fatal. The protracted fight for the control of the soul of NSE came to climax when Dangote accused the ex-DG of mismanaging N11 billion in a petition to Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Arunma Oteh. He urged the regulatory authority to investigate irregularities in the accounts and finances of NSE under Okereke-Onyiuke. Acting on Dangote’s allegations, SEC abruptly ended Okereke-Onyiuke’s stay at the Exchange.

The removal was the most bizarre against NSE’s leadership in the history of the institution. Armed men were posted to the trading building to keep the sacked DG away after she was forcefully evicted from her office.

Amidst the subtle and open confrontations that divided the NSE into different camps, Nigerians kept counting their losses on daily basis.

Small Scale Enterprise (MSME) matching fund.

Similar credit lines were not available in 1977 when Dangote started what is now a worldleading conglomerate. Still, he wants to give thousands a gentler take-off than he got.

But there are other thousands (or millions) on the other divide who think Dangote is not a representation of the sort of entrepreneurs Nigeria needs. Some years ago, when he spoke about how easy it was to pick millions from the streets of Nigeria, the very sources of his incredible wealth were called to question.

Controversy is an integral part of human development and the more famous a man or woman is the more controversies his or her personality attracts. And Dangote is not an exception. Maybe the only thing that is not controversial about him is the fact that his businesses have given opportunities to thousands to earn decent living in a rare scope of job creation. He has invested in ventures that create jobs; Nigerians and, indeed, Africans have beneEYOND the façade of allegations misapfited. propriation and counter-allegations exPresident Goodluck Jonathan broke the historchanged by Dangote and Okereke-Onyiuke, ical substance of the Grand Commander of the was a grand ploy to determine who would Order of the Niger (GCON) in 2011 to give the cecontrol a demutualised NSE. It was speculated that the former DG suspended the de- ment mogul a befitting honour that he deserved. A section of the society, once again, mutualisation process when she sensed a kicked. This time it was not all about Dangote foul play by Dangote. The DG herself was but a protest against a seeming “desecration” of said to be interested in acquiring majority the essence of the honour, which should have stake in the new ownership structure. been reserved for those who assume the lofty It looks difficult to compete in a market position of Vice President.

Dangote has interest. He controls over 80 per cent of Nigerian cement market; he exer- Dangote was born in Kano State on April 10, cises similar dominance in flour, sugar, salt 1957 into a wealthy Muslim family. His mother and other market he has significant interest. Mariya Sanusi Dantata was the granddaughter Last year, Dangote, an emerging globally re- of legendary Hausa businessman Alhassan Dancongnised philanthropist, raised his bar of tata while his father, Mohammed Dangote, was Dantata’s business associate. He attended the Al charity. He gave $100 million to different Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt, where he studcauses ranging from education, health to flood reliefs. Recently, he gave the national ied Business Administration.

Dangote grew in business. While in primary team (Super Eagles) N130 million for reaching the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final. school, he would hawk sweets he bought in cartons “just to make money.” Unlike his contemHe gave them another N100 million when poraries, Dangote is reported to have lived a they returned with the trophy. frugal life. He keeps very few landed assets beDangote, through his companies (and on cause he cannot ‘afford’ the cost of maintaining individual ground) has given hope to milsuch luxury. lions of Nigeria. Two years back, Dangote Foundation floated N5 billion Medium and

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The GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 10, 2013

BUSINeSSAGRO

DHL, Agric Ministry To Develop Fruits, Vegetable Export

By Fabian Odum

he new move in the busiT ness of horticulture, especially the export, in the country would see cargo planes, which fly out of Nigeria empty, fully loaded if the opportunities being worked out by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina are grabbed and go full swing.

For Nigeria, the time has come to make fortune through flower, fruit and vegetable exports as investors begin to tap into the business prospects at home and abroad.

According to a release by the Special Assistant to the Minister (Media and Strategy), Dr. Olukayode Oyeleye, the Minister demonstrated this in a meeting with critical stakeholders on Monday in Brussels, Belgium.

At the meeting, Akin Sawyerr, who has been working with the DhL Aviation, focusing on life sciences and consumer products, under-

Novus Agro To Run Commodity Index

By Fabian Odum OvUS Agro Nigeria N Limited formerly esoko Nigeria, a mobile/internet based Agricultural Market Information Service solution is poised to provide timely and accurate market intelligence services to farmers, agro-processors, NGO’s and other interested commercial groups.

According to an executive of the company, Ms Obiajuru Igborgbor, a dedicated platform is in place through which subscribers can collect and share data via mobile phones and the web.

She said, “We currently collect information on 25 commodities from 50 markets in 17 states and our goal is to cover 111 markets in all states of the federation. Our enumerators and analysts work hand in hand to collect collate and organise this information in an understandable manner called the Novus Agro Nigeria Commodity Index (NANCI).”

Ms. Igborgbor said the company intends to provide weekly commodity index updates to empower Nigerians in decision-making strategic to their agribusiness.

scored the significance of the meeting. he hinted on the direction of the ministry of agriculture and Nigeria in horticulture, working with DhL aviation on market-driven approach to get Nigeria on the global map in horticulture.

Adesina recalled that there has been an earlier effort that Sawyerr was championing in Nigeria. “horticulture is important to us. We are closer to europe than Kenya or ethiopia; which has implication for us in terms of opportunities for entering the european market.”

According to him, “only 40 per cent of Nigerian agricultural land is utilised, and this portion is utilised sub-optimally. We have cheap labour, great sunshine. We have opportunities for diversifying into other high-value crops.”

The minister complained that “DhL planes come to Nigeria and leave empty,” but recognised that “this provides opportunities for us.”

To take advantage of these opportunities, the minister has promised to put in place what is necessary. “We are committed to giving public sector for organising farmers,” he said, adding, “horticultural value chain for domestic market is already developed. Now, we are looking at foreign market.” he promised government’s “support for training of farmers” and noted that government will work with experts “in getting our farmers certified to enter into the export market.” Three types of infrastructure to support horticultural business, he

Business consultant, Akin Sawyerr (left), Nigerian Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and the EU, Felix E. Awanbor; Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akin Adesina; Business Manager of Adelantex, food cargo handlers, Frank Van Geider and Sub-Saharan Commercial Manager, DHL Aviation, Loic Gindre, at the end of strategic meeting on developing Nigerian horticultural business, held at Brussels, Belgium on Monday explained, include cold storage facilities, irrigation (as a lot of horticultural business has to be done with irrigation) and rural infrastructure. he noted that road, especially, is needed to reduce production cost and make products more competitive.

To prevent spoilage and wastage from farm, Adesina said, “what we are doing now is on Staple Crops Processing Zones and we have selected horticulture to be a major player in this.

Christophe Schiffers, Director at eDeS/COLeACP, an arm of the eU-ACP Cooperation, disclosed that, in January, eDeS was offering specific support in the food and vegetable sector. he stressed that it should be ensured that “all the produce you want to export to eU market s in compliance with eU regulation” and that the authority is to certify them.

Schiffers disclosed that, “in January, eDeS was offering specific support in the food

and vegetable sector. As part of the activities of his office, he added that “PIP and eDeS are providing support for the cocoa sector through ICCO, for prevention of some problems linked to the use of pesticides.” eDeS, he stressed, has adopted, “as part of extension tools, on trainers to follow up on traceability.” he promised that “ICCO will include some Nigerians on the use of extension tools in the cocoa sector.”

According to the release, Freek De Witte from Kamer van Koophandel, a Dutch version of Chamber of Commerce, advised that Nigeria should consider brand name for Nigerian products as they come to the european markets so that the buyers would know what it stands for. In Belgium, he noted, “we have national brands for some products. This might be an opportunity for an African country to brand its products.”

Adesina observed that

Left, General Manager, Olam Nigeria Ltd, Anil Nair; Plant Manager, Olam Nigeria Ltd, George Reji and Chairman, Presidential committee on Benchmark on Rice, Mallam Dhiru Ado-kurawa during a courtesy visit of the committee to Olam mechanised rice farm in Doma, Nasarawa state recently

urbanisation and income growth will lead to higher demand for horticultural products and specialised products. “We are the largest national producer of okro, most of which end up in the local market. Not more than four per cent of Kenya’s horticultural product is exported.

We need to look at standing local market, strong regional and global markets,” he pro-

posed.

The minister expressed discomfort with the irony of importation, particularly of what Nigeria is eminently capable of producing, saying “we are importing a lot of our horticultural products from South Africa. Since we don’t have value chains and standards developed for horticultural market, people import from South Africa.”

Bamboo, Potentials Of New Cash Crop For Rural Poor

By Fabian Odum he economy of the poor T farmer folks could be looking up as bamboo, with recent researches by the Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), may play a significant role in abating the tide of poverty of the rural dwellers farming in areas where the tree crop has the right climatic factors to thrive.

Though the research is yet to be conclusive, and the work focused on bamboo-growing areas of China, gleanings from the published results of the CIFOR researchers show that, ‘an estimated two billion people across the globe use bamboo on a daily basis to produce everything from household utensils and handicrafts, to scaffolding for construction sites.’

Two billion consumers of bamboo and bamboo products are very significant in market terms and can make economic sense in Nigeria though its policy on agroforestry is yet be to unfolded fully in terms of impact that pulls the rural farmer folks along.

Clearly, the bamboo does not require years to come to maturity expected fro timber trees, since ‘ its clonal growth form, rapid growth rates and short rotation cycles,’ help generate yearly income, a condition not naturally allowed by timber – requires long har-

vest cycle.

Listing further the reasons bamboo economy can turn the rural poor around; the researchers say the tree crop has less policy constraints and regulations when compared to timber. ‘And unlike timber, bamboo is relatively light and can be easily harvested and transported ‘without specialized equipment or vehicles.’

With minimal capital investment, low-income rural poor can undertake basic processing and value addition, which do not require highly labour or specialised equipment.

Already bamboo exploitation has been going on for years locally being used in scaffolding in building construction, fencing of farms and farmhouses, gardens and compounds, etc; it is difficult to say there are extension services, investment promotion and awareness for smallholder investors to explore local and foreign.

The research publication, which forms part of the CGIAR Research Program on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry (supported by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and Charles Darwin University) should spur a concerted effort to give the tree crop economy a boost and bring Agricultural Transformation Agenda close to the rural people.

TheGuardian

50 | THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 10, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Cover

Jonathan

Obasanjo

Marginalisation: The Case Of Southwest There are arguments that the zone shot itself in the leg when opposition members of the Action IGERIA is made up of over 450 ethnic congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the House of nationalities, cutting across the vast land Representatives worked against the emergence of mass. In pre-colonial times, there was a a Speaker the PDP had zoned to the Southwest. scramble for space and resources, leading to Aminu Tambuwal got the job, while the PDP candisundry wars and inter-ethnic restiveness date Mrs. Mulikat Akande-Adeola from the among the various people.

Southwest lost out.

In today’s Nigeria, in spite of modern adminis- The ACN purportedly worked against Mrs. Akandetration and instruments put in place to ensure Adeola, while it was expected to support a fellow observance of justice and equity in the manYoruba lady. agement of the economy and personnel, there The ACN’s support for the ascendance of are cries of marginalisation everywhere.

Tambuwal accentuated Southwest’s feeling of marIt is for this reason there is a provision in the ginalisation in top power equation of the country, Constitution to institute ‘federal character’ as a but also threw up another form of marginalizapolicy, to create a sense of balance and belong- tion, which the United Nations has over the years ing among all Nigerians. been making effort to address –– marginalisation The current outcry in the Southwest that the of women in governance. zone is marginalised is therefore not peculiar, The explanation from a section of the ACN pointnor is it the first time a zone will be schemed ed to the debacle that characterised the brief out and under-represented at the highest level tenure of the first female Speaker in the country, of government.

Mrs. Patricia Olubunmi Etteh, also from the When the military sacked the Second Republic Southwest. Even at that, Etteh, who first won elecon December 31, 1983, the topmost officials of tion into the House under the platform of the the new military government were all of north- Alliance for Democracy (AD), which gave birth to ern origin. General Muhammadu Buhari the ACN, has been exonerated from the initial alle(Katsina State) became the Head of State, his gations. deputy was General Tunde Idiagbon (Kwara Southwest’s Case State) and the number three person under that LEADERS of the zone say there is no Southwest perarrangement was the Chief Of Army Staff son in the first top 12 political positions of the (COAS) General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida country such as the President, Vice President, (Niger State).

Senate President, Speaker of the House of What, however, makes the cry from the zone Representatives, Chief Justice of the Federation, more interesting in this dispensation is the Deputy Senate President, Deputy Speaker of the nature of the politicking, which now tends to House of Representatives, the acting President, be ethnically biased, and more about who gets Court of Appeal, Secretary to the Government of what, when and how. the Federation, Chief of Staff to the President, Under President Goodluck Jonathan’s ruling National Security Adviser and Head of Service of Peoples Democratic Party, people of the the Federation, as well as the service chiefs.

Southwest are beginning to rethink their polit- While other zones may make routine complaints ical choices. By 2011 the PDP had lost almost of marginalization, with a view to having a better every electoral office it gained in 2003, but it deal, the degree of marginalisation of the won the presidential election overwhelmingly. Southwest point to a deliberate attempt to excise So, why would it carry out punitive measures the zone from governance at the centre. against the zone in the distribution of political The zone also appears to suffer varying degrees of offices? That is the big question leaders in the under-representation in the Ministries, zone are trying to unravel.

Departments and Agencies of the federal govern-

By Kamal Tayo Oropo

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ment. The Southwest has also been schemed out of top positions in Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other major offices like the chairmanship of the anticorruption agencies, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission; the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the leadership of the paramilitary forces like the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and the Nigerian Prisons Service; among others.

Interestingly, in the history of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), no Southwest indigene, or Yoruba person, has ever been appointed as the Comptroller General of Immigration (CGI), out of the 15 CGIs that have headed the service.

Presently, the Southwest can only boast of Minister of Agric, Minister of Police Affairs, Minister of Trade and Investments, Minister of Communication Technology, Omoblanle Johnson and Minister of Foreign Affairs.

According to leaders of the zone, the marginalisation of the Southwest may even be deeper.

While none of the present service chiefs in the Nigerian armed forces is from the Southwest, a case has also been established of a dangerous trend in the Customs, where officers of Southwest origin are holding the wrong end of the stick when it comes to promotions and recruitments.

Recently, of 792 cadet officers recruited for training at the Customs Training College (CTC) in Kano, only 45 were from the entire Southwest.

168 cadets were from the Northcentral, 157 from the Northeast, 91 from the Southsouth and 68 from the Southeast.

Statistically, 5.8 percent of the cadets are from the Southwest, 8.5 percent from the Southeast, while the Northwest took the lion’s share of 33.1 percent.

Records of promotion exercises carried out in all the formations since the appointment of Lieutenant General Azubuike Ihejirika to the office of Chief of Army Staff are such that hardly bring smiles to faces of Southwest people.

In 2010, the Ordinance Corps, for example, presented a list of four Brigadiers for consideration for promotion to the rank of Major General – Brigadier Kachallah of NDA Course 22, Brigadier Oginni of NDA Course 23, Brigadier Martins of NDA Course 24 and Brigadier Ugwu of NDA Course 25.

Of these four officers it was only Brigadier Ugwu, the most junior who was promoted.

Ugwu was allegedly of NDA Course 25, but was purportedly elevated to course 26. This promotion was supposedly effected in order to elevate Ugwu above the others, who by this act automatically lost their seniority. Thus, Brigadier Ugwu is presently, Ordinance Corps Commander, supposedly ahead of all his seniors.

The situation was not different in the Armoured Corps, where in 2010 Brigadiers Oshinowo of NDA Course 24, Nwaogbo of Course 25 and Awala of Course 25 were promoted.

In appointing the Corps Commander, Lieutenant General Ihejirika, allegedly sacrificed tested military tradition of respect for seniority and competence. He purportedly bypassed Brigadier Oshinowo, who was the most senior and supposedly the overall best in NDA Course 24. Instead, General Ihejirika appointed Brigadier Nwaogbo Corps Commander.

Indeed, appointments and promotions exercise under the present Chief of Army Staff are said to be riddled with lopsidedness, just as it is generating so much heat in the Southwest that many have called for a review of the exercise to enhance diligence, professionalism and loyalty.

Specifically, those in the Supply and Transport Corps, the Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, the Defence Industry Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and the National Defence College Course 18, were all officers of NDA Course 33, who attended the National Defence College Course 18. Only one officer was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General.

The pattern of recruitment of soldiers into the Nigerian Army Depot, Zaria, under the present Chief of Army Staff also deserves some scrutiny.

There is allegation of a massive recruitment of soldiers from particular ethnic groups to the disadvantage of others.

For example, Abia State, the home state of General Ihejirika, with a population of about 2.8 million has so far had the largest share of recruits, 450, far above Kano State with a population of 9.3 million and Lagos State with a population of over 9 million and Kaduna, also with a significantly high population. The case of Ebonyi State is also symptomatic of this alleged lopsidedness in recruitment figures.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 10, 2013

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FASEHUN:No Yoruba Of Substance Is In This Government • There Cannot Be Peace And Progress Amid Social Injustice Dr. Frederick Fasehun, founder of Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), explains to GBENGA SALAU what the Yoruba in Southwest mean when they say President Jonathan has abandoned them.

Many Yoruba leaders, including you, have alleged that the administration of President Jonathan has consistently marginalised the Southwest in appointments; how did you come up with that assertion?

HE Southwest is noted to have supported Goodluck Jonathan and we voted for him massively across party lines. And in electoral contest, when you have won the contest, you look back and pay back. The President enjoys the support of the Yorubas and he knows it. He spoke to individual Yoruba leaders, expressing his appreciation, but when he constituted his cabinet and various other parastatals, the Yoruba people were not in reckoning.

The Yoruba people constitute about 28 percent of the population of Nigeria, so if you are sharing anything, at least, twenty eight percent should accrue to them; but it turned out the Yoruba people did not even get half of it. We noticed it and some of these things are not just group punishment, individuals also suffer it. And we took note of this and the Yoruba leaders got together, discussed it earlier and sought to meet the President.

We met him and reading through our submission, he promised that he will look into it as soon as possible, but there has been no change in the situation and time goes on rolling. Time is a cruel element, it does not stop for you, no matter how hurt or pleased you are; it goes on and on. And the Yoruba people have had nothing to show for their support. Though Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) was seen as a Yoruba political platform, yet the Yoruba people did not vote for the ACN presidential candidate. They voted for Jonathan and up till now, we have had nothing to show for that support; and for you to understand what we are saying look in the presidency, legislature, judiciary, there is no Yoruba person of substance.

In the Police, Custom, and other parastatals, there is none. And we then started thinking of leadership influence and power hierarchy and discovered that the President comes from the South-south, Vice President from the Northwest, the Senate President from North-central, Speaker of the

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House of Representatives from Northwest; Chief Justice of Nigeria, North east; and in fact, there is no Yoruba in the Chief Justice succession radar for the next ten years; and a whole race with eminently qualified professionals has faced disqualification from this post for 34 years since 1987. We also considered the following; Deputy Senate President is from Southeast, Deputy Speaker from Southeast, President of the Court of Appeal from Northwest, Secretary to the Federal Government from Southeast, Head of Civil Service from Northeast; Chief of Staff to the President from South-south, Minister of Finance from South-south, Minister of Petroleum from South-south, Attorney General of the Federation from North-central, Clerk of the National Assembly from North- central, Minister of Power from South east, Minister of Aviation from South east, Director General SSS from South-south, Chairman EFFC from North-east, Inspector General of Police from Northwest, Chairman of INEC from Northwest, Chairman ICPC from South-south, Minister of Niger Delta from South-south, Minister of National Planning from Northwest, DG Bureau for Public Procurement from Southeast, DG Budget Office from Southeast, Chairman Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Allocation Commission from Southeast, Auditor General of the Federation from Northcentral, Accountant General of the Federation from Southwest.

From all that I have said, the first mark for the Southwest is the Accountant General of the Federation and I have enumerated 32 positions.

Again, Senior Special Adviser to the President on MDG is from Southsouth; MD, NDDC, South-south; DMG NEPA, Southeast, Minister of Works, South-south; Minister of Trade and Investment, South-south, Education, Northwest, Labour, Southeast; Agriculture, Southwest. So what the Yoruba people can show for their effort is Accountant General of the Federation and Minister of Agriculture.

And for top bureaucracy, Secretary to the Government of the Federation is from Southeast; Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Northeast; Chief of Staff of the President, Southsouth; Chairman, Federal Civil Service Commission, Southeast; Chairman Police Service Commission, Southsouth; Inspector General of Police, Northwest; In Federal Executive Bodies and Commissions, the Code of Conduct

Fasehun

The Yoruba people constitute about 28 percent of the population of Nigeria, so if you are sharing anything, at least, twenty eight percent should accrue to them; but it turned out the Yoruba people did not even get half of it. We noticed it and some of these things are not just group punishment, individuals also suffer it.

And we took note of this and the Yoruba leaders got together, discussed it earlier and sought to meet the President.

Bureau is headed by Northeast; Federal Character Commission, North-central; Federal Judicial Service Commission, Northeast; National Population Commission, Southeast.

In corporations and heavy budget bodies; NNPC is headed by Northwest; Petroleum Technical Development Fund (PTDF) is headed by North-west; Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Northeast; Universal Basic Education Commission, Northeast, National Health Insurance Scheme, Northeast; NDDC, South-south; Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, South-south; Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, Southeast; National Identity Management Commission, Southeast; Federal Road Safety Commission, Southeast.

In Education regulating and funding agencies, the NUC is headed by Southsouth, NBTE, Northwest; WAEC, Southsouth, JAMB, Southwest; NCCE, Northeast and NECO, Southeast.

You see that it is not right when you put this side by side with the federal character system enshrined in our constitution. So, where is the federal character and where is the fairness and having this record shows lack of appreciation in a representative federal system; do you blame us for crying out loud?

The future of the race is at risk. We form 28 percent of the population and

28 percent has been marginalised. Are you going to redefine democracy for them; are you going to re-read this imperfect constitution? This is why our people have chosen to speak up, because the injustice is glaring, and you cannot have peace, progress and economic growth in an environment of social injustice? And we have seen what has happened to our polity as a result of social injustice. Why did OPC, MASSOB, Boko Haram and Arewa Youth Consultative Forum come to be, it was because of social injustice.

Recently, the Auditor General left and the person acting was one Mr. Adesina and he acted so well that the federal government even wrote him to commend him, that he had served in that position as the best person for the past twenty years. When the position was to be filled the powers that be went to a state civil service to pick somebody to face the Senate for confirmation. Then I wrote a protest letter and even placed an advertorial, but regardless, the man who would have been fourth level in service behind Mr. Adesina was brought in as his boss. And despite our protest, the Senate put him there and handed the whole of that ministry to one ethnic nationality from the North-central. What is federal character? The Yoruba people have been very, very accommodating, resilient but when the boat is going to

throw us overboard, we have to talk and that is why we have been talking.

Those of us who pointed out this social injustice, we love our country; I am in love with Nigeria. But when the future of the Yoruba race is at stake, it is incumbent that lovers of their people will speak out, that is why the Yoruba leaders are crying out.

Somebody raised an issue that it was the Yorubas that actually shot themselves in the leg because the Speakership of the House of Representatives was zoned to the Southwest by the PDP and it was legislators from the zone who worked against Southwest interest.

There is a Constitution and in that Constitution, it specified federal character. If the Yoruba people have shot themselves in the leg, must the federal government shoot them in the head? Mustn’t the federal government assuage the pains of shooting in the leg? It is a lopsided argument.

Shouldn’t the federal character commission carry the blame?

Why Nigeria is like this is because the leadership is not sincere with itself, to the people and the norms that guide us.

Everybody is serving the nation like a farmer who cultivates the land, while hoeing, he hoes to his side and this is what Nigerian leaders do and that is why we have so much insincerity, corruption and insecurity. We lack the knowledge to serve well, lack the knowledge to be sincere to the people.

It is just a lip service; it is not worth the page on which it is written. Where is the federal character system in practice? And that is why the polity is not stable.

Injustice brings instability and protest.

And the presidential system is a lobbying system; the Yoruba people have no body to lobby for them, nobody in the Presidency, Senate, House of Representatives and judiciary. So we are left stranded, that is why we chose to cry out and if the situation becomes unbearable for Yoruba people, they will rethink their position vis-à-vis Nigeria. We love Nigeria, we do not recommend its break up but self-interest is no selfishness.

But other regions are also crying of marginalisation?

I listed a compendium of the positions and where you see that I have misinformed the country and the world, please castigate me.

What is the way forward?

The leadership of the country should get their acts together and decide to do justice to the constituents, the more your contribution, the more you get. We have seen injustices and that is why many of us have been shouting about having a national conference that will write a decent constitution to re-order and reform our polity. It is not just right, even in nature, let alone artificial distribution of offices, it is not right; it is immoral.

ADEFUYE: Whoever Ignores Yoruba In Governance Does So At His Own Peril tre, our representatives would have fought to secure the approval. This is an issue that bothers on everybody. They are now building metro line in Abuja and in some other places, but the Federal Government has refused to grant Lagos the approval to commence construction of the metro line.

Would you say President Jonathan is doing this deliberately?

The truth is, marginalisation of the Yoruba people started right from the time of former hy is the YUF making so much issue president, Olusegun Obasanjo, but it has gotout of alleged marginalisation of ten worse under Jonathan. We have Yoruba Yoruba in federal appointments? who were in certain position and they were WHEN we talk of marginalization, what we removed and replaced with people from other mean is that under a federating unit, all the regions. We published the list of Yoruba people members must be adequately and equally Adefuye who were maliciously removed and replaced represented; but in a situation where this is not happening, then there is no justice and must come from a particular section of the by persons from other tribes in our recent equity. It is our responsibility to demand our country is against the Constitution. communiqué. We gave example of the aeroright based on the provisions of the We cannot develop our region unless we are space, judiciary, immigration and the privatiConstitution. The Constitution says there adequately represented at the center. What zation bureau. A situation where you are now must be federal character in appointments, many people fail to realise is that, if you are removing Yoruba and replacing them with so the Federal Government is bound to marginalised, the action of the Federal people from other tribes is marginalisation. It has got to a peak under Jonathan and we need ensure that the Constitution is upheld.

Government can also disturb your developAlthough, the President has the right to ment. For instance, Lagos State had wanted to to call his attention to it.

We gave the example of the removal of the choose the best brains to work with, but that build the blue and red line and these lines should not be done to the disadvantage of would have to run along with federal routes comptroller general of immigration, who was any region, unless he wants to tell the world and for almost 10 years, the Federal a Yoruba man. A Yoruba person had never been that Yorubas are not competent. This is not Government has denied Lagos approval and the appointed to that position, but even while we cited that example, Jonathan still appointed about party politics but federal character. state cannot commence construction of the A situation, where someone feels he has won metro line for the benefit of the people. another person from another tribe. The an election and everybody in his cabinet If we were adequately represented at the cen- painful aspect is that the person next in line is another Yoruba person, but the Federal

Senator Tony Adefuye, Secretary General, Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF), spoke with SEYE OLUMIDE on perceived marginalisation of the Southwest under President Goodluck Jonathan.

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Government went ahead to appoint a nonYoruba.

We gave another example of Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), where a Yoruba person was next in line, but they appointed somebody else over him. It is becoming a deliberate attempt to cleanse the Yoruba people in the federal cabinet and that is why we are crying out. We have received so many complaints from our people, many that we cannot even publish. Jonathan is gradually frustrating the Yoruba from the Federal Government and we will not allow that.

What do you say of the division among the Yoruba, the division in Afenifere, the division along party lines and others; could that be responsible?

It is not only among the Yoruba we have several organisations or divisions along party line. All the northerners are not in the same political party; likewise they all belong to different groups. The Ndigbo and the Southsouth people are not in the same political parties; so there is nothing special about the different organisations we have in the Yoruba land. All the organisations in Yoruba land are under the YUF, but that does not stop other organisations from functioning. We want to develop our region. The Yoruba are so civilized that we have so many different people thinking in different directions, but at the end of the day we are the most united ethnic group in Nigeria.

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ODUMAKIN: Yoruba Need A Federal Structure That

Guarantees Economic opportunity, Political Freedom Mr. Yinka Odumakin, who recently returned as the spokesman of the PanYoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has linked perceived marginalisation of the Southwest in federal appointments to the absence of a vibrant, central pan-Yoruba body. He spoke with KAMAL TAYO OROPO. Why is there persistent cry of marginalisation in the Southwest?

HERE has been a lot of hue and cry in recent times over the place of the Yoruba within power structures of Nigeria. Facts and figures have been reeled out, which would justify the charge of marginalisation of Yoruba elites from the power echelon in the country. In one breath, it should be said that there is need for balance in a multi-ethnic society, but I hasten to add that appointments are not what progressive Yoruba people have always fought for within the Nigerian Federation.

Unfortunately, and as succinctly argued by Prof Banji Akintoye, the underlying principles of inter-relationships in Nigeria, as they had been guided by the British before independence, were absolutely informed by ethnic power quests, dreams of ethnic dominance and brash power contests.

In such a bruising atmosphere of power contests and of mutual distrust and fears, the one nationality, which found itself with a chance to exercise dominance over the rest grabbed the chance and proceeded to expand it, and the rest, while swinging punches at one another, chaotically fought to resist the growing reality of domination by that one nationality. This trend has developed into a destructive tradition over the years, making a clear-sighted Nigerian leadership impossible, spawning a whole array of misguided “solutions” and enthroning crookedness over Nigeria’s public life as a country.

We have always insisted that Nigeria be run as a true federation where every region would have the necessary autonomy to develop at its own pace. That was what the immortal Awo led us to insist on in all his decades of political engagement in Nigeria and the legacy he left for us.

Awolowo would probably have become the President of Nigeria if he were ready to sacrifice those principles and concentrate on sharing positions among the elite, even when such appointments would not bring any direct benefits to the mass of the people.

Nothing demonstrates the vacuousness of such appointments than the recent eight years of a Yoruba man as President of Nigeria, without any direct benefits to the people of the region. Not even the road that leads to the otta

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Farm of the former president was done in eight years. The Lagos-Ibadan expressway remained a death trap throughout his tenure and there was not one major project that could be pointed out in Yorubaland the way we hold Cocoa House, Liberty Stadium, University of Ife (now obafemi Awolowo University), the first TV station in Africa, et al, when Awolowo led the Western Region.

There were a few Yoruba people who made money because they were close to him (obasanjo), but the conditions of the vast majority worsened under the administration as the culture of begging, which was alien in the region deepened due to increased poverty and failure of infrastructure.

Is this perceived marginalisation of the Southwest of any serious consequence?

Not particularly. The major problem is bad leadership, which is evidenced in all parts of the country and not peculiar to the Southwest. The three poorest zones in Nigeria are from the North, now rocked by Boko Haram, and yet that region’s elite have monopolised power for 37 years out of 53 years of Nigeria’s independence.

What has President Jonathan done for Niger Delta people outside the thugs from the creeks Odumakin he has turned to overnight billionaires? What What makes you believe this? we want out of Nigeria is a country that works Yes, let me explain. The defunct First Republic’s and where no region holds another down.

Peoples Congress (NPC) and its A painstaking introspection would show Northern Republic National Party of Nigeria clearly that the reason why the Yoruba elite, Second successor, knew clearly that they needed who has always been part of the Abuja largesse (NPN) Yoruba of stature to counter the domiare shut out at the moment is because the nance ofmen Awolowo Yoruba land and that was authentic voice of the Yoruba nation, Afenifere, the claim to fame ofinpeople the NPN nationhas got a thoracic cancer in recent years and the al chairman, the late Chief like Adisa Akinloye, forYoruba myth was apparently diminished.

Attorney General of the Federation and The Yoruba conservatives, who have been mer Minister of Justice, Chief Richard Akinjide, and patronised by the centre over the years, may likes. not know that Afenifere is their benefactor.

General Sani Abacha could see what Afenifere stood for and raised people like Dr. Bode The major problem is bad leadership, olajumoke and his Imeri Group to challenge the octopus. And when former President which is evident in all parts of the obasanjo lost the entire Yoruband in 1999, he country and not peculiar to the had to poach Afenifere by picking its Deputy Chief Bola Ige as minister and even Mrs. Southwest. The three poorest zones Leader, Modupe Adesanya, the daughter of the Afenifere leader, Chief Abraham Adesanya. in Nigeria are from the North, now The joining of obasanjo government by the rocked by Boko Haram, and yet that Deputy Leader of Afenifere was the knife region’s elite have monopolised power required to cut the rope that held internal cohesion of Afenifere, thus creating internal divisions for 37 years out of 53 years of the enemies without and the opportunists within have used over the years to rip open the Nigeria’s independence. What has underbelly of the progressive vanguard of the President Jonathan done for Niger Yoruba people.

It is that realisation that the Yoruba political Delta people outside the thugs from space had been robbed of the influence of the the creeks he has turned to overnight group that cannot be purchased or cut opportunistic deals behind closed door that is responbillionaires? What we want out of sible for the situation we are talking about.

But is there no end to the crisis; why is it difficult Nigeria is a country that works and Afenifere to come together? where no region holds another down for This is why genuine Afenifere leaders and mem-

Chief Richard Akinjide, chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party and former Attorney General and Justice Minister told ABIODUN FANORO that it is wrong to say that Yoruba are marginalised.

AKINJIDE: Those Crying Marginalisation Are Reading History Upside Down

oULD you agree that the Yoruba is being systematically marginalised?

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THE Yoruba nation has very well and excellently succeeded in taking its rightful place in Nigeria. Let me also quickly advise that we should not divide Nigeria into tribes. We are not a country of tribes, we are one country. And in that context, the Yoruba have fulfilled their destiny more than any other group in the history of Nigeria. Anybody who says the Yoruba are devalued or marginalized, must be reading things upside down.

Going memory lane, the Yoruba have produced four Chief Justices of Nigeria and they were; Sir Adetokunbo Ademola; the longest serving Chief Justice in the history of Nigeria, Dr. Teslim olawale Elias, Justice Fatai William and Justice Sowemimo. You had Lagos as the capital of Nigeria, there is the Murtala Mohammed Internal Airport, the biggest in Africa; located in Lagos, a Yoruba city; also it houses the biggest international sea port in Africa.

When we talk of big cities, the three biggest cities in Africa are Cairo Johannesburg and Ibadan in Yoruba land. So how can we complaint. If we peep into the country’s leadership history, it is a fact that Chief olusegun obasanjo, a Yoruba man was the longest serving ruler of this country. When the Federal Government had only two universities in the whole of the country, the two were in Yoruba-land, University of Ibadan and University of Lagos. All the others were regional or state universities. Those that later became Federal Universities among them were adopted by the Federal Government. The other parts of the country did not complain that the two universities

bers have come to the realisation that the unhealthy state of affairs must not continue and the cancer on the throat of Afenifere must be excised immediately and this we did at a reunion meeting recently in the home of the leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, in Akure.

There is nobody who can run Nigeria and ignore the Yoruba with a vibrant Afenifere in place. The proliferation of organisations that has taken place because of the schism in Afenifere has only weakened the region, as division only multiplies problems.

Yet, it appears the Akure meeting was largely boycotted by a section of the group…

That is being addressed. No one is being shut out. But you must realise that the meeting, presided by Pa Fasoranti, had other icons of the group like Chief Ayo Adebanjo and Chief olu Falae in attendance. Many prominent members of the group also attended the meeting among whom were; chief Supo Sonibare, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, Hon oladipo olaitan, Dr. Akinyemi onigbinde, otunba Sehinde Arogbofa, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, chief Segun ojo, Senator Iyiola omisore, Akinrogun Tunde odanye, Dr. Gbola Adetunji, Chief Pekun Awobona, chief Diran Adesua, and chief Kayode Ajulo.

Most of the attendees had played one role or the other in Afenifere over the years. The meeting recognised that while many Afenifere are players in different political parties at the moment, the paramount thing for now is to bring everybody together under the canopy for Yoruba internal solidarity and be able to positively affect development within the Nigerian polity from the progressive standpoint. The idea is to return the region to the era, where the group holds sway over individuals and moderate their ambitions and idiosyncrasies. The core of Yoruba value is that the community is above all its inhabitants, no matter their status and accomplishments.

Even a King rules with counsel of chiefs and feelings of the community in Yorubaland.

Specifically, what is the group doing to correct the marginalisation?

This is adequately captured in our resolution at the Akure meeting, where it was agreed that we need to urgently return to our tested value of leaders being made and justifying their continued leadership by attending to the needs of the people and not their own greed.

Henceforth, nobody would confuse Yoruba nation with a few individuals, but rather with a body of ideas that has faces to it.

Also, on the list is the need to end the internal marginalisation of our best and brightest, simply because they subscribe to higher ideals, which are the foundation of our being. There is a compelling need to open the space for qualitative leadership that is not based on cronyism and godfatherism. our people must be able to live their dreams and fulfill their aspirations based on merit and not being enslaved to any individual. All they would require is fidelity to common causes and respect for our people.

Akinjide were sited on Yoruba-land.

Coming to the legal profession again, the largest number of lawyers in the country are Yoruba, same for the largest number of medical doctors in the country.

But the Federal Government is not fulfilling its obligations to keep funding development projects in Lagos after the capital has been moved to Abuja.

Lagos State Government has no reason to complain (over this). The state houses the country’s two biggest ports – air and sea, the state is the country’s economic capital, the busiest Expressway in Nigeria and in Africa, the Lagos – Ibadan Expressway is in Yoruba-land.

Under the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, there is not single on-going road construction project in Yoruba-land The Ibadan-Lagos Express-Way is being refurbished. It was (initially) awarded to a Yoruba owned construction firm.

Presently the Yoruba is not found in the first seven topmost positions in the country. Is that not marginalization?

There was a time a Yoruba man was the Head of State, and another Yoruba man was the Chief Justice of the Country, other parts of the country did not complain at that time. So if other areas are enjoying it now, I don’t see why we should complain.

I am quite satisfied with what we have and where we are.

But the Federal character Act makes it mandatory that every part of the country is constitutionally recognised and fairly represented?

As far as I am concerned, it is being fully implemented. If you look at the things we had before and what we have now, I am quite happy and satisfied.

You mean you are satisfied that the Yorubas are in number eight in the country?

I don’t accept that we are number eight. Are you saying, Lagos is number eight in the country, are you saying that the Murtala

CONTINUED ON PAGE 55

TheGuardian

Sunday, March 10, 2013 53

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Opinion Auctioning The Igbo Presidency Project

By Obinna Akukwe T is obvious that all is not well within the fold of the Southeast Governors Forum over the issue of Igbo presidency project 2015. In Anambra State, Governor Peter Obi is at loggerheads with Governor Rochas Okorocha over, who controls APGA and he derides Okorocha’s attempt at uniting the Igbos for his presidential bid either for 2015 or 2019. Peter Obi cannot comprehend how Okorocha can surface from nowhere and be laying claims to APGA political machinery and the presidency when he, a two-term governor had been treading softly on the issue.

Chief Okorocha of Imo State believes that the Igbo have the potential of becoming president in 2015 if there is unity, hence his attempts to unify APGA and give it a national outlook. He also supported the mega party deal that resulted in the formation of All Progressive Congress. This Okorocha’s interests in the top shot have put him in the bad books of Jonathan apologists and they are making every effort to pull him down.

Sullivan Chime of Enugu State never showed any open interest for Igbo presidency project. In August 2012, under the aegis of Southeast Forum, former chairman of PDP, Okwesilieze Nwodo canvassed support for Igbo presidency at the meeting of Southeast Forum held at Modotels, Enugu. This stance of Nwodo killed any further interest the fun loving governor had for the Igbo presidency project since his arch-enemy was among the bands seeking support for Igbo presidency.

He distanced himself from being part of former Vice President Alex Ekwueme’s birthday bash at Okpara Square, Enugu because he suspected the roles of former governors Okwesilieze Nwodo, Chinwoke Mbadinuju and Senator Ken Nnamani in mobilising for the event.

In Abia State, Governor Theodore Orji had shown little commitment to the Igbo presidency project except perhaps, occasional fine speeches without commensurate momentum. The move by former governor Orji Uzor Kalu to form Njiko Igbo, an umbrella organization to unite Igbos for the presidency, further raised Theodore Orji’s suspicion over the entire Igbo presidency

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Gov. Okorocha of Imo State

project and he has distanced himself from the entire exercise.

Governor Martins Elechi of Ebonyi State has maintained silence over the issue; his body language has not suggested a flair or disinterest for the project. However, his attempt to support Aja Nwachukwu for the Ohaneze top post was based on ensuring that an Ebonyi man that can articulate Igbo interest without pressure from the outside is enthroned, especially for the rainy day.

In the event of all these it is obvious that Southeast Governors have not formed enough formidable alliance to be able to ask other regions of Nigeria to support their aspirations. While some school of thought believe that Sullivan Chime, Theodore Orji and Peter Obi are jealous of Okorocha’s

Why I Write

By Tunji Lardner

INCE I fired my warning shot across the bow last week, announcing through this medium that I would resume this risky business of writing a weekly column, I have been giving the whole idea a second and even a third thought. You see, this for me is like déjà vu, all over again. I somehow feel compelled to offer a tepid apology to all for firing that first shot; beating a hasty retreat into the familiar confines of my vacuous mind, and then carrying on as if nothing happened.

Having withdrawn from the Nigerian journalism space over 25 years ago (most Nigerians weren’t born then), you can empathize with me over this groggy sense of dread and trepidation that happens when you are suddenly jolted awake in a strange place, and this is a strange place. The only comfort so far has been the handful of congratulatory messages from my old time friends and some new ones encouraging me to ‘keep the ink flowing.’ The responses have been in the main good, save one from the ever cynical Sonala Olumhense, himself a long in the tooth columnist for this paper.

“Congrats. Excellent start. The key will be whether or not you are willing to dedicate time to think deeply before each one in the months and months ahead. Then and only then will the quality be sustained and raised. Happy you are doing this.

Well done,” one of them sagely advised.

Another one issued a shrill note of warning. “Beware all ye men of fragile character for he shall jab you here, gouge you there and excoriate you everywhere. He shall give no succour and plead for none. Long may his ink flow.”

And then my cynical friend intones “Please join me in congratulating Tunji for finally finding his pen. Some of us have tried to help him, almost forever, in the search for it. But misery loves company, the self-same Tunji always says, every other cognac sip. I welcome him to the land of frustration. I hope he does not conveniently lose his pen again by Easter.

Welcome, son. Yes, your past awaits the misery complicated by lost youth and ageless indigestion.”

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Secretary Prince Tonnie Ogonna “If President Jonathan declines to run in 2015, it then makes it quicker for the Igbo. The bottom line is that Ohanaeze supports Jonathan in whatever decision he takes in 2015”. Therefore, Ohaneze support for any Igbo presidential candidate in 2015 is foreclosed.

The northern governors are seriously challenging President Jonathan’s second term bid, insisting that he promised to run only one term. While reacting on the issue, the leader of Northern Governors Forum and Niger State Governor, Dr Babangida Aliu, speaking on Liberty FM, Kaduna stated “What will be, will be in 2015. We must remind people of the promises they have made. When he (Jonathan) was going to declare, governors of PDP were brought together to ensure that we were all in the same frame of mind. Some of us, given the PDP zoning, were expecting that the northern states would produce the President for these number of years but God has done His own...“At that discussion, it was agreed that President Jonathan would serve one term and we all signed and when he went to Kampala, he said the same thing. But for now, President Jonathan has not declared his candidacy and we must not be speculating based on who those are benefiting from such a thing. I believe that we are all gentlemen enough and when the time comes, we will all sit down and see what the right thing to do is.’’

In the South South, apart from Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State and Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, the rest are not interested in any Jonathan 2015 project. Rotimi Amechi in Rivers State is at loggerheads with the presiacclaimed national popularity, others believe that they are afraid of EFCC prosecu- dency on the issue. The Governors in the South tion and as such must swim with President West are reaching out to their counterparts in the North to form an alliance in preparation Jonathan to avoid harassment after they for 2015, resulting in the new mega party, All leave office. Others still believe that their Progressive Congress while their South East interests in the senate seat as retirement benefits after their tenure as governor could counterparts are chasing rat while the house is burning . be jeopardised if they openly support Igbo It is obvious that by the actions, inaction and presidency. indifference of South East Governors, they In a previous article titled: ‘Ohaneze Crisis and the Auctioning of Igbo Presidency parts 1 & have in principle auctioned the Igbo presidency project and any Igbo man hoping for 2) I reported that presidential largesse has torn Ohaneze apart and the Igbo presidency commitment from them will be disappointproject is being auctioned. A week after the ed. part 2 of it was released, the new leadership •Akukwe wrote in via profetobinna2@yahoo.com. of Ohaneze made it clear that they are not interested in Igbo presidency 2015.

According to the Ohaneze Publicity

Buoyed by these words of encouragement, I am now embolden to explain ‘why I write,’ instead of the lukewarm excuse previously offered. Even so, I am still somewhat self-conscious, at least in my mind about the inevitable comparisons between the ‘Tunji Lardner jnr.’ of perhaps 30 years ago and the hoary, ornery, and irascible geezer he has become.

Recently, I was sifting through the compilations of opinions and essays that I wrote three decades ago, and I was startled by two things. The first shock was the realization that I could never write like that again. I marvelled at the self-assuredness of youth; the pointed inquisitions of any and everybody, the lightening rapier thrusts at goons in power, the monochromic clarity of my vision of the world, always laid bare in stark black and white relief, the moral certitude of my positions all driven by an unquenchable fire in the belly.

These days, the fire still occasionally rages in my rotund belly, but I have over the years been able to pinpoint its source as any one of three things acting alone or in concert: indigestion, constipation or flatulence. My rapier sharp thrusts have over the years been blunted by the slow and steady abrasions of life’s experiences sand-papering the serrated edges and bevelling its point into a rounded burnished finish-still sharp, but not pointed, better suited for slashing.

The monochromic black and white contrasts of moral issues that were so clear in my youth have alas ceded ground not to a Technicolor view of the world, but the greyscales of relativism.

I now see life in way more than 50 shades of grey. I have come to humbly embrace the uncertainties of wisdom, or perhaps the wisdom of uncertainties in fully acknowledging that the more I know, the more I know that I do not know. Or as Buddha puts it, ‘true wisdom humbles.’ But even so, you can still expect to see flashes of the old Tunji in the new.

Yes, I expect the usual complaints about not writing for the ‘common man’ or for ‘ordinary people,’ to which, my response is that at this point of my life, I prefer to deal with only uncommon and extra-ordinary people. There will be no pandering to the least common denominator, because while my ‘fight’ as it were is to prod the system into lifting from poverty the over

70 per cent of Nigerians living in near destitution, I hope to speak directly to the perhaps 20 per cent of literate Nigerians who can help make a difference.

And yes, you might have to reach for a dictionary now and again, so I suggest that you also take an aspirin tablet whilst you are at it. Like the old Tunji, this new but old version will still arrogate the universal poetic licence to write about anything from quantum entanglement to local politics and everything in-between hopefully for the entertainment and edification of my readers... all 12 of you.

The second shocking and even more disturbing fact is that Nigeria more or less has changed little in the intervening decades. Indeed some of the people I was railing against as a young man are the same people I see still pulling the levers of state and dominating the newspaper headlines today. It seems that in Nigeria, the more things change, the more they remain the same.

This leaves me with no options than to rail some more.

However, this time, I hope to educate, guide, persuade and influence the cadences of our national dialogue, especially among young people. I, especially want to challenge the orthodoxy of the prevailing narrative about Nigeria, prompt new debates, stimulate new thinking that will hopefully galvanise positive action. Given our fractious nature and the present fragility of this divided country, I am not sure I will succeed, however, it is my hope that by casting some empirical light on vexing national issues, explaining them, and persuading the reader to come to a place of enlightened self-interest, we might be able to speak truth to power and make rational and informed decisions about whom we choose to lead us going forward and how we want our country to truly develop.

Why I write? Well, the truth is that this is also for my own catharsis. With a million ideas constantly ricocheting inside my capacious head (capacious because it is mostly empty) I find that the act of concentrating my thoughts and writing frequently about them helps to hold my brain in place so that when I shake my head you don’t hear my brain rattle. This is why I write.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday March 10, 2013

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Backlash

By Abraham Ogbodo

Amazing Amaechi HE headline and its alliterative effect are deliberate. The intention, however, is not to add or detract, but to examine the unusual knack of the governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi to swim against high tide. He does not behave like a Nigerian politician who fights more to survive than to conquer.

Amaechi fights to win, believing that all battles are meant to be won. But the greatest powers of the world including the United States of America understand that it cost less sometimes to lose a war than it cost to survive an enforced peace plan.

In other words, pushing against gloomy prospects in anticipation of ultimate victory is not a mark of wisdom. Wise men and women too usually retire to recharge for another day at the point when danger far outweighs hope. I repeat, Amaechi fights to win always and that approach is having great toll on his political wellbeing. He makes so much noise when silence is considered golden. Yet, real powerful men do not climb to Amaechi the rooftop to proclaim their prowess. Rather, greater strength lies deep down in a humble dis- whelm the fortress called Aso Villa. The list of caposition, which manifests in an unusual ability sualties from previous attempts is long. It includes former Vice president Atiku Abubakar, DSP to resist battle even when victory is a given.

The Bible also teaches us not to fight any how, Alamieyeseigha, Ayo Fayose, Chris Ngige, Chuba and that if a man slaps us on one cheek, instead Okadigbo, Ghali Na’Abba and much recently of retaliating, we should turn the second side for Timipre Sylva. It contains more.

Amaechi should be told, in a language he undera complete penal package. Amaechi does not even wait to be properly slapped once (not twice) stands, that the capacity of the Presidency in Nigebefore fighting back like a wounded tiger. He is ria is near infinite. It can do and undo. As a electro-magnetically charged and reacts to even politician, he should understand that men will almost always mutate and change the game plan a mere touch on his cheek.

Other times, Amaechi comes across as a clear vic- mid stream and when it matters most too. With the creation of the PDP Governors’ Forum headed tim of evil machination. Everyman has a style

by Amaechi’s next door neighbor, the equally loand his is to say it brashly as it is and please his spirit. But enemies will not let him be. Every ac- quacious Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom, who has threatened, quite early in the day, tion and statement of his often attracts exto flush out the “Judases” from the PDP, it is now panded interpretation. Some quarters for instance, had said that the Rivers State Truth and end game for Amaechi. And who knows, Amaechi Reconciliation Committee headed by late Justice himself might very well turn out to be one of the traitors to be flushed out from the PDP family by Kayode Eso was neither intended to seek the truth nor reconcile opposing camps, but diaboli- the new helmsman. The counter chairman even has more things to crow about than Amaechi. He cally woven by Amaechi to hunt down former governor Peter Odili. Heavens did not fall when is a bigger oil sheikh and therefore more capable others ran commentaries on the Federal Govern- to spread cash around if the need arises in the ment Amnesty Programme. But when Amaechi epic contest for influence between the duo. Akpabio is acclaimed by all assessors as the best peroffered his own opinion that a programme deforming governor in Nigeria and he uses every signed, as it were, to reward raw criminality or evil was ill conceived and would lead to no good opportunity to crow about this.

All said, President Jonathan seems to be laughing purpose, hell was let loose.

This, precisely, is the problem. Some people do last, having effectively caged the ravaging governot want Amaechi to say his mind even as chair- nor. But Amaechi will not be suffering presidential persecution or swimming against the tide for man of Nigeria’s Governors Forum. They want him to be seen and not heard on a myriad of na- the first time. He rode successfully against the powerful tides created by former President tional issues including Sovereign National Wealth, state police and local government auton- Obasanjo to become the governor of Rivers State omy. Even in putting up only appearances, peo- on October 26, 2007. He is threatening to move again, and maybe, become Vice President in 2015, ple do not want the governor to swagger or in spite of Jonathan. While that remains to be remain in his natural elements so that he does seen, it can only be added that there are hardly not make dangerous statements with his loud second chance opportunities in real life situabody language. Instead of spreading like Peacock, they want him to remain motionless like a tions. weather beaten chicken.

A Mixed Bag For The Guardian Ogbodos What do you make of this? Without saying a HE Guardian had done a corporate announceword, Amaechi has been accused of declaring his ment last Monday to the effect that I had been intention to run for the vice presidency in 2015.

They say he is scheming with Jigawa State gover- appointed the editor of the Sunday title. Friends nor, Mallam Sule Lamido, to snatch the PDP pres- who read the news called to congratulate me. It idential ticket and render Jonathan jobless in the was a fine moment, which was however dampened by the sudden death of my friend and next dispensation. brother, John Abba Ogbodo, Assistant Political EdHis accusers are also saying that he does not itor of The Guardian, in a car crash. By reason of have the right to refute or deny accusations our shared identification, I became a focus autoagainst him. He had reaped more problems matically. People called seeking from me a confirwhen he attempted to connect his rumoured vice presidential ambition to Rivers State’s loss of mation of my own obituary. And to complicate oil wells worth a whooping 300,000 barrels per matters, the MTN and GLO chose the period to be day to Bayelsa, the home state of President Good- nasty with my lines. The jamming lines were confirming my callers’ worst fears. When Mike Igini luck Jonathan. It is like spanking a child and denying him the freedom to cry. Even for saying finally got through, I could vividly feel his agitation at my end. “Heeey! Bros, is that your voice! the obvious that the East–West Road as prosecuted by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs had Thank God O! I don fear tire! I can now go to Kenya become a boondoggle and as such should be res- to monitor the elections!” cued by the governments of the six South-South Actually, it was like a part of me dying and every states, he came under the artillery fire of the min- editor who had encountered John would feel the ister, Godsdey Orubebe, who shot wildly outside same way. He never said no. “OK sir, just give me the given circumstance to accuse Amaechi of dis- an hour or two to finish the report I am doing and I will write and send it to you” was his standard respecting President Jonathan.

Ordinarily, these are enough strains to contract answer to all reportorial assignments directed at him. Adieu John, you will be missed by all. the big size of Amaechi’s mouth. But the man will not shut-up. Like a life crab, Amaechi has re- And finally, I do like to thank all those who called fused to remain comfortably under wraps. He is to congratulate and commiserate with me on my appointment and the death of John Abba Ogalways popping out for recognition and in the process slips into the grievous error of equating bodo. I want to quickly add that the template has visibility or popularity with profundity. That was dramatically changed with my elevation and if they really wish me well, they should do well to why he thought that the crowd of governors singing behind him, chairmoo! chairmoo! Chair- stop, henceforth, from inviting me to ceremonies moo! translated to support or enough strength on Saturdays. It is bye, bye for now to marriages and burials on Saturdays. You can find out yourto take on the almighty President and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces of the Fed- selves, Saturday is the most crucial day in the operations of all Sunday editors worldwide. I thank eral Republic of Nigeria. Now, he knows better that it requires more than sheer courage to over- you for your understanding.

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SUNDAY NARRATIVE

By Alabi Williams

That Broken Mace In Ogun House UST last Sunday, we, (The Guardian on Sunday) decided to take another look at the mess that has become of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, where three factions are currently struggling to control the bureaucracy of a prostrate party.

The PDP came from nowhere in 2003 under the strong influence of Gbenga Daniel, to push aside the Alliance for Democracy (AD), but it only survived for four years in an organised and fairly decent whole. It plunged itself into an unending row of personality clashes, shortly after it won the 2007 elections, from which it has not recovered.

The first physical manifestation of an unfolding crisis took place in March 2008, when a faction of the legislature that was dominated by the PDP, impeached former Speaker, Titi Oseni. Oseni was an ally of Daniel, but things got awry in the House, which was a reflection of a larger crisis in the party. Since then, the centre refused to hold for Ogun State chapter of the PDP. It was thus a bit of embarrassment, when last week, legislators of the Ogun House of Assembly, overwhelmingly dominated by members of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), threw caution to the wind and dealt severe damage to the Mace, the symbol of the authority of the legislature.

That the state lawmakers could so quickly forget that shameful PDP outing, from which the dramatis personae are still nursing serious psychological injuries, is to say that the political class has not learnt anything. It also underscores the old point that members of the political class are more or less the same, irrespective of the party they claim to belong. It points to a huge leadership deficit in the polity, which concerned Nigerians have continued to harp on.

For instance, Ogun is home to some of Nigeria’s greatest men of all times and fields. This is the home state of the late sage, Obafemi Awolowo, a man whose leadership qualities have continued to excite the feelings of respect and awe among generations and tribes.

Ogun is home to Tai Solarin, a man whose life of selflessness has continued to instigate an endless study into the art of philanthropy.

Yet, Ogun is home to a bunch of unruly and rowdy politicians, who have refused to tap from the deep well of knowledge their forebears have generously left behind.

In Ogun PDP, politicians are roaming about without a clear understanding of what democracy is all about. They are fighting one another, to get small openings in Abuja, where they could peddle one or two influences, at the expense of the people.

One faction is said to belong to former President, Olusegun Obasanjo; another faction is in the strong grips of Buruji Kashamu, while the third, which ought to belong to former governor Gbenga Daniel is neither here nor there.

Daniel, in order to survive in the den he found himself in 2010/2011 had to hurriedly reg-

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ister a one-man outfit, Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN), whose platform he used to battle the governorship election. He cleverly did not abandon the PDP, but his new party lost the 2011 governorship election and he quietly left it like that. He is recognised in Abuja as a ranking member of the PDP, while his faction at home is stranded, more or less.

The other two are warring in and out of courts and in the newspapers. They are so greedy and selfish to understand that a political party is organic and requires careful nourishment for sustained growth. They have a mercantile fixation with the idea of just using a party to access elections and then access the money. Unfortunately, they ran into trouble with the sharing formula and that is the real trouble.

Now, those who claim to be progressives have shown they are not really better. Some of them were smart enough to transmute from the PDP when it was clear that the tide had turned. So, they are largely the same people. They too are now fighting over access to membership of a tenders’ board.

And that is instructive. Why should that alone cause a division in the house, to the extent of damaging the Mace?

From experience, the legislators know that procurement is a lucrative business in public service. One of the easiest ways to get rich is to have access to contract funds and be able to negotiate. That had been the old way of doing business. But during Obasanjo’s administration, reform processes were initiated to make public procurement more transparent.

There is now a procurement law of the National Assembly (2007), which state legislatures are encouraged to replicate in order to introduce transparency and accountability in government expenditure.

As at last check, Ogun is not among the states that have domesticated the procurement law. Even if she has, it is apparent that the details of that law are yet to be transmitted to all the departments and agencies of government. Or how else do we understand the prognosis of such violent fracas over membership of a tenders’ board?

The new idea in public procurement is to help states apply the shrewdest of accountability rules and to compel the executive to be thrifty in budget application. But ask the average lawmaker the details of how government applied the 2012 budget; they have no clear idea, because they are complicit in the conspiracy to work in the dark.

And they are unable to hide their rapacious greed, which was what led to the breaking of the Mace.

After the disgraceful outing, the two factions were reconciled and Governor Ibikunle Amosu waxed historical on how much the House had let Ogun people down on a week Awolowo’s birthday was being celebrated, albeit posthumously. But the harm had been done. The leadership of the ACN was not proactive

enough to nip the crisis in the bud.

The House had adjourned abruptly previous weekend when it was apparent that crisis was brewing. Each faction went home to rehearse and the misunderstanding took time to ferment. Did the leadership of the party not notice something was going wrong, or, someone somewhere wanted to test the waters and prove some macho point?

Now, if indeed Moshood Kashimawo Abiola (MKO), an indigene of Ogun State, laid down his life to procure the democracy some young men are now abusing; if indeed, Obasanjo has attained such great heights in leadership, for which the whole world is celebrating him, then Ogun politicians should sit down and think straight.

It was funny and also disrespectful, that on a day when great men across the country gathered in Abeokuta, to celebrate OBJ at 76, showering encomiums on him for doing so much for Nigeria, the legislators just down the road were doing rascally and notorious things.

What an irony! Does this not indicate that somebody has refused to learn leadership lessons in a state that is so endowed with great leaders, or, that some great leaders in this great state have not really done the kind of mentoring they are supposed to have carried out?

How about a retreat for Ogun lawmakers, not the one they go for in London, but one where, a great leader will devout his next birthday to engage the legislators in a one on one. How about that?

So that Ogun will not continue to export rascally political behaviour, so shamelessly.

Ogun is in a good position to teach Nigeria good leadership, especially now that the ACN and other leaders in the state have concluded that the current leadership in Abuja is weak and clueless. Let charity begin at home.

Jonathan In Borno, Yobe INALLY, President Jonathan has visited the strife-ravaged states of Borno and Yobe. For a long time, Nigerians have expected this to happen, but it did not.

Apparently, handlers of the President know more than a lot of people on when to visit constituents that are in trouble.

One point to note is that crisis of the dimension of what is happening in Borno, Yobe and other Northern states are a form of national disasters that require bipartisan treatment. It is of no permanent use when politicians work very hard to score cheap goals that do not address real issues.

All those who have visited the territories of Boko Haram have done well. What remains is for political leaders to address issues of poverty and the wide gap between custodians of public resources and the majority of Nigerians. The gaps exist in all states, irrespective of whichever parties that are in charge.

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THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 10, 2013

OLAJIDE: Yoruba Have Neglected

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Themselves In Pursuit Of Justice For Others Dr. Kunle Olajide, publicity secretary of the Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF) and former secretary general of the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) raised a recent alarm over alleged marginalisation of the Southwest in the federal bureaucracy. In this interview with IYABO LAWAL and KEHINDE OLATUNJI, Olajide explains his group’s claims.

Could you explain what your group meant by claims of marginalisation of the Yoruba within the Nigerian polity?

HE bone of contention is that we sincerely believe that injustice in any part of Nigeria is injustice to all. If any section of Nigeria is treated unjustly, not necessarily the Southwest alone, it is injustice to Nigeria. We believe that the Yorubas have been treated unjustly by the present administration. We have been deprived of political and career appointments in the ministries, departments and agencies. And what appears to be a systematic elimination of Yoruba in key positions has continued to worry us and this is why we have to shout and bring it to the open, so that the injustice must not be allowed to continue.

What do you think is responsible for the marginalisation?

Well, its difficult for me to adduce any reason but I can tell you one thing, the South-western people by the grace of God are one of the most sophisticated and liberated sections of Nigeria.

South-westerners are very individualistic, because they are enlightened. If you are talking about the rate of education, it is high in the Southwest. I can say that confidently, and a lot of people in the Southwest depend on their professions and as such they don’t pry so much into what goes on in the federal administration, which is far away from them. But as leaders, looking at the entire equation we begin to see that we have to be careful, because it could be conspiracy of a kind, targeted at a people who are too developed. They could say, ‘let us do everything to slow them down or deny them key positions, we can begin to eliminate them and substitute them with less competent people’.

Otherwise, there can be no justifiable reason for this. That is the only thing I can say.

How long have you noticed this trend?

The marginalisation has been on for quite a while, in fact, somebody wrote a book on marginalisation of Yoruba about 10 years ago; this is why we are getting worried. Because of our level of development we seem to overlook a lot of things in the zone. If you look at the history of Nigeria, we have been responsible for ensuring justice in all parts of the country, from the First Republic.

During that period, chief Obafemi Awolowo championed the course of what used to be the Calabar River struggle, which today is now the South/South; he fought for their liberation, he also fought for the Tivs, the Middle Belt people.

So, it has been the course of the Yoruba from the time of chief Awolowo, to ensure that there’s justice everywhere in Nigeria, but we seem to have neglected ourselves in the quest for fighting for others and this is why it has dragged for so long.

We take responsibility for this because some of

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us do not pay attention to it, but when President Goodluck Jonathan came on board we sought audience with him and we have met him on this issues on few occasions, but it appears as if it is getting worse.

In the opinion of some political watchers, some leaders in the zone may have sold out in their quest to seek personal gains...

I think you must have been looking at it from the political angle, but we are not looking at it from that angle; some people raised an issue, they said because Southwest is ACN dominated, but once a president is elected he becomes the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, irrespective of the constituency that voted or did not vote, he swore to an oath, to the constitution, to defend it. We are part of Nigeria and in any case, the present administration got a sizable vote from the Southwest. I think our vote in terms of percentage must have come second to the Southsouth, so we have some rights. The political leaders can do their horse- trading but those of us in the Yoruba Unity Forum, our organisation is not partisan at all, we are elder statesmen in Yoruba land and we are fighting for justice.

Look at what happened in the House of Representatives, I mean the Speakership position; this is what people point out, they said a particular political party short-changed the Yoruba list and that is why we lost its leadership. That is in the political arena, but what about other offices in the ministries, departments and agencies of government, where our people have been removed for no just course and substituted by people from other sections of the country; or where in the name of reforms and reorganisation, they sacked about 50 managers and when they employed people they refuse to take Yoruba. These are the things we pointed out at the press conference. We want to focus the mind of the President to it, because he might not be aware of some of these things and quite soon, we will be publishing in the papers what we are talking about.

How does marginalisation affect the zone?

It affects us very badly. If you look at what we have highlighted in our press conference, we talked for example, about the control of power at the centre in Nigeria, we are in about number 16 in the protocol list and you know it as much as I do, when you are not there nobody speaks for you. When you look at the control of the principal economy and financial agencies in Nigeria, you will discover that we are not there. Control of the judiciary, which is not an elective position we are even not there; control of education management agencies, we are not there. When you go through the table we discussed at the press conference, you will see that we are only on the line of Accountant General of the Federation; not in finance or Governor of Central Bank; Minister of Petroleum or Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). When you look at the Education Management Agency, out of 17 we have just two Yorubas. We want the President to redress this injustice; there are still a number of appointments that are yet to be made. There are some other offices that are still vacant and there are clear cases of injustice that have been done, we want Mr. President to redress them.

Where a competent Yoruba man was removed in the name of reorganisation and without

How would you assess the presidential system of government?

Very expensive. We spend about 75 to 80 percent of our revenue on running expenses and no nation can grow like that, especially a developing country.

In other words, we have just 25 percent left for capital development and our infrastructure is at the state of complete neglect; we need a lot of money to develop human capital, education and health; it can not work.

Besides, we have 36 governors, deputies, speakers, deputy speakers, with chains of special advisers and special assistants.

In the First Republic, Chief Awolowo was Premier of Western region, which extended from Lagos to Asaba; he had just 14 ministers and till today we can still point to physical structures that he developed. But now in those areas, from Asaba to Lagos we have about 10 governors and 10 deputy governors, 10 speakers and 10 deputy speakers with chains of personal assistants that will run into thousands; we need to service them, they get their salaries and allowances. That is what is killing Nigeria and this is why the Yoruba agenda stipulates a re-structuring, where you have around six or nine regions, the states will remain in the regions, but the federating units would have a regional governor and this would reduce cost considerably.

You have the minister of agriculture in Abuja, federal government does not have any land, Olajide the land belongs to the states, so, where do you practice agriculture, is it not on land. This any fault of his and they replaced him with is why we are saying we want to use resources somebody else, particularly in the Ministry of for development of infrastructure and human Aviation, we want the President to look into it. capital, instead of paying salaries and Do you think the idea of zoning of presidency is allowances to chains of political office healthy for our nation? holders.

I will say yes and no because when we ultimate- In restructuring do you insist on a national ly have a nation, as we don’t have a nation yet, it dialogue? would not matter anymore. Because of what Dialogue will make a lot of difference. In fact, happened in the last 30 years, there is serious it is essential. Yes, Yoruba believe in national distrust among the various ethnic groups. conference. The word sovereign is not very Ethnicity is still very pronounced. Everybody important, but what we mean by sovereign is wants to be assured that they are part of what is that whatever decision reached at that confergoing on. So, this is the process of nation buildence would not be amended again by any feding. When we get there, then we can talk about eral authority. We have had conferences in the zoning. past during the time of military regimes, but What has happened to the Yoruba race for they will tamper with the reports, in a way example is that a lot of people have used the that the essential ingredients for true federalquota system and the federal character principle ism will be lost. So when you hear sovereign, in the Constitution to systematically eliminate we are not saying that there should be no govthe zone from positions. They will tell you that ernment, but government should not alter Yorubas have filled their quota. But in the the decisions of the conference. process of building a nation you need to have But definitely, we need a national conference mutual trust and that is not there, it was damurgently. In fact, it is dangerous that we are aged by the military years ago and the politinot having it yet. If you look at Nigeria today, cians inherited it. there are a number of states where you cannot In the aviation ministry for instance, the hold a conference. In the entire North/East Minister is filling all the vacant posts with peonobody will go there for a conference, even ple from the Southeast at the expense of others Kano and Kaduna, nobody will go there for a and it is happening in other places. Yorubas conference. So, the areas where we can hold don’t want to cheat anybody. But we want our conference are shifting by the hours and that own dues, our rights because we are part of this is why we are calling the government that this country; we have contributed enormously to the conference is inevitable. Well, let’s thank God building of this nation and as such we should that the leaders we have now are opting for not be denied our rights. That is what we are dialogue. For example, Arewa Consultative clamouring for. We need stability, we are just Forum (ACF) met Yoruba Unity Forum and we about 14 years in democracy, that is a short time exchanged views about what we want for in the life of a nation, we need to have mutual Nigeria. Conferencing and dialoguing are confidence, have the correct leadership, who will going on, but what we are urging government see Nigeria and its entire constituency as one, to do is a formal national conference, where before we can now say things are going to be people, led by their representatives will go and done on merit. If it were based on merit alone, agree on what type of country we want to run other parts of this country would not even have because what we are running now cannot any position at all. work.

It’s Not Correct To Say We Are Marginalised - AKINJIDE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 52 International Airport is number eight in the country, are you suggesting that the University of Lagos is number eight in the country, etc. Lagos is the Commercial capital of Nigeria.

It is true, but Lagos is being denied the derivation that is expected to accrue to her.

Lagos cannot enjoy derivation because it is not an oil producing state. If Lagos has oil, it would enjoy derivative. Derivation cannot be extended to ports. Ondo State gets derivation from oil, because Ondo state has oil. You cannot enjoy what you don’t have. The ports belong to the Federal Government, so there is no basis for Lagos demand or request for derivation.

All that you have referred to are historical facts; you have not addressed the present realities and challenges facing the Yoruba.

It is the Yorubs who should build and develop their land It is a fact that when Obasanjo was in power, other regions were well represented and more favoured than the Yoruba.

This is not the case under Jonathan.

I do not accept that. I think when Obasanjo was in power, he ensured the right balance. The Yoruba have a fair share, same for the Ibos and the Hausas, the Itshekiris, the Urhobos, the Efiks etc. There was balance in his (Obasanjo’s) administration.

But the Yorubas are now saying let this balance continue under Jonathan.

And I say the fair balance is still continuing under Jonathan.

Don’t forget that every state in Nigeria is in the Federal Cabinet.

Do you subscribe to the claim that the Yoruba threw away their chances by not ensuring the emergence of Mrs. Akande as Speaker of the House of Representatives?

No, that is a matter within the internal structure of the House of Representatives. It is not a matter in which you and I can interfere.

Whether you accept or not that the Yoruba are marginalized, when this agitation becomes stronger, could it not portend danger to the Nigerian unity

The overwhelming Nigerian newspapers and magazines are in Lagos. So also a lot of television and radio stations are in Lagos.

But it is believed wrongly or rightly that there is a deliberate government policy to make the Yoruba wait for other regions to catch up?

That is both rubbish and nonsense. Most advanced countries considered the Yoruba as the most advanced and developed region in the whole of the country. Throughout the history of Nigeria, no other group has been more advanced than the Yoruba, in all aspects of life. When I say all aspects of life, I mean all without reservation It is a fact, but the Yoruba are saying if they had not been retarded they would be in the class of Malaysia today.

I don’t believe that the Yoruba have been retarded. But I agree that Nigeria is not where it ought to be today and that we must quicken our pace and more forward. That we are still where we are today, is a question we should ask all Nigerians and is not what you can ascribe to a group.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 10, 2013

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POLITICS

Merger Talks: Buhari I Know, Who Are The Others? –– Bakare Tunde Bakare, Pastor of Later Rain Assembly, convener of the Save Nigeria Group (SNG) and former vice presidential candidate on the platform of Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), is not too sure what the parties discussing mergers are up to. He told SEYE OLUMIDE that the situation at hand requires more than ganging up just to oust the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

O you think the ongoing merger talks among frontline opposition parties – ACN, CPC, ANPP and APGA– would succeed to oust the ruling PDP? I believe in one principle that no destructive means can bring about a constructive end. The issue is, if the thrust of the merger is just to wrest power from the PDP there is no reason for Nigerians to laugh and to rejoice, because we might end up getting rid of one set of treasury looters to be replaced by another set.

Remember that some of those people emerging are good and some are bad. I can vouch for the integrity of Maj Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, based on how he conducted himself while in public offices and that was one of the motivating factors for me to accept his invitation to run with him as the vice presidential candidate during the 2011 presidential election. I don’t have anything against the merger arrangement, otherwise, I would have spoken out loud and clear long ago and don’t forget that CPC is part of the arrangement.

The important thing is to bring out to the public what is the motive. Is it just to wrest PDP to the ground and take over power, or we have a better package in terms of welfare, in terms of development, infrastructure and others for the nation? If they claim to have other plans apart from the desire to oust PDP, then we can begin to judge a man by his deeds or by his words.

For instance, a proverb says, ‘beware of a naked man who promises you a shirt’. Lets go back to the states these people who are promising to perform wonders under a merger arrangement are running. What is their total receivable and what development have come into the states and councils under their control? It is then we can judge that there is a bright future for Nigeria under their arrangement. For now, we are waiting to see what would be the constitution of the new party, to see whether we are going to have true democracy or we are going to have- pardon my language, na me born am, na me give am bele. I can appoint anybody I like, this is my party I’m the one running it.

It was loud and clear on television during the birthday of former governor of Lagos, Bola Tinubu, when Governor Babatunde Fashola stood up and said to Tinubu, ‘I was sent by other members of the ACN to tell you to try and make ACN more democratic than it is’. Tinubu retorted: ‘If I have done that, you Fashola wouldn’t have become a governor, you cannot bend a dry fish; if I didn’t use my goodwill to impose you on the people of Lagos State you cannot be where you are today.’

Is that what we are going to continue to have under APC? If that is it, then we are most likely to find ourselves in a worse situation than we are now in the country.

Merger would have been a good thing for us because it will deepen our democracy if the constitution and the manifesto of the new party are geared towards public service and not personal interest.

Why do you think we are yet to have an experience of successful mergers?

There is no mystery in anything. I have said earlier that a destructive means cannot bring about a constructive means. If people come together for a common purpose and

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Bakare

for the interest of the nation and the people, merger will work, but a situation where every man has hidden agenda behind an agenda and when they couldn’t get what they want they destroy the arrangement is the problem of our politicians.

Going by the role you played as running mate to Buhari in 2011 elections, there is a feeling that you are not really forthcoming in this arrangement; why?

I have nothing against the arrangement.

Remember that the merger committees were formed by the parties involved to engage one another, to fine-tune and finalise the future and every other thing relating to the merger; so why should I be holding another press interview? It is true many people felt I have been very quiet over the arrangement but Buhari himself has not been talking much on the issue since we have a committee in place already. I am not part of the committee.

But the South West zone of CPC is complaining, that it was sidelined by the party leadership in the selection of the committees, which is already factionalising the party?

I don’t know and I wouldn’t think so.

But if there is such a thing, I feel it is an internal arrangement that must have been resolved by now. Such a strategic and important committee that will engage other intellectuals from other parties cannot be a free for all. The party sat down and worked within the purview of its constitution to decide who and who should be a member of the committee.

Nobody would like to send his third best to such committee to engage others. If you look at the first eleven sent by the ACN, you will be careful whom to send to be part of the committee. I am not making any excuse for the leaders of the party but if you have followed the interactive session with those elected on the platform of the committee and the leader of the CPC, it was a successful meeting based on their report.

Buhari

If eventually the merger works out, do you think it will be strong enough to dislodge PDP in 2015?

Nobody is sure of what will happen tomorrow. You never can tell whether PDP aggrieved members’ will not also join APC in order to unseat PDP. Nobody can tell the future of the merger, so let us wait and see the strength and influence of the party. I think it is too early to jump to conclusion now.

There are too many factors in politics that determine who wins and who loses.

Do you think President Goodluck Jonathan has the constitutional right to contest again in 2015?

I personally don’t believe there would be 2015 from the way Nigeria is being run at present. If we continue this way there is no how there would be 2015. We must change the way we run the affairs of our nation. If the leadership becomes more sensible and sensitive and more responsible to the yearning of Nigerians whose interest they were supposed to protect, then this nation will move forward but the way it is going, there might not be any 2015. So there is no need wasting our time.

There is nowhere in the Constitution, which says President Jonathan cannot run a full term. At the time Jonathan became president he didn’t run for election, he got there by accident because the president in the office died. The first time he offered himself for any election was after the former president died. Is there a law that says a man cannot be sworn in three times or a man must not spend more than eight years of two terms? Are we going to say the period he spent, as president after Umaru Yar’Adua died would be counted as part of his term? Those are issues that legal minds would have to resolve in the Constitution.

If the Constitution is against a man staying more than eight years in office or he cannot receive the oath of presidency more than two times, that is another issue.

On the issue whether Jonathan signed a pact that he would not spend more than one term, I don’t want to take any of the politicians serious because they don’t al-

The important thing is to bring out to the public what is the motive. Is it just to wrest PDP to the ground and take over power, or we have a better package in terms of welfare, in terms of development, infrastructure and others for the nation? If they claim to have other plans apart from the desire to oust PDP, then we can begin to judge a man by his deeds or by his words.

ways mean whatever they say. It is only the Constitution that can determine whether Jonathan can contest again or not, not based on my analyses.

APC has promised to extend invitation to civil society organisations and other professional bodies as the merger becomes firmer, would you accept such if they extend it to Save Nigeria Group (SNG)?

The fact is, SNG is not a political party and it will never go into politics. Definitely, our Constitution and mode of operation is very clear; we are not going to be involved in partisan politics, we didn’t do that with CPC and we are not going to do it with APC. What is you view on the marginalisation cry by Yoruba under the Jonathan administration?

I am a Yoruba man and if all my concern now is marginalization of the Yoruba under the present administration, then I can look back and say what benefit did the Yoruba get under the former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo?

I don’t think that way at all. We are in a federation and we must try to do everything, so that there must be spirit of true federalism in our nation, such that each ethnic group within the federation will be protected in the larger federation. In this federal system, the right of all ethnic nationalities must be guaranteed. If that is what we are saying, my passion will burn for it. In those days when we practiced regional system of government, there was a healthy rivalry and there were never controversies about marginalisation. Those days the Yoruba did everything within their capacities to ensure that our people are educated, there was employment for the people and the future of the younger people was guaranteed. We also use our resources to ensure the development of commerce and industries. When we talk of marginalization, what we mean is that we are not given federal cabinet appointments and so on. The Yoruba that have occupied federal positions in the past, what have they done to the benefit of the South West? It is not peculiar to the Yoruba, the Ndigbo cried marginalisation. The question is those people that have been given federal appointment from the various parts of the country, what have they done for their people. What improvement would appointment into federal cabinet bring to our people?

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 10, 2013

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POLITICS

jostLE iN statEs ahEad oF 2015

JIGAWA: Contenders Make Nocturnal Moves From john akubo, dutse

NLIKE other states that are looking ahead to having new governors in 2015, Jigawa has remained dull with no visible activities to indicate that in just about two years, the incumbent Governor Sule Lamido would be completing his second term, and leaving the stage for another at the helms.

This has been attributed to Lamido’s domineering posture. Having inherited almost 80 per cent of his cabinet and political appointees from the loyalists of former Governor Saminu Turaki, the experienced Lamido used his first term of four years to buy them over, and today, most of them have shifted loyalty because the romance between Lamido and Turaki has changed to animosity.

In a circuitous and tactical move after winning re-election, the Lamido replaced the executive of the party at the state level with his hatchet men, ostensibly preparatory to making it easy for his anointed candidate to step in.

The major problem, though, lies with the opposition, which has deserted the state since the 2011 elections when the ruling PDP swept almost all contested positions.

However, many of the party people nursing ambition have continued to play safe so as not to incur the wrath of the governor, seen to be the sole commander and decider of who gets what.

The situation in Jigawa is so complex that speculation at this point may not tally with the shape of things to come. There are no posters or billboards of any contender at the moment.

It was easier in 2007 when former Governor Turaki had to comply with former President Obasanjo’s dictates or else the EFCC would grab him for alleged sundry money laundering cases. Hence, he succumbed to jumping boat from the ANPP and joined the PDP with his entire cabinet and also fulfilled a pact to support Lamido to get the PDP ticket. That was exactly what happened.

Then, when the going was good between the governor and his predecessor, Lamido inherited almost 80 per cent loyalists of the previous administration, who became his Commissioners, the Deputy Governor and Chief of Staff, respectively.

But for those who are familiar with the political situation in Jigawa State and the history of the ruling PDP, the party is endowed with two camps: that of the old PDP members, who were in the party before former Governor Turaki decamped with all his cabinet to the party and the new PDP members (the ANPP fold that followed Turaki to join the PDP).

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Lamido HOSE speculated to be eyeing the plum job include the Deputy Governor Ahmed Mahmoud; the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Alhaji Adamu Ahmed Sarawa and the Chief of Staff to the governor, Alhaji Aminu Ibrahim, who all belong to the new PDP camp.

The senator representing Jigawa North West, Danladi Abdullahi Sankara; Nigeria’s Ambassador to Turkey, Alhaji Ahmed Abdulhamid and former Minister of Power and Steel, Alhaji Bashir Dalhattu, who belong to the old PDP camp.

• The loyalty of the Deputy Governor Mahmoud to his boss has been working for him, which prompted Lamido to pick him as his running mate for the second term.

He would have been seen as one of the major contenders but the reality is that he has not shown much interest in taking over from his boss, a move seen as strategic and the reason for the mutual trust that exists between the two.

His chances would have been brighter going by his position as the number two person in the state for the two terms and for his absolute loyalty. He has also succeeded in his attitude of wanting to please everybody.

However, that has become Mahmoud’s greatest albatross, as he hardly fulfils promises no matter how small and easy, apart from his nonchalant attitude to governance.

The fear of most indigenes is should he suc-

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ceed in becoming governor, it will be jamboree and the attendant poor performance in office.

• The House of Assembly Speaker, Adamu Sarawa, has better advantage because his senatorial district is yet to produce a governor for the state since its creation 21 years ago.

He has everything going for him for the fact that he has never lost election from his constituency, right from when he contested for councillorship position, local government chairmanship and as a member of State Assembly and the Speaker for two terms.

However, Sarawa may face challenges for being one of the former ANPP members, who came to the PDP fold along with the former Governor Turaki.

• Chief of Staff Aminu Ibrahim held the same post towards the twilight of Governor Turaki’s second term, which has exposed him to huge resources from Lamido’s administration.

In addition to his plan of placing his political loyalists in all sensitive government positions, it seems that when elected as governor, he may have full control of the politicians.

But Ibrahim’s greatest possible obstacle is his poor relationship with traditional rulers, civil servants and the youths. He is also a member of the new PDP, who appears unpopular and lacks people’s sup-

port.

According to The Guardian findings, Ibrahim has never won any election he had contested in his constituency coupled with the fact that he is being accused of not adding value to the party that has always lost election at his immediate polling unit in Ringim.

• Former Minister, Bashir Dalhattu, has everything going for him, including his political relationship with Lamido, and the financial muscle to advance his ambition even without external supports. He is also well connected politically.

Although age may not be on his side, many Jigawa indigenes believe that he is the best bet because he will continue with Lamido’s legacy.

However, Dalhattu’s possible obstacle is that he is from the Jigawa Central senatorial district as the incumbent governor, who is concluding his second term.

• Senator Danladi Abdullahi Sankara, representing Jigawa North West, has bright chances if the recent speculations are any guide. It was alleged that Lamido endorsed him during a stakeholders’ meeting in one of the most popular three-star hotels in Dutse, the state capital city.

Sankara has been a chieftain of the PDP, having been its Deputy National Chairman before he joined the race for the Senate. He has also been a successful businessman, dealing in tractors and their spare parts.

• Apart from Ambassador Abdulhamid being a member of old PDP camp, which now has all the party executives, he may easily get the personal and official support of Governor Lamido as his political errand boy. Again, his zone has never produced a governor.

If he becomes the governor, respite would have come the way of the North East senatorial zone, which has always complained of being marginalised.

However, people are questioning Abdulhamid’s stewardship at the Ministry of Power and Steel during Obasanjo’s administration while he (Abdulhamid) was the Minister of State.

He may also lack the financial wherewithal to run for the position of governor.

• But a dark horse may emerge in the person of Dr. Tafida Abubakar, the Commissioner of Health, who is committed to uplifting the health sector whether he is noticed or not.

The governor, who seems to share the same passion for Jigawa with him, returned him as commissioner after the misunderstanding that saw him relinquishing the same position during Lamido’s first tenure.

Observers see this new development as the governor’s plan to groom Abubakar for the 2015 plum job.

The reality is that in Jigawa, the coast has remained hazy but two years from now is no longer too far away.

ENUGU: Those Who The Odds Favour From Lawrence Njoku, Enugu

F what happens on the periphery is anything to judge the Enugu politics, especially ahead of the 2015 general elections, then jostling for the coming exercise may not have begun. It would equally be difficult ascertaining those who might be interested in the offices available in the elections.

Generally speaking, if you approach any politician in Enugu on the coming polls, he would readily tell you that it is inappropriate to discuss 2015 in 2013 or at best that they are looking up to the governor to guide them on what they would do.

Pundits have always blamed the evasive nature of Enugu politics to the seeming one-party system foisted on it by the dominance of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the affairs of the state since 1999.

PDP had always won in every election held in the state, as well as produced officials for appointive and elective positions, making other political parties to exist only in name.

But this evasive nature of its politicians, especially those occupying offices, is merely meant to deceive the gullible, as serious clandestine moves of some gladiators eyeing exalted offices now dot the political airspace.

Although incumbent Governor Sullivan Chime would not be eligible for his present position after 2015, his next political sojourn after the Lion Building has remained close to his chest. He is not willing to disclose it.

Like his predecessor, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, did in Enugu East in 2007 when he exited from the Government House, sources have always linked Chime with eyeing the Enugu West senatorial zone. Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who had been in the Senate since 2003, is presently occupying that position.

Others have equally said that Chime would be retiring from politics after 2015 and had also told the present crop of politicians in the state to prepare to retire with him, to pave way for a new class of politicians.

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It was gathered that this development was the source of disagreement between him and some politicians recently, especially the ‘Abuja Group’, which vowed to use all at their disposal to resist him.

Perhaps, knowing how difficult the battle might be, and going by his current health challenges, Chime, who recently addressed reporters in Enugu, tried to give inkling to his would-be successor. “The person must come from the PDP family to build on the structure we are putting in place in Enugu State,” he said.

Chime stated that never would an “outsider” be allowed to take over from him, stressing that his administration had succeeded in setting up governance that never existed in the state.

But if those angling for elective offices have decided that nocturnal moves and secret meetings were all that is required now, they may have another thinking coming. The recent stoppage of the public hearing for Enugu East senatorial zone called by its senator, Gilbert Nnaji, reportedly on the orders of the Chief of Staff to the governor, Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo, is being interpreted as a clear indication of how much she would love to occupy the position for the senatorial zone.

The police, who were used to stop the public hearing, had waited for Nnaji, who had summoned his constituents for the hearing at the Nkanu West local government headquarters, to arrive at the venue to address the people.

They prevented him from doing, so citing “orders from above,” and ordered his constituents to return to where they came from or be forced out.

Since the incident, Nnaji, who has been one of the greatest beneficiaries of this democracy rising from being a local government chairman to serving two tenures at the House of Representatives and now a senator, may have realised that he needs more than his financial muscles to return to the Senate in 2015.

ESIDES the quest for Enugu East senatorial seat, it may be pretty difficult to predict who takes over from Chime at the Lion Building in 2015.

CoNtiNUEd oN PaGE58

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THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 10, 2013

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POLITICS

JOSTLE IN STATES AHEAD OF 2015

DELTA: North Squares Up Against Central And South • Uduaghan’s Backing Flayed By Group From Hendrix Oliomogbe, Asaba

body.”

“This state belongs to all of us and we must HE 2015 governorship election may still be patient if we are not ruling. All I have said be some two years away but if Governor is that certain people should not arrogate to Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State themselves the exclusive right to govern this were to take a quick glance behind his shoul- state. We are all equal.” ders, all that he would see is an array of Obviously unfazed by the fact that two forpoliticians jostling for the plum position, mer governors, Chief Felix Ibru and Ibori which he presently occupies. And the list is hail from their native Central district, the endless, and still rising. duo of Chief Great Ogboru and Senator Pius Notwithstanding the long and strong clam- Ehwerido of the opposition Democratic Peoour by the Anioma people of the North sena- ples Party (DPP) are said to be seriously torial district for power shift, which has warming up. lately gathered momentum, the other senaOgboru has run in every governorship electorial districts of Central and South are very tion in the state since 2007. This time much in the race. If feelers from those disaround, it is not certain under which plattricts are not of microscopic consequence, form he will run. There are speculations that candidates from there are ready and fully he may pitch his tent with the Action Conprepared to throw their hats in the ring in a gress of Nigeria (ACN) instead of the DPP. determined bid to win the governorship Aspirants from the South where Uduaghan come 2015. is from are also warming up. The Minister of From the North senatorial district, the the Niger Delta, Elder Godsday Orubebe, is Speaker of the Delta State House of Assemobviously still nursing his lifelong ambition bly, Chief Victor Ochei, seems to be nursing of being the governor of the state. governorship ambition. So also are a former If not for President Goodluck Jonathan’s Commissioner of Economic Planning under bid in 2011, there is no doubt that Orubebe, a former Governor James Ibori, Mr. Clement fellow Ijaw man, would have declared his inOfuani and Presidential Adviser on Project tention. It is still hazy as to whether his boss’ Monitoring, Prof. Sylvester Monye. second term dream will again stop him in Others said to be in the race from Delta 2015.

North are Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, Chief Godswill Obielum, and former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on O the Igbo people of Aniomaland with Power, Mr. Ndudi Elumelu. Both Obielum nine Local Councils out of 25, it has been and Okowa once contested the primaries in a long wait, almost 22 years after the cre2007 and lost narrowly to Uduaghan in a ation of the state from the former Bendel photo finish race.

State in July 1991. For the sake of equity, the Political analysts say the numerous candizone should be next in line to produce the dates from Delta North may be the zone’s governor, as both Central and South senatoundoing, as no one may be ready to step rial districts have had it in the persons of down for another. As they say, a house diIbru and Ibori from Central and Uduaghan vided against itself cannot stand a mighty from the South. wind.

Sometimes in 2011, shortly after the goverIt remains to be seen if the Anioma slogan norship election, Uduaghan tacitly threw of equity, justice and fairplay will cut any ice his weight behind the Anioma Governorship among the people of the Central and South Project; and when he recently advised them districts. Only last April in Agbor, Ijaw naat rustic Onicha-Ugbo, Aniocha North Countional leader, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, cil, that they should be united to have a fordeclared that the Anioma people were fully midable strength to realise their political, entitled to govern the state in 2015, as it is cultural and economic aspirations, a group, the right of any Deltan to contest for the Old Delta Province Stakeholders Forum number one position.

(ODPSF), which comprises of the Urhobo, Clark, who spoke at a civic reception organ- Ijaw and Itsekiri ethnic nationalities, immeised in his honour by the people of Ika nadiately rose up in arms against the declaration, emphasised that nobody is a tion. second-class citizen in their state or country. The ODPSF’s trio of Mr. Fegor Omokome, PeThe elder statesman, reputed to always say terson Umuajefe and Comrade Preye Brisibe his mind, said that it would amount to said the governor had no right or power to hypocrisy if he stoutly defends Jonathan, a decree where the next Chief Executive would minority and do a different thing in his own come from, as there was no arrangement or state of Delta, stressing that like any other understanding for the next governor to ethnic group in the state, the Anioma people come from Anioma. have the right to aspire to the governorship. They said that the state was not the goverThe Ijaw leader from the South senatorial nor’s personal estate and so, whatever he district advised the Anioma people to estab- said at Onicha-Ugbo was his personal opinlish a cordial relationship with the other ion and could not be imposed on Deltans. senatorial districts, as “Anioma does not Their words: “We want to believe he (Uduexist in isolation in the state; they should aghan) did not mean what was credited to work together with others and make their him. But if he actually wants it to be so, then request and others will consider it though it he should be prepared for war. The Peoples is not a question of forcing it upon anyDemocratic Party (PDP), which we all belong

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ENUGU: Ekweremadu, Eze, Ezea, Abba, Ugwuoke CONTINUED FROM PAGE57 But in line with the unwritten rotational political arrangement of the ruling PDP since 1999, the seat has been zoned to Enugu North senatorial district. At least in his honour, Chime had promised so to the area, to secure its votes when he campaigned for his present position in the 2011 elections.

This is also coming based on the fact that when democracy took firm root in 1999, Dr. Nnamani from Enugu East had taken the first shot and served for eight years. His successor, Chime, emerged in 2007 from Enugu West senatorial zone, and by virtue of winning election in 2011 will serve out his tenure in 2015.

That being the case, it means that two segments of the tripod have held power. However, the unwritten zonal agreement in the PDP among Enugu West, Enugu North and Enugu East does not foreclose in its entirety the aspiration of other politicians outside Enugu North seeking gubernatorial office in the next political dispensation from 2015.

In previous governorship elections, candidates from Enugu North and West ran against Chimaroke Nnamani in 1999 and 2003. In fact, the greatest hurdle Nnamani faced in 2003 was how to dislodge forces

from the North senatorial zone.

While it is being expected that these agitators would launch into the race when the whistle is blown and, perhaps, when Chime would have asked them to do so, more politicians, including those not serving are, through their body language, desiring to take over from Chime in 2015.

• The Guardian investigations show that the defeated candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Chief Okey Ezea, who is from the Enugu North, is likely to try his hand again in 2015.

In 2007, he came close to becoming governor, when the Election Tribunal nullified Chime’s declaration following Ezea’s petition.

It was a subsequent appeal by the governor that sustained him in office till the conduct of the 2011 elections.

• While Ezea may be running under any of the opposition parties, incumbent Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, is also said to be interested in the office and will be running on the PDP platform.

However, some sources say Ekweremadu’s programme is beyond Enugu, but will be interested in either remaining at the Senate or becoming a presidential running mate to any of the candidates the party may produce in 2015, should be Southeast be given the opportunity to produce a running mate.

Uduaghan to, have (sic) no such understanding among the various constituencies. If PDP dares the might of the people, what happened in the last election in the state would be a dress rehearsal for more heart breaks.”

They warned that if the party makes the mistake of fielding the 2015 gubernatorial candidate of the party from Delta North, the resulting war would be too much for the sycophants to handle. “It is not the thinking of PDP in Delta State,” the statement said.

According to the group, Anioma should not start talking of producing the governor in 2015 because the old Delta Province has not recovered from the injustice of locating two state capitals in the old Benin Province, one in Benin City and the other in Asaba.

“If the people of the defunct Delta Province, which fought for the creation of Delta State, were cruelly denied the privilege of hosting the state capital, no power on earth can compel them to concede the governorship position to Delta North,” they added.

However, undeterred, another group, the Anioma Political Forum (APF) has vowed to pursue the aspiration to occupy Government House, Asaba in 2015 with all legitimate and civil political weapons, no matter whose ox is gored.

In a direct allusion to ODPSF, the APF secretary, Mr. Alex Onwuadiamu, insisted that a call for political war could not and would never deter the Anioma People from its legitimate aspiration for the governorship of Delta State, beating his chest that, “APF wishes to state unequivocally that it will support with all its might an aspirant of Anioma extraction to vie for the governorship of Delta State on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, come 2015.”

While warning the stakeholders and all political organisations to eschew rancour in their quest for relevance and attention in the political sphere, Onwuadiamu remarked that the Anioma People recognise Uduaghan as the leader of the ruling PDP in the state and by implication the political leader of Delta State.

The scribe argued that by so being, the governor has the inalienable right to offer political direction at all levels of our politics, saying all over Nigeria no ethnic nationality has ever been denied governorship on grounds of it hosting the state capital.

He said: “Whilst we lay claim to the governorship of Delta State come 2015, we recognise the fact that Delta State, being a multi-ethnic society, we shall at the appropriate time seek the understanding of other ethnic nationalities in Delta State in pursuance of our quest for the governorship of the state.”

GAINST the backdrop of this cacophonous agitation for power shift to the Anioma people, three eminent Deltans waved a magic wand on how to actualise the dream.

Second Republic senator, Nosike Ikpo, a committed Awoist, advised that the Igbospeaking people of Delta North must go all out to fight for power instead of sitting down and lamenting their plight.

Ikpo argued that in politics, people do everything politically correct to grab power and that power is not given because of sentiments, as the people of Delta North, which is

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the only district yet to occupy the governorship seat since the creation of the state in 19912, are wont to do.

“I have advised aspirants from Delta North, who came to seek my blessing, to take the battle to the other senatorial districts, as it is the only way to realise the dream of an Anioma governorship in 2015,” he said.

“Nobody willingly gives up power. We cannot sit in one place and continue to lament our plight. Appealing to sentiment will not help us but we should campaign hard in the other senatorial districts.”

A former member of the House of Representatives, Chief Paulinus Akpeki, told aspirants from Delta North to take the battle to the two other senatorial districts of Central and South, if they are actually desirous of clinching the governorship in 2015.

Akpeki, current Commissioner of Housing, recalled that former Governors Ibru and Ibori, both from Central and incumbent Governor Uduaghan were literally on their knees, campaigning from one district to the other during their time.

Akpeki, the Ugo of Okpe begged to sharply differ with Giwa-Amu, saying that a passionate appeal to other ethnic groups will not help, insisting that for any Anioma governorship candidate to be successful, he should be prepared to go cap in hand, wooing the other senatorial districts.

To Mrs. Theodora Gima-Amu, the former South-South Woman Leader of the PDP, for the sake of equity and fairplay, the other senatorial districts should concede the governorship to Delta North.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the resurgent opposition Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Chief Adolor Okotie-Eboh, has given the assurance that only the very best candidate would fly the party ticket in the 2015 governorship election.

Presently, there are subterranean moves by some officials from one of the senatorial districts to hijack the party structure in favour of a serving senator, who is scheming to run for the governorship on the party platform, an action that is threatening to tear the party apart in the state.

Okotie-Eboh said that in the choice of the party governorship candidate, ethnic and senatorial consideration would be de-emphasised.

He said the person must be a winning candidate having clout across the three senatorial districts, and be able to carry everybody along in the onerous task of upstaging the ruling PDP at the polls.

“What we want is somebody that can deliver to the people,” he said. “It doesn’t matter whether he is from the South, Central or North senatorial district. That is my personal opinion.”

He expressed optimism that with the newfound unity among the party faithful and the antecedent of ACN’s Governor Adams Oshiomhole in neighbouring Edo and other governors in the Southwest, the party will put up a good show in the forthcoming elections in Delta State.

However, there are fears that desperate political gladiators may foul the landscape in a bruising fight for 2015 in the state. When two elephants tangle, the grass suffers. The prayers of the people are that they get the dividends of democracy no matter who wins.

TO BE CONTINUED

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 10, 2013

| 59

POLITICS

Locating Likely Impediments On The Road To 2015

By Alabi Williams HE road to 2015 is already as rough as the one T that led to 2011. Politicians are plotting and strategizing, while the Independent National electoral Commission (INEC) is working hard to do better than what was offered in 2011. The stakes are going to be very high and in order to avoid mistakes, concerned organisations are working at various levels to raise critical questions and challenge those who are vested with authority to make relevant adjustments in the laws and electoral services which they provide.

ACE-NIGERIA, one civil society group that is committed to seeing improvements in the electoral system has set out early, to do an evaluation of the processes, and assisting stakeholders to identify areas of challenge.

At a recent meeting in Abuja, a representative of INEC, members of some political parties, clerics, women and youth organisations, media and a cross section of civil society groups met to plot a roadmap to 2015.

The meeting touched on key aspects of the Justice Muhammadu Uwais-led Electoral Reform Committee established by late President Umaru Yar’Adua to carry out far-reaching research, consultations and recommendations into why elections are problematic and not credible.

Festus Okoye, lawyer and member of the ERC was on hand to remind stakeholders of those salient recommendations by that body that were taken into consideration in the amendments the NASS carried out on the Constitution and Electoral Act in 2010.

For instance, ERC recommended an inclusive framework for the appointment of the chair and national commissioners of INEC. It recommended that section 153 of the 1999 Constitution be amended to remove INEC from the list of Federal Executive Bodies.

The committee recommended a mode of appointment that was to include National Judicial Councils (NJC), which body was to advertise the positions and forward three nominees to the National Council of State, for further screening, after which one name would be forwarded to the Senate for confirmation. Further, the ERC recommended that an INEC chair must be a person of unquestionable integrity; there would be a deputy chair, who, must be of unquestionable integrity, but of a different gender.

The ERC recommended security of tenure for the chair and members, such that the chair and members of the Board of INEC may only be removed by the Senate on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC) by two-thirds majority of the Senate, which shall include at least 10 members of the minority parties in the Senate.

The ERC recommended the establishment of an electoral offences commission to deal with myriad of offences that are usually too many for INEC to manage Okoye said a study carried showed that the Independent National Electoral Commission does not have the time, the expertise, the resources and the capacity to arraign electoral offenders for prosecution, beside conducting elections and managing post electoral challenges. But that recommendation did not sail through.

On determining of election petitions before

60 days to the election from the present provision of 30 days.

• Section 18(1) on Issuance of duplicate voters card should be amended. Application should be made not less than 60 days to the election instead of the present 30 days to election.

• Section 28(1) on Oath of Neutrality and Loyalty to be sworn by all staff and officials partaking in any election, High Court in subsection (1) should be substituted with ‘any court of law or commissioner of oaths’ as high court cannot be found every where elections are contested • Section 30(3) should be deleted consequent upon the proposal that S. 76(2) and S. 116(2) of the constitution be amended to allow two periods in a year to conduct elections to fill vacancies (byeelections). Of particular interest to INEC is the recommendation for the amendment of Section 31(1) of the Act. Since INEC does not have the power to disqualify a person who has qualified as a candidate under section 87, the proviso in section 31(1) is a lacuna that political parties exploit in the emergence of party candidates for elections and therefore the subsection should be deleted since it is undemocratic and a new subsection (1) should replace it to read, ‘’Subject to the provision of section 87 of this Act, every political party shall... ’’.

This he said will promote internal party democracy, which is required to deepen our democracy.

Other issues INEC proposed for amendment includes; deployment of security agencies during election and use of power of incumbency by the executive.

On the role of the judiciary, INEC charges CSOs to continue to push for the unbundling of INEC by creating PPRRA, Electoral Offences Commission and Constituency Delineation Commission in accordance to the ERC recommendations. INEC, according to Kuna is presently inundated by electoral offences cases and the commission lacks manpower, resources and capacity for effective prosecution.

On the recommendation that SIEC should be subsumed under INEC, Kuna presents three concerns that Nigerians have raised; • Federalists argue that having a unitary body to

swearing of presumed winners, the ERC preferred that all electoral arising from elections should be determined and or concluded before swearing in, with the legal burden of proof to show that election was not mismanaged always being on INEC. That did not sail through as the National Assembly approved 180days for filing and completion of petitions at the tribunals and 60 days for appeals.

As good as that is, it does not stop pre-election disputes from running endlessly. This is where parties’ domestic affairs put spanners to spoil what was achieved through timeline for resolution of disputes.

No doubt, the rejection of key recommendation of the Uwais committee leaves a lot of room for peddlers of mischief to rubbish the electoral process.

As Okoye puts it, “the guarantee for free, fair and credible elections in 2015 lies in early preparation, proper planning, clear, concise and unambiguous constitutional and legal framework and a sanction regime for electoral misdemeanour. Stargazing, wishes, good luck, excuses and lamentations would deliver frustration, bad name for democracy and the disengagement of the people from the electoral process. It is only by doing the right things at the right time that souls can be won for democracy.”

On its part, INEC is very eager to see adjustments in some legal provisions that deal directly with electoral management. Professor Mohammed Kuna, who represented the Electoral Management Body (EMB) said despite the three consecutive amendments to the Electoral Act, between August 2010 and January 2011, there are still some outstanding issues whose treatment should make 2015 less stressful.

INEC, according to Kuna has forwarded these recommendations to the National Assembly for it to effect amendments in the Constitution and the Electoral Act. In the constitution, INEC recommends the following; • Section 158 of the constitution, which deals with the operational independence of INEC, is to be amended. This requires that the independence of INEC should be constitutionally guaranteed in all its operations, management and control of the electoral process. In that regard, the commission seeks the introduction of a new subsection (3) to section 158 to state that INEC shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other authority or person in all its operations.

• In Sections 76(1), 116(1), 132(1), 178(1), the Commission proposes the deletion of the words ‘in accordance to the Electoral Act’’, thus returning the constitution to its pre-amendment state since the Constitution is the grundnorm and should not be subordinated to any Act. The other amendment, INEC said is to allow it to determine the procedure for conduct of election in such a way that no political party would have undue advantage over others.

INEC wants elections to NASS, Houses of Assembly, offices of the President and Governors to be held on a date to be appointed by it.

In the Electoral Act, INEC has forwarded the following recommendations to the NASS for amendment.

• A new subsection (c) should be inserted to section 8(1) to provide a statutory tenure of four years to the Secretary to the commission, which may be renewable for another period of 4 years only.

• Section 13 on transfer of voters – the period within which a voter can make application to REC is latest Jega

conduct elections in the country would not be good for Nigeria • Is it not better to enhance the capacity of SIEC to be more independent, some people wondered • Governors control SIECs but constitutional provision can address that.

INEC did not give the option of line of argument it prefers, but said the arguments are still ongoing.

Kuna urged CSOs to bring their influence to bear on the electoral process since most of the electoral laws are not enforceable, but civil society can play a critical role to raise the awareness of the public to demand adherence to these provisions as 2015 closes in. He added that CSOs should join in political education, which ought to be carried out by political parties.

Other demands were those by women and youth groups, who want adequate representation at both party leadership and during electoral nomination process. This is to promote the participation of women and youth in the country’s political life. Providing more access for women and youth would invariably improve social and economic participation and more empowerment across the genders.

Crucial to a successful outing in 2015 is the attitude of political parties, as they are the ones who will either make it work or mar the process.

Ayisha Osori, CEO, Nigerian women’s Trust Fund did not spare politicians, whose antics made 2011 a very painful experience, particularly for innocent Nigerians who were forced to bear the brunt of politicians when they inflicted their post-election anger on the polity.

Ayisha said in preparing for a peaceful, free and fair 2011, parties should commit themselves to changes and improvements that would create enabling environment for emergence of best candidates. To do that, they must democratize membership and keep verifiable data of members’ identification. INEC must ensure that blatantly manipulated primaries are discouraged from presenting candidates, as well as encouraging independent candidacy. INEC must also enforce rules.

LACSOP To Bridge Gap Between Electorate And Representatives

By Gbenga Salau

S

INCE the country returned to civil rule, politicians are accused of failing to relate with constituents once they are elected.

The Lagos State Civil Society Partnership (LACSOP) has set up a project that would help bridge the gap between the electorate and their representatives, and it is designed to move from one local government to another. There will be

town hall meetings where the representative of a locality will interact with members of the community, especially those in the Lagos State House of Assembly.

The first in the series of this project was carried out in Apapa Constituency 2 with Hon. Muyiwa Jimoh, who is representing the community at the Lagos State House of Assembly.

LACSOP’s representative Mr. Ayodele Adebusoye, said the

forum is not a political platform but a town hall meeting for all members of the community aimed solely to move the community forward.

Before Jimoh was invited to engage the people a drama presentation highlighting some of the shortcomings of both representatives and members of the community in the governance process was staged. The play was able to show that for the

community to develop, it will take not just the cooperation and commitment of both parties, but also each performing its roles with checks and balances.

In one of the scenes, miscreants were shown going after their representatives to demand for cash money, while other members of the community do not care about the state of roads and hospitals. They only tell the representatives to provide money for naming or burial cere-

monies. So they only engage and consult their representatives for personal gains and not for collective issues aimed at developing the community.

Jimoh explained some of the challenges of office and what he was able to accomplish.

There were questions and answers, after which it was agreed that the town hall meetings should be sustained and a committee was set up to actualise it.

In a chat, the chairman of

Apapa-Iganmu LCDA, Dr. Sam Adedayo, commended the organisers of the town hall meeting, as it would constantly provide platforms for elected officers to engage with the people.

“I am not saying it is perfect but at least we have started somewhere and we can improve on it. Anything that will allow us to interact with the community is good because we need to communicate.”

TheGuardian

60 Sunday, March 10, 2013

Sports Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Among a gamut of reasons, world football’s governing body, FIFA’s introduction of agegrade tournaments was meant to identify budding football stars from around the world. It was also meant to provide a platform for these blooming stars to compete with their peers from other climes at the highest level and attempt to sparkle alongside tomorrow’s champions today.

With her most impressive record of being crowned world champions thrice at the U-17 level, the highest by any football playing nation, Nigeria has not wielded corresponding powers at the senior level as it only managed to win a third continental trophy last month. This development has ensured that the country’s glory at this level remains perennially questionable even as it remains the butt of jokes of seriousminded football playing nations. In fact, many rational thinkers are dumbstruck about the obvious state of degeneration of Nigerian football and sports in general as confirmed by the London 2012 outing. ENO-ABASI SUNDAY, takes a look at some junior internationals, who stayed glued to the cradle, the effect of this on Nigeria’s football development especially the composition of the senior national team as well as sought for reasons behind the unhealthy scenario.

Promising Stars That

Okoro

N the last decade or thereabouts, there are a litany of junior international footballers that have or are metamorphosing from kid champions to football idols of immense repute. They, in the process of attracting personal glory, also bring honour and assorted accolades to their clubs and country.

These sets of footballers give expression to, and translate into concrete terms, FIFA’s decision to introduce cadet championships into its ever expanding football menu.

Young Turk, former Liverpool Football Club of England playmaker and Borussia Dortmund of Germany star, Nuri Sahin is one of the finest products of FIFA cadet football.

At 24, Sahin has transcended the ranks at youth level featuring in European and global soccer championships. Also under his belt are 32 international caps with the Turkish senior football team.

In 2005, Sahin, who is now a model footballer and an idol to many younger players on account of his brilliance in the youth tourneys, had a great year.

He opened that year by leading Turkey to victory in the UEFA European U-17

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Championship in Italy, where he was also voted player of the tournament. Same year, he played a pivotal role in Turkey’s top-four finish at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Peru. In that competition, he was awarded both the Adidas Silver Boot for finishing as second highest goal scorer and the Adidas Bronze Ball as the tournament’s third-best player.

To date, Sahin remains the youngest ever player to play in the Bundesliga having made his debut with Borussia Dortmund in 2005. A first senior cap for his country against Germany dovetailed this feat. To repay the team handlers faith in him, the super substitute pushed Turkey 2-0 up to become both the national team’s youngest ever player and scorer.

Upon returning to Dortmund after a short loan spell at Feyenoord, he served as the attacking fulcrum of the championshipwinning 2011 side. Additionally, he earned the honour of being voted Bundesliga player of the 2011 season.

His deserved move to Spanish champions, Real Madrid was plagued by injuries hence a lack of first team action and a resultant move to Liverpool on loan before returning, yet again to Borussia Dortmund.

In an interview with FIFA.com, Sahin was asked to explain the importance of a young player taking part in a major international tournament. He responded thus: “It’s priceless, especially for their development. These kinds of tournaments are the first step into professional football. You appear on television for

the first time and you return home full of confidence because you’ve tested yourself against the best. I have wonderful memories of the U-17 World Cup in Peru in 2005.

For me it was the perfect introduction and I had a lot of fun. The tournament made the next steps easier for me and was a big help in making me a better player.”

Sahin is not the only ex-cadet footballer that is riding the crest presently. Santos Football Club and Brazil international, Neymar, who is one of the hottest property in world football today, is another shinning star just in the fourth year after he failed with the Brazilian team at the FIFA U-17 World Championship tagged “Nigeria 2009”. The same applies to Iker Munian of Spain, who currently does business with Athletico Bilboa and a key member of the Spanish national team.

By far, Nigeria remains the most successful country in the FIFA U-17 tournament’s history, with three titles (in 1985, 1993 and 2007) and three runner-ups in 1987, 2001, and 2009. Brazil is the second most successful with three titles and two runnerups. Ghana and Mexico come in third having won the tournament twice apiece.

With a mouth-watering credential like this, it would have been expected that Nigeria should be a super power in world football, while her reservoir of youth stars waiting to graduate to the senior team would equally be bountiful.

Sadly, this is not the case with the country and its army of youth internationals, a good number of, whom have failed to glitter despite initial promise due to reasons ranging from injuries, slave contracts, failure to measure up to expected performance level, age falsification and to an extent, the indiscretion and insatiable appetite for sacking/swapping of coaches by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

A few examples would suffice.

For many stakeholders and followers of football development in the country, players like Wilson Oruma and Philip Osondu, should have had the most illustrious of football careers while Haruna Lukman, Rabiu Ibrahim, Macaulay Chrisanthus, Stanley Okoro, should by now be household names in world football considering the brilliance they showed as “junior internationals”. Instead, they now represent the face of what is wrong with Nigerian football.

After his master-class performance at the FIFA U-16 World Championships in Canada, Philip Osondu was seen as the poster boy of cadet football in Nigeria and indeed the world. With a Golden Ball as the best player of the tournament in his kitty, the attacker was considered an emerging football talent. He joined Anderlecht junior team a year after the championship and soon made his debut at the highest level.

Owing to a lot of competition with players like Luc Nilis, Luis Oliveira, Marc Van Der Linden and Gert Verheyen, Osondu barely came to play and was between 1990 and 1992 lent to the neighbours of RWDM. A managerial change at the club saw him see fewer playing opportunities forcing him to return to Anderlecht.

In 1994, he moved to second division La Louviere, and thereafter Union Saint-Gilles, where he spent the rest of the season languishing in the backwaters. Osondu, a classic example of one of the many young Africans who left too early to Europe and failed to deliver, thereafter worked as a janitor at the airport of Zaventem, before playing for Diegem Sport and FC Merchtem 2000. For him, the story had ended.

Born December 30, 1976 in Warri, Delta State, Oruma, captain of Nigeria’s Under-17 team, the Golden Eaglets that won the FIFA World Cup in 1993 in Japan was the tournament top goal scorer. Though he went on to play for the Super Eagles on some occasions and was in Nigeria’s team to the 1998 FIFA

World Cup as well as the Olympic gold medal winning Dream Team in 1996, many are of the opinion that he never really impressed as a senior considering what he displayed at the cadet championship. For yet another group, his career was plagued by injuries causing him to spend more time on the doctor’s table and in the process of recuperating that playing highprofile football.

He spent the bulk of his playing time in club football in France after being signed

by RC Lens in 1994. His not very impressive time there saw him being loaned out to various clubs before he moved to Geneva.

Many believed that he was in his prime, when he was presented as a teen star to the world.

Another shining star at the cadet level, whose stars appeared to have suddenly dimmed owing to age-related concerns and injuries, is former FC Abuja striker, Chrisanthus Macaulay.

The gangling striker was among the array of cadet stars at the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup in South Korea, in a tournament that featured the likes of Germany’s Toni Kroos, who was adjudged the best player of the tournament, Chelsea’s Belgian star, Eden Hazard, Mamadou Sakho and Yann M’Villa of France, as well as David de Gea and Bojan Krkic, both of Spain.

Today, Macaulay’s peers are among the leading lights in their national teams and playing club football. But Macaulay is still struggling to find his feet in his club career.

This untoward development has seen him languish in the lower rungs of German football till date.

Interestingly, he is still optimistic of making good the promise he showed in 2007.

The Hamburg striker, who has been loaned out twice, with the last being to FSV Frankfurt, however, fingers injuries for his lack of progress in Europe barely six years after he topped the goal scorers chart at the FIFA U-17 World Cup. In a tacit admission of the fact that he is yet to make any serious impact in international football, he said at the beginning of the current Bundesliga season, “I have suffered a series of injuries, which have been responsible for me still being at this stage. I have the qualities to be at the top, but the injuries have been my worst enemies at club and national team levels...I signed for Hamburg with high hopes but injury didn’t allow me, same at Karlsruhe and Frankfurt... I hope and pray for an injuryfree campaign and then I will be at my best and return to the top where I belong.”

Another junior international, who exists in the remote memory of football followers in the country, is Rabiu Ibrahim, despite being touted as the natural successor to exSuper Eagles captain and playmaker, Austin Okocha.

The former Gateway of Abeokuta star was a member of the Nigerian team to the 2007 U-17 World Cup in Korea, where he made the team of the tournament at the end of the tourney.

Shortly after the tourney, Ibrahim’s performances received rave reviews in many sports papers and World Soccer included him in its 50 Most Exciting Teen Footballers list. In March 2008, InsideFutbol.com featured him in an article on young African footballers alongside the likes of Emmanuel Adebayor, Mario Balotelli and John Obi Mikel. In January 2009, he made Goal.com’s list of 10 African Players to Watch, and also The Times’ Football’s Top 50 Rising Stars.

All the promise he showed, soon took flight and in the sixth year after being named in the team of the tournament, Ibrahim is neither here nor there, while in contrast, players as Danny Wellbeck and Victor Moses, who were light weights in the English team at the tournament, are now compound names in the Three Lions and

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THE GUARDIAN Sunday, March 10, 2013

Failed To Shine

Osondu

the Super Eagles respectively.

In 2011, Ibrahim and Dutch side, PSV Eindhoven, which he had joined, parted ways by mutual consent due to lack of appearances for the Nigerian, after he was adjudged to have fallen short of expectations. Ibrahim is said to be peeved that he was being left on the bench for 18 times with limited playtime. The lack of appearances, on alleged account of his inability to measure up, affected Ibrahim’s national team development. He joined Celtics in January last year and in January he moved to Kilmarnock.

Another sad reminder of the Oruma country’s lost generations in the beautiful game is Stanley Okoro, who was nicknamed “Little Messi” after Argentine and Barcelona FC star, Lionel Messi.

According to NFF records, Okoro was born on December 8, 1992, and so qualified to represent Nigeria at the 2009 U-17 World Cup, which Nigeria hosted and finished second behind Switzerland.

Dimunitive Okoro was so outstanding and was expected to become a superstar in the game in the near future. But that has not been the case as the Heartland Football Club midfielder is currently sojourning in the less-fancied Albanian League with KS Skenderbeu Korce. His arrival there was consequent upon his inability to impress officials at the reserves team of Almeria of Spain.

Interestingly, Germany’s Mario Goetze, who was one of Okoro’s opponents in the opening game of the 2009 championship between Nigeria and Germany, is now an integral part of the German national team, which reached the semi-final of the 2012 European Championships.

However, one Nigerian that has remained vocal and consistent in his allegation that Nigerian football authorities were reveling in the habit of fielding overage players for agegrade competition is ex-Green Eagles winger, Adokiye Amiesimaka.

Few days before Nigeria’s Flying Eagles took on their Camerounian counterparts in the final of the last African Youth Championship in Johannesburg, South Africa, Amiesimaka, a former Chairman of Sharks Football Club of Port Harcourt alleged, that Stanley Okoro, for instance, had no business in that team, because “everybody knows, he cannot be any thing less than 33 or 34. Olarenwaju Kayode was also my player in the Sharks feeder team in 2002, he played alongside Fortune Chuwkudi, both of them were mates, he too cannot be less than 29 or 30. Abdul Aragon was one of the highest goal scorers in the league. He was also in Command Secondary School in Kaduna or so, he dropped out of school in SS 2 in the

1990s and so cannot be U-20.”

Amiesimaka regretted that despite the exposé he made in 2009 during the U-17 World Cup, the NFF had not learnt anything. He stressed, “Age grade teams are meant to help us develop a serious senior national team but we are not doing that. I passed through the age grade level, I played for my secondary school, played for the Lagos team in the National Sport Festival, I played for the national Academical, and I played for the university and the senior national team. I went through a process and that is how it should be, that is the truth.”

For FIFA and CAF instructor, Adeboye Onigbinde, shutting out suspected age cheats from age-group teams “will be very profitable because by the time our junior team graduate to the senior team, most of the current players in the Super Eagles would be about to retire from football.’’

Insisting that shutting out of Premier League players from the Golden Eaglets was the right way to go in our bid to discover new stars as well as eradicate age cheats, lamented that in Nigeria, only few players progress from the junior teams to the senior teams stressing that “we cannot continue to cheat ourselves, thinking we are cheating others.”

For form e r

international and f o r m e r S u p e r E a g l e s c o a c h , Christian Chukwu, N i g e r i a should banish the era of age falsification if it expects to redeem itself or make any headway in world football.

Noting that the country was blessed with an array of young talented football stars, he charged sports administrators to go beyond the periphery to ascertain the real age of players before fielding them in international age-grade tourneys.

He was unequivocal in maintaining that the failure of sports administrators to ensure this in the past was responsible for t h e dwindling fortunes that the country is plagued with in international football.

Kingsley Edem, a golfer and avid football fol-

Ibrahim

lower is well too familiar with the attendant problems faced by Nigeria on account of using inappropriate players to prosecute cadet championships.

According to him: “After each youth tournaments, we begin to look out for which of the so-called youths will be signed or has earned a place in the academy of a European football club. At this point, the lucky ones that got hooked, but failed to live up to expectations, are sent on loan to less-fancied, but fame-hungry clubs. Once they fail to impress there, their deals almost come to an end and their life cycle technically completed. From thence onwards, they begin to lace boots for nondescript clubs in leagues that are even worse than Nigeria’s in terms of competition, but better in terms of remuneration.

“So for me, I would say that we will keep on dancing in circles until we begin to sanction age cheats the way drug cheats are sanctioned in athletics and other sports. Their corroborators especially their coaches and parents should also be sanctioned. We should also be cautious about sending those with the right ages to Europe as soon as the cadet championships end. This is the best possible way to develop them.

By Sahin’s admission, allowing coaches mature and progress with their wards pays immense dividends and engenders progression through the ranks of the country’s national team. He gave an example using the new Turkey national team coach, Abdullah Avci.

“We (Turkey) have a new coach, we’re taking his playing philosophy on board and we’ll return to our former strength... I think we’re all benefitting from him. He knows almost the entire team as he worked with several players in the youth sides. There’s no one else in the whole country that knows the players as well as he does. For example, he coached me at U-17 level.

The advantage is that he is aware of every player’s strengths and weaknesses.”

Edem agrees with this thus. “To a great extent, the NFF indiscretions and its insatiable appetite for sacking and swapping coaches also has a hand in the misery some of these players as well as the nation’s football are going through.

“In recent memory, only an infinitesimal number of coaches including Coach John Obu have been made to progress to the Flying Eagles with the bulk of the players he nurtured in the Golden Eaglets. If we stick to coaches that understand that psychology of these young players, and who are genuinely interested in development of Nigerian football, some of these boys that are young and are being kept out of the fold for sentimental reasons, may realise their potentials. To even get there, we should first of all jettison the idea of winning at all costs because it is also at the root of our problems.”

Late last year, the NFF said it was determined to sanitise the country’s football environment to enable genuine development of Macaulay the sport. But very many Nigerians have dismissed this insisting that the body was at the centre of orchestrating and encouraging age falsification.

62

THE GUARDIAN Sunday, March 10, 2013

SPORTS

Sunday Mba! A Ranger Or A Sheep In Wolf’s Clothing

By Emma Okocha N 1929, the Patriarch of the Azinge family donned his Zebra colored jerseys to play for the UAC United Football Club. He dribbled freely; hit some grass cutters and like Azikiwe Jonathan and the later day Saints, Benjamin Azinge wore no shoes.

Subsequently, his sons, Emmanuel, and Jerry played for Warri, and Amukpe All Stars FC respectively. Jerry progressively captained the glamorous Stationary Stores FC of Lagos, the Nigerian Airways FC. When the country competed on Regional basis, Jerry was the formidable centre half back for the combined Lagos Clubs and he was their Captain against the three other Regions of Nigeria.

During the first Nigerian Olympic qualifying joust, 1968, Jerry Azinge was the Captain of the National side, featuring the immaculate Paul Hamilton on the attack.

Seven months ago, Jerry Azinge died in Asaba.

Repeating the tragedy that followed Rashidi Yekini’s death, the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba was not available to accord him a befitting burial. Nobody played his last match for his memorial and there was no last parade for the fallen General.

In between this period, Godwin Azinge of Leventis FC, and John Azinge of Rangers FC, three Peter Aniekes ruled the waves. The eldest Anieke, nicknamed the Diamond Toes by the British Press, hailed from Ndokwa Province. He was the gift of the gods. The three others with the same first last names are like the Okocha brothers, who hail from Asaba, Ogwashi-Ukwu, Ibusa and the Ndokwa Provinces.

Whether they are home grown or sprouting from outside like James Udemba, Emma Okocha (Vasco Da Gama, Enugu,) Peter Anieke (Mighty Jets, Jos), Sam Ikedia, Dr. Oganwu, (Bendel Insurance, Benin) or from Lagos; Peter Anieke (Mighty Jets), Augustine Ofokwu, Sam Opone, (Stationary Stores), Bobo Mordi, Odua (Ports Authority, Lagos), Austin Ofokwu, Victor Oduah or even as in the case of Olisadebe of the National team of Poland; these are fine footballers from great athletic families scattered from Agbor to Asaba, down to the Abo, Ndi Oshimili, Delta borders.

This is the present Anioma triangle, an area that has consistently since 1900 when Asaba was the capital, provided a sizeable percentage of Nigeria’s star athletes and footballers We can go on and on recalling the national contributions of Felix Okocha (ECN) and his London based brother, Dennis, plus their inimitable ball handling brethren of Ben Acid Okocha in Asabatex, Emma in Rangers / Julius Berger teams.

Having said all that, how can we overlook the dominant roles that Sunday Oliseh and Jay Jay Okocha’s generation brought to our football. In their train were Efan Ikoku, Precious Monye, Ndubuisi Ndah, Nduka Ugbade and the diminutive winger Pius Ikedia. Before you close the chapter, enter the Boss and the greatest African Coach of our time, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi.

We have gone to this length of suffusing with this golden background before delving into the status debate of Nigeria’s celebrated attacker, Sunday Mba. Is he a Rangerman or a Wolf in a Sheep Clothing? Whatever is the verdict, our conclusion is that his eventual status is a no

I

win for Delta State Sports Sunday Mba’s transfer fee alone from the Dolphins FC to Warri Wolves FC is enough to reactivate football activities in the State Capital of Asaba. His fees and all that have been poured into one club are enough to kick start the frustrated clubs of Asabatex FC, the Agbor Rangers and the Odozi Obodo FC of Ogwashi - Ukwu.

As we celebrate his Excellency’s approval, upholding the sequestering of the Sports Council from the bureaucratic slow and corrupt business of the State Ministry of Sports, we were hoping that the Governor’s approval would go down the line.

As the originators of that policy, we submit that the main planks of that Guideline go beyond divorcing the management of the Council from the Ministry. If his Excellency was correctly advised, the Sunday Mba episode would not have reared its ugly head.

The large amount used in buying such a player of Mba’s condition and breed is a total waste.

A well mobilized all Delta XI can kill any team as paraded in the last South African tournament.

The Sports Council, according to that policy and towards achieving those listed goals, is expected to establish vigorous Sports Associations, including its Football Association.

Peopled with committed, resourceful members, the Associations would visibly be located and must be holding offices on tenure.

As a matter of fact, the Chairman of Council is independent of the Ministry, reports to His Excellency but at the same time cannot engage the Council as an agent of a player or for that matter as a mouth piece of a club in the State.

That posture undermines the new status of the independent Delta Sports Council as the initiator and programme leader of Sports activities in the whole State.

In our Developmental graphs, we were able to locate, designate Zones of Excellence. Asaba, Warri, Sapele and Oleh were the A zone with support stadia, designated as B Zones, carved out at Ogwashi Ukwu, Agbor, Ughelli, Burutu, and Abraka.

We sent our coaches to friendly foreign countries for refresher courses, and computerized our systems. The whole state was abuzz with our own home grown sportsmen and our budget was shoe lace!

My Excellency, if that Policy Report is represented to you, you would notice that the Warri Wolves as a pioneer club in Delta has a lot to gain if competition and true sports activities are allowed in Asaba, Ogwashi Ukwu, Agbor, Abraka, Burutu etc.

The Stephen Keshi Stadium after over 15 years of inactivity, without bordering about the spectators stand, should be opened and the goal posts of the football pitch restored.

My people like the other Nigerian citizens in Calabar, Port Harcourt, Owerri, Warri, Aba, Lagos, Ibadan, Minna, Kano, Abuja, should be able to come out from their asylum and for one day watch and feel the elixir of participating in a football match, enjoy a Sports Reception, like the Reception given to the Super Eagles. And like the fans in Sapele, would hallucinate and dance as they go on to watch the Athletic Meet, the big one you are sponsoring in Sapele Stadium in few days time.

• Emma Okocha, who wrote from Lagos, was the Delta State Director of Sports.

Mba

AFN Officials Frown, As Lagos Lotto Athletics Championship Ends

By Gowon Akpodonor OME top officials of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) are not happy with organisers of the Premier Lotto Lagos Athletics Championship, which ended yesterday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.

The closing ceremony of the Lagos Lotto Athletics meet came a day after the AFN had picked athletes that would represent Nigeria in the fast approaching maiden African Youth Athletics Championship in Warri, Delta State. The AFN used the just concluded Pastor D.K.Olukoya U-18 Athletics Championship in selecting the country’s flag bearers for the Warri 2013 African Youth competition.

S

New Record At Pastor D.K. Olukoya U-18 Athletics A top official of the AFN told The Guardian during the closing ceremony of the Pastor D.K. Olukoya U-18 Athletics Championship, which was concluded at the Yaba College of Technology on Friday that organisers of the Premier Lotto Lagos Athletics ‘committed great blunder’ by choosing to end their event a day after selection of athletes for the African Youth Championship had been concluded.

“They think they are smart but they are not,” the AFN official said. “How can any rightthinking individual who has the interest of his state athletes at heart fix the final of a

competition on Saturday when the selection of Nigerian athletes for the Africa Youth Championship had already be concluded on Friday?. It does not make any sense and I expect Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola to punish whoever came up with such decision.

“I am saying this because the idea of organizing such competitions for the athletes at state level is to prepare them for challenges at national level. Other states like Kwara, Delta, Abia, Ekiti and Ogun organized similar competitions for their young athletes and they all featured in this Pastor D.K. Olukoya U-18

Athletics competition. What it means now is that Lagos athletes may not feature in the African Youth Athletics Championship and it is a big shame. This ‘over sabi’ will kill them one day,” the angry AFN official said.

At least 288 finalists from heats conducted in six education districts in Lagos state battled for honours in various events in yesterday’s grand finale of the grassroots athletics tournament at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.

A pronouncement on Friday by the AFN president, Solomon Ogba, that officials of the body should turn up at the Teslim Balogun Stadium

the following day (yesterday) for the grand finale of the Lotto Lagos Athletics event met a great resistance from some secretariat staff who shouted ‘no, no.’

Those who spoke with The Guardian at the end of the Pastor D.K. Olukoya U-18 Athletics competition said they were not aware of the Lotto Lagos event taking place at Teslim Balogun Stadium, adding that it would amount to ‘waste of precious time and energy’ for them to abandon other ‘engagements’ for the weekend for an event they were not recognised.

Meanwhile, 15-year-old Olamide Oluwaseun from Next Level Athletics Club set a new national record in the

200m Steeple Chase girls event at the Pastor D.K. Olukoya U-18 Athletics Championship. She returned at a time of 7.40.75 sec to beat Ritkan James of High Altitude Athletics Club (7.42.87 sec) and Lawechi Madubueze from Abia State (7.46.95 sec) in the race.

Divine Oduduru from Delta State won the 100m boys race at a time of 10.51 sec, while Ismaila Yusuf from Ekiti (10.61 sec) and Charles Okezie of Delta (10.83 sec) finished second and third. In the girls 100m race, Cecilia Francise of Greater Tomorrow Club was first (11.27 sec) ahead of Eze Brume of Delta (11.96sec) and Amusan Oluwanobi who returned at a time of 12.02 sec.

63

THE GUARDIAN Sunday, March 10, 2013

SPORTS

European Round-up

Mourinho Seeks Further Boost OSE Mourinho’s Real Madrid Jexcellent will look to build on their recent run when they face struggling Celta Vigo at the Estadio Municipal de Balaidos today, although they may have to do without Cristiano Ronaldo.

Mourinho’s men have lifted the gloom that had surrounded the Bernabeu earlier in the season with a superb run of results which have seen them record back-to-back Clasico victories over Barcelona and advance to the quarter-finals of the Champions League with their midweek win over Manchester United.

Ronaldo grabbed the winning goal at Old Trafford, but the Portuguese winger, along with Sergio Ramos, did not train on Friday due to a bout of flu.

Los Blancos are still some way off Barca’s pace in the Primera Division, where they trail their great rivals by 13 points in third place with 12 games to go.

But with Barcelona suffering a rare blip over the last few weeks, Mourinho and company will hope to try and ramp up the pressure on the Catalans.

If Madrid are to continue their strong form they will have to do so without Angel Di Maria, after the Argentina international picked up a hamstring injury at Old Trafford which will keep him out for two weeks.

Xabi Alonso is also doubtful after he played through niggling injury.

But one man who will be looking to continue his excellent form is defender Raphael Varane.

There were many who expressed their surprise when the now 19-year-old Frenchman was plucked from Lens in the summer of 2011, but he has grown in authority during the course of his 19 appearances this season, excelling against Barcelona and United.

REAL MADRID France manager, Didier Deschamps has hailed the teenager as the next Laurent Blanc, and Mourinho himself said this week: “He is not yet as good as Blanc, but over time he can become better

than him.”

While Madrid are in arguably their best form of the campaign, Celta are enduring a difficult time.

The club sit 18th in the table, two points adrift of safety, having won just once in their last eight La Liga games.

down Juventus and win the Serie A title, but the Azzurri must first overcome bogey side Chievo.

Walter Mazzarri’s men missed a golden opportunity to halve Juve’s six-point advantage at the top when the points were shared from last Friday’s 1-1 draw between the two teams at the San Paolo.

But former Bianconeri keeper De Sanctis believes Napoli are unfazed and ready to overcome a run of four straight draws before launching one last assault on top spot.

He told La Repubblica: “Napoli have started doing good things again in the last two matches and on that basis we are very confident going into the rest of the season.

“I wouldn’t say we have been stuck in our tracks, just that we’ve slowed down a little bit.

But we are chasing Juve and not looking back.”

The Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi has been a particularly unhappy hunting ground for Napoli over recent years, with the southern outfit claiming just one win from their four trips north since reaching the top flight.

“We want to get back to winning ways in Verona and we

Nice in today’s Ligue 1 match at Municipal du Ray. Nice are fifth in the standings, one place and one point ahead of Montpellier and two points adrift of St Etienne in the Europa League spot.

However, with both sides gunning for European qualification, Pitau thinks the home side will be under more scrutiny, especially after they were beaten 3-1 by Montpellier earlier in the season.

Pitau told mhscfoot.com: “It will be an interesting game to play because Nice is just ahead of us. They will have to do something at home.

“It is true that we did not expect to see them at this level in that first period of the season. If they are there, it is because they have quality in

MONTPELLIER their game.

“There is also a coach who came and put a lot of things in place. Therefore we must therefore be vigilant.”

Montpellier approach the game in a week where president Louis Nicollin confirmed he had decided against offering coach Rene Girard a new contract.

Former France coach, Raymond Domenech could be his preferred option to replace Girard in the summer although he also suggested he would like to make an approach for Diego Maradona.

Looking ahead to the match,

though, Chilean midfielder Marco Estrada looks set to sit the game out for Montpellier after he picked up a muscle injury during training on Wednesday.

Nice will approach the game on the back of a 4-0 defeat by St Etienne and will be without midfielder Valentin Eysseric, who was banned for the remainder of the Ligue 1 season after a horrific leg-breaking tackle on St Etienne’s Jeremy Clement last weekend.

Eysseric was hit with an 11game ban by the disciplinary committee of the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) after Clement was left with a fractured fibula as a result of his wild lunge.

Ancelotti, Leo To Stay At PSG, Says Al-Khelaifi PSG OACH Carlo Ancelotti and C sports director Leonardo are doing very well at Paris St

Ronaldo

De Sanctis Vows To Chase Down Juventus APOLI goalkeeper Morgan N De Sanctis is more determined than ever to chase

ONTPELLIER midfielder, M Romain Pitau believes Pitua Not Feeling The Pressure the pressure will all be on

NAPOLI will try to get the best possible result, although we know it won’t be easy,” De Sanctis added.

“Going to Chievo has been difficult for us and we’ve only won once since I’ve been here.

On other occasions we lost or played badly, so this is an important test for us.”

Defender Paolo Cannavaro serves a one-match ban at the Bentegodi while Miguel Britos’ participation remains in doubt due to injury.

Chievo head coach Eugenio Corini is starting to worry that the Gialloblu are running

De Sanctis

out of time to drag themselves away from danger.

Corini was pleased with his players’ performance in a 2-1 defeat at Fiorentina but the Flying Donkeys are facing up to the possibility of a fifth defeat in six games today.

“In terms of results, the last few games have not gone well,” Corini said. “But the fact is that we coped well in a difficult game at a tough place and that should give us the strength to get good results in the future.”

Defender Gennaro Sardo is Corini’s only injury concern as Chievo bid to avenge October’s 1-0 defeat at the San Paolo.

Germain and will be there next season, the French club’s president Nasser alKhelaifi said yesterday.

Media reports have linked the wealthy Ligue 1 leaders to Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho for next season, however, Nasser al-Khelaifi said the Portuguese was not a target and it would be up to Ancelotti to decide if he stays at PSG. “He will still be here if he wants to,” al-Khelaifi told daily Le Parisien, three days after the Italian coach led PSG to the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in 18 years.

“He has done an excellent job. It has been difficult from time to time because he has been under a lot of pressure, but he has done very well.

Carlo is one of the best coaches in the world, if not the best.

“As for Mourinho, I don’t know what his situation (at Madrid) is but it’s none of my business,” he added.

Al-Khelaifi, who took over as president when Qatar Sports Investment bought PSG almost two years ago, also dismissed reports Leonardo could leave the club and return to Italy where the Brazilian has worked as Inter and AC Milan coach.

“He is staying. I have a good relationship with him,” he said.

“I hear things like ‘sources in Doha have said there’s a problem with Leo’. But people have to understand that I am Qatar’s official voice here.

Leo is doing a very good job.”

Pitau

Laudrup Signs New Deal ANAGER Michael M Laudrup has handed Swansea a huge boost by agreeing a one-year extension to his contract at the Liberty Stadium.

The Dane has enjoyed a superb first season in charge of the Swans, guiding them to Capital One Cup glory and a place in the top half of the Premier League table.

The former Barcelona midfielder’s initial deal was set to run out at the end of next season, but his decision to extend his contract through to June 2015 will alleviate fears he would depart for pastures new this summer.

“We’ve started something this season that I want to continue,” Laudrup told the club’s official website.

“I know there has been a lot of speculation (about my future), but I’ve always said that I am happy here and I never had any doubts I would stay.”

Laudrup has found himself linked with Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester City, and a recent poll of the fans of the Spanish giants showed 72 per cent wanted him to succeed Jose Mourinho at the Bernabeu.

SWANSEA But with a Europa League campaign lying ahead for Swansea next season, Laudrup wants to carry on the good work he has started.

“I am delighted to sign the new deal and I’m already really looking forward to next season,” he said.

“I hope there will be some very exciting things happening with the team and with the club in Europe.”

Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins had long made clear his desire to tie Laudrup to a longer-term deal and provide the club with more security.

Jenkins was particularly wary having seen Roberto Martinez, Paulo Sousa and Brendan Rodgers all leave the south Wales club during their climb through the leagues.

And he is delighted to have agreed terms with his manager as Swansea enjoy arguably the finest season in their 101year history.

“This is a major boost for everyone involved with Swansea City, from the players, staff and board of directors through to the most important people of all, our supporters,” said Jenkins.

TheGuardian

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Warri Wolves To Storm Zurich With 10 Lawyers Over Mba Rangers Officials Lobby Abuja Politicians, Lawmakers

By Gowon Akpodonor HE football career of Super Eagles striker, Sunday Mba, may T be heading for the rocks, if moves by officials of Warri Wolves to storm FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich with large number of lawyers is allowed to see the light of day.

The special panel set up by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to resolve the ownership of Mba between Warri Wolves and Rangers of Enugu refused to make a public pronouncement on Thursday, though there were indications that the committee’s report favours Warri Wolves.

An official of Warri Wolves told The Guardian on phone yesterday as he prepared to jet out of the country to Zurich that the club would go to any length to get justices as far as the ownership battle on Mba was concerned.

He hinted that the club had already secured the services of not less than 10 lawyers in readiness for the case in Zurich, if alleged underground moves by officials of Rangers to lobby high placed politicians and lawmakers in Abuja to ‘arm twist’ the NFF to ‘doctor’ the panel report, scale through.

“We got a report that Rangers officials and top government officials in Enugu are moving from the house of one politician to another in Abuja over this issue and we won’t allow them to have their way. If by Monday the panel comes up with a report that is not favourable to us, then we move to Zurich. I am sure that is what Sunday Mba wants for his career now,” the official said.

Another official of Warri Wolves said yesterday that they were waiting for public apology from Mba and Rangers to Warri Wolves and people of Delta State. “If they do that, then, we can sit down and talk. But then, Rangers must be ready to accept that Warri Wolves hold the global brand on Mba. It is so bad that Mba could allow people to deceive him. Rangers is not disputing the ownership of goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim, yet the club went ahead to unveil him with a new contract few days ago, which is contrary to Article 17.3 and 17.5 of FIFA. Maybe, this move to FIFA will help to streamline things in our local league.

Just last week, one football agent (name withheld) came to us to plead that we should give him the mandate to sell Mba but we refused. He quickly went to Enugu to deceive the management of Rangers that he would get a better offer for them. It is shameful that Rangers is not considering what will happen to Mba’s career at the end of the day,” he stated.

Fans Set Egypt’s FF Ablaze After Court Confirms Death Sentence After the 21 people (most of them fans of Port Said’s AlMasry club) were first sentenced to death on January taking part in a deadly football riot in Port Said, sparking 28, violent riots erupted in the city that left some 40 fresh unrest. people dead, most of them Thousands of football fans, shot by police. enraged by the verdict, took On Saturday, the court to the streets in protest, announced its verdict for before setting the football the other 52 defendants in federation headquarters in the case, and sentenced 45 Cairo on fire.

The trial over the melee that of them to prison terms, killed 74 people after a soccer including two senior police officers, who received 15 game in early 2012 has been years. Twenty-eight people the source of some of the worst unrest in recent weeks were acquitted, including seven police officials.

Moses to hit Egypt.

As expected, the court’s decision failed to defuse tensions over the case, which has taken on political undercurrents at a time when the entire nation is mired in political turmoil, a worsening economy and burgeoning opposition to the rule of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi.

Shortly after the verdict was announced, suspected fans of Cairo’s Al-Ahly club, two lead in the FA Cup stand- appearances in the final and 27 son’s competition.

INGER Ryan Giggs is set to have met 165 times competiwho had gathered in the The Cup folders, Chelsea, are in the semi-finals. be rested for Manchester tively with Manchester United ings, highlighted by a 4-0 vicdefending the most impressive thousands outside the tory in the 1994 final with two The Premier League champiwinning 72 against Chelsea’s United’s FA Cup quarter-final team’s headquarters in cenrecent record in the FA Cup, ons-elect are determined to do penalties from Eric Cantona.

45. They drew 48 times. with Chelsea today. tral Cairo went on a ramthe double, having not won the being winners in four of the Manchester United lost for the However, in their last meetAntonio Valencia or Ashley page, torching a police club last six seasons, and in seven cup since 2004, and this despite ing, which was also United’s first time in seven meetings Young are likely to replace nearby and storming drawing a Premier League club overall. most recent FA Cup final Giggs, while defender Phil Jones with an odd goal in nine They have won 22 of their last Egypt’s soccer federation appearance and the first to be for the eighth time in succesreverse after extra-time in the (ankle) and midfielder Paul 26 FA Cup matches, drawing in headquarters before setting sion. fourth round of the League Cup held at the new Wembley in Scholes (knee) are out. it ablaze. The twin fires sent four - including the loss on The Red Devils are looking for a at Stamford Bridge in October. 2007, Chelsea won 1-0 courtesy Demba Ba, Victor Moses, 21st win from 28 FA Cup rounds penalties to Everton in a fourth plumes of thick black The Red Devils had already won of a goal in extra time from Ramires and Nathan Ake are smoke billowing out over round replay in 2011. against Premier league sides Didier Drogba. likely to return for Chelsea, hav- their Premier League visit 3-2 The Blues have also won eight the Cairo skyline.

United will be smarting from since lifting the silverware nine ing missed Thursday’s Europa three days earlier, against a and drawn two of the last 10 Earlier at the courthouse years ago, and a 14th win from Tuesday’s cruel exit from the League loss at Steaua Bucharest. nine-man Chelsea - Branislav across town, Judge Sobhi the last 17 FA Cup matches at Old cup ties on opponents’ Champions League, as they Ivanovic and Fernando Torres But Oriol Romeu (knee) grounds, since falling to Abdel-Maguid read out the Trafford, and a third in a row. defend the best record in FA remains a long-term absentee both getting their marching verdict live on television, Javier Hernandez is looking to Barnsley in the 2008 quarterCup history of 11 wins (five orders. for Rafael Benitez’s side. sentencing five defendants add to his three goals in this sea- finals.

United hold an eight wins to under Sir Alex Ferguson), 18 These Premier League giants They have beaten 13 of the last to life in prison and nine 14 Premier League clubs they others to 15 years in jail. Six Published by Guardian Newspapers Limited, Rutam House, Isolo, Lagos Tel: 4489600, 2798269, 2798270, 07098147948, 07098147951 have encountered in this com- defendants received 10-year Fax: 4489712; Advert Hotline Lagos: 7736351, Abuja: 07098513445 petition, and have found the jail terms, two more got five All correspondence to Guardian Newspapers Limited, P.M.B. 1217, Oshodi, Lagos, Nigeria.

(ISSN NO 0189-5125) net in all 27 FA Cup outings, years and a single defendant Editor: E-mail letters@ngrguardiannews.com since the 1-0 loss to the Tykes at received a 12-month senABRAHAM OBOMEYOMA OGBODO • A member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation ••ABC Oakwell. tence.

N Egyptian court has conA firmed the death sentences against 21 people for

Moses Returns, As Chelsea Plot United Fall W