Fri 05 July 2013

Mandela ‘in permanent vegetative state’ FEUD rages within the A Mandela family as its pa- • Doctors urge removal of life support machine triarch nears his end. Doctors treating the former South African President, Nelson Mandela, said yesterday that he was in a “permanent vegetative state’’ and advised his family to turn off his life support machine.

“He is in a permanent vege-

• Feud tears family apart tative state and is assisted in breathing by a life support machine,’’ said a legal filing related to a family dispute over reburying the remains of Mandela’s three children.

“The Mandela family has been advised by the medical practitioners that his life support machine should be switched off.’’

The news came as a family

feud exploded into the public domain, with Mandela’s grandson accusing his own brother of impregnating his wife.

In an extraordinary press

conference, Mandla Mandela said he did not want to air the family’s dirty linen, but then proceeded to talk about adultery within the family and lashed out at fellow Mandela family members for taking him to court.

The claims came as the Mandela family continues a bitter public disagreement over the

gravesites and final resting place of three of the antiapartheid leader’s dead children.

As Mandela spends a 27th day in hospital in a critical condition in Pretoria, his family has become consumed in the ugly spat being played out in his ancestral CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Friday, July 5, 2013

Vol. 29, No. 12,608

www.ngrguardiannews.com

N150

Anyaoku seeks true federalism to check nation’s woes

By Gbenga Akinfenwa OR Nigeria to achieve the Fopment stability and pace of develto which it is entitled by its human and natural resources, it should return to true federalism by having six federating units with enough powers, according to the former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Emeka Anyaoku.

Anyaoku spoke at the national conference of the Chartered Institute of Administration held in Abuja yesterday.

According to him, the existing structure of the country, with 36 federating units and an all-powerful centre, compels disproportionate national resources on recurrent expenditure; and a destabilising competition for the control of the centre.

For Anyaoku, to achieve true federalism, each of the six federating units should be responsible for the pace of their development with the revCONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Egypt’s Chief Justice Adly Mansour (middle) and officials during his swearing-in as the country’s interim president at the Supreme Constitutional Court in Cairo... yesterday. (Inset: Supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood and ousted/detained President Mohammed Morsi protesting in front of the Supreme Constitutional Court building during the ceremony). Nigeria yesterday conPHOTO: AFP demned the coup.Stories on Pages 9, 10& 11

Reps begin constitution amendment, scrap SIECs From Adamu Abuh and Terhemba Daka, Abuja IDE-RANGING legislative W proposals aimed at ensuring good governance and deepening the country’s democracy were made by members of the House of Representatives yesterday as they formally commenced the amendment of the 1999 Constitution.

The highlights of the recommendations presented by the Emeka Ihedioha-led Special Ad-hoc Committee on the review of the constitution following the Peoples’ Public

• Electoral offenders can’t contest election • Abrogate joint state-council account • Empower INEC to conduct council polls • Rule out more states, split justice minister’s office • Role for traditional rulers in National Council of State Session entail that the overwhelming influence of state governors over their respective local councils would be

drastically curtailed by the time the amendment of the constitution is effected.

The Speaker of the House,

Aminu Waziri Tambuwal who received the report of the committee during the plenary session disclosed that the

leadership of the chamber would consult with members for possible consideration of the report before they embark on recess in a fortnight.

Under the proposed items which will be deliberated upon in the form of bills, there shall be abrogation of the local council joint accounts to pave the way for a new regime whereby the local councils will receive their statutory allocation from the Federation Account.

Appeal Court removes Obong of Calabar –Page 3

To protect the integrity of the electoral process at the local councils and remove partisanship, the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) will no longer conduct council polls.

Instead, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been vested with that responsibility.

The committee recommended a fixed term of four years for local councils and prescribed consequences for denial of appropriation to councils that are democratically elected.

Henceforth, anybody found CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, July 5, 2013

2 NEWS

‘Electoral offenders can’t contest election’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 guilty of electoral offences by any court of laws shall be barred from contesting election at both the state and federal levels, just as there shall be an independent electoral offences commission to handle matters related to elections.

Of note is the recognition of

the traditional institutions.

Traditional rulers shall be represented in the National Council of State and there shall also be the creation of a state council of chiefs at the state level.

And due to the unclear and cumbersome nature of the constitution, those agitating for the creation of more states

will have to wait till another time as the lawmakers who corrected the ambiguity on the issue in the constitution ruled out the possibility for now.

Details of the 25 bills referred to the House by the committee for further legislative action are as follows: . A Bill for an Act to alter Sections 7 and 162 of the Constitution to provide for independence and financial autonomy of local councils in Nigeria, and for related matters; 2011 (H.B 122); . A Bill for an Act to alter the Constitution of Nigeria to provide a definite date for the President to present an Appropriation Bill for the next financial year to the National Assembly, 2011 (H.B114); . A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of Part II of the First Schedule of the Consti-

tution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, by deleting the word “Plateau” in line 14 and inserting instead thereof the word “Nasarawa”, 2011, (H.B 102); . A Bill for an Act to alter sections 89 and 129 to direct the Attorney-General of the Federation to prosecute any person or authority found wanting by the Senate or the House of Representatives; and for connected matters, 2011, (H.B 177); . A Bill for an Act to amend the Electric Power Sector Reform Act, Cap 7, LFN, 2004 and other matters connected therewith, 2012, (H.B 190); . A Bill for an Act to alter the Constitution to remove the word, “Force” from the name of the Nigeria Police Force in order that it becomes the “Nigeria Police”; and for related matters, 2012, (H.B. 135);

. A Bill for an Act to amend the Treaties (Making Procedure, etc.) Act Cap. T20, LFN, 2004, to make consultations with relevant committees of the National Assembly a mandatory Treaty- making Procedure to all Treaties entered into between the Federation and any other country and for matters connected therewith, 2012, (H.B. 189); . A Bill for an Act to alter Section 58 of the Constitution to make the Resolutions of the National Assembly have force of law; and for connected matters, 2012, (H.B 115); . A Bill for an Act to alter Section 315 of the Constitution to remove the power of the President or Governor to amend an existing law, 2012, (H.B 151); . A Bill for an Act to alter Section 7 of the Constitution to ensure efficient operations of the Local Councils in Nigeria

for social, economic and political development; and for other matters connected therewith, 2012, (H.B 176); . A Bill for an Act to alter the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, to vest appellate jurisdiction on the Sharia and Customary Courts of Appeal in respect of all matters emanating from Sharia, District and Area Customary Courts; and for other matters connected therewith; 2013, (H.B 406); . A Bill for an Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to amend the definition of a citizen contained therein to include all persons indigenous to communities now forming part of Nigeria; and for related matters; 2013, (H.B 414); . A Bill for an Act to further alCONTINUED ON PAGE 8

Anyaoku seeks true federalism CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

enue from all minerals shared equally among them after allowing a reasonable portion for the mineral-proareas. ducing He lamented that the failure of Nigeria to match the Asian countries with which it started the development race with similar social and economic indices at independence, had been primarily based on its pluralistic nature, which made it difficult for the country to field its first 11 team in the management of national affairs.

“I am convinced from my long experience of the politics and development of over 50 other countries, that the governance structure I am advocating will give our country a much better chance of dealing with the multifaceted challenges that continue to retard its progress and stability,” he said.

According to him, though the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan has embarked on transformational programmes in the socio-economic sphere of the country, a number of which have started yielding results, like the last national elections and the

three state elections that followed, there are also areas where the impact of the transformation programmes is yet to be felt.

“Our major roads are still crying out for attention; the quality of education in most of our institutions is still well below the standards that we had attained in the early years of our independence; our public health facilities are still inadequate and so inefficient that the massive drain on the country’s foreign exchange through citizens seeking medical treatment abroad continues; and our economic

activities continue to suffer from inadequate power supply to energise our manufacturing sector thereby creating employment for our growing population of unemployed youths,” he stated.

He urged administrators to shun party politics and restrict themselves to their two principal functions of advising and executing the decisions of their political masters, as according to him, in a multi-party democracy such as Nigeria, they are not expected to belong to any political party.

Doctors urge removal of Mandela’s life machine CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 homeland of Qunu, in South Africa’s Eastern Cape.

At the same time, Mandela’s wife, Graca Machel, thanked the public for their support and said while her beloved husband was sometimes uncomfortable, he was not in pain.

And South African President Jacob Zuma visited Mandela in hospital. He later released a statement saying that the 94year-old apartheid icon remained in a critical but stable condition and thanked the national and international community for their support.

“We appreciate all the love and compassion. Madiba is receiving the best medical care from a multi-disciplinary team of health professionals who are at his bedside around the clock,” Zuma said.

The bizarre Mandela family saga has included allegations of adultery, grave tampering, children born outside wedlock in the extended Mandela family and of bitter divisions between Mandela’s children and grandchildren.

The feud came to a head this week when a court in Mthatha ruled that the bodies of three of Mandela’s dead children be exhumed from a site on the property of grandson Mandla and returned to Mandela’s ancestral home in Qunu.

Mandla, who claims he is the rightful head of the Mandela family, moved the bodies in 2011 from Qunu to Mvezo,

where he is building a memorial centre for Nelson Mandela.

It is claimed that he wants his grandfather buried there in order to maximise financial benefits from the centre.

Infuriated, 16 members of the Mandela family took Mandla to court, seeking the bodies to be returned to Qunu where it is believed that Mandela has said he wants to be buried with his children.

Late on Wednesday, officials, armed with a pick-axe, dramatically broke down the gates of Mandla’s home and found the unmarked graves.

The bodies have now been taken to a morgue for forensic testing before reburial at the graveyard in Qunu, possibly later today.

Mandla said that he was disappointed by the court ruling and says his ailing grandfather would also be disappointed.

But he vowed he would not pursue further court action against the ruling.

Chief among his claims are that his brother, Mbuso, had impregnated his (Mandla’s) now estranged wife and the family had never discussed the matter again.

And he claimed that his two younger brothers, Mbuso and Andile, were not the children of his late father and that this father had impregnated a married woman and another brother was the result of that union.

Mandla claimed that he had been previously instructed by his aunt, Makaziwe, to remove

the children’s remains and bury them in a secret location where she is preparing a gravesite for her grandfather.

But he said because he had not been instructed by his grandfather, Mandela or his wife, Graca Machel, to do so, he did not follow the instructions and kept them at his property in Mvezo.

He claims that as the eldest son of his father, he himself is entitled to decide where his father, Mandela’s son, is buried.

He accused his aunt, Makaziwe, Mandela’s eldest daughter, of sewing divisions and destruction in the family.

Makaziwe has also lodged a police complaint against her nephew, alleging grave tampering, and police have confirmed an investigation is under way.

The ruling African National Congress (ANC) has expressed concern at the public spat and called on them to resolve their differences.

And well-wishers and supporters continue to come to the hospital in Pretoria to pray for Mandela’s recovery and pay tributes to the former leader who spent 27 years in prison and then led the nation from apartheid, preaching reconciliation.

In the latest twist in an increasingly macabre story, senior members snubbed medical advice and said that until the corpses, which were taken by his grandson, Mandla, had been returned to their original resting place in Qunu,

Mandela’s life support would stay switched on.

They argued that the former president should not be buried alone.

Even before this development, his daughter, Makaziwe, had said the family would not end his medical treatment and only God could decide when his time has come to die.

She added: “In our culture, the Tembu culture, you never release the person unless the person has told you, ‘please, my children, my family – release me’.

“These people who want to talk about, you know, releasing him, he hasn’t said we should release him and we haven’t come to the end yet. It is only God who knows the end.”

She had added that she believed her father was at peace: “I believe he is at peace. He is at peace with himself. He has given so much to the world. I believe he is at peace.

“This is a sacred time for us, and I would expect the world to really back off and leave us alone.”

Mandela’s grand-daughter, Ndileka, had added: “His fighting spirit is what amazes me. I don’t know what keeps him fighting and he is stoic and determined that he will end things his way. Not any other person’s way.

“I strongly feel that whatever covenant he has made with his ancestors and God has not been fulfilled – when that is fulfilled, he will bow out in a way that he chooses.”

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, July 5, 2013

3

News Odili, Wike, Rivers PDP elders visit Jonathan

Reps seek civil society’s role in governance

From Mohammed Abubakar, Abuja ORMER Rivers State Governor, Dr. Peter Odili and the Minister of State for Education Nyesom Wike yesterday led a delegation of elders and leaders of the state chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on a solidarity visit to President Goodluck Jonathan in Aso Rock.

Also on the delegation were some national leaders of the party and members of the state executive of the party, including the Acting Deputy National Chairman and former Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Chibudom Nwuche.

Yesterday’s visit was the first since the inauguration of the Felix-Obuah-led executive about two months ago. The meeting which lasted for more than an hour was held behind closed doors. Vice-President Namadi Sambo accompanied Jonathan to the meeting.

In their separate views Odili, Wike and Felix-Obuah said the delegation was on hand to pay their respects to the Jonathan administration for its transformation agenda as well as his leadership role in the party.

From Tunde Akinola, Abuja HE House of Representatives has sensitised Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the country on the need to play more active role in pushing for a new legislation that will benefit the people.

According to them, through advocacy, they can influence government policies so that the people at the receiving end of these programmes are always taken into account.

This call was made in Abuja yesterday at the workshop organised by the House Committee on Civil Society and Donor Agencies and the United Nations Development Programmes (UNDP) Democratic Governance for Development (DGD) entitled: “Role of Civil Society and Non-Governmental Organisations in Public Policies in a Developing Democracy.”

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Court rules Sept 30 on verdict against police President Goodluck Jonathan (left) with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Acting Deputy National Chairman, Chibundom Nwuche (right) while middle is chairman of PDP in Rivers State, Chief Felix Obuah during solidarity visit to State House Abuja .. yesterday.

Appeal Court removes Obong of Calabar

From Anietie Akpan, Calabar ITING lack of due process, the Appeal Court sitting in Calabar yesterday removed Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu as the Obong of Calabar.

The judgment read by Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba and confirmed by Justice Uzo Ndukwe-Anyawu and Onyekachi Otisi upheld the earlier verdict of a lower court that due process was not followed and the selection of the incumbent was null and void.

The Calabar High Court presided over by Justice Obgojor Ogar had in a judgment on January 30, 2012, brought by one of the contestants to the Obong stool, Etubom Anthony Ani, declared the process that brought the Obong to the throne as null and void and restrained Otu from participating in any selection for that purpose.

Justice Ogar restrained the Obong from parading himself as the Obong of Calabar until proper election has been held and also restrained the Etubom Traditional Council, from excluding Etubom Anthony Ani and Mbiabo

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•Orders fresh selection Ikoneto from any election or selection of an Obong.

In an abridged 94 page judgment that lasted for 45 minutes, Justice Garba said, “for the breach of principles of natural justice and the first respondent’s (Etubom Anthony Ani) right to fair hearing, the selection process conducted by the appellants which culminated in the selection and proclamation of the 6th respon-

dent (Otu) by the Etubom’s Council represented by the appellants is hereby set aside.

“The selection and proclamation of the 6th respondent as the Obong elect of Calabar by the Etubom’s conclave of the palace of the Obong on March 31, 2008 is hereby set aside”.

Accordingly, Justice Garba said, the Etubom Conclave of the Palace of the Obong of Calabar “is hereby ordered to

conduct another process of selecting a new Obong of Calabar in which all qualified candidates including the 6th respondent will be given the opportunity to participate in accordance with the provisions of exhibit 1/20 and in strict compliance with the rules of natural justice”.

However, the appellate court set aside the High Court decision that “the appellants had waived the requirement of capping and induction of an Etubom by the Obong of Calabar into Etubom’s Councils

NLNG seeks out of court settlement with NIMASA

By Joseph Onyekwere HE Nigeria Liquefied and Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited yesterday informed a Federal High Court, Lagos that it had begun moves to amicably settle the protracted dispute between it and the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) out of court.

Counsel to NLNG, Wale Akoni (SAN) told the court that his client was working on a proposed order to be

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entered as consent judgment of the court, urging the court to grant him a short adjournment.

But counsel to NIMASA, Mike Igbokwe (SAN) clarified that it was NLNG’s shareholders that were in the process of agreeing on the terms to be presented to the court.

He added that he would reluctantly concede to an adjournment, but insisted that he would go on with his applications should the set-

tlement talks yield no favourable result.

Consequently, the trial judge, Justice Mohammed Idris then fixed tomorrow for report of settlement.

The two organisations have been locked in fierce battle over the issue of non-payment of certain statutory levies and charges which NIMASA claims are due to it from NLNG. Justice Idris had on June 18, 2013 in suit between NLNG

Govt needs N15tr for infrastructure

By Femi Adekoya and Funmilayo Jaiyeoba DISCLOSURE came yesterday from the Federal Government that it would require about N15 trillion within the next five years to address infrastructure deficit and accelerate the implementation of the interim National Integrated Infrastructure Plan (NIMP).

Also, President Goodluck

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Jonathan will today flag off the rehabilitation of the LagosIbadan Expressway.

Minister/Deputy Chairman, National Planning Commission, Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman who disclosed this also attributed the failure of many Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) especially in the area of concessions to the reticence of the private sector.

To achieve its financial target,

Usman said that the Federal Government has expressed indication of partnering with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on how to access cheap funds through the accumulating pension funds, stating that it expended about N1.6 trillion on infrastructure in 2012.

Specifically, the minister noted that going by the linear approach, which it wants to

adopt, $19 billion (N3 trillion) would be required yearly for the next five years to achieve this feat.

Speaking at the yearly general meeting of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) in Lagos, yesterday, Usman, also disclosed that the final infrastructure plan would be ready by August 14, 2014.

Usman explained that the low contribution of the

of the Obong’s palace as a qualifying factor to vote and be voted for as the Obong of Calabar in favour of the 1st respondent.”

The appellate court also ruled that, “the 1st respondent who admittedly was not capped/inducted into the Etubom’s Council of the palace of the Obong at the time of the selection process of the Obong of Calabar was not traditionally qualified and eligible to vote and be voted for as the Obong of Calabar under exhibit 1/20.

and Attorney General of the Federation and Global West Vessels Specialists, granted an exparte order restraining the defendants from charging, imposing, demanding or collecting the three per cent of gross freight earnings or any other sums further to Section 15(a) of NIMASA Act 2007 on all of NLNG’s international inbound or outbound cargo ships owned, contracted or subcontracted by it.

nation’s core infrastructure to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) remains a cause for concern to the government and it hopes to address the trend through the infrastructure plan.

According to him, “For most developed countries, infrastructure stock is 70-80 per cent of the GDP. Nigeria’s total core infrastructure stock is 3540 per cent of GDP (less than $100 billion as at 2012.

From Leo Sobechi, Abakaliki N Abakaliki High Court presided over by Justice Eze Udu, has fixed September 30, 2013 for ruling on a case filed by one Corporal Iliya Danji, for the setting aside of the court’s judgment that award N2 million damages against him and one Assistant Superintendent of Police, Elias Chukwu, for false imprisonment and malicious prosecution.

The court had on April 25, 2012 delivered judgment against the three defendants namely the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police, ASP Elias Chukwu and Corporal Iliya Danji on the case of false imprisonment and malicious prosecution instituted by David Egwu in 2008.

But dissatisfied by the judgment especially the award of compensatory damages, Danji, through his legal counsel, Mr. Daniel Udofia, approached the court to set aside the judgment on the plea of non-service of court process for the matter that lasted three years before its resolution via the court judgment.

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Jonathan charges Nigerians on peace From Lawrence Njoku (Enugu) RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday called for a collaborative effort among Nigerians to move the country forward, saying that with good Christians, the nation will know peace.

Jonathan spoke in Nsukka at the Episcopal ordination and installation of Rt. Rev. Godfrey Igwebuike Onah as the second Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese.

While calling for support for Bishop Onah, President Jonathan, represented by, his Special Adviser on Inter-Party Affairs, Senator Ben Obi stressed on the need for Nigerians to pray for peace in the country.

“I pray that the Almighty God will grant you wisdom to lead His flock in the right direction.

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THE GUARDIAN, Friday, July 5, 2013

4 NEWS

APGA disrupted Imo bye-election, says PDP From Bridget Chiedu Onochie and Azimazi Momoh Jimoh, Abuja HE blame game over the reT cent ill-fated bye-election into the Imo State House of Assembly continued yesterday with the state’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) accusing the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)-led government of disrupting the exercise.

Led by the senator representing Imo West, Hope Uzodimma, the group alleged that the violence that erupted in Osemoto Ward was caused by the state government’s armed thugs, and not the PDP members as earlier alleged.

Uzodimma also faulted Governor Rochas Okorocha’s claim on the election since, according to him, the governor was not at the venue to ascertain what happened.

He further accused the state’s electoral officer, Dorothy Akpuchukwu, of accepting results of an election that did not hold, alleging that the result was produced by government officials led by the Commissioner for Lands, Uche Nwosu, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Mbanaso and Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr. Kenneth Emelu.

According to him, “the cooked results were handed over to Dorathy Akpuckukwu, the electoral officer in Oguta, who most unbelievably accepted them. To be fair, her conduct was not totally unexpected, the PDP in the state had always doubted her impartiality as an umpire and the party has made that known to anybody who cared to listen.”

The newly-completed Ibadan-Ilorin Dual Carriage Way, Section One, commissioned by the Federal Government... yesterday.

Solid minerals agency wants strategic input in mining engineering From Lillian Chukwu, Abuja HE Nigerian Geological T Survey Agency (NGSA) has stressed the need for strategic and comprehensive inno-

vations to invigorate mining engineering in the minerals and metals sectors.

Minister of Mines and Steel Development (MMSD), Musa Sada, represented by his Direc-

TheGuardian SATURDAY, July 6, 2013

Conscience Nurtured by Truth

Much Ado About Capital Punishment?

tor of Planning, Policy Analysis and Monitoring, John Mshelia, said yesterday in Abuja at a retreat for the agency’s senior management workers that the meeting was “pivotal to the success of the sector.”

He noted that the fall in metals prices at the international market in the 1970s, the oil boom era and the Nigerian Civil War caused a decline in the solid minerals sector.

The minister said that consequent reforms in the solid minerals sector, which began in 1995, led to the establishment of the ministry basically “to put the generation and

dissemination of reliable geosciences data on the frontburner.”

According to Sada, the National Assembly Act 2006, establishing the NGSA, identified its primary role to include the generation, archiving and dissemination of geo-scientific information and knowledge.

He noted that the agency has carried out several mineral exploration projects, mapped 95 out of 337 federal survey sheets, updated the country’s mineral map and established centres of excellence in Awka, Kaduna, Yenagoa and Abuja.

Minor cabinet reshuffle in Delta State From Hendrix Oliomogbe, Asaba N a move that caught peoIGovernor, ple unawares, Delta State Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, yesterday relieved the Commissioner for Finance, Bernard Okumagba, of his appointment.

The Secretary to the State Government, Ovouzoure Macaulay, disclosed that Okumagba’s former counterpart in the Economic Planning Ministry, Kenneth Okpara, has been re-assigned to the Finance Ministry.

PDP faults Tinubu for barring intending contestants From Muyiwa Adeyemi (Head, South-West Bureau) and Azimazi Momoh Jimoh (Abuja) HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has faulted the alleged attempt by the leader of opposition Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to bar some persons from contesting the Ekiti State governorship election coming up next year.

In a statement by its Acting National Publicity Secretary, Tony Caesar Okeke, the party said it was extremely “wicked and undemocratic” for Tinubu to order a House of Representatives member from the state, Opeyemi Bamidele, to forget his governorship ambition, adding that such a move smacks of tyranny and outright disdain for democracy.

This followed Wednesday’s endorsement of Governor Kayode Fayemi for a second term by the national leadership of the ACN, who tasked Fayemi to unite all aggrieved party members, warning of dangers should he go to the polls without a united house.

While endorsing him for a second term, they hinged their

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Does it not make arithmetic sense to terminate a life than endangers many innocent lives? Why must a crooked, twisted fellow who violates the sanctity of life not forfeit his own? But controversy rages over these apparently simple questions…

Does Nutrition Determine Our Fates?

Can what that pregnant woman and her “baby” eat really influence Nigeria’s development? Nutritionists are giving a qualified “yes”.

Kannywood Star...

Hauwa Abubakar

Proudly Fulani, she has worked her way into fame through the movie industry of the North, (Kannywood) —- despite having been married off at 14. She remains decent, humble and looks forward to marrying her soul mate

The Guardian On Saturday...you simply can’t put it down!

• ACN leaders want Fayemi to unite party members approval on the ratification of party members, which they said, would come later. The leaders, including Tinubu, Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, former governor of the state, Chief Niyi Adebayo, and former governor of old Ondo State, Bamidele Olumilua, agreed that Fayemi was on the right track in efforts to develop the state and should be allowed to continue.

To this end, Tinubu asked the former Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Bamidele, to suspend his governorship ambition and continue to work with Fayemi.

During that meeting at the Lady Jibowu Hall of the Government House, Ado-Ekiti, Tinubu said since Fayemi was not doing badly as a governor, there was no reason replacing him.

However, he directed the reconstitution of ward executives, in the affected areas, to assuage some sidelined Bamidele loyalists. Speaking in the same vein, Akande urged party members to eschew bitterness and support Fayemi.

However, the PDP said that by ordering Bamidele to forget his ambition for governorship in 2014, “Tinubu has once again displayed his despotic tendencies and utter disdain for democratic process,” adding: “This is extremely wicked and indeed the height of tyranny and outright disparagement for the people and their right to choose their leaders as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution as amended.”

Reminding Tinubu that he is not from Ekiti and as such should not decide for the people, the PDP urged the people of the state “to rise up to the occasion and defend their right by rejecting the usual practice of allowing godfathers to select their leaders for them.

“In openly endorsing Fayemi for a second term and ordering Bamidele to forget his ambition, Tinubu has clearly shown his resolve to truncate laid down electoral processes so as to retain the system through which the resources of the state are being diverted to private purses.”

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, July 5, 2013

NEWS | 5

JTF kills three suspected terrorists, arrests five in Borno • Oyo to protest killing of traders by sect From Iyabo Lawal (Ibadan) and Njadvara Musa (Maiduguri) NGERED by the cold A blooded murder of some Bodija Market traders by the

Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Nuhu Bajoga (left); the Commissioner, Legal Licensing and Enforcement, Dr. Steven Andzenge and the Commissioner, Government and Consumer Affairs Division, Dr. Abba Ibrahim, during the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commissioning Ceremony of its Forum Office in Kaduna…yesterday PHOTO: LADIDI LUCY ELUKPO

Court acquits ex-minister of N430m fraud

Senate rejects motion to ban armed vigilance groups

From Lemmy Ughegbe, Abuja

From Azimazi Momoh Jimoh (Abuja) and Gordi Udeajah (Umuahia)

HE Federal High Court, T Abuja Division, yesterday discharged and acquitted former Minister of Works, Dr. Hassan Lawal and erstwhile bank official, Adesanya Adewale, from the eight-count criminal charge preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The charge bothered on conspiracy and corrupt enrichment in the tune of N43 million.

While delivering his verdict, the trial judge, Justice Adamu Bello, lampooned EFCC over its “shoddy” investigation of the matter.

Lawal and Adesanya, who had earlier pleaded not guilty to all counts of the charge, consequently filed an application of a no-case submission following the closure of prosecution’s case.

‘Nigeria spends N674b yearly on rice, sugar, fish imports’ From Abiodun Fagbemi, Ilorin INISTER of Agriculture M and Food Security, Akinwunmi Adesina, has said that Nigeria spends N360 billion to import rice every year, N217 billion to import sugar annually and N97 billion on fish.

The huge sum, he believed, could be saved if there is will to embark on massive production of the products and more attention given to fishing on the nation’s waterways.

Speaking yesterday at the kick-off of the Cassava Mechanisation and Agro-Processing (CAMAP) project in Ilorin, Kwara State, the minister said Nigeria’s food import bill remained exorbitant, adding that the country spends a lot of money to import commodities that could be abundantly produced in the country.

According to Adesina, “these acts are hurting farmers, displacing local production and

• Don tasks lawmakers on past constitution review panels

HE Senate yesterday reT fused to approve a motion seeking to stop governors from establishing armed vigilance groups in the country.

The position was made known after a thorough debate on a motion sponsored

by Bashir Garba Mohammed (Kano-Central) and 50 others, which specifically identified Zamfara as an example of states where governors have allegedly procured arms to boost the activities of vigilance groups.

The motion had asked the Senate to “request the President and Commander-inChief of the Armed Forces to prevail on Governor Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar of Zamfara State to rescind his decision to ban arm vigilance groups in the state with rifles”.

The Senate, however, resolved that “the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria be urged to deploy more security personnel to Zamfara and other states with similar security challenges.

Moving the motion earlier,

Mohammed said he was alarmed by the easy access to arms by groups that were neither trained nor authorised to bear arms, as well as the rate at which groups and individuals took to armed resistance.

He noted that the foregoing was partly responsible for the security challenges experienced in many parts of the country, including Zamfara State.

The senator further noted that the decision of the governor to arm the vigilance groups in Zamfara with rifles was capable of further jeopardising the fragile security situation in the state.

Rather, Mohammed submitted that what should be done was the strengthening of statutory security agencies and not setting up of alternative or rival security outfits.

He, however, acknowledged that the Federal Government was vigorously pursuing the policy of mopping up light and heavy weapons in the hands of the members of the public, in compliance with the ECOWAS convention on the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.

To this end, he was convinced that Zamfara and other states with peculiar se-

curity challenges will better address their security problems by requesting for additional security personnel and other assistance rather than setting up armed groups that may soon go out of control.

Meanwhile, a member of the 1994/95 National Constitution Review Committee (NCRC) and the 2005 National Constitution Reform Conference, Prof. Joshua Ogbonna, has asked the Senate Committee on Amendment of 1999 Constitution to consider the recommendations of the NCRC on the issue of rotational presidency.

Ogbonna, who was the Chairman of the Abia State Constitution Review Committee, criticised the panel on constitution review for allegedly failing to consider a definite recommendation on the issue of the rotation of the presidency with a multi-ethnic composition.

While the don welcomed the committee’s recommendation of a single six-year tenure for president and governors, he noted that the issue of rotational presidency would not have brought unease in the polity had the recommendations of the 1995 Constitution Review Committee on the matter been adopted in the 1999 Constitution.

Boko Haram sect in Maiduguri, Borno State, the Oyo State House of Assembly yesterday directed the executive to formally protest to the Federal Government.

Meanwhile, in its renewed onslaught on terrorists’ activities in Maiduguri, men of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Restore Order on Wednesday, killed three gunmen and arrested five others at the Ibrahim Taiwo Divisional Police Station, Baga road at about 2p.m. The terrorists were said to have dressed like women, covering their faces with the hijab (veil).

The Oyo Assembly is also demanding adequate compensation for families of the slain traders from the Federal Government.

In a motion brought under matters of urgent national importance by the lawmaker representing Egbeda State Constituency, Ibrahim Bolomope, he drew the attention of the House to the killing of 10 traders by the sect members while on their way to buy foodstuffs and the general insecurity pervading the country.

He lamented that it is no longer safe for one to travel to other parts of the country because of general insecurity.

The lawmaker suggested that the Federal Government Grains Reserves, located at Kolapo Ishola area in Ibadan, should be made functional while traders dealing with grains should be made to go there and purchase the product instead of subjecting themselves to grave dangers.

Other lawmakers, including Yisau Azeez (Oorelope), Adeshina Adeyemo (Ibarapa) and Waliu Adekunle (Atiba) also spoke in the same vein, expressing fears over general insecurity in the country.

“Our people cannot just be killed like chicken for engag-

ing in a lawful business. Nigeria belongs to all of us. We are not from America, we are not from Britain, we are Nigerians and we should be free to go to any part of the country to transact legitimate businesses,” Adeyemo stated.

The Speaker, Monsurat Sumonmu, in her remarks, directed the state government to write a protest letter to the Federal Government on the incident and also demand adequate compensation for families of the victims.

Some traders from Bodija Market in Ibadan were last Friday murdered in Mongunu, a few kilometres from Maiduguri, allegedly by Boko Haram insurgents. Bodies of the victims were brought to Ibadan on Tuesday for burial.

According to JTF sources yesterday, 20 gunmen attempted to attack the police station, in female dresses with the covering of their faces with hijabs, before the soldiers repelled them after a 30-minute exchange of gunfire.

Yesterday’s attack brought to six such attempted clashes of Boko Haram gunmen with police and soldiers at Ibrahim Taiwo Divisional Police Station.

The Guardian learnt that the persistent attacks on the station by the gunmen is to enable them torch it. It was first attempted in April 2011.

In a separate incident, the counter-terrorists Military Special Operation Forces (MISOF), in collaboration with members of Borno Vigilance Youths Group, also arrested five suspected Boko Haram gunmen in two different locations in Maiduguri.

A JTF source confirmed Wednesday’s foiled attack on the police station, saying “but they were repelled by our men on patrol of Bolori and Zajeri wards of Maiduguri.”

He further disclosed that it was an intelligence report that assisted the security agencies to be on alert before the terrorists struck but they failed for the sixth time.

Yoruba group laments state of nation’s economy

By Kamal Tayo Oropo ITING some recent obserC vations said to indicate the nation’s economy is in crisis, the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) yesterday warned that if urgent and honest steps are not taken to arrest the apparent drift, the country may find itself in serious economic depression capable of crippling national development.

In a statement yesterday, the Yoruba socio-cultural association said there were fresh signs that removed any doubt as to crisis in economy. According to the group, in recent times, the Federal

Government, in the face of dwindling oil revenue, has been scurrying for funds.

It said besides realising its bloated governance structure, the government has suddenly remembered that many of its agencies are not remitting revenue to its coffers. The group pointed at what it described as allowance impasse in the country’s national team, Super Eagles, at recent international events as one of the indicators of a troubled country. The football team was said to have arrived at the venue of their last Cup of Nations match just hours before the match. The same was said to have hap-

pened when they faced Tahiti at the Confederation Cup and it took a presidential intervention to resolve the impasse.

The Federal Government, Afenifere recalled, has not also been able to meet its financial obligations. Commissioners for Finance were said to have walked out on the Minister of State for Finance recently over unpaid arrears. “We cannot even imagine what this portends for many states that depend on federal allocation to meet financial exigencies”, the group stated.

A few weeks ago, the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-

Iweala, disclosed that the country’s foreign debt stood at US$6.67 billion.

Afenifere, however, pointed out that the ministry curiously forgot to tell taxpayers the current status of the nation’s domestic debt, which she said, was $42.23 billion in August 2011. “We feared she intentionally left out this detail as the value may be shocking”, it said.

The strongest of these signs, as far as Afenifere is concerned, is the revelation that came a few days ago, purportedly from the Finance Minister that the nation’s economy is in doldrums while address-

ing the meeting of 15-member Economic Implementation Team.

According to Afenifere, Okonjo-Iweala’s recent heated demand for passage of amended budget, without which she said the economy would collapse by October, is therefore, not surprising after allegedly admitting behind closed doors that the multi-billion naira contract awarded to Niger Delta former militants to guard petroleum pipes has not paid off. “If anything, the country now records worse cases of crude oil theft, which have seen the country losing,” Afenifere said.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, July 5, 2013

6 | NEWS

Commission fires six judiciary workers over judgment leakage From Lemmy Ughegbe, Abuja OLLOWING alleged comFSupreme plicity in the leakage of a Court verdict before it was delivered, the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) has dismissed six judiciary staff.

The report, which stemmed from Police investigation indicted Senator Alphonsus Igbeke and Mr. Collins Okechukwu for their role in the leakage of the judgment before it was delivered on May 31, 2013 and called for the duo’s prosecution by the Attorney General of Federation and Justice Minister, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN).

The penultimate week, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar had warned that beside corrupt judges, any judiciary staff found engaging in unwholesome practices would be shown the way out.

The first casualties to go under the sledgehammer, according to the electronic statement released by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Sunday Olorundahunsi include five staff of the apex court and one from the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division.

The statement released by Olorundahunsi reads thus: ‘Disciplinary Action Against Erring Judiciary Workers’ “The Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) has during its meeting of June 2, 2013 dismissed five Supreme Court workers and a staff of the Court of Appeal of Abuja Division for their involvement in the leakage of an undelivered judgment in the case of SC 179/2012 Senator Alphonsus Uba Igbeke Vs Lady Margery Okadigbo and three others: “The affected Supreme Court and the Appeal Court workers are: (1) Mr. Russell Ndenu; (2) Mr. Nathaniel Abraham; (3) Mr. Olayinka Abiodun; (4) Mr. Bada Kayode and (5) Mr. Festus Ilurimi; (6) Mr. Stephen Izonebi (Court of Appeal) “The six judiciary workers were found through internal and the Nigeria Police investigation to have conspired

amongst themselves and allegedly with two outsiders, i.e. Senator Alphonsus Igbeke and Mr. Collins Okechukwu to leak the judgment before it was delivered on May 31, 2013.

“Senator Igbeke put up a paid advert on page 42 of the Daily Sun of May 30, 2013 alleging that the said judg-

ment had leaked which forced his counsel in the matter, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) to write to the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court to dissociate himself from the publication as well as withdrawing his service to Senator Igbeke on the matter.

“The FJSC considered their act as serious misconduct

that run contrary to Regulation 48 (1)(xi) of the Federal Judicial Service Commission Regulations, Regulation 49 and Regulation 60 (1)(i). Their acts are also in violation of the Public Service Rule (PSR) Cap 3 Section 4 (030401) and (030416) “Meanwhile, the Federal Judicial Service Commission

OMMUNAL disputes in C Kwara State over land would henceforth be treated as criminal offences with severe penalties, the state Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has said.

Ahmed said yesterday in Ilorin that the government would no longer spare anyone fingered in causing breach of law and order in any part of the state.

The governor at an interactive forum with reporters and the people of the state said: “Issues over communal crises have been discovered to be purely economic and idleness. We have therefore, taken various measures to en-

By Bertram Nwannekanma HE Lagos State GovernT ment yesterday said the proposed construction of 1,008 housing units at IjoraBadia was part of the government’s effort in transforming Lagos into a mega city.

The state’s Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Bosun Jeje, who disclosed this while speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting with residents of Badia East at the National Theatre Complex in Lagos, said the first phase of 288 housing units would be completed in December 2014 to provide affordable housing to the people.

He said: “To be able to achieve our vision of making Lagos State Africa’s model mega city and global financial hub that is safe, secure, functional and productive, in this instance, require a collective effort.

MAN lauds Obi for assisting industrialists over flood From Uzoma Nzeagwu, Awka HE Manufacturers AssociaT tion of Nigeria, yesterday commended Governor Peter

Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Dr. Sam Ortom (left); President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Chief Kola Jamodu, Minister of National Planning, Dr. Samsudeen Usman and the Executive Director, Corporate Communications and Government Relations of Dangote Group, Monsur Hamed at the 41st Annual General Meeting of MAN in Lagos … yesterday.

PHOTO: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI

New NCAA chief, stakeholders move to tackle aviation woes

By Wole Shadare and Chika Goodluck-Ogazi HE Director General of the T Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Folayele Akinkuotu yesterday met with aviation stakeholders with the purpose of finding solution to the dwindling fortunes of the sector.

He said he was not oblivious of the enormity of the challenges at hand, just as he sought their support in making aviation very safe.

In attendance at the NCAA headquarters at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos were airlines including for-

eign carriers, aircraft pilots, engineers, administrators, various agencies in the industries and service providers.

Some stakeholders during interactive section expressed skepticism about his ability to tackle the myriads of problems besetting the sector as a result of frequent interference from the supervising ministry, which they said has eroded the authority of the aviation regulatory body.

He maintained that the services of pilots, engineers and flight dispatchers were very critical to safety of aircraft, just as he advised them not to

be pressured by airline owners to release airplanes that are not safe to fly.

According to him: “The international landscape of the industry is changing and we need to rise up appropriately to tackle the challenges, pleading to stakeholders to play by the rules”.

He admitted that the shoes of his predecessor, Dr. Harold Demuren was too big to fill, but assured that a new NCAA under him would try to build on what he had done for the industry.

The new NCAA chief drew analogy with the legendary South Africa’s black Presi-

Kwara threatens severe penalties for communal disputes over land From Abiodun Fagbemi, Ilorin

has requested the minister of Justice and the Attorney General of the Federation to further investigate the motive behind the leakage and possibly take legal action against Senator Alphonsus Igbeke and Mr. Collins Okechukwu for allegedly masterminding the leaked undelivered judgment of the Supreme Court.”

Lagos explains planned re-development of Ijora-Badia

sure that virtually all those being used as destructive agents in the community are fully engaged.

“I therefore urged our people to be law abiding. Where there is a breach, we will not tolerate. Land is owned by individuals and not communities. Therefore, anyone who is having an issue over land should go to court. As a government, we would not allow anyone to take law into his hand. It will no longer be called communal feud but criminal act.”

Communal crises had in the recent times taken over some communities in the state.

These include the internecine imbroglio between Offa and Erin-Ile, Share and Tsaragi and

of late intra crisis among the people of Ganmo, in Ifelodun Local Council of the state.

The government initially working on the theory of land being the sole cause of the renewed crisis had embarked on massive demarcation of lands among the feuding communities. One of such was the construction of a road christened ‘Unity Road’, to serve as a demarcation line between Offa and Erin-Ile communities.

But when the crisis persisted, the government had to explore other means that could be responsible for the crisis that claimed many lives and caused wanton destruction of property.

Ahmed, who said the state

had concluded plans to bankroll a joint security force consisting personnel from army, air force and Police, warned trouble makers to refrain or leave the state before the hands of law would catch on them.

Already, the government has procured 40 new patrol vehicles, and equivalent bullet proofs for the success of the security outfit.

He justified the joint account between the state and the local government areas in the state, adding, “we constructed many rural roads in the state to the tune of N2.8 billion. The roads are owned by these councils and they only contributed N800 million.”

dent, Dr. Nelson Mandela who lies critical ill in a Durban hospital, noting that despite his ailment, the painful reality is that South Africa would still move on.

He reiterated that many positive changes had occurred over the years, hinting that many years ago, there were fewer airlines in operation compared to many airlines operating in the country’s airspace.

“The airspace was quieter before compared to what we have now. When we make changes, there would be areas of concern and we take notice of our mistakes and fear. At all times, we will be listening to you. What I can assure you is, regardless of the door in my office, I will always welcome your interaction on how to succeed”.

He disclosed that his priority would be to ensure that pains experienced by travellers at airports are ameliorated, just as he called for integration of all the various aviation agencies for maximum service delivery.

Aviation expert, Michael Sangotola decried the lack of penalty for airlines, which owe their workers over two years salary, stressing that the situation portends grave danger for the sector.

He called on Akinkuotu to step financial audit of the carriers with a view to weeding out unhealthy airlines before disaster strikes.

He said one does not need to be an expert to know that carriers involved in this vice pose serious safety issues to the system.

Obi for assisting industrialists who lost their manufacturing equipment, warehouses and goods during last years flood disaster.

The Chairman of the Association, Chief Azubike Okafor made the commendation yesterday in Awka when Governor Peter Obi presented a cheque for N100 million to manufacturers at Harbour Industrial Layout, Onitsha affected by last year’s flood.

The occasion was during the routine quarterly meeting with MAN officials from Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi states chapter at the Conference Hall of the Government House Awka.

While he expressed gratitude to the governor for the wonderful gesture, he prayed God to continue to guide his administration.

He recalled that the governor has maintained a strong cooperation with the industrialists, adding that he has shown interest in their affairs through various means.

Rep builds shops, clears drainage, others, in Ifako-Ijaiye ITING the need to fulfill his C electoral promises, member of the House Representatives, Yomi Ogunnusi has awarded scholarships to youths as well as build 50 lock-up shops for members of his constituency in IfakoIjaiye Local Council Area of Lagos State.

In a statement from the lawmaker made available to The Guardian, Ogunnusi has also assisted 50 individuals to pay part of their house rents.

Ogunnusi said apart from fulfilling his electoral promises, he was also keen in supporting the laudable welfare programmes of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) government of Lagos headed

by Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola.

NEWS

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, July 5, 2013

Anambra to demolish filling stations without plans From Uzoma Nzeagwu, Awka NAMBRA State governA ment has threatened to demolish filling stations operating across the state without approved plans by the government.

The Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Town Planning, Mr. Okoli Akirika, gave the warning yesterday after inspecting filling stations in Onitsha to ascertain their level of compliance with laid down rules.

Akirika expressed regrets that many underground fuel tanks in the filling stations were laid a few meters away from major roads and densely populated buildings, adding that operators were putting lives of human beings at great risk.

According to him, such development was dangerous and unacceptable, arguing that people in the business were establishing filling stations without recourse to approved plans.

JTF raids ex-militant’s house in Delta

By Seye Olumide (Lagos) and Chido Okafor (Warri)

• Ogbebor urges caution on crisis, seeks separate state for Itsekiri

HE home of former miliT tant leader, Francis Muturu, at Aafisiere community in

the entire building looking for guns.

It is still not clear if any weapon was found in the house of the former militant during the raid The erstwhile militant, however, protested the unprovoked raid of his house, claiming that three persons staying in the compound were arrested and that N1.5 million and some of his personal effects were missing after the raid.

Muturu said he had returned all the weapons

Ughelli-North Local Council Area of Delta State, was on Wednesday raided by soldiers of the Joint Task Force (JTF) following intelligence reports that weapons were hidden in the house.

An eyewitness told The Guardian that soldiers, in full combat gear, arrived at the militant’s house in several SUV Hilux vehicles, forced their way into the house and for over an hour ransacked

and guns during the amnesty programme and that he was no longer in possession of any weapon. He, therefore, urged the Delta State Commissioner of Police, Ikechukwu Aduba, to investigate the unwarranted invasion of his house by the JTF. Meanwhile, a prominent human rights activist and the Igba of Warri Kingdom, Mrs. Rita Lori Ogbebor, has called on President Goodluck Jonathan and the National Assembly to create Itsekiri

State, if the resurgent crisis between the two must stop.

She also urged the leaders of Ijaw and Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan to urgently wade into the matter and nip the crisis in the bud.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos on Wednesday, Ogbebor said the attack on her people (Itsekiri) by the Ijaw on Tuesday witnessed unprecedented killings and destruction of lives and property, “I wonder what else the Ijaw want from us.”

Benue votes N1.2b for international tourism centre From Joseph Wantu, Makurdi ENUE State Executive CounB cil has approved the construction of ultra-modern international tourism centre in Makurdi, the state capital, at the cost of N1.2 billion.

Briefing journalists shortly after the executive council meeting at the Government House, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Justin Amase, intimated that the centre would be located within the IBB Public Square and would have the capacity to contain 930 people and would further boost the tourism profile of the state to the outside world.

Mr. Amase further elucidated that the contract contents include project design, building, painting and furnishing.

He also hinted that the executive council approved the procurement and supply of digital equipment worth N351 million to Radio Benue to enable the station centralise its broadcast system to reach all parts of the state and consequently put to an end the issue of booster stations.

Group sponsors one-week free medical service in Gombe From Ali Garba, Bauchi O fewer than nine Indian medical doctors have been sponsored by the Talba Neighbour to Neighbour Campaign Organisation to offer free medical service in Gombe for one week.

Flagging-off the free medical treatment at the Gombe Specialist Hospital, Chairman of the Talba Neighbour to Neighbour Organisation, Alhaji Bala Bello Tinka, assured members of the public of the quality of the doctors.

He called on people, especially the less-privileged in the society, to avail themselves of the services.

According to him, the doctors were certified to be competent medical practitioners by the Indian Embassy in Nigeria and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), to avoid quacks who pose as qualified doctors.

N

7

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Breweries Plc., Mr. Nicolaas Vervelde (right); Chief Executive Officer, Forbes Media, Mr. Steve Forbes (left) and Chief Executive Officer/Executive Chairman, Ebony Life TV, Mo Abudu, during Forbes’ interview with Mr. Vervelde in Lagos… yesterday

Abia urges Imo to rescind quit order on transport firm From Gordi Udeajah Umuahia BIA State has pleaded with A its Imo State counterpart to consider rescinding its order for the cessation of the operations of Abia Line Network Transport Company at its current base along Wetheral Road in Owerri, Imo State capital, as reportedly ordered by Governor Rochas Okorocha in May 2013 during an unscheduled visit.

Chief Press Secretary to Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State, Mr. Ugo Emezue, told journalists yesterday morning that Abia State government was disturbed by the sudden order on the company to quit its operations at the base, especially according to him, as there was no prior notice to the company to vacate the place.

Besides, he said the efforts so far made by the Abia Line Company’s management to secure another base for its operations in Owerri were allegedly being frustrated by agents of Imo State government.

He remarked that the action of the Imo State governor was least expected considering that both states are brothers and that Imo State Transport Company operates unhindered in Abia State, adding that information reaching Abia State held that other mass transit companies operating in the same Owerri loca-

tion were yet to vacate the base.

Emezue, also in the alternative, pleaded with Imo State government to allocate a suitable operation base for the Abia State Transport Company in Owerri, just as he said Abia State did for the Imo State Transport Company in Abia.

It was, however, reported that Imo State Information Commissioner, Mr. Chinedu

Offor, had in reaction to the matter, explained that the order for Abia Line to vacate the base was to enable Imo State government implement its master-plan for the state capital to boost the aesthetics of the town, adding that the order was not issued to Abia Line alone.

Emezue pointed out that where that was the case though not so explained, those affected by the order

would have been given humane notice and allocated alternative base.

General Manager of Abia Line Network Company (ALNC), Mr. Ugochukwu Uwaeke had, while briefing journalists in Umuahia, the state capital, on the matter, alleged that “agents of Imo State government have frustrated every effort made by the Abia company to secure another loading bay within the Imo capital.

Urging President Jonathan and Uduaghan on the need to act fast before the crisis degenerated into another full-blown Ijaw/Itsekiri war, Ogbebor said: “The insurgency against the Itsekiri started yesterday (Tuesday) morning when the Ijaw launched attacks on Itsekiri villages.”

According to her, “The first village attacked was Ayurode (Mount Zion) where 16 houses were reportedly razed, 26 houses razed in Gbokoda with rocket launcher followed by Ajameta where they razed seven houses and killed six people. They went on to Udo where they shot one man and threw a five-year-old boy into fire. A man named George was also killed.”

She further claimed that the hostility continued in the afternoon in Obahoro and later Ebrohimi (Arutan) “the head of the town Olareaja is still missing,” adding that unless something urgent is done, the Ijaw/Itsekiri crisis is with us again.”

Although she did not state any reason behind the new hostility, she said: “Some claimed the Itsekiri were the only benefactors of the oil wealth in Delta State; some said the matter was about the creation of local council for Itsekiri; but we know that these allegations are not true.

The Itsekiri did not benefit from oil bloc allocations; they were not big contractors and they were not the big illegal bunkers.”

Insisting that Jonathan, who is an Ijaw man, must call his people to order, Ogbebor said: “Itsekiri did not benefit as much as the Ijaw in all the agencies created to alleviate the suffering in the Niger Delta. For instance, the Ijaw have their man as President, the Minister of the Niger Delta Ministry; they dominated Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), among others. How can the Ijaw claim to have been marginalised when they dominate all the wealth and resources of the state?”

She claimed that there is plenty of money in Niger Delta at present and the Ijaw remain the greatest beneficiaries even in the amnesty programme.

DPO dismissed over subsidy protest gets bail

By Bertram Nwannekanma HE dismissed Divisional T Police Officer (DPO) attached to Pen Cinema, Agege Police Station, Mr. Segun Fabunmi, accused of killing a protester during the fuel subsidy removal protest in Lagos in January 2012, was yesterday granted bail by an Ikeja High Court.

The trial judge, Justice Olabisi Akinlade, granted the former DPO bail in the sum of N250 million with two sureties in like sum.

Akinlade, in her ruling on Fabunmi’s application, held that the defendant may be in need of special medical attention, which he would not likely get in prison if denied bail.

The judge also held that a

medical report issued by the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, which disclosed that the accused was suffering from renal (kidney) failure, was sufficient to grant bail to Fabunmi.

She said the two sureties to be provided by the accused must be resident in Lagos and have three years’ tax clearance.

Justice Akinlade added that one of them must have a landed property worth N100 million while the other must be a director in either the state or federal civil service.

She said: “What is important in granting bail is for a defendant to place sufficient materials before the court for it to exercise its discretion in his or her favour.

“It is when a defendant has

done this that the burden of proof will shift to the prosecution, who will have to show cause on why the defendant should not be granted bail.”

She held that the medical report attached to the bail application as an exhibit was sufficient to grant bail to the accused.

“I am satisfied that the defendant has provided sufficient materials before me,” she held.

The court, in imposing other bail conditions, said the accused must deposit his travelling passport with the Chief Registrar of the court, who will also appoint a police officer to verify documents to be tendered by the accused.

The judge, who specifically

barred Fabunmi from travelling abroad until the final determination of the case, ordered that the police officer appointed by the Chief Registrar of the court must swear to an affidavit of verification after completing the exercise.

Fabunmi was arraigned on May 5, 2013, for shooting Adedamola Daramola to death on January 9, 2012, during the protests.

He was also accused of attempted murder and causing grievous bodily harm on Alimi Abubakar, Egbujor Samuel and Chizoba Odoh.

The Director, Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mrs. Olabisi Odugbesan, had at the hearing of the bail application, urged the court to deny the

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, July 5, 2013

8 NEWS

Reps abrogate joint state-council account CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 ter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to make provisions for the enforcement of certain provisions of the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy as contained in the Constitution; and for matters connected therewith, 2013, (H.B 123); . A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to criminalise contempt of the House of Representatives, 2013, (H.B 430); . A Bill for an Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, by providing immunity for members of the Legislature in respect of words spoken or written at the plenary session or at committee proceedings, to guarantee that freedom of speech, debate and proceedings in Legislative Houses are not impeached or questioned in any court or place outside of Parliament; and for related matters (H.B432) and a Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of the Nigeria to guarantee freedom of speech and Legislative actions for members of the National Assembly, (H.B 457); . A Bill for an Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to place the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation on the first line charge of the Consolidated Revenue Fund and to empower the Auditor-General of the Federation and the Auditor-General of State Governments to audit the accounts of statutory corporations, commissions, authorities and agencies in Nigeria; and related matters, 2013, (H.B 442); . A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of Section 143 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to remove ambiguities in the process of removal of the President and the Vice President from office on an allegation of gross misconduct and to provide for a more transparent and democratic procedure for impeachment; and for other matters connected therewith, 2013, (H.B 498); . A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and for other matters connected therewith; . A Bill for an Act to amend sections 315 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended); . A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and for related matters; . A Bill for an Act to alter Section 285 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Second Alteration) Act. No. 2 of 2010; and for matters connected thereto, 2012, (H.B 247); . A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to separate the office of the Attorney-General from that of the Minister of Justice and to provide for an independence office of the Attorney-General; and for matters connected thereto, 2012, (H.B 262); . A Bill for an Act to alter the

provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and for other matters connected therewith; . A Bill for an Act to alter provisions of the First Schedule, Part 1 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to allow for the change of “Egbado North” and “Egbado South” to “Yewa North” and “Yewa South”; and for matters connected therewith, 2012, (H.B 373); . A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of Section 7 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to make it mandatory for election to the offices of the chairman and councillors of local councils in Nigeria to be held on a date to be appointed, and on the conditions prescribed by Laws made by the State Houses of Assembly; and for other matters connected thereto, 2012, (HB 259); . A Bill for an Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 in section 162 (2) to provide for the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission to table directly before the National Assembly the commission’s proposals for revenue allocation; and for matters connected thereto, 2012 (HB 343); and . A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of item No. 1, Part III, Third Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to allow for additional Membership of the Federal Capital Territory Judiciary Service Committee, include the Customary Court to the list of Courts in the Federal Capital Territory; and other matters connected therewith, 2012 (HB 352).

Further highlights of the alterations of the constitution contained in the bill are as follows: On the Local Government System, the committee followed from the recommendation of the Peoples Public Sessions which clearly underscored the need to create independence and autonomy for local councils and give the councils their deserved role as catalysts for development at the grassroots level. Accordingly, the committee created a fixed uniform term of four years for local councils and prescribed denial of appropriation to councils that are not democratically elected.

The reforms proposed by the committee prescribed the mode of election of local council officials, their functions, tenure, qualifications for elections, and other related matters. Under the amendment proposed, elections into local government councils will be managed by the national election management body, the INEC. On the issue of new states and boundary adjustment, the committee reviewed the provisions of section eight to emphasize the importance of elected local government councils, by inserting alterations that will ensure that only elected local government officials can participate in the process for creation of new states. Also, clarifying that only registered voters in

Tambuwal a local government area can participate in a referendum for the creation of a new state.

Section 9: Here the committee sought to clarify and remove ambiguities in language with respect to the alteration of the constitution and further dispense with the requirement for assent of the president to be obtained for the amendment of the constitution. The committee came to the conclusion that the rigorous provisions for the alteration of the constitution by members of the National Assembly and the participation of the 36 State Houses of Assembly represented such adequate participation of Nigerians and that assent of the President negated the principle contained therein.

Section 12: The committee altered the provisions relating to Nigeria’s international treaty obligations, to provide for National Assembly’s ratification and enactment.

Section 25: In order to address the various conflicts and crises surrounding the question of who is an indigene or settler in the community, the committee has redefined citizenship to take away this divide, meaning that a person who has lived in a community for a specified period is entitled to the same rights and privileges as citizens of that community.

The amendment under this chapter fully defines indigeneship in a way to eliminate the conflict that this has posed in the past.

Section 42: The committee altered section 42 of the constitution to specifically prohibit discrimination against persons living with disability.

New sections 45A-D: The committee made a significant proposal here by making enforceable certain socio-economic rights as fundamental rights and incorporating them into Chapter IV, the justiciable part of the Constitution, thus creating as justiciable, the rights to education, right to favorable environment, right to free primary and maternal health care services, and the right to basic

Ihedioha housing.

Section 65: The committee agreed to allow for independent candidacy in elections in Nigeria. This would, however, be subject to conditions stipulated under the Electoral Act. Section 66: To give seriousness to the issue of electoral offence, the committee provides grounds for disqualification of a candidate from contesting elections where he has been found guilty of an offence. This is also applicable at the state level.

In order to entrench the independence of the offices of the Attorney-General of the Federation, the AccountantGeneral of the Federation and the Auditor-General of the Federation, and insulate them from political control, the committee put these offices on the first line change of the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation.

Section 80: The committee strengthened the provisions of Section 80 of the constitution to plug leakages from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation and public funds of Nigeria to ensure that no expenditure is made by any organ of government without appropriation by the legislature.

Sections 81 and 82: To ensure timely passage of the national budget, and discipline in expenditure, the committee stipulated that budgets be submitted by the executive for approval no later than 90 days before the expiration of the fiscal year.

Sections 84A-C: The committee included a new section in the constitution creating a new office of the AccountantGeneral of the Federation and Accountant-General of the Federal Government to ensure that persons are appointed into these two separate offices for professional management of resources.

Section 150:To give effect to the results of the Peoples’ Public Session which voted to separate the office of the Minister of Justice from that of the

Attorney-General of the Federation, the committee made amendments to reflect this and insulates an independent office of the Attorney-General of the Federation from partisanship and to be managed by a professional lawyer.

This is also applicable at the state level.

Section 153: The committee felt that the issue of electoral offences is of such importance as to warrant the creation of an independent electoral offences commission to handle it.

Section 162: The committee also altered the constitution to abrogate state joint local government accounts and empower each local government to maintain its own special account to be called “Local Council Allocation Account” into which shall be paid directly allocations made to the local government by the Federal Government from the Federation Account and from the government of the state.

Section 197: The committee felt that it was important to protect the integrity of the electoral process at local government level and respond to the complaints of partisanship of SIEC. Accordingly, it removed SIECs and vested the power to conduct local government councils across the federation in INEC. Section 201 and 3rd Schedule, Part I: Role for Traditional Rulers: The committee in response to the results of the Peoples’ Public Sessions created a role for traditional rulers at the federal and state levels providing for representation of traditional rulers in the National Council of State and the creation of a State Council of Chiefs at the state level.

Section 214: The committee in this section and across the entirety of the constitution deleted the word “Force” from the name of the Nigeria Police providing for the name of the Police to now be “Nigerian Police” rather than “Nigeria Police Force.”

Section 241: The committee reviewed memoranda sub-

mitted on the judiciary and agreed to address concerns over delay in the courts by limiting the use of interlocutory appeals to stay proceedings in court.

Section 308: In line with the results from the Peoples’ Public Sessions, the committee also removed the immunity from prosecution from criminal offences for persons occupying the position of president, vice president, governor and deputy governor, and to stem impunity levels.

Section 315: The committee also altered this section of the constitution as approved by the Peoples’ Public Session removing the powers of the president and governor of the state to modify existing laws.

The Lists - Exclusive, Concurrent: The committee altered the constitution to provide for the transfer of railways, from the exclusive legislative to the concurrent list to further boost devolution of powers. Health, housing and electricity were transferred to the concurrent list.

Creation of states: The committee received requests for creation of states running into more than 35 states. None of the requests submitted to the committee complied with the procedure for creation of states outlined in section eight of the constitution.

Accordingly, the committee was unable to treat any of these requests. The committee, however, recognizes that the existing provision in the constitution for the creation of new states is unclear and cumbersome. Accordingly, the committee has clarified the process to make it more coherent.

The House constituted the ad-hoc in September 2011 under the leadership of the Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, as Chairman. Membership of the committee include the principal officers of the House and a member to represent each state of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

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THE GUARDIAN, Friday, July 5, 2013

WorldReport Nigerians in China to meet Jonathan, want consular office in Guangzhou

By Wole Oyebade HEAD of President GoodA luck Jonathan’s visit to China next week, Nigerians in

Egypt’s Chief Justice, Adly Mansour (left), is congratulated by judges during a ceremony in which he was sworn in as head of the Constitutional Court, in Cairo, before his swearing-in as the country’s interim president yesterday.

PHOTO: AFP

A day after coup, a new and uncertain order in Egypt N uncertain new political order began to take shape in Egypt yesterday, a day after the military deposed and reportedly detained the country’s first democratically elected president, put a top judge in his place and suspended the constitution.

The state-run Al-Ahram News reported that Egypt’s stock market surged seven per cent in the first hours of trading yesterday to a near two-month high.

Wednesday’s coup that toppled Mohamed Morsy prompted hundreds of thou-

A

sands of people in the streets across Egypt to both applaud and assail the generals’ decision to step into the country’s political fray for the second time in slightly more than two years.

It also raised questions: What will happen to Morsy and his supporters, who insist he remains the country’s legitimate leader? Will violence blamed for the deaths Wednesday of at least 32 people spread? What hopes remain for Egypt’s attempts to build a multiparty democracy?

“I don’t think that the military’s so-called road map is actually going to move smoothly,” said Hani Sabra, director of the Middle Eastern arm of the Eurasia Group, a U.S.-based political risk research and consulting firm.

“I think there are a lot of challenges it faces,” Sabra said, noting the threat of more violence, possible divisions within the anti-Morsy coalition and Egypt’s economic woes.

Yesterday’s morning, Tahrir Square in Cairo was calm. The huge crowds that had celebrated Morsy’s ouster with horns, cheering, fireworks the night before had thinned.

Morsy, a Western-educated Islamist elected a year ago, “did not achieve the goals of the people” and failed to meet the generals’ demands that he share power with his

opposition, Egypt’s top military officer, Gen. Abdel-Fatah El-Sisi, said Wednesday in a televised speech to the nation.

Adly Mansour, head of the country’s Supreme Constitutional Court, replaces Morsy as Egypt’s interim president, El-Sisi said.

Following a decree last month by Morsy, Mansour had become head of the court just two days earlier. He was sworn in as interim president yesterday in Cairo.

At the ceremony, Mansour said the Egyptian people had given him the authority “to amend and correct” the revolution that toppled Hosni Mubarak in 2011.

Until new elections, to be held at an unspecified date, Mansour will have the power to issue constitutional declarations, El-Sisi said.

China have planned to meet the visiting President on the need for consular office in the Guangzhou province.

The Nigerians resident in Chinese’ second largest city, Guangzhou, said the visit would enable President Jonathan to see the tortuous journey Nigerians living in the city have to embark upon to process working and travelling documents in the Shanghai consulate office.

The group in a statement yesterday said while they eagerly await President Jonathan’s visit, they also have high expectations that his coming would bring the desired end and ease their suffering.

Managing Director of Blue Diamond Logistics, Festus Mbisiogu, was confident that the President’s visit would produce the much awaited consular office in Guangzhou and ease the challenge of traveling an entire day to process document.

According to him, “I don’t know why the Federal Government chooses to situate the Nigeria Consulate in Shanghai – the Chinese finan-

cial Capital. But, the reality is that the Nigeria Consulate is distance from our people who are the backbone of the nation’s foreign policy.”

He added that the government should realize that consulate is the backbone of Nigeria’s foreign policy and consular services, hence “it must take a second look at the nation’s diplomatic priorities as nearness of consular office will bring diplomats closer to Nigerian in foreign land without unnecessary bureaucracies.”

“The consular office, when established would make life easier for Nigerians resident in China, particularly the over 80 per cent of Nigerians living in Guangzhou – some of whom are traders, businessmen, fortune seekers and artisans,” Mbisiogu said.

The group first made their appeal for new consular office 10 years ago, through the former President of Nigerian Union in China, Pastor Basil Ukaere to the then President, Olusegun Obasanjo.

Mbisiogu said further that the Nigerians did not deserve to go through pains to perfect their documents, especially in Guangzhou province, which is Chinese economic nerve centre where Nigerians have been contributing immensely to the Chinese economy.

Top Afghanistan policewoman killed top female police officer A has been shot dead in Afghanistan’s Helmand province, officials say.

Lt Islam Bibi was ambushed by unknown attackers as she left her home in the provincial capital, Lashkar Gah, a spokesman for Helmand police said.

The commander of 32 female police officers, Lt Bibi, 37, was known as a role model for other women in the conservative province.

Her death came as four girls were also killed in a roadside blast in Helmand.

Lt Bibi was on a motorbike alongside her son-in-law when she was wounded in the gun attack. She later died in hospital, officials say.

Like most Afghan women in rural areas of Afghanistan, Lt Bibi had struggled to work

outside the home, says the BBC’s Bilal Sarwary in Kabul.

Meanwhile, the four girls, said to be aged between seven and 12, were attending a wedding in Lashkar Gah and had gone to collect water from a stream when the explosives detonated.

Last month Afghan forces assumed security responsibility for the whole country ahead of Nato’s departure.

Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are one of their biggest challenges.

Helmand is one of Afghanistan’s most volatile provinces.

Correspondents say that civilian casualties in the south have increased recently, and many of those are due to the use of improvised explosives by the militants.

Vatican posts surplus, donations drop HE Vatican posted a 2.2 T million euro ($2.85 million) budget surplus for 2012, an improvement from the previous year and some good news as it struggles to cope with a scandal involving its embattled bank.

In its annual financial statement yesterday, the Holy See said better management had helped it recover from one of its worst deficits a year earlier, when it booked a 14.9 million euro shortfall.

A 12 per cent drop in donations from ordinary faithful, a 5 percent drop in offerings

from religious orders and 5 million euros in new property taxes in 2012 prevented an even better result. Most of its expenses were for its 2,823 staff and the steep costs of running the Holy See’s global radio programming.

The Vatican City State, which runs the profit-making Vatican Museums, post office and supermarket, has a separate budget. Its profits were 23.08 million euros, up from 21.8 million euros in 2011. Fifty more people came to work in this branch of the Vatican in 2012, bringing its staffing up

to 1,936.

The annual report, which was approved by a group of cardinals on Wednesday, followed one of the most convulsive weeks in the Vatican’s recent financial history: Last week, Pope Francis created a commission of inquiry into the Vatican bank, long the source of scandal for the Holy See. Two days later, a Vatican accountant was arrested in an elaborate 20 million euro smuggling plot.

And on Monday, the Vatican bank’s two top managers resigned, apparently because

they weren’t embracing the Holy See’s new push for financial transparency sufficiently.

Such problems have fueled calls for Francis to simply close the bank down. But the bank, known as the Institute for Religious Works, or IOR, plays a critical role in the Vatican’s financial health. As it does every year, the IOR handed over 50 million euros to Pope Francis for his charitable efforts, along with 5 million euros in separate disbursements to other charities, the financial report said.

10

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, July 5, 2013

Politics

PHOTO: AFP

Protesters at Tahrir Square, Cairo.

Travails of democracy in Egypt

By Eno-Abasi Sunday and Bola Olajuwon FRIcA’s post-colonial history is replete A with unconstitutional changes of government, which are executed using military coups and sundry vehicles. Most coup plotters mouth lack of transparency and accountability in government, nepotism and general bad governance as some of the reasons why they strike.

Within a span of eight months, that is between August 2008 and March 2009, military officers toppled the governments of three African countries. On August 6, 2008, Mauritania elected president was ousted, while coup plotters struck in Guinea on December 23, 2008. On March 17, 2009, Madagascar joined the list of troubled spots on the continent by losing its elected president.

Even when a semblance of sanity appeared to have prevailed, early in 2010, a military coup in Niamey, capital of Niger Republic ousted President Mamadou Tandja of that country. still not ready to shed its toga as the hotbed of unconstitutional government changes, rebels in the central African Republic (cAR), in March this year chased out President Francois Bozize, paving way for leader of the seleka rebels, Michel Djotodia, to install himself as the president.

The frequency of this illegal changes and its attendant negative consequences including considerable confusion in the polity, despair, disgust needless deaths, hunger and arm struggles, have led many to question the effectiveness and the dissuasive powers of the African Union (AU)’s policy on and response to unconstitutional changes in government on the continent. since the beginning of the Arab spring two years ago, a groundswell of dramatic events, have taken place on and off the African continent. From the death of Tunisian street trader, Mohamed Bouazizi,

to the departure of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, the protests in Egypt’s Tahrir square and the death of Libya’s colonel Muammar Gaddafi, the continent has witnessed a tremendous amount of upheavals.

When street vendor Mohamed Bouazizi, set himself ablaze in Tunisia, after claiming he was slapped by policewoman, Fedia Hamdi, and in protest against an authoritarian regime, he inadvertently kick-started the Jasmine revolution, which later snowballed into the now Arab spring.

Bouazizi, who later died of injuries he sustained, represented a generation of disenchanted, often jobless or underemployed Arabs under the age of 30, which make up about 60 per cent of the region’s population.

The deceased trader, effectively became the driving force behind the protests that followed, to the point that Hamdi, the police inspector that provoked Bouazizi’s suicide (an allegation she denied), said the situation “…was like a full glass of water and Bouazizi was the drop that made it overflow.”

After weeks of protests fuelled by anger over corruption, rising food prices, unemployment and a lack of freedom, Ben Ali, made efforts to appease demonstrators with pledges of reforms, but to no avail and was forced to flee Tunis for saudi Arabia after 23 years in power. He was later sentenced, in absentia, to 35 years in prison for embezzlement and misuse of state funds.

Ben Ali’s downfall appeared to be the elixir other Arab youths were waiting for. As protests spread to and across Egypt, demonstrators in cairo took control of Tahrir square after a stiff combat with the police.

The protests challenged the regime of President Hosni Mubarak, who at first refused to quit. However, after protesters marched on the Presidential Palace, he finally agreed to step aside on February 12, 2012.

Egypt is the most populous Arab country

and its police state had previously looked too strong to topple. The Egyptian revolution went on to inspire uprisings in Yemen, Bahrain and Libya, and the following month, in syria.

However, in Egypt’s first free presidential election, Mohammed Morsi, of the Muslim Brotherhood, on June 24, 2011, was declared winner and he inherited huge political and economic challenges, which many accused him of not doing enough to resolve. The biggest, was the row over the new constitution showed by the end of 2012. Holding together a bitter and divided country as well as discontent over the sweeping powers he appropriated to himself added to the basketful of problems.

In fact, many alleged that political Islamists were, by far, the main electoral beneficiaries of the Arab uprisings. A month after the Egyptian elections, voters in Libya, the most religious country in North Africa, showed that their faith did not guarantee an automatic vote for political Islamists.

The frequency of this unconstitutional changes and its attendant negative consequences including considerable confusion in the polity, despair, disgust needless deaths, hunger and arm struggles, have led many to question the effectiveness and the dissuasive powers of the African Union (AU)’s policy on and response to unconstitutional changes in government on the continent.

Not satisfied with what they were being offered by the Morsi-led administration, the opposition led by the National salvation Front (NsF), began days of protests in cairo as Morsi’s administration turned one, while Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood supporters also trooped out in support of their own.

Last sunday, at least four people were killed in shootings at anti-Morsi protesters in southern Egypt, and at least 30 others reportedly injured in the clashes, local security chief Ibrahim Hodeib was quoted as saying in the Egyptian daily al-Ahram.

Across the country, the rallies were among the most gigantic Egypt has seen in nearly two-and-a-half years of continuous upheavals, including during the Tahrir square-packing, 18-day uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak in early 2011.

“You lied to us in the name of religion,” some chanted, and others raised a banner proclaiming, “Morsi=Mubarak. Early presidential elections.” The crowds hoisted long banners in the colors of the Egyptian flag and raised red cards asking Morsi to quit. some Morsi backers, who wore homemade body armor and construction helmets, carried shields and clubs to protect themselves against possible violence.

In a potentially volatile confrontation after nightfall on sunday, however, several dozen youths attacked the headquarters of the Muslim Brotherhood. They threw stones and firebombs at the building and people inside the fenced villa fired at the attackers.

The opposition’s goal was to show; through sheer numbers in the street that so much of the country had turned against Morsi, the country’s first freely elected president that he can no longer rule. similarly sized crowds turned out in the

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, July 5, 2013

POLITICS | 11

Again, democracy on the crucible of popular protests Mediterranean city of Alexandria and the Nile Delta cities of Mansoura, Tanta and Damanhour, with sizable rallies in cities nationwide.

“Mubarak took only 18 days although he had behind him the security, intelligence and a large sector of Egyptians.

Morsi got all of us against him, even the army and police,” said Amr Tawfeeq, an oil company employee.

“He won’t take long. We want him out and we are ready to pay the price. There is no room for any talk against this constitutional legitimacy,” another protester told a reporter.

Asked the rationale behind the forcing out an elected president, he said, if an elected president is forced out, “Well, there would be people or opponents opposing the new president too, and a week or a month later, they will ask him to step down.”

As the crowds massed, Morsi’s spokesman Ihab Fahmi repeated the president’s longstanding offer of dialogue with the opposition to resolve the nation’s political crisis, calling it “the only framework through which we can reach understandings.”

“I cannot imagine any substitute for dialogue,” said the spokesman. The opposition has repeatedly turned down his offers for dialogue, arguing that they were for show.

Few days later, Morsi addressed the country rejecting protesters’ calls for him to step down. In a late-night address, he said he was willing to give his life “to protect the legitimacy” of the country’s ballot box and Islamist-drafted constitution.

Without elaborating, he mentioned the possibility of parliamentary elections in six months, part of a list of proposals he said he would consider during talks with the opposition.

Moments later, anti-government protesters in four provinces across Egypt chanted against the president, calling for him and his Muslim Brotherhood-backed party to quit.

Antigovernment protests again swelled on Egypt’s streets, reaching millions. This was just ahead of the Egyptian military’s Wednesday deadline for Mr. Morsi to ammend relations with the country’s opposition.

“The country is only going backward under Morsi. He’s embarrassing us and making people hate Islam,” said Donia Rashad, a 24-year-old unemployed woman.

“We need someone who can feel the people and is agreeable to the majority,” added Rashad.

“Today is the Brotherhood’s last day in power,” said Suliman Mohammed, a manager of a seafood company who was protesting at Tahrir Square on Wednesday, where crowds surged after nightfall.

Indeed it was the Brotherhood’s last day in office as Egypt’s army removed him from power, suspended the constitution and pledged new elections among other things.

Defense Minister Gen. Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi, who gave the president and his opponents a week to reach a compromise, announced the move in a television address where he unfolded a new roadmap for Egypt’s future, fashioned by the military. The head of the Supreme Constitutional Court, Adli Mansour, was sworn in as interim leader yesterday, barely 24 hours after the announcement was made.

Al-Sissi in his address said Morsi had “failed to meet the demands of the Egyptian people.” He added that that the armed forces could not stay silent and blind to the call of the Egyptian masses.

The head of the Coptic Church, Pope Tawadros, who was one of those that spoke after al-Sissi, said, “This roadmap has been drafted by honourable people who seek the interests, first and foremost, of the country.”

Muslim Brotherhood media spokesman Gehad el-Haddad said Morsi had been put under house arrest and the “entire presidential team” was in detention. Mr Haddad’s father, senior Morsi aide, Essam el-Haddad, and Saad al-Katatni, head of the Brotherhood’s political wing, were among those held and state-run al-Ahram newspaper reported that arrest warrants had been issued for 300 leaders and members of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Expectedly, Morsi’s supporters denounced the move as a military coup and said he was being held in detention, just as his opponents celebrated through the night in Tahrir Square.

A notice on Morsi’s Facebook page denounced the army for its “military coup”, asking Egyptians, both civilians and military to “abide by the constitution and the law and not to respond to this coup”.

A number of clashes were reported in several Egyptian cities after the address and at least 10 people were reportedly killed in the coastal cities of Alexandria and Marsa Matrouh, as well as in the southern city of Minya.

The Barack Obama administration had used United States diplomatic and military channels to deliver quiet messages and warnings to Morsi and Egyptian commanders to try to head off the crisis and avert any military coup.

Those messages clearly were not heeded.

But in the wake of Morsi’s sack, Obama said he was “deeply concerned” by the latest turn of events and called for a swift return to civilian rule.

In a four-paragraph statement he released on Egypt, he said, “As I have said since the Egyptian Revolution, the United States supports a set of core principles, including opposition to violence, protection of universal human rights, and reform that meets the legitimate aspirations of

the people. The United States does not support particular individuals or political parties, but we are committed to the democratic process and respect for the rule of law. Since the current unrest in Egypt began, we have called on all parties to work together to address the legitimate grievances of the Egyptian people, in accordance with the democratic process, and without recourse to violence or the use of force.

“The United States is monitoring the very fluid situation in Egypt, and we believe that ultimately the future of Egypt can only be determined by the Egyptian people. Nevertheless, we are deeply concerned by the decision of the Egyptian Armed Forces to remove President Morsi and suspend the Egyptian constitution. I now call on the Egyptian military to move quickly and responsibly to return full authority back to a democratically elected civilian government as soon as possible through an inclusive and transparent

Mansour

Al-Sisi

Morsi

process, and to avoid any arbitrary arrests of President Morsi and his supporters. Given today’s (Wednesday) developments, I have also directed the relevant departments and agencies to review the implications under U.S. law for our assistance to the Government of Egypt.

He said the “U.S. continues to believe firmly that the best foundation for lasting stability in Egypt is a democratic political order with participation from all sides and all political parties, secular and religious, civilian and military.

During this uncertain period, we expect the military to ensure that the rights of all Egyptian men and women are protected, including the right to peaceful assembly, due process, and free and fair trials in civilian courts. Moreover, the goal of any political process should be a government that respects the rights of all people, majority and minority; that institutionalises the checks and balances upon which democracy depends; and that places the interests of the people above party or faction. The voices of all those who have protested peacefully must be heard…”

Obama concluded that, “No transition to democracy comes without difficulty, but in the end it must stay true to the will of the people. An honest, capable and representative government is what ordinary Egyptians seek and what they deserve. The longstanding partnership between the United States and Egypt is based on shared interests and values, and we will continue to work with the Egyptian people to ensure that Egypt’s transition to democracy succeeds.”

Reacting to the crisis in Egypt, Professor of International Relations and visiting Fellow at the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations, Adeniji Abolade said the unfolding scenario in Egypt was not unexpected. He said for a country that has consistently been ruled since 1952 by military men, it was also expected that democratic structures were weakened by these classes of rulers. “And for Egyptians to have elected Morsi in the first instance, he ought to have formed an all-inclusive government, which he refused to do.”

Deploring Morsi’s Islamisation of the country while claiming he had legitimacy, Abolade asserted that the legitimacy Morsi claims to have, was given to him by half of the voting population.

The don said the implication of what has happened to Morsi is that leaders must realise that legitimacy does not end with the mandate given them at elections, as they must continue to earn it through their works to survive in office.

He urged Nigeria and other African countries to reflect on the peoples’ power as expressed by Egyptians stressing that when the people are disenchanted, they will always strike.

For Senior Research Fellow, Nigerian Institute for International Affairs (NIIA), Charles Dokubo, the Muslim Brotherhood that brought Morsi to power was deceptive from the beginning as it initially said it would not field a candidate at the presidential poll, but made a volte-face to field Morsi.

He added that they said they would form an all-inclusive government, but refused to do that thereby forcing the people to react to all these deceptions through their anger.

Dokubo, who maintained that the crisis would continue to fester unless the new helmsman takes into consideration, the grievances of all Egyptians, advised Nigerian leaders to empower all Nigerians as well as institute economic programmes that would benefit the generality of Nigerians. “If this happens”, he stated, “No Nigerian would be concerned about who is in power.”

Director of Research at the NIIA, Prof Ogaba Oche, who said the Arab Spring was not really a revolution, but a show of the peoples’ dislike for the way things were in the affected Arab countries, added that for a revolution to take place, all structures must give way, but in most of the affected Arab countries, most of the structures were still intact.

In the case of Egypt, he said, the strongest institution remains the military, which has now aligned with the peoples’ demands. The implication is that leaders should be concerned about the substantive output of the government.

He noted that in most cases, the electorate was unconcerned with how the government was run, rather, was concerned with what they can benefit from the government. “And if they cannot get the substantive output, then

In fact, many alleged that political Islamists were, by far, the main electoral beneficiaries of the Arab uprisings. A month after the Egyptian elections, voters in Libya, the most religious country in North Africa, showed that their faith did not guarantee an automatic vote for political Islamists.

Not satisfied with what they were being offered by the Morsi-led administration, the opposition led by the National Salvation Front, began days of protests in Cairo as Morsi’s administration turned one, while Morse’s Muslim Brotherhood Egypt also trooped out in support of their own.

12

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, July 5, 2013

TheMetroSection ‘I make N10,000 per day’

Briefs Foundation hosts 150 senior citizens in Lagos

• In Lagos, female Danfo driver ekes out a living in a man’s world

HE Sunshine Foundation, T founded by the late MEE Mofe – Damijo, in conjunction

By Odia Sunday RS. Bolaji Adedotun has proved that what a man can do, women can also do it better. Having thrived in the commercial bus driving business in a ‘complicated’ city like Lagos, Adedotun has dispelled the notion that women cannot succeed in traditionally male vocations.

With her over one year experience in Commercial ‘Danfo’ driving, she uses her present job to demonstrate that women can perform ‘blue-collar’ jobs with pride and skill to match any man.

She plies Mile 12 -Maryland route..

Her colleagues often call her ‘Mama’ or ‘Iya’ in admiration of her dexterity in a business regarded as exclusive reserve for men in Lagos.

She sometimes gets splashing gifts from public-spirited Nigerians who like what she is doing.

Not even a plum job for her husband could stop her now from the business she has fallen in love with.

Her only request is that government should support people like her to acquire buses that are in good condition so that she can do her business unhindered.

“Most times, this my bus disappoints because it is getting old. If we can get little support from government or banks, I would acquire a new bus and teach men that no business is exclusive reserve for them,” she said.

Telling her story on how she ventured into Danfo –driving business, Adedotun said: “My venturing into commercial ‘Danfo’ driving is a long story. My husband was sacked at his office over one year ago and we have to live, the children must not feel the difference between when he was on paid employment and now. I make at least N10, 000 per day.

“People admire me and give me

with Healthmark Group, will today host 150 senior citizens from all walks of life, with the theme: The Essence of Health In Ageing Gracefully, at Shitta Community Centre, Shitta Roundabout, behind Alhaji Waha Yinka Folayijo Mosque, Akerele, Surulere, Lagos, at 8.00 am.

Eminent scholars including Mr. Baldwin Onuri and Chief Dr. Ibwowarri James, will speak at the event.

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Adeboye prays for VCs HE General Overseer of the T Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye will hold a prayer session with the Vice Chancellors, registrars, lecturers and Provosts of higher institutions on Sunday, July 7, at 8.00 a.m. at the RCCG Headquarters (Throne of Grace), Nos.1 – 9, Redemption Way, Ebute-Metta, Lagos.

The Assistant Pastor in Charge of Special Duties, Lagos Province 1, Goke Aniyeloye, said the theme is “Excellent Spirit.”

Church begins programme HE Assembly of Faithful T Church (Worldwide) will begin its yearly prayer festival

Mrs. Adedotun monetary gifts, they love what I am doing. Some passengers usually give me between N5, 000 and N2, 000 just to encourage me to continue doing what I am doing. Some people buy me Malt drink and some usually pray for me. When I started it a year ago, it was stressful, but now, I am used to it, I don’t feel any pain or stress anymore. My fellow Danfo

drivers call me mama or Iya. “I have three children. It is good for women to be hard-working in this country nowadays. Even if your husband is working, a woman must do something to assist her husband. It is not good to sit idle at home doing nothing. Even if my husband gets the best job now, I cannot leave this driving business. I have to assist my hus-

band so that we can live the comfortable life we desired. Paying children school fees is no joke,” she said.

She also has some words of advice for the youths who are complaining about unemployment: “My message for the youths is to find something doing and work hard. There is money in this country if you really find yourself doing something.”

In Ibadan, masquerade supporters destroy 10 vehicles, attack residents From Iyabo Lawal, Ibadan HERE was pandemonium yesterday in Bode and Popoyemoja areas of Ibadan when supporters of a masquerade popularly called Oloolu went berserk, vandalizing vehicles and attacking residents.

By the time the crisis subsided, about 10 vehicles were vandalized while three persons were arrested by the police.

The masquerade had gone to the area to pay homage to two prominent Ibadan chiefs in the area when its

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supporters clad in t-shirts with inscription “Odun Esan” meaning year of revenge.

The supporters, on getting to the area allegedly launched onslaught on the residents, attacking them with dangerous weapons.

The shocked residents who spoke with reporters on the development, lamented the onslaught, saying that it was to pay back the people of the area what happened during the festival last year.

It would be recalled that some hoodlums allegedly attacked the masquerade

last year, during which one person was killed and several others injured.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Olabisi Ilubanafor, said hoodlums who were prevented from attacking the masquerade that wreaked the havoc.

She said that the hoodlums shot sporadically with a view to attacking the masquerade with dangerous weapons.

She confirmed that vehicles were vandalized but said that the owners were yet to be identified as no-

body had reported.

However, the police spokesperson disclosed that three people namely: Ibrahim Isiaka, Yakubu Isiaka and Fatai Bakare had been arrested in connection with the incident and are currently being held at the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Some of the vehicles vandalized included Volkswagen Jeta car with Registration Number AG 483 SHK, AA 893 SHK, Toyota with Registration Number AB 470 AAB (Ogun), MUS 952 BE and Mercedes Benz with Regis-

tration Number EJ 161 ABC (Abuja).

Most of the vandalized vehicles were parked in the compound where the hoodlums carried out the act.

A foodseller, Mrs. Oguntoyinbo Bilikisu said that the hoodlums destroyed her utensils and carted away money realized for the day.

A 60-year-old man, Godwin Aneke, who claimed that he was coming from the hospital where he had gone for aneye treatment, said he was attacked and his money and handset stolen by the hoodlums.

Task Force seizes 1,000 suspected miscreants in Oshodi

By Abdulwaheed Usamah HE Chairman of Lagos State Task Force, Bayo Sulaiman, a Chief Superintendent of Police, (CSP) yesterday told journalists that about 1,000 miscreants and hoodlums have been arrested in the Oshodi Under-bridge area and its environs in the past six months.

Of this figure, 77 were under-aged boys and girls.

According to Lagos Environment Law Enforcement agency boss, the biggest number of arrests was in January in which 246 hoodlums were arrested among them 204 males and 34 females.

By February the number decreased to 141, all of who were male.

He said it might have been the successful raid in the first two months of the year that discouraged the miscreants from returning in large numbers as

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only 41 and 53 arrests, all of them male, were made for March and April.

“But surprisingly in May, as if the miscreants were tipped off about good things happening in the area, they returned and the number arrested, especially at a popular hideout known as Oko Mala, jumped to 305, out of which 17 were female and 241 male.

“In June a total of total of 211 were seized, among them 184 male and 11 female.

He said the figure included those arrested for flouting restriction orders during environmental sanitation days, many of who were screened and released following investigations into the genuineness of their excuses, while other were prosecuted according to the law and the minors among them sent to correctional centres.

The CSP lamented that some of the children the task force arrests are from wee-to-do home, won-

dering why such children prefer a life of vagrancy rather than enjoy the comfort and protection of their families.

Bayo also observed “after several arrests and a continuous parade, new faces kept increasing day after day and that, only 11 out the 1,000 arrested between the beginning of the year and June had been arrested twice.

“It means, on a daily basis, kids run away from their parents’ comfortable homes to stay under Oshodi Bridge”, he regretted.

He said the task force would embark on more proactive measures to check the resurgence of activity of miscreants and hoodlums in the state.

“It is likely they may start changing bases since they are aware that task force is after them, but we will still go after them wherever they hide,” Bayo said.

on Sunday, July 7, 2013 with a 21-day fasting and prayer.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, July 28, there will be a thanksgiving service at the church auditorium at 10.00 a.m.

Host is Pastor Israel Olufemi Ibironke.

Queen of Oghara Kingdon for burial URIAL rites for Queen of B Oghara Kingdom, Mrs. Grace Eshemitan, begin today in Ogharefe, headquarters of Ethiope West Local Council of Delta State.

It will commence at the Palace of His Royal Majesty, Noble Eshemitan, Orefe 111, Ovie of Ogahara Kingdom, with a service of songs, while the funeral service holds tomorrow.

A thanksgiving service holds on Sunday at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Ogharefe. She is survived by her husband, children and grand children.

Jegede,72, for burial HE death has occurred of T Mrs. Abigail Jegede at the age of 72.

A statement by his son, Mr. Jide Jegede, said a Christian wake holds today at 5.00p.m. at The New Goshen Land Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Abayomi Bus-stop, Iwo road, Ibadan, Oyo State.

She will be buried tomorrow after a funeral service at 10.00am at the same church.

She is survived by children among whom are Mrs. Ruth Anjorin, Prophetess Funke Omowale, Mrs. Iyabo Adeyemi, Akin Jegede and others.

Jegede

METRO 13

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, July 5, 2013

Photonews

Books for Africa (BFA) Board Member,, Mike Essien (left), Executive Director, Dr. Patrick J. Plonski, Centre Manager, British Council, Port Hacourt, Ijeoma Arguba and Special Adiviser to the State Governor and State Co-ordinator, NEPAD Rivers State, Dr. Tex Wariboko at the flag-off of the one million books project initiative by NEPAD Rivers State…recently.

The elementary orchestra group of Greensprings School performing during the school’s graduation ceremony in Lagos...

Miracles at Deeper Life mid-year celebration

By Isaac Taiwo

WAS diagnosed of tumour in my heart at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba. I was told I would have to travel to India, where I would be treated. I needed to raise nothing less than N3 million for both the fare and treatment costs.” “ I suddenly remembered the Deeper Life monthly celebration night and tesmonies of others in the past.

“Then, I was at the next celebration month and held firmly to my faith that God would definitely spot me out of the large congregation. Praise God! Our very kind and faithful God truly visited me among the mammoth crowd, for, after the man of God’s prayer, the tumour suddenly disappeared. I went back to the doctors and told them to carry out their test if they

“I

Executive Director, Mainstreet Bank, Roger Woodbridge (left); Principal Investment Manager, International Finance Corporation (IFC), Kenneth Osei and Director (Capacity Building), Nigerian Institute of Management, Sola Obadimu, at the Institute’s corporate leaders forum, in Lagos...

Brief Group seeks generational change in Delta

By Bertram Nwannekamna GROUP of young profesA sionals under the aegis of Delta Youth Frontiers (DYF) has called for a generational change in the leadership of the state to ensure fairness, equity and development of the state.

The advocacy group, poised with the goal of educating the youth on the basic tenets of democracy, made the call through its Coordinator, Donald Igudia, during a recent parley with youth groups and community heads in Isoko North Local Council.

The parley, which had representatives from different communities in the council, was aimed at promoting the ideals of generational change, political education, equity and fairness.

According to Igudia, the group tends to use the parley to identify and support a force- bearer that embodies and represents the collective aspirations of youths in the state.

Also speaking, the Supervisory Councillor for Environment in Ozoro Ward, Idoghor Peter, thanked the group for advancing the cause of the youths and pledged to make them form an integral part of the developmental process in the council.

He also stressed the need for a synergy between the group and other youth groups in Isoko in the pursuit of good governance in the state.

The former Registrar, Delta State College of Education, Oleh, Richard Odede, commended the efforts of the group and called on youths in communities such as Ellu, Ovrede, Aragbe, Ozoro and the entire Isoko North to align with the vision of the group in a bid to ensure greater Delta.

He also stressed the need for fairness and equity in the state by ensuring equal political opportunities for all parts of the state.

did not believe and to their surprise, the tumor had disappeared. Praise God with me,” she shouted.

That was one of the miraculous testimonies at the recently held special Mid-Year Celebration of the Deeper Life Bible Church.

The weather was favourable and the usual, unpredictable traffic jam did not hinder the worshippers to the venue.

The General Superintendent, Pastor Williams Kumuyi in his opening message, that was beamed through the satellite to all over Africa and the world, assured the large crowd that as long as they were able to remove the greatest obstacle to their miracles, which he identified as “unbelief,” no one would leave the camp with his or her problems.

“Christ’s power is very

much available to remove your mountains but you should know also that this is conditional.

Let faith settle the problem right inside you because through faith, all your mountains would be removed. Unbelief means unedifying neutrality, ungodly negative, uncertain notions, unstable nature and unbecoming naughtiness. Remove the “UN” from Unbelief and what you are left with is “belief,” he said.

Delivering his second message, Kumuyi who spoke on the ABC of Moving Mountains, expatiated that “A’ stands for ‘Ask’ on the basis of His faithfulness, ‘B’ for ‘Believe with boldness of faith while ‘C’ is to cancel all bondage from your future stress noting that there is a kind of boldness that ‘belief’ has which ‘unbelief’ does not have”.

TheGuardian

ASUU Vs Government!

What Do University Teachers Want That Government Cannot Give?

SUNDAY, JULY 7, 2013

Conscience Nurtured by Truth

Members of the Conference of Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas, Lagos (Conference 57), with their Chairman, Akeem Sulaiman (middle); and the founder of Heart of Gold Hospice, Surulere, Laja Adedoyin (second left), during the presentation of a 18-seater bus to commemorate 50th birthday of Governor Babatunde Fashola, in Lagos.

HE cat and mouse game between ASUU and government seems endless. What else can ASUU do to get government attention apart from perennial closures; hasn’t the strike option become obsolete and cheap?

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Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan (second right), Chairman of the occasion, Chief Philip Asiodu (right), representative of the President and Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen (second left) and Deputy Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Finance, Abayomi Ogunnusi during the Catholic Men Organisation National Fathers’ Day and award ceremony in Abuja… on Sunday

POLITICS

Women And Affirmative Action FAYEMI: T Was Not Ambition That Brought Me To Ekiti, I Came Here To Serve

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HE Big T Noise That Has Not Translated To Good content

BUSINESS Federal Government And How Not To Concession Public Assets RAMADAN Chairman of the occasion, Prof. E. J. Alagoa (left), Co-founder, O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation, Mrs. Seinye Lulu-Briggs, Shell Managing Director, Shell, Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu, Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi and his Deputy, Mr. Tele Ikuru at the launch of the Port Harcourt Book Centre…

Islamic Clerics On Change Of Attitude And Fear Of God The Guardian On Sunday is new, fresher, bolder; a delight to behold and more importantly, reader-friendly! Book a copy today.

14 | THE GUARDIAN, Friday, July 5, 2013

TheGuardian Conscience Nurtured by Truth

FOUNDER: ALEX U. IBRU (1945 – 2011)

Conscience is an open wound; only truth can heal it. Uthman dan Fodio 1754-1816

Editorial The drama in Rivers State HE turn of events in Rivers State, with the assault on the government and the state’s Commissioner of Police behaving like a rival to Governor Rotimi Amaechi, is, to say the least, disgraceful and totally condemnable. Even though there had been very little joy between Abuja and Port Harcourt hitherto, especially since the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) election in which Amaechi emerged victorious, the state governor would appear to have been constantly targeted for humiliation in a political struggle for supremacy in the 2015 politics of succession.

From all indications, the political onslaught against Amaechi seems to have been orchestrated and masterminded by unseen powers in the Federal capital, Abuja, and the incontrovertible complicity of the presidency is illustrated by the reported unprofessional meddling of federal security agents, particularly the Nigeria Police, in the saga. In a recent outburst, apparently as an expression of his frustration and discontent with the whole situation, Governor Amaechi lamented that the state had been permanently put under siege by the police with his loyalists being prevented from doing as much as visiting him or engaging in any form of public show of support. He then threatened to lead a street protest to challenge the continuing federal assault through its security apparatuses. He dared Joseph Mbu, the state Commissioner of Police, to shoot him if he wished.

To begin with, the insurbordination of the Rivers State Police Commissioner has been such that he has had to openly challenge the governor and, therefore, confirmed the suspicion that he is out to carry out an agenda against the chief executive of a state. This insolence is unacceptable. What else is a Police Commissioner to do apart from saluting the state chief executive and carry out his orders? If he has any complaint, he ought to know the appropriate channels to use.

More importantly, this is a needless crisis that could have been avoided altogether. It is nothing but a manifestation of the deepening crisis of the political culture of impunity that has held the country captive for years, devoid of political maturity and tolerance. The situation is bewildering because it is happening under a supposedly democratic system of government. Also, it is ironic because democracy is generally reputed to have inbuilt institutional mechanisms, both formal and informal, for addressing political differences and conflict of interests at all levels. Interestingly, the political accommodation of dissent has been recognised as one of the cardinal elements of sustainable democracy.

Unfortunately, the Nigerian democratic dispensation would not be persuaded by any of those arguments.

Instead, it has opted to unnecessarily suffocate the political space through the excessive deployment of power of incumbency. Recourse to the misuse or abuse of power, as this case suggests, should not be seen as a sign of political strength.

Rather, it is a manifestation of an embarrassingly low level of political maturity, as much as a sign of indecorum, especially by the Federal powers. Else, how can the spectacle of a state Commissioner of Police threatening and harassing a state governor, the statutory chief security officer of the state, be explained? By withdrawing or threatening to withdraw the security aides of the governor, for whatever reason, the police have demonstrated their undue politicisation and high level of unprofessionalism. Their action approximates the ugly treatment experienced by then Governor Chris Ngige of Anambra State during which his security aides were suddenly withdrawn, paving the way for his unconstitutional removal from office in what many had labelled a civilian coup masterminded by dark politician forces opposed to him. After over a decade of democratic experiment, there should be no more room for such conducts. It is totally against all known norms of political decency.

The involvement of the police in this matter brings to the fore, once again, the unresolved question of state police. Whereas, proponents and antagonists of the idea have constantly made their cases, this may be the time to revisit the debate with a view to weighing the pros and cons and deciding what serves Nigeria best. One thing is sure: the argument that state police is prone to abuse by governors has been defeated by the predisposition of the system, as it is, to abuse by the federal authorities. Indeed, there is a need now to neutralise the risks posed by the Nigeria Police in its current form and character to the democratic structure. Not only is it over-centralised, but also too unprofessional and undisciplined in disposition.

The resolution of the crisis in Rivers State should be the main concern of all parties in the overall interest of the state and the country. The continuation of the saga will only exacerbate its economic impact on the state, the same way it has been affecting the peace and security of the country. The inability, so far, to handle such a conflict as this in a civilised manner is a pointer to the abysmal rating of the political leadership in the country and its immaturity.

Whenever democracy is under assault, all well-meaning Nigerians should defend it and ensure its victory. In other words, the battle should not be seen as one between some politicians in Abuja and Rivers State, but one between a rapacious, insensitive political elite and the general will of the people. It must stop.

The time to rise in defence and advancement of democracy is now!

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LETTERS

U.S Supreme Court on defence of Marriage Act am disappointed that the SedIR:U.S.toI Supreme Court has decidoverturn the Federal Defence of Marriage Act. Too many children are being hurt by our culture’s strange and increasing inability to appreciate how important it is to bring together mothers and fathers for children in one loving home.

Our society needs an institution that connects children to their

mothers and fathers and the only institution that does this is marriage. Redefining marriage changes the basic understanding of marriage from a childcentred institution to one that sees it as a temporary, revocable commitment, which prioritizes the “romantic” happiness of adults over building a loving, lasting family.

The meaning and direction of

sexuality is essentially to bring about the union of man and woman, and in this way give humanity posterity, children, future. This is a point we need to hold firm, even if it is not pleasing to our age. On the heel of this new legislation we need now, more than ever, to work to rebuild a more loving and successful traditional marriage culture.

• Paul Kokoski, Ontario, Canada.

Police and peacekeeping mission of the many ironies of ShadIR:ourtoOnenational life that I have grapple with is the accolade that the Nigeria Police always coast home with from international keeping missions, where such accolades are juxtaposed with their performance on the domestic front. On various international peacekeeping missions that the Nigeria Police participated, it has always been tales of laurels and accolades.

Pundits have tried to locate the reason in a number of theories.

One of such postulations, usually supported by the police, is that on such missions as the UN Peace keeping, this school of thought holds that our Police are usually exposed to first class facilities that make for their excellent performance.

The Police and some acclaimed experts have always latched in on this testimony to further advance the corollary, which, regrettably, they always reduce to the magical effects of cash.

Thus, whenever there are critical challenges to policing such as

the recent horrendous experience of the massacre of the Police both in Bama and Nasararwa State, one always hears of such cheap argument as the assailant having superior firepower.

That leads us to another irony.

How come that the Nigeria Police, 30-years ago, was more efficient in policing with just mainly batons than now when more than 90 AK 46? –armed police officers would be deployed to arrest just a chief priest of a cult group?

A critical assessment of the policing system in Nigeria would reveal the absence of a significant component of effective policing, that is, people-oriented policing system, otherwise tagged community policing, where policing policies directly derive from the social forces that shape the relationship between the police and the citizenry. In order words, the ordinary citizen is so removed from the utopian dynamics of police/citizen friendship as

obtains in other climes as to be of any benefit to the police in the area of intelligence gathering, the sine qua non of acceptable modern policing system. Rather, our policing system, and indeed, the mentality of an average police officer in Nigeria is to conceive all conflict situations requiring police attention as war crisis situation necessitating maximum display of hardware of force at the expense of software of intelligence gathering.

The perceived excellence of the Nigeria Police in international peace-keeping missions is traceable to its orientation of militarism, which comes handy in war situations, where, for most times, foul is fair and fair is foul. Until there is a conscious policy formulation to make for a paradigm shift in the mentality and orientation of policing in Nigeria, protection of lives and property; peace, order and social justice, the raison d’être of modern police will yet remain a mirage.

• Chris Edache Agbiti, Abuja.

ThE GUARDIAN, Friday, July 5, 2013

15

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Govt targets $15b investments in FTZs within five years

By Ade Ogidan, Business Editor hE Federal Government has projected a further investment profile of $15 billion (N2.4 trillion) for all the Free Trade Zones (FTZs) located across the country, in the next five years.

Already, the Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) has unfolded plans to attract more investments to the FTZs, to meet the target.

The Managing Director, NEPZA, Gbenga Kuye, disclosed this during a press

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briefing with journalists in Abuja, yesterday. he pointed out that so far, NEPZA had attracted investment of about $9.4 billion, apart from the recent $1billion investment by the General Electric in Calabar Free Trade Zone, adding that the organization was reviewing its strategies to enable it play a catalytic role in the successful implementation of the Federal Government’s Industrial Revolution Plan. he said: "Today, we have

attracted about $9.4 billion investment into all the free zones. This is without the $1billion investment that we got through General Electric in Calabar Free Trade Zone recently. "however, for the next five years, we have a projection of attracting investment of about $15 billion into all our free zones. I want to commend the foresight of the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, for initiating the firstof-its-kind Nigeria Industrial

Revolution Plan, which NEPZA has already keyed into."

"But in order for us to make meaningful contribution towards industrializing the country, the first thing I want to do, with my team in NEPZA, is to ensure that majority of the recommendations of the Ministerial Committee set up by the minister to transform the Free Trade Zones across the country are implemented."

Kuye said that NEPZA was vigorously reviewing the

Director General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Fola Akinkuotu; Managing Director, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Engr. Nnamdi Udoh and Director of Administration, (NCAA), Aba Ejembi during the interactive meeting with Airline and General Aviation Operators at the NCAA Training Centre, Murtala Muhammed Airport International, Ikeja, Lagos yesterday.

PHOTO: SOLA OJEDOKUN

Europe raises intervention budget for services in Nigeria to €724m

By Roseline Okere and Kamal Tayo Oropo hE European Commission has increased its financial commitment to socio-economic services in Nigeria to €724 million (N166.5 billion).

The commission’s targeted areas for the financial intervention are energy, health, security regional trade and governance.

The EU had earlier allocated €697 million as cooperation fund with Nigeria through the 10th European Development Fund (EDF), which runs from 2007 to 2013.

Specifically, the European body would stake €146 million on good governance and human rights; €402 million, peace and security; €47 million, trade, regional integration and energy security; and €88 million on health.

The commission said in a media statement, signed by

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its spokesperson, Alexandre Polack, yesterday that it has released €27 million of financial support to help improve the renewable energy policy in Nigeria.

According to the commission, currently, a large part of the Nigerian population lacks access to energy or relies on polluting fuels such as fuel wood and charcoal with severe consequences for health and the environment.

It noted that the newly launched Energising Access to Sustainable Energy (EASE) programme aims to improve the enabling framework conditions for renewable energy and energy efficiency in Nigeria and, in particular, with a focus on the use of renewable energies by Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and households.

European Commissioner for Development, Andris

Piebalgs, stated: "At the moment, 80 per cent of the population in rural Nigeria have no access to electricity at all. “ Our overall objective is to help decrease this number significantly, but it is also important to improve the wellbeing of those who do have access, since they often suffer from inadequate lightning to carry out their housework and from inhaling toxic smokes due to unmaintained cooking stoves".

The statement added that the EASE programme will also address the massive deforestation and cutting of trees for fuel wood, which is the main energy source for the majority of the population, by planting more trees.

Furthermore, Nigeria is the second largest gas flaring country, emitting some 40 million tons of CO2 each day.

“Through the promotion of reduced gas flaring, the EASE programme will contribute to resource conservation and help fight climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“Some other activities to be carried out through the programme will include: design of energy assessment and strategies to increase access to energy, providing essential training on aspects such as norms, standards, and tariffs, or the development of business plans to demonstrate commercial viability of smallscale gas resources.

“The new programme will be run in partnership with the World Bank (which will contribute with over €4,6 million) and the GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für I n t e r n a t i o n a l e Zusammenarbeit) (with a contribution of €9 millio n)”, it stated.

processes of granting approval and licences to free zones across the country, adding that mechanisms were being put in place to revamp or close down the free zones that were not economically viable. he added: “The approach and process for granting free zone licences have changed.

Now we are focusing on the value addition and economic viability of free zone in terms of job creation, wealth creation, skills acquisition and technology transfer.

"Currently, there are 25 free zones. Nine are fully operational, six are under construction, four are at design stages, while six are yet to take off. however, most of these free zones that are yet to take off are largely state-owned. One of the major reasons they have not taken off is due to the problem of change of leadership.

"This depends on if the leadership of a state considers free zones as the veritable tool for economic development or not. But what we are doing to revitalise the free zones that are yet to take off, is to identify senior staff of NEPZA who are from those zones, just as it is done in the banks, and make them play the leading role in

the transformation of the free zones within their zones but with clear targets on what they need to do.

"The intention is that if you are from a state, you take it as a special honour to ensure that your state is not left out in the scheme of things." he explained that the agency was carrying out an audit of all free zones across the country in order to determine the best measures that should be taken to achieve optimal performance.

“All over the world, free zones are veritable tools for economic development. So, along that line, we need to revive those free zones that are economically viable but are moribund.

Simultaneously, there is an audit being done for the free zones and those that are not working will be closed down.

"As we speak now, there are seven free zone applications that are awaiting approval.

They are currently going through the normal due diligence and as soon as this goes through, we will give them the necessary approval."

“We are reviewing the process of appraising free zone applications in order to determine, from the outset, those that are serious and those that are not," he said.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, July 5, 2013

16 BUSINESS

Businessmen, accountants fault extension of cash-less policy to Kano, others From Murtala Muhammed, Kano NSTITUTE of Chartered I(ICAN) Accountants of Nigeria has described the extension of cash-less policy to Kano State as an unripe move, capable of impacting negatively on economic activities and discourage depositors from banking.

Also, businessmen in the state insisted that transactions remain the prime choice of the people.

Speaking with The Guardian yesterday, ICAN Chairman, Kano/Jigawa District, Mrs Mary Egbuna said cash-less system is a global concept and has proven effective in many advance economy but maintained that implementation of the policy in Nigeria may not gain wider acceptance especially among the business community that still depend on cash transactions in the North.

She lamented lack of orientation on the part of regulators and financial illiteracy among business community, as the policy may force traders to seek alternative means of saving money that may be injurious to the banking system.

“The policy is good and would really help Nigerian economy to grow if well implemented, but if you ask me, I will say we are not yet there. Remember the same pilot scheme was kick-started in Lagos and we all witnessed

the reactions and challenges bedeviling the system.

“We have not taken care of those problems before the extension to five more states including Kano. Much as I so much believe in the policy, the implementation in Kano may not work well”, she said.

Egbuna added: “Don’t forget Kano is a nerve center of business activities. Businessmen here rely on cash transactions in millions of naira.

Unfortunately, many of these business tycoons are not well lettered. How can you insist that customers must pay fine for withdrawing more money beyond the stipulated cash.”

The ICAN chairman urged the regulators to relax the extension of the policy to states like Kano and invest more on public enlightenment and build on public confidence before implementation.

A businessman Alhaji Iliyasu Abubakar lamented that the policy may not work in Kano

since many businessmen and women are still in the dark about the system. “This people are not serious at all. It would be difficulty. How can you determine the amount of money I will withdraw and I must pay again for collecting more in my own account? It’s a joke”.

Another textile dealer in the popular Kori market in the city, Isyaku Aminu blamed the Central Bank of Nigeria for rushing the business community into what he called untimely policy. He noted that many financial institutions too may not help the matter.

Observations at commercial banks in Kano metropolis revealed large crowd of customers facing the hardship of the new system. Customers at almost all the ATM visited also lamented service failure.

After series of postponements CBN finally kick-started the extension of cash-less policy to additional five states, including Kano.

The policy is good and would really help Nigerian economy to grow if well implemented, but if you ask me, I will say we are not yet there. Remember the same pilot scheme was kick-started in Lagos and we all witnessed the reactions and challenges bedeviling the system...We have not taken care of those problems before the extension to five more states including Kano. Much as I so much believe in the policy, the implementation in Kano may not work well.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, July 5, 2013

BUSINESS

17

Balogun sets FCMB for competitiveness, profitability ECENTLY, the First City R Monument Bank (FCMB) Plc, under the leadership of its Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Ladi Balogun, took another bold step towards realizing its vision to be the premier financial services group of African origin by transforming into a Holding Company. The Holding Company is now known as FCMB Group Plc, which has already been listed at the Nigerian Stock Exchange with the ticker symbol FCMB, while the 19,041,068,033 ordinary shares held by the bank’s 529,632 shareholders have also been transferred and listed.

This development followed the completion of all the regulatory and legal processes required to setup a Holding Company. The company will manage the governance of First Monument Bank Plc and its subsidiaries.

Speaking at the Facts Behind the Listing ceremony recently, in Lagos, Balogun, assured that the transformation of the bank into a Holding Company would lead to a high level of governance, quality of operations and enhanced shareholder as well as customer value.

He explained that the, “structure will create a more diversified revenue base, while also allowing for focused management of the distinct businesses, thereby enhancing shareholder and customer value”.

Balogun added that the Holding Company structure would equally ring-fence depositors’ funds from investment banking activities, which remain critical to the growth and development of the Nigerian economy. More so, FCMB Group Plc will create additional value by enhancing stakeholder engagements and reporting standards.

It will also provide an additional layer of non-operational governance to ensure sustainable earnings, consistent and complementary strategies and cultures across the bank and other companies.

On the impact and benefit of the new structure and the acquisition of FinBank last year by FCMB, Balogun stated that , “today, we are the leading retail lenders in terms of loans granted on monthly basis. The distribution network has helped the ability to gather deposit”. He noted that the framework for the new structure is quite unique, adding that with the benefits inherent with the acquisition, FCMB Plc has taken a leadership position in retail lending in loans.

Under the Holding Company structure, shareholding in First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Plc have been exchanged one-for-one for FCMB Group Plc shares, effectively making them owners of FCMB Group Plc, in the same ratio as previous holding in the bank. Through ownership of FCMB Group Plc, shareholders will continue to own all the subsidiaries 100%, including First City Monument Bank Plc and its subsidiaries (FCMB Capital Markets Limited, CSL Stockbrokers Limited, Credit Direct Limited, FCMB (UK) Ltd, Arab Gambian Islamic Bank Ltd, First City Asset Management Ltd and CSL Trustees Ltd).

FCMB Group Plc will have three wholly-owned direct subsidiaries – First City Monument Bank Plc, FCMB Capital Markets Limited and CSL Stockbrokers Limited while the other entities in the Holding Company will report into the three direct subsidiaries.

Four out of the non-permissible/non-strategic subsidiaries: City Securities (Registrars) Limited, FinBank Capital Limited FinBank Homes Limited and FinBank Securities & Asset Management Limited have been sold, subject to regulatory approval.

The sale of FinBank Insurance Brokers Limited, FinBank Insurance Company Limited and Arab Gambian Islamic Bank Limited is ongoing while Fin Registrars Limited has been liquidated.

The Board of Directors of the FCMB Group Plc and those of

the subsidiaries have been duly constituted.

Balogun is the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive of FCMB Plc, while Peter Obaseki has been appointed Managing Director of FCMB Group Plc and will report to the Board of Directors of FCMB Group Plc, which will be chaired by Dr. Jonathan A.D Long.

Analysts are of the opinion that the emergence of FCMB as a Holding Company represents another major milestone in the history of the financial institution, which was founded in 1977 by Otunba (Dr.) Olasubomi Balogun.

The analysts observed that the continuous re-strategisation and renewal of the financial institution (right from its early origin in investment banking as City Securities Limited in 1977 to its present status) is a demonstration of a commitment to be the best in the mar-

ket place going by its target to be among the top 5 banks in Nigeria by 2015. They further expressed optimism that the Holding Company structure will make the bank become more competitive in the industry and enhance its profitability, which would ultimately create value for shareholders.

Already, FCMB is on track towards achieving these goals going by its impressive financial results for the year ended December 31, 2012 and the first quarter of this year ended March 31, 2013.

The bank recorded a profit after tax of N15.3 billion in 2012, an increase by 256 per cent over the loss of about N9.24 billion in 2011.

Total deposits rose from N411 billion in 2011 to N646 billion in 2012, an increase by 57 per cent.

This is an indication of an increasing market share for

the bank. In the same vein, FCMB’s loans and advances grew by 11 per cent to N357 billion in 2012 compared to N323billion in 2011.

The stellar performance recorded was driven by strong growth in interest income and non-interest income of 39 per cent and 138 per cent, respectively.

This was aided by last year’s acquisition and merger with FinBank.

The bank has maintained the momentum of its last year’s performance into this year as the result for the first quarter ended March 31, 2013 showed a profit after tax of N4.2 billion.

This represents a rise of three from the N4.10 billion made in the corresponding period of 2012. Gross earnings within the three months period also witnessed a leap from N26.12 billion as at March 31, 2012 to N31.41 billion as at March 31 last year.

Balogun Commenting on the sterling results recorded by the Bank in the 2012 financial year and the first quarter of 2013, Balogunexplained that the bank’s major priorities in next three years, include the acceleration of growth in demand deposit and savings account balances, as well as reduction of cost of risk to enable it operate the most valuable retail franchise in the country. He noted that this would make the bank become more competitive in the industry and enhance its profitability, which would ultimately add

18 BUSINESS

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, July 5, 2013

‘ConocoPhillips exit no threat to Brass LNG project

’

From Collins Olayinka, Abuja HE exit of the T ConocoPhillips from the Brass Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project may not impact negatively on the progress of the scheme after all, going by the assessment of stakeholders on Tuesday.

Speaking at the yearly general meeting of the project in Abuja, both the Chairman of the Board, Jackson GaiusObaseki and the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Andrew Yakubu, stated that the Final Investment Decision (FDI) would soon be made.

Gaius-Obaseki, who lauded ConocoPhillips for keeping its experts until suitable replacements are found, explained that the pull out of

the American oil giant was informed by re-direction of operation, which is not peculiar to Nigeria.

He stated that critical stakeholders such as the NNPC with an equity stake of 49 per cent, Eni with 17 percent and Total also with 17 percent, have all moved quickly to absorb the shock and would now go ahead to sort out other conditions precedent to an early FID. “In my address to the AGM last year, you may recall that I expressed the view that the final investment decision for the Brass LNG project was possible within year 2013 with the full commitment and unwavering efforts of all the project participants.

“At that point, it was not envisaged that the COP (ConocoPhillips) exit

through the announced sale of their shareholding with its dampening effect on morale and confidence would be protracted. Notwithstanding this, I applaud the management and board for the numerous key accomplishments,” he said.

Offering hope of an early deal leading to FID, GaiusObaseki said: “The recent challenges have indeed served to highlight the resilience of the Brass LNG project. FID is possible in the shortest possible time, but only if the shareholders and government will embark on the necessary engagements to address the remaining obstacles.

“I remain optimistic that our shareholders and ever-supportive government will rise to this challenge.

External Consultant, Infoprive Limited, Adetokunbo Omotosho (left); Chief Operating Officer, Digital Encode, Peter Obadare; Executive Director, Wema Bank Plc, Ademola Adebise; Chief Risk Officer of the bank, Jude Monye; and Regional Executive, Lagos Business Group of the bank, Wole Akinleye at the presentation of payment card industry data security standard certification to Wema Bank in Lagos...on Wednesday.

Yakubu on his part stated ConocoPhillips’ exit as a posiEngagement and quick decision making is highly recom- that other stakeholders in tive step that could open up the project have since taken more opportunities. mended.”

Bauchi spends N5b on fertiliser From Ali Garba, Bauchi HE Bauchi State governT ment has spent over N5 billion on procurement of fertiliser and chemicals from 2007 till date.

Commissioner Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Alhaji Tasiu Mohammed, said this recently at a press briefing in Bauchi.

According to him, from 2007 to 2011, the state government expanded N3 billion on fertiliser and chemicals while from 2011 till date, over N2 billion was spent, adding that the e-wallet fertiliser sales to farmers has been launched at a discounted rate under the GES Programme.

The Commissioner also disclosed that 6,000 metric tones of fertilizer and 5,000 metric tones of UREA would be distributed to farmers this year at a subsidised rate.

He added that about 146 trucks of NPK and UREA will be distributed to farmers in all the 20 Local Government Area of the state which according to him will divided as 92 trucks of NPK and 54 trucks of UREA. According to Tasiu, in this year farming season, farmers in the state have been educated on how to register to get fertilizers for their households saying medium scale farmers will get two bags of fertilizers in each household while big scale farmers will get four to five bags.

He also revealed that the state government has awarded the supply and installation of Tiny Oil Mills in all the 20 local government areas of the state at a cost of N160 million saying that some the mills have been completed and will be commission soon.

The Commissioner revealed that 10 MF375E tractors was purchased the state government at the cost of N73million at open market while 23 tractors were purchased under pilot tractor loan scheme at the cost of N72.1million.

He stated further that the state government has approved hazard allowances and other Special allowances to all agricultural personnel.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, July 5, 2013

19

Weekend

The beauty of justice Arts & Culture P. 27

Autowheels P.43

Business Travels P.46

Nigeria is a bookless country, says Emenanjo

Best selling auto brands during half year

Challenges holding down African airlines

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, July 5, 2013

20 WEEKEND

The Rule of Law: Between

Taylor

All men are equal before the law, says Nigeria’s constitution. But in reality, big men have increasingly shown disdain for the country’s different laws and have, indeed, escaped justice while the downtrodden pay the price when they break the law. WOLE OYEBADE examines how powerful people have faced the music over wrongdoings in other climes and writes that, such societies have been better off for it.

ONvICTION of Silvio Berlusconi, former C Italian Prime Minister, again accentuates the primacy of law and equality of all men – from president to prince and peasants – in the eyes of the ultimate arbiter: the law.

Berlusconi, like Ben Ali, Charles Taylor, Dominic Straus-Kahn, and Laurent Gbagbo among other world leaders, have all faced the wrath of the law and prosecuted for defiling the law they had sworn to protect.

The bottom-line is the principle of equality, which demands that all individuals are subject to the same laws of justice (due process).

Article 7 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: “All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law.”

Anatole France, an author, said in 1894: “In its majestic equality, the law forbids rich and poor alike to sleep under bridges, beg on the streets and steal loaves of bread.” And the extent of justice, equity and fairness that rule in many developed societies of today, is a function how they have domesticated and deepened the primacy of law in their affairs.

Where the principle is compromised, the consequences are not farfetched – wide spread corruption, gross violation of rights, outright injustice and retrogression become the order of the day. In that instance, severe jail term becomes the lot of a pickpocket, where national treasury grand looters get a slap-on-the-wrist, otherwise called plea bargain.

In places like Italy, there is no plea-bargaining in corrupt offences, not even for the once ‘almighty Berlusconi.’

A panel of judges, penultimate Monday, sentenced former Prime Minister Berlusconi to seven years in prison for abusing power and having sex with an underage prostitute. The flamboyant politician was also barred from

Gbagbo holding public office.

The high-profile case centred on an exotic dancer, nicknamed “Ruby the heart-stealer.”

Prosecutors had argued that Berlusconi had sex 13 times with underage dancer Karima el Mahroug and abused his position when he intervened in May 2010 to get her released from jail, where she was being held on charges of theft.

Berlusconi, 76, denied the charges against him.

“It is absurd to suggest I have paid for a rapport with a woman,” he had argued. “It is something I have never done, not even once in my life. It is something I find degrading to my dignity.”

El Mahroug also said she never had sex with Berlusconi and that she lied to him about her age, telling him she was 24. The trial verdict is the latest in a string of legal troubles the former prime minister had been facing.

Last month, an Italian Appeals Court in Milan upheld a four-year prison sentence for Berlusconi, who was convicted of tax evasion by a lower court last October. In that sentence, he was barred from public office for five years.

Berlusconi, who served on and off, as prime minister between 1994 and 2011, is arguably one of the most colorful and controversial figures in the lively history of Italian politics. For years, he was entangled in fraud, corruption and sex scandals that had often reached Italian courts.

The facts are revealing. In a 389-page document presented to a court in 2011, prosecutors alleged Berlusconi paid el Mahroug and scores of other young women for taking part in “bunga bunga parties” at his private residence.

Using what they described as phone interceptions of the young women as evidence, prosecutors said the women performed stripteases and erotic actions in exchange for money and gifts.

Berlusconi says the parties were normal dinner gatherings where no one misbehaved.

Berlusconi denied the charges and accused prosecutors of conspiring against him in a left-wing plot. “Communism never changes in Italy. There are still people who use the penal code as a weapon in their ideological battles,” he said last year.

Undaunted, Berlusconi has not only launched an appeal, but also last December, he made two significant announcements: his engagement to 27-year-old Francesca Pascale, and then, his political comeback.

In Italy’s February elections, the three-time prime minister appealed to Italian voters by denouncing the unpopular austerity policies of technocrat Mario Monti. Instructively, he won almost 30 per cent of the vote in February and remains an influential figure in Prime Minister Enrico Letta’s fragile coalition government.

For an alleged tax fraud, a Milan court last year sentenced him to four years in prison, but later reduced it to one year because of an amnesty law.

Berlusconi condemned the sentence as “intolerable judicial harassment.” He and others were ac-

Straus-Kahn cused of buying US film rights at inflated prices via two offshore companies under his control. It was the first time Berlusconi - who has faced a number of trials – was being convicted of a crime concerning his business activities.

Berlusconi has dominated Italian politics for most of the past 20 years. He was forced to resign as the prime minister of a centre-right coalition last November.

He is not the first Italian prime minister to be convicted of a crime. Bettino Craxi, a socialist who helped Berlusconi build his media empire, fled the country in 1994 to avoid imprisonment in a corruption trial and died in exile in Tunisia.

Ex Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Dominique Strauss-Kahn also faced similar rape charges. Prior to his graceto-grass fall, Strauss-Kahn was touted as the next French President.

On 14 May 2011, a 32-year-old maid, Nafissatou Diallo, at the Sofitel New York Hotel alleged that Strauss-Kahn sexually assaulted her after she entered his suite.

Strauss-Kahn was formally indicted on four days later and granted US$1 million bail, plus a US$5 million bond, the following day. He was ordered to remain confined to a New York apartment under guard.

A semen sample was found on the maid’s shirt, and on May 24 it was reported that DNA tests showed a match to a DNA sample submitted by Strauss-Kahn. He was arraigned on June 6, 2011, and he pleaded not guilty. After completing a lengthy investigation, prosecutors filed a motion to drop all charges against Strauss-Kahn, stating that they were not convinced of his culpability beyond a reasonable doubt, due to serious issues in the complainant’s credibility and inconclusive

The case of John Yakubu Yusuf, a former assistant director at the Police Pension Office, who pleaded guilty to conniving with other members of staff to steal N27.2 billion police pension funds, would linger for a long time in the minds of many Nigerians. For a country seemingly inured to shocks, Nigerians were badly jolted by the judgment on January 29 of a Federal High Court, Abuja, in the corruption case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Yusuf and his collaborators

physical evidence.

In a television interview in September, Strauss-Kahn admitted that his sexual encounter with the maid was “a moral fault” and described it as “inappropriate” but that it “did not involve violence, constraint or aggression”.

In the aftermath of the New York arrest, other allegations were made. In March 2012, Strauss-Kahn came under investigation in France over his alleged involvement in a prostitution ring. The allegations relate to his supposed involvement in hiring prostitutes for sex parties at hotels in Lille, Paris and Washington.

If Belusconi, his predecessor, Craxi and Strauss-Kahn were Nigerians, perhaps they would have appealed to rather strange doctrines, like a plea bargain, to get a soft landing and walk the streets as nationalists or die a national hero.

The case of John Yakubu Yusuf, a former assistant director at the Police Pension Office, who pleaded guilty to conniving with other members of staff to steal N27.2 billion police pension funds, would linger for a long time in the minds of many Nigerians.

For a country seemingly inured to shocks, Nigerians were badly jolted by the judgment on January 29 of a Federal High Court, Abuja, in the corruption case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Yusuf and his collaborators.

Justice Abubakar Talba, acting on a dubious plea bargain arrangement, sentenced Yusuf, who admitted to receiving N3.3 billion as his share of the loot, to two years each on three counts, to run concurrently or, in the alternative, to pay N250, 000 fine on each count.

The resulting outrage across the country and beyond was not doused by the forfeiture of 32 houses and N325 million traced to Yusuf.

The felon promptly paid the N750, 000 fine and zoomed off, only to be re-arrested a day later by the bungling EFCC and arraigned on fresh charges.

The plea-bargaining stunt made its notorious debut in Nigeria in 2005 when, in quick succession, a former governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, and a former Inspector-General of Police, Tafa Balogun, pleaded guilty to graft charges, forfeited billions of naira in assets and got short jail terms.

A former Edo State Governor, Lucky Igbinedion, was fined N3.5 million after the EFCC bargained away the 191 charges it initially filed against him and substituted them for one! A curious arrangement also saw Julius Berger fined $26.5 million for its role in the Halliburton and Siemens bribe scams.

In a similar vein, the former Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) board chairman and a chieftain of the ruling People’s Democratic Party

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, July 5, 2013

WEEKEND 21

Nigeria and other climes

Berlusconi and girl friend, el Mahroug

(PDP), Bode George, was sentenced to two years for a 35-count charge by Justice Olubunmi Oyewole of the Lagos High Court.

He was charged by the EFCC in 2008 for contract inflation to the tune of N84 billion with four other board members, during his tenure as the chairman of the NPA board between 2000 and 2003. George, having served jail term, returned to lavished reception and till date, still a leading figure in the Southwest PDP. Even the former Ghana’s president, Jerry Rawlings could not keep mum at the charade called anti-corruption fight. Rawlings, recently, launched a scathing attack on the anticorruption records of African countries, including Nigeria’s, severely criticizing the leaderships’ failure to punish politicians who steal public funds.

He said, “they direct their resources at persecuting anti-graft fighters, and prosecuting petty thieves. Corrupt politicians escape punishment in Nigeria and other African countries while officials continue to pay lip service to the strengthening, empowerment and independent management of our multiple anticorruption institutions.

“We live in countries where poor, petty thieves get imprisoned for several years while businessmen who evade taxes in millions of dollars or politicians who misappropriate millions of state funds escape punishment.”

He said Africa lost at least $38.4 billion and $25 billion in 2008 and 2010 respectively to illicit financial outflows.

“These inequalities are recipes for retrogression of our democracies and we cannot allow the negative to continue. A democracy that cannot provide socio-economic justice cannot be a healthy democracy and will remain vulnerable,” he said.

The former Ghana leader’s comment came a week after a spokesperson for President Goodluck Jonathan, Reuben Abati, said Nigerians should blame the judiciary for the administration’s poor record on corruption.

The Tunisian former President, Ben Ali, his wife and other African leaders that have been tried for offences ranging from corruption, rape, to war crimes, were prosecuted outside their shores.

An example is James Ibori, former governor of Delta state, who admitted 10 counts of conspiracy to defraud and money laundering. He was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment.

Southwark Crown Court was told the amount he stole from the people of Delta state was “unquantifiable.” Ibori, who evaded capture in Nigeria after a mob of supporters attacked the police, was arrested in Dubai in 2010. He was extradited to the UK, where he was prosecuted based on evidence from the Metropolitan Police, which estimated that he stole $250m (£160m) from state coffers.

One of the counts Ibori admitted, related to a $37m (£23m) fraud pertaining to the sale of Delta State’s share in Nigerian privatised phone company V-Mobile. He was governor of Delta State between May 1999 and May 2007.

Sasha Wass, the prosecuting Queen’s Counsel, told the court that Ibori “deliberately

Ali and wife, Trabelsi

and systematically” defrauded the people he was elected to represent. The court heard Ibori came to the UK in the 1980s and worked as a cashier at a Wickes DIY store in Neasden, North West London.

He was convicted in 1991 of stealing from the store but then returned to Nigeria and began his climb up the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) network.

When he ran for governor, he lied about his date of birth to hide his criminal conviction in the UK which would have prevented him standing for office. Ibori, whose address was given as Primrose Hill, north London, claims to be 53 but police in London say he is 49. He became governor in 1999 but soon began taking money from state coffers.

He bought a house in Hampstead, north London, for £2.2m; a property in Shaftesbury, Dorset, for £311,000; a £3.2m mansion in Sandton, near Johannesburg, South Africa; a fleet of armoured Range Rovers valued at £600,000; a £120,000 Bentley and a Mercedes Maybach for 407,000 euros that was shipped direct to his mansion in South Africa After the hearing, Sue Patten, head of the Crown Prosecution Service central fraud group, said it would bid to confiscate the assets Ibori had acquired “at the expense of the some of the poorest people in the world.”

International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell said: “James Ibori’s sentence sends a strong and important message to those who seek to use Britain as a refuge for their crimes.”

Though not for milking his people dry like Ibori did; Liberian former president, Charles Taylor was also sentenced to 50 years in jail for being “in a class of his own” when committing war crimes during the long-running civil war in neighbouring Sierra Leone.

Judges at a United Nations-backed tribunal in The Hague said his leadership role and exploitation of the conflict to extract so-called “blood diamonds” meant he deserved one of the longest prison sentences handed down so far by the court.

Ibori

Taylor, 64, was found guilty of 11 counts of aiding and abetting war crimes and crimes against humanity, when supporting rebels between 1996 and 2002 in return for conflict gems.

The offences included murder, rape, sexual slavery, recruiting child soldiers, enforced amputations and pillage.

Delivering the decision at the special court for Sierra Leone, Judge Richard Lussick said Taylor’s crimes were of the “utmost gravity in terms of scale and brutality”. He added: “The lives of many more innocent civilians in Sierra Leone were lost or destroyed as a direct result of his actions.”

Prosecutors had asked the judges to impose an 80-year prison term. Lussick said such a long term would have been excessive as Taylor was convicted of aiding and abetting which “as a mode of liability generally warrants a lesser sentence than that imposed for more direct forms of participation”.

Issa Sesay, a leader of the Revolutionary United

Sasha Wass, the prosecuting Queen’s Counsel, told the court that Ibori “deliberately and systematically” defrauded the people he was elected to represent.

The court heard Ibori came to the UK in the 1980s and worked as a cashier at a Wickes DIY store in Neasden, North West London. He was convicted in 1991 of stealing from the store but then returned to Nigeria and began his climb up the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) network

George

Front (RUF), which carried out many of the atrocities, has been sentenced to 52 years in jail.

Korto Williams, director of ActionAid Liberia, said: “Not only is this verdict an opportunity for Sierra Leone and Liberia to move forward, it also signals the international community’s clear intent that any leader who misuses their power and carries out state-sanctioned violence will be held responsible for their crimes and will be punished.”

Taylor is the first former head of state convicted by an international war crimes court since Admiral Karl Dönitz, Hitler’s successor, was jailed at Nuremberg.

The civil war left more than 50,000 dead in the West African state. Thousands had their arms or hands forcibly amputated. During the conflict, the country’s average life expectancy dipped to 37 years.

A Tunisian court also sentenced ousted President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali and his wife to 35 years in prison recently, after a one-day trial on corruption charges.

Ben Ali and his wife, Leila Trabelsi, have been living in exile in Saudi Arabia since the January 2011 revolt that ended his 23-year rule and touched off a wave of uprisings across North Africa and the Middle East. In addition to the prison term, the court imposed a fine of 91 million dinars ($65 million).

Ben Ali and his wife faced a total of 93 counts stemming from the discovery of cash, weapons, jewelry and drugs in the presidential palace after the revolt. Of those, 35 counts against Ben Ali and his inner circle — including murder and torture — have been referred to a Tunisian military court.

Ben Ali had ruled the North African country since 1987. Protests began to erupt in December 2010 after the self-immolation of a fruit vendor whose cart had been seized by police.

Laurent Gbagbo, former President of Côte d’Ivoire from 2000 until his arrest in April 2011, is still awaiting trial for his role in post election crises in his country. In October 2011, the International Criminal Court (ICC) opened an investigation into acts of violence committed during the conflict after the election, and ICC chief prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo visited the country.

The ICC formally issued an arrest warrant for Gbagbo, charging him with four counts of crimes against humanity – murder, rape and other forms of sexual violence, persecution and “other inhuman acts”, allegedly committed between 16 December 2010 and 12 April 2011, although many supporters allege that it is not true.

Gbagbo was arrested in Korhogo, where he had been placed under house arrest, and was placed on a flight to The Hague on 29 November 2011 without knowing where he was led. An adviser to Gbagbo described the arrest as “victors’ justice.”

The ICC’s confirmation of charges hearing for Gbagbo was scheduled for June 18, 2012, but was postponed to August 13, 2012, to give his defense team more time to prepare. The hearing was then postponed indefinitely, citing concerns over Gbagbo’s health.

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26 ARTS

Literature The Mind’s Game... lifting the Etisalat Prize for Literature… celebrating African fiction spirit of entrepreneurship ALES or oral tradition: T These were predominant modes of literature and edu-

By Gbenga Salau HE Mind’s Game is a 134-page book with T seven chapters. Each chapter flows into the other chronologically in the presentation of ideas. The breezily narrative style of the author, Tokunbo Talabi, makes the reading lovely and exciting as he presents the message in simple language, treating the topics from bases, the foundational steps needed to build an inspiring entrepreneurial spirit.

Each chapter is opened with a thought-provoking quote that helps to build interest and thirst as readers are lured into a reading voyage that is bound to change their life forever.

The title of the book is the topic of chapter one, which discusses critical role mindset plays in dream and vision conception and actualization. The author notes that the state of the mind shapes decision making process as it determines how a person comports himself, relates with opposite sex, invests money, makes food choices among other things.

In chapter two, From boys to men, life experiences and events that shape people psychological and physiological wise are examined.

The chapter can be described as an eye opener as readers grasp with values that help people them to leapfrog from immaturity to maturity, and professionalism. He illustrates the discussion in the chapter with a personal experience and how the decision he took then transformed him and reshaped his destiny. He observes that everybody will go through, at least, one transformational experience that will help turn the boy in him into a man or the girl into a woman.

He also argues that until a person goes through a transformational experience, he may lack the mind frame necessary for pushing through life successfully.

Neighbour, neighbor is the topic of the third chapter. Here the importance of relationship and building networks is treated. According to the author, relationship is critical in business because it makes or mar any business career while an entrepreneur must be able to understand human nature and deploys such understanding to build relationships and

partnership that will help him succeed.

Chapter four and five dwell on the Mindset of the entrepreneur. He gives an insight into what makes the mindset of the entrepreneur distinct and stands out from the mindset of the average person.

The last two chapters are also closely knitted as they discuss mentoring and the importance of support to success.

No doubt, whoever reads the book will be fascinated about the content because it provides the tools and insight to deal with daily challenges whether in life or business. The font type, the graphics lucidly complement the content of the book while the back cover is well thought out as the colour is attractive and bright. The book is truly an inspiring guide for entrepreneurial success. The practical experience of the author as an entrepreneur is also brought to bear in the book. It is a book every aspiring entrepreneur should read and could serve as a refresher note for experienced entrepreneur.

Letters to Nigeria: A refreshing perspective on the Diaspora experience NEW book on the Diaspora issues raised by the author. publisher to print the book in A experience hits Nigerian The author does indeed the country. For now, the book bookstores. Authored by the address serious issues even if is available in Lagos (Laterna widely acclaimed columnist, Dr. Patience Akpan-Obong, Letters to Nigeria: Journal of an African Woman in America is a light-hearted and hilarious commentary on the immigrant experience.

Dr. Akpan-Obong has lived in North America (Canada and the United States) for nearly 20 years. Many of the entries in the book begin with personal stories that illuminate own experiences. There is, however, a universal resonance such that readers everywhere can relate to these stories and perhaps see themselves and their own experiences on the pages of Letters to Nigeria. One of the strengths of the book is therefore its ability to transcend all kinds of barriers — gender, age, race, ethnicity, nationality or geopolitical location. The result is that one doesn’t have to be a woman, a mother or in the Diaspora to enjoy reading the book and perhaps learn from the author’s personal experiences and/or mistakes.

Each entry generates riotous laughter or muted chuckle even as it compels the reader to engage with the serious

the hook is the banal (such as the heady smell of “genuine leather” Brazilian shoes) or the complex (such as race and racism in US schools).

The bulk of Letters to Nigeria are selections from Dr. AkpanObong’s widely acclaimed Saturday Punch column, “Medals.” In addition, there are new materials such as the entire first section of eight chapters, “It takes a village,” written specifically for the book. There are five other sections focusing on the Diaspora experience, technology, motherhood, death … and life (as expressed through various seasons and times). In all, the stories compare and contrast various life experiences in ways that entertain and inform.

In the process they create cognitive linkages between Diaspora communities and folks in the “old country.” This is therefore a book that everyone should read.

Letters to Nigeria is published

by CreateSpace of South Carolina, an Amazon Company. The author is in the process of signing an agreement with a Nigerian-based

Books, JazzHole and Glendora), Uyo and Calabar; as well as online from the publisher and directly from the author. There is additional information on the book’s website: http://pakpan2004.wix.com/letters-tonigeria Dr. Akpan-Obong is an associate professor of science, technology and society in the School of Letters and Sciences at Arizona State University Polytechnic. She holds a PhD in Political Science (University of Alberta, 2003) and a Master’s degree in Journalism (Carleton University, 1996). She is also the author of Information and Communication Technologies in Nigeria: Prospects and Challenges for Development (New York: Peter D. Lang, 2009), as well as numerous journal articles and book chapters on the implications of information and communication technologies for socioeconomic and political development in resource-poor countries.

Dr. Akpan-Obong who lives with her husband, Tim Obong, and their children in Arizona, U.S.A. will be in Nigeria in July for various book-signing events.

cation in Africa before the advent of western education.

One of the major impacts of colonization is the literary revolution that has seen Africa stand tall in the literary community in the world. In every field of endeavor, Africans have distinguished themselves, earning self respect and making Africa proud in the process. That is a good testimony of the impact the warm embrace of literary culture has brought on Africa.

Every generation of Africans has something to live for, a good motivation to strive for excellence in various spheres of life. For the literary community, the need to tell the authentic African story set the ball rolling for early writers like Olaudah Equiano, even up till the middle of the last century when the likes of Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart was published. Another major motivation was emancipation. Emancipation pro-

gressed to become so strong that it drowned almost all other reasons.

Equiano, a Nigerian was kidnapped and sold to slavery and worked his way to literacy and liberty. Later he would join in the fight against slavery. An online account on the first known Nigerian to have published a literary work captures him as “Olaudah Equiano (c.1745-1797): The Former Slave, Seaman and Writer.”

According to the account, “Equiano knew that one of the most powerful arguments against slavery was his own life story. He published his autobiography in 1789: The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano. It became a bestseller and was translated into many languages.” So it follows that the quest for liberty set Africa on the path of literature.

Africa has progressed to the point where literature is now accepted as part of everyday living. Writers are now writing for several reasons, difficult to be comprehensively

mentioned in a newspaper piece like this. Many Africans have progressed to become teachers of foreign languages in leading foreign universities and other tertiary institutions, winning numerous literary prizes in the process. Despite these exploits, though, African writers have up till now had to look up to other continents for assessment, approval and reward. Etisalat Nigeria has halted this trend with the Etisalat Prize for Literature, launched recently in Lagos.

Prompted by its core brand values of excellence and empowerment, Etisalat Nigeria on June 5, 2013 announced the ‘The Etisalat Prize for Literature,’ a panAfrican literary award, that will be empowering young writers by providing a platform for first time writers of published fiction novels to be discovered, rewarded and celebrated. The first of its kind, the prize will no doubt motivate and reward excellence in literary writing among African writers and celebrate them in a manner unknown before now.

Artistes of the National Troupe of Nigeria on stage in Lagos

Talking Oral Literature in Ibadan Taxonomy/Classification; Myths and Legends, Oral Histories, Migration Narratives; Remembrances, Association (NOLA), which holds from August 7 to 9, now Oral Narrative Genres, Oral Epics, The Folktale, Storyhave July 7 to send in their abstracts of not more than 250 telling Events/Performances, words. The abstract should be Other Worlds/Wonderlands, sent to: Conference Convener, Utopias, Post-Mortem Heavens, Science Fiction; Prof. G.G. Darah, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Travel Literature/Travelogue, Magical Realism/Fantasies, ggdarah@gmail.com or Oral Poetic Genres, SongChairman Organising Poetry and Dance-songs Committee- Prof. Ademola Traditions, Musical Genres Dasylva, Redeemer’s and Traditions/Musical University, Mowe, a.dasylva@mail.ui.edu.ng; dasyl- Equipment, Popular Music, Work Songs and Lores, vang@yahoo.com.

Leisure/Recreation Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, will host Events/Games, Oratory, Oral Rhetoric, Proverbial Lore and the event that has been Idioms, Riddles, Jokes, Tongue themed, Documentation and Twisters, Oral Delivery and Safeguarding of Nigerian Oral Multi-media Performance, Literatures and Traditions.

Sub-themes include Theories Festivals, Carnivals, Durbars; Regattas; Tournaments, and Discourses on Orality, Exhibitions, Memorial Festival Orature, Oral Literature, Drama/Theatre, Puppet Performance Arts, Oral Theatre and Itinerant Theatre, Traditions, Media and Comedians/Entertainments.

Communications, Cultural Conference participants will Reproduction, Transmissions. also have opportunity to look Others are Fieldwork, Documentation, Safeguarding, into Gender Discourses and Women in Oral Literature; Translation, Transcription, ROSPECTIVE participants in P the second conference of the Nigerian Oral Literature

Female Voices and Spaces; Children’s Literature, Children’s Games and Theatres; Rites of Passage, Socialisation and Acculturation Processes; Creative Arts and Design; Digital Narration/Stories; and Computer/Cyber Games and Animation; Cartoon Stories, Art and Illustrations; Documentation and Safeguarding of Oral Literature/Folklore; Oral Arts and Biographical Studies; UNESCO and Government Cultural Policies and Programmes; Training of Oral Artist; Interface of Oral and Written Traditions; Translation/Transliteration of Nigerian Oral Literatures; Orality, Technology and Communication, Radio, Television and Social Media; Urbanisation, Social Movements, Environment and Biodiversity; The Oral Heritage, Human Rights, Democracy and Social Change; Nigerian Oral Traditions, Oral Literature, Globalisation and the African Diaspora.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, July 5, 2013

ARTS

27

VisualArts

By Tajudeen Sowole

Almost 50 years of art appreciation seed sowed in Nigeria and which blossomed in the U.S. has had a revisit when artists and connoisseurs hosted American art teacher, Mimi Wolford in Lagos and Ibadan URING one of her schedules in Lagos, hosted by master D printmaker, Dr. Bruce Onobrakpeya, Mimi Wolford stated that the promotion of Nigerian and African art in general, started by her parents Richard and Jean Kennedy Wolford, has been taken to higher level in the U.S., courtesy of her initiative Mbari Institute for Contemporary African Art (MCAA), Washington DC, U.S. The institute is a continuation of an earlier project of her parents, Mbari Art established in 1970 for promoting cultural exchange through collecting works from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and the U.S. Richard and Jean were American cultural officers in Nigeria in the 1960s.

The institute, Wolford hoped, would be a museum, as it has volumes of collection of works of Nigerian and other African artists, spanning over 50 years. Some of the works, she stated, were the early collections by her parents during Richard’s foreign service in Nigeria.

Since she left Nigeria in 1969, Wolford did not return until his visit a few weeks ago courtesy of a U.S. Department of State Speaker Travelling Programme.

Ahead of her visit to Onobrakpeya’s Gallery and Studio, Papa Ajao, Mushin, Lagos, Wolford was a special guest at a 3-day event at Department of Creative Arts, University of Lagos, including workshops and Art Talk, courtesy of Dr. Peju Layiwola.

She was also a guest speaker at a lecture organised by Omenka Gallery, Ikoyi, Lagos.

More importantly, the visitor, with the aid of Layiwola, visited Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan, a significant visit, given the fact that the whole concept of Mbari Mbayo germinated there also in the 1960s after it was started in the eastern part of the country as Mbari - recreation centre - in Igbo language.

It would be recalled that renowned German linguist and teacher, late Uli Beier started the Mbari workshop from eastern Nigeria. But when he brought the idea to Osogbo, western Nigeria, it changed to Mbari Mbayo. The change, according to Onobrakpeya, was important for acceptability among the Yoruba.

And as Mbari became popular among creative professionals across both informal and formal settings, spreading to Lagos, Richard and Jean appeared to have keyed in and formed Mbari Art. And, taking it from where her parents left off over 40 years ago, Wolford established MICAA. What exactly is the attachment to ‘Mbari’, some 40 years after?

“The name means so much to me,” Wolford disclosed.” It’s a name synonymous with good, of which art represents. Mbari Mbayo means ‘I see and I am happy’.

Over 40 years after she left Nigeria, the spirit of Mbari continues, and it’s like she never missed anything. Reason: at MICAA, she has been receiving quite a lot of Nigerian artists, with others also exhibited. The Mbari institute, she said, also organises cultural events such as drama and gender-specific art exhibitions “to celebrate African female artists”.

A not-for-profit organisation, MICAA, according to Wolford, is solely financed “out of my pocket” from earning as a teacher at Georgetown Day School.

Since Wolford founded MICAA, a lot of art exhibitions have been organised for African artists, featuring Morocco’s Hamid Kachmar, Kenyan Sane Wadu, Senegalese, Rackie Dianka and

Master printmaker, Dr. Bruce Onobrakpeya during the visit of founder of Mbari Institute for Contemporary African Art (MCAA), Washington DC, U.S., Mimi Wolford to his studio and gallery, Papa Ajao, Lagos

Four decades on ... echoes of Mbari Mbayo keep pulsating Abdoulaye Ndoye; Nigeria’s Twins Seven Seven, Jimoh Buraimoh and Bruce Onobrakpeya, Isaac Ojo, Peju Layiwola, Yinka Adeyemi and Wole Lagunju; Uganda’s Sanaa Gateja; Togolese Bethel Aniaku and Mozambican Valente Malangatana.

Layiwola, one of the artists who benefitted from the MICAA exhibitions, recalled how she met Wolford about 10 years ago and was privileged to exhibit in the U.S. and South Africa. Layiwola added that she had a talk on her solo art exhibition Benin1897.com: Art and the Restitution Question, adding, “Her institute plays host to several African artists from the continent”.

And still busy collecting more works, the ultimate goal of MICAA, Wolford assured “is to keep the collection as safe as possible,” and perhaps in the future, it could turn into a big

Visiting founder of Mbari Institute for Contemporary African Art (MCAA), Washington DC, U.S., Mimi Wolford during a workshop in Lagos

modern museum of contemporary African art if the necessary funding was available.

Among several achievements of her parents in promoting African art is a book by Jean, New Currents, Ancient Rivers: Contemporary African Art in a Generation of Change, (Smithsonian Institution Press, 1992). “My mother died in 1991; she never lived to see the book published”.

And having felt the pulse of Nigerian art – with her return to the country about 22 years after the book was published, Wolford could not hide her joy on what she argued was an impressive growth of Nigerian art, noting, “I am so happy to see that Nigerian art has grown; so many art galleries everywhere”.

Onobrakpeya recalled how Richard and Jean spurred the growth of art patronage in Nigeria. The couple, he explained, “used to organise what was known then as ‘Thursday art shows’ inside their residence where artists come and display their works for visitors to appreciate”. The weekly salon exhibitions, he stated, were the first experience he had in art patronage and appreciation “where visitors buy works of artists”. He said the salon shows “encouraged some of us to conclude that we can live on our art”.

Prior to that, it was common for young artists to look forward to teaching in schools after graduation, Onobrakpeya said.

Still on the Mbari spirit, Wolford’s visit to Ibadan included visiting the popular Aso-oke market in Oje, Mapo Hall, among several other places of nostalgic relevance. Others included a visits to Chapel of the Resurrection where the carving of Ben Enwonwu titled ‘Risen Christ’, done in 1954, is still standing; sculptures of Susanne Wenger created in her honour at the Institute of African Studies, and Women and Youth Art Foundation.

Wolford’s parents were known to have been apprentices under renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright. One of the couple’s work, a house in Southern California, “is now a historic location in Highland Park, Los Angeles.”

Richard joined the U.S. Department of State and was later in 1961 transferred to Nigeria where the Wolford family lived for seven years.

In Lagos, the Wolfords got involved with the local artists, particularly the Osogbo group, organising weekly art exhibitions every Thursday.

Aside Osogbo artists, the couple also worked with Onobrakpeya, “developing a deep-etching technique”, of which the latter is renowned till date.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, July 5, 2013

28 ARTS

At Lemi’s Own Kind, a quiet gathering of legStories by Tajudeen Sowole ESIGNER, Ghariokwu Lemi’s art exhibiD tion titled Art’s Own Kind, which was recently held at Didi Museum, Victoria Island, Lagos, was a gathering of legends of African descent.

Organised by Ugoma Adegoke-led The Life House and Bloom Gallery, it was, perhaps, dwarfed by other art exhibitions held across the Lagos art scene during the same period. It was too quiet for the significance of the show, more so in the week African Union marked its 50 years of existence.

Arguably one of the loudest Pan Africanist artists in the last decade, Lemi, in the exhibition, continued the activism he imbibed from his mentor, the late Afro beat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti. It was an activism that spanned his 40 years’ career.

The title of the show is a familiar tone in the artist’s past works, wasn’t it? “Yes”, Lemi confirmed. He recalled that Art’s Own Kind was the title of one of his past exhibitions, which held “at the BASS Festival in the U.K. in 2009”.

He declared that it was a word he coined, having seen “myself as Art’s Own Kind personified. I live my life as a complete artist in mind, body and soul and wrapped up in the ideology of Pan-Africanism”.

In paintings and vinyl collage, works on display include portraits of Nelson Mandela, Malcom X, Bob Marley Fela, Barack Obama, Chinua Achebe, and Nina Simone. With Art’s Own Kind, Lemi is gradually de-emphasising Fela themes, though he still roves around the philosophy of the late controversial musician.

For 25 years, Lemi’s art was not appreciated outside the confinement of music albums’ sleeves design, mostly for Fela’s works. But in 2001 he had his first ever art exhibition Wellcom 2 Lay-gh-Us at the Maison de France, then located on Alfred Rewane Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Apart from the main works of the show, which were largely satirical, a site-specific piece inside the Maison De France clearly defined Lemi and brought a new kind of art into the growing Lagos art space of the early 21st century.

However, periods between Wellcome 2 Laygh-Us and Art’s Own Kind, his themes have been, unapologetically, Fela, particularly in his shows abroad. In fact, he would seem to have launched his Pan-African identity when he had his first solo show Black President: The Art and Legacy of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti at New Museum of Contemporary Art, New York for three months.

In viewing Art’s Own Kind inside the grossly shrunk, renovated Didi Museum, the shadow

of Fela still dominated, despite the artist struggling to broaden his pan Africanism palette in a show featuring legends whose contributions to the black race have been written in gold across spheres of political and social subjects.

Divided into medium and forms, the works, largely portraits and satirical ones, emerged from the artist’s pool of experience in paper works, oil-on-canvas and a set of digital covinyl tagged “afro pop art series”. Technically, some of the works, such as the two significant Mandela images – from pre-Robben Island and post-apartheid era, stress the aesthetic similarities between manual print-like technique and digital mix on vinyl. What came across was an exhibition that breathed freshness on the Lagos art scene, but which sadly went unnoticed.

This was moreso as the exhibition was organised to celebrate Africa, which should have been a much louder show.

On the significance of the exhibition, Lemi said it was “deliberate as I wanted fellow Africans to be aware of the importance of May 25 as Africa Unity day. In ‘civilized’ climes that should be a national holiday!”

Although Adegoke, in her curator’s statement notes that “like many of his subjects in this exhibition, Lemi is himself an icon”, something seemed not quite right with the sneak or quiet presentation of the show.

Given the status of the artist, the pronounced pan-Africanism content of his art, the subjects of the show and the AU’s 50th anniversary week, the duration of the show was glaringly too short.

First scheduled for one week, but extended for another few weeks, Art’s Own Kind was another victim of the space issue confronting artists and promoters in Lagos. own at the ariokwu Lemi sh Gh by g tin in pa la, a Nelson Mande n Kind art exhibition artist’s Art’s Ow

From Ghariokwu Lemi’s Art’s Own Kind, portrait of Malcom X

Motivational palettes of Olaifa get Out of the Box F motivational speakers and auIting thors are making a success of getpeople to discover and realise

It’s In You by Tunde Olaifa

their potentials, it means art can equally be employed. Painter Tunde Olaifa’s art exhibition titled Out of the Box, which opens tomorrow to end July 11, 2013 at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos, provides such motif.

With his new effort, Olaifa is increasing his passion for motivational art after his last solo outing titled Against All Odds, shown in 2008. Like the common and over-flogged subject of the gospel striding the gulf between success and failure, one of Olaifa’s works, which derives its title from the central theme, argues that the road or terrain sparsely populated is where “success” resides.

And taking his palette onto the beach, he captures swimmers from an aerial view. The composite, divided by a line, shows very few people who have crossed the ‘red’ line into deeper, perhaps dangerous side of the ocean. “The bold swimmers represent most successful people”, Olaifa argues.

In other works of similar themes such as the Asiko (Time) series, which shows the artist’s great skills in land-

scape, dialogue is generated over the forces – seen and imaginary – that make success or failure. And in more graphical illustration, Olaifa brings in a collage kind titled It’s in You, with several gadgets competing for space in a man’s head. With a text cut from motor oil ad image inscribed ‘Unleash the full potential of your engine’, the artist’s message becomes bolder.

Having put in two and half decades of practice, which include 13 years of full time studio practice, Olaifa, who says he is currently “an educator” at Whitesands School, Lekki, traces the theme of his show to what he said was inspired by “predicament of a friend who blames people for his woes”. As an artist who probably has no interest in populating bookshelves with motivational books that revolve round repetition, his art comes in place to share his experience on the subject.

For whatever reasons that make most artists choose to be teacher, Olaifa’s concepts and aesthetics seems to suggest that his skill could be better appreciated as a full time studio artist. This much could be distilled from works such as the

Asiko, Obinrin series and some of the reclining images. Teaching, he says, is a choice, “a passion”, and glad that “the organization I am working with Whitesands School also believes in developing people”.

As a teacher his joy is that the pupils of Whitesands, under his tutelage “have won several art competition awards”.

In 2008, Olaifa marked his 20 years in art with Against All Odds, at National Museum, Onikan, Lagos. He argues that between then and now, “I keep lifting my art to a higher level”. He notes that in the past, the themes on the palette of most artists focused on the environment and in such areas as markets, molue, milkmaids and other common themes of that period. Shifting to motivational art, he explains, offers an opportunity to “focus on the human elements’ behavioural issues”.

Olaifa attended Fine Art at Yaba College of Technology, Yaba, Lagos; has had several art exhbitions some of which include Living, a solo outing in 1993; Collection of Mr. Sammy Olagbaju (VASON) – 2008; and Contre Toute Inegelite (Solo) July 2008.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, July 5, 2013

ARTS 29

Revue Nigeria is a bookless country, says Emenanjo Events

By Anote Ajeluorou IGERIA is a chronically bookless country “N and most Nigerians are neither great lovers, great buyers, avid readers, nor fanatical users of books!” That was the stark verdict of a linguist and African Languages expert regarding the fate of the book among Nigerians last week in Ibadan.

It was at the yearly Authors’ Forum organised by University Press Plc to examine the state of books, reading and literacy in the country.

Dignitaries at the event were U.S.-based distinguished Professor of English at New Orleans University, Niyi Osundare, former chairman, National University Commission, Prof. Peter Okebukola, Prof. Akachi Ezeigbo and Akin Bello.

With the theme, How Safe Is the Book Today?, Prof. Emmanuel Nolue Emenanjo walked the path other intellectual greats like Niyi Osundare, Peter Okebukola and others had taken in lending their intellectual strength to synergies designed to stimulate awareness about the dying book culture in the land.

With statistics, facts and empirical evidences drawn from within and outside the country, Emenanjo made the staggering verdict of illhealth of book industry in Nigeria.

Emenanjo further stated in his diagnosis of the health of the book in the country, “Nigeria produces less than one percent of her actual book needs, which should now stand at some 199.76 million books per year. This calculation is based on a modest estimate of 4 – 6 books per child in primary school, for 20.4 million pupils; eight books per student in the secondary school, for 6.4 million students; and eight books per student for close to one million students in tertiary education…

“Nigerians have the lowest rate of paper consumption in the world with only 3 kilos of printed materials per person, per year as against South Africa, with 100 kilos; Europeans with 250 kilos; Americans with 270 kilos; and Japanese with 300 kilos”.

Another staggering statistics reeled off by Emenanjo is the library per population ratio, which was even more frightening. He noted that the ratio for America stands at 1: 17,000; Japan 1: 47,000; Germany 1: 60,000, with Nigeria standing at 1: 1,350,000! This height of booklessness in Nigerian society is recordbreaking, indeed.

Grammar versus literature HE discourse later dovetailed to complement the argument that the literature or literary works (books written in any language – poetry, prose/novels/short stories, drama) constitute the workshop on which that language is tested, trusted, used and perfected by its users.

Indeed, learning the bare grammar of a language without studying the literature written in that language usually produces poor result

T

Prof. Niyi Osundare; guest speaker, Prof. E. Nolue Emenanjo; chairman, UPPlc, Dr. Lalekan Are; former NUC chairman, Prof. Peter Okebukola, Igwe Prof. Chukwuemeka Ike; Prof.

Akachi Ezeigbo and Prof. Ishola Akinwunmi at the forum last week… in Ibadan for that language usage and its users.

Emenanjo reaffirmed this sobering thought in his submission when he faulted the educational policies that separated the three big Nigerian languages from their literatures for students.

Expectedly, students opted for the local languages and shunned taking the literature subject in them. The result? Emenanjo averred. “The experiment in Nigeria languages killed books in the creative genres, and literature in Nigerian languages. Yet, it is literature, not grammar, which establishes and sustains literacy, the book culture and the socio-linguistic vitality of human language. Thus, when that innovation or policy was in operation, all the major languages through formal education and textbooks, produced 1,075,325 people who were functionally illiterate and only 6,336 who were functionally literate… And so the book suffered and continues to suffer in creative literature and literary studies. And so, literacy will continue to have a field day and the book will continue to be endangered.”

Also, Emenanjo said aliteracy was another impediment to the growth of the book culture in the country, which he said was even more pernicious for the development of the book. He bemoaned the pervasive indifference many Nigerians exhibit to reading, writing and numeracy, adding, “Aliterate people have no business with buying, reading and promoting books for themselves,

their children, their wards and their community!”

Emenanjo also pointed out poverty, film (Nollywood) and social media as other great impediments for the growth of book among young people. However, the professor submitted that the book would not die given the ability of man’s creations to adapt, especially with the emergence of ebooks and other digital formats.

Also, he lamented President Goodluck Jonathan’s inability to make good his intention for the book, as encapsulated in his campaign Bring Back the Book, which he said though “the name of the campaign has some rhyme and rhythm about it, the reason behind it is still to be known. Instead, it’s Nollywood that appears to count more in the non-verbal communication of our president.”

Reaffirming the seeming immortality of the book across time, Emenanjo declared the book, “An engine of change, the window on the world and the lighthouse in the sea of time, the book will continue to remain a telescope because through it we can look at the distant stars and speculate about life. It will remain a never-ending film, which the entire human pageant and, indeed, civilization passes in review. It is the only time machine that can recreate the events of the past, capture the totality of the present and open up vistas to the future. For without the book, history is silent, literature dumb, science crippled and thought and speculation at a standstill.”

By way of recommendation, Emenanjo

stressed strengthening the educational system, longevity of educational policies, programmes and practices and making literature in English and in Nigerian languages compulsory in the entire formal school system including tertiary institutions and instituting a national book policy.

ARLIER, chairman of University Press E Plc, Dr. Lalekan Are said as “authors who are knowledge providers, we are attitude and character molders. We build the intellect and shape the consciousness of the people and populace. This role has become exceedingly germane, considering the serious challenges that face Nigeria”.

Are noted that as part of University Press Plc’s CSR, it donated books worth N5 million to secondary schools in Oyo State and would establish Readers Club in each school starting next year. Organising a quiz and essay contests in schools, he said, were also in the offing.

The Managing Director, Mr. Samuel Kolawole raised alarm of activities of Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) in asking publishers to vet the books they bring into the country. Kolawole said such directive from SON was wrong and unconstitutional and well outside its mandate.

He called on relevant authorities to call SON to order, as such anti-book directive was capable of violating UN’s free movement of books charter.

Teen authors launch books for fellow youngsters

By Kenechukwu Ezeonyejiaku HEN children discover their talents early in life, it goes a long way in making them great assets and a pride to both their families and the nation. However, this early discovery cannot be achieved and the dream of such a child can never be actualised if the parents do not give him necessary support to become what he wants to be in life.

For Divine and Berith Christian, 15 and 13 years old siblings respectively, they have parents who saw in them the talent, ambition, zeal and the flair to write. They gave them support and necessary nurturing, and

W

today, Divine, at the young age of 15, is working on her fourth book just as her third was launched last Saturday, Not for the Glitter; with Berith, his first, Arthur Becomes King, a fairy tale of life of a destined young boy.

While speaking to The Guardian at the launch of the books at ElShaddai Cathedral, Redeemed Christian Church of God, FESTAC Town, Lagos, the mother of the children, Mrs. Chinwe Christian said that writing was an inborn thing, especially in her daughter, which she discover early and encouraged and guided her, not-

ing, “I wake up and see them, as little as my daughter was then she would be writing in her room. I would ask her what she was doing and she would tell me she was writing.

“I remembered I did do things like that in those days but no one could guide us along and tell us, ‘this is what your future is like’. Everybody then was after becoming either a doctor, an engineer and so on and everything was just like, ‘face your studies, face your school’.

“But when I remember and realise those past events, I decided I should leave them to do what they want to

do. She started writing and the younger brother keyed into it and I see that God has a purpose in their lives to follow it up”.

Divine’s book, Not for the Glitter is an educative and informative story recommendable for teens and youth. It tells of a young girl, Kate, an only child of wealthy parents, pretty, intelligent girl, who has it all. But the quest to explore and live life more made her cross boundaries, stepped on toes and turned her friends into her enemies, even her best/childhood friend, Lovett.

Her ability to get whatever she wants and have the world dance to

her tune, which worked successfully for her on her parents and her peers, later back-fires on her but it becomes the turning-point in her life.

Divine said she was inspired by a renowned novelist, Nora Roberts and her publisher, Mr. Philip Begho said that her message in the book is just to tell teenagers like her and other youths that they should face their education and career and leave the glitters because not all of that glitters is gold.

She also added that she would like to become a notable writer in the future but would like to combine it with acting, because she liked acting.

30 ARTS

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, July 5, 2013

Osun… when government bonds with the people

By Kabir Alabi Garba and Biodun Fanoro HE interface, planned to be quarterly, is T gradually taking a firm root in the calendar of activities of the government of the State of Osun as a platform that bridges the communication gap between the leaders and the led.

Tagged Ogbeni Till Day Break, the organisers, the Ministry of Information and Strategy, appear to be improving with each edition in terms of packaging and mobilisation of participants.

The June 21/22, 2013 edition wore the toga of a true tradition of classical democracy patterned after the Greece of old where people from the city-states (electorates) gathered around Mount Olympus to listen to their representatives in whom they had vested their mandate, asked them questions, expressed new aspirations as well as their views on issues of common interest.

Indeed, people and Governor of the State of Osun , Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola that Friday night enliven this scenario as they gathered at the auditorium of the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding (CBIU) and re-enacted the Mount Olympus democracy under the programme, Ogbeni Till Day Break.

The interactive session that lasted till wee hours of Saturday, June 22 connected the audience and members of the public directly with the government functionaries as they ask questions from the governor on the state of the State without any inhibition while the governor answers them directly without an intermediary. It is a hold-no bar interaction where participants are allowed to ask questions on any subject or pass comment on any programme of the government or any issue of common interest that is bothering them.

A critical examination of this programme shows that it is remarkable from many perspectives, from conception to delivery, from the equal rights it gives everybody to its nonpartisanship as participants are drawn from all the political parties in the state. In addition, it also affords indigenes of the state resident in other parts of the country and in the diaspora to participate either as contributors or as listeners because the programme is relayed simultaneously on several national and international radio and television stations, whose coverage extends as far as Europe and America.

Probably what is most remarkable about Ogbeni Till Day Break is that a governor without anybody pressurizing him, willingly submits himself, his office, his pleasure, his dignity and integrity and even his privacy to public scrutiny, because on few occasions the inquisition gets into his private life. This could be very hard to believe in country where in most cases it is a crime or is considered an act of insubordination to ask a public officer to give account of his or her stewardship.

The uniqueness of the programme is further underscored by the realization that even where public officers are constitutionally bound to account to the public their assets when coming to office, many, sometimes, viewed it as an affront on the part of the public demanding that that must be complied with.

This year’s first quarter edition of the programme held two weeks ago was unprecedented as it surpassed the last two editions in

Governor Aregbesola (middle); his deputy, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori (left) at the Ogbeni till daybreak on June 21, 2013 in Osogbo (Insert): a cross section of traditional rulers at the event

all ramifications.

It began at about 10.38 pm with the rendition of both the national anthem and the State’s anthem, followed by opening prayers in the three main religions in the State.

The over 5000 capacity auditorium of CBIU, was filled to the brim with many others sitting on the floor along the walk-away.

Well over 80 national and international journalists drawn from the electronic and print media took part in the governor-hot-seat show which lasted for about 8 hours, having ended at about 5.33am the following day.

In attendance were lawmakers from the National Assembly among who was Senator Babatunde Omoware; members of the State House of Assembly, traditional rulers, including Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin who remained seated till the end of the programme; and representatives of the State’s chapter of Conference of Opposition Political Parties.

Expectedly, top officials of the State’s administration, including the Deputy Governor, Mrs Titi Laoye Tomori, Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti; commis-

sioners, permanent secretaries, the Speaker of the State’s House of Assembly, were present at the all-night event.

Their presence was indeed significant to the success of the programme as the governor occasionally called on them to answer some questions from the participants especially those that bothered on their different offices.

Statistics at the end of the programme showed that there were about 479 telephone callers while about 2,850 text messages were received. The text messages surpassed the 2,000 that were received in the last edition of the programme.

The questions from the audience, journalists and callers from outside were indeed myriad that no write-up could cover all of them.

However, it may be noteworthy to point out one or two not just because they were interesting but also because they could provoke some other governors to rise to their constitutional responsibility of making the welfare of the people the primary concern of government.

In his response to a question on the extent of the coverage of the state’s food programme for school children, the governor revealed that the

State feeds 300,000 pupils daily, consuming 15,000 chickens weekly; 9,000 crates of egg weekly; and 5,000 kilogrammes of cat fish weekly.

What makes this food programme remarkable is its spillage effect, where several thousands of youth have been empowered as poultry farmers, cat fish farmers and coco yam growers.

The governor disclosed that the feeding project now buys up all the eggs produced in the State and that the State has been forced to look up to the neighboring states to make up for the balance.

The governor used the occasion to throw more light on the controversies surrounding the airport project being constructed at EdeIdo-Osi, in the State, which some people said is owned by the federal government.

According to the governor the airport is owned totally by the State but only got statutory approval from the federal government.

He put the total cost of the project at N4.5billion. The project is awarded to Aeronautical Nigeria Limited owned by the Nigerian Airforce.

Digital library from Osogbo indigenes in Diaspora a platform through which they can speak with one voice on issues affecting their community.

Acknowledging the ongoing face Progressive Union (OPU) USA in lifts in Osogbo now, he applauded rallying together their members for the overall benefits of their towns and the present administration in the state of Osun for the wonderful the State of Osun in general. turnaround without being partisan Making the admonition was the while imploring that more still Commissioner for Information needed to be done to ensure & Strategy, Mr Sunday Akere while speaking as the Chairman of the 2013 increased developmental projects and programmes that will provide National Convention and Fund job for the graduates of the town Raising Events held at DFW Airport who are presently jobless.

Hotel & Conference Centre, Dallas, He reiterated the determination of Texas, USA on June 29, 2013.

OPU USA to build a digital library Welcoming members from all over valued at $100,000.00 to be raised America, the outgoing OPU USA President, Mr Yekini Opawoye restat- today to assist in improving the standard of learning and education ed the commitment of Osogbo in the city as a token to indigenes to follow the footsteps of complement the gigantic drive of their forefathers who fused together couple of years back to have the current administration in the EMBERS of the various township M associations in the diaspora have been urged to emulate the Osogbo

educational sector. He also announced that scholarship has been given to 18 students of Osogbo origin in higher institutions of learning in Nigeria while they also intervened on the litigation between proprietor of Fountain University, Osogbo and land owners at Isale Osun Osogbo.

Speaking further, Hon Akere appreciated the support and commitment of Osogbo indigenes to the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola during and after the 2007 General Election and affirmed the determination of the administration to turn around Osogbo from the status of a glorified local government headquarters to become the leading state capital in Nigeria. He said in carrying out the six point integral action plan of the Aregbesola administration, a lot has been done in Osogbo as

the centre focus of our developmental agenda in the 30 months of the regime.

"We have completed renovation of the Old Garage Railway Terminus to become what is now known as "Freedom Arena", completion of the model middle school at Alekuwodo, beautification of Olaiya-Alekuwodo-Okefia road, near completion of construction of Aiyegbaju International Market, Aje Internatinal Market while work is starting on Dagbolu Mid Regional Market, dualisation of Old Garage-Aiyetoro-Ikirun-Kwara Boundary road, flag off of East Bye Pass Road, near completion of 21 interchange inner ring roads in the town amongst several others.

He said the administration is not done yet on its commitment to

develop Osogbo while charging all Osun indigenes both home and abroad to support Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola to ensure that the good work continues by supporting him for a second term in office.

Also speaking at the convention, Mr Basiru Ajibola, the Commissiner for Special Duties & Regional Integration said "it is not how much money or knowledge you have in life but how much you are able to impart on humanity". He applauded the members for their sacrifice towards OPU, sense of organisation, quality of representation and human resources and overall sense of accountability displayed by officials of the union. Mr Yekini Opawoye was reelected as President to lead a 9 member executive for another two years.

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In association with

Events AFEntrepreneurs Annual Conference 2013

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From Left: Project Manager, Qlichy.com, Tosin Adefeko; Brand Ambassador, Qlichy.com, Funke Akindele-Oloyede at the Unveiling of Funke AkindeleOloyede as Qlichy.com Brand Ambassador, held in Lagos on Saturday June 22, 2013

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Nite Of a Thousand Dances

AST GROWING online busiFQlichy.com ness networking platform, has announced star actress, Funke Akindele as its brand ambassador.

Funke was presented to a section of the media recently at ceremony held inside the premises of The Quadrant Company in Ikeja, Lagos. Her presentation came on the heels of the brand’s successful official launch in April and a town storm campaign in May. Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Akindele remarked, “I’m delighted to be associated with Qlichy.com and consider it an honour to be the brand ambassador.

The Qlichy brand besides being the ultimate virtual meeting point and resource center, is the future. I say this because this new platform

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Date(s): 05/07/2013 Location: Main Auditorium University of Lagos Promoter: Alariwo.Org Night of a thousand Dances is a brand new concept of having a themed creative arts/dance concert held bi-annually aimed at creating world class family entertainment and launching the careers of talented dancers and creative arts performers in Nigeria.

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The lovable actress added, “I admire the thought process behind it and that’s why I’m thrilled to be part of the Team Qlichy. It will empower a wide range of people and I enjoin all business operators, owners, content developers and resource persons to be part of it.”

Qlichy.com is a multi site business portal, news service and e-commerce platform, which is linked to the Interswitch platform for payment purposes. The platform has been enjoying growing patronage and traffic since its launch in April. It offers access to platforms like Bizpoint, Talkpoint, Salespoint, Playpoint and Thoughtpoint for businesses and consumers to meet and interact.

By Chika Onwukwe

Cable stations, hindrance to piracy war IRACY has been described as an ill wind that blows no good to P intellectual property owners. Many Nollywood filmmakers have closed shop because they couldn’t recuperate money invested into their production as a result of the activities of pirates. The situation has impoverished a good number of creative minds, where as their works are making waves in the market, yet they have nothing in terms of monetary returns to show for them.

The president, Film and Video Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria (FVPMAN), Norbert Ajaegbu, disclosed the progress made by the union on the fight against piracy and dangers cable television stations pose against the fight of piracy in the country.

He said, “Piracy is something you find everywhere you have intellectual possession, even in the advanced countries. There is no society that will boast to have completely eradicated it, but in our own circumstances we’re doing a whole lot since the inception of this new administration to curb the scourge.

“Currently for every film release in the market, N10 thousand is set aside for anti-piracy movement. It is based on this fund that we are able to foster effort to negotiate with Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) and foot the bills for civil actions against pirates, because sometimes we conduct independent raid,” he revealed.

The FVPMAN head informed that in the last one year the union has been able to talk with the Director-General of NCC, Afam Ezekude, and most of the initiatives they jointly agreed on have yielded positive results.

“There was a cooperation the NCC boss initiated with international custom, which we all know is working out. The moment these containers leave China where the pirated CDs and DVDs are made, the international customs will inform NCC. The Commission will then intercept them at the ports at the point of entry,” he noted.

Through this means, NCC has made a lot of seizure with huge cost implication worth over N300 million, which is a very big blow on pirates. However, we are still faced with locally pirated CDs and DVD, and we are working on means to tackle them. We have scheduled a meeting in Enugu to talk on how we can embark on constructive raid across the country.

For the producer/marketer, Alaba market is known for piracy.

“I had wanted to withdraw our members from that market. But I realize that withdrawing them will turn the whole place into a den of pirates, hence we allow them to stay among the pirates as a way of fighting them too. This is why you cannot find pirates openly sell some of these films in Alaba market, because the copyright owners are within the territory,” he said.

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Film A crack team for AFRIFF 2013 in Tinapa

By Shaibu Husseini to deliver on its promise of presentIofNingthea bid a world-class film festival, the organizers African International Film Festival (AFRIFF) have pulled a crack team that will further the achievement of the objective of the festival, one of which is the creation of a platform that seeks to give expression to players in the African film industry.

Notable international film curator, programmer and writer on African cinema Keith Shiri is in the AFRIFF team as festival programmer and jury coordinator. Zimbabwean born but based in the United Kingdom and Beirut, Shiri comes to this assignment with a lot of experience. He is programme advisor to the British Film Institute’s London Film Festival and has also served in that position for the Venice Film Festival. He was a member of the World Cinema Fund from 2004 – 2007 and has been an expert advisor for the EU-ACP Films. Shiri has curated films for the Sharjah Biennale UAE and was the first Executive Director of the Southern African Film Festival.

He is also founder and director of Africa at the Pictures and the London African Film Festival.

He is also visiting research fellow for Centre for Research and Education in Arts and Media (CREAM) University of Westminster, London.

A long standing member of the jury of the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), Shiri has served as a jury on a number of festivals including the Berlin International Film Festival, the Dubai International Film Festival, Pan African Film Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO), Tampere Film Festival and many others. He is a trainer for the ESODOC programme that offers workshops in documentary filmmaking and he is currently on the advisory board of New York’s Focus Features Africa First, a programme that supports and mentors young African filmmakers.

Also in the team is notable motion picture director and current President of the Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN) Andy Amenechi. Andy, who has over 25 years cognate field experience in Television, film and radio production encompassing Advertising, Marketing, New Media production and Multi Media communication is in the team as Technical Director. Andy who has put in over

Nobert Ajaegbu 20 years as a film producer and director with over 180 directorial credit is to superintend over the technical aspect of the 7 day long festival scheduled for the Tinapa Resort in Cross Rivers State from November 10 through to 17.

Joining the team as Chief Strategist is Norbert Ajaegbu current chairman of Film/Video Producers and Marketers Association, Lagos and the National Spokesman of the same Association. Ajaegbu is Chief Executive of Ocean Movies and Music Studios. He is a multiple degree holder in Accountancy, Masters Degree in Business Administration, an LL.B (Hons) in Law from the University of Lagos and BL in view from the Nigerian law school. He also obtained a certificate in Script writing and production from Deustche Welle Training Institute, Germany.

His Ocean Movies has produced over forty movies including; Dog of War, Fatal Mistake, Hear My Cry, Broken Dreams, and Secret Mission.

Festival programmer and jury Coordinator Keith Shiri says he was looking forward to a memorable festival. He assured that the films that will be programmed for the festival would in addition to the choice venue- Tinapa, guarantee an ultimate experience for filmmakers and filmgoers.

Even the founder and project director of AFRIFF, Chioma Ude, is excited about the

N raising the alarm over the danImusicians, ger Mp3 poses to the survival of Smart Oshoko may be like John the Baptist – a lone voice crying in the wilderness. And of course, there are lots of reasons to be worried.

Consider, for instance, what happened to an upcoming artiste: he labored for five years to produce a musical work. He printed few copies of the audio CD as sample copies. Few months later, more than a thousand people enjoy his songs in their cell phones in Mp3 formats without the artiste selling a single copy of the CD! “Mp3 is a wonderful technology,” says Smart, “but it is also a wonderful way to kill the birds that lay the golden eggs. It is the most efficient, silent and up to date way to kill musicians, especially the upcoming ones. And when the artistes who are custodians, catalysts and transmitters of our culture are dying before they rise, the culture also is dying with them.”

Unfortunately too, says Smart, the musicians most vulnerable to the Mp3 technology are the decent ones such as highlife musicians and other traditional ones who promote our culture. The modern society and the corporate world are

Smart Oshoko more favorably disposed to indecent musicians who promote sex, nudity, drugs and other forms of immorality on TV, and they engage them for live performances and product endorsement from where those musicians get some money to hang on.

In recent years, the headache of musicians had been the Alaba International market style of illegal

sionals to export their products to the world’’.

Also, the festival aims at facilitating access to investors, equipment, technical and skill acquisition through festival organized fora and capacity development workshops and complement government’s efforts at revamping small and medium scale enterprises.

“We are going to have small workshops and seminars where we will train and empower budding filmmakers,” she said.

In the meantime, entries for the festivals, which opened since April will close on July 30. There would be four categories of films— feature, documentaries, animation and shorts that will be accepted for the competitive aspect of the festival. Ude stated that from this year and henceforth the awards for excellence in the four film categories at AFRIFF have been increased from five to eleven.

Amenechi “These now are Best Feature Film, Best Screenplay, Best Director, Best Actor and Best choice of Tinapa for the third edition. The Actress, all under the Feature film category first edition held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State while the second edition held in Lagos. while the Documentary film and Animation film categories will offer awards for Best But Ude, who thanked the government and Documentary and Best Animation respectivepeople of Cross River State for believing in ly. The Short film category on the other hand her vision and partnering with the festival, now offers two awards, Best Short and Best noted that experiencing the festival in Student Short. The latter is a new award creCalabar, home of the world-renowned ated as an incentive to students and young Carnival Calabar, will be momentous. filmmakers aimed at recognizing and “The moment we announced that AFRIFF was going to Tinapa, everyone said they were encouraging their creative expressions,’’ she going to come because apart from participat- explained.

Ude who described AFRIFF as Africa’s exciting in the festival, they want to experience ing new annual destination for fantastic film Tinapa and Calabar that they have either experience and celebration in Nigeria, also been reading about or seeing on television.

And that is the thing about AFRIFF. Opening announced the institution of what she said was “a new eclectic award called the Special Nigeria up to the rest of the continent and Jury award”, which will be given to the prothe world’’ Ude said. ducers, in the opinion of the jury, of the most She informed that the festival was conoutstanding film, cutting across all the cateceived in 2010 as a global filmmaking and world class event that attracts local and inter- gories of movies submitted. This edition of national actors, directors, scriptwriters, cine- the festival, like the second edition, will also matographers, sound engineers, musicians, feature the Audience Choice Award. The editors, light engineers, students, equipment award according to Ude “will be given to the manufacturers and businessmen. One of the producer of the movie, voted as most liked, at festival other objectives she said, is “to devel- the screenings by viewing participants at the op Africa’s film industry to a level where the festival. Monetary prizes for best films in the competition will range between $2,000 – products compete favorably with their con$6,000.” temporaries all over world and provide growth opportunity for film industry profes-

duplication and sales of audio and video CDs of musicians. Now, even CD pirates are losing out to Mp3.

Who wants to spend N100 for each hard copy of CD and carry the heavy load when one can download, copy this tune, or just ask a friend to send it into his phone free of charge? This way, everyone becomes a pirate, feeding on the flesh and blood of both established and upcoming musicians.

Besides, with the help of the Mp3 technology, a whole new horde of intellectual property thieves have emerged and a large number of people are accomplices even without knowing it. We have all seen them at street corners, motor parks, markets and under overhead bridges. They have as instruments, a laptop computer, outdated sound amplifiers, and a loudspeaker.

Inside the laptop, these new pirates have thousands of audio and video works of musicians which they have already converted into Mp3 with Total Video Converter (TVC) software. Finally, people almost queue up at spots like these to copy those works into their cell phones for a fee. “It’s dangerous. It’s a silent killer, because people don’t even know what they are doing,” says Smart.

Himself, a custodian of the Nigerian culture and art, Smart Oshoko is a popular radio and television personality. He is the producer and presenter of the popular Pidgin English program, Na So I See Am, now on MITV and City FM. Smart is not just a broadcaster. He is a musician by training. In 1987 he studied music at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife. Before his musical career, Smart worked as a cartoonist in some newspapers and magazines, a talent he developed as a child through drawing on pieces of papers and on walls. In fact, both his broadcasting and music talents were nurtured when he was still a child. He was always miming great broadcasters and imitating Bob Marley’s style of singing. He plays multiple characters in the short comic stories with which he garnishes the radio program. That is how this Obudu Cattle Ranch born genius from Bebilisang came to be a compendium of the three departments of art – Music, Drama, and Fine Arts.

What solution does he proffer to the new piracy device? Should Mp3 be banned? “No, the problem has never been the technology; it has always been the use of it. In fact Mp3 is good for musicians and the

people. It saves printing and distribution costs. But Mp3 should not, consciously or unconsciously, be used as a sophisticated device of piracy. Technology has changed a lot of things. People need to change too, or adapt to the changes. We need to upgrade the sensitivity of our consciences; otherwise, the society will destroy itself. When people adopt a dangerous lifestyle it will ultimately destroy them. When people’s culture dies the people become mere living corpses.

“The society – you and I – must find a way to remunerate a musician who has done a good work. There are many ways we can do that. We are working out the modalities with people of good consciences and goodwill. Very soon we will announce the modalities.”

Although they say once a soldier, always a soldier, Smart Oshoko is soft-pedaling on music production and now increasingly devotes much of his time and creative energy to broadcasting. During his heady days as a musician, Smart had released albums such as Virgin (1989). Later he came out with Soukus Exponent, Going back to Abanlikwo, King of Kings (a gospel album), and Aya Kaya.

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ARTS

Heritage

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Nmaji/Nwosu tradition in Umuojima Isiala-Ngwa

By Kelechi Anthony MUOJIMA is located in Isiala-ngwa south U local govt. area of Abia State. Its neighboring villages include Umuocheala, Ngbedeala, Owerrinta and Ichi.

Chukwuabiama, Ihienjoku and Nmaje were the very popular deities in Ngwaland. These deities were believed to be powerful and potent. The Ngwa people at that time go to these gods for protection, success and for settling of disputes. They also worshipped them.

The Ihienjoku is a very special deity only great and renowned yam farmers can be its custodian. The deity is also known as the god of yam. It is believed that no farmer can be successful in yam farming except he be guided by the spirits of the yam god, (Ihienjoku). Whoever intends engaging in yam production and be successful in it must first appease or subscribe to the god of yam (Ihienjoku) to which he must also dedicate a son or daughter. The son that is dedicated to the god of yam (Ihienjoku) is called Njoku or Nwosu while the daughter dedicated to the god of yam is called NMAJI (sons and daughters of the yam god). A shrine is also built for the Ihienjoke in the family where he worships and sacrifices to the Ihienjoku once a year. This worship and sacrifices is called Offor or Eriakwu.

In cases where a man or a family is not fruitful or where the woman is barren or where there are cases of frequent child death the Ihienjoku god may be consulted or subscribed to after the necessary rituals involving the dedication of a daughter to the god.

The girl to be dedicated must be a virgin, who will be decorated with beads round her waist. If really she is a virgin, the beads will be shaking, whereby she is not, the beads will not shake and she will immediately slump and die. This means that she has been rejected by the gods, because of this, people take their time to really make sure that they are actually dedicating a real virgin otherwise something terrible will happen to that family. Once the dedicated virgin girl is accepted by the god (Ihienjoku), the family or man becomes productive, producing offsprings beyond his wildest imagination while the family remains worshippers of Ihienjoku.

The Ihienjoku may also be consulted for general success in life. In all the cases listed aboves the son dedicated to Ihienjoku becames an Nwosu or Njoku while the daughter becomes an Nmaji. In Umuojima, an Nmaji or Nwosu is only found in very large and successful families especially those successful in yam farming. Never or rarely will an Nmaji or Nwosu be found in small unsuccessful families except in cases of newly initiated families to the worship of Ihienjoku.

Initiation: The rituals of the initiation of dedicated sons and daughters to the Ihienjoku god is carried out by special servants of the Ihienjoku, who may or may not be either Nmaji or Nwosu. The daughter or son is brought before the Ihienjoku shrine where they are blessed with so many hidden powers, and other rites undertaken. An “OYIRIMA” (special brown wine) and “Ebe” (a rare seed) is hanged on the neck of the daughter or son for identification. In recent time, they tie it round their waist.

Perception by society: The Nmajis and Nwosus in Umuojima are never isolated. They remain an integral part of the society, but the consciousness that they belong to the gods is never erased in the hearts of the society or they themselves. In most cases, the Nmajis and Nwosus are vey reckless and wicked. They could engage in very wicked deadly activities which no ordinary man may dare for fear of the gods and the people. An Nmaji or Nwosu can swear falsely by the gods with no harm befalling her or him. This, an ordinary man can never dare.

They may spill knowingly the blood of their kinfolk, but must never be punished or killed in return, whether for vengeance or for justice. For this reason Nmajis and Nwosu’s are regarded as outlaws and in cases of immense violence and crime, people tend to isolate themselves from the Nwosus and Nmajis.

Obligations: When a man or family subscribes for the Ihienjoku god, an Ihienjoku shrine is then built in his compound (Obi). This is called IHUCHUKWU (face of the god), with two entrance to the compound-one for humans and the other for the spirits.

The Nmaji or Nwosu must be fortified traditionally in front of an Ihienjoku shrine. This is carried out by special Ihienjoku servants. They

The Nmajis and Nwosus in Umuojima are never isolated. They remain an integral part of the society, but the consciousness that they belong to the gods is never erased in the hearts of the society or they themselves. In most cases, the Nmajis and Nwosus are vey reckless and wicked. They could engage in very wicked deadly activities which no ordinary man may dare for fear of the gods and the people

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must always wear the very remarkable and conspicuous OYIRIMA (special brown wire) and Ebe (a rare seed) on their neck. For no reason whatsoever would an Nmaji or Nwosu be killed for they are regarded as children of the gods. If for any reason, vengeance or justice, an Nmaji or Nwosu is killed hidden or banished, “OKOROETOGHI” results. This is a deadly spirit that kills mercilessly and rapidly in a family or compound, starting from the most successful and promising. And until the death of an Nmaji or Nwosu is atoned, which involves expensive rituals and in most cases dedication of another son or daughter, Okoroetoghi may never cease.

An Nwosu must never marry another woman who is not an Nmaji. If he does, the woman will die prematurely, likewise, an Nmaji nust never marry a man who is not an Njoku. If she does, she (the Nmaji) will die prematurely. Before an Nwosu marries an Nmaji, they must be brought before the Ihienjojkushrine of the family of the Nwosu for cleansing orelse they will give birth to cursed offspring and would never live in peace as they would be constantly tormented by the spirits. At death the head of an Nmaji /Nwosu must not be allowed to touch the ground, or be buried. If this happens, OKOROETOGHI results, and would continue until the head is dug out, cleansed and hanged in the IHienjoku shrine.

At the death of an Nmaji/Nwosu, the head is chopped off from the body (the head is never buried with the body) and hanged over a slanting enamel bucket or basin. This is kept in the house of the Nmaji/Nwosu until the head fully decays leaving the skull which

drops into the slanting enamel buket or basin.

This is subsequently taken to the Ihienjoku shrine where it is also hanged. When a man that has an Ihienjoku shrine in his compound dies, his eldest son takes control of the shrine to ensure that it is continually worshipped and sacrifices made to it. At his death, the next takes over. Where this is not done the eldest son with the responsibility of the Ihienjoku dies immediately.

Responsibilities of Nmajis/Nwosu Nmajis/Nwosu’s are outlaws, aid dangerous but in rare cases when an Nmaji/Nwosu keeps to their calling, he/she enjoys the powers of the gods. He/she has the ability to uncover hidden truth has powers to unfold and neutralize buried poisons and also has powers to see into the future etc. The Nmaji/Nwosu is not hereditary, but in Umuojima it is believed that the spirits are stubborn and unwilling to leave their place of abode and as such, the children of an Nmaji/Nwosu as descendants of the sons of the gods are themselves, to some extent, regarded as children of the gods, but not necessarily Nmaji/Nwosu’s as symbolized by the initiation and rituals carried out for Nmaji/Nwosu’s. The Ihienjoku shrine (IHUCHUKWU) is hereditary and moves down the offspring ladder. Never in the history of Umuojima, until most recent, has the Ihuchukwu been ignored and the Offor ceased. The consequences were grave.

The effect of Christianity on the Nmaji/Nwosu practice was quite monumental. At the inception of Christianity in Umuojima, the Ihienjoku was still very much revered, people could still go to church and still worship the Ihuchukwu shrine very effectively. The Nwosu’s and Nmajis began to wear their symbol (Oyieima & Ebe) on their waist, which is covered with their wrapper or trousers. Thus they could sit in church, hold significant posts like (knight, lay reader, church warders) etc.

Without people knowing that they are Nwosu/Nmaji.

However, as more people became educated, moved into cities and become westernised, a new wave of rebellion against the old order began. This tradition is gradually fading away in Umuojima Anthony discussed this topic with the National Museum Study Group in Port Harcourt recently

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, July 5, 2013

ARTS

Showblast

...The buzz in town

39

Stories by Chuks Nwanne

Star Trek Enugu... A home coming for Phyno, J Martins, Mr. Raw HE evening was cloudy; many feared it was T going to rain. Notwithstanding, the techni- • The MI, Wande Coal, Tony One Week connection cal crew went on with the erection of the stage at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, while the artistes took their turns to rehearse ahead of the Enugu Leg of the Star Music Trek, a touring music concert aimed at connecting artistes with their fans. But hey, rain or no rain, Coal City music fans know how best to catch fun.

As soon as some artistes on the bill such as MI, Phyno, Mr. Raw, alongside Rough Coiz, came on air at the Dreams FM 92.5, Enugu, the atmosphere in the Coal City became frenzy; the big boys are in town. While the crew struggled to get the set ready for the night excitement, some fun loving residents waited patiently at the venue, watching as the installation metals ended up as a massive live music stage with lighting facilities.

Gradually, guests began to gather one by one, group by group. Before long, the venue was packed with people. Well, for a city that boasts of more than five higher institutions, coupled with the fact that the gate fee was pegged at N200, the turn out was actually expected. For the mean time, the DJ treated the crown with popular Nigerian tunes in preparation for the show proper. Suddenly, the cloud gave.

The big stage finally came alive with the anchorman, Ggenga Adeyinke, who spiced the evening with his usual jaw breaking jokes that got many reeling with laughter. The 2012 winners of the Star Quest music reality show, Crystals set the ball rolling as they thrilled the audience with tracks such as RingTone and Love Me Tender, which they delivered with their usual dance steps.

It was a sort of homecoming for Mr. Raw, who has since established a warm relationship with the Coal City; he actually grew up there. Alongside his live band, Raw got the crowd singing along, also he belted out hit tracks such as Obodo, Spiritual Conji, Strong and Mighty and others. As a surprise package, the rap brought on stage the Gyration Master, Hon. Tony One Week. Dressed in an all white outfit, the crowd cheered in excitement as the singer and member of the Anambra State House of Assembly did a medley of his gyration songs, before paving way for Raw to do Hp-hop Gyration.

Apparently, music metamorphosis goes beyond Mr. Raw’s name change. In 40 minutes, he left no one in doubt of his popularity in the Eastern part of the country.

‘Phyno, Phyno, Phyno…’ rented the air, as Gbenga introduced fast rising rapper, Phyno on stage. Also an Enugu brought up, Phyno’s performance was electrifying; he got everyone

dancing. Though you could barely hear his line, his confidence on stage tells s you the man knows his onion; his outfit added colours to his craft. You needed to see how the crowd struggled to get hold of the light skinned singer, who seems to have found his rhythm in the industry. From Man of the Year, Anamachikwena, Ghost Mode and other songs, the beat went on and on for the Abakpa, Enugu brought up. At one point he, was joined on stage by popular Enugu based artiste, Ruffcoin,

who got the crow screaming with his track, Nwa Aba. However not many are aware that the talented young artiste got his first big break through respected music icons M.I and MrRaw. Phyno revealed this when he dropped by for a friendly shout out at Dream 925FM Enugu with fellow artistes M.I and Mr Raw hours before they performed at the show. Definitely with his lethal combination of hard hitting lyrics, grit and ‘swag, Phyno may very

Glo Slide & Bounce excites Benin with the level of ItheMPRESSED performance rendered by artistes on the bill for the

was part of the last two Rock N Rule shows, the previous editions of the Glo Laffta Fest Glo Slide & Bounce musical and now the Glo Slide and concert in Benin over the Bounce concert. What this weekend, Edo State Commis- shows is that Globacom loves sioner for Oil and Gas, Hon. the Binis and the entire peoOrobosa Omo-Ojo, has deple of Edo State, and we can scribed the concert as “a only reciprocate this good world class entertainment.” gestures by making Glo our Speaking to journalists on number one network,” he his impression about the said. event, Hon Omo-Ojo noted The Glo Slide & Bounce musithat, “besides being a world- cal tour, which kicked off in class event, it is gratifying to Abuja last week, is generating know that Globacom is massive interest across the bringing this to our people country. A large crowd of fun free of charge.” seekers trooped out in Benin Also commenting on the City on Saturday to book a event, Prince Patrick Orondate with the concert train, saye, a retired curator and which berthed at the Best authority on Bini Tradition Western Hotel in the city. and Custom, expressed deConceived by the telecommulight at being part of the nication company to showepoch-making event. He ob- case it’s newly endorsed served that Globacom had Ambassadors and adequately demonstrated its love for the reward its teeming subBini people and by extenscribers across the country, sion, the entire people of the show parades notable Edo State, by always includnames in the nation’s music ing the city in its entertainindustry. ment plans.

Top government officials “By my recollection, this and students from higher inwill be about the sixth show stitutions in Benin City and that Globacom has brought the adjourning towns of to Benin City free of charge Ekpoma and Okada attended in the last couple of years; I the Benin edition of the

show. The crowd had a funfilled night as P-square, Omawumi, Naeto C, Bez and others thrilled them with superlative performances. Performing live for the first time the Unlimited song, which was inspired by Globacom, and other hit tunes like Alingo, Oyinye and Chop My Money, P-square raised the roof with their well choreographed dance moves.

In his remarks at the show anchored by the comedian Okey Bakassi, who kept the crowd reeling in laughter with his ribs-cracking jokes, Globacom’s Divisional Director for Mid-West, Mr. Richard Ogunsina, informed that, “the show was a thank you package for our subscribers for their loyalty these past 10 years on one hand, and for the youths on the other hand, to show them through these emerging artistes that Globacom is ever ready to support our youths to achieve their dreams and become what they want to be.”

The Glo slide & Bounce Tour moves to Ibadan this Saturday, while Enugu, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Uyo and Lagos will have their turns later.

well be the latest discovery the entertainment world is waiting for.

Having left the stage on a high tempo, everyone expected J martins to sustain the momentum, but it didn’t happen. Instead, the Good or Bad singer preferred to run commentaries for the fans. For sure, J Martins is a fine singer and talented producer, but his stage performance really needs to be worked on. For an artiste, who spent a better part of his life in Enugu, a lot was expected. Well, it was later revealed that some technical faults actually hampered his initial performance. However, the Abia State native latter picked up with Good or Bad, Oyoyo and his latest single, Touching Body.

Immediately he was called on stage, MI went straight to business with Anoti, stunning fans with his electrifying performances. In what seems like his new style, the Chocolate City rapper crowned a new queen, Blessing, who joined him in performing One Naira, a track originally done by MI and Waje. M.I’s inspiring set also had crowd turners such as Money Slow to Enter, My Belle, Undisputed Champion and others.

MAVIN ‘Black Diamond’, Wande Coal wrapped up the night of fun and excitement in style. Wande, who opened with You Bad, set the crown wild as they dig to the beat. From fast paced tracks such as Bumper to Bumper, Pere, Rotate and The Kick, the Mushin brought up gave a good account of himself in Enugu. If his fans had any regrets as they watched him leave the stage, it was only that they couldn’t have that one last encore!

Meanwhile, headline acts; Timaya, Wande Coal, Kcee, Naeto C and other supporting stars have confirmed plans to invade Aba, Abia State tomorrow for the Star Music Trek, which will hold at Recreation Center, Aba. Timaya, who will perform for the first time on show this year said, “I’m looking forward to seeing all my fans in Aba. This has to be one of the highlights of the year as I’m all out to see that my fans are really entertained.”

Wande Coal who has been enjoying rave reviews with his hit singles Rotate and The Kick is asking of only one thing from music lovers Aba. “If you appreciate great music, then I look forward to seeing you there. It’s the biggest concert in Aba in 2013 and you don’t want to miss it.”

The 10-week music tour has visited FESTAC, Lokoja, Owerri and Enugu bringing thousands of music fans from different cities to selected venues across the country. Star Music Trek will also visit Nnewi, Asaba, Abeokuta, Agege and Surulere, Lagos.

40 ARTS

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, July 5, 2013

SHOWBLAST SOMEWHEREELSE Taylor Swift, Glee lead Teen Choice nominations

AYLOR Swift has been nominated in a further three cateT gories in the second wave of Teen Choice Awards for 2013.

Following recent announcement, the country singer has added to her first wave tally and is now up for no less than six awards including Choice Single: Female Artist and Choice BreakUp Song. Demi Lovato, Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Selena Gomez, Justin Timberlake and Nicki Minaj are others to be nominated on the music front.

Glee cast members also fared well in the second round of nominations, with Chord Overstreet, Melissa Benoist, Heather Morris, Blake Jenner and Becca Tobin all getting a nod. Their nominations mean the hit comedy drama is in line for a total of eight awards.

And Pitch Perfect - starring Rebel Wilson and Anna Kendrick - has been nominated in a further four categories, taking the film’s total to eight. The Teen Choice Awards 2013 take place on Sunday, 11 August, with the event to be broadcast on Fox.

Will.I.Am teases Leah McFall Bang Bang release

Some of the winners at Dubai Museum… last weekend

Legend Dubai promo ends in grand style HE Legend Extra Stout National ConT sumer Promotion may have ended, but the memory of the unique experience, especially among the 25 lucky winners, will linger for a long while. Indeed, they had unforgettable moments in Dubai, the commercial city of the United Arab Emirates. Many of these consumers, who are now known as Legends, never had the slightest inclination that they would be ferried off to one of the world’s tourist centres, all-expense paid. In fact, many of them never possessed international passports, until their paths crossed with that of Legend Extra Stout.

At the press conference to announce the start of the two-month promo, Marketing Director of the Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Walter Drenth had predicted that the campaign would keep tongues wagging for a long time to come. He had said: “I am convinced what we are about to formally launch will keep Nigerians excited for a long time to come. Legend Extra Stout - The Real Stout - plans to give its numerous consumers a unique consumer experience; indeed one which they will cherish for several years to come, possibly a lifelong experience.” And that was exactly what happened eventually as the curtains fell on the promo on June 30.

There was an improvement in the just concluded promo over last year’s edition.

In 2012, the Legend brand gave out gift items such as 32’’ TV sets, generators, Black Berry phones, Air time, umbrellas, T-shirts, caps and free drinks. While the brand gave out almost all these instant prizes to consumers (except generators which it replaced with refrigerators), the brand added an emotive connection – the opportunity for 25 consumers to go to Dubai, all - expense paid, to shop for gift items worth N1 million within 60 second.

Though the return of the third and final batch last Monday marked the end of the promotion, it was however, the beginning of a new status for this league of Legends.

The 25 lucky consumers travelled to Dubai, United Arab Emirates in three batches during the two-month long promotion. They emerged via transparent raffle draws. While there were electronic raffle draws to pick winners, slots were also reserved for consumers who were present at the bars where the raffle draws were held.

The third set of lucky consumers that emerged via the raffle draw event held at the Eldorado Hills, M8 Nite Club, Amuwo Odofin were: Johnson Abiodun Fisayo, Tokunbo Bolanle Balogun, Oluchi Umunakwe, Roselyn Monday, Anosiri Chukwujejwu Anderson, Eduh Onuninya, Christopher Johnson and Peter Uvoh.

They travelled to Dubai on Friday, June 28

and returned Monday, July 1.

The consumers were full of praise for Legend Extra Stout for the gesture.

Anosiri Chukwujejwu Anderson, one of the lucky consumers said he targeted items such as ipad, BlackBerry phones and some other electronic devices during his 60 seconds shopping experience.

Of all the items he picked, he described the ice cream making machine as the most precious. “Because even before coming here, one of my friends that deals in electronics asked me if I can get hold of an ice cream maker that he will be very happy to take it off me, that it’s hot cake in Port Harcourt. But I told him I’ve not seen it before and that I don’t know what it looks like. However, I told him I would make a trial. And luckily for me, it was the first item I picked when I went to shop. I must say I’m a very happy person.” He attributed success during the shopping spree to courage as he approached the challenge with calmness and rapt attention. He has kind words for the organisers: “Honestly I don’t know how to express my joy and my happiness. The Legend brand has kept to its promise. And I must tell them a very big thank you. All the way from Port Harcourt down to Lagos, from Lagos to Dubai and since then they’ve been taking good care of us. One thing I learnt is that our well-being is their main concern, not even the shopping. They lodged us in one of the best hotels in Dubai.”

Another winner, Eduh Onuninya, a legal practitioner from Benue State noted that the Dubai trip was his first outside Nigeria. To him, the home theatre is the most precious gift item. Also, he was able to pick some items for his wife.

Christopher Johnson was also full of appreciation for Nigerian Breweries Plc. He said: “I am happy to be in Dubai. I came all the way from Adamawa State to Dubai, to come and shop for items worth N1 million that NB and Legend have given to me, so it’s a pleasure to say that anything Nigerian Breweries is doing is real.”

Going down memory lane, he said: “A day before I was told that I had won a trip to Dubai, I was even fighting some people at a beer parlour in Abuja. One guy was arguing with me that it’s only recharge card that people could win.

Then, I told him that the Dubai trip is real. And the following day, I was contacted that I was a winner. So when I called my friend the following day to tell him that I’ve won a trip to Dubai, he still said I was lying. So I told them that if my international passport is procured for me, they’ll know that it’s real.”

Tokunbo Bolanle Balogun, a female consumer confessed that she was initially nervous when she started shopping. But she later picked up courage and she was able to pick a few gift items. The most precious gift item she said, was a meat grinding machine, “because it’s very expensive.

I’ll use it to equip my kitchen.” She thanked the organisers for the trip.

Peter Ovuh said he was calm during the shopping experience, following a wise saying that “you have to be calm when you want to achieve your dream.” He also expressed satisfaction with gift items he picked during the 60 second shopping.

Ever since Johnson Abiodun Fisayo, a 400 level Urban and Regional Planning student of the Federal University of Technology, Akure received the news that he was part of the lucky consumers that emerged as one of the grand prize winners of the 2013 edition of the Legend Real Deal promotion, his joy knew no bounds.

When he was sending his crown cork entry for the promo, he recalled he had mustered to himself something like “I have kept my side of the bargain, it is up to Legend to fulfil its own part.” He screamed on the morning of Saturday, June 22, 2013, when the news reached him that he would be going to Dubai few days later. His friends had to calm him down for him to relay the good news.

The stories of the ‘adventurers’ in the first and second batches are similar. It was simply a dream come true.

The first set of winners in the Real Deal promo were: Uchechukwu Dennis Chukwu from Ebonyi State; Nwabuoke Ikechukwu Ambrose from Delta State; Oluwabusuyi Kelvin Olubusuyi from Ekiti State; and Solomon Okoro Ike from Owerri, Imo State. Others were John Akoji from Abuja as well as Temitope Ogunyemi and Austin Nwadife, both from Lagos State. They emerged via raffle draws conducted at De Dems Bar, Akowonjo, Lagos.

The second batch of winners that emerged via the raffle draw held at the Lesukaa Events Centre were: James Nweke from Kano State; Aghedo Cyril Sadiq Ehinoria and Ishalaye Ayodele Aghedo, Lagos; Ozioko Bethran Ikechukwu, Kogi; Okotie Oritsuwa Abayomi, Warri; Tom Madaki, Kaduna; Omoleye Folasade Grace, Ekiti; Sunny Odomoke, Ebonyi; as well as Emuejevoke Oputu and Wilson Prince Osah, both from Port Harcourt.

The campaign also played host to many celebrity guests who turned up to identify with Legend Extra Stout at the raffle draw events. The superstar celebrity presenters were: 9ice, Duncan Mighty and MI.

ILL.I.Am has hinted that a new version of Bang Bang feaW turing Leah McFall could be out soon. Leah performed a reworked version of Will’s track during last month’s final of The Voice, where she narrowly lost out to winner Andrea Begley.

Since then, the original has climbed back up the Official UK Singles Chart, taking third spot this week.

And when a Twitter follower asked the Black Eyed Peas star whether the Leah McFall version would get an official release, Will tweeted: “it’s coming soon...”

The Voice coach recently revealed plans to work on new music with Leah, and it seems the pair have already hit the studio. According to Digital Spy, Leah tweeted: “Love LA making music with @iamwill !!! AND can’t wait to make music when back in the UK.”

Kanye West shares pic of first Father’s Day gift

ANYE West has taken to Twitter to share a snap of his first K Father’s Day present from Kim Kardashian and daughter, North. The Yeezus hitmaker shared a snap of two Apple com-

puter mice signed by company founder’s Steve Wozniak and the late Steve Jobs. West accompanied the snap with the caption: “One of the other gifts my girl gave me for fathers day.”

It is no secret that Kanye is a huge fan of Jobs, recently comparing himself to the Apple CEO in an interview with The New York Times.

He said: “I think what Kanye West is going to mean is something similar to what Steve Jobs means. I am undoubtedly, you know, Steve of Internet, downtown, fashion, and culture, period.

“I honestly feel that because Steve has passed, you know, it’s like when Biggie passed and JayZ was allowed to become Jay-Z.” While West may have shared a snap of his Father’s Day girls, himself and Kim are yet to reveal the first pics of North.

Earlier this week, it was suggested that the pair have been offered $2million by People magazine for the first photos, with The Daily Mail quoting a source as saying: “The magazine wants Kim, Kanye and the baby to appear on the cover together, and would give the couple photo approval.”

Rihanna bumps into Jennifer Lawrence in Paris

T seems Rihanna has a new Inifer BFF in the form of actress, JenLawrence. The Bajan babe

took to Instagram recently to post evidence of their meeting, after bumping into J-Law at a restaurant in Paris.

Wearing a figure-hugging pink skirt, black bra top and a body chain, RiRi was with The Hunger Games star, who kept it casual, donning a plain black vest and jeans. The pair flashed huge smiles at the camera as Rihanna wrapped her arm around Lawrence, accompanying the image with the caption: “Bumped into the extraordinary Jennifer Lawrence at dinner! #Paris.”

It is thought the pair is in the French capital for Paris Fashion Week - with Oscar winner Lawrence attending the Christian Dior show earlier in the day.

ThE GuARDIAN, Friday, July 5, 2013

ARTS

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ShoWBLAST

Excitement, as Shuga comes to Nigeria oLLoWING the success FKenya, story of the Shuga project in MTV Base and MTV Staying Alive Foundation have joined forces with the Nigerian government’s National Agency for the Control of AIDS and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to bring the Shuga project to Nigeria. The partnership is aimed at combating a lack of awareness and misinformation about hIV, sexual responsibility and teen pregnancy among Nigerian youth, using the medium of Shuga, MTV’s award winning TV series and multimedia campaign. PEPFAR (The uS President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) has also expressed the intention to join forces with the campaign.

The unveiling ceremony held at the WheatBaker hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos, attracted some notable entertainers, who came together for the launch of MTV Staying Alive Foundation campaign, Shuga, the globally acclaimed, award-

winning TV drama about sex, youth and relationships. Among gusts at the event are Alex okosi, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa, Georgia Arnold, Executive Director, MTV Staying Alive Foundation, Emmanuel Alhassan, Director, Resource Mobilisation for the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Mairo Mandara, Nigeria Country Representative, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a and Dr okey Nwanyanwu, CDC Country Director, Nigeria. other guests at the launch include CEo Beat FM, Deji Awokoya, olisa Adibua, Chris Attoh, Gbenro Ajibade, IllBliss, uti Nwachukwu, Alex Ekubo, Beverly Naya, oreka Goddis, Eku Edewor, Tosyn Bucknor, Toke Makinwa, Jumai Shaba among others.

Speaking at the launch, Alex okosi expressed his excitement on the launch of the se-

ries in Nigeria.

“MTV Base is proud and excited to bring Shuga to Nigeria for the first time. We are delighted that this award-winning series and multimedia campaign will be using its muscle to shine a light on important public health issues affecting youth, and promoting meaningful behaviour change while leveraging Nigerian creativity and talent.”

Executive Director, MTV Staying Alive Foundation, Georgia Arnold also spoke on the initiative behind the launch.

“We aim to strike a chord with young Nigerians and provoke a significant shift in their attitudes and behaviour towards sexual health and associated public health issues.

Combining these messages with stylish production, poignant storylines, believable characters and world class acting allows Shuga to sweeten the pill and make an impact where other campaigns may have failed to resonate in the

past.”

Emmanuel Alhassan, Director, NACA commented, ”The Nigerian government is delighted to support this important youth education initiative which complements our on-going education projects at all levels of society. Shuga’s subtle messaging will not only ensure greater understanding of hIV prevention and treatment measures among young people but communicate important messages about tolerance and acceptance.”

“Efforts such as Shuga that seek to expand knowledge about hIV among young people are critical to helping us achieve an AIDS-free generation. Raising awareness is key to keeping this and future generations healthy and able to lead productive lives,” commented Shirley A. Dady, PEPFAR Country Coordinator, Nigeria.

Fusing public health messaging with gripping story lines, Shuga is part of a powerful 360-degree mass media campaign designed to raise awareness about hIV prevention and teen pregnancy in Nigeria, after research highlighted widespread ignorance about or indifference to contraception, poor access to contraceptives, a significantly high incidence of mother-tochild hIV transmission, and gender-based violence in the region.

The series will premiere on MTV Base (DStv Channel 322), Nigerian terrestrial broadcasters and other MTV networks and third party broadcasters around the world from World AIDS Day (1 December 2013). other elements of the Shuga campaign will include a radio drama series, a peer educator programme, a comic book in hausa and English, a mobile information service, social media and a range of digital platforms.

Osuagwu promises to reinvigorate actors’ body members back to the fold.

“We’ve already started talking to those, who are standing on the fence to come back. This job is for al of us and we need ous business. having been duly elected as their contributions to better the Guild. the Chairman, Actors’ Guild of Nigeria This exco will do its best to restore the (AGN), Lagos State Chapter, osuagwu is aldignity of AGN; we are going to sanitize ready talking tough on his plans to return the body. I want all of us to work together the glory of the body, which he noted has because this is a renewed mandate.” suffered for lack of purposeful leadership In his remark, the Sole Administrator of over the years.

Lagos AGN, Wisdom Nwankwor, who Addressing a media parley at the ojez handed over to the elected executive, Restaurant, Surulere, Lagos, alongside other charged the leaders to discharge their members of the newly sworn-in excos, the duty with all honesty, without fear or AGN Chairman urged all members to come collective efforts being eroded. I’m here favour. together and join in the ongoing efforts to today to make a change; we want to build “Before I accepted the post, I knew I restore the glory of the actors’ body. a new body where members will be proud have a very big task ahead; we’ve been “The reason for bringing you here is to let to belong. our focus is to bring the past making big mistakes in the past. I see myyou know that we have a new constitutionglory of Lagos AGN back,” osuagwu said. self as the John the Baptist, who will ally elected executive for the AGN Lagos According to the Lagos AGN Chairman, usher in the ‘Messiah’ that will save the State chapter; the lection was free and fair. efforts are ongoing to bring aggrieved guild. There’s been political battle in AGN In my 16 years as an actor, I’ve watched our orchestrated by people, who wanted to take the Guild back. This is the time to move the association to the next level.”

While urging losers to accept the result of the election and close ranks with the executive and move the body forward, the Sole Administrator noted that, “in oP musicians were at their best in standard where party lovers will be Nigeria, we don’t like to be good losers. music, dance and comedy during the thrilled with entertainment.”

During the elections, we saw people, who maiden edition of Dancehall 101, held at Michael promised that the next edition wanted to cause trouble, but thank God Crystal Sapphire and Club located at 338 would be better as more artistes will be everything went free and fair. I was old ojo Road, Alakija opposite Navy on ground to thrill fun-lovers. threatened, but I resolved to stand by the Town. Artistes at the gig include Mode 9, “I’m happy with the performances of the truth. When you look at this group. You Sound Sultan, Naija Ninjaz crew, Spyda artistes as they kept guests dancing all see they are people who can move Man, Frank D Nero, Easy Miagy, Skinny, through the show. I will not want to miss things,” he said.

Ine among others. the next edition because it will be more Present at the briefing are newly Manager of Crystal Sapphire and Club, exciting and better for fun lovers.” elected members of the AGN Lagos, inMichael Nlemadim said, “ Dancehall 101 is Crystal Sapphire Club is equipped with cluding its Vice Chairman, Bukky a show where different artists entertain the state of the art sound system alongoguade; Secretary, Valentine Agwulonu; party lovers with different genre of music. side an experienced in-house Disc Jockey Treasurer, Ngozi Iroanya, Assistant SecreIt is a monthly show through which the (DJ). It has a bar and lounge that consists tary, Chima Jackson; Financial Secretary, club intends to raise the bar in entertainof a sports bar, the regular bar, V.I.P, V.V.I.P Chidi Ihezie okafor; P.R.o, Moji oyetayo ment and hospitality business in the city. and a large car park and security is guarand Director Guild Services, Nath.

We are working hard to maintain a high anteed round the clock. houGh known for his comic roles in NolT lywood movies, this day was different for actor Victor osuagwu; it was a day for seri-

T

Ice Prince is BET’s Best International Act uLTIPLE award winning rapper, Ice Prince recently emerged M winner of the Best International Act – Africa award at the 2013 edition of the BET Awards, which held in Los Angeles, uSA on June 30, 2013. having lost out to Wizkid and Sarkodie last year, Ice Prince showed his staying power by beating former winner and fellow Nigerian 2face Idibia, Toya Delazy (South Africa), Donald (South Africa), R2Bees (Ghana) and Radio and Weasel (uganda).

Speaking on the project on behalf of BET International, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, Viacom International Media Networks Africa, Alex okosi said, “It is thrilling to see an African artist of the calibre of Ice Prince duly recognised alongside the biggest artists in the world at the BET Awards. We are delighted that all of the African nominees have been able to enjoy the BET Awards and the BET Experience while benefiting from this fantastic promotional platform in the world’s biggest music market.” hosted by actor and comedian Chris Tucker, BET Awards ’13 saw hollywood’s biggest stars come together to celebrate the accomplishments of their peers in music, sports and film, at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in Los Angeles. The biggest winner on the night was Kendrick Lamar, who took home three awards: Best New Artist, Best Male hip hop Artist and Best Collaboration for Problems with A$AP Rocky, Drake and 2 Chainz. Miguel took home the trophy for Best Male R&B/Pop artiste, while Rihanna scored a win for Best Female R&B/Pop artist. Nikki Minaj was voted Best Female hip hop Artist.

A nite out with Orlando Julius in Lagos hE LEGENDARY orlando Julius will be having a night of enT gaging and pulsating live performance, at the Prince of Anthony hotel, Anthony Village Lagos on the July 5. The event will be a convergence of the icons of highlife, jazz, contemporary Afropop music and music enthusiast, who recognise and love excellent music to celebrate over half- a century of musical achievement orlando Julius. Performing alongside the musical legend would be his vivacious wife, Latoya and such notable artistes as Yinka Davies among others.

A pioneer and innovator, Dr orlando Julius Ekemode has been vital to the creation, growth, and popularisation of Afropop. he has also had great influence on American soul and the parallel roots of modern Afrobeat and jazz. his hit track Back to the Roots, which he did with the American singer Lamont Dozier and his group, remains evergreen.

Starting in the ‘60s, orlando Julius fuses traditional African sounds and rhythms with those of American pop, soul, and R&B. In his early life as a musician in Nigeria, he played with such popular highlife musicians as Rex Williams, Eddie okonta, the American Jazz great Louis Armstrong, V.S. Akinbosun, I.K. Dairo and others. he later formed his own band called the Modern Aces- a band, which gave a very good account of itself in the music world. The saxophonist later moved to the united States where he worked with top musical acts such as the Crusaders, hugh Masekela, James Brown, Isaac hayes, Chaka Khan and Rufus, Gil Scot herron, the ojays, Gladys Knight and the Pips, harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, Staple Singers, Curtis Mayfield etc.

Meanwhile, among other things, the Afro highlife legend will use the opportunity to pay a glowing tribute to a departed highlife icon, Fatai Rollig Dollar. The singer cum saxophonist’s music, like fine wine, has continued to be a favourite of fans worldwide.

The event will be a night of excitement as people of class and style are sure to savour the melodious good music of the ageless orlando Julius.

THe GuARDIAN, Friday, july 5, 2013

42 ARTS

ArtHouse exhibition on empowering Women ends today N exhibition on craft making by the Rubies School of Women empowerment began yesterday at the Cenotaph, Asaba, Delta State and would end today. The graduation ceremony will hold on the 6th of july.

The first session of the Rubies school of women empowerment trained 105 women in different skills such as industrial production of soaps, body care products, tailoring, bead making, wire works, catering, and a general business management course.

The exhibitions will witness the women showcase the various craft they learnt.

The Rubies School of Women empowerment, an initiative of Pink Pearl Foundation was created to further empower women and help them become productive members of the society. “Absolute poverty is measured by the number of people who can afford only the bare essentials of shelter, food and clothing. It is a known fact that the bulk of those who are affected by poverty in our society are women,” says the founder of Pink Pearl, Mrs. Orode Ryan Okpu.

A

Oliafa exhibits uNDe Olaifa’s art exhibition titled Out of the Box holds from Saturday, july 6 -11 at Terra Kulture Gallery, victoria Island, Lagos.

Colours on my Mind for exhibition Painter and corporate brand designer, Ronke Aina-Scott opened her solo art exhibition titled Colours on My Mind on june 22. The exhibition ends on july 12, 2013 at Mydrim Gallery, Ikoyi.

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Nnenna’s Akaraka still showing T Art Twenty One, eko Hotel and Suites, victoria Island, Lagos, Nnenna Okore’s art exhibition titled Akaraka is currently showing till the end of August 2013.

A

Public presentation of It’s Fully Paid bOOK written by bishop Paschal Mogbo and titled, It’s Fully Paid, would be presented to the public on the 13th of july, at the Yahdaw hall, TReM International headquarters, Anthony Oke, Gbagada expressway, Obanikoro, at 10am.

Compiled by Florence utor

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Senior Brand Manager, Maltina, Ngozi Nkwoji (left); Corporate Media and Brand Public Relations Manager, Nigeria Breweries PLC, Edem Vindah; and Assistant Brand Manager Maltina, Abayomi Abidakun at the Maltina Dance All Season PHOTO: SUNDAY AKINLOLU 7 press briefing tagged The Evolution, held at the Silverbird Galleria last weekend.

New range of products from Panasonic Branding jOuRNALIST with Daily Independent A Newspaper, Mr. Goddie Offose recently won a new model of Panasonic air condi-

Artistes of the National Troupe performing at an event in Lagos

National College wants policy to promote local languages the policy should focus on the school system as an vIAbLe cultural policy that important avenue for promowould promote unity, tion of the nation’s cultural patriotism and national devel- heritage. The policy should opment is long over due for specify that each child should Nigeria. Such a policy would learn one Nigerian Language include the development of in addition to his own. “As far our indigenous languages to as I am concerned, I believes the extent that we can choose we can develop one of our one of them as lingual franca. indigenous languages as our The proprietor of National lingual franca. When that College Gbagada, Lagos, Alfred happens, a child would just Aina, made the observation in learn the official language in an address he delivered at the addition to his own.” maiden Cultural Day of the On the significance of the school held in the school Cultural Day, the proprietor recently. According to Aina, said the school organized it

By Felix Kuye

A

By Tony Nwanne weekend, friends, family LeredAST members and well-wishers gathat the Silverbird Galleria, Lagos for the premiere of Nollywood new entrant, eric Aghimien’s work, A Mile From Home.

The movie is a gripping feature that treats issues such as valour, honour, romance, crime, and revenge. Not only that, the movie creatively sheds light on ills of the society with a realistic look at the challenges of young adults in their journey through life. It also treats issues like vengeance and reprisal violence. While enlightening the audience of its multiple effects, the movie says forgiveness is key to true happiness.

to teach the children how they can appreciate the language and other elements of culture of other nationalities apart from their own. “The whole idea is that we want the children to understand and appreciate the cultural beauty and uniqueness of the various peoples of Nigeria, This will promote cultural convergence and corporation amongst our people. It is our belief that when a people understand each other, they work in unity.”

Aina also called on the gov-

Shot in various locations across Lagos, the movie showcases sterling performances by talented actors such as Alex Ayalogu, Tope Tedela and Chiedozie ‘Sambasa’ Nzeribe and some other other new entrants.

A Mile From Home is the story of jude, a student, who has been away from home for five years. He left home for school, but end up joining a nefarious group because he wanted to have revenge. Stone, a notorious gangster, had forcefully dispossessed jude of his precious watch (a gift from his father when he turned 18). So, the only way to even up, for him, is to leave his old life behind for a path he is not proud of.

Suku, the leader of the gang, loves him, and thus, makes him the number two man in the gang. That only

tioner at the unveiling of Panasonic’s new range of room air conditioners.

The new range, which was launched in Lagos, is part of the efforts to ensure that its brand keeps exciting the Nigeria market.

Also, to constantly remain the home appliance brand of choice among the Nigerian consumers, the new range of room air conditioners, which comes with automatic voltage switcher system (AvS) helps to protect important component such as compressor from severe voltage fluctuation.

According to the manufacturers of the product, the innovation is introduced to tackle the region’s key challenge of voltage fluctuation, air purification and energy saving. “New nanoe-G will enable to deactivate 99 per cent of bacteria and virus attached to filter while intelligent ecoNavi sensor will save up 35 per cent energy without sacrificing the comfort level.”

Speaking at the unveiling recently, the Promoter, Panaserv Nigeria Limited, franchise owners of Panasonic in Nigeria Mr. Suraj Rupani said the new econavi room air conditioners with AvS feature not only enables the air conditioner to efficiently

means he can never get his life back. Suku introduces him into crime, and entrust him with everything he has and controls. jude gets more committed to the gang and earns a new name, Lala. jude finally yields to his feeling for Ivie, Suku’s girlfriend and he is willing to die loving her.

According to the producer and director, Aghimien, “the movie is a creative and contemporary feature that is filled with suspense and action. It mirrors what happens when unsuspecting young adults are led into bad association for various reasons, either to seek revenge or freedom.”

The film has been touted as having the potential to become the next big feature in the Nollywood film

operate on a wider voltage range of 185v260v but also prevents the compressor from being damaged by switching off when there is a surge or drop in voltage.

“If the compressor is switched off, the airflow in the room is continued. The cooling operation automatically restarts when the voltage returns to inside of 185v to 260v.”

The feature, according to him, helps in saving space and maintaining the room décor as there is no need to install an external voltage tripper.

“The air purification system called nanoeG embedded within this product captures and removes 99 per cent of harmful microorganisms from the air. It is also capable to deactivate 99 per cent micro-organisms trapped on the surfaces like curtains, sofas present in the room and the filter.”

Rupani said the product utilizes nanoetechnology to purify the air and clean harmful micro-organisms. In addition, he said this function (nanoe-G) is able to deactivate 99 percent of harmful micro-organisms which attached to inside filter.

He informed that the existing range of Air Conditioners have been upgraded with the new ecoNavi sensors, which can sense human absence, human activity and sunlight condition. “These sensors automatically adjust cooling power to save energy efficiently with uninterrupted comfort and convenience.

industry. It has already been rated highly on JARA - Africa Magic top 5 movie countdown and described as the ‘must-watch Nigerian movie for the season’.

Aghimien says, “the premiere, which was supported by TopTea

from Promassidor and Sensodyne from GSK, is an example of how movie makers can attract big brand to support in boosting the image of Nollywood in improving on the quality and standard of movies produced in Nigeria.”

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, July 5, 2013

43

AutoWheels Best selling auto brands during half year AR sales are on the rise globC ally due to the unveiling of new hi-tec automobiles from the stable of automakers.

Through the first five months of 2013, especially in United States, where car sales went up by 8.2 per cent, compared to the same period last year.

Some of the more popular models have posted even more substantial growth, well into the double digits.

Most of the popular models with major increases in sales have undergone some significant changes recently.

In most cases, it has been a design overhaul of the entire model.

Alec Gutierrez, Senior Market Analyst at Kelley Blue Book, explained why redesigns of

vehicles have had such an impact on the sales.

“These are all the latest and greatest redesigns, so they really feature the best in terms of tech, in terms of features and amenities, in terms of style and design, and really in terms of fuel economy.”

The increasing importance of fuel economy gave some redesigned models a leg up on older models.

It also led many auto manufacturers to introduce new hybrid models, which has boosted sales for some of the other models on this list.

Lexus introduced the Lexus ES300h to its ES line in 2012.

Toyota released a hybrid model under its Avalon brand.

The importance of fuel effi-

ciency also has led many auto buyers to transition to one of the fastest-growing segments in the auto business – crossover utility vehicles, or CUVs. Gutierrez explained that these cars are meeting the desire for the space and utility of an SUV with better fuel efficiency. CUV sales through May are up 13.9 per cent.

Based on sales data provided

by Kelley Blue Book, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the nine models that sold more than 25,000 units in the U.S. between January and May of 2013, and are up by 25 per cent compared to the same period of last year.

We also reviewed the past five full years of sales.

All combined fuel economy estimates listed are based on

the smallest engine size and the least expensive configuration, with numbers provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

These are the best auto cars this year.

Nissan Pathfinder 2013 Jan. to May sales: 38,179 2012 Jan. to May sales: 12,644 Pct. change in sales: 202.0 per cent Fuel economy: 22 mpg No top-selling car increased its sales more than the Nissan Pathfinder, as 202 per cent more units were sold in the first five months of 2013, compared to the same period in 2012.

The redesigned Pathfinder’s 22 mpg combined is higher than previous models. The vehicle also weighs 500

pounds less. Following a test drive, USA Today said the car is “quiet, soaks up bad pavement pretty well and is tastefully appointed inside.”

Mazda CX-5 2013 Jan. to May sales: 31,201 2012 Jan. to May sales: 11,480 Pct. change in sales: 171.8 per cent Fuel economy: 29 mpg The Mazda CX-5 was new on the market in 2012. It has sold 43,319 units, more than any other model it produces except the Mazda3. In order to increase fuel efficiency, the Madza introduced its SkyActiv technology platform on the CX-5, which includes an efficient engine and transmission, as well as a lightweight chassis.

Even with the model’s strong

start last year, sales of the CX-5 have picked up even more in 2013, with more than 31,000 sold through the first five months of this year. Among the changes made for the 2014 model year, which is already out, is that the higher end versions come with a more-powerful engine that still maintains good fuel economy.

Toyota Avalon 2013 Jan.-May sales: 30,945 2012 Jan.-May sales: 14,883 Pct. change in sales: 107.9 per cent Fuel economy: 25 mpg The Toyota Avalon’s sales more than doubled in the first five months of 2013, compared to the same period in 2012. In

CONTINUED ON PAGE 44

Hyundai Elantra Nissan Pathfinder

Lexus E

LAMATA unfolds plans to improve BRT’s operations

By Taiwo Hassan HE Lagos Metropolitan T Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has unveiled a holistic plan at returning the BRT operations back to efficiency to boost service delivery.

Speaking in Lagos at an industry forum, Managing Director, LAMATA, Dr. Dayo

Mobereola, said the move to adopt a proactive approach was borne out of various complaints associated with the BRT operations in the state.

According to him, the Lagos State government was not unaware of the challenges that commuters using the current BRT system are experiencing but admitted that things will take a u-turn as various steps are currently

being taken to ensure the restoration of efficient and effective service delivery on the system and increase its capacity.

Speaking on the plans, the managing director said the operator- National Union of Roads Transport Workers (NURTW) First BRT Cooperative has concluded arrangements for the acquisition of 50 new buses, the

refurbishment of 100 serviceable vehicles and a re-structuring of its operations management team by the end of the third quarter of 2013.

“The Lagos State government through LAMATA is working with the operator of the BRT System – the NURTW First BRT Cooperative to ensure a full turnaround. As a regulating agency, we are working behind the scene to ensure

that the ideals of the BRT system at conception and launch are not lost. Very soon, the change that commuters rightly expect would be evident. The operator has placed an order for 50 new buses as part of the process of re-fleeting the system”, he said.

He said the introduction of eticketing payment solution through a payment card named Lagos connect, which

is due for launch next week, would also afford commuters who use the BRT system lots of benefits.

According to him, “With the e-payment system, Lagos Connect, commuters in Lagos will pay as low as N20 per trip instead of N70, they would not need to struggle for change or lose their money, and the system is safe and convenient,” Mobereola said.

44 AUTOWHEELS

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, July 5, 2013

Benefits of diesel-powered vehicles NITED States of America U (U.S.A.) diesel automakers have have be finally re-awaking by keying into the gasoline section of the market that is known for long highway MPG and lots of torque.

Most people already know the benefits of modern diesels, but there are a few general things that people may have missed.

Here are some important things you should know about diesels.

They’re at most efficient on the highway Hybrid cars and diesels are both known for fuel efficiency, but both go about it in very different ways.

If you’ve ever looked at the EPA stickers for each gas-saving vehicle, you’ll have noticed that hybrids do particularly well in city driving, and diesels on the highway.

That highway performance is because diesel vehicles develop plenty of power and torque at relatively low engine revolutions.

That means you can pair them with quite tall gearing.

And that in turn means they not only sit at low, efficient revs at highway speeds, but there’s generally enough power available that you aren’t forever changing down when climbing hills, wasting even more fuel.

Diesel fuel is pricier In some countries, running a diesel is a no-brainer from an economic standpoint. In some European countries, and in places like India, diesel is cheaper than gasoline—so the financial benefits are huge.

That isn’t the case in the U.S, for three key reasons— explained by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

The first is demand. As a fuel oil with a greater spectrum of

uses than gasoline, demand is high worldwide. Relatively low supply to demand keeps prices high. In vehicles, the lower-polluting, lower-sulfur diesels used in road transport are more expensive to produce, pushing up the price.

Finally, federal taxation on diesel is 24.4 cents per gallon—6 cents more than gaso-

line.

The cars are pricier too It isn’t just the fuel that costs more—the cars are more expensive too. A Volkswagen Jetta TDI starts at $23,055, around four grand more than a 170-horsepower 2.5-liter gasoline Jetta, and only a few thousand less than the $24,995 hybrid model with its

twin drivetrains and battery pack.

Those differences are reflected across the board for diesel models. To meet tough emissions regulations, modern diesels are more complex than the average gasoline engine—with urea injection and other systems to clean up their tailpipes.

Some of the diesel-powered vehicles

In an effort to improve driveability and refinement, dualmass flywheels, particulate filters and extra sound-dampening also add to the vehicle’s cost of manufacture. And that cost is passed down to you.

Diesel smells...

This you might not know—or maybe it’s the reason you still won’t touch even the modern diesel cars, despite their improvements. Unlike gasoline, which rapidly evaporates in air, diesel lingers for longer. It doesn’t smell particularly pleasant and it’s slick to the touch, which isn’t great considering how many fuel pump handles seem to be covered in the stuff.

We just wish more U.S. stations would supply disposable gloves like their counterparts in Europe—it makes filling with diesel much more pleasant.

Half of U.S. fuel stations offer it Diesel’s availability is far better than it used to be, but still isn’t available everywhere just yet.

There are around 180,000 gas stations in the U.S, and about half of those offer

diesel. Of that half, around half of those have it on the main pump ranks, so you won’t have to go around the side to where the long-haul trucks fill up.

Diesel is slowly working its way into mainstream acceptance, so it should become easier to find as more and more cars are sold.

Do the math before you buy As with any major purchase decision, it pays to be informed before you buy a diesel vehicle.

For some customers, they’ll be near-perfect—but don’t just assume that buying a diesel will automatically mean lower fuel bills. If you regularly drive longer distances on wide, open roads, then it might be just what you’re after—the savings will become apparent even though the cars and the fuel are more expensive.

But if you commute five miles a day through heavy traffic then you may never see the benefits—not just in terms of economy, but also enjoying the performance of your diesel.

pledged to introduce eight new or revised models, including the new Octavia Saloon, Combi, 4x4 and the sporty RS as well as the remodelled Superb, both as a saloon and combi.

In Western Europe, Škoda made 30,300 customer deliveries in May, which was a slight decrease of 2.3 per cent on May, 2012.

In the first five months of 2013 the Czech car manufacturer outperformed the Western European market

generally and increased their market share to three per cent.

In Germany, the market share grew to 4.4 per cent in the first five months, making Škoda once again the strongest importer on the German market.

The brand also made significant gains in their second strongest Western European market with sales of 5,300 vehicles in the UK in May – an increase of 12.4 per cent on the same month in 2012.

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Ford Explorer 2013 Jan. to May sales: 84,646 2012 Jan. to May sales: 63,269 Pct. change in sales: 33.8 per cent Fuel economy: 20 mpg Sales of the Explorer cratered in 2009 and 2010, when fewer than 50,000 units were sold.

But Explorer sales have skyrocketed in the past two years, with the help of a redesign for the 2011 model year that transformed the model from a traditional SUV to a crossover

vehicle.

In 2011 and 2012, Ford sold roughly 135,700 and 164,200 Explorers, respectively. Just through May 2013, sales for the model totaled almost 85,000 in the United States, an increase of more than 33 per cent from the first five months of 2012.

Some of this increased demand may have come from the addition in 2013 of the Sport trim of the model — the most expensive available on the Explorer at more than $40,000.

Škoda delivered 79,100 cars in May

By Taiwo Hassan KODA Motors said it has Šworldwide delivered 79,100 vehicles in May. This represents 2.9 per cent decrease when compared to previous’ year.

But the company said it was able to gain shares of European markets in the month under review.

Specifically, in the first five months of the year, the Czech manufacturer achieved sales of 377,200 vehicles.

The production start-up of the new Octavia and Octavia Combi as well as the revised Superb had a slightly dampening effect on sales.

Additionally, the continuing overall weak situation in European markets had a negative impact on the results in May. “The largest model offensive in Škoda’s corporate history has been launched successfully and will be implemented step by step”, said Škoda Chief Executive Officer,

Prof.Winfried Vahland.

“We will be vigorously pursuing our growth strategy in the upcoming months even though the situation on the European markets in particular remains tough. Our customers are enthusiastic about the new models. We are confident that our sales figures will once again be in the plus in the second half of the year after the production launch of our new models,” he added.

In 2013, the company

Best selling auto brands during half year CONTINUED FROM PAGE 43 fact, the 30,945 Avalon units sold from January to May is more than Toyota Motor Corp. sold in any full calendar year between 2009 and 2012.

The 2013 redesign “brought with it sleek new styling, a stiffer chassis, and improved ride and handling qualities,” according to Edmunds.

In addition, Toyota released the Avalon Hybrid in 2012, which receives 40 mpg combined city and highway, compared to the 25 mpg of the non-hybrid version.

Lexus ES 2013 Jan.-May sales: 27,813 2012 Jan.-May sales: 14,485 Pct. change in sales: 92 per cent Fuel economy: 24 mpg The Lexus ES passed 56,000 in sales in 2012, after a difficult year in 2011 when sales fell to just 40,873.

Likely helping to boost sales, Lexus released its sixth-generation ES-Series in 2012, which also included the launch of a new hybrid version of the ES 350, called the ES 300h.

Buyers responded well to the

new ES-Series vehicles, and so far in 2013 sales are up 92 per cent from the year before.

One possible incentive: the ES 300h gets 40 mpg combined, versus 24 mpg for the standard version model.

Subaru Forester 2013 Jan. to May sales: 40,578 2012 Jan. to May sales: 29,863 Pct. change in sales: 35.9 per cent Fuel economy: 23 mpg Subaru is on pace to sell 97,387 Foresters in 2013, if sales continue at the rate of the first five months.

This would be a major jump from the 76,347 sold in 2012.

The Forester is the second most popular car sold by Subaru, after the Outback.

The newly redesigned 2014 Forester, which went on sale earlier this year, was ranked as the top small SUV by Consumer Reports, which praised the vehicle’s “spaceefficient design, large windows and big square doors,” among other things.

The Forester was also the only small SUV to pass a front-offset crash test conducted by the

Stakeholders in negotiation with Fashola over commercial motorcycle/tricycle restriction

By Taiwo Hassan

• Indigenous firm introduces new three wheeler passenger carrier vehicle

HE Chairman of Boulos T Enterprises Limited, Robert Ugbaja has said that

Fashola’s administration on the motorcycle/tricycle restrictionin the state was because of the various complaints that have emanated from both Okada and Keke Marwa operators since the law took effect, adding that the restriction has led to increase in unemployment and standard of living in the state.

Ugbaja, who stated this at the unveiling of new three wheelers known as the ‘ape city Piaggio’ in Lagos, few

stakeholders in the distribution of motorcycles and tricycles are currently in a meeting with the Lagos State Government on the need to revisit the bill that restricted the movement of commercial motorcyclists otherwise known as Okada and Keke Marwa operators in Lagos.

According to him, the move to dialogue with the Governor Babatunde Raji

days ago, admitted that the ban has affected their business in one way.

He said that the governor has assured them to look into the matter once again but added that Fashola noted that it was only the responsibility of the lawmakers in the Lagos State Assembly to revisit the bill.

According to him, the stakeholders were aware of the government’s position on the matter but they are only concerned about lifting ban on some routes in the state.

Speaking on the launch of the new Piaggio three wheelers, the company’s General Manager, Julian Hardy said his company, in partnership with Italy’s Piaggio Vehicles Limited and India’s CSPA, decided to unveil the ape city three wheeled passenger carrier into the Nigerian market because the new vehicle has a fitted Piaggio three valve engine being introduced for the first time in the three wheeler category in India.

According to him, the new

product has been competitively priced in line with the distinct requirements of customers in this category.

He said the new brand is a revolutionary product developed on the basis of BEL and PVPL on-going customer feedback programme, adding that it is a new dimension to safe, environment-friendly and economical transportation solution.

“Piaggio ape city offers the best mileage in its class and has the highest power and torque in its category, which enables superior pick up and

acceleration. It offers superior gradability in its category, and is comfortable in maneuvering steep gradients including city flyovers. Its unique compact design offers generous seating and luggage space.

He however added that BEL and Piaggio have anticipated the regulatory shift towards more eco-friendly vehicle and customer’s needs for a small, fuel efficient and comfortable three wheeler by conceiving the ape city to deliver exceptional value and a superior experience to customers.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, July 5, 2013

AUTOWHEELS 45

Putting an aftermarket car blind-spot warning system to test BLIND-SPOT warning A (BSW) system can reduce both stress and the risk of a crash by helping you keep tabs on vehicles lurking over your shoulder and out of sight. But until recently, the only way to get one was to invest in a new car.

Never ones to miss an opportunity, the ever-vigilant automotive aftermarket has risen to the occasion, and a handful of kits are now available to update almost any vehicle with the technology. And we purchased one to try.

The Goshers Blind Spot Detection system includes a sensor for each side of the rear bumper, a left and right side LED warning display, an audible alarm unit, a controller, and all the necessary wiring to link the whole thing together.

The suggested retail price is $250; we paid $200 from an online retailer. A Premium model with two more sensors for the front is available for $350.

Installation is somewhat complicated. It requires splicing into the car’s wiring, holes in the rear bumper for the sensors, and removing and reinstalling various interior trim pieces to route the wires and keep them out of sight.

The company website stresses that professional installation is required, but it does not provide a list of installers or a cost estimate to do the job. Your local repair shop should be able to perform the installation, but get an estimate first if you decide to buy the kit. One of our staff certified automotive technicians needed about four hours to install the system in a Chevrolet Cruze test car.

Overall, we found that the Goshers system works as

advertised; it consistently warned us of other cars in the Cruze’s blind spots with both an audible and visual warning. If anything, the system was a little overzealous, at least until we set the adjustable sensitivity level to its lowest setting and opted

to receive warnings only when a turn signal was switched on.

Without making those adjustments, warnings were pretty much constant, as the Gosher system warned us of guardrails, roadside walls, tunnels, and other large

objects.

What cannot be changed is that unlike a built-in system that typically deactivates below a certain speed threshold, the Gosher kit operates at any speed, and there is no on/off switch. Sound can be turned off, but expect to be looking at LED warnings even

at low speeds, such as when parking or stopped at a traffic light.

The Goshers system may not be perfect or have the built-in integration of one from the factory, but if you’ve been wishing for the added convenience and security of a

blind-spot warning system, it might be worth a look. It’s a lot less expensive than a new car. But even with this limited technology, these systems are not a replacement for common sense practices of glancing over your shoulder and checking your mirrors.

Airbag of a car

ABC procures additional fleet to boost operations

By Taiwo Hassan ABC Transport Plc has announced the start of the second phase of its fleet expansion programme with additional 10 new coaches.

With this, the company has now procured about 19 coaches, after the first batch

delivery of nine coaches earlier in the year.

Specifically, the company stated that about 24 luxury coaches would be purchased for this fiscal year.

The management, however, said the final batch of five coaches is due for delivery in

the country before the end of the third quarter, prior to the peak operations in December.

The current brand of ABC coaches was equipped with surveillance monitoring camera for security purposes on-board and with speed lim-

iters for speed controls.

According to the Deputy Managing Director, Jude Nneji, the company decided to invest in the fleet because of some remarkable improvement in road condition nationwide, adding that this has given rise to shorter travel time, culminating in the

return of many passengers to coach travels, “ABC Transport’s expansion programme has seen a great number of its loyal customers enjoying timely departures and early arrivals on a daily basis, on the whole,” Nneji said.

combination of premium performance, technology, safety and quality.”

In addition to Genesis’s award, the Hyundai brand substantially reduced problems per 100 vehicles and finished tenth overall, gaining eight rank positions.

The Hyundai overall score was 106 problems per 100 vehicles, seven problems fewer than the industry average.

Accent, Sonata and Azera ranked second in their respective segments.

Hyundai receives U.S. agency’s highest quality auto award NITED States based auto U rating company, J.D. Power announced that the Hyundai Genesis received the award for the highest initial quality in the midsize premium car segment.

The award comes from the J.D.

Power 2013 U.S. Initial Quality StudySM (IQS).

The Initial Quality Study, now in its 27th year, served as the industry benchmark for newvehicle quality measured at 90 days of ownership.

According to the study,

Hyundai Genesis owners reported fewer problems with their vehicles than any premium midsize car.

“Outperforming all of our competitors in the premium midsize car segment is a reflection of the dedication of

all Hyundai team members,” said Director of Engineering and Quality, Hyundai Motor America, Erwin Raphael, “Awards like this demonstrate we’re succeeding in connecting with our customers through an unprecedented

‘Toyota to meet U.S. Prius goal as economy gains’ OYOTA Motor Corporation T said it would meet the sales goal for its Prius model in the United States of America, after saying in April that the world’s biggest carmaker may adjust the target as declining gas prices sap demand.

“We’re on target for sales of 250,000 units of the Prius family,” Jim Lentz, Toyota’s North American Chief Executive Officer, said in Nagoya City, Japan over the weekend. “The U.S. economy finally seems to be improving.”

Toyota’s U.S. deliveries have missed analyst estimates for four straight months and its sales gain in the five months ended May trailed behind industrywide growth amid demand for pickup trucks.

U.S. automakers including General Motors Co. (GM) and Ford Motor Co. (F) have gained 1.2 points of market share this year as sales continue on a

pace for the best year since 2007.

“Competition is very fierce in the market this year, and with relatively low gasoline prices, demand for models such as Toyota’s Prius may not be very strong,” said Yoshiaki Kawano, a Tokyo-based analyst at industry researcher IHS Automotive. “The new Corolla due later this year will be a chance for Toyota to boost sales.”

Industrywide deliveries have increased 7.3 per cent to 6.42 million units through May this year, according to Woodcliff Lake, New Jerseybased industry researcher Autodata Corp.

Toyota’s sales rose 5.2 per cent to 913,556 units in the same period. It’s targeting deliveries of 2.2 million units in the U.S. this year, a 5.6 per cent increase from a year earlier.

Toyota is also seeing “good” pickup truck demand in the

U.S. amid “the best consumer confidence in the past five years,” Lentz said.

Toyota expects sales of 250,000 pickup trucks this year, an increase of 2.8 per cent from a year earlier. Pickup demand will increase to about two million units industrywide, from about 1.94 million units a year earlier, Lentz estimates.

Toyota fell 1.8 per cent to 5,860 yen at the close of Tokyo trading. The shares have gained 46 per cent this year, compared with the 28 percent advance in the benchmark Nikkei 225 (NKY) Stock Average.

While sales of its Prius hybrid vehicles last month were the best in a year, Toyota in April said deliveries of the gasolineand-electric models may not reach a target for growth in 2013 after falling 8.4 percent in the first quarter.

“Despite what the actual gasoline prices are, lower

demand for fuel-efficient models such as the Prius show that consumers are going for pickup trucks on an assumption for gas prices to remain low,” said Koichi Sugimoto, a

Toyota Prius

Tokyo-based auto analyst at BNP Paribas SA. The carmaker also expects to introduce the IS models for its luxury Lexus brand in the U.S. in the next few months, Lentz

said over the weekend.

Lexus sales have increased 10 percent to 97,060 units this year in the U.S., the biggest market for the premium models.

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THE GUARDIAN, Friday, July 5, 2013

BusinessTravel Challenges holding down African airlines

By Wole Shadare FRICA is said to be the A continent with the second largest population but only accounts for less than four per cent of global air traffic.

Poor infrastructure, stalled liberalisation, high taxes and fuel surcharges are reasons for such a small share of the aviation market for decades.

The continent’s aviation industry is beset by a wide range of negatives that impede growth, including strong state protectionism, a lack of desire to liberalise, a poor safety record stemming from ageing aircraft, weak finances and inadequate regulatory supervision, underdeveloped infrastructure across most of the continent and a lack of professional expertise.

Added to this mix is widespread corruption and an overall lack of funds available for investment.

In global terms its international markets are still notably small.

The highest ranking, Egypt, for example, would feature at 18th position among European countries for numbers of international seats.

Nigeria, with its over 160 million population, ranks 26th, just behind Latvia. Zambia, which ranked just below this Top 20 list, has substantial potential, as its resources appear increasingly attractive to foreign investors.

There are also one or two marked exceptions to this less than rosy picture.

Ethiopian Airlines is one of the region’s most successful and profitable airlines (assisted by some protective regulation); Kenya Airways

Arik’s A340—500 premier class lounge

too has been a benchmark for African airline operations. And the renewed interest of private investment in airlines suggests that, where vacuums exist, opportunities are opening up.

Africa is as a result poised to become the next emerging growth story as the world turns to the continent’s bountiful resources, from minerals to oil and water.

The emerging middle class, with its higher propensity to travel, will inevitably have an increasingly substantial role in regional aviation as will the upswing in local and international tourism traffic.

China in particular has taken a leading role in investing in Africa’s vast natural resources, which in turn has attracted investors from other regions. China is highly dependent on subSaharan Africa for its supply of cobalt, manganese, chromium and timber.

The continent also struggles with a lack of routes linking cities, a lack of regular flights flying them and a lack of profitable airlines competing.

In Nigeria for instances, high taxes, high cost of JET A1 and lack of infrastructure have done incalculable damage to airline business. Lack of good business model and unfavourable government policy has also not helped the situation.

Secretary General of African Airlines Association (AFRAA), the umbrella body for the continent’s carrier, Dr. Elijah Chingosho, told The Guardian recently that high

In Nigeria for instances, high taxes, high cost of JET A1 and lack of infrastructure have done incalculable damage to airline business. Lack of good business model and unfavourable government policies have also not helped the situation. taxes and charges on airlines and passengers were holding back airline industry growth and making it uncompetitive.

According to him, “Airport charges of between $60 and $80 in Africa were well above the world average. The excessive airport taxes, charges and fees being levied on airlines and passengers, in addition to the generally high cost of operations, is making African airlines less competitive compared to their foreign counterparts”.

He however called for airports to set charges in consultation with airlines.

Just recently, the Federal Government saw the need to assist the carriers with import duty exemption. Its implementation would greatly help the operators to overcome the enormous amount spent to bring in aircraft and spare parts.

Not a few commended the government for this initiative, which could greatly assist the carriers to focus on other areas of their operations.

With little improvement on airports terminals, obsolete navigation equipment,

which has remained almost the same for more than two decades, is worrisome.

A source who works with one of the leading airlines and who spoke to The Guardian on condition of anonymity stated that the need for improved air travel across the continent was clear to many in the industry, where there are glaring gaps between growing economic centres.

He noted that a flight between Cape Town in South Africa and Lagos, Nigeria, the second fastest growing city in Africa, should ordinarily take six hours.

“Yet with no direct flights, the cheapest option via the Middle East takes up to 18 hours while the faster, yet more expensive routes within Africa still take eight hours”.

Often governments have been blamed for protecting their national carriers and refusing to deregulate the industry and open up the skies to greater competition.

While South Africa has a number of liberalisation agreements, its government agrees that more needs to be

done There are number of constraints in different nations, with regard to policies, with regards to the regulatory environment.

More pathetic is the fact that there are more foreign airlines flying in Africa than African airlines, just as there is the need to foster greater cooperation between these African airlines.

It is not all gloom for the continent. The quite role of the global alliance is also making itself felt as Star Alliance, Skyteam and Oneworld see value in supporting a stable and potentially expansive local airline capability for their member airlines to feed into and from.

This is a constantly shifting equation.

As global alliances gather momentum, radiating from their core partners in Europe and North America, each region is experiencing the influence that the groupings can bring.

Africa is no exception, but the lack of fully viable carriers offers something of a challenge in finding local partners beyond the small number already accounted for.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, July 5, 2013

BUSINESSTRAVEL

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IATA tasks airlines on $5tr industry growth plan

By Chika Goodluck-Ogazi LOBAL airline industry has been called to G make new ideas on how the partners in air transport value chain, would attract $4 to $5 trillion, needed over the next 20 years to meet the growing demand for aviation connectivity.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) made the call recently in Geneva, in a study, titled, “Profitability and the Air Transport Value Chain”, which showed that returns on capital invested in airlines have improved in recent years, but are still far below what investors would normally expect to earn, it noted.

The Director General and Chief Executive Officer, IATA, Tony Tyler, said: “The airline industry has created tremendous value for its customers and the wider economies we serve. Aviation supports some 57 million jobs globally and we make possible $2.2 trillion worth of economic activity. By value, over 35 per cent of the goods traded internationally are transported by air”.

He added: “But in the 2004-2011 period, investors would have earned $17 billion more annually by taking their capital and investing it in bonds and equities of similar risk.

Unless we find ways to improve returns for our investors it may prove difficult to attract the $4 trillion to $5 trillion of capital we need to serve the expansion in connectivity over the next two decades, the vast majority of which will support the growth of developing economies.”

According to IATA, during the 2004-2011 period, returns on capital invested in the airline industry worldwide averaged 4.1 per cent, stressing that, it was an improvement on the average of 3.8 per cent generated in

the previous business cycle over 1996-2004.

However, the body stated that this was nowhere near the average cost of capital of 7.5 per cent, which represented the return on capital that investors would expect to earn by investing in assets of similar risk outside the airline industry.

While some airlines, it said, have consistently created value for equity investors, which are few in number. IATA explained that, on average industry, returns were just sufficient for the industry to service its debt, with nothing left to reward equity investors for risking their capital.

IATA further stated that the biggest cost for airlines today is fuel and companies in this sector benefited from an estimated $16 billion to

$48 billion of their yearly net profits generated by air transport.

It added that, the most profitable part of the rest of the value chain is in distribution, with the computer reservation systems businesses of the three global distribution system companies generating an average Returns On Investment Capital (ROIC) of 20 per cent, followed by freight forwarders with an ROIC of 15 per cent.

“More effective partnerships are required among stakeholders in the air transport industry. Efficiency gains are a win-win for all concerned. We have seen that with the adoption of 100 per cent e ticketing and the introduction of global self-service standards. Not only did partners in the industry benefit, but

also consumers gained great value through more efficient and convenient processes. This study points to the active collaboration needed to find even more such solutions.

“An agenda for governments is also outlined in the study. “Smart regulation is needed from governments around the world in order to maximise the economic benefits of connectivity jobs and growth. Unfortunately, high taxation and poorly designed regulation in many jurisdictions make it difficult for airlines to develop connectivity. On top of the cost issues, airlines also face a hyper fragmented industry structure owing to government policies that discourage cross-border consolidation. There is plenty of room for some fresh thinking on all accounts,” said Tyler.

Air France to develop electric taxiing system

By Chika Goodluck-Ogazi IR France has concluded plans in partnering A with Safran and Honeywell in the development of the Electric Green Taxiing System (EGTS). The system aims at significantly reducing the use of engines and vehicles for the movement of aircraft on the ground.

The EGTS system would allow aircraft to move on the taxiway without using the main engines, instead of using the APU, to power the electric engines housed in the wheels.

This represented considerable economic savings while at the same time reducing gas and noise emissions. In this way, during this phase, a small aircraft equipped with the EGTS system reduced its nitrogen emissions by about 50 per

cent and carbon emissions by 75 per cent.

This partnership enables Air France to analyse the financial and operational technical advantages of EGTS, and helps Honeywell and Safran to better assess the potential savings and other operational and environmental benefits. The two companies plan to deploy the system on new aircraft as from 2016.

Air France has been taking considerable initiatives in recent years to reduce its environmental impact, with the objective of neutral growth in CO2 emissions as from 2020.

Air France is also involved in research on sustainable biofuels. It is also continuing the integration of sustainable development in its products and services by recycling an average of 80 per cent of the articles used for service on

board.

Meanwhile, Air France has selected UTC Aerospace Systems to be the maintenance, repair and overhaul services (MRO) provider for various actuation, air management and electrical systems on Embraer E-Jet fleets that Air France supports for its customers.

This is UTC Aerospace Systems’ first contract for E-Jet repairs with Air France. UTC Aerospace Systems is a unit of United Technologies Corp.

The three-year agreement covers MRO services for the electric power generating system, electric power equipment, air management system, and flight systems on the airline’s ERJ-170, ERJ-175 and ERJ-190 aircraft. The work will be performed by subsidiaries of UTC Aerospace Systems in Dijon, France and Maastricht, The Netherlands.

Airport France’s super jumbo A380 aircraft on the tarmac of an airport

AIR RAGE

Aviation’s many troubles

By Wole Shadare HAT man is by nature a political animal is one T of the famous saying of the legendary philosopher, Aristotle. The frequency with which it is quoted suggests that it’s meaning is thought to be transparently clear.

No matter what we do or like, we always tend to have ulterior motive or private and secret interest over everything especially when it comes to a situation where we must deal with other people.

The saying came to the fore when airline executives gathered to elect new set of leaders that would direct the affairs of the body.

The event also did not lose the touch of high-level intrigues, power play, characteristics of a political event.

One can now understand why Arik Air, the biggest Nigerian airline by fleet size had for many years distanced itself from the body. Anyway,

membership is optional and does not and cannot in anyway impact on one’s operations.

Many thought that the transition would be peaceful, but it turned out to be a disappointment. What played out at the meeting left much to be desired as supposed role model and many that people looked up to for direction resorted to name calling, banging of tables, accusation and counter accusations. Tempers rose and the situation almost turned ugly.

Journalists who were invited and who thought that the operators would peacefully elect people that would chart a fresh path for the sector went home disappointed.

One thing is clear from what played out last week.

There seems to be infiltration of AON by the external forces.

What played is a clear reflection of the same way the aviation media has been infiltrated; the same way all organised body in the sector have all been

infiltrated with allegation of inducement.

One can say the AON is divided into factions-those that are said to be working for some ‘powerful’ people, made up of young elements, while the older ones are those considered and derided for constituting themselves into opposition for some policy makers.

A similar situation played out recently during the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) election.

The preferred and the popular candidate, who was seeking re-election, faced a daunting challenge against a ‘sponsored candidate’. Many delegates were alleged to have been induced financially with foreign currencies that were displayed openly for willing delegates.

Despite the huge inducement, the popular candidate trounced his opponent by over 100 votes.

One would have expected that the operators would be more concerned with how to revive

their dying businesses, provide quality services to passengers, be more safety conscious, tackle some of the obnoxious government policies that have over the years stunted their growth rather than the mundane issue of table banging, name calling and the rest that show clearly that the sector has a long way to go.

Most of the operators (names withheld) are owing their workers between nine and 24 months salaries, a situation that calls to question the capability of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to audit the finances of the airlines.

The new Director General of the agency, Captain Fola Akinkuotu has his work really cut out for him to reposition a sector which fortune is dwindling very fast.

He can do it only if he is committed and stands firmly on the ideals he believes in. If he does, the sector would once again flourish.

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THE GUARDIAN, Friday, July 5, 2013

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, July 5, 2013

NigeriaCapitalMarket NSE Daily Summary (Equities) as at 04/7/2013 PRICE LIST OF SYMBOLS

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THE GUARDIAN, Friday, July 5, 2013

CAPITAL MARKET

NSE Daily Summary (Equities) as at 04/7/2013

LOSERS

PRICE GAINERS

NSE’s market capitalisation rises further by N178b

By Helen Oji

QUITY transactions on the Nigerian Stock E Exchange (NSE) closed in an upward note yesterday, occasioned by price gains recorded by most bluechip companies, resulting to a further rise in market capitalization by N178 billion.

Specifically, at the close of transactions yesterday, market capitalisation of listed equities rose by N178 billion or 1.56 per cent to N11.562 trillion from 11.364 trillion traded the previous day.

Also the All/ Share index appreciated by 560.63 basis points from 35949.00 to 36509.63.

Further review of yesterday’s transactions for the day showed that investors traded 4.471 billion shares worth N2.753 billion exchanged 4972 deals against 1.801 billion shares valued at N4.139 billion in

5259 deals.

Nestle Nigeria Plc led gainers table, with N20.00 to close at N970.00 while Nigerian Breweries followed with a gain of N6.00 to close at N163.00.

Larfage Wapco, Dangote Cement and Guaranty Trust Bank added N5.60 kobo, N2.38 kobo and N0.66 kobo to close at N89.60, N182.38 kobo and N25.16 kobo.

Conversely, Julius Berger topped the losers chart, shedding N1.49 kobo to close N65.00, UACN Plc trailed with a loss of N0.50 kobo to close at N53.50 kobo.

Eternaoil loss N0.37 kobo to close at N3.38 kobo.

Other stocks that depreciated in price were Fidson and Cadbury Nigeria Plc with loss N0.22 kobo and N0.11 kobo respectively to close at N2.05 kobo and N56.89 kobo.

On the whole, 345.477

shares worth N529.647 million was exchanged in 315 deals. Financial Services

Sector followed with 121.542 million share worth N927.957 million made in

2455 deals. Banking sub sector was investors delight in financial sector,

exchanging 72.247 million shares valued at N729.244 million in 1658 deals.

L – R Executive Director, Business Development, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri; Chief Executive Officer, Airline Services and Logistics Plc, Mr. Richard Akerele; Chief Finance Officer, ASL Plc, Mrs. Peju Shebioba and Head, Product Management, NSE, Mr. Dipo Omotoso at the presentation of Facts Behind the Figures of the company in Lagos yesterday.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, July 5, 2013

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Opinion Zik, Fajuyi, Abiola and other Mandelas

By Mike Ekunno HE world is again in the grips of what I call T Mandela frenzy – and I say this nicely. Mr. Nelson Mandela has been bed-ridden again and the media is awash with the news. This universal fussing over what is euphemistically taken to be ‘the state of Mandela’s health’, is all but shameful if you ask me. Here is a 94-year old grandfather falling sick. Is he supposed to live forever? Western superstar baggage of vanities has been foisted by the Western media on an African icon and the rest of us are buying into this imported attitude the same way we gorge on Western material imports. In my part of Africa, the transition of a man ‘full of years’ like the Madiba is celebrated with merriment.

While no one wishes the Madiba dead, if it happens now, no one can accuse death of a premature harvest. But this fascination with every shred of inanity concerning a superstar has been such a part of Western culture that it would be out of character for Western media to maintain philosophical equanimity over the prospect of the Madiba’s mortality.

While his iconic status is well-deserved, let no one be deceived as to the existence of other Mandelas all over Africa. These other potential Mandelas were/are possessed of the same sacrificial nobility that defines the Mandela brand but did not emerge at the high tide of Western messianic expectancy. Did not Shakespeare utter the immortal wisdom that “There is a tide in the affairs of men which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune...”. Before William Shakespeare, King Solomon had concluded that “time and chance happeneth to them all” in referring to how all things are not equal in the affairs of men. For sure, nobody will say that chance or fortuity is all Mandela has going for him. No. He has great moral mettle and nobility of character – two qualities, which are in short supply on the continent. It is this scarcity that all the more highlights the Madiba’s sacrifice in not betraying the anti-apartheid struggle. Not only did he not betray the struggle, he came out of 27 years’ imprisonment and had the large-

ness of heart, the un-vindictiveness, to lead his nation to find closure on apartheid. Unlike many African leaders, he did not seek to perpetuate himself and make up for lost time on the ‘throne’. He thereby stabilised a shaky majority rule democracy in a rainbow nation. This, in summary, is the essence of the Mandela brand.

Our country, Nigeria, is not totally lacking in equivalent acts of sacrifice and heroism of the Mandela hue. What is missing is the national consensus that says, ‘We are!’ for outsiders to join the chorus. There was the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe who, being Igbo, still abandoned the Biafran cause and decamped to the federal side just to make peace. The significance of this heroic act seems lost on a nation with a fixation on short termism. But at the time Zik was making that move, it was a hugely risky one without any hedging on either side. To underscore the personal dangers he exposed himself and family to, the story is told of his first appearance on federal soil in the aftermath of his ‘porting’ to Nigeria. The international flight that had him on board made a stop-over in Lagos and word went to Gen. Gowon that the Great Zik was around. The General then sent for Zik. There was so much apprehension for this invitation that Chukwuma, Zik’s son who was with his father in the aircraft, broke down and wept for their safety. It took the Oyibo pilot to reassure him that the British aircraft was sovereign on Nigerian soil and they could choose to remain inside and decline Gowon’s invitation if they feared for their safety. Nevertheless, Zik went to see Gowon and the concomitant media feast and photo footages were major psychological coups for the federal side and against Biafra. That singular act was a major bundle of straw on the Biafran camel’s back, subsequent bundles of which saw the eventual capitulation of Biafra. As a creative writer, I’ve tried to play with alternate history scenarios that would have played out if Biafra had succeeded. In all of them, one common constant is that the

Azikiwes would have been personae non grata in the putative new republic. Yet the sacrificial nature of Zik’s cross-carpeting has all but been glossed over. It is not taught in schools and hardly mentioned in the records of the Nigerian Civil War. What honour has come to the late ace politician is attributable to his being former President of Nigeria.

We also had another Mandela in the late Col. Adekunle Fajuyi. As Governor of the Western Region in July 1966, it was his unfortunate lot to play host to the Head of State, Gen. JTU Aguiyi-Ironsi, who had been marked for elimination by mutinous soldiers. From all accounts, Fajuyi was not a target. He couldn’t be for he wasn’t Igbo. He could have allowed the mutineers take his guest away and nobody would have blamed him. Force majeure wasn’t invented by him. He would have instead been richly rewarded by the emergent junta and would have had an assured rise to Generalship in the army and a juicy retirement to boot. But he chose to act with sacrificial nobility and refused to yield up his boss and guest. He paid the supreme price for this noble act. In our warped value system, Adekunle Fajuyi has not been accorded any outstanding national honour. Even the Igbo state governors who could easily take advantage of our federal system to honour whoever they so wished in their states have not deemed it necessary to name any major street or building after Adekunle Fajuyi. If this executive amnesia plagued the Second Republic governors, it should be cured in their contemporary counterparts with a public apology to the Fajuyi family in addition.

There was also Chief MKO Abiola whose Mandela-type sacrifice is more contemporary. He was clearly the winner in a presidential election, which was annulled. He chose to claim his mandate after all appeals to reason failed. He was incarcerated by Abacha’s military junta. His opposite numbers in other climes like Burma are creatively managed while the usurpers get their thieving days in the sun. They get released thereafter like

Aung San Sue Kyi, to contribute their quota to national development. Not so here. Abiola died in detention, to put it euphemistically. While he lived, the entire country was his constituency.

His philanthropy had no ethnic or religious colouration, which was why Christians could confer his Muslim-Muslim ticket with enough trust to lead Nigeria. Having missed that opportunity for national rebirth, and the healing of our religious divides, is it any wonder that we are now facing “the fire next time”? Christians are vowing “Never again!” and Muslims are saying “We or nobody else!” Who will believe that just two decades back, Nigerian Christians were ready to entrust their destiny to a Muslim President and Vice-President?

What shall we say of our other Mandelas who glowed brightly at Nigeria’s dark hours? They include Gen. Yakubu Gowon (no less!), Prof. Wole Soyinka and late Doctors Akanu Ibiam, Tai Solarin and Aliyu Musdafa, Lamido of Adamawa.

These were graceful in power, even the absolute one of wartime leadership, undertook shuttle diplomacies between enemies at great personal costs, governed with exceptional integrity, picked up corpses from streets and sheltered people who were hounded by mobs baying for blood: men of whom Nigeria is not worthy, if I may paraphrase the Scriptures. Many of them did these noble deeds at ages when their peers were chasing girls and quaffing beer. They have been under-recognised because of our retreat into ethno-religious and regional cocoons, which insist on evaluating every sacrifice through those lenses. In contrast, South Africa does not have the dubious luxury of reclining into ethnic cocoons. Its component African tribes, including the Zulu, Xhosa, Basotho, Tsonga and others have had to bind together to deal with a common external enemy in apartheid. It has responded to this stimulus by muffling its internal ethnic contradictions. That is why a Nelson Mandela can emerge and be nationally and, now, globally recognised. May his tribe increase.

• Ekunno is a creative writer and freelance book editor in Abuja.

Ghost workers and indulgent exorcists

By Henry Boyo HE free encyclopaedia defines a ghost, in traditional belief T and fiction, as the soul or spirit of a deceased person or animal that can appear in visible form or other manifestation, to the living, who, conversely, has flesh and blood, and can actually be touched. Thus, in the absence of physical form, ghosts do not have the normal human burden of satisfying the needs of hunger, thirst, shelter, etc, and therefore, have no reason to seek for jobs and earn a living!

Curiously, however, the Nigerian public service at various levels is reported to be heavily burdened with a ghost population, who unexpectedly not only write job applications and present themselves for interviews, but who also open bank accounts and collect salaries, despite their human shortcomings! Thus, in the past two decades or so, real (not virtual) public servants consciously apportioned and paid salaries into the bank accounts of thousands of ghosts, who inexplicably dutifully collected their salaries every month, before literally disappearing into thin air thereafter!

Curiously, the CBN’s “know your customers” directive to banks was obviously no deterrent to the establishment of bank accounts for such ghosts! In a strategic move to forestall detection, these ingenious spirits discreetly also infiltrated the Nigeria Police Force, where a 2010 staff audit revealed that ghost officers accounted for over 100,000 members, out of the officially registered 330,000 policemen. The audit reports further revealed apparent collusion amongst the Police pay officers, accountants as well as bank officials to successfully rob the Police Force of over N36 billion annually!

Thus, in the ambience of a ‘bewitched’ police community, ghost rats have had a field day in several states and Federal Government establishments. For example, the Kogi State Commissioner for Information, Prof. Aaron Baba, in a media briefing in August 2009, moaned that, “the state was losing about N700 million to about 4,000 ghost workers monthly”.

Similarly, Alhaji Mande Lofa, Chairman of Tureta (LGA), also confirmed that a verification exercise carried out in July 2011 by the Tureta Local Government Area of Sokoto State led to the discovery of over 500 ghost workers. Furthermore, in December

2011, Garba Tagwai, the Niger State Commissioner for Local Government Affairs also noted that “No fewer than 20,000 ghost workers have been detected on the pay roll of the 25 local government areas of Niger State”.

While speaking at the Edo State Technology Day in July 2011, Governor Oshiomhole also revealed that, prior to the advent of his administration, “the state had to contend with the phenomena of ghost workers and ghost pensioners in addition to other abuses of the payroll system”.

Also, in July 2011, the Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board reported losses of N2.4 billion annually to 1,477 ghost workers, while the National Identity Management Commission, in the same month, also revealed that, after conducting a biometric data exercise, it had uncovered 4,000 ghost workers out of about 10,300 employees on its payroll. The Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has also lamented the realisation that, prior to his administration, the Ekiti State government loses over N3 billion annually to ghost workers out of a projected annual budget of N80 billion.

Incidentally, in 2008, the Power Holding Company of Nigeria also reportedly had 14,835 ghost workers out of a total workforce of about 35,000 people, while the Alhaji Kwakwanso, the Defence Minister in 2003, also decried the presence of more than 24,000 phantom names in its pension audit.

In May 2009, the House of Representative Committees on Customs and Excise also discovered that about 50 per cent of the 20,000 workforce in the Nigeria Customs Service were ghost workers!

Certainly, the Federal Government is not immune to similar fraudulent revenue leakages; indeed, as far back as 2001, the incumbent Accountant General of the Federation, Chief Joseph Naiyeju, reported the discovery of 40,000 ghost workers following a man-power verification exercise conducted by the Federal Government. Similarly, when Mallam Nasir El Rufai was Minister of the Federal Capital Territory in 2006, 6000 ghost workers were detected after the completion of a staff audit, which also revealed that the FCT government was losing about $8 million annually, due to ghost workers on its payroll.

The Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) with El Rufai as chairman, consequently signed a World Bank sponsored $4.9

million contract with the Nigerian-based System Specs Consortium in October 2006, for the provision of a more coherent Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).

Former Finance Minister, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, in July 2011, reported that the Federal Government had removed a total of 43,000 ghost workers from the old payroll of 112,000 employees in several MDAs, between 2010 and 2011, through the implementation of the IPPIS! The IPPIS system is a biometric system, where the data of every government employee is captured so that salary payment can be made directly into the correct bank account. Curiously, also, the Chairman of the Nigeria Pension Reform Task team, Alhaji Abdulrasheed Maina disclosed in February 2012, that on completion of a successful nationwide biometric verification of pensioners, his team detected 71,133 fake pensioners. Furthermore, N151 billion fraud was also uncovered in Pension offices across the country, with the assistance of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Regrettably, apparently less than N40 billion have so far been recovered, while about 66 illegal bank accounts relating to the Pension Fund scam have also been identified.

In June 2013, however, The Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, said “215 MDAs (153,019 staff) are on the IPPIS as of January 2013. Savings on payroll cost to date is N118.9 billion and work is ongoing to bring in other 321 MDAs not yet on the IPPIS. About 46,821 ghost workers have also been identified.” Inexplicably, in spite of the inevitable documentary evidence available, especially with the banks, none of the known beneficiaries of the ghost worker scam has ever been prosecuted and convicted or indeed, constrained to return either the stolen funds or forfeit assets or property derived therefrom. Critics would therefore be blameless to insist that this lacuna speaks volumes on the seriousness of the current administration’s fight against corruption! Ultimately, in the absence of severe sanctions for such crimes, even the IPPIS would not be adequate deterrent to similar ghost beneficiaries of our commonwealth; instructively, ghost contractors, ghost farmers, ghost fuel subsidy scammers, etc, etc, will continue to flourish and rule our world with active collaboration of public servants, unless President Jonathan quickly and committedly step up the war against these enemies of our people!

• Boyo, a public affairs analyst, writes from Lagos.

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THE GUARDIAN, Friday, July 5, 2013

Opinion Democracy vision and Osun’s example

By Dotun Babayemi INCE Nigeria’s independence in 1960, state creation has alSbetter ways been an agitation to promote good governance and living condition by the people.

Nigeria was an administratively convenient creation in 1914 despite the fact that there were three unique peoples, Ibo, Yoruba and Hausa within the created nation, with difference in culture, history, language and beliefs; thus, we have gone through several developments since then.

While I will not like to dwell on history, it is very important to bring to the fore, few areas of note. With Nigeria’s independence in 1960 and becoming a republic in 1963, the nationalists of the 1950s and the next decade were drawn along regional lines. East, West and North and South were the structures of the parliamentary government that resulted at independence.

With several military coups through the years, uninterrupted democracy started in Nigeria in 1999, fourteen years ago. But, before we go too far, let us take a step back to agree what democracy is?

I posit democracy to be “Government of the people, by the people and for the people”. Let us then break this down in light of our experiences in Nigeria over the last 14 years • Government of the people – Looking at the centre since 1999, has this been a representative government of the people? The vice president for the first eight years of this “Democracy” we are celebrating, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar recently gave an interview to the Hausa service of the British Broadcasting Corporation of Nigeria where he said that he warned governors in 2003 not to arm the youths towards seeking or retaining political office but he was rebuffed.

Late retired General Owoeye Azazi, the ex National Security Adviser (NSA) to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria gave a speech at a summit of the South South a few months

ago on how the Boko Haram menace came to be in Nigeria, adding that this situation was a creation of a political party!

He was removed from that office within weeks. Can we therefore continue to assume that what we have in all parts of Nigeria are legitimate governments of the people? Have our votes counted in this democracy?

• Government by the people – If these governments that have been in place have not necessarily been a true reflection of the votes cast, have we truly been governed by the people? Thank God for separation of powers as enshrined in our constitution.

The Judiciary has had to step up since 2007 to review some elections; correctly examining votes cast and in some instances reverse published results of elections to reflect the true wishes of the people at the ballot box. Cases in point are Osun, Ekiti and Edo states.

• Government for the people – This is better reviewed as government for the betterment of the people. Is the average Nigerian better off over the last 14 years of our uninterrupted democracy? What we have experienced is a government for the betterment of a select connected few.

What has then been the issue and what does the future hold for us?

The problem has been a lack of focused and decisive leadership. What type of leadership do we really need in this country and can it really work in our environment based on our socio-cultural background?

The leadership we need in this country is the type that is able to take informed and sometimes difficult decisions to the benefit of the majority not only for today’s consumption but also with an eye on future generations.

Such leadership must be able to have a vision of a future state and introduce, but, most importantly implement programs toward these goals and not get distracted by naysayers. Cases in point are the governments of Ogbeni Rauf Aregebsola in the state of Osun and Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos

State.

In 30 months of being in government in Osun State, practically every family within the state has been touched positively through one programme or the other, whether this is through the revised quality education programs for primary, middle and high schools or through the OYES programme that that has engaged 40,000 youths within the time frame. Close to 20,000 of whom are now in gainful employment or have become agricultural entrepreneurs, putting the State of Osun in a pole position within the federation as measured by the federal bureau of statistics in terms of poverty alleviation.

Quality healthcare and infrastructure are also benefits citizens of Osun are now enjoying. Democracy, no doubt, can work in Nigeria. To Babatunde Raji Fashola, Lagos, despite its cosmopolitan nature, is wearing a new look, thanks to his team for their doggedness and innovativeness.

Recent developments within our polity in Nigeria shows that the future of Nigeria from a democratic perspective is bright, if coming together of progressive elements in Nigeria to create a medium to challenge the party that has been in power at the Federal level in Nigeria for 14 years is to be considered.

Another event worthy of mentioning is the chairmanship election of the Nigerian Governor’s Forum that took place in the federal capital, Abuja on Friday May 25, 2013. The results of that election and shenanigans that followed do not portray us a serious nation but the manner at which Rotimi Amaechi, the adjudged winner, handled the situation is quite commendable. The citizens of this great nation, who, for some times now, have been yearning for good governance, will be presented with another opportunity at the ballot box at future elections to determine who they really want to lead them and mistakes made in the past must be avoided this time around.

While we still have some ways to go in getting to the promised land, Nigeria’s democracy, obviously, is coming of age.

• Babayemi writes in from Abuja.

Ahead Anambra 2014 governorship election

By Joe Umunnabuike HE intrigues and political gimmicks unT folding in Anambra State are clear pointers to the governorship election slated for next year. Contenders and pretenders are declaring their ambition to rule the state, promising heaven and earth, and claiming to be the best, even when their antecedents indicate the contrary. People of questionable character and illgotten wealth are already throwing money at the people. Some of them have failed to manage their private businesses and owe their workers millions of naira in outstanding salaries and allowances. Even those who had a stint in the political offices before now, without any meaningful contributions to show for it, are also back in the race.

Curiously, the state government is also busy clearing the ground to ensure, apparently, that the governor’s anointee succeeds him. Is this why government funds are being shared to individuals, churches, and communities in a manner that suggest bribe for votes ahead of the election? Beneficiaries of the state government’s suspicious gestures so far which were widely reported in national dailies include members of Agbo-Edo Motor Spare Parts Dealers Association, Nnewi that were presented with N35 million cheque for construction of the major access road across the market. Similarly the governor recently presented a cheque of N30 million to Chikason Group, Nnewi for the reconstruction of Chikason road. Governor Obi said the gesture was part of his promise to always support and encourage industrialists in the state through provision of key infrastructural facilities such as access road to their factories in order to grow and expand their businesses to create more employment opportunities.

He also presented a cheque of N3 million to the management of Christ the King College, Onitsha during a recent visit to the school, explaining that the gesture was in fulfilment of his promise to match any organisation that decides to build anything in any part of Anambra Sate with equal funds.

On Monday last week, the governor, in Awka, gave out N733 million to Catholic and Anglican

churches to run their schools in the state. He said the money was for the rehabilitation of primary schools taken over by the state government in 1970 but returned to the missions in 2011. The governor said he was impressed with the churches’ collaboration in rebuilding education in the State.

These gestures are unprecedented, but nobody is asking questions on the sudden official charity at the twilight of the administration and how the public funds will be utilized and accounted for. When has the state government become a father Xmas? Or has the government run out of governance ideas that warrant giving out public funds at will to individuals to embark on developmental projects?

One is also concerned about sentiment being expressed over which senatorial zone should produce the next governor of the state, instead of yearning for a strong character and quality leadership that will take the state to the next level. Unfortunately Governor Obi who was never a product of any zoning has promised the people of Anambra North senatorial zone that his successor would be chosen from the zone. His reason and that of his allies was that since 1999, the North has remained the only senatorial zone in the state that has not produced governor of the state.

But it seems Obi and his allies have forgotten that since 1999, people from Anambra North zone have contested governorship election in the state though they have not won any. Besides, at no time did the people of the state agreed that governorship seat would rotate among the three zones in the state.

Anambra people should be concerned about quality of their leaders, rather than the zone they come from; or their party platforms. Why should Anambra government introduce such divisive tactics to charge the peaceful political atmosphere in the state ahead of the election?

Political power is never given on the platter of gold; rather; it is taken. And in every free and fair election, the voters remain the ultimate decider of the outcome. Anambra people should be allowed to make their choice in the election. All those who are aspiring for political seat should work for it by reaching out to the people, not by offering money for votes

but with their people-oriented economic blueprint on how to move the state forward if elected.

The 1999 constitution as amended has no provision for zoning for elective political offices. It only has provision for appointment into federal political offices to reflect the principle of federal character. The development on zoning has thrown up more mediocre in the system today than super stars of our time.

Zoning of political offices ahead of election is undemocratic and anti-people, no matter how one looks at it. It often shrinks the political spaces and provides limited choice for the electorate. The fact that political parties do so, for strategic reasons, does not make it constitutional and binding on all Nigerians. All three senatorial zones in the state have enough quality leaders to aspire for the position, so why the campaign for zoning?

In all these scheming, where does the interest of the majority of the people of the Anambra State lies ahead and after the election and what do they need to move the state forward?

It is quite unfortunate that despite huge resources that have accrued to the state through the monthly federation allocation and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in the last six years, not much is on ground to quantify it.

Yet, government and her foot soldiers would say that the present government is the best thing to happen to the state. Much of the government’s achievements have been majorly on the pages of newspaper and television stations. The capital, Awka remains a village square unbefitting of a state like Anambra with all her material and human resources.

Most of the roads constructed are substandard and cannot stand the test of time. Ditto for many other government projects since 2006. It is wiser for a government to construct a standard and quality50-kilometre road than for it to construct a substandard 100 kilometres road. One needs not be a civil engineer to know good construction works like houses or roads. It is important for government to encourage and empower local construction companies by awarding them contracts (such companies in most cases are fronts of the state government officials), but this should not be at the expense of quality job. The people of

Anambra appear to be tired of the abracadabra called governance in the state. So there is urgent need for a paradigm shift which is possible only if the people are allowed a free hand in the choice of their governor in the next governorship election. They need a tested and credible leader with strong, credible antecedents; and who can perform better again irrespective of his political platform and zone.

The state is not lacking in credible and tested leaders both at national and state level. The people should therefore shine their eyes well to avoid being deceived. There should be no room for moneybags, opportunistic and selfacclaimed leaders. What the state needs now is a leader with a track record and pedigree that is capable of making sacrifice for the wellbeing of the people.

From the experiences so far, it is now clear to observers in the state that those who came from business background to politics have always never done well in public office. Apparently, their greatest preoccupation while in public office most time is how to grow their business empires at the expense of the people they were elected to serve. Their allies will tell you that they were already made financially before coming into politics. It has happened to the people of the state and is about to repeat itself again. That is the major reason the people should not make mistake this time around in the choice of their next governor.

Anambra people should not be swayed by the financial patronage and political rhetoric of the aspirants and their godfathers. Some of them will soon fabricate lie to the people that the late Biafra warlord, Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu appeared to them in dream and named them as his preferred candidate. We all saw it in the state during the 2010 governorship election and we recall the INEC magic register provided by the Electoral Commission, which rendered the election controversial.

Some will even peddle rumour that President Jonathan and former President Olusegun Obasanjo have endorsed their candidate for the election. The people should think and act wise in the election for the betterment and bright future of the state and its citizenry.

• Dr. Umunnabuike, a Computer Scientist wrote from Port-Harcourt, Rivers State.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, July 5, 2013

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FridayWorship “Surely, the religion with Allah is ISLAM,complete submission”... Qur’an 3:19

Is it permissible for my fiancé to cook for me in Ramadan?

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent the Merciful “O you who believe! Fasting has been prescribed upon you just as it was prescribed upon those before you, in order that you may gain taqwa (God-consciousness, self-restraint) Quran 2:18 “Fasting is for me and it is I who would reward the believer who fasts”- Hadith Qudsi.

By Afis A. Oladosu ES, dear brethren, the topic of our sermon Y today is the summary of one of the text messages I received during the past week in response to the sermon on how to prepare for Ramadan. First, let me thank all those who sent in words of encouragement and appreciation. Some of them performed the role of horticulturists whose interest is the enthronement and the adulation of beautiful scenery in a given space of human occupation.

Others, in addition to words of appreciation, went further to play yet another role - that of the “sanitary inspector.” The latter, after having found the sermons useful and germane to their reality, equally argued that I was a bit too harsh in my choice of words while engaging the ‘Ramadanophobic’ among us. No matter the perspective from which we looked at the sermon, what is evident is the consensus we achieved- the need for us all to approach the coming Ramadan with the best intention and the necessity for us all to do self-examination.

Brethren, now let us get back to the title of today’s sermon. One of the text messages I received came from a brother of mine who wanted to know whether his fiancé could cook for him during the month of fasting. He said: “Please, as a Muslim, can I eat food cooked by my fiancé at the time of Ramadan?

I need your guidance please.” In other words, our brother wanted to know whether my sister who is not yet a lawful wife to him could perform that task which Muslim women in our clime do perform in expectation of bountiful rewards from the Almighty. He wanted to know whether Islam approves of a situation where we can begin to act what we are legally not.

In other words, central to our brother’s enquiry is the following question - what does Islam say about having a fiancé? Once we have an understanding of what that is, it should be easy for us thereafter to discharge the query about whether a fiancé could appropriate or act like a legally certified wife.

In my response, I reminded our brother that the Islamic law does not, in this instance, celebrate the third space, which our sister would occupy once she begins to cook for him. Here the third space references the space of ambiguity; the space in which a Muslim would be seen to be neither in support of the Islamic law nor against it. Such a space is a dangerous one. It is one of neither departure nor arrival.

In a popular hadith in al-Nawawi collection, our leader is reported to have said: “that which lawful is clear and that which is unlawful is clear but in-between the two are ambiguous matters ...(the example of those who tread along the path of the ambiguous is) like that of a shepherd who rears his cattle near a forbidden pasture…such a shepherd is likely to fall in the garden of the forbidden…”

Conscious of the eternal validity of this Prophetic injunction, I advised our brother that his fiancé has no legal status in Islamic law and she should a fortiori not begin to cook his food neither during the month of Ramadan nor thereafter. In other words, the sister in question has no business perform-

ing such roles which married women are expected to perform in their matrimonial homes at least in this part of the world.

As if our brother was desirous of assuring me of his consciousness of the dictates and injunctions of the Almighty, he sent me another text saying that there was no intention of indulgence in Zina with the sister but just for her to help him prepare his food. Again I replied to say that what is frowned at in the matter in Islamic law is the status the sister in question would assume while cooking the food not the food itself. I consequently took the exchanges further by advising our brother to follow due process -al-Nikah.

Brethren the above reminded me of similar questions we used to attend to in Muslim students’ gatherings many years ago. At that time we used to ponder the following: Is it not true that if our sister goes ahead to begin to cook for our brother in Ramadan, she would be committing an infraction of an explicit injunction of al-Rasul; is it not equally true that if our brother goes ahead to encourage her to do so, if he goes ahead to begin to “act” the husband, it would mean that on one hand, he is following the injunction of the Almighty through his observance of fasting and, on the other, he is indulging in acts which the messenger of the Almighty has forbidden?

Brethren, it appears the real issue here is the whole idea of engagement. Why is it that youths of nowadays find it easy to indulge or engage in long courtships or long-betrothals and thereby risk the commission of forbidden acts? Why do we prefer to cut corners on the assumption that there is a third space for us inbetween what is lawful and unlawful? Why is it that our parents prefer to use a whole year planning and preparing for marriages – they call it society wedding- while young men and women continue to engage in acts that are forbidden by the Creator? Is it not based on the facetious assumption that the longer the courtship the more the possibility of the intending couples knowing each other?

I want to thank our brother for the text message and for bringing this issue up for discussion today. As I did in my text to him, I want to encourage those in similar situations to take the bull by the horn by proceeding to formally request for the hands of the sisters with whom they are “engaged” in Islamic marriage (alNikah). Our leader says those who do Nikah based on their awareness that they need to protect their chastity should know that it is incumbent on the Almighty to assist them by Himself. The Prophet’s statement is hinged on the Divine declaration in chapter 24 verse 32 of the Last Testament where the Almighty says: “Let the singles among you get married as well as those who are fit for marriage among your male slaves and female slaves. If they are poor, Allah will make them free from want out of His Grace: for Allah has boundless resources and is All-Knowing”.

Testimonies abound from young brethren of yesterday who did al-Nikah at a time they had only the basic means of existence. Today, they and those young sisters of yesterday now have cause to thank the Almighty who gave them the strength of faith to take the step they did and who also fulfilled His promise to them- the promise to enrich them and turn their status of adversity to that of plenitude.

(08151293300 for texts only)

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THE GUARDIAN, Friday, July 5, 2013

Sports NNL investigates alleged match fixing From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja

HE board of the Nigeria National League (NNL), yesterday constituted a fiveman panel to investigate allegations of match fixing raised by some clubs in the NNL against the league organisers.

The league was last week thrown into confusion with some clubs accusing the league secretariat and some wealthy clubs of actions that border on match fixing, leading to threats by about five of them to pull out of the competition if something was not done.

The threatening clubs, which have already petitioned the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), accused the NNL management of working with some clubs, who are desperate for promotion to arrange the withdrawal of Zamfara United Football Club from the league.

Rising from a board meeting yesterday in Abuja, NNL Chairman Emeka Inyama said the NNL views seriously the allegations and is poised to take every measure to cleanse the name of the league.

He disclosed that the committee, which will be chaired

T

by Emmanuel Ochiagha, will have other members as veteran journalists Charles Ojugbana, Paul Bassey, Toyin Ibitoye and chairman of Nasarawa United FC, Isaac Danladi.

The board also resolved to up weekly monitoring of matches in the league and requested NFF to include reports of NNL independent assessors as part of documents to be forwarded to the Organizing and Disciplinary Committee (O&D).

As part of efforts to guarantee a smooth finish for matches of the league, Inyama said the final two games of the season would be handled by premier league clubs, adding that NNL has decided to postpone week 29 and 30 games of NNL to allow the NFF Disciplinary Committee dispense with outstanding cases lodged to it, as well as, replay outstanding games.

The NNL boss, who condemned in strong terms the wave of hooliganism in the NNL appealed to clubs to caution their supporters as referees have been directed to seek legal redress for such assault, adding that the NNL would not hesitate to descend on any erring club.

Keshi set to break Nigeria’s CHAN hoodoo NTIL his boys’ defeats to U Uruguay and Spain at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup tournament in Brazil last month, Coach Stephen Keshi had not lost a competitive game since taking the saddle as Super Eagles’ head coach in November 2011.

The 52-year old started with a 0-0 draw against Botswana in an international friendly at the Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City on November 12, 2011 and three days later, set his boys on rampage to defeat 2012 Cup of Nationsbound Zambia 2-0 at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in another friendly.

The Zambians eventually won that Africa Cup tournament staged in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

Keshi returns to the lush turf of the Ahmadu Bello Stadium tomorrow to guide his much-loved home-based lads against their counterparts from Cote d’Ivoire.

It is on record that back then, when majority of Nigerians had no faith in the home-based professionals, Keshi gave them a level-playing turf in the senior team and gave them a sense of b e l o n g i n g .

They were right there in his camp and calculations from the beginning, with quality playing time in the 2013

Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches and several friendlies, and five of them eventually making the final cut for the Cup of Nations finals in South Africa.

One of those, a certain Sunday Mba, emerged the hero of the spectacular quarter win over Cote d’Ivoire in Rustenburg and scored the lone goal over Burkina Faso in Soccercity that handed Nigeria the coveted trophy for the first time in 19 years.

Germany’s Sabine Lisicki returns against Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska during their women’s singles semi-final match of the 2013 Wimbledon Championships tennis tournament at the All England Club in Wimbledon …yesterday.

PHOTO: AFP

Lisicki sets up Bartoli Wimbledon final ABINE Lisicki advanced to Scouple her first Wimbledon final a of hours after Marion Bartoli reached her second.

Lisicki, a 2011 semifinalist at the All England Club, beat fourth-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska 6-4, 2-6, 9-7 yesterday on Centre Court, overpowering her opponent at the start and then hanging on at the end. ‘’I just fought with all my heart,’’ Lisicki said. ‘’I believed that I could still win no matter what the score was.’’

Bartoli took control early and never let up in a quick 6-1, 6-2 victory over Kirsten Flipkens. Bartoli also made it to the Wimbledon final in 2007, losing to Venus Williams in straight sets.

Tomorrow’s final will be the second at Wimbledon in the 45-year Open era between two women, who have never

won a Grand Slam title. Lisicki has a 3-1 record against Bartoli, including a quarterfinal win at Wimbledon in 2011 in their last meeting.

Lisicki, who beat defending champion Serena Williams in the fourth round, dictated play in the first set by winning 22 of her 30 points on serve and breaking once. But her serve deserted her after that.

Once the second set started, Radwanska came alive and Lisicki crumpled.

Lisicki lost all four of her service games, with the lowlight coming in the final game of the second set. Leading 30-0, Lisicki lost four straight points, including two doublefaults.

In the third, Lisicki was again broken early but finally held to make it 3-1 and then broke to get back on serve.

Both players held serve until

Lisicki got the deciding break in the 15th game when Radwanska hit a volley long. ‘’It’s just one break,’’ Radwanska said. ‘’She was serving very well. So the one break on one side was a lot, and on other hand was not really.’’

A few minutes earlier, Radwanska had been two points from victory. The two were at 30-30 and later at deuce in the 12th game with Radwanska leading 6-5. ‘’I had a lot of chances. Just two points from the match,’’ Radwanska said. ‘’Then she serve second serve like 100 miles per hour. Then, you know, it just turned the other way.’’

Lisicki said her big win over Serena Williams helped her yesterday. ‘’I thought, ‘I’ve done it against Serena so you can do it today as well, just hang in

there,’’’ Lisicki said. ‘’It gave me so much confidence and I’m just so, so happy I was able to finish it.’’

Bartoli wasted little time in her match, dancing and grunting her way to victory over the 20th-seeded Belgian who was playing in her first major semi-final. ‘’I played great. I executed very well. I hit lobs, passing shots, winners, returns, everything worked out perfectly,’’ said Bartoli, who won in 62 minutes. ‘’When I fell on the grass after match point, it was just so emotional. I dreamed about that moment, about returning to the Wimbledon final.’’

Amelie Mauresmo, the 2006 Wimbledon champion who now coaches France’s Fed Cup team, was in the stands for the early match and had plenty of praise for Bartoli.

Turkey 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup Fall-Out

Flying Eagles’ Coach, Obuh resigns, seeks payment of outstanding salary, allowances From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja HIEF Coach of the national C Under-20 team, the Flying Eagles, John Sam Obuh, yesterday submitted his letter of resignation to the management of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) thus confirming speculations that he was fed up with the job.

Obuh, who led the Flying Eagles to a third round defeat in the hands of Uruguay at the ongoing Turkey 2013 FIFA

Under-20 World Cup, submitted his letter at the early hours of yesterday, and thanked the NFF for giving him the opportunity to lead the team’s coaching crew.

While assuring that he would continue to pray and wish the federation well in its efforts at moving Nigerian football to a greater height, the former coach of the National Under-17 team pleaded with the federation to endeavour to settle the back-

log of salaries and allowances owed to him.

The coach had earlier complained while in Turkey of the unencouraging attitude of the NFF to the team, vowing that he would never accept such offer again as a coach.

According to the former Sharks of Port Harcourt handler, coaching the Flying Eagles in the last couple of months have been like going through hell, stressing that accepting the coaching job

without a contract from the NFF made him vulnerable to the management of the federation.

“To be honest with you, I like doing one thing at a time, but my prayer to God is that he should not let me have the kind of job I am having currently. May he never allow me to have this kind of job any longer because I have come a long way with different experiences since this my second missionary journey with the team.

“I am saying this because I have to live for my family and my loved ones. I need to live for the sake of those that depend on me because if I continue to have this kind of job, I will never fulfill my obligations to them.

“One thing I know is that I am a coach and I will ever remain a coach until I die, but the kind of job I am praying for is not this type because it is a threat to life,” he said.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, July 5 , 2013

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Wimbledon semi-finalist, Janowicz, is a true rag to riches story ERZY Janowicz was once so Jcoughed poor that New Yorkers up to buy him tennis shoes at the U.s. Open before his parents sold their sports shop to keep their son on the road.

Two years ago, when he was ranked at a lowly 221 in the world, the giant Pole didn’t have the cash to buy an air ticket to the Australian Open and in his junior days, he even was offered fantastic riches to dump Poland and play for Qatar.

No wonder the 22-year-old native of Lodz collapsed in tears after beating compatriot, Lukasz Kubot, to reach his first Grand slam semi-final at Wimbledon on Wednesday.

The victory made him the first Polish man to reach the last-four of a major, while it also permanently banished his financial worries.

As a semi-finalist, he collects at least $610, 000.

“I was practicing really tough my whole life. I had some troubles also during

my career. You are practicing and working for that kind of moment. It wasn’t easy to control these emotions,’’ said the 2.03m Pole.

Twelve months ago, Janowicz arrived at Wimbledon ranked 136 and had to qualify.

He made the third round and at the end of the year he had proved that performance was no fluke when he made the Paris Masters final, again having to come through the qualifiers.

He defeated Andy Murray, his opponent in today’s semifinals, on the way and finished 2012 at 26 in the world. suddenly those penniless days travelling and sleeping in his car to save money were over.

His volatile character, which saw him throw a spectacular strop at the Australian Open while telling a Wimbledon line judge, ‘you only have one line to watch, it’s not that complicated’, has made him a huge star in Poland.

His run to the Paris Masters final even inspired a Polish rap song, “Bajka o Jerzyku czyli Niezwykle Przygody Jerzego Janowicza w Paryzu” (Fairytale adventures of Jerzy Janowicz in Paris). But sudden fame and fortune have not changed Janowicz, according to Davis Cup teammate, Mariusz Fyrstenberg.

“He’s a very funny guy,’’ Fyrstenberg said of his patriotic countryman, who has not missed a Davis Cup tie since 2008.

“In Indian Wells this year, we went to play golf. This was his first time on the course, so I tried to teach him all the basics about golf etiquette.

But I forgot to tell him that he can not drive his golf cart on to the green. “so, I see from 200 yards, that he had parked just onemetre away from the hole and is relaxing there. I then saw this woman come up and give him some advice. so when I got to the green, I asked ‘What did she tell you?’

He said, ‘can you believe that the woman was teaching me how to drive?’’’

Poland’s Jerzy Janowicz celebrates after beating his compatriot, Lukasz Kubot, in their men’s singles quarterfinal match at the 2013 Wimbledon Championships tennis tournament.

PHOTO: AFP

Army, Police, Civil Defence dominate Ibadan judo tournament HE Nigerian Army athletes T and their counterparts from other paramilitary organisations, including the Police, Nigeria security and Civil Defence Corps are the

Lagos donates equipment to sports officers s part of its resolve to dis- develop them. The cameras A cover and develop bud- will help your work and the ding talents from the grass- stories you have to tell. We CEO of Mediavision Limited, Fela Bank-Olemoh (middle), presenting the overall Best Team plaque to PZ Industries Plc’s HR Director, Joyce Coker and Corporate Affairs Director, Yomi Ifaturoti, in recognition of their company’s exploits at the maiden Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) Industry Games.

Katsina, Kebbi, others battle for YSFON tourney’s final ticket Nigerians to emulate the HE battle for tickets to Governor’s kind gesture by Ttomorrow’s final of the on- sponsoring competitions for going Governor Ibrahim shema Under-17 Boys soccer tournament promises exciting moments with hosts, Katsina state, tackling their Kebbi state counterpart, while defending champions, Bauchi, will take on FCT, Abuja.

The Youth sports Federation of Nigeria (YsFON) is organising the competition.

Both games will hold at the Katsina Township stadium, where for the past one-week lovers of football have been treated to the best of youth soccer artistry.

Katsina won Group A with 12 points from four matches, while Kebbi came second in Group B. Already, the organisers have concluded plans to host a befitting grand finale of the competition tomorrow at the Katsina Township stadium.

YsFON President, Dr. Yusuf Gawuna promised yesterday that the closing ceremony, which is expected to be graced by the sponsor, Governor Ibrahim shema, among other dignitaries, would be a befitting end to the competition, adding that the football would be spiced with other forms of entertainment to thrill the crowd.

He called on other well to do

the teeming youths of the country.

According to Gawuna, “these youth empowerment competitions help the leaders of tomorrow to exhibit their talents and actualise their potential.

“When the youths are meaningfully engaged, they will stay away from crime, which in recent times have become a problem for the country.”

roots, the Lagos state Ministry of sports yesterday donated 57 digital cameras to the sports officers representing the 20 local government and local council development areas. speaking at the presentation held at the office of the ministry in Alausa, Ikeja, the Permanent secretary of the ministry, Abiola Awonuga said the gesture is to encourage the sports officers, whom she described as ‘foot soldiers’, to discharge their duties efficiently.

“Your duty is to go to the grassroots to discover those hidden talents that are still young, because the younger they are the better. It is in line with the determination of this administration to return to the grassroots and discover talents that will bring the country back to its glory days in sports.

“When these athletes are discovered, we have machinery in place to monitor and

will also be giving out modems so that you will also be sending on the sport information that will help us plan ahead,” she said.

Awonuga further charged the sports officers to forward their programmes so that the Ministry could push for sponsorship, adding the society has philanthropies, who want to spend their money on meaningful projects but don’t know how.

“I want to commend the chairman of Mainland Council for his co-operation so far, and I want to recommend that he should be given an award soon to encourage others. There people in the society, who have money but don’t know where to put the money. The future of sports in the state and Nigeria in general lies in your hands, so I hope you take this challenge seriously so that we can together develop Nigeria sports,” she said.

Founder, Kanu Heart Foundation (KHF), Nwankwo Kanu (left), KHF Director, Onyebuchi Abia (right), 13-year-old Uchenna Njoku (sitting second left) and his mother, Mrs. Philomena Njoku at the presentation of traveling documents to the Njokus for Uchenna’s heart surgery in India sponsored by KHF. PHOTO: FEMI ADEBERSIN-KUTI.

dominant forces at the ongoing four-day senior National Judo Tournament, a baby of the Nigeria Judo Federation (NJF).

The Judo tourney, holding inside the indoor sports hall of the Obafemi Awolowo stadium, Ibadan, was yesterday declared open by the NJF President, Prince Timothy Nzirim, who urged participants to give their best and exhibit spirit of fair-play during the tourney.

Among the exciting talents at the tournament is Maxwell Mathew, superheavyweight and corporal in the 82nd Division of the Nigeria Army, Enugu.

Mathew, who won a gold medal at the Nigeria Military Games in Kaduna, justified his high rating with his dexterity in the ring. speaking after one of his bouts, the army corporal said he was confident of winning gold in the superheavyweight category, which is -+100kg, and also doing the nation proud at the African Judo Championship slated for Benin Republic later this month, as well as, the inter-

national championship scheduled for Brazil in early August.

Also speaking on the tourney, the NJF Media Committee Chairman, suleiman Aliyu Ahmed, described the turnout as encouraging despite the short notice given to athletes.

“The number and caliber of judokas and board members we have here indicate that the future of judo in Nigeria would be brighter.

This tourney is already a successful one, and I must say that Ibadan is such a good venue for this tournament when talking of security and facilities. Everybody feels elated and secured to come here for this tourney,” said.

He added that Nigeria that was once ranked ninth in the world after winning medals in all major Judo championships at international level, is now among the bottom-liners when in the International Judo Federation’s ranking, “and that is why the NJF has resolved to apply a pragmatic approach to development of the game in the country.”

FIFA Confederations Cup final breaks TV records HE final of the FIFA T Confederations Cup attracted the largest sports television audience of the year in Brazil and topped 2013 television viewing figures in spain, rounding off the most popular Confederations Cup on record in broadcast terms.

The tournament has set new viewing records in key markets from the group stages to the final, cementing its position as a major event in the global sporting calendar and giving a clear indication of the demand broadcasters can expect for coverage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil.

The average television audience for matches at this year’s FIFA Confederations Cup competition across key markets was more than 50 per cent higher than in 2009.

Over 69.3 million tuned in to

the 2013 final across ten key markets such as Germany, France, the United states and China, more than 11 million higher than the audience for the final of the 2009 tournament in south Africa in those markets.

Forty-two million Brazilians watched the final between Brazil and spain live – nearly 50 per cent more than the Brazilian audience for the final of the 2010 FIFA World Cup south Africa – with 36.7 million turning on coverage on TV Globo, and Bandeirantes drawing in a further 5.3 million viewers.

In spain, 10.7 million enjoyed the game on Telecinco – the biggest audience for any programme on spanish television this year and an eye-catching result, given the late-night timing of the broadcast in spain.

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, July 5, 2013

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Heroes Of Love for football brought me back Born February 16, 1962, former international, James Etokebe, was a prominent name in Nigerian football in the 1980s. A schoolboy star, he rose from the academicals to become a regular in the Green Eagles, dazzling the football fans with his left foot. He played for top Nigerian clubs like Calabar Rovers, Leventis United and Iwuanyanwu Nationale before travelling to Norway in 1990 to join Njongalel FC. Though his career ended abruptly in 1996 due to injury, he told ADEYINKA ADEDIPE recently that he was grateful for the opportunity he had to play for Nigeria.

O former international, James Etokebe, T football is life. From a tender age, he took interest in the round leather game despite his father’s opposition. But despite his parents’ opposition to his love for football, he made good use of every opportunity he had whenever he was in school. There, he came to his own while playing with his peers during free periods. The break time also gave him another chance to exhibit his skills.

Etokebe rose from that humble beginning to become one of the most skillful left-wingers in the history of Nigerian football, playing alongside and against some of the best players in Africa and beyond. Despite his small frame, he stood out on the field with his dribble runs and was likened to some of the game’s greats like Pele. But the accolades he got did not get into his head, as he was determined to work his way to the pinnacle of his career.

Etokebe’s first contact with football was at St Ann’s Catholic School in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State. In the school, he enjoyed playing the rubber ball, popularly called felele, with his peers. The inter class championship was a special event for him and he soon found his way into the junior team of the school, owing to his good displays in the inter class competition.

Once in the school’s junior team, the dazzling winger, who started out as a defender, became the toast of other players, as he treated them to eye-catching football artistry. From there, he was promoted to the senior team in primary four where he played alongside the late Uwem Ekarika, Etido Inyang and Joseph John.

His exploits caught the attention of the state academicals handler, Coach Enyeama (father of Super Eagles goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama), who drafted him into the state’s under 13 team Etokebe from where he was invited to the South Eastern team that participated in a championship In 1975, Etokebe left St Ann’s Catholic School involving Rivers, Mid Western, and North and got admission into the Apostolic Church Western states, among others.

Secondary School, Ikot Oku Nsit, Etinan, where Though his team did not win the competihe continued his rise in the game. It was not tion, Etokebe gained a lot from taking part in just football for the 1984 Nations Cup silver the tournament. “I started football with an Umedallist, as he also excelled in his studies. At 13 team in 1975 then in the South Eastern State that time parents emphasized the need to after representing my state at the national Ustudy hard because football was not regarded 13 championship at age 12. as a lifelong profession.

“At the national championship, I played At the Apostolic School, he moved into the against the likes of Benjamin Nzeakor, David junior team in his form one and was proNgodigha and Richard Owubokiri. That was moted to the school team when he got to form also the first time I was playing with a boot two. Even with the seniors, the petit Etokebe and it was a very nice experience. We also had distinguished himself and from there he the opportunity to train during holidays and joined a team called Kofine. we were paid N3 per day. We were exempted He said: “I learnt a lot playing among my senfrom labour, as we trained during this peiors and I progressed quicker than some of my riod,” he said.

mates. I warmed myself into the hearts of other players with my level of dedication and my work rate, which made it easy for me to blend with the rest of the team.”

In 1977, Etokebe was selected to represent the state at the National Sports Festival (NSF), tagged Kaduna ’77, in the intermediate class.

He was the youngest player in the team and so two years later, he went to Oluyole ’79 also as an intermediate player. After that, he graduated to the senior cadre at Bendel ’81 edition of the festival.

“Competing in the National Sports Festival (NSF) was also part of the learning process for me. I was the youngest player in my team in 1977, but I was not afraid to take on the opposition and this endeared me to fans and other players.”

While at Kofine, Etokobe played against some of players he idolised. His team once played against Vasco Da Gama, which had former Director for Sports at the National Sports Commission, Patrick Ekeji, as one of its stars. He also played against Calabar Rovers, a club he would later join. With Kofine, the former international, won the Chronicle Cup three years in a row (1979, 1980 and 1981), and in his final year (1981) in secondary school he started playing for Rovers.

That same year he was invited to the junior national team, the Flying Eagles, an experience, he says, he would forever relish. He recounts: “Getting invited to the team the same year I was leaving secondary school brought me into national reckoning. At the camp, I met the Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, Franklin Howard, Henry Nwosu, Kenneth Boardman, Bala Alli, Mike Ekpeyong and many others.

“It was easy playing with these players because I had started playing with my seniors while still in the junior class in secondary school. That really prepared me for the greater task ahead.

Though, I didn’t make the team, which crashed out to Cameroun in the final round of the qualifiers, it was good being in the national team set up. It was a big deal training with the national team because I went back to my state with new kits, hoping that I would get another chance to play to the national team,” he added.

Etokebe says his greatest joy in joining the national team was because a coach had told him that no Calabar man had played for the national team before then. Back at Rovers, he worked with a Brazillian coach, Paulo Campos, who taught the team how to play the passing game called jogo bonito.

According to Etokebe, the Brazillian coach dropped all the players that could not save the team from being relegated to the second division and placed his faith in the hands of enterprising young players, who were fresh from the secondary school.

The efforts of Campos yielded immediate result as the team bounced back to the first division where Etokebe and his colleagues had the opportunity of playing against the top teams.

Playing against the likes of Christian Chukwu, Aloysius Atuegbu and Boardman was a new and exciting experience for Etokebe. He shone brightly against Rangers, as he took on the entire backline to the admiration of the fans.

“I was happy playing against Chukwu and his colleagues, who had just won the Africa Nations Cup in 1980. These were players we were dying to meet and touch. So, playing against them was a dream come true. I also played against some other established stars like Adokie Amiesiamaka and Ismaila Mambo.”

The young Rovers finished seventh in the league in 1982, but the next season brought Etokebe his first silverware in the professional rank when Calabar Rovers defeated Abiola Babes to win the bronze medal in the Challenge Cup. He remembers with nostalgia: “It was really a joyous moment for us, the whole team was happy to have won its first silverware a year after gaining promotion to the first division and beating a top side like Abiola Babes.”

His performance caught the attention of the Green Eagles coaches and he was invited to the National team for the qualifiers of the African Nations Cup in 1984 under Coach Adegboye Onigbinde. He was also recruited into the famed Leventis United team that stormed the football scene in the 80’s.

Despite playing abroad, Etokebe confesses that Leventis United of Ibadan was the best club he ever played for. “Leventis United was the best club I ever played for. If we had Leventis United up till now, it would have become a model team like Manchester United, Arsenal, Barcelona and some of the other clubs in Eu-

57

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, July 5, 2013

School Sports to the country, says Etokebe rope. Leventis United was like a national team then because we had ex-internationals, as well as junior and senior international players in the team.

“The General Manager of the team, John Mastoroudes, was our mentor. He remains the best soccer administrator I have ever worked with because he knew the problems of players and he addressed them promptly and professionally. The only truly professional club we have ever had in Nigeria remains Leventis United,” he submits. “All the players had cars, every player was well taken care of and even our families benefitted from our welfare package,” he added.

Despite being in the lower division, Leventis United won the 1984 Challenge Cup and Etokebe described their semi final clash against New Nigeria Bank as the most difficult game he played in his career. NNB had Keshi, Henry Nwosu, Samson Ozogula, Bright Omokaro, Humphrey Edobor, Sunday Eboigbe, and Austin Popo with Willy Agbonavbare as the goalkeeper. All these stars were national team players.

However, early in the game, Etokebe was able to dispossess Omokaro of the ball to send a pullout to Bunmi Adigun, who scored the only goal of the match.

“We were confident before the final against Abiola Babes having beaten NNB in the semifinal and we eventually won the final game 1-0.

It was not a surprise to us because everybody in the team was determined and the environment was conducive to achieve the results. We also beat Rangers in the Charity Cup a week later to confirm our supremacy in Nigerian football.”

After making his debut for Nigeria in an Olympic qualifier in Casablanca, Morocco in 1984, alongside late goal king, Rashidi Yekini, he also made the final team to the African Nations Cup that lost 3-1 to Cameroun in the final.

The young Etokebe made an impression in the tournament with his dribble runs on the left flank.

“I was surprised that Coach Adegboye Onigbinde included me on the list for the final against Cameroun and I will remain grateful to him. Though, I was in good shape before the final because I was scoring with ease in training, Coach James Peters was skeptical about my inclusion but Onigbinde insisted. In the final game, I initiated the move, which resulted in our only goal scored by the late Muda Lawal.

“We played against a more experienced side, which had players like Theophile Abega, Roger Milla and the rest. We conceded two more goals after the equaliser but we were not disappointed after the game. We were all young with the late Lawal as the most experienced player in the team. We never knew we could get to the final. The loss to Cameroun was painful but many of us were not disappointed because we knew the calibre of players we played against.”

On gaining promotion with Leventis to the first division, Etokebe inspired his team to the league title alongside prominent players like Leotis Boateng, Abdulahi Alausa, Edward Ansah, Wole Odegbami, Friday Ekpo, the late Ekarika, Sam Pam, Adigun, Ayo Ogunlana, Fatai Yekini and Folorunsho Okenla. The team was, according to Etokebe, disbanded the following year after a shock defeat to Al Hilal of Sudan in a continental game.

He stated: “A game I will never forget was the quarter-final of the Champions Cup in 1987 against Al-Hilal of Sudan. We lost 1-2 in the first leg and drew 0-0 in Ibadan to crash out of the competition. This came as a shock to the management and the team was later disbanded at the end of the season despite winning the league. But I think the continental laurel was the target of the management, which was not achieved. We had a better team than the previ-

Etokebe (squatting fourth from right) with Leventis United Football Club ous years, but we couldn’t go beyond the semi final. We were confident that we would stop AlHilal, we never saw the team as a serious threat but it proved to be our undoing.

“My most memorable match is the Cup Winners Cup against a ASC Jeanne D’Arc of Senegal.

We won 1-0 in Ibadan and also 1-0 in Dakar while losing in the final of the Cup Winners Cup trophy in 1985 to Al Ahly of Egypt was the most painful.

“Expectation was high that we would win the Cup even though we lost 0-2 in Cairo in the first leg. We won 1-0 in Lagos, but it was not good enough. We lost due to inexperience as the team was still in the second division then.”

After Leventis Football Club was disbanded, Etokebe joined Iwuanyanwu Nationale in 1988 alongside Friday Ekpo, Andrew Uwe, Edward Ansah, Ekarika and the Naze Warriors also lost in the final of the then Champions Cup that year to Entente Setif of Algeria.

His stay with Nationale was short citing lack of motivation for his decision to leave. He returned to Calabar Rovers in 1989 from where he joined Norwegian club, Njongalel FC in 1990 until 1996 when he stopped active football due to injury.

During his playing days in Norway, he studied Building and Construction Engineering at the Trammen Engineering High School, an equivalent of a polytechnic in Nigeria. While working as an engineer in Norway, he returned to football where he obtained his UEFA C and also did refereeing course grade three.

While on holiday in Nigeria in 2010, he got an offer from the state government to join Akwa United where he is now the chief coach of the team under the technical adviser, Justin Tenger. He is, however, pained that the standard of football has fallen compared to his playing days.

“A lot of things have changed for the worse in Nigerian football. Politics and favouritism have been introduced into football, which was not so during our time. The glamour has gone and it is better for the authorities to take football back to the schools if we hope to stem the ugly trend. There was no way a player could be over age during our days because we all came from the schools and had records. But now players, whose records are in doubt, are picked for the youth teams. The glamour attached to the FA Cup has gone and I will want the authorities to do something about it,” he added.

Etokebe submits that Nigerian football will develop if sports competitions are encouraged again in schools.

Leventis United Football line up before

A game I will never forget was the quarter-final of the Champions Cup in 1987 against Al-Hilal of Sudan. We lost 1-2 in the first leg and drew 0-0 in Ibadan to crash out of the competition. This came as a shock to the management and the team was later disbanded at the end of the season despite winning the league. I think the continental laurel was the target of the management, which we could not achieve. We had a better team than the previous years, but we couldn’t go beyond the semi final. We were confident that we would stop Al-Hilal, we never saw the team as a serious threat but it proved to be our undoing

Etokebe (left) at the Calabar Carnival

THE GUARDIAN, Friday, July 5, 2013

58

SchoolSports Nestle pledges support for sports development Stories by Olalekan Okusan

• Milo basketball tourney enters crucial stage

N more than a decade, Nestle Nigeria Plc has kept faith with the sponsorship of the yearly Milo Secondary School Basketball Championship and the tournament has produced most of Nigeria’s top players.

As the 15th edition of the competition enters crucial stage, the Managing Director and Chief Executive of Nestlé Nigeria Plc, Dharnesh Gordhon has once again pledged the company’s commitment to the tournament as well as the overall support for sports development.

In his remarks at the press briefing to herald the kick off of the 15th edition holding at the Indoor Hall of the National Stadium in Lagos, Gordhon said it was the belief that sports serves as a suitable platform for youths to imbibe virtues has been the motivating factor behind their commitment.

“As part of its commitment to nutrition, health and wellness, Nestlé is pleased to be one of the major private sector contributors to the development of sports in Nigeria.

“We firmly believe that sports is a wonderful platform for our youths to learn important values such as honesty, teamwork, fair play, respect, adherence to rules, discipline, perseverance, resilience and a strong sense of purpose.

“Dealing with competition, coping with winning and losing, building courage and striving towards sport equips young people with important soft skills that are not easily learnt in the classroom,” Gordhon said.

For him, the tournament would continue to champion youth sports in Nigeria.

He added, “Nestlé Milo has been championing youth sports in Nigeria for many years. The annual Nestlé Milo Secondary Schools Basketball

Championship now in its 15th year continues to blaze the trail in creating a platform for Nigerian youths to express their sporting talents and showcase their basketball skills.

“We are proud that the Nestlé Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championship has been able to engage young sporting talents across Nigeria. The Championship has continued not only to expose and harness the enormous potential of our youth, but also nurture our basketball players into national sports heroes.”

Listing some of the achievements of the tournament such as Chukwudiebere Maduabum, who currently plays for Denver Nuggets in the American NBA; Olumide Oyedeji, the team captain of the Nigerian Basketball team to the 2012 London Olympics, while 2012 champion, General Murtala Mohammed College, Yola, Adamawa State competed and won the Youth Fit Africa U-17 tournament in South Africa.

“I would like to assure you that Nestlé Milo remains committed to the development of basketball in Nigeria.

We will continue to partner with the Nigerian Basketball Federation and other stakeholders to improve the quality of the game, raise the profile of basketball and instill on our youths, lifelong skills and values,” he assured.

With hundreds of schools of about 5700 students taking part in this year’s tournament, teams will be aiming for the final stage of the championship today.

Twelve teams from across the country battled for glory at the competition.

The participating schools for this year’s are St. Jude’s Girls Secondary School, Amarata, Bayelsa State;

I

Government Secondary School, Gboko, Benue State; Yejide Girls Secondary Grammar School, Ahmadiyya College, Kano; Westend Mixed Secondary School, Asaba, Delta State and Government Girls Day Secondary School, Gusau, Zamfara for the girls’ event.

The boys’ teams are International School, RSUST, Port Harcourt; Government Secondary School, Minna, Niger State; Adedokun International School, Otta, Ogun; International School, Lagos (ISL); Government College, Funtua, Katsina State and St. Joseph Secondary School, Makurdi, Benue State.

According to Category Business Manager, Milo, Doja Ekeruche, each team in the finals will get N200, 000 for featuring. The winners will go home with additional N150, 000, while the second and third-placed teams get N120, 000 and N100, 000 respectively.

“After the tournament, a special training camp will be held for players, who have distinguished themselves in the competition. Milo, in conjunction with Giants of Africa and some NBA players, will organise the Top 50 Camp from July 7 to 9,” Ekeruche said.

Players contest during the group match involving International School, Lagos (ISL) and Benue’s St. Joseph School, Markurdi at the Indoor Hall of the National Stadium in Lagos on Wednesday. ISL won 35-30 to berth in the last four of the tournament. PHOTO: FEMI ADEBESIN-KUTI

…Lagos’ ISL targets boys’ title WICE they settled for T bronze and being their fifth appearance at the yearly Milo Secondary School Basketball Championship, Lagos team – International School, Lagos (ISL) believes they will not miss out from clinching the title this year.

As at press time yesterday, ISL was yet to confirm their opponent in the boys’ semifinal stage after the Coach Ernest

Ijeoma-tutored side defeated Government College, Funtua, Katsina State and St. Joseph Secondary School, Makurdi, Benue State to qualify for the last four of the competition.

A confident Coach Ijeoma told The Guardian yesterday that they had done everything at their disposal to ensure that the trophy remains in Lagos.

“I think we are in this year’s tournament to right our wrong having qualified as one of best losers from the Western Conference. We were so unfortunate to have lost to Ogun at the zonal final but we are ready to ensure that we clinch the trophy this year,” he said.

For Ijeoma, their perform-

ance in Lagos must also be replicated at national level having dominated the game in the state in the last few years and won everything at stake.

“We have been winning series of laurels in Lagos but it will only be good if we can add the national diadem to it.

Although, we had not played in the final of the Milo championship before but I am sure that if we can scale the semifinal hurdle, we will surely be unstoppable in the final,” he added.

He, however, lauded the management of Nestle Nigeria Plc for their unrelenting support to the game especially at ensuring that school sports continue to thrive.

“I want Nestle to know that their efforts have not been a waste because a lot of players have come through the tournament and have also gone ahead to represent the country at major international competitions. For us as coaches in school, this competition has kept us busy and made us to be active in our various schools.

Without this competition some of the players and coaches will not have opportunity to showcase themselves to the national teams,” he explained.

Ijeoma was not also happy that despite the efforts by schools, most state ministries of education and sports have not been supporting the teams in terms of providing facilities.

Golden Bunch School organises 10th anniversary novelty match th

S part of its 10 anniversary A programme, the management of Golden Bunch School,

Sponsor and The Asiwaju of Ilawe-Ekiti, Chief Kola Akomolede (left) with captain of United High School, Ilawe Ekiti and Chief (Mrs.) Abike Akomolede during the finale of the Asiwaju Inter-School Cup…recently

Lagos is staging a novelty football between the two campuses of the institution.

The tournament is scheduled to hold on Wednesday July 10 at the University of Lagos Sports Complex and it will involve the Okota and Yaba school teams.

The tournament will afford the students the opportunity

to display their skills, as well as, win the heart of the school game masters, who might be using the competition to assemble a standing team for the school.

To cheer the teams, parents and guardians are expected to grace the event in their sports attires.

According to the schedule of event lined up for the twoweek anniversary, the occasion

will be kick-started on Sunday July 7,with a thanksgiving service, while other activities line up for the celebration include parents aerobics/fun day, inter school reading, spelling and debate competition.

The climax of the anniversary will hold on Thursday July 18 with graduation and cultural day holding at Event Hall at Railway Compound in Ebute Metta.

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The GUARDIAn, Friday, July 5, 2013

GolfWeekly Five Nigerian kids return to world stage at US Junior World Championship hen the 2013 United W States (US) Junior World Championship tees off at

Anita Uwadia …during a past tournament

100 from five countries vie for honours at Ojerinde Memorial Championships Stories by Eno-Abasi Sunday TOTAL of 111golfers made up A of 94 professionals and 17 Category One amateurs, Wednesday began glory hunt at the 2013 Dr (MRS) Odusola Ojerinde Memorial Golf Championship, which teed off at the Otukpo Golf and Country Club, Otukpo, Benue S t a t e .

The field consists of one player from Côte d’Ivoire, Richard Kokou; four Camerounians including Desire ebela, Tata Leslie, Isah Larey and another; Gabonese número uno, Brice Moukani and a host dual tour card carrying Ghanaians led by emos Korblah, the tournament’s defending champion.

Interestingly, while Korblah’s score card read level par at the end of the first round, Ivorien Kokou, who is making his maiden outing at the tourney, returned to the club house pitched atop the leaderboard with a score of -3 After yesterday’s round, only 40 of the 94 pros made the cut thereby launching themselves

into the group that would share in the n10m winning purse which the championship boasts.

Speaking to The Guardian at the end of Round One, Secretary of the Professional Golfers’ Association of nigeria (PGAn), Olajide Lamidi said since it was still early day, the pros were all making conscious efforts to make the cut before thinking about win-

ning the tournament. he described the atmosphere as clement enough for any serious-minded player to play good golf and walk away with something reasonable that would be enough reward for efforts but in as well as take care of his travel and accommodation expense.

Former PGAn Order of Merit leader, Oche Odoh, who ended his first 18 holes with a

+2, said he was focused on having a great round while allowing things to play themselves out.

“I am going in there to play my best golf and see what comes out at the end of the day. The course may not have been in fantastic condition, but it definitely played well.

The greens were not spot on during the first round, but they were in good enough

condition for anyone to have a good round, but with the heavy rains after that round, I hope it remains that way or even better.

The championship ends on Sunday and the outcome will have a direct effect on the top two placed nigerian players on the Order of Merit, who are hoping to represent nigeria at the World Cup of Golf qualifiers, if nigeria has the opportunity to do so.

FGDC plans business trip to South Africa alcon Golf Development Frevealed Company (FGDC) has plans to stage a Falcon Interclub Matchplay for amateur players in the country.

The competition whose first edition has been scheduled to hold in South Africa, between September 17th to 24th, the organization said is not just a golf tournament, but a golfbusiness-trip of some sort.

According to Chief executive Officer (CeO) of FGDC, Remi Olukoya, the first edition of the competition is expected to feature over 100 players drawn from Ikoyi Club 1938, Ikeja Golf Club, IBB Golf and Country Club, Abuja while Port harcourt and Akwa Ibom will present a joint team.

In all, about 30-players are expected from each club and would play in a round robbin

format, which includes single matchplays and doubles as well.

The competition, has been sanctioned by the South Africa high Commission in nigeria.

Olukoya said the competition will change the face of amateur golf in nigeria adding that other golfers who want to witness the event also have the opportunity of doing so.

“We have arrangement in

place to accommodate golfers who can’t make it by qualifying from the clubs. All they have to do is tell us their intentions and we will accommodate them,” Olukoya explained further.

The competition, which is going to be an annual event, is aimed at uniting the country through golf tourism and open doors to nigeria businessmen looking for such opportunities in South Africa.

Torrey Pines Club and Resort, San Diego, California, United States, nigerian would be represented by five junior players, who earlier on had qualified for the event.

Four of the kids including Tokunbo Pedro, Anita Uwadia, Georgia Oboh and Jordan Thompson are already in the States practicing for the tourney while Miss Diana Osmond will jet out next week.

It is the second time in two moths that nigerian kids are filling out on international stage having participated last month in the U.S. Kids european Golf Championships in Gullane, Scotland.

Last year, former deputy governor of Lagos State, Femi Pedro, and parents of Anita Uwadia, with support from Ikoyi Club 1938, had sponsored their wards, Tokunbo and Anita to the British Junior Open in Fairhavens, Golf Club, Lytham St. Annes, Lancashire, where Tokunbo finished 25th in a field of 170 kids at the end of the 3-day tourney.

Thompson won in the ages 910 category, Oboh, 11-12 category and 15-year-old Osmondin her category at the Kids Golf International (KGI)-organised African championship at the IBB Golf and Country Club, Abuja.

Mrs Uwadia, who travelled out with her ward a few days ago, appreciated the efforts of former Osun State governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, whom she said facilitated the registration of the kids for the event as well as took responsibility for their accommodation.

At the Scotland event, both Oboh and Uwadia finished fourth in their respective categories.

While Uwadia could not stay for the Van horn Cup due to previous travel arrangements, Oboh, a former British kid champion, with her fourth place finish qualified as one of the best two international players in her category to play against the best two players from Western europe in a match play for the Van horn Cup. The international team won the Van horn Cup and for the first time in the history of the Cup being played in the last six years.

And as a member of the International team, she bagged a green status, which gives her automatic entry to all of US Kids 2013 tourneys all over the world.

During the closing ceremony, the Founder of U.S. Kids Mr. Dan Van horn commended the efforts of the Kids Golf International and the nigerian team for the progress they have made in just two years of attending event.

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Friday, July 5, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

By Ahmed, Razak Oluwasanjo

ENERALLY, youths are called leaders of G tomorrow. It is believed that considering their strength, creativity, potentials and their tendencies not only will they outlive today’s leaders they will outshine them. Youths are the pillars upon which a nation’s future is built.

This group of young people with great potentials will be great assets to any nation if their energies and creativity are tapped and utilised.

On the other hand, considering their large population, strength and exuberance they could pose a great threat to a nation if their empowerment is neglected. Statistics show that Nigeria has about 23 per cent unemployed who are predominantly youths, and that our country tops the chart of countries with highest children out of school, according UNESCO. Why call youth future leaders when their today is taken for granted? What are leaders of today doing to improve their lives for them to be leaders tomorrow?

It is surprising that in this part of the world very little or no effort is committed to the youth to bring the best out of them as future leaders.

It is a fundamental question from the Nigerian youth which has spurred me to look into youth empowerment and how various stakeholders (parents, the youth, government) can work together to bring about improvement in the lives of young people in Nigeria and create a conducive atmosphere for the realization of their dreams and aspirations, which in the long run will create in them a sense of responsibility, patriotic spirit and a yearning to serve their fatherland with love, strength and faith.

Youth empowerment means different things to different people. In Nigeria it is mostly illdefined and wrongly perceived by parents, the youth themselves and the government. Parents as major stakeholders often perceive youth empowerment as the sole responsibility of the government. The youth themselves neglect selfdevelopment and empowerment, wholly depending on white-collar jobs; while the government sees youth empowerment as an avenue to initiate policies and programmes although the programmes make little impact on their lives because they are soon hijacked by corrupt government officials for self-aggrandisement.

Youth empowerment simply means all positive efforts are taken deliberately towards

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Youth empowerment improving the lives of young people; efforts channeled towards developing the capacities of young ones to draw out the best out of them, bearing in mind that they are truly leaders of tomorrow. It embeds efforts from parents, youth and the government to develop young people attitudinally and creating conducive atmosphere for realisation of aspirations which will translate into reduction in youth unemployment, criminality, human capital flight and above all national development. Bearing in mind the benefits of youth empowerment and the adverse effect of its neglect, greater commitment is called for on the part of all stakeholders.

Parents are heads of families; a family is the smallest unit in a society. Families are blocks that make up the structure of a society. This is the very first place a child has contact with, it is where characters are moulded, attitudes are formed and discipline inculcated through good upbringing.

It is upbringing which forms the right basis for other empowerment. Most social vices perpetrated by youth today are a consequence of parental failure to train their children and set good examples in conduct.

Good parenting goes beyond providing food, clothes and sending children to school. It is the foundation upon which other empowerment efforts, either from individuals, the youth or government, are built.

Train up a child in the way he should go, is an injunction. However, it is a sickening fact that many parents send their children to special examination centres, buy results for them, bribe for admission instead of

teaching and inculcating in them selfreliance, honesty, integrity, hard work and diligence. I say this without fear of contradiction: No youth from a good family will ever compromise to pass examination, bribe to gain admission, or pay N350,000 to get a federal civil service job. Good parenting empowers a youth with basic ability to face challenges and overcome them.

Youths as stakeholders in youth empowerment have a lot to do to complement efforts from parents and the government. We should not be carried away by exuberance and the saying that we are leaders of tomorrow. Leadership is earned. We need to change our poor attitude toward selfimprovement and personal empowerment.

Many youths these days spend more time on social networks chatting while their education suffers. Many graduates also do nothing to improve their own lives after school, feeling that being graduates automatically qualifies them for well-paying jobs in federal civil service, NNPC or other blue chip companies.

I expect young graduates to ask themselves these questions: what is wrong in acquiring entrepreneurial skills that can make them self-employed? Aside being a graduate what else can I do to improve my life without having to brandish my certificate? Our nation today is demanding what one can offer not the certificate. We need to face reality. No government in the world can meet the employment needs of its citizenry 100 per cent, and how much less the Nigerian government bedeviled with corruption and leadership problems. Having this in mind will help us as youth to add value to our lives,

to attract values and also embrace selfimprovement and personal empowerment for self-reliance to take our destinies in our hands.

Government, as the machinery of the state for policy formulation and implementation, has a great responsibility in ensuring the youths are empowered. It is no news that whether in the past or now government often uses youth empowerment programmes as avenues to enrich few Nigerians and the mass of the youths for whom they are intended do not benefit directly or indirectly from them.

Youth unemployment has been on the increase as Nigeria’s higher institutions continue to turn out graduates yearly without an expansive, vibrant and formidable labour market to accommodate them. This explains reasons why many a frustrated youth resorts to criminal acts for survival since the government is ready to negotiate with any group of criminals in the name of democracy and for the sake of pretended peace. Youth empowerment is a veritable way of government controlling crime and maintaining peace in a nation. With empowerment the population of jobless youths is naturally reduced.

With Nigeria currently topping the world ranking among countries with the highest number of children out of school, a clear picture of the future of our future leaders emerges and so the need for the government to take drastic actions to tackle the situation. I will suggest that government embark on serious reforms to make our educational sector more effective and efficient. Recruitment of quality teachers with concomitant adequate remuneration, facilities needed for practical studies of science, are imperatives. Schools should also be spread to rural areas and the less privileged. Entrepreneurship and vocational training should form a part of educational curriculum. National Youth Service Corps should be compulsory one year of entrepreneurship training and skill acquisition.

The recent laudable collaborative efforts of some patriotic youths with the Joint Task Force officers in crisis infested areas in the North points to great potentials we have in the Nigerian youths across the 36 states.

Youth empowerment will indeed be a good strategy and tool to tackling crimes, ensuring peace and stability, and harnessing youth tal-

Nigerian universities and information management

By Efionayi Aibuedefe Osaro

COUPLE of weeks ago, a friend called to A express his disappointment, displeasure and frustration on his inability to write his carryover courses. As if that was not enough trouble already, his wife in the same institution came home with the same story. They both became aware of the examinations shortly after the exams were already written. My friend, in this state of confusion, went to the department to vent his anger and frustration and was clearly told there was nothing they could do about it. Expecting a word of hope and encouragement he called me for consolations.

While we might be quick to assume they were unserious or probably engrossed in their new found love to the extent that their academics pursuit makes little or no meaning to them or that they forgot anything and everything that pertained to their post-graduate programme in an attempt to celebrate their marriage ecstasy, a little background tips to the circumstance of the event might just be helpful.

The institution advertised for the sale of the post-graduate programme (PGD) in 2008, industrial strike coupled with other administrative issues forestalled the commencement of the programme until 2010; the course duration according to the school calendar was a nine months programme. The three semester programme was finally completed in November 2011 with students not having the opportunity to see any of the semester results.

In May, 2013, when the current set of students had about two weeks to commence their last semester exams, the three semes-

ter results were released with a number of students failing their first semester courses. To the institution, pasting exam time-table and result on the notice board was enough notice to all the students irrespective of their location. It is assumed that it is now their responsibilities to check and then prepare to re-write any failed courses.

As expected in such circumstances only a handful of students within the state and environs were able to check and subsequently made attempts to reseat courses they failed. Many only discovered that they failed some first semester courses while they were writing the last semester examination.

In an attempt to salvage the situation another examination was organised by the institution in last month, (June 2013), for students who failed first, second and third semester examinations,

again the notice was placed on the board and deemed enough information for students. Again not many were aware and available for the exam as was the case of my friend.

This write-up is a clarion call to our educational Institutions to embrace new wave and trend in technology. As a reference point, students are made to fill various kinds of forms on admission, provisions are made for phone calls and email addresses. The purpose of these details is to reach students with ease.

I believe that with a minimal cost our higher institutions can use students’ email addresses to pass vital information to them, as in this case informing them of their exams. Students will well appreciate it even if they have to pay for it on their final clearance. However, this should not been seen as an opportunity to exploit students. Bulk SMS would

The YOUTHSPEAK Column which is published daily is an initiative of THE GUARDIAN, and powered by RISE NETWORKS, Nigeria’s Leading Youth Development Centre, as a substantial advocacy platform available for ALL Nigerian Youth to engage Leadership at all levels, engage Society and contribute to National Discourse on diverse issues especially those that are peculiar to Nigeria. Regarding submission of articles, we welcome writers‘ contributions by way of well crafted, analytical and thought provoking opinion pieces that are concise, topical and non-defamatory! All articles (which are not expected to be more than 2000 words) should be sent to editorial@risenetworks.org To read the online Version of this same article plus past publications and to find out more about Youth Speak, please visit www.risenetworks.org/youthspeak and join the ongoing National Conversations’’.

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have also gone a long way to saving students the frustration of traveling to school only to discover that exams had been concluded a week or two back.

In the banking industry, for instance, it has become a trend in the industry that as soon as transactions take place in a customer’s account alert is sent, most times almost immediately with the teller not performing any other task beyond his regular function of crediting or debiting the account. The SMS is system generated.

Our educational institution can borrow a leaf from the banking industry, by first collating the data base of students, and then possibly segment them into sessions and courses for ease of reference. That way, disseminating vital information becomes a click of the button, with the aid of relevant tools.

In this era of information technology our educational institutions should maximize its use, to save them the embarrassment of printing an unused examination question papers. It could be viewed as a system failure when exams are set; personnel are deployed yet fewer than 50 per cent of the students are not available because they were not able to check the school notice board to be aware of the examinations.

Finally, it is a disservice to self to disassociate from social networks and networking. Regular conversation through these social networks might have saved the couple the frustration and dilemma they are in right now. Who would you have crucified, the institution, the couple or their friends? Let’s save ourselves the stress by maximising assets at our disposal.