Sun 24 Mar 2013 The Guardian Nigeria

S U n D a Y

E D i T i O n TRIBUTE 10

COVER 69

TRIBUTE 7

Presidency In Search Of Right Steps

Voices Alimosho: From Dividends Achebe’s Of Fashola’s Kindred Democracy

CITYFILE 12

What You Did Not Know About Obadare

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Sunday, march 24, 2013

Vol. 29, no. 12,105

n300

www.ngrguardiannews.com

ACHEBE: We are Still in Shock, Say relatives • UNN Declares Mourning • Literary Icon Immortal, — Minister From Chijioke Iremeka (Ogidi) and Wole Sadare (Lagos) hE Ogidi community, in T idemili north Local Government area of anambra State, was in a bawling mood yesterday as news of Professor Chinua achebe’s death settled permanently.

The literary icon died Thursday, march 21, at Boston, United States. heavy with prolonged weeping, some relatives of the foremost african writer, including his first cousins, Ernest achebe and Jane achebe, expressed “deep shock”, saying they got the news of his demise from the internet and the radio. most people in the community had not got the information when The Guardian visited achebe’s hometown.

Ernest, a retired teacher, said his death was “never expected at the time it came.

Jane, another cousin of the late literary icon, said: “Though everybody will die, it’s sad, CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

The New meets The Old: Pope Francis face to face with his predecessor, Benedict XV1 in a historic meeting between two men with very different styles but important core similarities…yesterday.

PHOTO: AFP OSSERVATORE ROMANO

Nigeria Earns N48.4tr From Oil In 12 Years

By Marcel Mbamalu (News Editor) hEmuch-touted oil curse in the land was brought to life once again, after official figures from the nigeria Bureau of Statistics (nBS) revealed the country has raked in about n51.50 trillion as proceeds from oil in the last 31 years, a stark contrast to the unsightly poverty that pervades the country. according to the report,

T

Concerns Over Infrastructure Decay, Wealth Management between 2000 and 2011, the country earned n48.40 trillion, as against n3.10 trillion it received between 1979 and 1999, as proceeds from oil.

The 11-year revenue of n48.40 trillion, going by the nation’s average budget strength (capital and recurrent) of over n4 trillion in the last six years, would comfortably fund 12

years of annual budgets, without any deficit (borrowing).

Further analyses show that, except for some evidence of volatility, revenue from the sector had maintained an upward swing, from n724.4 billion in 1999 to well over n4.4 trillion in 2007 and hitting n8.8 trillion in 2011.

But while the figures kept

jumping up, the colossal revenue had translated to little over the years in terms of infrastructure, a poser, which answer is linked to corruption and constraints in the shift towards a political class economy.

The modest efforts by the Finance ministry to cut down CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

NEWS 5

Imo Reels Under Impeachment Controversy

inEC notified Of aPC merger Only Five Days ago, Says Jega • Insists Parties Must First Hold Conventions From Saxone Akhaine, Northern Bureau Chief hairman of the C independent national Electoral Commission (inEC), Prof. attahiru Jega, yesterday, said the Commission only got official notification of the merger intention of the all Progressives Congress (aPC) five days ago. it also put to rest speculations that the Commission had registered a group with the acronym, aPC, to frustrate major opposition groups in the country.

Jega also turned down the idea of using electronic voting for the 2015 elections, saying it was against the spirit and letter of the Constitution.

Speaking on a live audience

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

TheGuardian

2 | Sunday, March 24, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Achebe Immortal, Says Minister CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 because I never knew it was going to be this quick. I have been moody since I got the news. We have lost a great man; but we thank God that he lived long and a fulfilled life…”

Meanwhile, University of Nigeria, Nsukka has declared that it is mourning Achebe’s death.

Achebe is closely linked to the institution, where he taught for many years after the Nigerian civil war of 1967-1970, serving as professor of literature, researcher and later director of the Institute of African Studies.

Following others to pay the late icon glowing tributes, Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah-Ogiewonyi, said the

news of Achebe’s death came to her as a rude shock, and maintained the death is “a reawakening to our mortality as human beings.”

She stated that, unlike other mortals, Achebe attained some immortality of sorts through his groundbreaking literary works.

Vice Chancellor of the UNN, Prof. Bartho Okolo, in a statement, said the institution “feels deep sadness and sense of immense loss the demise of a distinguished member of the UNN family, Prof Chinualumogu Albert Achebe.”

Okolo, the 13th Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, declared, “Prof Achebe was one of the academic titans, whose presence on the faculty

served as a beacon of light that drew the world to the University of Nigeria”.

He added, “After the epochal Things Fall Apart that gave a voice to African literature and its people, Achebe continued his pioneering endeavours with the founding of Okike, a foremost journal of African literature that birthed the careers of many a distinguished writer. His work in leading research into the cultures of the Igbo and various groups in the Institute of African Studies further cemented the reputation of the University of Nigeria as a centre for liberal learning in the best traditions.”

Speaking further on the legacy of the late author, the Vice Chancellor declared that

Chairman of Governing Council, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (left), Barr Dan Nwanyanwu, Chancellor and Rebuja of Osooro Land, Okitipupa, Oba Dr. Gbadebo Bajowa, and Visitor to the University and Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, during the academic procession at the 4th Convocation ceremony of AAUA, in Akungba-Akoko... at the weekend.

“Achebe, in his work, gave to the language, culture and people of Igbo land a universality that positioned it as one of the major ethnic groups of human civilisation.”

He said UNN commiserates with the Achebe family, “the global literary and academic communities and all mankind on the loss of our distinguished former faculty member.”

Flags in the university would fly at half-mast in honour of the departed “academic titan” adding that “UNN will unfold a programme to honour Achebe and would be privileged to partake in all activities aimed at honouring this truly distinguished giant and contributor to the human race.”

Oduah-Ogiewonyi, who is also from Anambra State as Achebe,

noted that, though, dead in body and flesh, the author lives forever not only in “our hearts and minds, but also in the literary sub-conscious of the entire world which read one piece from the iconic writer, and waited in bated breath for the next”.

“His last Epistle-”There was a Country” is the crowning of a glowing career in the Arts and Literature that will continue to captivate and inspire generations the world over.

“By his passing, Nigeria has lost a consummate patriot. To the world, a literary Colossus has fallen. But Nigeria and the world cannot be crestfallen by his death. His life and works remain not only a source of pride to all, but also a poignant indicator of the fertility of the

human imagination. Through his works of fiction, Achebe painted indelible portraits of the precariousness of the human existence, and brought meaning and reality to our daily lives”.

“As a fellow Anambrarian, the loss is personal and very affective. I am, however, lifted by the self-realisation that through his life, times and works, the map of Anambra state and indeed Nigeria, will forever be etched indelibly in the consciousness of the literary world. My deep condolences and prayers remain with members of his immediate family, the government and people of Anambra State as well as the entire literary community the world over.

Adieu, Prof”.

Former Director General, Due Process, Prof Kunle Adewahab (left); former Head of Service of the Federation, Steve Orasanye, Chairman Procucrment Professionals Association, Mr. Wahab Toye; and Director General, Bureau for Public Procurement, Emeka Ezeh, at the launching of the Association in Sheraton Abuja.

PHOTO: PHILIP OJISUA

Jega Insists Merging Parties Must Hold Conventions CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 participation Radio Nigeria Hausa programme, Hanu Dayawa, the INEC boss said that, despite the controversy trailing the purported registration of another APC, the Commission was yet to register any new party.

He added that what the Commission was doing at the moment is to screen those that approached it.

Prof. Jega said: “This issue has generated controversy in the past few weeks. Firstly, the truth is that no political party

wrote to notify us that it is planning to merge with some other political parties until the past five days or so.

“Therefore, it is not true that we were notified. The issue became serious when one group came out to seek for registration; and I guess that was what made the merging parties write and notify us. But that is not the issue.

The main issue is that there are guidelines for registered political parties, who want to merge to become a new party. There are also guidelines for individuals or groups who want to form a political party for registration.

“The guidelines for registering new political parties are different from that of registered political parties who want to merge. For registered political parties who want to merge, they must have agreed to merge and each of them must hold a convention and agree to withdraw their registration as a political party in order to become part of the new party to be formed through the merger.

“After their conventions, they are expected to write and request INEC to withdraw their former registration and say they want to join a new party. In spite of all the controversies, none of these political parties who want to merge has held their convention.

“We only read in the newspapers that they have the intension of merging and nobody wrote us until about five or six days ago. If anybody wants to register a political party, you are expected to tell INEC of your intention by saying that you want to register a party with so and so name and you want to know the procedure for doing so.

“Only one group came. The group asked one lawyer to write INEC saying they want to form a political party with a particular name and they want to know the rules and procedures for registration as a political party.

“If these other groups had done so, we would have replied them and tell them the rules and the procedures they are supposed to follow to be registered. So, the issue of whether we have collected the name of this other group and whether we have agreed to register them does not even arise because we just replied to their letter by telling them the procedure.

“While this was going on, some people started making noise saying that they wanted to merge with so, so name.

Some of them were even saying that we have registered the other group with that name. It is not done like that.

“People are just making noise over the name which is in the market while we have not even gotten to that stage. While all these noise were going on, another group came up seeking for registration with the same name.

“We have rules and guidelines for all this and we are determined to follow the rules to avoid any confusion. But we have not reached a stage where we can say a group has been registered with so, so name. So all these noise is just part of our politics in Nigeria.

“After we explained these to them, they wrote back insisting that they followed the guideline. But we have not screened them yet, because

the procedures are step by step.

“Except INEC comes out to announce that it has registered so and so party, all the bickering is unnecessary.

“We have written to them that a group has come to seek registration with that name and if they want us to look at their application, they will have to look for another name.

“If you want to register a company, before the company is registered, you will have to apply for a name which the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) will take some time to search. We don’t operate like this in INEC, but because of this controversy, we have learnt a lesson. I think, at the end of the

day, we will also adopt the same system to avoid this problem.

“We must operate according to the rules and we will work with anybody who fulfills the provisions of the law.

Somebody first came with the name and we have explained that we are already screening the person who first came with the name.

“So, if you want your application to be considered, go and change your name because it is not possible to register three groups with the same name.

We have not even reached the stage of registering any group.

When we get to that stage, we will take the appropriate decisions”.

Concerns Over Infrastructure Decay CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 on recurrent expenditure, notwithstanding, concerns are rife that the country’s current spending to maintain politicians, public office holders and civil servants is suffocating.

A professor of Political Economy and founder of the Centre for Values in Leadership (CVL), Pat Okedinachi Utomi, said corruption is at the root of this present contradiction.

According to him, “most of our monies are going to recurrent expenditure, travels

around the world by Senators, attending all kinds of seminars all over the world by senior civil servants rather than investing our revenue in infrastructure and capital expenditure.”

He regretted the activities of political and economic managers of the Nigerian state, who depend largely on oil proceeds.

“From Aso Rock to the National Assembly, the underlying motive for every political altercation is who really determines how the oil money is distributed,” he said.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

3

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

4

NEWSHIGHLIGHTS

Presidential Pardon: Jigawa MBA Berates Presidency

Maitama Sule Alive, Say Aide, Project Nigeria

From John Akubo, Dutse

By Gbenga Salau Amid reports of his demise, elder statesman, Maitama Sule, yesterday attended a book lunch in Kano.

An aide, who refuted the rumour in a telephone chat, said he was “hale and hearty.”

Specifically, he expressed shock over the online reports, saying that, while the news of Sule’s death was “flying around”, the Nigeria’s former United Nations Representative was attending an event in Kano.

According to the aide, Sule also visited the Emir of Kano, as reported in some national newspapers on Friday, won-

• Seek Prayers For ‘Rumour Mongers’ dering why people would spread such rumours of death without taking time to ascertain the truth.

Although he claimed that the elder statesman was right beside him as he spoke, the aide, however, turned down The Guardian’s request to speak directly to Sule.

According to him, “there is no need to talk to him; we have heard the rumour and it is all lies. Death is something that is inevitable, though it is bad that this rumour is being published but we would just pray for them.

NATIONAL “He would not even talk to the press because there is nothing new about it. You called and you have confirmed that he is alive; so, what is the need of having an interview with him?

“Is it just for him to say, ‘I am alive, I have not died’. It was even in the papers yesterday that he paid a visit to the Emir of Kano. So, people knew he is alive and kicking. If this thing happens, it is you, the press, that will first be informed about it.”

Also, President of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Alhaji Shettima Yerima, in a statement by Project Nigeria, refuted the reports, which dominated the social media yesterday.

The ACF said it conversed with the elder statesman “on Friday and Saturday” with Maitama Sule saying he is not just alive but hale and hearty and in very sound health.

“As we issue this statement now, Alhaji Maitama Sule is speaking at a lecture at the Bayero University, Kano, Kano State to prove that he is in good shape.

“We wish to thank all Nigeri-

ans, who showed concern about the wellbeing of the elder statesman and wish to assure them that Alhaji Maitama Sule will still be here to contribute his quota to the ongoing effort of Project Nigeria (National Consensus Group) to restructure Nigeria and make it a stable and prosperous polity for all.

“Lastly, we wish to advise those, who may have other motives in peddling this unsavoury rumour, to please desist forthwith, as we call on the security apparatus of the Nigerian state to be alert and vigilant towards the personal security of the elder statesman.”

Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga (left); Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Tunde Lemo; Wife of the Governor of Ogun State, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun and the Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, during the funeral service of Madam Olabisi Olayinka Philips at Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos.

Low Turnout At Bayelsa Council Election From Willie Etim, Yenagoa AYELSA voters showed unprecedented indifference at yesterday’s local government council elections with shocking low turnout in the eight council areas of the state.

The election, which was held to elect chairmen and 105 councillors, was shunned by majority of voters with open violation of the restriction to movement order issued by the state government.

Popular markets in the capital, including Opolo, Kpensia,

B

Tombia and Ekeki, were in full operation until armed policemen deployed forcefully closed them down and mounted roadblocks along major streets.

In most areas visited, few voters complained of disappearance of their names on the register, late arrival of electoral materials and non-availability of ad-hoc staff of the State Independent Electoral Commiss i o n .

In Nembe, Accord Party supporters complained of being disenfranchised with alleged

BAYELSA hoarding of sensitive voting materials needed in the 15 wards of the council and accused Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral John Jonah, of being the mastermind.

But the State Governor, Seriake Dickson, his Deputy Rear Admiral John Jonah, the State Commissioner for Information, Deacon Markson Fefegha, and the State Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Oson Macgbere,

argued that despite hiccups in conduct of the poll, the election was a huge success and was p e a c e f u l .

Governor Dickson, who voted in his hometown in Toruo-orua in Sagbama local government area of the state, commended the “massive” turnout and conduct of voters. He asked the opposition to accept the outcome of the election.

“They should accept it in good faith and know that there is always a second chance,” he said.

Rear Admiral John Jonah, after voting at about 1pm in Ward 3

in Nembe area, dismissed the claims of Accord Party supporters as “mischievous” and commended the peaceful disposition of the electorate.

According to Jonah, “prior to the election, detractors felt there would be violence but peace reigned in Nembe. The display by the people has re-energised our commitment to good governance and restoration for the state. We assure that the in-coming leadership at the council will replicate our tenets on good governance and accountability.”

Nigeria Still Among High TB Nations, Says Chukwu From Emeka Anuforo, Abuja HE number of tuberculosis (TB) cases in the country is on the increase despite efforts by government and other stakeholders, says Minister of Health, Onyebuchi Chukwu.

He said about 97, 799 TB cases were recorded in the last year (2012), noting that 83 per cent (81, 156) of these cases were tested for Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) with positivity rate of 26 per cent.

The minister spoke during an occasion to commemorate the 2013 World TB Day in Abuja yesterday.

Nigeria was still among 22

T

Unveils Key Milestones For 2012 high burden countries that contributed 80 per cent of the estimated 8.7 million new Tuberculosis (TB) cases globally in 2012. He revealed that, “a total of 190,000 new cases were estimated in the country in 2011, out of which 27,000 persons died.”

Chukwu lamented that the burden of TB in Nigeria is further worsened by challenges of HIV co-infection, drug-resistant TB and TB among children.

According to him, “the number of TB cases notified in the country has been on the in-

crease over the years with about 97,799 TB cases notified in 2012. 81,156 of these cases (83 per cent) were tested for HIV with positivity rate of 26 per cent.”

The Minister, however, reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to providing substantial human and financial resources to control TB in Nigeria and “forge new, strong partnerships to implement innovative strategies for the control of TB.” While calling on individuals and families to contribute to the fight against the disease,

NATIONAL he said: “You can contribute to TB control efforts by identifying and encouraging anyone who has cough of more than two week’s duration to go for TB screening and supporting those on TB treatment to complete their full course, which normally lasts six months.”

He noted that in an effort to improve quality of care of TB patients in the country, about 83 per cent of the patients were screened for HIV in 2012.

Chukwu regretted that, “one case of extremely drug resistant TB case has been diagnosed in Nigeria.” This,

according to him, “is a wakeup call for all of us to do all we can to prevent its spread.

“For the first time since the onset of MDR-TB, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved funds for the purchase of second line drugs for 500 drug resistant TB patients in Nigeria in the total sum of N297, 872,488.00 in 2012.

On key milestones of the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP), a fact sheet obtained by The Guardian from the ministry listed the following: Establishment of 200 free Acid Fast Bacilli microscopy laboratories in 2012;

HE Nigerian Bar Association T (NBA), Jigawa chapter, has berated the Presidency for not conferring with the Prerogative of Mercy Committee before making public list of persons pardoned.

The chairman of the Dutse branch of NBA, Adamu Turaki, who gave the indication in Dutse, said the Presidency goofed by granting pardon to persons who had been pardoned earlier.

He said the action indicates that the Presidency is not in tune with the record of all those who had been pardoned in earlier years.

“The other aspect of the pardon is the fact that certain people who were granted pardon earlier were again included in the list. I think there was a lacuna; and a very fundamental one. If the Federal Government had consulted with the Prerogative of Mercy Committee, that anomaly would have been a v e r t e d . ” On the controversial pardon granted Alamieyeseigha and Bulama, the chairman said the President, under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, specifically section 175, has the power to grant pardon to any person convicted of any criminal offence committed under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Continuing he added that the law does not stipulate restrictions on any category of offence for which pardon can be g i v e n .

“The third provision is for him to consult with the National Council of States in doing that.

But the irony in this case is that we are in a situation where the government is assumed to be fighting corruption. So, our view on the issue, specifically on the former Governor of Bayelsa State, is ill timed because you cannot claim to be fighting corruption and at the same time take action that raises doubt on your sincerity.”

Sapele Athletic Club Prepares For Centenary Celebration

By Joseph Onyekwere REPARATIONS for the centeP nary anniversary of the Sapele Athletic Club (SAC), Nigeria’s oldest premier club, are gathering momentum.

Already, the leadership of the club has set up committees for the epoch making event, slated for November 2013. These committees have the mandate to ensure that the celebration lives up to expectation.

Besides, the club is also opening up opportunities for sponsorship of the programme in different categories.

According to a statement endorsed by the chairman of the anniversary committee and secretary, Board of Trustees of the Club, Chief Faith Gbagi and Major General Patrick Aziza (rtd), respectively, there is urgent need to upgrade facilities in the club before the celebration takes place.

“Age has now caught up with all the sporting facilities and games sections as our founding expatriate fathers left them. There is now an urgent need to upgrade these aged and broken-down facilities by building a new swimming pool, do a decent fencing of the golf course and also develop other sporting sections. This is aimed at giving a new look to the club as we mark the 100 years centenary anniversary celebration,” the statement reads in part.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday March 24, 2013

NEWS

5

NEWS Nigeria, Others Tasked On MDGs, Industrialisation INTERNATIONAL From Kamal Tayo Oropo and Bola Olajuwon (both in Abidjan, Cote d’ Ivoire) ITH two years to the deadW line for achieving targets of the Millennium Develop-

Executive Consultant, Guardian Newspapers Limited, Yahaya Oyebanji Awosanya (left); Babatunde Jose Jnr; Widow of the former Chairman, Daily Times Plc, Alhaja Azeezat Omayone Jose; former Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Alhaji Oladimeji Otiti, and Mrs, Yosola Popoola during Alhaja Azeezat’s 75th birthday anniversary at Mayfair Garden Lekki, Lagos… yesterday.

PHOTO: OSENI YUSUF

Fraudulent SIM Cards: NCC Beams Searchlight On Service Providers From Lawrence Njoku (Enugu) and Chuks Collins (Awka) HORTLY after arresting a S28,young woman, Tope Sani, in Enugu and three other men in Awka for allegedly selling pre-registered Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards to end users without capturing their true bio-data as prescribed by law, the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) yesterday said it is investigating the level of collusion with relevant service providers.

A combined team of security operatives and field officers of the NCC, led by its South East Zonal Head of Enforcement, Mr. Efosa Idehen, arrested the

NATIONAL offenders and impounded two data-capturing machines in the process.

Before the Awka operation, Idehen had stated, in Enugu, that one other culprit, on getting wind of the operation, escaped to Anambra State, saying that officials of the Commission and security agents were already on his trail.

Hinting that the NCC “is beaming its searchlight on all network providers to find out the level of possible collusion with illegal SIM card sellers for necessary prosecution and sanctions,” Idehen said the

• Arrests Woman, Three Others In Enugu, Awka • Impounds Data Capturing Machines Commission had given a directive that “all subscriber Identification Module (SIM) card numbers in Nigeria must be registered before it becomes fully active “You are not supposed to receive call or dial out until those SIM cards have been fully registered so that the biometrics of whoever is having that SIM cards is captured in our data base.

“But somehow some of our people are smatter, they have decided to device a way of fraudulently registering SIM cards for sales. That means you

can go to the streets and still buy fully activated SIM cards and this has implications; that is people who want to do run can go buy those SIM cards and use them and its also messing up our data base because the true picture of subscribers are not captured in our data base.

Addressing journalists after raiding the offices of the suspects in Awka, Idehen disclosed that his surveillance/monitoring operatives had been on their trail for some time now. He said officers of the commission had

acted under cover as potential buyers of the pre-registered SIM cards and actually bought some before apprehending the suspects.

The suspects, according to him were using licensed coded machines assigned to two popular GSM network service providers — MTN and Etisalat — that were formally assigned to them for genuine SIM registration, for the nefarious deals.

Idehen stated that the Commission would continue to raid the registration centres round the country until they comply fully with the laws guiding the SIM registration and its operations.

ment Goals (MDGs), Nigeria and other African countries have been urged to step up the implementation of key objectives of the programme for betterment of the people and development of the continent.

The call comes as some experts and policy makers on the continent canvassed adoption of South Africa’s tested model to create synergies for industrial growth while also tasking governments to buy into frameworks, programmes and recommendations put forward by the African Union (AU) and its developing partners to accelerate the development of the continent in the next 50 years.

Ivoirian Special Adviser on Economic Development and Finance, Professor Lambert Bamba, urged African countries not to expect any of the industrialised country to transfer technology. “It has never worked. It didn’t work in the past and it’s still not going to work. If I have a technology that I find useful in bringing me money, I am unlikely to transfer such technology to any emerging competitor who will cut down my relative advantage,” he said.

But African countries, according to Bamba, can force such technology the way South Korea did. “They steal and continue to flood the market with cheaper copies.

They successfully did this to an extent that IBM was forced to work with them eventually.”

Bamba’s position was not far from the subtle prognosis of South Africa’s Parliamentarian, Prof. Ben Turok, who reiterated that African countries must not necessarily wait for a perfect moment when everything is in place to industrialise. Making a case for export led growth, Turok said: “South Korea did not have steel industry and had insufficient engineers when it embarked on massive production of automobiles for export.”

Imo Under Impeachment Saga

Pressure On Lawmakers To Remove Gov. Okorocha From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri NEW wave of impeachment A saga now sweeps through Imo State, following a new de-

mand on the lawmakers to impeach Governor Rochas Okorocha.

Coordinator of Save Imo, Nze Ebubagu Ekenulo, yesterday submitted a letter to the House of Assembly asking the 27member Assembly to commence impeachment process against the governor for gross abuse of office.

This follows yesterday’s inauguration, in Owerri, of a sevenman panel, recently set up to investigate allegations of “gross misconduct and bribery scandal” against the Imo State Deputy Governor, Mr. Jude Agbaso.

The inauguration, which was conducted by High Court Judge, Goddy Ahanihu, commenced at 10.30 am, and was concluded in about one hour.

But Ekenulo, who addressed journalists, at the weekend,

IMO said the move to instigate impeachment process against Okorocha was to save the state from cataclysm.

The letter titled, “Without Prejudice, Petition Against Governor Rochas Okorocha OON, A Call for His Immediate Impeachment for Abuse of Office, Diversion of Government Revenue and other offences”, and signed by Ekenulo, urged the House to commence the impeachment process without delay.

The letter, which was addressed to the Speaker of the Assembly, alleges that the governor has plunged the state into financial recklessness more than any other official of government.

The letter was supported by as sworn affidavit from the state High Court, dated March 20, 2013 to substantiate the allegations against the governor.

•As Judge Inaugurates Investigation Panel On Agbaso Ekenulo threatened to sue the Assembly if it failed to carry out the process, just as they did in the case of the deputy governor, Agbaso.

In the 13 –point allegations against the governor, the group accused Okorocha of “unlawful use and diversion of government revenue and funds to establish his private university at Ogboko, contrary to his oath of office; concealment of revenue from proceeds of the concession of Imo Concorde Hotel, Adapalm, Imo Transport Company, Imo General Hospitals and conversion of proceeds of same to personal use contrary to his oath of office as governor; and approval of 100 percent upfront payment for road contract to JPROS International Company, without proper evidence of work completion contrary to the public procurement laws.”

Other allegations include:

• “unlawful use of the proceeds of the Imo State bond by diversion to unapproved projects contrary to the Imo State bond law; • unlawful use of the proceeds of the bond to the tune of over N13.3 billion without appropriation; • approval of award of contract to JPROS International without advertisement and other contract processes contrary to the public procurement laws; • Unauthorized and unlawful use of local government allocation to the tune of N63 billion; • Unauthorized borrowing of N63 billion naira from a financial market, contrary to the Imo state appropriation law; • Approval for purchase of furniture to the tune of N4 billion for Government House without proper appropriation con-

trary to the Imo State appropriation law; • Approval and award of road contracts without design, advertisement and public bidding, without due process; • Concealment of government revenue and unlawful use of same without appropriation contrary to the constitution and his oath of office; • Conversion of government assets and properties — Imo deputy governor’s lodge and two-storey building at directors quarters, Orlu Road to Lamonde Hotel, a company in which he has interest — contrary to his oath of office.

“The governor is not above the law, neither is he untouchable for breach of the law and the constitution,” according to the letter.

Absence of the Chief Judge of the State, Benjamin Njemanze, for the inauguration of the panel to probe allegations against Deputy Governor Agbaso, however, raised concerns

over the integrity of the event that took place at the main Conference Hall of the Secretariat of the Council of Traditional Rulers, Owerri.

All members of the panel were present. The panel members include Justice Godwin Chukwuemeka Ihekire (rtd), as Chairman; James Gozie Nze, a lawyer, and Egeonu Chijioke Mere, another lawyer.

Others members are Elder Humphrey Ajaelu, Vin Onyeka, Cecilia Chinyere Oladimeji, and Oparaku Nwarie.

In his inaugural address, Ahunihu, who swore in the chairman, said he was performing the Chief Judge’s role in line with the request from the Imo State House of Assembly to set up a panel to investigate the gross misconduct and bribery scandal against the deputy governor.

He charged the members to carry out their duties in line with the Constitution on Section 188 sub section 7a, as well as the guidelines set by the State Assembly.

THe GUArDIAN, sunday March 24, 2013

6 NeWs

NeWs

Gunmen Kill Prison Official, ex-police Commissioner, Others From Emmanuel Ande, Yola T was a moment of bloodbath in Ganye, the headquarters of Ganye Local Council, in Adamawa state on Friday evening, as unknown gunmen took over the town attacking helpless residents, including security personnel.

The Guardian gathered from eyewitness that the deadly operations, which started about 5pm lasted over three hours with the deadly gang moving from one point to another killing and terroriz-

I

Free Ganye Prison Inmates ADAMAWA ing people.

Public places attacked included Ganye Police station, residence of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), prison yard, library, education authority and a bank (which was reduced to rumble after the three-hour raid).

A man, who identified himself as John Musa, said 21 dead bodies believed to be victims of the attack includ-

ing that of a former commissioner of police identified as Mr. Adiei Bila, were recovered yesterday morning.

“When we started hearing the gun shots actually, some us concluded that it was an invasion by an external aggressors, the sound of the weapons was more than an attack carried out by just gunmen that we use to hear. explosions were going on simultaneously with sound of machine gun. I will never

forget that Friday,” Musa recalled.

Another source claimed 30 people, including prison officials and police personnel, were killed.

When Adamawa Police Command Police Public relations Officer (PPrO), DsP Mohammed Ibrahim, was contacted about 11am yesterday, he requested: “Give me 15 minutes, I am in a meeting. I will call you back.”

When he was called the second time, he asked for another 30 minutes.

When Ibrahim was reached

Pirated Copies Of Achebe’s Book Flood Awka, Onitsha

ANAMBRA the third time (about 1:30pm), he did not pick calls made to his two cell phones.

When the Adamawa Prison Comptroller, Mr. Andrew Barka, was contacted at about 2pm, he said he was on his way to Ganye to ascertain the level of damage.

It was also gathered that all the inmates in the Ganye Prison were set free by the attackers.

There were another two separate gun attacks in Yola on Friday night. According to eyewitness, no casualty was recorded.

From Chuks Collins, Awka eW hours after the news of the death of Prof. Chinua Achebe filtered into his home state, Anambra, hundreds of pirated copies of his latest work – There Was a Country – flooded the streets of Awka, Onitsha and Nnewi.

A copy was offered for N2500.

When confronted on the source of the copies and whether they were aware that they were pirated, the vendors said they got them from “owners” at good commission.

In Awka, a teenager, who gave his name as Chike, said he sold 17 copies last Friday.

From a distance the pirated copy looked original. It was not until one flipped through the pages that one observed some irregularities in characters and point-sizes. some of the pages were either blurred or blotted.

F

Borno Trains 50 Graduates In Agric BORNO From Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri OrNO state Government B has partnered Thailand to train 50 agricultural gradu-

Son of the deceased, Pierre Egom Aagaard (left); and Buchi Otebele (Nee Egom) during the funeral mass for late Peter Alexander Adione-Egom at Our Lady Perpetual Help Catholic Church at Victoria Island, Lagos…on Friday.

PHOTO: GABRIEL IKAHON

PDP Alleges Plot To Destabilise Own Governors’ Forum From Azimazi Momoh Jimoh, Abuja He People’s Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday raised alarm over alleged plot to destabilise the platform’s Governors’ Forum.

The party’s National Publicity secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, in a press statement, accused the opposition of conspiring to discredit the

T

alliance.

The statement stated: “Our investigations reveals that the opposition, in their desperation, have recruited political mercenaries who are heavily paid to fabricate and plant spurious and malicious reports in the media to stigmatise Gov. Godswill Akpabio and PDP.

NATIONAL “They have continued to portray Akpabio’s genuine benevolence and kindheartedness in bad light just to disparage him and cause a division in the PDP Governors’ Forum.

“For the avoidance of

doubt, all the governors of the PDP are united and their is no division in the PDP Governor’ Forum.

“The leadership of the PDP completely identifies with Akpabio and his landmark developmental projects, which have brought uncommon transformation to Akwa-Ibom state.

“Also there is nothing wrong in governor’s help to mobilising PDP members who came for the party’s south south zonal rally. The N1 million he donated to each of the six state chapters was not for an individual but to provide welfare for over 500 delegates, who travelled to Port Harcourt.”

Obasanjo Blames Yar’Adua For Poor Agric Performance From Joke Falaju, Ilorin OrMer President Olusegun Obasanjo has blamed the administration of his successor, late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, for the poor performance of agriculture sector.

Obasanjo lamented the slow pace of development in the sector since he left office. He regretted that his successor did not build on his achievements in the sector.

The ex-President, who spoke as a guest lecturer at the 16th annual lecture of the Agricultural and rural Management Training Institute (ArMTI) held in Ilorin, Kwara state, last Thursday, noted that the sector recorded seven percent annual growth between 2003 and 2007.

“At a point after 1979 when almost all the gains seemed to have been destroyed through indiscriminate importation and dumping, I was skeptical if we could ever

F

make it in the area of agriculture.

“But the progress we made between 2003 and 2007 when Nigeria grew its agricultural production by an average of 7per cent yearly enhanced my optimism and enthusiasm. For instance, cocoa production increased from 150,000 metric tonnes to 400,000 while cassava moved from 30 million metric tonnes to 50 million. We were on the path of self sufficiency again in vegetable oil, just as rice, maize and sorghum production increased substantially,” he recalled.

Obasanjo lamented that subsequent administration “put things in reverse gear.” He, however, acknowledged efforts being made by the current administration to reposition the sector for growth.

Noting that instability in policymaking has not helped agribusiness, the statesman called for more consistency.

He commended ongoing ef-

NATIONAL forts under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA).

Obasanjo put pre and postharvest losses of farmers in sub-saharan Africa at about $4 billion.

In his remarks, Minister of Agriculture and rural Development, Dr. Akinkunmi Adesina, pledged to increase the country’s relevance in global market through agriculture.

He said the government has commenced registration of

five million farmers who will benefit from the Growth enhancement support (Ges) scheme.

The minister said the 20 per cent cassava contributes to bread will add about N127 billion to the economy.

ex-Afribank staff To Get Gratuities From Mainstreet AINsTreeT Bank Limited M at the weekend signed agreement with relevant stakeholders, which makes liable for 100 per cent gratuities of former staff of its legacy company, Afribank Nigeria Plc. The agreement reached by management of Mainstreet Bank, Association of senior staff of Banks, Insurance and other Financial Institutions (AssBIFI), National Union of Banks, Insurance and other Financial Institutions employees (NUBIFIe) and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productiv-

NATIONAL ity would see those on the payroll of defunct Afribank as at 5th August, 2011 receive their gratuities from Mainstreet.

A press statement said the purchase and assumption agreement that led to the emergence of Mainstreet did not transfer staff gratuity liabilities of the defunct Afribank to new owner. Hence, the bank is not legally obligated to absorb the liabilities.

Management of the bank said it decided to put human face

to the bridge mechanism, which led to the National Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) taken over delinquent Afribank following the revocation of its licence by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The bank’s management commended the contributions of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity and Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) to the draft of the agreement, saying it was reached after months of negotiation brokered by the ministry and bankers’ associations.

ates in production and processing of rice, poultry, fish, biogas and vegetables to address unemployment and food insecurity.

Governor Kashim shettima promised yesterday in Maiduguri during the demonstration of training skills acquired at Kasetsant University, Thailand, that the partnership would continued.

The governor said: “With the training of these graduates in agriculture under the coordination and supervision of Dr. ratanaporn Dhammakosol of University of Kasetsant, the growth of agriculture in the state will rise.

“I convey my heartfelt gratitude to Dhammakosol and other people and organisations that have contributed immensely to the training of the graduates to fight poverty and unemployment in the state.”

shale Gas: Oil experts Discuss Nigeria’s Prospect eCeNT shale oil and gas r revolution in the United states has created huge uncertainty for the international gas market with serious implication for Nigeria’s dependence on oil and gas.

Oil and gas experts will meet tomorrow at The Lagos Oil Club’s monthly question and answer session holding in Victoria Island to examine the prospects of Nigeria.

President of the club, Humphrey Onyeukwu, said shale gas revolution in the Us and other western countries has become a major game changer in global energy market and raises question about the sustainability of Nigeria’s monolithic economy.

He warned that declaration

by President Barack Obama in his 2012 state of the Union address that America has a supply of natural gas that can last for nearly 100 years should no longer be taken with a pinch of salt.

7

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

TRIBUTE

CHINUA ACHEBE (1930 — 2013)

front gate of Achebe’s country home...yesterday; Inset, late literary icon

The Centre Holds As Kinsmen Mourn Achebe

By Chijioke Iremeka

rest in the bosom of Christ!

LTHOUGH late Prof. Chinualumogu Achebe, the literary giA ant wrote in his book that ‘things fall apart and the centre cannot hold,’ back in his hometown, Ogidi, Anambra state, the

Jane Achebe, is Chinua’s cousin The news came as a shock to me. Though everybody will die but it’s sad because I never knew it was going to be this time. I have been moody since I got the news of his death. We have lost a great man. But we thank God that he had a long and fulfilling life; 82 years is not two years. I thank God for the life he lived but I’m sad all together because I will never see him again.

It will be difficult to find a replacement for him in the community and in the family. Maybe by God’s grace we could find such replacement but it’s difficult. Such a man doesn’t come easily.

I would not say that he knew he was going to die now, but this is a life and when you get to a certain level, you begin to prepare yourself towards death. I wouldn’t know if he knew.

There are things that he believed in and fought for, if the government will adhere to that and enthrone equality of human life and corrupt-free nation among other things, Achebe will be immortalised forever.

It’s the will of God, we don’t have to complain and so, if it pleases Him to call him in this time, we will not say otherwise.

We will miss him.

centre is definitely holding as his kinsmen are knit together in mourning the fallen icon of the letters.

Really, the entire community was thrown into a bawling mood as the news of Achebe’s death filtered into the air. The atmosphere was tense, The Guardian observed, as the reporter made his way to the precise location of his country home in Anugo, Ikenga village, Ogidi in Idemili North Local Government Area of the State.

His relatives were red-eyed with tears due to bouts of weeping.

Many of them got the wind of his death through Internet and radio, while the reporter broke the news to others. Here are some of the reactions of Achebe’s kinsmen towards his death.

Ernest Achebe, Chinua’s Cousin, who is a retired blind School Master Chinua’s death is highly regretted because we didn’t expect it to happen now. Painfully, too, one of his cousins just passed on last week. But we have to accept it. His health suddenly began to fail and the next thing is death. But I can’t really comment on this, rather those with him are the ones that can explain better.

Yes, Ogidi can find a replacement for his brain and intelligence because Ogidi and Achebes have brains. The replacement can come if people are motivated to be hard working. If the younger ones would be serious with what they do, there will be a replacement. He has laid the foundation for others to follow.

The best way to immortalise Chinua will be determined by the whole world. He should be immortalised because his works and achievements will live on. He left legacies for the mankind, so he is a legend.

At least, he was under 30 years of age when he become an internationally recognised writer. He had won so many awards for his literary works. It’s very encouraging when you see somebody in that age as a novelist.

Also, he was under 30, when he became acting Controller Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) in the Eastern region.

Chinua was a great man and this loss is a great one. May his Soul

Ernest Achebe

Jane Achebe

Prof. James Adichie (Chimamada Adichie’s father), is a professor of statistics, who lives in the apartment where Achebe once lived at University of Nigeria Nsukka Achebe’s death is sad and terrible news that filtered into my ears few hours before you came. It’s sad. Many people heard about it on net. He was an Iroko. He was an Igbo man that stood high. He protected the Igbo. When I heard it, I was dumfounded for about two minutes.

Well, I’m not interested in a flamboyant burial for him; he had made his mark. He was well known everywhere. His burial ceremony should be not be ostentatious and am sure he would not want it too. He was not a politician but more than politicians. But it has to be of high standard.

The most important is to know that no matter how big we

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Christopher Iremeka

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

8

TRIBUTE

CHINUA ACHEBE (1930 — 2013)

Achebe Will Never Die, Says Okonjo-Iweala E received the news of the passing of W Achebe with a sense of profound loss.

Yes, he was 82 years old and by any measure not too young to die. But Achebe had for so long been a part of our lives that the thought of his death has an unreal quality.

Additionally, having known him and his wonderful wife, Christy, since I was a teenager, there is, for me, a very personal feeling to this loss.

But the good news is that though he is gone, Achebe is very much alive. He is alive in his works and in his words and in his ideas.

Certainly, his idea that African culture has intrinsic value beyond anthropological voyeurism is very much alive. That is why his great intellect lives on and the man will never die.

For me and countless others, he was a personal inspiration and indeed a hero. That is why my co-author, Tijan Sallah, and I wrote the biography of Achebe for young adults called “Teacher of Light” to capture the essential Achebe for our young people.

Achebe started life as a man, but ended it as a MOVEMENT- a movement for African literature, good governance and the dignity of man.

We extend our condolences to the entire Achebe family at this difficult time. May the Almighty comfort them and all of us at this difficult time.

‘He Was A Remarkable Personality’ From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City EDO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole described his death as the loss of a literary giant, who left an indelible print in the sands of time.

In a condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Peter Okhiria, Oshiomhole said: “On behalf of the people and Government of Edo State, I wish to commiserate with the governor and the good people of Anambra State on the death of the literary giant.

He said: “With Achebe’s death, Anambra and indeed Nigeria has lost a major personality, who played a unique role in its modern history.

“Even as an intellectual giant, his voice resonated with clarity and authoritative distinction on matters of national interest.

“He was a remarkable personality and will always be remembered for his forthrightness and incisive contributions to national issues.

“He could not be ignored or taken for granted on any matter, even by those who disagreed with him.

“His rejection of several National Awards speaks of the vintage Achebe, who was more concerned with the plight of the ordinary Nigerian than the investiture of an award.”

Nigeria Has Lost A Titan, Says Ihedioha From Terhemba Daka, Abuja DEPUTY Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, described Achebe’s death as a devastating blow to the country, saying Nigeria has lost a titan of incomparable proportion.

Ihedioha, who expressed shock and sadness at death, said it would be a tough challenge to fill the gap he left.

He said, however, that the evergreen impact of the literary icon’s works is a legacy that offers consolation to the Achebe family, Ndigbo, the nation and Africa in general.

“Nigeria has lost a true national hero and a towering titan of inestimable proportion, whose works, words, and lifetime continue to prick the conscience of a nation in search of fairness and equity for all and sundry.

“His lasting legacies, however, provide us with a consolation and incentive to put in our individual and collective best at all times to ensure the fulfillment of the dreams of our founding fathers and heroes past, including the departed Achebe.”

PDP Mourns From Azimazi Momoh, Abuja THE leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said his death is a “monumental national loss.”

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, said: “Achebe would be greatly remembered for his unwavering anticorruption stand; his efforts towards promoting high moral values in the country, as well as his contributions toward national development.

“Achebe was a rare gift to the nation. He was a hero and a great patriot, who used his intellectual and physical energies to wage an unre-

lenting war against corruption and championed the inculcation of true moral values and social integrity in our polity.

“Achebe’s contribution to national human capital development, using his books, is unprecedented.

“His works stood out in projecting African cultural and social values. He used them to instill and sustain national pride and the spirit of patriotism and nationalism in contemporary Nigerians in particular and Africans in general,” the statement said.

THIS is a very sad development given that Achebe employed his writing prowess to paint Nigeria proudly on the global map of fame, and as a social critic, he was very courageous and spoke his mind according to his conviction without fear or favour…

His death is the exit of an Iroko…

Amosun, Ogun Youth, Mourns Achebe From Charles Coffie Gyamfi Abeokuta

Achebe Was An Iroko Of Integrity, Says Atiku FORMER Vice President Atiku Abubakar saw Achebe as an icon of unmatched integrity and conviction.

He recalled how Achebe forcefully rejected and condemned the July 2004 political crisis in Anambra State during, during which thugs attempted to remove a democratically elected governor on the orders of a godfather.

Based on his convictions and principle, Atiku said the late professor rejected a national honour conferred on him by the former President Olusegun Obasanjo and President Goodluck Adichie Jonathan administrations, something he said only a few Nigerians would do.

Abubakar paid glowing tribute to Achebe’s unquantifiable contributions to African literature, saying his Things Fall Apart would remain Achebe’s everlasting legacy to literature.

He praised Achebe’s lucidity of writing style, which he said, made him one of the most readable and popular authors of the world.

His Death, A Huge Loss To Mankind, Says Chime ENUGU State Governor Sullivan Chime, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Chukwudi Achife, described the death of Achebe as a huge loss to mankind and to Africa and Nigeria in particular.

He said that the world has not only lost one of its most renowned and celebrated literary icons, but also one whose works and efforts towards the advancement of the human race, will continue to be acknowledged and respected long after his death.

Ajimobi Mourns Achebe

By Laolu Adeyemi OYO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Festus Adedayo, described Achebe as a literary scholar who, through his story-telling acumen, told the Nigerian/African story to the subconscious of the entire world, by so doing showing the world that Africans possessed a rich cultural heritage that is comparable to any people’s in the whole world.

“Through his story-telling, which he did with a baffling mastery and simplicity, Achebe told our own story with arresting simplicity, thus arresting the slide of negative perception of Africans as devoid of a worthwhile historical past.

“He showcased our rich history, culture and language, thereby changing Western historians’ wrong perspectives about Africa and Africans as a people without history,” he said.

Ajimobi recalled that through Achebe’s novels like A man of the People, which was written before the first military coup, Achebe demonstrated that the writer could be a seer as the book, which documented pitfalls of the political class, also predicted the military coup which eventually swept off the political class and signaled a long romance between the country and the military.

He also said that through other books written

by Achebe like Things Fall Apart, Chike and the River, and the most recent one, There Was a Country, Achebe navigated between re-telling the stories told by Africans as moonlight tales to revealing the writer as a historian who sought to put on record critical historical moments of the nation’s life.

Stating that many Nigerians would miss the author, Ajimobi said the country should take solace in the imperishable footprints of Achebe, especially his rich books, which have shown that great men like him are immortal and whenever anyone needed to see him, any of his books would bring back his memories.

Oduche Chieze

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun yesterday mourned the death of worldrenowned scholar and novelist, Professor Albert Chinua Achebe. Achebe died on Thursday at the age of 82.

The Governor in a statement in Abeokuta condoled with the government and people of Anambra State where Achebe hailed from, describing Achebe’s death as a great loss to Nigeria.

The Statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mrs. Funmi Wakama described the deceased as a foremost icon of literature and author of world’s best-seller, Things Fall Apart.

“Professor Achebe was a scholar of first magnitude and one of the pioneers of modern African literature. Through such works like A Man Of The People and The Trouble With Nigeria, Achebe deployed his literary gifts to mirror the ills of our society with a view to building a better and prosperous Nigeria,” Amosun said.

Also the State youths, under the aegis of Ogun State Youth Assembly (OGSYA) yesterday condoled with the people of Anambra and the family of the deceased, describing Achebe’s death as a burnt Library.

Youth President, Comrade Olawale Adebowale disclosed that “Professor will be miss throughout the world particularly in Africa and Nigeria as a whole.

Edem Duke, Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation ACHEBE raised issues of nation-building, peaceful coexistence and cultural affinity in his writings.

He had an excellent grasp of his culture, which he deployed with uncommon deftness and a style that has remained unique and enduring.

He made the well-being and future of this country his concern till he breathed his last, and despite living out of the country for some time, he never allowed the physical distance to separate him from his culture, his nation and his people.

Through his writings, Professor Achebe promoted Nigeria to all corners of the world.

Prof Tunde Babawale, Director General CBACC HIS demise has created a big vacuum in the art and culture sector of Nigeria and the Black and African community globally…

He would always be remembered for his simplicity, love of his country, and Africa and outstanding spirit of critical scholarship. His legendary works …stood him out among his peers and hallmarks the glorious era of African literature and the triumph of African culture.

Federick Onuigbo

but the country and humanity in general. His death has further depleted the growing list of our great statesmen. His demise is not only a huge loss to me as a senator representing his state, but to the country at large and people whom he impacted on with his great writing. He was not only a cultural icon, but a great social crusader, erudite scholar who made his mark in the firmament of world literary giants. He was not only immutable, he was concerned about the social political development of his country . he was great teacher, historian, story teller, intellectual, culture ambassador and champion of the oppressed. His death has once again depleted the growing list of Nigeria’s intellectual.

He not only pioneered the portrayal of the rich social values of his people, he was great agent of change. It is unfortunate that he died when his Senator Uba mourns Achebe wise counsel was most needed. On behalf of the Senator Andy Uba, representing Anambra south senatorial zone has expressed deep shock good people of Anambra state, I commiserate with his family and pray that God grants them on the death of the literary icon Professor the fortitude to bear this rather great loss.”

Chinua Achebe who died on Thursday at the age of 82 in the United States.

In a statement, Senator Uba described Achebe’s Deputy President Ike Ekweremadu

By Kabir Alabi Garba death as not only a huge loss to the Igbo race,

Mike Omeri, Director General, National Orientation Agency (NOA) SHOCKING to hear that such a man whose wealth of knowledge, experience and insight would have benefitted the nation more at this transformational moment in our history is no more…

As an accomplished academic, Chinua Achebe has mentored other talents that now also make Nigeria proud in the literary world.

Baclays Ayakoroma, Executive Secretary, NICO THE death of Chinua Achebe is a very big blow but we are consoled by the fact that he had put Nigeria on the global literary map.

He will continue to be a reference point in World Literature in many years to come.

Ben Tomoloju, Culture Communicator and Activist WITHOUT doubt, the immortal Chinua Achebe is the most defining factor in the study of the African novel.

His influence is massive through time and space. Specifically, he places the African storyteller on a very high pedestal in the mod-

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

NEWS 9

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

TRIBUTE

CHINUA ACHEBE (1930 — 2013)

Achebe: Nigeria’s Gift To The World CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8 ern times. It is summed up in his treatise, ‘The Writer as a Teacher’.

Achebe used his writings to correct the misconceptions about the African in a world ruled by racial prejudice and subsequently etched in the consciousness of humankind the timeless nobility of the African personality.

Let us not mourn, for he is a Chief Priest, now mounting the pantheon of the ancestors. In the creative rites of ‘Mbari’… he spoke about artists transforming the ritual setting deep in the jungle into a ‘convocation of colours’ leaving a monument in history.

We are highly privileged to have experienced the symbolic role of Achebe in the Mbari of our universe. Surely his legacy will be relished by generations yet unborn, for he is ‘Immortal Chinua’.

Nigerian Authors (ANA) Lagos Chapter ACHEBE can never for a moment cease to exist Chinua Achebe is one person, who with his writings, has shown us all how Africans are and are human beings on account of their own experiences, refuting the Hamitic theory.

Africans without any outside influence succeeded in building a civilization for themselves.

His last offering to all of us “There Was a Country”, laments the continuous failing of the Nigerian state, how the country is a betrayal of all of its possible potentials in the hands of an unending failure at governance by the ruling elites.

Most disappointing for all of us is that the ruling elites have chosen not to learn anything from the tragedy of the Biafra/Nigeria Civil War

of 1967-1970, given the fact its very conduct at maladministration edges us to another tragedy.

Achebe: Nigeria’s Gift To The World PROFESSOR Chinua Achebe was arguably Nigeria’s most important gift to the world.

His classic, Things Fall Apart published by Heinemann in London in 1958 when Achebe was only 28 years, is the first intellectual novel from Africa.

It earned Achebe the unofficial title of the father, if not founder, of African literature.

Translated into more than 50 languages, it is one of the greatest novels in history. International statesmen, ranging from Nelson Mandela to Jimmy Carter, have been speaking

admiringly about it.

It is cited ceaselessly by not just writers and literary scholars, but also anthropologists, sociologists, theologians, historians and journalists throughout the world.

His editorship of the Heinemann African Writers series went a long way to market African literature to the world. And his Pan African consciousness compelled the world to accord dignity to the African world.

His legacy will certainly reverberate as the resounding echo of intellectual and moral courage in a world, continent, nation, and tribe sorely in need of greater equity, justice and fairness.

– Chris Okoye, Chairman of Globe Group and Southeast Nigeria Economic Commission

Abakaliki Literary Society mourns Achebe From Leo Sobechi, Abakaliki Prominent members of Abakaliki Literary Society, (ALS) including Senator Anthony Agbo and Mr. Onwe John Onu; have joined Nigerians to mourn the demise of classical novelist, Prof. Chinua Achebe saying that he was the greatest brand ever produced in Nigeria.

Immediate past Vice Chairman of the Senate Panel on Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) Agbo, stated that with the death of the foremost writer, “a great epic story has come to a solemn end” adding that Achebe “belongs to a class of minds and characters that do not appear in multiples in a century”.

While urging Igbo, Nigeria and Africa to honour the foremost author “in a manner that should befit an extra-ordinary global icon”, Agbo, who is a poet and author, noted that Achebe remains “the greatest brand Nigeria has ever produced”.

In a statement, Onwe, who is former Special Adviser to Governor Elechi on Political Matters, declared that Achebe is not dead since according to him, with “’Things fall apart’ having been translated to over 60 world languages, read and studied by millions all over the world; Achebe merely transited to paradise of fecund muses.”

Dagga Tolar, Chairman of the Association of

Okonjo-Iweala

Oshiomhole

As Kinsmen Mourn Achebe CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7 are, we will die one day. Nigeria has given him certain honour but did not want them. He preferred better society than awards.

Achebe was a man of deep thought and when he wrote, they were things that last for long. He was never a shallow man and his works were never shallow. His books are everlasting gifts to humanity as he exited the mother earth. These books are enough to immortalise him and they will continue to make wave.

I don’t think many people know that Achebe liked this country and that is why he was rejecting national honours and asked the government to use it for the betterment of the country. He criticise wrong governance.

He didn’t like Britain or US more than his town Ogidi or Nigeria. People should retain his memory because he has done a lot that will make his memory last in the minds of the people.

May his soul rest in peace!

It’s not only Ogidi and environment that Achebe taught. He taught virtually everybody. His books are monumental and people, who read these books, may come from north or west, but everybody across the country and world.

Nobody wants to live in bondage for too long. Achebe through his writing opened the eyes of many to the evil of colonialism. He unraveled what the European did to Africans and Ogidi. Many younger generations may not know all these until they read Achebe’s works. I believe that many people learn from his type of life.

I’m sad that he has passed on and on the other hand, we don’t cry too much because he left legacies to us all, who are still living. If we follow his legacies, things will get better in the country. I have never seen anybody who has problem with him. He was a virtuous man.

We all believe that he has gone to rest in the bosom of the Almighty God and left us to emulate him. Even when I didn’t know him at the University, heard about his exploits and saw his works.

Fredrick Onuigbo, Anugo Village, Ikenga Ogidi Chinua was my master. When I was in the university, I was squatting in his compound. We are very close and he was very good to me.

Relatively, my family was not that rich then, but Achebe was able to give me that support that I needed to succeed in life

when I was in the University of Nigeria Nsukka, where he taught.

The loss of Achebe is shocking. The other day, I heard over the radio that his health was threatened but I never knew he would die now. Though every man will die one day, but that of Achebe is really saddening.

He has done his own bit on earth. When he was born, nobody knew that such a giant, when he speaks the world listen, would emerge from the family of Isaiah Okafor, his Catechist father.

I cannot say that his brain can easily be replaced or not but I know he has raised doctors and other professionals in his life.

He has brought people, who know how to read and write and so many others. So, I still believe that giant will still come out of Achebe’s family.

If it didn’t happen now, it will spring up tomorrow from his grand children, because the intelligence is in the blood and in the gene.

Well, Achebe was not against Federal Government (FG) but against certain injustices at that time and that was why he rejected the honorary awards. He told them it was better for them to fix the issues on the ground rather than giving him an award.

To him, that was the only award he appreciates.

He wasn’t selfish. He was fighting for the benefit of everybody.

He wanted the government to do what they supposed to do.

Now that he has died, if they want to do something to immotalise him, nobody will say no to it.

He is worth immortalisation and I know even the world will recognise him more than the FG. He projected the image of this country well. If the government wants to give him a lifetime honour, we will appreciate it, not him again. Chinua is a figure in Ogidi and you can count him first.

We thank God that he registered Ogidi’s name in the world.

Ogidi is known across the world because of him. I remember when a group of people came all the way from Europe and America to Akpakogwe Central School, Ogidi where he studied.

And for his achievement, we gave him a title: “Ugo Belu n’Orji,” an eagle that lands on Iroko tree, which nobody can reach. May his soul rest in peace!

ing to see the man like him again? What happens to his brain?

It will appear as if an eagle has carried him because nobody will believe he had died.”

Few days ago, I was thinking about him and saying how are we going to get Achebe’s brain back?

Hmmm, human being is nothing. The problem now is that I’m not sure if any of his children has such a wonderful brain to fill in the vacuum that Achebe’s death has created?

Too bad! Well, life goes on. Achebe was a very intelligent man.

His tenure as Ogidi union President was good though he didn’t rule for long before he had an accident that placed him on wheelchair.

Because of Achebe’s brain we approached him to take over from us, which he accepted in good fate. May His Soul Rest In Perfect!

Oduche Ekemezie Chieze, Anugo, Ikenga Ogidi, Achebe’s Age and school mate Achebe was my age mate and we grew up together. When he was in Government College Umuahia, I was a teacher and then we had concerts and carols in those days.

Achebe was a genius and geniuses are few in an area or community. They are seen once in a while. He was a rare gem and gift to Ogidi as well as Nigeria. But one thing that pained me the more is that we (Ogidi) didn’t use that gift of God to them. We didn’t make much use of it.

May be, other people might know him more than we did and made use of him more than we did. In fact, not long ago, we were discussing the Igweship (Kingship) in Ogidi with a friend and he said that is candidate for Igweship in Ogidi is Achebe. He said that wheelchair is not a problem to him because the brain is there to make good use of.

He said that if Achebe becomes Igwe for just a short while, his leadership will bring about difference in the affairs of Ogidi. Unfortunately, Achebe is gone and we have lost that great man in Ogidi. May his soul rest in peace!

Achebe deserves national burial. It’s not our loss alone, but it’s also a loss to Nigeria. The whole world knows him and he deChristopher Iremeka, (Accountant) former Ogidi Union Secretary serves a befitting burial on national level. This is my feeling for General, whose regime handed over to Achebe’s during his tenure as such a great man.

President of the Union To the members of the family, the Anugo village, Ogidi, Nigeria “A great man of the world is gone. What will the people of earth and the world at large will be here to accord him the last rest do and say? How is he going to be buried? There must be monu- and witness the burial of this great icon. May his gentle soul rest ments to immotalise him. The pride of God is gone! Are we go- in peace!

10

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

TRIBUTE

The Prophet Obadare we knew, By Ministers, Church members, ministers spoke with GBENGA SALAU on whom the late Prophet Timothy Obadare, the Founder, World Soul Winning Evangelical Ministry (WOSEM), is to them.

Evang David Olupitan: wORkED in Account Department at the Headquarters in Akure. It was exciting working with him. He was a depot of God’s power. He believes God and all things are possible. He can go out anytime whether in the day or in the night to evangelise. The section of the bible where Paul said woe to me if I do not preach the gospel was one of his guiding principles. He made it a point of duty to reach the unsaved. He was doing the work of God as if everyday was the last time he would do it. we thanked God for how far he used him. He was a true representative of God on earth.

After marriage, my mum did not have a baby and she waited for 15 years before God answered her through the prayer of Baba Obadare, and I was the baby. what I learnt from him is that whatever we are doing, we should do it onto the Lord especially in the ministry. I also learnt that hard work and obedient to God in totality are the watchwords. He was someone that obeyed God at whatever cost.

I

CAC, Oke-Alafia, Akure

From Niyi Bello, Akure OR adherents of the Christ Apostolic Church Frevival (CAC), attending the monthly “kosehunti” which comes up on the first day of every month and during which members of the congregation observe fasting till mid-afternoon, is a unique opportunity to fellowship with God. Many of the multitude that attend the gathering, which celebrated its 42nd anniversary last year, at the expansive auditorium of the world Soulwinning Evangelical Ministry (wOSEM), always declare the day work-free especially if it falls on a week day.

The expansive auditorium of the church at Adinlewa Street, Akure, which is filled to the brim during each service with participants from across the country especially from within Ondo and the neigbouring states of Osun, Ekiti, Oyo, Edo and Ogun, is always enveloped in a mixture of festivities and spirituality.

To underscore this, a market, known as kosehunti monthly market has grown along the adjoining streets at each meeting where traders sell everything from cloths, household utensils and spiritual materials such as incense, hymn books and Bibles.

And for almost every participant at the meeting, even traders who may not enter the auditorium, fetching water from the “kosehunti” well, which could only be drawn by males and which surrounding is prohibited to women observing menstruation, is a must.

The water is believed to have miraculous healing properties and at the end of the meetings, participants carry various sizes of kegs containing the water on their heads as they depart for their homes.

The monthly meeting is such a big and permanent phenomenon that government officials have keyed into it as revenue collectors from the Akure South local council are always seen, even at weekends, “tearing receipts” for the traders, many of whom come from afar, to sell their wares outside while those who come for spiritual upliftment manage to get a space inside the auditorium.

As council workers were collecting revenue, officials of the Ministry of Environment are always around to prevent scores of mentally-deranged people and other sick persons brought from outside the state for healings from going into town and losing their way back to the church.

Government began to use this strategy some three years ago when it was discovered that the population of mentally ill persons always increase on the streets of Akure after every kosehunti day as those who brought them, after failing to get the needed healing, let them loose on the community.

For a whole day the sound of their music and prayers would vibrate through the neigbourhood of Adinlewa and the frontage of Oyemekun Grammar School and occasionally, blaring sirens announcing the arrival of some important personalities like governors, ministers and traditional monarchs, would add to the cacophony of music from the revival ground.

Inside the auditorium, the congregation, made up mainly of women, would listen to words of exhor-

tation from Prophet Timothy Oluwole Obadare, the visually-impaired General Evangelist of the CAC and founder of wOSEM with intermittent hymns rendition and Bible readings which always climaxed into a segment when testimonies of miraculous incidents would be narrated by beneficiaries to strengthen the faith of the congregation.

In many instances during testimonies, a lot of supposed witches and wizards would either confess out of their own will, rendering frightening accounts of their dark exploits or they would be picked from the crowd and put under “Holy Ghost Fire”, to forcibly admit their evil deeds.

These sessions are always followed by the process of deliverance and the extraction of personal commitments to follow Christ from the confessors many of which formed a sizeable percentage of church workers after their rehabilitation.

Perhaps the most confounding in the Obadare persona is the cleric’s grasp of the letters and contents of the Holy Bible which, despite his visual impairment, he always quote properly and in many instances, even correcting those who hold the scriptures for reading the wrong verses.

But for about three years, “Baba Obadare”, as the wOSEM founder is fondly called by many, even outside his congregation, has been absent from the monthly meetings as a result of undisclosed illness suspected to be connected to old age.

Inside sources said that was the first time the founder would stay that long without attending the revival and that as a well-travelled cleric, he always found time to come home anywhere he was on the globe, to attend the programme during which he also devoted time to admonish the country’s political leaders on how to govern the people to get the favour of God. The long absence of the octogenarian cleric led to a lot of rumors about his state of health and in about three instances, stories of his death caused confusion and fears among the congregation before members of his immediate family came out to dispel them.

However the proceedings of Friday, February 1st, 2012 was a unique one as the whole congregation was thrown into a frenzy when it was learnt that “Baba Obadare” was making an appearance at the auditorium.

As the members beheld the dark-goggled octogenarian in flowing agbada, supported by two men on each side, the big hall burst into songs of praise to God for sparing the life of the founder whose absence had caused a lot of apprehension especially as officials kept postponing his appearances.

Because of the earlier rumours which were found to be untrue, when news about the death of the cleric filtered into town, first through the social media, last Thursday, many took it with a pinch of salt as did Elder Michael Dawodu, a member of the CAC Oke-Itura where the prophet always observed his Sunday Service anytime he was at his residence located at 16, Adinlewa Street, a stone throw from the wOSEM headquarters.

Dawodu had replied to an enquiry about the cleric’s death saying “are you sure that you heard the news correctly.Baba had been rumoured to have

died more that three times and at the end of each, he was found to be alive. So please be sure so that you don’t report falsehood about a man of God.” At the initial stage, none of the church workers, like Dawodu, was able to confirm the veracity of the news of the death of the prophet, who hailed from Ilesa, Osun State, prefering to wait for an official announcement to be made by the family through the first son, Pastor Paul, who is said to be overseas, many wore long faces and discussed the development in hushed tones.

But when The Guardian made another visit to the residence, 33-year old Pastor Joseph Obadare, the youngest son of the cleric, who had earlier insisted on waiting for the family announcement, confirmed the news saying, “Baba, because of old age, had been confined to this house for some time and today he peacefully moved up to the higher realm of existence. Prophet T.O Obadare is dead.” within minutes, both the house, which modest appearance reveals a lot about the difference between clerics of Baba Obadare’s caliber and the modern-day prosperity-preaching pastors and their ostentatious livings, and the church premises had been taken over by hundreds of people who converged to either express sadness for the loss or gratitude to God for a life well spent.

The Ondo State governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Eni Akinsola said the cleric’s death is an example of the marching on of a saint as his life, ministry and influence can be likened to those of saints, rare and uncommon.

According to Mimiko, “In his way of life, concern for the lost soul and uplifting of the name of God, Obadare stands tall among the prophets of his generation and broke barriers that health attempted to place on his way. He was consistent and controlled, aggressive yet unobstructive and had no pretensions about his faith and God. “Prophet Obadare made the life of the poor and the down trodden his and helped many re-discover their connections to God. His strident cries against sin and warnings to those departing from what is right and just, will be sorely missed.”

The Ondo Governor recalling the evangelistic exploits of the late clergy in the face of sight challenge said: “Prophet Obadare’s mastery of bible verses and lines underlines the fact that he was indeed a prophet called for a purpose by God. He, it appears, has discharged his duties and deserve blissful rest in the bosom of his maker. Our hearts go to his many disciples and members as well as family this period. we ask that the good Lord send consolation their ways.”

The prophet’s personal driver since 1988, Pastor Gbenga Obatuyise, who spoke to The Guardian at the residence, said, “Baba was father to thousands of children and I am happy to be one of them. He turned my life around and through him I found a new life in Christ.”

At a press conference on Friday, Pastor Gabriel Oyelami, who is described as Baba’s Deputy for many years while officially announcing the death, said the family, the church and the governments of Osun State, where Baba hailed from and Ondo State, where he was domiciled, will take active participation in the burial which he said would soon be announced by the family.

Mrs. Funmi, one time secretary in the office of Obadare: T was interesting; he was a man of God and a father. He is usually a busy man with very tight schedules, right from the morning. After his personal prayer, he comes to see that the people are at their duty posts. He is very eager about evangelism and very homily. He shows displeasure when a staff does not take the job serious. we knew him not just as a minister of God but also as a biological father because he carried everybody along as if we were his children. when he is interacting with us, he does not talk like the boss, he acts like a father and he has sense of humour. He is a man of many parts, when he is ministering, you see him completely different like somebody who is an angel, you begin to imagine him, but when he comes around, it is as a father, he plays and crack some jokes, call people pet names.

I have learnt so many things from him. He led me to Christ; he showed me the practicality of Christianity. He is a man of authority when it comes to the word of God. I will miss everything about him, his way of ministering the gospel, his openness with people and the passion he displayed in service and ministry. He is a loving and caring husband.

I

Pastor Philip Olasupo; ABA is a godly man and talented in every aspect of life. His ambition was to win the whole world for Christ. From morning till evening, he usually works. I can say all the pastors and evangelists I have worked with, Baba stood out among them because if he says he is visiting a branch, before his arrival, thousands of people will be there and immediately baba enters, the work of God, signs and wonders will start, even without saying anything.

The healing will spread.

At times when we are at the revival, immediately he gets out of the car, some people will like to touch him, immediately they do that, there will be healing without saying anything.

Usually at the end of the month, all the ministers under him go to koseunti, that is baba’s place in Akure. when we conclude the programme, he would gather all the ministers under his ministry and he would teach us and pray that as we are going to the world, the Holy Spirit will follow us and direct us. He usually tells us to be truthful and he would sing a song, je olo ti to ore, that is be a truthful fellow, my friends.

The last interaction I had with him was in 2006, he gathered all the ministers together and he prayed for us and told us to be truthful with the bible as the tool to guide the church and nothing else. He warned us not to do anything that would tarnish the image of God anywhere we were posted to

B

11

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

Church Members serve the God and the ministry.

He spent most of his life for evangelism. Baba would wake up in the morning and through out that day he would be attending to people and he would not have time. When he was told to eat, he would say the people he was attending to were the people God sent to him to. He loved and wished everybody became Christians.

I learnt to evangelise from his ministry and he taught us to be working with our mind fixed on heaven. If he is served food and somebody comes around for his support or counsel, he would attend to the person and postpone eating the food.

He could eat anything, he did not have a favourite meal, if you prepare eba, pounded yam, he would take it but the major issue was that he did not have time to eat.

He fasted, at times 30days or more. His acted like an angel, if you were close to him, you would know he was not an ordinary person but an angel. If you do something contrarily to the will of God, if you visit baba, he will tell you what you have done.

Evang Ibitola Adebayo: DISCOVERED that he is a man of high integrity; he is faithful, believes in God and does not believe that something is impossible. He loves people, enjoys helping people and ready to assist. He had confident in God. He did a lot of evangelism across Africa and many of the new churches borrowed idea from him. He was preoccupied with evangelizing the world.

I

Salako Seun, youth member: E is a very good man and a man of God to the core. When he is preaching, it is as if he is taking you right to God and the presence of God.

H

Elder Akinnagbe: E is truly of God and was used by Him. He is principled and served the church with his talent.

H

Pastor Omole sola: JOINED the ministry around 1984, he is a truthful prophet and solely depended on God for everything. He believed so much in prayer and fasting. He always said that whatever the difficulty, he would always advise that we go to the mountain to communicate with God and God will answer. He usually preaches about repentance. God gave him the ministry of signs and wonders because anywhere he goes to, the ministration is usually with signs and wonders.

Whenever he wanted to send any of the minister on an assignment, he would always end the discussion with my God will go with you. And he always gives us courage and enjoined us to be patient.

The last interaction with him was when he called to send me on an evangelical assignment. He asked me that day, if he was my father and I said he was truly my father. And he told me he wants to send me on the assignment and he prayed for me. After the prayer, I felt peace and special joy within.

Every month he gathers all the ministers within the country to pray for us. He would tell

us that without the power of God we cannot accomplish anything as a minister. He is a good father and husband and his wife was a blessing to him. He truly found favour from God with her because she was truly behind her husband Pastor E. F. Damisa: E is an Elijah, a divine man from God who is not ordinary. He is totally different from other servants of God. If you are within, he is like a spirit. He is a man like Elijah, Elisha, Moses, Daniel and Ezekiel in the bible because he does act ordinary. He went to many places and he is not always tired or doing the work as he is always willing to go the extra mile. The power of God truly resides in him. He implanted the gift of evangelism in me.

We went for an evangelistic outreach in Saki in Oyo State and there was heavy rain that day which prevented people from coming to the crusade ground but when he came and the aides covered him with the umbrella, he asked them to remove it. He prayed saying that if it is God that called him then the rain should stop and the rain stopped about three minutes later.

He loves the less privilege and the widows.

Every month apart from giving them special gifts, he feeds countless numbers of them. If you get to his compound in Akure, there are some people, old, young and students who live there and are being catered for by Baba Obadare.

I became who I am today because of him. He paid all my school fees during my seminary training yet the monthly salary, as a staff was not stopped.

H

Johnson Sanmi: GREW up when Koseunti was very popular. He is an anointed man of God, though he does not see physically but spiritually he sees. If he is preaching and somebody is reading a wrong verse of the scripture or reading it wrongly for him, he would say the person is not reading the right thing. He corrects people as if he has the eyes. He is well anointed. He is very caring and generous. He served people with his life and time.

I

I

Pastor Philip Olasupo signing the condolence register

Evang Ibitola Adebayo

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

TheGuardian

Sunday, March 24, 2013

12

Cityfile ALIMOSHO

A section of Ayobo-Ipaja road after a recent rainfall this year.

... The Dividends Of Fashola’s Democracy

By Tope Templer Olaiya, Assistant Lagos City Editor F Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola, spares some moments out of his busy schedule to read the letters and opinion pages of the dailies in the last few weeks, he would have been sufficiently embarrassed by the persistent grievous cries of residents of a certain section of the state.

The deafening trumpet being sounded by residents of Ejigbo, Ikotun, Ijegun, Idimu, Ipaja and Ayobo, is why the governor has decided to forsake millions of taxpayers in the Lagos West axis of the state known as Alimosho.

Governance in these areas is only felt by half-hearted attempts to remedy an apparent neglect with uncompleted and

I

never-ending projects. The orchestrated infrastructural wonders of Fashola in Surulere, Ikeja, Victoria Island and elsewhere are lacking in the Isolo-Ejigbo-Ikotun axis where, for instance, the government has been building the about 10 kilometers road between Isheri Oshun and Jakande Estate for well over a decade.

Spokesman of the residents’ association, Chief Adisa Akiode, said residents of Ikotun, Ejigbo, Isheri-Oshun and Ijegun have shouted themselves hoarse over the state government’s inability to fix the road, which was started several years ago.

He said residents literally “pass through hell” to conduct their businesses in other parts of the state due to the poor condition of the road. He wondered what they had done to deserve such

punishment even though they had always voted for the ruling party, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

“For over six years now, we have not seen any government presence in form of construction of ordinary culverts in this area. The only respite we got recently was the rehabilitation of the ever-busy road, which leads to the NNPC depot from Jakande Gate, and that was after across many confrontations between the Federal Government and the contractor over nonrelease of funds,” Akiode said.

Another resident of the area, Uzodinma Nwaogbe, told The Guardian that in the build-up to the 2011 elections, Fashola pledged that the roads in the area would be taken seriously.

During the campaigns, the rains came down heavy and the people of Isheri-Oshun and its environs were told to be patient till after the rains as no road can endure rehabilitation during the period. Two years after, the waiting game still continues.

“There is no day vehicles do not break down on these roads, a situation that has necessitated private car owners to park their vehicles at home and go in public transport to take them to their destinations. Sometimes, they park their cars at Jakande Gate bus stop.

Many visitors plying this road complain of the effect of the thick dust, which worsen the people’s hardship and complicate their health problems but they are yet to see the worst of the road, which paralyzes movement during the rainy season.

Residents were completely cut-off from the rest of the state within the period the flood lasted last year.”

The road is strategic and would be a huge relief to many Lagosians who ply it daily. The road, when completed, would help decongest traffic along Okota–Cele bus stop, as some would prefer to link Ago Palace Way, Mile 2 and Festac Town through Bucknor and Ijegun ends.

AST week, the state government in a newspaper advertiseL ment titled A New Lagos: Roads and Public Building, listed nine projects, none of which is from the densely populated Alimosho area. Projects flaunted in the new Lagos include LekkiIkoyi Cable Bridge, Ibeshe road in Ikorodu, Lagos-Badagry expressway and Marina Shoreline Reclamation in Badagry.

Others are ongoing reconstruction of Tejuosho Market, Yaba; Langbasa Road, Eti-Osa; Ipakodo Jetty, Ikorodu; Isopakodowo Market, Oshodi; and Ago Palace Way, Okota.

Quoting from last week’s Backlash, a column in The Guardian on Sunday titled The Fashola Façade, “the connecting road between Orilowo-Ejigbo and Idimu is an ideal location for a Gulder Ultimate Search. The contractor in charge of the road uses shovels, head pans and diggers to work the side drainages.

“The Oke Afa-Ajao Estate link-bridge, intended to ease pressure on the Isolo-Ikotun Road, the sole traffic artery in that area, is taking forever to fix. In fact, much of the expansive Al-

A bad spot on the Orilowo-Idimu road, Ejigbo.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

13

14

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

15

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

CITYFILE

Pain As Air Passengers Groan Under High Fare, Poor Service, Flight Cancellation

By Gbenga Akinfenwa HIS is not the best of time for air-bound travelers in Nigeria, particularly passengers on domestic flights. In recent times, they have had to endure the rough patch of the aviation sector, with operators grappling to stay afloat in the crisis-ridden industry.

Last week, their troubles were amplified by the grounding of Aero Contractor due to an industrial dispute between management and workers of the airline and the 48 hours embargo placed by the Federal Government on Dana Air. With these developments, passengers were left with no choice than to scramble for the few available airlines at the various airport terminals across the country.

While Dana got back its approval to fly midweek, the few other airlines, Arik, Medview, IRS and Chanchangi could not manage the volume of air travelers that besieged the airport.

This is besides the brewing crisis of confidence among air travelers after gunmen raided the bureau de change operators at the car park of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja on the day cardinals picked Pope Benedict as the new leader of the Catholic Church.

Undoubtedly, the problem is beginning to take its toll on the domestic airlines. Many have been forced to cancel flights, while passengers that have already been checked in, waiting to board were let down at the last minute.

With the present scenario being played out in the aviation sector, Arik Air has become the first airline of choice for passengers traveling on domestic flight. It is reputed to have the newest fleet in the industry.

Expectedly, it is dominating the market with its obscene fare, which is increased arbitrarily, while still struggling to meet the increasing number of passengers. An inside source informed that Arik jerked up its fare for Lagos-Abuja route to N45,000, as against N18,000 charged by other airlines for the same route.

T

HEN The Guardian visited the General W Aviation Terminal (GAT) of the domestic wing at Ikeja last Wednesday, it was crowded with passengers, who were competing for space with touts that had exploited the development to extort money from desperate passengers, who are sometimes ‘sweettongued’ to part with more money than the official fare.

The departure hall was filled to the brim with long queues at the check-in counters.

Stranded passengers at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) of the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Ikeja... last week.

The few available seats in the hall were all occupied and more passengers milled around the hall hoping to be rescued from their misery with the announcement of their flight.

Those who found no space in the hall stayed outside or in their vehicles, and the scorching heat from the sun did not help matters.

Few times, their hopes were heightened of an end to the suffocating wait, at other times; it was a sunken optimism as announcement of late take-off and flight rescheduling blared from the public address speakers. Many of victims were passengers on busy routes like Lagos to Abuja and Lagos to Port Harcourt.

Sadly, in this industry, the customer is no king and there is no noticeable attempt by operators to alleviate the discomfort of pas-

sengers. Last week for instance, those waiting in the sun were not provided with canopies, and the absence of food and provision vendors at the terminal added to the stress.

Mr. Tunde Oyewole, noted that passengers are experiencing a tough time due to the inadequate number of airlines.

“Even the internet platform of the airlines are no longer reliable, where passengers are encouraged to book days ahead of the intended flight. The safest bet these days is to go through touts, of course at a huge cost,” he said.

A stranded passenger lamented the current ordeal of passengers is not good for the image of the country. She noted that a country like Nigeria should not have allowed its avia-

tion sector to reach this all-time low, where citizens would be at the mercy of a few operators.

N aviation expert, Mrs. Grace Kalango, told A The Guardian that the sector is only experiencing the absence of an ideal competition.

“This is because the industry requires a lot of money to run. If there were many players in the industry, passengers would not be subjected to this kind of treatment,” she said.

Distraught Nigerians are patiently waiting for government to fulfill its promise of encouraging more investment in the aviation sector, including the registration of four new airlines and floating of a new national carrier, to ease the plight of passengers.

Ejigbo, Ikotun, Ijegun, Idimu, Ipaja, Ayobo... Waiting For The New Lagos CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12 imosho local government that gave the votes that put and returned Fashola to office is completely lost on the governor’s infrastructural radar.”

Work commenced on the OkeAfa–Ajao Estate link bridge in 2011 and is already at an advanced stage, but it appears to have met a brick wall at the Ajao Estate end of the project, where contractors are at a loss about how to proceed with the demolition of structures on the Rightof-Way (RoW).

This stalemate may have informed the recent decision of the Christian community in Ejigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) to organize a prayer session for the completion of the project.

The Christian community under the platform of Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ejigbo chapter, made prayer requests and also appealed to the governor to ensure the completion of the bridge despite protest by some residents of Ajao Estate to discontinue the project.

HE misery of residents and T road users of Ayobo Ipaja road is as old as the fourth republic.

They have also resorted to spiritual intervention after the avalanche of promises made by the former governor, Bola Tinubu and the incumbent failed to offer respite.

Fashola, who visited the area recently to flag off the polio immunization campaign, pleaded with residents of the area to be patient with the state governor, noting that issues, which are beyond what the construction firm, PLYCON Nigeria Limited, could handle had delayed its completion.

Some of the contending issues that had slowed down the project is the relocation of some Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) poles, gas and oil pipelines, which run across the area.

With the pain residents of Alimosho daily go through plying dilapidated major access roads, the state of the inner roads are better imagined than experienced in the Centre of Excellence.

Stalemate at the Oke Afa-Ajao Estate link bridge. INSET is the locked gate denying access to link the bridge from Ejigbo to Isolo.

16

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

CITYFILE World Water Day:Firm Leads Clean Water Campaign In Nigeria It requires no specialist skills for installation and routine maintenance; therefore encouraging local input and giving the community a sense of ownership once the project is complete. It can be installed using local labour and materials. For instance, a community co-operative or Community Development Associations (CDAs) can take responsibility for the general maintenance of the unit.

NE of the community O projects embarked by BGV Limited is the Awka Ofemila Water Project. According to the project design, water is sourced from a dirty river, pumped across a kilometre to a water tower at the market square via a solar-powered submersible pump.

From there, the water flows by gravity into the MECKOW Aquapur water purification Succour comes to Awka Ofemila community through the A woman fetching water for drinking from a stream in Delta State. unit, where it is purified into BGV Meckow Aquapur project. safe drinking water. This then (WHO) report, about 40 perlast year on water projects.

By Paul Adunwoke atively young, the company is flows into the two storage cent of diseases in Africa are He, however, lamented that tanks ready for collection at spearheading the campaign HIS year’s celebration of traceable to unclean or condespite this huge sum, only the distribution taps. for clean water with the the World Water Day, taminated water. The report one in 10 rural households Courtesy of the firm, Awka launch of a unique water puwhich was marked emphasized the need for gov- boasts of clean water at Ofemila now has access to on Friday, March 22, has ernment and stakeholders to home, with most of them re- rification plant called Meckow Aquapur, which can safe drinking water, which brought to fore the chalcombine efforts at providing lying on unsafe sources for transform contaminated wa- has drastically reduced relenge of non-availability of potable water to its citizens. water. ports of child illness in the ter from almost any nonclean water in many counSuccessive governments in The problem of contamivillage. tries of the world and the Nigeria have also initiated nated water and poor sanita- saline source into safe, clean Another beneficiary of the drinking water. urgent need to tackle such several water projects as part tion around the world is BGV project is the Otuasegia It requires no electricity for shortages. of efforts to tackle the chalextremely serious. In the time the filtration process and pro- Cottage Hospital in Delta While most western coun- lenge with little or no success. it has taken you to read this State. The hospital was built duces 1,000 litres of safe tries have been relatively Every year, billions of Naira is far, a child has died because and donated by Shell Petrosuccessful in tackling the budgeted to sink boreholes in of that problem – one every 22 clean water per hour. While leum Development Company eliminating diseases, the syschallenge, African countries villages and urban areas, yet seconds and an estimated (SPDC) in 1998. Water is tem can supply sufficient still grapple with the prob- clean water remains a mirage. 5,000 per year. sourced from a borehole lem of providing clean waAt a water summit held in It is this shocking statistics clean water for up to 2,000 within the hospital complex, people per day, making it ter for its citizenry.

Abuja last month, President that a firm, BGV Limited, is but it is deemed unfit due to ideal for communities in deAccording to a recent Goodluck Jonathan revealed taking pragmatic steps to adits high iron content.

World Health Organization that N43.9 billion was spent dress in Nigeria. Although rel- veloping countries.

T

After being contracted to provide a sustainable solution to the situation, the entire system was revamped. A solar-powered pumping machine was provided to ensure availability of water round the clock, in addition to the purifying process done by Meckow Aquapur, which reduced the iron content to WHO standard. The hospital and neighbouring community now have access to clean drinking water.

Apart from the Meckow Aquapur, the firm has created the Clean Water, Fresh Hope campaign, which places emphasis on tasking corporate organisations to adopt water-related projects for their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects.

Commenting on the efforts of the company to make potable water accessible to rural dwellers, CEO and President of BGV Limited, Mrs. Iyadunni Gbadebo, said creating the Meckow Aquapur Community Sustainable (MACS) model, is a dream come true in the bid to make a lasting impact on the lives of Nigerians.

She noted that despite her firm’s efforts, much work is still required to ensure adequate access to clean water; a task she noted is achievable if vigorously pursued.

As part of celebrating the 20th World Water Day, the firm launched the Meckow Aquapur mini-series for households in order to ensure every home and community in Nigeria has access to clean water.

Ogun Council Officials, Community Leaders Parley On Citizens’ Participafied local governments to engage with public officials in determining public policy and expendiS part of efforts aimed at ensuring cititures in three focal areas: healthcare, primary zens participation for good governance school education and environment. in Ogun State, the Kudirat Initiative For She disclosed that of the 84 council officials and Democracy (KIND) has concluded a five-day 120 representatives of community-based organisatraining for local government officials and tions targeted by the project, 24 council officials community members drawn from Sagamu, and 60 community members have been trained.

Odogbolu, Ijebu-Ode and Ikenne local govern- “The selected council officials have been trained ment areas of the state. on what they need to do while community repreThe training held at the Sagamu Local Govsentatives were exposed to their rights and expecernment Town Hall, Ewusi, with support of tations from government. At the conclusion of the the Open Society Initiative for West Africa project, a report would be made available to gov(OSIWA) and Civil Society Fund (CSF) of the ernment on good service delivery to build a platWorld Bank, was part of the Community Enform of trust between government and the gagement and Public Participation Project, governed,” she stated. launched last year, to involve the grassroots in The founder of KIND, Mrs. Afusat Abiola-Costello, governance. represented by Mr. Boladale Alli, said the Ministry The pilot project, which will run for 18 of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is colmonths in eight local councils in the state, is laborating with KIND to take the issues of educato bring the dividends of democracy closer to tion, health, governance and environment to the the people and create a platform for dialogue grassroots. to reduce violence in the society.

“Getting to the grassroots to achieve these goals The Executive Director of KIND, Emy may be difficult for the ministry, hence the need to Oyekunle, explained that the project would partner with KIND, so that with a bottom-top apcreate opportunity for citizens in the identiproach, the goals would be met.

By Gbenga Akinfenwa

A

Participants at the training for local government officials and community leaders

TheGuardian

Sunday, March 24, 2013 | 17

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Outlook The King Of The Jews

By Cornelius Omonokhua VERY Passion Week, the drama of the judgment of Jesus is re-enacted. The judgment of Jesus is a serious consolation for all men and women who suffer deprivations and persecutions for their gifts and positions in life. The judgement of Jesus should be a source of consolation for those who are unjustly detained and executed in the world today. In the context of dialogue, the passion of Jesus is an occasion for us to have a deeper union with God and dialogue with Him about our predicaments in our various trying situations. Jesus was judged, sentenced and killed for actualizing his messianic mission. This phenomenon still live with us today, where some people who have attained very high positions and recognition in life see every other person coming up as a threat. Others who do not have the capacity to attain admirable heights seek for dubious ways of bringing down those who are making strenuous efforts to develop their charisma and aptitude in life.

Matthew’s narrative of the nativity reveals the extent human beings can go in conserving power and authority for themselves. The Magi (wise men from the East) went to see King Herod the Great in Jerusalem to ask, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews” (Matthew 2, 2). This was an innocent question and a sincere enquiry from Kings/Scientists (astrologers) who believe that honour belongs to those who are naturally endowed with it and to those to whom God has conferred it. Royalty is a divine gift hence the great prophets and kings of old always expressed a sense of unworthiness whenever they were called by God. Sometimes a royal title conferred on somebody can be bad news for someone else. This explains why the question from the Magi troubled Herod causing him to plan for the immediate elimination of the purported new born king; to protect his monopoly of the title “King of the Jews”. To execute his evil plan to kill the infant king, he employed deceit in debriefing the Magi employing them as his scouts for the new born king (Matthew 2, 7-8). When his evil plan failed and his deception failed him, he took immediate action and executed all the young male innocent children from two years and under, just to preserve his throne (Matthew 2, 16). The Magi were informed and moved by a natural sign. They said, “We have seen his star in the east, and have come to worship him (Matthew 2, 2). This is a clear sign that each and every one of us is endowed with a potential that glow from within us. No matter what human beings may do to switch off the light of our destiny, our commitment and perseverance will see us through if we only listen to the voice of God in the quiet of our lives.

In the passion narrative, the four Gospels agree that the crucifixion of Jesus was based on the charge that Jesus claimed to be “the king of the Jews” which in Greek is “And Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.” (Matthew 27:11, Mark 15:2, Luke 23:3 and John 18:33). It is pertinent to note that this charge did not originate with Pilate (John 18, 34). This clearly shows that the main issue for the Jews was rather the claim to be a messiah, an issue that did not make sense to the Romans. That is to say that the charge based on religion did not condemn Jesus. It was a political charge that could convince the Romans to condemn Jesus. From the very beginning Jesus was a target for condemnation in spite of his good works. The existing powers were threatened by his key performer’s indicators (KPI), especially when his actions became a search light for the incumbent authority.

A brief reflection on the passion tribunal may elucidate the point I am trying to make. When they brought Jesus to Pilate, he came out to them and asked, “What charges are you bringing against this man” (John 18, 29)?” “The chief priests accused him of many things” (Mark 15, 3). “We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Christ, a king” (Luke 23, 2). “Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews” (Matthew 27, 11)? In Luke, Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews” (Luke 23, 3)? The response of Jesus “Yes, it is as you say,” in Matthew and Luke are the same, which

E

CONversation

shows the seriousness and accuracy of the passion narrative.

In the gospel of John Pilate said, “You are a king, then!” Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me” (John 18, 37). Nothing has suffered in the world like truth. Unfortunately, those who should defend the truth are easily swayed by corruption. Pope Benedict XVI in explaining his Episcopal motto: “Cooperators of the truth”. He himself explained why: “...

I chose that motto because in today’s world the theme of truth is omitted almost entirely, as something too great for man, and yet everything collapses if truth is missing”. (Biography of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, Vatican website, 2005) Jesus clearly understood the nature of his kingdom and so did not deny the title even at the point of death. “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18, 36). While the Jews mocked Jesus by crowning him with thorns and dressing him with purple robe as the King of the Jews; the real meaning of who Jesus is was confirmed by the acronym that Pilate placed above the cross of our crucified Lord, which he refused to Change and exists till today: Written in three languages: Hebrew, Latin and Greek INRI (I sus Nazar nus, R x I dae rum) in Latin inscription, which in English reads “Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews”. The Greek version reads , representing “This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, Latin”. (John 19, 20). Only the gentiles (the Magi, Pontius Pilate and the Roman soldiers) used this title. The Jews refused to use it. In contrast, the Jewish leaders use the designation “King of Israel”. They even told Pilate: “Do not write King of the Jews” but instead write that Jesus claimed to be the King of

the Jews, and Pilate stood his grounds by saying, “What I have written I have written (John 19, 21).

This is very important in African context where it is believed that “God is the king maker” and “whatever is ordained for a person by God cannot be taken away from him by the world.”

Little did they know that they were affirming the royalty of Jesus with the royal symbols when after the trial by Pilate, the soldiers mock Jesus as the King of the Jews by putting on him a purple robe, and crowing him with thorns. (Matthew 27:2930, Mark 15:17-19; John 19:2-3). People who are jealous and ambitious are blind to the implications of their actions. When Pilate wanted to release Jesus, the Jews objected saying: “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend: every one that makes himself a king is against Caesar” (John 19:12). They ended up heaping a curse on themselves. You can make yourself a slave in the unbridled effort to undo a rival. When Pilate became convinced that Jesus did not deserve death, The Jews cried out: “Crucify him! “Crucify him! We have no king but Caesar” (John 19:12).

What lessons can we learn from the passion of our Lord in relation to dialogue and how we affirm one another? Let us look at how we represent ourselves when we put others down as compared to when we recognize and uplift others. Human beings, human society crave for Kings/Presidents/Prime Ministers/Leaders with their various titles, hoping for a good one yet only God is good. If the King kills the young who are coming up, who will sustain and support him as a king and what kingdom will he rule over? “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (Luke. 18:8) *Fr. Omonokhua is the Director of Mission and Dialogue of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Abuja; and Consultor of the Commission for Religious Relations with Muslims (C.R.R.M), Vatican City.

By Obe Ess

TheGuardian

18| Sunday, March 24, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Editorial Rising Debt Profile HE growing profile of the nation’s debts, both domestic and foreign, should be a major concern for the governments and the entire citizens. For it showcases nothing other than the fact that governments at all levels learnt nothing from the strangulating experience of the country in the recent past. From the figures made available by the Debt management Office, it would appear that public officers are hell bent to again force the country to its knees over huge accumulated debts for which the nation has nothing to show. The DMO’s revelation that Nigeria’s external debt, as at December 2012, stood at $6.5 while domestic debts have climbed to N6.5 trillion should therefore be seen as an urgent necessity to re-examine the circumstances surrounding the debts.

When Nigeria was awarded debt relief by her creditors amounting to $18 billion in July 2005, there was widespread celebration in some quarters, particularly in Abuja, where the gesture was portrayed as a veritable launch-pad to Nigeria’s development. The money devoted to debt servicing, officials argued, would now be available for other productive investments such as job creation and infrastructural development.

Unfortunately, cognisance was not given to the fact that whereas debt relief does offer some prospects for development, such an outcome is not automatic, as it would always depend on the capability of the country to institutionalise a sustainable debt management strategy, including elimination of corruption and investment of further loans in productive ventures, if borrowing cannot be totally eliminated.

Sadly, despite the existence of the much publicised Debt Management Office (DMO), and its self-celebrated breakthrough in establishing debt management departments in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria has not been able to put in place a sustainable debt management strategy for the country. Going by the recent revelation of the DMO, the euphoria about the debt relief would appear to have finally disappeared. The collective debt burden of the country represents, without any doubt, a massive betrayal of Nigeria’s huge resource base, both human and material, especially rising oil revenues, and the failure of policy measures targeted at the management of those resources.

The situation seems worse at the state level, where the accumulation of debt has reached a scandalous stage in some states, necessitating a special warning by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in January this year to money deposit banks against the continued lending of credit to states, local councils and their agencies because of the risk implications. The message from the CBN, put in a simple language, is that these states are no longer credit worthy, and any bank that enters into further credit transactions with them does so at its own risks. This may sound alarmist, but the CBN was right to draw public attention to this ugly trend that needs to be redressed before the affected states go bankrupt.

Ironically, the debt crisis has been much more acute in the oil producing states of the Niger Delta. Of the six most indebted states, four are from the Niger Delta. The breakdown of the total domestic debt of these states as at June 2012 is as follows: Bayelsa 162,822,646,799.65; Lagos 157,536,156,114.12; Rivers 106,880,063,170.27; Cross-River 96,544,505,865.85; Delta 90,843,566,965.59 and Imo 62,093,212,852.52 billion naira. These figures are outrageous, especially considering not only the fact that the Niger Delta states still get 13 percent of oil income from the derivation principle, but also the fact that there has been little or nothing to show for the huge allocation and debt in terms of developmental projects and human security. The absence of viable developmental justifications in most of the states indicates that a huge proportion of these monies may have ended up in the private purses of a few privileged people.

In comparative terms, the poorer states of the North, without the privilege of oil derivation, have fared far better in terms of their total public debt outlay. For example, the seven least public indebted states are all from the North: Jigawa, 1,590,540,352.94; Borno, 1,684,555,394.70; Katsina, 2,059,883,054.23; Yobe, 2,088,404,296.16; Sokoto, 2,818,668,231.99; Nasarawa, 5,336,063,609.16; and Kano, 5,867,290,542.00 billion naira.

This implies that the level of public indebtedness may not necessarily be a function of availability of funds. Rather, it has to do, in many respects, with the pragmatic management of available resources.

Overall, Nigerian governments at both the federal and state levels have learnt nothing from the past, especially during the ill-fated debt crisis regime when the country groaned under the heavy yoke of the debt burden. Dragging Nigeria into another regime of debt crisis is totally unacceptable to Nigerians as it will do them no good. This is why the DMO warning should be treated with utmost seriousness by the affected institutions. Government at all levels should also desist from further borrowing; they should render detail account of all existing public debts. The civil society and the mass media should intensify efforts to expose all forms of financial impropriety, sensitise the public about associated ills and mobilise the people for mass action against all forms of reckless borrowing. After all, the people have always been the victim of such recklessness. The time to resist debt slavery is now.

T

LETTERS

He Is A Pope, Not A Pop Star were never written to favour pop-

Following the views, herd truly chosen by God to ular opinions.

Sof IR: innuendoes and reportage lead his flock. the international media It is of note to remind the pop- Pope Francis l assuredly is a cruabout the resignation of Benedict XVI and the build-up to the election of Pope Francis 1, one could say the international media almost turned the whole process though spiritual into a theatrical fanfare.

Thanks to God all the speculations by pundits came to naught. Firstly, for those who were clamouring for the beloved Pope John Paul II to resign before he finally died a holy death in 2005, his successor showed the world that there was really nothing mysterious about a Pope’s resignation and stunned the pundits by his resignation. Just as the “experts” were all conjuring names that may likely replace the Pope emeritus, the college of cardinals again re-wrote the books and proved the pundits wrong by going to the ‘end of the world’ to get a Pope in the person of Pope Francis I, a shep-

ular media once again that as we welcome the new Pope, the papal viewpoints on the issues in the world particularly those bordering on morals, doctrine, faith and spiritual matters have never favoured popular views. Just like his predecessors with their landmark documents Pope Leo XIII with his Rerum Novarum (1891), Blessed John XXIII with Pacem Terris (1961),Pope Paul VI with Humanae Vitae (1967),Blessed Pope John Paul II with familiaris consortio (1981) and Ordinatio Sacerdotalis (on the priestly celibacy and reservation of priestly ordination to men alone). All these documents were turning points in not only the history of the Catholic Church but of the whole world. All the issues in these encyclicals/documents are most fundamental to the yearnings of mankind and

sader of these encyclicals/documents given his background and as shepherd chosen by God to steer the ship of his flock in good direction despite the currents of popular views the world over such as crusades for the legalisation of abortion, use of embryos for stem cells research, secularisation of the church, ordination of women in the catholic church, attacks on the family, marriage and right to freedom of education.

It is worthy of note to mention that the holy father is a spiritual leader and his views and opinions are not likely to be popular (as adjudged by popular media) since he is not a pop star that sings to the applause and demands of his audience. Let us welcome him as a Pope, a good shepherd indeed knows what is best for his flock.

•Emmanuel Afunwa, Enugu, Enugu State.

Attention Ikotun/Igando LCDA Chairman IR: I would like to express my to Igando Road. ties for the greater good of the Sstruction resentment on the road con- The immediate past chairman people, not for personal interof the LCDA tarred the Obabiyi embarked on by chairman Ikotun/Igando local council development authority, Mrs Morenike Adesina Williams on Alhaji Shittu Street, Off Abaranje Road in Ikotun, the road that leads to her house.

I have asked myself and other residents of the area of what importance is the construction on that road that leads to nowhere. Will it not have been of more economic importance if K&S Road at Abaranje leading to Igando is constructed to at least decongest the traffic on Igando to Ijegun Road. The alternative is to construct a link road from Onitire Avenue at Abaranje Road

Road and it reduced traffic around Ikotun-Ijegun-Igando road. He also tarred Fatimoh Street that diverted traffic from Ikotun to Igando road, thereby reducing the bottleneck around that axis.This is the kind of legacy the present chairman should emulate and sustain rather than embarking on self satisfaction and promoting her own individual interest and allowing thousands of other road users that live around IgandoAbaranje-Ijegun road go through hectic traffic every day.

Governance should be about providing basic social ameni-

est. Governance should be about responsibility and responsiveness.

I want to task the chairman Mrs Williams to, in the interest of all the people of IjegunAbaranje-Igando area, use her good office and also emulate her predecessor to lay a good legacy by constructing either the K&S Road or Onitire Avenue at Abaranje Road that links Igando Road. The Alhaji Shittu road being constructed now will only serve the chairman and her neighbours.

•Femi Adebayo, Lagos.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

SUNDAY MAGAZINE 19

LIVINGWOMAN

‘Empowered Women Will Change The Fortunes Of Nigeria’ Coming from the part of Nigeria where women are highly marginalised HE solution to changing this situation is sensitisation, advocacy and talking to the men to make them realise that a woman is as good as a man and that what a man can do, a woman can also do and even better as the saying goes. I think also that one of the first steps in the sensitisation process is to get more women to enroll in schools. It was said that if you educate a woman, you have educated a nation but if you educate a man, you have educated an individual.

For every child, the first doctor is the mother, the first lawyer is the mother and the first cook is also the mother. The mother is virtually everything in the home. So, if the woman were educated, her family would be better off in terms of cleanliness, taking care of the children and the home front generally. The way educated woman will take care of her children is different from how the uneducated woman will.

I am glad to say that in my area, the number of educated women has improved tremendously and it is still improving because we can do better.

Feelings about the 35 per cent affirmative for women We are happy that there is an improvement but we cannot claim to be satisfied. We cannot relax now because if we have only 35 per cent in the executive position, what about the legislature? No, we cannot relax. We need to keep working on it and luckily, the First Lady, Mrs. Dame Patience Jonathan is still interested in her Non-governmental Organisation— Women for Change Initiative and I believe she will use that platform to help us ensure that more women are voted into office and not just appointed into offices.

Fewer numbers of women in the 7th Senate: It is a disheartening issue for me. Even when I was coming to the Senate, I was expecting there would be more women but we are just eight. The number is not good enough and it means that whenever women-related issues or bills come up, we are just a clear minority and this is not right. For a country with women constituiting almost half of its population we should give women greater chances in terms of decision-making offices. Any country that decides to use half of its population, that is the men folk, to develop is going about it the wrong way because they will not achieve what they intend to achieve. It is just like using one hand to do work that ordinarily; one should use both hands to do. If half of the population is men and the other half is made up of women, I think we need both to complement each other.

Views on female politicians and failed marriages It is not true that female politicians are heady or that they do not respect their spouses. However, in my case, I would say ‘to God be the glory’. My husband is a calm, wonderful person.

He knows when I should take my Senate work first and when my family should come first. He would not expect me, for instance, to be at home serving food when I should be in the Chamber for sitting. He doesn’t do that. He believes I should be the best Senator that I can be and gives me every support.

Even when I thought of going to contest election, the extent of the support he gave me was mind-boggling and whenever I think of that, I can’t help but have more respect for him and show more love.

I personally do his cooking during holidays and when the Senate is on recess. His best dishes are Tuwo Acha and Mei kuka.

Fashion Simplicity is it for me.

Favourite colours Lilac and silver Philosophy For me, anything worth doing at all is worth doing well. So, anything I know I won’t have time to do well, I do not even bother starting it at all.

Ways she has impacted the lives of women I usually look at two key issues. One of these has to do with those women in agriculture (farming). Right now, I have placed order for seeds, which we are going to distribute among them tomorrow being Monday.

We are going to meet with wives of emirs, chiefs, district heads, women leaders of churches, the Federation of Muslim Women and of course, women from my party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). It is something new and basically, we have different kinds of vegetables, soya beans and groundnut seeds to be sown.

I have also gotten a company to address the women and assure them that they are ready to buy harvested crops from any woman that has such for sale.

Nenadi Esther Usman has endeared herself to many people, not only on account of her charming looks but also for the fact that she has done very well for herself. Married to the Emir of Jere, Kaduna State, His Royal Highness; Dr. Sa’ad Usman, Nenadi has headed many organisations at the state level before her appointment as the Minister of State, Finance and later Minister of Finance. She was elected Senator representing Kaduna South Senatorial District on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2011. In spite of these privileges, however, she did not lose touch with women on the lower rungs of the ladder. She does everything within her power, including sponsoring the adult education classes of the local women in her district every week to ensure that they are empowered and live decently. The elegant First Lady of Jere recently shared her displeasure with BRIDGET CHIEDU ONOCHIE over the diminished number of women in the 7th Senate. She also bemoaned the marginalised state of women in Nigerian politics and hoped that come 2015, more women will come on board the political terrain.

T

USMAN Secondly, I am putting up a loan scheme strictly for the women, especially the widows. In my area, we have so many widows that have not remarried because they have children with their late husbands. The fact is that they have to take care of their children despite not having good education and might not get good jobs to earn good money to take care of these children. They are still struggling and you can see their determination.

So, I just want to give priority to the widows, but then we will try to cover as many women as possible. I have had meetings with 13 micro finance Managing directors within my area and together, we have been able to work out a scheme,

whereby the women would be lent money as cooperative groups and when they pay back, others would be lent the money as well. But what we are thinking is that they should not be charged interest. Instead, I will find a way of shouldering the interest so that it will come to them as in a soft condition.

Education I had my early education in Jos and later in Kagoro. My secondary school education was in Federal Government College, Jos. I obtained my B.Sc. Geography and Post Graduate Diploma from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. I am currently doing a PhD research in the same Institution.

20 SUNDAYMAGAZINE

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24., 2013

SPOTLIGHT

‘Leveraging On Attitude, Mindset In Career Pursuit’ Yetunde Zaid decided to become a librarian after an outstanding experience at a library. But she wanted to be much more than a commonplace librarian, she desired to be a librarian of note. So, she embarked on an academic journey that saw her acquiring a PhD in that field. Since then, there has been no looking back. This passion combined with strong family values has contributed in no small measure to placing her at the peak of her career. From being the Head Reader at the University of Lagos to being the current President of Nigeria Library Association, Lagos State Chapter, she is simply savouring the attendant success. This much she told OLUWAKEMI AJANI recently.

ZAID

On perceived falling standard of education and reading culture in Nigeria T is quite true that the academic performance of Nigerian students has actually dropped. And a lot of things are responsible for that but reading is an important parameter that affects the academic performance of the students and so many things are involved.

Students do not imbibe the reading culture any more although the influence of information technology cannot be ruled out. Much as it is good, it also has its challenges. People are now hooking up to mobile applications and that has greatly affected the reading culture of students.

For instance, in the United States, the impact of technology has improved the reading culture of the people such that you can access a lot of things. Technology has already opened a lot of avenues there and has given people the ability to freely share and access information in some books that people cannot ordinarily afford. They can download on any of their applications such as mobile phones and read.

So, you see a lot of people with e-book, which has increased the reading habit of Americans.

But in Nigeria, I pray we get there some day.

Here in Nigeria, people don’t get things right.

Instead of using technology for positive impact, some of our students used it negative-

I

ly.

With the smart phones, one can access information wherever and whenever. If you don’t want to read on your phone you can get e-readers and read along anywhere you are. So, the impact of technology is responsible but this technology has positive in other countries of the world it is having a negative impact in Nigeria.

About her Association Nigerian Library Association is a professional body just like any other association. It comprises a group of librarians. The Association was 50 last years which means we are as old as Nigeria. The body is an avenue for all library professionals to meet and move the profession forward in Nigeria.

Impact of the Association It has raised the information society, and we have a voice as an association. The impact we are making is much. In lieu of the freedom of information bill submitted, the Association is ready to meet the information needs of the people with its own peculiar characteristics and values.

Challenges facing librarians We are not facing much challenge as a matter of fact. This is our era because the Internet has made things easy for librarians to operate more efficiently.

Gone is the era when a librarian is limited

to printing copy collections and books on the shelf. Now a librarian is no longer limited to information. There are more current trends in the library world today than before. These include social networking, digitisation, electronic books, logging, and mobile applications among others.

It is left for librarians who know their worth to imbibe and embraced what modern technology has to offer. Technology will not only empower and transform a librarian, it will also improve and enhance his/her services to the users.

Experience/journey to the top I became the president of the Nigeria Library Association in March 2011 through election. I am just here doing my work as a librarian in Lagos State and we went for the annual general meeting. At that point, I got a call from the Association to come and be at the helms of affair. The experience has been good because we have over 1,500 Librarians in Lagos State now and it’s good coordinating activities of the Librarians in the state.

Most important thing for me is that so far, I have tried to improve the skill development of librarians.

We have also participated fully at the Nigeria International Book Fair 2011. We had programmes that drew librarians all over the World. We also have a training pro-

gramme in collaboration with the United States embassy for librarians in Lagos State. From time to time, we ensure that we keep abreast on information that would help people forge ahead in their career.

As a career woman and a home maker Do you know that there is no magic test that would tell you that a library career is right for you or not? But for me, I embraced the values and characteristics of the librarian.

I know that to be a librarian, one needs to have the zeal to help and serve people because that is what it entails. I am also interested in developing and providing services; resources and materials that help to meet the information need of the people.

Besides, I am also interested in preservation of heritage materials in Nigeria.

Am also interested in instructional programmes that would enlighten people to access information.

During my NYSC programmes, I visited an academic library and I was impressed with the services rendered there. I made up my mind that I would choose librarianship as a career because I felt that it is good for women because it allows for the control of one’s time and the opportunity to counsel and meet the needs of the people.

I made up my mind to pursue librarianship to PhD level and that was what I did after my first degree. I went for my Masters at the University of Ibadan after which I got married.

I took time to raise my children without doing any job and the Lord really helped me to manage my family with the help and support of my husband. He is a lawyer I got employed at the University of Lagos in 2002.

Education I had my primary education at Ansar-ud-deen Primary on Lagos Island. I went to Comprehensive High School Sabo in Lagos for my secondary education. I later attended Ogun State University now Olabisi Onabanjo Agoiwoye for my first degree. From there, I went to University of Ibadan for my Masters and PhD programme.

One thing people should consider when choosing a career is the opportunities inherent in a particular career. They should also be aware of the likely demands that go with the career and be ready to give what it takes to be the best.

Childhood dreams I had a great desire to be a successful person. While growing up, I used to follow my father to the bank because he loved taking me around. Then, he worked with the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA). As a young girl, I was always impressed by the way bankers dressed with their smart suits and all that. My father would then tell me to face my studies if I wanted to be like them. I knew that even if I didn’t work in a bank I was going to be career person all the same.

Growing up I grew up in a wonderful environment with good family values and background. I came from Niger and grew up in Lagos but my parents were from Abeokuta and I married a man from Kogi.

Views on gender equality This is an issue people discuss all the time. Women are not really as well placed, as they ought to be. But I want to believe now that women are rising up to the challenge. I believe the only thing that can limit anyone is the mind.

If you make up your mind to be whatever and you aspire to be that through hard work, with the Lord on your side you will achieve it.

If people see every challenge as a crisis or limitation, they may probably not forge ahead. Because women have a lot of things to contend with— career, family, extended families, etc, there will always be challenges. So, a woman has to make up her mind, have a vision and strive towards the desired goal to achieve excellence.

Women as breadwinners It is not just happening now. It has always been in the history of mankind that women are productive. If you look at the local women even back then, they would go to the farm, cultivate and harvest the crops. They would also prepare food for the family.

Women usually maintain the household but because of the economic situation not just in Nigeria but the world over, the socio-economic condition of people has really dropped and no woman can bear to see her family suffering or her children thrown out of school.

Women love seeing their families in a good condition and so, they give their all even when the man is not supportive. There are marital challenges everywhere but strong women would see it as an assignment that the Lord has placed into their hands. This is why even career women do other things on the side to earn more income to alleviate the poverty in their family.

Leisure I love reading books and spending time with my family.

Fashion I dress the way occasions demand. For instance, if the occasion demands that I dress gorgeously, I do so likewise if it is necessary I dress down, I do so.

A word of advice for women They should be focused and have self-esteem, whatever they do. There is no success without hard work. Women should focus on their chosen careers and be mentally alert. With the Lord on their side, they can achieve whatever they set their minds on.

Women can contribute their quota to the development of society by doing what they know best. Many Nigerian women are already proving their worth. Take for instance, the Minister for education, Prof. Rukayyat and other women in high positions.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

SUNDAYMAGAZINE21

SOCIETY Birthdays LASEBIKAN, Chief Abimbola, chartered accountant, will be 75 on March 30, 2013. He was born in Ogbomoso and educated at Baptist Day School, Ogbomoso, 1943-50; Baptist Boys High School, Oyo (now Olivet High School, Oyo), 195156; School of Agriculture, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, 195758; Northwestern Polytechnic, Kentish Town, London, 1959-61; University of Leeds, Yorkshire, England, 1961-64; fellow, Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales; and Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN); audit manager in Deloitte Haskins & Sells, a founding partner of Oni Lesebikan & Co; chartered accountant and a senior partner of Ernst & Young Chartered Accountants. Presently, he is the executive chairman of Leeds Consultants Limited, Tax and Management Consultant; member, Lions Club International, District 404A Nigeria and a past Regional Chairman of the Association between 2005 and 2006. He holds traditional title of Mayegun of Orile Igbon, Oyo State.

TINUBU, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed, accountant, economist, politican and former governor of Lagos State will be 61 on Friday, March 29, 2013. Born in Kakawa Street, Lagos on

Events • World Revival Assembly holds its Halleluyah Festival with the theme: “What Is Man”, at 13, Tigbegbe Street, along Ojokoro High School, Ijaye Ojokoro, Lagos. The festival, which starts today, will end on March 31. Host Pastor, Prince Chideon Enis and other ministers, such as Rev. Yemi Akinola; Pastor Peter Abiodun; Evang.

Janet James; Evang. O. Okunade will minister, during the programme. Time is 5.30pm daily.

• Asaba Development Union (ADU), Lagos Branch, which comprises both Men and Women’s Wing meeting comes up on April 6, 2013. The venue is, 6, Awe Street, off Aruno Ifako Ijaiye, Ogba (residence of Chief Ogbueshi J.O. Okafor) at 2.30pm.

Lasebikan

Obey

Tinubu

Olugbodi

March 29, 1952, he was educated at Government College, Ibadan; he left Nigeria in 1975 for academic pursuit in the United States of America at the Richard Daley College, Chicago, Illinois where he was on the College Honour’s list.

He proceeded to the Chicago State University, Chicago, Illinois and graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration specialising in Accounting and Management. He worked with American companies like Arthur Anderson; Deloitte, Haskins and Sells, now Deloitte, Haskins and Touche; GTE Services Corporation; Consultant, Fortune 500 groups, all in the United States of America. He also worked as a Senior Auditor and Treasurer with Mobil Oil Nigeria Limited. His political career began in 1993 when he was elected Senator for the Lagos West Senatorial District.

He was the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Finance, Appropriations and Currency. He contested for the seat of the Executive Governor of Lagos State on the

ticket of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and was elected Governor in 1999 and the mandate was renewed in April 2003 for a second term.

He was conferred with LL.D (Honoris Causa) by Abia State University, Uturu in November 2001; Top Seal award for Leadership in 2002. He is the Grand Patron of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Patron of the Lagos Country Club, Patron of the Island Club and Honorary member of the Yoruba Tennis Club. He is also a founding member of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

2007; House Keeper’s Improve Skill Course, 2010; and Financial Training on IFRS Implementation Strategy. He worked at Yemi Nursery & Primary school, between 1984 and 1991 as a teacher, Nigerian Forwarders Ltd, 1992-94; Crown Forwarders Nigeria Limited, 1995-01; and Victoria Beach Hotels, 2002-2010. He is at present Vice President/CEO, Breadfruit Elders Shareholders Association, member, Audit Committee Royal Ex-

change Plc and Nigeria Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management.

OBALALARO, Ayanwamide Kayode, teacher and shareholding expert will be 49 on Thursday, March 28, 2013.

Born on March 28, 1964, he was educated at the Community High School, Fiditi, Oyo State and later proceeded to the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State, where he studied Hotel and Catering Management in 2005. Before this period, he had a Certificate in Purchasing and Store Supervision, 1998; Customer Service Excellence Course,

Edo State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Henry Idahagbon (left) and Mr. Omozeghian, Acting Director of the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) during the commissioner’s visit, last week in Benin City.

Paincare Outreach Partners RCCG To Give Succour N the minds of people, the name ‘Greenlife’ is commonly associated with medicines and healthcare, and they are right.

But something that seems to resonate with the ordinary man became an offshoot of the Lagos-based pharmaceutical company when it started Paincare Outreach four years ago.

Today, the welfare programme has become a monthly initiative, which gives back to the public through free medical campaigns.

The February 2013 edition recorded a massive turnout of residents in Itamaga, Ikorodu area of Lagos State, and was held in partnership with the Redeemed Christian Church of God, House of Jubilation Parish, where assorted foods and medicines were freely given out.

Peter Nwosu, managing director of the company, said the programme was designed mainly to minister to the spiritual and material needs of the people.

Pastor Gbenga Olukoya, the As-

I

sistant Pastor in charge of Lagos Province 33, was full of appreciation for the project initiator, Nwosu, for his kind gesture.

One of the beneficiaries of the outreach, Alhaji Mouka Lawal, also thanked the organisers for bringing the project to the community.

Nwosu said he was born without the proverbial silver spoon, but endured hardship to rise to

his present position. This, he said, is the reason why he has remained faithful to the community of the needy where he once belonged.

The vision of Greenlife is to ensure a healthy life for everyone and because I am so much in love with health, we are doing this in order to touch lives in our own little way, he said.

OLUGBODI, Tunji, would be 49 tomorrow, March 25, 2013. He attended Ogun State University (now Olabisi Onabanjo University), Ago-Iwoye, with a Bachelor’s degree in English Language in 1987. His career began at The Guardian Newspapers as a reporter and later a sub-editor and judicial correspondent. He embraced the

next opportunity at Saal Advertising as a concept copywriter. He joined Promoserve as a Client Service Executive, and rose to the position of Business Development Manager in 1990. He was responsible for business growth and profitability on accounts as Pfizer, Unilever, Honeywell Group, Access Bank and UBA. In 1991, he moved to Prima Garnet Ogilvy. He played major roles in the establishment of 141 Worldwide, Cutler Ogilvy PR, First Direct and Lampost, all offspring’s of Prima Garnet Ogilvy. At Prima Garnet, he work on brands like Econet/Vodacom, British American Tobacco, Nestle, GSK, Multichoice, Coca-Cola, IBM, Microsoft, etc. After 15 years of service at Prima Garnet, he set up Verdant Zeal, a marketing communications outfit. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, London and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing Nigeria & the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, APCON; a deacon and the Chairman, Board of Governors, Lagos Baptist School of Theology,

Director, Social Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Msgr. Gabriel Osu, with participants during a one-day workshop for Catholic Communicators at St. Michael’s, Lafiaji, Lagos.

Communications Manager, Annie Essienette (left), Chief Accountant, Sike Bamisebi, HR Director Adebimpe Ayo-Elias, HR Business Partner, Omokunbi Adeoti of Alcatel Lucent Nigeria, present gifts to the Administrator of Lagos State Lion Club Motherless Home Lekki, Bunmi Opalana and Nurse Ogunlana during International Women’s Day.

Transition Adeyinka Adebayo Afolabi (1977-2012) OU lived as a light set on a YA year hill. on... you continue to shine...

Our words are inadequate to express how much you meant to me, your wife and our daughter during your short earthly sojourn; this has not changed even after a year you passed on.

You were so amiable, confident, courageous, compas-

sionate, loving and above all, you loved GOD with all your heart and kept faith till you breathed your last.

You stamped your person in our hearts and left an indelible mark.

The testimony and quality of your life abide and speak as gold; it continues to shine in the life of everyone privileged to have met you.

You stamped your person in our hearts and left an indelible mark.

Our hearts still ache severely from your shocking departure.

In the midst of our untold pain, we are comforted by the priceless memories of the love and joy you so freely shared and the fact that having run your earthly race so well, you are resting peacefully in the Lord.

Sleep on Adeyinka!!!

dead. Her burial rites begin on Wednesday, March 27,2013 with a Service of Songs at 4pm at her residence, Umu-Onai Quarters, Akwukwu-Igbo, Oshimili North Council of Delta State. A Christian wake-keep holds at 8pm on Friday, March 29 at her residence, while on Saturday, March 30, a funeral service will take place at St. John’s Anglican Church, Akwukwu-Igbo. An outing service will hold on Sunday, March 31 at the same church.

She is survived by children and grand children.

— Afolabi Florence, wife Paincare Outreach founder, Mr. Peter Nwosu (2nd left), leads a woman to the drug desk after being attended to by doctors during the programme held on Ronke Street, Ijeshatedo, Lagos... last week

• Ezinne Victoria Akuchukwu Gbandi (nee Ogbo), aged 87, is Afolabi

You can send your pictures, birthday events and reports to: jideoojo@yahoo.com

Gbandi

22 SUNDAYMAGAZINE

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

KALEIDOSCOPE

‘Let’s Begin To Know Our Worth, Appreciate Our Valuables’ Dr. Akerele Adu is a 78 years old Germantrained psychiatrist. He was born in the sleepy town of Ijare in Ondo State. A consultant at University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan before retiring to private practice, is also a consultant to World Health Organisation (WHO) on herbal medicine. He spoke with ITUNU AJAYI on his medical experience vis-à-vis traditional healing power.

Who is Akerele Adu? WAS born on June 4, 1931 to the family of Ifa, the Yoruba god of divination. My father, Chief Falaye Adu was a renowned traditional healer, and he combined Ifa divination and herbalism with equal dexterity. His main specialty in herbalism was psychiatry, and from far and wide, people with mental challenges were brought to him. His fame went beyond the confines of the then Ondo Province, now known as Ekiti and Ondo states to other parts of the country. He wasn’t lettered at all, he was an illiterate, but very much enlightened. He didn’t know the advantage of medicine, probably those of my elder siblings who were old enough to give birth to me would have gone to school before me.

So what was it like growing up in a home where the head of the family is a herbalist and how were you able to break forth and study in Germany when your father did not know the advantages inherent in Western education.

My father as I said did not know the value of education but for one headmaster, a native of Usi Ekiti by name Mr. Falua now late, I would not have gone to school. This man did so much in going round to persuade parents to send their children to school. He was living very close to our house and was a friend and admirer of my father. My father liked him too, so there was mutual respect between them. The man came to Ijare twice as headmaster and the position of teachers then was like they were second in command to the king (Oba). His effort and that of other two senior uncles of mine influenced my going to school in 1942.

My father loved me so much that he believed that I was his father’s incarnate. About the age of four, I started to stay more with him, sleep with him and he was teaching me Ifa divination as well as herbalism. I stayed with him at home and helped entertain visitors while others went to the farm. In the process, he showed me a lot of things to do with herbs.

So, when three men came to him one morning and told him they needed him to release one boy for them to enroll in school, he said; “Ha! Others had gone to farm, and this one, Akerele, is very brilliant. I cannot imagine myself without him.”

He insisted I had soft brain and believed that was the crucial period in my training because by then, I had started reciting Ifa’s couples and memorising them very well.

So then, I was a student and at the same time, learning my father’s trade. One interesting thing I enjoyed so much was that every morning, pounded yam would be offered to oracle with assorted meats, etc. I was usually the one to eat the portion meant for Ifa, and I was used to it, even till today.

So what did Ifa do to you for eating its portion because one would have expected that you would have gotten a knock or something for eating the food meant for it?

No, on the contrary, I became vast in reciting Ifa’s couples and memorise them very well, I think perhaps that was one of the things Ifa did for me when I started school. I was very smart, I had double promotion twice and some of my classmates went to my father to make memory enhancement charm because of my brilliance.

But my father was always telling them that they could only remember what they have learnt and read. It is unfortunate that students now go to church, night vigils and revival to pray. They think that is what will make them pass examinations; you have to read to be able to pass. It is good to serve God, but the Bible itself says to

I

work and then pray. Because of the many enchantments in the Ifa divination, I developed a sonorous voice and I was enrolled in the church choir, which I enjoyed so much. You can’t be lazy and be able to memorise, that is one thing in Ifa divination, you have to memorise them. It helped me while in schools.

Was there any unforgettable event in your school days that you would like to share?

There are quite a number of them, but there is one I can’t forget and I keep giving glory to God for it. On November 21, 1949, we finished our Standard Six exams and two days later, I broke my leg on the football pitch. I was unconscious for many days, but for the fact that I had a good father and for the good treatment he gave me, I would have lost my life. During the surgery at Igbobi Orthopaedic Hospital in Lagos, my heart stopped for four hours and it had to be opened up for massage. If it were now, I don’t know what could have happened. Back then, we had expatriates in the hospitals and things were working out well. It was suggested that the leg be amputated but my father said no and that he was sure I would not want to live with an amputated leg. So he brought me home and continued the treatment the traditional way.

Interestingly till date, the synopsis in my file in Igbobi reads “that I would become a vegetable all my life and would not be able to do anything,” but to the glory of God, I am still alive. When I came back from Germany after medical progamme, I went to Igbobi and told them I was doing a study on a patient, I requested for my file. It was brought out; you know they have good record keeping. When we went through it, the doctors said they were sure the patient would be long dead by then and they were curious what I wanted with such patient. But in the long-run, I introduced myself that I was the same patient. They could not believe it, that is God for you. It was really tough though, after I went back to school, my brain became so slow that I took time to really get on with my study. I did not finish secondary school until I was 26 years old. I went in late though.

WHO is doing a lot of research on herbs and how it can be used in curative measure. Why is voodoo attach to it and most people don’t want to use it because of religion. Is it that traditional healers are doing some things that are not open to the people?

I think the main challenge here is that people are losing their identities. Whatever is not approved by a white-man is seen as evil by an average blackman. My late wife was a German; I married her when I went to Germany to study. We had eight successful children together, none of them answers any English name. That is where I will begin. Nigerians like to give names they do not even know the meaning to their children. My first daughter is named Ojakolade, that was the name of my mother and she answers it till tomorrow.

My first son is Falaye, a name my father answered till he died. So until we begin to know our worth, we would continue to throw valuables away. I am sure if a white-man prepares what we term concoction here and say it cures diabetes for instance, an average Nigerian would jump at it without finding out what the composition is. Now what is

A lot of people are jobless and they capitalise on falsehood to defraud innocent people to make quick money.

It is a lie for someone to claim that a particular portion cures 200 ailments.

It is not possible for me to prepare some portion for a diabetic patient and use the same for someone suffering from fibroid or mental ailment. People just want to make quick money. You need to use a right herb for right ailment.

the source of the orthodox drugs we use, they are from roots and back of trees. True, there are words that are spoken into herbs preparation, but the same can be seen in book of Psalms in the Bible. I have many translations of the Bible. Haven’t you seen people read portions of Psalms in water and they use it and it works for them? Psalms are words, everything depends on faith. Let us not deceive ourselves; a lot of the so-called pastors visit people like us to prepare herbs for them.

I like this voodoo angle you brought up, let’s take hypnotising for instance. In those days, thieves dare not enter one’s farm or house; just a broom could be used to track them. It could make them carry maybe a chair from here to say Akure without them knowing what they were doing, that is hypnotising. Interestingly, the whites are using it in treatment in medical practice, so what are we talking about. The bottom-line is, we don’t appreciate what we are endowed with in this part of the world and it is quite unfortunate.

What is the difference between a herbalist and someone who engages in divination?

There are so many herbalists who have no idea about divination at all but they prepare herbs for the purpose of treatment. One thing about the traditional practice is that it has collaborative and cooperative tendency. So if a herbalist has any dif-

ficulty in the healing process, they consult the diviners, it’s like seeing a doctor. You consult Ifa to know the kind of ailment and the type of herb to use. If it is the diviner that has challenges on what herbs to use, he consults the herbalist, but it is better to combine the two because they are usually better than being a herbalist alone. That is what my father combined with dexterity, both divination and healing practice.

So why is herb losing its potency?

It is not herbs that are losing potency; it is human beings that have brought in greed and corruption into the practice. As I speak with you, there are young medical doctors that have come here to seek my request that I work with them.

And I usually tell them that whatever I am doing now is just for me to get busy, not for the purpose of feeding myself. My children were the ones who conspired and closed down my clinic in Akure, it was a big fight. They said I am old and should be sleeping and eating, but I told them I have to move around if they don’t want me to die now. That is why whenever I visit them abroad; it’s always a big problem before they could allow me to come back. I usually tell them that if I die in their hands abroad, the people of Ijare will not take my corpse from them. That threat normally jolts them before they release

SuNDAYMAGAZINe 23

THe GuARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

KALeIDOSCOPe me.

A lot of people are jobless and they capitalise on falsehood to defraud innocent people to make quick money. It is a lie for someone to claim that a particular portion cures 200 ailments. It is not possible for me to prepare some portion for a diabetic patient and use the same for someone suffering from fibroid or mental ailment. A lot of people are jobless and want to make quick money. You need to use a right herb for right ailment.

Most herbs are going into extinction because of expansion, people setting bush on fire, environmental degradation and all that. When I returned to Nigeria with my wife, we set up a botanic garden worth N3 million, but people do go there and steal it, it’s so sad. I am pleading with the government to establish botanic gardens to preserve our herbs. World Health Organisation (WHO) is working on herbs now and I bet you, if the european countries had the kind of herbs we have, they would be swimming in millions, but our whole concentration is on oil. Government should look away from oil and see what can be harnessed from other areas. Look at what China and those Asian countries are doing with herbs. They are making so much money from it, but we would rather buy from them than develop our own.

There are lots of ailments out there, even those synonymous with the elderly in time past are now affecting the young folks, why is this and what is the way out.

We still need to go back to our root. I talked about losing our identity. What do people eat nowadays, junks. My children make sure even while on visits with them abroad, I eat the normal traditional way. We are now taken to foreign food and parents don’t even speak local languages to their children.

My children speak my dialect; remember their mother was not even a Nigerian. So what excuse do Nigerian parents have not to speak local languages to their wards? We like copying others and that is why we are where we are now. You will now see an eight-year-old who is diabetic simply because of the food they are fed with. We need to change our orientation. Nigeria is blessed, we are not just grateful to God. In those days, our mothers added mushrooms to their soup, we did not know why then until later when we began to make research and we found out that mushroom elongates life. There are other things like; small snails, the land snails and some insects, a particular worm prevents diabetes, those snails prevent hypertension and so on, but now we are civilised. We need to retrace our steps.

There is a saying that when a man of knowledge and wisdom dies, a library burns down, are you impacting this knowledge to others.

Of course, it is only selfish people who do not want others to learn from them. Like I said, God in His infinite mercy has given us these things and the knowledge and wisdom to combine them together for the benefit of humanity. I have three of my cousins who are residing with me and learning the act. My children too are interested in it, two of them are medical doctors and they really want to go deep into herbal practice. They have been talking of relocating to Nigeria to fulfill this. They all went to school here including their university education and they were assisting me then to pound and grind stuffs. So it’s not totally strange to them.

But what I tell those with me now is that they should not put money first. They should have human feelings above all, no one like to be sick except if the person is possessed or something. There are ailments you don’t charge people for in Yoruba tradition. Mental sickness is one of them so also epilepsy. You treat them and if they come back to appreciate what you did, fine and well, but if not, you let them go. To the glory of God, children of the elite who got entangled with drugs abroad had been brought here for treatment and a lot of them are doing well in their careers now except of course those who are not serious with their lives.

Advice to people Yes, perseverance and faith in God. After secondary school, I had about 10 scholarships to either study Latin, Literature or other classics. But I insisted on medicine and we did not do any sciences while in the secondary school. So I had to travel to Lagos to take extra lessons in the sciences. After passing my sciences, I did my Higher School Certificate (HSC) and the journey to read medicine in Germany began at 30 years of age. People should stop looking for shortcuts, work comes before praying, and God cannot bless an empty hand. It is only in the dictionary that success comes before work, it does not happen in real life.

WORLD TB DAY: Nigeria’s Productive Age Threatened By TB Scourge Nigeria Has 3,000 Cases Of Multidrugs Resistant TB Annually Today is the World Tuberculosis (TB) Day, a time designed to create public awareness about the global epidemic of tuberculosis and efforts to eliminate the killer disease. Prof. Gregory Erhabor, President, Nigerian Thoracic Society (NTC) and Project Coordinator, Asthma and Chest Care Foundation, Ile-Ife, Osun State, told CHIJIOKE IREMEKA that TB kills young Nigerians in their prime of life, saying that 3000 cases of MDR are reported annually in Nigeria among other health issues.

What programmes do NTC and Chest foundation have to sensitise people and what is your assessment of TB control Nigeria? uBeRCuLOSIS (TB) is a serious disease, which mainly affects the world active population, including Nigeria. And this is why we have decided to fight the scourge headlong by sensitising the masses through awareness creation in order to forestall lives loss to this preventable disease.

Today, the world is celebrating tuberculosis day and we are concerned because in spite of the funds sunk into TB control programmes, TB is still an issue in Asia and Africa. The theme for this year’s celebration is “eliminate TB in Our Lifetime.”

And I think it’s possible to do that if we set in motion the things that are required and do what we are supposed to do. Though Nigeria has made an upward limp in the world rating to 10th position from its forth position among the world’s countries with high incidence of TB but that’s not good enough as over 100,000 are infected with TB in Nigeria.

Erhabor This has been compounded by the facts that Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) treatment and inciresistant (MDR) TB cases. The major problem with dence of multidrug resistant strain have come to stay our situation is that, detecting drug resistant TB is without any machines or centres dedicated to detect- not universal. There are few places, where you can ing the strains. Also, the government is not doing go for this, which shouldn’t be. enough in this struggle.

Globally, there are no machines evenly distribWe are not going to depend on external forces to uted to effectively detect the issues of MDR and solve this problem. Looking back, one can say the when they are detected, sometimes, there is no world has tried but Nigeria is still very far away from enough drugs to treat them. eliminating TB in our lifetime.

It’s not enough to mention that someone has TB infects third world population, especially in MDR but we should be able to know how to tackle South-east Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa due to high the issue of MDR in Nigeria so that the resistance level of poverty. In the list of TB high burden counitself does not become a universal problem. The tries of the world, Nigeria ranks 10. TB has refirst thing that the government should do is to emerged as a major lungs disease of public concern ensure there are centres designated for detecting because of its relationship with HIV infection. and treatment of MDR. People living with HIV have high chances of contact- Secondly, experts in this field need to put their ing TB, especially, when they are untreated. Though, heads together and brainstorm on how to curb with increasing access to anti-HIV medications, it’s the issues before it becomes a more serious now possible for people living with HIV to live long, threat. They should regularly meet and analyse but when they have an unrecognised or untreated the success and challenges of TB in the country.

TB, they die within six months from TB infection.

In other words, there has to be a forum to eduTB in Nigeria kills mainly young adults in the most cate people. We already have one and the essence productive age brackets (15-49 years) of life. of it, is to bring the stakeholders together for one Would you rather consider TB as an epidemic in goal. People should not stay in one cell and pracNigeria? tice industrial TB control. They should come TB in Nigeria is endemic. It’s a problem we already together once in a while to evaluate and stratehave. Nigeria is one of the trouble spots in the world. gise or re-strategise the way forward. Information Though, we have made a stride in TB control, should be evenly spread across the different strata through aggressive campaigns, yet lack of emphasis of people in the country. on TB treatment in many hospitals in Nigeria poses a Health care practitioners and patients encourage major setback, fighting TB. MDR-TB, how true is this claim?

Many hospitals do not have spots for treatment of The biggest problem that brings about MDR is TB; they do not accord TB any priority, when it comes under dosage and wrong medication. You discovto allocation of resources. everything about TB is left er that sometimes, people treated of TB do not in the hands of external donors and that is why the have enough drugs to sustain the treatment and problem of TB is still with us. as a result, some of them take two or three drugs, A major problem in the fight against TB is re-infecwithout completing the required dosage. tion of treated stocks, what strategies would be If you give one or two drugs when they require employed to counter this? four drugs, then the patient can easily developed In the high-income countries, the problem is with MDR. So, when a TB patient is not given the right the immigrants, while in the low-income countries, drugs, it leads to drug resistance. There is need for people are under treated. Those, who are poorly Private Public Partnership in the area of MDR. treated, will now spread the disease to other people.

If you go to the general hospital or teaching hosThis is an issue to tackle headlong. pital and got treated and those at the private hosBut if anybody is fully treated, he will not spread the pital do not, they will come back re-infect and disease because TB is being contracted from an encourage drug resistance. untreated source. But when the source gets a partial In other words, there should be a synergy cure, it will re-infect others and it continues to between the professionals in the TB control and spread. This does not allow for attainment of our management to pool their resources and effort dream of ‘eliminating TB in our lifetime’ come into together towards combating MDR tuberculosis. fruition.

Why are TB patients undertreated in Nigeria?

In the high-income countries, like the western People are undertreated because most of them world, the TB is not a problem but with the immireport to the hospital very late. It’s said that grants. Many of these countries have checks and bal- before a person, who has cough reports to the ances. Sometimes, they screen people at the point of hospital, he would have infected six other perentry to their countries. sons. They go to wrong places to take wrong medThere is a high vigilance observed by these counications. Sometimes, they patronise roadside tries. When anyone is suspected, or probably appears drug vendors or ill-equipped private hospital. with symptoms of TB, he is quarantined, isolated and The drugs centres for the treatment of TB are not treated before entering into such country to ensure universally handled. Again, even when people go that immigrant TB does not re-infect or spread in to these centres to receive treatment, when they that country. felt okay, they leave without completing their What is the situation with multidrug-resistant TB in drugs and this also leads to MDR. Nigeria and the strategies to control it?

Also, there is issue of lack of doorstep centre.

In Nigeria, there are about 3000 cases of Multidrug There is paucity of screening centres and some-

T

times, the centres are far away from the beneficiaries. When this happens, the people have to be motivated to go and complete their drugs.

In some cases, they do not have money to transport themselves to the treatment centres. There is also the fear of treating HIV patient, who has TB. These compound the problem already at hand.

What are the simplest symptoms that every mother or layman will look out for, trying to prevent TB? When you find out that you are coughing and wheezing for over two weeks; having fever at night, I suggest you go to the nearest treatment centre for a test. When you get there, your sputum will be taken for a test. Treatment centres are in most teaching hospitals.

You need to find out those, who have the problem. There should be a concerted effort here. The journalists, religious leaders, physicians, community leaders, village heads and schoolteachers among others should be involved.

Smoking, alcoholism and dirty and overcrowded environment among others compound the problem of TB. Balance diet will help to improve your immune system against TB. Proven strategies for treatment of TB in HIV patients?

The most important approach to this, which is practiced in other countries, is what is referred to as “One Stop” treatment. In ‘one stop’ treatment, we look at TB and HIV together. Look at them as diseases we must fight together.

In the past, people used to be afraid that when they treat TB patients, they are likely to be infected with the other. But now, we tried not to separate them, we treat them together. Any TB patient that comes, we screen him for HIV and vice versa.

If we noticed that they are related, we treat them together. So, ‘one stop’ treatment is the way out.

You mention PPP in the fight against MDR strains in TB, what partnership are you advocating?

I mean private public partnership between government and others agencies, including corporate organisations, individuals, NGOs and others.

Recently, a community-based NGO dedicated to helping people breathe normal, Asthma and Chest Care Foundation, which I’m the Project Coordinator, has joined this call to fight TB and other Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) referred to as, chronic bronchitis or emphysema.

The foundation engages in public education of the masses on TB, providing medical and humanitarian supports to patients with asthma, TB, COPD and other lung diseases; training doctors and other health professionals on current approaches to the management of chest diseases to improve patients’ care, and fostering collaborations with all stakeholders, including physicians, professional bodies, businessmen, industries, media and corporate organisations among others.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

24 SUNDAYMAGAZINE

HEALTH

By Fabian Odum

NOWING the food to eat in place of drugs is as good as extending one’s life span, even if temporarily. Whether in normal course of ill health or in severe cases of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) virus infection, nutrients from fruits and vegetables have proved to be sources of reliable prophylactics.

Where there is an already weakened immune system by HIV or other diseases, nutritionists agree that a nutritious diet can help maintain a proper functioning of the body.

Find below a list of disease conditions that can be handled by food nutrients: Anaemia Eat more iron-rich foods such as animal products (eggs, fish, meat and liver), green leafy vegetables (collard green, spinach), legumes (beans, lentils, groundnuts) nuts, oil seeds and fortified cereals.

Take iron supplements Fever Eat soups rich in foods that give energy and nutrients like maize, potato and carrot; drink plenty of liquid.

Drink teas from lemon, guava and gum tree Drink more than usual, beyond thirst Eat small, frequent meals as tolerated Nausea and Vomiting Eat small and frequent meals Eat food such as soup, unsweetened porridge, and fruit such as bananas Eat slightly salted and dry foods such as crackers to calm the stomach Drink herbal teas lemon juice in hot water Avoid spicy and fatty foods Avoid alcohol Drink plenty of liquids- cleaned boiled water Thrush (disease of the mouth) Eat soft, mashed foods such as carrots, scrambled eggs, mashed potato, banana, soups and porridge Eat cold or room-temperature foods

K

Battling Diseases With Food

Avoid spicy, salty or sticky foods; these may initiate mouth sores.

Avoid alcohol and drink plenty of liquids Anorexia (loss of appetite) Stimulate appetite by eating favourite foods Eat small amounts of food more often Select foods that are more energy dense Avoid strong-smelling foods Diarrhoea Drink a lot of fluids (soups, diluted fruit juices, boiled water and light herbal teas) to avoid dehydration.

Avoid strong citrus fruits (orange, lemon) because they may irritate the stomach Consume foods rich in soluble fibre (millet, banana, peas, lentils) to help retain fluids Consume fermented foods such as yoghurt and porridges Consume easily digestible foods such as rice, millet, maize, potato, sweet potato and crackers Eat small amounts of food frequently and continue to eat after illness to recover weight and nutrient loss.

Eat soft fruits and vegetables such as banana, squash, cooked and mashed unripe plantain, mashed sweet potato and mashed carrots Eat eggs, chicken and fish for protein Boil or steam foods. Avoid or reduce : some dairy products like milk, fatty foods or fried foods, gas-forming foods like cabbage, onions, carbonated soft drinks, alcohol Constipation Eat more foods that are rich in fibre such as maize, whole wheat bread, green vegetable, and washed fruits with the peel Drink plenty of liquids Avoid processed or refined foods Bloating and Heart burn Eat small frequent meals Avoid gas-forming foods and drink plenty of fluid Muscle Wasting Increase food intake and frequency of consumption Improve quality and quantity of foods by providing a variety of foods Increase protein in diet Increase intake of starchy foods in cereals and other staples Loss of Taste or Abnormal Taste Use flavour enhancers such as salt, spices, herbs, and lemon Chew food well and move it around the mouth to stimulate receptors

The Placebo Effect And Its Implication For Healing

By Moji Solanke

PLACEBO is a non-medicated substance, given to a patient who, in many, but not all, cases, believes they are taking active medication for a specified ailment. The placebo effect is the improvement in health of a patient’s experiences when a placebo is administered to them. This effect also extends to the improve-

A

ment received when a physician expresses hope about the expected outcome of an intending treatment, or when a patient believes they have undergone surgery.

Although the placebo effect as a form of treatment began in the late seventeenth century, and was quite popular, it subsequently faded in relevance, especially to

Otunba Funso Ajayi (right), Pastor Samson Ayorinde, Oba Dapo Tejuoso, Osile of Oke-Ona and Olori Yinka Ajayi during Ajayi’s son wedding in Lagos.

medical thought. However, there is a resurgence in the interest and also its relevance to healing. As recently as 2011, the Harvard Medical School in the United States set up a programme devoted to studying the placebo and its effect in healing.

More and more, it is becoming evident that the belief a patient entertains determines the outcome of their case for better or worse.

Therefore, rather than depend on an inert substance, ‘sham surgery’ (as doctors call it), or the hopeful expectation of a physician, might not each individual take their case into their own hands, and become master of their belief? Since we are responsible for what we choose to believe, and since research and the placebo effect are showing that our beliefs influence our state of health to a significant degree, might we not then profit from discarding beliefs of ill health, regardless of the attending symptoms or associated predictions, and rather embrace beliefs of sound and permanent health? Getting rid of a bad belief, however long-held, only requires giving it up, and replacing it with a good belief. When this activity is raised to the platform of spirituality, success becomes all the more certain, since spiritual healing is backed by the authority of God. If research is proving that the individual who firmly believes he will feel differently after using a placebo, actually feels differently as a consequence of this belief, or if an

individual is told that a placebo shall cause relaxation, or conversely, the tightening, of a muscle, and this is their experience, and if objective and measurable indices actually prove that the muscle in question relaxes or tightens according to the belief, then there is a deeper lesson to be learnt from the placebo effect. This deeper lesson enjoins everyone to take command of the situation regarding their health, entertain thoughts that promote good health; and where sickness is present, to replace the beliefs about sickness with the healing truths of spiritual being.

In Science and Health with key to the Scriptures, the author, Mary Baker Eddy, a deep spiritual thinker and healer writes: ‘Stand porter at the door of thought, admitting only such conclusions as you wish realised in bodily results, you will control yourself harmoniously’. The results may not come overnight, in some miraculous and fantastic display of divine power, but, as man learns to exercise mental discipline, learns to be fortified with the fact of his spirituality, and learns to confidently embrace health as the norm, rather than sickness and decrepitude, then, one thought at a time, the individual may find what the effects of the inert placebo hints at, and what the greatest spiritual thinkers have glimpsed — that the expectation of good health is actually normal and natural to man. m_asolanke@hotmail.com

Lagos, Close Up, Others Celebrate World Oral Health Day

By Sunday Akinlolu

EADING oral care brand, Close-Up Toothpaste in partnership with Lagos State government, Nigerian Dental Association (NDA), HEIT Solutions, Vas2Net & Core Media recently celebrated the World Oral Health Day to introduce the World Record Tooth Brushing Challenge and sensitise the public on the importance of proper oral care.

Speaking at the event, which held at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, Oral Close-Up Category Manager, Mrs. Vivian Ihaza said Close Up and its partners intend to nurture healthier teeth and gums amongst communities and families across the country. According to her, “Close Up will support the event where 300,000 students, at the same time in Lagos State will take part in a World Record Tooth brushing Challenge to break the Guinness Book of Records earlier set by India”.

The latest Guinness Book of Records on the event held by India brought together 176,000 people to brush their teeth at the same time.

The Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr Yewande Adeshina emphasised, that tooth brushing is an essential part of our health.

She said, the way we brush our teeth has been trivialised to the point that over the years as we get older, we build germs, we build bacteria and we build diseases. According to her “people tend to take the mouth for granted but unfortunately, the mouth is actually one of the passages into the

L

body from where we take nourishment and other things”.

The World Oral Health Day is celebrated on the 20th of March every year to remind the public of the important role healthy mouth, gum and teeth play in the overall health of an individual. The theme for this year’s World Oral Health Day is “Healthy Teeth for Healthy Life”. The Close-Up Brand Manager, Mr. Dexter Adeola said that, “One of the cheapest ways to ensure proper care of the mouth is to ensure brushing twice a day. Over the next couple of days, we and our partners will be calling on Nigerians to imbibe the habit of brushing day and night. After the campaign, we intend to measure how well the Oral Health of Nigerians would have improved as a result of this habit.’’

In his remarks at the ceremony, the representative of the Nigerian Dental Association (NDA), Lagos State Chapter, Dr Ogundana said that the association is glad to partner Close Up on the initiative as it offers an opportunity to once again raise awareness on the importance of dental health, as most of the diseases that eventually become chronic in the body have been found to have originated from the mouth.

Dr Bakare Lawal, Project Leader and Founder of HEIT Solutions in his speech at the ceremony stated that a healthier tooth is linked to health-

Dr. Donni Ogundana of Nigeria Dental Association (left), Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Hakeem Bello, Founder HEIT Solution and Project Head, Lagos World Record Tooth-brushing Challenge, Dr Bakare Lawal, Category Manager, Close-up, Vivian Ihaza, Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, Dr. Yewande Adeshina and Brand Manager, Close up, Dexter Adeola at the 2013 World Oral Health Day.

ier life. According to him, the World Record Challenge is an initiative borne out of the need to inculcate a healthy oral care in Nigeria. He commended the programme coordinators for

the partnership with HEIT Solutions in the bide to put Nigeria in the world map positively, he urged other organisations to take a cue from the initiative.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

25

26

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

27

28

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

President, Republic of Lebanon, Michel Suleiman (left) and Chairman, Eko Atlantic, Ronau Chagoury during the unveiling of the plaque to mark the visit of the president to the Eko Atlantic in Lagos.

Executive Director, Community Peoples Initiative Against AIDS, Mrs. Feyisike Adeoye (left), Coordinator, Research and Programmes, Women Arise Initiative, Gbenga Ganzallo and Executive Director, Bakoba Women Empowerment, Bankole Anifowoshe, at a workshop to mark the International Women’s Day in Lagos.

Prof. Jide Owoeye, President NSIA (left), Prof. Jide Osuntokun, Guest Lecturer, General Ike Nwachukwu, (Rtd), Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Alaba Ogunsanwo, and Prof. Chibuzo Nwoke, Secretary of NSIA at the 2013 Annual Public Lecture of the Nigerian Society of International Relations at NIIA, Lagos.

Secretary General of Nigerian Dental Association (NDA), Dr. Sam Obamiyi (left), Dental Nurse, KOTS Dental Clinic, Ms Bakry Temitayo and Brand Manager, Close-Up, Dexter Adeola during the Close Up Free Dental check activation in Surulere.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

29

30

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

31

32

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

33

34

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

35

36

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

37

38

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

39

40

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

41

42

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

43

44

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

45

46

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

43

48

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

49

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

50 SUNDAYMAGAZINE

Serious Dancing At The Middle Of Our FISCCAL Cliff By adidi uyo

F you are encountering this peculiar cliff of ours for the first time, be apprised that FISCCAL is a special acronym, and its middle letter stands for Corruption. By a single, bold stroke on Tuesday, March 12, 2013, President Goodluck

I

Jonathan —true to the mantra of his administration, seemed to have succeeded in transforming corruption from a vice to a virtue in Nigeria. And like his boss, the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Public Affairs does not give a damn about putting his foot in

mentor, the erstwhile Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Dipriye Alamieyeseigha, among others.

Since the presidential act of his mouth, concerning the supreme magnanimity broke deadly ogre, which the president raised from its deathbed by into the public space the morning after, Nigerians have been his singular act of genius: the granting, or reported granting, dancing seriously on the matter. If I knew a word stronger of a presidential pardon to his than opprobrium, I would have used it to describe the avalanche of reactions to the news stories and opinion pieces on this latest development that has made the fight against corruption in Nigeria what it really is: a Sisyphean endeavour.

You don’t know what that word, “Sisyphean,” means. Why worry? You are on the language train, come on! According to one popular dictionary, the word originates from the Greek myth in which Sisyphus was punished for the bad things he had done in his life, with the never-ending task of rolling a

Language on parade

large stone to the top of a hill, from which it always rolled down again; hence, Sisyphean means, a task that is impossible to complete. Just think of the many “wars” or declarations of war against this vice by various governments in your own lifetime, and you’ll see how Sisyphean fighting corruption has become.

“I believe that corruption still remains the biggest problem confronting Nigeria. We should not do anything that will take us back. The action by government is capable of stopping the entire war against corruption.” This is the reaction of a man who had fought in the trenches of the war against corruption in Nigeria, and who can tell or teach the president a thing or two about the humongous cancer that is gnawing at the heart and soul of Nigeria. He

was quoted in a news story with the headline “Jonathan’s 2015 plan behind ex-gov’s pardon — Investigation,” published in The Punch, March 14, 2013. The man is the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

It is a grave understatement to say that a large majority of the readers who reacted to the news story in The Punch were aghast at the latest manifestation of President Jonathan’s Transformation Agenda. Allow me to relay the first comment and the last, out of the total of 145 made by readers. The first reader, who gives his name as Haley Walker wrote: “Nigerians are known thieves all over the world. This is a pure example from a (expletive deleted) president that believes stealing and defrauding are normal ways of life….”

Minister of petroleum resources, diezani alison-Madueke (left), Chief executive officer, Standard Chartered Bank nigeria/Chief executive officer, Bola adesola and Chief executive officer, africa region, diana Layfied at the nigeria Summit organised by the economist in Lagos... on Thursday

Managing director, Cap plc, Mrs omolara elemide (left), group Managing director, uaCn plc, Larry ettah, and executive director, Corporate Services, Joe dada at the unveiling of the dulux Colour of the year 2013 held in Lagos pHoTo; SundaY aKInLoLu

Managing editor of the africa Journal of economic policy, prof. ademola oyejide (left), Mrs. Juliet Madubueze, president/Chairman of Council Chartered Institute of Bankers of nigeria (CIBn), Mr. Segun aina, and the guest lecturer prof. adedoyin Soyibo during 2013 valedictory lecture titled: ‘Tertiary Level Banking and Finance education in nigeria’.

TheGuardian

THE GUARDIAN,Sunday, March 24, 2013 51

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Junior Guardian THESAURUS Bristle a) hair b) quick c) band d) cool Summit a) writing b) peak c) call d) climb Dogmatic a) short b) serious c) tight d) cell Sombre a) sad b) song c) knife d) rail Medley a) mud b) mixture c) dark d) deadly Taper a) measure b) feel c) narrow d) cope Crux a) root b) sound c) light d) bead Furnace a) heater b) fire c) fillings d) break Taint a) colour b) food c) stain d) red Swoop a) clear b) pounce c) crawl d) pet Students competing for honours at the inter-house sports.

PUZZZLE

Obong House Tops At Queens Inter-house Sport FTER keen competition in A all the events held, Obong House emerged tops at the

recently held 51st annual inter-house athletics competition of Queen’s College, Yaba, Lagos. Obi and Danfodio Houses came second and third respectively.

On hand to witness the children displaying their raw athletic talents were parents, friends, stakeholders and education and sports administrators including former Flying Eagles coach, Tunde Disu.

The Principal of the school, Mrs. E. Osime in her address, gave an account of the success stories of the school in sporting competitions

within and outside Lagos.

She said that aside sports promoting good health, it is also a source of livelihood for many young people all over the world. Osime said that the school was able to excel in sporting competitions within and outside Lagos because of the support it gets from all stakeholders and friends of the college.

“Whether we end up as winning champions or losing champions, I appeal to all contestants to adhere to fair play, which is the hallmark of sportsmanship. We are here to compete and enjoy ourselves.”

Chairman of the day and CEO, JB Pharmaceuticals, Dr.

John Owaiwu said that school sports should be encouraged through the provision of motivation for student athletes. He appealed for proper funding for schools to get required sporting facilities for training while urging government to take lessons from developed climes where sporting facilities are provided in schools and scholarships given to student athletes.

There were also invitational relays, just as old girls of the college, parents, teaching and non-teaching staff, staff children also took to the track to vie for honours.

—Gbenga Salau

Solutions To Brain Teaser (21) IMPORTANT

BARRACKS

JOYFUL

DANGER

DESCRIBE FREEDOM

STATIONER TABULATE

Head Teacher, Goldenline International Schools, Dr (Mrs.) Chinyere Onyeka (left) and wife of the visioner of the school, Mrs. Helen Nkwo (in black) with Red House first position winner of the trophy, during the maiden Inter-house sport competition organised by Goldenline International Schools, Badore Road, Ajah, Lagos.

COMPILED BY KIKELOLA OYEBOLA

Oral-B Celebrates Children On World Health Day HILDREN from various schools in Lagos State gathered recently to celebrate the World Oral Health Day powered by Procter & Gamble, maker of Oral B toothpaste. The purpose of the celebration is to promote oral health and educate school children on the need to take proper good care of their teeth at all time.

Speaking at the event, the Communication Oral-B is committed to providing oral health education to Nigerians and not just on World Health Day alone. “We try to improve the lives of consumers with all our products and ensure they derive the best from every brand of our products,” she said.

For children to maintain strong and healthy teeth, she advised them to visit the dentist regularly and pay attention to their oral hygiene generally.

Dr. Eweka Olutola, guest lecturer and dentist explained that oral health is a serious threat to the health and wellbeing of many Nigerians such that over 50 per cent of the population has gum problems after the age of 15.

Olutola explained that every one’s teeth have germs and gum diseases but there are common teeth problem that affect only children such as toothache caused by food decay.

To prevent the problem, she told the children to watch the kind of food they eat and stop eating sugary things such as chocolate, sweet drinks and anything that can cause problem to the health.

She advised the children to take lots of water

C

instead of sweet drinks, as oral health is key to healthy living.

Celebrity artist and dentist, Dr. Sid Esiri, who was at the occasion urged the children to take their oral hygiene seriously. Said he: “You have to learn good oral hygiene habits so that you can protect your teeth.”

Brand Operation Manager, Mrs. Mokutima Ajileye said the company invests billions of dollars in research and development annually in order to innovate and produce world-class products that would meet the desire of the consumer.

She noted that Oral–B toothpaste combines two powerful ingredients— stannous fluoride and polychelation technology for all round protection of the mouth.

—Oluwakemi Ajani

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

52 sUNDAY MAGAZINE

THE GUArDIAN, sunday, March 24, 2013

CAMPUs ABUAD: omolewa To Coordinate Workshop on Higher Education From Muyiwa Adeyemi, Ado Ekiti N order to improve the quality of higher education in Nigeria, world-renowned educationist and former Nigeria representative to UNEsCo, Prof. Michael omolewa, will coordinate an international workshop on “Improved learning methods in higher education.”

The workshop, which will be hosted and sponsored by Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), holds between April 9 and 12, this year and is expected “to challenge participants to explore the ways and means whereby teachers can be better placed to effectively influence the process of impacting knowledge to students in institutions of higher learning and in the process assist in the preparation and the building of the future generation of leaders.”

Chairman of the Local organising Committee (LoC), Prof. Israel olatunji orubuloye, said participants are not only being expected from universities, but lecturers from polytechnics and colleges of education will also gain from the workshop. some of the educationists expected at the workshop include former vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin (UNILorIN), Prof.

Ishaq oloyede; former vice Chancellor of Covenant University, ota, Prof. Aize obayan; Prof Joel Babalola and former Executive secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Peter okebukola.

I

Participants at a training organised by the Nigerian Library Association (NLA) Lagos Chapter, held recently for information specialists, archivists, documentalists, researchers and lecturers of Library Information Studies.

Proprietor Wants TETFUND Extended To Private Polys

By Clarkson Eberu oUNDEr of ronik Polytechnic, Lagos, Mr. Christopher Alabi, has reiterated the call for the Federal Government to include private polytechnics in the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) scheme for them to broaden their research and development frontiers.

In a chat with The Guardian, Alabi said the fund should be made available to all tertiary

F

Alabi, founder of Ronik Polytechnic, Lagos

institutions in the country for the development of the nation’s education sector. He also called for consistency in policy formulation and implementation by government.

“We (private polytechnics) have not benefitted from TETFUND, but since we are all working to achieve a common goal, which is providing qualitative education to the millions of secondary school leavers in the country, the fund can be organized to capture everybody no matter how little,” said Alabi.

He dismissed the erroneous belief that founders of polytechnics were moneybags, noting that some of them came into the sector to provide the platform for thousands of admission seekers, who could not find their way into regular universities.

Meanwhile, the institution’s Acting rector, Mrs. Juliana Atoye, has enjoined newly admitted students of the institution to show themselves worthy in character and learning throughout the duration of their study.

Addressing the over 200 matriculants in Lagos, she admonished them to be forthright all times and be exemplary in their deeds and conduct.

“Be prepared to stand up with pride and be counted whenever men and women of probity and integrity are being reckoned in the society. This is inevitable because we live in a society where mediocrity is the order of the day and where greed prevails,” Atoye charged.

south African Business school Inaugurates Alumni Chapter HE University of stellenbosch Business school (UsB), south Africa, has inaugurated an executive committee for its West African Alumni Association to pilot the affairs of the alumni body within the region.

T

College of Education Holds Matric Niger Delta University opens Internship Centre P HE Niger Delta University T (NDU) has launched an Internship Centre. The centre based at the institution’s entrepreneurship facility will provide an entrepreneurship and vocational skills to all final year students of the university.

At a seminar titled Blending Academic Pursuits with Career, Entrepreneurship and Workplace Development held recently, the Ag. vice Chancellor, Prof.

Humphrey ogoni, said the cen-

tre will ensure NDU students graduate with two certificates; one in the chosen field of study and the other in entrepreneurship.

Bayelsa state Commissioner of science, Technology and Manpower Development, Dame Didi Walson Jack, noted that the centre, which is PPPdriven would be an important platform for graduates to be employable and also become employers of labour.

rovosT of MUrITADHA College of Education, olodo, Ibadan, in oyo state, Dr. Amuzat Asimiyu-olaiya, has charged newly matriculated students of the college to shun all forms of evil acts, such as hooliganism, corruption, and examination malpractices, which will be heavily sanctioned.

He gave the charge at the second and third matriculation ceremony of the college held last week. Warning that any student found wanting would be shown the way out of the insti-

tution, he noted that teacher training education would be meaningless if it doesn’t translate to a honest and productive life for tutors and their students.

“Today, our nation needs to be guided to the right path, the country’s political, educational, economic, social and religious system have been corrupted by the older generation. Nigeria can only move forward in an atmosphere of peace, justice and fair play, as such, our expectation is that you are going to liberate this nation from her

Led by Mr. Isa omagu, other members of the executives include Ernest Edgar (viceChairman), ‘segun Adekoya (Networking and Communication), Moji oguntoyinbo (Events and Programmes), ralph Nordjo (Ghana), olusiji Aina, obi Emenike, Funmi ojediran and Tunde Akande.

UsB is the leading provider of internationally accredited postgraduate management degrees and executive education. The alumni and graduates of the institution, who are leaders in all spheres of society, play an active part in the school’s activities, including fundraising, involvement in various community and environmental projects, management programmes for sMEs and not-forprofit organisations (NPos).

WIsECrACKs

Let us know

The great creators-the thinkers, the artists, the scientists, the inventorsstood alone against the men of their time.

Ayn Rand

Every week, LIFE CAMPUS reports on events in students’ communities across the country. You can contribute Always look at what you have left. by sending stories, Never look at what you have lost.

Robert Schuller gossips, reports on events and your picsuccess is getting what you want; tures for Campus happiness is wanting what you get.

Faces to us at: temDave Gardner pler2k2@yahoo.com We have committed the Golden rule to or guardianmemory; let us now commit it to life. life2005@yahoo.com Edwin Markham

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

SUNDAYMAGAZINE 53

MOVIEDOM

BY SHAIBU HUSSEINI

shaibu70@yahoo.com

Around and about Nollywood...

PEFTI celebrates Taiwo Ajai-Lycett

best actresses in Ghana and known for her remarkable performances. Popular actress Oge Okoye and Lilian Amah were some of the industry celebrities spotted at the press screening. The movie will begin its cinema run in Nigeria and Ghana after the premiere this weekend.

NTERNATIONAL actress, broadcaster and I(OON), social commentator, Taiwo Ajai-Lycett was honoured at the Pencils Film and Television Institute (PEFTI) during its recent Back In The Dayz stage presentation,, which sought to evoke nostalgic feelings and showcase the creativity of its students.

According to Biola Adenuga, managing director of the institute, “Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, has made immense contributions to TV and stage productions, education, journalism and several other areas, and for that, we are delighted to present to her the Recognition of Excellence in Arts and Entertainment award to show our acknowledgement of her contributions to the arts and showbiz since 1960s.” The thespian promised to continue to contribute her own quota to the development of the arts and the performing arts in particular. The institute was established in 2004 by Wale Adenuga, MFR. Adenuga is known for creating and producing the award-winning TV programmes Superstory, ThisLife, Papa Ajasco & Co. and Nnena & Friends. Chief Adenuga is also chairman of the family entertainment channel wapTV on StarTimes Channel 222. PEFTI offers various professional courses in film and television production, acting, editing, music, still photography, bead making and choreography.

Nse, Clifford Sule and Kalu Ikeagwu star in Broken N recent times, Nse Ikpe Etim has been in Ithethe news for good reasons. She headlined romantic comedy, Mr. and Mrs., dazzled

Contract at Silverbird Cinema HE Silverbird Cinema, Alausa, Ikeja, T recently witnessed a large gathering of movie stars and journalists, who came for

Okoro Speaking on the movie, Okoro said, “this is the press screening of the much-awaited one of the best movies I have produced, and flick, Contract. The comedy flick from the so much went into its production to give the stable of Sparrow Productions and audience the value for their money when DesAmour, and directed by the multiple they go to watch the movie at the cinemas.” award-winning director, Shirley Frimpong Set in metropolitan Accra, Contract tells the Manso, stars South African actor, Homla story of a 40-year-old successful businessDandala (Lead actor in TV series Jacob’s man, Peter Popolampo, ((Homla Dandala) Cross); Ghanaian star actress, Yvonne Okoro the rich bachelor. Despite his mother’s per(who is also credited as producer) and sistent attempt to find him a woman, Peter Nigeria’s Benjamin Joseph. sticks to his rule of non-committal dates,

freedom and controlling his life until a yearning to have a child arises. Okoro, the producer, is an award-winning Ghanaian actress. She won the Ghana Movie Award for Best Actress in 2010 and was nominated for African Movie Academy Awards Best Actress twice in 2011 and 2012 for her movies Pool Party and Single Six. She was honoured with a Distinguished Achievement Award in 2012 at Nigeria Excellence Awards. She is among the top

in Phone Swap and got married to her heartthrob, Mr. Clifford Sule. The notable actress is again in the news as the lead act in new emotive movie, Broken. In the movie, Nse plays the role of a woman who tries to bury her past, moves on in life and pretends that the past never exists. Nse is not the only act with haunting past in the movie. Bimbo Manuel, who plays the role of Nse’s husband, is the father of the house girl, a secret he desperately wants to keep away from Nse. Meanwhile Kalu Ikeagwu, the philandering Corper has a ‘bush meat’ in the village girl that proves too strong to devour. One way or the other, the lives of the three crossed and the long kept secrets were broken.

Speaking on the experience, Kalu Ikeagwu, said, “the storyline is touching, I’ve never worked on movie like this.” The producer and Director, Bright Wonder said: “I learnt a lot from my first movie, I learnt from my past works and also from others to do this one. This is a product of an improved me,” he said. “Broken is a movie that addresses the menace of child abuse, neglect, trafficking and the repercussions on the Nigerian child and the Society.” It is a project that seeks to use motion pictures to reaffirm the family as the bedrock of the society and raise awareness against the dreadful menace of child abuse.” Broken would be premiered on Thursday, March 28 at Silverbird Cinema, Abuja.

BY BENSON IDONIJE benidoni@yahoo.com

All That Jazz

The Essential Thelonious Monk PON listening to Round About Midnight and Straight No U Chaser, two of Thelonious Monk’s master pieces recently, the realization became crystal clear that there is now a growing polarity between the quality of today’s jazz and that of yesterday. This calls to question the issue of deterioration arising from lack of genuine commitment.

Perhaps the mistake that jazz people made in the ‘70s was that they changed the content to try and reach a larger audience. It is still happening today with each musician trying to convince the jazz world that his own fusion is the ideal. It’s all hype. And before they push it too far, they should be reminded that the hype of popular music— where everyone says you are the greatest singer when you’re really singing every song out of tune and still selling millions of records — does not fly in the jazz world. You don’t mess with the content of jazz where improvisation along prescribed progressions is sacred and as serious as your life! As a matter of fact, since saxophonist Charlie Parker, trumpeters Clifford Brown and Miles Davis, saxophonists Ornette Coleman, John Coltrane, Sony Rollins and of course pianist Thelonious Monk, jazz has remained static, without any significant innovations.

All of these people contributed something new to the evolution of jazz – at some point – to add value to an art form whose robust image has continued to strengthen, energize and elevate the qualities of other forms of music. While devotees and emerging musicians have been able to come to terms with the complexities and intricacies posed by the music of these innovators, many are still trying to comprehend the avant garde piano and inventive compositions of Thelonious Monk decades after his death. The truth is that his music was designed for the future. And today is part of that future!

To find Monk’s antecedents, the most direct link is Duke Ellington and perhaps Willy “The Lion Smith” and Jimmy Yancy. But in each case, this influence is completely stripped of European accretions. Monk is more African in his thought process and musical inclination than most people think. He is not interested in the conventional pattern of playing methodically along chord progressions. He observes the vital demands and tenets but his approach is queer, individualistic and strange. Monk accomplishes his task using elements of surprise which include silence, suspense, atonalities, chords and dischords. Monk does not believe in flowing lines of symmetry in trying to articulate his improvisational challenges; he believes in the economy of notes, but not in the style of Ahmad Jamal or John Lewis of the Modern Jazz

Quartet who employ single notes: Monk is known for coming down heavily with chords, queer chords some of which have become the subject of special study in music schools and colleges today. Second perhaps to Duke Ellington, Monk has contributed more compositions to the jazz world than any other jazz artist. And his compositions are intriguingly remarkable!

“Everything I play is different,” Monk once said. “Different melody, different harmony, different structure. Each piece is different from the other one. I have a standard, and when the song tells a story, when it gets a certain sound, then it’s through…completed.” One of the things that sets Monk’s compositions apart from the vast slew of jazz standards and originals is that they are compositions in which harmony, melody, rhythm and instrumental sound are all part of a carefully conceived whole.

Monk once told a musician who insisted on playing the usual string of chord changes, “You can make a better solo if you know the melody.” Saxophonist Steve Lacy who absorbed this experience from his association with Monk as sideman speaks from the participant – observer perspective:”I have respect for his melodies. I knew enough not to just regard them as chord progressions, but as songs to be presented. One of the things about his music is the way that it’s put together, the way things evolve out of other things, the way he’ll build a whole bridge out of one little part of the first section. His tunes are fabulously put together, really. Some day people will realize just how well put together they really are.”

One significant criticism musicians and fans level against Monk is the fact that his compositions are usually too intricate and difficult to comprehend. But Steve Lacy who recorded an entire album of Monk’s music for Prestige Records before working with him rejects the notion that the pieces are hard to play: “They are not really. It’s just that if you learn one or two of them, you don’t understand them. But if you learn thirty of them or so, they are not hard after that. You understand how simple they really are, how logical in his own system. They are extremely logical, they just figure, and even when some of his tunes might have eight bars, seven bars and seven bars, twenty - two bars together, yet they are the most natural things in the world after you get used to them, and they’re just right. There’s another tune that has a three- and –a-half bar bridge, and if you try to figure it out and count it out, you’ll get lost, but if you just relax and give in to it, it’s perfectly natural.”

The most important jazz musicians are the ones who are successful in creating their own original world of music with its own rules, logic and surprises. Thelonious Monk is one of them!

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

54 SUNDAY MAGAZINE

ARTS

CHINUA ACHEBE 1930-2013 Words on Marble While we do our good works let us not forget that the real solution lies in a world in which charity will have become unnecessary.

Anthills of the Savannah If you don’t like someone’s story, write your own.

To me, being an intellectual doesn’t mean knowing about intellectual issues; it means taking pleasure in them.

The white man is very clever. He came quietly and peaceably with his religion. We were amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay. Now he has won our brothers, and our clan can no longer act like one. He has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart.

Things Fall Apart Nobody can teach me who I am. You can describe parts of me, but who I am - and what I need - is something I have to find out myself.

One of the truest tests of integrity is its blunt refusal to be compromised.

The late Achebe

By Okey Ndibe HE death of Professor Chinua Achebe meant the dimming of the one of the world’s brightest literary stars. Yet Mr. Achebe, whose works included the inimitable Things Fall Apart and four other highly celebrated novels as well as four collections of essays, a short story collection, several children’s books and last year’s widely debated memoir, There Was a Country: A Personal History of Biafra, was in person one of the most approachable men I ever met. His personal modesty sometimes masked the fact he was a writer of such staggering talent, ambitious range, and intellectual power. His surpassing gifts as a writer as well as his admirable personal attributes will combine to make him — one can confidently predict — an imperishable presence in global letters and life.

I had the rare honour and luck of being close to the revered Achebe for some 30 years. In that time, he was an inspiration, model, beacon of moral clarity and intellectual integrity as well as my teacher in the best, broadest sense of that word.

I first met Achebe when I was a young journalist at the now defunct African Concord magazine. My first major assignment was to interview him at his office then at the Institute of African Studies at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The encounter taught me something about the man’s genial and generous nature — and the depth of his humanity. I will get to that first encounter later, but must recall a more recent memory.

Five years ago, I drove from my home in central Connecticut to the quiescent country precincts of Annandale-on-Hudson to visit Chinua Achebe, who then held a prestigious endowed professorial chair at Bard College and whose novel Things Fall Apart was enjoying a cheery 50th anniversary.

Achebe’s self-effacing, soft-spoken personality was always in ironic contrast with the exuberant celebration that erupted around his first — and most widely read and translated — novel. I was in his home to coax him to look back on 50 years of his book’s extraordinary journey. Achebe disclosed that I was one of perhaps more than a hundred interviewers he’d hosted that year. Even so, I dared convince myself that there was something special about my interview with him.

Let me explain.

I had interviewed Achebe several times in the past — first in 1983, when I was a rookie correspondent for the now defunct African Concord, the last time in 1987, shortly after the publication of his latest novel, Anthills of the Savannah. That first interview set a mood for my relationship with the author. Quite simply, he saved my career.

I met Achebe by sheer serendipity. It was 1983 and I had just graduated from college.

Visiting Ogidi, his hometown, to see my girl-

T

Chinua Achebe: A Legend And Master Storyteller friend at the time, I raved and raved about Achebe and Things Fall Apart. The young woman listened for a while, a bemused smile creasing her cheeks. Then she said: “Achebe is my uncle. His house is a short walk away. And he happens to be home this weekend. Do you want to visit him?” Did I ever!

HE Achebe I met in his country home perT sonified grace. I still remember that he served us biscuits and chilled Coca Cola. He regarded me with penetrating eyes as I gushed about his novels, his short stories, his essays, even reciting favorite lines I had memorised from years of devoted reading. I told him I had just got a job with the Concord and would be honored to interview him. He gave me his telephone number at Nsukka, the university town where he lived and ran the Institute of African Studies. A week later I flew to Lagos, reported for work, and told the weekly magazine’s editor that I had Achebe’s telephone number —and a standing commitment that he would give me an interview. Elated, the editor dispatched me on the assignment.

It was my first real task as a correspondent.

Achebe and I retreated to his book-lined office at the institute. The air in the office seemed flavored with the scent of books stretching and heaving. Five minutes into the interview I paused and rewound the tape. The recording sounded fine and our interview continued for another two hours. Afterwards Achebe told me it was one of the most exhaustive interviews he’d ever done. I took leave of him and, heady with excitement, took a cab to the local bus stop where I paid the fare for a bus headed for Enugu – the state capital where I had booked a hotel.

That evening several of my friends gathered in my hotel room. They asked questions about Achebe, and then said they wanted to hear his voice. Happy to oblige them, I fetched the tape recorder and pressed its play button. We waited — not a word! I put in two other tapes, the same futile result. How was I going to explain this mishap to my editor who had scheduled the interview as a forthcoming cover?

I phoned Achebe’s home in panic. In a desperate tone I begged that he let me return the next day for a short retake. “Thirty minutes – even twenty – would do,” I pleaded. I halfexpected him to scold me for lack of professional fastidiousness and hang up, leaving me to stew in my distress. Instead he calmly explained that he had commitments for the next day. If I could return the day after, he’d be delighted to grant me another interview. And he gave me permission to make the next ses-

sion as elaborate as the first.

Two days later, we were back in his office for my second chance. This time I paused every few minutes to check on the equipment. I stretched the interview to an hourand-a-half before guilt — mixed with gratitude – compelled me to stop. It was not as exhaustive as the first outing, nor did it have the spontaneity of our first interview, but it gave me – and the readers of the magazine — a prized harvest. My friends got a chance to savor Achebe’s voice, with its mix of faint lisps and accentuated locutions.

That interview happened 30 years ago. It had been followed by several other encounters with Achebe, but it still stands out in my mind. I had admired the man from a distance, in awe of his extraordinary powers as a writer. After he saved my career, I was inspired by his uncommon generosity.

I was so impressed by Achebe’s example that I became something of a lifelong student of his work, my PhD dissertation focusing partly on his deployment of history and memory in his writing.

In 2009, Brown University lured Achebe away from Bard College, scoring a major transfer of intellectual assets. At the Ivy League Brown, Achebe assumed the chair of the David and Marianna Fisher University Professor of Africana Studies and Literary Arts. With his blessing, Brown University also invited me to take up a visiting appointment.

Achebe was a widely honored and highly decorated writer, winning some of the most prestigious literary prizes, including the Man Booker for the sustained excellence of his oeuvre. In 2010, he was awarded the Gish Prize, established in 1994 as a bequest of two sisters, Dorothy and Lillian. The $300,000 prize is bestowed each year on “a man or woman who has made an outstanding contribution to the beauty of the world and to mankind’s enjoyment and understanding of life.”

The sentiment behind that prize sums up, for me, the essence of Achebe the man, writer and citizen. He strove in his own quiet, stubborn way to make the world more beautiful. I was blessed to have known him at close quarters, ennobled by his extraordinary example as a writer and human, and ever indebted for the opportunity to learn at his feet.

Ndibe, a visiting professor of Africana literature at Brown University, is the author of the novel, Arrows of Rain and the forthcoming novel, foreign gods inc.

We cannot trample upon the humanity of others without devaluing our own. The Igbo, always practical, put it concretely in their proverb Onye ji onye n’ani ji onwe ya: “He who will hold another down in the mud must stay in the mud to keep him down.

The Education of a British-Protected Child: Essays Charity . . . is the opium of the privileged.

Anthills of the Savannah There is no story that is not true, [...] The world has no end, and what is good among one people is an abomination with others.

Things Fall Apart When suffering knocks at your door and you say there is no seat for him, he tells you not to worry because he has brought his own stool.

Mr. Brown had thought of nothing but numbers. He should have known that the kingdom of God did not depend on large crowds. Our Lord Himself stressed the importance of fewness. Narrow is the way and few the number. To fill the Lord’s holy temple with an idolatrous crowd clamoring for signs was a folly of everlasting consequence. Our Lord used the whip only once in His life - to drive the crowd away from His church.

Things Fall Apart “Storytellers are a threat. They threaten all champions of control, they frighten usurpers of the right-to-freedom of the human spirit — in state, in church or mosque, in party congress, in the university or wherever.”

Anthills of the Savannah If I hold her hand she says, ‘Don’t touch!’

If I hold her foot she says ‘Don’t touch!’

But when I hold her waist-beads she pretends not to know.

Things Fall Apart Oh, the most important thing about myself is that my life has been full of changes. Therefore, when I observe the world, I don’t expect to see it just like I was seeing the fellow who lives in the next room. There is this complexity which seems to me to be part of the meaning of existence and everything we value. “...when we are comfortable and inattentive, we run the risk of committing grave injustices absentmindedly.”

Chinua Achebe, The Education of a BritishProtected Child: Essays “Writers don’t give prescriptions. They give headaches!”

Chinua Achebe, Anthills of the Savannah When the moon is shining the cripple becomes hungry for a walk.

Things Fall Apart Privilege, you see, is one of the great adversaries of the imagination; it spreads a thick layer of adipose tissue over our sensitivity.

Chinua Achebe, Hopes and Impediments: Selected Essays

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24 2013

SUNDAY MAGAZINE 55

ARTS

CHINUA ACHEBE 1930-2013

Nigeria of My Dream, By Achebe FTER waiting around a while and deterA mining that no messiah was about to come down and save the day, some of us joined the political process. I joined the leftof-center Peoples Redemption Party and was appointed deputy national president. The goal of being an active participant in Nigerian politics would be to elevate the national discourse to a level that stirred up the pot, if you like, and got Nigerians to begin to ask critical questions about their future; such as: How can the country conduct free and fair elections? How can we elect the right kind of leaders and ensure that they will keep to the tenure that was agreed upon? How do we ensure that our leaders don’t double their tenure, or even change it into a dynasty to hand over to their sons?

My sojourn in politics was marked by disappointment, frustration, and the realization that despite the fact that there were a few upright political figures like Mallam Aminu Kano the, last majority of the characters I encountered in the political circles were there for their own selfish advancement. Having grand ideas was fine, but their execution required a strong leader. And clearly, Nigeria’s principal problem was identifying and putting in place that elusive leader.

That road to a remedy of Nigeria’s political problems will not come easily. The key, as I see it, lies in the manner in which the leadership of the country is selected. When I refer to leadership I am really talking about leaders at every level of government and sphere of society, from the local government council and governors right up to the presidency.

What I am caIling for is for Nigeria to develop a version of campaign election and campaign finance reform, so that the country can transform its political system from the grassroots level right through to the national party structures at the federal level.

Nigerians will have to find a way to do away with the present system of godfatherism — an archaic, corrupt practice in which individuals with lots of money and time to spare (many of them half-baked, poorly educated hugs) sponsor their chosen candidates and push them right through the desired political position, bribing, threatening, and, on occasion, murdering any opposition in the process.

We will have to make sure that the electoral body overseeing elections is run by widely respected and competent officials chosen by a nonpartisan group free of governmental influence or interference.

Finally, we have to find a way to open up the political process to every Nigerian citizen. Today we have a system where only those individuals with the means of capital and who can both pay the exorbitant application fee and fund a political campaign can vie for the presidency. It would not surprise any close observer to discover that in this inane system, the same unsavory characters who have destroyed the country and looted the treasury and the nation blind are the ones able to ran for the presidency!

The question of choice in selecting a leader in Nigeria is often an academic exercise, due to the election rigging, violence, and intimidation of the general public, particularly by those in-power, but also by those with the means — the rich and influential.

There is also the unpleasant factor of the violence associated with partisan politics that is often designed to keep balanced well-educated, fair-minded Nigerians away.

So it can be said that the masses-the followership we are concerned about-don’t really have a choice of leadership, because there‘s not a true democratic process.

It may appear impossible now to rectify, because we’ve allowed this situation of confusion to go on since our independence. It has been growing steadily worse … and it accelerated particularly under the military, when there was a near total denial of the democratic rights of the people. The general knowledge that a people have, for example, inalienable rights is simply something advanced societies take for granted, because they have fostered stable democracies now for some time. I am asked, “Why don’t the people fight back?” Well, once a people have been dispossessed and subjugated by dictatorships for such a long time as in Nigeria’s case, the oppressive process also effectively strips away from the minds of the people the knowledge that they have

rights. Restoring flawed democratic systems will not make the country a success overnight.

Democracy is the very antithesis of military or absolutist rule. And democracy is not a fancy word; it is something that is full of meaning, even in our ancient African cultures. Dictatorships by their very nature concentrate power and the resources of the state in the hands of a very few people (or, as we have seen in Africa, in one person’s hands). Dictators hang on to power by resorting to tactics designed to keep the mass of the people silent and docile. Dictatorships that have used violence, murder, and bribery, and psychological, financial, and social intimidation to force the opposition into perpetual retreat are many and widespread.

This is not a time to bemoan all the challenges ahead. It is a time to work at developing, nurturing, sustaining, and protecting.democracy and democratic institutions. Winston Churchill perceptively said, “Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.”) We have to go by that wisdom. Therein lies an opportunity for Great Britain, America, and the West to be involved positively in African affairs, this time not by imposing themselves or their self-selected rulers on a desperate continent but by aiding African nations in their struggles to become viable democracies.

We also realize that we must learn patience and not expect instant miracles.

Building a nation is not something a people does in one regime, or even in a few years; it’s a very long process. The Chinese

had their chance to emerge as the leading nation in the world in the Middle Ages but were consumed by inter-ethnic political posturing and wars and had to wait another five hundred years for another chance!

Another crucial ingredient in sustaining a democracy is the ability to stage free and fair elections. The last general election in Nigeria was not perfect, but overall it was an improvement over past travesties that were passed off as elections in Nigeria. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Chairman (and professor) Attahiru Muhammadu Jega, and his team should be allowed to build upon the gains of that exercise for the good of the nation.

I think it is important to discuss some real events that occurred during Nigeria’s Fourth Republic (circa 2004), during which the very opposite of the democratic ideal was at work. Anambra state, the past home of several venerated Nigerians, such as Nnamdi Azikiwe, the Okigbo brothers Pius and Christopher-Kenneth Dike, and others-was literally and figuratively on fire. There was a succession of events during a tussle for political power that resulted in renegades arresting a sitting governor and buildings being looted and government property ransacked and burned to the ground by hoodlums-those infamous rent-a-crowd hooligans at the beck and call of corrupt politicians with plenty of money and very low IQs. What seemed almost incredible to me was that it was clear from all accounts that the presidency was behind the chaos in the state-was encouraging the destabilization of the government of Anambra state

well as encouraging a small group of people whose sole interest seemed be in getting their hands on the financial allocation made to the state. In other words, to use the money that was intended for work on the state f their own private ends-and that these were friends of the president.

For any clear-headed observer such a scenario would be unimaginable-that the head of state, or his government or his office, should encouraging crime in one of the federation‘s constituent states, encouraging anarchy in a part of the country, Nigeria. That state, of course, as might know, is also my home state. It’s also part of Igbo land, which has had a peculiar history in Nigeria, some of which involves this particular former president of Nigeria-his attitude to this part of Nigeria, which and some like him consider responsible for the troubles of the Nigeria civil war. And so it just seemed to me totally irresponsible for leadership to be involved, to be promoting chaos instead of preventing it. It was in sense the very end of government itself, where government leaps beyond the precipice, dismisses itself, and joins ranks with crime.

I decided that I wasn’t going to be part of any of this. Elie Wiesel reminds us, “There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice but there must never be a time when we fail to protest? I had very tlce, little at my disposal to protest with, so the strongest statement I could make was to turn down the honor of commander of the federal republic, which I was awarded.

Excerpts from There Was A Country: A Personal History of Biafra

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

56 SUNDAY MAGAZINE

CHINUA ACHEBE 1930-2013 ARTS ‘Achebe Was A Teacher, Philosopher, Humanist’ From Nkechi Onyedika, Abuja

Prof. Uzodinma Nwala is a Professor of Philosophy. He was formerly of the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), but now, Chairman, Centre for Environmental Studies, Nassarawa State University.

Nwala, a prominent Igbo leader and close associate of the late Prof. Chinua Achebe, speaks on the accident that kept Achebe on the wheel chair from 1990 till death and his last book, There Was A Country.

OW would you describe the death of HWeProf.

Chinua Achebe? can say it is a transition because we are now left with the physical body, which can be pointed at, or described as Achebe. But what Achebe represents in history, what he means to every one of us, our people, Nigeria, Africa and the world cannot die.

He is immortal, we may be missing his physical presence, but Achebe is all over us in our culture, our civilisation, our thinking and our values. This is what some of us feel about what has happened.

How would you describe Achebe?

In terms of history, you can liken Achebe to hammer of the Greek Roman, the Greek writer, who laid a foundation for Greek literary tradition. You can also liken him to Pushkin, the man that Russian regards as the father of their literature; you can also liken him to Shakespeare.

These are the men of comparable status in history of human civilisation. That is the way we see Achebe. For those of us from Africa, Nigeria and Igbo land, his book is like a Bible of all sorts to us; he introduced us to the culture, the values and civilisation of our people.

Achebe was a teacher, a great philosopher and a great humanist. He was an idol and a symbol, which we all hoisted for the guidance of the civilisation of our youths.

Could you still recall the accident that left him on a wheel chair, when it happened?

The accident coincided with his 60th birthday, which we organised in Nsukka in 1990, tagged, The Eagle On The Iroko.

He had the accident on his way. He had spinal problem and since that time, had been on wheel chair. I remember some historical figures that were on wheel chair for quite long; I mean people like Roosevelt, but Roosevelt’s case was polio and not spinal cord injury.

Nwala (left) and the late Achebe At times, I wonder how Achebe was sleeping and how he moved around for 23 years.

He must have been a man with resilient spir- arrange special transport for him; so, he wouldn’t have lasted long if he had stayed in it, a man of history and destiny.

Nigeria.

Looking at the Enugu-Onitsha road where he How close were you to the late Chinua had that accident and the state of roads Achebe? across the country today, what would you I will say very close, Achebe and I were say? together in 1971 in the Institute of African You know our roads are death traps, inciStudies, where he was then a Senior Research dentally people say that those who have bilFellow. lions of Naira don’t travel by road, they travWe worked very close during my researches el by air; some have private jets and don’t care about the deplorable state of the roads. on Igbo philosophy and also while I was trying to discover the philosophical underpinning of Our roads are death traps for many people, Things Fall Apart. We interacted very closely if the roads were good, I don’t think Achebe while working on my book, Igbo Philosophy, would have had that accident.

Also worthy of mention here, is the way we which is a work that has helped me to lay the foundation for teaching of Africa Philosophy drive our vehicles; we are yet to imbibe the all over the world for which many now regard automobile culture or understand the technology that lies within the automobile, I am me as the father of African Philosophy.

I remember when we were having dinner, sure that if the driver was mindful of speed his last son, Chidi, cooked food from where he and the state of the car, may be the accident wouldn’t have happened. We thank God and his wife, Christy, for keeping him alive this long till his death.

Some people say had Achebe stayed in Nigeria, maybe he would have died long ago There is no doubt about that, especially with the state of our medical care and infrastructure.

Note that wherever he was, special channels were made for him to move in and out of his house as well as around the house. The university where he taught created special tracks for him to move around, would all these have been possible in Nigeria?

The answer remains, capital NO! When he came for the Ahajioku Lecture, the issue of the logistics also came up. I am happy that the former governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim, played a major role by providing his house for Achebe to stay.

Governor Obi and others helped too, to

was and brought to us, when he came in, Achebe smiled and said, Chidi abatago, obata, ebe nile enwuru oku, meaning Chidi has come, whenever he comes, there will be light everywhere”.

It was a wonderful parting moment, When his latest book, There Was A Country” came out, I was one man he called in Nigeria and said, please make sure that people don’t divert attention from the thrust of this book.

What would you say about his last book, There was a country?

There are two things Achebe was saying in the book, forget about what people are saying he said about Awolowo.

After all, he said even more damaging things about Ojukwu, he was very forthright, I don’t know why little-minded people will be talking about what Achebe said

In terms of history, you can liken Achebe to hammer of the Greek Roman, the Greek writer, who laid a foundation for Greek literary tradition. You can also liken him to Pushkin, the man that Russian regards as the father of their literature; you can also liken him to Shakespeare. These are the men of comparable status in history of human civilisation. That is the way we see Achebe. For those of us from Africa, Nigeria and Igbo land, his book is like a Bible of all sorts to us; he introduced us to the culture, the values and civilisation of our people. Achebe was a teacher, a great philosopher and a great humanist. He was an idol and a symbol, which we all hoisted for the guidance of the civilisation of our youths.

about Awolowo; he didn’t even say more than what Effiong said about Awolowo.

The first thing Achebe was saying in his book is about Nigeria, he didn’t say anything that hasn’t been said before; the Europeans that created this federation have again and again admitted that the thing was faulty, it was created to serve their own interest and not the interest of the people.

One thing they were particular about was to make sure Nigeria was not controlled by the people they didn’t like, those people were deprived of power, they were marginalised and to make sure that Nigeria was handed over to people they felt will hold it for them to milk.

Even Nigerians themselves, including some leaders from the North such as Sardauna and others, said Nigeria is an artificial creation.

They didn’t even like the lumping of the north and the south in that broad terms, even at independence, they said, no, we won’t move at their pace, they have almost advanced, they will enslave us, so there has been that kind of tension.

Awolowo said it was an artificial creation, Gowon said there was no basis for unity, and in more recent times so many people have said the same.

Our northern brothers were the first to talk of secession, Arab after the war, is a slogan for secession.

The Yoruba at a point felt very bad when the military in the north held the whole country to ransom; the Yoruba felt so worried that they even wanted to secede, the presidency was given to Obasanjo to assuage their move.

So, it was not the Igbo or the Biafra that first talked about secession, it was all because of the nature of the federation, it was not cohesive, it was not founded on equity and justice.

That is why you hear calls for a National Conference. That is why people are saying that all these noise about celebrating 100 years of the amalgamation of Nigeria doesn’t make meaning unless we sit down and reorder the country.

Eminent Nigerians have said that; so Achebe is saying if this is the condition why this republic is unstable, why don’t we sit down together and agree on a firm foundation, on the best possible arrangement that can bring these different people together and keep them together. That is the first massage Achebe is passing across in his book.

The other one is about the Igbo, what they went through during the war and after. As you know, the Igbo experience of the war; the horrors was unprecedented in history, but since then, it has been swept under the carpet as if nothing happened, the Igbo are still in the state, landlocked and nothing has been done to reconstruct the area.

Achebe is saying that the situation you have left the place is like leaving it like a gunpowder, this thing can explode at any day and when some of us reflect on what has been happening since the war, you will begin to remember the case of the Germans and may want to ask yourself, what was the cause of the Second World War? It was the result of the 1st World War where Germany was defeated and humiliated that made Germany a fertile ground for a man like Hitler to emerge and mobilise them for the WWII. Achebe is saying, how are you sure that this won’t happen in the case of the Igbo?

When you ask that question, you now remember what you call the MOSSOB, how did the MOSSOB emerge?

Things that made Biafra to go into war is still happening, remember what the Emir of Kano said the other day; he said events in Kano could ignite another civil war, massacre of the Igbo was what caused the civil war and it is still happening.

Achebe feels a lot of pain because he lived through that period, he even escaped death himself, and the family.

He is saying that Nigeria has not learnt any lesson from that period. I think that is the second thing Achebe is raising in his book, for the benefit of Nigeria, for the benefit of the Igbo and I am happy he left that massage for humanity, for Nigeria and for the world before leaving us.

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

TheGuardian

Sunday, March 24, 2013 57

IbruCentre How To Bring Back The True Essence Of Easter, By Clerics Easter is here again. But while the solemnity of the celebration will resonate with many, others would ride on its wings to make the most money and indulge in unwholesome merrymaking. CHRIS IREKAMBA and ISAAC TAIWO ask clerics why people deviate from the core message of Easter and what could be done to reverse the trend.

‘Faithful Must Not Be Distracted’ (Most Rev. Dr. Alfred Adewale Martins, Metropolitan Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos)

HE death and resurrection of Christ has a T unique value for Christians. The death and resurrection of Christ means that we are not lost forever; there is a hope for redemption. It means that when we die, we cannot just depart and be forgotten, but we shall have a hope of being with God, angels and saints forever. So, that is the essence of what we celebrate during the Holy Week and at Easter. We recognise the sacrifice that Christ made for us by dying on the Cross. We prepare ourselves to be in the mood for living that value that Christ has shown by his death and resurrection on the third day.

Christians are supposed during this time not only to recognise and appreciate the death of Christ but also to make amends for their shortcomings and shortfalls in life so that they can draw closer to God. They are to appropriate to themselves the values that Christ has given by his death and resurrection.

We know that at this time there are lots of merriments, there are lots of eating and drinking. When we have a celebration, we are joyful.

We ought to celebrate and show our joys and our gratitude to Christ. But at the same time, we must not allow the merriments to overtake in our minds and hearts that which is necessary for the salvation of our souls.

As Christians, we need to constantly remind ourselves that Easter is not about celebration alone. It’s not about eating and drinking alone; it’s also about drawing closer to God and allowing the values of God to direct and guide our lives.

A lot of individuals, business people, those who are engaged in entertainment, use the opportunity of the holiday to attract people to concerts and different projects they have in mind. But it is for those who are Christians to ensure that we do not allow these distractions to take us away from the very essence of what we are celebrating.

Easter is a most important feast in the life of the church, because without it, we cannot even have Christianity.

Christians should not just allow themselves to be led away from the essence of Easter. I know that sometimes there is temptation for people to go to concerts or musical events instead of going to church. But a true Christian ought to recognise that he needs to keep contact with God. Certainly, Christ still remains the centre for everybody who is a true Christian and we need to continue to assist and encourage people not to be led astray by these distractions.

If somebody who is not a Christian, for example, is organising a concert, obviously, he is looking for money. But we will continue to tell our people, ‘don’t allow that person to take away your mind and your heart from the essence of what we are celebrating.’

In every parish, we have retreats. There are societies and there are different activities during this time that are directed towards helping members to be focused. We have a number of other spiritual activities during this time, like Mass, benedictions, Stations of the Cross, and other spiritual activities that help people recognise what is important, as distinct from distractions.

‘Many Christians Have Been Deceived’ (Most Rev. (Prof) Adebayo Akinde, Archbishop of Lagos Province and Bishop of Lagos Mainland, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion)

HERE seem to be much activities and hullaT baloo around his death and resurrection.

This is almost overshadowing the significance of the death of Jesus Christ and his resurrection.

Commercial interest is responsible.

Industrialists have provided all sorts of things.

Christians are now busy, buying. They have introduced so many events that easily could becloud the significance of His death and resurrection.

In the Western world, Mothering Sunday, for instance, is heavily commercialised. Buy gifts for your mother! Buy cards for mother! Do this for mother! Appreciate mothers! Many Christians have fallen for the deceit. We spend so much money. And after that, they start talking about Easter eggs and commercial interests with industrialists making a fortune.

Eggs have nothing to do with the significance of Easter in the life of believers.

But somehow, many Christians have fallen for these

deceits. Sincerely, during Easter, there are so many festivities. Even on Easter Day, they would spend so much and commercially minded people have used that occasion to make good profit.

These are wrong ways of celebrating the death of Jesus Christ and His resurrection. I desire that every believer will spend Easter in a sober mood and really appreciate the sacrifice Jesus made on the Cross.

To bring back Christ as a central theme of Easter celebrations, I think we need to go out on a new spectrum of teaching completely, almost bordering on indoctrination. We need to teach our members the spiritual benefits of Christ’s death and resurrection rather than the commercial and social benefits.

Addressing the problem, on our own part, on Good Friday, we have two services at least. We counsel and encourage members to attend a service to mark the significance of the day, so that we can appreciate what Christ has done for us. Then, between 12 and 3pm, we encourage all our members to be in the church. We take them through the statements of Jesus while He was on the Cross, urging them to be committed, as a result of what Jesus has done.

Good Friday is also a day for us to go into the streets to announce our faith and, of course, to share our faith with people. For someone who opens his or her heart to the messages of Good Friday, I doubt if in sincerity he or she would have a mind to go partying or get involved in sin.

‘There Is Divine Wrath ‘Religious Leaders For Wrong Celebrations’ Are To Blame’ (Pastor Johnson Odesola, Special Assistant on Personnel and Administration to RGGC General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye)

(His Eminence Sunday Ola Makinde, Prelate, Methodist Church of Nigeria)

HE prevaE may not be able to separate the joy of the W season from Easter celebration. But getting Tlence of involved in commerce and social activities, above commerce and the real essence, would definitely swallow up the message.

Yes, we should go all out to celebrate the victory, because it is worth celebrating; that the King of Glory became man and passed through intense humiliation because of mankind and submitted himself unto death, even cruel death on the Cross. What love from the Father to mankind! As He rose up triumphantly, which signifies our freedom from Satan and sin, thereby opening the door that sin has closed, so that we can have direct access to our Heavenly Father again, there is need to celebrate with moderation, not turning it to commercialisation.

In the Bible, Jesus condemned those that took advantage of offerings for sins by buying and selling in the temple; He overturned their tables and sent them all out of the place.

If we turn the reason for joyous celebration to commercialisation and social activities, Jesus would not only frown at the loss of the message and the reason for His death, but also give sharp rebuke. If he did not spare those people, he would not spare anybody who would give a negative interpretation to the work of redemption He came to perform.

Christians realising the reason why our Saviour came to the world would bring the essence of Easter back. The Church has not stopped telling the true message and would continue, so that people would have a change of mind towards Easter celebrations.

social activities above the real essence of Easter could be traced to change of our orientation from spirituality to carnality.

The emphasis of celebrants today is not eternal salvation; that Jesus Christ died and resurrected, but on mammon.

In those days, celebrants placed importance on genuine salvation as reason for the season but today, commercialisation has been allowed to replace joy embedded in the accomplished work of redemption, which Easter speaks of.

In fact, a careful and cursory examination would clearly reveal that the shift from reality, which is salvation and godliness, today, cuts across every religion with 80 per cent of religious leaders involved.

To bring back Christ as the central focus of Easter, we need to come to true salvation by allowing the reason for the death of Jesus and His resurrection to manifest in our lives. People place so much importance on miracles and prosperity, forgetting that Christianity is about having a new life in Christ, showing mercy and helping others as beneficiaries of His death and resurrection.

Religious leaders and Christians should play down commerce and social activities and allow those that are not Christians see the true essence of Easter by helping others and making life more comfortable for fellow men.

Our prayer is that people would imbibe the message and make it practicable to others that are not Christians yet, so that they would clearly understand that Easter is not just for merriment, commercialisation or social activities that swallow up the reason for the season.

‘Emphasis Is Godliness, Not Carnality’ (Pastor Lazarus Muoka, General Overseer of The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries)

T is true that many people celebrate Easter ISome with little or no understanding of the event. of these people dine and wine during the period. Others observe it as a time to rest or engage in social gatherings.

These social activities at Easter have played down the importance of the event.

This great occasion is expected to be a time of sober reflection for Christians. This is due to the fact that the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is what Easter stands for, is the bedrock of the Christian faith. Without our Lord Jesus Christ resurrecting from death, there would not have been anything called Christianity.

Easter, therefore, reminds us of our redemption cum salvation. God sent His son to die as a sacrifice for all our sins in order to rescue us from the impending destruction that has been earmarked for us as a result of the sin of Adam and Eve. The purpose of His death would not have been completed if He did not rise again.

In order to show appreciation for what our Lord Jesus Christ achieved for us, and at same time mark the final defeat of our enemy, the devil, we rejoice in Easter. But the celebration does not call for carnality or satisfaction of the flesh. It calls for a mindful and sober reflection of the finished work of redemption vis-à-vis His death, burial and resurrection.

This is the true meaning of Easter, which bestowed upon us salvation, mercy, dominion,

honour and glory. These blessings are not limited to Christians alone, but to as many as accept Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Saviour.

Tit. 2: 11 says, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men”. The greatest and infinite favour of God to all men, irrespective of colour and race, is salvation. There would have been no salvation if Jesus did not resurrect. So, the grace of God, through salvation, teaches us to forsake sin. It teaches us to look for the glories of another world, the glorious appearing of Christ, the blessed hope of Christians. It teaches us to look to God in Christ, as the object of our hope and worship, to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in spite of all snares, temptations and corruption.

The Ibru Centre is under the trusteeship of the Trinity Foundation Charity trust founded for the promotion of spiritual growth

58

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

IBRUCENTRE

Sunday School Missions II

...With Pastor Enoch Adeboye

Memory Verse: “Go teach all nations, baptising them in the name of The Father, The Son, The Holy Ghost”- Matt. 28:19.

Bible Passage: Romans 15:16-21

The called should remain immovable in their determination -Ps. 34:14; Is. 51:7; Lk. 13:31-32. The hatred of iniquity is the overriding driving force -Heb. 1:9.

what step you should take to go, visit, assist, support, co-ordinate etc. In all these activities, burden and prayer constitute the sustaining fuel for the work.

Introduction T is more comfortable to talk or think about missions than head for the mission field. Real missionaries get up and go.

Pray The only way to lift the burden is to go. Nothing else will do -Mk. 6:34; Rm. 10:1; Rm. 9:1-2. One cannot overemphasise the importance of prayer -Isa 62:1-2; 6-7:7; Lk. 18:7-8; Rev. 8:3-4; Mt. 6:9-16; 33, Col 1:9. Ceaseless prayer will enable the called make all sacrifices required and infuse boldness. To go forward in missions, one has to make a definite decision to be involved and be committed -Jn. 3:27; II Cor. 10:3; Ps. 2:8. After praying, God will direct you into

Conclusion The Lord Jesus said you are either working with Him or against Him. There is no middle ground. Friendship with the world is enmity with God. The spirit that dwells in us is uncompromisingly envious -James 4:4-4. Everyone will have to decide sooner than later whom he wants to be committed to. Joshua said, “as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” What about you?

I

Do you have the burden?

Few people pursue their passions or obey the Lord’s call. Please answer God’s call without prevarication. Those not called to the field can support the called materially -Is. 53:1; 64:4; Lk. 10:21-24.

A Biblical Diagnosis Of The Heart

By Seyi Ogunorunyinka HE Bible itemises and describes diseases of the mind, just as it highlights and describes diseases of the tongue. Men and women suffer diseases of the mind. The kind of disease your mind is being attacked with will determine the kind of heart that you possess.

Hearts full of Iniquity, Jeremiah 17:9: “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” The person seated next to you can be your worst enemy, yet you will not know. A person can laugh with you and pretend to be your friend but deep within, his heart can be desperately wicked. A servant of God got the shock of his life when he made an altar call for “people who wanted him dead”. He could not believe his eyes when he saw many of the people he loved so much and many of the closest people to him coming out to the altar. The unfortunate thing about Man is that he has an insatiable appetite for evil. Your worst enemy can be your colleague. The Yoruba have a saying, “Aiye o fe ka r’eru ka so, ori eni l’onyo ni”, which means, “But for the grace of God, people would not wish you success”. Unfortunately, members of one’s household, siblings and friends are not exempted from this evil plot. No wonder, the Bible says in Micah 7:5-6, “Do not trust a neighbour; put no confidence in a friend. Even with her who lies in your embrace, be careful of your words. For a son dishonours his father, a daughter rises up against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.

A man’s enemies are the members of his own household.” It is very sad to note that the closest people to you are the ones who want you to continue to suffer.

In the heart of some people, every other person should worship them. Yet, you might have been the one that trained them in school. Maybe because they are now richer, they look down on you. Money does not determine your prosperity. They seem to have forgotten that a rich person without Christ is dead. The heart is so wicked that the junior ones want the seniors to look up to them and conversely, the senior ones do not want the juniors to be successful in life. Only a few people are ready and praying for others to make it in life. If God had placed Man in charge of the air, breathing would have been an impossible task! You really cannot say with certainty that your very good friend is not an enemy in disguise. That is why the Bible says that the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked.

It is so sad that the people who are playing with you and laughing with you are the same ones that wish you evil.

Pastor Seyi Ogunorunyinka, General Overseer, The Promisedland Restoration Ministries, Surulere, Lagos. pastorseyiogunorunyinka@gmail.com

T

Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins (with staff), flanked by Msgr John Aniagwu (right); Msgr Bernard Okodua (left); Msgr Gabriel Osu and others, after a Mass at Holy Cross Cathedral Lagos to mark the inauguration of Pope Francis I.

Would Suicide Bombers Be Rewarded In Paradise?

By Gabriel Agbo IKE their father, sons of Satan have continued to kill, destroy and steal the life and joy of innocent Nigerians. The latest is the recent bombing of buses heading to the southern part of the country in a park at Sabon Gari, Kano State. It has been tears, blood and sorrow for families and friends of the victims, mostly from the eastern part of Nigeria. I also wept as I read the story. So many questions went through my mind. But I will not share them here for now. Don’t ask me if it is about Nigeria. Sometime last year, a suicide bomber that exploded on his way to his target in Damaturu, Yobe State of Nigeria was reported to be shouting that he was doing the ‘work of God’ and that he would not stop. But that was just before he died after the impact of the explosion threw him into a ditch.

I remember also the little girl, laden with explosives and smuggled into Israel, sometime ago. But before the bomb went off, she started pleading that people would help her dismantle the bombs because she didn’t want to die. It was very emotional, watching her live on television. Definitely, she was sent on the mission against her will. So many, like her, are fortunate to find a way of escape, but may never return to their people, otherwise they would be killed for abandoning ‘the work of God’. Work of God indeed!

Later, two suicide bombers, on a motorcycle, were blown up as their bombs detonated on the ever-busy Ali Akilu Road in Kaduna. Thank God that the planned attack was divinely stopped, otherwise, hundreds of families would have been thrown into mourning that Tuesday afternoon. There have been scores of such suicide bomb attacks in the northern part of country in recent times and thousands have been killed. Now, the questions are: What motivates a person to detonate explosives to kill him/herself and others? How do terror groups get finances and couriers? Who trains them? What religious and psychological manipulations do they receive? Are there diabolical aspects? Why do they always have charms, amulets and spiritualists about them?

At the above-mentioned Kaduna incident, after the explosion killed the would-be bombers, suddenly a strange swarm of bees appeared at the scene and dispersed the crowd that had gathered to witness the incident. It was televised. Were they truly working for God… the ‘God’ of sorcerers and murderers? Is there any reward of paradise, or eternal prize awaiting them after death?

Suicide bombings, as we are now witnessing in Nigeria and other parts of the world, are basically carried out by jihadists; persons who forcefully want to impose their religious beliefs on

L

others. They do this under the guise of fighting for the cause of religion or brethren, which they claim are threatened. But it has been proved that these efforts are never propelled by religion but by political, social and economic motives. Or how else do you explain attacks on national, financial, media, humanitarian, and even same religion institutions.

Suicide bombers (and all jihadists) are always thoroughly brainwashed before they embark on these evil missions. They are made to believe that they and their religion are hated. This brainwashing requires constant, well-planned and coordinated indoctrination. This is part of the reason they are often kept in a camp for a period of time or are made to sit under the teachings of pro-jihadists masquerading as clerics. There, they would systematically be fed with lies and hate messages about their targets until they believe and make up their minds for the mission.

They are deceived into believing they are doing the work and will of God and would be rewarded with paradise, gifts and many false, dubious and satanic promises.

But for high-level deception and diabolical involvement surrounding these missions, one would have expected would-be bombers to always ask their sponsors how murder of an innocent person would fetch eternal reward when the Almighty, our culture and even human instincts warn us against such. Secondly, if truly there are eternal rewards, why do these terror masters always exempt themselves and their relatives from going on such missions? Look at the case of Osama Bin Laden, as he sponsored and coordinating these missions all over the world, he carefully gathered his wives and children into a cozy palatial home in Pakistan, worth millions of dollars. And we learnt he sternly warned his children not to follow his path.

In Nigeria, some members of the Boko Haram Islamic sect currently terrorising the country have told us how the leadership of the group would exempt their tribesmen and relations, but assign and prepare others for suicide missions. They also gave account of how these leaders would appropriate widows of the bombers, stolen exotic cars and money to themselves.

The truth is that there is no paradise or eternal blessing awaiting a suicide bomber or any other murderer for that matter.

That promise is definitely from the Devil– the master of deception. But unfortunately, the unrepentant murderers would find out too late that they died, sadly, in vain– from painful death through shrapnel and explosives into hell fire, suffering, weeping and gnashing of teeth… forever!

Rev. Agbo is of the Assemblies of God Nigeria, gabrielagbo@yahoo.com

Meaning Of Christ’s Resurrection

By Prophet S. K. Abiara HAT is resurrection? According to Encyclopedia of Ilumina Gold, ‘Resurrection is the act of being raised from the dead.’ It is used in the Bible in three different ways. First, the word ‘resurrection’ most often refers to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. What happened at Jesus’ resurrection is one of the most difficult concepts to understand in the entire Bible. However, it is very important to understand this resurrection because it allows all people to enter into a relationship with God. Resurrection is also used to refer to the miracle of returning someone from the dead back to life on earth. In the Old Testament, this happened when: Elijah raised a boy (1 Kings 17:8-24); Elisha raised the Shunammite’s son (2 Kings 4:18-37). In the New Testament, there are a few more examples: Jesus raised Jairus’s daughter (Mark 5:35-43); Jesus raised Lazarus (John 11:17-44); Peter raised Dorcas (Acts 9:36-42); Paul raised Eutychus (Acts 20:9-12).

Even though these people were raised from the dead, they still died at some later time.

Finally, resurrection also refers to the end of time when all people will be resurrected to be punished or rewarded, based on their belief in Jesus Christ (John 5:29 and Revelation 20:5-6).

The resurrection of Jesus includes many features such as how it was presented in prophecy -Isaiah 53:10-12. The resurrection was announced by Christ himself - Mark 9:9-10.

The Apostles proclaimed the resurrection of Christ as recorded in the book of the Acts of the Apostles. For other passages about resurrection, see Acts 2:32; Acts 3:15; Job 19:25-26; Isaiah 26:19; Daniel 12:2, 13; Mark 13:27; 1 Corinthians 15:12-58; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 20:11–21:4.

God bless.

W

skabiaraofciem@yahoo.co.uk

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

59

IBRUCENTRE Springs Of Wisdom

By PASTOR W.F KUMUYI

The Counsel Of The Lord HE Bible says: "There are many devices in a man’s heart, T nevertheless, the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.”

This introduces us to the authority that God has over every

Cross River State Coordinator, Christian Pentecostal Mission Int’l., Rev. Peter Joseph (left); Edo State Coordinator, Rev. Isaac Itobiye; Ogun State Coordinator, Rev. Peter Odebiyi and Northern States Coordinator, Rev. Tony Akwashiki, during the church’s Back-to- Bible conference at its headquarters, Ajao Estate, Lagos.

How To Make The Most Of God’s Salvation

By Ernest Onuoha

‘But as He came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, He began to weep...They will crush you into the ground ... because you did not accept your opportunity for salvation’ -Lk. 19v41-44.

HE Jewish leaders had rejected their king. They had refused T God’s offer of salvation in Jesus Christ, and soon their nation would suffer.

Consequent upon the above, the triumphant entry, a happy occasion, later, turned into weeping. The crowd that had followed Him were shouting: ‘Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!’ -Lk. 19:38.

This was a show of solidarity and expression of joy towards Jesus’ kingship particularly at a time they were looking for freedom from Roman political domination. Jesus’ courage as He rode in fired their enthusiasm.

But alas! Their king, as He approached Jerusalem, started to weep for the destruction that was to come upon the city. The people could not see the impending destruction. What a tragedy.

Often, when sin beclouds a sinner, he can hardly differentiate between good and evil, danger and safety. Usually, it is the strategy of the devil to perpetually hold down God’s people and eventually destroy them.

However, it is revealing, as Bible commentators attest, that the destruction Jesus predicted against Jerusalem and its inhabiBy Msgr. Gabriel Osu ODAY, Sunday, March 24, 2013, marks the celebration of Palm Sunday, the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. It is a day of procession in which faithful carry branches of palm leaves as a re-enactment of the Biblical story in which crowd greeted Jesus by waving palm branches and covering his path with the same. This entry marked the beginning of his journey to the cross where he was eventually crucified.

“So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” And Jesus found a young ass and sat upon it; as it is written, “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on an ass’s colt (Jn 12:1315)!”

Often referred to as Passion Sunday, today marks the beginning of Holy Week, which concludes on Easter Sunday. Traditionally, Palm Sunday falls on the sixth and last Sunday of Lent.

The principal ceremonies of the day are the benediction of the palms, the procession, the Mass, and during it, the singing of the Passion. Palm branches have been used by all nations as an emblem of joy and victory over enemies, and in Christianity, as a sign of victory over the flesh and the world, according to Psalm 91:13.

This year’s Palm Sunday is with a difference. This is because right from the Vatican, a new Pontiff would lead the Church in this great celebration of faith. There is great rejoicing among Catholic faithful because God has deemed it fit to give the Church a new Pope.

Less than two weeks ago, there was tension in the air as faithful all over the world waited in contemplation and prayer for a new Pontiff, following the resignation of Benedict XVI. In

T

tants came to pass. No stone was left on top of each other; the magnificent temple, built by Solomon many years back, was reduced to rubbles. Women and children suffered terribly. Of course, the scripture is right: ‘heaven and earth shall pass away but my words shall not pass away’ -Mtt. 24:35.

God’s offer of salvation is free. But it is disturbing to note that a great number of people turn down such a glorious offer, as they indulge in sinful habits, such as lying, cheating, armed robbery, shedding of innocent blood and other condemnable acts. Let it be stated that people who refuse this offer are simply preparing for doom’s day. Jesus is God’s answer to the world. ‘And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life’ -1 John 5:11, 12.

On this occasion of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, He is making the last appeal to humanity. It therefore behoves the believer to ensure that he is reconciled to God now. It is very reassuring to note that God has not turned His back against humanity. He continues to offer us this salvation, both to Jews and Gentiles of our days. Jesus will not continue to weep; we need to return to God in total repentance.

Remember, eternal life is within your reach. Accept it while the opportunity remains.

Ven. Ernest Onuoha, Rector, Ibru International Ecumenical Retreat Centre, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State, www.ibrucentre.org

Palm Sunday With Pope Francis I remote and ancient settlements and canyons across Rome, Lourdes, Nigeria and Assisi, numerous candles lit up. From urban to austere monasteries, convents and seminaries tucked up amid the hills and valleys of holy monuments in various continents of the world, millions of worshipers embarked on novenas for God to empower the Cardinals with the Holy Spirit to make the right choice. What kind of man would he be? Would he be an Italian, America or an African? Would he be an extremist or a non-conformist? Such questions ran through the minds of many. But in all of these, God took charge.

Amid all expectations, he gave to us a man after his own heart. He did not choose a priest with an unusual air; one we might consider as very popular or charismatic.

Rather, he chose a 76-year-old humble Jesuit Priest who took a bus to work as Cardinal of Buenos Aires and who loved to cook

his own meal. Here is a highly placed clergy who refused to live in the Church’s magnificent mansion, but rather chose to sleep in a simple bed in a modest home heated by a tiny stove. That simple man, Cardinal Mario Jorge Bergoglio, made history as the first non-European pope of the modern era, the first from Latin America, the first Jesuit and the first to assume the name Francis.

The task ahead of the new Pope is indeed onerous. There is an anticipated wind of change. He needs our collective prayers and goodwill to succeed. He is human, like every one of us, and so we should not expect perfection from him. However, as choice of the divine, we expect that the decisions he would make in the weeks and years to come, would be in conformity with God’s divine plan for the Church, and for the salvation of the faithful.

Very Rev. Msgr. Gabriel Osu is the Director, Social Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos.

living being and over every circumstance. You may be nursing some ideas, but you cannot go far with them without the counsel or help of the Lord. On the other hand, men and women may devise evil against you; enemies may plot your downfall. But God is greater and higher, and exalted above your enemies. Whatever their devices, plans and purposes, only the counsel of the Lord shall prevail.

There are times we get into circumstances that are so confusing and do not know which way to go. There are also times when men threaten to harm us, or circumstances conspire against us. It could be negative medical diagnosis or something worse. Whatever the situation, at such times, you need to know that the counsel of the Lord in your life will stand. It is this confidence the Psalmist has in God’s prevailing will and ability to overrule situations and circumstances that makes him exclaim in wonderment: “I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.” Actually, there is nothing to be ashamed or afraid of when you know that God is in control of every situation in your life. Instead you should rest your mind in His comforting promises.

The earlier you realise that God has the final say in whatever situation you find yourself, the better for you. Did doctors tell you that your child’s case is a hopeless one? Don’t forget that God has the final say. If you will believe, you will see the power and glory of God. Are you going through a difficult time? Nevertheless, the counsel of the Lord shall stand. Are you bereaved and are unsure what tomorrow may bring? Nevertheless, the counsel of the Lord shall stand. Are you sick with a debilitating illness and are wasting away? There is a God in heaven that has a final say. And as long as He does, only His purpose will be fulfilled in your life. He insists: “I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.”

God has a plan for you, and whatever the devices of people against you are; His plan will be fulfilled in your life. “Fear thou not”, He says, “for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing: and they that strive with thee shall perish. Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contendeth with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought.”

When a person is faced with a problem, there are many thoughts that swarm his or her mind. Whether she is sick or jobless, there are many devices that will spring up in her heart. When you have a marital problem and your spouse’s disposition is not as it used to be towards you, there are many thoughts that will creep into your mind. When, as a woman or man you are married and there is no child, many suggestions— some good, some bad, some outright ridiculous— will start flooding your mind. But don’t worry. Don’t be anxious. Don’t ever believe that your life is going to end on a sad note. The counsel of the Lord and His purpose is what will stand at the end of the day. Remember that when you face difficulties in your family or in your place of work, the counsel of the Lord shall stand. Don’t forget that when people threaten to deal with you for no just cause, still the counsel of the Lord shall stand. Let that be your watchword and comfort when your life seems besieged by troubles and tribulations. If you have yielded your life to Christ after confessing and forsaking your sins, then the counsel of the Lord shall stand in your life.

Recounting His favour towards the people of Israel, God said: “Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you unto myself.”

The children of Israel were discouraged and many times wanted to return to Egypt in the course of their journey in the wilderness. They wanted to remain slaves all their lives.

There were many devises in their hearts. But nevertheless the counsel of the Lord eventually prevailed. Like the children of Israel, it may be that you too are minded to go back to your old sinful lifestyle. But the Lord’s admonition is, don’t go back. Don’t forget what He has done in your life.

Don’t forget how He saved you from accident, disaster or calamity. Even Pharaoh had devices against the children of Israel. He didn’t want them to be free. All the same, the counsel of the Lord was what stood at the end of the day. No matter what the enemy is doing to hinder your progress, success or deliverance, the counsel of the Lord will eventually prevail in your life.

References: Proverbs 19:21; Isaiah 8:10; Psalm 119:46; Isaiah 46:9,10; 41:1012; Exodus 19:4. All scriptures are from the King James Version of the Bible.

Mother-in-Israel, Christ Healing Evangelical Church (CHEC), Lady Evangelist Beatrice Ajoke Bamidele (third left); General Overseer, Pastor Samuel Babatunde Ogunfowokan (third right) and other ministers from the USA, Canada and Europe at the 2013 National Convention of the Church at Loburo, Mowe, Ogun State.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

60

IBRUCENTRE Evangelist Oguazi Onyemobi of Jesus Power Outreach Ministries celebrated his 50th birthday last week. He narrates the goodness of God upon his life and explains what government needs to do to curb insecurity by the Boko Haram sect.

By Seye Olumide

At 50, what remarkable thing has God done for you?

T the age of 18, I had a terrible accident.

Several people died but God saved my life. People thought I was dead. I was treated, but I had compound fracture on both legs. It was by the grace of God that I was not crippled. The doctors tried their best to treat one of the legs. I was on crutches for many years. I gave my life to Jesus in 1982. The next year, in February, God healed me miraculously. And since then, I have been walking on both legs. God has also called me to touch the life of other people and ministered healing and deliverance to many people. I have traveled around the world to preach the word of God. I am very grateful to God. In 2006, my first wife died. She was a medical doctor. We had a very good marriage and a good life. I was on mission assignment when the incident happened. But God told me to be at peace and promised to guide and be with me. That was exactly what happened. I couldn’t have a child through the first wife, but now, I have a boy named Samuel, through the second one.

I will dedicate my anniversary to the gospel and the kingdom. My heart’s desire is that people will thirst after God and his righteousness.

Persecution of Christians in the North Remember what Jesus said in the scripture that the Church would be persecuted. But despite that, I feel that the government is supposed to protect people wherever they are.

Everybody cannot be a Moslem, so it is the responsibility of the government to protect Christians in the northern part of the country.

What I will say to the believers is to remain strong and steadfast. There is no greatness that will not go with a lot of persecution. We should not be discouraged or think Christians should leave the northern part of the country.

Has President Jonathan failed in providing security, particularly on the Boko Haram issue?

God spoke to us clearly about this sect, even before it began to spread in the country. God called them wild beasts that want to destroy the country. God said to us that the original purpose of Boko Haram is to use Nigeria to further their interest. But if that is not possible they will want to destroy it. The Lord’s position is that the wild beast must be destroyed. The government has been making efforts to dialogue with the sect, but I say that would not

A

‘It’s Responsibility Of Govt To Protect Christians In The North’ work. The reason is that this sect is sworn to an ideology. There is no way dialogue will work.

What I will say is that the government should take a tough stand against them.

Has the Church failed as change agent in society?

The prevalence of crime and other vices in Nigeria today is indication that something is wrong with the Church. There is no reason we should have so many preachers and churches in the midst of serious vices. The fact is many worshipers do not worship in spirit and in truth. Many preachers have one leg in the Church and the other in the world. We need a pure faith. Only 120 disciples shook the entire world in those days. What is happening today is appalling and painful. We need to examine ourselves, expunge sin from our lives and move closer to God. We must also throw away every tradition and culture that is contrary to the true faith, so that as pure people of God, we can bring revival to the nation. Many people who are in government who claim to be Christians are not true believers.

Why do we have divisions among Church leaders?

It is because many of the churches are more about self and not about Christ. Jesus said, ‘I will build my church and the gate of hell cannot prevail against it.’ The Church belongs to Jesus but unfortunately many people have made it theirs. Hence, pride comes in. And when there is pride, the spirit of God cannot be there. There was something about the church in the upper chamber in Jerusalem; it moved with prayers and dedication. There was no hidden agenda or pride. Everything went according to the Bible. The Church was united in spirit, in one faith. But when self came in, so many ungodly things came up. The consequences are division, fighting and even corruption. Another challenges before the Church today is that many followers think everything should be as their leaders interpret it.

Corruption in the country This is an evil monster that is eating and destroying the land. It is even worse than the insecurity we are all talking about. The only way I think this can be addressed is that the Church must cry and pray louder to God to destroy corruption in the hearts of Nigerians.

At Conference, Ezekiel Tasks Participants On Spiritual Growth

By Chris Irekamba ENERAL Overseer of the Christian Pentecostal Mission International, Ajao Estate, Lagos, Rev. (Dr.) Obiora Ezekiel, called on participants at this year’s Back-ToBible Conference, not to be satisfied with the born again experience but aspire to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Participants at the event were area coordinators, state coordinators and supervisors of the church from different

G

parts of the country.

Declaring the event open, two Wednesdays ago, at headquarters, Ezekiel reminded the church leaders that Christianity is pleasant only if one has experienced divine nature.

Speaking on the theme, ‘Glorious Divine Nature’, the cleric said: “Never be satisfied with the level of being born again; there are more lands for you to cover. Divine nature leads to the throne. The brothers of Joseph thought that by sell-

ing him into slavery they would end his dream, instead, they helped him get to the throne faster. It is time for the church to excel and grow by revelation.”

The guest speaker, Rev. Chris Kayode, also stressed the importance of divine nature as a necessary prerequisite for ministers.

He said: “As ministers, grace is given to us to minister to the body of Christ. When our nature changes, the nature of the congregation changes.”

Fayemi, Ahmadiyya Leader Congratulate Pope Francis I

By Bisi Alabi Williams KITI State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has congratulated Pope Francis I, on his election as new head of the Catholic Church.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Olayinka Oyebode, Fayemi expressed satisfaction that the emergence of Francis has further united the church.

He noted that the fact that the Pope is from Latin America is indicative of the universality of the Catholic Church, and urged Catholics and adherents of other faiths to support the Pontiff with prayers.

Also, Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness Hadhrat

E

Onyemobi

The greatest destroyer is corruption, and almost every problem we have in the country has connection with corruption.

Has the Church failed to influence politics positively?

So many things are wrong in Christendom today and these are seriously affecting the development of the country. Like I said before, many preachers have personified the Church

Catholic Bishop Berates Jonathan On Presidential Pardon

By Muyiwa Adeyemi, Ado Ekiti (Head, South West Bureau) MERITUS Bishop, Diocese of Ekiti, Most Rev. Michael Fagun and Most Rev Felix Ajakaye, has urged President Jonathan to resign for granting a state pardon to former governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.

He stated this when the Catholic Church celebrated 100 years of its existence in Ekiti State.

The cleric said if the president fails to do so, the National Assembly should commence an impeachment procedure against him with immediate effect.

Fagun, at a Mass in Usi Ekiti, said the President’s action is an official endorsement of corruption.

“If he does not resign and is

E

not impeached by the National Assembly, I urge you not to vote for him in the next election,” Fagun said, adding, “by granting pardon to Alamieyeseigha who is a notorious thief, the President has joined him in stealing public funds.”

By Bisi Alabi Williams HE youth wing of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Nigeria, Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya, will hold its 41st Annual National Convention tagged ‘Pacesetter 2013’ in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The event will come up at Ansarudeen High School, Oke Ado, while a symposium will hold at Mapo Hall, Ibadan on March 28-31, 2013 themed, ‘The Challenge of Youth Restiveness in

T

message on Twitter.

“May the new Pope lead the Church towards the true teachings of Christianity, and proved to be blessed, not just for Christians, but for all people across the globe,” Ahmad is quoted as saying.

By Isaac Taiwo

Holiness Power Bible Ministries Ends Conference

H

saying it was a forum to remind minister participants from the 41 branches of the church, of the significance of holiness and equip them to maintain standards.

“My concern is to see that every member in our church is not only saved and sanctified but continually walks in holiness,” he said.

Udeoha warned political

leaders to desist from selfishness and be prepared for citizens’ violent reactions, which would force many of them to vomit what they have covetously eaten.

He said: “President Jonathan and members of both the upper and lower Houses know what to do to stop corruption. But because they know that anyone who wants

The first indigenous Bishop in Ekiti also criticised government for taking over missionary schools and other institutions established by the church, saying, “The government just hijacked and ruined them.”

Youths Hold Convention On Religious Extremism

Mirz Masroor Ahmad, has extended his prayers, best wishes and congratulations to Pope Francis.

Dr. Basharat Nazir, national spokesperson of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the United Kingdom, posted the

OLINESS Power Bible Ministries has concluded the seventh edition of its National Ministers Conference.

Themed, ‘Christ’s Ministers Ministering in the Master’s Ministry’, it was held at the church’s national headquarters in Lagos.

General Overseer, Pastor Austin Udeoha, described the conference as very successful,

and have failed to see it as the property of our Lord Jesus Christ. And this has led to a lot of divisions and worldliness among Christians.

Rather preach about repentance, holiness and dedication, what hear today is messages of prosperity. It is not against the doctrine of Christ that Christians should be wealthy but our wealth must be in the Lord and not after the pattern of the world.

to exterminate corruption in Nigeria might need to lay down his life because of the toes such would step on, they keep on reneging. Unknowingly, they are postponing the evil day.”

Udeoha called on Church leaders to speak truth and warn politicians of consequences, rather than benefit from unclean money.

a Multi-Cultural and Multi-Religious Society: The Prophetic Solutions’.

The conference is expected to examine issues of religious extremism in Nigeria and the infamous role some Muslim youths have played in crises, with focus on examples and precedents from the life of Prophet Muhammad on how Muslims should conduct themselves in a multicultural and multi-faith society.

Dignitaries expected at the event include Governor of Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi; Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade I; Amir of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at in Nigeria, Dr. Mashood Adenrele Fashola and Missionary-inCharge of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, Maulvi AbdulKhalique Nayyar. Speakers include Alhaji Abass Iromini.

A high point of the event will be the presentation of awards of excellence to state chapters of the organisation.

TheGuardian

Sunday, March 24, 2013

61

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Business Group To Train 10,000 students in Entrepreneurship From Ann Godwin, Port Harcourt HE Entrepreneurial Development initiative, (EnDiP), T a catalyst organisation for youth development, is facilitating the training of 10,000 students in entrepreneurship. They will be equipped with relevant skills in business.

The Director of EnDiP, Ben Ovio, disclosed this in Port Harcourt during the 2013 Child and Youth Finance international Week/Day. He explained that the training was aimed to increase the life opportunities of students, improve their employability and support their growth and development by the year 2020. stressing that people with skills build the world, He noted that good skills would enable the children to grow up as well-informed and responsible investors and future entrepreneurs who would contribute to the national economic growth of the country. according to him, children and youths are future economic actors whose financial decisions will dictate the state of world economies. Based on experience and research, experts have stressed that promoting a positive financial culture in children and youths was essential to ensuring a financially capable population, able to make well-informed decisions”.

Ovio added that the ability of individuals to be financially literate and financially capable remains an issue that is becoming more important around the world as Director, Mouka Limited, Mrs. Peju Adebajo, Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Mustafa Bello; and Managing Director, British families find themselves dealing with increasing debt Managing American Tobacco West Africa, Mr Keith Gretton, at a breakfast dialogue with ministers and the private sector in Lagos…last week. burdens and insufficient asset bases to deal with economic necessities and financial emergencies.

Government Urged To Tackle Challenges Facing Plastic Makers Brian’s Cape Emerges HE government has been urged to encourage manufacturing sector, he said tor and increase its job-creating capacity.

T make policies that will create an more needs to be done to boost the perHe observed that Eleme Petro Chemicals, Best Global Whisky enabling environment for operators of formance of the sector. a major plastic raw-material producer, plastic industry to carry out their businessOludaramola listed multiple taxation as a cannot meet the increasing demands of ain’s Cape Mountain Whisky has been voted the major threat to health of manufacturing. He the local market, a situation, he said, has B world’s best grain whisky at the yearly World Whisky es profitably. This includes reduction of said the uncoordinated tax system has com- forced operators to seek solace overseas. awards (WWa) held in London, the United Kingdom, on import duty on plastic raw materials.

Thursday. in a press statement, Master Distiller the south africa’s first single grain whisky, andy Watts, who was in London to receive the award, said he was overwhelmed by the endorsement.

Bain’s Cape becomes the first south african whisky to get the award. it competed with brands from traditional whisky-drilling countries such like ireland, scotland and the United states. The nominated brands were assessed blind, on three tasting rounds, by an independent panel of judges including foremost international whisky palates.

Distiller of whisky, Jeff Green, said: “This is not just a win for Bain’s Cape but for south africa.

“Bain’s Cape, launched in 2009, was created to express the extraordinary features of south africa’s home-grown grains, which fermented and distilled locally. With a distinctive taste profile, the maize is the same as that which was imported to scotland up until the mid 1980s to make scotch whisky.”

“The whisky is proudly south african in profile. By taking the global title, we have demonstrated that south africa can make exceptional whiskies.”

Green said that south africa’s warm climate contributed to the excellence of its whiskies. He explained that the maturation process was accelerated by interaction between wood, spirit and air to produce whiskies of great smoothness.

This call was made by Managing Director, Lemmy Plastics, steve Oludaramola, in an interview media parley in his office in Lagos. according to the india-trained engineer, many factors are responsible for the harsh business environment. acknowledging efforts being made by the government to

pounded the challenges facing business owners, stressing that employers would continue to downsize except concerted efforts are made to address the problem.

The industrialist advised the government to make raw materials for the plastic industry duty free to reduce the cost of manufacturing, attract more investment to the sec-

in a letter dated January 24, 2013, Oludaramola appealed to the Manufacturers association of nigeria (Man) to prevail on the government to review duty on imported plastic raw materials. He also tasked relevant authorities to checkmate the activities of smugglers.

stakeholders Weigh Measures To Curb Electronic Fraud ade shonubi, said PCiDss was introduced OMPLianCE to the Payment Card speaking at quarterly edition of the Digital to fortify banks and stakeholders against eC industry Data security standard (PCiDss) Jewels information Value Chain breakfast payment frauds and build confidence in has been emphasised as a major step to forum in Lagos last week, Managing

checkmating the increasing electronic fraud Director/Chief Executive Officer of the nigeria the electronic payment system shonubi explained that any organisation in the payment system inter-Bank settlement system Plc (niBss), Mr. desirous of successful e-payment transaction must have a clear understanding of the Central Bank of nigeria (CBn) mandate FMO is the Dutch development finance EGCHaRLEs Finance and Capital and shows willingness to comply with the company. its operations have far-reaching process.

Limited last week played host to FMO impacts on the international business netherlands Entrepreneurship Bank at Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer community. With an investment portfolio of Digital Jewels, Mrs. adedoyin Odunfa, the company’s headquarters in Lekki, of 5.9 billion Euros, FMO is among the Lagos. said management’s commitment, effective RegCharles said in a press statement that largest lender in the netherlands. scoping of project scale, understanding of “This is certainly a giant step in the right the standards/processes by all parties; suffithe meeting served as a platform for disdirection for us, as we are achieving goals cient resources are some of the critical faccussing possibilities of sealing partnership between the firms. it did not, howev- of joining forces with like-minded interna- tors considered for PCiDss certification. tional organisations,” noted the host. er, disclose the extent of discussions.

nigerian, netherlands Firms Explore Partnership

R

nigerian Entrepreneurs shatter Growth Records in asia, africa, Middle East iGERia’s entrepreneurs should be n encouraged to continue making sustainable investments in the local economy, as this will form a new approach toward building competitive industries in africa, according to Tony O. Elumelu, the philanthropic entrepreneur whose self-named foundation has been promoting business excellence and leadership across the continent for the last three years. in fulfilment of its mandate to promote entrepreneurship and competitiveness throughout africa, The Tony Elumelu Foundation and Us-based allWorld network, which ranks dynamic fast-growth private companies globally, hosted the inaugural Nigeria50 awards on Thursday, at the Eko Hotel & suites, Lagos, to honour

•As Tony Elumelu Foundation, AllWorld Network Spotlight 50 Fastest Growing Businesses

around dramatically.” in addition to the highly anticipated the region’s competitiveness.” “all 50 ing for the long term in africa, driving awards ceremony, a two-day summit 50 of nigeria’s most innovative and companies demonstrate nigeria’s nigeria and africa’s economic develop- that took place in Lagos on March 21fastest growing companies. ment – a key pillar of Africapitalism.

The 50 nigerian companies, accord- capacity for dynamic growth and 22 at Heirs Holdings, offered capacity investment,” said Elumelu, adding, They are showing that the private sec- development sessions for the execuing to the organisers broke allWorld records of high growth among 15 coun- “these are african entrepreneurs invest- tor has what it takes to turn economies tives of winning companies. tries throughout the Middle East, south asia and africa, with an astounding annual growth rate of 100 per cent. romasidor nigeria Limited has rewarded about 460 work and many years of service. We want to thank you for allWorld co-founder, Professor Michael employees for their hardwork and long years of service everything you have done to help this company. When we Porter, who was described by the Times to the company. saw the number of people to be rewarded, at first we of London as the world’s “most influen- The employees, including their spouses, were honoured thought it would be a challenge but as the planning comtial management guru” and is widely for putting in 10 to 15 years of service to the firm. mittee went on with the plans, we knew it would go well. regarded as the foremost authority on speaking at the event, which took place at Granduer Once again, from Promasidor group, thank you for your company and country competitiveEvents Centre, ikeja, Lagos, at the weekend, the Managing support.” ness, emphasised that, “it is entrepre- Director/CEO of Promasidor, Chief Keith Richards, said the The Chairman, Board of Directors of the company, Mr. neurs who are going to change the long service award is a yearly event meant to celebrate the Mark Rose, through a pre-recorded message, apologised developing world, not governments. company’s long serving staff and promote the spirit of for his absence but congratulated the employees for their The nigeria50 companies represent togetherness. long years of service. the leading edge of a new approach to Richards said, “We want to appreciate you for your hard

Promasidor Rewards Employees For Long service

P

62

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

BUSINESS

Foreign Direct Investments On Slow, Steady Growth, Says Chalker Baroness Lynda Chalker, Chairperson of the Africa Matters Limited (AML) and former British Minister for Africa, Transport and Foreign Affairs Office, has seen the best and, perhaps, the challenges of both worlds of politics and business. Her AML, which provides consultancy services for global businesses wishing to initiate or expand operations to African countries, including Nigeria, is also the coordinator of the Honorary International Investors Council (HIIC), an organisation of prominent investors from around the world that advises the Nigerian government on matters of economic development. Facilitated by former president Olusegun Obasanjo in 2004, the HIIC also seeks to reduce political corruption, “helping Nigeria to become Africa’s biggest oil producer, attracting investment in the country from the private sector and from foreign countries, and making Nigeria more competitive in the global economy.” When Chalker lost her seat in 1992 as a politician, she went into the House of Lords to be the Foreign Affairs Spokesman and was responsible for all Foreign Affairs matters.

The 70-year-old investment advocate had another five years as the Lord’s Minister in the Foreign Affairs Office, before her party was defeated as a government. She then set up the AML and worked with the World Bank, among others, to bridge the gap between business people, who make profits that go to government as tax, and politicians, who are only too glad to spend the money. Chalker, during her recent visit to Nigeria, spoke with MARCEL MBAMALU on a wide range of socio-political and economic issues, including the energy sector and the PIB, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), infrastructure, Agriculture, and the challenges of insecurity and how to overcome them.

Chalker

More recently, we have been trying to concentrate activity on the coordination of plans, the integration of the different aspects of power and transport and agriculture and so on, because the ministries in many African countries, not just in Nigeria, are very singular As Coordinator of the HIIC, what would you say in their approach; they don’t have a long cross has been the impact of this body to the overall development of Africa and Nigeria in particular? fertilisation as we do in many departments in Europe.

THINK that we have had a minimum, patchy So, one of the things we’ve been doing is progress. No organisa tions or group of working with the Minister of Finance, people, who come together only under a sixparticularly, because she has the responsibility month basis, could have continuous input. now for coordination; the Minister of Trade But, what we have had is the opportunity to give a wake-up call to ministers very often about and Investment, the Minister of Agriculture, is to make sure that, where an initiative is taking progress because these are business people, place, all the other ministries that ought to be highly intelligent,who remember, and we give backing it up are in the know about what is them reminders of what happened at least so going on. they would follow through. Ministries know They are still not quite there, and there will that, coming to the HIIC, they are being looked at be a lot of work to be done. The president has for achievements and progress on the policies appointed somebody to chase up policies, and that they have undertaken to carry out. that’s happening very much within the I suppose the most notable thing was the one-stop shop; and I could remember helping to government. We don’t make long public noise about it. make sure they went to Cairo in those days, Above all, working with the CBN Governor, which is one of the early one-stop shops for Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has been a really good incoming investors. And when they came back, influence in this country, bringing inflation they were full of enthusiasm: “I’m gonna have down and building up the strength in the one in every state...” and that was quite what economy. But, he does not have the day-to-day happened. But, certainly there has been an say over what happens in other policy areas, improvement, real improvements as investors even though he is consulted. But, because we come in through one-stop shop, first in Abuja are always asking questions, he gets to find out and then, here in Lagos, and so on. and so on. So, I think, in a sense, we have had an So, that was pushed very much by the effect on coordination among ministers. A lot experience of the business people on the HIIC. My small company, Africa Matters Limited, just still needs to be done and I suppose the PIB is one of the examples where the coordination focuses on coordination, research, arrangements and so on; we don’t make policies; has probably not been as good as it might have been. that is one thing people often ask. But, we do Would you say this failure of coordination is give ideas from different countries.

African-wide?

We tell them very honestly what has worked Definitely. I mean South Africa simply prides and what has failed, because it has always been itself as being the most of that; but, it’s my view that if Africans in one country tell their probably the worst in coordination in my view; neighbour what is working and what is not working, there may be a similarity but, at least, it at least worse than Nigeria.

I see countries getting on with coordination makes them know what to look for; the pressure quite well — Ghana, for instance. They found points or the difficulties when they begin to occur.

I

John Kufour and the late John Attah Mills and I’m sure that John Moringa will be equally good.

But, it is a very difficult thing because, what you are asking for is the performance outcomes for each ministry. But, you are asking them to work together when they can’t really be measured in the same way. And the President is very keen on getting outcomes. We had Vice President Sambo with us in London in November, and he made some very sound points about coordination between ministries and this is absolutely vital for government.

So, we have all these marvellous people from industries both in this country and abroad sitting with ministers, with governors, with the CBN, with President or Vice President, just speaking their minds in private.

We do a press conference afterwards but that obviously it picks up for half an hour the main points; and we would have been sitting, working for a day and half or even longer.

There is insecurity and recently flooding in the land; yet, official figures claim that Foreign Direct Investment is growing. Since part of your mandate at both the HIIC and Africa Matters Ltd is to drive investments to the continent, would you say that FDI in Nigeria is really growing, static or diminishing?

T is growing slowly. But, in a sector, which ought to be gaining more investments, it will not grow until there is clarity about legislation.

Now this is one of the other aspects of getting different ministries to coordinate. You have to have clarity about what the legislation will do.

You must be focused and agree on the outcomes across governments.

It is not enough, you cannot have one Ministry being up there and saying we would do this, ignoring the effects on the others; and that’s what I meant earlier about coordination.

So, you peole have great improvements in financial investments. As I drove down from the High Commisioner’s residence this morning, it was amazing seeing the number of

I

buildings that have gone up in this area (Ikoyi and Victoria Island) in the last five years; the number of banks that have come in here from overseas — and that, of course, was helped by the clearing up of the banking industry here when Governor Sanusi came in and made his reforms.

But there are other areas that we want to see investments — in the construction industry, agriculture, agric-processing, in more of financial services and certainly in the modernisation of oil technology.

Nigeria has been producing oil for a very long while; no industry carries on succeeding unless the equipment and persons are updated. And I think, probably not too much in the downstream, which everbody sees the retail end; but, in the upstream, there are things that can be done to make it more efficient, and, of course, to get rid of gas flaring, oil bunkering, all the things that pull the country down. These can be done technically.

So, there’s a lot of interest in investments here. We have one client from the United States, who wants to get involved in Renewable Energy, 100 megawatts in solar projecct company in the North. We have all the people with real interest in financial services here coming, who are not here at the moment and there are some, who have come and we have assited in the past. But, I really do want to see proper involvement in adding value to agricultural products and I think the new ministry of agriculture has been thinking very well about how, not only can farming be profitable to the farmer but also what else can be done to agricultural products before they are exported.

You’ve got to have the right seed, the right fertilizer; you’ve got to have the right equipment; you’ve got to have the right marketing, bringing in things together; you’ve got to have the right manufacturing processes that beat standards required with countries, which you are exporting to. And you’ve got to

CONTINUED ON PAGE 65

TheGuardian

Sunday, March 24, 2013 63

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Opinion OUR men were gathered around the table, each of them reeking of power, affluence and influence.

“Gentlemen, I thank you for coming to my meeting,” President Goodluck Jonathan said. “I know the notice was short, but Patience insisted that I should call you. And Oronto agreed with her.”

Olusegun Obasanjo shuffled impatiently in his seat, tossing the bulbous left arm of his agbada over his shoulder. “This is what I don’t understand,” he said in his accustomed drawl. “Do you have to conduct the affairs of state according to the wishes of a woman?”

The other two men looked away as Jonathan’s gaze of embarrassment came around. “No, Baba, she is more than a woman. She is always right.

She is more of a man. I mean, she is so intelligent she is now a Permanent Secretary.”

As Obasanjo moved to say something, Bamanga Tukur cleared his throat. “Gentlemen, the important thing is we are here, to work in the best interest of the party, to make sure we don’t lose any ground to those people who call themselves All Progressives Congress. I have promised to dribble them like Messi, hahaha…” he laughed.

Obasanjo caught him off. “I was wondering why you said that. I know you were never a soldier.

But if your best weapon is a rifle, do you broadcast that to the opponent before the start of a battle?”

“But the fear of Messi…”

“Messi, my foot! Why can’t you wait until Messi has scored two or three times? Or for eight or nine years? Why did your Messi not dribble in Edo State, where we lost disastrously and a common Labour leader made our party look like Boy Scouts?”

That was when Tony Anenih began to rise to his feet. “I knew you were going to start attacking me. I know you…”

Jonathan put his hand on that of Anenih, who was sitting to his right, restraining him. Anenih sat down, but he continued to speak across the table at Obasanjo. “I knew you could not resist the temptation to…”

Obasanjo burst into laughter. “I was not even thinking about you,” he said to Anenih, gesturing towards Tukur. “I was talking to Messi here.

He wants to dribble somebody, but he can barely walk without help. Come to think of you, where were you two dribblers, Maradona and Messi, when we were being disgraced in Falklands…I mean, Edo? And now you want a third term!” He had turned to Jonathan.

The three other men looked at each other; then

F

By Tunji Lardner OOR GUY; Obafaiye Shem, the Lagos State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC), whose meteoric rise to digital media fame on account of a truly comical interview on Nigeria’s Channel TV must rue day he stuttered the words ‘my oga at the top.’ In a truly classic display of evasion in the face of pointed questioning and craven obsequiousness to his Oga at the top, jabbing his fore finger heaven wards, he unwittingly created an Internet phenomena, even as he spawned an instant cultural meme and wrote his words forever into the Nigerian urban lexicon. The full story of the actual scandal he was ineptly trying to explain away and the extent of this viral contagion can be explored further in the links below: The issue Scandal Reports and the background: August 25, 2012 http://bit.ly/Z3mWtS February 17, 2012 http://bit.ly/Z3mMD1 Senate investigation: http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/federalministry-interior-denounces-illegal-websites Consider that the Lagos State Commandant of the NSCDC has a Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/obafaiye.shem sunday The Channels Interview (a snippet): http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=F9ZV8pfJS34 The Meme Website: http://www.ogaatthetop.com/ (Under construction already!) http://www.myogaatthetop.com/ (Domai n name speculators) Facebook pages: http://www.facebook.com/pages/My-

P

Gongs Of War they glared at Obasanjo. “Third term?” they said in unison.

Then, Jonathan, by himself, repeated: “Third term?

You were the one who wanted third term in 1999!”

“That is not true,” Obasanjo retorted, banging on the table. “In 1999, I contested for my first term. I know people doubt whether you really have a Ph.D., but sometimes I even doubt whether you wrote your WAEC by yourself: you speak a funny English and reason like a market woman.”

“Sorry Baba, I meant in 2006,” Jonathan said, appearing to be deep in thought.

“I said, ‘Not true!’ In 2006 I merely expressed interest in the extension of my ongoing term to enable me finish some work. That was no third term. I was not going to run for another term.”

Jonathan’s brow appeared tortured by thought.

He was grinding his teeth. “Okay,” he said, finally.

“But what were you going to finish, Baba? I thought you had done everything. You gave contracts for roads and agriculture and defence. You set up EFCC. You helped Anenih with his N300 billion problem. I think you helped most Nigerians.”

Anenih’s eyes were blazing with anger as he looked at Jonathan, and once again he began to rise from his seat. But Obasanjo would not let him speak. “Yes,” the former President said. “I did help a lot of people in 2006, especially you. I helped you after the Joint Task Force recommended you for prosecution by the CCB for false declaration of assets. But I pre-empted that and made you Vicepresident!”

“But…!!!”

“But nothing!” Obasanjo shouted. “You even recently said you are struggling to build your house in your village. All these make you look bad, and make me look terrible because when you were indicted, the evidence included choice property in Yenagoa and Abuja, as well as a lavish seven-bedroom duplex in Otuoke as far back as 2001 that we never took back from you. How can you in 2013 as President say you are struggling to build a house in the same village? Does the house include a staircase to heaven?”

“Baba, it is just a…”

“You must understand why I am angry. Last year, you said in an interview, ‘When I hear people saying corruption, corruption, I shake my head…’ Do you think I did not know you were talking about me?”

Tukur, alarmed as the meeting ran out of control, raised his hand, like a kindergarten kid about to ask a question in a noisy class. But Obasanjo ignored him.

“Look at the people you have surrounded yourself with!” he screamed, pointing at Tukur and Anenih. “People like Doyin Okupe,” he said. “You dig out relics and make them kings. Can Mr. FixIt, who lost the election in his own hometown, Uromi, to fix a hole in his own pocket, talk less of Abuja? The man has expired, but first you make him chairman of the Port Authority, and then of the BoT. Why don’t you just make him chairman of the presidency?”

“I am the chairman of two powerful offices because the entire country trusts me and is depending on me!” Anenih said, scratching his head.

“They trust you? Name one person who trusts you…and do not mention Josephine, because I will call her right now!”

Anenih was struggling with his temper. “You cannot telephone my wife,” he grumbled, his voice dropping.

“Try me!” he challenged. “I can even call Patience from here, except that I do not understand her English. You have to admit, all of you, that in all those years it was I who made the party and the government workable and feared.

But now, nobody respects us. And APC is coming for us.”

The three other men exchanged glances and spoke across the table. “We respect you, Baba,” they intoned. Of course, we respect you.”

And then Anenih found fresh courage. “But you must respect us too. We are not children.”

“Yes, nobody is a child,” Jonathan said.

“Sometimes you are all worse than children,” Obasanjo said. “Chaos in the national chairman’s home state. In Bayelsa, even the president’s kinsmen are criticising him for granting pardon to a man convicted for corruption. And then you outdo yourself by challenging the Americans and the British to a wrestling match!”

“But your own people in Ogun criticised you too,” Jonathan said. “Your daughter jumped a fence running from EFCC. You lost elections.”

“Yes. But I never scored an own goal. And my team never lost when I was on the pitch. You

don’t even have an economic plan.”

“I don’t need one. I have Ngozi.”

“True, she is more than a plan, she is a miracle,” Obasanjo sneered. “Don’t forget you have Diezani too. Do you think it was by coincidence I was my own Minister for Petroleum Resources for eight years?”

Tukur took off his hat and laid it on the table. It was suddenly very hot. “Gentlemen, please let us return to the agenda for this meeting. Our great party is under serious threat.”

Anenih nodded. “And we can start to rebuild the party from this very table,” he said. “The foundation of this problem is the threat to the structure of PDP.” Tukur nodded. “We must support the national executive,” he said. “We must allow the executive to function as the party’s most powerful body.”

“No, no, no,” Anenih said. “That is a gross misunderstanding. The national executive does as it is told by the BoT. We cannot go forward by going back. The tail does not wag the dog. The NEC and the Presidency are guided and led by the BoT.” “Yes, that is true!” cried Mr. Jonathan, as if snapping out of a stupor, and then, “No, that is not!! As President, I am in charge.”

Obasanjo rose to his feet, gathering his papers.

“What you have all said, and the mess you have made of the party, is proof of my point. Without me you are lost. I want you all to go back and reexamine whether you want to succeed or fail. And remember that failure means that some people here may well go to jail. F-A-I-L, J-A-I-L, everyone should memorise that. But I have to be in control.

You have to sort out who is responsible to whom.

The one at the top will answer to me in my new role as BoT Chairman Emeritus!”

My Oga At The Top Redux Oga-At-TheTop/173989725978821?ref=stream http://www.facebook.com/MyOgaAtTheT0p http://www.facebook.com/pages/My-OgaAt-The-Top/476038165784454 http://www.facebook.com/pages/My-ogaat-the-top/250967005040123 http://www.facebook.com/groups/43618591 3134057/ T-shirts: http://on.fb.me/XNJ7sp http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid= 10151375129029480&set=a.387409149479.16 3184.703289479&type=1&theater Music Videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gCFZM PbReQ&feature=share http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0MeZ bdDHkU To some readers an explanation of the meaning of the word ‘meme’ might be necessary.

Meme [meem] noun: a cultural item that is transmitted by repetition in a manner analogous to the biological transmission of genes. In the digital world, this cultural item can go ‘viral’ as was the case here. Now, the meaning of the word ‘oga’ so familiar with Nigerians and other Africans as a distinctly Nigerian cultural trope requires some effort. The easiest transliteration is to equate ‘Oga’ with the boss, the big kahuna, the capo, the master, the big shot, the shot caller, de man (as in ‘he de man’), you get the idea. Another variant is the ‘Oga pata-pata,’ as in the Boss of all bosses, or as my Sicilian friends would say ‘Capo de tutti capi’ a.k.a. The Godfather.

It is a safe bet to assume that when Commandant Shem was referring to his ‘Oga’ at the top, he was referring to the personage of Dr. Ade Abolurin the Commandant General of the NSCDC ensconced like most other ‘ogas’ in that

most hierarchical of cities, Abuja, where our own boss of all bosses, the President resides. In sticking to the time honoured script of publicly pledging loyalty and fealty to his immediate ‘oga’ on the hierarchical and mostly patriarchal totem pole, Shem was simply delegating upwards the task of revealing his agency’s web address, ordinarily, a fact that should reside in the public domain. However, his conditioning like most public servants was not to advance the public good, but to propitiate the gods of the civil service and damn the public’s right to know.

However, in this rare instance, the public’s right, specifically the digital public’s right to know pushed back hard. In unwittingly creating Nigeria’s first real digital meme, Shem’s ‘my oga at the top’ faux pas, was in actuality the collision of an analogue-thinking monolith with a digital generation whose domain the World Wide Web. Shem and his numerous ‘ogas’ will have reasons to fear in the near future if these digital natives push home their advantage on all fronts to bring thieving politicians, inept and corrupt civil servants and irresponsible governments to heel to the tenets of open, transparent and accountable governance.

It was also a battle between the rigid, mafia like hierarchies where all knowledge is deemed to reside in the mounting stacks of different ‘ogas’ embedded in the civil service machinery and the newly evolving paradigm of flatten inclusive hierarchies of distributed knowledge and participation in which the collective wisdom and input of all stakeholders are deemed necessary for successful decision making as well as successful outcomes, in

a word good governance.

The relentless social media parodies about ‘my oga at the top’ also signals the digital unmasking of the analogue Nigerian ‘big man-oga’ masquerade in the digital public square. For too long the myth of the invincibility of the Nigerian ‘big man’ and by extension that bogus self-referenced titled of being ‘The Giant of Africa,’ has gone unchallenged in spite of the declining quality of life for most Nigerians over the last five decades. I would argue that to understand the Nigerian ‘oga’ mythos is to delve into the pre-colonial patriarchal system that existed in most indigenous cultures, which eventually evolved in the post-independence era into the African ‘big man’ archetype; the one man that kept fractious tribal sentiments in check, even as he, perforce of his personal strength, wisdom and political acumen kept these fledging states together. A critical look at the very mixed legacies of the various African Big men since independence suggests that they wound up doing more harm than good to their various countries. Even so, in Nigeria today the ‘oga syndrome’ persists in spite of all evidence to the contrary, he or she is typically an insecure but powerful office holder or authority figure, lacking in humility and compassion, more style than substance, and the benefactor of the grand patronage machine of the state.

The technical word for this clientpatron relationship is ‘clientelism,’ and its popular manifestation is the asymmetric power arrangement between ‘political god-fathers’ who are patrons to clients, who can be political aspirants, or simply down trodden unemployed young Nigerians, desperately seeking jobs, as was the case in

the NSCDC fiasco. Since it can be safely argued that most big men or ‘ogas’ got to where they are today, not on account of merit, but by simply riding the patronage machine to the very top of their incompetence, the net negative result for us all is the triumph of mediocrity over meritocracy.

Femke van Zeijl, a very insightful Dutch writer living in Nigeria put it so bluntly and so clearly when she wrote that; “ Nigeria is the opposite of a meritocracy: you do not earn by achieving. You get to be who and where you are by knowing the right people. Whether you work in an office, for an enterprise or an NGO, at a construction site or in government, your abilities hardly ever are the reason you got there. Performing well, let alone with excellence, is not a requirement, in fact, it is discouraged. It would be too threatening: showing you’re more intelligent, capable or competent than the ‘oga at the top’ (who, as a rule, is not an overachiever either) is career suicide.

It is an attitude that trickles down from the very top, its symptoms eventually showing up in all of society, from bad governance to bad service to bad craftsmanship.”

In trying to think of a way out of this infinite regressive loop of mediocrity, while the logical place to start should be the very top with our ‘uber-oga,’ our own ‘capo di tutti capi,’ or more colloquially, our ‘Oga pata-pata,’ Nigeria again defies conventional logic. As it is, we can’t presently start from the very top to begin to change things, because it seems that our ‘oga at the very top’ also reports to his own ‘ogas at the top.’ ‘Das all.’

Comments can be sent to: me.tlardner@gmail.com

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday March 23, 2013

64

Backlash Abraham Ogbodo

williams.alabi@ngrguardiannews.com

Dreary Sound Bites Of 2015

08055328079 (Sms only) abogbodo@yahoo.com

Wanted: Financial Adviser For The South-South move the log in their eyes beUDDENLY, everybody has before seeking to enforce better viSvising come a financial consultant, adsion in others. on how best the states of the South-South geo-political zone can spend the oil revenue that accrues to them from the federation account.

Everybody is professing to be prudent except the governors (serving and past) of the six Southsouth states, who have been roundly accused by all and sundry of frittering away all the oil accruals, totaling up to 11 trillion naira by the last estimate, since the beginning of this democracy in 1999. The guys usually round off the accusation with a consistent line: “And there is nothing on ground in the region to show for all that money.”

There is a vital pointing missing in that conclusion; the fact that there is also water in the Southsouth. And so, whatever is not found on ground by the inspectors may be hidden in the water. It tells at once that the assessment so far has not been too comprehensive. For instance, what is anybody expecting to see on ground in Bayelsa State that is about 80 per cent water? To know what Governor Seriake Dickson is doing with his fat money, inspectors must move far beyond ground into water to as far as Nembe, Brass, Okoroba and Ankasa which borders the Atlantic Ocean that leads straight to America.

In other words, it is not enough for a Senator Ahmed Lawan representing Yobe North, which is all solid ground to stop at Yenagoa, Port Harcourt, Asaba, Calabar, Uyo and Benin-City, all state headquarters and upland areas and draw conclusions on what is abundant and what is lacking on ground. This was the point that former governor of Bayelsa State, Dipreye Alamieyeseigha failed to argue well when it mattered most and he had to go to jail for stealing Bayelsa money. President Goodluck Jonathan, Alamieyeseigha’s deputy who stepped in as governor said his boss used the money he was said to have stolen to put things inside water in Bayelsa State.

This is a better context to view the recent nullification of all Alamieyeseigha’s stealing records by President Jonathan. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the presiding judge and the jury comprising all Nigerians who identified with the matter, did not have full picture.

They all acted in error.

But Peter Odili was wise. He got a court of competent jurisdiction, which understood the issues to give an injunction perpetually stopping the EFCC and allied agencies from asking him silly questions about how he spent Rivers State money when he was governor between 1999 and 2007. Chief James Onanefe Ibori had problems because the court in London did not understand how physical development is approached in the Niger Delta.

Leaders in the Niger Delta need a lot of cash to put things on both ground and water. The watery terrain is a challenge, which is unknown in other parts of the country. To build a house in Otueke for instance, one has to create land because the original land provided by God does not meet the purpose. This is not to say the leaders of the South-south states throw money inside water just like that. The only reported case of careless application of money had to do with a certain Ambassador Edem, who literally burnt N700million naira at a cemetery and then bathed himself with the ashes.

That also can be excused because the ambassador was not himself when he did the naira burnt offering. One native doctor had said the sacrifice was a spiritual precondition to the ambassador becoming the governor of Akwa Ibom State, which he (Ambassador Edem) needed badly because he had the passion to serve his people. The sacrifice reportedly failed because the money burnt was less than what was required by the gods to surrender the governorship seat to him.

The incumbent, Godswill Akpabio, was re-elected probably because he had burnt more money than his challenger.

Whichever, that intriguing episode died with the 2011 election. But it is on the basis of this alleged profligacy that some better managers of resources, especially from the northern part of Nigeria are saying that the Niger Delta region does not deserve to be given more money by whatever description until perhaps, some marabouts are invited from Saudi Arabia or wherever to cast out the demon of reckless spending from the six governors and other leaders who spend money on behalf of the region.

This is cheap blackmail. What is anybody’s business if the governors of the South-south decide for instance, to buy wedding gifts with all their money? That is an issue for the people of the zone to deal with and not some sanctimonious northern advisers who have not been able to re-

SUNDAY NARRATIVE Alabi Williams demystified, where then lies its S the clouds begin to thin hallowed mysteriousness to A around the crucial election year of 2015, stakeholders are be- speak and be believed?

coming agitated and making utterances to indicate their preferences. Leaders of the opposition and prominent leaders It amazes me that at every turn of the ruling Peoples Demoin the great march to nationcratic Party (PDP) are already hood, there are people who are sounding off, issuing notes of all too ready to stand the truth dissatisfaction and suggesting upside down to service narrow what should take place for that interest. The issue of the day is year to record an all-round sucthe Petroleum Industry Bill cess.

(PIB), which proposes remitThe road to 2011 began in the tance of 10 per cent of the net same manner, with veiled and profit of oil companies to host open threats about how heavcommunities. After about five ens would fall if the elections reyears of pushing forth and back fused to go a particular way. But at the Senate, the bill managed those who had capacity to act to scale second reading about disregarded a lot of the suggestwo weeks ago. And it has been tions and threats, which in the this difficult because the interpretation of the end left some politicians and Nigerian federation does not give room for a PIB. supporters to their own designs.

The interpreters say the oil resource in the creeks They applied self-help, before of the Niger Delta is a commonwealth meant to be going to the tribunals to ventienjoyed equally by all and they are very serious late their doubts. And that came about this. They say it as if Nigeria can be defined at a huge cost to social order outside its components or as if the so-called Nigeand political stability, even till ria federation is no longer a product of the federat- date. ing units.

Muhammadu Buhari, founder For emphasis, Nigeria is oil producing country be- and former presidential candicause the Niger Delta is part of the country and not date of the Congress for Progresthat the Niger Delta is oil producing region because it is part of Nigeria. Put differently, the oil be- sive Change (CPC) was in London during the first week of longs to the people of the Niger Delta before it March, where he called for the belongs to the entire country. A sharing formula disbandment of the Independthat makes everybody equal owner is not only opent National Electoral Commispressive, but unnatural and untenable in the long sion (INEC). run. Kleptocracy is not exclusively a Niger Delta Buhari, who spoke at the Africa malady. If it were so, we would not be talking of a Diaspora Conference, said based Boko Haram insurgency that is challenging the on his experience with the elecnorthern establishment and posing serious questoral body, he does not believe tions about the quality of leadership in the North INEC could be trusted with the in the last four decades. Therefore, the argument 2015 polls. that the owners of the oil resource do not deserve He said: “All the present indicamore because of alleged or even proven cases of mismanagement of previous benefits is like saying tions are that INEC as it is a man or woman does not have right to determine presently constituted would be unable to deliver any meaninghis or her own expenditure pattern even if the money to be spent is a loan or grant obtained with ful elections in 2015. I have gone to some lengths earlier in my conditions. talk to describe INEC’s conduct This is happening because the Niger Delta are a in the last decade. The electoral minority. If the equation were otherwise, it would body has developed a very cozy be hard to imagine a Senator Pius Ewherido from the South-south for instance, standing tall in a ple- relationship with the Executive nary session and pushing that fraudulent position and Judicial arms of governthat the North, Southwest or Southeast was receiv- ment that its impartiality is totally lost.” ing too much of its own resources. There is a The Lagos State chapter of the scheme to demonize the South-south and weaken Action Congress of Nigeria its capacity to effectively argue its case. The point (ACN) shares similar views, reraised by Senator Ita Enang during the PIB debate garding the integrity of the electhat the North controls 83 per cent of local participation in the upstream sector of the oil and gas in- toral umpire. Following the dustry has suddenly become the issue. The issue is confusion thrown up by the pronot who owns what oil blocks; it is what volume of liferation of organisations optaccruing benefits should come to the owners of ing to use the APC acronym, the the land where oil is found.

ACN has concluded that INEC To that extent, the mind boggling statistics reeled had yielded to a scam plotted by out by Segun Adeniyi in attempt to puncture Sena- enemies to ruin the fortunes of tor Enang’s claim and also defend the North may the yet-to-be registered mega not be necessary. He also said that and I quote: “ party. Therefore, “INEC’s leaderComing from Kwara State, I am aware that a state ship is corrupt, partisan and like Bayelsa which has lesser population than my hugely compromised to organstate sometimes collects from the federation acise the 2015 general elections.” count in one month what Kwara earns in a The spokesperson of Lagos year…to now add more money to those states (oil ACN, Joe Igbokwe, puts it more producing states) at the expense of Kwara cannot blatantly: “We are shocked that be an equitable way to run a federation.” the Jega-led INEC could indulge Eeehen! Is that true? How and when are federations in such brazen, dirty and inordirun equitably? Is it when the accountants-general nate tricks as stealing in a fraudof the federating units go monthly to the centre ulent registration for a shadowy with cap in hand to collect handouts? This is very political party for the purpose of disturbing coming from him. I am from the part of denying the All Progressives Delta State where the soil cannot yield because of Congress (APC), its just registramonstrous exploratory activities. Does the govertion…” nor of Kwara State pass down to Bros Emma a perStill within that milieu, Niger centage of the produce by those Zimbabwean State Governor, Muazu Bawhite farmers farming in Kwara State? Why should bangida Aliu has been talking Kwara State take Delta oil free of charge while on on 2015. The man insists that the other hand, Delta pays market price for Kwara President Goodluck Jonathan food?

What matters is the ownership of the land not the signed a pact that he would not ownership of the oil wells or blocks. Anybody with do more than one term in office. good money in his pocket can own an oil block but Also, former vice president, the ownership of oil land is not by allocation upon Atiku Abubakar has promised to challenge any attempt by the payment of a licensing fee. It is more or less a matPDP to tamper with its Constituter that was decided in heaven. Which is why the PIB must move quickly to become law so that who- tion, with a view to making Presever is exploring and exploiting the crude oil in the ident Goodluck Jonathan the sole presidential candidate of Niger Delta will pay 10 per cent of his net profit to the party come 2015. the land owners, case closed. How the Host ComThese ominous sound bites munity Fund is spent is not the business of anythat are couched in very strong body. The men of the beneficiary communities language could as well foreclose may choose to marry all the beautiful women the possibility of a peaceful, free from other parts of Nigeria with the money; it is and fair 2015. It is a frightening strictly their business. All arising issues including sign for INEC and the polity, for accountability and denial of electoral mandates the umpire to lose so much reare for the people of the Niger Delta to handle in gard in the eyes of opposition collaboration with relevant agencies. That is the politicians. If the body gets so only equitable way to run a federation and a democracy.

It is okay to sound these early warnings, so that INEC does not go to sleep. After all, Adams Oshiomhole made a whole lot of noise to rattle INEC into behaving correctly in governorship polls of last year. But what is more fundamental is for political parties to clean their funny acts well before election year.

There is no doubt that there were previous shortcomings in INEC, especially after Abel Guobadia left the scene and INEC became so notorious that even the ruling party became embarrassed by astounding successes ascribed to it. That was when the late President, Umaru Yar’Adua, a man who feared God, demanded that the political system be reformed.

He set up the Muhammadu Uwais-led Committee, which came up with far-reaching recommendations on how to move the country forward. But the ruling political class resisted the proposed reforms and carried out partial amendments, which favoured the old system.

One of the reasons why elections have become so challenging is the failure of the party

system. The system has refused to grow in terms of political knowledge among members; sound administration with upto-date bureaucracy, internal democracy and a drive for sustainability. What exist mainly are power-seeking associations that are designed strictly for elections. As soon as elections are done, those who win, in most cases form government and begin to misapply the resources; those who lose elections are then shut out by the system and they become very angry and sometimes, uncoordinated.

To make 2015 workable, INEC must wake up at dawn and put its infrastructure to work. It claims to have a road map to 2015, but other stakeholders do not know what the details are.

INEC must start work early on the distribution of the permanent voter cards, updating the voter register and putting its contractors to work early, so that procurements are not messed up like it was in 2011. As we speak, INEC is yet to account for those slips and missteps.

But we are talking 2015.

INEC says it would do better if some amendments were effected in the Constitution and the Electoral Act. Section 158, which deals with the operational independence of INEC requires amendment to the level that the commission’s independence is constitutionally guaranteed in all its operations, management and control of the electoral process. In that regard, the commission seeks to free INEC from the direction or control of any other authority or person in all its

operations.

INEC wants to determine the procedure for conduct of election in such a way that no political party would have undue advantage over others. INEC wants elections to NASS, Houses of Assembly, offices of the president and governors to be held on a date to be appointed by it, not by any other body.

In the Electoral Act, INEC is asking for an amendment to compel a statutory tenure of four years for the Secretary to the commission, which may be renewable for another period of 4 years only. That is to underscore the commission’s independence.

INEC is interested in getting politicians in the National Assembly to amend Section 31(1) of the Act. Since INEC does not have the power to disqualify a person who has qualified as a candidate under section 87, the proviso in section 31(1) is a lacuna that political parties exploit in fielding candidates for elections. INEC wants a situation where parties are compelled to promote internal party democracy, which is absent in all the parties.

There are other areas, which INEC is seeking to amend, but that may not happen if the political class does not push for it.

Right now, nobody is making any case for that. The issues that feature prominently on the items listed for amendment by the NASS are not those that concern the electoral umpire. Politicians are interested in how to entrench their interests and it becomes an issue, a scary one at that, when presidential hopefuls and party leaders show scant regard for issues that will deepen the electoral system before 2015. All they are after is how to win power.

The heat that was generated in the countdown to 2011 was not ignited by INEC. It was PDP and its zoning formula that created the initial panic, which translated into bad blood between Jonathan and the other candidates of his party. Post election rioters chanced on that mood to commit some havoc in the North. Right now, the same PDP claims it is doing another round of fence minding, while at the same time plotting another round of constitutional manipulations ahead of 2015.

That is not the way to help INEC. Buhari’s CPC is notorious for flouting party’s internal democracy and imposing unpopular candidates after primaries had been conducted.

This became big headache for the party in Kano, Katsina and Kaduna in 2011. Instead of settling down to learn the ropes on how to manage and grow a political party, Buhari seems more fascinated by his own imaginations and permutations on 2015.

The ACN has a porous explanation for its disdain for party primaries. The party prefers candidates’ imposition to a painstaking process of popular selection of candidates.

Whether it is elders’ council or collegiate system, it cannot be better than an open popularity contest. Ondo is still a fresh example.

Certainly, the road to 2015 has already been compromised.

Not so much by INEC, but by those who are merchants of power, who grossly lack the patience to grow democratic tenets. Instead of grooming their members and teaching them about democracy, they are plotting imaginary scenarios of how Nigeria will burn.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March , 2013

65

BUSINESS

‘Nigeria Needs To Modernise Its Oil Infrastructure’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 62 have the right transporting on the roads and it needs to walk easily through the ports.

This is what I mean about coordinating from the seed right through to the counter in Marks and Spencer in London.

You talked about potential investors coming in very soon; do these investors use the African Matters Limited as platform?

ELL, sometimes they do. They come for advice, they come for knowledge. We like it when they come to us early so that they can get advice in the begining not when they come to us when they are in trouble asking us to get them out of trouble, because that is very difficult sometimes to do and it becomes costlty for them.

How many foreign investors actually made such enquiries about investing in Nigeria, in the last one year?

Five good, new potential investors; one has come to fruition certainly. Two or three others are very interested. I mentioned one, which is the solar energy project. It looks like it could go in the right direction, provided they talk with the Minister of Power. I think that they would have the chance to really bring high-class technology into Nigeria. And there are a couple of financial investors, who want to be involved in financial services. More from that I can’t say because it is obviuosly confidential.

All in all, I think if Nigeria can get on top of the bad things, terrorism in the north and in the Delta; if it can get on top of habits, it sometimes had, of muddling through. There is “carity and increasing carity” in ministries, now it is that coordination of taking the projects forward. I go back to this word coordination; it is so clear, it’s not just in Nigeria; it happens all over Africa in different amount, in different places, and in different industries.

So, we are quite used to seeing this; and I’m working in several other African countries to try and improve this.

Now talking about other African countries, you and Joyce Banda, the Malawian President, in less than a year ago, initiated a British-private sector kind of investment in Malawi and you organised a meeting in London to that effect; how much of British investment has succeeded so far in that country?

A lot of enquiries. I am not up to date on that now. I can’t be up to date with 18 countries at a time. But, the lady working on Malawian investments did mention three recently — one in the tourism sector, one in the financial services sector and I think the thrid one is in value addition for agriculture.

It is a very common partnership across Africa.

I have known Joyce when she was running an NGO; I was the new Minister for Africa in 1986, which was when I first came here.

She has a real problem with some ministers, members of parliament and the media to a large degree, in getting them to understand just how complicated it is to turn the country round from the situation she inherited; So, she would come and talk. That I have answers to her problems would be referred to as a bolder statement. But, what I would tell her is what others have done to get over it, and that I can introduce her to one of the organisations which I’m a trustee member, and to people who can give her advice. If I haven’t got the information myself, I usually know where to go to and get it.

And that’s part of what we do in African Matters Ltd. We’ve been going 15 years now. I work at it completely without payment, because I set out to do something I’ve been doing in government, which is to make sure that the linkages between trade, investments, politics, business come together. I did it as Minister for 12 of my 18 years in the British government and it worked there. And it was what all my African friends asked me to do.

I decided to step down from being a minister in 1997, so, that’s what I’ve been doing.

Obviously, I have to pay the staff, but I know there would be some comments about me making a “meal-tag” out of the countries. I don’t do that, that’s not my business. All half of our profits go to the Chalker Foundation, which trains medical workers in Africa. So, as small as the profits may be, they go to do great things.

W

You made reference to the need to grow intraAfrica trade and for African governments to build linkages in policy formulation; what extent the major challenges in this regard?

IG problem. I am a trustee of the Investment Planning Facility for Africa, which is based in Dar-el-salam.

We’ve, so far, worked in 17 countries; but, also, we are working in regional groupings like East African communities, and the ECOWAS.

B

The failure of African countries to trade with one another has been really cutting off opportunities. We have had notable success with the customs organisation in Senegal, which was pretty awful at the begining but, they got a system that is run through the private sector, which actually through a computer system logs everything coming in and going out. The other thing is that it helps to deal with counterfeits.

There are a lot of counterfeit products getting into Senegal, coming across through black America, China and the far East. So, there are a lot of benefits of clarifying how this system works country by country, and that’s what ICF has done.

And the other bigger organisation, which I know from the trustees, is the Global Leadership Foundation, which looks at the political problems between groups and so on; and then, advises Presidents and Prime Ministers on totally confidential basis. This was something set up by F.W.D Clark in his retirement. And we have worked in a team, we are working in Latin America, we are working in different parts of Africa to help leaders, with the assistance of retired leaders, to overcome and solve problems. So, that’s very interesting.

It gets one involved, very often, in different countries; but I concentrate in Africa, which is where my knowledge obviously is.

So, those two organisations are also supporting developments in Africa and what we get from there is very often new leader who is on the council of the GLF or on the board of the ICF, saying, “Lynda, there is a problem in such and such a country.” And so, I can usually quietly check out where such a problem is, and, if it is economic, ICF goes in to do it.

Of coure, the GLF goes to do it if it is political but, AML concentrates on the interface between the public and the private sector.

It looks more like an intervention from outside of Africa...

Yes, and in africa. For instance, we have the Governor of the Bank of Botswana, and a business man from Ghana, former Minister of Trade from one of the southern countries on the board of the ICF. What we have managed to do is to use their experience in different countries to assess whether it is sensible to do certain projects; and, in doing that, pass on the knowledge.

In the GLF, we have again former Presidents, Prime Ministers, Foreign Ministers and,

sometimes, economic minister.

The modest move by the ECOWAS on common tarriffs and currency does not seem to be working out as scheduled. What are the reasons for this?

ICF for Africa is already trying to help ECOWAS. I don’t know what really is the issue, because it happens with hard rules of the French Organisations as well.

Ministers come together and they agree that they are collectively going to do certain things, but when they go home, they cannot get through the cabinet or the parliament. We are back to the first issue that we started with, which is getting ministries to coordinate with one another, because, if you go to an international body to represent your country, you must go with an agreed range of solutions, not just a single solution.

For example, I used to be the Minister for Europe as well as for Africa and the Foreign Office. Before I became the Foreign Office Minister for Transport, I used to get counsels from Brussels and I had to have a range of possibilities because you never knew where the debate was going to lead or what you might be asked.

I think the difficulty with ECOWAS, as with others, is that people have not thought, as I would say, round the issue; they just have one straight line. And you have got to avoid that ‘straight jacket,’ otherwise, you can’t get things agreed upon and implemented.

But, I think they probably need a very strong chairmanship. It has to be a political chairmanship, not civil service. This is to get people in the way of thinking about cooperating.

Of course, the most criitical thing is to understand the economic benefit of coordination, particularly of trade. I’m always pleased when I see governors of central banks working together because they are clear about what their roles are.

Sometimes, I do think that there is not enough clarity in the roles, let’s say, of the Ministry of Transport. When we are talking about coordination of goods, one thing I want to see is that when goods are transported from one country to the neighbouring country, they can continuously cross borders without having to change vehicles at the border crossing.

What specific roles do you think Nigeria can play to really make things work?

First of all, there needs to be much work. But, we need the power sector here in Nigeria to

produce sustainable power for the industry that can then be exported from Nigeria.

Until we have the power right and have a lot more power for industries, we won’t get the investments here, which means we won’t get the goods manufactured to a certain degree and therefore the export.

The second thing, which is fundamental, is the organisation of Customs. And you have a new Comptroller-General of Customs, who by all accounts, is going to announce some of the problems of exports and imports; and we must give him time to correct what has been a difficulty for anybody in the international transport field.

There are a lot of old fashioned ideas at times.

You know better than I could explain, the problems with even the neighbouring Benin Republic.

I remember the issue with Unilever — the problem we had in bringing products from Ghana across to Nigeria — because, if you produce toothpaste economically for West Africa, you don’t produce in five countries; you produce it in one and then export.

Our problem was not in making it, it wasn’t in the ingredients, it wasn’t in any of those things; it was getting it across the borders. And there was a lot of problems and part of that came because many countries have counterfeit products that are imported and this conflict goes on through traders, who caused the problems at the borders.

So, Nigeria must be able, in my view, to get better border relations with all its neighbours.

It’s got to do it from its security point of view because, sadly, we are far too close to the area here, in Nigeria, where arms have been left over from Libyan conflicts. And so, you have got to have goods checked in by Customs, by Police, by the Army.

But, you would also need to have proper trade facilitation at borders.

Let’s talk about Nigeria-UK trade ties...

IGERIA will benefit greatly from having more UK investors. We have a very vibrant Nigerian community in the UK. And then, I’m told that 1.2 million people in greater London area added to another eight million Nigerians and it is a tremendouss community; and many of them are talking about investing back in Nigeria.

Many are persuaded eventually to come back.

But, to come back, you’ve got to have the right atmosphere, where they can carry on succeeding the way they are doing jobs in London.

There are a lot of Nigerians in banking in London. Now, banking is opening up in Nigeria; so, they can come back. I think there are, on the whole, pretty good relations; there are occasional problems.

When Nigerians are having a good time, they often make a lot of noise and that sometimes upset their neighbours. I’d like to say that I was guilty of that too last night; a little dinner party we had here and we had a lots of my friends. It was quite noisy and I was part of it; but, we were, at least, in a private house.

I think the tension has come where customs are not understood, and where people do not make an effort to understand the customs in Britain or the customs in Nigeria, which inevitably a community takes if it goes and settles in another country.

But, investment wise, I think we are on the up and this is of a great deal of interest among British investors coming to Nigeria.

A lot of people are watching Nigeria with a little bit of envy because we have got a lot of very able people in the private sector here.

Nigeria and Ghana are two countries that could really help the rest of West Africa.

Now, I have chosen two Anglophne countries that’s natural on the breed. But, there is, as I said before, expertise in Senegal.

Now, there is expertise coming back to Cote d’Voire, we hope now that things are settled down there. And we hope that the Anglophones and Francophones should work together.

Mining is obviously very important for West Africa but, mining methodology has got to be brought into the 21st century in many of these countries; and existing industrial processes have got to be brought up to date, which means they should train people right through school age to have the schools that are needed here.

I find relationships pretty good on the whole, I really do.

Investments are being attracted to Africa and Nigeria, not so much as a result of the natural resources but, due to economic recession and slow recovery in other parts of the world. How prepared do you think Africa is at the moment

N

CONTINUED ON PAGE 66

66

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 17, 2013

BUSINESS told my company colleagues there was no way that I was going to go on funding the energy sector in Kenya because it was not going to produce any energy for the people.

So, I stopped the money and I did it publicly.

First of all, we try to change them from the inside.

If that does not work, you sometimes have to be very critical.

I see improvements in many areas but, where I don’t see improvements I’m busy being away out of the sight of my friends in the media to try and make things change.

What projections — socio-political and economic — would you make for Africa, given the present security and other social challenges across the continent?

Well, I think it is still going to be a magnet for investments for a long time to come. But, it has got to be careful, which is something I said in East Africa.

If you become so jealous of your own assets, that you dont fairly share information and knowhow, and you dont cooperate, then you lose opportunities to deliver the best outcomes.

So, I see good opportunities, I certainly see them here in Nigeria. But, they all require an extra effort in the coordination and delivery to the people; not to the big firms.

The big firms are usually able to work out what needs to be done and how to do things. But, Resolving the competitiveness between the 36 states and the Federal Government is key. I would like to see the states empowered to do more to help their own areas. It is quite a challenge because you have all the differences in ethnicity; you have some very low levels of education. It is, really, a nightmare job being a faithful government with a nation as populous and diverse as Nigeria.

Yes, there are opportunities but let’s hope that our private sector anti-corruption efforts, which the HIIC is going to be working upon in the next few months, very hard, works.

Let’s hope that the private sector really warms up to that and helps us. And that sets an example to the public sector because, if there is one thing Africa has to beat, it is the people who corruptly take money from wherever and that’s what impoverishes the poor so far.

How To Grow Foreign Direct Investments,

By Chalker CONTINUED FROM PAGE 65 to soak in this presure?

I think Nigeria is trying hard. The private sector is trying hard; but, it has got a long way to go. They receive the advice of those who want to improve the technology and the methodology.

You need a decent home team experience. If there is something that I’m contnually worried about, it is the educational and school levels that the people in Nigeria, particulary outside Lagos and Abuja, and the universities the cities have.

I think Nigeria has to have more technical training; it certainly needs to concentrate on Maths and Science education to a greater degree and that is going to mean lots of investments across the land.

There are some pretty good standards of education up in the North, which is not widely known but, there are cases in the Middle Belt and in the South, where education has to improve very greatly. And that starts right with primary education through secondary education; and although there are evry good universities, technical education, technical training, I hope maybe our German friends will help because their system of technical training in Germany itself has always been far superior to anything Britain has done.

A lot of their methodology could be tolerated in Nigeria. But, it is what we should be doing with oil money... it’s education, it’s education, it’s education.

The country is faced with security challenges, flooding and official corruption; yet, you talk of growing investor interests. What then are the factors responsible for this?

You’ve got many resources, you’ve got very good people, who can deploy those resources but, you probably have a deficit in battling the terrorists at the moment.

I think it’s getting better, it’s getting better because a lot of the basics have been put right. The much of macro economy is certainly in a much better state than 15 years ago.

You do have a knowledge stability, banking sector is doing well; you are getting improvements in ports reform; you are getting improvement in the tax system. You have just restored the rail links between Lagos and Kano, that’s very necessary.

Now, you need Port Harcourt up to Maiduguri; you need the second main bridge over the Niger River, you need another crossing here ( Fourth Mainland Bridge, Lagos).

How urgent do you consider those needs — Maiduguri-Port Harcourt rail links, the Second Niger Bridge and others?

The rail links and the bridge are very important because, if you travel often, as I did not too long ago, on the Ibadan Expressway, you would see the (poor) state of that road because of the heavy lorries and overloading of lorries and so on. Lots of these should be on the rails and so rail links are very important; but they are expensive, they are so drastically expensive but durable.

Of course, that will create jobs and many people need work. But the Department of Transport really need to get thoroughly involved in coordinating the transportation, which will then meet the needs of industry, not just in the Lagos southern belt or just in around other major towns but, particularly getting agricultural produce to manfacturing plants.

The second Niger bridge is also very important, because that makes the economy expand and it actually cuts the cost of transportaion. Yes, you may have cheaper fuel and other things but, thank goodness, we are finding fuel in other places beside Nigeria.

One of the things I pointed out, rather firmly, was that you are not the only people attracting investment in the oil sector. You are in competition with a lot of other countries.

I was in Mozambique recently and they have got great hydro-carbon farms and their gas will be very good. But, we use your gas too. You have got gas, which could be the source of power to the people in the north as well as hydro-electric plants from the waterways, but you’ve got to get the pipelines, you’ve got to get them really organised to get into cross countries; you’ve got to help the different areas to work together.

Sometimes, I think the great competitive spirit in the Nigerian heart is actually too big and the cooperative spirit is not yet big enough, because you only grow as a nation if different parts of the nation start working together.

Again, the airports — Lagos, Abuja, Owerri, Kano, Benin and so on —are gradually getting better. But the way they are managed by the airlines is not

What is your view on the alleged mismanagement of oil revenue by successive governments in Nigeria?

IRST of all, you have to have a consistent oil legislation. The Petroleum Industry Bill has got its own clauses and challenges, which are counteractive. Also, there need to be a real effort against the illegal bunkering of oil and a much tougher line to help people who really want to work honestly in oil states, and there are thousands who do.

There’s a very good reason for this: Politics But, you have a sizeable group of people who has a very uncertain life. Sometimes, the people dont re-elect you; what are you going benefit from taking oil illegally and they dont want to give up their way of getting their money; to do? and a lot of money too. I think you have to sort It does not mean that you have to be a out the law and the practice and the security for millionnaire before you go into politics. It means you have to have a career, you have to the sake of the people; and, in that way, there would be more resources in the country to be have the knowledge of how things work in spent on the people, who are in the north and in the business sector, because government the south. does not create profit but the private sector I saw this publicity about the northern zoning creates profit to be taken by government in a thing, I dont know the details or the veracity of reasonable measure as tax that is used to that report, but we will get to the bottom of some fund schools, roads and everything else. of these. But, if the President does one thing, he So, my advice for a would-be politician is must sort out the oil sector, he must sort out the get yourself a business career and your fight against terrorism and he must also get qualifications. If you then decide to go into politics, dont go in with thoughts that it’s got much better with coordination between the ministries. to be forever; it won’t be. And you know it is Could you explain what you mean by getting to always a shock when you are not re-elected. the root of the report?

I had an easier time because John Major I mean this is not my area of expertise at all. But, wanted me to continue working in Africa. So, there must be intelligence to curtail the forces when I lost my seat in 1992, I went into the and the National Security Adviser knows what is House of Lords to be the Foreign Affairs to be done. Maybe, in terms of oil licensing or it Spokesman in the House of Lords and I was may go further than just people who are acting responsible for all Foreign Affairs matters. I illegally, perhaps in terms of office terms. I’m not had another five years as the Lord’s Minister privy to what is being done, but, what I do know in the Foreign Affairs Office before we were is that he has such a determination to sort it out defeated as a government. because he knows how bad it is for Nigeria.

It was after that that I set up the African What are your thoughts on the Petroleum Matters Limited. And I worked with the Industry Bill?

World Bank and with others to try to bridge It is one of those complicated cases, where I this gap, which still exists in many countries suspect that neither side is 100 percent right; between business people, who make profits certainly, the Bill is not. And I mentioned that and the politicians, who are only too glad to there are clauses in it; I remember 46 of them spend it. coming up several times.

You do have a lot of admirers in Africa; yet, Anyway, I’m not an expert on the Bill. Why not some analysts think you are too liberal with have an independent assessment; I mean other praise for managers of Nigeria’s political countries have had to do this? economy; how worried are you that some This is not the first country, where you have to people criticise you for allegedly seeing too put in legislation to sort out oil licensing, use of much potentialities and success where they, licenses and income management of your oil for instance, see corruption, insecurity and sector. poverty?

There are international consultants, who can What I would say is this: You get a lot more work with your companies and with the out of encouraging the government going the right direction than ‘bashing’ it in public. government and come up with a rather less complicated Petroleum Industry Bill, than the If I’ve got something critical to say, I can one that seems to be before the lawmakers. assure you I would say it, but usually in I don’t think the debates that go on in politics private. I will try and be constructive.

One instance in my life, where I did try to do are going to solve this; I don’t think the debates between the oil companies and government are that, was after many years of trying in Kenya with the President to stop the mispending of going to sort it out. grants they had from Britain. Eventually, I

F

encouraging. Their computers go down too often.

I was at the airport for the first flight out of Abuja. It was like a nightmare and we took off 45 minutes late. People had appointments in Lagos and if you are down here on Victoria Island, you’ve got to get down from Ikeja once you have landed; and these are the two main cities of the country.

You need to have a much easier passage for people trying to do business. At the moment, may be, our contractors are doing quite well (I’m not here to talk about one and talk down on another; but the links between Abuja and Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt and the real sectors of activity have got to be improved.

There are concerns that the rail system, as is being revitalised by government, needs to be modernised — essentially upgraded to the dual guage system — to aid cross-border trade, so that rail transportation could seamlessly take place with other African countries already thinking in that direction?

I think it will come. The fact that nothing is working, the first thing to put right is to get what you have working properly; then, you can expand and develop a new one and modernise.

But, you got to start somewhere, and the old track has been ripped off in parts; so, it has to be put down again.

You’ve got to get those on the rails and off the roads, otherwise, you will never ever succeed in keeping your roads in good order.

I am ex-minister of roads, and so I know someting about it. Overloaded lorries are real threat to safety and some of the old cars on the roads are a lot of threats to safety too.

I think what I’m saying is that there’s a lot of modernisation to be done. A start is being made but, we’ve got to have a lot more of government coordination to delivery.

First, you were in politics before becoming a private sector person, even though you still work with governments across the world; which comes first — wealth or power; what lessons have you learnt from both worlds — public and private sectors?

NE word of advice I would always give to anybody who is aspiring to go into politics is that he or she gets his qualifications, work and establish himself in business.

O

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

67

UNDERGROUND

How Trust, Communality Drive Business Transactions At Oyingbo Market

By Godfrey Okpugie, Deputy Lagos City Editor YINGBO market is located at Oyingbo in the Mainland Local Government Area within the Lagos Metropolis.

The market is a typical example of an informal sector, which experts have defined as aspects of the economy that are not taxed, regulated, monitored or included in the gross national products. It’s often times called “under the table” economic activities.

Informal sector is a very significant segment of Nigeria’s economy. Always, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) claims that the excess liquidity in the system is traceable to the money in circulation outside the banking system and the ‘outside’ being referred to is the informal sector, which activities and the money used for transacting business not captured in official data.

In view of the foregoing, The Guardian visited the Oyingbo Market, last week, to find out its characteristics and what role, if any, banks play in the trading activities therein.

Oyingbo Market, according to the Iyaloja (Market Leader), Alhaja Basirat Abeni Balogun, has been in existence since 1938. It is a sprawling market, which spreads across many streets. Virtually all the houses in the streets have their compounds, corridors and verandahs turned into stalls, where assorted products are traded.

It plays host to numerous goods, among which are all kinds of agricultural produce like livestock, grocery, meat, fish, yam, plantain etc.

Also traded are plastics products, assorted brands of motorcycles/spare parts, different brands of generating sets, Honda vehicle spare parts, all kinds of outboard engines and others.

One feature of the market is that items are bought without buyers bothering to obtain receipts and where receipts are issued at all, the issuer, in most cases, does not bother to keep a duplicate for recording purposes.

Investigations show that majority of the traders doing lucrative business here do not bother to take the money realized daily to the banks. They usually plough such money to replenish their stocks or pay a part of the cost of the goods, which they acquired on sale-and-return arrangement with suppliers.

It was also discovered that the market thrives on trust and communality. A lot of the operators started their businesses with little or no initial capital, but rely heavily on honesty, sincerity and trust to build their businesses from the scratch.

For example, Mrs. Lucy Odums, who is now a big retail shop owner, said she started her business with little capital.

The little capital, she revealed, was realised from acting as a midleman (tout) in the market for some years.

She narrated thus: “I hadn’t money to start business but everyday, I would come to this market and borrow goods from the big time merchants, who have big shops. I would take the borrowed goods to the front of the market and position myself at a strategic spot near the road, where buyers who are in hurry would notice me easily. In no time, I would sell all the goods and make enough profit. If customers were looking for a particular product, which I do not have, I would rush into the market and get it from those who have it. Though I usually sell at a profit, when I return the cost price to the owner, he or she would also pay me certain commission for helping to sell the goods. Through such practice, I saved some money, which I deposited as initial capital with a major distributor, who now supplies me assorted products from Nestle, Unilever, Honeywell and others.

“The value of the goods I get from the distributor is far above the small capital I deposited. In this market, trust and honesty is the fulcrum on which our success rotates.

“Because I did not default, she recommended me to other big time suppliers, who also have started to supply me big truckloads of their products to sell and pay after selling.

“To expand the base of my sales, I, too, have also started to extend the same opportunity to other people in this market and beyond, who do not have enough money to start big but are ready to grow through sincerity and honesty,” said Mrs. Odums.

Another trader, Mr. James Adesanyan, who sells meat, said when he was retrenched from his job as an insurance canvasser, he was advised by his friend to come to the market to find something to do for a living. He said he has no regret heeding the advice and that today; he is a well-established meat seller, making an average

O

Posts N5.8bn Daily Turnover of N3,500 net income everyday after making a daily contribution of N1,000 to an Alajo (an independent savings collector).

When The Guardian asked the Iyaloja the roles banks have played in expanding Oyingbo Market, she replied that they (banks) have not assisted any trader in the market.

Her (Iyaloja’s) daughter, who sat beside her, exclaimed: “Ah! The banks, they are not ready to assist anybody at all. They always request you to bring one document or the other, and at times, they would ask you to deposit a huge sum of money as equity contribution before they can grant you a loan.”

She continued: “Some banks, which came to the traders some years ago to mobilise deposits collapsed thereafter and till today, they could not refund the money they collected from the traders including myself.”

She said that the ugly incident discouraged many traders from patronizing the banks even as those whose funds were trapped in the dead banks have not recovered their monies till now.

The Iyaloja (Alhaja Balogun) revealed that the only microfinance bank that comes to the market now is the Royal Blue Microfinance Bank, which is located on Glover Street, off Herbert Macaulay Way, Yaba, Lagos.

“The Microfinance Bank comes here to collect daily contributions from many of the traders, who subscribed to such exercise.

“The way we operate with the bank is this: All the traders in bank’s list agreed to be contributing certain amount everyday. The amount they agreed to contribute varies. While some agreed to be paying N200 daily, others decided that they would depost N500, N1000 or more, depending on their daily income capacity.

“The contribution to the bank begins from the first day of the month to the 10th of the month. Whoever pays his daily-agreed amount successfully without default is entitled to a loan equivalent to the monthly total of his contribution.

“For example, a trader, whose daily contribution is N500, is expected, under the agreement, to pay the N500 daily into the microfinance bank from the First day of the

month up to the 10th day. Five hundred Naira contributions for 10 days would amount to N5,000; and for 30 days, it would be N150,000.

So, a trader, whose daily contribution is N500 is entitled to a loan of N150,000 if he/she is able to contribute the daily N500 for ten days without default.

“The contributor is expected to liquidate such loan within the month through committed daily contribution of the agreed N500. In other words, as you contribute your agreed daily amount, you will be liquidating the amount you have collected.”

Iyaloja deposed that such is the method the traders use to deal with the microfinance bank to avoid having their funds trapped in the bank in case of distressed.

This agreement, she affirmed, is guaranteed by her and other members of the various unions in the market, stressing that any trader that defaults after taking a loan, would be dealt with severely by the market union leaders.

She said the contributions and loans transactions are repeated monthly and that no trader was ready to save money in the bank for fear of losing such money. “Once beaten twice shy,” she soliloquised.

An official of the microfinance bank put the number of the traders in the market at about 6000, adding that it is difficult to determine the exact number because some people, who come to the market daily as traders are, in actual fact, midddlemen.

“Based on this, it is very difficult to estimate the real number of traders in the market.

“There are also those, who do not have shops at all, but they come to the market daily to hang around to direct buyers to where the products they need can be found. By so doing, they too collect commission from the traders they direct buyers.”

The bank official continued: “On the average, the market records a daily turnover of well over N5.8 billion from its various sections, and provides means of livelihood to well over 2.5 million people by way of multiplier effects.”

Iyaloja explained that the market has not experienced a crash since it came into existence.

She attributed the market’s staying power to communality and mutual trust.

According to her, what happened in the stock market that led a crash was insincerity and dishonesty on the part of the regulators and operators. In Oyingbo market, such cannot happen because, apart from the market relying on cash and carry transactions, the operators just believe in doing it right always, though there are occasions when 419 (fraudsters) do swindle people in the place.

Some people come here everyday without articles or products to sell, but through acting as a middleman or touting, they go home with some money to feed and take care of dependants.

Investigations revealed that manufacturers, big time importers of consumer goods go to the market to seek distributors and agents to help them sell unsold stocks piled up in big warehouses and through the communal cooperation and trust that prevail in the market, the task of disposing off the large stock would be accomplished within a short period.

When Iyaloja was asked if governments assist operators of the market, she said: “No government has come here to assist any trader. It was only Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who came here some time ago to randomly pick elderly women in the market and gave them money. The other person that came here to assist the traders was Mr. Olajide Adekanye, alias Lado, who was the chairman, Mainland Local Government. He, too, gave money to some traders.”

According to Iyaloja, government’s intervention in the market always causes problems.

For example, she said, if government builds stalls in the market into a modern stalls, they would impose very high rent that the original traders would not be able to pay. And those who have access to bank money would come and acquire the place. And when this happens, the traders would be displaced and rendered jobless.

She enjoined government to discourage such practice to enable the grassroots small time traders to survive and take care of their children in a proper manner, adding that jobless parents cannot control their children even when some of them (children) go into crime or degenerate into area-boys while questing for survival.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

68 |

BUSINESSAGRO

Amosun Commissions Modern Farming Implements

BY GBENGA AKINFENWA F farming in Nigeria is to be Iyounger made attractive to the generation and the current trend of rural-urban migration tamed, then methods of carrying out agricultural production must be improved upon.

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun made this submission in Abeokuta while commissioning the over N.5billion land clearing and preparation equipment procured by his administration to enhance agricultural production in the State.

The implements include four bulldozers, 30 MF275 tractors, 33 Baldan disc ploughs, 15 Baldan disc Harrows, Two Baldan Rotary slashers and two Baldan 4 Row-Planters.

Senator Amosun pointed out that the lack of agricultural land breaking equipment and the high cost of land clearing had limited farmers to subsistence level of production, thereby discouraging youths from taking to farming as a business which had

become a major constraint to increased agricultural production.

“I am aware that the last time agricultural land breaking equipment was procured in our dear State was about three decades ago.

The same equipment was boarded in 2006 due to old age and high cost of maintenance without any replacement plan. This consequently limited our farmers to subsistence level of production, thereby discouraging our youths from taking farming as a business,” Amosun stated.

The Governor, who reiterated his unwavering commitment to making the State the food basket of the country added that the procurement of the equipment was another step towards ensuring that the people of the State have food on their tables and live a better life.

Senator Amosun explained that to create relief and encourage farmers to make use of the equipment, government had increased the rate of planned subsidy on hiring them, assuring that

From left, Mr. Bhushan Bhanotha, Executive; Mr. Sudeep Ray, Executive Director, and Govind Kulkarmi, Executive of TATA Africa Services (Nigeria) Limited at the meeting announcing the company’s sole distributorship of John Deere agricultural machines and implements in Nigeria on Thursday. the fleet would be increased if the benefitting farmers cooperate with government to recoup investment in the set being commissioned.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs. Ronke Sokefun had disclosed that the need to sustainably produce enough food for the growing population of the

State and encourage industrial development necessitated the procurement of the equipment.

According to her, available figures showed that the farming population was ageing as villages were being deserted, farm labour becoming scarce and the youths were discouraged

African Countries To Benefit From Strategic Crops Intervention IGERIA and 19 other African countries will directly benefit from the African Development Bank- funded initiative known as the Support for Agricultural Research for Development of Strategic Crops (SARD-SC) according to a release by International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), but the multiplier effect of the project is expected to affect other regional member countries in the continent.

Direct beneficiaries of the intervention include farmers in Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

“But the project will have a positive spin off effect in the other member countries,” according to the Project Coordinator, SARD-SC, Dr Chris Akem at the country launch of the project in Abuja which ended today.

Scientists, other stakeholders and policy makers say the initiative will help narrow the yield gap facing Africa’s strategic crops even as most countries on the continent embark on agricultural reforms.

“SARD-SC is a huge opportunity for Nigeria to bridge the yield gap through increased local production,” says the Executive Secretary, Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Prof Baba Yusuf Abubakar.

Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture, Dr Akin Adesina, who was represented by Dr Martins Fregene also wel-

N

comed the project, noting that it would compliment ongoing efforts to transform agriculture.

Maize, cassava, rice, and wheat are considered crops of strategic importance for Africa.

In Nigeria for instance, about 20 per cent of households consume maize at different times, according to ARCN. The crop is consumed by millions of people as either roasted or boiled and eaten off the cob or as dish prepared from raw or fermented flour, says Dr Sam Ajala, IITASARD-SC Maize Commodity Specialist. The country also imports about 3.4 million metric tons of wheat annually to meet its demand. Rice importa-

tion is also huge while cassava is both a food security and cash crop.

Prof. Abubakar said that the project would provide leverage for ongoing reforms especially the Agricultural Transformation Agenda.

Explaining the scope of the SARD-SC, the Deputy Director General (Partnerships & Capacity Development), Dr Kenton Dashiell, said the project has several components including agricultural technologies and innovations generation, agricultural technologies and innovations dissemination, and sustainable capacity development.

To achieve the set goals, Dr

Dashiell emphasised partnerships among various stakeholders—farmers, input dealers, farmers, researchers, consumers etc.

He stressed that the overall objective was to enhance food and nutrition security, and contribute to poverty reduction.

Approved in 2012, the SARD-SC project is a US$ 63.24 million funded initiative that is being co-implemented by three Africa-based centers under the CGIAR namely: the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Africa Rice Center, and the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas. IITA is also the Executing

Farmers from different farmer groups at the opening ceremony of the One-Stop Shop at Iseyin, Oyo state by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development recently

and fed up with the obsolete nature of traditional farming practices.

She added that Government would continue to make efforts towards achieving self-sufficiency in agricultural production by stimulating the production of food through sustainable distribution of improved

seeds and seedlings, improved livestock breeds, fish and fingerlings.

On modalities for hiring, Mrs. Sokefun disclosed that the equipment would be domiciled with the State Agro-Services Corporation (Agro-Scorp) where farmers could easily hire them.

Cocoa Farmers Get Agrochemicals From State Govt KITI State Government has distributed agro-chemicals and E assorted fertilisers worth N6.2 million to 134 cocoa farmers in the state according to News Agency of Nigeria.

Distributing the materials in Ado-Ekiti, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr Babajide Arowosafe, said the gesture would enhance government’s effort to boost cocoa production.

Arowosafe said the incentives would also encourage the farmers to achieve bumper harvest and advised the beneficiaries to use the items judiciously.

He said the state government had earlier distributed 150,000 cocoa seedlings to registered farmers free of charge.

He also said that the government approved the raising of 500,000 seedlings for distribution to cocoa farmers next year.

The commissioner said two members of staff of the ministry had been trained in Indonesia on comprehensive cocoa rehabilitation, as part of efforts to boost its production.

IFAD Grants N180m To Farming Communities In Jigawa HE International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) T has disbursed N180 million to 36 farming communities in Jigawa, announced State Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Rabiu Isa. Isa said that the gesture was under the Community-based Agriculture and Rural Development Programme (CBARDP).

The commissioner said that the programme was designed to fast-track the implementation of the IFAD-CBARDP in the state.

Isa said that the beneficiaries were selected from the nine participating local government areas of the state.

He said that the amount was provided to enable the communities execute projects of their choice in line with the programme’s objective.

“The main objective of IFAD-CBARDP is to promote the adoption of a community-based approach in addressing the lingering problems poverty, land degradation and low agricultural output within the nine participating local government areas, thereby leading to improvement in the livelihoods and upgrading the living standard of the rural poor with special consideration on women and other vulnerable groups.

“To ensure smooth implementation of the programme, a state monitoring committee was inaugurated and technical committees at state and local government levels were constituted; none tangibles activities were removed and after which the

TheGuardian

Sunday, March 24, 2013 | 69

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Cover Presidency In Search Of Right Steps

By Abraham Ogbodo

S far back as August 2010, more than six months ahead of the general elections, Dr. Goke Adegoroye then retiring Permanent Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) had called for the radical overhauling of the Presidency “to give room for the best persons to emerge in bureaucratic positions, as that is the only way to achieve effective service delivery since an elected President is never the wisest, most intelligent or even most experienced person in the land.” He said Reagan was not and yet he took the United States of America to greater heights, just as Obama is certainly not. This was at the Send-Forth/Retirement Dinner organised for him by the authorities and colleagues at the FCTA, where his Farewell Speech was on the state of the nation under the title: “Do Not Celebrate Me, Cry With Me For My Beloved Country Nigeria”.

As Commander-in-Chief, the President, according to Adegoroye, “does not need to know how to fire a gun, yet his confidence should never be in doubt that he can win a war and the same level of confidence is what should exude from the President in terms of the bureaucracy around him.”

With specific reference to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr Adegoroye said it is the “final port of advice, the brain-box and institutional memory of the Presidency on administrative and policy matters.”

Adegoroye should know; for five years 1999-2004 he worked with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation as Director and Head Think Tank and was the pioneer Director General/Permanent Secretary of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms from 2004-2007.

The old man who served Nigeria so well is presenting a template that unfortunately does not play out too well in President Goodluck Jonathan’s Aso Rock Villa. Almost everything is wrong with the management of the presidential bureaucracy. And the problem does not lie with the structure but in the persons recruited by the Oga on Top to man the structure. It still comes to leadership as it is personified by Jonathan. The presidency is not a one man show and so the person of the President is only a factor, and at best the subjective factor, in a complex mix where all the variables combine to present a dominant character.

In which case, a proper roll call will start with the cleaner in the Villa who, in his official conduct, must show a difference between cleaning in the streets of Abuja and cleaning in the presidential palace. If he fails to show that essential distinction, the gap will surely show somewhere in the assessment form. This is where we are with the Jonathan Presidency. The managers are not showing distinction and this has manifested too often in the life of the administration. The people in the Presidency are working like local government staff.

Beginning with the Vice President through the Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), the Chief of Staff, Head of Service to head of the Federal Civil Service Commission and the colony of presidential aides, there is something lacking that is making it impossible for the team to shine. And since the President is as good as the presidential bureaucracy or his key men, that which is wrong with his team, will definitely show in the major decisions of government.

In fact, outside policy, routine administrative and protocol matters have also proved difficult to handle. It is very difficult to understand, for instance, why on the occasion of presenting medals/plaques to national honours award winners, the President would be made to pick

A

from an empty tray in the full glare of television cameras. The fellow detailed to make provision for that aspect of the ceremony apparently went to sleep, thereby causing that slip. The President’s operations are too crucial to be left open to speculation.

Nothing appears planned and measured in the Jonathan show. If the President is reacting to situations, his handlers inexplicably allow him to talk and make costly mistakes and then rush out to explain what the President said or did not say. The President’s team have not been able to design a method of public engagement. They act before they engage.

On the recent pardon of the jailed former governor of Bayelsa State, for instance, a perceptive government would have flown a kite to gauge public reaction before going ahead to announce the pardon. It was a repeat of the same catastrophic slip regarding the renaming of University of Lagos, Moshood Abiola University last year. President Jonathan had hoped that invoking the name of late Chief MKO Abiola even in the wrong context would add up to cheap political points. He was resisted by stakeholders including old students of the institution who told him bluntly to look else for monuments to name after Chief Abiola, whose supreme sacrifice created the strong basis for the ongoing democracy.

What is more annoying is that the President’s men have not learnt to shut-up each time the President goofs, for tempers to cool.

They will, almost immediately, file out to add salt to injury.

That was why the

President’s spokesman, Dr Reuben Abati came on national television to talk down on the people. He said Nigerians are suffering from “sophisticated ignorance” because they dare question the wisdom behind the pardon of Alamieyeseigha by President Jonathan. He had spent more time explaining the “jurisprudential dimension” of the pardon and the semantics of ‘pardon’ against ‘clemency’

than he did explaining the morality of the pardon.

About the same time, another presidential aide, Doyin Okupe was staging his own media campaign to make the act look like a presidential masterstroke.

Both men have even said President Jonathan does not have any direct questions to answer because the pardon was not arbitrary but granted by a consensus of the National Council of State, which comprises past heads of state, governors, leadership of the legislature and the judiciary, the service chiefs and the Inspector General of Police. In a hurry to wear the exercise a national cloak, the presidential team committed yet another costly slip.

Names that didn’t need pardon were reportedly dragged onto the list.

Records show that Generals Oladipo Diya and Abdulkareem Adisa were pardoned in 1998 by the Abdulsalami Abubakar regime.

And it was not the first time that strange names would be dragged into official schemes to create effects. In the last national award exercise, persons who had been previously honoured were listed for lower awards. It all points to one fact. Those on top the presidential bureaucracy are not helping the big boss to rise up to challenges. Nigerians want a president that gets better with challenges not one that diminishes at the lowest road block. The President’s men need to up their game. If they stay on their current performance altitude, it can only mean one thing: a continuation of the gaffes that have become a second nature of the Goodluck Jonathan Presidency.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

70

THE PRESIDENCY’S MEN

COVER

ANYIM: Not So Fleet-footed

By Tope Templer Olaiya NYIM Pius Anyim sits atop A the secretariat of the Jonathan Presidency as Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and former Senate President, Anyim.

His selection in May 2011 by President Goodluck Jonathan ahead of other candidates, which included Ojo Maduekwe, Ben Obi and Olisa Agbakoba, was apparently based on his three-year stint as president of the Senate.

This much was alluded to by

the Jonathn, who noted during Anyim’s swearing-in that he was drafted into the critical team being packaged by the administration to drive its transformation agenda.

Jonathan may have preferred Anyim because he appears more manageable than the others.

But since stepping into Alhaji Yayale Ahmed shoes, Anyim has not shown much signs of a transforming agent.

While the office of the Secretary to the Government

of the Federation is responsible for ensuring the effective coordination and monitoring of the implementation of government policies, recent happenings at the presidency have not betrayed the deployment of deft skills.

From little gaffes like not bringing enough medals to the last National Honours Award ceremony and missing some names on the list, to overseeing a presidency where key parastatals of government run without appointed heads, is like there is no good grasp of

the affairs.

And no sector is spared, from JAMB’s policy somersault on the adoption of computerbased test for this year’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), to NERC’s forward roll on prepaid meter and the freshly muted idea to revisit deregulation of the downstream sector, nothing points to the promised transformation agenda of the present administration.

Anyim, therefore, cannot be excused.

OGHIADOMHE:A Gatekeeper Falling Short

By Tope Templer Olaiya N the crowded room of Mr. president’s Kitchen Cabinet, very few have his ears, and of this privileged few is the president’s Chief of Staff, Mike Aiyegbeni Oghiadomhe. Sources in the know of the workings in the Villa say not only does he have the ears of Mr. President; they had been very close since their days as deputy governors.

It was that closeness that recommended him for this job. The 1978 graduate of Soil Science from the University of Ibadan, who hails from Fugar in Etsako Central local government area of Edo State has spent the last 14 years in the corridors of authority and qualifies to know the innerworkings of the game called power.

First, he emerged on the political scene in 1999 as running mate to Lucky Igbinedion and for eight years, without drawing much attention to himself, served as deputy governor of Edo State.

Oghiadomhe got well recommended by Vice Admiral Mike Okhai Akhigbe, the Chief of General Staff in the Abdulsalami Abubakar administration. The Vice

I

Admiral is Oghiadomhe’s close relation.

Sources say whenever Jonathan visited Benin then, he always slept in Oghiadomhe’s house.

Refusing to be drawn in the succession battles of who would replace his former boss, he decided to watch from the sidelines and see how things would pan.

Eventually, in June 2007, he was to get his reward as he was announced as the Deputy Chief of Staff to the then Vice President, Goodluck Jonathan, a position he held till August 2008, when the post was scrapped.

He was immediately re-appointed Principal Secretary to the Vice President, a post he held till May 17, 2010.

For staying with his boss during the edgy days of the twists and turns in the dying moments of Yar’Adua’s presidency, he was elevated to the office of the Chief of Staff to the President and Commander-in-Chief after Yar’Adua’s death.

In line with the presidential system of government, the Chief of Staff is the highest-ranking member of the Executive Office of the President and a senior aide to the President.

The duties of the office vary from one administration to the other, but Oghiadomhe is responsible for overseeing the actions of Aso Rock staff, managing the president’s schedule and deciding who is allowed to meet with the president.

This places Oghiadomhe in a pivotal role to screen who is around the President at every given opportunity, and to a large extent, what is said into the President’s ears. He would therefore not be divorced from the current missteps of the Jonathan’s presidency, as he wields the big stick of a ‘gatekeeper.’

For a man who served as a two-term deputy without grabbing the headlines, Oghiadomhe looks to be wary of taking bold risks.

Unconfirmed sources say the Chief of Staff is perhaps, doing other assignments not in the agenda of his office. That may be the reason why he does not seem to monitor his Principal very well.

Seen as the power behind the throne, Oghiadhome is yet to do thorough a checklist of what is put on the President’s table, to weed out the slips and gaffes.

DOUGLAS: Dutiful, Yet To Hit Bull’s Eye

By Geoff Iyatse RONTO Douglas is one of O President Jonathan’s aides sourced outside the traditional circle of the bureaucracy.

But Douglas is not entirely out of synch with the tumultuous political circle. He had been a close counsel to late Ken Saro-Wiwa whose execution by the military government in 1995 led to widespread protests and diplomatic exclusion for the country.

Douglas has been a critical factor in the Niger Delta struggle for justice, as well as the fight

to clean the region of oil spills.

He co-founded the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth, Nigeria; a foremost organisation on issues of the environment. He has served on the boards of several local and international non-government organisations within and outside the country. He remains the first Niger Delta activist hosted at the White House by America’s serving president, Bill Clinton.

In the scale of Adams Oshiomhole’s comical defini-

tion, Oronto could be classified as a militant; a refined one at that, now helping the Presidency as Senior Special Assistant to Jonathan on Strategy and Research Documentation.

Not minding his official designation, sturdy-built Douglas wears the toga of Jonathan’s butler. He was reported to be the strong link to the Save Nigeria Group (SNG) during the fuel removal crisis of last year. He also helps government to connect with the arts and entertainment, as well as international commu-

Anyim

Oghiadomhe

nity.

Douglas played the role of foot soldier during the 2011 election campaigns. He was a strategic in connecting with the media and other critical sectors.

Unfortunately, Douglass has some health challenges, which takes him away from office for many weeks. Apparently, this does not give him enough time to settle down to his core responsibilities of research and documentation. There are many gaps that are unexplainable, which his office has responsibility to explain.

ABATI: A Brief So Complicated

By Anote Ajeluorou OT very many people expected him to accept President Goodluck Jonathan’s invitation to serve as Special Media Adviser in Aso Rock. Dr. Rueben Abati was coming from a background of fine journalistic tradition, where he was on the way to distinguishing himself as a fine literary scholar, social critic and political commentator par excellence.

Indeed, over the years, Abati stood out as a gadfly, pointing out the way for each administration go.

Coming from a background of theatre and literary creativity and imbibing the rarefied tradition of the humanistic urbanity, and coupled with a legal training thrown into the mix, Abati became a darling to many of Nigeria’s intelligentsia, because of the sheer brilliance of his arguments, particularly his skilful, stylish manner of presentation.

A Friday or Sunday wasn’t complete without a romance with Abati’s writing in The Guardian newspaper for many Nigerians.

He brought his fine literary stylistics to bear on his writing and what came out were essays and opinions that touched the problems of the country and the way they affected citizens.

N

Not only that. Indeed, if Abati hadn’t reviewed your book, it might as well be left undone. No Nigerian worth his salt for whom a book had been written or who had written one himself desired none other person to review it than Abati. He was a good example of his generation. Abati simply has a way with words and knew how to string them together and he wooed many a great readers and listeners.

Perhaps, it is this uncommon skill to write or speak truth to power that also enamoured Aso Rock to hire Abati. A fine fellow like him needed to be on the side of government for it to be understood. It is the lure of democratic norm; this wasn’t a military where voices can be muzzled. It was hoped that he would use his very persuasive skills to sell the number one citizen to Nigerians. But in no time at all, the tables turned.

It turned out to be a difficult job, always having to defend a presidency that is not as smart. Soon, Abati began to stumble over his words. He began to find a deep void between his apparently idealistic criticism and the reality of power in Nigeria’s murky context, where the more you look the less you see, where the more propaganda about executed projected are chorused,

the more hardship and absence of such project Nigerians see or enjoy. Indeed, the more budgetary allocations are made, the less there is development for Nigerians to enjoy.

How do you balance the reality of suffering ordinary Nigerians go through and the endless wastefulness that Aso Rock represents?

How does an idealist defend what he had so vehemently carpeted as mindless buffoonery in the name of government? How does a conscientious man speak or look down on truth? Doublespeak is the hallmark of all governments. But for a man who was used to shooting straight from the heaps, as it were, the business of doublespeak would present endless unease, a battle for the soul against what is right and wrong.

For his former admirers, Abati is simply struggling through this new job, using his instinct for survival to keep going. Abati would have been the first to ask another man in his shoes to quit.

But he must raise the bar and stick out his neck to help Mr. President. He is one of the many faces of the Presidency, the ones who get the nocks when Mr. President is struggling with sentences or talks before organising his thoughts. He must insist on standards and keep old flame alive.

Douglas

Abati

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

| 71

COVER

THE PRESIDENT’S MEN

Doyin Okupe: Brimming With Excess Zeal

By Anote Ajeluorou IGERIA seems like a country in the grip of multiple birth pangs. Where is the night nurse that will deliver her?

That is the question on the lips of many, who ordinarily, should have been rest assured that a safe delivery would be a matter of course. But that is not the case. Rather than a competent night nurse to ease the woman’s pains, it would appear a carpenter of sorts is wielding an assortment of odd objects in the labour room.

Unfortunately, Doyin Okupe’s antecedents do not recommend him for the job he has been called to do at this critical time in the life of Nigeria.

A time, when the country is in serious need of men with passion, to contain to challenges of leadership; a time when insecurity is at its worst, threatening the fabric of Nigeria’s existence; a time when ordinary electricity has become non-existent; a time when the few jobs available are being lost daily because of closure of companies and businesses on account of harsh operating climate; a time when the educational system is near-collapse; a time, indeed, when corruption is striding the streets of the nation with impunity!

Except, of course, even Mr. President has given up on himself and his team as pos-

N

sessing the capability to do an honest job of leading Nigeria, of fixing the many rots plaguing the country he swore to lead. In that case, Mr. Okupe is the right man. Okupe is the right man who can fence off real and imagined enemies; the man who can shield Mr. President from his many failings while deftly orchestrating a move to want to run for a second term.

Sadly, these signs of failure are all there for defense of even the seemingly indefensible. even the blind to see, except Mr. President But he was reported to have fallen out with and his team and Mr. Okupe, who believe Nigerians are crying wolf when there is none. his boss in unsavoury circumstances.

For these men and women in the corridors of Now, Okupe is back at the Presidency, all power, Nigeria could never be better, with Dr. loaded and exploding on all cylinders, and all Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s imaginary two digits’ perceived enemies of Mr. President are supposed to cower before the verbal might of growth of the economy.

Okupe. But how far can the likes of Okupe Okupe, a medical doctor, became promireally help President Goodluck Jonathan in nent as National Republican Convention getting the country out of the woods? This (NRC) National Publicity Secretary in the much remains to be seen, as the country con1990s when the late Chief MKO Abiola of tinues to regress in all directions.

Social Democratic Party (SPD) was pitched against Alhaji Ibrahim Tofa. Okupe pointedly Mr. Okupe’s standing up to critics of government or Mr. President is hardly the solution supported the annulment of that election and acted as strong anti-democratic element to Nigeria’s problems. Rather, Mr. President that gave Gen. Ibrahim Babangida’s regime has to stand up to Nigeria’s problems and further impetus to truncate his own whirl- provide purposeful and dynamic leadership. wind democratic process, an experiment that That is what Mr. President should do and led Nigerians nowhere for eight long years. not rely on rabble-rousers to fling as much mud as they can on Nigerians, who may be 1999 saw the reincarnation of Okupe as more patriotic than the defenders of the President Olusegun Obasanjo’s aide. This indefensible.

Okupe position enabled him carry on his usual

Mr. Okupe’s standing up to critics of government or Mr. President is hardly the solution to Nigeria’s problems.

Rather, Mr. President has to stand up to Nigeria’s problems and provide purposeful and dynamic leadership.

GODSDAY ORUBEBE: Interloper As Key Adviser E has the prefix, Elder H attached to his name, suggesting that he is in the leadership of some church in town. He is the minister of the newest federal ministry, Niger Delta Affairs, created by the late President, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua as part of the package to pacify the raging Niger Delta so that oil production could pick to good levels.

He is rumoured as among those that have the ears of President Goodluck Jonathan.

One South-South senator described him as a quintessential interloper “who has a way of showing up to interfere in serious discussions with the President.” He is an Ijaw from Bomadi local government area of Delta State.

Orubebe

His credentials are not particularly impressive. He was born on June 5 1959, left university in 1985 and became a career politician. He is very successful by that measurement. Today, he is described as stupendously rich not as a result of creation of personal wealth but entirely from the utilisation of public wealth.

His appointment as junior minister under former President Yar’Adua was most contentious.

While he was vigorously promoted by Ijaw leader, Chief EK Clark and Jonathan, when the latter was vice president, Delta Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan refused to endorse him to represent the state in the federal cabinet. It was all part of the contest for supremacy between Uduaghan’s and Clark’s camps in Delta politics. In the end,

there was a truce and Orubebe went to Abuja as minister of state for the Niger Delta Ministry. He assumed a substantive role when his principal, Chief Ufot Ekaette was drop from the federal cabinet after the death of Yar’Adua.

Orubebe who had always yearned for action went to work immediately. And his first major outing was to be linked to an attempt to bribe fiery Pentecostal preacher and convener of Save Nigeria Group (SNG), Pastor Tunde Bakare with $50,000.00 on behalf of the Presidency. He roundly denied the charge. The church elder has of a way of coming into the news for the wrong reason. The next time his name came on air forcefully, he was to answer allegations of fraud levelled against him by former

House of Reps member, Dina Melaye, who accused him of siphoning billions in the name of projects that were never delivered. Again, he denied the charge.

He also struggled to refute accusations by Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi and many others that he had not done well with the East-West Road, which the Niger Ministry is handling. He came charging back but gave no good reason why Amaechi should be disbelieved.

According to sources, he is working hard to build a financial war chest for the governorship contest in Delta State in 2015. There have been calls for Orubebe to be fired for incompetence. That is however by persons watching the Jonathan Presidency from the sidelines.

Within Aso Villa, Orubebe is not

Alison-Madueke: Lending Strong Support

By Femi Alabi Onikeku LISON-MADUEKE is 52 and mother to grown up kids. She watches over the nest full of golden eggs upon which she sits – the country’s oil and gas industry.

She is a strong pillar in the Jonathan administration and reliable too.

After he became Acting President in February 2010, Jonathan dissolved the cabinet in which Diezani served as Minster of Mines and Steel Development. He swore in a new cabinet on April 6, 2010. She was offered what many believe is the juiciest of all ministerial appointments – Petroleum Resources.

A woman of many firsts, she is the first of her gender to hold the position of Minister of

A

Petroleum Resources in Nigeria. In October 2010, she became the first woman to lead a country’s delegation to the yearly OPEC (Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) conference. In addition, she is the first female to be awarded an honourary doctorate degree in Management Sciences by the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna at the convocation ceremony for the 58th Regular Course Cadet and post-graduate students.

The woman has drawn the ire of many Nigerians over her pro government stance on fuel subsidy. Diezani argues that discontinuation of the measure would lessen financial burden on government, encourage efficiency, plug a system that benefits the wealthy and

shore up capital for expenditure.

Under her, Nigeria has achieved a “sustenance of 2.4 mbpd crude oil production, increase in gas production from 6.3 to 7.8 billion cubic feet per day and decrease in gas flare to less than 11 per cent, compared to 30 per cent in 2010, as well as initiative to grow the National Oil Company, Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, to a medium size oil and gas company.”

It is also stated: “Gas sales rose by more than 70 per cent to an average of 4 billion standard cubic feet per day and for the first time, the industry supplied more domestic gas than was consumed by the power and industrial sectors.”

Alison-Madueke

Some Missteps And Policy Somersault

By Gbenga Salau ONATHAN set up many committees including those on infrastructure, advisory council and restructuring of the public service.

There is no visible implementation of any of the recommendations.

• He pronounced that Nigeria would stay away from competitive football for two years, but that was reversed within a short time.

• He told the nation that electricity meters would be distributed to the citizens as cost had been built into the new tariff structure. That had been reversed.

• Also in the same line with the free meter project is the free energy saving bulbs that would be distributed for free to Nigerians. No doubt, the

•J

nation needs to deploy a better way of managing its generated electricity and the energy saving bulbs would be one of the options. So, when the President made the comments, the people commended him, but till date, no Nigerian has enjoyed free energy-saving bulbs from government.

• In commemoration of last year’s Democracy Day on May 29, Jonathan renamed the University of Lagos to Moshood Abiola University, Lagos, in honour of the acclaimed winner of June 12, 1993 election, who died in the struggle to reclaim his mandate. This immediately set the president against critical stakeholders of the institution who felt slighted for not been consulted. The matter is in

court.

• At the 2011 National Honours Awards, Lt. Gen. Domkat Bali was listed to take home a CFR award, which ironically was lower to the GCON already given to him by a previous administration, a case of poor bureaucratic management in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

• Also, during last year’s award presentation in Abuja, the award plaques were not sufficient to go round the long list of awardees. This left the president embarrassed as awardees whose citations had been read went back to their seats empty handed.

• At the dedication of a church in his village at Otuoke, Bayelsa, the President let it slip that the church

was built by a construction firm, Gitto, which felt compelled to donate the building as part of its CSR acts. This left the flanks of the President wide open for the opposition to attack and make an issue from Gitto’s gratis.

• The latest of the president’s gaffes was the pardon granted to Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, alongside military officers, who were accused and convicted of coup plotting. The Alamieyeseigha pardon is a blight on the Jonathan’s presidency, as it allegedly placed an official seal of approval on corruption. Worse off is the fact that the likes of Oladipo Diya and Abdulkareem Adisa had been pardoned by General Abdulsalami Abubakar in 1998. This was an act

not done in secrecy, since it was entered into government’s official gazette, and could easily have been verified by the President’s men.

The President’s gaffes and slips, however, suggest there is less of brainstorming session with the staff and retinue of aides before going to town with policy statements.

• Shortly after the October 1 Independence Day bombings, the President categorically said the explosion was not the handiwork of Niger Delta militants. Henry Okar was to later confess that people from the Presidency had asked him to denounce the bombings.

Was the President too quick to speak?

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

72 |

COVER

THE PRESIDENT’S MEN

COLE: Staff Should Be Part And Parcel Of Government’s Policy Objective Patrick Dele Cole, former Nigerian Ambassador to Brazil shares his thoughts on the caliber of staff that should work in the presidency. He spoke with ISAAC TAIWO.

given to the executive to learn. I think lack of clarity as to what the objectives are may be one of the problems.

What then should be the contribution of the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and that of the Chief of Staff in the traditions of the service?

Both offices you are talking about are offices As one who is versed in the tradition of the that actually implement policies and manage bureaucracy, who are the types of people you the time of the President himself, because the would recommend to work in the Presidency?

Chief of Staff is the head of the whole section of THINk the Presidency should recruit the best the Presidency that has direct connection with caliber of people that exist in the country. In the President. The Secretary to the government most cases, we actually do not have very highly is the civil service end that is standing between qualified personnel. It happens to be one of the the office of the President and various other civil few places where there is a mixture of both pri- service organisations, which are charged with vate and public sector, such that you have sea- carrying out implementation of policies once soned civil servants and also, ideally seasoned pri- agreed; and not only to carry out the policies but vate sector workers coming in to pursue certain also check whether the policies are working and clear reform ideas. with that chain of command, report back as to I think basically, the objective has the effectiveness or otherwise of policies that to be clear, as to the idea for have been adopted. the reform, which you One of the things we find lacking today want to put in place. is that there is not enough background Secondly, I also believe reporting with people that had the national planning polialready made decisions as to the cy, which seemed to have effectiveness or otherwise of the shrunk in the last few decision that had been made. years should be reengaged, so that there is What training would you recommend planning which is interfor presidency staff? locked from local governMost of them are fairly well trained. ment level, state level, fedThere is the regular retreat on various eral level and basically in issues. I think what is changing, we must the political arena, such understand, is that our constitution is a that it becomes clearly dynamic document. defined manifesto What is changing is that as it is being of parties, implemented from year to year, there which are new interests that come into then play. i s I also believe that perhaps the relationship between the Executive arm and the National Assembly can also be smoother and their various spheres of operation should be clearer, such that one side does not go to do what another side is doing. Every time and again, what you see is that the N a t i o n a l Assembly, being proactive, is taking things of interest normally on to the seat of the executive.

Cole

I

There are functions in the Presidency with each arm having its primary job very clear.

Executive implements those laws that are made while the judiciary sees that laws of the country are being maintained and that judicial system rises up to the expectation of being one of the tiers of the government.

Shouldn’t the bureaucracy regenerate itself in terms of in-house trainings in protocols, ethics among others?

They have a lot of in-house trainings. There is lots of work between various government agencies, requiring competence and a lot of Nigerians go for overseas courses, either on short or longterm bases to learn new technology.

Can the problem of missteps in the presidency be attributed to poor leadership?

The choice of democracy in Nigeria is that of choosing a President to be in office for four years and definitely, we have to abide by that particular choice.

I think sometime, there is need for radicalization, but I am not sure that those people who are asking for radicalization are being fair to the government. I believe all we need is to have a calm, cool headed leadership, which is firm and doing those basic things the President ought to do by making sure security and protection of life and property are in place. We understand that the insurgency of trouble in the North as well as in Delta are such issues that have to be dealt with the sooner, the better.

Comparing our bureaucracy with those of the international community, in which areas do we bridge the gap?

The main problem is the gap in technological knowledge between outside and here, in the sense that most bureaucracy outside Nigeria is computer literate. Therefore, one of the prime needs is to get computer literate staff to be in public service. By that I do not say that we should not be prudent in our quest. Using computer as an administrative tool goes a long range to giving competence and minimizing mistakes.

While I was in service, for example, we had a very good library. It was possible to go to the library for research. I do not know if the library is still there and I do not know if it is still being kept up

to date. If it is still there, obviously, major aspects of the President’s briefings on issues like the nation’s budget could be got from the library.

There is need for a good library.

They also need excellent filing system. With this there would not be mistake on issues that had been dealt with previously; all that would be avoided. This is possible through making reference to old files, which keeps you updated and invariably prepares you for the next stage.

Another thing is good statistical base. I am not sure that the kind of statistics jumping out of the various arms of government have been subjected to a very strict statistical analysis. There are certain information we should have handy like how many secondary students do we have? How many primary school students do we have? How many are in tertiary institutions? How many teachers do we have and how many are in training colleges? How many patients are with doctors? How many acres of land do we have for cultivation, which helps to know the volume of agricultural produce? Then how many tons of maize, cassava, guinea corn, tomatoes, and fish among others do we have?

These are all absolutely necessary and basic information, which is needed to plan for this year, next year and so on. This is the responsibility of the office of Statistics.

Should we have a data base in the country that can give us the adequate number of head count, we would be able to know how much money we need and put this into correlation with the standard of living and other various need.

For example, we are told we have 104,000,000 handsets in Nigeria. This gives us the idea that we can reach two –thirds of Nigerians through phone. The question is, how do we use this for the benefit of the people, the government among others?

Obviously, there is need for better community relationship with government and the people.

People who work in government should not be afraid of talking to the people they work for. They are accountable to the people they work for at all times and should never be tired of answering those questions people put to them for the purpose of accountability.

While I was in service, for example, we had a very good library. It was possible to go to the library for research. I do not know if the library is still there and I do not know if it is still being kept up to date. If it is still there, obviously, major aspects of the President’s briefings on issues like the nation’s budget could be got from the library. There is need for a good library. They also need excellent filing system. With this there would not be mistakes on issues that had been dealt with previously; all that would be avoided. This is possible through making reference to old files, which keeps you updated and invariably prepares you for the next stage.

Jonathan: A Presidency On a Slippery Curve

By Aloysius Omo T all now seems like ages ago, when Goodluck Jonathan, enjoying the goodwill and sympathies of most Nigerians, used his famous calm, almost reluctant demeanour to outmaneuver the sharks that once held sway, right in the heart of the presidency.

That was a moment of national crisis, when the apparent incapacitation of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua left a vacuum that was swiftly exploited by his close minders. Jonathan came out of that crisis with the presidency, the ultimate prize in Nigerian politics on his lap. In 2011, with a mantra that called for a “breathe of fresh air in the polity,” in Nigeria’s heavily polluted polity, and the support of hundreds of thousands of young and enthusiastic friends on facebook, Jonathan won the presidency on his own right.

But soon, the falcon would no more hear the falconer. In just one alienating push, the President began to spoil the party. On January 1, 2012, less than a year after he clinched a ‘pan Nigerian

I

mandate,’ Jonathan swept the rug from the feet of the very people who had propelled him to the Presidency.

The very audacious removal of fuel subsidy, while Nigerians, who were still coming to terms with the dawn of a new year, interpreted that as an apparent declaration of war. The result was that for one full week, Nigerians took to the streets and paralysed the nation, with losses amounting to trillions of naira for the economy.

Ever since, the Jonathan Presidency has been struggling to win back the kind of rare, peoples-based legitimacy that propelled the president to Aso Rock in the first place. However, while the President’s armada of spokesmen labour to rationalise many of his controversial decisions, Nigerians are increasingly coming away with the feeling that Jonathan presides over a somewhat tardy team.

On many occasions, the Presidency has been faced with very embarrassing situations that either calls to question the organisational acumen of the nation’s helmsman or that of the army of officials that is supposed

Sambo to make the presidency machine work smoothly and effectively.

Given that the presidency is a complex unit, within which different components are supposed to work to harmoniously achieve set goals, the buck, as it is said, stops squarely at the table of the helmsman. All missteps portray him in

bad light, just as all achievements and successes are credited to him first. In the case of the Jonathan Presidency, the comedy of errors, it has treated Nigerians to over time tend to reinforce the notion as advanced by the opposition that the president is clueless.

An interesting example to buttress this point may be gleaned from the list of Nigerians that were recently granted the presidential pardon that has sparked a backlash of criticism across the land. Many would be interested in the kind of procedure that produced a list containing the name of Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, a prominent Nigerian who had been pardoned by the Abdulsalami Abubakar administration in 1998.

Again, Domkat Bali, a retired General who had been decorated previously with an award of GCON was listed in 2011 for a lower award of CFR. The man simply abandoned the offer, apparently convinced that the bureaucracy in the presidency had gone to sleep.

On the whole, slips like that give the impression that the presidency, the nation’s most powerful political appa-

ratus lacks institutional memory, and this takes away a lot from the institution and all those superintending it on behalf of all Nigerians. There was a similar embarrassment in Abuja in 2011, when shortage of medals almost marred the National Honours Award, as some of the recipients could not be decorated.

One can only imagine the agony and plight of ceremony loving Nigerians who would have gone to the event with their crowd of well-wishers, only to be told that there were no medals to decorate them.

In the end those who recognise the enormous powers of the Nigerian President, which have been qualified as being almost God-like, there is no place for the kind of mistakes and slipups that have become so chronic. For Jonathan, the task at hand is to become a much more effective chief executive, who tasks those with delegated authority to deliver. After all, there should be no need for the long list of political appointees and bureaucrats, if all they do is mutter “your Excellency” and get fat emoluments from the Nigerian common wealth.

| 73

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

POLITICS

MERGERS

thought if only because of that, something has to be done. We are not saying he should give us any special treatment, but he should be fair to us. He should give whatever is due to us, by virtue of our numerical strength and by virtue of the political support we gave to him. That is what we are asking for. And every part of Nigeria has the right to say that and insist on that.

Your kinsman, former President Olusegun Obasanjo was at the helm of affairs for 8 years. Was that not enough time to correct the imbalance?

Yes a lot of people have raised the question of what did we benefit when Obasanjo was there for eight years, but the answer is, we did not expect much from Obasanjo, because he did not promise us anything. He was to debate with me in 1999 but he ran away. He did not make any commitment to the people, so you have no right to ask him anything. He got elected without making any promise, without making any commitment. When he was the president it was taking us two hours to travel from Akure to Ilesha. That was our own dividend of democracy.

How can you achieve what you desire with this seeming division in the leadership of the Yoruba?

It is true that disagreement among the Yoruba leadership can rob us of the unity needed to fight a common battle, from a common front, but we are already addressing that. We are extremely happy that the younger people who had left the fold of Afenifere, the umbrella body of the race are now coming back. They realised that those who led them away have concern for themselves and the members of their own families, that they had no concern for them.

And they were able to compare and contrast and they have come back to where they think they belong. So we are encouraging the remaining few to come back and we are also encouraging those Chief Olu Falae, former secretary to Government of the FedYoruba sons and daughters to get involved in Afenifere. Afenifere has served the Yoruba nation well since 1951. So we are encouraging otheration, former finance minister and an economist, who was ers to get involved, particularly now that Nigeria itself does not also candidate of the AD/ANPP alliance in the 1999 presiseem to know where it is going. The Americans have said their own prediction, that 2015 may be the year of Armageddon and ongoing dential election spoke to NIYI BELLO, in Akure, on the new aldevelopments are also pointing to that direction. Regardless of liance being planned by major opposition parties and what happens in Nigeria, the Afenifere can play a positive role. suggested what could be done to make the new arrangement Balarabe Musa, at the 70th birthday party of late Lam Adesina in Ibadan where he was the chairman, said, “you, the Yoruba people beneficial to all Nigerians. are the ones responsible for the confusion in Nigeria. You are the natural leaders of the progressive forces in Nigeria, who are the majority forces but because of the disagreement and disunity among Why is the Social Democratic Mega Party (SDMP), which you head, the progressives in the Southwest, Nigeria is in disarray, you must not part of the new arrangement by notable opposition parties to put yourself together and provide leadership for the country.” form a formidable opposition platform against the Peoples DemAs a one time Secretary to Government of the Federation, former Fiocratic Party (PDP)? nance Minister and an economist, what is the way out of the woods OU should have asked why we are not in the same party with for the national economy? the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN); they broke away from the There are many things that can be done, but I want to advise you Alliance for Democracy (AD). They are our former governors, but to read my book, ‘The way Forward for Nigeria.’ There is a chapter on they thought the Afenifere had no right to monitor what they were Falae economy regarding ideas on how to revive our economy. doing and we said, ‘look when people were voting in 1999, they At a time, foreign debts were a major issue in Nigeria and I said we were voting for Afenifere. Nobody knew about AD, and therefore to preserve the Afenifere legacy for future generations, you must en- in Nigerian history, controlling the Senate, House of Representatives, should negotiate to buy out our debts and to raise the money to pay sure that what you do must be in conformity with Afeniferere’s phi- twenty out of thirty governors and later produced Abiola as the Pres- these debts. I advocated that we should sell some of our shares in oil losophy of looking after the welfare of the masses. They thought ident. That is the party that I think is acceptable throughout Nigeria companies to pay back the debts, but because of the increase in price of oil we didn’t have to sell our share in oil companies. From they were too big to be monitored, but we were not too small to and will not contain any contradiction. raise their hands to make them governors.

But with many of known SDP politicians now scattered in all the par- ordinary revenue, we are able to do that under Obasanjo regime.

We have spent 12 years to do reconciliation. We held more than ties, particularly the PDP and even the emerging APC, will you still be What is an issue is the economic development and crucial to that is power. Production depends crucially on power, and we are sweateight meetings here in Akure, at Pa Fasoranti’s house and we had able to rally such a great party? a dozen meeting at Jibowu, our headquarters and some in Ibadan. Well, let’s wait and see. There will definitely be alignments and re- ing now because there is no power.

When they did not return, we asked late Justice Kayode Eso, to head alignment of forces and it is not impossible for the SDP to merge with Many companies left Nigeria simply because there is no electricity. a committee of Yoruba eminent elders like Bishop Gbonigi, Bishop the APC. What is important is to have a welfare policy and an ideology To generate their own power is too expensive; companies like DunLadigbolu and others but they ignored those men. And finally, we that will cater for the needs of the people. If that is missing then the lop, Michelin, Cadbury and many others had to leave. So if old comwent to Mrs. Awolowo and Mama called a meeting with them, they coming together will be a mirage as it is certainly going to be with panies have folded up, are new ones going to come in, the answer came before the day of the meeting, they preempted the meeting the APC, if they didn’t fathom the people into their plan to take power is NO. So, essentially, we must solve the power problem, which I see as a major constraint. We must focus on gas collection to generate and said they will never sit down with us again. from the PDP. enough power to move this country forward.

Two years ago, they invited us to a meeting at Premier Hotel in So you are not seeing APC displacing PDP in the future election?

In economic literature, power consumption per head on populaIbadan and we were so happy and exited that we found peace at All I am saying is that even if they are going to push PDP out of power, last, but they did not show up. Tinubu, Segun Osoba and Niyi Ade- what are we gong to get as replacement? What are the programmes tion is often accepted as good option for development; so if your bayo did not show up and they were the ones that invited us to the they are going to implement that will better your life and my life? power consumption per head is very low, you are not developing. meeting. How much insult can be higher than this, because we Where is the programme? And that should be number one. What are Many companies that have been closed down can be revived and re-opened and when that happens many people will be employed, wanted to maintain the consensus platform of Awolowo for the we going to do? That’s what should bring us together. benefit of our people?

For two years, I tried to bring together about 20 political parties in products will come out of the factories, traders will buy and sell, How do you hope to use political party platform to solve the prob- 2009 and 2010, but it was too ambitious, because how did I think PDP and transporters will have things to carry, both raw materials and lems of this country? will allow such thing to happen, to form a formidable opposition finished products. So power is the number one factor to be faced by What we need is for the progressives to come together and form against it? Of course they did not allow the merger to work. It is very our government. a big family, not only in the Southwest, but in Nigeria. Opportu- difficult for parties to merge because all what those who don’t want Then, training and employment generation should be focused, benity politics is what we are experiencing now and it will lead us to it to succeed need to do, is for some of the members to go to court cause the danger today is that we are training out of our tertiary innowhere. I called the PDP an opportunistic gang up for power not and tell the court that they are against the merger. Once the process stitutions hundreds of thousands of poorly educated graduates. a political gathering. start in court, it might take a longer process. The AD that went to These are boys and girls who have access to technology via Internet, In my book, which I launched in 2002, I said the PDP is not a party, court in 2001 is still in court till today and once a man goes to court who can manufacture bombs and plan all form of strategies to destabilize the peace of Nigeria. Why would they want to preserve although Jerry Gana was trying to argue with me. But the question to challenge the merger, it’s the end of the alliance. is, what is the ideology of PDP? Nothing. Most of the personalities It seems those against the APC merger are also fighting back with the the peace of Nigeria, when they have no stakes in Nigeria? We must deliberately create employment. in the new APC are my friends. I was the chairman of Buhari’s cam- proposed registration of a party with similar acronym paign in 2007. His party, ANPP did not give me one naira for that I heard the controversy. They could change their name. Besides, Apart from power, to open up factories and create jobs, I have sugcampaign but I raised all the money. That tells you my commit- those who benefit from the status quo would want it to remain for- gested National Apprenticeship Scheme, where all master artisans, like welder, carpenter, bricklayer and the rest will be encouraged ment, though we were not in the same party but my party adopted ever. under the scheme to take up 20 to 30 apprentices with some fithe man so they made me the chairman. So I know that group well. nancial contributions from the government, so that like two milShekarau (Ibrahim) is a friend and he has been in this house many Yoruba Not Asking For Anything Special, But Fair Treatment lion people can go into training. times, I know them. I want to advise them however, that their coming together should not be opportunistic like that of the PDP. It HE leadership of the Yoruba, of which you are part, has been al- We are building modern houses, who is going to maintain them? must be principled and there must be a programme, which they leging marginalisation in the Nigerian project. How true and how I also believe that agricultural sector should be encouraged. We have the land and we need the employment opportunity it would are going to implement for the benefit of Nigerians, not to just take deep is this marginalisation? over from the PDP. We don’t want a situation whereby another set You know it is not usual for the Yoruba to complain but the matter create. of rogues will be taking over from a set of rogues. What are you got to a point that we had no choice but to complain. We are not com- Thirdly, I advocated for what I called urban transformation, as a going to do if you take over the government? There must be a clear- plaining about marginalisation in respect to political appointments. strategy to modernize our cities. Mimiko has started it in Akure and cut ideological direction that they must latch on to, for the general Although we are neither the Senate President nor the Speaker of the the next thing for Governor Mimiko to do is the involvement of the development of the entire country.

House of Representatives and we are not holding any big political po- private sector, that is, the individuals who are homeowners in the cities. There should be a loan scheme to encourage home owners to Why was it difficult to have a merger of ideas like the emerging APC sition. To me, that is less important. earlier?

Our grouse is about marginalisation in career positions. I am a prod- improve their houses, to expand them where they have extra land It was basically because of ideological differences. I can tell you uct of the bureaucracy and I know that bureaucracy or management to create additional accommodation for the urban workers, who now that three months to the last election, I moved up to live in rules the world of government and the world of business. Those who use accommodation and also beatification of urban area. If you go Abuja, trying to bring together Buhari, Shekarau, Ribadu and run Shell Petroleum are not the owners of Shell, but they are profes- along Arakale road in Akure here, beautiful dualisation, but some of Utomi, four of them presidential candidates. They asked me to play sional managers who we call bureaucrats in public service. Margin- the houses affected by the dualisation of the road look ugly. Give a that role and I played the role. We met several times in Abuja and I alising a section of Nigeria in the management of the country is not little credit to the owner so that he can make it better and elsewhere in other cities in Ondo State and in Nigeria, homeowners should be told them that before you can come together as a principled ven- acceptable, that is why we are complaining. ture, let us have a common platform.

I was trying to put together a document to show it department by de- given cheap credit to beautify our cities and towns. If you have land For one week, I sat down with two nominees from the four politi- partment, how the Yoruba are treated as second-class citizens. We are beside the house, it is very easy to put up an extra flat of four rooms, cal parties to integrate a new manifesto, which will mean a new not asking for special treatment but fair treatment. We are also say- it is cheaper and faster to do than to go to a housing corporation dawn for Nigeria. I then said we now have a new principle, which ing let Nigeria obey her constitution. There should be federal char- and clear a forest, I am not against building new houses by houswill form the basis of our coming together. If we come together it acter and there should be balance and fairness. That is what we are ing corporations, but they should do that, because it is cheaper and is to implement this common programme. asking for. And we have documented it, in education, in the judici- faster for an existing house to be expanded. This will give the homeIn the case of the APC, what is the rationale for their coming to- ary. There is a whole Department where no Yoruba had been head owners additional revenue, it also increases its equity; it benefits gether? That is the kind of thing we want to see for our own group, for 60 years. That is the Immigration Department. And this govern- the homeowner, tenants and the society. Equally important, if you the Social Democratic Mega Party (SDMP) and we, the old SDP are ment had massive support from the Southwest during the last gen- are rebuilding your house or expanding the house, it’s a strategy to waiting to be part of this. The old SDP is the most successful party eral election. Yoruba people voted for Jonathan massively and we kick-start the economy as carpenters, bricklayers, welder, cement

FALAE:

Progressives Should Come Together And Form A Big Family

Y

T

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

74 |

POLITICS Wale Oshun is the chairman of Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG). In this interview with ABIODUN OLUFANORO, he said the Yoruba are not concerned with political appointments, which is at the discretion of the ruling party, but with the situation in the civil and public service.

Marginalisation cry by the Yoruba is on the increase, but critics say it is simply false alarm. Do you agree?

NYBODY who says our cry of marginalisation is false alarm is not only dishonest, the person is the number one enemy of the Yoruba, and is an advocate of a disintegrated Nigeria. Whoever promotes or takes delight in Yoruba marginalisation is surely an enemy of equity, justice and fairness. It is upon this triangle that peace, order and unity, necessary for the country’s continued existence is predicated.

When we talk about marginalisation, we are not really concerned about political appointments. Political appointments are the business of the party in power, distributing them according to its whims and caprices. Our concern is the core civil service and public service where you have the ministries, the parastastals, the agencies, departments and other public institutions. Our incontrovertible findings from these places show a conscious effect to short-change the Yoruba in terms of appointments and recruitments into the services.

To confirm that this is a deliberate measure by powers that be, when staff are being retrenched, retired or laid off, the Yoruba usually top it.

The latest in this continuous assault on the Yoruba is at the Ministry of Aviation, where among the laid off staff, the Yoruba have the highest figure while in the fresh recruitment in the same Ministry the Southwest has the least.

For instance, in the Aviation Ministry’s recruitment the Northwest has over 200, while the Southwest has 48, the least when compared with other zones. Is it that the Yoruba don’t have qualified individuals that could fill these positions? Where is the application of federal character in all these?

If the federal government says we are crying foul, let it publish all these appointments, including those that were retired and those laid off.

Apart from appointments, are there other areas where the Yoruba feels short-changed?

Oh, Yes they are just innumerable. Take for instance infrastructure. Look at the deplorable state of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, built over forty years ago and rated as the busiest in Nigeria and in Africa. Today, you cannot drive one kilometer on the road without encountering obstruction; same goes for the Sagamu-Benin Expressway. Till date, the Ibadan-Ilorin Expressway started more 10 years ago is yet to be completed. The effects of this on the people and economy of the Yoruba cannot be quantified.

Lives are lost everyday on these roads due to their collapse and failure of government to rehabilitate them.

Since the inception of this democratic dispensation under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), nobody can point to any federal government road project in the entire Southwest.

Lagos State, which apart from the oil producing states, which lays the golden egg in terms of income generation to the federal government has for long been abandoned to its fate. Nobody could give a true figure of what is generated, for instance, from the seaports in the state, yet the same government never considers it necessary or economically wise to reconstruct the collapsed Apapa Expressway; same for the road leading to the Murtala International Airport.

To compound the woes of the Lagos State Government, the Federal Government has refused to pay derivation fund to the state government from the huge income generated from both the ports and the various establishments in the state. Yet the state and its people are naturally compelled to source for funds to cope with the adverse effects arising from activities of the ports.

Like oil, the ports in Lagos and in other Yoruba states are derived from water, a natural endowment of the people. Just as oil is a natural endowment on which derivation is paid, ports (water) are natural endowment and must attract derivation.

But it is not all Yoruba that share this position on marginalisation. For instance, chief Richard Akinjide (SAN) says you are all turning history on its head.

I am highly constrained to comment on the claim by chief Akinjide because, one, he is some-

A

Oshun

YORUBA MARGINALISATION:

Our Findings Are Incontrovertible — Oshun body I have a lot of respect for and he is one of our leaders. Two, it is not in the tradition of the Yoruba to comment on our elders.

However, I would be doing injustice to the entire Yoruba nation, which of course is bigger them an individual if I fail to quickly correct this distortion. Let me say that it would appear to me and to other Yoruba that chief Akinjide has substituted his personal interest and what he derives from this government for the interest of the entire Yoruba nation. In clear terms, what I am saying is that, the fact that his daughter is a minister in the President Goodluck Jonathan administration is not enough reason for him not to remember the plight of the Yorubas, the pitiable plight of that young Yoruba applicant looking for job, but discriminated against or marginalised. I expect our dear and revered chief to pause and ask himself the question, where are federal government projects in the Southwest, why are the Yoruba being sacked enmasse or why are the Yoruba being denied appointments etc? He goes to Abuja often, are there no road constructions there. Why can’t same thing happen on the Apapa Expressway or on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway?

Again, with due respect to him, his politics has always been a “pleasing politics” right from the beginning, compromising the interest of the Yoruba people and wishing to be seen as more Nigerian than other Nigerians. Going by his antecedents, he can never be the one to protect

the interest of the Yoruba people Some people trace the situation to the fact that the Yoruba play more of regional politics?

When the Nigerian Independence Constitution was written, it was on the basis of a federal state.

In a federal state the federating units then were the regions. So what is wrong in being regional?

What we should have is a federation in which the interests of the federating units are taken care of.

Don’t forget that we have got a situation in the past where a Yorubaman (Chief Olusegun Obasanjo) was at the centre as president for eight years, yet the Yoruba have nothing to show for it. They all compromised the interest of the Yoruba.

Don’t you think the fortunes of the Yoruba could

When we talk about marginalisation, we are not really concerned about political appointments. Political appointments are the business of the party in power, distributing them according to its whims and caprices. Our concern is the core civil service and public service where you have the ministries, the parastastals, the agencies, departments and other public institutions.

be better if the zone switches to a more centred politics?

And becomes slaves, and not be able to express ourselves, not able to educate our children, not able to ensure that when they complete their education they can get jobs, is that what will please them and would make them to stop the devaluation of the Yoruba?

In real politics, would you be naturally inclined to be well disposed to a people who contributed little or nothing to your emergence as president?

Would Jonathan have been president without the support of the Yoruba? Go and look at the number of votes cast for him by the Yoruba, it was huge. Did the Yoruba not vote massively for Obasanjo for his second term, what did we get in return; did he not chastise us with scorpion? So the issue is not about going centre or playing centre politics. Playing politics of the centre cannot be beneficial to us as a people. That is why we are clamouring for a restructuring of the polity, where more responsibilities, functions and money would go to the regions.

So if this were done would the cry of marginalisation reduce?

Certainly yes, if we return to a true federalism, where each federating unit has responsibility for basic developmental issues, nobody would be talking about the centre, because the functions of the centre would be so minimal that people would prefer to stay back in their federating regions. Of course, there would be less or minimal federal appointments because there would be fewer federal agencies and institutions.

What is ARG’s take on calls by some people for residency and indigeneship being part of the issues for constitutional amendment?

That sounds very funny, it is more of a daylight dream, impossibility. For instance, if a non-Ijebu person lives among the Ijebus, no matter how long he has been residing there, he can’t claim to be an Ijebu person. You could come there, settle among them, marry among them; all these do not make the person an Ijebu person. The best that could happen is acculturation. Everybody has an origin, its either you are an Egba, Ondo, Ikale, Hausa, Tiv, Efik etc.

Could anybody come from Tiv and proudly say he is an Egba man, and then he would be pointing the left hand to his invaluable home of origin. There is no law that can enforce that. For instance, if the culture and tradition of the people in an area forbids non-indigenes from doing or partaking in certain things, no law can confer the right of participation on such non-indigenes.

Why are the Yoruba opposed to the idea?

Simply because we have our own values and virtues, which we don’t want desecrated or infringed on. If others value their culture and virtue, they should seek to preserve and protect it, and not to be envious of the Yoruba. If it is land, if it is natural endowment, there is no region God has not blessed with all of these. Why would you seek to trespass on another man’s land when God has equally given your own?

Imagine somebody comes from somewhere to insist that we own this land (Yoruba land) together, which land, is he not from somewhere, has he no origin, and is there no land there? You can have property right as it is done all over the world. People have the right to buy land where they reside. This however does not make such people indigenes of the place. Even in the advanced countries, that you buy land or property in the United Kingdom does not make you an indigene or citizen. We are not objecting to commercial transaction or land or property acquisition, but why would someone want to create by law, indigeneship. If you are not an Ibo person but you live among them, the best you can do is to do as they do, but you cannot be an Ibo. Already the Constitution has made provision for non-indigenes to vie for political offices wherever they live after spending a number of years. That is why you have Ibo and Hausa councilors in Lagos, for instance.

What else do they want; they want to be Oba of Lagos?

How about grazing zones for itinerant Fulani herdsmen?

Nigerians are funny; how can you by law create grazing zones for a non-indigene in another man’s backyard or farmland. These would be impracticable and un-implementable laws; they would remain dormant and inoperative. Instead of engaging in these futilities we should simply fashion out policies that would enable these herdsmen to settle down in their enlarged farms in their states of origin, given all the facilities needed to do mechanized animal rearing. After this, provide good roads and means of transport that would make buyers to come there to buy or to take them to markets in other states.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

| 75

POLITICS

By Charles Coffie Gyamfi, Abeokuta HE Ogun State House of Assembly was in the T news recently, for the wrong reason. The lawmakers tuned lawless and broke the Mace, the symbol of the authority of the House. That was exactly what the last Assembly did, when under former Speaker, Tunji Egbetokun, the House fought itself silly, leading to a closure of 10 months in 2010.

Just like the other time, the legislature split into two, with two Speakers emerging – Suraj Ishola Adekunbi and Remmy Hassan. The same Hassan was the deputy Speaker when the House split under Egbetokun.

The configuration of the House in June 2011, when it was inaugurated was like this; out of 26 legislators, 17 were members of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had six, while the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN) had three.

Not long after the inauguration, three of the PDP members defected to the ACN, raising the tally of the ruling party to 20, more than twothirds.

With this comfortable numbers, coupled with the bad experience of the immediate past legislature, it would have been expected that whatever differences that exist in the present House would be resolved amicably, without washing their dirty linen in public.

The question begging for answer is, with the ACN controlling the House, why would there be such sharp disagreement among members, to the extent that they would launch a violent attack on the mace? Incidentally, those who led the onslaught, Hassan and Adijat Oladapo-Olaleye, were two prominent members who played major roles in the last Assembly’s crisis, which saw them waging serious ‘war’ against former governor Gbenga Daniel. Both were PDP members, but defected to the ACN just before the general election of 2011 and they won their seats.

Tola Banjo, whose chairmanship of the House’s Tenders Board caused the brouhaha, was also a staunch member of the then ruling PDP in the State. You could say the chicken came home to roost.

To keen observers, for crisis to erupt in the House so soon did not come as a surprise. This is because the foundation had been faulty from day one.

At its inauguration, the House was observed to have broken into two camps of those loyal to Governor Ibikunle Amosun and those loyal to former governor, chief Olusegun Osoba, who is the leader of the ACN in Ogun state.

An ACN source hinted that the seed of discord was sown at the Assembly’s inauguration, which has now developed and is being harvested.

According to the source, before the inauguration, there was an arrangement, that the current Speaker (Adekunbi) who is a loyalist of Governor Amosun would occupy that seat, while OladapoOlaleye would be his deputy.

On the day of election of principal officers of the House, Adekunbi’s nomination was unanimously approved. Expectations were that Oladapo-Olaleye’s nomination would also scale through without any opposition. But that was not to be, because as soon as she was nominated, Hassan also nominated Tola Banjo for the post.

The House had no choice, but to vote to choose one of them and that was how Adijat lost.

That development showed that the ACN was not in one accord and underscored the fact that two factions existed the Amosun and Osoba groups.

The Guardian investigations revealed that as at then, Amosun controlled 12 of the members, while Osoba controlled eight. It therefore became difficult for all the ACN members to speak with one voice.

Till the mace was broken three weeks ago, it was revealed that Amosun was yet to take serious steps to bring the two groups together. Instead, Amosun gave about 90 percent of appointments either into political office or otherwise to only his loyalists and for this reason the Osoba loyalists feel seriously marginalised and are grumbling.

An ACN chieftain, chief Doja Adewolu said the situation has been redressed.

He said; “There is no more anything like Osoba and Amosun groups as the two groups have been reconciled. To ensure that such reconciliation is maintained, the party has set up reconciliation committees in all the 20 council areas with either a commissioner or party chieftain as the committee chairman.”

Adewolu added that the purpose is for the committee members to listen to all grievances of party faithful so as to appease them.

But Hassan sees nothing wrong with having opposing groups in the legislature. He said; “In the legislature, you are permitted to have leanings whether along party lines, along tribal lines and even in some countries like America, along racial lines.

“There you have the Black Congressional Caucus.

It is such leanings that develop into formidable groups that you can call caucuses. The onus now is on the leadership (executive) to ensure that it is directly or indirectly connected to all the cau-

Adekunbi

Amosun

Hassan

Ogun Assembly: Why The House Rose Against Self cuses that exist one way or the other.”

He said that is the way to ensure that caucuses do not grow into factions, because if they grow into factions, that will not be in the interest of the legislature.

The general thinking is that money is cause of the quarrel. But Hassan insists that their quarrel was over the ineptitude of the House leadership, independence of the legislature and consistent disregard for due process and nothing more.

Giving reason for the quarrel, he said; “Ordinarily, there are machineries provided by the legislature for resolving issues but we were beginning to see that those laid down rules and procedures were being subverted. And we were no longer comfortable. And of course when such happens, suspicion will come in and you will now begin to read in between the lines.

“There will be indications suggesting that some people have ulterior motives. And of course there were issues also coming up in the press, insinuating that some of us have been penciled down for suspension. When I heard that (suspension) I just regarded it as rumour, especially when I considered the fact that with the kind of caucus that we have, it is going to be difficult, if not impossible for any suspension to sail through. So, we were confident that nothing of such could happen.

“Everybody has sets of rules provided for in the constitution, in our standing orders, in our extant laws and also by conventions that we have adopted. So, when you are abreast with all of that, you are confident that what ought not to be cannot be, especially based on those sets of rules. But when you begin to see that what ought not to be is beginning now to want to be, you are expected as a lawmaker that is worth your salt to speak up or remain voiceless and irrelevant.”

Commending Amosun for his maturity in brokering peace within a record time, Hassan said; “There is no more crisis in the Assembly. We are now one happy family and we all intend to remain that way. None of us is interested in fomenting any form of trouble in the House. We are as committed to performing our duties as ever before. That notwithstanding, we can still appraise some of the issues involved in the matter. The truce actually was meant for us to be able to resume plenary and get to critically look at issues that were in contention.”

The crisis that day did not really shock media men who were at the scene, because they witnessed a worse situation at the same Assembly a couple of years ago. Journalists who had a day before got wind that something untoward was going to happen were at the venue by 9am. But nothing happened till 11am, when events began to unfold.

Specifically, Hassan disclosed that the main bone of contention was the election of the chairman of the Tenders’ Board. He traced it to the frequent disregard for “due process” by the Speaker. But it blew open on Tuesday, March 5.

The House had existed for 20 months without a Tenders’ Board, so why now?

Hassan, a third time legislator offers an explanation. “What we were operating was the fund management committee. But of course there was a petition to some anti-graft agencies, but when it was discovered that there was no substance to the petition we were advised that the fund management committee should not also be the same committee that would award of contracts. We were told to have a Tenders’ Board, based on the provisions of the conforming Act. And we had no such practice before, but having been that advised we had to quickly put that in place. We had to vote over the report. That was the genesis of the crisis.”

A week before the crisis, following a rowdy session over the election of deputy Speaker, Banjo as the chairman of the newly instituted Tenders’ Board, Hassan, (ACN), Job Akintan, Minority Leader, (PDP), John Obafemi (PPN) and Adijat Oladapo-Olaleye walked out on the Speaker, against the House rules. A faction led by Hassan had alleged that the leadership wanted to impose Banjo as chairman of the Board. That day (March 5, day of crisis) plenary session was meant to suspend the mentioned lawmakers.

The Majority Leader, Israel Jolaoso moved the motion for the suspension of Hassan and the others. But before the motion could be seconded, some of the affected members, as well as loyalists of the Speaker advanced towards the Mace, struggling to take possession and in the process broke it.

The Speaker’s several attempts to restore order by slamming the House’s gavel on his table as the rules demand were ignored by the highly charged lawmakers and instead, the purportedly suspended members began to mock him, saying he was incompetent. Others members joined the chant; “power resides in the people, power resides in the people.” The Speaker hurriedly adjourned the sitting amidst the confusion.

The aggrieved lawmakers were 14 against the 12 who were alleged to be on the side of the Speaker and the Governor.

The 14 legislators later reconvened and elected Hassan as Speaker pro- tempore, who announced that their earlier suspension had been upturned. Their own sitting also announced the suspension of Speaker Adekunbi, Tola Banjo, deputy Speaker, representing Ijebu Ode Constituency, Israel Jolaoso, Majority Leader, representing Ewekoro State Constituency and Oluomo Olakunle from Ifo 1 Constituency.

The motion for their suspension was moved by Hon. Olusegun Elemide from Odeda Constituency and was seconded by Samson Onademuren, representing Ijebu North-East Constituency.

Banjo’s attempt to send journalists away at a particular stage during the rowdy session was resisted by Hassan, who insisted that journalists had the right to witness the “show shame,” and the journalists decided to obey Hassan, instead of the Speaker. At a point, the journalists were “tear-gassed” by the armed policemen.

When eventually sanity prevailed, Hassan told

newsmen that he and other members in his group had been labeled rebels, “because we are trying to avoid the lawlessness that occurred in the last dispensation.”

His words again; “We resolved in this hallowed chamber that we will not accede to any borrowing until we are sure of the quantum of our debt and that the debt should not outlive this administration.”

He added; “The laws we had passed in the Assembly, concerning borrowing is just the mechanism for borrowing. It is clearly stated in that law that before any bond could be raised, it would need two-thirds majority of the Assembly. A government that cannot even get simple majority, where would they get the 18 and that is the crux of the matter. They want to now remove some of us who are not in support of this process, so that they can do an amendment to that law to change the two-thirds to simple majority, so that at their whims and caprices they can approve anything, even in their bedroom.

That is not right.”

He said; “No, Ogun State will not go back to those dark days. No loan would exceed the life of this administration in repayment. Let everybody know and let all financial institutions know that any jankara resolution authorising any loan, the same fate that befell First City Monument Bank (FCMB) will befall that particular financial institution. In the last administration, quite a number of the loans that FCMB granted had no legislative consent and this administration has refused to pay, because they don’t have legislative approval. It is the same thing that we are saying now. Let it be known to everybody out there; we are going to make several publications about that. That is our stand and we stand by it.

The peace meeting, The Guardian investigations revealed was initiated by the immediate past Speaker of the Assembly, Tunji Egbetokun, who facilitated the meeting between all the 26 lawmakers and Governor Amosun.

Egbetokun is now the Senior Special Adviser (SSA) on Political Matter to Amosun.

He was said to have contacted the Governor and advised him to ensure that the crisis did not degenerate as it would have a negative impact, not only on the Governor’s image and that of the state, but would also affect his mission to rebuild the state.

Egbetokun succeeded in convincing the Governor not to let the crisis snowball.

That effort by Egbetokun was confirmed after the peace meeting when The Guardian overheard the Secretary to the State Government, (SSG), Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa thanking the former Speaker for his role in the settlement of the face-off.

Both sides confessed that they had offended the people of Ogun State and were sorry for their offences.

It is hoped that the House will put that ugly experience behind and will have no reason to resurrect it. It is hoped that all sides have learnt enduring lessons from it.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, March 24, 2013

76 |

POLITICS

GRASSROOTS

Countdown To Edo Council Elections, Parties Kick Against High Fees By EDSIEC From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City

P

REPARATIONS have been on by aspirants over two years ago. Some political leaders have made a fortune from aspirants as they continued to give indefinite dates for local government council elections, that when the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) eventually announced April 20 as the date for elections, many of them had run out of steam.

The councils were dissolved in October 2010, after over one year of frosty relationship between the councils, then under the control of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the state executive committee.

Pundits have since postulated that the local government election is a positioning strategy for the 2016 governorship election, which would produce a successor to incumbent governor, Adams Oshiomhole.

Even though there were knocks and protests against the process that produced the candidates in some quarters, the governor and the leadership of the party seemed convinced that the postprimary rancour could be easily managed.

What is clear is that the Oshiomhole wants to use the election to fortify the structure he has been building, with the view to remaining relevant when it comes to picking a successor and remaining so even after leaving office.

The other actors in the emergence of the candidates are Oshiomhole’s deputy, Pius Odubu, who is likely going to be a contender for 2016 and national vice chairman (South-South) of the party, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, whose ambition

Oshiomhole to govern the state is no longer hidden.

The governor has been able to substantially entrench his candidates in the councils across the three senatorial districts. For instance, in AkokoEdo local government, the chairmanship candidate who emerged was the candidate of Peter Appatasson, the member representing the constituency in the House of Representatives.

It is strongly believed that the governor has confidence in Appattasson, as both are of labour

ensure he handed over power to his deputy.

Erediauwa said: “I want to congratulate his Excellency and your amiable and supportive deputy. I hope when the time comes Comrade Governor will not forget his deputy because if he is used to your principle and your way of doing things, he can continue from where you stopped.”

However, other political parties like the PDP, Labour Party (LP) and the Social Democratic Mega Party (SDMP) have not been left out of the scramble for the councils.

Understandably, the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) has said it would not feature candidates for the election, but would work with the candidates of the ACN. LP on its part said to it would field candidates for the election, obviously because it thought it could influence some support from the governor through the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC).

The NLC led by its national president, Abdulwaheed Omar a few days ago held a closed-door meeting with Oshbackground.

In Edo South, the governor had also iomhole, which The Guardian reliably gathered was connected to how the placed his men in some very vital councils; like Ikpobha-Okha, Uhum- Labour Party (LP) could be supported to have at least one local government in wonde, Ovia North East and Ovia the state.

South West.

But what was not clear yet, was the While Oshiomhole’s men would modality on how this could be dominate the councils, the palace achieved, whether the ACN would not strongly believes he should use the structure to ensure that his deputy, field candidates in one or two councils, or whether they would prefer to presOdubu succeeds him by 2016. ent joint candidates.

This played out during the week when the Crown Prince to the Benin For the PDP, it said it would pull surMonarch, Eheneden Erediauwa, in a public function told the governor to prises by winning some crucial coun-

cils.

Orbih faulted the leadership of ACN in its recent primaries ahead of the election, accusing it of failing to adhere to electoral guidelines.

He said the ACN negated its principles of one man, one vote, adding that the primaries across the 18 local council were a case of imposition and that the attack on the ACN secretariat by irate youth and party members is an expression of anger of its members and a clear indication of the rot in the party. “Guidelines states clearly that EDSIEC should conduct and witness primaries as exhibited in the conduct of primaries by the PDP.” The leadership of the SDMP also yesterday faulted the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) guidelines for the election which included N100, 000 for chairman ship nomination form, N50, 000 for the councilors and three years tax clearance.

State leader of the party, Frank Ukonga told The Guardian yesterday that the condition was to deny other parties from participating in the election. “In Abuja council elections, they did not ask for that, we participated in that of Kaduna, Akwa Ibom, Ondo states, they didn’t ask for so much. It is draconian. The ruling party doesn’t want other parties to participate in the election and they are doing the bidding of the state government.”

He however said the party would participate in the election in ten councils.

The parties and their candidates have embarked on campaigns and the state electoral commission headed by Solomon Ogor has promised a free

Creepy Facts About Rivers’ Council Polls sweeping both chairmanship and councilors in the 17 N Rivers State, local govern- wards.

RSIEC chairman, Prof. Austine ment elections would come up in the first quarter of 2014, Ahiazu said the PDP defeated but last week, chairmanship the Accord, Action Alliance, Adand councillorship elections vanced Congress of Democwere held in rats, ANPP, CPP, NNPP and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local SDMP, all of which scored council, following the expira- about 450 votes all together.

However, the Action Congress tion of the tenure of elected officials. In February, there were of Nigeria (ACN) has declared re-run and bye-councillorship that the election did not take elections in Opobo/Nkoro, place.

Spokesman of the party, Jerry Eleme, Asari-Toru, Khana and Ahoada-East due to a court rul- Needam alleged that about 90 ing that ordered re-run elec- percent of the newly constituted RSIEC officials were cardtions in the areas.

In 2014, only 21 councils would carrying members of the observe the election as election PDP. The development accordhas scheduled for Degema ing to him was unfortunate council in September, which and could not guarantee any means two councils would by free and fair election.

Needam alleged that Goverthen be out of the contest.

The Rivers State Independent nor Rotimi Amaechi banned Electoral Commission all meetings and gatherings of (RSEIC) declared the the political parties in various Peoples Democratic Party local councils under the (PDP) winner in Onelga, cover of cultism and security

By: Ann Godwin (Port Harcourt)

I

Amaechi challenges.

He said the situation scared opposition parties from holding campaigns and meetings ahead of the election.

Spokesman of RSIEC, Mr. Sam

Woka described the ACN allegation as fictitious.

He argued that political parties were not banned from holding meetings and campaigns except in few local

councils that had security challenges.

While expressing disappointment at the turn out of political parties during the elections, Woka regretted that out of 23 political parties that registered for the election, only the PDP, ACN and All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) were on ground.

He lamented that despite collecting grants to pay their agents during the elections, political parties did not field candidates for the elections, nor showed up.

Investigations revealed that the parties that registered for the election include; the Accord, Action Alliance, Action Congress of Nigeria, Advanced Congress of Democrats, Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, Alliance for Democratic and African Democratic Congress.

In their reactions, leaders of some of the parties alleged intimidation by the PDP, adding

We Are Ready For Edo Council Election –– CP Folusho Adebanjo is the Commissioner of Police, Edo State. He told ALEMMA-OZIORUVA ALIU that the Police will be neutral and ready to sanction erring officers and politicians.

2,627 polling units spread across the local governments for the chairmanship and councillorship election. We also have 18 collating centres. We are deploying everybody to the field for us to cover the whole polling units, the ward and the collating centres and the Inspector General of police is deOn police readiness THE police authorities are desirous of sirous for us to have a very credible having a very free and fair election in election here. I am in touch with him as regards this election, I am Edo State, the level of preparedness sure we will get a very free and fair for the election s very good. election.

We have about 192 wards in the 18 On managing Riverine areas local governments, then we have

We are going to have that adequately covered. We have the Marine Police too, so we are going to also mobilise them and other sister services to assist. We are even expecting people from other commands to come and help us to have a very free and fair election, so that everywhere will be adequately covered.

Fear of opposition parties I want to assure the people that there will be no room for any manipulation, therefore, nobody should accuse us of being partisan. The opposition parties should not enter-

tain any fear. We are for Nigeria; we are for everybody.

For our men we have the police guidelines so anybody who acts contrary to that will have himself or herself to blame. The Police is not going to condone anybody that will tarnish our image. If you look at the recent elections, we have been coming out very clean. The Ondo and even the one held here, we came out clean. So we will not allow anybody to tarnish our image as regards doing anything shady or colluding with anybody.

Adebanjo

that they did not receive sufficient funds to contest favourably with the ruling party. Some political observers reasoned that the opposition would continue to be relegated until their founders and leaders begun to demonstrate strong political will and steadfastness in winning elections.

Mr. Edward Akpan, a political analyst said it would be difficult for parties like PPA to win elections. He pointed out that its leader, Orji Uzo Kalu seemed to have abandoned the party due to his selfish, whereas political parties should receive continuous investment from founders.

He expressed delight over the deregistration of some political parties, stressing that for PDP to be over powered, requires serious minded political parties that are determined to stand out.

TheGuardian

Sunday, March 24, 2013 77

Sports Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Between The Eagles And Falcons:

Tale 0f Two National Teams In terms of achievements, the senior female national football team, the Super Falcons remains the most successful Nigerian senior national team of all time, having won six of the eight African Women Championships so far staged. It also featured in six editions of the world cup with its best finish being a quarterfinal place in 1999. This is aside from three appearances at the Olympic Games. But ENO-ABASI SUNDAY writes that ranging from payment of match bonuses, camp allowances and general treatment to reward for hard work from the government, the Super Eagles, who only won their third continental trophy were highly favoured. of N2.5m, Daniel Amokachi, got N2m and captain of the team, Joseph Yobo, N1.5m. Four other assistant coaches got the sum of N1.5m each. The 22 members of the team got the sum of N1m re-naming of public structure, each and N500, 000 per goal for each of the 11 goals they scored multi-million Naira cash gift during the tournament, while N15m was given to the team’s backroom staff and the Rauf Ladipo-led Supporters’ Club got among others, were some of the highlights of events N4.5m Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State also gave cash that hallmarked the never-witnessed before rewards to the team at a reception, where Keshi was rewarded receptions in honour with the re-naming of Asaba Township Stadium after him in addition to N8m cash gift, a plot of land in Asaba with a pledge of the Super Eagles, over their conquest to assist to build a duplex on the land.

The four assistant coaches got N4m each, while each player at the 2013 Africa was given N2.5 each. In addition, each past and present player Cup of Nations, which took place in the winning team received N2.5m with players of Delta State origin getting extra N2.5m. in South Africa The Super Eagles Supporters Club got N3m. recently.

Governors Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo, Liyel Imoke and Deserved as Ramalan Yero of Kaduna states, also feted and rewarded memthe celebrabers of the team with millions of Naira and plots of land. tions were, The multi-city, multi-host celebrations, apart from putting on they were only display something akin to the archaic male-child preference in keeping with syndrome practiced in most African societies and other cities the words of the across the world, in more ways than one, showed the kind of 35th president of the premium Nigeria and Nigerians place on women football.

United States, John Despite existing for about 22 years and performing better than Fitzgerald Kennedy, who said in the the Super Eagles in both CAF and FIFA-organised tournaments, aftermath of the failed Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961, the Super Falcons have continually been treated as a second that: “Victory has a thousand fathers; defeat is an class team especially by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) orphan.”

This phrase crafted decades ago, has remained a and Nigerians.

Though they have not been able to translate their dominance timeless truism acknowledged by many past generations. But recent events in Nigeria appear on the African continent, (which was absolute until it started waning recently) to the world stage, the team has done a lot to to redefine it especially as it relates to the treatgive football lovers, something to cheer up. ment of six-time African champions, the Super Of all the senior national teams in the country, ranging from Falcons in comparison with heir male counterfootball to basketball and from cricket to hockey, the Super parts.

Flown into the country by a chartered aircraft to Falcons remains the most successful team of all time in terms of diadems won and tournaments played both on and off the the waiting arms of top government functionaries, driven in a branded air-conditioned luxurious continent.

For instance, since the team defeated the Black Queens of bus to the presidential banquet with flag-waving Ghana 5-1 in its first international match on February 16, 1991, it school children, military personnel and Abuja residents mounting a “guard of honour” on the has gone on to feature in all eight African Women Championships winning six titles, the last being in 2010. It has way, the African champions were treated like also featured in six editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup royalty. with its best finish being a quarterfinal place in 1999. Between At the banquet, President Goodluck Jonathan bestowed on them, different classes of national 1996 and 2012, the team has taken part in three of the five Olympic games held. While the team failed to qualify for the honours and announced cash gifts. Coach, Stephen Keshi got N10m for his efforts, and was 1996 edition, it played in the 2000, 2004 and 2008 editions, earning a quarterfinal place in the 2004 edition. It, however, conferred with the nation’s fourth ranking national honour – Commander of the Order of did not qualify for the London 2012.

Despite achieving all these, the team has never celebrated the the Niger (CON). All the assistant coaches also got N5 million each and were honoured with way their male counterparts have, maybe because, the country and its football managers are of the opinion that it is a lot easier Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) while to win the AWC than AFCON hence the contempt the team is the technical officials got N2 million each. perennially treated with.

Each of the players got N5 million, a plot of In most cases, some unscrupulous officials, nearly, always land in Abuja and was conferred with the national honour of Member of the Order of the tamper with the N1m that the government usually doles out to each of the players for victory at the continental level.

Niger (MON). Team captain, Joseph Yobo, was, In the area of taking care of injured national team players, past however, conferred with the Officer of the executives of the NFF have always had a different story to tell, Order of the Niger (OON). while the victims also have theirs. The cases of Prisca Emeafu, Jonathan also announced a $1m donation assistant captain of the team to the 1990 World Cup in the from Chairman of Globacom, Dr. Mike United States, who got injured attempting to escape from Adenuga; $500,000 from former armed robbers at the Obasanjo Farms camp, ahead of the Managing Director, United Bank for Sydney Olympics and Blessing Akusobi, who tore a ligament in Africa Plc, Mr. Tony Elumelu; $500,000 from Emeka Offor and N5m her knee during a FIFA U-20 World Cup in Russia, are two of the cases that come to mind. cash gift to each of the players from The pettiness with which female football is treated, has further Aliko Dangote. found vent in the following few examples of discriminatory tenA few days later, Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola showered a whopping CONTINUED ON PAGE 78 N59m on the team. Here, Keshi got the sum PRESIDENTIAL banquet, A award of national honours, gifts of plots of land and houses,

Nkwocha

78

THE GUARDIAN Sunday, March 24, 2013

SPORTS

s bus ir branded luxuriou Super Eagles in the

overhaul the team and we are going to overhaul the technical crew. By the first quarter of 2013, we will see the result of the rebuilding process. This will enable us put together a good team and expose them to friendly matches before the qualifiers for the Women World Cup in Canada in 2015 begins in earnest,” he stated.

In a matter of weeks, the first quarter of 2013 would be history, but nothing tangible has been done in the direction of rebuilding the team. In fact, the team is still without a coach.

But for Falcons goal poacher, Perpetua Nkwocha, only parity and equal attention to both the male and female national teams will stem the free fall the team is suffering.

According to the Sunnana SK of Sweden striker: “The NFF and Nigerian fans usually accord more respect and better treatment to the men’s teams than the women’s sides and this has tainted Super Falcons in a rickety truck the growth of women football. The Super Falcons are never treated equally with the Super Eagles even though both sides are senior national teams.”

Speaking to Supersport.com, the four-time African Footballer of the Year award winner continued, “The men’s team enjoy higher remuneration and better attention during competitions among others. The NFF should strive to bridge the gap and treat both CONTINUED FROM PAGE 77 natory treatment suffered by Super Falcons players in terms teams equally since it is the same country the teams represent. of match allowances and bonuses and general treatment, Treating women’s teams as second class will continue to hinder alleging that the girls were sexually harassed routinely with the growth of women’s football as evident in the poor showing dencies.

Before Keshi recorded his feat as the second African to win the nobody ever punished by the authorities. of the Falcons at the last African Women’s Championship in “The Falcons have won the African Women’s Nations Cup six Equatorial Guinea.”

African Cup of Nations both as player and coach, the first-ever female coach of the Super Falcons, Uche Eucharia had recorded out of seven times but they got nothing. The last time they One of the biggest problems besetting the Super Falcons is the won the trophy, they were ferried in a truck like goats and the same when she won the AWC in 2010. She was never celerefusal of the team’s handlers to speak out even when things are rams meant for the slaughterhouse. brated for her feat. not working out as planned or when their employers breach Apart from when they were flown in a chartered flight to hon- None of them has been given a house their contractual agreements. or national award. I think they our an international engagement in Cameroun years ago, Even when they are relieved of their appointments, they still deserve more than what they are getFalcons are usually denied this pleasure, even when they are prefer to remain tight-lipped in order not to offend their forreturning with the trophy, yet this has become a lifestyle for the ting,” he said. mer employers so that they could be re-considered for future Another area that leaves immense Eagles. engagements. sour taste in the mouth is the mind2010, Falcons were flown with other passengers in an Arik Air This scenario played out when The Guardian sought the boggling gap between match bonusflight into the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, views of former head coach and assistant coach of Lagos, where they were received by Deputy Secretary General of es paid to the Super Eagles in comparthe team, Uche and Ann Chiejine-Agumanu the NFF, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme and the Lagos Liaison Officer of ison with what the six-time African respectively. After Uche had consented to champions are paid. the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mrs. Tayo Oreweme. offer her perspectives on phone on the subUntil last year, the Falcons were The then African Queens, who were chauffeured into the ject matter, she declined to pick up her call paid less than $3,000 as winOliver Thambo International Airport, Johannesburg, in an airat the appointed time. match bonus while each Super conditioned luxurious bus to catch their Nigeria-bound flight, Chiejine-Agumanu bluntly refused to Eagles player was paid the sum of on arrival in the country, were shepherded into a smoky, rickcompare and contrast the treatment of ety truck, which laboured from the international airport to the $10, 000 for each of the three the Falcons vis-à-vis the Super Eagles. matches they drew against local wing, where they boarded a local flight to Abuja for a Instead, she kept on repeating, “Our Liberia, Rwanda and Malawi, last reception organised by the Presidency in their honour. (female football’s) time will come, year instead of half that amount as This was the umpteenth time the team was subjected to but I am not ready to compare and the agreement stipulated. another bout of discriminatory treatment by the authorities, a contrast anything. I don’t want But on the eve of Falcons departure development, which is in sharp contrast with the very ideal of trouble.” to the 2012 AWC in Equatorial Guinea, attaining organisational goals and objectives through fair and Apparently not willing to say where they could not defend their equal treatment of country’s flag bearers. more than she did, she hung crown, the NFF’s Director of Internationally, the team has been subjected to classic embarup on grounds that she Competition, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi rassing circumstances. In October 2004, when the Super wanted to pick up a call in Accra, Ghana announced to Falcons won the AWC title for the fourth time, the joy and from her husband, promisexcitement were brutally cut short. The team, refused to surren- the players that they would ing to call later. She never receive $3,000 as win-bonuses at der the trophy to the then NFA officials. They also insisted on did. the AWC. remaining in their hotel rooms in a Johannesburg hotel until But Henrietta Ukaigwe, He thereafter said, “Like I always the NFA paid them the $6,000 bonus, which they had been told who was the Super Falcons say, to whom much is given, they would receive if they won the championship. team coordinator to the last much is expected. Women’s Also during the 2007 FIFA Women World Cup in China, the AWC in Equatorial Guinea, is football has given Nigeria a girls again decided to get the attention of the NFA and indeed of the opinion that the preslot of pride and good name the Nigerian authorities their own way by downing tools after ent board of the NFF, is making and it is just fair that the NFF the Nigeria-Korea DPR match. For three days, they boycotted serious efforts to improve the reciprocates the gesture.” training and threatened not to show up for the Nigeria-USA fortunes of female football in the The scant attention paid match if their match bonuses and camp allowances were not country. women football in the counpaid.

According to her, “they have starttry, has brought about glarTheir coach, Ntiero Effiom Ntiero, in a tacit way of supporting ed with improving the match ing repercussions including a his girls, kept mum. The NFA eventually had to borrow money bonuses of the different female near dead female league in the from a South Korea-based Nigerian businessman, Sunday Audu national football teams. While that of country, which facilitated the to pay the girls their allowances. the U-20 female team was increased This disgraceful treatment, had forced Maureen Mmadu, then team’ inability to defend the trophy from $500 to $1, 000 that of the U-17 was they won in South Africa in 2010. based in Sweden, to vow never to play for Nigeria again. upped to $500 from $300. The present The lack of any serious sponsorship for the female Mmadu, who has a record 101 caps for the team is just one of Board is also the one that has brought in more league since the early 2000, has translated into the the players gutted by the FA’s treatment of female footballers. female ex-internationals to work with the difStill during the championship, Typhoon Wipha caused FIFA to absence of welfare packages, given birth to the ferent teams than any other board.” players being owed salary arrears running into call off some on-going matches. The Falcons, who had exited Speaking recently at the first ever edition of months as well as given rise to a situation, where the tourney, were also caught up in China in the midst of the the Nigeria Women Football League the girls migrate to leagues that are in embryonic disaster. This was against FIFA regulations, which stipulates Congress in Abuja, Chairman, Nigeria stages in the West African sub-region, where they are that a team that has no further part in a tourney must take its Women League, Dilichukwu paid peanuts. leave within 24 hours. As a result of the threat posed to air travOnyedinma “called on corpoWhile this happens, other African countries including el by the typhoon, the Falcons asked for a little time for the rate sponsors to embrace South Africa and Equatorial Guinea, are doing serious weather situation to improve as the Argentine team also did women football in Nigeria, homework in their bid to become the next powerhouses after crashing out. especially the league, as we Sadly, it was the Nigerian team that was forced out of the hotel with Nigeria’s dominance being history. have all it takes to produce However, despite being the scribe of the FA, which has and ordered to go home, while the NFA officials, including a more world champions for brought to bear, so much pettiness in the administration board member, Princess Bola Jegede stayed back allegedly to the country. of female football in the country, Musa Amadu, attend a FIFA seminar.

“The league is faced with a lot of described the team’s ouster from the 2012 AWC as a Interestingly, Jegede was in 2011, part of the Female Football constraints, especially funding. We major regret of 2012 as well as an embarrassment to the Foundation (FFF), a non-governmental organisation, which are optimistic that when the efforts FA. organised a walk to draw attention to the “second class treatbeing made by the League Board He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the ment” meted to the Falcons despite their achievements. start yielding positive results, our entire team would be overhauled soon following Executive Secretary of the National Summit Group (NSG), Mr. clubs will smile.

Tony Uranta, whose wife, Barong, is convener of the foundation, the disgrace it brought to the country’s football.

Only time will tell when female footEnyeama A rebuilding process has begun. We are going to drew the attention of the Lagos State legislators to the discrimiball clubs will begin to smile having

Tale 0f Two National Teams

79

THE GUARDIAn Sunday, March 24, 2013

European Round-up

SPORTS

Missing Luck, X-factor Leaves Spain Fearing Play-offs

I admire Mourinho, Says Cantona AnCHESTER United legM end Eric Cantona has voiced his admiration for Real

PAIn’S trip to play group Sassumed leaders France on Tuesday even greater significance after a shock 1-1 home draw with Finland left the champions contemplating the playoffs to make the World Cup finals.

Some resolute defending and Teemu Pukki’s 79th-minute strike on the counter-attack left Vicente del Bosque’s side second in Group I, two points behind France with four games left to play.

Only one team from each group earns direct qualification for the finals in Brazil next year, with the eight best runners-up entering a play-off for the last four European berths.

“Another big slip-up,” was the frontpage headline in sports daily Marca on Saturday (yesterday), after a second consecutive home draw in qualifying following last October’s 1-1 draw with France.

“The World Cup is in danger,” read Sport’s frontpage, but the message from the team itself was less alarmist.

“We completely dominated for 90 minutes but we didn’t have luck in the final third,” coach Del Bosque, who guided the team to victory at the 2010 World Cup and at Euro 2012, told a news conference.

“We have been touched by a magic wand in terms of luck in recent years, but we didn’t have any today. There is no need to be pessimistic

SPAIN because we still hold our destiny in our own hands. We have to go to France and win and after that there are still three more games.”

Finland coach Mixu Paatelainen said he had studied Barcelona matches to find the best way to foil Spain, who started with seven players from the La Liga leaders.

The game resembled last season’s Champions League semi-final second leg between Barca and Chelsea, when the English side snatched a draw to progress despite overwhelming possession for the hosts.

“We took a risk with a tactic that is little like cat and mouse and it worked well,” Paatelainen said. “We succeeded in frustrating Spain.”

France are unlikely to employ a similar tactic in Paris, but Spain will also be better equipped to deal with a massed defence as midfield stalwarts Xavi and Xabi Alonso are expected to return on Tuesday.

The experienced duo were rested for Friday’s encounter as they recover from nagging injuries.

“Spain were without Xavi, the hand that rocks the cradle, and Xabi, who provides the framework,” sports daily AS wrote yesterday. “Spain’s play needs a degree of precision which wasn’t there last

night.”

Spain had taken the lead in Gijon with a header from captain Sergio Ramos, who at only 26 was celebrating his 100th appearance for the national team.

The straight-talking Real

Madrid defender was brutally honest about a below-par performance.

“When you don’t win you have to know how to handle the criticism. It should make us reflect and react,” he told Spanish radio.

“After our goal we eased off a little. We relaxed. It seemed we had done enough.”

Barcelona fullback Jordi Alba finished with a muscle strain which was checked over late yesterday, making him a possible doubt for Tuesday.

Simeone Hints At Fernando Torres Move TLETICO Madrid coach A Diego Simeone has hinted the Primera Division side could make a move for Chelsea attacker Fernando Torres in the summer transfer window.

The Spain international’s future at Chelsea is in doubt as he continues to struggle at last year’s Champions League winners, and a shock return to Atletico could be on the cards if it is up to Simeone.

“Fernando Torres is currently playing for another team. We have to wait for the season to finish and decide which of the available players could come here and do a good job,” the Atletico coach told Onda Cero.

“Fernando knows about the club’s history, what it means to play here and I don’t need to speak about his ability. We were teammates from 2003 until 2005. I know how important he can be.”

ATLETICO MADRID Simeone also had his say on the Rojiblancos’ current star player Radamel Falcao, and insisted he does not know whether the striker will leave the club this summer.

“I’m not Falcao and I’m not his agent. I’m the manager and have the utmost respect for him, because he gave me so much at River Plate and has done the same here,” he explained.

He added, “He always gives his all and I really respect players who do that. But everyone makes their own decisions in life. Every person is different, and we have to respect each other.”

Falcao is continually being linked with a move to Chelsea, while Paris Saint-Germain is believed to be keeping tabs on the Colombia international.

Bender Joins Germany Squad ERMAnY coach Joachim G Low has added Sven Bender to his squad for

GERMANY

Tuesday night’s World Cup qualifier with kazakhstan in nurnberg.

The Borussia Dortmund midfielder, who was part of Low’s original squad selection from last Thursday, but withdrew due to flu, will fill in for Bastian Schweinsteiger, who picked up a yellow card in the 3-0 win over kazakhstan last night, earning a suspension.

Bender has just three caps, but can expect a fourth on Tuesday night due to a shortage of options in the defensive midfield.

The condition of Julian

Draxler is also being monitored after he left the field due to concussion, being replaced by Lukas Podolski, who could therefore start the reverse fixture.

Meanwhile, striker Mario Gomez remains a doubt after missing out last night due to a thigh strain he picked up in training, leaving Low still without a recognised striker in his squad.

“The important thing is our attacking midfielders push up into that position,” said Low to ZDF television. “It worked quite well.”

Spain’s forward Pedro (top) vies with Finland’s defender Mikko Sumusalo during the FIFA 2014 World Cup qualifier match at the Molinon Stadium in Gijon Friday.

PHOTO: AFP

Madrid coach Jose Mourinho, revealing the Portuguese’s presence is one of the reasons why he follows the Santiago Bernabeu side.

The former France international has admitted he is not a fan of Mourinho’s pragmatic approach, but is full of praise for the way the former Chelsea boss manages his team.

“Barcelona are one of the few teams that interest me and of course Manchester United.

And then there’s Real Madrid, because they have a coach like Mourinho,” Cantona told Le Matin.

“I’m not a fan of his style of play, but he has an amazing personality. He is very intelligent, has incredible charisma and a rather special way of managing things. He says that a coach needs to be an actor and I agree with him.

He added, “It’s important not to always show your emotions when you’re surrounded by your players. It’s all about what the players need to see and need to hear. Will it benefit the team or not when their coach enters the dressing room frustrated and throws around teacups? It all depends on the situation and Mourinho knows exactly how to behave in every situation.”

Mourinho continues to draw criticism for his outspoken personality but Cantona believes that’s a positive for his players.

“He always draws attention to himself. not just because of his ego, but because he wants to take the pressure off his players,” Cantona said.

“People are talking about Mourinho when there’s a team with world champions. I really admire what he does.”

Mourinho guided Madrid to the Liga title last term after winning the Copa del Rey in his first season with the Blancos

Cantona

Lampard Proud Of Scoring Landmark RAnk Lampard expressed FEngland’s his pride at becoming highest scoring midfielder after the 8-0 demolition of San Marino in Friday night’s World Cup qualifier in Serravalle.

Lampard had been level on 27 goals with David Platt after his spectacular friendly winner against Brazil at Wembley last month, and moved into the lead by netting his side’s fifth goal against the minnows.

It capped a memorable week for Lampard, who scored his 200th Chelsea goal and then captained out his country in place of the rested Steven Gerrard.

He said: “It feels very good to be England’s highest midfield goalscorer. I’m very proud of that achievement.

“All my career, I’ve looked to

ENGLAND score goals. It was great to be up there with the likes of the Bryan Robsons and the David Platts. “now I am above them and it was also an honour as always to wear the armband for your country.

“Stevie will be back on Tuesday (in Montenegro) so he will take it, but I am really pleased with how I played.”

England head coach Roy Hodgson made several changes, including resting Gerrard, Glen Johnson, Ashley Cole, Danny Welbeck and James Milner.

But Lampard believes all the players who came into the side did themselves justice against a team officially ranked the worst in the world at 207th in the FIFA rankings.

He said: “We worked all week hard to concentrate on this game and then we could move on to the next one afterwards.

“We said if we approached it in the right way, then we would have no problems and that is what happened.

“Everyone who played did themselves a favour.

Everyone turned up but Montenegro is a different game so we might approach it in a slightly different way.

“It was a great confidence boost for us to score so many goals. Whoever is asked, will be ready on Tuesday.”

Jermain Defoe hopes he has pressed his claims to play after scoring twice in England’s biggest win for 26 years - since they defeated Turkey by the same margin.

The Tottenham striker was

denied a hat-trick when he had a first half effort ruled out for offside despite television replays suggesting he had been level with the last defender.

He said: “Have I helped my chances of playing Tuesday?

As a forward you want to play and get your goals and I got my chances and managed to score two goals.

“I’ve always been the same when you get given an opportunity, you’ve got to take it and grab it with both hands.

“I don’t know what is happening on Tuesday - but if selected I’ll be ready.”

An own goal from Alessandro Della Valle opened the floodgates for England, with Alex OxladeChamberlain, Ashley Young, Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge also on target.

TheGuardian

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Nnamdi Oduamadi, scorer of Nigeria’s equaliser against Kenya in yesterday World Cup qualifier

Super Eagles Earn Dramatic Point Against Kenya From Christian Okpara and Lekan Okusan, Calabar T was a dramatic end to a difIeagles ficult game for the Super as the African champions had to wait till the final minute of added time to score the equaliser through substitute Nnamdi Oduamadi to earn a 1-1 draw against Kenya in the Brazil 2014 World Cup qualifier at the u.J euseine Stadium, Calabar.

The Nigerian side was tipped to beat the Harambee Stars of Kenya and the exchanges in the opening minute suggested that the Nigerians had what it takes to beat the visitors.

The eagles dominated the game and had chances to take the lead but could not make use of the opportunity that came their way. Victor Moses and Brown Ideye had chances earlier on but were thwarted by goalkeeper Armold Origi of Kenya. Mikel Obi also had an 8th minute freeckick saved by Origi However, the game turned on its head after Francis Kahala scored via a freekick in the 35th minutes to put Kenya ahead.

The eagles tried hard to level

scores before half time but found it difficult to penetrate the well-organised Stars’ defence.

At the resumption of the second half, the Nigerians poured forward for the equaliser,

which did not come. The eagles who were now under pressure found it difficult to put passes together and would have conceded a second if Kahala had scored from a great chance.

Coach Stephen Keshi threw in

Ahmed Musa for Obafemi Martins in 60th minute to add some bite to the Super eagles attack before the masterstroke addition of Oduamadi for Sunday Mba with 15 minutes left on the clock.

Oduamadi Wins TomTom, Guinness Awards From Olalekan Okusan, Calabar uPer sub, Nnamdi Oduamadi was $7000 richer after winning the TomTom Most Valuable Player Award and Guinness goalscore award in yesterday’s World Cup qualifier against Kenya.

Oduamadi came in as a second half substitute and made an impact by scoring the equaliser. His inclusion added bite to the eagles attack and made no mistake when he got the opportunity to draw Nigeria level.

Oduamadi who returned to the eagles after a long time, made his name playing for the under 23 national team.

The 23-year-old also known by his shirt name Odu, plays

S

for Serie B club Varese on loan from Milan.

Born in Lagos, Oduamadi started playing football at the local Pepsi Football Academy at the age of seven. He left his Nigeria in 2008 to join Milan, although he was officially signed only in January 2009 due to bureaucratic issues.

Oduamadi spent two seasons in the club’s youth system and was a member of the under-20 side who won the Coppa Italia Primavera in 2010, 25 years after the team’s last success in the competition.

At the beginning of the 2010–11 season, Milan announced to have sold half of the rights to Oduamadi to Genoa in co-ownership for

€3.5 million, as part of the deal that saw defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos move the other way.

The Nigerian, though, stayed at Milan on loan, being included in the first team squad. He made his official debut for the club in a league game against Catania on September 18 2010, coming off the bench in the last minutes.

However, that remained his only appearance of the season and he still played games for the under-20 team at times through the season as an overage player, being also included in the squad for the annual Viareggio Cup. Yesterday’s goal against Kenya would improve his rating among Nigerian fans.

Published by Guardian Newspapers Limited, rutam House, Isolo, Lagos Tel: 4489600, 2798269, 2798270, 07098147948, 07098147951 Fax: 4489712; Advert Hotline Lagos: 7736351, Abuja: 07098513445 All correspondence to Guardian Newspapers Limited, P.M.B. 1217, Oshodi, Lagos, Nigeria.

(ISSN NO 0189-5125) editor: e-mail letters@ngrguardiannews.com ABrAHAM OBOMeYOMA OGBODO • A member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation ••ABC

As the game got to the closing stages, the Kenyans resulted to time-wasting tactics and Origi was booked for delaying a goal kick while some of the Kenyan players fell to the ground at the slightest contact.

At the dot of 90 minutes, some of the fans had started leaving the stadium but Oduamadi

earned a pressure point for Nigeria, scoring in the final minute of added time.

The eagles next game is away to Kenya on June 5. The Super eagles stay top of Group F but are tied on five points from three games with Malawi who beat Namibia 1-0 away yesterday in Windhoek.

Zenith Bank Basketball League

Sunshine Angels Win Opening Game

By Adeyinka Adedipe uNSHINe Angels of Akure defeated FCT Angels of Abuja 66-47 in the opening game of the Zenith Bank Basketball League, which dunked off yesterday at the sports hall of the Abuja Stadium.

The game, which went according to prediction, saw the Akure Angels dominating the game to the admiration of the fans who thronged the venue for the colourful opening ceremony that preceded the game.

The FCT Queens tried hard to come back into the game but were pegged back by the winners who held on to record the first victory of the new season.

The Guardian gathered that the opening ceremony was well attended as former bas-

S

ketball stars and national team players were given awards before the game. This, the sponsors, Zenith Bank and the orgainsers, the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), hope will inspire the current set of players.

In the Group A games slated for today, defending champions, First Deepwater takes on Nigeria Customs, Taraba plays AHIP Queens while Coal City Queens take on GT-2000.

In Group B, First Bank lock horns with Nigeria Immigration, Plateau takes on Benue while Oluyole Queens takes on IGP Queens. Top teams, First Deepwater and First Bank should win their games while the encounter between new entrants, Oluyole Queens and IGP Queens should be an interesting tie.