April 03, 2015

Soyinka: let’s forgive Buhari

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Court dismisses Omisore’s appeal

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Jonathan stops PDP’s bid to contest Buhari's victory President to name transition committee on Tuesday Osinbajo likely to head APC’s team

HORROR IN THE CITY

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan may have prevailed on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) not to challenge President-elect Gen. Muhammadu Buhari’s victory in last Saturday’s election.

Instead of planning a case for the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal, the Presidency will raise a Transition Committee on Tuesday, a source told The Nation yesterday.

Vice President-elect Prof. Yemi Osinbajo is likely to head the All Progressives Congress (APC) team which will join the committee ahead of the May 29 transition.

Ministers have started preparing their handover notes, it was also learnt.

It was gathered that although some PDP stalwarts wanted Buhari’s victory challenged at the tribunal, the President thought otherwise.

The party stalwarts, it was said, believe that some irregularities in some states are strong enough to upturn the final results of the election, which was hailed at home and abroad as substantially credible. Jonathan, it was

•The kidnappers’ den on fire...yesterday.

Ajimobi urges peace over Ibadan den of kidnappers

Continued on page 4

?

WILL THE CHIBOK GIRLS KIDNAPPED ON APRIL 15, LAST YEAR EVER RETURN?

INSIDE •Rivers APC agent regains freedom •Okorocha, Onu lament Igbo’s fate •Islamic Council advises Buhari •MORE ON PAGES 4,59&60

STORY ON AND MORE PHOTOGRAPHS ON PAGE 8

•Police vow justice •A secret well inside the kidnappers’ den.

•An underground apartment inside the kidnappers’ den.

•JONATHAN , BUHARI, OBASANJO, ATIKU, TINUBU, OTHERS MOURN MD YUSUFU P5

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

2

NEWS BUHARI’S VICTORY 76 Senators bid Upper Chamber bye •33 stage comeback From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

A

TOTAL of 76 Senators representing 70 per cent of the current 109 lawmakers in the Senate will not be returning to National Assembly in the next dispensation.

Investigations yesterday showed that only 33 Senators representing 30 per cent of the members of the 7th Senate won reelection to return to the Red Chamber.

Some of the Senators contested for the governorship ticket in their states and lost and others failed to win their primary elections of their parties.

Many of the Senators however contested last Saturday’s National Assembly election but lost in their various zones.

Five Senators will be contesting the governorship election of their various states on April 11.

In the Southwest for instance, only five out of the 18 senators from the zone will be returning.

They are: Senators Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central); Gbenga Ashafa (Lagos East); Robert Boroffice (Ondo North); Babajide Omoworare (Osun East) and Olusola Adeyeye (Osun Central).

The six Senators who are returning from the Southeast zone are: Eyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South); Andy Uba (Anambra South); Sonny Ogbuoji (Ebonyi South); Ike Ekweremadu (Enugu West); Gilbert Nnaji (Enugu East) and Hope Uzodinma (Imo West).

In the Southsouth, only two Senators - Emmanuel Paulker (Bayelsa Central) and James Manager (Delta South) were reelected by their people.

Senators Bukola Saraki (Kwara Central); Shaaba Lafiaji (Kwara North); Senate President David Mark (Benue South); Senate Minority Leader George Akume (Benue West); Barnabas Gemade (Benue East); Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa West) and Joshua Dariye (Plateau Central) have all been reelected in the Northcentral region.

In the Northeast, Senators Ahmed Zannah (Borno Central); Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central); Joshua Lidani (Gombe South); Emmanuel Bwacha (Taraba South); Bukar Abba Ibrahim (Yobe East); Ahmad Lawan (Yobe West); Kabiru Marafa (Zamfara Central) and Ahmad Sani Yerima (Zamfara West) were returned by their constituents.

Those who made it in the Northwest are: Senators Kabiru Gaya (Kano South) and Abu Ibrahim (Katsina South).

•Continued on page 57

Who is who • Senator Tinubu

• Raji-Rasaki

• Okoh

• Ekwunife

Soyinka: Nigerians must forgive Buhari’s past

N

OBEL laureate Prof Wole Soyinka has said “there is a moment when we must put the past aside, most especially when what presumes to the present becomes intolerable and continues and threatens to prolong itself, then we have to be more pragmatic.”

He said Nigerians must show a Nelson Mandela-like ability to forgive president-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari’s past as an iron-fisted military ruler.

“I criticised him for certain acts during his stint as a military dictator,” the 80-year-old playwright and poet, said in an interview with Bloomberg TV Africa on Wednesday.

He spoke in his hillside country home, Abokuta, Ogun State.

His words: “But I also insist that it’s about time we try our best to be miniMandelas, to learn there’s a moment when we must put the past aside.”

The legacy of Buhari’s 20-month tenure as the military head of state included the introduction of the War Against Indiscipline (WAI) campaign.

By voting in Buhari, a 72-year-old Muslim, who has described himself as a “converted democrat,” Nigerians have shown an ability to look past his earlier misdeeds, Soyinka said.

Gen. Buhari, who defeated incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan in last Saturday’s election, has denied having ever perpetuated human rights abuses.

“Mandela had a faith in the capacity of the Boer, the masters of apartheid, to reform,” Soyinka said in his booming voice in a living room filled with wooden carvings.

He went on: “There’s a moment when we must put the past aside, most especially when what presumes to the present becomes intolerable and continues and threatens to prolong itself, then we have to be more pragmatic.”

The victory of Buhari, a threetime loser in presidential races, broke PDP's 16-year monopoly on power.

"I think more in terms of the APC winning the election," said Soyinka, who has some of his allies and admirers in the APC. Soyinka said reports from APC members and his own observations suggest Buhari was "struggling to be a party man."

Responding to claims that there was nothing substantially different between the PDP and its rival be-

• Adeleke

• Adeola

• Akpan

• Murray Bruce

•101 men, eight women for Red Chamber The National Assembly has been won and lost and Nigerians are awiting the constitution of the dua-legislative chamber. Deputy News Editor BUNMI OGUNMODEDE takes a look at the list of the elected Senators.

•Prof Soyinka

cause members of the ruling party defected to the APC, Soyinka said: "Neither party is filled with angels, there are corrupt figures on both sides."

Insisting that the March 28 elections were the most money-fueled in the country's history, the literary giant said: "Some of them I don't even want to see anywhere near this building. Others, on the other hand, have sat here, these very chairs, eaten and drunk with me."

On why the PDP did not move early enough to dislodge Boko Haram insurgents from Northeastern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, the Nobel laureate said: "Nigerians have a right to be resentful of the fact that that kind of measure was not taken early enough "That this disease was allowed to fester leading to the traumatisation of swathes of Nigerian landscape and society and humanity."

On the rare sportsmanship displayed by President Jonathan, who conceded defeat, Soyinka said: "He could have easily tried to do a Gbagbo."

He was referring to Laurent Gbagbo, who sparked post-election violence in Ivory Coast when he refused to step down after an election defeat in 2010.

With Buhari's victory, Soyinka, who has not felt this optimistic since the end of military rule in 1999, hopes he will not be disappointed again.

"Against my rational instincts, I believe that we have here a genuine case of a born-again democrat.

The real heroes of this exercise have been the Nigerian people and that gingers me up."

T

HE next Senate will be mendominated. Only eight of the 109-member Chamber of the National Assembly are women, going by the list of elected Senators.

As against the outgoing Senate where four parties have members elected on their platforms, only Senators from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will constitute the next Senate.

All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Labour Party (LP), the APC and PDP have representatives in the outgoing Senate.

Sixty of the Senators have been elected on the APC platform and the PDP has 49 elected on its platform.

Three of the eight women-senators are of the APC. They are: Oluremi Tinubu, who is a ranking member of the Red Chamber from the Lagos Central Senatorial District, the incumbent Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Alhaja Monsurat Sunmonu.

She will be representing Oyo Central.

The third is Binta Masi Garba from Adamawa North.

The five others are from the PDP. They will be joining the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly afresh.

Anambra and Ekiti states produced two each and the other is from Cross River State.

From Anambra are: House of Representatives member Uche Ekwunife (Central) and former Aviation Minister Stella Oduah. The two elected Senators from Ekiti are: Abiodun Olujimi (South), who was Governor Ayodele Fayose’s deputy between 2003 to October 16, 2006, when they were impeached by 24 of the 26-member House of Assembly and Fatima RajiRasaki (Central), a House of Representatives member between 2003 and 2007.

Fatima is the wife of former military administrator of Oyo and Lagos states,

PDP

The list of Senators-elect

•Mao Ohuabunwa (Abia North) •Theodore Orji (Abia Central) •Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South) •Bassey Albert Akpan (A/Ibom North) •Godswill Akpabio (A/Ibom West) •Nelson Effiong (A/Ibom South) •Uche Ekwunife (Anambra Central) •Andy Uba (Anambra South) •Stella Oduah (Anambra North) •Ben Murray-Bruce (Bayelsa East) •Emanuel Paulker (Bayelsa Central) •Ogola Foster (Bayelsa West) •David Mark (Benue South) •Rose Oko ( Cross River North) •Gershom Bassey(C/River South) •John Enoh (Cross River Central) •Alfred Joseph (Delta Central) •Peter Nwaboshi (Delta North) •James Manager (Delta South) •Ogba Joseph (Ebonyi Central) •Samuel Egwu (Ebonyi North) •Sunday Oji (Ebonyi South) •Clifford Ordia (Edo Central) •Mathew Urhoghide (Edo South) •Duro Faseyi (Ekiti North) •Fatimat Raji-rasaki (Ekiti Central) •Biodun Olujimi (Ekiti South) •Gilbert Nnaji (Enugu East) •Ike Ekweremadu (Enugu West) •Utazi Chukwuka (Enugu North) •Philips Aduda (FCT) •Joshua Lidani (Gombe South) •Samuel Anyanwu (Imo East) •Uzodinma Goodhope (Imo West) •Achonu Nneji (Imo North) •Danjuma La’ah (Kaduna South) •Philip Aruwa Gyunka (Nasarawa North) •Buruji Kashamu (Ogun East) •Yele Omogunwa (Ondo South) •Jeremiah Useni (Plareau South) •Joshua Dariye (Plateau Central) •Jang Jonah (Plateau North) •George Sekibo (Rivers East) •Olaka Nwogu (Rivers S/East) •Osinakachukwu Ideozu (Rivers West) •Mohammed Hasan (Yobe South) •Abubakar Sani Danladi (Taraba North) •Bashir Marafa (Taraba Central) •Emmanuel Bwacha (Taraba South) Brig-Gen. Raji Rasaki (rtd).

The fifth PDP Senator-elect is Rose Okoh, Cross River (North).

Mrs. Okoh has been indisposed since her nomination as the PDP candidate. She did not participate in the campaigns.

APC

•Binta Masi Garba (Adamawa North) •Ahmadu Abubakar (Adamawa South) •Abdul Aziz Murtala Nyako (Adamawa Central) •Isah Hamma Misau (Bauchi Central) •Ali Wakili (Bauchi South) •Suleiman Nazif (Bauchi North) •Barnabas Gemade (Benue East) •Akume George (Benue West) •Abubakar Kyari (Borno North) •Ahmad Zannah (Borno Central) •Ali Ndume (Borno South) •Francis Alimikhena (Edo North) •Bayero Nafada (Gombe North) •Goje Danjuma (Gombe Central) •Abubakar Gumel (Jigawa N/West) •Sabo Mohammed (Jigawa S/West) •Muhammad Shitu (Jigawa N/East) •Suleiman Hunkuyi (Kaduna North) •Shehu Sani (Kaduna Central) •Barau Jibrin (Kano North) •Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano Central) •Kabiru Gaya (Kano South) •Mustapha Bukar (Katsina North) •Abu Ibrahim (Katsina South) •Umaru Kurfi (Katsina Central) •Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North) •Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central) •Bala Ibn Na’allah (Kebbi South) •Dino Melaye (Kogi West) •Abdulsalami Ohiare (Kogi Central) •Abdulrahman Abubakar (Kogi East) •Shaába Lafiagi (Kwara North) •Bukola Saraki (Kwara Central) •Rafiu Ibrahim (Kwara South) •Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central) •Olugbenga Ashafa (Lagos East) •Adeola Olamilekan (Lagos West) •Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa West) •Salihu Hussain Egye (Nasarawa South) •Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi ( Niger North) •Mustapha Sani (Niger South) •David Umaru (Niger East) •Olanrewaju Tejuoso (Ogun Central) •Gbolahan Dada (Ogun West) •Ajayi Boroffice (Ondo North) •Tayo Alasoadura (Ondo Central) •Olusola Adeyeye (Osun Central) •Babajide Omoworare (Osun East) •Isiaka Adeleke (Osun West) •Monsurat Sunmonu (Oyo Central) •Buhari Abdulfatai (Oyo North) •Adesoji Akanbi (Oyo South) •Ibrahim Gobir (Sokoto East) •Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto North) •Ibrahim Abdullahi (Sokoto South) •Bukar Baba Ibrahim (Yobe East) •Ahmad Lawan (Yobe North) •Kabir Garba Marafa (Zamfara Central) •Tijjani Yahaya Kaura (Zamfara North) •Ahmed Rufai Sani (Zamfar West)

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

3

BUHARI’S VICTORY

o in the Eighth Senate • Garba

uce

•Boroffice

• Wamakko

•Egwu

• Ndume

• Sunmonu

• Ashafa

•Enoh

• Bassey

• Gaya

APC praises Jonathan for conceding defeat

•Mohammed

F

OR conceding defeat and congratulating Gen. Buhari, even before he was formally declared as the winner of Saturday’s presidential election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Presi-

dent Goodluck Jonathan yesterday got thumbs up from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The opposition party described the President’s action as rare display of maturity and sportsmanship.

In a statement issued in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the APC also congratulated Gen. Buhari for his historic victory in the highly competitive presidential poll.

Applauding Nigerians for voting massively for the party and its standard bearer at the election, Mohammed said in the statement that the victory has ushered in a new dawn after a long and a dark night.

According to the statement, Gen. Buhari’s victory will make Nigeria work again, rekindle hope and bring succour to the long-suffering masses.

“Nigerians have used their votes to bring change. We hear their message loud and clear: They want a govern-

•Party says President turns defeat to victory ment that works, and will not hesitate to use the same votes to kick out any government that fails to deliver.’’ it said.

On Dr. Jonathan’s immediate response when the votes were being collated, the APC said: “By that singular act, which went a long way in dousing post-election tension, the President has snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, written his name in gold in the annals of Nigeria’s history and catapulted himself to a statesman.”

The party urged Nigerians, irrespective of their political leaning, to put the acrimonious electioneering campaign behind and forge a united front to tackle the enormous challenges facing the nation.

The statement reads: “The APC-led Federal Government will work for all Nigerians, whether or not they voted for us in the elections, or did not even

vote at all. Our party will not discriminate against any Nigerian on the basis of religion, region, ethnicity or gender. We are all God’s own people.’’

“We will also appreciate a virile opposition, because it is indispensable in any democracy that is worthy of that nomenclature. ‘’Having been in opposition ourselves, we know what it means to keep the government of the day on its toes with very robust and constructive criticism, and we expect no less from those who have swapped places with us.’’

It also commended the media for staying true to its constitutional watchdog role, saying without the support of this Fourth Estate of the Realm, Nigeria may neither have enjoyed democracy nor sustained it.

Appreciating the Economic Community of West African Community (ECOWAS), African Union (AU), Eu-

ropean Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) for their support for Nigeria’s democratisation process, the party described the role of the entire international community as invaluable.

It said: “Equally worthy of our gratitude is the Civil Society. Working relentlessly under the umbrella Situation Room, civil society organisations played an unprecedented and very important role before, during and after the Presidential/National Assembly elections. We, and indeed all Nigerians, owe them a debt of gratitude for the success of the elections. ‘’Finally, and most importantly, we want to give glory to God for His divine intervention that has always pulled our country back from the brink, even at times when hope was in short supply and the night seemed so dark and unending.’’

PDP congratulates Buhari, hails Jonathan

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FTER reviewing Saturday’s election, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has congratulated President-elect Gen. Muhammadu Buhari for his victory in the election and hailed President Goodluck Jonathan for his statesmanship.

In a statement by its National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, yesterday spoke of a plan by his party to document the irregularities it observed during the polls and take the appropriate step in line with the rule of law.

The statement reads: “Sixteen years ago, Nigerians gave our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) the mandate to build, nurture and deepen democracy after three decades of military rule in our country.

“That historic mandate was freely given in recognition of the courageous and patriotic role of the founding fathers of our party whose resilience and doggedness championed the return of democracy and the per-

sonal freedom we all enjoy today.

“Within this period, our party worked very hard in rebuilding and strengthening democratic institutions, tenets and norms while lifting our status as the leading democracy in Africa and one of the best in the world.

“It is incontrovertible that under the PDP-led government, our nation moved from a near pariah status to a strong actor in the international democratic arena, a product of various electoral reforms and our ironcast commitment to transparent, free and fair electoral process at all levels.

“Even in the midst of obvious threats to our democracy, the PDP and the government it sponsored continued to stabilise the polity through strict adherence to rule of law and liberalization of the political and economic space.

“In the last 16 years the PDP-led administration achieved significant milestones in our social and economic lives. We moved Nigeria from a debtor

nation to Africa’s largest economy and one of the fastest growing in the world, a feat, which is accompanied with unprecedented expansion of the private sector as well as multi-sectorial infrastructural development, all, great legacies we achieved for our nation.

“Presently, our nation is at the threshold of history and its defining moment for the future. As you are aware, in the early hours of Wednesday, April 1, 2015, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) returned the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari as winner of the 2015 presidential election.

“However, we have received reports of serious irregularities that characterised the conduct of the election and we shall channel our protests to the appropriate quarters in line with our profound respect for the rule of law and democratic ethos.

“Our party comes with great values and tradition and we will adhere to them and ensure that nothing is done

to truncate our democracy, which we have proudly worked so hard to nurture and sustain to maturity.

“Therefore, if the outcome of the election is truly the reflection of the wishes and aspirations of our citizens, the PDP will most willingly respect that wish.

“What is paramount to us is the survival of our democracy, the unity, peace and progress of our dear nation and the happiness of all our people.

Nigeria is bigger than any political party, individual or group and her overall interest must be our priority at all times.

“It is in this light that we as a party commend our flag bearer, President Goodluck Jonathan for his heroic act in conceding to the voice of the people, an action that stands him out as a true democrat and a statesman.

“We also congratulate the APC flagbearer, Gen. Mohammadu Buhari for his resilience and victory in this election while wishing him success in the onerous task of leading our nation

once again.

“On the same note, we wish to also commend the electorate for the peaceful manner with which they conducted themselves in the course of this election.

“For us in the PDP, we want to state in very clear terms that we are not down. We are only at our redefining moment. Rather than demoralise us, this election has afforded us great lessons and we are now more than ever before reinvigorated for the race ahead.

“As we return to the electorate for the April 11, 2015 governorship and state assembly elections, we go recharged with faith in our heart. We assure all our candidates in the remaining elections that the party will stand with you, campaign with you and work vigourously to ensure your total victory at the polls.

“Finally, we call on our party faithful to remain steadfast in our renewed effort to deliver our flag bearers in the remaining elections.”

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THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

NEWS Jonathan stops PDP’s bid to contest Buhari's victory mount to us is the survival of our democracy, the unity, learnt, said it made no sense — peace and progress of our dear contesting Buhari’s victory— nation and the happiness of all after he had conceded defeat. our people. Nigeria is bigger It was learnt that the PDP than any political party, indileaders referred to the elector- vidual or group and her overal scenario in Ekiti where the all interest must be our prioriAll Progressives ty at all times.”

Congress(APC) went to tribuThe President in 2010 at the nal despite the acceptance of 15th summit of the African defeat by ex-Governor Kayode Union (AU) in Kampala, UganFayemi. da described post-election litiThe President, however, gation as a major distraction to stood his ground that he would governance. rather stand by his statesmanJonathan said: “It is inconveship attitude than going to tri- nient to already be in office and bunal. be thinking about election litiA source, who spoke in con- gation. fidence, said: “The President “The essence of the immunihas prevailed on PDP to drop ty clause in the constitution is plans to go to tribunal against that if a president or a goverBuhari. He said he wants his nor takes an oath of office, he word to be his bond, having should sit down and concenbeen applauded by the interna- trate on the job and when he tional community. leaves office, he could be pros“At a point, Jonathan said ‘I ecuted for any offence. don’t believe in post-election “But because of the way we petition at tribunal because it conduct our elections, the presdistracts the incoming admin- ident who sits in office is still istration’. battling and being distracted “He also said Nigeria must with election issues, and it afemulate other nations where fects us.” once the presidential poll is lost The transition committee is and won, the new government likely to be constituted next must not be distracted with week. election petitions.

Another source added: “The “He told party leaders that he Presidency is working on a was not interested in going to seamless transition from the tribunal. It is now left for Jonathan’s administration to PDP leaders to heed his advice. Buhari’s. The details are being “So as at Thursday, the gov- worked out.” ernment’s position is that the “I think by next week, the picPDP should not go to tribunal.” ture of the transition commitStating the PDP’s position on tee will emerge. The governthe elections in a statement yes- ment is working early on the terday, Chairman Adamu transition because it involves a Mu’azu, said: “We have re- lot of work. ceived reports of serious irreg“The APC team will have to ularities that characterized the collaborate with the committee conduct of the election and we and ask questions if there are shall channel our protests to the grey areas.” appropriate quarters in line Meanwhile, Ministers have with our profound respect for started compiling their hanthe rule of law and democratic dover notes, which will be part ethos.” of the integral aspect of the reHe did not say whether the port of the transition commitparty would go to the tribunal tee. but added: “What is paraContinued from page 1

•President Goodluck Jonathan (right) welcoming (from left) Senior Pastor, Dunamis Church, Pastor Paul Enenche; Chairman, Christian Council of Nigeria, FCT Chapter, Rev Ini Ukpoho; Bishop David Abioye of Living Faith Church and Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission to the Presidential Villa for breaking of Lenten Fast…yesterday.

U.S. Secretary of State Kerry lauds Jonathan, Buhari

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NITED States Secretary of State John Kerry yesterday congratulated President-elect Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

He also lauded President Goodluck Jonathan.

He said: “The United States congratulates the people of Nigeria and the Nigerian Government on historic and largely peaceful elections the

weekend of March 28. We especially applaud all voters who showed patience and demonstrated their commitment to participate in the democratic process.

“The United States commends Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its Chairman, Attahiru Jega, on the generally orderly vote,

on the use of technology such as card readers to increase the credibility and transparency of the electoral process, and on prompt communication of the results. While we note reports of logistical problems, such incidents did not undermine the overall outcome of the election.

“In January, I traveled per-

sonally to Nigeria and met with both President Jonathan and now PresidentElect Buhari. At that time, I emphasized that for the United States, Nigeria is an increasingly important strategic partner and that Nigeria has a critical role to play in the security and prosperity of this contiContinued on page 61

Islamic Council to Buhari: don’t disappoint Nigerians

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HE Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) yesterday urged President-elect Muhammadu Buhari not to disappoint Nigerians.

The Islamic body is headed by the head of Nigerians Muslim Umma the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar.

Secretary General of the council, Prof Is-haq Oloyede, told reporters in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, that the body wishes that Buhari should be prayerful and “focus your attention on how to heal the wounds of Nigeria.”

The former vice chancellor of the University of Ilorin directly addressing Gen. Buhari, said: “Nigerians have great expectations from an incorruptible man, a role model, a gallant officer and distinguished statesman who they could not be induced by money to abandon.

“As you are set to com-

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

mence this onerous task before you, we urge you to be careful of those who hail you and reflect on the criticism of your critics. Know that every failure is a test and every success is a trial. You have passed the test of past failures and it is the wish of the Almighty Allah to try you with success.

For every action, there is a reaction; for every opportunity, there is responsibility and every appointment, there is accountability before man and Allah.

“We pray that Almighty Allah endows you with more wisdom, knowledge, courage and sincere lieutenants to move Nigeria to the next level greatness. We pray that Allah makes you an instrument to heal Nigeria from the various vices that have taken her captive. We wish you success while hoping that the change Nigeria deserves, which you

represent, will ultimately materialise.”

He added: “We wish to commend you for the way and manner you conducted yourself during the electioneering campaign, which showcased the beauty of Islam and projected you as a good ambassador of faith who would not descend low to engage in frivolities, despite provocation. Your comportment and demeanour had gone a long way in promoting all that you represent.”

The NSCIA scribe also hailed President Goodluck Jonathan for accepting defeat like a good sportsman.

Prof Oloyede said “by that singular and epochal action Your Excellency took by congratulating the winner of the presidential election even before the final result was pronounced, you have taken leadership to a new height and you have honoured Nige-

ria in the eyes of the world.

More importantly, you have effectively preserved the peace of the nation.

“You have etched your name in gold in the history of our nation. Under your watch, Nigeria has organised the best election in her history and it is satisfying that the American ambassador to Nigeria was reported to have said he would recommend a component of our electoral process to his country, which means your administration has positively impacted on the electoral process.

“Human beings are fallible and you have your own weaknesses like the rest of us. We pray that the Almighty Allah forgives your lapses and directs your future course. Nigerians are indeed proud of you and we are proud to associate with your courage and magnanimity.”

French President invites Buhari

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RENCH President Francois Hollande has invited President-elect Muhammadu Buhari to Paris for bilateral discussions, the embassy said yesterday.

The French is desirous of expanding trade between both countries.

The French Embassy in a statement in Abuja, said the French leader in a telephone conversation, congratulated Buhari on his success and not-

ed the generally smooth electoral process, which solidifies Nigeria’s democracy.

“The French head of state assured the President-elect of France’s wish to continue the close relationship that existed with his predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan and reiterated France’s support for Nigeria and its neighbors in their efforts to combat the terrorist sect Boko Haram,” the statement added.

Igbo APC leaders lament Southeast’s fate after polls

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HE fate of the Southeast in the next dispensation came under focus yesterday in Owerri, the Imo State capital, as leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the zone reviewed the outcome of the presidential and National Assembly elections.

In the results posted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), all the 15 senatorial seats and House of Representatives seats in the five states- Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Anambra and Abia - were won by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

But the APC will control the federal government, following the election of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha lamented at the meeting that the Igbo may

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

lose the chance to produce the next Senate President.

He blamed Igbo leaders from the zone for the "unfortunate" situation, adding that "their selfishness and lack of vision have kept Ndigbo in the back seat of the nation's politics, despite their contributions to the overall development of the country."

Okorocha added: "It is very painful for the Igbo to lose the position of the Senate President after being denied any leading position in the country for a long time because our political leaders and office holders used their positions to rig out APC candidates in the election.

"There was no election in the entire Southeast on the 28th of March. The PDP leaders with the aid of the

military and INEC officials intimidated and harassed our people and thereafter wrote the results in their homes. I assure you that all hope is not lost because we are going to recover our stolen mandate.

"We saw it coming and we told the political leaders why Ndigbo should embrace the APC but they could not believe us but today the story has changed and the PDP they have been following all these years with nothing to show for it’s now an opposition party."

The governor assured APC supporters that the hope of the Igbo of regaining the senate presidency was not totally lost.

An APC leader, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu observed that with the emergence of the APC, politics had changed

considerably.

He noted that it was the first time in the history of Nigeria that power will be transferred from one political party to another, adding that "Nigeria is moving forward and the Southeast must not be left behind".

He said: "For too long, the Southeast put all their political eggs in one basket. They were taken for granted. The things that were of great importance to them were left undone. They gave their very best to the PDP but got little or nothing to show for it. The people of the Southeast should embrace the APC and make it the number one party in the zone.

"The people of the Southeast need Nigeria just as Nigeria needs them. We must be in the mainstream of Nigerian politics. Our political home

should be the APC. In the last election, members of the APC in the Southeast were not treated fairly. They were harassed and intimidated by the PDP and those who were rejected were declared winners."

Senator Chris Ngige, who lost his reelection bid in Anambra Central Senatorial zone, said the PDP had no scorecard to show Nigeria, especially in the Southeast.

He assured the people that the March 28 election was the end of bad elections in the country. "We are happy that the manipulation of the PDP in the Southeast could not stop the APC from winning the election," Ngige said.

The APC National Auditor, Chief George Moghalu, praised the people for having confidence in the pioneer members of the APC in the

zone, when the message of change was first brought to the zone.

"We are here today to thank those of you that believed in us and we assure you that you will not be left behind. Majority of the socalled political leaders from the zone could not see what we saw and today they will come back to benefit from a system they tried hard to destroy."

Also at the gathering were APC National Organising Secretary, Senator Osita Izunaso, APC Deputy National Woman Leader Mrs Gladys Amuneke and APC governorship candidates in the Southeast states.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

NEWS Fed Govt arraigns airline, workers over N318m ‘theft’

By Joseph Jibueze

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HE Federal Government has arraigned four Emirates Airlines workers at the Federal High Court in Lagos over alleged theft of $1.6 million (N318 million).

Abayomi Abiola, Isiaka Adedeji, Awonubi Abayomi and George Ikpekhia were arraigned along with Emirates Airlines, Pathfinders International Ltd and Nigeria Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) Limited before Justice Mohammed Idris.

They were charged with 11 counts of stealing, fraud, obtaining money under false pretence, willful destruction of evidence and failure to report an illegal international fund transfer.

According to the prosecution, the accused persons, on December 19, 2007 at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Lagos, stole four bags tagged EK 428682, EK 428683, EK 650162 and EK 650161.

The bags, it said, contained $1.6 million belonging to Prince Chu Ikem Orji, which the defendants allegedly promised to keep intact for onward delivery to him at Guangzhou, China.

They were also alleged to have conspired to defraud the victim by willfully destroying the evidence through deletion of baggage details in the airline’s computer system with intent to prevent it from being used in evidence.

The prosecution said the alleged offences contravene sections 516, 390 (0), 442, 421, 419, 123, of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38 and 15 (2), (b) and (3) of the Money Laundry Act, Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The defendants pleaded not guilty.

Prosecution counsel Mr. O. S. Michael urged the court to remand them in prison before hearing of their bail applications, but the defendants’ lawyer Chief Awah Kalu (SAN) said they were granted bail by another judge of the court, Justice Okon Abang, when they were first arraigned.

Michael said the case before Justice Abang was different from the new amended charges.

But Justice Idris granted the defendants bail for N5 million with one surety each, who must have landed property within the court’s jurisdiction.

The defendants must deposit their international passports with the court’s Deputy Chief Registrar, the judge said.

He adjourned till May 25 for trial.

Detained Al Jazeera journalists sue Army

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ETAINED journalists of international television channel Al Jazeera, Ahmed Idris and Ali Mustapha, have sued the Nigerian Army, pressing for their fundamental human rights.

They were arrested on March 24 in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

The Defence Headquarters later said they were arrested for loitering, having been moving around “restricted areas” in Yobe and Borno states without protection, accreditation or clearance.

Their lawyer Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) is seeking a declaration that the arrest and their continued detention were illegal and unconstitutional, thereby violating their right to personal liberty guaranteed by Section 34, 35 and 41 of the constitution and Article 5, 6 and 12 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Right Act. They also sought an order directing the military and Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah to release them from military custody.

MD Yusufu’s remains buried in Katsina

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HE remains of former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Alhaji Mohammed Dikko Yusufu, were buried in Katsina yesterday.

Yusuf died at the age of 84 at about 11pm on Wednesday in Abuja. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the funeral prayer, led by the Chief Imam of Katsina, Malam Lawal, was conducted at 2.30pm at the palace of the Emir of Katsina.

The former police chief was buried in accordance with Islamic rites at the Dantakun cemetery.

Yusufu was born on November 10, 1931 in the royal family of Katsina and was named after his grandfather, the late Emir of Katsina, Muhammadu Dikko.

He did his elementary and middle schools in Katsina at the old Katsina Provincial School before proceeding to Kano School of Arabic and Islamic Studies (IAS) in 1947, where he studied English and Arabic.

Yusufu worked with Katsina Native Authority from 1949 to 1954 and had a stint with the Northern Region Government before transferring his service to the Federal Government as

•Jonathan, Buhari, Obasanjo, Tinubu, Atiku, police mourn From Augustine Ehikioya, Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta,

a police officer in 1962.

Dignitaries that attended the funeral prayer were Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema; the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir; Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II; Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, among others.

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday led other eminent Nigerians and the police in extending condolences to the government and people of Katsina State over the death of Yusufu.

He also commiserated with Alhaji Yusufu’s family and the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) on the demise of the respected leader of the cultural and political association.

This was contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati.

The President prayed that Almighty Allah will grant his soul eternal rest and comfort all who mourn him.

The President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, described the

death of the late Yusufu as a great loss to Nigeria’s democratic struggle.

Reacting to the demise of Yusuf in a statement in Abuja, the President-elect noted with deep regret that he died at a point his valuable advice was still needed by Nigerian leaders.

Gen. Buhari recalled the role of Yusufu in the nation’s democratic struggle during the military politics of self-succession, which brought to the fore his courage to speak, even if he was standing alone.

He prayed to Allah to forgive Yusuf’s shortcomings and reward his good deeds with Aljannah (Paradise).

The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has condoled the people and government of Katsina State on the death of the former Inspector General of Police (IGP).

In a statement by his media office, Tinubu described Yusufu as a rare breed of politician, who made immense contributions to the growth of multiparty democracy in Nigeria.

“MD Yusuf as the founder and

presidential candidate of Movement for Democracy and Justice (MDJ) played a key role and saw to it that Nigerians had options of presidential candidates to vote. This contributed greatly to the expanded democratic space we all enjoy today,” Tinubu said.

He also recalled, with nostalgia, the professionalism exhibited by the late former Inspector General of Police, noting that his tenure as the nation’s police boss marked an era that must be revisited as “Alhaji MD Yusufu was a thoroughbred officer who placed national interest above all else”.

While praying God to comfort the deceased’s family and the people of Katsina, the APC leader said the legacy of the late elder statesman will forever remain a reference point.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo also mourned the death of the former Inspector General of Police.

In a letter of condolence addressed to Alhaji Lamis Dikko, the eldest son of the late senior cop and politician, Obasanjo said Nigeria had lost a remarkable man, who served the nation with devotion and diligence.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar extolled the extraordinary courage of the late Inspector General of Police, describing him as one of the most courageous Nigerian politicians he had ever encountered.

Jega: electoral process ‘ll continue to improve From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

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•From left: Sales Manager, Central East Africa, Western Digital Limited (WD) Mr. Charles Igboa; Sales Director, Distribution, Middle East and Africa, WD Mr. Mohammed Owais,; Chief Executive Officer, Nodnyl Technologies Limited Mr. Lyndon Odili, and Channel Marketing Manager, Middle East Africa, WD Mr. Can Akbulut, at an exhibition by Western Digital in collaboration with SECUREX West Africa in Lagos.

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Easter: Tackle joblessness, poverty, clerics urge Fed Govt

HURCH leaders have, at Easter, called on the Federal Government to tackle unemployment and poverty to improve the lives of the citizenry.

In his Easter message to Nigerians, the Diocesan Bishop of Lagos and Dean Emeritus, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), The Most Reverend Adebola Ademowo, said it was being projected that Nigeria’s population would rise to 188 million in four years, urging the government to get ready for the increase.

“With unemployment situation, poverty starring us in the face, there is the need for those in government to project, reach and have concrete plans for the populace,” the cleric said.

Rev. Ademowo said government should have statistics of the unemployed youths in the country while politicians should reduce ostentatious lifestyle, which, he added, will also reduce the cost of governance considerably.

The diocesan bishop called for a reduction in food importation.

“It is time to till the ground to produce the items of food we import by ourselves, graduates should be financially empowered to keep them busy and government should directly invest in huge agro-business that ca mop-up a large number of the unemployed,” he said.

The Anglican Bishop while reinforcing the true message of Easter said “the risen Christ has removed the sins of mankind which fills man with ter-

*President-elect, ex-vice president preach peace, unity

By Seun Akioye, Lagos and Tony Akowe, Abuja

ror and robs him of the hope of a blessed eternity”.

He said the message of Easter is not a future tense and totally unrelated to life here and now, but Christ intended that Easter should mean so much.

“He means that we should let this Easter glory get its grip on us and motivate us to some high end, Easter should pull us away from chasing the shadow because Easter is a sure promise of victory from day to day,” he said.

Also, the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Lagos chapter, Apostle Alexander Bamgbola, congratulated Nigerians on another Easter celebration, noting that it is a season of liberation and freedom for mankind.

Apostle Bamgbola, in his Easter message, congratulated the presidentelect, General Muhammadu Buhari, saying it is time for Nigerians to work together for the country’s progress.

He noted that the election of Gen. Buhari and the fact that the incumbent president conceded defeat was a testimony that “God is on the throne of Nigeria.”

But, the President–elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, has called on all Nigerians to embrace peace this Eas-

ter and celebrate the nation’s rebirth as they commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Also, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, asked the citizens to unite for a new Nigeria as they celebrate Easter.

In a message in Abuja, Buhari urged the citizens to unite and use the season of Easter to celebrate both the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the rebirth of the Nigerian nation.

According to the statement, “having overcome the anxiety and fear that tended to overshadow our efforts and commitments towards free and peaceful presidential and National Assembly elections, let us move forward in the spirit of the resurrection to rebuild our nation with the values of peace and love for one another.

“Our Country depends on you - the Nigerian people to make Nigeria safe for all citizens and foreigners alike. I pledge that our administration shall strengthen all national institutions that promote harmony and national unity.”

In a message by his media office in Abuja, Atiku wished Christians and all other Nigerians peace as they celebrate Easter and prayed that all Nigerians will come together for the rebuilding of the Nigerian nation this Easter and beyond.”

HE Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, has reassured Nigerians that the electoral process will continue to improve.

Jega, who spoke when chairmen of the Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Andy Uba, and his House of Representative counterpart, Jerry Manwe, paid him a visit in Abuja yesterday, said last Saturday’s presidential election was a tremendous improvement in the electoral process, despite challenges.

He, however, assured that all the shortcomings noticed in the election would be factored into the commission’s preparation towards the governorship election on April 11.

Jega also applauded the lawmakers for their commendation about the success recorded in the election, and expressed appreciation to all Nigerians for their support and understanding with the commission.

Earlier, the chairmen of the committees said they were in the commission to express their happiness and commendation about the success recorded

by INEC in the conduct of the election.

Nigerian cleric appointed Anglican Communion’s sec.

From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

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ISHOP of Kaduna Anglican Communion Bishop Idowu Fearon has been appointed the next Secretary General of the Anglican Communion Worldwide with effect from July 1, 2015.

The appointment, which is the first in Africa, is for seven years in the first instance and renewable.

He will oversee as Secretary General of 38 provinces and six extra provincial provinces and four instruments of the Anglican Communion.

A copy of the notice of his appointment posted online and a hard copy obtained from him and signed

by Mr. Tim Trimble, Director for Finance and Administration of the Anglican Communion office, said Bishop Idowu-Fearon was selected out of an initial field of applicants from Oceania, Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas.

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

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NEWS BUHARI’S VICTORY ‘Buhari’s victory beginning of new Nigeria’

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HE All Progressives Congress’ (APC) National Vice Chairman (Southwest), Chief Pius Akinyelure, said yesterday that the countdown to a new Nigeria “has indeed begun” with the victory of the party’s presidential candidate, Maj.Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and his running mate, Prof.

Oluyemi Osinbajo.

Akinyelure, who spoke in a statement, said Buhari’s victory signalled the dawn of a new era for the nation, which he noted, would guarantee economic breakthrough, social justice, institutional strengthening and the rule of law.

Akinyelure noted that Buhari’s emergence in the just-concluded presidential election “is, no doubt, a defining moment in Nigeria’s recent history. His victory, too, is for all citizens of Nigeria, irrespective of party, race and religion.

“Given what happened during the electioneering, Buhari’s victory signals the dawn of a new era for Nigeria. It, also, indicates the beginning of new Nigeria, which we have all toiled to realise day and night through ballots and which they have long yearned to see after a 16-year reign of impunity in our fatherland”.

But, he said the victory at the polls was just a phase in the quest for new nation, noting that the task ahead “does not end at the poll. We have developed an inclusive manifesto to respond to diverse socio-economic and political challenges, which has defined Nigeria as one of the world’s most troubled countries.

The party’s vice chairman, therefore, assured that under the Buhari-Osinbajo administration, insecurity “will be effectively reverse. Aside, strong socio-political order that guarantee public safety will be established in the Northeast and Southsouth to create enabling environment for investments.

He added: “The surging unemployed population will be meaningfully engaged with a view to creating wealth across divides and reversing trends that lead to the explosion of our fatherland. The unemployment rate currently put at 29 per cent will be stemmed with the implementation of different programme we have already developed.

“Also, there is an assurance that institutions will be strengthened; the rule of law respected; human rights guaranteed; equal opportunities assured irrespective of political affiliation and social justice will be ensured in all parts of the country in line with our manifesto. We will all witness the dawn of new Nigeria that we all desire.”

The vice chairman, however, said nothing much could be done without the support of all Nigerians across all geo-political zones in the country. He urged all stakeholders irrespective of political leanings to make constructive and meaningful input “to the forthcoming Buhari-Osinbajo administration for the love of Nigeria”.

No timeline to end insurgency, says APC

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HE All Progressives Congress Presidential C a m p a i g n Organisation (APCPCO) has denied media reports that President-elect Muhammadu Buhari promised to end the Boko Haram insurgency within two months of assuming power.

APCPCO’s Head of Media and Publicity Garba Shehu said President-elect Buhari did not put any timeline to ending terrorism since he would study the situation and plan strategies with security chiefs to end insurgency.

Shehu said while Buhari remained resolute to ending insurgency, he would do a good job by giving a final push to ending terrorism.

“His Excellency the President-elect is still waiting to be sworn in on May 29. After the ceremony, he would need time to study the security situation and plan strategically with the security chiefs on the way for-

•‘Almajiri education for repackaging’ From Tony Akowe, Abuja

ward.

“Time is of the essence here.

Therefore, President Buhari didn’t and wouldn’t peg the decimation of terrorism from the country’s territories to just two months.

“The President-elect was unequivocal about cleansing Boko Haram from our land; he would do a good job of it by giving a final permanent push to rid Nigeria of unscrupulous elements.

“Buhari said that much to the world media, including the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and Cable News Network (CNN). He never put a time-frame to when he would eliminate terrorists, and it would be unfair and mischievous for someone to ascribe to him what he hasn’t said.”

The APC has assured that it would repackage the

Tsangayya Educational system (Almajiri education programme) of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration to ensure that it functions properly as it should.

APC’s National Youth leader Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki Jalo, who said this at a victory celebration organised by the youth wing of the party, said the Almajiri scheme as presently constituted was meant to score political gains and, therefore, not functioning properly.

Jalo told reporters after the victory rally that “the Almajiri programme is going on, but for us who are educationists, we know that the system is not functioning the way it ought to. It is just there for political gains, but I want to assure you that it will be revisited and implemented in a proper way for

the benefit of the Almajiris.”

He expressed confidence that the outcome of the presidential election would necessitate a bandwagon effect during the Governorship and House of Assembly elections.

“There is going to be a bandwagon effect, most especially in the Southeast and the Southsouth. Those who understand the history of Nigeria politics and how it works will rightly predict victory for APC and it will surely come to pass by God’s grace.”

Also speaking, Senatorelect for Kogi West Dino Melaye thanked hundreds of APC youth supporters, who gathered to celebrate the victory, and assured them that as soon as President-elect Buhari is sworn in, corruption will be a thing of the past in Nigeria and the “Chibok girls will be rescued”.

•From left: Chief Executive Officer, Temitope Enterprises and First National Winner in the 2014 Lafarge Partners’ Award, Alhaji Buraimoh Osunlola; Chairman, Lafarge Africa Plc, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye; and Managing Director, WAPCO Operations, Lafarge Africa Plc, Mrs. Adepeju Adebayo, at the presentation of star prize, a brand new Sport Utility Vehicle to Osunlola in Lagos.

Ensure justice, Maitama Sule tells President-elect From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

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LDER statesman and Nigeria’s former Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule has urged the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, to make justice and fair play his watchword.

He stressed that with peace and stability, Nigeria would readily take its place as the leader of the black race.

Sule spoke to reporters at his home at Dawaki Road in Nassarawa Local Government Area, yesterday, where he described President Goodluck Jonathan as a statesman for conceding defeat and congratulating the winner of March 28 presidential election.

He called on Nigerians to eschew ethnic sentiments and religious bigotry, which are factors militating against the country’s socio-political and economic development.

The elder statesman hoped that if Nigerians, irrespective of tribe, religion, culture and political inclination, could come together, the country would be a better place to live.

On Buhari’s victory, he said: “The message I have for him is that I hope and pray that he does justice to all. Justice is the most important thing; for the world can never be governed by force, never by fear, even never by power. In the end, what governs is the mind. What conquers is the spirit. And the weapons of governing with the mind and spirit are justice and fair play.

He hailed Nigerians for the “most hotly contested and most heated election”, adding that “despite heat, despite the tension, Nigerians came out to vote peacefully”.

To President Jonathan, he said: “Jonathan is not a politician, he is a statesman. A politician thinks of only how to win an election, but a statesman thinks of the nation.

Jonathan thinks of the nation and he is thinking ahead.”

Afe Babalola congratulates President-elect

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ENOWNED lawyer Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) has congratulated the President-elect Muhammadu Buhari, on his victory, urging him to priortise how to restructure the country’s constitution once he assumes power.

Babalola also said the President-elect should consider his (Babalola) agitation for a sixyear single term for the president.

The lawyer spoke in a congratulatory letter to the President-elect, a copy of which was also made available to The Nation yesterday.

He said: “I suggest that there is urgent need to restructure the country’s constitution and reform it to ensure that Nigeria emerges a united nation where a leader will emerge through votes cast during elections and not based on religious or ethnic affiliations.

These problems, in my humble opinion, are what you should quickly address when you assume power on May 29, 2015.

Babalola continued: “And this brings me to the age-long advocacy of a six-year term for the country’s president, which would have allowed him

•Lawyer says Jonathan ‘a hero for conceding defeat’

By Adegunle Olugbamila

(President) to work harder and achieve more instead of the present four-year term, which allows him only two years of serious work as he will spend the first year to settle down and use the last of the four to campaign for a second term.”

Aare Babalola described President-elect Buhari as a statesman, who is courteous, caring and a dogged fighter.

He expressed happiness that in the run up to the March 28 election, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the APC, as manifested in their various campaigns, agreed on problems afflicting Nigeria such as education, insecurity, unemployment, and poverty, among others.

Going down memory lane, Babalola recalled that he and Buhari crossed paths during cases involving his former party, All Nigeria Progressives Party (ANPP), and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in which he (Babalola) represented the latter.

He said: “You were not only

timely at every court sitting, you would sit down patiently throughout, sometimes till about 8 pm. Above all, you would find time to greet me after each sitting, even when I was the lawyer representing your opponent. That is really unparalleled.

“Again, when one of my lawyers, who was appearing with me in the matter, passed on, you wrote to condole with me, thus showing that you are caring, compassionate and sympathetic.”

The lawyer hoped that Buhari would consolidate on President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

“As a statesman, you should be ready to build on the foundation laid by Dr. (Goodluck) Jonathan’s administration to the advantage of Nigerians.

This is more so in a country as Nigeria where people find it difficult to distinguish between politics and governance, a development which often makes a successor to abandon the projects of his predecessor once he assumes office, particularly when the successor is not in the same

party with the new helmsman.”

As a statesman, Babalola promised his support to Buhari, saying he would always be on hand anytime his service is required.

Also yesterday, Aare Babalola described President Goodluck Jonathan as a “hero” for congratulating the winner of the March 28 presidential election, even before he was officially declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Such gesture, he noted, already portrayed the President as a “man of honour”, who is not desperate to hold tight to power.

This was contained in another letter written to President Jonathan.

It reads: “I want to specially salute you for not allowing the nation to be turned into another theatre of war similar to the events of 1983 after the governorship election in the then bigger Ondo State.

“Your Excellency, without any iota of doubt, you are indeed ‘the hero of this presiden-

tial election’. Apart from Alhaji Ibrahim Kwankwaso of Kano State 12 years ago and the immediate past governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, I do not know of any other loser in Nigeria, who congratulated the winner. Your name will go down in history as a lover of peace and a lover of people whom you have toiled to serve most assiduously in your entire political career. With your unique action, a new dawn has begun indeed.

“I salute you for your achievements as President in spite of the obvious difficulties and challenging circumstances and terrain within which you have had to operate.”

While praising President Jonathan for his achievements, Babalola said he should see the defeat of the PDP, which he represents, as an avenue for him to appraise those factors that led to the party’s loss and, therefore, arm himself with the necessary tools to march into the future with renewed confidence.

He advised President Jonathan to be ready to lend his support to the incoming president in the quest to attain nationhood.

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

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NEWS BUHARI’S VICTORY

Court dismisses Omisore’s appeal

315 JPs sworn in From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

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YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi yesterday administered oaths of office on 315 residents and citizens as Justices of the Peace.

Ajimobi said the hallmark of his administration is the promotion of peace and order, adding that the new Justices of the Peace will complement the effort of the government.

“The last time Justices of the Peace were inaugurated in the state was in 2007 and till date none was done because there was no peace in the state. I congratulate you for deserving this honour.”

‘My defection people-oriented’ From Damisi Ojo, Akure

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NDO State Deputy Governor Ali Olanusi, who joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), last Thursday, has said his defection is in the interest of the people.

He said it would bring true democracy to reality in the Sunshine State.

The deputy governor congratulated the Presidentelect, Muhammadu Buhari, describing his victory as the voice of the citizenry and the reward for being upright.

Olanusi praised the people for taking the right step to entrench the nation’s democracy, urging them to sustain the tempo in the April 11 House of Assembly election.

The Supare-Akoko politician also congratulated President Goodluck Jonathan for his uncanny statesmanship.

The Nation reporter wins award

•Aregbesola’s cross appeal upheld

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HE Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, yesterday dismissed the appeal by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the August 9 election in Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore.

Omisore approached the Appeal Court to challenge the ruling of the Osun State Elections Petition Tribunal delivered on February 6, which upheld the victory of Governor Rauf Aregbesola of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Justice Gana Mcshella, who delivered judgment on behalf of four other judges, declared that Omisore’s appeal lacked merit.

The court also upheld the cross appeal by Governor Aregbesola that Omisore’s petition ought to have been dismissed as an abandoned petition by the tribunal.

Justice Mcshella dismissed Omisore’s appeal for incompetence, stressing that the grounds for appeal did not arise from the tribunal’s judgment.

In determining the appeal, the court adopted the seven issues formulated by the appellants, Omisore and the PDP. At the hearing, lead counsel to Senator Omisore, Alex Iziyon (SAN) argued that the

APC: Omisore’s defeat irreversible

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has said yesterday’s Court of Appeal’s dismissal of the appeal by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore, has confirmed that the people did not want him.

In a statement by its Directorate of Publicity and Research, the APC contended that “for as long as Omisore persisted in From Damisi Ojo, Akure and Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

tribunal erred, as it failed to examine all the allegations and issues raised by the petitioner.

He argued that the tribunal failed to address the allegations of corruption and non-compliance with the Electoral Act in the election producing Governor Aregbesola. The counsel urged the Appeal Court to discountenance the judgment of the tribunal.

But counsel to Aregbesola and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Akin Olujimi (SAN) and Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) objected to the grounds of the appeal, arguing that the tribunal was clear and unbiased in its ruling.

Olujimi said the ruling of the tribunal upholding the governor’s victory was unchallengeable as it was decided after a thorough investigation.

Before considering the main appeal, the court up-

cohesive politics and would not desist from objectionable disregard for truth, he will be unelectable”.

“Also, for as long as the PDP remains under his leadership, that party will never again be voted to power in Osun.

“The truth of the matter is that Omisore has a crisis and no reasonable community or state will risk its future on such a personality.”

held the preliminary objections by Aregbesola and APC’s counsel challenging ground 13 of the Notice of Appeal.

The Court of Appeal in holding that the ground of appeal is incompetent, held that it did not arise from the judgment of the tribunal.

It also held that the decision of the tribunal was that Aregbesola’s counsel did not make any admission, therefore, having failed to appeal this specific decision of the tribunal, the court held that ground 13 was incompetent and consequently struck it out together with issue 5 formulated from the ground.

On the remaining issues for determination, the court resolved all issues against Omisore and PDP. On issue 1, the court held that the tribunal did not depart from the procedure on standard of proof for civil and criminal allegations and that the tribunal, having evaluated the evidence called by the appellants, applied the required standard of proof in respect of allega-

tions of non- compliance on one hand and corruption on the other hand.

In resolving issue 2 against the appellants, the court upheld the decision of the tribunal that the appellants had not established their case to “any degree or magnitude”.

On the complaint in issue 3 by the appellants that the judgment was against the weight of evidence, it held that the complaint was of no moment. According to the court, the judgment of the tribunal was supported by both oral and documentary evidence on record.

Issue 4 considered by the Court of Appeal relates to the complaint of the appellants that the tribunal did not properly evaluate the evidence of PW 15 and PW 38, who were called as experts by the Appellants.

The court also resolved this issue against the appellant as it upheld the decision of the tribunal that by the nature of evidence given by PW15 and PW38, their evidence could not be said to be expert evidence.

No alliance with parties,says Folarin From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

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HE Nation entertainment reporter, Adetorera Idowu, has won the Thomson Foundation mobile journalism competition, held in partnership with RTE Mojocon, Ireland.

She received her award at the closing ceremony of the MojoCon conference in Dublin, Ireland, for her piece on the plight of children in the Makoko slums of Lagos, titled: “The Fight for Education” Despite never having recorded with a mobile device before, Idowu’s short film shot on an iPad 3 beat other entries from other more experienced journalists to win the competition.

She wins a prize valued in excess of •3,000, which includes a complete mojo kit, return flights to Dublin, fivestar accommodation and a pair of VIP two-day combi tickets to the MojoCon conference The runners up are - Osman Kaytazoglu from Turkey, formerly a news producer and reporter for Al Jazeera Turk/English and Brais Romero Suárez, a film editor based in Spain.

An elated Idowu said, "This competition led me on a lifedefining journey to the slums of Makoko in Lagos, Nigeria.

"Armed with nothing but an old iPad 3, I captured the lives of a few children in this community and their fight for education. I have never filmed anything before but I was led here by the Thomson Foundation mobile journalism competition and it's been an eye-opening experience."

Hosam El-Nagar, the Thomson Foundation's Director of Operations, said: "We're delighted to encourage new talent to develop new story-telling techniques."

Issue 5 had earlier been struck out because ground 13 upon which it was predicated had been struck out for being incompetent.

The court also resolved issue 6 against the appellants when it held that the replies filed by the appellants to the respondent’s reply at the tribunal were filed out of time.

The final issue formulated by the appellant was issue 7 and this was also resolved against the appellants as the Court of Appeal upheld the decision of the tribunal that the appellants failed to prove allegations of corruption and non-compliance.

The court also upheld the cross appeal filed by Aregbesola when it dismissed PDP’s and Omisore’s petition as having been abandoned for failure to comply with the requirement of filing pre-hearing notice within the stipulated time under paragraph 18 of the 1st Schedule to the Electoral Act, 2010 as amended.

The Court held that the tribunal was wrong to have saved the petition relying on paragraph 53(1) of the 1st Schedule to the Electoral Act because Paragraph 53(1) only applies where the 1st Schedule to the Electoral Act did not provide for the consequences of non-compliance with the rules.

• Ms Idowu with El-Nagar at the event

Lagos NURTW backs Ambode for governor

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RANSPORT workers have been urged to support the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode.

Lagos State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Tajudeen Agbede advised commercial drivers, motorcycle operators and tricycle owners (Keke Marwa) to vote for Ambode and other APC candidates in

the April 11 governorship and House of Assembly elections.

Agbede gave the advice yesterday at the monthly meeting with branch officers from the 120 branches from the 57 local governments and development area councils.

He urged members of the union to show support for the APC because they have been enjoying the dividends of democracy.

He said some of the poli-

cies of the Fashola administration had boosted the transport business.

Agbede said the introduction of transport radio had reduced traffic congestion and loss of time in traffic He added that the constant repair and maintenance of roads reduced wear and tear of vehicles.

"The government usually responds by constantly fixing bad roads. We are partners in progress with the government, hence our members should reciprocate the ges-

•Ambode

ture by voting the party in the April 11 governorship election," Agbede said.

HE governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, Teslim Folarin, yesterday dispelled rumours that the PDP went into an alliance with other parties.

Senator Folarin was addressing his supporters at his Oluyole residence in Ibadan.

The former Senate Majority Leader urged his party members and supporters to remain steadfast and committed to the cause of enthroning the PDP government in the state.

“I want to state that the PDP does not have any form of merger or coalition agreement with any party and neither does it intend to do so for the April 11 elections.

“Those disseminating the false rumour are mischievous and simply out to dampen the morale of our members and supporters to disrupt our collective effort.

“I think it is obvious they have seen the handwriting on the wall that I am the popular choice,” he said.

The PDP candidate urged his supporters to be vigilant and wary of the mischievous plans of “friendly enemies”, who are only committed to misleading the people.

Folarin congratulated President-elect Muhammadu Buhari for his victory.

“I commend his political resilience which he has demonstrated overtime.

“He is a man committed to the cause he believes in and this is good for democracy,” Folarin said.

He praised President Goodluck Jonathan for his magnanimity and good spirit of sportsmanship, which he said is a good precedence for other African presidents.

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

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NEWS ‘Buhari’s victory God-sent’

Igbo urged to vote for Ambode

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GBO settlers in Lagos have been urged to vote for the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on April 11.

The Eze Ndigbo of Ikeja, Eze Uche I.C. Dimgba, said Igbo indigenes in Lagos have no reason not to support the ruling party in a state that has allowed their businesses to thrive.

Explaining what informed the voting pattern in areas with large concentration of Igbo, Eze Dimgba said his kinsmen were deceived by those who whipped up ethno-religious sentiments.

His words: “The Igbo are working to ensure victory for the APC on April 11. The governorship election will be different from presidential.

The Igbo voted on tribal sentiments.

“They were told that Gen Muhammadu Buhari is a religious fanatic; that President Goodluck Jonathan is their kinsman and that a Buhari presidency will affect the Igbo business.

“But the election has shown that majority of Nigerians have made their choice.

So, there will be no justification for Igbo to vote against a government that has protected their interest for 16 years.”

According to him, those sentiments disappeared with victory of Gen Buhari, who he said has a better pedigree to turn around the fortunes of Nigerians.

On what informed the Igbo support for the APC, he said: “We support the APC to win the presidential election not because we see it as a political party.

“The APC is a movement for change and that change is not only in baton between the ruling party and the opposition but change in the old ways of doing government business.

“We also live in Lagos and we have seen what the incumbent government has been able to do right from the time of Asiwaju Tinubu. The incumbent has maintained a track record and we want the trend to continue. What is the point in changing a performing party?

“Every right-thinking Igbo man should come on board and join the moving the train.

Nobody should sit on the fence. We must all come out on April 11 and vote for APC.”

HE Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Khamis Olatunde Badmus, has described the victory of President-elect Muhammadu Buhari as divine.

In a statement by his Special Assistant, Alhaji Dawood Ajetunmobi, Badmus urged the President-elect to hit the ground running with ideas that will give the people a responsible and responsive government.

“There is no doubt that Buhari’s victory is the will of God. This is the first time in the history of our nation that an opposition party will unseat the ruling party in a presidential election.

“Although, the victory calls for celebration but the exigency of time does not avail us the luxury of unbridled celebration. The “People’s General” should roll up his sleeves and usher in a new era and wind of change in the country.’’

The statement also commended the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega, praising him his resilience and commitment before, during and after the polls.

“President Goodluck Jonathan’s gesture is also commendable.

“I see it as a master stroke for breaking the back of those who would have started fomenting trouble immediately the winner was declared.

“This is good for the polity. Nigeria is the overall winner.”

I

• Ajimobi (middle) listening to Katsina (right). With them are Police Area Commander, Agodi, Odukoya Sunday (second left), Caretaker Chairman, Ibadan North EastLocal Government, Ladi Oluokun (left) and others...yesterday .

• A ransacked room in the underground apartment

• Another opening of the underground apartment.

• The opening of the underground apartment

•A hole in the ground of the house.

Ogun pays salary deductions

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HE Ogun State government has released N1.5 billion for the payment of salary deductions and cooperative dues.

This payment covers deductions from salaries affecting both state and local government workers.

In a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Yusuph Olaniyonu, the release was in fulfillment of the agreement reached between Governor Ibikunle Amosun and the workers during an interactive session last month.

The government said the release demonstrates that it has successfully adjusted to the new financial reality and it was confident that it would be able to clear the balance of arrears expediently.

It further assured the workers that government will always protect their interests at all times and restated the fact that it has no plan to sack any worker.

The financial adjustment, government stated, was achieved through increased spending efficiencies and enhanced focus on internally generated revenue.

The government thanked the workers for their patience, understanding and co-operation since the administration assumed office.

PHOTOS: FEMI ILESANMI

Ajimobi urges peace over Ibadan kidnappers’ den

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HERE was tension in Adekile Goodwill area of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, following the killing of a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and two others.

It was gathered that the killings occurred after the discovery of a kidnappers’ den in a house in the area.

The Nation gathered that a child, who had been reported missing several days ago, was found in the underground apartment of the house.

The police were said to have been alerted to the development, which led to the arrest of the owner of the building.

The incident reportedly angered the youth in the community and they mobilised to destroy the building.

But the police were said to

•Policeman, two others killed From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

have prevented them.

This further infuriated the youth and they resorted to stoning the policemen. In the melee, a policeman and two others were killed.

An eyewitness said: “The angry youths were many but the policemen were very few.

“I learnt that they killed a policeman. The police also killed two youths in retaliation.”

Soldiers have been drafted in the community. The irate youths were also said to have attacked the soldiers before they were dispersed with teargas.

Police spokesman Adekunle Ajisebutu confirmed that

some suspects have been arrested.

He said:”I am not entitled to talk yet about the situation.

The commissioner will brief the press when due, because any information released now may jeopardise the investigation.”

Governor Abiola Ajimobi appealed to the people to avoid violence and disruption of peace.

He spoke when he and the Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Katsina, visited the area.

When the governor and his entourage got to the scene, three buildings had been vandalised and set ablaze.

Katsina said: “The slain police officer went to Adekile

in response to a distress call by a resident, who alleged that her baby was kidnapped and kept inside a building at Adekile.

“The DPO visited the area and inspected the building in question but could not find anything related to the lodged complaint.

“As he was explaining to the youth to remain calm, the DPO was attacked and shot in the head.

“The DPO, being a gallant officer before he fell to the miscreants’ bullets, also managed to fire at his attacker, who also died on the way to the hospital.”

He reiterated the commitment of the Force to ensure that all the perpetrators were arrested.

Court dismisses defection case From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

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USTICE Ayo Emmanuel of the Federal High Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, has dismissed the defection suit against a lawmaker, Ibrahim Bolomope.

Bolomope defected from Accord to the All Progressives Congress (APC) some years ago and he was sued by Accord.

Justice Emmanuel of Court 1, Ibadan, dismissed the case on the ground of judicial usurpation of legislature’s constitutional responsibility.

Shortly after the delivery of the judgment, Bolomope thank Governor Abiola Ajimobi and his supporters for their unflinching support during his trial.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

NEWS

Court of Appeal dismisses Omisore’s petition

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N a unanimous decision of the Court of Appeal which sat in Akure today the 2nd day of April, 2015, the Court of Appeal, presided over by Hon. Justice Gana Mshelia dismissed the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore, against the decision of the Election Petition Tribunal which was delivered in February 6 in Osogbo.

In the said Petition, Senator Omisore and PDP challenged the victory of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in the August 9th 2014 gubernatorial election in the State of Osun.

The Court of Appeal also upheld the Cross-appeal filed by Aregbesola that Omisore’s petition ought to have been dismissed by the lower Tribunal as an abandoned petition without proceeding to hearing.

In determining the appeal, the court adopted the 7 issues formulated by the Appellants (Omisore and PDP). However, before considering the main appeal, the court upheld the preliminary objections by Aregbesola and All Progressives Congress’s Counsel challenging ground 13 of the Notice of Appeal of Omisore and PDP which led to the said Ground 13 being struck out by the Court. The complaint of the Appellants (Omisore and PDP) in that ground 13 of appeal was that the Tribunal failed to act on a purported admission made by Aregbesola’s counsel in a chart contained in their written address before the

•Aregbesola’s cross-appeal upheld lower Tribunal. The Court of Appeal, in holding that the said ground of appeal was incompetent held that the ground did not arise from the judgment of the Tribunal. The Court of Appeal held that the decision of the Tribunal was that Aregbesola’s counsel did not make any admission and not that there was an admission on which the Tribunal could be said to have failed to act. Therefore, having failed to appeal this specific decision of the Tribunal, the Court of Appeal held that ground 13 was incompetent and consequently struck it out together with issue 5 formulated from the ground.

On the remaining issues for determination, the court resolved all the issues against Omisore and PDP. On issue 1, the Court of Appeal held that the Tribunal did not depart from the procedure on standard of proof for civil and criminal allegations and that the Tribunal, having evaluated the evidence called by the appellants, applied the required standard of proof in respect of allegations of non-compliance on one hand and corrupt practices on the other hand. The Court of Appeal further held that the evidential burden on the appellants to prove their case would only shift to the respondent if the Appellants had put forward cogent, credible and reliable evidence of non-compliance but which the Appellants failed to do

in this case. The Court of Appeal further held that contrary to the complaint of the Appellants, the Tribunal applied the requisite standard of proof on preponderance of evidence in relation to allegations of non-compliance and malpractices.

In resolving issue 2 against the Appellants, the Court of Appeal upheld the decision of the Tribunal that the Appellants did not establish their case to “any degree or magnitude”. On the complaint in issue 3 by the Appellants that the judgment of the Tribunal was against the weight of evidence, the Court of Appeal held that the complaint was of no moment. According to the Court of Appeal, the judgment of the tribunal was based on both oral and documentary evidence adduced by parties on record. It was further held that the evidence called by the Appellants were thoroughly discredited under cross-examination.

Issue 4 considered by the Court of Appeal relates to the complaint of the Appellants that the Tribunal did not properly evaluate the evidence of PW 15 and PW 38 who were called as experts by the Appellants. The Court of Appeal also resolved this issue against the Appellants as it upheld the decision of the Tribunal that by the nature of the testimonies of PW15 and PW38, their evidence could not be said to be expert evidence. Not-

withstanding, the Court of Appeal copiously referred to the evidence of these witnesses both in their evidence-in-chief and under crossexamination. It was the conclusion of their lordships of the Court of Appeal that the testimonies of PW15 and PW38 were thoroughly discredited under cross-examination and that the Tribunal was right in holding that their evidence was unreliable and lacked probative value.

Issue 5 had earlier been struck out because ground 13 upon which it was predicated had earlier been struck out for being incompetent.

The Court of Appeal also resolved issue 6 against the Appellants when it held that the replies filed by the Appellants to the Respondent’s reply at the tribunal were filed out of time. According to the Court of Appeal, the provision of the Interpretation Act heavily relied on by the Appellants did not apply to the interpretation of paragraph 16(1) and (2) of the 1st Schedule to the Electoral 2010 as amended.

The final issue formulated by the Appellant was issue 7 and this was also resolved against the Appellants as the Court of Appeal upheld the decision of the Tribunal that the Appellants failed to prove allegations of corrupt practices and non-compliance. According to the Court of Appeal, after reviewing the totality of the

evidence called by the Appellants on Local Government by Local Government basis, the evidence called by the Appellants were held to have fallen short of the required standard to prove the allegations made in the petition. In its concurring judgment, Saulawa JCA held that he had no option than to concur with the “most inevitable conclusion that the main appeal is unmeritorious and consequentially dismissed.”

The Court of Appeal also upheld the Cross-appeal filed by Aregbesola when the Court dismissed PDP and Omisore’s petition as having been abandoned for failure to comply with the requirement of filing application for issuance of notice of pre-hearing sessions within the stipulated time under paragraph 18 of the 1st Schedule to the Electoral Act, 2010 as amended. The Court of Appeal held that the Tribunal was wrong to have saved the petition relying on paragraph 53(1) of the 1st Schedule to the Electoral Act because Paragraph 53(1) only applies where the 1st Schedule to the Electoral Act does not provide for the consequences of non compliance with the rules.

The Court of Appeal held that paragraph 18(4) expressly provided for consequences of failure to issue application for pre- hearing notice and that is the dismissal of the petition as having been abandoned.

In summary, the appeal was dismissed on all grounds.

Do not let our enemies ask, where is their God? (Ps 42:10) Text of Easter message by Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, Catholic Diocese of Sokoto The old order changeth, yielding place to new, And God fulfills Himself in many ways. Lest one good custom should corrupt the world. More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of… If, knowing God, they lift not hands of prayer….. For so the whole round earth is every way, Bound by gold chains about the feet of God (Alfred Tennyson (1809-1892), Le Morted’Arthur.

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MIDST protracted pain and suffering, a cynical world jeered at Nigerians, wondering how we could still be the happiest and the most God-believing people in the world. We have been told to rise from our knees and walk on our feet because our problems defy prayers. Over time, we ourselves have been tempted to believe that our religiosity is merely an excuse and a compromise for corruption. Many of us have been tempted to think that perhaps God has turned away from us because of our many sins.

I have spent the better part of the past year trying to encourage our people not to panic or lose hope. When people ask the basis of my optimism, I have answered that I am a Christian, and faith is the commodity I market even to a cynical world. However, nothing prepared me for what we have just witnessed this holy week.

INEC chose the holiest period of Christianity, a time when the heavens are open to receive our fast and prayers, to organize its elections. How God works! Today we could say that God has proven to us once again that He is indeed a Nigerian.

I therefore wish to focus on a few themes by way of this Easter Message to Nigerians.

Have faith and remain obedient to God

Notwithstanding our foibles, God has remained patient with us. We know that patience is a major attribute of God. The LORD is slow to anger and abundant in loving (Numbers 14:18, Ps 86:15, 103:8). Joel adds to this when he says that: Now return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in loving kindness and relenting of evil (Joel 2:13). Abraham and Sarah remained faithful despite being childless. Abraham obeyed God when

called upon to offer his only son. In return God does far more than Abraham could ever have contemplated (Gen 22).That is why Abraham remains today our father in faith.

Faith is surrender, not a transaction with God

Our relationship with God has tended to be transactional, us behaving as if all we have to do is to placate God. It is good to remember that while we struggle through the days and years, while we create a calendar of activities and plan what we shall do, God has assured us that He has us and our plans in the palm of His hands (Is 49: 16). He is our shepherd and we shall not want, even when we walk through the valley of darkness, He is there (Ps 23: 1, 4). Therefore, God’s love and faithfulness is not dependent on us keeping our part of the bargain, as it were. No; God is always faithful and what God asks of us is surrender our lives to God who loves us and in whom we trust. From the book of Job, that even unearned suffering has its meaning. Trusting in God, surrendering our lives into God’s loving hands, we seek to do His will and obey His commandments: in faithful surrender, we seek to love God with all our heart, soul and mind, and to love our neighbours as ourselves.

Faith is a gift of God

Our nation has been weighed down by religious intolerance built on ignorance. Many ignorant socalled believers have turned themselves into demi-gods who own religion. They believe that it is only their variant of religion that God accepts, that it is only their mode of prayers that God accepts. They have formed believers who have faith but do not have reason, and who therefore easily become fanatics. They have thus built a wall around their followers and have turned their communities

into breeding grounds of hatred.

We need to remember that faith is a gift from God and that therefore religion too is a gift from God since it is an expression of faith. Freedom of religion as enshrined in our Constitution must be guaranteed. This must include freedom to change our faith or freedom not to believe in God. This guarantee of freedom can be helped by strong laws but it is every teacher and every believer who must ensure those laws are kept. Threats of punishment, ostracization, banishment, death, or denial of rights, only lead to hardened hearts. St Francis has said that we should preach our religion by the witness of our lives and only use words if necessary! It is only authentic witness that will draw people to our faith.

We are children of one father

As believers of different faiths, it is imperative that we show one another that we are all children of the One Father. We have tended to express our unity in the exchange of gifts and salutations, sharing food during our sacred feast days; we must do much more. In the course of electoral campaigns, both Muslims and Christians were going around asking for prayers, attending Churches, Mosques, and Shrines. Why does this show of tolerance and accommodation not continue after the political campaigns? We as believers, especially Christians and Muslims, must begin to show greater solidarity in concrete terms. We must end the divisive culture of Christian and Muslim prayers in public functions since this only deepens our sense of difference.

I am in full support of the adoption of the second stanza of our National Anthem in opening or closing public events.

God answers prayers

God’s ways are not our ways and the

way we think is not the same as the way God thinks (Is 55:8). Therefore, when we think that God has not answered our prayers, the opposite is the case.

This is what Easter reminds us of. With human eyes, we see in the passion of Jesus evidence of one abandoned by God, evidence that all this was a fraud.

However, in the end, the old rugged cross becomes a treasure. It is only our faith, patience and trust in God that can enable us experience the triumph of His will, especially when we face serious challenges. After all, God has assured us that: My word that goes out from my mouth will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (Is. 55:11). However, we must know that God is not a magician who must pander to and please his customer by fulfilling his or her will so he or she will come back. Answered prayers must always align with the will of God.

Let not our enemies ask, where is our God? For over two years, Nigerians agonized over the fact that Americans had predicted the collapse of our country. There were fears that the elections would be a series of funeral rituals.

Most of this was not true, as I have said on several occasions. What was true was that there were fears that if we as a people and as a nation did not change our ways, the worse could happen to us. Boko Haram, that untreated cancer, was the first symptom of the danger lurking around.

I myself, for almost three weeks, tried to meditate on the faithfulness of God especially His redemptive power over darkness and fear. I said with the Psalmist: Why should I go on suffering from the cruelty of my enemies.

Why should I be crushed by their insults as they keep asking me, Where is your God? (Ps 42:10). I remembered the assur-

•Rev. Kukah

ance of Micah that the Lord will not let our enemies gloat over us (Micah 7:8, Ps 38:16). I recalled with the Psalmist that those who trust in God shall never be put to shame (Ps 25:2). Let all of us be invited this Easter season to meditate on God’s faithfulness, strengthen our trust in God and allow God change our ways.

Christ is risen: Let our enemies flee

As Christians, we are children of the Resurrection. The resurrection is a promise made and a promise fulfilled. It closes the doors of uncertainty or speculation. After the resurrection, we have no doubt about who God is. After the resurrection, we cannot be afraid of even the darkest clouds of the future. After the resurrection, we know that the mountains of fear will move. After the resurrection, the dry bones shall become a standing army marching to victory (Ez. 37:10). This is a time of joy because we know that our redeemer lives (Job 19:25). It is the time of fulfillment of the promise of Emmanuel, God-iswith-us.

However, we must enter a note of warning. Like the blind man whom Jesus healed, let us not take God’s love and generosity for granted. Let us not simply relax, believing that we can always summon God to our cause. Our politicians must end their prodigality and irresponsible misuse of our resources. After Jesus healed him, He warned the blind man: Behold you have been healed, go and sin no more or something worse will befall you (Jn. 5:14). Let those who have ears to hear, listen.

A happy Easter and God bless our dear country. Long live Nigeria.

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

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NEWS

•National Leader, All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu (right) with former Chairman, Amuwo Odofin Local Government, Comrade Ayodele Adewale celebrating the victory of Gen Muhamadu Buhari in the presidential election at Ikoyi, Lagos home of Asiwaju Tinubu.

Ekiti APC petitions IG, others

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•His Grace Most Rev Alfred Adewale Martins blessing the crowd.

APC lawmakers caution Fayose over closure of Assembly

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HE 19 All Progressives Congress (APC) law-

For more than two hours, they moved from house to house attacking APC leaders and members with guns, cutlasses and charms

makers in the Ekiti State House of Assembly have warned Governor Ayodele Fayose and factional Speaker Dele Olugbemi to stop directing the affairs of the Assembly.

They said it was illegal to shut down the activities of the parliament by illegal order of both the governor and selfimposed speaker.

They also congratulated the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, for his victory in the presidential election held last weekend.

A statement by the Special Adviser on Media to Speaker Adewale Omirin, Wole Olujobi, said the lawmakers at a parliamentary meeting held within the Assembly Complex on Tuesday expressed their

and members with guns, cutlasses and charms.

“An indigene working with a para-military outfit made a distress call to the police, who arrived at the scene to save the people.

“Two houses belonging to APC State Chairman, Jide Awe, were attacked and looted. His brother was driven to the bush that night after his house was also attacked and looted. Eight others were attacked and their houses looted. “Attached to the petition are photographs of the injured victims. Also attached are pictures of houses and vehicles destroyed by the attackers.”

EKITI State Governor Ayo Fayose has lifted the dusk-to-dawn curfew imposed on Tuesday to stem wild celebration of the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

Fayose, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, predicated the lifting of the curfew on the need to allow Christians to celebrate Easter.

While wishing Ekiti people a happy Easter celebra-

•Seeks prosecution of members’ attackers HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has again petitioned the Inspector General of Police, following last Friday’s attacks on its members in Erijiyan-Ekiti by thugs allegedly loyal to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) .

In the petition by the State Secretary, Paul Omotoso, and copied to the National Human Rights Commission, Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 8 in Lokoja, Commissioner of Police and DSS State Director, the party complained that PDP thugs allegedly led by its Ekiti West candidate for the House of Assembly election, Segun Adewumi, and his brother, Boluwaji, attacked APC members and their property.

He said: “On March 27 at 9pm, Boluwaji Adewumi allegedly held a meeting with a group of 15 young men at his house at Okele/Aaye Street, Erinjiyan-Ekiti.

“We later discovered that many of the men who attended the meeting were thugs as their mission and the result of the meeting was later clear when they struck later in the night.

“For more than two hours, they moved from house to house attacking APC leaders

•Lagos Catholic priests in a procession after the celebration of Chrism Mass at the Holy Cross Cathedral Church, Lagos...yesterday.

PHOTOS: DAYO ADEWUNMI

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From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

•Greet Buhari

confidence in the Presidentelect’s ability to face the challenges of the nation’s growth and development.

They urged the retired Army General to apply his military discipline and administrative acumen to steer the ship of the state and give hope to Nigerians again.

The lawmakers described the governor’s action of ordering the lock down of the Assembly as a gross misconduct and abuse of executive power, noting that closing down a whole arm of government, including locking out the staff of House of Assembly Service Commission, was an act of intransigence and impunity.

“The seven PDP lawmakers have been sitting illegal-

ly. They did not sit yesterday.

They have no power to shut out non-political officers, who are staff of the House of Assembly Service Commission, “ the statement said.

It condemned police meddlesomeness in the Assembly crisis, saying the police handling of the matter presented a clear partisanship in favour of the seven PDP lawmakers.

“The leader of the police team that shut the Assembly exhibited intentional ignorance by claiming that the Assembly matter is in court and that the House had been shut down three months ago and so APC cannot sit to do their job. Within the same period, the same police officer who led the police team to shut the

House was giving cover for PDP lawmakers to sit.

“We need informed and neutral police that can douse tension in the state. The same police that are working against APC lawmakers were there when PDP leaders led thugs to the House shooting after APC lawmakers concluded their parliamentary meeting.

The police officers in Ekiti State should protect the integrity of the Nigeria Police,” the statement said.

The House has adjourned till next week to resume plenary.

Omirin urged Ekiti people to expect quality legislations that will address their living conditions, even as he urged the people to have faith in democratic governance and shun any act of provocation.

Governor lifts curfew From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

tion, Fayose warned that law enforcement officers are on hand to deal with anybody who may want to cause a breach of public peace during the festive period.

The Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Rev Felix Ajakaye, has warned the people against violence.

Ajakaye who spoke yesterday during a mass at St Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral, Ado Ekiti, deplored wanton

destruction of property and killing of innocent lives during jubilation of the APC victory while the winner and loser of the election were resting in their homes.

The bishop urged the people to be peaceful and orderly as the April 11 governorship and House of Assembly elections draw near.

The state chapter of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has expressed satisfaction with the successful conduct of

last Saturday’s polls.

It urged the Indepnedent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to rectify all the problems confronting the use of card readers before the April 11 elections.

NSCIA president Yakubu Sanni praised President Goodluck Jonathan for his rare display of courage and statesmanship by conceding victory to Buhari even before the official results were finally announced.

Ajimobi chides Alao-Akala, Ladoja over Buhari posters

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YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has described the circulation of posters in some parts of the state which bore the photograph of the president-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, with some opposition governorship candidates as a fraud.

Some campaign posters in Bodija and other parts of Ibadan bore the pictures of Buhari, Accord Party candidate Rashidi Ladoja and Labour Party‘s Adebayo Alao-Akala with ‘Sai Buhari, Sai Akala’ written on them.

Ajimobi said it was obvious that virtually all the opposition parties in the state worked for President Goodluck Jonathan and attacked Buhari in the build-up to the presidential

From Bisi Oladele and Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

election.

He urged them to desist from deceiving the people by claiming to be in support of the President-elect.

“They can’t do that! That is fraud and they are known for fraud. They were never for Buhari; they took money from Jonathan and openly canvassed for him. They voted for him.

Why, all of a sudden, are they trying to associate themselves with Buhari?

“They can never be for him and they should not defraud the people. The people of Oyo State are smarter than that; they are very intelligent people. They know the truth. If they like, let

them go and wear Buhari’s mask, people know who is behind the mask,” the governor said.

Speaking on Buhari’s victory in the last election, Ajimobi said Nigerians were tired of ineptitude of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration and decided to make a change by voting overwhelmingly for Buhari.

“Nigerians had been retrogressive and the people felt there must be a change. They want to be progressives, hence they voted for the progressive government and I believe the same thing will be replicated in all the states,” he said.

Governor Ajimobi said for the first time in the history of

the state, the progressives swept the three senatorial seats and 12 House of Representatives seats.

“Oyo people have spoken, Nigerians have spoken. This is the time for the progressives and it is time for progress in Oyo State,” he said.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken a swipe at Alao-Akala and Ladoja.

The party said they were merely trying to reap where they did not sow and to curry undeserved sympathy from the electorate.

The party, in a statement by its Director of Publicity and Strategy, Olawale Sadare, described the development as another shameful act, which

tended to take the people for fools.

“They are perhaps afraid that once Buhari is sworn in, the cases of corruption against them would be accelerated. Not a few people found it unbelievable seeing the picture of the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, on Alao-Akala’s campaign posters.

“Since Wednesday evening when those disgusting posters were sighted in parts of Ibadan, a good number of concerned citizens have been expressing their amazement at the development,” the party said.

The APC said it viewed the action of the sponsors of such obnoxious campaign materials as a desperation taken too far and another in the series of

their grand delusion.

“The least discerning member of the public knows that Buhari is so principled. Notwithstanding his staunch membership of the APC, the world knows that Buhari would always go for the best and in the case of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi is Buhari’s choice.

“We urge members of the public to disregard the evil posters as well as other fake and offensive campaign materials being circulated by failed politicians to mislead voters in the state.

“We equally call on law enforcement agents to track down those circulating these materials and their sponsors,” the APC said.

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

11

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

What does corporate governance do? It ensures that you have set up a structure and a culture within the institution that can drive the business in line with given rules. That’s what corporate governance does.

-Seplat Petroleum Managing Director Mr Austin Avuru

‘Only 20% of stolen oil refined in Nigeria’

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UT of the estimated 100,000 barrels of crude oil stolen daily in Nigeria, only 20 per cent is refined in-country through the multiple illegal refineries while the remaining 80 per cent is exported, showing international collaboration in the illicit trade.

The Chairman, Presidential Committee on Oil Theft Proliferation and Control and Governor of Delta State, Emmanuel Uduaghan stated this on the sideline of an event in Ondo State.

Uduaghan stated that 80 per cent of stolen crude oil is exported confirming allegations of international involvement in the oil theft menace.

“On a bigger scale, there is international collaboration in the crude oil theft. Some of these oil that are being stolen, 80 per cent is exported and it is only 20 per cent that is being used for illegal local refinery,” Uduaghan said.

He said the government is applying multifaceted approach to tackle the challenge.

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

He said: “The illegal refineries are being destroyed; the stolen crude oil that is being exported, the Federal Government is working with various countries as part of the international collaboration. Because they (stolen crude oil) have destinations and are utilised by big refineries outside the country, the Federal Government is working with various countries to identify these refineries that use them and to ensure the stolen crude oil doesn’t get there.

“There are other local strategies including the kind of pipelines that are being used, surveillance, among others but these are short to medium term strategies.

“The oil companies have to change their pipelines in the long run, change them to pipelines that are very sensitive so that when vandals want to break it, the act can be noticed in the control room. Those are the technical details that are being worked upon,” he added.

On tackling pipeline vandalism, which has increased the downtime of the refineries and rendered the machines idle, Uduaghan said: “I don’t know much about the refineries but there must be lot of other reasons they are not running. But on the issue of crude oil theft, there are various strategies.

There are immediate and long term strategies that have been put in place especially by the security agencies directly working with Mr. President. The immediate strategy is for the security agencies to be reinforced and that is what we are doing. They are being reinforced in their activities and they are patrolling more and dealing with the crude oil theft more.

He also stated that there has never been a time stolen crude oil reached 400,000 barrels per day contrary to reports.

He said: “Let me explain the issue of figures. When you hear 400,000 barrels it doesn’t mean that it is 400,000 barrels that is stolen. “What it means is that

• Chairman, Lafarge Africa Plc, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye presenting the key of a brand new Sport Utility Vehicle to Alhaji Braimoh Osunlola, star prize winner of the 2014 Lafarge Partners’ Award. With them is the Managing Director, WAPCO Operations, Lafarge Africa Plc, Mrs. Adepeju Adebayo during the presentation of the star prize in Lagos.

Cross River passes N127.85b budget into law

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HE Cross River House of Assembly (CRHA) has passed the 2015 appropriation budget of N127. 85billion into law.

Presenting the budget, Chairman House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Dr. Jacob OtuEnyia, said the budget estimate of N149.44billion had earlier been presented to the assembly by Governor Liyel Imoke in October last year.

Otu-Enyia said having studied the budget with other members of the committee, it was resolved that the sum of

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

N127.85billion be adopted for passage as the 2015 budget for the state.

The lawmaker gave reasons for the reduction of the budget to include, the fall in oil price from $65 per barrel to $53 per barrel, and the current economic downturn in the country.

The budget was unanimously passed inot law by all members of the assembly.

The clerk of the House,

Mr Bassey Ekpeyong, was asked to prepare a clean copy of the bill and send to the governor for his assent.

• Imoke

in the process of stealing the crude, it affects some of the wells, so the operators shut down the wells and when they shut down, and are not producing the 300,000 or 400,000 barrels, it is reported that such fig-

ures were stolen. “There is no time the stealing has been more than 100,000 barrels per day and that was at the peak.

“In fact, right now, it is less than 50,000 barrels per day that is being stolen, so

it is not 400,000 barrels. But even at 50,000 barrels it is still unacceptably high because not many companies produce up to 50,000 barrels per day. It is important I clear the figures,” he said.

N15 bond: Court vacates order against SEC, NSE, Elechi

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FEDERAL High Court sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital yesterday vacated an interim order issued by a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos in January this year restraining the Securities and Exchange Commission, (SEC) and the Nigerian Stock Exchange,( NSE) from releasing N15 billion bond approved for Ebonyi State government.

This followed the application by counsel to the state government, Mr Fedrick Onobia urging the court to vacate the injunction.

In the ruling on the motion filed by a member of Ebonyi State House of As-

From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

sembly, Odefa Obasi Odefa praying the court to restrain the state government and its agencies from accessing the bond facility, Justice Ada Onyetenu vacated the order.

She frowned at what she described as antics of the plaintiff and the defendants in the case to defeat the course of justice and therefore struck out a motion seeking to disqualify the counsel to Ebonyi State government.

Justice Onyetenu reserved ruling on another motion challenging the jurisdiction of the court to 6th

May. In an interview, counsels to the plaintiff, Mr Roy Umahi and Mr Ogwudu Uche said they would challenge the ruling. ‘’There was a motion filed in court asking that the cousel for the 1st -7th defendants be disqualified in that they are parties to the bond; the subject matter of the suit,” they said.

Ebonyi State’s AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Ben Igwenyi hailed the ruling of the court.

The matter had earlier been transferred from the Federal High Court, Lagos to Abakaliki over jurisdiction.

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

12

THE NATION

BUSINESS INDUSTRY

industry@thenationaonlineng.net

About $3.3 billion is spent on steel importation annually. This is projected to rise to $15 billion. But, despite parading the record of having the second largest iron ore deposit in Africa, Nigeria has, curiously, failed to breathe life into the moribund Ajaokuta Steel Company in Kogi State. The project has become a huge drain pipe and a campaign tool for successive administrations. Assistant Editor CHIKODI OKEREOCHA writes that unless the facility is resuscitated, Nigerian industrialisation drive will remain a mirage.

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, at a campaign rally by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi State, dangled the proverbial carrot before the electorate. He promised the completion of the moribund Ajaokuta Steel Company (ASCL), Nigeria’s largest integrated steel plant tagged: “bedrock of Nigeria’s industrialisation.”

At the rally, which was held at the Lokoja Confluence Stadium, President Jonathan told a crowd of party supporters that all the legal issues that slowed down the multi-billion dollar project expected to produce 1.3 million metric tons (MT) of liquid steel per annum, have been resolved to pave the way for its completion.

Jonathan’s words: “The Ajaokuta Iron and Steel Complex is dear to us. This is a government that promises and fulfills its promises. During my inaugural speech in 2011, we made promises in that speech and we have addressed all. We are addressing the issue of the Iron and Steel Company. We are not playing politics with it. The AttorneyGeneral has been handling the legal issues.

We have been slowed down because of legal issues. The Attorney-General has travelled to London more than 20 times and now we have got to the end, we will move ahead.”

However, the President’s hope of riding on the promise of completing the project to curry votes at last weekend’s presidential election was dashed Although, ASCL holds the collective aspiration and desire of Nigerians for self-sufficiency in steel and halts the unbridled importation of steel products that costs the nation an estimated $3.3 billion annually, The Nation learnt that a few indigenes of the state, who were at the rally, refused to be swayed by what they considered an empty promise.

Their skepticisms are justified. Since September 1979, when the project was conceived with the vision of generating important upstream and downstream industrial and economic activities critical to the diversification of the economy into an industrial one, it has been a tool for campaign promises by successive administrations, which never came to pass. The project suffered the same fate in 2011 when Jonathan campaigned for his first term in office. To most indigenes of the state and indeed, Nigerians, the President was merely playing to the gallery as the fortune of the steel plant has never improved since his administration mounted the saddle.

Located on 24,000 hectares of sprawling green-field land-mass, the Steel Plant, built on 800-hectares of land, was embarked upon as a strategic industry, a job creator and a foreign exchange earner. It was envisaged that it would generate a myriad of socioeconomic benefits and increase the productive capacity of the nation through its linkages to other industrial sectors.

•Dr. Jonathan

•Dr. Aganga

Ajaokuta: How govt put industrialisation in reverse gear Using the time tested Blast-Furnace – Basic Oxygen Furnace route for steel production, the project would also provide materials for infrastructural development, technology acquisition, human capacity building, income distribution, regional development and employment generation. While the project would directly employ about 10,000 staff at the first phase of commissioning, the upstream and downstream industries are expected to engage over 500, 000 employees, among other benefits.

Unfortunately, none of the benefits has come the way of Nigerians 36 years down the line. If anything, it has become a0huge drain pipe on the nation’s resources, as Nigeria, according to Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, continues to spend about $3.3 billion annually on steel importation. The Minster, who spoke at the commissioning of the C•ld Roll Mill Project of Kamwire Industries Limited in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital recently, projected that the import bill may rise to $15 billion in the next 10 years.

“We spend $3.3 billion every year importing steel. In the next decade because of the way we are growing that $3.3 billion will become $15 billion,” Aganga said, warning that: “We will not be able to afford it as a nation and it will become a balance of payment deficit. That is why we came up with the industrial revolution plan.” While pointing out that the sector is the backbone of any economic or industrial development in any

nation, the Minister said the current administration was “determined to take the risks and forcefully revolutionise industrialisation in Nigeria.”

Experts have, however, called to question the current administration’s commitment to its industrialisation mantra, insisting that it failed in the last six years to match words with action by mustering the political will to complete the ASCL. This is despite the fact that a developed and virile steel industry would not only save the nation scarce foreign exchange, but create opportunities for varied capacity building. Besides, the project, according to experts, holds the key to the attainment of vision 20-2020 and the Federal Government Transformation Agenda.

Rather than help the country achieve these objectives, ASCL has become a subject of intense controversy and politicking by various interests. It was the clash of interests that culminated in the termination of the concession agreement between the Federal Government and Global Infra-structure Nigeria Ltd (GNIL), an Indian firm, in 2008. Although, the Federal Government had accused the Indian firm of breaching the provisions of the concession agreement and asset stripping, the company had gone to the International Court of Arbitration in London, challenging the revocation of the agreement.

Although, Jonathan said all the legal hurdles slowing down the project have been removed, the project has been a subject of legislative scrutiny following revelations

of ASCI, who are engaged to ‘doWorkers this all-important job and to secure the plant from pilferers, are paid a paltry 0.4 per cent of the investment on ground annually

‘

that the country was paying huge sums of money to the company’s idle staff. This has pitched members of the House of Representatives against the management of the facility, which insisted that certain forces are bent on frustrating efforts at getting the project back on track.

According to the company’s Sole Administrator, Mr. Joseph Onobere Isah, an Engineer, “There are certain agents in our midst that have not been comfortable with the modest achievements we have recorded in Ajaokuta so far and the course of action we are charting towards making liquid steel production a reality in our country. Isah, who spoke while presenting the achievements and challenges of the steel plant before members of the House of Representatives Committee on Steel Development in Abuja, said such forces might have been responsible for the allegation of staff idleness levelled against the company.

He said contrary to the allegation, the company’s staff work tirelessly daily to ensure that the plant was well-maintained and running. The staff, according to him, were not being paid N3.4 billion monthly as the Chairman of Assets Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) Alhaji Aliyu Kola Belgore, reportedly said last year at an event in Ilorin. Isah, who said Belgore wrote to explain that he was misquoted, reminded the House Committee members that it was because of Belgore’s statement that he was summoned, following a motion by a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, that the claim be investigated.

He explained that Belgore, in a letter to the management dated September 8, last year, denied the newspaper stories, stating in part: “I did not and will never disparage the company as I do not work there. It is out of place for me to know and mention anything about the total monthly wage bill, the number of machines installed and the number of staff of the company.” However, he said: “The recent motion by Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, coming after over four months of the publication and echoing the AMCON Chairman’s statement and newspaper publications, deserves to be investigated to stop the vicious circle of misinformation.”

The ASCL Sole Administrator urged the Committee to authenticate Hon. Tajudeen’s allegations. He recalled that the House of Representatives Committee on Steel recommended N3, 821,718,510 to the Appropriation Committee as the 2014 Personnel Cost for ASCL. The Appropriation Committee of the National Assembly, he said, approved the same amount as the 2014 Personnel Cost for ASCL and that it was the same amount that was in the 2014 Appropriation Bill for the 2014 Personnel Cost (salaries) of the company.

Isah said: “From the foregoing, the onus of providing evidence to back the AMCON chairman’s figure of N3.4 billion as ASCL monthly wage bill, which has been severally quoted, naturally falls on Alhaji Belgore. The House of Representatives Committee on Steel would do well to demand such evidence from Alhaji Belgore. Should there be any proof of a hike in the figure known to Alhaji Belgore, then he could avail the Committee of it.”

The Accountant-General of the Federation and the Director-General (Budget), he said, could be asked to tender the releases made through IPP1S (Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System) in respect of Ajaokuta Steel Company’s Personnel Costs last year. “To the best of our knowledge, it is what was appropriated that was paid to staff by the Accountant-General of the Federation via 1PPIS,” he said, adding that since July 2012, preceded by a diligent and thorough data capturing exercise, the salaries of ASCL workers are paid directly to respective staff members from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation via the IPPIS. Isah said these facts were known to all, adding that after the takeover of the company from the Indians (GHIL/GINL concessionaires) in 2008, ASCL has been on zero capital allocation and an overhead of less than N45million. “All such information is in the public domain and on the website of respective ministries,” he said, adding: “It is common knowledge that any piece of commissioned equipment left idle will sooner than later be lost to rot due to corrosion.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

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THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

14

Fish is a staple food vital for good health. But the challenge for fish farmers is storage after harvest to enable them sell. Following this, there is a campaign to introduce smoked fish technology to prevent spoilage and help farmers earn more income. DANIEL ESSIET reports.

Curbing fish wastage through smoking technology I F Phil Onuoha has his way, all his fishes will be smoked. This followed dwindling sales, he suffered selling fish fresh.

A hardworking and dedicated fish farmer, Onuoha prefers selling his fish fresh from the pond.

The challenge however is that fresh fish can’t hold long periods of time. Though consumers prefer fresh fish, his challenges are transportation and storage facilities to keep it in a condition that can still be sold after moving them from the ponds.

For him and other farmers, transportation of live fish to the markets requires investment in trucks with fish holding cages.

While long distance transport of fresh fish further requires ice or trucks with cooling devices, the road from his farm to the market is bad during certain seasons.

In Ikorodu, a Lagos suburb, where his farms are located, transporting fresh or live fish to rural markets was not feasible .

Besides, being expensive, it takes him time to move fish to central Lagos where consumers are willing and able to pay higher prices.

Not able to do direct marketing, he has to contend with market women who come to buy on the farm.

Onuoha said the women would always want him to sell at a price that is not profitable and to serve as major link to the market.

While lowering the price will enable him to sell more, he said it makes no sense economically to do so.

As a result, sale at most times is often poor after harvest. Besides, he explained that the fish industry is prone to seasonal fluctuations in demand.

In most cases, fluctuations in demand is taken care of by processing.

According to him, selling fish is a high-risk business, as they go bad very quickly, so they have to do whatever they can to reduce the risk.

The option for him is smoking.

After harvest, he smokes the fish within the farm. This helps him to control supply to the market, stabilise prices and reduce waste.

So far, he is making gains. His customers are aware he sells smoked fish. Also, consumers’ preferences for taste and price are taken care of.

Although modern preservation technologies would simplify their processes and would enable them to sell fresh fish, them can’t afford to buy cold storage equipment which cost run into millions of naira.

For such, smoking fish may be the way to go.

He said small-scale fish traders invest significant time and effort to preserve their stocks using traditional methods before they sell it.

To experts, kilns used for traditional smoking involves burning wood which leads to a variety of problems.

Aside producing more greenhouse gas pollution , it releases contaminants known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are hazardous to the human respiratory system.

Farmers, also suffer from intense heat that affect their health.

• From left, Prof Emmanuel Iyayi of University of Ibadan (UI) and Chikwendu at a meeting in Ibadan

•Toure inspecting fish ponds at Ondo State

The campaign now is to get more farmers introduced to smoking kiln technology that improve processing by reducing the smoke level to internationally acceptable standards.

One of the organisations promoting this is the West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP).

WAAPP has resolved not to strengthen fisheries but to support technology transfer through universities and research institutes.

WAAPP-Nigeria National Project Coordinator, Prof. Damian Chikwendu said the priority focus of the project in Nigeria include aquaculture, poultry, cassava, maize, and rice among others.

He said WAAPP-Nigeria is committed to doing anything possible to promote aquaculture.

In this regard, he said the National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research (NIFFR), New Bussa, Niger State is emerging into a National Center of Specialisation in Aquaculture. The objective, according to him, is to develop and release top notch technologies in aquaculture for adoption in Nigeria and Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) countries to increase productivity.

Chikwendusaid the programme is also supporting the smoked fish project at the institute.

Another institution also involved in this campaign is University of Ibadan,(UI).

In its Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management are specialists in aquaculture development .

The department conducts market research and provide fish farmers with business management support. It also provides technical assistance to visiting farmers.

Speaking while receiving World Bank WAAPP team at the university, its Head of Department, Aquaculture and Fisheries Management, Prof Bamidele Omitoyin said the school is training students on smoked fish technology.

In addition, he said farmers are trained to process fish free from benzo-a pyrene considered hazardous to health. The facilities in the department, he maintained, has the capacity to smoke one tonne per batch within 24hours, adding that UI has all it takes to deliver services in areas of aquaculture.

The university fish farm, for instance, he noted is well positioned to deliver dividends in aquaculture research while essential infrastruc-

ture are also on ground to support research and production activities in the animal sciences.

At the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIMOR) ,Lagos, the World Bank WAAPP Task Team Leader ,DrAbdoulayeTouré said access to smoked technology is making real change possible for fish farmers .

With the support of WAAPP, he said NIMOR has trained entrepreneurs on modern fish smoking technology and introduced an industrial fish smoking kiln fabricated by the institute.

He said the improved fish smoking project aimed to catalyse the development of sustainable value chain fish smoking improving energy efficiency and supply.

He reiterated that WAAPP is implementing a regional fisheries strategy aimed at improving the sustainable regional supply of fish and fishery products. The programme has five different result areas, the fifth one being food security, which primarily focuses on the implementation of activities, geared at reducing post-harvest fish losses that occur in small-scale fisheries.

In line with this, NIOMR Executive Director, DrGbolahamAkande has urged cat fish farmers to embrace canning as a means of preserving their prod-

ucts.

He said cat fish farmers were recording losses due to poor preservation and lack of value chain, adding that canning would boost the income of the fish farmers.

“Canning the catfish will create value and increase the income of farmers. Instead of selling fishes unprocessed and at ridiculous prices, farmers should either smoke or can them to enhance their profit,” he said.

According to Akande, canned catfish would compete favourably with the imported canned products such as Geisha and Sardine and also has the potential to become an export product for the country.

Its Head of Extension and Media Relations, Dr. Mabel Yarhere, said that the Catfish Canning Innovation Platform (CCIP) project was sponsored by the Forum for African Agricultural Research with $100,000 (N19.7 million) She said the fund was to support research, processing, market survey, mobilisation of farmers and launching various stage of the project within nine months.

According to her, farmers in the Southwest zone have been mobilised and empowered to embrace the project.

“We have assisted the farmers with fingerlings and feeds to boost catfish production as a step towards the success of the CCIP,” she said, adding that the platform was connecting co-operative societies to commercial banks, which would give them loans to drive their active participation in the projects.

Remarking that the CCIP project was a platform set on a stable ground and would create an open market for existing farmers and aspiring ones, she expressed delight that some of the farmers were already setting up canneries through sponsorship by state governments.

She assured of the safety of consuming canned catfish as it has no health implications.

“We have followed the international best practices as specified by FAO from primary production to finished products. We have worked with various local and international regulatory agencies to ensure quality,” she said.

To support the Federal Government’s move to increase fish production, the National Association of Fish Farmers in Kebbi State said it will partner with the state SURE-P on the establishment of fingerlings production centre and packaging of fish after harvest.

Its Chairman, Alhaji Hussaini Raha, said the association would also partner with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research, New Bussa, on the management of fish farms.

Raha said an update of the membership records revealed 12,050 members located in Argungu, BirninKebbi, Bunza, Bagudo, Shanga, Yauri and Ngaski local government areas, producing tilapia and catfish.

According to him, the association has also registered 9,000 artisans and 300 cooperative societies.

He said that the association would strive to meet international standard in the production of smoked and fresh fish.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

Don seeks viable agric policies

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HE Federal Government has been urged to introduce policies that will make the agricultural sector more viable and productive to tackle increasing unemployment.

The Country Representative, Harvest Plus, Dr Paul Ilona made the call, at the meeting of the Capacity Building in Agricultural Education in Nigeria (CBAEN) Project at the Federal College of Agriculture(FCA)Akure, Ondo State.

According to him, unemployment rate which stood at 5.3 per cent in 2006 increased to 29.5 per cent in 2013.

Delivering a paper,”Training and capacity building in value chains: Creating and strengthening linkages for job creation, profitability and agricultural transformation, Ilona said good policies would make agricultural sector more viable and productive , ensuring income for farmers to encourage oth-

Stories by Daniel Essiet

ers to join the agricultural sector.

He emphasised the need for agricultural financing and investment to enhance production in the country.

He called for measures to mitigate the challenges of climate change, emphasising the need for harvest security to prevent post-harvest losses to ensure increased revenue for farmers.

Ilona emphasised the need for a chain of market with competitive businesses ready to buy farm produce to prevent post-harvest losses.

According to him, agriculture is the nation’s greatest strength and critical for the country’s industrial growth.

To increasing incomes in the sector, he stressed the need to ensure diversification into cash crops, livestock and value addition on commodities.

He said farmers would also be further encouraged,in addition to their food crop farming diversify into the

cultivation of cash crops and livestock.

According to him, there is the urgent need to reflect on agricultural policies to ascertain business ideals and attractiveness to the youths.

He believed the youth should be better off if their concerns with agricultural mechanisation, transportation, water and other basic amenities were provided. He said young people would be more interested in value addition than actual production.

CBAEN is an initiative of the Switzerland Government and sponsored

by Bern University of Applied Science, Switzerland.

The focus of the programme is to increase the capacity of agricultural trainers, extension workers and agricultural students in value chain approach, to open more opportunities in the production of various agricultural commodities, such as, cassava, cocoa, aquaculture and livestock among others. This will, ultimately

reduce youth unemployment , alleviate poverty and reduce social vices, particularly illegal immigration of youths to foreign countries.

The beneficiary institutions include FCA, Akure, FCA, Ishiagu, FCA, Umudike, Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute(ARMTI), Ilorin; Nigeria University Commission, National Board for Technical Education, Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, Abuja and Ondo State Agricultural Development Project (ADP).

The CBAEN team on the Planning Mission included: Prof.

Robert Lehmann (Bern University of Applied Science, Switzerland) and Dr. Ingrid Fromm (Bern University of Applied Science, Switzerland), Mr Andreas Brogers (Representative of the Switzerland Ambassador) and Prof.

Placid Njoku (CBAEN consultant).

Stakeholders, such as Cassava Adding Value for Africa (CAVA),

• Ilona

HarvestPlus, Syngenta, Nestle, Plantation Industries Limited, WAAPP, among others, made pledges and commitments to partner with Federal College of Agriculture, Akure in various case studies that will form part of the CBAEN project.

Nigeria moves to save N431b from wheat imports OCAL wheat production is rising and Nigeria will achieve the 68 per cent local production target by year end, the Executive Director, Lake Chad Research Institute, Dr. Gbenga Olabanji, has said.

He said wheat production in the North would increase the output from 45 per cent to 60 per cent.

He added that the 68 per cent output target set by the Federal Government would be achieved by the end of the year.

This will help the country to save N431bn from its wheat import bill.

The LCRI boss said: ”Farmers have adopted the improved variety and we have released two new varieties in December, Reyna 28 and Norma Boulaug with average yield of 5.5 to six tonnes per hectare.

“At present, we can say have attained about 45 per cent. But if we are to add all the products in all the Northern producing states, we will have close to 60 per cent, so the 68 per cent is still very much achievable.”

Olabanji added that Lake Chad had released an improved variety of seeds that could produce up to six tonnes per hectare of wheat while the area of production had also been increased to about 150, 000 hectare.

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The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, had in 2013 said Nigeria would meet 68 per cent wheat needs by 2015.

“In two years, if we accelerate investment, we should be able to produce 2.2 million metric tonnes of wheat. This would meet 68 per cent of our domestic wheat requirements and save Nigeria N431bn in wheat imports annually,” the minister had said.

The Special Assistant to the Minister on Media and Strategy, Dr. Olukayode Oyeleye, however, said Nigeria had over the years witnessed some setbacks in local production of the commodity due to lack of planting materials, government policy changes and lack of incentives to stakeholders.

Oyeleye said: “The huge increase in consumption coupled with low productivity resulted in importation to fill the gap between demand and supply.

“Local consumption in the country has reached four million tonnes while production stood at 100,000 tons in 2012. To reverse this trend where more than N600billion in foreign exchange is spent on wheat importation, the Wheat Value Chain was put in place.’’

Trade Hub to boost cashew nut production

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HE West Africa Trade Hub of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has earmarked over US$150,000 to help finance processing raw cashew nuts to increase regional trade competitiveness, improve food security, and reduce poverty over the next five years.

The programme, which is in partnership with Cashew Alliance, is among other objectives, aimed at boosting international exports, jobs, and investments; and also to promote broader, more sustainable growth by improving both the private sector’s capacity and policies, rules and practices that govern regional and external trade.

It will also increase regional trade in key commodities through more value added exports: shea, cashew, mango, rice, maize, millet/sorghum, livestock — cattle, and small ruminants.

Value Chain Development Team

Lead of the Trade Hub, Mr. William Bill Noble, said in Accra, at a workshop organised for finance-access facilitators from some selected African countries and aimed at training them to secure finance and investment for firms to help increase the level of transformation in the processing of raw nuts to add-value — said: “We are going to provide financing to promote cashew nut processing in the region through approval of business plans and proposals. It is a trade project working with processors to add value to such commodities.”

There are over 40,000 metric tonnes (mt) of raw cashew nuts produced in the country, all in rural areas creating employment for thousands, with women in the majority, and export figures averaging 80,000mt: with inflows from Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Benin going to major destinations such as India, Vietnam and Brazil.

• Students of FCA,Akure demonstrating the use of yam pounding technology

Varsities discuss soil fertility

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ROUNDTABLE to create awareness for the Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) project has ended in Accra.

It was organised by the University of Alicante in Spain, in collaboration with five West African universities — , the Federal University of Technology, Nigeria, the University of Ghana, the University of The Gambia, the University of Dschang in Cameroun and the Njala University in Sierra Leone.

The Coordinator for the discussion, Ms Ester Boldrini, explained that the ISFM system was a set of agricultural practices adapted to local conditions to maximise the efficiency of nutrient and water use to improve productivity.

According to her, capacity building in the partner universities was

very important and expressed the hope that the outcome of the discussion would impact positively on students from the various universities.

On the challenges that the implementation of the ISFM en-countered in participating countries, a lecturer of the Federal University of Technology in Nigeria, Prof.

Matthew Bajon Ogun, noted that the level of training of extension officers on the ISFM was inadequate, thereby making it difficult for farmers to adopt the programme.

He, therefore, entreated the governments of participating countries to make incentives available for risk absorption in case the ISFM project failed, so that “farmers will have something to fall back on”.

Ogun observed that the centres of excellence which would be es-

tablished would help address issues faced by farmers and researchers who engaged in the ISFM project.

The forum attracted researchers, lecturers, Soil Science students, policy makers and representatives of the various universities.

The ISFM project, which spans three years, is aimed at building the capacities of the universities in the ISFM project. It involves training courses for stakeholders and the establishment of centres of excellence in the participating universities.

It also includes conferences to strengthen cooperation between academia and industry and the establishment of academic and industry funds.

The project is being sponsored by the African, Caribbean and Pacific/ European Union (ACP-EU) cooperation programme in higher education.

FAO unveils new crop to end hunger in West Africa

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HE Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has stepped up efforts to end hunger and poverty in West Africa, following the introduction of a new crop meant to contribute to National and Global food security.

The crop, known as Quinoa, is described as a highly nutritious food crop that can survive in various growing conditions. It also has a high potential to contribute to regional and global food security due to its nutritional characteristics and agronomi-

cal versatility.

According to the FAO, Quinoa is the only food plant that offers all essential amino acids, trace elements and vitamins in a healthy balance and also gluten free.

Similarly, the crop can be an important alternative, especially to populations that have no access to adequate sources of protein. FAO characterised Quinoa as one of humanity’s most promising crop relative to the fact it is the answer to the myriad of problems of human nutrition.

At a regional training of trainers’ workshop in Dodowa in the Greater Accra Region, , FAO Regional Representative for Africa, Dr Lamourdia Thiombiano, said the benefits of the Quinoa crop have been established with some evidence, demonstrating its potential for hunger and poverty reduction at national, regional and global levels.

Thiombiano indicated that the demand for the crop had risen as a result of its nutritious nature, resulting in a mad rush for its cultivation in over 70 countries.

16

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

THE NATION

BUSINESS BRANDS & MARKETING

e-mail: adedejiademigbuji@yahoo.com /mobile line: 08131075667

To further deepen its share of the dark beer market in the Southeast, Nigerian Breweries is banking on its consumer oral promo, Legend Extra Stout ‘Taste & Tell’, to capture new fans and boost brand engagement, writes ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI.

Deepening word-of-mouth marketing in the East C

ONSUMERS have always valued opinions expressed directly to them. Marketers may spend millions of dollars on elaborately-conceived advertising campaigns, yet, what often makes up a consumer’s mind is not only simple but also free: a word-ofmouth recommendation from a trusted source.

As consumers, overwhelmed by product choices, tune out the evergrowing barrage of traditional marketing, word-of-mouth cuts through the noise quickly and effectively. This, perhaps, may have informed the Nigerian Breweries’ decision to push its dark stout, Legend Extra Stout, into the eastern market through its national campaign, Taste and Tell, to underscore the importance of experience and word-of-mouth in marketing. While ‘Taste’ is about brand experience, ‘Tell’ is a wordof-mouth recommendation from a trusted source who has experienced the brand. The experience could be positive or negative.

The importance of ‘Taste and Tell’ in brand marketing cannot be undermined. A marketing analyst, McKinsey’s Ole Jørgen Vetvik, says 20 to 50 per cent of all purchasing decisions is based on word-of-mouth. “Indeed, word of mouth is the primary factor behind many purchasing decisions,” he said.

While adopting this approach on Sunday, March 22, at the Owerri leg of the second edition of ‘Taste & Tell’ campaign, an in-bar activation powered by Legend Extra Stout after the first edition was held across Lagos state and Benin, the experience shown in Imo state is unprecedented. The excitement in the air around Umunkoto along the ever busy Nekede Road, was conspicuous. As early as 7:30pm, the event section of the Winter Suite Hotel had no empty seat available. Bottles of the brand had already served on the tables as the quests, mostly consumers, are plunged into the contemporary hit songs blasting from the giant speakers strategically mounted around the event arena.

Like the Lagos and Benin activations which featured Yoruba and Benin cultural performances respectively, the Owerri leg also featured a performance by Nna Nyelu Ugo cultural group to connect the brand with the people.

The group took the audience, which had the Igbos in the majority, back to their roots with their soulful rendition of traditional folk songs.

The high point of the event, however, was when the audience took centre stage to play the ‘Taste &

Tell game. The ‘taste-and-tell’ game, involved a blind taste game where volunteer tasters tasted several drinks poured into cups marked ‘A’ to ‘C’ after which they were asked to identify the cup that contained Legend Extra stout. Participants who correctly identified the cup were rewarded with prizes such as 9.5kva generating set, LED TV and a refrigerator among other things.

The game was conducted in batches of three volunteer tasters.

Two out of the three tastersVitalis Chilaka, a 300 level under graduate of Quantity surveying, Federal Polytechnic, Uwana, and Augustine Chukwuebuka, and upcoming artiste correctly identified the glass that contained Legend Extra Stout after tasting the unidentified drinks in the first batch. For their feat, Vitalis and Agustine were rewarded with a 32’ inch LED TV and refrigerator respectively.

Reacting to their winnings the duo attributed it to their loyalty to the Legend brand for a long time during which they become accustomed to that taste of Legend Extra Stout. “I volunteered to play the game because I knew I would win. I have been a Legend Extra Stout loyalist for years now, so I was sure I won’t miss that unique bitter taste and the feel of that rich foam head,” Vitalis said.

Also, Augustine said, “Legend has been my best drink for over four years now. You can’t be loyal to a brand like that and fail to distinguish it from other brands even when blind folded. Almost all stout brands have bitter taste, but the bitter taste of Legend Extra Stout is unique”.

A 500L medical Student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka Gift Chukwuoti, emerged the winner in the third batch and was rewarded with a 9.5kva generating set for his feat. Reacting to his winning, visibly elated Gift was full of praises for Legend Extra Stout for the gift and confessed that he never expected that he would go home with such a prize as he had just come to the venue with no prior knowledge of what

• Chilaka Vitalis (left), winner, receiving his 32' LED TV from Paul Ehioghae, Area Sales Manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc, during the Legend Extra Stout Taste &Tell activation in Owerri.

was going on.

“This is quite surprising for me; I’m really short of words. I came in here not knowing something like this was going on but here I’m going home with a giant generating set. I want to thank Legend Extra stout for this”, said Gift.

Asked how he was able to identify the brand from among many unmarked drinks, Gift was quick to say, “I’ve been a Legend Extra Stout loyalist for four years now, so I couldn’t have missed that unique bitter taste that only Legend possesses”.

A psychologist, George Silverman, pioneered word-ofmouth marketing when he created what he called “teleconferenced peer influence groups” in order to engage physicians in dialogue about new pharmaceutical products. Silverman noticed an interesting phenomenon while conducting focus groups with physicians in the early 1970s. “One or two physicians who were having good experiences with a drug would sway an entire group of skeptics. They would even sway a dissatisfied group of ex-prescribers who had had negative experiences!,” he observed.

Speaking about the activation, the Marketing Manager, Lager (Gulder, 33 export, Life & More) and Stout (Legend, Turbo King

&), Nigerian Breweries Plc Emmanuel Agu, explained that the in-bar activation was introduced last year after Legend Extra Stout was repackaged as the brand. He said that it will also serve as a medium to engage and reward its teeming consumers for their support over the years. “We started the Legend Taste & Tell activation last year after the brand was repackaged and we are continuing with it this year because it is a unique way to engage and reward our teeming consumers for their continued support for the brand. It also provides platform for us to reinforce in consumers the unique great taste of Legend Extra Stout despite the brand’s repackaging, and also serve as a medium to reinforce in them those key attributes of the Legend brand that makes it stand out,” he said.

In 2014 Legend Extra Stout was repackaged in Stanoil foil and metalised labels. In the same year Legend Extra Stout via its National Consumer Promo, took 30 Nigerians to an all-expenses-paid shopping spree in Dubai, United Arab Emirate.

Agu, who disclosed that the activation train will touch designated locations across the country from March to June, 2015, enjoined consumers to look out for when the

‘I don’t think we are responding to any competition; as stated earlier, innovation is in the DNA of Legend and we believe this will progressively push the brand to its deserved place at the top. We want to give consumers the best by emphasising the quality of our brand’

train will stop in their cities and join the fun.

Competition as the driver of Taste & Tell marketing activation The competition in the stout marketing is reaching a fever pitch especially between Guinness stout and Legend extra stout.

The market, which parades old rivals, such as Guinness Extra Stout and Legend Extra stout; and the brands for the low-end markets such as such as ‘Castle Milk Stout’, Dark Ale and Turbo-King, is becoming more competitive following the ever-changing taste of consumers. With the renewed effort by low-end brands to stimulate demand, the story of the old rivals has continued to follow the narrative of the Biblical David and Goliath, mustering enough marketing budget to fight each other through innovative marketing approach.

The Marketing Director of NB, Mr. Walter Drenth said: “I don’t think we are responding to any competition; as stated earlier, innovation is in the DNA of Legend and we believe this will progressively push the brand to its deserved place at the top. A quick flash back about our support for Legend in the last few years will convince all that rather than responding to others, other players are following our footsteps. This explains why the brand has, in the past years, remained the fastest growing stout in the market. We have to keep growing; we want to give consumers the best by emphasising the quality of our brand. This is part of our strategies. And again, I want to reiterate this; it’s part of our ways of showcasing a premium quality.”

17

FRIDAY APRIL 3, 2015

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

‘Buhari ’ll redeem his promises to Nigerians’ E

MINENT citizens have described the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Gen. Muhammadu Buhari as the dawn of a new era in the country.

They said Buhari’s leadership will engender the process of giving Nigeria a new direction, by halting the drift that has almost plunged it into ruins.

Afenifere Deputy Leader, Senator Ayo Fasanmi, said after 16 years of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership, which is characterised by impunity, insecurity and corruption, Nigeria will now witness the dawn of a new era.

Fasanmi said: “I am personally happy at the victory of Gen. Buhari at the polls. As the late sage Chief Obafemi Awolowo used to say, there is no known history of unbroken darkness. However long the darkness will take there will be a glorious dawn.

“Those who thought they could spend millions of naira and dollars to purchase victory, particularly in Yorubaland, would now cover their faces in shame. The Yoruba people have spoken, Nigerians have spoken through their ballot.

“I am happy to say that if I meet Chief Awolowo again, I have good news for him.

His dream about a new era in Nigeria has come true. That the progressives across the country have come together to rescue the nation.”

Former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, noted that efforts to use religion against Buhari failed.

Accorbing to him, in spite all the lies fabricated against Buhari, he triumphed.

Mamora said his view that no amount of money can swing Yoruba votes in favour of the PDP has been vindicated by the election results in the Southwest. “The Southwest is too sophisticated. They have made up their minds, no amount of distributed largesse will change their minds.

“No individual or group can dictate to them on how to vote. This they have demonstrated during the presidential election.

I salute their courage and perseverance. I commend them for their consistency.”

Afenifere chieftain, Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye said the victory of Gen. Buhari is an indication that God loves Nigeria. He said given the commotion, tension and

• Osinbajo

• Buhari

yearned for a government that will stop ‘theNigerians mindless looting of our common patrimony and assets by our fellow country men and women ’

By Leke Salaudeen

bloodshed in the country the presidential election was prosecuted to its logical conclusion.

Durojaiye said but for the composure and magnanimity of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Attahiru Jega, the unruly behaviour of former Minister of Niger Delta Godsday Orubebe would have disrupted the

declaration of the result.

He advised the President-elect on assumption of office to tackle corruption, insecurity and the epileptic power supply in the country. He believes if the power supply is stable, small and medium scale industries will spring up which will create jobs for unemployed youths.

To Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN), Gen. Buhari’s victory did not come as a surprise to discerning Nigerians. He said though this

victory was long in coming, keen observers know that it was inevitable.

Ngige said: “It was a victory postponed, but not denied. It is not in doubt that the last time the PDP won an election freely and fairly was in 1999 under the administration of Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar.

“From 2003 to 2011, the PDP had not won any free and fair election. It was the judiciary that had always legitimised the shenanigans that characterised the previous elections. It is therefore to the credit of Prof. Jega that he decided to make history by insisting that the 2015 Presidential and National Assembly elections will be free and fair.

“Nigerians yearned for change: change from a corrupt, clueless, inept, incompetent, hopeless, divisive and hateful government that had been in office for the last 6 years.

Nigerians yearned for a change from a government that had divided the country along ethnic, religious and regional lines to a government that will unite, unify and bond all Nigerians. Nigerians yearned for change from a government that had no answer to the collapsing economy, mass unemployment, insecurity and mass poverty to a government that will revive the economy, create employment and empower the masses.

“Nigerians yearned for a government that will stop the mindless looting of our common patrimony and assets by our fellow country men and women. I am hopeful and optimistic that Gen Buhari would live up to the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians that voted massively for him in the entire North, the Southwest, the Southeast and the Southsouth zones of Nigeria. The process for the redemption of our country under the leadership of Gen Buhari and Prof Yemi Osinbajo has just started.

“All hands must be on deck to support the incoming government to return this country to the path of glory and progress. I congratulate Nigerians for this historic election in which an incumbent government at federal level has been voted out of office through a free and fair election. I must also congratulate the outgoing President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for his spirit of sportsmanship in conceding defeat and thus saving the nation from needless post election tension and apprehension,” Ngige concluded.

APC promises to deliver Ejigbo roads

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Lagos State House of Assembly in Oshodi/Isolo Constituency, Hon. Ladi Ajomale, has said that he would use his position to influence massive infrastructural development in Ejigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), if elected into office.

Ajomale made the declaration when he visited and interacted with the Igbo community in Ejigbo. He solicited for their support during the April 11 governorship and House of Assembly elections, saying his first two years in office will give the LCDA a new look.

He urged members of the community to come out in their numbers and vote the APC governorship candidate in Lagos Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and all APC candidates during the April 11 elections.

He said that the APC has an organised structure and that it would be neccesary for the incoming governor to work with members of the House of Assembly and the local government or LCDA as well.

This, he said, makes it easier for him to be able to meet with the governor who is the number one citizen of the state on the areas that affect the constituency he represents Earlier, Ambode had promised that he would develop 20 new roads in each of the 57 local government areas and LCDAs, if

By Ambrose Nnaji

elected into office Ajomale said he would make sure that the governor keeps his word. He also promised to work with the local government chairman and closely monitor every project in Ejigbo to ensure that they are delivered. “I am going to defend the people of Oshodi/Isolo and Ejigbo and I have to make sure that I deliver as well; this is a promise I have to keep,” he added.

According to Ajomale, there are benefits in carrying everybody along, especially in this democratic dispensation, irrespective of ethnic or religious affiliation. He added that the APC as a party that promotes progress, peace and unity cannot afford to ignore the Igbospeaking community both at the state and local government levels.

He said: “We are here to interact with the Igbo-speaking people in Ejigbo local council area. It is important to come and see you because we need your votes, so that we will serve you. You have the opportunity to air your views and let us know what we have to do when we get into office. It is only right to come and have an interactive session with you where you will ask questions and give us your support and definitely when we get into office we are going to work together as a

• Chairman of the Igbo community in Ejigbo, Ikenna Ajina, Lagos State House of Assembly candidate, Hon. Ladi Ajomale, the Tulushe 1 of Ejigbo, Barr. Val Iwuchukwu, Lolo Bobashelu 1 of Ejigbo, Hon. Onyinye Okoroji, Member House of Representatives, Oshodi Isolo Federal Constituency, Hon. Akeem Munuri and Women Leader, Mrs. Grace Okere at the campaign visit to the community.

unified team.

“You have just given me the satisfaction and confidence that the coming election is going to be a success story for me and I thank you for giving me the opportunity to come and see you. By the grace of God whatever we need to do when we get into office we are going to do it together.”

Hon. Akeem Muniru, who represents Oshodi/Isolo Constituency in the House Representatives, also thanked the Igbo community for their support and cooperation, say-

ing that the party is committed to ensuring the welfare of everyone living in the state, including the Igbos.

He dismissed the claim that the Yorubas don’t love Igbos, adding that both tribes accommodate each other and have been living together for a very long time.

Muniru urged the Igbos to ignore ethnic and religious sentiments by coming out in their numbers to support the APC during the coming governorship and House of Assembly elections.

18

THE NATION FRIDAY APRIL 3, 2015

Remember that what killed Nigeria Airways ‘was corruption (from ticketing fraud to spare parts fraud and) general poor maintenance record’

...57 D AYS TO GO DA

The transition to a new government is underway. Public affairs commentator Abiodun Ladepo, in this open letter to President-elect Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, sets an agenda for the incoming All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.

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ET me quickly jump in front of the oncoming bandwagon in offering my congratulations. I know you do not have too much time for niceties because much has been left in the Augean Stable for you to clean up.

Let me be one of the first to offer my two kobo on how you should begin the art (for, in Nigeria, it is indeed an art) of governing us for the next four years. My advice is neither in chronological order nor even in any order of preference. But most of it stems from lessons learned in the huge fall from grace to grass of your immediate predecessor, Mr. Goodluck Jonathan.

Agenda for in-coming APC government If you fail in everything above and succeed in stabilizing electricity supply, increasing its generation and distributing it effectively, your name will be written in gold

Declaration of Assets Even before your official swearing in ceremony scheduled for May 29th, go ahead and declare your assets as you promised. Do it publicly. In fact, find some money and buy space in a few national dailies and online media outlets and declare your assets. I am sure your Vice, Professor YemiOsinbajo, will follow suit. Nigerians know both of you are not stupendously rich, so no need to worry about having to explain how you came about your assets. Then go ahead and make it (in private, of course) a requirement for all your ministerial, judicial and heads of MDA appointees, to also declare their assets.

you have to borrow money to do anything, this is one sector you must get going almost right away. By the time your party comes to ask for our votes in 2019, we must be paying far less at the pumps than we are currently paying and exporting finished oil products to neighboring countries.

Appointments Please look beyond the APC for a combination of brains and brawn. Make deliberate efforts to find talents in other parties (believe it or not, there are good people even in the PDP) and appoint them to, not just inconsequential positions, but key positions that will task their intellect and vigor. Look beyond active politicians for skilled people because many of them want to serve and can serve very well but for myriad reasons, could not participate in politics. Spread your appointments across the nation as fairly as possible. I know the southwest practically elected you (the north had always been with you) and you will be pulled by those of us from the southwest to reward us and not marginalize us like Jonathan did.

But you are president for the whole country.

Beam your searchlight on the east, south-south and all over the country and look for talents.

If you try hard, you will find talents in the states that voted against you. You will find talents among Nigerians living abroad. You have to demonstrate the level of maturity that Jonathan lacked and show the world that you are not vindictive. How nice would it be if you could askNuhuRibadu to be Minister of Interior, in charge of the Police, Immigrations, Prisons, Civil Defense and Customs? These are parastatals that have become cesspools of corruption and need someone of Ribadu’s incorruptibility, energy, patriotism and attentionto-detail to lead. How about RajiFashola for Ministry of Works or Ministry of Justice? You get my drift?

Corruption Nigerians trust you and to some degree, trust Osinbajo. But that is not the same and will, of course, not be the same for your appointees.

You cannot single-handedly eradicate corruption in Nigeria. In fact, no one can eradicate corruption from any country. You can only do your best to reduce it to the bare minimum.

To this end, you must return transparency and independence to the EFCC and ICPC. Once nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate to serve for a specified term, the chairpersons of both organizations should only be removable by (a simple majority) legislative impeachment. This removes the EFCC from Executive control and allows every political party to have a say in how it does its job. Please ask your political appointees to sign an undated Resignation Letter before you appoint them. This will serve you well in the future if they misbehave and you need to sack them. All you would need to do is put a date on their Resignation Letter and ACCEPT their resignation. This letter serves to keep them on their toes. I have heard other members of your party (and specifically Prof. Osinbajo) promise to not go after those who have perpetrated corruption before your election. I hope that is not true. Nigerians expect you to go after those who stole the future of their children. No, you

•Buhari

should not allow this to consume you and detract from more important things. Nonetheless, we cannot afford to let them go scot-free.

They must pay, if only to serve as deterrence to future thieves.

Judiciary You must overhaul the judiciary as a matter of urgency. The process of litigation in Nigeria is too long, too tedious, too expensive and too prone to abuse that justice is often delayed and thus often denied. Please embark on the construction of more courtrooms, upgrade the infrastructures of the existing ones, improve the welfare of judiciary workers and build more prisons to house those convicted in your new, expedited process.

Federal Budget This is too fat. You have to demonstrate to Nigerians that you are going to live by example. All those billions of naira usually allocated for food in Aso Rock need to be drastically cut down. Everybody working in or visiting Aso Rock is already being paid handsomely. They can pay for their own food. Make the cafeteria in Aso Rock a pay-for-your-own-food establishment for everybody. Cut down on the number of people traveling out of town and out of country who collect estacodes and allowances for doing practically nothing on such trips. Then invite the Senate leader and the Speaker of the House of Representatives and ask them to lead their respective legislatures in taking drastic cuts both in salaries and in other emoluments. Nigerians find it unconscionable that a Senator earns more than the President of the United States. Your predecessor was too compromised to have the moral authority to ask the legislators to take a pay cut. You do not have such a problem. They the legislators - are looking for motivation, direction and purpose. You must provide that leadership.

NNPC I don’t need to tell you that this is the nation’s jugular. Fortunately, you are probably the most knowledgeable about this sector out of all who have governed Nigeria. So, there is very little anybody can tell you about this that you do not already know. You must appoint persons of absolutely unquestionable character to head this Ministry and the various parastatals that support our oil industry. Your Minister of Petroleum must believe in refining our oil within our country. And so that person must commence the construction of new refineries and the repair of old ones. If

Transportation I take you at your word that you will revive the moribund Nigeria Airways by first deploying most of the aircraft in the currently bloated Presidential fleet to the national carrier. It has been a national embarrassment that the Giant of Africa has been unable to manage its airline. Remember that what killed Nigeria Airways was corruption (from ticketing fraud to spare parts fraud and) general poor maintenance record. Your new Nigeria Airways must be peopled with crack professionals and technicians – people who take aviation safety and customer service seriously. On the railways, you will agree with me that the situation whereby people and merchandises headingfrom Abuja to Ondo, Ile-Ife, Sokoto, Ado Ekiti, BirninKebbi, Akure, Benin City, Ogbomosho, Oyo, Jalingo,Yola, Damaturu, Dutse, Calabar, and many more key townscannot even contemplate taking the train. Train tracks do not pass through these places! And the tracks we have are single tracks that force trains to wait for each other for hours at trains stations. These were the tracks betrothed to us by the colonial masters and we are yet to improve on them. Please start building new tracks and get rid of those archaic, used locomotives with which your predecessor “transformed” us back to the Stone Age. Remember, a viable rail system will ease the pressure on our roads as large goods such as petroleum tanks and containers will find it cheaper and faster to use the railways.

Defence Like NNPC, this is another sector about which nobody can lecture you. As the Boko Haram quagmire has shown us, there has been gross corruption or negligence or incompetence of all of the foregoing in the Ministry of Defense dating back to before your predecessor. Things just got past him more because he knew next to nothing about this sector and he was too incurious and too afraid to ask questions. Luckily for us, you know what is going on and nobody can accuse you of being too afraid to ask questions. The ranks of our military leadership, the officer corps, has been politicized and bastardized to the point that they have lost credibility with Nigerians. The respect and adulation normally enjoyed by the military has been erased and replaced with scorn and derision. People now see the military as a bunch of willing tools in the hands of politicians; a rag-tag bunch who will scamper off the battlefield with tails tucked between their legs at the sound of Boko Haram’s Hilux trucks. You have to restore the dignity of the Nigerian military.

Heads have to roll. In fact, heads that have

left the service but responsible for the rot in the military must be recalled and set rolling.

You must set up a panel of former military officers, aided by a crack team of accountants, to look into the books of the military and find all the missing trillions – the reason our military lacked weapons and other equipment when called up to defend the country; the reason why thousands of our citizens were easily massacred by terrorists; the reason why we lost parts of our country to a Boko Haram and the reason why our country became the butt of jokes in international military circles. You must reorient the military to the path of professionalism – training for war in peacetime as if they are at war; training them in some of the best countries in the world and with some of the best militaries in the world; equipping them with the most modern war-fighting equipment; taking care of their welfare and that of their family and building for them infrastructures that befit the status we want them to occupy in the world.

If you have to reduce the size, please do so.

Remember, size is not might. Most advanced nations have moved away from large, slower military to smaller and more mobile, more nimble forces. That is the direction we should be headed. We should be building a smaller but more lethal force.

Intelligence There are too many unintelligent personnel parading themselves as intelligence operatives in our country. Like the military, they too have been co-opted into serving the whims and caprices of the government of the day. And they do not know what they are doing. I make this last statement boldly, confident that I know what I am talking about.

Our intelligence organizations should complement the efforts of the law enforcement agencies and the military. In fact, they should be integral parts of those organizations and should not, themselves, be exempted from being scrutinized. You need to infuse the DMI, the NSA, the DSS and all the others with well-trained (internationally well-trained) professionals who can teach basic and advanceintelligence gathering, packaging and dissemination to the end user. The gun-toting, sunglasses-wearing and suit-decked socalled intelligence personnel are just collecting pay checks. Where, for example, is the Boko Haram leader? Where are the Chibok girls? How are weapons getting inside Nigeria – and I mean heavy weapons? How are fighters getting inside Nigeria and how are they getting re-supplied? You need to overhaul this sector.

Medical Please send a bill to the legislature prohibiting all government officials from using government money to fund any aspect of medical care they receive abroad. They can exercise their inalienable right of free movement, but Nigeria should no longer pay for anybody to receive treatment abroad. In the mean time and while the bill snakes through the legislature, use your executive powers to deny requests for overseas medical travels that involve the use of government funds.

Clearly, your biggest challenge is electricity. This is the giant killer that has “killed” those before you. If you fail in everything above and succeed in stabilizing electricity supply, increasing its generation and distributing it effectively, your name will be written in gold. This will task your brain and sap your energy the most. Every sinew of your being must be engaged when you appoint people to solve this very huge problem. With the talents that abound within our country and outside, with the resources at our disposal, you can eradicate our dependence on all sorts of generators. With stable electricity, you won’t need to create too many jobs as Nigerians will create jobs by themselves.

Your Excellency, I know you have a full plate and you are no spring chicken. That is why assembling a team of very qualified and able people from across the country and the Diaspora will make your job easier. All you need to do is provide the motivation, purpose and direction and they will execute.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

COMMENTARY LETTER

EDITORIAL

Orubebe’s misconduct • The ex-minister’s display at the collation of presidential election result is a classical example of how an elder should not behave in public T is quite saddening that daily, we are reminded of the poor leadership selection process in the country. Elder Godsday Orubebe’s display at the collation centre for the presidential election is one of the worst reminders that the country has a long way to go in recruiting men of honour and panache to handle critical national assignments.

The former Minister of the Niger Delta did not realise that being at the centre was a rare privilege that was extended to him because he was considered mature and accomplished. The national ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had sent the elder from Delta State to represent it at the collation of the results, believing that he would be of good behaviour and portray the party and Nigeria in good light to the world.

It is shameful that Elder Orubebe could insist on sending the presiding officer over the collation, Professor Attahiru Jega

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‘Although the former minister has apologised, we must say he should never have contemplated what he did in the first place. If Prof Jega had not exhibited maturity and the exercise had been disrupted, will an apology be able to contain the consequences of such behaviour?’

packing. It is difficult to fathom that such a man could think that by creating a scene at the event he could disrupt and draw the curtains on such a sacred assignment that millions of Nigerians were waiting with bated breath for its outcome. Was the former minister familiar with provisions of the law on the circumstances by which a chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) could be removed from office?

He displayed both bad judgement and bad faith. He kept calling on Professor Jega to abandon the exercise without giving him an opportunity to respond to the allegations he had made. Orubebe then proceeded to sit on the floor, refused to release the microphone and kept yelling with the intent to cause commotion. Were the former minister a minor, he would be liable to spanking by his parents, but being an elder, who knows what his bewildered wife and children would have said to him for giving them such a poor image?

We join Professor Jega in calling for decorum by those privileged to have held public office in the land. We commend the INEC chairman for his mature handling of the situation. Even when it was obvious that Orubebe deserved to be thrown out of the room for being a misfit for the occasion, Jega remained calm and waited for the former minister to calm down before ordering for continuation of the exercise. When he chose to speak on the matter, he gave all the reasons why Orubebe had no justification for what he did.

On the allegation that the INEC chairman was partial and selective in treating matters referred to him as the

chief electoral commissioner and returning officer for the election, Jega pointed out that he did not receive any petition from the PDP. He explained that Col. Bello Fadile who attempted to present some sheets of papers to him adopted the wrong procedure and was chided for doing so. As such, Professor Jega said the so-called PDP petition was not before the commission.

On the ruling party’s fear that the figures from Rivers State had been rejected, the INEC chairman said the commission found no basis to take such an action as an election was indeed held in the state last Saturday. He crowned his submission by saying, even if with due respect, that a person of Orubebe’s stature should not have behaved in such a manner.

Although the former minister has apologised, we must say he should never have contemplated what he did in the first place. If Prof Jega had not exhibited maturity and the exercise had been disrupted, will an apology be able to contain the consequences of such behaviour?

We commend the Jega example to all public officers. Had the INEC chairman ordered that the source of irritation be bundled out to allow resumption of proceedings, the outcome would not have been as smooth.

As we move towards the second set of elections next week, we call on all Nigerians to cooperate with INEC in ensuring that the governorship and House of Assembly elections are free, fair, peaceful and credible. This is what we owe the country, Africa and indeed, the world.

Flight of courage •Are our soldiers truly afraid of taking over towns conquered by the allied forces?

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HE New York Times’ revelations through a piece titled ‘Foreign troops beg Nigerian soldiers to occupy recaptured towns,’ has further exposed our military’s weakness. In the story, Chadian authorities were reportedly angered by “the near-total absence of cooperation from the Nigerians in a crucial regional battle.” For example, it was reported that several days after the last Boko Haram fighter had fled the captured town of Damasak, consequent upon bombardments from Chadian and Nigerien troops, Nigerian troops had shown no interest in taking over the desolate town.

Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chadian foreign minister reportedly declared: “The Nigerian Army has not succeeded in facing Boko Haram. The occupation of these towns, this is up to Nigeria. My fondest wish is that they assume their responsibilities…Our biggest wish is that the Nigerian Army pulls itself together — that it takes responsibility in the towns.

We are ready to disengage, right away.”

Second-Lieutenant Hassan, a Chadian army officer, puts it succinctly: “We asked them (Nigerian Army) to come, to receive this town from us, but they have not come.

It is because they are afraid. We fought on the night of the 14th, and the last attack was on the 15th of March. We called them on the 16th and told them to come; they didn’t believe we were here. It is up to them (Nigeria) to hold the town, not us.” Our role is offensive. Our mission is

to chase the terrorists.”

Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, Director of Defence Information presented the Nigerian side to the story: “It is not true that our soldiers are not willing to take over such communities. There is no town that our soldiers have liberated that is not being well secured and well patrolled at the moment. We have always warned against irresponsible comments in this collaboration and we are not ready to join issues with anybody. We will do everything to sustain this collaboration.’’

But why are Nigerian soldiers still not within that vicinity? Of course we are not unaware that not much progress was made on the insurgency until the armed forces of Niger, Chad and Cameroun came on board lately to help quell it. The reasonable mileage so far garnered, regarding the recapturing of towns hitherto occupied by members of terrorist groups in Adamawa and Yobe states, could not have been as a result of the right approach by the nation’s military authorities alone, but that of the coalition forces. With time and under the current collaborative efforts ,everything points in the direction that Borno State, the only remaining enclave of Boko Haram, would fall very soon. This is why we agree with Maj-General Olukolade that the government should do everything to sustain the ongoing military collaboration with neighbouring countries.

But by and large, it is indefensible that

the nation’s soldiers still have not overcome the fears of the insurgents despite the intervention of the allied forces.

What is equally undeniable is that any nation with a timid military cannot but have disaster awaiting her since the sanctity of her territorial integrity can no longer be guaranteed. This is why it is too shameful that after the liberation of some of the towns by the coalition forces, Nigerian soldiers are still afraid to take over from there even when it is certain that the coalition forces would not be here forever.

As a responsible platform, our demand is simple: The nation’s topmost military hierarchy must not allow this insult to continue after all the huge investment the government claims to have made on the military’s training and equipment, especially in recent times.

‘It is too shameful that after the liberation of some of the towns by the coalition forces, Nigerian soldiers are still afraid to take over from there even when it is certain that the coalition forces would not be here forever. As a responsible platform, our demand is simple: The nation’s topmost military hierarchy must not allow this insult to continue’

Nigeria is the winner!

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IR: Congratulations to Nigeria, Nigerians, the APC, President-elect Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President-elect Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and President Goodluck Jonathan.

This is an indelible moment for our dear nation.

The Presidential and National Assembly elections have been held. The opposition won the presidency and the incumbent President has congratulated the winner.

President Jonathan deserves commendation for his humble and peaceful disposition. He must be praised for not dragging Nigeria into a needless civil war that could have led to loss of innocent lives. The African continent would have been thrown into turmoil with invading Nigerian refugees trooping to other countries.

Unlike African Presidents such as Laurent Gbagbo who cared less about the lives of their people, President Jonathan has demonstrated real courage. President Jonathan also deserves commendation for organizing credible elections in 2011 and 2015 in contrast to the ‘Iwuruwuru’ ‘selections’ of 2003 and 2007, which held under the watch of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Clearly, there are areas of concerns that need improvement, but the elections conducted under President Jonathan are more credible to a far extent. Kudos to Professor Jega and President Jonathan. And many thanks to African nations and the international community that ensured democracy and peace in Nigeria.

Nigerians are gradually doing away with ethnoreligious sentiments in choosing their leaders. Igbos have been elected into the House of Representatives in Lagos State. A Christian defeated an incumbent Muslim Governor in Niger State (with a dominant Muslim population), to emerge the Senator-elect. General Buhari, a Fulani Muslim won the presidential election in Benue State. Yet, this is a state with largely Christian population and composed of Northern minorities, which traditionally voted against political parties perceived to support core Northern interest. These developments are more than significant. They remind us of the good old days when Hon. Ebube Dike (an Easterner), was elected into the Western House of Assembly and when Umoru Altine (a Northerner), and Dr. Bashorun (a Westerner), were elected mayors of Enugu and Port Harcourt.

We hope to see a southerner elected the governor of Kano State. A non- Yoruba elected the governor of Lagos State. A northerner elected the governor of Enugu State. And vice versa!

Our leaders must consolidate the ongoing ethnoreligious harmonization. General Buhari should lead by example and all elected leaders must see Nigeria as their only constituency. We all have our rights to vote on the basis of choice and no ethno-religious group must be discriminated against for its voting pattern. General Buhari should ensure that he leaves Nigerians far more united than he met them. He must ensure that our ethno-religious and sociopolitical fault lines are erased as much as possible.

Peace and security of lives and property must be enthroned. The economy must be diversified and sustainable. Systemic reform must be stepped up across all sectors. And Nigerians must embrace attitudinal reform as well as uphold ethical values if we truly want a Nigeria where things work!

Once again, the winner is Nigeria!

• Akinlolu, Abdulazeez Adelaja, University of Ilorin

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THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: Nigeria Election 2015!

There have always been some asinine, farcical and insincere features to the politicking and electioneering in Nigeria, even long before the real election times. Nothing has ever been normal or straightforward with politicians; if they are not involved in one corruption scandal or the other; they are involved in bloodletting, mudslinging and what not. It is entirely typical and with my universal experience, has come to realise that this particular trait of “insincere, door-die politics” is unique to Nigeria. Please I stand corrected and educated.

Anyway, before I continue, and in order not to be seen to be hypocritical, let me say my sympathy lies with the opposition All Progressive Congress, APC, so most of what I will be saying, will of course be biased against the ruling People’s Democratic party, PDP. But what I say should be weighed and balance with truth.

In my state of Oyo and in my city of Ibadan in particular, the PDP and its gubernatorial candidate and other aspirants are on a downward trend, and one of the causes of their demise is due to their outright lies, deceit and sincerity in their promises to the people. I listen to their campaign jingles and other electioneering gimmicks, and I could not but help marvel at their inanities, and how their mediocrity shows through every time. I am not even worried by their reputation for insincerity anymore; it is the quality of their deceitful claims.

The PDP jingle on radio stations (I never watch the TV stations), sponsored by an Ibadan daughter who happens to be a junior minister in President Jonathan’s mediocre cabinet, make claims of improved agriculture, an effective, efficient and easily accessible healthcare system, building and reconstruction of roads, empowering of women, improved electricity supply, enhanced, youth employment, refurbished and standard airports and improved rail transportation, etc.

My problem with this jingle is the dangling of the carrot of the creation of an Ibadan State, if Mr Jonathan is re-elected. This outright deceit and wrong promise is too much for me to take. With others asking for Oduduwa State in Osun State, and

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The poisoned carrot of an Ibadan State Ijebu State in Ogun State, and who knows how many others such small states to be carved out of the 26 existing states, it becomes pertinent to ask the disseminators of these lies how and why President Jonathan intends to prioritise the creation of an Ibadan State, assuming he can single-handedly do this or push a bill through in the National Assembly, over the others.

We should also ask the Oyo State Coordinator of President Jonathan’s Campaign, what mileage or advantage this will be to the whole people of Oyo State, if, as a campaign slo-

gan, she is asking for the Oyo State people to vote for Jonathan, and at the same time telling them that their state will be split up and Ibadan exorcised from the rest of them, giving the Ibadans an advantage, which they already enjoy anyway, as the most populous and most metropolitan and most developed of the people of Oyo State?

I therefore find it very deceitful and condescending to the people of both Ibadan and the encompassing Oyo State to be assailed with such obviously fraudulent political promises and guarantees to get their votes.

But then I figured it out as soon as I know who the Coordinator is.

Treachery and trickery, artificiality and grandstanding are not strange to them. Her father, a prominent, yet self-centred son of Ibadan, is likely to be one of the brains behind this creation of Ibadan State.

So, this poisoned carrot of an Ibadan State is bound to backfire. It will not work. Yes, I don’t mind an Ibadan State, but what’s the use of having it now; a state that will keep on going to Abuja to beg for a meagre monthly allocation; and because it will not be an oil-producing state,

it will be getting pittance; a state that will not be able to stand on its own industrially because of short-sighted and clueless elites; a state whose existing industries are moribund and a lack of political will is not them resuscitate them. I don’t know.

Anyway, since it is a poisoned carrot at the end of the stick, the donkey will never catch up to eat the carrot, so we can conclude that, in the meantime, we are safe from the warped, insidious, invidious plans and chicanery of those who want to create private empires and states for themselves, where their fellow people will be their serfs and servants perpetually or allow them to perpetuate them and theirs in power continually.

Forget it for now. Let the Truth be said always.

• Akintokunbo A Adejumo Lagos

The fall of PDP IR: All this while, my writings and stance had been anti-Buhari until few days to the general election when a Facebook friend sent a post that read: ‘Slavery is when you buy fuel in order to power your generator in your house, and you still come out to shout, continuity.’

That post reminded me of the altercation that ensued between a petrol attendant and me when I went to buy fuel recently. The president had announced reduction in the petrol pump price from N97 to N87 naira but almost all filling stations were selling the product at N100.

The first lesson is, never undermine the youths. I have not seen any general election that the youths all over the country participated as this one. The youths never minded coming from different ethnic and religious backgrounds to shout for and work for change in the government at the centre. Why did the youths participate with all their lives in this year’s presidential election? In 2011, President Jonathan came out with youth-friendly slogans such as: ‘Nigerians need fresh air’ and ‘ I once had no shoes’ etc. Coming from a poor family background is something that is common among Nigerian youths, hence they voted in one of their own. They believed that the

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president, having come from a similar family background, would ensure that their problems were solved.

However, the president on assumption of office surrounded himself with advisers who are anti-Nigerian youths. They brought up the issue of SURE-P, dishing out millions of naira to an individual in the midst of many that are hungry and unemployed, amongst them several graduates. How can such process be going on when NYSC members are receiving less than N20, 000 per month, corroborating international community’s report that majority of Nigerians live below USD1 per day?

What of the recent immigration service interview that ended tragically? What the government should have done was to compensate the bereaved families and at the same time give automatic employment to all that attended the ill-fated interview .The applicants could be employed across all the federal civil service in order to assuage the citizenry. However, the advisers of Mr President never deemed it necessary because they believed that whether the people liked it or not, they were going to ‘fix’ the presidential election.

The same youths that voted for Mr.

president in 2011 were the same people that voted him out in 2015, what a paradox? Yes, there were mild irregularities in the elections, but I am cocksure that in any free and fair election, the current APC will beat PDP. The advisers and foot soldiers of Mr president that were prodding him could not even deliver their own polling units. What a shame!

Finally, in this series, Nigerians, especially our leaders, should learn not to bite the hand that fed them.

Anywhere in the world, there are kingmakers. Even in developed democracies like USA and UK .God used Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to singlehandedly bring up our current president right from the level of a deputy governor to where he is to-

day, passing through different political positions. Baba, as Chief Obasanjo is fondly called resigned his post as the PDP BOT chairman because of skirmishes between him and the leader of the party. Other party leaders left thereafter.

Surprisingly, the advisers of the president were still assuring him to go on and within a little space of time, the strong PDP structures in the country collapsed. As PDP was going down, APC was going up and the whole scenario culminated in the first defeat of the ruling party since we returned to our current democracy in 1999. The rest is history.

• Dr Paul John Port Harcourt , Rivers state mazipauljohn@gmail.com

Re-Jonathan and the Yoruba

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IR: Dear Egbon, do not bother yourself about a Yoruba man calling you egbon. I am touched by your above message, God will continue enriching your knowledge and wisdom. Our tribes and tongues may differ but come March 28th; the brotherhood of faiths will effect the long awaiting change in this country.

Mr. President should understand

that this country will outlive him and history will not forget his name as the luckiest president who shattered hopes and aspirations of our people. The Almighty God will protect you and your family as labour for the greatness of this country•Kenny <kenlof2005@yahoo.com>

*

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015 16

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COMMENTS

Buhari, you do not come to us by chance Email: tunji_ololade@yahoo.co.uk 08038551123, 08111845040

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UHAMMADU Buhari, you do not come to us by chance. You who have drunk fresh water from an unnamed stream should make history. I bet you curse providence now or thank it. I bet you wonder why it is that it must carve you so wickedly inwards the way the eclipse comes before that twist in the scenery we all love to talk about and dream about.

Now you must find a path we both must travel; you must find that proverbial destination we all must arrive, henceforth. You must start a new vision to guarantee the attainment of the old ones laying spent in the doldrums of ineptness and all that conceit, and deceitfulness ever gave.

Now that you know better, let every smile become the sneer you have learnt to loathe, let every sneer become such incense that would teach your heart to obsess at the crossroads where courage banters with success and progress.

Today, our dreams are of discord and our talk is of chaos. The cowards that we are have chosen to prevaricate where remedy jostles with perversion for head-space, in the interest of our dying State. But we choose perversion. Would you too?

Perhaps you have no inkling what

turbulence you have been chosen to curtail; do you have any idea what tempests you must ride and conquer? Perhaps you know not what madness your lot is to contend…the storm is astir Buhari, what can you do?

Will you become the leader and messiah of our dreams? Will you become the spitting image of predators we have learnt to endure in power? Will you become the proverbial neophyte forever walking in the shadows of enfant terrible tin gods?

Perhaps you understand not the heart of the matter Mr. Buhari; you do not come to us by chance. You come in the year when old promises stay broken and new promises founder with the breath that utters them.

You come when the young expect nothing and the old endure forced recall and invocation of pleasures past. You come when we can charm neither logic nor wit to justify what had been taken, stolen and forsaken.

You come when daylight jostles with our heart’s pulsed reassurance of twilight. You have become Number One citizen at scarcely our finest hour. You come when we perfect the art of decapitation of

‘It’s never too late to divest our destiny of men and women forever maddened by lust for power and the spoils of phantom projects. I hope you find persons of private virtue, the old-fashioned…postmodern folk who would bow their heads to no blast, and stand unbending to every brute force in the world. And we know that such men and women are yet with us’

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BA, the famed Enyimba City, is not only the commercial nerve centre of Abia State. It has, also, in a way, become the barometer with which acceptance or rejection of anybody or anything is measured in Igbo land.

Side by side the entrepreneurial activism with which the city is known, there is also the kindred spirit that moderates people’s action in Aba. It is this kindred spirit that unites the residents, who may not have been related in any way, to rise up against crime and criminals when it matters most.

This is the spirit that at the point of need erupts and propels the people to fight against injustice. It is in this instance, that Aba, according to many, is seen as the conscience of the Igbo nation – a trend that predates the current dispensation.

Back in 1929 for instance, when the British colonial authorities came up with an unjust taxation regime in Igbo land, it took the women folks in Enyimba City to rise up against the imposition in the famous Aba Women Revolt.

Though the uprising took toll on the rampaging women, it nonetheless sent strong warning to the imperialists that there was a level beyond which a people would not tolerate an unjust system. The same kindred spirit resurrected in the second republic, when the people rose against the late Yoruba leader and presidential candidate of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), Chief Obafemi Awolowo who came on campaign to the city. The residents revolted against Awolowo for allegely authoring and championing the economic blockade against Biafra during the 1967 – 1970 Civil War. On account of the obnoxious policy, many children from the East purportedly suffered malnutrition – some, in fact, falling to the dreaded Kwashiokor. When therefore, Awolowo came to Aba to campaign, and even remarked that he was going to ban importation of second hand cloths (Okirika) and Stock fish (Okporoko) – the two viable economic engagements of the residents, it was seen as rubbing salt into injury. And Aba residents gave it to him.

It is on this backdrop that what befell Abia State governor, Chief Theodore Ahamefule (T.A) Orji, in the city recently, would be appreciated. The governor, who had attended the burial service of late Catholic Bishop of Aba Diocese, Most Reverend Vincent Valentine Ezeonyia, was reportedly booed and pelted with sachet water. The ugly incident was the sixth time the governor was visited with such harsh treatment in the city. Aba, considering its

defenceless mothers, sons and daughters. You come when we master the ‘fine art’ of execution and ethnic genocide.

You come when fear’s moon flower spreads within the clan. You come when debauchery and bloodlust colours our dawns into devious dusks of gruesomeness and slaughter. It’s a grievous weight you bear, General Buhari, I do not envy you. Given time perhaps I would wish I were you.

But I do not now, for this brief that you accept confounds me and yet it behoves me to suggest that you remember our official histories of rancour, administrative plunder and death. Remember the histories that afflict our peace and burden our hearts; let them be your guide in your onerous task to hack memorable paths to your own narrative in the pursuit of fresh traceries and histories in the interest of our common good.

If you can manage to achieve that, your records speak from the shelf a thousand and one years after destiny foisted your leadership upon us. And if you are a disaster like every other before you, your record shall speak from the shelf.

Tell me, are you the disaster they say you would become. Show us; are you the effeminate struggling to pass as ‘man,’ as circumstances command? It was a brave thing that you did keeping faith in your dream even in the face of random acts of ridicule and violence hauled at you by subhuman elements like Fayose, Fani-Kayode, Faka and company.

It was about time Buhari that you became our dream. It was about time you actualised our heartfelt wishes; Nigeria deserves more than the impotent wimps and court jesters at the helms of affairs. Now that you have become Mr. President-

elect...now, what?

I wonder if you will get carried away in the euphoria of the moment and so doing, substantiate the fears of wanton alarmists peddling calumny against your Excellency; please do not go the way of outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan and company.

Please do not turn governance into a bazaar; Nigeria does not need more than 18 ministries to be precise. You know such grey slots I abhor, and our people detest, don’t you?

Having committed yourself to such gallantry that excited our hearts to sing your praise, do not renounce plaudits we summon from the depths of our hearts.

Mr. President-elect, you will have to desert the old ways...our corrupt ways. You must deviate from the path of those who played “puppet.”

You are adjudged to be a man of better breed and character, please do not cross over to the dark side like Jonathan. You must learn from the sad fate of Jonathan; now that you have beaten him silly to the position of Head of State, his cunningness and desperate exploits amounts to nothing; the fortunehunters that misled him have begun to desert him even after they gobbled the feed with the cart and the left-over. Its four years since 2011 when he took over and our people are passionately retracting heart-felt paternosters they made for his sake; it is only Jonathan out there, I assure you. Please do not go the way of outgoing President Jonathan.

You have no one Buhari; it’s just you, your actions, inactions, and posterity.

Mr President-elect Buhari, in a nation of 170 million or more, will you do better? Your first test will be in the appointments that you

make; so doing, you will announce to the world what manner of leadership you have to offer. Do not go the way of the outgoing bunch of clueless toddlers who desperately sought to play ‘adult’ to our detriment.

I hope you are man enough to take charge. I wish you would undo the unforgivable gaffe Jonathan committed foisting damaged policies and men unto our battered state.

Shall expired drugs divest the heart of terminal cancer?

Shall you now rise in high character to act unfettered? Shall you now act enabled by superior manhood to bridge the void that swallows and dampens our lives? Shall you now with calm heart and level head summon and excite the dawning perspective of human good in the interest of Nigeria’s poor, helpless citizenry?

You see, there is some poetry to your emergence. It is your lot to reenact the compulsive story of patriotism undiminished, bliss-stung.

Shall you now summon and regurgitate that old anguishing virtuosity in the interest of State and those whose destinies listless men you defeated frustrate even as they leave?

I wish you strength and formidable grace as you divest our fatherland of random vile and madness that became our lot in the wake of President Jonathan’s leadership.

It’s never too late to divest our destiny of men and women forever maddened by lust for power and the spoils of phantom projects. I hope you find persons of private virtue, the old-fashioned…postmodern folk who would bow their heads to no blast, and stand unbending to every brute force in the world. And we know that such men and women are yet with us.

Find them Buhari, if truly you intend to make history.

Between Orji and Aba crowd

By Nnanna Ezeocha status, is supposed to be the second most important city in Abia, next to Umuahia, the capital. On account of its commercial orientation, it has representation from virtually every family in Igbo land residing in it. It had in the past, played the role of the economic hub of the then Eastern Region. Due to the streams of industries and commercial activities taking place in the city, it had served as major revenue centre for the state.

But the city has sadly experienced unprecedented neglect in the hands of successive administrations in Abia.

Analysts, in fact, remark that Aba received the last major facelift during the administration of the late Dr. Sam Mbakwe, governor of old Imo State. Ever since, the city has suffered from one degree of neglect to another. But never had the situation been as bad as it had been in the last 16 years. Governor Orji, incidentally, is a product of that system that is seen as holding down the city. The government’s manipulations that resulted to emergence of Dt. Victor Okezie Ikpeazu as the governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is thus, considered a further slap on the people.

Aba residents, not given to sitting on the face, have not been taking the issue lightly. What particularly irks the people is that an unlikely victory for Ikpeazu, would mean extension of the old order that has only brought misery to the state.

The PDP candidate has curiously not been helping matters. For a state that was originally conceived to be a pacesetter among its peers but was derailed by a succession of bad leadership, many had expected Ikpeazu to exhibit evidence of being prepared for the job. But on occasions that he had made guided appearance before the people, he had manifested copious emptiness.

He has for instance, failed woefully to present the people with any coherent economic agenda that will lift the state from its present economic doldrums, apart from lazy dependence on the paltry monthly allocation from Abuja.

Seen from this insightful background, Orji’s Aba humiliation becomes quite instructive. The action is also a signal to the departing governor that the people would not take lightly at any attempt at manipulating the April 11 governorship election in the state. This veiled warning,

is particularly remarkable, given the increasing level of excitement that has been generated by the candidacy of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) flag bearer, Dr. Alex Otti.

Otti, who rode into the race on the wings of fascinating reputation that he earned from his successful management of Diamond Bank – a feat that earned him term renewal as Managing Director - has laid out a template for reinventing the God’s Own State. With an elaborate programme that touches various facets of the people’s life including infrastructure renewal, and resuscitation of the near comatose health, education, tourism, sports and civil service sectors, among others, Otti has understandably been the toast of the Abia electorate.

Where, perhaps, the APGA candidate stole the show from his PDP candidate, is his vision of creating the Ministry of Aba Affairs, if elected. Given his pedigree in keeping to pledges and agreements, residents of Aba, who hardly forget favours, have been rooting for him. It is also argued that with the Aba episode, the governor has lost the grip on the people. Of course, his crony, Okezie Ikpeazu, is ordinarily, out of reckoning, having failed to deliver in his last assignment with Abia environment protection agency.

What the situation on ground also means is that with the rejection of the governor, it is only Otti that can guarantee electoral victory and development for the state and the entire Igbo race.

• Ezeocha writes from Aba, Abia State

‘It is also argued that with the Aba episode, the governor has lost the grip on the people. Of course, his crony, Okezie Ikpeazu, is ordinarily, out of reckoning, having failed to deliver in his last assignment with Abia environment protection agency’

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

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COMMENTS

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OT many Nigerians took me seriously when on August 2, 2013, I wrote the piece being reproduced here today.

Precisely twenty months after the registration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in July of 2013, the party has made history as the first opposition party to deracinate a ruling party from power at the centre. The party’s presidential candidate, Alhaji Mohammadu Buhari defeated incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan fair and square in the March 28, 2015 Presidential election. He scored 15,424,921 votes; Jonathan scored 12,853,162 votes. The total number of votes-28,288,053. The election was a true reflection of the Latin phrase: ‘Vox populi, vox dei.’ Indeed, the voice of the people is the voice of God. The myth surrounding the once impenetrable central ruling party, for several decades, was shattered on that day. This victory is for God that made it possible; the victory is for the majority of Nigerians that trooped out on election days, who endured scorching sun and heavy downpour to cast their votes for the winner. And the man behind the most successful political merger in the country and, the most successful politician in the nation’s history is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He deserves special recognition in whatever we do under this outgoing administration and that of incoming dispensation. His story will be told soonest in this column. Not to forget Professor Attahiru Jega, chairman of INEC for his calm courage in the face of outright provocation by devilish agents of Jonathan and for his transparent approach throughout the entire process. Thank you Professor. And to other writers of truth like yours sincerely, we all deserve a pride of place at the appropriate time. Anyone that still doubts whether columnists are not prophet, should kindly savour this reproduced piece, first written less than five days, after APC’s formal registration. Enjoy yourself.

The late John F. Kennedy, 35th president of world’s most powerful country – the United States of America – in one of his widely reported statements, once said: ‘Victory has a thousand fathers, but defeat is an orphan.’ This quote aptly captures the mood in the polity as more previously doubting Nigerians are now struggling to identify with the All Progressives Congress (APC), the newest political party in the nation’s political firmament. The party was formally registered two days ago by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The road leading to the eventual registration of the APC was littered with doubts arising from the ruthless antecedent of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to always circumvent seeming new viable democratic ini-

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Will APC be PDP’s nemesis?

•Buhari

• Tinubu

tiative. The path was strewn in prickles aimed at stagnating the progressives’ efforts of ensuring the birth of a formidable political party to wrest power from obviously bungling PDP. Personally, l doff my hat for those progressive leaders of APC for their selfless pursuit of their party’s registration to a fruitful end: They sacrificed their self-interests and endured personal discomforts. When it looked as if the set goal of registration was impossible; when their political hecklers were already jubilating that they had reached a dead end, they remained unrelenting. They must have strategised day and night to lay the unassailable foundation, through APC, for the imminent dethronement of PDP’s impunity in the governance of this country. Now that the APC has been registered, it is pertinent to ask whether the new party is ready to restore confidence of the people in their government if it wins the presidency in 2015. Or will the APC be another rabble-rouser in power like the current ruling party?

From this moment, all eyes will be on APC. And what the new party’s detractors might be

HE elections of last Saturday, particularly the presidential election won by the candidate of our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Muhammadu Buhari, were a watershed in the annals of democratic elections in Nigeria.

The election of Alhaji Buhari as president is the culmination of the struggle for the enthronement of a people-driven democratic governance in this country. It is also the fulfillment of the prophetic insight of Chief Obafemi Awolowo who in 1983 predicted that the progressive elements in the North and South would come together for the liberation of this country.

Indeed, the progressives have always wanted to come together but their march had always been stopped by cruel fate. The coming together of the progressives under the United Progressives Grand Alliance (UPGA) in the First Republic was cut short by military rule in 1966. The Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) was also brought to an end by the military in 1983. The progressive tendency of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) produced the Chief Moshood Abiola presidential election of 1993. It was also brought to an abrupt end by the military after the election was annulled. The APC however, is an idea whose time has come and there can be no stopping the match of history. It is significant that Chief Awolowo was instrumental to the formation of UPGA and PPA. Awoists formed the bulk of SDP in the South West. Also, the dominant party in the South West that became a major partner in APC was an offshoot of Awolowo’s Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).

I congratulate you all for being part of the making of history.

It is greatly significant how the election went in Osun. Your enthusiastic response, determination, orderly procession and conduct, peaceful disposition and commitment to the defence of democracy all shone through.

We saw the various categories of people, young, old, men, women, the aged and the physically challenged, all trouped to the various polling stations to perform their civic duties.

Because of vehicular restriction, many had to trek for long distances to get to their polling stations, in order to vote.

You all willingly sacrificed a whole day to be able to cast your votes to elect the president and federal lawmakers, in order to help shape the direction of the governance of our nation in the next four years. You voted and stood by your votes until they were counted and defended the integrity of the election. Your enthusiasm did not wane, even where voting started late and continued till the next day.

The pattern of the election was consistent with what obtained since our coming to office, first, during the 2011 general elections and secondly in last year’s governorship election. In 2011, you enthusiastically supported our

saying do not count; what really matters is what the party does rightly to rescue the nation from the siege of PDP before the next general elections. Mr. Kofi Annan, former United Nations (UN) Secretary-General once observed that “good governance is perhaps the single most important factor in eradicating poverty and promoting development.”

What Nigeria lacks for several years of democratic rule is good governance. The PDP in barely over 14 years has shamefully succeeded in enthroning graft and visionless leadership on the nation.

And Nigerians are waiting in the wings to see whether APC would deliver on this if given the opportunity to govern so that poverty and retarded development could be banished from the country.

The attainment of this lofty goal cannot be by mere rhetorics. The new party with its array of tested and accomplished political leaders must earnestly unveil its manifesto to the Nigerian public. Nigerians desire a manifesto with rigour/empiricism: A manifesto that has intrinsic and extrinsic correlations with people’s basic needs over time. Nigerians want good roads; they want affordable education; functional and effective healthcare system that is currently a charade under this PDP led administration. Nigerians want inexpensive and safe housing; they want gainful employment and a country that is safe for all to live in.

The people of this country want to see a well developed agricultural sector that could guarantee a situation where food items would be the cheapest things after inhaled air. With the deplorable state of federal roads across the country, it has become clear that the lives of Nigerians plying those roads mean very little

to the government at the centre. For instance, the Lagos/Ibadan Express road remained a death trap for 14 wasteful years of PDP tyranny over the nation. The healthcare system, as typified by the debilitating state of most federal hospitals, is in shambles. A visit to the National Hospital, Abuja would give credence to this reality.

This PDP government seems confused over the state of insecurity in the nation. Also, the administration of the ruling party has embarked on more actions that would increase unemployment rate than those that could promote employment generation. The pursuits of selfish political ambitions by members of the ruling party have relegated general public interests to the background. The touted mileage in agriculture has remained a paper thing with no direct impact on the production and prices of agricultural produce.

The Nigerian public has increasingly become weary of sustained on-going trend of ineptitude in the running of the country’s affairs. They desire long over-due change of political baton from the on-going inglorious routine of misrule and systemic corruption.

That is why yours sincerely thinks that with proper planning; a vision driven by a mission and resolve to think less of selves by the leadership of the APC, the days of PDP in power might just not exceed 2015.

What the country needs most at this crucial period is a party that could inspire the country to do what she is capable to be what she could be. A party that would throw up principled leaders of courage to occupy salient positions; let us have a party that is not only about techniques but also above average in traits of character and public spirited restraints. So far in the south-west, the laudable governance skills of Governor of example, Babatunde Raji Fashola, is a pointer of what to expect in APC. The other governors in the southwest including the focussed and principled Abiola Ajimobi in Oyo state; the astute precursor of renowned ‘Opon-Imo’ and high performer, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State among others, are not doing badly in their various jurisdictions. Their performances have set the template and teasers of what to expect from the newly registered APC. Is APC the long awaited party that would checkmate the long, excruciating run of PDP in power? There is no doubt that public expectations are very high on APC and it is believed that the party will not disappoint Nigerians.

The indefatigable strategist leader of the APC and former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Tinubu, has assured that the formal registration of the party will usher in ‘an irreversible cause of positive change and people oriented development’ in the country. Indeed, the new dawn is perhaps around the corner.

The beginning of a new beginning

By Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola candidates. Then, our presidential candidate won convincingly in Osun. You did the same this time again. This is in spite of the divisive campaign of ethnicity, religion and regionalism embarked upon by our opponents. You have demonstrated the same consistency in your support of the progressive cause since the days of the Action Group and have been passionate about us as you were about Chief Obafemi Awolowo. You have our profound gratitude for this uncommon love and support you have shown us.

There were reports of pockets of violence and attempted manipulation of votes in some parts of the state. These are the handiwork of agents of destabilisation and political brigandage. The security agencies are looking into this and will stop at nothing in order to bring the perpetrators to book. Popular participation and freedom of choice are the essence of democracy and are guaranteed by the constitution and protected by our law. We affirm every man’s right to have these. However, criminality, disruption of voting, political violence and denial of other citizens their right to political choice will not be tolerated. You have my assurance that whoever wants to disrupt the peace of Osun will have the mighty force of the law to contend with. We shall defend democracy and the right of all to participate in politics and freely make a choice.

In spite of the efforts of these outlaws, however, you refused to be provoked and you let peace reign. Local and international observers noted your commitment to peace and determination to deepen democracy. I am very proud of you.

Indeed, we are well pleased with the exercise in Osun and especially the mammoth support we have received from voters all over the country that led to the election of our presidential candidate. Given what we witnessed on Saturday, we have a measure of assurance that political power is now returning to the people through the democratic process. We must build on this; defend and guide it jealously. We should now gird our loins and give total support to the government of the people in order to have the life more abundant that we all earnestly hope for.

I must express my profound gratitude to all the people who voted for our candidates in the other elections into the National Assembly. The officers so elected will, in the best tradition of progressive leadership, provide the best

representation to their constituencies. We want to assure you all, however, that irrespective of the political party you voted for, our mandate to govern covers every inch of our soil and covers all the people, irrespective of ideological and political affiliation, ethnic and religious identity and colour of skin.

We shall continue to serve to the best of our ability, to provide leadership, defend your interest with all our might and bring life more abundant to you all.

I will like to thank all the people who made the elections a huge success in our state, beginning with all the political parties, women and their groups, market women, traders, artisans, workers, civil servants, teachers, students, transporters, drivers, commercial motorcyclists, employers of labour, organised private sector, the business community, non-governmental organisations, community based organisations, youth organisations, traditional rulers, community leaders, religious leaders, security agencies, the international community, Nigerians in the Diaspora, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and all people of goodwill.

I must not fail to commend the leadership of the legacy parties especially my mentor Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu the master-mind and chief strategist of this great victory of the progressives, Chief Bisi Akande, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, Chief Ogbonaya Onu, Chief Audu Ogbeh, Alhaji Muhammadu Buhari, my colleagues in the Progressive Governors Forum and a host of other leaders too numerous to mention. I thank you all.

• Text of the broadcast by the Governor of the State of Osun and the South West Coordinator of Buhari-Oshibajo Presidential Campaign, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, to the people of the state, on the outcome of the Presidential and National Assembly elections, on Wednesday April 1, 2015.

‘Then, our presidential candidate won convincingly in Osun. You did the same this time again. This is in spite of the divisive campaign of ethnicity, religion and regionalism embarked upon by our opponents’

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

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Newspaper of the Year

AN 8-PAGE PULLOUT ON SOUTHEAST STATES

A boost for candidate’s ambition •PAGE 27

Jonathan inaugurates power plant •PAGE 27

FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

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Women inaugurate development centre •PAGE 40

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•Some of the women dancing with the Imo deputy governor

A day for mothers It is a day of the best of clothes and precious gifts for the star attraction: women. OKODILI NDIDI writes on the Mothering Sunday when women are showered with presents in appreciation of their role in the home and society to melodious gospel tunes with their loved ones sharing the moment.

At different Anglican Churches across Imo State, it was one huge ball of dancing and merry making.

The clergymen in their characteristic manner gave insightful and thought provoking sermons to underscore the need to set a day aside for the celebration of mothers.

At the Victory Chapel, Govern-

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T is easy to tell a Mothering Sunday from any other regular service day. The women turn up in church in their best attires and are conscious of the fact that it is their day. All eyes are on them. And when the time to present gifts comes, it is their hands that are stretched out to receive from their husbands, children and just about anyone else.

It is the day for mothers. And it is just as well, for their contribution in the home and society is wellknown through the ages.

‘Uka Nne’, as it is called in Igbo land, is a day set aside to celebrate the unique virtues of motherhood.

It is also a day women are reminded of their vintage roles in building the family and the society.

In Igbo land, mothers look further to the Mothering Sunday with great expectations. The fortunate ones with wealthy children are showered with expensive gifts; even those who are not so fortunate are equally appreciated.

It is a time to share love and rekindle the bond between mothers and their children.

It is also a time the men show their gratitude to their wives for being reliable co-workers during the years. They equally make special preparations to add colour to the celebrations.

And in the manner of some, annual ritual presents the opportunity to show off a bit. This is evident in the way they dress and host guests.

But more importantly it gives the entire family the opportunity to say thank you to the woman who, as it were, bends over backwards to keep, nurture and grow the family.

Often celebrated in churches, where special prayers are said for the mothers and the entire families, the mothering Sunday also highlights the importance of mothers in nation building.

This year’s edition of the mothering Sunday as marked by the Anglican Communion was no less intriguing. Mothers in their colourful attires danced gracefully

More importantly, Mothering Sunday gives the entire family the opportunity to say thank you to the woman who, as it were, bends over backwards to keep, nurture and grow the family

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ment House Owerri, Pastor Bunmi Babs urged women to apply wisdom, prayer and faith in the man-

Joy in Enyimba City T

HE joy of victory was not confined to the North or West; it coursed through the length and breadth of the country including Aba, the commercial hub of the Southeast.

Enyimba City, especially the camp of the All Progressives Congress (APC) went wild with joy as the party’s presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari was declared winner of the elec-

From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

tion. Chants of Sai Buhari and APC erupted. Hands went up in the air.

It was the best piece of news they had heard since the run-up to the polls.

They had been waiting for news, and finally, it came, with relief.

The chairman of the party in Abia State, Mr. Donatus Nwankpa described Gen. Buhari’s victory as a

new dawn in the country.

“It is a time of rebuilding the 16 years ruin of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a time that all hands must be on deck to give the country its deserved right of place among the comity of nations,” Dr. Nwankpa told our reporter.

Continuing, he said, “The task ahead of Buhari’s administration is •Continued on page 26

agement of their families in order to attract God’s blessing to their homes.

Pastor Babs admonished fathers as leaders of their families, to imbibe the spirit of love and care for their families, adding that for leaders to be celebrated, they must live a life of selflessness and sacrifice.

He prayed God to bless the mothers as they celebrate their day.

Governor Okorocha, during a special Church service to mark this year’s mothering Sunday, called for increased appreciation for the role of women in the development of the country.

He advocated that mothers should be given due respect, love and rec-

ognition in their families and society in general.

The Imo Governor, charged husbands to treat their wives with passion and eschew the use of abusive words in all interaction with them, adding that “when wives are eulogized and appreciated, they contribute immensely to the effective management, peace and progress in their families”.

He argued further that “when a husband respects, encourages and appreciates his wife, God blesses the family and enables it make outstanding achievements”.

On the role of women in the family, the Governor, charged mothers to avoid nagging, suspicion and untidiness, pointing out that such lapses contribute to disharmony in the family.

He reminded the women of the adage that “the best way to a man’s heart is through his stomach”, while enjoining them to be respectful to their husbands and ensure that their children are brought up in the fear of God to enable them become good citizens.

Also at the St. Luke’s Anglican Church, Achi-Mbieri in Mbaitoli Council Area of the State, where the Deputy Governor, Eze Madumere, joined his mother, Queen Malinda Madumere to celebrate the day, old and young •Continued on page 26

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

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THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

From Chris Oji, Enugu

to rig election at the zone in his favour, stressing that anything other than “restoration of my mandate will be acceptable to the people”.

From Agbani road, the protesters who chanted solidarity songs in support of Nnamani moved coal camp, Enugu North Local Government headquarters and Ogbete main market where traders were forced to close shops and joined in the demonstration.

But effort to get into Obiagu, on the new layout part of the state was resisted by troops drawn from the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu and Mobile Policemen who fired several gunshots and teargas to disperse the crowd.

In a melee that ensured, several persons sustained injuries, even as the protesters vowed to continue to demonstration until the results were annulled.

He should not forget he contested against a candidate who knows him very well. The way I blocked him in 2011 is also the way I blocked him in 2015. There is no way Nnamani can beat me in any election because I know his tactics

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The PDP candidate, Nnaji, however, denied involvement in rigging as being alleged to return to power in the senatorial zone.

He stated that he defeated Nnamani and two other candidates in the Enugu east senatorial contest last Saturday, explaining that there was no way the former governor could have won the election because while Nnamani concentrated on radio jingles, he, Nnaji was doing

open and underground campaign.

“If Nnamani is claiming that he won the election, let him come and prove how he did it. You people can check the ballot boxes and see if there is any evidence of falsification. All he is doing is to try and misinform the public.

“If the election was actually rigged by me, I would have given him a wider margin. From the figures released by the INEC, you can see it was a keenly contested elec-

tion”, he said.

According to the Senator, who has secured his second tenure, it was his opponent who is the actual rigger “and having worked under him in the past, I know his tactics and I went and blocked all his jokers before he could do ‘his magic’.”

Nnaji said he was not bothered by such sponsored protests, which, he said, was a clear signal that he was not ready to accept defeat.

“He should not forget he contested against a candidate who knows him very well. The way I blocked him in 2011 is also the way I blocked him in 2015. There is no way Nnamani can beat me in any election because I know his tactics,” Nnaji said.

He thanked the people of Enugu East for giving him their support assuring that he would continue to offer quality representation that would enhance the welfare of his constituents.

Archbishop’s awards inspire students

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HATEVER they aspire to become, the competition established by the Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev Valerian Maduka Okeke has become a veritable platform.

The Archbishop Valerian Okeke Science Competition (AVOSCO) in Anambra State is shaping the future of science students by encouraging them to compete and win prizes.

The Archbishop initiated the competition to help the students to excel in their fields, especially in science subjects in secondary schools.

For now, the competition is only for students in Onitsha, but in the coming years, it will spread across the state, it was learnt.

The event which was held at Bishop Shanahan Hall in the commercial town brought together many students and their teachers, many of whom, including their schools, won various prizes.

Twenty science students were rewarded with cash prizes and gifts

Nnamani’s supporters protest again

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UPPORTS of former governor of Enugu State, Chimaroke Nnamani for the second protested the declaration of Gil Nnaji as the winner of the Enugu East senatorial zone.

Economic activities were paralysed for several hours in various parts of Enugu state yesterday as thousands of supporters of his Peoples Democratic Congress (PDC) took to the streets.

Nnamani vowed to sustain the protest until his “stolen mandate is restored in the state”.

In the protest tagged, “Occupy Enugu”, in which placards of various inscriptions were displayed, the rampaging party supporters accused INEC of working with the PDP’s Nnaji to thwart the will of the people in the election.

They stated that the PDC’s candidate and former Governor of the state, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani and not Nnaji won the election, stressing that INEC results obtained from the polling units lent credence to the claim.

He accused Nnaji of conniving with security officials in the state

Today is not to bring out our mission and vision but to present awards; we are here to tell the young ones, you can be better From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

from the Catholic Archbishop. So were their teachers.

The overall science student for the senior category, Ezeilo John Paul, from All Hallows Seminary Onitsha scored 80 per cent to beat others and go home with N50,000, while Ekwo Cynthia from Mater

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Christi Secondary School Awada came first in the junior category with 87 per cent and went away with N40,000.

Others who took different prizes included Obikwelu Kyrian and Okeke Oluebube who came second and third respectively in the junior category.

Also in the senior category, Nnamaga Kenechukwu of St.

Charles College, Onitsha took second and Okafor Chioma of Dominican Sisters College Abatete came third with each taking home 40, 000 naira each.

The teachers were not left out, the best teacher, a physically challenged person, Charles .C. Okonkwo of All Hallows Seminary Onitsha went home with 50,000 naira in the senior category.

Queen of the Rosary College (QRC) won the best teacher in the junior category while All Hallows Seminary Onitsha and Mater Christi Secondary School Awada came second and third respectively.

In the senior category, Dominican Secondary School Abatete won the first price with St. Charles College Onitsha and All Hallows Seminary Onitsha taking second and third positions.

Consolation prices of N10,000 were given from the fourth to the tenth positions in both junior and senior categories.

In addition to the awards to the students, teachers and their schools,

there were other materials donated to the schools by the sponsors.

These were giant interactive electronic boards valued at N200,000 for the schools to work harder which were for the first positioned schools, while photocopier machines were given to the second and third positions.

Speaking with The Nation, the Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev Valerian Okeke, said that the foundation is creating the opportunity for the young ones to discover their tomorrow.

He said, “Today is not to bring out our mission and vision but to present awards; we are here to tell the young ones, you can be better”.

The cleric commended the students for discovering their abilities and capabilities in science, while also hailing their parents for allowing their children to avail themselves of the opportunity offered •Continued on page 28

Joy in Enyimba City •Continued from page 25

•The women cutting the cake to mark this year's Mother’s on Sunday

•Continued from page 25 mothers had a swell time reminiscing on the beauty and challenges of motherhood.

Wife of the Priest, Mrs. Chinwe Oke, while delivering her sermon on the mothering Sunday with the theme; Faith, Obedience and Service, urged the women to remain submissive as instructed in by God. She advised the women never to be found wanting in their responsibilities of bringing up responsible children for a better society.

Highlight of the event was the

A day for mothers presentation of a special rendition by the mothers and the cutting of the mothering Sunday cake.

The deputy Governor, in his special massage, hailed the mothers for their strategic role in Nation building, describing them as the manifestation of God’s love for the people.

He advised mothers to be mindful of their roles as home builders, adding that “a wise woman builds

her house, while a foolish woman tears hers down with her own hands”.

He therefore called on women to appreciate the responsibility, which God has bestowed on them and never to toil with its import.

Madumere admonished the mothers to remain submissive to their husbands, while calling the men to love their wives and show them care at all times.

enormous. The economy of this country is in comatose. This is the time to change the situation that the PDP-led administration has plunged the county into. The first thing that we expect from him is to give this country a sense of direction. He should avoid wastages because one of the problems of this country is wastage arising from corruption, embezzlement, fraud and mismanagement.

“It is not a time for tea-party. They have a lot of jobs to do because this country, as far we know right now, is losing in infrastructure among others. It is a time to sit up and give Nigerians the real dividends of democracy because there are a lot of expectations on him. To defeat a sitting president among the black African countries and third world countries is a difficult thing. So, for anybody history has beckoned on with such a huge responsibility will know that he has enormous responsibility and the major thing that we Nigerians owe him is our prayers.”

He further expressed his hope that the emergence of Buhari would end insurgency and curb to the minimum, the impact of militant and militia groups that have been

unleashing mayhem on innocent Nigerians which the PDP administration failed to tackle in the past four years.

Also speaking, Prince Chigbundu Igwe, Abia State APC House of Assembly candidate for Aba South State Constituency said Buhari’s victory would help the party in boosting its support base in the state. He expressed optimism that the APC was going to come out strong in the April 11 polls.

Explaining why he is vying for the position, he said Aba South State Constituency has been so unlucky, especially in the last eight years to have people who only think of how to enrich themselves instead of working for the interest of the people that elected them into the office, a situation he said he was going to correct.

Prince Igwe, who lamented absence of tangible infrastructure in one of the densely populated local government areas, said he was going to use his influence to attract government presence to the area, promising to give the people quality representation.

He urged the electorate to use their PVCs wisely by ensuring that they voted massively for him and other members of the party during the April 11 polls to enthrone good and quality leadership.

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

27

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

•APGA supporters at Etche Road Primary School

A boost for candidate’s ambition

S

OONER or later, residents of Aba, the commercial nerve of the Southeast will be less dependent on the national grid for their electricity supply. President Goodluck Jonathan was there to inaugurate the first phase of the Alaoji National Integrated Power Project (NIPP).

The President inspected facilities at the Geometric Power/Aba Power Limited, the companies behind the NIPP, promising that the Federal Government would resolve all pending issues so that residents of the commercial city will enjoy uninterrupted power supply.

The company, since the completion of its plant, had been having issues with the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) over franchise-related matter. But President Jonathan, impressed with what he saw during his inspection of

From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

which prompted him to request that his body be brought to Aba when he dies, Mrs Ojukwu noted that the economic life of Aba would be re-invigorated by Otti the way he restored the glory of Diamond Bank and First Bank respectively.

In his speech, Otti promised his supporters that he would ensure that all the promises he made were fulfilled.

He reiterated his commitment to ensuring that he uses his wealth of experience in the banking industry and his administrative prowess to turn the fortunes of the state positively, adding that he was coming with a team of tested and trusted professionals to reposition the economy of the state.

•Mrs Ojukwu withAPGA officials

In his speech, the National ViceChairman of the party, Mr. Uchenna Okogbue said they were in the area to thank Aba residents

for supporting the party and its activities since the movement for imminent change began.

He called on the people to vote

massively for the party’s governorship candidate on April 11 governorship and House of Assembly polls.

Jonathan inaugurates power plant From Chris Oji, Enugu

the facility, vowed that the Federal Government would not allow such heavy investment to be a waste.

“This project is well-planned and will change the face of Aba in terms of power supply. Aba is a city that is highly industrialised with so many small and medium enterprises that need stable power supply to grow better and create more jobs for our people. We need to resolve this matter. This kind of investment cannot be a waste. We must call the parties involved in the matter–government, Geometric and EEDC to resolve the matter,” the President promised.

He praised former Power Minister, Prof. Barth Nnaji who is the chairman of Geometric Power/

,

W

IDOW of former leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu has endorsed the candidature of Mr. Alex Otti as the standard bearer of the party for the Abia governorship race.

Mrs. Ojukwu, who made a special appearance during APGA’s mega rally at Etche Road Primary School field in Aba, described the former managing director of Diamond Bank Plc as the man that would deliver the state from the shackles of bad governance.

She said the party would not hesitate to call Otti to order if he reneges on his electioneering promises to the people.

Recalling the love her late husband Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu had for Aba

This project is well-planned and will change the face of Aba in terms of power supply. Aba is a city that is highly industrialised with so many small and medium enterprises that need stable power supply to grow better and create more jobs for our people

,

Aba Power Limited, chairman Diamond Bank, Pascal Dozie and Governor Theodore Orji for their support towards the project.

The Minister of Power, Prof.

Chinedu Nebo said his ministry was working hard towards finding an amicable solution to all issues among the Federal Government, Geometric Power and the

Enugu Electricity Distribution Company.

Prof. Nebo noted that with a capacity of 141 megawatts of power, the company was capable of satisfying the electricity needs of the entire Aba metropolis, adding, “the excess power generated by the plant would be absorbed into the national grid.”

Outlining the genesis and operations of the plant to the President, the chairman of Geometric Power/Aba Power Limited, Prof.

Nnaji described the project as “a child of necessity.”

He said the desire of Aba industrialists, including the small and medium-scale industries and “our desire to contribute our •Continued on page 28

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

28

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

Jonathan inaugurates power plant

•Continued from page 27

•The power plant at Alaoji

,

quota to increasing power supply in the country began over 10 years ago.”

According to him, it was realised that the best way to ensure that Aba city quickly has reliable and affordable electricity was to build this off-grid power project that serves the metropolis.

He added that at the same time, the then World Bank President, Mr Wolfensen and the then Finance Minister who is the current Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala met with Aba industrialists, including the Aba Ariaria manufacturers (SMEs).

At the meeting, the Ariaria manufacturers were asked to identify their number one problem which if addressed would significantly improve their production; they unanimously said it was reliable electricity.

He outlined: “Mr. President, this convergence of desire for reliable electricity is what led us to this historic Aba Integrated Power Project. At that time, I and our development partners from the International Financial Corporation (lFC) of the World Bank, the European Investment Bank (EID) and the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (now known as FMFM), wanted to find a business model for power development in Nigeria that is sustainable, can stand on its own, and can be easily replicated by various investors in other major cities in Nigeria.

“We recognised that the country will not be able to afford sovereign guarantee for all of its power needs. We, therefore developed a model of customised embedded generation that would not require sovereign guarantee.

“Consequently, we set about developing this integrated power project to satisfy the electricity needs of Aba metropolis at a time when the Power Sector Reform Act of 2005 was not yet enacted. In 2005, the Federal Government had to concession Aba metropolis as the only security of the investment in the project instead of the normal sovereign guarantee. We have met the terms of our concession agreement with the Federal Government, by building this 141MW Power Plant with state-of-the-art equipment from General Electric (GE) and rehabilitating the entire distribution network in Aba. “In addition to the power plant, we have built over 105 km of 33KV

We recognised that the country will not be able to afford sovereign guarantee for all of its power needs. We, therefore, developed a model of customised embedded generation that would not require sovereign guarantee

,

overhead lines within the Aba metropolis. You can see Mr. President that the steel tubular poles used to build the 33KV line infrastructure is unlike any other in Nigeria. We have also built over 40km of new 11KV lines in Aba. We have completed five new substations consisting of the Power Plant’s 3x60MV A sub-station;

•President Jonathan at the plant

four new 2x15MV A sub-stations at various parts of Aba town.

“In addition, we have refurbished the only three existing Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) sub-stations which are dilapidated, by building three new control buildings with outdoor sub-station gantries within the premises of the existing PHCN sub-stations. In order to ensure

•The Enugu State PDP deputy governorship candidate, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo casting her vote at Central School Aguobu-Owa Ward 1 in Ezeagu Local Government Area of the state PHOTO: OBI CLETUS

the reliability of gas supply, we built a 27km gas pipeline from Imo River to this power plant and built the gas infrastructure to support the supply of reliable gas to the power plant. To date, we have in-

vested over $500 million or over N100 billion in this project.

“The power project is virtually complete, the power plant, vari•Continued on page 37

Archbishop inspires students •Continued from page 26 to them. ”The teachers mould minds, form characters and help the students to discover their real selves,” he said.

The education secretary of the Onitsha Diocese, Rev Basil Onwegbelu in his lecture “why science” described science as the bedrock of education.

He said that they would not allow any other country in the world to recolonize Nigeria through science again; adding that denying the people to study science is like another form of enslavement.

For Rev. Dr. Patrick Omuta, it is good to dream dreams and without it, there would not be any reality, adding that the Archbishop has demonstrated his love for science.

Omuta who was the chairman of the ceremony described the cleric as the beacon of hope for the children in the state.

He said that 76 Catholic secondary schools competed in the Onitsha province which he said was the regional level adding that the competition would soon go round the state.

“We are here to celebrate the students who stunned the entire state and the people with their brilliance, life is about competition, the aim is to have competition among the students” “So many people have been under the scholarship of the Archbishop in all the cadres of education and he has been celebrating his birthday and Christmas with the prisoners in this state.

Mr. Charles Okonkwo, the physically challenged teacher at All Hallows Seminary, Onitsha who won the best teacher and specialises in chemistry, said the exercise has opened the eyes of both students and their teachers.

He commended the Archbishop for creating such environment in the state and his vision in building the Holy Family Youth Village in Awka where students live.

Cynthia Ekwo and Ezeilo John Paul, the two best students in both junior and senior categories, told the Nation that the awards would spur them the more to put more efforts in their studies.

The students thanked the Archbishop Okeke for establishing such awards in the state to lift the academic standard of students..

Newspaper of the Year

AN EIGHT-PAGE PULLOUT ON THE SOUTHSOUTH STATES

•Imoke

FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

PAGE 29

CR OSS RIVER CROSS

OTUOKE

CUL TISM CULTISM

PROBLEMS associated with land management have been greatly curbed. Boundary disputes have been reduced. These are some of the gains of the Cross River State Geographical Information Agency since its establishment by the Governor Liyel Imoke-led administration in 2011.

IT is not difficult to imagine the mood in Otuoke when the presidential election result was announced. Many in the small town would have shed tears. Before the election, residents of the town, where President Goodluck Jonathan hails from, were eager to receive him.

RIVERS State is not new to the challenge of cultism. The political campaigns seem to have upped the ante. Diobu, Old Port Harcourt Town, Okrika, Omoku and Abua, headquarters of Abua/Odual Local Government Area seem to be the hot spots for cult-related activities.

•PAGE 31

•Jonathan

•PAGE 34

•PAGE 30

•Amaechi

Day thugs seized Bayelsa court • The Dickson/First Lady connection

•An amoured car used to block the road to the court.

‘

While we were sitting in the court, I heard that the gate to the court, which I had passed, had been locked. We started hearing the voice of the governor who was there with his security details.

After some time, some senior police officers came but they didn’t ask the thugs to leave.

The thugs invaded the court and started chasing all of us out of the court •Dickson

•Mrs Jonathan

•Lokpobiri

‘

•Story on page 32

• YOU HAVE STORIES FOR US? PLEASE CONTACT US ON 07066954441 OR 08123521990

30

35

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

Cultism… Rivers’ major headache L

AST January, a barber and a youth were shot dead by heavily armed gunmen suspected to be cultists in two separate attacks on Omoku in Ogba/ Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Rivers Police Public Relations Officer Ahmad Muhammad said the fight was between two rival cult groups and confirmed the two deaths.

“We are aware of such fight between two rival cult groups where two persons died and 17 persons were arrested,” Muhammad said.

A week earlier, some suspected cultists were nabbed in their hideout at Prana Hotel, Akabuka in the same local government area. Last December, 12 people were shot to death as cult groups went on rampage in Elelenwo and other areas of the state. And last month, the police paraded four young men for being involved in cultism.

The state is noted for clashes between two main cult groups, the Icelanders and the Greenlanders, who are involved in a battle of supremacy over who controls Port Harcourt, the state capital and its environs.

While members of Icelanders and the Greenlanders seem to concentrate their activities in the state capital, their affiliates, such as the Deygbam and Deywell cult groups have made residents of rural communities have sleepless nights.

Between Friday, March 6, and Saturday, March 7, no fewer than nine persons were killed on the streets of Port Harcourt. Residents of Bomu in Gokana Local Government Area were sacked from their homes as a result of clashes between rival cult groups.

On March 24, the police paraded four suspected armed robbers and 92 cultists at the Swift Operation Squad (SOS), Port Harcourt. They were arrested at different locations in the state.

Items recovered from the 92 suspected cultists included assorted firearms and ammunition; cutlasses, charms and other lethal weapons.

The police decried the upsurge of cult activities in the state, assuring that it would sustain its “belligerent and ruthless” onslaught on the cultists and their patrons.

“Their nefarious and deadly activities, which, sometimes, were attributed to politics, have, no doubt, constituted nuisance to the general public and have the capacity to truncate the electoral process”.

Diobu, a densely populated part of the state capital, Borokiri, a riverine part of the state capital, Old Port Harcourt Town, Okrika, Omoku, headquarters of Ogba, Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of the state, and Abua, headquarters of Abua/Odual Local Government Area seem to be the hot spots for cult-related activities.

The state is not new to this problem. But the political campaigns seem to have upped their ante. In May 2014, the then Commissioner of Police, Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin, announced the suspension of all youth bodies and activities in the state over alarming rate of cultismrelated violence.

“After a critical review of the recent happenings in the state, especially the escalation of cult activities, it has become necessary to place a suspension on the activities of all youth bodies and groups,” he said in the statement signed by the Assistant Police Public Relations Of-

By Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

ficer, Grace Iringe-Koko.

“In the same vein, any gathering of any nature by person(s), youth/ pressure groups and associations must apply for police protection so that the Police can put in place adequate security mechanisms to prevent any form of breakdown of law and order.

“This is further meant to ensure that law and order is maintained in Rivers State for the interest of all. It is important to state this can effectively be done when all personal and group interests are not placed above the security of the state and its people,” Mr. Ogunsakin said.

Ogunsakin directed all Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers in the state to clamp down on any youth body or groups that hold or organize meetings without the requisite security coverage.

“Such groups or gathering by whatever name so called will be considered to be an unlawful assembly and shall be made to face the full wrath of the law as there will be no hiding place for them,” said Ogunsakin, who is now Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 6.

This worrisome trend last month made the wife of Governor Rotimi Amaechi, Judith, advise women to protect their children from being initiated into secret cults.

She spoke at a sensitisation rally for women in Abonnema, headquarters of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area.

Mrs Amaechi said women should redirect their children and wards from indulging in negative practices that could jeopardise their future.

“Beyond political power, let us allow the power of God to reign supreme in our lives for our children to have the right direction,” she said.

Chairman, Governing Council, National Human Rights Commission, (NHRC) Prof Chidi Odinkalu, raised the alarm over the use of cult groups for political reasons in Rivers.

Odinkalu, in a statement in Abuja, listed Rivers as one of the top three places where electoral violence linked to cult groups have escalated.

He said: “The Report and Advisory itemised scores of incidents of pre-election killings and violence affecting 22 states of the federation. In the six weeks since then, the footprint of pre-election violence has spread beyond the 22 states and election-related violence in some form has been reported in nearly all the states of Nigeria.

“During that period also, the number of complaints lodged with the commission concerning election-related violence has grown by over 200 percent.

“The Report and Advisory also identified Kaduna, Lagos and Rivers states as the three most worrying trends and locations predictive of a high likelihood of significant violence during the 2015 elections.’

“As a follow up and to mitigate this, teams from the Commission undertook verification, fact-checking and advocacy visits to all three states where we met with state governments, cross sections of the leading political parties, their officials, candidates and campaign organisations, law enforcement, the Independent National Electoral Commission and INEC. “ Militias and gangs: It’s clear that there are gangs, cults and militias that have been cultivated and to

•Suspected cultists paraded in Rivers

‘

It’s clear that there are gangs, cults and militias that have been cultivated and to whom the leading political parties or people claiming to act on their behalf have somewhat “outsourced” election violence. This has made electionrelated both transactional and casual

‘

•Weapons seized from suspected cultists

whom the leading political parties or people claiming to act on their behalf have somewhat “outsourced” election violence.

This has made election-related both transactional and casual. In some of the states, well known militia leaders have become candidates in the elections, guaranteeing that the violence is part of the election and campaign narrative.

“Small arms and light weapons

(SALW): In the three main locations in particular, small arms and light weapons are present in very worrying quantities in the hands of cults, gangs, militias and unlawful hands.

The calibre of ordnance in private hands in Rivers State, in particular, goes beyond anything that can be licensed for private use and, indeed, beyond what is legitimate or even for lawful law enforcement purposes.

“Substance abuse and psychotropic substances: In nearly all cases, there was evidence to correlate (perhaps indeed even of causation) high pre-disposition to election violence with evidence of an illicit supply network for psychotropic substances to the militias involved.

“Two common expressions we heard in all the places visited were “we will not be intimidated” and “we will defend ourselves”. From

political leaders this is worse than disappointing. It’s a confession of both desperation and leadership failure.

“There are clear discrepancies in casualty count between the parties, communities and police. This is most evident in Kaduna as well as Rivers, suggesting that categories are not clear or mutually dissonant or there is under-reporting of the incidents and consequences of violence. Communities and parties

have a responsibility to keep law enforcement fully informed of incidents of violence, especially where human beings are killed or injured.

Law enforcement agencies also have a responsibility to keep accurate records of the reports received.”

As the elections’ season go, it is expected that a sharp drop will be recorded in cult activities in the state. But for now, the people have to sleep with one eye unclosed.

Construction of federal road linking Otuoke begins

I

T is called Kolo-OtuokeBayelsa Palm Road. It is a single 20km Federal Road but its dualisation has started. In fact, the Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen, was in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State recently to inaugurate the dualisation of the road.

Dignitaries at the occasion were MD/CEO of the Federal Emergency Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Mr. Gabriel Amuchi; the Chief of Staff Government House, Bayelsa State, Tafford Ongolo; representative of the state’s Commissioner of Police, Moses Isua; the state’s Commissioner for Works, Mr. Lawrence Ewrudjakpor, and some traditional rulers.

The minster also commissioned the newly-constructed dual carriage Mbiama-Yenagoa Road valued at about N2.4bn. Onolememen, congratulated FERMA for the construction of the road and vowed to bring federal presence to the state in respect of road infrastructure. He said the road would help in the movement of farm produce to marketplaces.

He also said: “The MbiamaYenagoa road was in a pitiable state and the Federal Ministry of Works is by law authorised to build inter state roads.

“The Ministry and FERMA collaborated to make sure the road was constructed. What infrastructures are to the economy of one’s nation are what the blood arteries are to the human body. Good roads promote commerce and social integration.”

The Minister and his entourage then moved to Bayelsa Palm Roundabout where he perform a ceremony to kickstart the construction and dualisation of Yenegwe Road Junction-Kolo-Otuoke-Bayelsa Palm.

The road is a section of the Yenegwe-Brass Road, leading to the oil rich Brass region. It is a 33.5km asphalt concrete single carriageway road with surfaced dressed shoulders on either side. The road also links Yenegoa the state capital with the eastern part of the state.

The construction of the road was awarded to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), one of the leading civil construction giants in China operating in Nigeria.

The Minister who did not disclose the cost of the project said it should be completed within a reasonable period of time. He said it was part of the President’s agenda to ensure good roads across the country.

“The people will benefit from the wave of transformation project.The complete dualisation of this road will reduce travel time. It will reduce cost of vehicle maintenance.

“It transverses many communi-

•Dr. Jonathan From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

ties and will help the communities to enjoy smooth transportation of farm produce to enhance social and economic activities within the project environs. The road will ultimately link to Brass. The road will be constructed in good time”, he said.

Also, Amuchi, in his opening remark stated that FERMA strived to maintain roads in Nigeria in compliance with the President’s transformation agenda. He lamented the former sorry state of the MbiamaYenagoa road and said its dualisation had brought a facelift to

the state capital.

“Under this administration, major road rehabilitation and reconstruction of high bridges have been undertaken to this magnitude, successfully completed, timely and qualitatively at different part of the country.

“The Mbiama-Yenagoa Road, route number 402 is a major Federal road that links Bayelsa State to the other parts of Nigeria through the East-West Road at Mbiama Junction. The road is the first gateway in Yenagoa, the state capital and other major towns in the state.

“The entire Mbiama-Yenagoa road is 30km long with 4.2km single carriage stretch that connects Rivers and Bayelsa states. Prior to the execution of this project, the existing single carriage way had failed and collapsed at different occasions and the outstanding weight could no longer accommodate the weight of vehicles that ply the road.

“The road was formerly congested and had a road side market.

It was untidy and could not be called the gateway to a state capital or a federal road.

“In line with the nationwide improvement of facelift programme of the Minister of Works,the road was approved by him for immediate action. The Minister has zero tolerance for bad road network.

“The project was executed at the cost of #2,417,184,917,012 only. The road was completed within the design period of 19th June,2013- 18th June,2014”, he said.

He stated that the government of the state encouraged FERMA to construct the road and advised stakeholders to join in the good use and maintenance of the road.

Also. Ongolo, who represented the State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, commended the ministry for its efforts.

“The Ministry of Works has been productive under President Goodluck Jonathan led government. The President has made a remarkable difference in the construction of roads. The people are amazed at the construction of roads in Bayelsa State”, he said.

He described the restoration government of Dickson as a lover of road projects and guarantor of safety.

“Before now, the road to Bayelsa State was not a gateway but a narrow path” said asking the Federal Government to give the state more kilometres of road.

“As part of Niger Delta, something more should be done for the state”, commending robust partnership between the state and the Federal Government.

Why last Saturday’s elections were peaceful, says Fufeyin

N

IGERIANS have been assured of peaceful governorship and House of Assembly elections.

The General-Overseer of Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministries, Prophet Jeremiah Fufeyin, who spoke with reporters in Warri, Delta State, said God’s intervention ensured peaceful presidential and National Assembly polls.

According to him, God averted what would have been a bloody election, adding that God listened to the prayer of Nigerians and settled all

From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

that could have resulted to bloodshed in the spirit realm.

Prophet Fufeyin also told journalists that God had already revealed the winner of the presidential contest to him, but would not reveal them, considering the security implications.

He said God had yet to reveal the winner of the governorship election in Delta State to him.

He added that Nigerians should not expect so many surprises at the poll, noting that the outcome of the

Saturday presidential election had been decided in the spiritual realm.

“This is one of the most peaceful elections in the history of Nigeria. It was peaceful not because of man power, but by the intervention of God. My message to Nigerians is that they should continue to pray so that the election will end peacefully in the country. Nigeria is walking on the path of peace and progress,” Prophet Fufeyin, who is also regarded as Warri TB Jushua, urged.

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

31

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

Gains of hi-tech land management in Cross River P

ROBLEMS associated with land management have been greatly curbed. Boundary disputes have been greatly reduced.

These are some of the gains of the Cross River State Geographical Information Agency since its establishment by the Governor Liyel Imoke led administration in 2011.

The agency was to ensure that every issue relating to land management is streamlined and properly managed to eliminate all problems by digitally managing every issue related to land.

Marking a huge departure from the past, one could get an electronic Certificate of Occupancy (CofO) just 21 days after application, the agency assured.

A programme of the agency which had driven the successes it so far achieved has been the Systematic Land Tilting Registration (SLTR) which ensured that every piece of land in a jurisdiction is adjudicated and mapped in a systematic manner whereby the owner and neighbours are present to agree on who owns what.

The chairman of the Presidential Technical Committee on Land Reform, Prof Peter Olufemi Adeniyi, said: "Once that is done across a jurisdiction, you will know that there will be no dispute because currently we do not know who owns what everywhere and so a dubious person can go and show somebody else land and want to sell it."

According to Adeniyi, with the SLTR where every owner would have a valid Certificate of Occupancy would curb such problems.

The SLTR, which was introduced last year by the agency, aimed at providing land security for owners especially as the demand for land continues to grow in state which is fast becoming a hub.

The Director General of the CRGIA, Dr Clement Oshaka, said: "SLTR is fast, efficient and innovative method for having the government formally recognise landowners rights to the land they are occupying, by issuing a CofO to every landowner in a specific area. This affords the owners more security

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

for their rights and allows the land to be used as collateral for financing."

The success of the programme in the state had captured the interest of other states in the country who sought to emulate it to develop their own areas.

For instance, a delegation from Kogi State was in the state to understudy the project.

Leader of the Kogi team, Hajiya Ramatu Umar, commended the state government Cross River State government for the establishment of the agency which it said had recorded tangible achievements. She said what they had learnt, they would use to improve the situation in their area.

Coordinator of the SLTR project in the state, Mr Augustine Ojeka, throwing more light said the project entails capturing every inch of land in the state through field work to form part of an overall cadastral system that would have all the land parcels in the state represented properly.

"It is going to help in town planning, urban renewal, projections, and even help on issues of taxation and any other revenue issues relating to properties in the state."

The project aims to registering every property in the state, he said.

"Thereafter they will proceed to making it possible for all who have been registered to get valid certificates of occupancy," he said.

He said the project which is a collaboration between the CRGIA and the Growth and Employment in States 3(GEMS3) was an intervention programme.

"Being an intervention programme it is designed to be propoor to make sure that the poor man who has land to be able to have access to secure his land and have a C of O at very little cost.

"When we came here initially, the governor was very appreciative of the concept. Getting to know what it is about, he granted approval and released some funding for it to

•Imoke

kickstart.

"GEMS3 is a project funded by the United Kingdom Department for International Development so they give some fund support for the project."

On expectations from members of the public towards the exercise, he said, "The members of the public in terms of requirement to get your property registered is nothing different from the usual practise where you are expected to come up with evidence of claim for a particular property you occupy. And every document relating to that property.

In this case of SLTR, we ask you for such documents. If you have them, you present them. If you don't have them, we try to go beyond that to see how we can establish the au-

thenticity of your claim on that property. We capture every relevant detail including your image and identification.

"It is designed to augment actually the normal system that is running in the CRGIA such that if there are subsequent transactions on that property, you can be sure that all documents generated relating to that transaction would always be tied to the ones that have already been captured right here in the system in the data base. So at any point references are necessary to draw on the database relating to any parcel of land, it would not be an issue of searching. You just go straight and get whatever history you need on that property and then it would now help in planning, decision making

and any other administrative decisions that are necessary for management of such parcels of land."

"It is not just for property that has been developed. Every piece of land in the state is supposed to be registered even if it is half an inch, so long as somebody is claiming that land. Whether it is an individual, group of individuals, communities, even government property, we also capture them. They should be part of the database for reference purposes."

Adviser to the project, an American, Mr Stephen Calder describing how they work to get the area covered said, "Basically we work in teams and they go round every street from door to door and ask house owners to show their properties and they draw on the map and they fill our forms and verify facts of ownership.

"We take pictures of all documents and survey plans. We take all that information and then we come in here from hand drawn to computer drawn. All the details are captured. When we are complete with this there is one more important step to embark on which is the public display. Larger maps are put along with the list of the names and for thirty days we put them in public places and ask people to go check the names to ensure we got it right. If you have anything to correct or dispute let us know. After that period if no one objects, it is considered to be valid and then the property goes to CRGIA after which it is registered. After which if the people come and pay a fee, the get a Certificate of Occupancy.

They don't pay for any of the work we do. They only pay for the C-ofO. "The difference in what we are doing is that before now it was up to the people to come and register their property and we call that sporadic registering, because it happens person by person and it is sporadic. But with this we register virtually everything. So it is a very valid exercise.

"There are two main benefits. First you are securing your land. Once the government approves of it and has it stored, it is difficult for someone to dispossess you of that land.

You are secure in your land title.

The other benefit is that with the Cof-O you can use your land as collateral to obtain investment capital.

"The people are receiving it well.

In fact when they hear about it they come to us and say please to do theirs. They are always a few people that have distrust but by and large the response is very good especially as people get more aware."

Ogoni inaugurates oil bearing communities’ traditional rulers’ council

T

RADITIONAL rulers in Oil Producing Communities of Ogoni land in Rivers State have inaugurated a body to take charge of all oil-related issues.

The event was held in Ogbon-Chia in Eleme Local Government Area.

The Paramount ruler of K.Dere community of Gokana LGA, HRH Donald Geresuu and his counterpart from Ogale in Eleme Local Government Area, Chief Godwin Bebe Ukpabi, were sworn-in as the President and Vice President.

Chief Samuel Nne, paramount ruler of Tai, is the Secretary-General and the Chairman Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council, HRM, Godwin Gininwa is the Grand Patron.

In their separate speeches, Chiefs Gberesuu and Ukpabi said membership into the body is the exclusive reserve of traditional rulers from oil producing communities,

From Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

but agreed that the Community Development Committee (CDC) chairmen, women leaders and some prominent members of their communities would be allowed to join to give chance to all communities and clans concerned.

They also used the event to reaffirm their supports for the take-over of oil exploration in their communities by Belemaoil and Gas Nigeria limited, an indigenous oil firm owned by a Rivers indigene.

They appealed to the Federal Government and agencies responsible for approval of oil exploration in the country to listen to the voice of Ogoni Oil bearing communities in the decision on who takes over from SHELL, noting that “Belema we know but other contenders are faceless.”

Belemaoil is one of the several other companies jostling for accept-

ance into the land for resumption of oil production in SHELL OML 11 oil field.

They maintained that apart from the Traditional Council, no other body has any right to speak anywhere on oil in Ogoniland without approval from the council.

Ukpabi said: “A situation where everybody is speaking for us (oil bearing communities), is not good for us. We are the custodian of oil the communities that have oil and we want to begin to speak for oil in our land.

“After this inauguration today, before anybody, social-cultural organization institution or individual can speak for us in respect of this, they must first consult us; every decision on oil in Ogoni land must be taken by this group.

“Note that the PIB bill is coming and the Federal Government is interested that the money should go directly to oil bearing communities

instead of the current practice of directing it through the state government; not even the Local government will have it, but the communities.

“So if we are not organized, we will have problem when that time comes, you will see others whose communities have no oil, and don’t know our pains and suffering speaking and taking decisions on our behalf; this is a major reason for constituting this body.”

Gberesuu appealed to the chiefs to eschew sentiment and acrimony and give the best of their co-operation to the body, expressing the hope that they would achieve good result.

“I urge all of us to ignore sentiment and bitterness and throw your weights behind the executive to achieve the desired results.

“There are four LGAs in Ogoniland, Gokana, Khana Eleme and Tai. Let all of us come together

and work as one, if we do, we will have better result. We are aware that the reason for forming this group is to help us overcome the challenge of other people, in whose communities there is no oil, speaking and taking decisions on issues concerning us, and we don’t want that any longer.

“This does not mean that other Ogoni people will not make their own inputs and contributions in issues of oil in the area but this council will be the final decision making body on issues relating to oil in Ogoni land.”

Traditional rulers from all oil producing communities of the four LGAs of Ogoniland were present in the event, with two second class chiefs in attendance.

The group agreed to restrict themselves to only issues concerning and relating to oil to avoid interfering into MOSOP’s mandate.

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33

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

NIGER DELTA REPORT COVER

A

S it was in Ekiti State last year, so it was in Bayelsa, the state of President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday. In replica of what happened in Ekiti, hoodlums visited the division of the Federal High Court in Yenagoa, the state capital, with rage.

There was pandemonium on Capt. Amangala Street, the location of the court. The thugs numbering over 100 stormed the court premises at about 10am chanting war songs.

A judge was already seated when the thugs armed with different weapons attacked the court. They descended heavily on the judge and lawyers, including two Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), Mr. Selekeowei Larry and Lucius Nwosu, who came for their various matters.

The miscreants threw caution to the wind as they broke the doors, shattered the chairs and scattered legal documents. They shot sporadically during the attack.

Judges and lawyers had to dodge various weapons thrown at them by the thugs as they scampered for safety. Officials of the court took to hiding. The commotion lasted for about 30 minutes.

The court, which is located opposite the state office of the Department of the State Security (DSS), is also close to the state command of the Nigerian Police.

A pregnant lawyer was caught up in the melee. The panic-stricken lawyer nursed her pains as she complained that her pregnancy was hit by the marauding thugs. The shocked lawyers packed themselves like sardines in the office of the judge where they took refuge until the situation was brought under control. But the police watched helplessly as the hoodlums had a field day.

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

Day thugs invaded Bayelsa Court

‘ it that, Reports have

supporters of Evangelist Foster Ogola were irked, when the Judge, who had earlier been petitioned over his lopsided handling of the matter, went ahead to fix hearing and judgment, without proper notification to both parties

‘

Reasons for the invasion Niger Delta Report gathered that the miscreants acted to stop the hearing and possible judgment on a suit filed by the senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Mr. Heineken Lokpobiri, against the candidature of Mr. Foster Ogola.

Lokpobiri is asking the court to disqualify Ogola and declare him the authentic candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the senatorial district. Since the conclusion of the senatorial primaries of the PDP, Lokpobiri, who is seeking a third term in the Senate, has continued to lay claims to the party’s ticket.

But the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) accepted Ogola as the winner of the senatorial primaries of the PDP in the district. Ogola has also been de-

Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

clared the senator-elect after Saturday’s National Assembly election.

Mutual suspicion Prior to the thugs’ invasion, the camp of Governor Seriake Dickson, had accused the National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu and the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan of plotting to substitute Ogola with Lokpobiri.

Lokpobiri lost out of the primary election of the party which was held in Sagbama Town, Sagbama Local Government Area, where Ogola was declared the winner.

The senator later began to drag the ticket after winning a parallel pri-

mary election, the result of which was rejected by the national leadership of the party. But a source from Dickson’s camp claimed that Mu’azu was later drafted into the First Lady’s scheme of seeking alternative ways of replacing Ogola with Lokpobiri.

He said lawyers attached to the PDP and Lokpobiri took the option of reclaiming the ticket through the court and subsequently filed a suit to that effect. Among other things, the suit argued that Ogola’s name was sent to INEC in error.

The case continued until Monday when loyalists of Ogola and members of the governor’s camp felt that the court’s sitting on the matter scheduled for that day was improper. They were said to have suspected that the court was planning

to hand over the judgment to Lokpobiri through the back door.

Lokpbiri, Ogola trade blames Larry, who led the team of Lokpobiri’s lawyers, accused Dickson of leading, sponsoring and directing thugs to desecrate the temple of justice.

But Dickson, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, denied the allegation, accusing Lokpobiri of trying to secure the PDP ticket with misleading information and outright forgery of party documents.

Larry, however, said on March 27 when the matter came up for hearing, hundreds of thugs barricade the court and prevented it from sitting.

He expressed shock at the mistreatment of judicial officials by the

thugs and alleged that Dickson was shouting around the court premises that he would not allow Dame Patience Jonathan impose a candidate on the party, “While we were sitting in the court, I heard that the gate to the court which I had passed had been locked. We started hearing the voice of the governor who was there with his security details.

“After sometimes, some senior police officers came but they didn’t ask the thugs to leave. The thugs invaded the court and started chasing all of us out of the court. It was the governor who supervised the sacking of the court.

“Over ten lawyers including a pregnant woman and two SANs were chased and kicked by the thugs. The state Chairman of the

Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) was there and he has already sent a report to the national NBA,” he said.

But Dickson said what happened in the court was a clash between the supporters of Lokpobiri and Ogola.

He said his intervention prevented the development from turning bloody, adding that his government would deal decisively with anybody or group of persons, no matter how highly placed, who takes the law into their hands.

He said: “Reports have it that, supporters of Evangelist Foster Ogola were irked, when the Judge, who had earlier been petitioned over his lopsided handling of the matter, went ahead to fix hearing and judgment, without proper notification to both parties, even as the matter has been moved away from

his court.”

Dickson said he visited the scene of the clash in the company of some heads of security agencies. He condemned the action of Lokpobiri accusing him of trying to manipulate the judicial process for judgment to be passed in his favour, without the knowledge of the other party in the matter.

He advised the judiciary not to allow itself to be used by desperate politicians to perpetrate injustice, capable of causing a breach of the peace, as was experienced today between the rival supporters.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Mr. Asinim Buswatt confirmed the invasion but said no arrest was made.

“Before we could get there, they took to their heels,” he said.

APC standard bearer in Rivers State Dr. Dakuku Peterside (right), discussing with HRH Eze Mike Nwaji, the Eze Oha Oyigbo, during his ward to ward rally at Oyigbo.

•Asagba Of Asaba Prof Chike Edozien speaking when the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Delta State, Olorogun Otega Emerhor (middle) visited him in his palace in Asaba. With them is an official of Emerhor’s campaign organisation.

15km East/West road excites Rivers communities T HE chiefs, elders, women and youths of Eleme and Khana Local government areas in Rivers State came out en mass to celebrate the inauguration of the upgrading of the Port Harcourt Onne Junction Kilometer O-15 of East -West road.

The award of the road expansion and upgrading ceremony, which took place at Petroleum Mechanical Junction, open field Aleto Eleme was awarded to Reynolds Construction Company Nigeria Limited (RCC). It was flagged-off by the Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Stephen Oru and his team in the Niger Delta Ministry.

The minister and his team also use the opportunity of their visit to the area to officially commissioned Gwara electrification project in Khana Local government which was executed by the Ministry.

At the flag -off of the road project, the Chairman, Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Majesty King G. N Giniwa and His Royal Majesty, King Samuel Ejire of Eleme Kingdom lauded the Federal Government for awarding the road which they described as a nightmare.

They said the people of the area would be happy if the road is completed, recalling that it takes the road ushers and the people of the area hours to get to their various destinations.

They also plead with the contractor RCC to consider the nature of terrain where many companies uses heavy trucks to transport their goods in the construction.

King G. N Giniwa said: " I am very happy that Federal Government has come to rescue us from the terrible nightmare, we drive hours before we get to our destinations. But now that the road has been awarded I will advise that the contractor handling the project should be fast before the raining session. I and my subject have accepted the award of the contract to a reputable contractor like RCC; this construction company has been tested and known as the best construction firm considering the job they have delivered before now."

At the palace of King Samuel Ejire , the Oneh-Eh Eleme X of Eleme Kingdom, where the minister and his entourage paid a courtesy visit, the Monarch while blessing their step to the palace, said the people of Eleme are

From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

hospitable and accommodating. He advised Dr Oru to ensure that the contract is being handled with all amount of seriousness as to relieve his subject from another pain of this year's raining session.

The monarch said: “We are glad to have you in our kingdom, the chiefs and my subjects will not forget the respect you accorded to their king by stepping into the palace to greet the king. Many people have visited this kingdom but choose not to visit the palace. I want to inform you that this road has damaged to the level that as you go out there driving, people would be praying for you. I almost lost my life on the road, that is to tell you how bad the road is. I want to thank Mr. President through you for remembering the people of Eleme. Of course it is to be noted that the road you are about to put in a good shape lead to the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan's home, and the President himself pass through the road when he wants to visit his In-laws, so it is very important that the road should be fixed."

Dr. Oru thanked the Royal Majesty for accepting them in his palace, he said they decided to pay him a courtesy visit to brief him on the reason why they are in his kingdom. He told the monarch that the occasion is designed to flag-off the road section III. During his speech at the flag-off, Dr. Oru said the East West road runs from Warri through Kaiama Port Harcourt, Eket to Oron with an extension to Calabar, adding that it is the major artery that support the economic activities associated with the oil and gas exploration and exploitation in the Niger Delta Region.

"This section of the East West road from port Harcourt to Onne junction, it carries the heaviest vehicular traffic on the East West road as it runs through the industrial hub of River state. The activities of Port Harcourt refineries (old and new) Eleme Petro chemical, NAFCON, Onne deep sea port etc are all dependent on this road.

This section of the road has witnessed unprecedented rise in traffic volume and heavy axle loads as a result of daily increasing commercial activities. In order to cope with this rising vehicu-

lar traffic trend, the Federal government under the present administration awarded in November 2014 the contract for the upgrading of this 15km section of East West road.

"The works to be executed by the contract Messrs Reynolds Construction Company limited (RCC) include the following: (1) The Upgrading of the existing two lane dual carriageway to three lane dual carriageways from Eleme junction to Onne Port junction, with a total length of 15km. (2) Construction of 2NOs. interchange ,one each at Refinery junction and port junctions,(3) Construction of three traffic lanes ,10.95m wide divided carriageway, flanked by 2.75m outer and 1.5m inner shoulders; (4) construction of drainages and culverts (5) provision of asphaltic concrete pavement consisting of 250mm compacted thickness of soil cement stabilized sub base ,250mm to 500m compacted thickness crushed rock stone base material 120mm to180mm thickness of asphaltic binder course and 40mm thickness of wearing course amongst others; and (6) construction of deck-onpile bridge between km 59 and km 61 on the new carriageway to provide ultimate solution to heavy soil subsidence frequently experienced in that section of the road."The minister continued that the project which is awarded at the cost of N43,869,381,730:23 to messrs Reynolds Construction Company Limited (RCC) is expected to be completed within 18 months, noting that when this project is completed vehicular traffic congestion will be totally eliminated.

"It is my pleasure to inform this respectable gathering that my ministry is working hard to complete the section I-IV of the East West road from Warri to Oron. Meanwhile, we have achieved 87% overall completion of this road. I am happy to also inform you that the Federal government has graciously awarded the extension of East West road from Oron to Calabar (section V). The contractor handing it, is Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) Nigeria Limited. We have every reason to thank God for the administration of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, son of the soil, for identifying with the need to resolved the Niger Delta question as a solution to the enthronement of peace in the area."

Oro Nation proscribes youth associations

T

HE Council of Oro Traditional Rulers (COTR), Akwa Ibom State, has proscribed youth associations which existed before March 21.

The Council proscribed Essu Nlap Oro and the Supreme Council of Akpakip/Oro Youths.

COTR is the the coordinating agency of traditional and customary administration in Oro land, which has five local government areas.

In an address titled “That the tail may not wag the dog” presented at its meeting, all former youth bodies were proscribed. The chairman of COTR, His Royal Highness, Ovong (Hon.) E.O. Isemin, said the Council took the step after reviewing and reflecting on events in Akwa Ibom and the Nation with their implications for the Oro citizens in the last couple of weeks.

“This endeavour has necessarily entailed the appraisal of the various institutions assigned the duty to develop, protect and project Oro’s interest at various levels and ramifications of their mandate.”

The Council said after the review, it discovered that the State of Oro Nation is “strong, united and alert to defend and protect both the interest and core values which stand the Oro out from others”.

The Council stated that there are challenges to surmount.

The Ahta-in-Council gave further reasons why the associations were proscribed. They include rSampant factionalisation which engender violent confrontation and frequent threat to the peace; recurrent leadership struggle which subvert their roles as fora for unity for the youths; incessant allegations of extortion and other

From Uyoatta Eshiet, Uyo

forms of corruption which undermine morale, loyal following and unity of purpose and lack of democratic principles and accountability in the operations of their affairs. Other reasons given were - neglect of regular report to and statutory consultation with Ahta-inCouncil, visionless leadership characterised by absence of verifiable action plan for mobilisation of Oro Youths for meaningful development of the ethnic nationality and working at cross-purposes with the aspirations of Oro people.

The Ahta-in-Council said all organs of the proscribed bodies cease to exist and directed that all documents and movable assets be deposited with the Council and also warned persons and organisations undertaking any transactions with the proscribed bodies to desist.

The Traditional Council created a new youth organ for the Oro youths named “NLAP ISONG AKPAKIP ORO”.

Interim leadership was also announced. They are: Victor Anwanakak (President), John Obisung (Vice President), Omen Bassey (Secretary), Kedrick Isangedighi Assistant (Secretary), Hannah Effiong Uye (Treasurer), Anwana Ikott (Financial Secretary), Esu Amba Antakikam Amba (Publicity Secretary), Eddie Ankwai (Director of Research), Iniobong Nyong Edmund (Director of Mobilisation), Victor Onomo (Director of Socials), Josephine Jimmy Ebito (Welfare Officer), Abia Effiong Bassey (Legal Officer) and Blessing Bassey Ekpenyong (Woman Leader).

34

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

Otuoke...Where there is no opposition Senior Correspondent JOSEPH JIBUEZE, who covered the presidential election in Otuoke, the president's hometown, relives his experience.

I

T is not difficult to imagine the mood in Otuoke when the presidential election result was announced. Many in the small town would have shed tears.

Before the election, indigenes of the town, where President Goodluck Jonathan hails from, were eager to receive him. They believed their brother and son would be reelected. Their hope may have been buoyed by the fact that the opposition is virtually absent in Otuoke.

Nearly everyone belongs to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

I was eager to visit president's town. I considered it a wonderful opportunity to have been sent to cover the election there. The Ijaw, Niger-Delta town is about 21 kilometres south of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, and 120 kilometres west of the famous seaport of Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

The town is not populous (said to be less than 10,000), and it is not your usually bubbly city. Apart from the Federal University Otuoke, the town is just like any other village struggling to transform into a mini-city. There are no street lights leading to the town and business is slow. There are several commercial motorcycle operators on the road.

I arrived Otuoke on Thursday, and was driven to the town by this newspaper's Bayelsa correspondent Mike Odiegwu, who also showed me around. Everywhere was calm.

I expected to find armed soldiers or riot policemen on the streets, but there were not. People went about their business.

The residents I spoke to all expressed confidence that President Jonathan would win. They seemed to love him. Around the town posters and banners of President Jonathan and his running mate Vice-President Namadi Sambo hung at various locations.

There was increased security in the town on Friday. Two Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) were seen on the Otuoke Road, one in front of the president's house. The other was parked in front of Magels Resort, a hotel close to a commercial bank, the only one in Otuoke.

A police chopper hovered.

Then the D-Day came. Voting materials have arrived late at Unit 39, where the president voted. The materials were brought to the unit in Ogbia Ward 12 by 8.24am. By 9am, electoral officers were still sorting out and arranging the materials.

Journalists, including foreign ones, arrived the venue much earlier, awaiting the electoral officers' arrival. No fewer than 50 journalists were in Otuoke to cover President Jonathan voting.

There was an awkward moment when the card readers malfunctioned as the president waited to be accredited. The president arrived at about 9.20am, but stood for over 45 minutes. Electoral officers battled to make the card readers work, but to no avail. At least three card readers failed.

The president continued to smile as he stood waiting for the machines to work, but none did. Only his mother and his ADC were accredited using the card reader. The

president stood till about 10.05 am when he addressed the media.

Tired, his wife Dame Patience Jonathan sat down, fanning herself.

The president chided the electoral officers for not starting the accreditation on time. He told the presiding officer: "I decided to come in a little late. I don't need to be the first person to be accredited. You should have started before now. By 8am you should have started." It was the first time I would stand so close to the President.

After his mother was successfully accredited, he spoke to her in their local dialect, apparently urging her to keep her PVC and a piece of paper given to her intact.

President Jonathan's ADC handed him a phone, and he was overheard saying: "Chairman, have you been briefed about...? Across the country what's the situation?"

When he addressed the press, he urged Nigerians to be patient, saying: "If I can endure - you can see me sweating, then I plead with all Nigerians to be patient. No matter the pains we take, as long as we as a nation can conduct free and fair elections that the world will accept, that is what we should all think about, not the temporary pains individuals may pass through."

There was a large turnout of voters in Otuoke going by the population. Long queues were seen at the various polling units. It was learnt that 675 people registered in the president's unit.

After the president voted, Otuoke soon emptied. He left the town in a motorcade to Yenagoa about an hour later, enroute Abuja. Voting continued into the night, but result was never announced in the president's polling unit.

I was eager to send a report of what he polled in his unit, but I never got it. When the last person on the queue voted, the electoral officer announced that counting would begin, but a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) agent who gave her name as S. Otazi, complained that several people were yet to vote.

The electoral officer then stopped the counting and returned the ballot papers to the boxes. There was no opposition; there were no complaints. No electoral observer was present, and no other party agent could be seen. No one demanded that result must be announced.

At about 8.30pm, the electoral officer said the unit, in front of President Jonathan's country home, was becoming unsafe and that they were relocating to a "safer place". She and other polling officials packed the voting materials and were driven away.

When I contacted Mrs Otazi on phone by 10: 59pm on Saturday, she kindly confirmed that results had not been announced. I later learnt that voting might continue until Sunday.

On Sunday morning, I went to the president's unit, but it was deserted.

However, electoral officers and adhoc staff, mainly National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, gathered at the Dame Patience Jonathan Square which had three polling units (17, 18 and 40).

I asked and was told that voters were still being expected. But I did

‘

You're saying you didn't see anybody voting, and you said election was going on!

Please, I don't like this kind of story

‘

•Jonathan thumbprinting the ballot

•Journalists waiting for Jonathan to vote

not see anyone voting. No queue.

The Electoral officers who manned the president's unit had changed location and were at the Square on Sunday.

I spent about 30 minutes at the square but saw no one come to vote although ballot boxes were on display. There were no electoral observers present; only policemen, the electoral officers and PDP agents.

Then there was a mild drama.

Two people, a man and a woman, who I assumed were PDP agents, approached me and sought to know who I was and what I was doing. I was not surprised because people were also glancing at my direction.

When I told them I was a journalist, the man said: "You can't be here.

There's supposed to be restriction of movement. You're only supposed to be here if you wish to vote. The re-

sult may not be announced here.

Your presence here is making them uncomfortable."

In a mild threat, and which made me suspicious, he said: "You had better leave before they begin to think you're an agent of the opposition." The lady with her glared at me, and narrowed her eyes to see what I was doing with my smart phone.

When I contacted INEC's spokesman in Bayelsa Mr Timidi Wariowei on phone, he said he was not aware that results had not been announced in Otuoke. He also started questioning me when told him that electoral officers claimed that voting was still going on Sunday.

He said: "There were some polling units that election did not hold on Saturday, and a few units where election is going on, but it's not a

continuation of Saturday's election."

When I told him that electoral officers were still in Otuoke, he sounded angry, saying: "You're saying you didn't see anybody voting, and you said election was going on! Please I don't like this kind of story!" And he hung up.

I sent him a text message asking him to confirm if results from the units in Otuoke had been announced, but Wariowei never responded.

What transpired at the polling units in Otuoke no longer matters.

Gen. Muhamadu Buhari has been announced as the winner and Jonathan has conceded defeat and congratulated his opponent. But it was still a wonderful experience visiting the president's home.

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

36

NIGER DELTA REPORT COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

A

FRIEND sent me a BB message on Tuesday afternoon. It reads: “New word now in the English dictionary: ‘Orubebe’ (noun): The process of trying to disrupt a smooth running process, especially through a fraudulent and dishonest means”; (verb): “to make an attempt to disrupt a gathering/smooth running process...” : E.g. Noun: The birthday party resulted in an Orubebe before the police intervened. Verb: Every time Liverpool fc is winning Manchester United, they always want to Orubebe the match.”

The message came a few hours after Elder Godsday Orubebe, ex-Niger Delta minister and founder Glory Sanctuary Christian Centre (GSCC), Ogbogbagbene, Burutu Local Government, Delta State, danced naked in the market square without being ashamed.

Orubebe made unsuccessful attempts to stop the collation of the presidential election results because defeat was staring the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the face. He enjoyed his naked show and was not ashamed. He was being beamed live on national television stations. He thought it was good for the cameras to record him; so he moved forward before making his point, despite being advised that he could be heard from where he sat. But, he wanted his face to be seen and ended up being the worse for it.

This elder in a church of God cut a pitiable sight as he sat on the red rug close to where the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof Attahiru Jega and other senior officials of the electoral umpire were, insisting the process must be stopped. He had started his theatrics first standing and when he seemed to be making not much sense to Jega, he sat on the red rug and for close to 30 minutes, he held everyone hostage and no plea could make him leave the stage. He screamed, shouted and giggled like a man desperate to have his way. His eye balls bulged as though they would jump out of the socket as he shouted: “No, we will not take this.”

His eyes also spoke volume about the pains he was going through at the suffocating fate of his darling party under whose platform his dream of governing Delta State crashed like a pack of cards. He kept jumping up and down and raising his hands to drive home his point.

All he wanted was for Jega to return to his office and empanel a body to investigate his party’s petition.

He said Jega was biased against the PDP and deliberately not investigating the complaints about events in some All Progressives Congress (APC) stronghold. Orubebe, an Ijaw man from Ogbobagbene, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, who was born on 6 June 1959, could not stand the coming fate.

He later apologised in an interview with reporters, saying he regretted his naked dance in the market square. He said his emotion got the better part of him. He begged Nigerians and the youths who look up to him to forgive him, adding that as an elder in the church he went beyond bounds. President Goodluck Jonathan’s commendable act of conceding defeat even before official declaration of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari as the president-elect must have made him feel like a fool. The man he thought he was fighting for knew it was time to leave the stage.

OLUKOREDE YISHAU

ABOVE WHISPERS

•A weekly intervention on Southsouth people and matters

olukoredeyishau@gmail.com

An Elder's naked dance

‘

Though Orubebe has apologised for his naked dance, recovering from the shame of his action will take some time. History will surely record him...

And this verdict may overshadow his records in public offices... We should all learn to control our emotion and not be controlled by it

•Orubebe

Tuesday’s event or non-event was not Orubebe’s first ‘public show of shame’. His quarrel with boxer Bash Ali while he was Minister of Niger Delta brought him into ridicule. The contents of text messages between the duo became public knowledge and the sort of language Orubebe deployed put a question mark on his character.

The crux of the matter between Orubebe and Ali was whether or not the Ministry of Niger Delta promised to sponsor Ali’s championship bout. Orubebe said he never committed his ministry to sponsoring the proposed Guinness Book of Records bout of the ex-World Boxing champion. Orubebe, in a telephone interview with this newspaper at the time, said his ministry had nothing to do with sports. He added that all he did was to recommend Ali to the National Sports Commission (NSC). Ali, however, insisted he had a commitment from the ministry, through the minister, to sponsor the bout.

Ali’s claim, said the minister, shows that he needed psychiatric help. Orubebe said: “That man came to me with his proposal and I said

LAST WORD

‘

these are things that can be done by the National Sports Commission (NSC). I gave him a recommendation note to see the Minister of Sports at that time.

“Later he came to me that some people told him that the programme will be included in the budget of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.

“I said if other people are lying, I will not lie.

The Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs has nothing to do with sports, the programme could not have been part of our budget. So, it is not in our budget.

“This agitation of Ali is dated back to the tenure of ex-President Umaru Yar’Adua. At a point, he was so impressed with my assistance that he wrote a letter to Yar’Adua telling him that I am the only minister who speaks the truth. I still have a copy of the letter with me.

“Sometime this year, he sent me a text that is it because he insisted on a transparent deal that the budget for the programme was not released? I asked: What has my ministry got to do with Sports?”

“Bash Ali is a big fool. He is good enough for the psychiatric hospital in Uselu. I think it is a

mental case and I want to advise his family to take him there. I am not bothered about what he is saying about me.”

However, documents obtained by this newspaper at the time showed that Ali had a deal with Orubebe’s ministry to sponsor the bout.

The ministry also championed the setting up of a Local Organising Committee (LOC) to stage the fight. Orubebe’s ministry, in a letter, asked the NSC to nominate one of its senior officials to serve on the LOC. In the August 27, 2009 letter, the Ministry of Niger Delta, wrote the Chairman of the National Sports Commission on its readiness to support Ali’s fight. The letter, signed by Dalhatu Sule on Orubebe’s behalf, reads: “I am directed to inform you that the ministry is in the process of supporting an International Boxing Tournament between Bash Ali of Nigeria and John Keelon of Britain.

“We are therefore seeking for your nominee to serve as member of the committee that will work out the modalities on how to arrange and finance the tournament.

“Your nominee should be an officer of not below the rank of Assistant Director.”

In another letter, also signed by Sule on Orubebe’s behalf on September 8, 2009, Ali was assured that “a committee has already been set up to work out the modalities for the great fight.”

But, after some months, Orubebe changed his mind. So, in a December 15, 2009 letter Sule, on Orubebe’s behalf, wrote the fighter that the ministry had no money to sponsor the bout, which it had earlier set up a committee to organise.

The letter reads: “I write to refer to your letter of 24th November, 2009, on the above subject matter and to inform you that we are just a fledgling ministry that barely took off this year and as such, extreme budgetary constraints has been a problem to grapple with. In this regard, the Niger Delta Affairs Ministry would not be in a position to sponsor the historic boxing defence bout between Ali of Nigeria and Keeton of Britain. Please accept the warm assurance of the Honourable Minister’s highest regards.”

It is not in doubt that Orubebe actually gave Ali the hope that the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs would support the fight. Why he had a change of mind is hazy. Ali claimed it was because of his refusal to part with some of the $14.2m allegedly budgeted for the fight under skill acquisition in the ministry’s budget, an allegation the ex-minister denied. The ex-minister said the fight was never budgeted for by the ministry.

My final take: Though Orubebe has apologised for his naked dance, recovering from the shame of his action will take some time. History will surely record him and the verdict may not be different from what Wikipedia added to his profile some minutes after the outing: “On the 31st of March 2015, he attempted to disrupt the proceedings of the 2015 presidential election collation, but was escorted from the building”. And this verdict may overshadow his records in public offices, which included supervisory councillor in Burutu Local Government Area, local government chairman and minister. We should all learn to control our emotion and not be controlled by it.

FROM NICHOLAS KALU, CALABAR

Cross River’s absentee senator-elect W

HILE people are celebrating or wearing long faces over the outcome of last Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections across the country, the people of the Central Senatorial District are pondering how they will deal with the issue of an absentee Senator-elect.

Dr. Rose Oko, who emerged the winner of the election on the platform of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to represent the district in the Senate, has not been seen in public since September last year. She is said to be ill and receiving treatment in a hospital abroad. She won the primary election in absential too. Oko is the member representing the Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

The northern senatorial district consists of Ogoja, Yala, Obudu, Bekwarra and Obanliku local government areas.

The controversy surrounding the woman

started in the build-up to the primary election of the party last year, where many from the area believed she picked the party ticket under disputable circumstances.

The general feeling is that she was imposed on the people by the government.

In the campaign tours of the party moving round the state, she was noticeably absent.

When campaigns for her were carried out in her district, it was done with her posters.

Her absence fueled rumours of her death.

Stakeholders demanded her immediate replacement, but the chairman of the PDP insisted she was well and would be back to the country as soon as possible. With the elections coming and going without her, there have been fresh concerns about what the situation exactly is.

Coupled with allegations by the main opposition parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Labour Party (LP) that the National Assembly elections in the

state was rigged by the PDP in connivance with some officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Tension is mounting in the area.

Speaking on how she emerged despite resistance, a PDP chieftain, who chose to remain anonymous, said: “You know the PDP have structures there and those structures are what they used. You know also most people there are not enlightened. All they know is PDP. They don’t know if the candidate is alive or not. The thing is that the PDP has a style.

They gave each leader in each area a polling booth to deliver. On that day they would do all they can to deliver that polling booth. They had money and foodstuff to induce people to vote for them, which is what they did. All the people did was voting for PDP. “Also most of them who are the enlightend ones in the party have their interest to protect, so they will just go along with anything. They felt that if the party’s governorship candidate,

Ben Ayade wins, they will get one thing or the other. They are working for the government. They expect that if they remain in the PDP and do the bidding of the PDP, they will be rewarded.

“A lot of people are unhappy with the situation but cannot fight the government.

In fact, here they were happy and celebrating that the PDP lost at the Presidency because of this situation.”

At the moment, what is of utmost importance to concerned citizens from the area is that they want to see the person that will represent them in the red chamber of the National Assembly in the next political dispensation.

“Is it too much to ask that we know where our representative is and how she is? I don’t think that it is really fair on us the people to be kept in the dark about what is going on.

It is an unfortunate development I must say,”Mr Charles Odey from Yala said.

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

37

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT ous sub-stations and 33KV lines have been energised and fuel is available for this project. The remaining interconnection work on the distribution network within the premises of the existing PHCN sub-stations and the 11KV lines should take less than two months.

“This was the remaining work that was being done by our contractors before the entire Enugu Electricity Distribution Company was handed over to another party by the BPE without excising Aba from the sale.”

Continuing, Prof. Nnaji informed Mr. President of the protracted issue that has been holding down the company from switching on the plant and start power generation and distribution.

He said: “This action, in spite of our valid concession agreement and your assurances that the agreement was sacrosanct, emboldened the operators of EEDC to stop our work and chase away our contractors from the sub-stations thereby ensuring that Aba people will not get benefit of this project. This means that the BPE, in effect, double-sold Aba metropolis (which includes Aba and Ariaria in spite of the very fact that the agreement we had with the Federal Government clearly states that whenever there is privatisation, our company has first right to purchase the facility in Aba hence our heavy investment in this project.

“As you can see Mr. President, the developers and investors in Aba IPP have developed a worldclass electricity infrastructure with the belief that their investment in Nigeria is safe. We have made all effort to get BPE to correct what (for choice of words) may be called an “error”.

“So far, they have not yielded to doing the correct thing. Rather, they have sought to justify this error and have continued to

Jonathan inaugurates power plant politicise the situation unnecessarily, thereby playing with the investment of this magnitude that aims at improving the well-being of our people and the interest of our country and the people of Aba at heart.

“Mr. President, I and the other investors in the Aba answered the call of our beloved country to come home and be part of the development of our dear country. The investors and stakeholders include members of the Aba business community, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and our banks, especially Diamond Bank.

“This travesty has been very cruel to us all. People in the investment community continue to wonder if this can happen to Nigerian investors with a wellstructured agreement. How then can they be sure that their investments and agreements will not be breached in the future? This action by the government has certainly put cold feet on the legs of potential investors. The only instrument for doing business in developing and developed countries across the globe is an agreement, which must be respected and held sacrosanct by all parties.

“All the various committees set up to look into this issue have come up with the same answer: that our agreement should be respected by the Federal Government and that Aba power should be offered the Aba and Ariaria Electricity Business Districts as enshrined in the agreement. I have been assured by Mr. VicePresident that the technical committee of National Council on Privatisation (NCP) and the NCP legal committee have made the same recommendation.

“However, the painful fact is that this critical issue has been left festering since November 2013. It

Mr. President, I and the other investors in the Aba answered the call of our beloved country to come home and be part of the development of our dear country. The investors and stakeholders include members of the Aba business community, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and our banks, especially Diamond Bank

,

,

,

•Continued from page 28

This travesty has been very cruel to us all. People in the investment community continue to wonder if this can happen to Nigerian investors with a well-structured agreement. How then can they be sure that their investments and agreements will not be breached in the future?

,

costs our company $3.5m in bank interest charges alone; plus more than N30 million for insurance coverage; other operational expenses every single month to carry a project that is not yielding any revenue due to the deliberate, hostile and crippling action of Enugu DISCo and the BPE over 15 months ago.

“So far, about eight committees, including committees of the NCP, Nigeria Electricity Regulating Commission (NERC), and Ministry of Power among others, have investigated this matter and came up with the same recommendation. There is no more need for another committee; all that it re-

quires is your decision and firm action that will ensure the full implementation of their recommendation to sell Aba metropolis to Aba Power.

“We are therefore pleading with you to take a decisive action today and rescue our company and the people of Aba from the shackles of deliberate man-made mischief. We also plead with you to ask Enugu DISCo (EEDC) to immediately allow our contractors to complete the interconnection works that will allow Aba to receive this power.

“Please, give the people of Aba an opportunity to get the intended benefit of this project, which is ab-

solute reliable electricity. It is unfortunate that the powerful economic and political saboteurs within the system have denied your administration the golden opportunity of using the Aba metropolis electricity ring-fence as a shining example of your power reform agenda.

“Nevertheless, we remain fully committed to ensuring that this project will be completed under your watch for the benefit of Aba Business Community and the Nigerian people.

“Our team has worked very hard and made personal sacrifices to ensure that this project will be the first fruit of your power reform initiative in which the private sector will be empowered to drive power production and distribution in Nigeria. It is for this reason that it gives our people tremendous joy that you are here today. We hope that your visit today will liberate the Aba Integrated Power Project and release the huge economic potential of an “Enyimba City” (Aba) where electricity will be taken for granted. We are confident that your action in finally resolving this issue will do wonders for the regional economy and create hundreds of thousands of jobs for our teeming youths.”

The Enugu State PDP governorship candidate, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi with reporters shortly after casting his vote at Udenu Local Government Area, Enugu State PHOTO: OBI CLETUS

Aba residents hail police

R

ESIDENTS of Aba and Osisioma Local Government Area of Abia State have praised the police for their prompt response to a bomb scare which would have probably caused loss of life and property in the area.

Reacting to the scare at the headquarters of the Osisioma Local Government Area which was successfully evacuated by the police anti-bomb squad, the residents thanked the police for responding promptly.

It could be recalled that there was palpable fear within Osisioma Local Government Area on Saturday at 8:30 a.m. following the reported discovery of an object suspected to be an explosive device.

Police anti-bomb squad that

From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

were alerted promptly arrived at the venue to diffuse and evacuate the improvised explosive device (IED) which was later discovered to be a military grenade suspected to have fallen off from one of the soldiers on duty.

A police source that pleaded anonymity because he was not competent to talk on the matter, commended the public for alerting the police, saying that it shows that people were becoming more conscious of their environment. He urged the people not to hesitate to alert the police whenever they suspected any strange object within their environment.

•Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim fielding questions from reporters at his home in Ishiagu Local Government Area, Ebonyi State during the elections PHOTO: OBI CLETUS

38

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

•Physically challenged persons at Gen. Muhammadu Buhari’s rally at Owerri

•A newly inaugurated block of classrooms at Ndiolumbe Primary School, Aba, Abia State

•Security personnel at a joint meeting in Abia State

•Senator Chris Ngige addressing a crowd at a rally

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

39

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

•Members of Anambra State Joint Security Task Force after a meeting in Onitsha

•Some of the items given to the widows by wife of Imo State governor, Mrs Nneoma Okorocha

•Party supporters at the botched Imo governorship debate

•Imo Deputy Governor, Eze Madumere addressing traditional rulers at the resolution of a boundary dispute between Imo and Abia states

40

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

W

•The Women Development Centre

Women inaugurate development centre From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

the successful completion of the building project was a clear evidence of the manifestation of God’s promises to the founder of the church; the late Agnes Amanye Okoh, a.k.a Mama Odozi Obodo while she lived.

The church’s General Superintendent and the chairman of Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), however advised the women to seek help only from Jesus Christ like the founder of the church, who he described as a woman of faith and a devout Christian did during her missionary work on earth.

In her address, wife of the Gen-

H

ON. Uzo Azubuike of the Peoples Democratic Party went into the National Assembly polls with high hopes to be reelected to represent the people of Aba North and South Federal Constituency. He failed because the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Mr. Ossy Prestige was elected instead.

,

OMEN of Christ Holy Church (CHC) International coprising members from Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, Kenya, Liberia and Benin Republic have converged on Asaba, the Delta State capital, for the inauguration of the multi-million naira Women Development Centre.

The project was executed by the women department of the church to help equip indigent members of the church with skills, with a view to scaling back unemployment, crime and youth restiveness, especially among youths.

Trainees at the Centre will be instructed on making, among other things, different types of soap and bleach.

Some of the personalities present at the event included the General Superintendent of the church, His Grace, Most Rev. Daniel C. Okoh, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Paulinus Akpeki, His Royal Majesty, Edmund Daukoru, Amanyanabo of Nembe Kingdom and his wife, Bishops and other clerics of the church in Nigeria and other African countries.

The women, who were adorned in colourful uniforms, marched from Ezenei Road through Ogbogonogo and terminated at the venue of the occasion in a carnivallike occasion that attracted many admirers who thronged the city roads to catch a glimpse of them.

The event, which served as the 2014/2015 Annual Women Conference/Dedication of the church also witnessed the launch of the maiden Women Musical Album which they recorded and produced.

Various gospel groups, including the famous original band group of the church were on hand to add colour to the event as guests and church members danced to rhythm of the music.

The three-day event witnessed activities such as Bible Studies, a Gala Night party at Grand Hotel, Asaba among other social activities to spice up the event.

Speaking on the topic “Celebrating God’s Faithfulness”, the General Superintendent of C.H.C International, Most Rev. Okoh, thanked the women’s department of the church for executing such a wonderful edifice.

He revealed that the women, in an attempt to eradicate crimes and poverty, among our children, built the Women Development Centre in order to train and educate not only Nigeria children but also children from all over the world.”

Rev. Okoh further explained that

The Centre was built by the women department of the church to train indigent members of the church in skills with a view to scaling back unemployment, crime and youth restiveness, especially among youths. Trainees will be instructed on making, among other things, different types of soap and bleach

,

eral Superintendent, General Deaconess Ngozi Okoh said the theme of the conference “You Will Build

Houses and Dwell in Them” was an invitation to all the participants to celebrate the manifestation of

Dashed hopes in Aba From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

Mr. Prestige received 47, 763 votes to beat his opponent who received 19, 063 out of the 75, 536 total votes cast in the two local government ar-

eas that make up the constituency.

In a chat with reporters after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Returning Officer (RO), Prof. Celestine Udo Udoma Udo had issued him with a certified copy of the result sheet, he attributed his victory to the tenacity, commitment and courageousness of Aba electorate who want to effect change in their constituency.

He said: “You are aware that before the election, we embarked on door-to-door campaign sensitising the people on the need to come out and vote for APGA. It was the message of change that we have been preaching that brought people out of their homes to vote for me and also ensured that their votes counted.

“I am humbled to have won the polls despite the incumbency factor.

It indicates that people are no longer voting for the party, but for the individual, having evaluated the antecedents of such person, which will compel the public officer to be ac-

God’s promises to all who believe in Christ Jesus.

She thanked those who, in one way or the other, committed their resources in ensuring that the project was a reality. He expressed the hope that it would serve the purpose for which it was built, adding that the development centre would be open to people from all over the world.

In his remarks, Mr. Paulinus Akpeki advised the women to continue praying for peace and unity of Nigeria.

Highlights of the occasion were the unveiling of the founder’s statue, inauguration of the building and launch of C.H.C musical album. countable to the people. I promise the people that I am going to provide those amenities they lack in the past 16 years.”

Mr. Prestige, who is noted among the constituents for his philanthropy and care for the oppressed, promised to improve their social well-being and to attract democratic dividends, saying his constituents should stone him if he fails to perform as their representative.

Assessing the use of permanent voter’s card (PVC) for elections, he said even though there were cases of malfunction card readers, “it is an improvement in the electoral process,” even as he called on INEC to address logistical issues, among others, in order to ensure that materials arrived various polling units early in the governorship and house of assembly polls.

He also used the opportunity to assure the people of Abia, especially those of Aba residents of his party’s commitment to transform the infrastructure and economy of the state.

He called on registered voters to come out en masse during the April 11 polls to vote massively for the party’s governorship candidate.

,

•From left: Enugu State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Okey Ezea; the state chairman of the party, Dr. Ben Nwoye; National Vice Chairman Southeast of the APC, Hon. Emma Enukwu and Hon. Ifeanyi Asogwa in Enugu PHOTO: OBI CLETUS

I am humbled to have won the polls despite the incumbency factor. It indicates that people are no longer voting for the party, but for the individual; having evaluated the antecedents of such person, which will compel the public officer to be accountable to the people

,

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

42

PEOPLE THE NATION

A FOUR-PAGE SECTION ON SOCIETY

•The birthday ‘boy’ Asiwaju Tinubu (third right); his wife Oluremi (second right); Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun; his wife Olufunsho (second left); Iyalode of Lagos Alhaja Bintu Tinubu (left) and Lagos State Deputy Governor Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire

Jagaban at 63 N

ATIONAL leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu turned 63 on March 29, a day after the presidential and National Assembly elections. Contrary to expectations, he went for a low-key celebration. His family members, close friends and associates gathered for a small party at his Ikoyi, Lagos home last Sunday.

Islamic clerics prayed for the birthday ‘boy’ on the occasion.

•Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (left) and former Minister of State, Defence Demola Seriki

•Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos

•Senator Gbenga Ashafa

•From left: Mr Dele Alake; Prince Dipo Eludoyin and Lagos State First Lady Dame Abimbola Fashola

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THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

SOCIETY

•Sheikh Ahmad

•The celebrator, Alhaja Banire (sitting) being assisted by (from right) Alhaja Funmilayo Banire; Dr Adebule; Dr Abdur Rasheed Oki; Dr Banire; Alhaja Raimat Banire and Alhaja Balikisi Sonaike •Alhaji Musibau Oyefeso

•Sheikh Abou

•Elegushi of Ikateland Oba Saheed Elegushi

•Hons Ramatallahi Akinola-Hassan (left) and Adefunmilayo Tejuoso

I

T was a day of joy for Alhaja Abiola Saratu Banire, mother of All Progressives Congress (APC) National Legal Adviser, Dr Muiz Banire, when she celebrated her 87th birthday. Many eminent personalities came to rejoice with her.

Oduduwa Crescent in GRA Ikeja, Lagos, felt the celebration. Exotic cars filled the neighbourhood and the adjoining streets, announcing the celebration. Uniformed and armed security agents were on hand to ensure orderliness.

Some wore turquoise blue lace with the chosen head gears for the ceremony, were in orange attire. Others simply looked charming in choice outfits.

The celebrator was the cynosure of all eyes.

She wore a white Iro and Buba with a matching blue head gear, and sat with friends and family members. Many of the guests came around to greet her.

The event began with Alhaji Tajudeen Salisu leading the opening prayers and was coordinated by Abdul Hakeem Kosoko.

Baba Adinni of Lagos Sheikh Abdul Afeez Abou and Abdur-Rahman Lekki led the gathering in prayers.

In a lecture, the National Missioner of

•Hon Abiodun Mafe

•Cardinal James Odunmbaku

•Alhaja Fatimat Oyefeso

•Hon Bolaji Yusuf Ayinla

Alhaja Abiola Saratu Banire, mother of All Progressives Congress (APC) National Legal Adviser Dr Muiz Banire, has celebrated her 87th birthday in Lagos, reports OLATUNDE ODEBIYI.

‘She’s one in a million’ Ansaudeen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Abdur Rahman Ahmad spoke on proper upbringing of children, saying what the celebrator has done for her children is the reason for the celebration. He said the celebrator trained her children well, urging other women to emulate her.

Reception followed with plenty to eat and drink.

Alhaja said she is happy people came to celebrate with her.

Lagos State APC governorship running mate Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule described the day as wonderful. She said it was a thing of joy that mama clocked 87 and thanked God for her life.

“With the people here today, we can say that mama has lived a very wonderful life; we pray that the almighty God will continue to be with her, give her sound health and Allah’s favour will not depart from her,” she said.

She urged the family to continue to pray for mama, adding that at 87, mama is still a beauty to behold.

Dr Banire said he joined his mother to thank Allah for sparing her life. He said he was happy that his mother is still around.

He described her as gentle, admirable and an extremely amazing.

“She is free with everybody and not discriminatory. She taught us to be God fearing and she is always willing and ready

to express joy, and care for others, both in their joy and in their pain.

“One moment I will never forget about Mama was when we were growing up, she is always ready to follow us anywhere. She is already at our school gate to take us home before school closes and when we are home she ensures we get something to eat immediately,” he said.

Banire’s wife, Olufunmilayo, described her mother-in-law as wonderful and very humble, adding that she has been like her real mother. “She is a jovial person and one in a million. She is warm hearted with a heart of gold and she is worthy of emulation; a role model” .

A guest, Hon Femi Wilson, said the celebrator is a great achiever to have clocked 87 because it’s not everyone that attains that age. He wished her the best.

Another guest, Dr Buhari Oloto, prayed that mama would advance more in age.

Former Chairman, Mushin Local Government Hon Olatunde Adepitan said the celebrator is a mother with a passion. “She has taken good care of her children and what is happening here today is something that mama is worth much more than”.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

SOCIETY The board and management of CMC Connect (perception managers) unveiled its brand and at a cocktail in Ikeja where it announced its flagship business and global affiliation with Burson Marsteller. NNEKA NWANERI was there.

•From left: Chairman, Channels Television Mr John Momoh; Chairman, Troyka Group Mr Biodun Shobanjo and Publisher, The Guardian Newspapers Mrs Maiden Ibru •From left: Mr. Badejo-Okusanya; Board Chairman CMC Connect, Akin Opeodu presenting an award to MD/CEO MaxEdge Communications Mr Victor Edegbe

•Mr Nosakhare Uwadiae and Managing Director, JWT-LTC Advertising·Mrs. Bisi Afolabi •Robyn deVilliers (left) and Dr Wole Adamoleku

The Orisirishi experience

I

T was a night of variety and the event was aptly tagged: Orishsirishi. Cars were packed on both sides of Oduduwa Cresent in GRA Ikeja, Lagos that night when CMC Connect (Perception Managers) announced its global affiliation with Burson Marsteller, a South African firm which does advertorials for some multinational companies.

The Bridgehouse, which houses CMC Connect, was filled.

At the entrance, was diversely culturally dressed men and women ushers from the three major ethnic groups. For guests, the dress code was Orishirishi. The theme was chosen to showcase Nigeria’s diversity.

In Yoruba language, Orishirishi means different things or variety, all sorts of things and diverse assorted things.

To culinary experts, it means assorted beef such as roundabout, ponmo, shaki, bokoto, ahan, abodi, fuku and more.

Whether in traditional attire, suit or other English wears, guests made a fashion statement and they looked at one another in admiration. At a point, they moved to the poolside and stood under coconut trees that shielded them from the

CONJUGAL BLISS

moonlight. A well lit projector displayed historical pictures that are almost going into extinction.

It also showcased many African delicacies peculiar to Nigeria.

A female Master of Ceremony, Mrs Laolu Thomas, informed the guests why they were there.

She ushered in the Chairman of Burson Marsteller, Robyn DeVilliers to a raised platform to address the gathering.

She said her relationship with the Nigerian Public Relations (PR) industry dated back to a long time. She said she has been in PR business as far back as 26 years ago when she became an entrepreneur by starting her own consultancy in South Africa.

Managing Director of CMC, Mr Yomi BadejoOkusanya, said he began the outfit 23 years ago to entrench the practice of PR in Nigeria and provide value for its clients.

He announced that the company has just launched into a single entity called CMC Connect Burson Marsteller, and that the name was chosen to show their different way of doing things.

He paid homage to Lagos, where the company started, calling it the most Orishirishi city in Africa.

•Pastor Femi Paul of Grace Assembly and his wife, Evelyn

“Lagos is the quintessential melting pot. There is nothing and nothing that you will not see in Lagos. You will see different things, all sorts of things, diverse things. And more often than not; for good or for bad, in Lagos, you will see things done differently,” Badejo-Okusanya said.

Though glasses were filled with drinks and guests ready to clink them, but they placed them on side stools to give Badejo-Okusanya a rousing applause after the speech.

There were different kinds of drinks. Some sipped palmwine, a local drink tapped from

BIRTHDAY

Palm Trees, from local calabashes as they watched the poetic Akeem Lasisi perform a version of Orishirishi from his poetic collection. He also did another recital-Elele Ture.

Instead of the conventional snacks served at corporate events, bean balls (akara) fried yams and other local delicacies were served to the delight of guests who kept demanding for more rounds for the waiters who went about the gathering with the meal.

The DJ dished out many old Nigerian songs that are almost forgotten, as guests danced into the night.

UNION OF LOVEBIRDS Prince Abiodun Adebambo and his grand daughter Princess Opeyemi Oshodi during his 80th birthday at The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Province 37, zone 1 Headquarters, Egbeda, Lagos

•Former Miss Oluwabunmi Ogundare and her beau Oluwafemi Ogundare after their wedding at Ramat Hall in Oke Onitea, Osogbo in Osun State.

•Former Miss Afolasade Adesanya and her beau Oluseun Samuel after their wedding at Ode Remo Ogun state

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THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

SOCIETY The wedding of Ibiyemi Oladiji and Oyewole Oyeniran was held at Bamboo Hall in Omole, Ikeja, Lagos last Saturday. It was preceded by a service at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Jesus Sanctuary in Oshodi. SAFIYYAH ABDUR-RAZAQ reports.

‘She motivates me’

T

HE couple walked hand in hand as they left the church for the wedding reception.

The relationship of Ibiyemi Oladiji and Oyewole Olaniran began from the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

The bride looked resplendent in her long flowing white gown and veil with silverjewelery, the groom was dashing in his white shirt, navy blue suit and a black tie with green stripes.

The two bride’s maids, who are her sisters, wore mintgreen gowns. The groom’s men also dressed like the groom but their black ties had green polka dots.

The couple were joined in holy matrimony at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Jesus Sanctuary in Oshodi, Lagos.

In a sermon, Minister-incharge of Kogi Region Pastor Boniface Okenwa urged the couple to always use the Bible as their guide.

“The day you get married, you become enrolled into the University of ‘Marriology’ which has the Holy Bible as its only textbook and the Vice Chancellor is the Holy Spirit.

There is no graduation from this institution except by death or rapture. It is an exclusive institution and the rest of us are outside observers”, he said.

Pastor Okenwa said they would have misunderstandings, adding that they should see such disputes as part of their marital life. He urged them to be patient with each other. He urged their parents to always pray for them and not controlling their home.

After they signed the marriage register, they were blessed by Pastor Oluremi Oluboba of Lagos Province 9.

“You will never have any cause to regret what you have started today, you would never be separated and never be infertile. Death would not separate you at an early age.

Your sun would not set in your prime and you would also do the same for your children”, Pastor Oluboba prayed.

At the reception, guests were treated to sumptuous meals and drinks. The reception was anchored by MC Pluto. The couple arrived for the reception at Bamboo Hall in Omole, Ikeja, Lagos, in style, dancing to “Shake body”, “Aye” and “On top your matter”.

After the opening prayer

by Hon. Segun Fasinsa, the chairperson of the occasion and former Lagos State Deputy Governor Princess Sarah Sosan congratulated the Oyedirans on the addition to their family. She also

congratulated the couple and prayed for them to have a blissful marital life.

She said: “I have known Ibiyemi since she was in the womb and I thank God I am here to witness today.

My son, Wole, welcome to the family. I can see that she has chosen well because you are a gentleman to the core. Both of you should treat each other well and treat your parents well.”

The couple cut the fourtiered cake with the two tiers at the bottom in mint green and the first two tiers in white after the spelling of Jesus. They fed each other cake and wine.

The bride’s father danced with her before handing her over to the groom.

In an interview with The Nation, Oyewole, an engineer described his wife as God-fearing, intelligent and beautiful.

“She is also hard-working and she motivates me a lot. I have pledged my support to her to move forward in her career”, he said.

Narrating how they met, he said they met in OAU in 2003/2004.

“We were attending the same fellowship but we were not relating. We just knew each other. I was about to graduate when she got admitted into the school. In 2012, I came across her in Shoprite when I went to shop. As I was about to get out, I saw her and since we were not relating in school, I just said, “OAU, RCF” she looked back and said “Yes”. I said “I am Wole” and she said she knew me.

That day, we spoke for a while then I went to drop her at home. And that was how it started.”

Ibiyemi, a lawyer, described her husband as a pleasant person.

She said: “He can be quite firm but he is also very loving and he is intrinsically kind. One thing I am very confident of is that he really loves me and he wants the best for me.”

The groom’s father, Mr Oyeniran Olalere, said: “I pray for them to have both male and female children.

Their lives would be forever blissful. Their enjoyment has begun and would forever remain.”

The bride’s father, Pastor Abayomi Oladiji said: “Just like it was said during the service, the Holy Bible should be their book of instruction and I have also counselled them as a pastor too. They should follow the laws of God and He would make their marriage successful”.

‘I have known Ibiyemi since she was in the womb and I thank God I am here to witness today. My son, Wole, welcome to the family. I can see that she has chosen well because you are a gentleman to the core. Both of you should treat each other well and treat your parents well’

COMMUNICATE YOUR IDEAS Dealing With Too Much Information

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•The couple Ibiyemi and Oyewole

•Groom’s parents Mr Oyeniran Olalere and his wife, Idowu

•Bride’s parents Pastor Abayomi Oladiji and his wife, Jaiyeola

•Princess Sosan (left) and Mrs Lola Ayo-sobowale

•Pastor Boniface Okenwa and his wife, Olufunmilayo PHOTOS: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

ELCOME to your column on public speaking, it’s great to have you back. For a while, we have been considering the general topic “grabbing attention”. We discussed how short the attention span of humans has become in recent years and how much we need to struggle to get people’s attention. According to the National Centre for Biotechnology Information, at the U.S. National Library of Medicine, the attention span of humans has dropped from 12 seconds to 8 seconds between 2000 and 2013.

Last week, we discussed the “information overload” phenomenon and how it can affect us as public speakers.

Considering that several things are competing for the attention of our audience, we have to work harder to grab and sustain attention. Today, our main concern is how we can deal with the deluge of information we are exposed to everyday. Before we consider some steps we can take to manage information overload, it is important to first discuss its challenges: •The Challenge of making decisions: ordinarily, we can argue that the more information we have access to, the better informed we are to make decisions. However, how do we determine when we have gathered “enough” information to take the next step? In this age of ICT, it is important to consume media contents or browse the Internet with a focus. If we don’t know exactly what we are looking for, we may spend hours searching, getting entertained and finding every other information except what we really need. In cases like this, the more information we have, the farther we get from making good decisions.

•Confusing information: of course, there are several sides to issues and several ways to deal with them. While several books, magazines, TV programmes, blogs, tweets, facebook posts, etc exist on any given topic, it is not strange that some of them are contradictory. Hence, people sometimes get more confused as they get more information.

Rather than helping us to make sound decisions, a lot of information we are exposed to only give us the different sides of the argument while leaving us to determine the most authentic.

•Information based on opinions and sentiments: if we attempt to browse on any subject using the search engines on the Internet, we are likely to find more blogs and private websites than research based sites. The implication of this is that the information we want to base our decisions on may have been written by anybody- even a little child fabricating stories.

How can we be sure that the idea we want to adopt is based

LANRE OLAOLU AMODU

(Ph.D) sospeak2lanre@yahoo.com.

07034737394 @lanreamodu

on facts and not sentiments or opinions? Any information can go viral on the Internet but that does not make it a fact. Since everyone can be an information provider, the volume of information in circulation keeps growing. It is left to us to determine what we believe.

Having considered a few challenges of information overload, let’s now see how we can deal with them.

•Avoid “I’m missing out” attitude: a lot of people stay almost perpetually on social media or the Internet as a whole, not because they are looking for or sharing any particular information, but because of the fear of missing out on “something important”.

Not only can this keep them largely distracted because their minds will always be on their devices, it can also expose them to a lot of unnecessary information.

•Process only the information you need to know: it is possible you want to know a lot of things but how many of them really add value to you?

While you may not be able to control the amount of information you are exposed to (since a lot of them come unsolicited), try to determine what you spend your time processing.

Engage information based on what you need and not what you want. By doing this, you will avoid being overloaded with information.

•Judge by quality, not by quantity: some people think the more information they have access to, the better their lives will become. Well, this is not necessarily true. A valuable and specific piece of information is worth much more than ten general ones. You need to reduce the amount of time you devote to unnecessary information so that you pay better attention to the valuable ones.

•Mind your source: the quality of a piece of information is determined by its source. If the source is credible, so is the information and vice versa. Before we decide to base our decisions on any information, we must learn about the source.

If the source has the experience and credentials to offer such information, that’s great, if not, beware.

•Be focused: this is perhaps the most important way to manage information overload.

If we don’t know what we are looking for, everything will seem acceptable to us. We need to determine the direction our life is going and then select the information that can take us there. Not every piece of information is meant for us; we need to find ours.

Dr. Amodu teaches at the Department of Mass Communication, Covenant University, Ogun State.

46

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3 2015

47

COMMENTARY

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AY oh Lord! The Sovereign of all dominions! You bestow power to whomever You wish and withdraw power from whomever You wish; You exalt whomever You wish and abase whomever you wish; In Your Hand lies all that is GOOD. You embed the night into the day and the day into the night; You bring forth the living from the dead and the dead from the living.

You grant sustenance to whomever you wish beyond reckoning” Q. 3: 26-27 Life is like a horse that surrenders itself to humans for riding. If it surrenders itself to you today do not be reckless in riding it. You may become the horse for life to ride on tomorrow. Nights are pregnant. They invariably give birth to wonders during the days. All pleasant or unpleasant events found in the records of history were conceived in the night. The belly of nights is a mystery that cannot be easily explained through the successes or failures of human dreams.

Man is a mere spectator watching the environmental drama going on around him in the theatre of life. He only reacts to that drama randomly as it affects his immediate interest. The main actor in that drama is the phenomenon called destiny.

And the only antidote for the poison that destiny may sometimes constitute in the life of man is to be firmly clad in the armour of faith.

FEMI ABBAS ON femabbas756@gmail.com 08115708536

Not yet Uhuru

Heroes and Villains Among the rare, large-hearted men with whom Nigeria is endowed today are two principal personalities (President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and Presidentelect Muhammadu Buhari) in the recently concluded presidential election. The one is gallant enough in vanquishness to concede defeat while the other is magnanimous enough in victory to embrace his political rival. Thus, with their large hearts, the great duo has saved Nigeria of a hitherto impending calamity that would have afflicted the country and probably spelt her final doom.

That election has thrown up some heroes with historic fame just as it has exposed some villains with indelible notoriety. One of the great heroes of this time is Prof Attahiru Muhammadu Jega who served as the chief umpire (Chairman) of the Independent National Electoral Commission in the historic election. His comportment and display of maturity, civility and experience was a saving grace against the truncation of the democratic process at very delicate stage of the presidential election.

The chief villain in this case is the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Sulaiman Abba, whose viciously avowed partisanship throughout the 2015 electoral process has further dented the image of the police. Posterity will take care of the heroes and the villains.

Efficacy of prayer At a time in Nigeria when the elasticity of hardship unleashed by the country’s

Oliver asks for more With the latest political development in Nigeria today, we believe fervently that our prayer has been divinely accepted. And we thank the Almighty Allah for this wonderful gesture. But like Oliver Twist in Charles Dickens’ novel, we shall ask for more as follows: Oh Allah! Please, guide our leaders aright and endow them with wisdom knowledge and equanimity with which to sail our shaky ship through the stormy sea of life.

Enrich our leaders in conscience and in faith that they may know the evil effect of greed and distance themselves from it. Imbue them with the spirit of truthfulness, contentment, meekness and justice that the strong and the weak alike may free from becoming victims of injustice through tribalism, nepotism and religious discrimination. Give those leaders the courage with which to fight corruption and deal with corrupt elements in the land. We pray to You oh Allah and we believe that like the earlier prayer You will also accept this.

Otherwise, it can be concluded that the current situation of Nigeria, despite the pleasant change experienced so far, there is yet no reason to claim Uhuru.

MUSWEN’s gratitude messages

Rein of power In history, great empires and nations have reputation for rising to the peak of their glory at a time. They are also known for falling unexpectedly to the abyss of life’s dungeon at another time when they might have reached the elasticity limit of their power wielding. And as it is with nations so it is with rulers. In this, what obtained in the past still obtains in the present. This confirms that humans are like flakes of history they rise today and fall tomorrow according to the dictates of momentary tempest.

Nigeria is fortunate as a nation to be endowed with large-hearted men and women who take it as a duty to further enhance that rare fortune.

“The occurrences of life, as you can see them, change from time to time like weather. A person gladdened today may be saddened tomorrow”. In that circumstance, how much a man is able to cope with the harshness of life largely depends on the treatment he gave clemency when the latter was at his disposal. Yet the world surges ahead without looking back at actions or reactions that dot the various circumstances of life. Thus, within the twinkling of an eye, the Almighty Allah may change many things in human life to the amazement of man.

by all and not one whose natural trade in stock is hidden hatred and open indignation. To You we pray oh! Allah and from You alone we expect mercy.

• President Goodluck Jonathan

• President-elect Muhammadu Buhari

leadership was fast approaching its elasticity limit, we, Nigerian Muslims and Christians raised up our hands in prayer to the Almighty Allah to grant us a leader who would truly and sincerely serve the nation rather than someone who would turn himself into a master to be served by the nation.

This was in response to Allah’s covenant with mankind when He said: “And when my servants ask you (Prophet Muhammad (SAW) about me, tell them that I am very close to them and I answer the prayer of any well intentioned seeker if he/she seeks my favour. Let such seekers trust in my ability and willingness to accept prayers so that they may be guided aright”. Q. 2: 186 Based on the above, we raised up our hand in prayer thus: “Oh Allah! Give us a leader who will know that the greatest wealth of a nation is her human resources and develop such wealth for the future of the Nigeria. Imbue us with a leader who will know the meaning of education and therefore give our schools and Universities priority in government policies.

Appoint a leader for us who will who will be a good example for the country, abiding by the law and not choosing which of the court rulings to obey. We pray for a leader who will hold security of lives and property sacrosanct, not one who will be indifferent when his personal interest is not affected.

rule by his wills and caprices on the basis of religious bias and ethnic sentiment to the detriment of the constitution.

We pray for a leader who will not crudely and greedily discard certain provisions of the constitution in a desperate bid to rule us despotically forever. We pray for a leader who will see himself as a servant rather than a master of the nation and therefore address the citizenry with due respect in decency and gentleman’s language.

We pray for a leader who will be just enough to spread the privileges and opportunities in the land across board without treating non-members of his political party or religious belief or ethnic clan as enemies to be kept at bay. We pray for a leader who will not destroy the legitimacy of his leadership and start running away from his own shadow at the tail end of his tenure. And, finally, we pray for a leader who will be large-hearted enough to be gallant in defeat and magnanimous in victory; not one who will be so vindictive as to play tribes against tribes, unions against unions and Muslims against Christians.

We believe that the leadership qualities for which we are hereby praying are those that embody civilisation in all its ramifications. And, we are confident that You will be merciful with us in accepting this prayer. Here we are at your door oh! Allah, raising up our hands to You in prayer and placing our final hope on You without an iota of doubt. Kindly appoint for us a leader who will be loved and admired

Give us a leader Give us a leader who will sincerely stand by his oath of office and not one who will

‘We pray for a leader who will be just enough to spread the privileges and opportunities in the land across board without treating non-members of his political party or religious belief or ethnic clan as enemies to be kept at bay.We pray for a leader who will not destroy the legitimacy of his leadership and start running away from his own shadow at the tail end of his tenure.’

Meanwhile, the Muslim Ummah of Southwest Nigeria (MUSWEN) has issued a press release to show gratitude to Allah for accepting the series of prayers led by that apex body of the Southwest Muslim organisations. It went as follows: “If you are grateful, We (Allah) will surely grant you more (of Our favours) ...”(Q 14:7).

Coming from Allah (to Whom be all praise), those words of guidance and assurance should serve as Reminder and Incentive for the whole of our nation.

The Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) cannot afford to wait any longer before congratulating the entire Nigerian nation on Allah’s quick and full response to our prayers for FREE, FAIR, CREDIBLE and PEACEFUL elections. Despite all pessimism arising from our past experiences, Allah has granted us a presidential election that had all the features of FREEDOM, FAIRNESS and CREDIBILITY as well as those of PEACE. The eyes of the whole world were on us and, by the special grace of Allah, we did not disappoint them.

We congratulate the humble winner, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari on his resilience and his humility even in victory. But we also congratulate Mr. President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan on being such an honourable loser. His statesmanlike gestures in conceding victory to Major-General Buhari even before the announcement of the last results, and in appealing to his own supporters to accept the verdict of the people deserve acknowledgement and kudos.

Obviously, the commendable role of Prof Attahiru Jega and his team at INEC in bringing about this success is by no means a mean one. Allah has used them as worthy instruments to bring about free, fair and credible elections the first set of which has been concluded. We congratulate them too.

However, it is the people of Nigeria who are the ultimate victors, by the special grace of Allah. They are the ones who have thus been saved from potential danger the kind of which usually characterised past elections.

We appeal to the people of this nation to reflect profoundly so that we may see the success of the elections as a mark of Allah’s favour and His merciful response to our prayers. It is only then that we would truly deserve further favours from Allah as promised by Him in the above statement. And obviously, we do need further grace from Him, particularly for the success of the elections of April 11.

So, as MUSWEN congratulates the nation on this great event in the history of our country, we urge all Nigerians to continue with our prayers with the trust that Allah will respond favourably as He did to our previous prayers.

Prof Dawud O. S. Noibi OBE, FISN, FIAC Executive Secretary, MUSWEN

48

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

49

Brandnews

FirstBank: Walking on a strange terrain Firstbank, a conservative bank, is sponsoring a television campaign, B430 TV series, which addresses the challenges of under 30 women. Analysts say this is novel for an old generation bank. But the bank says as a social cause, the deal is worth its salt, especially as it is within its corporate social responsibility and sustainability, writes ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI.

T

HE television series, B430 (before 30), sponsored by Firstbank, is unique in many ways. It is the first time the conservative bank is walking on such a terrain.

The series is centered on four young women - Damilola Adegbite, Beverly Naya, Meg Otanwa, Anee Icha - who live in Lagos.

To meet social expectation - marriage - the women are under pressure to get married before hitting age 30.

Though they have good careers, their marital status is giving them headache.

Each of them either have one complicated relationship or the other.

Sometimes, over a bottle of wine, they discussed and mocked each other.

At a premiere of the series at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victorial Island, Lagos, where the story is also set, the trailer reveals through the lead character Adegbite starring as Temi Coker, 27, a lawyer with voice over. Naya, a consultant but single, who stars as Nkem, plays the sexy career woman who believes men are playthings.

Otanwa, 28, an house wife, who plays Aisha, is the conflicted northern housewife, married to a billionaire. Icha, 25, a banker who plays Ama, is the sweet and cheerful friend and the youngest in the group.

The series, produced by Nemsia, a full service marketing, design and content production house, is set against the background of social stigma single ladies who are through with school.

Against the backdrop of the members of the society who see marriage as important, the pressure faced by single women under 30, could be traumatic, especially when their kiths and kins are getting married.

At family weddings, as reflected in B430, they face various questions on their status from family members, such as: “Please, do quick, we are waiting for your invite.”

• From left: Meg Otanwa, Anee Icha, Damilola Adegbite and Beverly Naya, lead characters in the B430 series.

But, such expectation put pressures on the women to become desperate and this, in turn, makes most men to fall ‘prey’ for such women.

“Men always want to stay away from desperate ladies,” says a social analyst.

With everyone shying away from starting the conversation of single women who are under 30, getting a sponsorship for the campaign was a hard nut to crack for the producers.

According to the Director of the series, Omorinsojo Akinnola, these challenges no one wants to talk about despite the problems faced by the victims.

“No one wants to talk about it, but its real. We have to start the conversation. As a result, she said so many companies did not want to sponsor the series because of the sensitive nature of the conversation,” she said.

Analysts said endorsing such story

could mean that brands are also stigmatising single women. But the way the story is told might have endeared the campaign to some of the sponsors who took the tough decision to accept the B430 deal.

“Firstbank, for believing in us and taking a risk backing a show of this nature deserves great appreciation.

Visionaries, such as Mrs Ani Mumuney fighting to give young firms like us a chance, not just in film making but in the marketing field, have kept the lights on at Nemsia over the last few years while we worked on making before 30. Airtel for bending over backwards to accommodate our requests within an impossible time frame. Federal Palace Hotel for being the very first brand to see our vision and providing this beautiful canvas for us to express it,” Akinnola said.

As strange as it sounds to a brand

analyst that a conservative bank, such as FirstBank, is endorsing such a campaign because of its sensitive nature unlike other social cause marketing, such as Downsyndrome, an health problem, the bank is bankrolling, the Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications, Folake Ani-Mumuney said: “We are known for supporting causes and this is a cause because it’s rooted in sincerity, and that is really what as a brand we stand for.

If we cannot have an honest conversation among ourselves as a people about the things that drive our economy forward, about our people and their health, and things that ensure that we are a nation of productive people, then we wouldn’t be doing what we should be doing as a company. We are not here just to make money; we are a bank that actually believes in being a nation builder in supporting the nation.”

Lafarge rewards 48 distributors

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O fewer than 48 customers of Lafarge Africa Plc smiled home with valuable prizes, including cars, cash and electronic gadgets at the Partners Awards in Lagos.

At the event, which held at the Intercontinental, Lagos, saw Alhaji Olasunkanmi Buraimoh Olaoshun of Temitope Enterprises emerging as the First National Winner.

He received a brand new Sport Utility Vehicle, while Basiru Atinsola, chief executive officer, Oyinbashy Enterprises, who came second won a Hyundai Sonata executive car.

Others who won were Alhaji Rasheed Ishola, chief executive officer, Rasheed Ishola Ventures Limited, who was presented a KIA Cerato Car as a third national winner.

Mr. Innocent Okafor Obi, chief executive officer, Rosent Investment Limited, based in the East, got a Hyundai ix35 jeep for winning the special recognition award for

By Adedeji Ademigbuji

outstanding performance.

Aside the cars, other distributors, corporate partners and outstanding sales staff of the company, also won various electronic gadgets and corporate products.

Chairman, Lafarge Africa Plc, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye, said the scheme was put together to empower their trade partners, who have contributed to the growth of the organisation.

He said: “Today, we are witnessing the 10th consecutive edition of this open demonstration of our company’s appreciation of your role as a key stakeholder and partner in our business with the theme Rewarding business excellence, which I consider most appropriate for all intent and purpose.’’

Assuring the partners of the company’s determination to support its partners to boost their performance, the chairman said the released 2014 full year financial results of the com-

pany indicated that it was able to put up a good performance in such a volatile market as an affirmation of the strength of the new company and the group’s commitment to achieving excellence.

The Managing Director, WAPCO Operations, Lafarge Africa Plc, Mrs. Adepeju Adebayo, said Lafarge is passionate about providing worldclass building solutions to home builders, through value-adding partnerships with its esteemed trade partners.

She pointed out that the strong equity and rich heritage of the company’s flagship brand, Elephant Cement, which has been sustained for over 50 years, has made it possible for the company to contribute to the development of Nigeria.

To further improve on the service of Lafarge, the managing director said the company had appointed field sales managers to key distributors, who were expected to provide support and traction needed to win in the highly competitive market place.

Saved in Mac 70 as 29, 30, 35 - Brandweek – 03-04-15.

“For more effective and efficient delivery of your orders, we have invested in trucks and at the same time acquired more bulk tankers not only to meet, but to exceed the expectations of both our trade and corporate customer,” she said.

Mrs. Adebajo said the support the company was getting from its key stakeholders, especially distributors and end users, has remained a major factor in its growth, adding that Lafarge would continue to look for ways to sustain the relationship, which, according to her, “has culminated in a partnership that transcends the ‘buying and selling’ relationship’’.

Responding on behalf of the awardees, the star winner, Oshunlola expressed his gratitude to God and the management of Lafarge for they have height reached in their businesses.

He praised the transparency and integrity of the company with its trade partners, promising to give their best to grow the brand.

Will the sponsorship of B430 enhance the bottom line and build more equity for the bank? “First, it is the conversation, a discussion, and a topic of this particular ‘B430’.

It is also around the production; it’s about the business of art, the business of movie making, and it was decided that we want to do it in a standard that is exportable and that will compete anywhere in the world,” she said.

She said further that Firstbank believes in the art of story-telling to reposition the brand. “If you think about us as Nigerians we grow at story-telling, I think we all love story-telling as Nigerians. First bank also supports small businesses, which was the reason it partnered with Nemsia Studios to produce B430. There was a time the performing arts in Nigeria were at the top of their game. If you remember plays in Ife in those days, true talents rose from there. Firstbank has been around for 120 years. We have always supported the arts, but there has been a renaissance since four years ago so much so that we actually created a sub-brand first in the arts and we have very many reasons for that. Beyond that, again still looking at the business of art, we believe that we can begin to really understand the pipeline and the value chain really better. Look at what is happening now; we have Ebony and Arise TV, which can compete with the biggest channels in the world,” she noted.

However, the idea to screen this social issue into a TV campaign started with a young independent writer and director living in New York City, Bodunri Sasore. “He inserted himself into the psyche of the average Nigerian woman and was able to find a voice to speak their truths,” said Akinnola.

She said the idea was further brought to visual reality by the artistic mind of one of the Nemesia partners, Derin Adeyokunnu.

Worried that the idea was concieved by men, she said: “At that point, you would wonder how two 30 something men are able to convincingly tell a story about women. Well, that’s where I came in, and not a moment too soon. As a young lady, these guys gave me a chance to hone my natural ability to be a controlling micro-manager. In fact, they respected it. If only other men felt the same way...

I might very well be married before I turn 30,” said Akinnola.

On the characters, she said the lead actors are simply the best in the business. “And if we have done our job, which we believe we have, you are witnessing the birth of the newest generation of proper movie stars. Damilola, Beverly, Meg and Anee are true talents and you will be hearing their names for a very long time. OC Ukeje, a certified star in his own right, took the project on in its early stages and his many awards are proof that he is a force to be reckoned with. Karibi Fubara, essentially the Nemsia whip. He has stepped far out of his role as actor in a role as friend and trusted co worker.

Patrick, Gideon, Kenneth, Aunty Tuby, Patrick Doyle, Zainab.The list is endless. The talent is limitless,” she noted.

50

FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

THE NATION

BUSINESS SHOPPING

E-mail: toniaitose@gmail.com

sms : 07035302326 Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.net

Easter celebration: Shoppers defy election fever Despite the political tension that enveloped Lagos State before and after the presidential election that kept people out of the streets, shoppers trooped out to the Ikeja Mall for Easter shopping, reports TONIA ‘DIYAN.

S

HOPPING malls seem to be insulated from the elections heat that has affected many businesses.

Lagos malls are preparing people for Easter despite the election fever.

The malls continue to thrive daily and it is getting huge patronage from residents living in the areas where it is situated across the state.

Alongside the usual get-to-together, merry-making, and social networking, most people find shopping malls interesting places to visit and ease up the political tension in the air. A cross-section of tenants, shoppers and other business owners at the Ikeja City Mall told The Nation that there has been an upsurge of social and economic activities in and around the malls.

These days, because of the Easter celebration shopping malls seem to be a significant part of the lives of many people. On the outside of the Mall, cars are parked on the vast parking lots. It’s very noisy with different kinds of music and promotional jingles going on in each of the shops. At the top of the building, the volume of sound changes, people chatter while kids scream, most of them are heading to the Cinemas upstairs using either the elevator or the escalator. The pitter patter of feet on the tile floor echo through the mall. Aroma from the mixed at restaurants positioned strategically inside the mall; decorations to remind people of the season and people walking, talking, and laughing everywhere are common sight at the mall.

Most families with kids went to the kids clothing stores like Kidz Country and Play Zone, with nice piece of music renting the air immediately their doors open. Cashiers at the various store greets people as they walk in; there are bright colours and sales tags everywhere. Inside the clothing stores, racks are organised by stylish and high quality clothes and are arranged by designs and colours. While parents do the shopping, kids mess the malls too as they play around.

Adults are seen using the mall for their dating place, couples walked hand in hand.

The mall lounge became a hangout for teenagers with most of them watching movie with their dates. Some of them walk around a large enclosed space to exercise.

At the beauty salon section were teenagers and middle age women doing their manicure and pedicure, some others are busy with their hair styled. On the whole, people were seen enjoying, relaxing, exercising and having fun at the mall.

Common sight at both the inside and around the shopping malls were cab operators, otherwise known as taxi drivers.

They positioned themselves strategically hunting for passengers, particularly those who came without their personal cars. As shoppers strolled in and out of the mall, they beckoned to them for patronage echoing words like ‘very cheap, affordable taxi for you’ or ‘AC taxi for you, I will take you wherever you are going’. These taxi drivers are both male and female. They usually arrive the mall at 10am and will not leave until late hours like 12am. This is because they would like to attend to those patronising the bar and hangout sections of the mall where young people are allowed to remain till the next morning.

A female cab driver at Ikeja City Mall, Mrs. Ngozi Abu, a graduate with first class honours from Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, Edo State, joined her male colleagues at the mall two years ago when she saw how lucrative the business is.

She told The Nation Shopping that she

• Shoppers trooping in and out of the mall

• Taxi positioned inside the car park

• Easter promo.

closes earlier than the men because she has to attend to her 6-month old baby. “I am doing this taxi business here because I couldn’t get a job after my University degree. I have interest in this trade, particularly in an environment like this where there is no discrimination and segregation,” she said.

She said the job comes with challenges such as getting regular passes from men, who are interested in going out with her. “Some men asked me to go out with them. I tell them that as a married woman I can’t do such a thing, I have come across many, who will still tell me they don’t mind. It is a major challenge in this trade, but apart from that I am fulfilled doing what I am doing,” she said Similarly, another taxi driver, Mr Deji Awolu, a graduate of Yaba College of Technology said he had worked as a Manager

with PC corner, a restaurant at The Palms Mall in Lekki- Lagos, before retiring to join the taxi business at Ikeja City Mall.

Awolu said he bought his taxi with the money he got from his pension. For him, the mall is closer to his home and this enables him to return home without a hitch after a day’s job. According to him, he takes home about N5, 000 daily, after buying fuel and paying his daily dues to the malls management, which charges N22, 000 monthly and N50, 000 registration fees from cab operator, who stay inside the mall to canvass for passengers. “The cab business here is a lucrative one. It is a good location for my kind of business. Though tedious because it has to do with driving, sometimes long distance. To economise fuel, I do not put on the Air conditioner except on demand and that will attract extra charges of N1000 per trip.”

He added: “Life as a cab man at the mall is profitable and I do not have regrets whatsoever it is my car and I am enjoying using it to work at this kind of location where I am sure to take something home for my family every day. I cannot afford to stay inside because of the charges involved. But my colleagues who are inside are making more money than we are making.”

The gate of the mall has not only been taken over by Taxi drivers, but by recharge card and bottle water sellers. Mrs. Rita Okafor is a recharge card seller, who said she sits at the gate to sell cards to people as they go in and out of the mall, said: “Patronage here is higher than staying in my area to sell. Sales move here faster and sometimes I get tips from some people who will ask me to keep the change. I face the challenge of attending to many customers at the same time, but, I am happy about that.”

Mr. David Uche is a security man at the mall. For him, the turn up for Easter is just as massive as it has ever been regardless of the elections season that is posing fear in the minds of Nigerians. “The crowd here this season is normal and it is always like this during festivity. I am trained to manage the crowd here and that is why I am employed. I and my colleagues know what to do when we have challenges,” he said.

He said he joined the mall seven months ago and has been coping with the challenge of standing for hours. “It is a shift job, but sometimes it can be challenging when I have to stand all morning till another colleague comes to relief me in the evening,” he added.

Tenants at the mall are had mix feelings.

Some said they are making sales others said they are not making as much as they should.

There were others, who said the mall is known to always push sales with promotions and freebies’ they make available to shopper at speculated times.

At the Accessories2die4 store where ladies accessories and costumes for occasions are sold, the sales representative who gave her name as Cynthia told The Nation Shopping that business is thriving as usual and it is not distrusted by election. “Business is hitch free, elections or no elections, but the grocery stores stocking food items tend to have more customers than we do. Some events were put on hold last Saturday and those are the kind of people that patronise us.

However, that has not hindered sales for us because of our locations, we are situated in all the malls in Lagos and we are happy that we have been making sales and for this Easter, the best is yet to come for us,” she said To regular shoppers to the mall, prices of items this Easter is fair. A shopper, Mr Ola Parr, who owns an advertising agency called Midea Mix, said items he bought from clothing store inside the mall is N5, 000 cheaper than its usual price. “Prices of items here are fair and encouraging. I bought three shirts for N20, 000. Before now each of the shirts was N10, 000. Promotional offers during festivities are real, let people take advantage of offers as they come,” he said.

Mrs. Olivia Benson, who was at the mall to window shop said she was not a regular shopper at the mall as she was just returning from a journey and needed a place to sightsee and wait for her hubby who would pick her home. “I went round some of the shops and noticed ridiculous price slashes; I will visit the mall on Easter Sunday to make my picks. There is also a promo box outside the mall to encourage people to shop and win prize, this is very encouraging, “she said.

Operators say Easter has begun at the mall.

Mr Eniola Ositelu, its Marketing Manager, said: “Aside the election and post election days, foot traffic at the mall has been normal as expected. Business activities seem very fine here. Foot traffic hasn’t reduced, it has stayed the same.”

He added that the mall is safe. “Security isn’t taken lightly in Ikeja City Mall. The management has and will always put in place adequate security measures to ensure the centre is safe. The mall and its stores always have something special for shoppers this season,” he said.

51

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

SHOPPING N EWS Meat sellers at abattoirs across the Lagos metropolis counted their losses last Friday, no thanks to the general elections scheduled for the following day, TONIA ‘DIYAN reports.

I

DEALLY, Saturday is supposed to be the peak of their weekly sales due to the fact that it is about the only day in the week most families have time to stock their deep freezers with meat, for meat sellers across the country, this wasn’t so.

This was because of last Saturday’s general elections. Most meat sellers and butchers gnashed their teeth because Saturday did not fetch them any dime.

There are fears that there will likely be scarcity of meat as well as a hike in the prices of food items across Lagos markets last weekend and this weekend.

According to Lagos abattoirs, the northerners that transport cows from the north to Lagos have registered for the elections in their various states and as such, decided to stay back to perform their civic responsibilities in their states.

At Oko Oba abattoir in Agege area of Lagos, Chairman, United Butchers Association, Alhaji Umar Adams, lamented that beyond the fear that the presidential elections for obstructed business activities for them at the abattoir, they have been experiencing scarcity of cows since the announcement of the elections for last Saturday and April 11.

Adams, popularly called Galadima

Meat sellers groan as sales slump Yama, told The Nation Shopping that Oko Oba abattoir slaughters between 600 and 1000 cows in the week, adding that Saturdays are the days more cows are slaughtered. According to him, between 1000 and 1500 cows are slaughtered.

“The election affected our business, we slaughter more cows Fridays and Saturdays, but we couldn’t do last saturday. This means no work and no income,” he said To meet up with the demands of the crowd who bought meat last Friday, meat sellers in Lagos said they slaughtered more cows than they ever did on any Friday before. This is because there were no cow slaughtering on the evening after the elections. The abattoirs were empty as meat sellers also went to the polling booths to carry out their civic responsibilities.

One of the workers in the abbatoir, Kamurudeen Ayodele said: “The election was for a day and it is most important to all Nigerians. Therefore, we all went out to vote. Our business waited,” he said.

Adams said these abattoirs are equipped

with cold rooms to preserve unsold meat.

This takes care of the fear that unsold meat would get bad before the following day.

The case was not different last Saturday when these abattoirs were closed, Unsold meat last Friday was preserved and sold on Sunday.

Retailers who couldn’t buy fresh meat to resell last Saturday when sale of this staple food item was highly driven, had to wait till Monday to buy fresh meat from the abattoirs. Findings have it that cow slaughtering business is a profitable one depending on the type and size of the cow.

A member of Lagos State Butchers Association, Itire Branch, Mr Ogun Omomeji said 150 cows are slaughtered on Saturdays alone, adding that during the week, about 100 are done. But last Saturday’s case was different as abattoir were shut and every butcher were at their various polling booths to cast their votes.

He said: “Since election date was announced, we began to reduce the quantity of cows we buy on a daily basis to avoid waste of meat at any point in time.

Some of us slaughter three cows daily

Mr. Chef showers car gifts on distributors

M

R. Chef, Nigeria’s leading food seasoning brand, has enhanced the life of three of its key distributors in the Northcentral Zone by rewarding them with brand new cars for the loyalty they have shown towards building the Mr. Chef seasoning cubes business.

Two distributors, Alhaji Surajo Mai Yahi and Alhaji Abubakar Mahali from Suleja, and Minna, both won a Hyundai Accent saloon car each while Alhaji Idris Saleh based in Gwagwalada, took home a Hyundai i10 car.

Managing Director, Bayswater Industries Ltd, Mr. Piyush Nair, who presented the cars to the winners at the Central Market, Suleja, Niger State, said: “We are happy that these distributors have demonstrated commitment to the growth of Mr. Chef seasoning cubes in their regions. The car gifts affirm that every relationship with Mr. Chef is valuable because we believe in partnerships that are mutually rewarding.”

Alhaji Mai Yahi, who spoke on behalf of the winners, said: “We are happy to have won, we appreciate the gifts and we are encouraged that Mr. Chef has always fulfilled its promises to distributors and consumers.”

Nair praised the distributors for their contributions to the success of the on-going Mr. Chef Awuf Now, Now sales promo.

The promo offers high value gifts that in-

Staple food prices go up

By Ochu Ohunene Latifah

T

•From left: Nair; Saleh and Mr. Chef’s Assistant Sales Manager (Northcentral), Mr. Ranti Adewunmi, during the presentation of prizes to distributors.

By Tonia ‘Diyan

clude Kia Rio cars, trips to Dubai, generators, LED TVs, and refrigerators, which are contained in scratch cards in cartons of Mr. Chef Beef and chicken seasoning cubes. Besides, there are also instant prizes such as mobile phones, radios, cutlery sets, t-rays, T-shirts, Face caps, Towels, Aprons, exercise books and biros to all customers who purchase a case of Mr. Chef beef and chicken-flavour seasoning cubes.

So far, over 50 winners have won gifts that include Kia Rio cars, trips to Dubai, generators, LED TVs and refrigerators.

Mr. Chef is an indispensable kitchen companion that gives value for money through a combination of quality; quantity and pricing that make customers happy all the time. Consumers all over Nigeria still have opportunity to spice up their cooking and, in the process, win big, big; again and again because the Mr. Chef Awuf Now, Now promo continues until March 31.

Carmudi.com strengthens partnership with UBADA

C

ARMUDI, Nigeria’s fastest growing online car classified, has renovated Africa’s largest automobile market, beautifying it with the aim of creating a neater and more welcoming environment for the automobile dealers and customers.

In his speech, Christian Keller, Managing Director, Carmudi Nigeria, said: “We have listened to the concerns and needs of the dealers which is why we are here today to paint Berger market.”

Carmudi Nigeria staff and several car dealers, armed with brooms, paint brushes and carpentry tools, took part in the event. The renovation consisted of cleaning the market and surrounding areas, repairing of depleted exteriors, and painting the structures in the Carmudi blue and white.

He also honoured the deal with Berger market. He said: “We are thrilled to partner with the United Berger Market Association. At Carmudi, we aim to create the absolute best experience for our customers, and creating a more welcoming environment through this renovation is just the beginning.”

Last month, Carmudi Nigeria held a dealers forum at Metche Park United Berger Automobile Market, Lagos where a formal partnership between Carmudi and United Berger

depending on how financially buoyant we are and we make over N500, 000 particularly on Saturdays.

“Election will affect the price of meat last weekend and the quantity we sell normally for N2000 now cost N3000 and more.“ He added also that the price of meat has been affected because of the fall in the value of the naira to the dollar.

Alhaji Idowu Iwa Akinbola blames the increment in the prices of meat and other stapple items on the devaluation of naira.

He said, he nolonger makes profit on the sale of cows like he used to do, lamenting that he loses between N5000 and N10, 000 daily.

Chairman, Lagos States Butchers Association, Itire Branch, Alhaji Sulaimon Yusuf, however, said shoppers have been patronising the abbatoir despite the distractions the country is facing.

He said cow has been very expensive with the small size costing as much as between N100,000 and N160, 000, a medium size cow costs N250,000. He also lamented that Saturday’s election has affected the prices of cows because those who bring them into Lagos from Niger Republic, Chad and other neighbouring countries are avoiding coming to Lagos now because of insecurity.

He advise that it is better for the cow transporters to stay back at their places as election period is a time to protect onesself.

•Renovates Africa’s largest auto market in Lagos

• Carmudi staff

Market Association was announced. The market, which is located along the Oshodi Apapa Expressway, is the largest used automobile market in Africa and caters to over 500 car dealerships.

The United Berger Market renovation was the latest in the partnerships created by

Carmudi Nigeria. Carmudi Nigeria previously partnered with TEDX Unilag, 9ineteen say no to child abuse, Young and Cerebral essay competition and the Eurobodo Home visit.

Carmudi plans to hold a customer awareness and appreciation event in Lagos after the general elections.

HE prices of staple food items have either increased or remained at their exhorbitant rates. A bag of Aroso rice cost N9, 000, Agric rice, N8, 500, a bowl of garri is N300 and N400; these prices haven’t changed since December.

Beans is N15,500 per bag; a carton of frozen turkey is N7,000, a frozen foods retailer at Ayobo, a Lagos surburb, Mrs. Ifomma Eze, said.

It costs between N 7,600 and N8,000 for a carton of chicken; earlier, it was between N4,500 and N6,000 for the small and big cartons.

A tomato seller at Mile 12 market, Miss Joy Kalu, said a basket of the item that used to be N5,000 is now N8,000, attributing the increase to high cost of transporting the item and the insecurity the North.

It is not a different scenario at Agege market. A bag of 25kg-Mama Gold rice is N6,000 and N11,000 for 50kg bag; a bag of tomatoes rice costs N 9,000, Royal Cow rice bag goes for N10,500, Special Rice bag, which used to sell for N10,000, now costs N11,000. And for beans, the price goes for between N15, 500 and N16,000. Also at the Agege market, a basket of tomatoes, which was sold for N4,500 before, sells for N8,500 now. At Mile 12 market in Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos, a bag of onions was N6,200, now it costs N8,000.

Traders said the hike in the price of this staple item as well as others is as a result of the elections and insecurity in the North.

A bag of Chili pepper, popularly known as dried pepper, cost N25,000, now it is N27,000. This is attributed to scarcity of pepper at the Arewa market where it is transported from.

“The price of red oil remains the same; it sells for N6,000 and N6,200. A 25-litre of Vegetable oil is N6,200, a five-litre goes for N1,300.

At Oshodi Market, a carton of tin tomatoes goes for N1,800 and N1, 700.

A bag of rice, which use to be N9,500 or N10,000 is now between N11,200 and N11,500. The increase, it was learnt, was as a result of import duties and exchange rate.

52

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

53

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

NATIONAL PRESIDENT

54

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 02-04-15

Equities turn positive, rally to N12tr

I

NVESTORS in Nigerian equities can now look forward to earning positive returns on their portfolios as the market capitalization of quoted equities rode on the back of increased demand to N12 trillion. The average year-to-date return at the Nigerian stock market, which has dragged so far this year in the negative, turned positive yesterday with a modest return of 3.09 per cent.On the back of the renewed optimism that trailed the successful conduct of the presidential and national election and the emergence of General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) as the presidentelect, Nigerian equities has witnessed upsurge in buy orders. More than N18.75 billion was staked on quoted equities yesterday, 71.4 per cent above N10.9 billion traded in the previous trading session.Aggregate market value of all quoted companies on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) rose by N514 billion to close at N12.135

By Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

trillion as against N11.621 trillion recorded as opening value. The All Share Index (ASI), the composite valuebased benchmark index for the Nigerian stock market, indicated a daily gain of 3.92 per cent to close at 35,728.12 points as against its opening index of 34,380.14 points.There were 55 gainers to 11 losers. Nestle Nigeria led the gainers for the second consecutive day with a gain of N44.60 to close at N936.60. Forte Oil followed with a gain of N19.78 to close at N215. Seplat Petroleum Development Company placed third with a gain of N14.49 to close at N443.99.

Nigerian Breweries added N7.91 to close at N166.25.

Mobil Oil Nigeria chalked up N7.06 to close at N175.

Dangote Cement added N5.60 to close at N182. SevenUp Bottling Company garnered N4.74 to close at N51.04. Julius Berger Nigeria

rose by N3.01 to close at N50.26 while Guaranty Trust Bank added N2.95 to close at N31.88 per share.Aggregate turnover surged to 1.17 billion shares valued at N18.75 billion in 9,011 deals. Guaranty Trust Bank was the most active stock with a turnover of 141.08 million shares worth N4.21 billion in 752 deals. Fidelity Bank trailed with a turnover of 139.61 million shares valued at N288.97 million in 357 deals while United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc recorded a turnover of 121.20 million shares valued at N577.28 million in 602 deals.On the downside, Okomu Oil Palm recorded the highest loss of N1.46 to close at N28.29. Presco followed with a drop of 67 kobo to close at N28.25. Stanbic IBTC Holdings dropped by 61 kobo to N31. Unilever Nigeria lost 35 kobo to close at N44.45 while Fidson Healthcare dropped by 17 kobo to close at N3.41 per share.

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 02-04-15

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

55

MONEYLINK

Foreign reserves to recover on peaceful transition

T

HE depleting rate of the ex ternal reserves, currently at $29.8 billion may pick up as increased foreign portfolio flows into the country on the heels of peaceful transition, the Managing Director, Afrinvest West Africa Plc, an investment and research firm, Ike Chioke has said.

In a report titled: ‘Is Nigeria Open for Business Again’ released yesterday, he said the reserves have dipped by 13.6 per cent year-todate and that the eventual stop of the revenue leakages in the oil & gas sector before the end of the year would increase the accretion to the external reserves.

He said the lag effect of the depreciation/devaluation of the naira will continue to take its toll on inflation rate and forecast average inflation rate of 9.5 per cent for this year.

The report also forecast five per cent Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate for this year despite a challenging first quarter and second quarter as a result of elections activities that stalled policy implementation.

Chioke said the financial market

Stories by Collins Nweze

has remained pressured since the build up to the general elections following the consensus forecast of possible breakout of violence postelections.

In this light, he said the market experienced an intense pressure with the massive exodus of funds which reflected on market return both in the bonds and equities market.

“Equities market sustained yearto-date loss of 9.2 per cent as at March 31, while yields on fixed income instruments surged from 14.5 per cent to 15 per cent. Post-election result declarations, equities year-todate loss moderated to 0.8 per cent while yields moderated to 14.9,” he said.

The Afrinvest chief said before now, investors seemed to have placed high premium on polity uncertainties to price securities so low.

“With tensions of electoral violence doused, the coast is clear for both equities and fixed income market gyrations. Going forward, we expect the market to normalise and respond to fundamentals,” he said.

Chioke said against the intense ap-

prehension by local and international observers, this year’s presidential elections turned out peaceful and successful following the incumbent’s concession of defeat prior to the final announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He said as a result of the uncertainties in the air prior to the elections, the economy suffered certain setbacks against the backdrop of weakening macroeconomic variables (exchange rate, oil prices, inflation, GDP) and massive outflow of foreign portfolio investments.

These, he said, rubbed off on the financial market as investors became overtly cautious to jettison fundamentals for fear of the unknown.

He said: “Investments were on a halt while investible funds stayed on the sideline, the question is; with the successful completion of the elections, is Nigeria ...”Open for Business Again?”

Continuing, he said the revenue base of the economy is expected to remain weak on lower crude oil prices. “Our bear case sees oil price trading below $60 in the near to medium term. On the back of a suc-

cessful and peaceful transition in government, we expect the exchange rate to stabilise at an average of N200/$1 at the interbank market as electioneering wraps up,” he said.

He said one of the mantra of the All Progressives’ Congress (APC) campaign is to fight corruption and ensure adherence to the rule of law, adding that since democratic transition in 1999, the government has established several state agencies targeted at tackling corruption and also embarked on measures to block leakages.

“We do not expect APC to establish new parallel agencies due to challenges of fiscal revenue, but to focus on building on the present institutions and implementing measures that will encourage transparency, accountability and adherence to the rule of law,” he said.

Also, important to note, he said, is General Mohammadu Buhari’s reputation of being frugal, assertive, and strong-willed, which will create a template to benchmark his cabinet and also build the moral psyche of the nation.

Interbank rates ease on increasing liquidity

T

HE overnight lending rates fell to an average of 9.6 per cent from 12.5 per cent last week, after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) retired some matured treasury bills, increasing liquidity in the money market.

Traders said a total of N148 billion ($744 million) in matured treasury bills was repaid by the bank.

“The market experienced a major liquidity boost today from matured treasury bills...rates on secured lending fell in tandem,” one

dealer said.

The money market is closed for business today and will reopen on Tuesday after publics holidays.

The secured Open Buy Back (OBB) fell to nine per cent from 12 per cent last week. The secured fund was four percentage points below the 13 per cent central bank’s benchmark interest rate.

Overnight placement also eased to 10.25 per cent compared with 13 per cent last week.

Dealers said rates could rise mar-

ginally on the expected recall of some funds from commercial banks by the central bank to meet the lenders’ cash reserves requirements.

The central bank requires commercial lenders to set aside 75 per cent of public sector and 15 per cent of private sector deposits in liquid cash in their respective accounts with the regulator. The central bank debits commercial banks accounts twice every month to enforce this requirement.

•CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele

Skye Bank supports MSMEs’capacity building

A

S part of its efforts to strengthen and empower the micro, small and medium enterprise (MSMEs) businesses in the country, Skye Bank Plc is to commence a series of capacity building workshops and seminars in some priority sectors for owners of small and medium scale businesses.

The lender in a statement said the objective of the seminar series is to empower the MSMEs for growth by providing insights into common issues which affect their operations, namely management, operations and finance.

It added that by bridging the identified skill-gaps, entrepreneurs can become sufficiently scalable to contribute to the development of the economy, especially in the area of employment generation.

“For Skye Bank, the empowerment programme is a strategic scheme which forms part of the delivery of its SME banking promise which is to nurture businesses for growth”. The maiden edition of the Skye Business Seminar Series is focused on two sectors that is, general commerce and manufacturing and is scheduled to take place in Onitsha on April 16 and monthly thereafter. As part of the value adds for the MSMEs, we have partnered other stakeholders such as Business Development Support Providers, the Bank of Industry, Computer Warehouse Group and Microsoft”, the statement said.

According to the bank, the seminars would also provide networking opportunities for the entrepreneurs, with the benefits expected to be reaped in many folds.

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS AFRINVEST W. A. EQUITY FUND ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH BGL NUBIAN FUND BGL SAPPHIRE FUND CANARY GROWTH FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CORAL INCOME FUND FBN FIXED INCOME FUND FBN HERITAGE FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND FIDELITY NIG FUND • UBA BALANCED FUND • UBA BOND FUND • UBA EQUITY FUND • UBA MONEY MARKET FUND

126.04 9.17 1.12 1.19 0.63 1.39 1,744.73 1,104.77 112.34 121.16 1.67 1.1978 1.3117 0.7319 1.1349

125.82 9.08 1.12 1.19 0.62 1.33 1,744.73 1,104.00 111.75 120.30 1.62 1.1912 0.7203 0.7203 1.1349

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

CHANGE

ABCTRANS SEPLAT ETI 7UP UBN DANGCEM NPFMCRFBK CADBURY CUSTODYINS CONOIL

0.57 429.50 18.90 156.00 10.66 176.40 1.03 39.52 4.12 39.13

0.59 443.99 9.51 161.00 11.00 182.00 1.06 40.00 4.16 39.50

0.02 14.49 0.61 5.00 0.34 5.60 0.03 0.48 0.04 0.37

LOSERS AS AT 02-04-15

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

FOREX RATES (NairaVs Dollar) April 1, 2015

Inflation: Febraury

8.4%

Monetary Policy Rate

13.0%

Foreign Reserves

$33.2b

Oil Price (Bonny Light/b)

$60.91

CHANGE

Interbank ($/N)

199.00

$1

Black Market ($/N)

215.00

$1

London Inter-bank Offered Rates (LIBOR)

Money Supply (M2)

GAINERS AS AT 02-04-15

SYMBOL

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

N16.42 trillion.

Credit to private Sector (CPS)

N17.2 trillion

Primary Lending Rate (PLR)

16.5%

Tenor 1 Month 2 Months 3 Months 6 Months 12 Months

March 31

April 1

Rate)%

Rate (%)

0.1735 0.2147 0.2615 0.3841 0.6709

0.1715 0.2108 0.2626 0.3857 0.6744

Nigerian Stock Market Indices NIGERIAN INTER-BANK OFFERED RATES (NIBOR)

Tenor

12-02-15 Rate (%) Rate (%) 13-02-15

Overnight (O/N)

14.683

76.583

1M

15.033

15.977

3M

15.809

17.177

6M

16.493

17.908

Statistics All Share Index Mkt Cap (NGN’bn) Deals Volume (mn) Value (NGN’mn)

19 Feb 29,282.04 9,770.36 3,385 564,28 6,087.80

20 Feb 29,383.93 9,804.36 3,714 377,75 6,568.66

GOVT. SECURITIES YIELD – SECONDARY MARKET

REDSTAREX

3.75

3.60

-0.15

WAPIC

0.52

0.50

-0.02

DIAMONDBNK

4.18

4.05

-0.13

T-bills - 91

12.44

SKYEBANK

2.46

2.40

-0.06

T-bills - 182

13.85

FBNH

8.90

8.70

-0.20

STERLNBANK

2.20

2.17

-0.03

ETERNA

3.06

3.05

0.01

03/02/2015

399.00

398.00

-1.00

18.01

18.00

-0.01

SEPLAT ETI

Tenor

Feb. 13, 2015

Rates

Amount

Amount

T-bills - 364

13.92

Offered in ($)

Sold in ($)

Bond - 3yrs

15.92

500m

499.93m

3/12/2014

400m

399.97m

Bond - 5yrs

17.22

1/12/2014

350m

349.96m

Bond - 7yrs

16.59

Transaction Dates

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

56

CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 09091178827

NDLEA arrests 11 at Seme border

•Some of the Canabis Sativa in a biscuits cartoon

•N4.7m seized

T

HE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested 11 persons at the Seme Border for alllegedly importing 53.41 kilograms of canabis sativa, a banned narcotic, from Ghana.

Its commander at the border, Mr Udotong Essien, said $23,915 US (N4.7million) cash was seized from the suspects.

Essien, who spoke in his office in Badagry, Lagos, said the suspects were arrested between January 23 and last Monday.

According to him, the command would intensify effort to rid the country of banned narcotics, warning perpetrators that there is no hiding place for them.

Essien said: “This command

•Some of the Canabis Sativa in a cement bag

By Joseph Jibueze

will construct a wall too high for them (drug traffickers) to climb.

The drug war under me must be won because our intelligence network spreads across our boundaries, so there is no hiding place for them.’’

He said three of the suspects

have been tried and jailed; the others have been charged. He added that five drug dependent persons (addicts) were counselled on the dangers of substance abuse and trafficking.

Essien attributed his command’s success to the leadership of NDLEA chairman Alhaji Ahmadu Giade; his officers’

commitment, the cooperation of traditional rulers in the border area and collaboration with other agencies, such as, the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and the West African Joint Operation (WAJO).

According to him, Nigeria, which used to be rated as one of Africa’s drug trafficking na-

tions, is now known for its leading role against the menace.

The command’s officer-incharge of operations, Muhammed Aminu, said some of the drugs were concealed in Golden Penny Noodles cartoons, Dangote Cement sacks, school and polythene bags, detergent packs and brown envelopes.

Fire guts plaza, hairdressing salon

F

IRE yesterday gutted a three-storey building and a hairdressing salon in Lagos.

Over 10 shops were raized in the three-storey Great Favour Plaza at 47, Imam Ligali Street on Lagos Island; the haridressing salon is at 10, Dabara Street, Lagos Island.

By Basirat Braimah

According to an eyewitness, the fire began around 8am. The building would have been razed but for the quick intervention of fire fighters.

The Nation learnt that electrical surge was the likely cause of the fire.

•The burnt building... yesterday

A trader, Chidi, said: “We have been warned to switch off electrical appliances after we close from work.

Task Force officials locked one of the shops three days ago when they saw that power was on. We saved few goods from other shops but we couldn’t bring out anything from where the fire started because the owner was unavailable. The fire service men came almost

immediately they were informed if not it could have affected the whole building,” he said.

Chika, who trades in men’s wear, said he stocked his shop three days ago for Easter.

Chika said: “I learnt the fire started from my shop. I had not returned to business since I offloaded. I didn’t know electrical power was on. I doubt if I can

sell the little I saved because no one will patronise me. It is a great loss.”

The Dabara fire was said to have started from a hairdressing salon on the ground floor of a building.

It was gathered that petroleum products were being sold on the other side of the shop.

A resident, Jumobi, said there was petrol spill and fire engulfed the whole

place after a woman, who was trying to fry puff puff, lit a match.

She said: “The fire was put out by residents before the fire fighters were informed. The two occupants were rushed to a nearby clinic because they were injured.”

Director of Fire Service Rasak Fadipe said his men arrived on the scene immediately they were alerted.

Chaos at Ladipo market over fraud

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HERE was trouble at the popular Lagos vehicle spare parts market, Ladipo, after its newly constituted executive accused the outgoing task force of embezzlement.

This, The Nation learnt, caused a heated argument, which resulted in a free for all fight between the warring factions.

Traders and buyers ran for safety.

By Wale Adepoju

The fight, however, was unabated until policemen arrived at the scene.

Some traders, who preferred anonymity, said the taskforce officials were culpable of financial impropriety.

The money in the market’s coffers, another source said, was nothing to write home about.

This, consequently, infuriated the new excos, which rejected the frivolous figures being quoted by the vice chairman of the taskforce.

The source also alleged that the vice chairman of the taskforce had been ar-

rested thrice over mismanagement of fund, adding that he was released by the state police command

on each occasion.

The police dispersed the crowd by ordering them to raise their hands.

Hausa youths celebrate Buhari’s AUSA youths in Old victory Ota road opposite

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Orile-Agege General Hospital in Lagos began celebrating the emergence of President-elect Muhammadu Buhari hours before he was declared winner of last Saturday’s election.

As at 8pm on Tuesday, the youths comprising yam sellers and commercial motorcyclists otherwise known as Okada riders gathered in the middle of the road linking Orile-Agege junction.

By Kehinde Onifade

Holding brooms, the symbol of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on which platform Buhari contested the election, they dance round the road, shouting: Sai Baba, Sai Baba, Sai Baba.

They caused a traffic snarl.

A commuter noted that the traffic situation would have been worse if residents had not prepared for the celebration.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

57

NEWS BUHARI’S VICTORY

Mbaka congratulates Buhari •Forgives those who criticised him for his prophesy •’I’ll cast the first stone if the President-elect derails’ From Chris Oji, Enugu

Rev. Fr. Mbaka IERY Catholic priest Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka has joined millions of Nigerians in congratulating President-elect Muhammadu Buhari.

He said the All Progressives Congress’ (APC’s) standardbearer is God’s chosen instrument of change to tackle Nigeria’s problems.

Mbaka prayed that God should endow General Buhari with the wisdom to perform the task, adding: “We see Buhari’s victory as a divine victory for Nigerians, irrespective of our religious and ethnic differences.”

But the no-nonsense priest was quick to warn that he would be the first to cast the stone if the newly-elected President derailed in the task of nation building.

Mbaka’s views were contained in a statement by his media consultant, Maximus Ugwuoke.

The statement said Mbaka and the Adoration Ministry “hold no grudges against anyone who attacked them in one way or the other at the rage of

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the controversies surrounding Fr. Mbaka’s message and view their actions as being orchestrated by their misconstruing of Fr. Mbaka’s prophetic calling.”

The statement added: “None among the innumerable messages of the Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry, Enugu, Nigeria, Rev. Fr. Mbaka, generated widespread reaction as his 2015 New Year message titled: ‘FROM GOODLUCK TO BADLUCK’, wherein he prophesied from the Oracle of the Holy Spirit that God has rejected Goodluck Jonathan in his re-election bid and chosen General Buhari to address the national problems of corruption, economic crunch, insecurity, bloodshed in the North, poverty and unemployment, which he has failed to tackle.”

The statement said inter alia: “The transcribed version of this message was published in many national newspapers and also in You Tube and other social media.

“The popularity of this prophetic message may not be unconnected to the fact that it was declared before over one million worshipers of the ministry, who gathered from all parts of the world for the ministry’s annual De-

cember 31 vigil mass. Again the message came at such a time it was seemingly impossible to be realised, especially going by the fact that President Jonathan’s government and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), control virtually all the national apparatus to win the election.

In spite of this, Fr. Mbaka maintained in that message that ‘those who think they can interpret the destiny of this country are going to make a mistake this time’.

“This message attracted widespread reaction, ethnic and religious sentiments, media attacks, criticism, and all kinds of threat and blackmail on Rev. Fr. Mbaka and the Adoration Ministry. They were not spared, even among the church hierarchy, some of who called for Fr. Mbaka’s sanction and the closing of the ministry.

“It was unfortunate that those who battled Fr. Mbaka and the ministry undermined the untold miracles of healings and other signs and wonders that God performs through him in the ministry.

They undermined Fr. Mbaka’s charity work to thousands of students under his scholarship in Nigerian institutions and overseas and the uncountable patients, whose cost of medical bills he undertakes. They undermined the burden of poor Nigerians, whose problems

are being shouldered by Fr. Mbaka, which has been the major passion that draws him into humanitarian circle and critique by many, who misconstrue him.

“The attacks and criticism that followed his New year message (with almost all true worshipers in the ministry getting their shares of the scorn) escalated to a point that it seemed the fate of the ministry and Fr. Mbaka’s prophetic powers hung in the balance of fulfillment of his prophesies of Buhari’s victory. In the midst of these, Fr. Mbaka remained undeterred.

“It is with vindictive joy and glory to God that the Adoration Ministry, the nation and indeed the world saw the fulfillment of Fr. Mbaka’s New Year prophesy of change with the miraculous victorious emergence of General Buhari at the March 28 election as the President-elect.

“We wish to reinstate that before President Jonathan became the President, Fr. Mbaka prophesied it in his message titled: “Okolo”. Today again Buhari’s victory among other lessons it portends to Nigerians has once more confirmed to all and sundry that Fr. Mbaka is indeed a true prophet of God and that his New Year message was from the Oracle of the Holy Spirit as he declared.”

Elders, youths protest senatorial election results

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LDERS and youths in Benue South Senatorial District have protested the results of last Saturday’s election, which returned Senate President David Mark and other candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

They sang and carried placards, which called for the cancellation of the National Assembly election in Benue South.

•Vow to challenge David Mark’s victory From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

Addressing reporters, the spokesman for the group, Chief Adoyo Ogbobane, said there was no election in Benue State, as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in connivance with PDP members, wrote out results and

announced all PDP candidates as having won the elections.

He said rather than using the card readers, election materials were taken to the home of a PDP chieftain where they were thumbprinted.

Ogbobane said the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Comrade

Onjeh Daniel, won with a wide margin, but was rigged out in favour of David Mark.

He vowed to challenge his purported victory at the tribunal.

“We are tired of failed promises and politics of coercion and intimidation in Idoma land and urge the people to vote for APC in the Governorship and House of Assembly elections.”

Man, 27, ‘rapes minor to death’ in Kaduna

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27-year-old man and a trader identified as Shehu Bashir, of Yabati ward in Sabo Gari Local Government Area of Kaduna State has been arrested by the police for allegedly raping to death, a two-year-old baby.

The suspect was arrested by men from the Sabo Gari Area Command, following a complaint by the deceased’s father, Mallam Zakkari Dahiru.

He has been transferred to the Homicide Department.

Bashir said during interrogation at the police station that he regretted his action and begged for leniency.

He said: “To be honest with you, I didn’t know what came over me. I started fondling with my manhood, which was already erect. As if the devil wanted to punish me, the late Fatimah came into my room, because we are neighbours.

“Immediately she came in, I striped her naked and penetrated her. To my surprise, she stopped breathing. I poured water on her head, but that would not resuscitate her. It

From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

was then I knew that I am in trouble.

“I became more afraid when her mother started asking after her. I told her I’ve not seen her that day. I packed my clothes under the pretext of washing them, but her body was hidden in one of them.

“When I was doing this, her father came into my room, saying he was informed by neighbours that they saw his daughter enter my room. I

asked him to come in and see if she was there.

“He entered my room, but did not find anything. He came back to the parlour where I was sitting with my clothes. He said he wanted to see what was inside the clothes I put on the ground. When he scattered the clothes, he found the body of his daughter and raised the alarm, which attracted neighbours. The police were invited and I was arrested.”

Mallam Dahiru, who could not hold back tears, said on the fateful day, he was going out

when his daughter asked him for money to buy bean cake, but he refused to give her.

Then the suspect came out of his room and asked for N50 to buy sugar, which he obliged.

“It was the same money I learnt he used to lure my daughter into his room,” Mallam Dahiru said.

Police spokesman Abdullahi Zubairu said the case file had been transferred to the Homicide team for investigation.

He said the suspect is detained at the Criminal Investigation Department.

76 Senators bid Upper Chamber bye

Continued from page 2

Sixty of the incoming senators who will constitute the 8th Senate are from All Progressives Congress (APC) senators and 49 are members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The breakdown of the seats won by the APC showed that the party cleared 20 out of the 21 senatorial seats in Northwest comprising of Sokoto, Kano, Jigawa, Zamfara, Kebbi, Kaduna and Katsina states.

It also clinched 12 out of the 18 seats in the Northeastern states of Borno, Yobe,Adamawa, Bauchi and Gombe.

Thirteen out of the 18 seats in the Northcentral states of Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Nasarawa, Benue and

Plateau also belong to the APC. Others are: 13 out of the 18 senatorial seats in the Southwest states of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti in addition to the one it won in Edo, the only seat in entire Southsouth states of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Edo, Rivers, Cross River and Delta.

All the 15 senatorial seats in the Southeastern states of Ebonyi, Enugu, Abia, Abambra and Imo formed the chunk of the 49 seats won by PDP. These are: 17 seats from Southsouth; five from the Southwest; five from Northcentral; three from Northeast and one from Northwest.

Andy Uba may defect to APC •Senator: it’s not true •Northeast senators jostle for Senate president From: Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor

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HAIRMAN, Senate Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Senator Andy Uba may have concluded arrangements to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Uba was re-elected to represent Anambra South on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

A source said he met his political godfather, a former president, on Wednesday, for hours.

The former president was said to have told Uba to defect to the APC to pave the way for him to become one of the principal officers of the Senate.

According to the source, the former president said since APC has no senator from the Southeast, Uba’s defection to the APC would put him at an advantage in whatever position the Senate zones to the geopolitical zone.

The source said the need to spread positions in the Senate to all geopolitical zones made it expedient to get at least one Southeast PDP senator to defect to the APC before the inauguration of the 8th Senate in June.

Senator Uba denied contemplating to defect to the APC. He said: “Whoever told you that did not say the truth.

There is no truth whatsoever in the story. It is not true.”

But the Northeast caucus of the party in the Senate may have positioned itself to clinch the plum job of the Senate president.

Of the 65 senatorial seats won by the APC, the Northeast chapter of the party has 13 senatorial seats.

APC won the three senatorial seats in Borno, Adamawa and Bauchi states. In Gombe and Yobe states, it produced two senators each.

PDP won the three senatorial seats in Taraba State.

A re-elected senator from the region told reporters in Abuja yesterday that they would make a strong case for the the Senate presidency to be zoned to the Northeast.

The lawmaker, who is one of the opinion builders in the Senate, said they would take their case to the highest decision-making body in the APC. He said: “We are the most neglected region in Nigeria and we deserve to be compensated this time.

“In the outgoing Assembly, the zone was denied the Senate presidency by the PDP in 2011 when David Mark was returned as the Senate president from the Northcentral despite opposition by the Northeast senators.”

EXPRESSO

PDP: Humpty-Dumpty finally had a great fall •Continued from Back

But who cared anyway? The founding fathers who had an inkling as to the spirit behind the body had been worsted and dispersed by Obasanjo. The common chord which therefore held the new PDP together was our national treasury. Thus for 16 years, all PDP did was to manage to hold on to power by hook or by crook and then binge on the treasury. They were like pirates upon an eternal booty, they were feasting endlessly. There was no rhyme or reason to their actions.

The people pined away and the country became imperiled and tottered. Yet like the brigands they are, they carried on as if all was well; they boasted about the biggest party in the Black world that would rule for 60 years.

But PDP’s folly has been debunked by its own contradictions and providence has rescued Nigeria from its vice grip. Now that PDP is suddenly an opposition party one hopes it would sober up and begin to regroup and rebuild in the mold of a proper party. It is also hoped that the All Progressives Congress (APC), the new party in power would endeavor to organize itself in the manner of a proper political party that would engender positive democracy.

It is hoped that we are on to a truly new beginning now that the people have managed to regain their voice and shooed out President Goodluck Jonathan, the last of the PDP mojo. But he manages to steal victory even in his loss and capitulation. Did you notice how a jittery world rallied to gingerly remove the hand of the baboon from our soup pot lest he spills the soup, as Ndigbo would say? They carefully nudge Humpty from the wall so that he does not bring down the wall with him. Let’s call it our moment of grace.

But Professor Attahiru Jega, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), is the x-factor in this new, unfolding, paradigm while General Muhammadu Buhari may well be the last soldier standing. Can he change the game?

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

58

NEWS

Borno elders to Buhari: tackle insurgency T

HE Borno Elders Forum has urged President-elect Muhammadu Buhari to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency when he assumes office.

The group said in a statement: “Borno Elders Forum wishes to extend hearty congratulations to our President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari and his deputy, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, over their well- deserved victory in the just-concluded presidential election.

“We see this as a victory for democracy, peace and harmony throughout the country. It is a victory for the Black race and the masses.

“The wild jubilation, which erupted throughout the country- from Lagos to

Baga, Sokoto to Calabar- and indeed worldwide shows that Nigerians do not resort to violence whenever they get what they deserve; they express joy, celebrate and embrace one another, irrespective of their differences.

Nigerians deserve you as their President. They got you and expressed their appreciation by way of spontaneous jubilations.

“This congratulatory message needs to be accompanied by a few words of advice to our incoming President. We feel this is necessary before he assumes of-

fice.

“Over the last few years, Nigerians have been afflicted by insurgency and high level terrorism. For us in Borno State and indeed the Northeast, it is not an exaggeration that we have been taken back several years in terms of all indices of human development. However, we believe it was our destiny.

“We therefore urge Mr. President-elect to eradicate all forms of insurgency and violence across the country.

This should be the starting point. Nothing works without peace.

“Mr. President-elect needs to address the diversification of sources of revenue generation. We need to pay attention to agriculture and solid minerals development. We also need to accelerate the exploration and exploitation of petroleum deposits, particularly in the Chad Basin, the Benue Trough and other places in the country.

“Mr. President-elect has a great task of taking away from the streets, millions of our unemployed youths.

Jobs need to be created on a daily basis for young people. Children of school age must be compelled to go to school. Massive investment in education and vocational training should be prioritised.”

Akeredolu greets Buhari

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LL Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Ondo State, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, yesterday congratulated Nigerians on the victory of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari in last Saturday’s presidential elections.

In a statement, titled: “The will of the people is Supreme”, he said: “The announcement of the resounding victory recorded by the people of Nigeria in the just concluded elections is instructive. It confirms the belief that a people determined can never lose. The people who may have supported a cause in the mistaken belief of its altruistic trappings soon realise that the real intentions of the impostors were often dictated by greed.

“I congratulate Nigerians for refusing to be hoodwinked by the baits thrown at them. I salute their resilience in the face of sustained onslaught. I rejoice with them in this hour of redemption. I admonish them to remain resolute in their quest for a better so-

ciety. Our lost glory shall be restored in no distant time if this momentum is sustained.

“I congratulate the people’s General, Muhammadu Buhari, for winning this epic battle. I salute the doggedness of all our party members and supporters for their exemplary conduct in the face of provocative tantrums constantly thrown at them to annoy and distract. I commiserate with the families of those murdered during the electioneering campaigns. May their souls rest in perfect peace.

“I must specially congratulate my people in Ondo State on the emphatic statement made to distance themselves far away from hypocrisy, treachery and serial betrayal. Now that those masquerading as custodians of the cherished values of the people have been unmasked as self-serving hypocrites, our people must remain focused until the vestigial insignia of unfaithfulness, corruption and arrogance is uprooted.”

I didn’t ignore Aliyu’s calls, says senator-elect

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Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema (fourth left), Emirs and others at the funeral prayer of former IGP M. D. Yusuf in Katsina... yesterday PHOTO: NAN

HE senator-elect for Niger East, Mr. David Umaru, yesterday denied ignoring the calls and short message service (sms) of Niger State Governor Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, who lost to him in last weekend’s election.

He reacted to media reports credited to Aliyu claiming that he (Umaru) refused to pick his telephone calls and failed to reply text messages sent to him.

Umaru, a lawyer, in a statement he signed, said he would not have responded to the false claims, knowing the pedigree of the person, but he needed to let the public know that the governor was economical with the truth.

Polls: INEC begins movement of non-sensitive materials

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HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kano has begun the movement of non-sensitive materials to local governments, ahead of next weekend’s Governorship and House of Assembly elections.

The Administrative Secretary of the electoral body in Kano, Abdulrazak Tukur, told reporters at the INEC office yesterday that the commission had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Association of Road Transport

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

Workers (NARTW) to facilitate the movement of nonsensitive materials to local governments.

He said the signing of the MoU was informed by the challenges encountered by INEC, arising from inadequate number of vehicles to transport non-sensitive materials.

“I can assure you that we have overcome that challenge. We are planning it in such a way that before the eve

of the election, the non-sensitive materials must have reached their destinations.”

According to Tukur, INEC has resolved the hiccups experienced with the card reader.

His words: “We are not going to experience such problem again. It was discovered that the lamination on the screen of the card reader was not removed. But now, it has been removed and the machine is picking finger prints.”

The INEC chief said the commission was recruiting

technicians as ad-hoc workers “so that they will be on standby to work on any machine that breaks down or malfunctions,” adding that INEC had begun the payment of ad hoc workers through epayment.

Tukur on behalf of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Abdullahi Minkaila, hailed the role played by security agencies in Kano to ensure peaceful and hitchfree elections last weekend.

He solicited the support of the people in next weekend’s elections.

APC wins three Senate, six House seats in Kogi

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State won the three Senate seats and six House of Representatives seats in last Saturday’s election.

The result declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) showed that the APC candidates won in the three senatorial districts and six of the nine House of Representa-

From James Azania, Lokoja

tives constituencies.

In Kogi West, the APC candidate, Dino Melaye, polled 41,120 votes to defeat the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Senator Smart Adeyemi, who polled 38,148.

In Kogi East, APC’s Abubakar Abdulrahman (Railway) polled 98,915 votes to defeat Senator Atai Aidoko

of the PDP, who got 88,994 votes.

In Kogi Central, Mohammed Ohiare of the APC polled 55,778 to defeat Ahmed Saliu Ogembe (PDP), who got 42,736.

For the House of Representatives seats, the APC candidate for Okene-Ogorimagongo Federal Constituency, Abdullahi Bello, scored 20,656 votes to defeat the PDP candidate, Tijani Dami-

sa, who got 19,656 votes.

The APC candidate for Ajaokuta Federal Constituency, Lawal Idris, polled 10,049 votes to defeat Aloysius Okino of the PDP, who got 9,049 votes.

Other federal constituency seats won by the APC are Ankpa, Dekina, Lokoja and Adavi.

PDP won Idah, Yagba and Kabba federal constituencies.

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

Said he: “I would want the public to note that Dr. Aliyu’s claims are false and a mischief. I must clarify that I do not have his phone numbers and as such I could not have shunned his calls.

I have also not received any text message from him.”

The senator-elect said he has since the announcement of the result extended a hand of fellowship to stakeholders in the zone (including Dr. Babangida Aliyu), to work together for the development of Niger East and the state.

He said: “If his intention is to convey a congratulatory message to me, I hereby accept same and thank him for his magnanimity.”

Kwara professionals back LP’s candidate for governor

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HE Concerned Professionals of Kwara State Indigenes has endorsed Dr. Mike Omotosho of the Labour Party (LP) as the incoming governor of Kwara State.

In a statement in Lagos, the group led by Dr. Sulaimon Obafemi and Mr. Usman Audu said with the peaceful election in Kwara State and in the country

By Famuyiwa Damilare

and following the antecedents of the three major candidates in Kwara, the state would experience development with Dr. Omotosho as the governor.

He said: “This is the first time Kwara State will have someone of Omotosho’s calibre to govern the state.”

Lamido congratulates Buhari

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IGAWA state Governor Sule Lamido has congratulated President-elect Muhammadu Buhari on his victory in the presidential election.

This was contained in a statement signed by his media aide, Malam Adamu Muhammed Usman.

He said: “No doubt, Nigerian people have spoken through their votes and it is our duty as democrats to respect the will of the people.”

According to the statement, “the election of Mu-

From Ahmed Rufa’I, Dutse

hammadu Buhari is a manifestation of the resolve of Nigerians to give democracy a chance and also prove that Nigerians have embraced democratic culture of preserving the sanctity of processes that brought leaders of integrity into power.”

Lamido urged the President-elect to be magnanimous in victory and serve as a bridge builder among sections of the country.

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

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NEWS Rivers APC agent released from detention From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) agent for the elections in Rivers State, Emmanuel Deeyah, has been released after nearly one week in police detention.

Deeyah told reporters that no reason was given for his arrest.

“When they took me to the station, they said there was a petition against me, that I was a cult member and a gunrunner. That’s what they said to me. I told them I didn’t know what they were talking about. That was the the discussion we had.

“Abduction was what they did to me because they didn’t show me any warrant of arrest and there was no petition shown to me.

“As I stepped out of the INEC office on the fateful day, I was accosted by the police and picked up. I think their action was just to pave the way for our opponent in the election to win.”

Deeyah, a former member of the House of Representatives and an APC state agent was arrested with two others.

Other arrested APC members were also released yesterday.

Groups hail Buhari’s victory From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

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WO socio-political groups in Delta State, Urhobo/Isoko for Change (UIC) and the Warri Study Group (WSG), have congratulated Presidentelect Muhammadu Buhari for winning last Saturday’s election.

In separate statements, the groups noted that the election of Buhari could not have come at a better time than now.

National Coordinator of UIC Williams Onohwakpor, in a statement, yesterday, urged the President-elect to bridge the ethnic and religious gap in the country.

“We wish to thank President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, for his acceptance of the results. He is truly an honourable man and a hero.

We also congratulate General Buhari as presidentelect.

“The people of Urhobo and Isoko nations will work the incoming administration. We are tired of being relegated to the background, as the fifth largest ethnic group, and we know that with our choice president, there will be changes,” the group said.

In its statement, signed by Edward Ekoko and Tony Ede, chairman and secretary, the WSG said “this change couldn’t have come at a better time.

“Corruption and impunity have held the nation by the jugular; our national security is in the hands of exmilitants, our youths are hopeless due to inept government, and our institutions are politicised and weakened.

“This is not the Nigeria of our dreams. We cried to the heavens for a change and our prayers were answered”.

Ex-Speaker’s death: Police find 10 culpable

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HE police in Akwa Ibom State yesterday said about 10 persons were suspected to have been involved in the killing of former Deputy Speaker, Okon Uwah.

Commissioner of Police Gabriel Achong said five suspects were arrested and charged to court while the command was trailing the remaining five suspects.

But the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said the suspected main culprit, Emmanuel Ukoette, representing Ukanafun/Oruk

From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

Anam in the National Assembly, should also be arrested.

“We are not satisfied with the arrest made by the police if the main culprit is not arrested. As we speak, Emmanuel Ukoette has not been arrested.

“Assassination started with the attempt on the life of our campaign DirectorGeneral, Soni Udom, when hired assassins invaded his office.

“Those that attempted to

assassinate him have not been charged to court as we speak. Till now they have not been prosecuted and the government said they were robbers.”

The police commissioner said: “You cannot sit down and say this person did this. I have told you people that this crime was committed in a neighbourhood.

“They (neighbourhood) said there were about 10 people who committed the crime. Five have been charged to court; we are still

looking for five. Nobody should start mentioning people’s names for political reasons.

“I will never be dragged into that. Whoever feels any person committed that crime should talk to me and make a statement to justify it. He would also testify against whoever is arrested”.

Vice Chairman, Ukanafun Local Government Area, Effiom Abai, and four others have been remanded in Ikot Ekpene prison for the murder.

Traffic agency petitions police on officers’ death From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

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HE Rivers State Road Traffic Management Authority (TIMARIV) has petitioned the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hosea Karma, on the alleged killing of its officers on duty.

Acting Controller of TIMARIV Mr. Confidence Eke said two officers of the agency were shot dead by gunmen within a week.

In the petition, Eke lamented that John Dimkpa, a TIMARIV officer, was killed by gunmen at the Wimpey/ Ikwerre Road checkpoint in Port Harcourt on March 26.

He said another officer, Precious Pepple, was also killed by gunmen while on duty at Amadi-Ama in the state capital.

Rivers lifts curfew From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

T •Executive Secretary, Eti Osa Local Government, Hon Alaba Ajayi (middle), All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman Hon Monjin Sade (fifth left), Hon Kehinde Akinloye (third left) and residents of Ikota Village during the presentation of 500 KVA transformer to the community.

PHOTO: DAYO ADEWUNMI

Youths protest alleged assault on Dickson’s aide, others

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AYELSA Youth Integrity and Conscience Group (BYICG) and International Moral Justification Forum (IMJF) yesterday protested the alleged assault on the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youths, Mr. Torukori Egei.

The youths allege that Egei was allegedly assaulted with Mr. Aveke Dominion and a musician, Mr. Asu Douye, also known as Jeffiraimo.

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

In a statement signed by Victor Woyinkuro and Samson Kikile, chairman and secretary, BYICG accused Gesie Asamaowei of allegedly leading the assault.

They said security operatives attached to Asamowei beat up the victims at Kiama Bridge in Kolokuma-Opokuma on March 14 about 3:20 pm.

According to them, the

matter had been reported at the Kaiama Police Station.

“Egei and his friends were returning to Yenagoa after attending a wedding in Oleh, Delta State, when their vehicles were overtaken on the bridge by the governor’s aide’s vehicles.

“Their vehicles were smashed and damaged with guns. A tear gas canister was thrown at them and their heads were stepped on ,” they said.

The youths said the matter would be taken to court.

“The judiciary is known as the last hope of the masses.

But if nothing is done, we will take the matter further.

Police spokesman Buswatt Asini said investigation is on.

He said initial findings showed that the governor’s aide was alleged to have broken a convoy of Asamowei and policemen attached to the convoy suspected they were kidnappers.

Parties seek removal of Akwa Ibom police chief, REC

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OLITICAL parties in Akwa Ibom State have called for the removal of the Police Commissioner Gabriel Achong and the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Austin Okolie.

The parties said both officials were biased during last Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections.

At a meeting in Uyo yesterday, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party (LP), Accord Party (AP), All Progressives Grand Alli-

From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

ance (APGA), said if not removed or redeployed, both officials could compromise next Saturday’s election.

They resolved to send a formal protest to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the inspector-general of Police.

A member of the Umana Okon Umana Media Committee, Mr Nkereuwem Ankak, said: ‘’Everybody is

worried. The way the REC and the police chief are acting, it is clear they have made up their minds to give the PDP victory.

“Everybody knows that many local governments did not vote in the last elections and that there were cases of ballot snatching and stuffing. The question is: where did Mr Okolie get the figures he filled in for a place as Ibiano Ibom? How did the ballot papers get to the Government House and the

homes of commissioners and PDP chieftains? How many arrests have the police made and who are these fellows?

“These are germane questions we want these two fellows to answer. Remember that we have officially complained to the relevant authorities,” Ankak said.

The parties are accusing both officials of preparing the ground for the ruling party in the state to rig on April 11 by collaborating with some PDP chieftains.

Victory procession, concert for Buhari in Edo

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ARTY faithful and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, led by Governor Adams Oshiomhole, held a procession in Benin, the state capital, to celebrate the victory of Presidentelect Muhammadu Buhari.

The procession, which started from Airport Road, went round major streets before converging on the Oba Ovoranmwen Square for a victory concert.

Addressing the crowd, Oshiomhole said Buhari’s victory was for the people and

the nation’s democracy. He hailed the people for being part of the change story.

“In Edo State, our promises cut across ethnic, religious and other primordial sentiments. So we felt tonight we should celebrate our country, we should celebrate democracy. The victory of Muhammadu Buhari is victory for Nigeria.

“He will be the driver; we are all co-drivers in the business of re-positioning our great country. Thank you so much for your role.

“We also want to appreci-

ate President Goodluck Jonathan for being a statesman when he accepted defeat.

He has led by example and I think we can build on that.

“You are the best, you are the greatest. Remember, we have one more lap to go; it is not over. I trust you will be there for us so that we will be there for you,” the governor said.

Top artistes, including Patoranking, Timaya, Maleke, Osayomore Joseph and Bolivia Junior, among others, entertained.

The concert was attended

Gen. Buhari

by top party chieftains, including Deputy Governor Pius Odubu; APC Chair Anselm Ojezua; Secretary, Chief Osaro Idah; Women Leader, Dr Victoria Amadasun.

HE curfew imposed last Monday by the Rivers State government has been lifted.

The curfew was imposed to prevent the breakdown of law and order, following the results of last Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections.

Secretary to the State Government (SSG) George Feyii yesterday announced the lifting of the curfew.

Feyii urged the people to go about their businesses and not get involved in criminal activities.

‘Buhari’s victory has vindicated us’ From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

T

HE integrity faction of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), led by Chief Tuesday Onoge, has described Presidentelect Muhammadu Buhari’s victory as a vindication of its leadership foresight.

UPU’s faction Acting National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Mumakai Unagha, said yesterday, all the Onoge leadership had been saying was that the Urhobo would not work with an opposition government, adding that the Uvwiamughe Declaration favoured the APC. He said the Urhobo could not afford to be in the opposition but would join the winning team to ensure the victory of Olorogun O’tega Emerhor on April 11.

The secretary called on Chief Great Ogboru of the Labour Party to have a rethink and work with Emerhor.

Unagha said what matters is victory. He hailed Nigerians for voting Muhammadu Buhari, who he said will check the social vices and corruption ravaging the country today.

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

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FOREIGN Kenya attack: Garissa University assault ‘killed 147’

N

O fewer than 147 people were killed by terrorists yesterday in an attack by al-Shabab Islamist militants on a university in North-eastern Kenya.

The operation to secure the Garissa University College campus ended with all four attackers killed, they added.

Officials said 587 students had been evacuated, 79 of whom were injured.

An overnight curfew is being implemented in parts of the country.

Four counties near the Kenya-Somalia border, Garissa, Wajir, Mandera and Tana River, would have dusk-to-dawn curfews imposed, disaster management officials said.

Nine critically injured students were airlifted to the capital Nairobi for treatment, they added.

But each student had been accounted for by the end of the evacuation.

Masked gunmen had stormed the university early on Thursday morning.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned what he called a “terrorist attack” and

Jonathan condemns From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday condoled the government and people of Kenya and the families of those who died in the gruesome terrorist attack on the Garissa University College in Kenya.

Jonathan, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, condemned the deliberate targeting of innocent persons, schools and other soft targets by terrorists.

According to him, such atrocious, despicable and barbaric acts of violence ought to have no place in any civilized society.

It reads: “The President assures President Uhuru Kenyatta and the brotherly people of Kenya that Nigeria stands in full solidarity with them as they come to grips once again with the aftermath of another heinous terrorist attack on their country.”

“Nigeria, President Jonathan affirms, will continue to work with Kenya, other African countries and the international community to rid the world of all terrorist groups.” it added The President believed that the attack on the Kenyan University and other similar atrocities across the world must strengthen and solidify the resolve of the global community to take more urgent and co-ordinated actions to speedily defeat the agents of global terror. said the UN was ready to help Kenya “prevent and counter terrorism and violent extremism”.

The Kenyan government has named Mohamed Kuno, a

•Treatment: Paramedics attend to an injured Kenyan student as she is wheeled into Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi

high-ranking al-Shabab official, as the mastermind of the attack.

A BBC Somali Service reporter says Mohamed Kuno was headmaster at an Islamic

school in Garissa before he quit in 2007.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta offered his condolences to families of the victims and ordered “urgent steps” to ensure police recruits could begin training immediately.

“We have suffered unnecessarily due to shortage of security personnel,” he said.

Earlier, al-Shabab told the BBC its members were holding Christians hostage and freeing Muslims.

The gunmen reportedly ordered students to lie down on the floor, but some of them escaped.

Student Augustine Alanga told the BBC’s Newsday programme: “It was horrible, there was shooting everywhere.”

He said it was “pathetic” that the university was only guarded by two police officers.

Student Collins Wetangula said when the gunmen entered his hostel he could hear them opening doors and asking if the people inside were Muslims or Christians, the AP news agency reports.

Major sandstorm hits UAE, blotting out Dubai sky

A

MAJOR sandstorm has hit the United Arab Emirates, blotting out Dubai’s famous skyline. High winds have whipped up desert sands, severely reducing visibility and causing residents to suffer breathing difficulties.

The storm has led to flight diversions from Dubai’s International Airport, leaving many passengers stranded.

Germanwings crash: Co-pilot Lubitz ‘researched suicide’

T

HE co-pilot suspected of deliberately crashing the Germanwings jet in the French Alps had researched suicide methods and the security of cockpit doors, German prosecutors said.

Internet searches from the week before the crash were found on the tablet computer used by Andreas Lubitz, Meanwhile, the second “black box” flight recorder from the plane has been recovered.

There were no survivors among the 150 people on board the A320 on 24 March.

The German prosecutors said internet searches made on the tablet found in Lubitz’s Duesseldorf flat included “ways to commit suicide” and “cockpit doors and their security provisions”.

Spokesman Ralf Herrenbrueck said: “He concerned himself on one hand with medical treatment methods, on the other hand with types and ways of going about a suicide.

“In addition, on at least one day he concerned himself with search terms about cockpit doors and their security precautions.’’

Prosecutors did not disclose the individual search terms in the browser history but said personal correspondence supported the conclusion Lubitz used the device in the period from 16 to 23 March.

Russian trawler sinks off Kamchatka with 54 dead

A

Russian trawler has sunk off the Kamchatka peninsula, with 54 sailors so far confirmed dead.

Sixty-three people have been rescued, many suffering from hypothermia, according to officials in Russia’s Far East, but 15 are reported missing.

The Dalniy Vostok freezer trawler had 132 people on board when it sank.

Seventy-eight of those on board were Russian and 42 were from Myanmar. The remainder were from Vanuatu, Latvia and Ukraine.

The Dalniy Vostok went down in the Sea of Okhotsk, 330 km (205 miles) west of Krutogorovsky settlement, at around 06:30 local time (20:30 GMT Wednesday).

The captain was reported to be among the dead.

“The rescue operation is going on, we are still looking for 15 people,” Viktor Klepikov, coordinating captain of the Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky maritime rescue coordination centre, told Reuters news agency.

A captain of one of the 26 rescue ships taking part in the search said weather conditions were poor when the trawler went down, with snow, wind and waves of up to three metres (10ft) high. The water temperature was around freezing (32F).

A spokesman said survival in such waters was possible for up to 20 minutes.

“At this time we do not know what might have caused the tragedy.”

LENT

Theme: Hosannah of yesterday and betrayal of today Text:”....Peter remembered ....He had said .... Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice... Peter went out, and wept bitterly (Luke 22:61-61)

S

IMON Peter was a man that his life and ministry was interspersed with the good, the bad and the ugly. The event cascading to his call, as recorded in Luke 5:1-11, brought him out as a man of diligence, selflessness and faith.

He obeyed Jesus Christ mindless of toiling all night without catching anything. He cast aside his business failure in the previous night and surrendered his boat and services for dispensing the word of God at Jesus’ request. He obeyed Jesus Christ without calling to question their wide age differences and their professional disparities (while he was a professional fisherman, Jesus Christ, according to Mark 6:3, was a carpenter). When his obedience to cast the net at the right side yielded a net breaking and net tearing draught, he was willing to share the benefits with other fishermen.

Eventually, when Jesus Christ asked him to leave everything and follow Him, he obliged without looking back - what a great man!

When time for His crucifixion was near, Jesus Christ, on His way to Mount Gethsemane to pray with His trusted allies, told Simon Peter that “..... this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples” (Matthew 26:34-35). True to Simon Peter’s words, few hours later when they descended the mountain and Judas led the Chief priest and others to arrest Jesus Christ, Peter “.......... stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear” (Matthew 26:51). Having displayed that act of gallantry, no sooner thereafter, he became a turncoat and manifested spinelessness and betrayal thrice to the extent that at a time he denied with an oath and at other time he denied denying if he ever knew Jesus Christ cursing and swearing (Matthew 26:72-74) - what a terrible man!

“All the World’s a stage’, according to William Shakespeare, ‘and all men and women merely players: they

have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages”. This gives further credence to the fact that life is surely not only a stage with different actors, but need be added that life is also in stages, acts or phases. One stage of life dovetails into another unpredictable stage; in fact, life is a continuum of stages. In view of the unpredictability of human beings, what is pertinent for everyone, particularly people that are singing the Victory song today is to learn from Jesus Christ’s experience on His way to the cross that human beings are unpredictable, unreliable and be mindful of the fact that after the Victory song of today an hymn of betrayal can follow tomorrow. The only person who can and will never change or betray His children is the Almighty God. As this year’s lenten season is ending, it is non-negotiable to continue to stand with Him and trust in Him alone; anything to the contrary is an invitation to disappointments, sadness, high blood pressure and sudden death.

Paul, despite being a giant in faith, was once in a very challenging situation that defied human assistance at Asia.

There, his travail, as recorded in Acts 19:22-41, was so serious that when the uproar ceased he departed to Macedonia following opposition which arose because of The way (Acts 9:2). In fact, there was a man called Demetrius, a silversmith, who was making shrines for Artemis and was loosing business because of the Way (Acts 16:16, 19). Demetrius ganged up with other workers of similar occupation and they raised up great animosity against Paul. He was in a guagmire between who to follow - himself, loyalists or friends or God. He was helpless and hopeless but he “.... had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead” (2Corinthians 1:9). Paul sentenced himself to the fact that no matter what, he would not trust in himself or his ability or anyone but repose his trust in God who alone has power to raise from the dead. God intervened and raised up Alexander who spoke for him. In whatever dire

situation you may be in today, as you put your trust in God, He would send help to you and raise you ‘from the dead’, in Jesus’ name.

It is unfortunate that many people in the world today have faith or trust in ephemeral beings, things and positions - that are here today and not there tomorrow. In order to stay afloat in this world and be able to steer the affairs of life to where God desires to take you to, you must eschew the attitudinal traits of the Israelites who “...... committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water (Jeremiah 2:13). You must depend absolutely on the leading of the Holy Spirit. Kindly avoid putting trust in your education or knowledge (cf Acts 27:9 ff) or depend on any man because human beings’ positioning are many times dependent on times and circumstamces. Suffice to say that human beings alter stands and positions at frequent will (Jeremiah 17:5-6; Micah 7:5-6). No matter how sound or seemingly dependable a medical practitioner is for instance, Doctors have their limits (Mark 5:25-34). Even parents are not omnipotent and can fail (Isaiah 49:15-16).

It doesn’t matter what you may be passing through now, hold tightly to Jesus Christ and remember that after the sufferings of Good Friday and/or the silence of the father on Good Saturday shall come the Supernatural intervention of Easter Sunday. As He lives, the desires of your heart shall be met today and at last, you shall inherit eternal life, in Jesus’ name.

During this time brethren, and in our quest to achieve the great height that God has promised for us, the only person to be trusted and depended on is God. Jeremiah 17:7 said that “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit”.

Prayer: Father, thank you for the Lenten season that is ending soon, Lord give me grace to continually depend on you in this uncertain world and times, in Jesus’ name

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THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

NEWS John Kerry lauds Jonathan, Buhari Continued from page 4

nent and beyond.

“I also said that it was imperative that these elections are an improvement over past elections and that they need to set a new standard for this democracy. That means that Nigerians needed to not only reject violence but actually promote peace.

“We laud both President Jonathan and General Buhari for their public commitments to the Abuja Accord signed in January and reaffirmed March 26, respecting the of-

ficial results, and encouraging their supporters to do the same. We commend President Jonathan for his years of service and for having acted in the best interest of his country. We welcome President Jonathan’s calls for unity and calm during this transition period.

“Finally, we extend our congratulations to Presidentelect Buhari. The United States reiterates its commitment to working with the newly elected government that emerges from this democratic process.”

•Kerry

Shell shuts flow stations in Delta, Bayelsa over threats from militants

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AST Saturday’s electoral victory by Gen. Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives’ Congress (APC), may have started generating ethnic heat as some suspected militants may have forced oil giant, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to shut some of its flow stations in Delta and Bayelsa states.

Although SPDC denied the report, as its spokesmen said the company would not comment on security issues, community sources told the Nation yesterday evening that militants had already warned the company through threat messages, adding that the new threat had everything to so with the failure of President Jonathan at the polls.

A source in one of the communities in Burutu council area of Delta state told the Nation that there were feelers that the oil company had commenced the shut down of

•Tompolo sues for peace From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

its flow stations in response to the threat.

“From the reliable information that I have, militants have sent a warning to Shell to park up their operations in the area if they don’t want to be attacked and the reason is because President Jonathan has lost the election.

“So from what I have gathered, Shell has closed her flow station at Tunu, Benisede and Kussu. These flow stations are situated between Burutu local government area in Delta, Ekeremor and Southern Ijaw in Bayelsa state”, source said.

But the SPDC has denied the report indicating that it had shut down its flow stations as a result of threats from militants, saying it would not comment on security issues when asked if it ever received any threat to

park up.

Company spokesperson, Joseph Obari, in a brief message to the Nation correspondent in Warri said “our operations are continuing and we will not comment on security issues”.

Tompolo, in a statement by his spokesman, Paul Bebenimibo yesterday in Warri appealed to youths in the region to desist from violence as only peace can bring about national development.

Tompolo’s statement reads: “I want to appeal to all our people to be orderly, calm and embrace peace. The will of the people is sacrosanct and the existing peace be maintained.

“I believe that nothing can happen if God does not approve of it. Peace is a prerequisite for national development. People should remain calm also during the governorship election”, he said.

Japan, Spain, NMA, TUC, NECA, Etiaba greet Buhari

J

APANESE Foreign Minister Mr. Fumio Kishida, the Spanish government, the nation’s trade union bodies and others have congratulated Nigerians and the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, for the peaceful conduct of the presidential election.

Kishida said his country welcomes the fact that many citizens participated in the election.

He urged all political actors to come together to promote democracy and economic development.

Also, the Spanish government, in its congratulatory message, also applauded the citizens for their civic comportment during the elections, stressing that the “elections in Nigeria will contribute to regional security, development and prosperity; democratic change will serve as example to other countries of the region, where, in the course of the year, elections might also be held.”

Also yesterday, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA have also congratulated the President-elect, Gen. Buhari on his victory.

NMA president Dr. Kayode Obembe, in a statement, pledged the association’s support to the in-coming

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja, Toba Agboola, Lagos and Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

government towards the efforts of building a better health sector.

He noted that “NMA as the custodians of the people’s health believes that a healthy nation is reflected in the health of her citizenry in both the primary, secondary and tertiary health sectors”.

TUC President Mr. Bobboi Kaigama, in a statement, said the result of the election showed that Nigerians have decided, adding that the election was free and fair.

“This serves as an eye opener to all political gladiators.

“It is a pointer that Nigerians want a change and went out to cast their votes for a new government that they believed in.”

The TUC president, however, advised the incoming government to take the issues of workers seriously.

NECA implored the president-elect to ensure the creation of an enabling environment that will position the private sector as the engine of growth.

Its President, Mr. Larry Ettah, who spoke in Lagos, said liberalisation, promotion of free enterprise and privatisation of state- owned businesses will go a long way in fast-tracking the development of the economy.

The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) also congratulated the Presidentelect.

PFN National President Rev. Dr. Felix Omobude, in a statement in Benin City, said: “The PFN shares in your aspiration to move Nigeria forward and hope that with the support of Nigerians, we can together build a strong, virile and united nation where no one is oppressed.

“We trust the Almighty God that He will graciously grant you the wisdom and all you require to make the dreams of all Nigerians come true”, the PFN President stated.

Rev. Dr. Omobude also praised President Goodluck Jonathan for providing an enabling environment for the peaceful conduct of the March 28, 2015, presidential election.

Former Anambra State Governor Dame Virgy Etiaba also thanked Nigerians for their resilience while congratulating Gen. Buhari on his victory.

She also gave kudos to Jonathan for his statesmanly posture.

“By his action in congratulating Gen. Buhari, Nigerians, who would have taken to the streets to cause mayhem have been properly advised,” she said.

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THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015

63

TODAY IN THE NATION

FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL.10 NO. 3173

‘It’s never too late to divest our destiny of men and women forever maddened by lust for power and the spoils of phantom projects. I hope you find persons of private virtue, the old-fashioned…’ OLA TUNJI OL OLADE OLATUNJI OLOLADE

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

L

ET me start with a statement of fact.

The title of my piece today is not my original idea. Like most Nigerians abroad, I was glued to my IPad on Monday and Tuesday watching Channels Television, courtesy of nigerianfm.com in eager expectation of the presidential election results.

On Tuesday night, I witnessed live the laborious task of compilation and addition of final results of the Presidential election by Professor Attahiru Jega and his Commissioners.

At last, when I heard Jega finally declare the results around 11 pm Eastern Time, I breathed a sigh of relief for him and for Nigeria. Every morally conscious citizen who understands the importance of commitment cannot but appreciate and commend the dedication of these patriotic Nigerians. Vilified, demonized, and harassed by agents of destabilization for selfish reasons, even until the final hours when a former “Honorable” Minister of the Federal Republic let emotion take over and reason take leave of him as the world watched him embarrass himself, Jega and his team kept their cool. And when he was finally allowed to respond, it was with intellect and dignified poise. I smiled for Nigeria.

On the final announcement of Buhari as the winner, the thought of how best to capture and characterize what has just occurred for my readers clouded my mind. Is it “a new day”? Or a “new era”? How about “a new dawn?” I dismissed all of these because they didn’t really speak to the dynamic energy that has just been released on the nation. Each of those potential titles appeared too static, inert, and motionless to do the job. What just happened is not only for the moment (day, month, year, even four years).

Yes, it is all that; but it is more than that. It is the beginning of a new “us.”

Then I went to bed. As I woke up in the morning and picked up my phone, the first message that caught my eyes was from my good friend with the subject line “A New Beginning.” “This is it”, I said to myself.

Known for his outstanding contributions to national development in the private sector, my friend does not discuss his political views in public. But he has been a dogged fighter for social justice and a promoter of social welfare at the national and local levels. I immediately responded to him with gratitude for his accurate capturing of what the moment meant. I choose not to name him because I didn’t ask for his permission to do so. However, he knows that, with

SEGUN GBADEGESIN gbadegesin@thenationonlineng.net

A new beginning

•President-elect Buhari

much appreciation, I owe today’s title to him.

In her 54 years history as an independent country, and her 16 years in the fourth republic, Nigeria has been known for its notoriety as a maker of the wrong kind of history. We bungled the First Republic. We waged a senseless civil war. We annulled our first free and fair presidential election.

We lost territories to terrorists. To these add the ugliness and divisiveness of this last campaign. None of those political histories made us proud and we would rather not remember them.

Now, for the first time, we just made a positive political history. The ruling party candidate, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, lost the presidential election to the opposition party candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari. And as if this wasn’t earth-shaking enough, the loser in the keenly contested election found the moral courage to concede defeat and to congratulate the winner, thus avoiding the disaster that has been predicted no matter who won. The conclusion that I drew from both of these linked events is that God is not done with Nigeria and now He has granted the country a new beginning.

H

EAVENS heaved a sigh Earth shifted a notch And the world held her breath What manner of race is this?

The heavens heaved…

Could an earthquake pass so quietly without tremors, would a tsunami happen without a big splash? Has Humpty Dumpty which was long suspended in a state of falling, finally hit the ground unceremoniously? Well, maybe just as well; why would a lumbering, rotund fellow sit on our wall for so long anyway? What on earth was the listless, over-sized egg doing desecrating our wall for all of 16 years? Perhaps it couldn’t even get off the wall by itself so we have done it the favour by giving it a shove.

And we say hurray, Humpty Dumpty has finally had a great fall and all the straw men around it could not put it together again.

When Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje led a chunk of members to stage a walkout from a PDP convention and formed a parallel party in November 2013, I had noted that Humpty-Dumpty was having a great fall.

Though one was thrilled then by the suspended animation of a falling cartoon character, one never really conjectured PDP as a fallen edifice; crashed and crushed.

Yes, though it became apparent a long time ago that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was an unviable proposition doomed to fail, one never imagined it would come so suddenly and with such apathetic thud. But PDP’s Humpty-Dumpty finally had a great fall last weekend as Nigerians gave it a final nudge at the presidential polls. Vacuous members had boasted that their party would rule Nigeria for 60 years but they

The meaning of the election of General Buhari is that the country is at a new beginning of the race to genuine nationhood and its attendant features. We should therefore be singing a new song, thinking new thoughts, and generating new ideas. Indeed, the president-elect would benefit immensely from a national focus on new ideas for moving the nation forward. However, it is also true, as the Yoruba know too well, that in order to move forward uneventfully after once stumbling, we must apprise ourselves of the cause of our stumbling so as to avoid it in the future.

On this page over the last four years, we have not shied away from telling the truth about where challenges were for the Jonathan administration. I have always thought that Jonathan is a good man. He has demonstrated his inward goodness by conceding defeat and has thus earned for himself the commendation of the global community. His political undoing was his political naivety which made him to be too trusting of the evil cabal that surrounded him. He was too weak to say “no” to their wicked manipulation of the system.

From ministers to political advisers to PDP governors, they are all a bunch of self-conceited egoists. It was not an ethnic issue. It was not a religious matter. It was malicious egoism run amok. A president that lacks the natural instinct to separate the weed of deceit from the chaff of sincerity cannot survive.

Consider the debacle of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum elections. That was not a battle that the president should engage in and it was not one he could win. It is the case of the proverbial carrier of elephant flesh who could not keep his eyes off the ant on the ground.

There were multiple such missteps that ended causing public disaffection and marring his legacy.

General Buhari has a mandate that comes with great expectations. It is not an easy spot

STEVE OSUJI

EXPRESSO

steve.osuji@yahoo.com

•Columnist of the Year (NMMA)

PDP: Humpty-Dumpty finally had a great fall Now that Ndigbo are in opposition

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WROTE not too long ago on this space asking whether Ndigbo would sink and swim with President Goodluck Jonathan and some readers came at me like rabid dogs. Some even labeled me outcast. Who is the outcast now? Who is the greatest loser in the unfolding political arithmetic of Nigeria? Just like PDP, Ndigbo too have become political Humpty Dumpty, the silly, big egg that has suffered a shameful fall.

Going forward, and if they manage to gather themselves together, they will be more pragmatic in their political calculations and eschew excessive sentimentality. They will also have to do away with most of their leaders who think with their stomach and who have no clarity about tomorrow.

It is just as well that for once in our political lives, we are operating from the opposition camp. So much for years of opportunism, whoredom and romance with just any government in power; now we have to work for our keep, make our own case and determine how we want to play the field. Again, perhaps this is the treatment we need in order to wise up in the politics of this land.

could only get 16 years.

It was on such confounding hollowness they had forged the party over these years.

There was neither philosophy nor principle; neither reticence nor edifice. Yes, in 16 years, their permanent abode remains an ugly,

uncompleted monolith desecrating the Abuja skylines. Yes, PDP is so derelict it could not manage to make for itself, a befitting home all these years. It is actually a misnomer to tag it a political party. It was only a raucous amalgam of bootleggers and for-

to be on. But just like Jonathan in 2011, there is a lot of goodwill, considering the ecstatic jubilation across the land. Even his bitterest opponents until Saturday, March 28 have turned around to shower Buhari with praise and prayers for a successful tenure. The People’s General cannot afford to disappoint!!!! As the father of the nation, he has his work cut out for him now. He must reach out as he has vowed to do. He must build trust. And he must satisfy the yearnings of the youth and the elderly for the dividends of democracy.

To start with, then, the APC manifesto is the political Holy Book of President-elect Buhari. He referred to it incessantly and campaigned on the three priorities that the manifesto highlighted. He promised that he will provide adequate security of life and property for citizens; that he will attack corruption at its root; and that he will reboot the engine of the economy and will diversify it to tackle youth unemployment.

There are a variety of approaches to handling each of these priorities but they are all related. There is no doubt that corruption, like money, is the root of all our evils.

If it is tackled, we will have resources for improving our educational system so that the youth may have adequate training towards employability. We will not need to hire mercenaries to fight our battle against terrorists. And the resources that are not lost to corrupted hands will be available to relieve poverty and contribute to the welfare of the masses.

General Buhari cannot afford to, and must not be tempted to, surround himself with sycophants who only tell him what pleases him. That approach to governance has been the undoing of many otherwise great leaders. He must tap into the wise counsel of those who will boldly disagree with him with good and unselfish reasons. He must make it easy for his aides and advisers to approach him with new ideas. He must avail himself of the wise counsel of professionals and technocrats. He has been elected, and the bulk now stops with him.

In four years, Nigerians will be ready to evaluate him at the polls and give their judgment with their votes.

The die is cast and politics will not be the same again because Nigeria has turned the corner in the matter of democratic governance. The voter is now in the driver’s seat.

It is a new beginning!

•For comments, send SMS to 08111813080 tune-hunters. Nation-building must have been the last item on their agenda if ever it featured.

Yes, it was a child of circumstance having emerged from the foundries of a testy military era. But the early fathers were men of some substance, some integrity and some nationalistic fervour. You would never dismiss an Alex Ekwueme at his prime or Sunday Awoniyi, Solomon Lar, Adamu Ciroma and Audu Ogbe, to name only some of them. But they were less lucky, or shall we say, not circumspect in picking their pioneer presidential candidate in 1999. General Olusegun Obasanjo (retired) who was fresh from prison was foisted on the fledgling party and it started its decline right then.

Obasanjo garrisoned the party, conquered it and had it in his rein for eight years. A soldier with a tendency for megalomania he could never cotton to the fact that a political party was an organic part of democratic governance. In fact he never understood the true essence of democracy. All he wanted was power; almost absolute power and its appurtenances. He therefore whipped PDP into his own peculiar shape; he molded it in his own ugly image and pressed it into his own selfish purposes. At the end of the first eight years, PDP was more a bohemian gambling club than a political party. It could hardly manage its affairs how much more guiding a new democracy to a worthy future.

•Continued

on page 57

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