April 24, 2015

Newspaper of the Year

Olanusi: Ondo CJ sets up panel

Workers attack unions over Fayose NEWS

Page 8

NEWS Page 8

•‘Shun politics and face our welfare’

•Deputy governor knows fate soon

•Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

VOL. 10, NO. 3194 FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

•www.thenationonlineng.net

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

•ANYIM, SYLVA HEAD INAUGURATION COMMITTEE P5 TINUBU: APC’LL FIGHT POVERTY P5 Troops get mandate to catch Shekau

T

ROOPS have got another mandate to catch Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau alive.

Shekau is believed to have relocated from his bunker before the troops reclaimed Gwoza from the insurgents, a report has said.

The military is said to be probing the “sudden disappearance of Shekau”, who has remained incommunicado.

According to PRNigeria, the search for Shekau followed the recovery of key towns and hideouts of Boko Haram.

The PRNigeria is the intelligence source through which the military and security agencies release strategic information.

The source said: “With peace and quiet from the usually vociferous Abubakar Shekau, there are speculations within the security circles that the group may have been so disarrayed that it no longer has the luxury of issuing threats. ”A military source told PRNigeria that since the declaration of the final push against the insurgents in the middle of February, and directive to clear all terrorists’ camps before May 29 handover date, Nigerian troops have been on the lookout for Shekau and other commanders of Boko Continued on page 4

•Participants at the signing of peace accord between Nigerians in Diaspora Integration Agency and South Africans living in Nigeria in Abuja…yesterday.

SEE STORY on PAGE 3

PHOTO: NAN

How govt can raise $75b, by CBN chief Emefiele

S

OME tips on funding have come for the incoming Muhammadu Buhari administration.

It should consider selling down its majority stakes in joint ventures with multinational oil companies to shore up finances and raise funding for infrastructure development, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin

Emefiele,has suggested.

CBN officials who evaluated how much could be raised if the state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) substantially reduced its 55 per cent equity in the joint ventures — with Royal Dutch Shell, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Total and ENI, which pump about half of Nigeria’s two

million barrels a day of oil production—gave $75billion as a realistic target.

Private equity groups could be encouraged to compete with the oil companies for acquisitions to ensure the price is competitive.

Some of the proceeds could be used to rebuild macroeconomic buffers, damaged by the collapse in world oil pric-

es and failure of outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan administration to save more when prices were high.

Emefiele said a greater portion should be invested in transport and energy developments that would “grow the economy and create jobs”.

Continued on page 4

•Gen. Buhari

Petrol subsidy booby trap for Buhari in Budget 2015

?

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

House passes N4.5tr Appropriation Bill

T

HE stage seems set for a major controversy in the polity, with the passage yesterday of the 2015 Appropriation Bill.

There is no provision for fuel subsidy in the N4,493,363,957,158 estimates approved by the House of Representatives.

The budget has a recurrent (non-

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

debt) expenditure of N2.607, 132,491,708.

Last year, N971.1b was spent on fuel subsidy - same as in 2013.

The N701, 415,465,449 capital expenditure was broken into N556, 995,465,449 for Ministries, Depart-

•SEE ALSO PAGE 11

ments and Agencies (MDA) and N144, 420,009,000 for statutory transfer.

The budget is N67,433,759,158 higher than the N425,425,930,000 stated in the report that was laid on Wednesday by the joint Chairman, Committees on Appropriations and Finance, John Enoh.

Speaking on the removal of fuel sub-

sidy, Legislative Budget and Research Committee Chairman Opeyemi Bamidele said it was a booby trap set for the in-coming Muhammadu Buhari administration.

According to him, the silence over the removal is capable of setting off the new government on a wrong footing.

Continued on page 4

•AGRIC P12 •BRAND P14 •SPORTS P24 •SOCIETY P42 •POLITICS P49 •FOREIGN P60

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

2

NEWS

President-elect f

•Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun recieving a presnt from Director-General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig-General Johnson Bamidele Olawunmi in appreciation of his support to the Corps the 2015 Batch ‘A’ pre-orientation course in Abeokuta...yesterday. With them is (middle), Ogun State House of Assembly Suraj Ishola Adekunbi.

For President-elect Muhammadu Buhari, failing to plan is planning to fail. Aware of the enormous task of fixing the problems in the oil-rich Niger Delta, in this report culled from Financial Times, the one-time Head of State has raised a team to develop a blueprint on how to lift the region with sustainable policy when he takes charge next month.

T

•Oyo State Deputy Governor Otunba Moses Alake Adeyemo cutting inaugurating the Regional Office of the Bank of Industry (BoI) on NTC Road, Ibadan...yesterday. With them from left are: Special Adviser, Bureau for Investment Promotion/ Public Private Partnership (PPP), Mrs. Folakemi Akinleye; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, BoI, Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa; the bank’s Executive Director, Small and Medium Enterprises, Mr. Waheed Olagunju and Regional Head, South PHOTO: FEMI ILESANMI west, Mr. Sonny Ekedayen.

HE Aridolf Hotel in Yenagoa is an unlikely monument to kitsch on a reclaimed swamp in Nigeria’s oil-producing Niger delta. In the lobby, Louis XIV furniture is accompanied by bowls of plastic fruit, faux Dutch landscapes and a grotesquely gaudy chandelier.

The hotel is redolent of the riches on display in a region that for half a century has generated the bulk of Nigeria’s wealth.

Only a decade and-a-half ago, there was just one petrol pump in Bayelsa State, which produced a quarter of Nigeria’s two million barrels per day of oil, and Yenagoa, the state capital, was a string of tinroofed shacks. Resentment at the region’s under-development erupted in violence, with militants blowing up pipelines and kidnapping oil workers.

Today, Yenagoa is a sprawling construction site. But the Aridolf, believed to be owned by President Goodluck Jonathan’s wife, Dame Patient, is symptomatic of how superficial progress has been in addressing the festering sense of marginalisation in the region, which remains desperately impoverished despite benefiting from a tide of petro-dollars in recent years.

Bringing more sustainable answers to myriad development challenges and preventing resentment from again boiling over will be among the toughest tasks facing Nigeria’s President-elect and former military ruler, Muhammadu Buhari, who hails from the distant state of Katsina in the North.

President Goodluck Jonathan, his rival in last month’s elections, was the first head of state to hail from a minority group in the Niger Delta — a position he won in part because more powerful ethnic groups recognised the need to assuage the feeling of neglect that had overwhelmed his region.

When he assumed office the campaign of violence by militants had slashed oil production in half and helped push world crude prices to record highs. He implemented an amnesty programme that helped end the violence and lavished spending on former fighters.

“There was that sense of relief that at last we in the region were part of it, (Nigeria’s power structure)” said Rivers State former Governor, Dr Peter Odili of Dr. Jonathan’s ascent to the top.

That sense of belonging is now at risk as President Jonathan prepares

Xenophobia: N R •From left: Company Secretary/General Counsel, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Group Plc, Mrs. Funmi Adedibu; Chairman, Dr. Jonathan Long; founder, FCMB Group, Otunba Subomi Balogun; Group Managing Director/Chief Executive, FCMB, Mr. Ladi Balogun and the bank’s Managing Director, Mr. Peter Obaseki at the FCMB Second Annual General Meeting in Lagos yesterday.

•Winner of MTN Season of Surprises/Surprise Your Professor Campaign, Prof Anthony Ologhobo of the Department of Animal Science, University of Ibadan, receiveing the key of a new KIA RIO car from General Manager, Customer Care Division, MTN Nigeria, Mrs. Fehintola Mustapha at the University of Ibadan...yesterday. Withem is an an artiste, Sidney Onoriode Esiri (aka Dr. Sid).

EPRESENTATIVES of Nigeria, South Africa and other citizens and groups in other parts of Africa yesterday signed a peace accord to begin a process leading to a non-violent means of settling differences and discouraging xenophobia in South Africa.

The peace deal, which was initiated by Nigerians In Diaspora Integration Agency (NIDIA), was signed in Abuja with the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Lulul Louis Mnguni as observer.

According to the President-General, NIDIA, Ms Caro Nwosu, who signed for Nigeria, there is no alternative to peace through non-violent dialogue to foster unity in the continent.

She voted for stakeholders’ efforts to wipe-out xenophobia in South Africa.

Ms. Nwosu, who also presented a letter to Ambassador Mnguni en route South African President, Jacob Zuma, expressed concern that the xenophobic attacks were threatening the hard-fought freedom, democracy and peace not only in South Africa but in Africa as a whole.

Her words: “We are here to show our love and concern of what is happening in the continent. We in

the Diaspora are of great concern to what is happening in South Africa by derailment of peace through violence extremism.

“We stood tall and united in time of peace and all these years and that is why our heart bleeds for what is happening.”

Ms. Nwosu insisted that there is no alternative to non-violence, which according to her, remained the only way to re-establish a broken community and implement the just law by appealing to the conscience of the great decent majority who through blindness, fear, pride, and irrationality have allowed their conscience to sleep.

The NIDIA noted that on the contrary, violence as a way of achieving racial justice is both impractical and immoral, and brings only momentary results.

She said: “Nations have frequently won their independence in battle. But in spite of temporary victories, violence never brings permanent peace. It solves no social problem: it merely creates new and more complicated ones. Violence is impractical because it is a descending spiral ending in destruction for all.

“It is immoral because it seeks to humiliate the opponent rather than win his understanding: it seeks to annihilate rather than convert. Violence is immoral because it thrives

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

3

faces poverty, rancour in oil-rich Niger Delta

‘

We had a President and an oil minister from the region. It was unprecedented in the history of the country. Everyone now feels we have wasted this opportunity.

He has done nothing for the Niger delta Dr. Jonathan

Gen. Buhari

Dr. Odili

to stand down after becoming the first incumbent in Nigerian history to lose an election.

The President was routed at the polls in most parts of the country. But in the oil-producing Southsouth and the Southeast, his party muscled its way to victory amid allegations of flagrant rigging and widespread violence that augurs ill for Gen Buhari’s incoming administration.

“We felt it was Goodluck Jonathan’s right to have two terms in office,” Udengs Eradiri said.

Eradiri is the President of the unarmed but militant Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), which has thousands of members across the rgion.

“All the people who ganged up against him (in the run-up to elec-

tions) were the people who bastardised Nigeria.It was the North and the Southwest conspiring against the minorities,” he said.

His comments reflect a widespread perception in Dr Jonathan’s home region that their man was cheated of a second term. But many also think the outgoing President failed to improve their lives.

“We had a President and an oil minister from the region. It was unprecedented in the history of the country. Everyone now feels we have wasted this opportunity. He has done nothing for the Niger Delta,” former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, said.

The former governor has been charged by Gen. Buhari to negotiate

with former militants, some of whom threatened before last month’s election to take up arms again should their candidate lose.

What we are trying to do is to collect their (militants’) demands and expectations so we can build a policy that is sustainable,” Sylva said.

After consulting broadly earlier this month, the IYC produced its own conditions for keeping the peace. It wants the costly amnesty programme extended and federal structures such as the Niger Delta Ministry and its Development Commission — neither of which have proved much more than vehicles for patronage — strengthened.

It also wants reform of the federation to raise the amount of oil rev-

•Sylva

enues allocated to producing states from 13 to 25 per cent.

Implicit is the threat that the oil industry will be sabotaged anew if these demands are not met.

“Without us, Nigeria will cease to exist,” Eradiri said.

He went on: “Our environment must get the necessary attention because we produce the resources that keep this country moving.”

Gen Buhari has pledged to start cleaning up the myriad oil spills that have despoiled the region’s creeks and swamps — a project that could also generate mass employment.

But how he plans to deal with the former militants is unclear. Some leading politicians in the region want him to face them down.

‘

“They are scared because most of them have become rich. They would rather run away with their money than fight,” a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who believes the amnesty programme has incentivised criminal activity.

With the treasury depleted by the collapse in oil prices, the incoming government is unlikely in any case, to be able to continue buying peace.

But it could make progress of a more lasting kind, says Chris Newsom, a New Zealander and environmental activist, who has lived in the oil-rich region for many years.

He said: “Money has been spent so poorly in so many areas (that) if you are able to use it more effectively it will look dramatic.”

Nigeria, South Africa, others sign peace accord

• Members of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) protesting xenophobic attacks on African immigrants at the MTN main office in Kaduna...yesterday. on hatred rather than love. It destroys community and makes brother hood impossible. It leaves society in monologue rather than

dialogue. Violence ends up defeating itself. It creates bitterness in the survivors and brutality in the destroyers.”

Proffering a path for peace and unity in Africa, Ms. Nwosu suggested that massive enlightenment must ensue; African leaders must

step-in to enlighten Africans, especially the ignorant and illiterate population about unity and peaceful co-existence among Africans,

with the central theme of equality and oneness.

In the NIDIA presented to Zuma, they recommended amongst other things; mass population re-orientation by various means, deliberate government renunciation of hate speeches by political and traditional leaders and development of controls of social media at crisis periods.

Reminding her audience that Africa was built on the foundations of tolerance and solidarity, she said every African should uphold the African dream of unity in diversity and stay strong, peaceful, and united despite the bitter challenges facing the continent today.

Ambassador Mnguni gave further assurances that the xenophobic attacks will be quelled and called for unity.

His words: “In as much as we are concerned we are being strengthened by being together. That is why we are here today to ensure that we are united together to emphasize on peace through dialogue.

“This is what Nelson Mandela emphasized that despite that he spent almost three decades in prison, he still embraced peace. So I say to you, we will remove xenophobia and any other form of oppression from the face of the earth.”

4

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

NEWS Buhari moves to Defence House

P

RESIDENT-ELECT Muhammadu Buhari has started operating from a government-owned complex following the allocation of the Defence House for his use.

He is expected to use the facility till March 28. After his inauguration on May 29, he will relocate to Aso Rock Villa where the presidential residence is currently undergoing renovation.

Gen Buhari moved into the Defence House on Tuesday on his return to Abuja from Kaduna and his hometown Daura, where he stayed after the governorship election on April 11.

The Defence House in the Maitama District of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is one of the President’s guest houses. It is located opposite the Legacy House, which has been serving as the Peoples Democratic Party

•Former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim; and Permanent Secretary (Political) SGF’s office, Mrs Ibukun Odusote, during the presidential inauguration planning committee meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja…yesterday.

Bamanga Tukur to PDP: you caused your downfall

F

ORMER Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman Bamanga Tukur has said the party caused its own downfall.

Tukur, in a statement in Abuja yesterday, said he warned the party in 2013 that it would suffer defeat in the 2015 general elections if the leaders refused to change their ways and allow for internal democracy.

In the statement, titled “PDPWere you not warned?”, the former chairman reminded the party leadership of the speech he read at the PDP National Executive

From Tony Akowe, Abuja

Committee (NEC) meeting of Thursday, June 20, 2013, which he presided over, as the party chairman.

Quoting copiously from the speech, Tukur said he had warned his fellow party leaders and members to have a change of attitude if the party must succeed.

He said: “In our efforts to achieve success, we must rededicate our genuine political beliefs, change our attitudes and identify our political needs. These good values cannot be realised without ac-

cepting the supremacy of the party constitution as key instrument that ensures progress, stability and internal discipline.”

He also drew their attention to his words that “we must strengthen our democracy through determination, not personalisation, correction, not manipulation, collectivism, not individualism and sacrifice, not disservice.

“If these pronouncements are substantial then, the party should quickly take urgent steps to achieve higher levels, at least by coming to terms with democratic norms and

practices.”

He argued that he had also asked party members to accord President Goodluck Jonathan some measure of respect, saying: “We owe ourselves a duty to protect, project and support our President to leave behind a lasting legacy for the Nigerian”.

Tukur said: “It guarantees independence but demands for public trust. It promises opportunity but needs dedication. Nigeria will continue to be a great nation if only we can maturely and jointly tackContinued on page 59

PDP: We’re regrouping to takeover power in 2019

T

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has vowed to bounce back to power in 2019.

National Chairman Adamu Mu’azu, who yesterday spoke to reporters in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, he was in Taraba to thank Governor Danbaba Suntai and his deputy Abubakar Sani Danladi for their efforts in the 2015 general elections.

He said the party, like Pres-

From Fanen Ihyongo, Jalingo

ident Goodluck Jonathan, has accepted defeat in good faith, “but we shall work very hard, remain resolute, restructure and reposition the PDP and regroup members to regain our position of the ruling party in the next general election”.

Mu’azu described PDP members defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC)

after the party’s loss as “untrue democrats and insincere politicians”.

He said APC was “dragging” with PDP to take everything and make Nigeria a one-party nation. He advised the APC to give room for credible opposition, without suppressing the will of the people in its bid to be in control everywhere because that, according to Muazu, would not augur well for the na-

tion’s democratic experience.

He said: “APC is propagating negatively; they want to take everything, but we have resolved, as a party, to restructure and take over power in the next general elections.

“Whatever it takes, we have resolved to ensure that we forgive one another, resolve our differences and forge Continued on page 59

From Tony Akowe, Abuja

(PDP) campaign headquarters.

The President-elect hosted ECOWAS chairman and President of Ghana John Mahama on Tuesday at the Defence House before leaving for his campaign headquarters where he received delegations from Kogi and Kwara states.

He has also been receiving visitors at the All Progressives Congress (APC) headquarters.

Senate President David Mark visited the president-elect yesterday.

Gen Buhari returned to Abuja from Kaduna on Monday and held talks with Ivorian President Alhassan Quattara at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

When our correspondent visited the Defence House, a horde of Continued on page 59

Troops get mandate to catch Shekau Continued from page 1

Haram. ”The guy simply disappeared from the radar and suddenly vanished. We wish we can catch him alive.”

Another military source, who spoke in confidence, said: “From intelligence report, Shekau has relocated from his bunker in Gwoza probably to Sambisa Forest or any other border town.

“Nobody, not even some of the arrested insurgents, could locate of get in touch with him now. This is why troops have been placed on red alert to arrest whoever is Shekau alive.

Troops yesterday retreated

from Boko Haram’s last known stronghold – the Sambisa Forest - concerned the area was booby-trapped after three pro- vigilantes were killed by a landmine. A soldier is also believed to have been killed.

A vigilante and a security source both confirmed the pullback from the Sambisa forest, a day after an offensive aimed at rooting out the insurgents.

“The soldiers have retreated to Bama because of mines.

They had been on the road but that made them vulnerable, so they moved to the bush but there are mines planted there (too),” one soldier, who did Continued on page 59

‘How Buhari can raise $75b’ Continued from page 1

“If you sell down a 30 per cent stake you could raise something substantial. It is an option they need to consider as a way of raising further funding,” the CBN governor told the Financial Times.

He added that he had commissioned the research and would present the idea to the president-elect when he assumes office on May 29.

“It is an option now because our revenues have

dropped and we don’t need to pile on more debt. The alternative is to look for ways of releasing value from some of the government’s assets,” he said, adding that petroleum profit taxes could be adjusted upwards to compensate for the state’s reduced stake in crude oil sales.

Gen Buhari, who first governed Nigeria as a military ruler in the 1980s, was petroleum minister when the Continued on page 59

House of Representatives pass N4.5tr budget without fund for subsidy Continued from page 1

He said: “With the withdrawal of fuel subsidy, Nigerians must be educated, else they would be sending Nigerians a wrong signal capable of creating the impression that APC either deceived Nigerians to get their votes or had reneged on its electoral promise as a progressive party.

“The truth and reality of the situation is that the outgoing PDP administration has, through the 2015 budget, removed oil subsidy and it must be made to accept responsibility for it rather than for the incoming APC administration to bask along in the euphoria of having won an election without realizing the booby trap into which they and the Nigerian people are walking into”.

While expressing fears over possible reaction from Nigerians, Bamidele said it was imperative for Nigerians to know who to hold responsible for the development.

“For the record and for posterity purposes, I am opposed to this sudden removal of fuel subsidy and I implore Nigerian patriots to be aware.

“The political economy of this development and its grave

implications must not be lost on all stakeholders. This is more so when a new ruling party is coming into power by May 29, 2015.

“To my mind, this is definitely a booby trap for the incoming administration of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and I hope the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the incoming ruling party will understand the full implications of this and take immediate steps to let Nigerians know where it stands on this matter.

“This is a serious development and a defining moment that calls for the attention of all well meaning Nigerians at home and abroad.

“This is the first time in the last 16 years of our civilian rule that a new political party will be taking over to form a government.

“If care is not taken, this matter is capable of making the incoming government morally dead on arrival, except the issues are promptly dealt with in a way that the critical stakeholders, including the civil society, corporate Nigeria, political class and the generality of Nigerians will know the true state of affairs,” he warned.

The budget that scaled third reading after it was passed at the Committee on Supply, chaired by Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, was raised by N135.4b to N4.493trn from the N4,357,960,000,000 proposed by the Executive in November 2014.

Niger Delta Development Commission’s allocation was raised from N45.780b to N46.720b; Universal Basic Education’s allocation went up from N67.3b to N68.380b; National Assembly’s allocation was raised from N115b to N120b; Public Complaint Commission’s allocation climbed up from N2b to N4b and National Human Right Commission’s allocation was raised from N1.2b to N1.516b.

The breakdown of the final amount passed showed that N375.616b is for statutory transfer while the N953.620b for debt service was N894,610,009,000 for domestic debt and N59,010,009,009 for foreign debt.

Under recurrent (non-debt) expenditure, Education got the highest allocation of N392,363,784,654, followed by Defence/MOD/Army/Air Force/Navy with

N338,697,219,431. Police formation and Commands got N303,822,224,611 and N237,075,742,847 is for Health sector.

In the budget, N69,423,427,479 was allocated to Youth Development; N62,226, 771,999 for office of the National Security Adviser; N58,247,429,975 (Petroleum Resources); N48, 389,942,264 (Secretary to the Government of the Federation); N41,649,382,166 (Foreign Affairs) and N31,869,020,717 (Agriculture and Rural Development).

Science and Technology got N25,593,880,816; Works (N25,173,916,543); Information (N23,682,420,241); Presidency (N20,085,865,120); Tourism, Culture and National Orientation (N18,018,478,935); Environment (N15,599,334,341); Trade and Investment (N10,941,859,480) and while Communication Technology (N10,592,048,381).

From the N13,965,664,092 approved for the eight Federal Executive bodies, N5,293,800,054 is for the National Population Commission; N1,935,767,344 is for the Code of Conduct Bureau;

N493,656,088 (Code of Conduct Tribunal); N2,207,213,456 (Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission); N1,125,005,114 (Federal Civil Service Commission); N740,477,185 (Police Service Commission) and N2,167,931,068 (Federal Character Commission).

Also, N354,335,011,023 was approved for Service Wide Votes with N20.170b allocated to Operation Zaman Lafiya; N22b is for operations – Internal for the Armed Forces; N9.6b is for payment to Nigerian Army Quick Response Group, including arrears; N5b is for payment of outsourced services; N2.3b is for entitlements of former Presidents/ Heads of State and Vice Presidents/Chiefs of General Staff; N5.5b is for Employees Compensation Act – Employees Compensation Fund; N17.5b is for General Elections logistics support; N17,397,993,277 is for Contingency; N6b is for country’s contribution to West African Examinations Council (WAEC); N4.5b is for assessed contribution to African Union and others; N6,099,600,000 is for margin for increases in costs; N9.5b is for external fi-

nancial obligations; N3,099,600,000 is for recurrent adjustment; N38,987,017,746 is for public service wage adjustment for MDAs (including arrears of promotion and salary increases) while N11.755b is for improved remuneration package for Nigerian police.

Falana: Abba’s sack illegal

L

AGOS lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has condemned the sack of former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Suleiman Abba.

He described Abba’s removal as “illegal and unconstitutional”.

“It is a contravention of sectin 216 (2) of the 1999 constitution, which states that ‘before removing the IG form office, the President shall consult the Nigeria Police Council’.

“Since the council, whose members include the 36 State Governors, was not consulted, Mr. Abba’s sack is null and void. It should be rescinded forthwith,” Falana said.

ADVERT HOTLINES

08023006969, 08052592524

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

5

NEWS

Anyim, Sylva head 27-member presidential inauguration panel

F

ORMER Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Senator Anyim Pius Anyim have been named as the co-chairmen of the 2015 Presidential Inauguration Planning Committee (PIPC) for the smooth transition of government on May 29.

At a joint news conference by the co-chairmen in the Banquet Hall of the State House Abuja yesterday, Anyim said the event was organised to present the programme of the presidential inauguration to the public.

He added that it was the second time the committee was meeting to deliberate on inauguration programme.

He said: “There are two parallel transition committee and inauguration committee. Two parallel transition committees work independent of each other, but to interface at a point.

“Inauguration committee is structured to be joint committee of the present administration and incoming administration and is chaired by Secretary to the Government of the Federation for the present ad-

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

ministration and former governor of Bayelsa State for the incoming administration.”

He said the PIPC has 14 members from the present government and 13 members from the incoming government.

Members of the present government list include FCT Minister Bala Muhammed, Minister of Land and Housing Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi, Minister of Interior Abba Moro, Minister of Aviation Osita Chidoka and Minister of State for Defence Austin Akobundu.

Others are Minister of Water Resources Sarah Ochekpe, Minister of Tourism and Culture Edem Duke, Minister of Foreign Affairs Aminu Wali, Chief of Defence Staff Alex Badeh, Acting Inspector General of Police Solomon Arase, representative of National Security Adviser, Bello Fadile, Commander, Brigade of Guards Brig.-Gen. A.B. Omozoje and Permanent Secretary of SGF Office Ibikunle Odusote.

Members of the incoming government include Chief Pius

Akinyelure, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Sharon Ikeazor, Tony Anwuka, Kawu Baraje, John Shagaya and Babagana Kingibe.

Others are Ismaila Isa Funtua, Hadiza Usman, Babachir Lawal, Binta Garba and Samson Osagie.

On the terms of reference, Anyim said: “The mandate of the committee is to draw up programmes of activities for the inauguration ceremony, arrange invitations and accommodation for foreign and local dignitaries, organise approved programme of activities, draw up budget for the programme of activities and co-opt into subcommittees persons that may be necessary to assist in the discharge of activities.

“The purpose of this press briefing is to present the programme to the public, seek their understanding, support and participation in the 2015 presidential inauguration.”

According to him, the committee has organised one week programme of activity, including press briefing, Jumat prayers, inter-denominational church service, inauguration dinner, swearing-in ceremony,

launch immediately after the swearing-in ceremony and a gala night.

“We have accordingly created sub-committees to focus on each activity. The co-chairmen and members of the sub-committees may now or later take their turns in briefing the public on their activities.” he added Chairman and co-chairman of the sub-committees are Mrs. Eyakenyi and Lawal for Accommodation, Duke and Akinyelure for Media and Publicity, Moro and Lawal for Church Service, Muhammed and Dabiri-Erewa for Venues and Entertainment, Wali and Kingibe for Protocol and Invitation.

Other sub-committee chairman and co-chairman are Muhammed and Funtua for Jummat Service, Anyim Pius and Sylva for Swearing-in-Ceremony, Ochepke and Anwuka for Inauguration Dinner, Arase and Shagaya for security, Alhassan and Usman for Medical, Chidoka and Baraje for Transportation and Logistics, Ikeazor and Bello for Inauguration Reception and Luncheon, Garba and Odusote for Gala Night.

•Some delegates at the 11th State Conference of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Lagos...yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

APC to Acting IG: don’t be partisan

T

HE newly-appointed Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, has been urged to approach his new task with professionalism and shun partisanship that has dragged key national institutions of state, especially the police, into the partisan battle.

All Progressives Congress (APC) National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who said this in a statement in Abuja yesterday, advised the Acting IGP to learn from the fate that befell his predecessors who, under their watch, turned the police into the enforcement arm of the ruling party.

The statement noted that the actions of IGP’s predecessors allowed the police institution to be wantonly used to thwart the will of the people and act in ways that negate its constitutional mandate of maintaining law and order.

The APC said irrespective of the reasons for his appointment as the Acting IGP at this time, Arase must realise that he would “be judged solely by the direction to which he takes the police, which is one of the most abused national institu-

By Bola Olajuwon, Assistant Editor

tions by those who have been at the helms of the nation’s affairs since the country’s return to democratic rule in 1999".

The statement also reads: ‘’We do not know the reason for the sack of the immediate past IGP, but we have read, just like other Nigerians, that it might not be unconnected with the role he either played or did not play in the last general elections. What we do know is that the police force under the former IG was a major actor in the massive rigging and violence that characterised the elections in some parts of the country, especially in Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Sokoto and Gombe states just to mention a few. ‘’Now, Mr. Arase faces perhaps the biggest test in his new capacity with the supplementary elections coming up in Abia, Imo and Taraba. We do hope he will not allow the police under him to be used to thwart the will of the people in those states or to give cover to those who will engage in violence. Any IG worth his salt does not need to

pander to the president or the ruling party in carrying out his duties. All he has to do is to make sure the police carries out its statutory duties in accordance with the law and without fear or favour,’’ APC said.

The party said it did not believe the rumours making the rounds that the new Acting IGP was appointed to facilitate victory for the PDP in those supplementary elections.

It added that whatever might be the reason for his appointment, he should realise that Nigerians have now reached a level where they would not allow anyone, whether in uniform or not, to either prevent them from exercising their franchise or to collude with politicians to ensure that their votes do not count. ‘’When Mr. Arase’s predecessor issued an illegal order directing Nigerians to vote and immediately vacate polling units during the last elections, he knew he was acting against what the law stipulates. But he chose to do so anyway to please his masters. However, armed with the position of the law, Nigerians simply ignored the illegal order, voted

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

and stayed behind to defend their votes. ‘’When that unlawful order is placed side-by-side with other acts that ran contrary to the maintenance of law and order under the immediate past IG, including the cover given to the OPC to wreak havoc in Lagos, the illegal withdrawal of the security details of House of Representatives’ Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, whom he (former IG) refused to recognise as Speaker in a clear usurpation of the role of the judiciary, and the shameful role of the police in the Osun governorship election last year, during which hundreds of APC members were arrested and detained without cause, one will realise to what extent the police was dragged into partisan politics under him.

“But in the end, those for whom the IG desecrated the police had no qualms about humiliating him out of office. We hope Mr. Arase will learn a lesson from this, toe a different path and not run the police like his private company and a tool in the hands of unscrupulous politicians,’’ it said.

APC will work hard to end poverty, says Tinubu

T

HE administration of President-elect Muhammadu Buhari will work hard to end poverty and provide opportunities for young people through ambitious infrastructural development, housing and agricultural programmes, which will provide jobs directly to the citizenry.

This assurance was given yesterday by the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, at the 12th Convocation ceremony of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Ogbomoso.

Tinubu, who was speaking as the chancellor of the institution, told the students that the hope and prospects for a better future for the youth is now bright.

He also assured them that their welfare and development would receive the much-needed attention through the enhanced and progressive polices of the new Federal Government.

He acknowledged that Nigeria is blessed with vibrant and talented citizens, whose capacities for nation-building are yet to be tapped, saying that the nation could no longer pay lip service to youth development.

“We must all stand in concert and unity of purpose to build a secure future for our country by developing our youths. Government and youths have mutual duties in this regard. You owe as much to the nation as the nation owes to you. In the past, government has not always honoured its role. You have now elected a government that will honour its duties,” Tinubu said.

The APC leader said the APC-led government would turn away from the austerity policies of the outgoing administration that “tried to

•Asiwaju Tinubu

By Seun Akioye

manage poverty, but not end it”, a situation which, he said, only deepen and prolong the hardship of the average person.

“In response to the downturn in private sector activity, a progressive government must exercise the creative boldness to generate economic growth, productive and equal opportunity.

Under the circumstances that now confront us, government must use fiscal and monetary policy to enlarge the economic space.

“Moreover, the enhancement of our infrastructural base and sharpening of our productive capacity that result from these programmes will initiate multiple rounds of job creation. This is how economic growth and employment are sustained over the long term,” he said.

Tinubu called on the graduating students to become willing partners in the mission of radical structural change.

“It is necessary for me to call on you graduates to contribute your fair quota to the development of our country. Remember, the university that produced you has a vision ‘to be a centre of academic excellence for the advancement of technology in meeting socio-cultural needs of the society.’

The knowledge you have acquired in this university becomes meaningful only when applied in a way that impacts positively on the society,” he said.

Jonathan orders removal of his campaign billboards, others From Yomi Odunuga, Deputy Editor, Nation’s Capital

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has directed the removal of all the posters, billboards, banners, signs and other campaign materials deployed for his re-election bid.

He gave the directive in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati.

According to him, it was appropriate that steps be taken to restore the environment in Nigerian cities, towns and villages to their pre-elections campaign state since the elections were over.

The statement reads: “With the 2015 presidential elections now concluded and the country preparing for the inauguration of a new administration on May 29, President Jonathan believes that it is appropriate that steps be taken to restore the environment in Nigerian cities, towns and villages to their pre-elections campaign state.

“Accordingly, President Jonathan directs that the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation and the various associations that coalesced into the Jonathan/Sambo Support Group immediately begin the process of removing the posters, billboards, banners, signs and other campaign materials in support of his re-election bid, which still adorn the landscape in major cities across the country.

“The President thanks all individuals and organisations who made sincere contributions and worked with immense dedication for the Jonathan/ Sambo Campaign.”

The President also hailed his supporters and other Nigerians for the disciplined, patriotic and democratic manner in which they comported themselves before, during and after the elections.

“Now that the elections are over except for re-runs in a few states, President Jonathan urges Nigerians to put the recent political campaigns behind them and join hands with the incoming administration in working for a more united, peaceful, stable and progressive nation,” it stated

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

6

NEWS

NLC holds parallel congresses in states

T

HE leadership crisis rocking the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) degenerated yesterday as parallel congresses produced factional executives in states.

Supporters of Comrade Ayuba Wabba and Comrade Joe Ajaero, two labour leaders claiming the presidency of the NLC, at separate venues held parallel conferences in Kano, Kaduna, Kogi, Kwara, Edo, Oyo, Delta and others.

But, most other states produced unified executive councils supporting the contending NLC leaders.

In Kaduna, the Wabba’s group held its congress at the Gamji Gate Hall. The Ajaero’s group held its own at the Labour House, headquarters of the National Union of Textiles, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN).

Wabba, in a message he sent to his supporters, said the NLC under his leadership is committed to strengthening the state councils to enable them carry out their functions more effectively.

He stressed that he would implement to the letter his team’s manifesto, commitment and resolutions from the 11th Delegates’ conference by employing full-time state secretaries for state councils and general reorganisation in relationship between the centre and the state councils.

Wabba urged the incoming leaderships at the state levels to, as part of their priorities, make arrangements to constitute local government area councils of NLC. Ajaero, in address titled: “Restoring core values of the labour movement” said: “We have tried to consolidate on building the structure for a vibrant trade union centre after the misadventure of the past four years.”

He stressed that they had hoped for a reprieve from the former NLC leadership with the last delegates’ conference, but noted that there was a determination to foster on surrogates that would keep the tradition of non-performance.

Ajaero called on the newly elected leaders at the state levels to recognise that the challenges were enormous, emphasising his resolve to put all energies and resources together in rebuilding the NLC as a vibrant labour centre that is driven by the aspirations of the working people and propelled by the support and solidarity of affiliates, the public, the civil society organisations and the international working class movement.

In Kano, two delegate conferences returned Kabiru Ado Minjibir and Ado Salisu Riruwai as NLC chairmen.

The outgoing state chairman and loyalist to the Wabba group, Isa Danguguwa, said Minjibir was the duly elected chairman, noting that out of the 33 associations affiliated to the state NLC, 31 were in attendance at the delegate conference held at Kano Indoor Sports Hall.

He debunked the impression that the congress was factionalised, insisting that the NLC family in Kano was intact and united.

The opposing faction loyal to Ajaero presented Riruwai of the National Union of Electricity Employee (NUEE) as the newly elected state chairman.

The Ajaero faction conducted its delegate conference yesterday at the state secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Garments and Textile Workers.

Two state executive councils also emerged from the parallel delegates’ congresses in Kogi State.

At the exercise held at the New Confluence Stadium Lokoja, Johnson Onu Edoka of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) emerged as chairman.

At the second parallel congress, which held at Ajaokuta, Opaluwa Eleojo Simeon of the NUEE was elected state NLC chairman.

In Edo State, a faction loyal to the Ajaero held its conference at the Royal Marble Hotel. The faction loyal to Wabba conducted its conference at the Da Civic Centre along Airport Road.

Eddy Ossai was elected chairman of Ajaero NLC faction. But election was still on as at press time at the congress by Wabba faction.

Incumbent chairman of Edo NLC, Emmanuel Ademokun, was the only candidate for the Wabba-led faction.

Officials of Edo State government shunned the Ajaero-led faction. But Governor Adams Oshiomhole was represented

by Commissioner for Labour and Establishments Didi Adodo at the Wabba faction.

Ademokun said only three unions were loyal to Ajaero faction in the state.

He added that 31 out of 34 unions were present at the Wabba-led congress.

In Kwara, the outgoing NLC council led by Umar F. Akanbi - a loyalist to Wabba - held their congress at the Kwara State Banquet Hall, Ilorin, the state capital.

The Akanbi-led congress had

in attendance the Kwara State Head of Service, Alhaji Mohammed Dabarako and Special Adviser to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed on Labour Matters, Bisi Fakayode.

Labour leaders loyal to Ajaero had their conference at the International Tobacco Company (ITC) Club also in the metropolis.

Factional Deputy President of NLC, Issa Aremu, was in attendance.

The Oyo State council of NLC

yesterday elected a six-member executive committee with Odumuyiwa Olusanya as chairman.

The members were elected unopposed at a state congress held at the National Museum Hall, Alesinloye, Ibadan, the state capital.

The returning officer of the electoral process, Ojutalayo Siyanbola, described the exercise as successful.

“By the grace of God, we shall not fail. We shall be at the fore-

front of members’ welfarism.

During our regime, we shall build on the existing legacies of our predecessors. Comrade Joe Ajaero is the authentic faction, which is recognise at the national level.”

In Delta, the faction led by the incumbent state chairman, Akporeha Wilson, held its congress in Warri. The other faction, led by David Ofoyeno, held another congress in the state capital, Asaba yesterday.

Wilson is said to be loyal to

Ajaero. Ofoneyo aligned with the Wabba camp.

But in Osun, Gambi Yusuf emerged the chairman of Osun NLC chapter.

Speaking after taking his oath of office in Osogbo, the state capital, Yusuf promised to ensure protection of the members’ interest in the state.

According to him, the labour movement would be rejuvenated to create room for the human and capital development of the workforce.

•From left: Director, Bureau Afrique Mr. Fred Eno; daughter of late Abiola, Mrs. Abiola-Costello; Sani and the late Abiola’s son, Jamiu, when Sani visited the Abiola family in Lagos...yesterday.

Buhari should honour Abiola, says Sani

S

ENATOR-ELECT (Kaduna Central) Shehu Sani has advised the incoming administration of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari to honour the late Chief M. K. O. Abiola, by naming national monuments after him.

Abiola was the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election that was annulled by the Ibrahim Babangida military administration.

Sani, who spoke in Lagos yesterday when he visited the children of the late business mogul in the family house, said without the sacrifice made by Abiola, there would be no democracy in the country today.

The civil rights activist turned politician promised to use the Senate platform to ensure that a presidential library in Abuja and a monument in the National Assembly are named after Abiola.

All political office holders are beneficiaries of Abiola’s sacrifice, he said.

He recalled that Buhari was one of the few northerners, who called for the revalidation

• Senator-elect visits MKO’s home

By Leke Salaudeen

of Abiola’s mandate in the heat of the struggle.

According to him: “The success of March 28 presidential elections will be better attributed to the sacrifice made by Abiola. He lived at a time when human sacrifice was very rare. To Nigerians, Abiola remains the hero of freedom and democracy and the foundation of our democratic journey in the past 16 years.

“It was resistance against the annulment of June 12 that gave Nigerians the inspiration to resist dictatorship and call for positive change. The hopes and dreams dashed in the past 16 years is now reawakening with a new government to be installed on May 29”.

He noted that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government appreciated party members holding political office and people that are loyal to government in power. He said many Nigerians who struggled for the restoration of democracy were not recognised and

urged Federal Government to honour such people.

Abiola’s daughter, Hafsat Abiola-Costello said: “The only regret we have in this family is that we have not seen the programme that Abiola wanted for the Nigerian people that would have transformed their lives.”

She believed with the elec-

tion of Gen. Buhari , Nigeria will get it right. She advised Buhari to constitute a team that will work towards transformation of Nigeria.

Earlier, Sani paid a visit to the First Consultants Medical Centre, Obalende, where he condoled with the hospital management over the death of Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh, who contracted Ebola virus while treating a patient.

IGP briefs Jonathan on supplementary elections

T

HE new Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase yesterday briefed President Goodluck Jonathan on security arrangements for states where governorship elections are conclusive.

The states are Abia, Imo and Taraba states.

Promising to provide levelplaying ground for all parties and voters, he said troublemakers would not be spared during the elections.

Speaking with State House correspondents, he said: “Well

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

first and foremost, we still have some elections left in about three states and we are doing some massive deployment of man material and that is what I came to brief the Cin-C. “I can assure you that we are going to have a level-playing field for people who want to vote on election day.

“For the deviant, like I said yesterday, they will be decisively dealt with.”

APC, PDP members-elect seek credible House leadership

S

OME members-elect of House of Representatives from All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have vowed to work for the enthronement of credible leadership for the lower chamber.

The coalition said it was crucial to elect House leaders that would build on the legacy of vibrancy for which the outgoing 7th House of Representatives was reputed.

Towards achieving this objective, the members-elect from different political parties said they have collapsed their pressure groups to form “The 8th Assembly New Ni-

•Northeast APC Senate Caucus meets PDP senators From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

geria Agenda (ANNA)”.

The conveners of ANNA, who spoke to reporters at a news conference in Abuja include member-elect for Agaie/Lapai Federal Constituency of Niger State Mohammed A. Mahmud (APC), Ibrahim Baba (APC, Katagum Federal Constituency of Bauchi State), Chukwuemeka Ujam (PDP, Nkwanu East/ West Federal Constituency of Enugu State), and Director of Administration, Mr. Samuel Melaye.

Mahmud spoke for the coalition.

Also yesterday, the ongoing lobby for sharing of National Assembly positions took a twist, with the PDP Senate caucus holding a lengthy meeting with the Northeast caucus of the APC. An insider said that the talk may metamorphose into an alliance between the two blocs with the aim of gunning for the Senate President and the Deputy Senate President.

It was gathered that some Northeast APC senators, who attended the meeting, were “dissatisfied with the plan to

zone the slot of the Senate President to the Northcentral geo-political zone.”

The APC senators were also said to have resolved to approach the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari and the National Executive Council of the party to lodge their case for a revisit of the zoning formula.

A credible source at the National Assembly said that the Northeast senators and those in the fold of the PDP are negotiating a power sharing deal that may see a ranking PDP senator emerge as the Deputy Senate President

while another ranking senator from the Northeast will clinch the slot of the Senate President.

The source said that the calculation is part of their plan B incase their entreaties for the position of the Senate President to be zoned to the Northeast zone failed.

The source said: “I can confirm to you that the PDP have approached us with a powersharing deal that will cede the Senate Presidency to the Northeast while one of the PDP states will produce the Deputy Senate President.”

He insisted that “Our position is if the APC fails to zone either the Senate President or

the Speaker of the House of Representatives to the Northeast, then we will have no option than to form this alliance with the PDP to get what we want.”

He noted that no calculative politician will toy with 49 PDP senators in chamber, although APC has majority members in the Senate.

He said that it was obvious that the PDP with 49 senators can turn the table at any time.

He said: “As things stand now, we only need seven senators to get the simple majority of 51 votes to produce the Senate President and there 18 senators from the Northeast, which gives us 66 votes.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

7

NEWS

Constitution Amendment: Jonathan asks lawmakers to await Supreme Court ruling

A

DAY after h asked the Supreme Court to declare unconstitutional the Fourth Alteration to the Constitution, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday reached out to the National Assembly, urging it to await the outcome of his case before the apex court.

Jonathan’s position is contained in a letter, by a former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Bayo Ojo (SAN), through whom the AGF, Mohammed Adoke, (SAN) filed the case for Jonathan.

Ojo, in the April 22 letter, written on behalf of the Federal Government, asked the Senate President to allow the Supreme Court to determine the issues raised in the suit before the Supreme

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

Court.

The letter, a copy of which The Nation obtained yesterday, reads: “In view of this development and the dictates of the principles of the rule of law on which any democratic system thrives, we urge that the Supreme Court be allowed to determine the suit under reference before any further step is taken by the National Assembly on the move to pass the Fourth Alteration Act, alluded to earlier in this correspondence, into law.

“May we add that adopting such attitude will not only commendably be in line with the decisions of the Supreme Court on the need to avoid self-help by all persons and authorities in re-

solving disputes, but will also yield to the rule of law as espoused in the decisions of the court. One of such decisions is the case of Ojukwu v. Military Governor of Lagos State (1986) 1 NWLR (pt. 18) 621.

“To proceed with the process of passage into law of the Fourth Alteration Act 2015 despite the pendency of this suit under reference will be an affront to the rule of law and democracy. We are convinced, particularly from the commendable record so far of the National Assembly that it will not do that. “ In the suit, the Federal Government is asking the court to nullify the amendments proposed by the National Assembly on the grounds that, among others,

the amendments violated the constitution being proposed to be amended.

In the suit, the plaintiff claims for determination of two questions on the constitutionality or otherwise of the procedure adopted by the National Assembly in passing the Constitution (Fourth Alteration) Act 2015, particularly as it relates to sections 3, 4, 12, 14, 21, 23, 36, 39, 40, 43 and 44 purporting to alter sections 8, 9, 34, 35, 39, 40, 42, 45, 58, 84, 150, 174 and 211 of the extant 1999 Constitution and for an order nullifying and setting aside those sections of the Fourth Alteration Act. The Federal Government also asked the Senate President to draw the attention of the House of Representatives to the pending suit.

Mark visits Buhari

S

ENATE President David Mark and the President-elect Muhammadu Buhari met behind closed doors in Abuja yesterday.

Mark’s visit to Gen. Buhari was the first time since he was declared winner of the presidential election on April 1.

There has been rumour that the Senate President was lobbying to retain his position, which he has occupied in the last eight years.

It was not clear what they discussed during the brief visit, but Mark has been quoted as saying even if he was the last man standing, he would not leave the PDP. He was quoted to have said: “I have heard, by way of rumour, to start with, in social media that I am decamping to APC. Social media is awash with that. If I will be the last man standing, I will remain in PDP. The rumour is just an unnecessary fabrication.

“Nobody has spoken to me from APC. I have no reason whatsoever to leave PDP, no reasons. I have risen

•Gen. Buhari receiving Mark in Abuja ... yesterday.

From Tony Akowe, Abuja

to where I am on the platform of PDP. PDP has a manifesto and I believe in it.

“Those drifting to the APC

now are fair-weather friends of the PDP. They are seeking new green areas. When the PDP bounces back, they will seek another return to the

PDP.” Mark is the first high ranking PDP member in the outgoing administration to visit the President-elect.

Four years after, Fed Govt opens Okah’s trial

A

BOUT four years after he was arraigned with two others for alleged complicity in the 2010 Independence Day bombing in Abuja, Charles Okah and his alleged accomplice, Obi Nwabueze, appeared before the Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday.

Okah, Nwabueze, Edmund Ebiware and Tiemkemfa Francis-Osvwo (aka General Gbokos) were arraigned on December 7, 2010, for their alleged involvement in the October 1 blast, which left 12 people dead and many injured.

Francis-Osvwo (aka General Gbokos) died in prison custody, while another, Ebiware, whose trial was conducted separately, is serving life upon his conviction in 2013, leaving Okah and Nwabueze.

The state prosecution, led

by Alex Iziyon (SAN), had

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

•Calls first witness

been unable to begin the trial of Okah and Nwabueze owing to claims by Okah that he was ill.

At a point, Okah was attending court on wheel chair. But the court ordered that the state of his mental health be ascertained, since his former lawyer, Festus Keyamo, claimed he was not mentally sound to stand trial.

On an occasion, he urinated in court.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole, on September 6 last year, pronounced him medically fit to stand trial following a medical report by specialists at the National Hospital, Abuja, who conducted psychiatric examination on Okah.

Keyamo disputed the report and sought a fresh test to be conducted by his client’s family doctor. The judge rejected the request, following which

Okah sacked Keyamo as his lawyer. Justice Kolawole, on December 4 ordered the Legal Aid Council to provide Okah with a lawyer.

On February 19, a lawyer from the Legal Aid Council, S.A. Abula, told the court that his agency was yet to retrieve the record and court processes from the court registry. He sought for time, prompting the judge to adjourn till April 23.

Yesterday, two private lawyers, Samuel Zibiri and Ochienovo Otemu, who announced their appearances for the accused persons, said they were ready to proceed, following which Justice Kolawole asked Iziyon to call his first witness.

Iziyon called his first witness, John Afolabi, an Operative and Exhibit keeper with the Department of State Ser-

vices (DSS), who presented 13 items he said DSS investigators retrieved in the course of investigation.

He tendered a decrepit Mazda 626 car, marked BY 813 FKJ (Lagos), which he said was one of the vehicles deployed in the 2010 blast.

He also tendered 10 camouflage bullet proof jackets; 30 black military belts; 21 pairs of black jungle boots; five green camouflage jungle boots; five pairs of brown camouflage jungle boots; 34 pieces of water bottle holsters and 10 pieces of camouflage vests.

Also presented and admitted in evidence include one big camp tent, one small camp tent, 34 green water bottles, 24 multi-coloured water bottles and some camp stands and hooks.

At the conclusion of the prosecution’s examination, Justice Kolawole adjourned till April 27.

T

HE House of Representatives has mandated the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) to return N924m to the Ministry of Environment.

The money, which was meant for Great Green Wall project, was a subject of fraudulent transfer, which led to the anti-graft agency warehousing it in its special recovery account.

House Committee on Environment Chairman Uche Ekwunife, while commending the agency for a good job, reminded it that the money was meant for a project for the benefit of Nigerians.

Speaking at an investigative hearing organised by the Committee yesterday, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Nana Fatima Mede told the Committee how the money was fraudulently transferred from the Great Green Wall project account with the First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

According to her, the bank alerted her of the illegal transfer on 28 November 2014 and she immediately informed the ICPC. The intervention of the ICPC, according to her led to the stoppage of the fraudulent transfer out of which N400m could not be transferred by the scammers.

ICPC Chairman Ekpo Nta said his commission swung into action after being informed and that as at last week, the entire money had been recovered.

He also disclosed that the major suspect behind the scam, Adeolu Adeyanju, the Chief Executive Officer of Detwinx Global Services Ltd, who fled from the country after being busted, was later apprehended when he sneaked into the country.

He said though investigation into the matter is still

Reps order ICPC to return ministry’s N924m From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

on-going because the agency was interested in how the operation was successfully carried out, Adeyanju and some bank workers have been charged to court.

Ekwunife hailed the Permanent Secretary for her quick reaction and the ICPC for its effectiveness.

She said everyone involved in the scam must be made to face the wrath of the law, “We want punishment for all those indicted, including bank workers, civil servants and everyone involved.

“I think there is a canal behind crimes like this and it is our duty to discourage them.

We cannot continue to condone this kind of attitude in our banks,” she added.

While mandating the Chief Executive of FCMB to appear before it, the committee mandated the ICPC to return the recovered fund to the ministry within a week.

She said the money was meant for a project and that Nigerians should not be denied the benefits of the project since it was prevented from being lost to fraudsters.

‘

We want punishment for all those indicted, including bank workers, civil servants and everyone involved... it is our duty to discourage them

’

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

8

NEWS CRISIS IN EKITI

Workers slam labour unions for alleged partisanship

S

OME workers in Ekiti State are unhappy with labour leaders for allegedly abandoning their primary duties of agitating for their welfare and dabbling in politics.

They slammed the state chapters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC),the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) for joining drivers’ unions and hoodlums to stage protests and block roads last Friday in a bid to stop the All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers from coming to the state.

Acting under the aegis of Ekiti Enlightened Workers’

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

Forum, the aggrieved workers in a statement yesterday accused the labour leaders of pursuing personal gains.

They wondered if labour had become an appendage of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, saying the issue of workers’ welfare rather than taking sides with political gladiators should concern the unionists.

The workers urged the union leaders to steer clear of politics, especially the raging impeachment crisis and face their welfare, which they said has affected their morale.

•’Agitation for better welfare package should be your concern’ According to them, “workers’ interest must not be traded on the altar of politics, labour leaders have turned trade unionism into a lucrative business venture when civil servants and other workers are wallowing in poverty”.

Condemning the labour union leaders’ participation in a pro-government protest under the guise of March for Peace, the aggrieved workers described their action “as labour’s shameful parade”.

They urged NLC, TUC and JNC leaders to agitate for the payment of September sala-

ries, maintaining that the government has since received September allocation, hence payment should not be delayed.

Other demands of the aggrieved workers include payment of 2014 leave bonus, remittance of various deductions, such as cooperative, check-off dues and loans to banks made from workers’ July to September 2014 salaries.

The workers also called on the union leaders to “do something” on the 2013/2014 promotion exercise, payment of

backlog of arrears of pensions and gratuities to retirees, allocation of funds to Housing/ Vehicle Loan Boards.

They issued a statement. which reads: “It should be stressed that workers rely on ‘sharp-sharp’ loans and rather for the leadership of Labour to demand for improved welfare, the so-called labour leaders are conniving with the government to introduce another form of ‘sharp-sharp’ loans to workers.

“The burden resulting from interests on these loans is too hard for workers to bear! Gov-

Monarchs are biased arbiters, says APC

Crisis blown out of proportion, says Fayose

E

KITI State Governor Ayo Fayose has said the impeachment crisis has been blown out of proportion.

The governor, who spoke at the State Delegates Congress of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, said he deals with reality and does not play his own brand of politics on the pages of newspapers.

Fayose was responding to a comment made by a senior labour official, Babatunde Liadi, who represented the NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, who said the crisis rocking the state is not as serious as the world is being made to believe.

The governor said the opposition must be appealed to for him to “take care of the people who voted him into office”.

He, however, regretted the shortfall in the state’s allocation, which has made paying workers’ salaries a huge challenge.

Fayose said the state’s

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

monthly allocation now stands at N2billion while the monthly wage bill is N2.6 billion.

The governor promised to summon a stakeholders’ meeting on how best to manage the situation.

He said: “Those of you who travelled from afar off to Ekiti today can attest to the fact that Ekiti crisis is being overblown.

“I want to thank the NLC President for even raising the observation. We are on ground alongside these workers here in Ekiti. We are not doing our own politics on the pages of newspapers because I deal with reality.

“Ekiti workers played prominent roles in my return to governance. They said I was impeached. Even the Supreme Court, in its judgment last week, said they were only lying, that I was never im-

peached. What victory could be more than this?

“I am not in Ekiti to persecute anybody. I believe I was brought back to do good to all manner of men and that is why I have been waving the olive branch to the lawmakers and the opposition.

“They have to be honourable like President Goodluck Jonathan, who had to leave his office for Nigeria to remain united. Please appeal to the opposition to allow Fayose to be so that I can take care of the people who voted me into power.

“I want to appeal to you to use your election as an example. Let it represent the wish of your members. Don’t conduct the election in a way that would create crisis or division because another four years is in the offing for another person to take over.”

Wabba said the erroneous impression created in the minds of outsiders was that the state had been permanent-

T •Fayose

ly engulfed by crisis.

The NLC chief said: “When I was to come to Ekiti to preside over this election, I was skeptical because I thought the state was in crisis.

“But when I got here, I saw that everywhere was peaceful, so I realised that political actors created the wrong impression to the outside world.

“But I want to commend Governor Fayose for handling the matter maturely. I want to believe that the maturity must have created the peace being enjoyed by residents.”

Don’t impeach Fayose, monarchs tell lawmakers

T

RADITIONAL rulers in Ekiti State have warned the 19 All Progressives Congress (APC) members of the House of Assembly against impeaching Governor Ayo Fayose.

They reiterated their opposition “in an unequivocal term, any or all moves by the outgoing lawmakers and their sponsors to impeach the governor and any move in this direction should stop forthwith.”

The Obas, who held an emergency meeting on Wednesday, accused the APC lawmakers, who form

The Obas appealed to Fayose to “graciously consider giving palliative measures to alleviate the sufferings of the agitating lawmakers”, whose salaries and entitlements have not been paid since December.

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

majority in the Assembly, of “consistently frustrating all their peace moves by not attending meetings called for the purpose”.

In a 13-point communiqué by the Chairman of Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, Oba Adamo Idowu Babalola, made available to reporters yesterday, the mon-

archs said: “They are deeply concerned and worried about the lingering political upheaval which became aggravated after the March 28 presidential election.”

The royal fathers, however, praised the Chief Judge, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, for “rising above partisan positions to uphold the tenets of his office, despite pressures from interested quarters”.

ernment is a continuum, as soon as a government is sworn in, such government acquires assets and liabilities of the previous administration.

“The above matters are issues which the leadership of labour is expected to pursue but the so-called self-imposed/anointed leaders in NLC, TUC and JNC have vowed not to pursue because of their personal gains.

“At any rate, our present state of labour ineptitude may remain with us for a long time to come, unless the good workers of this state take some drastic steps to stem this unfortunate tide.”

They implored Daramola “to continue in the same spirit so as to ensure that the popular wish of the generality of the people is not subverted”.

The Obas appealed to Fayose to “graciously consider giving palliative measures to alleviate the sufferings of the agitating lawmakers”, whose salaries and entitlements have not been paid since December.

They maintained that Fayose still remains the legitimate governor of Ekiti State and should be allowed to exercise the mandate given to him by the electorate.

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has accused traditional rulers of taking sides with the Ayo Fayose administration in the impeachment crisis rocking the state.

The party, in a statement yesterday by its Chairman, Chief Olajide Awe, deplored what it called “the partisan intervention of the traditional rulers in the crisis”, adding that it was not surprised by the roles of the Obas.

Awe wondered why the monarchs were silent when Governor Ayo Fayose allegedly unleashed illegalities in the state by masterminding unconstitutional change of leadership in the House and using seven Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers to commit serial illegalities.

The APC boss said the traditional leaders by their behaviour had confirmed the allegations against them by a group of Ekiti youths that they agreed to support Fayose when he sought their cooperation to unleash mayhem on the opposition.

Taking sides with Fayose and his government, according to Awe, is akin to supporting illegalities, brigandage, attacks on the constitution and the rule of law.

Awe said: “When we read in the media that the Obas agreed to keep quiet when Fayose unleashes violence on the opposition, we did not believe until events began to unfold.

“To respond to this clearly unfortunate partisan position by the obas, we will like to ask the same questions that the Ekiti Youth Vanguard asked: where were the obas when

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

Fayose stormed the court to desecrate the temple of justice?

They kept quiet. Where were they when the 19 lawmakers were being hunted in their homes?

“What did they say or do when seven PDP members held illegal sitting to purportedly impeach the Speaker, Dr Adewale Omirin?

“The seven PDP lawmakers sat to approve the budget, Fayose’s cabinet nominees and pass certain laws that required public hearings but they refused to hold public hearings on these laws, what did the obas say about these illegal acts and what did they say or do to correct the anomalies?

“What did they say when Fayose withdrew Omirin’s security aides, seized his official car, locked up his office, cut electricity supply to his house, forced him out of his official quarters and illegally sacked his aides?

“What did our obas say when Fayose seized the salaries and allowances of the lawmakers?

“What did they say about constitutional breaches which Fayose committed with impunity? The monarchs were alive when the lawmakers were not allowed into Ekiti State to attend their campaign rallies, what did they do?”

The party regretted that the obas chose to keep quiet when Fayose turned the heat on the lawmakers.

“This is a clear support for brigandage and lawlessness and it is unfortunate that the crisis is being turned into a profiteering escapade.”

Olanusi: Ondo CJ sets up panel •The Alara of Ilara, Lagos State, Oba Akeem Okunola Adesanya welcoming a memberelect of the House of Representatives (Epe Constituency), Wale Raji, to his palace during (Raji’s) thank you tour.

With them is an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Ayo Odeyemi.

PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

A

SEVEN-MAN panel to investigate alleged impeachment offences against Ondo State Governor Ali Olanusi was yesterday constituted in Akure, the state capital.

The House of Assembly had on Wednesday directed the Chief Judge, Justice Olasehinde Kumuyi, to set up a sevenman panel to look into the allegations of gross misconduct levelled against the deputy governor, following the impeachment notice served on him.

In his response to the House of Assembly directive, the Chief Judge, Justice Olasehinde Kumuyi, in an April 23 letter said: “In line with the provision of Section 188(5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, I have set up a seven-man panel to investigate the allegations against the deputy governor as required by the constitution.”

Mr Olatunji Stanley Adeniyan will chair the panel.

Members of the panel include Aladesanmi Akingbade, Ademola Ekundayo, Ven. Richard Obafemi, Abraham Kola Mathew, Ibrahim Shodeinde and Mrs. Eunice Yinka Obadele.

All members, including the chairman, a retired Chief Magistrate, have been inaugurated.

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

9

NEWS

Olajumoke, Agunloye, Lawal linked with Olanusi’s job

S

OME politicians in Ondo State have been linked with the state’s number two position, even though it is yet to be declared vacant.

The House of Assembly on Wednesday directed the Chief Judge, Justice Olaseinde Kumuyi, to set up a seven- man committee to investigate the allegations levelled against Deputy Governor Ali Olanusi.

Olanusi, who hails from

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

Supare-Akoko, defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC), a development which eventually led to his political travails.

It was gathered that some top Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwarts, especially those from the North Senatorial district, otherwise known as Akoko land, have been named for the job.

Among the contenders from Akoko land are the former Special Adviser to the governor on Planning and strategy, Saka Lawal, Senator Bode Olajumoke, Barrister G.B Lawani and Dr Olu Agunloye.

Lawal and Agunloye were governorship aspirants of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), who later defected to the PDP. Olajumoke was the defeated PDP Senatorial Candidate

for Ondo North District during the March 28 National Assembly election. Lawani is a top government official in the Local Government Service Commission.

The four likely contenders control a large number of followers across the 18 local governments.

It was learnt that the PDP will soon meet to make a decision on who will succeed Olanusi.

It was gathered that some

PDP chieftains from SupareAkoko, hometown of the embattled deputy governor, are also intensifying efforts to ensure that an indigene of the town is considered for the position.

Sources said politicians are lobbying Governor Olusegun Mimiko through their traditional rulers and other party chieftains.

The deputy governor is said to be out of the state for medical treatment.

Three die in Ondo auto crash From Damisi Ojo, Akure

T

HREE persons, including two siblings, died yesterday in an accident involving a bus and a motorcycle at Etioro-Akoko in Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The accident, according to an eyewitness, was caused by over speeding. It was gathered that the bus, coming from Abuja, crushed a commercial motorcycle conveying three persons to EtioroAkoko. The trio, two of who were siblings, died instantly.

It was learnt that the driver of the commercial bus had carried some passengers on the road and officials of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) pursued him to Etioro-Akoko.

Attempts to arrest the NURTW officials failed as they took to their heels immediately they got wind of the accident.

The Unit Commander of the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ikare, Jimoh Basiru, confirmed the accident.

He said the bodies have been deposited at the State Specialist Hospital, Ikare, while the commercial bus has been impounded and the driver handed over to the police.

Basiru advised drivers to obey all constituted authorities.

Lagos immunises 4.3m kids

N

O fewer than 4.3 million children have been immunised against childhood preventable disease, especially poliomyelitis, in the recently concluded March National Immunisation Plus Days (NIPDs) exercise in Lagos, the Special Adviser on Health to the Lagos State Governor, Dr. Yewande Adeshina, has said.

Mrs. Adeshina, who spoke on the state of preparedness for the implementation of the April NIPDs exercise, where over four million children are targeted, said the four days March NIPDs were adjudged successful with 96 per cent coverage.

She said the Expert Review Committee on Polio Eradication in Nigeria has recommended two rounds of NIPDs in March and April, targeted at children under five.

The Special Adviser said the children will be immunised with two drops of supplemental oral polio vaccine while their left little fingers will be marked for ease of identification.

Lagos tribunal gets 17 petitions

By Adebisi Onanuga

T

HE Lagos State Election Petitions Tribunal has received 17 petitions arising both from the March 28 and April 11 elections in the state.

The Secretary to the tribunal, Ms Hafsatu Suleiman, said the tribunal would soon begin sitting in Lagos.

She said the tribunal would formally announce the date it would begin sitting.

Suleiman said two petitions were filed by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates- Segun Adewale (Lagos West Senatorial District) and Olabisi Salis-Fakos (Lagos East Senatorial District).

The other petitions, according to her, were filed by candidates who contested for positions into the House of Assembly.

The secretary said the ribunal would sit in the newly inaugurated High Court and Magistrate Court complex named after the first female Chief Judge, the late Justice Roseline Omotoso, in GRA Ikeja.

‘Beware of sycophants’ From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

T

•Babatune Fashola of Lagos state (right), presenting Licence to Gbolagade Olasunkanmi one of Taxi Drivers (left), Mr. Kayode Opeifa, commissioner of Transport (second right) and Prince Tajudeen Adetoro, President, Lagos state Taxi Cab Association of Nigeria (second left), during the launching of New Lagos Taxi System and distribution of Taxi Licence to operators, held at LTV-8, Ikeja, Lagos...yesterday.

PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

T

We’ve faith in Ajomale, says Lagos APC

HE Vice Chairman (West) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Funso Ologunde and Women Leader Mrs. Kemi Nelson yesterday reiterated their trust and confidence in the Lagos State Chairman, Otunba Dele Ajomale.

Mrs. Nelson and Ologunde spoke yesterday at the APC secretariat, Acme Road, Ogba.

They lamented the activities of detractors, who they said are out to cause disaffection among members of the executive council.

The duo said the chairman deserved commendation for

By Emmanuel Oladesu

leading the party to victory in a keenly contested general election, where the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains moved into Lagos to financially induce the electorate.

They said the call for Ajomale’s resignation was misguided, divisive and in bad faith.

Mrs. Nelson, who doubles as the Southwest APC Women Leader, said: “Otunba Ajomale and I served under former Governor Bola Tinubu. I have faith in him.

“The lie about a plot to upstage him was concocted by disgruntled elements in the party. The executive has trust and confidence in Ajomale’s leadership.

“The executive committee has implicit and unwavering confidence in the state leadership of our great party.

“Otunba Ajomale led our party to victory in the governorship and House of Assembly elections of 2007 and 2011.

He led us to victory at the council elections in 2008 and 2011. He has led us to victory again in the 2015 elections.

These are enviable achieve-

ments.”

Ologunde said: “There is no rift between Otunba Ajomale and I. So, there is no way I can plot his downfall. Those planning to cause mistrust and division in the executive council cannot succeed.

“It is uncharitable for any member to call for Ajomale’s resignation, despite the feats achieved by the party under his leadership.

“We are solidly behind the performing chairman. We are proud of his achievements. The plot by some unscrupulous elements to cause disaffection and disunity will not work.”

Lagos begins issuance of new taxi, cab licences

T

HE Lagos State government yesterday began the issuance of licences to operators of taxis and cabs.

The licences, according to the government, are targeted at over 14,000 registered operators under the state’s new transport policy.

The licence, apart from conferring on operators the right to operate unhindered, can also be used to take loans from the bank.

The document, which is transferable and sellable has a flat value of N100, 000 but was issued free of charge.

Presenting the licences to operators in Ikeja, Governor Babatunde Fashola said the taxi licencing system was conceived out of the need to properly regulate the taxi business and attend to serious safety issues.

He explained that cases of criminals using cabs to perpetrate serious crimes were rampant in recent times and that the new licences were to check the problem.

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

Fashola said the licences apart restoring order to taxi operations would also provide economic support to operators as the document could be sold or used to obtain loans from the banks.

“We need to be clear why we are issuing these licences.

Once you enter a taxi in those parts of the world, you are

safe. The reason is very simple. In all those places, those who run taxis are known people; they are professionals, they have identity, they cannot disappear.

“So if you are looking for a child and they say, he entered taxi A or B, they will find the child because they know the driver because they have the data of all operators.

“So at this time of national

and global security challenges, we cannot afford to be left behind. So we are issuing the licences not just for business, the most important part of it is safety” “What this means is that if you enter a licenced taxi in the state, just know that you are safe and it also means patronising unregistered cabs means putting one’s safety in jeopardy “ he said.

Race for Oyo Speaker begins

W

HO will lead the 32 members of the Oyo State House of Assembly?

The race for the position in the Eight Assembly, which will be inaugurated in June, has begun among the 32 members spread across the state.

All the seven re-elected members are seriously jostling for the juicy post. Some of the new members are also leaving no stone unturned in positioning themselves to head the Assembly.

Among the seven ranking lawmakers, five were re-elected on the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform; the remaining two retained their seats on the platform of Accord.

The Speaker, Mrs. Monsurat Sunmonu, won

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

the senatorial seat for Oyo Central. Among the top contenders for the post are Michael Adeyemo and Olusegun Olaleye.

Olaleye hails from Ibadan, Adeyemo hails from Lanlate in Ibarapa Zone. e Adeyemo is counting on the factor of zone to work in his favour because the zone is not represented among the top elective positions, Olaleye is counting on his experience as a former students’ union leader and a close ally of party leaders in the state.

The Nation learnt that both aspirants have been discussing with stakeholders, including party leaders and traditional rulers.

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Atiba Local Government Area of Oyo State has warned Governor Abiola Ajimobi to be cautious of some chiefs in Isale-Oyo, whom they described as sycophants.

In a statement yesterday by the Chairman Raimi Adeniyi and Secretary Wasiu Ayobami wondered why some people will be congratulating the governor, who they worked against during the elections.

“Some people’s congratulatory message on radio some few days back was to ridicule the governor, Alaafin of Oyo and the APC because they worked for the victory of Labour Party in Atiba and that was why the party won in Atiba.

The statement reads: “These people are moles planted by LP, but they have failed because we will not allow them to fool us and cause disaffection among our members.

“They are political jobbers and the governor needs to beware of their antics because they are working against the APC. They are also enemies of Oyo town.”

Church programme

T

HE General Overseer, The Word Bible Church (Palace of Healing), Igbara Odo, Ekiti State, Prophet J.B Kumoluyi, has said Nigeria is set for a new beginning with the emergence of Major General Muhammadu Buhari as President-elect.

Pastor Kumoluyi spoke at a briefing yesterday on the annual prophetic anointing service slated for Sunday.

Tagged: “Transfiguration into new glory anointing”, he said the annual programme would be hold at the church cathedral, which serves as the church headquarters for Ekiti and Ondo states.

The cleric added that the theme was taken from Luke 9:28-36. He said the service will feature transfiguration, glorification, salvation, total deliverance, out pouring of Holy Spirit, instant divine miracle and rest.

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

10

CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 09091178827

Five years after, court frees policeman of murder

'I heard gunshot but didn't know I was shot'

A

"

S I was picking the papers, I heard a gunshot and someone shouted ‘give me the money’.

I did not even know I was the one who was shot since I did not feel anything."

These were the words of Victor Ahiuma-Young, Vanguard's Assistant Labour Editor, who relived yesterday, on his hospital bed, how he was attacked by robbers on Tuesday at Sadiku Busstop, Ilasamaja on the OshodiApapa Expressway.

He said he never knew he was shot until blood started gushing out of his body, adding that he just left Eco Bank where he withdrew some money when he incident occurred.

Speaking with The Nation at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), where he was transferred to after 13 pellets were removed from his body at May Clinic in Ilasamaja, Ahiumayoung said despite his cries for help while staggering to the clinic, nobody came to his aid.

HE decried the high robbery rate in the area, calling on the police to ensure the perpetrators are apprehended and prosecuted.

The reporter said: "I left Eco Bank and walked for about a minute or two to a vendor's stand to get newspapers. It was between 10am and 10:15am. As I was picking the papers, I heard a gunshot. I turned to know what was happening and a guy holding a locally made pistol shot me.

"It was at that point that I bent down, picked a stone and hurled at him. I was about picking a second stone when he shot me again.

"This time, the money I was carrying in a brown envelop fell and he took it and jumped on a waiting bike.

"I only realised I had been shot ear-

By Precious Igbonwelundu

By Precious Igbonwelundu

lier when I saw blood all over me. I was bleeding profusely. I was running and shouting for help. I was saying I will fall, please help me but no one answered me.

"I ran from the scene to the hospital, which is less than five minutes.

Thankfully, the doctors attended to me and sent for my wife, who was at home (about 25 minutes walk from the scene), to process police report.

"At the station, I learnt the policemen kept dribbling my wife until I told her to call a colleague of mine who contacted the Police Commissioner before the policemen could come to the hospital for the report.

"It took them more than one hour and 30 minutes to come and process the report, I just thank God that the doctors did not wait for them before administering first aid on me, else it would have been something else."

•Ahiuma-Young on his hospital bed...yesterday Asked if there was connivance between his attackers and the bank, the brown envelop on my hand and fol- they had to stitch it.

"The second one, the bullet pierced Ahiuma-Young said he doubted the lowed me; or they just hang around the possibility since he has been using banks (Eco and Diamond) to attack any- through to the other side, leaving a hole. one coming out.

Also, my thigh, close to my testes was the bank for over five years.

"I don't recognise my assailant but he's also stitched as that was where I was "Normally I drive to the bank on my way to work, but because of the a small boy. He was wearing a faded first shot.

"Thirteen pellets were removed from frustrating traffic around the Mile2- Jeans and T-shirt and spoke very well.

Apapa axis of the road, I changed my He was confident and sounded educated. my thigh. It is just the grace of God that route and follow Ojuelegba instead. He had no mask on," Ahiuma-Young kept me. The situation is quite unfortunate. It appears we are under siege.

"Because this has never happened said.

Expressing fears that he may not be able Even motor park touts will harass to me since I started using the bank and I have even made higher trans- to use two of his fingers which pierced by people.

"We live in fear in that actions, I do not want to think there bullets again, Ahiuma-Young said he may neighbourhood. People have been was connivance with the bank staff. undergo surgery.

He said: "Two of my fingers are frac- complaining about robbery and cult "However, there could be three possibilities - maybe one of the crimi- tured. I cannot use them. At the moment, activities but I never knew it was so nals was in the bank to monitor I am awaiting results of scans although pronounced that in the full glare of all, people making withdrawals and fol- one of the doctors who attended to me at a busy bus stop like that, I would be lowed me out; or maybe they saw said one of my fingers was shattered and shot and robbed.”

Police release suspected kidnappers' maid

D

ETAINED housemaid of the suspected kidnappers of the Orekoya kids has been released by the police.

Henrietta Otobo (16) was released to her parents, Mr and Mrs Anthony Otobo, at the Lagos Police Command in Ikeja yesterday.

The Orekoya kids Adedamola, Ademola and Aderomola- were allegedly kidnapped by their nanny, Funmilayo Adeyemi aka Mary Akinloye who Henrietta works for as maid.

The command spokesman, Ken Nwosu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said she was released to show that the police were only interested in justice.

Nwosu said Henrietta's parents, came from Delta State to identify and reunite with their daughter.

Mr Otobo, a chartered accountant, told reporters that he learnt that Henrietta got missing last November 12 from her younger brother, Emmanuel.

He said: "I live in a duplex and my kids occupy the rooms downstairs.

So when Emmanuel came that his sister was missing, I ran outside searching for her only to discover that the four doors leading to the gate were open. The following day, I went to the nearest police station in Delta State and reported a case of a missing child. On our own we

•Nwosu with the Otobos yesterday

By Ebele Boniface

searched every other place that we felt she could have gone to without success.

"I was shocked when on April 17; I saw her face on one of the national dailies. I was thankful to God that she is alive" Confronted with Henrietta's claim that he did not allow her to pursue her dream, Otobo said he only heard about that

T

when he saw her at the police command.

"I am a professional accountant. I can never stop her from taking to her life ambition to be an actress. If she wants to be an actress it is okay with me. I don't think I will deny her such ambition if that is her destiny. I bought that phone for her and her siblings. I am going to do more for her. Even the JAMB she took, she passed and got admission from Delta State

Polytechnic."

Mrs Rosemary Otobo said Henrietta's disappearance was a surprise "because we do not normally have visitors in our house. She does not have friends. We did not know where to start looking for her.

We checked the motor park, relations' houses with no sign of her.

“The following morning we went to the police station and reported. We gave them

her photograph and it was flashed on Delta State Television without any positive result. We left everything in the hands of God. "Sometimes, I kept hearing her voice and I continued to pray. When I asked her daddy, he said it's a sign of desperation, he told me she will return home soon. She has never been offended, she never lacked love. We used to give her whatever she wanted or stood for. She is the last child of my five children."

Henrietta said the desire for freedom made her left home.

"My parents gave me everything I needed; I only wanted to be on my own. I wanted freedom. I did not want to depend on anybody that was why I went in search of job, unfortunately I fell into the hands of kidnappers. I took the job to work as a maid and they agreed to pay me N10, 000 monthly. I did not know that they were kidnappers till we were arrested," she said.

Nwosu said efforts were being intensified to get others involved in the Orekoya kids’ kidnap saga.

Sanitation holds in Lagos tomorrow with restrictions

HE Lagos State monthly environmental sanitation will be observed tomorrow with its attendant human and vehicular restrictions between 7 and 10am, the state government said yesterday.

Environment Commis-

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

sioner Tunji Bello said the ruling of Justice Mohammed Idris will not affect the enforcement of restrictions during sanitation tomorrow.

According to him, the order made by the High Court Judge has to wait until the outcome of the appeal filed by the state to challenge the judgement.

The judge had ruled on March 16 that the government has no right to ban Lagosians from moving about during

sanitation.

But the government through the AttorneyGeneral’s Office appealed the verdict.

According to Bello, all human and vehicular activities within federal and state roads remain restricted from 7am to 10am.

He warned that anyone found floating the order will be liable to arrest.

The commissioner appealed to Lagosians to respect the court ruling, as sanitation is aimed attaining a clean and

sustainable environment in the state, which is in the overall interest of the people.

While stressing the importance of the sanitation, Bello said it was an incontrovertible fact that a clean and hygienic environment is a sine-qua-non for the socio economic wellbeing of Lagosians.

He explained that besides the monthly sanitation, the cleaning of environment should be an everyday affair, stressing that, human beings generate waste daily.

A

LAGOS High Court yesterday freed Constable Paul Ogbeh of the murder charge for which he was dismissed from the police five years ago.

Ogbeh (34), attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Ikeja, was brought before Justice Olabisi Akinlade for allegedly killing Abiodun Awe and Nelson Obeto in 2010 at Oshisomi Street, Ori-Okuta, Ikorodu, Lagos.

He was alleged to have shot two suspected robbers to death around 2:30am on January 18, during a patrol with three others.

One of the suspects died on the spot; the other passed away on January 20 at Ikorodu General Hospital.

At his trial, Ogbeh said his patrol team responded to a distress call of a robbery in the area, adding that on arrival, the hoodlums opened fire “on us”.

The patrol team, he said, comprising four policemen, shot back in self defence, leading to suspects’ death. He denied firing the fatal shots.

Ogbeh alleged that charms, a toy gun, a locally made pistol and expended gun cartridges were found with the deceased.

A prosecution witness and brother to one of the slain suspects, Babatunde Awe, who claimed to have filed a missing person complaint at the police station a day after the incident, said he was informed of his brother’s death and directed to the General Hospital’s morgue where he saw his body with gunshot wounds.

In her judgment on two counts of first degree murder preferred against Ogbeh, Justice Akinlade found him not guilty, insisting that the prosecution failed to prove that he fired the fatal shots.

“The defendant was performing his lawful duty on the day of the incident. The prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

“The prosecution did not tender any post-mortem or medical report on the death of the deceased, no ballistic report was tendered by the prosecution and there was also failure by the prosecution to produce eye witnesses to the incident.

“All these lapses in the prosecution’s case have created doubt in the eyes of the court.

“The prosecution has failed to create any direct or circumstantial evidence linking the defendant to the death of the two deceased.

“The defendant is hereby discharged and acquitted of the two-count charge of murder against him,” Akinlade said.

Ogbeh shed tears of joy following his acquittal, mopping his tears with a handkerchief, while stepping out of the dock.

Ogbeh, who clutched “The Prisoner’s Bible” said: “I feel happy because I held onto my God since the first day of my incarceration. The incident happened while I was performing my lawful duties.

“I thank God for my release this morning and that in the five years I was in jail I did not die. It was the wish of my enemies that I should rot and die in prison but God has shown that He is still God.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

11

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Commercial banks are not manufacturing-friendly as their interest rates are usually very high; therefore, commercial banks remain a major challenge to the sector. Even the Bank of Industry’s (BoI) framework, which pegs interest rate at nine per cent, only finances machinery acquisition; it does not cater for working capital.

-MAN President, Dr Frank Jacobs

Why fuel subsidy must go, by NNPC

T

• From left: Commander, Naval Medical Centre, Rear Admiral Jeremiah Onubi; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Nnamdi Okonkwo and Admiral Superintendent, Naval Dockyard Limited, Rear Admiral Sylvanus Chinweuba during the inauguration of water treatment plant and office equipment donated by workers of the bank in Lagos... yesterday.

Total: Govt’s oil revenue ‘ll dip by $10b this year • NNPC: transmission of gas to power is challenging

T

HE Federal Govern ment’s oil and gas rev enue will decline by $10billion this year owing to the falling prices of oil in the international market, the Chief Executive Officer, Total Upstream Nigeria, Elizabeth Proust, has said.

Speaking yesterday in Abuja during this year’s Oloibiri Lecture and Energy Forum of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), she said the country has no immunity against the oil price slump.

She said: “Unfortunately, Nigeria is not immune to this revenue squeeze. We estimate that if crude oil prices average $53 per barrel in 2015, compared to $77.5 in 2014, FGN oil & gas revenue will decline by

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

$10billion this year.”

She noted that the total allocation to state governments was N620billion in the last quarter of last year, as the oil price was sliding 15 per cent lower than in the same quarter of 2013.

The situation, Proust said, resulted in the slowing or canceling of many infrastructure projects that the country desperately needed.

According to her, over the last four decades, there have been four major spikes, almost all driven by supply interruptions caused by social unrest.

The spikes, she said, were the 1970’s Arab Oil Embargo occasioned by the

Arab-Israel conflict, the 1980’s Iran-Iraq war, the 1990 Iraq invasion of Kuwait, while the 2008 super spike was driven by limited crüde oil production capacity coupled with speculative option.

The French oil major chief urged Nigeria to look beyond oil and take steps to proactively protect itself against the adverse impacts of future oil price drop.

She advised Nigeria to unlock her gas since it has reserves of 179 Trilliin Cubic Feet, ranking 9th globally and 1st in Africa. According her, Nigeria’s gas production is 23rd in the world but developing the gas reserves can serve the economy in many ways.

FAO urges implementation of irrigation policy

T

HE Food and Agricul tural Organisation (FAO) has appealed to the Federal Government to endorse and implement the National Irrigation Policy and Strategy when completed.

Its Representative in Nigeria, Dr Louise Setshwaelo, made the plea at a stakeholder validation workshop on the draft National Irrigation Policy and Strategy in Abuja.

She said the policy would help the small holder farmers if adopted and its strategy urgently implemented by all the tiers of government, the private sector as well as other de-

From Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

velopment partners.

She said: “When we started this process, we had a draft document that was developed in 2006; eight years ago before we started this process and that draft document have not gone through the formal approval processes.

“My plea to government is that, as partners, we will like to see as soon as it is finalised, endorsed by government and implementation initiated.

“It will specifically help the small holder farmers if a policy such as this one and its

strategy is urgently approved and implementation facilitated by both federal and state government and the private sector and all other partners such as FAO and the World Bank.”

Setshwaelo said the globally agreed Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security was taken into consideration.

She explained that the workshop was aimed at adding value to the synthesised draft policy document, urging stakeholders to contribute to help finalise the policy.

Council okays bids for BoA, others transaction advisers

T

HE National Council on Privatisation (NCP) has approved the financial bid opening for transaction advisers for the partial privatisation of the three Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) in the country.

Head, Public Communications, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Chigbo Anichebe, in a statement yesterday, listed the banks as the Bank of Agriculture (BoA), Bank of Industry (BoI) and

From John Ofikhenua and Ayorinde Hope, Abuja

Nigeria Commodity Exchange (NCX), formerly Abuja Securities & Commodity Exchange (ASCE).

The statement recalled that at its last meeting in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on April 16, this year, the Council directed the BPE to invite the pre-qualified bidders that met the benchmark scores of 75 per cent in the evaluation to proceed to the Financial

Bid Opening Stage.

For the BoA, the BPE was directed to invite Banca Leonardo Consortium (Germany), Barclays Consortium (Nigeria), CPCS Consortium (Barbados) and PWC Consortium (Nigeria) for the Financial Bid Opening after which the contract should be awarded to any of the consortia adjudged to have made the best offer on quality and cost based selection guidelines of the World Bank.

HE Nigerian National Petroleum Corpora tion (NNPC) yesterday urged the Federal Government to scrap the Petroleum Support Fund (PSF) otherwise known as petrol subsidy, because the government has no control of the prices of crude oil.

Its Group Executive Director (GED), Corporate Strategy and Planning, Dr. Timothy Okon, who spoke in Abuja, defined subsidy as the difference between the landing cost of petroleum products and the price for which it is finally sold.

He explained that since the government does not control the prices of crude oil, its fluctuation creates a fiscal insta-

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

bility in the country.

He lamented that since the government lacked control over crude oil prices, it ends up paying for the difference, a situation he said creates fiscal instability in the economy.

Okon also said the oil subsidy is a first line charge which is removed from the government revenue before it is shared among the three tiers of government.

The GED noted that the subsidy regime predicates the revenue sharing formula on petroleum products consumption, despite the difference in quantity consumed in the constituent states.

Okon said: “So, it means if you are in Jigawa State when you need a few tanks for example, Jigawa is now paying out of the contribution say a state like Lagos where 40 per cent of the gasoline in this country is consumed.

“So in a federal system it creates uneven distribution of its revenue.”

He said the way the subsidy regime is currently being implemented, it means it is predicated basically on the assumption that the consumption of the product is related to the revenue distribution which is not to be so.

According to him, petroleum subsidy leads to a deficit that the nation cannot assure in its planning, budgeting and business forcasting.

BoI gives N10b loan to 80 firms in Oyo

N

O fewer than 80 firms and micro enter prises in Oyo State have received loans worth N10billion from the Bank of Industry (BoI), its Managing Director, Mr Rasheed Olaoluwa, has said.

He made this known at the inauguration of bank’s Western Regional Office and Oyo State office, at Iyaganku, Ibadan, Oyo State capital yesterday.

Olaoluwa said: “The Oyo

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

State government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with BoI in 2012, which culminated in the establishment of OYSG/ BoI micro., small and medium enterprises, matching fund scheme to the tune of N10 billion. To date, the bank has recorded a total loan approval of N375 million in respect of 68 companies.

“Oyo State is very central to BoI’s strategy of ensuring that our development finance services are brought closer to the people of the state, especially in our bid to vastly improve our services delivery efficiency, while also reaching out to all parts of the Southwest region.”

According to him, additional disbursement to 17 other enterprises in the sum of N104 million is being processed.

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

12

Value chain innovation platforms are networks of farmers and other actors interested in producing crops and livestocks efficiently and profitably. Experts believe establishing and deploying such platforms across the country will help to build a productive and innovative agri-food sector, DANIEL ESSIET reports.

Unlocking agri-food sector through innovations F

OR economic statisticians,Nigeria may have to feed a population of more than 200 million by 2020, going by its astonishing rate of growth.

While this seems like a burgeoning market for farmers and food producers, meeting production targets to feed such a large number of people requires the right strategies. In addition, the government is battling increasing food import bill.

However, analysts believe the case for investing in agriculture livelihoods is clear given that the level of commercialisation and the size of investment are low nationwide.

One way to address these is through the creation of value chain innovation platforms - clusters and networks where members work to promote sustainable food production.

These formed the thrust of a workshop in Abuja last week. With Organising and managing agricultural Commodity value chain Innovation platform as its theme, the forum was organised by the West African Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP) in partnership with Klaus Icheson Consulting.

Its purpose was to explore the prospect of using value chains and innovation platform approach to unlock the potential of agriculture and the food industry.

Going by their contributions, experts agreed that Nigeria has a huge potential for growth and development in agriculture but needed the right policies and investment to harness this potential. They also agreed that innovation is key to helping the nation realise the potential of the agricultural and food industries.

Addressing the joint training workshop, the National Coordinator, WAAPP Nigeria, Prof Damian Chikwendu said it was important that farmers are empowered to increase food security if the nation is to achieve economic growth.

To accomplish this, he explained required a tested system capable of creating opportunities for small farmers to become commercial growers, moving from informal production to formal value chains and markets where economies of scale can be achieved.

Canvassing the importance of value chain innovation platforms, the expert said globally, the approach has become a strategy for stimulating increased investment and capital formation for more intensive production in agriculture.

In support of this, Chikwendu said WAAPP is promoting a sub-regional framework for members of the Economic Community of West African States(ECOWAS) to explore new innovations and technologies to boost food production.

In Nigeria, specifically, he said WAAPP is supporting integrated agricultural research to generate innovations to improve yields across its priority agricultural commodity value chains which include aquaculture,rice,poultry,maize, sorghum,cassava ,yam and mango.

The suport, he added also covers all activities in the value chain,from seed breeding to production,postharvest processing and marketing.

WAAPP interventional approach, he listed, has four components which include creating enabling condition for sub-regional cooperation in technology generation, dissemination, and adoption, adding that supporting the national centre of specialisation in aquaculture, funding of demand driven technology generation, monitoring and evaluation of projects.

Under component three, he said part of WAAPP’s mandate involves establishing and supporting the formation and nurturing of private sector channels for enhanced and effective “Accelerated Agricultural Technology Adoption.”

To achieve this, he said various WAAPP – assisted commodity value chain innovation

•Chikwendu

• Emechebe

• Ugbe

• Osawe

platforms (VCIPs) are used for the diffusion of agricultural innovations.

He recalled that last year, the programme commissioned a technical support team which facilitated an organisational structure for aquaculture,cassava, mazie,rice sorghum and yam VCIPs in states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Since the country is on the march towards attaining food security, he said WAAPP has contributed towards this aim through innumerable innovations and interventions, adding that the system is changing as farmers now have access to agricultural technology.

Technical consultant, Dr Utiang Ugbe identified fundamental constraints to agricultural growth to include the peasant nature of the production system, poor response to technology adoption strategies, and poor returns on investment.

He noted that while subsistence farming is prevalent, agricultural commercialisation and investment are the key strategies for promoting accelerated modernisation, sustainable growth and development and, hence, poverty reduction in the sector.

In a functional value chain, he said the goals include increasing agricultural productivity, reducing post-harvest losses, pro-

moting a database for early warning systems, and building the capacity of farmers.

This, he explained cannot be achieved without a strong innovation component.

With efforts to boost green revolution, he said the whole food production value chain should see a lot of innovation, which will impact on value added foods, employment generation and its contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) and export revenue earnings.

According to him, value chains and innovation platforms have a role to play in helping the nation meet the challenge of feeding a growing population, adding that the organisation of these systems help farmers and other actors to deliver value, while shaping the agricultural and food system for all stakeholders.

He said a functional value chain and innovation platform involves all actors from farmers, to agri-businesses, traders, financiers and government, adding that such arrangements offers new alternatives for doing business more efficiently.

On why people are accepting value chains approach, he said it encourages producers to shift from primary production toward more processing and supply chain services.

He stressed that innovation platforms en-

‘Innovation platforms encourage replication of technologies nationwide, improved agriculture practices, technology transfers and professionalisation of farmers, while value chain development will encourage more private sector engagement and institutional capacity development’

courage replication of technologies nationwide, improved agriculture practices, technology transfers and professionalisation of farmers, while value chain development will encourage more private sector engagement and institutional capacity development.

He urged the government to ensure public private partnership and adopt innovative approach to disseminate extension service messages.

A development consultant, Prof. Alphonse Emechebe said being an active member of an innovation platform brings many benefits.

Membership, according to him, enable access to financial, processing and business services, all of which are key to empowering farmers and producers.

From a development perspective, he said value chains benefit not just producers but wage earners, service providers and others.

He stressed the need to strengthen the capacity of researchers and stakeholders on Integrated Agricultural Research for Development (IAR4D), a multi-stakeholder approach that engage stakeholders beyond the rural communities to ensure their intellectual contribution to innovation and also secure their sense of ownership of the research products.

Emechebe said IAR4D is vital for development as it fits within the agricultural transformation framework, adding that it delivers benefits through its unique partnership and easily achieves change in mind-sets of the stakeholders.

IAR4D, according to him, involves the policy makers at different levels of governance in research, to diagnose problems, generate solutions, facilitate implementation and appreciate the need for policy and infrastructural development.

The IAR4D, he said targets vulnerable groups and as such it’s going to reduce income inequality.

In summary, he said IAR4D has made beneficiaries to realise significant increases in income.

He described IAR4D as participatory and capable of promoting natural research management and market relationship, adding that it is in conformity with the global paradigm shift in agricultural research for development.

He charged agricultural researchers and scientists from universities of agriculture, research institutes and colleges of agriculture as well as other key stakeholders in attendance to review the way things are being done in the research system and change those things that are not working the way they should.

Speaking with The Nation, a lecturer at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma,Dr Tony Osawe, said agric sector remains crucial in improving livelihoods and stimulating growth in the economy. He lamented that it’s characterised by serious challenges such as traditional modes of production, limited attention and insufficient investment.

He said the sector still lacks a coherent and practical agenda for growth and development. With a country such as Nigeria , so rich with fertile soils and a promising population , he said not much has been done to attain the needed effort and yet the economy is largely dominated by the agricultural sector.

He believes the country needs to urgently embrace appropriate technologies that can move the sector forward.

To address the challenges facing Nigeria in attempt to eradicate poverty and attain food security and agricultural competitiveness, Osawe said the sector requires an approach that is market-oriented,adding that value chain innovation platforms offer opportunities for small farmers to play a part in fulfilling demand for higher value products.

Through value chain approach, he said farmers can be linked to markets, finance, inputs, equipment and information.

13

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

Inefficient policies implementation worries W World Bank expert ORLD Bank Consultant Prof Abel Ogunwale has bemoaned the inefficiencies that have attended the implementation of some agricultural policies in the country and has accordingly called on government to reassess its priorities in the sector and make the needed investment.

Ogunwale said policy implementation by government agencies in the agric sector in the past leaves much to be desired, adding that the performance of the Agricultural Transfromation Agenda(ATA) has however given hope of a better future.

He urged the President-elect, Gen Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) to reassess existing priorities in agriculture and make the needed

Stories by Daniel Essiet

investment in the small-scale farmers to increase productivity, incomes and livelihoods of thousands of families in small-scale agriculture.

Ogunwale who is of the Department of Agricultural Extension, Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomosho ,Oyo State, said in spite of the advance of other sectors, agriculture remained key to Nigeria’s economy.

According to him, the sector has the greatest potential to overcome

hunger and lift millions out of poverty and achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

He warned that slow growth in agriculture was one of the reasons the nation might not achieve its development targets.

He said for Nigeria to modernise agriculture significantly, there was need focus on increasing the productivity of small-holder farmers, get them to use modern farming methods and inputs, and have them producing more for the market.

He believes the biggest challenge

the sector faces is underfunding.

According to him , the Agriculture Ministry’s budget has historically been low, which has discouraged the production of cash crops— something that improves farm income—by the country’s predominately subsistence farmers.

He said for many years, agriculture has been underfunded, often allocated less than five per cent of the national budget. This is far below the 10 per cent that African governments committed to allocate to agriculture under the 2003 Maputo declaration .

He called for more budgetary allocations for the sector, as funding released was inadequate. With the oil market struggling and the economy still in the recovery phase, he urged the government to ensure that Nigeria is on growth track.

According to him, there is need for establishing a mechanism to ensure agricultural budgets allocations are used for the allocated projects.

He called on the government to increase funding of agricultural research, training agricultural technicians and agricultural infrastructure such as upgrading irrigation and drainage systems, and also maintained stocks of produce for food security.

Agri shipments suffer rejection on EU’s quality concern

S

•From left: Head, Information and Research, Cilss/Agrhynet Regional Centre Naimey, Niger, Dr. Maty Badiao; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sunny Echono and Food and Agriculture (FAO) Representative in Nigeria, Looises Setshidaeo during FAO’s courtesy call to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in Abuja.

T

FIIRO urges govt to develop industrial centres

HE Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), has urged the Federal Government to develop modern industrial catalytic centres across the six geo-political zones of the country for the production and packaging of consumables that can compete globally.

In addition, it should also ensure that capacity in entrepreneurship and packaging is strengthened, by reviewing the training curriculum, to be all-inclusive, effective and justifiable through the instrumentality of the Federal Ministry of Education.

These were part of the recommendations contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a programme organised by FIIRO. Tagged Investment and Technology Week, it had Sustainable Job Creation through FIIRO Technologies, as its theme.

It drew over 2000 participants from Ministries, Departments & Agencies (MDAs), the organised private sector (OPS), investors, the academia, youth organisations, students, beneficiaries of FIIRO developed technologies, development partners and financial institutions, among others.

Stakeholders at the forum unanimously agreed that all research institutions should strengthen their relationship with manufacturing industries and improve on public private-partnership (PPP).

“The country’s legal framework on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) is weak and should be strengthened

with enabling Acts from the National Assembly, while the Federal Government should facilitate training programmes in skill acquisition and capacity building in IPR. “The National Research Innovation Council (NIRC) should ensure that revised Science & Technology Innovation (STI) policies are fully implemented. This should also guarantee proper and adequate funding of R & D,” the communiqué read.

The forum was conceived in partial fulfillment of the institute’s mandate, which is to find utilisation for the nation’s raw materials and to upgrade indigenous production techniques.

Specifically, the event was intended to showcase the institute’s over 250 developed technologies and how they could be deployed massively in the 774 local government areas in Nigeria in order to create jobs and reduce unemployment rate to the barest minimum.

To bring together stakeholders in commercialisation of research and development (R&D) results, captains of industry, investment promotion agencies, technology developers, micro small & medium enterprises (MSMEs), support institutions, financial and development institutions, Nigerians in diaspora, policy makers, potential investors, international organisations, unem-

ployed youths and so on to take advantage of the technologies for investment purposes.

Also, to create opportunities for the establishment of over 2,500 micro, small and medium enterprises and generate over 250,000 jobs as well as draw about $575million Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) within the next one year. While showcasing its achievements, it was discovered that FIIRO has instituted a three-month certificate course in techno-entrepreneurship in order to enhance the entrepreneurial skills among MSMEs and individuals adopting FIIRO research and development results for commercialisation.

In the areas of food enrichment and development of local food processing techniques that critically addresses nutrient deficiencies, FIIRO has developed the High Nutrient Density Biscuit (HNDB) and Soy-ogi among others.

FIIRO has also intensified efforts in pulp and paper R & D in order to revive the state of pulp and paper industries in Nigeria for sustainability and job creation.

One critical area that the institute is setting the pace is its Waste-to-Wealth programme. It was introduced to address the issue of poor management of domestic and agricultural wastes that has led to enormous environmental challenges in the country.

TRINGENT quality standards action taken by the European Union (EU) and other countries to ensure food safety is causing agro exports from Nigeria to be rejected, the President, Federation of Agricultural Commodities Associations of Nigeria (FACAN), Dr. Victor Iyama has said.

Iyama said tonnes exported to European and Asian countries by Nigerian agro exporters have been rejected due to their poor quality.

European importers, he said will reject poor products at the port of delivery following independent quality control examination at their destinations.

In many instances, he said foreign buyers had raised serious concern over Nigeria’s agriculture products on the need to follow quality norms.

While the number of consignments rejected is reducing, he said the step taken by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to commission a food testing laboratory of world class standards testing laboratory for agro exports will further help the situation as exporters will be assisted to meet quality norms specified by importing countries.

According to him, the benefits of having a local laboratory are enormous as food produced from Nigeria will now be tested at the labo-

ratory before export instead of its being tested by the importing country.

SON has launched its internationally accredited Chemical and Food Technology Laboratories located at Lekki, Lagos.

It achieved the feat late last year following the International Laboratory Accreditation Corporation (ILAC)’s testing and accreditation.

This represents a high water mark in efforts towards boosting the non-oil sector.

Iyama said following the international accreditation of SON’s laboratory, Nigeria’s agricultural products would no longer suffer rejection at the global market. The food and allied products sub-sector dominated the $2.97 billion non-oil export of the county in 2013.

Director-General, SON, Dr. Joseph Odumodu said the accreditation of the food laboratories demonstrates technical competence of the staff of the agency, adding that no external consultants where involved. According to him,Nigeria has been placed on global map with this accomplishment.

The Executive Director,Nigeria Exports Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr Segun Awolowo said international accreditation of the SON food laboratories would undoubtedly boost small and medium enterprises (SMEs) produce.

Govt moves to protect poultry industry against epidemic

T

HE Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has started the training of key stakeholders in the poultry industry to enhance disease prevention, detection and control.

The Director, Department of Animal Production and Husbandry Services, Dr Ademola Raji, who spoke at a workshop organised for stakeholders at New Nyanyan in Nasarawa State, said the step became necessary as attention is being focused on animal health globally.

Raji, who was represented by a Deputy Director, Dr John Taiwo, said the workshop, titled Behaviour Change in Bio-security in Poultry Production was aimed at empowering stakeholders to prevent diseases.

He said the workshop was necessary following recent outbreak

of Avian Influenza in the country.According to him, proper knowledge and application of biosecurity will help to curb the ugly situation.

“The objective of the workshop is to develop an action plan in all aspects of disease detection, prevention and control.

“It is also to develop appropriate bio-security for poultry farms and live birds market in rural and urban areas.

“It will build capacity in technical and communication skills and advise poultry growers, sellers and live birds marketing administrators on developing a biosafety plan,’’ he said.

Raji listed co-organisers of the workshop as the Federal Department of Agricultural Extension Services, the Nigerian Institute for Animal Science (NIAS) and Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN).

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

14

THE NATION

BUSINESS BRANDS & MARKETING

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

In its ongoing move to topple Guinness as the market leader in the stout market, Nigerian Breweries is not relenting in its effort to push its product, Legend Extra Stout, to the top of the ladder, using brand activation, writes ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI.

G

ETTING a brand to become a market leader could be tedious. It is a long journey.

In a market where competition is stiff, many brands give up the chase as a result of the strength of the market leader. Those closing in on the leader employs every trick in the marketing tool box to close the gap, setting eyes on the golden position in the market leadership hierarchy.

For instance, the battle between Coca-Cola and Pepsi, both producing carbonated drinks, has remained legendary in the history of marketing. Though the feud got heated up with the Pepsi Challenge in 1975, which prompted CocaCola’s horrific New Coke debacle – the brands have been fighting each other for more than a century.

When PepsiCo unveiled the stevia-based Pepsi True late last year, the unofficial ceasefire between Coca-Cola and Pepsi came to a dramatic end and one of marketing’s biggest rivalries sparked back to life. But the latest campaign

by Coke, Share a Coke, appeared to have further entrenched Coke’s leadership in the cola market. Coca company got the killer instinct when, according to the company, “it received a 151-word creative brief that gave them free reign to deliver a truly disruptive idea that would make headlines and capture the country’s attention.”

Accordingly, the resulting campaign, known internally as “Project Connect”, based on its ambition to both strengthen the brand’s bond with consumers and inspire shared moments of happiness in the real and virtual worlds – became known as “Share a Coke.”

The first-of-its-kind campaign celebrated the power of the first name in a playful, social way by swapping Coke branding on bottles and cans.

Like Coca-Cola and Pepsi, both Guinness’ Extra Stout and Nigerian Breweries’ Legend Extra stout have continued to battle in a similar manner over decades. During this period, both conventional and unconventional market knives have been used to outdo one another.

Their long-term war has raised issues such as demarketing, ambush marketing, content-cloning, offensive and defensive marketing, but none has relented on the fight for market share.

While it is understandable that Guinness Extra stout occupies the top seat in the market hierarchy in the stout market, its closest rival’s continuous aspiration to become the leader, has been monumental and threatening, putting the market leader on the defensive mode.

In its ongoing campaign, Legend Extra stout has continued to use consumer engagement marketing channels, such as memorable ad campaigns, experiential events, viral growth, and consumer participation strategies to beat the leader, especially at a time when the market leader appears to be silent in its marketing drive.

Using the opportunity of the market leader somewhat interregnum, the brand handlers started with the re-launch of the brand in a staniol bottle last year to create an attractive bottle, beautifully adorned with a golden neck foil.

“The stout drink did not leave anyone in doubt that it was aiming for market leadership,” said a brand analyst with a PR agency.

Targeting market leadership

• The two brands in contest

The brand, however, intensified its brand mission with the ‘Taste and Tell’ Activation, a brand activation, whose train moved from one state to the other, using in-bars as its point of engagement.

According to experts, its aim is simple: “Brand activation, sometimes called brand engagement, focuses on building a longer term emotional connection between the brand and the customer. Activation based on direct-response marketing will focus on generating immediate sales transactions.”

For Legend brand, the in-bar activation featured blind taste competition among Legend consumers with prizes doled out to winners.

“The activation turned out to be a resounding success. Perhaps that accounted for the reason why Legend is continuing with the promo in 2015,” says Mr. Adesola Akinkunmi, managing director, MainOne Media Company, a new marketing communication firm.

Like a train stopping at every station, the activation has been held in several cities across the federation including Lagos, Benin, Owerri, Ibadan and Enugu. Using comedian De Don, holding forth as the Master of Ceremony and a host of other talented artistes including Oritsefemi, 9ice, Terry G, among others.

Interestingly, Legend Extra stout’s growing ascendency is happening at a period when declining personal income is affecting the purchasing power of would-be consumers in the alcoholic beverage segment.

Beyond the marketing buzzwords, what is the brand’s secret?

How has it managed to sustain growth in volumes and sales despite declining consumer pocket?

“A lot of the brand’s growing profile lies with its creativity in its brand engagement and loyalty reward activities. For two years running, Legend has sponsored loyal consumers for a shopping spree in Dubai. Scores of lucky winners have travelled to Dubai, all-expense paid, courtesy Legend Extra stout.

In addition to the Dubai trip, the promo also saw thousands of winners carting home fantastic prizes,” Akinkunmi said, adding that the same worked for Guinness Extra stout when it took consumers to South Africa to watch the 2013 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

He said the Taste and Tell activation has further brought something different to the table. “While providing consumers an opportunity to test their knowledge of the brand, the event is also serving as a unique platform to create a bond between the consumers and the

brand,” he said.

Through the brand activation approach, the brand also engaged consumers with prizes. The winner of a brand new flat screen television in the Ibadan leg of the activation, Moshood Saheed Abiola, said: “Legend has always been my brand of choice, but I hadn’t taken it for three years until today. I just decided to take Legend because my friends invited me to hang out.

Even if I stay away from Legend for 10 years I will still be able to identify it because of my history with the brand. It was really not difficult,” Abiola said.

Abiola wasn’t the only winner that night in Ibadan. Adekunle Adeyinka and Solution Oguniyi were equally lucky as they won a 9.5kva generator and a refrigerator.

For Adeyinka, winning the brand new generator would remain an unforgettable experience. “This will not be the first generator I will own.

I have bought several generators in the past, but this one is different because I won it, courtesy of my love for Legend Extra stout. That’s why I won’t forget it,” he said.

Blessing Koffi, a Ghanaian professional dancer, was another winner in the Test and Tell Contest in Benin.

According to her, she was

‘While providing consumers an opportunity to test their knowledge of the brand, the event is also serving as a unique platform to create a bond between the consumers and the brand’

attracted to Legend because of its long lasting taste and thick foam.

The Marketing Manager, Lager and Stout, Nigerian Breweries Plc., Emmanuel Agu, said Legend Taste and Tell activation was introduced as a way of reinforcing the key features of the brand to its consumers. He added that the activation will also serve as a medium to engage and reward its teeming consumers for their support over the years.

Agu further said the brand was consistently looking for innovative ways of rewarding its consumers.

“We do not only stop at rewarding our loyal consumers; we also ensure that we give them the experience of a life time and no stout has ever done that in this market. “If you remember, we did National Consumer Promotion (NCP) last year where we gave out generators, LED television sets and instant airtime. These are the ways we say thank you to the people for taking this product- the only full brewed stout in the market and it is our turn to say we really appreciate you. We are getting their loyalty and that shows in our volume and growth. We are happy,”he said.

With its aspiration to be a leader of the category, Marketing Director, Nigeria Breweries Plc Walter Drenth, said: “Legend is on a very exciting journey. If you look at Nigerian Breweries, and you look at the brand, Legend specifically, you find that change and innovation are in the DNA. We always say ‘if you do what you did, you get what you’ve got. And consumers are open for change. They are asking for change. So, innovation part of the Legend’s DNA as well.”

SPECIAL REPORT

Children, women as endangered species

•Alhaji Anka

• TABLE SHOWING AFFECTED VILLAGES AND THE STATUS OF REMEDIATION AND MEDICAL CHELATION THERAPY

•MSF clinic in Anka

19

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

COMMENTARY LETTER

EDITORIAL

Abba’s unceremonious exit • His successor and others have lessons to learn from his experience

F

OR the immediate past InspectorGeneral of Police (IGP), Mr. Suleiman Abba, the concept ‘lame duck’ would continue to resonate for a long time to come. President Goodluck Jonathan proved to the IGP that it is not over until it is over by relieving him of his appointment on April 21, barely five weeks to the end of the Jonathan presidency on May 29. The statement announcing Abba’s retirement after more than 30 years in the police force was signed by Dr Reuben Abati, the president’s special adviser on media and publicity.

It is unfortunate that Mr Abba’s service in the police force came to such an unceremonious end about four years to his retirement on March 22, 2019. But his abrupt exit from the police force should serve as admonition to his successor/s that the noblest way to serve the country is by being diligent and professional in their assign-

‘It is unfortunate that Mr Abba’s service in the police force came to such an unceremonious end about four years to his retirement on March 22, 2019. But his abrupt exit from the police force should serve as admonition to his successor/ s that the noblest way to serve the country is by being diligent and professional in their assignments’

ments. Mr Abba sure deserves what he got if only for the involvement of the police under him in partisan politics. Indeed, many people had expected he should be preparing to exit with President Jonathan as a result of this.

At least three examples of his partisan policing will do. First, the Osun State governorship election of last year, in which the police and some other security forces illegally arrested about 700 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), including some electoral officers suspected to be sympathetic to the party’s cause, as a way to intimidate them and take them out of circulation for the duration of the polls. Then the activities of the controversial Mr. Joseph Mbu, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police then in charge of Zone 7, who banned the #bringbackourgirls campaigners’ rallies.

Mr Abba’s sin here was his inability to call Mr Mbu to order.

Again, the role of Mr Abba himself in the persecution of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, following his defection from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, last year. Abba said by the defection the speaker had lost his membership of the House since he was elected on the platform of the PDP. He withdrew Tambuwal’s security detail which was only restored after it became obvious that the APC looked set to win the presidential election.

Having made himself available for biased causes for President Jonathan and the PDP so far, the president and his party would have expected that Mr Abba would not depart from that path till the end. But what did we have? As soon as it was

becoming clear that Gen. Buhari was likely to win the presidential election, Mr Abba’s police force became ‘born again’ and began to relax his anti-APC posture, a thing he should have done ab initio as a professional police boss. Although no reasons were given for Mr Abba’s sack, many people had speculated that it could not have been unconnected with this newfound favour towards the opposition.

Mr. Abba, 56, had served the police in several capacities. He was an Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 7 since May 25, 2012, before he was promoted Acting IGP on August 1, 2014. He also served as aide de camp (ADC) to Mrs Maryam Abacha, wife of former military Head of State, General Sani Abacha. He was confirmed substantive IGP on November 4, 2014.

All said however, whatever sections of our laws that allow the president to single-handedly sack people in certain positions, including the IGP, have to be revisited. Otherwise, we would continue to have a vicious cycle of premature retirements because even if President Jonathan had not sacked Mr Abba, the incoming government is not likely to retain him because of the unprofessional manner he did his job.

Moreover, such officers over whom the president had the power of life and death would continue to see themselves as personal employees of the president.

And, as they say, “he who pays the piper dictates the tune”. Those laws are not in the country’s interest; they must be reviewed to make others, like the National Assembly, have input into such crucial decisions.

Uche Chukwumerije (1939 – 2015) •It is good that he somewhat redeemed his image dented by his role in the military era

I

T is constructive to start from the beginning in order to roundly characterise Senator Uche Chukwumerije who died in Abuja on April 19, aged 75. He was approaching the end of a three-term presence in the country’s upper legislative chamber where he represented Abia North Senatorial District since 2003. It is significant that by the time he came to the end of his life, his activities as a democratically elected lawmaker provided a view of him different from the image of a power opportunist created by his role in an earlier military regime.

A major instance of this apparent self-redefinition must be his association with the 2007 Movement in Senate, the group that acted as the arrowhead of the resistance to then President Olusegun Obasanjo’s alleged plot to remain in office beyond the constitutional two terms.

As Minister of Information in the military administration headed by Gen. Ibrahim Babangida and in the contrived interim national government of Ernest Shonekan in the 1990s, Chukwumerije earned a deserved portrayal as an antidemocratic figure. Specifically, he helped to deliver a telling blow against democracy by his unapologetic alignment with the military’s annulment of the country’s historic June 12, 1993, presidential election, in spite of its credibility.

It may be that his visible participation in the democratic era restored in 1999 was his way of compensating for the past, but it is debatable whether it didn’t amount to

doing too little too late to redeem his image.

There is no doubt that Chukwumerije was demystified by his performance in an unelected administration that undemocratically blocked the manifestation of an elected government.

However, to be fair, it could be said that Chukwumerije started well enough. This is a way of saying that he started out by being on the side of the people and the expression of popular will. When in the 1960s he became a member of the Socialist Workers and Farmers Party (SWAFP) led by Dr. Tunji Otegbeye, the link mirrored a socialist vision that possibly became blurred, considering the anti-people path he later promoted. It is noteworthy that he also joined the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) led

by Aminu Kano in the Second Republic between 1979 and 1983, and functioned as its Publicity Secretary and then General Secretary.

Chukwumerije’s role on the side of the breakaway Eastern Region during the Nigerian civil war demonstrated his deep Igbo roots, and between 1966 and 1970 he was Director, Biafra Directorate of Propaganda and Director, Biafra Ministry of Information. For a man who studied Economics at the University of Ibadan, it is a testimony to his communication know-how that he also later worked as information chief at the federal level.

It is instructive that as the Chairman, Senate Committee on Education, a position he held until his death, Chukwumerije’s contribution to the democratic project was cap-

tured in striking tributes. The Senate President, David Mark, said in a statement: “He was a team player who brought meaning to hard work. He was focused and determined to make positive difference.” Senate spokesman, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, added: “The Senate will surely miss his erudite contributions on the floor of the chamber and his painstaking approach to committee work.”

It is useful to reflect on Chukwumerije’s trajectory as a Senator. After his first term on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform, he defected to the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) reportedly because he fell out of favour with the PDP leadership following his opposition to Obasanjo’s so-called Third Term Agenda.

It is remarkable that he was reelected in 2007 despite the switch. His return to the PDP and his reelection in 2011 probably further reflected his personal attraction and the acceptance he enjoyed among his people.

‘It may be that his visible participation in the democratic era restored in 1999 was his way of compensating for the past, but it is debatable whether it didn’t amount to doing too little too late to redeem his image’

Xenophobia and United States of Africa dream

S

IR: The latest wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa against fellow Africans is unfortunate, regrettable, and condemnable. History will no doubt remember this killings, and the perpetrators will never be forgiven. This is because, Africans especially Nigeria played a very vital role in the fight against apartheid in South Africa. Nigeria spent a lot and accommodated a lot of South Africans in the spirit of brotherhood and Africa’s liberation. Now it is South Africans that are attacking their fellow Africans, killing them and looting their properties. It is an awkward and irrational pay back gesture.

Xenophobia is a barbaric. No country, state, or nation can survive on its own.

That was why Europeans, despite their development had to smelt their differences and unite under the cover of European Union. International organizations like UN, AU, WHO etc were created purposely to assist and help countries. Legally registered foreigners that pay taxes in a country are more important to that country that its criminal citizens. America is a country that accept all manners of people. That is why an African-Americans, Arab-Americans, LatinoAmericans etc, feel more of being Americans than their ancestral backgrounds.

That is because, the US understands and harnesses the benefits in diversity and capabilities.

The dream of United States of Africa will remain a mirage if xenophobia and tribal wars continue among African states. How can we achieve a United States of Africa when South Africans don’t like Nigerians; when Nigerians don’t like Ghanaians, when Libyans don’t like Sudanese etc? Africa must come of age and start to deal with its problems using local solutions. The African Union should be strengthened to be able to defend the interest of all Africans where ever they may be.

I call on the South African government to protect all foreigners within its domain and their property also. The perpetrators of this xenophobic attacks should be brought to justice irrespective of their status. The government should also apologise and compensate victims of the barbaric attacks - with assurance that such will never be allowed that happen again.

• Comrade Abdulbaqi Aliyu Jari, Katsina

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh • Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Adekunle Ade-Adeleye •Editor, Online Lekan Otufodunrin •Managing Editor Northern Operation Yusuf Alli •Managing Editor Waheed Odusile

• Executive Director (Finance & Administration) Ade Odunewu

•Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon

•Advert Manager Robinson Osirike

•Deputy Editor (News) Adeniyi Adesina

• Gen. Manager (Training and Development) Soji Omotunde •General Manager (Abuja Press) Kehinde Olowu •AGM (PH Press) Tunde Olasogba

•IT Manager Bolarinwa Meekness •Deputy Editor (Nation’s Capital) •Press Manager Yomi Odunuga Udensi Chikaodi •Group Political Editor Emmanuel Oladesu •Legal Counsel John Unachukwu •Group Business Editor Simeon Ebulu • Manager (Admin) Folake Adeoye •Group Sports Editor Ade Ojeikere •Acting Manager (sales) •Editorial Page Editor Olaribigbe Bello Sanya Oni

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

20

CARTOON & LETTERS

S

IR: When a one-time national chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Vincent Ogbulafor said that the PDP will rule Nigeria for 60 years, I believed then that it was a slip of his tongue. I remember vividly that there were a lot of reactions and counter-reactions to what he said. The PDP then was more of a voracious predator devouring every other political prey. There were no viable opposition parties then.

It was not until the General Elections of Saturday March 28, that the All Progressives Congress (APC) proved its mettle. Despite the preelection propaganda and mudslinging campaigns, the party eventually triumphed. The party’s victory is a wakeup call to everybody that holds leadership position that, ‘Pride comes before destruction.’

The PDP since 1999 has been sowing seeds of acrimony, hatred, unemployment, abject poverty, insecu-

EDITOR’S MAIL BAG SEND TYPEWRITTEN, DOUBLE SPACED AND SIGNED CONTRIBUTIONS, LETTERS AND REJOINDERS OF NOT MORE THAN 800 WORDS TO THE EDITOR, THE NATION, 27B, FATAI ATERE ROAD, MATORI, LAGOS. E-mail: views@thenationonlineng.net

Still on PDP’s quest to rule for 60 years rity, insincerity, dishonesty, corruption, nepotism, narcissism, tribal intolerance, religious bigotry and hopelessness across the six geo-political zones. The party is paying dearly for its misdeeds despite the dollarisation of its campaigns.

It is a lesson for the new-incoming government. The APC I believe will not assume the position of I don’t give a damn navigator in which the PDP was for 16 years. The APC should not create a hell out of our beloved country because a large number of Nigerians believe that the party is the change that will wipe

away the tears from their eyes and eradicate their sufferings. The APC should not pilot the plane of Nigeria and Nigerians like the Germanwings pilot who was said to have purposely crashed his plane, thereby leading to the death of over 150 souls. The APC should know that it is God who gives leadership on earth to whomsoever he wishes.

There is a purpose why the mantle of leadership fell on the APC. Only God knows why. It is not about the prophecies of some so-called mortals or the campaign geniuses that the party employed.

The APC should know that the voice of the people is the voice of God. It should not fail the young and the old who stood in the rains of Lagos drenched while casting their vote for change and common sense revolution or the males and the females who stood under the scorching sun of Adamawa thumb-printing beside the broom symbol on March 28, as well as in other states across Nigeria.

One of the suggestions of many patriotic Nigerians including myself for the incoming APC administration under the leadership of the President-elect, General Muhammadu

A word for Sani Bello, Niger’s Governor-elect

S

IR: I welcome your promise for change. Certainly we need a lot of changes and development. Congratulations on having been elected the fifth governor of our state. I think you and your team deserve a lot of credit for a landslide victory that surpassed all expectations and gave you an unquestioned mandate. The total vote cast that brought you to power wasn’t even close. Your party, All Progressive Congress (APC) routed the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in what looked like a game between the varsity team and the junior high kids who had just picked up a football for the first time. In your race against Umar Nasko; you ran a careful, well-scripted campaign.

The state has waited too long for leaders who know that quid pro quo should not be the status quo. The state’s graceful decline can be arrested if you can run a clean, focused, accountable and transparent government. The proverbial dog has caught the car, and now everyone is wondering if you and your team can govern. Or if it even wants to.

Complicating matters for you will be the countless phone calls, lobbying, e-mails and texts from

campaign supporters and those looking for that invite or job-appointment or favour. What to do with those who spent the past years but now scramble to cover their tracks. They, too, now want to be “in” with the new administration.

But be warned: The short-term rentals, new best friends and sycophants will return to form at some point over the next four years. So, deal with these obstacles as required, and always remember that your real friends and supporters will be there regardless of circumstances. This knowledge will keep you going through the roughest of patches. We want to see our state under your leadership with measures that will help root out corruption and waste from government agencies. The state has had enough of elected and appointed officers who have turned its agencies and programmes into personal piggy banks, granting favours to their family, friends, God-fathers, thugs, ballot-box snatchers, election riggers, mistresses, rewarding donors, and furthering their own interests. The Governor’s job is too important and demanding to be left to incompetent and untrustworthy staff.

You must seek, recruit, and em-

power men and women who are professional, trustworthy, experienced and loyal to the institution of governorship. We’ve got to be true to ourselves: public service should be about serving the public, not setting up a future payday. Learn the rules, master the rules and play by the rules. You have to like people and let them know that you remember them and like them.

There is this fear that our best years are behind us, but we want you to prove to us that our state’s best is still ahead. It is now a time for healing. We want to have faith again, we want to be proud again, we want the truth again, it is time for the people to run their government and it is time for us to take a new look at our own way of governance to strip away the secrecy of governance. We want you to work day and night to ensure our children’s have access to a great and better education, affordable college, and a good paying job after graduation, to work day and night to see that farmers have enough fertilizers, seedlings, tractors, pesticides and insecticides to boost their agricultural activities, to work day and night to see that our hospitals are renovated and equipped so that it does not continue to wear the look

of abattoirs, to work day and night to see that our schools do not look like abandoned farm houses.

• Ibrahim Muye Yahaya Jagbele Quarters, Muye, Niger State.

Buhari (GMB) is to urgently look into and drastically reduce the armed robber allowances of all elected individuals and political office holders and appointees at all levels. By doing this, it will really show that the APC is ready to sacrifice for us. It will also indicate that the APC government will be like the similitude of a father who went to bed on an empty stomach just to ensure that all his children ate the single loaf of bread that he brought home in the evening despite the fact that two of his children disobeyed him in the morning.

Politicians should now know that there is no more room for arrogance in politics as it used to be. The fall of the PDP after 16 years and not 60 years from grace to grass should remind every incoming elected individuals and other present leaders that God alone gives leadership to whomsoever He pleases.

The caveat is that any individual privileged to be in leadership position should wholeheartedly commit himself day and night to the welfare and security of lives of his people.

The APC should maximise this golden opportunity given to it by the electorates to deliver real service and democracy dividends to the entire six geopolitical zones of the country.

• Oladele Hakeem Olaniyan, Ikeja, Lagos

Buhari, PENCOM and Union Bank

S

IR: The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s declaration of Major General Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd) on Wednesday, April 1, as winner of the March 28, Presidential election must have sent shivers down the spines of people and corporate organizations who believe and thrive in impunity and recklessness.

This declaration equally ushered in hope for people like me. It is the dawn of a new era.

We, the pensioners of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc nationwide (pensioners from 2006 to 2012 of which I am one) have been maltreated, pauperized, traumatised, dehumanised and some have been sent to their early graves.

For over two years, Union Bank has refused to pay our legacy fund/accrued pension rights to our

various Pension Fund Administrators.

It is impossible for us to access our pensions. After many entreaties to both PENCOM and Union Bank and despite the directives by PENCOM to Union Bank to pay us, the bank remains adamant and unperturbed; this is sheer impunity.

We are in a dilemma and this is our plight for which the world must know.

Union Bank should pay all our entitlements now. This is appealing to our GMB, the yet to be formed central government of APC, relevant authorities and stakeholders to come to our rescue.

We believe that change has come!

• Lanre Onawola Apata, Ibadan.

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015 16

21

COMMENTS

Woman song Email: tunji_ololade@yahoo.co.uk 08038551123, 08111845040

O

UR virgins no longer quicken. They become women before they learn to be girls; baby hymens ruptured at the cold, hard strokes of men. Now the girl child understands ‘bottom power’ better than our mothers.

Sometimes, mothers teach them stuff. They say they teach them to survive.

Enter Barbie dolls, butt vixens, cold, grotesque army of career freaks. Every girl child wants to be lady, every lady will be independent. BSc, HND, MBA, PhD, a pretty face and pliant job ensures interminable freedom. And those that are without brains look out for the randy boss, then they jiggle their hips. These days, they up the ante, they agree to an inviting bump or two, or simply offer it.

No more shall womanly wiles be subservient to impenitent machismo. Our daughters have learnt to tame men. Our women have discovered how to be men. A new breed of womanhood has evolved.

It foists upon us such quality of womanhood that dulls down to an artificially created set of sexual-political sensibilities in desperation to

sate the feminist emotional lust for being perpetually ‘oppressed.’

Thus like porn addicts, paedophiles, rapists and racists, our daughters have become emotion junkies – infinitely handicapped yet propelled by their lust for unearned benefits. And when she seems truly deserving of sought benefits, gluttony and wile pervert her claims until her agitation attains the tenor of a ruckus, much like the ghastly cries of feral cats jostling for the largest chunk of carrion flesh. Misandry and demonization of men drives her to perpetually devalue men’s worth to the extent that she has become blasé about the disposability of men and the boychild.

In the wake of the ensuing abnormality, we treasure the good old days, when daughters agreed to be led like brainless lambs to the slaughter slab. We bemoan the loss of the epoch, when wedlock was arranged even before the girl child was conceived and delivered.

But then, there was no internet and our mothers pounded yams and provided bath water for our

‘Would a true man marry for money? Would a true man defile his own daughter? Would a true man mourn his wife for 90 days or would he untie the next wrapper at her demise? Would a true man allow the dehumanization of his widow, if he could help it?’

U

NTIL 1999, the Presidential Fleet was under the control and supervision of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. Before 1999, senior air force officers in their grey upon blue well ironed uniforms were seen on the eleventh floor of Federal Secretariat which was then the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, hanging around. But in June 1999, President Olusegun Obasanjo transferred the fleet to be part of the schedule of the Chief of Staff to the President.

The argument was that since the Chief of Staff was the head of the staff attached to the President and since he was aware of the hourly movement of the President, he was in a better position to control the fleet adequately. I understand that the fleet is now under my friend, Col. Sabo Dasuki (rtd.), the National Security Adviser. Before 1999, the fleet was almost dormant for lack of use.

General Ibrahim Babangida (72) hardly travels outside the country except to visit some states and Chief Earnest Oladeinde Adegunle Shonekan (79) whose tenure lasted less than 100days made use of the fleet only once when he attended the Commonwealth conference outside Nigeria. The second time he used the fleet was when he was overthrown and brought down to Lagos in company of Chief Dapo Sarumi.

General Sani Abacha hardly travelled outside Abuja; in fact during his era, pilots attached to the Presidential Fleet complained of underutilisation, raising fears that they might lose their licenses for not flying enough. In 1997, he made only five trips outside Abuja; in 1998, he made three trips, the fourth would have taken him to Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso on June 8, 1998 for the African Union Conference, the very day that he died.

General Abdusalam Abubakar who spent less than eleven months in office was too busy with his transition programme that he hardly travelled. He made four trips during his era, two to Niger Delta to inspect the oil spillage in that area As for President Olusegun Okikiolu Obasanjo, the Jagunmolu of Egbaland, he was a flying President. Even till today, when the Presidential Fleet is outside his control, he is still flying around the world. He loves to fly. That is the way he is. And the pilots attached to the Presidential Fleet loved him for that.

The Presidential Fleet still remains today the most important posting in the Nigerian Air force. For example, the present Chief of Defence Staff, Marshall Alex Sabundu Badeh was a product of the Presidential fleet, as he flew former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar between 1999 and 2007 severally.

Even the present Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Nunayun Amosu was a product of the Nigeria Presidential Air fleet too. The fleet has one of the largest aircrafts in the world in comparison to other countries.

The British Prime Minister has no presidential aircraft. Members of the British government charter either British Airways or Virgin Atlantic most times.

The government of Tunisia operates a Boeing 737 BBJ. An Airbus A340-500 has also been purchased and VIP configured, but was never used for travel and has been stored since 2011 revolu-

fathers and their mistresses. Tell me, who would wish such on his most precious daughter? It’s been four decades since papa visited mama’s bed. It’s been five years since he untied her wrapper. I wonder how she got along. Now that he is dead, I wonder how she would survive.

I used to think that she was made of wood. But recently, that changed; awareness drummed by the hard, cold palms of truth. Just the other day, while the sun set, in Morpheus’ warm embrace, I heard her playing with herself. I tried to challenge her, but my guts failed me. I would love to advise her, but I am ashamed to accost her pain lest she recoils in shame.

But what do I know? I am only a child. My curiosity should be meant for more childlike things. I shouldn’t become the cat that died prying. My hard earned knowledge fits me for such tasks but I lack the nobility to fulfill such. Oftentimes I wonder if it was love that killed Adunni, my grandma’s friend.

Now a breathing corpse, the poor old woman has sashayed to her watershed, in the dark. Hence for her, there would be no defining moment. These days, she has forgotten how to do the walk. The sway that endeared her to Ajadi, the gravel merchant, has turned her to a reject in his house. Every time she tries to reenact her magic, he screams ‘ashawo.’ These days her co-wives taunt her to her face. They ask her to relinquish her turn on the bed. She has decided to do so because her in-laws have joined hands in the mockery. They ask what more could she want from her husband’s manhood.

And she just turned 40. But she cannot leave lest she puts her family to shame and her four daughters go hungry. It has become the

way of her husband to deny her daughters, his kids, food and fatherhood every time she incurs his wrath, however petty. He threatens to throw them on the streets.

The village belle of yesterday has become the laughingstock of today.

The maiden who taunted the hood of men have fallen by the honeyed – tongue of Ajadi, the virgin hunter.

Passion she fanned to lighten her heart died in the full blaze of her first love’s passion for another and others.

‘Curse papa and leave!’ her children scream as they attempt to smash the picture of her only love, their father.

Suitors she left to clutter her father’s door recline in the chilly atmosphere of her spent youth.

What are they looking for? Perhaps the cold acknowledgement that at last, she values their love, the shallow pretense of appreciation offered in a dream? A note, a sign, a telltale to console them that their ardor was never misplaced?

These days, they too, join in the mockery. They jeer at the unreciprocated love whose misery cries out, silently. Shakara don end o, Adunni has reached her twilight, at 40.

When Ajadi dies, she would be willed to his drunkard brother and driver. Her co-wives would be inherited by two others, but they would be better off.

Her four daughters would be cut from their father’s bequest, because they would be women.

That is why they have vowed to never marry. Vile astir, fire at heart, they forswear men. Every day, they vow to become ‘career ladies.’ They say they would see men like the latter sees them, objects to be done with, disposable means to self-indulgent ends.

Adunni is mortified. Should we too? I admit that I am. I have some issue, she is no longer a child, neither is she an adult yet she seems to understand what it is to be an adult, mostly the sordid details. And she is just 10.

The present breaks my heart. We treat our women badly, worse than slaves. We shave their heads when their husbands die and put them in a cage. We force them to sit and eat on the bare floor over the most trying days. Some, we force to drink body fluid secreted from the husband’s corpse even as we drive many more to the brink of madness by our sheer inhumanity. How monstrous can we get?

Would a true man recoil because his wife earns higher? Would a true man pay a child prostitute for sex?

Would he liberate her from such villainy? Would a true man flaunt a mistress to his wife’s face? Would a true man deny his wife the right to speak? Would a true man manage the tantrums of the most troublesome of women or flee from it?

Would a true man marry for money? Would a true man defile his own daughter? Would a true man mourn his wife for 90 days or would he untie the next wrapper at her demise? Would a true man allow the dehumanization of his widow, if he could help it? What do dead husbands think on their way to yonder? What do they do when they look back? Do their glands thicken and moisten with tears? Do they applaud the monstrosity we savagely dole out to their women?

May our daughters marry the husbands we have become to their mothers; shall we say ‘Amen?’

Off-loading the presidential fleet

By Eric Teniola tion that ousted former dictator Ben Ali. The Tunisian government is reportedly trying to sell both aircraft.

The government of Algeria operates an Airbus A340-500.

The chief executive of Hong Kong travels on commercial aircraft, usually operated by Cathay Pacific. He travels within the travel on helicopters operated by the Government Flying Service.

The Ivorian government uses a Gulf IV as a VIP aircraft. Further they also use a government Boeing 727-200WGL. The State of Israel does not currently possess a specific jet for use of its Head of State. Wherever the current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu flies long distances (out of the country), the government leases an airliner from the state airline El Al. Meanwhile the President Reuvin Rivlin and other high ranking dignitaries are relegated to El Al first class commercial service. As of 2014, the Knesset is considering the purchase of such an airplane, dubbed “Israeli Air Force One” Kenya’s President has a Fokker 70 for use as the presidential jet.

Fokker executive plane was purchased at a cost of $50 million.

The 70-seater jet was reconfigured into telecommunication facilities. Prior to the purchase of the Fokker, the Kenya President primarily used Kenya Airways for his international travel.

The Saudi Arabian Royal Flight operates a Boeing 747-300 and a Boeing 747-400 for use by the King of Saudi Arabia.

The President, Prime Minister of Singapore and government officials typically travel on regular scheduled commercial flights run by Singapore Airlines. However, on rare occasions or short trips, government officials may travel on one of the few passenger-configured Fokker-50 operated by the Republic of Singapore Air Force.

The President of South Africa travels in a Boeing 737 (BBJ) operated by the South African Air Force’s 21 Squadron, which is based at AFB Waterkloof near Pretoria; the executive capital, i.e. the seat of the executive branch of the South African government.

21 Squadron also operates a fleet of two Falcon 50 and a Falcon 900B Fleet,550/1 Citation 2, and a Global Express XRS is hired to escort the President on long flights as a back-up aircraft. The Falcon 900 is normally used by the Deputy President and highranking cabinet ministers.

The President of Zimbabwe travels in a charted Air Zimbabwe Boeing 767-200ER aircraft, which is part of the national airline’s fleet. Occasionally, the President will share the plane with commercial passengers on scheduled flights.

The Tanzania government flight agency operates a Gulfstream G550 for VIP transports. There are other two other VIP aircraft a Fokker F-50 and F-28 for internal and regional destinations as well.

The President of Ghana flies on a Falcon EX 900 jet.

The Botswana Defence Force operated a Gulfstream IV transport but has since been sold and the Botswana Defence Force now operates a Global Express OK1.

The government of Burkina uses a special Boeing 727. A Falcon 900 has been added, and is the type frequently in use now.

The Egyptian government operates an Airbus A340-200 as a VIP transport. The first presidential airplane was given as a gift from Saudi Arabia to Egypt.

The Pope is one of the richest and famous men on earth. He is the Head of the Catholic Church that has followership all over the world.

Typically, the Pope flies on a chartered Alitalia fixed-wing aircraft when travelling to or from more distant destinations. Traditional protocol dictates that a Pope flies to a country he is visiting o a chartered Alitalia jet and to return on a jet belonging to a flag carrier from the visited nation; this may vary when he is touring multiple nations.

The Nigerian’s Presidential Air fleet is being maintained by over N10 billion budget annually.

Poor states like Osun, Gombe, Ebonyi, Ekiti gets less than N2 billion every month from the federation account. The Presidential Fleet of Nigeria has the third largest air fleet in the country coming behind Arik which has 22 and Aero Contractors which has 14. The Presidential Air fleet has 10 aircraft. They include, two Falcon 7X jet, two Falcon 900jets, Gulfstream 550,one Boeing 737 BBJ (Nigerian Air Force 001 or Eagle One), Gulfstream IVSP. Others are one Gulfstream V, Cessna Citation 2 aircraft and Hawk Siddley 125-800 jet.

Each of the two Falcon 7X jets purchased in 2010 cost $51.1m, while the Gulfstream 550 costs $53.3m. However, airline CEOs put the average price of Falcon 900 at $35m, Gulfstream IVSP at $40m, Gulfstream V at $45m, Boeing 737 BBJ at $58m, Cessna Citation is $7m and Hawker Siddley 125-800 at $125-800 at $15m.

The question before us is can we maintain the Presidential Airfleet in the face of our dwindling economy? The answer is no.

The alternative is to sell some of the aircraft so as to reduce cost.

It is even cheaper to charter planes for some of our top officials than to maintain the Presidential Airfleet as it is now.

The other angle is to let the Nigerian Air force face other challenges, instead of the present rivalry among senior officers over posting to the presidential air fleet.

I think we have many projects to tackle. Instead of the temporary comfort of our leaders. All these are for the consideration of the incoming government of Major General(rtd.) Muhammadu Buhari.

In his Essays of Innovation, Francis Bacon wrote” And he that will not apply new remedies, must expect new evil; for time is the greatest innovator.”

• Teniola, a former director at the presidency, stays in Lagos.

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

22

COMMENTS ‘When boasting ends, there dignity begins’ Owen Young (1874-1962) (American Lawyer/ Chairman of General Electric.)

S

INCERELY, Olabode Ibiyinka George to be addressed in this column as BG has done quite well in life for himself.

Though a failed loquacious politician, he was a success in his military career. He was military governor of former Ondo State in the late eighties to early nineties. After a period of being in public lurch, he had a brief reappearance in the public domain as an aide to General Oladipo Diya, then Chief of Staff in the infamous late Sani Abacha-led despotic military regime. BG was subsequently inherited by the democratic but tyrannical administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. In 2001, George was imposed as People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) national vice-chairman in the southwest zone. Later, he was elevated, through imposition as PDP Deputy National Chairman, South, and then the National Deputy Chairman of the PDP. Obasanjo also appointed him as Chairman of the lucrative Nigerian Ports Authority where he ran into troubled waters.

For doing filthy errands and creating so much un-impactful intrigue amongst the Yoruba, BG was ‘honoured’ as a member of the Board of Trustees of the PDP for life for as long as he remains in the party. He is also the only one representing the southwest in the national caucus of the party forever.

In an interview syndicated in the Punch edition of February 17, 2015 and Vanguard of February 20, 2015, BG vaingloriously declared: ‘If Bola Tinubu finds his way into national government, I will go on exile.’ After the election when a Vanguard reporter asked whether he would still go on exile or not, he retorted: “What will I be doing here? I can decide to go and live anywhere. Look at everyone surrounding him (Buhari). So, I am not joking about it, what will I be doing here?

At 70, what will I be doing here?’’ Apart for his pathological envy and baseless spurn for Asiwaju Tinubu, he has also exposed his bigotry for Mohammadu Buhari, presidentelect for deafeningly defeating his candidate and party in the last largely free and fair presidential election. The question to ask at this juncture is; when is Bode George going on exile?

Bode George’s brags reminds of the statement of Owen D. Young (1874-1962), the late American Lawyer and chairman of General Electric when he said: “When boasting ends, there dignity begins.” Permit this column to ask him; now that Tinubu has not just found his way into national government but has become an important part of that government and one of the greatest practical politicians ever produced

08110000117

When is Bode George leaving town?

He takes pride in describing himself as a true Lagosian despite his having not done anything concrete for the common man on the streets of the state, even at the apogee of his vastly waning influence with the government at the centre. He has been playing politics of the centre that has made little or no positive impact on the state. This may not be unconnected with why people of his areas have always punctured his over-inflated political relevance, during election •Bode George •Tinubu periods. by this country, where are the remains of the When Tinubu was building state institutions doubtful political and social integrity of BG? and thinking of how to make Lagosians secure While Tinubu was busy plotting on how to and happy, BG, in cohort with Seye Ogunlewe win more states for the progressives so that was inflicting torture on the people of the more Nigerians could benefit from the type state through FERMA thugs between 2005 and of good governance going on in the centre of 2007. They later transformed this group into excellence, BG was always far from Lagosians SURE-P Task Force cadets in 2014 that they taking refuge in the comfort zones of Aso- used to torment the people before the last Rock and lying to the ruling henchmen that elections in their pursuits of do-or-die politics. he was going to win Lagos for PDP. When Tinubu was creating jobs and thinking Shamefully though, he never did because a of how to make the youth of Lagos more more popular, people-loving and large- purposeful in their vocation of choice, the best hearted Tinubu always beat him to the game. that BG had for them was to deploy them as Tinubu would for long continue to do that. thugs before and during elections when his BG never won in his polling booth, which own children and those of his cohorts were makes one to be wondering how a man that attending the best schools in the world and cannot win his area can ever think of engaged in dream positions in best producing a winning team in Lagos. In the institutions across the globe. What iniquity! last governorship election in Lagos, he lost The only thing BG knows how to do is to his polling unit where APC defeated PDP by rig, which unfortunately he cannot do 139 votes to 87. He also fruitlessly played successfully because it can only be done ethnic politics in Lagos with Jimi Agbaje in where a politician is popular. A man that the last election. routinely loses his polling unit cannot be a The presidential election loss in the March popular politician in the true sense of the word. BG is also a master in the game of 28 contest was a foregone conclusion.

I

N 1958, Nigerians received the message of the maiden extraction of crude oil with euphoria. Exploration and the revenue therefrom accelerated at the end of the civil war in 1970. Money was flowing into Nigeria’s treasury in the early 1970s to the extent that the first impulse of the then head of state was that the country had so much money than it could spend. It did not occur to that government and subsequent governments that saving national revenue is one of the building blocks of economic development defined as industrialization in this commentary. Although the price of crude oil has fluctuated since 1970, Nigeria’s revenue from the commodity has remained high enough to give the country’s economic planners and leaders sufficient resource to shepherd the economy to the doorstep of industrialization. The latter has not happened 45 years after the civil war.

Price of crude oil has been impressive and the quantity of production has skyrocketed since 1980. Nigeria produced 8.5 billion barrels of crude oil in the 10-year period 2004-2013 of which eight billion barrels were exported while the balance was distributed to domestic refineries. NNPC data also show that Nigeria produced an average of 800, 000, 000 barrels of crude oil a year from 2004-2013. This means that aggregate annual revenue each year was equally impressive. Recent figures from OPEC show that Nigeria earned $84 billion and $77 billion from export of crude oil in 2013 and 2014 respectively. The drop in earnings in 2014 was the result of the fall in the price of the commodity in the fourth quarter of that year. However, $77 billion from one commodity is an impressive earning in a developing society if leaders know what they are doing. But the irony is that the more money Nigeria makes from crude oil, the more its political leaders put the country in debt through constant borrowing from international agencies.

‘Anyone who wants to see the meaning of underemployment defined as workers with fewer tasks than they are supposed to perform, or are capable of performing, should take a focused observation of state and federal government offices in all parts of Nigeria. There are little or no tasks for employees of an overstaffed institution’

causing disaffections like he did during the last governorship primaries of his party in the state. Musiliu Obanikoro, also a political renegade threw a poser that George might forever be unable to answer in his description of the PDP primaries in the state to wit: “The entire primary was a sham. I still cannot comprehend how accredited delegates of 806 will turn out to be 868. To be honest with you, with the benefit of hindsight, you can tell that the outcome was predetermined.’’

As the failed godfather of PDP in the state, he still owes the public the duty to say something on this.

BG stands for everything antithetical to the progress of a true federal state in the 16 years of PDP rulership of the country. He stands as an anti-state police agent because he still wants a federal police that he can manipulate to subdue the populace in the state so that he can cover up his unpopularity in the public domain; he stands against true fiscal federalism so that he can continue to have enough to take care of his greed alongside other cohorts; he supports the tepid approach to handling of graft because he wants the current status quo to remain. BG stands for everything that would make Nigeria remain stagnant because such scenario benefits his style of politics that Nigerians in their wisdom voted against in the last general elections.

BG speaks with excessive vanity but when else the public sees him doing that, they could only reckon that pride comes before a fall; and the abysmal fall from political relevance of BG looks irredeemable. Only God can rescue this man. He repulses Asiwaju Tinubu simply because the political savvy emergent Yoruba navigator has proved to be a better Lagosian and an adept politician than him and his unscrupulous political friends. Again, when is BG going on exile now that the hope of ever defeating Tinubu in Lagos seems foregone? He must give an answer now. This is the only way he can complement his boast with integrity.

‘BG speaks with excessive vanity but when else the public sees him doing that, they could only reckon that pride comes before a fall; and the abysmal fall from political relevance of BG looks irredeemable. Only God can rescue this man’

Oil and Nigeria’s missed opportunities

By Chikwendu Christian Ukaegbu Debt -servicing cost the country approximately US$9 billion in 2005 alone. The lack of economic development, a crumbled social and physical infrastructure, high rate of unemployment, and extreme deprivation the citizens experienced since the second decade of the end of the civil war was once blamed on the notion that debt-servicing severely handicapped the ability of the government to pursue economic development. Nigerian leaders, military and civilian, floated the idea that reduction, or elimination, of the debt burden would provide them with the revenue to embark on the project of national development. Then debt relief the awaited saving grace came to the rescue.

Nigeria’s external debt in October 2005 was $30 billion.

The Paris Club offered a debt relief of $18 billion that same year. Nigeria paid off an outstanding amount of $12 billion in April 2006. Proud of its role in the negotiations, as it should be, the Center for Global Development (CGD) called Nigeria’s debt relief a watershed deal. It was a turning point, indeed a landmark in the state of affairs of the country. But there has not been a significant change by way of economic development except that Nigeria was recently named the largest economy in Africa because of growth in GDP. Economic development is what the people of a country do for themselves by themselves in search of sustainable means of sustenance and individual and national self-actualization under the leadership of a development-oriented state. Discounting the immediate independence years, 1960-1969, consumed by civil strife and war, Nigerian leaders have always had opportunities to move the country to economic development since the end of the war in 1970. But successive generations of leaders squandered and continue to squander those opportunities till the present day. The missed opportunities fall under five levels namely, a group of immediate postindependence politicians desirous of development epitomized by the investments they made in education, agriculture, industry and infrastructure; a relatively efficient public bureaucracy or civil service; a high quality educational system left behind by erstwhile colonizers; a succession of military governments unencumbered by opposition and high cost of government; and debt relief which Nigeria has enjoyed

since 2006; plus a steady flow oil revenue .

The immediate post-independence political leaders were enthusiastic about national and regional development.

Michael Okpara in Eastern Nigeria, Obafemi Awolowo in Western Nigeria, and Ahmadu Bello in Northern Nigeria were and still are worshipped by their constituents because of the foundations they laid in education, agriculture, industry, and physical infrastructure. Nnamdi Azikiwe led the founding of the first indigenous university in Nigeria with the apt and inspirational motto, ‘To Restore The Dignity of Man’, meaning that Nigerians would have their destiny in their own hands and turn things around for a better society.

Major roads sprang up in many parts of Nigeria. Regional and national governments funded their annual budgets and fulfilled the promises of their development plans using nonoil resources of their regions. The civil strife of 1966-70 arising from the country’s faulty geoethnostructure halted those moves towards development. We will never know whether or not the immediate post-independence leaders were indeed a developmental elite. But they had the hallmarks of that label compared to successor generations of leaders.

Like their elected counterpart, regional and national bureaucrats of the immediate independence period were efficient, in fact well educated, intelligent and development-oriented compared to their present-day counterparts. The civil service of today is broken. The majority of employees are idle and unable to justify the reason for which they were employed. Anyone who wants to see the meaning of underemployment defined as workers with fewer tasks than they are supposed to perform, or are capable of performing, should take a focused observation of state and federal government offices in all parts of Nigeria. There are little or no tasks for employees of an overstaffed institution. The politicians and the bureaucrats of the immediate post-independence years were not saints. But they invested their knowledge, sentiments, and best capabilities to better the lives of their constituents. Names like N.U. Akpan, Allison Ayida, Jerome Udoji, Simeon Adebo, and others of the same generation were conspicuous in the national psyche. That the likes of the latter did not continue is another missed opportunity.

• Ukaegbu, Professor of Sociology and National Development writes from USA c-ukaegbu@northwestern.edu

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

23

Newspaper of the Year

AN 8-PAGE PULLOUT ON SOUTHEAST STATES

Lamentations of Anambra community

Toll of court workers’ strike in Aba •PAGE 26

•PAGE 37

FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

PAGE 25

Elechi’s wife lifts needy children, caregivers •PAGE 40

•Work of the blacksmiths at Eke Awka Market

Agony of Awka master blacksmiths

E

VERYONE knows they are a special breed and that they have gifted fingers. What is not quite clear is why the gift of Awka master craftsmen has not made a way for them.

They can tell from the colour of a burning piece of metal in the furnace just when it is ready for the hammer and the anvil. As the furnace heat intensifies, the metal turns red, then orange before it becomes white. At this stage the workman pulls out the metal with a tool, lowers it to the anvil and brings down the hammer on it. In time, he bends and cuts the object into the desired shape and out

The legendary blacksmiths of Awka, capital of Anambra State, grind out a living from their trade, apparently abandoned by government and community leaders. NWANOSIKE ONU reports, with additional writing by OGOCHUKWU IKEJE comes another wonderful piece of artistry.

The blacksmiths of Awka predate colonialism and even recorded Western history. They fashioned their armlets and bracelets with the same ease as they produced their hunting and agricultural tools or kitchenware. In the modern era, the

blacksmiths who learnt the trade from their forebears have been churning out almost anything one can imagine.

Their forges, blowers, anvils, hammers and the like have aided them in producing the earliest documented bronze works in sub-Sahara Africa, according to history. It is

also said that Awka smiths are among the best in the country.

For the late Prof. Chinua Achebe, the famous Ogidi, Anambra Stateborn literary giant, Awka has a certain kind of aura about it because it was there the blacksmiths created implements which made agriculture possible in parts of the coun-

try.

Dane guns, hoes, machetes and gongs are some of their products, as are metal traps, diggers for harvesting tubers, musical instruments, fetters, spears, metal gates, titular staff, spoons, plates, •Continued on page 26

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

26

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

Agony of Awka master blacksmiths •Continued from page 25

T

HINGS are better at the federal level but in some states, the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) strike is exacting an enormous cost on Aba and its residents.

JUSUN called a strike back in January seeking redress certain issues especially at the workplace and rights of members.

While JUSUN members at the federal courts have since resumed work, some of their state counter-

•Comade Ochije

the association, 41-year-old Obiora Chigbata, told The Nation that they were yet to find a piece of land to settle.

Though, he refused to grant any interview on the exploits of the blacksmiths and their suffering, the young man said he took over from his father, adding that the occupation is hereditary.

Chigbata said their trade is generational, passing from father to son. He added that given the insensitivity of government and even community elders, the workmen have grown somewhat disenchanted and are seeking what they can get out of the job, caring less and less whether help would come from anywhere or not.

When The Nation visited his shop when others had started work, he was pouring libation to

•An Awka blacksmith at work

,

bangles, rings, necklaces and earrings, among others.

Their works are everywhere, decorating hands and feet, lifting the profile of living rooms, making the job of housewives easier in the kitchen, helping to secure homes and, among other things, putting motorists who damage their car keys out of their misery.

The blacksmiths of Awka have also left their ingenuity on their city, with their works standing gracefully in various parts of the capital.

Still, the smiths are barely grinding out a living, almost entirely nonexistent in the reckoning or psyche of state government officials, year after year and administration after administration.

The master craftsmen of Awka do their business at a sewage site amid all manner of refuse. The air around the place is unhealthy and the workmen look crammed. They said the governments of the state have scarcely taken notice of them, giving them a sense that they are pretty much on their own.

All entreaties to attract the attention of government have proved abortive. You will find a large number of them at the back of Odera Market near the Goat Market, but their location is an eyesore.

Appeals by the craftsmen through their association to the government to relocate them to a comfortable environment have fallen on deaf ears.

Out of frustration, the artisans organised an exhibition in 2013 at Umuzocha Hall, where their displayed tools attracted the attention of former governor Peter Obi. During the exhibition, Obi asked them to look for land. The chairman of

Nobody wants to help us, even most of our elders in this community are no longer interested in what we do, so we decided to take our fate in our hands, and that is why we decided at our meeting that anybody who visits this place to consult us whether to interview us or any other thing, must pay a certain amount of money with a few other items before we talk

,

the gods of iron, saying that the essence was to take powers from the spirits before beginning work.

It is a norm, he said.

“Nobody wants to help us, even most of our elders in this commu-

nity are no longer interested in what we do, so we decided to take our fate in our hands, and that is why we decided at our meeting that anybody who visits this place to consult us whether to interview us or any other thing, must pay a certain amount of money with a few other items before we talk.”

On the size of the market, Chigbata, who said he was made the chairman of the group two years ago, told The Nation that customers frequent the environment on a daily basis to demand for one item or the order.

Some of their items are not found in the conventional hardware shops or markets anywhere around the community or its environs.

It has become a taboo for any customer to ask the smiths to make a •Continued on page 27

Toll of court workers’ strike in Aba From Sunny Nwankwo

parts were yet to do so. Abia is one of the states which have yet to resolve the issue with the court workers.

The result is that so many court cases have been left inconclusive,

•The gate of Aba High Court now a makeshift car park

denying people the right to argue their matters or, if they lose, take them to higher courts.

Civil and criminal cases, land disputes, even human rights matters have been stalled, causing people to resort to alternative ways of resolving their cases.

Facilities at Aba and Umuahia

prisons have continued to be overstretched while the number of inmates, especially those awaiting trial, has also continued to grow astronomically as security agencies almost on a daily basis have continued to dump suspects in prison yards while the courts remain closed.

While senior lawyers have learnt to adapt to the situation usually associated with JUSUN strike, the young ones who apparently were still learning the rope according to The Nation investigation remained the most frustrated as they now live on stipends from clients seeking for bail from Police custody.

A source who spoke to The Nation anonymously disclosed that some of the Magistrates close to him had already prepared judgments on some cases before their courts while waiting for JUSUN to call off the industrial action.

A lawyer who did not want his name in print told our correspondent that the situation has worsened and that many lawyers who depend on legal practice alone resort to borrowing money from their friends and relations to put food on their family’s table, hoping to repay them as soon as the courts begin sitting.

According to him, “I am not speaking for other lawyers, but I believe that there are people in the same shoe like mine. You will understand what it means to be a bread winner for two families or more and to make the matter

worse; the wife who is supposed to be a helper is being owed for about five months salary arrears. That could be frustrating because as the bread winner for your own and other families, you must try to meet your dependants’ needs.

“My sister and brother in-law are in school. My mother in-law is in my house. my own brothers and sisters are also in school and I am the one training them. You must also attend to their other needs to ensure that all of them are happy and would not feel cheated. My own children as the Easter holiday has ended will be going back to school and you need to pay their school fees and you must provide for them with beverages and whatever they would need in the dormitory at least to help them settle in school weeks after resumption of schools. I am not complaining but it is just to paint a picture of what some lawyers like me are passing through and for someone to have stayed idle for like 3 to 4 months without any other means of income, you can understand what life would have been”.

A member of the JUSUN who spoke anonymously because he was not authorized to speak to the press said that they would soon stop collecting their salary until government decides implementing the decisions of the court to grant them autonomy and also the new salary scale which the source claimed had •Continued on page 27

T THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

27

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT •Continued from page 26

•Grass taking over the premises of Aba South Magistrate’s Court I

Toll of court workers’ strike in Aba the eight-year tenure of the incumbent administration would have ended and there is nothing anybody can do about it. So we hope that the members of JUSUN would understand this.”

“Yes, workers should be paid well, but definitely, that is not the reason for the strike. The reason for the strike is the constitutional provision and the Federal High Court judgment. Now having met with that, we can only proceed further by the court being opened and then both the Bar and members of JUSUN joining to agitate for that salary increase that they are asking for.

“After all, we have relations who

,

already being approved by the Abia State House of Assembly during the January presentation of the state’s budget.

In a chat with the Aba branch chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Chidozie Ogunji, he said “I feel the strike embarked upon by JUSUN is an unfortunate situation; unfortunate situation because I don’t think that those who are striking are looking at it from the dangers which the situation portends.

“Yes, there is an agreement signed which the government has endorsed and the leaders of the Bar have also endorsed. The situation is, why not call off the strike and if there is non-implementation, you can now take it up from there? You cannot talk of implementation when you have not called off. Government has given an undertaking as supervised by the Bar for implementation of the judgment of Court of Federal High Court and compliance with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended. So, the situation is a dangerous one.

“We now have a situation where the courts are not sitting and the people are suffering and by the day now resort to self help which is not good for our democracy, our nation and state.”

On how the strike has affected their job as lawyers, Ogunji said: “Definitely, everything is at a standstill. It is not even like a small coach, a slow coach is even better now, but the situation we have now is a total lockdown; no work and nothing is moving, the courts are shut, lawyers are in their respective offices doing nothing and as the chairman of the Aba branch, it pains me more because daily, I see my members complaining and groaning in poverty.

“We will also remember that we have younger practitioners, it is a very untidy situation and we just hope that JUSUN...will call it off, whatever other minor issues that may be discussed can be resolved with [the soon-coming government]. Is it the man that is going away that will enter into agreement with any other person? Once he has agreed to comply with the constitutional provision and agreed to comply with the judgment of the court, to us he has done that as required by law, what other demands we make can be done when the new man comes on board because by May 29, a new man must come and

We now have a situation where the courts are not sitting and the people are suffering and by the day now resort to self help which is not good for our democracy, our nation and state

,

are all working in the courts. So, we want them to be paid well but the court cannot be locked and they

are now asking for payment. They must open the court and when there is non-compliance, they can now

proceed on strike. ”So our position is that for now, their demand and using the lockup of court as a measure is not acceptable to the branch (NBA Aba Branch). Using strike as a means of solving industrial actions is not the best in all situations. There are services that you cannot lockdown, take for example, the hospitals, the police, the judiciary these are sacred institutions, without them, the country will collapse. So, there should be other mechanisms. In worst case scenario, you go to the industrial court. These are not acceptable modes of attracting atten•Continued on page 28

Agony of Awka blacksmiths •Continued from page 26

•Earlier smiths of Awka at work

gun for them, unlike before when it was rampant. That was why security personnel on a tip-off raided their location some years ago.

A community leader in the area, Comrade Obi Ochije, said, “It is unfortunate that our governments do not realise the importance of these people in the society. Look at China today, the country has become a world power due to technological advancement, but here in Nigeria, everything is politics and that is why our economy keeps backsliding instead of moving forward.”

“Believe you me, if these people are encouraged and those ones at Aba, I bet you Anambra and Abia states will take Nigeria’s economy to Eldorado like what is being experienced in China and Japan.”

“I always weep when I see talents being wasted in the society because of politics, the only industry that grows rapidly in Nigeria today is

politics and this will take us to anywhere in future, my heart bleeds.”

Ochije therefore urged on Obiano and president-elect Gen. Muhammadu Buhari to always remember these blacksmiths in whatever programme they have at both the state and national levels.

Chigbata told The Nation that they need to advance their skills such as iron cutter, echo to lift the business, adding that if certain items were provided them, that what happens in China would be a child’s play.

A visit to the place, showed that many young people have joined in the uzu technology in Awka to replace some of the ageing ones.

For Chigbata and others, the young ones are welcome but it would be better for everyone if the authorities would look their way and see how to help them get something meaningful out of this ancient trade.

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

28

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

Toll of workers’ strike

PPRECIATION comes now and then, but on a Mothering Sunday, it comes in a deluge.

Christ Holy Church International (CHC) has marked the day in Aba, during which women received gifts for their role in the birth and resurrection of Christ, the church and their homes and the society at large.

Men, children and other family members showered gifts on the women, presenting them with assorted materials. It was a day for wives and mothers.

The celebration in one of the church branches in Aba also provided an opportunity for the women to present their own offering to God, though they said it was not enough to thank Him for protecting their families, the church, the state and the entire country.

With their beautiful voices, they

A

For the general public who are also affected by the strike action, my feelings are that the general populace is gradually on a very consistent note losing confidence in the judiciary

,

bers were posted out of the judiciary and the thing was not implemented.

Then, this judgment of February 13 2014 by the Federal High Court Abuja when I came on board. In fact all the states including the federal court went on strike for the implementation. So the federal judiciary suspended their strike because their own is being implemented (their financial autonomy is being implemented). But some states just like Abia now came up with memorandum of understanding (MOU) and that MOU is talking about salary overhead and the capital project but you cannot say you are practicing judicial financial autonomy without the prescribed emolument because the financial autonomy of the judiciary is standing on three legs; one is overhead, the other one is capital project and personnel cost, that is worker’s salary. So when you decide to pay overhead and the capital project and drop the personnel cost which is the main thing, it is like someone keep nine commandments, leaving one and the one he or she has decided to leave is the one God said, love your neighbour as yourself, what is the greatest. So, it is as good as that you have never kept any commandment and you know that the Abia State governor is a worker friendly Governor.

“He, (T. A. Orji) is ready to pay because he constituted this committee as far back as 2010 and promised to pay. The only thing is that there are bad advisers. People who are supposed to advise him well, like the Attorney General who may be for one reason or the other doesn’t want to advice him (Governor) well. The

•Aba North Magistrate’s Court I locked up

•Hawkers in front of Aba South Magistrate’s Court governor cannot be everywhere, so even now, if they would advice him well, he will sign it. In 2010 when the then C.J (Chief Justice) of the state as at then, S. N Imo went to the governor to make a case for some allowances to magistrates, he instantly approved it immediately.

The Governor is a worker friendly Governor, so the people who are supposed to advice him well are not doing that so even in this strike, workers are not happy to be on this strike because it is affecting so many people. The workers know quite well that there is paucity of fund in the

state. We are not going to the N44, 000 :00 minimum wage, they said we know that the state government doesn’t have enough fund, okay pay us the amount that our brothers and sister from Imo State are receiving which they have gone and defended during the budget sometime February, but the thing is still lingering. If somebody will advice the governor well, the governor will accept it.

“Even if he is not going to pay now and said okay that I am going to pay from June or May, workers will quickly go back to work, I don’t think that they have anything so special in

this strike. Look at the health workers; they are enjoying their own salary structure. But this one as small as N28,000 which the Imo state have e been paying the judiciary since 2010 why don’t you give it to this people instead of the percentage because if you go by the percentage, it will be at about N44,000 which will be outrageous for the state government for now. But instead of telling the governor the truth, they go blackmailing the workers or whoever they think that is telling them the truth; I think that is what is holding the thing.

Showers of gifts at Mothering Sunday SUNNY NWANKWO reports that women in Aba were recipients of remarkable kindness in appreciation of their role in church and nation-building rendered melodious songs to the admiration of the parishioners.

The women who could not allow the euphoria of the event to overshadow the need for prayers as the country awaits the handover of government by the out-going President Goodluck Jonathan to General Muhammadu Buhari, also used the opportunity to offer special prayers for peace in their families, businesses, the church and the country at large.

It was really a day that Christ Holy

,

tion in peculiar situations. I certainly don’t agree to that because that will be creating a danger.

“My suggestion is that JUSUN should call off the strike immediately and then, upon the inauguration of a new government, we would push for their increment in salary which is what they are asking for”.

In his own contribution, C.K Nwankwo, NBA chairman Ukwa Branch in a telephone interview, said, “We have been pleading with them to call off the strike. Government has done all it has to do for them to call off the strike and we have with them and considered all their requests and the major ones, we begged them and we equally told them that all issues that they were asking for cannot be met at a stretch. So, I don’t understand the continued closure of the court has become unreasonable, it is totally uncalled for and that is my position.

“I have been part of the negotiation and we made it clear to them that it is high time they call of the strike.

“I may not suggest that we take the laws into our hands, but I think we can still meet them and make them see reasons and further dialogue with them. But I want the thing to come from government now, the Attorney-General and all the stakeholders should now bring them, lets still come back to the roundtable and see what is remaining and then, probably some confidence building on both sides so that we can ensure that these things are all over so that we can go back to work.

“For the general public who are also affected by the strike action, my feelings are that the general populace is gradually on a very consistent note losing confidence in the judiciary. It is unheard of that in a clime like our own, the judiciary will be on strike going to the fourth month. It means that that importance of the court as the last hope of the common man is gradually being eroded and people are gradually looking for alternative means of settling their disputes. The courts are the constitutional means but if the people device other means of seeking justice and settling their matters that means that we are going back into the Dark Age and it is not good for the legal system at all”.

Lambert Chibuike Onuoha, JUSUN founding chairman, said, “Before now in August 2010, Abia State government and JUSUBN Exco led by me (Onuoha) entered into agreement with the union to pay Consolidated Judiciary Salary Structure (CONJUSS) which was about over N15, 000:00; that was when Abia State was paying her workers N9, 000:00 minimum wage. But instead of the payment, the Executive of JUSUN and other mem-

,

•Continued from page 27

Men, children and other family members showered gifts on the women, presenting them with assorted materials. It was a day for wives and mothers

,

Church family prayed and thanked God for witnessing 2015. The event lived up to its billing as there was no

dull moment from the start to the end of the service.

The event would not have been

complete if the Bishop of CHC Province III, His Eminence Rt. Rev Aaron Eziuzor failed to admonish the women and the church.

Eziuzor who took his reading from the book of Proverbs 31:10-17 speaking about the virtuous woman, described a virtuous woman as one whose worth is priceless and one who would not be reminded of her role as a mother.

The cleric while lauding the role •Continued on page 40

Newspaper of the Year

AN EIGHT-PAGE PULLOUT ON THE SOUTHSOUTH STATES

FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

PAGE 29

FL YOVERS FLY

PAP A CHARLIE APA

AWARDS

LAST Friday, Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom in Delta, HRM Emmanuel Sideso, Abe I, led others to the inauguration of the N4.1billion 447meter flyover bridge built by the outgoing Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan administration. This is one of the many flyovers now in the state.

THE iconic life of the late Chief Charles Ogbaji Adie, father-inlaw of Dr. Dakuku Peterside reverberated across the length and breadth of Cross River State as family and friends bade farewell to the centenarian for an extraordinary life.

ITwas a celebration of hard work and commitment to duty as the Senior Staff Association of the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, honoured six retirees who had spent their working years in the service of the establishment.

•Uduaghan

•PAGE 30

•The late Adie

•PAGE 31

•PAGE 34

•Mba Okweni

Delta’s keke riders who won’t quit for ‘white-collar’ jobs Many of them used to be ‘okada’ riders.

Thirty months ago when Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan decided to ban commercial motorcycling, they shouted blue murder. Now, they have converted to riding tricycle better known as ‘keke’ and many are making so much fortune that they say they will not swap the business for some category of white-collar jobs, writes Shola O’Neil, Warri

T

•Etanikor in his 'office'

HE Delta State government’s ban on the use of motorcycle as a means of public transport in September 2012 sent a shockwave through the length and breadth of the state because of the number of ablebodied men who find ‘gainful employments’ ferrying passengers from one of part of any city to the other. There were concerns that the plan could further worsen the unemployment crisis.

Although the number of persons who earned their living out of the precarious trade was hard to determine because of the lack of data, it was estimated that more than 10,000 youths and elderly persons were engaged riding motorcycle.

In the early hours of every day, hundreds of young men perched atop their ‘okada’ could be seen rushing from suburbs to the major cities to begin the day’s job. From Ughelli, Sapele, Agbarho, Udu and others, they scramble to Warri as early as 5am and in the evening time they commence an exodus back to their homes. Some work till the wee hours of the day, especially on weekends, and merely grab few hours of sleep atop their motorcycles at busy spots, like the Enerhen junction, before commencing the next hustle.

Some of the bikers were graduates who were forced into the undignified trade because of their inability to get their dream jobs. Despite the condensation they feel at doing it, most are grateful for the opportunity to leave their homes in the morning and re-

‘

We make a lot of money. I easily make up to 6,000 daily (roughly N180,000 monthly) and I am able to save for the rainy days because of the contributions that I am now doing

‘

turn back in the evening with money in their pockets.

It was the fear of the okada riders that would be thrown into the employment market that led to the widespread condemnation of the government’s plan in 2012. Some of the opponents of the plan accused Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of wickedness, saying they planned to throw the operators into further hardship without providing alternative employments for them to cater for their families.

•Continued on page 35

• YOU HAVE STORIES FOR US? PLEASE CONTACT US ON 07066954441 OR 08123521990

30

35

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

NIGER DELTA REPORT COVER

Delta...Flyovers, flyovers everywhere The outgoing administration of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan is easing traffic in Delta State with the inauguration of flyover bridges in major towns, writes Southsouth Regional Editor SHOLA O’NEIL

L

AST Friday, a visibly happy Ovie (traditional ruler) of Uvwie Kingdom in Delta, HRM Emmanuel Sideso, Abe I, led his people, including the Chairman of Uvwie Local Government council, Chief Henry Baro, and other traditional rulers from across the state to the famous roundabout in Effurun, headquarters of the council. The occasion was the inauguration of the N4.1billion 447meter flyover bridge built by the outgoing Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan administration.

The monarch's joy and those of the delighted Uvwie people, who rolled out the red carpet, drums and brought in gaily dressed traditional dancers to welcome the governor and his team, could be appreciated against the background of the importance of the landmark project: Effurun, headquarters of the Uvwie LGA, is an important town because of its link to Warri, the economic capital of the state.

In spite of the Warri crisis and the Niger Delta unrests, the cities remain the hub of economic activities in the state; they are home to many multinational oil companies and services firms and the imposing 5-storey Revenue House, headquarters of the Internal Revenue Board (DBIR) recently inaugurated by the state government was a monument to the economic importance of the area to the state.

In appreciation of the gateway city importance, Governor Uduaghan said, "Effurun or Uvwie is very dear to us because it is like the heartbeat of Delta State.

"There is no way you can ignore Uvwie because you must pass through here to go to other parts of the country. If you have not pass through here, it only means you are not in Delta State. So Uvwie is very strategic in terms of location in Delta State. So whatever we are doing here was necessary to be done here," the governor added.

Over the years the cities of Effurun and Warri have converged to form a hub for commence and industry in the region, so much so that visitors not conversant with the city are not aware that they are seamlessly moving from on to the other.

The Effurun Roundabout, site of the flyover is the entry point into the twin cities from the western and other southern parts of the country.

It is notorious for knotty traffic, especially at rush hours and weekends when vehicular traffic is very heavy.

It was against this background that Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, described the 447m Effurun Flyover as one of his legacy projects in the state, adding that it was conceived as the panacea for the notorious traffic congestion in the area.

He used the opportunity to restate his call for peace as a catalyst for sustainable development, noting that but for peace in the area, which was hitherto notorious for 'Gbege' (crisis) and deve (extortion), the project would not have been possible.

To this end, he commended the efforts of the Uvwie monarch, whose ascension to the throne coincided with the return of peace and orderliness in the kingdom. He urged other communities and youths in the state to emulate the community and adopted dialogue as means of ex-

pressing and settling disagreements.

The governor also used the occasion to get back at his critics - people who he said thought the project would not be completed. He said that the completion of the bridge within 20 months and the first one at the famous Summit Roundabout in Asaba, which he inaugurated just days earlier, was no mean feat.

It would be recalled that the governor had earlier inaugurated the first flyover bridge in the state capital at a cost of N3.5bn. He said he had done a lot make the city assume the "status of a befitting state capital. At the beginning, we started with the airport, the new Government House then we did the schools and the health sectors, very soon an ultra-modern hospital will be completed. " Uduaghan said the Asaba flyover was very strategic as it would ease traffic on the road, which connects Edo State and reduces time of journey from Asaba to Abuja and the northern parts of the country.

Meanwhile, the State Commissioner for Works, Hon. Solomon Funkekeme, in his remarks at the Effurun Flyover ceremony, attributed the conception and construction of the project to the proactive approach of Governor Uduaghan to problem-solving. He said the governor's style had brought unequalled and even developments to the all nooks and crannies of the state.

He explained that the scope of the project comprised 120m-long six span bridge; two ramps of 150m and 177m at the Sapele and Effurun approaches respectively; and 1.72km length of road. He revealed that the bridge and ramp structure comprised four-lane dual carriage way with two lanes on each travel direction demarcated with a barrier.

Hon Solomon appealed to the people of the area to protect the project, especially its rails, from vandalism and thanked the Uvwie monarch and his colleagues across the state for their supports towards the Uduaghan's administration's successes. He solicited for the same support and encouragement to his successor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa.

In his welcome address, Ovie Abe I described his kingdom as the greatest beneficiary of the administration's development stride. He confessed that Uvwie Kingdom, with the several road dualisation and construction projects, enjoyed unprecedented development under the administration, adding that he and his people would remain forever grateful to the Uduaghan administration.

He expressed his confidence that the governor would complete ongoing projects before the expiration of his tenure.

Some of the project executed in the kingdom included the dualisation of Jakpa, PTI and Refinery roads as well as the ongoing Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) project, construction of the New Layout Road and several other development projects.

For his part, the council boss, Hon Henry Baro, enthused that the N4.1bn flyover had added value to the council area and improve its aesthetic beauty. Baro said the people of Uvwie are indebted to Governor Uduaghan for all the projects.

He attributed the prevailing peace and attendant harvest of projects to

Delta’s keke riders who won’t quit for ‘white-collar’ jobs

•Uduaghan cutting the tape to inaugurate the Effurun flyover. With him are (from left)Chairman, Uvwe LGA, Hon Baro; Ovie of Uvwie HRM Emmanuel Sideso Abe I and Prof. Amus Utuama.

•Commercial motorcycles at a park in Warri.

Contiuned from page 29

E

• Another section of the Effueun flyover

• A section of the Effueun flyover

•From left: Their royal majesties: Ovie of Agbon Ukori I; Pere of Akughene Mein, Stanley Kananawei; Ovie of Ozoro, Orifi of Agbarha-Warri Kingdom; Owhorode of Olomu Agbon Ogoni I and the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, Felix Mujakperuo at the inauguration of the Effueun flyover

the three-point agenda of Peace and Security; Human Capital Development and Infrastructure Development embarked upon by Governor Uduaghan at the inception of his administration.

Meanwhile, a cross section of residents of the twin cities of Effurun and Warri have commended the

state government for the flyover, which they say would make life better for residents of the city and travelers alike.

They however advised the state government to expedite action on the controversial BRT project in order to make the bridge meaningful and more useful.

"The state of the Effurun-Warri Road leaves a lot to be desired, in spite of the completion of the flyover. I am among those who believe that the state of the road was better off before than with this BRT. It is difficult to see the importance of the project because the problem had never been of transportation, but of

• A secion of the Effueun flyover

roads," Ofei Isah, a resident of Effurun told our reporter.

Similarly, the state Ministry of Works came under attack for perceived lack of planning before embarking on the BRT because of the revelation that the road needed to be expanded to accommodate the planned six-lane traffic.

Governor Uduaghan had assured that his administration would try to take the ongoing expansion of the Effurun-Sapele road as far as he could before the May 29, 2015 terminal date of his administration. He blamed the delay in completing the project on paucity of fund due to falling revenue from the Federation Account.

VEN Uduaghan’s prediction that those condemning the ban would turn around to praise him in the years ahead failed to sway his traducers. The inauguration of 1,250 tricycles (popularly called keke NAPEP or keke for short) shortly before the ban was to take effect on the 30th of September of that year also failed to assuage the anger of the operators and antagonists of the government’s plan.

On September 26, 2012, hordes of okada rider stormed the Effurun High Court premises where a suit challenging the ban was being heard by Justice Roseline Ukuejubola of Court I. The suit was institute by Mr Omes Ogedegbe and Umokoro Martins, two human right lawyers on behalf of the operators.

Among those who opposed the ban and joined in the protest were Mr Omusu Aghator and Monday Etanikor, who have within the past 30 months evolved to keke riders. Their mood towards the governor had changed along with their mode of business.

Looking back, Aghator told our reporter that if he knew that riding keke would be much more profitable and safer, he would have put the time spent protesting against the ban to better use.

He told our reporter that riding keke, which protects the drivers and passengers from the sun and other elements have made life better for him. “My skin is now smoother because I don’t have to work under the harsh sun. I now look more of the man I want to be than the time I was riding okada. I feel sorry to be among those who cursed (insulted) the governor because now I know that he meant well.

“We make a lot of money. I easily make up to 6,000 daily (roughly N180,000 monthly) and I am able to save for the rainy days because of the contributions that I am now doing. I save N9,000 weekly (N36,000 per month) on the thrift contributions that I do.”

Asked if he would be willing to swap his keke business for a N100,000 per month job in an air-conditioned office, he smiled and shook his head sideways for several minutes. “Will I take the AC home to my family?

Even that money cannot run my home not to talk of saving. Keke gives me more money and time for myself.

“No serious keke man would accept that offer; the only ones who would consider it are the lazy type who spend half of the day at ogogoro joint (local bar) or those who loiter around vendor stands gossiping and swapping stories. If you know what you are doing with this job, your life would be better,” Aghator added.

Our findings show that the development has also benefited smart businessmen who acquire the tricycle at the prevailing price of N450,000 and lease out to drivers at an exorbitant fee. It was learnt that politicians who got the subsidized allocations from the state government turned them into profit making business.

An operator, who simply identified himself as Aneto,

said he coughed out N800,000 in the hire-purchase deal through which he acquire his first keke in 2012. But the Edo-born man said he was grateful to his benefactor, adding that through her he now owns a fleet of five.

“That is how it is done, even in the time of okada; some bought and gave it to you at about double the price. You worked hard to pay it off and if you were smart, through that method you too could start leasing to others as I am now doing.”

For Monday Etanikor, another former okada rider, the improvement goes beyond more money in the pocket of keke operators. The transformation is also in their safety and those of their passengers.

“Since they removed okada from Warri we have been enjoying the new system, everything has changed. For example I also used to be an okada man before, but since they removed okada there has been no problem, accidents have reduced and we dey (are) okay with keke.

Now we make more money with keke than when we were running okada, this is by far a better system,” he said.

Niger Delta Report’s checks at the Warri and Ekpan general hospitals as well as private hospitals and dispensaries in Warri South and Effurun local government areas of the state indicated that emergence cases resulting from transport accidents, particularly motorcycles had reduced by over 90per cent.

A health official at the Warri Central Hospital, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that “orthopedic cases and other accident related injuries have gone down drastically these past two years.”

In spite of the progress made nearly three years since keke became the preferred means of transport in Delta cities, operators like Aghator believe that the government and operators still have a lot to do to make life easier for the operators and their passengers.

“We want government to reduce the price to make it easier for the common man to afford. Also, in terms of safety, we believe that a lot can be done to reduce the few accidents that are still being recorded.

“We have many passengers who complain that we drive rough and about riders who are not clean. Some of them still have the spirit of okada in them. I tell them that such people bring bad name to the other keke riders. The government and NGOs can do orientation programmes and training for operators to learn about safety and defensive operations.

“I also want to advise passengers not to put unnecessary pressure on drivers to move faster and maneuver in traffic because keke on their own like to be quicker, you make it more difficult when you allow them to drive anyhow because this is what leads to accident.

We must be patient and sensible because my people say ‘only the sensible animal lives longer in the forest.’”

Also on the downside, our finding revealed that tricycles are now easy target for petty thieves, who lure the operators to a quite part of the cities and rob them.

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

31

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

Peterside's father-in-law goes home amid pomp in Ogoja T

HE iconic life of the late Chief Charles Ogbaji Adie, fatherin-law of Dr. Dakuku Peterside reverberated across the length and breadth of Cross River State as family and friends bade farewell to the centenarian for an extraordinary life. In fact, Ububa-Ukum, his ancestral home and Ogoja literally stood still for one week as the family rounded off burial ceremonies for Chief Adie who passed away at the age of 105 years.

But the most fascinating part of the late Chief Adie's moving story, and a lesson too for the living, was his resilience, even in the face of daunting challenges. Without a formal education, he knew that there existed a great deal of chance to succeed, so he braced all odds and took the chance.

He eventually became one of the most successful people in his community.

Born in February 1910, Papa Charlie as he is popularly called made up for his lack of formal education with early exposure to the Europeans, first in Calabar, where he travelled on a peace mission to Cameroon with colonial administrators. He later moved to Enugu and worked briefly before returning to Ogoja.

In 1942, he travelled again to Jalingo, the capital of present day Taraba State in search of a better life. A year after and obviously still yearning for that great life ahead, he moved with some Europeans to Bauchi. In Bauchi, the Europeans, for obvious reasons, insisted on understanding the Hausa language and the lot fell on Papa Charlie to source for a competent Hausa teacher. That was how he met a primary school teacher, the late Sir Abubakar Tafawa Bello who taught Hausa language to his European friends.

He left for Kano shortly after and later returned to Ogoja where he met the late Chief M.T. Mbu, the famous nationalist from Ogoja who later became Nigeria's Foreign Affairs Minister. From Ogoja, he moved to Lagos where he had a fairly long stay.

The late Papa Charlie also lived and worked in other major Nigerian cities, such as Wukari, Sokoto and Ilorin before finally returning home in 1978 where he achieved remarkable success as a farmer, transporter and contractor.

But the late Chief Adie will be remembered more for his liberal disposition, kind-heartedness, love for his family and awe-inspiring kindness for those who encountered him. He searched diligently for the good in every human being, and that defined his entire life because he was always willing to probe beyond the surface.

Until his death, he had sons-inlaw, daughters-in-law, grand children and great grand spread across states like Kano, Kogi, Rivers, Ekiti, Edo, Delta, Abia, Akwa Ibom and Cross River.

Speaking on behalf of the family at the funeral church service, Peterside commended everybody who came from far and near to honour Chief Adie. He described the departed as a rare gentleman who did not only live a remarkable life but also placed very high value on human beings, no matter their tribe or creed.

Therefore, according to Peterside, the surging crowd and the outpouring of kind words during his interment did not come as a surprise to those who knew Papa Charlie. He however called on friends and well wishers to continue to remember the

•From left: Dr. Peterside, Madam Adie (the widow), Peterside’s wife Elima and Mrs. Bob-Manuel during the funeral service at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Ububa-Ukum, Cross River State.

‘

Pa Adie was a good man who lived well. He knew how to live and how to manage on with his life and he did a lot of things so well.

Anytime I visited him, he told me about life during the colonial days and beyond. Listening to him, even though he was not formally educated, you could write volumes and volumes on Nigeria and her politics

‘

Adie family in their prayers.

In her brief remarks, Barrister (Mrs) Elima Peterside, Chief Adie's last child described her father as a man who will be greatly missed by many because of what he represented during his lifetime.

"My father was the greatest father.

He cared for us without any limit and he was everything you could think of a good father. He never said no to us. As his daughters, he paid special attention to us and he never relented in serving God. He was a great father and we will miss him greatly," she said.

And at the open-air-requiem Mass at his compound, many people also attested to the good life he led in the church and the community. Those who spoke glowingly of this worthy

life included Bishop John Ayah of Catholic Diocese of Uyo who led over a dozen priests to bid farewell to the centenarian.

According to the Bishop, "Pa Adie was a good man who lived well. He knew how to live and how to manage on with his life and he did a lot of things so well. Anytime I visited him, he told me about life during the colonial days and beyond. Listening to him, even though he was not formally educated, you could write volumes and volumes on Nigeria and her politics."

The ceremony, which was wellattended, drew sympathisers and friends from Nigeria and outside.

They included Dame Judith Amaechi, wife of Rivers State governor; Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, All Progres-

•Dame Amaechi.

•Mr Feyii.

sives Congress, APC Chairman in Rivers State; Mr. George Feyii, Secretary to Government of Rivers State; legislators from the National and State Assemblies, delegations from state governments, religious organisations and traditional rulers, among

others.

A devout Christian of the Catholic faith, Papa Charlie spent time in the church as a member of many societies, supported church programmes, assisted many who came his way and spoke many Nigerian languages fluently.

Rivers community seeks end to insecurity

T

HE Orochiri Kingdom in Ikwerre ethnicity nationality has called on the Rivers State governor- elect Chief Nyesom Wike to ensure that security, infrastructural development and human capital development are among the priorities of his government.

Orochiri, one of the ancient kingdoms in Diobu, seeks security and the empowerment of its youths that could define the community as a metropolitan city.

The community organised a feast to celebrate Wike in Port Harcourt.

Speaking at the event, the heir- apparent to the throne of Orochiri kingdom, Prince Kalagbor Confidence Wordu said his kingdom decided to set agenda for the incoming government of Rivers State as to make the government know what the people want.

From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

He noted that Wike must do everything possible to ensure that the resources are utilised for the interest of the people and not for the selfish interest of some politicians.

"First and foremost my kingdom is very happy with the victory of Chief Nyesom Wike, who is now the governor -elect. This kingdom has a tradition that is why we are gathering here today to host this victory party for the governor elect.

"We want this government to fight insecurity; there are a lot of hoodlums in Port Harcourt, infrastructural decay and lack of human capital development. The outgoing government has tried their best but Wike must try hard to initiate policies that will bring a real change to Rivers State."

32

33

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

Ex-militant leader: Buhari won't stop Amnesty Programme

Rivers... Will these people’s killers ever be punished?

Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has inaugurated a nine-man commission of inquiry to investigate politically motivated killings in the state. The Prof. Chidi Odinkalu-led panel has an uphill task ahead of it, writes PRECIOUS DIKEWOHA

W

HEN the public hearing of the nine-man panel looking into politically-

motivated killings in Rivers State begins, there will be tears. Men will break down as if they are kids. Tears will cascade down the cheeks of wives why recalling the killing of their husbands. Mothers will not be able to hold back tears narrating ordeals they wished never happened.

The public hearing slated for the Obi Wali Centre in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, will help put faces to statistics that have been bandied around since in the last few months about victims of politicallymotivated killings in the state.

The commission of inquiry is headed by the Chairman, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof. Chidi Odinkalu. Sir Samuel Egbe is the Secretary.

Other members of the panel are Prof Nlerum Okogbule, Prof.

Owunari Georgewill, Dr. Richard Ofuru, Mrs. Asivosuo Oriye, Dr. Joy Ejiofor, Mrs. Ayo Obe and Rev. Father Michael Akiri.

Governor Rotimi Amaechi, during a stakeholders' meeting, promised to ensure that those involved in politically-motivated killings would not go unpunished.

Speaking last Thursday during the inauguration of the panel at Government House in Port Harcourt, Amaechi added that the fact-finding exercise would last for 30 days.

The governor gave the terms of the commission to include: why the victims were killed, who killed them and under what circumstances.

He added that the commission was expected to make recommendations that would help government forestall future occurrences.

He said: "When I visited Obirikom in the Ogba/Egbeme/Ndoni Local Government Area, in the house hold of one late Chief Christopher Adube, nine persons were killed by assassins.

"Those killed were his three children, his younger brother, two gatemen, and two other persons while

two of the late Chief Adube's children are still receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.

"There was a day I was arguing with the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State now posted to Enugu and I said, 'commissioner, I am told 11 persons have been killed', he said, 'no, only seven persons'.

"Again, in the same Omoku, whether it is seven or 11 persons, these are human lives. At Okrika, when APC went on campaign, where the governorship candidate of APC was seated, he would have been hit by a bullet, but, God saved him; he had left that place earlier.

That was the first day APC went for campaign in Okirika, and the police were present.

"I was driving to my village on March 28 for the presidential election, I saw a corpse at the median of the road, I called the Commissioner of Police, 'Mr. Karma, I have seen a corpse here, please, look for a way to take away the corpse and find out who did this', but, he did not.

"Whether the corpse is still there or not, I have no idea. When I got to the village called Omuanwa on that election day, young boys were shooting sporadically at innocent people and when they saw us, they ran into the bush. Then I came down and met somebody they have shot that was severely injured. We put him in a vehicle and rushed him to the hospital."

The governor said those behind the killings were allowed to carry out the mayhem because of the existence of impunity in the state. He urged the commission to recommend appropriate punishment for the offenders.

Amaechi said: "The reasons why the killings happen was because of impunity in the state. Total impunity. I believe as a governor, if you don't punish those who break the law, then human beings will no longer be protected.

"People were not allowed to carry out their civic obligation and responsibilities just because they (politicians) were desperate to take over power. There will be threats, but

your duty as a commission is to overcome these threats.

"First, you must be under the custody of the state and we will inform the Commissioner of Police to provide adequate security for them (members of the commission) to discharge their duties uninterrupted."

Of all the killings, those of the Adube have caught the public's attention. Their killers showed no mercy. In one fell swoop, nine persons, including a father, his two sons and daughter were killed. The Adube family members are still in tears and are seeking justice.

Spokesman of the family Henry Adube gave the names of those killed as: former Caretaker Committee Chairman of Ogba/Egbema/ Ndoni Local government, the late Hon. Christopher Adube, his two sons Lucky and John Adube , his daughter Joy, a family friend, Mr. Iyk Ogarabe and the family driver, Mr. Samuel Chukwunonye.

Henry, who was weeping profusely while speaking to The Nation, urged the National Hunan Right Commission (NHRC), the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) and other human rights groups to investigate the death of his brother's family.

He said politically-motivated killings most stop.

He added that those who killed his brother and family came to wipe out his family, saying that the gunmen did not show any mercy in their operation.

"That fateful evening they stormed the compound and forced their way in and started shooting. If you look at what happened, you will see that the armed men were desperate to end my brother's family. After killing my brother, they went and shot Joy and John, including a family friend and driver.

"Many people had been killed during the campaign/ rally in the area and the worst thing is that nobody has been arrested or prosecuted. I am begging Nigerians, National Human Rights Commission, Civil Liberty Organisation and other human right groups to investigate this gruesome murder."

T

HE National President, National Coalition of Niger Delta Ex-Agitators (NCNDE-A), Israel Akpodoro, has said President-elect Muhammadu Buhari will not scrap the Amnesty Programme.

He described the fear as generally misplaced.

Akpodoro said the fear was created by those who were averse to change in the country.

The Urhobo-born ex-militant stated that the alleged plan to scrap the amnesty programme was used to whip up ex-militants' sentiment.

Akpodoro said he threw his weight behind the candidature of the retired General because he was sure he would rule with the fear of God. He said his open fight against some ex-militant leaders over their threat to go to war if President Goodluck Jonathan lost re-election made him enemies.

He alleged that "ethnocentric, boastful, questionable...ex-militants" launched vitriolic attacks on him and other members of the NCNDE-A following the adoption of Gen. Buhari He accused some ex-militant leaders of distorting history by giving the credit of the establishment of Amnesty Program to Dr Jonathan instead of his late boss, President Umar Yar'Adua, who was the initiator and the executor of the genuine and purpose-driven

amnesty program.

General Buhari he noted has never contemplated scrapping the program but would rather strengthen it to make it more productive and goal oriented unlike what it is today. "The incoming administration must be allowed to ?settle down to work with the support of all Nigerians just like the NCE-A has decided to support the APC administration every inch of it journey through success."

He said, late President Umar Yar'Adua initiated a genuine amnesty program for the restive youth population in the region in his Phase 1 amnesty program and not his successor.

"Pastor Wilson and his cohorts stood the truth on its head in their misappropriation of credit?. It was the late Umar Yar'Adua, who initiated and executed the genuine amnesty program in phase 1, before this incumbent government established phase 2 and 3 which ofcourse is directly opposite the Phase 1 in execution and intention.

"While phase 1, was all inclusive, well managed in equity, that of Phase 2 and 3, were for only President Jonathan's kinsmen and cronies." Akpodoro stated. re the operators to a quite part of the cities and rob them.

Shell, Bayelsa communities and sabotage •The lateChristopher Adube

•The lateEneji

•The lateIyk Ogarabe

•The late Joy Adube

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogba/Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon Ejechi Felix, said the remains of the victims would not be buried until police finish their investigation.

The Rivers Police Command last Saturday said it had commenced manhunt for gunmen who killed nine persons and burnt the house of a politician in Ogba/Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Area.

The Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr Ahmed Muhammad, said the gunmen attacked Obrikom and Obor communities killing nine persons and injuring two others.

He said they also burnt the house of Mr Vincent Ogbagu, the All Progressives Congress House of Assembly candidate for the Local Government Area.

"They also set ablaze the house of Vincent Ogbagu, an APC House of Assembly candidate,'' he said.

Muhammad said the police had commenced investigation into the incident with a view to bring its perpetrators to book.

"We appeal to the public to assist

•The late John Adube

•The late Lucky Adube

‘

They stormed the compound and forced their way in and started shooting. If you look at what happened, you will see that the armed men were desperate to end my brother's family. After killing my brother, they went and shot Joy and John, including a family friend and driver in making available, credible information in this respect,'' he said.

Instructively, the killings have not stopped even after the polls. The governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, earlier in the week raised the alarm over what he described as the continued

‘

killing of members of the party.

Peterside, speaking through the Director of Communications of his campaign organisation, Mrs. Ibim Seminitari, demanded an immediate end to the killings and warned about the consequences of the killings if not stopped.

Peterside called on the security

agencies to be proactive to stopping the perpetrators of such killing from carrying out their evil activities.

He asked: "If they killed APC members on election days, why have they continued to kill after the polls?"

Peterside, who cited new cases of killing to include that of Ahoada East, Okrika and other local government areas in the state where APC members have either been killed or abducted, said the killings raise concerns over the calibre of men and women INEC had declared winners of the elections in the estate.

"The unabated killings of APC members in Rivers State raise concerns of the mental status of the men and women the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared winners of the recent elections in the state. We are afraid that killers and sundry criminals have been imposed on the state by INEC, and, if we are right, then, worse days lay ahead for our people," he said.

It is expected that details of these killings will be revealed at the public hearing and many will sure be watching to see if the killers will be identified and punished.

T

HERE is no end in sight to the problems between the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and its host communities in the Niger Delta region.

In fact, the length of Shell pipelines criss-crossing the region defines the complications of issues and widespread human relationship breakdown confronting the company.

For instance, communities in Bayelsa State are always at daggers’ drawn with Shell over oil spill-related matters. Ikarama a community in Okordia clan, Yenagoa Local Government Area, is always in the news for oil spills. The environment has since decayed from spills caused mostly by sabotage.

Recently, the communities around Kolo Creek Manifold operated by Shell in Ogbia Local Government Area, cried foul over massive spillage of oil into their environment. The spill was first reported on April 15.

Some residents lamented that the Kolo creek oil field owned by SPDC has been discharging crude into the environment. A resident of Imiringi community in Ogbia Local Government Area, Mr. Anthony Okputu, said the spill had devastated farmland and vegetation in the area.

Okputu said: “We do not know exactly when the oil leak started but we saw crude leaking from the pipeline into the road and when we got there soldiers had already cordoned off the whole area.

“They did not allow us to get near to find out the possible cause of the leak on the pipeline. We woke up this early morning to see this in our community.

“I believe that the soldiers must have reported the incident so that they can shut down the pipeline crude feed to forestall further damage to the environment, but oil is still gushing out of the line”.

The communities sustained their momentum of cries. They accused Shell of not responding quickly to their plight and called on the state government to compel the company to come to their aide.

They called for a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) to unravel the cause of the spill. They had initially thought that the oil leak was caused by the company’s equipment failure. They were indeed looking forward to indicting Shell.

Following their outcries, officials of the Bayelsa State Government led by the Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Iniruo Wills, visited the spill site.

The officials including Wills assessed the site and lamented increasing incidences of oil and gas spills from

‘

There has to be consequences. Even if it is (caused by) sabotage, that does not mean that everyone concerned is free from consequences because, clearly, there is a pattern. Almost on a daily basis, there is one oil spill or the other in Bayelsa State

‘

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

platforms operated by multinational oil companies in the state.

The therefore, therefore, threatened that henceforth multinational companies will not escape punishment for any oil and gas spills within the state.

He said: “Whatever the cause of the spill, whether it is caused by sabotage or equipment failure, we will have to carefully think of the next thing to do.

“There has to be consequences. Even if it is (caused by) sabotage, that does not mean that everyone concerned is free from consequences because, clearly, there is a pattern. Almost on a daily basis, there is one oil spill or the other in Bayelsa State.”

The commissioner insisted that the government and the people of the state would no longer tolerate incessant pollution of their environment.

He said: “This is yet another demonstration of how oil and gas production in Nigeria, especially in the Niger Delta and Bayelsa State where we are right now, is done.

“This is how it threatens our environment, how it is a danger to our people, to our communities, life, public health and even to economic activities “You can see in the backdrop across the road, you can see vegetation, you can see economic crops all over the place, you can see how crude oil splashed all over them.

“If proper precaution is not taken in terms of protecting or even clearing the affected area, you can imagine how affected the food chain and eco-

nomic cycle proceeding from there, the hazard involved. This will end up affecting people’s dinning tables”, Wills added.

Who caused the spill?

Though the communities and even the government seemed to have pointed accusing fingers at Shell, emerging facts have shown that equipment failure was not the cause of the spill. The JIV report showed that unknown persons sabotaged the manifold.

The JIV comprises officials of operating oil firms, Ministry of Environment, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and representatives of impacted communities.

Shell’s spokesperson Mr. Joseph Obari said a report of the JIV revealed that unknown persons cut out a section of the metal protection to the manifold. Obari said the saboteurs, according to the report, removed components of the pressure control system and opened the isolation valves, resulting in a spill.

He said the volume of spilled oil was estimated at 27 barrels, affecting mainly the manifold grounds and part of the surrounding vegetation.

He said: “SPDC stopped the leak soon after it occurred, deployed effective containment and began the recovery of oil.

“No chemical dispersant has been applied. The containment and oil recovery activities involved the use of booms, absorbent pads and vacuum truck for evacuation of recovered oil.

“Oil spill response activities are continuing while remediation will commence after initial clean-up has been done.”

Obari further said that leak and fire were reported on the Kolo Creek– Rumuekpe trunk line, about 5kms from the manifold, on Monday.

“The fire has been extinguished; site observation confirmed a recently excavated ditch at the fire point.

“SPDC has expressed concern at the brazen damage of its facilities in parts of the Delta. It commended the Bayelsa State Government for its support and called on communities and other stakeholders to join hands in the efforts to discourage the trend”.

Many believe it is high time communities in the Niger Delta, especially Bayelsa, stopped sabotaging oil facilities especially knowing its implications on the environment. It is foolhardy for locals to destroy the environment where they live and derive their livelihoods and then turn around to blame oil companies.

34

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

I

Honour for psychiatric hospital retirees in Calabar

T was a celebration of hard work and commitment to duty as the Senior Staff Association of the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, honoured six retirees who had spent their working years in the service of the establishment.

The Chairman of the association, Comrade Daniel Odo, who presented the retirees with awards and gifts, said the gesture was in recognition of their good work as staff of the hospital.

Odo said: "Today's event is most significant and will go down the annals of the association and expectedly re-echo at both the sectoral and national levels. We expect the retirees to appreciate this rare gesture of goodwill and continue to represent our interest wherever the wind of time blows them into the nearest future.

"The institution of award as part of this historic occasion is a novel idea wherein we appreciate our men and women who at various times served then association in different capacities. I salute their courage and commitment to the growth of the association. I solicit for your continued understanding, cooperation and selfless sacrifice so that our names individually and collectively shall be etched in gold in the minds of men."

The Vice Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Cross River State, Comrade George

• Medical Director of the Hospital, Dr Joseph Okegbe (right) presenting an award to one of the retirees, Mba Okweni.

With them is the chairman of the Senior Staff Union, Comrade Dan Odo. From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

Umoh, said it was wonderful to know that as a worker who puts in his or her best, one day such a person will be remembered.

"It is necessary to remember

those who have committed themselves to service. For those given the opportunity to work they should do so well," he said.

Advising the retirees, he said: "Retirement is another phase of life.

You still need to get busy. Do things

you love. Don't make retirement a bad thing. It is just a point in a long system of work. Don't also neglect your health. Keep fit and you are going to be more useful to society because of the experience you have gathered here."

The Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Joseph Okegbe, said the gesture would impact positively on the workers because it would improve productivity, as they know they will be appreciated.

"For those retiring they should not rest on their oars. They are still very productive and will be useful to society. The experience they have acquired through years of service would be relevant in society. Those still working should put in their best," Okegbe advised.

One of the retirees, Mr Mba Okweni, said: "This celebration brings to mind that while you served, people appreciated your contribution and that is what we cherish, because it is not everybody that passed through a place and make a mark. That we are invited to be so honoured, it means that our contributions where appreciated while we were in service. So it is quite rewarding and fulfilling being here. It makes me feel important.

"For those still working they should take their work serious and look up to a day like this that at the expiration their service they will be invited for honour. While in service, you should impact positively in the lives of people and that would make a meaning. Dedication and commitment are key. As important as your salary is, the job is more important because you are selling both yourself and serving the community."

Dickson’s N100million bursary excites Bayelsa students

S

TUDENTS of Bayelsa State studying in various higher institutions across the country have every reason to be happy.

The Governor of the state, Mr. Seriake Dickson, during the week released N100million for the payment of their bursaries.

Dickson did not just release the money, he presented a cheque to the state’s Scholarships Board indicating that he wanted the students to be paid with immediate effect. The leadership of the National Union of Bayelsa State Students (NUBSS) was present at Government House, Yenagoa, where the government presented the cheque.

The Secretary of the State Scholarship Board, Mr. Collins Ifidi and the President of NUBSS, Mr. Richard Bolouebi Lawyer, jointly received the cheque.

With a standing ovation, the welcomed the development. They poured encomiums on the governor describing him as a “talk na do” and countryman governor.

Addressing the leadership of NUBSS, Dickson explained that, the presentation of the cheque was in keeping with an earlier promise he made during his visit to Amassoma, the community hosting the Niger Delta University, in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.

He reminded the students of their role as future leaders and emphasized the need for them to refocus their studies on developing their innate potential. He stressed that education was the only potent weapon to change society for the better.

He said: “Today is my pleasure again in fulfillment of our cardinal principle of making education easier and see to it that, we give all necessary support and encouragement to our students.

•Secretary, Student Liaison and Mobilization Committee, Mr. Zimokpaoemi Okoya-Ogoriba (2ndleft) assisted by the Chairman of the Committee, Awudumapu Agorodi (right) and the President of National Union of Bayelsa State Students, Mr. Richard Lawyer (2ndright), receiving a cheque for N100 million for the payment of bursary allowances to Bayelsa students from Dickson (left) at Government House, Yenagoa.

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

“I like to present this cheque of N100 million. But, before I do so, let me call on all the students in our state, who are leaders of tomorrow that you have a lot of work to do.”

He assured the students of his administration’s commitment to their welfare. Dickson said his government was prepared to continually increase the educational infrastructure and develop the manpower base of the state.

He also expressed concern over the fast-eroding moral values in society tasking the students on value re-orientation. He pointing out that, the infrastructural development of his administration will not have much impact, if the people do not imbibe the right values.

He said: “Not only do we call on you to study; not only do we call on you to dedicate yourselves to acquiring knowledge, so that, you will compete favorably with your peers for any position in this country or anywhere in the

world.

“But you have to know the peculiar problems that this society has that we must deal with. I will like you all to take this message to your colleagues that you must work with government to change the mindset of the people.”

In his response, the President of NUBSS, Mr. Richard Lawyer thanked Governor Dickson for the money and applauded the government’s strides in the educational sector.

The state chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) described the governor’s gesture as a welcome development. The Chairman, NANS, Zone B, Comrade Believe Ezekiel Wisdom, said Dickson has fulfilled his promises to the students.

He, however, advised the scholarship board to live up to their part of the bargain by ensuring that all the eligible students of the state benefit from the bursary. He said the board should establish a transparent mechanism to ensure that only authentic students benefit from the money.

He said: “The governor has done his own part.

We commend him for this kind gesture. The bulk of the process now lies on the scholarship board.

We want the scholarship board to live up to expectations.

“We don’t want to hear complaints. We want them to hear that everybody benefits from it.

They should move round the various campuses in the country to ascertain and verify Bayelsa students in each higher institution. If they sit in their office, there is every likelihood that many people will be shortchanged”, he said.

He further advised the scholarship board to publish names of all the beneficiaries adding that such publication would go a long way to show how the money was disbursed. But he begged the governor to carry the activities of NANS along in his administration.

Wisdom said the governor by fulfilling his promise deserves to be supported for a second term in office. “Any leader who makes promises and fulfill them deserves the support of his people. If the governor wants a second term, he should be supported to get it”, he said.

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

36

NIGER DELTA REPORT COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

T

HIS was my prayer April last year: "I don't care what illness he is battling. There are speculations around which I won't profess. But what I will profess today is that God Almighty, in His infinite mercy, will visit Douglas and restore him to good health. His father did not die young. Oronto, in Jesus' name, will not die young. Amen.

"Oronto, the man whose identity I have acquired without his permission, will be one of those miraculous recoveries that the world has ever seen and it will be good in our eyes and we will rejoice in it. It has been difficult for me to forget the meeting and each time I remember it, I pray for the miraculous.

"You will live Oronto and not leave by His grace!"

My prayer on Oronto Douglas, a very powerful aide of President Goodluck Jonathan, was not answered. For reasons best known to God, Oronto, as he was popularly addressed, has left instead of still living like many of his peers. He died of cancer some days back. His death came not long after his boss, to whom he was loyal till the last moment, made history as the first incumbent president in Nigeria to lose re-election bid.

I said this prayer April last year after a meeting with Oronto at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. He was the last person I was expecting to see. I could have also missed him. But the grey hair called attention to him. I checked the face and a step ahead of me was a man of influence.

Our first meeting was at the office of the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoeN) in Ogba, Lagos.

Oronto and two or three friends founded ERA many years ago. This first meeting was in 2008. Then I had just 'ported' to this newspaper after working for some nine years in two different news magazines. The meeting was brief and as later meetings showed he could not remember that meeting again or even remember me. A big brother and friend of mine had arranged the meeting. He came across to me as a humble human being despite his exploits in the NGO world and his past position as Commissioner for Information in oil-rich Bayelsa. We sat face-to-face and he told me he would need some media mention for a project he was working on then. We parted and only had indirect contacts after that.

Early last year, I saw him at the Eko Signature on Victoria Island, Lagos. He clearly had no memory of ever meeting me before and I did not bother to introduce myself. He was presenting a book on behalf of the Presidency. But what struck me and many others that day was that he had emaciated and grew grey. He looked older than his age. His eyes were bulging as if ready to come out of the sockets. Some of us suggested he should sit while making his presentation. He refused on the excuse that he had been sitting all day.

As loud as his voice could go, he enumerated Jonathan's achievements and said politics apart; the president had changed a lot of things. He said politicking in the country had blinded the people to the

OLUKOREDE YISHAU

ABOVE WHISPERS

•A weekly intervention on Southsouth people and matters

olukoredeyishau@gmail.com

Oronto Douglas

‘

If what life bestows on you is to be a sweeper, sweep so well that when you are gone, it will be written on your grave: 'here lived a great sweeper'. Oronto, as attested to by many who met him, played his part well so much that we can engrave on his grave: 'here lived a good man'.

•The late Douglas

progress being made by the President and his team, adding that a lot of transformation was on-going.

He said: "When it is time for politics, we should play politics. But there is no need to play politics with development. It is wrong for anybody to say this administration has done nothing. In this publication, you will see evidence that this administration has performed more than any other in record time.

Pictures can't lie and pictures tell stories better than a thousand words.

"I challenge us to go and verify the facts in this publication and then report back to the

LAST WORD

‘

public. What this administration has done is unprecedented. We must give credit when due and not allow politics to cover facts about development."

He added that Jonathan would not play politics with the Transformation Agenda.

"This administration is serious about development and will not play politics with development," he said.

After the presentation, he answered questions, accepted blames where he should and debunked myths when he sensed them.

We left the meeting with someone like me praying for him to regain his health and be able

to withstand the rigour of his office. I did not know that I was going to see him soon again.

On Monday, March 31, last year, I was about boarding a late-night flight from Lagos through London to New York with my wife when I saw him at my back spotting a brown check suit and a pair of black trousers. He had in his hand a black bag. His hair was almost all grey. His gait frail. My heart was broken. The air-conditioning system in the remodelled Murtala Muhammed International Airport was messing up and we could not but sweat. He too was sweating.

At some points, he fanned himself with his boarding pass.

Since he could not recognise me, I did not introduce myself. I told my wife who he was and she suggested I introduce myself or even help him carry his bag given his state of health. I told her there was no need and that from the little I knew about him, he would not fancy being pitied to the extent of being helped to carry his hand luggage. He had really emaciated. Gone was the bubbling Oronto who co-founded ERA. Gone was the agile Oronto who served Bayelsa as Commissioner for Information. Gone was the alert Oronto who first joined the Presidency when Jonathan was Vice-President. Gone was the Douglas who sat with me in ERA's office some years ago on our first meeting. And gone was the promising Oronto who qualified as a lawyer many years back.

That night, which has now turned out to be the last time I saw him alive, he struggled his way into the plane and we never saw again. I suspected he was going to keep an appointment with his doctors. My friends, who were close to him, such as The Nation's multiple award-winning journalist Seun Akioye and award-winning This Day Features Editor Adeola Akinremi and Mr Bode Oluwafemi, who made my path crossed with Oronto's, had cause to talk about him from time to time and wished he would bounce back. But, secretly we nursed the fear that the end might soon come.

And now, the hammer has fallen on our dear Oronto. The curtain has indeed fallen and it is the end of the stage drama that life truly is.

Oronto, whose name I had borrowed on two occasions on this platform when I needed to speak as an Ijaw, was meticulous with his job as Special Adviser to President Jonathan on Research, Documentation and Strategy.

I pray that God gives his family the fortitude to bear the loss. But this is my final take: Life is a stage. A very big one at that, with many actors and actresses. We are all playing our parts in a script written for us by the heavenly one. If your part is that of a governor, govern well. If it is your lot to be the president, preside well. And if what life bestows on you is to be a sweeper, sweep so well that when you are gone, it will be written on your grave: 'here lived a great sweeper'.

Oronto, as attested to by many who met him despite not being a saint or a super human-being, played his part well so much that we can engrave on his grave: 'here lived a good man'.

BY NICHOLAS KALU, CALABAR

Cross River’s absentee senator-elect’s certficate of return

I

T seemed like just the regular visits public office holders take overseas when they feel they need to check their health, due to lack of proper health facilities back home.

When the representative of the Yala/Ogoja Federal Constituency in House of Representatives, Dr Mrs Rose Oko, left the shores of the country in September last year on one of such health checks, not many envisaged that the trip will leave the people of the Northern Senatorial District in the state in a quagmire.

The problem the people of the Senatorial District have right now is that she emerged as Senator-elect in the March 28 elections but her whereabouts have remained known. She was absent during the primary elections, during the campaigns and even the elections.

There is repressed anger in the district as the people feel she was foisted on them by the powers that be in the state. However, it appears no one is speaking out for fear of being victimised.

Some voices, which had risen at the initial stage of her absence, appear to have been subdued. At a point, there was tension within the PDP over

the matter as some stakeholders demanded for her to be replaced immediately. The stakeholders comprising of some members of elders/caucus committee, some wards, local government officers, youths as well as some rights groups argued that it was unacceptable for the ruling party to field a candidate that is indisposed and is receiving treatment abroad for an undisclosed ailment. Though, it appears those, unhappy with the situation have soft-pedaled, the feeling of dissent among the people of the area remains palpable.

Oko emerged in a dramatic manner in the primary elections because while the people thought their candidate would be either one of the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Larry Odey; Commissioner for Local Government, Peter Ojie and former Commissioner for Environment, Julius Okputu who were vying for the position, when the primary elections were almost concluded, word came from "above" that everybody should step down and she be installed as candidate, even when she was believed not to be in good health.

Making the matter more pungent was her absence when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) issued certificates of return to winners of the governorship and National Assembly elections in the state on Tuesday this week. Again, like during the primary elections, campaigns, elections and victory celebrations, she was conspicuously absent.

Although the senator-elect for the central senatorial district, Mr John Owan-Enoh, was also absent at the occasion, it did not diminish the significance of her absence.

The people hope she would return safe and sound, but insist if she is not in proper shape to represent them, then someone else should.

The situation has caused the festering of so many speculations from rumours of death to theories grand political scheming in the area.

A top PDP stalwart in the area, who begged not be named, said: "I have not seen this kind of thing before. From the primaries last year till now, we have absolutely no idea where someone that is supposed to be our representative is. Must she be the one to represent us? Is she the only one

that must go? We have hundreds of qualified and capable people to handle this job. If she is indisposed why does the government insist she must still be the one? It is a shame on us that we have any idea what is going on in a development that would affect our lives at least for the next four years."

The leadership of the PDP at the state at various times when broached on the subject has continually given the vague answer that she is well and responding to treatment and would come back as soon as possible. This has done little to calm frayed nerves of Northern Cross Riverians who believe they deserve better than what they are getting.

As the situation is, they appear to have lost faith in the system and control over the choices they want for themselves. This feeling of disenchantment they hope will be soothed at least by assurances that when all elected senators across the country converge to fight for the wellbeing of their people, they should not be doomed to the option of an empty chair in the red chamber of the National Assembly.

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

37

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT Anambra community bemoans excavation woes From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

I

N Umuezeawara community in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, the grief of loss is constant, residents said.

About 40 of their members have been crushed to death by overspeeding tipper drivers coming in from other communities to excavate sand in Umuezeawara.

The residents claimed that their children were killed every dayby the drivers.

There is also another worry: the huge craters created by the excavators are very dangerous and could become death traps, the residents further said.

They also alleged that despite their cries and petitions to the Anambra State Ministry of Environment to come to their aid have failed to yield the needed result.

A 28-year-old widow, Mrs. •Continued on page 38

•The Umuezeawara Road where the deaths took place

D

•A section of the stakeholders at the convention

Assemblies of God: Faction heads to Supreme Court From Chris Oji, Enugu

church rushed to the Supreme Court not to pre-empt the takeover of the headquarters of the church but to redress the issues taken to the Appeal Court.

According to him, the Okoroafor-led group “concocted things that were not in the ruling and that are why we are rushing to the Supreme Court for it to clear them. They raised technical issues. The era of technicalities has gone. We are in the era of substantial justice. They raised about six issues, (1) whether they are properly served or not, (2) whether the case is an abuse of court or not, (3) whether the removal of Rev. Prof. Paul Emeka was in order or not, (4) whether the matter is a fundamental rights issue or not, (5) whether the abridge of time was in line with the rules of court or not.

“These are the issues they raised but the hallmark of the

,

ESPITE the Court of Appeal ruling sacking Prof.

Paul Emeka as General Overseer of the Assemblies of God Church and affirming Dr. Chidi Okoroafor in his place, the leadership tussle in the church persists. A convention of the church stakeholders in Enugu not only rejected the Appeal Court ruling but headed to the Supreme Court.

Prof. Emeka made it clear to the convention that the claim by the Chidi Okoroafor faction that the court sacked him and ordered the instatement of Dr. Chidi Okoroafor in his place was not included in the Appeal Court ruling.

“There was no declarative order in the judgment. They just concocted those claims and gave to the press to publish,” Emeka told the stakeholders while distributing copies of the judgment to the stakeholders.

Prof Emeka who said he was “as sure as the prophets” expressed optimism that in the long run the truth shall prevail.

He said: “I am sure that justice will be obtained from the Supreme Court. Even if we lose at the Supreme Court that will not mean that we are not right. We will continue the struggle. What is right is right no matter how the courts interpret it.”

Emeka insisted that the cause he and his faction were pursuing was not only a spiritual cause, but also just and evangelical, adding that the one chosen

by God would be victorious and not the court’s decision.

“We are in court because we are clearly dealing with people who are desperate. We are occupying where we are today because they know that there is no declarative order by the court asking us to vacate here. We are not leaving here because our sojourn here is God’s own making,” said Emeka, amidst applause from the members who filled the church hall.

The church lawyers from different parts of the country were also present at the convention. One of them, Rev. Ben Chinedu Kalu who is also the National Public Relations Officer (NPRO) of the church told reporters that the

We are in court because we are clearly dealing with people who are desperate. We are occupying where we are today because they know that there is no declarative order by the court asking us to vacate here. We are not leaving here because our sojourn here is God’s own making

,

whole issue is whether Paul Emeka in line with the Constitution of the Assemblies of God was properly treated. That is the major issue. The constitution of the Assemblies of God of Nigeria said that you will bring a signed request to the General Superinten-

dent assuming if he refused to appear. But in this case, our agitation is that those men that formed the general committee are the same petitioners and a petitioner cannot be a judge.

“There is no declaration by the Appeal Court. What you saw in

•Rev. Paul Emeka

the newspapers and what you saw on facebook are all concocted. We are dealing with people that can manipulate facts, that can take laws into their hands. Immediately the judgment came out they concocted some declarations on their own which cannot be found in the Court of Appeal ruling. And so because we don’t want them to harass our churches, invade our churches forcefully, we decided to go to the Supreme Court.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

38

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

Anambra community bemoans excavation woes •Continued from page 37

T

HE Abia State factional governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Reagan Ufomba has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to nullify the results of the three council areas earlier cancelled by the returning officer.

Chief Ufomba, who directed his supporters to vote for Gen. Muhammadu Buhari during the presidential elections because of the way the political pendulum was swinging, said Prof. Benjamin Ozumba was in canceling the results.

Speaking with our correspondent at his country home at Umuogelle Ntigha in

•The controversial road

•Traditional Head, Chief James Chukwudolue of Umuezeawara Chukwube said: “I feel troubled about what my village is going through at this moment. You can see it yourself; in fact, we lack words to express the havoc being caused by these truck drivers.

“Before now, we had made sustained representation to the National Assembly through our legislator, Chief Forte Dike. The community leaders are still meeting and after that, we shall also speak with the state government before taking the next line of action.”

The mood of the traditional head of Umuezeawara, Ogbuehi James Chukwudolue was that of frustration, anguish and pains.

,

Roseline Nwankwo, whose husband was killed by the reckless tipper drivers plying the community, said instead of action taken to remedy the situation, it has become worst.

She noted that the Tipper Drivers’ Association paid her a paltry sum of N200, 000 as compensation after its member knocked down and killed her husband.

A Hydro-geologist, Mr. Emmanuel Nwabineli lamented that their environment is under threat as a result of the degradation occasioned by the excavation of sand.

He said: “I have sent petitions to the federal and state ministries of environment; you know that before one starts to excavate sand at any point, you must carry out Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) but this was not done here.”

The deplorable condition of the Umuezeawara Road, has elicited reactions from the public, as it remains impassable anytime it rains, yet the tipper drivers do not care despite the number of deaths the community has recorded.

The road which traverses Okija community junction through Ihiala to Egbema in Imo State to Rivers State was constructed by President Shehu Shagari regime in 1980. As a result of its bad nature, some parts of it were reconstructed by the Anambra State government through the local government.

Despite the reconstruction, the road is still in a sorry state due to the pressure exerted on it by over 120 Mercedes 911 tipper loaders that ply on it on daily basis.

Some of the traders at Afor Igwe Umudara village market rue the hardship they experience every market day.

One of the veteran journalists from the area, Pa Hyacinth Nwabineli, told our correspondent that the people experience much pains and agony because of the situation.

He said: “We are really suffering so much. Look at the road in front of my house, it is always like River Niger and we always place logs of wood for people to walk over.

“So many school children and farmers have been killed by these tipper drivers. The number of death recorded in this place as a result of the horrible situation is between 40 and 50 people.”

He appealed to the state government to come to the aid of the people before it is too late.

Also, one-time Chief Press Secretary to Governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju, Ody Chukwube described the situation as worrisome to the people of the area.

Before these tipper drivers started using the road, we had no problems. We had enough space to do our trading.

Suddenly, the road began to form deep pot holes and encroached into the market…I lost my seven-year-old son Chukwuebuka to the accident that occurred few months ago. He was returning home from school when one of the tipper drivers hit him and he died on the spot…The worst is that the driver ran away with his tipper and all my efforts to find out that particular driver that killed my son proved abortive because hundreds of them pass through that road on daily basis on speed

,

He said: “The tipper drivers begin as early as 4:00 a.m. every day and the way they drive around our village is a threat to lives and even people’s buildings.

“They do not respect traffic rules and even when other road users complain, they are sometimes beaten up. Since 1964 that I became the traditional head of this place, I have never witnessed this number of deaths,” Chukwudolue said.

The chairman of Umuezeawara village, Dr. Donatus Iberi, alleged that the tipper drivers display such attitude because somebody was

behind them.

“We know that this is business for some people, but it should not be to the detriment of our lives and the major road that passed through our village.

“You need to come here when it rains, you cannot even move around. Many vehicles had been stuck on those deep and wide pot holes which can even pass for a gully.”

Iberi further said that sometimes the people follow bush paths to go wherever they want to go, due to the deplorable condition of the

road.

For a 44-year-old Louis Okani, his agony was unbearable. His sevenyear-old son, Chukwuebuka was killed few months ago by one of the same tipper drivers.

“Before these tipper drivers started using the road, we had no problems. We had enough space to do our trading. Suddenly, the road began to form deep pot holes and encroached into the market.

“I lost my seven-year-old son Chukwuebuka to the accident that occurred few months ago. He was returning home from school when one of the tipper drivers hit him and he died on the spot.

“The worst is that the driver ran away with his tipper and all my efforts to find out that particular driver that killed my son proved abortive because hundreds of them pass through that road on daily basis on speed,” he said.

When approached for comment on the matter, one of the tipper drivers refused to either to talk or disclose his identity. He threatened to run over any body that tried to block his way.

Efforts made to contact the Commissioner for Environment yielded no result as he refused to pick his calls. A visit to his office was also not fruitful as our correspondent was barred from seeing him.”

However, a staff in his office who spoke to our correspondent in confidence because he was not competent to speak on the matter said that a petition on the issue was brought to the office, adding that in due course, the state government would look into the matter.

APGA calls for cancellation of results From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area of the state, Ufomba said the results of the three council areas of Obingwa, Osisioma and Isiala Ngwa North should remain cancelled because of several electoral malpractices.

He said there were massive rigging, illegal thumb printing of ballot papers, snatching of ballot boxes by political thugs, shooting and monetary inducement of voters, with stockfish and other materials

to force them to vote against their wish.

He said the re-run scheduled for tomorrow by INEC in some polling units in nine local government areas of the state is not enough.

“There should be total cancellation of the entire election held in the three council areas of the state for justice to have been done,” he said.

Chief Ufomba said: “Our party is insisting that the election results in the three council areas be canceled, as the returning officer is right in law to cancel the results and has no right to reverse

himself.”

He alleged that the reversal of the decision of the returning officer was as a result of the visit of the state governor, Chief Theodore Orji to the Resident Electoral Officer and the returning officer, stressing that the governor has no right to be at the collation centre.”

Continuing, he said: “The returning officer has the right to cancel any election result, as he is the chief returning officer for the state, even if the results have been announced at the local government level.

“The visit of the governor to the

collation centre changed everything; I am sure that the returning officer must have seen something or heard something beyond his expectation which made him to reverse himself. He cannot appropriate and reprobate at the same time.”

The APGA governorship candidate thanked the people for voting for his party despite all odds, adding that the April 25 re-run has provided an avenue for their party to win the election on a landslide, urging them to come out en masse that day to cast their votes for his party.

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

39

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

•Some of Aba residents at a rally

Aba residents praise INEC

,

R

ESIDENTS of Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State have commended the efforts of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for holding what they described as improved election in Aba and its environs.

They also condemned the invasion of some polling units by yet-to-be identified hood• lums to snatch ballot boxes, result sheets and other sensitive materials.

Recall that a chairman of local government Transitional Committee Chairman in one of the local governments in the state was reported to have been arrested by a combined team of security operatives after it was discovered that in one of the cars in his convoy were some INEC sensitive materials.

But our correspondent who monitored the election and later went round the city to feel the pulse of the people reports that unlike what obtained in the past, residents of the city have become politically conscious hence the increase in their awareness and unprecedented participation in the 2015 electoral process.

According to a cross section of the residents that spoke to our reporter, the introduction of the electronic card reader was the best thing that happened in the 2015 general elections which helped in reducing rigging by various political parties.

While narrating why she brought her results late on April 12 (Sunday), one of the corps members that served at Ohabiam Secondary School said she was helped to escape through the school fence when some hoodlums attacked her polling centre while they (hoodlums) made their way into the arena to snatch the ballot box.

In an interview with our correspondent, Mr. Chiemela Okeugo corroborated accounts of ballot snatching in some voting units by some hoodlums, blaming some of the INEC adhoc staff for “compromising”.

Okeugo, who also observed lack of adequate training on the use of the card reader machines among the adhoc, stressed that it

Narrating why she brought her results late on April 12 (Sunday), one of the corps members that served at Ohabiam Secondary School said she was helped to escape through the school fence when some hoodlums attacked her polling centre while they (hoodlums) made their way into the arena to snatch the ballot box

,

From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

was part of the reasons there was massive failure of the card reader machines during the presidential and National Assembly polls.

He, however, called for the continued use of the card reader machine in subsequent elections, adding that training and re-training of staff on the operations of the card reader machine should be embarked upon ahead of the 2019 polls.

He advised those that lost out in the elections to go back and analyse why they lost out in order to make amendment and restrategise ahead of the 2019 and subsequent general elections.

He urged those elected to represent the people to see their victory and election as call to serve the people of their constituencies, senatorial districts, the state and country at large. He was quick to remind the elected representatives that the people would, at the return of electioneering period, use their voting power to vote them out of office as was the case in the state at the justconcluded polls of March 28 and April 11.

Labour leader decries poor leadership T

HE state chairman, Public Service Negotiating Council (PSNC), Comrade Chris Okoro has attributed poor leadership in the state chapter of the union as the greatest challenge which workers in the state experience.

Speaking with reporters in Umuahia, Comrade Okoro, who is among the four contestants for the state NLC chairmanship position regretted that despite the fact that the state governor, Chief Theodore Orji has continued to demonstrate his love for workers, that union leaders have failed to reciprocate his good gesture.

Comrade Okoro said the leadership of the union has failed the expectation of the entire workers’ union with their lackadaisical attitude in the affairs that concern workers in the state, stressing that it is not in the best interest of workers.

He said: “Despite the good gesture of Governor Orji to things that concern workers in the state, the leadership of labour is so poor; the leadership has not been meeting the expectations of workers of the state.”

The state PSNC boss revealed that his position as chairman of the council with eight affiliate unions is limited. He further emphasised that the major responsibility of any trade union such as the NLC is to ensure that its members receive their privileges and rights from the government.

•Governor Rochas Okorocha receives souvenir from the chairman of the 102nd Nigerian Baptist Convention Rev. Dr Israel Akanji during their convention in Owerri

From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

Comrade Okoro said: “The conditions of service of Abia State workers are very encouraging. The salary of workers in the state is the highest in the Southeast. I am a trained labour activists, I know that another major challenge which workers experience is the dwindling respects for civil servants in the state.”

On reasons behind his interest for the position of the labour leadership in the state, Comrade Okoro gave insight into what he wants to achieve, which include improving workers’ welfare, expectations and bring back the glory of NLC in which has been lost years back.

On his assessment of labour in the state, he identified poor leadership administration as the cause of workers’ nightmare. He promised to use his experience as a state chairman, PSNC and Principle Secretary and Allied Union to better the welfare of workers if elected.

He said the NLC as an umbrella body of Nigerian workers, is expected to protect workers’ interest in the state, even as he blamed the situation of workers to lack of visionary leadership in managing the affairs of the union.

•From left: Abia State Election Observers, David Anyaele; Nelson Nnanna Nwafor and Leonard Onyemerisi during a press conference on the conduct of 2015 gubernatorial election in Lagos

•The blacksmiths’ tools are a crucial part of the traditional institution

• •Ancietn tools fashioned by Awka smiths

40

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

H

•Continued from page 28 of the women in the church and in sustaining their families urged them to continue to be obedient, respectful and submissive to their husbands and those in authority even when they were the bread winners of their families.

According to him, women should learn how to love their husbands both in scarcity and in plenty and also urged the men to care for, tolerate, support and love their wives at all times.

The women in their separate speeches could not hide their joy and thanked God for keeping them alive to witness the 2015 mother’s day edition and prayed that they would be alive to celebrate it years to come.

Mrs. Anulika Marizu said, “Today

•Mrs Elechi with the children and caregivers

Elechi’s wife lifts needy children, caregivers From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

children, and urge them not to be deterred by the challenges that might be encountering ion the course of doing this work of charity for God Almighty will reward them in his own way”.

She called on the caregivers to ensure effective monitoring and supervision of the performance of the OVCs entrusted to their care, so as to assist MCCI in realising the objectives for the establishment of the programme”.

Mrs Elechi also urged well meaning individuals and groups to assist the MCCI in their efforts at bettering the lot of the OVC by taking some of the children for caregiving, so as to reduce the burden of OVC in the so-

,

ER husband’s administration is winding down, but no matter. Mrs Josephine Elechi, wife of Ebonyi State Governor Martin Elechi has continued with her humanitarian project, which she started in a bid to enhance the living standard of mothers and children in the state. Her major concern is the category of such less privileged people as orphans and other vulnerable children.

During the week she oversaw the handover of educational support materials to some selected Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVCs) as well as empowerment support to their caregivers.

In her remarks at the event, Mrs Elechi said the programme which was designed to impact positively on the lives of OVCs and their caregivers, was done in partnership with a foreign partner, the Initiative for Good Health (IGH).

She also assured that the programme will continue even after the tenure of her husband with the support of partner agencies.

She said: ”The programme which has been a regular feature in my efforts at enhancing the living condition of the OVCs, also aims at encouraging our OVC caregivers in their efforts at promoting the well being of this class of children”.

“Today’s event will witness the presentation of educational support to 10 OVCs from nine local government areas of the state, while 20 caregivers will be economically empowered to enable them face various challenges arising from catering for the OVCs under their care”.

“I am particularly pleased to note that most of the caregivers to the OVCs have been doing well in terms of giving these children the needed attention and care that would enhance their living conditions”.

“I want to commend our caregivers for ther efforts at putting smiles on the faces of these less priviledged

The programme which has been a regular feature in my efforts at enhancing the living condition of the OVCs, also aims at encouraging our OVC caregivers in their efforts at promoting the well being of this class of children

,

ciety.

“To the benefiting OVC; I urge you to always be obedient and respectfull tonyour caregivers, and ensure that you participate actively in domestic chores as well as your academic programmes, so as to become better and respectful members of the society in future” She also urged the beneficiaries to

put the funds into effective use to achieve the desired results.

The Medical Director of National Obstetrics Fistula Centre (NOFIC) Abakaliki, Prof. Sunday Adeoye said that there are over 4500 venerable and orphaned children in Ebonyi State going by a recent survey by the MCCI. Prof Adeoye who is also the Coor-

dinator of the MCCI programme appealed to the care givers to utilize the money given to them adding that the MCCI team will be visiting them from time to time to monitor their activities to know if they are actually utilizing the money for the purposes they were meant for.

She also warned the caregivers not to turn the OVCs to street hawkers.

She commended the Wife of the Governor for her steadfastness in implementing the programme which is one of the thematic area of the Mother and Child Care Initiative (MCCI) Programme of her Excellency The Special Adviser on Primary Education to Ebonyi State Governor, Martin Elechi, Mrs Beatrice Nkwuda commended Mrs Elechi for using MCCI programme to increase the number of girl child in the state’s educational system. ENDS

Showers of gifts at Mothering Sunday is a wonderful day indeed. Christ Holy Church International, 7b Ibo Road, Aba and our sister branches in other parts of the world are celebrating their mothering Sunday today and I am so happy. It is a great privilege that I am alive today to celebrate it. A lot of people wanted to see today, but they are no more, but I thank God that God granted me that mercy to see today and to be part of the celebration today. I equally pray that God will grant me more life to keep celebrating this day many years to come.

“For me, being a mother is a great calling because we (mothers) have a

lot of responsibilities; responsibility to God, to the immediate family, colleagues, friends and the world at large. A woman they said is a womb of the nation.

“For women who leave their responsibilities at home for their husbands and house help, I think it is an error in the highest order because it is true that God gave us the gift as a second Fidel in the family as the man takes the first position. Being a woman, you are supposed to play your rightful role as a good helper to the man. We are to make the home, we are called home makers. So, for

you as a woman to leave your responsibility for your husband to do, is an error which should be corrected.

“To correct the error, we should go back to the word of God like Proverb 31:1-end. Women should see their duties as a God fearing woman.

Let’s go back to the drawing board and stand by the word of God, I think that that error will be corrected.

Christian women should know that we have our own responsibility to train up our children in the fear of God as was instructed by God; to train up our children in the fear of the Lord so that when they are old, they will never depart from it. Remember that if you train the children in your family very well, it will extend to the larger society and this society will be a better society to live. Everybody is fighting against corruption, we know that the Lord Jesus is coming very soon, in our own little corner, let’s start doing our own work so that it will now go round and this place (earth) will become a better place”.

Said Mrs. Udodi Uche, “I am very happy to celebrate this year’s mother’s day with other women, it is not easy. Among all the women

here in CHC 7b Ibo road, we are complete celebrating this year’s mothering Sunday.

“As a young mother, today signifies a lot of things to me and other mothers. At least, it brings joy in my home, it shows me that I have a lot of things to carryout in my family, in the church, the less privilege among other people that I have to accommodate and treat them as a mother should”.

On the message preached by the bishop she said “the message by the bishop taught me a lot of things. It taught me how to be patient in my home; how to tolerate my husband, how to take whatever thing that I see in my home since I am there, I am there for real, there is no need of going back; whatever thing I see in my home, I should take it that way.

“As Bishop told us, he is urging all the women in the church and out there that we should go back to our duties as wives. That we should go back and pick up from where we are backsliding, amend our ways and also be role models which the younger ones will emulate. And for the country, I am praying for peace to reign in all that we do”.

,

•From left: Anambra State Chapter President, Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), Mr. Chinedu Anyaso; Regional Director, South-East 2, Skye Bank Plc, Dr. Cliff Agbaeze; Duruiheoma V, Obi of Otulu, Imo State, HRH Eze, Festus Ifeanyichukwu Orji and Head, Small Business Group, Skye Bank Plc, Mrs. Ayo Olojede during the maiden edition of the Skye Bank Business Seminar series, tagged “Nurturing Businesses for Growth, which took place in Onitsha

Women should learn how to love their husbands both in scarcity and in plenty and also urged the men to care for, tolerate, support and love their wives at all times

,

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

42

PEOPLE THE NATION

A SIX-PAGE SECTION ON SOCIETY

Dangote Group of Companies President Alhaji Aliko Dangote, former Defence Minister Gen Theophilus Danjuma and the Offa, Kwara State monarch, Oba Muftau Gbadamosi, were last Friday installed as vice patrons of the prestigious Island Club at its Peacock Hall. NNEKA NWANERI reports.

• Alhaji Dangote (middle) recieving his plaque from Prince Dada (left) and Elder Olakunri (SAN)

I

T is a club of great repute with membership cutting accross every segment of society. The Island Club commands respect. It is a club among clubs and does its things in a big way. Its first outing for the year-inauguration of Vice Patrons and Trustees – last Friday was a crowd puller. The roads leading to the club were jampacked.

Chauffeur driven cars jostled for parking space on the roadside, as their occupants alighted to walk to the club. Only those dressed in suits or agbada were allowed into the premises.

Itinerant drummers and street urchins made brisk business, singing praises of those they recognised. Members of the club complimented their traditional attires with a uniformed bluestriped cap made of aso oke fabric.

Some came with their wives. The hall was decorated in blue and white.

Banners advertising Dangote products dotted the premises.

The majestic entry of royal fathers, such as Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos Alake of Egbaland, Oba Michael Gbadebo, was heralded by trumpeters and traditional flutists, called Kakaki. As they entered, everyone rose in their honour.

Legendary Juju music maestro Evangelist Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi was on the bandstand.

The chairman Prince Demola Dada, led the three vice patrons -

•Oba Akiolu (left) and Oba Gbadebo

•Gen Danjuma and wife, Senator Daisy

Great club, great patrons Gen Theophilus Danjuma, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Olofa of Offa Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi, represented by the Ojomu of Offa, Chief Bayo Akinola, into the hall. They took their seats on the high table.

The gathering was called to order by the club’s Social Secretary, Obafemi Oderinde. The General Secretary, Diji Vera-Cruz, led all to render the National Anthem,

the club anthem.

Prince Dada described the awardees as diligent men whose achievements in business are phenomenal. He lauded them for their contributions to humanity and the society, which prompted the honour.

He paid tributes to the late Chairman of the club’s Board of Trustees, Chief Molade Okoya-

Thomas, whose death, he said, delayed the inauguration.

“Gen Danjuma is a man of honour and integrity. Apart from serving gallantly in the Nigerian Armed Forces before his retirement, he has also become a successful businessman in and outside the shore of Africa.

“Alhaji Dangote is Africa’s most successful business mogul, whose

name is synonymous with success.

Though humble, he sits atop a massive business conglomerate with global spread,” he said.

The vice patrons’ citations were read. They were also presented with certificates and made honorary members of the club. They join the rank of other vice patrons of the club, such as Ooni of Ife Oba Okunade Sijuade; Oba of Benin •Continued on page 42

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

43

SOCIETY

Great club, great patrons •Continued from page 41

Omo N’oba Erediauwa; Awujale of Ijebuland Oba Sikiru Adetona; Alaafin of Oyo Oba Lamidi Adeyemi and Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar.

Those installed trustees are: Chief Sunny Odogwu; Chief Olusola Faleye; Prof John Godwin; Elder Simeon Olakunrin (SAN); Mr Samuel Adegbayibi; Chief O. Alex- Duduyemi and Alhaji Ayo Quadri.

Gen Danjuma thanked the club for the honour, Alhaji Dangote said he would strive to contribute to its growth.

•Chief Akinola

•King Ebitimi Bamigo and wife, Queen Pelebo

•Chief Jaiyeola Randle (left) and former governor of Ekiti state, Otunba Niyi Adebayo

O

LUYEMI was beside himself with joy when he related to this reporter how he met his heartthrob, Nkechi, whom he had a crush on the first time they met 15 years ago. They met in same neighbourhood and struck each other as acquaintances. But Oluyemi wanted something more than being an acquaintance.

Fortunately, in 2004, they both worshipped at the same fellowship centre, Believers’ World Fellowship, of the same campus of Onabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, where they both studied. Oluyemi was studying Geography and Town Planning and Nkechi was studying Law. “She sat in front of my friend and I and when she looked back, our eyes met and she was convinced she has met me somewhere. Before the final grace, we talked and she tried explaining who she was to me to no avail. I just could not remember.

“The next day, while having my bath, I remembered her. She was my long lost crush. I ran out of the bath in excitement to tell my friend I had found my wife. On same day, as we drove into the campus, there she was at the gate. We stopped the car and that was it. Since then till now, we spend every weekend together and I’m glad we began as friends because since 2004 till date, we are still together because it is a mutual thing.

“I believe it was fate that brought us together because she was meant to have studied in the University of Lagos, but was declined an admission into Law. That was when she opted for her second choice so that she could meet me. Can’t you see it was divine intervention?”

The Classique Events Centre on Kudirat Abiola Way, Oregun, played hosts to the family of the lovebirds from Anambra and Osun State at the traditional wedding ceremony, Igba Nkwu of Nkechi and Oluyemi.

It was a day both families had longed for to and they left no stone unturned in ensuring that it was not only memorable, but exciting.

Passersby wondered if there was a dance troupe rehearsal going on as various traditional dancers tried

•Former chairman National Population Commission, Chief Festus Odumegwu (left) and Mr Mike Igbokwe SAN PHOTOS: DAVID ADEJO

A pharmacist, Mr Paul Ndukwe, from Awka in Anambra State has given out his daughter, Vivinne Nkechi, in marriage to Oluyomi Daniel, son of Chief Josiah Odofin, who hails from Ilesa, Osun State. NNEKA NWANERI was there.

•The couple Nkechi and Oluyemi

‘She was my long lost crush’ •Fate brought us together to show their skills.

Those, who made it into the tastefully decorated hall, venue of the event, after being thoroughly checked

by security officials, wowed at the massive parking space at the venue.

They were greeted by an Igbo tradi-

tional troupe dancers, who entertained with flutes. On each table was a candle stand with lighted candle stick. There were big television screens placed strategically on the walls around the hall to give guests a better

view of what was happening.

The tables were exotically decorated in gold and shiny overlays. An Indian lantern was equally placed in the centre of each table.

The Ndukwes were already seated, awaiting the arrival of their in-laws and guests.

Along came a group of people, announcing the arrival of the long expected guests from Osun State.

They refused to take their seat untill they achieved their mission.

They told the gathering why they came to pluck a beautiful flower they described as shiny and respectful.

Oluyemi, who was decked in an Igbo attire, looked more like a traditional Igbo chief. He held a titleless hand fan, which he waved around with a sense of pride.

He made straight for the high table, himself and his friends, prostrated before his family members and in-laws, showing how Yoruba men greet their elders.

The bride’s mother, Grace, had kolanut trays to present to her guests. As they moved forward into the hall, praise songs in honour of women rented the air. The cultural dancers added colour to the event with their dance steps.

Nkechi also danced with maidens and friends, bearing a tray filled with garden eggs. She was sprinkled with red rose petals every step she took. She then took the tray to where her in-laws sat and served them. Her dress and her charming smile caught everyone’s attention.

When it was confirmed that her in-laws have met all the requirements expected of them, Nkechi went in and changed into a beautiful skirt and blouse made from a shiny sequence. She collected a glass of palmwine from her father and began to search for her beau in the crowd. She found him, knelt and presented him with the drink, which he hurriedly gulped down his throat.

She then led him to her father and they both knelt before him. The old man then prayed that the young couple would have a prosperous marital life.

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

44

SOCIETY Founder, Folasade Adetiba and Co. (a law firm) Mrs Folasade Adetiba celebrated her 60th birthday on Monday. She hosted family members and friends to a reception at her Lekki, Lagos home after a thanksgiving service at Our Saviours Anglican Church, Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Onikan. OLATUNDE ODEBIYI reports.

•From left: The celebrator Mrs Adetiba; Prof Adebayo Williams and Dr Babalakin

•From right: Yomi Adeola; his wife Tokunbo and Mrs Tina Akinrisimi

•Dr Michael Olusanmi and his wife Iyabo

•Rt. Rev Odejide and his wife Olubunmi

A barrister at 60 I

T was a day of thanksgiving for Mrs Folasade Adetiba, who turned 60 last Monday. Family members and friends joined her at the service at Our Saviours Anglican Church in Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Onikan Lagos. Bishop of Lagos Diocese, Anglican Communion Rev Adebola Ademowo officiated.

Mrs Adetiba is founder of Folasade Adetiba and Co (a law firm) and brain behind a nongovernmental organisation, Support Bridges Initiative (SBI).

At the reception in her Lekki, Lagos home guests were treated to a nice time. The celebrator’s Oduduwa Close, Lekki home was filled with exotic cars with many of the guests seated before her return from church.

They exchanged pleasantries, while others danced to music from DJ Tune as they awaited her arrival.

The birthday ‘girl’ was a beauty to behold in a yellow lace Buba and Iro with matching head gear and Ipele. Many of the guests stood up to shake her, hug and take pictures with her. She was all smiles.

She changed into an evening black dress with blue design. Her hair was packed and the accompanying gold neck chain was beautiful.

The celebrator went round to greet, and take photographs with her guests. Many of them danced with her.

Her siblings and children were assisted by others to serve guests.

She thanked God for the day and appreciated those that came to rejoice with her, saying: “I am happy and thank God that when I reflect on the things I have gone through, my being alive today, I have sound mind, I am favoured by God and God has been taking good care of me.

“Finding Jesus so many years ago has helped me

to take care of all the things that should have weighed me down and this is why I look young.

“I still want to do more for God, save more lives, touch my generation and the coming generation. I want to do Kingdom work. God has given me energy and skills and I do not want them to be wasted. I have done well, but I still want to do more and I am available for God.” In a congratulatory letter, former Head of State, Gen Yakubu Gowon, described her as a woman of substance. Gen Gowon wished her a happy celebration, long life, prosperity and robust health, praying that every work of her hand will prosper.

A constitutional lawyer, Prof Itse Sagay (SAN), said the celebrator was one of his young law students at the University of Ife. He described her as gentle, humble, self-effacing and extremely brilliant. He applauded her organisational skills, efficiency, sense of responsibility and approach to work and life in general.

Lagos State Chief Judge Justice Funmilayo Atilade, described the celebrator as a woman of excellence.

She said: “Mrs Adetiba is an exceptional lawyer with well over three decades of rich, fruitful and rewarding experience at the Bar. She is resourceful; a perfect mix of integrity, hard work, diligence, focus and purpose driven.

“Her impactful contributions to the legal profession, human and business management have proved remarkable parts of her achievements and distinguished career. She is also a loving and caring mother with tremendous milk of human kindness.”

Former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Princess Sarah Sosan said the celebrator is a sister, friend

PHOTOS: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

and an adviser to her and her family She said she is impressed with the celebrator’s quiet mien, demeanour and disposition, adding that her humility and religious stance make her stand out.

“She mixes freely with the young and the old and she is an example of humility as a virtue. She upholds her professional ethics at every place you meet her and she is a successful barrister in her public and private life,” Mrs Sosan said.

Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye congratulated the celebrator for her success in life, wishing her many more years in good health, love, happiness and fulfilment.

The celebrator’s elder sister, Mrs Iyabode Olusanmi, described her as a very good person, who knows how to take care of people.

She urged her to continue to hold on to God and live by example. “Now that you are 60, you should take things a bit easy because you are a workaholic and you should continue to pray,” she said.

Her younger sister, Eniola Anako, described her as a mother, friend and confidante, adding that she is down to earth, a people person, compassionate and a sociable woman. Another family member, Rt Rev Akin Odejide; said the celebrator is dear to the family; her daughter, Motunrayo, described her mother as the best.

At the event were Senator Daisy Danjuma; Justice Ope Oke, who represented Lagos Chief Judge; former Chief Judge of Lagos, Justice Ade Alabi; Chief Derin Osoba; former Minister of State for Defence, Mrs Dupe Adelaja; Chief Tunde Onakoya; Mr George Etomi;Tokunbo Adesanya; Justice Roseline Ukeje and Dr Wale Babalakin (SAN).

W

EDNESDAY, March 25, guests dressed in classic and beautiful outfits, gathered at Westown Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos for Rockcity Partners’ dinner. Rockcity is a radio station based in Ogun State.

The guests, who looked respledent as they beamed with smiles, exchanged pleasantries and posed for photographs before the event began. The atmosphere was colourful and enchanting. The hall was decorated with red rugs and matching red chairs set around tables with white overlays.

It was an evening for the Abeokutabased radio station management and staff to interact with their partners.

The event began with the rendition of the national anthem and a popular stand-up comedian, Koffi Idowu Nuel (aka Koffi d Guru) kept the audience alive with rib-cracking jokes. He was the Master of Ceremony.

Station Manager, Ify Onugbule, in her welcome address said the dinner was organised principally to know the partners and to re-present the station, which has officially moved from its former location to the ultra-modern new site on Rockcity Avenue, Asero Estate, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Onyegbule also added that a lot has changed in the station’s programmes, which have continued to positively affect the lives of its listeners.

The Chief Executive Officer of the company, Dr. Niran Malaolu thanked the guests for coming.

He said RockcityFM is the first

•Finance Director, Media Perspective Kola Idowu (left) and Media Director, Starcom Media Service Jonadab Egbowon

•From left: Dr Malaolu; Mrs Malaolu and Director, Media Reach, Mr Yinka Adebayo

Boot Communications, owners of Rockcity 101.9 FM in Abeokuta, Ogun State, hosted their partners to a dinner at Westown Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.OLATUNDE ODEBIYI reports.

Towards better service independent radio station in Ogun State, and also “the voice of the people. He is happy with its professional business of broadcasting.

He said: “We are a different kind of radio station, especially in the ways we do our business of broadcasting. We are professional, credible and we value integrity. We deliver bespoke services to

our partners and clients and we are always working on how to serve our clients better.”

He added: “We, as a company, do what we are supposed to do professionally”.

He noted that RockcityFM, as a media organisation, is a social service for the people and as such must be

•John Iman (left) and Tokunbo Olorunlola

professional and credible to be believable.

The Executive Director of the company, Mrs Chriatiana Malaolu, added that the station stands for intergrity, truth and justice. She thanked the media agencies for

PHOTOS: DAYO ADEWUNMI

honouring their invitation. “I am happy and delighted for the sucess of the programme because it will help in growing our relationship”.

She said the programme was held in Lagos to enable its media partners attend.

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

45

SOCIETY

Exit of a caring father The remains of Pa Paul Oni Meduna were interred on April 3, at his country home in Iyamerin-Okeri, Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State after a funeral service at the First ECWA Church, reports JAMES AZANIA.

O

N April 3, the people of Iyamerin-Okeri Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State received a lot of visitors, perhaps unprecented in the history of the town.

They came to attend the funeral of Pa Paul Oni Meduna, who died on November 12, last year at the age of 84.

The service held at the ECWA Church.

The events started with a wake the previous day. The deceased’s sons, daughters and other members of the family who wore cream lace sat in the front row of the open arena.

On hand to support the eldest child and member of the Editorial Board of The Nation Newspaper, Mr. Sanya Oni, was a delegation from the media led by the Managing Director of Vintage Press Limited Mr. Victor Ifijeh.

A huge electronic screen was mounted at the back of the arena to avail those on the back seats the opportunity to follow proceedings.

In his sermon, the officiating priest, Pastor S. O. Onilede, urged the bereaved family to be happy for the late Pa Meduna, saying he lived a worthy and exemplary life.

Reading from Job 14:5, Pastor Onilede admonished all to be mindful of the “hereafter”.

There were testimonies by relations, children and members of the community of the life and times of the late Pa Meduna.These were followed by prayers.

Beautiful renditions of Christian hymns by various groups added colour to the ceremony.

The following day, the interment and thanksgiving service held. The latter began at 9am at ECWA Church. The officiating ministers were led by Rev. J. O. Olobayo; he was assisted by 10 clerics.

The deceased’s children and widow, Ebun, wore red Aso Oke with caps and gele (head gear) to match.

At the event were traditional rulers, captains of industries, media executives and other important personalities.

While some shed tears, others did not. The children of the deceased shed tears as testimonies of the good works of their late father were being given.

A moving part of the ceremony was when Mrs. C. B. Makanjuola gave a special song from her collection in memory of Pa Meduna. It was a long rendition which brought both sadness and joy.

One of the children and a medical doctor, Dr Tope Oni described his father as loving and caring, adding that their late father ensured that his siblings were educated.

Pa Meduna not only strived to educate his children, he said, he also ensured that his cousins enjoyed good education.

Several others also attested to the late Pa Meduna’s love for education, service to humanity and his love for God. Pa Meduna is survived by four children Sanya, Tosho,

•From left: Mr Sanya Oni; his wife Bunmi and his sister Comfort dancing during the church service

•From left: Widow Ebu, daughter in-law Bola, and son, Tosho

•Mrs Grace Aina, Dr Tope Oni

•From left: Mr Kunle Abimbola; Mr Waheed Odusile and Mrs Okwy Iroegbu-Okezie

•Mrs Funke Ibidanutan of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Ilorin

•General Editor, The Nation Mr Ade-Adeleye

Tope, Comfort and many grandchildren.

His remains were interred in his compound after the

service.

Reception followed at the open grounds of United Secondary School, Odo-Ere.

AWARD •Former Miss Deborah Oluchi Ordor and her husband Mr Boniface Atem Yunus after their wedding at the Bible Life Church Cathedral, Olodi Apapa, •From left: Abimbola Omotayo; Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, Michael Tosin and Mrs. Bolaji Osime during the Lagos 2015 annual award for excellence by the Ituah Ighodalo Foundation to the two best overall graduating students in Accounting, University of Lagos (UNILAG)

•From left: Oba of Igbaruku Okeri, Oba Jones Babalola; Oba of Iyamerin-Okeri, Oba Adegboye and his Olori, Omoyeni

CONJUGAL BLISS

46

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

SOCIETY Remains of the Iyalode of Osogbo, Chief Bernice Alake Kolade, who died on February 12, have been buried in the historic town. JOSEPH ESHANOKPE reports.

‘Will I see grandma again?’

O

SOGBO, the Osun State capital virtually stood still between March 5 and 6 for the funeral of the Iyalode of the ancient town, Mrs Bernice Alake Kolade (nee Jayeola), who died on February 12. She was 74.

The calibre of guests attests to her status while alive. Everything about the funeral was classy.

Though she held a traditional title, the funeral was a Christian affair. The late Mrs Kolade was a devout Christian; her late husband was a deacon in Baptist Church. The wake was held on March 5 at the Abodua Compound in Osogbo.The two-hour event was presided over by the Anright: Sister of the deceased, Mrs Mojoyin Akinola; daughter Mrs Abokede; and another daughter glican Diocesan Bishop of •From Mrs Taiye Dada.

Osun, Rt Rev James Popoola, who spoke on man’s mortality. He reminded all that it was appointed unto man to die and after that judgment.

The cleric said every human being is expected to play his role, noting that the late Mrs Kolade did. He said the tributes by well-wishers testified to the life she lived.

Rt Rev Popola described the late Mrs Kolade as a community leader and God-fearing.

Her daughter Mrs Aderonke Funmilayo Abokede said her •From left: Mrs Bisi Jayeola; her husband and brother of the deceased Mr Jayeola; Dr Segun Aina and mother stood by her in her Mr Supo Adigun most trying moments and helped her to keep her family together.Her brother Femi Kolade waxed philosophical, describing death as wicked. ‘’Just like that, you took away the precious jewel of many,’’ he said.

The late Mrs Kolade’s only brother Mr Tunji Jayeola said his sister were like Siamese twins. She was honest, virtuous, elegant and a promoter of gender equality and women empowerment, he said.

Jayeola, Manager, Ecobank, University of Lagos (UNILAG) Branch, said his sister’s death surprised him. His words: “You were ever my pride and •Wole Kolade (left) and his brother Kehinde an African pride that came out from a humble background.

You were a good ambassador of the family and the community. What I really missed about you is the cross pollination of issues we shared together.’’

Mrs Kolade’s grandchild Temitayo Abokede’s tribute was touching. “Grandma,’’ he wrote , “It looks as if you travelled and you are not yet back.

I asked my mum if I will be able to see you, and she said no, but you can see us. I told mummy that I want a very big picture of you to hang in my room so that I can see you ev- •From left: Mrs Laoye-Tomori, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and his wife ery day.’’

Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who wore aso oke, and held seer, Victory Life Ministries In- ography, University of Lagos in a condolence letter, de- horse tails. They were a sight ternational, Ilesa, Osun State, (UNILAG), Prof. Toyin scribed the late Iyalode as an to behold with the their dance Bishop Mike Bamidele, said, it Ogundipe; Director, Acaepitome of womanhood, im- steps, were a sight to behold. was the end of an era. He said demic Planning, UNILAG; bued with humility, compas- The cart manned by two men, with her interment, her earthly Mr. and Mrs Bode Adediji, sion and care. His deputy Mrs which ferried the casket, journey was over. Mrs Prof Femi Fadiora, Chief Grace Laoye-Tomori said she added colour to the ceremony. Abokede’s brother Femi and Medical Officer, Ladoke had known the late Mrs Kolade Many people came out to others performed the dust-to- Akintola University Osogbo; Alhaji Akeem Toluwaloju dust rite. from youth to be accommo- watch them.

Jayeola said the ceremony At the reception, Osogbo Sta- and Sir Supo Adigun. dating, forthright, thoughtful Otheres were former presiand willing to lead by example. was unique, noting that it was dium, Juju music maestro Aregbesola’s predecessor the first time a cart would be Chief Ebenezer Obey enter- dent, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Dr Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola carrying a casket in Osogbo. tained guests.

At the event were: former Segun Aina; Dr Abiola prayed God to grant her eter- According to him, it was also the first time too that billboards Inspector-General of Police Afolabi-Akinyoye; Prof nal rest.

The funeral service was at the were used to announce a fu- (IG), Tafa Balogun; Iyalode of Foluso Okunmadewa, Chudi Egbaland, Mrs Alaba Onuha; Prof Niyi Okunola of Anglican Communion Cathe- neral, instead of posters.

After the church service, the Lawson; Senator Olu Alabi; Federal University of Techdral of All Saints, Balogun Agoro in Osogbo on March 6. ‘congregation’ moved to the and representatives of Ooni nology, Akure (FUTA), Mr Bade Adesina, Prof Bolanle The pall bearers gave a good late Mrs Kolade’s husband of Ife. Also there were Prof Iyiola Awe, Leo Awoyemi and account of themselves. Led by house on Oduola Street for the some ladies and young men interment. The General Over- Oni of the Department of Ge- James Odiba.

COMMUNICATE YOUR IDEAS Take Charge Now!

P

UBLIC speaking involves a series of exchanges. As the speaker gives out information to the audience, members of the audience show their interest or lack of interest through their feedback.

While the process is not reLANRE OLAOLU AMODU ally about who dominates or who is submissive, we still (Ph.D) sospeak2lanre@yahoo.com.

07034737394 should not downplay the role @lanreamodu of the speaker in setting the pace for the exchange. Audience's presence at the venue already shows some level to readiness to listen. It is then left to the speaker to make it.

Public speaking is a creative process. A speaker can be likened to a sculptor with a massive supply of rough natural stones- the attention of the audience. While the stones have the potentials of becoming priceless works of art, the speaker, who is also the artist, must painstakingly shape the stones by performing a controlled removal of unwanted pieces. Every stroke of the chisel must be calculated and strategic. He or she must chip away all distractions until the hall is full of Just like a sculptor creates value out of a rough natural stone and the sculpture perpetuates the artistry of the sculptor, a speaker adds value to the audience while the audience's response adds legitimacy to the speaker's effort. Hence, if we want to know how successful a public speaker is, we look at the audience; and if we need to know how fortunate an audience is, we look at the "The beginning is the most important part of the work", says Plato. Plato is considered an essential figure in the development of philosophy. Not only did he found the Academy in Athens, which was reportedly the first institution of higher learning in the Western world, he was taught by Socrates and had Aristotle as his student. Perhaps you will agree with me that we can trust his judgement. It is at the beginning that we lay the foundation for the rest of the work.

A clear, direct, purposeful, inspired and energized start will set the right course for the achievement In public speaking, your first step will determine the next one. Your first statement after being introduced to the audience will determine whether they bring out their notepads or their phones to play games. How then can we ensure that we take a first step that will grab and sustain the attention of our audience?

Here are a few suggestions: •Ask a question: this is a popular and effective way of beginning a speech. One of the most important attributes of a good speech is that it engages the audience, and asking questions helps to achieve this. It transforms the audience from being passive to being active. When you ask a question, you make your listeners think and this holds their concentration. It is, however, important to note that this technique is highly sensitive so it must be properly used. For instance, never ask an evaluation question until your listeners are comfortable with you. Since they may be right or wrong, they may not be sure of what your reaction will be or how you will judge them. Of course, after they are used to your style and they see that being wrong is part of the fun filled learning process, they will be more comfortable to participate. At the beginning, however, it is safer to ask general questions that participants can easily respond to. For instance, you may ask, "How many of you agree that you can do a lot more than you are doing right now?" You are likely to have several people raise their hands. First, people always hope for a better future so they won't mind responding, and second, raising hands is a group action so nobody feels exposed. Again, you may ask rhetorical questions- questions that you don't expect answers to. Of course your listeners will answer the questions in their minds and you will see them react to it.

You can then build on the momentum you have created by •Use an anecdote or story: an anecdote is a short but interesting or amusing account of a real incident. As long as the public speaker is a good story teller, this is a foolproof technique for grabbing the attention of the audience. Everyone loves a good story. When a speaker begins a presentation with a story, the listeners immediately get interested for three major reasons: first, it gives them a relief that the presentation won't be the boring and "very serious" type, second, it lays the foundation for lessons they can hope to learn from the presentation, and third, it gives them an insight into the personality of the speaker. Of course, the type of story told tells a lot about the sense of judgement of the story teller. That is why a pointless story will always leave the impression that the speaker is uncoordinated. According to Les Brown, one of the world's foremost public speakers, "Never make a point without a story, and never tell a story without a point".

Dr. Amodu teaches at the Department of Mass Communication, Covenant University, Ogun State.

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 24 , 2015

47

SOCIETY Their friendship started in secondary school years ago. Last Saturday, it culminated in marriage. This is the love story of Oluwadamilola, daughter of an insurer, Mr Segun Balogun and Olusegun, son of one time Editor of the Daily Times and General Manager, Times Publication Division (TPD) Mr Dapo Aderinola, (aka Africa), who got married in Lagos. OLATUNDE ODEBIYI reports.

Made for each other I

T was not the usual wedding where the bride appears in makeup and expensive jewellery. It was a solemn affair, with the bride, Oluwadamilola, lawyer, without adorn Oluwadamilola was joined with her beau, Olusegun, a doctor, at the youth church auditorium of the Mountain of Fire and Miracle (MFM) in Onike, Yaba, Lagos Mainland Their journey began in secondary school where they were inseparable.

Although, they didn’t attend the same university, they still kept in touch and never allowed their parting to affect their relationship. It was as if they knew they were destined for marriage.

It all began on a Thursday, with the engagement at Chapel of Christ Our Light Hall in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos and climaxed on Saturday with the marriage blessing at MFM. Oluwadamilola is daughter of Mr Segun Balogun of FirstBank Insurance; Olusegun is son of onetime Editor of the Daily Times and General Manager of Times Publication Division (TPD), Mr Dapo Aderinola popularly known as Africa.

At their engagement, Oluwadamilola and Segun were dressed in traditional attires of silver and burgundy. The bride’s parents wore purple and cream traditional dresses and the groom’s were in cream and wine attires.

The hall was decorated with pink and white fabrics. Chairs were set around tables with either pink or silver overlays. The gift items the groom brought for his in-laws were placed on the right side of the hall. They included cake, pineapple, sugarcane, apple, banana, some wrapped gifts and white dish, which content could not be ascertained.

Komaiya Yemisi anchored the event.

The bride picked a white Bible from the gifts brought by the groom’s family.

At the reception anchored by Adebayo Samson there was a lot to eat and drink. The Opelope Anointing music organisation entertained guests.

On Saturday in church, the bride wore a white bridal gown; the groom was in a dark blue suit, light blue shirt and a striped tie.

Pastor Emmanuel Akinola said the opening prayer.

The bride, was led into the church by her father, while the hymn, “Praise my soul the King of glory”, was being saying. The groom was waiting for her.

Pastor Tunde Adetola took the Bible passage from 1Peter 3: 1-7 and the choir led the congregational hymn, “For in Canaan of Galilee”.

In his sermon, Pastor Samson Laoye, said marriage is a journey the couple cannot run alone.

He said: “You need to invite Jesus to partner with you in your marriage so that He will be the third member in your marriage. Whatever you cannot do by yourself, Jesus will do it for you. You need Jesus to guide, direct and control the affairs of your marriage. You need him to turn situations around, to show you the way and give you peace.”

The groom, Olusegun, expressed

•Groom’s parents Mr Aderinola and his wife Funsho

•The couple Olusegun and Oluwadamilola

•Bride’s parents Mr Balogun his wife Funmi and Mrs Fashola (right)

• From left: Major Grace Afe Babalola; Olaoluwa Aderinola and Mrs Alero Attah

• Mrs Oguntuase (left) and Mrs Oladunjoye

•From left: Chief Ismail Folaji, Olorogun Ide of Lagos; Chief Taliatu Yesuff, Olorogun Atebo of Lagos; Chief Adesoji Ajayibembe, the Obanikoro of Lagos and Chief Lateef Ajose, the Opeluwa Onido of Lagos

•Chief Osoba

joy, saying he felt great. He added that his wife is God’s special choice for him.

Oluwadamilola, he said, is beautiful, adding “We were just friends and God dropped it in my heart that

she is my wife and here we are today.”

Oluwadamilola said she felt excited, happy and relieved, adding that she loves her husband because he is God- fearing “This is my major reason for loving him. He is also gentle, kind, loving, caring and tolerant,” she said.

The groom’s father, Mr Aderinola, said he felt great, elated and fulfilled, adding that he thanked God for his son’s wedding.

Segun he said is wonderful, respectful, adding that he takes after his mother.

Aderinola urged his son to be himself, saying: “He should continue to be respectful, hard working and focused. His wife should also be respectful because that is the secret to a successful marriage. She should take care of her husband just as my wife does to me”.

• Frrom left: Editor Daily Independent Newspaper, Mr Rotimi Durojaiye; Mrs Rolake Durojaiye and Mrs Yemisi Durojaiye

•From left: Eric Omaseje, Executive Director IBN Insurance Broker; Mrs Kemi Ogunmekan, Head Marketing GNI Plc and Mr Teju Ogunjimi, Managing Director Armlife PHOTOS: SOLOMON ADEOLA AND ABIODUN WILLIAMS

Mrs Aderinola urged the couple to be faithful to each other.

In attendance were former Ogun State, Governor Olusegun Osoba; wife of Lagos State governor, Dame

Abimbola Fashola; Lagos State Commissioner for Establishment and Training Mrs Modupe Oguntuase and her counterpart Education Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye, among others.

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

48

S OCIETY

‘Build a Godly home’ Politicians, family members and friends gathered in Lagos last Thursday for the wedding of Simi, daughter of Governor Babatunde Fashola’s Personal Assistant Mr Oladimeji Sofowora and Olawale, son of a retiree, Mr Ayodele Adeyefa. OLATUNDE ODEBIYI reports.

•The couple Simi and Olawale and Dame Fashola

L

AST Thursday in Lagos, Olawale Adeyefa and former Simi Sofowora began life together as man and wife following the solemnisation of their union at Methodist Church Opebi, Ikeja.

Olawale is son of retiree, Mr Ayodele Adeyefa; Simi is daughter of Mr Oladimeji Sofowora, Personal Assistant to Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola.

At the reception at Ten Degree Event Centre in Oregun, Lagos, family members, friends and politicians gathered to share in the couple's joy.

The couple came in a silver BMW X5. The bride wore a white sleeveless bridal gown; the groom was in black suit, white shirt and black bow tie.

Their Parents entered the hall amid songs by BJ Sax and his live band. They were followed by the couple and their friends.

Renowned DJ Jimmy Jatt was at his best, dishing out music to guests delight.Virtually all the guests stood as a mark of honour for the couple when they entered.

The duo of Seyi Law and Christian

•Bride’s parents Mr Sofowora and his wife Toyin

•Groom’s parents Mr Adeyefa and his wife Esther

Dorothy anchored the event.

Pastor Tony Uche said the opening prayers.

Pastor Wole Oladiyun, of Christ Livingspring Apostolic Ministry (CLAM), who chaired the event told the couple that marriage is not a bed of roses. He told them that they would face challenges, advising them to trust in God. He prayed that the marriage be fruitful.

Governor Fashola’s wife Dame Abimbola supervised the cutting of the six-layer white wedding cake.

Simi fed Olawale on her knees with the cake and also gave him wine.

Olawale returned the gesture, sealing it with kisses.

After the father-daughter dance, the couple took the floor.

The bride tossed her bouquet to spinsters; the groom threw his tie to bachelors.

The groom’s father, Mr Adeyefa, a retired bursar in Ondo State Ministry of Education, wished the couple a happy married life; his wife, Esther expressed joy at the ceremony’s success.

She implored them to serve God, and build a godly home.

All Progressives Congress (APC)

National Legal Adviser Dr Muiz Banire advised the couple to communicate regularly, noting that patience and prayer would help them to overcome their challenges.

He described marriage as a sacred institution, noting that it is often challenged by economic harshness.

Senator Ganiyu Solomon wished the couple the best, urging them to be each other’s friend.

“They must tolerate each other because there is no perfect marriage.

We have two different people coming together from two different backgrounds, they will need to tolerate

•Pastor Oladiyun

each other’s limitation and they must continue to pray,” he said.

WEDDING

•Bride’s parents Pastor Debo Falade and his wife, Adenike

•Groom's parent s Mr Femi Akintobi and his wife, Folasade

•Former Miss Olubunmi Falade and her beau Akinwunmi Akintobi after their wedding at Memorable Gathering Hall, Alausa, Ikeja

49

FRIDAY APRIL 24, 2015

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had boasted that it will rule for 60 years. But, the ruling party, contrary to its projection, will assume the role of opposition next month. Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN examines the lessons of the transition from a ruling party to an opposition platform.

•Dr. Jonathan (middle) flanked by Vice President Namadi Sambo (left) and Muazu at a rally.

•Gen. Buhari, Prof. Osinbajo (middle) and Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State at a rally.

Lessons of general elections A

MIDST fear and uncertainty, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) braved all odds and conducted what has been adjudged by foreign and local observers as free, fair and credible Presidential election. The outcome of the election has changed the political equation in the country. For the first time in the history of Nigeria, the opposition has sent the ruling party packing. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that has been in power since 1999 will be in opposition as from May 29, when President-elect.

Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will be inaugurated.

Apart from winning the presidential election, the APC has the majority in the Senate with 60 senators-elect, while the PDP has 49 out of 109 members of the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly. Similarly, the configuration in the House of Representatives has changed in favour of the APC out of 360 members, APC has 214. With these results, the APC will dominate the Eighth National Assembly. It will, based on its numerical strength, produce the principal officers: Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Majority Leader and Chief Whip. In the House of Representatives, APC will produce six out of the 10 principal officers in the House: Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Majority Leader, Deputy House Leader, Chief Whip and Deputy Whip. The PDP will contend with Minority Leader, Deputy Minority Leader, Minority Whip, and Deputy Minority Whip.

The major fall out of the election is the waning popularity of the PDP in states where it had consistently held sway. Apart from losing the governorship in many of its erstwhile strongholds, the party lost governorship in many of them, failed to win senatorial seat, produce members of House of Representatives, and failed to produce majority members in the Houses of Assembly. For instance, APC won all senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly seats in Kano State where PDP used to hold sway since 1999, except in 2007 when it lost the governorship to the defunct All Nigeria Peoples’ Party (ANPP).

There are lessons to learn from the fall of the PDP.

Sovereign power One major lesson of the election is that the sovereign power belongs to the people. The era of political parties taking people for granted is gone. Nigerians are very conscious of their rights; they know with their votes is they can install or remove government that failed to perform. The turn-out of voters on March 28 presidential election bears testimony to this. Despite the shift in the election date from February 14 to March 28, people still clamoured for change of leadership. They were tired of the PDP government that have been

in power for 16 years without making positive impact in their life.

Civil rights activist Comrade Moshood Erubami said, if the election was shifted to December, it will not stop people from voting out President Jonathan from office. He said: “People have made up their mind on a government that has failed in its primary responsibility of securing lives and property, that failed to provide stable power supply and that promotes corruption and mismanaged the economy.”

Erubami said what is being witnessed today is the strong will of the people coupled with the commitment and determination to effect a change. The people have tolerated the PDP in the past 16 years. They squandered the goodwill invested in them. They dashed the hope of the common man. They installed the reign of impunity, brigandage and anything that goes. They have forgotten the day of reckon they have forgotten that people would hold them accountable for all they did while in power. It was too late for the PDP to appease the minds of the people who had waited to cheat them a lesson that you can deceive people for some time, not all the time.

Religious/ethnic sentiment The issues of ethnic and religious differences became pronounced under the Jonathan presidency. In the build up to 2015 elections, Jonathan polarised the country into the NorthSouth dichotomy. His political godfather, Chief Edwin Clark, formed the Southern Assembly comprising handpicked leaders from the 17 states in the South. The purpose was to prepare ground for Jonathan’s re-election in 2015. Clark also infiltrated the north by wooing the leaders of the Middle Belt who are mainly Christians.

Few months to the election President Jonathan was hopping from one church to the other, canvassing support for his re-election.

Attempts to use religious sentiments to get electoral advantage did not work. Student activist Victor Akpofure said Nigerians are too sophisticated that nobody can use religion to determine whom to vote for. A ccording to him, the poverty on the land does not know whether you are Christian or a Muslim. What Nigerians voted for on March 28 was a leader that has the capacity to resore the glory of this country irrespec-

‘

tive of tribe or religion.

Spendthrift The power of incumbency could not save President Jonathan from losing the presidential election. He has access to public funds to buy his way through. The last two months preceding election showed how President Jonathan turned electioneering campaign into “cash and carry” matter. He relocated to the Southwest with a view to winning the votes in the region.

It was alleged that individuals and groups visited by President Jonathan came out with broad smile after being enriched with dollars or naira. One of those who attended a town hall meetings addressed by the President in Lagos confided in our reporter that he refused to collect the dollars offered him after the programme. He said the question that came to his mind was that if the President can use this money to bribe people so that they can vote for him, why can’t he use the money to fix roads, provide electricity, equip schools and hospitals?

Another participant who collected the money said the reason why he didn’t reject it was because he knew it was public fund. “I consider it my own share of the national cake.

However, I didn’t vote for Jonathan or PDP in all elections”, he stated.

The naira and dollar splashed by the President and his party, could not sway peoples to vote for PDP. Nigerians based their voting on performance.

Impunity The Jonathan administration has no regard for the rule of law. It is intolerant of the opposition. President Jonathan has used the security apparatus to deal with his perceived enemies. At a stage Nigerians were becoming apprehensive over what appears to be the blossoming of the Goodluck Jonathan administration into a full -fledged dictatorship. They are worried that the presidency is steadily descending into despotism with assault on the freedom expression, the press and the use of national institutions against opposition.

For instance, the President unleashed the military to stop opposition governors -Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers and Adams Oshiomhole -- to attend a rally organised by

Jonathan has a poor public image due to his failure to wage a spirited war against corruption, leakages in the oil industry, including oil theft and pipelines vandalism

the APC in Ado-Ekiti on the eve of the governorship election in Ekiti in July last year.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, also tasted the bitter pill of military assault. He was shabbily treated at the venue of a security seminar in Kaduna, Kaduna State. Other dignitaries were allowed free entry, the soldiers on duty insisted that Tambuwal’s official car must be searched. He was forced to disembark and trek to the venue. The soldiers also said they were acting on orders from above.

The Inspector-General of Police withdrew Tambuwal’s security details shortly after he defected from PDP to APC. The police boss backed his action by saying Tambuwal was no longer Speaker. However, the same IG has reinstated Tambuwal’s security aides.

To analysts the growing intolerance and impunity of the Presidency pose a major threat to our hard-earned democracy. They argued these acts of interdiction by the government are unconstitutional as they breached Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees freedom of movement to every Nigerian.

Corruption President Jonathan’s posture against the monster called ‘corruption’, which appears to be the root cause of many of the country’s woes, is unimpressive. Jonathan who made war against corruption, the mantra of his administration was founding wanting. His body language, according to Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, encourages corruption. The Pension Fund Scam, $20 billion missing oil money, N10 billion allegedly spent on jet maintenance by Petroleum Minister, Diezani Allison-Madueke, the bullet- proof car scandal involving ex-Minister of Aviation, Ms Sarah Oduah and many others counted against Jonathan.This has provided grounds for the opposition to take the administration to the cleaners.

Jonathan has a poor public image due to his failure to wage a spirited war against corruption, leakages in the oil industry, including oil theft and pipelines vandalism. One of the perceived weaknesses that have cast the Jonathan administration in bad light is less than forceful Presidential presence and ineffective deployment and application of presidential power in calling people around him to order. This has to do with the President’s perceived inability to deal with the mediocrity within his kitchen cabinet. His actions suggest that he accommodates mediocre elements within his inner circle and that he lacks the will to show them the door.

Economic mismanagement There are ominous signs that the country is broke. Since last year the Federal Government has reduced the states monthly allocations from the Federation Account. As a result,

’

• Continued on page 50

50

THE NATION FRIDAY APRIL 24, 2015

What we don’t understand is why the Presi‘dent has allowed his wife to exhibit overbearing influence in party matters ’

H

ISTORY is repeating itself in Imo State. With the April 11 governorship declared inconclusive, a rerun has been scheduled for tomorrow, April 25. In 2011, Governor Rochas Okorocha and his predecessor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, equally went for a rerun to determine the winner, after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the first ballot inconclusive.

Four years after, INEC again declared the governorship election in the state inconclusive, warranting another rerun election to determine the winner between the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Okorocha, and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha.

Analysts have listed the factors that will determine who emerges winner between the APC and PDP candidate.

Governor Okorocha appears to have the upperhand. At the end of the election, the APC candidate polled 385,071 votes to beat the PDP candidate, who scored 306,142.

Nevertheless, the election was declared inconclusive because the number of registered voters in the areas where the elections were cancelled or did not hold is more than

Politics of rerun polls in Imo

•Okorocha

• Ihedioha

the local government area of the incumbent Deputy Governor Eze Madumere. The APC won in the other areas in the council where elections held during the April 11 governorship contest.

Another factor that will determine the outcome of the election in favour of the APC is the mass exodus of supporters and financiers of the PDP to the APC before the governorship election. They include Senator

Ifeanyi Ararume, who assisted the APC to secure a resounding victory in Okigwe zone, where he enjoys a cult-like followership. It also includes Chief Jerry Chukwueke, one of the former major mobilisers of the PDP in the state. During the first round ballot, he worked for the APC candidate and assisted in the trouncing of the PDP candidate in Owerri zone.

Also, in the buildup to the rerun,

the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Gabriel Ada, has come under criticisms for allegedly working to subvert the process by inflating the figure of registered voters and tempering with the list of Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) distribution in the affected areas. He denied the allegation.

This, according to stakeholders, has brought great attention on the REC and the entire INEC staff.

Another factor that will work in favour of the APC is the neutrality of the security operatives, who had allegedly aided the PDP to win during in the presidential and National Assembly elections. According to observers, this was achieved by intimidating and assaulting APC supporters.

But, with the overall victory of the APC in the presidential election, the security operatives seemed to have returned to their constitutional duties of maintaining law and order without bias. The PDP had allegedly relied on the support of INEC and security operatives to win the election.

There is also a plan to run a live telecast of the election in varoius stations to reduce cases of ballot box snatching, writing of results in the homes of politicians by INEC staff.

• Sambo

•Jega

• Abba-Gana

• Minimah

• Ita Ekpeyong, Director of SSS

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri the number of votes that separate the APC candidate and his closest rival, Ihedioha. The figure was put at 144,715.

The result of the first round of the election puts the APC candidate in a comfortable lead with 79,529 votes.

Interestingly, more than 70 per cent of the areas where the election will be repeated are the stronghold of the APC candidate.

In Oru East Local Government Area, where the rescheduled election will hold in 59 polling units out of the 250 polling units in the council, the APC candidate defeated the PDP candidate with over 11,000 to 1000 votes before the results were cancelled under controversial circumstances.

The number of registered voters that will participate in the election in the six wards affected is put at 41,776.

In Mbaitoli Council Area, where the election will hold in 38 polling units with 20,200 registered voters, is another stronghold of the APC; being

Lessons of general elections • Continued on page 49

many states owe workers salaries and lack funds to prosecute developmental projects. Yet, the Jonathan administration claims that with the rebased Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Nigeria’s economy is now the first in Africa and 26th in the world. But, Nigerians are not impressed with statistics that do not reflect the true situation on ground.

More than a year after the rebased GDP was announced, the living conditions of Nigerians have been progressively nose diving and pathetic.

Economic growth without jobs and food on the table means nothing to the people. The unemployment figures are frightening. Nigerians have been grappling with several years of infrastructure decay. The transformation agenda was supposed to address this in a holistic way. Bad roads and epileptic power supply are some of the major factors hampering business activities.

Nigeria can only achieve growth, if the infrastructure needed by the various sectors to grow and create employed are there. The government ought to resuscitate the textile and agricultural sectors, which are huge employment windows.

Renowned economist Henry Boyo described the GDP rebasing as a development that “is good for the ego”, insisting that the standard of living of an average Nigerian is lower than South African counterpart.

He called for policies that will stimulate critical sectors in terms of financial engineering and credit facilities for the Small Scale and Medium Scale Enterprises.

Insecurity The deteriorating security situation, especially in the Northeast and part of Northwest where Boko Haram has a strong presence portrayed President Jonathan as a inefficient leader. The lackadaisical attitude of the government in tackling terrorism gave an impression that Dr. Jonathan was not bothered about the senseless killings by the terrorists. The suspicion heightened when over 200 school girls were abducted in Chibok, Borno State. It took the Federal Government two weeks to believe that the abduction took place.

The government’s apparent lack of adequate concern over the fate of the

girls has affected the image of the administration. A year after they were abducted, Nigerians do not know the whereabouts of the girls.

The reported ceasefire agreement brokered by the President of Chad and the prospects of the girls regaining their freedom had provided a glimmer of hope for the government that such break through might reduce the negative impact of the development on Dr. Jonathan’s re-election bid. But, the agreement remained a paper work. Even at that, it was too late for many Nigerians, who had made up their minds.

Marginalisation of Southwest President Jonathan made frantic efforts to woo the people of the Southwest. The PDP’s calculation was that, if Jonathan defeated Buhari in the Southwest, he would win the presidential election at first ballot. But, the Yoruba accused Jonathan of total neglect of the region.

A pan-Yoruba movement, the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG), said it was too late for President Jonathan to woo the Yoruba to back his re-election bid. The ARG spokesman, Kunle Famoriyo said for the past five years under his administration , the Yoruba people have been deliberately marginalised and skewed out of national reckoning, especially in terms of key appointments and opportunity to partake in key sectors of the economy.

In Erubami’s view: “No real Yoruba man or woman who supports a pan Yoruba political and development agenda would vote for Jonathan because the Southwest has gained nothing from his administration. There is no tangible thing President Jonathan has done since he took over from the late Prsident Umaru Yar’Adua to warrant his being re-elected.

“Despite the goodwill the people of the Southwest accorded him in 2011, what did we benefit from him? It should be dawn on Jonathan that the self-serving Yoruba leaders that promised him a bulk vote from the region lack electoral value; some of them failed to win in their wards.

Intra-party crisis The PDP was embroiled in internal crisis in the last two years before the elections. The crisis came into open when

The ‘ meddlesomeness of the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan in the party affairs contributed to the problems of the party

’

some party chieftains and seven governors pulled out and formed a splinter group called new PDP. Their major grouse t was what they described as lack of internal democracy in the party. The crisis festered till mid 2014 when the likes of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, Former Kwara State Governor, Senator Bukola Saraki, Governors Aliyu Wammako (Sokoto), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Rotimi Okorocha (Rivers), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa) and AbdulFattah Ahmad (Kwara) defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). With that stroke PDP lost five states to the opposition.

The internal squabble also affected the party’s strength at the National Assembly. Not less than 15 senators and several members of the House of Representatives dumped the PDP for APC. The situation became worsen when some members of the National Assembly could not get return tickets. They alleged imposition of candidates and quit the party. The PDP went into election without most of its influential members particularly in the north. It was reflected in the result. The northwest and north-central that used to be the stronghold of the party have

been taken over by the APC. The meddlesomeness of the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan in the party affairs contributed to the problems of the party. Some leaders in the party, including some governors are not happy with the way she dabbled into the party affairs. She incurred the wrath of party big wigs for imposing candidates for different elective positions, especially in Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi and Kwara States.

A PDP chieftain said: “What we don’t understand is why the President has allowed his wife to exhibit overbearing influence in party matters.

Before the election, I spoke to many elders in the party and they said they would not vote for President Jonathan because of his wife. Protest votes among PDP members were responsible for Jonathan’s defeat.

Hate campaign The emergence of Gen. Buhari as APC presidential candidate unsettled

the PDP. The party was jittery over the popularity of the former Military Head of State in the north coupled with the acceptability of the APC in the Southwest.

The PDP was attacking the personality of Buhari. While the APC was busy marketing its programme to the electorate, PDP engaged itself on Buhari’s educational qualification and his state of health. Even when Buhari’s alma mater released his School Certificate result, yet they still raise fresh issues.

The PDP sponsored hate documentaries and speeches on Buhari and other APC leaders in other to portray them and the party in bad light. The First Lady, Madam Patience Jonathan went to the extent of describing Buhari as brain dead. She insulted the sensibilities of the north when she said the people of the region are fond of giving birth to Almajirins (disadvantaged children). Unknown to them, the hate campaigns worked in favour of Buhari and the party he represents across the country.

51

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

Brandnews N2.25m for grabs at Indomie PRCAN urges Heroes’ awards nation-branding campaign A T

HE Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN), the umbrella body of consultancy firms in Nigeria, has called on President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) to embark on strategic nation branding campaign.

Its President, Mr. John Ehiguese, urged Buhari to inaugurate a strategic nationbranding campaign that would ride on the goodwill that the country enjoys.

He said this would be planned and executed by a team of experts in strategic communica-

Stories by Adedeji Ademigbuji

tion.

He said: “We are also excited at the fact that the peaceful conduct of the elections has somewhat redeemed the image of our country, and look forward to Nigeria getting set to reap the huge benefits that will accrue therefrom.

“As the biggest economy in Africa, and the choice investment destination globally, Nigeria now stands on the threshold of history, set to take its rightful place among the leading and fastest growing nations of the

world.”

Last week, the Association of Advertisi n g A g e n c i e s o f Nigeria (AAAN) also called on the president-elect to overhaul the national communication architecture to re-ignite the Nigerian spirit and positively project brand Nigeria.

Its President, Mr. Kelechi Nwosu, urged Buhari to reconfigure the national communication architecture in other to give impetus to a robust economy, promote national re-orientation, inspire innovation, as well as enable entrepreneurship.

BOUT N2.25 million will be up for grabs by three winners in this year’s Indomie Independence Day Award for Heroes of Nigeria, a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative of Dufil Prima Foods Plc, makers of Indomie Instant Noodles.

The Dufil’s CSR effort designed for thousands of children between five and 15 years, has seen the company retain its market leadership position in the noodles market.

The noodles manufacturer called for nominations from the public for this year’s edition of the award.

Its Public Relations and Event Manager, Mr. Tope Ashiwaju on behalf of Deepak Singhal, Group Managing Director, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, said the award is significant as it is rooted in the recognition of Nigerian children, those whose best efforts are very often overlooked.

He said: “We believe that they need to be identified and celebrated publicly in other to encourage and inspire more selfless acts in these children, who would tomorrow hold various leadership positions in the country.”

Deepak noted that the last seven editions have received remarkable commendations from well-meaning Nigerians.

He said Dufil Prima Foods is committed to the initiative to impact positively on children.

According to Deepak: “The initiative over the years, owing to our commitment as a company to continuously impact positively on the lives of our consumers most importantly the children who represent the future, have been sustained. “The joy we feel in giving back to the society as a responsible corporate citizen brings our founding principles to life.”

He said the award is a yearly event, but the criteria is made such that, the act does not necessarily have to be done in the year of the award.

To get deserving individuals for the award, an independent research organisation has been commissioned to further screen and confirm the authenticity of the shortlisted entries.

First winner of the award would get a scholarship award worth N1milion; second N750,000 and third, N500,000.

Group holds inaugural monthly breakfast

A •From left: Jamiu Lawal, winner of LED television set; Adekunle Gafar, winner, refrigerator; Adeyanju Babatunde, Key Account Executive, Nigerian Breweries Plc., Abeokuta and Iyanudunu Ogunrinde, winner of a generator at the Legend Extra Stout Taste and Tell Activation in Abeokuta.

Chivita 100% partnership with Manchester United brand hailed

A

BRAND partnership between Nigeria’s fruit juice brand Chivita 100 per cent and English Premiership side Manchester United FC has been described as a smart move that will enhance an incremental marketing exposure and an essential tool for brands to remain more competitive in today’s constantly -changing marketplace.

A marketing communication consultant and former Editor with Marketing Edge magazine, who made this known in Lagos, Wale Okoya, said seven months after the partnership, the Chivita brand handlers have continued to use the partnership as a unique point-of-exposure to leverage the brand.

He said: “Seven months after the partnership was signed, the

management of Chi Limited seems to be doing an excellent job to project the partnership and the benefits to its numerous consumers. The communication tactics deployed to create awareness for the fruit juice and Manchester United has been so effective that both brands have become synonymous with each other in the consciousness of Nigerian consumers.”

For Kanayo Nwosu, a sport marketing consultant, the partnership between Chivita 100 per cent and Manchester United was unique because it was the first time an indigenous fruit juice brand is partnering with an English Premiership side.

“For every pack of Chivita 100 per cent fruit juice I purchase, I am reminded of how this effective

partnership has further endeared the brands to millions of soccer fans and consumers across Nigeria,” he said.

According to Chi Limited’s Head of Marketing, Mr. Probal Bhattacharya, the journey has been rewarding for both brands.

He said: “We appreciate the feedback we are receiving from our numerous consumers and soccer fans. We are also excited that efforts to publicise this partnership are paying off from the huge awareness it has created. Our c o n s u mers should be rest assured that they will continue to enjoy the best of refreshment from Chivita 100 per cent side by side with quality football from Manchester United; a unique offer that this partnership promotes.”

GROUP, Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN), the umbrella body of PR firms in Nigeria, has announced plans to host the inaugural edition of its monthly Breakfast Meeting.

The event, which comes up next Tuesday, will feature Mr. Kufre Ekanem, Corporate Affairs Adviser of Nigerian Breweries Plc. as special guest speaker.

He will be speaking on “Culture: The next PR frontier”.

Its President, Mr. John Ehiguese, said:“The PRCAN Monthly Breakfast Meeting was conceived as a forum for our members to interact and share ideas with senior executives on the client side. “As PR consult-

ants, we invariably work for clients, and there are issues in client relationship, which come up from time to time, and which may not be adequately addressed in the course of our dayto-day work.”

The meeting provides a platform for such issues to be discussed in a quasi-formal atmosphere, and in such a way that enables us, not only to see things from the client’s perspective, but also to learn from each others’ experiences.

The meeting will be attended by senior agency executives, and will feature a guest speaker who has the liberty of choosing a topic to speak on.

Afterwards, there will be a discussion.

27th APRA conference for Yaounde

T

he 27th African Public Re lations Association (APRA) conference holds in between May 12 and 14, in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

With Africa trending: Contemporary challenges, opportunities in reputation and crisis management as its theme, the conference is expected to draw attendees, speakers and facilitators from all over Africa, Europe, Asia and North America.

It will deal with diverse topics such as Global tendencies in the PR industry; developing a communications strategy, Reputation

management, effective Internal communications/ employer branding; Leadership and communication as well as Cri sis communication theory, Case study and a group crisis simulation.

Speakers include Mr. Erastus Mwencha, the Deputy Chairperson, African Union Commission, Mr. Issa Tchiroma Bakary; Cameroonian Minister of Communications, who is keynote speaker and Dr. Roger Hayes, a leading international public relations and public affairs expert and former Global President of the International Public Relations Association (IPRA).

FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

52

THE NATION

BUSINESS

E-mail: toniaitose@gmail.com

sms : 07035302326

SHOPPING

Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.net

Strategies for surviving price war The atmosphere in and around shopping places has been tense since the beginning of the first quarter of this year. Retailers have been engaged in price slashing to stay afloat, TONIA ‘DIYAN reports.

I

T is the end of the first quarter of the year, and it is the tradition of retailers at this time to compete with discount and promotional sales offers. Retailers in Lagos say a price slash is the main spend driver of consumers; as such, they have promised to continue to cut prices and introduce promotional packages to help them keep their old customers and attract new ones.

A retailer at Isaac John Street, Ikeja, Lagos, Mrs Aina Oduwole, is aware that the competition among retailers have been fierce since this quarter began. But she is not ready to give up; she will continue to introduce attractive price slash programme to retain her customers.

She said: “I am not particular about getting prospective customers. I want to be able to keep the ones I have. My unique selling point is availability of quality items at affordable prices. I have been able to build an edge for myself and I do not intend to lose out now that there are competitions every.”

Mrs Oduwole foresees the regular London shoppers staying and doing all their shopping in Nigeria. She has been encouraging some of her customers who travel abroad often to stay here and buy all that they need and they have been yielding.

She said it took a long time to achieve that. But since the people know they can get the same quality stuffs at her place, they have not stopped patronising her.

Like Mrs Oduwole, Rita Ochunna, who has a store at the Alade Market, also in Ikeja, said her strategy to survive the price war with her competitors and avoid defeat is by stocking varieties and a mix of what customers want all the time.

According to her, if a retailer stocks insufficient merchandise, he might not be able to meet up with the standard in the market. Ochunna had done a research before she leased the shop. She had asked the people living in the area what kind of goods they want to see in her store.

Then she came to terms with the finding that if the people occupying an area where a retailer is about to be introduced, say they want branded goods from Italy

• Price war chart

‘Some retailers have agreed that they do not have to win a price war; but they must be able to survive it.

To survive, many of them say they are ready to always differentiate their products and segment their customers. They say they are not going to quit the business or leave the market but will step up their game by bringing in innovations into what they have to offer’ or any other part of the world, that’s what the retailer have to give them, because that’s what they would choose to buy.

She understands that everything is chosen according to the merchandise requirement of the market place and that if after the people have been consulted; they say they are only going to consume Nigerian products; the retailer cannot give anything else if he wants to succeed.

Findings have shown that the most common cause of price wars is when retailers are trying to increase market shares, which usually means taking share from competitors and one of the fastest way to do that is by lowering prices. Price reductions make more people choose a particular offering over those in the same category and this automatically increase market shares.

According to experts, there are things to do when competitors change their prices.

They advise that for retailers to survive the price war and come out victorious, they either respond to competitors challenge or ignore. And if competitor’s price goes up or down, it is only normal that the other retailers also move their price up or down.

Some retailers have agreed that they do not have to win a price war; but they must be able to survive it. To survive, many of them say they are ready to always differentiate their products and segment their customers. They say they are not going to quit the business or leave the market but will step up their game by bringing in innovations into what they have to offer.

Experts have also advised that when it comes to price wars, it is important to think hard as a retailer and know how to survive and possibly win in the market since it is difficult to know what competitors are thinking. They say it is always important to remain vigilant, control costs and do the best one can at segmenting the market, pricing and at differentiating prod-

ucts.

Broll Nigeria, a body responsible for the management of shopping malls in the country has always advised that if a competitor serves the same customers as another, one could segment the market by lowering prices only to customers who really consider the competitor. A retailer, who wants to be immune to competitive price pressure should focus on differentiating his products, in other words, adding value and targeting customer segments with offerings designed for them.

For Modupe Shopeju, a grocery retailer in Gbagada, Lagos, to stay in the competition, she would read the industry news and competitor’s press releases. She would find out why competitors made a price change.

According to her, it might be that such retailer is attempting to get rid of excess inventory or trying to fill a factory. Its costs may have gone up, the price change may be temporary and not necessary for her to follow suit. She understands that her competitors will lower their prices in response and they’re not going to sit back and let her take their share in the market.

Shopeju said she understands that to win a price war doesn’t mean putting competitors out of business. What it should mean is ending up with more profit when the price war is over than when it started. She says her strategy is to lower costs by increasing volume.

Parents and their wards are preparing for the new school term. For retailers, these are supposed to be days of bigger sales. But things are different. Traders are lamenting that even with the bigger discounts they are offering, sales are not encouraging. What could be responsible? TONIA ‘DIYAN asks.

Back-to-school shopping: Bigger discounts, lower sales

R

ETAILERS may be in for a disappointing season this year as they experience weak sales in back-to-school items. With back-to-school shopping in full swing, retailers are expecting a bumper in sales, but to the shopper, the reverse is the case.

Back-to -school is one of the biggest shopping periods of the year and retailers usually begin promotional sales early. Over time, it has also become, perhaps, the most

prolonged shopping period of the year, with families buying school items from practically two weeks to resumption until after classes start.

According to a survey, more than a quarter of parents plan to finish their shopping after the start of the new term, probably because of the economic situation of the country.

“We prepare for back-to-school sales every term, but this term is different from the last one. We have introduced ridiculous discounts • Continues on Page 53

Back-to-School sales

THE NATION FRIDAY APRIL 24, 2015

53

54

THE NATION FRIDAY APRIL 24, 2015

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

55

MONEYLINK

$50,000 card limit: CBN exempts domiciliary account holders

T

HE Central Bank of Ni geria (CBN) yesterday said the $50,000 per person, per annum limit for use of naira debit cards for transactions overseas will not affect customers spending from their domiciliary accounts.

Its Director, Trade and Exchange, Olakanmi Gbadamosi who gave the exemption via a circular, said debit/credit cards used locally are also not affected by the policy.

He said the clarification became necessary because stakeholders have been giving different interpretations to the earlier directive cutting customer’s debit/credit card spending limit from $150,000 to $50,000.

The reduction had earlier been announced by Gbadamosi via a circular titled Usage of

Stories by Collins Nweze

Naira Denominated Cards Overseas.

According to the circular: “All authorised dealers and the general public are hereby informed that with effect from the date of this circular (13th April 2015) the existing limit on the usage of the naira denominated cards for transactions overseas has been reviewed downward.

“Accordingly, the limit has been reduced from $150,000 to $50,000 per person, per annum.

In addition, authorised dealers are to ensure that the daily cash withdrawal limit embedded in the cards per person, per day is pegged at $300. “ It said authorised dealers are to ensure strict compliance with this new limit and render monthly returns of the trans-

actions, adding that the decision to reduce the limit was taken at the meeting of the Bankers Committee.

Nigeria derives 90 per cent of export earnings and two-thirds of government revenue from oil. The economy has been hammered by a 47 per cent plunge in Brent crude prices since June. The naira has weakened 18 per cent against the dollar, more than any of the 24 African currencies tracked by Bloomberg.

The CBN has been trying to bolster the currency since last year by limiting foreign-exchange trading and selling down its foreign reserves. They stood at $29.6 billion on April 9, according to apex bank data.

That’s the lowest in at least a decade, according to HSBC Holdings Plc.

Fidelity Bank workers lift Navy

W

ORKERS of Fidelity Bank Plc acting under the auspices of Fidelity Helping Hands Programme (FHHP), a special vehicle for the lender’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), has constructed water treatment plant and donated computers and other office equipment to the Nigerian Naval Medical Centre, Naval Dockyard, Lagos.

Its Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Nnamdi Okonkwo said the bank, as a socially responsible institution, takes pride in its humble

accomplishment in entrenching the culture of true and responsible citizenship among workers members through regular trainings and integration exercises. “It is this passion for our country and our people that has motivated the staff driven initiative which we fondly call the FHHP,” he said.

Okonkwo said the lender is the only bank in the country where workers contribute their salaries to embark on projects that impact on the lives of their host communities.

“Fidelity Bank strives to re-

inforce strong, healthy community relations by identifying with communities in activities that are most relevant to them. We play a leading role in identifying with and seeking solutions to the problems of our host communities,” he said.

He said although the CSR philosophy rests on a tripod the environment, education and health/social welfare, the bank, through the all-inclusive bottom-top CSR approach, has impacted positively on the lives of its host communities across the country.

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

56

NEWS

Covenant University’s first class graduates dominate scheme ONVENANT UNIVERSITY has come tops in the 2015/2016 academic session of the Presidential Special Scholarship Scheme for Innovation and Development (PRESSID), the third consecutive time.

Out of the 102 successful candidates, 11 obtained a first class degree, as published by the National Universities Commission (NUC), and signed by the Chairman, Implementation Committee,

C

PRESSID, Prof. Julius Okojie.

While announcing the news, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Charles Ayo, said the success has again validated the excellent academic programmes offered by the University. He added that the success has proved that the University is hinging closer to the realisation of her vision of bring listed among the 10 leading universities in the world by the year 2022.

Covenant University came

tops in the maiden edition of the Scheme in the 2013/2014 academic session and also produced 10 per cent of the successful candidates in the 2014/2015 edition.

The breakdown of this year’s result shows that the University produced 11 of the 102 successful candidates, representing 10.76 per cent (approximately 11per cent). Also, the gender distribution shows that they were six males and five females.

A further breakdown by

programme representation shows that Electrical/Electronics Engineering produced 4 candidates, ICT produced 2, Accounting, 1, Economics, 2 and Petroleum Engineering, 2.

The Federal Government instituted PRESSID as part of efforts to develop a mass of professionals who would serve as catalysts of change , agents of scientific and technological advancement, as well as sustainable economic development.

New INEC team for Imo rerun From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

A

HEAD of Saturday’s governorship rerun in Imo State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has deployed three National Electoral Commissioners (NEC) and three Resident Electoral Commissioners (REC) to supervise the election.

Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Gabriel Ada said the delegation was sent to strengthen the capacity in the state.

He said more INEC workers would be used for the rerun instead of ad hoc workers.

Ada also put the number of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) distributed in areas billed for the rerun at 113,803.

Meanwhile, The Nation reliably gathered that the Edo State REC, Mike Igini, would be leading two other RECs for the rerun.

‘PDP, APGA competed to outrig each other’

G

OVERNORSHIP candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State Dr. Ayim Nyerere has described the April 11 election as a competition of who was the best rigger between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Speaking in Abuja, Nyerere said what happened in the state was no election because the people’s will did not prevail.

He said the election was a show of desperation by the two parties to outsmart each other in a rigging exercise.

Nyerere said he petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), ask-

From Tony Akowe, Abuja

ing for a cancellation “In an election, the wishes of the people becomes supreme; the people are allowed to express themselves in their choice of leadership, but that was absent in Abia.

“The competition was between APGA and PDP. In most polling units, there were no result sheets and ballot boxes were snatched with impunity and they aided it.

“What we have canvassed for is cancellation of the process in Abia State. We are not unmindful of the huge cost on the Federal Government or INEC but that is the path of honour,” Nyerere said.

Court frees APC chieftain, two others of murder

F

•Executive Secretary, Eti-Osa Local Government, Hon Afeez Maiyegun (third left), his deputy, Adeola Adetoro (left); members of staff, Alaba Ajayi; Risikat Ibrahim; Balogun and others at the distribution of flat screen and decoders to youth viewing centres in the local government...yesterday PHOTO: DAYO ADEWUNMI

Southeast Assembly condemns Ohanaeze’s support for Otti

A

SOCIO-POLITICAL group, Southeast Progressives Assembly (SEPA), has slammed the Southwest chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo for supporting the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti.

It accused Ohanaeze of ‘being driven by sentiment to campaign for APGA and its candidate’.

The Southwest zone of Ohanaeze, in a publication, claimed that Otti won the election, yet it called for fresh elections, saying the election was marred by irregularities.

In a statement, titled: Ohaneze Ndigbo: APGA In Disguise, signed by Ebere Uzoukwa and Comrade Munonye Maximus, president and secretary, SEPA said that Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

won the Abia governorship election, having defeated Dr. Alex Otti of APGA with 83,053 votes.

The statement reads: “One of the most prominent sociocultural groups in the Southeast geo-political zone – Ohanaeze Ndigbo, by approbating and reprobating on the pages of some national newspapers on the outcome of the Abia State governorship election, is beginning to lose its

credibility.”

“The organisation, which claimed to be non-political, is now driven by sentiment to campaign for APGA. It is sponsoring publications capable of destroying its reputation and further dragging the image of the Igbo into the mud.

“Evidently, a careful consideration of the positions taken by the pro-APGA

FAAN disrupts Arik Air’s flight in Abuja over ‘debts’

O

FFICIALS of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) yesterday disrupted Arik Air’s operations at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja over the airline’s “debts”.

Hundreds of passengers

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

were affected by the disruption, which lasted several hours.

It forced the passengers to request refunds to fly other airlines.

Arik Air lost millions of naira to the incident.

Its officials denied the workers access to their duty posts, making it impossible for them to attend to passengers for departures out of Abuja.

Aviation Minister Osita Chidoka ordered a reconciliation of the lingering debt crisis

Voters get threats ahead tomorrow’s rerun

A

HEAD of tonorrow’s governorship rerun in some parts of Abia State, an unidentified group yesterday warned the people not to vote for any candidate outside the interest of Ngwa nation.

Though no one has claimed responsibility, sources said the group placed coffins at strategic places, with the inscription: “Vote against Ngwa interest and die”, in Aba, the state’s commercial city.

On the coffin at Asa road by Post Office, the group threatened to resurrect kidnapping and insecurity.

The Nation gathered that residents have called on security agencies to fine out those behind such threats and prosecute them.

However, they said no intimidation would make them vote

From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

against the candidate of their choice.

Commissioner of Police Habila Joshiak ordered the Aba Area Commander, Peter Wagbara, and divisional police officers to ensure that those behind the act were arrested.

Parties have been trading words over the incident. The Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) state Publicity Secretary Uchechi Ogbuka, in a telephone interview, said: “PDP is a party that is on ground and cannot do such a thing. It is the opposition, who knows they are failing, who will do such a thing.

“We are leading with over 83,000 votes and cannot do such”.

The Alex Otti Campaign Organisation (AOCO), in a state-

ment, said it views the deposition of coffins in some parts of Aba and its environs as a despicable act by desperate and frustrated politicians who have failed to rig themselves into power.”

According to AOCO’s Director-General, Tony Enwereuzo, the shameful act was designed to discourage the supporters of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) from coming out to vote.

He urged the electorate to disregard the threats and come out tomorrow to vote as adequate security had been provided.

However, the Area Commander Peter Wagbara has ordered investigating officers to ensure that those behind the act were arrested.

between FAAN and Arik Air. Arik Air’s spokesman Ola Adebanji said the airline had described the debt as fictitious and malicious.

Okoh leads 160 bishops to Anambra From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

T

HE Primate of all Nigeria Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, will on Sunday, lead a delegation of 160 Bishops to Anambra for the consecration of three new Bishops.

The new Bishops-elect are: Ven. Moses Jabwaye of Gwagwalada diocese and Ven. Dr. Isaac Oluyamo of Ijesa diocese.

A statement by the Director of Communications, Diocese on the Niger, Sir, Oseloka Offor, said the event would take place at the All Saints Cathedral, Onitsha.

After the consecration, Rev. Okoh would on Monday, lead his team to Nnobi, Idemili South, to open ALFA Radio and Television station built by the Diocese on the Niger.

ORMER Lagos State Commissioner of Special Duties, Dr Tola Kasali and two others were yesterday at an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrate’s Court in Lagos discharged of the murder preferred against them.

Kasali, an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Folami Musiliu, Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Politics (65) and Tobun Abiodun Lukman, a security officer (35).

Kasali,and the others were arraigned on a fourcount charge of conspiracy, attempted murder, murder and illegal possession of fire arm last November 11.

Yesterday, the prosecutor, Mr Jonathan Ogunsanya, a Senior State Counsel from Ministry of Justice, urged the court and Magistrate E. O. Ogunkanmi obliged. The March 31 advice reads: “Recommending the discharge of first, second and third defendants, as no case is against them.

“The first to third defendants are hereby discharged, and case is hereby struck out.”

Upon the reading out of the DPP’s advice, Magistrate Ogunkanmi pronounced the three defendants discharged and acquitted.

By Rukayat Jimoh

Kasali’s lawyer, Mr. Kunle Odufayo, said there was nothing special about the case, adding that the DPP’s advice had confirmed his clients’ position.

Odufayo said his clients’ have been vindicated with the DPP’s advice.

The trio were alleged to have conspired with others at large to kill Musiliu Ogboye Lamidi, last November 9 at Akodo in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos during the collection of Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC).

They were alleged to have been in possession of a pump action Avar Magnum gun with number 6381, without appropriate authority.

The offences, according to the police, are punishable under Sections 231, 211, 409 and section 27 (b)(1) of the Firearm Act. Cap 28 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2011.

The trio were granted bail by Chief Magistrate Timothy Abolarinwa, who held the fort for Chief Magistrate Ogunkanmi.

Their Counsel Chief Taiwo Ajala urged the court to grant his clients bailbecause of their status.

Residents set ‘robbery suspect’ ablaze

A

MAN in his mid-30s, alleged to be a member of a robbery gang terrorising residents of Aba, Abia State, especially those living around 7up, off Ogbor Hill, was on Wednesday, burnt by residents.

F

From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

The Nation gathered that the unidentified young man and his gang invaded the community, robbing them of their valuables.

Funeral for Chief Akintayo

UNERAL arrangements for late Chief Benjamin Olusola Akintayo, a second republic politician and business man, who passed on recently at the age of 81 years has been released.

A wake would hold on May 7 at Nova International School, Ado-Ekiti. Commendation service would hold at the Cathedral Church of Emmanuel, Ukesa, Ado-Ekiti on May 8 followed by a reception at Nova International School.

Akintayo is survived by his wife, Grace Akintayo and children: Olumide Akintayo, Olutoyin Oyelade, Olukemi Fatuki, Adekunle Akintayo, and Olubukola Otekalu.

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

57

NEWS Why Emmanuel can’t be Akwa Ibom governor,

by APC From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

A

KWA Ibom State All Progressives Congress (APC) has said the declaration of Udom Emmanuel as the governor-elect by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will not stand.

The party said the process that produced him was faulty.

In an interview with our correspondent in Uyo, the state capital, APC Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial candidate Inibehe Okori said Emmanuel was not elected by the people but through alleged electoral manipulation.

Okori noted that with the setting up of the elections petitions tribunal, the “stolen mandate” by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration would be redeemed and a proper election conducted.

The politician said 1.6 million voters in the state were not allowed to exercise their franchise during the elections.

He said: “Udom won’t be governor in Akwa Ibom State because we must bring about a governor of the people, who the people elected.

Our votes must count. Akwa Ibom State will be redeemed.

The stolen mandate will be redeemed. We will do a proper election in this state and elect the people we want...”

Woman escapes from kidnappers’ hideout in Delta From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

A

WOMAN identified as Mrs. Caro Botosan yesterday escaped from her kidnappers’ hideout after spending nine days in a forest in Usiefurun, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.

Recounting her ordeal to our correspondent, Mrs Botosan said she called her husband through a Good Samaritan when she got to Usiefurun/Orhuwhorun Junction at 7am.

According to her, her abductors were certain that with her hands and legs tied together, she would not be able to escape. They left her alone in the hideout.

But the woman got the key to the padlock from where it was hidden and unlocked the padlock.

Luckily, she found her way to safety.

Her husband, Isaac Botosan, was excited at his wife’s reunion with him.

He said his wife narrated her experience to a woman, who gave her mobile phone to call him.

Mrs Botosan described her location in Orhuwhorun to her husband.

Mr. Botosan said he told the police what happened and armed policemen stormed the kidnappers’ hideout.

They drove to their home in Warri where they were received by a jubilant Okere community with dance and praises to Almighty God for her freedom.

• University of Ibadan (UI) Vice Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Adewole (middle) with recipients of his scholarship, from left: Oluwaferanmi Omitoyin, Daniel Animashaun, Oluwadamilare Ojo, Esther Ajari, Efeturi Oteri and Mathew Aremu, at the matriculation of the university in Ibadan, Oyo State...yesterday PHOTO:NAN

PDP, INEC working on new election results in Rivers, says APC R IVERS State All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of working with Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials to write new results on the March 28 and April 11 general elections.

Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, the Director of Communications of Greater Together Campaign Organisation of APC governorship candidate, Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside, spoke in Port Harcourt on the alleged connivance by the PDP and INEC to doctor the elections results.

She said INEC officials were still thumb-printing ballot papers and doctoring result sheets of the 23 local government areas to make them correspond with the figures they allocated to the PDP and other parties in the March 28 and April 11 general elections.

As part of their preparations for the Election Petitions Tribunal, sitting in Abuja, she said Rivers State PDP leaders camped INEC’s presiding officers, who conducted the disputed elections in the various local

Lloyd: Rivers PDP’s victory is product of rigging

T

HE lawmaker representing Emohua Constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Chidi Lloyd, has said the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the governorship and House of Assembly elections was the result of rigging.

Lloyd, who is the Assembly’s Leader and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, alleged that PDP chieftains used the Federal Government’s agencies to rig the elections in the state.

The lawmaker spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on the general of the March 28 and April 11 general elections.

He alleged that security and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials did not provide a level-playing field for the parties in the elections.

According to him, the PDP was specially favoured, giving the party the liberty for daylight electoral robbery.

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

governments in hotels and other places in Port Harcourt.

The former campaign spokeswoman said INEC had directed its personnel and ad hoc workers to report at the state headquarters to

From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

Lloyd said APC had well organised campaigns and had the majority of people on its side.

But the lawmaker regretted that the people were not allowed to express their will at the polls.

He said: “That result of the election does not reflect the will of the people. All the electoral principles laid down by the INEC were totally breached by the PDP. I want Rivers people to protest against the result, which does not show their will.

“INEC officials gave PDP the opportunity to rig the election. The PDP, before the election, exchanged the original result sheet. They brought a fake result sheet to the units. Even ballot papers were exchanged. Most of the ballot papers used for the state elections were some of the leftover from the Presidential and National Assembly elections.”

doctor the figures and cover their tracks.

She also alleged that the election “umpire” threw its doors open to the PDP and its agents to thumb-print some of the ballot papers in the commission’s premises on Aba Road.

Mrs Semenitari said fol-

lowing a tip-off, the police were led to CRKR, in Elekahia area of Port Harcourt on Wednesday night, believed to be owned by a PDP chieftain, where pesiding officers for Khana Local Government Area were camped to doctor elections results.

Khana, one of the four loal

government areas in Ogoni land, has significant population and is one of the worsthit by the alleged electoral heist.

Massive thumb-printing and other electoral irregularities allegedly took place in the area during the general elections.

Mrs. Semenitari said the Rivers APC had petitioned INEC on the massive rigging and fraudulent activities of PDP members and the commission’s officials.

But the spokeswoman said neither the security agencies nor the electoral commission had attempted to investigate the complaints and stop the alleged manipulation.

She said: “Regrettably, even the events of the night of Wednesday, April 22 were given a short shrift by the police, whose conduct may indeed lay credence to the claims that they have been completely compromised.

“The APC is appalled by these actions and wishes to again reiterate its call for INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, to take more than a passing interest in events in Rivers State and, as a matter of urgency, retrieve all sensitive election materials in the state.”

Anxiety in Rivers over kidnapped council chair

T

HE family and associates of the kidnapped Caretaker Chairman of Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, Chief Cassidy Ikegbidi, are anxious over his safety and whereabouts, six days after he was whisked away.

The gunmen, who kidnapped Ikegbidi, at the time of filing this report yesterday, had neither contacted his family nor his associates.

They had also not demand-

•No contact with family, no ransom demand From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

ed for ransom.

The development has thrown up the rumour that the abduction was politically motivated.

The council chief, a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), was kidnapped in the early hours of Saturday by over 20 gunmen in military uniform.

The abduction happened when other politicians were preparing for House of Assembly rerun in the area, which APC boycotted.

An ally of Ikegbidi, who spoke in confidence for security reason, told our reporter yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, that it was rare for kidnappers not to reach the victim’s family, employers or associates for six days.

The ally urged the gunmen to release the council chairman unhurt and unconditionally.

He noted that those close to Ikegbidi were worried, considering how kidnappers had been killing their victims, especially with the politics involved in the latest case.

APC’s House of Assembly candidate for Ahoada East Constituency 1, Eric Apia,

Akwa Ibom workers shut down Assembly complex

A

KWA Ibom State House of Assembly workers have begun a three-day warning strike, following the refusal of the government to honour the agreement it reached with the union on the payment and implementation of new consolidated salary structure.

The aggrieved workers blocked the entrance to the Assembly’s gates with fresh plantain leaves and other

From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

objects to prevent visitors from entering the complex.

They also chanted antigovernment songs and condemned the government for paying lip service to their welfare, despite the fact that Akwa Ibom is an oil producing state.

Addressing reporters during the protest, Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) State Chairman Kufre-Abasi Aderi said

the union embarked on the protest after the expiration of its 21-day ultimatum to the government.

The PASAN chairman said lawmakers have refused to look into the demand and plight of the workers after series of agreement between the union and the Assembly.

He listed some of the workers’ demands as nonpayment of outfit allowance and non-implementation of new consolidated salary

structures.

Aderi said: “Consequently, workers of the House of Assembly, after due consultation, unanimously declared a three-day warning strike from yesterday (Wednesday).”

The union chairman said after the expiration of the three-day warning strike, the workers would begin an indefinite strike, if the government failed to meet to its demands.

said Ikegbidi was kidnapped from his village, Yiboko, in Ahoada East Local Government Area.

The council chairman’s security detail was said to have attempted to resist the gunmen.

This reportedly angered them to start shooting into the air, which scared the security aides, the villagers and other bystanders.

Ikegbidi was overpowered and whisked away.

Apia said: “Reports received from Ikegbidi’s family showed that there was an exchange of gunfire between the security personnel attached to the council chairman and the kidnappers. The gunmen later took the chairman away. They dragged him to a nearby river and went away in a speed boat.”

Police spokesman, Muhammad Kidaya Ahmad, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said the command was planning to rescue Ikegbidi safely.

The spokesman urged Ikegbidi’s family and friends not to panic.

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

58

NEWS

Suswam gives eight SUVs to Ortom, others

Jonathan seeks National Assembly’s understanding on suit From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

A

•Governor pledges support for Akume as Senate President

B

ENUE State Governor Gabriel Suswam has given eight Prado Sport

Utility Vehicles (SUVs) to Governor-elect Samuel Ortom, his deputy, Benson Abounu and their wives.

The governor said he would support Minority Leader George Akume in the race to succeed David Mark as Senate President.

Suswam spoke yesterday at the Government House in Makurdi as he donated the SUVs. The governor said he was canvassing support for Akume because Benue State would reap from his presidency.

He said there was no way he would fail to support any Benue son vying for the position, irrespective of party af-

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

filiation.

Suswam said: “If a Benue man is aspiring to be Senate President, why should I oppose him? I should encourage him to achieve that. If politics is practised on the basis of the overriding interest of Benue people, alphabets should not be an issue. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) are just alphabets.

“What we are interested in is what we will benefit from the position. How are we going to be represented? What is our share in the new government?

“Under the PDP government, we had a Senate President, who was there for eight years. If now that the equation

has changed, we should support the new person. I’m not practising politics of bitterness but one that is all-encompassing.”

The governor urged the media to encourage him and the governor-elect instead of insinuating things that did not exist.

He noted that the fact that he and some other persons were in different parties did not mean they should be at daggers-drawn.

Suswam said: “You (media) should encourage us instead of saying I have cut a deal with the APC. I did not cut a deal with anybody.”

On the vehicles, Suswam said it was intended to enable them take off smoothly.

Akume is a frontrunner in the race for the Senate presi-

•Suswam

dency. He was first elected in 2007 and will return to the Senate for the third time in June.

If the APC leadership zones the position to the Northcentral, the Minority Leader will square it up with a former Kwara State Governor Bukola Saraki.

If elected, Akume will be the fourth Senate president from Benue State. The others are: Iyorchia Ayu (1992-1993); Ameh Ebute (1993) and David Mark (2007-2015).

From left: Secretary to Bauchi State Government SSG), Alhaji Mahmud Maijama’a; Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Adamu; Governor Isa Yuguda and Emir of Ningi, Alhaji Yunusa Danyaya, during a visit by the State Council of Emirs to the governor at Government House in Bauchi...yesterday

Cameron attends Redeemed Church’s festival in London

U

PHOTO:NAN

Niger governor-elect Bello to committee: scrutinise all documents From Jide Orintunsin and Nike Adeyemo, Minna

N

IGER State Governorelect Abubakar Sani Bello yesterday inaugurated a 35-man transition committee with a marching order for them to ensure the veracity of any information or document from the outgoing Babangida Aliyu administration.

Bello said the directive became necessary because the findings of the committee would form the foundation and the direction of the incoming administration.

The order came on the heels of assurance by the outgoing administration that the handover would be smooth on May 29.

The government said it had made available the Presidential suites for the governor-elect.

The head of the government’s 27-man Transition Implementation Committee (TIC) and Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Idris Ndako Kpaki, addressed reporters yesterday in Minna.

He said the administration also provided the governorelect with some other logistics pending his swearing-in.

Bello urged the incoming administration’s transition committee, headed by Deputy Governor-elect Mohammed Ahmed Ketso, to scrutinise every document from the government.

DAY after he asked the Supreme Court to declare unconstitutional the Fourth Alteration to the Constitution, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday reached out to the National Assembly, urging it to await the outcome of his case before the apex court.

Jonatthan’s position is contained in a letter by a former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Bayo Ojo (SAN), through whom incumbent AGF Mohammed Adoke (SAN) filed the case for Jonathan.

Ojo, in the April 22 letter, written on behalf of the Federal Government, asked the Senate President to allow the Supreme Court to determine the issues raised in the suit before the court.

The letter, a copy of which The Nation obtained yesterday in Abuja, reads: “In view of this development and the dictates of the principles of the rule of law on which any democratic system thrives, we use this medium to urge that the Supreme Court be allowed to determine the suit under reference before any further step is taken by the National Assembly on the move to pass the Fourth Alteration Act, alluded to earlier in this correspondence, into law.

“May we add that adopting such attitude will not only commendably be in line with the decisions of the Supreme Court on the absolute need to avoid self-help by all persons and authorities in resolving disputes, but will also yield to the rule of law, as espoused in the decisions of the courts. One of such decisions is the case of Ojukwu V. Military Governor of Lagos State (1986) 1 NWLR (Pt. 18) 621.

“To proceed with the process of passage into law of the Fourth Alteration Act 2015, despite the pendency of this suit under reference, will be an affront to the rule of law and democracy. We are convinced, particularly from the commendable record so far of the current National Assembly, that it will not do that.”

The Federal Government is asking the court to nullify the amendments proposed by the National Assembly on the grounds, among others, that the amendments would violate the constitution being proposed to be amended.

•From left: A representative of Federal Ministry of Water Resources,Bode Fashoye; National President of the association, Mr Michael Ale and the Managing Director of Fullplan Associates Nigeria, Prof Bola Ayeni, at the debriefing workshop on water supply and sanitation in Oyo State, organised by the Fullplan Associates Nigeria Limited, in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

NITED Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister David Cameron was among eminent personalities who attended the largest event of gathering of Christians in the European country, the Festival of Life (FoL).

It was organised by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) last Friday at the Excel Centre, London Docklands.

The event, now in its 19th year, was initiated by Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, the General Overseer of the RCCG, an international church working in over 180 countries and committed to raising disciples who live by the teachings of Jesus Christ.

In the U.K, the RCCG is led by Pastor Agu Irukwu and presently has 732 churches across the country.

Cameron received a rapturous welcome when he was introduced to the 45,000 strong faithful by Pastor Irukwu.

Pastor Irukwu said: “We are very pleased to have the Prime Minister with us tonight. We appreciate that this is a very busy time for him, as it is for all politicians, in the run up to our general elections on May 7. His attendance is a clear indication of the growing influence of not just the RCCG and the black majority churches, but of the church in general. This partnership between the government and the church is critical to the spiritual and social transformation of our nation.”

The prime minister spoke about aspiration, The Big Society and religious freedom.

He told the congregation of his belief in aspiration and that he believed there was a future prime minister in the FoL congregation.

“I believe in aspiration. I believe the only limit to someone’s potential is their own ambition and talent and I look out into this crowd and I can see someone who will hold my role and become prime minister of this great country,” he said.

Falana counsels National Assembly on amended Constitution

L

AGOS lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has urged members of the National Assembly to remove the objectionable provisions in the Fourth Alteration to the 1999 Constitution.

The eminent lawyer noted that if they refused to do so before overriding the veto of the President, they would have engaged in a futile exercise, which could be challenged in a law court.

Falana gave the advice yesterday in Lagos in a statement, titled: Constitutional Amendment: Why the National Assembly Cannot Ignore the President’s Letter.

The frontline lawyer advised National Assembly members to go back to the drawing table to tackle the fundamental errors that characterised the Fourth Alteration to

By Adebisi Onanuga

the Constitution.

He said: “They (National Assembly) should have no difficulty in jettisoning the alteration of Section 9 of the Constitution, as it is the height of legislative dictatorship to amend the Constitution of a country without the assent of the President and the endorsement of the people via a referendum.

“While the concern of the legislators for the rights of Nigerians to basic education and health is appreciated, the inclusion of the both rights in Chapter Four of the Constitution is unnecessary as both rights have been statutorily recognised.”

Falana recalled that President Goodluck Jonathan, last week, decided to veto the Fourth Amendment Bill to the Constitution.

He noted that the President, in a detailed letter addressed to both chambers of the National Assembly, challenged the legality of the procedure adopted by the legislators in passing the Bill and the constitutional validity of some of the amendments.

He also noted that several members of the National Assembly had threatened to override the President’s veto in a manner he described as hasty.

Falana said: “No doubt, the National Assembly has the power to override the President’s veto, if the constitutional requirement is met. But the needless controversy over the constitutional amendment should be handled with caution on the part of the Federal legislators.

“Apart from the serious observations raised by the President, some of the provisions of

the amendment completely negate national interests.

“Whereas majority of Nigerians have consistently demanded the removal of immunity clause from the Constitution, the amendment seeks to confer immunity on legislators in addition to the heads of the executive arm of government.”

The lawyer also referred to the provision of the pension for life for former leaders of the National Assembly provided for in the fourth alteration to the Constitution as another objectionable proposition.

He said: “Indeed, one of the former Speakers of the House of Representatives, who will be a beneficiary of the largesse, spent a few months in office and resigned for fear of impeachment. Another re-

tired Speaker, who served for less than four years, is barely 40 years old.”

He urged the National Assembly to justify why Nigerians should pay pension for life to such legislators for rendering part-time service in the parliament.

He differed on the insistence of the President that the Amendment Bill should have been with the votes of four-fifths of the National Assembly and approved by the resolution of both chambers with not less than two-thirds of the states of the federation.

“I had reminded the President that the last three alterations of the Constitution were passed by the two-thirds majority of the federal and state legislators and signed into law by him in 2010 and 2011,” Falana added.

59

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

NEWS Bamanga Tukur to PDP: you caused your downfall Continued from page 4

challenges and exploit its natural endowment.”

According to him, he had pointed out the new direction the party should follow, before he was forced out as chairman by forces that did not want him. “We had told them then that our focus for the future should be about consolidation and continuity and that goes beyond the plans of our opponents that PDP will fail,” Tukur said.

The former PDP chairman said the party also ignored his proposal on how to develop the party and steer it away from the crisis rocking it,

which included the need to “reconcile our disagreement by closing ranks and stimulating greater efficiency in our judgments, for which mechanisms were put in place to achieve unity at all levels”.

He said: “Internal democracy should triumph over the current practice of imposition of candidates during the party congresses thus collectively we sustain the political aspirations of Nigeria.”

Tukur also said he recommended corporate image making consultants “to develop a package for an annual PDP Merit Award where party members of proven exempla-

ry conduct and achievements will be rewarded”.

He also recommended that the party “explore methods for improved communications for sustainable relations of the party-executive, the party –legislature and the party community relations! Enhance the financial position of the party by graduating to e-membership system,” among other issues.

Tukur said he also warned that the party could not afford to be run through severe underfunding, arguing that “democracy is a serious business but easily broken; it is a small commodity of exceptional value reserve”.

DHQ: Boko Haram insurgents ‘ve run out of weapons

T

HE Defence Headquarters has said the Boko Haram insurgents have run out of arms and ammunitions, forcing them to resort to

From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

the use of bows and arrows.

Speaking with reporters yesterday in Abuja, the Director of Defence Information,

Major Gen. Chris Olukolade said the insurgents sources of arms and ammunition supplies had been effectively blocked.

Troops get mandate to catch Shekau Continued from page 4

Reuters.

The Sambisa forest, a former colonial game reserve, is about 100 km (60 miles) from the village of Chibok, from where Boko Haram abducted more than 200 secondary school girls a year ago.

Intelligence officials believed they were being held in the forest, but U.S. reconnaissance drones failed to locate them.

“Three of our boys were killed by a landmine as we progressed into Sambisa.

We’ve suspended going farther,” Muhammad Mungonu, a member of a pro-government vigilante, told Reuters.

The militants controlled an area the size of Belgium at the start of the year, but have since lost much of that ground after a concerted push by militaries from Nigeria and neighbors Chad, Niger and Cameroon in the past two months.

Chadian military source said a joint military operation involving armies from Niger and Cameroon was expected

to begin to encircle the Sambisa forest next week. Chadians will go in from the Cameroonian border where they have been massing troops.

“Boko Haram are in large numbers in Sambisa,” said the vigilante, who requested anonymity for security reasons as he was part of the operation.

“All their fighters who were pushed out of Bama, Dikwa, Gwoza and Damboa (in Borno state) all moved to Boko Haram camps in Sambisa,” he added.

The PDP boss said its candidate in Taraba, Darius Dickson Ishaku, is too credibly qualified to lose the election.

“We are here to encourage our supporters to continue their loyalty and good work for our great party. Everybody knows that Taraba is for PDP and PDP is for Taraba. We have been in charge in Taraba for the past 16

years.”

Mu’azu accused the APC in the state of “negative media propaganda” against the PDP. He praised the “courage and magnanimity” of President Goodluck Jonathan for conceding defeat to General Muhammadu Buhari, as he urged APC supporters to also learn how to concede defeat when they lose.

PDP: We’re regrouping to takeover power in 2019 Continued from page 4

ahead, with efforts to winning elections come 2019.

“It is, however, very unfortunate that our supporters who are desperate to defect to APC have become confused because they have been rejected by the APC. I don’t know what would become of their faith, because they now have no roof; they are neither in PDP nor in APC.”

How govt can raise $75b, by CBN chief Emefiele Continued from page 4

NNPC was created in 1977.

Now 72, he became the first opposition candidate in Nigeria’s history to unseat an incumbent president at the polls, sweeping to victory last month on the back of campaign pledges to stamp out corruption, defeat Islamist insurgents and create jobs, But the choices confronting him are stark. Africa’s biggest economy is reeling from the collapse in the world price of oil which contributes around 70 per cent of state earnings.

Federal revenues are roughly half what they were a year ago, many of the 36 states in the federation are struggling to pay salaries and foreign reserves this month dipped below $30bn, or around five months of import cover.

Mr Emefiele’s suggested remedy could prompt opposition from those ideologically opposed to selling off state assets, and resistance from politicians dependent on oil resources for patronage.

But it will find sympathetic ears among the more liberal, market minded reformers in the administration in waiting. Some of them believe that the NNPC should be sold off altogether — both to eliminate associated corruption, and to help free up commercial oil firms to invest in new production.

For years Nigeria’s oil production has been stagnating at around 2m b/d because of uncertainty around stalled reforms and because of the state’s difficulties in raising its own share of development and maintenance costs.

Oil company executives argue that production could be almost doubled if the NNPC were commercialised or sold, and the companies freed up to meet the full cost of investment.

High quality global journalism requires investment.

“Our manifesto says we are going to break the NNPC up.

But the ultimate answer may well be to divest the whole thing,” said an influential politician in Gen Buhari’s camp.

“It is an idea that will be seriously looked at. But I don’t think it can be the immediate

priority. First we need to get back to a position where revenues that belong to the people are getting into the federation account. We need to stop the leakages,” he said.

Gen Buhari, who cut his teeth in office at a time when the state was the main driver in the economy, may be harder to convince.

“We can’t just wake up overnight and sell the NNPC. First we need to see how much damage has been done and how can we stabilise the situation,” he said in a preelection interview with the FT. However, reformers in his camp believe he may be persuaded otherwise if oil prices remain depressed given the scant alternatives to finance the ambitious changes he has promised.

Buhari moves to Defence House Continued from page 4

When our correspondent visited the Defence House, a horde of security operatives was guard. Visitors were being screened before being allowed into the premises.

The Defence House is wearing a new look.

APC Presidential Campaign Council spokesman Mallam Garba Shehu confirmed that the president-elect had been operating from the Defence House.

“Yes, the Defence House was

handed over a few days ago after its renovation,” Shehu said.

After he was declared winner of the presidential election on March 30, Gen. Buhari started receiving visitors from his private residence in Asokoro area, before leaving Abuja for Daura to vote in the governorship and House of Assembly elections.

He spent one week in Daura, receiving local and international guests before leaving for Kaduna where he received another set of guests, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

60

THE NATION FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015

Fireworks: Readers on the warpath •Continued

from Backpage

We must interrogate what happened prior and during the last Lagos election. We must think through all the tendencies and possible grievances; constructive engagement and rapprochement will have us better equipped for the next voting season.

Below is a sample of some of the readers’ responses: Happy Sunday dear brother Steve Osuji. I always enjoy your column. Last Friday’s was no exception. I only wish to say that whatever that one deserves to achieve in life discreet decorum and tactics (are required) whether one is in Lagos, London or New York.

We have Ndigbo here in Akure and we know which party they voted for… no qualms. There was no affront from them.

Ndigbo in Lagos carried their campaign beyond mere elections that would come and go. Their open campaign mandating their sons and daughters to vote for a particular candidate was too confrontational. Agbaje would have won but for his sectional approach. Yoruba in London or elsewhere would have acted differently to score their goals. Arrant arrogance does not work positively in most cases. That is the simple lesson here. As for Kabiyesi, I disagree with him 100% - Prince Bola Faloyo, Akure (08038258389) Re: Lagos is not a Yoruba ‘town’. Steve honestly you really fouled my day by your submissions on the above article. That Lagos has grown to the status of what it is today and peopled by diverse tribes does not mean it has lost its original owners by history.

The article in question has positioned you as an “Igbo irredentist” which I know you are not. Truly, you owe the Yoruba race a great apology because what you are trying to achieve is a distortion of Yoruba history which to me is highly unacceptable.

What you have postulated then suggests by inference, that with the cosmopolitan nature of Kano, Onitsha, both cities should never be seen as Hausa and Igbo towns respectively. – Taiwo Osunsanya, Ilupeju, Lagos Mr. Osuji, the tragedy hypocrites and tribal irredentists like you cannot imagine is a scenario of any OUTSIDER occupying and controlling citadels of your enclaves such as Onitsha, Enugu, Owerri, etc. Why can’t your people try out what you do here in places like Kano or Kaduna!

You and your fellow immigrants will soon start getting the Port Harcourt and Kano treatment in Lagos. Igbos always covet the best of other people. Nowhere in the entire Igboland would you find other Nigerians thrive. You are so ignorant of the history of Lagos and its institutions…that’s why you obtusely imply it belongs to no one in particular. But rest assured you and your fellow refugees commence the overdue process of getting the HEAT in diverse ways from now – 07013324163 Steve, the Ibos didn’t vote AD, they didn’t vote AC, they didn’t vote ACN, they didn’t vote APC as well in the last elections. An Ibo man had become an LGA chairman in the north, councilors in Lagos but no Yoruba can ever become even a class captain in any Ibo land. They are too sectional and selfish. – 07059286003 A brilliant write-up but you goofed when you asserted that Lagos is not a Yoruba ‘town’ though you confirmed the indigene status. Pray more for Nigeria. All of you did not see what Patience did in Okrika, Rivers State but you can quote our paramount ruler wrong and right all the time – Yemi Fregene, 08037117145 Truly, Lagos is not a Yoruba ‘town… Lagos is a mega city!

We may not be able to change the DNA of an Igbo man overnight (since 1914?). Ndigbo must learn to respect the feelings of their hosts globally! The much celebrated tradition of an Igbo man not subjecting himself to a common rulership is faulty especially in the contemporary period… how can you convince others to place you in number one position? Can you imagine what it would have cost the Yoruba race to lose Lagos to PDP now that APC is at the centre? – S.L. Ajao, Ketu, 08029952832 Sir, I am an ardent reader of your column every Friday. I wish we have many of your kind in the media. Your most recent: Lagos is not a Yoruba ‘town’ is very explicit, educative as well as informative. Keep it up and God bless you. – Chike, Aba, 08033557480 Lagos is not a Yoruba ‘town’? You got it all wrong. Lagos is known as Eko among the Yoruba; we do not call it Lagos… my problem with Igbo settlers is that they are dubious. Scarcely do you get 20% of them who have made it through lawful means.

From business they now turn to land acquisition and now politics of annihilation. This is not acceptable to us. Let them go back to develop Igbo land too. – Binyamin Yusuf, Ede, Osun State, 08039416161 Your headline was provocative as well as your language and ignorance of Lagos history. You may as well tell your Igbo brothers to occupy Ibadan, Osogbo, Abeokuta, Akure and AdoEkiti and make them cosmopolitan cities and claim them, leaving Onitsha, Awka, Enugu, etc.

A Yoruba adage says, the dog that would be lost will never hear the hunter’s whistle - Oluwasanmi Michael, Ado-Ekiti, 08164800725 I am concerned about the way you have put the matter in public domain. The Oba of Lagos is the traditional head of Lagos metropolis and not Lagos State. The election of individuals in Lagos State is not to represent Lagos city but the state. What people might be communicating is that Lagos is the former capital of Nigeria but it is still a Yoruba town as Calabar was once capital of Nigeria but remains a town that belongs to indigenes of Cross River State…

However, anybody can have a claim in any city in the world once you establish your life there. Every Igbo and others who live in Lagos are Lagosians and Lagos is their home. Please be informed that Lagos town is not Lagos State which is parallel to Enugu City in Enugu State.

Lagos belongs to all of us and we shall all prosper together to build a better city to co-exist in harmony and joy – Dr. Lai Olawale, 08102893662.

Haba Steve, nilu to loba to nijoye! You must be a demented writer with bird brain. If Lagos is not Yoruba, is Eko Igbo? Your writeup is an unpardonable affront - 08059696243

FOREIGN NEWS

EU leaders commit ships, aid for action on migrants E

UROPEAN Union leaders yesterday started committing new resources to save lives in the Mediterranean at an emergency summit convened after hundreds of migrants drowned in the space of a few days, and discussed action to destroy vessels that could be used for trafficking.

The latest summit draft statement pledged the 28 nations to double their spending to save lives, “increase search and rescue possibilities” and to “undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and destroy vessels before they are used by traffickers. ”Prime Minister David Cameron said Britain would contribute the navy’s flagship, HMS Bulwark, along with three helicopters and two border patrol ships to the EU effort. “ As the country in Europe with

the biggest defense budget we can make a real contribution,” but added that this would not include accepting a share of the refugees.

German army sources told the DPA news agency Berlin would offer to send the troop supply ship “Berlin” as well as frigates “Karlsruhe” and “Hessen” toward Italy. The ships currently participate in the anti-piracy operation Atalanta at the Horn of Africa and could be in the Mediterranean within five days.Belgium also committed a navy ship yesterday.

The task ahead is huge, with more than 10,000 migrants plucked from seas between Italy and Libya just over the last week.The draft statement also called for “a first voluntary pilot project on resettle-

ment, offering at least 5,000 places to persons qualifying for protection.”

That resettlement plan would amount to about half of the number which arrived in just the last week and a tiny fraction of the tens of thousands likely to arrive this year.

Here too a continental rift was already obvious, with countries like Germany, Sweden, France and Italy dealing with a disproportionate number of asylum requests while many eastern member states hardly take any.

Five of the 28 member states are handling almost 70 percent of the migrants coming in.Cameron, two weeks away from a national election in which immigration is a major issue, said Britain was not in the front line to take more mi-

grants. British vessels would take migrants “to the nearest safe country, mostly likely Italy,” he said.In a joint statement, the U.N.’s top refugee and migration officials called for an EU-wide resettlement plan and for beefing up the capacity of front-line countries Greece, Italy and Malta to receive more migrants.

The draft statement also proposes cutting the time needed to process would-be migrants, which can now take up to a year before a person is deemed legitimate to stay, to as little as two months.According to the U.N.’s refugee agency, 219,000 refugees and migrants crossed the Mediterranean last year, and at least 3,500 died trying.

More than 1,000 are believed to have died already this month alone.

S/ Africa: Another demonstration against attacks EVERAL thousand people marched through South Africa’s largest city Johannesburg yesterday in a demonstration against recent attacks on immigrants that killed seven

S

people.

They walked through the centre of the city, passing neighbourhoods that are home to many immigrants, a large number of whom come from other African countries.

The marchers include university students and children in school uniform. They are carrying placards with slogans including “Africa Unite” and “Say No To Xenophobia.”The violence against immigrants

in South Africa this month occurred in Johannesburg and another major city, Durban.

The attacks stemmed from a perception among some South Africans that immigrants are taking jobs and opportunities at their expense.

Rebels launch new offensive in Syria

S

EVERAL hard-line Syrian rebel groups pushed a new offensive against government forces in northwestern Syria yesterday, less than a month after seizing control of the provincial capital there.

The conservative Islamic factions, including the al-Qaidaaffiliated Nusra Front, are coordinating a multi-pronged campaign whose main target appears to be the town of Jisr al-Shughour in Idlib province.

Opposition fighters are also attacking government checkpoints in a sprawling agricultural plain south of the town as well as nearby military facilities.

The operation keeps the pressure on beleaguered government forces in the area just weeks after the rebels captured Idlib city, the provincial capital. Forces loyal to President Bashar Assad maintain control of Jisr al-Shughour as well as towns and military facilities in the province, but their hold looks increasingly shaky.

The opposition groups taking part in the new operation posted a statement online late Wednesday announcing the start of the offensive, which they call “Battle of Victory.”

They appealed to residents to stay inside “until God grants us and you victory and liberation.”

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Thursday the rebels have taken five checkpoints since the offensive began, including two near Jisr al-Shugour, in fighting that has killed at least eight rebels and an unknown number of government troops.

Observatory director Rami Abdurrahman said heavy fighting raged outside of the town as well as in the Sahel alGhab plain to the south, and that government warplanes are bombing suspected rebel positions.

•The demostrators passing through Johannesburg yesterday

PHOTO:AP

Two volcanoes erupt in Chile, first time in more than 40 years

C

HILE’s Calbuco volcano erupted twice in 24 hours, the country’s National Geology and Mining Service said early yesterday.

The agency said it was evaluating the spectacular nighttime eruption, but indicated it was “stronger than the first one.”

Authorities issued a red alert for the towns of Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas in southern Chile. Both are popular tourist destinations.

A 12-mile (20 kilometer) exclusion zone was estab-

lished around the crater. Military and police forces were assisting with the evacuations of about 1,500, according to the Ministry of Interior and Public Safety.

American Helen Rodgers witnessed the volcano erupt from the Hotel Patagonico in Puerto Varas, a popular tourist destination.

The first eruption on Wednesday set off a bit of a panic in the region.

“At the beginning, it was small and later, the cloud grew and later there was a huge cloud over you and true terror starts,” said one Puerto

Montt resident.

Another person said: “It was impressive to see an enormous mushroom cloud, with the immense force of the volcano, and to see the ashes. At that point, there was a lot of panic, lots of chaos, traffic jams, people going to supermarkets, everyone looking for water, trying to take out money from the ATMs.” The eruption is a first for many in the region. The last major eruption was 1962.

There was a minor eruption in 1972.

Calbuco also belched out a bit of gas and smoke in 1996.

Obama apologises after hostages’ killings

P

PRESIDENT Obama has apologised after two Western hostages were accidentally killed when US forces attacked an al Qaeda base on the AfghanPakistani border in January.

Warren Weinstein, an American doctor, and Italian Giovanni Lo Porto had been held in the border region of Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Obama said US forces believed the target was an al Qaeda compound with no

civilians present.

“This morning I have expressed my grief and condolences to the families of two hostages – one American, Warren Weinstein, and an Italian, Giovanni Lo Porto – who were tragically killed in a US counter-terrorism operation.

Warren and Giovanni were aid workers in Pakistan devoted to improving the lives of the Pakistani people,” the

president said at a White House briefing.

Obama added that the operation in January was also believed to have killed al Qaeda leaders.

He has ordered details of the operation to be declassified.

Describing the two Western victims as brave men, the president said he took full responsibility, promising to learn lessons from what happened

THE NATION FRIDAY APRIL 24, 2015

61

62

THE NATION FRIDAY APRIL 24, 2015

THE NATION FRIDAY APRIL 24, 2015

63

TODAY IN THE NATION

FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL.10 NO. 3194

‘Would a true man marry for money? Would a true man defile his own daughter? Would a true man mourn his wife for 90 days or would he untie the next wrapper at her demise? Would a true man allow the dehumanization of his OLA TUNJI OL OLADE OLATUNJI OLOLADE widow, if he could help it?’

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

L

ET us start with a couple of definitions.

Theory: an idea or thought deployed to account for some fact, situation or the outcome of some event.

Conspiracy: a covert plan by a group of people to do something unlawful or harmful. Thefreedictionary.com more specifically defines conspiracy as “an agreement to perform together an illegal, wrongful, or subversive act.”

Conspiracy theory: “a theory that explains an event or a set of circumstances as the result of a secret plot by usually powerful conspirators.”—Merriam-Webster. The covert or secret plan need not be criminal but the objective of the conspiracy theorist is to present the object of his or her theory as evil and therefore condemnable.

There are many examples of conspiracy theories in history ranging from the theory that the assassination of President J. F. Kennedy was not a lone act of Lee Oswald but a conspiracy by some powerful actors to the one that explains the 9-11 terrorist attacks as a government insider job. Recently, there is a conspiracy theory claiming that polio vaccine is a ploy by some evil powers to effectively sterilise children of the Third World.

Not all conspiracy theories lack evidence and some of them may be self-explanatory or self-justifying. Many intelligent people believe that some Western powers implicitly supported the Apartheid regime of South Africa for a long time with their refusal to impose economic sanctions.

Nigerians too are adept in theorising and where two or three Nigerians are gathered, you can expect a theory of everything from Ebola to labour, from corruption to education, and from soccer to cancer. The average Nigerian is a Monday Quarterback. On Saturday before the Sunday game, he lacks the prospective insights for a winning formula for his team.

On the Monday after, however, he has an enormous capacity for retrospective analysis for why his favorite team lost the game.

We have seen a large number of Monday Quarterbacking since the elections, and they all conspiracy theories. These theorists don’t dig around the reality of the loss of the ruling party for fear of the truth. For them the party did not lose because it underperformed. PDP did not lose because Nigerians from north to south are tired of a government of impunity and endemic corruption.

In the inner recesses of its theorists, PDP did not lose because a large number of its party leaders felt marginalised and therefore discour-

A

DELUGE of hurtful missives: After reading my installment on this space last week titled: Lagos is not a Yoruba ‘town’, a colleague had called quite early in the day to warn that though he found it a great piece as usual, that I should expect fireworks. Himself a well-regarded columnist on the stable, his words turned out prophetic as my sms box was almost jammed a few hours later.

I never had such number of responses from readers since I ventured into public commentary. Expectedly, most of the respondents were Yoruba but sadly, most of them misunderstood my theses or didn’t even bother to read the piece having made off angrily with just the title. And even the title at that, many missed the inverted commas attached to town (‘town’). Worse, very few responded to the issues I raised. Most of them simply inflict me with abuses and even curses as if by that very piece, I had managed to cede Lagos to the Eastern region. I was truly shaken by the effusion of animosity over this ‘small’ matter.

I was really disheartened that we have become a generation that cannot throw jibes at each other or sustain simple, civilised debate without resorting to ‘naked’ insults.

Most of us seem so comfortably tucked in under the duvet of our stereotypes. We cannot bear any dissection of our misconceptions or flawed generalisations.

I thought I could show another side of the Igbo-Yoruba debate; afford us some fresh insight but I might have only stoked the fire some more. Most of my readers took the title literally and the meat of their response is: how dare you suggest Lagos is not a Yoruba

SEGUN GBADEGESIN gbadegesin@thenationonlineng.net

Conspiracy theories

•PDP logo

aged, leaving the party in droves or staying put but without any enthusiasm to work for its victory. For our conspiracy theorists, PDP lost because there was a conspiracy against President Jonathan and by extension against the Southsouth and Southeast.

First, in the delusionary realm occupied by some PDP leaders and their armchair theorists, including professorial columnists and professional activists, the loss of the party was because of a secret plot, a gang-up of sort by four zones—Northwest, Northeast, North-central and Southwest—against two zones—Southsouth and Southeast. It was an evil plot, even if not criminal.

Second, there is a theory of a criminal plot as well and it was between INEC and APC against PDP. This was criminal in the sense that INEC, as an independent entity, is constitutionally responsible for free, fair and impartial elections.

But, the conspiracists argue, it did none of these.

There is a third theory about an internal evil plot akin to the Brutus conspiracy against Caesar. We are told that PDP lost because even the Chairman of the party and some of his leadership team were in deplorable evil cahoots against the party and its candidate.

Finally, we are now just being treated to another category of conspiracy between the outgoing IGP and APC and its presidential candidate on the one hand against PDP and its presidential candidate on the other.

Let me make a couple of preliminary observations on this new development. First, my initial reaction after the announcement of the results of the presidential election was to move on. I thought there was no point revisiting all the nauseating actions and inactions of candidates and their supporters during the campaign.

It was time for a new beginning based on a new social contract as I later remarked. But since then many PDP supporters have refused to let go even when the President himself conceded gallantly.

Second, while I think that it is natural and indeed reasonable to ask the “why” question in the face of such a disastrous thumping of a party that arrogantly vowed to be in power for 60 years, it appeared to me that it would have been more beneficial to look into those of its policies, actions and, more importantly, attitudes and behaviors, that turned Nigerians off.

Instead, the same analysts who misled the party and its candidates with incredibly erroneous permutations even up to the last minute on Election Day still have the audacity to pontificate about what went wrong. It is truly amazing.

What it means is that much as it is good to have a strong two-party system, PDP may never get its act together and correct its mistakes to compete effectively in future presidential elections.

Now, I invite our PDP conspiracy theorists to the impartial chamber of ethical reasoning for a candid interrogation. They must prepare to answer fundamental questions that scream for answers.

One: You claim that there was a conspiracy of four zones in the North and Southwest against the Southsouth and Southeast. Where were you in 2011? Was there a conspiracy then?

If not, what makes you think that there is one now? Are ordinary Nigerians not able to de-

STEVE OSUJI

EXPRESSO

steve.osuji@yahoo.com

•Columnist of the Year (NMMA)

Fireworks: Readers on the warpath town? But of course Lagos is a Yoruba city in Southwest Nigeria; I thought that was an eternal fact that is trite in itself. I simply meant that Lagos is fast growing into Nigeria’s megacity, a cosmopolis and a leading world capital every Nigerian is proud of as opposed to a Yoruba ‘town’.

Another preponderant response is: what you will never allow in Igbo land you want to do in Yoruba land.

No medicine for prejudice: I want to imagine that most people saying this probably never toured Nigeria. The truth is that Igbo have won election in the north if we care to check our records. The truth is that in Owerri, capital of Imo State, which is deep in Igbo land, there is a Rotibi Street, off Douglas Road. Ages ago, a Yoruba had built a house there and had the street named after him, right in the heart of Owerri.

Also down Douglas Road is Ama Hausa, a large settlement of Hausa which has been there for ages and with an increasingly large

and mixed population. That population will win election in Imo House someday soon as votes begin to count and if the people need their own representation. In Garki, Enugu, the story is the same; as in Umuahia and even Abakaliki, while Onitsha is a united Nigerian nation with Hausa, Yoruba, Itsekiri, Urhobo, Ika, etc. They have lived there in Igbo land for decades. This is a verifiable fact. Someday, a party will find the strength in their number and canvass it for political gains.

In 2010, one Mr. Igharo was a Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of Imo State. The story was that he was retained after Youth Service and he rose to be perm sec in Imo State Civil Service. Mr.Tito Asekhome, a professional surveyor/town planner from Edo State was a Special Adviser (SA) in charge of urban planning during the era of Governor Ikedi Ohakim in Imo State. In Enugu, Dr. Wale Adedayo was Chief Press Secretary to Governor Chimaraoke Nnamani for about eight years.

cide what is best for them without a charge of conspiracy hanging over their heads? By the way, comparing the number of votes that your candidate received in the North and Southwest with the number of votes that the APC candidate received in the Southsouth and Southeast, which party has a more legitimate claim to the allegation of a disturbing gang-up against its candidate?

Two: You claim that INEC Chief and his team conspired against your candidate and the party. Was it the same INEC Chief that conducted the 2011 elections? Was this the same Jega that your analysts in 2011 considered a credible candidate for a 2019 presidency slot on account of his impartiality? Were there the same two candidates in that election? If INEC Chief didn’t conspire when your candidate won, is it fair to charge him for conspiracy when your candidate lost? More importantly, how was the use of PVC and Card Readers which were introduced to improve credibility an element of conspiracy? Don’t you want electoral credibility?

Three: I wouldn’t know if there was an internal plot within PDP. But if there was, doesn’t that tell us more about the dysfunction in your party? How is that a problem for the rest of us? Can you then put your house in order?

Four: Can you really substantiate the charge of a conspiracy by the IGP against your party in light of public knowledge about the atrocities committed by the IGP against the opposition? Do you forget so soon his stridency against Speaker Tambuwal even after a court verdict? How about his order for voters to leave the polling areas even after INEC’s affirmation of voters’ right to remain there? Or his deployment of partisan AIGs to the areas you wanted to capture? Or his complicity in the Ekiti saga?

I have a humble advice for PDP because I really want there to be a strong two-party system. Borrow a leaf from the proactive stance of Bola Tinubu and the ACN. In 2011, its candidate lost woefully. But it didn’t come up with any conspiracy theory. Rather, licking its wounds, ACN went back to the drawing board of political organisation. With a vow not to join a discredited train of retrogression, a strong determination to compete effectively, and confidence in their ability to build a progressive party to take on the PDP behemoth, Team Tinubu went to work. The rest is history.

Can you please stop whining and hurry back to the basics of attitudinal change and organisational restructuring?

•For comments, send SMS to 08111813080 The point here is to educate most of my readers who responded rather violently that Igbo are not what they think. Our hospitality and civility to visitors and strangers are legendary and that is the truth. Those who are married to Igbo, those who have lived or served in Igbo land will bear me out. Yet this is not to say that there are no black legs in our midst as in all other tribes.

But the point I must not fail to stress is that there are so many misconceptions and fallacies out there that people purvey to stigmatise Ndigbo. Many people simply project their deep-seated prejudices and ingrained malice to tar Ndigbo at every opportunity; some ignorantly and some propagating sheer mischief. They want Ndigbo to live by different standards and codes of behaviour but of course that would be patently unfair thus unacceptable.

Blame it on the ‘new’ politics: A crucial point many missed which I must reiterate is that for once, two equally matched parties were in a keen contest for votes as has never occurred before and under an improved voting system. Trying to vilify or label Ndigbo for the outcomes will only make us lose the crucial lessons to be learnt from the exercise. We need to help the new government in Lagos understand that the last elections signpost the future of elections to come.

Parties will have to work harder for votes by targeting specific ethnic divides henceforth. Blaming or scape-goating any tribe or group will not help.

•Continued

on page 60

•For comments, send SMS to 08111526725

Published and printed by Vintage Press Limited. Corporate Office: 27B Fatai Atere Way, Matori, Lagos. P.M.B. 1025,Oshodi, Lagos. Telephone: Switch Board: 08034505516.

Editor Daily:08099365644, Marketing: 01-8155547 . Abuja Office: Plot 5, Nanka Close AMAC Commercial Complex, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja. Tel: 07028105302. Port Harcourt Office: 12/14, Njemanze Street, Mile 1, Diobu, PH. 08023595790. WEBSITE: www.thenationonlineng.net E-mail: info@thenationonlineng.net Editor: GBENGA OMOTOSO