The Nation April 29, 2012

Oshiomhole escapes death in ghastly crash •Oshiomhole

Three journalists killed, many injured Gov alleges foul play, demands probe

–PAGE 4

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Vol.06, No. 2110

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

SUNDAY

N200.00

APRIL 29, 2012

Boko Haram: Azazi in trouble –PAGE 2

•Uduaghan

South-South govs demand Jonathan to NSA: Explain what you mean restructured federation

You are wrong, PDP tells Security Adviser

–PAGE 2

“I don't believe that it is undemocratic practices in the PDP that gave rise to Boko Haram or any other group.

People need to ask the NSA to explain what he really meant.”

• President Goodluck Jonathan (C), ThisDay publisher, Nduka Obaigbena and Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, during the visit to the newspaper’s office in Abuja by the President, yesterday.

Photo: AFP

N9.7bn Fraud: Police declare Bukola Saraki wanted –PAGE 5

•Saraki

NEWS

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 29, 2012

South/South leaders advocate restructuring From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

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HE second South/ South Economic Summit has ended at the weekend in Asaba-the Delta State capital, with a resolution by the governors of the six states in the zone to collaborate with the Federal Government and the Private Sector in developing the Lagos – Calabar Railway Lines Project.

They also pressed for the urgent completion of the East – West highway and spoke of their determination to ensure quality education in the region and the adoption of information and communication technology and collateral equipment for all levels of education (primary, secondary and tertiary).

The summit, in a communiqué, urged a review of the current revenue allocation and asked for more powers, responsibilities and funding for the other tiers of government while reaffirming commitment to strengthening the nascent governance structure in the region.

Participants urged the Federal Government to review the current policies and regulations on power and gas to enable states generate, transmit and distribute power to complement the efforts of the Federal Government and facilitate the utilization of moribund capacity in the region.

Conflict: Group appeals to Cross River

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

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HE Confederation of Traditional Herders Organization in Africa (CORET) has appealed to the Cross River State government to resist the temptation of repatriating pastoralists displaced by the recent conflict between pastoralists and farmers in the state.

Acting Secretary General of CORET, Mohammed Bello Tukur in a statement in Kaduna said any move to send the affected cattle herders to their states of origin would amount to a breach of the constitution.

He said: “We believe it will not foster peace, understanding, tolerance and development in Nigeria, the ECOWAS region and indeed Africa. In line with the position of NEMA that called on the Cross River State Government not to repatriate the pastoralists, we also join this call, and urge the Cross River State Government not go ahead with this ill advised idea.”

• Fulani girls displaying their symbol at the opening of the 33rd Kaduna International Trade Fair, yesterday

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HE National Security Adviser (NSA), Gen. Andrew Azazi, is in trouble for openly accusing the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of fuelling the state of insecurity in the country.

The Presidency is already considering the nature of action to take against him, while the PDP came out smoking yesterday, describing the NSA’s statement as “a grave error and a fatal diagnosis of the security challenges facing the nation.”

The party warned political office holders, like Azazi, against attracting ill-feelings for President Goodluck Jonathan.

Gen. Azazi, a former Chief of Army Staff had, at the Second South South Economic Summit in Asaba on Friday, said the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) was partly responsible for the escalation of the menace visited on Nigeria and Nigerians by Boko Haram.

PDP’s brand of politics, especially the way it picks its candidates for elections, he argued, was a crucial factor in the sect’s destruction of lives and property.

He said: “A situation where a political party insists on fielding a particular candidate over another to get a massive win and that if they get that massive win the party has arrived , is the source of the problem.”

But President Goodluck Jonathan, on an on-the -spot inspection yesterday of the destruction visited on the Abuja office of ThisDay newspaper by a suicide bomber said he did not understand the logic of the NSA’s position.

He said: “I read in the newspapers some journalists quoting the National Security Adviser. Until I read the script myself and listen to him, one thing I do know, like philosophers will say, human beings disagree because people use different words to mean the same

Boko Haram: Azazi in trouble • Jonathan to NSA: Explain what you mean • You are wrong, PDP tells Security Adviser From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation/ Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

thing and use one word to mean different things.

“That is the primary reason for disagreement. That is why public officers like us are extremely careful because words are extremely elastic. So, sometimes, you have something in your mind you want to communicate but the way you communicate it, different people will give different interpretations.

“That is why some human beings who don’t think are quarrelsome. When they hear something, they only understand it in one way.

They don’t give the opportunity to look the other way.

So until I read it, I don’t believe that the NSA meant that the practices in the PDP are anti-democratic.

“I cannot comment much on what happened in the First Republic, but the Second Republic that I marginally participated; the aborted Republic, I marginally participated and this Third Republic that I am a key actor, as a member of the first eleven, I still see that the PDP is one of the most democratic parties.

“So I don’t believe that it is undemocratic practices in the PDP that gave rise to Boko Haram or any other group. So probably, people need to ask the NSA to explain what he really meant.

I have read it from the papers. I don’t believe it is undemocratic practices of the PDP that gave rise to this or any other militant groups.”

And he said of the bomb attack on ThisDay, The Sun and The Moment : “From the beginning of these terrorists’ attacks to us as a nation, I

have always maintained the position that terror attack on any part of the country, is a terror attack on all of us and indeed the whole world.

“Terrorists’ method is to ensure maximum damage that the whole world will begin to look in their direction for relevance. This is a media house, not a government establishment. Media helps to inform all of us about what is happening and of course, the media is now also a victim.

“That is why we all as Nigerians no matter what we do or where we come from, we must all join hands in fighting this terror. I can assure you that we will get over it. Other nations have passed through it. When I say that, Nigerians begin to misunderstand that we are just sleeping to wait that it will come and go like wind, no.

And on the issue of dialogue with the sect he said: “Those who are saying we should dialogue are correct.

Those who are saying we should not dialogue are also correct.” But he was quick to add: “When we have a terror situation, you also look at global best practices all over the world. Just like war situations, you may dialogue; you may not dialogue depending on the circumstances. But we will exploit every means possible to bring this to an end.”

Nduka Obaigbena, the Publisher of ThisDay, described the attack as “an attack on the media and freedom of speech.”

The president’s public reaction to the NSA’s statement notwithstanding, The Nation gathered that the Presidency felt embarrassed by the comment.

A highly-placed source, who spoke with our correspondent, said: “The government was shocked by the comment of the NSA which amounted to a vote of no confidence on the administration he is serving.

“By implication, Azazi is saying that the process through which Jonathan emerged as the presidential candidate of the PDP was fraudulent or not transparent. The government has always expressed worry that the NSA and one of the service chiefs are talking too much.”

Asked what the government would do, the source said: “The Presidency is certainly weighing its options because the NSA is saying that he is helpless.

“Since the current state of insecurity cropped up, there has been pressure on President Jonathan to drop Azazi but he has always said no.

“Look at the global trend: once a Security Adviser comes out openly to say a thing like this, he might not be in control again.

“By virtue of the office of the NSA, there is a limit to which you can share some information in public.”

The PDP was no less hard on the NSA over his comments.

The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, said its zoning principle was not, in any way, the cause of the prevailing insecurity in the country.

The PDP described the statement as a very poor reflection of the foundation and the internal workings of the party as well as a wrong deduction on the roots of security challenges

in the country.

“The PDP has remained the strongest catalyst for the unity and progress of Nigeria. Equity, fairness and all inclusiveness have been the cardinal operative principles of the PDP since formation,”Metuh said.

“We wish to state without any ambiguity that our great Party remains the only political party in Nigeria that is not owned by any ethnic group, person or group of persons.

“All Nigerians are equal stakeholders. All our special National Conventions for the election of our Presidential flag bearers since 1998 have seen candidates emerge on the strength of National unity, a common motif which envisages that every section of the country, majority or minority can aspire to the highest political office in our fatherland via a well entrenched rotation and zoning principle in the constitution of our party.”

The statement said the 2010 presidential primaries of the PDP, through which President Goodluck Jonathan emerged, was an acid test that proved the founding fathers of the PDP as true architects of national unity.

It said: “We wish to add that President Jonathan emerged with overwhelming votes of delegates from every state in the country, a feat that was again repeated in April 2011 general elections which of course, have been adjudged the best in our recent history.

“It is therefore a comment in grave error, a fatal diagnosis of facts for anyone to insinuate or directly assert that a section of the membership of the PDP or its foundation predisposes that only a certain section and not others will aspire to the highest office in the country.

Column

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2012

The battle for Nigeria E

•Aregbesola

VENTS unfolding in Nigeria suggest that the state has reached the end of its historic tether. At the moment, the Nigerian state is no better than an armed robbers’ congregation. As revealed by the various probes, the scale and magnitude of looting suggest not just a total breakdown of the nation’s ethical grid but a collapse of the mental order which underpins all rational societies.

Without any exaggeration, this is a new form of elite dementia that would have made Frantz Fanon cringe in shame and mortification.

Anti-social deviants are on the prowl in even the most sacred sanctuaries of governance. Outside the hallowed precincts, violent robbing, kidnapping, firebombing, economic heists, political assassinations and religious mayhems have become the order of the day. A national consensus is emerging that we cannot continue like this.

Something will have to give in this whirlpool of irrationality.

Unfortunately, while many concerned and patriotic Nigerians are burning the midnight oil looking for a way out of the antifederalist gridlock, others are resorting to cheap blackmail, accusing proponents of a return to the old regionalism of nursing a secessionist agenda. The recent futile attempts to demonise Rauf Aregbesola, the governor of Osun State, come to mind. But blackmail has never and will never prevent people from thinking about the dire state of their country. Neither will it stop an idea whose time has come.

The statist, centralising resolution of the current Nigerian crisis could have come about in only two forms: Either through a world-historic coup which would completely eliminate the current ruling class, or through some epochal social and political

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nooping around With

Tatalo Alamu upheaval with an avenging messiah at the vanguard. The current social configurations of the nation make the second option unavailable while the military option has been rendered historically passé by emerging local and global trends.

In our circumstances, a return to regionalism is the most humane and civilised option of nudging the nation towards a better telos and of returning the Nigerian state to the path of righteousness and rectitude. Federalism has never been a tea party. It is defined and refined in dynamic action and contention. At this very moment, the American federal authorities

are in court to prevent the state of Arizona from overreaching itself over immigration laws. That is true federalism in process.

This morning we publish our concluding remarks at the South West Legislative Forum held in Ibadan on February 14. A nation is a permanent work in progress.

No nation can be sustained when its “contents” undermine and subvert its “form”. This is why nation-building is always a pushand pull affair. Nigerians are invited to judge who the real secessionists are between those clamouring for a beneficial change and those insisting on the current unviable and unworkable torture colony.

The strategic imperatives of regional integration

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S it is today, prostrate and paralysed, Nigeria presents an excellent opportunity for creative reinvention and regeneration. But time is against us. The international undertakers are already singing nunc dimittis.

What then is to be done?

There are some vast and untapped resources for national redemption. I want to argue this morning that an ethnic patriotism is not incompatible with a Nigerian nationalism. In fact, the two can be mutually reinforcing. I am a Yoruba man and very proud to be one.

I have no apologies. One must first be a good member of his community and ethnic group before being a good national. There is nothing to be ashamed of. Ethnicity has been with us for a long time and it was not created by Nigerians. It is present in even the most advance countries. In the end, all politics is local before it is national.

The greatest men thrown up by the colonial experimentation called Nigeria, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Ahmadu Bello and Obafemi Awolowo, never shied away from their ethnic origins, nor were they coy about identifying with their people’s culture and aspirations.

This did not make them out as ethnic bigots and supremacists. Indeed, Aminu Kano, the famed purveyor of talakawa politics, rallied to his own ethnic redoubt after the 1966 coup and only retreated to form the PRP after he was given a severe snub by the NPN power Mafiosi.

As it is in Nigeria today, regional growth has become a strategic imperative for national integration. Even the most rabid ideologues of harsh centralism and unitarism must now concede that it is a veritable recipe for national disintegration because it encourages politics without principles, wealth without work and turn by turn predation. It promotes bastard capitalism which would have been an affront to the old burghers of Europe. This is because its ethics of “come and eat” rather than come and work is deeply offensive and revolting to the Calvinist principles which drove early capitalism.

It is fortuitous that this conference is taking place at Premier Hotel, one of the glittering monuments of regional initiatives. We must now briefly turn to that cradle of the brief Yoruba cultural, economic and political renaissance. Fifty years ago in this same city, the run up to independence could not have been filled with more infectious optimism and ebullient hope.

Qualitatively, the people were becoming better educated due to the visionary education policies of the government. They were better informed thanks to the pace-setting advent of tele-

vision and a rash of newspapers. They were better fed, healthier and richer.

There was excitement in the air; the feel good factor was immense. Many felt that the sky was the limit once the meddlesome colonialists departed.

Obafemi Awolowo remains the gold benchmark and the most glorious example of visionary leadership in postindependence Nigeria is. When Awolowo took over the reins of power in the old West, the Yoruba at that point in time were a fractious, disharmonious race suffering from the trauma of a century of civil wars and the dissolution of empire. But through the power of visionary imagining, Awolowo knew where he wanted to take his people. He was bent on frog-marching an essentially rural people to the frontiers of modernity and its cutting edge technology.

Within a very short period, Awolowo , assisted by able and gifted lieutenants, had transformed this political wasteland into a modern society replete with all the paraphernalia of modernity which became the envy and the gold benchmark for the rest of the country and continent. In one brisk generation and through the power of visionary transformative leadership, Awolowo had moved his people from the farm to the factory and from medieval rut to modernity.

For the first time in over two hundred years, the Yoruba, in a brilliant feat of mass mobilization, came under a unified leadership and began to enjoy a standard of living comparable to most advance societies. This was to give them a head start over the rest of the country

in terms of quality education and political sophistication, an advantage they enjoy till date.

It is to be noted that in achieving this epic feat of modernisation, Awolowo did not summarily abolish the colonial education he met on ground. He merely improved on them, magically transforming them to serve the need and yearning of his people.

Having critically studied the situation he met on ground, Awolowo estabilished cottage industries, free primary education, modern schools, trade centres, farm settlements, agricultural schools, civil service training centres, teacher training colleges, a vibrant polytechnic and a world class university to match.

After careful selection based on merit, those deserving were sent abroad to further their education. An interesting example is the recently departed Sam Aluko. Despite having been an NCNC youth stalwart, Awolowo gave him a post-graduate scholarship to study at the prestigious London School of Economics even in the face of protests by party hierarchs. Not only that, after his return, the late sage gave the budding economist a waiver to pursue full time academics. In the event, there was a perfect congruence between the society on ground and tertiary skills on hand. In retrospect, the Yoruba race never had it so good.

Apart from his man-centred vision of human development and prodigious capacity for visionary imagining, what Awolowo had in abundance was a genius for seeking out other geniuses and rewarding them accordingly. As the en-

tire country gradually became his oyster, Awolowo searched all nooks and crannies of the nation for men and women with the gifts and capacity to recreate and reinvent Nigeria. This is the magic we must recreate if we are to rescue Nigeria from the morass of underdevelopment and looming state failure.

There is a historic burden placed on the head of our legislators and the emergent Yoruba political leadership, despite the reality and circumstances of uneven national consciousness and mutually conflicting notions of the nation. In seeking to return Nigeria to the path of genuine federalism and authentic nationhood, they must build bridges, forge alliances and break the gridlock of mutual hostility and intolerance that has hobbled the emergence of a true national consensus.

As we have argued and demonstrated, regional dynamism promotes national dynamism and healthy rivalry.

It also compels mutual respect and accommodation of political, cultural and economic differences. Let us applaud the great strides being taken collectively and individually by virtually all the new South West governors in terms of youth empowerment, creation of job opportunities, fiscal prudence, the resuscitation of the old pensions scheme, the resurrection of the old farm settlements scheme and the provision of urban transit systems.

But these heroic and stirring efforts, scattered, solitary and isolated as they are at the moment, require a deeper integrative regional paradigm and holistic framework in order to transform the

Towards a reinvented nation

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HOSE who put obstacles, stumbling blocks and adversities on the path of national progress and stability only force us to learn the hard way. The advantage of not stepping into the same river twice lies in the fact that it affords us the opportunity to learn from the strategic errors and tactical mistakes of the past. It will be recalled that the old Action Group fractured and fragmented irretrievably in the process of making its way from the region to the centre. The jury is still out as to whether Chief Awolowo made the right decision by attempting to make the whole of Nigeria benefit from his glittering talents.

This is not a subject matter for today. But the development places a heavy cross on the ACN as the historical vehicle of divine instrumentality to liberate the old west from the clutches of tyranny and mindless mediocrity. Suffice it to say that as it is today, the ACN

is even more vulnerable than the old Action Group. As Nigeria faces an involuntary endgame, there will be severe pressure on the party and a push and pull in contradictory directions. The leadership must remain focused and steadfast in the face of adversity.

In order to face the challenges ahead, the party itself can do with some internal restructuring and reorganisation. The party must develop an internal mechanism for managing constructive and creative dissent.

Even as it rewards loyalty and steadfastness, it must also promote the culture of transparency and accountability. To whom much is given much is expected. Even more than its progressive historic forebears, the Action Congress of Nigeria carries a burden of obligation and unusual expectations as the new bearer and incarnation of the progressive libertarian politics of the Yoruba nation.

The stakes are very high. Never in the history of Nigeria has the public destiny of a people converge so perfectly on the private destiny of a party.

If the ACN were to stumble and falter, the consequences will be very dire indeed. If regional growth which is indeed a shorthand for genuine federalism is not available, it is bound to be a more perilous and fraught route to national redemption for Nigeria.

I hope by now that our elected men and women are aware of the historic responsibility placed upon them as potential rescuers of their people from the gridlock of national underdevelopment and the trauma of misbegotten federalism. Regional growth serves as a powerful integrative base for national cohesion and as a strategic antidote to overcentralization of power and authority. This is the urgent task at hand. They cannot afford to fail. Once again, I thank you all.

old region once again into the economic, technological, agricultural and educational hub of the nation, the exclusive list permitting or not permitting. Federalism is not a tea party. It is won and lost in dynamic action and the confrontation of marble mindsets.

In saving ourselves from the current predatory unitarism, we may yet save the entire nation.

Our governors must intensify the search for like-minded partners across the country for the progressive demilitarisation of governance in Nigeria. The current Governors’ Forum is an anti-democratic cartel for the pursuit of gubernatorial power and privileges without responsibility; a throwback to a military prefectureship. In the Second Republic, there was an association of progressive governors. It is a reflection of the setback for genuine democracy in Nigeria that today there exists only one vibrant opposition party.

What this tells us is that you cannot step into the same river twice. The regional integration we are trying to re-enact is no longer possible under the old terms of considerable regional autonomy. Too much water has passed under the bridge. We now have a threetiered structure of governance: Federal, state, and local with the central government looming disproportionately.

Our efforts are bound to be stymied by a federal authority that is overbearing and overreaching; one that acts like the proverbial powerful man without wisdom or discretion.

This is what places a great burden on all our legislative representatives particularly at the national level. They must become more dynamic and proactive in seeking like-minded groups, caucuses and organisations in the Senate and the Federal House of Representatives to buy into the vision of a restructured Nigeria. As salesmen of a reinvented and re-engineered Nigeria, they must be implacable in legislative offensive until the Federal authorities see the need for a wholesale democratic review of the moribund constitution or a gathering of the Nigerian sovereign multitude.

The kind of legislative strategising which saw to the emergence of Aminu Tambuwal as the House Speaker and the subsequent historic debate on fuel subsidy ought to be commended and applauded as a classic instance of horizontal accountability which is crucial and critical to genuine democracy. One thing led to the other, and there is a neat and logical symmetry to it all which can only be hidden from proverbial nay-sayers and discredited mainstreamers. National memories are made of these.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 29, 2012

News

Plot to Oshiomhole escapes death in ghastly crash remove T • Three journalists killed, many injured • Gov alleges foul play, demands probe Umeh thickens • Those I assisted are plotting my removal, says APGA chairman From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

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HIS is not the best of times for the national chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Chief Victor Umeh.

A plot to remove him from office is gathering momentum with Mr. Sylvester Nwobu-Alor, a special adviser to Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State alleged to be the brain behind the move.

Umeh is shocked that Nwobu-Alor and some others whose rise he claimed to have facilitated in the party hierarchy are now plotting against him.

But Nwobu-Alor responding to the accusation said: “My mission is simple and clear. I am championing a total restructuring of the party from the wards to the national level.

“I am not hiding my objective. My major objective is to remove Victor Umeh as the national chairman of the party because of his incompetence and I have begun effective action in that direction.”

But at a press conference yesterday in Awka, the Anambra State Executive of the party restated its unalloyed support to the national leadership of the party under Umeh and described Nwobu-Alor as a spent force.

The State Secretary of the party, Okoli Akirika, a lawyer described those who were vilifying Umeh as “peripatetic political neophytes.”

He said Umeh had shown demonstrable commitment in the leadership of APGA since he assumed office.

State Chairman of the party, Mike Kwentor said at appropriate time NwobuAlor would be sanctioned by the party for his disdain for the leadership.

HREE journalists died yesterday in a road accident involving the convoy of Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State.

The accident occurred on Auchi-Warrake road when Oshiomhole’s backup vehicle carrying security personnel and the Government House Press bus had a head-on collision with a lorry.

Oshiomhole was returning from Owan East Local Government where he received former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rev. Peter Obadan, who defected to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

Dead were the driver of the press crew bus whose name was given as Samson, Olatunji Jacob, a reporter with the Independent Television (ITV), George Okosun also of the ITV and a cameraman of the Africa Independent Television (AIT), Fidelis Ohani.

Some other journalists in the bus were injured. They are Bright Osifo of the Edo Broadcasting Service; George Enofe, Government House photographer; David Acha a cameraman with the Nigerian Observer and Paul Ezenwa, a cameraman with DBN. Others are Rosemary Obayuwana of Bronze FM; an official of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mrs. Obamogie and three others from the State Ministry of Information.

The Chief Security Detail of Governor Oshiomhole and other security personnel are also in critical condi-

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

tion.

The injured were rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH). The incident forced the postponement of the planned kick-off of Oshiomhole’s gubernatorial campaign at the King’s Square in Benin City.

Members of the ACN who had gathered for the rally wore long faces when informed of the incident.

The State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), commiserated with Governor Oshiomhole, the Edo State Chapter of the ACN, the Independent Television (ITV) and the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) on the incident.

Publicity Secretary of the party, Pharm Matthew Urhoghide, said the party viewed the death of the four persons as a colossal loss to the journalism profession in particular and the state in general.

The governor, explaining how it happened through the Director, Media and Publicity of his campaign organisation, Prince Kassim Afegbua said: “the tipper truck emerged from the opposite direction and rammed into the flag vehicle of the Governor before crashing into several other vehicles in the convoy leaving three people dead and several others in critical condition.

“The Comrade Governor’s back-up vehicle was badly affected as well as three other vehicles conveying security officers and members of the Governor’s Press Crew; the Comrade Governor’s vehicle escaped by the whiskers.

“The Governor is also recovering fast from the shock of the incident as it could have been worse if the tipper truck driver had succeeded in his dastardly mission. At first, the driver of the tipper truck attempted to escape but was quickly appre-

• First Lady, Patience Jonathan (L), receiving a gift from President of Defence and Police Officers Wives (DEPOWA), Mrs Apollonia Petirrin, during a courtesy visit to the State House by the association in Abuja on Friday.

Bloody weekend in Adamawa, gunmen in killing spree

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IVE persons were killed at the weekend in Adamawa State by unknown gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram. A police inspector was killed in Jimeta.

According to reports, a police patrol team was attacked leading to the death of a police officer and a female colleague on duty. A few hour later two civilians were killed at a shopping complex building in the heart of the state capital by unknown gunmen who rode on a motor bike.

The slain police officer was attached to the police station in Jimeta before he

From Barnabas Manyam, Yola

met his untimely death. It was gathered that at Demsawo Street in the state capital some gunmen who rode on motor bike ran into the police special Anti-Robbery Squad SARs which was on patrol and opened fire on them leading to the death of the officer while another sustained injuries.

It was believed that the gunmen were members of Boko Haram Islamic sect, although the suspects are yet to be identified.

The residents of Demsawo, a suburb in Jimeta

who spoke to our reporter described the incident as most unfortunate “it will be the first confrontations by unknown gunmen against the police patrol team since the killing of SARs commander in the state.

Also at the Mubi residence of the Assistant Financial Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Adamawa State, Alhaji Abdulraman Kwacham and two of his security guards were killed by unidentified gunmen at their duty posts.

According to an eyes witness, Mr. Danlami Audu told our correspondent that two men came to the politi-

Nigeria needs $20bn for power over three years -BPE

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IGERIA requires $15-$20 billion of investment over the next three years to buy and develop electricity assets according to the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE).

It is estimated that the nation currently loses three per cent GDP growth per annum to inefficient electricity supply. The GDP grew 7.68 percent in the fourth quarter last year.

The Director General of BPE, Ms. Bolanle Onagoruwa, speaking at a breakfast session of the

hended by sympathizers.”

“The Governor has ordered full scale investigation to ascertain the immediate and remote cause of this unfortunate incident which claimed the lives of three young, brilliant and very hardworking journalists at this moment of the take-off of the Governor’s re-election campaigns.”

Afegbua alleged foul play in the incident and asked the Police to unravel the circumstances that led to the incident.

He explained that their

suspicion was buoyed by the fact that there have been series of threats and boastful statements from the opposition camp, expressing very crude desperation about the July 14, 2012 gubernatorial election in the State as do or die affair.

“The Oshiomhole Campaign Organization wishes to express heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the line of duty. May the spirit of the Almighty God continue to abide with their families and may God grant them peaceful rest in the hereafter.

“As a mark of honour, the flag-off earlier scheduled for the day had been put off until further notice.”

• Loses 3% of GDP annually to power shortage From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

American Business Council in Lagos, said:”The country cannot allow power outages to stifle economic growth.”

She spoke on “Investment opportunities and current status of privatisation in the power sector.”

Onagoruwa said: “We need to choose technologies that are proven, reliable and cost effective. While acquisition costs for the Power Hold-

ing Company of Nigeria (PHCN) successor companies may be equity based, investors will require access to long term financing in order to refinance to raise funds for further investments; invest in major rehabilitation; and capital for the Greenfield IPPs (Independent Power Plants).”

The nation’s immediate requirements include the acquisition and rehabilitation of six generation and 11 distribution successor com-

panies; provision of 10 NIPP generation plants ( 4,770 MW of new capacity), related NIPP transmission and gas distribution network assets; and expansion of distribution asset at a cost of US$8 billion by the three tiers of government.

“New and replacement generation capacity will need to be financed by both domestic and international financial markets,” she said.

cian’s house on a motor bike pretending to be his associates.

He said that immediately they gained entrance to the PDP chieftain’s compound they found out that he was not in town. And later called two of the securities on duty by their names as if they wanted to make an inquiry before they were shot dead.

Speaking to our correspondent Kwacham confirmed that his Mubi resident was attacked when he was at the state capital. He said that the attack has no political undertone since he had no political rift with nobody.

When asked if he suspected Boko Haram, he said

that Boko Haram sect carry out such attack since politicians are not their target. He called on federal government to dialogue with the sect so that peace can return to the country, adding that some criminals commit offenses against fellow citizens and hide under the cover of Boko Haram .

The police image maker (AS.P) Nemuel Yoila confirmed the incidents saying that no arrest has been made. He assured that patrol has been intensified to catch up with the felons “ A routine patrol was attacked and lost a policeman while another sustained injuries during the shoot out. “

ECOWAS to meet on Guinea-Bissau this week

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IX West African heads of state including President Goodluck Jonathan will discuss the situation in Guinea-Bissau at a meeting in Dakar next week, the Senegalese government announced at the weekend.

To join him are the presidents of Senegal, Gambia, Togo, Cape Verde and Guinea-Conakry, who make up a “contact group” on Guinea-Bissau. Their meeting is scheduled for Thursday, it said.

The junta that seized power in Guinea-Bissau on April 12 agreed Friday to a one-year transition back to democracy, the deployment of a regional intervention force and the release of political leaders they rounded up during the putsch.

Raimundo Pereira, the ousted interim president, and Carlos Gomes Junior, the former prime minister, arrived in the Ivorian economic capital Abidjan at the weekend.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 29, 2012

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HE Police yesterday declared the immediate past governor of Kwara State, Dr.Bukola Saraki wanted for alleged fraud.

The Special Fraud Unit (SFU) of the police said the senator was wanted in connection with “a case of suspected fraudulent conversion of depositors’ funds through questionable waivers of loans and other facilities of about N9.76bn granted by the management of the defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc.” The ex-governor reacted swiftly to the police statement and said he was ready to make himself available for questioning.

The loans, according to the police, were given to “companies he (Saraki) promoted between 2004 and 2009 when he was the governor of Kwara State. Some of the facilities were allegedly used to buy choice properties.”

The police said they were declaring the former governor wanted after he refused to honour their invitation to clear his name.

A warrant of arrest has been obtained against him and the police requested that anyone “ with useful information regarding his whereabouts should report to the nearest Police Station or contact the Office of the Commissioner of Police, Special Fraud Unit, 13 Milverton Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.”

Reacting to the police statement through his lawyer, Mr.Rafiu Lawal-Rabana (SAN), Dr.Saraki said he would appear despite the fact that he has a pending application before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

Rabana said Saraki had thought the police would respect the ongoing court process and stay action pending the determination of his application..

He said: “Now that the police have made it clear that they do not have respect for the judiciary, Dr. Saraki will now appear before the

News

Nigeria N9.7bn Fraud: Police declare Fitch: fuel subsidy report increases Bukola Saraki wanted

By Yusuf Alli/Jude Isiguzo

• Ex-gov ready to show up

court,” he said.

The counsel, who spoke with newsmen on the phone, added: “Saraki is not on the run and he has no cause to run as a distinguished person.”

Although he was not

forthcoming on when Saraki will appear before the police, there were indications that it might be today or Monday.

Saraki had earlier asked the police to stay further action pending the determination of the suit he filed before

the Federal High Court in Abuja. The ex-governor had asked the court to determine “whether it is not a violation of the plaintiff’s right under section 34(a) and section 35 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999

(as amended) for the Defendant to invite the plaintiff to appear before the police without any allegations and or accusations specifically made against him.

The former governor’s media aide, Akintoba Fatigun also confirmed that he will appear at SFU on Monday.

• Bus involved in an accident near Natioanal Stadium in Abuja

Nwabueze asks Nigerians to be ready for challenges

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ONSTITUTIONAL lawyer and former Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Professor Ben Nwabueze has called on Nigerians to rise up to the socio-political challenges facing the country.

He was reacting to reports credited to President Goodluck Jonathan that Nigerians should pray fer-

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

vently to save the country from possible disintegration.

He said that the answer to Nigeria’s problems was the setting up of a National Conference.

Professor Nwabueze who spoke in his Atani, Ogbaru Council Area, Anambra State home town yesterday said the country

was rotten and the rot caused the fear of collapse.

He said:”There must be National Conference that will involve those tribes, society groups like labour and others to hold this country together in unity.

“Anybody objecting to this is running away from reality and reality will catch up with them. If the National Assembly is going on

with amendment of the constitution, let them go on. Government should set up a National Conference and make a law to pass the bill as a law”.

He said further that the patriots have now designed a project through which to ensure the action termed, The Save Nigeria Project.

He accused Nigerian leaders of greed, selfishness and lack of love.

Akeredolu, Agbaje, Odumakin, differ on Azazi

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HERE has been a rash of reactions by Nigerians to the statement

by Gen. Andrew Owoye Azazi (rtd), National Security Adviser (NSA), that the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is partly to blame for the different security challenges besetting the country.

Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), described the statement as a clear act of bravery, saying the NSA deserves commendation for his honesty.

“We must appreciate him for the statement he made on the position of things in Nigeria. The fact that the ruling party must take responsibility for what is happening in the country such that different sections who feel short-changed in the system have had to deploy extra-legal means of settling scores,” he said.

Akeredolu, a gubernatorial aspirant of the Action

5

By Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf

Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ondo State, was, however, optimistic that the statement would lead to positive changes in the polity.

“I expect that with that statement from him, the Federal Government should be able to reassess its position in order to fight the menace of insecurity in the land”, said Akeredolu.

Mr. Fred Agbaje, a Lagos lawyer and Comrade Wale Odumakin, a member of the Save Nigeria Group (SNG), have different views.

For Agbaje, Azazi’s statement is coming late in the day.

He said: “Azazi’s statement, as far as I’m concerned, did not come to many Nigerians as a surprise because we have always known that the PDP is the problem of Nigeria and the problem of PDP as well.

“The only thing I can say is that Azazi probably spoke

out of sheer frustration because he now knows that the Nigeria security apparatus is no match for Boko Haram. Even the president, a few months ago, said the sect has infiltrated his government. So, it is all a feeling of helplessness on the part of government.”

He, however, stressed that: “if the people in Aso Villa are honest with themselves, they should know that the porous security situation in the country calls for concern. This is particularly worrisome because the statement by Azazi is coming less than a week after General Muhammadu Buhari said revolution is imminent in the country, although the Federal Government replied him in a very foolish way by abusing the messenger rather than drawing valid lessons from the message itself.”

Any serious government, Agbaje reiterated: “Should be able to look inward to see how best to

tackle the menace of Boko Haram. If the Federal Government cannot address this, then it means it has failed in its constitutional responsibility of providing both for the welfare and security of the people and as such should be ready to pack and go. It is as simple as that.”

Odumakin, on his part, said: “There is nobody who does not know that what ails Nigeria can be found within the ruling PDP. You will recall that Professor Patrick Wilmot, then in Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, once described the PDP as a criminal organisation”, adding: “But my honest view is that the NSA, I guess, is trying to play politics. This is a prelude to the review of Article 7, which relates to zoning in the PDP constitution.”

Odumakin who punctured the arguments by Azazi that the Boko Haram Islamist sect came into existence to disrupt President

Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, said: “It is not true the sect came into being only recently with the coming of President Jonathan.

This is because Boko Haram started in 2005 and its leader, Mohammed Yusuf was killed in 2009 long before even Jonathan became president.

“He (Azazi) is simply playing politics with the security of the country. That’s my honest view. I think the statement the NSA made is not helpful in anyway. The statement to me is suspect in every sense having being made at a South-south Summit, the same region he and the president come from.”

“The statement, as far as I’m concerned, says a lot about his poor sense of judgment. It is a political statement simply aimed at removing zoning from the PDP constitution; as such it can only heat up the polity rather than help to resolve the security crisis in the country”, he maintained.

chances of reform

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HE fact that corruption in Nigeria’s oil subsidy programme has been officially uncovered is encouraging, both politically and economically, Fitch Ratings says.

Politically it shows the government can clean up the system if there is political will. However, a key test will be the penalties suffered by perpetrators and what is done to make the system more transparent. However, it does make it more likely that further steps will be taken to reduce or eliminate the fuel subsidy, though the timing of such a move remains uncertain.

The House of Representatives estimates that the country lost $6.8billion due to corruption and mismanagement of its fuel subsidy programme between 2009 and 2011. According to the report, the programme cost $16.5b in 2011, a 10 fold increase since 2006. This is more than double the $7.5b previously estimated by the government.

Economically, the amounts uncovered are big enough to allow both increased spending on infrastructure and improve fiscal savings and foreign exchange reserves, all of which would be positive for creditworthiness.

When the government attempted to repeal the subsidy in January, its intention was to spend the savings on improved public transport and other programmes to persuade the population of the benefits of removing the subsidy. This recent report has clearly demonstrated the waste and potential savings to the electorate as well as the scale of corruption, all of which could help push the case for further reform.

The findings in the report regarding the state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) may also expedite the passing of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

This is a key reform for Nigeria as certainty about the oil sector framework is needed to attract new deep water foreign investment. It is also important in terms of increasing government revenues from existing production sharing contracts (PSCs) and implementing institutional reforms that would improve transparency and organise the oil and gas sector to meet international standards.

President Goodluck Jonathan has made passage of the PIB a key priority this year but the need to resubmit the legislation to the National Assembly means progress is likely to remain slow. Together with reforms to the key electricity sector, following on from progress cleaning up the banking system after the 2009 crisis, reform momentum is gradually building but remains beset by political hurdles.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 29, 2012

News

Stands empty as Kaduna trade fair begins From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

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XHIBITORS stayed away from the 33 rd Kaduna International Trade Fair, which began yesterday for fear of being caught in the new wave of bombing across the state.

Kaduna State governor, Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, however, said that the holding of the fair was a clear indication that the state remains conducive for business and investment.

He said the government will continue to do everything possible to remain on top of the security situation.

Yakowa, at the opening of the fair, stated, “the holding of events of this nature testifies to the conduciveness of the environment we are currently in.’’

He said the state was developing its solid mineral sector and infrastructure to become a place of pride for investment.

Federal Ministries will not be merged, say Work, Transport Ministers •Rehabilitation of Third Mainland bridge to be completed soon T

HE Federal Government has stated that the report submitted by the Stephen Oronsaye- led panel will not affect federal ministries but agencies and departments.

The Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolemenme and his counterpart in the Transport ministry, Senator Idris Umar, made this known yesterday at the on-going Ministerial Platform organised in commemoration of the 2012 National Democracy Day and the First Anniversary of President Jonathan-led ad-

From Olugbenga Adanikin and Adenike Adebowale, Abuja

ministration, in Abuja.

Onolemenme said: “The mandate of Oronsanye does not include federal ministry.

It was only restricted to agencies.”

Umar stated, “Oronsaye’s led committee does not have anything to do with Federal ministries; it can only affect Agencies and Parastatals.”

Speaking on some of his

achievements, Umar said the ministry under his leadership, has achieved 24-hrs operations in the country’s port service, especially in Lagos.

He also mentioned reduction of agencies operating in the ports service from 14 to 6 and improvement on traffic on port access roads.

The minister disclosed that there have been improvements in the transportation sector since his assumption of office, adding that Nigerians are to enjoy

By Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu

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Retraction

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N our edition of Sunday May 30, 2010, we published on page 2 under the headline “A broken Excommissioner”, we hereby apologise to Barr.

Lucky Omagbon (Mrs) and retract the story in its entirety.

•Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN (middle) inspecting the road infrastructure work of Olympic Street, Amuwo Odofin Industrial Estate, during his inspection tour of Ilupeju/ Amuwo Odofin/Kirikiri Estate in Lagos State… last week. With him are: Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Olusola Oworu (3rd right); Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce Industry, Mr. Wale Raji (right); Head of Department, Monitoring and Inspectorate, Mr.Femi (2nd right) and Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa (2nd left)

O fewer than 174 persons were arrested, tried and convicted yesterday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital by a mobile court for violating regulations relating to the monthly environmental sanitation exercise in the State.

The 174 suspects pleaded guilty of flouting the environmental restriction order and were sentenced to three (3) months jail term with an option of N5, 000 fine.

Two other offenders who refused to disclose their identities before the Mobile Court were denied bail and ordered to be remanded in police custody till tomorrow for prosecution at a Magistrate Court, Isabo for assault and breach of peace.

Three Mobile Courts, which were positioned at different strategic locations within the State capital, tried the suspected offenders ar-

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•The taxi under the trailer.... yesterday From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

hack off part of the vehicle to remove the victims.

When our correspondent visited the scene of the accident, the car, an Audi salon car with registration number XA 635 BRA was

crumpled under the trailer.

Director General, Cross River State Emergency Management Agency, Mr. Vincent Aquah, described the incident as disheartening.

He advised motorists to be cautious to avoid accidents that could maim or cause loss of lives.

BIA State Governor, Theodore Orji, has approved the dissolution of the Physical Planning and Infrastructural Development Fund Board (PPITF) with immediate effect following public outcry.

It was alleged that the dissolved board, which was headed by Okey Nwaubani since its inauguration, has been intimidating members of the public with soldiers, police men and thugs, while the funds they were believed to have generated could not be accounted for.

Sources at the Government House Umuahia said that the members of the board, from inception, abandoned their homes and took up accommodation in one of the most ex-

Army, police, vigilance group take over Nnewi

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COMBINED team of security operatives from the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Police and other para military groups yesterday took over the streets and parks in Nnewi especially the area that led to the death of three persons last Friday.

Members of vigilance groups numbering over 30 from the four quarters of

Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

raigned by the state environmental Task Force.

While the Isabo Mobile Court tried and convicted 37 offenders, Senior Magistrate Bunmi Oladunjoye of the Ake Mobile Court tried and convicted 45 offenders.

Also, Magistrate Emmanuel Adekunte of the Mobile Court stationed at the NNPC mega station Junction by the IBB Boulevard that served as artery to the state capital, found 92 offenders guilty as charged.

Governor Ibikunle Amosun, who monitored the level of compliance with the sanitation exercise, said the state government would sanction violators of the exercise.

He urged Ogun residents to imbibe cleaning their environment particularly drainages to prevent flooding in the state.

Orji dissolves board over lack of accountability

Four killed in auto crash

OUR persons were feared killed in a ghastly motor accident involving a taxi and a trailer at 8 miles, an outskirt of Calabar metropolis, yesterday.

The accident occurred at about 9 am.

An eyewitness said the taxi which was heading into the city ran into a stationary trailer while trying to avoid a head- on collision with two trailers loaded with cement trying to overtake each other.

The four occupants of the vehicle including the driver were feared dead as a result of the crash.

It was learnt officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission, who arrived the scene shortly after had to

He said the dredging of River Niger has also been completed.

“Dredging of Niger State River has been completed, but what is being done is the maintenance dredging which will be completed before the end of the year,” Onolemenme added.

174 convicted, two remanded in Ogun

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Attacks on media: Oil workers task govt on security IL workers at the weekend called for deployment of trackers and CCTV cameras on streets and highways to detect explosives and weapons being carried by vehicles.

The workers, under the aegis of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), reacted to last Thursday’s bomb attack on some newspapers offices.

The union President, Comrade Igwe Achese, described the attack as callous.

He wondered why government has not thought of putting trackers in place to stem the incessant bomb explosions in the country He said, ‘’there is no security anywhere in Nigeria, otherwise, This Day and the other media offices would not have been bombed.’’

Achese blamed the insecurity challenge on unemployment and youth restivessness.

According to him, “There are no jobs in the country. Young graduates after their youth service roam the streets, no jobs for them. So what do you expect them to do? ‘’

full rail transport service from Lagos to Abuja in the next four months.

Onolemenme disclosed that rehabilitation work commenced in December 2011 on the third mainland bridge in Lagos, which would be completed before the end of the year.

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

Nnewi also were on hand to ensure that there was no further break down of law and order.

The Obi of Uruagu , Obi Nnamdi Obi, who reportedly visited the scene yesterday. He condemned the attack that led to death of three and appealed for calm

and peace.

He called on Uruagu people to allow for the investigations of the immediate and remote cause of the clash.

He, however, said that the community would do everything in its powers to regain its land as nobody has the right to invade their land without negotiation.

Chairman of Nzuko Ora

Nnewi, Chief Agu Onyeka refused to comment on the crisis.

Three persons were feared dead when traders and youths of Nnewi clashed with members of the Anambra State Task Force on Street Trading, otherwise known as Mpiawa Azu. Uruagu Nnewi youths resisted the alleged forceful take over of the park in their land.

Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

pensive hotels in the state capital where it was alleged public funds were frittered away on a daily basis.

In a press release signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Ugochukwu Emezue, the governor also set up an interim management board to oversee the day-to-day running of the agency till further notice.

The interim management team has two retired permanent secretaries, Jonathan Agbai Kalu as Chairman, Vincent Nwogwugwu (member), while the third person is a politician based in the state, Chijioke Nwakodo (member).

Meanwhile, the government has also set up a Judicial Panel of Enquiry to look into the activities of the dissolved board.

The judicial panel is expected to find out the activities of the board while it lasted, the funds it has generated and their use.

The panel has Justice K. O. Wosu as Chairman, Beneth Ugochukwu Wagbara (member), Eze Odum Amogu (member), Barrister Okey Mbanaso (member), while Barrister Ken Nwakanma, who is also a member, will serve as secretary.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 29, 2012

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INISTER of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji, has blamed non-availability of gas for the inability of the National Integrated Power Plants (NIPP) projects across the nation to commence power generation and transmission.

He, however, said the challenge of gas was being addressed with the declaration of state of emergency on gas by the Minister of Petroleum.

The Minister, who spoke after inspecting the NIPP project at Ihovbor community in Edo State, said the first unit of the plant would start transmission of electricity by June.

Nnaji disclosed that all NIPP projects have suffered

News

Why NIPP projects are yet to take off, by Nnaji From Osagie Otabor, Benin

from lack of gas supply.

He said, “That has been the issue. We are trying to solve the problem. We don’t want to leave any stone upturn. ‘’It is not going to be an issue of power. The power stations will be ready but we have to have gas to power them. ‘’We are doing everything within the transmission com-

panies to ensure that evacuation is not going to be an issue. We have programme in place to ensure adequate gas supply.”

On epileptic power supply, the Minister attributed it to the inability of government power plants to run at full capacity.

He also disclosed that electricity consumers owe the Power Holding Company of Nigeria(PHCN) about

N110bn, stating that 20 percent of the debt is incurred by government agencies and parastatals.

He urged PHCN workers not to be afraid of ongoing reforms in the sector, pointing out that there is shortage of manpower to man substations built under the NIPP. “The union is always threatening to go on strike. As

Flood: Lagos to demolish medical centre, police station

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•Rivers State Governor Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi; Acting Pro- Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council University of Port Harcourt Rev (Dr) Walter P. Eneji; Minister for Education Prof. Rugayyatu Ahmed Rufal and Minister of State for Education Chief Nyesom Wike during the 28th convocation ceremony of University of Port Harcour... yesterday

AGOS State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, yesterday revealed that the state will demolish the Federal Medical Centre and police station built by the Federal Government in Igbogbo –Ikorodu axis of the state.

He said the demolition would enable the state properly tackle the problem of flooding in the area.

Bello said this while addressing journalists after monitoring the monthly environmental sanitation exercise.

He said the two structures were built on what he called flood plain location.

The commissioner explained that the problem of flooding which usually sack the residents of the area cannot be solved without pulling down the Medical centre and police station both at about 80 percent completion stage.

Bello, who declared the road a flood disaster zone,

Ekiti women commend Fayemi on empowerment

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ARKET women in Ekiti State have praised Governor Kayode Fayemi for initiating and executing policies that have boosted the status of women in the state.

The President of market men and women association in the state, Mrs. Omowaiye Oso, gave the commendation last week during Fayemi’s interface with market women in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

She declared the readiness of market women to support Fayemi for a second term in office to continue what she called the “good work going on in the state.”

At the forum, which was attended by market women from all the 16 local government areas, was the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Funmi Olayinka; wife of the governor, Mrs. Bisi Fayemi and other government functionaries.

Oso, who is also the Iyaloja of Ado-Ekiti, said Fayemi has restored the dignity of womenfolk by giving them economic empowerment and involving them in the day-to-day running of his administration.

The market women chief said micro-credit loans given to women and other interest groups have empowered them to positively contribute to the economy of the state.

She declared that all market women in the state

government, we will do what we have always done. That is to take care of our workers and ensure that no worker is left out. ‘’All the workers are going to be treated very well in the process of reform but reform must go on.

“There are people who were just brought in to fill job spaces. Those people tend to be afraid. ‘’Anybody who wants to work and who is competent should not be afraid. The number of workers we have in the power sector is nothing compared to what should be in the power sector. The sector is growing,” Nnaji explained.

… urge him to run for second term

By Miriam Ndikanwu

slammed a caveat on further development of any structures in the zone.

He warned residents to desist from dumping refuse on the deep gully along the road.

The commissioner said more buildings will be pulled down in the state, pointing out that the government is determined to re-establish the various drainage channels to permanently tackle the problem of flooding.

According to him, “The state government is not relenting in its efforts to solve the problem of flooding in the state to avert any disaster that may come with it. There are areas that will be lined and others dredged.

“We will ensure that properties on drain channels are removed and that is what we are doing. We need to reestablish and align the canals because it is from then that we can construct the channels”.

‘Why religious groups should adopt lottery’ From Olugbenga Adanikin and Adenike Adebowale, Abuja

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•L-R: Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka; Wife of the Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; Governor Kayode Fayemi and Oso, admiring a portrait presented to the Governor, during an interactive session with Ekiti Market women in Ado-Ekiti ... last week

would be ready to support Fayemi for a second term in office anytime the governor signifies interest.

While commending the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)-led government for giving her association a pride of place, Mrs. Oso accused the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP)-led regimes of victimising her and other leaders of the association.

Oso alleged that the bus given to her association by the government of Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo was with-

drawn by the succeeding PDP government after which she was detained on trumped-up charges.

She lauded Fayemi for appointing more women into his cabinet and providing employment opportunities for their children which, according to her, has given members of her association a new lease of life.

According to her, “Fayemi has wiped away our tears; he has restored our dignity. He has given us what the previous administrations denied us.

“I want to tell you that your second term in office is sure and we are ready to support you even if a third term is allowed because you have done what others before you have not done.”

Fayemi said the interface with market women would be a regular event to render account of his stewardship and feel their pulse.

He said government is ready to support womenfolk with micro-credit loans as a means of giving them economic empowerment and reducing poverty in the state.

HE Director General (DG) of the Nigerian Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), Mr. Peter Igho, has said that Christian and Muslim religious bodies in the country can adopt lottery for good cause of the people.

Igho made the remark over the weekend when the Permanent Secretary, in the office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. George Ahamefula, visited the commission in Abuja.

He said: “Islamic and Christian groups in the country have used lottery to support good causes. It was used in China and the United States to support the government infrastructures.

The religious bodies mostly churches in the US was able to build schools and infrastructural facilities to complement government’s effort through lottery.”

Describing the commission as one that is capable of generating alternative revenue for the government, Igho noted that NLRC have opened eight new offices across the country in order to accomplish its mission.

The DG called for further support from the SGF office.

In his remark, Ahamefula tasked the commission to further contribute to the nation’s revenue generation.

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Traditional rulers deny endorsing PDP candidate From Osagie Otabor, Benin

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RADITIONAL rulers from Edo Central Senatorial district have denied endorsing the candidacy of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Major General Charles Airhiavbere.

They said the incident at the palace of the Onogie of Uromi in Esan North East was a ruse.

Many of them, they clarified, were cajoled to remain at the meeting where the purported endorsement took place.

The traditional rulers spoke when a delegation of 23 out of 25 traditional rulers in the district paid a courtesy visit to the Governor Adams Oshiomhole at the Government House yesterday.

They also conferred the chieftaincy title of Adolo of Esan Land on Oshiomhole and reaffirmed support for his reelection, declaring there is no vacancy in the Government House.

Leader of the delegation and the Onojie of Opoji, His Royal Highness Eidenojie Ehidiame, said they were at their monthly meeting at Uromi when they were suddenly informed of another agenda, which was the visit of Airhiavbere.

His words, “We stepped out because it was not in our agenda. Some of us were sad.

We don’t use native chalk to pray for people. That prayer for Airhiavbere will not pass the ceiling to heaven. It was not in accord with what was said.“ The Onogie said the title Adolo of Esan Land on Oshiomhole was because of his developmental strides across the state and Esan land in particular.

Oshiomhole said he was humbled by the conferment of the chieftaincy title, saying Esanland will witness more developments in his second term.

He said, “This is not just another title. I have been offered different titles by different traditional rulers and for personal reasons, I have not accepted them even though I appreciate them. ‘’But as your son, you deemed it fit that I should be given this title and I accept it whole heartedly”.

Ikuforiji tasks media

By Oziegbe Okoeki

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PEAKER of Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, has charged the media to approach its agenda-setting role with all seriousness to foster good governance.

Declaring open a Legislative Roundtable on Media and the Legislative process organised for top media executives by the State Accountability and Voice Initiative (SAVI) in Lagos, Ikuforiji challenged the media to always educate the public on the importance of the legislature in a democracy.

While enjoining the media practitioners to be more active in assisting the legislature to develop, Ikuforiji added that failure to do this might result in the country finding it difficult to survive.

8

THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 29, 2012

News

Boundary disputes: NBC orders Imo, Enugu, Anambra to maintain status quo From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

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HE National B o u n d a r y Commission (NBC) has ordered Imo, Enugu, and Anambra States, including communities involved in boundary disputes to maintain status quo.

This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the joint committee’s meeting of the three states by the Director General of the Commission, Dr M.B. Ahmad, in Awka, Anambra State.

Ahmad said the NBC would study various reports of the states with a view to achieving a peaceful resolution of the boundary issues.

He disclosed that major boundary problems in the country are being caused by forest reserve and farm settlements.

The situation, according to him, is not peculiar to the three states.

He stated that Ondo and Osun, Imo and Ebonyi, Jigawa and Bauchi, Sokoto and Kebbi, Borno and Gombe among others, are faced with similar disputes.

Ahmad commended the states for their commitment and understanding, adding that NBC would solve all the boundary disputes in the country amicably.

Lagos to promote local goods

Hoodlums attack villagers over land dispute in Ondo T

Don’t merge VON, FRCN, NTA, Alimi tells Jonathan

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O O D L U M S numbering five at the weekend invaded Igoba village in Akure North local government area of Ondo State and attacked some prominent chiefs and its inhabitants.

The victims are from Sao family said to be in conflict with their Osinigbo counterparts within the same community over land dispute.

Already, four persons inflicted with machetes cuts are receiving treatment at the State General Hospital in Akure.

The victims are Chief Sunday Boboye (Ajagunode of

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

Igoba land); Mrs. Modupe Ilesanmi, High Chief Ebenezer Makanjuola (The Osolo of Igoba) and Afolabi Adewumi.

They alleged they were attacked by some suspected hoodlums who stormed the venue of a peaceful meeting on land allocation to prospective buyers with two Hilux vans.

According to the victims, the suspected thugs were led by one Police Inspector from the State Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) simply indentified as “Friday’’, who, according to

them, ordered the thugs to beat them mercilessly.

Makanjuola said they were having a land meeting on how to allocate land to one Aborisade, a friend to the Deji of Akure, Oba Adebiyi Adesida, who purchased a land from the family when the hoodlums struck.

He urged security agents to investigate the incident.

A private Crime Investigative Researcher, Dr.Fola Ilesanmi, who witnessed the attack, described the development as inhuman.

He urged the Ondo State Police Command to arrest the hoodlums and their leader

with a view to prosecuting them.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Adeniran Aremu(DSP), said he had not been adequately briefed on the matter.

The officer in charge of the State Anti Robbery Squad (SARS), Tunji Disu, said he did not send any of his officers to attack the villagers.

According to him,’’ our sole responsibility is to tackle robbery and other criminal cases. Nothing should concern SARS on land dispute. He (Friday) was supposed to be on his legitimate duty during the said attack.’’

•L-R: The author, Mr. Femi Onasanya; former Head of State, Chief Ernest Shonekan and fomer ICAN President, Mrs. Adenike Adeniran, at the launch of a book, ‘One Missing Ingredient’ in Lagos...last week Photo: Olusegun Rapheal

By Miriam Ndikanwu

L

AGOS State government has revealed plans to promote made- in- Nigeria goods at this year’s edition of Eko Expo, slated to hold at the Lekki Free Trade Zone.

Special Adviser to Governor Babatunde Fashola on Commerce and Industry, Mr. Oluseye Oladejo, who revealed this at the weekend, said the fair is geared towards showcasing the contributions of commerce and industry to the development of the state economy and thus creating a platform for the growth of small and medium scale enterprises.

Oladejo said over 80 exhibitors featured in the 2011 fair, while stressing that the enthusiasm displayed by investors further re-invigorated the need for the government to hold the 2012 Expo and reflect the desire of the state government to attract investment that will complement its deliberate programme of i n f r a s t r u c t u r a l turnaround and well grounded development in the state.

HE former DirectorGeneral of the Voice of Nigeria(VON), Aremo Taiwo Alimi, has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to ignore the recommendations of the Oransaye Committee to merge the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and the Voice of Nigeria (VON).

Alimi, in a statement said the recommendation of the committee headed by the former Head of Service was short-sighted and highly suspect.

According to him, it was not proper to merge the three broadcasting organizations, which he noted have distinct roles.

“To merge VON and FRCN is like saying that the federal government should merge Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs with Federal Ministry of Interior just because the Foreign Affairs Ministry is focused on establishing embassies and High Commissions worldwide,” the former Ogun State Commissioner for Information stated.

He added that VON is the nation’s external broadcasting network and foreign policy ally.

Without proper knowledge of time and history, Alimi said, “we will continue to promote non-issues and recommendations that are irrelevant to the past, present and future of broadcasting”.

Instead of merging the broadcasting organisations, he advised the federal government to develop an empowerment programme to strengthen VON to become the Voice of Africa.

He urged President Jonathan to set up a presidential committee of renowned experts to review the entire Oransaye’s report before a white paper is submitted.

Soyinka commends Akpabio’s educational programmes

More endorsements for Odusile in Yobe, Bornu, Taraba, Adamawa T

N

ORTHERN delegates in the May 24-27 Triennial National Delegates Conference of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) have thrown their weight behind the candidature of Alhaji Waheed Odusile as Deputy National President of the union.

This is sequel to last Thursday’s endorsement of Odusile by the Taraba State NUJ. The week has been full of accolades and endorsements for the Deputy Presidential candidate with Borno and Yobe States being the latest in the series.

Yesterday in Maiduguri, delegates led by the council chairman, Comrade Abba Kakami, spoke in unison, endorsing Odusile.

Kakami said: “I don’t want to be categorical before. But now that the Chairman of the Correspondent Chapel has spoken, let me re-echo it and emphasise that Waheed Odusile is our candidate.

“We don’t know of any other candidate as far as Borno is concerned. We are for you”,

By Olalekan Osiade

he said.

The situation was not different in Damaturu, Yobe, where the secretary of the council, Comrade Mike Abu, presided over the meeting.

The Yobe State chairperson of the National Association of Women Journalists, (NAWOJ), Hajia Husna Ibrahim, did not mince words when she said “Yobe has adopted Waheed Odusile.”

The Taraba State council of the union had earlier on Thursday also endorsed him.

The council chairman, Comrade Abdullahi Gambo raised Odusile’s hand, amidst ovation from the state delegates and assured him of total support.

On Friday, it was the turn of Adamawa, where the state delegates converged in Yola to give him the go-ahead.

It has been accolades all the way for Odusile, who kicked off his campaign on Tuesday in the Northern part of the country.

The six-man campaign

team, led by the Chairman of Lagos NUJ, Comrade Deji Elumoye, has on board, the Director of Campaign Organisation, Alhaji Olalekan Osiade; the Financial Secretary of the Lagos Council, Ayo Ilori; a Media Consultant, Otunba Yomi Olomofe.

They arrived into the warm embrace of the Zone D conference of the union and ware received by the Vice President of the zone, Joyce Bur Akuraga, assisted by zonal and council officials from the zone.

Receiving Odusile and his entourage, the Chairman and Secretary of Benue Council, expressed delight and appreciation to the visiting team for deeming it fit to accord respect on the zone, by making it the first port of call.

On Wednesday, the team left for Jos, the Plateau State capital.

There, the story was not different as the state council, led by it’s chairman, Kadapba Gobum, rolled out the drums to welcome the ‘leader’, as Odusile is fondly called.

Applauding Odusile’s endorsement by the Lagos

Council, the Plateau State NUJ Secretary, Isaac Shobayo, said he is not surprised, having known Odusile for over 20 years.

The Vice President of Zone E, Alhaji Mukthar Gidado, who received the team in Bauchi, said it is heart-warming to know that Odusile has transverse the length and breadth of the country, while his opponents are ‘sleeping’.

In Gombe on Thursday, the campaign team was not only accepted, it was also reassured of a hundred percent vote from the state.

The chairman of Gombe NUJ, Comrade Al-hassan Yahya, did not mince words when he reiterated the fact that Gombe and Lagos councils of the union have come a long way and has over 20 years of working relationship.

In the words of the state NUJ secretary, Comrade Peter Mele, “Gombe is solidly behind Odusile and one of us has spoken our minds”.

The train later moved to Lafia in Nassarawa State, where Odusile also wooed delegates.

HE Akwa Ibom State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio has received commendations from Nobel Laureate, Prof.

Wole Soyinka, for his efforts in human capacity development in his state.

Soyinka, who was the Chairman of a discussion session at the second day of the South South economic summit in Asaba, specifically mentioned Governor Akpabio’s training of Akwa Ibom youths in specialised field of aviation as well as his free education to all youths in the state.

The education models, Soyinka stated, must be developed by governments at all levels.

Akpabio told participants at the summit of his administration’s investments in free and compulsory education for all Nigerians residing in Akwa Ibom State up to secondary school level.

He maintained that this gesture was to build the capacity of the youths to meet the manpower challenges of not only the emerging industrial economy of the state, but the highly competitive labour market in Nigeria.

NEWS REVIEW

9

THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 29, 2012

Last week, former Liberian President Charles Taylor was convicted of aiding and abetting war crimes in Sierra Leone. His daughter watched the U.N. tribunal in The Hague and spoke to ROBTEL NEAJAI PAILEY.

C

CHARLES Taylor only smiled once during the court hearing in The Hague, before he was found guilty of aiding and abetting war crimes, during the bloody civil war in Sierra Leone.

Looking up, the warlord, who became Liberia’s president before he was finally convicted on Thursday for helping bring about years of terror in neighboring Sierra Leone, beamed when he caught the eye of his daughter.

Sharon, or “Lady Ghankay” as she is also called, had followed the proceedings from the public gallery, sitting at the edge of her seat. Separated from her father by a wall of transparent glass, she watched as her father faced justice, somber and pale, his head slightly bowed, burgundy tie limply hanging from his neck, and three deep horizontal lines crossing his forehead.

At the Special Court for Sierra Leone,

•Taylor in his rebel days

crimes.”

Taylor’s lawyer, Courtenay Griffiths, meanwhile argued that by finding against the leader of a “small, weak, poor country” in Africa, the international criminal justice system had “set “an unwelcome precedent.” Charles Taylor, Griffiths said, had not been a warmonger but a peacemaker, who had attempted to protect the integrity of Liberia’s borders.

The judges, though, found that while Taylor had publicly promoted peace as a standing head of state of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), he had undermined that same peace process by providing arms and ammunition to the RUF and fuelling hostilities in Sierra Leone.

When asked about her father’s involvement in Sierra Leone’s civil war, Sharon Taylor defended her dad. “Being the leader of a nation…that comes with huge responsibility, and of course we never have control over our subordinates,” she said. “When you’re in such a position, it’s quite vulnerable.”

In an interview, Sharon Taylor described him as an “amazing father.” “My dad is awesome. He’s fun. He’s vibrant.”

The special tribunal found Taylor guilty on 11 counts, saying he provided sustained support for the rebels as they committed atrocities in the neighboring country. The court also found that Taylor participated in the planning of attacks, including one on the Sierra Leone capital, Freetown.

“I’m obviously saddened,” said Sharon Taylor in response to the verdict. But, she added, “our family’s faith in the Almighty is strong.” She also described Charles Taylor as dedicated to his family and an “amazing father.” “My dad is awesome.

He’s fun. He’s vibrant.”

To illustrate his involvement with his children, Sharon recalled a trip she took with Taylor to Ethiopia when she was a gawky teenager. Her father, she said, listened to the music she liked, including her favorite song by slain rapper Tupac Shakur, “The

My dad the dictator

Justice Richard Lussick read the verdict to about 80 spellbound listeners. During a fouryear trial prosecutors at the United Nationsbacked tribunal in The Hague have documented the terror committed by the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), which Taylor supported.

Between 1996 and 2002, RUF rebels rampaged Sierre Leone, killing, maiming, and raping civilians. The horror stories are well known: limbs were amputated, lips were cut off, pregnant women were cut open, their fetuses torn from their wombs. Children were kidnapped and drugged, employed as child soldiers or mine guards, and forced to commit atrocities themselves.

Brenda Hollis, the chief prosecutor, called the judgment against Taylor “historic,” saying it reinforced “a new reality: that heads of state will be held to account for war crimes and other international

•Facing trial at The Hague

Rose that Grew from Concrete.”

When Sharon graduated from a high school in Geneva, Switzerland, he reveled in her success, she recalled. “My dad is my best friend. There’s nothing that I can hide from him. There’s nothing that I do hide from him. Every single one of us, he’s involved in our lives in every way, shape and form.”

During the trial, she visited her father and tried to take his mind off the proceedings. “We would just talk about things that were fun,” she said. “I would never want to focus on the trial with him because it was depressing.”

To the many who had waited so long for justice, the verdict was anything but.

A. Fasu Kanneh, a Liberian who now lives in The Hague, remembered his own encounters with Taylor during the 1980s, when Taylor held the job as head of the General Services Agency (GSA), Liberia’s chief procurement agency. “Taylor became something like a president,” driving around Monrovia with a motorcade and attendant bodyguard, Fasu recalled.

“There are two things that Taylor loves: power and money,” said Fasu. But “if you don’t know how to exercise that particular power, you might misuse it, and I think that’s what happened to Taylor…Working at GSA showed Taylor that he could be president of Liberia one day.”

Investigators believe Taylor siphoned hundreds of millions of dollars out of Liberia —and engaged in the blood diamond trade.

When asked about Taylor today, Fasu responded: “I personally feel that Taylor should remain in prison for the rest of his life because I saw the destruction of a city [Monrovia] that was vibrant…and the kids, these little kids didn’t have any future...that is painful.”

•Courtesy: Daily Beast

10

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2012

News Review

Terror in the newsroom and ju Study shows oil, gas reserves in seven Northern states

S

EVEN Northern states-Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Bauchi and Gombe-may be holding substantial oil and gas reserves, according to a recent geological survey in the states. The survey was conducted by the Department of Geology, University of Jos with support from the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF).Team leader, Professor Agbaji Ogezi, speaking at a professorial chair endowment seminar in Jos asked the Federal Government to encourage more basic research into oil exploration in other parts of the country.

N41.9b subsidy: 18 angry firms launch legal battle

E

IGHTEEN companies which were asked to refund over N41.9billion by the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy Management have launched a legal action against the House. They are: Mobil (N14.934b); AX Energy (N1.471b);Crust Energy (N1.19b); Ibafon Oil (N4.687b); Mut-Hass Petroleum (N1.2b); Petrotrade (N1.471b); Lottoj Oil (N1.427b);Prudent Energy ((N1.360b);Somerset Energy (N3.014b);CAH Resources (!.052b);Fresh Synergy Oil (N1.417b); Tecno Oil (N1.036b);Oil Bath (N1.019b); Stonebridge Oil (N1.784b);Lucky Energy (N1.7b);Rocky Energy (N1.620b);Oakfield Synergy (N988m);Nepal Oil & Gas (N2.353b).Their legal team is led

by Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN)

Kidnappers kill ex-Ohanaeze chief

A

BDUCTORS of a former leader of the Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, in Lagos, Chief John Nzewi have killed him even after collecting N30million ransom from his family. The PDP chieftain had been abducted at Ihiala during the recent re-run of the senatorial election in Anambra South. The kidnappers initially asked for N50million which the family could not immediately raise, but after much bargaining both sides agreed on N30million.The sum was paid only for the abductors to release Nzewi’s corpse. A man kidnapped with him was released alive after a ransom was also paid by his family.

Fed Govt backs Lagos’ investment drive

T

HE sixth Lagos Economic Summit (Ehingbeti 2012) got underway in Lagos on Monday with the Federal Government promising to give the state the sovereign guarantee it requires to leverage its competitiveness in the global financial markets.

Sovereign guarantee is an irrevocable commitment given by a national government that an obligation will be satisfied if the primary obligator, usually a sub-national entity, defaults. President Godluck Jonathan who spoke through Trade and Investment Minister Olusegun Aganga, acknowledged the importance of the state as the commercial nerve centre of the country .Governor Babatunde Fashola said his administration would leave no stone unturned in providing a conducive atmosphere for businesses to thrive so that “the hopes and aspirations “of the 18 million people of the state could be realised..

GUILTY

HAIR-RAISING Some of the participants who took part in the 2012 Best Moustache of Brussels competition during the week.

Photo: REUTERS

N1.07t subsidy: Al Again, Police seize chair to face Fawehinmi Freedom Park

T

HE police barricaded the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, Ojota, Lagos ,on Monday to pre-empt a protest by the Save Nigeria Group (SNG) and other activists against the alleged N1.070trillion fraud exposed by the report of the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy Management.SNG leader, Pastor Tunde Bakare said the group had served the Federal Government notice of a mass protest should it fail to prosecute all those indicted in the report. The police and other security agencies also seized the park back in January after three days of massive rallies against the removal of fuel subsidy. That protest was largely responsible for government’s decision to reduce fuel price to N94 per litre as against the N141 it wanted originally.

ATTACKED

Charles Taylor convicted of war crimes

F

ABORTED

South-South Summit row over US guests

T

HE warlord who led Liberia between 1997 and 2003 became the first ex-head of state to be convicted by international justice since the Nuremburg trials 65 years ago. A prosecutor said the verdict Thursday demonstrated that presidents could be “held to account” for their actions in office.

Taylor was found to have supplied rebels in neighbouring Sierra Leone with arms and recruits in return for illegally-mined diamonds. This made him guilty of “aiding and abetting” the guerrillas, giving him “criminal responsibility” for their atrocities in Sierra Leone, ruled the court. However he was acquitted of being personally or jointly responsible for the crimes.

Richard Lussick, the presiding judge at the United Nations court in The Hague, detailed the “sustained and significant” support that Taylor had given to the RUF. “The trial chamber finds beyond reasonable doubt that the accused is criminally responsible for aiding and abetting” war crimes and crimes against humanity,” said the judge. “Mr Taylor, the trial chamber unanimously finds you guilty,” he added.

ORMER chairman of the Petroleum Products (PPPRA),Dr. Ahmadu Ali, and ex-secretarie 2011) may face trial over the N1.07trillion House of Representatives said on Tuesday that th prosecuted by anti-corruption agencies. Ali,a fo the ruling PDP was PPPRA chairman during executive secretaries in the three years were: Mr. 2011); and Mr. Goddy Egbuji (Feb 2011 - Aug 201 35 of the 62 recommendations of the Farouk Law on Fuel Subsidy Management.

T

Suicide bombers attack three media houses

A

SUICIDE bomber crashed a car full of explosives into the office of ThisDay newspaper in Abuja on Thursday. In a simultaneous attack, ThisDay’s office in Kaduna was also hit, leaving one person dead.

Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the bombings.

Eniola Bello, managing director of This Day, said that two men in a four-wheel drive vehicle approached the newspaper’s office on Thursday morning, posing as customers. In the second attack, a man driving a car packed with explosives was stopped by bystanders near the office used by This Day and several other media groups in Kaduna according to witness reports. In all eight persons lost their lives in the attack.

HE American Embassy in Nigeria Friday stopped an ex- Mayor of New York, Ruddy Giuliani and the 17th Chief of Staff of the US, Mike Mullen from attending the South/South Economic Summit in Asaba, the capital of Delta State, citing insecurity.

The Americans were already in Lagos en-route Asaba when officials of the American Embassy advised them against proceeding to the summit venue. The duo were scheduled to address the forum.

News of the development was broken to the audience at the talks by the chairman of the Summit Organising Committee and Publisher of ThisDay, Nduka Obaigbena.A fuming Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State called the action of t h e American embassy an exaggeration of the security situation in Nigeria.

• Mullen

•Giuliani

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2012

News Review

d justice for Taylor NDA introduces counter terrorism training for cadets

T

HE Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna has introduced courses on Counter Insurgency and Counter Terrorism for its cadets as part of the strategy to battle security challenges in the country.

Commandant of the institution, Major General Chukwuemeka Onwuamaegbu said the training was in response to the current wave of persistent threats to lives and property.He spoke at the demonstration of part of the programme in Kaduna.

Explosion kills one at football viewing centre

A

N Improvised Electronic Device (IED) went off at a television viewing centre in Tundun Wada, Jos on Tuesday during the European Champions League semi-final match between Chelsea and Barcelona, claiming one live.A man driving a white Mercedes Benz car allegedly pulled-up close to the centre, brought out a black polythene bag and dropped it before zooming off. Five others were injured in the explosion.

11

THE WEEK IN QUOTES “The party is supreme and we must all follow the dictates of the party. Nobody in the party, from the President to the least person at the ward, will be superior to the party.”

–President Goodluck Jonathan, on party supremacy.

“There is a direct link between poverty and violence especially in a society where unimaginable poverty lies astride humongous wealth. That is the reason we must address the situation that subjects human beings to extreme violence and poverty. These people have nothing to lose.”

–Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, on poverty and insecurity in Nigeria.

“The probe of the oil sector has raised so much dust from certain segments of the polity such that it became clear that the intention was to frustrate it. For those who regard the oil sector as a secret society or sacred cow, I wish to state without equivocation that it is not.”

–Speaker Aminu Tambuwal of the House of Reps on the consideration of the report of the Ad-Hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy Management.

“Why running a deficit budget when trillions are in private pockets illegally in their bedrooms? This system is killing the country. It is our duty to get together and salvage it.”

–Lt-Gen Alani Akinrinade, former Chief of Defence Staff on how Nigeria can avoid disintegration.

bsidy: Ali, ex-PDP France election: Hollande r to face trial ‘wins first round’

he Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency Ali, and ex-secretaries of the organisation (2009over the N1.07trillion fuel subsidy scandal. The said on Tuesday that they would be investigated/ tion agencies. Ali,a former national chairman of RA chairman during the period. The agency’s three years were: Mr. A. Ibikunle (Aug 2009-Feb uji (Feb 2011 - Aug 2011).In all, the House adopted ions of the Farouk Lawan-led Ad-Hoc Committee ment.

F

RENCH Socialist Francois Hollande has won most votes in the first round of the country’s presidential election. He got more than 28% of votes against about 26% for centre-right incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy. The two men will face each other in a second round on 6 May. Far-right candidate Marine Le Pen came third with about 19% of the vote, ahead of seven other candidates. The poll has been dominated by economic concerns. Afterwards, Mr Hollande said he was “best placed to become the next president of the republic” and that Mr Sarkozy had been punished by voters.

PEOPLE OF THE WEEK

Muhammadu Buhari

A

T close to 70 years, General Muhammadu Buhari does not appear to have lost one bit of his military instincts: one moment he delivers a heavy blow on the enemy and the next second he pauses and watches him writ in pains. Of course, Buhari determines the timing, the battle field and the weapons. Like last weekend’s cruise missile he aimed at the PDP. The ruling party, the retired general said at a political gathering of his Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in Kaduna, would be consumed by a revolution unless it adopted ‘real democracy’. And for effect, he added: “The question of the PDP and its leadership, they don’t accept social justice. If there is no social justice, in a question of time there will be revolution in one form or the other.

“People are dying in twos while others are syndicates of thieves, with people stealing and keeping money in their houses up to the tune of two billion naira. By 2015, whoever steals public funds has automatically sentenced himself to death.

“May God give you the patience to endure the hardship that you have been subjected to. The money to educate your children, build roads, hospitals and provide the required security is being stolen abroad. Nigerians must rise against this attitude; it’s your right.”

The PDP reacted swiftly with its national secretary, Mr. Olisah Metuh, dismissing the former military ruler as a despot who has never hidden his disdain for elected government.

•Tambuwal

•Jonathan

Farouk Lawan

Y

OU are not likely to pick Representative Farouk Muhammad Lawan easily from a crowd. Not with his physique which is something around 5ft 5ins.Not with his feminine voice. But what he lacks in physique and voice, he has aplenty in doggedness, in crusading, in fighting. When some members of the House of Reps decided in 2007 to depose Mrs Patricia Etteh as Speaker, Lawan was in the thick of the action, leading the Integrity Group. They yielded no ground until she resigned. He was also part of the ‘resistance movement’ in the House when the executive arm under President Olusegun Obasanjo made to remove Ghali Na’Abba as Speaker in 2002.His ‘trouble’ did not go unnoticed at the Presidency and the story was told of a meeting he attended alongside other leaders of the House at the Presidential Villa .On being introduced to Obasanjo, so the story goes, he surveyed Lawan from head to toe, pointed a finger at him and kept saying ‘you’ apparently shocked that a man of that stature was causing so much ‘trouble’ for him.

Well, Lawan who is in his fourth term and his House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy Management are going to be in the news for as long as the mind boggling revelations and alleged shady deals contained in the report of the committee linger.

•Fayemi

•Akinrinade

Chekwas Okorie

O

NLY a few people can question the tenacity of Chekwas Okorie, the founding chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).Or his role in the formation of the party, which at a time, appeared to be a formidable force in the South East. That influence has diminished considerably over the last few years, no thanks to the bitter legal battle for the soul of the party between Okorie and his successor, Victor Umeh.

After Okorie lost the battle he surrendered the party’s registration certificate issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) only to go and form another party which he gave the name United Peoples grand Alliance (UPGA).His application to have it registered by INEC was turned down on Monday on the grounds that the ‘party’ failed to meet provisions of certain sections of the 1999 Constitution as amended. One of such is Section 223 (1)(b) (2)(b).INEC said the membership of UPGA in its constitution is restrictive and violates Section 222(b) of the 1999 Constitution. Okorie had vowed ,before the .INEC shocker, that UPGA would not go the way of APGA. Given his antecedent Okorie would return to the drawing board to file a fresh application.

12

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2012

COMMENT and ANALYSIS

13

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2012

Festus Eriye efestus2003@yahoo.com 08052135878 (SMS only)

Boko Haram goes to press The sect is committing war crimes for which its leadership and sympathisers must be made to account one day

Otufodunrin@thenationonlineng.net 08050498530 (SMS only)

Should we beg Boko Haram?

F

OLLOWING its latest outrage, the terrorist Islamist sect Boko Haram Thursday night provided a rationale for bombing Thisday, The Sun and The Moment newspapers.

“This is a war between us and the government of Nigeria. Unfortunately the media have not been objective and fair in their report of the ongoing war. They chose to take sides,” a statement for the group said.

The group cited several instances where they were misrepresented by the media. The question every sane person would be asking is whether a bombing is the best way to rectify factual misrepresentations.

In the last few weeks several newspapers have reported threats made against them by the group over “unfavourable reports”. In one or two instances, sect leaders are said to have obtained the phone numbers of reporters and threatened them directly.

For a start I am not too sure what will pass for “favourable” coverage in the eyes of the group’s leadership. What they would clearly like is a situation where the Nigerian press – lauded as one of the most vibrant and robust on the continent – now seeks approval for copy from the local Boko Haram commander!

While its War Council wants to impose Sharia on us all; its media officer dreams of playing censor over what Nigerians read. But reporting is not an exact science like mathematics: sometimes there are factual errors for which no human being should get blown to smithereens.

This is a group that has tried to project itself as serious but with each new utterance and action, exposes contradictions that make it look unserious. Since it is reducing its fight against the Nigerian state into a beauty contest between it and the sitting government then we must use that as a basis for assessment.

Boko Haram wants a positive spin given to its activities, but what favourable report can be written about a sect that deliberately sows IEDs in heavily-populated city centers, or opens fire with AK47s on harmless traders in a crowded market place?

What favourable report can be written about a group that seizes innocent expatriates, holds them for several months to extort a ransom, and slays them in cold blood?

What favourable slant can be given to a sect that has burnt down 14 schools and forced over 7,000 children out of formal education in Borno State alone this year? And this in a region which has been moaning about poverty, backwardness and marginalisation!

Boko Haram is concerned about how it is projected in the public domain. In other words it wants to be treated fairly. Unfortunately, it is approaching equity with hands badly smeared with the blood of innocents.

What was fair about making a 12-year old bystander a victim of blast at the Thisday office in Abuja? The skin lining on his face was completely burnt off – leaving him with grotesque injuries. At least, he’s alive. What was fair about the three passers-by who never knew what hit and sent them to early graves?

We should be grateful to the sect for defining very clearly the nature of the conflict because it helps put in perspective the steps taken so far by the authorities to deal with it.

This war is, on the face of it, not against an external aggressor – never mind any supposed links Boko Haram might have with glo-

Lekan Otufodunrin

I

•One of the victims, a 12-year-old boy at the National Hospital, Abuja.

PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

bal jihadist and terrorist groups. The fact that enemy is internal does not make it any less deadly.

I ask myself if we were fighting an external aggressor would we treat the war the way we are dealing with Boko Haram? We would probably be more focused, deploy far more resources to the effort and mobilise the public adequately.

Whereas the terrorists are very clear in their minds as to the scale of what they are committed to, the government is still hanging on to the illusion that it is dealing with a northern version of the Niger Delta rebellion.

It tackled that bit of bother by sending influential local politicians into the creeks for a chat with the militants, followed by ample payouts to enable them retire into a more stable line of work.

The latest war is different; the opposition is implacably committed to the use of crude terror tactics to prosecute its campaign. Its agenda keeps changing like the weather. At this point they appear like people inventing causes as they go along.

Given the dividends which their evil enterprises have yielded, it can be understood that this bunch would quickly lose all touch with reality. If we castigate them as unreasonable and unrealistic, it should surprise no one that the irony of some of their demands is completely lost on them.

This latest outrage makes all the talk of

“The sect has reminded us that it is at war. But wars have rules. The Geneva Conventions and Protocols set certain minimum rules for conflicts within the boundaries of a single country where it concerns treatment of non-combatants”

negotiations nauseating. Mealy-mouthed apologists for these killers keep repeating the tired line about the worst conflicts ending at the negotiating table.

We can add that some of the most horrible conflicts the world has ever known ended with the perpetrators facing trial for war crimes. Former Liberian President Charles Taylor was just convicted at the War Crimes Tribunal at The Hague. His crimes are no worse than what Boko Haram is doing on a daily basis.

The sect has reminded us that it is at war.

But wars have rules. The Geneva Conventions and Protocols set certain minimum rules for conflicts within the boundaries of a single country where it concerns treatment of noncombatants.

They specifically prohibit acts like violence to life and person - in particular murder of all kinds - mutilation, cruel treatment and torture as well as taking of hostages among others.

The most serious of these breaches are defined legally as war crimes. They may include things like willful killing, torture or inhumane treatment. On the list is the use of biological experiments in war, willfully causing great suffering or serious injury to body or health.

Boko Haram has already breached these statutes aplenty. Our goal should not just be to buy peace with these cowardly killers at any price; our goal should be to bring any war criminals to justice in the long run. It happened in Rwanda at the cessation of the conflict.

The existence of that threat should also help check some of the atrocities, and discourage fifth columnists within the system feeding the sect intelligence.

It is time to say enough is enough. If these Boko Haram lunatics ever imagined that by these bombings they can cow the press, then they are badly mistaken. This can only strengthen the resolve of the nation to see off this evil.

The sect can no longer justify what it is doing on the grounds that Yusuf was unjustly killed. The life of Mohammed Yusuf is not more precious than the thousands who have been slaughtered as collateral damage in this conflict.

WAS recently in Togo for a media workshop during which I was asked to speak on a rather intriguing topic: How marginalized people can use their communication rights to reinforce human dignity: Petrol strike and bombings by Boko Haram in Nigeria.

I made it clear to the participants that I wish I didn’t have to speak on the twin issues of fuel strike and Boko Haram as they have permanently kept Nigeria in international focus for the wrong reasons.

Since I had no choice, I did my best to explain how our nation is dangerously slipping into a state of anarchy. I did say that while I had no problem categorizing the Niger Delta people (not the militants) as marginalized people, I was not too sure if the Boko Haram sect members can be described as marginalized.

How can a group of people whose main demand are the implementation of shariah law contrary to the Constitution of the country and who have resorted to violence that has led to the deaths of many persons and property be described as marginalized?

As unpopular as it is, the federal government has offered to dialogue with the fundamentalist group and even in Borno State, their main base, the government has paid compensation for the killing of some members of the group, yet they have struck to their guns.

Last Thursday, the Boko Haram group struck again with suicide bombing of the offices of Thisday and Sun newspapers in Abuja and Kaduna. I was hesitant in blaming the Boko Haram for the attack when a foreign correspondent called to ask me which group could be responsible for it though I was aware of general threat to media organisations by the group.

However, the sect has not only claimed responsibility but justified it. More media houses according to the group would be targeted soon.

The Spokesman of the group, Abul Qaqa was quoted as saying that the attacks were meant to punish media houses for alleged negative reports and misrepresentations in media reports about the group. I concede that the group has a right to insist on not being misrepresented like any other group or individual whose activities are reported by the media, but resorting to violent attack is rather unfortunate.

Ironically, there is the school of thought that argues that the media has been giving the Boko Haram group undue publicity for its various violent acts. But for persistent media coverage which the government has not been very comfortable with because of the negative image it is attracting to the country in international circles, the Boko haram may not have attained the status it has today.

That journalists have been going out of their way to speak with the Boko Haram leaders despite the security risk involved is enough indication of how the media is willing to give them a fair hearing when they could have conveniently ignored them.

Instead of attacking media houses, the Boko Haram group should have taken advantage of its access to journalists to correct any reported misrepresentation about it activities. Whatever offence the media has allegedly committed against Boko Haram is not in any way compared with the damage done by the blast.

What the Boko Haram group has done is to take the laws into its hand and live up to the reputation of being a terrorist group.

It is however up to the federal government to take necessary steps to halt the endless killings by Boko Haram and any other violent sect operating in the country. The government keeps assuring us that it is on top of the situation but with the attack on Thisday, Sun and Moment newspapers last Thursday every indication is that we are in what the Americans call deep shit and we need to find a way out as fast as possible.

14

THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 29, 2012

Comment & Analysis

Okonjo-Iweala, World Bank and feedback Ogochukwu Ikeje ohgeeoh@gmail.com 08084235961 (SMS only)

M

Y article “If America were not America” published here last week provoked such powerful emotions in the readers that I thought they should be given right of reply. In that piece I betrayed my disenchantment with the process which produces the president of the World Bank. That process, as I saw it, undeservedly cost Minister of Finance Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the best candidate, the job. But, then, I also argued with a fair amount of vigour that there were bigger challenges at home than at the global bank, and that the superminister could make better history if she dealt with those problems.

Most of the text messages dismissed my position. A good number also betrayed scant belief in the minister.

Here are the text messages: Not current Dear Mr. Ikeje, your claim that Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was the best candidate in the last World Bank election shows clearly that you are not current.

Just what has Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala ever achieved? With her unintelligent eco-

nomic policies, she has presided (twice, I dare say) over the cynical destruction of Nigeria’s economy under two most clueless leaders Nigeria has ever produced--Obasanjo and Jonathan.

Her opponent, Dr. Kim’s in HIV/AIDS and macro-industrial economics are well known internationally. Contrary to your position, most Nigerians rejoiced at her defeat. I did also. Please, listen to BBC. Log into facebook or twitter. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is not competent to be World Bank president.

Garvey Ufot World Bank of America Ikeje, everybody knows that the Word Bank belongs to Americans and the International Monetary Fund to Europeans. So why try it? We only spent resources in a battle we knew we shall never win. No complaints. It was a free and fair election, the type we are used to here.

•08090701526 Fix Nigeria first I disagree with you. Okonjo-Iweala is rather creating poverty for us in Nigeria. Is it possible for somebody to dictate to his creator? If you are parading intimidating credentials you should allow them to affect your people positively. It will be a misnomer for her to preside over the World Bank. Let her fix Nigeria first.

Manjadda, Sokoto Prove her bona fides I think people like me need you to prove the point you made about Okonjo-

Iweala being the best candidate for the World Bank president. Two good things she has achieved since she became Minister of Finance under Obasanjo will also help to buttress your point.

0703561715 How good is she?

I think you began to make sense only when you talked about the home front.

Now, how good was she in the ‘fixing’ job under Obasanjo? I, like many Nigerians, don’t think it was right to ‘dash’ our $12b cash to their friends in the guise of a dubious debt relief. Now we have started a new round.

Also, Nigerians know of the stunning thefts in the oil industry and called for a probe but Madam and her sneaky boss could not wait before slamming a dubious fuel price hike on us.

Olu, 08033013597 Make her president Your article “If America were not America” is a masterpiece. But remember, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has a master to whom she reports. If Nigerians really want to benefit from Ngozi’s rich and deep wealth of experience so that she can pull us out of the miry depth, we must make her Nigeria’s president in 2015.

Dayo Omotoso, Ibadan Theoretical economist Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was overhyped for the World Bank post. President Obama chose the best qualified change agent to head the World Bank.

The world is tired of theoretical economists like Ngozi who preach macro and

micro economics that make poverty expansive and endemic.

What positive effect did her first missionary journey as Minister of Finance make on Nigerians? None visible.

Dr. Kim, MD, PhD, did introduce the Universal Free AIDS treatment. His thrust is poverty alleviation and poverty eradication. The change agent is now World Bank president and things are bound to change for the better.

Chike Offor Bourgeois reasoning I agree that you know the problem facing Nigeria. What you do not want to talk about is Nigeria, neo-colonialism and the role of the World Bank.

Your reasoning is bourgeois, yes.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala cannot fix the economy because she is toadying to the World Bank Amos Ejimonye, Kaduna Pen-a-penny journalists Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s desire to head the World Bank was noble as she was eminently qualified. However, her attempts to contest for same was as medical doctors would say, dead on arrival. What with the bashing from you journalists especially of The Nation newspaper stable during fuel subsidy removal brouhaha. Ngozi was called all sorts of names by you ‘pen a penny journalists’. You journalists killed our corporate desire to have one of our own head the World Bank.

Barack Obama acted on the autopsy report. He could not have acted otherwise.

Sam Nna-Ogbonda, Port Harcourt

THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 29, 2012

Comment & Analysis

15

Shell’s outrage The oil firm must be held to account for its failings in Bodo and elsewhere

N

IGERIA’S tortured relationship with international oil companies operating in the country attained new lows when it was announced recently that Shell Nigeria Plc had substantially underestimated the amount of oil that leaked from an oil spill in Bodo, Rivers State, in 2008.

According to Shell’s official estimates, the equivalent of about 1,640 barrels of crude oil were released into creeks surrounding Bodo. However, estimates from Accufacts, an independent oil spill consultancy firm, put the actual figure at between 103,000 and 311,000 barrels of oil, at least 60 times greater than Shell’s estimates.

In addition, Shell’s assertion that the oil spill began on October 5, 2008 is contested by both the Bodo community and oil-industry regulators, who claim that it actually began on August 28, 2008.

Clean-up operations began on November 7, 2008, but were apparently halted by the lack of the community’s co-operation, according to Shell. The Bodo community has taken Shell to a London court, where it is seeking damages for the environmental devastation caused by the spill, as well as the company’s funding of thorough cleanup.

Coming after decades of accusations that Shell and other oil companies have consistently failed to adopt international best practices in their operations in the Niger Delta, the Bodo case points to a stark failure on the part of the oil companies, oil-industry regulatory agencies and the Nigerian government.

The problems of poorly-executed and badlyregulated oil exploration in Nigeria are only too well-known: environmental devastation so profound that hitherto-flourishing agricultural and fishing communities are turned to virtual wastelands; long-term health problems for inhabitants of oil-producing communities; the rise of poverty, unemployment and despair which eventually combined to produce the militancy that

I

F there is any time the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) is unattractive and burdensome, it is now.

No thanks to the insurgency of Boko Haram. In proffering solution to this peculiar security challenge in the country, several opinions and options have been proffered. The opinions include those asking the government to negotiate with the sect and those calling for outright military action to quell the insurrection.

There are, however, those calling for the removal of the heads of our security outfits, especially, the NSA. But what we seem to gloss over is the undercurrent of deep-seated politics involved in the reactions of those calling for the sack of the NSA. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) President, Ayo Oritsejafor has consistently been opposed to any form of dialogue with Boko Haram. In 2005, Tony Blair, then as the Prime Minister of Britain, in his speech over the bombing of London, said it was insane to negotiate with the terrorists over their demands. “Neither is it true that they have no demands. They do. It is just that no sane person would negotiate on them.”

Back home in Nigeria, Boko Haram is demanding the total Islamisation of the country as a non-negotiable condition for cease fire. Also, they had earlier asked Southern Christians to vacate their northern territory as part of their cardinal agenda. At no

virtually crippled the country’s oil export capacity at its height.

It is surprising that, given this sad history, Shell Nigeria would seek to further taint its bad reputation by denying apparently undeniable facts.

The company has become notorious for its steadfast refusal to admit wrongdoing, even when all evidence points to the contrary. Its main tactic has been to attribute almost all oil spills at its facilities to the breakage of oil pipes by oil thieves and militants. However, while rampant oil theft in the Niger Delta cannot be denied, it is difficult to believe that it is the only cause: many of Shell’s facilities are relatively old and subject to frequent breakdowns.

The very fact that the oil company is such a consistent target of accusations like these clearly shows that it is not approaching its operations in the Niger Delta with the consideration that it displays in many other parts of the world. Part of the blame for this anomaly must go to the Federal Government which is supposed to ensure that its citizens are not victimised by commercial interests.

Through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the Federal Government is the majority shareholder in the joint venture operations executed by Shell. It rarely calls its partner to order when environmental crises like that of Bodo erupt. Instead, it provides the company

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

•Editor Festus Eriye •Deputy Editor Olayinka Oyegbile •Associate Editors Taiwo Ogundipe Sam Egburonu

•Managing Director/ Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Kunle Fagbemi

with the security forces to subdue protesters and intimidate activists. The regulatory agencies which are supposed to ensure that relevant policies are fully implemented are allegedly dependent on the oil companies for many of the highly-specialised aspects of their operations, and therefore unable to carry out their duties with the necessary neutrality.

Even Nigeria’s justice system is implicated in this lamentable state of affairs. Oil-producing communities have so little confidence that they will get justice in their own country that they are compelled to take offending oil companies to the United Kingdom and the United States. The vaunted amnesty programme does not seem to have achieved as much as its promoters hoped for.

Although hundreds of militants have been brought out of the creeks and attacks on the country’s oil industry have largely ceased, fundamental issues pertaining to the operations of oil companies are yet to be resolved. The Petroleum Industry Bill, which has long been touted as the panacea to much of the sector’s problems, is yet to become law.

Shell and other oil companies operating in Nigeria are able to get away with outrageous acts of corporate malfeasance because of policy and regulatory lapses on the part of their hosts.

Any attempt to remedy this situation must ensure that Nigeria’s oil industry is no longer a place where corporate irresponsibility will be tolerated. A new system of reporting must be developed which will compel oil firms to truthfully state the exact circumstances of oil spillages and similar environmental emergencies.

The agencies in charge of monitoring and regulating the activities of oil companies must be fully equipped to enable them perform their duties independently of the businesses they are overseeing. Nigeria’s crude oil must no longer be a curse to those in whose communities it is extracted.

LETTERS

NSA and the politics of security time have they mentioned poverty, unemployment, political or economic imbalance as parts of their reasons for unleashing terror on the nation. Northern politicians are simply catching in on this precarious situation to launch themselves back into relevance by insisting on dialogue with the defiant group.

The issue of negotiation is even more difficult to toy with because they are propagating an extreme religious ideology.

Both Pastor Oritsejafor and Professor Wole Soyinka had identified the import of an ideologybased jihad like what we are experiencing now. Likewise, Tony Blair puts it more succinctly: “This ideology and the violence that is inherent in it did

I

T is with consternation and considerable angst that I write this about the leadership of Ondo State. A leadership that was saddled with the burden to deliver democratic dividends to the people has completely betrayed the masses’ mandate, trust and confidence. It has failed in terms of society’s reformation, reconstruction and rebirth. Of course, it was an unforeseen tragedy to happen when it became open that electoral promises were

not start a few years ago in response to a particular policy.

Over the past 12 years, AlQaeda and its associates have attacked 26 countries, killed thousands of people, many of them Muslims. They have networks in virtually every major country and thousands of fellow travellers. They are wellfinanced.” So, how can we then convince them to abandon their ‘God’s work’ in the interest of the nation?

Realising the fact that we are squaring up to a global terror network which has its local fashion in Boko Haram, the members of the civil society especially in the north should join hands to tackle the problem frontally by volunteering use-

ful information to the security agencies. Failure to do this would apparently hamper the efficiency and immediacy of response by the security personnel to Boko Haram’s onslaught which came in like a wild wind unexpectedly.

The resolution by the Senate last Wednesday asking the Federal Government to quell the insurgent group “at all cost” has so far been the most plausible and courageous decision. That was how America and Britain have been handling the situation at their own end. And that is how we can win the war outright.

In view of the foregoing, it is necessary to take a cue from the nations that have experienced this kind of untoward aggression.

Never have we heard from Ameri-

can or British public or media asking for the removal of their security chiefs when confronted with this kind of security challenges. Rather, they see it as a collective problem which must be confronted and solved collectively. They won’t allow religious, tribal, political or regional differences to come on scene when serious security issues are involved.

However, it is inexcusable to retain a non-performing security chief; and we can only determine that through glaring act of incompetence or proven case of bias or compromise and not by media campaign surreptitiously connected with political motive or interest. Unfortunately, this, more often than not,

Another wasteful era in Ondo State mere campaign speeches and caring no hoot about the need to accord the office, the dignity it deserves.

Few months to the end of Governor Olusegun Mimiko tenure’s, one can hardly point to any significant achievements made so far. Regrettably, the presence of abundant resources in human, capital and minerals meant for development, are unjustifiably wasted. State al-

locations were earmarked for a looting spree. Contracts inflation, duplications are the order of the day.

Borehole sinking has become the fad rather than the completion of the Owena multi-purpose dam project. Gainful employment has been compromised while sustainable developments in terms of amenities creation were stopped for anniversary jamborees. The oil producing areas of the state are

eyesores and in sorry conditions, as indigenes/inhabitants languish in registered but unpublished poverty. As earlier suspected and recently-exposed, OSOPADEC was a deliberate leakage zone.

Moreover, action speaks louder than voice when the electorate feel the impact of democracy.

By Akingbola Feyisara, Akure, Ondo State

has been the case people use against our security chiefs especially the NSA. The retired General Owoye Azazi’s co-ordination of intelligence and security apparatus in combating the insurgency has been unassailable, though superficially slow but steady. But this feat was rarely noticeable because many of the activities of security agents are not made public.

This brings us to the need for the media to be more nationalistic and positive in reporting security matters. Quest for exclusive or scoop often misguide adventurous journalists into writing what may ultimately be inimical to our national security. Giving undue prominence to the nefarious activities of terrorists is covertly signalling victory for them as such reports often demean the psyche of the public and security agents.

I want to conclude by agreeing with all well-meaning Nigerians that “we must be clear about how we win this struggle.

We should take what security measures we can. But let us not kid ourselves. In the end, it is by the power of argument, debate, true religious faith and true legitimate politics that we will defeat this threat. That means not just arguing against their terrorism, but their politics and their perversion of religious faith.”

By Michael Awe Lagos

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16

Ropo Sekoni ropo.sekoni @thenationonlineng.net

O

RDINARILY, federations are set up after a process of deletion and donation.

Devolution requires that power is deleted from the central government’s repertoire and given to the state or regional government. In some cases, strong states or regions donate power to a central government that such states have agreed to create. But in Nigeria, the process is generally distorted.

For over thirty years, Nigeria’s federal system has been experiencing systematic dismantling, first at the hands of military dictators and later under the supervision of civilian administration.

President Jonathan seems to have kicked off his own style of tinkering with the unitary system of government that subtends the running of what our current constitution refers to as the Federal Republic of Nigeria. As his own contribution to the optimism generated by the Ehingbeti 2012 Lagos Economic Summit, President Jonathan sent a donation to the Lagos State government and citizens. The donation is President Jonathan’s announcement that

Femi Orebe femi.orebe @thenationonlineng.net 08056504626 (sms only)

I

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2012

Comment & Analysis

N more ways than one, you could almost call them a set of twins: Both, as Professors, have had distinguished careers in the academia just as they have been actively involved in public service.

The elder, by a few months, is a one-time Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister after a stint as Director-General, Nigerian Institute of International affairs, and the other, also served as Director of the National Universities Commission, first in Canada, and later in the U.S before his appointment as Nigerian Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany after a very active stint as Special Adviser to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

While the Minister will best be remembered for his untiring efforts at wanting to create a CONCERT OF MEDIUM POWERS his ‘Siamese brother’, in his own words, regards as his unique contribution to Nigerian foreign policy, ‘ the setting up of the GULF OF GUINEA COMMISSION whose business is to explore and exploit the riches of the gulf and serve as a mechanism for resolving conflicts arising from the conflicting interests of member nations.

I have been speaking in parables about Professor Bolaji Akinyemi and Emeritus Professor Jide Osuntokun, two distinguished old students of THE SCHOOL (Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti) who both turned 70 years old within four months of each other, with Professor Osuntokun turning 70 on Thursday, 26 April, 2012.

If Prof Wole Soyinka can proudly describe himself as ‘IJEGBA’ then both men, world citizens in their own right, are distinguished sons of Ekiti for while Osuntokun is full-blooded Ekiti,

Federalism by donation and deletion Strong states or regions donate power to a central government the federal government “is on the verge of completing an agreement to grant concession to Lagos State to develop railway lines.”

There is no doubt that Jonathan is more forthcoming on encouraging the central government to assist states to help in developing the country than Obasanjo was during his own regime. Obasanjo would never have consented to guarantee any loan for Lagos State. We all know that he was quick to deny the state what was due from the federation account to its local governments during the regime of Tinubu. While Jonathan should be congratulated for realizing that the country’s economy cannot advance without Lagos economy, he needs to be told that his Father Christmas view of the relationship between the central government and the states needs to be more realistic. Seeing the role of the president in terms of dangling stick and carrot before state governments cannot help him achieve any measure of transformation.

The right thing to do is not to work on concession to allow Lagos State to develop railway lines. It is to de-regulate development of railway in the country as a whole. Towns between Ibadan Akinyemi is ‘IJE’kiTI’ because Mama is undiluted Ekiti.

I have been specially privileged, knowing both as I do and being fully accepted as a worthy aburo to both. I had first met them at The School, and had, in fact, shared the same Dallimore House Block 2 with the Emeritus Professor of History.

I have also served with the quintessential duo on efforts not only to position Yoruba land appropriately but, in particular, to birth a Socio-Cultural Pan-Yoruba organization where all Yoruba, irrespective of political party affiliations can sit amicably together to collectively interrogate the way forward for the Yoruba nation.

That, essentially was what brought about the AGBAJO YORUBA AGBAIYE which, under the sterling leadership LT Gen. Alani Akinrinade, met literally every week for close on three years.

Aside Professors Akinyemi and Osuntokun were some highly regarded Yoruba leaders amongst who were General Femi Olutoye, Olori Yetunde Gbadebo, Iyalode B.A Kolade, Chief Bayo Akinnola, High Chief Bola Adedipe, Ambassador Dapo Fafowora, Dr Amos Akingba, former Navy Chief Aduwo, Chief Deji Fasuan, Chief Dele Falegan, Professors Wale Omole, Kolawole Ogundawole, and Ropo Sekoni, Oba Gbenga Sonuga, Omooba Adebambo Ademiluyi, Omoba Yemisi Shyllon, Aremo Taiwo Alimi, Mrs Tola Adenle, Mrs Dupe Ajayi – Gbadebo – a veteran of these efforts, Mrs Folasade Bolarinwa and many more.

We worked our hearts out but special commendation must go to Dr Dele Sobowale who, as Secretary-General, was totally untiring.

Long before Boko Haram but in appreciation of what problems our kith and kin face or might face in the North, Dr Sobowale had undertaken several trips up North meeting with Yoruba leaders in the region and had the then PDP governors taken our advice not a few victims of those serial troublesmight have been saved.

Determined efforts were made

and Lagos, a stretch that covers Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo states or those between Benin and Lagos via Ore, covering four states also need to be able to develop railway lines to transport Nigerians to and from Lagos to conduct business. The same thing can be said for cities in Delta, Ondo, Osun, Anambra, Imo, etc.

A more rational way to solve the problem of transporting goods and services in the country in general and in the southern states in particular is for the president to send a bill to the National Assembly to move rail transportation from the exclusive to the concurrent list. We should not need to wait for a national conference to realize that the country’s economy will expand by ten to twenty percent if that is done. But the president should know that a piecemeal award of concession to states in the area of transportation and energy can limit the amount of transformation his government can achieve. Lagos State is not just a poster-child for responsible and responsive governance in states under Action Congress of Nigeria, it is for the whole country. No amount of support from the federal govern-

ment can be too much for the job that Lagos State is doing for the entire country, as the only state that can be rightly called mini Nigeria.

In another context, President Jonathan’s government is engaged indirectly in deleting from the powers of states. In Osun State, his security system has been moving in the direction of denying the governor of the state his right to do things that are basic to all federal systems and that are not by any stretch of imagination injurious to the central government. Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has been vilified by security agents for paying attention to his state. Federal security agents appear to have been preparing grounds to apply the dictum of “calling a dog a bad name to justify hanging him” to Aregebesola for carrying out innocuous activities that he believes can disalienate Osun State’s citizens and motivate them to contribute to horizontal leadership in the state.

Aregebesola’s sins include creating a coat of arms for Osun; calling Osun State the State of Osun; creating a flag and an anthem for Osun State. For these, he has been demonized as pre-

Two of a kind While Osuntokun is full-blooded Ekiti, Akinyemi is ‘IJE’kiTI’ to enhance the Yoruba language especially amongst our youth both at home and in the Diaspora. We funded the EGBE IFESEMULE ATI ILOSIWAJU EDE YORUBA in this rear. We commissioned a solid website, unflingly audited our accounts and had a constitution which was approved at our first public meeting –THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY - at Ibadan, chaired by Papa, Mr Justice Esho (rtd) who had to forgo attending a meeting of the University Council where he was Pro-Chancellor and Chairman signposting the respect he had for Agbajo.

But PDP killed that wonderful effort.

In order to ensure equitable state representation, Agbajo had, at its first meeting, decided to ask the state governors to send in names of six distinguished citizens of their respective states who are not partisan politicians. From the six we took three each. Unknown to us that decision will be Agbajo’s undoing.

Once PDP governors realized they had so disappointed that they would not be voted back into office, they very quickly zeroed in on the only name in Yoruba land which , besides God Almighty, they could tag on to ride back to power. That was how they descended on Mama Awo who sees us all as her children not knowing the PDP merely wanted to use the Awo name to get what everybody knew they had lost, or in fact, really never had –our peoples’ confidence and support.

That was how and why they started the Ikenne meetings which had since, not unexpectedly, fizzled out.

That was the point at which the PDP governors instructed their

nominees to cease all contacts with Agbajo. Henceforth, Agbajo never again had a quorum for its meetings. Tried all we could, especially the trio of Omooba Ademiluyi, Dr Dele Sobowale and yours truly, with the unstinting support of General Akinrinade, it was already a lost cause. If today Yorubaland has no cultural organization to look up to , one that can talk and most will listen, we must put it at the selfish calculations of thse governors who trus the Yoruba, soon got their due comeuppance at the 2011 general elections.

I earnestly apologise for the digression as the job here today, is to celebrate two worthy Nigerians who have variously demonstrated their loyalty and commitment to one Nigeria even as they remain completely unapologetic about their roles in efforts to build a strong, buoyant and economically integrated South-West for the general well-being of our people.

Until I met Professor Akinyemi at the Thanksgiving Service and Luncheon for Professor Osuntokun at the University of Lagos this past Thursday, I did not have the audacity to meet or call him. That was because two months before his own 70th birthday early this year, he had served me notice of the event .

But my wife and I were leaving for the U.S on holidays early December 2011 albeit, believing I would still make the occasion. Quite rightly so because there was no way any rational human being could have thought that a country’s leader, its elected President to booth, could ever inflict on his citizens the type of ‘gift’ Mr President gave Nigerians on the very first day of the New Year.

Happily events have proved Nigerians much wiser than those that lead them.

paring his state for secession from Nigeria. At Independence in 1960 and until the military government succeeded in eroding the powers, functions, and symbols of the regions, each of the four regions had a coat of arms. Each region also used to have flags that flew side-by-side the national flag.

Churches and other religious organizations in the country today have anthems or songs of inspiration. Even secular organizations all over the country have club songs and anthems. The State of Osun is the formal way of referring to Osun State, just as the University of Ibadan is a formal way of referring to Ibadan University. The nomenclature, the State of Osun already implies that it is a component of a larger whole. It cannot in English be stretched to mean an intention to start a new country.

Since the buck stops at the desk of Dr. Jonathan in a presidential system, he needs to encourage his security agents not to distract him or heat the polity unnecessarily, more so when there are life and death security problems facing the country at the hands of Boko Haram. It is not good security for security agents to cry wolf where there is none.

Professor Osuntokun’s 70th birthday celebration was a well deserved class act. It was a glittering roll call of Nigeria’s best and brightest. The Oni’risa, Alayeluwa Oba Okunade Sijuade has had to cut short his stay in the United Kingdom as did former Commonwealth Secretary, Emeka Anyaoku. Professor Osuntokun is also a chief of the Iku baba yeye, the Alaafin of Oyo, who must have been unavoidably absent. To attempt listing those present would tantamount to committing the most egregious mistake. Permit me then to mention former Vice-Chancellors Profs (Senator) Jibril Aminu, Wale Omole and Kayode Oyediran and leading the Ekiti State university team was the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Diipo Aina with whom was his wife, Professor Bisi Aina and, resplendent as ever, was former Health Secretary, Prince Juli Adelusi Faluyi.. Also present were Elder Olusegun Fayemi, J.P, Assistant Controller of Customs (rtd) and Deputy Controller of Customs, Jide Oguntuase, who has been close to the celebrant from their days in Canada.

The ‘Baffday boy’ who radiated so much joy amidst his children, in-laws and grandson, could not but acknowledge the presence of his Christ’s School mates : Professor Femi Elegbeleye, former Mobil Oil Executive, Bode Fadase and the veteran journalist , Dipo Ajayi. Mama Ajayi, the 82-year old darling of Professor J.Ade Ajayi, Osuntokun’s teacher and mentor, would not miss the occasion for anything. Professor Osuntokun was so richly blessed with the distinguished personalities who graced this one occasion where he ‘had not had to shed tears’ in memory of his darling wife who passed on to glory nine years ago.

Finally to my two seniors being celebrated here: Sirs, I do not wish either of you another 70 years lest you, like Daddy G.O (Pastor Adeboye) indicated he would do if he finds himself in that situation, proceed to ask God what offence you committed.

But this I know, at your 90th, we shall, together, pop champagne.

So shall it be, in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 29, 2012

Tunji

Adegboyega tunjade@yahoo.co.uk 08054503906 (sms only)

N

IGERIANS were promised by the Federal Government and its security agencies that by June, Boko Haram would have been history. The sect had in turn boasted that it would be the one to survive the government.

June is only about five weeks away; and there appears to be no respite from Boko Haram attacks. The implication of this is to make us query the basis of the government’s optimism of the imminent death of the dangerous sect. As some people say, we begin to have a foretaste of what the weekend would look like right from Friday, or even Thursday. If it is true that Boko Haram would be no more by June, we should have started to see the signs by now.

But it does not seem the Federal Government’s position is based on any empirical evidence. It appears more of the usual wishful thinking in government; a situation where the government does nothing but only hopes that by some happenstance, something would happen or it would not happen.

I was at the Chapel of Christ Our Light, University of Lagos, Lagos, for the thanksgiving service to commemorate the 70th birthday of Prof Jide Osuntokun on Thursday when the news came that the THISDAY office in Abuja had been bombed. We were still ruminating over this when, a few minutes later, we learnt that the offices of the paper as well as The SUN and Moment in Kaduna had also been bombed. The two newspapers are

Postscript, Unlimited!

By

Oyinkan Medubi 08187172799 (SMS only) puchuckles7@gmail.com

I

AM going to tie this week’s discourse to two of the reactions I received during the week to last week’s article on the absolute necessity for mass literacy.

‘This piece is thought-provoking. What has kept the majority in abject poverty is the mass illiteracy but those in power like it because the wealth is at their disposal. It is dangerous to the rulers if illiteracy is eliminated tomorrow.’ A. E., Kaduna.

‘Just forget it. This PDP government will not give any mass literacy campaign. Rather they’ll keep the people stupid so they can continue to steal and deprive the people. ...’ Anonymous.

The similar thread between these two views is the firm belief that Nigerian governments have used their power from the very beginning of Nigeria’s existence to keep the people ignorant and I agree. It also implies that the said governments have done so for their own selfish reasons and I also agree. Above all, it implies that the present government can end illiteracy in Nigeria if it so wishes but that it won’t. Ha! What really interests me is the reason people have suggested for the government’s tru-

Comment & Analysis

17

Before the Ides of June The way things are, Boko Haram terror is still far from being over located in the same building with THISDAY, but, from what the sect admitted later, the other two newspapers suffered collateral damage; the target seemed to be THISDAY, at least for that day. So far, eight people have been reported dead and 14 others injured in the explosions. Needless to add that property, including THISDAY’s press in Abuja, were also damaged.

One has always been concerned about the terror Boko Haram has unleashed on Nigerians; so,my concern this time around should not be taken as something new, coming only after newspapers have now been added to the ever-growing list of the sect’s enemies. The truth is that, in this kind of situation, one cannot be too careful. With the kind of grievances that Boko Haram is said to have, i.e. islamising the whole of Nigeria, among others, it is difficult to see how you can deal with that as a journalist without offending the sect’s sensibilities.

If it is true that the sect has this type of agenda, nothing stops one from saying that is a mission impossible. Or if you say western education is sinful, are we going to succumb to whatever threats to go back to the Stone Age? If we even agree that western education is sinful, what happens to those of us who are educated, ‘de-educate’

ourselves and throw our degrees into the ocean? These are impossible missions. Even the bombs that the sect’s suicide bombers use to wreak havoc, are they not products of western education and civilisation? So, what are we talking about?

But if Boko Haram has other issues with the government, that is a different question entirely. In spite of the fact that its bombings have reportedly claimed more than 440 lives this year alone, I do not know how directly that has affected the government. It is innocent lives that are being wasted.

I have a feeling that the resort to attacks on the media is to up the ante. It is for attention-getting purposes and that was achieved because the United States and some other countries reacted immediately to the attacks, thus bringing the Boko Haram into limelight again. Coming after the government had assured that the sect would become history in no time, the successful attacks on the media have somewhat given the impression that the government is yet to have the answer to the question posed by the sect.

The other time, we were blaming some governors for apologising to the Boko Haram over their utterances that the sect

“The only thing Nigerians get from their government are powerful graveside orations and messages of condolence as well as condemnations of the sect’s activities. As man cannot live by bread alone; so can they not live by assurances that are worth not more than the pieces of paper on which they are written”

frowned at. The thing is that, the governors might have assessed the situation and came to the conclusion that it was better to offend the government than to offend Boko Haram, especially in the face of growing inability of the government to put the activities of the sect under check. Nigerians cannot afford to live perpetually by assurances from government that they should go about their normal activities and that the sect would soon fizzle out. The people will rather ignore the government because that is what conventional wisdom dictates.

Perhaps it is high time the government reviewed its strategy of engaging the sect. So much damage has been done, many lives lost and the only thing Nigerians get from their government are powerful graveside orations and messages of condolence as well as condemnations of the sect’s activities. As man cannot live by bread alone; so can they not live by assurances that are worth not more than the pieces of paper on which they are written. Boko Haram has wreaked havoc more than we can imagine; we cannot afford to lose more.

Government has the primary responsibility of protecting the citizens, and any government that cannot do this cannot lay claim to being government properly so called. Things cannot be so bad that a father will now be calling on his dead son to do something; no matter how bad things are, Nigerians cannot call on anyone else but the government to save them from insecurity, especially that posed by members of the Boko Haram.

I have said it before that a man who uses whatever means to conjure rain to fall should not complain when the rain comes with thunderstorms, that is with unintended consequences. Many people have also said that if a revolution will ever happen in this country, it will begin from the north. And we do not have to look too far for the reason: we have all left the northern elite for far too long to use the common wealth of the region the way they pleased. As a matter of fact, one of the governors from the region once said newspapers could write whatever they liked about him and his state, because it did not matter: his people could neither read nor write! Most of what we are now harvesting are products of those years of neglect and actions that follow this type of careless statements that the governor celebrated. People who hitherto were satisfied that it is Allah that has provided for the rich and who did not care whether the rest of them had to stoop in order to get their daily bread from the ruling elite and their cohorts, now care.

Unfortunately, they are misdirecting their aggression. It is also not unlikely that the same elite have so brainwashed them such that rather than face the elite, they have now transferred their aggression to the larger society, not even the government that they claim to be fighting. It’s time for President Goodluck Jonathan to act more decisively. He should do something, otherwise, before June, the cemeteries would play host to more victims of Boko Haram attacks than we can probably imagine.

Special Assistant to the Special Assistant on Comedy ancy on the matter – so that those in power can keep ‘the wealth at their disposal’. Like every other Nigerian, I have keenly observed the many methodical and unmethodical ways ‘those in power’ have used to keep themselves in power and also keep the wealth in their hands and out of the hands of the remaining Nigerians.

From where the rest of us Nigerians are standing, you will agree that those who are said to be ‘in government’ are really rolling in their ‘quick, easy money’ to our disgust and, I must admit, envy.

How come someone in government is able to buy a house costing over One Hundred Million Naira for a girlfriend? Or buy a car worth nearly Twenty Million Naira for the same girlfriend? Why, Oh, why am I not that girlfriend, eh, why?!

Perhaps, the joy is in the giving, and that explains why everyone is trying to be in the position to do just that, give, particularly if you get it cheap. The most famous way of getting it cheap is to angle for a political post, such as the president or governor. Actually, those are the juiciest. Unfortunately, those posts are limited to just thirtyseven or so out of One Hundred and Fifty Million of us. Now you begin to appreciate the level of our problem: it means the rest of us over One Hundred and Forty-nine Million have to make do with less.

What we make do with de-

pends a great deal on many things: the level of our commitment to the national cause, or the depth of our desperation for the privilege of being a generous giver, or yet still our sense of humour. Let’s see how each of these works. I believe many of us are committed to the national cause in our individual ways. For instance, I believe that both my dog and I are committed to the progress of the house, but both of us contribute differently: he by soiling it and I by cleaning it. That is exactly how it goes with us Nigerians.

While some of us are very busy cleaning the streets, some of us are very busy sweeping the treasuries.

In our own way, those of us who are committed do move the national cause close to its close.

Some of us make do by letting our desperation guide us. You know what that is, don’t you? It’s when we move recklessly into the anxiety zone over our desires, such as getting into government. Success does come for many and guess what; now our governments are swollen beyond recognition, like a drowned animal. Out of desperation, many state governments now proudly spot a variety of posts that never existed before this Common Era. Now, there are state commissioners and state committee members and special assistants all running around or running smack into each other doing the same job. The Commissioner for Infor-

mation and the Special Assistant on Information do what exactly – talk with both sides of the mouth? In one state, I understand that there was a grand total of Eight Hundred (800) Special Assistants at one time! Come now, this must have meant there was a special assistant who ordered the governor’s breakfast, another one his lunch, and another one his dinner. Of course, there were others for ordering snacks in between. Each one of course had his office and vote; and yes, you are right, each one also had his own special assistant to assist him in lifting up the very heavy cell phone to make those important calls. I once knew a Special Assistant to the Special Assistant to the Special Assistant to a governor on Special Duties! Dear people, we live in a land of special assistants who are costing the country its self-respect.

That takes us to how some of us cling to our sense of humour just to make ends meet. Now, a sense of humour does not come cheap. Oh, dear reader, you just don’t know how much I sweat and cry just to make you laugh a tiny weeny bit each week. Sometimes, believe me, writing humour is a horror story. That reminds me of the story told by a comedian who had tried to make an audience laugh, with very little luck. In pity, an older man took him aside and gave him

some point blank advice, ‘You are not funny’. From then on, said the comedian, he realised if he was going to be a comedian, he would have to do it without being funny. So, whenever I remember that I have a few readers who will not even deign to break into a cackle were they to be told they had been turned into Special Assistants, I know that I have to make them laugh without being funny.

Well, I broke into several cackles when I heard recently that a state in Nigeria actually appointed someone as a Special Assistant for Comedy Affairs. After recovering from my laughter I just thought, what next? I mean, how really ridiculous must this political circus be? First we had state doctors, and now we have state comedians! Yes sir, Mr. President, things have come to a sorry pass indeed.

It is important then for the state to pick up the gauntlet on mass literacy thrown by our two commentators quoted above. To reiterate, the major challenges identified are the unwillingness of the state and the selfishness of those holding the power. Mr. President, the buck still stops at your table to change the face of the nation by giving the people their self respect and dignity. We can show love to a man by giving him fish to end his hunger; but there is no better way to love a man than to teach him how to fish.

18

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2012

Comment & Analysis

HE West continues to present to Africa the wrong side of a rough stick. So accustomed to the brusque treatment, Africa now makes only mild protestations then meekly endures the bias as if chained to it. In ways big and small, Africa is put down and betrayed. Instead of holding out for justice, we have gotten to the point where we beam ecstatic for a small cloth towel to be tossed across our backs to slightly cushion the load thrust upon us by our own failings and the unjust designs of others. Our sense of proportion and ability to discern the intricate patterns of the global political economy have frayed. We are stirred to high emotion by contretemps that are but minor plays in the grander scheme of things. Yet we treat the sweeping issues of our existence like squalls in a saucer. We confuse salience and visibility for profundity. We often miss the big picture because we are too busy staring at the flashy one.

For weeks, media rode the story of Finance Minister Ngozi OkonjoIweala’s candidacy for the World Bank. This respected Nigerian economist was eminently qualified for the position but her candidacy was ill-fated upon its very launching.

The American was always to win.

Had the United States sent forth a three-legged, blind and deaf pack mule for the position, that wretched animal would now be the occupant of the highest office in the building that houses the World Bank. This was never a contest in the true sense of the word. The drama around the illusory competition for the position was contrived. The Western press that endorsed the Nigerian knew this one was over before they went to press. The writing was on the wall before they wrote in their newspapers and journals. They knew their writings would not turn around those who had already made the decision yet would make them look enlightened and less bigoted in the eyes of the developed world.

Theirs was an empty gesture akin to presenting a housewarming gift to someone whose mortgage has been foreclosed.

All of this was intended to make Africa feel good, to make us feel progress. Yet, we should rather see to live progress than only to feel it.

Most of us swallowed the dangling bait. Upon the nomination of Dr. Kim, we all applauded that Africa had engaged in such a good fight that the World Bank nomination process forever would be altered, the process of selecting the Bank’s leader would be transparent and merit-based henceforth. These are fine notions.

But when weighed against reality, they are more chimerical than concrete.

The term of the Bank’s president is five years. Five years from now, the American White House will likely be occupied by a conservative white Republican and his biased minions as the current occupant’s longest possible leasehold would have expired. It is beyond imagination to believe this future American president would conclude that fairness demanded that he endorse an African candidate for the World Bank. Since his predecessor, the proclaimed son of Africa, did feel compelled to do so, the next American president will also not be thusly inclined. More probably, that future president will gather his conservative advisors, asking them point blank: “Are we still the biggest contributor to the World Bank?”

They will answer affirmatively. He will then ask, “Who is our guy for the job?” They will tell him. He will instruct them to inform Western European allies of the selection.

Nothing more need be done. The Europeans will understand where their votes must go. All of this will be done in private and on the quick.

Yet, it will be lethally effective. In the current era, the vaunted objectives of transparency and merit are just the fluff of which pillows and the dreams of the powerless are

Western hypocrisy toward Africa •When hypocrites look into a mirror, they see the assemblage of angels

•Barrack Obama

By Brian Browne made.

The lesson to learn from this is that we should not seek moral victories on minor issues only to fall prostrate and silent to defeat on the more transcendent ones. Africa’s central gripe with the World Bank is not its executive selection process but with the very nature of the bank itself. This episode reveals that the moniker “World Bank” is also a misnomer. The Bank does not belong to the world nor is its true objective to develop poor nations.

The Bank is an adjunct of the foreign machinery of the major economic powers. It will help a poor nation to the extent the assistance promotes the economic-commercial objectives of the money behind the Bank. The Bank is not organized as it is nor is it based on the institutional values that it has in order to help nations develop as those nations see fit. The Bank is configured to get recipient nations to behave according to script. Consequently, the World Bank belongs less to the world and more to Treasury Department of the United States and Finance Ministries of other western governments.

This dichotomy between the needs of the developing world and the motives of the major economies is where Africa’s attention should focus. Fighting to head such an organization will provide a transient psychological lift that could prove pyrrhic in the longer term. The esteemed Kofi Annan led the UN but Africa did not experience a new day because of it. We are no better for it.

Barack Obama presides over the American government. Ask the average black American if his life has changed. His response would be “yes, mostly for the worse.” Here again, we are too fixated on position and person. In the vast interplay of factors, these are secondary considerations. Unless they enter with a mandate calling for dramatic reform, most leaders are more captives of their large bureaucracies than they are captains of it.

Consequently, we need to be more interested in the nature and operational values of the institutions and organizations themselves.

If you look at the history of the World Bank, there is little to cheer.

Apart from the reconstruction of war-torched Western Europe in the 1940s, its record for success is scant while its list of failure is ample.

Simply putting an Africa at the helm would not change the nature of the

•Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

institution. It would more likely change the nature of the African.

In the end, Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala may thank her guiding stars that she did not attain this job. Nigeria likewise may give thanks. If her mandate would not have been substantial reform, there would have been danger in her appointment. It would have been tantamount to assigning one of your finest generals to head the very army invading your country. Better that Africa work in unison to reform the Bank than to place one of their most skilled children atop this beast the child really cannot control.

Last week, one of America’s finest diplomats, Johnnie Carson, delivered an address regarding Boko Haram. His thesis was that Boko Haram was born of abject poverty in Northern Nigeria. He proposed the Nigerian government constitute a Ministry of Northern Nigeria to jumpstart an economic development plan in that region. The proposed new Ministry is a bit duck-footed, mostly inappropriate for the savannahs of the North. However, his analysis was more wrong than right but in need of some refinement. True, Boko Haram and similar groups cannot flourish in an environment of economic development and social progress. They can never get enough adherents in congenial times.

Poverty is a major factor but not the sole one as Carson seemed to aver.

Human beings have deep capacity to endure poverty. What ignites the fire is unjust poverty. In environments made bitter by the confluence of poverty, injustice and a legacy of governmental heavy handedness and easy resort to violent repression of the people, a group like Boko Haram is an eventuality. The group has little to do with Islam. Islam is just the pretext used to cover the antiestablishment nihilism of its foot soldiers.

However, the biggest fault with Mr. Carson’s address was not his analysis. It was in his choice of audience. While directed Nigeria, the address should have been made to his own government. In other words, America should practice what it preaches. America is involved in epic wars with two predominantly Muslim countries and in shooting feuds with several others. In all of these, America does not say it is battling the scourge of poverty. It does not seek to end the warfare by economically empowering those it is fighting. Instead, it labels these people radical Islamic extremists born of evil. Then America shoots or

bombs them on sight and often on conjecture as to their identity and location. America and the world would be much better if it followed the pacific advice Carson offered Nigeria. America could even carry this message into its domestic law enforcement. Instead of spending so much time and money jailing minority youth living in America’s super-ghettoes and calling the youth incorrigible criminal gang members, government could direct more of its expenditures toward development and job programs in the blighted neighbourhoods.

Had Carson or any official the temerity to direct such advice publicly at his bosses, he would be asked to clear his desk and hand over the keys to his office before the end of the breakfast hour. The West will not adhere to the path it devises for others. America’s military complex will continue to spend billions of dollars attempting to grind opponents into the sand. Last year, they heralded the killing of Osama bin Laden, saying it would make the world a better place. Bin Laden is gone but there is no more safety in today’s world then when he was alive.

Even worse is the situation in Sudan. Naming the deal struck between the two sides, “the Comprehensive Peace Agreement,” must have been a cynical joke by one of its scribes. The lack of clarity concerning the boundaries of several oil-rich areas turned the so-called peace agreement into an inevitable invitation to war. As such, the creation of Southern Sudan was both a birth and abortion at the same time.

The two sides are at war as this column predicted several months ago. As complex as things seem, the reality is even more convoluted. Here there are smaller factional and subfactional wars within the emerging war between the two Sudans. Worst, there is an international proxy war over control of the oil fields. China is betrothed to Khartoum although it wants to break the engagement because South Sudan now looks more beautifully endowed. The West believes South Sudan owes it but Juba wants a free hand and is trying to wiggle from the West’s manacles.

The current fighting will limit the space for diplomatic maneuver. Juba is beholden to the West, via Uganda, for war materiel and to the West for diplomatic support. There is no question as to who shall profit once the boundaries are delineated to favor South Sudan. The current fisticuffs will help the West

checkmate China.

Perhaps the worse instance of the West’s double standard is Ethiopia.

Prime Minister Meles Zenawi is the “reverse Mugabe.” The Zimbabwean took from a handful of whites to give to the native masses. The Ethiopian takes from the black masses to give to a few whites. While Mugabe is ostracized and boycotted, Meles is invited to global conferences and feted while his people are starved and forcibly evicted from ancestral lands.

The West smiles and ignores the ongoing tragedy because the man does the dirty work they find difficult to do themselves these days. Once a revolutionary progressive, the man is nothing if not a reactionary turncoat who would rather earn a paternalistic rub of his head by the Western powers than the love and respect of the broadest representation of his fellow citizens.

Mostly this is about land and oil.

The people of the Ogaden region are being forced from their homes through systematic use of rape and forced starvation because of the oil underfoot. The people of the Omo valley are being moved for the arable land under their feet. Meles is dealing the land to modern, highly mechanized agricultural concerns from outside Africa. What he is doing in Omo he previously did to the people of the Gambella province.

This leader is the author of serial atrocities affecting hundreds of thousands if not millions of people.

Yet he is so callous that he participated in the African Union (AU) recent commemoration of the 18th anniversary of the Rwandan massacres. The cynical act is akin to a premeditated murderer being the loudest mourner at his victim’s funeral. What does the West say to this? It says a collective nothing.

There are no self-righteous shouts coming from Western diplomats at the UN that Meles must be stopped or ousted because he is killing his own people. He has put to the sword or to slow death at least ten fold more than Qaddafi. Yet, the only NATO bombs Meles will see are the ones given him to use against others.

When Meles imposed a media blackout, there was no outcry. There will be no CNN, BBC or Al Jazeera report against him because he has fashioned himself to be the handyman who does the evil bidding in the Horn of Africa for the great powers.

His excuse is that he is trying to rapidly turn a medieval society into a modern one. He is attempting to leap centuries of development within decades. If he must break a few bones in the process, no price is too dear for western-backed progress. The excuse does not wash. It is never a good idea to try to emerge from the Dark Ages by using Dark Age tactics.

Death is death and murder is murder.

Those in the West who hound lesser villains yet smile upon his ethnically-driven madness are no better than Meles. At the very least, they should have something to say in the face of such gross inhumanity.

They remain silent because their heart is never as big as their pocketbook and their principles never as compelling as their love of power and want to exterminate those they do not like.

In the end, black Africa must decide whether to follow the truth it knows or the fables others give it.

Black people are like any other people. We have our flaws and are to bear responsibility for much of what has befallen us. That we have often injured ourselves does not mean we must accept the injuries and false claims put upon us by others.

This means we have to do much better at thinking and judging affairs and events for ourselves than in being happy to follow the prescripts of others. We have been told to be satisfied to have the chance to sing the lyrics given us in the style demanded. At this stage, we should not be stilled until we write the song that suits us. Once we write it, we may sing it in any manner we please.

POLITICS

19

THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 29, 2012

W

ITH the Supreme Court ruling, last week Friday, that the fielding of candidates for elections is “an intra-party affair, in which courts cannot interfere,” there are suggestions that election petitions in the country will reduce significantly. This suggestion is consequent upon the fact that most of the electoral petitions in the past were primarily rooted on disagreements over conduct of primaries or fielding of aspirants for primary elections.

The apex court in its judgment, delivered by Justice John Fabiyi, made the landmark pronouncement as it threw out the suit filed by former Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, against the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

The court had maintained that “the fact that Sylva paid N5.5million, presented himself to the Screening Committee of his party, and campaigned extensively for the fresh primary elections fixed by his party for November 19, 2011, to choose its candidate to stand for governor of Bayelsa in elections fixed for February 12, 2012, indicated that he had abandoned the results of the primaries he won in January 2011.”

Also the court ruled that “the primaries that the 1st respondent (Sylva) won in 2011, fades into insignificance since the elections for which the said primaries was conducted, were cancelled.”

More importantly, the court ruled that “Courts in Nigeria do not have jurisdiction to question the nomination and sponsorship of a candidate for election”.

Although Sylva described the ruling as “no justice,” alleging that it portrays a dark moment for the nation’s democracy, many observers have maintained that the pronouncement will both reduce election petitions in the country and help sanitise the polity. However, others insisted that the ruling has created fresh confusion when considered alongside the ruling of the same apex court in the case of Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State.

Obviously anticipating such responses, the learned justices did not fail to comment on the matter while delivering judgment on Sylva’s petition.

Amaechi’s case The apex court, while delivering the judgment, explained that the case of Sylva was distinct from the decided case-law in Amaechi v. INEC, pointing out that whereas Governor Rotimi Ameachi contested the primaries and won, but was barred from contesting the general elections, his party, the PDP was unable to give cogent and verifiable reasons why he was not allowed to contest the election.

It noted that in the instant case, “Sylva contested primaries in January 2011 for a general election fixed for April 2011. The general election was cancelled.

Fresh primaries were fixed by this party, but he was not allowed to contest.

“There is thus no similarity in Ameachi case and this case. In Amaechi’s case, he was barred from contesting the general election. In this case Governor Sylva was barred from contesting primaries of his party,” said the learned justices.

As would be expected, Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State was amongst the first politicians to hail the judgment. “The Judiciary has once again demonstrated its relevance as the pillar of democracy. We commend the judiciary for upholding the essence of justice, equity and fairness without which democracy and the political system would be in danger,” he said.

Opposition politicians were not that

SUPREME COURT RULING:

Farewell to petitions?

The Supreme Court of Nigeria, in its judgment on a petition brought by former governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, against the Peoples Democratic Party, ruled that courts in Nigeria do not have jurisdiction to question the nomination and sponsorship of a candidate for election. In this report, Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu, sought the views of lawyers and politicians on the implications of that ruling on the polity. elated. Comrade Wilfred Frank Ogbotobo of Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in Bayelsa State, for example, expressed shock when he spoke with The Nation. He lashed: “What this judgment has inadvertently implied is that the process of selection of candidates is out of bounds of the rule of law. It means the cabals and cartels of clueless, opportunistic, vicious marauders can now hijack a party and hold to ransom our collective destiny. It is a sad development for our country and democracy. The eminent, learned judges owe Nigerians further explanation on why any matter should be above the courts of the land, moreso, considering the fact that the same Supreme Court adjudicated on the candidacy tussle between Amaechi and Omehia, which was an internal matter of a party.”

Even legal practitioners, who spoke with The Nation on the matter, did not agree. While Mr. Chris Akiri, a legal practitioner in Lagos said he was “at my wits end to understand the Supreme Court’s ruling on Sylva case, Dr. Sonny Ajala, another legal practitioner in Abuja said the pronouncement is in sync with Section 87 (4) (b) (ii) of the 2010 Electoral Act. Ajala told The Nation that “The Supreme Court decision in Sylva’s case is simply a restatement of its pronouncement in LADO case which is to the effect that once there

arose a dispute as to which candidate or aspirant, out of two or more contending primaries is the bonafide candidate of a political party, the court is divested of authority to adjudicate over the matter. That pronouncement is in sync with Section 87 (4) (b) (ii) and 9 of the 2010 Electoral Act as amended. But then, the electoral Act did not prohit the court from inquiring into the lawfulness/ regularity of the process adopted by the political party in picking aspirant A over aspirant B.” He contended that “The major innovation of the 2010 Electoral Act, which has received judicial approval of the Supreme Court, is that the court cannot, at the complaint of an aspirant, stop the holding of party primaries or general elections.”

Akiri however said: “The last time I wrote that Justice Adamu Bello of the Federal High Court, Abuja, that his judgment on five governors whose tenure he elongated, was delivered per incuriam, the Court of Appeal agreed with him until the Supreme Court agreed with me even though the affected governors are in the ruling party. That’s why I am at my wits’ end to understand the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Sylva’s case. How can the Supreme Court rule that no court can decide for any political party on its choice of a candidate? Political parties are made up of human beings…”

Implications on the polity Most politicians who spoke with The Nation after the ruling expressed fear that it will embolden party leaders to impose their stooges. For example, Comrade Wilfred, the Chairman of CPC renewal committee and opposition in Bayelsa said the ruling was a sad development for Nigeria and democracy.

He however insisted, “I do not expect this judgment to reduce petitions emanating from the conduct of party primaries. Rather, it portends anarchy and a rapid retrogression to dictatorship.”

He alleged that there was no way “a phenomenon that is out of the bounds of the established laws of the society can sanitise the polity,” and therefore called on the judiciary to remember that it is the last hope of the common Nigerians “to thwart such bad impositions from the PDP.” Ajala agreed that the ruling may not reduce election petitions, explaining that “The current position of the law and the stance of the Supreme Court is not a guarantee that instances of election petitions is going to abate or even reduce. The key factor that will discourage election petitions is improved internal party democracy, robust transparency in election matters and perhaps, functional federalism,” he said.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 29, 2012

Politics

•Ekweremadu

•Chime

Genesis of Enugu intrigues Chris Oji, in this report, delves into the root of the political maneuverings in Enugu State, explaining the behind-the scene causes of the tension over the pending court judgment.

T

HE political scenario of Enugu State will continue to be funny and unpredictable as long as the governor of the state, Mr. Sullivan Chime remains publicity shy. Loved by the lower members of the society, the governor’s apathy for publicity (and of course propaganda) always makes it difficult for the people to know the true situation of things whenever there is a little problem in the state. Chime has made the people of Enugu state reap the dividends of democracy through massive roads construction and rehabilitation. Prior to Chime’s emergence, the belief among the people of Enugu state was that it was only the Federal Government that can venture into roads reconstruction and building.

Chime silently, without the pseudo media hype of his predecessor, “Enugu state is working”, transformed and restored the glory of Enugu city as the capital of the defunct Eastern region. His efforts endeared him to the people of the lower cadre. And anything said to be affecting the governor negatively, sends shivers down the spine of his numerous admirers.

For this his disposition towards publicity, his opponents always capitalize on it to fly kites whenever there is a problem in the state. Tales have been told of the governor’s “quarrel” with the deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu.

Despite Ekweremadu’s denials publicly and in private, the opposition still continue to insist that the two “inseparable” politicians have parted ways.

Recently, the kite being flown by the opposition was that Chime and the godfather of Enugu State politics, Chief Jim Nwobodo, are having problems over land issue. The story goes that Chime had solicited the services of Nwobodo to help him reach out to the judges sitting over the case challenging his nomination as the candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State. The case was filed by an Abuja based businessman, Chief Alex Obiechina. Nwobodo was said to have been given a large sum to deliver to the judges.

But along the line, according to the story, Nwobodo could not deliver the money and was said to have refused returning the money to the governor. And the governor in retaliation pounced on a large acreage of land said to belong to Nwobodo and shared it among his aides. But these were flatly and staunchly denied by Nwobodo. He told reporters that he was never sent on such errand by Chime and the governor never touched any of his land. “In any case, I don’t have an inch of land at where they are mentioning. I have no problem whatsoever with my governor. We have been the best of friends. Those who spread the rumour are

not only wicked and inhuman, they are as well enemies of progress,” Nwobodo said.

He threatened to close down a local weekly tabloid that celebrated the “unfounded story,” saying he had already instructed his lawyers to take action against the Nsukka based tabloid. The story came strong as judgment was being awaited on the suit by Obiechina. The judgment which was to be delivered last Monday May 23 was adjourned sine die by the court.

The prayers in the suit are similar to those of the former governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, whose suit was thrown away by the Supreme Court, which declared them as party matters and, insisting that the courts have no jurisdiction over them.

Prior to May 23, the camp of Obiechina,

joined by Anayo Onwuegbu, was in celebration that Chime would be thrown out by the court on the judgment day. Obiechina and Onuegbu are from the same community, OjiRiver. Their supporters were so sure that either of the two would be declared the authentic flag-bearer of the party. Some of them even boasted they had seen the judgment.

While the drama was on, the governor’s camp opted to keep mum. Chime being a lawyer, would not want his aides to make comments on the impending judgment as he believed that his lawyers and those of PDP and INEC did a thorough job in their response and submissions.

But wagging tongues of both social and political stakeholders in the state are querying why the two kinsmen would not allow

Chime to carry on his administration of the state since emerging as governor for a second tenure? Onwuegbu, whose supporters call Omeiheukwu, had challenged the governor earlier in the court and lost. Before the primaries, Onwuegbu had told reporters in his Enugu residence that the problem they had with Chime was his “refusal to open” the party and not that he was not delivering the dividends of democracy to the people. It is for this reason that Chime’s supporters said Onwuegbu’s insistence to challenge the governor was informed by obvious commitment of the Nwodo family, which promised him the ticket of the party under the platform of their then faction.

Obiechina, whose suit was adjourned sine die, is not also a new player in Enugu State politics. But he had been in oblivion since he was roundly trashed by Chimaroke Nnamani in 2003, in the race to occupy the Lion Building. He was then straddling on the back of Senator Jim Nwobodo to upstage Nnamani. Nwobodo had promised Obiechina “What I did for Chimaroke, I will do for you.” Seeing that penetrating the PDP then was impossible, they decided to contest on the platform of United Nigeria Peoples Party (UNPP). He did not make any mark in the general elections which was won by PDP’s Nnamani.

Nobody heard of him again after that.

His name only resurfaced in Enugu political scene in January last year after the primaries. Most people did not know he was in the contest. It is the court action that made people to know that he was in the race. The actual contenders then, apart from the governor, were Okey Ezea, Anayo Onwuegbu and Val Nnadozie.

Okey Ezea later picked the ticket of Labour Party while Val Nnadozie got that of Action Congress of Nigeria to contest the election. This led to questions by people why the duo of Obiechina and Onwuegbu, if they considered themselves popular, did not empower other parties and contest on their platform.

The latest development in the suit did not only actually save an impending ugly situation in the state; it also pacified the majority of Enugu residents, who were already roaring for action if anybody was imposed on them.

Although the judgment is still pending, Chime and his aides are not even perturbed that anything would go against them while the Obiechina/Onwuegbu camp is still hopeful that the judicial pendulum would rest on their side.

Did Jonathan offend God? I

T began like a fairy tale. The romance between President Jonathan and the Nigerian people seemed written in the stars.

At the peak of his fame, President Goodluck Jonathan had such overwhelming national support that could only be compared with the same momentum that brought President Barack Obama to power, four years ago in the United States. Never since the late Moshood Kasimawo Abiola did Nigerians freely give their support to one man to occupy the nation’s top post.

Five years ago when the infamous former President Umaru Yar’Adua cabal rode the political landscape like a colonizing alien, nobody would have given the university teacher-turned politician any chance of rising further in the political arrangement the country found itself in. But by one of those ironies of which fate is never tired, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan emerged the President in an election unprecedented in Nigeria.

Again, the exalted position in which this humble teacher found himself had seemed written in the stars, even his political enemies mostly agreed that he must be an emissary from the Most High, sent to fulfill a purpose, designed to achieve a goal.

Jonathan himself agreed. He dazzled the nation with his shoeless and bag less stories, and his supernatural rise in the turmoil political landscape of Nigeria. He agreed he was not the best but there must have been something about him that pleased the Most High and made him the servant for this privileged assignment.

Given the unprecedented design of his electoral victory, with Nigerians from all tribes and walks of life rising up to selflessly work to achieve ‘Gods purpose’ in his life, he saw himself as the anointed arrow of God, to

•Jonathan

By Seun Akioye

PERSPECTIVE punish wickedness in the land and bring back justice and righteousness.

The election itself seemed to have the hand of the stars in it, many Nigerians who would never have voted the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) did on that day. The joke at most polling stations was “Let us vote PDP today, next week (gubernatorial elections) we will return to our party”; some even had justified their vote for the PDP this way “I did not vote for PDP, I voted for Jonathan.”

But how does one go from hero to zero in a matter of days? When did Jonathan fall out of God’s favor to become the most vile President Nigeria ever had? How did it happen that since his inauguration he has taken every

wrong step, at the wrong time for the wrong reasons? Let us hazard some guess on what could have made him to fall out of the favors that got him into the position. Here was a man who just a few months ago could do no wrong, who said all the right things and quickly forgiven when gaffes were made- his rascally statement on rascally South West leaders- and in a matter of days, he had gone from the top of the mountain to the pit of despise.

How did the president offend God? Firstly, Jonathan was ungrateful to God and the people God used for him; one remembers how he knelt before a renowned man of God in public view for prayers. Has he returned to give thanks? Even Ogbeni Aregbesola, the governor of Osun State returned to God to fulfill his electoral vow of giving thanks. After his elections, Jonathan abandoned most of those who worked selflessly for him; he would not acknowledge their role in his electoral victory. Jonathan betrayed the poor and the vulnerable who voted for him. The President was like one of the nine lepers who didn’t give thanks.

Another point was the President abandoned wise counsel. During his campaigns, Jonathan surrounded himself with wise counselors and drank from the fountains of their experience. Now, he has gone back to the politicians, the very ones who despised him for his inexperience. In 1 King 12:1-16, the tragic folly of King Rehoboam was unveiled. When given the democratic mandate to freely lead the nation of Israel, he abandoned wise counsels and choose to follow his rascally mates.

The result was the eternal division of the kingdom of Israel.

•Continued on Page 22

THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 29, 2012

Politics

Daniel’s overtures W

Political

ripples SSG choice worsens Wada’s dilemma

T

HE last has not been heard of the pressure the Kogi State Governor, Captain Idris Wada, has been subjected to since he dissolved his cabinet. Since he began moves to replace the dissolved cabinet, the governor has faced what inside sources described as “serious intrigues by political lords angling to put their candidates.” Ripples learnt that Wada has had course to complain over “the heavy demands being made on him, daily.”

But if the governor has been under heavy burden because of pressure of lobbyists since then, it could be said that today, he has found himself sandwiched between the devil and the deep blue sea.

His current dilemma is the choice of the candidate for the plum office of Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

Insiders told Ripples that some powerful political forces in the state had insisted that the governor must accept a certain candidate, a former Local Government Chairman.

Unfortunately, other political forces are warning the governor that the said candidate (names withheld) lack the bureaucratic competence needed for the job.

More so, they alleged that the said former LG chairman is very un-

popular in his local government area because of his abysmal performance when he served. In fact, his political opponents have gone to town to allege that he cannot fit the bill because, according to them, “he is a misfit.”

That is not all. Wada, we are informed had been warned by the powerful sponsors of the candidate that he does not have any choice in the matter.

Given the dicey relationship between Wada and the State House of Assembly, some commentators are even alleging that if he goes ahead to listen to the people and ditch the said candidate,

21

•Wada

his days may be numbered since, according to the gist, the candidate is highly connected at the assembly.

For now, the matter is being discussed in hushed tones at the Kogi State Government House, where pressure is increasingly being piled up on the governor to mend fences with his powerful political enemies.

HAT goes round, they say will always come round. The aptness of this age long saying appears to be playing out currently in the political life of former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel. The ex Ogun helmsman, sources say, may have swallowed his vomits as he is currently doing everything humanly possible, including begging the same people he had once abused and humiliated publicly in the very recent past, to facilitate his re-admittance into the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) family in the state.

Reliable sources within the embattled party told Ripples that the former governor has sent emmisaries to party leaders like Jubril Martins Kuye, Sule Onabiyi and even former President olusegun Obasanjo, following the position of the national leadership of the party that he can only re-enter the party from his state.

Before now, OGD has sought to bypass these leaders as he tried to wriggle himself back into the party from the top. But he got no positive response from the

PDP National Executive Council (NEC). His argument that he never really left the party held no sway as he was told to go back home and make peace.

Ripples reports that among those helping Daniel to beg are ex- governors in the South/West and prominent national officers of the party.

•Daniel

Traditional stool’s tussle echoes in C/River Govt. House

T •Imoke

HE hullabaloo that has so far trailed the tussle over the traditional stool in Calabar South Local Government has reverberated in Cross River State Government House where accusation fingers are being pointed at a top official (names withheld).

The powerful official is not only believed to have single handedly denied the new monarch approval but allegedly sponsored the latest invasion of the embattled monarch’s palace recently.

Accused of having the penchant to dabble into

every traditional stool’s tussle, the official has, by so doing, become the terror of would-be and serving natural rulers in Cross River State.

It would be recalled that some people recently invaded the palace of the new monarch and actually sacked the royal personage before the police arrived the scene to make arrests. Although worried by the development, especially the claim that one of his most powerful assistants was deeply involved in the tussle, it is not yet certain how Governor Liyel Imoke intends to resolve the matter in the seat of power, in Calabar.

APGA v UPGA Can Okorie scale identity hurdle?

Chief Chekwas Okorie’s quest to register a new political party, United Progressives Grand Alliance (UPGA), is facing challenges, allegedly caused by his former party, All Progressives Grand Alliance. In this report, Assistant Editor, Augustine Avwode, examines the challenges and reports that the hurdle is built around its name and logo.

W

HEN on March 28, 2012, Chief Chekwas Okorie, erstwhile chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), announced the formation of a new party, the United Peoples Grand Alliance (UPGA), he probably thought he would now have a new and fresh platform to rally people of like political minds and philosophy for the development of Nigeria and Nigerians.

But by the midweek, it appeared such a hope was resting on the cliffhanger as it emerged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) allegedly refused to register the party.

INEC rejected the application on the grounds that it flouted relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The electoral umpire claimed that the logo of the proposed party has ethnic connotation and its acronym, UPGA, is similar in pronouncement to that of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

The decision of the umpire was

contained in a letter dated April, 23, 2012 with reference number INEC/ DPPM&L/UPGA/428/143 written by the Secretary to the Commission, Alhaji Abudalahi Kaugama, and addressed to Okorie.

The symbol of the proposed party is the rising sun with an acronym UPGA written on the bar upon which the rising sun is rested. The motto of UPGA is love and unity while the flag is made of white and green colours with the proposed party’s symbol displayed on the white part of the flag.

But in a swift reaction, Okorie fired back a letter on April 25, 2012 to INEC. Okorie described his letter as a ‘protest letter’. He wrote: “This letter (INEC’s) is not only belated; UPGA has become a political party by the effluxion of time. We are further surprised that the commission wrote this letter to us shortly after we complained in writing that Chief Umeh declared in a statewide television programme Face The Press in Anambra State that he had sealed the fate of UPGA at INEC.

•Okorie

“Democracy in Nigeria will be doomed the moment outsiders or virtual interlopers begin to direct and decide for the commission how to carry out its statutory functions and even have the audacity to boast in public in advance of the occurrence of what they boasted about.

“The INEC letter under reference is a rehash of the petition written to INEC by Chief Victor Umeh, objecting to the registration of UPGA as a political party.”

Speaking to The Nation on Friday, Okorie alleged that the letter written to him from the commission was

a product of conspiracy by two officials in the commission. He alleged that the matter has not even been discussed and so it was baffling that such a conclusion could be reached by just two members out of the board of commissioners in INEC. “However, there are several options that we can explore. There is the legal option, there is also the possibility of going to the ECOWAS court. We also could write a fresh application which is another option,” he said.

Faulting the ground for the refusal to register UPGA by INEC, Okorie said that by virtue of Section 78, paragraphs 3 and 4, the 30 days allowed by law had expired and the party was deemed to have been registered.

He said were there any objection to the documents submitted by the party, there wouldn’t have been need to inspect the national headquarters and verify the members of the executive committee on April 17.

“There is no legislation on intonation and so the claim that UPGA and APGA sound similar is incorrect.

Besides, the issue of the logo is a nonissue because Biafra had no symbol or logo but a Coat of Arms which lasted only for 30 months and has since been declared defunct. How come they are bringing life into what is dead?

It will be recalled that APGA national chairman, Chief Victor Umeh, protested the registration of UPGA. In his protest letter, he had said: “We, in All Progressives Grand Alliance, have our reasons for not wanting Chekwas Okorie to register UPGA.

“One is that it is a rule that no political party should have similar acronym or name. The name United Peoples Grand Alliance is similar to All Progressives Grand Alliance. We are opposed to it more particularly as when we wanted to register APGA in 2002, the name we submitted to INEC for registration was United Progressives Grand Alliance, but INEC rejected the name. We had to adjust to All Progressives Grand Alliance, that is replacing ‘United’ with ‘All’ to be able to scale INEC’s hurdle. That name APGA and UPGA sound similar. Moreover, UPGA has a historical perspective as an acronym. Our people and Nigerians can identify UPGA with the old party called UPGA (United Progressives Grand Alliance).

“Even today, some people still pronounce APGA as UPGA. In the South-East part of Nigeria, for instance, rural women and men only know UPGA; they don’t understand APGA. That was the old party they knew and supported in the past... ”.

But Okorie countered within the week that parties registered by INEC include those with the following acronyms, ANPP and UNPP, CPP and CPC, PDP and DPP, ADC and ACD. “These parties have their different symbols and nobody has ever complained about any conflict in their identities.”

Whatever happens in the next two or three weeks, one thing is clear, the time to sing halelluyah by Okorie and bask in the euphoria of leading another political party has been deferred.

22

THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 29, 2012

Politics

Political Politics

Why plot against Tambuwal failed Sunday Oguntola captures the factors that ruptured plans to get Speaker of House of Representatives out of the way.

F

EW minutes before presentation of the ad hoc committee report on the fuel subsidy probe, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, became prophetic. It was during a brief statement heralding the presentation. Those indicted, he stated, will certainly fight back having become entrenched interests.

According to him, ‘’Let me also remind you that we are fighting against entrenched interests whose infectious greed has deci- •Tambuwal mated our people. Therefore, be mindful that they will fight back, and they do fight dirty.’’

Indeed, they fought back. It took only 24 hours before an impeachment threat was dangled before Tambuwal and the House leadership. The plot was conceived by presidential forces with the active prompting of indicted oil marketers. The plotters were miffed that Tambuwal allowed the report to be presented ‘undoctored and uncensored.’’ The speaker, checks revealed, had been under intense pressure to either water down the report or prevent his presentation. But he stuck to his guns. Calls from several circles did not sway the Speaker.

Since he was elected against presidential wish, Tambuwal has remained largely an independent Speaker. He has demonstrated he would always stand by popular choices, even if presidential interests are jeopardised. During the fuel subsidy protest, the speaker led the House to issue a resolution asking the federal government to rescind the decision to remove subsidy. The Presidency was shocked that a Speaker elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) could preside over the session. There were also pressures that the session should

not hold. But it held on a Sunday, allegedly to spite the presidency.

These and other instances were cited by the impeachment plotters to justify the need to remove Tambuwal.

The Speaker, they argued, was more of an opposition leader whose disdain for PDP’s agenda was legendary. The report, they stated, did not only embrace friends of the president but also cast the PDP in the most negative light.

Hawks in the oil sector were drafted in to provide the much-needed financial muscle for the plot. But then a snag was identified. Who will spearhead the plot in the House?

This has been the main headache of those uncomfortable with Tambuwal’s handling of the House.

The Speaker, they realised, is not only popular but also almost ‘’unimpeachable’’. He emerged with the support of opposition members much to the chagrin and disdain of PDP’s leadership.

Efforts to get members to stoke the impeachment moves failed gallantly.

Tambuwal, it was gathered, has the unalloyed loyalty and support of almost all the Representatives.

The House, they found, has also built an army of die-hard supporters for legislative independence. Every move and proposal from the presidency

and PDP is considered an attempt to control the House.

He has a groundswell of support and confidence of members difficult to alter. These and more, it was gathered, made the impeachment plot not to fly. Mindful of the fortress the speaker has built around himself, the Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Zakari Mohammed, described any plot against Tambuwal as laughable.

The Minority Leader of the House, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, also said the impeachment rumour was a “figment of the imagination of those who think that they can impeach Tambuwal. In the days of (former President Olusegun) Obasanjo, with all his powers, he failed in his bid to remove a Speaker (Ghali Na’Abba) because the whole House said no.’’

Hon. Peter Akpatason, who represents AkokoEdo Federal Constituency of Edo State, said ‘’we will crush any move against Tambuwal. I am surprised that there is a new dimension to the pressure, sets of litigations, rumours about plans to do this or do that in the House. I actually don’t want to use the word impeachment because to me, it appears stupid for anybody to be talking about impeachment of the most popular political office holder in the country today. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, freely elected by the people, what has he committed that somebody should be thinking about impeachment?’’

He added, ‘’Anybody who comes up with a thing like that will just end up rubbishing himself. But I know that we are in a capitalist environment.

And I know what the capitalists can do. We know that they can go any extent to kill the message, and the messenger, but it is never possible to do both. So, even if they attempt anything, they are just wasting their time. I can assure you. This is because the man you are talking about, we are very happy with him’’. Tambuwal has financial and political hawks where they don’t want to be. For now, they may have to come up with something more ingenious than impeachment to get Tambuwal out of the way.

Did Jonathan offend God? •Continued from Page 20 Our President has also forgotten the source of his power and authority. It is human to be tempted that the strength of your arms has procured for you your victories, it is hard not to fall into the constant whisperings of pride and arrogance that you are the next thing to God. But the real power belongs to the people and the leader derives his powers from the people.

That is why Jesus himself said, he who desire to lead must first serve and be the last. The conduct of Mr. President, the corruption of the system and the treachery that attended the January fuel subsidy removal showed clearly that President Jonathan has forgotten the source of his authority.

Encouraged by a selfish and treacherous elite class, the President forgot his shoeless days and heaped, like King Rehoboam, untold hardship on the Nigerians who gave their own shoes that he may cease to walk barefooted. The President, in satisfy-

ing his own cabal put in the way of these now shoeless people, thorns and briers and told them to walk gently. “The tender mercies of the wicked are cruel,” Proverbs 12:10.

Our President has added pride and vanity to his list of virtues, he strides around the world with large entourage, displaying wealth and pomp like a Mansa Musa while his people groan under crushing poverty.

The President hit the ground running with one mistake after the other and now it seems he cannot do anything right. One year after, the President has not made one brilliant move and he does not seem to understand his helplessness.

Not many Nigerians can remember one policy designed and implemented by the President that have direct positive impact on the lives of the ordinary Nigerians.

How many hobs has he created to lift people out of poverty, instead of descending deeper into the abyss?

Under President Jonathan’s

watch, Nigeria has sunk deeper into the depths of corruption and cluelessness.

How many bills passed by the National Assembly has the President signed? Some of the bills are life saving bills that could have direct implications for the lives of Nigerians.

The aim of this writer is not to join the growing ranks of disaffected people who daily abuse the President but to point out the way he may have fallen out of his ordained assignment.

Unless the President finds himself back on the path of constitutionality, rule of law and good governance, Nigeria would remain what it is, a nation under siege. The pertinent question we need to ask ourselves, given the excellent profile of the President and what his administration could have been, while it suffers untold rejection, would be: Did Jonathan offend God? Seun Akioye, a freelance journalist and a public affairs commentator, lives in Lagos.

turf

with Bolade Omonijo boladeomonijo@yahoo.com

Who is afraid of Aregbesola?

T

HE Osun State governor is a man whose life, political thought and governance style should interest scholars.

Those in the fields of Political Science and Management owe the society a duty of providing insight into this man who has emerged a phenomenon. He is loved by the majority of the masses, but hated with a passion by a section of the elite. What is it about him that generates so much controversy?

What does he stand for? How did historical figures that toed this line end up politically and personally? Is history staring us in the face? Do we have in this Ijesa man one who is likely to raise his game, move up to higher ground and eventually solve the leadership question in the country?

I have known and watched him from close and far distance for more than two decades. He has remained the same- ever so passionate about the progress of the society in which he has found himself, the political philosophy he has embraced and the company he keeps. He is a Muslim and will leave no one in doubt about that. His wears, his beard and the bisimillahi lines he constantly recites are enough to tell the tale of his faith. When he speaks, he does so with so much passion that suggests the he is ready to jump into the ring for a boxing bout. Even when he laughs, he could be heard from a kilometre.

Is Aregbesola already a phenomenon? I do not think so, but I think he is one in the making. The signs are all over. He admits to being an unconventional politician. He strikes me as one who genuinely wants to rescue the Osun people from the pangs of hunger and poverty. He appears to be one who would rather go hungry than see those placed in his care walk about in rags. In the process, he is bound to step on toes.

Those who saw the state as their fiefdom are bound to react and fight to hold on to their cash cows. Those who saw the Osun State treasury as something to be assaulted and converted to personal safes would naturally resist an attempt to free the till for the true owners. There are those stung by the Aregbe words. He converts readily those words to weapons against oppressors.

In the past month, the media has been seized by those who could not bear the sight of the Osun governor.

Commanding the army is the duo of Iyiola Omisore, until recently chairman of the Appropriation Committee of the Senate, and the immediate past governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola. Providing necessary support and pledging reinforcement is Olusegun Oni who illegally sat on the throne in Ekiti State for more than two years. The three men who were disgraced at the polls last year and had their voices muffled for a while had just been handed their voices by the PDP High Command in Abuja. Oyinlola was appointed the party’s National Secretary, Oni is the zonal chairman and Omisore the Osun PDP baba Oba (godfather). They needed to justify the proposal they had presented to the national leadership by creating crisis in the state and indeed other states in the South West.

But, why Aregbesola? He is not the only committed leader and governor in the zone, so, why pick on him? He remains the most unconventional and therefore most controversial.

They believe that whatever they pin on him would stick. It was a mistake. Aregbe is a fighter. He has rather taken the battle to them. Their case is not helped by the fact that the tales they are peddling sound irritating.

How could anyone believe that a governor could be planning secession? What does he have to prosecute the war?

Where would he draw the support and strength from? Why should he seek secession? His programmes are enough to show that he means well for his people. He has been preaching the gospel of agricultural growth and employment. At every opportunity, he says the Lagos food market should be the target of all. He targets Osun having a ten per cent slice and suggests that the other four South West states should have similar input. Since Lagos lacks the land to fill the gap, where would the remaining 50 per cent come from?

It is unfortunate that the men represented by Marilyn Ogar have become tale bearers. It is more disturbing that the tales are so unintelligent that one is compelled to query the intelligence that such an outfit gathers. How could anyone who understands the Yoruba worldview ever suggest that a governor in any of the states could plan to Islamise it? It is disgusting. I have followed the political thought of Governor Aregbesola for more than two decades that I can bear witness that he so much loves debates and would therefore do nothing to force his religion or viewpoint on anyone.

The Osun people have waited so long to have an Aregbesola at the helm of affairs. They fought hard to defeat the forces of tyranny and cannot fall for the cheap lies from the PDP and SSS. Last April, they spoke out loud at the poll when the party of the oppressors was uprooted from the state. Governor Aregbesola has made me proud as an indigene of the satte. I know that, in four years, the seeds he is sowing in the education of the children, health care and urban renewal will bear fruits.

Whoever is afraid of the Osun State governor can only be crippled by the fear. He stands no chance of enlisting the clear thinking people of the state behind him. Surely, the struggle continues.

COVER

23

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2012

•Jonathan

•Lamorde

EFCC: A fading toothless bulldog ?

C

OURTROOM 7 of the Federal High Court, Lagos presided over by Justice Charles Archibong witnessed a significant drama some weeks ago. It was at the resumed trial of the former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Intercontinental Bank Plc (now Access Bank), Dr Erastus Akingbola. The embattled bank chief was facing 26 -count amended charges preferred against him by the Federal Government. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was prosecuting the case on behalf of the Federal Government.

Shoddy prosecution Justice Archibong, alarmed by what he described as “serious and professional incompetence” of the prosecution team made up of five Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), was enraged. He did not only dismiss the charges against Akingbola but also chided the prosecution team. He dismissed the team’s appearance as “a drain in the public purse, a fact the AGF should be mindful of now if he was not before.’’

The judge was so incensed by the crass incompetence of the prosecution team that he declared emphatically, “This prosecution team or any part of it shall not be given further audience in this court in relation to the charges against the accused either before this presiding judge or any other judge of the Federal High Court, for the reason, I have given in the foregoing.”

He continued, “Furthermore, I take judicial notice that the accused herein is presently facing charges before the Lagos High Court emanating from his tenure as the managing director and chief executive officer of the Intercontinental Bank Plc, the AGF may wish to regain control of this process and his untrammelled right to prosecute the accused in another charge,

Stalled and bungled prosecutions as well loss of cases have cast doubts over the effectiveness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to tackle corruption.

Sunday Oguntola considers the agency’s battles in the last few years amid a recommendation for its scrapping by a presidential panel

EFCC’s successful convictions • • • •

Cecilia Ibru- 6 months Tafa Balogun- 6 months Diepreye Alamieyeseigha -2 years Bode George – 2 years

Unresolved cases • • • • • • • • •

Adamu Muazu Sani Yerima Orji Kalu Joshua Dariye Abdullahi Adamu Aliyu Akwe Doma Saminu Turaki Chimaroke Nnamani Sam Egwu

he chooses before any appropriate court, as he can of course do so at any time of his choosing.

“Meanwhile, the prosecuting team presently employed, indulging in professional incompetence to the extreme, had been unmindful of the accused right to

have the case against him clearly stated.

They have been dismissive of his right to a ‘speedy’ trial, which in reality should be the credible procedure. I, therefore, dismiss the charges amended or otherwise for this incompetent and abusive prosecuting team. I discharge the accused ac-

cordingly and leave the AGF to consider his options. This enrolled order shall be served to the AGF and the prosecution team. I shall be referring the conduct of the learned senior advocates that led the prosecuting team to the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) for further consideration and determination of the issues raised. The record of this proceeding shall be forwarded to the AGF and the LLPC and this proceeding is at its end.”

A litany of losses Beyond the indictment of the prosecution, the ruling was a major dent on the nation’s anti-corruption war spearheaded by the EFCC. The commission has been in the eyes of the storm and appears to be losing the battle against sleaze. Just few days before the Akingbola’s mistrial, the agency lost another high-profile case - the wellpublicised Halliburton suit.

The commission filed a nine-count charge bordering on corruption and bribery against three persons – a former Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Head of Service, Alhaji Ibrahim Aliyu; Air Vice Marshal Abdullahi Bello (rtd) and Mohammed Bakari in Abuja. It alleged the accused persons had used their companies: Intercellular Nigeria Ltd., Sherwood Petroleum Ltd., and Tri-Star Investment Ltd., to benefit from a $7.5m Halliburton bribe.

But one year after filing the suit, the EFCC failed to arraign the suspects and produce witnesses. The Commission kept assuring the court and secured several adjournments to prosecute effectively.

Justice Abubakar Umar who was hearing the case was already becoming fed up. He wondered if the EFCC was pre•Continued on Page 24

24

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2012

Cover •Continued from Page 23

pared to prosecute the accused.

He ordered that they must be arraigned unfailingly. But a day later, the prosecution sought for another adjournment, a request he turned down.

In his ruling, Umar said, “I will not grant any more adjournment. Remember I gave an order on January 23 that March 26 date would be the last time the court would give the EFCC chance to arraign the suspects.

“I gave the long adjournment to allow the EFCC to interface with its U.S. sister agency in utilising security information you said you got. I warned the EFCC that upon its failure to arraign the accused today, I will strike out the case and write to the Minister of Justice to lodge a complaint about the attitude of the Commission. I remember I also warned the EFCC and the accused counsel to adhere to the specific details of the order or suffer certain penalties for not following the instructions.

“I have checked my records and in the past one year, since February 17, 2011 when I granted leave to the prosecution to arraign the accused, they have not done so.

“It has been over a year now and still the EFCC is coming up with excuses; the EFCC should know that if it is not ready to prosecute and bring cases to conclusion, it should not apply for leave of court to arraign anybody.

“The EFCC should know that I am answerable to the National Judicial Council and what will I say is the reason why this case has been at arraignment stage for the past one year? I therefore strike out the suit for want of diligent prosecution.”

The US example The same Halliburton scandal with strong links with Nigeria was prosecuted and dispensed with in record time in the United States. It was investigated and prosecuted under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, a federal anti-bribery statute, much like the EFCC. The investigation “crossed four continents over 10 years and involved five companies in Europe, the U.S., Japan and Nigeria. Criminal and civil penalties in the case have yielded more than $1.7bn in fines, forfeitures and other sanctions,’’ an online news portal stated.

A former Halliburton subsidiary, Kellog, Brown and Root (KBR), had in 2009 pleaded guilty to charges brought against it for its involvement in the scandal.KBR admitted that it paid $180m in bribes to highranking Nigerian officials in return for a $6bn natural gas contract. Albert Stanley, a former Halliburton executive, who was the CEO of KBR at the time of the bribes, will serve two-and-half years in prison for his role in the bribery scheme. Stanley was sentenced after pleading guilty in a Houston federal court.

He agreed to pay $10.8m in addition to the prison term. He faced a maximum of seven years in prison but prosecutors said the lighter sentence was merited by his “substantial cooperation” in the investigation. Stanley had pleaded guilty in September 2008 but his sentencing was delayed 16 times, according to a Reuters report.

Two of Stanley’s co-conspirators, Jeffrey Tesler, a British lawyer and Wojciech J. Chodan, a salesman for KBR’s British subsidiary, have also been sentenced. Tesler was accused of serving as the principal bagman in the scheme, funnelling the

EFCC: A compromised organ

• Sagay

• Aturu

• Oronsaye

“The EFCC has been accused of selective arraignments in the past but shoddy prosecutions have further taken the shine off its antigraft campaign. Prosecution, which remains the most critical aspect of the anti-corruption crusade, remains the albatross of the EFCC. Its teams have failed severally to successfully prosecute glaring cases of corruption. Several examples abound in this direction.” $180m bribe money to the Nigerian officials between 1994 and 2004 to secure the $6bn natural gas contracts. He bagged 21month imprisonment and would also pay a $25,000 fine. He also agreed to forfeit $149m under the terms of a 2009 plea agreement.

Chodan, on his part, got a sentence of one year probation and had also previously agreed to forfeit $726,000.

Bungled prosecutions and public wastes The EFCC has been accused of selective arraignments in the past but shoddy prosecutions have further taken the shine off its anti-graft campaign. Prosecution, which remains the most critical aspect of the anti-corruption crusade, remains the albatross of the EFCC. Its teams have failed severally to successfully prosecute glaring cases of corruption. Several examples abound in this direction.

A High Court sitting in Isabo, Ogun State, weeks back, quashed EFCC’s 43-count charge against former Governor Gbenga Daniel on technical grounds. In his ruling, Justice Olanrewaju Mabekoje, said that it was glaring from the position of the law that the prosecution counsel had not fulfilled the requirements of the law in filing the case against the accused person.

The judge dismissed all the cases and authorities cited by the prosecution, and said, “they are misconstrued and of no effect to the case at hand. The prosecution has failed to comply with the provision of Section 340 (2) of the 1999 Constitution. The provision says that the permission of the court shall be sought or consent of judge shall be obtained before an indictment case is initiated.

The consequence of this noncompliance is that the error is fundamental and has robbed the court of the jurisdiction of the trial. The 43-count charge against

the accused person is hereby quashed.’’

Daniel has since been re-arraigned amid concerns over why technical matters could not be fine-tuned before such wasteful court appearances.

It was the same with former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole and his erstwhile deputy, Bayero Nafada. A Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed an N40b case against the former lawmakers, saying the duo had no case to answer in connection with the charges.

Justice Suleiman Belgore gave the verdict while ruling on a nocase submission made by Bankole and Nafada over a 17count charge of criminal breach of public trust preferred against them by the EFCC. Belgore also came hard on EFCC’s prosecution. He ruled that the duo did not benefit from the loan, which was not provided for in the budget.

Days ago, former Oyo State Governor, Otunba Adebayo Alao- Akala was back in court over an 11-count charge of conspiracy, illegal award of contracts and obtaining by false pretence, property with money derived from illegal acts and concerning the ownership of such property. He has been facing trial with Senator Hosea Agboola and a businessman, Femi Babalola.

The trio is standing trial before Justice Akintunde Boade in an Ibadan High Court over an 11count charge of conspiracy, illegal award of contracts, obtaining by false pretence, and acquiring property with money derived from illegal acts and concealing the ownership of such property from the EFCC. At the sitting, Otunba Olayinka Bolanle announced his appearance for the prosecution counsel and explained why the lead counsel was not in court.

According to him, the lead counsel, Godwin Obla, was not in court because he was in another Lagos high court holding brief on a criminal matter. He then apologised to the court for his absence.

But counsel to the three accused persons, Chief Mohammad Osman (SAN), argued against his appearance and said he should not be heard because he lacked judicial power to appear as a prosecutor in the case. He told the court that the Attorney-General of the Federation gave the prosecution counsel the fiat to prosecute the accused personally and such fiat could not be delegated to another person.

Since the prosecution counsel did not appear personally in court, any other person standing in for him should be denied audience by the court. But, Bolanle argued that he was not entirely new in the case but has been appearing with Obla since the case commenced. To him, since the fiat given to Obla to prosecute the case was not before the court, the issue of exclusivity did not arise.

Clearly, this forced the adjournment of the case to May 4.

Many argue it would have been given accelerated hearing had the lead prosecution counsel been around. Many prosecutors engaged by the EFCC have bungled cases in court, leading to loss of public funds. Adjournments and amendments of corruption charges have characterised their appearances. These, stakeholders say, are undesirable and unhelpful to the commission’s antigraft war.

Why prosecutions fail Investigations revealed that many prosecuting teams engaged by the EFCC may have been compromised. Many of them, it was learnt, may be heavily involved in the very corrupt practices they were hired to prosecute.

Judicial sources said many of them apply delay tactics to make more money from the anti-corruption agency. “You need to know some of them are not on retainer ship but are paid per appearance.

So, it is not in their economic interest for cases to be dispensed with quickly. If that happens, they don’t get as much money as they want,’’ a competent source explained last week.

Many of them, it was also alleged, actually connive with the defence teams to elongate corruption cases. That way, they win both ways. They get paid by EFCC and also secure monies from the accused. This tactic, our correspondent learnt, has been well practised over the years to frustrate trial of high-profile cases.

Sources point out that many of the ex-bank chiefs under trial are benefitting from this arrangement. Foremost constitutional lawyer, Prof. Itse Sagay, won’t rule out this kind of deals. He said, “You cannot rule out anything in this country. There is something wrong somewhere because these things are not natural at all.’’

EFCC in the eye of the public Bamidele Aturu, a lawyer, believes most of the EFCC prosecutors are part of the elites responsible for massive graft in the country. According to him, “There is an elite conspiracy to make sure corruption thrives in Nigeria.

Some of the prosecutors are also part of the elites. They want the status quo maintained. They don’t see any push from the populace and consider the war against corruption a joke.’’

Sagay believes the anti-corruption war is not on course. He said measures must be taken to make it stronger and better. According to him, “The war is not on course at all. We need to strengthen laws that the EFCC is working with. There is the need to eliminate the rights to bring up objections to corruption cases.

Defence teams can argue for nocase submission during the trial but not before the case is heard.’’

Nigeria, he argues, “is overwhelmed by corruption.’’ He said the executive must give more backing to the commission and be radical in fighting graft in every sector.

•Continued on Page 67

SUNDAY INTERVIEW

25

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2012

Fight against corruption unserious Dr. Dozie Ikedife is the immediate past President of the Ohaneze Ndigbo, the pan-Igbo socio-cultural organisation. A medical doctor by profession, the elder statesman is known for his bluntness when it comes to issues affecting Nigeria and his people. In this interview with Dare Odufowokan, he talks about corruption, the readiness of the South East to contest the presidency in 2015,Boko Haram and other issues of interest in the country.

Excerpts

T

HERE was a panel that suggested that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) be scrapped and their duties given back to the police. What do you think about this?

I don’t think there is anything the matter with the EFCC or ICPC. The problem with many of these bodies including the Police is actually Nigerians and Nigeria itself. The concept is excellent but when they introduce what you people call Nigerian factor, it infiltrates even the most beautiful idea or concept. What can you say the EFCC or ICPC has done that they deserve to be scrapped? Tell me why anybody should say they should be scrapped. Is it perhaps because some people who feel they can get away with any crime were not allowed to get away? Now they feel it should be scrapped. There are people that regard themselves as sacred cows who can never be touched. They feel anything they do, so be it. And if you question them, they bare their fangs and tell you who they are. The Police have enough work to cope with. In fact, they are fairly over-stretched and they are not coping with their assignments well enough. If we scrap the EFCC we should scrap the Judiciary because there are some unpleasant news coming out from the Judiciary. We should also scrap the National Assembly because they have been accused of certain things that don’t look

DOZIE IKEDIFE right. We should also scrap every other organisation like Customs and the Immigrations. I think it is cutting one’s nose to spite one’s face. All that you need to do is bring out men of integrity and then entrust them with the task of running these organisations.

Looking at the revelations we are getting from the fuel subsidy probe and the issue of pension scam, how do you feel as a Nigerian?

Now, this is again one of the terrible things about this country. We do not seem to be serious about stopping corruption. See how we have introduced the funny foreign idea called ‘plea bargaining’. Somebody stole hundreds of million; he plea bargains and then returns thirty million; then he goes to jail for two days and when he is coming out, ‘Owanbe’ dancing groups

will go and wait for him. They meet him at the prison gate and accompany him to the biggest church or mosque or temple for thanksgiving. Even former Heads of State will accompany the person to go and celebrate.

He becomes a celebrated rogue. Nigeria is not serious about dealing with corruption. We are paying lip service to the exercise.

Do you think with this attitude, we really can win the war against corruption and move the country forward?

It is winnable, but we must have the will. If we don’t have the will, then it is not winnable. If we have the will and we are honest about it, it is very winnable. Of course, we must change our attitude to the whole •Continued on Page 26

“The thing is that we don’t know the face behind the mask and the government should do everything possible to penetrate the group and find out who are the masters and the puppets. The people you see carrying bombs are just puppets. We should find who the masters are and talk with them. It is not the boys you see running around the streets that are responsible.”

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2012 •Continued from Page 25 process and be ready to honestly tackle the menace.

But the President claims to have done so much in his war against corruption. Are you seeing the results of his efforts?

Well, we have a saying that when you lift the palm frond, the cricket will jump. It is just the cricket that is jumping, we haven’t seen the end of it. These cycles of accusations and counter-accusations, allegations and counterallegations will all float to and fro and eventually some will prove to be true and some will be mere frivolous accusations.

It is when we take them one by one and look at them with detachment of mind and honesty of purpose that we can make progress. The one that is true, we must say this is true.

The one that is just ‘do me, I do you’, we will also know. When Nigeria becomes serious to fight corruption we should know. When a system is polluted from the top all the way down, the rest of the system will remain polluted.

Nigeria is facing a very terrible security situation, especially as it concerns the Boko Haram issue. What do you think in all sincerity is the cause of this and how do you think we can get out of it?

There are many causes.

Some we know; some we don’t.

The superficial ones are: unemployment and uneven distribution of wealth. In fact, that is part of what is encouraging abduction, kidnapping and the likes.

Thirdly, we have to know who is really behind the mask. Boko Haram may be a façade. We want to know who is behind that mask of Boko Haram.

Somebody recently said he hasn’t heard comments from certain quarters on the issue of Boko Haram. And it makes one wonder why the silence? Does it have any significance?

Finally, Nigerian leaders must realise that there is a lot of anger in the land and if not well controlled, it can explode anytime, anywhere.

The issue of dialogue with the group was faulted by some people while others feel that it is a way out. What is your take on that?

If you don’t talk with somebody, how will you settle the issue? I think I heard somebody say we should wipe them out. How can you wipe out somebody that you don’t see? Are you suggesting we go and wipe out that whole section of the country? The thing is that we don’t know the face behind the mask and the government should do everything possible to penetrate the group and find out who are the masters and the puppets.

The people you see carrying bombs are just puppets. We should find who the masters are and talk with them. It is not the boys you see running around the streets that are responsible. There must be some other people, and through that dialogue, you resolve the issue. So, dialogue is a way out, but how do you identify the person you are to dialogue with? That is the question.

Away from Nigeria’s problem, the South-West appears to have returned to regional politics with the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) winning most states in the

Sunday Interview

‘It is the turn of the South East to be President’

“

If Nigerians say they want to review constitution, why shouldn’t they? The current constitution was not done on Mount Sinai. It was done by people and there may be imperfections that we need to take another look at. After all, you learn by the day.

“

•Ikedife

region. Don’t you think the East where you come from should be thinking in that direction?

That may sound idealistic but you know the Easterners are a bit more egalitarian, more independent-minded, and more individualistic than the average Nigerian. The bigger picture should be where do we go from here? What is the significance of strengthening or the unification of Western region? Does it have any significance beyond what we have seen or is there something more meaningful behind all these? We are talking about Sovereign National Conference, National dialogue or whatever name you call it; some people seem to be thinking it is a joke but the call as you know has moved from a whisper to a shout. And because the constitution was done by Nigerians, if Nigerians say they want to review constitution, why shouldn’t they? The current constitution was not done on Mount Sinai.

It was done by people and there may be imperfections that we need to take another look at.

After all, you learn by the day.

When certain things come up, we tackle it with honesty. The problem is, are we going to find people who will push it with sufficient detachment; sufficient honesty; sufficient patriotic attitude? These are the issues.

In 2011 the South-East threw its weight behind President Goodluck Jonathan, would you say the region has benefitted from that deal?

Well, yes and no. It is ambivalent. It is not over until it is over. We are expecting some more dividends of that support but the problem is that President Jonathan is having a lot of distractions and it will appear that there are people who are determined that he must not succeed. It should appear that there are people

who feel that he is a wrong person that should not be there.

But I pray and plead that they should give him a chance. Let us see what he can do. If he is successful, we say yes he has succeeded. If he does not, we say yes we gave him a chance and he failed. But if you keep distracting him you are giving him an excuse for failing. Either way, we are expecting improvement on power supply.

We are expecting improvement on road construction and maintenance; improvement in security; improvement on the economy; employment of youths etc. We are expecting a more organised projection of what I may call development plan. What are we going to do in the next three years? How many doctors and engineers are we going to have? Where will they be employed? We ought to have facts and figures to plan the economy. Without proper strategic figures, any plan will be meaningless. Jonathan has the work proper but if he doesn’t succeed he will say there have been distractions.

There is Boko Haram and there is militancy in the South-South.

You talked about distractions. One of such I think is the issue of which term he is doing. A group has taken him to court to bar him from running in 2015 on the premise that he is already doing his second term. In your opinion as an elder statesman, what term do you think the president is doing?

Well, that is best left for the constitutional lawyers to answer. They are the ones to give us the interpretation. I know that some people took Obasanjo to court in 2003 to say that he had been President for two terms 1997-1999 and 19992003. They argued that he shouldn’t run again.

Now, Jonathan served out the remnant of the late Umaru Yar’Adua’s first term. Can they call that one term or a fraction

of a term? I think the Supreme Court or the legal and constitutional gurus should give us their interpretation of these arguments. That is if they can give it without prejudice and bias.

Still talking about 2015, will the East contest the Presidency in 2015?

Why not? Of course the answer is an emphatic Yes. Let it be known that if it is open, the East will contest and if it is open every other person who really loves Nigeria should stay out of the race and allow the East to get the Presidency this time.

Why do you think it should be given to the East?

All the geo-political zones in the country have had good shots at the Presidency. The South-East geo-political zone has had somebody who was there for six months and I think equity and fairness demand that people from South-East geo-political zones should be given a chance to produce the next president. And I tell you, until we have a President from the South-East in this country, this country will continue moving like a rudderless boat.

But given the precedence, how prepared do you think the South-East is to present a common front for the Presidency in 2015?

There is a plethora of potential Presidential materials in the area. If you like, I can begin to count them and I will give you fifty names. But when the time comes, we will reduce the number down to a manageable figure, and finally, we will zero in on one person.

That is for sure. I don’t know what else you mean by precedence but the East is prepared. What was the preparation the South-South had before getting the Presidency? What preparation did the North make to produce the presidents they had? It is not

26

a question of being prepared.

You don’t have to go to London before you are prepared. You don’t have to go and sit for an exam. Is there any way of measuring preparedness of a region or an individual? Or is it because we don’t have militants fighting in the streets? We don’t believe in that style. We are very prepared.

Give us a chance then you will see.

But in the past, it is common to see South East candidates stepping down and supporting other zones even before the primaries.

In a race like this, we have what we call probable and possible. We have pretenders and contenders. We have the main runners and the ‘he ran’.

We have those that make up the race. In a marathon race, when you start, hundreds or even thousands take off. Eventually, some will drop out. That is natural, and finally, one person becomes the winner. If you don’t have people contending, contesting and dropping off, then the whole thing will not take shape. It is natural that people begin to lose interest and finally, some will drop by the road side. It is natural. It is expected. It is right. It is part and parcel of democratic process of selection by elimination.

Still talking about that, the Ikemba Nnewi, Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu passed away and there were issues about the future of Igbo race after him. Do you think his death has affected the fortune of the region politically?

I don’t think it has affected the fortunes of the region politically. But he was given a funeral that galvanised the Igbo and the entire nation. His funeral was celebrated in the five continents and the Oceania and in all parts of Nigeria by many citizens in America, Europe, Asia and SouthAmerica. Certainly, he was a great African, if not one of the greatest Africans ever to live.

But that doesn’t mean that there is a vacuum. Other people will come up, no doubt. They may not be physically like Ojukwu or as eloquent, as diplomatic and as charismatic as Ojukwu, but surely, God will not deny any group a leader.

And these tussles and controversies over his titles; do you think this is necessary?

These are ephemeral and transient things which are of no significance. That you declare a title does not mean you have the title. That you say you are the Queen of England doesn’t make you the Queen.

The title is one thing but the man wearing the title is a different kettle of fish and you don’t need a big title to perform.

It is when you start performing that people will say, yes, this man is doing well, not because you have a big title. That is the case. It is a matter of performance and I am sure many other people will come out. We have some potential leaders in the present Senate. We have among Governors of the states and there are some people who are potential leaders that are not holding any public position yet. We don’t hear them.

They don’t talk but they are there and capable and when circumstances come, you see them performing and you say we didn’t know we have such people.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2012

BANKE MESHIDA-LAWAL

I'm inspired when I travel –PAGE 41

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Glamour

THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 29, 2012

Kehinde Falode Tel: 08023689894 (sms)

E-mail: kehinde.falode@thenationonlineng.net

•Messenger bag

•Trendy colour-blocking Briefcase •Stylish Mondo Fiorentino suitcase

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•Bottega Veneta elegant gentlemen briefcase

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•A stylish suitcase made from leatherette with a nostalgic look

•Trendy D and K Briefcase •Bryan Okwara

Stylish business bags for men W

ITH the busy schedule of professional men, they like carrying bags that are perfect for their personal belongings, laptops and office papers. Different kinds of office bags for men have been making waves in the market.

It has always been an idea that briefcase is the only kind of bag for professional use. The market today is now more sensitive to the needs of men's office bags.

Below are bags that are in hot demand •Briefcases

Briefcases are the oldest man handbag that has changed greatly from stiff boxes that they used to be. They feature a large main compartment and small pockets that are perfect for all your documents and necessities.

•Backpacks These days, the young generation prefer backpacks rather than briefcases because they are easier to carry. Backpacks come in elegant styles suitable for office use.

•Messenger Bags

These are usually worn across the body messenger style. This kind of bag is probably the most common that men usually use.

•Envelopes Unlike briefcase, envelopes have only a single compartment. They also have handles and detachable shoulder straps. Many prefer envelopes for their laptops instead of the traditional laptop briefcases.

Glamour

THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 29, 2012

Changing from work to party clothes

•Jackets are fabulous and can make a simple outfit very classy

in a jiffy

•Perfume-Every woman should have a signature scent

S

OME corporate organisations insist on a strict business look. They also dictate the colours to wear to the office to achieve the conservative professional look. For those who may have a date, party or an evening-out with friends after office hours, it will not only look ridiculous but too serious if they were turn out at an event in their corporate attire, if they can't rush home after office hours to change into something casual and light for the occasion.

Corporate casual is a little more laid back than business attire.

A r e y o u looking for nice pants or long skirts, nice •Bolanle crisp shirts (Koko Mansion) (button up shirts are normally a safe c h o i c e ) , comfortable casual shoes.

Well, help is here as the following tips will help you in achieving the p e r f e c t corporate to look casual in a jiffy: •A white shirt works anytime especially over a pair of darkcoloured pants or jeans.

•Jazz-up your look with bold accessories.

•Change the big bag to a •Nifemi Arowojolu clutch purse.

• M o s t professional s prefer to wear flats to w o r k especially if they are not mobile because it m a k e s mobility easy. No problem. But w h e n changing from the corporate look to the casual look, w e a r heels for that chic effect.

•Bangles

•Habibah Wushishi •Button up shirts-You can wear them in so many ways, as formal or informal occasions demand

•Red ruby rose clutch purse

•The Little Black Dress (LBD) makes the perfect fashion statement

•Dump the jacket but make sure that your camisole is trendy enough for you to wear alone.

•However, for business dates or formal evening events, you can include more formal attire if you like but ties, suit jackets and blazers.

•Let down your hair for a relaxed look.

•If you wear a low cut, use hair accessories to jazz it up.

•If you have a subdued make up, tone up with bright colours.

•You can wear a LBD with a jacket for work in the morning and dump the jacket later in the evening. To make this look work, put on a big shiny chunky necklace with f l a s h y earrings. Or use a silky scarf with mixed bangle bracelets.

Sometimes j u s t a statement piece, like an overly l o n g necklace, or killer shoes are enough to add drama.

You would be amazed how great pair of shoes and a little clutch can do wonders to dress up that little black dress.

•High heels are very popular for many reasons, but mostly for their benefits to the wearer.

Stylishly cut and trendy high heels shoes look very cool and classy, which makes women who wear it look sexy in a kind of way.

31

Easy with the studs

S

T U D S a r e considered as minimal fashion jewellery but their placing will determine the kind of fashion statement you can make. It is essential to know that placing fake studs on your skin is very dangerous and can cause different inflammations on the skin, so if you have piercings in other parts of your body apart from your ears, purchase the original as anything worth doing is worth doing well.

Take care of your skin before placing studs; make sure your piercing is very clean so as to avoid germs which metal can spread. If you have piercings on your belly button, go for the small but shiny belly stud so that they are not bogus but w o u l d a t t r a c t attention to y o u r tummy, if you have more than one piercing on your ear, do not use two or more coloured studs on your ear, p a i r a coloured one with a plain one or use dropping •Toyin Lawani earrings on the first one and a plain stud on the second and if the piercing is on the upper part of the ear, tiny gemmed studs are the best for you.

Studs are essential jewellery for you for so many reasons, some days when you are on an eyecatching dress, you can tone it down with the studs or the days you decide to go with the simple appearance you don’t need to start searching for the smallest earrings you possess, just go with the studs. Also for double piercings, studs can suit you anytime from casual to evening wears.

By Oguntuase Omowumi

32

Glamour

THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 29, 2012

Ideal hair care for wet weather •Tejumola Oyelakin

•Shampooing hair

•Omotola Jalade Ekeinde

Glamour

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2012

The red carpet has become an avenue to display the good, the bad and the outrageous in the world of glamour and style, reports Kehinde Falode Photos: OLUSEGUN RAPHEAL

Madam DSCHELEN OKWUDILI, we are in the era of colourblocking and not colour-tomatch from head to toe.

Oops!

OYELESE OLAKUNBI, in oneshoulder, purple top, was among the best dressed.

Kudos!

Nice combo, great colours and stylish poise! NONYE OJIRI was eyecatching in black and grey.

Kudos!

PRECIOUS EJIMA, was among the night's worst dressed. She looked like a sales woman.

The red carpet is a glam place, girl!

Oops!

OLUCAO UWAJ, wearing crimson little dress, was adorable. But the excess pearls on both wrists spoil the look.

Oops!

33

34

Glamour

THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 29, 2012

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Favourite sunglasses

One of Nollywood’s best, Bimbo Thomas, popularly known as Nikky, reveals her favourite things to Kehinde Falode

Gucci

Favourite wrist watch Hublot and Police

Favourite fashion designer(s) Jiovanni wears, Ara Ewa and Tiffany Amber

Favourite bag designer(s) Louis Vuitton and Chanel

Favourite shoes

Bakers, Aldo and Vivienne Westwood

Favourite style quote

'Wear whatever you are comfortable in’

Favourite author Wole Soyinka

Nikky’s

top

0 1

Favourite drink

Champagne

Favourite makeup kit

Iman powder, foundation and ruby woo lip stick

Favourite bar Islanders lounge

THEATRE

With VICTOR AKANDE

t

BIGSCREEN

SOUND TRACK

plus

Tel: 08077408676

Genevieve, Ini Edo, others storm Stephanie's wedding

GISTS

PAGE

35

e-mail: victor_akande@yahoo.com

‘Phone Swap’ clinches Appreciation Award

T

HE African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) is gone but its 2012 edition will linger in the minds of the cast and crew of Phone Swap. Kunle Afolayan stepped up to pick the “Achievement Award in the Best Production of Design (Pat Nebo)” category amidst stiff competitions at the starstudded event.

“As far as filming in Nigeria goes, a yet-tobe-equalled standard has been set and as the

S

TEPHANIE Okereke's wedding eventually took place on Saturday April 21, 2012 at Abbaye Des Vaulx De Cemay 78720 CemayLa-Ville, Paris, France. Despite the fact that the highly anticipated wedding clashed with a major Nollywood event, the AMAA Awards, a cluster of the members of the Nigerian movie industry present at the occasion was impressive. They included Liz Benson, Ini Edo, Monalisa Chinda, Genevieve Nnaji, Susan Peters, Uche Jumbo, Lilian Bach, RMD, Emem Isong, Kanayo .O. Kanayo and a host of others.

The pretty thespian is now addressed as Mrs. Stephanie Idahosa.

achievers of such feat (Golden Effects Pictures), it's up to us to either maintain such standard or surpass it”, says Kunle Afolayan.

Also, Phone Swap's world premiere will hold in May 2012. This is the first time the movie would be shown and targeted at the Nigerian Community in UK to over 2000 viewing audience.

Uche Jombo debunks wedding rumours

T with •Liz Benson Genevieve

ALENTED thespian Uche Jombo has opened up on the marriage rumour trailing her. Uche denied the rumour which made the rounds recently and she says it must be a figment of the peddler's imagination.

According to her, her marriage will come at the right time.

Producers laud

‘Married but Living Single’ P

•Lead actors, Joseph Benjami with Funke Akindele

RINCIPAL partner of Indelible Mark Media, Kalejaiye Adeboye Paul, the proponent of a new film titled Married but Living Single, has reaffirmed that the muchawaited movie directed by Tunde Olaoye, is a film of all ages.

“I call it a film of all ages because it is a movie that portrays the family; it is a film that talks about our neglect of the homefront and battery. The movie also emphasises the need for the society to go back to the basics. When I say basics, if you look at the ills of the society, it's rooted in the family upbringing.

These questions are pertinent:

How do we bring up our children and youths? What time do we have for our homes and how well do we cater for our homes?” Paul said.

The 51 year old Bachelors of Arts and Education graduate with two Masters Degrees in Public Administration and Business Administration from the Lagos State University hinted that the movie dwells on a more concentrated career rather than the home.

According to him “it talks about a blend between our career and the family. The film brings to memory the colossal collapse of the family values, it also reminds us of how the African Society was in the beginning”.

Entertainment

36

H

OW long have you been living abroad?

Since 1991.

What took you abroad?

Well, College and I've been there since 1991. I didn't come back till 2001. Since then, I come back home every two or three years.

When were you done with College?

I was done with College in 1996. Once, I was done with my graduate degree, I wanted to do something that was always a love of mine. You know, in Nigerian household you are not raised to think you should study anything that has to do with the arts.

So, once I fulfilled my obligation to my parents by having a degree, I went to an acting school for two years and I started working. Though, I had the intention of going to a Law School but I would rather play a lawyer now than be a lawyer.

Can you tell us about your acting career and experiences abroad?

Oh my God! It's been a long road, I started off with plays and I was fortunate enough to get booked on a very popular New York TV Show that was called NYPD Blue and that was my very first show. I've been on Law and Order as a guest star a couple of times, and I've also collaborated with them as a consultant on some issues that were relevant to Nigeria. I have written and produced my own short films which showed at the Cannes Film Festival. I've been on a lot of short films and other films on HBO. What was the title of your short film that was shown at the Cannes Film Festival?

My film was called Siri Oko Fo which in my language literally means Mending fences. The film made its debut at the 2008 Cannes International Film Festival in Nice, France and has gone on to be screened at other festivals such as the Hollywood Black Film Festival (Los Angeles, California), Urban World Film Festival (New York, NY), Boston International Film Festival (Boston, Massachusetts), Radiance Film Festival (London, Great Britain), Mid Atlantic Black Film Festival (Norfolk, VA) etc. The film won two awards at the Nigeria Entertainment International Film Festival.

It talks on female genital mutilation which we call circumcision as well as same sex parenting and our attitude towards gay people. It was a very socially conscious piece and some of the Universities have been using it in their women study programme and black history study programme in the United States.

Apart from same sex parenting being a socially conscious piece, it is also a very sensitive theme.

What is your take on sexual preference?

Well, I firmly believe that above all, we should always have tolerance for one another. We should have love for our fellow humans. If you go with the Christian philosophy, Jesus said, “Love your neighbour as yourself”. Human beings are human beings at the end of the day. If for instance, I lost my kidneys and a gay person has a kidney that matches mine, do you think I care who he sleeps with? I think people spend far too much time thinking about what others do in their bedrooms. We should spend more time trying to get people food because there is hunger and poverty in this world. We should be taking more time to care for our fellow humans, not cheat each other and not being mean.

W e need to fix a l l thes e

•Ebbe Bassey

Entertainment

THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 29, 2012

Nigerian Hollywood based actress, Ebbe Bassey stormed Nigeria recently for the World Press Conference of Doctor Bello. A Tony Abulu Film, the Hollywood, Nollywood production parades the likes of Isaiah Washington, Vivica Fox, Genevieve Nnaji, Stephanie Okerere and Ebbe, amongst others. The actress, AMAA Nominee for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, was spotted at the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) held last week Sunday at the Expo Hall, Eko Hotel and Suites, looking gorgeous in a colour-block evening dress. In a chat with MERCY MICHAEL, the Calabar-born star opens up on growing up in Nigeria, career, marriage and other things:

Stakeholders set to address challenges of archiving Nigeria

Why I stopped T watching Nollywood movies —Ebbe Bassey

wars and violence. We also need to deal with bribery and corrupt practises in this country first, before trying to fix what people do in their bedrooms. Every human being's relationship with their God is personal. So mind yours and if you feel that a lifestyle is not right, God will judge that at the end of the day. It is none of our business. Stay in your lane and let somebody else stay in their lane.

For example, when you are driving a car and your eyes are not on your lane, what happens? You crash!

I don't have a problem with gay people as long as you're not lying, cheating, murdering and not a foul living person. Most gay people that I know are the most wonderful people I've ever met and they are kind and sweet. I don't care what their lifestyle is all about.

Most of your fans would probably be curious.

Are you a Christian?

I am a Christian and I know what Leviticus says, but at the same time Jesus said, “Love thy neighbour as thy self”. When He made that statement He didn't say, “Love your fellow Christian as yourself”. So, that means your neighbour can be gay, a Buddhist, or an atheist, and you should love them because they are human.

They are persons like you. That's what I understand that to be.

Where you raised in Nigeria?

I was raised in a Presbyterian church. My husband was a Buddhist and still practices Buddhist philosophy. I used to go to Kabala. I've always been open but I am a born again Christian.

I don't condemn someone else's religion. I feel that I don't have a right to judge that. Again, everybody's individual relationship with God and how they want to approach it is their personal choice.

You said your husband was a Buddhist, does it mean he's a Christian now?

Well, my husband is a Christian. He was recently baptized but he still holds Buddhist philosophies that mirror Christian philosophy in forgiving, loving, kind, gentle and always finding a positive aspect to something. And not always aiming to go for the negative because that is what drags you down. Buddhism is more of a lifestyle than it is a religion. It's a philosophy that seeks peace with all humans and animals. We are all sharing this planet and we should try to make room for one another to grow and evolve.

How long have you been married?

Oh my God! August will be two years actually.

We are still new and I hope we can maintain this feeling all the way through.

And what is this feeling?

It's just butterflies in your stomach. Do you know

37

HE hurdles facing audio visual archiving in Nigeria is set to be addressed during the oneday National Conference on Audio Visual Archiving scheduled for Tuesday 8th May, 2012, at the nation's capital, Abuja.

Powered by Nigerian Film Corporation's National Film Video & Sound Archive (NFVSA) department in partnership with the International Federation of Film Archives (FIAF) and the Goethe Institute the oneday National Conference will be attended by Film Producers, Audio Visual Archivists, Audio Visual Librarians, Curators, Conservationists, Broadcast Organisations, Film Students, Library Schools officials, Audio Visual Material Distributors/ Marketers, Copyright Specialists, Chief Executives of

relevant Government Agencies, Intellectual Property Lawyers, Stakeholders and members of the public.

In a statement by the Head of the National Film Video & Sound Archive (NFVSA) & Conference coordinator, Mrs. Nwanneka Oliwe, the objective of the conference, among others, is to create awareness on the inherent challenges of the sector, and need to preserve Nigeria's Audio Visual heritage. Capacity building up for AudioVisual Archivists, Conservators, Curators and other custodians of Audio Visual heritage; sensitization of producers of Audio Visual materials in Nigeria; and the need to evolve an audio-visual policy to address issues bedeviling audio-visual archiving are also some of the objectives of the conference, Oliwe further said.

‘Ere Mi’ premieres amid glee anytime I have to meet my husband after work or if he's gone for a couple of days, I still have that excitement that I used to have when we first started dating? And even till now, after work I can't wait to get home to see my husband. It's very exciting but it is because he's such a loving person. He's so easy to love. There are some men that are very difficult. For instance, there are some men that you find two things about them that you like, and the rest you don't want. But my husband is such a sweet and gentle soul. And he complements me fully. He's exactly everything I prayed for. When I met him I literally checked him and all the things I had asked for, I found in him.

What were those things you considered before you said “I do”?

If you want to get married you really need to put God in position to help you with your search, so to speak. Because the things that you see in a man when you're dating, that you do not like will only amplify a hundred times when you're married because it would get worse. If you don't like it now, when you're dating, you are not going to like it when you're married. We need to stop fooling ourselves as women, thinking that we can fix a man or that we can change a man.

You can't. They're not clay. You can't break them and remould them. Once, they are a certain way, they remain so. So, if you can tolerate a man when you're dating, you most likely can tolerate him when you're married; but look for a man that shares same values with you. When it comes to money, if you're a saver and he's a spender that will be a problem.

If you know a man has sexual proclivities that don't work with you, why would you marry someone like that? Also religion is very important. I knew I could marry a Buddhist because I know at least he believes that there is a superior being but I could never marry an atheist, so there ought to be mutual moral and ethical understanding.

Financially and sexually, you need to consider if you get along. Those things are very important.

Also, I feel humour is very important. If you meet a man on a date and he doesn't talk about himself, he doesn't ask you about you and what you're about,

g them I stopped watchin couldn't se I awhile ago becau ldn't take u take it. I really co were it. The mistakes pped constant. So, I sto But I it. watching a lot of t of lo found out that a ecially ns, esp African America re huge on the Caribbeans a e it as a k our films and I ta of these lot thing of pride. A nd our people actually fi g stories interestin that's a selfish person and you need to back out. If while you're dating a man, he doesn't call you, doesn't check-in and for instance, calls you at lunch to say “how are you doing honey?” “I just want to know how your day is going”. Why do you think when you're married, and he goes on a trip, he would call you? No. How long was the courtship?

My husband and I met on August 14, 2009. He proposed to me in March 2010. And we got married exactly a year later, on August 14 2010. My father always say to me, if within six months to a year, a man does not say anything that sounds like permanency, like he wants to go long-term with you, get out of that relationship! And I never thought it was true. But when I met my husband, within the six month he asked my father for my hand and in the seventh month he proposed and we got married. And also its age, we got married at age 35. I'm 38 now almost 40. So at that point we both knew what we wanted to do. There was no playing around. I knew what I wanted. He knew what he wanted.

You're ravishingly beautiful. How do you handle advances from men?

I

Respectfully, I say thank you very much for the compliment. I'm married and you can't let conversations go past a certain point. You have to cut it right in the bud and keep it moving (laughs).

Do you have any plans of coming home to be part of Nollywood?

I'm not particularly looking at moving here and really getting into the industry. But if there is an opportunity where someone invites me, I will definitely not turn it down; provided it's a great script and presents a good opportunity to work with great cast and I can make a decent living from it. But I have no plans in the immediate future of moving here and pursuing Nollywood full-time. It's a different structure from what I'm used to. But at anytime someone invites me to come and work, like Leila Djanzi invited me to Ghana to work on Ties That Bind for which I've been nominated for an AMAA Award. Also, like Tony Abulu, I'm shooting my scenes in New York but if he were shooting here and he had invited me to come here, certainly, I will.

But moving here would mean changing my entire life around and that will be tough for me.

Tell us about your character in Doctor Bello?

I would be playing the character of Helen Obi who is a nurse that works with Isaiah Washington's character in the movie. And I'm actually the one that puts him in touch with Doctor Bello.

Which part of Nigeria are you from?

Calabar. I'm from Cross River. I was raised here from the age of two till I was sixteen then I moved to New York.

What was growing up like for you in Nigeria?

Oh my God! I absolutely loved growing up in Nigeria and growing up in Calabar particularly. My people are very hospitable. I'm an Efik girl. I think we are one of the most elegant people in the world.

We have a saying, “Efik people are like white people” because they lived with us due to the fact that we are very hospitable. We are a charming people. Growing up in Nigeria was awesome. I see a lot of kids today stuck with their electronic equipments, they don't have that childhood experience of playing outside because they are always behind a computer or some games. While growing up in Calabar, I played outside. We played

square games. We would do hide and seek. We did all kinds of stuffs. I loved it. I had a carefree childhood unlike kids today who are caught up in petty jealousy and bullying each other. I really didn't grow up with that kind of stuff. While growing up, we didn't see colour, we didn't see who was poor and who wasn't. We all played together.

And I'm glad I did grow up here.

What is the perception of Nollywood movies in New York?

I have an African American neighbour who gets boxes of these films every day. For me personally, I stopped watching them awhile ago because I couldn't take it. I really couldn't take it. The mistakes were constant. So, I stopped watching a lot of it. But I found out that a lot of African Americans, especially the Caribbeans are huge on our films and I take it as a thing of pride. A lot of these people actually find our stories interesting.

So, why did you stop watching Nollywood movies?

When I see our films, I do not view them only as an audience. I view them as a professional and I cringe because I see mistakes that are so easily redeemable. For instance, I saw a film by a major producer and I couldn't believe there was such a mistake in his film. I wondered if it was only one take of the scene that he had which made him used it. It's a film where a woman was sad because her husband cheated on her. She made a surprise birthday cake for him and he didn't show up. She sat down with a bottle of Champagne and the melting cake. They pan the camera, just to show the effort she had put into it and I saw a camera flash.

Somebody took a picture! And they kept that take which I think was easily redeemable. We do not need to have that take. And nobody should be shooting with flash photography on set; that's what I'm talking about, like little redeemable mistakes. I also saw a film of Regina Askia; she had a bandage on the left and on the next scene, the bandage was on the right, and I asked myself, if the wound moved for real? Hence, I stopped viewing because I couldn't take it. I'm slowly getting back to seeing them. But you know there is need for major improvement. It's all about taking time.

T was an afternoon full of cultural parade, glitz and fun fare as fast rising Nollywood actress cum producer, Wumi Bello, launched and premiered her much anticipated movie, Ere Mi in grand style.

Wumi has over the years distinguished herself as one of the fastrising movie makers who's always ready to give a good account of herself in the world of make-believe. The event, which has been the talk of the town for well over six weeks, finally held at the Wallan Hall of D Rovans Hotel, Ring Road, Ibadan.

Wumi who has featured in over seven

movies since she joined the industry, admitted that she never knew she could come up with such a project as her family members never supported her when she decided to join the movie industry. “They thought I was not serious then, but I thank God for the people He has used to help give my career a lift”.

The movie, which starrs Wumi Bello, Saidi Balogun and others will hit the market as soon as other arrangements have been concluded. “I appreciate everyone who has made it down to this venue to support this project.” She stated further that she would stop at nothing to “keep producing movies that would continue to touch the lives of the people in a positive way”.

Though it was Wumi's first since she has been in the industry, the crowd and eminent personalities that graced Wallan Hall that afternoon were pointers to the fact that she had worked tirelessly towards the successful launching of the new movie.

38

Entertainment

THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 29, 2012

Dagrin's

Nkiru Sylvanus in search of talents

F

ACE of Hope icon and popular actress, Nkiru Sylvanus is currently undertaking a search for some of Nigeria's talented youngsters in different fields of endeavour. Via a television show tagged I've Got Talent, the actress expressed her desire to improve the quality of life of some talented Nigerians who are set to distinguish themselves in their different areas of calling.

Opportunities must be given to as many people in different areas as possible, she said, justifying her decision to scout for talents in all genres. “I have noticed that most shows ignore other talents that, given the opportunity, can help develop the country. So, the idea is to fully explore almost every sphere of life and empower as many people we can. And also give opportunity to everyone who feels they have something extraordinary to showcase. According to her, talent is not limited to dancing, singing and acting alone. Currently running on NTA, the show will produce one winner who will go home with a whopping Seven Million naira and four consolation winners who will each go home with N2m, N1m, N700,000 and N200,000 and N50,000 respectively.

“Our aim is not to just give them the money and release them” Sylvanus says.

‘Emerald’ poaches advertisers

N

EW TV drama Series, Emerald, is set to hit the screen soon and producers of the sitcom says that it will be the toast of advertisers, parading its tremendous value that the series will deliver as its selling point.

According to Oladapo Ojo, the GMD of DM Holdings, the owners of Seven Series Limited, the quality of production, the ingenuity of the script, the brilliance of the cast and the expected massive viewership will go a long way in, not only meeting, but also exceeding, the expectations of prospective advertisers.

“What we have set out to do is to deliver the best drama series on any Nigerian television station. For this reason, we are not bench-marking the output against anything ever seen in Nigeria. Our desire is to make Emerald world-class. That is the vision behind this massive project, which is expected to have a cast of about a 100 artistes,” he said.

The audition for the project recently took place in Port Harcourt, Abuja and Lagos with a huge turn-out of budding artistes. The technical crew, which comprises a combination of both local and foreign experts, had a tough time sieving through the enthusiastic crowd.

Speaking on the project's post-audition activities, Ojo said the technical crew was in the process of finalising the choice of successful artistes for various roles, adding that the names of these successful stars will be announced very soon.

“Our work begins after the TV show where we will monitor the winners and help them improve on their art.

It is not just enough to give them money. Nigerians will be inundated with their progress just so that other young talented Nigerians wishing to participate on the show will also be encouraged to come on board in the future”. The talent-hunt show features special talents in almost every field which includes acting, singing, dancing, fashion designing, styling, music, drumming, piano, xylophone, fine art and disc jockey, among others.

label presents

Tee Blaq T

•Nkiru

WIPO: Ezekude preaches zero-tolerance for piracy

A

S the world community marked this year's World Intellectual Property Day on April 26, Director-General, Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Afam Ezekude, has said that the commission reaches out in appreciation of the teeming creators and innovative minds spread across the intellectual property (IP) community worldwide.

“Since Year 2000 when the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) declared 26th April of every year as the World Intellectual Property Day, member-states of WIPO have traditionally commemorated the day to draw attention to the phenomenal contributions of intellectual property to fast-tracking the pace and development of the knowledge-driven economies of

I

our modern world,” he said.

This year's theme tagged 'Visionary Innovator’, Ezekude added, draws peculiar attention to the people whose innovations have not only transformed our lives in diverse ways, but have enhanced the workings and worldviews of our society.

“It is an opportunity to create greater understanding about the role of intellectual property as a balancing mechanism between the competing interests which surround innovation and cultural creation: the interests of the individual creator and those of society; the interests of the producer and those of the consumer; the interest in encouraging innovation and creation, and the interest in sharing the benefits that derive from them,” Ezekude added.

WO years after the demise of rap artiste, Olaitan Olaonipekun A.K.A Dagrin, Missofunyin Entertainment, the legacy he left behind, presents her first artiste and he's none other than Dagrin's cousin, Oluwatosin Arewa a.k.a Tee Blaq.

Tee Blaq grew up practicing music early in life with his late cousin, Dagrin who, he said, has a lot of influence on him. He has continued to carry on his cousin's legacy. As a young man with experience coming from the hood, his song generally talks about things happening on the street. He says his passion for the street drives him to aim higher.

His new effort is titled Robo, produced

by Mic Daviz. The video directed by Ak One is released in conjunction with Eldar Records.

Dagrin passed on two years ago on the 22nd of April and one of the few things he left behind to be remembered for is his record label Missofunyin Entertainment.

•Tee Blaq

Yewande emerges MTN/Lagos queen

T was an assortment of beauty and rich cultural heritage at the 'Centre of Excellence' as Nigerians from all walks of life, trooped in to experience the grandeur of the heritage week celebration, kick-started with a beauty contest.

Present at the occasion was the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Princess Adejoke Orelope Adefulire who

event gets better each year. This will noted that the pageant was not about the guarantee our continuous push to attract foreign investors as well as corporate State Government but about the people collaborations,” she said. of the State who hold their culture very On the rationale for sponsoring the dearly and in highest esteem. cultural event, General Manager, “We cherish every opportunity to Consumer Marketing MTN, Kola showcase and display our much Oyeyemi explained: "MTN identifies diversified culture which is pleasant to the eyes. The Government will not relent with the emotive significance of cultural celebrations. We support them in line in its efforts to ensure that the annual with our brand promise of connecting Nigerians to each other as well as to their passion points and aspirations.”

He added that the event further reinforces the brand's commitment to putting smiles on the faces of its numerous customers across all segments of the society such that they can say, with MTN, my life is enriched.

“The Heritage week has become a virile vehicle to drive the creativity and resourcefulness of the young people skill acquisition centres where MTN is playing a major role", he said.

At the end of the contest, 21 year old Yewande Adebisi, a final year Creative Art student of the University of Lagos, emerged winner of the pageant, beating an array of beautiful contestants to the prize. For her outstanding feat among other bevy of contestants, Yewande went home with a brand new Kia Rio •L-R: 2nd runner-up, 2012 MTN Lagos Carnival Queen Pageant Odusote Adepeju, car and a whooping financial reward of N2.5 million. winner, Yewande Lawal, and 1st runner-up Oluwagbemisola Shotade Paul Oluwakoya

Entertainment

THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 29, 2012

•Genevieve

NEXIM Bank funds Nollywood/ Hollywood project I N line with President Jonathan's pronouncements on intervention fund for the Nigerian entertainment sector, and in what Roberts Orya, Managing Director of Nigeria ExportImport Bank described as his company's strategic policy to deepen intervention to the services sector of the economy, Nollywood appears to have begun a new journey of relevance to the Nigerian economy, as a dependable non-oil sector. The ray of hope for an industry that suffers from lack of funding came after NEXIM Bank unveiled the first beneficiary of the USD200 million intervention fund announced by the president in 2011.

“With a sense of immense pride, and on behalf of Management and staff of the Nigerian Export Import Bank, I am delighted to be here on this very unique event of announcing the flag-off of the production of “Doctor Bello Movie”. It is also symbolically the flag-off of NEXIM's support for film production, with Black Ivory Communications being the first beneficiary client to avail itself of a facility for film production under the bank's creative arts and entertainment facility,” began Orya who commended the promoters of the movie for what he described as their vision and doggedness in the implementation of the High Definition film that is billed for theatrical distribution in Nigeria, USA, UK and other African countries.

With the film's initial release in theatres, the NEXIM boss noted that the inherent risk of loss of revenues and royalties through piracy would be largely mitigated.

“These piracy and market risks, as you all know, are some of the key challenges impeding financial intervention to the industry. As you are all aware, the Nigerian creative arts and entertainment industry have done creditably well in the socio-economic

development of the nation. The industry has, by recent estimates, created over one million jobs directly and indirectly and generated a minimum of US$500 million in revenues annually. The industry is also widely adjudged as the most prolific in the world producing over 2500 films yearly in the past three years,” he enthused.

Announcing the gesture which many took for a campaign gimmick then, President Jonathan said: “it is my vision that every producer whether in the film or music industry, every actor or actress, fashion designer or artist must have opportunity to access cheap, long-term funding to grow their business, make movies, write hit songs, build malls, build cinemas, provide jobs and give hope to our people.”

And so, about a year after the promise of the lifeline for the entertainment industry, Black Ivory Communications became the first Nigerian company to benefit from the scheme managed by the Nigerian Export and Import Bank.

The event, a World Press Conference, took place at Radisson Blu Hotel, Lagos with the cast and crew of the yet-to-be shot movie in attendance. Date was Saturday April 21, and although Genevieve Nnaji, a member of the cast was in far away France where her colleague, Stephanie Okereke (also a cast) was being wedded to Linus Idahosa, her counterparts from Hollywood were on ground to give the occasion the necessary razzmatazz it deserved. Among the Hollywood stars who flew in with the producer, Tony Abulu were: Isaiah Washington, Jimmy Jean-Louis, Ebbe Bassey, Victor Brown and Ben Cohen. Other members of the cast of the movie include Vivica Fox, Desmond Elliot, Zack Orji, Linda Perhach and Christina Starbuck.

The three artistes present expressed

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•Managing Director of NEXIM Bank, Mr. Roberts Orya shaking hands with Hollywood stars, Lynn Whitfield and Ebbe Bassey. With them is Tony Abulu, Producer of Dr. Bello to be a part of that project,” he said of the movie.

With filming about to begin, Abulu talked about the impressive line up of the cast. The NigerianHollywood star among them is Ebbe Bassey. Born in the Bronx, ubakar, ngton, Suleiman Ab Jean- Bassey is a Nigerian hi as W iah Isa r, sta wood star, Jimmy •L-R: Hollywood star who has NEXIM Bank, Holly Assistant Manager, oghalu, Head of Corporate M u featured in such ed Louis and Chin M bank XI NE , ns tio great productions as NYPD Blues as ica un Comm well as Law & Order.

She is also excited enthusiasm at being a part of the at the prospects of coming back home. project.

“I am glad to be home.

Home is home, Not given to much talk, Isaiah no matter where I go. I am glad to be a Washington of the Grey's Anatomy part of Nollywood which is an industry fame says that he is happy to be a part to be reckoned with. Don't let anybody of the project. “I don't know what else to say other than to say that I am happy fool you,” she said.

Doctor Bello tells the story of a brilliant to be a part of this project. I am very cancer specialist, Dr. Michael Durant, excited to be a part of this.” In Doctor who battles with the traumatic loss of Bello, the Producer, Tony Abulu said: his 10 year old daughter from cancer.

Doctor Bello is set to take our movie industry to the next level. “With what Blamed by his wife for the loss, he we are witnessing today, I can assure immerses himself in work and bonds you that Nollywood is about to fly. We with a sick seven year old Sam, the son cannot continue to depend on our oil of a rich Jewish couple who are major revenue. We have to begin to make contributors to the hospital's cancer products ourselves and we have to research fund. begin to package it for the international With only a few days to live, a Nigerian market, and those stories must be of an nurse convinces Durant to seek the help international standard,” Abulu said. of Dr. Bello, an uncertified Nigerian Having played the role of a Nigerian doctor known in the Brooklyn-African in several movies that makes him feel as underground as a miracle worker. He though he is from this part of the world, secretly visits the child at night and Jimmy Jean-Louis says that he never administers a strange African potion gets tired of featuring in such roles. followed with incantations and by the “Here I am again in Nigeria. This is the next morning, the child is on the path of third movie I will be doing as a a speedy recovery. However, the Nigerian and it is the second time I will hospital medical board suspect foul play be playing a medical doctor. I think I have been adopted to my new country. I and at that point, the plot thickens. am very happy to be playing the role of According to Abulu, the flick boasts of about 40 Nollywood acts.

Doctor Bello. I am looking forward to Prelude to making the announcement in mixing with Nollywood. People in the year 2010 at the 30th anniversary of America don't understand how such a the Silverbird group, the President had feat as the second largest movie given kudos to the creative art world, producers in the world is achieved in especially Nollywood for its enormous Nigeria, but it tell them things are contributions over the years toward the changing. I think it is up to us now to economic development of the country. take it to the next level and I am happy

40

Entertainment

THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 29, 2012

CINEMA GUIDE

BIG

LAGOS

PICTURE Supported by: SILVERBIRD CINEMAS

Osas (Omoge Benin)

L

IKE Funke Akindele's comedy film, Jenifa, this story centres on a weird local Benin girl (Osas) that strives stupidly to be the best at everything she does.

She got admitted into the University where she met a lady from a rich home who loves her so much despite her egocentric nature. They became best of friends and envy of all on campus. But not so long, things fell apart for the two when they fell in love with the same guy, or rather, when as usual she foolishly thought that her friend's boy would be hers.

A date with laughter Hunger Games: Life against love E

VERY year in the ruins of what was once North America, the evil Capitol of the nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games. A twisted punishment for a past uprising and an ongoing government intimidation tactic, The Hunger Games are a nationally televised event in which "Tributes" must fight with one another until one survivor remains. Pitted against highly-trained Tributes who have

prepared for these Games their entire lives, Katniss is forced to rely upon her sharp instincts as well as the mentorship of drunken former victor Haymitch Abernathy. If she's ever to return home to District 12, Katniss must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

Written by Suzanne Collins, Gary Ross, Billy Ray and directed by Gary Ross, watching The Hunger Games, one is bound to be struck both by how slickly Ross hit his

Osas is Mercy Aigbe's attempt at a comedy film, and a bold step to have it running in the cinemas. A lousy portrayal of the protagonist, the film is as annoying as it is funny. The farce is miles away from imaginative reality, making a mess of the ivory tower and the education system.

Osas is an average film, but one which prides on huge cast of notable Yoruba actors and musicians. Its message of traditional pride is not lost to the stupidity of the lead character, and to justify the fact that tradition can only survive in a sane environment and by sane people, Osas lost out in a beauty competition to a contestant dressed in western but modest attire. The food for thought makes for the twist. In all, it's a film to watch.

Titanic Featured Actors: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet and Billy Zane Genre: Drama Running Time194 min Trespass Featured Actors: Nicolas Cage, Nicole Kidman and Cam Gigandet Genre: Comedy Running Time: 91 min Dr Seuss'- The Lorax 3D Featured Actors: Zac Efron, Taylor Swift and Danny DeVito Genre: Action/Adventure Running Time86 min 21 Jump Street Featured Actors: Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum and Ice Cube Genre: Comedy and Sequel Running Time109 Mins Machine Gun Preacher Featured Actors: Gerard Butler, Michelle Monaghan and Michael Shannon Genre: Action/Adventure Running Time129 min Phone Swap Featured Actors: Wale Ojo, Nse Etim Ikpe, and Ghanaian Superstar, Lydia Forson Genre: Comedy Running Time Wrath of the Titans Featured Actors: Sam

Worthington, Liam Neeson and Rosamund Pike Genre: Action/Adventure Running Time: 99 min Best Exortic Marigold Hotel Genre: Action/Adventure Contraband Genre: Action/Adventure John Carter Featured Actors: Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins and Willem Dafoe Genre: Action/Adventure Running Time132 min Man on a Ledge Featured Actors: Sam Worthington, Elizabeth Banks and Jamie Bell Genre: Action/Adventure Running Time102 min

ABUJA Genre: Action/Adventure Dr Seuss' the Lorax Featured Actors: Zac Efron, Taylor Swift and Danny DeVito Genre: Drama Running Time: 86 min Wrath of the Titans Featured Actors: Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson and Rosamund Pike Genre: Action/Adventure Running Time: 99 min The Scores Featured Actors: Aremu Afolayan, saheed balogun ,Eniola olaniyan , Olumide Trespass Bakare,sunkanmi omobolanle Featured Actors: Nicolas Cage, Genre: Drama Nicole Kidman and Cam Phone Swap Gigandet Featured Actors: Wale Ojo, Genre: Drama Nse Etim Ikpe, and Ghanaian Running Time: 91 min Superstar, Lydia Forson True Citizens Genre: Comedy Featured Actors: Uti Man on a Ledge Nwachukwu, Alex Usifo, Featured Actors: Sam Brian Okwara, Clareth Worthington, Elizabeth Banks Onukogu, Keneth Okolie, and Jamie Bell Clara Iweh, and Melvin Odua. Genre: Action/Adventure

PORT HARCOURT

marks and how many opportunities he was missing to take the film to the next level to make it more shocking, lyrical, crazy, daring. The Hunger Games has two great assets: the score by James Newton Howard, which manages to be at once thrilling and plaintive, and the Katniss of Jennifer Lawrence. The actress is not a conventionally chiseled Hollywood ingenue or a trained action star. But there's a steadiness in her blue eyes that makes her riveting.

The Ides of March Featured Actors: Paul Giamatti, George Clooney and Philip Seymour Hoffman Genre: Drama Running Time: 101 Mins True Citizen Genre: Drama Running Time: 97 Mins 21 Jump Street Featured Actors: Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum and Ice Cube Genre: Comedy and Sequel Running Time: 109 Mins Dr. Seuss' The Lorax Featured Actors: Zac Efron, Taylor Swift and Danny DeVito Genre: Action/Adventure Running Time: 86 Mins Trespass Featured Actors: Nicolas Cage, Nicole Kidman and Cam Gigandet Genre: Action/Adventure Running Time: 91 Mins Wrath of the Titans Featured Actors: Sam

Worthington, Liam Neeson and Rosamund Pike Genre: Action/Adventure Phone Swap Genre: Drama Running Time: 70 Mins Machine Gun Preacher Featured Actors: Gerard Butler, Michelle Monaghan and Michael Shannon Genre: Action/Adventure

Glamour

THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 29, 2012

Hollywood superstar actress, Gwyneth Paltrow, has her hands full with family and the relaunched Goop Web site, but she made time recently to speak with Justine Picardie in this wide-ranging interview.

•Gwyneth with rock star husband Chris Martin and baby

S

O here is Gwyneth Paltrow, sitting on a big sofa in her house in north London, pale winter sunlight filtering into the quiet room, and she looks, quite startlingly, like herself. That might sound odd: We've grown accustomed to the symmetry of her face and her killer body displayed on the red carpet since her catapult to fame in the '90s. But when you see her today, without the distractions of props or makeup or styling, in jeans and a white button-down shirt, Gwyneth's calm beauty is striking, as is her extraordinary discipline. As she falls naturally into yoga stretches during the course of the conversation, supple as a cat, you realize that this is a woman for whom working out has become essential.

At 39, she looks stronger than she did in her 20s, lean and toned, with the streamlined contours of an athlete. She is lightly tanned and smooth skinned while avoiding the telltale waxy complexion of overdone Botox. "I'll take my wrinkles," she says. "I don't like the Botox thing." But she does enjoy sunshine for the vitamin D, despite "my dermatologist yelling at me." (She admits to "little things, like lasers" and regular facials, often with the Londonbased Vaishaly Patel.) Today, like every other weekday morning, she has spent an hour and a half with her trainer, Tracy Anderson, doing dance aerobics and a precise series of exercises that changes every 10 days. The aim, she says, is "that you're muscular, but you don't get used to anything." Right now, the dedicated eater (see Gwyneth chowing on a bocadillo with Mario Batali in Spain or on fried chicken while filming Country Strong down South) is also on a 12-week detox program. "I have a lot of inflammation in my system, so I'm not having anything I'm allergic tono gluten, no dairy, no sugar."

The trigger for these seasonal detox sessions, she says, is recognizing her physical symptoms: "I'll wake up exhausted; I can feel my adrenal cortex being really high. When I get into bed, my heart will pound, my skin won't be good, I'll feel cranky, and then I'll just know it's time."

But such consciousness has an emotional impetus as well: She cites the death in 2002 of her beloved father, director Bruce Paltrow, from throat cancer at 58after decades of vodka and smokingas a catalyst for her own conversion to clean living. "All I've learned about nutrition and health came from his cancer," she says. "I'll probably have a long and healthy life because he didn't."

This doesn't mean, though, that Gwyneth leads a monastic, joyless existence. When she's not detoxing, "I eat whatever I want. I like bread and cheese and wine, and that makes my life fun and enjoyable." But an outline of her regular diet, along with the rest of her timetable, reveals a model of restraint. She's up every morning around 7:00 with her two children, Apple and Moses (seven and five, respectively). "I don't really like eating that early, so I usually just have coffee and then a couple of bites of their leftovers, like granola and yogurt or scrambled eggs."

During the day, Gwyneth's attention turns to her rapidly expanding and soon-to-beredesigned Web site, goop, and its associated apps, including a new range of city guides,

The real Gwyneth Paltrow starting with Los Angeles and moving on to London and other world capitals. Then there's her second cookbook to complete. (The first, My Father's Daughter, came out last spring; this one, as yet untitled, will focus on "really delicious health food.")

At the heart of all these projects is the woman herselfher recommendations on diet, exercise, skin care, where to eat, and what to consume. She is her own best advertisement for the brand that is Gwyneth Paltrow. "Everything I've done has been completely organic, and that's why the brand is a strong brand, because there is no ulterior motive behind it," she says.

Her husband, Chris Martin, is hugely supportive of Goop. Today he is covering for Gwyneth with the kids in between duties as lead singer of Coldplay and planning a world tour to promote the band's latest album.

The two of them seem affectionately relaxed together"he's very communicative," she says, "which is rare for a British man"at ease with their nine-year relationship and their roles as parents. "If I'm in L.A. for three days working, then my husband does the school run; it's always one of us," although they do have a nanny for the children. "She's French, so she's teaching them French, and their previous nanny was Spanish, so they're fluent in Spanish." But it's Gwyneth who gives the children their bath"we all get into the tub together"and she's the one who cooks dinner for them before Apple and Moses go to bed at 8:00. It's a family dinner, unless she goes out with Chris to eat at her favorite Japanese restaurants in London or for seafood at the members-only Arts Club.

She can also laugh about the vagaries of redcarpet fashion, including the drubbing she took for the black Alexander McQueen gown she wore to the Oscars in 2002, with its mesh bodice. "I loved it!" she says with a smile.

"But I think the hair was a mistake. I

shouldn't have had it braided." Nowadays she sees her dresses through the eyes of Apple, for whom she is archiving her wardrobe. "I've been saving my clothes for her since before she was born. I was like, I'll bet you anything I'll have a daughter, and she'll be a really cool butch lesbian and be so above clothes, and I got a very clothes-obsessed child. So if she's a lesbian, she's a lipstick lesbian. She doesn't like anything avant-garde at all.

She likes anything that's pretty, pretty, pretty or has a bow or a ruffle or is pink."

Thus the Ralph Lauren taffeta frock that Gwyneth wore in 1999 to accept her Oscar for Shakespeare in Love gets Apple's seal of approval, as does the peachy Prada dress at the Venice Film Festival last September, "but she would have hated the McQueen."

And for all her commitment to greenvegetable juice and the gym, Gwyneth clearly enjoys her social life with a gang of Hollywood friends, including Cameron Diaz, Robert Downey, Jr. and his wife, Susan, and Jay-Z and Beyoncé. As it happens, while Beyoncé was headlining the Glastonbury Festival last June (the night after Coldplay), Gwyneth was watching by the side of the stage with Jay-Z and testifies to the fact that her friend's performance was punctuated by the miserable side effects of early pregnancy: "She was absolutely incredible, especially as she was barfing in between."

I'd imagine that Gwyneth is a good friend to those she cares about. She's generous in sharing the details of where to shop, what to cook, how to negotiate the transitions of a long-term relationship, all the details of love and loss, pleasure and grief that form the threads of every woman's life. Her 20s, she admits, were "not very happy," despite the astonishing trajectory of her career, with her Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Actress in Shakespeare in Love. She seems philosophical about being unlikely to get another role as brilliantly written as that

41

one"I don't think I'll ever read a script that good again. Tom Stoppard is a genius"while remaining positive about the relatively traditional role she plays as a wife and mother, with her husband's career commitments currently taking precedence over hers. "I have little kids in school. I want to maintain my marriage and my family, so I have to be here when he comes home." Hence her recent advice to a girlfriend (who remains tantalizingly unnamed): "She is an actress and in a new relationship with someone else with a big career, and I said this may not be feminist, but you have to compromise.

It's been all about you and you're a big deal.

And if you want what you're saying you wanta familyyou have to be a wife, and that is part of the equation. Gloria Steinem may string me up by my toes, but all I can do is my best, and I can do only what works for me and my family."

Nevertheless, it sounds as if the PaltrowMartin clan has managed to accommodate Coldplay's schedule with the requirements of family life. The world tour will incorporate 10day spans at home interspersed with threeweek blocs of traveling (a very different proposition from the era when the Rolling Stones would take their rock 'n' roll circus on the road for months at a time). "The other guys in the band have little kids as well," Gwyneth says, "so they want to tour in a family-friendly way.”

Gwyneth remains discreet about her previous boyfriends, who include Brad Pitt (they dated for nearly three years from 1994 and were engaged for six months) and Ben Affleck (in the late '90s). She met Chris Martin in 2002, three weeks after her father's death, and married him the following year. But she does confess that she knows what it feels like to be betrayed"I had a boyfriend who used to cheat on me all the time. I was quite naive. I knew on a cellular level, but I bought his story"while making it clear that infidelity is not part of her marriage.

That said, she does not condemn others who stray. "The older I get, the more open-minded I get, the less judgmental I get. Life is long. I have friends who I love and admire who have had an affair. When I was younger, I would have said he's a terrible person or she's a terrible person. But who made these laws?" And if the commitment to remain within a relationship can be renewed, she believes, then it should survive the inevitable challenges. She cites her father's practical advice on the secret to a long-lasting marriage: "My parents were married for 30-something years, and he said [it was] because they never wanted to get divorced at the same time." Which is possibly why she can regard the ups and downs of any marriage with equanimity.

"I think you do fall in and out of love and you just keep going, and every time you go through a really difficult phase, you rediscover something new and it just gets better. We've been married for more than eight years now, and we're still into it."

All of what she says seems very sensible and levelheaded, but it does not exclude powerful emotion. When she talks about her father's death, her eyes fill with tears; then she touches her father's wedding ring"I always hold on to it. I ask it questions; I feel like it keeps me safe"which hangs on a gold chain around her neck along with a diamond angel's-wing charm and a tiny skull. His absence, however, also incorporates a presence; she describes sensing "the energy of his soul. I don't think that evaporates. I feel my dad, I still feel his love, and I still love him." And her admiration for him remains evident. "I would do anything to have him back, but half the reason that my life is good, has real, true value, is that he died.

I would obviously rather have him alive, but he gave me so much in his death. I don't go back and say I wish he had done this differently, I wish he hadn't smoked, because the fact is that he did and he died. As much grief and pain and trauma and heartache are caused, there was an equal amount of positivity that came out of his death." If everyone thinks that Gwyneth Paltrow is lucky, then it is a blessing that has been hard-won.

Courtesy: Harper's Bazaar

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Glamour

THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 29, 2012

‘I’m inspired when I travel’ W

HAT has changed about you and BM Pro in the last few

years?

We've basically added more services to our menu.

We have an in-house stylist; we provide hair services and salon services.

Presently, BM Pro is now a total beauty studio, where you come in and get even accessories, jewelry and for brides who need consulting on colours to use for their engagement. We also provide services for children, bridal hair and what have you. And of course, regular women who have special occasions to attend do come in and seek for advice on things like aso ebi. BM Pro has a track record of excellence.

At what point did you decide to diversify into other areas?

For me, what I do is usually dictated by my clientele. Most times, some women come in here to have their make-up done and they ask, 'oh, do you know a place where I can buy a good jewelry?' And my mum makes coral beads, so that was a fantastic opportunity to display her works.

We just want to make life easier for women and help them achieve their ideas of looking good.

What has been your staying power in this business?

I pay a lot of attention to details. I just want to make sure that everybody that comes in here is happy or happier than when she stepped in.

You are always coming up with something new, yet you don't make a song and dance of it. Is that deliberate or just a personal philosophy?

The beauty world is always evolving, which means that we did last year is not what we are doing now. I always want to be abreast of the latest things happening in the beauty world, and so I make sure I'm always up to date. I do a lot of a lot of research; I travel a lot because I'm inspired when I do; I see things happening over there and bring it back to suit the Nigerian environment. At BM Pro, we are changing a lot of

Thirteen years in the make-up business, Banke Meshida-Lawal is counting her blessings. In this interview with Remi Adelowo, she speaks on why she can't stop dreaming big, the joy of marriage and motherhood things this year, because I've realized some of things we have are becoming quite stale; so we want to up the ante. For me, I get bored very easily, so I always want to achieve the next best thing.

How would you describe yourself in a nutshell?

I'm a very patient and reserved person and always want to learn. I don't know everything and I've realized that if one listens, you learn more. Sometimes, I get ahead of myself, but I quickly retrace my steps. I prefer to learn than jump the gun. I'm a service provider so I make sure I put the needs of others before mine, the only to do that is to be patient.

Do you sometimes get frustrated with clients who could be over-demanding?

I don't get irritated or frustrated with difficult clients; I would rather listen to a client's request and try to interpret it. And because it's good that we are on the same page, I ask questions when I'm not sure about certain things. But then, there are people who know what they want but don't necessarily know how to express themselves.

However, the way around this challenge is to listen and work together. Of course I've had experiences with overbearing clients, but there are factors responsible for this. It could be anxiety or stress, but my duty is to be a good listener, an advisor and a service provider.

How have you managed to sustain your relationships with celebrities with their egos?

I know that for some women, being a celebrity is an act. At the back of my mind, I know that you can't possibly be like this every day, so what I do is just play along. If you want to be irrational, I just fold my hands and watch. But, a lot of celebrities are normal human beings; it's just that every little thing they do is in the media. Though sometimes, they build a wall around themselves but because of the kind of work I do, I have to come into your bedroom; I have to be close to you, so I have a good rapport with a lot of these women that I work with.

Has marriage and having kids changed anything about you?

Not really! In terms of my work, nothing has changed. Of course, with marriage, I'm calmer now, and fortunately, my husband has been very supportive of what I do. But on the other hand, I've been forced to slow down. I have a daughter and if I have to keep a hospital appointment, no matter who is calling me, I will no. I've had to learn that the hard way, because I was such that if someone calls me at 11pm, pronto I'm off. But at 11pm, my child is having a rash and I'm going to the hospital and you call, I have to send my assistant. Thank God, my clients have been fantastic and understanding. They've accepted my lifestyle now that I may not always be available.

What is the biggest challenge you have faced

so far?

Getting my products into the country has been a huge challenge. It's like it takes forever.

There is also the problem of the manufacturers producing the products to specifications. That can be daunting at times. I'm trying to change my make-up line now and come out with new products and we've been at this since January this year, so setting deadline sometimes doesn't work.

Then power, oh my God. We spend like N300,000 on diesel every month.

Describe yourself as a wife, mother and boss.

As a boss, my staff are in a best position to describe me, but I can be hard sometimes. If I tell you to get to a client's house at 4.30am, you must be there at that time. I don't care where you live, because I would get there at that time. I don't tolerate excuses of any sort. I try to be there for him and my daughter, my family and siblings. I've known my husband for 11 years and he was there when I started the business.

How does your husband take all the media exposure you are subjected to?

There are times he reads ridiculous things about me and he would just laugh over it. At other times, he would give a word of caution. He is very supportive. For instance, at the drop of the hat, if I tell him I'm off to Turkey tomorrow, he would handle my flight arrangement. He wants me to be happy because he knows I love what I do. He calls me every now and then to just ask if I'm okay (laughs). He is still like the same person I met in UNILAG years ago; I just can't believe that we've known each other for so long because it all seems like yesterday. I still have butterflies (laughs).

What could make you get emotional?

Watching a movie can make me get emotional! If I see someone in a very bad situation, I do shed tears.

Can you shed light on how you got the deal to handle the make-up of the First Lady?

The First Lady has a great friend Hajia Bola Shagaya, who is like a big sister to me and a very good client. If you have a friend, you always want the best for her; that was how I was brought in to handle Her Excellency's make-up for the inauguration and it's been fine.

How does this make you feel?

Of course, I feel good, but there is a lot of protocol involved. But at the end of the day, the First Lady is just a very simple person.

What dictates your style?

I love black. As a professional make-up artiste, we wear black and because I'm always working, you'll see me in black.

How do you spend your 'me' time?

I cook and listen to music. I also read magazines and in my free time, I'm in my house.

Glamour

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2012

43

Social KAYODE ALFRED

(E-mail: kayflex2@yahoo.com, Tel: 08035733605, 08099400057)

Deola Sagoe’s estranged husband set to remarry

Mina Okoloko out of circulation

B

• Okoloko HE storm seems to be over for Mina, the sumptuous beauty and wife of Onajite Okoloko, the Managing Director of Notore. Speculations that the beautiful couple's marriage was heading for the rocks have been dispelled and Mina cannot be any happier. When the news first filtered out, Mina, the proprietress of Beauty Concerns on Saka Tinubu Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, was flustered and bitter. And for somebody who appears only at exclusive dos, she has since shunned all of this and simply recoiled into her cocoon. Unlike in the past when she dominated the social scene with her close friends, Mina, a graduate of Law from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, sources say, is now wary of supposed friends, whom she suspected, spread false tales of her alleged marriage break-up.

T

ENEATH her happy-go-lucky façade, talented fashion designer, Deola Sagoe, is not exactly a happy woman at the moment. Her former husband, Kofi is allegedly in a new romance with a new woman simply identified as Nike. And those who should know informed SC that marriage might be on the cards for the Ghanianborn young man. Since their marriage crashed three years ago, Deola has not been linked with any man, perhaps hoping that she would resolve her differences with her estranged beau. Insiders, however, aver that their love affair is not likely to be rekindled. Kofi Sagoe has moved on with his life and is currently enjoying a new romance. So bitter was the ex-couple's separation that Kofi was brusquely booted out as Managing Director of Toyota Nigeria Limited owned by his father-in-law, Chief Ade Ojo. Kofi later moved out of their matrimonial home and filed for divorce. Few months later, he became the Country Managing Director of SUBARU Nigeria where Yinka Fisher is chairman.

Nkiru Anumudu beraaved

N

•Anumudu

KIRU Anumudu, one of Nigeria's most stylish women and an Executive Director of Globe Motors Limited is bereaved. The jolly good lady recently lost her mother who passed on at the age of 81 after a brief illness.

The burial is slated for May 3rd in Anambra State. The deceased is survived by Lagos big boy, Obi Adimora, who is the eldest, Nkiru Anumudu and Nona Adimora, the last surviving child. Presently, not a few celebs in Lagos are checking and rechecking their wardrobe to ensure that they have the appropriate outfit to don for the party in Nanka, Anambra State. What do you expect?

Nkiru is one lady who loves to stay by her friends in their moments of need.

•Sagoe

Kola Abiola sets to join golden club

K

OLA Abiola, eldest son of late Chief M.KO Abiola is counting his blessings.

The reason for the stock-taking is that come next month, the reclusive businessman will hit 50. And to celebrate the milestone, his friends and associates are planning a big shindig that would attract the cream of the Nigeria society. Kola's younger brothers, Deji, Agboola and sisters, Bolaji and Wuraola, are said to be coordinating arrangements in this regard. Kola, however, may pull a fast one on those urging him to throw a big party. There are indications that he prefers a low-key celebration with close family members possibly in a location •Abiola outside the country.

Sheriff Shagaya goes into politics

O

NE of the new faces dotting the political landscape in Kwara State is Sheriff Shagaya, the son-in-law of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and first son of top businesswoman, Hajia Bola Shagaya. The rumour of his political adventure has been spreading like a wildfire. Speculations about Sheriff's quest to represent Asa West in the House of Representatives come 2015 were further confirmed when he recently visited the constituency and donated money and materials to the people. He is said to have surprised his friends with the seriousness he has been pursuing his ambition. Sheriff has been moving around the homes of top political bigwigs to seek endorsement for his ambition. But with the reported interest of the incumbent, Hon. Moshood Mustapha, to seek a second term and the Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Rasak Atunwa, also believed to be eyeing the seat, observers are of the opinion that Shagaya has a mountain to climb to realise his ambition.

•Shagaya

Glamour

44

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2012

&

OLUSEGUN RAPHEAL (08033572821) raphseg2003@yahoo.com

Maiden Ibru's daughter quits spinsterhood J

ust a few months after she lost her husband, Publisher of The Guardian, Mrs. Maiden Ibru recently had cause to be happy again. Last weekend, her daughter, beautiful Anita Avelohoya Alex Ibru, was ushered into the world of matrimony when she got engaged with to heartthrob, Marcel Gilbert Akuete Kouassigan. The traditional wedding, which was graced by friends, family members, associates of the family, including former and current political office holders, was held at the expansive Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, reports Olusegun Rapheal

•The couple-Marcel Gilbert Akuete Kouassigan and Anita Avelohoya Athena Alex Ibru

• L-R: Chief Olusegun Osoba, Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

•L-R: Bride’s mother, Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru, Olorogun Oscar Ibru and groom’s mother, Vivian Kouassigan

•L-R: Dr Alex Thomopulos, Oboden Ibru and Temple Boyo

• L-R: Folake Solanke (SAN), and Alhaji Aliko Dangote •L-R: Sir Sam Amuka-Pemu, Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire and Senator Oluremi Tinubu

•L-R: Chief Raymond Obieri, Prof Bolaji Akinyemi, Prof Wale Omole, Dr Tunji Braithwaite and Chief John Edozien

Ex-Speaker, Patricia Etteh accords mum glorious burial

R-L: Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, Mrs Patricia Etteh

F

ORMER Speaker, House of Representatives, Mrs. Patricia Etteh, penultimate weekend, in her hometown, Ikire, Osun State, played a good hostess to hundreds of celebrities from across the country. The event was the final burial of her mother, Mrs. Eunice Baderinwa Alabi, who passed on. The first leg of the burial rites took place at the Holy Cross Catholic Church, Ikire , where a church service was held to bid the deceased a glorious farewell.

Thereafter, a well attended reception held at Ayedaade Grammar School, Ikire.

Prominent among the dignitaries, who came to honour Etteh were the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal; wife of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Bola, who stood in for her husband, amongst others.

Olusegun Rapheal was there

•L-R: Senator Gbenga Kaka and Hon. Mao Nwabunwa

•Mr Bola Oyebamiji

•Mrs Bola Obasanjo

•L-R: Mrs Bunmi Awonaya and Mrs Funke Egbemode

R-L: Ogun State Governor, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun and Mrs Omolola Oyinlola

•Mr Niyi Ogunlola and wife, Shade

•L-R: Mrs Nike Olumide and Mrs Ngozi Orubele

THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 29, 2012

47

VOL 1 NO. 037

Holding out for a hero I

NDEED, every brand seek its ideal buyer in definition of the ever shifting 'comfort zone', the loyalists, the dependable friend; that customer whose commitment goes beyond the level of average. This customer(s) spends more, in more often times in engaging such brand –and its offer – leading up to sales growth, profitability, reduction in cost of sales and customer relationship management. They are so impactful on the bottom-line, top line practitioners have separated them for special identification as HERO CUSTOMERS. Hero Customers are also representative of a unique and distinct customer-relationship sales and marketing practice in celebration of innovative professional marketing input that has brought about real change with quantifiable value, to modern day brands management.

Hero customers are distinct and cut across market segments, broadly. Also, hero customers require deliberate special effort to identify; so special, they qualify to be outfitted with special attributes. With such attributes, they become more easily identifiable to brands/businesses as special growth drivers for their role and peculiar traits. According to Judy Bayer, an expert in advanced business analytics, these qualities include being profitable, exhibiting a propensity to engage deeply with the identified customer experience, evangelizing brands, adopting brands early and having low cost to serve.

Hero customers could turn out a strange mention to many brands and corporate persons in our local environment, but it is in the interest of all brands and businesses operative in this market to adopt this management model for all its benefits.

Brands/businesses would gain more from creating a profile of these distinct customers of unique value known as HERO CUSTOMERS. In the first place, it will enable them seek out clones of these heropeople; identify their peculiarities in behaviour leading up to heroic customer relationships. How helpful will that become in the quest for effectiveness and cost-efficiency – for such brands' competitive advantage. Wise brands can use such information to create blueprint for improving the value of their entire customer service base.

According to Jim O'Farrell, an expert in Channel Marketing, (companies) should liketo know how they can measure customer value, such that they can identify those customers that are most valuable and most profitable. In other words, they need to know who their HERO CUSTOMERS are. “If you know who your heroes are, you know the future of your company”, O'Farrell. Every growth-driven brand should consider deep(er) consumer insight as very important. It demands far-more definite attention to details, beyond the regular.

Cultivating hero customers – identifying, measuring and growing them – is partly an art and the second part, a science. The science part requires that a brand/ business understands data like customer value and customer profitability. The art part requires that the brand engages good understanding of these hero customers' behaviour while also being able to elicit such behaviour in other customer groups. For example, a brand may learn through data mining that her most valuable customers tend to buy products in stores only after a careful consideration of information they depend on the internet for. Such learning will help such brand in developing marketing support inputs that will help get more of her customers to research their potential purchases on her website. It takes a concerted effort at data mining to drive such innovative thinking of

immense benefits to brands.

The notion of Hero Customer is relatively new in this local market but it is gaining traction as a customer relationship-based marketing tool in developed economies. As mentioned earlier, it is a marketing tool designed for identifying the emotive customer that runs on data and behaviour analysis. As stated by Forrester in one of his papers “…armed with shopping and interest profiles of target personas, marketers can stimulate the right consumers to share their individual data through Web site registration, in-store promotions, competitions and call centre conversations”. Firms that can emotively engage their customers can expand their

relationships far beyond their traditional categories. We at MC&A DIGEST encourage brands in this local market towards deeper consumer knowledge in this direction.

It is gainful for them to so invest, knowing that it is also likely to draw more on re-education, more focused application of professionalism, sophistication and innovativeness. But at the end, all such investment will yield calculable improvement on the bottom-line.

Hero Customer as a marketing tool has assumed a global status, and has been put to practice by equally global and international brands; brands that run on sophistication, global best practice and are customercentric. We can connect with this global practice and replicate recorded successes in our local marketing environment.

Let us consider Royal Bank of Canada's peculiar experience with the concept of Hero Consumer in the marketing of its banking services in a restricting experiment of1978/79. As it played out, the bank's head of marketing decided to value its customers in an effort to identify those of highest value to the banks' success, with profitability as its primary consideration. The focus and description of the bank's Hero Customer was set as the one who is active with his/her finances and is interested in a long-term relationship with the bank.

With this in mind, the bank was able to precisely value its customers and primarily identify those with the most valuable assets in the bank and cross-reference them with the most active customers. The active customers posted the higher propensity to use more of the bank's products (such as mutual funds and lines of credit) and

also show a need for wealth management services. With this clear distinction of the two most influential customer groups of its customers, it was easy to identify their most cost efficient but most profitable customer segment ( the most active), and went ahead to develop marketing and advertising support around it. By implication, the bank was to now save on its marketing spend and increase its profitability (as a result of HERO CUSTOMER application).

Such insight as narrated above comes handy in structuring earning potentials. As in the bank's case, wealth management puts it in an advisory role for its top customers and exacts more fees (profits) from those customers. Same effort and method helped the bank align its sales effort more efficiently and more profitably. One can safely say this same bank was not used to asking its sales managers too many questions so far as they hit their numbers, but with an insight as derived from its customer valuation, it was now in a position to institute goals around key customers which are likely to constitute its high value segment.

Finding Hero Customers is rooted in measuring data and understanding behaviour. In developed economies, banks lead in the categories of brands and businesses that practice HERO CUSTOMER, but many others including retailers, pharmaceuticals, beauty products, holiday, travels & tours, etc., have all come to adopt it, for all it is worth. In 2005, Best Buy retail group extended HERO CUSTOMER application from the initial 80 stores test-case to between 150/200 of its stores, due to recorded success at the trial stage. Its practicality is even more manifestly demonstrated in the case of retailing, where customer value is more relative.

High value customers can simply be the most frequent purchasers, or those that refer their friends to particular stores or even highway travellers. In fact, a particular retail group identified its highway traveller – customers as its most valuable customer group because they travel relatively long distance to the place of purchase, so they tend to spend more money than other customer groups. As a result of this learning, the retail group structured its campaign focus towards that group of its customers. It also chose to advertise in highway billboards and out-of-town newspapers, as primary media.

Understanding customer value and what defines a hero customer gives brands/businesses valuable insight that creates a concrete long-term competitive advantage.

Customers are grouped by size of average order, total revenue, and frequency of purchase and recency of purchase. Valuing customers differently affects merchandising, marketing and branding. Beyond customer relationship management, identifying and working with the HERO CUSTOMER is a must-growth driver brands and businesses in this market should train for.

•This page is open to sponsorship and advert placement.

•ASPECTX Communications has a space for aggressive and goal-driven new business developers.

Interested candidates should send CV to mcandadigestweekly@gmail.com and bernardokhakume@gmail.com. Interested candidates should have advertising and brand management experience, not less than 3years.

GOODLUCK.

48

THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 29, 2012

The Chief Executive Officer of Kasher Consults, Mrs. Dayo Oluwole, has worked as the Community Affairs Manager, Coca Cola International, and currently serves as a facilitator with Lagos Business School.

In this interview with Rita Ohai, she speaks on the role of women in the business sector and offers advice for budding entrepreneurs.

‘Nigerian women in politics are disappointing’

I work 24 hours, 7 days a week, so balancing that with the role I play as a wife and mother of two young children was quite a night-mare at the start but now I have learnt to say 'no' if, for example, my daughter has her sports day coming up and if you lose that business then so be it.

Clients will always come especially if you are professional

New WOMAN

THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 29, 2012

49

Relationships Reasons not Deola Ojo to marry Before you say goodbye the one T you love 08027454533 (text) Pastordeegfc@yahoo.com

B

EING a bride is the closest thing possible to living out childhood fantasies of being a princess.

The wedding industry and bridal magazines collaborate in spinning the myth. Find the perfect prince, put on the perfect wedding pageant and live happily ever after. It's an alluring story for almost everyone. How could it not be? For the unhappy, the alone, and the lonely it can be an intoxicating idea.

Getting married can seem like the end of all a girl's problems. Getting married can seem like a way to get a new start.

It doesn't work that way. Marrying as a solution to painful circumstances almost never leads to a good and lasting marriage. Marriages that are a conscious or unconscious way out of a difficult situation don't have the staying power that comes with mature love, shared values and a commitment to the future by two mature adults.

Here are my top five mistaken reasons that people marry: 1. To escape the family of origin.

Jackey's parents are brutal. She hasn't felt loved just about ever. Her mother is constantly critical. Her father scares her, especially when he drinks.

Her younger sister seems bent on setting her up to be the target so she can fly under the radar of parental chaos.

For Jackey, marrying her boyfriend as soon as they graduate from high school this June seems like a way out.

Yes, some families are abusive. Some parents don't know how to love and protect. Some are so toxic that the only way to survive is to flee. But flight into an early marriage with a teenage sweetheart or just anybody who is willing isn't a good enough foundation for a marriage. The fear that spurs flight can cloud a person's judgment about who would really make a good partner. It's easy to romanticize someone who offers an alternative to daily ridicule and pain.

2. Because it's the next logical thing.

Tony and Melody have been dating since they were 14. Neither of them has ever dated anyone else or even considered it. They've been best friends and lovers through their teen years, went to the same college, and have been talking for years about what kind of house they'd like to have someday and what their kids' names will be. Tony's parents adore Melody.

Melody's parents think Tony is a fine

match for their daughter. It only makes sense for them to get married. Or does it?

Neither Tony nor Melody has a clue about who they are without the other.

They have never tested themselves as individuals; never been anywhere or done anything significant that didn't involve the other. Sometimes couples like them can last. But often enough, the growing up that happens in the 20s means growing apart. As they enter careers that introduce them to new people and new experiences, one or the other of them may well begin to wonder if they would make the same choice now as they did when they were 14.

3. To fix the other person.

Joey and Maryanne agree on one important thing: He needs fixing. He needs her. He feels empty and desperate without her. He says he will die if she leaves him. He has even threatened suicide if she tries. She has an idea that she can rescue him and that she gives meaning to his life. That idea gives meaning to hers.

Neither of these people has a strong sense of self or life goals they are passionate about. The intensity of their relationship consumes them and distracts them from finding and maintaining good friends or good work. They are each other's everything. What they fail to understand is that by being so wrapped up in the drama of “saving” him, neither one of them is developing personally into the adult they could be.

It's unlikely that Maryanne can “save” Joey when Joey doesn't really want to stand on his own feet. A marriage created on these terms is likely to be disastrous for them both.

4. To legitimize sex.

Angie and Nick both come from deeply religious families. Angie pledged she would stay pure until marriage. Nick agreed that it was very important to wait until their wedding to have sex. But a combination of hormones and alcohol overtook those good intentions. They had sex. They liked it. They rationalized continuing to be intimate but the guilt that came with it made them both miserable. To them, getting married makes going against their own values at least a little okay. Never mind that they each had some doubts about the relationship

before they fell into bed with each other. Never mind that they each still kind of blame the other for what happened. Those seeds of doubt and blame are likely to fester and grow.

Marriage may make them feel less guilty about having sex but it won't resolve other issues that undermine their relationship.

5. To avoid being alone.

Robyn is terrified. She's always had a boyfriend since she was 13. She has dated a number of guys but always had someone new lined up before she ended a relationship. Now 22, she's just been dumped by the most recent boyfriend for being too needy. A demanding project at work has meant long hours at the office and no time to look for someone new. She hates being alone in her apartment at night. She doesn't know what to do with herself on weekends. She feels empty and scared. She's tried calling her ex but he's put off by her tears. She's running through her files for someone, anyone, who can fill up the hole in her life. She's likely to fall into marriage with the first guy who shows interest just so she'll never have to feel this way again.

Marriage does provide a partner in life but it doesn't guarantee that the partner will be good at partnering.

Sometimes people like Robyn luck out and find someone who is truly willing and able to be their best friend and companion. More often, they are terribly disappointed. In their rush to marry to fend off their fear of abandonment, they didn't take the time to find someone who shared their interests and values.

Men can be as vulnerable to making these mistakes as women. Older people aren't exempt either.

Regardless of age or gender, the desire to marry, to have a constant partner, and to share a life is a healthy one.

However, a wedding that's a mistaken solution to personal or couple problems won't guarantee a happilyever-after marriage. That requires a union of two complete and whole adults who love each other deeply, unselfishly, and respectfully and who share a commitment to keep their wedding vows. Only then can a bond be created that withstands life's challenges and deepens over time.

Source: Marie Hartwell-Walker at Psychcentral.com

HERE are times in every relationship when you start wondering if perhaps it is time to say goodbye. Every relationship will face storms.

What determines the ultimate outcome is the foundation the relationship is based on. When Gbenga met Sophie at a train station on one of his vacations to London, he could not take his eyes off her. He managed to get a seat beside her on the train, and wondered how he was going to start a conversation with her without being snubbed. Sophie immediately brought out a book called “Blink”. Gbenga had read the book before and decided to start a conversation using the book. After five stops, Sophie had reached her destination and Gbenga decided to get off at the same stop. He was going shopping anyway, and could buy things from any of the stores around. He found out that Sophie was a computer programmer for a company around. She worked there four days a week and would resume at ten and close by five. Gbenga decided he had better be on that train at about the same time every morning so that he could develop a relationship with Sophie. After a week of accidentally meeting on the train every day, Sophie decided to invite Gbenga to the Pub on Saturday night.

He could not tell her that he does not drink. The passion he felt for her exceeded his reason, so he accepted the invitation. He decided to order soft drinks and watched as she ordered alcoholic drinks. By the time it was 1am, she was obviously drunk. She crawled out of the pub and called a taxi cab to take her home. She waved him to come with her. That was the first time he visited her flat and they had sex. When she woke up in the morning, she was upset that he had slept in her flat and ordered him out. On Monday morning, when they met on the train, she was all smiles and acted as though nothing had happened on Saturday night. They continued to see one another on the train and she invited him to the pub on Friday night. It was the same sequence. She drank until she was drunk, got a cab, invited him over and they had sex. In the morning, she ordered him out. This happened for three weeks until he had to come back to Nigeria. He decided to go back to London as soon as he got time off work. He soon began to travel to London, every chance he got. That year his company sent him for training twice and he spent most of his spare time with Sophie.

Gbenga and Sophie were now dating officially. But some things were beginning to bother him. he realized that Sophie was probably seeing other people anytime he was not in London. If he called her phone Saturday morning, another man usually picked the phone and told him that she was sleeping. He was going crazy just imagining what must be going on. He decided that he would pay Sophie a surprise visit and find out what happens whenever he was not in town. He arrived at her flat early Saturday morning and the door was answered by a man who was wearing a pair of shorts with no top on. He wanted to punch the guy in the face but thought against it, he did not want to risk being locked up in jail.

He confronted Sophie and she apologized and promised that this will not happen again. But her pattern of life did not change. She still continued to go to the pub and come back home with anyman who was willing to have a one night stand. After two years, Gbenga wondered if it was time to say goodbye.

Gbenga and Sophie's relationship was built on the foundation of pub and sex. This kind of relationship is fraught with danger from the onset. Sometimes it is obvious that a relationship is bound to fail from the onset. There is no point putting yourself through long term pain in exchange for temporary pleasure. Before you start a relationship, find out what you really like about the person and why. We should not allow fear or negative mindsets to prevent us from trying out a relationship, but we must also be wise enough to realize when the outcome will be disastrous and stop the fire before it becomes a full raging inferno. When we base relationships on faulty foundations, we are likely to have problems in the future. How you said hello may determine how quickly you say goodbye. A lady who meets a man at a restaurant with another lady and finds a way to secretly pass her phone number to him, should not wonder why the man is not faithful to her after they start a relationship. A man who succeeds in winning over a lady who was engaged to one of his friends should not wonder why the lady breaks up with him in order to go out with his senior colleague.

Some men say they want to date a scantily dressed, sexy looking lady but they do not want her to flirt.

Others want to date a lady who is wearing very expensive clothes, shoes, jewelry, but they complain later that she is a spendthrift and always demanding for more money.

To be continued next week

50

THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 29, 2012

Arts & Life

SUNNY SIDE

Cartoons

By Olubanwo Fagbemi deewalebf@yahoo.com 08060343214 (SMS only)

POLITICKLE

Wanderlust

CHEEK BY JOWL

OH, LIFE!

THE GReggs

IT was dusk and from where Deboh sat near a ship he had decided upon for his oft-dreamed voyage to the United States of America where he would live his dream as an actor and musician, he studied activity around the vessel. He didn’t care if anyone would think him rather young at 12 for such adventure; all he wanted to do was feed a desire that burned so bright in his bossom.

To sneak on board, he would need the same guile that helped him slip through the port gates earlier. Turned back at first by hawkish security staff as he attempted to walk in with port workers and sundry visitors, Deboh retreated for renewed assault. Noticing there was less scrutiny at the second gate, he made for the entrance, ensuring he walked with a swagger missing in his initial steps. To his relief, he came through, and now here he was, contemplating the penultimate challenge.

He was tired of having problems with everyone – family, friends, and teachers. They said he had an attitude problem. Hmmn. He would show them real attitude. He was at the bus stop before 5 a.m. – early, as he planned.

He mingled with workers sleepily boarding buses for the factories and companies that dot the city.

He was soon at the wharf and quickly found his way to the quays. It was bright morning and he sauntered along, looking for an opening. Everyone seemed to mind their business and Deboh was confused for a while. He thought of abandoning the mission until he noticed a fellow sitting on the floor with his back to a pillar. He had the forlorn look of a cast-off sailor about him. Deboh thought the man might know something and got up to walk over and talk with him.

The man cut the very figure of a loafer in his grimy sweat suit. He shot Deboh a disinterested look as the boy stood before him. “Good morning,” greeted Deboh. In reply, the man turned away, apparently wishing the boy would leave him to his worries. Deboh pre-empted rejection by fishing out a hundred naira note which he handed to the man.

Instantly, the man dropped the cold shoulder and asked what his young interviewer wanted. “I want to travel out – on one of those ships,” said Deboh, pointing to one of the huge ships moored at the quayside. “Well, you’re asking the right man,” said the ‘sailor’ as he hastily put away the note, perhaps to avoid the notice of a fellow straggler. “It’s not difficult, you see,” he added. “All you have to do is get 200 dollars and come here on a Tuesday. I can help you talk to a Greek captain of one of those ships and he’ll take you for 50 dollars.”

Deboh thanked the man and promised to meet up the next Tuesday. But he was impatient and didn’t really trust the man, so he hung around the quays to see what he could achieve on his own. After all, he had a change of clothes in his backpack and fancied his chances of survival on a long trip, even at short notice.

Now he paced stealthily about the ship, watching out for movement on deck, but there was none. The crew were either busy elsewhere or he was in luck, Deboh thought. Well, what mattered now was that he firmly had his fate in his hands and was set to launch much-craved flight. Satisfied that the coast was clear, he climbed the ship’s steps briskly.

But he didn’t get far on board as a deep voice from the darkness stopped him. “What do you think you’re doing?” said the speaker, a tall thin sailor with haggard features stomping towards Deboh. Scared stiff at first, the boy recovered to render a tearful plea for passage so as to escape child abuse at home.

But the sailor saw through the lie. The police was the more suitable quarter, he reasoned. It was better to work things out on land while there was still a chance, he said. Anything could happen, and the ultimate price paid with life on the long lonely journey on sea.

Defeated, Deboh returned to the quayside. He hadn’t imagined that his quest would end so fast. It was late, so he lay on a bench to consider his options. As a wave of drowsiness washed over him, he closed his eyes with one last thought: he would have to confront the issues that made living so turbulent. He would start by going back home tomorrow – it was the most natural course to set for in the circumstances.

QUOTE

The men who try to do something and fail are infinitely better than those who try to do nothing and succeed.

—Lloyd Jones

Jokes Humour Day Off ONE DAY, Johnson went to see his supervisor in his office. “Boss,” he said, “we’re doing some heavy housecleaning at home tomorrow, and my wife needs me to help with moving and hauling stuff all day.”

“Sorry, Johnson,” the boss replied.

“We’re short-handed right now. I can’t give you the day off.”

“Thanks, boss,” said a smiling Johnson. “I knew I could depend on you!”

The Divorce A JUDGE was interviewing a woman regarding her pending divorce, and asked, “What are the grounds for your divorce?”

She replied, “About four acres and a nice little home in the middle of the property with a stream running by.”

“No,” he said, “I mean what is the foundation of this case?”

“It is made of concrete, brick and mortar,” she responded.

“I mean,” he said, “What are your relations like?”

“I have an aunt and uncle living here in town, and so do my husband’s parents.”

The judge said, “Do you have a real grudge?”

“No,” she replied, “We have a two-car carport and have never really needed one.”

“Please,” he tried again, “is there any infidelity in your marriage?”

“Yes, both my son and daughter have stereo sets. We don’t necessarily like the music, but the answer to your questions is yes.”

“Ma’am, does your husband ever beat you up?”

“Yes,” she responded, “about twice a week he gets up earlier than I do.”

Finally, in frustration, the judge asked, “Lady, why do you want a divorce?”

“Oh, I don’t want a divorce,” she replied. “I’ve never wanted a divorce. My husband does. He said he couldn’t communicate with me.”

•Culled from the Internet

S

H O R T Writer’s Fountain s t o r y specifics: Decide how you will either know everything and explore every narrate the story. The narration of the story character’s thoughts, or be limited to only could either be in first-person (“I”), that which can be observed.

After you have sketched your plot, and second-person (“you”), or third-person designed your characters, start by drawing (“he” or “she”).

What needs to be known is the fact that the outline of the story and then go on to the first-person narrators can only tell choosing the right words to describe each what they know (which will be limited to part of the story. When you are in the what they see firsthand or are told by process of writing, make sure to keep the others), while third-person narrators can flow going. Set aside a time to write each and every day, and make it a goal to finish, say, a page each day. Even if you end up Peculiar facts – Flora and fauna: •The fastest moving land snake is the Black throwing away what you wrote on that day, Mamba, which can move up to 7 miles per you’ve been writing and thinking about the story, and that will keep you going in the hour.

•There are no ants in Iceland, Antarctica and long run.

Any story writing will be incomplete Greenland due to widespread freezing. without revising and editing the story and •A rabbit is not able to vomit.

There are only two mammals in the world correcting the spelling and grammatical that lay eggs: the echidna and the platypus. errors. Do not hesitate to make changes if •Lions cannot roar until they reach the age you find portions which are not good enough. of two.

Get reviews, opinions and criticisms •Dolphins sleep with one eye open!

•Apples are part of the rose family of plant. from your friends and well-wishers. Give •Black pepper is the most popular spice in them time to read it and think about it, and the world. give them a copy that they can write on.

THE ARTS

51

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2012

Demas Nwoko’s special identity During an interactive session organized by the Goethe – Institut in Lagos last week, artists got together to discuss the special identity the renowned multi-talented artist created for himself and for the Nigerian environment. Edozie Udeze reports

P

RINCE Demas Nwoko is not just your everyday man – on – the – mill artist, he equally doubles as a painter, an architect, a sculptor and a designer. As one of Nigeria’s oldest master craftsman whose ingenuity in the visual arts world has defined both his person and essence, most of his works indeed serve as memorable synthesis that stimulate the younger generation of artists.

A former lecturer in the Department of Fine Arts, the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, he was known as somebody who championed the indigenisation of surrealism, sculpting and painting to suit the immediate intellectual appetite of his students.

And given his iconoclastic attitude to architecture and the work of arts generally, Nwoko was in the habit of giving deep meaning to his every experimentation in order to add irrepressible joy of life to things on this planet.

Most often, he shares the view that allows his works to interact most profoundly with his audience. To him, the creative nature of an artist should not be sovereign or strange to his clime and environment. For this reason and more, he is always inextricably bound to the possibilities that fundamentally present him as a rebel and a non – conformist artist.

He once said: “For me, I cannot alienate myself from my audience; from my society, for that’s where I derive my groove from.”

In order, therefore, to let the art community of Lagos understand and appreciate Nwoko, the Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA) Lagos, collaborated with Goethe Institut to discuss its findings about Nwoko’s exploits as an artist, an architect and a rebel.

Studies had been undertaken by Paul Godwin, a British Professor of Architecture who spent many months at Idumuje, Nwoko’s village in Delta State to document all his works. At the end , he was able to produce a book on him, detailing how the man has been able to use his background as an artist to design many buildings and structures and landscapes that are so unique and peculiar. Reference was made in passing to the book during the discussion.

On hand to accompany Godwin during the discussion was Kelechi Amadi – Obi, one of Nigeria’s greatest photographers. Obi’s works were meant to bring to public focus and scrutiny the synergy between visual art, architecture and photography. This was why he said during the discussion that Nwoko’s works are a delight for a photographer. “You cannot see any of his works and wouldn’t marvel at the beauty and dexterity of the man as someone who has seen it all”, Obi said.

The theme of the discussion was anchored on Artspace – The Identity Crisis, but then people asked why most Nigerian professionals do not really make efforts to create and carve their own niche. This is what Demas Nwoko has successfully done, using mostly

local materials to design to satisfy the local needs of his clients, his society and all.

Nwoko is a trained visual artist from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, Kaduna State. He, along with Bruce Onobrokpeya, Uche Okeke, Yusuf Grillo and others were the first set of Nigerian Fine Arts graduates. In class then, they were termed the ‘Zarian rebels’ because they told their white teachers that they preferred to use local ideas to project their arts. The Euro-centric attitude of their colonial teachers did not let them appreciate the talents in their students then.

However, Nwoko went on to combine his artistic acumen with a deep stint in architecture, preferring thereby to design houses peculiar to the local needs of the Nigerian people. Today, he has, to his credit, a number of institutions which stand out as his own unique signature. Even his house in the village is so well patterned that he does not use fans or air – conditioners to get enough breeze. Concerning the house, Obi said “His home is a wonderful project. It is like a village square where you have a central format. It has some openings from where you have air constantly penetrating into the house. That way, he does not need any artificial air either in form of fan or air conditioner”.

Obi went on: “His works are African in their totality. You can feel the presence of Ulli, an identity that makes his works local, yet extra-ordinarily contemporary. From what he does, one could see his total resort to bricks instead of concrete blocks; a situation that defines him as special and different”.

In his own contribution, Godwin described Nwoko as a quintessential African artist who has chosen to use architecture for the total espousal of African building patterns. “What he does is quite different from what you see around here. Go to the Dominican community in Ibadan, Oyo State and

• Nwoko

see how he planned and designed those edifices there. It shows the work of a classical artist at home with the realities of his people. He used bricks instead of blocks and for us in this profession, bricks are better conditioned for the tropical zones of the world,” Godwin explained.

However, the argument went on further to dwell on whether bricks are more affordable than blocks, given the porous nature of the Nigerian environment. “Yes”, Godwin said, “every artist or architect has to look inwards to see what suits the local people. Even though bricks are more expensive and difficult to come by, they are safer for a tropical environment. They can serve as sources of tourism too, because people would like to come here to view the peculiarity of the African designs and patterns. You can see also that most of his works are so well-adapted that they do not need painting. They are natural and unpolluted,”he said.

So, just like Nigerian musicians have adapted to their own local form of rapping and singing their own R & B songs, Nigerian designers, architects, artists and others have to resort to the local issues to create their own identity. Today, we have Brazilian, Chinese and European architectures. South Africa is also creating its own market and audience, and why not Nigeria?

This was a poser thrown to the audience by Bisi Silva, an artist and architect who also fuses both local and foreign material together for professional effect.

Present at the occasion were renowned Nigerian and foreign artists from all genres of the arts who came to learn from the Nwoko exploits.

Edaoto goes to Harare

E

•Edaato

DAOTO is not only an artiste with a peculiar and funny stage name, he is equally fond of demonstrating his outstanding character whenever he is on stage. For some time now, Edaoto has been a common feature in almost all arts programmes in Lagos. At every outing, he devices his own style, using his custom-made guitar and solo approach to lyrics to capture his audience.

He specialises in poetry rendition, satire and jokes to carry his audience along. Once he is on stage, he tells the story of Nigeria tottering between gloom and bloom, riches and poverty and then from there a song or two will be formed.

As he sings, he encourages his

By Edozie Udeze

audience to sing along, clap their hands and twist to the rhythm of his composition and rendition.

Having discovered the potential talents in this creative singer, the Goethe – Institut in Nigeria has chosen him as one of its artistes to this year’s Harare International Festival of Arts (HIFA) in Zimbabwe. HIFA is Africa’s largest arts festival that was begun in 1999. The idea is to celebrate in totality all genres of the African art and culture, with artistes from all over the globe, harping on the need to bring to world attention the potentials in the arts.

“Oh, my brother”, Edaoto enthused, smiling genially, “I was in

my house one afternoon when a call came, asking me if I could go to Harare for this year’s HIFA. They quickly added that they would give me a few days to think it over”, he said, brimming with life. “And of course, my answer was eventually yes. There, I will perform my popular lyric entitled Show me Edumare. I will also play the Black man, which is one of my latest and hottest compositions”.

The HIFA shows will commence on the 1st of May and end on the 6th.

This year’s event will feature artists from all over the world who will felicitate with Zimbabwe during their independence anniversary “Music will form the focal point of this year’s shows”, Edaoto explained.

52

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2012

Arts/Reviews

Occupying with arts Y

EMISI Osundina, Kunle Osundina , Mutiwa Akinwolere, Bassey Eyibio, Ehis Okoror and Nat Ehinnaya, have two things in common, they are all artistesperforming and visual artistes, and they all attend the same church, The Father’s House.

Yemisi Osundina (nee Ajiboye), the daughter of the legendary artist, Jossy Ajiboye, and her husband, Kunle, alongside other artists, will from the 4th- 6th May, be exhibiting their works at The Father’s House Church, Akute, Ogun State.

Explaining the concept ‘Occupy’, Yemisi Osundina said “OCCUPY” is the theme for an art exhibition being organised by a group of artists in the Father’s House Church. It is a collective idea of the group of artists in the church.”

Osudina disclosed that apart from the exhibition as a tool for evangelism, it also became necessary “to cut cost as its exorbitant patronizing any of the established galleries. You meet new people socialise and exchange ideas with them and in the end we believe it will help in actualising the project 250 vision of the Father’s House Church.”

‘Occupy’ is their response to the recent phenomenon in the world.

According to Muyiwa, who spoke for the group, “going by happenings in 2011, we have been given glimpses through global events, as to the direction of things in 2012, the Arab revolutions, beginning from Tunisia, as a result of general discontent snowballed into other protests in Algeria, Egypt, Libya, and Syria.

America was not left out, as they also experienced more than six weeks of protest known as ‘Occupying the wall street.’

“It was not so much of surprise, when Nigeria began the New Year with a nationwide protest also tagged: ‘Occupy Nigeria’, as a result of removal of subsidy on petroleum.

“Beyond protests, information technology has become more ‘occupied’, re-

Books

Theatre of earthquakes

A

•Osundina

By Gbenga Aderanti

cently. Due to new innovations and massive surge of users/ consumers, the last two years have witnessed increase in the number of those engaging the internet and social networks. What do all these portend for the word in times like these?”

He explained that the art exhibi- •Akuko gagara tion which opens on May 4 , 2012, is which he left on a very long their own way of ‘Occupy- journey. ing their giving space’, and He said that apart from by so doing bringing about the group selling its art change to a hemorrhaging works during the exhibition, world. the exhibition will be used Muyiwa explained that to allegorically point to the the concept of ‘Occupy’ is fact that, “everyone of us is not recent because during in this world to do business, the time of Jesus Christ, he with our time, talents and talked about it. Jesus, in one abilities. Business people of his many parables, told understand that money that the story of a ruler who is not being used or degave 10 pounds to his house- ployed to a giving business hold staff. A pound for each is dormant. That kind of person. He charged them to money will be spent and not “occupy till I come,” after invested.”

RNOLD Udoka is more popularly known for his theatrical satires bordering mainly on the socio-political and economic problems of the Niger Delta people. In almost all his plays so far, he has been able to demonstrate that an artiste who wants to be heard and taken serious by his followers, has to be conversant with his environment.

And so, his latest play entitled Still Another Night enlarges the scope and horizon of his work to include the general malaise plaguing the entire Nigerian society. In the play, four friends from different social and political backgrounds gather to lampoon on the immediate problems of the nation called Nigeria.

As a playwright, Udoka deliberately hammers on the well-known issues of political thuggery, corruption, fear, disunity and a looming anarchy. There is no safety anywhere as the youths, who are unemployed, and in their droves, take to the streets in form of political thuggery. There is mayhem;

By Edozie udeze

there is confusion, and so, the leaders in their usual sheer state of idiocy, scamper to a make-shift bunker for safety.

This safety is not guaranteed, for even the pillars holding the structures are defective.

A lot of burning issues then follow and consequently earth tremor and earthquake occur to propel the images of disaster and disorientation.

On page 17, the characters argue profusely on why safety in the society is far from being realisable. “Nothing and no-

where is safe… Cling onto the pillar with all of your emotion, strength and might. Don’t just let this bunker collapse on our heads…”.

Yet the confrontation among the characters goes on further: “well, I will do as you say. But it seems to me that this bunker has structural defects to the extent that I will not recommend it for human habitation whatsoever…”

Udoka’s ability to profess on the endemic issues of disunity has been seen to be prophetic. His works go deep to fish out all these elemental cankerworms of a sick and disoriented environment. And this is why Still Another Night cannot seem to end this his habitual recourse to thematic issues.

Still Another Night’s a slim book of 68 pages, one of the apparent problem areas of the play is how to make it lively and adaptable to the stage. However, there is usually this saying in theatre parlance, that it is a director’s play.

Then let us see how this falls within this classification or how the characters will enliven the stage once they are beckoned upon to do so.

Weekly investment tidbits

By Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf

V

ARIETY readily defines Nigeria’s media landscape, with newspapers and magazines pandering to different interest groups and target audience.

Perhaps, in keeping with the tradition, Debo Balogun’s Nigeria Investment Weekly, in all appearances, shows a lot of promise as a medium out to serve the interest of the investing public.

In the preview edition,

which hit the newsstand in April, the publishers, Head and Above Limited, made no pretense at all about what their vision and mission is as a newspaper with a clear focus on the emerging markets.

The cover story, “How Jonathan plans to create 3.5m jobs”, which is complemented by an intimidating photograph of President Goodluck Jonathan,is a good read what with the rich anecdotes and almost seminal delivery it provides on key ministries of government saddled with the role of achieving the much-touted President Goodluck Jonathan’s Transformation Agenda.

The other story which is sure to captivate the readers is the ‘Cashless Lagos’ cash hassles.’

Apart from giving rich anecdotes and testimonies of Lagosians who have had a raw deal with the cashlite policy being promoted by the apex

bank in the country, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the story also provides ample background for readers who may not have understood the different phases the policy has undergone before finally becoming a working document as it is today.

Besides, the edition also covers a potpourri of issues bordering on investment intelligence, start-ups, business etiquettes, automobile, interviews with upwardly mobile executives in different sectors such as civil engineering, fashion, ICT, to mention just a few.

Notwithstanding the fairly good content, the manner of presentation, however, leaves nothing to cheer about.

There are a number of grey areas that need to be addressed. The page planning and layout need a makeover to add to the aesthetics value.

All said, Nigeria Investment Weekly is a welcome addition to the other existing dailies.

GTB/Tate boost partnership with Curator

I

N a bid to further reinforce its support for promotion of African Arts and artists across the globe, Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) has announced the appointment of a dedicated curator at the Tate Art Gallery, London, Elvira Dyangani Ose. Supported by GTB, Ose, the Curator, International Art, is currently in Lagos to present the GTBank annual project. She explained that the annual project will take place in four cities in Africa and the United Kingdom, details of which will be announced jointly by GTBank and Tate later in the year.

“What we are trying to do is to redefine African artistes from the narratives they provide. It means that we have to look at a way in

By Ovwe Medeme

which African art has evolved. This project will constitute an organic and experimental platform, featuring emerging artists and exploring recent practices that propose new types of participation and social engagement,” she stated.

At a media session held at the Bank’s premises to announce the new development, Elvira added that the group will invite local and international audiences to engage with artists, curators and scholars to look into current cultural and artistic productions in Africa. Presenting various narratives on artmaking and knowledge production, the project, she

says, will be formulated through a wide range of initiatives, including exhibitions, lectures, screenings and performance programmes.

Explaining the workings of the partnership, Lola Odedina, General Manager and Group Head, Corporate Communications and External Affairs, GTB, said that the bank supports Tate with an acquisition fund to purchase works of art from the area for Tate Collection.

“This fund provides both parties with an unprecedented opportunity to build up a new conceptual framework for collecting, displaying and interpreting African art within the international arena.

The legacy and current in-

fluence of art produced in areas outside Europe and North America has been a focus for Tate in recent years and this partnership will examine Africa’s role at the heart of global artistic developments in a more inclusive narrative,” she stated.

With the support of the bank, she said, they will engage local art scenes with great visibility and a • Bognetti, Adviser for GTB on international art and support strategy strong social component.

“It will mean so much more for artists in Africa and the art world in general. There will be an acquisition fund that will help us acquire works of

modern and contemporary art,” she further explained.

As announced in 2011, the current partnership between Guaranty Trust Bank and Tate includes the creation of a dedicated curato-

rial post at Tate Modern to focus on African art, and the provision of an Acquisition Fund to enable the Gallery to enhance its holdings of work by African artists and an Annual Project.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2012

53

‘Release

the body of our only child’ —PAGE 54

Caught in a web

A property owner whose houses were sold under shady circumstances to a governor and deputy governor, has found himself in a quandary as both refuse to surrender the illegally acquired houses, Assistant Editor, GBADE OGUNWALE reports

•Abubakar IGP

I

N 2006 Sir Ernest Elochukwu wanted to free himself from the running of some of his business concerns. He is a busy man and he thought that as the National President of the Association of Licensed Customs Agents of Nigeria (ALCAN), he needed to get a manager relieve him of some of the stress. To achieve this, he turned to his friend, Chief Godwin Igwiro, who introduced his son-in-law, Obinna Kanu to him. Without hesitation, he engaged Kanu as the manager in charge of the Abuja office of his Nestello Gateways Group.

Two years into Kanu’s stewardship, Elochukwu noticed that things were not going on smoothlly with his business. He noticed that his manager was beginning to change and the returns from the Abuja office of Nestello Gateways Group were shrinking. After a series of one-on-one discussions with Kanu in respect of his stewardship, Elochukwu suspected that his manager was up to something fishy. The decline in returns from the business continued unabated. At a point in 2009, Elochukwu directed Kanu to hand over the entire business to his lawyer, Mr. Nnodu Okeke.

A change of baton

•Kanu

Okeke took over the management of four buildings in choice areas of the Federal Capital Territory from Kanu. He was then mandated by Elochukwu to investigate how the business was run by Kanu. While the buildings were under his charge, Kanu had let out the house in Asokoro to the present Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Abubakar Yari and the one at NPA Quarters in Maitama, to the present Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi Nweze. The two tenants were yet to attain their present positions then.

However, unknown to Elochukwu, Kanu had, through a letter on the letter head of Nestello Gateways Group on June 10, 2006, mandated one Mrs. Hilda Harrison from whom Elochukwu bought the Lugbe property, to transfer ownership of the property to him (Kanu). In that letter to Harrison, Kanu had used Elochukwu’s name as the author of the letter while he appended his own (Kanu’s) regular signature. Consequently, the Deed of Assignment dated June 16, 2006, was sealed with Harrison as the Assignor and Obinna Kanu as Assignee. A search carried out on the property revealed that Kanu later sold the property to Pre-

•The 5 units of 4-bedroom duplex traced to Kanu

mier Academy, a private school based in Abuja.

The police later discovered that Premier Academy, in turn, had sold the property to one General Anas Adamu, a serving military officer. Curiously, however, Kanu in his handover note dated August 17, 2009, still stated the same house he had sold as one of Elochukwu’s property that he handed over to Okeke. Another crisis ensued when it was time for Okeke to render account to Elochukwu.

Apparently acting in cahoots with Kanu, Okeke had demanded payment of N13 million from Elochukwu before he would hand over the assets. He claimed that the N13 million was the cost of processing a Certificate of Occupancy in respect of one of Elochukwu’s properties. Incidentally, he had earlier indicated the same C of O as one of the documents that Kanu handed over to him which he had acknowledged in writing. Even at that, Elochukwu produced documents showing that Okeke had at different times collected various sums of money totalling over N6 million from him for the processing of the said Certificate of Occupancy and other charges for services rendered.

When pressured to render account and turn over the property in his care, Okeke turned around to petition the police and the State Security Service (SSS), alleging that Elochukwu was planning to eliminate him. Consequent upon the allegation, the police and the SSS invited Elochukwu for questioning, only to discover that Okeke’s allegation was a mere decoy to avoid rendering account.

That marked the beginning of the war between Okeke (the lawyer) and Elochukwu his client. At this point, Elochukwu had to involve an associate, Mr. Michael Mbanefo with whom he carried out independent investigation on how his investments and assets were being managed by Kanu and Okeke. The outcome of that investigation gave him much insight: It was then that he discovered that Obinna Kanu had sold the house in Asokoro to Governor Yari in 2010, while Deputy Governor Nweze who rented the house in Maitama is asking to be paid N12 million before he could surrender the property. His rent expired in July 2010.

•Continued on Page 55

54

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2012

Life

•The late Tete Emmanuel

• His parents - Dagodzo and

Quacoopoeme

PHOTOS: TAIWO ABIODUN

‘Release the body of our child’ W

HEN Tete Emmanuel, 22, left Ghana for Nigeria in search of greener pastures, he never thought he would not spend up to two weeks before his death. He had left his country against the counsel of his parents. He had arrived in Lagos in high spirit. He was determined to make some money so as to assist his parents and rescue them from poverty.

He was one of eight among young boys recruited by a woman [names withheld] to sell ice cream. They all live with her in her Omole Phase 2 house in the Isheri area of Lagos. She feeds them and gives them some token as allowance.

Tragedy But tragedy struck on March 9 when one of the boys identified as Gabriel Enning had a disagreement with Tete over a mobile phone. This led to a scuffle and Enning hit Tete on his head with an iron rod. Few hours later, he died. His body was later deposited at the Isolo General Hospital mortuary while the case was reported to the homicide section at Panti, Yaba.

Enning was detained for over a month because there was nobody to bail him.

He was later taken to court by the Homicide Section and has since been detained in Ikoyi prison, waiting for trial. Meanwhile, Ghanaians resident in Lagos have accused the employer of both the late Tete and Enning of negligence. According to Quateng Kwasi, “The woman felt unconcerned and did not take the deceased to a good hospital until he bled to death. She later started going round to the police to cover up her misdeeds.’’

However, the parents of the deceased who arrived in Lagos a few weeks ago, said they have no interest in performing autopsy. They only want the body of their son to be released to them for burial at home.

Speaking with The Nation ,Patrick Fakweche a Ghanaian who works as an okada rider , said “On that fateful day I was called by one of my brothers , Kofi Yeboah , that two of my brothers were fighting and one had hit the other in the head and he died. The wounded boy was taken to the hospital by the boy that wounded him, but Tete died on Saturday the following day. We followed them to the Isolo mortuary. I signed on behalf of the family. We were asked to pay N5,000 but we were able to gather N4,600.’’

A mother’s premonition and agony The mother of the deceased, Madam Happy Quacoopoeme, an evangelist, could not hold back her tears as she said

Tete Emmanuel came from Ghana in search of greener pastures. It eluded him because he died in a scuffle.

His old parents are here to collect his corpse, Taiwo Abiodun met them her only surviving child and hope is gone. She said that she did not agree that her son should come to Nigeria to work.

According to her, “Few days before I heard of his death, I had a dream that a man was lying in state. I told my husband about the dream. And as an evangelist I prayed over it. But three days later, I received a telephone call from one Koffi Yeboah that my son had died as a result of an injury he sustained while fighting.

I was told that one Gabriel Enning hit him on the head with an iron rod after a scuffle; And that my son bled to death. I am 53plus now and I cannot bear a child again. Now, I have no child now. What a cruel life!’’ she lamented in tears.

In a voice overwhelmed by grief, she added, “I am confused, I don’t know what to do. I was told the boys were selling ice cream for a woman. We don’t have money to be going up and down. We have nothing to eat. We borrowed money to come to Nigeria to verify what we were told and to our chagrin, our only child is dead!

Now we want to collect the corpse and bury it.”

The father, Andrew Dagodzo, 63, was too confused to speak. “My heart is heavy. I am old. I cannot imagine carrying this burden to my grave! I was told my son was hawking ice cream for a woman here. According to what I heard, they said he had a quarrel with one of his Ghanaian co-workers working for the same woman, and that they were fighting over a mobile phone. I was called on phone and they narrated everything to me. The case was taken to Panti for in-

vestigation, while the suspect was arrested and investigated. He is now in detention. I only went to Panti once or twice.

I don’t know anywhere in Lagos. I am tired of all this.’’

On what help his son’s boss had rendered so far since they arrived in Lagos, Dagodzo said “The woman he was selling ice cream for gave us N2,000 on the first day we visited her. She gave us the money to go and eat and relax. Later when we went to Panti Police Station she gave us another N20,000. Apart from this, the Ghana High Commission gave us N50,000. But all these money had been exhausted now as we’ve been going to the police station all the time thinking they would release the corpse for us to go and bury.’’

At the Isolo General Hospital where the corpse has been deposited, he said they are being charged N500 per day.

This, according to him, is too much burden for them to bear after the loss of their only child. “I am appealing to the Lagos State government the, Inspector General of Police and the court to give me my son’s corpse to bury. I want the court to release the corpse to us. I was asked to swear, an affidavit and I have done that, to make a withdrawal of the corpse. And I have acted as I was asked to do. They asked us to do autopsy, I have no money to do that, I have spent all what I have. The parents of the suspect had been called but the call was picked by another person. We have not heard from the parents and nobody has turned up on his behalf. I prefer the case to be done in Ghana , or please re-

“I am confused, I don’t know what to do. I was told the boys were selling ice cream for a woman. We don’t have money to be going up and down. We have nothing to eat. We borrowed money to come to Nigeria to verify what we were told and to our chagrin our only child is dead! Now we want to collect the corpse and bury it.”

lease the corpse for me to go and bury at least to give him a befitting burial and not to butcher him like a goat before he is buried.”

He is pleaded with the authority concerned that since the death of his son has been linked to the effect of the hitting with iron rod the body should be released to the family for burial.

A father’s plea He said his son was a driver/mechanic before he came to Nigeria. He had sent a passionate appeal to the Ghana High Commission to plead with the police to release his son’s corpse because “I want to give him a befitting burial. I don’t want him to go to heaven in pieces.”

John Quaicoe, another Ghanaian had appealed to the High Commission to come to the aid of the old couple “This couple is poor and needs assistance and should not be stressed. That is the only child they have and what they need now is consolation.’’

Maxwell Robertson, also a Ghanaian resident in Nigeria, said, “I have done the little I can do. I have bought the clothes the deceased would wear. I want the corpse to be released to them for burial.”

When The Nation met the Investigation Police Officer (IPO) at Panti, he confirmed the report. He, however, added that the case has been charged to court. He advised the deceased’s parents to let the High Commission step into the matter. The IPO, who does not want his name in print because he was not officially allowed to speak on the matter to the press, added, “If the Ghana High Commission sent a letter to us to release the corpse it will facilitate the action. It is only the High Commission that can assist in this matter. The moment they send us a letter then we will go into action. We are only performing our duties as police.’’

Independent investigation by our reporter revealed that the parents of the deceased are undergoing the ordeal because their son entered the country illegally and had no work permit. “No matter the condition, the late Tete was under the custody of the woman who employed him and brought him and other young Ghanaians to Lagos. She should not by this time abandon the parents. We are all human beings,’ a female Ghanaian thundered and added “She (the woman) should be prosecuted for human trafficking.”

As all this is going on, the identity of the woman who brought Tete and seven others into the country is still shrouded in mystery. No one wants to mention her name or reveal her identity, she was simply identified as Gloria.

Life

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2012 •Continued from Page 53

From one intrigue to another Okeke had acknowledged taking over all the assets and the relevant documents from Kanu in 2009, so, how come Kanu was able to sell the property located at 1, Fatai Williams Street, Asokoro to Yari in 2010, a year after he purportedly handed it over to Okeke? When contacted Okeke volunteered to come to The Nation’s Abuja office to state his side of the story, in the course of the interaction, he was asked how Kanu managed to sell the property in 2010 whereas he (Okeke) acknowledged taking over the assets from Kanu in 2009.

He tried to dodge answering the question but the correspondent insisted on getting an answer. Obviously angered by the insistence, Okeke fumed: “Look, my friend, I did not come here to be investigated by you and if you keep annoying me, I will leave your office.”

After a moment’s hesitation, he got up and walked away. Meanwhile, a document sourced by our correspondent revealed that Okeke already had a Warrant of Commit to Prison on Remand hanging on his neck in a separate criminal case.

The case file, CR/44/2010, cited the Commissioner of Police as complainant and Mr. Nnodu Okeke as defendant. The Warrant of Arrest dated 25, August 2011 and issued by a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Wuse, Abuja, stated among others: “To the official in charge of the prison at Suleja. Whereas the above named person has been arrested and brought before me, accused SEC 312, 397, 322. You are hereby authorised and required to receive him and detain him in custody until further order, provided that, if no further order has been made as to his disposal, you shall deliver him to a police officer, bring him before me with this warrant for an order as to his disposal.” The warrant was signed by the Chief Magistrate, Hafsat S. Sadiq.

But Kanu had since disappeared into thin air and the police have declared him wanted with a reward for information that could lead to his arrest.

In the Special Police Bulletin published by the office of Assistant Commissioner of Police, Special Enquiry Bureau (S.E.B) ‘D’ Department, Force Headquarters, Abuja. Kanu was declared wanted for conspiracy, forgery and stealing committed between June 10, 2006 and March 9, 2010.

The Police Bulletin stated that Kanu fraudulently sold two of Elochukwu’s property at No.2, Fatai Williams Street, Asokoro and House 421 (A) Road, FHA Estate, Lugbe, Abuja without the owner’s consent and converted the proceeds amounting to N200 million to his personal use.

“The suspect was also alleged to have converted the sum of N100 million given to him to procure (i) Quarry Licence (ii) Customs Duty Waivers and (iii) part of the rent he collected from tenants occupying the complainant’s properties”, the Bulletin added. The 42-year-old Kanu is believed to have escaped to the United States.

Further investigation revealed that Kanu had registered four different companies with himself and members of his immediate family as directors. The companies are Kobinok and Associates Limited; K & B Atlantis Integrated Limited; Edmitch Integrated Limited; and K & D Global Security Limited. In the registration papers documented with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), it was discovered that all the four companies have the same operational office address at 85, Kwame Nkrumah Street, Asokoro. Incidentally, this is the operational office of Nestello Group owned by Elochukwu.

All the while, Kanu was running his own companies and paying his workers’ salaries with funds he was obtaining from Nestello Group. He was robbing Peter to pay Paul. To perfect the takeover, Kanu had replaced the original employees working with Nestello Group with those he employed by himself. It was also revealed that proceeds from the sale of the house in Asokoro, which was bought by the Zamfara Governor, was paid into a Finbank account of Kobinok and Associates owned by Kanu in March 2010. A sum of N89.5 million was first paid, followed by another N60 million within the same period. The N89.5 million was paid into the said account by an associate of the Governor, Mallam Jamilu Jega, on behalf of the Governor, while the Governor himself personally paid the N60 million. The remaining sum was allegedly collected by Kanu in cash.

Jega who is a judge in a Sharia Court in the Federal Capital Territory, admitted accompanying the cash in a car to the bank but stated that he did not know that the lodgement was to be entered in his name. Appeals to Governor Yari to produce the documents with which he purchased the property have gone unheeded. Meanwhile, Elochukwu is still in possession of the original title documents in respect of the property. It is apparent that the Governor had paid for the property without bothering to verify the authenticity of the papers presented to him by Obinna Kanu. It is believed that the property must have been sold with phony papers generated by Kanu in his name.

Investigators are at a loss as to why Governor Abdulaziz who was a member of the House of

55

Shady deals

•The house the Zamfara Governor, bought.

Buildings handed over by Kanu to Okeke 1) No 1, Fatai Williams Street, Asokoro; 2) House E16, NPA Quarters, Maitama; 3) No. 85, Kwame Nkrumah Crescent, Asokoro; 4) House 421 (A) Road, Federal Housing Authority Estate, Lugbe Representatives at the time he bought the house, would make such purchase without verifying the authenticity of the documents presented to him.

In the course of investigation, it was discovered that the fleeing Kanu had made a “wise investment” from the money he fleeced his former employer of. Police investigation has traced ownership of a cluster of magnificent five units of fourbedroom duplex located at Lento Aluminum Junction, off Airport Road, Abuja to him. The same Kanu had in July 2008, rented out another of Elochukwu’s property, House E 16, NPA Quarters, Maitama, a five-bedroom duplex with a three-room boys quarters belonging to Elochukwu to the Ebonyi State Deputy Governor, David Nweze. He rented out the property in the name of Kobinok and Associates as the owner of the building. The rent had expired since July 2010 but Nweze has neither renewed the rent nor vacated the building. The Deputy Governor has allegedly continued to rebuff appeals to either pay the rent arrears or vacate the property. According to Mbanefo, Nweze had on three occasions reneged on a gentleman’s agreement to quit the property in 2011.

Immunity over another person’s property When Elochukwu and Mbanefo continued to mount pressure on him, Nweze had told them flatly in March this year that as Deputy Governor, he is covered by constitutional immunity and that nobody can question his continued occupation of the property until the expiration of his tenure in 2015. Apparently as an afterthought, the Deputy Governor was said to have claimed that he spent N12 million to renovate the property (without the owner’s consent) and that Elochukwu should refund the money before he could vacate the property. In the alternative, the Deputy Governor had demanded that he should be allowed to rent out the property and collect the rent for three years, to enable him recoup the said N12 million after which he would then hand over the property back to the owner.

Contents of a document by Nweze dated August 19, 2008 seeking Obinna Kanu’s consent to carry out the purported renovation on the property were as follows: Installation of smoke/smell extractors in the kitchen and toilets; drilling of split unit air conditioner holes above the main entrance door and the wall around the staircase upstairs; relocation of the toilet door in the third room upstairs to enable direct entrance from the bedroom; and use of the second bedroom downstairs as a family gym by the installation of gym equipment. The one page hand-written request was authored and signed on behalf of the Deputy

•Abdulaziz Abubakar Yari

Governor by Mr. Linus Okorie, currently a serving member of the House of Representatives from Ebonyi State.

In another hand-written acknowledgement by Okorie to Obinna Kanu, dated July 10, 2008, the lawmaker had stated: “I hereby acknowledge the receipt of the sum of one hundred and seventy five thousand naira (N175, 000) only from Kobinok and Associates, being two and half percent agency fee in respect of (5) five bedroom duplex and (3) three room B/Q at E16, NPA Quarters, Maitama, Abuja”. Okorie personally signed the acknowledgement memo. But Elochukwu stated that Kanu had earlier collected N4.1 million from him in respect of the same renovation. Series of correspondence from Elochukwu to Governor Abdulaziz and Deputy Governor Nweze seeking resolution of the issues in respect of the properties have remained unanswered. In telephone conversations with our correspondent, Jamilu Jega said his role in the sale of the said property was that of a witness for the Governor. According to him, all he got from the transaction was N1 million. He told our correspondent that the Governor had contemplated demolishing the house and rebuilding

it to his own taste but that he was forced to shelve the plan as a result of the ongoing dispute on the property. He promised to contact the Governor with the view to getting him to resolve the matter amicably with the owner. There was no such amicable resolution at the time of filing this report.

However, the owners of the property said the Governor and the Deputy Governor have declared that by virtue of the immunity granted them by the constitution, there is nothing anyone can do about the properties in their possession. Lawyer to Deputy Governor Nweze, Mr. Joseph Ekumakama emphasised that by virtue of the Deputy Governor’s immunity, there is very little anyone can do about the issue, stressing that the Deputy Governor cannot be sued. Ekumakama, however, stated that the matter is a straightforward one.

According to him, the Deputy Governor can only relinquish the property on the orders of a court. “As a lawyer, my duty is to protect the interest of my client because in the first place, the property was rented out to him by Obinna Kanu. So why should we hand it over to another person who is claiming ownership? What happens if Obinna Kanu turns up tomorrow to ask that the property be returned to him? The person we know as the custodian of the property is Obinna Kanu and not Ernest Elochukwu. Moreover, the police have not invited the Deputy Governor on the matter so why should he bother himself unnecessarily” the lawyer quipped.

But questions are being raised as to whether the immunity clause shielding the Governor and the Deputy Governor from prosecution also permits them to hold on to another person’s property illegally. especially in the two cases, because the transactions were done long before the two got elected into their present positions. Apparently, in deference to the immunity clause, the police team in charge of the investigation appeared to have developed cold feet. The team is said to have refused to interact with the Governor and the Deputy Governor in the course of investigation.

The police are also said to have given Okeke a clean bill of health, allegedly saying that he had no case to answer. Elochukwu said he had sent petition to the Abuja branch of the Nigerian Bar Association a number of times detailing Okeke’s alleged unethical practices but that the branch did not respond to any of the petitions.

The investigation started in August 2011 and there seems to be no progress so far. Leader of the investigation team, Mr. Chris Ezike, Assistant Commissioner of Police, would not comments on the matter. When our correspondent sought his reaction on telephone, he said he was not in the position to comment on the progress of investigation. For now, the Governor and the Deputy Governor are hiding under the immunity umbrella to hold on to the properties. The police have declared that Okeke under whose nose Kanu allegedly sold the property to the Governor in 2010, after acknowledging taking over the same property from Kanu in 2009, has no case to answer. Kanu who is the arrowhead of the scam is on the run.

Elochukwu, whose properties were sold behind his back, is left in the cold, high and dry.

56

Your HEALTH THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2012

Healthy foods for your kidneys

Eat fresh cherries as snack, make a cherry pie, cherry coffee cake, cherry crisp or cherry cheesecake. Cherry sauce can be tasty served with lamb or pork and you can drink a glass of cherry juice.

Egg whites Egg whites are pure protein and provide the highest quality of protein with all the essential amino acids. For the kidney diet, egg whites provide protein with less phosphorus than other protein sources such as egg yolk or meats.

Buy powdered, fresh or pasteurized egg whites. Make an omelette or egg white sandwich, add pasteurized egg whites to smoothies or shakes, make deviled egg snacks or add whites of hard boiled eggs to tuna salad or garden salad to add extra protein.

Fish Fish provides high-quality protein and contains anti-inflammatory fats called omega-3s. The healthy fats in fish help fight diseases such as heart disease and cancer.

Omega-3s also help lower low-density lipoprotein or cholesterol, which is bad cholesterol, and raise high-density lipoprotein or HDL cholesterol, which is good cholesterol.

Dieticians recommend eating fish two or three times a week. Fish highest in omega3s include albacore tuna, herring, mackerel, rainbow trout and salmon.

I

F you assume piling on the pounds, smoking, and suffering from high blood pressure or diabetes will not put your kidney under pressure, think again.

All those health hazards can affect a vital organ, the kidneys. Yet many people are not only unaware of their function and where they are, but also ignorant of how they can help to keep them in tip-top condition.

Statistics show that around one in 10 adults worldwide has some form of kidney damage, while every year millions die prematurely of heart attacks and strokes linked to chronic kidney disease and symptoms often don't become apparent until its later stages, leaving many people unaware of the damage the disease is doing.

Explaining the nature and function of the kidneys, Dr. Toyin Gboyega told The Nation on Sunday, “The kidneys are two beanshaped organs located on either sides of the body, just underneath the ribcage. The main job of your kidneys is to maintain a constant environment inside your body by filtering out waste products from the blood before converting it into urine, to help control the levels of salt and potassium in the body.”

Dr. Gboyega said further, “At each given moment, healthy kidneys ensure that blood levels of water, salts, and other key chemicals are in perfect balance.

When they begin to fail, this very p r e c i s e s y s t e m starts to fall apart and this is why it is importa n t t o l o o k a f t e r y o u r kidneys because they work with your heart to control your blood pressure.

W i t h e a c h heartbeat, blood is pushed through your kidneys for filtering.”

According to the medical practitioner, “Though your two kidneys are each just about the size of your closed fist, they process about 200 quarts of blood

per day to make about two litres of urine.

To do their work, your kidneys need a constant supply of blood at a normal pressure. Too little blood or too little pressure can cause acute, sudden kidney failure. Too much blood or too much pressure can lead to scarring that can cause chronic, permanent kidney disease.”

In view of all the major diseases which the kidney suffers from, feasting on a healthy diet has been found by experts to help prevent and cure these diseases.

Eating healthy foods and following a renal diet made up of kidney-friendly foods are important for people with kidney disease because they experience more inflammation and have a higher risk for cardiovascular disease.

Here are kidney-friendly foods with antioxidants that you may want to include in your healthy diet.

Onions Onion, a member of the Allium family and a basic flavouring in many cooked dishes, contains sulfur compounds which give it its pungent smell. But in addition to making you cry, onions are also rich in flavonoids, especially quercetin, a powerful antioxidant that works to reduce heart disease and protects a g a i n s t m a n y cancers.

Onions are l o w i n potassiu m and a g o o d source o f chromi um, a mineral that helps w i t h carbohydra te, fat and p r o t e i n metabolism.

For people on a kidney diet looking to add more flavours to foods, try using a variety of onions including white, brown, red and others. Eat onions raw on burgers, sandwiches and in salads, cook them and use as a caramelized topping or fry them into onion rings.

Include onions in recipes such as Italian beef with peppers and onions.

Cabbage A cruciferous vegetable, cabbage is packed full of chemical compounds in fruits or vegetables that break up free radicals before they can do damage. Many of these chemicals are also known to protect against, and fight, cancer as well as foster cardiovascular health.

High in vitamin K, vitamin C and fibre, cabbage is also a good source of vitamin B6 and folic acid. Low in potassium and low in cost, it's an affordable addition to the kidney diet.

Raw cabbage makes a great addition to the dialysis diet as coleslaw or topping for fish tacos. You can steam, microwave or boil it, add butter or cream cheese plus pepper or caraway seeds and serve it as a side dish. Cabbage rolls made with turkey are a great appetizer, and if you're feeling fancy, you can stuff a cabbage with ground meat and bake it for a flavourful meal bursting with nutrients.

Garlic Garlic helps prevent plaque from forming on your teeth, lowers cholesterol and reduces inflammation.

Buy it fresh, bottled, minced or powdered, and add it to meat, vegetable or pasta dishes. You can also roast a head of garlic and spread on bread. Garlic provides a delicious flavour and garlic powder is a great substitute for garlic salt in the dialysis diet.

Apples Apples have been known to reduce cholesterol, prevent constipation, protect against heart disease and reduce the risk of cancer. High in fibre and antiinflammatory compounds, an apple a day may really keep the doctor away. Good news for people with kidney disease who already have their share of doctor visits.

This renal diet winner can be paired with the previous good-for-you food, onions, to make a unique apple onion omelette. With versatile apples you can eat them raw, make baked apples, stew apples, make them into apple sauce, or use in a dessert such as apple pie or apple cake. You can also drink them as apple juice or apple cider.

Cherries (Udara/Agbalumo) Cherries have been shown to reduce inflammation when eaten daily. They are also packed with antioxidants and phytochemicals that protect the heart.

Olive oil Olive oil is a great source of oleic acid, an anti-inflammatory fatty acid. The monounsaturated fat in olive oil protects against oxidation. Olive oil is rich in ployphenols and antioxidant compounds that prevent inflammation and oxidation.

Studies show that populations that use large amounts of olive oil instead of other oils have lower rates of heart disease and cancer.

Buy virgin or extra virgin olive oil because they are higher in antioxidants.

Use olive oil to make salad dressing, in cooking, for dipping bread or for marinating vegetables.

Keep in mind that these foods are healthy for everyone including family members and friends who do not have kidney disease or are not on dialysis. When you stock your kitchen with delicious, healthy, kidney-friendly foods that's one big step to helping you do well on your kidney diet.

Disease prevention Apart from eating a healthy diet here are some other things you can do: Keep your blood pressure at the target set by your health care provider. This can delay or prevent kidney failure.

If you have diabetes, control your blood glucose level.

Keep your cholesterol levels in the target range.

Cutting back on salt and eating more seasonal fruits and vegetables (which are rich in potassium, magnesium and calcium) can significantly lower blood pressure Choose foods that are healthy for your heart: fresh fruits, fresh or frozen vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy foods.

Limit your alcohol intake.

Be more physically active.

Lose weight if you are overweight.

If you smoke, take steps to quit.

Cigarette smoking can make kidney damage worse.

Ask your doctor to test you for anemia.

Most people who have some level of kidney problem also have anemia, which can be found with a simple blood test.

Sometimes the symptoms of anemiafeeling very tired, weak, or cold all the time; fuzzy thinking; pale skin, lips, gums, and nail beds, etc. These symptoms can come on so slowly that you don't really notice.

If you have anemia, getting treatment can give you more energy and help your kidneys.

57

BUSINESS

‘Mobile money transfer key to financial inclusion’

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2012

-- Page 59

Briefs Union Bank urges cooperation among farmers, institute

T

•Tin-can Island Port, Lagos

W

ITH voices raised above the din and vehicles moving in a rancorous fashion, man and machine are at once united in the bedlam that has literally become a metaphor of existence in arguably the country’s oldest seaports, the behemoth called the Nigeria Ports Authority.

Welcome to the Lagos Apapa Quays of the Nigeria Ports Authority.

It’s a sunny Tuesday morning, as this reporter at a distance under the sweltering heat join other onlookers to watch the unfolding drama at the entrance of the Apapa port as NPA officials and other security personnel drawn from a detachment of the Nigerian Navy and Nigeria Police sweat it out as they battle to control the surge of vehicular and human traffic either going in or coming out of the ports in a disordered haste.

If you add that to the long queues of impatient but visibly agitated visitors at the port, many of who have come with one complaints or the other as evident in their gloomy countenances, it is quite a spectacle to behold!

But as curiosity got the better part of this reporter, he soon mingled with the crowd of people on the queue, comprising agents and importers, and in a manner of speaking, like the Americans would say, began “smooching” (a colloquial expression which describes any casual talk aimed at uncovering sensitive information) in order to get first-hand information on the goings-on around.

As to be expected, the complaints came in torrents and were one and the same! Many had their cargoes either seized, having outstayed their welcome and partly due to their inability to pay the demurrage imposed by the Customs and other authorities at the ports, among other offenses.

Investigation by The Nation during separate visits to other ports within the Apapa command such as Tin-can Island Port, PTML (Tin-can II), Lilypond and the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal further revealed that so many things were not right.

A day at the ports Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf, who visited the operational base of some of the major ports within the Lagos-Apapa axis and its environs last week, reports his findings Agents and importers alike were seen sitting conspicuously cheek by jowl in twos and threes discussing in hush tones. Others milled around in the corridors just as they were seen going in and out of offices. Some in a fit of hysteria cursed under their breathe while others exchanged altercations with port officials and other authorities.

Processes and procedures at the ports But what, if you may, is the procedure at the ports? The reporter wondered aloud as he drank in the different scenery that fiercely competed for his attention.

Speaking with The Nation, Mr. Timi Bomadi, PRO, Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Area 1 Command, Lagos, gave fresh insights on the processes and procedures at the ports.

According to him: “The time it takes to clear an individual that imports is not uniform for everybody and a lot of it depends on the importer himself or the agent that the importer chooses to work on his behalf. And this is so because the import process does not begin with the Customs.”

The clearing process begins with the importer or the agent, he said, adding: “The system for clearing now is such that we have two zones, namely the Trader and the Customs zone. The Trader zone is where the importer goes to a DTI, these are licensed cybercafés. He goes there to make a declaration that XYZ are the goods I’m importing. These are the values and these are the documents attached to this importa-

tion.”

Expatiating, he said: “At the Trader zone, the importer is expected to make valid and honest declaration... Now this is crucial to the time it takes for him to be cleared out of the ports. It is crucial that the declarations are honest and they are also valid in terms of the accompanying documentation.”

Under normal circumstances, it should not take more than a day at the Trader zone, since it is like a self-assessment by the importer or agent himself.

After payment has been made, the importer is expected to go back to the cybercafé to enable the system assess the risk involved in a particular declaration.

Once the system assesses the risk involved in a particular declaration and takes the proper channel for that declaration to be processed either for scanning, 100 per cent physical examination or any other channel that it considers to be appropriate for that declaration, it is after all these processes it gets to the Customs zone.

Bomadi further explains: “Once at the Customs zone, the contents of the container is now positioned for examination to see if it matches the declaration of the importer or his agent. Where they match in all ramifications, the Customs releases the cargo. And that is why the role of the importer and his agent is key.

“Delays can only occur when there are discrepancies between what is declared and what is eventually examined. Where differences occur, we will make the observation known to the agent or

the importer.”

The Customs, he stressed, “can raise a query for you. It is based on that query that the agent or his importer would now go to the bank to now pay his default.

So, in summary some individuals can finish their cargo clearing process in one day while for some others, it can take them up to three months.”

On demurrage, he said: “Demurrage is what terminal operator’s or shipping companies charge cargoes that have not been cleared out of the ports. For some of them, they give some days free.

Some don’t give any days at all free. So, it is like rent. For as long as they continue to stay in the ports, the people that are the custodians of these ports charge rents on them, what we refer to as demurrage and it has nothing to do with the Customs. It is strictly the affair of the terminal operators...”

Mr. Chris Osunkwo, PRO, Nigeria Customs Service, Tin-can Island Port, is also on the same page with Bomadi.

In an interview with The Nation, Osunkwo said the Customs is not to blame for any untoward delays involving cargoes.

According to him, the Customs more often than not tries to ensure that the identity of cargoes conforms with “found to contain (FTC) and said to contain (STC) so and so. Once this is in order, every other process can be smooth sailing.”

Views of other stakeholders Speaking with The Nation, a Customs licensed agent, Okechukwu Oduah, who is the Managing Director of Zimuna Nigeria Limited, Lagos, while applauding the role of the Customs in the administration and handling of cargoes, said things have improved tremendously at the ports.

Continued on page 58

HE Executive Director, Corporate, Investment Banking, and Treasury of Union Bank of Nigeria PLC, Mr. Philip Ikeazor, has called for the collaboration of Nigerian farmers and International Crop Research Institute for the Semi Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in the use of watershed irrigation technique in the production of groundnuts for export.

He made this call recently in India at the Governing Board Meeting of ICRISAT where he has been its member in the last six years. Mr. Ikeazor will complete his tenure of the international agency in July this year.

Speaking on the future of agriculture in Nigeria, Ikeazor said: “Last six years with ICRISAT has nurtured my belief that agriculture is one of the most potent ways to alleviate poverty and create significant income streams for the poor people of the semi-arid tropics.”

He believes that the giant strides and impact made by ICRISAT’s research work on the peasant farmers in India and East Africa and some parts of West Africa would work in Nigeria.

Ikeazor is particularly keen on transferring the watershed irrigation technique piloted in India and the recent groundnut revolution in Malawi, which had seen a thriving export of improved groundnut to the United Kingdom.

Recalling how Nigeria was once the world’s leading groundnut exporters in the 1960s with the crop accounting for about 70% of the country’s total export earnings, Ikeazor stressed that by working with farmers to grow improved varieties of groundnuts with more resistance to disease, export market demands, and better aflatoxin management to prevent contamination, Nigerian farmers would significantly boost groundnut production and sales.

NBS to release national account details in Q3

T

HE National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has hinted of plans to release the national accounts in Q3 2012 and that an increase in nominal GDP of about 40% is likely.

The base year for the new series is to be 2009, rather than 1990. Expectedly, a US$239bn economy in 2011 becomes a US$335bn economy on the basis of a 40% increase, and GDP per head would rise from US$1,430 to US$2,010.

This clearly enhances the climate for direct investment, both domestic and foreign. Investors may feel that Nigeria is a viable market not just for household wares, food products and beverages but also for more sophisticated electrical goods. Some of the household names in manufacturing have already reached this conclusion. We would also expect a new investor perspective on professional services.

Recent publications from the NBS and other sources have cited very high poverty levels (of people living on less than US$1 per day). We are unclear how this sits with a substantially larger cake (GDP).

The Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007 stipulates that the FGN fiscal deficit should not exceed 3% of GDP. The threshold under the new series would increase to about N1.9trn from the current N1.3trn.

The national accounts revision has prompted some tired parallels with South Africa. Nigeria’s nominal GDP will become the larger of the two very shortly but its population is more than three times the size.

58

THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 29, 2012

Business Intelligence

Continued from page 57

“Since the ports have been concessioned, one of the benefits is that the concessionaires operate like the strict businessmen that they are. As such, touting is almost gone and the wharf rats phenomenon has been greatly reduced.”

Oduah, who fell short of blaming the ship owners and terminal operators for dereliction of duty, said both parties are at the centre of the

A day at the ports crisis at the ports.

“From my experience, I know cargo clearance takes from three to four days normally. Most times, Customs will only keep you when there is wrong declaration by the importers,” he submitted.

One way to get around the problems besetting the

ports, as far as delays are concerned, is for the agents to come clean with the prospective importer.

“My advice is that as an agent, always tell your importer the truth. When you tell your importer the truth, that’s when you can move faster... If importers declare

PHOTO SHOP

•L-R: Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr. Yinka Sanni; First Lady of Rivers State, Dame Judith Amaechi and Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mrs. Sola DavidBorha, during a courtesy visit by Mrs. Amaechi to the bank's Head Office in Lagos, recently

•From left: Executive Director, Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), Ms. Abiola Afolabi- Akiode, Speaker, Cross River State House of Assembly, Larry Okori Odey and his deputy, Haya Asuquo Nyong at a two-day workshop on Gender Accountability and Constituency Building for Parliamentarians held at Tinapa Resort, Calabar, Cross River State, recently

correctly, the whole process will move faster...”

Echoing similar sentiments, Anthony Williams Offor, an agent at the Apapa port gave a bird’s eye view of the state of affairs at the ports.

“On the issue of Wharf rats or port pilferers, of recent, especially after the port concessionaires took over most parts of the ports, there has been no more room for questionable characters at the ports as each concessionaire fortified their portions effectively such that they are now impenetrable to dubious persons,” he stressed.

“So, to a considerable extent, the issue of pilfering has reduced significantly here.

No more unauthorised entry at the ports any longer unlike in the past.”

While lauding the port reforms, Offor argued matterof-factly that the reforms have both positive and negative sides to it.

“I believe those reforms, as in past ones, are being experimented and the effect of those reforms shall later be reviewed if any negative effect is later established but by and large, and in my own humble view, it is very ok and economy-friendly.

With the reforms, corruption has been steadily minimised.”

Guilty parties On the issue of who to apportion the blame on the rot at the ports, opinions are that all the stakeholders are all guilty as charged.

In the view of a maritime operator, who asked not to be named, both the Customs, some dubious agents, those new concessionaires and the NPA, are to blame for the level of malfeasance in the ports one way or the other.

“Yes, some importers are also into sharp practices. For example, an importer, because of his or her connections with some politicians, would secure a fraudulent import-waiver, and you’re talking of a cargo that would have fetched the Federal Government up to half a billion naira. It has happened many times before my very

eyes,” the source said.

Expatiating, he said: “As an expert, I always took closer looks at those waiver documents and found out that they were all fake. Others would import one thing and declare another, even in a cargo that has a pre-shipment inspection report. So, the blame must be shared.

“Let me dare say that the customs, though rakes in billions annually, are largely corrupt.

“The shipping firms have no blame at all. They’re doing their legitimate businesses, just like luxury bus owners and making their profit and pay taxes and port landing fees and it ends there.”

24 hour cargo clearance a mirage Nigeria’s economy is heavily dependent on import, which perhaps explains why it runs the biggest operation in terms of cargo throughput, next only to South Africa in sub-Sahara Africa.

But the irony, however, is that the level of infrastructures in place is not commensurate with the volume of trade at the various seaports.

A top maritime source who would not be named disclosed to The Nation that at the centre of the challenge of running a 24 hourly cargo clearance is the problem of limited infrastructure.

The infrastructure that was built many years back, didn’t factor the capacity or the capability of a rapid expansion in the trade, the source said.

Waxing philosophical, the source said: “It is just like having a funnel. You have a wide area of the funnel that can take in more and then you have a small area of the funnel for the exit of what the funnel takes in. So the capacity of the infrastructure is limited.

“So when you have this expansion in trade and you are still maintaining the same infrastructure, you are definitely going to have challenges.”

Offor is however optimistic that 24 hour clearing of goods can be achievable once there is a strong political will on the part of the government.

“At the moment, we have reached the feat of 48 hours and if the customs discontinue their incessant change of policies, one thing I dislike about the job. Of course, the 24 hour clearing is very possible since the Transport Ministry and Ministry of Finance have approved a 24 hour port operation,” he enthused.

He was however quick to add that, “What is required is commitment on the part of the Customs and their agents since all other parastatals like the NAFDAC, Standard Organisation of Nigeria, and others no longer operate at the ports.”

Like other concerned stakeholders, Offor would want the authorities to plug the different avenues of revenue leakage, citing the issue of unauthorised and fraudulent waivers, sharp practices by large scale importers, some of them politicians or related to top politicians. “The moment those loopholes are plugged, then it will be a new chapter in our national life.”

It is however instructive to note that as part of efforts to make the clearing of goods in Nigerian ports faster, simpler and convenient, the Comptroller General of Customs, Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi, recently introduced a special incentive for importers who import cargoes into Nigeria five times within a given period without any discrepancy.

Speaking at a sensitisation and town hall meeting between the Customs Service and importers at the Trade Fair Complex in Lagos, the CG explained that henceforth, “any importer or agent who imports into Nigeria five times within a given period, without any discrepancy, shall henceforth enjoy fast track concession for all subsequent importations.”

According to Dikko, the only thing required from importers in order to benefit from the incentive is voluntary compliance in terms of honest and accurate declaration of imported goods as well as the correct duties payable on them.

Pray, can these streams of reforms truly reform the maritime sub-sector? Time will tell.

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MARBLE AND GRANITE CARE All about granite and granite care

G

RANITE is the top choice among the construction stones used on kitchen counter tops and even on walls and floors. Mainly, it is because of its durability and pleasing art patterns that could never be found on synthetic construction stones. To maintain those though, it needs proper and effective granite care.

Basically, granite is a strong and durable construction stone. It got better resistance to scratches and heat compared to

others. Nevertheless, this doesn’t mean that granite care should be taken lightly. It should be effective to keep the granite surface’s beauty and longevity.

Granite can be stained by various things. Removing these stains may vary in steps according to the type of the stain and the length of time it had settled.

So know first what had stained your granite surface and for how long it had been there before you take your first removal step.

Dish washing and wa-

ter are enough to keep granite surface tidy. However, for stains and etches you might need commercial granite cleaner.

There are two types of granite cleaner. Prefer the natural-based over the chemical-based as it can yield better results.

Acidic beverages such as lemon juice and soft drinks can leave a mark on the granite surface. Vinegar and the use of abrasive cleaning materials can damage it too. To keep these things from having a direct contact with granite

will decrease the threats that can cause damage to it.

Granite sealers can add protection to the surface. Before you use them though, know the type of sealer that you will have to use and how often it should be applied. There are some granite types that require single sealing while others need it every one or two years.

There are particular things that you need to know to get your entire granite care to work.

Those pieces of information will equip you to effectively execute preventive and actual granite cleaning steps. The posi-

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2012

INTERVIEW

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HAT is Paga, and what prompted you to startup this service?

Paga is money transfer service that leverages the ubiquity of the mobile phone to bring great value to customers. Customers can use Paga to send money to anyone in Nigeria either from their mobile phone or Internet-enabled device, or via any Paga agent across the country. Recipients get the money instantly, and they don’t even need to have registered on Paga. Customers can also use Paga to pay for a variety of goods and services at various online or offline merchants. For example, you can sit at home and pay to topup your electricity meter or pay your cable TV subscription using Paga.

Paga began out of my frustration with having to carry cash around with me all the time in Nigeria. Nigeria is a cash-driven society; only about 20% of the population has access to what you might call formal financial services.

Even for the banked set, there are infrastructure issues to contend with – roughly 60% of ATMs in the entire country are located in Lagos State; debit cards are not accepted by most merchants. As such you have to carry cash with you. Additionally there is no safe and secure way to send money within Nigeria outside of the banking sector. Carrying cash around with you everywhere, even sending cash to your family by paying a fee to the local bus driver clearly has its limitations not forgetting security issues. As I explored these sets of issues I honed in on the fact that 60% of Nigerians are within mobile phone coverage and about 40% of Nigerians currently have a mobile phone with an even greater number having access to one when you count shared phones. This raised a question for me – “Can the phone become the primary means, not the only, of electronic transactions?” Fundamentally I believe the ubiquity of the mobile phone can be leveraged to deliver financial services to all.

We’ve been around now for two years and only just got our full operating license from the Central Bank of Nigeria this month. We launched to a closed user group of approximately 70 participants in September 2010 and then, after our Approval-in-Principle from the Central Bank of Nigeria, to the general public in February 2011. This allowed us to pilot our service and test the reception with the general public. The reception has been great! Customers and agents alike see the value of the service to their daily lives and the numbers tell the story. With pretty much just word-ofmouth marketing alone, we have almost 32,000 users on our platform and have processed over US $1.6 million in volumes. This represents over 40,000 transactions since February.

Mobile money has thrived elsewhere in Africa like Kenyan, South Africa, Ghana, etc, but Nigeria is an entirely different market. Is there really an opportunity for this kind of service in Nigeria, and why do you think it is going to succeed?

I totally agree with you – it is a very local business. The dynamics in Nigeria are somewhat different than Kenya, and it’s clear that the market opportunity is multiples of Kenya’s.

Today in Nigeria, as in Kenya pre M-Pesa, there are no efficient, secure, and universally accessible ways of transferring money across the country. Paga changes this. However, in Nigeria we do not have a dominant Telco with the kind of market share Safaricom had in Kenya. We also have a very fragmented banking sector. These are reasons we have chosen to offer a service that works on all mobile networks and in partnership with banks. The convenience that Paga offers combined with the push by the Central Bank of Nigeria for a “cashless Nigeria,” will help drive the opportunity for our service.

It’s interesting. My view is that Nigeria may be the toughest African market to get right for a number of reasons. It also presents the biggest opportunity. With 160 million people, GDP of approximately $207 billion, 68% literacy rate, less than 20% of the population owning a bank account, but with 40% owning a mobile phone. Assuming that we execute our plan and capture our target share of the Nigerian market, we are certain that entry to other markets with our partners will be made easier.

Nigeria’s financial landscape has been riddled with fraud, money laundering and other clandestine activities, and this could dissuade people from using mobile money services. What measures are in place to checkmate any potential incidences of financial irregularities?

At Paga, security is our top priority. We

Business

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‘Mobile money transfer key to financial inclusion’ Tayo Oviosu is founder and Chief Executive, Pagatech, Nigeria’s first mobile money company established in 2009, whose flagship service, Paga, is the nation’s foremost mobile money transfer service. With venture capital funding from some internationally renowned investors, one of whom is Tim Draper, who also bankrolled social media like Hotmail, Skype, Badoo, etc, the highly cerebral but young Oviosu has been able to proof his worth and mettle as a world class entrepreneur. In this interview with Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf, he shares the vision and mission of his company, reputed to control over 80 per cent of the nation’s mobile money transfer services

• Oviosu

have created rings of security to prevent the chance of any fraudulent activity, each channel we offer having its own security framework – some visible to the customer, many others not visible. For example, you must confirm every transaction you do on Paga by entering your PIN number. We train our customers to not share their PIN with anyone, even with Paga representatives.

If you use Paga’s mobile phone application or online application there are additional security measures we have developed to protect your account such as device monitoring – we monitor the hardware you are using to log into Paga. If we see you attempting to login from an unknown device we ask you your security questions.

We have gone to great lengths to ensure that the customer’s account is safe and we will continue to stay ahead in terms of building in the latest technological advances to protect the

customer’s account.

As one of the foremost mobile money transfer companies in the country, what is the share of Pagatech in the market?

The Head, Shared Services, CBN, Mr. Chidi Umeano, recently disclosed that as at January 2012, mobile money services in Nigeria recorded 35,971 transactions worth N227.92m. We can confidently say that more than 80% of those transactions were recorded by Paga. Right now, there is no doubt in our mind that Paga is the market leader when it comes to money transfer services in Nigeria. We are working effortlessly to ensure that our service remains reliable and we serve the need of our customers.

Pagatech has hinted of plans to achieve countrywide coverage come 2015. How positioned is Pagatech to achieve this?

Our goal is to have 15 million active users and 30,000 agents by 2015. We are right on track to achieving this and we have a team strate-

…THIS WEEK IN BUSINESS

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HE Business World in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria is set to hold a three-day fair on cashless Lagos.

Tagged: ‘Bringing Hands-on Experience of Alternative Payment Options to the Consumer’, it would hold from 9th-11th of May at the LTV Events Centre, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos.

The fair, which is to be declared open by the CBN governor,

MTN football scholar application out

M

Cashless Lagos fair underway

• Sanusi

Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi wil attract participants across the public and the organised private sector.

gically placed in various cities in Nigeria working diligently to achieve this goal.

To date, we have over 77,000 customers and close to1,000 agents. While we are cognizant that we have a long way to go, our growth even in the last month has been astronomical. Just under two months ago we recorded our 50,000 customer. We have gained 20,000 customers in such a short period. We envision that the rapid rate of adoption of our service will see us to our goal!

What does the future hold for Paga?

The future of Paga is very bright and we are very excited. One of my favourite adages is the following: if you want to go fast go alone, if you want to go far go together. It is for this reason that we’re taking a multi-stakeholder approach. We strongly believe that for mobile payments to achieve the goal of financial inclusion, network effects are essential. Bringing together multiple stakeholders and creating numerous avenues for the payments service to be used provides the fastest and most efficient method of propagating a nationwide network for our customers.

Our goal is to have 30,000 agents across Nigeria in five years and 15 million customers. If we achieve that we will bring financial services within reach of over 40 million Nigerians. The potential impact to society is what drives us. Paga’s bottom up approach will empower the most underserved segments of our economy. In ten years our services would have spread to those households that are poorer and less connected to the financial system.

With this goal in mind, we are building a network of partners – banks, micro-finance institutions, mobile operators, and other businesses – to ensure the robustness of our offering to customers.

As a business, how viable are local mobile money transfer services?

Money transfer services such as Paga are extremely viable. Paga brings a simple, safe, and efficient way for any Nigerian to send money to anyone else. Before Paga, there was no safe and effective way to send money within Nigeria.

We can see evidence of the viability of mobile payments in other regions of the world. For example, probably the most wellknown and most successful - M-PESA, a mobile payments company in Kenya, was able to reach 13 million customers by its fourth year of operations (33% of the total Kenyan population and about 70% of the mobile subscribers).

Similarly, we fully expect the Nigerian money transfer market to grow exponentially in the next few years. We believe that this will be driven by various factors which include the increasing mobile phone penetration, poor quality of existing alternatives, and the general growth of the Nigerian economy.

TN Football Scholar application is expected to be out this

week.

In a released signed by Tom DeMaio, MTN Football Scholar, Program Coordinator, he said participants may register through the shortcode 4000 sent via an MTN mobile device (cost of 50 Naira). The participant should include his name, age, and location. In the coming days participants may alternatively register by SMS—406 to 131—and via the online portal

www.mtnonline.com/ footballscholar.

According to the statement, tryout dates and venues for the programmes are as follows: Port Harcourt – Liberation Stadium, May 4-5, Enugu – Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium, May 7-8, Akure Akure Township Stadium and Benin, Ogbe Stadium, to hold in May 10-11 respectively.

At the Abuja FIFA Goal Project (Near City Gate), Ilorin – Kwara Stadium, it would hold in May 13 and in Lagos, National Stadium Legacy Pitch to hold in May 14-15 respectively.

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Business

THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 29, 2011

COMPANY NEWS

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HE Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on National Assembly Matters, Senator Joy Emordi, has canvassed for policies and schemes that would encourage more females to pursue courses in sciences and engineering.

This, she said, would enable them become change agents in engineering, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.

Emordi lamented the low number of females in engineering, saying the trend must be reversed to move the nation forward.

She spoke last week during the business luncheon/ award of the Lagos Chapter of Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria

‘Women engineers key to nation-building’

By Sunday Oguntola

(APWEN).

While admitting the numerous challenges facing females in engineering fields, Emordi tasked them to tap into the many opportunities awaiting them.

According to her, ‘’Engineering is not majorly about physical manpower, it is no longer about nuts and bolts but largely about intellect and creativity. So, women should aspire to take leadership roles

in the field.’’

She also called on government to enact policies that would eliminate discriminatory practices against women engineers.

This, she stated, would give them a voice and enable them to contribute to nationbuilding.

She challenged female engineers to ‘’move beyond invention to innovation’’ and make their technological breakthrough more customerfriendly.

Chairman of the Lagos chapter of APWEN, Mrs. Felicia Agubata, said the award was to celebrate role models in the field who have served as reference points and inspirational figures.

According to her, “Good deeds should indeed be celebrated in the lifetime of the doers and after they have left the stage.”

She promised to work assiduously towards taking the APWEN to greater heights in Lagos.

ODUACCIMA to focus on mechanised farming, allied sectors T HE Odua Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ODUACCIMA) has hinted of plans to invest in agriculture and agro-allied businesses in the Southwest Nigeria by leveraging on the fertile arable lands and the vegetation in the region.

ODUACCIMA, an organised private business operator with members drawn from the five SouthWest states - Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Osun and Ekiti States respectively, added that the regional body would now focus on mechanised farming and associated businesses to boost food production, income generation and jobs creation.

The Chamber’s regional President and Iyalode of Yorubaland, Chief (Mrs.) Alaba Lawson, made this known shortly after her election as leader of the body at Commerce House (CH), Ibadan during the annual general meeting of the group.

Lawson said the body would seek the support of governments in the region regarding acquisition of land for farming and agric-businesses, adding that she would use her tenure to boost “growth and development” of ODUACCIMA and the South-

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

west region, through agriculture.

Senator Remi Okunrinboye, Chairman, An-

nual General Meeting Planning Committee, in his speech, urged all to embrace peace and harmony so that the potentials of the regional economic body can be fully harnessed.

“We shall from today

march forward and will give good leadership to our people who are yearning for development.

“I like to appeal to all and sundry that in the interest of Odua, for the good of our land and the progress of our children all past innuendos should stay buried,” he said.

Airtel, NACA collaborate to fight HIV/AIDS

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Airtel Nigeria and the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) have announced a joint initiative aimed at stemming the prevalence of the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and HIV in the country.

Announcing the partnership at a press conference in Abuja, Director General of National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Professor John Idoko, said the body is now better equipped to tackle the spread of HIV with the support of Airtel, which provided a telecoms platform at the NACA Call Centre with 100 lines for the project.

On his own part, the

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Airtel Nigeria, Rajan Swaroop, stated the company’s commitment to contributing to the well-being of all Nigerians, particularly its customers.

According to him, “this partnership provides us with a new opportunity to serve our customers in a fresh and different way, especially in the area of quality health care delivery. We have partnered with NACA with the objective of improving the delivery of healthcare services in Nigeria.”

Continuing, Mr. Swaroop pledged that Airtel will work closely with NACA to send information via a short code on the pandemic to our customers nationwide in addition to

•From left: Mr Areola Samuel, President, SCA Foundation; Mr. Edun Babatunde, Chief of Staff, Agbado/Okeodo Local Council Development Area and Alhajat Sherifat Abimbola, Supervisor for Health and representative of the council chair, Dr. Augustine Arogun in the company of pupils of Blessed Int’l School and Renny Children School, at the product presentation by the foundation in Aboru Primary Health Centre, Lagos, recently

providing access for people to speak to call agents at the NACA call centre”, he said.

In line with terms of the partnership, Airtel has helped to equip the recently established national call centre with toll free lines which will enable Nigerians irrespective of their location access accurate information on HIV/AIDS. NACA’s Director General, Prof. John Idoko, explained that Nigerians can access information on the disease by dialing 6222, adding that the centre would both serve as information hub and public enlightenment platform that is carefully designed to grow the knowledge of HIV and AIDS among the people.

Idoko added that “Studies show that only 36 per cent of young people in urban areas have correct knowledge on the condition while knowledge is extremely poor in rural areas. We have made a giant stride in the fight but we need to intensify campaign and reduce the prevalence rate which dropped to 4.1 percent from 6.0 percent in 2001. We still have about 3.1 million people living with HIV and there is a danger of potential increase.

“Forty-two per cent of transmission occurs between people with low perception, who engage in unprotected sex. We are looking to a future where the call centre can be expanded to other health issues related to HIV, like TB, family planning, malaria, diabetes”, he said.

NACA boss said as a rapidly growing population, Nigeria is full of young people who would soon come of age for sexual activities and that a strong education programme was required.

He added that the government was committed to putting more people on drugs.

Beyond Talent

By Adetayo Okusanya Email: adetayookusanya@hotmail.com

The mark of a true professional HAT is professionalism and how will you know if you are truly a professional? Are you a professional simply because you were formally educated, work in a formal organization and know how to wear a suit and tie?

Can an “okada” driver be more professional than a bank executive?

There was a time when the term “professional” could only be applied to someone who is characterized by or conforms to the technical or ethical standards of a profession, such as doctors, lawyers and clergy men. Today, the term can be more broadly applied to anyone who exhibits a courteous, conscientious, and generally businesslike manner in the workplace.

I have outlined below six characteristics that, in my opinion, are fundamental to professionalism, I encourage you to identify the areas where you can do better and make a commitment to yourself to indeed do better. Imagine how great Nigeria would be, if everyone (“okada drivers, petty traders, teachers, small business owners, government officials, religious leaders, employees, corporate leaders, etc) would live by the tenets described below.

You know you are truly a professional when: 1.

You make a habit of striving for mastery in your profession. You continually invest time and resources in acquiring up-to-date knowledge and competencies that enable you satisfy the needs and reasonable expectations of your employer, colleagues and customers. You stay abreast of new developments in your field and attend professional courses that enable you provide and sustain quality products and service to others. You are not a true professional when the tools and knowledge you are applying in your work cannot sufficiently address the current and emerging needs of your employer, colleagues and customers.

2.

You make a habit of avoiding conflicts of interest.

You never place your personal interest above the best interest of your employer, colleagues and customers. You do not subvert the ethics of your profession or organization. You act with the highest level of honesty, fairness and transparency. You avoid situations that are, or have the appearance of, potential conflicts of interest such as the acceptance of gifts/bribes, selfreferral, self-contracting, hiring of family members, and personal use of corporate or public resources.

3.

You make a habit of applying the highest standards to the quality of your product or service. You work conscientiously to exceed the expectations of your employer, colleagues and customers. You complete your work in the most satisfactory and timely manner, and follow through on your promises to others. You hold yourself accountable for your work output and refrain from making excuses or blaming others when you fail to meet your commitments. You benchmark yourself with existing standards and strive for continuous improvement in yourself. You take pride in your work and recognize that it is a reflection of who you are and what you stand for. You do not compromise on standards even if “It is not your father’s business”. You are not a true professional when you deliver poor quality work to your customers or refuse to fix your mistakes.

4.

You make a habit of conducting yourself in a way that reflects positively on your employer, colleagues and customers, at all times. This includes being punctual, showing courtesy, using polite language, maintaining a positive attitude, exhibiting positive body language, remaining poised under pressure, cooperating with colleagues, providing great customer service, separating your personal and professional lives, maintaining good body hygiene, and dressing neatly, conservatively and appropriately to work. You are not a true professional when you take frequent personal telephone calls at work, assault your colleagues or customers physically or verbally, or conduct personal business during office hours.

5.

You make a habit of treating others with the highest level of dignity, respect, care, compassion and courtesy. You use the authority and power conferred upon you as a service provider to accomplish enormous good. You contribute positively to an environment where everyone enjoys equal respect and opportunity, irrespective of disability, ethnicity, gender, race, religion or status. You make it your responsibility to refrain from behaviors or language that will result in discrimination, harassment or bias against others. You are not a true professional when you make a habit of wasting other people’s time by making them wait needlessly for you.

6.

You make a habit of keeping the confidentiality of your employer, colleagues and customers, in line with organizational policies, laws and regulations. You protect and restrict access to their personal information and corporate data and do not disclose such information without the express approval of the parties involved. You are not a true professional when you misuse the intellectual property of others, reveal your employer’s trade secrets to others, disclose customers contact details without their approval, or discuss company plans that have not been made public at home.

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• Okusanya is CEO of ReadinessEdge

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WORLD NEWS THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 29, 2012

South Africa court stalls on highway tolls

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South African court yesterday halted the roll-out of tolls on major highways around Johannesburg in the latest delay for the project which has met widespread opposition.

The court put the brakes on the tolling, originally meant to start on Monday, to allow a full court review to decide if the plan should be dropped or go ahead, the Sapa news agency reported.

“I make the following order... the first respondent (the South African National Roads Agency) is interdicted and restrained from levying and collecting tolls,” said Judge Bill Prinsloo in Pretoria.

The start of the project was postponed on Thursday for a month amid the urgent court action brought by a coalition of interest groups, and threats of a nation-wide strike by the powerful Congress of South African Trade Unions.

The government argues that the fees are needed to pay for highway upgrades and has already dropped the toll rates by 40 percent and agreed to a fees cap of 550 rands ($71/54 euros) a month for motorists.

But critics argue that it will hit drivers hard and place an undue burden on the poor, even though the mini-bus taxis used by most South Africans will be exempt from paying.

The tolls are planned for 185 kilometres (115 miles) of major highways around South Africa’s economic hub Johannesburg and the capital Pretoria.

Gunmen attack Afghan governor, kill 2 guards

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WO Taliban militants hiding small guns in their shoes slipped into a provincial governor’s compound in southern Afghanistan yesterday, setting off a fierce gunbattle that left two security guards and both attackers dead.

Also, a roadside bomb killed 10 Afghan security forces in eastern Wardak province, officials said.

In the attack on the governor of Kandahar province, the assailants made it through a pair of security checks without their weapons being detected before a guard at the last check — in the reception room for the governor’s office — noticed something suspicious and stopped them, said Gov. Tooryalai Wesa.

The militants then pulled out the guns hidden in their shoes, shot the guards and took their weapons, Wesa said.

That sparked a gunbattle with security forces that lasted about 30 minutes and left both attackers dead, said Parwiz Najib, a spokesman for the governor. One guard was wounded in the fighting.

Taliban spokesman Qari Yousef Ahmadi claimed responsibility for the attack.

S. Sudan ‘repelled attack’ by Sudanbacked rebels

Veteran peacekeeper takes T on UN Syria mission A

veteran Norwegian peacekeeper headed to Damascus yesterday to take charge of a UN mission overseeing a troubled truce as monitors reported 10 deserters killed in clashes with the army and Lebanon said it had intercepted arms headed to the rebels.

Major General Robert Mood was already en route for the Syrian capital when UN chief Ban Ki-moon announced his appointment late on Friday, diplomats said.

He takes over a mission that faces major obstacles and doubts before the full 300-

member force approved by the UN Security Council has even gathered.

Mood himself has highlighted the “abyss of suspicion” between President Bashar al-Assad and the opposition, in the face of an uprising that has killed more than 9,000 people since March last year, according to UN figures.

Syrian troops killed at least 10 rebel fighters yesterday in clashes in the Damascus region, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Ten civilians were among 19 people killed in renewed

bloodshed on Friday, more than two weeks into a promised ceasefire, the watchdog said.

The Britain-based watchdog said two civilians died in the Damascus suicide bombing.

State media said 11 people were killed. Television footage showed gruesome images, including a severed hand and leg.

The official SANA news agency reported the interior ministry as saying “it will not tolerate the armed terrorist groups and vowed to strike with an iron fist those who are terrorising citizens.”

•Foreigners captured whilst investigating debris from recent fighting between Sudan and South Sudan in the Heglig oilfield area yesterday are escorted off an airplane by Sudanese soldiers in Khartoum. The foreigners identified as a British, a Norwegian, a South African and a South Sudanese were flown to Khartoum for "more investigation", according to an army spokesman.

AFP PHOTO

China to loan South Sudan $8 billion

C

HINA has agreed to loan South Sudan eight billion dollars for infrastructure development, Juba government spokesman Barnaba Mariel Benjamin said yesterday.

“It will fund roads, bridges, hydropower, agriculture and telecommunications projects...

within the next two years”, he said, giving details of a visit this week to China by South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir.

“Details (of the projects) will be defined by the ministers of the two countries and by the Chinese firms in charge of the work,” the spokesman said.

West African summit on Guinea-Bissau

S

IX west African heads of state will discuss the situation in GuineaBissau at a meeting in Dakar next week, the Senegalese government said late on Friday.

The presidents of Senegal, Nigeria, Gambia, Togo, Cape Verde and Guinea-Conakry, who make up a “contact group” on Guinea-Bissau, will meet on Thursday, it said.

The junta that seized power in Guinea-Bissau on April 12 agreed Friday to a one-year transition back to democracy, the deployment of a regional intervention force and the release of political leaders they rounded up during the putsch.

Raimundo Pereira, the ousted interim president, and Carlos Gomes Junior,

China is the largest purchaser of oil from South Sudan and is also a longstanding business partner of Sudan from which it also buys oil.

Beijing, however, has made sure to develop good relations with South Sudan since Juba proclaimed independence last July.

Kiir had to cut short his visit to China due to the current conflict between his country and Sudan.

The opposition accused government forces of being behind the bombing and demanded an international inquiry.

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said it was “clear that the Syrian government is not fulfilling its obligations and is failing to meet its commitments to withdraw its troops and heavy weapons from population centres”.

She said the government “must ensure that the ceasefire holds”.

As Mood headed to Damascus, Norwegian Defence Minister Espen Barth Eide highlighted the “risky” task facing the unarmed observers.

“The situation in Syria remains fragile,” Eide said. “We therefore have to have realistic expectations in terms of what the observer force can achieve.

Still, our hope is that the presence of the observers may help reduce the level of violence in the country.”

Mood, 54, knows Damascus well and was there to negotiate conditions for an advance team of UN observers.

The general “brings to his new position extensive command experience and knowledge of peacekeeping attained through service at the national and international levels,” Ban said in announcing the appointment.

He was head of the UN Truce Supervision Organisation, which monitors Middle East truces, from 2009 until 2011.

The general has not spoken publicly since he was nominated by Ban, but highlighted the “abyss of suspicion and violence between the Syrian regime and the opposition” in a recent interview with Norwegian media.

Mood said that when he was asked to lead the advanced team, “it was an easy choice to say yes.”

“It’s worth making the effort,” he added about the mission and the peace plan that Annan clinched with the Assad government. “The Syrian people deserve to have an opportunity.”

HE South Sudanese army said yesterday that it repelled an attack by rebels backed by neighbouring Sudan outside Malakal, capital of the fledgling country’s Upper Nile State.

“It was Sudansupported militias that attacked SPLA (South Sudan army) positions” around Malakal on Friday, Colonel Philip Aguer told AFP, adding that the South Sudanese army repelled the attack, with an unknown number of casualties.

But the rebels claimed to have surrounded Malakal, saying in a statement: “The magnanimous forces of South Sudan Democratic Army (SSDA) launched Operation Ending Corruption and surrounded Malakal ... and captured its surroundings.”

Aguer said, for his part: “The SPLA is still chasing them and is observing another group this morning that has entered our territory,” adding that the rebels who attacked Friday were under the command of warlord Johnson Olony and came from Sudan’s White Nile State.

Saudi shuts Cairo embassy

S

AUDI Arabia’s official news agency says the kingdom has closed its embassy and consulates in Egypt and recalled its ambassador following protests over a detained Egyptian human rights lawyer.

Hundreds of Egyptians have rallied outside the Saudi Embassy this week to demand the release of Ahmed el-Gezawi, who was detained in Saudi Arabia for allegedly insulting the kingdom’s monarch. Saudi authorities say the lawyer was arrested trying to smuggle anti-anxiety drugs into the kingdom.

Moroccan newspaper editor released from prison •Pereira

the former prime minister, arrived Friday in the Ivorian economic capital Abidjan.

The regional Economic Community of West African States decided on Thursday to deploy 500 to 600 troops to the tiny coup-prone nation.

Guinea-Bissau, a former Portuguese colony, has a history of coups and other political violence and has in recent years become a major cocaine trafficking hub between South America and Europe.

A

top Moroccan newspaper editor, convicted and jailed under the penal code for his writings, was freed yesterday after serving a year in prison.

Rachid Nini, editor of the country’s most popular daily, al-Massae, was convicted for “trying to discredit and influence a court and publishing information on crimes that haven’t been proven.” The charges stemmed from his vitriolic newspaper columns that attacked powerful members of society.

“I denounce my imprisonment and conviction

under the penal code, and I hope I am the last journalist to be tried under it,” he said. He also thanked the prodemocracy February 20 movement for supporting his case, despite having once written quite negatively about the group.

The trial and conviction of Nini in June outraged Moroccan journalists because it was conducted under the criminal code rather than the media law, and was seen as an attack on freedom of expression. The media law does not allow for the imprisonment of journalists.

An international media watchdog, the Committee to Protect Journalists, described in its 2010 report a rise in harassment of local media in Morocco over the last few years. It said there was a pattern of court cases against journalists and newspapers publishing material the government disagrees with.

The media also have been targeted by officially sanctioned advertising boycotts.

Two leading weeklies were forced to close in 2010 and a critical daily moved online.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 29, 2012

66 CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

ADEGUN

IJITONA

EKWUEME

ABAYOMI

EWENLA

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adegun Bolaji Victoria, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adeleke Bolaji Victoria. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

AGBE-DAVIES

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Titilola Omolola Opeyemi Agbe-Davies, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Titilola Omolola Opeyemi Oluwole. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

AFOLABI

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ijitona Oluwabunmi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Abioye Oluwabunmi Pamilerin. All former documents remain valid. PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc. and general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ekwueme Ogoamaka Euphemia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Umeh Amaka Euphemia. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ijiyomi Ibiyomi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Erinfolami Toyin Ibiyomi. All former documents remain valid.

Nigeria Police and general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Suleiman Olajumoke Jemilat, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Balogun Olajumoke Jemilat. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

IHEJIRIKA

OPADOTUN

IBIYOMI

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Afolabi Aisha Remilekun, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Aweda Aisha Remilekun. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ihejirika Blessing Vivian Ihejirika, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Blessing Vivian Stanley Uche. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Elemide Adedoyin Olayinka, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. AyeyemiEvans Adedoyin Olayinka. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Ajenifuja Lateefat Adejoke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. RahmonAjenifuja Lateefat A. All former documents remain valid. Lagos State University, NYSC, FRCN and general public should take note.

ELEMIDE

EBAGUA

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ebagua Idahosa Isokan, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Obulu Isokan.

All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note

AJENIFUJA

EZEILO

IBENDIOGWU

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Princess Patricia Ezeilo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Princess Patricia Adgidzi. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Mr. Charles Ibeabugichi Ibendiogwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Charles Ibeabugichi Joseph. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Obebeduo Richard Emena, now wish to be known and addressed as Obebedun Tosa Emena. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

OHUONU

TUGBOBO

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Amarachi Evelyn Ohuonu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Amarachi Evelyn Joseph. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

EMENA

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adesewa Omolara Tugbobo, now wish to be known and addressed as Adesewa Omolara Amisu. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

SULEIMAN

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oluremi Tolulope Opadotun, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oluremi Jennifer Aremu. All former documents remain valid. FBN Microfinance Bank, NIJ and general public should take note.

ENILOLOBO

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Enilolobo Olusola Aderemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oluwayimika Olusola Aderemi. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

ADISA-OGUNYINKA

I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Olanrewaju Oluwatoyin Adisa-Ogunyinka, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olanrewaju Oluwatoyin Oluwayimika.

All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

BANKOLE I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oluwafeyikemi Grace Bankole, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oluwafeyikemi Grace Olukomaya. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

OYETAGBA

AREOLA

I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Grace Modupe Oladejo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Grace Modupe Oguntade. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Areola Grace Omolara, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adebisi Grace Omolara. All former documents remain valid. Ministry of Education and general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oyegbata Shulammite Toyin, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adedola Afolayan Shulammie Toyin. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

BANJO

FADIPE

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adaramola Martina Bamidele, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Omolegbe Modinat Bamidele. All former documents remain valid. Ekiti State Local governmentGeneral public should take note.

OLADEJO

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Banjo Adesola Adebimpe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Aloba Adesola Adebimpe. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

AINA

I, formerly known and addressed as Aina Adijatu Omoronke, now wish to be known and addressed as Olatunji Ronke Aina. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

AYEGBUSI

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ayegbusi Oluwatosin Motunrayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ajayi Oluwatosin Motunrayo. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

SHOYEBO I, formerly known and addressed as Shoyebo Afolake Adenike, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Falode Afolake Adenike. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

ADEUSI I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adeusi Adetutu Adebanke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adetutu Adebanke Olakanye. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

PINEGA I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Pinega Dorathy Doowuese, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nomayu Dorathy Doowuese. All former documents remain valid. KatsinaAla Local government Council and general public should take note.

JONAH I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Glory S. Jonah, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Glory J. Jella. All former documents remain valid. Teaching Service Board, Jalingo and general public should take note.

ABODUNWA I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Lolade Taiwo Abodunde, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Boladale Hassanah Taiwo Abodunwa. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

ADEWUSI

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adewusu Basirat Yetunde, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ogunniran Yewande Elizabeth. All former documents remain valid. Lagos State Government and general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Fadipe Modupe Philomena, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adefehinti Modupe Philomena. All former documents remain valid. Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Ekiti State UniversityTeaching Hospital and general public should take note.

ASOJO

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Busola Temitope Asojo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Etim Busola Temitope. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

SHAMSUDEEN

I, formerly known and addressed as Shamsudeen Adekunle, now wish to be known and addressed as Rasheed Adekunle. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

ADELEKE

I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Mariam Adebusola Adeleke, now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Matanmi Florence Adebusola. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

HAMZAT I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Hamzat Modinat Adenike, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adediran Modinat Adenike. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

OWOYELE I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Roseline Aanuoluwapo Mercy Owoleye, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Roseline Angellnmarci Cessorie SS’ George. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

BALA

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Bala Mariam Aramide, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ikotun Mariam Aramide. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should take note.

ITOJE

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Itoje Justina Ogheneakpobo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oderinde Justina Ogheneakpobo.

All former documents remain valid.

NYSC and general public should take note.

ADEGBULE

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Christianah Oluwafunmilayo Adegbule, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Christianah Oluwafunmi Akinkuotu. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

ADARAMOLA

ADARAMOLA I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adaramola Martina Bamidele, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Omolegbe Modinat Bamidele. All former documents remain valid. Ekiti State Local government Service Commission, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti South West Local government and general public should take note.

KADIRI

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Abayomi Anifat Adeola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akeula Anifat Adeola. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

OGUNFOLAJI

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogunfolaji Mary Damilola, now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Ogunfolaji Taiwo Mary. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

OGUNMUYIWA

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogunmuyiwa Temitope Titilayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Babatunde Temitope. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

OGUNGBAYI

OYEWUSI

OLUYEMI

JEGEDE

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oluyemi Olusola Temitope, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Omolofe Olusola Temitope. All former documents remain valid. FUTA, UI, NYSC and general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Jegede Bolanle Oluwatosin, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oyeleye Bolanle Oluwatosin. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

AYOBAMI

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ayobami Lydia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oyedeji Ayobami Lydia. All former documents remain valid. Osun State government and general public should take note.

ADEBIYI

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Osuji Mary Oby, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Mary Oby Nwachukwu. All former documents remain valid. Abia Polytechnic, NYSC, USA Embassy and general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Utibe Effiong Etuk, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Utibe Edet Effiong. All former documents remain valid. UNICAL, NYSC and general public should take note.

OKWUTE

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. CHIDOZIE OJIAGU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. CHIDOZIE AWARI. All former documents remain valid.

The Nigeria Police and general public please take note.

OSUJI

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Gladys Okwute, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Gladys Edward Onoja. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

NNAJIOFOR

NWOKE

SULAIMON

SODIQ

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Modinat Adebimpe Sulaimon, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Modinat Adebimpe Ajibola. All former documents remain valid. Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, NYSC and general public should take note.

MURITALA I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Muritala Morufat Toyin, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Salami Morufat Toyin. All former documents remain valid. TASUED, Ijagun, NYSC and general public should take note.

OKE I formerly known and addressed as Miss. Elizabeth Bunmi Oke, now wish to be known as Mrs. Elizabeth Oluwabunmi Banji. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKUNOLA I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okunola Temitope Janet, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olatoyan Layonu Temitope Janet. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MURPHYSAT and Electronics Services, now wish to be known and addressed as Ola Murphy Limited.

All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

AJAO

OMONTUEMEN

ELENWO I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nkeiruka Elenwo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nkeiruka Ihunwo. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Grace Oluwatoyin Adebiyi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Grace Oluwatoyin Adebiyi-Adepoju. All former documents remain valid.

Nigeria Police Force and general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS GLORIA TUNIKA NWOKE , now wish to be known and addressed as MRS GLORIA TUNIKA AUSTINE - ADACHE. All former documents remain valid.

WAEC, ABU, NLRC and general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Glady’s Odeguwa Omontuemen, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Gladys Odeguwa Oke. All former documents remain valid. NYSC, OOU Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State and general public should take note.

OSAYOMI

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oyewusi Folake Esther, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Jemilohun Folake Esther. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

AKINYOOYE

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Sodiq Monsurat Ayowumi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Yusuff Monsurat Ayowumi. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, James Ose Folorunso is the same and one person as Ose Folorunso.

All documents bearing the above names remain valid. University of Nigeria, Nsukka and general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Osayomi Opeyemi Florence, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Dada Opeyemi Florence. All former documents remain valid. UNAD, UBA Plc. and general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nnajiofor Ijeoma Favour, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chukwudi Ijeoma Favour. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ajao Fatimo Titilope, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Muhammad Thanni Fatimo Titilope. All former documents remain valid. Ede North LG, Ede and general public should take note.

OLABODE

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Olabode Olabisi Ayokunmi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adeniji Olabisi Ayokunmi. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogungbayi Abolanle Hadijat, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olaniji-Oshilaja Abolanle Hadijat. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Kadiri Oluwakemi Olabisi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adeniji Oluwakemi Olabisi. All former documents remain valid.

Redeemer’s University (RUN) and general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Akinyooye Oluwakemi Abiike, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akinyooye Oluwakemi Abiike Obadare. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Ewenla Sanmi Stephen, now wish to be known and addressed as Alonge Gbenga Iyiola. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

AKAGHA I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Akagha Chituru Lilian, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Amadi Gideon Lilian. All former documents remain valid.

NYSC and general public should take note.

NWABUEZE

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Chiedu Florence, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Florence Chiedu Amah. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

KINEN

I, formerly known and addressed as Kinen Ivy Barienonasa Akumbu, now wish to be known and addressed as Acharah Ivy Barienonasa Akumbu. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

EKOYATA I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ekoyata Isimhenmhen Christiana, now wish to be known as Mrs. Idemudia Isimhenmhen Christiana. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

MURPHYSAT

ETUK

OJIAGU

IFEANYI

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. ADANNE IFEANYI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ADANNE LENE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

MOLOKWU I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. MOLOKWU VIVIAN NKIRUKA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. NWACHUKWU VIVIAN NKIRUKA. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that I MR EMMANUEL OLUROPO MATTHEW and MR OLUROPO MATTHEW OGUNFEITIMI are one and same person, Now wish to be known and addressed as MR EMMANUEL OLUROPO MATTHEW. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

FUNSHO-SALAWU I, formerly known, called and addressed as FUNSHO-SALAWU AYODEJI OLUWAMUYIWA OLALEKAN AKANDE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as FUNSHO-OLASUBOMI AYODEJI OLUWAMUYIWA ORIRE AKANDE.All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NWOSU

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwosu Charity Oluomachi now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Elendu Charity Oluomachi. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

NWOKENNA I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. EZINNE IHEANYI NWOKENNA , now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. EZINNE EMMANUEL UDOYE . All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

AMAKIRI I formerly known and addressed as Miss Amber Amakiri, now wish to be known as Mrs. Amber Boma Bestman. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME IKOKO-SPIFF I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. IKOKO-SPIFF SELINA ISEMIKONBAU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. SELINA SPIFF LEONARDUGAMA. All former documents remain valid. UNIPORT, NYSC and general public please take note.

JAMES

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. OFONIME SUNDAY JAMES , now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OFONIME DANDY UDOTONG. All former documents remain valid.

UNIVERSITY OF UYO, THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, UYO and general public please take note.

ONUKEM I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. HELEN ONUKEM , now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. HELEN NWARIE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKON I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. EKAETTE OKON, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. EKAETTE ETUK DHEMSY. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

EJIMOZOR

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. EJIMOZOR STELLA N. , now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. NWANKWO STELLA N. All former documents remain valid. Mba Community, Rivers State Ministry of Education and the general public please take note.

IBRAHIM I formerly known and addressed as MISS RISKATU IBRAHIM, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS RISKATU IBRAHIM MOHAMMED. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

OYEBAMIJI I formerly known and addressed as MISS OLAYINKA OYEBAMIJI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OLAYINKA ADEBAYO. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

ONCHE I formerly known and addressed as MISS ONCHE BLESSING ELEOJO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS JAMES BLESSING ELEOJO. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

DIBIA I formerly known and addressed as MISS MERCY EBERE DIBIA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS MERCY EBERE NWAEDE. All former documents remain valid.

Nigerian Custom Service and the general public should please take note.

BAWA I formerly known and addressed as MISS MIRIAM BAWA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS MIRIAM OLOGUNAGBA. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

IYANG I formerly known and addressed as Rebecca Unung Iyang now wish to be known as Rebecca Unung Ashia.

All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

OBOH I formerly known and addressed as Miss. Lawrenta .O. Oboh, now wish to be known as Mrs. Lawrenta Agbator. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IZUORA I formerly known and addressed as Miss Chidinma Evans Izuora, now wish to be known as Mrs. Chidinma Evans Nwachukwu Okeke. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

KALU I formerly known and addressed as Miss Chikodi Ogechi Kalu, now wish to be known as Mrs. Chikodi Ogechi Njoku. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ADVERT: Simply produce your marriage certificate or sworn affidavit for a change of name publication, with just (N4,500. NEW RATE effective from 20th of March) The payment can be made through FIRST BANK of Nigeria Plc. Account number 1892030011219 Account Name - VINTAGE PRESS LIMITED Scan the details of your teller to advert and gbengaodejide@yahoo.com or thenation_advert@yahoo.com For enquiry please contact: Gbenga on 08052720421, 08161675390, Emailgbengaodejide @yahoo.com or our offices nationwide.

Note this! Change of name is now published every Sundays, all materials should reach us two days before publication.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2012

Fuel subsidy fallout: Ekwunife clarifies statement

A

MEMBER of the House of Representatives, Uche Ekwunife(APGA Anambra), has denied statements she reportedly made on the floor of the House during the consideration of the Farouk Lawan-headed House committee report on fuel subsidy regime last Wednesday.

The 205-page document had indicted government agencies and officials as well as marketers over wide ranging fraud in the management of the fuel subsidy funds between 2009 and 2011.

She said her statement on the floor was not fully quoted in the media, giving the impression she was shielding some of

From: Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

the indicted personalities.

Ekwunife, in a chat with The Nation at the weekend, said her contribution on the issue was misrepresented and misinterpreted by a cross section of Nigerians.

According to her, ”What I said was that at the time of the transaction of N999 million withdrawals, there was a CBN policy that no individual or corporate entity will withdraw up to a billion in a single transaction and there was no limit on the number of times one can withdraw that we should concentrate on finding out what the money was used for.’’

News

67

Lagos speaker condemns bombing of media houses S

PEAKER of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, has condemned last Thursday bombings of the Abuja and Kaduna offices of ThisDay, The Sun and The Moment.

Addressing House of As-

By Oziegbe Okoeki sembly correspondents in his office at the Assembly complex last Friday, Ikuforiji said he received the news with great shock.

According to him, “This is very sad and highly un-

fortunate. This is the time when our nation should be doing everything possible to join the league of technologically advanced nations where the citizens will be enjoying the good things of life.

“For media houses that

are daily striving to fulfill their constitutionally-given roles as the Fourth Estate of the Realm to now be bombarded with bombs, by whatever group in our country and for whatever reason, is a sad development that should be condemned by all lovers of our nation, Nigeria’’.

Fayemi greets Osuntokun at 70

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KITI State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has congratulated eminent historian and diplomat, Emeritus Prof. Akinjide Osuntokun, on his 70th birthday.

The Governor, in his congratulatory message to the renowned scholar, described him as one of the greatest examples of the famed Ekiti integrity and honour.

He noted that Osuntokun served his father land to the best of his ability and contributed immensely to national development in the various capacities he was privileged to serve.

Fayemi, who also describedOsuntokun as,’’professor of professors’’ credited him (Osuntokun) with contributing to the nation’s manpower development The Governor added that Osuntokun’s scholarly works have enriched knowledge and become reference points in history, diplomacy, adminis•Continued from page 24

However, human rights activist, Femi Aborisade, condemned the EFCC for what he called its selective and onesided war. “The EFCC’’, he said, ‘’has been fighting corruption in a corrupt way.

When double standard is adopted in fighting corruption, it is corruption on itself.

The body has never fought corruption in a comprehensive way.’’ He lamented that several Nigerians are still untouchable, wondering why those proven to be corrupt are still walking free on the streets.

The Prelate and Moderator of the General Assembly of The Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Rev. Emele Uka, condemned the handling of corruption cases by the EFCC. He described the situation as a farce. He is of the opinion that the anti-graft agency is disgracing the country with its approach to corruption cases. Uka, in a statement issued last week on his behalf

by Rev. Kalu Eme, the church’s Director of Information and Public Affairs, said if Nigeria must be taken seriously in the war against corruption, EFCC and other antifraud agencies such as the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Police Force as well as the Judiciary must sit up.

“The situation where high profile suspects influence their freedom from court cases with ill-gotten public money ridicules the nation’s war against corruption,” the Prelate stated.

US-based Human Rights

tration and other fields of human endeavour.

He equally praised Osuntokun for his contribution in attracting investment to Nigeria during his tenure as Ambassador to Germany.

Fayemi pointed out that Osuntokun’s exploits in various universities and contributions to higher education in different nations of the world informed his administration’s decision to appoint the septuagenarian as the Pro Chancellor and Chairman of the Council of the Ekiti State University (EKSU).

While congratulating the Okemesi -born scholar, Fayemi promised the readiness of his administration to continue to celebrate and uphold the ideals Osuntokun stand for.

The Governor wished Osuntokun long life, good health and more fruitful service to Ekiti State, Nigeria and humanity at large.

L-R: Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, Mr Tunji Bello, (holding microphone); Commissioner of Information & Strategy, Mr Lateef Ibirogba and Hon. Bimpe Akinsola and other officials during the monthly environmental sanitation in Ikorodu yesterday .

PICTURE: OMOSEHIN MOSES

EFCC and its one-sided war Watch, in a report released last August, berated the EFCC’s performance. It said the commission has only managed four convictions since it was established in December 2002 with the convicted spending little or no time in prisons.

The report said, “Other senior political figures who have been widely implicated in corruption have not been prosecuted. Despite its promise; the EFCC has fallen far short of its potential and eight years after its inception, it left with a battered reputation and an uncertain record of accomplishment.”

Should EFCC be scrapped?

Perhaps, all these charges against the anti-corruption agency informed the recommendation by the Presidential Committee on Rationalisation and Restructuring of Federal Government Parastatals, Commissions and Agencies for its scrapping. Presenting the committee’s report to President Goodluck Jonathan, penultimate Monday, Chairman of the committee, Mr. Stephen Oronsaye, said taking that action was necessary to save costs of governance and avoid duplication of duties.

The Orosanye’s committee recommended that 263 government’s statutory agencies should be trimmed to 161.

On the EFCC and ICPC, Oronsaye said, “It was noted that the functions of the EFCC and the ICPC are the tradi-

tional functions of the Nigeria Police. The Committee observed that even though the two commissions were established separately to address corruption, which the Police appeared to have failed to do, successive administrations have ironically continued to appoint the Chairman of the •Continued from page 69 entrepreneur on these shores. He garnered 4,272 votes ahead of Alhaji Aliko Dangote who polled 4,156 votes, while Chief Paschal Dozie got 3,316, Chief Michael Ibru (3,073) and Otunba Subomi Balogun (2,801).

Equally that same year, the Federal Government of Nigeria honoured Dr. Adenuga as one of the 50 most outstanding Nigerians in commemoration of the country’s 50th independence anniversary.

The asset base of Conoil Producing (Nigeria’s largest indigenous oil exploration and production company) in conjunction with its downstream arm, Conoil, is clearly worth more than $10 billion. Also, the combined West African operations of Globacom can grossly be put at $5 billion, including the $1 billion invested in the optic fibre link. Dr. Adenuga’s transnational real estate investments in various parts of Nigeria, Western Europe, North America and the Middle East run into billions of dollars. From all indications and deployment of whatever parameters, analytical modules, regulatory and supervisory checks, Dr. Adenuga—without any bank debt—unlike some of

EFCC from the Police Force, while the methodology adopted by the ICPC in conducting investigations as well as the training of its personnel in investigation procedure is carried out by the Police. One wonders if it was really expedient to dismember the Nigeria Police rather than allow it

to evolve as a vibrant and effective agency.”

Many have argued against the recommendation, saying it would leave the battle against corruption completely emasculated. Aborisade said the nation actually needs smaller outfits like the EFCC to “tackle a hydra-headed problem like

corruption.’’

But who has the last say?

In the view of some, the agency, as recommended by the Oronsaye panel, should be scrapped and merged with a more effective fraud unit of the police. Another view, however, believes the report should be implemented to reduce government’s overhead. Who will have the day? The nation waits.

Mike Adenuga at 59 : A miscellany his peers who even owe their gatekeepers (and this is authoritative) by my own well-informed personal estimation cannot be worth less than $15 billion.

Hypercritics of the Bull (Dr. Adenuga’s fond name at Ibadan Grammar School) accuse him of intellectual snobbery because he never suffers fools gladly. They allege that he carries on too confidently and depends essentially on his cerebral capability and capacity. He unapologetically believes, according to them, that nobody is superior to him, knowledge-wise. Interestingly, this brain power has worked for him in the past 59 years! This rationalizes why nincompoops put him off.

Dr. Michael Adeniyi Ishola Adenuga is a cultivator of acquaintanceship, companionship and friendship, but, in the same breath, he does not hesitate in calling it quits if associational challenges arise in breach of Mr. Chairman’s rare privilege craved by one and all. Surprisingly—because of his large heart—he gracefully allows room for serial make-ups and continual reunion. Contrarily,

too, some of the relationships taste better as they get older just like wine, with time. In his relational activities, he does not just nurture bosom relationships, he pampers most of his friends and even few lucky staff in his employ up to the point of superfluity and satiation! He even doles out convertible currencies routinely to these same people and other innumerable beneficiaries!

A very ambitious man and a study in diligence, he rejuvenated—after acquisition—National Oil and Chemical Marketing (NOLCHEM) which metamorphosed into Consolidated Oil (Conoil) with upstream and downstream prospecting portfolios. It was the first indigenous oil company to strike oil on December 24, 1991.

For anyone to say that Dr. Adenuga is one of the key drivers of the Nigerian economy is an understatement, as he is indeed the head (individual) driver with proprietorship in the two most critical sectors of Nigeria’s economy: energy and telecoms. After introducing per second billing, Glo became the first platform to offer its Sub-

scriber Identification Module (SIM) card for a token N1.00. It is now on record how both developments reshaped the GSM market in Nigeria and in the West African sub-region in its totality.

This business colossus was born on April 29, 1953. The last of a family of five, Dr. Adenuga attended Ibadan Grammar School, Ibadan, and was further educated at North Western University, Alva, Oklahoma and Peace University, New York.

An inspirational giant, highly imaginative and full of ideas, Dr. Adenuga’s sense of humour and experimental management of human capital and other productive resources are inimitable.

Humanity, just like Oliver Twist, still expects more from this “bullish Fine Boy”, who is also the Apesin of Ijebuland and Gbadeniyi of Egbaland. May you continue to be a life-changer.

This is wishing you many happy returns of today! Next year: 60 advisory notes for Adenuga.

Mr. Wabara is a perception manager based in Lagos.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY APRIL 29, 2012

68

EBERE WABARA

WORDSWORTH 08055001948

ewabara@yahoo.com

Scandalous shibboleths T HE NATION NEWS Extra of April 25 disseminated scandalous shibboleths in just one short extract: “There will be convenient (convenience) for payment…it can be pay (paid) installmentaly (sic) within four to five times.” Get it right: pay in instalments (not instalmentally)! “…Oshiomhole is on (in) the driver’s seat” “NAICOM axes firms for non compliance with anti-money laundering rules” (BUSINESSDAY INSURANCE Today, April 25) News you can trust: non-compliance.

“Ex-Osun lawmakers pass vote of confidence on (in) Aregbesola” (Source: as intro) “Man, 22, charged for (with) attempted suicide” (BUSINESSDAY Headline, April 23) DAILY INDEPENDENT of April 23 circulated four improprieties: “At (On) different occasions you hear the agencies saying….” “…Maevis from the very beginning chose to collect FAAN’s revenue (which is government revenue) in a platform account operated by themselves to which FAAN had neither access nor control.”

Agenda: on a platform account.

“Muamba relieves (relives) horrifying experience” TRIBUNE EDITORIAL of April 19 fumbled: “The ballot process is meant to ensure that only strikes that enjoy the votes of majority of members are embarked upon.” This way: a/the majority of members.

The following four slips are from National Mirror of April 19: “The National Examination Council (NECO) is currently enmeshed in internal crisis….” Tell me, what is the function of ‘currently’ here—in the presence of ‘is’? And this: an internal crisis or internal crises.

Still on a similar error: “Though Nigeria currently has three major optic fibres….”

“Adamawa gov’s wife flags off cancer screening exercise” There is nothing like ‘flag off’ in Standard English and this: cancerscreening exercise.

“The case of who pays the piper dictating (calling) the tune has always been dominant in international politics.”

“I congratulate Dr. Jose Antonio Ocampo for

(on/upon) being a worthy participant and for his decision to withdraw his candidacy in my favour.” (Full-page Advert by Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, THISDAY, April 20) “He is still in (on) the board of many.”

(THISDAY COMMENT, April 20) “NAC boosts auto technicians’ efficiency with staff loans for modern equipments.”

(DAILY INDEPENDENT Auto Business, April 20) “Demuren said that all the regulations will (would) be binding on both international and local airlines….” (Source: as above) “The damages and loss of lives to NATO and Yugoslavia were unnecessary.” (DAILY INDEPENDENT, April 25) ‘Damage’ in this context is uncountable.

“An agenda similar to that of Murtala/ Obasanjo regime was hurriedly packaged to cleanse the civil service in order to enhance performance and inculcate discipline into (in) our national life.” (THE NATION, April 25) “Nigeria and the international community has (have) just celebrated this year’s….” (THE GUARDIAN, April 25) “Secondly, it’s (its) legal duty to advise on the….” (Vanguard, April 25) “They have not yet established the full processes of their interaction in the chamber too, and the formality of procedures are now still (is still) being developed.”

(THISDAY, April 25) “I wish the Action Congress of Nigeria and Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu should feel the pause (pulse) of the p e o p l e … . ” (BUSINESSDAY, April 25) “I want to believe that the Nigerian electorate is (are)....” (National Mirror, April 25) “Part of this quality sense (not quantity) concerns the debate on how best to eat a dish, with cutleries or with the ten fingers.” ‘Cutlery’ is uncountable. (Daily Trust, April 24) “There has (have) been transition programmes before, so what is different with this one.” (Leadership, April 25) “David Mark assured recently in Abuja that the constitution would be ready for promulgation very soon.” Who did he assure? (DAILY Sun, April 25) “I am a product of a

system which allowed a poor farmer-cumfisherman’s son to go through the very best schools.…” (The Moment, April 25) ‘Best’ has reached the end-point of intensification and cannot be inflected (by adding ‘very’). It is an absolute (superlative) word.

“During the heydays of Christian missionary activities in the southern parts of Nigeria, communities were actively involved in building schools.” Thoughts on education: ‘heyday’ is uncountable. (The PUNCH, April 25) “Robbery: Policeman killed by vigilante group” This way: vigilance group.

“The gallantry effort exhibited by the driver of.…” Get it right: either gallantry or gallant effort. “…armed robbers attacked a Lagos bound (a hyphen) luxurious (luxury) bus at the same spot killing some passengers and made (making) away with several millions of naira belong (belonging) to the travellers who were mostly traders.” What a coarse combination! “…the mess has simply re-occurred because of the propensity of some of our citizens to flout relevant laws and statutes with impunity.” Return to the basics: recurred (never re-occurred).

“Haruna had at (on) various occasions stunned the nation by the level of fraudulent practices the former functionaries had being (been) involved.”

“Nigeria’s soccer house set to take the bull by the horn and change the face of the game.”

Sport Today: take the bull by the horns.

“Almost 80 per cent of police stations were either razed to the ground or ransacked.” Obviously, when a property is razed, it sprawls on the ground. Got the hang?

“The wretched has (have) no voice.” ...” the victim is a specie (species) from among the wretched of the earth.”

“We could do nothing against such formidable odds giving (given) the worthless tools at our disposal.”

“Within few months of his administration, the crime rate in the state ostensibly reduced to the barest minimum.” What is the function of ‘ostensibly’ here?

“The congestion on our roads are (is) very unhealthy for the….”

•Adenuga

Mike Adenuga at 59 : A miscellany

I

N the astounding case of the 59th anniversary of his birth, there cannot be a commemorative staleness because of the contemporaneity of his dreams, visionary poignancy and revolutionary entrepreneurship. Each day in his chronically reclusive life is a prodigious statement full of conceptualizations and a flourish of ideas. With him, there is no dull moment.

A highly detribalized business extraordinaire going by the ethnic configuration of thousands of humanity in his universal group of customer-centric companies, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jnr., CON, early last year won Shell’s most prolific onshore oil block—Oil Mining Lease (OML) 30—which made him the third indigenous investor to clinch Shell’s assets in the divestment initiative on indigenization. This eminent celebrator paid $1.3 billion for the Shell facility which covers SPDC’s 30 per cent stake, Total’s 10 per cent interest, and Agip’s 5 per cent investment in the oil block.

If you want to provoke his ire, do any of these: tell a lie, show unintelligence, give inkling of familiarity contempt (relationship abuse), steal money or commit any fraudulent act, display timidity, exhibit slothfulness, and dress shabbily. Conversely, the oppositeness of these manifestations nurtures his affinity for anyone!

This boardroom guru’s passion for excellence in all departments of life smacks of existential fanaticism that clearly domesticates survivalist responsibility. He does not subscribe to short-cuts. A magnate whose triumphant attitudinal disposition to life is universal, Dr. Adenuga goes for the summit with superlative anchorage. No half measures in any circumstance. He believes nothing is impossible in this world. That is his philosophy of life. All challenges are surmountable hence he does not take impossibility for an answer.

To him, everything is doable as long as you put your mind to it.

That is his unimpeachable resolution!

Issuing from the above is his catalytic intervention in telephony that revolutionized speech chemistry in this part of the world. Prior to the advent of Glo Mobile, other service providers had obfuscated their audiences with the declaration that per-second billing was unimaginable, unfeasible and unthinkable! It took the bullishness of this business icon to halt the gargantuan rip-off. He has helped Nigerians to remove the exploitative scales on their eyes and the commercial propaganda used to blur their sight and sensibilities.

About this time last year, in Ghana, Globacom launched its multi-million dollar submarine fibre optic communication facility which links Ghana and West

By Ebere Wabara Africa to Europe and North America. Of course, this has resulted in borderless and boundless opportunities across continents.

The superfluity of his philanthropy, which transcends consanguinity, is such that he does not like seeing people suffering.

There have been instances where he met less-privileged members of the society in sorry situations and had to intervene with alacrity in changing their lives. He does this without any class or other extraneous considerations.

I doubt if there is any Nigerian, living or dead, who has given out houses, service flats and cars for permanent ownership to fellow countrymen and even expatriates in his employ. This economic wizard’s generosity is breathtaking.

Another intriguing aspect of this consummate humanist we are gladly celebrating today, especially, and other days, is his quintessential humility and simplicity. Two colleagues of mine and I encountered him a few years back in his main official staircase and a mild drama ensued. While we were transfixed on the spot for obvious reasons, almost overwhelmed by his exemplary and extraordinary friendliness, he had to jocularly plead with us to go back and allow him to pass! Other investment moguls in his shoes would have ordered us to vanish if we on our own did not disappear even before the directive!

Overall, Dr. Adenuga, a foremost industrialist and an unprecedented visionary symbol who became a millionaire, by British and American standards, at the age of 26, has a profundity of horsepower-like energy, enthusiasm and empathy running in his veins. At times, those who know him closely wonder whether he would ever retire from economic activism. I have the conviction that his beneficiaries’ prayers for him have the propensity to keep him for the next 59 years and possibly beyond.

Conversely, too, some persons hate his guts and style for multifarious and nondescript reasons!

Unfortunately for the latter, Uncle Niyi does not just give a damn! From whatever prism, this man has affected and continues to affect uncountable lives, many of whom I know. He enjoys offering Nigerians and nonNigerians limitless opportunities particularly through the instrumentality of Globacom and other establishments in his conglomerate generally.

Most times, those who have access to this sports benefactor wonder if he has time for relaxation considering the maze of documents that crave his attention daily, including weekends, copious meetings that span all day and other official engage-

ments that are equally time consuming and energy sapping.

Does he have time to sleep at all?

No weakling can work with or for this man: the challenges are pleasurably demanding and appreciated at the earliest opportune time.

This is hoping that this anniversary tribute will not turn out to be an unauthorized and sketchy biography of this colossus! Another amazing aspect of the Guru is the depth of cerebral endowments that startle everyone. The brilliance that underpins his thought processes as applied during rare interactive sessions with him is unimaginable.

He has optimal ideas about virtually everything in this world and talks confidently about them. If you are not knowledgeable about issues, you had better not confer with him on anything!

Otherwise, you will leave him in no doubt about your vacuity.

His personality is pleasantly intimidating, let alone his sagacity.

The writer does not know, yet, if there is mogul who can be compared to this multi-billionaire in terms of entrepreneurial inclinations, attitudinal disposition, philanthropic invaluableness, generation of novelties and success profile. It seems, somehow, that there is divine manifestation in whatever he lays his hand upon which gives rise to Midas touch in all he does. He does not compromise excellence and goes for the best in anything at stake: there is this amazing consciousness about quality. His profound optimism, mind fertility and business versatility are unequalled in our time. This oil baron remains one of the biggest employers of labour in the country. This eternal optimist has elevated risk-taking to cardinal levels.

The managers in his employ dream to be like him. Indeed, the Bull could be likened to a citadel with scholars (his employees) exploring his fountain of knowledge via meetings and other strategic sessions.

Another characterization of this self-effacing celebrator is his noble disregard for people’s perception of him and what anyone may say concerning him. He focuses on what he believes in, vigorously pursues it and does need any support. Over the years, this has worked and keeps working for him—the dysfunctional and traditional underestimation of his achievements and opulence by the ludicrously conservative Forbes magazine notwithstanding!

In 2010, Dr. Adenuga emerged Nigeria’s Most Outstanding Business Personality in the past 50 years in an online poll conducted by THISDAY Newspapers. Readers voted him as the most distinguished •Continued on page 67

WORSHIP

69

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2012

NEWS

Atilade to indigenous churches: awake from slumber

By Sunday Oguntola

T

HE South West Chairman of Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC) His Grace, Archbishop Magnus Atilade, has appealed to churches under the association to rise from their slumber and speak with one voice.

He spoke last week at the 21st anniversary thanksgiving service and induction ceremony for the newly elected officers of the Lagos Chapter of the organisation in Lagos.

Ministering at the occasion, Atilade pointed out that churches established by Africans have suffered stigmatisation and pioneering challenges.

He said they have done well to have come this far.

According to him: ‘’People should appreciate the benefit of the efforts of our founding fathers and mothers. ‘’They did not have the benefit of funding and infrastructure imported from abroad. Our founding fathers suffered, struggled and made a lot of sacrifices; they were only sustained by their strong faith. ‘’We must create a new awareness and pride among our members. Nobody, and I repeat, nobody would have an opportunity to look down on African instituted churches.”

He said the OAIC should not allow anybody to treat its members as second class or backward churches.

He identified peace, harmony, love, focus and functional unity as cardinal principles the new executives should put into place.

These, he assured, will take the organisation to higher heights.

The new Lagos chairman of OAIC, Apostle Kola Onanuga, said the executives have been liasing with government agencies and Christian associations since they came on board last year.

He stated: “We are doing this to ensure that true Christ-like children of God are leading their followers correctly. Eventually, fraudulent churches would be exposed, so that Government and the Police will be advised on how to deal with fake prophets and their members.”

He expressed OAIC’s commitment to organising seminars, trainings and crusades aimed at empowering indigenous churches to be exemplary.

Why men are losing control, by Adeboye

NEWS

Methodist women celebrate 80th anniversary

W

OMEN in Methodist Church of Nigeria walked tall last

week.

It was at the 80th anniversary of the women’s fellowship.

The two-day event attracted over 300 delegates from across the nation.

Resplendent in their white lace blouse with deep blue wrapper, the women exuded joy at the anniversary, took off with a book presentation.

The book titled Women as teachers and character moulders was authored by President of the fellowship, Mrs. Elizabeth Makinde.

She said she was inspired to write the book to record historical milestones in the fellowship and offer members a manual to work on.

According to her, ‘’Women have so much to offer and this book is meant to help them know as much as they need on the issues of life and God’’.

The book was unveiled by Prelate of the Methodist Church, His Eminence Dr Ola Makinde.

He praised the women for holding the forte and urged them not to relent in nation-

By Sunday Oguntola

building efforts.

The next day, an award ceremony was held in honour of deserving members and supporters of the fellowship.

At the ceremony, Makinde urged women to go into active politics.

Women, he said, are known to have provided sound and corrupt-free public services, saying the time was more than ripe for them to take on leadership roles.

Makinde said: “Women are known for providing sound and corruption-free public administration and the time has come for our women, including Methodist women to ven-

ture into politics and corporate governance. ‘’In today’s world, women make good bread-winners for the home. More than anything, the LORD has bestowed women with the natural ability of being good home managers and as Christian women, I believe that you are the best in this fields.’’

He lamented the victimisation of women and trafficking, which he described as evil that must be completely rooted out of the society.

Secretary of the Methodist Church of Nigeria Conference, Rt Rev. (Dr) Chibuzo Opoko, said the C.E Williams visionary leadership award ‘’ is not just mere recognition of ser-

vices you have rendered, it is also a tonic to motivate you to serve more in many varying ways in the Lord’s vineyard.”

Lay president of Lagos Conference, Sir Jimmy Coker, also praised the women for their sacrifices and support to the church.

The chief host, Mrs. Makinde, appreciated God for the milestone.

She declared that the fellowship has continued to wax stronger since the burning wick was passed on by the Rev. Mother C.E Williams in 1932.

She urged the women to continue to pass on the light to generations yet unborn and reflect Christ in their dealings.

‘Why church accounts must be audited’

By Adeola Ogunlade

By Sunday Oguntola

T

HE General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye has blamed sin, curse, irresponsibility and inability to key into God’s covenant for the failure of men to fulfill their God-given leadership roles at homes.

He spoke ahead of the special monthly prayer programme holding on the 6th of May, 2012 at the RCCG, Throne of Grace, National Headquarters, Ebute-Metta, Lagos.

The programme titled ‘I shall be the head’ would feature bible teachings, song rendition, prayer and prophetic ministration.

According to him, it is worrisome that men who are supposed to be the heads of the home have been relegated to subordinate roles contrary to the will of God in their lives, homes and communities.

He said: ‘’As we all know, God has made men to the heads of the home but in many cases, the reverse is the case as some men are slave in their own house. Satan is responsible for the underperformance of men.”

Adeboye, who spoke through the Assistant Pastor of the RCCG, Throne of Grace, National headquarters, Pastor Goke Aniyeloye, asserted that the divine purpose of God to make man to be the head can become a reality if they surrender themselves to God, shun sins and all forms of wickedness.

He stated that God is in dire need of men who will take leadership roles at homes, communities and in governments.

These men, he said, would save children and youth from the quagmire of restiveness that has drawn the nation back in the annals of history.

Although, he noted that many men are battling with curses and other satanic attack, he said “no matter the challenges of our time, we should make effort to stand on the promises of God that can never fail and he will never fail".

The cleric said that the prayer session is for all men including husbands, brothers, sons- in law, relatives and all women who trust God for divine intervention in their homes.

•Makinde unveiling the anniversary book

•Olubo

T

HE Senior Pastor of Housefavour Church Lagos, Rev Olubo Bayode, has called for proper auditing of accounts run by churches to check financial recklessness and abuses.

Bayode alleged many leaders were diverting church funds to personal use.

He said government must step in to sanitise the religious sector and arrest the situation.

He spoke last week in a chat in his office.

According to him: ‘’I know many will say it is outrageous but the truth must be told. ‘’Many funds belonging to churches have ended up in private pockets. Our leaders are just siphoning church funds. Most of these accounts are never transparent or audited.’’

He went on: ‘’Most churches are operating with-

out discretion and prudence.

Government must regulate and audit churches. ‘’Pastors are getting richer while people are dying. They are living large at the expense of church members. This is unfair to God, to man and our followers.”

He said auditing accounts of churches will sanitise the religious sector in Nigeria. ‘’That is the only way to sanitise religious institutions. Let’s start with churches and others will sit tight,’’ he argued.

He offered to make his church accounts available for such exercise, wondering why ministers would be averse to a development

meant to make their operations better. ‘’Any church that does not want to be audited is fraudulent. Any minister that is against this is stealing. ‘’If this is not controlled now, it will become a virus for the Christian community,’’ he stated.

He lamented that churches are no longer effective, attributing this to corrupt practices.

Bayode argued: ‘’We have more churches in history than ever before. Yet, we have never been so criminalminded and materialistic. ‘’This is because our religious sector is corrupt and only regulation will save the day for us.’’

Okotie laments attacks against media

T

HE Senior Pastor and founder of Household of God Church Lagos, Rev Chris Okotie, has expressed shock over the bombing of offices of Thisday, SUN, and The Moment newspapers in Abuja and Kaduna last Thursday.

Five people died and several others were injured in the attacks according to media reports.

The insurgent Islamist group, Boko Haram,

By Sunday Oguntola

claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Okotie, in a condolence message, sympathised with the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and managements of the affected media organisations over the incident.

He also prayed for the repose of the souls of the innocent people who were killed in the blasts.

The former presidential aspirant lamented that

defenceless journalists could be targeted in the terror war launched by the Boko Haram group at a time the media is canvassing for quick solutions to the crisis.

He said, “When journalists become targets in this kind of campaign, then we know the situation has become desperate. ‘‘The Federal Government must find a way to end this unfortunate situation in the country now that

the terror war seems to know no boundaries.

“It began with isolated attacks on police targets in the North Eastern region; then major government buildings, churches and academic institutions and now, the media”.

He urged security agencies to extend security coverage to media facilities and journalists and try to move ahead of the insurgents in identifying potential targets to forestall future attacks.

Worship

70

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2012

Love fever (2)

Pastor Taiwo Odubiyi CHRISTIAN ROMANCE SERIES

T

OSIN wasn't happy, and her husband, Ladi was the cause of it. Many things were bothering her, they had misunderstandings but he refused to understand her, always telling her he knew better than her.

One of such problems was the case of a house help.

She had been telling him for three years now, of her need to have a maid but he still insisted he didn't want a stranger in his home, the reason being that he wasn't used to having maids around the house. His father whom he and his sister, Dupe lived with after their mother died had brought them up without a maid. And his father coped very well; Ladi hadn't forgotten to tell her. He and his sister would stay with a family when they came from school, until evening when their father would arrive from work. He did the cooking, ironing of their clothes and other household chores. He even brushed and decorated his sister's hair whenever she was going out.

As they became older, they began to do their share of the house chores. Ladi had learnt to do a lot of things and he wouldn't mind to assist Tosin, if he had the time. But of course he never had the time. He wasn't at home much to fulfil his promise, neither did he allow her to have a house help.

How could he be so unreasonable? She wondered.

She couldn't continue like this much longer. She was stressed up. Ladi was making her unhappy and she would make sure he was unhappy too. She knew of his suffering by his temper and the way he watched her when he thought she wasn't aware. She knew her

negative behaviour was beginning to get at him. He lost his temper more often these days and spoke harshly to her, though afterward, he would control himself and calm down.

Several times he had called her in a bid to resolve the conflicts and get them on talking terms, he had tried, she admitted to herself.

She had also called him several times when the misunderstandings began, before things got to this level, to let him know she was unhappy but he had ignored her, probably thinking she was having a brainwave, and that she would soon come to her right senses.

He had pretended there was no problem. If he had responded to her cries then, she would have opened up and discussed, or better still, if he had shown some understanding and care, she would have forgiven and forgotten the offences, but he hadn't. Now that he was ready to talk, she wasn't.

It wasn't that she didn't want the conflicts resolved but there were too many of them, where would they start? He had hurt her several times, and she had decided to shut him out of her heart. Another thing she had also noticed was that it appeared her tears didn't move him much these days.

As Tosin thought of Ladi's lack of understanding, her anger grew, and so did her resolve to withdraw from her husband physically and emotionally. And all the offences were stored up in her memory, which she couldn't destroy.

There was a time they were to visit his father. Tosin was two months into her second pregnancy, which she later lost. She had told him she wanted to stop to buy chicken and chips which was what she felt like eating, but he had told her no.

He didn't have time to waste as he'd like to get to his father's place on time, and come back early to watch a programme on TV. That had upset her and she had asked him to let her get out of the car as she didn't want to go with him again. Of course, he didn't allow her to get down but by the time they got to his father's house, she had become a bag of moods.

Remembering that particu-

lar incident brought fresh pain into Tosin's heart. She had expected Ladi to understand her.

To understand that she was hungry, and it was chicken and chips that appealed to her because she was pregnant. To understand that her feelings were more important than whatever programme he wanted to watch on TV. The following month, she lost the pregnancy. That had depressed her further because she was already looking forward to having the baby. And when she was at home supposedly to recuperate, Ladi would leave her with Tireni from morning until evening when he would come back.

On a particular day, when he returned and asked for his food, she burst into tears. She had used that opportunity to tell him again of her need for a maid and he had told her what he always said - no. She had hoped her tears would say something to him, to move him to shift his ground but seeing they didn't, angered her.

And that day, something died in her heart.

Tosin came back to the present, stopping for the red traffic light.

But where would all these end? She wondered fearfully.

They were further apart every day. They had stopped doing things together. They used to eat together, sit together, take bath together, plan the day together but all that had stopped.

They hardly had anything to say to each other, nor had time for each other. He came late from the oil company where he was a manager, and she worked late in the bank as well. The only two things they still shared were Tireni, their daughter and the bedroom.

Tosin sighed. The bedroom they still shared was even doing more harm than good. It was more like pouring fuel into fire because Ladi would always try to reach out to her but she was not ready for any intimacy with him. She sometimes felt used.

To be continued.

Odubiyi is available on : 08023000773 and www.pastortaiwoodubiyi.org.uk

Knowledge is power Dr James Iruobe

MARRIAGE & DESTINY

I

WELCOME my esteem reader to this wonderful and life-changing column which will become a regular feature on this page every 2nd Sunday of the month.

Our focus in this column will be on Marriages as the first institution created and perfected by God Himself for the benefits of you and I. By God’s grace this monthly column will guide you on how to build, sustain and maintain your marriage.

It is a known fact that, most people are not where they ought to be because they do not know what they ought to have known and those who are knowledgeable only practice a fraction of what they know. I do believe that as we hear God’s word and pray, something spectacular will happen that will transform and change us, from one level of glory to another.

•WHY DO YOU WANT TO MARRY? I think the greatest problem that we have had all over the world today and particularly in Christendom is that people do not know what marriage is all about. They see other people getting married and want to get married too. There are some who got married to satisfy their sexual urge, only to discover that marriage entails more. There are those who got married because they needed someone to cook for them but after cooking and eating

they discovered that marriage offers more.

Different people have married for different reasons. Some people get married because they want children and when they eventually have these children, they do not know what to do with them.

This selfish ambition or misconception about marriage has led to break-up in many homes as each partner tries to protect his or her own interest.

•Dearth of True Marital Information I know that we have many books and write-ups about marriage and what it involves but my question is how accurate and factual are these information? Our world today has been turned into a global village due to advancement in information technology and many writers, authors, bloggers and others supply information about so many topics they know little or nothing about.

Sadly enough, many follow these set of people without discernment and rush into marriage only to find out that they have been misled.

Therefore from my perspective as a preacher and teacher of God’s word particularly on the subject of marriage, the most prevalent problem about marriage in our society today is lack of information.

I will never forget this Deacon of a very big church who attended one of the seminars I gave with his wife. In that seminar, I spoke on the need for couples to sit down and talk about issues rather than sweep them under carpet. On the second day of the seminar, they testified that they did not sleep till around 2.00a.m because they realised that they just had to sit and discuss. They talked seriously for the first time and many things were resolved that

night. They happily shared their testimony and confessed it was a new beginning for them. As far as I am concerned that was the beginning of success in their marriage.

• YOU NEED MARITAL EDUCATION It is amazing today that while people attend university for 4 years to acquire first degree after spending 10 years or more in primary and secondary school, little or no time is given to Marital Education. Knowledge is power and marriage needs to be handled carefully. Little wonder that you see marriages of captains of industry, celebrities, people who have gotten to the apex of their profession and control thousands of people being swept away by marital storm. This is a paradox of life! Somebody that can control thousands of employees at work find it difficult to control a woman and 2 or 3 kids at home!

This is certainly not the will of God for our lives.

Marriage is meant to help our productivity and enable us fulfil destiny. I encourage you to seek good marital information by reading books written by proven authors. You may wish to subscribe for my book “4 things intending Couple Must Agree on Before Marriage’ for more information. This book is our major reference materials for this series. God Bless your home and marriage.

For counselling on marriage and other pressing issues, you can reach Dr James Iruobe through ElShaddai Covenant Ministries, 7, Social Club Road, New Oko-Oba, Lagos .Tel 07034183333, 08083001752 or e-mail james.iruobe@gmail.com.You can also follow him on www.drjamesiruobe.blogspot.com, t w i t t e r . c o m / jamesiruobe,www.facebook.com/ drjamesiruobe

CHRISTIANITY ACROSS THE GLOBE

Churches may be forced to rent facilities to gay couples

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•L-R: Osun state Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titi Laoye Tomori; South-West (CAN) Chairman, Archbishop Magnus Atilade and Director, Research and Education, Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN), Elder Sunday Obie, during the induction of Atilade as CAN South West Chairman in Ibadan… last week.

PHOTO: OLUSEGUN RAPHEAL

HE city of Hutchinson, Kan., U.S.A. is mulling over a proposed law that would force some churches in the community, regardless of their religious convictions, to rent their church halls to gay couples for events.

The proposal came about after the Kansas Equality Coalition encouraged the Hutchinson City Council to add gender identity and sexual orientation to the city's human relations code.

The law would make it illegal for churches that rent their facilities to the public to prevent anyone from renting their facility based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

"If a church has a parish hall that they rent out to the general public, they could not discriminate against a gay couple who want to rent the building for a party," states an eight-page document from the city's Human Relations Commission that explains the law.

Churches can choose to be

exempt from the law, but only if they stop renting to the public and rent only to their members.

According to the document, local employers would also be required to allow employees to dress according to their gender identity.

The law will even allow transgender to use restrooms, shower facilities, and locker rooms based on their gender identity instead of their birth sex.

The Kansas Family Policy Council (KFPC), an organisation dedicated to defending Christian values, explains on their Awaken Kansas project website why they believe this "Bathroom Bill" is dangerous.

It said: "The truth is that women and children who live in areas of the country where these ordinances and laws exist can never be certain that they will not encounter men in restrooms, locker rooms, or changing rooms at department stores."

Because of that uncertainty, Robert Noland, executive director of KFPC, said he is specifically concerned with the possibility that sexual predators might use the new law to take advantage of women and children.

"The people supporting this measure don't like this argument, however we do believe it opens up the door for predatory practices...we have to face the fact that that's a risk that could happen," he said.

Noland recognizes that there are a number of churches and denominations that would have no problem with allowing gay couples to have parties and events in their facilities, but other churches don't believe they should "accommodate or encourage" biblically immoral behaviour.

"We've had several churches that say, 'Even if this passes, we will not comply if we're approached to use our facilities in this manner,'" he said.

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QUOTABLE “This issue of insecurity is being over exaggerated by the West and our foreign partners. I’m not saying we don’t have the problem but it is not peculiar to Nigeri. When New York was bombed, did people stop travelling to US?”

SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2012 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM VOL. 6, NO. 20110

—Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomole condemning the US Embassy for stopping top former American officials from attending the South South Economic Summit

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HE National Security Adviser (NSA), Owoye Azazi, stunned his audience on Friday by blaming the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for contributing significantly to the country’s insecurity. He expressed this opinion when he addressed the 2nd South-South Economic Summit in Asaba, Delta State last week.

But the opinion was neither as radical as it seemed at first hearing nor was it even as inflammable, biased and indicting as its poignant message suggests. The PDP is guaranteed to take umbrage, however, because the NSA’s opinion appeared directed at its soul and methods, and the North, the unintended target of Azazi’s bilious hypothesis, will be roused into fury.

A closer scrutiny of the NSA’s address reveals rather commonplace explanations of the Boko Haram phenomenon ravaging the North and imperilling the rest of the country. He did not address the competence of the PDP as a ruling party, though the party is indubitably acrimonious and managerially slothful. He looked mainly at the insecurity problem of the country, a problem that falls squarely on his shoulders. By bringing in the internal dynamics of the PDP, and by seeming to indict certain elements in the North over the country’s terrorism problem, Azazi merely gave vent to his frustrations and tried to justify why an administration headed by his fellow Bayelsan had been unable to make a serious dent on the phenomenon.

Let us look at a part of the NSA’s address piecemeal. Consider, for instance, his embrace of the commonplace bogey that Boko Haram resulted from President Goodluck Jonathan’s decision to contest in 2011. As someone who argued that Jonathan would be exalted if he did not run for office, I feel awkward that Azazi subscribed to the following fallacy expressed in his address. He had said: “How come the extent of violence did not increase in Nigeria until the public declaration of the people that were going to contest election by the PDP? And I would also like to say this, though the PDP people will not agree with me, they would like to attack me, but I hope they do it in private: PDP got it wrong from the beginning by saying Mr A can go and Mr B cannot go, and these decisions were made without looking at the constitution. Is it possible that somebody was thinking that only Mr. A could win and that if he could not win, there would be problems in this society?”

As Azazi himself acknowledged a little later in his address, Boko Haram did not start in 2011 or even in 2009 when it became truly and violently anti-government after the sect’s leader, Mohammed Yusuf, was extra-judicially murdered. Events be-

Gen Azazi’s hypothesis

•Owoye Azazi

•Edwin Clark

tween 2009 and now, and in particular, events surrounding Yusuf’s execution, showed more persuasively that if the sect had any political objective, it was more than anything else only to the extent of its sectarian, theocratic fantasies, not the presidential ambition of anyone. In the paragraph above, the NSA suggested that the entry of Jonathan into the race was deemed provocative by Boko Haram and its backers. He also blamed the PDP for conceiving zoning. It was lost on the intelligence chief that, apart from the moral pitfalls of zoning as a concept, it was not really zoning that was the problem in the context of Boko Haram violence but Jonathan’s violation of the ruling party’s zoning formula.

Even if we do not agree on the factors that predisposed the North to Boko Haram, there is little disagreement on why and how it became violent and the trajectory that violence followed. The sect’s leaders themselves openly expressed why they became violent, why they targeted federal establishments, and why their initial targets were in fact some state governments. It will be recalled that at a point the sect even compelled some three ex-governors to tender public apology to the sect.

But Azazi was not done with his revo-

lutionary talk. Said he: “Let’s examine all those issues to see whether the level of violence in the North East just escalated because Boko Haram suddenly became better trained, better equipped and better funded or something else was responsible …Some people were wearing white garments 22 years ago and calling themselves Republic of Afghanistan in the north, and some people said they were only keeping to their religion and that there was nothing wrong. We try to play the ostrich and think things will blow over. I believe we should stop the politicisation of security issues in Nigeria.

I believe there is a strong element of politicisation of the crisis, where some people were assured that they would win 80 per cent and they did not win.”

In the quotation above, Azazi’s analysis is both cynical and illogical. He is obviously suggesting that after Gen Muhammadu Buhari lost the 2011 contest, having thought victory was assured, the loss was exploited to give fillip to the Boko Haram phenomenon. But under the late ex-President Umaru Yar’Adua, the Boko Haram attack violence was already building up to a crescendo, with attacks becoming more daring and open. It is unhelpful to conjoin the reprehensible violence that followed Buhari’s loss – a violence this col-

Boko Haram’s surge and awe on This Day and Daily Sun

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SUSPECT that much more than punishing what it described as reportorial inaccuracies, the Boko Haram attacks on This Day and Daily Sun premises in Abuja and Kaduna were designed to achieve maximum propaganda effects. The sect’s leaders are not naive to think they can bomb media houses into submission, nor that a few bombs can intimidate them into shying away from diligently reporting issues surrounding Boko Haram. The sect said it bombed This Day newspaper office in Abuja to punish that newspaper’s habit of ascribing attacks not committed by the sect to the sect. But everyone knows that the sect has splintered into autonomous cells, with each claiming to have acted on behalf of the authentic Boko Haram whenever an attack was carried out. How is the media to tell the difference?

Though the sect had promised to take very stern view of reportorial inaccuracies, and Abubakar Shekau, the Boko Haram leader, had recently disclosed that some of the attacks attributed to the sect were carried out by other groups with sinister objectives, there was no indication a bomb

attack against newspaper houses were imminent. The sect has now promised more attacks on the media, but if its antecedents are taken into consideration, the attacks are unlikely to be of such severity as to leave us as awestricken as Thursday’s.

Media establishments are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. Government officials, especially security agencies, repeatedly express their displeasure at the media for seeming to celebrate Boko Haram attacks. It is true that the media give wide coverage to those attacks because of their magnitude, but it is inconceivable that they could do less. They have no reason to downplay the attacks as the government wishes. It is, however, the same media that Boko Haram is accusing of inaccuracy or even outright falsehood. Obviously the media must be doing something right.

On balance, the local media have tended to be more sympathetic to Boko Haram, both in terms of basic reports and commentaries, than the foreign media. Yet, there is very little the sect can do to punish the foreign media for inaccuracies or exaggeration. The truth is that, like state officials brooded, the

sect actually feeds on the publicity it gets from the attacks. Without publicity, Boko Haram would belong to the realm of imagination. This is why I think the attacks on This Day and Daily Sun were designed to bolster and sadistically burnish the dreaded image of the sect rather than intimidate the media. If any intimidation was intended, it was distantly secondary.

I also think the attacks on the newspaper houses presented a softer target guaranteed to draw maximum publicity and propaganda impact for the sect. Watching Imam Shekau on YouTube recently, I got the impression of someone more persuaded by the sectarian objectives of his movement than an organisation eager to be used for secular political objectives. I think that the attacks will continue as innovatively as the resources at their disposal will permit. But ultimately, if we do not complicate our political differences as a country before or by 2015, the sect will be defeated, its leaders killed or arrested, and the adventurist principles undergirding it gradually diminished by the denuding influence of time and shifting spiritual mores.

umn like many others anticipated and said so openly – with the Boko Haram attacks that seemed to have suddenly risen in tempo. The factors responsible for the rise in Boko Haram attacks can surely be isolated, and they include the fact that many dispossessed and unemployed people became attracted to it in much the same way the Odua People’s Congress (OPC) fatally magnetized many Yoruba poor and alienated.

Azazi was uncharitable to suggest security issues had been politicized. I agree there was a point in time when the North’s elite, while not masterminding Boko Haram, hoped to exploit the violence for political and economic concessions. However, the truth is that the North is the worst affected by Boko Haram, and their initial and still continuing dithering has enabled the sect to grow so powerful as to become almost uncontrollable. It will take an earthshaking crossing of the line by Boko Haram to elicit a unified northern fight against the sect. This may be brinkmanship, but I suspect that some northern politicians not averse to theocracy may even think waiting in the wings to cash in on Boko Haram might not be so objectionable.

This brings us to the popular misconception that the violent strides made by Boko Haram after the 2011 elections were consequent upon aggrieved politicians funding, training, and arming the sect. Said Azazi: ‘’Is it not amazing that after the elections, the Boko Haram (sect) became better trained, better armed and better funded? But I can assure you that Boko Haram could not have that kind of sophistication without a backing.

Today, if you arrest all the leaders of Boko Haram, I don’t think the problem will end, because the situation that created the sect has not been tackled e.g poverty and the desire (of some people) to rule Nigeria.”

In discussing the rising profile of Boko Haram, Azazi seemed to emphasis the domestic angle more than the external angle.

Yet we all know that the sect has benefited tremendously from its links with external forces as reported by foreign intelligence organisations. And when Azazi linked the sect’s deadly expertise and attacks to the desire of some nameless groups and politicians to rule, it seemed like a pejoration of the legitimate ambition of every part of the country to win the highest office in the land.

Unfortunately both by its timing and the place of the NSA’s address, Azazi has appeared to merely reinforce the clannish fallacies and fantasies recently vented in the media by Chief Edwin Clark and unthinking groups calling themselves South-South Youth Leaders Forum. Unable to respond logically and even commonsensically to the failings of Jonathan as a president and leader, they have embraced name calling and unpatriotic threats and resorted to the exploitation of primordial interests. They seem painfully unaware that they are as guilty of the “desire to rule” which they accuse others, perhaps mainly northerners, of.

They seem unaware that what others criticize Jonathan for is not his qualification as a Bayelsan or South-South citizen to rule the country. I think we resolved that dilemma by voting him in as president last year. Could we then make him president and not also reserve the right to denounce his failings when we see them? Should we begin to take cognizance of his origins in dealing with him when we did not do so in voting for him? Did we not also denounce Chief Olusegun Obasanjo when that aurochs petered out into mediocrity during his second term?

Azazi’s unprecedented denunciation of the internal workings of the PDP indirectly tries to justify why the president has refused to replace him over the inability of the security agencies to stop the Boko Haram attacks.

Azazi will not resign, it seems, and Jonathan will not fire him, it appears. More, both gentlemen will continue to resort to primordial affiliations and blackmail, together with itinerant and centrifugal forces, to sustain the president in office.

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