The Nation August 07, 2011

Spring bank manager killed over N11m loan

EFCC busts $3.5b power project scam –Page 5

–Page 6

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

SUNDAY

Nigeria’s truly national newspaper

N200.00

August 7, 2011

VOL. 06, N0. 1844

N679bn new lifeline for Bank PHB, others

Abah Folawiyo @ 69 The amazing life of a society woman – Pages 29 & 32

‘I’m tired of the throne’ – Page 20

New management assures customers, workers

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HE Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) will inject a combined N679 billion into the three nationalised bank. The beneficiary banks are MainStreet Bank Limitedformer Afribank Plc; Keystone Bank Limited- former Bank PHB and Enterprise Bank Limitedformer Spring Bank.

The fresh funds, which translates to a total bailout package of N1.299trillion when the initial N620billion injected in 2009 is added, will bring the three banks' the required capital adequacy level for their operations.

MainStreet Bank will receive N285 billion to bring it to over 15 per cent capital adequacy and a minimum of N25 billion capital base; Keystone Bank will secure N283 bil-

By Collins Nweze and Akinola Ajibade

lion while Enterprise Bank will be given N111 billion to bring them to same level of capital adequacy. The three banks, formerly referred to as Bridge Banks were acquired by AMCON from the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) last Friday.

The Managing Director/CEO, AMCON, Mustafa Chike-Obi, who disclosed this to the media yesterday, said these banks will be issued bonds-equivalent of the injected funds by tomorrow morning. He said the acquisition and transfer of ownership has been effected through a subscription agreement with each of the three banks. By the

– Continued on Page 5

al-Mustapha

I didn’t ask al-Mustapha to testify against Abiola, says ex-DPP – Page 4

How three-year-old boy survived arrow attack –Page 7

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

2 E just turned around and he was gone!

Marvin Gaye could not have had Mustapha Safiriyu Oloyede in mind when he sang that song. Still the disappearing act of Padler on Saturday July 30,this year still seems a cruel, horrid joke. Everyone is shocked at the transience of existence. Someone said all of us are walking corpses. It is needless arguing with him.

Early in the week, we had chatted as usual. I teased that I had not seen him in recent times because he probably added a new wife to his coast and he replied that he travelled. This was followed by the usual backslapping and jokes.

That was the kind of banter that took place betweenPaddler, the head of the drivers on the staff of the former Lagos State Governor and Action Congress of Nigeria Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the dignitaries that became friends and acquaintances of his great boss.

Paddler cracked jokes with governors, engaged senators in hilarious banters and teased the tycoons of business. In his elements, he was a spectacle to behold, a character to admire.

Many of his jokes belong to the realm of faction, that literary genre that Kole Omotosho’s Just Before Dawn popularized.They relate to actual faux pas of the individuals in question or encounters in which Paddler was a principal witness. Creamed with quick wit and fecund imagination, they sent the audience into roars of laughter. There was one rib-cracker about a medical doctor who offered services beyond the call of duty on the plane while accompanying pilgrims to the Holy land. His unusual generosity soon became grounds for suspicion so much that women pilgrims avoided his injections. His salacious jokes did not only revolve round seduction. There was the joke around how the financial generosity of the visitors to the Leader was managed. The term, “who no dey no dey” meant that those who were not in the vicinity when the gift was handed over would not partake.

“Another category, “who dey no know, no dey” meant that you could be in the vicinity but be oblivious of the generosity. Your ignorance is the primary criterion for your disqualification! Padler’s hilarity was remarkable because of the distinction of the medium of expression. A native of Ikire, Osun State, his Yoruba tongue expressed his ideas with the heavy accent of the Oyo dialect. This made his act interesting to follow. It made you feel that if he had not struck a romance with the wheel, he could have emerged one of the top entertainers in the Yoruba genre of Nollywood. Considering the monotony and routine of driving the boss to various places daily, the humor bag, rather than cigarettes and alcohol, must have served Paddler so well to keep him on track.

Until recently, I had tried unsuccessfully to unearth the emergence of the name that those of us who aided Asiwaju called him. The name conjures a popular coastal vocation but it is quite difficult to imagine Paddler on a canoe.The Leader restricted himself to Mus -ta-pha!, his voice ringing loud and clear often past midnight as he called on him to take one assignment or the other.

Working for Asiwaju Tinubu is a 24-hour, seven days job! Only men of stamina and commitment stay this long. It is significant that although Paddler had just returned from a medical trip

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A Paddler like no other

•(Left-Right): Former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Ogun State Governor Senator Ibikunle Amosun, his Osun State counterpart, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola at the 8th day Fidau prayer for Alhaji Mushafau Safiriyu Oloyede held in Lagos, yesterday.

•Late Oloyede

By Kehinde Bamigbetan and was on vacation, his love for his boss was so much that he could not stay away from 26, Bourdillon, Ikoyi, his second home. This bond is the product of over 20 years of loyalty to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In these two decades of driving the influential politician, Paddler transformed from just a driver to a political activist handling sensitive assignments for the progressive movement. A major instance of his commitment occurred during the struggle for the revalidation of the June 12, 1993. after the Epetedo Declaration when the late Chief Moshood Kolawole Abiola declared himself president based on the results which were annulled, the arrowhead of the struggle went underground. As the manhunt for him by the security forces peaked, it became clear that he could not be underground for ever. It was decided that he emerged from his hideout and ride home, rallied by millions of supporters of the June 12 cause.

But a decoy vehicle was needed to shield Abiola from arrest while proceeding on the popular convoy. Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s vehicle was assigned the role. With this development, Mustapha Safiriyu,aka Paddler, entered the annals of Nigerian history as the last person to drive MKO Abiola as a free citizen and self-declared President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Parapsychologists may want to explore the trajectory of the combination of driver and boss

(Left-Right): Wife of Osun State Governor, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Barr. Olayinka Oladunjoye also at the prayer session yesterday

that has made Paddler’s odyssey a subject of historic curiosity. Operating as Mustapha, Padler drove Tinubu till his boss became the Senator representing Lagos West in 1992. Seven years later,he engaged his gear to the second level and drove his boss into Alausa as the third democratically elected governor of Lagos State.

And in 2003, he steered the. G- Wagon into Marina to herald the second term of his valiantboss.He was code-named Paddler in 1999 as his security code on the governor’s convoy.

Paddler’s life will forever remain a lesson for drivers. Literally,a driver holds the life of his boss in his hands. He sees the good, the bad and the ugly. It is a job that demands a lot of discretion, learning how to keep mum, seeing no evil and hearing no evil. Surviving such a challenging assignment is no mean achievement. And it is in this respect that Mustapha Safiriyu earns the respect of Nigerians and all of us. Paddler didn’t die in vain. He left with the Federal Republic of Nigeria service medal glittering proudly on his breast. May his soul rest in perfect peace.

Have Your Say What do you think of the recent claims by the former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the late General Sani Abacha, Major Hamza alMustapha, that some Yoruba elders worked against the release of Chief MKO Abiola from detention, and later received bribe to douse the tension after his sudden death?

— Send SMS with full name and location before Wednesday to 08074473182

Responses to previous week’s question are on pages 48 & 52

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

Column

Bury me with my Major T

HIS morning, Snooper evacuates the dangerous and volatile jungle of Nigerian politics to reflect on more ennobling issues.

Societies, empires, nations, religions and even peoples come and go, but there are certain human ideals which outlast them all and which reaffirm the universal basis of humanity.

There are some human values which transcend time and territory. Love, honour and loyalty come to mind.

Please come with us as we pay tribute to an unsung Nigerian heroine and to love in the time of kwashiorkor.

Two weeks ago, Snooper sat down to read an enthralling story which might have escaped many Nigerians as they cope with primeval darkness, collapsed infrastructure, political tomfoolery at the highest level, and man’s inhumanity to man in a traumatized post-colonial state . It is the story of Major Orkar’s widow. It was the first time the enigmatic widow was opening up her heart to Nigeria, twenty one years after her husband perished in a military mutiny. It was an absolutely touching and riveting tale, a classic of controlled explosion.

We must commend the efforts of the amiable and unfailingly polite Shola Ogunkeye in getting this remarkables woman to tell her story and by so doing forcing the country to come to terms with some aspects of our ugly past. Like a practised super sleuth, the award-winning journalist stalked his prey relentlessly and for a long time until she finally succumbed. Like a military strategist, the relic of Major Orkar chose her moment very well and with brilliant poignancy. It was at the wedding of one of the children she had been forced by fate to bring up singlehandedly after her husband succumbed to professional adversity. It doesn’t get more acutely unsettling than that.

While we are still busy consuming and eliminating each other, it is just possible that we have forgotten that there are a lot of people hurting and sulking out there. Coup widows, orphans of insurrection, the bereaved and the permanently embittered, the unplacated and the implacable ; those who have nothing but hateful memories of the system. For every emergent First Lady, there is an eclipsed Fallen Lady condemned to live out her miserable existence in penury and obscurity. It is a ticking time-bomb, and sociologists wondering why there is so much bitterness and wanton disregard for the sanctity of human life in contemporary Nigeria are accordingly ad-

wards her husband’s former colleagues or superiors. She even has kind words for General Ibrahim Babangida, affirming that her husband had been one of his beloved boys. A few weeks to the coup, Babangida had even called up the major to apologise to him for not informing him about a recent trip abroad.

On the surface, it was a relationship between military godfather and his godson.

The ensuing events beggar belief. As far as coup attempts in Nigeria go, the Orkar mutiny was a radical departure. It was conceived on a ferociously grand scale and executed with chilling ferocity and bloodymindedness. Nobody had •Mrs Orkar.

PHOTO: THE SUN ever conceived such a putsch in the history of vised.

Sometimes, matters could take coup-making in the nation. The a dramatic and tragic hue. In late dawn broadcast was dripping with 1976, the widow of Colonel Wya venom and fury. The hatred for the who had earlier been executed for system was palpable. It was not the complicity in the Dimka coup at- time for hostage-taking. In a startempt, launched herself against a tling novelty and daring departure trailer on the Kaduna –Kano high- from routine and convention, the way. The poor woman, a Briton, coup-makers even excised a significould not imagine life without her cant section of the country. The beloved husband. She perished National Question haunts Nigeria and became a mere statistic of a till this very moment.

By all accounts, Gideon Orkar military state destined to unravel.

It was love at the time of ex- was a model officer. Studious, quiet ecutioners. If military folklore is to the point of aloof taciturnity and to be believed, it was said that the immensely cerebral, he was not fallen colonel owed his fortunes given to frivolities or fripperies. and dramatic rise in the military He was completely obsessed by the to a fortuitous convergence of love military profession and was reon destiny. On a short course garded as one of the emerging stars abroad, the then Sergeant Wya of the military. Those who met him had met and fallen in love with a at his Shaki post spoke of a tough British citizen and had returned to but fair-minded officer who was Nigeria with his white bride in not given to foolish indiscretions. tow. The military authorities, ap- Like a classic Prussian officer, Orkar palled by the scandalous prospects viewed corruption and graft with of a white woman slumming it out choleric disdain and was not interin the seamy barracks, quickly sent ested in worldly possession.

He left behind no mansion or the love-lorn sergeant on a Short Service Commission course. The uncompleted building. His castle Sergeant became a Second Lieu- was his mind. A late convert to the coup plot, Orkar took to his allottenant.

What makes Olubunmi Orkar’s ted duty with the same singlestory so refreshing and ennobling mindedness and chilling resolve is the fact that she neither sought that he approached his chosen proto blame anybody for her tragic fession. When everything had plight nor did she attempt to ex- ended in a bonfire of misbegotten onerate her fallen husband over messianism, Orkar had all the time his misadventure. Death, she in the world to escape. But rather stated very clearly, was the wages than flee, the late major chose to of unsuccessful coups. She har- confront his captors and the unmisbours no hatred or ill-feeling to- takable wages of military misad-

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nooping around With

Tatalo Alamu venture.

What then could have turned such a remarkable and promising officer against the system that had nurtured him and given him a path to martial glory? Before he finally exploded, Orkar would have been a seething volcano parading a calm and unruffled exterior. This is why in politically unstable countries, it is always foolish and fatal to mistake surface calm for national placidity. A retired Colonel friend told Snooper of how he used to patronize and dissuade the young major at Armed Forces Consultative Council meetings whenever he attempted to talk by reminding him that it was not a meeting for majors.

The colonel, one of the finest infantry officers of his generation, would himself later be roped into a coup plot and sentenced to death simply because he had been secretary to a militarycommittee which recommended the de-annulment of the June 12 presidential election as the way forward for Nigeria. The colonel who was miraculously reprieved from death’s row by the death of General Sani Abacha still suffers from seminal disorientation arising from torture and protracted solitary confinement. This is not to mention the abiding trauma of family displacement, relentless persecution and eventual banishment to the Nigerian Underground.

From the comfort zone of leafy and up-market Ikoyi, his children became denizens of feral ghettoes.

Like most spouses of military officers, Olubunmi Orkar was neither privy to her husband’s dark insurrectionary secrets; nor was she allowed a last minute meeting to ask the major what happened.

There was no bloodied, broken and bullet-riddled body to caress for the last time. When you enlist in the military, you sign away not only your life but your after-life. So there were no Tiv funeral dirges for a promising son of the land, only the sound of silence and unnerving stillness as the hour of military reckoning approached. It was the night of booming canons, but there was not a single canon or clergy in sight to ease the pains of traumatic

Baba Lekki dismantles Okon O

KON has been painting the city red. After making some money from his new business of human trafficking which he chose to call Mass Transit Across Lagos Rivers by Man-Made Ferry (MASTMAMF), the crazy boy has been huffing and puffing all over the place, boasting that he would soon be in a position to liberate himself from domestic bondage. The loony one hinted darkly that the day of judgment was at hand and that as a man of means, he was in a position to acquire more wives.

“Oga sebi dem yeye Yoruba charge and jail baba say I dey commit bigamey, him go see tri-gamey soon soon”.

After tiring of his idle drooling, Snooper told the mad boy to go to hell.

“How about throwing in the towel to go and enjoy your money?” snooper asked.

“Oga, abi you think say I be foolish man? I no dey throway my towel like dat. I must to see something first. If to say you bring bet-

ter Yoruba woman now, I fit do dat”, the crazy boy retorted with a sly wink.

“Okay, take a leave of absence then”, snooper snapped.

“I no get problem with dem leave of absence, na absence of leave dey worry man”, the mad boy rallied with expansive flourish.

Perhaps Okon had carried his yanga business to Baba Lekki and the old man decided to teach him the lesson of his life. After a day of drinking and carousing around Obalende, Idumota and Obun Eko, the old man took Okon to Banana Island to view some vacant property. It was a mansion recently put up for lease or let by a hardpressed politician who had exhausted his fortune in a harebrained political venture. Cleverly and with devilish aplomb, the old crook had inserted an “i” in the signboard reading To Let. He then told Okon to go in and ease himself before they could begin negotiations. Foolishly, Okon

agreed but before he could unzip his fly, irate guards fell on him and beat him to a pulp.

It was a deflated and thoroughly disfigured Okon that lumbered home that night. He was sporting a black eye and some hideous facial bumps like somebody who had been trapped in a bee cave.

“Okon, what happened?” snooper screamed but secretly delighted.

“Oga, na dem mad Baba Lekki.

He come take man to dem obonge house for Banana and dem to let sign come become toilet. Him say make I go pee. I no even comot blokos before dem godogodo people come beat Okon to nonsense”, the chastened chap moaned.

“So where is Baba Lekki?”

Snooper asked.

“He come vamoose like them Opobo ghost”, Okon muttered in pains .

“I see”, Snooper noted with a comic frown.

“Oga wetin be Caveat Emptor abi

3

na Epsom Salt?” Okon demanded.

“Ha, it means buyers beware”, Snooper replied suspecting another scam.

“Kai, kai, na God go punish dis dem Yoruba people. Baba come take me to dem Yaba house and him come change dem sign to Cave Empty and him come tell me na Irunmole dey get am before before and I fit get dat one for small change. Dem senior Yoruba digbolugi no sabi say I don pass dem place before with dem sign. Naim I come pick race”.

On that note, Snooper could not resist a good laugh, but not before one final jab at Okon.

“Okon, what did Baba Lekki say about Baba and this zoning palaver?” Snooper croaked.

“Him say na dem mala tira dey worry dat one and him head no correct again. Abi no be him say we no get zoning and him come dey say we get am for zoning again? Oga leave me ojare my head dey sink o o”, Okon responded and collapsed on the sofa like a sack of rice.

bereavement. In traditional societies, men often walk away from the mess they have created leaving the women to clean up. This was the lot of the Nigerian major’s wife.

Yet it was obvious that this must have been a marriage of kindred spirits, a union of complementing strengths. Major Orkar was human after all. Tied to the stakes and just before the executioner sang, Gideon must have felt a strange urge to commune with his beloved wife and to reaffirm the oath of love and affection he had not always publicly displayed. In the military, emotional incontinence is not a virtue. But as hot lead drilled through his body, as life began to drain away with an equally remarkable velocity, the major must have reconnected with his wife. This was the moment his wife was seized by a choking, strangulating fit. She was in a public transport. Her husband had joined his ancestors.

The spouse had to get to grips with life and the destiny of her fatherless children. This she has done with admirable courage and industry. It is obvious from their separate interviews that the children’s optimism about Nigeria’s future remains undimmed and unsullied by personal tragedy. They have also inherited their father’s heroic pluck and the indomitability of their mother. This is the story of how one woman sacrificed herself for her husband and her children. But oh, the horror, the horror, and the pangs and pains of motherhood!

When she was asked about the prospects of remarriage, the late major’s wife not only poohpoohed the idea but bluntly retorted that she lost sexual urge with the death of her beloved husband. “I died with Major Orkar”, she calmly remarked. God bless you, dear lady.

For Mrs Orkar, it has been twenty one years of solitude compounded by the anonymity of selfsacrifice, to echo a remarkable Nigerian writer. This is not an ode to coup-making or a celebration of military self-subversion but a reaffirmation of the heroic virtues of Nigerian womanhood. With retrospective hindsight, coup plotting is not a black and white affair or a Manichean matter of heroes against villains. There is a surfeit of both on either side. A gallant and brilliant officer like U.K Bello who went out unarmed in a show of affection and loyalty to his principal on that night ought not to have been summarily shot. But then coups are not a tea party, and for most men in battle the fear of cowardice leads to the cowardice of spontaneous bravery.

What is obvious is that this dark and ghastly period of Nigeria’s brutal history is crying for closure. A country cannot move forward without exorcising the demons of its satanic past. There are many quick and dead walking out there crying for justice. As Major Hamza Al-Mustapha’s grandstanding and strategic gaming this week emphatically demonstrates, no matter how long we choose to ignore history, history in all its crushing implacability will not ignore us. The Nigerian authorities must now initiate a National Widows and Orphans Fund (NAWOF) to which the military authorities must contribute a substantial sum. Let their tears and the blood of their beloved water this desert.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

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I didn’t ask al-Mustapha to testify against Abiola, says ex-DPP A

FORMER Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Stella Omiyi, yesterday said she was never mandated by the Federal Government to pressurise former Chief Security Officer, Major Hamza alMustapha, to testify against the late Chief M KO Abiola.

She also said that she

• Claims she has never met the ex-CSO From: Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

did not in her private capacity ask al-Mustapha to bear witness against the late Abiola. Mrs. Omiyi, who made the clarifications through her counsel, Princess Akiri, in Abuja,

said she has never met alMustapha in person.

She said although the ex-CSO has a right to defend allegations against him, he should not use the opportunity to vilify others.

The ex-DPP broke her silence against the backdrop of al-Mustapha’s tes-

timony during the week in which he indicted her. alMustapha had said: “I am a victim of political intimidation. When Abiola’s family filed a suit against the Federal Government, I was contacted in prison to testify against Abiola but I refused. It is on record that

Mrs. Stella Omiyi of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) came to the prison. The records are there at the prisons for anyone to find out.

“When they could not succeed with that, they came up again with another game plan that I was plotting a coup in detention.”

But Mrs. Omiyi’s counsel said: “I am not holding brief in respect of other allegations made against any other Nigerian in the pursuit of his (al-Mustapha’s) defence. But in respect of my client, I would say that allegation is wild, uncharitable and most unfair.

“My client has never met al-Mustapha. Normally, you know people by reputation or physically.

Apart from knowing that Al-Mustapha was CSO to the late Head of State, Gen.

Sani Abacha; my client has never met al-Mustapha one-on-one not to talk of someone sending her to meet him in respect of spurious allegation.”

He dismissed the former COS’s claim saying, “As a matter of fact, alMustapha does not know if my client is tall, short, fat, slim, fair in complexion or black. She was never mandated by the Federal Government to meet alMustapha to testify against Abiola, neither did she go out of her way to do so. So, the allegation is preposterous, it is not true. An accused person has a right to present his defence but he has no right in the process to vilify anybody. That includes my client.

“He can do anything within the confines of what is reasonable, what is fair, what is just and what is conscionable to defend himself. But he should stop vilifying others. The Office of the Federal Director of Public Prosecution is not one to be brought into ridicule; it is like bringing the Federal Government into ridicule.”

Bribe: Gen. Abubakar should speak up —Nwankwo HE leader of the Eastern Mandate Union (EMU), Arthur Nwankwo yesterday dismissed the allegation by Hamza al-Mustapha that Yoruba leaders were bribed by former Head of State, Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar after the death of Chief Moshood Abiola.

Al-Mustapha who was Chief Security Officer to former Head of State, the late Gen Sani Abacha had alleged that the leaders who visited the Aso Villa were bribed claiming that he was in possession of the video clip. However, when the video was played in the court on Thursday it showed the leaders coming out of the Villa and addressing journalists.

Among those showed in the video clip was Nwankwo. However, in his reaction to the allegation, Nwankwo a leader of EMU and the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) said, “If the video clip is that of a delegation of NADECO members that went to see Abdulsalami Abubakar to ask him not to stay longer than nine months, yes I was there in my capacity as Vice-Chairman of NADECO and Chancellor of Eastern Mandate Union.”

Shedding light on the purpose of the visit, he added, “Our mission then was to persuade Gen Abubakar to set up a government of national unity and should not stay longer than nine months in office.

The man (Mustapha) mentioned huge amount of money that astounded me.

And he alleged it was shared to Yoruba elders. It is a shocking allegation. In

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President Goodluck Jonathan with the Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timpre Sylvia, after the President’s visit to Otuoke, his hometown, yesterday.

Photo: AKIN OLADOKUN.

Islamic banking: Anenih seeks panel to build consensus

A

FORMER Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih, has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to raise a panel to resolve the controversy over the noninterest banking otherwise known as Islamic banking.

He said although the introduction of non-interest banking would appear a welcome development, the ongoing religious colouration it is assuming is dangerous.

Anenih who made the plea in a statement in Abuja on the heels of his 78th birthday, said Islamic banking couldpolarise the nation unless a consensus is urgently built on it.

He said: “I call on the President to set up an enlightened, multi-disciplinary panel to review the whole concept of Islamic banking as currently conceived by its proponents and the bases of concern by those opposed to the system. This is with a view to finding a national consensus on its acceptability or otherwise; its implementation or alternative to the concept.

“The panel should be

From: Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

given the mandate to conduct a thorough risk assessment of the system so that all stakeholders can reach a consensus on the way forward. In the meantime, I call on all to stop making inflammatory comments on the issue in the interest of our great nation.”

Anenih said it was unfortunate that the debate over the non-interest banking was assuming a religious dimension.

He added: “As an elder, and one who has been involved in the politics of this nation for over 30 years, I am concerned that the current controversy over the introduction of Islamic banking to Nigeria has the potential to further polarise the country along religious lines.

“This concern has been particularly heightened by the pronouncements made in good faith by both the spiritual leader of Nigerian Muslims and Sultan of Sokoto, His Royal Majesty, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III and National President of

the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, which could be misunderstood.

“My special appeal to these prominent Nigerians in moments like this is that they should also advise their followers to exercise greater levels of restraint than in normal times in their pronouncements. ‘’Their followers should show stronger commitment to consensus building than defend their faiths. Indeed, it is my special appeal to all those commenting on the issue.”

He warned politicians against taking advantage of the controversy over non-interest banking to promote crisis in the country.

He added: “I strongly condemn the tendency of politicians who are opposed to the present government to exploit the vulnerability of disadvantaged groups to fan the embers of destabilisation. ‘’After all, it is under a peaceful atmosphere that programmes to eradicate poverty can be successfully implemented.

“I call on the various

agencies of government involved in this issue to promote greater awareness on this issue of Islamic banking that can lead to an amicable resolution of the seeming impasse. ‘’I call on the media to exercise a high sense of social responsibility in handling this and other issues that currently threaten national security.

“I believe that, as Nigerians, we should welcome every opportunity to broaden the base of popular participation in economic activities. Poverty has persisted in the country for so long because the economic space has excluded many disadvantaged groups like the Niger Delta.

“This is part of the explanation of the violence that has continued to blight our national life, to the extent that the very fabric of the nation is currently under serious threat. ‘’On this score, the introduction of non-interest banking would appear to be a welcome addition to innovative efforts to bring otherwise marginalised populations into the mainstream of economic activity.”

By Chris Oji, Enugu

the first place I am not a Yoruba. And as a matter of fact no money was involved during the meeting. If actually such thing happened, definitely it was not during that visit to Gen. Abubakar.

We went there purely on NADECO agenda with a view to making sure that the military leave power in very short time. The visit I can tell you was not a Yoruba affair. But which Yoruba leader in that delegation can be bought with money? Is it Bola Ige, Abraham Adesanya, etc?”

He said, “He must have presented a wrong video clip. If actually such huge amount was distributed they should ask Gen Abubakar. He is alive. If such amount of money was distributed, I am yet to receive my own. But I can assure you no money was given to anybody as long as that NADECO visit was concerned.”

• Nwankwo

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

News

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AMCON to inject N679b into three nationalised banks • Continued from Page 1

L-R: Deputy Governor, Financial Services Strategy, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr Kingsley Moghalu, and MD, Nigerian Depositors Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Umaru Ibrahim at the media parley in Lagos yesterday.

subscription agreement, AMCON has become the owner of the three banks, and will provide sufficient capital to restore them to the level of capital adequacy stipulated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Chike-Obi said the capital provided by AMCON will strengthen beneficiary banks’ liquidity positions to enable them meet their obligations to depositors. Consequently, the banks are in the position to repay the loans obtained from the CBN in the first bailout carried out in August 2009.

The liquidity positions of the banks are equally enhanced by CBN’s extension of their interbank obligations till December 31, 2011.

AMCON said it has iden-

Depositors’ funds, jobs intact, management assures MIDST fear of a possible run on the affected banks by anxious depositors following the acquisition of the Afribank Plc, Bank PHB and Spring Bank by the new management of the banks have assured their customers on the safety of their deposits and allayed the fear of job loss by the staff.

In a statement issued yesterday by the new management of Bank PHB Plc, Keystone Bank Limited, it acknowledged the change in the bank’s management, but assured that all was well. “KBL will continue the operations of the Bank.

Customers deposits remain safeand protected. CBN guarantees intact and extended. All staff jobs are secure as well. Be assured of continued excellent services.” bank stated.

In a chat with the Head of Corporate Affairs, Spring Bank, Mr. Igwe U. Igwe last night, he told our correspondent that the NDIC and other regulatory agencies were on top of the situation.

However, in a statement issued to its customers, the new management of the bank, Enterprise Bank Limited, assured that “EBL will continue the operations of the bank.

“Customers deposits remain safe and protected, CBN guarantees intact and extended.

“All staff jobs are secure as well. Be assured of continued excellent services.”

In a related development, the Corporate Affairs unit of former Afribank also issued a statement on behalf of the management. It said the step will help enhance the smooth operations of the company as well as ensure the recapitalization process is completed ahead of the September 30, 2011 dead-

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By Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf

line given by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The management explained that in the change of Afribank to Mainstreet Bank Limited, the bank remains a going concern. It said, “The Bridge Bank (MBL) will continue to operate normally and discharge its obligations to all the stakeholders without disruption. All the business locations and service points of the bank remain open to the banking public during normal business hours as the Bank is in a good position to meet all its obligations.

Customers and the general public are assured that their deposits are safe and accessible as the bank is mainly undergoing a process on the road to successful recapitalization.

Management and CBN have assured customers that no depositor will lose from transacting business with the bank.”

The statement added, “Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) intervention and creation of Mainstreet Bank provides for the stabilization of the bank and will allow for continuing operations with no disruption. The NDIC inter-

vention results in the protection of all depositors, as Mainstreet Bank will continue to enjoy the CBN guarantee for depositors and creditors. The CBN guarantee for Mainstreet Bank has been extended to December 2011.”

tified independent and credible persons with significant and required experience to fill the board and senior management positions for the banks. It will also be seeking CBN approval to that effect.

“AMCON is confident that the new teams will manage the banks to establish strong market positions and effectively compete in the Nigerian banking sector, providing quality service to their customers and value for shareholders,” Chike-Obi said.

The AMCON boss added that the Corporation will continue to evaluate its strategic options and consider the optimal and timely exit strategy that maximizes its returns. “AMCON expects that the action it has taken, in fulfillment of its role as a resolution vehicle, pursuant to the provisions of the AMCON Act 2010, will further reinforce confidence and stability in the banking system,” he stated.

Managing Director, NDIC, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, said that with successful sale of Bridge Banks to AMCON, the Corporation has fulfilled its primary objective of ensuring the depositors in the banks do not lose their funds.

The Bridge Banks were created by the NDIC after

Obudu cattle ranch road cut off leaving tourists stranded after heavy downpour, yesterday Photo: UJA EMMANUEL

consultations with the CBN and the Federal Ministry of Finance and with full support of the Federal Government. The banks are MainStreet Bank Limited which assumed the assets and liabilities of Afribank Nigeria Plc; Keystone Bank Limited which took over the assets and liabilities of Bank PHB and Enterprise Bank Limited which will manage the assets and liabilities of Spring Bank after the CBN withdrew their operating licences last Friday .

He said that by this action, a resolution of the crisis in the banking system is assured, as it brings certainty and stability to the sector.

CBN Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability, Kingsley Moghalu said NDIC got the apex bank’s backing and that it supports the exercise of the Corporation’s statutory powers under the NDIC Act to resolve the banking crises.

He said the CBN is confident that the Transaction Implementation Agreements (TIAs) signed by four out of the eight rescued banks will turn to eventual mergers. “I believe in the strength of the TIAs. It is an irrevocable agreement that will eventually lead to mergers for the banks,” he said.

He said it is in the interest of shareholders to approve the mergers because doing otherwise will spell doom for their banks. “If we come to the shareholders, it is their choice to either approve the merger or have their banks taken over,” he said.

He said the banks will continue to face business risks in the course of their operations and how well such risks are managed will determine their survival or otherwise.

The CBN and NDIC had in July 2009, carried out a special examination of all the 24 banks with the aim of assessing their health, with particular focus on liquidity, capital adequacy, risk management and corporate governance practices. Ten banks were adjudged to be in grave states with deficiencies in capital adequacy.

EFCC busts $3.5b power project scam HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has foiled an attempt to swindle a US-based company, Sunergy Worldwide Incorporated of about $3.5billion over a non-existing power project in the country.

Also, the commission has launched a manhunt for the Managing Director of the Nigerian firm, Arvokad Resources Plc, Mr. Jonathan Dike, who was allegedly central to the scam.

Investigation by our correspondent showed that the MD and directors of Arvokad had sought partnership with the American firm to build a $7billion solar energy plant.

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From: Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

Based on bid documents with purported official endorsement of the project by the Ministry of Power and Energy, the American company accepted to fund the project.

But at the point of remitting its 50 per cent of the cost of the project, the bubble burst following discovery by the American firm that Arvokad was not involved in any IPP plant in Nigeria .

A top source in the antigraft commission, who spoke in confidence, said: “The controversial Nigerian firm, Arvokad, is purportedly located at 138, Aba –

Owerri Road in Abia State.

“According to preliminary findings by the EFCC, Arvokad sought a deal with the American company by claiming that it was acting on behalf of the Ministry of Power and Energy. Arvokad sought for partnership with Sunergy and asked the American firm to submit a quotation of $7bilion for a solar energy power project for the Federal Government. The US company did as directed and thereafter, it was informed that it has been shortlisted as the favoured bidder by the Contract Award Committee of the Ministry of Power and Energy.”

The source added, “As part of our discovery, offi-

cials of Arvokad impersonated a former Minister of Power, Nuhu Wya , by presenting documents claiming that the ex-Minister presided over the contract award committee,” and asked the American firm to remit 50 per cent of the counterpart funding valued at $3.5 billion.

“But shortly before the remittance, the CEO of Sunergy Worldwide Incorporated, Yua Xu contacted the recently established EFCC’s Transaction Clearing Platform (TCP) to verify the authenticity of the contract details. The TCP cautioned the American firm to withhold the remittance of the counterpart funds pend-

ing verification. And at the end of the day, it turned out to be a big scam and the affected foreign firm was communicated, and advised not to remit any money.”

The source said the EFCC is already on the trail of the Managing Director of Arvokad, Jonathan Dike and any of its directors. “We have launched a manhunt for all those with stakes in the company; we will certainly arrest them for necessary grilling, “the source said.

Contacted, the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Femi Babafemi said: “We have bust the scam but investigation is in progress.”

6

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

News

Spring Bank manager killed over N11m loan dispute

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HE manager of Spring Bank, Ebute Metta branch, Lagos, Emeka Ohazuruike was killed yesterday afternoon during a dispute over the recovering of N11 million debt.

The manager, it was gathered, went to Aboju area of Lagos to meet with a customer identified as Idemili in order to secure

By Jude Isiguzo

the payment of the loan which was overdue.

On getting to the customer’s house, an argument ensued and Idemili’s brother-in-law, whose name was given as Kenneth, accused the bank manager of insulting and disgracing his brother–inlaw. A fight broke and Kenneth reportedly

stabbed the manager on the chest with a kitchen knife.

He died on the spot.

Idemili and Kenneth have been arrested by the police.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Samuel Jinadu, who confirmed the arrest said investigations was still ongoing and that the suspects would be tried in a competent court of law.

Boko Haram: Girl shot dead

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12-year-old girl was last night shot dead by the Joint Task Force (JTF) men around Budum Market, behind the Shehu of Borno Palace in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. The girl was sent on an errand by her mother when she ran into the men.

A member of the State House of Assembly representing Maiduguri State Constituency, Alh. Abubakar Tijani, visited the scene of the incident and expressed shock about the death of the little girl, describing it as very unfor-

By Joseph Abiodun

tunate. He added that about two weeks ago, the area witnessed a bomb explosion which resulted into the destruction of life and property.

Some residents in the area who spoke to our correspondent also expressed concern over the activities of the men of the JTF in the area, stressing that after the Budum Market bomb blast they protested to the state government to remove the JTF men from the area, but no action has since been taken to that effect.

It will be recalled that

some elders in the state had about three weeks ago complained to the Federal Government over what they described as the excess of the JTF men, calling for their withdrawal from the state which has witnessed serious unrest resulting from the activities of the Islamic sect, Boko Haram.

The officer in charge of the JTF operation, Col. Victor Ehilemen who confirmed the incident, said thorough investigation would be carried out by the JTF, and that any officer found guilty would be properly dealt with.

•Kashim Shettima of Borno State handing over particulars of a tricycle to a physically challenged person during the distribution of 1,500 tricycles to unemployed youths in Maiduguri yesterday

NDLEA probes death of suspected drug trafficker

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HAIRMAN /Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Ahmadu Giade has ordered a probe into the death of a 25-year-old Nigerian, Chilaka Ogbonna Emmanuel.

Chilaka died onboard an aircraft on his way to Malaysia enroute Doha forcing the pilot to divert the plane to India. The sad incident is barely few months after the nation lost a suspected drug trafficker Offiah Gozie Vincent who was arrested at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos and died few days later in a Lagos hospital.

Offiah excreted 72 wraps of methamphetamine weighing 1.115kg before his untimely death. In a post-mortem examination carried out on the corpse on Friday, February 18, 2011 in a Lagos hospital, 43 additional wraps that got stuck were recovered from his stomach. Like Offiah, the deceased who was simply identified as Chilaka Ogbonna Emmanuel reportedly took off from the Lagos airport on Tuesday August 2, 2011.

The deceased travelled with a Nigerian international passport.

His sudden death arising from drug ingestion forced the pilot to make an emergency landing in India where he was confirmed death in a hospital.

A post-mortem conducted

revealed that he had ingested narcotics. Mumbai police found an Italian visa application form and his Catholic baptism certificate in his bag.

Worried by the sad development, Giade described the incident as sad and unfortunate. According to the NDLEA boss, “this is sad and unfortunate. It is one death too many. I want to know exactly what happened and take proactive action against future occurrence. I have ordered full investigation of the incident and I am expecting a detailed report in few days”.

Giade equally reiterated his call for stringent measures against drug culprits.

“This is a wake-up call for stakeholders to heed our call for tough measures against drug offenders. The increasing number of arrests made by the Agency speaks volumes of the pun-

ishment meted to drug offenders. Even when we oppose bail application for second time offenders, they still grant them bail. These are the people that smear the image of our country for their selfish interest”. He added that over 68 drug suspects apprehended at the Lagos airport between January and July 2011 and charged to court are currently on bail.

The Agency noted that the monetary reward for drug trafficking is high and to discourage people from the criminal trade, the punishment must be commensurate. This according to the anti-drug Agency is imperative and will drastically reduce the number persons that get involved in drug trafficking.

Authorities are working on how to contact relatives of the deceased who is from Okpofe, Mbaise Imo State.

• Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Mohammad Sa’ad Abubakar 111 (l) with IGP Hafiz Rimgim who paid him a courtesy visit in Sokoto yesterday

• L-R: Minister of State,FCT, Chief Jumoke Akinjide with Aliyu Ahman-Pategi, member House of Representatives and Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana during the minister’s visit to the monarch in Ibadan, yesterday.

PHOTOS: NAN

36 convicted in Sapele

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HIRTY six persons have been convicted for breaking environmental laws in Sapele local government council of Delta state.

The Council Director of Personnel Management, Clement Anighoro, who is the current Head of council, told newsmen that the offenders have been fined by a Magistrate court in the area.

He charged residents to respect environmental

laws and maintain cleanliness.

Head of the council’s environment department, Peter J.E Ariogbore said residents should clear drainages, sewages and bushes around them for cleanliness.

He said the council plans to engage a private partner for waste management with provision of dumpsites and tippers and manpower for better refuse management.

•Anambra residents carrying placards commending Gov. Obi for ensuring that Kerosene lands in Anambra at N50 per litre

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

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OR many years to come, the family of Adebawo in the riverine area of Ondo State will ever be grateful to Governor Olusegun Mimiko for rescuing its three year old baby who mysteriously cheated death that would have happened to him at his tender age The little Oluwafemi Adebawo on October 28, 2010, at exactly 1p.m at Itedo Apostle Obinehin in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State was left behind by his parents who went to fend for the family.

As he was playing with his colleagues, a poisonous arrow struck at him from no particular direction, and hit him on the right side of his forehead. It was a sharpened arrow of about four feet and threw into the direction of the boy.

An eyewitness told “The Nation” that it was a man who was aggrieved on the manner a pig ate his food in annoyance threw the arrow towards the pig.

It was the kind of arrow used to kill whales and sharks inside the ocean that hit the little boy Consequently, the boy became unconscious and fell down, rolling in his pool of blood. Then, commotion came. There was confusion in the community as youths in the area went on rampage with the intention of killing the arrow shooter.

However, the timely intervention of the community leader, Apostle Elijah Enikuomehin brought the

News

How three-year old boy survived arrow attack From Damisi Ojo, Akure

situation to normalcy.

For the survival of the lucky boy, Enikuomehin who is also the spiritual leader of the community quickly moved the boy to a clinic at Okesiri within the area where the nurse met on duty advised that the boy should be moved to Okitipupa.

The rescue team in swift response quickly moved the boy to Okitipupa where the boy was first taken to a private hospital. But the medical doctor who owns the hospital also referred Feranmi to the General Hospital at Okitipupa.

At the General Hospital, the Doctors on duty directed that the boy should be rushed to the University Teaching Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

Feranmi was rushed down to the UCH and they got to the hospital around 10pm without meeting any medical practitioner to attend to the hapless boy. The nurses advised that the boy have to wait till the following day when the doctors would be on duty.

All the family members who accompanied the little boy to the hospital from Ondo riverine community had sleepless night as the boy continued to reel in pains.

At exactly 9.am the subse-

•Feranmi with the arrow on his head before the operation.

quent day, on arrival of the doctors they moved little Feranmi to the surgery unit for operation. Nobody, even the doctors thought the boy could survive the trauma.

But, providence took control and he was operated successfully. In fact, the medical doctors used the surgery as an experiment. The UCH management demanded for advance payment which his parents could not even afford.

However, after three

Osun to pay minimum wage

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SUN State Government has expressed readiness to pay the N18,000 minimum wage after fulfilling all the conditions necessary for its implementation.

At an exhaustive meeting with leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Joint Negotiating Councils 1, 2 and 3 during the weekend, Governor Rauf Aregbesola agreed to pay the N18, 000.00 minimum wage to all workers from Grades Level 01 to 07 with immediate effect.

By the state government concession, workers on salary Grade Level 01 would now be paid N18,000.00 as opposed to the N9,000, which they currently earn.

But workers on salary Grade Levels 08 to 17 are being pro-rated in the implementation of the Minimum Wage in ascending order of magnitude.

A statement by the governor’s Media aide, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, said: “All workers are covered in the implementation of the Minimum Wage Law. “Governor Rauf Aregbesola has given a firm commitment to full implementation of the Minimum Wage Law as soon as the finances of the state government improve.

“As at the time of negotiation, the governor explained that retirees and pensioners were being owed arrears of N2.4 billion of yetto-be-paid claims.

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

“This concession by the government arose from the care and concern of Governor Rauf Aregbesola for the welfare of workers and people at all times despite the lean finances of the state.

“In line with the desire of the government to give the best to motivate its workforce, a Salaries and

Wages Commission is to be put in place to determine what workers receive from time to time.”

Last Friday, leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the Joint Negotiating Councils held a meeting on the N18, 000 minimum wage but could not come to a final agreement on the matter.

Operators, maritime workers mourn Kuteyi

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WEEK after the death of Josephine Oluwadamilola Kuteyi, Managing Director of Josepdam Ports Services, most maritime workers are yet to come to terms with it.

Mrs. Kuteyi along with her personal assistant and the pilot of the OAS Helicopter died last week in a crash at Ife Odan hills, in Osun State.

At the Tin Can Island Port Terminal A operated by one of her companies, majority of the workers were still in mourning mood as the atmosphere was sober.

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Omar Suleiman described the late Mrs. Kuteyi as “a very efficient, hardworking, reliable and dependable terminal operator who abides by the rules and agreement she signed with the Federal Government.”

Her company is one of those running the ports through a

By Oluwakemi Dauda

concessional agreement with the government.

A clearing agent, Sesan Olaiya said the late Kuteyi was a nice personality to relate with. One of her employees who spoke on behalf of others said the terminal had lost one of its best operators in the country.

According to him, the deceased always ensured that salaries and wages of workers are paid on time and that she did everything to promote their welfare.

The image maker of the terminal operators, Mr Bolaji Akinola rated her as a very good business woman who took her job very seriously.

“The woman was good to all and I can confirm to you that there was no report that she owed her workers salary until death took her.

We are all sad over her death and pray to God to keep her family and her business,” Akionla said.

•Feranmi after...

hours in rigorous operation in the theater, the medical team, headed by Dr. Adeleye completed the surgery but with the probability that the boy may or may not survive. At this point, the people who escorted the boy to UCH went on fervent prayers to seek God’s intervention on the survival of the innocent boy.

According to Enikuomehin, ‘At this point, we began serious prayer because it was evident that if the boy fails to survive, the entire community will go up in flames. Tension is already heightened as the youths are ready to attack the man who threw the arrow ‘Since the doctors were not sure of his survival, we had no other option than to em-

bark on serious prayers. People at home also joined us in praying for the boy’s survival.

‘The boy was placed on oxygen guide through-out the period. It was at this point his father; Mr. Eri Adebawo arrived at the hospital in tears”.

In a miraculous way, the boy, however survived after spending three days at the intensive care unit. Later, the hospital’s management demanded that the parents should settle the bill but there was no specific response because there was no means to pay the money.

However, the Chief Information Officer of UCH, Mr. Toye Akinrinlola who is reportedly connected to Governor Mimiko assisted the parents of the little boy by mak-

7

ing a call through to the state chief executive of Ondo State on hearing that the family is from the state.

As fate would have it, it was at the point of discharging the boy that his father got the wind that the Governor had already paid for the medical bill.

Adebawo who expressed surprise was full of praises for the governor for setting the huge bill.

Adebawo said, ‘The governor’s gesture to us is a surprise.

Without knowing whether the person is actually from his state, the governor graciously paid for the medical expenses.

“He did not even see the boy, he did not use the boy’s case for his political gain up till now, and the governor has not set his eyes on the boy. So we want to tell the whole world that the governor has the knack for assisting people” The delighted lawmaker representing Ilaje state constituency 11 in the State House of Assembly, Barrister Gbenga Edema was full of praises to Governor Mimiko for his benevolence to the boy and his parents.

He described the kind gesture of Governor Mimiko as a testimony of his caring heart programme.

Edema said, “The governor h as again demonstrated that he is the governor of everybody both the rich and the poor, both the high and the low.

“I am happy that at the end of the day, the boy is alive. His case is mysterious, but miraculously God saved him through the Governor’s benevolence”.

Already, to affirm that the little kid is in perfect condition, he had gone twice for medical check up at UCH, Ibadan where the operation took place and the medical report showed that the boy had a success operation and hence, he has overcome the trauma.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

News

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Legal tussle slowing down Yakowa, says lawmaker

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(L-R); Bishop Anglican Church, Akoko Diocese, Rt. Revd. G.A Akinbiyi, Chief Judge of Ondo State and Father of the bride, Justice Sehinde Kumuyi, the Groom, Olayowola Ige and the bride, Oluwatola, Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko and his wife, Olukemi during the wedding between Tola and Olatiwola Ige at at St John Anglican Church, Ogbagi Akoko, Ondo State yesterday.

MEMBER of Kaduna State House of Assembly representing Kawo constituency on the platform of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Hon. Mohammed Ali yesterday attributed the slow pace of development to legal battles against the election of Governor Patrick Yakowa.

He said there appear ed to be no definite direction and vision for the state’s progress.

Ali spoke to newsmen after empowering about 380 youths and women from his constituency.

He said: “The government of Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa as of today has no direction for

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

obvious reasons. They are not doing what they are supposed to do. I wouldn’t know if it is because of the case they have at the election tribunal.

“Until that is settled, we cannot give a very good account of their performance, positive or negative, but on the whole they have not done very much in the last two months”.

He lamented that Yakowa has not done anything to improve security and welfare of the people.

The lawmaker said he was moved to pity about the conditions of his constituents and initiated a skill

acquisition programme barely 60 days assumption of office.

According to him, 50 women are graduating from the skill acquisition programme while 70 youths are currently undergoing different trainings at the Federal Ministry of Labour and productivity and other Training Centres in Kaduna.

On his future plans, he said: “I also intend to sponsor 10 youth to the Airforce Institute of Technology. This is the only way we can really develop and free our people from poverty. This is just a practical way of fighting poverty, not just making mere pronouncement.’’

Oyo’s controversial appointments Bisi Oladele examines the controversy that has arisen over the list of would-be commissioners and caretaker committees of local government released by the Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, on Thursday.

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HOSE who are familiar with the goings-on in Oyo politics, particularly regarding the current administration in the state, would appreciate the protest by some members of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in four local government areas of Ibadan against the list of caretaker committee members submitted by Governor Abiola Ajimobi on Thursday as an expression of the beauty of democracy.

The politicians had gathered at the State House of Assembly to protest what they described as “unfair” treatment while alleging that the governor shortchanged them by appointing members of the Accord Party (AP) as chairmen of the committees in the four local governments. They complained that the development was a disservice to the ACN members in the affected local governments and urged the lawmakers not to approve the AP candidates to head the councils. The councils are: Ona Ara, Lagelu, Egbeda and Ibadan North.

Ajimobi’s decision was, however, borne out of his personal agreement with the leader of the AP in the state, Senator Rashidi Ladoja. The AP won in the abovelisted four councils and produced the state lawmakers. The party also produced three other lawmakers to make seven. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) produced 12 lawmakers while the ruling party produced the remaining 13 lawmakers in the 32-member House.

A major delay in constituting the leadership of the House was caused by moves by the two opposition parties to unite against Ajimobi’s ACN with the sole aim of producing the Speaker. After several secret meetings between leaders of the PDP and AP lawmakers, Ajimobi approached Ladoja who is his cousin and struck an alliance that helped the ACN produce the Speaker in the only female member of the House, Hon. Monsurat Sunmonu, a London-trained administrator.

For the deal to scale through, Ajimobi had to concede the position of Deputy Speaker and another principal office in the House to AP as well as a pledge to

incorporate AP members in the caretaker committees of the four local government areas of Ibadan where it won both the House and governorship election. There was also an agreement to incorporate the AP in the cabinet.

According to Ajimobi’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Dr Festus Adedayo, “The agreement between Senator Rashidi Ladoja and the Oyo State governor was one of the best that the ACN could ever get. One, with its 13-12-7 membership ratio in the House for ACN, PDP and AP respectively, the House would have been hell for Ajimobi if he had not had a deal with Ladoja over the sharing of appointments. Indeed, the ACN would not have produced a Speaker if Ajimobi had not struck that deal with Ladoja.

“During the accord meeting between Ladoja and Ajimobi, the former requested to have 50 per cent of all Ajimobi’s appointments. The latter declined and said that he was only prepared to concede the local governments where Ladoja had won in the state. Incidentally, Ladoja only won in four local governments out of 33.

So, Ajimobi agreed to give him four caretaker chairmen and three cabinet •Ajimobi members, out of 16.

“If Ajimobi had not struck that agreement, the ACN would have been in “Indeed, Alhaji Lam Adesina, the great peril as his government would be party leader in the state, approved the list constantly threatened by a hostile as the governor gave him the list to see if combine of PDP and AP which, between it conformed with their agreement.” them, would have produced 19 House Another factor causing slight delay in members, as against ACN’s 13. sorting things out may not be “Ajimobi went a step forward to tell unconnected with the cosmopolitan Ladoja that he must give him three names nature of the current ACN in the state. each and they must be university The party, which licked its wound after graduates with at least 15 years of unresolved internal wrangling led to its experience. Ajimobi wants quality cabinet rout in the 2007 election, became a and chairmen whom the state can be coalition of different groups but which proud of, different from the past when are bound by the common cord of thugs and bus conductor operators were progressive worldview. council chairmen. The governor deserves The remnants of the traditional party kudos from his party men and Oyo State members loyal to the leader, Alhaji Lam for his eye on quality. The governor Adesina, were later joined by Ajimobi and ensured that each local government sent his crowd of supporters from their representatives and he adhered to sojourn in the All Nigeria Peoples Party virtually all their nominees (ANPP) while Dr Ismail Adewusi and his followers also returned to the fold after

years of nursing the 2007 wounds. The team was also strengthened by those who decamped from the PDP which experienced its own turn of internal disunity worsened by the loss of credibility by the party in the Southwest in the last three years due to violence, election rigging and allegations of lack of performers by PDP governors in the region.

This factor necessitated the principle of fair sharing of opportunities among all the groups and all those contributed to the success of the ACN in the election.

For an Ajimobi, who is bent on assembling a team of egg-heads that will drive his electoral promise of restoring the state to its glorious position, the multiple interests competing for consideration become a factor slowing down decisions.

As much as the new governor is bent on patronizing quality, as a leader, he would also be careful not to allow his decisions to break the party, which is considered his home base.

Therefore, from both sides, the governor can be justified for having negotiated a deal that helped the party and its government take a firm control of the administration while the protesting party men would also be spared for expressing their fundamental rights over what they considered unfavourable.

As usual in politics, it is believed that the controversy would remain a minor irritation which is part of democracy.

Those nominated for the positions of commissioners are: Barr Kazeem Adedeji (South), Dr. Olaniyi Olarinde (SOUTH), Alhaji Dauda O. Wasiu (North), Hon. Peter O. Odetomi (North), Nureni Adisa (South), Dr. Abass Olopoeniyan (North), Ajiboye Omodewu (North), and Abimbola Kolade (Central).

Others include Adeolu Adeleke, (Central), Barr Bosun Oladele (North), Mrs. Tinuke Oshunkoya (South), Zachius Adelabu (Central), Barr Bayo Ojo (South), Lowo Obisesan (South), Mrs. Tokunbo Fayokun (South), and Barr Esther Akerele (North).

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

Politics

Political Politics

Tribunal grants Akomas more time to inspect electoral materials

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HE Abia State Election Petition tribunal sitting in Umuahia has granted the prayers of the candidate of the Progressive Peoples’ Alliance (PPA) during the last April 26 election, Chris Akomas for extension of the period earlier granted him for examination of election materials.

The three -man tribunal

From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

headed by Justice Mobolaji Ojo had earlier granted Akomas 14 days to inspect the materials at the INEC office in Umuahia as against the 4-6 weeks he requested for the exercise.

The tribunal granted the extension relief because the state INEC was not allowing the petitioner ac-

cess to inspect the materials as directed during its 15th of July sitting.

Counsel to the petitioner, Uwemedinimo Nwoko, had demanded for inspection of the materials to detect irregularities and manipulations during the election.

The governor’s counsel, Chief Wole Olanikpekun (SAN) did not object to the

extension of time for inspection.

PDP and INEC’s counsels also raised no objection.

Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Ojo adjourned till August 11 and warned INEC to stop wasting time and allow the petitioner inspect the materials used for the governorship election.

Epe is future of Lagos - Ikuforiji

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PEAKER of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji has said Epe remains the future of the state despite apparent neglect of the division by successive governments.

He spoke during a courtesy visit by the Epe Division Leaders Forum led by its chairman, Alhaji Akanni Seriki to his office at the Assembly complex last Friday.

Adeyemi emphasised that Epe has a glorious past, adding that despite the fact that it has been neglected, it remains the biggest of the five divisions in the state.

He said: “Epe is the most

By Oziegbe Okoeki

naturally blessed. Apart from being one third of the state in terms of land mass, Epe division is blessed with vast land, greenery, beach, lagoons and streams. ‘’There are few places in the world that can compete with the type of natural beauty of the division.’’

Other members of the delegation include Dr Tola Kasali, a former commissioner in the state, who is the vice chairman of the group.

Adeyemi condemned a situation where Epe has been neglected when it

comes to largesse from the state government.

Raising the hope of his kinsmen however, Ikuforiji, who said he was overwhelmed by the visit, urged the people of the area not to be discouraged.

Ikuforiji said, “The state has no other place to run to.

It cannot dream of a decade or two without Epe. Many things will force the state to look up to Epe Division.”

On the visit, he said: “It is the love of the people for me; they recognise that their son is in authority and that they need to be associated with him, carry him along in whatever they are

doing. It is a new re-awakening in the entire Epe division.”

Kasali said that the Forum decided to visit the Speaker as a prelude to presenting a document to Governor Raji Fashola on the demands of Epe people.

“We believe we should ask for development in Epe Division, which is lagging behind in the scheme of things. We feel we should be able to ask for what we need through our son, who is the number three man in the state. Our requests are in prints and we will send it to the Governor,” he stated.

Jang swears in 19 commissioners

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LATEAU State governor, Jonah Jang has inaugurated 19 commissioners after their confirmation by the State House of Assembly.

Jang urged members of the State Executive council to step in with great zeal and commitment and inject initiatives that will add value to governance.

He said: “The first four years of the administration hinged its focus on a ten point agenda with special emphasis on development. ‘’In the coming four years, the people should be rest assured that redemption train will move with more determination than in the last tenure.”

“Realising the challenges that confront us in the second tenure, we are reviewing the ten point agenda to be reformulated to come up with a pragmatic approach to development which will be closely related with the ten point agenda.”

He charged the appointees to “be humbled by this privileged position you have found yourselves, just as I feel personally humbled to be called by God and the people of the state”.

The new commissioners comprise four women and fifteen men including 4 returnees.

The returnees are: Mrs. Sarah Yusuf formerly of Women Ministry now in Environment; Athanasius Nanle, formerly of Lands and Survey now moved Education; Idi Waziri returning to Water Resources Ministry as well as Christopher Hassan of Local Govern-

•Some of the commissioners during the event From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

ment and Chieftaincy Affairs now redeployed Works and Transport.

The new comers include: Olivia Dazyam(Women Affairs); Dr. Fom Dakwak (Health); James Yakubu (Sports Development); Helen

Miner (Commerce and Industries); Davou Mang (Finance); Abdullahi A.Gamzaki (Special Duties) and Bulus S.Maren (Housing and Urban Development).

Others are Bako Famak (Youth Development); Abraham Yiljab( Information

and Communications); Sylvanus L. Dontoe( Tourism, Culture and Hospitality); Paul S. Wai (Local government and Chieftaincy Affairs); Naven S. Barko( Agriculture); Comfort N. Piwuna, (Science and technology) Yilji M. J. Gomwalk( Lands and Survey) and Agwom S. Adubok (Solid minerals).

Imo gets 24 acting chairmen

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WENTY four caretaker committee chairmen cleared by the Imo House of Assembly have been sworn-in by Governor Rochas Okorocha.

Okorocha challenged them to commence actions towards implementing the rescue agenda for the state.

He reminded them of the existing collaboration between the state and local councils in executing some

From: Emma Mgbeahurike, Owerri

projects, especially in the areas of education, security and health-care delivery.

He tasked them to embark on verification exercise at their various councils to fish out ghost workers in line with his rescue agenda.

Okorocha also urged them to carry everyone along and desist from delving into

controversies that might create problems for them.

He warned that any of them caught with corrupt practices would be dropped.

The Caretaker Chairman for Owerri Municipal, Hon. Gladys Amuneke spoke on behalf of her colleagues.

She assured the governor of their loyalty and readiness to partner with him in executing his rescue agenda.

9

turf

with Bolade Omonijo boladeomonijo@yahoo.com

The al-Mustapha show

I

F Major Hamza al-Mustapha had not enrolled in the Nigerian Army, he probably would have made a lot of money in the booming Nollywood. He demonstrated his prowess in acting in the past week as he turned the court room into a drama stage. He began to reel out the names of people who were allegedly “settled” by General Abdulsalami Abubakar to elicit support for his transition programme.

That Abubakar needed to appease the southwest over first, the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election by the IBB regime, and then the mysterious death of Chief Moshood Abiola was crystal clear. That was the ingredient that Mustapha the story teller needed to piece his story together. And, he told it well. To lawyers, journalists and an interested public.

A number of questions have been asked the Major who wielded all sorts of power under the regime of Maximum Ruler Sani Abacha. The Major could probably be likened to Chemical Ali under the Saddam Hussein regime in Iraq. He punished Generals who were far senior to him and hid his boss at will. He reportedly ran other unofficial errands for his boss, the Head of State.

In the court room during the week, he promised to provide video that would expose the Afenifere leaders, he sought to tarnish the “good guy” image Abubakar and told stories that many lawyers would consider not particularly relevant to the charge that al-Mustapha despached the late Mrs. Kudirat Abiola while the husband was kept in captivity by the regime that the Major worked for.

Al-Mustapha tried to turn public sympathy in his favour. He wanted to cut the picture of the oppressed.

Mustapha, oppressed? He dropped names at will, big names, and sang like canary bird. He said Nuhu Ribadu had been sent to eliminate him, a charge that the former Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) denied. He said Adesanya and Ige visited Aso Villa looking angry and came out quite happy, suggesting that palms had been greased behind closed doors from the money allegedly withdrawn the previous day by Abdulsalami.

In all this, what the major seeks to achieve could easily be lost on those enjoying the drama. It is left to the court to determine what weight to attach to the video played out before the judge and admitted in evidence.

But the central questions would not be the role of Abdulsalami in the death of Abiola or the aftermath. It is not what role dead heroes like the late Attorney General Bola Ige and Afenifere leader Abraham Adesanya played that matter in this case. It is the role that al-Mustapha played in Kudirat’s murder. The late CSO was quick to present himself as a man who had been kept behind the bars by the state. He however hid the fact that much of the stalling came through applications by his attorney.

The impression that any dispassionate follower of the case would have is that al-Mustapha was the man trying to avoid justice.

At a point that it has become obvious that there is no longer a hiding place, the Major is now evoking sympathy. It is my view that justice should be done in all cases and at all times. No man should be considered too evil to be availed access to justice. It is unacceptable that any man would be kept behind the bars, undergoing trial for about 12 years. Whether el-Mustapha contrived it or the prosecution was tardy, the judicial system cannot escape the blame for condoning or promoting such delay.

It amounts to injustice.

Now that his “all-important letter” has been read and video played, it is time for the judge to take full charge.

The justice of the case must be done and seen to be done.

Is al-Mustapha guilty as charged? This question should be answered now.

Integration of the Southwest One direct benefit that has come the way of the people of the Southwest following the victories recorded last year in Osun and Ekiti States, and this year in Oyo and Ogun State by the relatively progressive Action Congress of Nigeria is the proposed combination of efforts by all governments in the region.

It is gratifying to note that Ondo State is not left out and that Edo may play a key role. It is an opportunity to demonstrate that all the states in the region can exist without depending on sale of crude oil. It is scandalous that, as things stand today, the only state in the zone that could stand in case of a crash of price of crude oil to its 1999 level is Lagos. This should not be so and the new helmsmen in the region have realised this.

The June 30 meeting in Ado-Ekiti is a clarion call on all. The people must be sensitized to appreciate the beauty of the move. Tentative steps have been taken. It is left for us all to rise to the occasion. In unity lies strength.

10

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

Essay

With debt crisis over, the real one begins A

FEW days ago, a somber President Obama walked before a microphone stationed on the White House Lawn to announce catastrophe had been averted. After weeks of contrived vituperation between Republican leaders and the Democratic White House, Congress hurriedly passed legislation lifting the debt ceiling.

The President more hurriedly signed the measure. The deal came at tremendous costs to those who depend on government. The agreement approved an initial tranche of $900 billion in budget cuts over the next decade. A super-committee of twelve Congress members will identify a further $1.5 trillion in cuts. If this “dastardly dozen” cannot agree, $1.2 trillion in cuts will automatically ensue.

With debt ceiling resolved, President Obama declared he would focus on job creation and rebuilding America. Either he has a short memory or believes America does.

He said this in 2009 to no avail. He repeated the vow several times in 2010 to less avail. What pray tell makes this pledge different from the prior broken ones? Nothing save it is an even weaker edition of those preceding it.

Striding from the microphone, he must have been conscious of what he had accomplished. For over a year, this column has offered this refrain: “Not only did he become the first Black Democratic president, but Barack Obama has governed as if he were the first Black Republican in the White House. This man campaigns as a Democrat but governs like a Republican redolent of first President Bush except with oratorical skills. As such, President Obama’s version of bipartisanship is an unprecedented one. Instead finding bipartisanship in this switch, a less refined eye would mistake it for a swindle, a dissimulation of the highest order.

Strenuously advocating massive budget cuts at a time of economic severity, President Obama has co-engineered with Republicans an attack against the federal institutions of social welfare and equity established by Democrat Franklin Roosevelt, later reinforced

by Democrats Kennedy and Johnson. It is a quirk of history and a tragedy of tragedy that America’s first Black president would esteem the bones of Ronald Reagan more than he would the legacy of Roosevelt. In his economic principles, Obama has abandoned the past eighty years of the Democratic Party. Why he joined the party is anyone’s speculation but it cannot be a function of personal commitment to the party’s core principles.

What can be said with certainty is that, after climbing to the top of the heap, he has rewarded the party that served as his vehicle by eviscerating it. He has trampled upon its core beliefs as one would a soiled carpet. Under his leadership, the party has become dispirited and void of direction. The Democratic Party behaves like a timid, milder version of the Republicans.

The parties no longer disagree about the direction of the nation but only about the pace of the agreed retrogression. The difference between the two is the different between vanilla and French vanilla (my apologies to the French).

Before his presidency, America was engaged in a protracted, decades-long debate. One side sought the economic strength and vitality of the more regulated 1950’s economy while joining that economy with today’s greater socio-economic and political freedoms. These are the liberals. The other side wanted to maintain today’s unregulated financialism while resurrecting the more elitist

He who mistakes an ordinary storm for a hurricane is apt to mistake a hurricane for an ordinary storm.

By Brian Browne and closed social and political ways of the 1950s. These are the conservatives. The political debate is over, killed by a dagger in the back. President Obama ended it by collapsing the beliefs of his party into those of the Republican.

When President Obama made his statement on the White House lawn, you saw the two faces of Barack. Talking about the debt agreement, he was at his natural state, speaking the language of Republican governance.

Raising the issue of jobs, he switched to campaign mode, changing from Republican face to Democratic façade.

It was a seamless transition, artfully done. Yet, it amounted nothing more than desiccated words of hollow meaning. After signing a deal clipping the federal budget, he has erased the chance for additional funds essential to create a meaningful jobs program. After setting the house ablaze, his claim to wanting to hang pictures and drapes is unconvincing.

He is like the farmer with milk pail in hand walking toward the barn.

Having sold his lone cow days ago, he strides to the barn not to fetch milk but to escape a nagging wife and hungry children. He will return empty handed. By then his brood will be quiet because they have fallen asleep. For him, all will be well at that point. This is the President’s tack.

He knows there is no money for jobs creation. Thus, he can speak of it more easily than when it was a real possibility for he has no sincere desire for an ambitious jobs program.

If he did, He would have pushed hard when he enjoyed Democratic majorities in Congress. He speaks of it now to lull people into believing he remains at their side despite how far he has traveled with the Republicans.

He hopes to induce their slumber so they do not critically assess the damage done to their economic interests.

He need not have labored at this subterfuge. Having signed the debt agreement, he has proven to be a faithful lieutenant to money power. He has done their bidding better than imagined. He will be duly rewarded.

The debt ceiling agreement makes it almost certain that he will return to office in 2012. Money power will help their loyal servitor remain in place. The campaign chest he amasses will make him nigh unbeatable; the vast portion of that money will come from large financiers.

More than any other public official, President Obama is responsible for pawning Roosevelt’s New Deal, the revered grail of the Democratic Party. He has committed arson in the sacristy with barely a whimper from Blacks, progressives or other minorities. Had he been White, a cry would have erupted. Had he been a White Republican, a “hue” would have accompanied the “cry.” That he is Black has silenced the constituencies most adversely impacted by his stealthy, yet firm, conservatism. If people would close their eyes to the superficial, they could better see the ruse in perpetration. If ten people were sent to the present from twenty years ago and given a list of President Obama’s policy positions, nine would conclude the Chief Executive was a Republican.

Many Democrats are angry at the deal yet underestimate their man’s complicity. They lament he is a poor negotiator who folded like an inexpensive lawn chair in a gale. He crumpled like paper in an angry fist they say. This maudlin theory is belied by hard fact. President Obama was not pushed to the wall. He walked to it willingly. He got most

• Obama of what he wanted from the deal. He wanted a whopping $3 trillion in cuts but managed $2.4 trillion. Regarding total cuts, Republicans were less energetic butchers than he. Likewise with the reductions in social security he advocated; Republicans were more circumspect toward the pension plan than the Democratic President. The bones of old Democrats must have been rattling in their graves at this turn of fate. Last, he did not get the $1 trillion in extra revenue from higher taxes on the rich. The President had publicly advanced this as his demand that the rich carry their fair share of the burden of budget reduction. Not so.

Under the agreement, the monies would have been used to lower the debt not fund new or existing programs. The money would have been paid mostly to institutional creditors of the government. As such, these revenues would have constituted an elaborate redistribution of income from one subset of the affluent to a smaller subset of the more affluent.

This was nothing more than a gimmick the President ultimately abandoned because it meant nothing in substance.

The American economy is a ruptured vessel at the moment. Growth was an infinitesimal 0.4 percent in the first quarter of the year and barely above one percent for the second. Unemployment climbs, consumer spending is down, housing prices continue to fall, and states and municipal governments stagger toward bankruptcy. Industrial capacity is idle. Banks are lending less and hoarding money, girding their positions for the next visit of recession.

In this environment, the federal government should spend more to prop up these ailing actors. Instead, it has turned its back and closed the door.

Before the debt ceiling workout, recession was a distinct possibility.

Now it is a better than even bet.

The imminent recession may not be as dramatic as 2008 but it will have greater meaning. Given that President Obama and his Republican political consorts have foreclosed expansionary government outlays, when recession comes, it will park and stay. Government revenue will fall because of reduced tax receipts caused by reduced business activity.

Because of lower revenue, the public debt will grow despite the recent deal. Another round of budget cuts will be demanded. This time, social security will be placed on the table and will not be removed until it has felt the blade. A negative dynamic of recession and deflationary government policy exacerbating recession will be set in motion. This dynamic will not abate for the greater part of a decade.

But in the more immediate term

leading to the 2012 presidential election, the nation will experience what will be pictured as a “mild recession.”

To those suffering the ill effects, the downturn will feel anything but mild. Yet, they will believe the description given them because the experts hired by corporate media would have told them so. As good, decent people, they will believe what the experts tell them rather than make the judgment themselves. Enter President Obama, the Democratic campaigner. During the next year, he will campaign on a pledge of job growth and increased taxes for the rich. He will say the Republicans have blocked these two measures and their recalcitrance produced the recession.

Money Power will help his campaign. The Tea Party has fulfilled its usefulness and has proven a bit too unruly for the likes of the financial class. The media will begin to turn against the Tea Party. Heretofore they have been painted as ardent if sometimes ignorant patriots. They will now be portrayed as a motley stew of blockhead fascists and dullwitted, hillbilly racists. The corporate money that once funded the Tea Party will evaporate. This once raucous party will be over. It will fade so quickly within the next year that it will seem more like a bad dream than a past reality. The Tea Party’s demise will help pave the way for Barack Obama’s reelection in a recession. The reelection will be an affirmation of his “responsible, mature bipartisan stewardship.” Upon his return to the White House, he will resume the Republican way of governance. Then comes the deluge.

What this means for America is sad. What it means for Black America is a stampeding disaster. Already, the Black economic condition is worse than in the past three decades. Four more years of unimaginative, conservative economic governance will not result in prosperity. It will produce the opposite. Black Americans will be caught in straits no different than an economic depression. Black America generally will be reduced to an economic and social status that would be today’s version of what obtained prior to the civil rights movement. In essence, Black America will face its gravest threat in a half century; it is a threat to the economic promise implied by the civil rights movement. What makes the threat even bitterer is having a Black President lead the onslaught.

Yet, loyal to a fault and dumb as sheep, Black people continue to rally around the man whose very mission is to recast the economy in a way that harms them. His priority is not to harm them. They are not worthy of the attention required to be the top priority. His priority is to safeguard the interests of big money. Black people are just collateral damage thus is aloof indifference to their plight.

Yet, when a few White commentators last week called the President racist names, the Black community rose, incensed more by the name calling than by the actual damage to their economic interests caused by decisions the President made of his unfettered volition. The battle of the mind remains the ultimate one. Influence a people’s thinking and there is no need to fight them. They will sacrifice themselves for you.

If capable of asserting America that is not at war in Libya, President Obama is capable of talking about change while knowing full well the change he wants is not the change his supporters seek. His may well be the biggest electoral deception in modern American history. No Presidential in the past century as ever

stood so far removed from the beliefs of his core supporters and his party. President Obama is phenomenal indeed for he personifies a negative aspect of American racial equality. He has proven a Black President can be just as manipulative, biased and insensitive as any White man who previously occupied the position. As such, he has sampled the yeast of Nixon, Reagan and Bush with a sprinkling of Clinton tossed in for bipartisan measure. Yet, we should neither applaud him nor thank him for this show of equality.

This story does not end well.

The debt ceiling agreement is a mere sampling of a bitter cup. Because they were told that it would avert financial wreckage, Black people swallowed hard and said not a word in opposition. That they stoically endured the first installment will be rewarded with more turns at the tainted chalice. Each gulp will be followed by the demand that they take a bigger gulp yet this cup of sorrow shall never run dry. Black people will be asked to endure serial reductions to government social services, employment and their overall economic condition. Unless Black people quickly shed this blind, ignorant racial loyalty to one who is not loyal to them they shall be done in.

Black America better clear its eyes.

The only way it stands a chance of stopping its imminent diminishment is to confront the man in the White House. Veteran Congressman and rights activist John Conyers said about the debt agreement, “people should be protesting in front of the White House.” He said this not because of what Republicans made President Obama do but because of what the President did of his own free will. Conyers was right because he knows the President has tethered himself to the pillars of high finance.

Unless Black America squarely confronts President Obama by informing him not to count on its support unless he adjusts his political compass, Black America will see harrowing times. Some will argue the President represents the lesser of two evils. That may be but it offers little strategic consolation because he cannot be president forever. After his middling performance, a Republican will surely come to office for four or eight years. That President Obama has acted like a timid Republican will not mitigate the hardness of his more genuine successor. This would mean that Republicans or a quasi Republican would have governed the nation unabated for at least the first score of the century and maybe the century’s first quarter. However you assess it, that scenario is unpleasant.

Black people need the courage to tell him that they may be better off seeing him lose in 2012 so a Democrat more committed to the values of the Party can emerge in 2016. This scenario presents a chance for a break in conservative governance and it may scare President Obama so that he starts to think straight.

At bottom, he must be forced to choose whom he serves, the mass of people or the power of money. It would be beneficial if the President faced stiff primary challenge from the progressive wing of the party.

This might also force him to adjust his smug, pro-financier calculations.

Sadly, neither the leadership of the black community nor the Democratic Party has such bold moves in them. Things will continue as they are. For Black people, this means doing away with the usual requirement of sleep in order to experience a nightmare. This is a monstrous legacy for a Black President but one he has freely chosen. I hope the turn of events proves me quite wrong. May God have mercy on Black America should the tally of future events prove me right.

THE NATION

11

ON SUNDAY

COMMENT and ANALYSIS AUGUST 7, 2011

Hamza Al-Mustapha the songbird Festus Eriye

Abacha’s former chief enforcer is neither hero nor victim

efestus2003@yahoo.com 08052135878 (SMS only)

O

NCE upon a time Major Hamza AlMustapha, former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to General Sani Abacha, inspired so much dread it was said a four-star general arrested for coup plotting defecated on himself when hauled before him. This story was confirmed by the major who said Julius Berger officials had to be called in to fumigate the office where the senior officer evacuated his bowels.

Al-Mustapha may have been divested of his menacing aura after 12 years in Kirikiri, but he has clearly not lost his capacity for mischief. In the last one week, in the course of court appearances, he has been singing with all the gusto of a Grammy Award-winning canary. And what a bizarre performance it has been!

We have been treated to all manner of sensational allegations. We are told that former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nuhu Ribadu, was once commissioned to assassinate the major – a charge that the accused has vigorously denied.

Of particular interest to lots of people was the claim that senior Yoruba politicians of the period – especially former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Bola Ige and former Afenifere leader, Abraham Adesanya – frustrated the release of the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola from detention and received monetary inducement not to make waves following his shock demise.

Documentary evidence to back the claim was said to exist on a videotape to be shown to the court. That very prospect caused a large crowd to besiege the Lagos High Court venue of the trial on Thursday, to watch the “traitors” collecting their blood money.

In the event, Al-Mustapha delivered the dampest of damp squibs. His hot video only showed one minute of Adesanya and other activists speaking to journalists after meeting former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar.

When they were first made, the allegations fed into public suspicions that some prominent South-Western political leaders were actually compromised, and that was the reason some were less than enthusiastic in fighting Abiola’s corner while his struggle lasted. At least, Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) leader, Gani Adams, in his reaction appeared to suggest that the allegations confirmed the fears harboured by some of those in the struggle at that point.

As is often the case once conspiracy theories are unveiled, they just take on a life of their own. In spite of the fact that the major’s video has not delivered anything that was not available on Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) at that time, there are some who insist Al-Mustapha’s charges cannot be dismissed out of hand given the key role he played at the heart of Abacha’s junta.

I don’t know what the position of the

•al-Mustapha

law is regarding making injurious allegations in court without supporting proof. I am aware that courtesy of parliamentary immunity statements made in the safety of the legislative chamber are not actionable in the court of law.

Al-Mustapha has made grave allegations of bribe-taking against Ige and Adesanya – men who projected themselves in public as symbols of integrity. It is deeply significant and convenient that both are no longer living. Dead men don’t write rejoinders. But one day, if the major ever walks out of Kirikiri a free man, he could find himself confronting a slew of law suits from some of those whose reputations he has so casually tarnished.

We are not just talking of slander here.

By Al-Mustapha’s admittance in the court of law, he is aware that serious crimes like murder were committed by senior officials.

He also has evidence to back those claims – especially additional mystery videotapes being held back for now for reasons of “national security.”

He has said in court what many have whispered in beer parlours across the land that Abiola and Abacha were murdered.

He has given very broad hints that the trail of the supposed conspiracy went to the very top of national leadership of the day.

Unfortunately for everybody, AlMustapha who was driving Abacha’s protection machine has not helped the business of discovery by providing fresh evidence or shedding new light. Instead he has served up the same warmed-over tales by moonlight shorn of all entertainment value.

Given the bad blood existing between the major and General Abubakar, I dare say he would have released any strong incriminating evidence linking the former

Head of State to the supposed choreographed elimination of the nation’s twin headaches circa 1998 – Abiola and Abacha.

Let’s keep in perspective the fact that the major’s trial is actually in relation to whatever role he may or may not have played in the murder of Abiola’s wife, Kudirat. Most people are still trying to make sense of what the defence strategy is as it hurls these grave charges at everyone in sight.

Even by layman’s logic it is obvious that none of this is helping the major clear his name regarding the crime for which he has been charged. If anything, this is hurting his image. Security types have been built up as having deep goods on the rest of us whereas all they may really have are harmless NTA tapes. Worse still, it is beginning to look like the 12-year stint in Kirikiri is beginning to affect his grip on reality.

So if the dramatic storytelling is not directed at securing an acquittal what is it supposed to achieve? I strongly suspect that this is a play for public sympathy; an attempt at an image makeover.

The major would like to recast himself as some heroic figure who exposed the filthy wheeling and dealing that goes on in the corridors of power. He wants to be seen as a Nigerian Julian Assange – showing up treacherous politicians for who they are.

He wants to be perceived as a victim set upon by forces mightier than himself.

But in reality Al-Mustapha is neither a hero nor victim. In his heyday he and the likes of Lt. Col. Frank Omenka formerly of the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) gladly terrorised, repressed and humiliated scores of innocent Nigerians just to please their master. No one will ever know how many lives were destroyed through the activities of this twosome while the Abacha junta lasted.

People like Al-Mustapha were active participants and collaborators in the systematic destruction of the institutional structures of the Nigerian Army: a situation that saw four-star generals quaking in their boots before lowly majors.

He has spent close to 12 years in Kirikiri without resolution of his legal troubles. But that is hardly anyone’s fault. From the word go it had been the deliberate strategy of his defence team to stall and frustrate the process. Judges had their integrity questioned – leading a couple of them to recuse themselves.

The vain hope was that the longer the process, the more politicised it becomes. In the end the case would get tossed out.

Things have not panned out that way.

Hopefully, after all the sensational headlines the major would settle down to presenting the facts and alibi that can extricate him from his current jam.

“Al-Mustapha is neither a hero nor victim. In his heyday he and the likes of Lt. Col. Frank Omenka formerly of the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) gladly terrorised, repressed and humiliated scores of innocent Nigerians just to please their master. No one will ever know how many lives were destroyed through the activities of this twosome while the Abacha junta lasted”

Lekan Otufodunrin lotufodunrin@yahoo.com 08050498530 (SMS only)

Banks’ betrayal of trust

OR those who bank with Bank PHB, Afribank and Springbank, I can imagine how agonising this weekend has been. Like many Nigerians, they probably got the sudden news of the takeover of their banks by the Federal Government last Friday and must have been wondering about the fate of their deposits.

Despite the assurance of the Minister of State for Finance, Dr Yerima Ngama, that “no depositor will lose a kobo” in the affected banks, I am not sure how many depositors will believe him. Most of them can’t wait till tomorrow to get to the banks and try to withdraw whatever they can get.

It is not impossible that some desperate depositors would have tried withdrawing some of their money through the ATM which definitely would have been disabled due to the takeover.

Although it was known that the nationalised banks had earlier been declared distressed and was given September 30 to recapitalise, people who still transact business with them must have believed that they would get better and meet the deadline.

Thankfully, the government after reviewing the situation has concluded that it would be risky to allow the three banks operate till September 30. I am not really surprised by this development; I wonder why it has taken this long.

I am not a finance expert, but I know enough not to trust the affected banks and some others still pretending to be financially viable with my little hard-earned money in their kitty. Many banks in the country have always put up a false image aimed at making the public believe that they are solid. They do this through all kinds of public relations and advertising guise, but the truth is now emerging with proper scrutiny by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Each time I pass by a usually palatial building of Bank PHb like the one in the New Oko Oba area of Lagos where I live, I always wonder what point the management of the bank is trying to make by erecting what I consider bogus structure as branch offices. Banks are also in the habit of making all kinds of false claims and offering various products to attract customers and it is not surprising that we are getting close to knowing their true state.

Over the years, customers have entrusted banks with their money based on what they claim to be, but gradually the trust so reposed in them is being eroded and no one is sure what to believe. At a time the CBN is promoting a cashless banking system, it is important to ensure that only viable banks are allowed to operate. It is better to have fewer banks which, like the advert of one of the leading banks says, are “big, strong and reliable” than having many banks where all kinds of shady deals are being perpetrated at the detriment of the customers.

Nigerians want to keep their money in banks where they can get it when they want it. If any of the remaining banks is still found wanting, the CBN should not hesitate to apply the necessary sanction.

F

12

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

Comment & Analysis

HE creation of NYSC was a good idea but it is standing on a bad foundation. Arguments abound on why it should be reviewed or scrapped but the military, the founder of the scheme wanted to have a legacy for their existence in governance at a given time. Nobody is denying that fact, but the scheme to all intents and purpose has outlived its usefulness. It is therefore justifiable to let the corpers be free to live their normal life while a new scheme free of inhibitions be set up.

As it is done in many places of the world, a corper is best tapped at school certificate level or when a youth is 15years old and for a period of 1 year.This level is a good pre-requisite for charting the course of a youth in life. At this age, they are amenable to whatever programme you have for them.

NYSC can be best structured as follows: one year program spread out thus; 6 months in their area of locality, then travel for three months to three different locations in the North, East and West, then return back to base to spend the last three months and wind-up the program. This proposal is far better than the old system where you stay in one place for one year and you claim to know Nigeria. Nigeria has three regions and six geo-political zones. In the proposed change, corpers would visit the three regions of Nigeria.

The present NYSC is not well structured because it is standing on the exploitative side. From a comparative analysis, 30% of Corp members are on Federal, State or local government scholarships. In some places, a student may have the Federal, State and Local Govt Scholarships together while thousands of them don’t have a single

NYSC: National development or exploitation?

From S. O. Arigbabu

scholarship.

It is a known fact that 70 percent of NYSC Corp members have gone through thick and thin with their parents to go to higher institution. Some parents sell their properties houses, land, cars, jewelries etc to send their children to school. Those that have nothing to sell go to money lenders to sell their “credibility” and name with the understanding that when this child graduates and starts to work, he or she will pay back the loan and the family will be relieved.

But when it is time to start paying back, the Federal Government comes with its big stick to say; ‘you must serve’. This is pure exploitation of poor masses.

O ba Efon labata, O yobe ti. (You found a loot by the bush and you start

to share it). In all ramifications, it means stealing, intimidation of the people and this was the beginning of 419 and corruption in Nigeria.

Federal Government did not do any research or analysis before introducing this scheme. Going by our social-economic, diverse customs and culture, some tribes would live in hunger and poverty to send their children to school.

When it is time for them to harvest and relax, NYSC hijack their happiness. The worst scenerio is that after the one that the corp members have been used and dumped, they are abandoned in the unemployment market, hence the parents are left in the cold to continue with the struggle and poverty-stricken life.

In the Vanguard Newspaper of Thursday June 2nd, 2011, Prot. Attahiru Jega said the scheme should not be scrapped. He said he did a review on

“President Jonathan should not hesitate to draw the list of institutions obnoxious in content, unconstitutional, and unethical to his new sworn oath of office and Vision 2020 aspirations. The president has promised that the time for transformation is now and it should be action, action all the way”

NYSC in 2003. For me, this statement is unfortunate coming from our new hero (the free and fair April 2011 elections).

Prof Jega should give us a break, for we are still enjoying the flavour of his last election performance.

Prof Jega and indeed fellow Nigerians should know that this moment calls for sober reflection for everybody to purge his or herself for a change to take place inside ourselves and outside. The anti-progressives have ruled this country for many decades and have maimed disgraced, eploited, massacred the people, intimidated the people and infected it with bribery and corruption etc. Now that President Jonathan is asking for the cooperation of everybody for his transformation agenda to be effective, no one should rock the boat to intercede for any area to be excluded like Prof. Jega is doing for for the NYSC. All the reviews since inception never addressed the imbalances.

President Jonathan should not hesitate to draw the list of institutions obnoxious in content, unconstitutional, and unethical to his new sworn oath of office and Vision 2020 aspirations.

The president has promised that the time for transformation is now and it should be action, action all the way.

Engineer S. O. Arigbabu writes from Mende, Maryland, Lagos)

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

Comment & Analysis

13

Autocracy by backdoor Joining the single six year-term as part of other constitutional proposals may be a Jonathan subterfuge

T

HE worries of many legal scholars, politicians and civil society activists received justification at the news that about 50 amendments will agitate legislators as they reshape the Nigerian constitution. Some of the major points include a single tenure for president and governors, a fixed tenure for the 774 local government councils, abolition of joint state-local government account, constructive true federalism, removal of prison management from exclusive list and a new revenue allocation formula.

Two important concerns will haunt the effort. One, it confirms the oft-repeated wisdom that the Nigerian constitution suffers from a severe albatross as the making of a military rather democratic mindset. Therefore, it is not necessary to make patchwork corrections, but a holistic exercise that should produce a fresh document.

Two, the amendments may be a back-door strategy to foist a single-tern agenda in the guise of a review of the constitution. This is seen as a throwback to the third-term ruse that the Obasanjo regime dramatised under the cover of a constitutional review.

A new revenue allocation formula, prison management, tax laws, police reforms and a few other proposals come within the purview of a constructive federal structure. It has been debated with noise and fury at times and with sober logic at other times that the constitution handed to us from the Abdulsalami Abubakar arrangement was anything but democratic.

A huge military overhung created a powerful centre in which the states are a groveling partner. This lopsided behemoth skewed the revenue streams in favour of the federal government and impoverished the states.

This has problematised the execution of projects and has blurred the lines among our people as to what is federal responsibility and what is state’s.

The minimum wage problem that the federal government and governors seem to have just resolved with

our labour leadership brought onto high relief the injustice of the federal allocation formula. That led the Governors Forum to pursue the matter avidly, and the federal government under President Goodluck Jonathan has shown at least symbolic signs that it is ready to address the matter.

The fundamental nature of these amendments means that a good chunk of the constitution as we know it would have been changed. This will be different from other major constitutions in the world, in which amendments have been rare and when they are changed the changes resulted from social and political upheavals in the evolving democracies. The United States is a good example. It has had only a few amendments for a constitution that has lasted over 200 years. The document has survived a slave society, a civil war, two world wars, the challenge of colour bar and Jim Crow south, the gnats of gender inequality, two depressions and a few recessions, assassinated presidents and a few other maelstroms.

It is a testament to their founding fathers and a painstaking foresight that built in ingenious flexibility into the document. That is the sort that we expect of those who make our laws. Legal documents often are products of the world views of their makers. Some scholars

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

•Editor Lekan Otufodunrin •Managing Editor Festus Eriye •Olayinka Oyegbile Deputy Editor •Associate Editor Taiwo Ogundipe

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

have asserted that it was a misnomer to expect a democratic constitution from soldiers who abide by a command structure.

We went through a similar experience of constitution making to wean the system from the autocratic sensibilities of the makers during the Obasanjo regime.

The constitution has been adjudged a fine document.

It tackled our perennial worries about police reforms, tax structure, the federal imbalance of the polity and others. But it turned out that the noble document had been sullied by an autocratic ambition: the infusion of a third-term clause that would have enabled President Olusegun Obasanjo to contest election for a third term in office.

This led to an uproar in the polity, and many saw this as another plot to subvert the system and throw up one man as synonymous with the country. Newspaper after newspaper wrote fulminating editorials, columnists bayed, and civil society bodies yelled their suspicions. The reports had it that legislators were induced with N50 million to pass the bill into law. The society was nervous because of the ambition of one man.

Eventually, the proposal foundered and a big sigh of relief eased through the land. Some believe that is what the President Jonathan supporters are up to with the inclusion of a single-term one tenure proposal for presidents and governors in the country. The signal to that is the proposal to fix tenures for the local government councils. Did the Jonathan supporters want to use this as a bait? Give the local government councils then give governors and the president.

We have argued that the single six-year term is out of sync with our aspirations as a country. One, it is not the exigent need of a country crippled by rolling blackouts, infrastructure decay, failing education, poor medical care and stark poverty.

It is high time the Jonathan administration focused on the nation’s priorities and not embroil us in needless acrimony based on personal ambition.

The needless carnage on our roads T

HE recent armed robbery attack on a luxurious bus in Kogi State has again brought to fore the high-level of insecurity on Nigerian roads. It is the bad shape or rather poor condition of these highways that makes it necessary for motorists plying such routes to slow down while approaching failed portions of the roads that sometimes gave men of the underworld to launch their deadly attacks on unsuspecting travelers.

While the Federal Government is trying its best to fix some of the roads, the State Governments should compliment its efforts in this area. There is also the need to power our major highways using our Liquefied Natural Gas that is abundant in this country instead of flaring the precious mineral into the air.

When the roads are well lifted, it will improve the security on our road networks. The same goes for the control of vegetation along our highways that serve as hideouts for these criminal elements in our society.

In addition, there should be Observatory Posts and Emergency Centers with the full compliments of our Security Agents patrolling the highways round the clock. Any intercity/state road that is about 70-100km long should also have a recreation facility where motorists/passengers can relax and refuel both their tanks and stomachs. As we have previously advised the

amount of sophisticated arms and ammunition unauthorized hands is unprecedented and needs to be mopped-up.

While the Federal Government is doing its best to motivate our Security Agents with improved welfare package, there is the need to really scrutinize their characters during recruitment exercises. Frequent reports of some police officers caught and arrested for armedrobbery operations are very unbecoming of Security Agents that are charged and paid to pro-

T

HERE had been hues and cries from the opposition on the purported delay

by ACN’s administration in appointing those that will steer the ship of the state alongside Ogbeni Aregbesola.

At last the list has been released with lots of encomiums and commendations by wellmeaning indigenes of the state.

It has demonstrated the readiness of Aregbesola’s administration to fast track development in the state. What thrilled most people particularly citizens of Obokun Local government and Esa-Oke community is the re-emergence of Ige’s family name in polity.

The late Asiwaju of Esa-Oke, Chief Bola Ige was the only commissioner ever produced in Esa-Oke just like he was the first ever governor and minister to be produced in the com-

tect lives and properties of other citizens.

Pending the time when the Fed. Govt. will see to the workability and implementation of the above suggestions, night traveling should be curtailed or restricted as much as possible.

Even though dare-devil or armed robbers do operate during broad daylights, the unfortunate incidences of other motorists running over their victims may be curtailed to some extent.

And lest we forget, Commu-

nity Policing using Vigilante Groups being maintained by Local Governments should also be encouraged to compliment the activities of Joint Military/Police patrols. Before the resuscitation of our railway system, we can at least make our road network safe and well secured. But for the grace of GOD, anybody (in or out of government) can fall victim. Relatives of those in Government now are also vulnerable.

Besides, our government officials may not enjoy the special

protection of the State and the Security apparatus for life. So the earlier they use their good offices and positions to do what is right in the public interest, the better, since they too or their family members/relatives will be beneficiaries of good gestures sooner or later. They are therefore admonished to do what is right or good today because of tomorrow.

For: National prayer movement Oluwagbemiga Olakunle, JP

Kudos to Aregbesola munity because of his commitment to the ideals of Awoism and Progressivism, late Ige served as commissioner for Agriculture and Natural resources under the premiership of late Obafemi Awolowo in the defunct western state.

During his political sojourn in life, he attained greater heights by becoming the Governor of Old Oyo State and later Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria before he was assassinated by those wicked elements. Now his heir-apparent, Muyiwa is taking over the mantle of leadership even though reluctantly.

Information even revealed that when Muyiwa Ige was approached to serve as the commissioner in Osun states, he re-

jected it outrightly, but after much pressure from well-meaning individuals, he succumbed to serve his state.

Though, an Architect, but Muyiwa has all wherewithals to excel in that office as a genius.

In the last seven years, Esa-Oke which used to be an exclusive progressives camp was almost hijacked by those reactionary forces in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the then “Abuja” power broker, but today, God has taken absolute control in the community with Action Congress of Nigeria [ACN]in power.

Without mincing words, the nomination of Architect Muyiwa Ige as a cabinet member in Osun state has finally nailed the coffin of conservative politics in Esa-

Oke and Ijesa North Federal Constituency comprising Obokun and Oriade local governments. We expected Bola Ige’s “Epolu Villa” which had hosted many powerful political meetings and eminent politicians in the past but gone on sleep since his death in 2001 to bubble back to life with his son’s appointment as commissioner.

While commending Governor Aregbesola and the leaders of ACN for making the best choice of commissioners in Osun state, all indigenes of Esa-Oke both at home and in diaspora should shun partisanship and rally round Muyiwa Ige to lift Osun state and Esa-Oke community up.

Oludamisi Ojo, Akure,Ondo State

14

Ropo Sekoni ropo.sekoni @thenationonlineng.net

I

N his aggressive approach to amending the constitution to give the country one-year term for the president, President Jonathan through his image makers has been selling the idea of the sponsoring significant amendments to the 1999 Constitution. It has been reported that the one-term six-year tenure for president and governor is just one of fifty provisions that the Jonathan administration plans to amend in the current constitution. A reasonable response to such extensive amendment is that President Jonathan would do much better by calling for a constitutional conference to write a people’s constitution, to replace the 1999 version of military constitutions made for and in the name of Nigerians.

From media reports, it now appears certain that President Jonathan is bent on pushing for 50 amendments to the constitution, with a view to transform the existing charter into one that promotes and protects constructive federalism. One way to view the word constructive is to see it as the opposite of destructive. In this case, the President must think that the present constitution has been designed to promote destructive federalism.

Another way to define the word is to take the dictionary definition: of making or forming something by putting different things together. It is likely that President Jonathan who contested on the theme of na-

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

M

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

Comment & Analysis

ODERN economies are not built with capital or labour, as much as by ideas.

That precisely explains why we have gathered here this morning to lay the building blocks for development in our own corner of Nigeria. By asking me to make a presentation on good governance in Yoruba land, I am obviously, not being asked to re-invent the wheel.

What then is good governance and why is it critical for Yoruba land?

Good Governance, as terminology, is used in describing the desired objectives of a nation-state or a geo-political entity as wehave in South-West, Nigeria. Good Governance is anti-corruption, i.e. a system in which the government and its institutions are accountable, effective and efficient participatory, transparent, responsive, consensus-oriented and equitable.

The 2005 World Summit- aonce-in-a generation opportunity for the world to come togther to take action on grave global threats that require bold global solutions, saw Good Governance as being integral to economic growth; to eradication of poverty and hunger and towards ensuring sustainable development since it takes cognisance of the views of the most at risk segments of society.

The Independent Commission on Good Governance in public services established in the UK in 2004 by the Office For Public Manage-

Toward constructive federalism The President must think that the present constitution has been designed to promote destructive federalism tional unity would be more comfortable with the latter.

Correspondingly, those that have been calling for true federalism mean essentially the need to sustain one Nigeria made from different parts. The following paragraphs represent some of the issues that can lead to forming one united Nigeria from different ethnic nationalities into a federal system that nurtures and is sustained by unity of purpose. As the President plans to sponsor up to 50 amendments to the current constitution, he should pay attention to the following recurrent demands.

One area that needs amendment is reverting to the distribution of responsibilities between the exclusive and concurrent lists that was in place in 1966 when the military first entered the space of governance and constitution making.

In 1963, there were 45 items on the Exclusive list and 29 on the Concurrent list. Today, under the latest of the military-mediated constitutions, there are 68 items on the Exclusive list while there are just 30 items on the Concurrent list.

In specific terms, President Jonathan should include in his bill the need to transfer rail and air transportation to the concurrent list.

This is to allow the different parts of the country to create modern rail and air transportation systems that can facilitate movement of persons and goods within and across states.

The central government should just regulate this sector of transportation.

Still on infrastructure, another item that must be put on the concurrent list is transmission of electricity. The present system that makes transmission of electricity the responsibility of the central government or its agency is obsolete for a nation in a hurry to become energy sufficient. If the existing national grid is part of federation property, it should be decentralized in such a way that states that produce energy in individual states can control the transmission of that energy to citizens and industries in the state for which such energy has been produced. Not a situation in which a state produced energy, as Lagos State did several years ago, only for the energy to be appropriated by the federal government and re-directed to users outside of Lagos State.

Federal roads must not be left solely to the federal government.

Federal roads should be property of the federation and be a joint property of the central government and states. Control of vehicular movement on the federal roads in each state and collection of tolls on such roads must be given to each state to manage. The current situation when the central government can countermand orders given for management of traffic and parking of trailers along or on federal roads must be discouraged by making federal roads joint property of the central and the state government that such roads pass through.

This is the time to put to rest the issue of revenue allocation or

distribution. Before 1966, states were allowed to have 50% of the revenue derived from mineral resources located in their states. This was changed by military governments until we arrived at 13% of such revenue being given by the central government to states that produce oil and gas, for example.

Constructive federalism may require that we do not go back to 50% of revenue from mineral resources to states. The need to form a sustainable federal system in which no component is too poor may require sending a bill that calls for not less than 30% of revenue from mineral resources to states of origin of such minerals.

The President needs to rethink the position announced in the media on local governments. The three-tier system was a product of a particular ideology that set out to take more of the resources from petroleum to communities that would have otherwise been unviable to be local governments.

It is also a part of a military command system that was not satisfied with having state governors being subservient to military heads of states, but was also interested in having direct control over local governments through the mechanism of revenue allocation. Mr. President’s bill to the legislatures should go back to the pre-military arrangement in which local governments were subsumed under states to which they belong. This is the normal practice in most countries of the world.

President Jonathan’s bill on constitutional amendment must not fail to ask for removal of the Immunity Clause from the constitution. Having immunity for the president and governor while they are in office contradicts the principle or ethic of rule of law. All members of executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government must be answerable to the law that citizens answer to in the course of their profession, vocation, and private life.

To have special immunity for president and governors is tantamount to encouraging or condoning political and bureaucratic corruption.

The failure of security in the country necessitates revisiting the issue of one central police system.

Each state or local government should be allowed to have its own law enforcement system that is supported by a federal bureau of investigation. All other central agencies such as road safety corps should be incorporated into state law enforcement systems.

Finally, many Nigerians want a constitution that accepts the nonnegotiability of the secularity of the Nigerian State. It is dishonest to call Nigeria a multi-religious state when the only two religions for which worship houses are built in federal and state institutions and through which prayers are conducted during state events are Islam and Christianity. Citizens’ freedom of association or to hold religious and other ideas of their choice is severely fettered by a constitution that gives attention to just two religious beliefs.

Good governance agenda for Yoruba land The development of Yoruba land must be done along the dictates of regional integration ment (OPM) and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy whose primary aim was to develop a common code and set of principles for good governance across public services to serve as a guide, came up with six core principles. These are: 1.FOCUS: Good governance means focusing on the organisation’s purpose and their outcome for the citizenry.

2.EFFECTIVE PERFORMANCE IN DEFINED ROLES: Which means being clear about the organisation’s functions and the role of staff, whether elected or appointed.

3. PROMOTION OF VALUES: Which is putting organisation’s values into practice.

4. TAKING INFORMED, TRANSPARENT DECISIONS: Meaning being rigorous and transparent in decision-making.

5. DEVELOPING CAPACITY AND CAPABILITY FOR EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE: This is ensuring that those to be elected or appointed into positions of responsibility have the requisite skills, knowledge, experience and the integrity to function properly.

Having thus laid down the philosophical underpinning of Good Governance, let me try situate it in the context of Yoruba land.

Here, I must indicate that I consulted widely to ensure we have a robust paper we can all critically interrogate on this subject and came out with the following prognosis.

First, and foremost, the desideratum for good governance is peace; political as well as social peace. We would, therefore, need to examine the sources of conflict and the structures available for con-

flict resolution in Yoruba land.

The major source of political conflict in Yoruba land in the last decade has been the marginalization of the race in the political scheme of things in the country which reached its apogee in the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election; the consequent war of attrition followed

by Obasanjo’s near clinical decimation, if not desecration, of our cultural and political leadership -call it the mainstreaming agenda.

Leadership in Yoruba land Our leadership tradition is both cultural and political with both sometimes merging as in the then barely distinguishable Egbe Omo Oduduwa and Afenifere providing cultural cum political leadership.

I am happy to report here that a Pan-Yoruba cultural organisation of which I am a foundation member, and into which a lot of work has gone for the past five years with a once thriving secretariat - THE AGBAJO YORUBA AGBAIYE- can, with judicious re-engineering, adequately fit the bill here. It is led by LT.Gen Alani Akinrinade, one of Yoruba’s finest specimen.

This should now be effectively taken over and driven by the Yoruba economic/ industrial class lest it becomes a drain on governments in the region or an appendage of politicians because to be effective, it must have moral authority as well as financial independence.

It will, obviously, not conflict with the Afenifere Renewal Group which is political nor with the Yoruba Academy which is to serve as a non-partisan intellectual power house for Yoruba land.

GOOD GOVERNANCE As Yoruba, we inherited a tradition of good governance, pre and post colony. The high level of education of our political progenitors created a milieu we can always look back to with pride.

The question as to what good governance is therefore does not arise.

The development of Yoruba land must be done along the dictates of regional integration. As an economic block, a regional approach will be viable and cost-effective, copiously facilitating infrastructure procurement, power/ industrialization, agriculture and commerce.

EDUCATION: Our education is currently in the doldrums; no thanks to the mainstreamers, but that is changing with the new governments’ prioritisation of education in their respective states.

For instance, I served on the Ekiti State Education/Visitation Panel set up by Governor Kayode Fayemi, and chaired the Communiqué Committee at the subsequent Ekiti Education Summit.

Similar summits have held in Osun and other states in the region.

There is, currently, a gaping need for increased attention to be given to technical education, with emphasis on skills acquisition through the formal school system (trade centres, vocational schools, traditional apprenticeship, reinvigorated Polytechnics etc).

AGRICULTURE: All the states have potentials for agricultural development in cash and arable crops . Development must be harmonized to take care of areas of

comparative advantage in food and cash crops production. Food storage, preservation and processing industries should also be harmonized to avoid artificial glut. Agriculture should also be used as a means of youth and women empowerment.

INDUSTRIALISATION: This must start ‘de noveau’, as most industries in the region have given way to churches and warehouses.

Major industries can be jointlyowned to ensure viability arising out of economies of scale.

THE ROAD NETWORK: Here is where the mainstreamers hurt us the most and there is no gain-saying the critical imperativeness of rebuilding our road network. Fortunately, we have as governors of our respective states, highly determined and committed individuals who know exactly how to tap into international, long term investment funds.

They should also find PPP -Public Private Partnership- backed by strong regulatory frame-work, attractive.

This, obviously, is not exhaustive but permit me to conclude in the delectable words of a friend of mine:’our leadership must be able to re-engineer our sense of justice,(quixotically bastardised in the Obasanjo years of stolen electoral mandates), make mercy smarter and hope more strategic, by way of exercise of power that is humane in its spirit, moral in its purpose and wise in its uses.”

Being an edited version of a paper delivered at the Afenifere Renewal Group’s 3-Day Retreat at the University of Ibadan, Ibadan on Regional Integration in Western Nigeria.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

Tunji

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

N

IGHT travels used to be the safest in the country a few years ago. Then, the highways were generally narrow but were not taken over by potholes as we have today. One of the things that made night travels fascinating was the fact that the vehicles’ headlamps would easily herald the coming of the vehicle in the opposite direction; unlike in the daytime when the drivers might have been so close to one another before realising that another vehicle is coming.

In those days, armed robbery was not as rampant as it is today and whenever there was any, it was widely reported and it was the talk everywhere for weeks. The robbers might not have been as sophisticated as their colleagues today, but they qualified for that appellation by the standards of the era. Don’t forget that was a time when there were still values in the land. Then, names like Ishola Oyenusi, Babatunde Folorunsho naturally evoked fear.

The Rambos and the Lawrence Aninis, etc. were latter-day developments.

Indeed, that we still knew values then reflected in the reluctance of people (especially in Yoruba land) to wear lace materials after the execution of Babatunde Folorunsho a.k.a.

‘Babatunde Onileesi ‘ because (I think) Folorunsho) was fond of wearing lace materials. That prompted ‘Chief Commander’ Ebenezer Obey to sing that we should condemn only those who

Postscript, Unlimited!

By

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

O

NE of the memories of my early childhood in the village that I still hold even today is the sense of the importance I felt when I was called on by some old woman or the other to read a letter she had just received from the city for her. I remember that as soon as I began to read, the old woman’s face would assume some form of concentration, mouth open, ears wiggling and eyes boring into me, expecting me to read the wrong thing such as ‘Food finished, send money’. Whenever that occurred, the woman would fly into a small rage filled with mild vituperations concealing the pride she felt for having someone in the city who wrote letters to her. Occasionally also, some might accuse me, not exactly of lying, but more of making up silly contents.

I remember also, that whenever I came across a word that my small understanding could not grasp, I substituted with another quite like it. They never found me out; indeed, the look of adoration I received often held a promise of some coming gratification or the other. Greedy lit-

Comment & Analysis

15

Robbery without human face Again, Nigerians were crushed while being robbed on highway stole (robbed) instead of seeing everyone wearing lace material as an armed robber.

But that was then. The allure of night travels has since gone with the winds. These days, you travel at night at your own risk. I can see you chuckle about whether there really is a time safe enough for any travel in the country. I agree with you that you have to be conversant with Psalms 23, 24, 46, 91 and other Psalms for journey mercies before embarking on any journey here if you are a Christian; and if you are a Muslim, you also read the relevant portions of the Quran before travelling. For the people in the other religion, may be they would require ‘kanako’ (that is believed to shorten distances). Of course, the ‘traditionalists’ have no cause to worry about armed robbers and even police men waiting to extort motorists at checkpoints since they are not permitted to see the people travelling by ‘kanako’. The only thing to fear is for the talisman not to misbehave and hang you up on a tree somewhere in the thick forest!

The 14 passengers that were crushed to death while serving the ‘punishment’ of some armed robbers by lying down on the road

while they were being robbed on the Abuja-Lokoja –Okene Road on August 2 must have regretted taking the decision to travel at that time of the day; but they did too late. It is not that the victims could not have been robbed if they had travelled by daytime; but it is rare they would have been asked to lie face down on the highway then.

Even if they were asked to, it is impossible for the driver of an oncoming vehicle to mistake them for woods; the driver would have seen them and either reverse or stop and take cover in the bush.

Indeed, I have the feeling that the driver of the luxury bus that crushed the Abuja-Lokoja road victims must have mistaken them for logs of wood or something. I say this because it happened before on the Lagos-Benin Road about two years ago, when a trailer crushed about 40 passengers who were also asked to lie face down on that road by armed robbers who dispossessed the passengers of their properties. The driver said he mistook the passengers for logs of wood and that it was after he had crushed them that he knew the gravity of what he had done. Now, the police have held the driver of the luxury bus who crushed the August 2 rob-

“Imagine the police changing uniform at this point, thereby rending their garment when they ought to rend their hearts, and when the government should be thinking of kitting them with what they need to effectively police the country. This is the least Nigerians deserve in a country where armed robbers have lost their sense of humanity; where they no longer rob with a human face”

bery victims; but what wonders for how long and on what charges would they prosecute him should they decide to do that.

The fact is that security in Nigeria, like most aspects of our lives, has become a huge joke. I was telling a friend jocularly that we will have the kind of security of old in Nigeria only when fowls begin to grow teeth! This is only a joke because I do not pray things get that bad. It is not a doomsday prediction though; the signs are ominous. All the ingredients needed to make us safe and secure are simply not there. The economy is becoming increasingly hostile. The level of infrastructural deficit and decay is astonishing.

Power supply that is needed to make industries hum again (without tearing companies’ pockets) to be able to absorb the teeming jobless graduates of all shades has remained elusive, even if costlier.

Some of the blue chip companies have left, erasing many jobs in the process, in a country that ought to be creating jobs by the minute.

Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) that has been here for over five decades is also packing its bag and baggage, ready to relocate to an environment where government is busy working hard in the right direction. The decision by the NBC to relocate makes me believe that when a grown-up man starts running, with his hands holding his two ears, he must be pursuing something, if something is not pursuing him. The company must have taken that decision with a very heavy heart. No business concern in its right senses would wind up operations in a

country where it has major investments, for no reason. NBC, like most other big companies that relocated to other countries must have been convinced that we don’t have serious government that is interested in development; what we have been unfortunate to have are government officials who are largely concerned about what they can get out of the system.

Here we are, looking so helpless and completely clueless on a matter as serious as security. This is a country where armed robbers would completely take over highways, sometimes for hours, with policemen and travellers not caught directly in the robbers’ web hiding in the bush for the bandits to be through with their operations before coming out, policemen and all. Here we are, instead of the government coming up with policies and measures that will alleviate the suffering of Nigerians, it is busy talking about far less consequential matters, like tenure for governors and the president.

Is that the next thing now? It is either this government is completely ignorant of what is called ‘scale of preference’ or it has a warped sense of judgment. It is not funny that the government is focusing on ringworm while leprosy is ravaging the country. Imagine the police changing uniform at this point, thereby rending their garment when they ought to rend their hearts, and when the government should be thinking of kitting them with what they need to effectively police the country. This is the least Nigerians deserve in a country where armed robbers have lost their sense of humanity; where they no longer rob with a human face.

Please let’s have some kind of mass literacy, any kind tle thing I was then, I lapped it all up, forgetting to thank or acknowledge my benefactors, generations of my forbears, whose interests in reading and writing saw them force their children to occasionally hold an unfamiliar item such as a chalk rather than the more familiar piece of roast yam. Sadly, many generations are still going on in this country without the benefit of their children or any of the adults being able to hold a piece of chalk to the wind.

Today, millions of Nigerian children are in school to gain not only literacy but some form of education; yet millions of Nigerian adults remain illiterate and seemingly outside the range of any possibility of gaining literacy. But, if the mountain would not go to Mohammed, why, Mohammed should go to the mountain. If these ones are outside the school-going range, why can the school not come to them? It’s due mostly to government failure, and well, yeah, government failure.

It is obvious that the government is just not interested in educating its masses since that would make them too hot for it to handle. The people would know their rights too much. Rather than allow the illiterate populace engage its mind in the pursuit of knowledge, the government has continued to throw eco-

nomic spikes in their path. So, since the days of SAP, everyone has been going around with this vital question on their sometimes trembling lips: what shall we eat, and wherewithal shall we be clothed?

Very many cultural barriers may also have prohibited the spread of interest in mass literacy, what with religion, male ego, and all. Now, religion I can understand: what a man believes is what he believes and there is no helping that; although there have been many insinuations that it is actually those who matter that have been encouraging men to have wrong beliefs.

Male ego, on the other hand, is one of the most intractable things to fight. How else can you explain why a man would insist that his wife cannot learn to read and write when he cannot and he would sooner that his chickens be trained?

It happened.

Strangely too, manufacturers have not shown sufficient interest in raising the literacy level of the Nigerian market, even though a more literate market will eventually be to its benefit. Right now, one of the most deplorable reading publics in the world per population ratio has got to be Nigeria. Given that our population reads in millions, our newspapers should not now be

printed in tens of thousands only.

So, even in this twenty-first century, many villagers (and some city dwellers) are still going around asking, ‘Who exactly is this Jonatani?’

Problems ensue when we do not do those things we should. Newspapers and books are not being sold in their millions, internet notwithstanding, because those who should read them cannot; manufacturers of goods are not recording higher sales because people who need their goods do not even know they need them; and all of us literates are going around guilty because some of our fellow Nigerians are not literate. More importantly, a literate mind is an open mind. Literacy opens the mind and consciousness to the external world or, at the least, his neighbour’s world. Literacy prevents one from thinking that one’s father’s farm is the largest in the world.

It is said that by the middle of the eighteenth century, more than half of the population of England was not literate; yet by the second decade of the twentieth century, nearly all in England had become literate. Many things went into that revolution, but the most important of all was the political and individual will. There is just no substi-

tute for the desire to be able to read and write; more so when there is a compelling reason such as a government fiat. The other day, I had a conversation with an old man who expressed a burning desire to see a school built in his village ‘for the young ones’. What about the older ones? They are too old to do anything, he maintained. Yet, the literacy credo emphasises the fact that none is too old or too silly to be made literate, but how are they to know if they are not told?

There is nothing more admirable than an old man or woman attempting to grapple with the letters of the alphabet; it is more heartwarming than the picture of an Olympic winner. I mean it’s not as if one can eat an Olympic medal, is it? When I recently read the very heartening story of someone who fulfilled his educational goal close to his seventieth year, I thought, there, a life is changed, and hopefully, many more through it too.

There is a saying that ‘when a man’s stomach is full, he feeds his mind; when his mind is full, he feeds his heart; when his heart is full, he feeds his desires’ or something like that.

Not so. Many have taken on the letters of the alphabet so that the stomach can be full, and many more need to. Let’s encourage them.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

Essay

Is it time for doctors to advertise in Nigeria?

M

EDICINE has always been considered a noble profession and as such it has always been considered unethical for a physician to advertise himself or herself. Many countries and states have laws that prohibit advertisement of medical and other related services in any form. But there are exceptions; some of which include announcing the opening of a practice, change of address and other information, etc.

Nigeria is one of several countries that do not allow professional advertising in healthcare and other fields. This is how a lot of us grew up and have rarely ever questioned it. This is what obtains in the UK from whence a lot of the laws governing our professional practice came. As soon as many Nigerian physicians(like myself), that have trained and practiced in countries, like the USA, where advertising is practiced, start coming home, some will start questioning this standing.

Going back in time, one will find that physicians were once not allowed to advertise by the American Medical Association (AMA).

This status quo changed after the powerful AMA was sued by some doctors and the US Supreme Court declaring that it was unfair not to allow doctors to advertise. The Supreme Court also ruled that it was also unfair to patients, who need access to information on doctors, so they can select the best for themselves. That has led to guidelines

by AMA and some other professional bodies for doctors to advertise ethically without provision of deceptive and false information to the public.

We have seen a lot of deceptive and sometimes, frankly false, advertising in places. A lot of doctors still feel it is unethical to advertise.

However, taking a poll of doctors based on years in practice, one will find a declining support for prohibition of advertising in the younger doctors and those new in practice.

Many feel the older and more established doctors support the ban on advertising to protect themselves from competition by young doctors.

There are some who feel that the more money doctors spend on advertising, the more unnecessary tests and treatments they will plan on patients to recoup their costs.

This argument however has been found to be lacking in much merit as unscrupulous doctors, whether

In the face of growing ignorance and exploitation of patients by quacks and charlatans masquerading as skilled alternative therapists, John C. Nwofia argues that controlled advertisement of doctors services may prevent further fleecing of patients

•Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu

or not they spend money on advertising, will do what they want to do.

Time was when there were a lot of unlicensed practitioners and ‘quacks’ who peddled their trade through false advertising. To maintain some dignity and respect for their profession, the medical associations and councils in many countries enacted rules that banned such advertising.

On the other hand, there is some real anxiety about allowing physicians to advertise. Some are worried that the profession will be brought to disrepute if advertising is allowed. There is a genuine fear that some physicians are liable to make false claims, exaggerations, and even progress to the point of disparaging others. Some believe that it will also lead to a clear waste of limited medical resources for someone with, say, an upper respiratory tract infection to refer himself in the first instance to a specialist in pulmonary medicine, given that in most cases a general practitioner can easily provide perfectly good treatment.

In advertising, we have to draw a distinction between the provision of information about doctors for the benefit of the public and promotion of oneself solely de-

signed to gain an increase in business for the physician. In countries, like the United States where advertising is allowed, the advertisement must not contain any false or deceptive information and not misleading for the patient and the public.

The existing system in the UK whereby National Health Service (NHS) patients were first seen by a General Practitioner (GP) and only referred to a specialist if the GP considered it necessary, was seen as a system that ‘provided the highest quality of health care at the lowest possible cost’ and prevented ‘the gross misuse of resources that would arise from unnecessary or inappropriate self-referral.’

General practitioners currently treat about 90 per cent of all episodes of ill health without referral to other agencies’. In a country like Nigeria, however, where the few General Hospitals and Health Centers are poorly staffed and ill equipped, the majority of the population depend on private hospitals and physicians for their basic and other health needs. Whereas a lot of these hospitals do help the patients, unfortunately there have been many reports of patients receiving unnecessary treatment or being kept away from necessary

•L-R: Oleku maestro, Ice-Prince; Idiareno Atimomo, Manager, Youth Segment, Etisalat; Singer and Producer Jesse Jagz; Rapper, M.I and Elvis Ogiemwanye, Head, Youth Segment Etisalat at the grand finale of Etisalat's CliqFest held at the University of Benin recently.

treatment and/or specialist care for financial reasons.

Patients have died unnecessarily in private hospitals due to refusal to refer out and thus lose the income from the patient. In hospitals where there is access to specialists, the patients are made to pay twice for the specialist fee, as the referring physicians often add a charge to it. Usually only about 60-70 percent of a consultation fee paid to a specialist actually goes to the specialist while the referring physician/proprietor keeps the rest. And this happens in the more ethical hospitals that have access to specialists.

For the patients that are fortunate (or unfortunate) enough to be seen at the General Hospitals and Health Centers, they get the primary care treatment but when it comes to specialist referrals the wait is usually too long and may come too late. They may know what specialist they are waiting to see but if the wait is too long and they wish to see a specialist privately, they may hit a brick wall. There is no record or a means of knowing where the specialists are. They may have to now seek out a nearby private hospital whose physician (or proprietor) may start the whole process of tests and care all over before referral to an appropriate specialist. It is far easier for the patient who lives in Ikeja, Lagos to find a cardiologist in New York, than the one next door in Maryland, Lagos.

Some supporters of physician advertising have suggested that a separate regulatory body might be required to ensure that doctor’s advertising is fair and makes truthful and verifiable claims.

This could be an independent body created by the medical community with representatives from the world of advertising, media and members of the society. This society can develop a ‘code of ethical communication’ for all doctors to follow, while advertising their services.

The media can stipulate that they will accept ads only if

cleared by this body. The advert must be legal, decent, honest and truthful’; and should not disparage other doctors or make claims of superiority, either for the service provided or for the doctor himself. Detailed guidelines should remain the responsibility of professional bodies but should always conform to the principles stated, and should be no more restrictive than necessary to achieve such conformity. There should be a requirement that no advertisement should explicitly or implicitly claim to cure a particular illness or disease.

The World Medical Association’s Declaration of Lisbon determined that the patient has a right to choose their physician freely. There is thus a valid argument that if the physician cannot show his services to the patient then the patient’s right is restricted. As early as the late 1980’s, the United Kingdom Director of Fair Trading was asked to consider the effects on the public interest of restrictions on advertising imposed on registered medical practitioners, the commission concluded that some of those restrictions were indeed against the public interest.

There is some value in making physician’s qualifications, fees and the services they provide available to the public. The Australian Medical Association’s guidelines underscore this point: ‘The Australian Medical Association (AMA) believes that a doctor’s reputation and capacity to increase their practice should be based on good medical practice and appropriate provision of information about the medical services they offer. The AMA believes that all such information should: a) be demonstrably true in all respects; b). not be misleading, vulgar or sensational; c.) maintain the decorum and dignity of the profession; d) not contain any testimonial or endorsement of clinical skills; e) not claim that one doctor is superior to others nor contain endorsements for any particular doctor; and f) avoid aggressive forms of competitive persuasion, such as those that prevail in commerce and industry’.

Dr. John Nwofia, is on the editorial board of the Nigerian Health Journal. He is an interventional physiatrist and rehabilitation specialist and also the Medical Director, Pain and Spine Consultants, Tennessee.

•L-R: Kayode Solola, Group Head, Corporate and Investment Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Tunde Lemo, Deputy Governor, Operations, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and Chen Aiping, Chief Executive Officer, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Asia) Limited (ICBC), during a visit by ICBC to the CBN in Abuja recently.

Focus

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

17

Al-Mustapha’s stone in the pond IKE a recurring decimal, the name, Hamza Al-Mustapha, again forced its way into the nation’s consciousness last week, about 13 years after he fell from power.

For three days, the former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the late General Sani Abacha held the nation spell-bound, spewing allegations and claims that he, to the consternation of all, failed to substantiate when he ended his defence on Thursday, August 4.

He testified, in his defence at the trial before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Lagos High Court, Igbosere, Lagos. Al-Mustapha and Lateef Shofolahan, an aide to the late wife of Chief Moshood Abiola, Kudirat, are the two now left to face trial in a case that began in 2000, eleven years ago.

At inception, a former head of an arm of the Anti-Riot Police in Aso Rock, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Rabo Lawal was arraigned with them over their alleged complicity in Kudirat’s murder in 1996. Last month, the court acquitted Lawal, holding that the state failed to establish a prima facie case against him.

Al-Mustapha’s opportunity to tell the world his side of the story came last Monday when he opened his defence, an opportunity he maximized to the last minute, throwing accusations at every direction, painting himself as a saint being persecuted in an effort targeted at extricating him the case made against him by the state.

For all the days that he testified in the case against him, Al-Mustapha made serious allegations and bravado accusing all except

L

When Hamza Al-Mustapha, former chief security officer to the late head of state, Gen Sani Abacha appeared in court last week, he made so many allegations that rankled the country, Eric Ikhilae, examines the case himself of any wrong doing. On the first day, he alleged that prominent Yoruba leaders who were invited to Aso Rock after the mysterious death of the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 election were bribed by the Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar regime. According to him, his boss, the late Gen Sani abacha and Abiola were murdered. He accused the regime of Gen Abubakar of killing the two men.

Gaps in the evidence He claimed that the former head of state was behind his long incarceration and trial because he (Gen Abubakar) was afraid that he would reveal what transpired and led to the death of the two. He alleged, “My incarceration was a result of a script written and acted by former head of state Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar to further keep me in prison” adding that he has in his possession video clips of all what transpired in the seat of power. According to him, the video tapes he has in his possession “relates to events that happened after the murder of Gen Sani Abacha and the late Chief MKO Abiola. ..After the death of Abacha so much happened within three days and the country was without a President or Vice President...”

To observers, Al-Mustapha in his testimony was only playing to the gallery. The so-much talked about video clips of Yoruba leaders

allegedly being bribed by the former head of state in Aso Rock turned out to be the same video clip that was shown nationwide on national television some years back. All the talk fell flat. On the first day when he made the allegation of bribery he refused to give any names. The nest day when he mentioned names he was only able to mention the names of two dead men; Chief Abraham Adesanya and chief Bola Ige. This led to complete dismissal of his representation when there are still others living who were at the meeting and are still alive.

Many felt he was only making those allegations to muddle up the case as he was wont to do all these days and has made the case to drag on for this long. Reactions to his allegations were quick in coming. Ayo Opadokun one of the leaders of the opposition group, The National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) Ayo Opadokun dismissed his claim asking “Why did his video tape not cover the scene where money was being shared?”

This is a crucial question the video he made so much fuss about failed to answer.

During his next testimony he added more dust to the visibility of the case when he alleged that former police commissioner of the Lagos Command, Mike Okiro saved him from an assassination squad led by former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime

Commission (EFCC), Nuhu Ribadu. He alleged that Ribadu was sent to Lagos to assassinate him but that Okiro asked for a written document to back this up.

The question is: what does Al-Mustapha hope to achieve with all these? He is trying to stall the case further or is his case like that of a fallen man who will clutch at all straws or try to bring the house down on him and all the rest?

Ribadu has since issued a statement saying the former chief security officer was only telling a cock and bull story. According to Ribadu, “I want to strongly refute this claim as false, and perhaps is invented to help build a constituency of concern and sympathy for his case. I was never a party to any such plot, and will never be associated in a scheme to perpetrate extrajudicial murder.”

At the close of his testimony Al-Mustapha has added more heat than light to his case.

The long journey Al-Mustapha’s journey to the court began in late 1999 when he and some others were brought from Abuja after their interrogation by a Special Investigation Panel (SIP) for their alleged involvement in three major cases.

Others included former Chief of Army Staff, General Isahaya Bamaiyi, former Military • Continued on page 18

18

Focus

• Continued from page 17

Administrator of Zamfara State, Jibril Bala Yakubu, ex-Commissioner of Police in Lagos, James Danbaba, Rabo Lawal, son of the late Abacha, Mohammed and a soldier and former bodyguard in Aso Rock, Aminu Mohammed.

The cases were the attempted murder of former leader of the Yoruba group, Afenifere, Chief Abraham Adesanya and former Internal Affairs Minister and publisher of The Guardian, Mr. Alex Ibru, and the murder of Kudirat Abiola.

Al-Mustapha, Bamaiyi, Yakubu, Danbaba and Lawal were charged with the attempt on Ibru’s life. Al-Mustapha, Lawal and Sofolahan were charged with the murder of Kudirat, while Mohammed and Sofolahan were charged with the attempted murder of Chief Adesanya.

They were first arraigned in 1999 before an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court on a holding charge, but later taken before the then Chief Judge of the state, Justice Christopher Segun at the Lagos High Court, Ikeja in a charge relating to the Ibru case.

The accused persons secured the services of senior lawyers, among who were the late former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Clement Akpangbo (SAN), Emmanuel Toro (SAN) and the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Joseph Daudu (SAN).

Some other lawyers in the cases were Ibrahim Buba, now judge of the Federal High Court; former member of the House of Representatives, Bala Ibn Na’Allah, Amobi Uzelu, Mike Okoye, Peter Obi and Yakubu Maikya.

Believing that they were being unjustly tried and determined to frustrate their trial, the accused persons threw the first spanner in the proceedings when they accused Justice Segun of prejudging the case by allegedly referring to them as criminals. They held on to that allegation and insisted on the movement of their case before another judge.

They were taken before Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, now of the Court of Appeal and later Justice Augustine Adetula-Alabi, who later became the state’s Chief Judge.

Their lawyers exploited every opportunity to delay the trial by filing all manners of applications and appealing every decision. At a point, frustration set in on the part of the defendants when they failed in their efforts to make Justice Alabi disqualify himself from further handling the case.

This became evident when, during one of their appearances before Justice Alabi in 2002, Al-Mustapha, threw caution to the winds and verbally attacked the judge, accusing him of working to convict them at all cost despite receiving a $10 million bribe from them.

The allegation was re-echoed some days later by Okoye during a meeting with some journalists in his house in Alaka Estate, Surulere, Lagos. The impact of their allegation helped to further stall proceedings as a panel was later constituted to investigate the accused persons’ allegation against the judge.

The drama that later followed held the case down for months. While the panel went about its investigation, the state initiated a contempt proceeding against Okoye. Strangely, one of the witnesses summoned by the panel reportedly died on his way to honour its invitation. In its report, the panel absolved Justice Alabi of any wrong doing and held that the allegation was without basis.

Okoye’s trial ended dramatically too.

Angered that the lawyer had disparaged the state’s court, the office of the then Justice Commissioner and Attorney General, Prof Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) arraigned Okoye on a two count charge on March 1, 2002 before Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour , who was then of the state’s High Court, Igbosere.

Some of those in court to witness the proceedings included Yusuf Dabiri, who represented the NBA, Lagos branch; Tokunbo Williams (SAN), who represented his late father, Chief Rotimi Williams (SAN), and D. O. Saleh, who represented the then President of the Civil Liberty Organisation (CLO), Ayo Obe. Okoye pleaded not guilty to the charge. But to the dismay of all in court, he later read a prepared speech where he apologised to Justice Alabi for his unwarranted attack.

“I apologise to the Bench and Hon. Justice Augustine Ade-Alabi for any injury he may have suffered from this unwarranted and unnecessary publication. I am aware that the publication has had the effect of bringing to disrepute, the office, integrity and position of Hon. Justice Alabi, but I would want to disabuse the minds of the public of this impression and

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

A peculiar trial

•The locked out crowd seeking to see Al-Mustapha’s touted viedo evidence

•A television set being carried to the court room state that these allegations of corruption levelled against Hon. Justice Alabi are not true to the best of my knowledge,” Okoye said.

Shortly after, Okoye’s lawyer, Femi Falana made efforts to dissuade the court from proceeding with the hearing of the case. He argued that the substance of the case had been consumed by his client’s apology, an argument the judge said was inappropriate.

Justice Rhodes-Vovour held that such argument would have been appropriate had the accused pleaded guilty. He wondered why a person would plead not guilty to an offence and yet admit responsibility by apologising.

The prosecution, led by then SolicitorGeneral, Fola Arthur-Worrey, added a twist to the case when, in his response, applied to withdraw the case, citing the AG’s powers under the Constitution, to discontinue any criminal trial at any stage before judgment.

Swayed by the state’s disposition, the judge ordered Okoye to publish his apology in five newspapers and adjourned to March 15 for report of compliance. On the said day, Okoye came to report compliance only to be confronted

by an intervention from the late F. R. A. Williams, an intervention that almost marred his fate.

The late Williams arrived the court at 12 noon and read a 16-page address in which he stressed among others, the need to ensure that the dignity, integrity and reputation of the court were preserved at the expense of any interest.

While urging the court and the Attorney General to make the right decision, Chief Williams drew everyone’s attention to the contradiction in Okoye’s actions and utterances. Despite the late William’s position, the state had its way and withdrew the case.

Again in April 2005 Al-Mustapha led others to stage a walk out on the court midway into the proceedings. They claimed not to be comfortable with the judge’s conducts, a development that again, halted proceedings for some time.

They seemed to have succeeded in their tactics of delay because with the passage of time, the evidence against them appeared to have been weakened. Majority of them have

eventually been acquitted. The first to be freed was Abacha’s son, followed by Bamaiyi.

In a judgment some months ago in the Ibru case, Justice Muftau Olokoba of the Lagos High Court, Igbosere, freed Danbaba, Yakubu, AlMustapha and Rabo Lawal. He held that the state failed to provide enough evidence linking the accused with the offence.

Another court convicted Mohammed and Sofolahan over the Adesanya case. But on appeal, the Court of appeal set aside Mohammed’s conviction because he alone appealed the decision.

Last month, Justice Dada, in a ruling on a nocase submission by the defendants in the Kudirat case, acquitted Lawal on the ground that no enough evidence was adduced by the prosecution to link him to the offence and ordered Al-Mustapha and Sofolahan to enter defence in the case.

With the conclusion of his defence at the weekend, it is yet unclear how Al-Mustapha has been able to clear himself of the allegation of the murder of Kudirat Abiola with the stone he has thrown in the pond which ripples are still spreading.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

PAGE 19

‘I’m tired of the throne’ Page 20

•Crowd at the Taste of Chicago venue

•The Nigerian stand

•Welcome to Chicago

•Another stand at the venue

Living in America T

HE actual number of how many Nigerians are resident in the United States of America is not very clear.

However, unofficial records put it at over a million, adding that they are the largest single group of African immigrants in the country.

A travel through America by any Nigerian shows that there is hardly a city you visit that you’ll not meet a compatriot. It does not matter whether such are illegal or otherwise. There are scores of Nigerians who have had the opportunity of travelling to the country for one reason or the other and decided to stay put, thus flouting the rule granting them a visa.

There are several others who have legitimately relocated either through marriage, work, study or won the visa lottery. A few others are lucky to be citizens born while their parents were there and decided to relocate ‘home’.

However, many are there from New York to Texas and from one coast of America to the other who live by the day. They do odd jobs and move from “one pay cheque to the other,” as they put it. On a recent visit to the country I met scores of them who have left the shores of the country for more than three decades and have become “Americans”. They live there and see themselves as one but in reality are never

OLAYINKA OYEGBILE, Deputy Editor, who recently visited the United States of America, writes about his encounter with some Nigerians living in the country in the record book of their host country. They have been gone for so long that they find it hard to come back home.

One thing that is very good about them while living abroad is that Nigeria is one. It does not matter where you come from as long as you are a Nigerian, abroad you are all brothers. This is unlike at home where ethnic division and language or the latest modifier, religion or faith that you practise determines who your friends are.

At any gathering, immediately you are introduced as a Nigerian the first question they ask is ‘when did you arrive?’ or ‘are you resident here?’ and if you say you’re not resident and was only visiting, the next question would be for how long? From there the questions begin to flow and the upper most thing on their minds comes to the fore “Is light back now? Is power regular now? Has Jonathan fixed NEPA? (A few don’t know that acronym has changed to PHCN), what about security? Is there water now or every house

still has to drill its own borehole? Questions, questions are all they throw at you. Then I wonder if any of our leaders visit America what he would be asked, if I, an ordinary citizen is subjected to so much questions about the condition at home.

Security of lives and property is what every one of them talks about. They want to know what the life of a Nigerian is worth. With last weeks killing of over fourteen citizens who were run over by a bus while being robbed on the Abuja Okene Expressway, what further evidence do they need to back their fear that life is cheap in Nigeria?

In a sane society we should all be on the streets by now. We should march on the National Assembly and the various state houses assembly to compel our law makers to ensure we are safe when we travel. They should stop sharing and looting our resources and concentrate on making laws that will ensure our roads are tarred and not turn to death ways. Rather than do this we resort to

prayers and call on God to protect us when flying , driving or embarking on our various journeys. Why this resort to helplessness in the face of advancement all over the world?.

They ask why people are killed without the killer(s) being found, why do we have a government that does not seem to have a clue as to who are the ones behind the bombings and killings by the Boko Haram group? Why are our roads still death traps when in other parts of the world road and rail travels have become the norm? They point at the fact that our roads are tarred not to last but for the limited term of governments in power. George who does not want to be identified beyond his first name volunteered to drive me around Chicago to “see things for yourself” and as he was driving the only thing he wanted me to notice was the way and manner roads are constructed. “Now you can see for yourself that roads are constructed to last here. At home •Continued on page 20

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

Life

S

HE was decked in Yoruba traditional flowing robe [agbada] and with a traditional ofi cap to match. She also had in her hand a whisk she intermittently raised and waved to her subjects in response to their greetings. The beaded necklace on her neck dangles as she walked along.

Irrespective of age, sex and status, the young and the old prostrated or knelt down to greet her and shouted Kaabiyesii!! They then chanted panegyrics on her while she with a smile returned their greetings and waved the whisk to show appreciation.

In spite of her masculine attire her feminine features were apparent: the ‘permed’ hair, the holes in her ears and the pair of sandals on her feet. She is obviously a woman in a man’s world.

This is Regent Princess Adesola Oladiran -Ebiseni of Kalasuwe of Apoiland in Ese Odo Local Government Council in Ondo State. She became the regent last March and she is being accorded the respect due a king.

Adesola is the executive Director of Centre for the Rehabilitation of Exceptional persons (CREP) did not envisage her new position few months ago until the mantle of leadership fell on her. She was called like the Biblical David who was summoned from where he was serving as a shepherd to the sheep. The regent was summoned from her Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) vocation to the throne following the demise of the previous Apoiland’s monarch who was her father. Her father joined his ancestors early this year after spending 52 years on the throne.

According to the princess, the idea of Regency was as in fulfilment of the town’s tradition. Her words: “When an Oba kicks the bucket here, the rule says a female who is not a widow, and who is still in her matrimonial home must be installed.

This is because , it is believed that a widow may not have feelings any longer and would like to stay put but if she still has an husband and children she will be eager to go back to her family, take care of them and would not be found wanting.

Again, females are chosen as a Regent and not men for when men are installed and after staying for some months they would not like to vacate the throne but would be ready to contest for it, having found the position juicy and attractive since he had been accorded the royal respect with the full paraphernalia of a monarch. He would therefore not like to become an ordinary man again.’’

However, Princess Adesola said that at the initial stage her husband rejected the idea of his wife becoming the regent but in the end succumbed after a lot of pleadings by some chiefs and elders in the family. “I thank him so much for his support and encouragement, ’’ she stated.

Asked whether her husband prostrates for her like the others at the palace, she paused for a while , looked round her office where she was seated as if she was afraid, and then exhibiting an attitude of humility, declared with broken voice and stammering, “This is a big question. Well, I •Continued from page 19

road contracts are awarded to just pour cold tar on a tiny stretch of road that vehicles will drive on while the side of the road is neglected.

As vehicles try to climb down from the road the tyres grate the edges and the road begin to fall apart.” I agreed with him after taking a look at our roads. Why can’t we move to the next level? Contractors get jobs not because they possess any special skills but because they are card carrying members of political parties or know one person or the other in the corridors of power. It is not as if such things don’t exist in America, they quickly point out to you. However, if found out such are punished and made to account and atone for their shortcomings, but at home what happens? Such contractors get more patronage and do worse jobs.

Living large But beyond the complaints and fear of coming home, one thing that is apparent in Nigerians there is that they enjoy life to the fullest. One thing that I’ve always admired and cherish is the fact that you can go out at any time of the day or night without any fear.

For instance, because many of them don’t joke with their jobs most parties or visits to friends and relations are done in the dead of the night.

Visits to friends and relations who live as far as one or two hours apart are started at 10pm!

Then you ask why do we set out on a two hour long travel on visitation? You’re quickly reminded that you are not in Nigeria. This is America where shops, grocery stores and pharmacies operate a 24-hour service. If you’re wondering about that and you get to your host’s home after midnight you are welcome with open arms as if it’s just 3pm. The greetings, introductions and other preliminaries go on for another thirty minutes before you are asked

‘I’m tired of the throne’

PrincessJoyce AdesolaOladiran-Ebiseni whobecamearegent fivemonthsago sayssheistiredofliving inthepalaceandbegsthecommunityto quicklychoose theirmonarchnow inorderfor her tobe released from‘detention’to goback to her family. Taiwo Abiodun reports domain he just has to abide by the rules. ’’ She burst into an uproarious laughter.

She said she always feels uncomfortable when the elders pay homage to her. She said: “They will prostrate and greet me saying Kaabiyesiii,ooo, ebo a fin o[Your majesty , may the gods accept your sacrifice] and I feel great and have the feeling that I am also a man . Yes, I like it but meanwhile, it embarrasses me when I see these old people come in, remove their caps, lie on the ground prostrating. I would asked the elders not to prostrate while they too with total commitment would say they respect and honour the stool and not myself, and I would laugh and thank them for their understanding. The moment I put on my regalia I feel great and honoured. It’s a big honour for me.’’

Since she became a regent she has never made the mistake of wearing a female’s dress and this, she said has strengthened her and made her feel like a man anywhere she goes. She has her wardrobe filled with assorted male traditional clothes and caps. She said: “I cannot count the number of traditional caps I have. I have many traditional flowing gowns [agbada] as well. I bought only one bead necklace for I had many before I became a regent and I found it not necessary to buy again. The whisk I am using now was used by my late father. The whisk is about 40 years. There is no point of purchasing another one. I have all the paraphernalia of a monarch and I am using them until I leave the throne.’’

Asked if she acts as a man at home, she said: “I am a woman in •Princess Ebiseeni PHOTO: TAIWO ABIODUN the room and in my matrimonial home but when I come out of my think it’s personal. When we are in our room I become a man.” She said there is matrimonial house [ in Akure], I mean whenever confusion once in a while when she is being I go to Akure to see my husband and children, greeted in the public as some would be confused we know how we arrange ourselves. But in my whether to greet her as a man or as a woman.

She said at times they greet me by saying Kaabiyesii ma , at times they would say, Kaabiyesii sir. Whichever one they say I always respond.

After all, all is greetings.’’

On her performance, experience and achievements while on the throne so far, she said: “ I have more experience; I have more knowledge and I thank God for allowing me to stay with my people and know their problems.

They are nice and Godly people, they have the fear of God and the elders too cooperate with me. As per disputes, I allow the elders to help me settle the disputes for I am a kid where they are. I can only give advise but when it comes to judgement, I allow the old men and women who are chiefs to do that .They have been doing since my father’s reign and can still do it .The interesting disputes they always bring to the palace are land and wife-snatching issues. It is always interesting and I see the period as another school in my life.’’

The princess, however, complained of not being able to attend social functions as before.

She said the throne has been hindering her from doing what she was doing before and therefore she wants to go back to her former self and her social work. She lamented: “I have an NGO where I assist the less-privileged ones; I assist the sick, the miscreants and empower women and young university graduates who are not yet employed. Now I am missing all these and I want to go back to where I came from, She said she also wants to go back to her husband and take care of her family as well as continue the social work she is doing. I am restricted to this throne, I cannot eat in the public, and the frequency of my social outings is low. I don’t want to be too distant to my second home; I mean those I take care of. Again, I cannot dress like a woman in the public. I cannot put on my earrings again and I have to cover my hair. No matter how expensive I dress my hair no one sees it, I am tired of this. I want the ruling house to put their heads together and chose their new monarch in order for me to go and organise myself.’’

“Notwithstanding, I still take the needy to the hospital if need be. I am eager to go to them for I cannot leave them alone. I have passion for what I am doing so I still visit them at home and in the hospital to see to their welfare. ‘’ At 43, she was asked if she wants to have any kid again. She replied: ‘’Kid? I have enough. And apart from that the rule that stipulates that you must not be pregnant while on the throne. And if you do not want to be pregnant, you know what to do. There are many ways to do that now. Even at that , I don’t want kids again. My last born is seven years old.”

The princess obtained her Ordinary Diploma in Accounting from the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti state and also Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the University of Lagos.

IF YOU HAVE ANY STORY FOR US , CONTACT TAIWO ABIODUN on 08034157684

Nigerians in America what you want to eat after drinks have been served. Banters and stories about home, life in America and so on are shared while the food is being cooked or made ready in the microwave. By the time you finish eating the food and share experiences- they telling you about their lives in America and you explaining the situation of things at home to them you find out that time is fast gone. It’s already 2am.Then you are told it’s time to go home. You look at your wrist watch and wonder whether it was deceiving you or that your host does not know what he was saying.

You ask, “How can we be going home at this time of the night?” They all look at you incredulously as if you’re a piece of a strange object. You wonder if you have said anything untoward. Then they all burst into raucous laughter and you wonder why you have become a laughing stock.

In unison about four to five people tell you, “Wake up, you are no longer in Nigeria. This is America you can go home at any hour and no armed robber or assassin would accost you on the road.” Then you began to wake up to the reality of the night. On your way home all the streets are well lit and no scruffily dressed policeman brandishing an ill-looking AK47 riffle stopped you to ask patently stupid questions or harass you. You silently ask yourself “why can’t Nigeria be like this? Why can’t we have lights on all the strategic streets and have security that could make you confidently leave your home late in the night and return in the wee hours without fear of being killed or harassed unnecessarily? Why and why?”

One thing become abundantly clear to you, Nigerians in America work hard and enjoy their lives well. Attending any party hosted by them is a feast with varieties of food from all corners of the country served in very large and sweet quantities. They have caught the American bug; everything is done big and in grand style. In Chicago there is an annual festival called “a Taste of Chicago”. At this open festival which is celebrated for about a week all the nationals who live in the city come to the vast ground to display and sell their types of food and culture. At this year’s event, there is the Nigerian stand manned by delectable Nigerian girls who were friendly and welcoming. When I got to the stand and identified myself, they were all happy and almost falling over each other asking me about home.

One who identified herself as Funmi said she is a student of management in a university in Chicago and that she has been living in the country for over eight years. She arrived in the country first as a visitor and decided to stay back “because the condition at home is tough.” Now, close to a decade in America what does she think of the country? “I love it.

It is a land of legions of opportunities,” she replied with a special glint in her eyes. “What about Nigeria, the land of your birth?”It was asked if I’d asked the unthinkable. With a contorted face she said, “That’s a different matter. I don’t want to talk about that. Sir, please enjoy yourself while you’re in America and forget about Nigeria.” I told her I am not a resident and that I was on a short visit and would soon return home in a few days. She

looked at me as if I was trying to commit suicide by going back. Without saying so I knew what was going on in her mind.

At that juncture I knew it was fruitless to continue talking about home to her. I bought my fair share of food and left the stand. This got me thinking. At that young age she has already lost faith in her home country and does not even want to hear a word about her.

Why? The truth is that she does not in any way have any belief that Nigeria is workable.

There are countless numbers of them in the Diaspora who do not have any feelings for the country. They feel cut off and alienated because of the way things are at home.

Lack of electricity has turned children that are hardly out of diapers to experts at crossing highways dashing across to filling stations with jerry cans to buy fuel for their parents’ “I better pass my neighbour” generators. A thing that is clearly unthinkable in America.

Nigerians pride themselves as lovers of children, but majority of what goes on here is nothing but crass child abuse if subjected to American standards.

In all aspects of life Nigerians abroad feel disappointed about their home country and do not feel any pull or urge to return home.

The question now is how do we attract them back home? The so called Diaspora programme of the federal government does not hold any magic wand because a few I spoke with scoffed at it and dismissed it with a wave of the hand. Their belief is that it is just another avenue to ‘spread government’s money to political lackeys’.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

Life

Paddling through the storms of life “I

EXPECT to pass through life but once. If therefore there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow-being, let me do it now and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again…” – William Penn (1644-1718) It always hits us like a thunderbolt. We are persistently caught unawares by its unwelcome visitation. Yet, death is one of the most ubiquitous and pervasive features of human existence. Man is indeed defined essentially by his ephemeral mortality. He is here today and gone tomorrow like the shrub of the field. Death, the grim reaper is also the remorseless leveller utterly indifferent to status, gender, class or even age as every second it gathers in its harvest of precious souls. I can think of no Professor or philosopher more profound than death. By its sheer unpredictability, inexorability and relentlessly unemotional efficiency in plucking human fruits from the vulnerable tree of consciousness, it also teaches the wise as reflected in William Penn’s aphorism above, to value life and maximize the gift of time.

I could hardly believe my eyes when, last week, I first read in Lawal Ogienabon’s column in this newspaper the news of the absolutely shocking demise of our good friend, colleague and brother, Mr. Femi Olatunde in Abuja. When I last saw him sometime last year when he visited Lagos, Femi was his characteristically robust, ebullient, lively and unassuming self. He was absolutely guileless and without hubris. An Assistant Director with

By Segun Ayobolu the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) before his sudden transition, Femi undoubtedly had even more glorious career prospects ahead of him.

But death so cruelly abridges human plans, purposes and projections.

Along with such bright intellects as Tunde Olusunle, Lawal Ogienabon, Hakeem Bello, Emeka Nwosu, Louis Okoroma, Abiodun Raufu, Basil Obi, Dapo Adeniyi, Yomi Ola and Uthman Shodipe among several others in the then star studded Daily Times of the late eighties and early nineties, we cut our professional teeth under the meticulous and exacting supervision of Chief Onyeama Ugochwuku our Editor. Those were indeed exciting and fulfilling times. We worked hard and equally enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. Lawal and Olusunle, in separate tributes to Femi, have aptly portrayed both the intellectually and emotionally stimulating atmosphere in which we worked and played as well as the wonderful character of Femi, who added so much value to our companionship.

Femi was a brilliant and perceptive economist, a graduate of the University of Ibadan, also my Alma Mater. However, he had little patience for the Marxian inspired political economy that provided the theoretical framework for my analysis of politics and society in the Nigeria of the time. Femi Olatunde, Tunde Olusunle, Emeka Nwosu and I in 1998 served as members of the General Olusegun

•Late Oloyede

Obasanjo election campaign committee with Chief Ugochukwu as our Director General. With the triumph of General Obasanjo in the 1999 presidential election, the trio of Olatunde, Olusunle and Nwosu relocated to Abuja to take up various appointments in the presidency but I remained in Lagos having accepted newly elected Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s offer to be his Chief Press Secretary. A huge gulf thereafter developed in our relationship, which I blame principally on my own failings. But then, neither height nor depth nor width nor length nor even death can ever

sunder the fraternal bond we forged and which, beyond death, endures.

I was just trying to come to terms with Femi’s transition when Kehinde Bamigbetan sent me a text message last Saturday morning informing me of the death of Alhaji Mustapha Safiyu Oloyede alias Paddler, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Chief Driver for over two and a half decades. I still recall in my mind the slim, calm looking, diligent and ever humorous young man who was Asiwaju’s driver when he campaigned and won the election as the Senator representing the Lagos West District in the aborted Third Republic. Paddler accompanied Asiwaju to Abuja when he resumed at the Senate.

Bound by similar values of commitment to humanity, boss and subordinate, despite their divergent social classes, had become veritable Siamese Twins. Bamigbetan, the mercurial Chairman of Ejigbo Local Council Development Authority has written a moving tribute to Paddler that is difficult to improve upon factually and stylistically.

Suffice it to say that Paddler’s meticulous diligence played a key role in Tinubu’s evading Abacha’s hitmen by the whiskers and his eventual escape into exile to become a frontline soldier in the protracted battle against military dictatorship. Mustapha was driving his boss, already neck deep in the anti-annulment insurrection, to a location on Victoria Island when he suddenly noticed the unusual sight of dark goggled plain clothes men lurking innoucously but suspi-

21

ciously outside the premises of his destination. His instincts aroused, Mustapha calmly and without fuss made a detour conveying his boss to the safety from which he later exited a country that had become one huge garrison. Apparently frustrated at the elusiveness of their quarry, security goons’ later fire bombed Tinubu’s residence on Balarabe Musa Crescent, Victoria Island.

It was only natural that when he assumed office as Governor in 1999, the loyal and trusted Mustapha would become Tinubu’s Chief Driver. His official security code name in this capacity was ‘Paddler.’ His proximity to power, affluence and influence did not erode Mustapha’s innate modesty and an almost self-deprecating earthiness. Even as Asiwaju for eight years steered the vessel of Lagos through often stormy waters, Paddler ensured that his boss remained afloat as he journeyed from destination to destination. He was the very model of commitment, competence and faithfulness.

In a way we are all paddlers steering the barges of our lives through the turbulent waters of human existence and destined inevitably to disembark when Captain Death comes calling. Femi and Paddler have answered the call.

They have crossed the boundaries of human consciousness. Both men were aged 48. Yet, we should not mourn them. We should celebrate the fact that their sojourn this side of eternity was short but fulfilled.

They will live forever in the memories of those lives they touched positively. May the peace of God Almighty flood and stregthen the hearts of their loved ones even as we pray that Femo and Paddler rest in eternal bliss. Amen.

22

Life

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

VOX POP Al Mustapha claims Ribadu tried to assasinate him Keeping tabs on people and events in cyber space

PICTURE OF THE DAY

FORMER chief security officer to then military dictator, Sanni Abacha, played a video in a Lagos court today showing some Yoruba leaders leaving the meeting with former military head of state, General Abdusalam Abubakar.

The video footage which he claimed was shot by his personal bodyguard revealed the face of late Chief Abraham Adesanya, Chief Bola Ige and the former secretary to the National Democratic Coalition, Ayo Opadokun at the Aso • This man was seen physically mutilating himself at the annual Vegetarian Festival in Thai- Rock Villa. land. Source: www.madlyodd.com

Ex-Governor, 83, marries 32-year-old prison pen pal COLORFUL former Gov. Edwin Edwards, who turns 84 next month, on Friday married a 32-year-old woman who befriended him during his federal prison sentence for bribery and extortion.

Edwards, a Democrat who served four terms as governor in the 1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s, did most of the talking after he and bride Trina Grimes Scott emerged from an elevator at the Monteleone Hotel in the French Quarter.

“People who don’t know me don’t know what a wonderful, pleasant, modest fellow I am,” Edwards said when asked how a man his age managed to land a much-younger wife.

He also told reporters how Grimes, who started writing him letters while he was in prison, visited him there regularly on weekends and holidays in recent years.

“The prison was in love with her — they used to watch her walk across the parking lot,” Edwards said, laughing.

“They made me the camp hero.”

The two have not talked about what prompted her to choose him as a pen pal.

Edwards spent eight years in federal prison for his role in a bribery and extortion scheme to rig riverboat casino licenses during his fourth term in the early 1990s. In July, he completed six months of home detention and regular reporting to a Baton Rouge halfway.

Grimes became Edwards’ third wife in what the governor said was a small, private ceremony earlier Friday at the hotel, with a few friends and family in attendance.

“It’s great, I’m very happy,” the bride told reporters. She has posted wedding updates on her Facebook page, which does not list an occupation.

Edwards wore a blue suit, while his new wife wore a cream-colored, knee-length,

In another dramatic testimony in open court, Mustapha made a series of claims in further testimony including claims that former EFCC chairman, Nuhu Ribadu, tried to assassinate him after escorting him to Lagos.

According to saharareporter.com, he said he was saved by the Mike Okiro, the commissioner of police of Lagos at the time.

Comments Abdullahi Barau Bogoro We should not be in a hurry to call al-mustapha a lier.

Let us wait and see the conclusion of his revealations. There are elements of truth. Nigeri-

ans should continue to pray to god to expose all those who killed or directed the killing ofinnocent nigerians for their selfish interest. They are the problem of this country, cos a person that can kill or take part in killing can commit any kind of crime. It is a common believe among nigerians that most killings and attrocities (be it political, religious, tribal, ritual, etc) in the country are done or sponsored by people in authority. Where are we heading to if such people always escape justice. We hope and pray for change this time around.

Olu Gbolahan There is no where that Mustapha could prove that Ige, Adesanya and co. were bribed in other to kill Abiola or made Abiola remained incarcerated.

Hence, how would you linked them to the killing of June 12 or killing of Abiola. Everything that happen to June 12 and Abiola are products of IBB selfish agenda. If IBB acted as a good and brave leader he wouldn’t have annulled that election. Abacha new IBB intention, that was while he didn’t see anything wrong in taking over power trying to

become a life president. Abdulsalam was just smart to read well the rhythm of the whole situation, made his plan and executed it Obi Moore This man has made a revelation which is very serious, the most sensible thing to do at this time is to call for Judicial inquest on the death of Abiola to unravel the mystry behind it. We can not continue to sweep it under the carpet. I think there are some elements of truth in Mustapha’s allegation. We can not dismiss it just like that, it must have taken a lot of courage for him to do this after several years, it shows that truth will always be constant no matter how it may be suppressed. Abiola did not die by drinking ordinary tea in Aso Rock, he must have been poisoned to bury June 12th.

No wonder since then things has gotten worse in Nigeria Solomon Akanbi Why are we wasting our time on this issue? What revelation is in somebody showing a video of some people having meeting with the president of the nation and what is wrong in people huging each other after the meeting. This boko haram, Al mustapha or what ever the name is just trying to distract the attention from the issue on ground. The judge should ignore this edited video and try the idiot. We want to know who killed KUDIRAT ABIOLA thereafter we shall investigate the death of ABIOLA and ABACHA.

JOBS ONLINE strapless dress.

A reporter asked what the dress was made of and she said she didn’t know. Edwards, born and raised in Louisiana’s Cajun country, quipped: “It’s Italian silk, with a Cajun twist.”

After posing for pictures, the couple walked around the block to Galatoire’s Restaurant on Bourbon Street, to smatterings of applause from tourists and workers in taxi cabs and delivery trucks.

They were followed by a small parade of reporters, photographers, and an entourage that included state Supreme Court Justice Catherine Kimball, who performed the wedding ceremony, and her husband, former state Rep. Clyde Kimball.

Edwards, who also served in Congress, brought charisma and power to state politics that rivaled that of Louisiana’s other favorite populist sons, Huey and Earl Long.

Though frequently criticized in the press for his link to a Korean rice scandal early in his congressional career, his strong hand in deal-making with legislators as governor and his leadership in the push to legalize gambling in the ‘90s, Edwards built a reputation for being able to broker coalitions of urban and rural

constituencies.

He was last elected governor in 1991, when he faced former Ku Klux Klan wizard David Duke, who ran as a Republican. Business leaders feared Duke’s election would be devastating for the state’s convention business because of his extremist views.

Around New Orleans, bumper stickers began popping up on vehicles, stop signs and park benches that forever immortalized Louisiana’s often stormy romance with Edwards. The stickers read, “Vote for the Crook: It’s Important.”

Read more: http:// www.sfgate.com

DID YOU KNOW... …...THAT a dairy cow can produce more milk when listening to music ...that a clam can switch its gender from male to female,and it will take place few times throughout its life ...that Coke was originally green in colour ...that a cat can produce over 100 types of sounds,but a dog can only do 10.

NEW jobs are available at Nigerian Port Authority. Selected applicants will be responsible for the provision of operational security support for the organization, legislative compliance with security related protocols and coordination of the activities of the security department in conformity with international best practices.

Minimum of B.SC/HND in any of the Social Sciences, 10 years experience in Military/Law enforcement agency with 5 years in management position in the rank not lower than Lt. Col/Asst.

Commissioner of Police/Director, State Security Services are required. Application letters should be sent to info@nigerianports.org African Development Bank has existing vacancies for a Senior Legal Counsel (Private Sector Operations).

Cndidate should have at least a Master’s degree in Law, plus admission to the Bar of (or diploma to practice law in) a member country; or a first university degree plus a relevant combination of academic qualification in Law (e.g. Juris Doctor (JD) plus admission to the Bar of (or diploma to practice law in) a member country of the Bank.

They should also posses at least 5 years of relevant professional experience with an established law firm or an international financial institution, with in-depth experience in major international financial transactions. C.V’s should be sent to www.afdb.org/en/careers/ current-vacancies before the 30th of August 2011.

The Guardian Newspaper Ltd is recruting dispatch riders. Applicants should

have a minimum of West African School Leaving Certificate and 5 years riding experience knowledge of Lagos routes especially Victoria Island with current riders permit.

Interested candidates are expected to respond to this advertisement within two weeks of this publication to: The Distribution Manager, Guardian Newspaper Limited, Rutam – House, Isolo/ Oshodi Expressway, Lagos.

23 SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

Agbeyegbe: Legend @ 76 T

HOUGH a trained lawyer, Fred Agbeyegbe is better known as a theatre practitioner. On the grounds of the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, he is a common and well-loved sight. Hence, for Fred Agbeyegbe’s 76 th birthday celebration penultimate Saturday, his constituency came out strong to felicitate with him. The occasion to mark his birthday was well attended by representatives of Association of Nigeria Theatre Practitioners, EkoGOND, Indigenous Movie Makers Association of Nigeria, Equity of Theatre Arts Musicians, and other lovers of the arts.

On that day, over 1000 persons crammed into the 750 capacity Cinema Hall 2 to pay homage and celebrate with the theatre Icon. In attendance were Prof Bayo Oduneye, Prof Segun Ojewuyi, Mr. Martin Adaji, Mr. Kabiru Yusuf – GM National Theatre, Mr. Ben Tomoloju, Mr. Mahmood Alli-Balogun, Mrs. Priscilla Kuye, the first Female President of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Taiwo Taiwo, Chairman, NBA, Lagos State Chapter, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Godwin Kanu, the former Military Administrator, Lagos State.

Apart from the merry-making and dedication of his book, BUDISO, a play, to Alao Aka-Bashorun, the other highlight was his investiture as Grand Living Legend of Nigerian Theatre by the Lagos Chapter of NANTAP. Mufu Onifade, Lagos State Chairman of NANTAP at the event showed appreciation to accomplished individuals who have contributed to the development of Nigerian Theatre and culture. The reasons for the choice, according to Onifade, were that he has written over 15 outstanding plays, many of which have been performed in and outside Nigeria and he has engaged many theatre practitioners by using his theatre company to source for funds to ensure consistent performances, which is a testimonial to his ability to generate employment for practitioners.

He said in his speech; “Many of them have worked towards engendering capacity building, human development, intellectual articulation, socio-cultural fortification and political emancipation as factors that are germane to national development. We share the sentiments that it is better to recognize, appreciate and celebrate our heroes – heroes and heroines of Nigerian theatre – who have attained the age of 70 and are still active in influencing theatre practice.”

Describing the celebrator as a ‘real icon of Nigerian Theatre,’ Greg Odutayo, National President, National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP), said, ‘Apart from his many plays, his singular effort at organizing a festival of his plays, which changed the face of Nigerian English language theatre since 1986, is a commendable exercise that brought many theatre practitioners to the limelight. That many of his plays are being read at various theatre schools in Nigeria is his contribution to intellectual development of Nigerian theatre.’

The organisation earlier on May 12, 1994 had bestowed on him NANTAP award.

Agbeyegbe’s entry into theatre started as a child when at age 14, he gave animation to a pictorial Almanac of the English Royal Household in a play he titled “The Tombs of Westminster Abbey”. Four years

Birthdays of accomplished individuals can never go unmarked. To theatre practitioners in Nigeria, Fred Agbeyegbe who turned 76 last month, is a legend who deserved to be honoured, writes Joe Agbro Jr.

• Agbeyegbe

later, he wrote “The Will”. In 1963, the British Broadcasting Corporation broadcast his play: “Reincarnating Lovers”.

It would however not be until 1983 that debut with his Theatre Ensemble, Ajo Productions and his play; ‘The King Must Dance Naked.’ From that debut, he, his Ajo Productions Theatre Ensemble and Jide Ogungbade, its Artistic Director, literally took over the National Theatre, Iganmu Lagos. This was especially noticed during the tenure of Colonel Akogun as Administrator, when Fred Agbeyegbe wrote and produced a play each year. These were personally funded. Some budding actors then that benefitted from him in-

cluded Emma Oga, Kunle Adeyemo, Enebeli Elebuwa, Sola Awojobi and Clarion Chukwurah. Later came Lara Akinsola, Antar Laniyan, Yinka Lijadu, Richard Mofe Damijo and a host of other household names in today’s Nigerian Theatre.

In 1986, he was commissioned by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to write and stage a play to commemorate 100 Years of the Legal Profession in Nigeria. Aided by Jide Ogungbade, they came out with the play, ‘BUDISO’, a metonym for BU, (Buhari, the then Military Head of State), DI (Idiagbon – Buhari’s Deputy and Chief of Defence Staff) and SO (Sowemimo - the then Chief Justice of the Federation), which is a rib-cracking farce depicting the excesses of the then ruling triumvirate in human rights abuse.

Also in 1986, he staged and personally financed the first ever One Man Festival of the Arts in Drama in Nigeria, showing four of his plays ‘The King Must Dance Naked’, ‘Woe Unto Death’, ‘The Last Omen’ and ‘Budiso’ for a whole month at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos. Since then, he has taken his plays all over the federation in an effort to make the country Theatre and Culture conscious. At the last count, he has written over 17 plays – all published.

From his entry into the Nigerian Theatre Stage, Fred Agbeyegbe never looked back. He revived English Language Drama as a popular mass audience art form at the National Theatre, setting and breaking his own records in English Language Drama audience attraction for four years.

The height of Fred Agbeyegbe’s devotion to Theatre Arts and Drama was his playing the role of Okeji in his ‘Woe Unto Death’ in an outing at the Agip Hall of the Museum Centre, Lagos on Friday May 8, 1998 termed: ‘An Evening With Fred Agbeyegbe’, sponsored by Fred Agbeyegbe’s Committee of Friends. The evening was a prelude to another of Agbeyegbe’s pioneering efforts to set up an NGO called African Theatre Overseas in London.

Agbeyegbe is recipient of several awards including 1st Wole Soyinka Solidra Award in recognition of his contributions to Literature and Drama (November 19, 1994) and NANTAP Award in Special Recognition Award of his unwavering commitment to excellence in the promotion of Theatre Arts in Nigeria (May 12, 1994).

Born 22 nd July, 1935 in Ekurede, in Warri, Delta State to John Ojobo Agbeyegbe and Enetsemi Mikie, Agbeyegbe attended African School, Forcados, CMS School Utagba Ogbe, Kwale, BNA School, Evboghighae and Government School, Auchi, from 1942 - 1949. He was recruited into the Nigerian Police in 1955 but pursuit of education saw him travel abroad where he first undertook secretarial courses. He later obtained an LLB from the School of Oriental and African Studies and LLM from University College, London in 1968.

He also obtained a Diploma in International Air & Space Law (1969), University College, London: Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, London: Institute of Commonwealth Studies, London: Ph.D Research, (Pacta sunt servanda); “The Constitutional, Administrative and International Law bases of The Commonwealth of Nations,” (1969 - 1971); Hague Academy of International Law, Peace Palace, The Hague (1972), Nigerian Law School, Lagos: Barrister-at-Law, Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria (1973).University of Lagos; Ph.D Research, “The Nigerian Law of Financial Institutions” (1982 - 1984).

Agbeyegbe had served as Executive Member, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch (1988-1990); Member of the National Executive Committee, NBA (1991-1992), and Member, General Council of the Bar (1991-1992). He was Founder/Member/First Vice President of the Nigerian Insurance Law Association.

Agbeyegbe, a consummate writer who has written for every major Nigerian newspaper, is married with eleven children four boys and seven girls; and twelve grand children.

24

Arts

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

Dance, culture and export potentials “T

HE type of dance I saw today can be exported.” That was how the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Chief Edem Duke summed up his impression last week after watching the National Troupe of Nigeria (NTN) in action. The occasion was the official visit of the minister to the National Theatre to familiarise himself with the situations in some of the departments and parastatals in his ministry. The National Troupe, being one that never allows an occasion pass without showing ‘colour’, had quickly packaged a set of dances tagged Iba to entertain the minister.

It was indeed a new Iba that thrilled the guests that arrived with the minister. The dances were specially selected to reflect the totality of Nigerian dances.

The drums were first placed on the stage. Then suddenly the drummers, all decked in different costumes appeared on stage, armed with their drumming sticks. As they took positions, the women singers dressed in all types of local fabrics entered the stage, singing and swaying their waists quietly.

In no time the sounds of the drums began to boom, producing danceable rhythmical sounds that melted into the inner recesses of the hall.

The sounds announced the arrival of heroes and heroines, dwelling essentially on the need to keep culture on the front burner of national affairs. The dances indeed appealed to all tribes and ethnic groups there present. Even when only three types of dances were displayed, each lasted long enough to register the desired effects on the minds of the people.

At a stage, a dancer dressed in an Efik semi-masquerade costume thrilled so much that Duke beckoned on him to come closer. As he came closer wriggling his waist to the rhythmic percussion of the drums, the minister engaged him in a conversation. For a while he would tell the dancer what to do in a very low tone. The dancer would raise his two hands into the air as if he was holding an invisible object. He would then blow into the air invoking a word or two that were lost on the people.

After that he would dance away as if possessed, then went back again to Duke who would still imbue him with more powers and instructions. This continued for several minutes before, acting on the last orders, he danced away onto the stage.

No one understood what transpired because the minister, an Efik high Chief, when asked, refused to disclose it to the press “You have to bring white goat, plenty of white chickens before I can tell you,” he said jokingly to the people.

It was an eye-opener because the minister actually saw the real National Troupe of Nigeria in action. This made him to say that “our tradition must be kept so that we will grow on them. In fact the future begins today. I am so happy that the transformation we talk about will begin from culture. We have plenty of it and it is good that the National Troupe is in the vanguard of keeping it anew.”

“This is our own culture which we must preserve. No

The National Troupe of Nigeria staged dances to entertain the Minister of Culture, Chief Edem Duke, last week. Edozie Udeze reports.

“This is our own culture which we must preserve. No matter how long the oil lasts, culture will continue to thrive; culture will continue to be with us. Nothing is indeed greater than what I have seen today; for it is the most endearing aspect of our being.

When culture is given its rightful place, we will of course get there together. And so, today my joy knows no bounds”.

•National Troupe dancing Iba

•National Troupe dancing Iba

matter how long the oil lasts, culture will continue to thrive; culture will continue to be with us. Nothing is indeed greater than what I have seen today; for it is the most endearing aspect of our being. When culture is given its rightful place, we will of course get there together. And so, today my joy knows no bounds.”

In his welcome speech, Martin Adaji, the Artistic Director of the National Troupe appealed to the minister to release more funds to enable the Troupe do more for the nation. Said he, “sir, we are soliciting the support of the ministry for funds for the

provision of rehearsals and production venues, dance and music studios so that we can avoid incidences as in the recent past where the Troupe’s need to use the halls clashed with the desire of the National Theatre management’s drive to earn revenue. We can achieve much if more funds are made available for our official needs,” Adaji said.

He went on to say that “we also solicit the ministry’s assistance in our efforts to have a presence in Abuja. Already, we have secured a liaison office and have been allocated office spaces at the Federal Secretariat but we

require funds to secure hostel accommodation and rehearsal spaces for our artistes who will be domiciled there to service very important state and international functions,” Adaji presented.

Duke promised to give a new face to dance and in no time to agitate for an office space for the Troupe in Abuja. He actually promised to make more foreign trips available to the Troupe to open new vistas of cultural leeway for Nigeria.

After touring the premises of National Theatre, Duke was struck by the level of decay of some of the facilities. Even

though the current management has done some renovations, he still observed that the edifice is far from being a conducive venue for events. Apart from some halls and toilets and some other facilities that have been repaired, the 7,000 seater main bowl is in a state of total disrepair. There, the minister was shocked to notice that the chairs and the entire stage have been neglected for many years.

Although he commended the General Manager, Kabir Yusuf, for his efforts to bring life back to the place, he was unhappy that the level of decay is beyond human comprehension. “It is a pity that this place got so bad only after 34 years. Abroad and in some advanced societies, an edifice of this magnitude would last for up to 100 years before you can begin to talk of renovation of its facilities. All the corporate organizations involved in the use of the place have to contribute to its upkeep and maintenance,” he said.

He promised also that more efforts will be made to make the Theatre event friendly for the general public. Even then, he promised also to ensure that CBAAC gets all it requires to do more jobs for the society. He gave the director, Professor Tunde Babawale, a pat on the back for being very resilient in his responsibility to the tenets of FESTAC ’77.

“When CBAAC becomes an arm of African Union (AU), we expect the centre to do more for the whole Black people all over the world,” Duke declared. This is so because CBAAC is a custodian of the relics of FESTAC ’77 which it does on behalf of the rest of Blacks worldwide.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

Books

25

A novel of dark sexual obsession T

HE allure of destructive relationships is complicated. We don’t like them when they happen to us (or maybe sometimes we do), but we love reading or talking about them. It’s the drama, the guaranteed narrative arc. We know they almost always end badly, but the details are so irresistible: She did what? Again? What was she thinking? Why would anyone go back after the deadbeat took her car, ate all her bacon and gave his 12-year-old the keys to her apartment without telling her he had a 12-yearold? That’s crazy. Tell me more!

“True Things About Me,” the first novel by the Welsh writer Deborah Kay Davies, does exactly this — tells us more — in gripping detail. The novel’s narrator, an unnamed woman, has a job processing claims at a benefits office. A gorgeous man, just released from prison, steps up to her window, wearing “what could have been a wedding ring.”

When the woman asks him his marital status, he says: “Single. Very.” Hours later she finds him waiting for her after work, and within minutes they’re having rough sex in a parking garage. The woman is left with a ruined leather jacket and a lump on her head.

She is both repulsed and awakened. Some time later, she drops by the man’s house and leaves a note with another woman who lives there, saying she wants to see him. And so she enters into a sexual obsession that pulls her into her darkest self.

Davies, who is also the author of a story collection and a book of poems, unspools her novel in short chapters featuring searing, fo-

By Rebecca Barry rensically precise sentences. Every sensation is recorded: the feel of the wind lifting the narrator’s hair, the texture of a wall against her face when her lover, the “cruel bastard,”

pushes her into the side of a building.

Davies explores how an abusive person can whittle away another person’s sense of self. The narrator’s lover, also unnamed, is beautiful, and the sex is thrilling — even when it’s upsetting. “Something terrible has happened to me,” the narrator says after an especially humiliating encounter. “I have experienced something very bad and serious.

Surely something horrible and wrong. Or maybe it was wonderful.” Mostly, her lover is elusive and commanding, with little capacity for remorse. He is tender one moment, violent the next. He takes her car. He demeans her. He abandons her. He demeans her some more.

And yet the narrator can’t resist him, which would be clichéd or tedious if Davies’s portrait was not so sympathetic. She asks us to examine our notions of people who stay in bad relationships. We tend to separate ourselves from such people. We like to think: They have no self-esteem. They had awful parents. They came from unfortunate circumstances. Yet many of us, whether we admit it or not, have found ourselves in one situation or another where, even if we knew better, we allowed ourselves to be bullied by someone close to us.

There’s a surreal element to “True Things About Me.” The lover is a super-antihero: strong, mysterious and callous, appearing and disappearing, rescuing the narrator from the safe things, from her ordinary life, while threatening to destroy her. In an incredible scene, he ushers his other girlfriend (yup)

and her children into the narrator’s house, then flees when the girlfriend tells him to scram, leaving the women alone to talk.

Are you married? the narrator asks.

“God, no,” the girlfriend responds. “No one in their right mind would marry that nasty piece of work. . . . What I want to know is, how somebody like you got mixed up with him?”

The narrator replies, truthfully if feebly, “He sort of swept me up. . . . Do you know what I mean?”

Davies describes the dissociative state of a victim of emotional and physical abuse: the abuse’s numbing effect, the way it leads to destructive behaviour, the way people can do appalling things in order to be able to feel anything again. But what she does most brilliantly is to give equal time to her narrator’s feelings of victimization (fear, self-loathing), as well as to those feelings no one wants to acknowledge — an eager complicity, the way a dangerous person can make a less dangerous person feel alive.

In some ways, Davies has also captured the malaise of the virtual age, showing how our connections to a false idea of a person, or a virtual person, come at the expense of the real people around us. She has taken a common subject and through dreamlike imagery and uncommon complexity swept the reader up too.

•Rebecca Barry is the author of a novel in stories, “Later, at the Bar.”

Elocution secrets revealed A

LOT of people think acquisition of presentation skills is restricted to broadcasters but Olawumi SolaOtegbade in her book titled ‘Presentation Skills Simplified’ thinks differently. In her view, people irrespective of their profession or status in the corporate world, should acquire these skills and use them during their day-to-day interactions with clients in order to enhance poise, confidence and overall personality or the corporate image of organizations.

The book covers a lot of area in acquiring presentation skills. Some of the areas of focus include: the organs of speech and their importance in speech production, introduction to speech sounds, pure vowels, impure vowels, consonants, transcription, syllable and stress, voice training and presentation, how to develop self confidence in speaking, presentation formats and styles, speaking before an audience and some mispronounced

words.

In 153 pages, she discusses how to make use of presentation skills to reduce fright, how to prepare for a speech, relaxation techniques and also gives suggestion that will enable an individual appear at his or her best when making presentations.

The writer dealt extensively on how to develop self-confidence in speaking, presentation formats or styles for broadcasters, speaking before an audience, mastering of ceremony, news reading, tips for delivery and highlights some commonly mispronounced words.

The author advises readers to read everything they can lay their hands on; newspaper, textbooks, journals, handbills, tracts, and magazines in order to improve on their elocution skills. Also, she was for reading aloud as this exercise helps one to speak without strain for a long period of time.

The book introduces it readers to speech

sounds, the vowels and consonants used in phonetics which should not be confused with those used in the English language. Impure vowels and pure vowels - short vowel sounds and long vowels, Dipthongs and Tripthongs.

Tips on voiceless and voiced consonants, place and manner of articulation classification, place of articulation, manner of articulation, plosives, affricates, nasals, fricatives, and approximants are also discussed by the author.

The book is recommended for corporate employees, orators, presenters, schools, trainers and everyone who want to improve their presentation skills.

Title: Presentation Skills Simplified Author: Olawumi Sola-Otegbade Number of pages: 156 Publisher: Voice Clinic Training School Reviewer: Omotayo Babalola

Before the first plunge

R

EMEMBERING my first swimming lesson at Aba Sports club floods me with memories. With five other relatives, I was ready to dive. But, such experiences are only common among children.

And in his new book, ‘Swimming: The best of Sports’ Matthew Oyemi opines that while swimming can be learnt at any age, the fear of water is easiest conquered as a child.

Introducing swimming, Oyemi says: ‘Some scientists believe that human beings are born with an instinctive ability to use their arms and legs to stay afloat.’ He writes that some swimming schools abroad offer programmes to children of between age two months and three years to make them feel comfortable in water. Oyemi will however have a hard time selling that idea to people steeped in the fear of water. However, he writes that that instinct disappears after a few months.

With a coast line of about 825Km, Nigeria boasts of enough water bodies. And swimming, the movement of man in water should have been a natural pastime of many Nigerians, but this is not the case.

Perhaps, fear of water and the low level of awareness as regards swimming amongst many Nigerians which is the norm is responsible for the aqua-phobia. And it is this flaw that Mathew Oyemi seeks to correct with his first book titled, ‘Swimming: The Best of Sports.’

Oyemi starts his book by highlighting why Nigeria’s geographical positioning

makes it a country that should love swimming. In the second chapter, the author however blames the absence of a holistic sports culture as the bane of swimming.

The author who was captain of University of Ibadan swim team (1990 – 1995) goes to examine the power of the mind in relation to succeeding as a swimmer. He cites mental skills such as relaxation, imagery, breath control, and self confidence as sinequa-non to successful performance at swim meets. He also describes in detail the various styles of swimming. While it is not clear whether his explanations of the swimming styles would make meaning to the beginner in swimming, the diagrams are very explicit.

The health benefits of swimming are also highlighted in the book. Oyemi, a swimming instructor, then goes about to discuss the fears of most people when it comes to water – drowning, which he defines as ‘a type of asphyxia related to either aspiration of fluids or obstruction of the airway caused by a spasm of the larynx.’

After discussing the causes, he dedicates some space to resuscitation of victims of drowning. He even details the first aid tactics of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. He also highlights some of the hazards asso-

ciated with swimming to include cramps, swimmers’ ear, irritation of the eyes, and fatigue and things to do to obtain relief.

Not beat, Oyemi also introduces the game of water polo to his readers. He also writes that swimming ameliorates arthritis, obesity, and asthma. Oyemi also identifies lack of an enhanced grassroots development programme as a major pitfall affecting swimming in Nigeria.

However, the author thinks it is up to corporate bodies, Non-governmental Organisations, Journalists, Sports Administrators and others ‘to elucidate on all the advantages of swimming instead of the excuse that “Blacks can’t swim”’. According to him, it is believed that the typical Niger Deltan ‘learns swimming first before walking.’

A major downside of the book is the poor editing and loose cohesion along passages. Otherwise, it is a teaser to get people into the water and swimming.

Book title: Swimming: The best of Sports Author: Matthew Oyemi Publishers: Corrina Books, USA Number of pages: 101 Reviewer: Joe Agbro Jr.

26

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

Arts

1st Chapter

Fear on the throne I

HAVE taken myself back to the late seventies when, at the London Institute of Contemporary Arts, I delivered a lecture under the title, ‘Contemporary Arts, I delivered a lecture under the title, “Climates of Art’. Introducing that lecture, I made the following admission: The title is, of course, deliberate. It is meant to trigger off those associative devices…so that “Climate of Fear’, Climate of Terror’, and so on will surface in the mind without much conscious effort.

In the course of the lecture, variations of the title of this present series cropped up at least half a dozen times. My departure point, my main area of concern at the time, was the fate of the arts – and artists – under the burgeoning trade of dictatorship and governance through a forced diet of fear, most especially on the African continent – in common parlance, the fear of ‘the midnight knock’. Arbitrary detentions. Disappearances. Torture as the rule rather than the exception.

Even cynical manipulations of the judicial process, whereby a political dissident found himself in what could be described as a revolving dock without an exit, a Kafkaesque nightmare that had no end except perhaps at the end of a rope, for a crime of which the accused might even be completely unaware. Decades after

In this updated edition of Climate of Fear, based on the 2004 BBC Reith Lectures, Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, further explores the many facets of fear which includes the extensisve and pervasive hold of religion and spirituality; fear spawned by intolerance which in turn is birthed by ignorance and the similarities between these and other forms of despotism that lecture, the world took bitter note of the hanging of the Nigerian activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight of his companions after a kangaroo trial – mostly because he was a writer, but also because his cause, that of ecological preservation, had become a global agenda.

At the time of that lecture, Nigeria, my immediate political constituency, was reeling under the execution, by firing squad, of three young men under a retroactive decree – in other words, the crime for which they were convicted, drugtrafficking, did not carry a capital forfeit at the time of commission. That defiant act of murder had a purpose – to instill fear into the populace by deliberately flouting the most elementary principles of justice. And so on and on it went. The Nigerian event wrung two plays out of me – A Scourge of Hyacinths for radio, and From Zia with Love, its stage versionso persistently did that episode insist on lacerating my re-creative temper. I was

not alone. The entire nation was deeply traumatized.

Even the normally carnivalesque atmosphere that marked the main arena of public executions of armed robbers dubbed the Bar Beach Show, was reported unusually subdued. So improbable was the outcome that the crowd had persuaded itself to believe a rumour that the military dictatorship intended only to mount a charade, instill some salutary fear into traffickers, and would reprieved the young men at the last moment. Instead of giving voice to the usual chorus of derision at the exit of hated felons, the crowd had come prepared to cheer the moment of reprieve. When the ritual of final priestly ministrations, blindfolding and other motions made it quite clear that the sentence was moving remorselessly towards its decreed end, a shout of ‘No, no, no’ went up among the crowd. After the deed was done, there followed moments of absolute silence, of utter disbelief; then the crowd more or

less slunk away, downcast and shocked. The dictators had not expected such a reaction. Not long after, public executions were banned and, following the overthrow of that dictatorship by another, the edict was repealed.

While that regime lasted, however, there was no question about it: for the first time in the brief history of her independence, the Nigerian nation, near uniformly, was inducted into a palpable intimacy with fear. The question on every mind was simply this: what else were they capable of, those who could carry out an act that revolted even the most elastic sectors of the public conscience? It is a question to bear in mind in our attempts to understand what distinguishes, from the past, the new fabric of fear that we all seem to wear at this moment. As each assault on our localized or global sense of security is mounted or uncovered in the nick of time, the residual question is surely: What next? Where?

How? Are limit or restraints

any longer recognized?

What was happening on the African continent in those violent seventies and eighties was echoed, perhaps with even greater ferocity, in the Americas, where those dangerous words desaparecidos, right-wing murder squads, government-sponsored vigilantes, etc. – gained international notoriety.

Nicaragua, Chile, Argentina, Panama. Iran under the SAVAK. Apartheid South Africa under BOSS. Fear was near uniformly a state-run production line, except of course where right-wing volunteer agents of repression lent a hand – in Latin America especially.

Between right-wing governments and the efficient

state-run communist machinery there was, however, hardly any different.

Hungary, Albania, East Germany, Bulgaria and so on. Emigres from these would-be utopias, no different from survivors of apartheid South Aricaboth the defeated and the yet combative and conspiratorial–criss–crossed the world seeking help and solidarity. Again and again, our paths-those of creative people-would meet, leading to that immediate question: how did creativity survive under such arbitrary exercise of power? How did Art survive in a climate of rear?

Today, the constituency of fear has become much broader, far less selective.

Nobel Greats

Kenzaburo Oe

Winner of Nobel Prize in Literature 1994

"Who with poetic force creates an imagined world, where life and myth condense to form a disconcerting picture of the human predicament today"

K

Born: Born: 31 January 1935, Uchiko, Japan Residence at the time of the award: Japan Language: Japanese

ENZABURO Oe was born in 1935, in a village hemmed in by the forests of Shikoku, one of the four main islands of Japan.

His family had lived in the village tradition for several hundred years, and no one in the Oe clan had ever left the village in the valley. Even after Japan embarked on modernization soon after the Meiji Restoration, and it became customary for young people in the provinces to leave their native place for Tokyo or the other large cities, the Oes remained in Osemura. Maps no longer show the small hamlet by name because it was annexed by a neighbouring town. The women of the Oe clan had long assumed the role of storytellers and had related the

historical events of the region, including the two uprisings that occurred there before and after the Meiji Restoration.

They also told of events closer in nature to legend than to history. These stories, of a unique cosmology and of the human condition therein, which Oe heard told since his infancy, left him with an indelible mark.

The Second World War broke out when Oe was six.

Militaristic education extended to every nook and cranny of the country, the Emperor as both monarch and deity reigning over its politics and its culture.

Young Oe, therefore, experienced the nation's myth and history as well as those of the village tradition, and these dual experiences were often

in conflict. Oe's grandmother was a critical storyteller who defended the culture of the village, narrating to him humourously, but ever defiantly, anti-national stories.

After his father's death during the war, his mother took over his father's role as educator. The books she bought him - The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Strange Adventures of Nils Holgersson - have left him with an impression he says 'he will carry to the grave'.

Japan's defeat in the war in 1945 brought enormous change, even to the remote forest village. In schools, children were taught democratic principles, replacing those of the absolutist Emperor system, and this education was all the more thorough, for the

nation was then under the administration of American and other forces. Young Oe took democracy straight to his heart. So strong was his desire for democracy that he decided to leave for Tokyo; leave the village of his forefathers, the life they had lived and preserved, out of sheer belief that the city offered him an opportunity to knock on the door of democracy, the door that would lead him to a future of freedom on paths that stretched out to the world. Had it not been for the drastic change the nation underwent at this time, Oe, whose love of trees is one of his innate qualities, would have remained in his village as his forefathers had done, and tended to the forest as one of its guardians.

LONDON FRIENDLY

We’ll play for pride against Ghana —Siasia

Pg. 28,45

Nation Sunday, August 7, 2011

•Samson Siasia

PAGE 27

FA COMMUNITY SHIELD T

City aims to raise noise level •Robert Mancini

"It is the first official match of the season. It is important because it is a derby and we want to win, like United.But I don't think the teams at the moment are 100% ready to play. We are missing other players, we don't have enough players for all the season. This is a problem at the moment.

I think we need another two or three players.”

—Roberto Mancini

"I have always viewed the Community Shield as a stepping stone to the first game of the season. It's very easy to get emotional about this type of game but I don't think we will be changing our policy. There may be two or three players who need the game on Sunday.”

—Alex Ferguson

•Alex Ferguson

HAT's the message from Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini as his team prepares for Sunday's Community Shield .

City are appearing in the traditional season curtain-raiser for the first time since 1973, as the sides look to gain the first bragging rights of the new campaign. United won their 19th English League title last season and Mancini knows the pressure is on right from the start.

"I think at the moment Manchester United are at the top, because they are a strong team. They won the last Premier League title, they have bought four or five good players and at the moment are above us," Mancini said.

Rivalry Summary on Manchester United vs. Manchester City - History & Highlights The whole subject of Manchester is an interesting point. Manchester City fans like to claim that Old Trafford is not in Manchester and neither are 98% of Manchester United fans.

For the most part there was a friendly rivalry between the teams but the Manchester United – Manchester City rivalry turned a bit ugly and personal in the 1970s. George Best broke the leg of Glyn Pardoe. He nearly had to have his leg amputated but fought back to be able to make a comeback. Then there was a fiery game in 1973 where Lou Macari and Mike Doyle were both sent off but refused to leave the field. It wasn't until the referee threatened to call off the game that the players left.

The most famous Manchester Derby is the game now commonly referred to as the Denis Law game. It was the last game of the 1973-74 season and Manchester United needed to win to avoid relegation. Former United champion and legend, Denis Law, backheeled the ball into the goal to give Manchester City a 10 game with just 10 minutes left.

Manchester United lost the game and Law was devastated by the impact his goal had had. It hit him incredibly hard and he would never play a league football again. Even though Manchester United would have been relegated with a win, Law's goal is still famous. The Red Devils were relegated along with Norwich City and Southampton. The next year they won the Second Division to go immediately straight back up to the First Division. The year after that they were up to third in the First Division to cap a tumultuous time for the Red Devils.

Since then, for the most part, Manchester United has had its own way with Manchester City. Sometimes the Manchester City – Manchester United rivalry has had nothing to do with football. Roy Keane got in a feud with Alf-Inge Haaland. It all started when Haaland played for Leeds. Keane was injured and Haaland yelled at him, accusing of faking. Three years later, Keane went at Haaland with his studs up and basically ended his career in a sickening challenge.

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NationSport

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

NationSport

45

LONDON FRIENDLY

We’ll play for pride against Ghana—Siasia S

UPER Eagles coach Samson Siasia was cool and relaxed as he sat down with MTNFootball.com in ‘The Garden of the Americas’ Armenia, Colombia, to discuss his team at great length.

• Asomoah Gyan

This is your first visit to Colombia.

What are your first impressions?

Samson Siasia: It’s being great, the people are friendly and security has been very tight. It’s a great place, everything is green as anything you drop on the soil grows. Hopefully, our experience here will be a good one.

You were at the draw for the 2014 World Cup in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which has pitched Nigeria against teams like Malawi and possibly Kenya. What kind of draw was this?

It’s a good draw compared to the one that pitched France and Spain.

All the same, these countries are getting better every day. Ethiopia showed this when they surprised us in Addis Ababa.

We have to prepare very well because there are no minnows any more. If you tell me Malawi won’t do well, that’s a lie. We have to take every game very seriously.

Generally, how was the draw ceremony?

It was good, we saw the former stars and the young ones of Brazil at the draw. Brazil say they are going to win it. If you are hosting, you will want to host and win.

But it won’t be easy because other countries are catching up. See the Copa America, who would have thought both Argentina and Brazil would be kicked out like that?

The most important thing is for us to qualify and when we get there, we will figure out what next.

You have been on the job for some months now, how has it been? Is it really the most difficult football job in Africa? Is it as demanding as being President of Nigeria?

Nigerians want to win even when they do not prepare well. We have to prepare to win our games.

It has been tough sometimes trying to get the right information. We learnt a big lesson against Ethiopia.

Despite the fact that we got on a chartered flight, we got there late because we did not have the proper information.

How far have you gone in your rebuilding of the Super Eagles eight months into the job?

Let’s say just 30%. We still have a long way to go. The problem is that we do not have enough time to do everything. It’s only when we qualify for a competition and go to camp that we will actually have enough time to be together.

That is why it’s a priority that we qualify for the Nations Cup and go into camp. That way we will get a

lot more understanding leading to the World Cup. Playing at the Nations Cup is very critical to our rebuilding and having a very good team.

What has given you the biggest thrill so far with the Eagles?

The players are talking to themselves, the communication level is very high and we have been doing very well apart from the draw in Ethiopia. I won’t reckon with the WAFU tournament.

With the Super Eagles we have done well, you could see changes, we are scoring goals and we are not letting in so many goals. I’m happy with the players even though some are saying I have not given them a chance, but you can’t invite everybody at the same time.

What do you want to achieve in the friendly against Ghana in London on Tuesday?

We will play for our pride. We don’t want to lose because Ghana have dealt with us in the last couple of matches. Ghana have the best team in Africa right now. They did very well at the last World Cup, while we struggled and didn’t do well.

We are rebuilding and doing very well. The least goals we have scored since have been the two goals against Ethiopia. So, offensively we are very, very strong. If we can take care of our defence and midfield, we can do well against any team in the world.

You have called up Emmanuel Ekpo from the MLS in the US for the Ghana game. What do you want from him?

Ekpo is an offensive midfield player, who can also play defensive.

If we are looking at somebody going more forward than the three defensive midfielders we have, we have to introduce the likes of Ekpo.

He can go forward, has good passes, creates and tries to score goals as well. He’s a good player and playing regularly for his club in the MLS. He’s still young and so we will see how well he will fit in. He could be a good addition to my team if he can come and prove himself.

We are all trying to prove ourselves.

I have to prove I have a team that will do well for our nation.

Some will look down at the standard of the MLS. You can’t look down on the MLS because the American team were at the World Cup and did very well and most of them are in the MLS. The league is getting better as we speak. The likes of Landon Donovan came to England and played very well for Everton that they wanted to keep him.

So there is now an opening for other Nigerians in the MLS to stake a claim in the Eagles?

If they are doing well, why not?

But we do not have such reports at

the moment.

A player like Obafemi Martins is just back from injury and he is hoping for a recall to the team.

Martins is a good player and if he is doing well for his club, he would be considered.

But he is of the old group.

Still you can’t just throw every one of them away. What I’m trying to do is to give everyone a fair chance to prove himself. We are trying to make a new team, those I have not invited yet, I will give them a chance. If they then fail to live up to expectations, I will leave them by the side.

We are building towards 2014 and so we will not be looking at too many old players. We are looking at players who could actually stay and grow with the team.

A couple of the old ones will come for experience sake, that’s why Ayila is there, Yobo too. Ayila is doing very well at his club, playing in the Champions League.

But I see you are playing Ayila more in defence than in a midfield role a coach like Shuaibu Amodu played him.

Yes, he’s a central defender. In his club he is playing as a central defender, but what is good about him is he could play in defence and midfield. This is an advantage for us.

And all this while, you have not considered a fighter like Danny Shittu in your Eagles. Apparently you are not one of his great admirers.

I like his doggedness and his commitment to Nigeria, but he is heavy even though he seems to know how to carry his own weight. Every player will get his chance and, of course, he will get his own chance.

Right now he’s playing in the EPL with QPR. Yes, that was the other problem I had with him. I was not sure where he was playing and he was not playing a lot of matches. But he has been doing well since he started playing again.

I will try and give every player a chance, like Dickson Etuhu too.

If a player gets injured in the midfield, I will draft one of them in to see how well they can cope in the new group. If he understands, we keep him. If he doesn’t, we let him go. But at the moment Mikel and Joel are doing very, very well.

We have a situation where one of the midfielders goes forward and the other stays back, it’s like a jigsaw and that’s what we have been doing with Mikel and Joel.

It’s a combination that has been working very well so far and we can’t keep changing players just for the sake of doing that.

A player like Fengor (Ogude) is also doing very well. He’s a good addition to the team. He came in against Ethiopia and played as a

holding midfielder, he did very well and I was very impressed with him.

Hopefully, he will do even more.

We are rebuilding and we can’t rebuild with old players. We have a couple of the old players like Yobo, Osaze, Vincent (Enyeama).

The rest of the players are new, the likes of Emenike. We have not seen the best of him yet. I believe he will come and show Nigerians that he is a star in the making.

Another central defender Onyekachi Apam who produced great things under you has been sidelined by injury for an entire season.

He’s a very good, smart sweeper, who cleans up the mess. The only time he did not play we lost to Argentina in the final of the 2005 U20 World Cup. He has been out for most of a year, but we have talked. I pray he comes back very soon. He has done very well. He should recover in time and be back in the Eagles.

The central defence is it still a problem?

No, it’s getting better now. It’s just about understanding and communication and that’s what Yobo is doing very well. Yobo played a wonderful game in Ethiopia, he played like a leader.

I had to talk to him. I told him he was one player they did not want me to invite when I took over the team. But I told him I invited him because I believe he still has a lot to give to this nation.

He has been very understanding and working very, very hard. In the last couple of games he has played, he has been very, very outstanding.

This was compared to what he used

• Siasia

to play in the Eagles. I’m impressed with him.

So, this was the result of a change of attitude from him.

Yes, I had to tell him the truth, not pamper him. I told him he has not won anything since he has been playing for the Super Eagles about 10 years ago. Don’t you think you need to win something before you retire, I asked him.

These are some of things we have to do. We have to work together. I’m the head coach and you are the captain of the team. If you want to be a leader, you don’t just stay in your room all by yourself. A captain brings the young players to the same room and advise them and encourage them. These young ones are the ones running for you the older players on the pitch.

So, these days your captain does not stay in a separate room all on his own?

No. Everyone shares rooms.

But in your days as a player in the Eagles this was not the case.

It was so. It was when ‘Jay Jay’ (Okocha) and Kanu became captain of the national team that things changed. That was when the whole Super Eagles was destroyed, there was not that union anymore. They stayed alone in their rooms. How can you bring players together if everyone is on his own?

While in France, in Belgium, We were paired two players to a room.

And Yobo has now accepted this arrangement?

Of course he has. He wants to be a leader. It’s not easy to do that because it calls for a lot of sacrifice. We are trying to build a united team on and off the pitch.

• Ekpo

MLS player, Ekpo gets Eagles’ chance W

HEN Nigerian midfielder Emmanuel Ekpo came to the MLS to play professional football in 2008, he did not know much about the league. Similarly, the then-20-year-old was an unknown quantity outside his own country.

In Nigeria, Ekpo had played for two seasons in the top flight with Akwa and Enyimba and had been in the national team's youth set-up before his move to Columbus Crew. By the end of the year, however, the Ekori native's exposure increased mightily as he won a silver medal at the 2008 Olympic Football Tournament in Beijing and was part of the Crew side that lifted their first and only MLS Cup thus far.

Although his impact in the US has only grown since, and he has just received his first call-up to Nigeria's full national team for next week's friendly against Ghana, the attacking midfielder crossed a threshold that year. “It was really big for me,” he said about winning MLS's top prize. “I felt like I was a good luck charm for the team because it was my first year, and it was really great to feel like a champion. Along with winning the silver medal in China, there was a lot of joy that year for me.”

It was not all smooth sailing for the youngster, but he was determined to make his chance abroad work - although he does pick out one stumbling block after his move to the mid-east part of the US. “Probably the biggest challenge was the food,” he said. “But there's no secret to living somewhere else. When I left Nigeria, I made up my mind that I wanted to ply my trade, whatever it takes, whatever I had to do. It was challenging, especially the food, but I think I adjusted quickly and now everything's good.”

A call from his old coach Having been a part of the 2008 side that Nigerians still fondly refer to as the 'Dream Team', Ekpo was out of sight of the green jersey before and during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. But when his coach at the Olympics, Samson Siasia, was promoted to lead the full national team, Ekpo was back in the reckoning.

The former international striker called Ekpo in Columbus to give him the good news. “Like anyone with their first call up to the national team, I was very happy and excited and actually surprised, but Siasia said that I had been playing well for the past couple of years, and this season I have been consistent with my team. He said that he knew me as a player and knew what I could do, so he wanted to give me a try,” recalled the new father, who married a Nigerian last year.

Far away from the intense world of Super Eagles football, Ekpo observes that the national team went through a transition period, but that with Siasia in charge things are looking up. “[Siasia] is a cool guy,” he said. “He loves the game and he understands it at a very high level because he was a top player. He's a disciplinarian - I'll put it that way because he likes his players to play in a disciplined way and he gets good things from players. Nigeria went through a few coaches and had to get past the changes of 2010. But right now with Samson, I think things are going in the right direction, and in two years we will have a very good team.”

When asked about potentially breaking his international duck against west African rivals Ghana, Ekpo is thrilled. “It's a very big game because Ghanaians are known all around the world as a big team, and they were very impressive in the last World Cup. They've always been a good opposition for Nigeria because there's always that rivalry and that tension.”

Discovering MLS and beyond Ekpo once told media in the US that he did not feel like he could earn a call-up to the Nigeria national team while playing so far away from his homeland. He was not disrespecting the game in MLS, and in fact, he is complimentary about the relatively new league. “I was surprised by the level of play here, the level of competition and the players. It's a very good league, getting better every season,” he said.

There has been a proliferation of Africans entering the league, which Ekpo says could be a starting point for many from around the world. “It's not just Africans that are coming, but South Americans, from even Argentina and Brazil, because MLS is growing and its a good market for young players that want to learn their trade.”

With his contract running out at the end of the season, Ekpo will not be drawn on future moves. “It's always been my dream to go to Europe. I still want to do that. I know it's different, and I want to see how it is. I am really thinking about Europe and want to feel the environment there in one of the big leagues. I am weighing things, and we'll see what comes up.”

• Culled from fifa.com

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2011

Style Watch 29 In-Vogue Social Circuit Oops & Kudos Parade Well-being Entertainment plus

Abah Folawiyo at

69

Photos: OLUSEGUN RAPHEAL

In a matter of days, prominent society woman, Hajia Abah Folawiyo will turn 69. Remi Adelowo in this report chronicles the amazing life of this woman, whose legendary status within the social and fashion circles is undisputed

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

Glamour

•Miss Ikorodu 2011, Olajoju Muse

•First runner-up, Becky Iriah

t n a e g a P u d o r o Ik s is M s in w OOU student

C

ELEBRITY, dignitaries and fashion A-list swept into the newly-constructed Dome of the Musical Village Ikorodu, Lagos, last Friday July 29th for the much anticipated Miss Ikorodu Coronation Pageant ’11, the tenth in the series; which was organised to add colour to the one month coronation celebration of His Royal Majesty, Aleyeluwa Oba (Dr) Salaudeen Afolabi Adekoya Oyefusi (OGUNTADE 11)-the Ayangburen of Ikorodu on his 40th year on the throne and to celebrate the 80th birthday annivesary of the King and 73rd birthday of the Queen-Olori Muyibat Olayinka Olayinka Oyefusi.

The event witnessed the usual mix of fun, fashion, celebrity and drama.

The Dome was a beehive of activities as guests trooped in from all over the world to celebrate with His Majesty and see the aspiring queens light up the runway.

The contest which debuted last year, is an initiative of Prince Idowu Oyefusi of Noble of Afrik, who happens to be one of the royal father’s sons and also the President of the Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria (FADAN).

Eleven young ladies participated in the contest which saw them adorning casuals, bikini and gowns. The lovely design of the Noble Afrik fashion house was also showcased as well as elegant evening wears (costume) of the contestants which was sew by a student of the Noble Afrik Academy, Maryland campus.

At the end of the pageant that had eleven girls that were later trimmed to four strutted the runway, Margaret Okhueigbe, Queen Anekeh and Becky Iriah emerged 3rd, 2nd and 1st runner up respectively? While 23 years old Olajoju Muse, a student of Olabisi Onabanjo University emerged the winner. Apart from juicy contracts, wardrobe and #100,000cash, Olajoju also went home with a brand new freezer and 36’LCD TV, while the third, second and first runner-up got gifts and cash as well.

The show was staged on a mobile catwalk that meandered through the center of the hall. Oko miye crooner, Stella Monye compered the show and Theatre Centric cultural group thrilled the audience with their wonderful performance.

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Glamour

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

g n i z a m a d n e a h l T a i c o s a f o e a lif m g i n e n o i fash

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

–an eye on celebrities and society people

08023201831(sms only)

Celebrities and their crazy baby names

By Patience Saduwa

Toni Braxton

Alicia Keys

Mariah Carey

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

Glamour

Social Would Vera Osuhor's promotion make Golf suffer?

V

ERA Ngozi Osuh or has just been made the C h i e f Executive Officer of the PHCN Jos Distribution Company.

The elevation was sequel to the removal of the former CEO, Engr.

K o s i s o Nwaokoro and three others by the Minister for Power, Prof. Bath Nnaji.

Many friends, family members, colleagues and well-wishers have been sending goodwill messages to the hardworking lady for the sudden but deserved elevation. According to them, Vera is more than capable to hold the position as well as deliver on the targets that may have been set for her distribution company. However, the concern many are expressing over the new appointment of Vera is that she may no longer have time for golf, a game she has helped to nurture amongst the female folks in the country. If you recall Vera Osuhor as the President of Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria helped golf amongst the ladies in the country. Before that, she was the a lady captain of a club and then the President of the northern zone of the Association and had always

put her heart into the administration of golf for ladies. Ladies golf in the Federal Capital Territory and indeed in Nigeria cannot be said to be complete without mentioning her name and contributions.

So what would happen if Vera's new job drags her away from Golf which has been her passion since her youthful days? What would happen to all the young potential lady golfers out there, who are looking up to her for golfing guidance? These are some of the pertinent questions that young female Nigerians are asking themselves at the moment. But the crux of the matter is that Chief Mrs. Vera Ngozi Osuhor has been given a national assignment and those familiar with her have said she intends to make a success of it even if she has to hold a golf club over the heads of some people.

Faparusi celebrates in Ekiti

N

O doubt, various people have different reasons for celebrating on a daily basis, but for young, energetic Bamidele Faparusi, a lawmaker representing Emure/Gboyin/Ekiti East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the coming together of friends, campaign crew, family members and well-wishers on the 24th of July was more of an appreciation to God for his mercies than an attempt at Hedonistic profligacy. The lawmaker who had the well-attended event at the Sunrise Parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) at Ode-Ekiti said he deemed it worthy to thank God Almighty for all he has done for him and his family. He also used the opportunity to say “thank you” for their contribution towards the success of his elections.

Rev. Gbogboade & wife return

M

Six of the nine models shortlisted at the Lagos audition of the MTN Lagos Fashion and Design Week in Lagos on Wednesday, Aug 3, 2011.

AN of God, Reverend Wole Gbogboade, General Overseer of the Christ Family Evangelical Mission and his wife, Reverend Azuka are finally back! The couple have been out of the country for a while on evangelical missions to various countries in Europe as well as the United States of America. This itinerary has seen many of their followers in the country longing for their return.

Thankfully, news broke about the return of the avowed demon killers a few days back and many faithful have been celebrating the return of the duo with praises and thanksgiving. Visitors hopefully will be asking for blessings and impartations, not chocolates and candies.

Kikelomo Akinsola's new love

T

RENDY event planner, Kikelomo Akinsola, has not only taken her love for charity a step further with her new Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), the word is that she is even set to do more in terms of charity apart from what she is doing with the Nigeria Police Force. If you recall, the Chief Executive Officer of Bloom Design recently started the Kike Bloom Direct Safety Initiative, which was set up basically to assist the Nigeria Police Force by rehabilitating police barracks and stations thereby making it more conducive for habitation, and operation. Kikelomo is said to be warming up to touch more lives in other areas of human needs. While some people have been wondering why the hardworking and benevolent multiple award winning graduate of University of Lagos is suddenly shifting to philanthropy and charity issues, others are saying it has always been a part of her life to help people in times of need.“She has always been helping people and she won't stop because the truth of the matter is that she started from a humble beginning and therefore appreciates people's needs.” a source close to her declared.

VICTOR OLUWASEGUN (E-mail: thejagu@yahoo.com, Tel: 08032439153)

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

Glamour

Nona Adimora's new lease of life

L

IFE is good. At least, so says Nora Adimora, who is presently looking resplendent and gorgeous. It's not that she has volunteered any information as to whether she is happy or not.

One just needs to take one good look at her to make the deduction that she is indeed over the moon. A while back, things were not so rosy for the younger sister to Obi Adimora and Nkiru Anumudu. However, when she celebrated her birthday in February, she seemed to have put her past behind her and forged on, especially since she was a sight to behold at her lowkey party. At some point, Nona was linked to controversial Anambra State-born politician, Chief Chris Uba, but nothing was heard again on the issue. Thereafter, news made the rounds that another man had entered the picture but curiously, Nona made no effort to debunk the story. Since then, Nona Adimora's new man seems to be taking all her time and keeping her busy, as she is yet to resurface from the refreshing pool of love.

Adimora

Chika Mbonu, wife united again

M

AN of God and former Assurance Bank M.D, Chika Mbonu, is now reunited with his wife, Amaka, SC can reveal. After their estrangement on grounds of a paternity mess caused

by Chika, many thought it was the end of the marriage.

However, the couple stunned detractors when they found a meeting point and reconciled their differences. While they were apart, the news that made the rounds was that the esteemed Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, City of David Parish, Victoria Island Extention, was the biological father of two children of his church member and confidant, Mr. Henry Bassey. Thoughts of a reunion between the once loving couple was quickly perished when the result of a DNA test on 8 year-old Emmanuel and 6 year-old Tahila, allegedly confirmed that Mbonu is their biological father , and also signaling an end to Mr Bassey's marriage. Unable to bear the embarrassment occasioned by his alleged indiscretion, the Pastor simply went underground with his family.

IBB joins Septuagenarian Club

A

t the moment, top shots in the country are getting set to honour former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangiga, who is turning 70 in the next few weeks. Left to the gap-tooth retired general, he would have opted for a low-key celebration, but his friends, family members and associates would have none of that, with preparations in top gear to throw one of the biggest parties ever before seen in this part of the world. While the full details of the party are yet to be released to the public, SC gathered that the party promises to be the talkof-the-town for a long time to come.

KAYODE ALFRED

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Boyloaf gets serious

D

r. Ebikabowei Victor-Ben (aka Boy Loaf) has officially joined the gentlemen's club. Penultimate Sunday, the city of Port-Harcourt in Rivers State witnessed a huge turn-out for his union to his long-time lover in a grand ceremony befitting a king. Many remember Boy Loaf as an erstwhile militant and father of two.

Presently, he has abandoned the bachelor life in favour of marital union to his sweetheart who is ironically the mother of his two children. The high-class shindig saw a lot of A-list socialites, top shots and bigwigs in attendance. They included ex-Governor DSP Alamiesieyesigha, who was the father of the day, P.Z Aginigan, wife of the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Abel Ebifemowei, Ebi Egbe (Moni Love), Marvin Yobana, Hilda Dokubo; Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia; former football star, Victor Ikpeba, Chief Samuel Ogbuku, Annikio Briggs, Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta Affairs, Hon. Kingsley Kuku, to mention but a few. Asides being adequately honoured by the presence of dignitaries, there was a lot of drama on the day of the wedding. After the wedding, displaying his fun-loving spirit, Boy Loaf hosted friends at an after-party at Eddiez Wine Bar. And on Sunday, 25th July, 2011, the new couple went for the dedication and thanksgiving of their baby at Shepherd Hill Redeemed Church, Mugbooba, NTA Road. The reception followed at Aristotle House. Popular comedian, Gordon compered the event. The new baby was christened Ebiere Isabella Eniola Victor.

Nehemiah project executes grand opening

S

AHARA Group boss, Tonye Cole, is definitely a very happy man presently.

The reason for his apparent euphoric state is the successful launch of his project, The Nehemiah Project on Sunday, July 24, 2011, at the Expo Hall of Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. The project tagged “The Nehemiah Project� has obviously been in the works for a while, judging by the strategy and mission outlined and ready to be addressed by the young CEO of the Sahara Group. The Nehemiah Project, which the young CEO states was inspired by the biblical Nehemiah who himself was a builder of nations, is geared towards rebuilding the youths of the country.

T h e p r o j e c t founder/convener further expressed in a chat with SC that The Nehemiah Project is a group of well-meaning individuals, who are committed to rebuilding the society by empowering and inspiring the youths as the future leaders of the country to discover, explore and realize their full potentials. To mark the launch, several youth loving artistes were on hand to thrill the audience, and ensure it was a fun time. Artistes like D'banj, MI, DPrince, Dr. Sid, Waje amongst others were in attendance, with inspiration mingling intensely with great musical performances. Aside the performing artistes, Tonye Cole hosted youths and dignitaries alike.

Other celebrities were on hand from different walks of the entertainment industry, telling their success stories to inspire youths who turned up en masse for the soiree. In addition to all these, there was a fashion show by Odio Mimonet and Phunafrique that further added colour to the event. Anchors included famous actress, Kate HenshawNuttal, comedian Tee-A, designer Ohimai Atafo and actress Ireti Doyle, while DJ Caise of BEAT 99.9FM was on the wheels of steel. The new rave in the dance world, Explicit Dance Group, were also on hand to mesmerize the guests, after which respected comedian, Holy Mallam, came on stage to tell his life's story amidst rib-cracking jokes.

Award-winning producer/singer, Cobhams Asuquo, took the night to a crescendo when he came on stage to do a piece. Also in attendance were TY Bello, Fela Durotoye, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, Basket mouth, Funke Akindele amongst others.

(E-mail: kayflex2@yahoo.com, Tel: 08035733605, 08099400057)

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Glamour

Glamour

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

Always ever looking dandy, Kudos to Pastor Ituah Ighodalo

A smiling Abike Dabiri-Erewa stepping out with poise, Kudos!

Bola Awosika looking so chic and confident, Kudos!

Funmi AjilaLadipo living up to her status as a frontline designer, Kudos!

The roll-call of celebrities featured here is most impressive. And their style signature? Hardly faultless.

Photos: Olusegun Rapheal

She’s got her unique style but thumbs down for that exposure up there. Oops to Zizi Cardow

Knowing what to wear for every occasion is Eyimofe Atake’s watchword.

Kudos!

A designer who knows her onions when it comes to looking good.

Kudos to Nikki Khiran

A hatty affair from Eme Akenzua, Kudos!

Style writer, Remi Diagbare, so simple, yet stylish. Kudos!

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Glamour

VENTS

BY OLUSEGUN RAPHEAL

08033572821

Grand reception for NIMASA DG

I

T was a dinner party to honour a young man who has distinguished himself as a thoroughbred professional. And the ambience of the setting was perfectly suited for the occasion. Venue was the grand Oriental Hotel, Lekki and the purpose of the gathering was a reception for the new Director General of Nigeria Maritime and safety Administration (NIMASA), Mr. Patrick Ziakede Akpobolokem. The event, which was organised by notable professionals and businessmen from the South-East and South South zones of the country, was chaired by the former Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Allison Maduekwe (rtd).

Photos: OLUSEGUN RAPHEAL

L-R: Admiral Allinson Madueke and Mr Akpobolokem Patrick L-R: Dr Nicks Idoko and Proffesor. Pat Utomi Ziakede DG, NIMASA

L-R: Elaye Otrofanowei and Efive Bribewa

L-R: Engr. Ernest Nwapa and Mrs Adaobi Nwapa

L-R Emeka Ugwu-Oju, Dr Nick Idoko and Dr Joseph Nwobike

L-R Chief Albert Iyorah, Elder Hyke Ochia and Chike Nwanze

L-R Chike Nwakodo and Mrs Bisola Nwakodo

Mrs Nkechi Ugwu-Oju and Mrs Vivian Abii

L-R Olu Akpata and Albert Okumagba

L-R Mr Tien George, Gogo Karibi-Whyte and Chike Ckikeluba

L-R: Felix Abugu, Oscar Onwundiwe and Chido Obidiegwu

L-R Mr Denzil Kentebe and Elaine Ibru

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

Glamour Lifestyle Health Nutrition Fitness

Wild yam cream The natural progesterone in the wild yam cream is made from an extract of the yam called diosgenin. It comes in various strengths and often applied over the skin with excellent absorption rates. The cream can prevent obesity, lower blood pressure, protect against breast cancer, ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer, offer relief in menstrual pain, irregular or excessive periods, help prevent miscarriage, osteoporosis and treat dryness in menopausal women. It is however, advisable to use according to a doctor's prescription.

with Patience Saduwa 08023201831 (sms only) psaduwa@yahoo.com http//edirinsaduwa.blogspot.com

The wonder hormone for women's health (2)

Natural progesterone is very useful to balance excess estrogen which can be a major risk for breast cancer. On the role of the hormone in women's wellbeing, Prof Oladapo Ashiru, a reproductive endocrinologist noted that it's the best way of preventing ageing and restoring the body's proper functioning. “In the past, when women reached menopause, they were given hormone replacement therapy (HRT). But they were ending up with cancer of the breast, uterus and ovarian cancer.

Excess estrogen in the body should be neutralised with progesterone which will restore back the anatomy,” he said.

Speaking on menopause, he said: “Menopause is not a disease but a physiological thing. It's a reality of life and not something that can be wished away.

Many women suffer in silence during this time from hot flashes, depression, anxiety, anger, low libido, weight gain and other symptoms. Progesterone can help women during this period of life.”

Benefit of soy bean Soybeans contain all three of the macronutrients required for good nutrition: complete protein, carbohydrate and fat, as well as vitamins and minerals, including calcium, folic acid and iron.

•Women at play: A happy, long, fulfilled life depends on one’s state of well being so taking care of the health is important

Soybeans are the only common plant food that contain complete protein. The protein provides all the essential amino acids in the amounts needed for human health. The amino acid profile of soy protein is nearly equivalent in quality to meat, milk and egg protein.

In Japan, where soy foods are commonly consumed daily, women are only one-third as likely to report menopausal symptoms as in the United States or Canada. In fact, there is no word in the Japanese language for "hot flashes".

Current studies showed that soy only helps some women alleviate menopausal symptoms. Indeed, soy is more effective in preventing than alleviating hot flashes.

Despite these findings, health experts recommend that 40 - 80mg of isoflavones daily may help relieve symptoms.

The soy bean is a very versatile food which can be prepared in a variety of ways. These include soups, stews, porridges, milk drinks, yoghurt, cakes and cookies among others.

(Concluded)

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•Soy bean can be used in preparing vegetable soups, stews, porridges and other delicious dishes.

•Wild yam cream contains natural progesterone for good health

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

Relationship

E read a lot of story books when we were growing up. Many of them had wonderful stories, but there was a common feature in most of the books. They always started with “Once upon a time” and they always ended with “And they lived happily ever after”. In our young minds we pictured the prince who came to rescue the orphan girl and carried her away on his lovely horse, where they lived happily ever after. It was wonderful to imagine these stories and to see ourselves as the main characters. We assumed that every couple would live happily ever after. Is this ideal marriage possible or is it meant only for story books for young children? Are happy homes fact or just fiction?

I returned home recently from my twentieth honeymoon. Yes, it was my twentieth honeymoon with the same charming, amiable, wonderful and faithful man. My first and only marriage by the grace of God. Some special people, decided to organize a dinner to honour us. They had been under our leadership for many years and have always had access to us. But during the dinner, they had questions. They wanted to know how we had achieved this happy union for twenty years. One person wanted to know at what point couples stopped quarrelling and blended together. We asked him how long he had been married and he said three years, so we said it is about that time. Another person wanted to know how we keep our marriage fresh and do not get tired of one another. And we told him we create the freshness by trying something new. We continue to spice up our marriage. Sometimes I decide to rearrange our room, or the sitting room or another part of the house. Nothing in our home remains the same for too long.

Well what makes marriages work? How can couples have a lasting marriage?

A young minister was going to be conducting a wedding for

Fact or fiction? the first time and he was feeling quite unsure of himself. He decided to ask an older minister for advice. And the minister told him that if he got to a point where he felt stuck and did not know what to say, he should just quote any scripture that came to his mind.

He felt this was sound advice. As the wedding progressed, he got to the point of joining the husband and the wife together, and then he could not remember the next thing. He knew it was a scripture, but the only scripture that came to his mind, which he

said was “Father forgive them, for they know not they do”. He was supposed to have said “What therefore God has joined together, let no man put asunder”.

For a marriage to last, the couple must work towards making the marriage succeed. They both have to make a conscious effort to be better and make life enjoyable for one another. In this fast paced age, there are many factors challenging every marriage. The stress of work, the pressure of making money, the dynamics of raising children and the degra-

•Mr and Mrs Gbajumo Olaniyi, after their wedding at Divine Appointment Ministry International, Palm Groove, Lagos recently

dation of societal values can have adverse effect on 08027454533 (text) e v e r y pastordeegfc@yahoo.com marriage.

A couple who assumes that saying “I do” achieved, or have acquired in is all they ever need to do to stay form of property, marital happihappily married, may soon find ness is simply a state of the mind. themselves saying “I don’t any You choose to be happy or unlonger.” When couples have not happy irrespective of the situamade proper preparation before tion you both find yourselves afthey tie the knot, they soon start ter many years of marriage. complaining that they did not get I wish I could say that my what they bargained for. While husband and I have everything long courtships do not necessar- that we have ever wanted, but ily mean that a couple will be that would be a lie. I am thankful happily married, but very short for what we have and also praycourtships almost always pro- ing fervently for what we are yet duce a problematic marriage. to have. Trusting God that someHow can a lady get married to a time soon, there will be a maniman whom she met for the first festation. Until then, we will contime on the internet four weeks tinue to enjoy our lives and celago? This kind of marriage will ebrate our union. probably result in a lot of heartEvery marriage will have its ache for the two of them. seasons. While the marriage People getting married must should be enjoyable most of the be ready to face reality. There is time, there will be short seasons the ideal, but what happens if we of ache. Whether this is physical, do not yet have the ideal. For in- emotional, or financial, it will stance most couples plan to be come to every marriage. But for rich sometime after marriage. But those who endure, joy comes in what happens if they do not be- the morning. When the sun goes come rich? Most want their down, we can be sure that it will spouse to take care of them, but rise again and bring a new day what if the spouse is not in a po- full of possibilities, hope and sition to do so? Many couples laughter. plan to have children and in NiCouples who are happily margeria, they probably plan to have ried for fifty years or more, have four children, two boys and two had their share of the seasons of girls. What happens if they have life. They chose to endure the painall boys, no girls or all girls and ful seasons when their sun no boys? One man was feeling seemed to have gone down. But sorry for himself because he had because they believed that somethree girls and no boys and his thing good would still happen to wife had reached menopause. them, they chose to look forward Then he met an old school mate to the dawning of a new day. If of his who is yet to have children you find yourself at the sunset, after being married for many then start looking forward to a years. What happens if couples new season of your marriage. A do not have any children? What season where you are happy, not happens if they are never able to because your circumstances have afford a car, or to build a house, changed, or because you and your or to travel abroad? Are they re- spouse got sudden, unexpected solved that the two of them will wealth, but because you both have live happily ever after, no matter decided to be happy. Like the what happens? While many peo- popular song “Don’t worry, be ple may assume that happiness happy”. And they lived happily is a function of what they have ever after is a fact.

Relationship Deola Ojo

•Mr and Mrs Michael Moses after their wedding at Redeemed Christian Church of God, Possibility Assembly, Ikeja, Lagos recently

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Uche Jombo’s fame soars higher with Damage

Big Brother Amplified and the closing uproar

•Wizkid performed at the event

•Uche Jombo

Entertainment

42

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

HO LLYWOOD

Nader and Simin wins best film at DIFF 2011

Compiled by AHMED BOULOR

Oprah Winfrey, James Earl Jones to receive honorary Oscars

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PRAH Winfrey, James Earl Jones and makeup artist Dick Smith have been picked to receive honorary Oscars.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences says the three will be honoured with Oscar statuettes at the Governors Awards in November. The academy's Board of Governors voted Tuesday to recognize the entertainment industry veterans.

Winfrey will receive the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, which honours philanthropic and humanitarian contributions. The 57-year-old media mogul, who was nominated for a supporting actress Oscar for 1985's "The Color Purple," supports various charitable and educational causes, including her own namesake foundations and Academy for Girls in South Africa.

Jones and Smith will receive honorary Oscars for their outstanding careers.

Jones has appeared in more than 50 films. The 80-year-old actor the voice of Darth Vader was nominated for an Academy Award in 1971 for "The Great White Hope." His other credits include "Field of Dreams," "Patriot Games" and "The Hunt for Red October."

Smith was NBC's first makeup man when he started his career in 1945. He won an Oscar in 1984 for his work on "Amadeus" and was nominated again in 1989 for "Dad." Known as the "godfather of makeup," he also worked on "The Godfather," "The Exorcist" and "Taxi Driver." Smith also helped

Victor Akande, Entertainment Editor

P

RIOR to the closing film at this year's edition of the Durban International Film Festival with Midnight in Paris, a film by Woody Allen, the award night saw the much talked about Iranian flick, Nader and Simin, A Separation win the best film award at a colourful ceremony held at the NuMetro CineCentre, Suncoast, Durban.

Directed by Asghar Farhadi, the film which was lauded by the International Jury as a “masterpiece” with “astonishing performances from the ensemble cast”, was awarded a cash prize of R50 000 (approximately N1.3million), while the Best South African Feature Film was awarded to Oliver Hermanus' directed movie, Skoonheid (France/South Africa production), with a cash prize of R25 000.

CTRESS Annette Charles The jury commended Skoonheid died Wednesday in Los as revealing a director on a Angeles at the age of 63. “remarkable trajectory”, praising Charles was perhaps best known the film's “subtlety, control and for her role as Cha Cha DiGregorio knowledge of film history” and in the hit 1978 film "Grease." one which “tells a complex South According to TMZ, she was African story with universal diagnosed with lung cancer just a appeal”. few months ago.

Funded principally by the A family member says, "Annette National Lottery Distribution had recently started having Trust Fund, the 11 day festival difficulty breathing ... and when also had two Nigerian films, she went to the doctor, she learned Restless City (Andrew Dosumu) that she had a cancerous tumor in and The Algiers Murders (Faith one of her lungs."

Itsepere) in competition, but they •Oprah The actress landed her first role did not get any award. in 1968 with an appearance on TV's Other categories included; The "High Chaparral," and she later train many of today's top movie Awards dinner at the Grand Amnesty International Durban guest starred on a number of makeup artists.

Ballroom at Hollywood & Human Rights Award, which popular series, including "The Smith, Jones and Winfrey will Highland Center, just above the went to Sobukwe, A Great Soul Bionic Woman," "Man From receive their statuettes on Nov. 12 Kodak Theatre, where the (South Africa), a film about the life at the 3rd Annual Governors Academy Awards are presented. Atlantis," "Mod Squad" and and times of a less mentioned "Magnum, P.I.” South African freedom fighter, Robert Sobukwe which was directed by Mickey Madoda Dube.

The film won € 2,500, while R20, 000 prize for Best First Feature Film was awarded to Matthew Gordon for The Dynamiter (USA).

The next day, being the last day of the festival continued with film screenings at NuMetro CineCentre (Suncoast), Ster-Kinekor Musgrave, Cinema Noveau HE two years contract Entertainment did not project a between Pan African positive image of them, hence the Gateway, Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre (University of KwaZuluHiplife groups VIP (Vision decision to call it quits with Natal), Ekhaya Multi-Arts Centre In Progess) and their Banson.

(KwaMashu), and the Royal Hotel. management company, Paradise The group is now under their The 32nd Durban International Entertainment, lead by CEO own record label BDN (Boogie Film Festival is organised by the Duke Banson has finally come to Centre For Creative Arts an end, as the artistes have (University of KwaZulu-Natal) decided not to renew the with support by the National contract.

Lottery Distribution Trust Fund The hip hop group made of (principal funder), National Film Promzy, Prodigal and Lazy and Video Foundation, KwaZulu•Yvonne revealed in an interview that, Natal Department of Economic they are now on their own and Development and Tourism, Yvonne Nelson was formally are doing everything from HIVOS, City of Durban, German banned by the film producers' singing in the studio, to Embassy of South Africa, Goethe body November last year with a promoting and marketing their Institute of South Africa, retrospective effect from October music, videos, their image and Industrial Development 2010 to October 2011. In June this anything that has to do with VIP. Corporation, KwaZulu-Natal year, Yvonne Nelson was VIP revealed that some of the Department of Arts and Culture, reported to have sent an apology things that happened under the and a range of other partners. letter to FIPAG asking for the ban management of Paradise Courtesy: South African Airline •VIP to be lifted.

‘Grease’ actress Annette Charles dies at 63

A

Crane over Ghollywood

Yvonne Nelson to come back on screen

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CCORDING to myjoyonline.com, it is stated that Public Relations Officer for the Film Producers Association of Ghana (FIPAG), Socrate Sarfo, has confirmed that actress Yvonne Nelson's ban has finally been lifted. Which means the actress can go back to getting films contract again.

The actress was banned last year by FIPAG for claims of disrespect and rudeness on the part of the actress towards fellow actors/actresses, producers and crew on location.

VIP quits Paradise Entertainment

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Entertainment

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

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DStv E! Schedule 06:00: 25 Hottest Hollywood Cougar Tales 07:50: 10 Most Compelling Mama Dramas 08:40: Forbes Top 20 Celebrity Cash Couples 09:30: E! News 10:00: Girls Of The Playboy Mansion 10:25: Holly's World 10:50: Keeping Up With The Kardashians 11:15: Forbes 15 Hot Hollywood Moms 12:15: E! News 12:45: Kendra 13:15: Kourtney & KhloŽ Take Miami 15:20: E! News 15:50: Kourtney & KhloŽ Take Miami 19:00: E! News 19:30: Kourtney & KhloŽ Take Miami 22:30: Holly's World 23:00: E! News 23:30: Dr. 90210 00:30: 10 Most Compelling Mama Dramas 01:30: Sexiest Cover Girls 02:25: Dr. 90210 03:20: Extreme Hollywood 04:15: Billionaire Crime Scenes: Was It Murder?

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Honey 2: a thrilling dance battle

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TARRING Seychelle Gabriel, Melissa Molinaro, Katerina Graham, Mario López, Audrina Patridge, and Randy Wayne, this comedy flick is about the legacy of legendary dancer and choreographer, Honey Daniels who lives on in spirited 17-year-old Maria Ramirez. After a brush with the law, Maria has returned to her gritty Bronx roots to rebuild her life with nothing but a talent for street dance and a burning ambition to prove herself.

She finds refuge in the place that made her feel most alive as a kid at a center where Honey's exuberant classes first ignited her passion for dance.

The age of the reality television

dance contest comes to bear on this latest replication of the street dance movie. This sequel follows on from one particular dance movie, Honey, from 2004, in which Jessica Alba starred as Honey Daniels, a dancer and street-smart survivor who fought her way to the top and established a hip-hop school in New York. However in this flick, the heroine is Maria Ramirez (Katerina Graham) who is a toughyet-vulnerable young woman and talented dancer.

An efficient movie that will satisfy its target fan base, Honey 2 initially features a quaintly imagined "dance battle" in the prison, before Maria is released. As part of her probation she is forced

to mop the floors at, of all places, Honey's street dance school. It isn't long before she's uncorking a serious display of attitude, demonstrating her superior dance moves, delighting the boys and getting into some head-waggling confrontations with the girls.

Basically, this is the old dance movie "talent contest" but with a television studio audience in the background. It would be great to find some exciting dance choreography and some of what's on show here is reasonably impressive, but the lesser dance crews who are knocked out of the all-important competition look miles better than either Maria's crew or Luis's.

The Tourist Unknown Just Go With It No Strings Attached Sucker Punch Rango True Grit Aramotu (Nigerian Movie) Hangover 2

Showing in PORT HARCOURT HOP Red Riding Hood Sucker Punch No Strings Attached Just Go With It Wrecked Ghetto Dreams

Horrible Bosses: a comic seriousness

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ENNIFER Aniston, Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis, Colin Farrell, Jamie Foxx, Kevin Spacey, and Donald Sutherland provide an exciting comic moment throughout the 100

minutes that this sequel runs.

Nick (Jason Bateman) is a punctual, industrious, and acutely underappreciated office dronea genealogically deracinated Michael Bluthstuck under the thumb of a smug, bullying senior executive (Kevin Spacey, typecast yet effective). Dale (Charlie Day) is a happily-engaged dental hygienist forced to endure the escalating sexual predations of the only dentist in town who will hire him (Jennifer Anniston). Only Kurt (Jason Sudeikis) has a boss whom he likesthat is, until said boss suffers a massive coronary, and Kurt must kowtow to the man's degenerate, cokeaddled son (Colin Farrell, all but unrecognizable in a dank, wispy combover).

The three friends gradually recognize that their paths to happiness and fulfillment

inevitably pass over the dead bodies of their employers. And so, after an unsuccessful effort to hire a hit man from the classifieds (his definition of “wet work” is not what they'd anticipated) they opt instead for a “murder consultant.” It is from this dubious specialistan ex-con with a tattooed scalp and piratical goatee named Motherfucker Jones (Jamie Foxx)that they get the idea of criss-crossed killings.

Like Danny DeVito's soft but likable satire Throw Momma From the Trainwhich the movie is generous enough to name-check Horrible Bosses doesn't sink its teeth very deeply into its Hitchcockian premise. As an Rrated comedy, it is of course crass and profane to the requisite degrees.

Horrible Bosses has got actors with an amiable chemistry, with Bateman in particular displaying his acute yet offhanded comic timing. It's a slight pity, though, that Farrell's foray into grotesquerie wasn't granted more screen time; he gets almost as much burn in the outtakes that accompany the credits as he did in the preceding 90 minutes.

Showing in CEDDI PLAZA Hall Pass Battle: Los Angeles Red Riding Hood Just Go With It

Showing in LAGOS Hanna X-MEN (First Class) HOP Tango with Me Thor Fast Five

44

Entertainment

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

Entertainers, others gather for Christy Essien burial plan

A

N array of music and movie stars last week at the popular Niteshift Coliseum in Ikeja converged to unveil the much expected burial programme of the nation's Lady of Songs, Christy EssienIgbokwe, who will be laid to rest in Lagos come Friday, September 9.

Addressing the gathering, the Chairman of the Christy EssienIgbokwe National Burial Committee, Dr. Austin Izagbo, a former Delta State Commissioner for Youth, Sports & Culture said that the widespread reaction to the death of the Lady of Songs is proof that the loss is not just that of the Igbokwe or Essien families but that of a nation.

“It was for the stated reason that on July 6, friends, colleagues, admirers and professionals of different persuasions met at the Igbokwe family residence in Lagos and decided to form the Christy Essien-Igbokwe Burial Committee. It was also decided that rather than mourn her death, her passing should be celebrated in a grand fashion

and used to achieve several objectives that she lived for.”

At the conference, a chain of events leading to EssienIgbokwe's final burial was reviewed. Dr. Izagbo announced that a Christy Essien-Igbokwe Memorial Endowment Fund account has been set up not just to fund her burial activities but to initiate or support such programmes and causes that will immortalize her name and ideals. “The committee has taken several steps to ensure that the fund is managed with utmost transparency and professionalism,” he said.

Dr. Izagbo appealed to the millions of people and institutions touched in different ways by the life, career, songs, acting, philanthropy and numerous social activities of the late Christy Essien-Igbokwe to make contributions to the fund and identify with the plans to immortalize the lady who brought happiness to many across Nigeria. The Fund presently has a Zenith Bank account number 1003604455, he said.

Among the stars who stormed

•Christy Essien

the press conference were Onyeka Onwenu, Yinka Davies, Stella Monye, Keffe, Eva, Stella Damasus, Gloria Doyle, Essence, Yeni Kuti, Kenny Saint Brown, Clarion Chukwurah, Chief Tony Okoroji, Senior Special Assistant, Lady Ucheoma Chukwudum who represented Governor Peter Obi, Mr. George Ufot (Federal Director of Culture) who represented the Minister of Culture, Tourism & National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke and who assured the conference of the full support of the Federal Government in the celebration of the life of Christy EssienIgbokwe, a recipient of the national honour of Member of the Federal Republic.

Fayrouz spreads fun with NYSC Variety Night

A

S part of activities to make the just concluded three-week orientation camping of the 2011 second batch of corps members most memorable for the participants, various National Youth Service Corps NYSC camps across the federation were aglow on Saturday as the premium soft drink under the stable of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Fayrouz, simultaneously organised a 'variety night' across the nation.

At the Federal Capital Territory FCT, Kubwa camp of the NYSC, it was a night the rich cultural background of Nigeria came to the fore as Fayrouz, the non-alcoholic drink, put smile on the faces of outstanding corps members who distinguished themselves at the NYSC variety night which produced Miss NYSC and MR. Macho, respectively.

Interestingly, this was replicated by Fayrouz at the Lagos, Edo, Oyo, and Imo State camps of the NYSC where corps members that emerged Miss NYSC and Mr Macho carted home prizes ranging from HP Laptop to BlackBerry phones.

The ladies and men in the contest were beauty to behold in the native attires of their respectives States. The FCT Coordinator of NYSC, Lady Linda Amugo, commended Nigerian Breweries Plc for putting up a wonderful show where the corpers were able to identify with the culture of their states and interact with one another.

She pointed out that the

corpers had contributed in no small measure to the cultural rejuvenation of Nigeria through the magnanimity of Fayrouz.

Lady Amugo pointed out that through Fayrouz, Nigerian Breweries has been able to encourage the Nigerian youths to foster unity amongst one another to achieve national •Victoria

integration.

The night was spiced with musical display and dance competition by the various platoons in the camp. Corps members with dexterity in comedy put up five-star performances that would give the likes of Ali Baba and BasketMouth a run for their money.

Adeyemi Micheal Adeleke, popularly known as Lexzy Doo, started his music career with the group X Appeal in the 90s. The University of Lagos graduate who now resides in the United States with his family, in this online interview with DUPE AYINLA, talks about why he left Nigeria, among other issues.

I did not run away from Nigeria—Lexzy Doo

D

ID you leave the music scene because of competitions?

I never left the music scene. I just travelled abroad to be with my family, and there I was still recording and doing my shows too, because I do more of that.

How did your music career start?

I have been into music since 1987 right from my school days. I was a popular dancer and was always found organizing school event parties. Music has always been in my blood. In the year 2000, I came out with an album with a group called X appeal, and went solo in 2002. That was also the year I came out with my first single called "More" and it was a big hit in Nigeria.

So professionally, when did you start?

That would be 1986.

Why music, because it seems you are doing less of it now?

I am into music because it is a gift from my mum who was into music.

So I will say it runs in the family. And I have not quit music, because I am still into music.

Why the different infusion in your music, are you scared that your music might not sell if you pick one genre?

No! The reason I do that, I mean infuse African beat on hip hop beat is to make my music have that universal flavour for every body in the world to understand and enjoy too.

Have you released another album and how is it doing in the market?

My new album is not yet in the market. But it’s coming out hopefully this year and it is called “London 2 9ja”. It is a 14 track album, and I already have three new singles from the album making waves here and at home. They are “4show”, “Teramo” and “Omoele”.

Being an artiste, people expect a lot from you, but you have not been up on your feet for sometime now in the Nigerian entertainment world. Do you think you still have fans here?

Yes! I have so many fans now all over the world and every body that

has been listening to my new singles are waiting for my new album to drop.

Would it be right to say you left because of competitions and challenges?

Like I said before I never left the music scene. I moved back to Nigeria in November 2009 from UK and since then I have been in and out.

How is life out there, compared to when you were here?

Life is better generally in UK. But for someone like me, an artist, Nigeria is better.

What really is music to you that made you choose it as a career?

Music is my life and it’s a gift from GOD and I chose it because it is what I know how to do best.

You have done like three albums, correct me if I am wrong please.

Which do you think is the strongest?

I have done like two albums before I left. But this new album that is coming out soon, I can say will be the best among the other ones that I have done in the past.

How do you get inspiration for your songs?

I get inspired by things around me and sometimes from things that happened to me. And some times too, people write songs for me.

Who are your mentors?

My mentors are Michael Jackson, King Sunny Ade, Fela Kuti and some others.

Any plans to stay permanently abroad?

I have moved back to Nigeria now.

After Ske Ske, it appeared your popularity dropped, why?

That is not true. Like I said earlier I had to travel at that time to be with my family. That was the reason I traveled abroad.

What are you doing now?

Lexzy Doo is pretty busy all the time and likes to keep it that way. At the moment I am working on my next album.

LAUTECH student releases gospel album

A

new gospel music album titled Se Jeje has been released into the market by a 300 level student of Human Anatomy of Ladoke Akintola University (LAUTECH), Ogbomosho, Oyo State, Masanwoola Adebimpe Victoria. The album with five tracks according to Victoria was inspired by God.

The album includes track such as Come to Him, Se JeJe, Iwo Ni, Lord I am Grateful and Jesu Tobi Loba. The 24 year old gospel singer who started singing from childhood explained in an interview that the pioneer album was sponsored by her mother and a deacon in her church.

Victoria who hails from Imeko-Ifon, Ogun State explained that her ability to stay focussed and abstain from all

unnecessary relationships have helped her to effectively combine education with music life thus making it possible for her to released an album.

The young talent who lost her father eight years ago advised her fans and youths in general to abstain from every act of distraction that can stop them from achieving their aims in life.

FROM THE CAMPUS PAGE 46 E are not to hide under any umbrella here.

The Nigerian golf is in comatose state and everything about the game has turned on its head. In two past decades of the game of golf in Nigeria, it has never been this bad. In the past good old days, Nigerian golf professionals were fully engaged.They had no choice since they were playing, on the average, two tourneys in a month.

Not just this, the Pros were being engaged in foreign events, all paid for and this includes the prestigious World Cup of golf. But there is none of this again. the whole good show has vanished into thin air through the greed of those who must pack their wallet at the expense of professionals who would be driven to breadline where they can put food on the table for their children. This might amaze you but the pros just played three tourneys in a year that is fast running out.

But things will not have to come to this. A huge change is looming. Sure thing is history is happening and it will certainly be on our watch.

There is this man of flash and pizzazz. Anytime you meet him, he smiles warmly and yes, he can beat the golf ball as long as John Daly, the world's best hitter of the golf ball would. He is Chief Okechukwu Igweh. He sits atop the Bolingo Hotels and Towers. He mentioned it loud and clear that the game of golf in Nigeria could still be salvaged and that he would be prepared to take charge.

You could be filled with doubts now. You could be seeing this as an illusion... a mirage, that, every time it comes closer to you, it moves away. But Igweh says he is for real.

"We have mentioned this severally that the problem of our golf boils down to how much we have paid attention to our youths", Igweh said with that smile that could disarm anyone.

"We are blessed with great youths who can carry this game to any level. All we need is to support and partner with them. But those who should be there to help the youths take golf courses as hallowed ground where the youths are being turned back unless they want to come in as caddies. We should grow above this. We should put aside this rancour and rabid hate in

W

With Prof. Emmanuel Ojeme

THE NATION SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2011

GOLFLINE

NTDC brings for

WITH

Tony Akhigbe golflineintl@yahoo.com 08056180071

‘Bolingo’ ready to revive Nigerian golf our golf system. We should come to help the game and not to eat from it.

"Truly I believe in our youths and if well catered for, they will perform at the 2016 Olympics coming up in Chicago. We can win our medals here. Boxing and football will fail us. I will build in the youths. My Academy is on the way. I have already published a golf book meant to inspire the kids on the way they come to this game. The book will be out this month and it will be shared, free of charge, through all the golf courses in Nigeria. We have a great future for golf in Nigeria. I want people to come forward so we can say the game and develop it. I am for it. It's all on my conscience. I stand for everything that helps humanity, especially the youths".

It's on record that Chief Igweh finances the Big Little Souls, an NGO that caters for newly born babies who have no one to stand by them. And this is all over the nation.

IKOGOSI COURSE WILL LIFT TOURISM We keep mentioning it that golf and Tourism move on same track. Well, this is okay in most developed countries, even South Africa.But it could really be hard to make bold this same assertion if the country is Nigeria. Truth is Tourism, till date, has no destination if the issue is golf.

But all these could soon be a thing of the past. As we speak, Ikogosi in Ekiti State, indeed the homeland of the popular hot Spring water will adorn a golf course soon so it can become a major Tourism destination in Nigeria.

"The history of Ikogosi is a cherished one among Nigerians and even beyond", General Manager of Ekiti Tourism Board, Prince Kayode Oni says.

"We all know the role golf plays in great Tourism areas across the world. We have Ikogosi which I must say is one of popular Tourism areas in the world.

"What we want to do is simple. We have a great Tourism location that foreigners will want to see.

They have been coming but we need something special to keep them on holiday. They don't just have to come, see the Spring and go. Foreigners love golf. This is why we are building the golf course right at the sight of the Spring water. We want them to come, see the Spring, touch the warm water and stay back.

"This is reason this project is not about the course alone. We shall have hotels and Chalets surrounding the course.

The situation is clear enough. If you come, you will want to stay. This is what Tourism is all about.

We are set and our energetic Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, is with us all they way. I don't have any doubt in my mind that

• Golfers at a special event

this will be a ground breaking venture for Tourism in Nigeria'.

NOTE... Last week we referred to Dr. Ologunleko as the Special Assistant to Governor Fayemi.

Ologunleko is indeed SPECIAL ADVISER to the governor on Tourism. The mix-up is regretted.

IDEHEN MAKES CASE FOR EDO GOLF The chief coach of Edo Golf team that participated in the last Sports Festival held in Port Harcourt, Lucky Idehen, is saying it loud and clear that the nation is blessed with talented youths who can take the nation to greater heights if the issue is golf.

Idehen, a professional golfer, has his reasons. The Edo team he took to Port Harcourt was only given a sum of N250,000, an amount that could hardly buy a good golf set. Despite this unbelievable setback, his team still ended the game with two gold medals and three bronze. Valentine Ogieva was the clear Heroine. She won two golf medals and a Bronze.

"We were fully prepared for Port Harcourt", Idehen said. "But we lacked enough equipment. This is why most players in my team did not show up. They had no equipment to play with. I can only call on the government to take seriously issues concerning our youth golfers. They are talented.

But they need to be motivated'.

SORRY DIETE-SPIFF The Lady of Golf in Nigeria, Dr [Barr] Josephine Diete-Spiff is bereaved. She lost her father, Dr [Rev] Daniel Uzuazano Akporero, popularly known as "Mr. English" at the ripe age of 81.

Josephine Diete-Spiff, a Royal Queen of Twon-Brass in Bayelsa State and indeed a former President of the Nigeria Ladies Golf Association, said she had fond memory of her father and that her father gave so much to humanity, especially in the field of education.

• Okabare Blessing of Nigeria (L) runs in the Women's 100 metres final during the five day 17th African Athletics Champioships in Nairobi, on July 29, 2010

Memo to New Minister (3) M

Y dear Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman, since you emerged as Sports Minister, I have written to congratulate you and also to raise critical issues relevant to your portfolio. I hope your press officer has brought these issues to your attention. In case you have not read the messages. I will endeavour to courier them to your office. This 3rd memo is the last in the series before we shift the focus of this column to other issues. The messages to you, in my opinion, are based on my genuine concern for the success of your tenure as Sports Minister and nothing more. In this last installment, I wish to focus further on the role and essence of Sports intellectuals in the Sports industry.

In all fields of social services, there are broadly two groups of professionals in the saddle. In Engineering, medical, technological, agricultural services etc, you find this two groups of persons. While the other sectors give a pride of place to intellectuals, the sports sector seems to have the debilitating habit of despising Sports intellectuals. This is very awful. The downstream operators in sports do not mostly consider the sports intellectual as key to success in sports and as an ally. They mostly perceive the sports intellectual as theoreticians inspite of the fact that sports theory applied to its practice is the basis of creativity, innovation and excellence of outcomes.

I have therefore, taken the liberty as a sports professor and leader of a professional and knowledge based sports group to raise this concern with you so that you do something in ensuring that we all work together for the good of our country in sports development and achievements.

Who is a sports intellectual? A sports intellectual is a person, man or woman with epistemological knowledge of sports, in its theoretical and experiential perspectives with an educated and trained background to apply same to the development and progress of sports. I can tell you that there are many of such people in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

This people are located in Educational institutions, sometimes in the media world and private sector. Their greatest predicament is the inherent difficulty in getting into the mainstream of sports practice due to the way it is programmed. But they remain a powerful group who hold the treasury of sports knowledge in its historical, scientific (natural and social forms), humanistic and cultural perspectives. The integration of this group into the sporting process by the political and administrative arm of sports is what Nigeria needs for more creative, imaginative, innovative and research oriented approach to sports delivery system in Nigeria . The core of downstream operators follow and respond to National and International sports programmes, perhaps, without asking a lot questions and without bothering much about the philosophical, ideological and scientific basis of Nigeria’s engagement in these competitions. The lack of deep philosophical and ideological embankment for Nigerian sports as well as well as low scientific input is a debilitating problem for Nigerian sports.

Sports intellectuals should be integrated into the planning and execution of sports programmes. They can think tank for downstream operators. May I also inform you that there is the intellectual component of every sports programme such as the Olympics, Commonwealth and All African Games.

For sometime, Nigeria has not been sending delegates. This is very sad.

Honorable Minister, Sir, I hope you will find the time for a deep reflection for this concern for the intellectual paradigm and perspectives for sports development and engagements, so that Nigerians can show something more creative and innovative to the world of sports, rather than the endemic habit of saying, this is the way it is done all over the World!

Nigeria should not be a copycat in sports practice. The sports intellectual practitioners are the main bowl of creativity and innovation based on research. Please sir, we need to collaborate more with your Commission.

Thank you and Happy Ramadan Kareem.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

47 FEW years ago, General Colin Powell, former Defence Chief of the United States of America, threw a nuclear moral bomb at Nigeria by referring to her as a nation of fraudsters.

That made every good Nigerian including Senate President, David Mark, scuttled for better deadly arsenal to prove that General Powell was misinformed by the enemies of Nigeria.

The truth, whether we like it or not, is that Nigeria is morally sick as a nation. The Right Reverend Dr. Owadayo, erstwhile Bishop of Egba Diocese of Anglican Communion in his Independence Day Anniversary’s sermon at St. Peter’s Cathedral Church, Ake, Abeokuta, Ogun State, after reviewing the moral decadence in Nigeria, puts it succinctly by saying “We are all involved.”

Since 1960, the credibility of Nigeria’s national leadership and rectitude is that the leadership has systematically masterminded one political fraud after the other against its own citizens leading to the diminishing of social and economic progress in the country.

Nigerian leaders are more interested in power sharing amongst themselves than evolving a lasting political solution to the nation’s challenges.

The first, second and third republics were nothing but shambles. The sixth legislative assembly was worst than the first and second republics that made the army seized political power.

Our religious leaders have abandoned the preaching of salvation and the teaching of good moral attitudes. The main themes in churches and mosques now are wealth and prosperity.

Every Nigerian has become a slave to wealth and prosperity.

They threw moral caution over-board in search of money and power.

The erstwhile President Olusegun Obasanjo crowned the worsened situation with his monetization policy. Strikes by labour unions have become a daily routine. Nigeria has become a nation of lovers of money and money-grabbers.

Armed robbery, hired assassination, drug abuse, kidnapping and business fraud (419) have become the order of the day as if the nation has no rulers.

According to the book of Nahum Chapter 3, in the Holy Bible, it says “Disaster to the city of blood packed throughout with lies, stuffed with booty, where plundering has no end!!

Look, I am against you, declares Yahweh Sabaoth. ‘I shall lift your skirts as high as your face and show your nakedness to the nations, your shame to the kingdoms.’’’

The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Dr. Olubunmi Cardinal Okogie, has identified the absence of God in people’s heart as the root cause of the nation’s problems. He affirmed, “To survive as a nation, God must be restored as the soul of the nation.” He asserted that there was an urgent need for a concerted effort between the family, the religious groups and the state for the nation to move forward.

Cardinal Okogie stressed that our nation would not succeed without being rooted in

A

•Jonathan

Nigeria needs moral renaissance

By Dr. Sunday O. Ajai

God; and planning together for a productive future.

He emphasized the need for new orientation and re-direction to give a new hope for the future, adding that necessity called for the removal of various injustices in our society.

He condemned moral bankruptcy in the society and the lack of concern by the leadership. He also lamented that a good number of those in the corridors of power shed crocodile tears at our nation’s uncalled for moral and social bankruptcy, but that they were not ready to take the bull by the horns and right the wrongs.

A few years ago, an Imam of the Ansar-UdDeen Society of Nigeria, Chief Imam Abdul Baape Abdul Quadri., was reported in the guardian, to have cited corruption as the major cause of crime in the country, which he also traced to lack of fear of God. He frowned at the crime rate amongst civilians, soldiers, the police, customs officers, government agencies and also in the family setting.

He said that human beings love all the good things of life created by the Almighty God, but

•The Anambra State Gov. Peter Obi (right) exchanging pleasantries with a physically challenged during the celebration of Chief Ben Nwabueze (SAN) 80th birthday in Ogbaru at the weekend.

PHOTO: OBI CLETUS

regretted that they did not care to obey God’s commandment.

Chief Imam Abdul Quadri called on the federal government to restore confidence in the economy, encourage productivity and raise the level of the purchasing power of the masses, because an imbalance in the sharing of life’s goodies would lead to civil unrest.

Corruption is in all the facets of our national life today. The police do their own openly, the judiciary turn blind eye, the armed forces stand akimbo while government officials do theirs with bold face, even with EFCC and ICPC in place.

The credibility of this nation is at its lowest ebb. In Nigeria, it is not what you know that matters, but who you know. It is really a very sad situation. Successive governments in Nigeria had spent billions of Naira in propagating such concepts as ethical revolution, operation feed the nation, war against indiscipline and corruption (WAI-C), national orientation agency (NOA), better life for rural women, (FSP) and currently, rebranding Nigeria.

The conceptualizations of these orientations look benevolent and sound to

societal development but yet our challenges remain the same.

Another major problem of Nigerians is that we tell a lot of lies. From the first individual in the city to the last person in the remote village, telling white lies has become a way of life or a part of our culture.

We lack sincerity of purpose in our national life, but still we want other nations to see us as the giant of Africa and the leader of the black race in the world. We have thrown our cherished cultural values of honesty, justice and hard-work over-board. The gap between the rich and the poor continues to widen. Our youths are disorganized and disenchanted as a result of moral decadence in the nation. Our educational institutions and health system are collapsing everyday. Students spend more time at home than in schools. Most of our roads nation-wide have become death traps.

To worsen the whole situation, electricity supply is epileptic. Taking all these woes into consideration, I feel Nigeria needs political, social and economic moral renaissance that would put us in good light in the community of nations.

The challenge should be that we should clean up our public relations attitudes and etiquettes, both internally and externally; reaching down to the tremendous potential for being better than we presently are.

Nigeria should evolve a new work-ethics and respect for the dignity of every human being. We should have contempt for any wealth not created from identifiable quest.

Prophet Habakkuk said, “Disaster to anyone who amasses goods not his and to anyone who weighs himself down with goods taken in pledge!! Disaster to anyone who amasses illgotten gains for his house, so as to fix his nest on high and so evade the reach of misfortune!!

Disaster to anyone, who builds a town with bloodshed and found a city with wrong doing,! For the very stone will protest from the wall, and the beam will respond from the framework.”

(Hab. 27-12) The restoration of confidence, especially that of our youths who are facing extremely uncertain future, is one of the greatest challenges that must be met by our religious and political leaders as the 21st century is just beginning. For no remedy to the greatest challenges of our time can produce results, unless there is a minimum confidence and trust between political class, the armed forces and the citizenry in general.

Mr. Shina Peter in one of his songs said (“Asiko awa Youth re, e ye binu wa”). This period in time is for the youth to take control of the nation.

We have all seen what the youth of this nation could do during the sixth legislative assembly.

May the Almighty God save this nation.

Amen.

•Dr. Sunday O. Ajai, Managing Director/CEO, SOA Communication Bureau, Block 1, Flat 2, Ojokoro Estate, Lagos.

E-mail::omoajai_sunday05@yahoo.com Tel: 08033259531

•Public Relations Manager, Dufil Prima Foods Plc presenting a cheque to representative of Federal University of Technology, Owerri recently

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

48

Have Your Say A

S desirable as it may appear, state creation is not the urgent need of Nigeria now, some respondents argue. It would amount to misplacement of priority if the country’s legislators pander to the stiletto calls for such endeavour. It can wait till some more auspicious time, this group declaims.

On the other side of the block, some contend that the country’s successive lawmakers had hung fire and in the end pussyfooted on a business that required dire attention. Creating more states, they reason, will ameliorate the weakening burden of injustices that minority groups in many states undeservedly bear. To them, this matter deserves all the seriousness and attention that can only be described as adequate.

Here are the views in the very words of the respondents. Have a ball.

Clamouring for the creation of additional states for now is divisive, self-serving and ill-timed. What should be agitating the minds of our leaders of thought is how to bring about true and fiscal federalism, employment generation, security of life and property among others. There is no cause for state creation when the existing ones are still being short-changed, thereby making it extremely difficult to fulfil some of their mandates.

Prince Kunle Adeleye, Itaji-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

We have numerous unresolved problems and issues we are battling with in Nigeria already. I am not in support of creation of more states as the clamour by the groups and leaders is selfish, myopic and an attempt to create further confusions.

For example, will the creation of more states improve supply of electricity or worsen it? It will worsen it. Creation of more states will worsen the present level of corruption, breed more disunity and trigger more requests of same in future.

Lanre Oseni, Lagos State.

State creation will bring the government closer to the people, reduce unemployment, and development of the new state.

Nwokeji Innocent, Umuahia, Abia State.

There is nothing wrong with creating new states, but the issue is: have the existing ones been developed? Or are just ready to create further avenue for senseless governors to breed more restiveness among the Nigerian youths?

Modu Chiroma, Abuja.

The clamour is not reasonable as most of the existing states except for very few cannot meet up with the challenges of catering for the needs of the citizens. What should be done is proper devolution of power that will allow the states to explore the natural resources that are found within such states which will enable them generate the resources needed for development.

The present arrangement that allows the federal government control over such resources cannot promote development and independence that states need to address the challenges confronting them. Except the issue of devolution is addressed, state creation unnecessary.

Williams Nuatin, Badagry, Lagos State.

The idea is politically wrong.

We should have six regions in a federal set up, with each region free to have as many states as it wants.

How do you view the recent clamour for state creation by different groups and leaders of thought ?

Ademola Akande, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Agitation for state creation is as old as Nigeria. It will never stop even if each hamlet in Nigeria is made a state.

The pertinent question is: how many of the existing 36 states have impacted positively and substantially on the well-being of their citizens? None!!! Standard of living under the 12 state structures was better than now where more than 80% of Nigerians live in complete squalor and abject poverty. It seems as if the more states we have the poorer Nigerians become.

Olaniran Afolabi A., Benin City, Edo State.

The advocacy for •David Mark state creation is a welcome political development as it Afolayan Olaniyi, cannot only reduce political rivalry Okeigbo, Ondo State. ,unemployment , youths restiveness, armed robbery and other soThe call is selfish and a ploy by cial vices, but can also bring about desperate politicians to gain power more infrastructural development, and amass wealth. Have they develharnessing of the untapped re- oped the existing states? sources, manpower development Bello Lukman, and increase in standard of living.

Pol. Science, UNIJOS. Ike Ekong Thompson, Akwa Ibom State.

The clamour is a clarion call and I support those who are clam- timely. It is only through state creaouring for creation of more state in tion that some areas are rememNigeria. If the government of bered. For instance, Abakaliki, Goodluck Jonathan should create Yenogoa and other states like these more states, it would help in the started witnessing infrastructural resolution of conflict among diverse development after state creation. interests and also bring government Similarly, through state creation, nearer to the people. For instance, more jobs and political positions are Ibadan is long over due to be split carved out and this enhances the disinto two. tribution of the nation’s wealth.

Isiaka Ibrahim, There is urgent need for the National Iree, Osun State. Assembly to expedite action on the creation of state.

The clamour for states creation Ikpechukwu Ogbonnaya , has been on for sometimes, but the Ubahu, Enugu State. intensity of it in recent times is as a result of David Mark’s vow to enThe clamour for creation of more sure that his 500,000 Idoma people states by different groups and leadare given Apa State out of the ers of thought is misinformed, prepresent Benue. I believe the issue of cisely because such people mistake state creation is now a political sense of cloister communities and weapon to garner support for poli- historical ties to land that often come ticians who have nothing to offer with particularism for development their people. The present states are and national solidarity. But this renot viable and none is developed to quest is not more than calls for the extent that it can be said that balkanisation of Nigeria by elbowstates creation is a success in Nigeria. throwing groups clamouring for It is my submission that no state government preferment. In an era should be created in Nigeria again. of globalisation when nations call Reuben Acka, for less government and breaking Maitama, Abuja. of barriers and building of bridges across the globe, and when Nigeria State creation will enhance rapid spends most of its resources on overdevelopment, equity, justice and heads cost at the expense of sociogive a sense of belonging. economic development of the peoYusuf Adamu, ple, it would be foolhardy to add Maiduguri, Borno State. more states. More so that new states bring about new majorities often acCreating more states is not a bad cused of marginalising new minoriidea. However, I don’t appreciate ties. I wish to repeat that Nigeria the reasoning of our leaders when needs leaders who can provide orit comes to issues of public interest. der and direction to a dysfunctional Sectional interests may still over- setting, and not clamour for undue ride and stall the process. multiplication of centres of power Ikyem Tavershima, that are superfluous. More distressMakurdi, Benue State. ing, the centres of power would still accommodate just about 1% of the The recent clamour for state crea- nation’s 150m people. Let us contion in Nigeria is long overdue. We centrate on building peoples’ capacneed more states because it will fast- ity to support themselves. track rapid development and emAnthony N.Z. Sani, ployment opportunity for our unKeffi, Nasarawa State. employed youths. The wisdom of our leaders must be appreciated.

These groups of people and the

so-called leaders are vacuous or at least selfish. Or how do you describe any sane person of good intentions to continue to champion this type of outlandish demand?

How many of the existing states now can be called a state in the real intention of what a state should be?

Most states depend on Abuja to carry out basic functions like building of a new secondary school.

These agitators are only interested in holding political appointments in the new provinces to be created.

Their intentions are not altruistic.

They are hyenas scavenging for the next carrion.

Akinduro, H.O., Okitipupa, Ondo State.

Creation of more states means an increase in recurrent expenditure, while little money will be left for development. To me, we should maintain the current system. We can create more local governments instead. This will bring development to the people at the local level.

J.M. Awoyemi, Ikeja, Lagos State.

This should not be a priority with Nigeria creaking under the burden of an expensive legislature, a hopeless power sector, insecurity, mass unemployment, half-baked basic educational system, a-non-existent healthcare service and bone crushing poverty. Until we have a federal system which enforces proper accountability to the electorate at all levels, this would be another futile effort as we continue to stumble in the dark.

Toye Falusi, Ibadan, Oyo State.

I frankly support the clamour for creation of more states. Its developmental advantages are numerous. Governance should get closer and closer to the people, leaders should be more accountable. I personally advocate an extra state for each geo-political zone and two extra states for the Southeast to balance up. Anyone against this clamour might have some sinister motives.

Edozie Nchekwube, Enugu State.

I think state creation at this moment is a welcome idea. This wil bring about job creation as more ministries, parastatal, departments and agencies will come to life. It will also bring government closer to the people. On the final note, it should not be politicized.

Mohammed Bala Lafiagi, Ilorin, Kwara State.

State creation is not the problem of the average Nigerian who survive below 1USD/day, but that of the beneficiary minority Nigerians. Of the present 36 states, less than a quarter is economically viable. When Nigerian politicians are out of power and are at the receiving end of our type of democracy, they propound ideas that make the majority proud but when they get to power, their proposition(s) is no different from that of a ‘lunatic’ that ran away from a mental hospital half-treated, half-normal. Nigeria and Nigerians have far more serious problems than the comic frivolities of state creation and tenure elongation.

Kayode A, Surulere, Lagos State.

Continue on page 52

DIS GENERATION

By Jennifer Ehidiamen 08054503875 (Sms only)

Youth as active participants in development

“Y

OUTH should be given a chance to take an active part in the decisionmaking at local, national and global levels.” Says Ban Ki-moon, the United Nations Secretary-General.

Are young people in Nigeria actively involved in the process of decision-making? Are our government leaders harnessing the potentials in youth by engaging them as actors in development process? Compared to many years ago when youths in Nigeria were only seen and not heard, I guess we can say that we are making good progress.

According to the 2011 population pyramid by the National Population Commission and World Bank Growth, “young Nigerians between age 20 and 40 make up 47% of the nation’s population, which provides a window of opportunity for high growth and poverty reduction – the demographic dividend – representing a huge potential resource to Nigeria given the critical role of the youths in strengthening the nation’s economy.”

Many youth are increasingly creating platforms that will help them and their peers stay engaged.

No longer is the average Nigerian youth satisfied with just being consumers. We are evolving into being producers too, and taking up responsibility to be the change we want to see in the world.

As August 12 draws near for another celebration of the International Youth Day, youth organizations are already setting aside creative space for young people to express themselves and take charge.

As a matter of fact, this year’s celebration coincides with the International Year of Youth (20102011 was set out as International Year of Youth). Have you made plans on how you will participate to celebrate this year’s world youth day locally?

To be actively involved in your local community, you can do two things- volunteer and volunteer!

Actually in one word, volunteer.

Most people think it is a big deal to initiate a new event idea. Well, it is. But at this eleventh hour, it only makes sense for you to collaborate with youth organizations or groups with similar vision to serve in whatever capacity you can to effectively maximize the day.

Here are examples of what some youth groups are doing to celebrate IYD 2011: In Lagos, “the Future Champions” in partnership with “You Digit” & “Bible Way Church” is organizing a 3-day summer residential camp tagged, ‘We’ve Got Talent & Abilities,’ a camp meeting for the Y generation, youths ages 9-24 to commemorate the day.

The aim of the 4-day event is to inspire Nigerian youths to rise to the occasion, to use their talents and abilities to achieve, and also acquire skills that set them on the trail to their purpose; to learn to use their potentials in the new world of work, innovation, entrepreneurship and Learn & Do It Yourself.

To participate, please contact: championsfuture@yahoo.com or call 08071541893.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

Arts Extra

49

‘My latest book is the one I cherish most’ He is a medical doctor, but Wale Okediran finds fulfillment in writing fiction . A former member of the House of Representatives, Okediran spoke to Edozie Udeze at the University of Ibadan, Oyo State.

B

ETWEEN the hours when you are not doing medical rounds or not writing a book, what do you do?

Yes, these are times when I try to look after my health, with a lot of sporting activities. I play tennis with my friends when I am at the University of Ibadan Sports Club. When I am in Abuja, I go out for early morning walks, just to exercise myself.

And then of course, I read because a true writer must also be a true reader. Then once in a while when time permits, I watch movie.

Many people think you have abandoned your first love which is medical practice for writing and politics?

Well, to a certain extent, I have significantly reduced my imput in medical practice. What I did was to hand over the practice to a colleague, that is another colleague of mine who is with me in the hospital. It is only when I am home in Ibadan, which is once in a while, that I actively take part in handling some medical cases in the hospital. Then when I am not in Ibadan, I also have time to attend to patients. You know then people can always consult you. You don’t have to be in a hospital before you can be consulted. People who are your friends can come over to you, ask for medical examination and so on.

I also have a column in Tribune newspaper when people send in questions on their medical situations, problems and so on. I take care of all that through my answers to those questions.

Now, you trained as a medical doctor, why not as a writer?

The thing is that… well, when I look back at my life, my being a writer was just an accident. But it wasn’t that I started out to be a writer. What I discovered was that most of my best subjects were in the Arts, that is in the Humanities.

My best subjects, my grades in English, in English Literature. I only scored credits in the sciences. But when I told my father that I’d love to be a journalist, he said to me to go and do something more reasonable. Then he said I should go to medicine.

Initially, I was reluctant but when I got into the University of Ife, I enjoyed it. I enjoyed medicine and I think I have done very well as a medical doctor. All along even as a secondary school student I was still a member of the press club, always writing articles in the school press. I was also a member of the school journal club. When I got to the university, the same thing happened. I kept on writing for the school journal. When I finished my medical school, some of my friends said Wale you write too much in the newspapers and so on. Then I was contributing articles to

many newspapers and magazines on a regular basis.

Then some of them said, why not write your own prose fiction? I said ah me? No, I can’t do it. They said no, you can do it, then I did a correspondence course in London School of Writing. I subscribed to the correspondent course and by the time I finished I saw that I had confidence to write. And that was how I now plunged myself fully into writing fiction.

How was growing up like then, what kind of parents did you have?

Well, my father was a civil servant, who was frequently transferred all over the Western Region. Then the Western Region extended to Agege, Ikeja, which also included Osun and Ondo States. So, you can see it was a very large area then and my father was an agric officer.

He used to work with farm settlements. At times I would follow him and this exposed me to interacting with farmers and what they did in the farm settlements and so on. My mother was a school teacher who was more interested in our education. She ensured we read regularly and did our home works very well. With the combination of the parents – a civil servant and a teacher, I was able to learn a lot. Both of them influenced me in many positive ways. And I was born here in Ibadan, although we come from Iseyin in Oyo State.

When and how did you meet your wife and what influence does she have in your life?

I met my wife in the university, although we were neigbours at home in Ibadan before we went to the university.

She was admitted to read law.

It was there that we met and later got married. We have grown up children now. The youngest is 18 years old now and she is already in the university. My children are all female. In all I have four daughters, the first three are already out of the university and it is the only last one that is still in school.

What schools did you attend and how were those years like?

I attended two secondary schools, Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo and the Comprehensive High School, Aiyetoro, Egbado in the current Ogun State. I went to the University of Ife as it was called then. I got into Ife in 1973 and finished in 1980 at the medical school. Those were good old days, when school was totally enjoyable. And I really and thoroughly enjoyed school. I was a member of the University Hockey Team. I even became the vice-captain of the team.

Because of my prowess in Hockey, my last three years was on university scholarship. I was given scholarship as a sportsman.

I was also a member of the university social club. I became the president of the club. I was

•Okediran

also into writing. At a stage, I became the editor-in-chief of the press club. The campus magazine then was called Beepoff, so, this ability to get involved in different things, started very early in life. You can say it is too tasking, but it has helped me so far. I was lucky to have gone to a university where I could study and do a lot of things at the same time.

We understand you have so many projects in your village of Iseyin, what are they for ?

I have an NGO which I call Family Counseling Centre.

We’re also into awareness/ campaign in the rural areas. We have been on ground for 12 years now in the whole of Oyo North area, we counsel, we give free treatment to HIV patients, we also refer them to tertiary institutions when we identify HIV positive individuals. We have also been involved in rural distribution of books. I buy

second hand books abroad and in the country and then distribute to members of my constituency. When I was in the House of Representatives, I gave out bursary awards to indigent students in my area, so these are some of the things I have been doing for my people.

Now, your new book, Tenants of the House has been generating a lot of heat. How do you feel when your readers show so much enthusiasm towards the book?

Well, I am happy. Writing it was a risk, but I took that risk.

But luckily I had the support of my editors and publishers and some of my literary friends who kept pushing me. You know the degree of risk when you are writing about politics in Nigeria is very high. People think you are exposing their secrets and details. But I didn’t want to put the House saga in the book. A lot of people told me

that there was no way I could write that book without that aspect of it. So, I went to town with the facts and fiction, what you call faction in literature.

And so along the line, there was this anxiety and fear how the book will come out. I am happy that the book is out and it is successful.

Of all my books, it is the one I cherish most. It is the one that has generated so much heat and excitement. Apart from winning the Wole Soyinka award, we have an American edition now.

So many schools, universities are using it as their text, law students are using it in some places, at other places, political science students are also using it. We also have other students who are using it for their Masters degree programmes.

So far, it has been my greatest success story as a writer. And I am happy to say that that risk I took was worth it.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

Arts & Life

50

SUNNY SIDE

Cartoons

By Olubanwo Fagbemi deewalebf@yahoo.com 08060343214 (SMS only)

POLITICKLE

For the ever-young •A tribute to tragic stardom The writer craves the reader’s indulgence in remembrance of the promising lives of musicians cut short. And there may be no written memorial more appropriate than reference to the 27 Club – a select group of influential musicians who all died at the age of 27. Also known as the Forever 27 Club, Club 27 or the Curse of 27, the group is generally considered to have led tragic “rock and roll” lifestyles. From the first, Blues singer Robert Johnson who died of unknown causes, to the latest, British artiste Amy Winehouse, membership of the group mirrored the mystery that often attended stardom.

Others died of accidental causes at even younger ages while some shared the penchant to predict death in song or induce demise by action.

CHEEK BY JOWL

OH, LIFE!

THE GReggs

UNTIL Dagrin emerged, few managed to bridge the gap between foreign rap music and a distinct Nigerian style. Dagrin achieved it with his arresting blend of Yoruba, English and Pidgin English rap. Born Oladapo Olaitan Olaonipekun, he was destined for early success. The single “Pon Pon Pon” which talks about life in many parts of southwestern Nigeria from the album C.E.O. (Chief Executive Omota) featured regularly on radio and TV shows. Stage appearances and awards defined the 23 year-old singer’s progress, but then came the April 2010 fatal car crash in Lagos. To commemorate the anniversary of the innovative Nigerian rapper’s death, a feature film of his life titled ‘Ghetto Dreamz’ was released.

Already accentuated by Dagrin’s exit, the tragic demise of music superstars at their prime was highlighted by last month’s loss of 27 year-old English singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse. Famous for her powerful voice and eclectic mix of musical genres including R&B, soul and jazz, Winehouse reached international fame with her 2006 sophomore album, Back to Black, which reined in five Grammy Awards – the first for a British female act. She also bagged a slew of domestic honours in the United Kingdom.

Regarded as a strong influence in the recent rise of serious female musicians and soul music, Winehouse was as famous for drug and alcohol abuse as the violence and self-destructive tendencies that trailed her from 2007 to death. She and former husband, Blake Fielder-Civil, were plagued by legal troubles that left him serving prison time with marital infidelity on her part also an issue. Winehouse died at her home in London. The cause of her death is “as yet unexplained” according to British police.

But Dagrin’s and Winehouse’s extraordinary stories are not novel in music circles. Jim Morrison – known as a “rock god” by the music industry – was a poet, writer and film director as well as the lead singer and lyricist for rock band The Doors. Born into a family with military tradition, his nomadic childhood helped shape his music. The Doors’ songs “Peace Frog” and “The Ghost Song” were inspired by a car accident Morrison saw as a young child, in which a group of American Indians were injured or possibly killed. He joined The Doors in 1965 and released six studio albums with the band before moving to Paris in 1971, where depression may have led him to develop a heroin addiction. He died in Paris in July 1971 at 27 from what many believe was a heroin overdose. The absence of an official autopsy in the circumstances under French law has left many questions about his death unanswered.

There is also some mystery around Jimi Hendrix’s death in London.

The 27 year-old was found dead by his girlfriend when she awoke, and official reports showed that he drowned in his own vomit consisting mostly of red wine. It is also said that he had taken nine of his girlfriend’s prescription sleeping pills, which may have led to the legendary guitarist’s inability to awaken and save himself.

There are, however, those who would attribute the stars’ departure to more mystic factors. Others prefer to downplay the significance of cause of death since thousands of less distinguished people succumb to similarly devastating factors. Few still would dispute the influence of the fallen stars on the evolution of popular music, or the vacuum they create until new stars are born.

QUOTE Music is what feelings sound like.

Stolen Car

Jokes

After shopping for most of the day, a couple returns to find their car has been stolen. They go to the police station to make a full report. Then, a detective drives them back to the parking lot to see if any evidence can be found at the scene of the crime. To their amazement, the car has been returned.

There is an envelope on the windshield with a note of apology and two tickets to a music concert. The note reads, ‘I apologise for taking your car, but my wife was having a baby and I had to hot-wire your ignition to rush her to the hospital. Please forgive the inconvenience. Here are two tickets for tonight’s concert of Garth Brooks, the country-and-western music star.’

Their faith in humanity restored, the couple attend the concert and return home late. They find their house has been robbed.

Valuable goods have been taken from throughout the house, from basement to attic. And, there is a note on the door reading, ‘Well, you still have your car. I have to put my newly born kid through college somehow, don’t I?’

Not So Fishy A dim-witted man is walking down the street, carrying a brown paper bag. He runs into one of his friends, who asks, “Hey! What do you have in the bag?”

The man tells his friend that he has some fish in the bag. His friend says, “Well, I’ll make you a bet. If I can guess how many fish you have in the bag, you’ll have to give me one.”

The man says, “I’ll tell you what. If you tell me how many fish I have in this bag, I’ll give you both of them.”

Late Doctor’s Appointment Doctor: “I see you’re over a month late for your appointment. Don’t you know that nervous disorders require prompt and regular attention? What’s your excuse?”

Patient: “I was just following your orders, Doc.” Doctor: “Following my orders? What are you talking about? I gave you no such order.”

Patient: “You told me to avoid people who irritate me.”

•Culled from the Internet

—Author Unknown

SUDOKU 1ST STEP IN SOLVING PUZZLE: (324) Look at the 3 bottom horizontal (GHI) 3x3 boxes. The right box has an 8 in cell Ig, while the middle box has its 8 in cell Hf. The left box must, therefore, have its own 8 in row G, where there are 2 vacant spaces-

PUZZLE 324

A B C D E F G H I

3 1 8 9 5 9 3 6 7 8 3

6 8 4 6 1 2

4 4 3

a

b

c

5

8 2

d

e

8 f

cell Gb and Gc. But, since column b, already has an 8 in cell Db, the only space available to accommodate 8 in the middle box is cell Gc. Reasoning along these lines, try and fill in all the other vacant cells.

Solution on SATURDAY. Happy Puzzling!

SOLUTION TO PUZZLE 323

2

7

7/8/2011

g

h

i

6 2 4 1 9 8 5 3 7

7 9 3 5 4 6 8 2 1

1 5 8 2 7 3 9 6 4

3 4 9 8 2 1 6 7 5

8 6 2 7 5 9 1 4 3

5 7 1 3 6 4 2 9 8

4 1 6 9 8 7 3 5 2

2 8 7 6 3 5 4 1 9

9 3 5 4 1 2 7 8 6

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

51

Young Nation

08056745268

Hello children, Hope you have started summer-school and are you having fun whle at it?

GRADUATION

WORD WHEEL This is an openended puzzle.

How many words of three or more letters each including the letter at the centre of the wheel can you make from this diagram?

We’ve found 29 including one nine-letter word.

Can you do better?

Riddles with Bisoye Ajayi Most people seem glad to see me and the longer I stay the better they usually like it. I am not shy but I often blush quite a lot before I go. As a rule, I stay later in summer than in winter. What am I? •Students of Seward College, WEMPCO Road, Ogba, Lagos, at their end of session and valedictory ceremony.

PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAM

Miss Ajayi is a Basic 5 pupil of Fasta International School, Omole Estate Phase 1, Ikeja, Lagos

BIRTHDAY

WORD SEARCH

Dance Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting. Dance may also be regarded as a form of nonverbal communication between humans, and is also performed by other animals (bee dance, patterns of behavior such as a mating dance). Definitions of what constitutes dance are dependent on social, cultural, aesthetic, artistic and moral constraints and range from functional movement. Dance can be participatory, social or performed for an audience. It can also be ceremonial, competitive or erotic. Dance movements may be without significance in themselves. Dance can embody or express ideas, emotions or tell a story. Every dance, no matter what style, has something in common. It not only involves flexibility and body movement, but also physics. If the proper physics is not taken into consideration, injuries may occur. Choreography is the art of creating dances. The person who creates (i.e., choreographs) a dance is known as the choreographer.

•GOOMOP’S Private School, Abake/Akobo, Estate, Ibadan during their valedictory ceremony

Nine-letter word: Tellingly Other words: gently, get, gilt, glint, inlet, lent, lentil, let, lilt, lint, lintel, lit, net, nit, tell, teling, ten, tie, tile, till, tin, tinge, tingle, tingly, tiny, tying, yet, yeti •Bisoye Ajayi who contributes Riddles to the Young Nation on Sunday celebrated her 10th birthday on Tuesday, 2nd August, 2011

Word Wheel

BACH BERLIOZ BRAHMS CHOPIN ELGAR

GRIEG HANDEL HAYDN LISZT MAHLER

ORFF PUCCINI SCHUMANN SCHWARTZ WAGNER

Word search created by Ifeoluwa Onifade Answer to Riddle A sunset

Send in your stories, poems, articles, games, puzzles, riddles and jokes to sundaynation@yahoo.com

52

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

Life from over.

T a d e stared out the window again, holding his client’s file. He raked his fingers through his dark hair and glanced

T

ADE looked out through the window and tried to focus.

Despite being a junior staff member at a top investment company, his boss had entrusted him with a high profile job. He prided himself on being a reliable and accountable person any day, but at present felt like he was failing in those departments. He was to help his present client make some important business decisions, he knew what his client wanted and even deserved, he understood his assignment but between understanding his task and implementing it was a virtual stone wall.

Tade knew that successfully completing the job could earn him his long awaited promotion but he couldn’t discard the turmoil in his mind. He was thinking about paying house bills, a responsibility he had cunningly pushed onto his unsuspecting wife but now had to take up again because of her pregnant state.

Pelumi was on a maternity leave without pay and was becoming irritatingly concerned about their financial state. Earlier that morning, she had complained bitterly about their inadequate funds, she was tired of having to beg the landlord for an extension on the house rent and borrowing money from her friends. Tade understood her plight and assured her that he was doing everything possible to change their situation but as he left the house for work that morning, he knew their problem was far Continue from page 48 If the clamour for state creation is with sincerity of purpose, then that agitation is long overdue. Indeed, some old provinces have every reason to be made fullfledged states. Well, my view is that the National Assembly should do a thorough work by going back to the drawing board to consider genuine requests as some of our leaders are greedy and selfish.

Ushie Moses Otogo, UNICAL, Cross River State.

State creation? For me it is a ridiculous demand because the present ones are more or less glorified local government headquarters. Let’s stop this stupidity and see how we can make the existing ones viable and ignore those who want to be governors and political office holders.

Gideon Henry, Jos, Plateau State.

The problem with our Country is not all about state creation. The question is how have we managed the allocations to the existing states? As long as corruption remains the bane of our society, creation of more states will not solve the problem. More states are expected to bring development closer to the people if well-managed.

George C. Erugo, Owerri, Imo State.

State creation will not only set the oppressed minority free, it is also the wheel of quick development. Visit Katsina, Nassarawa, A/ Ibom and Bayelsa States and you will see how they have grown from under development to developed states. I support state creation on ethnic, cultural and social linage.

at the clock on the wall. Almost noon. In a few minutes, his supervisor would check in to see how he was doing, and he had no idea what to tell him. When he had been assigned his job the previous week, it had come with strings attached…a supervisor had a different agenda. He propositioned him with fraud.

There was the sound of a sharp knock on the door of his office cubicle. Tade looked away from the file he was holding.

“Yes.” Gbenga, his supervisor stuck his face in and with a wide grin on his face. “ Are you going for lunch? Ocean‘s Restaurant?”

“Uh…” Tade wanted to say no.

He was caught off guard by Gbenga’s appearance in his office as he wanted to spend more time with his assignment, but it wasn’t every time one got to dine at Ocean’s Restaurant. Also, it could be the perfect opportunity to decline Gbenga’s proposition. There was only one possible answer.

“Sure,” he smiled. He walked around the table, grabbed his suit coat, and followed him.

At the restaurant, the waiter who obviously knew Gbenga sat them without a wait and took their orders. Gbenga waited till they both had full goblets of wine before taking a long sip and giving the table a light slap.

“How have you been?” He said as he sat back. “I haven’t seen you for a while.”

“I have been busy,” Tade re-

Temptation

Entry by Morenike Fadayomi

plied hesitantly. He hoped he wasn’t complicating things with the lunch affair.

“That’s good,” Gbenga nodded in approval. “I want us to continue our discussion but it seems you’ve been avoiding me.”

Tade laughed nervously as he dispelled the accusation. “No I haven’t…Actually, I was thinking I could let you know about some of the ideas I’ve come up with.” He hoped steering the conversation in another direction would keep him from having the “discussion”.

Gbenga smiled as he picked up his cutlery to eat his meal. “Have you thought about my offer?” he asked between spoonfuls.

Tade feigned ignorance. “ Er…what offer?”

“Don’t play coy with me. Do you agree that we invest only 40% of Chief’s money and split the rest between us?”

Tade dropped his glass of wine and cleared his throat before replying. “I don’t agree, I’m not going to steal from a client because I can do it without his knowledge.”

“I am glad you agree that he won’t know about it. It will just be like a loan, which you can pay back after his 40% yields profit. You can reinvest his profit and it’ll be like you never took any,” Gbenga said seriously.

“As tempting as this offer is, I can’t…won’t do it. What if the auditors come before I can reinvest the “borrowed” money? What am I going to do then?” questioned

How do you view the recent clamour for state creation by different groups and leaders of thought ?

New state agitators should note that states have statutory responsibilities to their citizens including salary payment, and not only the sharing of federal allocations.

Samuel O. Osaro, Nchia Eleme, Rivers State.

I would be the last person to support the creation of new states.

The existing ones are moribund, economically unviable and not performing. They are simply failed states. I suggest we revisit the regional system of government; Nigeria was better with it.

Barr Abiodun Olaide, Dept of Public Law, OAU, IleIfe.

•••••••••••••• Tade surveyed the surroundings of his office, especially liking the view. He smiled softly to himself as he sat in the chair. He had been given the new office after he was pormoted three weeks ago.

His new salary was sure to pay off all his bills and debts and take care of his wife and baby. He was glad to have honestly executed the job which gave him his recent promotion.

However, he felt sad for Gbenga who had been fired on basis of defrauding the company after an unexpected visit from the auditors. Tade felt relieved as he knew he would have been fired too if he had given in to temptation.

Many thanks to our amazing readers who send in their comments. If you are passionate about writing exciting short stories, you can send two copies of your writing samples to pearlohai@yahoo.com. Winning entries will be published once every month.

N.B: Each entry must have a minimum of 800 words and a maximum of 1000 words. Credit will be given to each writer for every story published.

Have Your Say Gimbason, John, Kaduna State.

Tade. As much as the idea appealed to him, he couldn’t risk getting caught. Even though he knew the money would solve all his financial problems, he knew his conscience would bother him. Besides, his religion frowned at stealing.

“Nobody will know. I have done this for years and it always works,” Gbenga tried to reason calmly with him.

Tade was surprised with his revelation. He should have known that Gbenga didn’t drive exotic cars or dine in exquisite restaurants with the salary he earned. Almost immediately, he lost the last bit of respect he had for the older man.

“Is this the reason we’re here?

Because if it is, I’m leaving and my final answer is no,” he said with a note of finality as he stalked off leaving a gaped mouth Gbenga on his seat.

ing this country.

Hon. Aiyedogbon Segun, Ekinrin Adde, Kogi State.

No rational being in Nigeria will agree with any idea of state creation now. What have the states in existence done to better the lives of their people? If those clamouring for state creation are fools, are we all fools?

Sahid Umar, Yola, Adamawa State.

Good for the looters. More ways for embezzlement (by the rulers) in the already corrupt system.

Benjamin Fabian, Wulari, Borno State.

My view on the recent clamour for state creation by different groups and leaders of thought is that government should see it as a priority, if only that can bring peace in most parts of the country. What can we say in states that religion is the only cause for disunity? This I believe will bring peace and competition if we come to accept that you don’t reject anybody created by God due to religious differences.

Hon. Babale Maiungwa, Romi, Kaduna State.

State creation is one of the basic things that have been agitating the mind of many Nigerians. There are many tribes that were forced together by the then military regime.

It’s high time the National Assembly did something positive in this regard. State creation will solve most of ethnic problems confront-

The way and manner states were created and the provisions of the current Constitution of Nigeria will continue to cause agitation for more states. To put an end to future agitation since the North Central zone has seven states, two states should be created in the Southeast and one each in the other five geo-

political zones to bring the total number to 43 states. A state should then be created from each of the 43 states to give 86 states in all. This will bring equity and there will be no more basis for agitation since every state will have to be split whenever an agitation is given consideration.

Prof. Trenchard Okon Ibia, Department of Soil Science, UNIUYO. If truly Nigeria needs both political and economical independence, there should be more states.

Odoh julius I., Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

The current labour agitation for N18,000 new minimum national wage which almost all the states governments are finding hard to implement rubbishes any clamour for further state creation. Such a clamour is everything but timely. If present states {some of them are as old as 44 years} are foot-dragging on the payment of the new minimum national wage, how would the unborn states fare after their creation?

Seyi Odemo, Ibadan, Oyo State.

The creation of states is not a priority problem of Nigeria. Government at all levels should focus

on job creation, provide adequate security for Nigerians. It is unfortunate that the government takes corruption as a system of governance and the masses are at the receiving end.

Latsi Simon, Nasarawa State.

Clamour for more states especially from South East is because of the injustices done to the region during the periods of the state creations. Let the government create more States: Two for the Southeast, one each for the other zones. I support it.

Ken Nwachukwu, Owerri, Imo State.

State creation has become an unending process in Nigeria due to our greed at independence. We had three regions in 1963. If we are a people that practise equity, the two states the military denied mid-west region should be created.

Elimihele Friday, Dutse, Jigawa State.

Nigerians and human beings in general are Oliver Twists. They cannot be satisfied when it comes to state creation. If each Local government in the country is converted into states today, people will still be clamouring for more states.

Ojo H.O., Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

I prefer a country of three regions with true federalism to a nation of 50 un-viable states and lopsided arrangement. Besides, these leaders of thought see the new states as their properties, thereby stifling its development and suppressing the people to choose their leaders.

Ogunyemi Sina Kayode, Mile 12, Lagos State.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2010

53

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

54

The young mathematics wizard EBERE WABARA

O8055001948

ewabara@yahoo.com

Structural currency I G E R I A N T R I B U N E EDITORIAL of 2 August circulated four major blunders: “President Jonathan had always seized (taken) every opportuned (opportune) moment….” “…had while being screened by the Senate as a ministerial nominee passed a vote of no confidence on (in) the nation’s two major anti-corruption agencies….”

Lastly from Oke-Ado, Ibadan: “It is such a wonderful innovation that it is surprising that it never occured to anybody until now.”

Spell-check: occurred.

“StanbicIBTC’s gross earnings hits N32bn in June” (Nigerian Tribune Headline, 2 August) For lexical profitability: earnings hit.

“TASUED alumni tasks Amosun on cult group” (DAILY INDEPENDENT Headline, August 1) Is it that most journalists do not read these days that juvenile errors keep recurring?

Alumni association tasks, but alumni (plural) task.

“New SANs to be sworn-in (sworn in) September 19” (Nigerian Compass Headline, August 1) THE GUARDIAN Front Page Headline, July 31, issued this minimal error: “Talks over minimum wage collapses (why?) again” “Independence of the press: From whom and for what?” (SUNDAY PUNCH Banner, July 31) Get it right: From whom and what for (not for what?)

“Lagos govt condoles victims of market fire” (Sunday Mirror Headline, July 31) Either condoles with or just console.

“If you are one, who ordinarily shy (shies) away from challenges, then don’t bother meeting her.”

(SUNDAY PUNCH Essence, July 31) The subject-predicate dislocation here is preposterous.

“Many women ruin their homes by keeping tabs on their hubby” (SATURDAY PUNCH Front Page Headline, July 30) Emotional plurality: hubbies.

“This, I believe, has been and should be the burning issues (sic) in the state.”

(Nigerian Compass, July 30) “Oceanic bank (sic) asks court to wind-up oil firm” (Source: as above) Right: wind up.

“Curbing the increasing menace of destitutes on the streets” (SATURDAY TRIBUNE, 30 July) Simply the destitute

N

(not destitutes).

“NCC arrests 13 in Benue over piracy” (Saturday Mirror Headline, July 30) I will arrest my Marina colleagues shortly for lexical insensitivity.

“Workers resume strike again” (THISDAY Headline, July 29) Let us jettison ‘again’ from that headline to foreclose any industrial action.

‘Resumption’ cannot cofunction with ‘again’.

“Islamic banking will break-up Nigeria” (DAILY CHAMPION Back Page Headline, July 29) Yet on this vexatious matter: phrasal verbs abhor hyphenation! So, break up the phrase.

“The 2011 World Investment Report has indicated that Nigeria is presently enjoying FDI inflow….”

(Nigerian Tribune Business, July 29) I do not understand this obsession with the inclusion of ‘currently’ and ‘presently’ in sentences that have structural currency encapsulated in ‘is’—and ‘enjoying’—in this instance. Therefore, Nigeria is enjoying….

Nigerian TRIBUNE EDITORIAL of 28 July “boko harammed” the English language thus: “The deployment of soldiers to serve in the Joint Task Force constituted to restore order in the beleaguered state….” The JTF and Boko Haram: restore order to (not in).

“Why we deploy soldiers to Port Harcourt— Amaechi” (National Mirror Headline, July 28) The governor deploys soldiers in (not to) Port Harcourt.

“The Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has congratulated the literary icon, Adebayo Faleti, for (on) his attainment of 80 years.”

(Source: as above) Still on National Mirror: “…gathered to pay their last respect (respects) to legal icon….”

Yet another headline from National Mirror: “Minister calls for unity in the education sector” Education Today: educational sector.

“The three gentlemen were obviously having a great time walking almost hand in hand, trading banters over the unfolding drama among humans back on earth.” ‘Banter’ is uncountable.

“It looks like the IMF is demanding for conditions likely to slow down the pace and the exercise.”

Yank off ‘for’. When used as a verb, ‘demand’ does not take ‘for’, except in the noun form.

“Lagos commissioners sworn-in (sworn in)”

“Every decision of government is subjected to the magnifying lenses of interest groups that invariably include ethnic and geopolitical gladiators and champions of all manners (manner) of group interests.”

“The efforts of the police command in identifying the dangerous areas and in alerting the residents is (are) acknowledged.”

“The damages and loss of lives to NATO and Yugoslavia were unnecessary.” ‘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.”

“Nigeria and the international community has (have) just celebrated this year’s World Literacy Day.” “Secondly, it’s (its) legal duty to advise on the....”

“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.”

“The German African Project which was conceived as a cultural milieu between the two countries….” A review: between the countries.…

“I wish the politicians, especially the elected ones, should feel the pause (pulse) of the people….”

“Part of this quality sense concerns the debate on how best to eat a dish, with cutleries or with the ten fingers.” Would it have been nine fingers?

‘Cutlery’ is uncountable.

“There has (have) been electoral programmes before, so what is different with this one.”

“David Mark yesterday in Abuja assured that the constitution would be ready for promulgation next week.” Who did he assure?

“I am a product of a system which allowed a poor farmer-cumfisherman’s son to go through the very best schools…..” ‘Best’ has reached the end-point of intensification and cannot be inflected (by adding ‘very’). It is an absolutely superlative word.

“During the heydays of Christian missionary activity in the southern parts of Nigeria, communities were actively involved in building schools.” Thoughts on education: ‘heyday’ is uncountable.

A student of Greater Tomorrow International College (GTI) in Arigidi, IkareAkoko in Ondo State, who won the best mathematics student in a competition in Nigeria is preparing for world mathematics competition in Philippines in September. Taiwo Abiodun reports.

HEN the young Amuda Tope Victor , an SSS2 student was called upon to receive his certificate, goldmedal and plaque with total humility he rose from where he sat and bowed to over 10,000 crowd among whom were parents, guardians and students who came to witness the end of the year party and valedictory service of Greater Tomorrow International School, Arigidi, Ikare-Akoko in Ondo State, penultimate Saturday.

Next month, Amuda and his school principal who is also the school proprietor, Mr J.O. Lawal will be in Republic of Philippines to represent Nigeria at the Global Level Competition between 1st and 7th of September Amuda won 250,000.00 Two hundred and fifty thousand naira] in the 2011 Cowbell National Secondary School Mathematics Competition held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja on June 23rd this year. He was also given Ipod computer and many other gifts. The school honoured him as ambassador of the school, gave him a plaque and a gold medal. He has been dubbed The young Chike Obi (referring to the late legendary mathematician) As the young Amuda raised up the prize given to him , prayers were showered on him and his school by the parents and guardians who were present. He is now called The Chike Obi of Nigeria .

W

• L-R: Mr. Yekini Olanipekun former commissioner for Youths and Sports Ondo State, giving award to Amuda while J.O. Lawal the preoprietor of the school watches

Speaking with the young mathematician , Amuda thanked the school for providing enabling environment for students to excel in every subject , he said’’ my school has all what it takes to become somebody in life. Here, if you are a dunce from birth you will become a star in life, that I can assure you ,That is why students come from all nooks and crannies of Nigeria’’ Mr Olugbenga Jide Tububo, the Public Relations Officer of the school said the school is noted in Ondo state to be the best. His words ‘’ the environment is like a university, where they have access to all books and latest laboratory equipment which is available to each student. We teach them morals and the teachers and students are workaholic .The rapport between the students and teachers is excellent .Above

all there is no freedom here to do nonsense , if you are not the serious type we kick you out for we want to produce the Chike Obis, Wole Soyinkas, Chinua Achebes, Olikoye Ransome-Kutis,Gani Fawehinmis among others but not touts’’.

The school principal who is also the proprietor , Lawal said the secret of the students’ success is that the teachers are dedicated, while the students too are ready to learn and know they will be Greater Tomorrow that is why they know they have to work harder .’’Above all ,we put God first and last in anything we do.

We don’t believe in magic or miracle centres and we admit only the number of students our capacity can admit in order to train and give them the quality of becoming great people in the future’’.

Safety and Security Alert!

Fundamentals of Community Policing in Criminal Justice of Nigeria

C

OMMUNITY Policing, a new paradigm has the

potential to serve as model for dramatic reforms of criminal justice system in Nigeria. Its accruing successes inspire hope that the nation’s criminal justice system comprising of law enforcement, prosecution, courts, and corrections, could function flawless with elements working as associates with stakeholders in making their neighborhoods safer to live and work. A holistic community criminal justice approach will recognize the contribution of both prevention and intervention.

In dealing with community crime, it requires: •Arrest those who lost their right to live among us, •Solve primary problems that allow crime to flourish.

•Intervene with troubled youths, •Good answers to change hardened adults.

Solving community problems Criminal justice system is meant to focus on catching and incarcerating bad guys. Not only did the wave of new arrests cause tailback but neighbours

without jobs and hope keep producing a number of new bad boys.

Just as community policing considers arrest as only one tool in law enforcement’s arsenal, community criminal justice system would view incarceration as a means and not an end.

The strategies include: • Arrest of street dealers, • Diversion programs, • Drug courts, • Organize citizen patrols, • Change environmental design, • Develop educational, social and cultural activities.

Benefits of CP Communitymembers must: •Tailor direct concerns •Hold public institutions andrepresentatives accountable.

•Reveal corrupt elements •Be results-oriented, •Collaborate with community-based problem solving.

We need to imagine making the community a better and safer place.

While traditional criminal justice system rests on punitive model with prevention limited to deterrence, community criminal justice approach where police, prosecutors, courts, and corrections agencies begin

to work with one another.

This ‘modern’ criminal justice system would reach out first to communities they serve, directly by identifying, prioritizing, and solving imminent problems.

A holistic approach In place of punishment and deterrence, we could craft a system based on combining community-based problem solving with the concept of restorative justice.

Considering an African proverb, ‘it takes an entire village to raise a child’, it is time for our criminal justice system to use both “the carrot and the stick”.

We must begin to treat jail and prison space as precious resources that should not be squandered when other solutions could work better considering the gains of developing a credible program of restorative community service. The interaction would allow the officer to serve as a role model, at the same time that he or she would have the opportunity to learn firsthand crime perpetrators and suspects’ while keeping eyes on them.

By: Mr. Timilehin Ajayi (Safety and Security Consultant) E-mail: timilehinajayi@yahoo.com 08095683454, 08075518732

55

Life Extra

I

T didn’t last more than two hours. But those few hours seemed like eternity to them. According to many of them, it was the best two hours of their lives. Their radiant faces said it all. They danced and embraced.

They held hands. They cracked jokes and exchanged banters. They wined and dined. They sang and laughed without hindrances. For those hours, they forgot their status. They felt free. They acted free but the prison gates remained securely locked against them.

This was the atmosphere recently at the maximum, medium and female sections of the Kirikiri prisons, Lagos. It was at a special outreach to the prison by members of the Christian Welfare Initiative (CWI), a faith-based humanitarian group. The outreach started with a counselling session during which members of the group interacted heart-to-heart with the inmates. With much excitement, the inmates poured out their hearts on matters affecting them.

They spoke of years of deprivations and isolation. They went nostalgic, recalling their exciting lives before confinement. They spoke of the horrors of living behind bars as well as the attendant difficulties. They spoke of years of awaiting trials and the psychological effects. The women spoke of rape and sexual harassment on their way to the courts for trials. The acts, they revealed, occurred because they are arranged in the same vehicle with male inmates for movement to court rooms.

With misty eyes, one of them lamented: ‘’You know it takes some minutes, sometimes hours to get to courts from here. So, when we are put together with males in the Black Maria.

They molest us. They have forcefully had carnal knowledge of some of us. This is really a painful thing and we want the government to provide a separate vehicle that will convey us to the courtrooms for protection’’.

Like else where, it is a case of different strokes for different folks in Kirikiri prisons.

For Gbenga Ajayi, it’s been harrowing awaiting trials. ‘’I have been here for five years and have not been taken to court. I watch with pain as people come and go here while I am yet unattended to. Even if I will be convicted, I would have run some of my term if I had been tried from the word go,’’ he said.

The counselling session was as heart-rend-

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2010

Two hours of fun, hope in Kirikiri Inmates of maximum, medium and female sections of Kirikiri prisons, Lagos were recently ‘liberated’ to do what they imagine only in the dreamlands during a special mission, reports Sunday Oguntola

•Atilade(centre) and members of the group with relief materials at the prison yard

ing as reassuring. For the inmates, it was a beautiful opportunity to unburden their minds. And it was one they took very eagerly.

As they spoke and were reassured, they regain hope and vitality. For CWI’s members, it was a rare opportunity to minister the gospel to the confined souls. They took went about it with all seriousness, encouraging them to give God a try.

The session was followed by a brief service that featured hilarious jokes. Christian comedians reached out to their bags and cracked ribs with irresistible jokes that sent the inmates into prolonged laughter. Many of them con-

fessed they had not laughed that much in recent years. ‘’I feel good because I can laugh again. I am surprised this is happening in a prison yard,’’ one of them, who identified herself as Omolara, said.

CWI’s President, Archbishop Magnus Atilade, in a brief sermon, encouraged the inmates not to give up on life and themselves.

He said God can make a way for them regardless of how hopeless their cases might be. ‘’Some of you have concluded it is over. No, it is not over my dear. There is still a life for you.

That you are alive is an indication God is taking you somewhere. You may not feel it now

but it is true. ‘’That is why you must not give up on life.

Even if everybody has written you off, never look down on yourself. There is still hope my brothers and sisters. The God who took Joseph out of prison in a foreign land can bring you out too. He will show up for you if you give Him a chance in your life,’’ he stated.

When he invited those who wanted a new life to indicate, many hands went up in utter surrender. An excited Atilade assured their lives would never remain the same again. He urged them not to return to their vomits but lead clean lives henceforth. ‘’God will honour your commitment. It is time for a clean life, a fresh beginning. You can start all over again because there is time to catch up. Please give everything up and give God a chance to change you for ever,’’ he pleaded. His pleas yielded positive results. Many accepted God and said the sinner’s prayer.

The spiritual angle over, it was time for empowerment. The team presented the inmates with relief materials such as clothes, gifts and food items. Atilade said the gesture was to alleviate their sufferings behind bars. ‘’This is just a token of our love and concern.

Please accept it with gladness,’’ he said as he handed over the items.

He called on government to look into the conditions of living in prisons across the nation. Nigeria’s prisons, he said, are one of the worst in the world, saying they should be rehabilitation centres and not death chambers. ‘’We need to overhaul many things in prisons here. People should not be there to die but become corrected citizens. That is why government should please look into the welfare of prisoners and prisons’’.

He also called for accelerated trials, saying many of the prisoners are rotting away without knowing their fate. ‘’Many are here without having been to courts for several years.

This is wicked and uncalled for. Let’s get them quickly to face justice so that they can be better.

Many are here that do not deserve to be here.

That is why we should be concerned about their welfare always,’’ he stated.

Atilade said the group will embark on more of such outreaches in the future, saying the issue of welfare is one that deserves sustained efforts.

Hepatitis patients should see doctors early Doctors treating Hepatitis in Nigeria tell an inconvenient truth about the diseases, saying it should not be confined to the back seat of public priorities since Hepatitis destroys one of the most important organs of the body-the liver. Hepatitis symptoms are severe and when they are obvious, help might just be far away hence experts are asking Nigerians to test early, reports Kingsley Obom-Egbulem

D

R. Olufunmilayo Lesi’s job at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) is mainly to treat patients infected with Hepatitis. She has been doing this for the past 15 years.

“I love my job,” she says; “I love to talk about Hepatitis; I am passionate about what I do especially when you are in a position to give hope to a patient who may have seen Hepatitis as a death sentence”.

Watching Lesi talk about Hepatitis brings back memories of former US Vice President, Al-Gore, expressing his emotions about Climate Change as a global crisis in his now famous speechAn Inconvenient Truth.

But there is something Lesi hates about her job; “I wish we could see Hepatitis patients early and treat them before the disease develops into liver cancer or liver cirrhosis; I wish patients would present early for us to give them hope and treat them and not bother about the issue of liver transplant which is still a dream in Nigeria.”

Lesi disclosed that about 20 patients diagnosed with different stages of severe liver damage are seen every other week in LUTH. Her colleague, Dr. Ganiat Oyeleke from the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), corroborates this figure. “We see no less than 10 cases every week and these are cases you really can’t do much about.”

Call it the lamentation of a Consultant Physician and Gastroenterologist and you might just be on point. “Most Hepatitis patients who present with liver cancer or who develop

cirrhosis showed up late; they come when they notice the symptoms of chronic Hepatitis and at that point we can only do little or nothing,” Lesi added.

Hepatitis causes inflammation of the liver usually due to a viral infection. Over 350 million people are infected around the world with chronic Hepatitis B and C. Hepatitis B in particular is a severe, sometimes recurring or fatal form of hepatitis that is caused by a virus and transmitted through contact with infected blood, blood products, and bodily fluids.

According to data from Society for Gastroenterology and Hepatology in Nigeria (SOGHIN), about 19 million Nigerians are infected with Hepatitis B with North Central and North East having the highest prevalence.

In a society like Nigeria where the culture of regular check up is unpopular; where you only need to be sick for you to walk in (or be stretchered) into a hospital, early case detection of diseases is usually low.

“It is not normal to pick up patients at the early onset of diseases in Nigeria because of our attitude to regular evaluation of our health and that has serious implication when you are dealing with hepatitis B,” says Dr. Hameed Oladipupo, consultant gastroenterologist and member of SOGHIN. Oladipupo argued that some diseases like malaria or typhoid can be reversed even when the patients are

carried into the hospital but “when you are carried into the hospital for Hepatitis B, that is a dangerous sign and if it’s end stage, it is usually irreversible,” he added.

Perhaps one suggestion that could address the concerns of these gastroenterologists could be to grab every Nigerian and test them for Hepatitis; or better still, pass a decree that makes it mandatory for every Nigerian to test for Hepatitis; that way we would detect the disease early and save more lives than currently being saved.

Of course, this cannot happen even in a territory administered by a despotic Draconian. Ideally, a health seeking culture engendered by consistent health promotion campaigns would have been one way out. Unfortunately, hepatitis campaigns are not donor-driven; “it is not a priority to the World Bank, Bill Gates Foundation and other foreign donors hence no one is talking about it,” says Oladipupo.

“Our political leaders cannot even think and realize that our people are dying in their hundreds of thousands of this disease and declare it a public health emergency and make commitment to funding it”.

For Lesi, the moment you have UK Aid, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Global Fund and other donors focus on Hepatitis everybody will move in there.

“You will observe a huge disconnect when you realize that there are 40million people infected with HIV globally and the

world is focusing on it and pumping so much money on it and doing nothing about Hepatitis B for which there has been a vaccine since 40 years, and it is treatable, yet it’s affecting about 350million people globally; there is definitely something wrong somewhere,” Lesi wondered.

Lesi’s concern could easily be dismissed as mere sentiments unless perhaps they are examined based on careful consideration of the global hepatitis burden.

About 2 billion people worldwide have been infected with Hepatitis B with 350 million of these cases being chronic carriers of the virus out of which 1million deaths are recorded annually. And 25 percent of these deaths are usually from severe liver disease like chronic active hepatitis, cirrhosis, or liver cancer.

Of concern to SOGHIN is the need for Nigerian government to assist in increasing access to treatment and testing which for now is beyond the reach of an average Nigerian.

Hepatitis test and vaccination cost as much as N1, 500($10)-the same amount for buying gsm airtime in Nigeria. Unfortunately many people would rather pay for their Blackberry subscription than test for or vaccinate against Hepatitis B. So much work for doctors treating Hepatitis in Nigeria. And they really need help.

The Nigerian government is not moved yet. Although some kudos for emphasising childhood Hepatitis immunisation. But when will we learn to put our money where our heart is? Who knows? Until then, Lesi and her colleagues may just make do with seeing more and more cases of liver cancer for which they can really do little or nothing about.

News

56

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

Operation cover manholes M

OTORISTS swerving sharply and dangerously are familiar sights on many Nigerian roads. In Lagos, the country’s commercial nerve-centre, such manoeuvres are not strange. In fact, Lagos drivers would make dodge-em drivers green with envy.

And the cause is the condition of the roads.

“They are very bad and riddled with pot-holes,” said a Lagos motorist, lamenting the state of the roads. But the average city driver knows that potholes are not the only hazard on Nigerian roads. Joining this are exposed manholes which in recent times have caused accidents to many residents and caused electrical and telecommunications equipment to either be stolen or damaged.

That the life of a city is underneath is indisputable. In many advanced countries, pipes for water, oil, and gas, and wires and cables for electrical and telecommunication companies are laid underground. Designed to be well-protected from elements and vandals, the pipes and wires run across the city’s artery, providing essential services. And for maintenance of the underground cables and pipes, there are manholes, which are access points to reach the installations.

According to the Lagos State Public Works Corporation (LSWPC), the body charged with affairs of road construction and maintenance, there are over 2, 000 manholes in Lagos. But the covers of these manholes which are made from cast iron are gradually disappearing. It seems as if vandals have now taken to stealing manhole covers to sell as scrap to smelting companies.

The situation has caused agencies in Lagos State to place an advert warning residents about the need to collectively discourage the act.

“Before, we had no problems as no one stole the manhole covers,” said the General Manager, Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Agency (LASIMRA), Engineer Joe Igbokwe, “but the huge theft of these metals is making the agency have a rethink.”

Giving some reasons for this development, Igbokwe said, “some people are interested in the manhole covers and other are interested in materials that are underneath.” Already, the exposed manholes, Igbokwe said, have made cables of some telecommunication companies to be exposed to the elements.

He even expressed a fear that the thefts might be to sabotage other companies due to the stiff competition in the telecommunications sector.

According to Gbenga Akintola, the executive chairman of LSPWC, “they (criminals) now know the value of the manhole covers,” who believes a solution lies in making stealing of the manhole covers unattractive. In this light, LSPWC is currently testing an ingenious technology. A prototype manhole cover made from fibre resin has already been installed on landing Lagos

The removal of manholes can cause accidents and frustrate service providers Joe Agbro Jr., writes

•Exposed manholes on some Lagos roads

Island. It also has a unique key to open it. If this proposal sails through, the danger of exposed manholes might soon be a thing of the past because there would be no scrap value attached to these manhole covers.

Apart from accidents which removal of manhole covers can cause to vehicles and motorists, pedestrians too are not safe. “Lives

have been lost and people have sustained serious injuries,” said Akintola.

Last year, Bayo Sulaimon, chairman of the kick Against Indiscipline (KAI), said KAI officials men caught some men while stealing Nigeria Telecommunications (NITEL) cables at one of the manhole sites.

Igbokwe said the nefarious act

usually took place under the cover of night. To combat this trend, Igbokwe suggested locking the manhole covers after they have been placed with only authorised personnel with keys to it.

Igbokwe also urged Lagosians to see protecting the manhole covers as a collective responsibility.

He said; “Removal of manhole covers

would pose a serious danger to Lagosians in the sense that a vehicle can run into it, underground facilities would be exposed, thieves can go there to cart away any armoured cables, fibre optic cables, damage water pipes, gas pipes.

And that is why we are telling Lagosians to be on the lookout.”

Nigeria, Trinidad and Tobago bilateral agreement will create mutual gains - Imoke

T

HE s t r e n g t h e n i n g o f bilateral agreements and subsequent formation of a Chamber of Commerce between Nigeria and Trinidad and Tobago will create strong and good relations between the two countries.

Cross Rivers governor

From Kunle Johnson, Calabar Liyel Imoke stated this while receiving the High Commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago to Nigeria, His Excellency, Mr. Nyahuma Obika in Calabar during a courtesy call.

He said Trinidad and

Tobago being a home of carnival like Cross River State is making a mark in the tourism industry for mutual benefits.

He commended Trinidad and Tobago for donating a set of steel drums to the state, which he said has boosted its tourism and cultural

Acting coordinator for National Fadama project

T

HE Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has approved the appointment of Mr. Omotayo Adewumi as the acting National Project Coordinator for Third National Fadama Development Project.

Adewumi, 46, replaces the former Coordinator, Alhaji Bukar Tijani who became the Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development.

Prior to his new

From Jide Babalola, Abuja appointment, Adewumi was the National Project Accountant, FADAMA 111.

He holds a Bsc in Banking and Finance, an Msc in Finance and a Masters degree in Business Administration.

He is also a Chartered Project Management Consultant, a Certified Financial Consultant and a Chartered Business Administrator.

Adewumi, who began his career with the former Federal Agricultural Coordinating Unit in 1992, has 19 years experience in the management of World Bank projects.

He participated actively in the implementation of all Fadama Projects and has attended various local and international courses and seminars in project management, financial management and procurement.

programmes.

Imoke declared the state’s readiness to improve the contents of its carnival to meet world standards.

He urged the envoy to pay more visits to the state for discovery of its vast tourism resources.

Obika expressed interest in participating in Carnival Calabar 2011, saying it would enable his country showcase its potentials to Nigeria and guests.

He admitted that the establishment of a bilateral agreement as well as a chamber of commerce between Nigeria and Trinidad and Tobago will be of great mutual economic benefits.

Obika called for a direct flight schedule between the two countries for reconnection owing to their historical link, which he said is over 130 years.

57

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2011

Mobile Payment:

How many operators ’ll scale through?

With the proposed licensing of mobile money operators in the country by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) later this month, the fate of prospective firms remain uncertain as the apex bank is set play the devil’s advocate, reports Akinola Ajibade

T

WENTY four companies have been granted an Approval in Principle (AIP) by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to conduct pilot studies on how to operate mobile money or payment system, and further make financial services available to the over 80 million unbanked populations.

However, getting the final licenses is a fait accompli.

What mobile payment is all about?

Mobile payment system ensures that transactions are conducted through mobile phones. Unlike the commercial banking system that allows transactions during the banking halls, the mobile payment system does not. The physical aspect of mobile payment is the distribution and collection of cash at designated centers. The idea was conceived to reduce the risk of carrying cash around to the barest minimum. The system allows individuals to use their phones to pay for certain transactions. Thus, it would help to boost the growth of the unbanked population put at over 70 per cent, and ensuring that companies within the financial and the information technology sub-sector play crucial roles in this regard.

Firms involved

The companies granted provisional licenses by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) include Stanbic IBTC Plc, Ecobank Nigeria Plc, First Bank of Nigeria Plc/MTN, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Fortis Microfinance Bank, UBA /Africa, Paycom, and Pagatech. Others are Chams, E-Tranzact, Parkway, Monitise’, FET Eartholuem, M-kudi, and Corporeti.

Companies’ profile

Many of the prospective mobile money firms have a lot going for them. They boast of strong capital base, huge turnover/ shareholders’ funds, good profitability, offshore investments, year-on-year returns for investors, and local and international awards.

In terms of using software to achieve to achieve seamless operations, many of the companies have recorded success.

CBN’s trump card

Impressive as the companies’ portfolios seem, the apex is not hoping to rely solely on their antecedence in the sector in its quest to select the companies that would get the final approval to operate mobile payment system.

Sources said CBN would issue full licenses to the operators based on merits, and not on their past records. The sources said CBN would examine the reports of the pilot studies it asked the companies to do, before giving them final approval.

The sources said the apex bank has set the criteria for issuing final licenses to the companies, adding that the criteria revolve round the pilot studies.

Some of the criteria include how well the companies provide mobile money services during the month the pilot studies lasted; evidence that 50 customers carried out live transactions, using the platforms of the companies, the evidence that the companies

•Mobile money: myth or reality?

submitted at least the names and locations of 30 agents for verifications during the period, evidence that the firms have logged in transactions, their dates and time.

Another criterion is the proof that the companies covered the entire country, or restricted them to certain locations when they were carrying out the studies.

Ironically, many of the companies performed badly during the four months given to them to conduct studies on mobile payment system. In the reports submitted to CBN, many of the firms failed to show evidence of hard work and commitment to the project.

Sources said many of the firms did not do exactly what CBN asked them to do. Instead, they chose to do their own bidding.

In confirming the CBN’s stands on the issue, its Director of Banking and Payment System, Mr. Abayomi Atoloye, said operators that failed to show, after the assessment, that it has capacity to operate mobile payment system would not be given licences.

Atoloye said the issuance of the licence would not by favoritism, or discrimination,

adding that any operator that fails in the pilot project would not be issued a license.

“It is better we do this now than give an unqualified operator a licence as that may create systemic risks in the economy. We don’t want the scheme to fail like it has done in some other countries,” he said.

Experts’ perspective Speaking on the issue, the Principal Associate, Mobile Money Africa, Mr. Emmanuel Okoegwale, said CBN would determine the fate of the companies that would ultimately operate mobile money system soon.

Okoegwale, while speaking during a seminar with the theme: ‘Training, Sustainability and Management of Mobile Payment Agents’, in Lagos, said it is not likely that all the 16 companies granted provisional licenses would scale through at the end of the day.

He said many of the companies do not really carry out the pilot studies, adding that CBN may approve seven out of the 16 companies granted an Approval In Principle, early in the year.

Okoegwale, who claimed to have worked closely with three of the firms during pilot studies, observed that the firms under reference didn’t do well.

He said: “Some of the companies did not conduct the pilot studies well. They carried out a part of the studies, leaving the remaining parts undone. This is not okay with the banking watchdog. I foresee a situation that many of the companies would not be granted the final approval to operate mobile money system. The reason is because they did not carry out the studies effectively. We would know those that would get the final approval in the next few days.”

Expatiating, he stressed that the apex bank had checked the companies’ processes in order to validate their technology, agency network, risk, and customer protection methods to ensure growth, noting that many of them have failed to put in place measures that would lead to the success of the new banking model.

While noting that there are yardsticks for approving companies that would operate mobile banking system, Okoegwale said the •Continued on page 58

58

Business

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

Mobile Payment: How many operators ’ll scale through?

•Continued from page 57

CBN set those yardsticks to ensure that the needs of the unbanked population are met.

While dismissing insinuations that the apex bank was out to witch-hunt the prospective operators, the Mobile money expert said: “I do not think there are intrigues among the 16 companies given an approval in principle by the CBN. I don’t think there is any basis for them to scheme or maneuver each other in order to get final approval from CBN. There are global yardsticks set for companies wishing to operate mobile money system.

“The yardsticks include owning a server in the country of operation, agents’ network, among others. Unfortunately, many of the companies seeking final approval from CBN have their servers located outside the country.

This will likely work against many of the companies since CBN would like to keep to the standards”, he stressed.

Speaking further, he said there are 22million account holders spread across the 24 banks in the country, adding that the figures are far lower than the 150million Nigerian population. He said the 8900 branches owned by the banks cannot provide the financial services to the 150million population, arguing that CBN would not leave any stone unturned in ensuring that only the best operators are picked to run mobile payment services.

Also, the Editor, Financial Technology Magazine, Mr. Shola Fanawopo,said any company that conducted its pilot studies well, stands a better chance of getting the final approval from the CBN. Fonawapo said companies that get the final approval would automatically perform well, since they have learnt the rudiments of mobile payment system during the period they conducted pilot studies.

“Whoever is able to get the final approval

•Okoegwale

•Sanusi

from the CBN would do well because there is a policy supporting mobile payment system in the country.

You would realize that many Nigerians, especially those in the remote areas have been travelling to far places to access financial services. But with the mobile money system in place, they would be able to access services at their doorsteps”, he said.

Another problem is that of competition among the operators among the operators of mobile money system.

According to Okoewgale, the system can be operated by three set of players. He said the system allows a single bank, two companies, and an independent operator to operate a mobile money system. He said an independent information and telecommunication operator like Chams or e-tranzact can operate mobile money, or two

companies (a bank and a telecom firm) can as well come together to provide financial service through mobile phones to the people.

He said a commercial bank or a microfinance bank can provide mobile phone financial services to the people. He said each operator would make use of retail agents (also called mobile money agents) to make the cash available to depositors at designated centers.

He said the agents can only function well, when they are in a community where people know them.

Industry observers foresee a situation where by the bigger operators would dominate the market since they have money to invest in mobile payment system. They took a cue from the banking industry where commercial banks came to dominate the microfinance banks sub sector.

A Mobile Money agent, Segun Oyeniyi,

said running mobile payment system requires huge amount of money, adding that only the bigger institutions have the wherewithal to operate the system.

Oyeniyi said banks would make use of their workers as retail agents, and would not bother to employ outsiders for that role. This, he said, would affect the chances of many people that want to earn a living through this means.

He said the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed operators to obtain two licenses before they can operate mobile payment system.

Each operator is expected to obtain licenses from the CBN, and the commission to ensure good interconnectivity.

He said the issue would engender competition, as well as forcing operators to increase charges for text messages.

Also, illiteracy is another problem operators would contend with since many Nigerians are yet to understand the mechanisms of receiving money through mobile phones.

In spite of these, the mobile money system holds good prospects for the stakeholders in the economy.

Okoegwale said the system would allow the banks to reach previously untapped markets, and customers, telecom firms to gain new customers, the payee to receive payment for (loans and bills) without costly collection procedures, among others.

The CBN’s spokesman, Mr. Mohammed Abdullahi, said he does not want to preempt the committee saddled with the responsibility of selecting companies for full approval.

Abdullahi said it is better for Nigerians to wait for the time the CBN would announce the companies that would practice mobile banking system, than talking about them now.

News

L-R: Chief Marketing Officer, Airtel Nigeria, George Andah; Popular Nigerian Music star, Tuface Idibia; Chief Operating Officer/Executive Director, Airtel Nigeria, Deepak Srivastava; and Nigerian Soccer Icon, Kanu Nwankwo, during the launch of Airtel's football talent hunt programme, Airtel Rising Stars in Lagos, Nigeria

L-R: Managing Director/Chief Executive, Niger Insurance Plc, Mr. Justus Uranta and Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Kola Adedeji at the pre-41st Annual General Meeting in Lagos PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

•L-R: Business Development Manager, Montizen Limited, Mr. Chimezie Obialor, Managing Director/Chief Executive, Best Foods, Mr. Sifo Ijewere and Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Sam Owa, at a media forum on the “Socio-economic Benefits of Soy protein” in Lagos

L-R: The winner of Honda Civic car, Mr. Alloy Okwu, receiving cheers from the crowd. With him are Nestle Food Plc Commercial Manager, Mr. Anup Srivastava, Executive Director, Mrs Iquo Ukoh and Brand Manager, Dora Ekeruche, during the flag-off of Nestle’s 50th anniversary in Lagos recently.

PHOTO:JOHN EBHOTA

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

A

S one of the global social organisations do you think public/private institutions and individuals are doing enough on corporate social responsibility in Nigeria?

The question is not easy to answer because because when you talk about corporate social responsibility, too many things have to go with it. You have to depend on the government policy which guides the operations of these corporate bodies. If the business climate is conducive, it will be a different thing; if they are not conducive it will also be a different thing. So, in Nigeria today, it is a well known fact that the business climate is not conducive for operations and that has affected negatively the ability of most corporate bodies in Nigeria in discharging their corporate social responsibilities which they should have been able to do.

So, it will be unfair to say corporate bodies are not responsible socially because they virtually generate their own power, their water and transport system. In Nigeria today, we are regarded as one of the poorest countries in the world and that is not good enough for business operation. Unless there is a corresponding development in all social infrastructures to allow corporate bodies to do what they are supposed to do, it may not be fair for us to judge them negatively.

But I believe there is room for improvement and there are so many other companies that may be opportuned and there are also lots and lots of others who are not very opportuned.

What do you think can be done to improve on CSR? The first thing is for the government to make the business environment conducive for business operations. Let there be power 24 hours of the day; let companies depend less on independently generated power; let them use more of the government generated power supply that is very cheap; let the transportation system be improved upon; let our road network be improved upon.

Gone are the days when we had a very good rail system that people used to travel to Kaduna, Kano and Maiduguri. It is no longer the same. So, if the rail system is included, the companies will be in a position to use train, which is both efficient and cheaper and depend less on vehicular transportation which is prone to so many dangers like armed robbery and accidents due to bad roads and so many things like the long journey and the wear and tear which consequently affect the goods negatively. If for example a commercial farmer who operates in the north wants his perishable goods transported to Lagos, the only way he does it is through road transportation.

And before it gets to Lagos some of them get bad and if he is not lucky enough and get involved in an accident that will waste all the farm produce. But if we have good rail system that the farmer in the north can just go to the railway station, puts his load there and in the next two days he gets them in Lagos in a very conducive and fine shape the transportation will be very cheap, he will be able to plan more and be able to do more in his business.

The Federal Government has hinted of plans to set up a Diaspora Investment Fund to help encourage Foreign Direct Investment into the country. But given past failures, do you think

Business

‘With better policies, corporate bodies can do more CSR’ Mr. Kola Ramon Oyekanmi is the Managing Partner, Kola Oyekanmi Chartered Accountants as well as District Governorelect, District 404A, Lions Club International. In this interview with Abdullahi Inapeh Yusuf, he speaks on the challenges besetting the organised private sector and other issues 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123

THE EXECUTIVE

•Oyekanmi

“Gone are the days when we had a very good rail system that people used to travel to Kaduna, Kano and Maiduguri. It is no longer the same.

So, if the rail system is included, the companies will be in a position to use train, which is both efficient and cheaper and depend less on vehicular transportation which is prone to so many dangers like armed robbery and accidents due to bad roads and so many things like the long journey and the wear and tear of the vehicles which consequently affect the goods negatively” this can achieve the desired objective?

It might not be easy for us to say whether it is good or it is not.

But even with the past failures, there is tendency to say this one will also go the same way, but looking at what is on ground now, the way the government is talking about transformation, this could be part of the thing that we would be talking about in the transformation of a country. If the fund can be accessed by Nigerians in Diaspora, so that they will be encouraged to comeback home and setup businesses that will improve a lot of Nigerians and knowledge transfer. The technical knowledge gained while sojourning in foreign countries like America, Europe and all the rest of the world, let them use this fund as a means of transporting

and transferring them back to Nigeria because we really need them more than the countries where they are sojourning. I believe it will work if that policy is backed with clarity of purpose, courage and commitment. The last leg that should also be added to make it work and work perfectly is action. Government should take action on the policy. The policy should not just be on the drawing board, it should not be paper work. I believe it will work because the way things are going on and government is talking about transformation we believe in our President Goodluck Jonathan, and we believe he will be able to take action that will make that policy work.

What do your members stand to gain following your installation in Seattle as the District Governor?

My installation by Dr. Wing Kun Tam our International President, at the International Convention in Seattle was the high point of the convention.

Before the installation we underwent District Governor Elect seminar for a full week. We were grilled in all ethics of Lionism, including how to achieve personal development, how to run our districts, how to propagate the international president projects and ideas, and then how to enhance the image of Lions Club International in our district.

We went through all this before I was finally installed on July 8th 2011 there in Seattle.

Coming back home, that has now given me the kind of confidence that I need to execute all the programmes that are lined up

59

because when you are talking about execution of projects you need so many things.

The Lions will benefit immensely because having undergone that training, I am now in a position to lead the association in a way that will enhance the good image of Lions Club International by the record achieved. I believe I will be able to achieve more and I will be able to direct the club in order to have more and very good club foundation in terms of club administration and service project.

As I am talking to you, part of the programme that we have are more of cataract surgery, cornea transplant and tree planting.

For your information at the International Convention our International President, Dr. Wing Kun Tam had a plan to plant one million trees by Lions throughout the world during this Lions year and this plan was put before us at the District Governor elect seminar. The District GovernorsElect were made to pledge the number of trees they were going to plant within their district during the year.

Yours sincerely pledged 5,000 trees. One district in Macedonia pledged one million and before we left Seattle the number of trees that were pledged by Lions all over the world by District Governors amounted to 4,795,790 trees. And already we have started; we have kicked it off in Calabar.

Lions in Calabar has started planting trees in the last week of July and we are going to do more.

Lions will partner with all Ministries of Environment. We will partner them at regional club and state levels that will make and even survive the 5,000 units as planned. Aside from that, we will not leave all other areas we have been used to doing before like encouraging them to continue to do public awareness on HIV and AIDS, public awareness on Diabetes, public awareness in all other health related issues and other service projects. We will also encourage them to adopt schools and hospitals that become their signature projects all over the country, and most importantly is the fact that I believe this year we are going to achieve a lot because if you don’t believe in yourself you cannot believe in the process.

What legacies do you hope to leave behind at the end of your tenure?

The legacy we want to leave behind after doing our own bit is that we want to be remembered as having moved the association a bit further than where my predecessors did. Lionism came to Nigeria in 1964 and by 2005 we were able to get to this level that gave me the opportunity of serving as District Governor in District 404A alongside my counterpart in 404B Dr. Ayoade Odeshokun. We want to take this association to a higher pedestal as an association to be reckoned with.

We are known internationally as the No.1 Non Governmental Organisation. We also want to replicate that in Nigeria too. We want the public to know and see the Lions Club as partners in progress.

So, the legacy want to leave behind is that of a group of people that were opportune to lead this association during this year and achieve great things for the betterment of the association and that of the society.

60

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

Business

Banking reforms: Between lies and illusion

L

IKE the heart in human anatomy, so is the banking sector to the economy of any nation.

A healthy banking sector for a nation as Nigeria, in dire quest for development, cannot be over emphasized. Cost of funds as high as 30% interest, is certainly the height of economic ill-health, particularly for a developing nation. It is also a sign of leadership failure and political irresponsibility to fail to do nothing.

Thus efforts at banking sector reforms in Nigeria are not only due but highly welcome. We’ve had several in the past 20 years.

We had one aimed at good corporate governance under Abacha’s administration; which led to the Failed Banks Tribunals. Just under the CBN regime of Charles Soludo we had another which was aimed at capacity building. We are yet at another round of more comprehensive ‘reforms’; aimed at good corporate governance, capacity building and systems re-engineering with a tonic of religious ideology.

The essence of reforms is to improve on existing quality or standard. In the context of banking it is to reposition the banks to be able to facilitate the production, distribution and consumption processes.

Although banking sector reforms have become necessary, it is doubtful if the course we have undertaken will

By Godswill Iyoha Iyoke Esq.

achieve the desirable results.

To achieve desirable results we need to know what ought to be. The current reforms as well as the one preceding it have been anchored on the attraction of more investor funds. With due respect to the expertise of the proponents this direction is premised on the following misconceptions; 1. The idea of banking.

Historically banking was inspired by the activities of goldsmiths. They later transformed into communal treasurers as more and more treasures of gold, which was the currency of exchange, were entrusted to them. In consequence of their treasury capacity those who had need for measures of gold to meet shortfalls in their exchange capacity approached the goldsmiths who charged a premium (interest) for such indulgences.

Banking evolved from these rudimentary practices.

It is therefore apparent as follows; i.

That the treasures in the goldsmith’s custody were not his in the first instance; ii. That the goldsmith’s capacity to lend was a function of how much gold he had custody and management of; iii. That the goldsmiths’ capacity to attract deposits was a function of the trust that he enjoyed;

•Central Bank of Nigeria Headquarters, Abuja

iv. That the idea of banking was not originally that of just money making, but the pooling and circulation of same; v. The perverted form of banking business arose when the gold owners usurped the business.

Any meaningful banking reform must recognize the above facts; and indeed aim at reestablishing the sector on the pure foundation of the above (i-iv) facts.

Regrettably, our reforms based on the perverted foundation; surrendering the entire banking process to the gold owners.

2. R e g u l a t o r y authority.

Regulatory authority of the State over banks stems from the fact in 1.i, above. It is premised in the sense of public duty on the part of the State, to protect the interest of depositors. As banking came under the control of the money owners, shrewd business practices, aimed

primarily at maximizing returns on capital, crept into the business; at the expense of moral values.

Consequently, as the bankers’ began to own more of the money the weaker the regulatory authority of the State over the banks.

As profit is the motivation for business moral values are often victims in such enterprises.

Some big moneys are sometimes made by very unconscionable persons

without qualms about values. When such persons become bankers such vices are translated into business templates upon which their banks operate.

Any purposeful banking sector reforms in Nigeria’s must take cognizance of the above facts and the nation’s survivalist environment.

•Godswill Iyoha Iyoke writes from Kaduna Iyohaiyoke@yahoo.com

‘Innovation is key to success in outdoor advertising’ Mr. Atilola Williams Odudare is the Managing Director/Chief Executive, Gems Communications Limited, a frontline outdoor advertising agency based in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. In this interview with Adedayo Adejobi, he speaks on developments in the advertising sub-sector of the economy

G

IVING your background in computer science, how did you venture into advertising practice?

I left school about three decades ago. I studied computer science. When I left school I was opportuned to work in one of the companies of the Troyka Group. I was deployed to Optimum Exposures, the outdoor arm of the parent company as the Systems and Admin Manager.

Like I have always told people, the Insight Group is a training ground. After about two years, I had gone through virtually all the departments.

At some point, I headed Admin.

At another time, Marketing. I practically went across every department in Optimum Exposures.

That I would say prepared me for the challenges of life. Thereafter, I would ordinarily had said let me go back to my first love which was computer science. But then, after a thorough training, I then became a marketing person. And so when I was going to form a company with some other gentlemen, it was M a r k e t i n g Communication and Outdoor Advertising in particular. We have been

•Odudare

around for about two and half decades now.

But before then, I had worked with the Nigerian Air Force in the computer department before I moved on to Optimum Exposures where I cut my teeth in advertising and got

prepared for the challenges of life. I was in Optimum for about six years before I formed a company called Eye Specs with t h r e e gentlemen.

And then just as the dynamics of life, we felt we had to move ahead. I left Eye Specs to form what is now known as G e m s Communications.

O u r headquarters is in Abuja, while we have branches in Kenya, Ivory Coast, Ghana and still counting.

Two and a half decade down the line, how would you describe the experience, challenges and highpoints?

There have been times the challenges were

daunting. At some point, as a human being, you sometimes want to give in.

But then, if you are committed and are focused, you can solve any problem.

As humans, if we don’t have problems, then we do not grow. It is when challenges beyond your capabilities face you, it is at that stage you can m e n t a l l y , psychologically, physically and otherwise grow.

When the challenges came, I had to go back to the drawing board to see how to solve the puzzle. And then I moved on. In actual fact, I believe every challenge is an opportunity for a human being to step up the ladder. If there are no challenges, there won’t be new and successive growth.

Considering the innovative transformation in the out-of-home industry, how did you cope with the tide of change in that season?

In any revolution, there are bound to be

losses. It could be material, it could be the loss of lives. It’s usually unfortunate, but they are necessary things for revolution to take place.

What happened in the advertising industry, especially in Abuja and Lagos was a revolution. I recalled, when I was leaving Lagos for Abuja, people said I was mad because outdoor advertising some 10 years ago predominantly flourished in Lagos. And so for me to live Lagos and move to any part of the country that does not enjoy the huge patronage Lagos enjoys, I was insane. But God gave us a vision that there are 15 cities in Nigeria that could be developed to a level beyond any human beings imagination. I then left Lagos for Abuja. Lagos then was terrible. We must appreciate the fact that somebody came to clean up Lagos.

It is unfortunate that some people lost their businesses and lives. But it has paid off.

Business Diary

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

VOL 1 NO. 023

T

HE cost of being a Nigerian is continually on the increase. But putting that within the context of today's topic, lets expand the scope of the 'victims' to include every man, woman, boy, girl and even infants living in Nigeria. Some of the hazards are so natural, they can pass without mention. Concerning those natural hazards, we have no issues.

Following are those derived hazards such as the Japanese or the Chinese will worry about; they are derived from man's insatiable quest for technological breakthrough, etc. Talks about environmental degradation, air pollution, and nuclear waste management could be appreciated by those privileged to be in developed societies/economies. Because these are fall-outs from the efforts put into making the society they live as comfortable and exciting as it presently is for them, paying the price for such derived hazards can be understood.

Add to that is the beauty of technological back-ups either put in place or developed out of exigency, to remedy such accidents and incidents. It is a near win-win situation for those in organized, regulated, monitored and civilized societies.

The most dangerous individual risk facing Nigerians (or indeed residents in Nigeria) today who depends entirely on the local market is the efforts towards medical care. What an irony! Simply put, the very drugs that should provide solution to health problems have become 'killers' themselves.

As usual, the risk is higher among those within the low and very low socio-economic groups. These are men and women who are either illiterate or barely literate.

They live across Nigerian cities, urban /semi-urban towns and rural communities. They not discerning, so much to the extent that they could consume even 'drugs' without an idea of its formulation, constituents and specific value-essence.

In Lagos, for instance, it is rather absurd for one to question the ordinary man and woman in Shomolu, Mushin, rural Ajah, Okoko-maiko, Ijora Badiya, AgboMalu,Orile-Iganmu, deep inside Oshodi and indeed other such rural locations, about the choices they make of common OTC drugs they use when they fall sick. To these people, it is good enough that they considered something else apart from 'agbo' or 'root' for malaria, ache and pains.

I remember the strong belief my parents had of this homebrewed fever fighting solution made from cooking a mixture of lemon grass, guava leaves, lime, paw-paw leaves...just anything that will bring out that quinine tastelike solution, bitter enough and hot enough to generate a given level of heat: then you have a perfect cure for malaria!

So i could understand when the not-so-discerning consumer makes choices without careful consideration of the necessary elements that could strike the warning signs. They are the first victims of FAKE AND ADULTERATED DRUGS. In restating our third paragraph of this piece, the most dangerous attack on human life in Nigeria is PHARMACUETICAL PRODUCTS. Far from a blanket categorization, this thinking could be said to be that of almost every Nigerian or residents in Nigeria. Much as we know there are some trustworthy and safe pharmaceutical products, the over-riding ratio of the fake and adulterated drugs over the genuine ones makes nonsense of any attempt to be careless among consumers.

What's more? The impunity and recklessness with which those profiting on faking and adulterating pharmaceutical products carry on, is even worse than that of those Lagos bus drivers who drive against traffic along Ikorodu road, the 3rd Mainland Bridge, on BRT-Dedicated lanes, in Lagos. Such traffic offences are offensive enough to put offenders in jail. In fact Lagos State Government considered such act so abnormal that it came up a law that requires such offenders go for psychiatric test to ascertain their level of mental health. Now, that says something: there is a level of unexpected behavior that calls for serious attention, then why not adulteration of

61

SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

Our pharmaceutical products market...! pharmaceutical products?

When kidney and other organs started failing in Nigeria we almost thought it was a fad. Most people started saying from a distance that such occurrences are due to a dramatic change in feeding habit. It was largely inferred that victims were those who got addicted to menu of the OYIBOS, because eba can never permit organ failure of any sort. It took Dora Akunyili's efforts to bring the common man to speed on activities of those wicked merchants and the dangers of fake and adulterated drugs. How callous!

A Nigerian businessman who did not even wait to go to High School will just move large sums of money to any

of these Asia countries and order for mere chalks for analgesic. Some others will invest heavily in fake antibiotic products, and even some other more delicate prescription drugs. These are drugs that could be of grave consequences if adulterated. The sad part is that the manufacturers actually warn these fellow Nigerians against such “purchases� considering the inherent dangers, but WHO CARES? We once asked the question WHO CARES about the consumer in this market. Who really care?

Should we blame our National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Standard Organization of Nigeria or the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria? Who should we blame? Perhaps we should also add the Consumer Protection Council (and perhaps other land boarder policing agents. It is not time for passing blames, but one for us to complement one another in the war against fake and adulterated drugs.

As our contribution at MC&A Digest, we are conducting an extensive special project report on the pharmaceutical products market in Nigeria. Our focus is on the following: 1. Building on the public's awareness of the presence and dangers of fake and adulterated drugs 2. Contribute to raising a population of discerning and critical buyers and users of pharmaceutical prod-

ucts for a more careful product engagement.

3. Generate a reference material for suspecting consumers and dealers for the purpose of guiding against wrong purchases.

4. Build up a listing of trust-worthy brand names, manufacturers and marketers of pharmaceutical products.

5. Enumerate those global industry quality standards that should guide quality check for safe brand/ product engagement among institutional and private buyers/users.

As we set out to carry out this task, we shall focus on our responsibility to the consumer-public in Nigeria.

Somebody must stand up for the consumers. We at MC&A Digest challenge those in the Consumer Protection community government and non-governmental. We also count on the Standard Organization of Nigeria and the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria. All hands must be on deck for the health of us all. ...Branding and Models In our last article on BRAND BUILDING AND BRAND ASSOCIATES we exrayed the imperatives in brand building and the importance of a brand's associates in relation to the desired brand image. The specific concern was in drawing our attention to the contribution of images and icons in projecting a brand's person and promise.

Next week we shall be looking at the psychological import of the choices we make in deciding the models for our brands. The concept of brand ambassador has been infused in our local brand management lingo (not that it was not within our knowledge group though), and so we need to properly articulate the concept to avoid making mistakes.

As introduction into the discourse on this issue, let's keep in mind the saying THE HOOD DOES NOT MAKE THE MONK. With that in mind, the process of choosing model for purposes of brands management requires deep professional and creative thinking; it is an involvement requiring of strategic planning. Perhaps brands who engage models only because they are popular on TV (especially these so-called Nollywood people) need to have more professional rationale for their decisions.

But we shall leave at that for now because we do not want to be misunderstood. Our intention is to help decision-making among brand managers, for purposes of effectiveness and efficiency.

Public Notice We like to make known that MC&A Digest is a consumer-connect media vehicle for discerning brands, ideas and corporate persons. So this page as indeed the brand is open to adverts messages, consultation and training. ...just in case!

We shall be watching!

62

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

Business

W

HAT have you done to clear the prevailing carved-out houses and make-shift stores illegally built across the Kano metropolis?

We came into government in May 2011. As you said, we saw that most of the planned areas have been invaded by unscrupulous elements who built carved-out houses indiscriminately on street sides, watertunnels and open spaces made for gardens and street beautification. We found this situation very worrisome. Road reservations have been taken over by illegal structures. So, the first step we took was to move round.

His Excellency, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso set up a special committee to identify these areas and take necessary steps. And I must tell you that we have begun demolition of these illegal structures so as to restore the original masterplan of Kano city.

Let me also sound it clear that in this administration, noone has been allocated any piece of land, no matter how small or big to build make-shift shops or carveout houses as you term them. It is quite unfortunate to note that our predecessors in government carved out such areas made for schools and gave them out to private individuals. We frowned at such situations and we are doing everything possible to reverse this illegality. This is why we are bent on revoking illegal allocations of land in developed areas that we find out that are detrimental to the public and public use.

Let’s look at the issue of the proliferation of unplanned settlements locally known as Awon Igiya. You are aware of the impending danger of clustered buildings in such areas, what are you doing to control this situation?

What happened about Awon Igiya was that very unscrupulous people including those working in government ministries and parastatal connived with framers to allocate places made for farming to private individuals.

The last administration had poor response in the creation of eligible plots for residential areas.

We are creating at list 1000 plots that could be serviced and allocated to people where they will build their homes. These Awon Igiya areas have no plans, no facilities, no services, no roads and other needed infrastructures. You see, these are the kind of situations that lead to collapse of buildings, the menace of flood disaster and even spread of air and water borne diseases like measles, meningitis, cholera and even polio in children.

I want to tell you that we are taking this issue seriously and the government of Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is ready to arrest and prosecute these saboteurs who engage in illegal land selling and allocations. You see, there are certain things that we overlook but they matter very seriously. You remember the flood incident at Fagge. Think about the human loss and how many millions of naira and property that went with that avoidable disaster.

The buildings there were not planned. Some of the buildings were on top of water tunnels; you have the issue of cluster of buildings and all that. This is not fair.

‘We ’ll rebuild Kano’ Alhaji Mohammed Nadu Yahaya is Kano State Commissioner of Land and Physical Planning. In this interview with KOLADE ADEYEMI, he listed Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s blueprint on urban planning, just as he decried illegal land allocation made by the immediate past administration in the state. Excerpts:

•Yahaya

“We want to rebuild Kano city. We want Kano to take its rightful place in the pews of cities that were founded on impeccable planning. People talk about Lagos, and I want to tell you that had we stayed in government beyond 2003, Lagos would have come to learn from Kano in terms of city planning and beautification” So, we are going to prosecute them. Farm lands are not made to be residential areas. All that they do is to take farm lands and put up buildings indiscriminately without recourse to the texture of the soil and other variables. If you want to build a house, you are suppose to go and take architectural grant at Kano State Urban Planning and Protection Development Agency (KNUPPDA) and make sure you followed all the required laws.

What plans do you have for Kano?

Several things are going to happen. The first thing we are doing is to stop illegal development of houses. The second thing we are doing is to ensure that people clean up their environment. Only last week, His Excellency launched the sanitation exercise. We are also using direct labour in trying to clean up the drainages. We have also started the exercise of dualizing the express ways, streets and walk-ways. We may also consider the construction of pedestrian bridges to ease human traffic on busy round-abouts. In

this light, we are requesting that people whose land or houses are by the side of the road should beautify them. They should plant flowers and trees to give the streets a taste of exquisiteness.

They should remove all the dirt and when you remove dirt, you remove diseases, scare away mosquitoes, give the environment a scintillating outlook. We want to rebuild Kano city. We want Kano to take its rightful place in the pews of cities that were founded on impeccable planning. People talk about Lagos, and I want to tell you that had we stayed in government beyond 2003, Lagos would have come to learn from Kano in terms of city planning and beautification.

When we took over the government, His Excellency came with so many ideas. Do you know that less than one per cent of properties within Kano metropolis do not have Certificates of Occupancy? One of our major priorities is to ensure that all land owners in Kano get their Certificates of Occupancy. As we give Certificates of Occupancy, people

will be empowered. Most people are willing to use their land property as collateral for loans from financial institutions but could not do that because they do not have Certificates of Occupancy to tender.

Is there hope to extend this project of building a new Kano to Sabon Gari, predominantly inhabited by non-natives and one of the major hubs of business activities in the state, but neglected with bad roads and other infrastructural problems?

We are going to improve all the roads within the metropolis.

The roads in Sabon Gari are going to be rehabilitated. Sabon Gari is the hub of commerce and it is only when you provide the needed infrastructures that businesses move well. Investors would be encouraged and the state would generate more revenues. We have started discussions with investors, mortgage banks and private investors. The Federal Mortgage Bank is also planning to build about 10,000 houses and lease out to civil servants at subsidized rates. We are providing plots of land to

individuals. As I told you, plans are under way to procure about 100,000 plots of land for allocations for residential buildings. Let me inform you that in the entire eight years of the last administration, less than 200 housing units were built. In the next four years, we are planning to build over 30,000 housing units. When this is done, the economy will jump-start.

We will like you to clear the air on the controversy surrounding land allocations made by the immediate past administration?

The past administration did several last-minute land allocations. Some of them were not done in the best interest of Kano State. The first example is the controversial Kofar Na’isa land. It is about 100 hectres. The last administration allocated about 250 plots to few individuals. There is no place that you can get up to five hectres within Kano city that is devoted to recreation and sports. So, from day one, we have designated that area for public use. We want to develop the sporting capacity of young people. I am sure such people who were allocated the 100 hectres would not grudge the idea of using the place for public use, particularly for the interest of young people. We need a healthy and fit society; and I think that is very good for Kano citizens.

So the government is considering using the Kofar Na’isa land for the construction of Sports Academy; and I believe the decision is in the best interest of the entire Kano people.

Now, talking about the allocation they made at the Western By-Pass. We observed that before the immediate past administration took over that land, they promised to develop it and allocate 50 per cent of the land to the farmers whose land were taken as part of compensation. What happened was that they failed to develop the area—that is to produced infrastructure such as roads, water and electricity. They failed in their promise to relinquish 50 per cent of the plots to the farmers.

But what they did was to allocate the lands to political cronies, friends and well-wishers. This is not fair. So when Kwankwaso’s government came, as someone who believes in natural justice, he decided to revoke the allocation, because the area is going to be developed first, 50 per cent would be given to farmers and government will use the remaining for housing estates. The remaining 50 per cent would be allocated to mortgage banks and Federal Housing Authorities who would build houses and auction it to civil servants. We want to engage in a mass housing scheme.

We hear of this Kano Geographic Information System (KANGIS). What is the idea behind it?

KANGIS is a creation of technology. It is used to enhance land administration. Part of our plan is to give Certificates of Occupancy to as many people as we can within these four years. We are using KANGIS to achieve this goal. We are going to take digital aerial photography of all the lands in the state to facilitate the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy to land owners. And the cost of getting the Certificates of Occupancy would reduce drastically. That is what we are going to use KANGIS to do.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

‘NYSC reforms is beyond security’ From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

The Minister of Youth Development Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi has said the on-going reform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme is beyond securing corps members.

Speaking yesterday in Abuja at the opening ceremony of a 3 -day retreat for the staff of the ministry with the theme ‘’Youth Development and transformation Agenda’’, Abdullahi said reforming the scheme was necessary following the killing of some corps members in Bauchi state during the last general election.

He explained:”We must agree on how to reform NYSC beyond security of corps members. Security is very important but the kind of reforms must be able to bring huge returns on the investment not only to the participating youth corps members but also to Nigeria as a country,” he stated.

Abdullahi assured that the mandatory one-year service will now be used to turn young people to job creators.

He said the era of going about with Curriculum Vitae after the scheme was over.

He condemned the organisation of youth empowerment schemes by some agencies and ministries without input from the Ministry of Youth Development, which he said should be on the driving seat with such efforts.

The Nation’s man leads NUJ THE rescheduled election of the Enugu Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) held yesterday with Mr. Chris Oji of The Nation emerging as chairman unopposed.

Other officers returned unopposed were Mr. Regis Anukwunoji of Business Day (Vice-Chairman); Mr. Maurice Okafor of Nigeria Newsworld magazine (Secretary); Mr. Emma Nwoye of News Agency of Nigeria (Finanacial Secretary) and Mr. Dennis Agbo of National Mirror (Auditor).

The exercise, which was earlier cancelled in May 2011, was conducted by Emeka Anyalebechi of Radio Nigeria Enugu as directed by the National Secretariat of the NUJ, Abuja.

The National Vice President Zone C, Mr. Ambrose Nwachukwu expressed delight with the maturity displayed by members of the chapel during the exercise.

Oji, who spoke on behalf of the new executives, said he would carry every registered and practising correspondent along.

He promised to organise a new Enugu correspondents’ chapel with the evolvement of developmental journalism.

News

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Oyomesi replies Olubadan’s chief over attack on Alaafin C

HAIRMAN of the Oyo Mesi (Oyo traditional Council), High Chief Yussuf Layinka I, has condemned recent utterances by an Ibadan prominent chief that the Alaafin is not superior to other traditional rulers in Oyo State.

The pronouncements, Layinka said, was borne out of

From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo “sheer ignorance, distortion of history and shameful grandstanding”.

Otun-Olubadan Chief Omowaye Kuye had in an interview said the Alaafin of Oyo was not superior to other traditional rulers in the state and unfit to be

the permanent chairman of the Oyo State Council of Obas.

But Layinka, who is also the Basorun of Oyo, described Kuye as a confusionist who should have conducted thorough research and receive proper tutor in Yoruba history instead of whipping sentiments.

Layinka said: “Let us start by

L-R: Mr. Edem Udofia, Director Public and Bilateral Relations office of the SGF, (Representing the Secratary to the Federal Government), Osita Chidoka The Cormarshal and Chief Executive of FRSC and Alhaji Najeem Usman Yasin, National President of National Union of Road Transport Workers during the August edition of the FRSC monthly Walking and Jogging Execise in Abuja yesterday.

asking from the Olubadan how he got his crown. Who recommended the crown to him and transformed him to an Oba? ‘’Which Oba determined the boundary between Ife/Ijesa, and Ibadan/Egba at Bakatari without using any military or coercive forces? In whose domain were those accused by the then British Authority detained? Where was Olubadan then?”

He pointed out that when the Alaafin wanted to transform Olubadan from Baale (village head) to an Oba, four traditional rulers who were then under the authority of the Alaafin met in Oyo to decide the matter.

According to him,”the four traditional rulers were the Ooni of Ife, Orangun of Ila, Alaake of Egbaland and the Awujale of Ijebuland. They were unhappy with the willingness of the Alaafin to provide crown to the Olubadan but Alaafin pacified them. Where was Olubadan then, dead or alive?”

Besides the Onpetu of Ijeru and Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Layinka said all other traditional rulers were mere Baales (village heads) who got upgraded through the support and consent of Alaafin.

He went on: “For the Alaafin to rotate the Chairmanship seat of the State Council of Obas with Olubadan and his cohorts is like living in fool’s paradise. ‘’The Oyo Mesi has resolved not to join issues with those who could neither traced their ancestral roots nor withstand the historical antecedents of Yoruba traditional institutions but frustrated and being haunted by their own shadows.”

Community petitions Orji over murder case

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HE people of Okafia Igbere community in Bende LGA and the family of Late Ojukwu Udeogu have petitioned Abia state governor, Theodore Orji against the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Umeh Kalu.

Kalu, they alleged, revoked a fiat of authority for prosecution of a murder case involving their son.

The petition said that on February 14, 2008 one Donatus

By Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

Nnanna Ogba of 109B Ngwa Road, Aba, Abia State reportedly murdered his landlord, Ojukwu Udeogu of the same address over a domestic dispute.

The accused was arrested on August 19 of the same year and arraigned for murder, while the counsel for the family Uche Awa at their instance applied to the Attorney General and Commis-

sioner for Justice for fiat to prosecute the case, which was granted on July 21, 2009.

After the case had gone on for three years and judgment fixed for October 27, 2011, they alleged Kalu revoked the authority granted Awa on July 27 to prosecute the accused.

The community accused Kalu of trying to protect ‘’a common criminal’’ because they share maternal affinity.

Imo to partner with PHCN Imo State government is to partner with the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) in the distribution of electricity and protection of properties of the company in the state.

Governor Rochas Okorocha said this when officials of the Enugu Electrical Distribution Company led by its Managing Director, Engineer Suleiman Yahaya, paid him a courtesy call at the government House Owerri.

He stressed that the days of loss of communication between the state government and PHCN were gone, saying present administra-

From: Emma Mgbeahurike, Owerri

tion was poised to interact with the company in power distribution to uplift the state economy.

Okorocha noted that incessant importation of generating sets into the country constitutes great pollution and drain in the economy of the populace.

He called on the federal government to come up with a policy on importation of generators as well as the centralisation of power distribution in the hands of PHCN. He tasked the company to ensure that every part of the state is

connected to the national grid, adding that the PHCN should raise the voltage capacity of the state.

Leader of the team, Yahaya disclosed that over 30 distribution substations vandalised in the state in recent years had been re-activated while two substations in Njaba and Oguta LGAs had remained totally vandalised till date.

He appealed to the Governor to consider upward review of monthly payment to the company, which presently stands at N10 million.

They also said Kalu has a history of animosity against Awa who has chairman of Nigeria Bar of Association (NBA) Aba branch has taken up the former over state matters.

The petition reads in part: “Our clients were surprised when on July 29, 2011 Bar Awah informed them that the same Attorney-General who issued him a fiat over the case had without any reason revoked the same fiat and ordered the return of the police case file to his office, thereby attempting to scuttle the prosecution of the case. ‘’On inquiry, our client discovered that the reason for the aforesaid revocation was not borne out of public or state interest as required by law, rather to protect a common criminal who committed murder and is related to Umeh Kalu (the Attorney-General) maternally. ‘’If Kalu’s action which has already started creating bad image for the state in the area of administration of justice is allowed to stand, it then means the state is in trouble as he would soon start to protect kidnappers and their like.’’

They appealed to Orji to call Kalu to order and allow delivery of judgment.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

News

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HIEF of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Ihejirika has assured that the Army will continue to invest in human resources to meet contemporary challenges.

He spoke last Friday at the graduation ceremony of 22 officers from the Nigerian Army College of Logistics, Lagos.

The graduands comprises 11 majors, 9 captains, 1 Lt. Cdr and a civilian Mrs. Elizabeth Bassey.

We’ll continue to invest in human resources - Ihejirika

By Segun Odunewu

Ihejirika said: ‘’Nigerian Army is being equipped and organized to cope with the present challenges of Nation building in addition to the

constitutional roles of protecting the sovereignty of the nation”.

He also highlighted the importance of logisticians in Army operations within and outside the country, especially

during peace-keeping activities.

Iherijika, who was represented by the Chief of Policy and Planning, Maj. Gen. O. Akinyemi, tasked the graduands to utilise their

GOC restates commitment to professionalism

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HE General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Kenneth Minimah has stated that the division would continue to accord priority attention to training and sustain professionalism personnel at all times.

He spoke at the justconcluded Warrant Officers and Senior Non Commissioned Officers Inter Formations Competition held at 65 Battalion, Nigerian Army, Bonny Cantonment Lagos.

Minimah said the competition was part of activities to assess the troop’s readiness and professional competence.

He added that this year’s competition was in

compliance with Army Headquarters Training‘s directive to transform the Army into a better force.

The GOC, who was represented his Chief of

Staff, Brigadier General Charles Ogbonnaya Okoro, expressed satisfaction with the high standard displayed by participants.

The week-long competition featured map reading, drill, combat swimming, physical fitness and skills at arms, including live firing.

‘Neglect of academia is bane of development’

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PROFESSOR of Education at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Professor (Mrs.) Modupe Adelabu has blamed Nigeria’s underdevelopment on the neglect of the human resource in tertiary institutions of learning.

Speaking to reporters at an inaugural lecture organised by the Ekiti Development Network (EDN), based in Obafemi Awolowo University, Adelabu noted that the de-

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

cline in the society can be arrested by meaningful intervention of those in the academics.

She said: “There is a need to convene this inaugural lecture to appreciate the state governor on his efforts so far. We are encouraged by his receptiveness to ideas and suggestions and we feel we can assist the government further.

“There is an assignment to bridge this long gap

between ‘town’ and ‘gown’. The Western region has not been doing well enough economically and there is no excuse for this considering the vast human and material resources in the region.

“Every member of the network is a lecturer at OAU and whatever happens here today will be taken back to the university just as the Governor will receive something from us to take back to the town.”

knowledge for national interest.

Commandant of the college, Maj. Gen T.I Oliomogbe, said continuous training of Officers is an important aspect of military operations to equip personnel with relevant skills for greater efficiency.

Oliomogbe appealed to the COAS to assist the college with more funds to carry out some of its cardinal objectives, especially overseas training of students and acquaintance with their foreign counterparts in military logistics procedures.

Board chair bags NANS award

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HAIRMAN of the Edo State Produce Board, Alhaji Aremiyau Momoh yesterday received an ‘Excellence Award’ from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) at a public forum in Auchi, Edo State.

The award, according to the President of NANS, who was represented by Comrade Ovie Amstrong, was bestowed on Momoh because of his exemplary qualities and contribution to national development.

No promotion in Abia FRSC From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

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HE Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission [FRSC], Osita Chidoka has placed an indefinite ban on promotion in Abia State Command.

The order followed failure of staff of the command to respond to the meaning of ISO 9000 during an interactive session.

He charged other commands to update themselves or suffer stiffer penalties.

Chidoka announced the ban in Umuahia during a visit to Abia State Command as part as his tour of the Commands in the South East Zone.

He described the failure as embarrassing to the commission.

Chidoka said: “There is no room for lazy people in the commission from now on and because we meet members of the public on daily basis, we need to improve on our level of operation and interaction with the people we have been saddled with saving their lives”.

He later explained the meaning of ISO 9000 as the International Standard Organisation 9000, which is the modern and acceptable way of doing anything in the world.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

News

Minimum wage: FG to monitor implementation by states B T

65

Shettima placates Boko Haram, launches 2,200 tricycles

HE federal government will not renege on terms of agreement it reached with workers on the new minimum wage, Labour and Productivity Minister, Chief Chukwuemeka Wogu has said.

He added that the federal government would also ensure other tiers of government do the same without acrimony and rancour.

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

Wogu spoke yesterday in Ilorin at the commissioning of the Executive Chalet of the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS).

He said the federal government was committed to instituting best practices in labour relations.

Wogu, expressed government’s satisfaction over “the peaceful way the

issue of minimum wage is being handled to avert major crisis in the Nigerian industrial relations system”.

He said the federal government “is also working with the various levels of government to ensure that implementation is achieved in a peaceful and amicable way”.

The minister, who noted that labour was critical to the transformation agenda of the incumbent

administration, said “The present administration realises the importance of industrial peace and harmony in its developmental efforts and is therefore committed to the use of social dialogue in resolving disputes.”

He added that MINILS was being repositioned as a platform for building the capacity of stakeholders for constructive engagement towards the realisation of the country’s Vision 2020.

From Joseph Abiodun, Maiduguri

ORNO state governor Alhaji Kashim Shettima has again called on members of the Boko Haram sect to embrace dialogue.

He made the call at the launching of the first phrase of tri-cycles (Kekenapep) in Maiduguri.

Shettima said dialogue will enable the government tackle challenges confronting the state and provide the much needed development to the people.

He said the state government was distributing the 2200 tri-cycles to the beneficiaries under the 1st phrase, saying each was purchased at N350,000.

Shettima however said a unit will be sold at N200, 000 to the beneficiaries and payable in 14 months.

He urged them to make judicious use of the tri- cycles to improve their well being and contribute to the socioeconomic development of the state.

New college for Imo From Emma Mgbeahurike, Owerri

A

COLLEGE of Advance Programme (ICAPS) is to be established in Imo state.

Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha disclosed the plan while inspecting government facilities at Egbu road Owerri.

The college, he said, would be sited at the premises of Imo Newspapers.

He explained the new project was the reason for the relocation of Statesman Newspaper to Imo Broadcasting corporation station at Akanchawa.

The relocation, he argued, would enable the newspaper enjoy steady electric power supply for daily production and access to internet facilities.

He noted that statesman premises is spacious and suitable for the finishing school which he said would include professional studies on engineering, petroleum, oil and gas, technology, solar manufacturing and other technical studies.

He said unemployed graduates would be admitted into the college to acquire skills for self employment and serve as consultants to the state government.

Okorocha also stated that the college would be affiliated to Imo State University for added value.

Vice Chancellor of Imo State University, Professor Bertrand E. Nwoke noted that there are so many unskilled graduates seeking job opportunities, pointing out that the school would go a long way to address this gap.

Minimum wage: Dabo warns Suswam •L-R: Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka; wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; her husband and State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; and Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Aladesanmi III, during the annual Udiroko Festival, in Ado-Ekiti yesterday.

Our plans for Abuja, by Akinjide

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UILDING of infrastructures in the suburbs around the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja is the priority of the new leadership of the city, Minister of State for the FCT, Jumoke Akinjide, disclosed yesterday.

Akinjide disclosed this to reporters when she paid

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

a courtesy visit to the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Samuel Odulana, in his palace yesterday.

The minister also said the new leadership would soon launch the agenda on the development of agriculture in the FCT.

Mark, five PDP governors meet

S

ENATE President, David Mark and the five People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governors of the North Central States are to hold crucial meeting in Minna the Niger state capital tomorrow.

A statement signed by Mr. Bala Bitrus, the Deputy Press Secretary of the Niger state Governor, stated that members of the ruling party in the leadership of the National Assembly from the zone will also be part of the meeting.

On the purpose of the meeting, the statement said: “The meeting is

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

expected to trash out crucial issues affecting the Party in the North central zone and other issues of general interest in the Country”.

“Also to attend the one day meeting are the deputy governors from the PDP controlled states and the members of the BOT of the party from the zone,” the statement hinted.

Committees for hitchfree conduct of the meeting have been set up

by Chairman of Niger PDP, Alhaji Abdulraham Enagi.

Aside opening up the less cities where most middle and low income earners working in Abuja reside, Akinjide explained that the initiative would provide jobs for the high population of job seekers in the nation’s capital.

The minister said the FCT land is fertile and therefore, is able to grow different types of produce that would serve residents.

She said the building of infrastructures around the FCT would also make any part of the territory a

comfortable port to stop for business and government activities with the attendant result of an accelerated growth and development for residents’ and the nation’s benefit.

The minister also affirmed that the struggle for the creation of Ibadan State out of the current Oyo State would be pursued vigorously as, according to her, Ibadan possesses all the requirements such as population, mineral resources and the land mass to make it survive as an independent state.

Group holds rally in S/West

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socio-cultural group, Atayese will hold a commemorative rally across the south west tomorrow.

The rally, according to a statement by Chairman of the group, Mr. Tokunbo Ajasin, is part of efforts to re-enact the golden era of good governance associated with the Yoruba land in the last 54

years.

It holds simultaneously in the State capitals of the Southwest States from 10am.

Ajasin said: “the essence of the rally is to rekindle the energy and resourcefulness of the Yoruba people through positive and proactive Omoluabi leadership for the attainment of the lost glory of Yoruba land.”

F

ORMER National Auditor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Dr Godwin Dabo has advised Governor Gabriel Suswam to immediately implement the N18, 000 minimum wages for Benue workers.

Dabo advised the governor to stop negotiations of any form as the issue has been resolved through the signing of the minimum wage bill by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Reacting to media reports that Suswam has invited labour leaders to the negotiation table over minimum wage, Dabo said the issue has gone beyond that level and become a law.

He said: ‘’It is inhuman and very unpatriotic for governor Suswam to callously engage unconstitutional tactics to subject Benue workers to unjustified suffering as Benue state has the financial capacity to pay the minimum wage. So it must pay without further delays’’.

The President of the Benue Elders Forum (BEF) pointed out that while Suswam is foot dragging, lesser financially buoyant states have started paying.

He warned NLC leadership in the state against going to the negotiation table with government to avoid being seen as betrayers.

Dabo said they should instead be demanding immediate payments from Suswam.

Synod cautions politicians

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HE Diocesan Bishop of Anglican Church IjesaNorth East, Rt Rev. J.Olusola has urged politicians to tread softly.

He reminded them that history will judge their conducts and actions while in power.

Olusola spoke at the second session of the Diocese, which ended over the weekend.

He urged government to expedite actions on payment of the N18, 000 minimum wage to workers, saying they even deserve more.

The cleric noted the plights of pensioners and appealed to government to attend to their needs.

He commended Governor Rauf Aregbesola for the establishment of Osun Youth Employment Scheme (OYES), saying it would address unemployment in the state.

The royal host, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adebayo Ayegbo Ogunmokun, Adetemi IV traced the advent of Christianity in Ikeji–Ile Ijesa to over a century ago.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

Foreign

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NATO helicopter crashed during a battle with the Taliban in Afghanistan, killing 31 U.S. soldiers and 7 Afghans, the Afghan president said yesterday, a devastating toll and easily the worst single incident for foreign troops in 10 years of war.

A brief statement from the presidential palace said the troop-carrying Chinook helicopter had crashed in Syedabad in central Maidan Wardak province, just to the west of the capital, Kabul, and identified the Americans as special forces troops.

The Taliban quickly claimed to have shot down the helicopter during a firefight, although the Islamist militant group often exaggerates incidents involving foreign troops or Afghan government targets. They also said eight insurgents had been killed in torrid fighting.

“They wanted to attack our muhahideen who were in a house, but our mujahideen resisted and destroyed a helicopter with a RPG (rocket-propelled grenade) rocket,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said by telephone from an undisclosed location.

“Eight mujahideen were martyred and 38 Americans were killed and today they (U.S. soldiers) carried away parts of their plane and shattered pieces of their bodies.”

The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) earlier confirmed that a helicopter had crashed but gave no information about the possible cause or casualties.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai “shared his deep sorrow and sadness” with counterpart Barack Obama and the families of the U.S. and Afghan victims, the palace statement said.

Afghanistan’s Defense Ministry spokesman, Zaher Azimy, also said the helicopter had crashed.

He said the Afghans killed had also been from a commando unit.

“The incident is under investigation right now as this helicopter belongs to international forces,” Azimy told Reuters television. “Obviously they will provide details of the crash and the rea-

NATO helicopter crashes in Afghanistan, kills 31 U.S. troops son.”

The high casualties come only two weeks after the start of a gradual process of handing security responsibility from foreign forces to Afghan troops and police, and at a time of growing unease about the increasingly unpopular and costly war.

That process is due to end with all foreign combat troops leaving Afghanistan by the end of 2014, but some U.S. lawmakers have already questioned whether that handover is fast enough.

Incidents with heavy death tolls are sure to raise even more questions about the transition process and how much longer foreign troops should stay.

The crash was by far the worst incident of the war for foreign troops and easily surpassed the worst incidents of battlefield losses.

In April 2005, another CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed, killing 15 U.S. servicemen and three civilian contractors. Another Chinook crash in June the same year killed 17 U.S. troops.

U.S. and other NATO commanders have claimed success in reversing the momentum of a growing insurgency in the Taliban heartland in the south, although insurgents have shown a worrying ability to adapt their tactics and mount major attacks in other areas.

Those gains, however, have come at a price, with 711 foreign troops killed in Afghanistan in 2010, easily the deadliest year of the war for all concerned since the Taliban were toppled by U.S.backed foreign troops in late 2001.

The crash in Maidan Wardak means that at least 374 foreign troops have been killed so far in 2011, more than two-thirds of them American, according to independent monitor www.icasualties.com and figures kept by Reuters.

Neither ISAF nor the U.S. mili-

•US soldiers from the 3rd Platoon, Charlie Company, 2-87 Infantry, 3d Brigade Combat Team check for land mines on a canal running through Highway 1 in Kandahar province, Southern Afghanistan yesterday.

AFP PHOTO / ROMEO GACAD

tary in Afghanistan confirmed whether there had been any casualties in the crash despite repeated telephone calls, much less any nationalities that might have been involved.

The majority of foreign troops in Wardak, which comes under

ISAF’s eastern regional command, are American.

Despite the alarming military toll, ordinary Afghan civilians have continued to bear the brunt of the war, with civilian casualties also hitting record levels in the first six months of this year, according

to U.N. figures.

Earlier yesterday, Afghan police said a NATO air strike killed eight civilians in southern Helmand province on Friday.

ISAF confirmed there had been an air strike in Helmand’s Nad Ali district and said it was investigating whether civilians had been present at the time.

Civilian casualties caused by foreign troops hunting Taliban fighters and other insurgents have long been a major source of friction between Kabul and its Western backers.

Nad Ali district police chief Shidi Khan said the air strike was called in after insurgents attacked ISAF troops in the area.

The victims of Friday’s air strike in Helmand were members of a family that had fled fighting in neighbouring Uruzgan province, police said.

ISAF said the civilians may have been held hostage by the insurgents.

The most contentious of the first seven areas to be handed over was the Helmand provincial capital of Lashkar Gah. Helmand province has been the site of some of the most vicious fighting of the war. Far more foreign troops have died there than in any other province and there are still several Helmand districts dominated by the Taliban.

In the past month, insurgents have carried out a string of destabilising assassinations of high-profile southern leaders, including president Karzai’s half brother, and several large attacks killing police and civilians.

A U.N. report last month said 1,462 civilians were killed in conflict-related incidents in the first six months of 2011, up 15 percent on the first half of 2010. It blamed insurgents for 80 percent of those deaths.

Australia firm on Malaysia refugee deal

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USTRALIAN Prime Minister Julia Gillard said yesterday that reports of a hunger strike among Malaysiabound asylum seekers would not deter her from the controversial refugee swap plan.

Immigration officials played down claims from refugee activists of the protest among the first group preparing to set off for Malaysia under Gillard’s deal with the Southeast Asian nation.

“There is no one on hunger strike of which we are aware,” an immigration spokesman said.

“Just because someone misses a meal or two does not mean they are on voluntary starvation.”

Refugee activist Ian Rintoul said a man from the group had made brief contact via mobile phone to plead for help and announce that some people had begun a hunger strike to protest against their expulsion to Malaysia.

Gillard said she was “aware” of the reports but they would not sway her determination to see the newly-finalised policy through.

“As we’ve made clear all along, the returns to Malaysia aren’t a question of volunteering, this will be done,” she told reporters.

“Our aim is to smash the people smugglers’ business model,

our aim is to not see people put themselves in boats and be at risk of losing their lives,” she added.

Under the plan, signed off in Malaysia last month, Australia will send 800 boatpeople to the Asian nation in exchange for 4,000 of its registered refugees in a move intended to send a deterrent message to people smugglers.

The United Nations chil-

dren’s agency slammed the scheme as “inhumane” Friday after it emerged that 18 of the 55 people in the first contingent were minors, 13 of whom were believed to be travelling without a parent or guardian.

Gillard said Canberra had “worked through” the issue with the UN and there were “protections” set out in the agreement with Malaysia, noting also that

there would be children among the 4,000 refugees resettled in Australia.

The immigration department said a departure date had not yet been set for the group but they would be transferred “as soon as practicable.”

Refugees are a thorny political issue in Australia although relatively small numbers of boatpeople make for its shores by

world standards.

The government has a mandatory detention policy for asylum seekers who arrive by boat through a popular people-smuggling corridor from Indonesia.

A record influx of almost 7,000 arrivals last year has put the system under pressure, with detainees rioting at a number of centres and processing times blowing out to 18 months or longer.

Measles outbreak in Ethiopia camps sparks alarm

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HE UN refugee agency said yesterday it was alarmed by a suspected measles outbreak in south-east Ethiopia’s Dollo Ado camps, where thousands of faminehit Somalis have sought refuge in recent weeks.

“UNHCR fears the outbreak could lead to high mortality and serious illness in an already vulnerable refugee population whose overall health was already fragile,” said the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in a statement.

On August 4, health workers reported 25 deaths in the Kobe camp, of which half were suspected to have arisen from measles, said the UNHCR. Other cases have also been reported in other camps in the surroundings.

Measles rarely kills healthy individuals but can be fatal to malnourished people.

“This situation is alarming and we cannot afford to wait,” warned Moses Okello, UNHCR Ethiopia representative.

“We must act now, urgently and decisively, to arrest and turn around this situation,” he said, adding that a campaign to vaccinate children was essential.

A team of experts are expected to arrive in Dollo Ado on Sunday to support a vaccination campaign which is to begin August 9.

The Dollo Ado camps host 118,400 Somali refugees, including 78,000 who arrived this year after fleeing violence and what the UN has described as the region’s worst drought in decades.

•Women holding food stamps in Somalia

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Foreign

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South Sudan MPs sworn in N

EWLY independent South Sudan swore in its MPs yesterday, two days ahead of parliament’s opening session, with the speaker calling for cooperation regardless of background or political affiliation.

“You are the founders of the first ever parliament of the Republic of South Sudan,” James Wani Igga told the National Legislative Assembly.

“I am calling for cooperation among ourselves in this esteemed house... regardless of any background,” he said, describing the presence of the different political parties as an “asset”.

According to a presidential decree issued last Monday, parliament consists of the 170 elected members from before independence, 96 former MPs elected to the National Assembly in Khartoum from southern constituen-

cies, and another 66 newly appointed members.

Out of South Sudan’s 332 elected and appointed members, 279 MPs were sworn in on Saturday, including Vice President Riek Machar.

President Salva Kiir was absent from the swearing in ceremony, in addition to those MPs unable to attend.

The new cabinet is due to be formed after parliament opens on Monday, to replace the existing caretaker cabinet.

Igga stressed the equality of the MPs in the newly reconstituted parliament.

“We are abolishing this, what others say, ‘These are Khartoum, these are appointed, these are Juba. We are all South Sudanese in the liberation.”

But opposition leader Onyoti Adigo, who heads the SPLM-DC (Democratic Change), an offshoot of the

•South Sudanese members of parliament take the oath in the capital Juba yesterday.

AFP PHOTO/STR

ruling SPLM party, was strongly critical of the size of the new assembly yesterday, calling instead for a “lean government.”

He said the money spent on the salaries of the

332 MPs and 50 members of the regional Council of States, which he said amounted to at least 7,000 Sudanese pounds ($2,000) per month each, plus expenses, could go

towards much needed public services.

“That is why we in the opposition are propagating for lean government, in the sense that both legislative and executive are

few in number, so that we save the money for delivery of services to the people,” he told AFP. South Sudan is one of the poorest countries on earth that was left in ruins after five decades of devastating conflict between southern rebels and successive governments in the north.

The fledgling nation faces a host of daunting challenges, starting with rampant corruption, which the president has vowed to confront.

South Sudan was granted extensive autonomy from the Sudanese government under a 2005 peace deal that ended a second civil war.

The accord paved the way for January’s referendum on independence, which was backed by an overwhelming majority of southerners, and full international recognition on July 9.

Five killed in Iraq jailbreak

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OUR prisoners and a guard were killed in clashes at a prison in the central Iraqi city of Hilla, during which eight inmates escaped, officials said yesterday.

The clashes, in which nine people were also wounded, broke out after a prisoner seized a rifle from a guard and killed him, said Mohammed Ali al-Massudi, the governor of Babil province, of which Hilla is the capital.

“It seems this operation was organised with the help of other groups who helped the prisoners and were waiting for them outside the prison,” Massudi told a news conference in Hilla, 95 kilometres (60 miles) south of Baghdad.

Prisoners also set fire to areas of the prison, he said.

“The prisoners who escaped are senior members of Al-Qaeda and Shiite militias,” said Haidar alZambur, a member of the

provincial council security committee, adding “they were all sentenced to death.”

Two silenced pistols were found on the inmates, he said, adding the incident was under investigation.

A justice ministry spokesman said earlier the clashes occurred on Friday night, and put the initial toll at three dead, while a first lieutenant in the Hilla police had said

15 inmates escaped, of whom three were later apprehended.

Zambur said this was the third attempted jailbreak from the prison.

The first was in 2006, when about 50 members of the Mahdi Army, radical anti-US Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr’s now-deactivated militia, managed to escape.

Prisoners also launched an unsuccessful escape attempt last April, he said.

Injured victims of polar bear attack recuperating

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•Paper lanterns to mourn the atomic bomb victims float in the Motoyasu River in front of the Atomic Bomb Dome (in background) in Hiroshima yesterday. Marking the 66th anniversary of the world’s first atomic bombing at an annual event usually devoted to opposing nuclear weapons earlier in the day, Prime Minister Naoto Kan said the ongoing Fukushima crisis meant Japan must turn to other energy sources.

AFP PHOTO / Toru YAMANAKA

HE four British survivors of a deadly polar bear attack in Norway’s Arctic Svalbard archipelago have been operated on and will be transferred home as soon as possible, officials said yesterday.

None of the injuries were life threatening, University Hospital in Tromsoe spokeswoman Marit Einejord said, adding that the four were resting after surgery. British Ambassador Jane Owen, who visited the group in the hospital, said they were “all

bearing up well.”

“It’s clearly a priority to get them home as soon as possible,” she said. “It’s obviously still a very difficult time for the families and so we are here to try and help and our sympathies and feelings go out to everyone who’s been involved with this awful tragedy.”

The grieving family of 17-year-old Horatio Chapple, who died in the attack, paid tribute to a schoolboy they described as “strong, fearless and kind.”

His relatives said in a state-

ment that he had been “so excited about his plans to be a doctor” and praised his “amazing sense of humor and ability to laugh at himself.”

The attack took place in Svalbard, a group of islands home to about 2,400 people and 3,000 polar bears. The Arctic territory attracts welloff and hardy tourists with stunning views of snowcovered mountains, fjords and glaciers.

The campers were in a group of 80 people, most of them between 16 and 23.

Dutch military joins Gay Pride parade

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MBRACING a policy of “Do Tell,” the Dutch military joined Amsterdam’s annual Gay Pride parade for the first time this year, with uniformed men and women saluting the crowds from a boat chugging through a historic city canal.

A balloon-festooned barge bearing the standards of the service branches and sponsored by the Defense Ministry sailed among about 80 other floats, with music blaring from most of them and dancers dressed in flamboyant costumes — or very little at all.

The parade, watched by hundreds of thousands of spectators lining the Prinsengracht canal, capped a weeklong festival of around 300 parties and events. It included the popular “Drag Queen Olympics” with contests like the stiletto race and the long-distance handbag toss.

U.S. and British activists sailed with Dutch generals and other senior officers — some gay and others showing solidarity — among some 80 military and ministry civilian personnel.

Unlike the U.S. military, gays have openly served in

Dutch units since 1974, and for 25 years have had a department within the ministry that minds their interests, the Foundation for Homosexuals in the Armed Forces.

Still, gay servicemen say having their own presentation in the famed floating parade marked “a huge step forward” in a country already noted for sexual equality.

The foundation had been denied permission for several years to join the event, although in the last two years soldiers were allowed to participate in military dress on other boats.

“The political leaders thought it was not appropriate to wear a uniform at this kind of parade,” said army Maj. Peter Kees Hamstra, a foundation spokesman.

“This shows everyone that the climate is changing,” he said.

Hamstra said 6 to 8 percent of the Dutch military are gay or lesbian — about the same as in the general population.

“It’s so amazing to be here. This country got it right,” said former U.S. Army Lt. Dan Choi, who was discharged last year

after violating the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. Choi applied to re-enlist after President Barack Obama signed a law last month repealing the ban.

“I intend to go back to the Army, in whatever capacity they most need,” he told The Associated Press. But he’d like to be in the Army Reserve so that he can continue developing his new role as a gay-rights activist.

A West Point graduate and fluent in Arabic, Choi served in Iraq as a translator before acknowledging in a television interview that he is gay.

Many posed Wednesday for a final photo together before splitting into smaller groups to head out to more remote parts of the Arctic.

The bear attacked one of the groups, made up of 13 people, in the early morning, leaving them with moderate to severe wounds that included head injuries, officials said. The bear was eventually shot — apparently by adventurer Michael “Spike” Reid, his father said yesterday.

Peter Reid said that he had been told by British diplomats that his 29-year-old son, one the expeditions two leaders, was the one who killed the bear.

“We have been told everyone was saying it was Michael who shot the bear and he was a hero. It was very moving,” Reid said.

The polar bear, a 550pound (250-kilogram) male, has been transported to the Norwegian town of Longyearbyen and will be examined by specialists, according to Liv Asta Oedegaard, a spokeswoman for the Svalbard governor’s office.

“The bear was killed by one rifle bullet in the head,” she said.

Police are investigating the attack and are questioning survivors, she said.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

Worship

Living S Faith

By David Oyedepo

Receiving the miracle of instant healing!

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AVE you been constantly sick that the hospital has become you seeming permanent place of abode? Have you come to your wit’s end concerning your health that you think there is no more hope of survival for you? Have you failed to realize that God is the God of eleventh hour, Who can do all things?

I want you to know that God desires that you live a healthy life. That is why your healing, health and wholeness are so important to Him! Your health is an important part of His redemptive plan for you, if you are His child. He wants you to be well!

He said: Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth (3 John 2). God is not a joker! He says what He means and He means what He says!

From the above scripture, it is very clear that God is not only concerned about your soul, He is also concerned about your body (Isaiah 53:5). He has made adequate provision for you and your household to be healthy. It does not matter for how long, and what that sickness tormenting you is called. Get set for your own freedom now! Every sickness and disease in your life will come to an end this time, via the incontestable power of God’s Word (Psalm 107:20; Hebrews 4:12).

God is set, this month, to put into your hands the answer to every problem of sickness and disease. Sickness, disease, pain and suffering are not the will of God for you. It is high time you enjoyed total health!

The major difference between healing in God’s Kingdom and healing in the world is the instant nature of healings in God’s Kingdom. The Bible recorded instances where many people received their miracles of instant healing. Let’s see some of them: There was a time that Jesus visited the house of Peter. On getting there, He saw that Peter’s mother-in-law was sick of fever. For Jesus, that wasn’t just an ordinary fever. He knew that behind every sickness was and is a foul spirit of infirmity.

Jesus swung into action by rebuking the spirit of fever and immediately she was healed (Luke 4:39).

In the encounter Jesus had with a leper, he touched him and immediately the leprosy was cleansed (Matthew 8:3). The Centurion’s servant, at the prophetic word that came from Jesus, was made whole that same hour (Matthew 8:10-13).

Apart from healing those who are sick, Jesus has the power to heal the dead. For instance, there was the story of the widow of Nain. The only son she had died and they conveyed his coffin to go and bury him. When Jesus met them, He spoke to the dead son, and immediately, he bounced back to life (Luke 7:1316)!

Note that the word “immediate” appears 55 times in scriptures, and all the 55 times are in the New Testament. Most of it has to do with healing, “immediately, immediately.”

The Bible says: And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased; And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole (Matthew 14:35-36). You can see that everybody sought to touch Jesus, and as many as touched Him were made perfectly whole.

He is still touching people today. He can even touch you right where you are now. It does not matter the doctor’s verdict concerning your life. Once you receive a touch from Jesus, that seeming incurable disease will be a thing of the past!

This is the simple process by which He touches people. He says: Who hath believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? (Isaiah 53:1). Every time faith rises in your heart, His hand is stretched forth to touch you. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

Friend, the grace to receive instant miracle healing is available, if you are a child of God. You become a child of God by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. You can be born again now, if you haven’t been, by saying this prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. I cannot help myself. Forgive me my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood.

Deliver me from sin and satan, to serve the Living God. Today, Lord Jesus, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!

Next week, I will continue this teaching.

I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, the covenant home of Winners.

Our midweek services hold on Wednesdays between 6 and 8 p.m. We have four services on Sundays. The first one holds between 6.30 and 8.15 a.m., the second between 8.25 a.m. and 10.10 a.m., the third between 10.20 a.m. and 12.05 p.m. and the fourth between 12.15 and 2.00 p.m. God bless you as you come!

Every exploit in life is a product of knowledge. For further reading, please get my books — Keys to Divine Health, Satan Get Lost and The Healing Balm.

I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: BISHOP DAVID OYEDEPO, Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 7747546-8; or E-mail: bishop@davidoyedepoministries.org

TATE of the body of Christ There are a lot of errors we noticed in the church.

All the while we agree that the church did not have a good image, at least, in the last 30 years. Though there has been numerical growth but there is a poor spiritual growth and depth in the Nigerian church and from our own observation we noticed that it is the quality of the ministers that resulted to that. When Christianity was solid in the 60s’ to 80s, we didn’t hear much news about scandals, financial troubles, corruption in the church.

But when every Dick and Harry started becoming a pastor, we started seeing a lot of things happening. The incidence of corruption became worrisome among church leaders. Too many scandals and sexual impropriety came up. That is why in this forthcoming conference, we want to address those issues. But it wouldn’t be from the angle of criticising and condemning but from the angle of restoration and renewal. We want to provide a way out so that we can minimise it to the barest minimum in the church. Even in America, you see scandals everywhere and it’s happening here. The only difference between here and America is that in America there is freedom of information but here there is an African proverb that says ‘you don’t talk about the things of rich men, you cover it.’ So, our goal here is that we want to keep the church pure. We want to take the church back to the Bible and that pastors and preachers should see that this is the way they should run the church and not to imbibe the modern way Bible interpretation.

Why churches are no more effective Now if you were in Nigeria in the 60s’ and 70s’, you will see that the church really transformed the nation. By then companies came to the church to recruit workers because of the moral quality church members were made of. But they can’t do that today because most of the people who profess Christianity and are companies’ staff are the ones running them down. Today we don’t talk about stealing, we don’t talk about what kind of work members can do or cannot do in the church. In a nutshell, lives are not being transformed in the church and you don’t blame the church per se on that. You blame the leaders of the church because when the leader is not transformed, members cannot be better off. There is a popular saying that you can’t give what you don’t have. But if the leaders are transformed, definitely it will affect the church. When Jesus came he didn’t call for military revolution. He picked some few men and made sure they spent time with him. Once those men were transformed, they bought transformation to the society.

Tackling scandals in the church Most of these problems are public knowledge. For example, pastor who slept with a member, pastor who embezzled church’s money, pastor who is involved in occultism are of public knowledge. So,

INTERVIEW

‘Running universities is distracting churches’ President of International Church Growth Ministries, Dr. Francis Bola Akin-John, is concerned about the health of churches and ministries. He spoke with newsmen on various issues ahead of a forthcoming conference. Sunday Oguntola was there

•Akin-John

if I come up and say call a spade a spade, address the issue squarely that the church is doing wrong, what is bad in that? For God’s sake this is not what God says the church should be doing. To me, I don’t think I’m arming the public against the church. I believe I’m speaking the truth and the church should see that at least somebody is speaking out, somebody is crying. I believe my ministry is the ministry of Isaiah 58, verse 1-2; ‘Cry aloud and spare not....’ For example, some couple of days back, the British Prime Minister came to Nigeria and said that the Nigeria populace should hold their government responsible and accountable.

I believe the public also should hold the church responsible and accountable. To me I am convinced that Nigerian Christians are the most gullible Christian faithful in the whole world. They believe anything and once the pastor says that the Lord said this, they believe. They don’t question; they don’t look at the Bible. They don’t want those pastors to be accountable to the Bible they profess to be using. Therefore, one of my goals is to arm the Christians that they shouldn’t believe everything the pastor preaches because the Bible says so. Until the Nigerian church and Christians under-

stand that they should get to that level, we would all be falling prey of all the antics of those preachers So I believe we should speak up on these things; we should not hide them. And if you check your Bible very well, God did not hide the truth from us. When Noah was doing well, the Bible recorded it. When he fell into sin, the Bible recorded it. When Abraham was doing well, the Bible recorded it and when he told a lie, the Bible did not keep silent. The same thing happened with Job, Moses, Samson and David. Throughout the scriptures, leaders are very crucial to God and their sins have impact on others. So, if they are doing it publicly, they should be exposed. The next thing is that they should repent. Of course we say good things about them and what the church is doing, we appreciate and acknowledge it. It has not all been a bad or negative story.

Churches and missionary universities Yale and Harvard Universities started as private schools but gradually they digressed.

Churches that started universities should have come out from the outset that they are pure business ventures. They shouldn’t be deceiving the public that they are mission schools because by saying that

the idea is that the fees will be lower or almost free. But all of us have seen that that is not the case. For God’s sake, it is the money collected from the poor of the church that were used to start these universities.

Now the children of those who gave the money cannot go to the universities and we say the church is here to transform the world. The church can of course go into education.

My contention is that if the church is going to get involved, it should be as a social responsibility organ. If not so, there is always this tendency of deviation. It’s a capital intensive venture and it operates in a social and secular world.

In Nigeria setting, you can’t say it is a Christian university since they don’t teach the Bible. The Nigeria University Commission (NUC) will never allow that. If you are going to teach Bible, you will teach Islam, you will teach African traditional religion and they don’t want that and they banish the Bible out of it.

Imagine God’s money not being used to teach God’s word.

Go and ask all those Pentecostal and charismatic churches that have universities. How much of the gospel have they preached in the last five to seven years? Most of the money meant to take care of the widows, orphans and the down-trodden through the gospel have been diverted to make those universities world-class. To me, it is the gospel that will suffer and the gospel is suffering.

There are many young pastors called to mission fields in rural areas. The church can give a little support to them but monies to empower them were diverted to structures and universities. My contention is that churches should primarily and fundamentally concern itself with building the kingdom of God. Education and social mandates should be secondary. Building the kingdom and bringing people to Christ, changing society for better is the primary mandate of the church and anybody who’s a minister of God and forsakes that mandate will be forsaken by God.

NEWS 30 days of prayer for Nigeria

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HE General Overseer and Founder, City Gates Ministry/ Homes, Lagos Prophet Ojo Akigbe-Agge has called for a month of prayers for peace in Nigeria.

In a sermon titled “Be your brother’s Keeper” in his Ajangbadi-based church, he

By Oziegbe Okoeki

said: ‘’I implore you to pray for your nation and their leaders because it is our belief as followers of Christ that only God enthrones leaders. ‘’So even when it is glaring that they do not keep promises as we are currently

experiencing in Nigeria today and we are disenchanted with them, we should not lose hopes but take it to the Lord in prayers.”

The prayer session will involve members of the church in Nigeria, South Africa and Dallas.

It runs from 29th July to 28th August.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

Worship

Church empowers Lagos residents

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HOUSANDS of women and children were all smiles last week as Harvesters International Christian Centre, Lagos, doled out cash and food items, household utensils, clothing and other sundry materials to poor communities in the state.

Tagged Making A Difference, the outreach held in Ilaje, Bariga, Isale-Eko, Palmgroove, Mushin and Oworoshoki parts of Lagos.

Beneficiaries were taken through counselling sessions and given vouchers to shop for items such as bags of rice, beans, garri and other raw foods.

There were also packed, processed and canned foods, household items, utensils, clothes, baby things and others.

Senior Pastor of the church, Pastor Bolaji Idowu, said that the initiative was borne out of the burden to assist and provide succour to the needy in rural communities.

He said: “It is no lie that most Nigerians live below the poverty line as the United Nations indicated that 24.5 million Nigerians are considered rural poor.”

He noted government was doing much to alleviate the situation but said churches must complement such efforts to change Nigeria.

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with adeWale Adefuye

The Vuvuzela: Blowing winds of change

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B

•Beneficiaries at the outreach

By Adeola Ogunlade

According to him, “Nigerians will live above board and fulfil God’s plans and purpose for their lives if the church can complement the efforts of the government in assisting the poor and needy around them.”

He said the counselling session was included because the problem of poverty transcends bread and butter.

Idowu explained: “We have discovered that their needs are more than

food so we want to help them provide guidelines and support them in other areas of their lives.

“The plan is big and we hope to do a daily feeding programme in several part of the world, provide homes where people can stay alive to fulfil God’s plans and purpose for their lives.”

Project Coordinator of MAD, Pastor Dayo Ogunrombi, said that the initiative was founded on the church’s vision to change lives and raise pacesetters for the Lord.

Ogunrombi noted that the church would embark on other development initiatives that will meet spiritual, emotional, educational and career developments of people.

One of the beneficiaries, Taiwo Olofin, said the gesture was re-assuring.

He said: “I have never witnessed this before. At least for once the poor are now being remembered. I hope others would emulate this gesture and give the poor a sense of belonging.’’

By Charity Williams

church’s workers and maiden service held on its campground along the Lagos –lbadan expressway recently.

Ezekiel lamented many churches have forgotten the message of holiness, attributing the prevalent corruption in

the country to this malaise.

He said: ‘’Many churches started by being active and after some time the activeness goes down because the first love is not maintained and the decision churches make always affect the growth of the Nigerian economy. ‘’Ultimately, when rapture happens, churches that

are weak will not partake of the rapture.”

On the prayer camp, he said, ‘‘we are occupying 130 hectares and for now 120 beds where people can sleep and stay for prayer. We are embarking on constructing Banks for business operations, school, hospital and a university.’’

Men jog for Christ, offer medical help

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HE Men’s Fellowship of The Father’s House, Akute, Ogun State, recently embarked on a jogging exercise to promote physical health and call men to complete responsibility.

Clad in beautiful white polo shirts, members of the fellowship marched along the stretch of Ajuwon road, in Akute for the exercise tagged ‘’Jogging with the pastors’’.

They occasionally broke to share a well-designed A8- size paper, chanting ‘’be responsible’’ to their leader’s intermittent shout ‘’Great potentials’’.

The outreach was also designed to evangelise the community.

President of the Fellowship, Bominuru Moses, said the exercise was to encourage healthy living.

He asserted: ‘’We discovered that most men don’t take time to exercise.

So we decided to call the married men of the Father’s

Making Sense of Life

Churches must promote fear of God, says Ezekiel ENERAL Overseer of Christian Pentecostal Mission (CPM), Rev Dr Obiora Ezekiel, has appealed to churches to spread the fear of God and spiritual uprightness without blemishes by harping on them during sermons.

He spoke at the

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By Gbenga Aderanti

House to jog to keep fit. ‘’The people here are professionals from different backgrounds. We can’t just sit down here without impacting our environment. ‘’While we preach to the people here, we also want them to feel our impact, that is why the church has taken it upon itself to provide free medical services to the community.’’

•Some of the men at work

WHAT AND WHERE Church holds annual convention

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HE special convention of the Word Salvation Bible Church (Agbala Ola Jesu) holds from August 5th-28th.

The theme is move forward.

A statement by the church’s secretary, Sister E.

Akinwande, said the convention will feature special ministrations in songs, prayers and the word.

She pointed out that every Friday evening throughout the convention would be a vigil time during which prayers

would be offered for solutions to all nagging problems confronting people.

The event holds at the church auditorium along Unity Street, Off Chairman Street, Agric, Egan-Lagos.

HE first World Cup tournament in Africa will be remembered for a very long time to come.”

“For The Upsets or the vuvuzela?”

“The vuvuzela, the African herald, appears to be blowing winds of change in our continent’s affairs of state and situations, upsetting the status quo.”

“Now you are speaking in parables.”

“Which reminds me of not a few things.”

“And I’m all ears!”

“Trumpet-blowing plays a significant role in Scripture.

First, when God set out to give Man the Ten Commandments, on Mount Sinai, the ceremony was heralded by ‘loud claps of thunder, flashes of lightning, a thick cloud covering the mountain, and an ear-piercing trumpet blast.’

Secondly, when Israel was going to capture Jericho, they did it in a cacophony of sounds. As the trumpets were being sounded, the people walked round the besieged city, once a day, for six days. On the seventh day, they marched slowly around Jericho seven times; then the priests blew the trumpets and the people shouted and the wall collapsed.

Thirdly, South Africa 2010 reminds me of the Second Coming of Christ which will be heralded by ‘the trumpet of God.” “I once read in an obscure verse of Scripture – Leviticus 23:24—that even God instituted a feast of trumpets for ancient Israel to observe.”

“They were blown as well on the Day of Atonement and during the celebration of Jubilee.”

“Before you suggest South Africans are celebrating our golden jubilee of flag independence with us, I should remind you that we have our own way of letting our hair down. Even before the National Assembly approves our N10b vuvuzelaload, we’ve organised a practice session in London.”

“If only we can read the signs... South Africa 2010 has sounded the death knell for the ‘Big Man’ syndrome.”

“Now what has the ‘Big Man’ got to do with football?”

“Did you not see how the generally unknown, young, mobile and hard- working Germans eclipsed the English ‘galaxy of stars’? They marched on to humiliate Argentina, coached by the controversial but newsworthy Diego Maradona.

All these they accomplished without the ‘Big Man’ of the squad, Michael Ballack, who was injured a few weeks before the tournament.”

“So what?”

“Did you not watch how Ghana advanced to the last eight in the absence of its ‘Big Man’ - the injured star Michael Essien of Chelsea? As for Uruguay and Paraguay, two other quarterfinalists, they had no ‘Big Man’, to begin with.”

“Does that mean anything?”

“A lot and so much besides! We clearly see how the first African World Cup has seen stars fail where they were not backed by teamwork: Cameroon, with its ‘Big Man’ Samuel Eto’o of Inter Milan, and Ivory Coast, with ‘Big Man’ Didier Drogba of Chelsea.

The other nations who are doing well – Holland and Spain — have spent the last 10-15 years working and fine-tuning the process of producing world-beaters. Ghana has also endured through discipline and coordination.”

“Good observation!”

“The Germans are now reluctant to have Ballack back on the new team.

“Well ... they’ve done pretty well without him.”

“Lahm, the new captain, wants to keep the armband after the World Cup. He seems to be enjoying himself.”

“But is it not the manager who chooses the captain?”

“Joachim Low, the coach, is quietly concentrating on the tournament and probably doesn’t want to be distracted.”

“Just like in our own case. The President is concentrating on governance and the back team are testing the waters.”

“The vuvuzela is blowing away the era of ‘the big man’ in Africa.”

“Will they be sidelined by injuries or play in a mediocre team?”

“However it happens, the door is now shut to anyone who has ever ruled Nigeria and wants to take her for a ride again.

The vuvuzela also signals the end of an era… and the beginning of another. Young and new power blocs are emerging.

Preparation will count and show at the end of the day, not the so-called incumbency factor. Defending champions have to play in the qualifiers like anyone else.

Italy discovered to its chagrin that new wine is best stored in new bottles. Hosting the World Cup or conducting an election does not confer special privileges or advantages. Host (ing) nations can be kicked out in the first round. “ “…plus, never count out the underdog and the game can be played in full glare of all?”

“O yes. Incumbency and opposition can ‘play’ side-by-side, in the spirit of good sportsmanship.”

“So the trumpet has made a clear sound ...”

“The vuvuzela, ...” “... And he who has ears should hear what the Spirit is saying.”

This article was first published on 11 July 2010 adeWale Adefuye, dean of LifeClass, can be reached at dean@lifeclassonline.org; 070 3002 3002 (SMS only)

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 7, 2011

News

‘Why Christians are against Islamic Banking’

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ATIONAL Secretary of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) Pastor Wale Adefarasin has explained why Christians are kicking against the proposed NonInterest Banking otherwise known as Islamic Banking.

Christians, he said, have ‘’no objection to NonInterest Banking and indeed welcome and encourage it’’.

By Sunday Oguntola

He, however, said the Christians’ objection to the proposal stemmed out of the fact that it will further erode the secularity of Nigeria and lead to the Islamisation of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Adefarasin, in a statement over the weekend, said ‘’the objections being voiced are the Islamisation

of it as a concept and the championing, sponsoring and driving of the very specific ‘’Islamic Banking’’ by the CBN, which by our constitution is a secular body’’.

He urged the CBN to issue guidelines and set parameters that will allow faith-based groups to regulate their banking activities, saying this move will preserve the secularity

of Nigeria since such banks will not be under the supervision of CBN. He pointed out that this is how non-Interest Banks have been functioning in Western nations such as the US and UK without outcries.

He asserted that introducing Islamic Banking under the present guideline smacks of Islamising the CBN and erosion of the secularity of Nigeria.

How to succeed politically, by cleric

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HE Minister-incharge of First Baptist Church, Okaka Oyo State, Rev. Ade Ajayi has urged political office holders to redeem promises made during electioneering campaigns.

He said many ex-office holders ended in penury and suffered unpleasant consequences for betraying the trust reposed in them.

He spoke last week at the thanksgiving service held in honour of the member representing Iseyin, Itesiwaju, Iwajowa and Kajola Constituency in the House of Representatives, Honourable Julius Olabiyi.

Eminent personalities that graced the occasion include the Deputy Governor, Mr. Moses Alake Adeyemo; State Executive Committee members of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) led by the Chairman, Chief Akin Oke; traditional rulers,

From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo

seasoned politicians and ministers of God. In his sermon titled Observation for glorious end, Ajayi urged the lawmaker to always seek divine guidance and be wary of sycophants, evil-minded, and self- centred people bent on enriching themselves at the expense of others.

He said, “It is disheartening that most past political office holders ended up in penury and unfortunate beings because they abandoned God, their creator. ‘’They betrayed the confidence reposed in them by the people who voted them into power. Therefore you need to be watchful, prayerful and learn from mistakes of past leaders. ‘’Whatever campaign promises you made must be fulfilled. Make the people

happy and seek God’s intervention and control at all times.”

He urged people within the constituency not to bombard the legislator with personal needs.

The cleric said: “I want to implore you (the people) not to bombard him (lawmaker) with all your needs. He is a human being who cannot satisfy all your wants. ‘’All he (lawmaker) needs is your prayer and sincerity of purpose and not diabolical plan to see to his downfall. The task is arduous but can only be achieved through prayer, support, honesty and understanding”.

He called for rehabilitation of public primary schools in the areas, which he said are not fit for human habitation.

Ajayi also called for resuscitation of Oke-Ogun FM station to air the views of the people.

Olabiyi recalled that the struggle to liberate the people from subservience and clutches of underdevelopment started twelve years ago.

He attributed his victory to God and his wife, who served as a source of inspiration during the turbulent period.

Olabiyi said, “There is no obstacle that cannot be surmounted with prayers and strong belief in God Almighty. We were pushed to the valley of death by the immediate past PDP-led administration before, during and after the election. ‘’Scores of our supporters were seriously injured, yet the Almighty God gave us the glory today.”

While thanking leaders of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) for their support, Olabiyi pledged not to disappoint his constituents.

No to dialogue with Boko Haram, says group

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GROUP, World Christian Council Association (WCCA), has advised the federal government not to dialogue with members of the Boko Haram sect over bomb explosions in the North.

By Omotayo Babalola

The group’s President, Primate Ayoola Omonigbehin, in a statement last week, said dialoguing with the sect will belittle the government.

It wondered how ‘’a good government can bow or

descend so low to the level of a sect that has no fear of God but is busy destroying lives and properties at random’’.

Rather than engaging the sect, WCCA said the government should dislodge and bring its members to

justice for perpetrating acts of terrorism.

The group also lamented the wanton destructions of lives and properties by the sect, saying its members must face the full wrath of the law for such violence.

Church dedicates auditorium

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N 800-seater ultramodern church auditorium christened Power Seat Sanctuary has been dedicated.

Built by The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Dunamis area, IjuIshaga Lagos, the building boasts of a gallery, children auditorium, five conveniences and offices for ministers of the church.

Special Assistant to the General Overseer of the church, Pastor J.O Obayemi cut the tape to dedicate the magnificent edifice to rousing applause.

Obayemi, who is also the Pastor in charge of Region 2, said the dedication signified the entrance of God to the auditorium.

He spoke on ‘’Let the King of Glory come in’’.

According to him, doubt, unbelief and sin are major hindrances to the presence of God that must be avoided.

He urged Christians to allow God control them, saying He would never be a tenant but a landlord in

anybody’s life.

When God steps into a life or building, Obayemi said there would be peace, solution and favour.

Pastor-in-Charge of RCCG, Lagos Province 17, David Omunagbe expressed joy for the dedication, the first since his assumption.

He thanked his predecessor, Pastor Jacob Oni, for laying a good foundation for the project.

Chairman of the building committee, Bro. Eric Nnam, noted that the church began in 2005 from a 3-bedroom flat.

He recalled that it lost a parcel of land because of

inability to pay a balance of N50, 000.

Nnam said such situation changed when unity, love, transparency, trust and vision were embraced.

He revealed 98.5% of the project expenses were borne by the parish.

‘Women can save Nigeria’

By Yusuf Olalekan

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OMEN have all it takes to rescue Nigeria from sociopolitical backwardness, President of School of Virtue (SOV), Pastor Segun Coker has stated.

He spoke recently during a 3-day national ladies’ camp meeting in Lagos.

Coker pointed out that God has always used women to deliver nations.

He cited Mary Slessor, Mother Theresa and Prophet Deborah as women that God used to save nations.

The cleric appealed to Nigeria’s women to prepare to save the nation from decay.

He said: ‘’Ladies should get prepared for they have been appointed to rescue this world from devastation and immoralities’’.

He called on parents, schools, ministries and government agencies to invest on ladies for the deliverance of the nation.

Over 1,000 ladies drawn from across the nation participated at the camp meeting that featured practical sessions, seminiars and teachings.

MBC holds leadership seminar

A

PUBLIC seminar on the hallmarks of responsible leadership in Nigeria holds on Thursday, August 18 at the Lagos City Hall, Lagos.

Organised by Managing Business for Christ,(MBC), the lecture billed to commence by 11am will be delivered

by Nigeria’s former Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Dr Christopher Kolade.

A statement said the series is intended to contribute to Corporate Nigeria’s discussion on the pathway to right values in leadership and governance.

Church opens Micro Finance Bank

By Yusuf Olalekan

T

HE Gospel Faith Mission International Church (GOFAMINT) has started a micro-finance bank.

General Overseer of the church, Dr Elijah Abina announced this at the opening ceremony of the 55 th anniversary and 46th annual international convention of the church which ended last week.

He said: “N20million has been sent to the Central Bank of Nigeria for the approval -in- principle so that the bank can start operation without any delay.

“N1million has already been paid for the fortification of one of the apartments of the guest house where the bank would be operated.’’

He also disclosed that a team from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will be coming to inspect the facility on ground for proper and official accreditation.

Falsehood won’t deter me - Suswam

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OVERNOR of Benue State Dr Gabriel Suswam has said no amount of falsehood would sway him from his commitment to the provision of infrastructures in the state.

He spoke at the funeral of the late Madam Victoria Atorough at Agbeede in Konshisha local government area.

The Governor stated that while baseless rumours of his arrest and abscondment make the rounds every day, the rehabilitation of streets in Makurdi is being completed.

He announced the construction of classroom blocks in the primary school within the vicinity of the deceased according to her request before she passed on.

Suswam further disclosed that on-going road projects within the area will be completed while also pledging to provide the community with electricity.

Single term will discourage diligence in office-Ositelu

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HE Primate and Metropolitan Archbishop of The Church of The Lord(Aladura) Worldwide, His Eminence, The Most Rev. Dr. Rufus Ositelu has dismissed the proposed single term for president and governors as mere distraction.

Speaking with newsmen ahead of the church’s Tabieorar Conference in Ogere-Remo, Ositelu said the proposal will discourage hard work and social values.

He said, ‘’The proposal of one term of six years for Nigerian politicians will discourage diligence and uprightness in governance and institute official corruption. ’’ It will, no doubt, give an average politician the license to go and loot the treasury for six years. He needs not care since there is no motivation to seek re-election’’.

He said the theme of the forthcoming conference billed to hold from 22nd August is ‘’overflowing blessing’’.

•Pastor Obayemi commissioning the building

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2010

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NATION SPORT ITALIAN SUPER CUP

Joel loses with Inter • Rangers' Steven Davis (L) challenges Chelsea's John Obi Mikel during their pre-season friendly soccer match at Ibrox stadium in Glasgow, Scotland, yesterday.

J

OHN Mikel Obi limped off shortly before halftime in Chelsea’s 3-1 pre-season

win over Rangers to further compound Nigeria’s squad problems.

Mikel was replaced by Josh McEachran after taking a hit on his ankle, and told KickOffNigeria.com shortly before the Blues squad took off to London that the injury is ‘not

Mikel adds to Siasia’s injury woes looking good’.

“It’s my ankle, and it’s not looking good,” Mikel said.

Kalu Uche explains Xamax move

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UPER Eagles midfielder, Kalu Uche has explained the reasons behind his shock decision to Swiss side, Neuchatel Xamax.

Uche joined Xamax on a free transfer from La Liga side, Almeria on Tuesday in a

RESULTS England - League Championship Coventry C.0 - 1 LeicesterC. Brighton 2 - 1 Doncaster Bristol C. 0 - 3 Ipswich T. Burnley 2 - 2 Watford Derby .C 2 - 1Bir’gham C. Mid’brough2 - 2Portsmouth Nottingham 0 - 0 Barnsley Peterborough 2 - 1Crystal.P Reading 2 - 2 Millwall Southampton3 - 1 Leeds U. Italy - Coppa Italia Piacenza 3 - 0 Pontedera Spezia 3 - 0 Valle d´Aosta Italy - Super Cup AC Milan 2 - 1 Inter Milan Germany - Bundesliga I. FC Cologne 0 - 3Wolfsburg Augsburg 2 - 2 Freiburg Hannover 2 - 1 Hoffenheim Stuttgart 3 - 0 Schalke Bremen 2 - 0 Kaiserslautern Hertha BSC 0 - 1 Nurnberg Holland - Eredivisie Kerkrade2 - 1FC Groningen Scotland - Premier League Dundee Utd 1 - 1 St. Mirren Dunfermline 3 - 3 Inverness Denmark - Ekstra Bladet Cup FC Sydvest 1 - 3 Esbjerg Sweden - Allsvenskan Trelleborg 2 - 0 Gefle Finland - Ykkonen OPS jp 1-0 JIPPO PS Kemi 0-1 HIFK PoPa 0-3 PK-35 Czech Republic - 2. Liga Zlin 2-0 Trinec Slovakia - 1. Liga D.Streda 0 - 2 Ruzomberok

deal that will run for the next two seasons.

Almeria was relegated at the end of the 2010/2011 season.

“Yes, I have joined Neuchatel,” Uche said.

“I had two offers from Spain, one from England, one from Turkey and one from China, but I decided to come to Switzerland after I spoke to the coach.

“He is Spanish and he played a big role in convincing me. He told me their plans and how they want to build a strong and competitive team here, and that is better for what I want,” the forward explained.

Uche has had stints with Wisla Krakow and Girondins Bordeaux. He joined Almeria at the start of the 2005 season, scoring 39 goals in 172 games.

A scan will be perfumed to assess the extent of the damage when the squad arrive in London, but it appears the midfielder will now not be available for Nigeria’s friendly fixture against Ghana.

The news will come as a blow to Samson Siasia, who is already contemplating the prospect of being without recalled forward Osaze Odemwingie to the same ankle

injury.

Mikel and Joel Obi have formed an effective partnership in midfield since Siasia took over, and this potential withdrawal could be a big setback.

Potential replacements Nosa Igiebor and Fengor Ogude are having trouble with their travel arrangements, but officials are hopeful things will be sorted.

A

League match against the Wings of Soviet, Nigeria international forward, Victor Obinna says he can’t wait to make his debut for Locomotiv Moscow. ‘’To be honest, I am very hungry for the game. I can not wait to get on the field and make my debut in the championship of Russia. I think I am quite ready for it.

However, the decision in any case rests with the coach, so I can not say for sure, will play tonight against the “Wings of the

Soviets” or not, ‘’ says Obinna to official website of “Locomotive” .

The former Inter Milan player says he is beginning to understand some basic Russian words. ‘’Thank you” “good afternoon”, “good morning”, “good evening”, “Come on, come on,” “calm”, “fast”, “I want”, “beautiful girl”. In general, already quite a lot!’’

Obinna is settled in Moscow; left his hotel room mid July and moved to a two-room apartment.

C

By Akeem Lawal Idowu’s opening leap of 17.07m proved to be his best effort of the day and his only jump over 17 metres. But on a day where US champion Taylor was in top form, Idowu’s mark was easily surpassed by the young talent, who jumped a PB of 17.68m.

Speaking on his disappointing outing, Idowu said, “That wasn’t what I wanted,” said Idowu. “It would have been nice to come here and win and go on to Daegu with a victory, but I’ve

been working quite hard for the last few weeks, done a lot of competitions and I just wasn’t sharp today.”

Oke who formerly represented Britain, had his finest season for Nigeria last year where he went on to win the 2010 African Championships in Nairobi, Kenya with a personal best jump of 17.22m, 1 cm off the Championship record, and to top it off, became the 2010 Commonwealth Games Champion in New Delhi, India with his second furthest jump ever— 17.16m.

• Joel Obi

was ineligible and unable to help suit up for Milan as they claimed their first trophy of the season.

Nwofor’s Venlo move excites Dike ENUGU Rangers manager, Alphonsus Dike is in cloud nine over the signing of his prolific striker, Uche Nwofor

by Dutch Eredivisie sides, VVV Venlo on a three-year deal.

Nwofor is with the Flying Eagles at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Colombia. He came off the bench to score a brace in the 5-2 demolition of Croatia in day two game of group D. Even though Dike claimed that information on Nwofor’s new deal has not been made known to them at the Coal City, he told SuperSport.com that he is happy the young lad has

Nsofor hungry for league HEAD of today’s debut Russian Premier

Tosin Oke shines at Diamond League OMMONWEALTH champion, Tosin Oke, was in great shape on the second day of the Men’s Triple Jump during the Diamond League Grand Prix Athletics meet at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre in London as he took second place with a season’s best of 17.21m.

The Nigerian beat Britain’s World Triple Jump champion Phillips Idowu, who came third.

21-year-old American Christian Taylor came first.

NIGERIAN youngster Joel Obi ended up on the losing side as Inter Milan surrendered a goal to lose the 2011 Italian Super Cup 2-1 to bitter rivals AC Milan.

Obi made his first start of the new season, and looked like he would enjoy a double celebration when Wesley Sneijder handed Inter a first half lead.

But the double winners fell away after their good start, allowing their city rivals to fight their way back into the game and win it with goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Kevin Prince-Boateng.

Obi played for 81 minutes, from a left midfield role.

Compatriot Taye Taiwo

• Nwofor

decided to move on.

“There is no concrete evidence on our side to confirm Nwofor’s new deal with VVV Venlo, but it may have happened on the other side, we are yet to be told formally.

“But I am aware that many clubs have been on his trail, many have shown interest in him, so if it happens I will not surprise.

“We are happy for him, his game has actually improved tremendously, he is a workaholic and will surely succeed.

“We will surely miss him, but that is a challenge on us to get a perfect replacement, that is why we are coaches.”

The former Golden Eaglets’ coach said he was not surprised that his ward is scoring goals in Colombia.

“I was not surprise Nwofor scored two goals against Croatia, I was surprised he did not play in the first game against Guatemala, I am sure he would scored.

“I hope Coach John Obuh will use him against Saudi Arabia and more in the tournament,” he said.

Ondo to host Iroko Soccer Summit

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HE eagerly awaited Frenage Football Club’s talent scouting would now be held in Ondo and Ibadan later this month.

Organisers said the event earlier scheduled for this weekend was postponed in order to adequately cater for thousands of youngsters coming from different parts of the country as well as foreign partners from English Premiership side, Bolton Wanderers.

The program, which has already enjoyed the approval of the Ondo State government, under the astute leadership of His Excellency, Governor Olusegun Mimiko, would be held at two different venues respectively in Ondo and Ibadan.

While Oba Adeyemi College of Education Sports Ground would host the Iroko Soccer Summit in Ondo State between August 29 and September 2, the second leg of the scouting exercise

(exclusively for registered Frenage FC players) will take place at the Odogbo Military Cantonment Stadium, Ojoo in Ibadan on September 3 and 4.

In a release signed by Mr. Biola Bello, the Technical Director of Frenage FC, said that the postponement would allow the organisers to put everything in place for a hitchfree exercise.

“There is always a blessing in some disappointments because the postponement of the talent scout earlier slated to hold between August 8 and 12 has afforded us the opportunity to enlist the support of Ondo State government,” explained Bello.

“Our foreign partners from Bolton Wanderers in the English Premiership are expected in the country on August 27th and every other arrangement is being put in place to ensure a successful exercise in Ondo and Ibadan,” he added.

http://www.thenationonlineng.net

QUOTABLE “The only thing Mustapha was saying was that we visited Aso Rock. Is it an offence for an organisation like NADECO to visit Aso Rock? We did not go to Aso Rock for any gratification to pervert justice over Abiola’s victory. We went there in our official capacity as a serious pro-democracy political platform that fought seriously for a return of democracy to Nigeria”

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2011 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM VOL. 5, NO. 1844

-- Ayo Opadokun, General Secretary of the defunct National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) reacting to Major Hamzat Al-Mustapha bribery allegation against some Yoruba leaders

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NCE, there was John Gay’s Beggar’s Opera, which was more like an antiopera work designed to satirise the dominant and popular Italian opera in London in the early 18th century. As a ballad opera, it aped grand operatic methods and themes to push its dramatic messages across using familiar musical tunes and characters. That message was to ridicule Italian opera and the London crowd that enjoyed it. Then, there was also The Threepenny Opera, an ideological work by the German dramatist, Bertolt Brecht, which is interestingly an adaptation of John Gay’s Beggar’s Opera. Regarded as an epic theatre, or dialectical theatre, as Brecht himself preferred to call it, it uses musical comedy to offer a Marxist critique of capitalist way of life.

And now, there is the Liar’s Opera, not yet written of course, but is envisioned as a purely dialectical opera that uses jurisprudential techniques and circumlocution to establish how far from the truth a suspect can stray in order to establish his innocence, and how long a dead person can stay dead in order to be found guilty of conspiracy.

There is of course nothing satirical or ideological about this opera that is starring Major Hamza al-Mustapha. If anything, it shares affinity with Constantin Stanislavski’s naturalistic form of theatre, which tends to keep the audience absorbed and entranced in its fictional world. The question many are asking, as Mustapha mounts the witness stand, is: where does reality stop; and where does fiction start?

But there is absolutely no question that notwithstanding the anticlimax of Thursday, as the army major played the video tape of supposedly incriminating evidence, everyone was enraptured by the accused’s solid theatrical performance, and will continue to be if he dishes out similar hypes and anticlimaxes.

Major Mustapha, the reader will recall, is being tried for the alleged 1996 murder of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, wife of the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential poll, MKO Abiola. Two years later, Kudirat’s husband, Abiola himself, was murdered in custody.

No one is on trial or even under investigation for that murder; but Mustapha and Kudirat’s aide, Alhaji Lateef Sofolahan, are in court accused of murdering Kudirat. Few are concerned with Sofolahan’s trial, even though his trial should offer deeper insight into what took place or didn’t on the day Kudirat was murdered. Everyone is obsessed with Mustapha, perhaps because his trial has wearied many judges, and for the 11 years or so he has been in custody, has cost the taxpayers so much without any corresponding benefit of either an acquittal or a conviction.

More importantly, having worked as the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the late Gen

Mustapha and the Liar’s Opera

•Mohammed Bello Adoke

•Major Hamza al-Mustapha

Sani Abacha in a sensitive and highly visible and important position, Mustapha seems instinctively to know what staple the public should be fed on without the fear of their ever growing tired of the monotonous diet. After more than a decade of rigmaroles, in which he did his best to avoid a trial, Mustapha has decided to enjoy himself to the last for as long as the show lasts. It is not known whether he has more jokers up his sleeves, but so far he has released a few, couched in all the histrionics he could muster.

Humungous amount of money, he said, was taken from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to settle Yoruba leaders in order to silence them after the death of MKO Abiola.

He mentioned definite sums, but he has been unable to provide both proof of the withdrawal of the money and the beneficiaries, perhaps because, as he put it, national security could be threatened. He said he would play video recordings of Yoruba leaders who visited Sani Abacha’s successor, Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar, insinuating that the Yoruba leaders might have collected some money to gloss over the famous ‘murder.’

Some other nuggets he released are: that Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, until recently the boss of EFCC, tried to murder him; that Abdulsalami Abubakar was eager to get Chief Olusegun Obasanjo executed after his

trial for coup plotting; and that Abiola was to be murdered on the same day Abacha died.

It was this serialised release of moderate bombshells that got the curious Lagos public thronging the High Court where the trial was being held. Mustapha always gave the impression he was not going to release crucial information he feared would damage national security, but the ones he has given so far have neither damaged the people he accused, nor helped his own case.

Both he and his counsel have indeed given the impression so far that they are more interested in throwing caviar to the general than in focusing on their case. Perhaps when both lawyer and defendant have gravely damaged their case, and are fearful they might lose, they would forsake sentiments about national security and release the real bombshells they seem to be holding back.

The bombshells expected of him are not the ones that implicate Yoruba leaders in the murder, or insinuate their acquiescence; or even evidence that conclusively show Yoruba leaders taking money, for no ethnic group is above been bought or sold; or the ones proving his innuendo that Abiola was murdered under Abdulsalami. Even if Mustapha is able to prove all the foregoing, he would only have done immense service to the country, but not himself.

Obasanjo and the trial of Mubarak

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URING last week’s African Leadership Conference in Mombassa, Kenya, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was reported to have taken exception to the treatment meted out to the former President of Egypt, Hosni Mubarak. The former Egyptian leader had been put in a steel cage at his appearance before a judge trying him, his sons, and other accomplices for corruption and the murder of peaceful protesters early this year. The 83-year-old Mubarak was brought to court on a stretcher. There was no doubt he was frail, and it was evident that the man who ruled Egypt for about 29 years, and was regarded as the most powerful man in the Middle East, was humiliated by the manner he was hauled to court in a steel docket.

Obasanjo’s observation was obviously not misplaced. The steel cage was not to protect Mubarak; it was to humiliate him. As far as Obasanjo is concerned, that humiliation does not help the image of Africa. I agree.

It is possible that next time Mubarak comes before the judge, he will not be in a steel cage.

But Obasanjo’s observation was not altruistic; it was patrician. The former Nigerian president, who himself ought to be tried for the Odi (Bayelsa State) massacre and the Zaki Biam (Benue State) outrage, has a very shallow understanding of what constitutes the African image. That image does not inhere only in African leaders; it inheres also in the African governed class. The former’s image is not independent of the latter’s. If African leaders will not treat their followers with the dignity that Europeans and Americans have taken for granted for their peoples and leaders, it is contradictory, irrational and illogical to expect that when they fall from grace they will meet with the dignity they were not accustomed to giving their people.

Obasanjo wasn’t really concerned about the image of Africa, for his policies and orientation, as well as those of his fellow African leaders, have always humiliated their people and are unable to rise to the civilised standards the world expects. More than anything, he was concerned that as a former

leader, the myth of the sacrosanctity of African leaders should be sustained. Africa is degraded not because the people maltreat their leaders, but because the leaders misuse their people. When Mubarak was killing 850 unarmed protesters in Cairo’s Tahir Square, what disapproval did Obasanjo offer? When Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi was mowing down his people protesting for freedom, what faint rebuke did Obasanjo give his former colleague? The steel cage in which Mubarak lay last week is comparatively more tolerable than the coffins with which he entombed his countrymen in February.

Chief Obasanjo makes annoying claims, irritating allusions and comparisons, and has repeatedly shown that in spite of his braggadocio on African leadership theories he is clearly overrated both as an administrator and as a thinker. Most of the time, he has nothing to say. He and his tattered reputation would be considerably improved by keeping quiet even in the face of the most testing provocation.

Mustapha is required to disprove the state thesis that he knows a thing or two about the murder of Kudirat. Other than saying he knows nothing about the woman’s killing, which is like saying nothing, Mustapha has so far done precious little to help himself, at least in the eyes of the public he wishes so eagerly to court and please.

The trial is still young. Maybe the tactics of the defendant’s counsels is to first woo the crowd to their side with fallacies and imageries before opening up a fusillade on the prosecution and then sweeping all of us, judge and public, off our wobbly feet.

Given the impatience of the crowd in the court room to see the face of the newest whistle-blower in town, the frantic and premature campaign by Dr Frederick Fasehun for the government to discontinue the case on the implausible ground of the venerated totem of national security, and the obsessive attention the media is paying to the case, we are in for a truly exasperating but interesting time.

Like the judge, whom we do not envy, we are called upon by the highly politicised circumstances of the case to disentangle the demagoguery with which Mustapha and his legal team are seeking to wrap their case from the simple reality of what happened in government leading to the decision to take Kudirat’s life. Let Mustapha gallivant to the extremes of national security all he can, and let as many top people as possible foolishly campaign for his freedom, the state acting on our behalf has a responsibility to establish the truth or get as close to it as it can manage. That would not just be justice for the dead woman who cannot speak for herself, or justice for the other dead whose characters are being sullied by innuendoes; it would be justice for us the living whose lives have sometimes been so cheaply and casually taken by reckless government officials.

Flip-flopping on Boko Haram dialogue

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HILE inaugurating an eight-man committee to probe insecurity in Borno and other states in the Northeast, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, emphasised that the job of the committee was to map out a plan for achieving peace in the region, not to go and dialogue with the Boko Haram terrorist group. The government was not averse to dialogue, he said, but only if the committee’s findings led in that direction.

There appears to be a consensus in many parts of the Northeast and Northwest that Boko Haram requires negotiations, not the use of force. What crime would, therefore, qualify for the application of firm law enforcement? Apparently none. Worse, there is also a consensus in those parts that the Niger Delta militancy problem was essentially the same as the harrowing poverty and alienation in the Northeast. The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Mohammad Sa’ad Abubakar, seems to have bought into this analysis when he gave his strongly worded opening remarks at a conference in Kaduna on July 28. The violence in the Northeast was not caused by Boko Haram, he said.

From all indications, I suspect that the government expects the committee to recommend dialogue with Boko Haram and to identify the people to dialogue with. It will get its wish.

But we are not fooled that this will not amount to a mindless capitulation. Opponents of dialogue with Boko Haram have said President Goodluck Jonathan’s presidency will be defined by his approach to the Boko Haram menace. I don’t think so. The president is a very cautious man. He will not rock the boat, and he will continue to second-guess the powerful interests in the country and satisfy them. It will not matter what it costs the nation. And when he is inspired into definitive action, which will not be too often, it will not be such as would lead him to establish a doctrine of refusing to negotiate with terrorists who kill fellow Nigerians; his inspiration will instead propel him towards nugatory ideas like single term.

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Editor - 08050498530, Marketing: 4520939, Abuja Office: Plot 5, Nanka Close AMAC Commercial Complex, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja. Telephone: 07028105302 E-mail: sunday@thenationonlineng.net Editor: LEKAN OTUFODUNRIN