The Nation August 24, 2014

Newspaper of the Year

Ebola threat: Supporters defy Jonathan, hold rally in Ibadan UN to assist Liberia, others

–Page 4

U-20Women’s Cupfinal: Falconets meet Germany today –Page 78

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Vol.09, No. 2950

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

SUNDAY

AUGUST 24, 2014

N200.00

The South West rally by the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) held in Ibadan yesterday.

Photo: NAN

Suicide bombers may dress as Catholic priests, Military warns –Page 4

Boko Haram to shift base from Sambisa Ogun shuts Olabisi Onabanjo varsity –Page 12

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WHERE ARE THE CHIBOK GIRLS KIDNAPPED ON APRIL 15?

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 24, 2014

PAGE 2 Owner gets stolen life-size statue of Obama back

CAPTURED

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OLICE have returned a life-size statue of President Barack Obama that went missing from its owner's northeastern Pennsylvania porch and was found a few days later reclining on a nearby park bench with a six-pack of Twisted Tea. The owner, Tiffany Bruce, says she was relieved to get it back.

The statue, purchased at a furniture store last year, depicts Obama smiling and sitting casually, his legs crossed and his right arm flung out. Bruce decorated the statue as Santa Claus on Christmas and arranged pumpkins around him on Thanksgiving.

She says her five children love the statue, and she was startled enough by the theft to be hospitalised for a panic attack. The furniture store's employees had been planning to replace it with another statue for free.

School on the street?

These kids should be in school but here they are on Lagos streets hawking. What has happened to the law barring hawking and by school age kids especially? According to the UNESCO Education for All Global Monitoring Report (EAGMR), Nigeria holds the world record of having the highest number of its young people out of school. This it puts at 10.5 million.

Photo: MUYIWAHASSAN

BAROMETER sunday@thenationonlineng.net

Heretics of Nasarawa

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FTER failing disastrously in its convoluted and now apparently interminable battle to impeach Governor Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State, the state House of Assembly has finally gone berserk. The struggle by the Peoples Democratic Party-

dominated assembly to get rid of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governor began sometime last month, though inklings of the premeditated plot now believed to be inspired by the Goodluck Jonathan presidency were first heard in February. Unexpectedly, it will be recalled, the governor outfoxed the lawmakers by extricating himself from the Assembly's noose.

By the time the state Chief Judge, Suleiman Dikko, set up the investigative panel to look into the allegations against the governor, it was already too late to preempt him, not to talk of overturning his actions. Consequently, the sevenman panel exonerated the governor from all blame. Had the lawmakers then licked their wounds and let sleeping dogs lie, they prob-

ably would have left some favourable impression in the minds of the public. Instead, they resolved not to let bad enough alone.

Unable to get Justice Dikko to reverse himself before, during and after the panel's investigations, they have now unconstitutionally resolved to ask the vacation judge standing in for the Chief Judge to constitute another panel in their loathsome determination to nail the governor at any cost. Here again the lawmakers have met with unexpected difficulties. So, they have clumsily and indulgently petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC) to punish Justice Dikko.

But whether in their effort to arm-twist the vacation judge or mislead the NJC, it is hard to

understand why and how the lawmakers don't reel under the weight of their own folly and excesses. Do they presume that the stand-in judge is immune or indifferent to the political intrigues of the PDP dominated assembly? Do they think the NJC is full of dimwits who can't tell the difference between crazy political plots and noble judicial exercises? It is unlikely the Nasarawa House of Assembly can find a judge to do their untidy bidding. And certainly, they are even more unlikely to receive anything but thorough tongue-lashing from the NJC. The lawmakers have not just portrayed themselves as immature and incompetent, they have betrayed the fact the presidency has tried to hide, to wit, that the plot is not just a brainwave of the Assembly but a direct and indecent plot by President Jonathan's government to create a national framework and atmosphere for his re-election.

It is not certain how much infamy Nigerians can tolerate

Discordant tunes on Chibok girls

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VERYONE knows how unpleasantly the Goodluck Jonathan government perches on the horns of a dilemma on the matter of the Chibok abductions. Everyone knows how difficult it is for the president to make up his mind for good causes, and how strangely effortlessly he makes up his mind when it comes to wreaking vengeance on his enemies and unhorsing his foes. Alas, if two events that happened last week are anything to go by, we may be on our way to persuading the president to plunge into a lake of fire.

First is the birthday interview given by former military ruler, Gen Ibrahim Babangida last week in which he suggested very vigorously that the Jonathan government should not negotiate with Boko Haram. For a government won-

dering whether on account of its impotence in rescuing the girls it should not enter into some sort of negotiations, it is now likely to feel encouraged to stand pat on its do-nothing posture. It is not clear whether if Gen Babangida's and President Jonathan's daughters were abducted by Boko Haram and restrained under harsh conditions for more than 100 days they would be as smug about the moral imperatives of negotiating with terrorists.

But perhaps more confusing for the Jonathan government is the obviously illogical and ill-considered opinion of the BringBackOurGirls campaigners who, perhaps out of frustration, have called on the president to launch a military campaign to rescue the girls and end the stalemate. According to the group, since the government won't negotiate with the

terrorists for reasons best known to it, it no longer mattered whether any of the girls get hurt in a rescue effort since in any case they are probably kept in uncertain and perhaps more hurtful conditions. For a group that has kept its head for more than 100 days of graceful and noble campaign, it is surprising they could make this precipitate suggestion.

Let them stick to the spirit of the campaign: that the government should rescue the girls unhurt.

However, whatever anyone might say, whether Gen Babangida or the BringBackOurGirls campaigners, the Jonathan government must have no illusions what its responsibility in the matter is. The girls must be returned to their parents unhurt, and very soon too. For the government, which claims to know where the girls are but has not substanti-

from their rulers before their prolonged anguish is brought to an end. Who, for instance, can contemplate without his heart bleeding the legislative coup masterminded by the Adamawa House of Assembly, whose arrowhead, the boisterous and immoderate Umaru Fintiri, now Acting Governor, is about to be surprised by the manipulative PDP leaders in Abuja? By the presidency's calculations, the more states come firmly under the control of the PDP, the brighter the chances of President Jonathan who is set to declare his interest for a second term in the next few days.

By all means, let President Jonathan contest in 2015, and let the PDP continue to plot to drive the country insanely towards a one-party state.

But in the name of God, let them work towards their disgraceful goals like men and women, party and leaders, possessing class and dignity.

Oba Akiolu's bombshell

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ated the revelation, has been extremely slothful in the matter so far. It can take rash action if it wishes, but we will hold it responsible should the action misfire.

MARTING from the allegation that he was one of the Yoruba Obas that benefited from the Sani Abacha government, Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos has threatened to shake Nigeria after the 2015 general elections. Speaking at a book presentation in Lagos last week, Oba Akiolu angrily told his audience that he would expose Yoruba Obas who actually benefited from that infamous government. History would love this washing of dirty royal linens in public if only to confirm a most ignoble period in Yoruba history when some royal fathers profited from the distress of their son, MKO Abiola. Let Oba Akiolu not forget to redeem his pledge when the time comes.

By ADEKUNLE ADE-ADELEYE

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 24, 2014

COLUMN

Stellar in the time of Ebola

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N the time of Ebola, there is something to be said about the quintessential Nigerian spirit after all.

There are moments when a particular passage encapsulates all that is noble and heroic about a suffering society. Such has been the death from Ebola infection of Stella Folashade Ameyo Adadevoh. This is one death that shows how the human spirit can rise above its shabby surroundings into the stellar plane of astral possibilities. We shall be mourning this heroic doctor for a long time.

It has been noted that unhappy is the land without a hero. To this has been added the famous quip that it is the land in search of heroes that is unhappy indeed. However this may be, it must be noted that in this season of politicians without ideal or the stout convictions that power genuine politics, in this season of political harlots changing parties in a manner reminiscent of babies changing nappies, Nigeria may well need more heroes.

Dr Adadevoh was not even on duty on the fateful afternoon that brought the hapless Sawyer to our shores. But as the most senior doctor around, she had insisted on attending to the footloose Liberian. When he died, she had prevented his corpse from being transited through the same route of infamy and state dereliction which had seen him evade sanitary surveillance in two countries, Liberia and Nigeria respectively.

This would probably have triggered off a humanitarian catastrophe for Nigeria. By so doing and by sacrificing her own life in the process, Ms Stella Adadevoh probably prevented thousands of her compatriots from going under in a monstrous plague.

It doesn’t get more stellar than that.

It is tempting to dismiss Mr Patrick Sawyer as a madman—as President Goodluck Jonathan did in a moment of angst and anger. But Sawyer is a prime parable for the post-colonial condition, an example of stricken humanity escaping from the concrete horrors of a diseased African nation in the post-colonial epoch. Under the tyranny of underdevelopment and Stone Age medical facilities, people must seek liberty. It is a pity that in seeking salvation, Mr Sawyer almost brought epidemic damnation on a whole nation.

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LITTLE over a fortnight ago while Snooper was traversing the length and breadth of Osun State, the mind went back to a remarkable incident which occurred in the historic junction town very close to Ife during the summer holiday of 1964.

These days, the ancient town centre has been bypassed by the dual carriage way linking Ibadan with Ilesha and on to Akure and Owo. But in those days, the old route cut through the heart of the town, or let us say that the town was built around this vital artery linking the west to the east. It used to be sheer pleasure watching the mammoth Gaiser vehicles and huge Armels coaches

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EADING maketh a man.

Books are the fertilising manure for the inner landscape of humanity. Just as a modern society cannot make much progress without requisite knowledge production, a person who has forsworn reading cannot make much progress in the development of the thinking faculty and the rational facilities that come with this. This is what separates humankind from the lower animals.

Increasingly, this is turning out to be the epoch of “bukuru” people.

Our apian and simian cousins are also very smart and sometimes profoundly cunning, but the very idea of signifying monkeys and reading apes is a violent oxymoron. This is the bane of many of those who aspire to lead us in the millennium of

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nooping around With

Tatalo Alamu

•Dr Ameyo Adadevoh

The greater pity is that despite the bravest efforts of Madam Eileen Sirleaf, Liberia is yet to return to its pre-military coup stability and prosperity. This is a lesson for Nigeria and other African countries that support and prop up sadistic tyrants without the mental magnitude to rule even a hamlet. In an increasingly globalised world in which time and space are virtually obliterated, those who sow the whirlwind must expect to reap its grim repercussions before the old African cock crows.

It is a cause for sober reflection that despite its parlous state, there are many African people and nations that still regard Nigeria as the medical and political Mecca of the Black race. The late Sawyer was one of these. Casting vituperative aspersions on him and his nation is particularly ungracious and graceless. To whom much is given, much is expected. It is like a delinquent elder brother crying that he did not choose to come first and therefore should not be held responsible for the fate of his younger siblings.

The Ebola virus was first discovered around the Congo River in the

late seventies. Almost 40 years after, no African nation has taken the lead in cutting edge medical research to find a cure. The trail has only thrown up a long tapestry of quacks and medical mountebanks profiting from their people’s misery while pocketing international research grants.

In the case of Nigeria, this can only be so since a sizable number of its highly trained medical personnel had already absconded abroad, fleeing from the inferno of national ruination. In a show of diluted and adulterated sovereignty, we have been cadging and appealing to America and the international community to come to our aid and to release an experimental drug which is the product of arduous research and medical labour in other climes. What is the worth of the independence of all African nations?

The point to note is that until Nigeria and one or two African countries rise and rouse themselves to fulfil their manifest destiny as the medical, educational and technological hub of the con-

The Day of the Salamander

(An Afternoon with Emmanuel Ifeajuna)

winging their way through town as they journeyed towards the bush meat resort of Agbanikaka and beyond.

Among youthful holiday makers, vehicle-spotting was a delightful pastime.

It was at the town centre that a rousing tragic-comedy occurred just a little over 50 years ago. The town’s local enforcer, a burly scoundrel of a police inspector, had rammed his old, fuming banger into the backside of a gleaming, sporty car with a lone occupant. But rather than apologise, the

rogue bully jumped out and started hurling insults and invectives on the owner of the car daring him to do his worst.

We all held our breath as the solitary driver took it all in the chin, with his chin resting on his palm in a gesture of calm affront and outrage. But after tiring of the man’s thuggish and drunken buffooneries, the lone driver quietly opened the door revealing a man of medium height, superbly athletic build and a curious air of authority. With

tinent, Africa will continue to be seen as the poster boy for all that is dark and disagreeable about humanity.

On current showing, particularly given the dismal and dissolute nature of the Nigerian ruling class, that golden age of the Black person will continue to be a pipe dream.

But it is morning yet on creation day. The sterling example of Ameyo Adadevoh speaks to the glorious possibilities of the untapped heroic potentials and moral resources available to the crippled African nation once it gets its act together. There is a particularly poignant irony about her example coming at a time when the entire medical workforce of the nation has downed tools in agitation for better service condition and the government has as usual wielded the big axe by purporting to sack all of them.

In the old world of sturdy values and ordered societies, nobility was said to have its obligation. The late doctor belonged to the old Nigerian nobility. No one could have come from a more distinguished pedigree.

Daughter of the notable physician Professor Adadevoh, great grand daughter of the illustrious Herbert Macaulay, the father of modern Nigerian nationalism, and great great grand daughter of the immortal Bishop Ajayi Crowther, she could not have been sired from a more illustrious lineage.

There cannot be a more appropriate time to ask whatever happened to the modern rationality-driven society these great men were trying build. The old bishop, after being miraculously reprieved from international slavery, went on to pioneer the translation of the bible into Yoruba language. With his fiery oratory and the irreverent aplomb with which he put the colonial masters in their place, Herbert Macaulay stirred the spirit of nationalism in the new nation.

All we have as cultural inheritance today is the vestigial remains of

the great African society these illustrious visionaries were trying to build and the occasional heroic example of their solitary heirs. Having directly or indirectly experienced the tragedy of modern slavery, and having been rescued by total strangers, these men knew that in a rational, equity-driven society, the brotherhood of humankind is superior to the fraternity of tribal affiliation and primordial kinships.

There was a country indeed. But before our very eyes, Nigeria has descended into a whirlpool of savage irrationality with skull-grinding ritualists on the prowl, with eyegouging kidnappers on the loose and with a particularly irresponsible political class pretending to order the affairs of the nation even as it sinks further into dismal despondency and Stone Age indignities.

All hope is not lost. The road to restitution may be long and arduous. But it can be reached by a determined society. Once again, it has taken the tragic heroism of an exemplary Nigerian to remind us of what it means to do our duty to the nation. This is one of those unique occasions that Goodluck Jonathan ought to have milked for its maximum symbolic possibilities and redemptive aura. He ought to have been nudged by his handlers to make a national broadcast as a tribute to heroic and paradigm-shifting courage.

At the very least, the late medical practitioner should be accorded befitting posthumous recognition.

In death, she ought to be granted one of the nation’s highest honours.

Thereafter, a befitting national medical institution should be named after her. This is the only way to secure a very shaky future and to guarantee that the labour of our heroes shall not be in vain. May the soul of this noble woman rest in perfect peace.

jaunty steps, the man went to the boot of the car and brought out the ceremonial sword of the Nigerian Army.

“I am Captain Emmanuel Ifeajuna of the Nigerian Army. You will now behave yourself”, the man announced with a crisp clear cut intonation. The local bully neighed like a frightened horse even as his massive body lurched forward in drunken salute.

Then he fell to the ground and started rolling on the floor wondering in hyperbolic vernacular whether he had not slaughtered himself.

The mystery officer took a look at the crumpled thug and shook his head in generous indignation. His

eagle-eyed scanning must have convinced him that the damage to his car was negligible. With the same calm composure, he put his sword back in the boot and entered his car, driving off to spontaneous applause from the crowd.

The bully left town not long afterwards, but the balloon had suffered a fatal pin prick. As for the mystery captain, he was to enter national folklore a year and half later as one of the five majors that spearheaded the military mutiny of January, 15, 1966. Almost two years later, the flying Nigerian of the 1956 Commonwealth Games at Melbourne was dead, himself shot as a coup plotter in Biafra.

What are you reading, please? increasingly sophisticated knowledge production. The rise of counterhegemonic knowledge often makes our rulers very ordinary and sometimes downright stupid.

Thanks to the internet revolution, the reading and learning process has undergone some radical and even revolutionary restructuring. Nowadays, you can read whole books and articles on the net. But there is still no substitute for the solid tome in front of you with the raw smell of its powerful currency. There is an orgiastic dimension to the opening of a new book with its hint of conquest and power acquisition. In the copious mating of minds, certain authors and

writers become lifelong lovers.

Snooper reads books as if there is no tomorrow, and with a punitive passion. It must be confessed that sometimes, a lot of these books are mnemonically stolen from libraries and bookshops, so to say, by standing for hours and absorbing their essential content. This was a habit acquired from desperate youth which has refused to go away. There used to be a legendary professor of Physics at Ife who was so poor as a youth that he acquired his tertiary degree by going to the library and directly downloading the abstruse and impossible equations into his

brains.

Yours sincerely is currently reading two books. Frank Kokori’s memoir on the express orders of Aremo Olusegun Osoba, and a beautiful twin-tome from Chuka Momah, one of Nigeria’s greatest sports writers ever. There will be more on these books in this column. In the last 12 months, Snooper has read the memoir of Justice Somolu, Ambassador Oladapo Fafowora, Smolette Alamu, Chief Akindele and the war memoir of General Alabi-Isama among others.

In Pa Akindele’s memoirs, the most hilarious but chilling moment came when the tempestuous and

irascible Brigadier Murtala Mohammed blitzed into his office service pistol blazing. Without any formality, Mohammed warned the old man that he would shoot him anytime he had the temerity to query his memo again. Akindele wondered whether if his military commission had come through, Mohammed would have had the audacity to threaten his superior officer. As head of state, the general later duly apologised to the old man.

Such are the joys of reading. If we are ever to achieve our potential as a country, we must bring back the old Public Library system in its modern incarnation. As usual, the proactive Lagos State government is already taking some steps in this direction.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 24, 2014

NEWS

OKO Haram is on the move from its Sambisa fortress in Borno State.

It is heading towards Southern Borno with several towns and villages already seized by its insurgents. Its members, and possibly captives,are dispersed in such places .

Gwoza is the most prominent of the towns thus seized.

A top security source described the situation last night as scary.

The source said the ‘security situation’ in Gwoza and some other parts of the state was worsening.

Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the insurgents, who were encouraged by their recent capture of Gwoza and surrounding villages, have been advancing fast to the southern part of the state.

Towns like Askira/ Uba, Bayo, Biu, Chibok, Damboa, Shani, Kusar, Kwayu and Hawul are their immediate targets.

“The insurgents have been rapidly taking over

Anxiety as Boko Haram relocates from Sambisa Forest •Moves to capture Southern Borno

FROM: Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

towns and villages in Southern Borno which were hitherto safe from terror attacks.”Unless urgent action is taken by the federal government, they might be in total control of the southern part,” the source said.

“The situation is getting worse because the military, the police and other security agencies have no access to towns and villages overrun by the insurgents.

“Only a comprehensive military campaign can save the entire Borno State from falling into the hands of the insurgents.”

But a military source said: “There is no way the insurgents can take over Borno.We will reclaim anywhere they may be temporarily rampaging.

“We will not unfold our plans but we will surely liberate these areas.”

Sambisa Forest has been the focus of intense covert surveillance by the military, and the foreign experts sent by the United

States of America (USA) and other western nations to assist in locating the over 200 school girls abducted in the April 14 attack by Boko Haram elements on the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.

It is believed that the girls were taken to the forest which has also served as the training camp of the sect.

Over four months after

their abduction, the girls are yet to be located.

The relocation of the insurgents from forest has raised anxiety about the fate of the girls.

The federal government has repeatedly said that patience is crucial in rescuing the girls as using force will endanger their lives.

The Mail of London reported on Wednesday that the Royal Air Force was sending three fighter jets to

help in locating the girls.

The RAF Tornado GR4s equipped with surveillance facilities, according to the newspaper, will undertake “reconnaissance missions” over the Sambisa Forest where the girls are believed to be held.

Besides, the jets are expected to help the Nigerian authorities in tracking the movements of the insurgents.

The mission is, however, dependent on one of Nigeria’s neighbours allowing Britain the use of its runway.

Suicide bombers may dress as Catholic priests, Military warns

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ERRORISTS may be up to a new trick in their suicide bombing mission in the country, the Department of State Security (DSS) warned yesterday.

The agency said the next set of suicide bombers may disguise as Catholic Sisters after unidentified persons broke into a tailor’s shop in Kano, carting away 13 pieces of sisters’ outfit.

It could not understand what a non-sister would want to do with the dresses other than to threaten the peace of the country.

It therefore warned the public to be watchful.

The DSS in a statement by its spokesman, Marilyn Ogar said female suicide bombers might put on the dresses to bomb some unsuspecting targets.

She said the unidentified persons broke into the tailor’s shop located at No. 55, Odutola Street, Sabon Gari, Kano during the week.

“With the recent trend of female suicide bombings in the country, the theft of these regalia heightens concerns about the possibility of terrorist elements using same to perpetrate acts of terror,” she

From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

said.

She asked everyone to “be more circumspect and exercise greater vigilance with users of such peculiar attires.”

She also urged co-operation by all with law enforcement agencies through the provision of useful information on suspicious activities within their immediate environment.

Recent bomb blasts in Kano and Kaduna were carried out by female terrorists.

Meanwhile, the police have opened investigation into the alleged attempt on the life of the Commandant General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mr. Ade Abolurin.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Ojukwu, said the outcome of the investigation would be made public in due course.

The NSCDC, had raised accused an unnamed Police Inspector of attempting to open fire on its Commandant General Mr. Ade Abolurin.

The Corps claimed that the said police inspector also threatened the lives of over 200 persons that were with the NSCDC boss at the time.

Nasarawa to train 50 women

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O fewer than 50 women in Nasarawa State will benefit from a skill acquisition programme organised by the state Directorate of Employment.

The coordinator of the Directorate, Monday Daylop, who stated this at the weekend, said that the women will acquire skills on using local fabrics to make fashionable shoes and bags.

Daylop explained that the idea behind the initiative is to make the beneficiaries rely more on themselves in the country.

He spoke while declaring open a two- week skill

From: Johnny Danjuma, Lafia

acquisition training programme.

The initiative, he stated, will also help arrest unemployment in the state.

The General Manager, Nasarawa State Vocational and Relevant Technology Board, Ibrahim Adamu, commended the federal government for organising the workshop to reduce unemployment in the State.

He expressed the government’s readiness to collaborate with the Directorate to fight unemployment, youth restiveness and poverty in the state.

•From left: PDP chieftain Chief Olabode George; Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide; Secretary to Government of the Federation, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim and Leader, House of Representatives, Mulikat Akande-Adeola, at the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) rally in Ibadan…yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

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Ebola threat: Supporters defy Jonathan on directive

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan’s August 8th directive that political groups should stay action on rallies as part of the strategy to contain the spread of Ebola in the country does not appear to hold water even among his supporters.

For the second week running, Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), which is campaigning for a second term for him, yesterday held a rally in Ibadan on why he ought to go for re-election next year.

The president had, while spelling out measures to contain Ebola, asked religious and political groups, spiritual healing centres, families, associations and other bodies to “in the meantime, discourage gatherings and activities that may unwittingly promote close contact with infected persons or place others at

•Hold rally in Ibadan From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

risk.”

Following the directive, many religious bodies have had to scale down their programmes which ordinarily should have drawn thousands of people.

Like the TAN maiden rally in Awka, Anambra State penultimate Saturday, the Ibadan gathering drew a large number of PDP chieftains.

Among these were Chief Olabode George, former governor of Oyo Statýe, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to the President, Dr Doyin Okupe, House of Reps leader, Mulikat Adeola-Akande, Deputy Chief Whip Senate, Hosea Agboola, Chief of

Staff to the President, BrigGen James Arogboofa (rtd), Minister for Agriculture, Dr Akinwumi Adesina and Otunba Iyiola Omisore.

Also in attendance were Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Abduljelili Adesiyan, Minister of State for Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, Special Adviser to President on Niger Delta, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, Senator Ayo Adeseun, former Senate Leader Teslim Folarin and former Speaker, House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole.

The Director of Research of TAN, Mr. Kunle Fagbemi, said at the rally that similar ones are to follow in Southsouth, Northwest, Northeast and Northcentral.

He said the organisation was formed to ensure the continuation of the transformation agenda of President Jonathan.

Akande-Adeola, George, Oloye Akinjide, Adesina, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, Kingsley Kuku, all urged President Jonathan to re-contest in 2015ý with a view to continuing his transformation of the country.

They appealed to the Southwest people to rally their support for President Jonathan to be re-elected in 2015 in order to achieve memorable transformation in the region.

President Jonathan was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim.

He thanked the people of Southwest for their unflinching support and promised never to disappoint them.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 24, 2014

NEWS

PPA chief lampoons Kalu for attacking Orji

Omisore can’t win at tribunal, Osun APC declares

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ACTIONAL deputy national chairman of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), Ogbuishi Benjamin Oborota, has described a recent press attack by former Abia State governor, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, on incumbent Governor Theodore Orji as “myopic and an afterthought”.

Reacting to Kalu’s description of Orji as a chameleon, Oborota said the write up was “an expose to the shallowness of the former governor who maintained a chief of staff for eight years without discovering him.”

He said it was disappointing that someone who prides himself as a master strategist could not uncover a chameleon in his cabinet for eight years, to the extent that he would recommend the same person to succeed him as governor.

He said that Kalu’s claim that he never knew the true nature of Orji was false because all persons who had any business to do in Abia State when the former governor held sway knew that the state would have collapsed on Kalu’s head but for the then chief of staff, who is the current governor.

Oborota said that the assumption of office in 2007 by Orji staved the trend of political migration of Abians who had fled intimidation, kidnap and economic strangulation to Abuja and Lagos.

He expressed surprise at Kalu’s blind claim that Abia had lagged behind during Orji’s tenure, wondering when last the former governor visited the state.

•From left: Gov. Saidu Dakingari of Kebbi State; Executive Secretary, National Primary Health Care Development Agency(NPHCDA),Dr Ado Mohammed and Chairman, Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area, Alhaji Ibrahim Dan-Illelah, at the presentation of the UNICEF and EU medical support materials for Maternal and Child Healthcare in Birnin Kebbi at the weekend.

PHOTO: NAN

Adamawa: Modibbo calls for fairness

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PEOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Adamawa State, Dr Ahmed Mohammed Modibbo, has called for a level playing field for all those seeking the party’s ticket in the October election.

He says every aspirant should be accorded a fair treatment.

“We are all stakeholders in Adamawa politics and so our rights must be respected in this election. Therefore, I’m calling for fairness and a level playing ground for everyone who is interested in this race.

This is because power belongs to the people but it is only

•Meets Ribadu’s kinsmen

given by Almighty God,” the former Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) said in the build up to the party primaries to pick its flag bearer.

He also cautioned his fellow aspirants to eschew what he called dangerous scheming and political vendetta capable of plunging the state into crisis.

Modibbo spoke at the state PDP secretariat in Yola on Friday while declaring his intention to succeed Admiral Murtala Nyako who was impeached recently.

In a statement Modibbo’s Special Assistant on Media, Julius Toba, quoted him as pledging to commit the best of his ability to progress, peace and prosperity of Adamawa citizenry.

The governorship aspirant is said to be disturbed by “the rate of poverty, underdevelopment, illiteracy, laziness, corruption and backwardness in the state.

“For this reason and more, he is compelled not just to stand and watch but to participate and commit himself and his teeming supporters to improving the living condi-

tions of his people.”

He said security, affordable healthcare, education, massive agricultural and rural development, poverty alleviation, women and youth empowerment and industrialization, among others would be the focus of his administration.

In the meantime, Modibbo has met with kinsmen of one of his key rivals for the PDP ticket, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, at Agwan Lamido quarters with the PDP Chairman in Yola South, Usman Bala Makuruma, describing the former Executive Secretary of UBEC as one of the best gunning for the office.

Tension in PDP as Nyako’s SSG joins Ribadu’s campaign train

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URTHER confusion gripped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Adamawa State yesterday after the Secretary to the State Government under the administration of sacked Governor Murtala Nyako, Mr. Aris Kobis, joined the campaign train of former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu .

Ribadu switched camp to the PDP last week to enable him seek the party’s ticket for the October governorship election.

Many PDP chieftains were already getting uncomfortable with his coming.

Kobis, who was recently arrested and interrogated by the EFCC, joined Ribadu to visit the state secretariat of PDP in Yola to declare for the governorship race.

He was in company of the former Interim State Secretary of APC, Mr. P. P. Elisha, former UBEC Director, Dr. Aliyu Hamman, former PDP Chairman and APC chieftain, Umaru Kugama, Walin

•Public interest made me to join PDP, says ex-EFCC boss •Give all members equal rights, he pleads From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

Mubi, Hamidu Mahmoud, Alhaji Usman iya Abbas, among others.

Upon sighting Kobis, PDP members protested and queried why some allies of the former governor opted to back Ribadu, who had left the APC. But Ribadu defied the tension and outcry against Kobis, to justify why he joined the PDP. He said he decided to place public interest above selfish considerations in joining the PDP. He demanded equal rights for all members of the party.

He also urged all aspirants to respect the rules of engagement during the contest.

He said: “Today, I come to you as a full blown party member who defines himself in the spirit of community service and party development. Whatever brought us

here, the love for and need to serve our people is supreme.

“I therefore come to you with this pledge of service and all sense of commitment trusting also to receive the same measure of goodwill and acceptance by all of you, from Mr. Chairman here, down to the member in the villages from Madagali to Lamurde.

“The trigger of me being here today is that passion to uplift that I have; it is that spirit with which I am known, all my life. It is that zeal that saw me going into the police, as against obviously more lucrative career paths.

“My philosophy, as we were taught, is that one should put the interest of the public over any other consideration.

“In life of service, one’s first consideration should be the impact one makes under the circumstance. It is

therefore that same will to serve that is responsible for me respecting and answering to the people’s choice to come back home and serve the people of Adamawa State under the platform of the PDP.” The ex-EFCC chairman said he was not on errand for anyone in pursuing gubernatorial ambition.

He added: “Mr. Chairman, other party leaders here present, let me declare that I am here as an ordinary PDP member whose personal aspiration is organically tied to the best aspiration and progress of all people of this great state. I am not here on anyone’s errand. I want to stress the point also that I am here on my own and thus prepare to subject myself to all norms and protocols of the party.

“I preach respect of law and order and the respect for constituted authorities, anywhere I go. It is a template of

my action and conduct. I therefore cannot breach the teachings of my gospel. I anticipate participation in all democratic processes that would lead to the emergence of a candidate for the Party.

“What I would however appeal for is for the party to also treat all of us as its members with equal rights.

We should all be treated with fairness in a transparent manner that is the hallmark of democracy.

“Finally, I would appeal to all political actors in the state, especially my fellow aspirants to go into the field armed with our rules of engagements.

“No one’s ambition is worth the peace and stability of our people. We should eschew antagonism or stoking primordial sentiments.

Elections would come and go but the people will always be together. Damaging the harmony we enjoy as a people would have dire consequences on all of us and is the gravest disservice anyone can do for our dear state.”

UN vows central role in fighting ‘exceptional’ Ebola epidemic

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HE United Nations vowed yesterday to play a “strong role” in helping Liberia and other Ebola-hit nations fight the deadly disease in West Africa, which it said could take months to bring

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it under control.

Liberia has been particularly hard hit by the epidemic that has swept relentlessly across the region since March, accounting for almost half of the 1,427 deaths.

“Ebola in Liberia must be addressed to ensure a stable economy, future and society,” said Karin Landgren, the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon’s special representative for the country.

“The magnitude of this outbreak requires a higher level of coordination than previous responses and the UN Mission in Liberia will play a strong role in this effort,” she said in a statement yesterday.

Her comments were echoed by Dr David Nabarro, the UN’s new pointman on Ebola, who arrived in the region on Thursday to tour the Ebola-hit countries of Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Nigeria.

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State yesterday dismissed as a pipe dream, a statement by a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader in the state, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, that the party’s candidate in the August 9 election, Otunba Iyiola Omisore, would win at the tribunal.

Babatope had told a rally in Ibadan organised by the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) to drum up support for the re-election of the president that the election petitions tribunal would overturn the reelection of Governor Rauf Aregbeola in favour of Omisore.

But in a statement in Osogbo, the APC Director of Publicity, Mr. Kunle Oyatomi, said Babatope was merely engaging in a face saving stunt.

He said: “Chief Babatope has the right to his optimism.

However, we at the APC know that this is just a mere dream that can never come to reality.

Has Babatope forgotten that almost all the PDP leaders could not even win in the polling units where they voted?

“It is therefore unthinkable that PDP would ever nurse the hope that anything would come out of its fruitless journey to the tribunal. Indeed, we are convinced that at the end of the day, PDP will find out to its utter disappointment that a huge chunk of votes allocated to its candidate will be declared to have been in error.

“Under a clean election without any arm-twisting tactics and harassment of APC members and its leaders, how could the PDP have garnered such number of votes credited to it? The people of the South West have rejected in its entirety anything PDP. The August 9 election was what the PDP leaders needed to confirm the extent of its rejection in Nigeria as a whole and in Osun in particular.”

Panel summons ex-Adamawa council chairs

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HE Justice Bobbo Umar Panel in Adamawa State has invited all former Commissioners for Local Government Affairs under former Gov. Murtala Nyako to appear before it.

The panel was set up by the state Acting Governor, Alhaji Ahmadu Fintiri, to probe the activities of the Nyako administration.

The panel, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), issued the invitation on Friday when, Mr. Kennedy Dauda, the incumbent Permanent Secretary, concluded his submission on financial activities of the ministry.

It also invited all former Permanent Secretaries in the ministry and former 21 local government chairmen who served between June 2007 and June 2014 to appear before the panel.

In another development, the state Accountant-General, Malam Mohammed Nasir, has been suspended.

A statement by the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Rogers Nathan, said Nasir should hand over to Mrs. Augustina Wadamihya, the most senior staff.

Nasir on Friday appeared before the probe panel on the activities of his office under the Nyako administration.

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NEWS

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 24, 2014

FG approves level 17 for trades men

MDCAN faults suspension of medical residency training From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

From Tony Akowe, Abuja

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HE federal government has approved the upgrading of the career progression of tradesmen from the current terminal grade level 14 to grade level 17.

The approval is the first step towards removal of discrimination between technicians/tradesmen and other civil servants in the country.

The government also approved a new Skills Development and Certification/ Trade Testing Cadre as well as its inclusion in the Scheme of Service of the Federation.

The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, disclosed this in Karu, Nasarawa State while inagurating a two-day Capacity Building Workshop for Skills Development and Certification/Trade Test Officers.

The workshop was organised by the Ministry in collaboration with Technical Vocational Educational Training (TVET) arm of SURE-P. Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Clement Illoh, Wokgu said the ministry will partner with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN); Industrial Training Fund (ITF); Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) and National Directorate of Employment (NDE) to fashion out a Skills Development Policy for the country to boost human and institutional capacity in this specialised area.

‘Environmental challenges arise from lawlessness’ From: Frank Ikpefan, Abuja HE Federal Government yesterday blamed the current environmental challenges on disregard for environmental laws and regulations.

The federal government said a total disregard and abuse of the environment has led to indoor and outdoor air pollution, industrial pollution, biodiversity loss, erosion, land degradation, desertification, among others.

The Minister of Environment Mrs. Laurentia Mallam, said this in Abuja at the Federal/States Regulatory Dialogue on the Implementation of National Environmental Regulations organised by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).

The minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Rabi Jimeta, said that 33 national environmental regulations have been reviewed and adopted by the government.

She said 28 out of the 32 have been gazetted and are being implemented.

The minister said the dialogue will create an inclusive avenue to promote an effective compliance and enforcement programme.

The Director – General, NESREA, Dr. Ngeri Benebo, said the agency has developed ways of ensuring an inclusive environmental compliance monitoring and enforcement programme.

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•Chief Of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Kenneth Minimah (2nd-right) inaugurating quarter guard during his visit to 2nd Brigade, Nigeria Army in Port Harcourt…at the weekend.

PHOTO: NAN

NERC to FG: Pay N50b electricity subsidy arrears

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•‘Why DISCOs delay provision of metres’

HAIRMAN of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr Sam Amadi, yesterday advised the federal government to fulfill its commitment to the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry by paying the subsidy arrear of N50billion.

He told The Nation that although consumers have met their part of the obligation, government remains the reneging partner.

The arrear, if paid, he said “will reduce the great impact of the review going forward”

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

ahead of the announcement of the outcome on the Multi-Year Tariff Order review in December.

He also added that the subsidy “can help to take away some of the shortfalls and improve the financial viability of this electricity market.”

According to him, the electricity subsidy fund was supposed to run-off by June but government reneged on its commitment resulting in a backlog debt now up to the tune of N50b arrear.

“So government ought to pay for what it is committed to so that it can help to take away some of the shortfalls and improve the financial viability of this electricity market,” Amadi submitted.

He, however, revealed that the NERC is not relying solely on the subsidy arrear, stating there are alternative plans to keep the electricity market solvent.

“We are also putting out contingent plans assuming government does not pay the arrears so that we must keep the electricity market solvent

and strong with or without the subsidy,” he stated.

On why the Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOs) have been reluctant to make metres available to customers, Amadi said that some of the companies have since November recorded significant metering while others are yet to act.

According to him, the companies may not have done much in terms of metering since they are waiting for the declaration of Transition Electricity Market (TEM) and tariff review.

The chairman said that the commission recorded significant improvement in the remittances which the DISCOs made to Market Operators from May to June.

He revealed that NERC has decided that Eko Electricity Distribution Company that has achieved 98% remittance should have a new benchmark.

‘Northern Christians foresaw Boko Haram before 1960’

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LATEAU State Governor, Jonah Jang, has declared that the fear of minority Christians in the north during the build up to independence is already playing out.

He said: “The emergence of Boko Haram in the northern region and its terrorist acts were part of the fears expressed by the Christian minorities as far back as 1956.

“When Nigerians were discussing the possibility of independence with the colonial administrators before 1960, the northern minorities expressed fears that their rights will not be guaranteed in the hands of the northern Muslims.

“This is because the north-

From Yusufu Aiminu Idegu, Jos

ern Muslims believed they are superior to any other religion in the country; they believed they are special, they believed political power was their exclusive rights, they believed political power was their inheritance.”

Jang spoke through the Secretary to Plateau State Government, Prof Shedrack Best, at the first consultative forum of Christians and political leaders of the region at the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) headquarters in Jos. The consultative forum which was organised by King David Generation Foundation

was attended by Christian and political leaders from middle belt.

The governor said: “These fears of the northern Christians are exactly playing out at the moment in the name of insurgencies or terrorism being executed through Boko haram.

“Boko Haram came to prosecute Christian followers; they started from Jos, the political headquarters of the middle belt and centre of Christianity in the northern region and later spread their terror to other minority Christians in the north.

“Boko Haram came to terminate Christianity and Islamise Nigeria; they began by setting church ablaze, kill-

ing and maiming innocent Christians in the north.

“Now Christians have no rights to practice their religion in the region; minorities are now seen as inferior beings.

That is exactly the fears of the minorities as far back as 1956; we are now living in reality of our fears.”

He added: “Now, the future of our children is no longer guaranteed in the region but we have no other place to go. We believe our God will fight for us and we will live to spread the principles of Christianity for sake of mankind.”

Jang urged Christian minorities to stick to prayers as their only weapon in times of challenges.

terday in Abuja during a visit to the Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Boboye Oyeyemi.

Yasin called for awareness creation programmes to enable road users act responsibly and make sensible and safe decisions when on the roads.

Oyeyemi urged the NURTW to continue to sponsor jingles and programmes to enlighten its members.

He urged states Chairmen of NURTW to always interface with state coordinators of the FRSC for better productivity.

association, Zakari said that the leadership was doing everything possible to checkmate activities of unqualified automobile technicians damaging their reputation.

He said that the association was moving with the new global trend to create a data base of its members, saying “we will do that so that anywhere in the world, people can access members of the association.”

NURTW urges FG to improve funding to FRSC

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HE national leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has urged the Federal Government to improve the funding accruable to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

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From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

This, it said, will enable the agency improve on its activities on roads.

The NURTW, led by its National President, Alhaji Najeem Yasin, said this yes-

NATA to create data base

HE Nigeria Automobile Technicians Association (NATA) is to build an internet data base of all its members across the country, its National President, Comrade

From Tony Akowe, Abuja

Omoniyi Zakari, has declared.

Speaking while inaugurating the newly elected executive committee of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the

HE Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) has faulted the federal government for suspension of residency training programme for doctors.

MDCAN argued that the action will further endanger special care delivery in the country. It said the country is groaning under the dearth of specialist doctors with 3,000 specialists to 170 million citizens.

The MDCAN further lamented that there are over 25,000 Nigerian specialist doctors in the USA and over 4,000 in the UK. Its President, Dr Steven Oluwole, in a statement to reporters in Abuja shortly after a meeting on the suspension of Residency Training for Resident Doctors, warned of the grave consequences in the delivery of specialist health care services.

It reads: “This suspension, which truncates more than four decades of investments in medical training, presents a future too bleak to contemplate.”

The MDCAN helmsman regretted that as medical consultants and trainers of Resident doctors, they were not consulted before the suspension.

“Members of the MDCAN, who are the trainers of the resident doctors, were not consulted before taking a decision of this monumental magnitude.

“The residency training programme is designed to produce specialists in all fields of the practice of medicine. Although the programme commenced in Nigeria over 40 years ago, it is still being developed and remodelled.”

It also described the situation where the president is the defacto Director of Residency as an aberration.

Ebonyi considering six-month leave for nursing mothers From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

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BONYI is understudying the recent six-month maternity leave approved in Lagos State for nursing mothers with a view to adopting it.

But the policy will not take off if it is abused by the nursing mothers.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health in Ebonyi State, Mr. Hycient Oteh, stated this during a briefing as part of activities to mark the 2014 World Breast Feeding Week.

While applauding the policy, he expressed fears that it might be abused by the beneficiaries.

Oteh said: “The introduction of six-month maternity leave is an encouraging development but we need to monitor it so that it won’t get to be abused by nursing mothers.

“If six months is given, it is expected that the period is used for what it is meant for. It is a good development that the state would consider in due course.”

The ministry, he added, will sensitise other ministries and parastatal to put up a bay where nursing mothers can go and breast feed while in office.

Oteh pointed out that such initiative would help the nursing mothers not to break the chain of exclusive breast feeding for six months.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 24, 2014

APC, APGA reject Aba byeelection result From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

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HE leadership of opposition parties (All Progressives Congress and All Progressive Grand Alliance) in Abia State has respectively rejected the result of a bye-election for Aba State Constituency as was announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The seat became vacant after Hon. Nwogu Iheasimuo, the former member representing the area died due to a protracted illness.

According to the result announced after the poll, Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate and wife of the former House of Assembly member, Mrs. Blessing Nkemdirim Iheasimuo, pulled a total vote of 1655, APC candidate, Elder Smart Ebere, 313 and APGA candidate, Chimaobi Akwara, 252 votes.

However, leaders of APC and APGA in the state have rejected the result, alleging that it was massively rigged by the ruling party.

According to a chieftain of the APC, Chief Okey Nwagbara, the election which was held at the weekend was characterised by electoral malpractices.

A chieftain of APGA, Chief Sylvanus Nwaji, alleged the INEC collaborated with the ruling party to deny APGA victory in the bye-election by insisting on taking cast votes to Aba South Local Government headquarters to count instead of counting them at the polling units as stipulated by law.

APC chieftain laments son’s death From Chris Oji, Enugu

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ATIONAL Publicity Secretary of Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), and SouthEast spokesman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Osita Okechukwu stated on Friday that medical doctors’s strike partly contributed to the death of his son.

He spoke at the burial of his son, Matthias Koso Okechukwu at the weekend in his hometown, Eke, Enugu State.

Matthias died on 10th August, as Consultant Pediatricians, were absent when he was rushed to National Hospital Abuja.

NEWS

Boko Haram: Verbal attacks on soldiers unpatriotic- Orji

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HE Abia State governor, Chief Theodore Orji, has described those accusing the military of ineptitude in the war against insurgency in the country like the Boko Haram as unfair to those who are risking their lives on daily basis for the security of the people.

Orji said verbal attacks on soldiers confronting Boko Haram insurgents are unpatriotic and unnecessary and called for a change of heart that will encourage the military in the onerous task of keeping the country united.

From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

Speaking in Umuahia when he received in audience the Chief of Army Staff [COAS], Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah, Orji cautioned critics of the military against doing things that would demoralise them and discourage them from fighting the war against insurgency.

The governor expressed strong faith in the ability of the military to contain the current security challenges in various parts of the country, especially the threats posed by insurgency in the Northern part of the country.

He pledged the continued support of his administration to all military and other security formations in the state. The governor, however, appealed to the army authorities to beef up facilities at the army camp in Aba as well as 14 Brigade, Ohafia.

Earlier in his speech, Gen. Minimah said he was in Abia as part of his familiarisation tour of army formations under the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, and commended Orji for his numerous support to the military.

He restated the commitment of the army in the on-

going military campaign against insurgency.

The Army boss, who was accompanied on the visit by the Commander, 82 Division Enugu, Major Gen. Shehu Yusuf, and other top army brass from the Defence Headquarters, solicited the support of all Nigerians to the military in the war against insurgency.

He said security was a cooperate and collective responsibility that needed the collaboration of all citizens, assuring that Nigeria will soon overcome her security challenges, as the military are on top of the situation.

• Ebonyi State governor, Martin Elechi with members of the Ebola Rapid Response Team after their inauguration in Abakaliki at the weekend

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FOUNDING ViceChairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State and former chairman of the party’s Finance Committee, Chief Ben Ezeibe, has advised stakeholders of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to collapse the party and formally join the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Ezeibe also faulted the governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, former governor, Peter Obi and APGA National Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh, for their conditional support for Jonathan’s 2015 presidential

APGA advised to collapse into PDP

Obi commends Chimamanda

Ebonyi sets up committees to check he said.

HE Government of The Commissioner for Ebonyi State has set up Ebola outbreak

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ORMER governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, has commended the literary Icon, Chimamada Adichie Esege, for organising Writers’ Workshop to encourage what he called the flowering of the literary culture in Nigeria.

Obi made this commendation on Friday when he attended the closing ceremony of the workshop where awards were given to those that distinguished themselves.

Further, Obi called on Nigerians who distinguished themselves in their various fields to emulate Chimamanda by seeking ways to give back to the society.”

What Chimamanda is doing today is trying to encourage young writers through practical and real mentorship.

I thank all the companies sup-

porting her because this is investing in what will add value to the society thus, amounting to fulfillment of social responsibility,” he said.

Obi, who recalled the support his government offered to writers, including partnering with renowned writers such as Prof. Chukwuemeka Ike to encourage budding writers, said all hands must be on deck to groom many Chimamandas that will hopefully take the baton from the Achebes and Soyinkas.

Speaking at the event, Chimamanda said the selection for the workshop was based purely on merit and decried those reading ethnic influence; insisting that ethnicity must not be associated with all events and that it was high time Nigerians look more at merit than any other consideration.

From Chris Oji, Enugu

re-election. Ezeibe spoke to reporters in Enugu yesterday.

He accused APGA leadership of hypocrisy, stating that their demand for high profile board appointment was a mere blackmail and an opportunistic outburst.

Ezeibe advised the leadership of APGA to tow the best democratic practices by engaging in dialogue with PDP, the party that produced President Goodluck Jonathan, adding: “if you like the product of the

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two committees in order to check Ebola outbreak in the state.

The two committees are the ‘Rapid Response Team’ and the ‘Treatment Team,’ with 19 and 15 members respectively.

The state also announced that henceforth movement of corpses from other parts of the country into its environs and inter- state trading would no longer be allowed.

The two committees are chaired by the state commissioner of health, Dr. Sunday Nwangele.

Governor Martin Elechi has also urged the members of the committees to be committed in the various duties assigned to them.

He said that the issue of

party, you must also accept the party. Your support for Jonathan will be more meaningful if you join the party, PDP.” He said it was not acceptable for APGA to field candidates to contest all other political positions in Anambra State except that of presidency in 2015 general election. “The party must also consider fielding its own presidential candidates, if it feels it can go it alone,” he stressed.

According to him: “It is

From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

epidemics such as yellow fever, cholera, Hiv/Aids had reared their ugly heads in the past but due to the determination of people, they were properly contained.”So Ebola virus will not be different from others,” he added.

He appreciated the members of the committee for accepting to work at a time like this which he noted showed their love and patriotism for the state and the country in general.

“Just as the people in the past did not give up; they fought tirelessly to eradicate yellow fever in the sixties, later cholera and recently HIV/AIDS. So shall we fight to stop Ebola,”

important to clear the air at this stage so that our brothers and sisters in APGA are not further deceived or cowed into isolated local government party (APGA).PDP has a good product and candidate and we do not need APGA to vote him in.

In 1999 and 2003 President Obasanjo was voted in without APGA, again in 2007 Yar’ Adua won without APGA support so what are we talking about. APGA or no APGA, PDP will deliver its candidate Jonathan in 2015,” he said.

Health, Dr Nwagele, explained that the Rapid Response Committee would ensure that residents of the state were adequately sensitised about the Ebola virus and to properly educate the people on the need to adopt preventive measures such as environmental sanitation and regular hand washing.

He explained further that the treatment team would be in charge of diagnosis and treatment should there be any case of Ebola virus in the state.

Elechi, the state executive council members and the members of the committees all used the hand sanitiser brought to the meeting venue before having hand shake with their colleagues.

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Boko Haram: Igbo Youth Movement demand action

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GBO Youths Movement, a socio-political and social organisation, has lamented what it described as government and northern leaders’ delay in containing the Boko Haram insurgency, condemning the terrorist’s sacking of a police station and hoisting of its flags in some communities during the week.

Demanding a more proactive action, the group warned that Boko Haram would wax stronger if the federal government and northern leaders continue to handle the situation with kid gloves.

In a press statement signed

by Evangelist Elliot Uko, Founder, Igbo Youth Movement and Deputy Secretary, Igbo Leaders of Thought, Igbo Youth Movement said, “Now that Boko Haram has sacked a police station and two communities in the North-East and successfully hoisted their flags, it has become clear to all that the ISIS expansion in Iraq is about to be replicated here if the federal government does not wake up to the reality that evil times have finally arrived in Nigeria.”

The statement also said: “As long as the federal government remains unwilling to use the needed force (for fear of Amnesty International and other waiting blackmailers) Boko Haram would continue to wax stronger and bolder.

“As long as northern elders’ only area of interest is how to use the Boko Haram madness to stop Mr. President’s re-election, then we may be drifting deeper into the bigger trouble,” the group warned.

‘Why Orlu leaders endorsed Idiga for Senate’

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LEADING member of the PDP in Imo State, Nze Elvis Agukwe, has revealed that the Orlu zone political class has given an unequivocal endorsement to the senatorial bid of Sir Felix Chidi Idiga, CEO, JAFAC Group, based on the goodwill which he said the aspirant has earned over the years through industry and charity to the state and Orlu zone in particular.

Agukwe spoke at the inaugural meeting between the Directorate of JAFAC Idiga Campaign Organisation and its local government coordinators and women leaders, convened by its Director General, Chief Okey Dike, to review strategies as well as to declare the campaign organisation complex opened in Orlu on Monday.

Agukwe said he came to the inaugural meeting to felicitate with the directorate on the good job it has been doing and to also let the coordinators and women leaders know that they too deserve kudos for the wide reaching awareness they have created already.

He, however, applauded the aspirant for pitching his tent with the PDP, which he said is the only credible platform for Igbos to attract their due share of development from the Nigerian nation.

In his address, Chief Dike assured the coordinators that the complex they have gathered to inaugurate would provide the convenient arena to move into the next.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 24, 2014

NEWS

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Gunmen storm Abba Morro farm, rustles 62 cows From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

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WO suspected armed robbers have been arrested by the police in Benue State for stealing 62 cows from a farm belonging to the Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Morro, in Ugbokolo.

Addressing newsmen in Makurdi, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Daniel Ezeala, a DSP, said the suspected robbers, Babangida Saidu and Adamu Alhaji, last Friday stormed the Abba Morro Farm in Ugbokolo and took away 63 cows at gun point after they shot to scare away the security men.

The gunshots attracted the police who mobilised and gave the gunmen a hot pursuit, leading to an exchange of gunfire with the robbers.

They were later overpowered and the cows recovered from them at Aliade in Gwer Local Government Area.

Ezeala said Saidu hails from Suleja in Niger State while Alhaji is from Igumale in Ado local government area of Benue State.

He said a local made pistol was recovered from the suspects while others escaped.

The suspects, he said, would be charged to court.

Ebola: No case in Sokoto, say health commissioner V T

Residents foil robbery attack on shop From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

HE Sokoto State Government yesterday denied it has recorded any case of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

The Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu, said there has been no report of outbreak of the virus in any part of the state.

Aliyu spoke in Sokoto during a public lecture on Ebola organised by the Usman Dan Fodio University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto.

He said Sokoto embarked on a state-wide public sensitisation campaign as part of proactive measures to guard against Ebola.

“It was in view of this that

From: Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

the state government set up detection centres across the three senatorial districts, which include Gwadabawa, Shagari and Tangaza local government areas for referrals and investigation purposes,” he explained.

The commissioner further disclosed that similar centres have been set up at the Sokoto Specialist Hospital, Maryam Abacha Women and Children Hospital and Noma Hospital Sokoto, while the Amanawa Leprosy Patients hospital had been designated as an isolation

camp.

He called on traditional and religious leaders to redouble efforts in sensitising their subjects on the need to take precautions while handling domestic animals, especially in the rural areas.

The Director of Port Health, Federal Ministry of Health Abuja, Dr. Nasiru Gwarzo, advised people with symptoms of fever of whatever kind to keep away from public gatherings as much as possible.

According to him: “Ebola virus disease is ranked the 2nd most deadly and infectious disease that can be spread in no time world-

wide.”

He expressed optimism that the virus would be contained in Lagos State.

“We need to urgently educate and encourage the public to seek medical advice on the deadly disease as fundamentals to curing the Ebola scourge,” he appealed.

The Dean, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Professor Abdulkadir Junaidu noted that 75% of human diseases originated from animals.

He pointed out that Ebola virus was one of the numerous diseases associated with animals.

The problems with UniAbuja, by minister

Teacher wins Star Times’ Toyota Yaris

From: Tony Akowe, Abuja

T

HE Minister for National Planning and Deputy Chairman of the National Planning Commission, Dr. Abubakar Suleiman, at the weekend identified leadership as well as politics of primordial issues and sectionalism as the bane of the University of Abuja.

Speaking when he received the institution’s Vice Chancellor in his office, the minister expressed displeasure over the state of affairs in the 30- year- old varsity.

The university, he lamented, has occupied a temporary structure not befitting of a primary school for 18 years.

The minister, who was until his appointment, a lecturer with the university said: “University of Abuja has been there for the past 30 years. You have enough problems you are contending with.

“It is not a university that one could be proud of now in terms of facilities, in terms of attention from the private sector.

“We have the manpower but the motivation in terms of working environment is not there. One of the problems we have in the institution is the way the university was set up in the first instance.”

He said the decision to involve university lecturers in the monitoring of government projects across the country is to give the process the needed credibility.

He said that it was part of the mandate of the commission to monitor government projects, pointing out 12 lecturers from the university will be involved in the monitoring of the projects in various parts of the country.

IGILANT residents at the weekend foiled an attempt by a threeman robbery gang to make away with N400, 000 left overnight in a locked up tyre shop on Ibadan Road, Sabon Gari Kano.

It was gathered that the gang stormed the shop at about 12.30 am last Friday and made straight for the shop where the money was kept overnight for deposit the following day.

Despite the drizzling rainfall accompanied by mild intermittent thunder storms, it was learnt that the robbers remained undeterred.

Eyewitnesses said one of the robbers, in his early 20s, armed with a sledge hammer, began to hit the door of the locked up shop, forcing it open in no time.

The noise of the hammer woke residents who proceeded to see what was happening at the shop.

They reportedly shouted until the robbers strolled away into the darkness.

Residents said no security operatives appeared throughout the 30 minutes the operation lasted.

All efforts to contact the Police Public Relations Officer in the Kano State Police Command, Magaji Majiya, for his reaction failed.

From: Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

A •Traditional rulers at a summit on traditional Justice system reform in Dutse, Jigawa…yesterday

PHOTO: NAN

Jos crisis: Berom sue security agencies for N502bn

T

HE Beroms in Plateau State have sued security agencies at a Federal High Court in Jos for allegedly failing to protect them in the wake of attacks in their domains.

The brother of the late Sen. Gyang Dantong, Rwang Dantong, on behalf of himself and the Berom community in Barkin Ladi, Jos South, Riyom and Jos north local governments of the state, filed the suit demanding for N501.8 billion as general

damage.

Datong, in the application filed before Justice Ambrose Allagoa of Federal Court I, alleged that acts of genocide or pogrom were visited on them “under the watchful eyes of the security agencies”.

Joined in the suit was the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

The security agencies are the Police, Special Task Force, Army, Air Force,

Navy and SSS. The community, through its counsel, Mr. Gyang Zi, urged the court to hold the security agencies and their employer, the federal government, responsible for “all the atrocities that befell them over the years.”

The Beroms alleged that 1,193 estimated men, women and children were killed while 3,250 were “injured and incapacitated during the ethnic cleansing by Fulani marauders“ due to derelic-

tion of duty of security agencies.

The suit also alleged, among others, that 854 houses and 150 vehicles were burnt while 13,100 cows, 10,040 goats, sheep and 17,000 chickens were destroyed.

According to the suit, Berom people have a right to live and be protected by the security agents and asked the court to order them to fulfill their constitutional duty of protecting them as citizens of Nigeria.

Police arrest six for murder of paramilitary men

G

OMBE State Police Command has arrested six persons in connection with last Sunday’s gruesome murder of the marshals of the Gombe State Agency for Community and Social Development behind the Emir’s palace.

Although a statement by the command said only one person was murdered, the Chief of Staff of Gombe State Government House, Alhaji Ahmed Yayari, alleged that two people were murdered.

Residents also confirmed that two marshals were killed in the incident.

By Vincent Ohonbamu, Gombe

A statement by the command’s spokesman, Fwaje Atajiri, said those arrested over the murder incident were helping the police to unravel the circumstances that led to the killing.

He identified the suspects as Abubakar Ibrahim, Yasir Suleiman, Usman Abdullahi, Ukasha Ahmadu, Pappa Usman and Abdulrahman Mohammed.

The statement reads: “The killing of one person behind Emir’s palace close to Ali Jiji’s House on 15/

08/2014 was traced to be an act of hooliganism between two rival state corps marshals.

“Those who participated in the unwholesome act leading to loss of life of one Usman Adamu, a marshal now late, have been apprehended.”

It added: “The rivalry witnessed among the hooligans who were hitherto branded as Kalare now gainfully employed by the state government as marshals are now seemingly engaged in acts of hooliganism between themselves on minor issues ranging from anti-social

conflicts.”

The command promised to continue in the provision of security and public safety of the people of Gombe State.

Barely two weeks ago, a violent clash between two rival Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Kalare thugs resulted in serious injuries to six youths during a Sallah Durbar organised in honour of the Governor by the Emir of Akko.

The development is causing serious concerns among residents ahead of the 2015 general elections.

N Ibadan-based secondary school teacher, Mr. Oladele Ajibola, at the weekend, won a 2014 Toyota Yaris car in the monthly raffle draw of Digital Pay Television operators, Star Times Nigeria 50 other subscribers went home with 32- inch LED television at the ongoing Extra Time promo of the firm.

The monthly grand prize of 2014 Toyota Yaris was presented to Ajibola at the company’s headquarters in Lagos.

Ajibola, who received the prize in the presence of the Head of Regulation and Monitoring Unit of the National Regulatory Commission, Jude Ogaga Ughwujabo, said he initially thought tricksters were at work when he received the call from Star Times Nigeria that he had emerged the star winner.

He said: “In fact at the time I received the call, I was in front of a debtor pleading that at least N5,000 be paid out of the money owed me to attend to some family needs.

“I was not expecting such a call from anywhere because I did not even know that Star Times had an ongoing promo.

It was after I received the call and informed my wife that she searched on the internet to confirm that Star Times is indeed running its ExtraTime promo.”

Ughwujabo commended the company for the promo.

“The winners emerged based on a random selection from a pool and we were on ground to ensure that the whole process was not staged.

“Our commission is set up to sanitise promotions like this; we are here because they have a permit. If a promo is not registered, there is a penalty to it.”

9

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 24, 2014

•Justice Phillips (left), Justice Atilade and Governor Fashola

L

AGOS State once again wrote itself into history and perhaps the Guinness Book of World Records last week with the appointment of Justice Funmilayo Atilade as the state's Chief Judge.

Her appointment as the state's 15th Chief Judge is unique in one sense: she is stepping into the exalted position vacated by her immediate elder sister Justice Ayotunde Philips!

She and her sister are descendants of a family of judges.

Their parents were judges too.

It runs in the family. The father, the late Justice James Williams, in his lifetime, was a judge in the state. The mother, the late Mrs. Henrietta Williams, was also a judge.

Justice Atilade before her new appointment was the state's Chief Judge. Her appointment followed the retirement of Justice Philips who was appointed on June 14, 2012 and bowed out on July 26, 2014, in line with the statutory retirement age of 65.

With her appointment she is expected to, with automatic precisions, ensure that hearing of cases and dispensation of judicial services, are done quickly and in fairness.

She is the 15th Chief Judge and the fifth woman to hold sway at highest temple of justice in the state.

Born in London on September 24, 1952, her academic trail started at Ladi-Lak Institute, in Yaba area of Lagos Mainland.

She also attended the Anglican Girls Grammar School, Surulere,

• Justice Atilade and Gov BRF

A family of judges In this report Joke Kujenya takes a look at the family of the new Lagos State Chief Judge, Justice Funmilayo Atilade. between 1965 and 1969. She was a student at the Queens College from 1970 to 1971.

Afterwards, she had her tertiary education at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), in 1972 and graduated in 1975 with a BLL. She was later called to the Bar after a stint at the Nigerian Law School in 1976.

On her works as a legal luminary, Justice Atitade was the

state Counsel at Federal Ministry of Justice from 1977 to 1979. She was the Principal Legal Officer at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) between 1979 and 1981.

Justice Atilade was a Senior Magistrate, Grade 1, from 1982 to 1986. She later became a judge in 1996, and then, the head judge in 2012; showing her occupying a seat her elder sister had earlier taken.

She also undertook professional courses on Administration of Courts in the United States of America (USA) in June and July, 1990.

She's active in the professional membership of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA); International Bar Association (IBA), the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikoyi Club

1938 and a few others.

Many also described her as a woman of many parts whose hobbies include aerobics, travelling and listening to music.

A mother of three children, Justice Atilade is a modern day career woman breaking the ceiling.

An elated Gov. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, noted "the history, recorded by the appointment of Atilade to succeed her blood sister as the Chief Judge of Lagos State, would be hard to re-enact.

On July 10, when I received the recommendation from the NJC, I could not but mutter to myself that this is a history that would be hard to re-enact in the Lagos State Judiciary."

Atilade has promised to continue with the decongestion of prisons started by her predecessor (her elder sister), especially with those awaiting trial. She applauded her predecessor for her immense contributions to the growth and development of the judicial arm in the state whilst promising to continue from there.

PAST WOMEN CHIEF JUDGES Justice Rosaline Omotosho - 1995 to 1996 Justice Ibitola Sotiminu - 2001-2004 Justice Inumidun Akande - 2009-2012 Justice Philips - 2012 - 2014

10

NEWS REVIEW

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 24, 2014

Owerri will remain best organised conference for a long time -Abimbola F IELDING questions on the level of preparations for the

conference, Mr. Abimbola said: "The NBA Annual General Conference has become the major anticipation of Nigerian lawyers on the international legal calendar. It is not only the largest gathering of lawyers globally, but has become the melting point of ideas, for national policy reviews, intellectual discourses on controversial issues, a platform for practical professional development training, a mentoring school, while offering huge networking opportunities for all lawyers among contemporaries and across various divides.

He said: "From the Lagos conference of 2009 when we first introduced Showcase sessions, our plenary sessions have remained one of the highlights of the NBA Annual General Conferences. Owerri 2014 will offer three exciting showcase sessions addressing topical national and professional issues on our polity, the economy and the judiciary. With a high powered panel including former Heads of State, Generals Yakubu Gowon and Adulsalami Abubakar, the leadership of the National Assembly, Governors of seven States, Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria notably Justice, Agriculture, Petroleum, etc, speakers from the International Criminal Court ( ICC) , Partners from International Law firms in Europe, the United States and Nigeria, among the over 152 resource persons across 45 sessions, so Owerri 2014 promises to be the best conference ever.

Abimbola stated that : "The NBA President, the Technical Committee on Conference Planning (TCCP), the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), the NBA Secretariat and the Government of Imo state have worked tirelessly to ensure that this conference becomes a reference point in organization, content and memorable moments. The main conference venue, the Imo Convention Centre was specifically sped up to completion by the Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochers Anayo Okorocha, essentially to meet the hosting of our conference, which demonstrates the hospitality Imo State is offering the Bar. It is a brand new facility with support features for a great conference experience. Complimented by other breakout session venues within a 1km radius of the main venue, participants are assured of the possibility of participating at multiple sessions for a robust conference experience.

On the essential features of the Conference, he said: "Apart from the attraction of the beautiful city of Owerri and the hospitality of its people, the conference content this year offers an even richer menu for participants. Your problem may be how to combine attending as many sessions each day as possible as all sessions promise exciting discourse.

In partnership with our sponsors, we are offering complimentary value added services including free internet services to participants at the Imo Convention Centre. We are setting up a wifi hotspot for participants to access the internet via their mobile devices at the main conference venue.

"The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) will also provide a mobile one-stop registration shop at the exhibition stand for members who have new company/business name registration to execute for their clients. You can come with your full compliment of incorporation documents and conduct name availability, filing, and issuance of certificates at one stop during the Owerri 2014 conference. With exciting social events also on the bill, there is a lot to look forward to at Owerri 2014.

Abimbola stated: "This year's

Over 10,000 lawyers are expected in Owerri, Imo State this week to participate in the 2014 Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) which begins today.

The chairman of Technical Committee on Conference Planning (TCCP), Mr. Seun Abimbola and chairman NBA Owerri branch, Mr. Stanley Imo assure lawyers that the memory of Owerri conference will linger in their minds for a long time as one of best conferences the NBA has ever had in recent times. Legal Editor, JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU sought their views

•Lawyers. INSET: The NBA President, Okey Wali

conference comes at a time we are marking our centenary as a nation, and there is no better way to periscope the journey so far, and visualize what lies ahead, than through the theme of the conference: "Nigeria; A 100 Years After". For the first time, two former Heads of State are expected at this Conference.

General Yakubu Gowon will chair the opening ceremony, and General AbdulsalamAbubakar will chair the opening showcase session on the topic, Nigeria's Biggest Problem; Corruption or Impunity?

"Another first is the plenary on the economy with a panel of industry giants and policy makers across the major driving sectors of our economy (Petroleum, Agriculture, Power, Communication, and the civil society) answering the poser, "Any Hope of an Industrial Revolution in Nigeria?".

Our third showcase session will focus on the state of our judiciary and review its existing structures.

On why Dr. George Amale Kwanashie was chosen as the key note speaker, Abimbola said: "The choice of our keynote speaker by the

NBA President and TCCP is informed by the theme of this year's conference which seeks to explore our chequered journey over the century. The theme demands serious introspection, a review of what we did right and or wrong as a nation and how to chart a successful path forward. We believe the international pedigree of the keynote speaker as a historian of note will bring a thorough and rich review to the discourse.

He said "I want to join the President of the Bar to welcome our colleagues to the NBA Annual General Conference, Owerri 2014 and assure our colleagues of an exciting and inspiring conference experience. Let me assure participants that we are not unconcerned about the Ebola Virus outbreak across West Africa and we are taking all necessary precautions.

Since the last one week the virus was brought into Nigeria, we had considered the heightened concerns expressed and the NBA immediately ordered travel size hand sanitizers to distribute to all participants in their conference bags at the conference.

"These have been recommended

to extinguish any viral load on surfaces that may come in close contact, particularly during handshakes. We recommend our participants should endeavour to use their sanitizers at intervals. We are also working with the Medical Association in Owerri and the Imo State Government, to provide appropriate medical services and information at the conference.

Additional information shall be circulated in the course of the week as we approach the conference commencement. However, as always, we encourage participants to be wary and not expose themselves to undue risks" Abimbola concluded.

Speaking on the preparations for the conference, the chairman of Owerri branch of the NBA, Mr. Stanley Chidozie Imo said: "Preparations for the conference is in top gear, the last time this conference was held in Owerri was in 1991, that was 23 years ago. Therefore the whole city of Owerri and its environs are excited and expectantly waiting for the conferees.

Imo said: "The conference nerve

centre will be held at the new Ultra Modern Imo International Convention Centre (IICC). The Centre was recently built by the administration of Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha and is the first and its kind in the whole of Nigeria. The break out sessions of the conference shall hold at Imo Concorde Hotel, Art Nouveau, JNF, etc. The conference Friendship Centre will be at the Heroes' Square, Owerri. The Friendship Centre will have 24hrs of constant entertainment.

On the logistics challenges of the conference, Imo said: " Every conference usually has its own logistic challenges. But I believe that the conference in Owerri will be an improvement on the other conferences I say so because several meetings have been held between the TCCP and the LOC of the NBA Owerri Branch, led by N. A. Nnawuchi (SAN) with a view to sorting out the usual challenges that arise during such conferences.

"For instance on the issue of the registration of the conferees at the conference venue, all arrangements have been made to ensure smooth registration of the conferees. On the issue of accommodation, I promise the conferees that there is enough hotels in Owerri to accommodate everybody. Also the LOC of the NBA Owerri Branch has gone a step further by negotiating with the hotels for discounted rates for the hotel rooms.

Fielding questions on the transportation during the conference, Imo said: The distance between all the venues where the conference sessions will take place is less than one kilometer. Therefore, conferees can easily move from one place to the other. That notwithstanding, the Government of Imo State led by our Governor Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha, has provided buses that will ferry the conferees from one point to the other.

"As you know the Owerri Airport is the fourth busiest domestic airport in Nigeria therefore there will be flights from the other parts of Nigeria to Owerri and also there will be buses that will take the conferees that there is nothing to fear. One of the major achievements of the present government in Imo State, is the drastic reduction in crime rate, For instance, the crime of kidnapping and/or hostage taking has been completely eradicated in Imo State. Furthermore, I am aware, that the Security SubCommittee of the TCCP led Mr. O.J Okeke, the immediate past Chairman of Nnewi Branch and the Security Subcommittee of the LOC, led by Mr. C.J Ihemedu of Owerri Branch, have been working day and night on this matter of security and they have come out with a master plan that will ensure that there will be no security hitch during the conference.

On his advice to lawyers attending the conference, Imo said: "There are so many tourist attractions in Imo State. This presents a good opportunity for the conferees to visit such places. The government of Imo State has provided tour buses for the conferees. Therefore the issue of transportation for the tours has been taken care of.

"Also, I will like the conferees to know that Owerri is a relaxation town that has so many social attractions and in line with that, the LOC has decided to set up a Friendship Centre at the Heroes' Square in front of Concorde Hotel, Owerri that will showcase all the Owerri stands for which is enjoyment and relaxation. There shall be parade of all the best musicians and entertainers at the Friendship Centre for the five days of the conference start from this night, therefore, I am inviting all the conferees to be part of this jamboree.

ce

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 24, 2014

11

I

n the last six months, your agency has embarked on an aggressive awareness campaign about the nosmoking in public places law. Why did the Lagos State government come up with this law?

With a population of close to 25 million people, Lagos State is one of the fastest growing mega cities and this brings with it the need to reduce the pollution level. To achieve this, there must be in place some policy designed to address all the ramifications of pollution.

Apart from polluting the environment, a smoker constitutes danger not only to himself but more directly to non smokers who are generally referred to as secondary smokers. They would inhale the smoke and it may have adverse effect on them, as it may result into cancer. Pollution from cigarette has been identified as one of the factors responsible for the growing rate of cancer infection worldwide and Nigeria is not an exception. The state has to come up with a plan to put a stop to this and this informed the no-smoking in public places law, which addresses not only the safety of secondary smokers but especially the underaged. You know this is the most vulnerable group and they are prone to inhaling some of these cancinogenic chemicals which can affect the growth of their organisms.

We have equally banned children under the age of 15 from buying cigarette or smoking anywhere in the state. We are encouraging parents, guardians and foster parents not to be sending their children under the age of 15 to buy cigarette for their consumption. If you want to smoke, go and buy cigarette yourself.

By public places, we are saying that you must not be seen smoking in commercial buses, in public toilets, in garages, in hospitals, in all schools, whether public or private, churches, mosques, hotels, eateries, cinema halls, restaurants, event centres, theatres, club houses, offices, etc. If you want to smoke in any of these places, you must go to a place properly designated as a space for smokers and even this area must be adequately ventilated so that the smoke will be extracted.

Between February 17 when the law was signed and now, would you say Lagosians have been adequately enlightened about this law to warrant your enforcement?

There has been a lot of enlightenment in the past six months; on the television, radio, in newspapers, and direct interactions with stakeholders and I'm happy with the way people have been responding because I have been visiting some restaurants in the past few months and people have started designating a place for smokers, while those who haven't showed the readiness to have the no-smoking sign boldly fixed to their premises, sensitisation is a continuous exercise. So, there is going to be jingles and a lot of handbills. Enlightenment must be a continuous exercise to let people know that you can no longer smoke in public places in Lagos State.

But is the government right to come up with a law addressing people's habit?

Why would the government put up a law addressing smoking?

Let me quickly correct an impression; the government has not come up with a law that would infringe on people's fundamental rights. Government did not come up with a law banning smoking per se. We never said you cannot smoke.

What the law says is that you cannot smoke in specific areas. We respect your right to smoke as contained in Chapter 4, section 43 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, as amended. But, as a state, we have the right to protect the lives of our citizens and the environment as contained in Chapter 2 section 20 of the same Constitution. The state has the right to improve and safeguard its environment through the air, water, etc.

So, in as much as we must respect your rights, we equally have our rights which are obligatory to our citizens. What we intended to do here is similar to what we did with the Lagos State Traffic Law 2012. That law did not ban okada riding; it only restricted okada operation on some of our roads. Smoking is not banned in Lagos, smoking is only restricted from public places and banned to some specific categories of people. You cannot send a child under 15 to go and buy you cigarette.

What constitutes public places by law?

Public places include, but is not limited to, the following: public toilets,

• Shabi

Lagosians support 'no smoking' in public places law, says LASEPA chief As the no-smoking in public places law takes off in Lagos, the General Manager of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Mr. Rasheed Adebola Shabi, in an exclusive interview with The Nation, says the law is out to address where people could indulge themselves without constituting danger to the larger members of the society. He equally busts fears that the law is revenuedriven as, according to him, LASEPA would only concentrate on enlightenment even as the law took off on August 18, 2014. He spoke with ADEYINKA ADERIBIGBE in his office, excerpts: all schools, churches, mosques, eateries, event centres, hotels, restaurants, beer parlours, any public gathering, markets, cinema houses, etc, where you have people, commercial buses, okada or tricycles etc. We have met with members of the NURTW on this issue.

Our intention is to save as many of our citizens as possible from cigaretteinduced sicknesses or illnesses. Smokers should by no means infringe on the rights of non smokers. We are trying by this law to prevent what we know as neighbour pollution and neighbourhood pollution.

Anti tobacco campaigners see this law as not holistic enough. They argue that the government should have come out hard against the manufacturers rather than targeting the end users...

These people should rather embrace this law. Nowhere in the world would a government infringe on the right of any investor to determine for him where he must put his money. Can a government make a law to prevent people from using a shower in their homes? Can any government make a law preventing people from drinking coffee? It would be impracticable to go after the manufacturers; our intention is not to kill the business, but to manage how it affects our citizens who are not smokers, who also have a fundamental right to live. We cannot ask people not to smoke; we can only advice on the health impact of smoking and ensure that your actions or indulgence do not constitute even more danger to the society. We are guided by the constitution and we are working within that constitution.

How prepared is LASEPA to enforce the law which comes into effect from

Monday, August 18?

We are not going to jump straight into enforcement just because enforcement must begin by August 18.

Our main job is to continue to sensitise the people. I believe that in as much as more people are aware of this law, we shall go out. But even where we see people still violating the law, we would educate, rather than enforce the law.

Moral suasion would recommend itself here because there is no how I can embark on straight enforcement with a staff strength of less than 400 to a population of 25 million people. We cannot cover the whole place at once. So, we would merely be going about enlightening the people about the law and would only enforce where we see that the people are not willing or ready to comply with the law after being forewarned.

What are the punitive measures in the law? What penalties await an offender?

There are, indeed, penalties. For the first offender, there is a fine of N10,000 to N15,000 and a month imprisonment, which can be either or both. For corporate bodies, we have a fine of N100,000 and the managing director or the manager is equally liable. But as I've said, the first phase would be to continue to educate the people and not to begin to apprehend anyone. The idea is not to make money for the government but to ensure that people live healthier lives.

A segment of the people see the law as another opportunity for the government to make money from Lagosians. Is this law revenue-driven?

No. I really don't know why our

people misconstrue a lot of things. The law is so clear. The law never said you should give me money. It never said you should pay for anything, but set out a regime of fines in case people still run foul of these provisions. In the first place, what is the spirit behind the law? Is the law good? I would say, yes, the law is good to the extent that it sets out to improve on the wellbeing of the majority of the people. The law is not about money, but about our lives. But I can understand why some people are saying this. Before the implementation of the law even started, some law enforcement officers have started harassing and extorting money from people caught smoking in public and we came out strongly to deny them. This government left no one in doubt that the only agency empowered by this law for enforcement is LASEPA, not the police. LASEPA would go against any extortion of the people, and I am saying that we will continue to enlighten and not enforce the law. We would only enforce where it has been proved that you are unwilling to abide by the law.

We are empowered by the law to enforce using the Lagos State Task Force and they equally have a mobile court which would dispense justice expeditiously. We have no doubt about our capacity to enforce where necessary, but we are not beginning with that right away.

You have been advocating environmental management system at several forums recently. What are the underpinning principles behind this?

The environmental policy is what obtains throughout the entire life cycle of the product you are offering. It

addresses your processes, your product, your services and the people you deal with.

By doing this, you continue reducing the pollution you are generating, which would reduce the pollution load. You would also by so doing incorporate the environmental management system into the stages of your production by reducing your wastes. When you reduce your wastes, it would enhance your performance and I have been hammering on this because I know that by the time this is incorporated into your operations, you are reducing the pollution and increasing your profitability.

With an economy that is largely in the grip of the informal sector, how far can the enforcement of this kind of new process go?

As I'm speaking with you, it's been working. As at last year, we had only 104 industries that had migrated from diesel engine generator to gas. As at today, they are over 145; within a year, we have had many more people migrating to and adopting gas as a cheaper source of powering their production and this would continue to reduce their environmental pollution. Look at the cost they are saving by changing to gas. Gas is cheaper, cleaner and it is environmentally friendly. The cost they have been able to cut off would be put back into their cost of production and this would improve their profit margin.

Looking back, how has the agency fared in meeting the mandate of reducing environmental pollution and achieving a liveable environment?

When I took over LASEPA five and a half years ago, I had a dream of taking this agency to a greater height, and before I took over, only a few heard about LASEPA. Right now, 80 percent of Lagosians have heard of LASEPA. Within the last five years, I've been able to reduce the pollution load through encouraging industries to change to greening and changing to cleaner forms of energy. Hoteliers, bakers and others have never had anything to do with LASEPA, but this is fast changing as I am bringing everybody on board now because we have been able to make them see that everybody pollutes. So, we are gradually bringing everybody together to see how we can all work to see that we give something back to the environment and ensure that we have a cleaner and safer environment.

What are the challenges you have come across as impeding a liveable environment in Lagos?

At the beginning, we were confronted with people who did not understand our responsibilities. But today, people are getting to know that environmental protection is about sanitation. That it is all about pollution guidance and maintaining a sustainable environment that can sustain life. We are making everyone to see that we must think of preserving the environment for our future generation, even while we strive to meet today's needs. That is what we have done over the years here, and we have ensured that everyone is carried along through sanitation, water pollution, adequate water treatment strategies, among others. And as you have it in the Millennium Development Goal number 7, which addresses environmental sustainability, you must have a good sanitary system, good drainage, proper waste disposal system, flood-free and waste water treatment and reduction in air pollution.

What are your short, medium and long term goals at LASEPA? Our immediate measure is to sensitise Lagosians on the issue of the environment, and environmental pollution. My long term goal is for us to be able to reduce the pollution load by year 2025; that our pollution should be reduced by at least 90 percent even if we cannot achieve zero pollution. I believe that reducing our pollution load is achievable, because, by then, our electricity would have been more stable.

With a stable electricity, there would be less dependence on generators. By 2025, more people would have changed to gas, and by then, most of the states would have had waste water facilities and all our soak-aways would have been channelled to the waste water treatment facilities and most of the slums in Lagos State would have been converted to have proper drainages, waste management and all our sewer lines would have been well laid and functional.

12

Ajimobi deplores over voter registration, PVC exercise in Oy From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo

O

YO State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has expressed concern over the various anomalies and irregularities that has characterised the ongoing voters' registration exercise and the collection of Permanent Voters Card (PVC) in the State.

The governor stated on Saturday while briefing journalists shortly after he held a meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the State, Alhaji Nasiru Ayilara, at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Ibadan, the state capital.

He alleged that the registration machines brought by the Commission for the exercise were inadequate to meet the requirements of voters who are eager to collect their PVCs and those who want to register as prospective fresh voters.

He said: "The purpose of this visit is to express our concern to INEC regarding the ongoing PVC collection, as well as the new voter registration exercise. We found that in many of the areas particularly in Ibadan axis, that the machines they brought are inadequate to meet the requirements of the voters who are either collecting their PVCs or those that want to newly register. We have expressed this concern to INEC and we have been assured that necessary steps would be taken to correct these anomalies."

IDL lifts distributors with N200m

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 24, 2014

NEWS

OR their commitments to the growth of Intercontinental Distilleries Limited (IDL), some outstanding distributors of the company have been rewarded with cash and gifts to support their businesses.

The worth of the package, which is put at over N200 million, is to enable the trade partners to expand their networks.

The company also used the occasion to unveil the new faces of its major products, Chelsea dry gin, Veleta and Squadron.

The Managing Director of the company, Engr. Patrick Anegbe, in his address acknowledged the hard work and success recorded by the distributors in the previous year despite the harsh business climate in the country.

Giving the breakdown of the reward, he said the company spent N72.2 million on cash prizes, N36 million for gift items, including three Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV).

The winner of the platinum category in the award was Asizebu Enterprises, who went home with a KIA Sportage SUV and N8,312,500, while Meridian Marketing Company Ltd went home with a KIA SUV and over N7million naira.

The other winner was Blessed Mattex Nigeria that got the last jeep and over N6million naira.

‘Why Mimiko defected to PDP’ F L

RESH facts have emerged on why the Ondo State governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, has allegedly concluded plans to defect to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Mimiko was inaugurated as governor in 2008 and was reelected for a second term in 2012 on the platform of the Labour Party (LP).

Sources disclosed that some high wire intrigues that played out in the last 72 hours in Ondo State and at the Presidency allegedly compelled Mimiko to decide to join PDP. The chain of events that led to Mimiko's decision, it was gathered, was triggered off over the alleged secret defection of his deputy, Alhaji Ali Olanusi, and the Senator representing Ondo South, Boluwaji Kunlere, from the LP to the PDP without the governor's knowledge.

By Remi Adelowo, Lagos and Leke Akeredolu, Akure

Irked by Olanusi's action, the governor was alleged to have issued him a query with a concealed threat of impeachment.

Jolted by his boss' threat, Olanusi reportedly left for Abuja to brief the Chief of Staff to President Goodluck Jonathan, Brig. General James Arogbofa (retd) who is his kinsman from Akoko, on the development.

Consequently, Arogbofa briefed the President, who allegedly called Mimiko on the telephone and expressed his misgivings on his action.

A source who spoke in confidence said: "The President accused Mimiko of betraying the trust he has in him by sanctioning Olanusi for joining

PDP. Then, he gave Mimiko an ultimatum to defect to PDP or he would make life unbearable for him. To say the governor was rattled is like stating the obvious."

And with preparations in top gear for Mimiko's defection to PDP, some chieftains of the party in Ondo State have allegedly vowed to leave the party if Mimiko is imposed as the state leader by the Presidency and the national headquarters of the PDP. Meanwhile, the Senator representing Ondo Southern at the National Assembly, Boluwaji Kunlere, has given reasons why he dumped the LP for PDP. A former State Secretary of the PDP during late Governor Olusegun Agagu's administration dumped PDP with the then party's State

Chairman, Alhaji Ali Olanusi, to form the LP. Speaking with reporters at his residence in Akure, the State Capital, Kunlere based his decision on principle, adding that he had long been sacked by the leadership of the LP. While describing his decision as personal, he added that anybody still displaying LP flag in the State is "a dead politician waiting to be buried".

He disclosed further that he was being envied by some aides of Governor Mimiko due to his performance as a senator.

The senator added, "Before I left LP, it has come to a situation that people who are close to me can no longer be ward or local government executives and I said to myself that as a politician, I have already been given a quit notice, properly served and I have accepted it."

Commander General of NSCDC, Dr. Ade Abolurin (3rd-l), inspecting seized jerry cans of petrol from vandals during his tour of Oke-Oko Isawo in Ikorodu, Lagos State at the weekend.

PHOTO: NAN

Lagos Task Force raids illegal oil depot, arrests operators

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AGOS State Taskforce on Environment and other Special offences at the weekend raided an illegal oil depot under Opebi Link Bridge to avert what it called a 'looming disaster'.

Officers of the Taskforce led by its chairman, Mr. Bayo Sulieman, a Chief Superintendent of Police, stormed the area at about 11am

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

just as the illegal operators were carrying out their activities of mixing diesel and kerosene before onward sale to unsuspecting members of the public.

Scores of artisans and staff of the illegal oil deport were arrested by the enforcement team and taken to the Task Force's

secretariat at Alausa, Ikeja.

Sulieman told journalists that a petition was forwarded to the state government by concerned residents of the area on the activities of the operators of the illegal depot.

Apart from constituting serious environmental degradation, Suleiman added that the operators' activities could result in a serious fire

outbreak in the area, which he noted, would have engulfed the whole of Opebi and its environs.

He said: "This is economic sabotage; adulteration is going on here at will. The trucks bearing the names of three registered oil and gas companies come into the premises, discharge the product and leave. This is very unfortunate."

Ogun shuts varsity over threat to peace

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O forestall a breakdown of law and order, the Ogun State Government has ordered the closure of the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago Iwoye.

The government also advised all parents whose wards are students of the university to call them to order, as the government will not tolerate any act capable of disturbing the peace being enjoyed by the people of the State.

In a statement signed by Barrister Taiwo Adeoluwa, Secretary to State Government, it said that the decision to close the university was taken in the overall interest of peace and order, as the students of the university have continued to

issue threats, while rejecting all entreaties and concessions made by the government on their various demands concerning the recently announced reduction of school fees.

After extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders, the state government on August 12 announced reductions in the school fees by 61 percent in all the 10 state-owned tertiary institutions.

The government also abolished the indigene/nonindigene dichotomy in the school fees regime and announced the 2014-2015 academic session as commencement period for the policy.

However, while students in nine of the ten institutions

commended the government for its decisions, OOU students insisted that the new school fees regime should take effect from the 2013/2014 academic session and that the fees should be further reduced.

The students premised their position on the fact that they are currently running the 2013-2014 academic session which will end in January.

OOU students subsequently staged a violent demonstration in Abeokuta, the state capital on August 15 until the personal intervention of the governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, which restored normalcy.

But intelligence report available to the state government later has it that

student leaders of the institution were alleged to have sent text messages around urging their colleagues 'to get ready for action'.

Security reports indicated that because the students are allegedly acting under external influence, no concession made by the state government will be satisfactory to them.

"Consequently, we have no option than to order the immediate closure of all the campuses of Olabisi Onabanjo University to protect the students and other residents of the state and their property. We urge all parents to impress on their wards the need to maintain peace in the interest of all", Adeoluwa stated.

Lagos to integrate automated platforms-Fashola

AGOS State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has stated his administration's resolve to commence the integration and upscale of his automated platforms and processes to ensure that citizens benefit more from its services.

He disclosed this on the sidelines of a retreat organised for members of the Executive Council and Body of Permanent Secretaries.

Speaking on the theme of the retreat, "Upscaling the Processes and Benefits of EGovernance in Lagos State," the governor explained that automation is critical to the policies and programs of the state government.

According to him, platforms including vehicle registration, number plate registration and tax card issuance, have earlier been created, adding that the goal being actively pursued currently is the integration of such platforms.

"You can see that we now have a platform for vehicle licensing and number plate registration; we also have a platform for tax card issuance, a platform for Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) and the GIS platform.

"We are now integrating that platform to make it easier for residents and citizens to enter and deal with us from a one-stop centre on the internet via applications and all that, so that citizens do not have to move from one place to the other or one application to the other. That is a commitment that we have made, that we have to ramp up", he said.

To achieve this objective, he said his administration was keen on implementing and optimising the software and hardware that it had acquired while also strengthening the integrity of the State's database.

Visit Sambisa to encourage the military, lawmaker tells Jonathan

By Oziegbe Okoeki

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HE Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Local Government Administration and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Moshood Oshun, has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to demonstrate leadership by visiting Sambisa forest in Borno State.

Speaking during a weekly program organised by the House of Assembly correspondents tagged 'Time out with the Press', the lawmaker said the alleged mutiny by soldiers deployed to the affected areas may averted if the President, who is the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces had visited Sambisa to encourage the troops.

The lawmaker called on the Federal Government to take a cue from its Camerounian counterparts, which deployed all the machinery at its disposal to secure the release of the wife of the Deputy Prime Minister of Cameroon, who was kidnapped by Boko Haram insurgents by all also ensuring the release of the over 200 Chibok students that were abducted over 100 days ago.

Ropo Sekoni

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Femi Orebe Page 16

SUNDAY, AUGUST 24, 2014

Begging for bread tunjade@yahoo.co.uk 08054503906 (sms only)

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Horrible plight of Nigerian students on FG scholarship in Russia

E I no go suffer, I no go beg for bread (2ce); God of miracles na my Papa o (4

times), Me I no go suffer, I no go beg for bread.

This is a popular song that many Christians sing in churches on Sundays. But it is doubtful if the song will have meaning to Nigerian students on Federal Government scholarship in Russia. Why? They are already suffering and have started to beg for bread!

Again, why? Because the Federal Government has characteristically failed woefully to provide for them. So, the students are not just exposed to the vagaries of an unknown land, they are also at the mercy of Good Samaritans from some less endowed African countries. The students, 322 in all, are beneficiaries of the scholarship under the Federal Government’s Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) Scholarship Awards.

Under the (BEA) arrangement for undergraduate and post-graduate studies that Nigeria has with Russia, Cuba, Morocco, Algeria, Romania, Ukraine, Turkey, Egypt, Japan, Serbia, Macedonia, China, and Mexico, the Federal Government pays for the upkeep of the students, while the countries where the scholarship award is tenable provides the tuition. Each of the students in Russia is entitled to a monthly stipend of $500 for feeding and $450 annual allowance for medicals and clothing. The Nigerian government has not sent money to any of them in the last eight months.

One of them, David Ikenna, a final year Medicine and Surgery student of the Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, says “We have been finding a way to survive by circumventing the laws, but it is at great risk to our personal safety and academic pursuits in Russia. Our situation is frustrating ... The Nigerian government has failed us miserably”. He is not done yet: “Even with the illegal jobs we do, we still find it hard to make ends meet. It is shameful that we have got no alternatives but to beg for food and money from Ghanaians, Namibians, Ugandans and Sierra Leoneans who are on the same bilateral educational scholarships like us.”

And these are some of the best the country has produced because they emerged through some rigorous and competitive processes. The case of 20-year-old Moyosore Ojuri, tells the story better. But first, her impression of their ordeal: “We are not private students. We came to Russia on the bill of the Federal Government. Why haven’t the authorities paid our stipends and other allowances for eight months now? For how long shall we continue to borrow money?”

Ojuri adds, “On many occasions, I have had cause to go to class on an empty stomach.

Getting money for transportation from my hostel to school has become very problematic. More worrisome is the fact that I will soon be homeless as my hostel fees will expire at the end of August. We are grateful to the Federal Government for the scholarship opportunity, but there is no sense in leaving us here to starve to death in a foreign land.”

The government’s failure to send money to the students has made them run into debts; and with the huge debt overhang on their

•Ibrahim Shekarau, Minister of Education

necks, the lenders are becoming uncomfortable to continue to be their brother or sister’s keeper because they are beginning to doubt their ability to repay. This is quite natural.

Ojuri is an exceptionally brilliant lady who had challenges too much for her age too early in her life. True to her surname, Ojuri (eyes have seen), her eyes have seen a lot in life. At 11, her father who had promised her the best of education suddenly died. The authorities of the secondary school she was attending saw the talent in her and gave her mother the concession of paying her school fees in installments. So, somehow, Ojuri managed to complete her secondary education. She had six distinctions and two credits in the 2010 West African Senior School Certificate Examination.

She would have been stranded despite her brilliance but luckily for her, she came across the BEA and applied. She passed all the qualifying tests and was offered admission to study Metallurgical Engineering at the Volgograd State Technical University, Russia.

Another student, Akinola Akindamola, a first class Mechanical Engineering graduate pursuing his Master’s degree at the Volgograd State Technical University, explains that they engage in all kinds of odd jobs to survive.

Expectedly, the pressure is more on his female colleagues. “It is unfortunate that girls with exceptional academic brilliance are now forced to indulge in all manner of indecent lifestyles. These girls now go to clubs and dance semi nude for a fee that could be as low as $20. For the boys, employers use us for odd jobs, such as clearing of snow and as labourers on construction sites. Even as we do that, there is this perpetual fear that the police will arrest us.” The police come in here because the students do not have work permit; the country is unlike Nigeria where people, including foreigners can do as they like without anyone asking questions. Concerning the ladies, the picture definitely could not have been as simple as Akindamola painted it. He probably did not want to add that some of these girls eventually end up underneath some ruffling sheets to boost their income! God forbids, if any of them contracts the dreaded Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) virus, does the government not know it is cul-

“ How can students abandoned by their country sing Nigeria’s song in a strange land? How many countries will abandon their own the way the Federal Government has done to these promising youths? Would those responsible for this inhuman treatment have treated their own children like this? How much would the scholarship have cost the government that it now finds it difficult to pay, considering the huge amounts that are either being mismanaged or stolen daily from the government’s coffers?”

pable?

These are horrible experiences for students who must have regarded their suffering as over when they touched down at the airport in Moscow. But here they are, barely 15 months after for some of them, the government appears fed up with them. And, given the Nigerian factor, their suffering might just have begun because those who sent them to Russia are now thinking about nothing but the 2015 elections.

But it is nonetheless interesting that while Nigeria is defaulting in its own part of the bargain to its own citizens, Russia promptly fulfills its own side despite the fact that the beneficiaries are not Russians. How else do you know serious countries?

Meanwhile, the same defaulting Federal Government had the temerity to complain to Russia what it felt it (Russia) was not doing right to the students. The Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr. Olu Lipede, in his effort to prove that the government cares about the students said: “We do care about their welfare. Last year (2013), we went to visit them in Russia and we inspected where they sleep and we made known to the Russian Government those things we were not satisfied with …” Does this kind of statement lie in the Federal Government’s mouth?

Meanwhile, the same government will be blaming the country’s negative perception on everyone else but itself. It would waste a lot of tax payers’ money on meaningless image laundering when it would have achieved by far more mileage by doing the proper thing at the proper time.

Now, besides welfare, some of the students who are to return to Nigeria for their mandatory internship programmes are also stuck in Russia, due to lack of funds. I keep wondering why the changing never changes irrespective of who is in power in this country. In the 1970s when Nigeria was still keen on the steel industry, some of our youths were sent abroad to learn about iron and steel technology. I remember how we used to envy the lucky few selected for the training then. Just a few years after, they became jobless almost as they were settling down to enjoy the fruits of their training abroad.

As usual in the country, the stranded students’ matter is like the proverbial missing knife that no one would admit having used to peel yam. We do not know who to hold responsible. Lipede blamed the students’ travails on the “budgeting process” and problems associated with “banking transfers.” What does this mean? How does this translate to stipends for our stranded students? Sometime later, some people who have fed fat from the system unproductively would be talking about patriotism, how can students abandoned by their country sing Nigeria’s song in a strange land? How many countries will abandon their own the way the Federal Government has done to these promising youths? Would those responsible for this inhuman treatment have treated their own children like this? How much would the scholarship have cost the government that it now finds it difficult to pay, considering the huge amounts that are either being mismanaged or stolen daily from the government’s coffers? No one should be surprised though. There is a systematic discouragement for people who thirst for education in the country, no thanks to ‘stomach infrastructure’.

Anyway, since the god of Jonathan has failed the students, to that same God of miracles they must turn or return.

Much ado about Ebola

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ITH five persons dead, including a medical doctor and two nurses and many under observation in the country, there is no doubt that the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease deserves all the attention given to it.

Until recently when the Liberian Patrick Sawyer decided to export his virus to Nigeria, not many Nigerians knew much about the disease that killed hundreds, beyond occasional mention in the media in the country.

That has since changed with Ebola becoming the most talked about issue and everyone taking measures to avoid contacting the disease.

Although President Goodluck Jonathan can be accused of being un-presidential for calling Sawyer ‘a madman’, his anger is understood considering that the Liberian should have surrendered himself for treatment in his country instead of causing us the untold anguish that has followed the outbreak of the disease in Nigeria.

The Liberian government owes us apologies, which unfortunately cannot mitigate the damage done, for not taking necessary measures to prevent Sawyer from travelling to Nigeria.

The federal and state governments, particularly Lagos, have risen up to the occasion and deserve commendation for stemming the tide of the outbreak so far.

While nothing may be too much to be done to stop the spread of the disease, there is need to avoid undue panic which seems to underline some of the reactions to the outbreak.

It is worrisome that suddenly every sickness may now be mistaken for Ebola. Some sick persons have been denied treatment or abandoned on the suspicion that they may be Ebola patients.

There is a growing stigmatisation of the disease, that Nigerians are now subjected to humiliating medical check ups for Ebola on international trips simply because they are from Nigeria.

For a disease that has been ravaging some African countries before Sawyer came calling, it is not justifiable that the collective reactions have been that similar to an epidemic situation.

Some of the hygienic precautions now being enforced should not have been Ebolainduced if not because we have been careless about our health. Before the Ebola crisis, there has always been the need for regular hand-washing which has not been taken seriously.

Ebola is not the only disease that can be contracted due to not washing of hands. This explains why October 15 has annually been observed as Global Handwashing Day (GHD) to motivate and mobilise people to wash their hands with soap. The campaign is dedicated to raising awareness of handwashing with soap as a key approach to disease prevention.

For those who have always thought that the Hand Washing Day was one of those United Nation’s Days regarded as unnecessary, they now know better that prevention by every means is better than cure.

Hand sanitisers have always been in use by those who could afford them or where they are provided. It should not have taken the outbreak of Ebola for some organisations now enforcing the use of hand sanitisers to do so.

It should be noted that there is an amount of sanitiser that has to be used and brands to guarantee bacteria and virus-free hands.

It’s good that Ebola has reminded us of health measures that should be part of our regular lifestyles. Hopefully we would not abandon them when Ebola is over.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 24, 2014

COMMENT

Resurgence of politics without bitterness, and ideology?

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S he exits the All Progressives Congress (APC) and migrates to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Nuhu Ribadu, a one-time fellow at the Centre for Global Development for his reputation as Nigeria’s anticorruption czar thrown into irrelevance by the same party that appointed him to the country’s anti-corruption agency, re-introduced recently into the polity what Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim of Greater Nigerian People’s Party during the second republic called ‘politics without bitterness.’

In the same breath, Malam Ribadu raised the problem of the scrambling of the culture of progressive politics in the country.

Ribadu’s commitment to the politics of bitterness is unmistakable in his letter of withdrawal from the party that sponsored him as its presidential candidate in 2011: “My defection shouldn’t be seen as an initiation of political antagonism with my good friends in another party. I still hold them in high esteem, and even where there are marked differences, I believe there are decorous and honourable ways of resolving them.” He also added that there is no desire for any short-term gratification or love of ‘stomach infrastructure’ in his migration from APC to PDP, adding: “I wish to assure you that my defection is in pursuit of a good cause and never out of any selfish interests.” Ribadu’s assurances should be believable, given the moral high ground that he occupied at the time he was head-hunted to run as ACN presidential candidate at the end of his fellowship at the Centre for Global Development in Washington.

There will be many more qualified observers of partisan politics to comment on Ribadu’s choice of PDP as a platform for him to pursue his project of good cause. Today’s piece is about how Ribadu’s abrupt exit from APC, which he co-founded with other leaders of the Action

The facile claim by most politicians in our country that politics is a game of number does not apply to indiscriminate recruitment or admittance of members of ideologically opposed political parties Congress of Nigeria, provides motivation for a narrative about the threat to the tradition of progressive politics in the country’s post-military era. When individuals like Ribadu migrate from APC to PDP and others like Nyako transfer their political seat from PDP to APC, students of political affairs are bound to raise questions about the character of progressive politics and parties.

To call one party or movement progressive in the context of Nigeria is to recognise the role of ideology in the organisation of the polity and society. In Francis Fukuyama’s “The End of History,” he predicted that the end of the cold war may lead to the end of major ideological conflict in the world at large. However, Fukuyama added that in countries that have not attained liberal democracy as a dominant value, the tendency for conflicts remains until such countries accept the inevitability of liberal democracy. This implies that there will be reasons for creating ideologies in transitional societies like Nigeria until the end of history, if Fukuyama’s theory is accepted as capable of explaining human historical trajectory.

From the 1950s till date, there has been the imperative for any political party created by the Yoruba to construct a clear ideology that presents its vision and mission statements to the electorate, as a means of mobilising for citizens’ support. Whether it was the Action Group, the Unity Party of Nigeria of Awolowo’s time (with no reference to the use of such names by contemporary politicians), the Social Democratic Party, the Alliance for Democracy, Action Congress, Action Congress of Nigeria, and now the All Progressives Congress, politicians in the Yoruba region have always known that any party that wants to be listened to by the generality of voters in the

region must present a progressive face and agenda.

It was the belief that most Yoruba people are politically ‘to the left of the ideological spectrum’ that also explained why it was the SDP (a little to the left party) out of the two partystructures created by General Babangida that the Yoruba espoused in 1993, leaving the nonthreatening number of Yoruba conservatives to NRC. The recognition among a majority of Yoruba people that government exists for the sake of the governed also explained the attraction of Yoruba intellectuals to Aminu Kano’s NEPU or Balarabe Musa’s PRP. Now that the country’s presidential system makes it easy for politics of personalities or godfathers to eclipse that of ideology or of ideas, it is understandable when governors or former governors catch headlines when they migrate out of and into parties whimsically. The fact that political parties no longer scrutinise the ideological leanings or credentials of politicians crossing into their folds should be a source of worry for truly progressive politicians and thinkers. Most of the nomadic politicians that move from one party to the other are more besotted to power than to service to the people.

This also explains why most of such politicians have no qualms in moving back to their first political party when their assessment of their new political party changes. To such itinerant politicians, a political party’s normative vision is of no relevance. What matters is the opportunity to use their belonging to or disengaging from political parties as a bargaining chip for power and privilege.

It is too soon to point at what made Ribadu run from APC to PDP. It is also premature to say that he will not run back to APC from PDP later.

What is important is for political parties that are

progressive and want to be seen to be progressive not to leave the gate to the party wide open.

There needs to be a mechanism within the culture of progressive parties to resist the temptation of being ensnared or seduced by individuals capable largely of generating sound bites and hype. What makes multi-party democracy meaningful is the distinctiveness in the vision and mission of each political party in contest with others for state power, not the readiness of parties to serve as fall-out shelters for members of other political parties.

What has been obvious in the last fifteen years of post-military governance is the search by the ruling party for a one-party system. The saying that the PDP will be the party in power for the next 65 years is a code to other parties seeking power at all cost and with immediate effect to merge with the ruling party. It is the desire for absolute power that must have pushed the ruling power at the centre to stigmatise opposition political parties periodically as working and talking to undermine the party in power.

While it is right and respectable for opposition political parties to resist being swelled by the ruling party, it is a puerile strategy for opposition parties, especially those that carry the image of progressiveness, to open their doors wide for politicians that may have differences other than ideological disagreement with their home parties.

The facile claim by most politicians in our country that politics is a game of number does not apply to indiscriminate recruitment or admittance of members of ideologically opposed political parties. The game of number principle applies to the electorate. It is the number of voters that political parties can woo to their sides on account of the relevance of their vision and mission statements to the citizenry that matters in a proper democracy, not the number of individuals in office or seeking office who choose to change political parties without any reference to the ideological stance of such parties.

Just as Malam Ribadu has pledged to avoid any acrimony with members of the APC during his stay in the PDP, so should APC leaders and their image makers refrain from demonising him for what may appear to be political nomadism in a country where whatever goes up politically must always come down.

COMMENT

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 24, 2014

15

Jega and security We support the call by the INEC Chairman that hooded men have no place during elections

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ROFESSOR Attahiru Jega’s assurance that never again shall the “unknown security official” be a feature of the nation’s electioneering process comes as a soothing relief.

As the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) pointed out, the practice in the recent Osun State governorship election was a deviation from the norm and an attempt to rob the process of transparency, fairness, honour and integrity. These are qualities every electoral system is expected to have to be adjudged in line with global standards.

Following the Delta Central Senatorial election and the Edo and Anambra governorship polls, the electoral commission had come under heavy criticisms by domestic and international observers, the media and political activists, for falling short of expectations. As usual, materials arrived late at the polling units, officials were poorly trained and remunerated, while INEC officials were easily compromised by desperate politicians. The commission then promised to return to the drawing board before the Ekiti and Osun polls.

As key stakeholders have pointed out, the commission largely lived up to its promise in conducting the elections in Ekiti and Osun states on June 21 and August 9, respectively. Yet, it was pointed out that there was confusion in coordinating the activities of security agents drafted for the assignment, while some displayed open partisanship. The three arms of the militarythe Navy, Air force and Army were made to send troops, while the Police and Nigeria Civil Defence Corps also deployed officers, men and materials, ostensibly to ward off trouble makers.

For the first time in the history of elections in the country, the Department of State Security (DSS) also played a visible even if detestable role as its men were seen menacingly armed and

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IR, We are constrained to resort to this medium to ventilate our views and passionately appeal to your Excellency based on the issue regarding government’s decision and action on our lands in Lupele Village, OkeMosan. The issue is already threatening our livelihood for which we need your Excellency’s passionate intervention, as our leader and in whose power Allah has today providentially placed the destinies of many in the state.

We like to place on record that prior to year 2011, we bought parcels of land at Lupele Village, based strictly on the understanding that the land was in no way

pointing guns at innocent citizens. Worse still, the men were masked, thus making it difficult to differentiate them from hoodlums who could have procured the military uniform. The use of hoods, now common with the Boko Haram insurgents, was first noticed as some gun-toting men accompanied the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) candidate on his campaign. It was condemned. But, the practice continued as, a few days to the election, some of the men were seen at the Osogbo Township Stadium where they refused organised Labour that had booked its use for a rally entry.

Then, on Election Day, some men wearing masks turned up at strategic nooks and crannies of the state, threatening the same peace they had apparently been deployed to secure. In a nocturnal raid on the eve of the Osun election, prominent members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had also been picked up for no justifiable reason, with some released three days after the election. In none of the abductions was any reason adduced for the action.

The defence put up by the service’s spokesperson, Ms. Marilyn Ogar, is not only ludicrous but an indication that the high command might have instructed the men on the field to align with a particular party. Her linking the APC to attempted

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

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

•Managing Director/ Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Adekunle Ade-Adeleye

LETTER

Letter of appeal to Governor Amosun Believing the credibility of the government, our minds were at rest that the matter had been laid to rest permanently. Further to our delight, the issue came up for deliberation under the judicial panel of enquiry into land matters at the inception of this administration. At the end of deliberation, it was noted that the land, alongside other communities in Oke Mosan, has been excised to the villages, on the strength of the letters to

them earlier.

Surprisingly, on the 6th August 2012, we received a letter from Bureau of Lands and Survey, signed by Mrs. Ronke Sokefun, Special Adviser/Director General (Lands), advising that all actions and activities on the land should cease pending the outcome of a review exercise by government. Naturally, prior to this, some

SOS, Governor Yero of Kaduna State

HE two elections conducted by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in two states of Ekiti and Osun have shown to all Nigerians and the world over that maybe we should start having confidence on our electoral umpire.

In the past, Nigerians have lost confidence on the activities of most of the agencies responsibility of conducted any election in our country.

But of recent, the present INEC has started on good note with the way it has conducted the two elections in those states without any form of malpractice from any of the staff of INEC and the transparency the elec-

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HAVE been a resident of Kaduna city since 1972; I have seen the good, the bad and the ugly side of this beautiful northern city but we are praying to Almighty Allah to bestow more of his goodness on the city.

I want to ask his the Governor whether the under listed areas are still part of Kaduna city. These are: Television village, Ungwa Romi village, Ungwa Sunday village, Ungwa Gimbia village, Juji village Sabon Tasha and Nassarawa?

What prompted this question is lack of government presence in form of road network infrastructure

rigging is an indication that she knew more than she volunteered and her men would gladly do anything to pervert the process. This trend must stop.

The introduction of hooded security men on Election Day is a dangerous development as we earlier pointed out in an editorial after the election.

It is commendable that Professor Jega has come out boldly, not only to condemn the development but assure that the commission would not accept them for future elections.

We call on the INEC chairman to insist that the security functions during polling can only be coordinated by the commission. This is the practice in many parts of the world today. Part 1, Paragraph 15 of the 1999 Constitution as amended saddles the electoral commission with the power to “organise, undertake and supervise all elections to the offices of the President and Vice President, the Governor and Deputy Governor of a state, and to the membership of the Senate, House of Representatives and the House of Assembly of each state of the Federation.”

We also call on the National Assembly to accord priority to reforms needed to restore honour to the electioneering process. Six months to the 2015 general elections it is to be noted that the needed fund, legislative cover and administrative rules should be made expeditiously available to empower INEC perform its role without fear or favour. The electorate needs time to get familiar with the rules and the terrain.

Hooded security men must be removed from the scene; the military has no business participating in elections. It is a civil responsibility with which the Police and Civil Defence should be saddled while the military men should be left with tackling the more damaging threat posed by the Boko Haram insurrection.

under government acquisition.

In order to put paid to any doubt, the then Bureau of Lands and Survey in a letter dated May 9th, 2011, vide No-LM10/794/55 and signed by the Director General, Surveyor Gbenga Ogunnoiki clarified that the land had been ceded to Lupele Community as part of the renewal policy of the then administration to allow for peaceful coexistence and heritage preservation.

from time immemorial.

Despite the fact that the bulk of tax receivable by Kaduna State comes from these areas as it represents industrial zone where workers pay their taxes from source and as at when due, but unfortunately the huge population in these areas are lacking roads which always keep people indoors after rainfall compared to other parts of Kaduna city such as: Malali, Ungwa Rimi, Kawo, Tudun Wada, Barnawa, Ungwa Shanu and others.

I am left to wonder how a father of two children will over feed one child and leave the other child to starve to

death.

It is a good thing to call your attention to this abnormally so as to correct the trend as 2015 is around the corner, as you abandon us to our fate and look the other side when we need your support most.

The teeming population of these areas with our voting power may likely decide to turn our face too to another side come 2015, a stitch in time saves nine.

However, it is not too late to give us a sense of belonging.

Israel Oyegbile Sabo Tasha, Kaduna

measure of structural development had started to take place based on assurance from government vide the previous letters. On the basis of the latest letter from the Bureau, we complied with government’s directives and we’re waiting for government action in form of a constructive dialogue between both parties on the matter.

However, to our amazement,

we woke up to discover that bulldozers from the Bureau of Lands and Survey/Housing Coorporation had moved in and started mowing down all semblances of structures on the land.

On the strength of the above, we hereby passionately appeal that your Excellency should please temper justice with mercy and take another view of the matter.

May the Almighty Allah create a space for our pity in your Excellency’s heart to handle this matter.

Bolaji Akinpelu Lupele Village community Oke Mosan, Abeokuta.

Can we begin to have confidence on INEC?

T

tions was conducted.

The assurance by the chairman of INEC Prof.

Attaihru Jega of his Commission’s preparedness of conducting credible elections between now and 2015 should be commended and should be applauded by all Nigerians.

The two elections in the two states known as flash point areas in the country should be seen as launch pad towards getting free, fair and credible election that would be accepted by the entire country and the world in particular.

We should conduct our elections into various elective posts without any form of intimidation or any harassment for Nigerian to elect

people of proven integrity that would represent them in the elective position.

Nigerians would be proud if our electoral umpire would put the interest of country and good image of its people at heart, then Nigerian say we have arrived in conducting credible election without any form acrimony and unnecessary bickering.

With election of 2015 in few months’ time and all Nigerian would start to have confidence on our electoral system, and conducting election to the admiration of all and sundry, we shall say our promised land is insight.

Bala Nayashi, Yashi Area Lokoja, Kogi State.

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COMMENT

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 24, 2014

Re: # Bring Back Our Northern Domination - Femi Aribisala

For Aribisala, the president occupies a sinecure position and so he must not be bothered at all, whether it is about the girls, about Ebola or anything at all

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ITH characters like Femi Aribisala, Nigeria is hopelessly doomed. How obstreperous, how gratuitously clownish can a so-called professor get just for the purpose of stomach infrastructure? I read this supposed academic and I almost threw up. What drives their kind, what is the end in view because like the Yoruba would say, must you, because you must eat beef, call a cow brother? What is the purpose of education if all it makes you do is become boisterous in advertising idiocy? In an article he titled as above, brimming with bile and incandescent pride, he descended heavily on a section of Nigeria you would think he was writing about Tajikistan; all in the mistaken belief that he was fighting President Goodluck Jonathan’s enemies, not knowing he was merely foolishly increasing the president’s problems in geometric proportions. At least the president has not been quoted as saying he wants Nigeria’s dismemberment.

I crave readers’ pardon for fouling up their Sunday with some quotes from the thoroughly inflammatory article.

He had started out with this totally idiotic, if not illogical proposition, which in itself is a pointer to where that word came into the PDP lexicon since this fellow became bullish in its defence: ‘The only way the APC can redeem its perception as a Janjaweed party is by putting forward a SouthSouth man as its presidential candidate in 2015’. But that, indeed, was one of the best parts because he would later

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HAVE kind friends. They not only vet what I write just to make sure no one would have cause to wake them up in the night on my behalf but also warn me when my grammar appears to be going in the wrong direction, such as underfoot. For example, these kind friends have, over time, warned me over several things. Once, they warned me that my grammar appeared to be slithering towards the overly critical. I bowed politely to them, Japanese style, and reduced the venom in my ink. After all, I thought, no need to antagonise anyone. Another time, they said I tended to make my jokes overshadow my points. Now, that got my hackles up. What are people trying to reduce me to without those jokes: Obj.? Never!

However, watching events surrounding the Ebola Virus spread in Nigeria over the last few weeks has truly wiped the joke off my face this week. Against all our prayers, the virus has taken its toll on all our hearts, not to talk of all our lives and sanities.

The other day, I saw a picture of an Okada rider who thought he had the Ebola remedy all wrapped up. Yep, he wrapped himself and his fare sitting behind him in one giant, transparent, airproof, cellophane bag! I thought: can anyone be more foolish?!

The tugs on our hearts are getting more and more painful though. Not content with taking some of the selfless health workers who attended to

equate APC to Boko Haram in the article even when Nigerians know in which party a former northeast governor who was severally called in by security agencies concerning Boko Haram is now coolly berthed.

And my mind went, instinctively, to the unfortunate university students who must have passed through a man who could write as follows about fellow Nigerians: ‘The Northern Elders Forum, the apostles of “the north is born to rule, “finally played their joker.

They maintained that if the government does not #Bring Back Our Girls by the end of October, 2014, Jonathan should forget about running for re-election. This again reveals that there is more political mischief to the kidnapping of the Chibok schoolgirls than initially meets the eye. As a matter of fact, it shows conclusively that #Bring Back Our Girls is simply another instrument of #Bring Back Our Northern Domination. The First Lady understood this clearly from the onset; which is why she declared that: “There is God o!” The people of Borno understood this. They have always known that their own feudal leaders are behind the kidnapping of the girls. With the statement of the NEF, Nigerians must no longer be in two minds about this. The kidnapping of the Chibok girls is part and parcel of a cynical plan by some northern elements to embarrass the government and militate against Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election plans.’ I am surprised this jester did not accuse the northern elders of breeding Ebola in

their maximum security laboratory to embarrass the Nigerian president.

Pray, how idiotic can anybody get arriving at this conclusion from that premise? Is our professor here saying it is beyond the ken of northern elders to call attention to the pitiable conditions of over 200 young Nigerian girls, holed up amidst terrorists for well over a hundred days without the slightest idea as to when they would be freed, if ever?

Indeed, there are professors and there are professors!

I invite readers then, to come with me as this determined nation wrecker shows his devious hands. Wrote Aribisala, senselessly trying to pit northerners against one another in the belief that they are like the Yoruba some power mongers are currently trying to mess up and sell cheaply: ‘The new north is the north of men like our most successful industrialist, Aliko Dangote, now the 23rd richest man in the world. It is the north of men like Ibrahim Gambari; our point-man and intellectual giant at the United Nations.

It is the north of men like Nuhu Ribadu; it is the north of men like Father-Reverend Matthew Kukah, a Catholic priest with a national social conscience. It is the north of men like Mohammed Buba Marwa, the most dynamic governor in Nigeria during the Abacha regime. But subsisting beside this new progressive north is the old north of decrepit old men who have lived for long as parasites on Nigeria’s oil wealth. This bold north is the north of #Bring Back Our Northern Domination; a north of indolent political has-beens; looking for pensions from national coffers. It is the north of recalcitrant yesterday’s men who had lived large at the country’s expense and are hankering after an in-

glorious past where they spent the national patrimony with the profligacy and abandon of irresponsible firstborn children. This is the old north that ran down the nation’s resources. It is the north that built nothing and grew nothing. It is the north that ate up our groundnut pyramids. It is the north that, despite being in power for 38 years, failed grievously to educate northern children. It is the north of those who kept their fellow northerners in the bondage of abject poverty under a feudal system where, like dogs, they fed them from the crumbs that fell from their table. This old north is the north of men who are now reduced to pathetic bluster and blackmail. It is these same northerners that are now crying #Bring Back Our Northern Domination.

But they can no longer fool the new emergent north; and they certainly cannot fool the rest of the country, except perhaps a few gullible and power-hungry Yoruba chieftains.’ Hogwash!

What first surprised me on reading this portion of his senseless article was how a supposed intellectual could so revel in panegyrics you would think he is a juju musician. Indeed, Alhaji Dangote should please remember him in his will. Whoever recruited this fellow for the President Jonathan’s re election bid in the probable hope that there was money he could make in an election year has done a great disservice to the president. And if he chose to go on a frolic, he should look for something else to do. Truth be told, this hagiographer is simply brainless.

With this type of an educated fool, Nigeria is certainly doomed. With a professor so illogical, so blind he conflates his hated north, with a Boko Haram that is killing everybody, this country is going nowhere. Even a com-

Time to stop playing this roulette game with our national affairs Rather, we proudly hold up, as models, individuals who are building extraordinarily shaped houses, buying the latest cars fresh from overseas ovens, and renewing girlfriends and boyfriends at the drop of European hats, and all at government’s expense the Sawyer man, the virus has heartlessly snatched yet another victim, Dr. Stella Adadevoh, the senior doctor who attended to him. Death never plays fair. More importantly, my worry is this: how on earth could we not have foreseen this? How on earth could we not have prevented it?

These people died for many reasons, quite apart from being exposed to the virus. They died because this country has absolutely no first line of help when it comes to disaster management. This is careless. Look at the facts. Nigeria has the highest paid legislature and executive in the world.

With the federal and state might combined, the country parades the highest number of executive and legislative members in the world, what with commissioners and special advisers literally strutting around in their hundreds.

Yet, this country has no first line of crisis management. What the heck, you’ll say! Imagine Ebola breaking out in West Africa, and America has to be depended on for help with a drug they don’t even need in their own land.

Seriously, the word out there is that Nigeria is the greatest nation in Africa, full of promises and all. It not only has enough material resources to dwarf all other minor nations, its human resources resound world-wide.

There is no nation on earth, no endeavour on earth, no learning and research space on earth, where you do not have Nigerians at the forefront. Someone

once said that if we get to the moon and there is no Nigerian living there, then it must be a new moon! Actually, that pun was not intended. Anyhow, here is this lolling giant, snoring wide awake in the sun, and losing its citizens on account of its ungainly carelessness. What can we put all this down to?

Well, there is the important fact that the world recognizes this country for a few things only: corruption, corruption, and, oh yes, corruption. As we all know, this almighty beast that we all seem to worship has prevented us from finding our ways clearly towards progress and development. Once upon a time, I seem to remember in this country, the Nigerian army hospital used to run neck to neck on research with other research units so that no disease dared to enter the country without their combined permission. Not anymore. Now, the army hospital is not only so quiet and tame it is practically unheard anymore. The teaching hospitals, research institutes, universities and even self-inspired individuals interested in taking diseases in hand and finding solutions to them have shouted themselves hoarse in vain on demands for attention and necessary funding to do research. Now, they talk in whispers on the subject.

When it comes to funding anything, most of all research, the government has the major, major responsibility in this country, while some

will devolve to corporations. Unfortunately, no one is dispensing this responsibility responsibly. Rather than direct units to work as they should all over the country, national officials are more preoccupied with enriching themselves hoping to be far away from the country any day disaster strikes.

Unfortunately again, like many of us mere mortals, our foolish plans are not always fool-proof.

Sadly, this country has never earned more money than it does now; yet, there is so little to show for it.

Rather, we proudly hold up as models individuals who are building extraordinarily shaped houses, buying the latest cars fresh from overseas ovens, and renewing girlfriends and boyfriends at the drop of European hats, and all at government’s expense.

WORSE, WHENEVER SUCH INDIVIDUALS BREEZE ACROSS YOUR PATH, YOUR CLOSEST RELATIVES CRY SHAME WITH YOU. YOU THINK THEY ARE WITH YOU? OH NO, THEY ARE ONLY CRYING SHAME THAT THERE, BUT FOR THE GRACE OF YOUR INDECENT SCRUPLES, GOES YOU. IN OTHER WORDS, WHY CAN YOU NOT BE LIKE THE SA TO THE SA TO THE SA OF THE GOVERNOR WHO HAS BUILT GOD-KNOWS HOW MANY HOUSES? If only, just if only, a fraction of these sums devoted to purchasing private comfort could be diverted to pursuing the public good, perhaps

plete illiterate would remember that there was Boko Haram long before Jonathan. So what election were they stopping him from contesting then?

Does Aribisala need be told that a group which attempted to kill both the late Emir of Kano and General Buhari, who he presents in his article as a blue-eyed boy of the same bad north he so unreasonably denigrates, could not logically be the handiwork of these same distinguished northerners he hates so much?

Does he need to be so grovelling if all he wants is an ambassadorship with accreditation to, may be, nothing better than Banjul? Where is the proverbial restraint of the academic? Why could he have chosen to be a nation destroyer rather than the builder his level of education presupposes?

This thoroughly illogical fellow is completely out of sync with the academia and he should hide his face in shame. By the way how many northerners are pushing the bring back our girls effort that the elders can no longer talk? Is Oby Ezekwezili a northerner or Mrs Oyebode one? Her father and former Head of State, General Mohammed, was from the old Bendel, the mother, a proud Yoruba, and she is married to one of our distinguished Ekiti icons, the distinguished lawyer, Gbenga Oyebode.

What ails this character for Christ’s sake, insecurity?

He worsened his case when, in an effort to humour the president, he went on to commend the First Lady for views every reasonable person considered unfair and for which, she had since made amends. For Aribisala, the president occupies a sinecure position and so he must not be bothered at all, whether it is about the girls, about Ebola or anything at all.

Just as this article was being put to bed I learnt, reliably, that together with a business associate of his, somewhere on Opebi, Lagos, our friend packages Consultancy/Training programmes which are mostly targeted at making unearned profits from Abuja.

Need we wonder any further why he must be a lick spittle?

that might significantly reduce the sum of all our fears. Again, no pun intended; these things just happen.

So, decades in and out, the story of the giant of Africa has remained unchanged – one of philandering lasciviousness at the official level. And when some ballast of misfortune hits us, tails tucked in, the giant goes bowl in hand to the international coffers and research cupboards. Evidently, I think now is the time to begin to change this story.

First, I think we need to convince our officials to begin to put the country’s money where its mouth is.

Obviously, its mouth is where its needs are. As of now, these needs are roving between Boko Haram and Ebola virus outbreak; but clearly, its money does not appear to be going to either. With our common voice, we need to plead with our officials to occasionally interrupt their duties of stowing away pounds for their present and pennies for our future enjoyments and just think of our heretofore. We need to convince them, with our collective will, to develop even the most minimal plan for the development of this country. No, no, it’s not the kind that we already have on paper called wishful thinking. I think it also goes by the name of Vision 2020 which no one appears to take seriously, least of all by its custodians. We need one that is realistic and really serious.

Secondly, it is very important now to set up a good chain of research that will coordinate the works of all the relevant units in this country. It is also important to fund them adequately.

Dr. Stella Adadevoh and others might not have died had there been something for them to use as a sign of our own puny efforts before superior (if that) wisdom would arrive. As it was, we had nothing, and from all indications we still do not have much, yet the thing continues to spread. I think it is time to stop playing this roulette game with our national affairs; it is not working, and it is not helping us.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 24, 2014

COMMENT

17

(79) Nuhu Ribadu’s defection: the instructive analogies of Sam Aluko and Nasir El-Rufai S

OMETIME in 1999 (or it may have been early 2000) I got an extraordinary personal note from Chief Ebenezer Babatope (“Ebino Topsy!) who had been Sani Abacha’s Aviation Minister and is now a PDP chieftain, being a member of the ruling party’s Board of Trustees. Before I come to the contents of this note, a few background facts and details are perhaps necessary.

With many others like Edwin Madunagu, the late M. Agunbiade (“Chairman Mao”), Yemi Adefulu and Dayo Abatan, Babatope and I had been stalwarts and comradesin-arm in the radical students’ movement in Nigeria when we were undergraduates, he at the University of Lagos and I at the University of Ibadan. A self-declared and militant socialist like most of us, Babatope had also been a diehard supporter of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and was quite easily one of the most indefatigable “Awoists” in our youth. After graduating from Unilag, he went on to become a prolific pamphleteer and essayist whose passion for socialism and Pan Africanism bristled in all his writings. As I recall it now, the bottom line of all his revolutionary writings and activities could be captured in one single slogan: let the revolution come and let it come quickly; it did not matter through which way it came.

From this, the reader can deduce why it wa such a surprise to many when Babatope not only agreed to serve in Abacha’s cabinet but actually served him loyally, actively, vociferously. This observation leads directly to the personal note that Babatope sent me in 1999.

Briefly, the note said please, BJ, don’t judge me on my service to Abacha before you read my new book and we have met to discuss the contents of the book. The note duly asked for the address to which he could mail the book to me and as a matter of fact, I did receive the book. I think between then and now he and I have met only once, but it was such a brief meeting that we didn’t have the opportunity to discuss his book and his experience as one of Abacha’s leftist loyalists. In my memory, the most noteworthy thing, indeed the most sensational thing in the contents of Babatope’s book was the part in which he bitterly asserted that many of those on the Left and among “progressives” who later turned round and vilified him for having served under Sani Abacha had in fact not only initially encouraged him to accept the appointment the dictator gave him but also had personally benefitted a lot from his ministerial job under Abacha. And as if to clinch the point he was trying to make though this allegation, Babatope gave the names of those he could name among such people; where, for one reason or another, he couldn’t or didn’t want to give the names of some particu-

•Ribadu

lar personalities, he dropped unmistakable hints that let the knowledgeable reader know who they were.

On the road to Damascus Saul of Tarsus, the persecutor and nemesis of the early Christians, became Paul, the rock who would later serve as the foundation on which early Christianity was built. This is one of the most outstanding moral and spiritual metamorphoses in history. And indeed “on the road to Damascus” has become perhaps the most widely used metaphorical phrase in the English language for a change, a transformation from a lower, evil state to a higher, more beneficent plane of being. But imagine the reversal of this historic, celebrated apotheosis in which on the road to Damascus, Paul became Saul of Tarsus: the hero became the antihero; the revolutionist who formulated new ideas of religious worship and thought became the brute who used violence and repression to squelch new possibilities in human spirituality.

This, in essence, was the story that Babatope told in the book that he sent to me in 1999. The slight twist in his story was that he was not alone, that other “comrades” masquerading as St. Paul when they were really Saul of Tarsus encouraged him to serve under Abacha.

More damningly, Babatope went on to add that in the depth and the secret of the night, these people often came to him for contracts and other forms of largesse. Biodun, do not judge me, Babatope said to me in his note to

me in 1999, until you have read my book and found out just how many Sauls of Tarsus there are among those you and I have always thought of as progressives and revolutionaries.

Now I think that in one way, Babatope was absolutely right in this claim, this plea. In our country, they are literally uncountable, the politicians and activists who at one time or the other were “comrades”, radicals and progressives who have decamped and joined the camp of reactionaries, ethnic jingoists, religious zealots and plain political opportunists. Indeed, so deep and wide is this phenomenon, especially since 1999, that the line has been almost completely obliterated between progressives and reactionaries, between genuinely patriotic democrats and extremely cynical politicians for whom patriotism is no more than a path to unlimited self-enrichment. To use our opening metaphor of “on the road to Damascus”, this means that the line between Paul and Saul has been almost completely obliterated in our country’s political affairs, again especially since 1999. Please note that I said almost completely obliterated because in fact the line still exists because the society is yet to be created in human affairs in which the line between what is right and what is wrong, what is just and what is unjust, what is decent and what is ignoble has been completely wiped out. And that is where Babatope was wrong in his 1999 personal note to me. This observation brings us to the topic of this piece, Nuhu Ribadu’s defection to the PDP. But what does

my claim that Babatope was wrong have to do with this topic?

It is extremely misleading to cast Babatope’s experience in the metaphorical framework of Saul becoming Paul on the road to Damascus. My old friend and comrade, “Ebino Topsy” will have to forgive me for saying this, but for many of us, his decision to serve under Abacha was saddening but it wasn’t that surprising. As a person, Babatope was - and I imagine still is - at heart, a warm, ebullient and caring person. But as an activist, as one who wanted justice, development and dignity for all women and men in our country and our continent, he always tended to place the means far above the ends. Please remember that I said earlier in this piece that if there was one slogan that captured the essence of Babatope’s progressivism it was “let the revolution come and let it come quickly; it did not matter how it came”. For men and women of conscience of this kind, any decision, any action at all can be justified one way or another. At any rate, I think Babatope has completely stopped trying to justify his prominence in the PDP as a way to hasten the revolution to bring better life for all in Nigerian and Africa: the “means” has completely swallowed the “ends”.

So, as I contemplate the shock with which many in Nigeria this week received the news of Ribadu’s defection to the PDP, it is not to the likes of Babatope’s defection from socialism, Pan Africanism and Awoism to Abacha loyalism and PDP militancy that mind turns.

There are thousands of such defections going on all the time in the rot and the decadence of the political order in our country. This is why it is to the far more rare instances when a defection – from Saul to Paul or the reverse and imaginary one of from Paul to Saul – is made by one who is generally recognised as an outstanding public figure or a moral and spiritual touchstone that my mind turns. In this regard, the two instances that readily come to my mind are, one, the case of the late Sam Aluko and his loyal service to Sani Abacha which, to the end of his life he vigorously defended absolutely without any apologies and two, the case of Nasir El Rufai who, from being the most articulate defender of the policies and actions of Obasanjo as President and “statesman” became perhaps his most fiery and unrestrained traducer. I suggest, dear reader, that when you think about Ribadu’s defection to the PDP, it is to the rare kind of defection that we see in Aluko and El Rufai that you should think of rather than the far more commonplace kind of defection that we see in the Babatope case. In concluding this piece, let me give a brief explanation on why I make this suggestion.

It is very easy and also very tempting to see Ribadu’s defection as belonging to the Babatope type

and from this to proceed directly to strong and emotion-laden condemnation. That is the pattern in much of what I have so far read in the reactions to Ribadu’s announcement of his departure from the APC to the PDP. For some people, this may provide some relief, some salve for deeply thwarted moral, emotional and political investment in Ribadu’s past and future career, but it does nothing by way of explanation or understanding. By contrast, when you think of the Aluko and El Rufai cases, you are immediately struck by the impression that there are no simple explanations and that you have to think hard to know what the defection portends for our country and its present circumstances and future prospects.

Although I think his standing and achievements as an economic thinker were vastly overrated, the late Professor Sam Aluko was without question a towering figure among his generation of Nigerian social scientists. Moreover, he had been highly respected for his application of his intellectualism to public policy by way of advice to many governments.

Then came his stint with Abacha which had the added disadvantage of coming near the end of his life. He pronounced Abacha the greatest leader Nigeria had ever had and the man who would finally bring economic development to the country.

His reasons for making these assertions were so puerile, so unconvincing that they were an embarrassment to even his supporters. In effect, he became a sadly ridiculous and tragicomic figure, with only the saving grace that he did not seem to have served Abacha for self-enrichment or power lust.

By contrast, El Rufai has given trenchant critiques of Obasanjo and his administration. The big question he faces is why he was silent on all the policies and activities for which he now berates Obasanjo when he was part of Obasanjo’s inner circle.

Unlike Aluko and rather fortunately for him, the future still lies ahead of El Rufai and he will or may have the chance to prove to us and the world the worth of his defection from Obasanjo and the PDP. This also holds true for Ribadu, but in the first month of his defection to the PDP, what we have seen is more like the Aluko pattern: absolutely puerile and meaningless justification of his defection. Like Aluko’s absurd praise for Abacha as the greatest leader that Nigeria ever had, Ribadu this week hailed Jonathan as “a great achiever”. This would have been quite laughable if things were not so dire, so tragic for most of our people under the administration of Jonathan. When Paul becomes Saul, all bets are off, expect the worst but keep hope alive. For the society is yet to be created in human affairs in which the line between right and wrong has been completely wiped out.

Biodun Jeyifo bjeyifo@fas.harvard.edu

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 24, 2014

COMMENT

Marilyn Ogar, career official or party hack?

I

F the two pull-out quotes reproduced above reflect Ms Marilyn Ogar’s true feelings, the spokesperson for the Directorate of State Security/DSS has two reasons to thank God, not once, but twice, for one favour. The favour is the APC’s victory in the recently concluded gubernatorial election in Osun State. No matter whether she was genuinely elated by the APC’s victory, or she was just being cynical and downright deceitful, Ogar will soon have additional reasons to thank the Omniscient, undeceivable, and justice-dispensing God. Enraged by her persistent violation of public service professional and ethical code of conduct—specifically, by her inability to distinguish between her role as SSS spokesperson and that of a typical PDP propagandist—the opposition APC has not only threatened to institute legal proceedings against her, but has also demanded her immediate separation from the public service of Nigeria.

Does the APC have a case it can successfully make against Ogar in a court of law? Probably. Although I know a thing or two about the law, I would prefer that litigation issues be handled by those duly called to the Bar. Besides, if the case is already before a judge by the time this article is published, we don’t want to be cited for contempt! Readers can therefore understand why I have decided to leave the broad legal issues to the lawyers, and proceed quickly to the next question, which is whether the APC is right to demand the SSS spokesperson’s voluntary resignation, or failing that, her instant dismissal. On that latter question, I can say without any fear of contradiction (and as one who has researched the subject thoroughly and advised inter-governmental organizations in different parts of the world) that Ogar should have been separated from the public service of Nigeria the instant she embroiled the DSS in public and political controversy. Under the rules, the very minute a public servant issues a statement that could be “reasonably interpreted” as endorsing or opposing a political party’s stand on any subject, that is the minute s/ he ceases to be in the public service of Nigeria. The rules should have been applied to Police Commissioner Mbu Mathew Mbu when he unilaterally inserted ‘making political utterances’ and ‘locking partisan political horns with the Executive Governor of Rivers States’ in his job description as Police Commissioner. That is, of course, by the way.

In retrospect, and with what we now know about the disproportionate amount of time and resources spent peering under private tents to ferret out “PDP enemies” (to the neglect of the substantive terrorism tracking functions), it is no wonder that we have made little headway containing the insurgency in the North-east, and confronting sundry security challenges (like armed robbery, kidnapping for ransom, ritual killing, and oil bunkering) in other parts of the country.

In the latest case of goal displacement, Ogar threw caution to the wind when, without producing any evidence, concrete or circumstantial, she not only accused a political party of trying to bribe SSS officials, but also implied that the APC was behind bomb explosions in states where election results didn’t go the party’s way. She claimed that the SSS officials dutifully turned down a N14million bribe that the unnamed political party offered to swing the Osun election to its side. Oh yes, she remembered all the bombs that went off in Ondo, Anambra and Ekiti states where the APC lost, but she left out one crucial detail, that is, the blast that rocked Ile-Ife a few days to the conduct of the Osun State election which the APC won! She also conveniently forgot to underscore the point that the APC was not the only contestant in Ondo, Anambra, and Ekiti, much less the only party that lost. If bombs went off in the three states, what evidence is there that implicates the APC but exonerates the other losers—i.e., evidence that exonerates the PDP in Ondo; the same PDP in Anambra; the Labour Party in Ekiti; and the PDP, the Labour Party, and the remaining competing parties in the Osun

“Thank God the APC won the Osun election or else…(APC’s loss would have been blamed on the N14 million bribe which SSS personnel refused to collect?)”

– SSS spokesperson, Marilyn Ogar “Thank God, the APC won the Osun election. There was no bomb blast” (But there were bomb blasts in other states lost by the APC, especially, Ondo captured by the Labour Party, Anambra won by APGA, and Ekiti won by the PDP) — SSS spokesperson, Marilyn Ogar

•Ogar

By M J Balogun

State’s gubernatorial election?

The same Ogar regurgitated the PDP’s unproven allegation linking the APC with Boko Haram! Again, it escaped her memory that the Presidency had once pinned the Boko Haram label on Muhammadu Buhari only to retract the allegation abruptly and to plead with the APC chieftain to let the matter be settled out of court. In any case, now that Modu Sheriff, the alleged sponsor of the Boko Haram insurgency, has finally defected to the ruling party, the world is waiting for the garrulous Ogar to say something—this time, something logically sound and empirically verifiable. After all, Modu Sheriff’s membership of the opposition party was the smoking gun that the ruling PDP (and its self-appointed mouth-piece, Ogar) gleefully and persistently held aloft to link the APC with terrorist acts.

As if she had not done enough damage, Ogar went on television to justify the unjustifiable—notably, the illegal detention of Lai Mohammed, the APC spokesman, in Osogbo. Ogar wanted to know what Lai, a Kwara State indigene, was doing in Osun State and in the wee hours of the morning. To legitimize the encroachment on Lai’s personal and citizenship rights, she invented a crime, “loitering”, and promptly accused the APC spokesman of committing it. She also abruptly and retroactively imposed a curfew which she found Lai guilty of “violating”!

The Gestapo tactic applied in Osun State is reminiscent of the do-or-die measures applied by the Presidency in recent months to give the PDP undue advantage over its rivals. Among these measures are the restrictions imposed by the police on Nasir El-Rufai and other APC leaders during the conduct of the Anambra State governorship election, the ban on flights that would have brought Governors from APC-controlled states to support their Ekiti counterpart’s re-election efforts, and the increasing militarisation of the electoral process.

The strong-arm methods applied by the government have the potential of hindering or halting our democratic advance.

Regretfully, spokesperson Ogar either thinks otherwise or does not care what harm the measures portend. Regardless of what she thinks or feels, the DSS should

act quickly to salvage what is left of its reputation. Here is why the DSS should put a distance between itself and Ms Ogar. As the spokesperson of a crucial public agency, she should have exercised the discretion befitting an official of her status. She ought to have refrained from issuing statements that remotely suggests her political leanings or sympathies.

Rather than subscribe to the time-tested principles of impartiality and anonymity, she exceeded herself by making highly provocative and overtly political statements—and on prime time television for that matter.

Even on the assumption that public service rules are silent on transgressions such as the one Ogar stands accused of committing, the sensitive nature of the DSS mandate requires an official of her calibre to exercise the utmost restraint in making public utterances. The DSS is, after all, a law enforcement outfit. It is an abomination for any of its officials to act as if s/he is above the law. When any high-ranking DSS official gets away with clear violation of public service ethical and professional code of conduct, s/he is likely to leave the impression, though erroneous, that law-breaking pays. It is of little consequence whether the law-breaking outside the DSS is on a small or large scale. The reign of impunity inside the Directorate is likely to have a devastating impact not just on the DSS’s public image but also on the Directorate’s intelligence gathering capacity. If the DSS turns a blind eye to Ogar’s transgression, it risks alienating the public that it was created to serve and on whose cooperation it depends. Since DSS staffers come from diverse background, Ogar’s partisanship is also likely to undermine the Directorate’s internal esprit de corps. How the Directorate can fulfil its mission when its chain or unity of command is constantly threatened is anybody’s guess.

The DSS spokesperson’s penchant for political grandstanding is a clear symptom of a deeper psychological malaise— narcissistic personality disorder, to be precise. That of course is none of our business.

In fact, rather than focus on her psychological condition, we should consider yet another reason she needs to be separated. The second reason for recommending her removal is the certainty that her constant violation of the rules would sooner than later hold the entire public service to ridicule.

Under the extant rules, her persistent tendency to curry the ruling party’s favour constitutes gross misconduct. This is by far a more serious offence than plain ‘misconduct’.

For according to Rule 030301, the run-of-themill misconduct is just “any act of wrong doing or an improper behaviour which is inimical to the image of the service and which can be investigated and proved.”

Most of the failings that the rules classify as ‘misconduct’ can be rectified by a combination of counselling, on-the-job training, and exercise of self-discipline by the errant official concerned. Examples of acts of misconduct listed under the civil service rules are drunkenness, use of foul language, habitual lateness to work, improper dressing, insubordination, tardiness in the treatment of files, failure to keep record, and negligence.

Compared to ‘misconduct’, ‘gross misconduct’ is a deep-seated character flaw that wreaks greater havoc not just on the image of a specific agency but also on the esteem and credibility of the public service as an institution. Gross misconduct is a personal indiscretion that is capable of distorting public purpose and eroding citizen faith in state institutions. Ogar’s transgressions (in particular, her uncontrollable habits of identifying with a political party and making political utterances) fall squarely under ‘gross misconduct’ which is punishable with immediate dismissal.

I won’t be surprised if the DSS and the public service top brass treat Ogar’s offence with levity. After all, Police Commissioner Mbu breached the rules (of impartiality, anonymity, and professionalism) and got away with it. In fact, instead of being axed for embarrassing the police command with his public outbursts, he was rewarded with redeployment to a more prestigious, higherprofile, post at the Federal Capital (see http:/ /balogunjide.net/nigeria-2015-making-tomorrows-history-today-part-ii/). That is Nigeria. Ours is a country where top officials are rewarded for licking their political superiors’ boots, and penalized when they shield their organizations from political interference. That is why it’s rare to find agency heads willing to provide the leadership needed to build and sustain mission-oriented institutions, meaning, institutions that are managed based on the paramount considerations of excellence, integrity, professionalism, competence, and cost-effectiveness.

Pending the emergence of such committed leadership and of achievement-oriented organizations, the public service rank and file must rise up and face a clear and present danger. Unless career officials insulate themselves from partisan politics, every job would ultimately be politicised, and therefore, imperilled. The public service is yet to recover from the seismic effect of the 1975 purge.

That purge would pale in comparison to the danger lying ahead if nothing is done to stem the rapid erosion of public service professionalism.

It was in an attempt at pre-empting the undesirable effects of politicisation that our founding fathers set their political differences aside and settled for the adoption of the Westminster public service model. The key attributes of this model are integrity, professionalism, merit-based recruitment, competence, political neutrality, impartiality, legality, accountability, responsiveness, and, naturally, security of tenure. If truth be told, that model has crumbled— with plum jobs going to candidates with strong political backing but weak productive capacity, and attention-seeking officials crowding out the truly loyal and dedicated officials. Can the decline be halted? Yes, but...

For Nigeria to bring back the public service once known for dedication and impartial and courteous rendering of service, we should start by cleaning out the Augean stable of politicisation, partisanship, nepotism, mediocrity, and corruption. What better way to start than by showing Ogar and others like her the way out of the public service?

Professor Balogun is based in Canada. He is former Director-General, The Administrative Staff College of Nigeria and former Senior Adviser at the UN Headquarters, New York.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 24, 2014

‘Ndigbo should remain where they are and defend themselves’ PAGES 20

APGA without Obi: the fears, the re-alignments

2015: Where are the presidential candidates?

PAGE 25

PAGE 21

2015: Presidency, PDP plot against Tambuwal T

HE stage appears set for what promises to be an epic battle between the Presidency, the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on one hand and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, on the other.

The Speaker had, last week, stirred the hornets net when he gave what many considered as his clearest hint yet that he may be bidding the PDP goodbye soon.

Irked by an alleged plan by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, to contest the 2015 Presidency, the Presidency and the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are working on different options to cut him to size, reports Assistant Editor, Remi Adelowo Three years after he rallied forces within the PDP and other opposition parties to emerge as Speaker in contravention of the PDP’s zoning formula, which zoned the Speakership to the South-West region, the relationship between Tambuwal and the Presidency has been

frosty at best.

Months before he spoke last week on his future political ambition, the rumour mill has been agog on Tambuwal’s planned defection to the major opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and alleged intention to contest the

2015 Presidency on the platform of the party.

Albeit for tactical reasons, the Sokoto State-born lawmaker refrained from speaking on this subject, leaving his spokesman and political associates to talk on his behalf. And even at that, statements volunteered by these

people have been ambiguous thereby leaving room for more speculations on the Speaker’s post-2015 game plan.

But with his last week’s comments where he reportedly said that Nigeria deserves a better leadership in 2015, the Presidency and the PDP, sources revealed, have allegedly reached the conclusion that Tambuwal must be checkmated ‘before it is too late.’

•Continued on Page 20

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 24, 2014

POLITICS

Ndigbo should remain where they are and defend themselves –Orji W

HAT precisely is your government doing about the Ebola Virus Disease?

In order to ensure that the disease does not come to our state, the first thing we have done is to form committees: Rapid Response Committee – a mother committee and a subcommittee. The first includes all the people that are supposed to be there: commissioner for health, laboratory technologists, chief medical director of the diagnostic centre of our university teaching hospital and the likes. That committee has the responsibility of making people to be aware of Ebola because many don’t know about it yet; the causes and the prevention and to sensitise people to what Ebola is all about.

Also, the commissioner has put in place designated isolation centres where you have to quarantine those who might have been infected with the disease. We have a centre in Agbaja and another in Nkwoba. Then, the commissioner himself went to Lagos to buy the protective wears. Other things that we have done are the local government chairmen working in line with our awareness programme because that is the area that touches the grassroots. So, sensitisation is very essential in making people to be aware; that people who have signs, this is where you have to report to.

You know doctors are on strike, but in our special diagnostic centres, doctors are there working because of this disease. But all the same, we don’t have anybody reporting Ebola case. Except that woman who went to Deeper Life camp. She came back to her village and people started spreading rumours that she had Ebola. But doctors went there, examined her and found that she didn’t have Ebola. Despite that, we took her blood sample back to Lagos for analysis, and the result was negative. The woman is now being treated for drug reaction in our hospital. We don’t have any case of Ebola in Abia.

Is there a concerted effort by South- East governments against the EVD? No, we have not held any meeting to that effect. But when next we meet we are going to discuss it. As of now, the governors are making their own individual efforts in their different states. The states are essential and every governor is proactive in handling the Ebola case; we don’t need to discuss it globally on the South- East platform. But we will talk about it in our next meeting to see the assistance we can offer in general terms, but as of now, Imo, Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi and Abia governors, on their own, are doing their best.

MASSOB leader, Chief Uwazurike has been calling on Ndigbo in the north to return home to the east. As Chairman of the South-East Governors Forum (SEGF) what is the South - East consensus on this matter?

We have discussed this thing at the meeting. You see, our concern, first and foremost, is for the lives of our people to be safe. You know our people travel a lot to pursue their businesses, since especially we are traders, so we move everywhere. So, our concern is that Ndigbo should live in peace with their host communities, whether it is in the south, north or west. But right now, our concern is the north where they are being killed. As long as they are there living in peace, we don’t want them to be killed because we are not killing the visitors in our midst here; we are appealing to our other brothers in the north to stop killing our people who have come to live peacefully with them in the pursuit of their livelihood because the constitution allows that. Therefore, our stand is not for Ndigbo to come back en masse, but to remain there and to protect themselves by any means possible. Because this is Nigeria, owned corporately by all of us; you can’t drive anybody away. So, we urge our people to remain where they are, do their businesses peacefully and protect themselves; because if you allow all Igbos to come home, where are they going to begin? These are people who have added value to wherever they have been. These are people who have hotels, houses and industries where they

Chief Theodore Ahamefula Orji is the governor of Abia State as well as the chairman, South East Governors’ Forum (SEGF). He is passionate about moving Abia from her inglorious past to a new era of freedom, growth and development. In this chat with Steve Osuji, member, Editorial Board, he admonishes Ndigbo to ignore the call for them to return en masse to the SouthEast among other issues in the news. Excerpts: have been living from generation to generation.

Once they are not causing trouble in your community, allow them to stay; that’s our stand.

We hear about the Abia Charter of Equity.

What exactly is this?

The Abia Charter of Equity, like the name says, prescribes the way to live here peacefully in Abia. If you come to Abia, we are made up of many ethnic groups, with the Okwa/Ngwa and the Bende being the two major ethnic blocs that occupy Abia State. Since the creation of Abia State, Bende people have had the upper hand in the occupation of the governor’s office and good positions. Even before the creation of Abia State, Bende people have had the upper hand both in the military and the civil service. So, those who created Abia State felt that since Abia is a united entity, they would like Abia to continue being united by giving chance to eve r y group to participate in governance and eve r y other thing.

Like in the production of the governor, if Bende

•Orji

has produced the governor now, the office should move to Okwa/Ngwa for equity and fairness, and that’s exactly what we want in Nigeria. We don’t want any group to be marginalised, and that’s what the party, the PDP, I belong to believes in and insist on. So, for fairness and equity, we are saying for this election, people are free, but these people should be considered, so that they will participate in governance.

We normally hear out-going incumbents say they don’t know their successor but they know those who will not succeed them. Is it the same with you?

Yes, of course, you don’t know who will succeed you but you know those who will not succeed you. But I know every governor, at least, must have somebody in mind whom you believe, ‘if this person succeeds me, he can perform better than myself, he can carry the state to the next level’, because that’s what every governor wants. Because if you don’t do that, people will turn back to blame you to say that you purposely supported someone who will not bring development to take over and who will subjugate the people. Every governor has that in mind, but the difficulty is to get such an ideal successor. So, you have to pray to God to give you the man who will actually develop the state. As far as I’m concerned in Abia State, we are not imposing any person; the party will not impose any person on the people. PDP has a system of picking somebody, and if that person passes through the system and succeeds, he would be supported to do his best. When I leave here, it’s not my intention at all to come back and lord it over the person who will succeed me; I will not do that.

You have accomplished many big budget projects, what w e normaly

refer to as legacy projects. Tell us about one or two you are most passionate about?

I am passionate about all of them. If I wasn’t passionate about all of them, I won’t embark on them. Are you talking of the International Conference Centre? Are you talking about the Secretariat? Or the secretariat for the traditional rulers that you saw? Are you talking about the e-library? Or the offices we have built in the different ministries? I’m passionate about all of them. I’m always urging myself on and praying to God to provide all the resources I need to complete them all. Is it the Government House which we have not had, that we want to have now? These are projects which are dear to my heart and to the hearts of Abia people.

How would you like Abians to remember you after your tenure?

I would like Abians to remember me as the governor who brought unity and peace in Abia. Because, before I came on board, Abia was polarised. You had Abuja politicians, you had Lagos politicians; you had different names ascribed to different people, Talibans and all.

So, we were just like that. Since I came in, I have been able to unite Abians into one political family and we are working in cooperation.

So, Abians will remember me for that. So, one other thing Abians will remember me for is a governor who put up a dogged fight against kidnapping and insecurity in the stat. Abians will also remember me as a man who has put on ground legacy projects; projects that are fundamental to the development of Abia State.

And most especially, the Abia youths will remember me as a governor who came and had compassion on them and tried all he could to remove them from poverty.

Abia is supposedly an oil-producing state but this does not seem to reflect on the size of her federal allocation?

It depends on our production. You cannot compare us with Rivers State or Akwa Ibom.

Our production is very minimal, very small.

Since it’s small, that’s also what you get, but people don’t know about that. The oil revenue is calculated based on what you produce. And there was a time we suffered a lot here through breaking of pipe lines and spilling the oil, so it was reflected in the calculation against Abia, so our percentage fell. So, once our percentage went down, so will what we get from the 13% derivation fall.

In your view, were Ndigbo properly represented in the just concluded National Conference?

Yes, I’m satisfied. But from all indications, the world is insatiable; you cannot satisfy everyone. But from the sample of opinion that we have, the delegates did very well, especially in terms of creation of states. So, the delegates did very well for Ndigbo.

Ndigbo have been upfront in urging President Jonathan to contest for a second term in office. Are they not being too hasty?

You see, it’s important to us for the fact that what we, Ndigbo, have seen in the president. What he will do for the Igbo, it’s all about politics. You will want to vote for a person who will remember you when he gets into power, not somebody who will cast you away.

This is a man we have confidence in. If he goes for the second tenure, he will do better and better for Igbo people. In governance, it’s very difficult to accomplish all your tasks within four years; four years is too small. Now, a president has come and has done well and is doing well for the Ndigbo within these four years. We also know that if he’s given another four years he’s going to do more for us. So, it’s better to go with the man whom you have tried, who has at least said, ‘Igbo, have this, let me give you a sense of belonging; you are a part and parcel of Nigeria’. So, the more support you give him, the more you get from him. That’s why the Igbo feel we must support President Goodluck Jonathan.

When will it be the turn of Ndigbo to produce a president in Nigeria?

Well, let Jonathan finish first. Then we will start talking about that. We will produce the president one day. We must; because the thing is going round. It must come to South - East some day. As of now, 2015, Jonathan should complete his tenure. After that, we will start talking about the turn of Ndigbo.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 24, 2014

•Obiano

POLITICS

•Obi

•Umeh

21

•Okorie

APGA without Obi: the fears, the re-alignments F

ORMER Governor Peter Obi’s sudden resignation as Leader and Chairman, Board of Trustees of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has further deepened the party’s prolonged leadership crisis.

This is especially so because his resignation as the leader of the party is coming at a time the Supreme Court is yet to rule on the case between Chief Victor Umeh and Chief Maxi Okwu, in order to determine the rightful national chairman of the party.

It would be recalled that before the Umeh/Okwu’s face off, the party also suffered for about eight years following an earlier leadership tussle between the Founding National Chairman of the party, Chief Chekwas Okorie, and Chief Umeh, his successor.

The Okorie/Umeh leadership tussle ended when Okorie finally dumped APGA in 2013 and founded another political party called UPGA, which was denied registration. So, earlier this year, his new party, United Progressives Party (UPP), was finally registered.

But no sooner did the Okorie/Umeh face off come to an end than the then governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, who at that time had some misunderstandings with Umeh, influenced the emergence of Chief Maxi Okwu, thus kicking off the current factionalisation in the party that is yet to be resolved.

Although Umeh and Obi later resolved their differences shortly before the last Anambra State governorship election, observers say it appears Obi, as the undisputed leader of the party then, did not conclusively resolve what would become of Okwu’s factor, or so it seems. So, while Umeh and Okwu continued the struggle for chairmanship of the party, dragging each other from one court to the other, many looked up to Obi to reconcile them in order to move the party forward ahead 2015 elections.

This explains why, when the former governor, on whose shoulder the political party had rested in the last eight years, suddenly tendered his resignation letter in Abuja office of the party, concerned observers expressed fear that APGA may not survive the current crisis. It is instructive for example that Obi’s letter was addressed to the ‘National Secretary’ instead of the ‘National Chairman.’

The Nation also gathered that

Following former Governor Peter Obi’s sudden retirement as the Leader and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) at a time the leadership crisis in the party is still largely unresolved, Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu, examines the fears, the on-going re-alignments and reports that these are trying times for the political party although Obi formally cited “family and personal reasons” for his resignation, pledging to remain an ordinary APGA member, he may have become tired of what insiders described as “seemingly unending reconciliation efforts.”

A source hinted that Obi has also become dissatisfied with Umeh’s leadership of the National Working Committee for not convening a convention to ratify his (Obi’s) appointment as National Leader and Chairman of Board of Trustees (BoT), amongst other issues.

We gathered that he actually explained to some close associates in a private meeting in Lagos recently that he had to resign because he cannot understand why his appointment to the chairmanship of the party’s BoT since January 2014 by the National Executive Council of the party was yet to be ratified by a Convention of the party as stipulated by the constitution.

His Media Assistant, Mr. Valentine Obienyem, collaborated this when he reportedly said: “If you recall, my boss was nominated the Leader of the party and the Chairman of her Board of Trustees in January. The nomination was yet to be ratified by a Convention of the party when he submitted his letter of resignation.

“Since the convention will take place next year, people have found it convenient to blame him for the woes of the party on the reason that he had failed to intervene on matters affecting the party, not knowing that without ratification of his nomination, he had no platform under which to intervene.”

Is APGA dead, dying?

The prolonged APGA crisis worsened this August. Starting with the exit of four federal lawmakers, who decamped to PDP, citing leadership crisis between Umeh and Okwu, it reached its apogee with Obi’s recent resignation of his leadership of the party. The lawmakers, who defected to PDP, are Uche Ekwunife, Cyril Egwuatu, Chris Azubogu and Victor Ogene. Some

reports however said Ogene later issued a statement denying that he defected to PDP and saying he remains in APGA. The lawmakers, in their separate letters to PDP had reportedly said leadership crisis in APGA had not only factionalised the party but has also put their future electoral aspirations under jeopardy.

As would be expected, the major players in the power game have been exchanging harsh words over the development.

Umeh, for example alleged that before their resignation and declaration for PDP, the four federal lawmakers “were holding secret meetings with Obi,” and that after the declaration for PDP, one of them, Afam Ogene, has come to apologise to him and secretary of the party.

Reacting, Obi’s aide, Mr. Valentine Obienyem reportedly said, “For those who left the party, it is an insult for anybody to accuse old men and women of being under Obi’s spell for that is the implication of saying that Obi was behind that.”

Though this is not the first time APGA would face challenges arising from leadership tussle, some observers are expressing fear that the party may not succeed this current challenge. This fear, according to some insiders and observers who spoke to The Nation during the week, is as a result of the multiple nature of the present face off.

Aside national level, where there no longer exists a centrally accepted figure to anchor the party, APGA is equally facing very serious leadership problems at the state levels.

The depth of the crisis in APGA in other states where it used to be very strong aside Anambra State where Obi and Umeh hail from, was demonstrated last week when armed policemen suddenly took over the Imo State secretariat of the party situated along Egbu Road, as members of two factions, using dangerous weapons, engaged themselves in a free for all.

Reports have it that trouble started

when the state interim chairman of the party, Mr. Peter Ezeobi, “drove into the premises but was booed and jeered at by some angry members who accused him of allegedly sacking 14 local government chairmen of the party unilaterally and without recourse to the State Working Committee (SWC).”

Since then, most of the members of the party in Imo State seem confused on the way forward. “All our leaders are at war at the same time. It is as if the end has come for the party,” lamented Eze Ukamaka, an APGA member in Imo State. Ukamaka querried, “since Obi, Umeh and Okwu are at war today, and the federal lawmakers, who should step in have left for PDP, tell me who would resolve the crisis in the party at the state and federal level? If a new leader does not arise quick enough, we may all leave,” he threatened.

The situation seems to be the same in other states, although some members of the Okwu faction, who call their faction the APGA National and supporters of Umeh, insist the exit of the current leaders will rather strengthen APGA, alleging that most of the so-called APGA leaders have been agents of PDP within the party.

“It may sound strange or ironic, but I can assure you that some of us are happy at the development. Let all these PDP agents that have been misleading APGA go for good so that we can revive APGA as an independent political party.

APGA has for long been tied under the apron strings of PDP. Enough is enough, let them go,” Kalu Onwuka, an APGA faithful in Abia State said.

The Peter Obi factor: When Peter Obi emerged the governor of Anambra State, March 17, 2006 under the ticket of APGA, a relatively young party then, he understandably assumed a leadership position in the party. With the fatherly backing of the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, the party’s presidential candidate and Chairman, Board of Trustees, Obi and his party, APGA, also became strategically important factors in the nation’s political calculation.

Since then, his name has continuously featured at the topmost political levels, especially at the very apex of South-East political scene where he served as Chairman of South-East •Continued on page 22

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 24, 2014

POLITICS

2015: Presidency, PDP plot against Tambuwal •Continued from page 19

The many plots against Tambuwal The checkmating strategy, when it comes into effect, would not be the first in the many plots against Tambuwal in the last three years.

Banking on his broadbased support in the House, which defies political affiliation of his colleagues, Tambuwal has successfully survived several plots by forces allegedly backed by the Presidency to remove him from office.

About three years ago in the aftermath of Hon. Farouk Lawan bribery scandal which rocked the House of Representatives to its foundation, some House members, allegedly backed by external forces, made attempts to link the Speaker to the scandal. But this move was thwarted following a vote of confidence passed on Tambuwal by his colleagues.

Another instance was cited of an alleged plot allegedly spearheaded by a lawmaker from the SouthSouth to impeach Tambuwal.

The lawmaker, who is said to be the Chairman of a ‘Grade A’ committee, had attempted to pitch House members against the Speaker on the excuse that Tambuwal had been less than transparent in the purchase of Toyota Camry cars purchased for all the committees in the House in the discharge of oversight functions.

To douse tension and put the record straight, the Speaker allegedly convened an executive session during which he reportedly laid bare all the facts of the case.

But rather than mete out sanctions against the lawmaker as canvassed by majority of House members, the lawmaker was let off the

•Wamakko hook after he tendered an apology to the Speaker.

“Aside from the apology offered by the member, who is still occupying his position till date, no punitive measure was taken against him by the Speaker,” said a lawmaker, who was present while the whole drama played out.

When all moves against the Speaker in the House failed, his antagonists shifted their plot against him to his home state, with alleged attempts to instigate the local chapter of the PDP to expel Tambuwal from the party.

The alleged plan, it was gathered, was for the PDP local chapter to announce Tambuwal’s expulsion, with the national leadership coming into

•Muazu the picture later by ‘magnanimously’ converting the expulsion to suspension “pending further investigation.”

Sources said the local executive members of the party, however, saw through the plot and declared that it was beyond them to expel him.

The Nation learnt that days before the execution of the plot, some chieftains of the party in the state had allegedly gone round urging PDP members in Tambuwal’s local government to append their signatures and names to a “vote of no confidence” motion meant to be passed on the Speaker after his planned expulsion.

But like a cat with the proverbial nine lives, the Speaker

again survived the plot through the intervention of Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko.

The governor, according to sources, reportedly prevailed upon the party chieftains in Tambuwal’s local government not to allow themselves be used to disturb the peace of the state.

New offensive in the offing Not deterred on the many failed plots against Tambuwal in the past, sources revealed that Presidency strategists are exploring fresh options to get rid of the Speaker within the next two months.

Buoyed by the recent defections of some APC, Labour Party (LP) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) members in the House of

Representatives to the PDP (with more allegedly in the offing), hawks in the Presidency are said to be convinced that with the numerical advantage enjoyed by the PDP in the House, an impeachment move should be launched against Tambuwal as soon as possible.

The calculations, it is said, is to put the Speaker on the defensive, giving little or no ample time to mobilise on his alleged presidential project.

A source said, “The PDP leadership is eager to get rid of Tambuwal and seems confident of actualising the plan. What may likely happen is that PDP members in the House will be issued a stern directive to move against Tambuwal once the coast is clear.”

Tambuwal’s counterstrategy Aware that the Presidency and the PDP leadership can’t wait for too long to see his back, sources disclosed that the Speaker’s camp has also devised measures to save his job.

The Speaker’s greatest strength is his close relationship with his colleagues, which transcends official or party matters.

For most of the House members, particularly those committee chairmen, The Nation gathered that they have vowed to remain loyal to the Speaker, who despite pressure from some unnamed forces, have consistently declined to remove them.

This tactical decision, more than anything else, has ensured the stability of the 7th National Assembly and consolidated the support base of the Speaker.

How Tambuwal will continue to navigate the landmines laid on his path in the months ahead remains to be seen.

APGA without Obi: the fears, the re-alignments •Continued from Page 21

Governors Forum beyond eight years.

This understandably placed him at the centre of many political battles.

So, Obi had little options than to fight many intriguing battles that not only strengthened his feet in the murky waters of Nigerian politics but firmly placed APGA’s fortunes on his broad shoulders for over a decade.

For example, he became governor by winning a significant election petition case against People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the ruling party at the centre.

It would also be recalled that he was impeached barely months after as Anambra State governor on November 2, 2006, a development that shook APGA and Obi deeply.

A dogged fighter however, he returned to court and the impeachment was historically overturned, thus restoring him as governor.

He was also re-elected on February 6, 2010 for a second term as governor and was succeeded on March 17, 2014,

by Willie Obiano, also of APGA. Given his domineering role in the party for over a decade, Obi’s recent action of resigning his leadership position and electing to be an ordinary member has been a source of concern to many, who fear that APGA may not survive his exit.

For example, all the known factions have reacted in a a way that exposed the depth of disagreement within the party.

For example, while Umeh said Obi’s exit was part of a scheme to move over to PDP and take up appointments from President Goodluck Jonathan, a statement that elicited swift reaction from Obi, reports said Okwu’s faction rejoiced at the current quarrel between Umeh and Obi. Reacting to Umeh’s comment, Obi’s media aide, Valentine Obienyem, said that even till today, “Obi remained the face of APGA and a consistent APGA member”.

“If Obi had not stayed in court to regain his mandate, to fight his impeachment, to seek tenure interpretation, there would have been no APGA today.

“If he had not supported the present governor under APGA,

•Okwu

the party would have ceased to exist. He saw the party to its second tenure in Anambra and in the end handed over to an APGA elected governor.

“During electioneering, Anambra people, including Umeh, said APGA won because of Obi’s work in the state,” Obienyem said.

Will APGA fuss into PDP?

Following allegations that Obi, who enjoys very close political relationship with President Goodluck Jonathan, has all along been a PDP man, some people are already saying that APGA is set to fuss into PDP. Obi has however denied this claim consistently.

While admitting his friendship with Jonathan and his determination to campaign and strategise for his reelection as president in 2015, Obi said he would however remain an APGA member.

Also on the relationship between APGA and Jonathan, Umeh said he has made it clear that the party supports Jonathan and will not field a Presidential candidate.

He however said there will be proper alliance between APGA and PDP, the type the defunct Nigeria Peoples Party (NPP) and National Party of Nigeria (NPN) had in the Second Republic “so that APGA will not lose totally.”

He was in fact, quoted recently as saying, APGA has formed its own Jonathan campaign wing known as ‘Join

Jonathan Journey’.

Given the rather complex scenerio, devoted APGA members across the country are confused today. Sources say each faction of the party are aware of the situation and have commenced realignment meetings and strategies. Within the Maxi Okwu camp, we gathered they are working hard on their international chapters and other South-East states.

“Our leader, Okwu, who was abroad recently, made wide consultations amongst our members in diaspora,” said a source. We also learnt that Umeh’s loyalists are also looking for a worthy successor as Umeh is preparing for the realisation of his senatorial ambition in 2015. For Obi and Obiano, the way forward for APGA, according to a source, may not be made public until the ruling of the Supreme Court, even though their support for Jonathan’s presidency is well known.

How all these would play out both for APGA and the party faithfuls ahead 2015 remains to be seen.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 24, 2014

POLITICS

23

Ikuforiji and history as the Speaker turns 56 F

OR the longest serving Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeyemi Sabit Ikuforiji, who turns 56 on Saturday, 24th August, 2014, he indeed is a man of history.

Born in the ancient fishing town of Épe, in the old Épe Division of Lagos State, which now falls into the Lagos East Senatorial District of the state, Ikuforiji is making history in Yorubaland, (comprising of the old Western Region ), as the longest serving House Speaker, having been head of a state Assembly for three terms and indeed one of the very few such nationwide.

After having his elementary education in his native Épe town, he proceeded to Épe Grammar School for his secondary education and came out on top when the result of his West African School Certificate was released in 1975, thus making history as the only student, out of the pack of over a hundred final year students in his set, to receive a ‘Grade One’ pass in the whole division, having had distinctions in all the subjects that he sat for in the examination.

And as was the practice at the time, he was offered automatic scholarship to study abroad by the Lagos State Government.

A lover of self development, Ikuforiji soon found himself in Romania where he earned his Bachelor and Master’s of Science Degrees in Economic Planning and Cyber metrics.

While schooling abroad, Ikuforiji had shown great skills in his ability to lead others as he was twice elected as the Secretary-General of the National Union of Nigerian Students and President, National Union of Nigerian Students in Romania between 1980 and 1981.

As a patriot, Ikuforiji immediately returned home to undergo the mandatory one year National Youth Serving Scheme. His place of primary assignment was the Federal Housing Corporation where he served diligently.

Back home, Ikuforiji proofed himself as an expert at multi task as he found time to take active part in the political activities around him. Between 1982 and 1983, he was able to squeeze time out of his busy schedule to be the Secretary-General of the defunct Unity Part of Nigeria (UPN) in his Épe Ward 4 and later as an active member of the then Social Democratic Party in 1989.

Ikuforiji then registered for his Master of Public Administration programme , (MBA) at the University of Lagos and finished it in record time.

He was immediately hired by the then Afribank of Nigeria, Plc , (now Keystone Bank.), where he proofed his worth as a future leader.

After serving for some time at Afribank, Ikuforiji soon set up his own outfit but soon travelled out to the United States of America where he lectured briefly at Wake Technical Community College in North Carolina.

The Lagos State Speaker however succumbed to pressures on him to return home and take active part in the politics of his state by those who believed in his ability to positively impact the lives of Lagosians, And having cut his political teeth much earlier as a grassroots politician, he was elected as a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly in 2003.

Die to his sterling leadership qualities, coupled with the special favour of the Almighty, Ikuforiji was unanimously elected by his 39 other colleagues as the Right Honouravle Speaker on the 29th of December, 2005.

Since his assumption of the Speakership of the Lagos State House of Assembly in 2005, when the former governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed

Just before the Adamawa governorship election

O

•Ikuforiji

By Rotimi Adebayo

Tinubu, held sway, up till the present moment when Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN.) presides, enormous pro-people and pro-development accomplishments have been recorded across the state.

As the nation’s economic capital, the enormous peace that has prevailed in Lagos State since 2005 is what one can trace to the unique cooperation that has existed between the executive and the legislative arm of government.

With the pro-active nature of the Lagos State House of Assembly under the leadership of Ikuforiji, essential legislations to move the state forward are passed without delay. This has indeed helped the state to emerge as a mega city, (the sixth such in the whole world).

And going by general public opinion expressed from time to time, the Lagos State House of Assembly is seen, locally and internationally as the best state legislature in Nigeria, due largely to the high quality of it’s leadership and members.

As a most responsive and peoplefocused legislature, several legislations have been passed from time to time , such that continues to make Lagos State the most peaceful, accommodating and economically viable one for all.

Some of the numerous legislations that were passed by the Ikuforiji-led Assembly , which have greatly transformed Lagos State include: Creation of New Local Government Areas (Amendment) Law, 2005; Lagos State Number Plate Production Authority Law, 2006; Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority Law, 2007; Lagos State Signage and Advertisement (Amendment) Law 2007; Lagos State’s Citizens’ Mediation Centre Law, 2007; Lagos StateSecurity Trust Fund Law, 2007.

It is on record for instance that the Lagos State House of Assembly under Ikuforiji remains the only such that has full financial autonomy today. And in terms of training and retraining of it’s elected legislators and staff members, the leadership of Ikuforiji has continued to attach utmost importance to the issue of training due to his strong belief that only such can bring out the best from affected officials of state.

In the area of infrastructural renewal, a visit to the Lagos Assembly complex shows that it remained the

most transformed State Assembly complex in the country. Apart from having commissioned it’s ultra modern and ecompliant Assembly Chamber some two years ago, the shortage of office spaces for legislators, their aides and other staff members have since become a thing of the past as the Assembly now has a functional 5- storey office. complex. And the twin wing of the 5-storey complex is nearing completion.

Asked to comment on the relationship existing between the Lagos Assembly and the Executive arm of the state government in a recent interview, the Épe born Speaker declared: “ I want to reassure Lagosians that they have no reason whatsoever to fear the cordial relationship between the legislature and the executive in Lagos. If anything, they should celebrate it. There is none in the country that can compare with the Lagos House of Assembly in the entire federation. It is independent, it is autonomous, in its thinking and in its actions, and it serves the interest of the over 20 million Lagosians to the best of its interest and to the best of its knowledge.”

Asked to also comment on his intention to vie for the position of the state chief executive come 2015, Ikuforiji declared: “ For me, I know God crowns . When it is time, the Almighty will shine the light on who will take Lagos to a higher pedestal . My prayer is that the Almighty will choose the next governor without creating any rancor among our people. “ And on his trial by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) the Lagos State Number Three Citizen believes that : “ I’m not going to die on the Cross because I’m not Jesus. I know my destiny will be fulfilled. And I know the court will eventually come, judge and make its own ruling in our favour by the grace of the Almighty. “ A Muslim, the highly cerebral Lagos State Speaker, is a bundle of courage, perseverance, vision, stickler for excellence, a strong believer in human capital development, and lover of good governance. He is happily married to Pastor (Mrs.) Mayowa Ikuforiji and blessed with children.

—Adebayo is the Chief Press Secretary to Adeyemi Ikuforiji, the Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly.

CTOBER 17 would present another opportunity for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to show their strength and preparedness ahead of the 2015 elections. Prior to the removal of Admiral Murtala Nyako as governor of the state, both parties had been locked in argument with regards to which actually is dominant in the state and the region. How the question is answered by the electorate could give a glimpse into what to expect in the general elections next year.

Nyako had been elected on the platform of the ruling federal party. He enjoyed the full backing of the Federal Government and had enough access to tangible and intangible resources needed to attain victory at the polls in this clime.

By the time he elected, along with his colleagues in Kano, Sokoto, Kwara and Rivers, to defect to the APC last year, it had become difficult to decide who owned the land. Yes, Nyako was governor, but the PDP had commanding control of the state legislature.

It was obvious that he had problem getting the crucial support of the mass of the people. So, the APC could not sit pretty in the state. Yet, it was clear that a loss of the state would mean that the party’s relevance in the North East region is exaggerated unless it is able to break new ground in days ahead.

The PDP, too, realized that, with the enormous power and other resources available to an incumbent governor, APC could not be trusted with state authority in the run-up to the set of elections next year. It chose to act fast. A plot was hatched to impeach the governor. By last month, the deed was done and it left the field wide open, but with the scale tiled in PDP’s favour should they go to the poll as things stand today.

The impeachment has brought forward the poll.

Naturally, with Nyako deposed, the APC is still destabilized in the state. The governor insists that the removal was achieved in breach of section 188 of the Constitution and could be declared null and void by a law court. The legislature faults this, claiming all righteousness was fulfilled in achieving its objective. The Judiciary was involved as the panel that returned a “guilty verdict that got Nyako kicked out was set up by the Chief Judge whose responsibility it is to either hear or assign any case that might arise from the exercise. The earlier defection of General Buba Marwa and Mr. Boni Haruna, a former governor, had already weakened the APC in the state. The influence of Professor Jubril Aminu and former PDP national chair Bamanga Tukur cannot be fully discounted, either.

However, less than 60 days to the election, the PDP is unsettled also. Nuhu Ribadu who was the presidential flag bearer of the Action Congress of Nigeria in 2011 has been drafted by the powers that be to run for the governorship. This is displeasing and distressing to the likes of Marcus Gundiri, Umar Ardo, Marwa and Acting Governor Funtiri. They all have their eyes on the vacant seat and believe they deserve it more than any recent deserter from the APC. MARWA who was earlier a presidential aspirant in 2007 crossed over to the Congress for Progressive Change in an elusive bid to secure access to the Government House in Yola in 2011 and has been traversing the state to canvass votes following the return of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to the APC fold. He would do anything to resist Ribadu.

Again, there is the Bala Ngilari angle. The former Nyako deputy has denied that he ever resigned. He therefore told the legislators who claimed they were in receipt of a resignation letter purportedly signed by him that he should simply be installed the governor. The case is already in court. Should Ngilari succeed, there would be no vacancy to be filled on October 17. But, with the justice mill grinding so slowly, could the judiciary step in early enough to stave off the by- election? What weight could Atiku still pull in the state in favour of the APC, realizing that an APC victory at the poll would boost his claim to the party’s presidential ticket? What would the national leadership of the APC do to restore the hope of the people in it as a messiah waiting in the wings?

Adamawa State may not evoke the same image of power as Kaduna or Kano, but, this election is as important as any other given the development in the polity in the past few months.

24

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 24, 2014

POLITICS

I

Tis believed that Riverines in Rivers State are banking on the expected endorsement of a candidate by President Goodluck Jonathan.

How unfortunate. By my upbringing, which I treasure, I respect seniors; I don't speculate unnecessarily, I take people by their words. The President is too big to be reduced to a mere godfather of Rivers State politics.

And believe me; he cannot impose any candidate on Rivers State. He will allow the people to make a choice. As leader of the biggest party in Africa, we believe he will encourage the national leadership of the party to do what is in the best interest of the people, so if he intervenes in any state, it will be in the interest of the people of that state, the party and electoral values. That is why NFR have decided that since Rivers State is still over 80 percent PDP, we cannot seek another party outside PDP. But there are claims that PDP wants Nyesom Wike, the Minister of State for Education, to contest the 2015 Rivers governorship?

I am not aware of that. But what I know is that it is the people that will decide.

But there are several endorsements of Wike's candidature and the party leadership has confirmed it?

My brother, I am educated and civilized. Endorsement is after interest has been indicated.

You don't marry a child in the womb or chose between one and none. For the civilised, those endorsements are desperate acts by his fans or those who hope to benefit from his governorship. I believe they are acting on their own. Two months ago, the minister was on radio and gave an impression that he is not interested in the governorship or do you want me to believe that Chief Nyesom Wike is a liar?

Are you aware that the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, openly declared her support for him?

In this age of media manipulations, kite-flying and rumour mongering, you should be circumspect of what you take home.

But the minister's supporters say he is the one who can defeat Governor Rotimi Amaechi…

May be yes! If it were in a traditional wrestling contest, the minister appears to be more of a traditionalist than Rotimi (laughs)... Seriously, I personally think it will be easier for PDP to win without Wike, than having him as a candidate for the next general election. Rivers

Rivers 2015: ‘It will be easier for PDP to win without Wike’ Chief Dason Nemieboka is the leader of New Frontiers of Rivers (NFR), a group that is championing the call for a Riverine governor. He has written many books centered mostly on the politics, history and the people of Rivers State. In this interview with Precious Dikewoha in Port Harcourt, he said PDP does not need Wike to win election in Rivers. He also spoke on other interesting issues

•Nemieboka

State is highly volatile (politically).

Secondly, the Ikwerres are concerned about continuous mutual trust and cooperation and have no plan to break the plate because they just finished their food. Then, there is the fierceness with which Governor Rotimi Amaechi and his APC will fight Wike; we need an acceptable candidate that the APC will tolerate and that man cannot be Nyesom Wike. We have a lot of good aspirants in PDP and most are Riverine; so we want to subject them to some level of consultations

that will make all work wholeheartedly for whoever emerges.

But the minister has fought the President's battles?

Please don't go there! That is cheap blackmail of the President.

Who inspired Amaechi? How do you reward your appointee? See, that argument is for another day.

The President had asked all his cabinet members who had elective ambitions to resign and face their ambitions, the window closed and Orubebe and three others obeyed; if I were the President anyone who

comes to talk about election should refund the government every salary paid him or her.

You represent a political pressure group; can you give us an insight into the vision of your group and the modus operandi?

A number of political zealots gathered in Port Harcourt about three years ago to discuss common socio-cultural concerns at a social event and out of that meeting was the birth of the New Frontiers of Rivers (NFR). Subsequent meetings revealed that the attainment of the socio-cultural objectives cannot be attained until the political climate is conducive. So, we reasoned that the political concerns should rather be addressed ahead of socio-cultural. Hence the NFR became a political pressure group.

We were initially concerned about Ijaw unification; we were articulating thoughts; we had started developing proposals for consideration. But then, there was an argument that the Riverines in Rivers State must first work on an important project before we can raise the desired awareness. We saw that the political activities will soon increase and our people must key in as a people, so we should be involved in the process and then midwife the emergence of a Riverine governor after which we can promote the bigger vision of Ijaw unification.

So the NFR is about Riverine governor?

Oh yes, we are insisting on the morally just, fair, sellable and balancing. We are insisting on the election of a good Riverine man or woman to serve Rivers people. He shall be a blessing to all Rivers people but he has to come from the other side of the state.

Is your group not trying to resurrect the struggle of Riverine/Upland dichotomy?

Oh no, the word dichotomy evokes a negative feeling but the fact is we have in every human society a dichotomy of some sort.

It helps to balance the system. You may see society as made up of

male/female, North/South, Christian/Moslem, indigenes/ settlers, black/white, majority/minority, etc. From time to time, we must bend backwards to see if any sediment is not over marginalised. It is not a divide, it's not about antagonism; it is about carrying each session along. As a Christian, I often pray to get back to the past, when I started with God, the zeal etc. So, if you have any formula that endears inclusiveness, mutual trust and less cumbersome electioneering, and you find yourself drifting unconsciously, you have a duty to reverse yourself.

Why would your group meet in Bayelsa State to discuss the issue of who becomes the next governor in Rivers State?

The world is a global village today; just as you saw our governor and other APC governors running around Ekiti, Kano and Lagos, struggling to pressurise the Presidency. So, we are here to consult stakeholders on the issue at hand.

Rivers State, like Nigeria, is a multi-ethnic society which has to be handled with care. We need our brothers to help counsel us; so, we don't work at cross purposes. Our interface with other Ijaws is purely for consensus building among the Riverines.

With the election in Osun and Ekiti States,do you think such will be replicated by 2015?

I cannot stop commending on the Ekiti and Osun elections, especially that of Ekiti. Fayemi definitely has a good father, but its not about the party or individual, it is about the people. It is quite appreciating that Fayemi accepted the outcome of the election hoping that such will be replicated by the politicians in this country, especially in Rivers State because we have peculiar challenges in the state. Going by what INEC has demonstrated in Ekiti, Osun and Anambra elections, I am hopeful 2015 election will be free and fair.

Many have accused President Goodluck Jonathan of being tyrannical, could you say our democracy is intact?

I think we are running a growing democracy; however, we have a peculiar problem as a nation. We have a very weak institution and if personalities are larger than the institution, then there will be abuses. Everybody has rights and privileges, but I think every wise man manages his right and privileges. This will help us to move forward if we can avoid those limitations.

Abia 2015: Zoning of governorship seat splits Ngwa Lawyers Forum

T

HE progressive group of Ngwa Lawyers Forum (NLF) has distanced itself from recent newspaper reports alleging that the umbrella body of its association has thrown its weight behind zoning the gubernatorial position in the state to Abia South Senatorial zone.

In a statement signed by the Interim Chairman, Chief Okey Onwukwe, and Interim General Secretary, Jiakponna , the group said there is no iota of truth in the stories making the rounds currently and therefore called on Abia people to disregard such report because it did

not represent the position of NLF on the controversial issue of zoning in the state. ‘’We the progressive group of Ngwa Lawyers Forum has surprisingly noted series of publications of mischievous resolution supporting zoning of governorship position in the state to Abia South Senatorial zone which does not represent the position of NLF.’’ Describing the development as misleading, the statement further said that those behind the reports were mischief makers who are plotting to use the good name of the association as a plat-

form to perpetrate their selfish interests.

The statement however, disclosed that the only zoning arrangement endorsed by the NLF is that power should rotate along the lines of either Ukwa Ngwa or old Aba division respectively.

According to the statement, NLF was established to promote unity, equity and justice and cannot therefore be associated with acts designed to smear its reputation and discredit its activities.

The statement noted that the exclusion of Isiala Ngwa North, Isiala Ngwa South and Osisioma Local Government Areas by the current zoning arrangement pur-

portedly endorsed by the leadership of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, amounted to a grand design to undermine the chances of highly qualified Ngwa sons and daughters who have already indicated interest of running for the coveted seat to emerge the next governor of Abia state in the forthcoming election.

The group, according to the statement has uncovered a plot by what it called paid agents to use misinformation to cause confusion among its members in other to weaken the association’s strength and crash its credibility.

Emphasising that zoning is

an ill wind that will blow no good to Abia politics, the group also reminded the proponents of the exclusion of three local government areas of Ngwa extraction that NLF was built on integrity and would not allow its name to be used to promote injustice and illegality no matter the circumstance.

It would be recalled that political leaders of Ngwa extraction been divided over recent reports that some elements are insisting that the three local government areas are excluded from PDP’s promise to zone it’s governorship ticket to Ukwa/ Ngwa zone.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 24, 2014

POLITICS

25

2015: Where are the presidential candidates?

•Jega: INEC Chairman

W

HO are those contesting the February 14, 2015 as presidential candidates?

When are the parties conducting their primaries to elect their candidates for the make-or-mar poll? Who will be flying their flags?

These are the questions agitating the minds of political stakeholders and observers as the nation prepares for the crucial process of electing a president come 2015. To many observers, the absence of presidential aspirants, let alone candidates exactly 171 days to the poll is as worrisome as it is debilitating.

Our investigation revealed that many aspirants are playing hide-andseek because of the pervasive uncertainty hanging in the political space. Many of them confided that they are watching the tides to know how to jump into the moving train.

“You know you have to be very careful these days. Fine, it’s good to be courageous and take risks but you have to realise that many things are yet to take shape. For example, the parties are not ready for primaries to pick their candidates. So, you have to watch first and know when to declare your intention,” an aspirant said last week.

Many aspirants, who spoke under strict anonymity, said they cannot declare their intentions because the presidential primaries are yet to hold.

“It is when the primaries are conducted and the candidates start emerging that we would know where to align. Until then, our aspirations have to remain ambitions,” an aspirant in the South-South region stated.

Interestingly, the nation’s main political parties, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) appear to be sizing up each other before throwing out their presidential cards. While it is a taken fact that President Goodluck Jonathan will pick the ticket of the ruling PDP, the APC’s candidates are still slugging it out among themselves.

For now, private speculators allege that leading aspirants in the party include Gen Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd.), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Senator Bukola Saraki and Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Rumours abound that House of Representatives Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, might also defect to the APC to contest the presidential race.

There is also Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah.

To observers, the uncertainty on who will contest the presidential race is unhealthy for the polity. For one, the

•Oyegun: APC Chairman

•Muazu: PDP Chairman

Exactly 171 days to the 2015 presidential poll, candidates are yet to emerge, a development that means they won’t have ample time to mobilise across the nation and force voters into making hasty decisions, writes Sunday Oguntola party primaries are not likely to hold until October or November. That effectively means the presidential candidates will only emerge a little more than three months before the poll.

Political parties cannot commence electoral activities until notice is given, going by the Electoral Act 2006. The notice of election, according to the Act, can be given by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) “not later than 150 days before the day appointed for holding of an election”. This means primaries cannot hold until then.

This development, according to observer, will make it possible for voters to assess their candidates and make informed decisions. The Executive Director of Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, believes that the situation will lead to hurrying voters to make hasty decisions and affect good governance at the end. He said: “We have been lamenting because what we have now means that the electorate will be ambushed by unprepared candidates to pick them at all costs.”

He regretted that many candidates that will eventually emerge from the process without much time will be illprepared and ill-equipped for the onerous task of leading the nation. “We need quality leaders, especially at the presidency to really move this nation forward. But as it is now, that cannot happen. Those who will emerge will be unprepared because the parties are just not ready,” he stated.

He stressed that the political recruitment process in the nation leaves much to be desired and works against national development. “I believe the parties do not want to be democratic

about it; they just want to force candidates down our throat and we will have no choice than to pick from the many unprepared lots.”

The absence of presidential candidates less than six months to the poll, he said, shows the lack of political maturity among parties. “They just want power at all costs without minding how it will affect us. At the end of the day, we are the losers for it,” the member of the just-concluded National Conference lamented.

The President of the Centre for Democracy and Social Economic Rights (CDSER), Popoola Ajayi, said every wellmeaning Nigerian should be concerned and alarmed that less than six months to a presidential poll, candidates have not emerged. “In most democracies, you will start seeing the candidates one year to the polls. But this is not so here and it shows we are not ready to move forward at all. The undemocratic nature of our parties is partly responsible for it,” he stated.

He explained that since the candidates won’t emerge until three months before such a crucial election, they won’t have ample time to sell their programmes and candidacy. “Nigeria is a big, vast country. How can you crisscross the length and breadth in just three months? How can they tell us what they offer if elected? How can we assess them and make informed decisions?”

Ajayi blamed parties for the absence of aspirants, saying many of them are scared of throwing themselves into the race for fear of wasting time and resources. “They know that the eventual candidates might be imposed. So why waste time and resources on mobilisation when they might not make it?” he

“Political parties cannot commence electoral activities until notice is given, going by the Electoral Act 2006.

The notice of election, according to the Act, can be given by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ‘not later than 150 days before the day appointed for holding of an election’. This means primaries cannot hold until then.”

explained.

A former President of Ijaw Youth Congress (IYC), Professor Kingsley Okoko, however disagreed that timing will not affect assessment of the candidates whenever they emerge.

According to him: “It is strictly a party affair and quite frankly, I am not bothered. Whether it is a month or more is immaterial. When the candidates are ready, Nigerians will assess them based on their programmes.”

Raphael James, an activist, believes political parties are deliberately slowing down the process of emergence of their candidates to frustrate informed voters. “This is how voter’s apathy begins. When we don’t have enough time to assess their candidates and consider their agendas, many will simply shrug and refuse to vote. Those who will vote will do it based on a sense of duty, not because they think they are making the needed changes.”

Mindful of the Electoral Act provision that says candidates can only begin public campaigns only 90 days before the polls, Ajayi said parties should have concentrated on voters’ mobilisation and education to raise awareness. “The Act says you can’t campaign publicly but you can organise voter’s awareness and education seminar to market your programmes. That way, when the candidates emerge, the voters would have known your party and what you represent,” he explained.

Rafsanjani couldn’t agree more. “If you can’t campaign you can have internal mobilisation and even do doorto-door mobilisation if you really mean business. To me, I think the parties are taking voters for granted that they will choose from their lesser evils, instead of empowering them to make the best choices,” he stressed.

He believes that if the intention is to make the poll issue-based, parties should have started the process of educating voters while preparing for the election. The hurried scenario that will emerge from the chaos, he said, means voters will have no choice but to consider non-essentials such as religion and ethnicity among presidential candidates.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 24, 2014

Page 58, 59

•Alakija

T

HE federal government yesterday said it will seek about $1billion loan and grants from development partners to improve water supply and irrigation in the country.

The loan, which will be sourced from the World Bank, African Development Bank, French Development Agency, European Union, USAID and Islamic Development Bank, will be put to use in twelve states and two River Basin Development Authorities.

The Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe, said this in Abuja at the 3rd Workshop on Performance Assessment, Benchmarking and Governance Issues of Water Agencies in Nigeria.

Ochekpe, who was represented by the Director,

• Hamzat

Page 60

FG seeks $1bn loan for irrigation, water supply From Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

Special Duties, office of the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Daniel Dauda, explained that the government had in 2004 got a loan of $1billion to boost infrastructure in 12 states.

“The level of success being recorded in the implementation of the programme has given us the confidence to plan and support the process of upscaling it to cover water supply and irrigation development in additional 12 states and two River Basin Development Authorities.

“When the on-going process mature, additional facilities of about one billion dollars ($1billion) will be further sourced from the partners,” the minister said.

She said the programme will improve access to potable water supply by the citizens.

According to her, the programme will also enhance the performances of the state water agencies for sustainable service delivery.

The government, she said, will monitor and evaluate the programme closely to ensure

service delivery and success.

“The reform programme covers infrastructure development, public private partnership development, institutional strengthening and capacity building. Let me use this opportunity to call on the governments of the states that are currently on the programme to be more proactive through formulation and implementation of necessary action plans that will enhance the achievements of sustainable water service deliver to the citizens of their states,” she added.

•From left: Managing Director, Mr. Panos Katsis; Marketing Director, Mr. Vikramjeet Singh; Sales Director, Mr. Dhiren Singh and Finance Director, Mr. Mathew Chadzimura all of Thermocool at the media launch to mark Thermocool 40th Anniversary in Nigeria…recently

Customs makes 336 seizures valued at N108m

N

IGERIA Customs Service( NCS) Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ Ikeja, has reportedly “recorded a total of 336 different seizures of assorted, offending goods/items valued at N107,513,308.00 with a payable duty of N42,937,110.00, with a duty paid value of N150,450,418.00 between 13th July and 9th August, 2014.”

The Acting Comptroller of the Unit, Turaki, U.A, who gave this hint last week during his inaugural address, intended to show case some of his achievements since assumption of office on July 15, further revealed that, “Under the same period, we apprehended a total of 19 (nineteen) suspects in connection with these seizures. Comparatively

By Biodun-Thomas Davids

speaking, this report shows over 65% positive difference when compared with the report of corresponding period in 2013.”

In a similar report bordering on revenue from interven-

B

RITISH American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) Limited has restated its commitment to the successful implementation of the Lagos State Public Place Smoking Law, which came into effect on August 17. The company said that it would continue to support key stakeholders in the country to drive a fully compliant and well regulated tobacco sector in a transparent and responsible manner.

-- Page 53

‘Lagos needs $50b for infrastructure upgrade’

Behold Nigeria’s boardroom amazons

tion for the period between January and August 14, he revealed that “revenue from intervention from ports and borders stations stood at N89,337,981.00 which as at 14th August accounts for N28,128,514.00, being 6,195% comparative analysis increased

from that of August 2013.”

He listed the seized goods to include: foreign parboiled rice, foreign frozen poultry products, vehicles, textile materials (used and new), wine, various soaps, used shoes, tomatoes, spaghetti and mosquitoes insecticide.

'I believe in mentoring' • Amkpa

RTEAN partners NATA on survival, growth of automotive industry From Franca Ochigbo and Halima Farouk, Abuja

T

HE Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, RTEAN, in partnership with Nigeria Automobile Technicians Association, NATA, have agreed to support the federal government in ensuring the survival and growth of the nation’s automotive industry.

The national president, RTEAN, Alhaji Shehu Musa Isiwele, assured that such partnership will enhance the industry’s contribution to the national economy, especially in the area of transportation.

Isiwele disclosed this during a visit by delegates of NATA in Abuja, stating that this would not only add value to both organisations, but also help the government in creating enabling environment for the manufacturing of local vehicles and spare parts in the country.

He said, “RTEAN and NATA would through the partnership ease the pains of Nigerians in transporting their goods and services, especially now that the federal government has launched the national automotive policy aimed at making the nation self reliant in the manufacturing of Nigerian-made vehicles.

“The success of road transport business is hinged on the availability of professional skills of your members and the services provided as auto-engineers which is cardinal to maintaining vehicles on the road.

“RTEAN’s robust nature and national spread with over 16million membership across the country stand us out as a viable and dependable destination fodder investments in road transportation business in Nigeria.

“More than any other association, either in the public or private sphere of our socio-political and economic development, RTEAN has promoted issues of affordable, quality, durable and sustainable road transport system.

“Today, it is not surprising that the association is adjudged as the Best Trade Union in Nigeria in the recent performance rating of trade unions in Nigeria,” he stressed.

The RTEAN boss, however, commended President Jonathan for the automotive policy and the improvement in road network across the country, saying improvement on national highways had improved road transportation and reduced accidents in the country.

Speaking, NATA president, Michael Ajayi Omoniyi, said the association sought partnership with RTEAN on National Strategic Stakeholders Dialogue on Nigeria Automotive Industry to support the policy for the benefit of both sand the general public.

Adding that the partnership would enhance the implementation of National Vehicle Emissions Control programme scheduled to begin in January 2015 by the National Environmental Standard and Regulations Enforcement Agency, NESREA, across the country.

The programme is to ensure that all vehicles plying Nigerian roads have installed emission reduction technology, adding that it would also improve the quality of vehicles and life of Nigerians.

He disclosed that NATA had started to train its members in the repair and maintenance of auto-mechanic and electronic vehicles that would be plying the nation’s roads.

BATN promises to obey anti-tobacco law The statement came against the backdrop of a reaction to BATN’s recent sensitisation of officers of the Lagos State Police Command on the Lagos State Public Place Smoking Law. The company stated that it was surprised that a Lagosbased NGO would fault the sensitisation of enforcement agents on the recently passed Lagos Public Smok-

ing law. Freddy Messanvi, Area Director, Corporate and Regulatory Affairs, BAT West Africa, said that the company believes that this was a task which such NGOs should spearhead.

Messanvi stated that help is needed from NGOs and other stakeholders to enhance understanding and appreciation of the law, and not a time to engage in industry

Page 62

de-normalisation tactics.

Other issues requiring the urgent attention of all stakeholders include stemming the increasing tide of illegal trade within the sector and using the funding that the NGOs get from their international partners to build the capacity of agencies who work on tobacco control to ensure that there is compliance with stated

laws and regulations.

He said that engagement with stakeholders such as the recent sensitisation event of officers of the Nigeria Police in Lagos was held in accordance with the World Health Organisation’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, FCTC, Article 5.3.

The sensitisation of the police was done in public and the engagement was transparently conducted.

58

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 24, 2014

BUSINESS

IME was when only men bestrode the nation’s socio-economic landscape and controlled big businesses. Interestingly, the narrative is fast changing now as the womenfolk are steadily getting involved in big businesses just like their male counterparts.

New face of big businesses To say that many women are now major players in many blue-chip companies is not in doubt. Truth is, whether in manufacturing, banking, oil and gas, extractive industry, aviation, publishing, architecture, engineering, hotel chains, maritime, telecoms, to mention just a few, more women are not just playing in the big league but are giving the men a run for their money!

Enter the major players Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija, the richest African woman, worked as a secretary in a Nigerian Merchant Bank in the 1970s and later left to study fashion design in England. She subsequently founded Supreme Stitches in the late 80s, a Nigerian fashion label that catered for upscale clientele, including the late Maryam Babangida, wife of Nigeria’s former military Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida.

A philanthropist with focus on orphans and widows, she also serves as the Vice Chairman at Famfa Oil, an indigenous oil-prospecting company.

In 2013, Forbes named Alakija as the richest black woman on earth as she defeated the television show-host and actress, Oprah Winfrey. By November, 2013, Forbes put her net worth at $2.5 billion. But by January 2014, her net worth had skyrocketed to $7.3 billion courtesy Mail of UK, beating Oprah Winfrey whose net worth is now $2.9 billion to the second place.

Like Alakija, Mrs. Stella Okoli is the foremost woman when matters of pharmacy are spoken of in Nigeria. She is the Chief Executive Officer of Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, a company she floated way back in 1977. She undertook the venture armed with a first degree in Pharmacy from Bradford University in 1969 and a Master’s degree in Bio-Pharmaceutics from the University of London in 1971.

She worked in various capacities at Middlesex Hospital, London; Boots Chemists London and Part Davis Nigeria before opening a retail outlet, Emzor Chemists Ltd, in 1977.

The manufacturing plant of the company was commissioned ten years later. It has since introduced over 50 successful products into her company’s line.

Clearly, another woman that could easily be described as a successful business amazon is Mrs. Ibukun Awosika, Founding Chief Executive, The Chain Centre, a company which makes bespoke furniture for high net worth individuals within the sub-region.

Awosika, who has a lot of achievements under her belt, has her hands in several pies, and sits atop many blue-chip companies, where she has continued to make her mark.

Mrs. Sola David-Borha is the Chairman of Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Limited as well as the Chief Executive of Stanbic

Behold Nigeria’s boardroom amazons Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf writes on the rising profile of some of the nation’s thriving boardroom amazons who despite the odds are stamping their feet in the major commanding heights of the economy

•Alakija

•Okoli

•Awosika

•David-Borha

•Shagaya

•Adenowo

IBTC Holdings PLC and former Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC. Unassuming, Mrs. DavidBorha is arguably one of the most successful women bankers in Nigeria. She joined the board of IBTC in July 1994 and has since served in different capacities at the financial organisation. Previously, she was the Deputy CEO of Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC (Jan 2008 – April 2011). She also served as Acting Managing Director, IBTC Chartered Bank Plc (Oct 2007 – Jan 2008).

Before then, she had served in the bank as Executive Director, Corporate and Investment Banking (2006 – April, 2010) and Executive Director, Corporate Banking (1994 – 2005). David-Borha is a member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria and the Nigerian Economic Summit Group. She holds an MBA degree from Manchester Business School, United Kingdom. Her executive educational experience includes the Advanced Management Programme of the Harvard Business School. She is also ac-

claimed as the highest paid Managing Director of any bank in Nigeria, with her annual take-home in over seven digits.

For Hajia Bola Shagaya, arguably one of Abuja’s most influential business women, her business acumen has paid off well.

Shagaya, who once served in banking sector, established Fotofair (Nigeria) Limited in 1997, which is a one unit of her business empire. Fotofair is reputed to have over thirty photo laboratories across the country, while she also plays leading roles in boards of several companies.

Mrs. Charis Grace Onabowale, Managing Director and prime mover of Mama Cass Restaurants Limited – an eatery, which operates in over 15 outlets spread across the nation and even in the United Kingdom (UK). Mrs Onabowale, who graduated from the West London College in 1973 with a Higher National Diploma in Business Administration, worked with British Petroleum (BP) in Nigeria for 13 years and rose to the position of Employee Services Superintendent in

charge of staff services and welfare. In 1986, she moved to Sir Lawrence Petroleum briefly as Personnel Manager and later resigned a year later to face her business.

Mrs. Abosede Ayeni, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Tantalizers Plc, is arguably one of the most successful Quick Sercvice chains operating in the country. Tantalizers, which is a late entrant in the quick service sub-sector, has lived beyond expectations as it seems to be expanding rapidly with so many branches spread all over the federation, thanks to the dexterity of the Mrs. Ayeni.

Like Mrs. Ayeni, Kehinde Kamson started Sweet Sensation - a Quick Service Restaurant business - in 1994 from a tiny guard house in Ilupeju, Lagos after she had spent about 10 years doing the business on a small scale from her young family’s garage.

The business has since grown to become one of the most successful chains of Quick Service Restaurant businesses in Nigeria with over 25 outlets across the

country, over 2,000 employees and over 60 array of meals that are served daily.

Mrs. Olajumoke Adenowo, widely recognised as ‘Nigeria’s foremost female Architect’ and the face of Architecture in Nigeria, is the CEO of AD Consulting, which she set up 20 years ago.

Adenowo also runs an oil and gas firm, Advantage Energy, and a property management firm, Advantage Energy. Her hobby is developing private residences and in her private portfolio has developed 12 high end properties in gated clusters in the highbrow VILekki axis.

AD Consulting Limited is the only Nigerian firm nominated to provide architectural services by the British Chamber of Commerce. AD Consulting has received several awards for design excellence.

Adenowo mentors and develops young architectural talent through AD’s “Discover Design” and internship schemes. Her NGO, Awesome Treasures Foundation (ATF), has raised hundreds of entrepreneurs with no-

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 24, 2014 table success. ATF runs an education camp to address the education gap for inner city kids.

Mentoring for entrepreneurial and career success is a focus; numeric and literacy skills are developed. ATF runs Awesome Princesses for young girls in the inner city at risk for sexual abuse. Mentoring for entrepreneurial and career success is a focus, coaching, financial, medical and educational intervention is frequently needed.

Awesome Treasures runs Synergy groups to closely mentor and groom women for leadership and entrepreneurship.

Small groups of 12 meet in various city locations. Twentyseven AD staff in three offices currently oversee at least 18 projects.

Leadership style It is not surprising that many of these women have since validated the age-long dictum that what a man can do, a woman can do even better, judging by the lofty heights they have attained in business.

Speaking in an interview with The Nation on what it felt like to be operating in a maledominated profession, Adenowo waxed philosophical: “I hear it is a male-dominated field. My parents forgot to warn me. My advice to females is the same as the advice to males and every young professional. Make sure architecture is what you really want to do. AD is always full of young people interning with us - I call it “AD College”.

“However, I tell the younger people ‘there are easier ways to make money if money is your aim’. An architect is a noble artist, creating art to live in. The execution of your edifice should be in itself a huge part of your reward, like a woman is fulfilled at a fundamental level after she births a new life. If money is your real aim, become a contractor – that’s more lucrative.

“Particularly for men and women in architecture, if you must marry, then marry right.

Make sure you marry someone who understands the demands and pressures of our profession and the sacrifice and patience it involves before your reward (or as we Nigerians put it “your breakthrough”) comes.”

In her assessment of boards controlled by women recently, Ms. Arumah Oteh, DirectorGeneral, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), observed as a matter of fact that, by far, women are better managers when compared to their male counterparts out there.

Oteh minced no words when she declared that more women should be encouraged to head boards as they have the propensity to achieve better results in terms of fundamentals of the business.

Echoing similar sentiments, Chief Timothy Adesiyan, who leads a major shareholder group, observed that women are beginning to play a leading role in companies’ boards these days as they enjoy the support of their male counterparts.

According to him, most of the corporations listed among the famous Fortune 500 companies are being run by women.

Thankfully, he says, Nigerian women are also playing in the big league too and as such should be given the necessary fillip.

BUSINESS

59

NEXIM Bank and task of export promotion N

IGERIA, in accordance with President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda, has begun to gradually assume the portal ofAfrica’s economic base. Hitherto, this enviable position was held by South Africa and Egypt.

Facts show that for two years now, 2011 and 2012, Nigeria was ahead of others African countries as the top destination for foreign direct investment. There has also been aremarkable improvement in local participation in the country’s oil and gas sector as well as the non-oil sector, no thanks to theremarkable improvement in the structural transformation of the economy.

According to the managing director of Nigeria Export-Import Bank, Mr Roberts Orya, “The nonoil sectors are now the key drivers of the country’s GDP growth, which is expected to rise to 7.3 percent in 2014 Nigeria’s rise above South Africa and Egypt in attracting foreign direct investment boils down to her frontier opportunities in various sectors such as power, infrastructure, agriculture, solid minerals, retailing and services. The job opportunities created by this robust economic prospect have been tremendous. No doubt a private-sector driven economy has globally shown to be the panacea for job creation. It is against this backdrop that the Nigeria.

Export-Import Bank has not rested in its oars in ensuring that the nation’s private sector has the maximum support to thrive.

In the services sector for instance, the bank has made total funding disbursement of N15.6 billion, which accounts for 16. 4 percent of total loan disbursement by the bank. In appraising the scorecard of NEXIM Bank recently, finance minister NgoziOkonjo-Iweala said, “”NEXIM bank was set up to support import and export trade within the country. We are happy to say that NEXIM has proven its worth. It has been performing its functions. That makes the bank a very important part of our finance complex. But there are a lot of expectations. The government of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has embarked on a path of transforming the economy; trying to work with our private sector to expand trade, particularly regional trade, incorporating the West African zone and even beyond. With Nigeria’s economy accounting for 55 per cent of the regional economy, that means our weight means a great deal in the sub-region. Therefore, what we do in terms of supporting our private sector to trade within the region and beyond is very important. As such, NEXIM is key and critical if Nigeria is going to play its role of being the powerhouse within the West Africa sub-region, and beyond that, within Africa.”

NEXIM Bank in its efforts to create a robust economy where the private sector thrives has also adopted various measures. Under the foreign input facility, NEXIM grants short, medium and long term fixed rate loans in foreign currency to participating banks on behalf of their export clients. These facilities are available to Nigerian exporters engaged in the importation of raw materials for export production, packaging materials for export, spare parts for export

•Robert Orya, MD NEXIM Bank

By Chinwe Nwoko

promotion and capital equipment needed for production of goods for export.

Accessing the facility is devoid of the usual bottlenecks. Exporters simply apply to participating banks for foreign input facility; the participating banks then appraise the application based on its existing lending rules; the participating banks then forward a formal request to NEXIM, supported by relevant documents, and then NEXIM disburses funds to the participating banks upon fulfillment of all conditions precedent to draw loan.

Under its local input facility, NEXIM Bank also grants short, medium and long-term fixed rate loans in local currency to participating banks on behalf of their export clients. This facility is for setting up new export-oriented projects, revitalisation, acquisition of additional assets for modernisation, and/or expansion of existing production units for exports; acquisition, rehabilitation and/or expansion of plan-

tations/farms for the production and processing of exportable products as well as acquisition of spare parts and packaging materials for the manufacturing of exportable products.

In the area of export credit guarantee, NEXIM Bank provides an effective tool for the management of risks associated with export financing.

The objectives of the facility are to protect banks in Nigeria and foreign supplies of credits and goods against the risks of non-payment for loans and advances granted to exporters to meet short-term contracts and to encourage banks and other financial institutions to finance export business without fear of default from the exporters.

The guarantees available include pre-shipment guarantee which entails credits/advances granted by a bank for the purpose of manufacture, purchase, processing and/or packaging of goods to be exported under a confirmed export order. There is also post-shipment guarantee which guarantees

“NEXIM Bank has also devised the export credit insurance made to protect exporters against commercial and political risks associated with export business. The goals are to encourage exporters to diversify their export markets without fear of the risks inherent in dealing with new buyers; to attract new enterprises into the export business and to encourage exporters to extend credit terms to their buyers in order to enhance their competitiveness in the international market”

credits/advances granted by a bank in Nigeria against an export bill or any other receivables. Besides, there is the advance payment guarantee designed to protect foreign buyers against payment risks in respect of money advanced to exporters in Nigeria to finance export order. The risks covered are insolvency of the buyer immediately before shipment is undertaking; cancellation of export licence, imposition of restriction on the export of goods, insolvency of the buyer and protracted default by the buyer NEXIM Bank has also devised the export credit insurance made to protect exporters against commercial and political risks associated with export business. The goals are to encourage exporters to diversify their export markets without fear of the risks inherent in dealing with new buyers; to attract new enterprises into the export business and to encourage exporters to extend credit terms to their buyers in order to enhance their competitiveness in the international market.

NEXIM’s ECIF provides both pre and post shipment cover arising from commercial and country risks such as insolvency of the buyer immediately before shipment is undertaken or other events that make it inadvisable to export; cancellation of export licence which was valid at the time production commenced; position of restriction on the export of goods not subject to licence at the time production commenced; protracted default by the buyer; buyer’s refusal to accept the goods dispatched which conformed to contract specifications; war, revolution and civil disturbance in the country of the buyer, which prevents or delays the transfer of payment due under the contract and any other causes of loss arising outside Nigeria which is beyond the exporter’s and buyer’s control.

This initiative is targeted at sustaining Nigeria’s economic progression which was recently adjudged the best in Africa. Quoting the MD of NEXIM Bank recently, “The bank’s funding intervention in support of exports has created and sustained 60, 000 jobs in the past few years: 2009 – 25000 jobs, 2011 – 35, 000 jobs.

The bank support has attracted foreign generation of about 100 million dollars annually, making a total of 200 million in the past years.” NEXIM Bank has in the last few years supported the Nigerian non-oil export to the tune of N20 billion. According to the projection of the MD/CEO, “Our funding intervention in the next five years is to support the non-oil export sector to the following minimum level: 2011 N37billion, 2012 N41billion, 2013 N50billion, 2014 N63billino and 2015 N94billion.”

With these fundamental approaches in encouraging international trade in Nigeria, NEXIM Bank has once more shown that it has the wherewithal to move Nigeria’s economy to the promised land.

The effects include improved standard of living, robust economy, job creation and absolute faith in Nigeria’s economy by investors.

•Nwoko is a public affairs analyst based in Lagos

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 24, 2014

BUSINESS

‘Lagos needs $50b for infrastructure upgrade’ That Lagos is a huge construction site with the light rail, the Lagos/Badagry Expressway, Ketu/Ikorodu highways, housing projects and other developmental projects in various stages of completion is an understatement. However, in this interview with the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Dr. Femi Obafemi Hamzat, he tells Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie that the government requires excess of $50 billion to pull through these many projects in her quest to make Lagos a mega city. Excerpts:

•Hamzat

T

HE State Government has embarked on the construction of light rail as an alternative means to road transportation, what is the progress report?

Let me explain it this way. When you carry people predominantly, it is a light rail, but when it is heavy duty goods like diesel, cars, etc, it is heavy rail. But, in most part of the world, it is light rail. It is the ecology or engine behind the rail system. Now, what we are doing in Lagos is the light rail, which is the one you are talking about. We have identified seven corridors in Lagos State where there can be rail.

So, to identify them differently, that is why we have the blue line and the red line. Those are the two that we are promoting. But there is also the green-yellow and others that we have identified, just like in London where you have the northern line, jubilee line, among others, so that people going from one location to another can know which route to take.

The same thing also applies in the United States where you have the 1st, the 2nd, the 3rd, the 4th, the 5th, the 6th lines so that you know which one to take. The blue line is from Okokomaiko to Marina.

That is the one that we have started. At Orile, we are already building the stations.

What is the duration of the project?

Technically, duration is always difficult to say. Because duration is also a function of many things, we are doing the roads in segments. We are starting from Okokomaiko, National Theatre, Mile 2 and so on, the idea is to link up the state.

We know we have Nigerians who have constructed rails in other parts of the world. So, we brought them. We said, ‘come home and do the job, instead of us getting experts from all over the world.’

The challenge is that in our generation, nobody has built any rail. The last one was built by the whites in 1903. So, it looks like it is difficult. My ultimate goal is to get the engineering right, do it well and, as I said earlier, much depends on funding.

What is the state of the LagosBadagry Expressway?

We are doing two-city changing projects; the rail and the 10-lane road project from Eric Moore to Badagry. The major challenge we are facing is funding because it is a project that will span many years. Even though we have medium

frame term of budgeting framework, you plan resources a year, but you plan projects for many years.

So, the first lane is from Eric Moore to Mazamaza, which is already completed.

That is Lot 1. The second stage is Lot 2, which is from Mazamaza to Okokomaiko. In doing that, the challenge is, we are through with the rail. Now we are building stations at Mile 2, Orile and in two other places.

There are two set of contractors working there. What we decide to do is we are doing relocation of services. We decided to slow down to see the total alignment for the two. So, the first challenge we are having is project interface. The second problem we are having is that these are different contractors, with different plan organisation, hierarchy and so on.

There will be interface problems in some cases. So, as they are building those stations, we deliberately slowed down the road at that place. In fact, those stations are now above 90 percent, so that the road contractor can now go in and do full work, instead of 20 or 25 percent.

So, the challenge is funding and the fact that we are doing two heavy projects. Ordinarily, when you are doing a road, you have to secure the right of way and so many other challenges, but when you are now doing a 10-lane it is a serious work. In the middle of that, there is also going to be a BRT. There will be a rail, there will be BRT. Now you must also know the challenges of securing the safety of the interfaces between the rail.

Is the completion date of 2015 for the Lagos- Badagry Expressway sacrosanct?

I told you the challenges that we are also having. Let me give you the statistics of this road. In order for us to do Lot 2, that is Mazamaza in front of the first gate to Okokomaiko, you need 1.7 million cubic metre of sand. Now, let us put that into perspective. If you lay two metres of sand, you will go to Sokoto and come back. That is the implication of having 1.7 million cubic metre of sand. Now, getting that sand in itself is a challenge and you must get it from somewhere. Now, you go into the deep sea and pump. It is possible that you don’t get sharp sand.

There are instances where you get sludge. We will not allow you as a contractor to put sludge on our road. Really, there are various factors. The resources are also important to us because we won’t shut down other projects. But given every other thing that we now know, we should be able to finish around 2014- 2015.

What is your view about Lagos gener-

ally?

Lagos is a city that elicits a strong emotional response from both those who know it and those who don’t. Experiences are varied but everyone can generally agree on one thing – it is without doubt the home of ambition, of dreams and endless possibilities. The western media’s definition of Lagos as an overpopulated city with crumbling infrastructure is a reductionist western view of a city which over 21 million people - from across the country as well as many parts of the world - proudly call home.

The only true identity anyone can claim for Lagos comes from its people and their heritage. Lagos is the collective hope and ambition of those twenty-one plus million people. Without them, Lagos would be inconsequential. They are the reason why our great city is the single largest market in Africa. They are the reason why Lagos is the only other financial services hub in SubSaharan Africa after Johannesburg. It is a place where every single person, regardless of ethnicity, financial status, gender or religion, wakes up every day believing that life-changing opportunities can and, indeed, will be found just around the corner.

It is this ‘human infrastructure’ that makes this great city the most independent state in Nigeria today. Despite encumbered natural resources, (encumbered because of our warped federalism), Lagos is and has always been a city of endless possibilities and a shining example to the country, and other cities in West Africa.

As an emerging megacity, what are the challenges you think confront Lagos?

Lagos, like any other megacity, has more than its fair share of challenges to contend with. To help us reach our destination, we need good men and women - ordinary citizens, civil servants, politicians and entrepreneurs - to accept the challenge that our ambitions and aspirations demand of us. To roll up our sleeves with tenacity and great resolve to work together to realise our dreams and aspirations for the city of Lagos.

The physical and social infrastructures that we are building are designed to enable our people achieve their goals. Without these infrastructures, Lagos cannot function properly, serve its increasing number of inhabitants or compete on a global scale. The roads and bridges that we build will connect businesses to their markets, people to jobs, the sick to the hospitals and tighten the fabrics of the family unit. The water works we provide must deliver a reliable, usable water supply that supports our health and well-being and that of our families. The power solutions we put in place must provide the electricity we need to grow our businesses, do our jobs, educate our children and live our lives.

From your own point of view, what are that infrastructural challenges inherent in the city?

Infrastructure is without a doubt the most visible and impactful development deficit we have today. The amount of money required to meet the needs of an increasing population is more than $50 billion over the next 10 years. Raising this vast sum of money will not be easy and requires us to collaborate with the private sector through

Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to accelerate the delivery and maintenance of this much needed infrastructure. When we consider the value of these PPPs, we must assess them against our own benchmark, which takes into the account the needs of the people that will drive our development.

While addressing our ‘hard infrastructure’ needs, we must, in tandem, address our soft infrastructure needs. And by soft infrastructure I mean human infrastructure, our most distinguishing feature and the true asset of Lagos State. There can be no sustainable infrastructure development without sustained human capital development. It is the combination of the simultaneous investment in these two areas that will impact positively on Lagos States development trajectory. Creating an enabling environment for this approach to development requires an integrated and pragmatic approach to policy formulation and implementation.

It requires us to build on the giant leap embarked upon by the current administration to place the state in an enviable position among cities around the globe.

We must focus on more than just feeding the ‘stomach infrastructure’ of our people; or just concentrating on physical infrastructure. We must in essence address how physical infrastructure affects stomach infrastructure. We must focus on the full breadth of our human infrastructure requirements.

How can we tackle the socio-economic conditions in Lagos?

Increasingly, it is clear to me and others that we must as a people focus on some key issues which relate to sustaining the socio-economic development of Lagos State. These issues are very close to my heart and in my view hold the key to continuing on current path of turning Lagos into Africa’s model mega city, and the economic heart of the continent. This is important for me as someone who has over eighteen years’ private sector experience and also as a public servant in Lagos State for the past 10 years in different capacities. It is therefore easy to view Lagos from different prisms.

To my mind, there are four themes that we must work on over the next decade. They are service delivery, ensuring that we continue to build the infrastructure to meet our needs today, and for the future while focusing on efficient revenue generation and the best use of public funds.

Others are job creation, providing the opportunities our people need to fulfil their ambitions; knowledge and skills, enhancing the ability of our people to improve themselves and build an economy and workforce that meets our future needs in order for our youths to employ their God-given talent, and lastly health and well-being; ensuring that our people have access to health services and can live in an environment that enables all of us to be and do the best that we can, for ourselves and our families, and of course the great state of Lagos. The target is clear we must build a state that our children will be proud to inherit.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 24, 2014

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TANBIC IBTC Bank has just organised a trade

and finance forum for stakeholders. What do you intend to achieve through this initiative? Will it be an annual event?

Definitely, the event will be an annual one and will take on topical and relevant issues as it relates to trade finance in Nigeria. I must, however, quickly point out that this client series will not be limited to trade but will cut across our three transactional products area namely, trade finance, cash management and investor services.

What then do we intend to achieve through this initiative? SIBTC typically organises thought leadership forums not just to build the brand and showcase our capabilities but also to have periodic engagements with our key clients and industry players. So, the trade conference was one of such annual events.

You are at the head of the Transactional Products and Services team of Stanbic IBTC Bank. What do you actually do in that unit and how critical is it to Stanbic IBTC Bank?

TPS is a key strategic business unit within the bank. We are responsible for providing solutions and product offerings around investors’ services, cash management and trade finance. We provide working capital solutions to target clients comprising multinationals, local corporate, financial institutions and public sector groups using technology as an enabler. As head of TPS, I provide strategic direction and supervise the teams responsible for sales, product management and channels. We ensure that we deliver the right solutions to our esteemed clients in the different sectors and segments in the economy.

Expectedly, Stanbic IBTC Bank’s expansion programme has come with the introduction of a wide array of specialised products and services targeted at various segments of the market. Is the market ripe for many of these products when most bank customers simply want a safe place to keep their money?

Beyond recent innovative banking products and services, customers have become even more sophisticated in their demand for specialised solutions. We are all witnesses to the growth of mobile telephone, the adoption of card solutions, and the drive towards financial inclusion and a cashless society which provide insights into how aware and savvy the banking public has become. Stanbic IBTC as a leading international bank focuses on developing customised products and solutions for different segment of our markets.

Most people are often scep-

‘Cashless Nigeria will aid business’ Mr. Babatunde Macaulay is Head of Transactional Products & Services at Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc and Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC respectively. Macaulay who holds a Bachelors Degree in Industrial Chemistry and an MSc in International Human Resource Management from Cranfield University, UK, has over 15 years experience in the banking and manufacturing sectors. In this interview with Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf, he speaks on trade and investment opportunities being facilitated by his bank, among other related issues. Excerpts:

•Macaulay

tical about accessing financing from banks because of the hidden charges that trail some of these transactions. How has Stanbic IBTC Bank been able to tackle this challenge?

One of our core values is “upholding the highest levels of integrity.” As such, we are transparent in dealing with our customers and their transactions. We follow the CBN guide to banker’s tariff and all modifications are discussed internally and communicated to client prior to implementation. In addition, we aim to offer competitive pricing and have an approved pricing framework within the bank. Specifically on financing, we have a proven track record of funding various initiatives and projects in different key sectors of the economy such as power, manufacturing and agriculture etc.

What are Stanbic IBTC Bank’s

priorities regarding its technological infrastructure towards making its products and services more accessible to its customers? Is there a future for branch banking given the literacy rate of the general population?

Stanbic IBTC is currently investing in a multi-million dollar IT infrastructure that will improve and deliver better efficiency in transaction initiation and execution within the bank and to our clients. This is coming on the back of our recent core-banking implementation in 2011 and subsequent upgrades. We are committed to providing “branchless” transactional banking for our clients via integrated automated systems with robust channel capabilities to aid convenience, reduce cost, improve overall service experience.

With every new day comes more innovation in product and

service delivery from the banks in the country. What measures have Stanbic IBTC Bank taken to ensure that it is not left behind in the innovation race? Are there lessons you are drawing from Standard Bank’s operations in other markets?

As a member of the largest African banking group i.e. Standard Bank Group, Stanbic IBTC has a unique advantage of leveraging the experience and expertise of its businesses in the various geographies. “Being Proactive” is one of our core values as a bank.

Hence, we pride ourselves in creating innovative products and solutions by continuously engaging our markets and clients to understand market trends and customer needs. This has earned us several accolades, including best sub-custodian bank, best bank for cash management overall in Africa, best bank in payments and collection, amongst others How are you able to design products and services that are targeted at different countries and markets given that the Standard Bank Group, to which Stanbic IBTC belongs, operates in about 20 countries within Africa and also have a strong global footprint?

At Stanbic IBTC, we have a dedicated and experienced product management team that focuses on product development and commercialisation, amongst other things. We also have a robust governance and new products framework that ensure our products/services are fit for purpose, satisfy various risk benchmarks and ultimately meet our customer’s needs. We consistently engage and work with top companies in the key sectors of the economy with a keen focus on oil & gas, power & infrastructure, telecoms, fast moving consumer goods and conglomerates and diversified industries to understand the “voice of the customer” and roll-out tailor-made solutions in our various markets.

Banking is always evolving, and it is more so in Nigeria that is increasingly adopting technology solutions to deliver services across different segments of the economy. Where do you see banking in Nigeria in the next five years in terms of service delivery?

We are all witnesses to the significant transformation experienced in the Nigerian banking sector over the last decade. We believe the next five years will continue along that path. Nigerian banks will continue to explore alternative banking platforms leveraging technology to promote wider inclusion of the unbanked and delivery of products/services to the banking public. We see a completely cashless Nigeria with fewer brick and mortar branches and increase in alternate channel adoption across all the sectors and segments of the Nigerian economy. We see a drive for a West African regional trade and payments ecosystem driven by cards and account-based transactions. We see a more sophisticated banking public driven by convenience, security, and system availability, among others.

Foundation empowers teens with ICT skills

• Okoroafor

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N its quest to build the skills set of teenagers in the area of information and communication technology, Working to Advance Science and Technology Education for African Woman (WAAW), a nonprofit, nongovernmental organisation, organised a capacity building workshop for public and private secondary school girls.

Justifying the need for the workshop, its Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Mrs. Unoma Okoroafor, said the foundation is committed to ensuring that every young girl is adequately empowered through the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programme, a one-week long camp meeting aimed at training, mentoring and inspiring secondary school girls to explore science-related careers.

Besides, Dr. Unoma noted that the camp objective is to ensure that girls think of science and technology as a tool to innovate and enable real problem-solving in their respective communities.

She further said that the foundation provides scholarships to girls in African schools who demonstrate verifiable financial need and maintain excellent academic records, so that when they become WAAW fellows, they would in turn give back to their respective communities either by launching a STEM outreach cell or organising outreach initiatives geared at mentoring younger girls.

Echoing similar sentiments, Ms. Frances Sloun, the Operations Director from St. Thomas University Minnesota, said the STEM camp is specifically for girls for the advancement of science and technology in Africa, adding that the girls have been able to explore computer programmes on many different platforms like renewable energy and how it works, climate change and other science-related topics.

Sloun also said Africa does not need to import to do technology because everything is right here for them to use, citing the story of a young Malawian boy, who through scraps and metals was able to build a wind turbine for his community without even attending school. She further urged the girls to share with others what they have learnt from the STEM camp.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 24, 2014

‘My mission as a novelist’ With two published novels and eight more soon to be published, Gandhi Ebikeme Orubebe, a retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), has proved that one’s career is no barrier to writing. On August 29h, the books will be presented to the public at Grand Hotel, Asaba, Delta State. Edozie Udeze ecountered him on this and more

•Orubebe

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ITH two published novels and eight more in the offing, Gandhi Ebikeme Orubebe, an Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) rtd, and a prolific writer of many years, has shown that writing is a craft, only well-disciplined people can finally put to fruition.

The two books are: Missing Daughters and Deserts. And on 29th of this month they will be presented to the public at the Grand-Hotel, Asaba, the Delta State capital.

In an interview, Orubebe delved into the circumstances that led to his finding fulfillment in writing. “A man plays a lot of roles in his entire life. He is the husband, the father, the role model, the head of the family and lots more. It is in discharging these responsibilities that he encounters many issues and ideas. In the end, they all help to form the concepts of what he writes. For me, therefore, these concepts in all their individual and collective moulds came together to make the stories one writes.”

The import of the books which harp so much on the disorientation of the youths in the society is to redirect attention on how to mould people who can take over responsibilities in the future. In Deserts, for instance, the author berates parents who pamper their kids too much because they have the means to do so. Part of the reasons why the books should be presented to the public is to encourage parents to guide against such recklessness and undue attention to their chil-

dren which eventually leads them to nowhere. “Such a situation,” Orubebe says, “in turn is predisposed to destructive vices as the person progresses into adulthood.”

He frowns at the youths of today who find it difficult to sit down and read.

“When I was growing up, I used to read a lot, not only books recommended as texts.

We used to read beyond the recommended books, even to the extent of looking into books that are in other different disciplines. And I found great pleasure in doing so. But what we have these days is quite alarming and that is why my works concentrate on how to encourage the youths to be a bit more up and doing.”

Orubebe, whose interest in writing began way back at the Federal Government College, Ughelli, Delta State, discloses that parents have a big role to play here.

“Even myself, I encourage my children to read a lot. If you allow them to only read to pass their examinations, you’re not doing enough to build them into formidable characters and personalities for tomorrow. Knowledge is not supposed to be limited to one area of life. In fact, versatility in whatever you do, helps to make you a well-rounded personality, ready, and properly equipped to face the world.”

He recalls how he was able to engage himself in so many social and intellectual exercises in school, which eventually fine-tuned his mind towards writing. “Well, we were all engaged in debating and dramatic societies at the Federal Government College, Ughelli. We did so according to our different hostels.

There were indeed stiff and engaging competitions along those lines among the hostels. If you were not active in one or the other, of course, you’d not feel comfortable. This was how I began to improve myself, study very hard so that I’d not be found wanting whenever I was engaged in debating or the like.”

In the face of all these, Orubebe, explains how their teachers were very committed to the wellbeing of the students.

Even though he was not a literate student per se, he was motivated by the writings of some prominent authors. It was at that stage he began to write short stories, some of which were found worthy by the school authorities. By the time he took his first degree in Sociology, a course he admits is not only vast and extensive but can open your eyes about deeper issues of life, Orubebe, had been able to hone his skills the more. “Oh, yes, Sociology is a course that combines a lot together. This is why if you are not a serious reader and a committed student, you may not be able to make it. Even then the ambiance of the University of Lagos, the beauty of the place and the manner of lectures we had helped me in many ways.”

For him to be a watchdog of the society through his writing, it has a lot to do

So, when you write you try to make your word a bit elevated. It is not done to impress but to show how someone has been influenced by another writer.

The essence, to me, is to help readers build their vocabularies. That is the idea, when someone is speaking I don’t want to be discouraged because the vocabulary is big or something like that. I try to listen to learn more”

with his course of study. To him, Sociology which deals profoundly with the problems of the society and how to find solutions to them has been the driving force behind what he writes. “Yes, culturally and otherwise, Sociology is deep with salient elements to help rebuild the minds of the people. This, in many ways helped to expose us to the wrong things people usually do in the society. So having been so exposed, you will now begin to write about them, pointing out areas where the necessary corrections have to be made to improve the society.”

In writing most of this works, Orubebe moralises a lot. He uses issues common to the people to tell stories. In the end, he tries to look for plausible ways to arrive at a concession. This is his forte. He has deliberately chosen these so as to be more pungent and distinctive from others.

“Yes, I moralise a lot. Apart from my subject area, I read the Bible a lot. The Bible is my dictionary. I can’t remember how many times I’ve read it from Genesis to Revelations. Part of it is that I am a born again Christian and the Bible gives me peace in abundance.

Asked why most critics complain about the high-sounding words in his novels and why he finds it convenient to bamboozle readers with difficult vocabularies, then he says, “you know one of the writers I read most is Wole Soyinka.

This is a writer who can make you to be who you are. So when you write you try to make your word, a bit elevated. It is not done to impress but to show how someone has been influenced by another writer. The essence, to me, is to help readers build their vocabularies. That is the idea, when someone is speaking I don’t want to be discouraged because the vocabulary is big or something like that. I try to listen to learn more.”

All said, part of the programmes at the public presentation of the books is to highlight most of these issues. “Yes, a lot of important personalities to grace occasion include Chief Edwin Clark, leader of Ijaw nationality, the owner of Obat oil Oba Faderick Akinrotun and of course the Delta State government which will be fully involved. Even though the event will keep off by 10a.m on that day, we will try to encourage the youths to be part of it in order to learn one or two things.

Now that the author is retired, how soon does the public expect new books from him? “Ah, as I am talking to you now, I’ve written eight new books. I just want to launch these two books first.

Gradually, I will put final touches to the new ones. I find more time now to do so, even though when I was in charge of the Police Staff-college, I had enough time to write. You know as a writer a lot of issues occupy your mind and you are often agitated to write them down. Anytime at all, an idea comes into my mind. And when it does, I try to jot it down so that when it is time to write, it will not be too difficult.

“No matter your position in life, you cannot totally divorce yourself from the society. Often because of my career, I deal directly with the public. In doing so, you discover that stories of difference hue follow you into your mind. So, after my immediate family, I also have direct contacts with the people and that is how most of the story ideas are discovered. This is why I strongly believe that after this launch, government and other stakeholders will see why the books have to be recommended for public consumption.”

In all, while in Deserts, Orubebe admonishes parents for over-pampering their children, in Missing Daughters, his attention is focused on how to uphold ethics and norms when bringing up young girls. Every parent needs discipline to be able to make their children better people.

Therefore, whether male or female, every child is important not only to the family but the entire society.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 24, 2014

Title:Message Makers In Practical Journalism Author: Tajudeen Adigun Publishers: Emgee Ltd., Lagos Year of Publication: 2013 No of Pages: 219 Reviewer: Edozie Udeze

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ESSAGE Makers In Practical Journalism is a well-crafted book, written by a professional journalist of many practitioners and the print and electronic media play to keep the society warm and abreast with the day-to-day events in the world. According to the author, Tajudeen Adigun, “the book provides a vantage slab where readers can stand and take a panoramic view of what is happening in a newspaper house.”

He goes on to pose the following questions: “Who is doing what? What informs this stance is the belief that there is no better way to study journalism than making those responsible for the shapes and context of the message in a newspaper, the message from radio or television station a case study… This provides a perspicuous illumination that fosters quick assimilation and understanding of the subject-matter. This method enhances the ability of a reader to put into practice what is learnt with ease.”

In espousing these ideals, the author delves into all the core areas of the media profession, explaining how each works to help practitioners to do their jobs very well.

“Message in the media-newspaper, magazine, radio and television is not by accident, or is designed by experts for a purpose determined by the proprietor”. Indeed the designing of the message, its structure and import may not be easily discerned without understanding the imperative under which the

Dissecting the fourth estate message designers operate.”

The purpose of this therefore is to let the world know the concepts of interviews, the role of a reporter, what it takes to edit a paper, who is qualified to be made an editor. He also takes a look at the electronic and print media, what constitutes a biased message, how to properly communicate, the issues involved in the study of Mass Communication, the responsibility of the regulatory agency, factors that make news and more. He equally makes it clear that for one to truly grasp the whole essence of what Journalism stands for, there is the need to train reporters in a way to be able to discharge their duties smartly. Beyond that however, each newspaper has its own inhouse style, yet what is the general concept is that certain things need be kept secret.

These include source of information, handling big starts, types of news and more.

Interestingly, watching the message makers at work in a means to removing the mist of mystery surrounding the mass media and affording readers an opportunity to

Lagos Child: Catching them young

•L-R: CEO Acceptance Insurance Broker, Prince Ademola Adekunsoye; Director Human Resources and Administration, Office of the Head Of Service, Lagos State, Mr Ogunyemi Duyilemi; Chairman board of trustees Ola Foundation, Mr Doherty Akinsanmi; Mrs Akinsanmi; Mrs Oyetola representing Lagos State Commissioner for Education and Mrs Funmi Opaleye Retired Director of personnel, Lagos State Ministry of education

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ITH a view to bridging the dwindling gap between children and role models, the Chief Executive Officer of Ola Foundation, Folayemi Akinsanmi, has launched the first edition of a magazine titled Lagos Child.

According to her, the magazine is aimed at addressing the parental negligence pervading our society and the need to intervene to try and offer corrective measures by sensitising parents on the need to raise children with high sense of values including honesty, integrity, hard work, humility, obedience and respect for human dignity.

Akinsanmi, a retired principal of Illupeju Senior Grammar School said that the aim of the magazine was to spread the gospel of parents raising their children up in the right way, giving them the values that are required to make them have a better life in the future.

The roles of parents in the upbringing of the children are spelt out in some articles in the publication. Children and youths also have a thing or two to learn from career talk, learning to be safe, making choices in the field of education and mind building games like, word puzzles, Sudoku and cartoons.

“We also have the religious teachings and exercises children can engage in to prevent obesity and keep them healthy,” she added.

She noted that there was need to raise children with positive attitudes so that when they grow, they will want to do things for the development of the country and abstain from all acts of corruption. She however lamented that children of today are not lucky to have role

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By Olatunde Odebiyi models and mentors to look up to.

“The society is fraught with delinquent adults even at the highest echelon of leadership. All the children witness daily are adult rascality of the highest order, lack of integrity, dishonesty, corruption and lack of respect for the Laws of the land. It is our belief that through this magazine we will reach a much wider audience and spread the gospel of positive parenting,” she added.

According to her, the magazine is a quarterly publication of the Olawole Lanre Akinsanmi (OLA) Foundation. This foundation, she said, is devoted to positively changing the character, morals and general behaviour of children and youths.

“We also bring in the parents to change their attitude to the upbringing of their children through sensitising them on how to raise morally upright, disciplined and honest children. We show parents the way to carry out their God-given duties to their children and prepare them for a future of fulfilled dreams,” she added.

She urged parents/ guardians to pay more attention to the upbringing of their children. “It is your responsibility to pass value to your children and raise them up in the right way. It is not all about you giving them all that they need, you going to work and coming back, there is much more. Parents need to know that they owe the duties to spend time with their children so that the issue or corruption and criminality will be a thing of the past in our society,” Akinsanmi said.

understand the nature and frontiers of the mass media in a society. The proprietors of the mass media could not be ignored either, if a panoramic understanding of the phenomena of the mass media is the objective of study. The proprietors are the formulators of the broad policy that provides the framework within which the message makers operate to achieve particular objectives.”

This shows that to a large extent, most newspapers serve the purpose of their owners. What then constitute an honest news or viewpoint? Does a newspaper clearly and explicitly stand for the common good of the common man?

The author states clearly that he who plays the pipe dictates the tone. This is the general situation of most media outfits visà-vis the stand of their mentors. This is the idea that often shapes or decides which side the pendulum swings to. But the role of regulatory agency often tampers with the freedom of the press in order to ensure that their excesses are curtailed. In other word, part of the regulatory system is to avoid

defamation, slander, libel and perhaps seditious publications. This aspect of the law is to protect individuals and groups against abuses and excesses to which mass media are prone.

The book is not bereft of ideas on the most pertinent aspect of the profession. It says: “Journalism blossoms on dateline, byline, headline and deadline. The four ‘lines’ are professional argots. No reporter can ignore deadline; that is the time limit for submission of stories to the news editor.

On the sub-desk it is the time a page must leave for the pre-press sections. To cope with the challenge of deadline, a reporter must learn to do things at a double-paced quick march. A reporter is expected to write story quickly to beat the deadline. This must, however, not be an excuse for inaccuracy in his story/report.”

In 219 pages of well-researched piece, the author successfully gives the world a book that is a reference point. It talks about all the things one needs to be able to know and what it takes to produce a newspaper. Even with the incursion of internet, it does not seem yet that print media is threatened. What has to be in place is to continue to expand frontiers of the profession and how that can be done to make for a better profession.

So, this is a book both for the professionals, students and researchers, so that with the broad-based knowledge encompassed in the book, one can safely understand what it is to be a good reporter, writer or page planner or an editor.

Homage to love and nature

Title: Streams of Love Author: Olugbemiga Olowu Reviewer: Nneka Nwaneri Publishers: Portion Consults NTHRALLED by nature and enriched by men and women of many nations, the authour sees the richness of life in it and puts it down in writing.

The first feeling that comes to the mind while skimming through Streams of Love is the stanzaic discipline demonstrated in virtually all the verses that make up the collection. This structural trait signalled in most of the poems in the volume of linear pattern- complemented by crucial indices of lyricism, especially steady and sweet rhyme which beckons the reader to the linguistic and stylistic elegance of the publication.

Streams of Love parades over one hundred and ten lyrical poems covering a wide range of human experiences crafted by a gifted lyricist of Yoruba extraction. Most of the verses are essential philosophical musings on life and living; reflect fundamental ingredients of performance poetry, particularly musically signalled by repetition, which sometimes manifests as refrain or chorus. And these qualities are besides rhyme and rhyme, conspicuously displayed in poems like ‘Moving up’-in which the poet urges his audience to live well, work hard and seek knowledge; ‘Life’, ‘Living’, ‘Perseverance’, ‘Remember This’, - a catalogue of golden maxims which form the recipe for good living; ‘Why’- which attempts to metamorise the contradictions that characterises life; and ‘Women’, which celebrates women, dramatising their enigmatic nature.

Women are like onions Wrapped in folds of opinions.

The collection opens with ‘Of the Mind’, a tribute to the creative spirit portrayed in the poem as restless and tireless. This subject appears again in poems like ‘Be Active in Peace’ and ‘Soothing Repose’. Next is ‘Black Shadow’, which is a brotherly appeal to Africans-‘black brothers’ to wake up and make their mark in the global theatre. Some of the other poems in the volume address the plight of less privileged people: particularly poems like ‘SOS’, ‘Orphaned’, ‘Castration’- in which Olowu describes ‘A life of pittance’ as ‘A life written in elegy’, and on the last page ‘Lend a Hand’- a song apparently composed for Rotarians.

Poems like ‘Testimonies’, ‘Sweet Surrender’, ‘Jesus, His Love, Our Friend’, I Bow’, ‘Spirit’, ‘Divine’, His Help’ and several others in which the poet extols God’s magnanimity and magnificence- rank very high on the list of rich rhymes. So also are powerful love poems like ‘My Love’ Forever’, ‘Wishes’, ‘Crossroads’, ‘4-Ever’, ‘Our Rose’, ‘Missing You’, ‘Margaret’ , ‘Ola-Ore’ (A Friend’s Goodwill), ‘Beside Me Forever’ and many others

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that tend to present the poet as a consummate romantic. ‘Mandela’ eulogises the heroic virtues epitomised by Nelson Mandela, describing the man as ‘a beacon of light in fading political clime’.

The pedestal on which the gigantic poet installation titled Streams of Love is constructed, as hinted by its title, is Love: love in all its form and manifestations- the love of God, the fraternal love of humans, and, of course, romantic love expressing itself in many of the poems in the collection, dedicated to the poet’s persona’s ‘inestimable gem’, ‘gem eternal’, ‘only one’, et cetera. This theme runs through all the verses in the volume, including those written in the poet’s Yoruba mother tongue, such as ‘Ka Korin Iyin’ (Lets Sing Songs of Praise), ‘Ola Ore’ (A Friend’s Goodwill), and ‘Olo Mi’ (My Darling), a reality for which Streams of Love seems to operate in the realm of expressionism.

One striking feature of Olugbemiga Olowu’s style is simplicity, an attribute that manifests in practically all the poems in the volume like ‘Oh Women’, ‘Country Home’an idyllic portrait of the author’s country home and ‘Night’ that reminds one of Oswald Mtshali’s ‘Nightfall in ‘Soweto’. He also imitated other poets like JP Clark; Robert Frost; John Keats and to an extent, William Shakespeare.

Olugbemiga Olowu’s 153 paged Streams of Love is unarguably a colourful exhibition of good poetry, which each of the poem richly crafted in imagination and vast experience.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 24, 2014

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With Adeola Ogunlade 08083127847

Hello kids, Hope you had a fun filled week. You can attend summer camps, skill acquisition centres, learn new things, while you are preparing for the new session. Also, remember the Chibok girls who are still being held in Sambisa forest in your prayers that God will bring them back alive and safely. Let us join in the chorus to say no to terrorism, kidnapping and wanton destruction of lives and properties.

•Students presenting certificate of participation at the Liberty Career Academy

•Pupils of Sunshine Schools, Magboro, Ogun State, in a choreography display during its third prize giving day/end of session

NGO tasks teenagers on Sunshine school celebrates success character, good leadership I

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LAGOS-based nongovernmental organisation, Human Development Initiatives (HDI), has advised teenagers to brace up as growing leaders in Nigeria and adopt good character and attitudes that can help them achieve their goals in life.

Speaking at the event, CEO of Liberty Career Academy, Mr. Gbenga Rufai, told the teenagers that what makes the

difference between people who will succeed and those who will end up as failures in life is the strength of their character. He noted further that people choose whom to work with in leadership based on the character of the leader. Therefore it is important that they maintain good character.

Speaking also on financial literacy at the event was the Assistant Public Relations Officer of McPherson University, Mr

Sunday Ayodeji Adeshina, who was one time Business Day youngest Nigerian Investor. He encouraged the teenagers to develop the habit of saving now in their prime and avoid eating their future today so that they will not grow into irresponsible adults.

Other highlights of the event included career talk, sexuality education and a tour of the production factory of Guniness Nigeria Plc.

T was a joy-filled day for pupils, parents, guardians and teachers of Sunshine Schools in Magboro Ogun State as the school celebrated its third prize giving day/end of session amidst pomp.

There was cultural display by pupils of the school.

They also entertained guests with poems and rhymes.

Speaking at the occasion, the chairman of the event, Major Ayo Balogun thanked God for the success of the day. He urged parents to take good care of their wards, saying, that is the only way to guarantee

POEM DADDY Fell into the Pond Everyone grumbled. The sky was grey.

We had nothing to do and nothing to say.

We were nearing the end of a dismal day, And then there seemed to be nothing beyond,

Then Daddy fell into the pond!

And everyone’s face grew merry and bright, And Timothy danced for sheer delight.

“Give me the camera, quick, oh quick!

He’s crawling out of the

duckweed!” Click!

Then the gardener suddenly slapped his knee, And doubled up, shaking silently, And the ducks all quacked

as if they were daft, And it sounded as if the old drake laughed.

Oh, there wasn’t a thing that didn’t respond When Daddy Fell into the pond!

Alfred Noyes

Send in your stories, poems, articles, games, puzzles, riddles and jokes to sundaynation@yahoo.com

By Amidu Arije

them a better place in the future.

The school’s Director of Studies, Mr Akinola Babatunde “We believe so much in hard work and discipline because without these two you cannot achieve anything, “The children’s misconduct in the society today is as a result of lack of monitor by the parents, it is high time the parents started monitor-

ing their children and not pamper them,” he said.

He said the exposure of pupils to modern electronic gadgets is killing their morale and has been the bane of societal development. He tasked the parents to check their children and monitor their social lives.

“Parents should be firm on their children, make their children disciplined and forbid them from doing all that will harm them in future,” he said.

JOKE

I raised my hand in class How many worms does it take to change a lightbulb?

A: None! Cause they don’t have hands!

Why don’t cars play football?

Because they only have one boot

What animal breaks the law?

Cheetah.

always

Why is the tomato blushing?

It saw the salad dressing What is a tree’s favourite drink?

Root beer!

SUDOKU FOR KIDS

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 24, 2014

68

EBERE WABARA

WORDSWORTH 08055001948

Senator Gbenga Ashafa at the weekend empowered his constituents in Lagos.

ewabara@yahoo.com

Advertorial blunders

F

OR the first time since 2010 when this

column birthed, we begin this edition with an advertorial: “Salt Spring Resort has been redefined and renovated to provide excellent service.” A refreshing experience of paradise; provide an excellent service or provide excellent services Still on the above source: “We are poise (poised) to deliver u n c o m p r o m i s e (uncompromised) quality product that will ultimately satisfied (satisfy) our esteemed customers.

Come lets (let’s) give you….” (Full-page advertisement by Nanet Hotels Limited) What do we do with the sub-literacy of advertisement copies?

“Anger, protests, as deceased’s friends point fingers at lawmaker” Get it right: point the finger at lawmaker THE NATION ON SUNDAY COMMENT (EDITORIAL) of August 17 endangered the English language on two occasions: “In most cases, the necessary environment does not exist for meaningful importation (impartation) of knowledge.”

“Matters are not helped by students who are now distracted by things that have no bearing to (on) their studies.”

“Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, appears set to take the bull by the horn (horns) by declaring hiss interest in the 2015 presidency….”

“Wabaras’ wedding galore” Just two weddings (note the plurality) cannot be a galore!

“Students of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, are to coughout (no hyphen) a total of N5 million for repairs of damages (damage) they perpetrated during a demonstration in July last year.” ‘Damage’ admits an inflection only in reparative matters.

“Now, It is the turn of the teachers, in the race for the coveted seat of vice-chancellorship, and boy, are the learned dons falling over themselves (one another) to out do (one word) each other (one another)?” When two fellows are concerned, we use ‘each other,’ but if it is more than two, it becomes ‘one another’, “Secret cult in the campuses” Always on campuses “Kano Pillars in trouble…yet to sign-on

players” ‘Sign on’, a phrasal verb, does not require hyphenation.

“Thus, cargo that have been certified okay here….” I certify that ‘cargo’ is singular.

“Inconsistent government policies is globally disturbing….” Concord is one of the simplest things in grammar. Anybody who lacks this rudimentary knowledge has no business contributing to the most authoritative newspaper (name withheld!) in Nigeria. You must develop your communicative skills first.

“Banks impose a lot difficult conditions on exporters and even charged (sic) some ‘hidden’ fees before the disbursement of these loans are (is) done…

“CPC to clampdown on illegal microfinance banks” Phrasal verb: clamp down (two words).

“An acknowledged scholar, a distinguished statesman and a team leader per excellence” Get it right: leader par excellence.

“New trends in electioneering campaigns” Politics Today: just electioneering or political campaigns. ‘Electioneering campaign’ is sheer verbiage! ‘Electioneering’ encompasses campaign and other related electoral issues.

“Some countries have taken tobacco manufacturers to court for the damages their products cause.” The will to die: ‘damage‘ is uncountable, except in reparative applications for indemnity. “…what happened was that somebody filed a writ of summon.” This way (singular): a writ of summons; plural: summonses.

“It is the Federal Board that is always guilty of that, because it is them who take riff-raffs as welfare officers.” ‘Riff-raff’, just like ‘stuff’, is uncountable.

“Modern technology has reduced the world into (to) a hamlet where the inhabitants are their brothers’ keepers.” This way: brother’s keeper (fixed idiom), irrespective of the number of people involved.

“The coincidence in the timing of all those sleazy gossips in soft-sell magazines and the beginning of his fashion parade….” ‘Gossip’, in this context, is uncountable.

“More overaged players for youth soccer” Get it right: overage players.

“Residents of some of the troubled spots in

Libya in disarray” Witness to lexical mayhem: trouble spots. “…rummaging all the bags and ransacking every nook and corner.”

Stock expression: nook and cranny.

“The police requires (require) a redeemer who can uplift the Force from the battering it (they) suffered during the long years of militarization.”

“I inquired from those that appear to know and they said that the president is (was) roaming the country in the name of campaigns.”

“There is (are) no electricity, no security, no water, no roads, no health facilities in Nigeria.”

“Foreign companies will be falling over themselves (one another) to come and invest here if we get the 2015 elections right.” “...given the lameduck posture of the opposition parties, the PDP simply held sway from the onset (outset).”

“Reactions on (to) the Pope’s visit, however successful, were mixed in Egypt, a country inhabited by a predominantly Muslim population.”

“Prior to the Pope’s visit, Egyptian Catholics have (had) opted out of the….”

“The first part was published last week Friday.” Monday politics: either last Friday or Friday, last week.

“Vigilante (Vigilance) groups, committed to….”

Did you know that ‘twice’ and ‘thrice’ are outdated entries for two times and three times?

FEEDBACK MY brother Ebere, “celebrator” or “celebrant”, like “enquiry” or “inquiry”, is becoming similar in United States and United Kingdom. In the future, the word “celebrator” might be outdated because it also refers to a special beer, dopplebuck beer, and with apology, a satisfied “sex life” using a Clito-vibrator! Latest research by Jose Carillo, February 2013 citing authorities in lexicography/ American Heritage DIC (AHD), has overtaken Merriam Webster/Oxford online definitions of “celebrator”. However, current Oxford dictionary also defines “celebrant” (American English) as someone celebrating something e.g. a party.

“Celebrator” is omitted.

But will it be old-fashioned? Time will tell.

Cheers! (Sunny Agbontaen, Benin City, 08055162531)

•Senator ‘Gbenga Ashafa addressing the beneficiaries during the Programme.

•- Senator 'Gbenga Ashafa accompanied by Some APC Chieftains among the beneficiaries of Vulcanizing Machines

•Set of Sewing Machines distributed to the beneficiaries

Training for youths against vandalism

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OUTHS from 13 states are to undergo training against the effects of vandalism on people and the environment.

The sensitisation training is organised by a nongovernmental organisation (NGO), The Niger Delta Youth Coalition, (Y-CAV) The programme, which is expected to span through three years, is being coordinated by the Ministries of Power and Petroleum.

The National Coordi-

From Bukola Amusan, Abuja nator of the Y-CAV, Rowland Odih, told reporters that the programme was set up to enlighten youths in the area on the hazards involved in pipeline vandalism.

He said the flag off of the programme will be followed by workshops and talk shows for the youths so that they can be more equipped on the hazards involved in vandalism.

The Minister of Power,

Professor Chinedu Nebo, is expected to address participants at the training scheduled for Ughelli North Local Government area of Delta State from August 28-29.

“The programme is an innovative engagement platform geared at preventing electricity facilities and petroleum pipelines vandalism in Nigeria while also exploring areas of productive endeavours for the youths of the affected areas,” Odih explained.

69

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 24, 2014

‘I’m not competing with anyone for anything’

Lawyer-turned general overseer of Ever Winning Faith Ministries, Ikeja, Lagos, Pastor Solomon Ojigiri, spoke with Sunday Oguntola on sundry issues relating to his church and Christendom. Excerpts:

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OW much has happened since we met last?

Well, we have intensified our outreaches on Singles of Purpose. We held meetings in Ikeja and Lekki and had some really glorious moments. We talked about sex and had everyone comfortable enough to contribute.

Some people gave their lives to Christ and those who have gone through rape came out for healing. The meetings were awesome and they asked us to come back again. So, we are planning to go back.

You started out with Singles. Why was that?

Actually, Singles of Purpose started in 2000. It was much later after we started ministry.

I just found myself having a passion for relationship and marriage. While in school, I realised married people were always coming to me for counseling though I was a single.

While on NYSC, I organised many fora for brothers and sisters. So, I started reading up on the area based on my passion. When we started out, I heard God telling me to help singles for a life without regret. So, we didn’t start out with singles but got into it along the line.

What would be your reaction to gospel ministers who are specialists in one area or the other of the Bible?

I believe very strongly that the fact is a specialist on one area does not mean he cannot teach on other aspects of the bible. I believe that our

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ministry is a faith-based ministry but you will find us teaching on many other areas.

We have a special assignment to singles but we can’t dwell on that enough. For the church to be healthy, you have to teach on the whole bible.

Some years ago, I was invited to minister in a church in Ibadan. The general overseer, who came from Lagos, was there. When I finished, he said he was the most surprised because he thought I could only preach on single issues.

He confessed he was tremendously blessed.

The fact that we talk on singles does not mean that is the only thing we do. I don’t think there is anything bad if a minister discovers what he is called to do, but for the church to be healthy, he has to offer balanced diet. It is balanced diet that makes one healthy.

You can’t preach on only one subject and expect the church to be healthy. You must talk about faith, purity, holiness, prayer and everything in the scriptures.

How about pastors who have branded their sermons only around one subject matter? Is that right a thing to do?

You can discover your special assignment but cannot say you want your church to be known for something. You are a servant of God, not the owner of the church. It’s not for the product to determine what it would be but the manufacturer will do that.

Some say pastors should

NEWS

be on full-time while others say they should find alternative means of livelihood to save church costs. Where do you stand on this?

My view is that some people are called on full time ministry. For me, it is about conviction. I don’t feel there is anything bad if you are not doing it on full time based on conviction. The only challenge I have is to think that everybody must do ministry the way you are doing it. God has different assignments for different people with different methods. So, you have got to find what God wants for you.

I know a man of God in Cameroon who believes he can combine ministry with being a Professor of Chemistry in Yaoundé. He believes God called him to be a professor and impact students. So, for me, it depends on what God called you to be and do. What is important is doing only what God wants you to do.

I don’t want to live my life based on what others are doing. We may not have the same assignments or have the same convictions. So, for me, it’s about you and God. As a minister to singles, can you introduce mature waiting spouses or match-make people?

When we talk of matchmaking, I tell people I don’t think it is bad to provide a platform for people to meet. What I think is wrong is if you say ‘why don’t you marry so so and so so person?’ But we do provide platforms for people to interact and exchange contacts.

There are mature, highly-

WHAT AND WHERE?

HE Choir of New Birth Ministries has concluded plans to hold a one day special programme tagged ‘Worship Sunday’.

The service holds by 9am on Sunday, August 31st.

The Chief host, Bishop & Pastor (Mrs.) Francis

Worship Sunday in Lagos

SPECIAL summit for youths tagged Youth Empowerment And Relationship Summit (YEARS) holds today in Lagos.

The Associate Pastor of First Assembly Ogba, Mrs. Araba Akoni, will be the spe-

YEARS hold today

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Anunobi, explained that the service is to provide a platform for worshippers to lift holy hands to God. They added that through songs ministration and wor-

cial guest at the summit, which commences by 2:30pm.

A statement by the chief host/ facilitator, Prophet Precious Oluleye, said: “At a time that youths have lost hope in the future, this summit is po-

ships, all challenges facing Christians give way.

Guest ministers expected include Evangelist Prosper and Sammy King, among others.

sitioned to get them back on the path of national moral building.”

The venue is Victory Hall Adejumo Farm at 2/6 AIT road, Alagbado Lagos.

xxx

•Ojigiri

placed persons who come to me to ask if there is someone I can recommend for them to marry. My response is that it would be difficult for me to do that because I don’t know people intimate enough.

So, you have never been tempted to hook people?

Well, it is not common with me because I would want them to pray and be convinced.

You know if they have storms tomorrow, they would see me as the devil that brought them together. I allow people to make the choices themselves while we only provide platforms for them to mingle.

Lately, there have been agitations that the process of how church funds are spent should be more democratised.

How do you react to this?

I believe there is no where anywhere that everybody determines how money is spent.

In government, societies and communities, there are always people you entrust to make that decision. In government, we have voted for some people to determine how monies are spent. We can’t have a debate or national conference on that.

In the church too, there are leaders entrusted with that responsibility. A pastor can always call the board of ministers who can debate and consider what they will spend on.

I leave our Financial Committee to come up with the budget while I only share my visions with them.

We brainstorm and determine how we want to spend the money. Sometimes, we can’t rule out the fact that there would be emergencies for

which the church must respond. When our brethren had accident in 2009, we had to come in. They came for one of our programmes and had an accident on their way back to Abuja in Ile-Ife. We stepped in and paid for their hospital bills.

That was an emergency that we had to take on. Sometimes, God also leads us to make some expenses. I was lying down here one day when God told me about the name of one of our mechanics. I later heard he had an accident. So, we had to raise funds for him.

So, there is no way everybody can determine how church fund is spent but leaders have to take up the responsibility.

How many branches do you have now?

We have two in Lagos, one in Abuja and another one in Port-Harcourt. The church just started in Australia and we are planning to take off in Ilorin too.

Is it that you don’t believe in expansion or chose to take your time to open new branches?

Well, I like to be sure God is involved in whatever I do.

I don’t want to do something that He will not fund that will now put me under unnecessary pressure.

I don’t believe in competing with anybody at all. I am not into ‘we started ministry together and he is way ahead of me’. That does not bother me at all. What bothers me is doing what God wants me to do exactly. I discover that

many African ministers are into fierce competition but I have decided to just do what God wants me to do. How fast I move does not bother me. I don’t mind supporting others at all.

I recently saw Billy Graham ministries helping some villagers in Malawi and Rwanda. I told my wife that God will have us do something about it. I even started weeping. I was wondering why African churches can’t support a need in their own continent. Why does it have to take Billy Graham to raise support for villagers in Africa? The reason is that we are all busy opening branches and expanding our territories instead of doing what God wants us to do.

So, ministerial success is not about expansion?

It is not at all. It has nothing to do with the size of your congregation or the branches under you. It is also not about the car you drive or the jet you fly. You have to find a bible-based definition of success. It is not about things but your assignment in life.

Making money is not wrong if God helps you to. You can make money and still be a failure. It is about the impact you are making and the lives you are touching.

If making money is your motivation, then you will make all that you can and can all that you make and sit on it, like someone said. There are churches with billions stashed away while needs are there everywhere.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 24, 2014

WORSHIP

Otubu to Nollywood: Stop portraying Aladura as evil

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HE General Evangelist of Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide (MCCSW), Professor Joseph Otubu, has appealed to Nollywood producers and script writers to stop painting the Aladura churches as occultic, wicked and criminally- minded.

Though he noted some clerics have misrepresented the movement, Otubu said their practices are not limited to the Aladura Movement, stating that every denomination has its share of bad eggs.

The gynecologist spoke last Sunday at the 50th anniversary and thanksgiving service of the church at its International Sub-Headquarters in Lekki, Lagos.

He said although it is very easy to identify an Aladura member when he or she commits a crime, he stated that members of other denominations are culpable of greater crimes.

He wondered: “Are the Aladura’s church members the worst of all persons in Nigeria?

Are the Aladura the only people committing crimes?”

The cleric added: “In every denomination, there are bad eggs but unfortunately our own bad eggs have been overemphasised and Nollywood

By Sunday Oguntola and Adeola Ogunlade

should talk about sin and its repercussion in every assembly, denomination, association or religious association, not just in Aladura.”

Praising the prayer fervour of the Aladura churches, Otubu said it is a remarkable legacy that must be sustained till the end.

“Aladura churches have earned themselves the name because the foundation fathers of the Cherubim and Seraphim churches believed in the efficacy of prayers, God will always answer our prayers in his way, wisdom and in love.

“I can tell you that the Aladura Church established by Orimolade is an excellent church built absolutely on the efficacy of prayer,” he stressed.

He lamented that many churches organise prayer meetings with dirty hands and unclean hearts, expecting God whose eyes cannot behold sin to answer them.

According to him: “If you are committing secretly or openly and have not found adequate time to repent wholly and solely as to receive God’s pardon, there is little or no hope of prayer being answered.”

On the efficacy of prayers, he said: “Prayer is the key to

opening the door to the presence of God. “Certain elements are required in prayer as exemplified in the classic prayer taught to the disciples in the Lord’s Prayer.”

He stated churches must unite together as one big family to stem the tide of sin, unrighteousness and ungodly in the society.

The National President of The Apostolic Church (TAC), Pastor Tola Odutola, also charged Nigerians to remain committed to prayers to fix the challenges facing the nation.

“There is no hope aside from prayer and we must continue to pray. Our God will answer our prayer and will take all the problems that we have from Nigeria including the recent upsurge of insurgency,” Olutola assured.

Dignitaries at the anniversary with the theme prayer is the key include Former Lagos Commissioner for Health, Dr. Leke Pitan; the President of Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, represented by Rev Femi Asiwaju; the President of the Apostolic Church, LAWNA Territory, Pastor Tola Odutola; the head of TEKAN/ECWA bloc, Rev Emmanuel Gigawu, among others.

•L-R: Venerable Adetubo Aderemi; President, The Apostolic Church Nigeria, Pastor Gabriel Olutola; General Evangelist, Motalatu Church Cherubin and Seraphim Worldwide, Prof. Joseph Otubu; General Overseer, Christ Healing Church, Elder Victor Iyamu; General Secretary, Motalatu Church Cherubin and Seraphim Worldwide, Dr. Israel Akinadewo; Representative of CAN President, Rev. Femi Asaju and President TEKAN Churches Worldwide, Rev. Emmanuel Ziggau PHOTO: OLUSEGUN RAPHEAL during the event... last Sunday.

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HRISTIANS have been advised to take the gospel mandate more seriously in line with the injunction of Christ.

This was the focal point at a seminar of the Knights of the Order of Saint Mulumba Lagos Metropolitan recently.

The theme of the seminar was Catholic Knighthood: A call to witness to Jesus.

The seminar master, Rev. Father Anthony Okoro, in his reminded the Knights that Jesus gave his disciples a missionary mandate- to go and make disciples of all nations as recorded in Matthew 28:19 before his ascension.

The cleric identified the mandate as “a mission to bear witness to him (Jesus) and his good news.”

The same mission, he stated, is also the mission of all Catholic faithful, to stand for Jesus.

He defined a witness as

COLUMN

Living Faith

By Dr. David Oyedepo

Breaking invisible barriers by God’s word! voured by the lions. Indeed,

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VERY child of God is redeemed a star, a pacesetter, a role model and a trailblazer (Revelations 22:16; John 17:18). Also, every child of God is a spiritual tree. Not just a tree, but a cedar tree, the tallest amongst trees, a palm tree, ever flourishing, no dry season (Psalm 92:12; Isaiah 61:3).

But, if the picture of our destiny is so enviable and glorious, why are many of us still living a bleak and colourless life? The answer is: Invisible barriers. God’s Word says: For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries (1 Corinthians 16:9).

This scripture establishes that on the path to the realization of our glorious destinies are invisible barriers. This is why many believers today are struggling. They work very hard, but nothing seems to be working because there are invisible forces resisting their progress (Zechariah 1:17-21).

What, then, must we do to see invisible barriers crumble?

Remain in love with God: The love of God is our greatest security and guarantee for unstoppable advancement in the race of life (1 John 4:16-17).

When we are truly in love, we dwell in God and God dwells in us. Therefore, whatever gives way to God must give way to us. David was in love with God, so he was not intimidated by the size of Goliath.

This is because perfect love casts out fear (Psalm 24:7-10; 1 Samuel 17:43-50; 1 John 4:18).

Furthermore, the three Hebrew boys were diehard lovers of God and they walked through the fiery furnace unhurt. Also, Daniel, a diehard lover of God could not be de-

when we are in love, all invisible barriers are crushed (Daniel 3:14-25; 6:16-20).

Keep trusting God: Trusting God commits His integrity to clear off invisible barriers on our path. This was proven in the lives of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, when their faith graduated into trust, God showed up.

Years ago, when my wife’s health was challenged, I told God, “That You heal her is not what makes You God, whether You heal her or not, You are still my God forever.” This is because faith believes that God can and God will do it, while trust means, even if God does not, it doesn’t change His position.

Also, Job said: Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him (Job 13:15). People that overcome barriers do not just believe God, they trust Him (Ephesians 6:16).

Be planted in God’s house: Zion is a spiritual service station, where we fellowship with heavenly bodies. Much more importantly, whenever we are in church, which is the City of Refuge, we come under the spiritual Blood of sprinkling that makes us untouchable entities (Obadiah 17; Psalm 91:1, 6-7; Hebrews 12:22-24).

Remain steadfast in your service: When we serve God, barriers on our path crumble.

Serving God entitles us to a triumphant ride in life, where barriers can’t stand our way. When the Israelites entered into a covenant to serve God, He cleared all the barriers on their path and gave them rest roundabout (2 Chronicles 15:12-15; Luke 10:1719).

How do we serve God?

•Through Prayer Stewardship: This is serving God with prayer and fasting like Anna did (Luke 2:37). In prayer stewardship, we pray for the growth, expansion and wellbeing of the church and her members. Also, we pray that the Lord of the harvest brings in bountiful harvest to His church, and that every believer be perfected in their walk with God (Colossians 4:12; Ephesians 6:18).

•Through Soul-winning: This is reaching out to lost souls for their salvation and establishment in the Kingdom (John 15:16).

•Through the Church Service Units: This implies serving the people of God to make their stay in church comfortable. Understand that God spares and delivers those who serve Him (Malachi 3:17-18).

In conclusion, I have also discovered that if you really love God, you will trust Him. If you really trust Him, you will serve Him and when you serve Him, He will honour you. It is your turn to be honoured! May we all receive grace to take full responsibility to see all the invisible barriers on the path of our destiny crushed!

Friend, the power to see invisible barriers crumble, is for those born again. You get born again by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your Saviour and Lord. If you are set for this, please say this prayer: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins.

Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Now, I know I am born again!”

Every exploit in life is a product of knowledge. For further reading, you can get my books: The Force Of Freedom, Walking In Dominion and Maximize Destiny.

I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have four services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. respectively.

I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 7747546-8; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

NEWS

Fulfill Christ’s mandate, cleric tasks Knights

one who has a first-hand experience of an event and is ready to testify by giving a detail account of the event.

According to the Priest, becoming witnesses involves three basic stages of being called, being a disciple and becoming an apostle.

The cleric said: “There is a primary call and a secondary call. Being a member of Knights of St. Mulumba is a secondary call; a call within a call. It is a specific call for a specific mission.”

He added: “The second stage is the period of being a disciple, the stage of learning. It is a period of catechetical instructions. It is a time to learn, to study, to have knowledge of the faith and of the mission, a period to equip ourselves for the mission while the

third stage is being an apostle, one who is sent out to preach, to witness to the life of Christ.”

Charging the Knights to always fight and stand for the truth, he said: “St Mulumba lived and died for the truth, we cannot call him our founder and not fight and stand for the truth.

“The history of knights in the church was that of total loyalty to the church and complete defense of the truth. For years, it was physical defense but now a defense of the faith.”

He identified Christian marriage as a key component of Catholic faith that is in danger of going into extinction in terms of rationalisation postulated by secular humanists, legislation from government among others.

Other key components

of Catholic faith under threat, according to him, include human family and its core values, worldliness and materialism, legalization of unorthodox practices such as gays and lesbians, triumph of social evil and political ills.

He lamented that the family institution is seriously endangered with its sacred nature being down played by policies that are injurious to family values.

Such policies range from extra working hours for young couples, shortened or removal of maternity leave, which indirectly dissuade couples from procreation, lack of family prayers and meals.

On worldliness and materialism, Okoro said: “The rate at which men and women go after wealth is alarming. The

drive for wealth is deeply rooted in us to the extent that we can sacrifice anything such as morality, values and integrity in order to acquire wealth.”

He said that legalisa-

tion of practices such as gays and lesbians calls for sober reflection as it is a calculated attempt to redefine traditional truth such as marriage and sexual orientation.

Okonkwo turns 69

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HE Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), Dr Mike Okonkwo, will be 69 on September 6.

Some of the activities lined up to mark his birthday include the 15th Mike Okonkwo annual lecture with the theme: The Power of your vote- a catalyst for a stable and united Nigeria.

The lecture holds under the chairmanship of Professor George Obiozor with Prof.

Akin Oyebode as the guest speaker.

There would be presentation of gifts to the winners of the 11th Mike Okonwko Na-

tional Essay Competition for Secondary School Students at the event on September 4th.

On Saturday August 30th, the finals of the Mike Okonkwo’s soccer tournament between Maryland United Football Club of MaryLand and Current Football Club of Gbagada takes place at Yaba College of Technology Sports ground Yaba Lagos from 12pm.

A special thanksgiving service for the celebration is at the TREM International Headquarters, Obanikoro Anthony Oke, Gbagada Express Way, Lagos on Sunday.

71 With

JILL OKEKE

jillokeke@yahoo.com, 07069429757 THE NATION ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 24, 2014

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N their new marketing warfare, Nigerian Breweries (NB) Plc, one of the nation's foremost alcoholic beverage brewers, has brought a new definition to the word 'tonguetied'. The word ordinarily means speechless.

But if NB wants only their products to be tasted, then they have tied the tongues of consumers to their products exclusively.

They have brought tyranny to tasting.

All over bars and drinking hot spots in the city, NB is goading bar owners to sell only their products. This, as some consumers have complained, is dictatorship in marketing.

The sales and marketing activities are supposed to be consumer-driven. The demand pull from the consumers will set the tempo that will enable retailers and distributors to stock up products for sale.

However, that appears not to be the case in recent times between NB and other brewers of alcoholic beverages in the country.

As one of the events towards marking my birthday, I went to a popular bar, 'Onome', at 106 Akowonjo Rd. by Vulcaniser Bus stop, with about 15 of my friends. We asked what drinks they had, and the attendant started reeling out names of all the drinks in the stable of NB. I am fine with Amstel Malt any time, so I settled for it.

However, two of my friends asked for Malta Guinness while three others asked for Guinness Stout and two asked for Harp Larger. To our chagrin, they said they stock only products from NB. When we insisted, the attendant said he could help us find Guinness Stout.

It was then I took in my environment and observed that everything was painted in NB colours of blue and white. The about 50 chairs and tables were products of NB with Star Larger Beer logo blazing on them.

Scrutinising further, I noticed that the drinking glasses, can openers, table mats, were all branded with NB Star Larger Beer logo. Over 30 customers were either drinking Gulder, Heineken, Legend Stout, Amstel Malta, Star Lager, Gold Berg, Smirnoff, etcetera, all from the stable of NB. Saying that the bar was an extension of the NB office will not be far from the truth. 'Why are you selling only NB products?' I asked.

The bar owner, a hefty lady (Onome), clamped her mouth shut. In annoyance, my friends who wanted brands from other breweries said we should go to another place.

We drove off and landed at another big bar at Anifowose, Ikeja which enjoys a big patronage. As we alighted from our four cars, we observed again that this bar was painted in Gulder colours of wine and red; another brand bottled by NB. The chairs, tables, can openers, table mats, were all branded with the Gulder logo. Again, we were refused to be served any other drink except ones bottled by NB - the reason being that they only stock products bottled by NB. We zoomed off again and stopped at another drinking hot spot, 'B.B bar', at No. 1 Ojulowu-Imoshe street Anifoweshe, Ikejaand the story was the same, except, of course, this bar could not afford not to sell Guinness Stout, but asking for any soft beverage from any other brewery except NB was wasting precious time Calling the bar owner aside, we narrated out experiences at the two bars we previously stopped at. He opened up to us disclosing that NB officials approach bar owners, offering them incentives to sell exclusively products from their stable.

What kind of incentives? we queried. And he said NB officials usually give bar owners a carton of each of their products ranging from Gulder, Legend Stout, Star Beer, Amstel Malt, Heineken, etc at the end of every month, plus can openers, chillers, table mats, chairs, tables, t-shirts, fez caps, e.t.c. However, explained Mr. Nkwobi, as he is popularly called, “If a bar owner agrees to sell exclusively products from the stable of NB and accepts to brand his bar in one of NB colours, he would be given 10 cartons free of NB products plus other

LG's big capacity top-loading washing machines offer strong hygiene benefits

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Between brands imposition and free choice for consumers branded gifts.”

With this in mind, I started looking out for branded beer parlours, and I was surprised that almost every bar in some parts of Lagos was branded in different colours of NB. Owners of many of the outlets confirmed that many bars and retail outlets were given incentives either not to stock up products from competing brands or partially stock some competing alcoholic brands while the bar operator sells exclusively NB soft beverage as can be seen at 'OnyeOse World Wide' on Shasard and many other hot spots.

Visiting the National Arts Theatre Iganmu is also like visiting the NB premises. Within the grounds, about 15 shops were painted in the NB Star Larger Beer colours. The chairs, tables, mats, name it; all bear the inscription of NB. Except food, only NB drinks are sold there.

Questioning a top official who works at the National Arts Theatre, Mr. Chukwudi Udokwu, he said that previously, the place had poorly built shops, but NB rebuilt them, painted and refurbished the shops in their colour, rented them out to the owners on the condition that only their products will be sold.

It makes me wonder if this action is not limiting the choice of consumers. A consumer should be presented with different drinks and allowed to make a choice instead of being forced to make do with what is available.

A Sales Manager of Nigerian Breweries who pleaded anonymity and initially refused to talk, stressing it was a trade secret he would not like to divulge, said NB capitalises on the brand strength and the flagship product to muzzle up other competing brewers.

Explaining what NB calls 'Total Exclusive Outlets', he revealed that “these are bars that will agree not to touch any other product, but remain totally loyal to NB and sell only their products. For such outlets, a minimum of fifteen cartons of Star Larger Beer plus other incentives are offered to the owner at the end of every month.”

However, he said while there is 'Total Exclusive', there is also 'Exclusive' and 'Partial Exclusive' agreement entered between bar owners and NB. There are different rewards for each agreement entered.

“In partial exclusive, bar owners may be offered the choice of selling Amstel Malt, Maltina and Fayrouz with the agreement and understanding that while they can be allowed to sell any other alcoholic beverage with the alcoholic drinks from NB, they will not be allowed to sell any other soft drinks.”

Speaking further, the sales manager discloses that these bars are monitored by NB undercover agents to see if they are keeping the agreement. “Of course on some occasions,

we see some bar operators, who agreed to total exclusivity, selling other products, and we automatically disqualify them. We found out that some bar operators in agreement with NB have secret inner rooms where they serve customers other products.”

Berating NB for what he called unethical inbar and marketing activities, Felix Oshibelewo, a commercial lawyer, said that consumers should be allowed a wider choice in order not to infringe on their basic consumer right.

“This type of underhand agreement NB enters with bar operators negates the interest of the consumers and the right of the consumer to make a choice,” stated Oshibelewo, adding that “even in warfare, there are rules of engagement which preclude unethical practices.''

However, in an interview with Mr. Tam Tamunokonbia, the Head, Lagos office, Consumer Protection Council of Nigeria (CPC), while stressing that it is not the jurisdiction of the CPC to regulate marketing strategies adopted by a company, he emphasised that the CPC encourages healthy competition amongst competing brands.

“We do not stop competition amongst brands, so it is left for the competitors in the industries to find out marketing strategies which will encourage the sale of their products,” said the CPC Lagos Head.

But, is this a healthy competition? You may be forced to ask. The marketing strategy adopted by NB was even recently brought to the fore when Guinness Nigeria dragged NB to court over the World Cup campaign that it ran during the just concluded World Cup that took place in Brazil. The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), then in a letter specifically written to NB Plc, berated the company for launching communication materials across the country featuring ex-players of the Super Eagles and giving the impression that it was the official sponsor of the team while it was Guinness Nig. that was actually the sponsor.

There is nothing wrong in trying to persuade consumers legitimately to patronise their brand of choice, however, where consumers are deliberately denied their choice because products have been made unavailable in the area is wrong.

Fortunately or unfortunately, the 'DIGEO' (parent company of Guinness) marketing code does not allow under hand marketing arrangement and deals in Guinness.

Of course, there has been an unhealthy competition and rivalry between the two foremost alcoholic beverage brewers for decades, but the present degeneration spells doom for the consumer and the economy.

All efforts to reach the Corporate Affairs Adviser of NB, Mr. Kufre Ekanem, for comments were rebuffed.

G Electronics (LG) has unveiled its latest big capacity top-loading washing machines, equipped with powerful heaters that enable warm washing for hygienic cleaning results.

The hygiene-enhancing capabilities of LG's latest top loaders are largely due to the high performance heater.

Equipped inside the full stainless steel tub, the heater increases the water temperature up to 65 degrees Celsius, creating a warm wash for more effective cleaning.

At an event to launch the product at the LG showroom at Lekki Phase 1 Lagos, Mr. Sreenath Babu, Product Marketing Manager, Home Appliances Division, LG Electronics, West Africa Operations, pointed out that with the stain care course, the internal temperature of the washer is raised to 40 degrees Celsius for effective stain removal. Meanwhile, the allergy care course employs 60-degree heat to eliminate allergy-causing germs and bacteria from clothing.

“We designed these new top-loaders with the consumers' needs in mind, making sure they provide greater hygiene and a bigger capacity,” said Mr. Hyunwoo Jung, General Manager, Home Appliance Division, LG Electronics, West Africa Operations.

“With world-leading technologies like the 6 Motion Direct Drive, LG will continue to lead the global washing machine market and maintain its efforts to become the global number one brand in the home appliance market.”

Backed by a 10-year warranty, the Inverter Direct Drive also provides quiet, reliable operation. Each wash cycle combines up to six different wash motions including wave force, agitating rubbing, compressing, rotating and swing to deliver revolutionary washing results while being very gentle on fabrics.

LG's top-loading washing machines also include the Jet Spray, which reduces water usage throughout the course of the rinse cycle. Unlike LG's conventional rinsing where the entire tub is filled with water first, the Jet Spray sprays clean water from a valve at the top of the machine while the tub spins, extracting the dirty water. The innovative feature helps reduce water usage by an impressive 27.5 percent and allows LG's top loaders to complete a wash cycle up to 17.1 percent faster than a normal wash course..

72

Oddities The Nation on Sunday August 24, 2014

Once upon a seaport

The seaport of no return he water seemed to be still, but was moving slowly. Sighted on the terrifying water were about five or six young men slowly paddling their canoes- they were arriving from their fishing expedition and now coming to berth on the shore that evening .Ejinrin is said to be the second largest seaport in Nigeria where our forefathers had their mouths padlocked, legs manacled, hands chained, and ferried to Badagry and fr om there to the West Indies to work in their coffee and sugar cane plantations.

The Ejinrin seaport was called like that of Badagry, a port of no return .This was where man showed inhumanity and their bestiality to fellow humankind, and where weeping and gnashing of teeth were experienced on a daily basis since the 18th century till the 1940s. This was also the seaport where parents were separated from their children and where the crack of the whips landed on their backs and their souls brutalised and their blood ran cold.

This is the seaport where human beings were exchanged for glass mirrors and gunpowder by the powerful monarchs and the wealthy barons. In fact, then it was assumed that a healthy corn was better than an unhealthy slave at the Ejinrin seaport in those days. This was the seaport where the white men threw our forefathers overboard.

Welcome to the monstrous seaport that had consumed human lives from slavery days till recent times. The late Professor Claude Ake, a prominent Nigerian political scientist, was among the 142 passengers killed when the plane, operated by a local airline landed into the Ejinrin River leaving no survivors on the 7th November, 1996.

The present Ejinrin Today, things have changed as the roads leading to the seaport and Ejinrin town, though well constructed and tarred, but hardly will one find vehicles plying the route, unlike before when it was highly patronised. According to a fisherman, Lekan Onitiri, "This tarred road was constructed over 34 years ago has now been abandoned because there are no commercial activities going on in the town any longer. This place has become desolate and no one hears or comes here any longer.

This is sad; a popular seaport that has wharf is no longer in use!”

Empty Market Ejinrin Market was one of the most populated and popular market in Nigeria in the 18th century .The town thrived in business activities then and there never was there a dull moment. Singing its praises, the popular International musician, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey, in one of his albums sang: “Boko kan o r'Ejinrin, egbegberun re a lo' (if a vehicle refuses to ply Ejinrin route, thousands will not hesitate to go).

But today, the opposite is the case as the market no longer bubbles - no thanks to the abolition of slave trade. A trader simply called Monica who was pained said: "Now the Ejinrin market has been deserted, it has become desolate as only few people live and trade here .The seaport has no ship to berth again while no goods are there to be supplied. It has become the shadow of itself. No more slave trade and no more exchange of goods for human beings.”

A pastor, who does not want his name to be mentioned in print, said: "It is the sins

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The once popular Ejinrin seaport near Epe, Lagos State, which was once a beehive of business activities from slavery trade to general goods merchandising over 100 years ago, has become a shadow of itself. Taiwo Abiodun reports.

•Chief Olusegun Michael , Apena of Ejinrin

•Part of Ejinrin seaport

PHOTOS: TAIWO ABIODUN

•Part of the lock up shops

•Nigeria's first post office

of that slave trade that have grossly affected the market, not because we have other markets. We need to go and cleanse the place. How can we have such a seaport and it is no longer being used? I believe it is the sins our forefathers committed by

selling their kin and family members” Post office overgrown with weeds The post office in Ejinrin is also noted as the first post office in Nigeria helped by the business world of slave trade , and other trades like ornament, clothing as

well as buying and selling of other prohibited things. But today the once revered post office has become a shadow of itself .When The Nation visited, the 10 pigeon holes used then have become rustic and no more in use. The windows have become broken while the roofing and facing-board had been eaten up by termites and some had fallen off. In a nutshell, the post office has become overgrown with weeds. It is no longer in use.

"This should be a monument, but who remembers this again?" Chief Olusegun Michael , the Apena of Ejinrin lamented to T h e N a t i o n .

The town The town is clean, quiet and tarred.

The townspeople are farmers and fishermen. The town is now dominated by Ijaws whose business is fishing. Chief Olusegun Michael, the Apena of Ejinrin describes the place as a lost city that has lost its beauty of business activities due to neglect. He said: "This was once a thickly populated town that was very popular and known all over the world because of its age-long business activities."

However, he said the town forbids many things as their taboos here. "In this town one must not swear falsely. Whoever does that will die.” Giving examples, Apena said: " In 1999 many were dying, things were happening to them. We later learnt that those dying were going to the shrines to swear falsely.” Apena praised the community's monarch, Oba Babatunde Rafiu, the Elejinrin of Ejinrin who has been trying to resuscitate many things. He said the monarch tried to convince our chiefs to obtain post office boxes but still it was not patronised.

Mr. Oyeyemi Ajayi said the town has “strong and well-constructed colonial buildings wasting away, over 5,000 lock up shops that have been abandoned and overgrown with weeds as they are no longer in use. The good tarred roads begging for vehicles to use them.” He suggested the first post office in Nigeria in Ejinrin should be made a monument. He pleaded that both the federal and state governments should come to their rescue When The Nation visited the monarch, Oba Babatunde Rafiu , who was obviously not happy for the state of affairs in the town refused to grant any interview declared: "Oh , I don't want to say anything again.”

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 24, 2014

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SERIES of explosions have rocked the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk, killing at least 18 people, while several people were injured in Erbil, capital of the Kurdish region, officials said.

Two of three near-simultaneous car bombs in Kirkuk on Saturday exploded near buildings under construction that were used as observation positions by security forces, while the third struck the entrance to a market.

The blasts come as Iraqi and Kurdish troops are fighting back an advance by the Islamic State group in the north and as sectarian attacks have deepened the country’s crisis.

At least 108 people were injured, police and a doctor

FOREIGN

Iraq’s north rocked by deadly blasts

said.

A police colonel said that the market blast may have been a suicide car bombing, while the doctor said that three security forces members were among the dead.

In Erbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdish region, local television network Rudaw showed firefighters dousing the charred remains of a car outside a technical college on a road from Erbil to Kirkuk.

Several people were wounded but none killed in the blast, Rudaw said.

While much of Iraq has been plagued by near-daily

•Series of car bomb blasts kill at least 18 people in Kirkuk while several people are injured in Erbil violence, Kurdistan’s capital has avoided much of the deadly unrest.

Al Jazeera’s Zeina Khodr, reporting from Erbil, said the explosion went off on a road near the office of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), a group which has recently engaged in fighting against the Islamic State group.

The last major attack in

Erbil was in September, when fighters launched a coordinated suicide and car bomb attack on the headquarters of the security services.

Meanwhile, in the capital Baghdad, a suicide bomber drove an explosives-laden car into the intelligence headquarters, killing six civilians and five security personnel, in revenge for an assault on a Sunni

mosque.

Parliament speaker, Salim al-Jabouri, said a committee was probing Friday’s attack against a village mosque in Diyala province, which killed at least 73 people.

It remained unclear whether the attack in the village of Imam Wais was carried out by Shia militiamen or fighters from the Islamic State group.

Iraqi federal and Kurdish security forces are battling the Islamic State group’s offensive that was launched in June and has overrun large areas of five provinces.

• Bombings in Kirkuk killed at least 18 people and injured 108.

PHOTO: REUTERS

Merkel says tightening Ukraine-Russian border is key to peace deal

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She said the main obstacle was the lack of controls along the nearly 2,000 km (1,300 mile) border. She proposed a deal between Kiev and Moscow on monitoring of the frontier by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

“Now we need a twosided ceasefire linked to a clear controlling of the Russian-Ukrainian border, otherwise peace won’t be achieved” Merkel said.

Diplomats say Merkel came to Kiev with two objectives: primarily to show support for Kiev but also to urge Poroshenko to be open to peace proposals when he meets Putin next week in the Belarus capital, Minsk.

Poroshenko, whose forces have been forcing the rebels to retreat, said Kiev had offered ceasefires before and they were flouted. He said no peace deal was worth sacrificing Ukraine’s territorial integrity, and placed the blame at Russia’s door.

“Ukraine is ready and capable of guaranteeing a peaceful settlement,” Poroshenko said. “What is stopping us are the foreign mercenaries. Take the people with guns out of our territory....and peace in Ukraine will be quickly restored.”

Hours before Merkel’s plane landed in Kiev, there was heavy artillery bombardment in Donetsk, the main separatist stronghold on

the east of Ukraine, near the border with Russia. Reuters reporters saw apartments destroyed and puddles of blood, where, according to residents, two civilians were killed.

Reuters photographer saw three dead bodies of civilians in the eastern part of Donetsk 7km (about 4miles) from the centre after shelling in the afternoon.

Witnesses said the bodies belonged to a family which had run out of their home to take cover in a bomb shelter.

The unusually intense shelling may be part of a drive by government forces to achieve a breakthrough against the rebels in time for Ukrainian Independence Day, which falls on Sunday.

The conflict in Ukraine has dragged Russian-Western relations to their lowest point since the Cold War and drawn trade sanctions that are hurting already-fragile economies in European and Russia.

A convoy of about 220 white-painted trucks rolled into Ukraine on Friday through a border crossing controlled by the rebels after days waiting for clearance.

Moscow said the trucks moved in without Kiev’s consent because civilians in areas under siege from Ukrainian government troops were in urgent need of food, water and other supplies. Kiev called the convoy a direct invasion, a stance echoed by NATO, the United States, and

European leaders.

The OSCE said its monitors on the border had counted all 227 vehicles that entered Ukraine in the convoy coming back out again into Russian territory.

A Ukrainian military spokesman said however that some of the trucks had been loading up production equipment from military plants in Ukraine. The spokesman, Andriy Lysenko, said the equipment was taken from the Topaz plant which makes Kolchuga, a type of radar system, and from a factory in Luhansk which produces firearms’ magazines.

In Brussels, NATO said it had reports of Russian troops engaging Kiev’s forces inside Ukraine - fuelling Western allegations that the Kremlin is behind the conflict in an effort undermine the Westernleaning leadership in Kiev.

“Russian artillery support – both cross border and from within Ukraine – is being employed against the Ukrainian armed forces,” said NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu.

A Ukrainian military spokesman in Kiev, Andriy Lysenko, said Ukrainian government forces were now coming under cross-border fire from Russia, using Grad and Uragan missiles, over a 400 km (250 mile) length of the border.

The Russian foreign ministry called the allegations “groundless.” Russia accuses Kiev, with the backing of the West, of waging a war against innocent civilians in eastern Ukra.

In the early days of the onslaught, Iraqi soldiers left their positions in oil-rich Kirkuk province, the capital of which is the city of the same name.

This cleared the way for Kurdish forces to take control of it and other disputed northern areas that they have long wanted to incorporate into their autonomous region, over the strong objection of Baghdad.

Iraqi Kurdistan enjoys a high level of autonomy from Baghdad, and the regional parliament has passed laws on a wide range of issues.

Sierra Leone passes new Ebola law

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ERMAN Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Saturday the standoff over Ukraine could be solved but only if control was tightened over the UkraineRussia border across which, the West alleges, Russia has been funneling arms to help a separatist rebellion, APA reports quoting Reuters.

Merkel was visiting Kiev as a prelude to a meeting next week between the Russian and Ukrainian leaders that diplomats say is the best chance in months of a peace deal in eastern Ukraine, where government forces are fighting pro-Moscow rebels.

She arrived as tensions flared up again. NATO has alleged Russia’s military is active inside Ukraine helping the rebels, and Moscow angered Kiev and its Western allies by sending an aid convoy into Ukraine against Kiev’s wishes.

“There must be two sides to be successful. You cannot achieve peace on your own. I hope the talks with Russia will lead to success,” Merkel said, looking ahead to the meeting on Tuesday involving Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Petro Poroshenko.

“The plans are on the table, about how you can achieve peace and good cooperation between the countries. Now actions must follow,” she told a news briefing.

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IERRA Leone has passed a new law imposing possible jail time for anyone caught hiding an Ebola patient - a common practice that the World Health Organisation believes has contributed to a major underestimation of the current outbreak.

The new law imposes prison terms of up to two years for violators, said lawmaker Ansumana Jaiah Kaikai. It now goes for presidential approval.

He said the measure was necessary to compel residents to cooperate with government officials, noting that some residents had resisted steps to combat Ebola and build isolation centres in their communities.

A total of 2,615 infections and 1,427 deaths have been recorded in the Ebola outbreak now hitting West Africa, according to figures released by the World Health Organisation. Sierra Leone has been hard-hit, with at least 910 cases and 392 deaths.

But these numbers do not capture all Ebola cases because families hide patients, fearing high fatality rates and the stigma that comes with a positive diagnosis, the UN health agency said.

New treatment centres in Liberia are being overwhelmed by patients that had not been previously identified, suggesting an “invisible caseload” of patients that is going undetected, the agency said.

Countries in the region and elsewhere in Africa have continued to impose travel restrictions, even though this has not been recommended by the UN agency.

Ivory Coast announced it was closing its land borders with Guinea and Liberia. Ga-

bon, Senegal, South Africa and Cameroon have all imposed border restrictions on some or all of the four countries with confirmed Ebola cases Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria.

The Philippine government said it was recalling 115 peacekeepers from Liberia because of the health risks posed

by Ebola.

Speaking in parliament, Sierra Leone majority leader Ibrahim Bundu accused developed countries of being slow to respond to the Ebola crisis.

He said Sierra Leone had suffered “abandonment and isolation from those we viewed to be our biggest friends”.

“These ugly developments are evidenced in the cancellations of flights, closing of borders, reduction of operational hours of banks and further isolation by shutting down businesses at the time of greatest need,” he said.

Mr Bundu said lawmakers would soon review the country’s partnerships “to form a permanent record of who our true friends are”.

In Liberia, hundreds of people lined up outside the capital’s largest slum to bring food to relatives stuck inside after officials slapped a blockade on it this week.

The slum, West Point, is home to at least 50,000 people.

The government says the blockade is necessary to prevent the spread of Ebola but residents are worried about food shortages. They say rice distributed by the government has been insufficient and of poor quality.

Information Minister Lewis Brown said food would continue to be distributed in West Point tomorrow.

CAR mine collapse: Dozens killed at rebel-held gold mine

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T least 25 people have died in a gold mine collapse in the Central African Republic (CAR), officials say.

The mine, near the city of Bambari, is controlled by mainly Muslim Seleka rebels who are operating it illegally.

A senior government official in the capital, Bangui, said the mine did not follow regulations.

The CAR has been torn by fighting between the Seleka and Christian militia, known as anti-Balaka, for over a year.

A collapse at the same mine in the town of Ndassima last year killed dozens.

Thousands of people began exploiting the mine illegally after its owner, Canada’s Axmin, shut it down in 2012 because of security concerns.

An estimated 20% of inhabitants have fled their homes in the conflict which began as Seleka rebels seized power in March 2013.

This gave rise to the creation of largely Christian antiBalaka militias and the situation descended into ethno-religious violence.

The Seleka leader, Michel Djotodia, stood down as president in January as part of regional efforts to end the fighting.

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NEWS

Expert decries low support for manufacturing sector

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By Amidu Arije

HE Chief Executive Officer/ President of Erisco Foods Limited, Chief Eric Umeofia, has said the government is not giving the manufacturing sector the required attention to improve productivity.

He said if the government gives required attention to the sector it will help improve production process and create more jobs for teeming Nigerian youths.

He spoke in Lagos at a press conference and facility visit to the company.

“Manufacturing companies are not given the required attention by the government and this is given us great concern and set back. I tell you, if the government gives the required attention to manufacturing, there will be improve economic system and more jobs will be created,” he said.

He stated that if the government failed to heed to calls to give the required attention to the manufacturing sector, many of them will fold up in no time.

“If we continue to keep mute on these challenges, the future is blink in terms of creating more jobs,” he said.

Umeofia, President of Erisco Foods Limited producer of RicGiko tomato paste said his company has staff strength of 650 and can still do more if the government encourages them.

“Nigeria is not managing the economy very well and it is not encouraging local investors, if the economy is planned well and local investors are encouraged, they will earn ten times the profit they are making now,” he said. He said his company is working to stop the massive importation of tomato paste by the government into the country, saying this is not good for the economy.

“Nigeria is the biggest tomato paste importer in the whole world and we are really ready to change the equation by the grace of God through our local production so that Nigeria will the best tomato paste exporters on our own soil provided government give us support so that Nigeria will eat better fruit because the tomato we process here in Nigeria is more fresh, heavier than the one imported so we are appealing to the government and all to start from here to make the campaign for better health, economy and better future of our children,” he said.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 24, 2014

Police kill four suspected

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EN of the Edo State Police Command yesterday killed four suspected armed robbers along Ewah, road in Benin City, the state capital.

The four robbers were said to be riding in a Toyota Camry marked BEN 787 AE and reportedly snatched from on Abraham at Agbor park in Ikpoba Okha local government area.

A statement signed by po-

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TUDENTS of tertiary institutions in Akwa Ibom State under the aegis of the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS)/Joint Campus Committee (JCC) have endorsed the Secretary of the State Government (SSG), Udom Emmanuel, as governor in 2015.

Led by its National Vice President, Ubon Marcus, and the State Chairperson, Aquila Akpan, the students during a solidarity visit to the SSG at Government House, Uyo, yesterday, said they were in total support of his Governorship aspiration

lice spokesman, DSP Noble Uwoh said policemen on a routine stop and search patrol along Ewah road chased the robbers who zoomed off after they were stopped.

Uwoh said the police responded to shots fired by the robbers and added that four were later arrested with serious bullets wounds.

He said the injured four died on the way to the hospital.

Items recovered from the robbers included one locally

From Vincent Ikuomola and Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

2015 was borne out of patriotism by students who are concerned indigenes of the state, saying they will do whatever it takes to maintain their solidarity and support.

Marcus said: “Udom Emmanuel is the choice of the students of Akwa Ibom State.”

On her part, Akpan, said the students were impressed with the “intervention of the doctrine that leadership is measured in deeds than in days,” adding: “Having followed with keen interest and reexamine your impeccable credentials and ca-

pacity, the entire Akwa Ibom students want you as the next governor of the state after the uncommon transformation icon, Chief Godswill Akpabio, come 2015.”

Responding, the SSG assured the students of the unrelenting commitment of Governor Akpabio’s administration to provide conducive environment for learning through continuous investments in manpower and infrastructures in education sector, even as he promised to make his intention known after due consultation with relevant stakeholders.

because of his numerous achievements.

The students who are indigenes of Akwa Ibom State were from: University of Uyo; Akwa Ibom State University; Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osura; Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron; College of Education, Afaha Nsit; School of Health Science; Uyo City Polytechnic, among others.

In his remarks, Marcus said the call on the SSG to succeed Governor Godswill Akpabio in

•The Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government (SSG), Mr. Udom Emmanuel (m); the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Akan Okon (3rd right), his of Women Affairs and Social Welfare counterpart, Dr Gloria Edet (3rd left), the Chairman of Eket Local Government Council, Mr. Aniekan Akpan (2nd right); National Vice President of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Ubon Marcus (r); AKS President of NANS/JCC, Comrade Aquila Akpan (2nd left), and the 2014 Miss UniUyo, during a solidarity visit to Government House, in Uyo…recently

Lawmaker to Jonathan: ‘Resign if you can’t free Chibok girls’

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From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

RESIDENT of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Dr Felix Omobude has urged Nigerians to be patient with the federal government and President Goodluck Jonathan as they try to grapple with the challenges of insecurity and insurgency in parts of the country.In a chat with journalists yesterday, Omobude also urged Nigerians to shun violence ahead of 2015 general elections just as he said it would be improper as being agitated in some quarters for churches to be made to pay tax.

X-MILITANT leaders from the Niger Delta region have intervened to resolve lingering dispute between the Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Seriake Dickson and an ex-militant leader, Eris Paul, popularly known as Ogunboss.

Indications that all was not well between Dickson and Ogunboss manifested during the week as the duo engaged each other in verbal attacks.

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From Osagie Otabor, Benin

Akwa Ibom students endorse SSG for 2015

MEMBER representing Ovia Federal Constituency in Edo State at the House of Representatives, Isaac Osahon, has asked President Goodlcuk Jonathan to resign for failure to rescue the over 200 Chibok girls abducted by members of the Boko Haram.

The lawmaker stated this in an interview with newsmen shortly after performing the

PFN president drums support for Jonathan

robbers in Edo

made pistol, one battle axe, two knives and five cartridges.

Uwoh said one John Osagie, a member of a robbery gang terrorism residents of Upper Siluko has been arrested.

He said John was apprehended after residents in the area sent distress calls to the police and the police responded.

Items recovered from John were one cut to size double barrel gun.

From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

foundation laying ceremony for the building of a three classroom block as part of his constituency projects for the Evbuomore community in Ovia North East local government area of the state.

He maintained that it was worrisome and “disgraceful” for a country such as Nigeria with the calibre of military per-

sonnel and other security agencies to allow such an ugly incident to hold the nation down for such a longer time.

The young girls have been in captivity in Borno State since April thus attracting public outcry from within and outside the country.

The lawmaker, who is seeking for reelection into the lower chamber of the National Assembly in 2015, said he was opposed

to the ultimatum by the Northern Elders Forum that President Jonathan should rescue the abducted Chibok girls before the end of October or forget about his ambition for second term but something proactive needed to be done to tackle the spate of killings and destruction of lives in parts of the country, hence the president should resign from his position without further delay.

highlighting what he claimed were moves by the governor to scuttle his reelection.

Worried by the development, ex-militant leaders under the aegis of the Leadership for Peace and Cultural Development Initiative (LPCDI) held an emergency meeting over the weekend at a popular hotel in Yenagoa, the state capital.

After the meeting, the Chairman of LPCDI, Mr. Pastor Reuben, said the group had

set up a five-man reconciliatory committee to make peace between the governor and Ogunboss.

He, however, said it was not right for Ogunboss to have used their forum to write an open letter to the President.

He said Ogunboss would be invited by the committee and persuaded to sheathe his swords for the collective interests of the state and the Niger Delta region.

Ex-militant leaders wade into Dickson, Ogunboss feud

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From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

While Ogunboss had accused Dickson of working against the reelection of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015, Dickson said the ex-militant leader was angry because his administration’s intolerance to criminality had run him out of business.

The crack also widened after Ogunboss sent an open letter to President Jonathan

Eight new DIGs, 28 AIGs get postings From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

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HE police authorities have posted eight newly promoted Deputy Inspectors General of Police (DIGs) and 28 Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) to the various commands and formations across the nation.

The new DIGs and their new destinations are: Dan’azumi Job Doma is the Second-in- Command at the Force Headquarters, Abuja while Hilary Opara is now in charge of the Department of Finance and Administration.

Sotonye Leroy Wakama takes charge of the Operations Department while Mamman Ibrahim Tsafe will now operate from the Department of Logistics and Supply.

Solomon Arase takes charge of the Department of Criminal Investigation, with Saliu Argungu Hashimu now manning the Training Department.

Kakwe Christopher Katso is now in charge of Research and Planning Department as David Omojola takes over the Department of Information Communication Technology.

The new AIGs and their new postings are: Sule Mamman who becomes the new Force Secretary while Ballah Magaji Nasarawa is now in charge of Force Intelligence Bureau, Abuja.

Kalafite Helen Adeyemi is now the new Commandant, Police Staff College, Jos, while Adisa Baba Bolanta is commandant, Police Academy, Kano.

Tambari Y. Muhammed takes over Zone 1, Kano while Umaru Abubakar Manko is in charge of Zone 2, Lagos.

Mohammed Jinjiri Abubakar takes over Zone 3, Yola, with Adeola Adeleke Adeniji taking over Zone 4, Makurdi.

Musa Abdulsalam Daura is in charge of Zone 5, Benin City while Mark Adamu Idakwo is now in charge of Zone 6, Calabar.

Mbu Joseph Mbu moves to Zone 7, Abuja while Christopher Terhrem Dega is in charge of Zone 8, Lokoja.

Usman Akila Gwarry goes to Zone 9, Umuahia while Bala Hassan moves to Zone 10, Sokoto. Ambrose Aisabor moves to Zone 11, Osogbo even as Mohammed Gana is moved to Zone 12, Bauchi.

Jubril Olawale Adeniji goes to Maritime Police, Force Headquarters, Abuja and Edgar Tam Nanakumo is now in charge of Force Animal Branch.

Sabo Ringim Ibrahim is now in charge of Border Patrol, Force Headquarters, Abuja, Chintua Amajor-Onu moves to Investments, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Lawal Tanko is now in charge of Federal Operations while Felix Osita Uyanna takes charge of the Police Mobile Force.

Joel Kayode Theophilus takes over at Force Communications, Abuja with Ibrahim Maishanu taking charge of Infotech at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Godfrey Okeke is now in charge at Research and Planning, Force Headquarters, Abuja and Yahaya Garba Ardo takes charge of Counter Terrorism Unit, Abuja.

Wilfred Eje Obute takes over the Armament at the Force Headquarters, Abuja while A.J. Abakasanga is now the AIG in charge of Special Protection Unit, Abuja.

NEWS

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 24, 2014 CHANGE OF NAME ODESANYA

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Olubukola Deborah Odesanya, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olubukola Deborah Olajide. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

NJOKU

I, formerly known and addressed as Njoku Genevieve Chinyeaka, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ibekwe Genevieve Chinyeaka. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

BABATUNDE

I, formerly known and addressed as Babatunde Olusegun Olusina, now wish to be known and addressed as Babatunde Olusegun Fasina. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

DIBIAEZUE

CHANGE CHANGE OF OF NAME NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Naibi, Iyabode Nimotalai, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adenekan, Iyabode Nimotalai. All former documents remain valid.General public should please take note.

IBRAHIM

I, formerly known and addressed as Mr. Ibrahim Olawale Kabiru, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Kafaru Olawale Ibrahim. All former documents remain valid. Stanbic IBTC Pensions and general public should please take note.

OLAWUMI

I formerly and addressed as Miss Olawumi Nurat Omotayo now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adegoke Nurat Omotayo. All former documents remain valid.

Federal College of Education (Special) Oyo and general public should please take note.

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AWODUMILA

ADEJARE

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. ADAOBI AGATHA OZAH, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ADAOBI AGATHA IDORO. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

NAIBI

OLAFAJU

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Olafaju, Roseline Opeyemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Aiyeonipekun, Roseline Opeyemi.

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General public should please take note.

PETER

I, formerly known and addressed as Mr. Awodumila Awogbemi Mayokun, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Awodimula Awodgbemi Mayor Amos. All former documents remain valid.

First Bank of Nig. Plc. and general public should please take note.

AKANITE

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I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Akanite, Olivier Uche, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Lawal, Olivier Uche. All former documents remain valid.General public should please take note.

KADIRI

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KALU

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ONIGBINDE

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JIMOH

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SOLOMON

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OGUNYEMI

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OLAFAJU

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All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

OGUNSANYA

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Lagos State Government and general public should please take note.

BANKOLE

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NWAKANMA

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SADIQ

I formerly known and addressed as SADIQ OLALEYE REUBEN, now wish to be known and addressed as ISHOLA OLALEYE REUBEN. All former documents remain valid.

The general public take note.

BENSON

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Monica Ime Benson, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Monica Etop John. All former documents remain valid.

University of Calabar and general public should please take note.

OKON

NZE

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nze Roseline Damian, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Roseline Chinasa Chukwuemeka Simeon. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

ABE

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Abe, Oyekemi Omolola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adetoba Glorycrown Omolola Olukemi. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

AUGUSTINE

OSASONA

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Osasona, Tope Esther, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adekunle, Tope Esther. All former documents remain valid.

Ekiti State University and general public should please take note.

NDIDI

I,formerly known and addressed as PATRICK KOME, now wish to be known as PATRICK EMEKA OGBONNIA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as CHINYERE MARIA NWANKWO, now wish to be known as CHINYERE MARIA JOHN. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

ADAMS

OLUFOWOBI

IBRAHIM

OLORI

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Olori, Omotayo Oluwaseyi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olaoluwa Omotayo Oluwaseyi. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

LIADI

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Liadi, Olajumoke Karimot, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adetutu Olajumoke Michelle. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

IKEJIOFOR

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ikejiofor, Deborah Ihuoma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Udeme, John Deborah Ihuoma All former documents remain valid.General public should please take note.

AGBOOLA

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Agboola, Iyabo Bosede, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Azua Iyabo Bosede. All former documents remain valid. College of Health, Ilese, Ogun State and general public should please take note.

AKALAZU

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ezinne Francisca Akalazu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ezinne Francisca Nwoye. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

SEMAO

I, formerly known and addressed as Semao, Aderinsola Ramat, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Semao-Oladele, Aderinsola Ramat. All former documents remain valid. LASU and general public should please take note.

AKOR

NWANKWO

I former known and addressed as Miss ENWEREUZO OGECHI SOPHIA, now wish to be known as Mrs. OKHIRIA JULIUS OGECHI SOPHIA. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Ibrahim Oshosanya Bilikisu Ajoke, now wish to be known and addressed as Animashaun Bilikisu Ajoke. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

OKO

I, formerly known and addressed as OKO MARY EGO ETUU, now wish to be known and addressed as UCHE-EGWU MARY EGO. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Bathseba Timothy Akor, now wish to be known and addressed as Agada-Akor Bathsheba. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

PETER

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Olufowobi, Florence Shola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Gafar, Olufowobi Shola. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

EMMANUEL

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS EMMANUEL ONWUCHE MARIA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS EMMANUEL OCHANYA MARIA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss NDIDIAMAKA EKWUTOSI IKE, now wish to be known as Mrs. NDIDIAMAKA OBUANIME PRINCEWILL. All former documents remain valid, ESUT, NYSC and the general public please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as ADAMS OKEOGHENE ROSEMARY, now wish to be known as CHRISTIAN ROSEMARY OKEOGHENE. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Peter, Modupe Ojelade, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Sanni, Modupe Ojelade. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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The general public should please take note.

ENWEREUZO

ESEROGHENE

I formerly known and addressed as Miss OGHWENIALE ESEROGHENE, now wish to be known as Mrs. SAMUEL ESEROGHENE. All former documents remain valid general public please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME OLOWOPOROKU SULAIMON and OJUBANIRE SULAIMON TAYO, refers to one and the same person.

Now wish to be known as OJUBANIRE SULAIMON. All former documents remain valid general public please take note.

EME

I formerly known and addressed as MISS EME BASSEY EFFIOM, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS PEACE AHUEANSEBHOR ISI. All former documents remain valid.

The general public take note.

NWANKWO

I formerly known and addressed as EMMA NWANKWO, now wish to be known and addressed as NWANKWO CHUKWUNIKE EMMANUEL . All former documents remain valid. The general public take note.

MBAH

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Okwuoma Chinelo Mbah, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okwuoma Kanu Ani Kanu. All former documents remain valid. Ebonyi State University and the general public should please take note.

ORIAKU

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CONFIRMATION OF NAME I Mr. ANIEFIOK AKPAN IKPONG and Mr. SEBASTIAN AKPAN EFIOK refers to one and the same person. Now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. ANIEFIOK AKPAN IKPONG. All documents bearing the above names remain valid. The general public should please take note.

YINUSA

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Yinusa Rafiat Abosede, now wish to be known as Mrs. Yinusa Bello Rafiat Olabisi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

PATRICK

JOHNSON

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Johnson Ajoke Helen, now wish to be known as Mrs. DanielMakanjuola Ajoke Helen. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

ONWUNMELU

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Onwunmelu Onyinyechi Chinaza, now wish to be known as Mrs. Ojiekwe Onyinyechi Chinaza.

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General public please take note.

ADEJUMO

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Adejumo Kabirat, now wish to be known as Mrs Adejumo Kabirat Adebimpe. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NOSIRU

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Saadat Abimbola Nosiru, now wish to be known as Mrs. Saadat Abimbola Olasiyan. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public please take note.

TELLA

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YINUSA

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Yinusa Rafiat Abosede, now wish to be known as Mrs. Yinusa Bello Rafiat Olabisi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NWEZOKU

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS NWEZOKU ADAEZE PATRICIA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ANI ADAEZE PATRICIA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

BASSEY

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS BASSEY UCHE IGWE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS MICHAEL GRACIOUS UCHECHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

ADEDEJI

I,formerly known and addressed as Adedeji, Omotolani Zaynab, now wish to be known as Iyanda Omotolani Zaynab. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UDEMAGWUNA

I,formerly known and addressed as Blessing Grace Udemagwuna, now wish to be known as Blessing Grace Obie Eremie. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

BRAN

I,formerly known and addressed as BIGHA PERELAYE BRAN now wish to be known and addressed as BIGHA PERELATE BRYAN. All former documents remain valid.

WAEC, Nigerian Immigration Service and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME ADEYEMO

OZAH

TAWARI

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. TARIERE JOAN TAWARI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. TARIERE JOAN OGIDI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

NNAJI

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. NNAJI CHINELO ANTHONIA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. EKEH CHINELO ANTHONIA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

OLUGBUYI

I,formerly known and addressed as MISS. OLUFUNMILOLA MODUPEOLUWA OLUGBUYI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. O L U F U N M I L O L A MODUPEOLUWA OLOTIN. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

OSIBERU

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OSIBERU TEMITOPE YETUNDE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. JEGEDE TEMITOPE YETUNDE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

KALU

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS KALU, OKECHI OKAFOR now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. NDUKWE, OKECHI EMEKA. All former documents remain valid. Nigerian Ports Authority and general public should please take note.

UBAKANMA

I, formerly known and addressed as IVA PROMISE UBAKANMA now wish to be known and addressed as IVA PROMISE NMONYE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

AHUZOR

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS AHUZOR OLUCHI LINDA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. EJIM OLUCHI LINDA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OGWU

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogwu Vivian Adaeze, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ugbeh Vivian Adaeze. All former documents remain valid.

Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwuashuku, NYSC and general public please take note.

OIZAMSI I formally known and addressed as Miss Oizamsi Evelyn Obajaja now wish to be known as Mrs Oizamsi Evelyn Ose Odogbo. All other documents remains valid. General public take note.

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MASSOB Director blasts Uwazurike over killing of members From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

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HE Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB)’s National Director of Information, Comrade Uchenna Madu, yesterday expressed sadness over the killing of four members of the group.

The members were killed on Wednesday when armed thugs stormed MASSOB’s headquarters in Okwe, Onuimo Okigwe in Imo State.

Madu in a statement in Abakaliki, titled “ Igbo leaders are wicked”, blamed the incident on the group’s embattled leader, Chief Ralph Uwzurike’s insensitivity.

He said,”MASSOB is very sad over the latest development at our headquarters in Okwe where about four members were killed, many wounded while confronting the national security men camped at Okwe. The dead, wounded and others are Onitsha based members. “ We see this as nonchalant attitude and wickedness.

Ohaneze Ndigbo leadership should be blamed for the death of these MASSOB securities sent to Okwe by Uwazuruike to dislodge their fellow brothers at headquarters.

“Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo is a gross failure to the plight of Ndi Igbo. Uwazuruike nominated, supported and financed the current President General of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo against the choice of major Igbo stake holders, he is a stooge in Uwazuruike’s hand.

“Now our members are losing confidence on the possibilities of Biafra Actualization. Some of our zonal administrators like are always deceiving our leader with falsehood against fellow officials are sycophants, cowards and parasites in MASSOB.” Madu appealed to warring factions to sheath their swords to create room for amicable resolution of the crisis.

He also dispelled rumours of plot to assassinate Uwazurike adding that he still remains the leader of the group.

“I appeal to warring parties, those loyal to Uwazuruike and those loyal to MASSOB interest to calm down as peace and harmony will be restored back in MASSOB”.

“The rumour going round within MASSOB members that our leader, Uwazuruike will be assassinated by national security men is false and deceiving. There is no such plan, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike is still MASSOB leader and any attempt to kill him will be resisted. I vowed to die in his defense.”

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ETCETERA

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 24, 2014

SUNNY SIDE

Cartoons

By Olubanwo Fagbemi deewalebf@yahoo.com 08060343214 (SMS only)

POLITICKLE

A twenty-first century guide •Counsel for young and old

CHEEK BY JOWL

OH, LIFE!

THE GReggs

DO YOU feel out of sorts and generally down on your luck? You may be considering giving up on life’s infinite struggles or have already done so.

Well, here is some bad news for you: some of your worst days lie ahead.

But some good news: to achieve anything worthwhile, you will encounter and overcome periods of grinding self-doubt and failure.

Hang on; you can launch a revival by asking relevant questions. Who are you? What do you care about? What do you believe in? And what do you stand for? Have you discovered that people close to you tend to think for you and teach you how to act and talk? And that you tend to go along the easiest path or the path of least resistance?

You are not alone, you know. We all tend to go along to get along with others. It’s all right sometimes, but the moments when you choose a different path in life define you as an individual. The important thing is that you make crucial decisions for yourself, not out of spite against the authorities, or because of peer pressure, or even out of fear of losing someone’s affection, but out of belief in yourself and your future.

As you may note, it is not enough to have lofty ideals; you have to fight and defend your principles now and then, especially when others resist your position. Be strong. Face up to the doubters and take a stand. If you do nothing, the moment of weakness will haunt you for a long time.

In showing courage, know where to draw the line, though. Learn to defuse aggression by ‘turning the other cheek’. Don’t fight. Realise that an argument usually degenerates into fisticuffs when one party realises he isn’t smart enough to win verbally. Fighting is always a social vice and almost always a mistake. Never confuse physical bravery with intellectual bravery.

What do you do if someone threatens you with violence? Walk away; run if necessary, whether you are a karate expert or not. Bad things happen in a fight. Someone falls and cracks his head open, teeth get knocked out, and facial bones broken.

All the crying later about how “it was an accident!” won’t change the fact or fix the damage. Remember that there is a clear difference between real life and the movies. Violence invites more violence. You may choose to fight a bully, and he may back off, but what if he returns with a weapon?

Yet, you must do some ‘fighting’ sometime. You will have to fight your fear of the unknown. Humans have a tendency to reject what they don’t understand, in food, cultures, or ideas. The body and brain naturally encourage ignorance and fear by rejecting new ideas and things. But don’t settle for that.

Fight the impulse. Bold displays of resistance may give an immediate sense of satisfaction, but exploring a new culture or examining a new idea will mature you and make your company interesting. Grow by learning and understanding, not taking refuge in a ‘safe’ corner surrounded by patronising ideas and superstitious beliefs.

Growth is further helped by listening to advice. Parents and guardians may protect their wards from risk and discomfort by encouraging convenient choices but know that what is best for you is distinct from what is good for you, and some parents and guardians don’t get it.

Get smart, therefore. Making up your own mind doesn’t necessarily mean going with your gut or listening to your heart. That is a lethargic way of avoiding the work that comes with developing an informed opinion.

Would you love to express an opinion about Boko Haram, the 2015 election, or gay marriage?

First, do your research. Don’t rely on biased sources. Your goal is to find the truth, not just confirm an opinion you already hold or you could be dismissed as puerile. You must know how to educate yourself in constant pursuit of truth.

QUOTE

The best way to succeed in life is to act on the advice we give to others.

—Author Unknown

Jokes Humour

White Lies ONE DAY, a girl walked to her mother and looked at her hair, and said with a tinge of sadness, “Why are some of your hairs white mommy?”

The mother said, “Well, every time that you do something wrong and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white.”

The girl thought about this revelation a while, and then said, “Mommy, how come all of Grandma’s hairs are white?”

Wrong Evaluation LITTLE Stevie was staying with his aunty for a few days.

He had been playing outside with the other kids for a while when he came into the house and asked her, “Aunty Maggie, what is that called when two people are sleeping in the same room and one is on top of the other?”

She was a little taken aback, but decided to tell him the truth. “It’s called sexual intercourse, darling.”

Little Stevie said, “Oh, O.K.” He went back outside to talk and play with the other kids. A few minutes later he

came back in and said in anger, “Aunty, it is not called sexual intercourse! It’s called bunk beds! And Jimmy’s mom wants to talk to you!”

World’s a Stage DURING a performance for the secondary school drama class at the local theatre, a hole appeared in the stage floor.

Subsequent acts managed to avoid the damaged area until little Freddy, juggling coloured balls, accidentally stepped through the hole up to his knee.

He apologised to the audience for his clumsiness. But a heckler in the back of the theatre shouted: “Don’t worry, Freddy! It’s just a stage you’re going through!”

Natural Item A COUNSELLOR was helping his kids put their stuff away on their first morning at camp.

He was surprised to see that one of the youngsters had an umbrella.

The counsellor asked, “Why did you bring an umbrella to camp?”

The kid appeared surprised at the question.

He asked, “Did you ever have a mother?”

•Adapted from the Internet

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Writer’s Fountain IPS for great writing: The Write in your voice. fact that clichés are so common that To write like you speak is harder than it you can attach them to any idea makes them might sound. It is often easy to put on a tone ineffective. This in turn informs how we when you start writing without realising it. assimilate words and phrases in reading.

If your writing manages to sound as The more familiar a term or phrase appears, someone from your town or someone you the more often we skip it as we read, know, you are on course. To achieve this, rendering it ineffective. imagine someone sitting in front of you as The best way to avoid this problem is to you type, and write as if you are talking to use different language to explain familiar them. concepts. However, you must strike a Use short words, short sentences and balance between being so different that short paragraphs. readers are turned off by the effort of Note that when you write like you talk, understanding content and being so familiar you tend to write long sentences. You can with it that your work becomes trite. In other write a sentence that fills an entire paragraph words, your audience has to feel your sometimes. presentation is new, but also credible.

This might be how the words flow out of your mouth, but one advantage in writing is Jumping Jupiter: that you have a chance to edit your work •Jupiter’s moon, Ganymede, is the largest before the reader encounters it. Therefore, moon in the Solar System, and is larger than use short words, short sentences and short the planets Mercury and Pluto. paragraphs. Try not to write more than two •Jupiter has the shortest day of all the pages on any subject. And this is less about planets. Although it has a circumference of editing than keeping things simple. As 280,000 miles compared with Earth’s 25,000, much as you can, get to your point down it manages to make one turn around the quickly and use the simplest language you sun in 9 hours and 55 minutes. can.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 24, 2014

Dickson reelection campaigns begin in Bayelsa rom Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

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HE reelection campaigns for Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa state have begun amidst fears that all is not well between the governor and President Goodluck Jonathan.

Groups and forums are being formed and sponsored by Dickson’s key aides to identify with him and drum support for his reelection.

Though the governorship election in the state comes up in 2016, Dickson’s camp believes that it is time to begin building a formidable political structure for the governor.

The intention, it was gathered, was to saturate the political atmosphere with calls for Dickson’s reelection in order to frustrate some powerful elements within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) calling for his removal.

The Commissioner for Works, Mr. Lawrence Ewrudjakpor, Dickson’s key loyalist, was said to be the brain behind the emergence of many pro-Dickson’s groups.

Over the weekend, a group, Bayelsa Youth Leaders’ Forum for Seriake Dickson, joined the increasing number of associations asking for the governor’s reelection.

The leader of the group, Oboku Oforji, said the group was formed to champion the second term ambition of the governor.

Denying that the group was being funded by an aide to the governor, he described the forum as a non-governmental organisation formed after evaluating the performance of the governor.

The early campaign, our correspondent further gathered, came against the backdrop of speculations that all was not well between the governor and President Jonathan.

Reps accuses Jonathan of stifling N/Delta Ministry of funds From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

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HE Minority Whip in the House of Representatives, Hon. Samson Osagie ,yesterday lamented the inability of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to mobilise funds for its various contractors handling major projects in the region, saying President Goodluck Jonathan is to blame.

The reps spoke at the declaration of his intention to contest for the February 2015 National Assembly elections to represent Edo South Senatorial District at the Senate.

According to him, “They (Niger Delta Ministry) have refused to mobilise their contractors. President Yar’Adua created that ministry just the way he introduced the amnesty programmes. But our brother, the president, who is supposed to take the ministry serious, also refuses to fund it,” he declared.

Specifically, Osagie said, “Benin/Abraka road I initiated in my first term has been abandoned because the ministry could not mobilise the contractor. The situation has befallen the Umogha-Nokhua road. Because of the abandonment of the project, the community is now experiencing serious flooding.”

NEWS

No Ebola case in Edo, commissioner affirms T

•Embarks on street campaign

HE Edo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Louis Odion, said yesterday that no Ebola case has so far been recorded in the state even as he assured that the state government has put the necessary machinery in motion to check the prevention and control of the virus in the event of an outbreak.

Odion, who spoke at the inauguration of the State Rapid Response Committee, put in place by the state government to curtail the spread and control of the virus, urged media practitioners to be accurate in their news reportage so as not to mislead the general public with falsehood.

While acknowledging that Ebola is more dangerous and deadlier than the dreaded HIV/ AIDS, he, however, charged media practitioners in the state to always cross-check their facts before going to the press.

From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

Odion, who is also a member of the 44-man State Rapid Response Committee on Ebola, however, called on media practitioners to partner with the state government in the sensitisation and awareness campaign towards the prevention and control of the virus in the event of an outbreak.

On his part, the State Chairman, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Prof. Afekhide Ernest Omoti called for life insurance scheme which would properly spell out remuneration for healthcare providers who will be volunteers for the treatment of the virus in the event of an outbreak in the state.

Prof Omoti ,who hinted that the NMA has already lined up a large number of volunteers in the event of an outbreak, further revealed that medical doctors in

the state in spite of ongoing strike have already volunteered to participate fully in the treatment and control of the virus.

Also speaking, the Chief Medical Director (CMD), University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Prof. Michael Ibadi said the hospital has already set up a committee on the Ebola virus in the event of its outbreak in the state.

On her part, the representative of the State Coordinator of World Health Organistion in Edo State, Ms. Kate Okungo said the organisation is collaborating with newspaper vendors in disseminating information on the Ebola disease through hand bills, posters, vests and other printable materials inserted inside newspaper for onward distribution to the general public.

Okungo further informed that WHO is also making use of disease control officers in the different local councils across the

state as well as immunisation officers for the purpose of disseminating information to create awareness for the control and prevention of the disease.

In a related development, the Ministry of Environment and Public Utilities has embarked on a sensitisation and awareness campaign with a theme: ‘Say No To Ebola.’

The campaign was flagged off yesterday by a top director of the Ministry, Mr. Sylvester Okokhere on behalf of the ministry.

The officials of the ministry embarked on a road show from Sapele Road, Ring Road and its environs.

Okokhere noted that even though Ebola is not in Edo State, there is need for continuous enlightenment on prevention, adding that it will help in letting the people know what to do to prevent the disease from spreading to the state.

•The Celebrant, The Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion; His Royal Majesty Asantehene; Otumfuo Osei Tutu ii and Lucky Igbinedion during the Chief Igbinedion’s 80th birthday at Maishyan Palace of Asantehene Kumasi Ghana at the weekend.

Itsekiri, Ijaw nations urged to support Jonathan for 2015

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HE three multi-billion dollar federal government legacy projects sited in Delta State stand a better chance of completion only if President Goodluck Jonathan gets reelected in 2015.

An environmentalist and Project Director of the Niger Delta Environmental Restoration Project (NDEREP), Prince David Omaghomi, gave this submission in Warri yesterday.

The occasion was at the launch of NAIG FOCUS, a magazine published by the National Association of Itsekiri Graduates, (NAIG).

Omaghomi also called on Itsekiris and Ijaws of Warri South-West Local Government Area to desist from the media war over the EPZ Gas City Project.

The three projects namely: the NIMASA Dockyard and Shipyard, the Ni-

From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

gerian Maritime University (NMU) and the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) project, are all sited in Warri SouthWest council area of Delta state, an enclave of Ijaw and Itsekiri ethnic nations, by the federal government.

The PDP chieftain, while calling on President Jonathan to declare his reelection bid, also enjoined the people of Delta South Senatorial District to support the 2015 senatorial ambition of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, stressing that the re-election of President Jonathan as well as the actualisation of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan’s senatorial ambition is vital for the actualisation of Mr. President’s tripod projects, in Warri South- West Local Government.

Former Delta State Com-

missioner for Works, Dr. Alex Tosan Ideh, whose message at the occasion was delivered by Surveyor George Omajuwa Okotie, former NIMASA Boss, Barr.

Temisan Omatseye, represented by Barr. Ernest Oritsegbeyiwa Ekpoto and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Legal Adviser to Itsekiri National Youths Council, Barr. Robinson Ariyo all decried the present situation where individual interests have taken over the collective interests of the Itsekiri nation unlike in the past and commended the Alero Tenumah-led NAIG for reawakening the intellectual approach towards developing Iwere kingdom.

In her opening remark, National President of NAIG, Alero Tenumah stated that members of the association shall remain unruffled by all

forms of intimidation orchestrated by “house burning, breaking and entry, raping as well as malicious destruction of property” in the interest of Itsekiri nation.

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Akpabio pledges to fund national health insurance scheme

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HE akwa Ibom Government has pledged its readiness to contribute about 60 per cent funds to the National Health Insurance Scheme in the state and its continuous cooperation to the various programmes of the scheme.

Governor Godswill Akpabio, who stated this when the Chief Executive Secretary/ Chief Executive Officer of National Health Insurance Scheme, Dr. Femi Thomas and his team paid him a courtesy visit at Governor’s Office, Uyo, remarked, “We will contribute 60 per cent finances to the Health Insurance programmes.”

According to him, “So, if we contribute about N220million monthly and the company contributes 40 per cent of the finances which amount to N88million monthly, we can insure our children in the primary schools from all sorts of hazards, injury, accidents, among others. It will help a lot.

“And it is a programme that all states in the country should get involved in. The more sensitisation on the health insurance scheme, the more people you are going to have on the programme. So, be assured of our state continuous cooperation to the programme.”

While lauding Dr. Thomas, Akpabio remarked, “You have given Nigerians hope in the health sector due to the fact that President Jonathan made the right decision for your appointment. You are indeed a square peg in a square hole. You have taken care of those who have access to the insurance. You have also extended the programme to the entire society through your various health programmes.”

The governor also thanked him for giving certificates to some people of the state who took part in the communitybased Health Insurance Scheme, stressing that it is a way to ensure total penetration of the health insurance scheme to every part of the country.

He informed the visitors that the state is already building a well-equipped 20th Anniversary Hospital, where about 150 doctors would be sent abroad for training, and that the purpose of the hospital in the state was to stop capital flight abroad for treatment, explaining that the hospital would specialise on heart surgery, kidney and liver transplant, among others.

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SPORTS THE NATION ON SUNDAY

Go for Gold, Senate President charges Falconets

EXTRA

AUGUST 24, 2014

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ENATE President Senator David Mark has urged the Nigerian representatives at the 2014 FIFA under 20 Women championship holding in Canada to leave nothing to chance in the crucial encounter with their German counterparts on Sunday.

Senator Mark in a goodwill message to officials and players today implored them to reenact the indomitable spirit which our female footballers have been known for to confront Germany.

"Interestingly, you are meeting a familiar German team. You have done very well in this championship. I am sure You should be able to overwhelm them this time around," he stated.

The Senate President added that all Nigerians are solidly behind the players and officials promising that government would do the needful in terms of their welfare .

Sports especially soccer, he stressed has become a yardstick for measuring strength and weaknesses of nations globally saying " that is why nations all over the world are rising up to the challenges of improving on sports development ".

Nigerian government, he assured would live up to its responsibility of ensuring over all sports development in the country.

Golden Eaglets beat promising Ace FC 1-0

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IGERIA'S Under17 team, Golden Eaglets, on Saturday wrought another win courtesy of a first half goal by winger Promise Orji against a promising Kaduna-based Ace Football Club at the Abraham Ordia Stadium inside the University of Calabar.

"Maybe we would have even played better than we did against the Golden E a g l e t s today,"volunteered Ace FC's Coach Al-Amin IbnMusa."We didn't arrive Calabar until the early hours of the day but that should not take anything away from the victory of the Golden Eaglets because they played a good match against us."

Both team used the early part of the match to size up each other butit was Ace FC that nearly went in front in the 10th minute after UzamaDouglas conceded a free kick in front of the Golden Eaglets' goal area; but goalkeeper Ebuka Nwokeocha making just his second starting line up held firmly to Shefiu Dauda's resultant free kick.

U-20 WOMEN'S WORLD CUP FINAL

Uchechi seeks Germany revenge “

I remember that game,” said Nigeria's Uchechi Sunday, casting her mind back four years to the final between the Super Falconets and the host nation at the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Germany 2010. “I was on the bench feeling really nervous and apprehensive, hoping that my team would score.”

Her team did not score,

with Die Mannschaft running out 2-0 winners. But as fate would have it, Sunday and her team-mates will have the opportunity to avenge that result in Montreal today.

“It's going to be a different story this time,” she vowed to FIFA.com. “In 2010 they were playing at home, with all their fans behind them, but that won't be the case here. This final against

Germany is also coming at a good time for me, because I've got a lot more experience now.”

Sunday was a mere 15year-old when she represented her country at Germany 2010 and is the only member of Nigeria's Canada 2014 squad who was present at those finals.

“I was the youngest player in the team but I had two friends with me and they

Jonathan charges Falconets to beat Germany

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resident Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Saturday, spoke with members of the National Under-20 women's football team, the Falconets and exhorted them to go all out for victory against their German counterparts in tomorrow's final of the 2014 FIFA under20 women's World Cup in Canada.

President Jonathan who is currently on a private visit to Germany called the Falconets at their base in Montreal at about 1515 Hours Nigerian Time and spoke with the captain of the team, Patience Okaeme, top scorer, Asisat Oshoala, Assistant Captain, Deborah Okoye, Courtney

Dike, Uchechi Sunday, the delegation leader, Chief Felix Anyansi Agwu, Head Coach Peter Dedevbo and other members of his team.

The President who commended the players for getting to the finals of the tournament once again, urged them to do their best to exceed their 2010 second place finish by overcoming the German team on Sunday and bringing greater glory, pride and joy to soccer-loving Nigerians.

“You have done very well by getting to the final. I urge you to crown your efforts with ultimate victory tomorrow by playing with the greatest possible artistry, discipline, determination and

patriotic zeal.

“I look forward to receiving you at the Presidential Villa with the winners' trophy and you can be assured of the immense gratitude of the Federal Government and the very appreciative people of Nigeria,” President Jonathan told the girls and their handlers. The President assured the Falconets that although, because of time difference, it will be very late night in Germany by the time the final begins in Montreal, he will stay up to watch the game with his aides and join millions of other Nigerians at home and across the world in cheering them to victory.

helped me a lot during the competition,” she explained. “They kept encouraging me the whole time.”

Older and wiser, Sunday is now offering support to her most inexperienced team-mates and to the team as a whole, chipping in with three goals despite having started every game on the bench, two of those strikes coming straight after entering the fray. Though happy with her haul, she still has one objective to fulfil: “I usually score a lot of goals with my head but I haven't got one in Canada yet. Maybe it'll come on Sunday.”

As she went on to explain, Sunday has had to fight hard to get where she is today: “I started out playing in the street with the boys after school. We played on dirt pitches.

Then I enrolled at an academy but it's not easy to play football in Nigeria, especially if you're a girl.

What you need in situations like that is for your parents to support you, which is what mine did. It gives you the

strength to carry on.”

The forward was rewarded for her perseverance with that trip to Germany 2010 and a call-up to the full national team in 2011, though she missed out on a place in the U-20 side that travelled to Japan 2012, a setback that has only stiffened her resolve ahead of Sunday's showdown. “This final is very special for me,” she said in anticipation of it.

The Super Falconets have been preparing for the occasion for a long time, having already spent three months away from their families. “It's a lot easier thanks to mobiles and the internet,” said Sunday. “I talk to them a lot on Skype and they're very happy for me. When we speak my mother always shouts: 'Hey that's my daughter!

You're doing great. I'm very proud of you'.”

Bursting into a laugh, Sunday added: “I tell you one thing: I can't wait to get home. I'm dying to see them all, especially my mum.”

Nigerian Women proud of you, First Lady tells Falconets

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IRST Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan has urged the Falconets to step up its can-do-spirit in order to beat its opponent, Germany to win the U-20 FIFA World cup.

The team will file out against Germany in the finals of the FIFA U-20 women's

World Cup in Canada today.

In a statement by the Media Assistant in the Office of the First Lady, Ayo Adewuyi, Dame Jonathan described the semi-final encounter with Korea DPR as a sweet victory which should spur the Falconets to beat Germany as a revenge

From Augustine Ehikioya, appreciable impact in the development of the nation.

Abuja She therefore charges the for the 2010 final match loss team to rekindle its hard fighting spirit and work to Germany.

According to her, their harder to bring the 2014 FIFA performance so far in the U-20 Women's World Cup to c o m p e t i t i o n h a s l e n t Nigeria.

The First Lady specially credence to the fact that w o m e n c a n m a k e congratulated the team's top

scorer, Asisat Oshoala for her brilliant performance especially during the 6-2 defeat of Korea DPR. "On behalf of Nigerian women, Dame Patience Jonathan celebrates members of the team and their handlers, urging them to remain focused,

THE NATION ON SUNDAY AUGUST 24, 2014

SPORT EXTRA

Arsenal secure draw in late comeback

WORLD CUP

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RSENAL produced a remarkable late comeback to hold Everton to a 2-2 draw at Goodison Park, although Arsene Wenger's side showed similar signs of the weaknesses that ultimately cost them the Premier League title last season.

First half goals from Seamus Coleman and Steven Naismith had Goodison Park rocking before Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud struck late to spare the north London club's blushes.

Everton put in a magnificent team performance with several of their players shining on Merseyside. Romelu Lukaku was a constant threat up front while Gareth Barry provided plenty of quality from the midfield. However, Seamus Coleman never stopped running up and down that touchline and is well worthy of Saturday's plaudits.

Arsenal's stars simply did not turn up - worrying signs for only the second game of the season. Mesut Ozil was a passenger and Jack Wilshere was massively ineffective.

However, Alexis Sanchez was the worst of the lot and was deservedly dragged off at half time having done diddly-squat.

Steven Naismith's strike had more than a hint of offisde about it, but the award goes to Olivier Giroud, whose highlightstricken barnet earned his side a share of the points with a later-than-late header.

Mourinho brands Chelsea 'lazy'

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HELSEA manager Jose Mourinho felt his side had been "lazy" before recovering to beat Leicester 2-0 at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues, who opened the Barclays Premier League season with a 3-1 win at Burnley, labored through the first half against the promoted Foxes, back in the top flight after a decade. After David Nugent was put clean through only to be denied by a smart save from Thibaut Courtois, again picked ahead of Petr Cech, Chelsea eventually made the breakthrough with a well-taken goal from $53million striker Diego Costa.

Eden Hazard stroked in a second on 77 minutes to maintain Chelsea's 100% opening to the new domestic campaign.

Mourinho, though, was not happy with the slow start.

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Eto'o dropped from Cameroon squad for AFCON qualifiers

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Diego Costa scores Chelsea’s first goal

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Diego Costa scores again as Chelsea maintain perfect start

F Chelsea made heavy weather of this first home victory of the season, a 2-0 defeat of Leicester City with second-half goals form Diego Costa and Eden Hazard, then there was still plenty for José Mourinho to take heart from in a performance that became more convincing as Leicester's energy levels dropped.

It is of course tempting to make light of successive victories against newly promoted teams, but in Chelsea's case there are perhaps grounds to sniff out some signs of progress here.

The simple things were made to look complex at times last season and it was the defeat

by Sunderland here that effectively chloroformed their title challenge, and points were also dropped against West Brom, Stoke, West Ham,

Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Norwich.

Beating the teams you might be expected to beat isn't everything in the Premier League, but it's certainly a pretty good start, and it is with these kind of fixtures in mind that the added cutting edge of Costa might be expected to make the most tangible difference.

Costa had a fine match, working tirelessly, Atléticostyle, and scoring a vital opening goal. The BrazilianSpanish west Londoner will improve from here, but his work rate in the second half, not to mention his ability to carry the ball forward from deep, lifted both his teammates and the crowd.

Not that Chelsea had it all their own way. On a fresh, breezy, covertly autumnal Stamford Bridge afternoon,

Brown Ideye disappoints in West Brom debut

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OUTHAMPTON claimed their first Premier League point under Ronald Koeman but were left frustrated as West Brom held them to a goalless draw at St Mary's.

It was a dour game of few chances, with the West Brom defence proving too stubborn for a shot-shy home side.

James Ward-Prowse came closest for the Saints with a 25-yard free-kick that flicked the outside of a post.

West Brom however had PREMIER LEAGUE t h ei r o w n mom ent s of RESULTS disappointment with Aston Villa 0-0 Newcastle Nigerian strikers, Victor Chelsea 2 - 0 Leicester Anichebe and Brown Ideye C/ Palace 1- 3 West Ham the greatest culprits.

S’pton 0 -0 West Brom Ideye, who came in the Swansea 1 -0 Burnley 56th minutes for Anichebe, could have won the game on Everton 2 - 2 Arsenal his Baggies debut but was Sunday Matches denied by a save from home Hull vs Stoke keeper Fraser Forster.

Tottenham vs QPR Record signing Ideye had Sunderland vs Man Utd two good chances to give Monday Match only their fifth win of Man City vs Liverpool Albion 2014 but put the first - a

header at the back post - into the side-netting, before seeing the second saved superbly by Forster after he turned away from two defenders for a clear sight of goal.

It was a tough afternoon for the Saints, who remain without a win under Koeman but have at least now got their season up and running.

Mauricio Pochettino's replacement had suggested before kick-off that this game would prove more difficult than the opener at Liverpool, a match few expected them to win but in which they impressed in a 2-1 defeat.

And so it proved as a hardworking and disciplined Baggies display stifled the Saints.

It was inevitable that a t e a m u n d e r n e w management, looking to integrate so many new players following the sale of key personnel, would struggle for fluency.

Chelsea kicked off their opening home Premier League fixture of the season with a team showing six changes from last year's home bow (a 2-0 defeat of Hull).

Leicester, of course, are resilient travellers, beaten just four times away from home last season, and here they lined up in a tightly knit, hardworking 4-4-2, with David Nugent looking bright early on, drifting out to the left flank. Nigel Pearson's team were sharp in the tackle as Chelsea pressed early on, with Jeff Schlupp and Riyad Mahrez offering scampering speed on the break.

Mourinho's pre-match utterances are generally best skimmed for the odd word or two not dedicated to assorted inflammatory falsehoods, but Chelsea's manager was correct to point out that the Football League's champion club have showed some early season momentum already and here Cesc Fàbregas, in particular, often found himself hunted down by a small pack of red shirts in the opening half hour.

Indeed, at times in the first half the most visible attacker on the pitch was Leicester's Algerian World Cup winger

Adeboye urges NFF board to support Maigari

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HE Special Adviser to the governor of Lagos state on football matters, Adeyinka Adeboye has appealed to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to put behind them rancor to move the game forward in t h e c o u n t r y .

There has been series of confusion in the leadership of Nigerian football since Maigari was impeached by his board on July 24,but the Bauchi-born Maigari returned to his post after being cleared by the Minister of Sports.

“I am not happy about the situation in the Glass House but I hope the whole issue is well-resolved amicably.All the parties involved should rather support Maigari and let peace reign in the federation” “They must all come together in the interest of Nigerian football. They are all adults and must have differences, but I would be happy if those differences are genuinely buried. They should come together and let the interest of Nigerian football prevail” Adeboye also added that FIFA's decision on the issue

must be respected in the interest of football. “ T h e r e w e r e disagreements and misunderstanding for a number of weeks, but FIFA has cleared the air and the government has weighed in on the side of FIFA. In the interest of football, they should resolve to bury their differences and rather work towards evolving a roadmap for the coming elections” Meanwhile,World Football governing body FIFA have insisted that the election of the Nigeria Football Federation must be conducted on September 9.

Adeboye

AMEROON have made a major overhaul to their squad, dropping 13 players from the party who went to the World Cup including captain Samuel Eto'o.

German-born Volker Finke, who has been maintained as Cameroon's national coach despite a poor showing in Brazil, announced a new-look 25man squad on Saturday for their forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Cameroon are away to the Democratic Republic of Congo on 6 September, and then at home against Ivory Coast four days later.

Eto'o has been without a club since being released by Chelsea at the end of last season and his absence was not unexpected as he has not played since his one appearance at the World Cup finals against Mexico in Natal.

The 33-year-old striker, who led the controversial strike over wages that delayed Cameroon's trip to Brazil in June, had previously said he would like to add to his 115 caps.

Midfielder Alex Song is out suspended after elbowing Croatia's Mario Mandzukic in the back during the World Cup while defender Henri Bedimo was injured in Europa League action for Olympique Lyon earlier this month.

Also left out was Benoit Assou Ekotto, who tried to hit team mate Benjamin Moukandjo during the 4-0 defeat to Croatia in Manaus.

Balotelli won't sign 'code of conduct' clause at Liverpool

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A R I O BALOTELLI'S contract at Liverpool will not include a 'code of conduct' clause, according to his agent.

The 24-year-old arrived at Liverpool's Melwood training ground on Friday to complete a medical ahead of his £16m move from AC Milan.

The Reds were reportedly keen to add a 'code of conduct' clause in Balotelli's contract due to his poor disciplinary issues on and off the field in the past.

However, representative Mino Raiola claims the contract will be no different to any other of his future Liverpool team-mates and believes the deal should be finalised before Tuesday.

"I'll close Balotelli's contract on Monday or Tuesday. I still have many little things to fix," he said.

"Today, meanwhile, Mario takes a medical.

"Mario won't have a different contract than the other Liverpool's players he has to behave with the code of conduct of the club like everyone else."

Liverpool were forced to sell top scorer Luis Suarez this summer after the disgraced Uruguayan was handed a four-month ban for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup.

QUOTABLE

“In Nigeria, we place too much emphasis on politics; political economy is the issue, the veritable context for policy implementation. While you cannot do economics without politics, you must first get the economics right and see how you advance it with politics. But we flagrantly practise the politics and do not care whether the economics is right or wrong. This has been our problem.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 24, 2014 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM VOL. 9, NO. 2950

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N the 2011 presidential election, I voted for Nuhu Ribadu, former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) boss and candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), even though I knew he could not win. But I felt that more than any other candidate on offer at the time, including Gen Muhammadu Buhari, he was probably the most dynamic, charismatic, modern (both in depth of knowledge and crossover appeal), and without ethnic, religious or ideological baggage. He in fact did not win, perhaps because everyone, including myself, knew he was young, impulsive, a work in progress, and a little somewhat idealistic, flighty and iconoclastic. Had he won, I would have been willing to offer my services to his government and the country in the assurance that my exertions would be both recognised and valuable.

I always knew, however, that the young man was capable of curious rashness, not necessarily harmful to the country he so passionately craves to serve, but always counterproductive to the principles and values he wishes to be ennobled by. His defection last week to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after many months of speculations is not completely surprising.

He was and still is a fine policeman and professional, but many of his admirers would wish him to be better anchored on the principles and values he adores but is unable to put into systematic thought and form. I am nonetheless unable to condemn Mallam Ribadu for the shocking political step he has taken, lured as he was by possible assurances from President Goodluck Jonathan or the PDP leadership to be made the PDP’s standard-bearer in October’s Adamawa governorship election.

I have absolutely no doubt that should he overcome the stiff internal opposition in the state chapter of the PDP and is elected governor, the state would enjoy far more inspiring and productive leadership than many other states in the country have witnessed since their creation. His stewardship in Adamawa could also prepare him, ceteris paribus, for a shot at the presidency on a fortuitous tomorrow, when he probably would have matured. He would be in the news, and it would be mostly for the right reasons. And when he visits the State House in Abuja or appear at any other national event, he would be the cynosure of all eyes.

Who knows, perhaps it was the lure of these possibilities that attracted Mallam Ribadu into taking last week’s fateful step to defect to a party he had consistently excoriated in the most brutal and waspish manner.

Those who defend his defection, not to say Mallam Ribadu himself, have argued that his defection was not morally offensive, seeing that both the party he left and the one he has just joined have very few distinguishing features or redeeming virtues. In their opinion, the PDP and the All Progressives Congress (APC) are not far apart ideologically, have their fair measure of political follies and foibles, harbour as many political ragamuffins as the other, and subscribe unflatteringly to, or are burdened by, the same political appurtenances such as short-circuited internal democratic practices. Mallam Ribadu himself gave close hints he would be a good governor in the PDP as he would be in the APC had he remained in his former party and became a governor on its platform. I hope they let him become governor, for it is clear he joined the PDP for that reason. If he doesn’t, then he had better go to Siberia, for he would not be able to live down the humiliation.

However, the view is unfortunately widespread that both the APC and the PDP are virtually the same. This is a heresy promoted by those who still smart over the sanctimonious effusions of self-confessed progressive leaders. In repudiating the view that APC is ideologically different from the PDP, such troubled consciences have argued that there are governors in the PDP that perform as good as, if not better than, some governors in the APC. They also argue that the APC has nearly an equal share of odious personalities as the PDP, a reasoning underscored by the shocking and mortifying

- Former Minister of Finance and National Planning, Dr Kalu Idika Kalu, giving an insight on why Nigeria has not realised her full potentials since independence.

should be contextualised partly within the struggle for power and dominance in the Southwest.

Mallam Ribadu may therefore have been seduced by the foggy understanding and consideration of ideology in Nigeria’s contemporary politics, a fogginess helped by the blurring of ideological lines in political recruitment and policy enunciation in the Southwest.

As Femi Falana argued in an interview published last Friday in The Punch when pressed to explain the APC victory in Osun vis-a-vis the party’s loss in Ekiti, the APC had failed to differentiate itself in the idiosyncratically progressive policies and politics of the Yoruba states as exemplified by the Obafemi Awolowo era.

While this is a valid observation, Mr Falana himself recognised that this weakness does not fully account for the sometimes anomalous behaviour of the Southwest electorate, or any other electorate for that matter. It must be recognised that there will never be a time when the parties in Nigerian politics will be so differentiated that it would be a question of evil and good, right and wrong. That belongs to the realm of fiction and, to some extent, theory.

The fact is that whether we accept it or not,

and in spite of the jarring presence of certain personalities in the APC who are at odds with the party’s ideology, the PDP is actually largely and essentially a conservative party. It has retained all the essential elements of conservatism since the Olusegun Obasanjo presidency, and has under Dr Jonathan reinforced that conservatism to the point of being reactionary, if not dangerously fascist. Anyone who can’t appreciate the PDP’s predilection for fascism is either blind or out of his wits. On the whole, however, and though it cannot be affirmed with certainty how it would conduct itself should it form the government at the centre, the APC has proved in the states it governs that it is more democratic politically and more progressive in its developmental imperatives. That it concomitantly and sometimes undesirably imposes less sympathetic tax and other fiscal regimes on the people do not detract from its progressivism, but only speaks to the progressive states’ policy dissonance.

There may be nothing morally offensive about Mallam Ribadu’s defection, but there is nothing wise in it either. The former EFCC boss was not an ordinary member of the APC. He was the presidential candidate of the party’s precursor, the ACN. At that high level, policy and ideological summersaults are simply intolerable and inexcusable. No one could rise to a level where had he been elected president he would embody all that the party stood for ideationally, culturally, politically and socially, and yet saunter over to the enemy almost casually. By defecting, Mallam Ribadu gives the unsavoury indication he was neither persuaded about what his former party stood for nor convinced enough that the PDP he fought against in 2011 was the weak, banal and implacable organ his former party made it out to be. And though he retains our respect for his person and his ability, his defection nonetheless showed how tentative his principles and values appear to be, and especially that his often impressionable mind still needs a lot of work to refine and solidify it beyond the entrenched casuistry that vitiated his leadership of the EFCC.

about why he convoked a conference he had moments earlier denounced in violent and acerbic language. He grinned mischievously, poked fun at his detractors, and indulged in fantasies about how the conference was an ambitious answer to the national question. He forgot that as imperfect as the current constitution is, the country’s problem is hardly caused by the letter of the constitution, nor even by its spirit. The problem has always been largely incompetent, immature, ignorant and selfish leaders. The conference did not address these other major attitudinal issues, nor could it have.

In his remarks, Dr Jonathan had said: “The success of this conference has proved the cynics wrong in many respects. Those who dismissed the entire conference ab initio as a ‘diversion’ have been proved wrong as what you achieved has contrary to their forecast diverted our country only from the wrong road to the right direction. They said the conference would end in a deadlock as Nigeria had reached a point where the constituent parts could no longer agree on any issue.” It is not certain where the president got the misinformation that Nigeria’s constituent parts could not agree on anything, nor is it clear why he prematurely concludes that cynics have been proved wrong. As Justice Kutigi himself more wisely put it, previous conferences also successfully concluded their deliberations and submitted their reports.

Though Dr Jonathan holds very high hopes for the conference report, so far, however, he has ruled like a tyrant, and, should he be reelected, would continue to rule like one with unmitigated contempt for the constitution and the rule of law. If his supporters fail to see this, they are as entitled to live in denial as the president is entitled to nurture his chimera. However, the real battle over the conference will begin soon, going by how adeptly Dr Jonathan has prepared booby traps for Nigerians over the conference. First, he concocted the confer-

ence as a distraction, in spite of his tame denial, and designed it to raise political capital for himself for the 2015 polls. Second, as the most divisive president Nigeria has ever had, he is prepared to further divide Nigerians over the conference reports. He has said he will implement the conference recommendations that relate to policy matters, though his record in policy implementation and substantial reforms is questionable, and pass the constitutional recommendations, which are of course the most crucial of the conference’s three objectives, to the National Assembly. But both he and his voluble conference supporters, including jubilant and impetuous delegates, have already begun to insinuate that it would be unpatriotic for lawmakers to amend the recommendations substantially. Indeed, without legal basis, they even brusquely suggest that a referendum and a complete bypass of the legislature would not be out of place, irrespective of the fact that the legislature is already amending the constitution.

How Dr Jonathan’s handpicked delegates can arrogate to themselves the supreme wisdom of knowing what we want, press ahead to suggest a silly, indefensible six-year tenure for the executive, and foolishly inspire the creation of 18 more states to compel acquiescence, all speak to their Nigerianness, if not Africanness, as a people without discipline, moderation, restraint, vision and commonsensical tolerance of the opposition. And with the collapse of the Labour Party, as witnessed in Ondo State, and also APGA in the Southeast into the PDP, the stage seems set for the massive betrayal and destruction of Nigeria by its short-sighted and ingratiating political elite. We owe it to future generations not to let them.

Ribadu’s defection and sameness of political parties defections of personalities like Femi Fani-Kayode and Ali Modu Sheriff into the progressive fold, when in fact there was and still is nothing progressive about the two politicians. More importantly, many leading APC men have also defected to the PDP with so much pianissimo calmness and distinctive élan.

But perhaps the most vociferous proponents of the PDP/APC sameness theory are leaders of the Southwest factional elite opposed to the APC leadership. They argue, and have convinced themselves and others, that even if the APC is progressive, a fact they now dispute animatedly, it is after all not the only progressive party in the country. In fact, given the loathing which that factional elite nurse against the APC, they are more than prepared to dismiss the party as an impostor deserving of extirpation by the Jonathan forces. Recall that that factional elite lost the power struggle in the Southwest between 2003 and now, and have tried futilely to win back its position, if need be, in alliance with either the most odious characters in the region or the devil himself. The region’s, and by extrapolation, the national ideological conflict between progressivism and conservatism

Smirky Jonathan takes on conference sceptics

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan and his supporters are wildly exultant about the outcome of the national conference. In particular, the president has been irritably unsparing of his foes, whom he mocked furiously when he gave his remarks during the submission of the conference reports last Thursday. As far as he was concerned the conference succeeded, as he put it triumphantly, partly because he did not meddle in its deliberations and could not have meddled since he had no ulterior motives.

Many trusting Nigerians, chiefly some voluble Southwest delegates who are battling their own private demons, echo the falsehood. The chairman of the conference, Idris Legbo Kutigi, a former Supreme Court justice, is however more restrained and magisterial, but Professor Bolaji Akinyemi even proffers reasons for what he described as the conference’s success.

As a conference sceptic, and a proud one at that, one who unrepentantly distrusts Dr Jonathan’s motives, not to talk of his unprincipled conviction about and disinterestedness in the finer principles and building blocks of democracy, I find it difficult to explain the conference supporters’ hasty celebration. I do not understand why they are celebrating the very first step in the life of this boondoggle, as if all other conferences held since the 1970s miscarried during the discussions stage. Nor am I aware that conference sceptics predicted that the Jonathan conference would miscarry at the discussions stage, seeing that the delegates whose deliberations Dr Jonathan has falsely insinuated altruism, were handpicked.

Dr Jonathan’s remarks show the depth of the problem confronting Nigeria. He has never been presidential in his approach to governance, and his statements have always been both uninspiring and inappropriate. In Thursday’s remarks, he spoke again with the boyish vendetta he is accustomed to, mocking and ridiculing his opponents, and failing to address their fears

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