The Nation Dec. 04 2011

OJUKWU EXCLUSIVE ‘I was his orderly in Kano in 1965’ ‘My life as his first wife’ ‘He never bowed knee in surrender’ –SPECIAL REPORT

–Pages 17-26

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Vol.06, No. 1963

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

SUNDAY

DECEMBER 4, 2011

N200.00

Boko Haram

My son is mentally ill, says father of jailed spokesman Apologises to Senator Ali Ndume, Pindar SSS dismisses claim on Konduga's health

T

HE ongoing trial of some suspected sponsors of Boko Haram took a dramatic turn yesterday when Alhaji Sanda Konduga, the father of the convicted spokesman of the group, Ali Sanda Umar Konduga (a.k.a Usman Al-Zawahiri), said his son is mentally ill.

Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operations

He also apologised to Senator Ali Ndume and the late Saidu Pindar for allegedly being labelled as sponsors of Boko Haram by his son.

However, the State Security

Service (SSS) faulted the claim of the father and maintained that Nigerians are not fooled by his story.

The SSS said it stands by the outcome of its investigations which had been made public before Ndume and Ali Konduga were arraigned in court.

The father of the convicted suspect, Sanda Konduga, made his position known at a briefing at Nackovad Hotel in Abuja against the backdrop of the ongoing trial of his son.

Sanda Konduga, who a former leader of the Great Nigeria

Continued on Page 4

SOKOTO Northern govs dare Jonathan over Wamakko –Page 6

Kogi: Audu alleges plot to falsify result ACN wins Kogi Central, Lokoja, Yagba West PDP wins Okehi and Ogori/Mangongo West Shooting, thuggery mar peaceful polls

T Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) gubernatorial candidate, Abubakar Audu cast his vote at the polling station, yesterday

HE governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria(ACN), Prince Abubakar Audu has raised alarm over an alleged plot by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to force the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials to compile results in Government House Lokoja in favour of the PDP. He appealed to INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega to avert the desperate bid by the PDP to hijack the process of collating results from electoral officers.

FROM: Yusuf Alli, Mohammed Bashir and Joseph Jibueze

He alleged that the state government was offering about N2billion to bribe unnamed

Continued on Page 5

NYSC CERTIFICATE SCAM

Court dismisses suit against Petroleum Minister –Page 4

2

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2011

IN OTHER WORDS

“In politics there is no neutrality. I want people to realise that there are two entities that you cannot fight, God and the government. It has happened to me. If you don’t know it, you are a fool.”

Former Bayelsa State Governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, explaining that Governor Timipre Sylva is chasing a lost cause in his bid to win the state’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial ticket.

UNDONE BY CROTCH ITCH United States Republican Party presidential aspirant, Herman Cain, suspended his campaign yesterday after a succession of sex scandals undid his hitherto high-flying campaign.

WEEK NOTES And these also happened!

DUMMY OF THE WEEK. A man who tried to hold up a bank that closed 17 years ago has been jailed for seven years, in what the Bild newspaper has called the case of “Germany’s dumbest bank robber” The regional court in the western city of Osnabrueck said the defendant, identified only as 57-year-old Siegfried K., arrived at the bank branch, now equipped only with cash machines, with a toy gun in May. He seized a female “hostage” in the lobby of the building to demand a 10,000euro ($13,483) ransom from

bank employees.

“This plan failed however due to the fact that the building has not held a bank for more than a decade but rather a physiotherapy practice,” the court said in a statement.

Bild said the bank had moved out 17 years ago.

“After the defendant recognised the situation, he changed his plan and demanded a passer-by withdraw money from the cash machine,” the court said.

“She withdrew 400 euros and the defendant made off with the cash in a car he had stolen.” He later abandoned the vehicle but left the plastic

pistol, covered with his fingerprints, between the seats.

The court said Siegfried K. had confessed to the robbery and judges handed down a seven-year sentence on Tuesday due to 22 previous convictions over the last 40 years.

PERVERT OF THE WEEK. A Zimbabwean man who called for a prostitute to come to his hotel room said he collapsed to the floor when his daughter showed up.

Father-of-three Titus Ncube of Bulawayo said he called for a prostitute to come

to the hotel room in which he was staying while having marital problems and was shocked when his 20-year-old daughter arrived, British tabloid The Mirror reported Friday.

Ncube said he collapsed to floor upon recognizing his daughter, who quickly fled, crying. “I am sorry for what I did,” Ncube said. “I spoke to my wife and daughter. I apologized for my actions as I just wanted my family back.

My daughter has stopped doing what she was doing and is going back to school next year. My marital problems are not over, but we have a counselor who is helping us to get over this most difficult period.”

Ncube’s wife, Rosemary, agreed their marriage was troubled. “If it were not for my children, I could have divorced him a long time ago.

But because of the trauma that divorce has on children, I decided to stay,” she said.

SHOOTER OF THE WEEK. A bird hunter in Utah was shot in the buttocks after his dog stepped on a shotgun laid across the bow of a boat.

Box Elder County Sheriff’s Deputy Kevin Potter says the 46-year-old Brigham City man was duck hunting with a friend 10 miles west of the city when he climbed out of the boat to move decoys.

Potter says the man left his 12-gauge shotgun in the boat and the dog stepped on it, causing it to fire. It wasn’t clear whether the safety on the gun was on at the time.

A report on KSL.com said the men called 911 and walked to the main road to wait for emergency crews. Potter says the man was hit from about 10 feet away. He says the man

wasn’t seriously injured, in part because he was wearing waders.

The Salt Lake City Tribune said the wounded hunter was transported to Brigham City Community Hospital about 9 a.m. Sunday, where doctors removed 27 pellets of birdshot.

JOKE OF THE WEEK. A 7year-old boy has been accused of sexual harassment after punching a fellow first-grader in the groin, but the boy’s mother says he was acting in self-defense.

Tasha Lynch told The Boston Globe that her son, Mark Curran, was being choked during the Nov. 22 incident on a school bus, and has been afraid to go back to school in South Boston ever since.

“I think my kid was right to fight back [after he was choked],’’ she said. “He wasn’t

“If we are going to be honest with ourselves, the only Excellency I know is the Almighty. You cannot be excellent before performance.” Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, explaining his reasons for renouncing the use of the lordly “Your Excellency” title and settling for the less impressive “Ogbeni.” doing anything except protecting himself.’’

A spokesman for the Boston public schools confirmed the incident had been classified as possible sexual harassment, but declined to comment it.

Curran faces suspension or being transferred to another school if his actions are deemed to be sexual harassment, according to a letter from his school.

“Any kind of inappropriate touching would fall under that category,’’ school spokesman Matthew Wilder said to The Globe. “The school administration is conducting a full investigation that has not concluded yet.

Certainly, once that investigation is through, we’ll then make a final conclusion as to who will be disciplined and how.’’

NOTA BENE Too much Paracetamol can kill

Victims of ‘staggered’ overdoses often fail to realise the amount they are taking could be fatal over a few days, they say.

Experts have also pointed out, however, that many of us will be taking paracetamol or combination remedies containing the drug this winter to combat colds and flu, and that it is a safe and effective painkiller when the correct amount is taken. Eight 500mg tablets a day – the equivalent of 4g – should be

the maximum daily dose.

In the study, a team led by Dr Kenneth Simpson analysed data from 663 patients who had been admitted to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary between 1992 and 2008 with liver damage caused by paracetamol.

Normal quantities of the drug are broken down harmlessly by the body but excessive amounts can accumulate in the liver, leading to irreversible damage.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2011

Column

The publisher as icon N

OW that the hypocritical mob has receded, and since the protocol of sympathetic undertakers are back in their caves, it is time to praise Alex Ibru before he is buried. With the death of The Guardian’s esteemed publisher last month, the nation has lost one of the most intriguing and remarkable figures thrown up by the military incursion into Nigerian politics. Ages and epochs normally define people. But there are exceptional individuals who define their age, who steer the tumultuous and tempestuous course of history by stamping on it the badge of their powerful personality or powerful ideas.

Alex Ibru was one of these.

He was very much a product of military rule in Nigeria. But while being defined by the incubus, the trajectory of his career as publisher and public figure also defined for us the essential nature of military rule. The jury is still out on the overall benefits to the nation of that military irruption in the Nigerian project. There are many who hold on firmly to the belief that whatever their failings and shortcomings, there would have been no Nigeria as we know it today without military intervention. And yet there are many others who believe that most of the nation-disabling ailments that beset contemporary Nigeria, particularly the absence of genuine federalism, can be traced to military rule.

Ibru was a young man of twenty in 1966 when the military first struck. By the time he was twenty seven, he had, by his own admission, made so much money that he could afford not to work again for the rest of his life. The extent of that vast wealth could be measured by the fact that Alex Ibru famously bought five Rolls Royce luxury cars in one single day for himself and his beloved brothers.

This is as Croesus-like as it can get.

Thereafter, Ibru could afford to live and lap it up like most members of Nigeria’s idle and indolent monied class. Ibru could have shunned the volatile, high risk and capital intensive world of publishing and put his money in the old stock market watching over a cup of oriental tea as the returns rolled in. But this was precisely where the departed publishing icon made the difference. There are moments in a nation’s life crying for the visionary narrative of its political and social realities. This was the moment of The Guardian. It was also the moment of Alex Urueme Ibru.

To be sure before Ibru, there were privately owned newspapers in post-independence Nigeria. Olu Aboderin’s The Punch fought a courageous and dogged battle against civilian despotism. The Tribune waged a valiant and adversarial campaign against what its owner and illustrious founder considered to be an attempt at a forcible homogenization of the Nigerian ruling elite by the feudal/military complex. The regionally owned New Nigeria showed class and sparks of brilliance in the defence of its regional agenda.

But despite all these efforts, Nigeria was in danger of becoming a one-paper state. The Daily Times loomed large and had lapsed into sinecure idiocies and barely disguised partisanship in defence of the indefensible status quo.

Given the enormous resources accruing to it and the visionary innovations of its former chairman.

Alhaji Babatunde Jose, it was going to be a tough act to follow not to talk of challenge.

For readers to appreciate the gravity of the situation, let us throw

•Alex Ibru

in a bit of personal history. The writer had put in an application to The Daily Times in response to an advertisement for graduate staff writers. The application was given a short shrift and was not even acknowledged. When snooper complained bitterly to a very famous Nigerian writer about this kind of treatment, the writer generously and graciously asked him to name him as a referee.

But this was to cut no ice with the Daily Times dinosaurs. After about six months and in a fit of rebellious rage, snooper decided to visit the Kakawa office of the newspaper to find out what on earth was going on. He was directed to a dingy and badly lit office where a middle-aged man sat decaying among decaying files. The applications were “pending” and since they were from highly trained people, they could not be “lightly treated”, whatever that means, noted the Kangaroo of Kakawa.

Snooper noted there and then that the Daily Times was beyond soap and water and that Nigerian journalism would have to be conquered from the top in a strategic war of position which involved sustained attrition. Probably unknown to Alex Ibru, the appearance of The Guardian helped in the eventual demolition of the ancien regime of Nigerian journalism and its corrupt and decadent regimen. By helping to give voice to the voiceless and by helping to nurture the brief intellectual renaissance of his beloved country, Alex Ibru should be seen as a major historical figure in the cultural evolution of contemporary Nigeria. This would be so even if he had not held political office.

In scope and size of ambition, The Guardian was conceived on a visionary scale which dwarfed all former efforts. There was a breathtaking conceit to its execution. It was a true flagship of journalism.

Sooner or later, you will read The Guardian, its flagship promo advert proclaimed. Its driving motto was anchored on a priceless dictum controversially attributed to Shehu Uthman Dan Fodio, the revered Islamic scholar and founder of the Sokoto caliphate.

Indeed much sooner than later, everybody was reading The Guardian. It was the greatest collection of literary and journalistic talents ever assembled in the history of the country; a moveable intellectual feast of the best and the brightest. Ibru was lucky in his choice of Stanley Macebuh as the

pioneering avatar. It was a case of capital with class meeting intellectual capital with greater class, and of a creative collaboration at the summit of human imagination.

Macebuh, a scholar and intellectual of distinction who had written two form i d a b l e books on J a m e s Baldwin, was as cosmopolitan and detribalized as they ever came. He was a head-hunter of genius and could sit down and joust with anybody as long as you belong to the intellectual aristocracy. Macebuh’s stint at the Daily Times had ended on a deflating and unhappy note. He had returned to Umaru Dikko’s office to pick a forgotten item only to find the Commander of the Rice Armada, red biro in hand, doing justice to an editorial Stanley had just passed for final publication. In the zero-sum game of the Second Republic, an editorial was too important to be left to editorialists no matter their pedigree. Let them go back to Yale.

It was a tribute to Macebuh’s indomitable spirit and irrepressible zest that he put this unfortunate fiasco behind him and concentrated his exceptional intellectual and managerial skills into turning the Guardian of his dream to the Guardian of reality. He succeeded beyond his wildest imagination.

Within a short time, the Guardian premises become a Mecca of sorts and the preferred destination of footloose intelligentsia. A demographic shift was also under way.

S

3

nooping around With

Tatalo Alamu Alex Ibru was always there, with his calm, unflappable self-assurance; his self-effacing and dignified mien. He was a natural aristocrat among men. In his immaculate white apparel and like a superior version of the great Gatsby, there will always be something mysterious about a man with money who is also gifted with exquisite manners. On a rare visit to the Guardian, snooper remembers being ushered into his presence in a commodious but sparsely furnished office

by Yemi Ogunbiyi. Ibru was as polite and courteous as he was solicitous of one’s wellbeing.

But guns and goons were fast approaching. Complexities and contradictions abound. It is fine and dandy to proclaim the philosophy of liberalism, of tolerance and respect for diversity of political creed.

But within the context of illiberal politics powered by an illiberal political economy and sustained by an illiberal political class, this was the equivalent of a suicide note.

When liberal levitating collided with the Leviathan of authoritarian reality, something was bound to kiss the dust.

The Guardian’s first dose of reality came not long afterwards.

There were many who believed that in the tragic aftermath of the rigged 1983 elections, the Guardian stalled and stonewalled in a guarded complicity with the status quo rather than rallying for liberal democracy.

The ensuing military coup liquidated the arguments in favour of those against the status quo.

A greater and more severe test came precisely ten years after in 1993 in the wake of the annulment of the June 12 presidential election, the proclamation of an interim government and the return of the military. Alex Ibru himself for the very first time in his life threw his hat in the ring by taking up politi-

cal appointment as the Interior Minister in General Abacha’s administration. It was obvious that the military, like the proverbial cynic who knows the price of everything but the value of nothing, saw the power and possibility of The Guardian and wanted to blunt this by personally neutralizing its publisher.

It all ended in a tragic fiasco.

No one is sure of what information Alex Ibru was in possession of. But it is one thing to take economic risks with capital, it is another to take political risks with capital fellows. One morning, General Abacha summarily and peremptorily dismissed his entire cabinet. Soon afterwards, a brutal attempt was made on Alex Ibru’s life from which he barely escaped.

It was obviously a traumatic and traumatizing experience. Thereafter, Ibru retreated behind a wall of deep spirituality and taciturn introspection.

The toll has been prohibitive.

Many of his loyal subordinates were collaterally damaged and were to suffer alienation, exile and dire impoverishment. The Guardian itself is yet to recover its old lustre and swashbuckling panache.

But we must always focus on the larger picture, despite the personal pains. In the last thirty years since the advent of The Guardian, power in Nigeria has taken quite a mauling in the hands of the pen.

It is a profound irony that it is an Alex Ibru who was himself a product of military rule who has wittingly and unwittingly contributed so much to the unraveling and demystification of military rule in Nigeria. This is the lasting legacy we salute and celebrate and the historic monument he has bequeathed his beloved country, despite the errors and costly misjudgement.

May Alex Ibru rest in peace.

The man with the map

A

S Nigeria continues to flounder in a cesspit of corruption and inept federal governance, one is more and more convinced that something will have to give in these climes eventually.

Nobody is sure of what it will be like, but it is clear that a hundred and fifty million hopeless and hapless souls cannot continue to be ruled in this abysmal and lackadaisical manner without an appointment with fate. The choices are stark and unambiguous: it is either we have a radical reconstruction of the state or a revolutionary reconfiguration of the nation-state itself.

Since a desperate disease requires a desperate remedy, men and women of passion and intellect are astir pondering on possible solutions to the twin crisis of the state and nation-hood. Nigerians are already holding an unofficial national dialogue among themselves about the way forward. Everywhere they gather these days, the fate of the nation bestirs the conscience and consciousness of affronted patriots.

In the old west, the notion of regional integration within the context of a strong and united Nigeria appears to be the emerging

consensus. Snooper spent the whole of Tuesday morning jousting with the energetic and phenomenally focused governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, about the way forward. As usual, Aregbesola has very clear and welltested ideas about how to transform his strategically positioned domain into a technological hub and food basket for the entire region. At a point in the conversation, Aregbesola even brought in his Cuban-trained scientist son to contribute to the discussion. The young shall grow indeed.

Snooper can now reveal that the Osun state government has concluded arrangement to award the contract for the Gbongan-Ijebu Igbo Road. This will not only open up the old Area Five, its great farm products and unbelievable wild life, but it will also relieve the current route to Lagos and its arterial strangulation. In the fifties, it was from this last frontier that elephants trudged all the way to drink at the banks of the Osun river on the old Ife Ibadan route. But for the inconvenience of modernity, the same belt extends to what is now known as Igbo Elerin (the forest of elephants) in the current Oyo state.

This was the preferred route of those ancient Yoruba warriors of the defunct Oyo Empire as they traversed and put the entire territory under surveillance using the old Yoruba magic of kanako or routecontractor. With kanako, a journey of three days took only a day.

Snooper himself in an earlier incarnation as a travelling shaman spent some time in the area eating rhinoceros meat and sowing his wild oats between Ogudu and Iyanfoworogi on the loop from Owu to Garage Olode on the border of the current Ondo state.

Snooper is happy to go native. Perhaps what Nigeria and the Black person need most at this point in time is a novel and revolutionary redefinition of the state as we know it, thus putting the west to shame as it seeks to extend its dominion over us using the antiquated paradigm of the old nation-state. The nation-state is not an eternal verity but a construct of imperialist power using hegemonic knowledge. In the coming weeks in this column, snooper will elaborate on the concept of dual and concentric sovereignty as a possible solution to our continental crisis of nationhood.

NEWS

4

THE NATION ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 4, 2011

NYSC certificate scam: Court dismisses suit against Petroleum Minister A

FEDERAL High Court in Abuja at the weekend dismissed a suit seeking to nullify the appointment of the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke, into the Federal Executive Council for allegedly not having either a NYSC certificate of service or a valid certificate of exemption.

The plaintiffs, Messrs Makelemi Erhuvwurotu and a non-governmental organization, Afri Network for Environmental and Economic Justice had asked the court to stop President Goodluck Jonathan from appointing her as a minister.

The aggrieved parties had on June 28, 2011 filed the suit to pre-empt the screening of the minister by the Senate.

They asked the court to determine the following: *whether President Jonathan was entitled to employ the first defendant as a minister without obtaining an NYSC certificate of service or a valid certificate of exemption *the validity of the certificate of exemption in her possession; * whether her securing employment in the private and public sector in Nigeria without obtaining a valid certificate of exemption from the NYSC as required by law, did not amount to the commission of a criminal offence under Section 13 of the NYSC Act. They also sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining President Jonathan from employing Mrs. Allison-Madueke as a minister in breach of the provisions of section 12 [1] of the NYSC Act. They asked for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Senate from confirming her nomination without obtaining her certificate of national service or a valid exemption certificate, and an order setting aside or nullifying the certificate of exemption from service in her possession.

The first plaintiff, Mr. Makelemi Erhuvwutotu had averred that Mrs. AllisonMadueke committed a criminal offence contrary to Section 13 of the NYSC Act by failing to report for service or make herself available for service as required by law.

He said having been born on December 6, 1960, the Minister, who attended the Howard University Washington DC, USA, between 1983 and 1987, graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture degree at the age of 27.

He said the minister was below the age of 30 years as at the date of her graduation from the university, and had

From: Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

not served in the armed forces of the federation or Nigeria Police for any period, nor had she been conferred with any national honours as at 1987.

But an uncle to the minister, Chief Ereprefa Nelson Porbeni, averred that the curriculum vitae presented by the minister to the Senate for the screening exercise was authentic.

He said: “I know that the 1st defendant studied Architecture at the Howard University, Washington DC between 1983 and 1987.

“Although the course of study was concluded in 1987, as a result of the inability to fulfil a financial condition for the award of the Bachelor of Architecture degree, her graduation and award of degree was delayed till 1992, when the said condition was met and the Bachelor of Architecture Degree was awarded to the 1st defendant.

“Upon her return to Nigeria in 1993, the 1st defendant sought and received advice to the effect that having been born on the 6th of December 1960 and considering that her degree in Architecture was obtained in 1992 when she was already 32 years old, she was ineligible for national service.

“The National Youth Service Corps Directorate never called her up for national service on account of the facts averred in the immediate preceding paragraph.

Absolutely no instrument was served on her. The Directorate of National Youth Serv-

ice Corps [NYSC] through its counsel, Mr. Etigwe Uwa [SAN], who also defended the minister, confirmed that an exemption certificate dated June 25, 2007 and signed by the Director General of the Corps was issued to Mrs. Allison-Madueke on

grounds of age. “ The judge awarded N150, 000 as costs against the plaintiffs in favour of Mrs. Allison-Madueke and the NYSC, first and sixth defendants in the suit.

He also asked the plain-

tiffs to pay N75, 000 to President Jonathan, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, who were the second, third and fourth defendants respectively

• Cars drive past a campaign poster for United Russia in the center of the Russian city of Yekaterinburg yesterday as Russians go to the polls today for a parliamentary election in which Vladimir Putin’s United Russia is likely to have its huge parliamentary majority reduced. Poster reads ‘’Together we will win!’’

Photo: Reuters

My son is mentally ill, says father of jailed spokesman •Continued from Page 1 Peoples Party (GNPP) in the House of Representatives between 1979 and 1983, said his son was never a member of the Boko Haram sect.

According to him, “My family and I received with deep shock the news of the arrest of my son, Ali Sanda Konduga, his arraignment and subsequent conviction on the 22nd November 2011 by an Abuja Magistrate's Court.

“Ordinarily, we thought he will face a trial with counsel representation for us to explain the unfortunate circumstances surrounding his mental health.

“Ali Sanda Konduga since his childhood has faced mental challenges. It is unfortunate that we now find ourselves in this situation. We shall therefore appeal against this judgment.

“We want to seize this opportunity to apologise to Senator Ali Ndume, the late Ambassador Saidu Pindar's family and the entire leaders of Borno State for the pain and embarrassment caused on account of the purported claims of my son.

“We plead for understanding of all as we strive

to ensure the review of his unfortunate and improper conviction without a counsel representation.”

But the briefing was laden with drama following probing questions from newsmen on the nature of the mental challenge and the psychiatric hospital where the detained Boko Haram suspect (Ali Sanda Konduga) was treated in the past.

At a point, the father of the suspect almost lost his temper over a question from a reporter but he quickly maintained that he stood by his claim on the mental challenge of his son.

He said: “You know that there are grades of mental state. Some will go naked if they have mental challenge; others will lose their sense or mind. But in the case of my son, he is always withdrawn to himself. Sometimes, you will see him sitting down with only his radio.

“Insanity is in groups or classes. I have not taken him to any hospital. My son has not committed something which will take him to psychiatrists.”

Pressed further, the aged father said: “My son has fin-

ished secondary school but he keeps to himself. Based on that, no matter the condition, my son is my son.

On the confession of his son that he has been a member of Boko Haram, he added: “I have never known my son with such involvement. Even the Boko Haram came out clearly that he was not one of their members.

“Nobody told me that he was arrested. I saw him on the TV screen that was how I became aware of his arrest.”

Asked why it will take a father such a long time to know about the arrest of his son, he said: “Ever since he was born, he never spent a single night in my house. He is not with me, he lives in the GRA. He often visits our house and goes to his step mother.

“My wife has a mental weakness; it was the mental weakness that divided (separated) us. My son must have taken the weakness from her. It was three months after our divorce that she gave birth to Ali Sanda Konduga. She gave the boy to my senior sister.

He has been staying with my senior sister and her family since then. Even when my

senior sister died, he has remained with the family.

In its reaction, the State Security Service (SSS) said the story of the father was far off the outcome of its investigations and the confessions of his son.

The SSS spoke through its Assistant Director, Merryln Ogar in Abuja shortly after the briefing by the father.

Ogar said: "Nigerians are not fools. Since November 3, 2011 that the "son" was picked up, why has the socalled father not visited him at least once to show that fatherly love and concern?

At what point did the "son" become insane?

“After he(the son), as spokesman, had announced Boko Haram's owning up to the bombings of Police Headquarters and the UN House, the father did not come out then to tell Nigerians to discountenance the "son's" claims because he was "insane".

“A former GNPP leader in a legislative house , as the so-called father claims, addressed a press conference in an Abuja hotel in impeccable English but could not train the "son" to answer questions both at a press

conference and at court in English.

"When Ali Konduga appeared in court the three lawyers that represented him and Senator Ali Ndume were neither SSS lawyers nor hired for them by the Service.

“It is on record that these counsel put up spirited defence for their clients throughout the court session. As the second accused, he voluntarily pleaded guilty, and at the court's prompting for clarity, he repeated the guilty plea twice.

So what is this "father" talking about access to independent counsel? Nigerians are not fools. They know where this is coming from."

The briefing of Ali Konduga's father came against the backdrop of the uncovering of new lead by the SSS which implicated the suspect of alleged involvement in the bombing of the UN House and the Police Headquarters.

Ali Konduga had two weeks ago fingered Ndume as one of the sponsors of the Boko Haram sect leading to the arraignment of the two before an Abuja Chief Magistrate's Court for criminal intimidation.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 4, 2011

News

5

KOGI GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION

• Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate, Idris Wada casting his vote yesterday

• Voters queuing to cast their votes

Kogi poll: Audu raises alarm over plot to falsify result •Continued from Page 1 officials to secure victory at all cost.

Audu, who spoke on phone from his Alloma country home, said: “From the feelers from various stations, the ACN is coasting to victory. But the most disturbing signal is the plot by the state government to force INEC officials to collate results in Government House, Lokoja in favour of the PDP. “We have intelligence report on the ongoing compilation of fake results in Government House following the imminent defeat of the PDP. “I want to appeal to Prof.

Jega to pay attention to the process of compilation of results. These people are just desperate; they do not want our votes to count.”

But a top INEC official said: “The INEC chairman just returned this evening from Kogi State to monitor the election. We are committed to a transparent process and we will ensure this.

“We have also advised

parties to ensure that all their agents monitor every process from the ward level to local government and the state levels. They should keep records of all returns.”

However, with results being collated last night, both the PDP and the ACN are claiming victory.

It was unclear which party was in the lead, although sources said the ACN has the upper hand in most local government areas of the state.

As at the time of filing this report, results of the 21 local government areas of the state were being collated.

Latest update indicate that ACN won in Kogi Central, Adavi, Lokoja, Yagba West, Ijumu East, Ofu, Ankpa and Olamaboro while PDP has won in Okehi and Ogori/ Mangongo.

Most likely, the final result will be announced today.

INEC spokesman in Kogi, Mr Ahmed Bagudu said: “The stage is set for the announcement of result. We are now waiting for the total re-

Wada: Election not do-or-die affair

P

EOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Kogi State, Captain Idris Wada yesterday said victory in the election was not a door-die affair for him.

He lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying “everything” about the election “has been orderly.”

Wada cast his vote at exactly 12.40 at Unit 001, Ogboyaga Odu Ward 1, Dekina Local Government Area.

Asked if he was confident of victory, he said: “For me this is not a do-or-die affair. I have offered myself for service of our people.

“If it is the will of God, I will be successful. We worked very hard in our campaign. We went round all the local government areas.

“We had a very clear

From Mohammed Bashir and Joseph Jibueze, Lokoja

and purposeful message to the electorate. Our manifesto is very clear on our programmes to improve the lives of the people.

“So, with that, and with the reception we got from all over the place, we are very confident that we will be well-received by the people.”

On the conduct of the election, he said: “Everything has been orderly and organised. People have been waiting patiently in lines to perform their civic duties.

Wada wished his opponents well, adding that the best candidate should win.

“Some of the other candidates are my friends. We are all offering ourselves for service. I wish everyone of them good luck. May the best man win.”

sult from local government areas.”

Asked if the result would be announced today, he said: “I cannot say, because a result from a particular ward in a difficult terrain could delay the entire announcement.”

Commenting on the conflicting claims of victory by the parties, he said: “I am not aware of even a result of a single polling unit.”

The election was held yesterday without major incidents of violence. Observers scored the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) high.

Voters turned out in large numbers at various polling units across the state. They queued patiently in the sun waiting to be accredited. Accreditation began at 8am, with impressive turnout of early voters. By 12 noon, actual voting began.

In Lokoja, the state capital, voting materials arrived promptly, while there were reports of late arrival of material in several units outside Lokoja.

For instance, voters waited for hours in some polling centres at Ayigba in Dekina Local Government Area for materials to arrive.

As at 11am, voting materials were yet to reach some units, but the people were undeterred.

Also, election materials for Ejule and Ala wards in Ofu Local Government Area were reported to have left the

INEC office in the morning but did not reach the centres in time.

Spokesman of ACN governorship candidate Sanni Onogu said the materials were “also not in transit by our findings.”

Ballot boxes for Akwaja 1 in Idah Local Government Area also did not arrive as at 11am.

There was an allegation that the PDP was conniving with some INEC officials to write results on a separate sheet “in case anything goes wrong.”

But INEC spokesman in Kogi, Mr Ahmed Bagudu said the allegation was unfounded.

“Have they seen the other result sheet? This is a physical matter. It’s a mere rumour.

It’s not true. All agents of political parties have been on hand to monitor and observe what has been happening. It is very improper for someone to start casting aspersions on INEC,” Bagudu said.

He however said the information would be thoroughly investigated.

He said the commission was determined to ensure the election reflect the true wishes of the people.

With thousands of security agents deployed, security was tight across the state.

To ensure there was no violence, a police helicopter was seen hovering in the air.

Roadblocks were mounted by armed mobile

policemen and soldiers on highways and in towns to enforce the restriction of movement and maintain the peace. Only those on election duties were allowed free passage. Vehicles were subject to thorough searches.

In many units, particularly those in Lokoja, there were at least two policemen stationed, as well as men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and others.

But again, in some polling units in remote places, there were no policemen.

For instance, in Unit 003 of Ogbaloto Odu Ward 1 in Dekina, no police officer was attached to the unit. Only a prison warder and an NSCDC official were seen there.

And despite INEC’s claim that it had enough personnel for the poll, the unit had only one female Presiding Officer (PO). There were no polling clerks or assistants to support her.

She was virtually swarmed with a large number of voters waiting to get accredited. That was at 11am.

Bagudu said security officers were deployed more to areas considered as flashpoints.

On seeming shortage of staff, he explained that more personnel were sent to places with a high number of registered voters.

Independent observers

from the Transition Monitoring Group who spoke to The Nation, Miss Grace Adegbe and Omale Obaka, said the polls were largely successful despite the hitches.

Amid reports of peaceful conduct of the governorship election in Kogi State yesterday, there were reports of sporadic shooting by suspected thugs in Dekina town.

The gunshots went off opposite a police station, The Nation learnt.

No death was reported.

A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain was alleged to have disrupted voting in a ward in Agudoko and a polling unit in Ajibedo, all in Dekina.

Another PDP chieftain said to be sympathetic to the party’s former governorship candidate, Isah Jibrin Echocho allegedly disrupted voting in a ward in Ogbagbede.

Near a polling unit in Inibuomomo, Akakana/ Ayede ward, Bassa Local Government Area in the eastern senatorial district, a PDP chieftain allegedly attempted to burn a makeshift bridge.

Political parties’ agents traded words over harassment by thugs in Ogbonicha, Igoh, Aloma in Ofu Local Government.

In Yagba East, voters were allegedly intimidated particularly at Igbagun Ward 4. At Idor, voting was said to be rowdy.

Police abandoned us, says Audu

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CTION Congress of N i g e r i a (ACN)governorship candidate in Kogi State, Prince Abubakar Audu yesterday accused the police of abandoning their duties during the election.

He expressed confidence that the people have expressed their wishes through their votes despite hitches.

Audu, who cast his vote at about 1pm in his village in Ogbonicha, Ofu Local Government Area, said he is ready to give quality service if announced winner.

He said: “People today

From Joseph Jibueze, Lokoja and Mohammed Bashir

turned out en mass to express their displeasure against nine years of inept governance in the state. The state has been sleeping because the present government has not added anything in terms of infrastructural development since I left office in 2003.

“I believe the people will today keep a date with history by rejecting them, by throwing them out with their votes. The people have suffered enough.

“By the special grace of God, if I am voted into power, I will make sure we regain rapidly the lost glory, because it saddens my heart and the heart of all wellmeaning Kogites to see Kogi dying.

“Why am I saying that the state is dying? It is because there is no road, no water, no hospital, no education.

“It is where I left Kogi in 2003, that is the place you find it today in spite of the improvement in their statutory allocation.”

Audu said he was not

completely satisfied with the conduct of some security agents in the election.

“The police have abandoned us completely. I don’t know if it is an oversight on their part. It may be a conspiracy between them and the PDP so that the thugs can have a field day.

“But whatever they are doing will fail. We hear they are snatching ballot boxes all over the state. But they will fail.

“They know they have lost but they want to cause some havoc. But God will disappoint them.”

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 4, 2011

News

Sokoto: Jonathan bows to Northern govs, over moves to drop Wamakko

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has bowed to the demand of the Northern governors not to interfere in the forthcoming Governorship Primary Election in Sokoto State.

It was also learnt that the President has called Governor Aliyu Magartakada Wamakko and denied having hands in the plot to deny him a second term ticket.

But findings have confirmed that the immediate past Minister , Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman was sacked on Friday for failing to meet up with the deadline given to him to resign.

The governor is slugging for governorship ticket with Senator Abubakar Gada and Suleiman.

Although Yusuf obtained his nomination form on Wednesday, he is being touted as the ‘anointed’ candidate of the presidency.

Investigation by our correspondent showed that Northern governors are insisting on the agreement reached with them by the President before the last general elections.

The agreement had bordered on automatic second term ticket for all the governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

It was learnt that the Northern governors are also worried about the security implications of dropping Wamakko at a time the North has been held hostage by Boko Haram sect.

According to a reliable source, the Northern governors have made their feelings known to both the President and the leadership of the PDP. The source added: “At a meeting of some of the governors during the week in Abuja, one of them said: ‘I don’t think Sylva’s treatment can work in any part of the North, we should save ourselves unnecessary crisis.’

“The governors might also make their views known publicly on this issue in the next few days.”

But a reliable source in the presidencvy, who spoke in confidence, said: “The President has no anointed candidate for Sokoto Governorship Primary Election.

•Why ex-Minister of Sports was sacked by Jonathan From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

“When pressure kept on mounting over Wamakko’s candidacy, the President was worried because he does not have preference for any candidate.

“In fact, there were security reports that a governor from a volatile North-West state is the arrowhead of anti-Jonathan’s sentiments in the region for the sake of Wamakko.

“But the Presiudent has taken time to explain tpo Wamakko that he is not planning to work against his reelection. He placed a call to the governor.

“To show his commitment to a free and fair process, the Presiudent has also made his position known that he is not anti-Wamakko. He also said he cannot allow his administration to be distracted by political violence in the North-West.”

On why the ex-Minister of Sports was sacked, the source added: “The President took the decision to relieve Yusuf Suleiman of his appointment because he could not meet up with the 2pm deadline given to him on Friday to resign.

“You can ask the exMinister himself. At a point, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim called the former Minister to remind him of the 2pm deadline given by the President but the resignation letter was late in coming.

“When the President became impatient, he sent for his Special Adviser on Media and directed him to go and issue a statement relieving Yusuf Suleiman of his appointment.

“By the manner in which Yusuf Suleiman became a Minister through a powerful Northern monarch, the President had deferred to the ex-Minister for a week to submit his letter of resignation.

When the letter was not forthcoming, he gave a deadline that was not complied with on time.”

As at press time, findings revealed that Governor Wamakko has relocated to

Abuja with some of his strategists since Wednesday as part of his battle for survival.

A top source said: “Apart from meeting with key party leaders, he also held a marathon all-night session with his strategists on how to ensure his clearance for the forthcoming governorship primary election.

“One of the key issues the governor and his strategists have been selling to top government functionaries is the fact that he had never betrayed President Jonathan at any point in time.

“For instance during the presidential primary election in January, the North-West was so passionate about power shift to the extent that Sokoto, which is the seat of the Caliphate, was the centre of agitation for this.

“Given the religious colour that trailed the agitation for power shift, the governor had to put security reasons into consideration by maintaining a midstream approach which left PDP members to vote as they deemed fit at the presidential primary. The other option was to take a definite position and leave Sokoto on fire.

“Even the Sultan of Sokoto was cautious in his remarks and addresses during the countdown to the general elections.

“But as conservatives voters were in Sokoto during the April general elections, Wamakko succeeded in securing 34 per cent of the total votes cast for the President. The percentage was nine per cent more than the minimum 25 per cent required by a presidential candidate in each state.”

A member of the NWC, who spoke in confidence, said: “We have not started the screening of the governorship aspirants, it is premature to conclude that any of them has been anointed or will be disqualified.

“I can assure you that the party will follow due process and conduct a free and fair primary election in Sokoto.”

Meanwhile, the President, Sokoto Democratic Forum, Aliyu S. Mohammed has asked

members of the Peoples Democratic Party in Sokoto State to reject the ex-Minister as the party’s governorship candidate.

Mohammed, who made the plea in a statement on behalf of the Forum in Abuja, faulted the performance of the ex-Minister in office.

The statement said: “We have watched with shock and dismay, the latest entrant into the Sokoto State Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) Governorship race, Alhaji Suleiman Yusuf, until two days ago before he was sacked by President Goodluck Jonathan, the Minister for Sports. We are particularly shocked that someone who was a total failure as Minister for Sports, can aspire to govern our State.

“Under the supervision of Alhaji Yusuf, the Nigerian Sports recorded its worst perfornace. Nigeria’s senior soccer team, Super Eagles failed to qualify for the Nations cup, our female soccer team, Super falcons, that used to be our pride having been African champion for many years, could not qualify for the 2012 Olympics, while our under -23 soccer team, crowned our dismal performance with their disgraceful ouster at the preliminary stage of the ongoing Olympics qualifier in Morocco. Nothing could have been more disastrous for our sports under the direct supervision of Alhaji Yusuf.

“We therefore find it an insult on the people of our state, that the same person who could not manage a Ministry, is aspiring to become our Governor. We salute President Goodluck Jonathan for showing him the way out of his cabinet after embarrassing the president that he was the anointed candidate of the presidency. In Sokoto state, we have our cherished legacy of identifying with merit in our democratic governance. We do not pander to the whims of political opportunists.

“We therefore call on our Sokoto people to be vigilant and not allow themselves to be deceived by political nonperformers like the former Minister for Sports.”

Oghiadomhe bags award

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HIEF of Staff to President Goodluck Jonathan, Asiwaju Mike Oghiadomhe, will on Saturday, December 10, 2011 be conferred with an illustrious son award by Fugar Youth Association of Nigeria (FYA) in Lagos.

Prestige, glitz, glamour and report of good grassroots development initiatives will be outstanding features of the awards to be held at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.

A news release signed by the chairman of the awards committee, Barrister Ozemhoya Jude revealed that the ceremony is aimed at celebrating grassroots development initiatives and positive impact they have brought into the lives of the Fugar citizens in Edo State on the one hand and celebrating those who took the initiatives to bring such project about on the other hand.

The statement further quoted the President of association, FYAN Mr. Solomon Obomighie, as saying that other notable Fugar indigenes who will receive awards include, former Chief of General Staff, Admiral Mike Akhigbe GCON, Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, Dr. (Mrs.) Philipa Idogho, Managing Director of African Petroleum Plc. Mr. Mike Ahme and others.

The event is to be chaired by the President of Etsako Club 81, Alhaji Sufi Abdulmalik.

BAOBAB empowers young women in politics

By Rita Ohai

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AYING heed to the global call for higher women involvement in politics, International Organisation for Women Human Rights, BAOBAB, over the weekend, held a three-day workshop tagged: “Leadership Training and Political Education for Young Female Political Aspirants in Lagos State.”

Justifying the need for the forum, the Lagos State coordinator, Theresa Adekola, said the training is aimed at grooming the next generation of leaders. “This training is for young women who want to take up leadership roles and participate in politics in the future”, she stressed.

The programme which featured hands-on interaction between participants and the trainers encouraged the development as well as maximal utilisation of inherent skills by women with the aim of achieving set targets.

Oluwabunmi Oluwaseun, a student and participant at the workshop, while giving an account on some of the skills she has learned declared that: “I have mastered how to express myself, fight for my right and I now know what I am supposed to or not to do.”

Academy seeks quality control in colleges

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DUCATIONAL institutions at all levels should be encouraged to develop strong internal quality assurance mechanisms, the Nigeria Academy of Education has said.

The academy gave this submission in its communiqué issued at the end of the 26th annual congress which took place at the University of Lagos recently.

Addressing the press at the end of the conference, Professor, Ontonti Nduka president of the academy said the conference made a passionate plea for the implementation of quality control mechanism in Nigeria education.

The communiqué also identified the challenges militating against the implementation of quality control in the education sector, notable among which include “delay in establishment of the legislation framework for the National Commission for quality assurance and lack of coordination among different quality assurance agencies operating in the Nigerian education sector.”

In attendance at the conference include the former ViceChancellors of the University of Lagos and Benin, Professors Oye Ibidapo and Grace Alele Williams.

Others at the occasion were Prof. Muritala Bidnus, Dean, Faculty of Education, University of Lagos, representative of the Minister of Education, Dr Ellingham Kumara among others.

Have Your Say What is your view on the antigay bill recently passed by the senate which stipulates a 14year jail term for offenders?

•Vice President Namadi Sambo presenting the award of Most Outstanding Minister for 2011 to Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike

— Send SMS with full name and location before Wednesday to 08074473182 Responses to previous week’s question are on pages 52

THE NATION ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 4, 2011

Akpabio dissociates self from monarch’s coronation

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KWA Ibom State Government has dissociated itself from the formal coronation of Oku Ibom Ibibio, 111 earlier scheduled for January 13, 2012.

Governor Godswill Akpabio in a statement yesterday stated this at the Government House, Uyo. He directed the state Deputy Governor, Nsima Ekere, Secretary to the State Government, Umana Umana and the state’s Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Paul Ekpo and other government functionaries to steer clear from the proposed event, saying “Government won’t be involved.”

Akpabio’s disclosure is

From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

coming after eight paramount rulers in Ibibio land warned him to desist from interfering in the succession plan of who succeeds the late Oku Ibom Ibibio 111, Edidem Robert Obot.

The monarch had earlier alleged that Akpabio was planning to use the state apparatus, instrument and resources to impose the Paramount ruler of Onna Local Government Area, Edidem Akpabio Ukpa, as the next Okuibom Ibibio on the people of Ibibio race.

The monarchs in a statement signed by the Paramount ruler of Etinan LGA, Edidem Ime Umoette and

News seven others, expressed dismay over the attitude of the state government, saying the process of selecting Okuibom Ibibio has never been done in Government House as there are spelt out rules guiding the process and procedures as provided in the constitution of Ifim Ibibio and governed by traditional rulers of Akwa Ibom State.

They also said the governor’s anointed candidate had been expelled as a member of Ifim Ibom Ibibio from July 6, 2011 for gross misconduct and insubordination to the leadership of Ifim Ibom Ibibio.

The traditional rulers advised Akpabio to deploy the state funds on areas of need so as to fulfil its electoral promises to the people rather than wasting it on matters that the government do not have authority.

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Police boss faults creation of state police

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HE Nigeria Police Force yesterday dashed the hope of some of the state governors calling for the establishment of state police, saying the structure of the country is not ripe for such institution.

The police also said creating state policing would degenerate into chaos and anarchy across the country.

Speaking during his tour of the South-South Commands, the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the “F” Department, M.A. Yesufu, spoke with officers and men of the rank and file at the parade ground of Akwa Ibom state police command’s headquarters, Ikot Akpan-Abia, Uyo. Yesufu warned those

From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

championing the cause for the creation of state police to jettison their ambition in the interest of the nation.

The DIG said: “Our country has not developed into having state police. Those who are calling for the creation of state policing are inviting chaos and anarchy. If you look at the way the Nigeria Police Force is being ranked today, we have a command that is responsible to the governor who is the chief security officer of the state.

“We have had governors building barracks, we have had governors buying arms and ammunition and we have also had governors buying vehicles for the command.

So what is left? The adage that

says he who pays the piper dictates the tune will hold.

“If the governor does all these things for the command, so what is left? Is it for you to recruit your policemen? You have already had the control of the command as the chief security office. I don’t think the idea of having state police is the best for this country. It is uncalled for, it is unnecessary. I say again, it is an invitation to chaos and anarchy.”

In his welcome address, the Akwa Ibom State Police Commissioner, Solomon Arase said the Command’s manpower is grossly inadequate. Arase explained that about 600 officers and men would be required to form the nucleus of the Quick Response Squad, noting that, the deployment of more officers and men to the command would greatly enhance the operational capability of the command.

VP supporters warn political detractors From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

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OLITICAL campaigners who are bent on jeopardising the future political ambition of the Vice President, Mohammed Namadi Sambo have been asked to stay away from the Northern Peace Conference being organised by the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) which begins on Monday in Kaduna.

Kaduna based politician and a chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Umar Gana said in a statement in Kaduna that arrangement has been made to checkmate such people, pointing out that Sambo will be attending the conference because of the importance of the conference to finding solution to lasting peace in the north in particular and the country in general.

Gana who is a top supporter of the Vice President noted that Sambo, as the most senior political figure in the north at the moment is concerned about the recurring disturbances and orchestrated threat to peace being witnessed in the north in recent times and has been in the forefront in seeking solutions to these unfortunate occurrences.

The statement reads in part: “His Excellency, Arc. Mohammed Namadi Sambo, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is scheduled to be the Special Host at the Arewa Conference on Peace and Unity organized by the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) in collaboration with other northern leaders opening in Kaduna on Monday.

“The Conference is of special interest to the Vice President and indeed all Nigerians, particularly of northern origin, as it focuses on the issue of peace, unity and security of lives and property. As the foremost political leader in the North, the Vice President has been deeply concerned about the recurring disturbances and orchestrated threats to peace being witnessed in the region in recent times and has been in the forefront of seeking lasting solutions to these unfortunate occurrences.”

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2011

News

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RMOURED tanks fortified Bayelsa State Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was on Friday finally flung open for the Who-isWho of the party in the state.

The party big wigs had gathered to ratify the shaky candidature of Hon. Seriake Dickson as the flag bearer of the party in the 2012 governorship elections in the state.

His adoption as the party candidate had been trailed by plethora of complaints and litigations. The Nation gathered that it was this development that informed the elders of the party to meet that day to seek a way forward.

A source said the development became necessary especially because other political parties in the state are presenting formidable candidates, capitalizing on the PDP crisis.

Most of the personalities in attendance were either in self exile from the state and in asylum in Abuja, or had distanced themselves from the activities of the party in the state for quite some time now until recently when the moves to change the baton of leadership in the state started from the Abuja based

2012 guber race: Elders’ Forum moves to reconcile Bayelsa PDP • Former Gov. Alamieyeseigha leads team From Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa

politicians of the state.

As would be expected, most supporters of Governor Timipre Sylva, including some members of the PDP executive council, were conspicuously absent at the meeting.

Speaking at the gathering, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, the former governor of the state who was also made to serve as the Chairman of the newly formed Reconciliation Committee, noted that the Governor Sylva-led administration in the state cannot be said to be a failure but that it was a wind of change that was taking place in the state.

“I cannot say the present government has failed but a wind of change has come,” noted Alamieyeseigha, who

also recalled that aggrieved party members have reasons to do so because for quite some time now, procedures are not being followed in doing things in the party.

“I am seeing faces of aggrieved ones but because of the supremacy of PDP and the emergence of a candidate for the party they are here,” he added.

Re-echoing his support for the party’s governorship primaries, which had made some of the aspirants to go to court, Alamieiyeseigha said the process leading to the voting was transparent and peaceful unlike in those days when similar events were witnessed with guns booming in the creeks.

“If the party supporters must know, we have Seriake Dickson and if he cannot listen, we shall remind him of this day and tell him some

bitter truth. There is nowhere the Elders don’t play a role. I have some clothes in my wardrobe that Seriake Dickson cannot wear. They are hidden treasure,” he said.

In his speech at the event, the flag bearer of the party, Seriake Dickson, who thanked the elders of the party for keying into the new vision of the party said, “In my speech shortly after the PDP primary, I had promised to be part of building a new PDP, a new Bayelsa. I had also promised restoration, the gathering is a step in the right direction”, noted Dickson, who commended Alamieyeseigha for convening the meeting of the PDP which has not talked peace for a long time now.

In his address earlier, Mr. James Dugo, Chair-

•Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State (right), Chairman, Governing Council of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Professor Oladapo Afolabi (middle) and the Acting Rector of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Mr. Phillips Adeniran, at the 27th convocation ceremony of the institution on Friday

2012: I will not abolish tax in Edo, says Oshiomhole

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OVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole has said he will not stop collection of taxes because of the political tension generated by next year’s governorship election in the state.

He said his mission in government included taking difficult decisions that are calculated to benefit society in the long run.

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

Oshiomhole who spoke yesterday when he played host to the Edo State chapter of the Association of Private School Owners of Nigeria noted that his political opponents expected him to announce no more taxes because of election.

He explained that the increment in taxes and levies by his

administration was to keep the state afloat in providing necessary infrastructures.

His words, “Those resources did not come from my pocket but from what you pay as tax. The choice before us is that we do not collect tax but do nothing for no one and be called a hopeless leader who couldn’t motivate his people. I made up my mind to be re-

Capacity building for ECOWAS staff

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ETERMINED to encourage human capital development, the ECOWAS Commission sponsored a three-day training on ICT-based documentation management system for members of its staff which ended over the weekend in Lagos.

Justifying the need for the training, Dr. Titus Obiorah, the leading Consultant on

the project, said: “By implementing this system, organisations become smarter as they are able to preserve and continually harvest corporate memory as well as drive transparency in public service.”

Echoing similar sentiments, Funsho Olukade, one of the resource persons, emphasised the need for the training.

The training, he stressed, becomes necessary in view of a recent study which shows that employees in Europe and America spend 75 % of their productive time searching for documents, thereby losingquality man hour.

“The training is therefore aimed at teaching the employees to understand the rationale for deployment of document control system.”

membered for what I tried to do rather than a man who tried to do nothing.

“The only challenge is how to define a good governor. Is it the governor that collects no tax and does nothing for his people. We will not be able to abolish taxes but we are trying to critically examine every tax that we collect and ensure that it is properly structured; but taxes have to be paid.”

Oshiomhole further urged them to vote for ACN in next year’s election not on the basis that he would abolish taxes but on the basis that any levy collected would be used for the collective good of the society.

Earlier Chairman of APSON, Bishop Godly Opukeme, listed some of their challenges to include high renewal fees, double taxation and payment of Personal Income Tax without assessment.

man of the Party in the state had disclosed that the purpose of the Elders’ Forum was to discuss issues affecting the party in the state with a view to “reconcile different actors and make them united to work for the party in the state. I plead that they return and take their place within the party.”

Absent at the crowded Elders Forum was Mr. Timi Alaibe.

However, he was represented by a team, led by his Campaign Director during his Labour Party days, Chief Rufus Spiff; while the Reconciliation Committee, set up by Sylva, was also well represented. His team was led by the chairman, Senator John Brambaifa, Chief Alex Ekiotene and other members of the committee.

Other dignitaries present included Professor Turner Isoun, Chief TK Okorotie who described the meeting as very timely; Chief Peremobowei Ebebi, and other notable PDP leaders in the state.

Associate defends Olurin for attending Ogun budget meeting

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HE running mate of General Tunji Olurin of the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] in Ogun State during the last April Governorship polls, Mr. Tunde Oladunjoye, yesterday said those criticising Olurin for attending Governor Ibikunle Amosun 2012 budget presentation at the House of Assembly are either “ill-informed or mischievous or both.”

Oladunjoye, who was reacting to media report of some members of PDP attacking Olurin for attending, said the budget presentation of Senator Amosun at the Ogun Assembly which his boss was in attendance was a state function.

“I said they are ill-informed because, the budget presentation is a state’s function and not an ACN affair and by all standards, Chief Olurin is a statesman in Nigeria; mischievous because, they know that even the Ogun House of Assembly to which the

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

budget was presented, is multi-party composed, including six honourable members elected on the platform of PDP”, Oladunjoye remarked.

“Chief Olurin, by that attendance would have better idea about issues in the budget for proper analysis and advice; he has demonstrated maturity, signifying an end to the politics of bitterness in Ogun State and those who want a continuation of the ignoble past have selfish, profiteering motives.”

Citing an example, Oladunjoye revealed that: “just yesterday, I sent a memo to Governor Amosun on the way out of present insecurity arising from recurring bank robberies in our dear State. I hope littleminded people will not make issue out of that too”, Oladunjoye concluded.

Aregbesola’s aide tasks Mimiko on tolerance

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HE Special Adviser to Osun State Governor on Environment and Sanitation, Hon. Bola Ilori at the weekend urged the Ondo State government to give room for opposition parties to sell their ideologies to the people without any harassment from any quarters.

He made this appeal shortly after receiving a merit award from Ekinmogun ICON group during the celebration of Ekimogun 2011 day in Ondo Kingdom area of the state.

The association which also honoured the Majority leader of Lagos State, Hon. Ajibayo Adeyeye said the state government sent some police officers to the venue to stop the award programme without disclosing the reason for their action.

According to Ilori, “I was surprised to see some police officers during the programme telling us that the government gave them

From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

order to stop the event and when we insisted that we must know the reason for this.

Ilori who was a former Local government chairman in Lagos State decried the government action over Adaba FM road by creating a gully, urged the government to repair the road in order to enhance effective activities at station.

Ilori dedicated his award to ACN national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, saying Tinubu did not mind his age but gave him a platform to contribute to the development of Lagos State.

The guest lecturer, Prof.

Ebenezer Akinnawo who spoke on the contribution of progressive leaders like late Obafemi Awolowo and late Adekunle Ajasin, urged the people of the state to know who to vote for as their next governor in the coming 2012 governorship election.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 4, 2011

News

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AFTERMATH OF TINUBU’S VICTORY

•Tinubu acknowledging cheers from supporters •Akande addressing reporters

•Lagos white cap chiefs on hand to receive the former governor •Crowd sitting on airport fence to welcome Tinubu

Tinubu returns to heroic welcome in Lagos ... Says attempt to prosecute me, mere waste of public funds, energy

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T was a carnival at the presidential wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos yesterday.

The carnival like event was to welcome the national leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu after his acquittal by the Code of Conduct Tribunal, which charged him for alleged running of multiple foreign accounts, while serving as governor.

As early as 9.00 am, scores of party stalwarts dressed in party attires and other friends and associates stormed the presidential wing car park, to give a rousing welcome to the party.

Among them were the 57 chairmen of local councils and development areas across the state.

The ACN stalwarts was led by Chief Henry Ajomale chairman of the party in Lagos and the leader of the Igbo United Political Coalition, Chief Chris Igbilo, and other party loyalists.

Apart from party

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor stalwarts, hundreds of youths in the party also stormed the presidential wing to welcome the ACN leader.

The inscription on some of the placards they were carrying read: “Yet another victory for Jagaban. He came, he saw, he conquered.” The Jagaban traditional title was bestowed on him by the Emir of Borgu, Niger State.

Among the groups represented at the welcome reception were the Lagos Island Market Men and Women Association, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

Some white cap chiefs from the palace of the Oba of Lagos were also on ground to welcome the Asiwaju.

While speaking with airport correspondents, the former governor described his trial by the Code of Conduct Tribunal as an attempt by the ruling People’s Democratic Party ( PDP), to persecute him.

He explained that the government could have initiated prosecution from abroad, given the treaty

Nigeria signed with the United Kingdom and the United States of America, but went ahead to unduly embarrass members of his family, affirming that the time spent in the over two years trial could have been spent to address the challenge of hunger Nigerians are grappling with.

While giving kudos to the judiciary for standing to uphold the rights of the defenceless, Tinubu challenged the ruling party to provide proof of how he ran the accounts while in office, in terms of details of transactions, the source of income and other vital information.

He challenged the ruling party to consider the trial of other top government officials who lived abroad, and ran foreign accounts, but were invited home to serve the government.

Tinubu reasoned that it is a great disservice to expect such people to close their account abroad, only because they wanted to serve their country.

The ACN leader accused

the ruling party of twisting the constitution to its own benefit by carrying out selective trial of opposition party members, without due consideration to constitutionally prescribed rules and regulation.

Tinubu explained that he remains unperturbed over the harassment by the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

Asiwaju said: “First, gratitude to God Almighty, my party for keeping faith in me, gratitude to my family for enduring the insults and persecution particularly my young children. Gratitude to my party as a whole, both local and foreign. Then to my parent; my mother, the Oba of Lagos and major leaders who gave me the encouragement.

“But, I have always maintained one thing from here, all along, during the media prosecution, challenging them to go to court instead of the media and dangling the Sword of Damocles on my head.

“The trend has been on for over two years and I have

always said that where there is justice, the person or an institution who is accusing must demonstrate proof. Here we are again, if there is a court of justice in this country, they have seen the lack of depth in what they have done.

“What they have done is to list accounts without balances, no transaction history, no source and application of operating and maintaining or maintaining and operating.

“They have gone beyond the spirit of the constitution to persecute because it even pays the government for people in Diaspora to live their account transparently and known to the public and if there is any transaction there, you show the history of transaction and you have treaty on money laundering.

He added: “They didn’t disclose to you the details in the accounts. They listed 16 accounts including those of my little children. One of them has a balance of three thousand of pocket money in one of the account. Now, they forced the bank to close down that account. Another one, an 18 years old with 18 pounds balance, can that be why you

will now hire such numbers of Senior Advocates of Nigeria with huge amount to pursue what? At the expense of the public? When there is hunger, what is happening to those lawyers in the ministry of justice?”

On what the acquittal portends for the judiciary, Tinubu said: “In every society, we have highly courageous people who have the benefit of the people at heart, they abound in the Judiciary, particularly members and chairman of the tribunal in this case, have demonstrated commitment to the rule of law.

The right of man cannot be limited or perverted because of partisan belief.”

Also speaking, the national chairman of the ACN, Chief Bisi Akande described Tinubu as a man with radical ideas. ‘’We admire the courage in our leader and courage is essential in building a political party.’’

Also the media office of the former governor in a statement thanked all Nigerians at home and abroad for their steadfastness and demand for jussice. the statement attributed Asiwaju’s victory to their support.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2011

COMMENT and ANALYSIS

11

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2011

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

I

DO not begrudge the late Ikemba Chukwuemeka Odumegwu -Ojukwu the deluge of encomiums that he’s been showered with since news of his demise broke. Critically, both friends and erstwhile foes have been tripping over themselves to paint the former Biafran leader a halo.

He was clearly a great man with a sense of history. He found himself saddled with the intimidating responsibility of leading his people into the risky business of war against a more powerful enemy in other to preserve their lives and dignity - and he didn’t fall down on the job.

History is replete with individuals who were confronted with far less burdensome responsibilities and chose abdication instead.

Many of the tributes say Ojukwu was actually committed to Nigeria’s oneness.

They point to the fact that he committed himself to what was agreed at Aburi. Which raises the age-old spectre: would secession have happened if the agreements reached in Ghana had been upheld by all sides?

The Biafran leader’s defenders equally point out that the rebellion did not happen after the first coup. Ojukwu clearly acted in reaction to the pogroms against the Igbo in Northern Nigeria.

Those who hold this position argue that any regional leader of a major ethnic group in Ojukwu’s shoes at that point in time would have done the same thing.

Such a position is canvassed by Major Yusuf Abdulkadri Kanabe (rtd) who was Ojukwu’s orderly back 1965 in Kano. In an exclusive interview in today’s edition of The Nation on Sunday, he said: “Ojukwu did not cause the war. Nigeria caused the war. If I was in the position of Ojukwu and I saw my people being twisted the way they were, I would take up arms. If you as a person cannot do what Ojukwu did if you see your people being treated the way Ibos were, you are not a human being.”

It is no surprise therefore to see the adulation with which the Igbo treat him. For those from other ethnic groups who did not taste the bitter pill that was Biafra, it is all too easy to be dismissive.

But let’s not forget that it takes two sides to fight a war. The interlocutors on the other of the divide also suffered losses for which they will forever view Ojukwu and his Biafran brethren as villains of the piece.

Matters are not helped by the fact that propaganda soon assumes the toga of fact – a confirmation of the saying that the first casualty of war is truth.

That is why for most folks right now Ojukwu might be the closest thing to an angel in fatigues; to others he will never smell of roses.

You only need to read online exchanges for a sense of how much passion – for and against – which the mere mention of the Ikemba provokes. Any comment that was less than laudatory became occasion to spew bile, exchange insults about people’s ethnicity, and revisit old Igbo-Yoruba, Igbo-Hausa animosities.

It is all so revealing that for all the near-

Putting Ojukwu’s death to good use Not much has changed since the day Ojukwu launched Biafra’s drive for independence

•Ojukwu

universal praise being heaped on Ojukwu, not much has changed from the days when blood and guts were being spewed along anonymous bush paths in places with exotic names like Abagana and Nkalagu.

As I tracked reactions online I found that the understandable ethnic rush to embrace the man, obscures his commitment to a federal Nigeria which many have come out to vouch for. The paradox is that in death lessons from the life of the man whose actions came closest to breaking up Nigeria, could still help the country find her way forward.

Unfortunately, this cloying ethnic embrace – akin to what happened to the struggle for the actualisation of the June 12 won

by Chief M. K. O. Abiola – diminished what started as a pan-Nigerian achievement, and turned it into a regional cause celebre.

Biafra may have defined Ojukwu, but I believe he was much larger than that. Testimonies about his thoughts, his ideas and his inter-personal relations suggest that there is so much that this country can benefit from his life story if he’s not made a keepsake in an ethnic closet. Unfortunately, given the emotional events we are dealing with that would be hard to avoid.

The civil war was a tragedy and a waste because of the deaths, human suffering and material losses. I would also say that the 40-odd years since the end of the conflict have also been a wasted period.

The war leaders may made the nice sounding declaration that there were “no victors, no vanquished”, still everything

“Ojukwu’s death offers Nigeria an uncommon opportunity for serious introspection – beyond the banal acts of political correctness represented by the ongoing praise-singing. Our leaders should be asking themselves what they are doing to stave off other mini-Biafras”

that is happening in Nigeria shows that not much has changed since the bloody 60s.

National cohesion remains an illusion.

Mindless bloodletting along ethnic and regional lines is a common occurrence in parts of Northern Nigeria. Even where partisan politics is the trigger – as we saw in the aftermath of the April presidential polls – underlying ethnic animosities and sectarian differences soon feed the fire.

People may not be committed, as yet, to a formal breakaway attempt in the manner of Biafra, but there are enough militant groups like Boko Haram who continue to make a nuisance of themselves and nudge the country ever closer to the precipice.

Every new atrocity perpetrated by such groups makes what appears unlikely today, an increasingly plausible scenario for tomorrow. In 1990, a Liberian friend sharing war time experiences with me talked about how his laidback countrymen were initially dismissive of the efforts of the then rebel leader, Charles Taylor – until gun battles started raging on the streets of Monrovia.

While it is hard to conceive that Nigeria could ever again go down the path that played out between 1966 and 1970, it is not such an implausible thought if we keep glossing over the sorts of things that happened in the 60s, and are still happening today – without acting to stamp them out.

Ojukwu’s death offers Nigeria an uncommon opportunity for serious introspection – beyond the banal acts of political correctness represented by the ongoing praise-singing. Our leaders should be asking themselves what they are doing to stave off other mini-Biafras.

For every one that would hold up the botched Igbo breakaway as evidence that secession is ultimately suicidal, they should also remember that there is today a Republic of South Sudan which fought the war for a separate existence to a triumphant end.

Labanji Bolaji (ESELBY): 20 years after

By Silas B. Ajagun

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UMAN life span, at most 200 years after, mortal being must return to dust where he/she comes from. The holy book states inter alia:- “The days of our years are three score years and ten (70), and if by reason of strength they be four score years (80), yet is their strength labour and sorrow, for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.” A Yoruba adage asks: how many years are we to spend here that we sew garments of iron? Many people have passed through mother earth (not wanting to leave) and had been self-centered, not lifting a finger to bring others to stardom and are found dying like dogs without a farthing of their material wealth following them to the great beyond. Abraham Lincoln of America once said that he did the little he could, the very best for mankind, and even if ten angels come thereafter to state otherwise, is worth nothing.

My good old friend, Chief Simeon Labanji Bolaji (a.k.a. ESELBY, in the name of Truth), the Onigege Wura of Ibadan land, came, saw and conquered. A product of the premier University in Ibadan, a masters degree holder in Public Administration became General Manager, Sketch Newspapers, African Newspapers Plc both of Ibadan, General Manager, Punch Newspapers, Ikeja, and Executive Director (Production) for Concord Group of Newspapers.

ESELBY helped many Nigerias to stardom when alive. The writer remembers he helped his employment at Punch Newspapers Plc In the eighties. When he was general manger, Tribune titles, he had a column entitled ESELBY, in the name of Truth every Thursday under which he accommodated my effusions in the late seventies and early eighties. He normally wrote to influence government policies. I recollect borrowing his column sometimes to write on some burning national issues.

I remember vividly that he also accommodated Biodun Opaleye’s write ups in those golden days when government still had listening ears concerning public opinion.

I know the present government would have dropped the unpopular idea of withdrawal of subsidy on petroleum resources if it were chief Bolaji’s era.

As earlier mentioned, ESELBY had assisted several Nigerians that have no space here.

He was susceptible to some disease which cut short his life after authoring many books: Shagari: President by Mathematics (1980), Yoruba rich Heritage among others.

Chief Bolaji encouraged me to write my first novel: Soldier by Poverty after seeing my newspaper contributions. According to him: “Silas, why not put your write ups in book form.” He went further to help edit same for me. He did not stop there; he went ahead to contact Macmillan Publishers for possible publishing but which was rejected for its striking contents during the military era (1977). It was published in 1983.

Nigeria has lost so many of her geniuses including Chief Bolaji, Professor Ayodele Awojobi, Tai Solarin, Gani Fawehinmi, Beko Ransome-Kuti Fela (Abami-Eda) Anikulapo-Kuti, Bola Ige for negligence on the part of our rulers who are not focused.

I recollect Chief Bolaji once told me in my quest to contest the chairmanship of my local government now in Kogi State that we writers are the best rulers behind the scenes.

Odi gebere, o da rinna ko. Bye to Oko Bolanle, baba Seye, baba Tayo and other children I cannot bring to bear in the piece.

Ajagun is an Ilorin-based Veteran Journalist Lekan Otufodunrin returns next week

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Ogochukwu Ikeje ohgeeoh@gmail.com 08084235961 (SMS only)

I

THE NATION ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 4, 2011

Comment & Analysis

N death, everyone gets his due. Since November 26 when Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu died, there has been no end to the flood of tributes as well as other emotional dispositions of grief. Tons of beautifully crafted words of respect and admiration have poured in from every direction. Some celebrities are reported to have even shed tears outright. While some of the tributes are clearly genuine, quite a bit must be fake, and more than a fraction political and self-serving. But such is our lot in these parts. A man’s worth is never apparent until he dies, whereupon his friends and foes alike will take time off to weep and praise him to the high heavens. Even those who, if they had the opportunity, will love nothing more than to stick a knife in his neck, are not left out in this feast of tributes. It is the way we are.

Some have called him a fine officer and gentleman. A section of the mourning community has described him as a great defender of his people, a principled and courageous fighter. Some have hailed his erudition, a good many his patriotism. Even the numerous titles which the iconic leader accepted in his lifetime go to capture the convictions and sentiments of the mourning community.

Ikemba Nnewi, that is, the spine or champion of his people, is one of them.

Dikedioranma Ndigbo or the beloved hero of the Igbo nation, is another. There are other titles including Ezeigbo Gburugburu, meaning the all-round Igbo king.

Indeed, Ndigbo have never had any leader in the cast of Ojukwu. And that fact probably informed not just the out-

The best honour for Ikemba A befitting burial is good, but regional progress is better pouring of tributes but also the grand plans to honour him with an uncommon burial ceremony.

But that is where this column will like to offer a word of advice.

What sort of honour would the Ikemba have wished for? How would he have preferred to be interred?

MASSOB, the group which wants a sovereign state of Biafra is looking forward to a massive turnout of mourners on interment day. The group will want shopkeepers to shut down for the day.

All well and good.

All the Southeast states over which Ojukwu once presided as military governor are also making plans to bury the fallen leader in a manner no other leader has been buried in the region. All well and good. In fact, it has been reported that Ojukwu’a body will remain in London

until all mobilisations and plans have been finalised and a clear and impressive picture of the interment became visible. That is fine, too.

But anyone who deeply appreciates the great qualities and essence of the man will concede that the ex-Biafran leader would have liked something much more than a talk-of-the-decade burial, or even having an institution or monument named after him, as his great friend, the former military president Gen Ibrahim Babangida has suggested. While I suspect that Ojukwu would have welcomed a befitting regional or even national burial, I imagine that an impersonal honour such as a better deal for his longsuffering Igbo people would have lifted his spirit more.

He was a man of fine breeding and learning. At 12, he was off to the United

Today Ojukwu is hailed for standing up for the oppressed. Will Ndigbo learn not to oppress one another? Will their leaders stand up to develop their people and region through good governance?

A man with a mandate to lead his people but ends up misleading and misgoverning them is worse than an external aggressor or an oppressor from outside. Today Ojukwu is remembered for fighting to unite his people. Will Ndigbo pause at his death to evaluate their unity profile and ask how they can stick together better?

Kingdom to acquire the best education the world had to offer. At 13, my mother was in tears seeing me leave for secondary school in a far-flung town also in our home state Delta. Ojukwu went much farther and at a younger age. He also came back better educated, bringing back degrees from the revered Oxford. As the end came after a long struggle with stroke, how many Igbo boys and girls can boast of sound education in their home states?

I am sure that Ojukwu would wish that his young kin be guaranteed good academic breeding. Governors of the Southeast states and President Goodluck Jonathan will do well to give him the honour of educating the youths from that region and beyond.

Today Ojukwu is hailed for standing up for the oppressed. Will Ndigbo now learn not to oppress one another? Will their leaders stand up to develop their people and region through good governance? A man with a mandate to lead his people but ends up misleading and misgoverning them is worse than an external aggressor or an oppressor from outside.

Today Ojukwu is remembered for fighting to unite his people. Many salute his courage even as they regret the huge cost of that struggle. Will Ndigbo pause at his death to evaluate their unity profile and ask how they can stick together better?

IBB has reportedly said that an Igbo presidency would be a fitting honour for the departed Ikemba. How nice, but, again, how plausible?

What better tribute can there be for Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu than a developed, progressive and united Ndigbo?

THE NATION ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 4, 2011

Comment & Analysis

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Creeping police Again, Kogi police command infringes on citizens’ right to free movement

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AY after day, the Goodluck Jonathan Presidency is gaining fresh notoriety as the most intolerant administration since the Fourth Republic birthed in 1999. On this score, the Kogi State Police Command, under Police Commissioner, Amanana Abakasanga, is foaming in the mouth as the administration’s unfazed poodle in brazen illegality.

The duo of the Presidency (that gives orders to the Police) and the Kogi State Police Command appear to have agreed to strip anyone perceived to be the president’s “enemy”, within or outside his party, of constitutional rights as basic as free movement. The latest of this infraction is the arrest in Lokoja, Kogi State on November 27, of 70 supporters of Bayelsa Governor, Timipre Sylva.

The supporters, travelling in six buses and a car, were bound for the Abuja Supreme Court sitting on the term elongation case involving five Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors, who won re-run elections after electoral tribunals had voided their mandate. According to newspaper reports quoting Bayelsa State Government sources, the travellers were taken to the Police headquarters at Lokoja and detained there till 10 pm. The motive was without question: to prevent their going to Abuja.

It could well be that the other four governors involved in the case did not mobilise their supporters to Abuja. Or that they in fact did, but the Police did not arrest them. Or that the Police did, but the arrests were not reported in the media.

But whatever it was, it would be very difficult not to interpret the arrest as another hid-

S

INCE the sudden removal of Mrs Farida Waziri as the Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) last week, many felt the Federal Government took the right decision. The anti- graft agency has been politically hijacked by powers that be.

Corruption is fast becoming an epidemic in the country.

Nuhu Ribadu did averagely well to expose the nitty-gritty of corruption among top Nigerians which were publicly disgraced. The fear of EFCC

den not-so-presidential hand to deal with another presidential enemy, even within the ruling PDP. The president, after all, is reported to be involved in the current power show over gubernatorial nominations in Bayelsa State, where the embattled governor is holding the short end of the stick. All things considered, it would not be unfair to push the theory that CP Abakasanga’s latest outrage on citizens’ right of movement is his own “patriotic” duty to deal with a presidential enemy, using state powers.

Early, during the Code of Conduct Tribunal case of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, a case which incidentally has now been dismissed, Mr. Abakasanga bared his fangs at presidential “enemies” outside the PDP. On two occasions, he stopped bus loads of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) supporters from reaching Abuja. The first was when Asiwaju Tinubu first appeared at the tribunal.

The second occasion was even more brazen and reckless: for the travellers were doing so in Osun State Government vehicles; and Mr. Abakasanga arrogantly announced that he would not allow them passage to Abuja because

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

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

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

LETTERS

A new hope for anti-graft agency and Nuhu Ribadu made many advanced fraud personalities and “Yahoo!

Boys” to flee the country.

Both EFCC and ICPC were headed by competent hands which reduced corruption to a barest minimum. EFCC was mostly chasing after high profile politicians who empty government treasuries without

considering the masses.

The EFCC later lost its glory when most politicians did not agree with former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s third term bid.

The unprecedented sack of Mrs Farida Waziri is not new in the commission.

The EFCC is a tough anti-graft agency which only credible minds can

handle. Most names and companies published by EFCC and ICPC in our print media indicate that only few could be arrested while others enjoy freedom with no molestation. It is sad that the purpose of establishing the EFCC has been hijacked by some persons in the country. Although EFCC was politi-

Westernization and its influence on Nigerian youths

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OW has westernisation affected our culture? If we are to answer this question honestly, we will say negatively. For instance, how do we feel when teenage boys and girls exhibit behavioural tendencies that don’t depict our culture?

We all know this is as a result of ignorance as many Africans try to emulate the western culture that totally varies from ours. Westernization has sunk its roots deeply into

he could not understand their motive for going there! It was as if the travellers needed to obtain visas even while travelling within the country as the police commissioner asked them to tell him what their mission to Abuja was..

This second event provoked a backlash, with Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, at an Osogbo event later, lampooning the presidency for illegally abridging the rights of citizens for crass political motives. But even after that, Osun State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Grace OlaoyeTomori, was almost disallowed from entering the stadium, during the ACN rally for Abubakar Audu, a former Kogi State governor and ACN gubernatorial candidate in the December 3 election in the state.

Mr. Abakasanga and his team have turned themselves into illicit police, even when still clad in the uniform of the Nigeria Police. They proudly march from one illegality to another.

They have recklessly and consistently abridged the right of the citizen to free movement, guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution.

This reckless and outlaw behaviour must be condemned by all. President Jonathan must respect his oath of office to honour and preserve the Constitution. On his part, Mr. Abakasanga must stay true to his oath of service. He must do his Police duty strictly according to stipulated laws. Anything short of these must be deemed a clear danger to our democracy. It must be stoutly resisted by all democratic means. We paid a huge price for the democracy that we are enjoying today; therefore, we should fight aggressively within the ambit of the law to keep it.

our system, most Nigerian youths prefer the foreign way of doing things, all these reflect in their language, mode of dressing and general social preference.

Who takes the blame for all the perverted things going on in the country?

Even our parents are carried away by westernization and this has led to laziness and carelessness in taking care of their children. How then do we battle the western culture?

Its worthy for us to note that youths do not know how to speak in their languages, even the names given to children by their parents are mostly foreign names making it seem like native names are of low standard. Many young ones today want to change their names just to avoid the mockery of answering a ‘low standard’ name.

The world is vastly becoming a highly modernized village and we as Nigerians should have some-

thing which we could be identified with.

The youths need to be nudged in the right direction and be made to understand the importance of knowing at least a little about something that concerns the country. They should be educated. They need to be prepared in the right way to face the future of our country’s heritage and not just for their pockets alone.

By Jennifer Mordi

cally betrayed by ambitious leaders who felt the commission should be scrapped since the decision makers are the perpetrators of this callous crime in the country.

Indeed, EFCC was needed to correct some political corruption which has eaten into the fabric of the society but Ribadu missed it all when he started arresting innocent citizens while the criminal minded ones were walking freely on the streets. In 2007, the late President Musa Yar’Adua appointed Farida Waziri to head EFCC. Her appointment elicited negative reactions that she will not perform to expectations.

Mr Ibrahim Lamrode, the new EFCC chairman is not novice in the leadership of the commission. Many Nigerians praised Jonathan for the removal of Waziri but how will corruption be eradicated? Nigeria is rated in the world as one of the most corrupt

countries with high rising index, yet EFCC with previous czars failed to arrest the major perpetrators of the dastardly acts. With the new leadership of EFCC, many corrupt Nigerians will be exposed from all sectors of the country if Lamrode adheres to what he told Nigerians when the commission was handed to him. One of the problems of Nigeria especially our leaders, is that they promise without fulfilling their promises. Most governors and senators must be investigated for corrupt practices. The challenges before Lamrode is to restructure the commission and make it work, but not for the selfish interests of politicians.

Though EFCC has been bastardised, the new man must try and rebuild it. The agitation that the federal government should not to control the agency should be sustained so that the commission can work independently. It is time for Nigerians to cooperate with the new EFCC boss for effective monitoring and prosecution of corrupt politicians in the country.

By Godday Odidi, Apapa, Lagos

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2011

Comment & Analysis

Ropo Sekoni ropo.sekoni @thenationonlineng.net

A

PART from being a strong individual that defined his life on his own terms and not on the terms of his pedigree, Ikemba Emeka OdumegwuOjukwu did something that set him against the grain of Igbo thought in pre-1966 Nigeria. He showed some heroic insight that was not even evident in the political thoughts of one of the fathers of Igbo and Nigerian politics, Nnamdi Azikiwe, the man whose ideas about Nigeria captured the Igbo sensibility for decades before the emergence of military rule and of Odumegwu-Ojukwu in the midsixties. Before 1966, Zik romanticized Nigeria but after, Ikemba problematized Nigeria.

While Ahmadu Bello and Obafemi Awolowo paid so much attention to the implications of the nation’s cultural diversity and how to manage it, Azikiwe gave his intellectual energy to panNigerianism and pan-Africanism.

Azikiwe saw huge multiethnic Nigeria as a field of opportunities to allow the Igbo unleash their energy and thus move the country forward into economic development.

It was the notion that the Igbo were a special people created to solve the problem of Nigeria and Africa that dominated Igbo political discourse under the cultural and political leadership of Azikiwe, until

Ojukwu and the national question Before 1966, Zik romanticised Nigeria but after, Ikemba problematised Nigeria the emergence of OdumegwuOjukwu in the military politics of the Eastern Region in which the Igbo was the dominant nationality.

In an against-the-grain stance, Ikemba raised issues about the sudden reversal in the fortunes of the Igbo after the second coup of 1966.

The indiscriminate killing of the Igbo in the Northern Region called for new ideas about the position of the Igbo in relation to other nationalities in the country. While not throwing away the belief about the special-breed stature of the Igbo, Ojukwu called for a Nigeria that must recognize the right of the Igbo to live peacefully in Nigeria and in accordance with their core values.

Seeing the danger in the killing of the Igbos in the North, Ojukwu called for re-structuring of the Nigerian federal system. He forced Nigeria to think afresh, if only briefly about what it had previously taken for granted. The pressure mounted on Nigeria by Ojukwu took the country to Aburi to re-negotiate Nigeria’s political structure.

If the Aburi compromise that was to move Nigeria in the direction of a confederation had been implemented, perhaps the country would have avoided a civil war.

History is about what had happened, not what could have. But the failure of the Aburi talks must have been a factor in the bellicosity that followed between Nigeria and Biafra for which Ojukwu has acquired his larger-than-life status

ever since. It requires more historical studies to determine whether it was the oil in the Niger Delta that encouraged Ojukwu to go to war or whether it was the failure to achieve a looser form of federalism in Aburi. It is safe to assume that there might have been no Biafra, if Nigeria was not in the hands of soldiers to govern and shape in the late 1960s.

MASSOB and allied organizations have the right to view Ikemba as the initiator of an unfinished business. But Ojukwu has made other significant contributions to the development of Nigeria than the creation of Biafra.

He had drawn compelling attention to Nigeria as an ongoing experiment in nation building. He interrogated a Nigerian political system that did not allow its constituent parts to turn the nation’s diversity into an advantageous instrument of growth and development through the process of decentralization. It is a mark of foresight on Ojukwu’s part that even forty years after the war between Nigeria and Biafra, the country is still at war (or not at peace) with itself. The current tension between apostles of autonomy and federalism and advocates of centralized governance handed over to current civilian rulers by military dictators is a testament that there are positive lessons to learn from Ojukwu’s pre-occupation with Igbo progress and peace in a Nigeria in which every national-

ity has no basis to fear others.

But Ojukwu periodically experienced confusion in his search for a comfortable space for the Igbo in the country. For example, he chose to lead a delegation to the Carnegie Center for Democracy in the 1990s on behalf of Sani Abacha. Those who thought that he had outlived his Igbo nationalism then were surprised when he formed APGA after the demise of Abacha, saying that it would be nice for him to become the country’s president from a political party that is fuelled by Igbo worldview, as distinct from a nebulous worldview that he believed the PDP was representing.

Ojukwu was a man who loved the Igbo without necessarily hating Nigeria. His difficulty was finding a good way to reconcile the two sides of Nigeria: a big and large country and diverse nationalities with different worldviews. In other words, Ojukwu had been searching since 1966 for the right political structure that can galvanise Nigeria into development; that can move it away from inertia and stasis into a dynamic multinational state that can impact on the modern world in ways that are similar to what other federations: the United States, India, Canada, Brazil, and South Africa have done.

Unlike Azikiwe who was looking for an Igbo race that could dominate Nigeria and Africa, Ojukwu looked for over forty years for a federation in which the Igbo can live without fear of domination by

other nationalities.

The main lesson from the Ojukwu factor in Nigerian politics is more than that of the civil war or of creation of Biafra. The real lesson is the inevitability of a serious and honest search for the right political structure that can enable Nigeria to transform its diversity into an instrument of development and interethnic peace and harmony. It is therefore important for MASSOB and BZM (Biafran Zionist Movement) to realize that Biafra was not a non-negotiable goal for Ojukwu. What was non-negotiable to him till his last breath was a Nigeria in which the Igbo are treated with as much respect and justice as other nationalities.

Ikemba’s effort to deconstruct Nigeria’s political structure fortyfive years ago is still valid today.

What may be obsolete is the insistence that Nigeria’s restructuring for equity and justice must be done through a war that made nonsense of the sensible discussion at Aburi in 1967. The best way to not allow Ojukwu’s idea to die is not for any section of Nigeria to threaten war against the others as we now have between Boko Haram and the rest of Nigeria. It is to, metaphorically, return to Aburi by turning Abuja into panNigerian city in which to negotiate how best to unite Nigeria’s diverse nationalities and worldviews into a modern liberal federal democracy.

Ikemba Odumegwu-Ojukwu deserves to rest in peace.

Aregbesola: Osun State has turned the bend Femi Orebe femi.orebe @thenationonlineng.net 08056504626 (sms only)

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IVEN the breath of fresh air in Osun State today, all its citizens, young and old, must thank God that He made nonsense of the counsel of Ahitophel on the state of the living spring. They must not even begin to imagine what the state would be like today had the PDP succeeded itself in the 2011 general elections. Want reasons for that claim? Just cast your mind back to the era of Senator Iyiola Omisore as Deputy Governor in the state; recall the many consequences of unrestrained political ambition and begin to imagine that individual as state governor. Senator Iyiola has shown conclusively that like the soldier IBB, he must always be master of all he surveys. Iyi would have tolerated no opposition. And in a state with the enlightenment and political consciousness that Osun commands that would have been recipe for a disaster of no mean proportion. Indeed, considering all that happened under his watch, Oyin would truly have been honey.

Go to Osogbo today and you will not believe this was the ‘gangster’ state where a poor 16- year old girl was serially gang-raped by political roughnecks, with neither the First lady nor the Deputy Governor, a woman like her, saying a single word in condemnation. Nor will you believe that mere queuing up at the gas station to buy fuel had once become fatal in the state, courtesy the same

A novel part of the Aregbesola food revolution in Osun State is the synergy the government has established with the Nigerian Railway Corporation

PDP political thugs. Not that the state had been particularly lucky in who ruled it. Apart from its first administrator, my friend, Colonel, now General, Segun Ajiborisa, who was Team Manager, Spitfire FC when I was Team Manager, University of Ibadan Workers Football Club in the mid-70’s, and Navy Captain Anthony Udofia, you will have to wade through a maze of not so remarkable rulers to reach its most inspiring leader, Chief Bisi Akande, who brought impressive cognate experience and character to an office that had been reduced to the level of some of its holders. If soldiers, as administrators, could be forgiven their sins in office, not so gregarious Alhaji Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, whose tenure would best be remembered by those almost nightly parties to which bus loads of hostesses from a nearby institution of higher learning were a common sight. I actually attended two of such parties in company of his ‘American’ friends who were then handling some non-chemical water treatment projects.

I have had the benefit of a long interaction with Ogbeni Gomina Aregbesola. He has fired my imagination with his recourse to historical Oranmiyan as the name of his political organisation, and since I have always had a fairly reasonable access to him, I have had the opportunity to dig deep into his plans for re-engineering a state that had truly gone through rough times.

In our discussions, Ogbeni was categorical about one thing. Like his Ekiti State counterpart, Dr Kayode Fayemi, he was going to make poverty history in Osun State. His strategy was so simple you would think he was the first governor in these parts. He was going to make agri-

culture the cornerstone of his administration with the twin aims of guaranteeing food security for his people but, more importantly, to take advantage of the huge daily Lagos food consumption which he reckoned then was not less than 1billion naira daily. I saw he has now revised this figure upwards. His strategy was that if the state could substantially increase its then current level of food crops, it could account for a good percentage of the Lagos daily food import with incalculable multiplier effect for the economic transformation of the state.

But trust busy bodies to misrepresent this simple but ingenious plan to say he wanted to hand over Osun State to Tinubu as if they are so incapable of comprehending anything whatever.

This prior knowledge of where Ogbeni Gomina is headed is why all he is doing in that regard today have not come to me as a surprise.

Take, for instance, his O’REAP programme through which the government has frontally confronted the poor state in which he met agriculture in the state. As you read this the state already has about 30,000 hectares of dedicated farmland across the state with 5000 of them fully prepared, ready to be allotted to anybody who is keen and serious about getting involved in food production. Farm implements and inputs are equally available to be given to farmers who are also provided loan facilities, in kind.

The government is revamping old and abandoned farm settlements as well as establishing new ones like the Mokore Farm Settlement. A novel part of the Aregbesola food revolution in Osun State is the synergy the government has established with the Nigerian Railway Corporation.

Through this arrangement, agricultural harvests will be freighted to Lagos free of charge just as imported and locally manufactured goods will be freighted free to Osogbo to make life easier for the people.

Unlike hitherto when the state recorded only about 3 percent success rate in both the WASC and NECO examinations Ogbeni Aregbesola’s government has taken the bull by the horns in its determination to revive education in the state. As a guide, he convoked an Education Summit at which experts helped to shape policies which the government has spared no effort in implementing. As the governor told a recent delegation of the Afenifere Renewal Group on which I was present, his government will soon unveil what it calls OPON IMO (Tablet of Knowledge). This is a computer system, in the mold of an IPAD which will contain the curriculum of about 39 subjects offered at the School Certificate level complete with past questions and answers and divided into subject areas with students accessing relevant course areas.

Apart from exposing these young minds to basic computer literacy, the Opon will enable students study anywhere without the burden of having to carry text books around. Electricity is not integral to the product.

Nor will this space-constrained review of Ogbeni’s first year be complete without mentioning his totally outstanding experiment in human capital development –the O’YES. While the vanquished opposition was busy whining over his non- appointment of commissioners Aregbesola had, within his first 100 days in office, engaged 20,000 young men under the Youth Empowerment Scheme, as volunteers on a monthly stipend of N10000, thus injecting into

a hitherto placid economy , a sum of N200million which, without a doubt, has positively impacted the socioeconomic life of the state. Of this number, the government recently recruited about five thousand into the state’s Teaching Service Commission. In order to further enhance the scheme, an ICT wing has been established where these young ones will be trained in the repair of computers, telephones, internet facilities and other related devices.

The government has been assisted to a large measure by a hardheaded financial engineering through which he was able to turn the debt-ridden state he inherited to one of surplus in spite of the former government’s N18.3 billion bond all of which was completely drawn down.

When some of us beat our chest and say the PDP has been vanquished in the South-West, it is not in ignorance of the extreme length to which that party could go, assisted by federal authorities, to rig future elections.

Rather, it is in the clear knowledge that our people, the Yoruba, know very well those who truly work for their well-being while in office as opposed to the government of predators whose philosophy is ‘share the money’.

The recent case in Lagos State where a leader of the PDP launched scathing allegations of theft of party funds sent from Abuja for use in the local government elections clearly illustrates this. If a party elder of that stature would think so little of Local Government elections and misuse funds meant to give his party a fighting chance, what would they not do with money meant to build schools or hospitals?

Under Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, one can say, with considerable justification, that Osun State has turned the corner and that things will never be the same again.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 4, 2011

Tunji

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

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EVOLUTION looms! This may not be news to us because some eminent Nigerians have had to warn that one is just by the corner if the present situation continues.

Although some not-too-perceptive Nigerians have also said this is impossible in the country. Such delusion is also not new; it’s been like that probably before the days of Noah. But those who faulted Noah and said God would never destroy the world with water found out late and they perished with their optimism. They perished even when animals and birds found accommodation in the ark that Noah made in preparation for the coming downpour.

If anyone had told the deposed Ben Ali of Tunisia this time last year that his regime would be no more by now, he would have seen it as foolish talk. The same way Hosni Mubarak of Egypt could have asked the stargazers to perish the thought if they had told him this time last year that he would be disgraced out of power. Or, how do you think Muammar Ghadaffi would have taken anyone who told him this time last year that his once opulent regime would not only be overthrown but he would be killed like a chicken? As a matter of fact, Ghadaffi did not believe what struck him until he woke up in the great beyond. Those were in foreign lands.

Now back home. Revolution looms! Guess who is talking? Is it not shocking that it is our own Goodluck Jonathan that has now seen the light.

Postscript, Unlimited!

By

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

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HEN we were young, travelling was not much of a pain for people as it is now. The traveller simply got his effects tightly tied together to fit into his pocket and, come early morning, took his breakfast, put on a deep, thoughtful and pensive look on his face, flexed his muscles to be sure they still worked, and hit the road. Yes, reader, anyone who needed to do business in another village had better know how to walk. I therefore grew up hearing stories of how giant aunts and uncles and villagers of great renown walked from one village to another a great distance apart – no less than twenty kilometres, just to ‘greet someone’. On reflection, I always think that it is just as well that those folks had no idea how many kilometres they were walking. I feel sure that, were they to be told the number, they would rather faint. Such is the power of ignorance: it makes people do impossible things.

The modern traveler, thank God, knows better. S/he is equipped with a map that spells out everything s/he needs to know and prepare for. So, come the weekend, the entire country is dotted with bus-loads of people uniformly

Comment & Analysis

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Averting ‘Revolution Jonathan’ Thank God, the president is seeing what many of us have since predicted He spoke in Lokoja, Kogi State capital during the grand finale of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rally in preparation for yesterday’s gubernatorial election in the state. By the president’s projection, the Devil would find jobs for the teeming jobless youths in the country if the current rate of unemployment persists in the next four to five years.

This however was unlike the situation when in 1983, the opposition Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) was the lone voice in the wilderness drawing the attention of the then National Party of Nigeria (NPN) government to the impending cataclysm. The NPN said then that there was no cause for alarm and that the opposition was merely doing its work; in other words, that it was being mischievous.

The rest is history. It is good that it is President Jonathan himself that is doing the job of the opposition by being perceptive enough to see the looming Armageddon.

But, seeing it ahead is not enough; what is done with that foresight is what matters most. And this is where I fear for the president. From his actions and utterances, it does not seem that he really understands the import of some of his impending policies, like the removal of the so-called fuel subsidy, or the way millions of Ni-

gerians perceive his government.

If he did, he would not be reminding us, like he did the other day when he said great leaders are hardly honoured while in office or even in their lifetime. The way he said it, it was as if he already counts himself in the league of some great or transformational leaders. But what the president conveniently forgot to add is that such leaders always put all the cards on the table, even before election. They do full disclosure. Jonathan didn’t. Chief Obafemi Awolowo of blessed memory did not hide the fact that he was going to stop serving of tea in government offices (to save money) or that he was going to probe the sitting government even when he was seeking people’s mandate. The Establishment saw through the line and did everything possible to block him from getting to power. After all, when a child threatens that when he grows up, he would be cooking pepper soup with the laps of pigeons, the pigeon needs no one to teach it what to do so that such a child would never grow old! As a matter of fact, Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo said in veiled reference to Awo’s desire to be president in 1979 that they may not know who would succeed them, but

“The president knows what to do if that is the only route he knows can take us to El Dorado. And that is the only antidote to the question posed by the impending revolution. In the past, he would have had to ‘open calabash’ in Yorubaland and join his ancestors. Things are simple in these days of democracy; all he needs to do now is throw in the towel! As simple as A,B,C”

they knew the person that would not.

President Jonathan should have emulated the great leaders he had in mind by telling Nigerians before the elections that he was going to remove fuel subsidy and see whether Nigerians would not have switched their loyalty during the polls. It was because the president decided to be clever by half before the election that his popularity rating keeps nose diving by the day and not necessarily because he is a great leader or because he is on the path towards greatness.

What is astonishing about the Nigerian curse is that the so-called small African countries are trying to make something out of their smallness while our own leaders keep eulogising and admiring our potential.

Some reports have it that at about the same time President Jonathan was campaigning for the PDP candidate in Yola, Adamawa State, Niger Republic was commissioning a $5billion refinery near our border. The refinery will refine more than Niger Republic requires; meaning Nigeria may be a beneficiary of part of the huge surplus for export!

Yet, the PDP government in Nigeria in the last 12 years has had its mind fixated on importation of petrol. It has not been able to see through the completion of a single refinery.

As a matter of fact, none of the four that the country owns has ever worked optimally for years. This reminds one of what Winston Churchill once said about politicians (that someone for whom I have tremendous respect sent to me last Sunday): “The politician is noted for a special ability. He says what will happen to-

morrow, next week, next month, next year, next decade and then at the end, he tells you why it didn’t happen”.

I hope President Goodluck Jonathan will have the good luck to tell us why the revolution did not happen in the long run. But if he insists on the path to destruction which is what subsidy removal is, that may be a forlorn hope, for, it will be better for the country to crash if subsidy is not removed so that we can have an opportunity of beginning afresh.

Even if the president’s job creation scheme works as expected (which is doubtful), by the time the so-called fuel subsidy is removed, petrol and transport fares as well as the prices of other items will soar beyond the reach of the people, thus making nonsense of whatever income the youths that have just been employed would have, still making revolution inevitable. So, when will Maku (a Yoruba name literally meaning ‘don’t die’) not die?

President Jonathan will be extending a formal invitation to revolution if he dares Nigerians by removing the so-called fuel subsidy.

In that case, there would be no cause for control since everything would have been under alarm. The president knows what to do if that is the only route he knows can take us to El Dorado. And that is the only antidote to the question posed by the impending revolution. In the past, he would have had to ‘open calabash’ in Yorubaland and join his ancestors.

Things are simple in these days of democracy; all he needs to do now is throw in the towel! As simple as A,B,C.

That get-away weekend is no holiday after all dressed in colourful dresses and head-gears, happy to have abandoned their uninteresting lives to take on magical lives of wayfarers for a few hours in which promising potentials await: victuals, couch and company. It is called the ‘get-away’ weekend.

It really matters not the reason for getting away at the week-end, as long as it is not for greeting.

These days, people don’t travel anymore ‘just to greet’. Greeting is done by telephone, even by people who would never have travelled to greet one. ‘I just said I should greet you’, as if there were times the caller actually told him or herself not to greet you. So, in those days, the purpose of one’s journey could be seen in the dressing: dark colours for mourning at funerals, bright colours for weddings and neutral colours for trysts. Not so now, you just watch the head-gear of both men and women: the size, colour and gaiety in the head-gear shows that people are equally happy to rejoice with others whether they are giving out their child in marriage or burying their parent.

To show you that people are really equipped for week-end travelling, just see the way they handle inconveniences like the conveniences. In the many ‘get-aways’ I’ve been in, no one has yet complained that the toilet used by nearly a thousand people ‘is bad’.

Indeed, many hardly notice its badness, no matter how full of the stuff of the weekend revellers it is. In any case, I have heard often, anyone who cannot use the toilet should go to the ‘bush’. I tell you, there is a

lot to be said for under-development. That reminds me of a story.

Once, a not-very-literate taxi driver picked up a foreign fare in one of the country’s airports and started off in the general direction of the town. No sooner did he hit the road than the fare asked if he could be taken to the nearest convenience. Not quite understanding, the driver drove on in the hope that the muses would send illumination and he would make out what the oyinbo gentleman wanted. Rather pressed, the gentleman repeated that he should please be shown to the loo. This was even worse for the driver who still drove on, hoping to understand by and by. Really pressed now, the foreigner shouted, please take me to the nearest toilet! Immediately, the taxi stopped and the driver shot out to open the door for his guest. ‘You want toilet and you no say so?’ Then he made a sweeping gesture towards the bush with an open palm. ‘In Nigeria,’ he said, ‘toilet here, toilet there, toilet everywhere.’

Then, there is yet no weekend traveller who has not complained about the state of Nigerian roads, yet none has shown a willingness to return home without completing the journey. There is this sense of urgency to be at the ‘happening spot’ that makes people overlook the pains of getting there. Should they travel as a group in a bus, the seating system can only be compared to when a great deal of sardines are seating in a tin, fin to fin, shoulder to shoulder. Each is only allowed to breath, and nothing more. Should they go in their per-

sonal car, the pain is even worse as motor parts are watched as they fall onto the road one after the other while the vehicle is in a jagged undulation as a result of the bad road. First, the radiator goes, then the fans, then the break-pads, then the steering wheel, then the car, then the driver … falling apart like sliced loaf. By the time one gets home from the journey, the only remaining sign of life is in the eyes.

The rest of the body will probably catch up in two or three days, at least before the following weekend when the ne’er-say-die reveler is ready for the next jaunt.

What the road does not finish off, the get-away sleeping arrangement does. Your typical get-away should normally involve a hotel stay, which is supposed to be a home away from home. Not so.

When you are lucky to get a room at an over-priced hotel, you get to enjoy the luck of seeing the water you use to wash yourself collect around your feet, leaving whitish rings around them. You also get to sleep on sheets already decidedly used by someone else and which the indifferent hoteliers have neglected to remove because they are operating under the philosophy, ‘It’s a small world; the stranger you meet (or don’t meet) today is a friend tomorrow’, and other dubious beliefs. And, God forbid that you should be given a towel in these parts. Are there no fig leaves left in the bushes to dry oneself with? Or else, a million people (or so it appears in the morning) squeeze themselves into tiny sleeping spaces in the celebrator’s house ‘just for the night’. Someone took a

look at my couch once and declared how comfortable it would be to sleep on at a ceremony.

Whereas all agree that food is the most important aspect of any ceremony, it is also universally acknowledged that guests should be fed no more than once. In these parts, where feeding a multitude takes more than two fishes and five loaves, people are becoming more and more reluctant to undertake this tedious task, so some people end up not eating at the ceremony they travelled kilometers for. The guest is then left to fend for him/ herself. Those who are wise, like the wise virgins, fill their flasks with food before setting out; those who are foolish, like the foolish virgins, trust in luck to find a good hotel or Samaritan and run the risk of diarrhoea. At the fifth run to the convenience, you begin to wonder what on earth took you on that trip.

That is when you realize that you did not get a holiday from the weekend, rather the weekend got away from you.

The weekend get-away is very useful, no doubt. Sometimes, it allows one to give one’s feet a break from treading the earth in search of food. More importantly, it allows us to swear our solidarity with the celebrator. That is the only reason I can think of for enduring all those pains just to attend a ceremony when one is not the priest, groom or grave-digger. Reader, whenever you find yourself nonplussed about your life, take one of these trips. Trust me, you will return thanking God, as is said in Christian parlance, for your life and hovel to return to.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2011

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2011

OJUKWU 1933-2011

INSIGHT ON AN ICON My life with Ojukwu –His first wife, Njideka Pages 18-19

I was his orderly in Kano in 1965 –Major Yusuf Abdulkadri Kanabe (rtd) Pages 20-21

He never bowed knee in surrender –Ohaneze Chief, Raph Uwechue Pages 22-23

‘The coup against Ojukwu’ Page 26

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 4, 2011

Special Report CHUKWUEMEKA ODUMEGWU-OJUKWU (1933-2011)

My life with Ojukwu Beautiful, if that could capture it, is like an understatement. For in her seventies, the grace and elegance that must have made the Ikemba fall head over heels in love decades ago were apparent. With a disarming smile, an intellect that is confounding and a memory that is outstanding, Mrs Njideka Odumegwu-Ojukwu is a subject for a whole biography. But that may never come out of her. She just is not attracted by publicity. In this interview, a lot of areas were marked as no go areas, a lot of fields not to be touched. Obvious, however, is the fact that there are far too many truths lurking within her that only a book can fully capture. What we serve here therefore is the summary of an interview session with the woman who saw the Nigerian Civil War as the wife of one of the two most important players - Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu; a woman who gave birth to four successful children and has remained elegant even in her seventies. Eni Akinsola spoke with her. (Note: this interview was first published in The Nation on Sunday, June 22, 2008. Mrs Ojukwu passed on March 24, 2010)

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HAT was your childhood and growing up like?

My birth was said to be special in that my mum was barely seven months pregnant when I came prematurely with my twin sister. We were said to have been covered with all sorts of clothing, wool and other things to make us warm. My mum could not offer breast milk because she was not too well and so we had to be breast-fed by other women. I made it but the other child didn’t. I was named Njideka, which means “I am grateful for this child.”

My parents had seven of us, one died at thirteen and I became the second from the original third position among the children.

I attended St. Monica’s in Onitsha and Archdeacon Crowder Memorial Girls School, Elelenwo, near Port Harcourt.

I was born in a Christian family. My parents were very strict Christians. It’s difficult to say this, but the truth is that I was born in abundance. I had everything I wanted. True also is that it wasn’t a happy childhood. My father, for reasons best known to him, wanted very much to marry me off and yet he had five daughters, I was number two.

Coming from a wealthy home, how was school like?

It was not easy at all. Teenagers had their own ways of thinking. We had so many people. My father would not allow one to say hello to a man.

But here was I, in Elelenwo, with students from University College, Ibadan coming to teach. I will be going on, and see one and say hello, or shake hands, my father would see that and descend on me. Our house was so high that he could see you from afar.

In any case, I was not ready to play hide and seek. I read a lot, stayed indoors a lot.

My father was one of the pioneers in the recording business. There was another called Joe Febro, though I have forgotten the man behind it.

Those days, they used to work together.

My father, had seven living children I was first n u m b e r

•Njedika Odimegwu-Ojukwu

THE NATION ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 4, 2011

Special Report

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CHUKWUEMEKA ODUMEGWU-OJUKWU (1933-2011) three, but when the eldest died at thirteen, I became the second.

How did your relationship with Ojukwu start?

It was after my divorce from Dr. Brodi-Mends, a Ghanaian and the father of my first child, Iruaku. Ojukwu is somebody you see around or bump into because our parents were business people. I’d seen him the day my younger sister was going to England at the airport. She knew him before me.

Later on, he told me my sister was my best ambassador. That she was always talking about me and that I was always at home.

Then, you had to fly by a small aircraft from Enugu to Kano to join the British Airways. So, we had gotten to the airport when my name was announced, I was shocked. I had the feeling that maybe something terrible had happened to my father. My hands were shaking when they were giving me the telegraph. I opened it and what was the content: “I am sorry; I mean to come to meet you at the airport. But I was sent to Keshi in Ghana. Emeka. “When I read it, I had to wonder, why is he concerned and where is “Keshi”. Because, I was not familiar with military locations.

After that, I went to London and continued with my life, until three years later, when I met him again at a tube station.

I had gone with a friend of mine, Mrs. Obiekwe, she is late now. While we were going with the husband, somebody just said ‘they do not greet people in Igbo.’’ I turned back and lo and behold, it was Emeka, who had escorted his father to the station.

He said he was on a course and asked for my phone number and I gave him. A week later, he called. “Hello, I am very sorry I have not been able to call,” he said, I said no problem, in any case, you give your number to several people not with any expectation that they’ll call. We met on several occasions thereafter. He pursued me like I have never experienced. At a point he asked me about a Canadian friend of mine and said that I had to let go of him.

One major reason I didn’t mind him was my father. I was afraid he could have a heart attack and die if he got to know I had a white friend. By then, we were thinking of a serious relationship.

Anyway, Emeka was calling and calling and staying on the phone. I didn’t realize what he was up to until I asked him why he liked wasting time and money on phones. He asked if I really wanted the truth, then revealed that he wanted to take that my friend, who he had christened “Canada.” off me! (laughter).

One day, Emeka invited me to his house. I took a friend of mine, Efun Shobande, with me. We got to his house and he took me aside. So, you brought someone to come and spy on me? I laughed it off but that was indeed why I brought my friend with me.

By the way, I lost contact with Efun and have not seen her since. I understand she was married and was in Kaduna, she was brought up in Jos. On the way back the next day, we talked about him and I was so confused, that when we go to Baker Street, I almost passed out.

Efun told me that she liked and preferred Emeka. In any case, she added, “he is a Nigerian.”

I thereafter, told him to get in touch with my parents if he was serious. He had known about Iruaku, my daughter by Brodi-Mends. She was two when I left home. When I got back to Nigeria, I saw a huge teddy bear with Iruaku and when I asked who gave it to her, I was told it was Emeka.

He had obviously wooed everybody in the house over.

My mother and the rest were all in love with him. Our parents, fathers were well known to one another, though they are from Nnewi and we are from Nawfia, not too far from Awka.

Your marriage with Ikemba started on a high. He was a military man and all that… Did you know he was in the military when it started.?

I knew he was a soldier. But I didn’t know much about what being a soldier meant. There was a day he came home while in London with the British Army uniform, I asked him and he said he is on course and so have to put on the uniform during the duration of the course.

I only got to know more when I came back. The first party he took me took me to was Ironsi’s. I didn’t remember seeing many women there. I remember seeing Murtala Mohammed who was then Ironsi’s Aide De Camp. The men were so polished; spoke impeccable English, well mannered and unbelievably polite. I was pleasantly surprised. So we had people like this in Nigeria? I sort of liked them. The crop I saw was impressive. And Emeka was very good at taking care of a woman.

Was he randy, full of soft words, romantic?

I didn’t even know the word is romance. Not really. He is just a very kind man, very polite, not intrusive. He cared less about what happened in the kitchen, he just settled for whatever you offered him. He respected me and my opinion a lot.

Later, when the children got across to him, he would ask them what my opinion was on issues. And I loved him immensely in return.

If you were this in love, why the separation?

Well, somebody summed it up: Fredrick Forsyth in his book. He knew the very beginning of the story. I agree with him that it is the war. I suppose, in a given situation, where things are very bad, there is always a casualty. I guess I was the last casualty of the war.

I do not hold Emeka responsible. I think there was pressure on him to have another wife and he was resisting. And you know there are other undercurrents that are better left in

•Odumegwu-Ojukwu and Njedika after their wedding

the past where they belong.

So, one day, you just decided to leave him or he asked you to leave?

No, I just left. I disappeared. I went to London. Okigbo my last son was then around two and a half years. He didn’t allow any of the children to go with me. Eventually, we communicated again and I got the children back.

Maybe the problem is that I can’t tolerate distraction in my marriage. I gave all, my soul, life and all and could not stand ridiculous stories. The unfortunate part of it all was that I kept marrying single sons. But if I had married again and had trouble, I would just have left I love my peace.

Since then, what have you been doing?

I have been doing business. When I was in London, I was ordering George, jewelleries from India, Italy and selling them to other traders. I couldn’t continue with my education, so I went into buying and selling. Some people asked me, what was Deka (West Africa) Limited (my company) into? And I answered: we sell everything except illegal things.

Like your dad who was into buying and selling before going into recording?

Yes, I learnt trading from him. He was into several other legitimate things. For instance, when he started the record business, he would bring in sample records and play them, he would then ask us to listen in and from our reactions, he gets a fair idea of how the record would be received by buyers. In that way, we were being used as sounding boards.

Then he went into importing ladies’ things. Later on, he opened a recording factory, CTO, which stands for Christopher Tagbo Onyekwere.

Before I married, I worked for him for one year as a clerk and I was for the important and export section. So, I learn on the job. Of the several of us Tagbo is an accountant, Ndubuisi, the other boy, an engineer, is the one managing the rest of my dad’s business.

Tagbo was in London for sometime and then moved to Zambia, where he was like the governor of the Central Bank •Continued on Page 52

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Special Report CHUKWUEMEKA ODUMEGWU-OJUKWU (1933-2011)

‘I was his orderly i Alhaji Yusuf Abdukadir Kanabe, 62, was about 18 years old in 1965 when he met and worked with the late Ojukwu as his orderly in Kano. He was among the first 38 people that were trained by Major Kaduna Nzeogwu for about nine months in what is today Nigeria Army Intelligence. He spoke at his Lagos residence with Associate Editor,Taiwo Ogundipe

T

ELL us about your first encounter with the late Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu The late Ojukwu was my boss.

As a young military officer from the military school, he picked me out from a parade and made me his door orderly in Kano as the then Commanding Officer of the 5th Battalion. Before you see him, you must first see me. You must first fill a form on my table which I would take to him. If he wanted to see you he would tell me to ask you to come in. If he wanted to give you an appointment to come at later date, he would ask to tell you that. He was a very straight forward man. If I can quote him like he said during the death of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, he was also the best president we never had. If you do your work like the book says it should be done you were his friend. He was a detribalised Nigerian. However, he was misunderstood by everybody. That was why he found himself controversial. But he was a very good, down-to-earth man. I happened to work with him for over 18 months.

What role did Ojukwu play during the military and political crises that engulfed the country starting with the Major Nzeogwu’s coup?

Ojukwu was not a sentimental person. When the crisis happened he aligned himself with the then Head of Government, General Aguiyi Ironsi. He did not support the Nzeogwu coup. He was, however, a lone voice. And as they say, one tree cannot make a forest.

During the second coup after the death of Ironsi, he insisted that the most senior officer then would

‘‘Ojukwu did not cause the war.

Nigeria caused the war. What is happening now, as I said, was not up to what happened before they took up arms. If I was in the position of Ojukwu and I saw my people being twisted the way they were, I would take up arms’’

have to take over the government.

His idea was not bought. During the war that later broke out, we the junior officers did not know what we were fighting for. We were only told that somebody was rebelling against the government of the republic. We did not know what actually caused the fight. We just fought blindly. When the first coup happened, the government stabilised for some time. He was appointed governor of Eastern Nigeria. To tell you how detribalised he was, his personal driver was Yusuf Azi, a Berom who hailed from Jos. His chief clerk was an Igala man, one Pius Ayegba. When he was leaving to become governor of the Eastern Nigeria he called all of us members of the office staff together - and gave us a pep talk. He urged us to always be at our best. He told us that we part to meet and meet to part. Another person came to take over from him. The then Major Umar Sanda Ike Nwachukwu was his second-in-command. Ike Nwachukwu was the then training officer in the 5th Battalion in Kano.

Some people are of the view that Ojukwu escaped being consumed in the crises because he was residing outside the barrack in Kano. Was this true?

Ojukwu lived inside the barrack. His house was being guarded by soldiers. He was not afraid of anything. He lived in the officers’ quarters with his wife.

The first son, Dominic was born in our hands. Ojukwu’s first wife was a Ghanaian lady before he married Njideka, the mother of Emeka. He was a straight-forward human being. During the crises when the war eventually broke out, Ojukwu was painted black as somebody rebelling against the government of the day and we the troops on the side of the federal government were just fighting blindly. What he saw in 1969 when the war still on is what Nigeria is doing as Vision 2020.

You can see that the man was brilliant.

But he was misunderstood by the powersthat-be.

Can you say categorically say that Ojukwu was not part of the first coup led by Nzeogwu?

He was not part of the coup and he was not in the know. That was why he refused to recognize Nzeogwu who was then the training officer at the Nigeria Army Training College in Kaduna.

He did not support the coup at all.

He was telling Nzeogwu what he did was wrong and he even detained him in Kaduna. Ojukwu wanted to even march troops into

Kaduna but he was asked to hold because it was said that Nzeogwu was not fighting everybody then but the ten percenters. Nzeogwu who hailed from Asaba was released and he left for the East. It was at Obollo that Nzeogwu was killed during the civil war and brought to Kaduna and was given a national burial. Ojukwu, as I said, did not support the coup but when the pogrom started after the second coup when they started killing the Ibos, he was prompted to declare the state of Biafra. If we are asking for a list of patriots for this Republic, Ojukwu will be number one. He wanted one Nigeria. I don’t mind being arrested for saying what I’m saying. He is the best patriot I’ve known. They are not very many.

The other one like him that I know include Mallam Dogo, that is, General Muhammadu Buhari whom I served in Maiduguri as duty officer when he was the military governor of the North Eastern State then. Another person like him was my other master, Tunde Idiagbon who was the brigade major where I was brigade intelligence officer in the then 3 Infantry Brigade, Maiduguri. He was also a straight forward human being. No corner. He would tell you as it is.

Did Ojukwu never show any tendency, or threaten that he might later lead the Eastern Nigeria to secede when he was in Kano?

No, there was nothing like that whatsoever because then everybody was everybody’s brother. There was no threat whatsoever. What brought about the threat and such tendency was after the second military coup that brought Yakubu Gowon to power as Head of State. Ojukwu was made the governor of Eastern Nigeria. It was after that second coup that the problem started. The senior officers were holding their meetings here and there. They eventually went to Aburi in Ghana. Although we as junior officers did not know what happened there, Ojukwu came back to issue that famous statement that it was on Aburi Accord they stood. He insisted that the Aburi Accord should be upheld otherwise there was not going to be any deal. It was from that point that they started having problem. What I think happened was that somebody was not sincere about whatever was the outcome of the meeting. There was no secession after the first coup.

Everything was going until when they killed in Ibadan, General Ironsi and his host, Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi .

•Kanabe

How was he as a boss?

He was a very good listener and a team player. He would always approach issues with an attitude of collectivism. He would always acknowledge and consider your point of view, but if he is not convinced about it he would then say, what if we do it like this and not what if I do it like this. He would talk to a private soldier like he would talk to an officer.

He would bring himself down to the level he thought you would be able to understand him as a person. The Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, was a very good friend of his. He used to come even at odd hours to see him. The Emir like my Commanding Officer, Ojukwu was a very young man then. Ojukwu spoke Hausa language very well. He was too good a man.

What was his typical day like?

He unfailingly used to inspect muster parade every morning. He would assess the appearances of the soldiers and officers on parade. He would then go and settle down in his office to carry out his official tasks. The office hours then usually ended at one o’clock to one thirty. Ojukwu would stay back for a while, if it was necessary, to attend to official matters. And when he was done he would get up, undress, put on

his sports dress, take his squash racquet and go to the PT ground to play squash. And after the game, he would come back to the office, remove his sports dress, he would dress up and drive to his house which was a short distance from his office within the barrack.

Sometimes on Wednesdays when every soldier would go to the training ground, Ojukwu would go to see how each company was performing - especially when they returned from Congo.

Did you have any further interaction with him after he became governor of Eastern Nigeria?

During the crisis I was moved first to Makurdi and then to Garkem, the boundary between Tiv land and Ogoja, where the war started in July 1967. It was one Major Opallo and a man called Nasko who were in the artillery that fired the first shot that declared the war open after the police action. I did not see Ojukwu for many years until when he was pardoned. I visited him at Bassilica House in Ikoyi on two occasions after he returned from Ivory Coast.

How was Ojukwu as a family man?

I was not working in his house but to the best of my knowledge, he was a good family man. He would buy things and ask

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CHUKWUEMEKA ODUMEGWU-OJUKWU (1933-2011)

y in Kano in 1965’

Photo: Olusegun Rapheal

somebody to take to his house. I also took that habit after him. I also do the same things for my family.

Ojukwu knew what a woman wants. A woman wants good food to eat and she wants to wear good clothes around her body. He would go out and buy these things and send to his house. This would always make a woman happy.

And he would not bring a strange woman to the house. And his wife, Njideka never came to interfere with him in his office.

What were his likes and dislikes?

Ojukwu liked the good things of life. He liked beautiful women.

If you were not beautiful, you were not his type of woman. One thing I really liked about him was that he was a very bold man. He would tell you to your face what he felt about an issue no matter what you thought about him. He would always make his point. I learnt boldness from him. He was never easily intimidated. Although he had a wide knowledge but he would always put his ear to the ground learn of people’s opinions on issues. He also sought advice from people.

Another thing popularly known about him was his high level of intelligence and intellectual capacity, how did you see him in this light.

He spoke Queens English

fluently. He was an avid reader.

He had a shelf of rich choice books in his office.

Was Ojukwu carrying himself as a son of a very rich man?

No! It was just as if he was bearing his name like any other Ibo name. That period, if ten big passenger buses passed on the highway, his father had six or seven of among them. The then Ojukwu Transport Company was a big outfit. If he had thought of his father’s wealth, he would not have joined the army. He wanted to be an individual man. He was interested in people. He was always curious to know them well.

I also learnt truthfulness from him.

He could not stand liars.

How did he spend his leisure hours when you were with him in Kano?

Ojukwu was a very good cigarette smoker. He was also a good mixer who interacted with officers and men. There was no soldier, sergeant or warrant officer who would ever say that Ojukwu snubbed him. He was not like your run-of-the-mill officer who just went to NMTC (Nigeria Military Training College) and got commissioned into the officer’s corps. This was somebody who left King’ College, Lagos to Eton and Oxford in Britain and he came in, I think, as one of the first two graduate officers in the Nigerian

Army. He was well-polished and a gentleman to the core.

Talking about his social life, was there any scandal involving him and women?

None! There was no scandal involving him and any woman as far as I knew. But he liked fine women. There was no scandal.

How could there have been scandal?

Ojukwu as a commanding officer as at that period was a very big man. Which woman would make a scandal with him? He was just like a honeybee. They would want to come and suck from him. He didn’t have to go and start looking for any woman. They would come and look for such a person as him.

Even an average man like me would attract any woman if they see that I dress well. They will think I have much money stacked up somewhere. Let alone, somebody like Ojukwu. He used to ride a Mercedes Benz car painted in Army colour as a staff car. Not many people enjoyed that privilege that time. He also had other imported cars which were very rare inside the whole town.

Naturally with this kind of status he was a big attraction to women.

So there was no basis for scandal.

In the barrack, we had what we called tombola. People used to come from outside to play the tombola on Friday nights. They were drinking as they were playing. Ojukwu was often part of it. He had so many friends. Kano is a metropolitan city just like Lagos.

At the end of every year there was what we called Battalion WASA. Ojukwu never joked with it. He would gather every ethnic group. Each group would bring its own type of dance. A good number of cows would be slaughtered.

Different dishes and delicacies would be prepared by the various ethnic groups. Everybody would have a good time. He was very friendly with officers and men.

As a human being Ojukwu would have had some bad sides.

Which ones did you know him with?

I don’t know. To the best of my knowledge he had none.

Are you saying he didn’t have some fault or vices as a human being?

The only thing I knew of him was that he liked very beautiful women. Even you sitting in front of me, I’m sure, you would not see a beautiful woman and take your eyes off. He was also a serious smoker and he drank beer. As a smoker he loved Craven A which was the cigarette in vogue then. His favourite beer was Star beer.

What should the government do in his remembrance?

I want the Federal Republic of Nigeria to immortalise him by naming one particular gigantic edifice after him. He did so much for Nigeria. You will not complete the history of Nigeria without mentioning him. He was not among the stealing caucus. That was why most of his ideas could not see the light of day. They should find a good barrack and name it after him because he did so much for the Nigeria Army. As the QuarterMaster General of the Nigeria Army before he was posted to Kano, he changed the Nigeria Army Uniform from the colonial style of khaki shirt and short knickers as well as the ancient type of stockings which were rolled round the legs up to the knees. He commissioned the Kaduna Textile Mill to design using local fabrics to save the country foreign exchange. The British never forgave him for this because he stopped them from making money. He also changed the architecture of the Nigeria Army Barracks from the hut structures to modern brick buildings. If a barrack could not be named after him, they should find a befitting monument to honour him with because, as I said, you cannot complete the history of Nigeria without talking about him. He should also be given a state burial like a head of government.

Do you think Nigeria would want to immortalise him in view of the fact that he triggered a war that cost so much in terms of men and material?

Which war? Ojukwu did not cause the war. Nigeria caused the war. What is happening now, as I said, was not up to what happened before they took up arms. If I was in the position of Ojukwu and I saw my people being twisted the way they were, I would take up arms. If you as a person cannot do what Ojukwu did if you see your people being treated the way Ibos were, you are not a human being. I lost my commission in the army because of principles. They said if I advanced more than I was I was going to jail all of them. I am enjoying my pension despite the fact that it is not coming as it should when it is due. Ojukwu is my hero up till tomorrow because there is nobody like him.

Do you think even his fellow Ibos have appreciated him well enough?

I think they have. We are in a

‘‘If it were you wouldn’t you have run? A living hero is better than a dead one because he will be alive to tell stories. If he had allowed himself to be killed as Gaddafi like a chicken you would not be talking about him today. And if he had come back to join the Nigerian Peoples Party, the Zik or Ibo party, people would have branded him a tribalist’’

republic of deceit. So many people do not want to say the truth. What he did for the Ibo nation even Azikwe did not do it for them.

Some people believe it was not right of him to have abandoned his people and absconded to Ivory Coast on exile during the war…

If it were you wouldn’t you have run? A living hero is better than a dead one because he will be alive to tell stories. If he had allowed himself to be killed as Gaddafi like a chicken you would not be talking about him today.

And if he had come back to join the Nigerian Peoples Party, the Zik or Ibo party, people would have branded him a tribalist. If I were him I would have done the same thing. It is the man who gave me a stick or rope as a lifeline to get me out of the well that I will lay by his side. And when the situation had cooled down I would then know where I belonged like he did with people of like minds to later form APGA now controlling two states, Anambra and Imo. This is like what Tinubu is doing in the Southwest with ACN. I will urge the entire Igbo nation to belong to APGA. Ojukwu will feel well and turn in his grave with satisfaction to say this is what I fought for. I want an Ibo man to become the head of the government this republic in 2015 so that Ojukwu would know that he fought and fought well for the Ibos. He was not looking for anything personal.

If he was looking for anything personal, his father had money for him. He would not have joined the army. He wanted to be a man of his own. By the reckoning of Nigerians then, his father was the richest Nigerian alive. The population of the country then was about 57 million. His father was the richest Nigerian alive. During that period, the general notion of the average Nigerian was it was only those who were not well-todo that joined the army. Some of us who came from a humble background did so because we wanted to contribute our own little quota to the republic and make Nigeria became what it became.

Do you think the Biafran ideology is dead with Ojukwu?

It cannot die with him. It is just like what Osama Bin Laden said: If you kill me, Osama Bin Laden, there are a thousand and one Osama Bin Ladens right inside America. We have Uwazurike and we have more than 50, 000 Uwazurike in Ibo land. What we are experiencing now in the country is not even as bad as what was happening as at 1966/1967.

What we are experiencing now in Nigeria is not up to what we had that made him to take up arms against the republic. It is worse now and if these things are not properly looked into, we are sitting on a keg of gunpowder. Let Jonathan not be the last president of Nigeria. Let him think very properly and meet with the people he has to meet with and make sure things go on very well. In 1966 there was no Boko Haram. We do not know where they are going to strike next.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 4, 2011

Special Report CHUKWUEMEKA ODUMEGWU-OJUKWU (1933-2011)

H

OW did you feel on hearing of the death of Dim Odimegwu Ojukwu?

Every Igbo person that has followed the happenings in the country in the past several years feels greatly saddened by the demise of Dim Odimegwu Ojukwu.

His passing away is like the passing of an age in the chequered history of the Igbo nation. Here is a man who stood up at a time when his people needed him, organised the defense of their dignity and political rights within Nigeria, and the support he got - which was virtually unanimous - is evidence of the confidence that Ndigbo reposed in him. Obviously the civil war which he conducted ended in a way different from what the Igbos would have liked, but that does not in any way detract from the fact that he stood up for the defence of Ndigbo and their political interest and rights within the Nigerian family. What led to the civil war had to do with massacre of Ndigbo in Northern Nigeria a year before, and the tearful exodus of those who survived back to the East. Ndigbo did not immediately under Ojukwu opt for secession. They felt that an arrangement should be reached within Nigeria to accommodate the security concerns of the various ethnic groups that make up our country. They encouraged and agreed to going to Ghana where the Aburi Agreement was struck under the chairmanship of the Head of State of Ghana, General Ankrah that guaranteed within Nigeria the security of the various regions. We thought peace would be based on that, unfortunately the Federal Government did not at the time keep to the terms of that agreement. So the Igbos said if we are not safe within Nigeria, and an agreement we all

‘He never bowed knee in surrender’ •Uwechue

Chief Raph Uwechue, OFR, currently President General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo , was Nigeria’s first ambassador to France. He has also served as Minister for Health. He was once a presidential aspirant under the banner of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP), as well as vice-chairman of National Democratic Coalition (NADECO).

He has equally served as ECOWAS Special Representative in Cote d’Ivoire.

In this interview with Okungbowa Aiwerie he shares memories of his association with the late Dim Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu and reflects on the Biafran experience

•Ojukwu

reached to guarantee the security of both the Igbos and other people cannot be kept, then we are really being rejected. That was the basis of the support that Ojukwu got .We stood up; he did not cave in. He stood up to say “No” either we stand on Aburi which keeps us within Nigeria but retains our security within Nigeria or we do not belong here. So his passing away is something that every Nigerian and every African at the time who knew what happened would feel that an age has passed in the history of not just Nigeria but of Africa.

When did you first come in contact with Dim Ojukwu?

It was the civil

war that brought us together. I opened the Nigeria embassy in Paris in May 1966 then developments in the country began to happen which eventually led to the declaration of hostilities in May 1967. Now, Ojukwu was the leader of the Eastern Region just as Col Adekunle Fajuyi was the leader of the Western Region, and Major Hassan Katsina was of the North. That was the first time I noticed Ojukwu. When hostilities broke out, although I come from Delta which then was in Midwest Region, it was clear that the ethnic thing was an important element in the struggle. People who suffered in parts of Nigeria came from both the Eastern and Western side of the River Niger. So it became a uniting factor for Ndigbo to rally and defend themselves. So I said if Ojukwu stood up to defend Ndigbo I will join him.

So did people like Major Patrick Kaduna Nzeogwu , Col Okwechime , Col Nwawor : they all said “Okay” if we have to defend our people let us do so. That was my first contact

with Ojukwu, but we never met face to face until six years after the civil war at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris. He came from Cote d’Ivoire.

For me it was an idea and an ideal.

But obviously we were corresponding and we knew what each other was doing during and before the civil war. We supported his ideals and we still know that many Igbos did at the time.

When was the last time you spoke with him?

This was about a year or so ago at Owerri - there was a meeting organised by a tripartite group which included the traditional rulers of the East, the governors of the South East and Ohaneze Ndigbo. He delivered the keynote address on that occasion; that was the last time we met.

In what capacity did you work with Ojukwu during the civil war?

I quit the federal service. I resigned and started representing the Biafran government in France but I made it clear that I did not support secession. But as long as there was a war in which people were being

THE NATION ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 4, 2011

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CHUKWUEMEKA ODUMEGWU-OJUKWU (1933-2011)

slaughtered and being bombed, we joined to defend them. So I was representing the struggle that Ojukwu was leading at the time in France.

People always say nice things about the dead. But what would you say were his strengths and weaknesses as a man and leader?

As a leader, Ojukwu has demonstrated great intellectual acumen and ability to communicate with people especially in words what people call oratory. He showed courage as a leader - these were his strengths. As for weaknesses, we all have our weaknesses. I am unable to pinpoint any immediately because we were not really close in everyday life.

Is there any particular incident that you remember which captured the essence of the man?

Much of what we know of him and his activities are related directly or indirectly to the civil war; that was when he came into prominence and showed his true colours.

There was a time when people came to him saying that because of the onslaught that was being unleashed on the Igbo population that he should surrender, Ojukwu said “never “ and did not. So, that attitude struck me as a reflection of his true character. He did not participate in the surrender ceremony.

Ojukwu said he would not bow and left Nigeria on voluntary exile.

In the end Biafra collapsed. Is

the failure of the secession not tantamount to a failure on the part of its leader?

The fact that the Biafran episode ended the way it did is due to a collective input both by the leadership and those who supported the leadership massively in what the leadership was doing .The word ‘collapse’, obviously while it is apt, was near inevitable simply because the match was uneven .The Federal Government got the support of the international community and the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) at the time because they were opposed to secession. So, military help came from different parts of Africa for the federal side. What Biafra got was just a trickle compared to the massive support given to the federal government to fight secession and defend the integrity of the Nigerian state; just as it did in the Congo when Moise Tshombe had tried a few years earlier to secede from the Congo. The international community opposed it, so Ojukwu was fighting an uneven war like an ordinary person against a giant.

On his return from exile he plunged straight into NPN. Was it a mistake that he went into partisan politics? Would Igbo unity have been better served he had stayed out of the fray?

Well, Ojukwu did what most other people would do if they were interested in political activity. There was no way an individual comes prancing around to defend any interest, nobody will take you seriously .You had to join a party to so do and he chose one and did so. He was interested in politics and needed a platform to project his beliefs and the agenda he thought was okay for Nigeria. I would not say it was a mistake. If he did not succeed to become President or to become anything politically he will certainly not be alone in that category: Zik tried twice, Chief Obafemi Awolowo tried.

Many feel that his mystique was greatly diminished after he became a politician. Do you agree?

Anything that lasts long has various points in the process of lasting long. There are ups and downs in people’s assessment of anyone who stays long on the political scene, but the outpouring of emotion and encomiums that we now see after his death shows that if there has been any diminution at any stage that certainly did not last.

What was his role in and relationship with Ohanaeze Ndigbo while alive?

Well, Ojukwu had a quite a close relationship with Ohanaeze Ndigbo before even my own assignment as President General .The record is there. In my own case when I became elected to head Ohanaeze Ndigbo he phoned me. I happened to have been in the house of Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu in Lagos. He said he was phoning to congratulate me on my election as President General of Ohaneze. So he has always kept interest, but you know he did not die suddenly: his health waned over a period, so did his participation in general activities so to say.

Does his death make the dream of an Igbo emerging president more realisable in 2015?

Whenever a people are united by any cause - especially by a tragedy - they reflect on what they need to do jointly. So it is conceivable that Ojukwu’s passing away will make Ndigbo realise the need to rally and get a leader at national level who will replace him in their thoughts, and no better position can be thought of than the Presidency of our country

Biafra: What would make a grown man cry?

A

MILLION dollar question!

The general belief is that women are wont to easily break down at the slightest provocation. Laden with emotive feelings, they are often classified in the genre of the weaker sex to their male partners who more than ever are strewn with stronger characterisation.

The lachrymal duct gland borrowed copiously from the ageless Latin word Lacrima Lacrimae, simply put tears as one factor that envelops one when struck by this unavoidable bug. Since men are of sterner stuff, it is rare to see the man betray emotion. At worst it is the reddening of the eyes with a few misty traces on the eyelid. Tears •A man using a makeshift bicycle “ambulance” to transport the dead during have humbled dignified personali- Biafran war. ties including world acclaimed musmoked a poisoned ‘Flight’ cigaBy Obinwa Nnaji sical maestros. There are those who rette believed to have been doctored cry for joy, those who shed tears by fleeing Nigerian troops. Coughhaving emerged from dust of ruin, into the waiting hands of loved ing and vomiting blood we spent having been dramatically and ones anxiously and sleeplessly 32 days taking injections at Aba amazingly lifted from pangs of waiting for their return. It was a case General Hospital. hunger, want, disease and valley of so near but yet so far. They were That morning we had avoided of death. We have those used to the close to shouting ‘Up Ahoy!’ Re- the major Port-Harcourt-Aba road klieg light and could weep in their member the marooned sailors of and taken a remote track road to get chosen profession of cinematogra- ‘Treasure Island’, who on first con- to the hospital for our usual dose phy especially when acting out tact with the shore leapt with joy when there was bedlam! and thundered out: ‘Up Ahoy!’ their scripts on location.

The markets that had opened as So came October 1968. In the early as 4.30am and were pounded A man who had seen it all! He was at the Emene Airport, as Enugu ever busy Aba Ngwa, popularly the worst in the history of air raids Airport was then called, to receive dubbed the Enyimba City, the war on innocent civilians. It was comthe concealed remains of one of Af- raged with no end in sight. Port- parable perhaps only to the murrica’s greatest warriors and Niger- Harcourt had just fallen; Onitsha der and annihilation of civilians in ia’s first ever Military Commander and Okigwe sectors - including the Agwu near Enugu in early 1968. of the Armed Forces and Head of Mid-West - were experiencing fierce The bombs came down in torrents State, General J.T. Aguiyi Ironsi, battles. Aba was bustling despite on Aba - especially the markets that brutally murdered with his host the war and the severe air raids had opened that morning.

Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi, while from Nigeria Air Force jets that As we made our way to Aba threw bombs at random. Consider- General touring then Western Region.

Hospital, General There were stories then that rent ing the ferocious and incessant air Chukwuemeka the air in 1966 and 1967 Odumegwu-Ojukwu, of thousands of people of Head of State of Biafra “Slinging his rifle in his usual atEastern Region comprisarrived on time from tire of French camouflage of the had ing - the core Ibos of the the Ministry of Defence in East and Mid-West, peoCommandos, Ojukwu bowed his Umuahia to witness the ple from present day spectacle. Every head and wept. Tears flowed end- horrific Cross River, Akwa Ibom corner of the hospital was and Rivers, slaughtered lessly. He thereafter turned in the littered with decapitated by even people of northThere were intesdirection of the foreign journal- bodies. ern origin with the Igbos tines just lying without bearing the greatest casuists covering the war from the the bodies, heads, arms, alty. Women and young legs, and clothes Biafran end, and uttered these tongues, girls were raped with imand shoes without their punity and the unlucky memorable words: “If this is not owners. The one that ones thrown into leper me off balance was genocide, someone please help threw colonies for the lepers to the remains of the blown devour. It was akin to the educate me the more.” out hand of a Police SerRoman Empire where geant with his three kings and their misstripes still firmly affixed tresses sat in excitement watching strikes on civilian population, the to the uniform - but the remaining fellow human beings thrown to into Biafrans devised a methodology to parts of the body were missing. desert their homes and the cities the den to be devoured by lions.

Making his way through the There was the pathetic story of before dawn and adopt what was charged atmosphere, the General a painter who pretended to be help- then generally referred as ‘take cover’ grieved for his countrymen and ing his Eastern master but pulled in the forests and any bushy area women bombed out of this world out a dagger and killed him in cold that could serve as camouflage. and killed in cold blood. Slinging blood. The repulsive story that They would return to their homes his rifle in his usual attire of French made headlines then was of preg- at dusk. Even at night most houses camouflage of the Commandos, the nant women fleeing the north via and streets were poorly lit deliber- Ojukwu bowed his head and wept. the railways - but were stopped and ately to avoid being visited by the Tears flowed endlessly. picked out amongst other passen- air raids from Nigerian fighter jets.

He thereafter turned in the diMarkets were no longer opera- rection of the foreign journalists gers on Makurdi bridge level crossing atop River Benue. They had tional during the day but in the wee covering the war from the Biafran their stomachs ripped open, with hours of the morning before 6.00am. end, and uttered these memorable foetus and the unborn children lit- It was against this backdrop one words: “If this is not genocide, sometering the train coaches, as if to com- day, that one of the best and nota- one please help educate me the plete the massacre. So close to their ble medical practitioners, Dr more.” Then the wailing continued homeland, all they needed was to Onyejiaka, was killed by a Nigeria and continued all day! coast home - having escaped the jet fighter in his hospital along St onslaught at the most deadly spots Michael’s Road, Aba. Indeed, the · Obinwa Nnaji, former Edibomb hurled from the sky got him tor of Daily Satellite newspaper, in the northern heartland.

If they had meandered through in his consulting room attending to was a one-time Lieutenant in the Makurdi, they would have been a patient. The death caused a huge Biafran Army Engineers (BAE). He heading up to Utokon and then uproar and anguish, but that was wrote from Enugu. This is the first Igunmale the last border town hedg- just the tip of the iceberg. in a three-part series. ‘The Great ReThe following morning brought turn’ and ‘What you don’t know ing Eha-Amufu, the first Ibo speaking area of the Eastern Region. They the reality of the genocide to its gory about Ojukwu’ will follow next Sunwould have been flung into an un- height. Yours sincerely and a class- day.) controllable ecstasy of tears and joy mate of mine, Michael Akahalu, had

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 4, 2011

Special Report CHUKWUEMEKA ODUMEGWU-OJUKWU (1933-2011)

Who wears Ojukwu’s big shoes?

With the exit of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the most generally accepted Igbo leader in the last four decades, a great vacuum has been created. Taking a close look at his roles as the socio-political leader of the Igbo nation, Associate Editor Sam Egburonu, in this report, x-rays the profiles of some influential Igbo leaders of today and wonders who could fit into Ojukwu’s big shoes?

U

NTIL his death on Saturday, November 25, 2011, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, the Eze Igbo Gburugburu, was the most generally accepted leader of Ndigbo, both politically and socially.

He was also the leader and presidential candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance, one of the outstanding opposition parties in the country. But it has been observed that although APGA, during his life time, was only able to form the governments of two South–East states of Anambra and Imo, this limited political success did not detract from his towering stature as the foremost Igbo leader.

As a leader, Ojukwu began very well and remained roundly accepted all through his life. But as a politician, his journey was rather bumpy from outset. He however managed to retain his reputation as a people’s leader until he answered the final call.

With his exit therefore, it is generally agreed that a leadership vacuum has been created in Igbo land.

Already, concerned Nigerians are wondering who would step into his big shoes as the Igbo leader? So, many names are being considered for this top position. It is however difficult to say if any of them will fit perfectly well. Such names include: Alex Ekwueme: A former Vice President of Nigeria, Ekwueme, the founding patron of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, is no doubt a father figure in Nigerian politics of today.

A renowned architect, he came into national reckoning in 1979, when he emerged the vice president to Alhaji Shehu Shagari in the Second Republic, ahead more formidable political juggernauts like the late Dr. K. O. Mbadiwe and Chief J. O. J Okezie, who actually contested for the National Party of Nigeria’s vice presidential ticket. The contest between the two strong politicians was so stiff that they lost out, thus creating room for the less known Ekwueme to emerge.

Before that lucky outing, Ekwueme’s only known public service was perhaps, as the Head of Planning of Biafran National Airports Board, a board which, at the end of the war, left at least two functioning airports; at Ulli and Uga. Today, Ekwueme, who is considered more as a nationalist, owes his political stature to the courage he showed on the floor of the 1995 Constitutional Conference, when he dared the military dictator. Another action that has endeared him was the way he chaired the All Politicians Summit that year.

Also, his leadership of G-18 and later G-34, which metamorphosed into the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is considered as a proof that he is one of the few matured political leaders alive today.

But how he has been able to bring to bear this intimidating profile to the actual leadership of Ndigbo as a nation remains an issue, especially now that Ikemba has left the scene.

Emeka Anyaoku: A former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Anyaoku is another great Igbo elder that is being considered to succeed Ojukwu as a leader. However, most analysts believe that this super diplomat is yet to assert himself as a political leader in Igboland.

His leadership ability is not in doubt. Recruited into the Nigeria diplomatic service at independence, he made a strong point when in 1990 he emerged the Commonwealth Secretary-General and successfully held the sensitive position until 2000. Anyaoku’s leadership acumen has been further demonstrated by the fact that his tenure as Secretary-General of the Commonwealth coincided with the time the organisation was undergoing fundamental changes and when Nigeria was still under unpopular military dictatorship.

Since his retirement however, he had principally remained a diplomat, a statesman and not a hard core political leader. It therefore remains to be seen how far Ojukwu’s

•Ekwueme

•Anyaoku

•Uwechue

•Anyim

exit will alter that deliberate stance.

Ralph Uwechue: Ambassador Ralph Uwechue, as the President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo since 2008, is the current socio-cultural leader of the Igbo race. An erudite diplomat, he is highly revered because of his deep sense of and commitment to Igbo course. The Delta State-born elder statesman wields considerable influence across Igbo land, especially amongst the elites and leaders who know his contributions to the development of Igbo nation over the years.

But to fully fit into Ojukwu’s big shoes will, to a large extent, depend on how far Uwechue would reposition Ohaneze under his tenure to fully represent the authentic voice of the Igbo nation. It is only then that the youths will also see him as the leader.

Pius Anyim: The former Senate-President and current Secretary to the Government of the Federation made a name as a principled political leader while in the senate but it remains to be seen how his current job will project him as an Igbo leader.

Born February 19, 1960, there is no doubt that age is on his side. Most of the other leaders that may boast of better or similar curriculum vitae are indeed older. This may be an

advantage.

More concretely, Anyim has always found himself on the right side of political wind since he ventured into party politics.

Rightly or wrongly, this could be interpreted to mean that if he desires it and plays his cards well, he could easily be counted.

Ebitu Ukiwo: A retired naval officer, Ukiwo was commissioned sub Lieutenant in 1963. He rose to the position of Navy Commodore in 1984 and later became the No. 2 man in the military government of General Ibrahim Babangida when he was appointed Chief of General Staff in August 1985.

He however left the government following reported policy disagreement with President Babangida.

Considered as highly principled, Ukiwo is one of the few Igbo elders alive that still enjoys near general respect The only worry is the fact that for a long time now, he has been largely detatched.

Ndubuisi Kanu: Since his retirement from the military where he rose to the pinnacle, Kanu has played active part in national politics and has played prominent roles on issues relating to

THE NATION ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 4, 2011

Special Report

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CHUKWUEMEKA ODUMEGWU-OJUKWU (1933-2011) Igbo course. A chieftain of National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), he holds strong views against unitarist tendencies that encourage excessive concentration of powers at the centre and has therefore been identified with calls for more regional power.

Aside that however, it remains to be seen if he has permeated the core political power bloc of Ndigbo to enable him fit into Ojukwu’s big shoes.

Ralph Uwazuruike: The leader of Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), may be dismissed by conservative analysts as an ethnic nationalist upstart but it is observed that many Igbo youths consider him as a likely successor of Ikemba as an authentic Igbo leader.

This claim may be substantiated by the fact that if there is any Igbo alive, who has large fanatical followers, that Igbo man must be Uwazuruike.

But his claim to leadership of Ndigbo is largely punctured by the fact that most Igbo elites and powers that be frown at the name of his organisation in today’s Nigeria.

While they admire his novel ideology and style, they outrightly dismiss his soveriegn quest.

So, to step into Ojukwu’s big shoes, Uwazuruike and his MASSOB may have to do some fundamental adjustments to win general acceptance.

Orji Uzor Kalu: A former governor of Abia State and publisher of Sun Newspaper, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu is one politician that never stopped agitating for Igbo presidency all through his eight years reign.

A close associate of Ojukwu and greatly admired by youths, even his political opponents then could not deny his burning zeal for Igbo course.

But since he is no longer a chief executive of a state, it remains to be seen if he could take up the challenge of leading Ndigbo after Ojukwu U c h e Chukwumerije: Senator Uche Chukwumerije is one of the most popular Igbo politicians of today. During the Biafran civil war, he played a major role as one of the information managers with the famous Okoko Ndem. A former Information Secretary in Nigeria during military rule, he has been in the senate since the Fourth Republic.

Considered forthright and bold, Chukwumerije enjoys wide acceptance and respect in Igboland.

E m m a n u e l Iwuanyanwu: Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the publisher of Champion Newspaper, is another Igbo leader of repute.

As the proprietor of Iwuanyanwu Nationale Football Club, he made name within Igboland and beyond.

But it is not certain today, whether the PDP patron is still in a position to directly engage in quest for Igbo leadership.

Ike Nwachukwu: Senator Ike Nwachukwu, a retired army general, is another Igbo political leader with enormous influence. He has been largely quiet and perhaps playing from the background, so it is difficult to assess his willingness to take up such a challenge.

Ken Nnamani: The former Senate President is not a push over. It is likely he may be willing to take up such a challenge but his critics are still blaming the Senate he chaired for throwing away an opportunity of the sixth South-East state during the third term political tragedy.

So, to step into Ojukwu’s big shoes as the Igbo leader,

Nnamani may need to explain what transpired during the third term drama between the Nnamani-led National Assembly and the then President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Current governors: In their position as chief executives of the states in the South-East zone, the serving governors are the current leaders of Ndigbo. They are Theodore Orji of Abia, Martin Elechi of Ebonyi, Rochas Okorocha of Imo, Sullivan Chime of Enugu and Peter Obi of Anambra State.

Although they all weild strong influence on issues of Igbo interest today, through the South-East Governors’ Forum, it seems Obi, the chairman of the forum, has made good use of the position to assume a level of leadership that may have distinguished him as an Igbo leader of today.

How he became Igbo leader F OR Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, the Ikemba, it was shere providence that bestowed leadership of Ndigbo upon him. It would appear that all he set out to do in life was to pursue a career in the military after his university education in Europe.

However, destiny had bigger plans for him.

So, way back in 1966, when as a colonel with the Nigerian army; he was appointed the Military Governor of the then Eastern Nigeria, the lot fell on him to lead his people during a very challenging period of their political life.

It so happened that soon after his emergence as a military governor, there was a counter coup that dethroned the government of General Aguiyi Ironsi. But after the counter coup, led by northern military officers, some elements masterminded mass killing of southerners, especially Igbos, in vertually all parts of northern Nigeria.

This created a hitherto unheard of political tension, culminating to the Nigerian-Biafran civil war, with Ojukwu emerging the Head of State of Biafra.

As the Head of State and Supreme Commander of Biafra, Ojukwu was so effective that he became a near mythical figure in his life time. Though the costly secession bid failed, Ojukwu’s larger-than- life image remained unbroken. He was the people’s leader. The Igbo republican preference notwithstanding, Ikemba, their own Dike di ora nma, became the magic name that evokes immediate and deep sense of unity amongst Ndigbo at home and in Diaspora.

This explains the disappointment expressed by many when upon his return from exile in 1982, Ojukwu entered into partisan politics, and declared for the then ruling National Party of Nigeria (NPN), instead of the Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP), led by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, the Great Zik of Africa.

Nigerian government under President Shehu Shagari had granted the Biafran leader an official pardon. So, on his return, he declared for the then ruling party.

Highly adored by the Igbo, because of the myths surrounding his person and his leadership roles during the civil war, NPN saw him as the Joker it desperately needed to capture eastern Nigeria, which was then the mainstay of Azikiwe-led NPP. On the face of it, political analysts agreed with the

reasoning of NPN and predicted possible dislodging of NPP in that zone then.

That was not to be for Ojukwu’s entrance into politics and declaration for NPN, instead of NPP, resulted to unexpected consequencies. While it may have succeeded in winning a lot of votes for NPN, it sparked off internal intrigues which created some backlash within NPN and the broader politics of eastern Nigeria.

Within NPN, some hawks were afraid of Ojukwu’s myth and his towering personality and so, allegedly set out to work against him.

For example, when he contested for a senatoral position in the 1982 elections, he lost to Dr. Edwin Onwudiwe, who many agreed, did not have the political claut to defeat Ojukwu.

It was largely alleged that it was NPN members, who felt threatened by his entrance to the party, that conspired to rig him out.

So, Ojukwu’s first outing into party politics, was rather dissappointing and as Dr. Desmond Udeh told The Nation, also negatively affected the politics of the eastern region ever since. “The lesson from that political misfortune was that a myth that would have helped to form a political unity in the area was so callously shattered. We have not recovered from it since then,” he said.

Some had expected Ojukwu to quit party politics after that bitter experience but true to his nature, the Ikemba was not dounted. He continued to play active roles in politics, as he later became the leader and presidential candidate of APGA until his death.

However, critics, who limit his political influence, do so by pointing out that APGA, which he led before his death and whose presidential flag he flew, could not sweep the South-East zone and other areas he once ruled as a military leader.

While this assertion may be true, it has been observed that even as APGA leader, Ojukwu never ceased to see himself as Igbo leader, the Eze Igbo Gburugburu.

Others, including politicians in opposing political parties and traditional rulers in Igboland also acknowledged him as the strongest voice that should be sought when the need arises to settle very sensitive disputes in any part of Igboland.

Who succeeds him as APGA leader?

I

N spite of the initial challenges he faced in the muddy waters of partisan politics in Nigeria, Ojukwu succeeded considerably, for he literally became the symbol that helped to sustain All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) all through its trying moments before it gained ground in Anambra and Imo States.

With his exit, observers are worried that APGA has become an orphan and except the other leaders in the party act quickly to utilize the occasion of Ojukwu’s demise and initiate practical moves that would help restructure the party, its future may be uncertain.

The leaders that are being looked upon to take up the challenge include: Governor Peter Obi: Mr. Peter Obi, the governor of Anambra State, has been the major financier of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), shortly before and since after he assumed office as governor of Anambra State.

Also; the way he shouldered the task of looking after Ojukwu in the evening of his life and after his death, further projected him as the possible successor of Ikemba as APGA leader.

Governor Rochas Okorocha: Owelle Rochas Okorocha, the governor of Imo State, is a relatively new member of APGA but it is believed that if he employs his experience as a top politician, he may be easily considered as a possible leader.

The problem however is the unsubstantiated allegation that at heart, Okorocha is still a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He will therefore need to prove his critics wrong first before working towards achieving this task.

Sir Victor Umeh:

Chief Victor Umeh, the National Chairman of APGA, has been in charge of the day to day administration of the party for years. A pioneer Treasurer of the party, Umeh understands all the intricacies of the party’s politics and existence and is therefore fully equipped to lead the party.

But besides his age-old disagreement with the pioneer National Chairman, there have been recent calls, by some elements within Anambra State, for change of leadership. So, for Umeh to fully step into Ojukwu’s shoes, he would need to resolve such critical issues and brace up for the needed reforms.

Chief Chekwas Okorie: Chief Chekwas Okorie, the pioneer National Chairman of APGA, is another influential member of the party that may play a leadership role now that Ojukwu has gone.

A political son of Ikemba, he probably lost out in the power game when it was alleged that he failed to yield to Ojukwu’s reconciliation initiatives at the peak of the face-off between Umeh and him.

Still insisting that he is the authentic chairman of APGA, it is certain that with Ojukwu’s demise, the issues at stake must be settled once and for all to avoid a permanent split.

Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi: Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, the National Secretary of APGA and the party’s governorship candidate in Zamfara State, in the last elections, is another important member of the party that may play leadership roles in APGA. His importance stems mainly from the feeling that APGA needs to expand beyond the South-East zone.

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Special Report

THE NATION ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 4, 2011

CHUKWUEMEKA ODUMEGWU-OJUKWU (1933-2011) The Biafran war is largely remembered for unprecedented deaths and human suffering. But it was also a period of power intrigues and disagreement about the direction of the leadership - leading to a botched coup d’etat to topple General Emeka OdumegwuOjukwu. The dramatic events of that period are captured in Alexander Madiebo’s book, “The Nigerian Revolution and the Biafran War.” Below are excerpts:

The unsuccessful attempt to overthrow Colonel Ojukwu

A

T 0600 hours on the 19 th of September, Majors Ifeajuna and Alele paid me a visit at my tactical Headquarters located at Nkalagu. Having gone to bed only two hours before then, I was pretty angry to be awakened at that time of the morning. Alele apologized profusely and explained that their mission was vital and urgent but would not take long.

Major Alele, who spoke most of the time, first asked me whether I would like to see the war end immediately. I said yes without hesitation. I even added that I would forfeit a year’s salary to see such an event happen in an honourable way, in my lifetime. Alele then expressed his profound joy at the fact that my line of thought was completely identical to his. He revealed that he and his group were in contact with British and American government officials who had a peace formula for ending the war.

According to Alele, the only condition demanded by these two countries was the replacement of Ojukwu with somebody else who would do the negotiations, for they did not want to negotiate with Ojukwu. He added that the enemy was waiting to know whether or not we would accept the peace offer before moving into Enugu if still necessary.

Speaking about the situation in the Midwest, Alele said it was simply hopeless because the Biafran Army there had completely broken up. He said he expected Benin to fall at any moment, if it had not already fallen.

He ended by saying that Ojukwu had to be told to step down on that day because we could not afford to waste the time of an impatient enemy anymore.

I thought the whole story was very exciting and wanted to know if Ojukwu had been given the news, and the answer was that he

had not been told. I then asked Alele what would happen if Ojukwu insisted on doing the negotiations himself, and who would take over from him if he agreed to step down. Alele said that Ojukwu would be forced to step down if he showed any unwillingness to do so and would be replaced by my goodself. I pointed out that the whole affair unless properly handled might lead to use of force and bloodshed and would amount to a coup d’etat. If that happened, I explained, we would not only be jeopardizing our war effort but would also be risking an internal inter-tribal war within Biafra with prospects of peace with Nigeria farther away than when we started. At this stage, Major Ifeajuna, speaking for the first time, added jovially that he had not quite recovered from the effects of his participation in the January 1966 coup.

He said he would rather disappear into the Camerouns, than take part in another coup. He was

positive the whole plan would go through peacefully.

I rejected the idea of my replacing Ojukwu. My reasons were that nobody, particularly those in the Army, had the foggiest idea of what the government was doing, who our external friends were or from where we got our war supplies. For these reasons, therefore, I argued, it would be unwise for me to assume that impossible responsibility at that particular time. I also expressed my view that anyone wishing to force Ojukwu out must first ensure he would do better unless he (the new Head of State) wanted merely to surrender and end the war.

Above all, I had no intention of being the Head of State who would surrender after a few days.

My suggestion to these officers was that they hand over the matter to Biafran top civilian leaders who were in a position to handle it much better than the Army. I even gave them a list of some civilians they

should go and brief at once on their peace formula. I began to grow a bit suspicious of these officers when I learnt from them that even the Army Commander, Brigadier Njoku had not yet been told anything about this. For that reason alone, I called in Lt. Colonel Amadi (now promoted) and after briefing him, asked him to take charge of the Brigade while I went into Enugu to see Njoku. Ijeajuna insisted that I should first call at the ECN flats at Enugu and see Colonel Banjo who, he said, had returned from Midwestern Nigeria the previous night. Naturally, I did nothing of the sort, but rather went direct to Army Headquarters.

On my way to Enugu, I passed a State car carrying Dr. Francis Ibiam and Mr Christopher Mojekwu, moving in the opposite direction towards my Headquarters at Nkalagu. I was to learn later at Army Headquarters that the gentlemen had gone to see me at my Headquarters. The Army Commander was not in the

office and no one seemed to know where he was. I went into the office of one of the senior staff officers, Colonel Patrick Anwunah, and told him I wanted to have a chat with him in private. He insisted that he could only chat with me in the presence of a third person and, having said this, he left his office without telling me the reason why he was adopting that attitude. Eventually, in order to get a hearing from him, I called in both Colonels Nwawo and Nwajei and told them about the discussion I had had with Ifeajuna and Alele.

When I finished my account, Anwunah then revealed that he also had information concerning the coup and thought I was a party to it. For that reason, he did not want to get mixed up with me.

I had spent over two hours in Army Headquarters and Njoku was not yet in for work. I was about to go back to my Headquarters at Nkalagu when I was summoned to State House over the telephone by Dr. Ibiam and Mr. Mojekwu.

When I got there the gentlemen wanted to know why we were losing ground so fast and what could be done to stop further deterioration unless the Army was tired of fighting. I assured them the Army was doing the best it could against a much stronger enemy and that if we had but 10 percent of the armament at the disposal of the enemy, we could chase him out of Biafra within a few weeks. I knew they were asking those irrelevant questions as a prelude to something they really wanted to know and I could well guess what it was. To save their time and mine too, I told them all about the visit of Majors Ifeajuna and Alele to my Headquarters earlier in the morning, and explained that I had come to Enugu to discuss the matter with the Army Commander. It appeared as if I had hit the main point, for I could see quite easily the bright glow of joy and relief in their eyes and faces. Dr. Ibiam them asked me if I would accept the post of Army Commander if it were offered to me. I said I would prefer to remain with my Brigade. I also pointed out that a vacancy for such a post did not exist in the Army, because we already had an Army Commander.

I was then told that the Army Commander was to be fired. The post was again offered to me in a more determined and seemingly threatening voice by Mr. Mojekwu. Frankly with the state of the Army at the time, I accepted it, in order to avoid any misunderstandings that may have arisen if I did

otherwise. The three of us then drove to the Premier’s Lodge there Ojukwu was then living and there the Colonel confirmed the appointment. I was very anxious indeed to find out the whereabouts of Brigadier Njoku, who I thought may have been killed in battle. I later asked Colonel Ojukwu and he explained that Njoku had become so unpopular that it had become necessary to remove him to a quiet place in his own interest. I moved straight into the Army Headquarters and assumed command of the Army without even going back to my Brigade to bid farewell to my troops and staff, Colonel Amadi was appointed Commander of 51 Brigade in my place.

I did not exactly know for certain that Ifeajuna’s peace was in effect an attempt to topple Ojukwu until I heard the news that those involved had been executed for an attempted coup. The coup if that is what it was, had failed but the adverse effect it had on the Army and the war effort generally, was so damaging that Biafra never found its feet again throughout its existence.

From then on, right to the end of the war, every senior Biafran, particularly senior Army officers were assumed to be saboteurs. It was their duty to prove at all times that they were not, and this was one of the most difficult tasks facing all officers throughout the war. One had to bend over backwards and play to the gallery at the expense of military efficiency to achieve any measure of success in this direction. From then on, the entire civilian population, acting out of innocent ignorance, went for the throats of the unfortunate officers in whom they had lost all confidence.

This unfortunate state of affairs was conveniently left un-rectified so as to divert the minds of the people from the realities of the war, and to allow them to stick to their wrong impression that we were stronger than the enemy but lost battles due to entirely to sabotage.

Only the loyalty of the Head of State was unquestionable in the whole land and as such, he escaped blame for all failures. Still the war effort suffered tremendously to a point where it was too late to do anything about it. In order to complete the purge of the frontlines of “saboteurs,” Colonel Eze was removed from command and replaced with Christian Ude. This changeover was a source of great joy to all Biafran civilians whose main desire then was to be told that a saboteur had been identified and got rid of. Eze in particular was not in Ojukwu’s good book for allegedly referring to him as “their Governor” before the declaration of Biafra as an independent sovereign State.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2011

I was shocked hearing about my ‘arrest’ —Stella Damasus Pages 36-37

30

THE NATION ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 4, 2011

Glamour

Kehinde Falode Tel: 08023689894 (sms)

E-mail: kehinde.falode@thenationonlineng.net

W Countdown

to Christma s

ITH Christmas just weeks away, no doubt you are thinking about what to buy for loved ones. This is also a time of the year where you will be wondering what to get for your spouse. Today, we will focus on the ideal gift for the men, women and loved ones. There is no such thing as the perfect gift. Every man is different, with unique tastes and preferences. Your spouse might prefer a new set of spanner and car jerking set, a micro-wave, oven,a carpenter might prefer a new set of tools, a banker might appreciate a new trendy wallet and suits, while a fashion conscious fellow might rejoice at an authentic designer’s wears, shoes and bags!

Here are some gift ideas you should be considering.

Wallets Do your best at helping him get organized! So, get him a trendy wallet, better still a customized wallet.

Bathrobe Drape him in total luxury-The soft touch bathrobe is a great gift idea for walking round the house and relaxes on a Sunday morning in total luxury. This Louis Vuitton’s plush bathrobe offers comfort and adds style to any bedroom.

CD collection of soul-lifting Christian song For guys who enjoy listening to good values melody from the comfort of their own home or blasting it from their car stereo.

Cologne A nice fragrance is ideal in any type of relationship and it’s always appreciated.

The smell of personal fragrances reflects special moments in life; why not show him how you feel with a scent that describes him.

Palm Pilot Get him organized with a Palm PilotThis is ideal for the very busy man who misses all his appointments, birthdays and anniversaries.

Concert Tickets Surprise him with tickets to watch his favourite local and foreign team play live! Or a concert tickets if he is not the sporty type.

Fashion accessory Shoes, bags and clothes are essential fashion items

•Bola Obileye

THE NATION ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 4, 2011

Make up

E ssentials

Glamour

31

All about your brushes T HERE are a variety of brushes to choose from in the market but choosing the right brush is a very difficult yet a very important task when it comes to getting your makeup

right. Face is very prominent and important part of you, it should be taken care of. Below are variety of makeup brushes to choose from.

Brushes are helpful in creating definition for the eyes.

Oval lip

and concealer

brush

Crease/Blending Brush

T

he Crease/Blending brush is designed to enhance and define the eyes by applying shadow to the creases and lids of the eyes.

A

LLOW for precise application and blending of your everyday minerals concealers. This brush works great ‘wet or dry’ and is also the perfect shape for applying lip colour

Lancome vibrating mascara brush

T

HE S-curved shape allows it to grab every lash including the shortest of lashes and one stroke provides dramatic volume with no-clumps

Foundation & concealer brush

T

HE key attraction is the bullet like tip, which allows a very precise application around the hard to reach areas such as the side of the nose and lips and under eyes. Foundation and concealer brush provides maximum control while applying and blending cream or liquid foundation and concealer.

The graduated bristles are designed to give a very soft application for powders for the face- shoulders and other areas of the body. This brush works well for a very softblended and natural cheek contour.

Duo Lash/Brow brush

Round blush brush

T

HE round blush brush has a couture shape that perfectly cradles the cheek bone to enhance shape, colour in all the right places. Also ideal for the application of bronzer and mineral makeup powders.

Large powder brush

Flocked eyeshadow brush

Brow brush & stainless steel lash comb is designed to easily style and separate lashes and this versatile brush has everything you need for beautiful lashes and well groomed brows!

Angle blush brush

C

REATE perfectly sculpted cheeks and defined cheekbones with this soft-tapered brush!

The slanted shape offers exact precision for colour application so you can accentuate your features perfectly. it defines cheekbones to the maximum.

Eye shadow brushes

E

YE shadow brushes allow brushing make up on the eyes in different stages. Smaller eye shadow brushes help in contouring, while the larger ones are for blending to create a uniform effect.

32

THE NATION ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 4, 2011

Glamour

Zero flab: body shaper to the rescue!

One shoulder •Shaping body

Stretch fabric that shapes your body and gives a beautiful silhouette. Slim, adjustable shoulder straps.

D

O you have a party to go to and you are in a fix about the perfect dress to wear because you feel a bit out of shape?

You do not have to worry yourself to death, several women have been there before.

Below are the perfect shape wear which can create visible control and seamless curves underneath your clothes. Enjoy

p •Shaping Sliion

A practical fash ’t can essential you The t. ou h it do w ives shaping slip g and you a natural der smoth look un dresses.

•Shapin gs Wear it u kirt n your skir der t and notice a g firm con ently tr gives you ol that a and smo natural oth look.

•Waist shaper The waist shaper has a high level of support.

The perfect foundation for a smooth look under clothes. It will shrink your waistline and hide those problematic flabs.

•Girdle The girdle with legs that gives you a natural shape. So comfortable and smooth and tucks in where it’s supposed to

•Shaping dress A great must-have to wear under figure hugging outfits. The plunge neckline shapes the whole silhouette.

The perfect way to correct the undesired rounding of stomach and buttocks.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2011

Glamour

33

It was a gathering of super stars and the upcoming ones in the music industry. And the event was to reward artistes with outstanding videos in the last 12 months. Expectedly, the largely youthful guests were all dressed to the mines, with some winning applauses all the way, while a few others got a real thumbs down writes Olusegun Rapheal

2 1

3 4 5

1. A chic evening outfit, Kudos to TITI ADELAGUN 2. An outfit and a poise that radiate confidence, Kudos to VIVIAN RICHARD-EFFIONG

4. Cool, simple and lovely seems to be ARA’S watchword; Kudos!

5. RITA OGBA’S warm smile and hairstyle perfectly compliment her outfit, Kudos!

3. This one-shoulder outfit perfectly suits artiste ESSENCE’S physique, Kudos!

34

THE NATION ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 4, 2011

Glamour

Favourite wallet Ferragamo Salvatore

Favourite food Beans and plantain

Favourite fashion designer

Actress cum singer Anita Joseph, alias Nita J, reveals her top ten things to KEHINDE FALODE

Valentino and Zara

Favourite wrist watch

Favourite shoe (s)

D and G for woman

Christian Loubutin, Gianni Versace, Ferragamo Salvatore and Roberto Cavalli python eye

Favourite car Bugatti

Favourite drink Coca cola

Favourite eye wear Roberto Cavalli

Favourite bag Gianni Versace

Anita’s

top

10

Favourite Perfume Creed, Oriens Van Clef & Aperls and Marciso Rodriguez

THEATRE

With VICTOR AKANDE

t

BIGSCREEN

SOUND TRACK

Tel: 08077408676

plus

Bongos Ikwue, back with a bang!

A

FTER a long hiatus, Bongos is back with a bang with an ambitious and bold three new album project titled The Way It Is. It is a jazz, blues & country and a contemporary album featuring two of his daughters and two British established artistes as backing vocals, and other talented instrumentalists from home and abroad. Bongos really picked up from where he left off.

An enigma and a giant who bestrode the Nigerian music scene like a colossus from the 70's through to the 80's and 90's with his soothing, folksy and beautifully-crafted renditions, he was one of the most successful singers, songwriters, composers and band leaders ever to come out of the Nigerian music industry, signed to the biggest music label in the world at that time, EMI Music Nigeria.

Many loved him for his soulful, folksy songs, the most popular of which included: Cockcrow at Dawn, Still Searching, Amen, Otachikpokpo and a host of others, which became instant big hits in Nigeria and beyond. Cockcrow at Dawn became a national anthem when it was adopted as the title of a national TV series and the track as the central theme song.

It should be noted that Bongos was on equal par of musical sales in the country with Nigeria's very best at that time; artistes such as King Sunny Ade, Haruna Ishola, Ebenezer Obey, Fela AnikulapoKuti and the rest.

Born in Otukpo, Benue State, he attended the popular Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, where he studied engineering. But while in school, Bongos gave voice to his passion for music by forming a band called Unibello and he also sang in a folk group made up of some university lecturers.

And finally in 1967, he founded and headed the Groovies band which became

extremely popular in the 70's through to the 80's.

Bongos toured the nooks and corners of Nigeria from the east, where the sun rises, to the northern part of the country.

He soothed the nerves of his people from the south to the west and everywhere he performed. Nigerians embraced him as one of their own, relegating to the background tribal and ethnic sentiments.

He travelled to London, courtesy of EMI Music Nigeria, where he rubbed shoulders with the likes of the late Marvin Gaye. He appeared on numerous TV programmes, sharing the stage with greats like Mohammed Ali, Papa Rufus Thomas and the rest.

Apart from the raw beauty of his finely honed voice, another thing that set the musical genius apart was his dedication to the promotion of Africa and African values, by his continuous use of his native Idoma language in his songs.

For a while now Bongos has been busy writing and making music in his multimillion naira ultra modern studios in Otukpo with his young, vibrant, and

w Apart from the ra y beauty of his finel er honed voice, anoth thing that set the art musical genius ap to was his dedication Africa the promotion of , by and African values of his continuous use his native Idoma ngs language in his so

talented band called 'Double X'. One of the singles titled Nigeria has come to stay was featured on NTA Network on 1st October as part of the 51st independence anniversary.

Love of my life is a love song that will take the world by storm. It is a beautifully written love song with a native chorus on a jazzy musical feel, which is vintage Bongos. Another track on the album is a smooth bluesy track titled Bartholomew. And Inali, specially written for the film Inali, has already won an award in Monaco as best sound track.

The recording is set for a world-wide release, with Europe and America already in progress. Already BIK has secured a distribution deal with Honest Jons, a company owned by the superstar behind the grammy award-winning band, Gorillaz, Demon Albarn. Honest Jons, a part of parlour phone which is part of EMI international, will distribute across Europe. Virgin records will distribute across America.

Over the years Bongos has been quietly building what can be termed as Hollywood in Nigeria, an entertainment empire that will in another few years take Nigeria by storm and move show business to the next level.

Based in Makurdi, Benue State of Nigeria, consisting of an ultra modern and state of the art equipment to rival any entertainment industry in the world; there is the film studio, a multipurpose complex built to cater for film production, TV production, animation and futuristic graphics.

The recording/musical studio can be compared to the very best where a whole live musical orchestra can conveniently record. International artistes of repute can also record in the studio. There is the rental arm of the business for indoor and outdoor equipment for concerts of any magnitude with lights. Following in the footsteps of music establishments like Motown, Stark Records and CBS, Bongos' in-house band can back up any Nigerian and international artiste on tour or at the studio. He will be 70 next year and plans are in top gear to publish a biography and a documentary to celebrate him.

GISTS

PAGE

35

e-mail: victor_akande@yahoo.com

Opeyemi Aiyeola set for a comeback

C

ROSS-OVER actress Opeyemi Aiyeola is said to be ready to come back after relocating about five years ago with her husband, a UKbased businessman, Olayiwola Owolomose, to start family life.

She stated: “My plans are to get back into my career by God's grace, take care of my kids, my husband and also build a life for myself in the United Kingdom as well because I believe the four years I have spent in this country have been somehow stagnant. �There are projects that I have had under my pillow for a while so I intend to bring them on and introduce them to my fans. I have also got other plans. She added The actress still looks good after two kids.

Enebeli on the path to recovery

I

f the story reaching snapshot is anything to go by, Veteran Nollywood actor Enebeli Elebuwa may leave the hospital sooner than imagined.

A source close to the industry hinted that the actor is fast recovering from the stroke that hit him recently. The source also said that the actor once suffered similar fate on a location and recovered from it and that from all indications he will recover from this.

Respite came the way of the actor after months of being bedridden as the N3million pledged to the actor by the Delta State Governor; Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has been redeemed.

First hospitalized at St Luke's Hospital, Yaba before being moved to St Tropez Hospital, Surulere, Lagos. Scores of sympathizers from within and outside the industry have been prayerful and hoping that the veteran's health condition improves. Snapshots joins Nigerians in wishing Enebeli a speedy recovery.

36

Entertainment

37

CARNIRIV introduces Peace pageant

Star actress Stella Damasus received a rude shock recently when rumours began to make the rounds about her arrest by NDLEA officials for allegedly being in possession of drugs while she was about to embark on a The actress turned producer, who was on location in Cameroon when the news began to spread like wild fire, shrugged off the rumour as she was neck deep into the shooting of the film entitled Unspoken- her debut movie production.

In this interview with AHMED BOULOR, the mother of two opened up on how she is handling the effects of the rumour. She also talked about why she took a break from the scene and other issues.

R

H

OW did you react to the rumour that you were harassed and interrogated

by NDLEA officials while supposedly travelling to Dubai?

When the news first came to me, we were actually on set filming in Cameroon. When the email came in, I was stunned. At first, I was really shocked but I brushed everything aside and continued filming because I know for a fact that nothing of that nature happened. They stated that it happened on November 10th in Lagos but the fact is that at that time I was already filming in Cameroon. I left Nigeria on October 29th with my film crew and equipment and we didn't have any issues whatsoever even with the heavy equipment we were traveling with to Cameroon. However, after filming that day, I realized that the news started spreading and people were talking about it and it was everywhere on the internet. It hurts because people were so quick to spread the lie without even stopping for a minute to verify the authenticity of the gist. That really hurt because I am human.

Do you suspect any foul play especially when the rumours started spreading immediately after Baba Suwe's ordeal in the hands of NDLEA? Foul play? The truth is that I just believe that one jobless person somewhere just decided to start spreading this silly rumor.

Maybe he or she just felt he could just make a mess of my reputation not realizing that he or she is actually making mockery of the entire Nollywood. We are still investigating the origin of this rumour, though so I expect the culprit to be on his toes now.

Do you think someone out there is trying to tarnish your image?

No one can mess my reputation. This is just the work of some jobless person out there; like I said, we are still investigating the origin of the rumour.

Are you considering legal action?

Concerning whether I am taking legal action or not, my lawyers are already working on that as I speak with you now.

While the rumour persisted you were in Cameroon shooting a movie; could you tell

Entertainment

THE NATION ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 4, 2011

I was shocked hearing about my ‘arrest’ by NDLEA—Stella Damasus NDLEA—Stella us what the experience was like?

Filming in Cameroon was an awesome experience for me. The movie I went to make is actually my first attempt as a producer and I must say that it was worth every single minute. I had the privilege of discovering some amazing talents in Cameroon. The movie is entitled “Unspoken” and it was written by one of Nigeria's top directors, Daniel Ademinokan. He also co-produced the movie with me. Mr Ademinokan and I also joined forces to set up a new production company called Index Two Studios and the movie is indeed one of a kind.

What's your impression about the recent relationship between Nollywood and the Cameroon film industry?

I feel that a lot more needs to be done between both countries. We need to break the language barrier by subtitling some of our movies in French and also by doing French audio dubs because of the Francophone and Anglophone language issues. That way, they also will do English dubs and subtitles for

their films. The movie industry in Cameroon is functional but still on a very low scale because of the limitations in technical abilities.

Daniel and I saw the need to help, so in September, we went to Douala, Cameroon, to train young filmmakers in acting, script writing and directing free of charge. After the training, we made a short film for them. They really appreciated this. If more people do that, they will improve greatly.

You were off the scene for a while but later resurfaced in the movie entitled Two Brides and a Baby. Did you take a break to sort out your other engagements?

Yes, I took a break. I had to stabilize my production company, SDA Productions, work on my TV show Changing Lives and spend time with my children.

What was growing up like for you in Benin?

I had a very normal and wonderful childhood. I come from a very closely knit Christian family. My parents ensured that I had the best education and for that I am truly

grateful to them and God. What has really changed about the Stella that first starred in the movie titled “Abused” in 1992 and now?

A lot has changed after my first movie “Abused”. She is older, wiser, now a mother, more mature, runs her own business and sees life clearly from a different perspective. I have had several experiences that have made me stronger as a person. As per my craft, I have trained and learnt a lot more. I have totally rebranded myself.

Is your career in music on hold?

No, it's not on hold. I am just taking my time to ensure that when I come out full time with my musical works people will hear a sound that is mature and my fans will be proud of me.

Do you still perform with your band?

I still perform with my band but at private events. Before I left for Cameroon we had a gig in Ikeja and it was a blast.

We hear you are working on a new song

Before I became very popular as an actress, I was already presenting a segment on the Charly Boy show and I truly enjoye d it. At that point, I starte d harboring the ambition to anchor my own TV show .

Well, here I am fulfilling my dreams, abi no be so ? that will be released next year. Tell us about it.

I have four songs that have already been recorded. You will start hearing some on the radio from this week. I even had a collaboration with Petit Paye who is one of the biggest artistes in Cameroon. The videos will be on TV screens sooner than you know.

At what point in your career did you actually discover you could handle TV presentation?

Before I became very popular as an actress, I was already presenting a segment on the Charly Boy show and I truly enjoyed it.

At that point, I started harboring the ambition to anchor my own TV show. Well, here I am fulfilling my dreams, abi no be so?

What's the focus of your TV show??

Changing Lives is geared towards showcasing the rich culture of Nigeria to the viewing audience in and outside Africa. It will also serve as a platform where celebrities from all walks of life can relate with their teeming fans.

How are TV audiences reacting to your TV

show here in Nigeria?

So far I must say that the response to this show from viewers all over the world has been overwhelming and I am truly happy that God is using me to affect people positively.

Has the show achieved the objectives that were set out for it when it started?

Changing Lives is an inspirational show that was designed to strengthen people and give them better alternatives in handling issues they face every day using other people's experiences. On a daily basis we receive countless e-mails from people of how the show has transformed their lives.

As an actress and TV presenter what does style mean to you?

For me, style should not be defined by a group of people. It should be about the individual. It's how you choose to express and represent yourself using different tools.

How do you cope being a mother, an artiste, an actress and a TV presenter?

I owe everything to God. It is by His grace that I have been able to cope with being a mum, a TV presenter and an actress. He guides me and strengthens me.

What plans do you have in the pipeline for the second season of your TV show?

The second season of Changing Lives is explosive. The guests we have in the second season are remarkable people with outstanding achievements that will encourage people who feel totally hopeless in life and for those who have lost their sense of purpose.

Season 2 is bigger and better.

Your foundation held auditions for young talents who are interested in becoming thespians last April and 40 candidates were selected for training. How are they coping?

They are doing very well. They will be graduating in less than a month. Some have been participating in reality shows; one of them got a role on MNET's Tinsel. They are also getting ready for the next session that will start in January by God's grace.

ESTIVENESS and militancy are terms that once upon a time had been overstretched in describing the social atmosphere in Rivers State, but perhaps nothing can best describe the peaceful terrain that now characterise the governor Rotimi Amaechi led administration which not only faults the negative publicity ascribed to in the past but which also underscores the state's potentials for tourism.

The state had therefore in 2008 brought back what it considered the lost heritage of the people of Rivers state; an annual sociocultural carnival, through which meriment often overwhelms worries. The week-long event which brings home sons and daughters of the state spread across the country and its shores is usually lined up with activities such as children's parade, cultural performances, boat regatta, ladies nite, reggae/old skool/talent nite, street parade by the 23 local government area heritage floats and freestyle bands.

The carnival is usually climaxed

by a closing Peace Concert at the carnival village. This year's edition is further strengthening the message of peace and security consciousness with the River state government's hosting of the Grand Finale of the Miss ECOWAS Peace Pageant on Saturday 10th December, 2011 as a special precarnival event.

Organisers of the Pageant, 702 Productions have confirmed the arrival of the pageant contestants into Port Harcourt. The contestants who were drawn from countries within the ECOWAS region have paid a courtesy visit to the state governor and commenced camping ahead of the event.

CARNIRIV 2011 which has adopted Nollywood actress, Monalisa Chinda its face, is scheduled to take place between December 13 and 17 at the Carnival Village, Liberation Stadium, Elekahia, Port-Harcourt. The theme for this year is 'Our Culture, Our Future,' with sub-themes including 'Celebrating Positive Change,' 'Sustainable Co-existence,' and 'Our Culture, Our Pride.’

L-R: Mamadatou Diallo (Guinea Conakry), Dr. Nabbs Imegwu (Rivers State Commissioner for Culture & Tourism), Fatoumata Diallo (Guinea Bissau), Mr. George Feyi (Secretary to Government, Rivers State), Chisom Ibe (Nigeria), & Mr. Sovens Okara (Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Government House, PH), after a courtesy visit by delegates of the Miss ECOWAS Peace Pageant ahead of the Port-Harcourt Carnival 2011.

Kate Henshaw, Nse Ikpe-Etim and OC Ukeje for Open Mic

N

OLLYWOOD thespians in the persons of Kate Henshaw, Nse Ikpe Etim and OC Ukeje are gearing up to thrill fun seekers at this year's edition of the Open Mic theatre.

After two successful editions of the Open Mic theatre, the popular show will be holding its third edition on December 3. Tagged the Christmas edition, the year's edition will have 'Nigerian Theatre Classics' as its theme.

"We are very happy that Open Mic theatre is becoming a staple for lovers of theatre and the arts in the country. At the last edition, we had a large turnout and this time around, we expect nothing less", said Kemi Akindoju who is the organiser of the show.

Those billed to performer would be required to do excerpts from any Nigerian classics of their choice. Expected to thrill guests on the night are Kate Henshaw, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Wale Ojo, OC Ukeje, Najite Dede, Lala Akindoju,

•OC Ukeje

Omonor Somolu, Paul Alumona, Bikiya Graham-Douglas, Uzo Osimkpa, Omoye Uzamere, Kenneth Uphopho and many others.

Open Mic theatre will take place on Saturday December 3 2011 at The Life House, Victoria Island Lagos from 6pm.

38

Entertainment

THE NATION ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 4, 2011

W O D L O O H L Y Madonna settles neighbour’s noise suit

S

New material from Mary J. Blige finally released

H

ER 10th studio album, “My Life II… The Journey Continues (Act 1),” is a sequel to her second album “My Life,” which spawned six hit singles since its Nov. 28, 1994 debut ["Mary Jane (All Night Long),” “You Bring Me Joy,” “My Life,” “I'm Goin' Down,” “I Love You” and “Be Happy”] and served as an unflinching, soulbearing portrait of Blige's tortured state of mind at the time.

When the singer recorded “My Life” in the fall of 93, she was dealing with clinical depression, battling both drugs and alcohol, and was deep into an abusive relationship with singer K-Ci Hailey of Jodeci.

The pain in her voice and her lyrics backed by beats executiveproduced by Diddy resonated with an entire generation of fans and went on to stay atop Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart for eight consecutive weeks. It eventually became the most successful R&B album on the Billboard Year-End chart for 1995.

Mary says her current sequel, released on Nov. 21, is crafted to

ONGSTER Madonna has made peace with a neighbour who said the superstar made noise by using her New York City apartment as a rehearsal studio, lawyers involved in the matter said.

Court records showed Karen George's lawsuit against the singer and their building was settled as of Wednesday. Lawyers for Madonna and the building's co-op board would only say that the matter has been resolved.

Karen, whose apartment is upstairs from Madonna's in a building overlooking Central Park, had said the dance and exercise routines subjected neighbours to "blaring music, stomping and shaking walls" for up to three hours a day. George sound more like her first two was driven from her apartment at albums than any of her recent times by the "unbearable" noise material. “It's more like a 'What's and vibrations, according to her the 411?' of 2012,” she said of “My lawsuit, filed in 2009. It sought Life II,” which features unspecified damages. production from a variety of Madonna took steps to dampen talents, including Danja, The the sound in 2009, but George Underdogs, Jim Jonsin and said they didn't work, according Darkchild.

Comedian Patrice O’Neal passes on

•Madonna

to an August court ruling that turned down the singer's effort to dismiss the lawsuit. George had said the building board acknowledged her complaints but ultimately didn't crack down because it didn't want trouble with Madonna.

OMEDIAN Patrice e age th O'Neal has died at ced un no an s wa it , of 41 on an ym nn fu by a friend of the Tuesday. r pal "Yes it's true that ou ed away," ss pa s ha al Patrice O'Ne & Anthony" Opie, of the "Opie esday Tu on ted show Twee iest and best morning. "The funn n." ow kn er ev e thinker I'v cently Patrice, who had re edy m Co e th at performed lie Sheen, ar Ch Central's roast of e in ok str a d ha ly previous ng lo d ha October. He also s. ete ab di m fro suffered news broke Not long after the st of comic a ho of Patrice's death, press their ex acts hit Twitter to ss. lo e th er ov s feeling

C

Crane over Ghollywood

Becca puts up an all-female concert

A

•Becca

FRO Pop singer Becca is one female Ghanaian artiste known for projecting the female gender in her songs, especially given her first and so far, her biggest hit song, “You Lied to Me” which featured Kwabena Kwabena.

Her latest hit single, “African Woman” also strengthens her stand on the projection of the female gender. Becca has always stood for feminism, but feelers say that the “Daa ke daa” hit maker has taken the whole women empowerment thing to the level of 'discriminating' against her male fans and well-wishers.

Investigations reveal that Becca is planning an all-female concert this Christmas for solely her

female audience. According to sources, unlike the “Red Lipstick All Female Concert” which allowed both men and women to attend the show, Becca's event forbids the presence of any man, be it a family member, fan or friend at the auditorium.

Of course it has raised several eye brows with some of her male fans quite outraged, especially given that they support her music by buying her CDs, when details of the upcoming concert leaked.

Her male followers feel they equally deserve the chance of watching her perform on stage.

No wonder some members of the male gender are threatening to buy tickets and storm the venue

on that day to watch her perform, 'ban' or 'no ban'.

According to sources, the said show is Becca's own event being put together by her management, EKB Records, with support from other female artistes. The event is dubbed “The Becca Girl Talk Live Concert” and it is expected to come off at the National Theatre on Friday, December 23, 2011.

“No Guys, No Boyfriends, No Men….This Is The Ultimate Girls Night Out” is the programme's catch-phrase, and information indicate that the show will feature an all-female production crew including a female Events Director, Producer, female Mcs among others.

L.I.C Crew and its theory of futuristic music

A

potpourri of Hip hop, Afro-centric R 'n' B, dancehall, and Pop is what sets this group aside. But they choose to be called a crew, owing to the fact that the strategist who brought them together respects their individualities.

Tagged the LIC Crew, the team, made up of four vibrant young artistes namely M.O.N.I, Lazeal, AustinE, and Skek, will make their first public appearance on the 9th of this month with the launch of their two singles titled; DJ Turn it Up and Sexy Girl.

The artistes who also go by the stage name, SLAM, an acronym from the first letter of each member are the rave of the moment for L.I.C Entertainment, an American based record label with a branch and fully equipped studio in Nigeria. The company had managed the '6team' and Temitayo before now.

The Crew was brought together by Edmond Benson, a member of the famous gospel group known as '6team'.

Edmond's productions, it is on note, have helped create careerdefining hits for artistes like '6team', Kelly Handsome, Mr. Kool, Maye Hunter, Casey (winner of 2010 edition of Naija Sings), Pasuma Wonder, Bigiano, and IZEE among others. The entrance of this new team of his vision is expected to bring another creative touch to the Nigerian music scene.

Those who know the impact of South African Miss Terri-Lea du-Point, the PR Executive on the management team say, there is no doubt the group's exposure in Africa promises to be huge.

Already, it is on note that the Crew made its mark at the last edition of the Channel O African artiste's after-party in Johannesburg, South Africa.

This is aside the various campus shows across Africa.

The L.I.C Crew is being managed by Eyo Bassey, while it has Antai Peter Antai as Artiste Development Management.

Entertainment

THE NATION ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 4, 2011

Ini Edo plans Lagos premiere of new movie

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OLLYWOOD star, Ini Edo, who recently ventured into movie production with I'll Take My Chances, which she jointly produced, is set to premiere her latest work in Lagos.

Anticipation is high and fingers are crossed in the entertainment industry as the movie, I'll Take My Chances comes to town.

Having enjoyed an acclaimed successful premiere in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, the banquet hall of the Meridien Hotel on the 24th September to be precise, the movie is now set to be premiered in Lagos and many celebrities, industry pundits, associates and well wishers are all expected to throng the venue of the premiere in grand style.

The Lagos premiere of the movie which was jointly produced by the duo of Ini Edo and Emem Isong

will take place sometime in December this year.

I'll Take My Chances centers on a medley of drama, dance, love and suspense, which is intended for people who are very passionate about dance and movies .The dancethemed movie parades the likes of Ini Edo, Bryan Okwara, Jide Kosoko, Sam Loco Efe of blessed memory, Biola Williams, Lilian Ikpe, Ashleigh Clark among others.

Directed by Desmond Elliot, a prolific actor, I'll Take My Chances tells the story of I.K, a young theatre arts graduate who majored in dance in the U.S., he hopes to stage a drama but lacks the funds to get through with

Funke Akindele becomes So Klin ambassador

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•Ini Edo

OLLYWOOD actress Funke Akindele, popularly known as Jenifa or 'Gbo gbo bigs gals, is not resting on her oars but rather she's moving from grace to grace.

On Tuesday morning a new commercial of So Klin detergent was unveiled to members of the press by Eko Supreme which featured Funke Akindele as the

it, and he also sought the help of his girlfriend, Giselle.

The movie is set to be at the cinemas from next year in all the cinemas nationwide.

Ice Prince for Nnenna & Friends' end of year show

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NENNA & Friends' annual Christmas end of the year show comes up on Sunday December 11, 2011 at the Main Exhibition Hall, National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos. It will feature Ice Prince, Oleku crooner, alongside J'odie.

The show which is expected to be one of the memorable ones this Christmas will also have the popular Papa Ajasco & Company TV comedy stars with their live comic performance and hilarious jokes from Seyi Law and Elenu.The sensational Explicit and Jonsog dancers will •Ice Prince re-define swagger with their

dance steps, while participants will smile home with lots of gifts, such as Indomie Noodles and Ribena courtesy sponsors of the show.

According to Nnena, “My expectation is to see children and teens enjoy themselves. Of course I'll be there with my inspiring Nnena and Friends band. It's going to be a December children will forever remember!”

There will be two shows, so as to accommodate everyone, the first show starts at 12noon and ends at 3pm, while the second show commences at 3pm and ends at 6pm.

Mannie, Toolz, IK highlight Ford Focus Challenge

F

AMILY entertainment is about to be taken to another sphere as eight lucky Nigerians have been selected to compete with On-Air Personalities such as IK, Toolz, Mannie and Tosyn Bucknor for the grand prize of a 2012 Ford Focus.

The Ford Focus Relay Challenge is touted as the biggest event to hit the streets of Lagos this year. Four teams of three drivers, co-drivers and an On-Air Personality (IK, Toolz, Mannie or Tosyn) will race around the city proving their superior driving skills while also encountering some unusual challenges.

Interested participants who earlier registered were interviewed and pruned down to

thirty-two potential participants from where the final eight were selected.

The selected participants include: Ayodeji Anthony Oyinlola, Munachiso Ezenwa Okereke, Babatola Ademilua, Isioma Nkechinyem Okeleke, Anabara Stanley Nnamdi, Tunji Meshionye, Adefemi Adekunle Aladelua and Mpi Elizabeth Azuka.

“I am very excited to be part of this challenge and I am anxious to see who will win the Ford Focus Relay Challenge in Nigeria,” Mannie said.

On her part, Tosyn Bucknor is gearing up for the challenge as she looks forward to having an exciting time-out when the contest begins. “I implore fun

lovers to join me and my other On-Air Personalities on radio and on Ford Nigeria Facebook page as we support our various teams.”

•Tosyn

•Funke

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we want to further encourage more people to continue flying the flag, and also to encourage others who want to be like them to keep at it and knowing that at some point they will also be recognized and appreciated,” the organizers said.

To make this year's event more colourful, several side attractions like fashion show, cultural display, music by top hip hop and juju acts and comedians have been lined up to entertain guests at the event. The award categories for this year include: advertising, publishing,

lead character. The commercial is a promotional tool for the scratch and win promo by Eko Supreme.

Speaking about her endorsement of this brand, the actress says that “the Eko Supreme brand is a very reliable and diligent brand which has been putting out good products in the Nigerian market, hence my decision to work with them and also to be able to give my fans the chance of becoming millionaires through the Eko Supreme scratch and win promo.”

Over the past months, Funke's profile has risen enormously hence the choice of many big brands requesting the services of the actress as their brand ambassador or her endorsement as she just did for Klin. Among these brands are, Globacom, one of Africa's biggest telecommunication giants and network providers. Funke serves as a brand ambassador for the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service's (LIRS) as well as she being a Peace Ambassador.

La Casera stuns consumers with Ice Feel

O

N Friday November 11, all roads led to the popular Silverbird Cinema on Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria-Island, Lagos the venue of the much anticipated premiere of Ice Feel, the new La Casera media campaign.

Preceding the premiere was a 'blue carpet' reception in place of the conventional red carpet aimed at engaging the large turnout of cinema lovers who trooped in their numbers to see the supposed movie.

When the stage was set for the premiere and all sat in the cinema hall, a voice came up from 'nowhere' to welcome and announce to the audience to sit back and enjoy the movie. But

All set for Podium Recognition Awards anticipated awards is scheduled to hold at ETAL Hotel and Halls, Oregun, Lagos, come December 18, 2011.

The Podium Recognition Awards is the brainchild of Podium International, a company set up to showcase the beautiful culture of Africa to the rest of the •Titilola Aboyade Cole world.

The second edition of Podium LANS are in top gear to Recognition Awards is expected to unveil the 2nd edition of Podium Recognition Awards be bigger and better. “Our aim is to reward and celebrate pacesetters which debuted last year amidst and motivators in our society, and pomp and Pageantry. The much-

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philanthropy, fashion, comedy, telecoms, oil and gas, and others, while some of the nominees are: Mo Hits crew, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, Dr. Mike Adenuga, Alh.Jubril Rowaye, Gov.Rochas Okorocha, Basorun Dele Momodu, Otunba Gani Adams and a host of others.

The proposed chief host of the event is Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), the Executive Governor of Lagos State. Also expected at the event are royal fathers.

Alas! 'Ice Feel' turned out to be the unveiling of the new Ice Feel bottle for La Casera, a carbonated soft drink in Nigeria.

Addressing the press immediately after the premiere, Bayo Obarotimi, Marketing Manager of Lacasera, said that the new advert has been around Nigeria for about two weeks.

“We felt that there is the need for us to bring a new treat, treat the Nigerian people to something different from what they are used to and that is why we decided to bring out the movie. They are valuable to us, they have been with us through the years that we have been in existence and we felt we needed to give them something new and the key to our brand is excitement and fun,” he said.

With the product's target audience falling within the ages of 18 and 35, Obarotimi said it is only proper to take the campaign to the cinemas where they can be found.

“It is people within the age range that are actually interested in watching movies in the cinemas. We then decided that now that cinemas have become more popular in Nigeria, we should go and meet our target there and give them a treat,” he concludes.

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Entertainment

Peak Talent Show

Again, two Housemates kiss the door

BIG

CINEMA GUIDE

PICTURE Supported by: SILVERBIRD CINEMAS

Real Steel: Machines take over prizefighting

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OLLOWING the eviction of rap artiste, Chima John; guitar boy, Ejiro Elvis, and singer, Victoria Bassey, the participation of other Housemates in the Peak Talent Show (PTS) took an aggressive dimension, with the remaining nine putting up excellent acts just to remain in contention.

With fans of each contestant placing SMS votes to ascertain their popularity, the judges too, it appears, were planning the next strategy that is sure to put another set of the Housemates up for eviction; and thus the axe fell on Jeremiah Olalekan and Jane Francis Amadi. The eviction of these last two contestants leaves the number of the current contenders at seven.

The show which is fielding talents ranging from singing, rapping, drumming, dancing joggling and other acts, except magical display, can only be described as worth the sweat of the contestants, as the eventual winner is expected to go home with a prize of ten million naira (N10, 000, 000) worth of cash and a talent development contract.

While in the House, the acts have been exposed to professional coaching to help them compete in the weekly elimination shows. Based on their performances, a combination of judges and viewers through SMS voting are meant to decide who stays or who goes. In all, there will be 5 elimination shows leaving three acts that will compete at the Grand Finale in December from which the star prize winner will emerge.

The show had prior to the selection of the 24 finalists, auditioned applicants in 11 cities around Nigeria namely: Abuja, Makurdi, Enugu, Owerri, Benin, Asaba, Calabar, Uyo, Akure, Ibadan and Lagos. From these 11 cities grouped into 6 zones, 120 Acts had qualified for the Zonal finals in Lagos from where Four Acts got their tickets for the National finals per zone.

Viewing audience who are expected to help keep their favourite artiste in the House through SMS votes, also stand the chance of winning exciting prizes such as Apple iPads 2 and Blackberry phones based on their SMS voting.

PTS airs on Saturdays on Galaxy at 6pm and on Sundays on NTA network at 6pm; Africa Magic at 8pm; Silverbird TV at 9pm; Hi Nolly at 7pm; ABS Akwa at 8pm and Trend TV at 8pm.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 4, 2011

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OXING as a sport transcends generations but with Real Steel, a new dimension is thrown in. An action drama, the flick tells the story of a former boxer, Charlie Kenton (Hugh Jackman) who, against all odds, gets one last shot at a comeback when he teams up with his estranged son (Dakota Goyo) to build and train the perfect contender for the new high-tech sport of robot boxing.

Set in the near-future, the sport of boxing has gone hi-tech, Charlie is a washed-up fighter who lost his chance at a title when 2000 pound, 8 ft tall steel robots took over the ring. Now just a smalltime promoter, Charlie earns just enough money piecing together low-end robots from scrap metal to get from one underground boxing venue to the next.

When he hits rock bottom, he reluctantly teams up with his estranged son Max (Dakota Goyo) to build and train a championship contender. As the stakes in the brutal, no-holds-barred arena are raised, Charlie and Max, against all odds, get one last shot at a comeback.

His kid's aunt (Hope Davis) wants custody; her rich beau (James Rebhorn) wants a kid-free trip to Europe, and Charlie wants to make a fast buck. So a backroom deal puts money in Charlie's hands and Max in his care for the summer.

No pushover, Max wants a piece of Charlie's take after he discovers Atom in a garbage dump.

Max plays the cheeky Canadian youngster with soulful eyes that move from mischief to sadness

A

NIMATED smash hit and sequel to Happy Feet, Happy Feet 2 returns audiences to the magnificent landscape of Antarctica.

Mumble, The Master of Tap, has a problem because his tiny son, Erik, is choreo-phobic.

Problems begin when Erik embarrasses himself when he tries to dance, prompting him to run away with two of his little friends, following in the footsteps of Ramon (voiced by Robin Williams) who has decided to return back to where he first met Mumble in the 2006 original.

Erik runs away and encounters The Mighty Sven,

•Plus One, still in the race

with a remarkable ease.

Directed by Shawn Levy (Date Night and Night at the Museum), the time frame in the flick has been slightly fast-forwarded to 2020 and from the

Happy Feet 2: Set on a course of redemption a penguin who can fly.

Obviously, worried about his son and the two other little penguins, Mumble begins searching only to end up finding them awe struck at what they believe to be a flying penguin named Sven (voiced by Hank Azaria). How can a father who is a flightless penguin possibly compete with the talents Sven exhibits, not to mention his promises that you can do anything you can set your mind to, even fly?

Mumble has no hope of competing with Erik's charismatic new role model. But things get worse when the world is shaken by powerful forces. Erik learns of his father's “guts and grit” as Mumble brings together the penguin nations and all manner of fabulous creatures, from tiny Krill to giant Elephant Seals, to put things right.

Meanwhile, trouble strikes back home when a glacier breaks free and ultimately traps Mumble's clan of Emperor penguins in an ice bowl. They are unable to escape. Mumble must gather all his resources if he's to save Gloria and the rest of his kind or risk losing them forever.

The film features the voices of Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Hank Azaria, Alecia Moore (Pink), Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Sofia Vergara, Common, Hugo Weaving, Magda Szubanski, Anthony LaPaglia, Richard Carter and Benjamin “Lil P-Nut” Flores, Jr.George Miller co-wrote the screenplay with Gary Eck, Warren Coleman and Paul Livingston.

Colombiana Genre: Action/Adventure Lagos, Port-Harcourt ******************************* Abduction Genre: Action/Adventure Lagos, Port-Harcourt, Abuja ******************************* Tower Heist Genre: Action/Adventure Lagos ******************************* In Time Genre: Action/Adventure Lagos, Port-Harcourt ******************************* RA. One Genre: Action/Adventure Lagos ******************************* Johnny English Reborn Genre: Action/Adventure Lagos, Port-Harcourt ******************************* Friends with Benefits Genre: Suspense/Horror Lagos, Abuja ******************************* Suing the Devil Genre: Suspense/Horror Lagos ******************************* Dolphin Tale Genre: Drama Lagos, Port-Harcourt ******************************* The Change Up Genre: Comedy Port-Harcourt ******************************* What's your Number Genre: Comedy Port-Harcourt, Abuja ******************************* Gossip Nation Genre: Drama Abuja ******************************* Contagion Genre: Action/Adventure Abuja ******************************* The Smurfs Genre: Science Fiction Abuja

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2011

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 4, 2011

Glamour

‘Though I work on TV, I'm a very private person’ On the surface, NTA's appears playful, but that she can also be woman, the R e m i

W

HO really is Rose Peters beyond the face we see on television? Rose Peters is from the ancient city of Benin Kingdom. Both of my parents are also Bini. My real names are Osagbemworuhe Ogbonmwan. When I was in the primary school, the Yorubas usually found it difficult to pronounce my names, so I decided to change my name when I got to secondary school.

Initially I preferred the name “Rita', but later picked Rose, while the 'Peters' is my father's first name. The name has stuck ever since. Growing up was very beautiful. I grew up at Adekunle police barracks and it was really nice. While I was young, I used to watch programmes like

AM Express presenter Rose Peters a close encounter with her reveals serious. A self driven young tall, beautiful broadcaster tells Adelowo why she never lets her glamorous job make her lose perspective

Sesame Street and cartoons on NTA Channel 5, so it's always been my dream to be a television person.

Doing this really improved my spoken English because I never attended a private nursery school.

I've always been focused; from the word go, I'd wanted to work at NTA, and it came to pass. I'm a fun loving person; I love music, I love watching films, I love good food, I love to sleep and I love to work hard and justify my pay. In terms of food, I love eba a lot. I also love eko, which my boyfriend finds amusing most times.

But that is me. I'm a people person; I'm embracing, but I draw the line when people want to take advantage of that.

Did you have formal training in broadcasting?

I actually studied Sociology at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and later served at the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Abuja. Thereafter, I went to the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) Training School where I got a Diploma in Basic Presentation. From there, I went to the TV College, Jos for another course in basic presentation.

Many young ladies go into broadcasting for different reasons. With the exception of a very few, majority of them actually crave for the glamour.

So where do you belong?

Sometime ago when I worked briefly with Funmi Iyanda, she said this job (broadcasting) must be in-born in an individual. To be a good broadcaster, it has to be in-born, and then you develop your skills. These days, people just wake up, grab the microphone and say anything on air. For me, being a broadcaster was a childhood dream. My mentor, who I met when I was 11 years old, had advised me way back to be focused and organized. As far back as when I was in Form 5 in secondary school, I knew I would be a broadcaster and would work at NTA. I'd wanted to study Law but later shelved the idea. Back then, I realized that when I talked, people got carried away. Also when I was in UNILAG, I hosted so many shows, so being a broadcaster is not an happenstance. Before graduation, I worked with Funmi Iyanda, then later with Galaxy Television. For my youth service, I found myself in NTA and I was retained. The rest is history.

What is it that you don't like about being a public person?

I just believe I'm doing a job; I'm a civil servant and nothing more. Of course I understand the fact that broadcasting is a glamorous profession, but all of these don't really get at me. The truth is, sometimes, I forget what I do.

I simply do my work and go home. Put aside this job, I'm a

very private person by nature.

There is an age-long perception of female broadcasters and the kind of lifestyle they live. What's your take on this?

It's sad that some people have this negative misconception of female broadcasters. My belief is that if you have nothing to say about someone, just keep quiet rather than malign people's reputation. I studied Sociology and I know that the bedrock of any nation is the family. And what is a family? They consist of a husband, wife and the children. I believe in the institution of marriage likewise many other female broadcasters. But on the other hand, if you are a broadcaster and you are in cloud nine simply because of the large number of admirers you have, too bad for you.

However, the truth is, any man who feels threatened

because his partner is a broadcaster is a chicken. Today, I respect people like Adesuwa Onyenokwe, who has got about five or six kids and Eugenia Abu too. These are women, who are A-class broadcasters and they have happy families. If a woman feels she wants to have kids for different men, that's her business. And please note that such women are found in banking, telecoms, name it.

People should forget about prejudices and respect women for what they do.

On Marriage I actually should have been married 10 years back. Of course, I love to get married to the man of my dreams and have six children (laughs). A lot of people think I'm crazy, but I just love to have many kids. Having a big family can be a beautiful experience.

Can you recount some of the frustrating moments you've had on this job and felt like calling it quits?

If you say quit, yes may be to quit from one work place to a bigger establishment. But for frustrating times on the job, of course there are challenges like people just deliberately wanting to pull one down, but for me, I just believe this is what I'm cut out to do. I love what I'm doing and I love working with NTA. I don't see myself doing anything else.

How do you ward off pressures from men who want to get closer to you?

That's not strange anymore; I mean men, lots of them, are always asking me out. But each time I complain, friends ask me that haven't I seen girls who have never been approached by men? On my Facebook, oh my God, it's all men, men, men, who want to be my friend. For me, I just want to be focused. I'm dating someone and I'm okay with that. But you know that is not written on the face, so men would always come. And when they do, I try to be polite; I've learnt how to ward off advances from men without being rude.

How do you spend your 'me' time?

I watch cartoons, movies and I also love to travel when I have the money.

What determines your style?

I'm not someone who is crazy about current trends. I just love to be comfortable in what I wear Is your boyfriend comfortable with what you do?

Let me tell you a story. My boyfriend once told me that he was watching me on air this particular day and he just said to himself, 'I can't believe I'm the one.' He added that when people look at me, they would assume that it's one senator or a minister or a guy with loads of money that I'm dating. That day, I felt happy because it was obvious that this guy trusts me and is comfortable with me.

So, when is the wedding bell ringing?

(Laughs) I don't know. Of course I'm looking forward to it.

Has he proposed?

He is in cloud nine right now and hasn't proposed. But seriously, I used to be afraid about things like that but now, I'm no longer afraid. The truth is, you can't keep what God says does not belong to you. That said, I'm still waiting on God. I want to get married and have children.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2011

Glamour

Social KAYODE ALFRED

(E-mail: kayflex2@yahoo.com, Tel: 08035733605, 08099400057)

Olumide Ogunlesi goes AWOL

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LUMIDE Ogunlesi, eldest son of Lagos businessman, Mr. Fola Ogunlesi is one silver- spoon chap, who had many things going for him. Besides running his father's event centre, Fantasyland in Ikoyi, Olumde is also the proud owner of LUMOG luxury perfume, which controlled a significant share of the market some years back. So famous was Olumide on the social scene that there were nowhere his tentacles was not seen and felt. But all of a sudden the guy disappeared.

His absence from the scene was once attributed to ill health, which reports say he has since overcome, while others alleged that Olumide Ogunlesi may have fallen on bad times financially. Today, the once bubbly young man is not regular on the happening scene as was the case in the days of yore when he was still in his element. Worse still, his LUMOG perfume is no longer in circulation, while Fantasyland is more like ghost land, with virtually no activity taking place unlike before. Many years ago, the pool side of Fantasyland used to be the convergence point of many celebrities who live and work on the Island. The last time Olumide's name was mentioned in the media was when Gbenga, son of former Nigeria's president, Olusegun Obasanjo accused him of being allegedly involved with his then wife, Moji.

Ita-Giwa plans big for Calabar Carnival

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OW out of public office, flamboyant woman of style, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa remains as busy as ever. In the last few years, the former Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters to late President Umaru Yar'Adua has kept in close touch with the grassroots particularly in her state, Cross River. The 65year-old Matriarch is planning big for this year's Calabar Carnival, which kicked off on December 1st.

We gathered Ita Giwa's band will be one of the major bands to perform at the carnival, even as some of her celebrity friends are said to be warming up to storm Calabar to lend their support.

Biola Okoya tones it down

T

HOSE who knew Biola Okoya, the vivacious daughter of Eleganza boss, Chief Razak Akanni Okoya in her heyday are still trying very hard to come to terms with her new lifestyle. Just like her father who is also a popular socialite, Biola took after the good life and the attendant fame that followed. Formerly married to Akinwande Johnson, a Lagos businessman, Biola once hugged the limelight like her life was dependent on it. But that was then. In the last few years, the mother of two has completely recoiled into her shell. A source, who is quite close to Biola, revealed to SC that Biola's absence may not be unconnected to an alleged rift she had with her father sometime ago, which reportedly forced the old man to cut off her financial lifeline. And with no means to meet pay her bills as at when due, Biola was believed to have relocated abroad to cool off. But a few other sources have punctured this claim, stating that the fair complexioned Biola may not be enjoying the best of health .

Oba Otudeko buys UTC property

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BAFOLUKE Otudeko, chairman of Honeywell Group, a leading conglomerate operating in key sectors of the economy has, without a doubt, proved to be a businessman with the golden touch. The industrialist with interests in the oil and gas telecommunication, hospitality and real estate sectors recently added another property to his growing portfolio, with the acquisition of the former UTC headquarters in Apapa, Lagos overlooking the lagoon a few months ago.

The deal is reportedly worth close to half a billion naira.

Golden Gate Restaurant no longer golden

T

HAT the once popular Golden Gate Restaurant on Kingsway Road, Ikoyi is now a shadow of its old self is like stating the obvious. Back in the days when the owner, Chief Solomon Ayoku was alive, the place used to be one of the best restaurants and event centres in Lagos. Those who should know informed SC that the death of Chief Solomon Ayoku really affected the fortune of Golden Gate, which is desperately crying for urgent turnaround steps to reverse the trend.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2011

Glamour

&

OLUSEGUN RAPHEAL (08033572821) raphseg2003@yahoo.com

L-R: Hajia Abbah Folawiyo and Mrs Opral Benson

L-R: Funmi Ajila-Ladipo, Adesuwa Onyenekwe and Ndidi Obiora

Folake Majin, daughters hold classy fashion exhibition

Mrs Folake Majin (middle) with her daughters

Mrs Yetunde Salami

Jumoke Okoya-Thomas

Arin Adeniyi

By Olusegun Rapheal

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ENULTIMATE Sunday, renowned fashion designer, Folake Majin, proved once again why she's been on top of the game for years. At a well-attended fashion exhibition, which held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, Majin and her two daughters, Gogo and Miss Majin, wowed the audience to no end.

The event drew the fashionistas in droves.

Debbie Ogunjobi

Ayo Joseph

Linda Amao

Femi Atilade

Tolani Thomas

Nikky Khiran

L-R: Bukky Latunji and Dame Abimbola Fashola Mrs Folorunso Alakija

Adejoke Adepase

Ndidi Alao

FROM THE CAMPUS PAGE 46

With Prof. Emmanuel Ojeme

THE NATION SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2011

NOTRE DAME WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Annonymous Colleges of Physical Education (2)

Achonwa finds her strength W

NOTRE Dame women's basketball player Natalie Achonwa has the word "Blessed" tattooed in elegant cursive on one wrist. On the other wrist are the Nigerian words, "Nosike" and "Chioma."

"It's motivation for me," Achonwa said of the life philosophies that are much more than tattooed words. "I look at it every day as 'Be thankful that you're blessed and to have every opportunity and live to the fullest.'

Nosike means stay strong.

It is motivation to stay strong every day, in anything you face. Chioma is my middle name. It means God's beauty.

It's the name that my Grandmother calls me. It's the name my father calls me."

Achonwa's father was born in Nigeria. He immigrated to Canada when he was 12.

"I embrace the culture as much as I can," Achonwa said.

"Unfortunately, I've never been to Nigeria, but my father likes to pass along some things from time to time, and words of wisdom."

A 6-foot-3 sophomore, Achonwa has had need to call upon her strength to face the challenges of her sophomore season. She missed the first three games of the season with a meniscus injury that required knee surgery.

"I've had a pretty rough semester as it is, on the court, off the court, health, family, everything," Achonwa said.

"Situations, especially tough situations, build character.

They build who you are.

"Without the challenges that I've had, I wouldn't be who I am. I embrace them.

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right?"

Last season, Achonwa averaged 6.9 points and 5.3 rebounds. Her 57 percent shooting average was fourth in the Big East.

This season, Achonwa is averaging 2.7 points and 4.0 rebounds. She hopes to take her game up another level Friday night, when the No. 3ranked Fighting Irish (5-1) play the University of Pennsylvania (4-1). The Quakers are off to the best five-game start in the program's history.

"I think Natalie is still a little bit rusty," Notre Dame coach Muffet McGraw said. "She had seven rebounds in the USC game (Nov. 25). She didn't score as much as I would like, but I think that's going to come along.

"We need Natalie's presence defensively," McGraw continued. "We need that presence at both ends. She can really help us in the zone.

When she's in the high post, she's a really good high-post player, because she can shoot it from outside. I think it's just going to take another week or two for her to get back to

• Natalie Achonwa

being comfortable."

Achonwa said that she has made progress and suffered setbacks as she works herself into the post presence the Irish need.

"I've taken leaps. I've taken steps forwards and backwards.

I've taken inches, I've taken miles," Achonwa said. "I think it's just a matter of embracing every challenge. Healthwise, in terms of getting cleared, with the help of Anne Marquez and Dr. (Mike) Yergler, I came back quicker.

"It was in our plan, our heads when we were going to be back. But in terms of the injury, I came back quicker. Now, it's just trusting that, it's fine.

Achonwa said that she has been working hard to get ready for the rugged Big East Conference schedule that awaits the Irish.

"Now, it's just putting it all back together and getting to where I was," she said.

To date, Achonwa's most thrilling play was a half-court pass to Natalie Novosel, who drove to the free-throw line for a buzzer-beater bank shot that gave Notre Dame a 56-54 victory against No. 7 Duke in a game that saw the Irish rally from 18 down in the second half.

"We trust in each other," Achonwa said of the stunning rally. "I think there was a great

team effort in that victory. On the last play, I went to give it to Skylar (Diggins), (but) she wasn't open. I went to give it to Kayla (McBride), (but) she wasn't open. In my head, I was saying, 'Come on, Nat, Come on, Nat. Come back to the ball.' I could have passed it a little bit inbounds, but I had to keep it exciting, right?"

Notre Dame is counting on Achonwa to deliver more winning moments this season as she fights through adversity to contribute. For her, it's a matter of nosike.

• Culled from South Bend Tribune

E are continuing with our talk on this topic this week, to give us another opportunity to examine other relevant issues. It is necessary at this point to recollect the problem being addressed.

The main problem is that Colleges of Physical Education in Nigeria do not seem to be living upto expectation in terms of their core professional responsibilities. We have already examined the case of some of these Colleges including the ones located in Afuze and Mosogar. There is also the National Institute for Sports which was established in the 1970s by The National Sports Commission. Is the Institute, today, living upto its mandate The National Institute for Sports (NIS) was a very credible and technically sound Institute at its inception. Its performance was greatly boosted by the German technical support which it received through bilateral agreement. Today, it desires to reincate its original momentum. There are tons of papers written on how the Institute can become vibrant and reposition itself to do for Sports what the N.I.I.A (National Institute for International Affairs), CRIN (Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria) I.I.T.A (International Institute for Tropical Agriculture) accomplish in their respective cognate areas of responsibility for their organisations. The Sports Institute complains of underfunding as a major handicap. It however, continues to operate like a Civil Service Training Centre, unable to raise its voice on issues of sports development in the public domain. Why would the Institute not speak up presenting their perspectives, providing, insight about the crumbling of teams in different sports, for example What is the Institute’s position on Sports development policy instruments? What role, for example, does it play in creating awareness, dissemination of information about the new vision 20:2020 adoption and implementation? What is wrong with Nigerian Coaches, mostly trained by it? Why are they failing in football? These and many other issues, in my humble opinion, are some of the areas, the Institute should be concerned and make some intellectually and professionally anchored outing in the public domain. My prayer is that the N.I.S would rise up and claim its rightful place in the Nigerian Sports development chain. It should make some noise about its activities from time to time.

The Government at State and Federal levels need to reinforce the Sports Colleges and Institutes with the requisite human and material resources required to enable them function effectively. A College of Physical Education does need to convert to a regular College of Education . Immediately that happens, as in the case of Colleges of Physical Education at Afuze and Mosogar, it derails and sports suffers.

A College of Physical Education must remain on track to: (1) be the breeding ground for the development of athletes (2) Produce PE and sports manpower of choice (3) Assist the state or federal government in conducting extension service programmes (4) Conduct research to improve the performance of athletes (5) Produce texts and manuals that will be useful to practitioners to achieve pragmatic results.

(6) Make public its achievements and justify its existence These are some of the ways of escaping anonymity and develop into a brand known for its sports development indices.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 4, 2011

47

VOL 1 NO. 034

M

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2011

Niger Insurance...

C&A Digest publication of Sunday 14, 2011 was dedicated to examining the contribution of brands managers in the insurance industry to its over-all quality standard in the delivery of insurance services to Nigerians and its contribution to the nation's economic development. We chose to closely look at the professionals' involvement and contribution of practitioners, as a critical factor in driving the success of insurance industry towards playing its role in micro and macro rate person of Niger Insurance Plc were based on the foeconomic development. We thought to closely look at the cus and objectives of National Insurance Commission insurance industry because of its enormous potentials (NAICOM's) intervention of 2007. Essentially, the fedas economic growth driver. Often times, public discuss eral government/NAICOM intervention focused on concerning economic development anchor on banks and evolving a stronger and more impactful insurance indussecurities market, but the truth is that these two are only try in Nigeria. It was a shame that though Nigeria is the complementary to the leadership position of insurance. biggest insurance market in Africa, its global and contiInsurance is unique in role, offering and value-essence, nental market share did not reflect same position. This in that it fulfills economic functions entirely different from was immediately after the banks' recapitalization. The those of banks and securities trading. It contributes ma- parameters were quite high, determined to remove incomterially to economic growth by improving the investment petent players. climate and promoting a more efficient mix of activities Among other things, the reform objectives included: that would not have been possible without risk manage1. Increase industry capacity for under-writing big ment instruments. So, businesses can only run smoothly if they are protected against losses that could arise in the course of operation. Haulage business operators, for instance, would not likely succeed without adequate protection against relevant insurance cover. Even individuals stand to gain so much more by engaging insurance services. In developed economies individuals and corporate persons do nothing without insurance cover.

Our worry, therefore, owe to the fact that in spite of its importance, less than one percent of a population of over 140million Nigerians own any form of insurance cover! We know of a fact also, that insurance is not popular among Nigerians, mainly due to the very low level of awareness of its principles and benefits, and the extent of its perceived image among the public.

Some insured people have also had to complain of delayed or outright non-payment of claims and such other negative experiences that impact on the industry's image perception.

Also worrisome is the fact that pre-consolidation, Nigeria insurance industry controlled only 0.02% of the global market, was ranked 62 of the 88 countries in terms of annual premium volumes, 69th on Life funds and 86th on insurance density. Of course that explained why the industry's contribution to our national economic growth was put at 1%, pre-consolidation.

As brands managers, we decided to stimulate the involvement of insurance brands managers towards greater responsibility and profes- •Clinton Uranta sional engagement in order to improve on the present marketing activities within the industry, such that tickets risks especially in oil & gas, marine, aviation and could help the industry, the insurable public and the other special risk sectors. nation's economy. The article in reference sought to serve 2. To attract foreign capital infusion as a call-to-duty to managers/owners of insurance 3. To prepare industry players towards meeting brands and the industry. If we know and accept that claims payment obligations awareness is the primary obstacle to insurance market 4. To enable industry players become strong penetration, it therefore follows that those charged with enough to engage in human capital development and the responsibility of making-known for insurance have enhancement for a more efficient and professional serplenty of work to do. vice delivery The first and immediate fall-out of our article in 5. To create a healthy competitive business envireference is our encounter with NIGER INSURANCE ronment for better public service, based on proper brandPLC. Niger Insurance Plc, a Composite Primary Insurer ing, public awareness development and professional serdriven by commitment to providing excellent insurance vice offer service based on total customer satisfaction. Following 6. To achieve the necessary economy of scale that from its mission of being the insurance company of first will enable the public's access to affordable insurance choice in Nigeria noted for high level transparency, effi- service and products ciency, huge risk under-writing capacity and superla7. To help industry players achieve superior prodtive customer-centric service delivery, laid out her cre- uct innovation and distribution, and over-all deeper dentials for us to see. Perhaps we should mention here market penetration. that our encounter with this brand was one of openness It is against these policy focus/objectives we to appraisals, challenged by the issues raised in our ar- placed Niger Insurance Plc, for proper scrutiny. ticle earlier mentioned.

NIGER INSURANCE PLC came across as one of Our parameters for assessing the brand and corpo- the only two composite insurers in our local market. Post-

The Old Soja Never Dies

capitalization, it is one of the very few operators that did not need to draw on foreign investment to meet its obligations, fully capitalized for the provision of General Business. By reasons of financial power and professional competence, it thrives in the highly delicate market of under-writing marine insurance, oil and gas and aviation. As a composite operator, Niger Insurance offers insurance cover for: • Fire and allied peril • Motor insurance • Burglary insurance • Workman's compensation • Group personal accident • Money • Goods-in-transit • Professional indemnity • Public liability • Fidelity guarantee • Marine cargo • Personal liability • Product liability • Boat traveler's insurance policy • Personal pension and savings

Niger Insurance Plc will be 50years old in 2012, incorporated on August 29, 1962. Its age says a lot for it. To us however, that stirred some more questions bothering on its contribution to the nation's economic growth over the years. To wit, it started out and has held on as one of the very few industry players that kept Nigeria's relevance in the global insurance market, through its involvement in oil & gas, marine and aviation. These are markets highly demanding of technical competence, professionalism and financial muscle. It was only recently the national insurance reform introduced marginal increase in premium earning for players in these sectors, (through her cabotage law for marine and maritime business).

It therefore bothered on national honor for Niger Insurance Plc to have held up the nation's flag in areas others would not dare ordinarily.

As a brand and risk under-writer, Niger Insurance Plc prides itself on its 50years of professional experience, strong asset base, highly trained and professional human resources, technological advancement and excellent customer service/ service delivery.

As value-addition, Niger Insurance Plc provides its clients with free consultancy service. As industry leader, it is committed to global best practices as a corporate philosophy.

The Federal Government's insurance reform initiatives resulted in the reduction of industry players from 104 to 71, a huge reduction in pursuit of a leaner and more efficient insurance industry. In all Niger Insurance Plc plays as industry leader and a vanguard in the drive towards deepening insurance penetration in our local economy and increasing our collective share of the global insurance market. That in its self is a commitment to national economic growth and development to which we encourage many other industry players. It is our belief at MC&A Digest, that insurance has so much to play in helping Nigeria actualize her set-goals as contained in vision 2020.

As commonly referred within the insurance industry, Niger Insurance Plc is the 'old soja (that) never dies'. It has gone through thick and thin to emerge as a strong and better risk underwriter in the almighty GENERAL BUSINESS sector.

48

With Patience Saduwa

THE NATION ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 4, 2011

n e m o w ‘Most ot

rest they say is history, because life then seems simple, seamless and harmonious. You feel better in your own skin and wake up each day feeling you are doing what you were born to do. It's like living your dream.

What tips do you have on how women can succeed in their careers or e r, is th e businesses? h s i l b u , p e d m n a m Be focused, be r a dcaste lar TV progr a o s r c o mmitted, i b h , t o Okor popu ne. In rai e accommodating e z w a h t n g i a f h o and prayerful.

Clara C r/ presenter ublishes Ice M s on the inspi e n k p i c a g What are u e o e s d p l b s o a r e e p h th he s t S , a a . s o m e of the d d w l e r r u c o Brandw h Patience Sad , challenges fa ir businesses og rewards of your e t e job? chat wi the programm succeed in th country, amon The fact that n r e a o h f c t tion men g in o n your life is an i w t s a w c o d inspiration for ning, h state of broa , some people and s r e e r a c also the tremendous ues. amount of respect accorded the posiother iss tion we occupy as the bridge between the public and their stakeholders. You can virtually have access to anybody as a journalsionals, a 3 day Executive intensive trainist and that's very powerful. ing on CSR that had a huge impact on my How do you balance your career with job. your personal life?

What are the challenges women face It's an art I have mastered over the running their own businesses in Nigeria? years. I choose and pick the most imporI guess it's the same misguided and tant thing at the most appropriate times entrenched cultural beliefs that some still for me. It's a question of priorities and balpractice, that women should be seen ancing the act. and not heard. It's quite outdated but What is your educational backstill practiced by some segments of the ground? society. The bias is that most women I am an alumnus of Methodist Girls are airheads and therefore cannot High School and The University of Lagos. contribute anything meaningful to Who are your role models? its economic development. So in My role models are quite numerous. gender equality issues, you see What do you have to say about the the male child being educated in state of TV broadcasting in Nigeria? preference to the female child.

But as research shows now, I did say this in a previous interview more women are in various and I am quoting it here, "It's completely sectors across board occupyunacceptable.” Broadcasting is really key into it, the list goes on. But I guess ing very critical, high -profile inspirational. People believe for you to be these challenges also present opportunipositions that demand very high intellect placed on that pedestal and platform that ties for growth. and cerebral input. your training has given you an edge over What does your job entail? them. So when they listen to you speak, What do you like most about your My job entails developing creative they even learn to correct their mistakes job? ideas and transforming them into a segfrom you. But now, it's so horrible when The fact that I can act as an agent of mented format for TV programming, you hear all manner of pronunciations, change with the content I provide via comwhere the audience follows along, gets tenses, dictions, phonetics and just even municating with my audience. It is a treinformed and entertained as well. My realize that some of them are not bothered mendous responsibility and very engagresponsibilities include, doing research on to even make an effort to learn how to proing as well. trending topics, content acquisition for the nounce these words. It's just a reflection of What do you like least about it? programme, script designs, presentation how mediocrity is traded for professionThe fact that it is a very demanding job and production of the TV show, alism. If some have a problem with their and does affect the time spent with family, Brandworld. ability to speak clearly and audibly, they friends and even to do other things you What training did you get that prehave no business being a broadcast jourmight enjoy doing. pared you for this job? nalist, no matter how pretty or handsome Any regrets going into broadcasting? they are. As listeners, you shouldn't be I virtually would say I trained on the No. It was what I felt complete doing. straining to understand what a broadjob. I did my youth service at the then Gulf Fulfilment and success to me personally caster is saying. We really need to set up Oil, which later became Chevron, with means the alignment of God's purpose for more training schools to absorb those who their Public Affairs Department, before me life with my human hopes and aspirawant to groom themselves for careers as moving on to work in an Advertising tions. If these two connect, then I guess the broadcast journalists. agency, MC& A. I left after about 2 years and joined a documentary production company Afprohand Productions. I would say I learnt much about production there, before venturing out to set up my first production company. Since then, I go for self development training on the job and a most recent one for me was an incredible training session organised by –Jane Austen (English author) Thistlepraxis Consulting for Media profes-

are n

’ s d a airhe

•Okoro: ‘‘Being an inspiration to others is what gives me joy’’

W

HAT inspired you to go into TV presentation? And why did you choose the brand world and not any other area?

I was inspired to go into TV presentation as a result of the fact that I saw the TV platform as a window, opening new vistas in this era of knowledge- based economies. The electronic medium had the advantage of transmitting information to millions at the same time and that to me was a critical factor that such a platform could lead to the transformation of lives, either positively or negatively.

I chose branding as an area of focus because as learnt from research, it was the new wealth creator in the modern economies and Africa needed to integrate it into its sectors to align with global developments of economies.

What were the challenges you faced in the early days of the programme?

The challenges are typical: power issues, although there has been an improvement in power supply; human capital issues, advert content, information management, then you have to put in extra working hours that can be quite challenging just to make sure the production is articulated and achieved. Also pitching your concept and hoping brand owners

“Give a girl an education and introduce her properly into the world, and ten to one but she has the means of settling well, without further expense to anybody.”

THE NATION ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 4, 2011

New WOMAN

Our story this week is narrated by Omos, a businesswoman in her early 30s. Hers is a sad and touching tale of past mistakes and a dark past that is threatening her present and future happiness and peace of mind. Enjoy!

Haunted by dark past

M

Y case is one that a lot of women out there are going through: that of childlessness after many years of marriage. It's a major cause of divorce and marital woes in many homes.

Mine is not an exception.

In fact, my home has in recent times become like a small war zone with verbal and physical missiles flying here and there. And most of them come from my sisters-in-law. I know it's usually the mother-in-law who terrorizes the wife in situations like these. My own 'terrorists' are my husband's sisters-an older one and one of the younger sisters. My mother-in-law stays in the village and hardly comes to the city.

You see, she hates the cityshe always complains it's too rough and noisy for her.

I thank God for that.

Imagine her joining forces with her nasty, bitchy daughters to harass me over my condition. I would have ended up in the psychiatric hospital long ago! Anyway, these women have become a serious thorn in my flesh. Instead of sitting in their own homes to mind their business, they keep coming to my matrimonial home to harass me over my situation. My husband has a daughter from a previous relationship so they all believe it's my fault.

They call me all kinds of names, threatening to

•War zone: My in-laws have turned my peaceful home into a battlefield because of my childlessness

throw me out if I don't produce a child for their brother soon. And what does my husband have to say about all this? Initially, he was very supportive. He kept telling me we should be patient and wait for God's time.

But as the years went by (eight years) and not even a miscarriage, he too is becoming worried. He has not said anything to me but I can tell by his actions.

Now, whenever his sisters come to fight me, he hardly cautions them anymore, unlike before when he would tell them to leave me alone.

Like what happened two weeks ago. We came back from church to meet the

two women waiting outside our home. There was a third woman with them-a friend of theirs I believe. This woman was huge-she looked like those Sumo wrestlers we often see on TV. Anyway, when we got in, I went into the kitchen to prepare lunch.

They refused to eat my food, with the younger sister, Mummy Rukky stating that they didn't want to be 'infected' with the charm I had used on my husband that is making him still keep a 'fellow man' like me in his home.

I made the mistake of answering back, telling her I was a complete woman.

The three of descended on me then. They screamed

Re: Return of an old flame

N

G, dump Ben, you will be doing what all people like you are known for: selfishness; you can always go back to Ben and plead to take you back when Eric jilts you again- 08090980634 Marriage is ultimately about character and commitment without which love becomes empty and heart breaking. What failed before is likely to fail again. To be frivolous with the love and fidelity of Ben will be a tragic mistake.

There's difference between love and infatuation.

Poison is sweet. It's your call.

-Aloysius, Abuja (08033904127) I just finished reading your story. My sis, feelings

49

don't lie. Be yourself, talk to Ben, he will understand.

It's wrong to enslave yourself emotionally. All the best-07030558171 If Ng marries Ben, her physical self will be with Ben but her heart and soul with Eric. If Ng marries Eric, her soul and heart will be happy. Marriage is all about being happy yourself, not your parents rd or 3 parties at your expense. She's even lucky that she did not marry Ben before meeting her old flame. This is one decision that is sacrosanct for Ng's happiness or regrets for the rest of her life. Let her have a one on one talk with Ben and tell him where her heart is.

-08130234080

My dear, I must be blunt!

Hold on to your Ben. Don't mind the snake called Eric.

He has many more lies to tell. I could be your mother.

I'm praying for you08023523979 My advice to you is to go ahead with your marriage plans with Ben. He loves you and has proven it. Eric is history- a man who can't keep his pants on when your back is turned-and every feeling you have for him should be dead and buried. He has let you down once and will do it again if given the chance. Don't let Eric ruin you. Please don't break Ben's heart. He has given you what most men won't give you: three years of faithfulness. Don't forget that. Oge, Imo State07037878977

and shouted at me and even slapped and hit me repeatedly. Normally I would have fought back.

But there were three of them including the giantess and all I could do was protect myself as best I could. By the time they finished with me, my

clothes were torn, some of my hair pulled out, I had a black eye and other injuries as well. What hurt me more was not the beating. It was the fact that my husband abandoned me to those thugs he called sisters, disappearing into thin air when I needed him most.

Most nights, I go to bed with tears and wake up weeping, the words 'barren

woman', 'unfruitful tree' ringing in my ear. But I know it's not true. How do I know, you might ask. The answer lies in my past, in my growing up days…

What is in Omos' past that could be responsible for her present situation? Grab a copy of your favourite Sunday Nation next week to find out!

Relationships Deola Ojo 08027454533 (text) Pastordeegfc@yahoo.com

Loving you when it seems nobody does (4) Continued from last week

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EVER become d e s p e r a t e .

Desperation leads to unnecessary complications. You may rush into a relationship with someone whom you know to be a wicked and manipulative person only to regret it later. Loneliness must be managed without allowing it to push you into doing things that you may be ashamed of later. Many ladies have had one night stands just because they are so desperate to have a boyfriend.

They feel that if they play too hard to get, the guy may become discouraged and run off. They decide to play easy to get and the man feels that they are too easy and deserts them after the first date. A lady may also feel that a man who is pressuring her for sex on

the first date is an irresponsible man who will never be faithful to her even if they get into a relationship.

Overlook other people's imperfections. Nobody on this earth is perfect. It is important to understand that every individual has a little hitch. Even when people are operating at their best they are imperfect.

Some people miss out on good relationships because they keep focusing on one or two points that are missing in that special person's life. It is possible for someone to have standards that are so high that no one can meet them. Would you date a physically challenged person? If your answer is an immediate and emphatic “No!” then perhaps you may be missing out on some special and extraordinary relationships.

A person may not have the sense of sight or sound, but

this does not make the person less capable of giving and receiving love.

When ladies look down on men who are interested in them they may be pushing themselves into a season of dark skies in the area of relationships.

Some ladies use derogatory remarks for people they are not interested in. They may even give these persons ridiculous nicknames like: Fat Festus, Skinny Sikiru, Silly Sanya, Daft Dapo, Poor Phillip, Ugly Ugwu or foolish Folahan. A lady had a ringtone that says 'a fool is calling'.

This is the ring tone she uses for all the men who express a desire to be in a relationship with her.

Another lady saves men's names as 'mugu 1'; 'mugu 2'. The day one of these men found out he was mugu 3 he was furious.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 4, 2011

50

Cartoons

SUNNY SIDE

By Olubanwo Fagbemi olubanwo.fagbemi@thenationonlineng.net 08060343214 (SMS only)

POLITICKLE

Canal Road

CHEEK BY JOWL

OH, LIFE!

THE GReggs

THE list of excesses on Canal Road was as lengthy as the road itself.

About three kilometers long and riddled with potholes that made driving tortuous and walking perilous, the road meandered through three different slopes and was generally referred to in two parts: before and after the canal. For many residents, the part of the road before the canal was the liveliest. With the most colourful of characters, it had to be.

Mama Camillus, chief gossip, was ever ready to extend the latest rumour, and not without embellishment. I found her, mass of rotund flesh and folded wrapper, operating the pepper grinding machine in front of her house this morning, as usual. “Good morning,” I greeted. “Good morning to you, Akowe,” she replied with undisguised pleasure at the opportunity of noting a detail on which some new rumour could be hinged.

Last week, she asked my sister who had taken some fresh pepper to be ground: “When will brother buy a car and stop walking about in tie and carrying a briefcase?” “Soon,” my sister snapped. “Soon.”

But the road’s tale would be half told without mention of the 37-in-one room tenants. For them, unruly is but a poor adjective. If the cacophony and stench that permeate their quarters do not fully describe conditions, consider the perpetual appearance of fresh carcasses of rats and mice on the road every morning as sufficient evidence of cheek-by-jowl existence.

The antics of drunks and omo ganfe – local parlance for street urchins – around bus stops and street corners in the evenings completed the picture of despair and disorder on Canal Road. In a deceitful show of craving redemption, they would gather at ‘Sister’ Celia’s roadside bar – their favourite watering hole – ‘experiencing baptism’ and bawling Christian choruses. With frenzied gyration, they would sing: “Lift him up, higher! Lift him up, higher! The Lord is good; I will lift him up higher. Anywhere I go…”

Everyone thought the tempo of revelling would be checked sometime, and so it was on an outrageous August evening. Celia’s bar had been especially rowdy earlier. The customers had raised such commotion that even normally thick-skinned residents anticipated change as they watched from behind house gates. Sooner than later, something would have to give, they agreed.

A fight that started from the street behind – for the affections of a girl, someone whispered – spilled over to Canal Road and, naturally, to Celia’s. A muscular fellow with his shirt all torn ran up the street, making straight for the joint. Seconds after, he emerged with a broken bottle in his hand and eyes fiery with rage. He ran back where he came from, even as a crowd that gathered tried to stop him.

Meanwhile, at the edge of the joint, another skirmish ensued between the enraged man’s supporters and a group opposed to them for whatever reason. From the latter group, a fellow was hounded until he was toppled – battered and bruised – into the open drain in front of the joint. Amidst the din, someone suddenly yelled: “Police!”

It was the byword for dispersal and the mob instantly thinned out; everyone but a tall, thin man who had attempted to save the fallen fellow from further bashing. He was bold enough to explain preceding events to gruff policemen on patrol with an anti-riot squad. Pertinent facts of the matter ascertained, the policemen brusquely reached for the fellow wallowing in the murky gutter.

Held by the scruff of the neck, he was lifted and tossed into the van by the policemen. Then they went for Celia and, ignoring her entreaties, bundled her into the van as well. But the relief that spread through homes of the good folks on the road was shortlived. Celia was back at her place the next evening, vending cheap wine, beer and pepper soup like service was never interrupted.

QUOTE There is a great streak of violence in every human being. If it is not channelled and understood, it will break out in war or in madness.

—Sam Peckinpah

Jokes Smart Cat A man absolutely hated his wife's cat and decided to get rid of him one day by driving him 20 blocks from his home and leaving him at the park.

As he was getting home, the cat was walking up the driveway.

The next day he decided to drive the cat 40 blocks away. He put the beast out and headed home.

Driving back up his driveway, there was the cat!

He kept taking the cat further and further and the cat would always beat him home. At last he decided to drive a few miles away, turn right, then left, past the bridge, then right again and another right until he reached what he thought was a safe distance from his home and left the cat there.

Hours later the man called home to his wife: "Jen, is the cat there?"

"Yes", the wife answered, "why do you ask?"

Frustrated, the man answered, "Put

SUDOKU

that stupid cat on the phone, I'm lost and need directions!"

Stubborn Duck This duck walks into a supermarket and asks the clerk, "Do you have any grapes?"

The clerk says no, and the duck leaves.

The next day, the duck returns and asks, "Do you have any grapes?" The clerk again says no, and the duck leaves.

The day after that, the duck walks in the store again and asks "Do you have any grapes?"

The clerk screams at the duck, "You've come in here the past two days and asked if we had any grapes. I told you no, every time, that we don't have any grapes! I swear if you come back in here again, and ask for grapes, I'll nail your webbed feet to the floor!!"

The duck leaves, and returns the next day. This time he asks, "Do you have any nails?"

The clerk replies, "No," and the duck says, "Good! Got any grapes?"

•Culled from the Internet

ST

1 STEP IN SOLVING PUZZLE: (358) Look at the 3 top horizontal (ABC) 3x3 boxes.

The left box has 7 in cell Af, while the middle box has its 7 in cell Bc. The right box must, therefore, have its own 7 in row C, where there are 2 vacant spaces — cells Cg and Ch. But, since column g

PUZZLE 358

A 7 B 7 2 C 5 1 8 D 6 E F 9 3 2 G 9 6 5 H 7 2 3 I 4 5 a

b

c

d

e

f

04/12/2011

already has a 7— in cell Dg, the only space available to accommodate 7 in the right box is cell Ch. Reasoning along these lines, try and fill in all the other vacant cells.

Reasoning along these lines, try and fil in all the other vacant cells Solution on Saturday. Happy Puzzling!

SOLUTION TO PUZZLE 357

5 9 3 7 9 3 8 4 2 5 g

h

i

1 2 6 9 4 3 7 8 5

3 5 8 1 2 7 4 6 9

9 4 7 6 8 5 3 2 1

8 9 3 2 7 1 5 4 6

2 6 1 4 5 9 8 3 7

5 7 4 8 3 6 9 1 2

4 8 5 7 1 2 6 9 3

6 3 2 5 9 4 1 7 8

7 1 9 3 6 8 2 5 4

THE NATION ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 4, 2011

51

With Joe Agbro Jr. 08056745268

Hello children, The yuletide is in the air and hope all of you are being good boys and girls

WORD WHEEL This is an open ended puzzle.

How many words of three or more letters, each including the letter at centre of the wheel, can you make from this diagram? We’ve found 31, including one nine-letter word.

Can you do better?

Riddles with Bisoye Ajayi 1. I carry my child in a bag when going out.

What am I? 2. I am soething. Everywhere I go, I go with my house. What am I? Miss Ajayi is a JSS 1 student of Queens College, Yaba, Lagos.

•Pupils of Grace Schools, Gbagada, during the unveiling of Santa Claus grotto, Mr Biggs, Lagos-Ibadan ExpressPHOTO: EDOZIE UDEZE way, Lagos.

BrainOBrain debuts in Nigeria

Word wheel NINE LETTER WORDS: Negligent, Engine, gene, genie, gentile, gentle, gentling, gin, glen, glint, inlet, inn, lenient, lent, lien, line, linen, linnet, lint, nee, net, niggle, nil, nine, nit, teeing, teen, ten, tin, tinge, tingle

WORD SEARCH Parts of a house A house is a building or structure that has the ability to be occupied for dwelling by human beings or other creatures. The term house includes many kinds of different dwellings ranging from rudimentary huts of nomadic tribes to free standing individual structures. In some contexts, "house" may mean the same as dwelling, residence, home, abode, lodging, accommodation, or housing, among other meanings.

The social unit that lives in a house is known as a household. Most commonly, a household is a family unit of some kind, though households can be other social groups, such as single persons, or groups of unrelated individuals. Many people leave their houses during the day for work and recreation, and return to them to sleep and for other activities.

ATTIC BATHROOM BEDROOM FOYER GARAGE KITCHEN LARDER LAUNDRY LIBRARY PANTRY STUDY SUNROOM TOILET VESTIBULE WORKSHOP

•Kids on the BrainOBrain programme in India

A

SKILL development programme that will enable children acquire valuable skills that will make them excel in life has debuted in Nigeria.

Known as the BrainOBrain programme, it helps unlock children’s hidden talents through the use of both the right and left lobes of the brain, the National franchisor, Jobi Taiwo disclosed last week in a media chat.

“BrainOBrain is a revolution today. Our goal is to help children achieve the highest order of mental formation which will result in maximization of brain and life skills,” Taiwo stated. He added that the scheme had already helped more than 75,000 children worldwide reach their learning potential, thereby significantly improving the quality of their lives.

He noted that the BOB Academy’s vision was to help provide

a solid foundation for breeding a new crop of quality graduates with skills affording them the much-needed competitive edge that would enable them fit in anywhere in the world. “We are confident that BOB will help create a world of self empowerment for generations of Nigerian children and make them active competitors of international standard and better future leaders,” said Taiwo.

The BOB scheme relies on the abacus as a learning tool that develops a child’s concentration, memory, imagination, creativity, confidence, thinking and communication skills and leadership qualities. It targets children aged 5-14 and classes hold at weekends with two hours instruction.

It runs in 600 centres around the world in countries such as the United Kingdom, USA, Australia, Kuwait, India, Poland, UAE, Sweden, Oman among others.

Word search created by Jennifer Mordi

Send in your stories, poems, articles, games, puzzles, riddles and jokes to sundaynation@yahoo.com

Answer to Riddles:

1. Kangaroo

2. Snail

52

THE NATION ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 4, 2011

Special Report CHUKWUEMEKA ODUMEGWU-OJUKWU (1933-2011)

•Continued from Page 19 for some time. Definitely after the war, my family was not comfortable here.

The factory was burnt during the war, because it was on the water front. My elder sister, I told you was a nurse, and was one of the best nurses I have ever met. She had a clinic. She is late now and had children.

When I was asking about you from the commissioner, your son, I could read admiration and deep respect. And he said, he never heard any bad word from you against his father. I know you have your grouses, why did you keep them to yourself?

You see, it is destructive to bring children into the disagreements of their parents. In my case, he is not a criminal; he is a very kind man. He was not criminally involved. He did not steal while in government, he doesn’t know how to steal government’s money. And that was why he was even spending our money. So, there was indeed nothing to tell.

I couldn’t make up a story because I wanted to make him bad with the children.

If there was a crime you could hold against him, it would be that he loved women. Ordinarily that is a thing one should be able to put up with, but it is not that simple when you are in love with a man. In any case when you love a man, there are so many things you don’t ever do.

He, I must say, is unlike most Nigerian men. His likes are not common. In maintaining the family, he was much like my dad. He does not interfere with what happens in the kitchen. He has a long of good points.

Well, have you been communicating?

Yes, very well. In bringing up the children, he is always there. Whenever, proximity allows, he comes in here and we discuss specific issues of importance. We were never in any irreconcilable crisis. And we share respect for one another.

How was the war for you? The fact that you were the wife of the Head of State of a breakaway country; how was the pressure of the war, the children and the family?

Let me tell you one true story. When the war started, the wife of the Commissioner of Police came up to my house and asked; Madam, how do you survive in all these because the tension was just too much? She said: “do you know, this man, she was referring to her husband, whenever he goes out, I always feel I am going to melt. My body would be shaking. You know, I love my husband so much I can’t imagine what I would do if he dies.”

I told her that I tackle the tension by settling for the worse, even when I pray fervently that it does not happen. Each time he goes out, I pretend that it may be the last time I’ll be seeing him. I felt that the best thing to do is to be prepared anytime to be a widow. That I felt would be the best attitude because if not, you will die immediately. If you love a man like that, all you could do if the unexpected happens, is to swallow very hard and just move on. You see, I am so calm. There was this particular doctor who used to come to take what he needed for others from the little we were getting as relief materials during the war. He refers to me as ‘always unruffled”.

May be it’s in the way I’m made.

Was there no time you felt threatened as a person? When you felt death was close? Were you prepared to die for the cause? Were you convinced about the Biafra thing?

If you saw what happened to Igbos in the north… I was so angry. I told my husband I would have been in the tanks if I wasn’t married to him. When they were bringing people from the North; headless men, women … they put bottles inside them. I was very angry. I felt I should go out there and kill all of them.

There was no way you could see the returning casualties and not get angry. Let me give you an example. One day, when I came back from Ivory Coast, I was on my way to Broad Street. I didn’t know my way around. One gentleman in suit, extremely light in complexion, obviously from the North, introduced himself. Please can I meet you? His name was a northern name. I said, oh my God! And went away showing how bitter I was.

Is there any reason for Biafra now?

You tell me. Is there any reason for Biafra as a Nigerian? (Here there was a debate on present realities.) I don’t know. It’s almost impossible, but it won’t be. It can happen if they are not careful. The way they are treating everybody, even Yorubas sometimes ago threatened to go away. And you people

‘I was the last casualty of the war’

•Njideka (left) with children

(Yoruba) let us down because we wanted southern solidarity. Have you not heard of that?

It is not over yet. It may not come in this manner. It may not be Yoruba wanting to go away or Igbo wanting to go away. Something terrible can happen. You cannot continue to oppress people like this. They force their ways into power or rig elections and rob the place dry and they are not even ashamed. What haven’t we seen?

When Emeka was a governor, he was young, early thirties because both of us were married when we were thirty. I remember one day, one ambassador came and left a small chain and pendant for him to give me. He rejected it. It took a lot of persuasion from everybody there before he accepted it. The case now is different.

Do you know that Nigeria is the 10th country in the world in terms of the gap between the rich and the poor? And the people who are rich don’t even know how to make money, only how to steal. In our own time, my father worked himself to death. They didn’t know what resting was all about.

Nowadays, people just flaunt their unearned wealth. It’s not fair.

To some people he was unforgiving...

Yorubas or those that he dealt with?

Not Yorubas. Several people in write-ups have said he is stubborn, inflexible and rigid. I know you love him, you still love him, and he was your husband. How do you see him?

He wasn’t intransigent or inflexible. You see, he was not stubborn to me, and that is the gospel truth. The only thing that sometimes caused friction was women. And when you look at this women problem, a lot of them used to bring themselves to him. Donate themselves! Though I believe that sometimes a man should be able to say no.

Earlier on, you alluded to the war as reason for separation. What particular situation can you point to in the war?

The whole war itself. We were not together all the time; it was too dangerous. If it

was about closeness, the war made us close like this (showing two hands tightly held together). Very, very close. Although he was far away from us, we were very close. We had a radio, the children used to talk to him every evening, every 9 o’clock. He was sending messages to me almost every night by dispatch rider. He would write a letter. I would give the person a reply.

His fears, his feelings…?

Very serious things. But I don’t want somebody else to know about them. I remember when we were in Ivory Coast. There was this debate in France about Quebec and French Canadians and something about someone who had information that was needed by parties to the crisis and they killed him. I don’t know how it happened but when I finished reading it I went and burnt all the letters. When he knew that I burnt them, he was upset... but I am glad I did it Those are things you could have used to write your memoirs…

All the things I burnt are in my head. At my age I don’t forget anything. They come out like pictures in my head. So, it’s not about that.

Let’s pray you write your book. I am longing to read it.

Maybe I would have been gone by then.

You mean you are not going to write your book? You don’t have to write it yourself. You have your sons. They can do that for you.

I said you are still very young. You will read it, even when I am gone.

You don’t want it launched before you go, but why?

For some personal reasons...

You met some other top ranking Nigerians who were leaders as well. How well did you relate with them? And have you met some of them of late?

I knew some of them but we were not friends Like who particularly?

Let me see. You know we were colleagues.

Our husbands worked together, but their

ways were different from my own. I didn’t like to be what they were. I don’t want any person to come and tell me about my husband because it may kill your spirit. I also don’t want to tell them about their husbands.

They weren’t terribly educated. I am not terribly educated either, but I have a different outlook. I remember one instance when Emeka was governor. One day I got a message from Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi ordering me to attend a function. I ignored it and didn’t go. I felt she could have called me on the phone. I wasn’t a military officer? Some of them were carrying on as if they were military officers too.

She shouldn’t have done it. I was sorry when her husband was killed. She was a nice lady too in her own. Others though were not as nice, and to that end, I used to keep some distance from them.

Gowon’s wife… have you ever met her?

I have never met her. Gowon was not married before the crisis. You know he was a rank lower than my husband.

What would you say was the lowest point in your relationship with him?

It was in Ivory Coast. It was the conspiracy that eventually led to my leaving. It is better left for another day.

From the way you have been speaking of him, it is obvious you loved him and you still love him.

Yes, but if I love him what can I do. It’s not something you just write on. It is deeper than just writing about it.

The young woman who is the wife of the Ikemba now, Bianca, is she close to you?

No, not really. Though, we have met on some occasions like when Emeka (my son) got married.

You are from the same area?

No, she is from Enugu state, I’m from Anambra.

How have you been coping; I mean running your life?

I am more or less retired now. I live on pension from me, from my family and from my children.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2011 CHANGE OF NAME CHANGE OF NAME CHANGE OF NAME OLABODE I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Olabode, Funmilola Victoria, now wish to be known and be addressed as Mrs EdwardsOlabode, Funmilola Victoria. All my former documents remains valid . General public should take note.

ADEPOJU

CHANGE OF NAME

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53

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CHANGE OF NAME

BABALOLA

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EDET

I,formerly known and addressed as Ekong Ben Edet, now wish to be known and addressed as Usenekong Ben Edet. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

SOLOMON

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Grace Ichen Solomon, now wish to be known and addressed as Grace Horace Lasbery. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

ACHINIKE

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Monica Achinike, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Monica Itomo. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

OFFORBUIKE

OGBECHE

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogbeche Linda Ohiama, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Nwuche Linda Ohiama. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

ONYEOZIRI I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Onyeziri Monica Chinenye, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Okeleke Monica Chinenye. All former documents remain valid. UNN, NYSC and general public should take note.

SANI I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Kadab Sani, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Kadab James. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

FUSIER

I,formerly known and addressed as Franca Fusier, now wish to be known and addressed as Franca Otoka. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

OSIGWE

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Sarah Chimebere Osigwe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Sarah Chimebere Asiegbu. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

BAMSA

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Abimbola Adesola Bamsa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Abimbola Adesola Kolawole. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

OGUNGBADERO

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogungbadero Folashade Afusat, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Lisa Folashade Afusat. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

YINUSA

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Sofiat Gbemisola Yinusa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Sofiat Gbemisola Adekunle. All former documents remain valid.

WHASSAN EUREST NIG. LTD (WENL) and general public should take note.

ONYIA I,formerly known and addressed as Onyia Stanislaus Chukwunonso, now wish to be known and addressed as Eze Stanislaus Chukwunonso. All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

CHIWUNKA

I,formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Chiwunka Ngozi Elizabeth, now wish to be known and addressed as Miss Onwudili Ngozi Elizabeth. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

HAMMED

I,formerly known and addressed as Hammed Ajibola Taibat, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Salaudeen Ajibola Taibat. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

ADVERT: Simply produce your marriage certificate or sworn affidavit for a change of name publication, with just (N3,500.)

The payment can be made through FIRST BANK of Nigeria Plc. Account number 1892030011219 Account Name - VINTAGE PRESS LIMITED Scan the details of your advert and teller to gbengaodejide@yahoo.com or thenation_advert@yahoo.com For enquiry please contact: Gbenga on 08052720421, 08161675390, Emailgbengaodejide @yahoo.com or our offices nationwide.

Note this! Change of name is now published every Sundays, all materials should reach us two days before publication.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 4, 2011

54

EBERE WABARA

PICTURE THIS !

WORDSWORTH 08055001948

ewabara@yahoo.com

Restrictions on nouns

“I

FEEL that the ultimate emphasise should be on….”

(THISDAY COMMENT, November 30) Beyond Waziri’s dismissal: emphasis. No lexical sin is weightier than the other!

DAILY INDEPENDENT Editorial of November 29 carried a kindergarten goof: “…the issue of cost and fees are bound to come up.” The issue…is (not are) bound to come up!

“Lamorde talks tough, takes over EFCC leadership” (BUSINESSDAY Headline, November 29) Let’s not put the cart before the horse: the man took over before talking tough. There is logical sequence in collocation.

“Bayelsa, Adamawa: PDP playing double standards” (DAILY TRUST Inside Politics Bold Headline, November 29) Trust is a burden: double standard.

The next two headline blunders are from DAILY INDEPENDENT of November 29: “MTN trains media practitioners” Nobody practises media— what we have are media professionals.

“Electricity consumers lampoon NUEE over incessant industrial action” Why not actions?

THE GUARDIAN Banner of November 24 embarrassed some of its teeming cerebral readers: “Foundation donates stationeries, bags to Lagos public schools” Stationery/ cutlery/bedding/loot/ furniture/equipment, et al, are uncountable.

Technically, it is called number restriction on nouns.

Henceforth, I will try as hard as possible to be diagnostic in error identification (and correction). I do not want to be dismissed as a surgeon who cures ailments without knowing their names by the language activist who shares cousinship with me, Mr. Bayo Oguntuase. By the way, he pointed out last week that, indeed, some nouns (accountancy profession/highway patrol, etc.) can double as adjectives contrary to my inadvertent assertion last Sunday! Again, there is no infallibility or perfection in information management— we keep striving after excellence without, however, falling below universally acceptable level of communicative quintessence which informs this column.

The only challenge I have is that such didactic comprehensiveness may make this column boring to numerous readers—and even the columnist! It is not for lack of classical scholarship, but a function of style.

“Reneging on the FGASUU agreement is palpably reprehensible and an affront on (to) the sensibility of Nigerians.”

“Indeed, some gender sensitive (a hyphen, please) critics were to charge him for (with) not maintaining a high profile and sustained enthusiasm and support for their cause.”

“We congratulate Archbishop George Carey for (on/upon) holding his own acre of Christendom….”

“According to the source, Shagari openly endorsed Buhari and enjoined Babangida and his supporters to do same.” Get it right: supporters to do the same. “…the mass exodus of members to other parties should be a source of worry to the leadership of the party.” ‘Exodus’ involves massive movement.

“You better get down on your knees and do what I am doing right now.” The end of illusions: You had better get down….

“Every detail of our daily life furnish (furnishes) compelling reasons for pessimism.”

“NNPP paths way with NDP” This way: parts (not paths) company…

“In fact when it is not a victim of communal clashes, it suffers fallouts of....” ‘Fallout’ is uncountable.

‘There is the erroneous tendency to blame all the shortcomings in the electoral process at the doorstep of the Independent National Electoral Commission.” Get it right: blame on (not at).

“Though recent amendments to the Electoral Act have changed some deadlines with regards to the submission of the lists of candidates.…” Either as regards or with regard to.

“Four years ago, when the former governor proclaimed his presidential aspirations with palpable bravado and fanfare under (on) the platform of the PDP….”

“The politician’s socalled grouse with Obasanjo is not….” This way: grouse about (not with) OBJ. “As the governor

observed during his tour of the troubled spots....” Get it right: trouble spots.

“Arab leaders appeared not to have put their acts together to join the global movement.” Iraq: get their act (not acts) together.

“I remember once when he came to Port Harcourt we worked on a case till 5 a.m. in the morning” No! Just end it at 5 a.m. “…disagreement ensued resulting into shooting to death of one of the ‘okada’ members by the police.”

This Life: resulting in.

“It was sometimes (sometime) this year while I was still in Abuja….”

“For a NAFDAC that has in almost two years been performing creditably towards ensuring that food and drugs need of Nigerians are (is) given standard m a n u f a c t u r i n g preparation….” “…his predecessors who were on (in) seat for years without actually doing the work for which they were paid.”

“Most of the indictments the National Assembly levelled on (at, against) the President....”

“Whose actions or inactions rubs (rub) off negatively almost all the time on the image of the industry?”

“Out of 50 years of Nigeria’s independence, the military held the reins of power for a period of 29 years.” Standard phrase: reins of government. “…with Goodluck Jonathan on (in) the saddle as the....”

“Coalition of parties protest election results in Bayelsa” Not yet proximity: coalition of parties protests.

“It is perhaps in this light that the series of consultative meeting....” Get it right: the series of consultative meetings.

“There was no doubt about the involvement of an officer like late Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu.”

Learning everyday: an officer like the late Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu.

“Of course (a comma) film-makers should also watch them so that the public can be told the videos are not some comical makebelief.” My comment: makebelieve.

“The distressing state of the nation cannot give room for any pomp and pageantry.” This way: pomp and ceremony/pomp and circumstance or, simply, pomp.

•Honest! I wasn’t speeding!

PHOTO: BADE DARAMOLA

Safety and Security Alert!

The way forward in crime prevention

T

HE prevalence of crimes in the country calls for stringent security approach.

Incessant criminal activities affecting individuals, families, businesses and governments demand concerted efforts to be put in place by communities, professional/trade associations, local, state and federal government to check them.

These efforts are to be geared towards installation of comprehensive crime-prevention programmes.

What is crime prevention?

It is designed to provide: 1. Guidance on planning, organizing, directing and controlling crimes within a community, 2. Guidance on how to develop community crime prevention strategies, and analyses to identify crimes, 3. Guidance on which crime is to address, command and individual countermeasures for particular crime and 4.

Provide programme evaluation procedures.

The essence of this is to have a major positive impact in community crime control at a relatively cheap costs.

Crime Prevention Council (CPC) The CEO shall constitute a body to be known as Crime Prevention Council with membership from: Community development associations Professional/trade associations Representatives of security agencies among others by appointment.

Crime Prevention Programme Development 1. Thorough analysis of criminal activities in the community involved.

2.

Analyze the whole range of countermeasures that can be used to combat each problem. This must be identified in relation to its strengths, weaknesses and applicability.

3. Identify specific objectives for its anti-crime campaigns.

4. Design community crime prevention programme.

5. Put in use effective community countermeasures matrix comprising of law enforcement and community programmes visa-vis identified crimes within the community.

Objectives of Crime Prevention Programme Its objectives are to indentify what: • Crime will be reduced, •Target population will be addressed, •Specific changes and behaviours by victims or perpetrators will be encouraged,

•Actions the council must take to reduce the opportunity for the crime to occur.

Once these objectives are identified, specific areas of responsibility should be assigned to each council member based on comparative advantage while major successes are to be against each targeted crime.

Training Every member of the council and crime prevention officers is to be; •Skilful in investigations •Acquire on-the-job experience •Physical security inspection •Vast in technical skills (criminal data analysis) Many others.

Civil Organisations Crime prevention is the duty of all, civil agencies and residents are to: 1. Produce crime prevention materials.

2.

Support segments of crime prevention programmes.

Criminal Analysis Criminal analysis is the foundation on which community crime prevention programme is based. It is: •A system for identifying trends, patterns and existence of crimes.

•A routine and on-going function.

•An integral component of the security intelligence operations Applicable across the operational continuum.

Effective criminal analysis establishes: Segment of the population being victimized, •ID of criminals/perpetrators, •Most common time of occurrence •Areas with highest number of incidents, •Offences/critical information, •Information on patrol distribution plan, •Security information and criminal intelligence fused with tactical intelligence.

Without criminal analysis: •overall security effectiveness will be futile •Community patrol-distribution plan may be skewed •It will call for broad countermeasures and loss of meaningful results.

Next week we shall look into source of data analysis, individual criminal analysis, criminal analysis procedures, and law enforcement countermeasures and draw inferences on community crime prevention programmes.

Please,sendcomments,responsesandcontacttheundersignedfor securityandsafetychallengesbysms ore-mail.

By: Mr. Timilehin Ajayi (Safety and Security Consultant) E-mail: timilehinajayi@yahoo.com 08095683454, 08075518732

Your HEALTH

55

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2011

M

As stroke strikes more Nigerians, experts give tips on prevention

ADAM Ini James woke up on the morning of September 20th last year with a piercing headache.

After breakfast, the 68 year-oldgrandmother took some painkillers and decided to rest for a while before going to her daughter's provisions shop where she usually helped out most days.

“After resting for a while, I got up to go out. And that's when it happened. I just slumped and fell on the sitting room floor. I couldn't feel anything; my body was numb.

There was nobody at home except for my little niece who raised the alarm and I was taken to hospital,” she told The Nation at her Festac Town, Lagos home.

The woman had suffered from an •Late Ojukwu ischemic stroke or what is commonly referred to as stroke.

The former school teacher was lucky to survive the attack Stroke is a serious ailment that though over a year later, she still lives often strikes without warning, with the after effects. leaving its victims disabled for life, She walks very slowly and can only unable to function properly without go short distances. help or even dead. In this report, She also suffers permanent speech PATIENCE SADUWA and NGOZI a n d h e a r i n g problems and has not fully UMA examine the causes and some of the recovered the use of her left hand. preventative measures people can take to avoid Stroke can be devastating to the victims as well as their families, being struck by stroke. robbing them of their independence. It is the most common cause of adult disability and often leaves victims paralysed and bedridden or with partial mobility. It can even lead to death in some cases.

That was the case of the late Chief Odumegwu Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, former Biafran warlord and politician who died last week in London. In December last year, Ojukwu was said to have been diagnosed with cerebral vascular accident which is commonly known as a stroke. After receiving treatment in a London hospital, he was taken to a rehabilitation centre where he had physiotherapy and speech therapy sessions. It was in the process that he succumbed to death.

When stroke strikes Stroke is a serious ailment that can strike anytime, sometimes without warning. “It's a condition where a blood clots. Or a ruptured artery or blood vessel •Actor Segun Arinze with Enebeli Elebuwa on his sick bad interrupts blood flow to an area of the brain,” stated Dr. Njideka Agwuni of the Navy Hospital, Lagos. Speaking further, she said: “A lack of oxygen and glucose forms somewhere in the body and wanders a family history of stroke, high blood (sugar) flow to the brain leads to the death off to become free floating, it is called an pressure, smoking cigarettes, diabetes, of brain cells and brain damage, often embolus. This wandering clot may be carried obesity/overweight, a previous stroke or resulting in impairment in speech, through the blood stream to the brain where Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), high level it causes stroke,” she explained. of homocysline and amino acid in blood, movement and memory.”

So who can get stroke? “Anyone can birth control use or other hormone therapy, Agwuni identified two main types of suffer from stroke, although many risk use of cocaine and heavy consumption of stroke: ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic factors for stroke are out of control,” said alcohol among others.” stroke. “Ischemic stroke accounts for about Agwuni, adding, “Several can be kept in There's is also the diet and lifestyle 75 percent of all strokes and occurs when a line through proper nutrition, medical care connection, according to health experts. blood clot or Thrombus, forms that blocks and healthy life style. Some of the risk “Diet contributes in so many ways,” stated blood flow to part of the brain. If a blood clot factors are: being over age 55, being a male, Prof. Tunde Oguntona, former President,

Nutrition Society of Nigeria. “Stroke in lay man's terms, is the blockage in the circulatory system which prevents the heart from working properly. And what causes blockage? Chemicals, some of which are derived from diet especially diet rich in cholesterol.” Some of these include dairy foods, animal products, fatty foods, meat with so much fat especially the intestines and other parts our people love to eat so much,” he added.

He attributes the increase in stroke cases in the country to not just the fat-rich diet alone but the stressful lifestyle a lot of people live these days. As he noted: “Stress level and lifestyle can contribute. Some people consume alcohol in excess and don't exercise. They move from air-conditioned house to A/C car to air-conditioned office.

This is not good. You have to be active to burn up excess fat. When this is done, cholesterol doesn't accumulate in the blood.”

While advising people to have a more relaxed attitude to life, he noted: “People have too many needs these days. There's too much greed in the system. People want the latest jeep, the latest flat-screen TV, the latest everything. Our forefathers never had this level of greed. By the time you add other environmental and societal factors like bad roads, traffic jams, no light, landlord trouble, you can see why the stress level is so high these days in our society. All these contribute to stroke.”

For the former Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Lagos State Branch, Dr Adedamola Dada, hypertension, poorly controlled diabetes and obesity are some of the predisposing factors that trigger strokes.

Life after stroke For most stroke victims, life after the incident can be difficult, as they are left to battle one disability or the other. Take the case of Uche Nwosu, a painter, poet and founding member of the Arts Writers Organisation of Nigeria. Nwosu suffered a stroke in January 2006 in his late thirties that left his right hand and leg paralysed. He also suffered loss of memory. Today, Uche is yet to fully recover from the stroke. He walks slowly, almost dragging his right leg and hand and he still has difficulty in speaking. He has learnt to paint with his left hand, though, even holding an exhibition of some of his works recently in Lagos.

Veteran actor Enebeli Elebuwa, who was struck with stroke a few months ago, has still not recovered fully and is unable to walk by himself. He's currently undergoing treatment in a private hospital in Lagos.

On treatment for stroke, Agwuni said: “Most stroke victims will require rehabilitation after the event. A person's condition is generally dependent on the area of the brain and the amount of tissue that was damaged. It is common for the rehabilitation process to include speech, occupational and physical therapy and family education.”

Oguntona advises a healthier diet and a more relaxed lifestyle as preventative measures against stroke. “The solution lies in eating a more varied diet. A lot of variety of foods, more vegetables, fruits and grains instead of eating heavy carbohydrates alone like so many people do. Vegetables are good because they contain flavonoids, carotenoids and anti-oxidants which help to cleanse the blood vessels, thereby preventing cholesterol build-up. And people should take time to relax and not be chasing money all the time.”

•Continued on Page 56

Your Health

56 THE NATION ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 4, 2011

WELLBEING

Foods for the heart

T

HE heart is one of the most important organs in the body.

Its proper functioning is therefore important for the overall wellbeing of the body. To keep the heart in tip-top condition to prevent cardiovascular diseases requires taking a diet rich in heart-healthy foods that are topperformers in protecting your heart and blood vessels.

The top heart protectors include oily fish that contain omega-3 fatty acids (salmon, sardines, catfish, mackerel, tuna and herring), oatmeal, black, kidney and green beans, walnuts, almonds, flaxseed, red wine, olive oil, canola oil, margarine that's free of trans fats, grains (whole grains not processed products are good sources of fiber and other nutrients that play a role in regulating blood pressure and heart health), fruits, vegetables and other foods with low fat content.

Low-fat protein sources Lean meat, poultry and fish, low-fat dairy products, and egg whites or egg

•Grilled fish with vegetables

substitutes are some of your best sources of p r o t e i n .

Legumes such as beans, peas and lentils also are good sources of protein and contain less fat a n d n o cholesterol, making them good substitutes f o r m e a t .

Gel for better health, longevity

A

gel nutritional supplement that will boost the health, wellbeing and increase longevity has debuted in the country. Speaking about the product at its launch recently, the co-Managing Director of Agel Enterprises, (its marketers in Nigeria), Mr. Ian Callender, said it was introduced into Nigeria to increase the life expectancy of Nigerians. “As part of our commitment around the world, we try to look at peoples' health and wellbeing in Nigeria. Today, the life expectancy is 47.

“If you look at the rest of the world, this is relatively low, so we're looking at a product line that could really impact on the quality of life here. The product line is what we call gel

suspension technology derived from all natural sources.”

According to him, while other supplements take longer hours for the body to absorb, “15 minutes after sipping the gel, your body will absorb 100 per cent nutrition value. The six products we have include Exo-antionxidant bio-shield, Min Vitamineral power pack, Flx joint health power punch, Umi- immune system boost; Ohm- boosts energy for the mind and Fit- healthy reduction of body- weight.

As the MD noted: “It has long been understood that nutrients must become hydrated in order to be absorbed by the body. This simply means that the nutrient must be bonded with water molecules. When this occurs, the body can make use of these nutrients. The central idea is the basis for suspension Gel Technology and the birth of Agel Enterprises. Agel's prehydrated nutrients absorb faster.”

Substituting soy protein for animal protein for example, a soy burger for a hamburger will reduce your fat and cholesterol intake.

Vegetables and fruits are good sources of vitamins and minerals; they are low in calories and rich in dietary fiber.

Vegetables and fruits also

contain substances found in plants that may help prevent cardiovascular disease. Eating more fruits and vegetables may help you eat less high-fat foods, such as meat, cheese and snack foods.

Salmon can effectively reduce blood pressure and keep clotting at bay. Aim for two servings per week, which may reduce risk of dying of a heart attack by up to one-third.

Foods that are bad for the heart Heart unfriendly foods include unhealthy fats and cholesterol that can cause heart diseases. Limiting the saturated and trans fats you eat is the most important step you can take to reduce your blood cholesterol and lower your risk of coronary artery disease. A high blood cholesterol level can lead to a buildup of plaques in your arteries which can increase your risk of heart attack and stroke.

Foods to limit use include red meat, butter, bacon fat, gravy, margarine, cocoa butter, lard, palm kernel oils and fatty fast foods. Others are pastries, organ meats such as liver and intestines, egg yolks, fatty and fried meats, frankfurters, hot dogs, sausages and bacon.

•Red wine

•Breakfast oats with berries

•Green beans

Travel

•Leafy vegetables

Leisure

•Walnuts

Cuisine City hotspots for the Yuletide season

Fun time at Kiddies Kingdom

T

HE Xmas season is usually the time when people create time to chill out with family, friends and others. They often visit relaxation and fun spots to have fun and unwind from the hassles of daily living.

One of such spots is the Green Oaks Entertainment Centre aka Kiddies Kingdom, Lagos. Packed with a lot of playing toys for kids, Kiddies' kingdom is a place where kids can come and have fun and •Continued from Page 55

S

By Blessing Joseph

feel pampered. In other words, it's a paradise meant for kids' n adults,” stated Nike Fawola.

She added that the kingdom has lots of playing toys for kids, even cartoon characters. “It is not just having fun alone, there is a kiddies club which helps in grooming children in different areas of life, like arts and crafts, excursions, home management and the likes.”

“There is a special event coming

up called Santa Village where you would have snow falling, real snow. You can feel it. This is to help achieve a white Christmas in Nigeria. And you would experience summer and desert and sound of the wind too. It's an ideal place that you can take your family to relax and have fun this season.”

5 Warning signs of stroke

TROKE symptoms begin suddenly.

And it's important to note the starting time for any of these 5 warning signs of a stroke for men and women: * A numbness or weakness, generally on only one side of the face or body, in an arm or a leg, that occurs quite suddenly. * Confusion that causes sudden slurred speech and difficulty in finding the right words or understanding what others are

saying. * Problems walking, maybe even stumbling around, because of sudden dizziness, loss of balance or lack of coordination. * Sudden blurred vision, that can cause trouble seeing out of

one or both . eyes, double vision or even a total blacking out. * An unusual, extremely intense headache that's like a sudden jolt. It can also be accompanied by dizziness and vomiting.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2011

57

Imade Ogbewi emerges Nigerian Next Super Model —PAGE 58

Ogun communities terrorised by flying rock T

EARS drip from her eyes whenever she recounts the circumstances that led to the death of her husband. Yet, Mrs. Veronica Onasanya is not one to be defeated by the burden that the loss of her husband has imposed on her, neither is she bothered by the weight of caring for their 13 children.

Her burden is compounded by a broken right arm which makes farming - her means of income - a tedious task. Her arm was broken with the butt of a gun allegedly used on her by a police officer from the Ogbere Divisional Police Headquarters following a complaint filed by a company - Milatex Geneworks Limited.

The same company is allegedly responsible for the threat to her means of livelihood due to rocks that are flung dangerously in different directions whenever the company carries out blasting in its operational base close to her farm.

Blasting is a method of loosening solid rock. It involves drilling of holes in the rocks to prescribed depths in a regular pattern, after which the holes are loaded with explosives, covered with crushed stone and detonated. The bulk of the granite used for construction activities in the South West and other parts of the country come from Ogbere in Ogun State. However, the blasts from the quarry cause serious

The rocky landscape surrounding Ogbere and Iwaye communities in Ogun State is a source of money for investors and the locals. But the rock blasting activities of two companies operating in the area have become life-threatening. Philip Jakpor, who visited both communities recently reports vibrations of the earth - resulting in cracks and other unsafe fallouts which Onasanya recounts with grief.

According to her, in April 2010 she was on a farm in the community, when suddenly there was a detonation and one of the rock fragments flew past, missing her head by whiskers. That was not the first time. In anger, she went to the company to register her displeasure over the incident.

At the company premises she met some of the staff and demanded an explanation. When the report reached the management, officials allegedly called in the police at Ogbere Divisional Police Headquarters to handle the matter.

An officer identified as Stephen Olu was dispatched to go to the company and investigate the matter.

On arrival, Olu was said to have been instructed by a top official of the company to bundle Mrs. Onasanya outside the gates. In carrying out that instruction, the

policeman went further by deploying a tear-gas canister to further ruffle her. Seeing she was unperturbed, the police officer went a step ahead by hitting her on the right arm with the butt of his gun, thus inflicting the injury which now makes farming for Onasanya a wearisome job.

Steer off She subsequently collapsed from exposure to tear gas after which company officials contacted the traditional ruler of Ogbere, Baale Atakobo, to step into the matter.

“The Oba took me to the hospital but sternly warned me not to ask for any compensation or take pictures of my injured neck and arms following my tear-gassing by the police that the company invited when I went to complain,” she narrated with tears.

But a few days after that incident, her husband also sustained severe collar bone injury from yet another one of the dreaded flying stones from the quarry while on his farm. When

the incident was reported to the management of the company, its officials were said to have responded sternly by insisting that the said incident was a gimmick by the Onasanya family to perpetually extort the company.

They thereafter vowed not to have any dealings with the family or any of the locals except on recommendation by the traditional ruler.

After some days, and with further deterioration in her husband’s health, Mrs. Onasanya was again compelled to ask the Baale to intervene. This, however, failed to produce any tangible result as the traditional ruler allegedly warned her not to challenge the company. She was advised to wait for his intervention to get the company to pay the family any amount of money - for treatment of her husband.

She never got any response months after. Unfortunately, her husband died on 18 July 2011, as a

result of the injuries sustained.

The impact of the operations of the company is not limited to the Onasanyas. Other families in Ogbere have similar tales to tell.

“The vibration of the earth whenever there is a blast at the quarry site has grave impact on our houses. Mine built just a few months ago is currently showing cracks. In spite of several letters I and others have written to alert the company of these dangers, they have refused to listen to us. Milatex is a problem we are praying to be liberated from,” says High Chief Salako Williams, secretary of Ogbere Community.

Williams said efforts made by the locals to get the company to respect their right to a healthy environment have met brick walls.

“The way they operate with impunity shows they have the support of some influential people in government who do not care about the impact of this dangerous activity on the people and environment. Their hostility is terrible.”

Tunde Fashaki, a farmer, also has his own sorry tale.

“These people are just wicked.

Apart from the trembling of the earth when they blast, now we cannot farm as we used to because you just may not know when they will blast •Continued on page 58

58

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2011

Life

•Continued from page 57

the rocks and you might lose your life if you move carelessly in the bush. When they initially came it was announced through an alarm. Now they don’t even alert us”.

Like Ogbere, like Iwaye At nearby Iwaye the same scenario is playing out as locals complain of cracked buildings, vibrations of the earth during the blasts and total disregard of the community folk by another company operating under the name Para Crushing Company Limited.

Iwaye is among a cluster of communities that also include Shaga, Ibido, Oke Olowu, Oke Agbonle, Ipari, Odu Otu and Imuku, all in Ijebu North East Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The blasts is said to be the cause of the collapse of many buildings in the community, including the old St. Peters’ Anglican School, Oke Olowu. Ironically, a new building put up under the Universal Basic Education (UBE) scheme to replace the old one has already started showing signs of cracks - a situation ascribed to the vibration of the earth.

Johnson Idowu, a representative of Iwaye Community Association paints a gloomy picture of the activities of Para Crushing Limited.

“A few weeks ago, what would have been a major disaster in the school was only averted because the pupils had closed for the day. A rock from the quarry actually dropped on the roof of the school building, tore it open and fell into one of the classrooms which was the same room filled to the brim by over a dozen pupils some minutes earlier. Imagine what that could have caused,” he narrated.

He revealed that: “Para Crushing Limited came to Iwaye three years ago and ever since we have not known peace. The most disturbing part of the whole thing is that they never sound the alarm before blasting. Suddenly we hear the blast and everybody takes cover. At a point we went to their management to ask them to show us the permit they got from government to carry out blasting but they were not able to show us one.

“Now our environment is polluted and the water is so bad that even chicken and goats refuse to take it. Also the dust whenever blasting occurs lingers so much in the atmosphere that our people now fall ill more regularly. When you go to the company now, even the Nigerian staffers are complaining because they are employed as casual staff. We really need help in the community”.

However, the management of Para Crushing Limited denies any wrongdoing.

Mobilising outrage When this reporter visited the company to establish the cases of indignity meted out to the people, Business Development Manager, Mr. A. K. Jain feigned ignorance about the allegations, insisting the company was living

I

N a show that combined style, high fashion and razzmattaz, this year’s edition of the Nigerian Next Super Model ended on a colourful note with the emergence of longlegged Imade Ogbewi as the winner of the coveted crown.

With her victory, the 18 -year-old carted home numerous prizes including a car, a round trip ticket to London (courtesy Virgin Atlantic), a ticket to Africa Fashion Week in London, a trip and four nights at the Hilton Hotel in Dubai, $1, 000 free apparel courtesy Rukkies Concept among other perks.

The finale held at the Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos recently saw 17 contestants slugging out for the grand prize. They first modeled designs by some top names in the industry such as Mon Ami, Modela and House of J’ola before the top ten girls were picked. On the criteria used in picking them, Mrs Joan Okorodudu, the founder of NNSM said: “Modelling contest is not a beauty contest so a girl might be very beautiful but might not make the list.”

Some of the girls looked really skinny, anorexic even, as if they

Terrorised by flying rock

•Amosun

•Onasanya

up to its responsibilities as agreed in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the community to provide basic social amenities like water and healthcare facilities.

The MoU which he was compelled to produce, however, turned out to be an undated document signed in 2009 which contradicted the company’s stance on the impact in the community and deliverables mentioned by Jain.

In the undated document, clearly highlighted was the fact that rock blasting had adverse consequences on the communities. It, however, did not state any remediation measures to be carried out by the company other than an agreement that the company will provide the community 60 tons of granite on a monthly basis.

Asked if the company had carried out Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Jain’s response to this was in the affirmative.

He said he was not in possession of the document, suggesting instead, that every question relating to that issue be directed to the managing director, Adeshwar Kumar, who was away on other business.

Away from the office of the Business Development Manager, a staff of the company, Jerome Kenneth, asked to be heard.

He went on to narrate some of the indignity the company staff suffer.

“I have been working here for four years yet the company does not deem it fit to

formalise my appointment. We have about 50 Nigerians suffering the same fate even with the strenuous work and meagre pay.

We are only here because our government has failed to provide jobs for us”, he lamented.

He revealed also, that the company frowns at any form of unionism and had laidoff several workers on grounds of their opposition to inhuman treatment meted out to staff and the impact of the company’s environmental activities on the community.

This reporter left the premises of Para Crushing Limited unsatisfied with the findings and thereafter visited Milatex Geneworks Limited in Ogbere where a dose of the company’s hostility to the locals was also recorded.

Outside the security post, gun-toting security personnel emerged from the bush where they were hiding and formed a shield along the path leading to the manager’s office. In aggressive tones they asked the reporter his mission.

The manager vowed not to respond to any question. But Aduloju Williams, the Personnel Manager who stood in for him, said to the best of his knowledge, there was no negative impact from the company’s operations in Ogbere.

Williams debunked Mrs. Onasanya’s allegation that the injury sustained by her husband which eventually led to his death resulted from flying stones from the company.

By Patience Saduwa

He added that the company actually gave Mr. Onasanya N25,000 not because of any injury, but because of his persistent visits to the company authorities to harass them for money.

Asked if the company doled out money merely on the basis of harassment, he refused to answer.

He went on to say that the injury Mrs. Onasanya sustained at the company’s gate the day she came to complain was not inflicted by the company’s security personnel, but by the police when she proved uncooperative.

“What happened was that when all efforts made by the company to make the woman see reason and leave the company gate failed, the police was invited to the scene and in the process, she may have been manhandled,” he claimed.

Williams said that since the company began operations, it has maintained cordial relations with the community. But he contradicted himself on the same issue when he was intimated that there were adequate facts showing that the company was polarizing the Ogbere Community through divide-and-rule tactics.

To this, he noted that “the community has problems with themselves which they should resolve rather than take it out on the company.”

Drawing national attention The Environmental Rights Action/ Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) in collaboration with Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC) and Earthcare Foundation recently organised a press conference to draw national attention to the impact of rock blasting in Iwaye/Oke Lapini and Ogbere communities in Ogun State.

The press conference had 30 persons from Ogbere and Iwaye in attendance who expressed frustration at the operations of the quarries in Ogun State and asked for the intervention of the government.

At the event, ERA/FoEN and the other groups articulated their position, asking, among other things, that: the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) compel Para Crushing Company Limited, Milatex Gene Works Limited and the other companies operating in Ogbere and Iwaye to comply with the country’s environmental laws which prohibit companies from degrading the environment; and that the quarries be compelled to produce the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) conducted on the existing project sites and mitigation measures contained therein; among other issues.

Despite the failure of government to respond to their plight, the communities have vowed not to relent in their demands for a safe environment.

Imade Ogbewi emerges Nigerian Next Super Model

had been on a serious weightloss regime before the show.

Perhaps, this is in a bid to fit in with the trend on the international modeling scene, where being size zero is the norm and models live on air and a few lettuce leaves a day.

This year’s edition is the 5th since the event began in 2006.

•Imade on the catwalk

•Some of the finalists

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2011

T

HERE’S this impression that the standard of education in the country, particularly in tertiary institutions, has fallen: is this so?

Well, the general impression that is usually propagated is that the standard and quality of education has fallen. I’d like to advise a careful consideration of the matter. My position is that when you talk of quality of education in the country, you must be clear of what elements you are using to make that judgement.

Oftentimes people tend to equate education with the language of communication. Yes, proficiency in English Language has diminished considerably in Nigeria, no doubt about that. We can trace the origin to when the school system stopped teaching grammar. When this was thrown out it began to affect the standard of spoken English in the country.

But that does not necessarily translate into a holistic collapse or fall in the quality of education.

When you talk of the standard of education, you have to first of all look at the curriculum; you must look at the facilities, the infrastructure available for the teaching of courses in higher institutions. And you must also look at the environment.

In terms of the curriculum, I am persuaded that the curriculum we have today is of higher value; is more qualitative than what we had in the past. A simple example is to take a closer look at the Mathematics that is on offer right now. The Mathematics we had in offer 20, 30 years ago, you can agree with me that what you have today is much more sophisticated. Pick a subject like Economies and look at what it was 20 years ago and look at what it is today. There is so much to learn, so much to teach.

It is even much more expansive than it had always been. So, when we talk of the quality of curriculum, what we have on offer these days is better.

Also look at the environment for learning. The volume of information available now to students at all levels of education system is simply such that it will make no one say that the quality of education has fallen. The capacity to absorb things especially in terms of the ability to manipulate things is so great.

Then you begin to wonder whether we can simply conclude that the standard has fallen. Yes, the environment also comes into play, while it is true that there is constriction in terms of space, because we have much more people going into these institutions without a commensurate expansion of infrastructure that will make us feel there is a problem there. Yes, there is a problem. But when you take all of these in a holistic manner, I do not therefore believe that the quality of education has generally fallen.

But whatever happens, don’t you think that if the standard of English has fallen, that is really a big blow to the educational system itself?

What can be done to improve on English is to begin to teach what I have come to call the bolts and tools of the language. Yes, to get it right, we must teach grammar – the rudiments of the English Language because it is the power house of communication in today’s world. Even the university system will tell you how difficult it is today to get people who really specialise in grammar. It is that tough but it is the only way to begin to get back to

Life

59

‘We must work to make Africa better’ Prof. Femi Mimiko is the Vice-Chancellor of Ondo State University, Akungba. In this interview with Edozie Udeze in the course of recent visit to Brazil, he speaks on the educational system, Blacks in Diaspora and lots more

•Mimiko

PHOTO: EDOZIE UDEZE

“The reality of our time is that in any society where the Black man is, it seems Africans are not placed on the same platform with others, with other racial groups. It is really quite unfortunate” it.

And if you now say you don’t have those who specialise in grammar, how do we move forward?

And so, people will not be able to speak good or impeccable English.

I feel that is what we should emphasise; to develop the curriculum and so focus on training.

The post-University Matriculation Examinations (post-UME) conducted by universities have been generating a lot of controversy. What is your opinion on it?

With deep sense of responsibility and without any intent to undermine those who stand against the exams, I think the opposition is predicated on ignorance. I call it ignorance in the sense that we have simply said

severally that we need to interface with the candidates we have to bring in to our schools. Candidates that are coming into the university system, most times, cannot stand the rigours in terms of quality and intelligence.

Often, they are a big problem to us. But we don’t query the powers of JAMB to conduct its exams. But we are saying for God’s sake there is nothing in the status of the university that says that you must not interface or interact or interview or even examine the candidates you want to absorb or who will come into your university ultimately.

And let me tell you, in the last four to five years when that exercise was begun, we have seen ap-

preciable improvement in the quality of admission into the universities. If after five years, some people want us to dump that, or take people based on JAMB scores, I don’t know where we’re going from here. In my own opinion, I advise that people should tread softy and give the system time to prosper, for I know how good this system has been for us.

However, I am not suggesting that the post-UME thing should be an opportunity to edge out potential brilliant students. If that is the contention of those who want it scrapped, may be that is something to look at. There is a benchmark beyond which you cannot charge. Then we can use that across board, but to scrap the

post-UME exam screening totally is like throwing away the baby with the bath water. I don’t think it is appropriate.

We are here in Brazil discussing multiculturalism. What lessons do you think Brazilian Diaspora Africans have learnt from it?

Well, the lesson here is that we are beginning to see that multiculturalism is something that has to be mainstreamed in educational system. And mostly, multiculturalism is talking about co-habitation in a globalised world. It has to do with people of different races, with multiple cultures, without anyone saying or pretending that he is superior, or giving the impression that some people are inferior and others more superior. It is a natural process and a reality we cannot run away from. All we need to do is to mainstream all these schools of thought in our educational system so that our children will begin to see that the personality of the individual is an assemblage of the multiplicity of cultures.

And that ordinarily should improve the world view of the individual to cope with the challenges of the present day world.

For the Brazilian scholars, it opens new world-view to them all to see that the world is now a larger village. That’s the lesson in it for all of us.

Having seen this cosy Brazilian environment as it is now, do you think the Blacks here would have felt better living in Africa?

You see, it is really unfortunate, but the reality of our time is that in any society where the Black man is, it seems Africans are not placed on the same platform with others, with other racial groups.

It is really quite unfortunate. The long history of enslavement, colonialism, imperialism and a deliberate attempt at dehumanising Africa has been on for a long time.

So, what we are doing now is try to humanise the African mind, not only on the African continent but in the Diaspora.

One book I read which made a lot of impressions on me was written by Abdias Nascmentus, a Brazilian writer. He wrote about the lies of racial democracy all over the world. He talked about the policies of cleaning Black faces all over the world. This was presented as a form of racial democracy. This was done in the past to clean out the Blacks from the Brazilian society. If you stand on the platform, you can easily see the disadvantaged position of the Black man all over the world.

Even in Brazil today, we can see that we Blacks have a lot to do.

The challenge is for those of us in Africa to work to make the continent better so that these other ones here can feel proud of their ancestral home. And also see Africa as something to look forward to, as a piece of example of a developed society.

So to help our brothers in the Diaspora, we must run our affairs well, we must be sincere, and we must be ready to show some example, if not this place will continue to be better for them.

60

Life

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2011

When a baby’s born blue HEN Martha Zira went into labour in February, she had wanted the simple mother’s dream -an uncomplicated delivery and a healthy bouncing baby. The baby was going to be her second child.

And she exhibited no fear that she would have a healthy baby. After all, she had had no major health challenges in her family as far as she knew. She had her baby which was named Samuel.

However, within three months, she started noticing the boy started looking pale, would not feed well, was easily irritated, and frequently tired out, remaining still most of the time, rather than being playful. A visit to the hospital and several tests later, it was at the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital, LUTH, that Martha would come face to face with the medical condition known as congenital heart disease or what is generally known as hole in the heart.

Five year old David Ajayi is also afflicted with congenital heart disease. In his own case, it would take four years to arrive at a diagnosis. And this was when his parents took him to LUTH. When David was two years old, his mother, Adenike Ajayi noticed his growth was somewhat stunted.

“The boy was not growing well.

He was not eating well. And everything about him was so slow,” said Adenike. She also noticed at the time that David’s palms and lips were darkened and his eyes were so red.

Adenike recalled that upon the nurses seeing David at LUTH, they knew he was suffeiring from heart problems. A medical report signed

by Dr. E. N. Ekure stated that ‘Echocardiography revealed Ventricular septal defect and pulmonary atresia – a form of

W

By Joe Agbro Jr.

tetralogy of fallot.’

In plain terms, there is a hole in David’s heart which allows oxygenated and de-oxygenated blood to mix. This was responsible for the darkening of his soles, palms, lips and the bluish colour of his tongue.

Wheezing coughs, stunted growth, pale skin, a perpetual tiredness – signs easily misread in an infant. And when misread, these signs could prove fatal, a gentle but potent killer. It is the nemesis of children born that way. In 2009, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the infant mortality rate in the United States was 6.71 per 1, 000 live birth which was reported as being higher than other developed countries. Of this figure, Dr. Darshak Sanghavi, chief of paediatric and cardiology and associate professor of paediatrics at the University of Massachusetts Medical School believes a large number of these children died from treatable congenital heart disease.

Worldwide, the matter of ‘blue babies’ as children born with congenital heart defects has been of concern. And in Nigeria, Dr. Ekanem Ekure, a consultant paediatrician at the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital (LUTH) says, “in recent times, we have seen more patients.”

She would not however say this is because there is an increase in cases but attributes it to “an increase in awareness and when people know there would be possible solution somewhere.”

This ‘possible solution’ has now led to many children surviving fates that might have simply deigned them as a weakling, wicked, or supernatural child in many traditional settings. Thanks to health care, these blue babies are now

Basic symptoms of hole in the heart Small holes do not usually cause any symptoms and often close by themselves by the time a child reaches the age of two.

Moderate-sized holes usually cause noticeable symptoms that develop soon after birth, such as: 1. Excessive sweating, particularly during feeding 2. The baby appearing unusually tired 3. The baby not growing at the expected rate 4. Repeated infections of the chest or airways 5. Rapid breathing 6. Rapid heartbeat Larger holes cause the same symptoms, but they are usually more severe.

Preventing congenital heart disease As so little is known about what causes congenital heart disease, there is no guaranteed way of avoiding having a baby with the condition.

However, if you are pregnant, you can reduce the risk: 1.

Ensure that you are vaccinated against rubella and flu.

2.

Take 400 micrograms of folic acid supplement a day during your pregnancy.

3.

Check with your GP or pharmacist before you take any medication during pregnancy.

4.

Avoid contact with people who are known to have an infection.

5.

Avoid exposure to organic solvents, such as those used in dry cleaning, paint thinners and nail polish remover.

•Samuel, still waiting for the hole in his heart to be mended

surviving.

These heart diseases are usually detected in the early months of infancy, but even at birth, some cases are obvious. “Oftentimes, the children (at birth) are blue and are often tired,” Dr.Ekure said.

“If you check their tongue, it is blue or dark in colour, their lips are dark, their fingernails are bluish in colour.”

Other symptoms, says Dr. Ekure, who is confronted with many of the cases of children afflicted with

congenital heart diseases is that “they squat a lot. You find that if they want to walk from place to place, they have to squat a lot. They can’t play like their mates. The energy their heart uses to work takes the energy that they should use to grow. So, you find out that they don’t grow well.

Another problem they have is that some of them may now develop to do what they should do on time.

You find a child that is not walking at a time he or she should walk.

Even talking is a problem. One thing the mother would notice is that they force themselves to talk.

Talking stresses them. And because the heart disease makes them breathe fast, they also go into heart failure. And many of them come down with Pneumonia.”

And the parents who cannot afford the parent, the certain loss of that child is highly probable.

Though, this condition can be detected through a foetal scan before a child is born, for a lot of Nigerian children, detection usually comes when the symptoms have set in.

However, Dr. Ekure says facilities are probably not as available as it should be. “Unlike abroad where it is very widely available and if you think you are at risk, then your doctor would make you go through a foetal echo and they can know see whether your baby is going to have a hole in the heart or not even before that baby is born,” she said.

The holes in these children range in size from small to moderate to large. But in most cases, apart from the small holes which usually close up before the child is age two, treatment for the moderate or large holes ultimately require surgery.

‘First three months of pregnancy are critical’ Dr. Ekanem Ekure, Consultant Paediatrician at the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital(LUTH) and National Secretary, Paediatric Association of Nigeria in this interview with Joe Agbro Jr., speaks on the causes and treatment of children born with congenital heart diseases

C

AUSES of hole in the heart There are actually many things that can cause heart defects. When we say Hole in the heart, it comprises of a whole bunch of problems. It is just a layman’s terminology to describe congenital heart diseases. But, there are so many types, so many varieties, and some more complex than the others. Now, congenital heart diseases like the name imply, means that the child is born with that problem. So, a lot of it is linked with what goes on with the mother. The first three months are usually very delicate times in pregnancy. That is when the baby is forming. After that period, most of the baby parts have formed and they are now growing. That is the reason why pregnant mothers are often warned not to take any medication unless it is prescribed because there are some drugs that can actually harm the baby.

There are also some illnesses, for example, diabetes, that if it is not controlled in pregnancy, can make a mother actually end up with a baby with congenital heart disease. And then there are some infections that a pregnant woman can have like Rubella. It presents like measles and usually comes with fever and rash. Unfortunately, babies of mothers who have Rubella infection during pregnancy are often severely affected. Then, taking alcohol during pregnancy can make a mother’s baby have congenital heart disease.

Apart from these, there is the

genetic factor. There are some chromosomal abnormalities that could develop in a baby and any baby that has that chromosomal abnormality is more likely to have a congenital heart disease than a baby that doesn’t have a chromosomal abnormality. The common one is Down Syndrome.

In general population, probably just only about one percent of babies will have congenital heart disease. But in children who have Down Syndrome, about half of them would have congenital heart disease.

So, chromosomal abnormality puts them at a very high risk of developing heart problem.

Available treatment for children with congenital heart disease in Nigeria The treatment depends on what the problem is. Like I said, some of the problems are complex and there are some of them that in fact, if you don’t do something within the first week of life, the children will die. There are very complex cases that do not live beyond a week if something drastic is not done, either medically or surgically. In terms of treatment, the ones who have heart failure, most of them we treat with drugs. However, the medicine for heart failure is just a temporary measure. Ultimately, that child would require operation to go and close that hole. Because basically, what is happening is that there is a hole and blood is flowing through a place that it should not be flowing through and would end up with too much blood in some parts of the heart more than it should be because of this hole that

shouldn’t be there. And the holes differ from small to medium to large. Children who have small holes are often really not sick. They may not require much of serious treatment. But, once the hole is moderate or large in size, those ones would require medical treatment and ultimately surgical treatment.

Is the surgery available in Nigeria?

A couple of hospitals have attempted in recent times. But for majority of the problem that the children have, we do not have the capacity right now to cope with them. That capacity is really not available right now.

When you talk of capacity, what do you mean?

When you talk about heart surgery, it comprises of a lot of things. You need equipment.

You need constant power supply. You won’t open someone’s heart and bring the heart and they start taking light.

So, you need uninterrupted power supply.

And you also need trained personnel. Trained personnel include the whole team – the doctors, the nurses, the anaesthetists, the surgeons. So, it’s like having the whole team that is trained to handle the situation. Like I said, a couple of places have made attempt and are trying. Many other places cannot. You need ICU (Intensive Care Unit) that has a Ventilator that can support these children after the surgery.

So, if you don’t have all these support mechanisms in place, it becomes a problem.

THE ARTS

61

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2011

‘Every writer should be a readership promoter’ Bearing the burdens of people in courts and feeding their minds through creatively humorous books are two activities Chuma Nwokolo, Jr., luxuriates in.

The well-travelled author of African Tales at Jailpoint, Diary of a Dead African, One More Tale for the Road, Memories of Stone, etc., also edits a literary magazine called African Writing. He spoke with Ademola Adesola on issues bordering on writing

A

PRACTISING lawyer with fertile creative imagination My background is law in the sense that I went to the university to read law, but I have always had a passion for writing. As a matter of fact, before I finished my law degree I had already written my first two novels, one of which was published while I was still in school. The novels were The Extortionist and Dangerous Inheritance – both of them in Pacesetter Macmillan Series.

Although I am a lawyer by training and passionate about this, I am also by attitude, disposition and passion a writer.

Inspiration and influences for writing My inspiration for writing is the life I live and the life I see around me. I think it goes out of observation. A good writer is a good observer. You see things and you articulate what you see, and you add something else which is where the perspiration comes in. You actually don’t just report what you see, you actually add something. It could be the colour; you could see in black and white and add colour.

Talking about influences now may be

“The good thing about this is that it is starting. But you also find out that it is a very selective process. The people who would come to book readings are people who are already caught by the reading bug. But what we need to do when we are doing reading promotion is actually to go to the unchurched. You preach to people who are not converted”

difficult for me. I have read and enjoyed many writers. What I do know is that in the process of writing I also come many writers.

I also publish and edit a magazine called African Writing. So, I am exposed to contemporary writing. And I know that my inspiration comes not just from what I read while I was growing up, it also comes from what I read everyday. I think that at this stage I would say that my writing style is reasonably settled. So, I am not as influenced by what I read as I would have done at an early stage of my career. But certainly for inspiration, I am inspired daily by what I read, what I see, what happens around me, the kind of conversation I have with people.

All these inspire me to write. But it is difficult for me to talk in terms of actual literary people who influenced my writing.

Reflection on his creative work The thrust of my work, Diary of a Dead African in this case, is that we have a more heartless society than we used to have.

Previously our society was more communal, but now it is quite individualistic. And now it is possible for a man to live and die like a lizard. This is what haunted Meme, one of the protagonists in the novel. He fears the death of a lizard, the death that he will die alone, nobody will see him, or know him.

He is afraid of that. And he almost died that way. I think that the centre of my writing that novel is that idea that we do have a society that is really uncaring and people there can perish for want of an encouraging word. It advocates that it is important for us to get back to that communalism, that idea that you have an extended family that is supportive, that you have friendship that will carry you through difficult times, that you don’t have to suffer in silence when you have a problem that somebody can help you with.

Assessing the reception of his works Absolutely! The reception is encouraging.

But of course you have to make a difference between “have you published a million books?” and “have your readers enjoyed the books you have published?” I think my books have been well received. I think my

•Chuma Nwokolo, Jr.,

books have been books that when they have found their readers they have been very well received. I am grateful for that.

On the challenges of book circulation network and the problem of self-publishing The readership culture is in decline. There is also infrastructure in terms of bookshops.

Where we are now is not encouraging. We have problems when it comes to distribution.

So, between the publishers and the bookshops there is a problem. We can’t get bookshops in Kara Namoda, you cannot get books from Lagos. And you also have problems with the bookshops themselves.

Most of the bookshops you go to are more interested in textbooks that are recommended and guaranteed in sales. But having said that, we have to make a start from where we are, which is why everybody who is involved in book trade in Nigeria should recognise that they are involved in developmental project. They are there to help to develop it. So, you don’t only make decisions on the basis of what is good business, you are also making a commitment to an industry that will around in the next 20 years not necessarily for your pocket today.

If you don’t do that, then you are not going to build capacity. Every writer has to be a readership promoter. You are not just writing your book in one corner, you to try to make people read books generally. Every bookshop too has to be a readership promoter, a distributor. The same thing applies to every publisher. You have to try and get your books out there. You can’t seat in your corner and say, “this is how it is done in advanced world, so I am going to it that way”. You can’t say because the writer in advanced world just has to write a book and go home, therefore you have to do it that way. They don’t do it that way out there either. For more of the same reason we cannot afford to do it like that.

Assessing efforts aimed at stemming the

tide of decline in reading culture It is a good project anytime anybody talks about bringing back the book. I think that if the President wants to really get involved in the “Bring Back the Book” campaign, he should not do it in the way any other celebrity would do it. That is because he is the President and he actually has the power to do a lot more than talk about it. There is a lot he can do. This includes the policies he can put down, libraries for instance. The President can make it possible for every single local government in Nigeria to have a library.

All the 774 local governments have children.

It means they have audience. And because children are young they can be encouraged to read. That is why the focus of the reading campaign should be children. All the local governments should run and stock their libraries. That policy alone will do a lot. It will not cost a lot of money to put a bungalow together. It is the cheapest project any local government can undertake. It will not cost much money to get one or two librarians. This can be the most significant thing he can do rather than running a book campaign that helps only a few people.

On book reading events The good thing about this is that it is starting. But you also find out that it is a very selective process. The people who would come to book readings are people who are already caught by the reading bug.

But what we need to do when we are doing reading promotion is actually to go to the unchurched. You preach to people who are not converted. You go to places where traditionally they do not read, and you can get them to be interested in reading. Again, reading should be driven by the demand; everywhere there is a demand for it there should be a reading. And people should promote their books through activities like reading programmes.

62

Arts

I

N pursuit of its mission, which is to consistently propagate Nigeria’s aesthetic legacies within the purview of her rich cultural resourcefulness, the Thought Pyramid Art Gallery has concluded plans to stage a one-of-its-kind exhibition of art works by the following masters: Ben Enwonwu, Ben Osawe, Erhabor Emokpae, Bruce Onobrakpeya, Okpu Eze, Rufus Ogundele, Muraina Oyelami, Jimoh Buraimoh, Abayomi Barber, David Dale, Kolade Oshinowo, Bisi Fakeye and Taiwo Olaniyi (Twin SevenSeven).

This unique show, running as a sequel to the exhibition of works by selected masters titled Generational Statement to

THE NATION ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 4, 2011

Masters of imagination commemorate Nigeria’s 50 th independence anniversary held by the gallery last year, is deliberately designed to meet the taste of demands by patrons and connoisseurs. The show also forms part of the last-quarter-ofthe-year activities packaged with the intent of paying homage to the masters of Nigerian visual art industry.

The exhibition is titled Beyond Imagination. It is created to explore the rich creative archives of Nigeria’s bright and brilliant masters whose collective artistic efforts underscore the

•In the Midst of Plenty by Rufus Ogundele

competence, rich creativity and deep imagination of the first and second generations of Nigerian visual artists. On display will be authentic plastographs and prints of Bruce Onobrakpeya, the apogee of creativity of Osogbo heritage exemplified in raw colour application by Rufus Ogundele, the magical richness of beads by Jimoh Buraimoh and the masterful patchy palette of Muraina Oyelami; the colour brilliance and illustrative mastery by Kolade Oshinowo, and the African surrealism of Abayomi Barber. There are also

those folkloric analyses in the creativity of Twin Seven-Seven, the mystical contraption inherent in the manipulation and the fluidity of expression in the wood works of Ben Osawe, the symmetric and asymmetric technicalities in the art and design of David Dale and many more from the stables of the masters. In all, the show will present 30 works by 11 participating artists and two guest artists namely Erhabor Emokpae and Okpu Eze. Ben Enwonwu and Abayomi Barbers’s outstanding pieces

underscore the show’s quality.

How does one appraise Meeting of Elders by Jimoh Buraimo, Togetherness by Bruce Onobrakpeya (created in 1983) and Sacrifice by Bisi Fakeye done in 1990? There are also works of high degree of creativity and artistic competence such as Okpu Eze’s 1968 piece titled Ajala, executed in the combined media of wood and metal and Muraina Oyelami’s Hope, a 2001oil-on-board piece, which are only reminiscent of these masters diverse styles. Erhabor Emokpae’s oil-on-board painting called Untitled executed in1978 and Ben Osawe’s wood sculpture of 1971 titled Kingfisher combine creative force with Animal in Political Conference by Twin Seven Seven, In the Midst of Plenty, a 1988 piece by Rufus Ogundele; David H Dale’s 1984 engraving titled Bloosom 1 and other works by Kolade Oshinowo and Rufus Ogundele.

Beyond Imagination is curated by the Gallery’s Creative Director, Mr. Jeff Ajueshi and runs from November 24 till December 1.

•Meeting of elders by Jimoh Buraimo

Nigeria to Tchad – Experiences on the road On October 31st, 12 photographers formed the 2011 Invisible Borders team with an aim to traverse Tchad and Sudan to reach Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, doing what they know best – making photos. Emmanuel Iduma, a lawyer and writer with the team shares some of the road experiences

I

REGRET that the inconvenience of travelling has hampered my intention to write daily; I am guilty of assumptions, thinking that as long as I have a computer, fingers, and a table, writing would be a continuous, even if tedious, affair. But, things change. I admit that it is difficult in the face of inconsistency to hold onto my rules. What we are seeing on this project is bound to tweak our subjectivities (even objectivities); we might emerge with big scars of seeing – those scars that result from injuries sustained while being enmeshed in the lives of others.

Let me begin from the end of Jos. We were soaked in Jos for about 30 hours. We decided, upon entering the town, that it would be great foolery (this might not have been the word), to pack our things and leave the next morning, to subdue Jos into a transit town. There was more beauty, we agreed, to be seen. And so, the morning after our arrival, we packed our cameras and headed off to see the town, to make photos, to engage in Jos’ reality. Of course, there were photos to be made; by going to the Terminus Market and the Museum, we became exposed to a photogenic town.

Yet there is the question of moreness, as I had noted previously. Is Jos more than what we saw? Is Jos more than what I perceived – a quiet, leave-me-to-myself town? Are there possibilities, other than the one that says something is about to happen? I find Jos very interesting, engaging; and I find that there are many wonderful people. The people we met, whose lives intersected with ours in many ways, were people

who could have been met anywhere else. Jos did not have the attitudinal singularity that Lagos, for instance, has. There was a willingness for exchange – and it is very unfortunate that the openness of Jos has been breached, taken for granted, subdued so that it takes several minutes to see the open arms of its residents. As such, the openness is there to find, but hard to find.

I should mention how Tom and Jumoke were arrested by mobile Policemen and bailed by a soldier – how the soldier laughed with them and identified with their work. And then, how Nana and I walked around Terminus Market looking for Dictaphones – Ray had predicted that we would not find Dictaphones, that Abuja was more ‘developed’ than Jos. There was a general declaim against Ray’s declaration, given how eager we are to decry every attempt to generalize. But upon walking the market, even getting directions from Richard Ali, we found no store that sold tape recorders, not to speak of Dictaphones.

I should also mention how Tom and I walked around the town, back to the house where he had lived as a student in Jos. It seemed a spiritual journey for me; I seemed to become one with the town, drawn to the several existences of the people who did not seem in flight, who seemed at rest with what was on in their lives.

We bought grilled stick-meat, as low as 20 naira (I bought three sticks).

Our driver, my namesake, used the opportunity that came from our decision to stay an additional day to do minor repairs on the bus. By dusk, he had not re-

•The Photographers in front of the National Hospital, Abuja on the Invisible Borders tour to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

PHOTO: LUCY AZUBUIKE

turned. Emeka and Ray called his phone several times without a response. And so, it was decided that we find another bus, so that we would not be stranded. At the moment when the new bus was arriving, Emmanuel was also driving in. Confused, Emma stuttered that he had been asleep, and that when he had tried to call Emeka, he had been told that he could not make the call, which was the ground on which he based his assumption that Emeka had ‘blocked’ his calls. It was hilarious, to say the least, and we laughed hard. Meanwhile, we were faced with a new dilemma (somehow we are always faced with dilemmas): there was a new bus, which had the bold lettering on its body – Donated by the Borno State Governor. The advantage the bus/driver had over Emma was his knowledge of the road to Gamboru; Emma had never been to Maiduguri.

Between Maiduguri and Gamboru Ngala there is a small desert. Small because it is not as

sandy as otherwise, and our airconditioned bus let in some dust through its vent. I have scarcely seen such vastness in my life; I had the feeling that we needed to grasp/grab that vastness, and that our exploration was incomplete otherwise. Even making photos did not suffice, for photos sometimes stops shot at reality, at the point where reality has a 3D flick.

When we arrived Gamboru Ngala (I had misspelled as ‘Gambaru’), Jumoke made a significant remark – how before now, the people we were seeing had not been part of our reality. I analyzed her comment, and it had the force of profundity. We, as humans, artists, whoever, must recognize that what we think as our reality is often one-sided, that our eyes only see what it sees, that our seeing cannot be over and above our capacity to see. And then, with this realization, it becomes necessary that we take on an ignorant humility, the longing to extend our capacity to see; and then, when

we are humble to see new realities, and with our capacities for seeing extended, the world takes on new shapes, standing on our fingertips.

Gamboru Ngala reduced Nigeria into a borderline. I had the feeling that the town was declaring, with such confidence and shamelessly, “After the desert, yes, you’ll always meet me.” For instance, a man, claiming to be a security man, approached us, flaring up very easily when he felt Emeka was misunderstanding him. And then there was the one-man Bureau de Change, who was keen on ripping off our cash, given his monopoly and our uncertainty that we would find a place to exchange when we got to the border.

We got two Peugeots to take us right into N’djamena. How could we know that this was not to be?

That in the final analysis, it comes down to money – how much can be made, how much should be spent? One useful lesson I have learnt, looking back: things are not simply simple.

BUSINESS THE NATION ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2011

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Furore over CBN’s cash reserve requirement

-- Page 64

ICE for all by 2015! This seems to be one of the primary objectives of President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda for the agriculture sub-sector according to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, who recently announced plans by the Federal Government to boost domestic rice production in the country as well as begin export of the produce by 2015.

The measure, according to him, will save Nigeria N356billion annually being spent on rice imports and also create over 1.2 million jobs.

“Our goal as a government is to make Nigeria self-sufficient in rice production within four years. There is an urgent reason for this: the variability of rice production (A 1 Super) on the global market increased from an average of 20.1% in 1992-1999 to 51 in 2000-2004,” the minister said.

The minister who observed that Nigeria spends over N1billion daily on the importation of rice, assured that the Federal Government’s rice transformation action plan is to close the 2 million metric tons of milled rice currently being imported, by 2015.

R

Is rice revolution possible in Nigeria? Briefs It is the projection of the Federal Government that come 2015, Nigeria would have achieved self-sufficiency in the production of rice both for local consumption and the export market. But is rice revolution possible in Nigeria given the neglect of the agriculture sector by successive governments? Asks Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf. With additional reports by Rita Ohai, Olalekan Yusuf and Ola Ojelade

Plan of action

The Federal Government, according to the minister will accelerate the completion of the 17 integrated rice-processing mills, to be financed under the N10 billion rice special loan facility from the Bank of Industry.

The completion of these facilities, he stressed, “will provide rice milling capacity of 500,000 metric tons per year, while creating about 17,000 jobs, and supporting 225,000 out-grower rice farmers.”

Expatiating, he said, under this rice transformation plan, “We plan to reduce the importation of parboiled milled rice from 1.5 million metric tons to zero by 2015, replaced by domestically produced and high quality milled rice.”

Where Nigeria stands currently

Nigeria is West Africa’s largest producer of rice, producing an average of 3.2 million tonnes of paddy rice for the past 5-years. Rice cultivation is widespread within the country, extending from the northern to southern zones with most rice grown in the eastern and middle belt of the country. Domestic production is constrained by lowinput and crop management techniques by small scale rice farmers, as well as lack of water control techniques.

Local production of rice

Local farmers across the federation including Ogun, Kano, Taraba, Adamawa, Edo, Delta, Benue, Ebonyi, to mention just a few, produce rice in fairly large quantities.

Famous among these local rice are the Ofada rice popular in the South West, Abakaliki in the South East, among others.

Though the level of patronage cannot compare with the foreign rice, some Nigerians who are used to the local varieties attest to the fact that the local rice is more palatable than the foreign rice.

Ofada is noted for its sweet taste while Abakaliki’s soaring patronage is attributed to its distinctive taste.

Segun Adebiyi, who resides at Ipaja axis of Lagos State, is a regular patron of Ofada rice. He relishes a meal of

•Rice farmers set for harvest (Inset) Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina fourth year. That way the farmer Ofada rice any day.

Self-sufficiency in rice and processors can be sure of To Mr. Anthony Muoneke, production myth or reality? surviving in an environment of Managing Director, Anne Agro According to Africa Rice, Processing Industry, the Abakaliki although 240 million people in West very weak infrastructure and rice is a culinary delight any day Africa rely on rice as the primary high cost of funds, within three to four years of start-up.” because of its distinct taste. source of food energy and protein in Government, he stressed, The only snag however is that the their diet, the majority of this rice is “must its plans in clear local rice is almost priced out of the imported, at a cost of USD 1 billion. terms,enunciate or else local players in reach of the common man. The high To bridge this gap, a lot of investment the sector will be dead on cost of local rice in the market has would be required in that direction. arrival. Therefore, the policy and been traced to its special qualities.

Speaking with The Nation over the tariff must be clear and While a bag of imported rice is sold weekend, Prof. Lateef Sanni, a unambiguous. It must be at N8,000.00 per bag, a bag of Ofada professor of Agriculture at the consistent and over a long time rice goes for N19,000.0 and above.

University of Abeokuta (UNAD) and span. It must not be subverted Mrs. Daramola Otun, an Ofada rice consultant to the International by political interests.” trader and a member of Asejere Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Although analysts insist that Foodstuffs Association, Isheri Olofin believes that the Federal the feasibility of meeting the and Idimu secretariat, Akowonjo, Government’s projection of achieving 2015 deadline on the banning of attributed the cost of Ofada rice to the self-sufficiency is achievable. rice importation is very low According to him, “At the level of there is a wide-spread call for rigorous processes involved in its government the most important efforts to be made towards cultivation. thing is for the right policies, that is improving technologies for what we need. I believe that producing and processing local.

Craze for foreign rice The high demand for imported everybody must join forces with the The required technology, rice in the country purportedly stems government.” according to experts, has been Echoing similar views, Chief from the average Nigerian developed by research institutes consumer’s desire for white polished Charles Ugwuh, an industrialist, like the Federal Institute of rice unlike most African countries like former president of Manufacturers Industrial Research, Oshodi Ghana where there is a preference for Association of Nigeria, and former (FIIRO). brown rice which is cheaper in cost minister for commerce and industry, The Institute concentrates on than polished rice and richer in while lamenting that Nigeria may not post-harvest technologies be able to compete with countries like designs and fabricates nutrients. processing The porous nature of the country’s India and others within South East appropriate borders has also allowed for the mass Asia, however assured that with the equipments suitable for smuggling of rice and this put local right policy framework, things can transforming our local produce change for the better. into finished products. farmers on various economic risk.

Ugwuh said: “The Federal However, these machines can be Citing the difference between foreign and local rice, food Government cannot say go and start expensive and out of the reach technologists stated that the imported producing rice, when you get it right of small-scale farmers.

To bridge this gap, research rice is polished or washed, more locally, in terms of quality, we will the importation guidelines. To professionals have impressed expensive, lower in nutrient quality review it right locally and to make the on the need for the Federal and and has long grains while most of the get industry competitive on a global State Governments to rice grains grown in Nigeria are short scale, there is need to review rice encourage the formation of ‘rice grains, highly nutritious and contain import tariff now”, he said. processing clusters’ in various more starch which is required for Expatiating, he said: “I will optimum quality and a nice meal. recommend three steps. There should localities around the country. The They also say that the only hindrance be a four-year plan for the rice creation of these localized small our local rice has are the stones which production sector. In the first year, rice processing units will give the it contains but can be eliminated import tariff may be 30 percent flat farmers the opportunity to through proper processing rate. It can be raised to 45 percent after process their rice at an affordable fee, subsidized by their state techniques. two years, and to 50 per cent by the governments.

Hotel Support wins best indigenous brand award

A

LEADING hotel management firm in Nigeria, Hotel Support and Man agement Company Limited (HSMC) has, again, been declared the ‘Best Management Firm –Indigenous Brand’ in West Africa.

The award and recognition was given to HSMC during the 2nd Annual West Africa Tourism and Hospitality Awards (WATHA) held in Accra, Ghana recently.

The event was attended by leaders and stakeholders drawn from various parts of the West African sub-region, and beyond.

It would be recalled that Hotel Support also won the 2010 edition of the award.

In the certificate presented to HMSC, the President of WATHA 2011, Mr. Adedayo Adesugba, stated that the award was given to HMSC “as an acknowledgement of outstanding achievement in the best management firm –indigenous brand,” adding that the event was “a top service competition.”

It would also be recalled that at the 2010 edition of the award, which held at La Palms Hotel, also in Ghana, the organisers of WATHA said the awards aimed at recognising and encouraging excellence in the West African tourism and hospitality industry.

“WATHA Awards annually recognises and rewards real virtuosities and superior services in the region; encourages higher standards and applaud exceptional effort made by industry members; stimulates a fairly competitive spirit so as to galvanize industry members to reach higher levels of brilliance within the West African region; and motivates team work and greater cooperation amongst various segments in the industry; all, towards providing the end users with more valueadded service,” Adesugba had explained at the impressive 2010 edition.

STOCK MARKET REVIEW

T

HE Nigeria Stock Exchange AllShare Index fell marginally last week. The market remained predominantly bearish, shedding an additional 79bps to close at 19,963.37.

Volume trades, which were up by 33.3%, was driven by the banks; notably Zenith Bank (206.7 million units), GTBank (145.3 million units) and First Bank (105.2 million units). Transaction values were also up by 39.7% However, the likes of RT Briscoe, FCMB and Transcorp bore the brunt of the market’s bearish sentiments, shedding 13.4%, 11.1% and 9.5% to close at N1.10, N3.78 and N0.57 respectively. Conversely, Law Union & Rock, Continental Re and NPF Microfinance Bank chalked up 11.5%, 9.2% and 8.1% lifts in value.

Market participants preferred stacking their bids at the lower or mid end of the price ladder in anticipation of getting orders filled at bargains, a trend that is more likely to continue into the following week.

In the breweries sector, institutional bid interest was able to lift NB by 61bps to close at N92.00. Guinness also recorded the highest gains in absolute terms to close N205.01.

In the petroleum sector, top spots on the absolute losers list were populated by Mobil and Conoil, shedding N7.05 and N1.75 to close at N133.95 and N33.25 respectively.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 4, 2011

Business Intelligence

Furore over CBN’s cash reserve requirement T

HE business outlook for most of the operators in the bureau de change and other sectors has been anything but smooth in recent times, no thanks to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s cash reserve requirement policy regime.

For some time, the monetary tightening measures introduced by the CBN have generated concerns. The measures include the increase in Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) benchmark interest rate by 275 basis point to 12 per cent, the reduction in the net provision which banks hold as reserves is up from 5 per cent to 7 per cent, and the increase in the Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) of banks from 4 to 8 per cent.

Of all these, it’s the cash reserve requirement that has provoked much indignation among industry watchers.

Mr. Adeboye Adenuga, the Managing Director, Dambiz Bureau De Change Limited, is already feeling the impact of this policy.

He approached his bank, one of the new generation banks, for a loan last week but was required to pay what he called “outrageous interest rate.”

Like Adenuga, a lot of businessmen who rely on bank credits to drive their business have faced disap-

By Akinola Ajibade

impacts of the increase in the C R R .

Adegboyega said the increase in CRR signifies more problems for the real sector, arguing that the issue is going to have ripple effects on all aspects of the economy.

He said: “The banks’ liquidity position is going to be worsened by the increase in cash reserve requirement. Now that CRR has been moved up, it means banks would keep more and give out little cash to the investors. When this happens, the manufacturers

pointment in recent times.

Speaking on this development, Adenuga said: “It cuts across different sectors.

Nobody is left out. We are left with no option but to seek alternative source of funding if we must remain in the business.”

CRR is the proportion of cash which banks are expected to keep in their vaults. This implies that banks would hold more cash in their reserves, there by affecting the level of funds they would release as loans to the investing public. With the increase in CRR, industry observers have continued to predict a tough time for the operators in the economy.

Impact of policy On the adverse effect of the policy, analysts said the development would weigh down the liquidity position of banks as well as affect their capacity to lend to borrowers significantly.

They further argued that the upward review of the monetary policy rate, runs contrary to the decision of the CBN to maintain price stability and further send strong signals to the foreign exchange market. They contended that any attempt by banks to hold up some cash,

•CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido

would affect the major commanding heights of the economy, including the oil and gas, maritime, manufacturing to mention just a few.

Speaking on the issue, the Executive Secretary, Association of Foods Beverages and Tobacco Companies, Mr. Aderemi Adegboyega said manufacturers would soon feel the

PHOTO SHOP

would be starved of funds and would not be able to produce optimally. Already, the lending rates to the real sector operators stand between 23 and 26 per cent.

Some banks charge higher, after factoring other costs into it. There is an indication that banks would move up the lending rates, since they

would be contending with small cash. The issue would aggravate the situation of the real sector operators.

They would suffer low capacity utilisation, down size, and increase the cost of goods.”

He said the issue is a vicious cycle, adding that formal and informal operators in the economy would be affected. He listed the traders, transporters, salary earners, among others, as targeted groups who are bound to suffer the bitter pills of this new policy regime.

Echoing similar views, Dr Austin Nweze of the Lagos Business School, said the effects of increase in banks’ cash reserve requirement would soon be felt in the country.

Nweze said banks have increased all lending rates as a result of increase in MPR, adding that upward review of CRR would push the lending rates further.

He said when banks keep more money in their reserves; there would be little funds to give out as loans to investors.

He said: “At present, Nigerians are still feeling the harsh effects of the economy. Salaries are small in many companies, while others are not paying regu-

larly. The increase in lending rates for consumers’ loan means more hardships for them. Many customers would not be able to approach the banks for soft loans because of the increase in lending rates, and that means that they would not be able to meet most of their domestic obligations.”

He said the increase in lending rates would discourage many manufacturers from borrowing.

“With CRR now 8 per cent, many firms would find it difficult to give out huge loans to customers. Inability of companies to access sufficient loans for their operations means low productivity. Based on this, we should be expecting a gale of retrenchment in most companies, especially those that produce consumables. This would further increase the pressure on the economy”, he added.

Giving his own submission, a former General Manager, Heritage Securities Limited, Mr. Tayo Bello, said there is nothing wrong in the decision of the CBN to contract the money supply, but however warned of the danger of reducing the capacity of banks to lend to the economy.

Business Week

Nwuche lauds minister over Nigeria/UK aviation row

F

ORMER Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Prince Chibudom Nwuche, has commended the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, for her diligent and firm handling of the recent controversy over distortions in the implementation of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and Britain.

Nwuche, who was fielding questions on the issue

from newsmen in Abuja recently, described the resoluteness exhibited by the minister in rallying to protect the threatened interest of the nation, as well as that of a corporate citizen, as very laudable.

“The prompt response to this unfortunate development and the remarkable display of patriotism by the Honourable Minister are quite commendable and should be emulated by other public officials in handling

issues like this which tend to negatively affect our nation and its citizens,” he stressed.

The former lawmaker decried the unfair treatment reportedly meted out to Arik Air – a Nigerian flag carrier by British airport managers and urged the minister not to relent on her insistence in the full compliance with the extant Bilateral Air Services Agreement between Nigeria and Britain.

Fond memories of Smirnoff Midnight Circus

•L-R: Chief Information Officer, Etisalat, Mr. John Murray; Director, Corporate and Indirect Sales, Mr. Ken Ogujiofor and Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat, Mr. Steve Evans during the unveiling of Etisalat’s coverage campaign held in Lagos on Thursday. PHOTO: BADE DARAMOLA

•L-R: Brand Manager, Smirnoff, Mr. Amaechi Okobi and Managing Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Devlin Hainsworth during the Smirnoff Midnight Circus in Lagos recently.

F

OR the night crawlers that made it to the Smirnoff Midnight Circus penultimate Saturday, the memory of that epoch night would remain evergreen.

Hints that the all-night party was going to be all merry and fun emerged as soon as guests began to arrive at the Landmark Village, Victoria Island, venue of the bash, where they were made to pick lucky dips to earn themselves prizes ranging from branded Smirnoff bowler hats, slip-ons, balloons, bandanas, wrist bands, to mention just a few.

The party train moved in twos and threes and they were ushered into the auditorium by, wait for this: dropdead-gorgeous ladies, whom the happy-go-lucky funseekers found irresistible judging by the relentless requests for photo opportunities with the damsels on the red carpet by the dandies!

Swaying to the sonorous sounds from the giant-size

loud speakers, it was obvious that members of the audience were all in a upbeat mood as the famous DJ Jimmy Jatt dished out endless lyrics from the repertoires of Dancehall masters like Dbanj, Wandel Cool, 9ice, Whiz kids to mention just a few.

Fielding questions from newsmen, the Managing Director of Diageo Plc, Mr. Devlin Hainsworth, the organisers of the event, said, the essence of the all-night party was Smirnoff’s way of appreciating its teaming consumers, many of who have stuck with the brand since inception few years ago.

While noting that Nigeria, for the first time was joining the party train with 50 countries across the world to mark the Smirnoff Midnight Circus, he, however, promised that the event would be sustained even as he hinted of plans to hold similar circus in major cities of the federation including Port Harcourt, Abuja, etc.

Echoing similar views, the Brand Manager, Smirnoff, Amaechi Okobi, said the whole idea behind the Smirnoff Midnight Circus was to encourage night life as well as provide a rendezvous for Smirnoff’s brand loyalists to enjoy and savour the taste of the distilled spirit.

“The driving spirit for the Smirnoff Midnight Circus is just to show our consumers the extent the brand is willing to go as far as encouraging brand loyalty. In Nigeria, our consumers know what the Smirnoff brand stands for. It is the most popular spirit drink and that is why we decided to do a unique event by bringing the Smirnoff family together for a night out”, said an elated Okobi.

The highpoint of the occasion was the command performance by ace rapper, Ikechukwu, also the Ringmaster, who thrilled fans to no end.

65

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2011

Small Business

T

HERE is a huge goldmine in the vocation of rural marketing of petroleum products that is waiting to be explored by anyone desirous of venturing into the business or for others searching for avenues to expand existing ones.

Aside the fact that rural settings are usually bereft of competition that is the bane of petroleum products marketing business in city centres, rural dwellers are ready market requiring little or no cost to sustain.

This is the business idea canvassed by Otunba Oladokun Ajidagba, the Chairman, Jogbo Petroleum Ltd, as he marked his 15th year anniversary of pioneering rural marketing of petroleum products in Ogun State and part of Oyo State.

He said aside the finance and registration of the business with the petroleum regulatory authority, what one needs to set up outlets for sales petroleum

‘Rural petroleum marketing is lucrative’ From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

products in rural settings is the love of the villagers, and desire to help them have access to the products regularly at no additional cost to them.

Ajidagba, who is an independent marketer, said big time players in the business rather than concentrating in “crowded cities, “should endeavour to establish marketing outlets for petroleum products in rural areas not only because they stand a greater chance of making sales, but also to serve as an opportunity to render social service to the rural folks by making these essential products - fuel, diesel, kerosene and engine oil, nearer and accessible to them.

He said it was shocking for him to discover in 1996 that a community in Ogun

•Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke

State, Ibiade in Ogun Waterside, which hosts one of his five outlets, until moving to the community, residents were travelling as far as 25 kilometers before they could access petroleum

products for purchase, stressing that their plights were always made worse during period of scarcity of the products.

He reckoned that it was his encounter with the

difficulties the villagers experienced in their quest to obtain fuel and kerosene that spurred him into rural petroleum marketing, and said 16 years after taken that decision it has been all smiles.

“Rural marketing of petroleum products is lucrative. I’m encouraging people to go into the rural setting and set up outlets rather than concentrating in crowded cities. There we recoup our profits quickly.

In fact, we don’t use loan to run our five outlets in rural areas in Ogun and a part in Oyo State. We intend to move deeper into the villages to make the products available to the people,” he said.

He said it is an anomaly that Bayelsa State for example which is a major oil-producing Niger Delta State, cannot boast of having up to eight

functional filling stations there, lamenting that major oil dealers would rather flock to the cities, to erect shops leaving communities where the minerals are explored to traverse land and sea on foot and canoes before they could access the products for domestic use.

Otunba Ajidagba who used the anniversary to organise a seminar to sensitise the rural-folks on the need to be prepared for uncertain days ahead should President Goodluck Jonathan make good his intention to remove fuel subsidy early next year, said the solution to the recurrent fuel crisis in the country rest on the Federal Government allowing private individuals and states to establish mini refineries.

According to him, this will make the product more readily available for Nigerians at lower cost.

Personal Finance

Calculating return on investment (ROI) For owners of most business start-ups who probably lack financial intelligence, basic understanding of income flow naturally presents a difficulty. Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf and Taofik Salako in this news analysis, give useful insights on how to address this concern

T

HE primary motivation of investment is return. Investment planning, strategy and tactics must therefore keep the primary objective in focus. Evaluation is one of the most important elements in any preoccupation. Whether in administration and management planning or physical construction planning, evaluation plays critical roles as the determining factor and gauge for the measurement of the extent of correlation between the objectives and the end results. When it is usually the last element on the planning process, evaluation serves as the initial element or trigger for the next planning and most importantly leads to corrective measures that better guide the planner closer to the realisation of his objectives.

In investment administration and management, measurement of return on investment is the only way of evaluating the performance of the investment vis-à-vis other comparable investments and alternatives. Return on investment represents the amount of monies realised from an investment, expressed in monetary value or percentage value, at a given period. ROI is the reward for the assumption of risks since there is no riskfree return in the real term.

Every investment, including

sovereign instruments and best-rated companies, involves an element of risks, no matter the degree of certainty of return. In portfolio management, it is important to determine the ROI for every stock or instrument and thereafter the overall ROI for the portfolio. This enables the investment manager to decide the growth-drivers for the period and possibly review its investment strategy.

For fixed-income securities like bonds, treasury bills, fixed deposits and others, the ROI is simply measured by the coupon or interest rate, usually expressed in percentage term. To get the monetary value (Naira value) of the ROI, divide the gross sum of investment by 100 and thereafter multiply the answer with the interest or coupon rate.

For example, suppose you invest N2 million in government bond with a coupon rate of 19 per cent per annum, your ROI at the year-end will be N380, 000.

For equity investment, return on investment comes in mainly in two ways, cash income and capital gain (loss). The other form of return is scrip or bonus shares. The cash income refers to the gross value of dividend declared by the company while capital gain (loss) is the difference between the purchase price

per share and the current market value per share.

Bonus shares result from distribution of retained earnings in the reserves of the company to shareholders, usually on the basis of the nominal value of the company and proportional to each shareholder’s holding. ROI for investment in quoted equities thus comprises of the totality of all these, expressed in monetary or percentage term.

Suppose you purchased 100,000 ordinary shares of a company at N20 per share with a transaction cost of 4.0 per cent at the beginning of the period, your total cost of investment will be N2 million + N80, 000 = N2.08 million. If the company declared a dividend of 70 kobo per share, your gross dividend or cash income will be N70, 000. Where the market value of the company has risen to N30 by the year end, your capital gain is the difference between the opening and closing price, which is N10, multiply by the number of shares, 100,000, totaling N1 million. The total ROI in this example in monetary term is therefore N1.07 million.

To further test the return rate of the investment, deduct the exit transaction cost from the ROI to get a net return. Given existing 10 per cent withholding tax on dividend in the Nigerian market, one may further undress the ROI by deducting withholding tax or use the net dividend income rather than gross dividend income in the calculation of ROI. The above example illustrates measurement of ROI in monetary term. To express this in percentage term, simply get the percentage equivalent of the ROI in the

•Sole traders calculating income flows after the daily sales

total cost of investment. For the above example, this is express as follows: N1.07/ N2.08 * 100 = 51.44. Thus the ROI is 51.44 per cent.

The percentage return on investment can also be calculated by determining the dividend yield and capital appreciation rate, and then add the two together. Dividend yield means the percentage of dividend per share to the purchased price per share.

Dividend yield for the above example is express as follows: 70 kobo/N20 * 100 = 3.5 per cent. Percentage capital gain is the percentage change between the purchased price and the closing price, which for our example is express as follows: N30 - N20 = N10/ 20 * 100 = 50 per cent. The addition of dividend yield and percentage capital appreciation gives the percentage ROI. Thus, the percentage ROI in this

example is 53.5 per cent, which tallies with the monetary value calculation if the cost of investment is discountenanced. For stock with bonus shares, the total volume is taking to be the initial volume and the bonus shares as the bonus share is reflected in the share price of the company.

In calculating a comprehensive ROI, any return accruing on the dividend income from a particular investment, should be added to the ROI for that particular stock. For instance, interest earned on a deposited dividend income or capital gains or/ and dividend from reinvestment of dividend income. To get a fuller picture of ROI, otherwise called real ROI, adjustment should be made for the inflation by subtracting the inflation rate from the ROI. Thus with an inflation rate of 14 per cent, the ROI in the

Source: www.symraunited.com

above example comes down to 39.5 per cent, without adjustments for taxes and charges.

Another way of making better meaning of the ROI is by comparing average ROI on a class of instruments, like shares, with average ROI on another class of instruments, say bonds or deposits.

Comparison can also be between ROIs of similar instruments, such as ROIs of two cement companies; between different sub-sectors of the economy, like petroleum-marketing and building materials; between the portfolio or stock ROI and the overall market benchmark index, like the All Share Index (ASI) of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE); stock-to-stock comparison, Access Bank vs FCMB; individual portfolio and mutual fund; and between self-managed portfolio and portfolio under investment manager.

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Business

THE NATION ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 4, 2011

Experts task coys on CSR

Company News

FirstBank to mortgage Tejuosho market

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IRST Bank of Nigeria Plc has restated its commitment to the growth and development of the micro and macro economy through investment in critical sectors such as infrastructure, trade and commerce, human capital, etc.

Giving this assurance in Lagos over the weekend was Mr. Kehinde Lawanson, Executive Director, Corporate Banking,

By Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf

while providing insights on the Bank’s involvement in the newly reconstructed Tejuosho Shopping Complex in Yaba, Lagos.

The Bank which has been involved in several real estate financing projects as well as market development projects in Abuja, Owerri, Kano,

Calabar, Port-Harcourt, among others, offered to fund the transformation of the market after it was gutted by fire in 2007, Lawanson recalled.

According to Lawanson, FirstBank in addition to financing the multi-billion naira project had provided substantial mortgage facilities for people to be empowered to acquire shops and other outlets in the market.

He said the Bank was offer-

•L-R: Funke Akindele, Oliver Terente - Head of Sales, Dave Andrews - International Rep of Eko Supreme Resources Nig Ltd, Akua N. Obiri-Yeboah - Head of Marketing.

PHOTO: RITA OHAI

•L-R: Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Kingsley Moghalu; President/ Chairman, Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria, Mr. Olatunde Busari and Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Wole Adewumi during the 2011 Round-Table on Corporate Governance organised by the Institute in Lagos recently.

PHOTO: BADE DARAMOLA

Poor maintenance culture bane of oil industry —Expert

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N the oil and gas sector, invested capital declines in value unless the machinery is being properly maintained. This projected loss therefore emphasises the need to develop the competence and know-how for repairing equipment on site, while at the same time save foreign exchange and improve production figures, analysts have said.

As part of contributions to create an enabling environment for the growth of the oil and gas industry in the country, Tricontinental Technologies which offers maintenance, repairs, construction and other engineering services, has stated

its capacity to reduce downtime caused by the poor maintenance of equipments in the Nigerian oil/gas industry.

In Prof. Toyin Ashiru, Chief Executive Officer of the company’s words, “We help to extend the lives of equipment, pipelines and facilities used in the oil and gas industry by providing proper maintenance services including design, building and inspection as well as quality management for the oil industries. We also ensure that the contractors provided the best possible services that would extend lifeline of equipment and facilities

in the oil industry to avoid plant shut-down” Expatiating, he said: “Offshore oil and gas platforms are subjected to hostile, corrosive marine environments and require continuous preventive and corrective maintenance to ensure prolonged and safe operations.0 The corrosion and wear of machinery parts are the most expensive problems in the offshore drilling business.”

He also expressed worry at the untapped potentials in the Nigerian oil and gas industry and re-stated the need for companies to diversify into other areas of the nation’s oil economy so as to create employment opportunities for many Nigerians.

ing prospective shop owners generous interest rate on mortgage facilities with an eight year pay-back period to acquire shops in the market.

On the economic benefit of the project, he said it has a potential for over 100,000 shoppers daily and an expected N5 billion daily turnover.

Lawanson added that the new complex would change the face of shopping in Lagos completely, create more jobs for the populace, and foster enhanced trade opportunities for all classes of traders.

“Tejuousho market is set to serve as oil that will further lubricate the economy.

We are happy to be part of the project and we enjoin individuals and corporate entities to approach our branches in Lagos to sign up for mortgages to position themselves for the endless opportunities at the new Tejuosho market,” he emphasised.

He was however quick to add that the Bank’s considers its involvement in infrastructure and mortgage financing as a “development-driven responsibility geared towards economic empowerment and addressing the nation’s infrastructural gap.”

“First Bank commitment to mortgage is better understood in the size of the money in our mortgage portfolio itself. We have further strengthened our interest in that area by setting up a fully-owned subsidiary, FBN Mortgage Limited, that is doing nothing other than financing real estate all over the country”, he added.

While reiterating the Bank’s readiness to finance would-be shop owners, he assured that the facility has been made easily accessible to prospective individuals and corporate bodies willing to avail themselves of such opportunities.

“For the interested applicants who are willing to acquire the over 4,040 shops of different sizes KKlamps and over 2,000 lock-up shops, we have started providing financing for those who want to access the mortgage at very generous interest rate. The off-takers can acquire the shops with minimal initial capital outlay, while repayment of the mortgage can be serviced from daily sales proceeds (and other regular income sources) by the off-takers.”

The multi-billion naira Tejuosho project was developed to world-class standards, with a provision for escalators; fire-fighting equipment, ground floor parking and another multistorey car park (total capacity is over 800 vehicles), Fire Stations, Banks, Hospitals, Eateries, Dedicated Power Generators, and Modern Facility Management structures, among others.

By Rita Ohai

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HERE is an urgent need for concerted efforts aimed at addressing the gaps in the implementation of corporate social responsibility activities to ensure future growth of companies wherever they operate.

This was the submission of experts at the third edition of the Corporate Sustainability Responsibility (CSR), Marketing and Public Relations training workshop held in Lagos recently.

The two-day interface and discussion session was facilitated by the internationally renowned Professor and Public Speaker from the United Kingdom, Wayne Visser.

At the forum, Visser gave fresh insights on the rising need for corporate and governmental organisations to sustainably develop its host communities and the necessity of implementing effective corporate responsibility projects.

The training which was organised by TruContact Limited attracted corporate affairs and public relations representatives of major multinational companies in attendance.

Speaking at the end of the session, Mr. Ken Egbas, Managing Partner with TruContact, said the programme was organised in line with his company’s need “to address the glaring inadequacies of corporate reporting and CSR implementation in the country.”

According to him, “We found out during our research that most organisations have the intention to do right but generally lack the knowledge to do it well. There are cases where companies’ budget money for CSR but the projects are being manned by people who do not have the right knowledge for it. So we decided to bring in the very best professionals in CSR from around the world to teach attendants how to do their jobs better.”

Egbas also stated that there is a shift in the measurement of the values of corporate brands based on the size or structure of their products to the quality they add to lives due to their presence in a community and urged organisations to catch on to this global trend.

N150m up for grabs in Eko Supreme bonanza

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By Rita Ohai

OYAL customers and regular users of Eko Supreme products; So klin, Good Mama and Protect, now stand a chance to win big in the third edition of the millionaires promo launched at the press conference held at Protea Hotel and Suites, Lagos.

While giving a speech at the press parley, Head of Sales, Terente Oliver, said the promo is aimed at “providing customers and trade partners with memorable and rewarding moments for their unwavering support.”

Emphasising Eko Supreme’s commitment to developing high quality products and enriching its customers, Oliver stressed that: “This year, the Millionaire Edition has a total prize money of N150 million which is 50percent sharp increase from what we budgeted last year of just N100 million. Of this amount, 50 lucky Nigerians stand to earn N1million each making them millionaires in an instant.”

Also speaking at the event, the Head of Marketing, Akua Obiri-Yeboah, explained how consumers could win, saying: “What any consumer can do is buy any of sizes of So Klin, Good Mama or Klin Protect and scratch on the surface of the small sachets or for the bigger pouches, you open the pack and scratch on the surface of the cards inside the big packs and you may win N1 million. We have N50 million to give away and N100 million in consolation prizes.”

The event which was flagged off with the unveiling of the ‘Millionaire bonanza promo’, revealed the total bonanza prize money of N150 million and had the brand ambassador, actress and comedienne Funke Akindele (bigz girlz), in attendance.

The promo which officially kicked-off last Thursday already has winners in places like Maiduguri, Enugu and Kano and will last till the 31st of March, 2012.

Viju wins quality award

By Jennifer Mordi

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IJU milk has been adjudged as the milk drink of the year by the City People magazine.

The award was part of the brand category in the stable of the magazine.

The event which was held in Ghana attracted different participants from Nigeria and Ghana respectively.

While presenting the award, Chief Alex Akinyele, former Minister of Information commended the beverage company for their commitment to excellence, even as he implored them to remain committed to the ideal.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2011

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68

WORSHIP THE NATION ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2011

Living Prelate Makinde eulogises Ibru, Faith Ojukwu, condoles with El-Rufai T

By David Oyedepo

Enjoying kingdom prosperity!

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OD did not just create you and abandon you to suffer!

He is interested in your comfort. He is excited when you prosper.

According to the Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, wealth is “A large amount of money or valuable possessions that someone has.” So, wealth connotes comfort and fulfilment, which God desires exactly for you.

Are there any earthly parents today, who desire anything less than comfort for their children? None, of course! Everybody wants their offspring to be comfortable. That is part of the divine instinct we contacted from God. The Word of God says: Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth (3 John 2). From this scripture, it is clear that God wants you to be comfortable, prosperous and healthy. It is neither the idea of a preacher, nor is it a prosperity movement, but God’s idea. It is His intent, His idea, and His purpose!

Note that worldly riches bring pride and insecurity. They are temporary and sorrowful. Wealth in the Kingdom is humbling, sorrow-free (Proverbs 10:22), durable and multiplies.

No wonder, the Word of God says: The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it (Proverbs 10:22).

So, the Word of God is the richest oilfield and goldmine.

That is where our Church has been mining from, for 30 years.

It is loaded with treasures — treasures for your pleasure, treasures for your comfort, etc (Job 22:21-25; Deuteronomy 28: 1, 12). So, your breakthrough is a settled fact.

Let’s look at a mystery of Kingdom prosperity: Labour not to be rich: Proverbs 23:4 says: Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Then what do we do? Genesis 12:1-3 is what to do. Labour not to be rich; labour to enrich others. You are blessed to be a blessing.

The blessings of God are for distribution, not for accumulation. It’s your outlet that determines God’s inflow. God will never flow into any man more than the size of his outlet.

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy…(1 Timothy 6:17-19). What do we charge them to do? They should do good to secure God’s blessings.

They should increase in good works, ready to distribute and willing to communicate.

Your commitment to be a blessing is what determines the level of God’s blessings you are qualified to enjoy. To him much is given, much is required. So, it’s important for us to open our hearts. The larger your heart, the greater God’s blessings (Proverbs 28:27).

Once you have it in mind to be a blessing, God marks you out for a blessing (1 Chronicles 29:3-6). Labout not to be rich, but labour to be a blessing to others. The latger youtr heart, th egreater His blessings on your life.

By divine ordination, children of God are men and women of global impact. Kingdon wealth is not for accumulation; its for distribution. Luke 16:11 says: If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? If there is true riches, then there is also false riches.

Friend, the power to engage in the mysteries of the Kingdom, is the exclusive privilege of those who are saved. The questions now are: Are you saved? Are you born again? Are you redeemed? Are you a bona fide child of God? You are saved by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as Lord and Saviour of your family.

You can do so now if you haven’t been, as you say this prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. I cannot help myself. Forgive me my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood.

Deliver me from sin and satan, to serve the Living God. From today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Now I know I am a child of God. Thank You Father, in Jesus’ name!

Next week, I will continue this teaching next week. May God bless you!

I am glad to inform you that from December 6-10, 2011 at Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Idiroko Road, Ota, many destinies will be transformed to higher levels of greatness at SHILOH 2011 tagged, Waves Of Glory! SHILOH is the annual prophetic gathering of the Winners’ family worldwide. Don’t miss this special event for anything. Be there!

Every exploit in life is a product of knowledge. For further reading, please get my books — Covenant Wealth, Understanding Financial Prosperity and Breaking Financial Hardship.

I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: BISHOP DAVID OYEDEPO, Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; Or call 7747546-8; Or E-mail: bishop@davidoyedepoministries.org

HE Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr. Sunday Ola Makinde, has described the demise of the late Publisher of Guardian Newspapers and former Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Alex Ibru,

Sories by Vincent Nzemeke

and ex-Biafra Warlord, Chief Chukwuemeka OdumegwuOjukwu, as a sad and irreparable loss. In a release made available by the Church’s

Media and Public Relations Officer, Rev. Oladapo Daramola, the Prelate said the vacuum left by this ‘great men’ would be very difficult to fill especially at a time in the life of our country when men of principles, courage and vision are

• Rev Dr. Fred Odutola, General Secretary/CEO of The Bible Society of Nigeria and Chairman, United Bible Societies Africa Area Board presenting a Goodnews Bible to His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, on the occasion of his 54th birthday in Abuja recently.

in high demand.”These two are men of valour and substance who stood for what they believed in and in many ways impacted the lives of many. Mr. Alex Ibru used his grace as an entrepreneur to put food on the table of several people he gave employment to and equally used his various endeavours in life to give opportunities to many. His life in public service as a Minister of the Federal Republic was impeccable and in the face of adversity and persecution from those who disagreed with him, he remained firm in his beliefs and stuck to his principles. In similar vein, Chief Ojukwu was not just an advocate of fairness, justice and equity but was a visionary in every sense of it. His call for true federalism over 40 years ago forms part of the key components still missing in our democracy. Ikemba should not only be remembered for the war he championed but should be remembered for the principles and values he espoused.” The prelate also commiserated with the former minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, on the demise of his daughter.

He prayed that God would grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss.

CAN lauds senate over homosexual bill

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HE Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has commended the Nigerian Senate for the courage it demonstrated in passing the Same Sex Marriage Bill, saying the action shows the level of the upper chamber’s commitment to the cultural heritage of the African nation. Reacting to the bill which was sponsored by Senator Magnus Abe, (PDP, Rivers State), the National President of CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, specially took cognizance of the remarks made by the Senate President, Senator David Mark, urging donor nations to stop blackmailing African nations with threat to withdraw their aids unless they endorse homosexuality.

Oritsejafor described Mark’s statement as an outburst from a man who is ready to defend the ideals and culture of his country. He said: This is the kind of leaders Nigerians have been clamouring for; leaders who cannot be cowed by dirty carrots being dangled by imperialist nations. “It is therefore gratifying to note that the Senate had taken a bold step to call the bluff of donor nations who are always holding

beggarly African nations to ransom; giving them impossible conditions in return for their conditional aids and thereby further impoverishing the continent”.He added that if other govern-

ment agencies “can follow the same line of argument the international community would be forced to change its attitude towards Africa.”The CAN president called on the House of Representatives to tow the

same line by also passing the Same Sex Marriage Bill, to tell the international community to refrain from the path of immorality that is fast taking over the West.

Church provides free medical care to communities

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HURCHES have been urged to become socially responsible in the environment they operate by providing health care services for people.

The call was made by Rev. Kenneth Ukorah during the community health and gospel outreach programme organised by the National Evangelical Mission Youth Fellowship Foundation, NEMYOF in Oshodi. Ukorah said Christians are called not just to preach but also to heal. He added that the church organised the community health programme as a way of providing free medical care for those who cannot afford it. “We are not only called to preach, we are also called to heal. We discovered that in our society, there are many people who can’t

By Risikat Ramoni

afford good medical care, so we decided to contribute our own quota by giving them free medical care.” Commenting about the initiative, the programme manager of

NEMYOF, Dr Tunde OluJoshua, hinted that the health outreach programme which started three months ago has recorded over a thousand beneficiaries.

Cleric warns FG over fuel subsidy removal

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HE general overseer of the Temple Rebuilder Mission, Pastor Barnabas Otoibhi, has described the federal government’s plans to remove fuel subsidy as a decision that will attract ‘dis-favour’ from God and impoverish the citizens of the nation.

Otoibhi who spoke at a press briefing held at the ministry’s headquarters in Lagos last week, said the decision

to remove fuel subsidy is contrary to divine injunction and will make life miserable for the people.

Quoting from Proverb chapter 11 verses 26 and 27, the pastor said such actions negate the divine principles of citizen welfarism.

He advised the federal government to repair local refineries as a way of cutting down its subsidy.

Worship

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2011

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HRISTIANS have been admonished to be agents of change in our society and endeavour to practice Christ-like integrity in our Churches, business institutions, and in all spheres of life.

Speaking as a guest speaker on the topic: “Excellence and Christ –like integrity in Lagos State,” at a Merit Award Ceremony organized by Lagos State chapter of Christian Asso-

‘Christians must be agents of change’ ciation of Nigeria (CAN) to honour its members, a cleric, Reverend Ezekiel Adeleye, reminded Christians that integrity is the essence of God’s nature, and as such Christ-like integrity is a duty required of every Christian.

Reverend Adeleye who is a serving Minister at

ECWA church, Mazamaza, Lagos, pointed out that maintaining a Christ-like integrity in the body of Christ will remain a mirage as long as Christians fold their hands and hope that things would change, adding that the church must teach righteousness, practice integrity and do it pas-

sionately not only in the church but in all human endeavour.

The cleric enjoined every citizen, especially Christians to actively participate as agents of change by affecting both the social and spiritual conscience of our nation. Calling on the recipients of the Merit

Winners emerge at Bible quiz T HE Bible Society of Nigeria held the 9 th edition of its annual secondary school Bible competition last Friday at the Apostolic Church, Palm Grove district, Lagos.

The General Secretary of the society, Rev. Dr. Fred Odutola, who chaired the occasion advised youths to shun vices that will tarnish their image and make them derail from their focus. “Always listen toand obey your parents, this will go a long way in making you to be what God wants you to be,” Rev Odutola advised.

The participating schools were drawn from the six geo-political region of the country. They are Government Science School, Jalingo, St. John’s College, Jos, Plateau State, Basic Secondary School, Kano, AB Educational Centre, Benin City, Edo State,

By Alidu Balogun

Methodist High School, Aba, Abia State and Progressive College, Oke Oguo, Oyo State. Invited schools included The Apostolic Church Grammar School, Palmgroove and Methodist Girls, Yaba, Lagos.

The competition which was keenly contested was a three round of five questions each for participating school. At the end of the competition, Government Science School, Jalingo came first with 185 points, closely followed by Methodist High School, Abia with 165 points. Basic Secondary School, Kano came third with 155 points.

Prizes were given to the 1st, 2nd and 3 rd winners while consolation prizes were given to the losers. It was a keenly contested competition.

Present at the occasion were Pastor Ribadu from Kaduna, Pastor Chinezie Okorie from Abia. Rev. Dare Ajiboye the Assistant Aecretary of Bible Society of Nigeria, Gideon Sax was on hand to entertain guests.

The winner of the competition, Government Science School, Jalingo, Taraba State was represented by Shadrack Mboti and Bola Joe-Shadrack was elated with the trophy given them as the winner.

He implored youths to shun cultism and embrace the word of God. He thanked the organizers of the occasion. “I thank the Bible Society for organizing this competition. I look forward to more of such competition. I am eager to get back home (Jalingo) to present this trophy to my principal and the school in general. We are indeed

PFN women’s wing inaugurated

By Edozie Udeze

•Bishop Anaba

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HE women’s wing of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Lagos State chapter was last Thursday inaugurated in Lagos. The ceremony, presided over by Apostle Alex Bamgbola and other anointed men of God, was witnessed by pastors from far and near.

The ceremony, which was organized by Bishop Treasure Anaba, was meant to usher in an era of spiritual fulfillment in the lives of women of God not only in Lagos but in the country as

69

a whole. This was why the programme began with praises and worship to raise the spirit of the congregation before the event proper.

In her welcome address, B i s h o p Anaba reminded her f e l l o w women of God that the event was packaged to further espouse and inspire the spirit of women to be steadfast in their work in God’s vineyard. “As a Christian woman minister, I live on the hope God who created the world by the Word and who is the Word made flesh could as it were, do and undo. That is the reason of m y acceptance to lead and to help establish a strong PTN women’s wing in Lagos State through the enabling power of the Holy Spirit.”

In her words, “ I want to encourage everyone here today to extend their hands of fellowship to the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria

(PFN) Women’s wing Lagos State chapter that is taking their first flight of liberty to land safely with beautiful memories and testimonies.”

The event was poignant since the women used it to find their own voices in the whole PFN arrangement in Nigeria.

grateful,” Shadrack Mboti concluded.

The youth and programme officer who is also the coordinator of the programme, Miss Olayinka Mboti thanked the participants and the invitees. She however appealed to government, individual and corporate bodies to assist the Society so that more of such competition can be held in future.

Award to keep being shining examples in the body of Christ, Reverend Adeleye urged all Christians to take their stand in the society until the message of righteousness and integrity reverberates throughout our land.

He stated that if corruption has become the norm in the world, the church of Christ redeemed with the precious blood of Jesus Christ, commissioned to be light, shining examples to the world as well as ambassadors of integrity and righteousness expected to be different.

Speaking at the occasion, the Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola (SAN), who was represented by his Senior Special Adviser on Religious Affairs, Rev. (Mrs.) Funmi Akitoye-Buraimoh, said his government has been doing much to encourage religious harmony in Lagos State.

He commended the CAN, Lagos State branch for the initiative to honour their members and urged the awardees to continue to be good ambassadors of the Christian-fold in the state.

Amongst the fifteen recipients of the merit award are Rev. (Mrs.) Funmi Akitoye-Buraimoh. The SSA on Religious Affairs to Governor Babatunde Fashola, Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas, OFR, KSS, Dr. Harold Demuren, Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority NCAA, Prophet Gabriel Olu Fakeye District Chairman Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church, Surulere District and Sir Anthony Oladipo Adegbite, Patron Wesley Guild City Mission Methodist Church Surulere. The 15 recipients were chosen from the five groups that make up CAN membership in Lagos State.

70 CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

ADIKE

DAUDA

BELLO

We formerly known as Adike Onyedagwachukwu Christian, Miss Iroanya Janefrancis Uchechi, now wish to be known and addressed as Akuwudike Maduabuchukwu Christian, Mrs Akuwudike Janefrancis Uche. All former documents remain valid.

Abia State Polytechnic, Aba and general public take note.

ADEKUNLE I formerly known and addressed as Miss Esther Olusola Adekunle, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Esther Olusola Ateli. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

ISHOLA I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ishola Bintu Adenike, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Nkwo Adenike Bintu Emeka.

All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Dauda Anifat Adejoke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Fajinmi Esther Adejoke. All former documents remain valid.

Ede North Local govt., Osun State and general public should take note.

OKUNADE I formerly known and addressed as Miss Okunade Christianah Olanide Adenike, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akindoyin Christiana Olamide Adenike. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should take note.

OLEYEDE

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Oleyede Sidquat Asabi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Lawal Sidquat Asabi. All former documents remain valid.

Federal Polytechnic, Ede, NYSC and general public should take note.

AKINSANMI

I formerly known and addressed as Akinsanmi Boluwaji Akinduro, now wish to be known and addressed as Akinsanmi Akinduro.

All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

NJOKU

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Njoku Angela Chidimma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Anyim Nwanjoku Angela Chidimma. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

NWOKEJI

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwokeji Jecinta Obiageri, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Eneh, Jide Jecinta Obiageri. All former documents remain valid. EPassport Austria Embassy and general public should take note.

ANIGBOGU

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Anigbogu Esther Chikwesiri, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okugo Esther Chikwesiri. All former documents remain valid. IMT Enugu and general public should take note.

OMOYEFA

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Omoyefa Sakirat, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Fafiyebi Sakirat Adunni. All former documents remain valid.

Osun State Hospital Management Board and general public should take note.

ADEPOJU I formerly known and addressed as Miss Adepoju Omowumi Kehinde, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Afolabi Omowumi Kehinde. All former documents remain valid. Odo-Otin Local govt., Okuku,Osun State and general public should take note.

OYEWOLE I formerly known and addressed as Miss Oyewole Iyabo Oyenike, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Fadipe Olanike Esther. All former documents remain valid.

Odo-Otin Local govt., Okuku,Osun State and general public should take note.

ADELEKE I formerly known and addressed as Miss Adeleke Maria Olufunmilayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adedotun Maria Olufunmilayo. All former documents remain valid.

NYSC, University of Uyo, Osun State government and general public should take note.

BALOGUN

I formerly known and addressed as Mr. Balogun Omoniyi Jimoh, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Balogun Oladosu Jimoh. All former documents remain valid.

Osun State government, Osun State Polytechnic, Iree and general public should take note.

ADELEKE

I formerly known and addressed as Miss. Titilayo Aminat Jimoh,now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Babalola Titilayo Aminat.All former documents remain valid.

UBA, LASU and the general public take note.

KANU

I formerly known as Miss Ihedinachi Kanu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ihedinachi Obinna Onwuchekwa.

All former documents remain valid. NYSC general public should please take note.

OBAKIN

MOSHOOD

AYEGBUSI

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Caroline Ngozi Okafor,now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Caroline Ngozi Ndibe. All former documents remain valid.

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ABUJA and the general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Moshood Mulikat Abosede, now wish to be known and addressed as Ngene Chinyere Abosede. All former documents remain valid.

Federal Polytechnic, Ede, NECO, WAEC and general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ayegbusi Tosin Deborah, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Oluwole Oluwatosin Deborah. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should take note.

OKEOWO

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Okeowo Oluwakemi Esther, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Qazeem Oluwakemi Esther. All former documents remain valid. Ijebu-Ode Local government and general public should take note.

LAWAL

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Lawal Titilope Temitope, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Arowoiya Titilope Temitope. All former documents remain valid. Ogun SUBEB, Ijebu Ode LGEA and general public should take note.

ALAUSA

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Alausa Taiwo Kudirat, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Afolabi Taiwo Kudirat. All former documents remain valid.

Ogun SUBEB, Ijebu -East LGEA and general public should take note.

BILESANMI I formerly known and addressed as Miss Bilesanmi Idiat Abolaji, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Raji Idiat Abolaji. All former documents remain valid. Ogun SUBEB, INLGEA Ijebu -Igbo-Igbo and general public should take note.

SANGOBANWO

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Sangobanwo Olusola Titilayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Onasanya Olusola Titilayo. All former documents remain valid. Ogun State Ministry of Agriculture and general public should take note.

AKINNUSI

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Akinnusi Bosede Roseline, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Josiah Bosede Roseline. All former documents remain valid. Police Childrens School Force Education and general public should take note.

OLADIPUPO

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Oladipupo Bukola Opeyemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adeyemi Bukola Opeyemi. All former documents remain valid. A.P.M. Terminal, Apapa and general public should take note.

ASUNMO

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Asunmo Yetunde Olubukola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adewole Yetunde Olubukola. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should take note.

OGUNDAPO

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Adeleke Maria Olufunmilayo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adedotun Maria Olufunmilayo. All former documents remain valid.

NYSC, University of Uyo, Osun State government and general public should take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Ogundapo Esther Opeyemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ayodapo Esther Opeyemi. All former documents remain valid. Federal Medical Center, Ido-Ekiti, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and general public should take note.

KANU

CHIKAODIR

I formerly known as Miss Ihedinachi Kanu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ihedinachi Obinna Onwuchekwa.

All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

JIMOH

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Obakin Fehintoluwa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ojuolape Fehintoluwa Oluwadunsin.

All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

IKUMOGUNNIYI

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ikumogunniyi Kafayat Bayonle, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ezechi Kafayat Bayonle. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Bello Oluwakemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Atologun Oluwakemi. All former document remain valid. General public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Chikaodiri Augustina Rose, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Victor Omoke Rose. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

OKAFOR

LAWAN

I formerly known and addressed as Mr Barau Lawan, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr Barau Lawan Nahuche. All former documents remain valid.

University Of Abuja, Nigerian Law School and the general public should please take note.

EMMANUEL

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Emmanuel Olusola Deborah, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Olofin Olusola Deborah. All former documents remain valid. Efon Local Government, Ekiti State and the general public should please take note.

NYONG

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Victoria Offiong Nyong, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Victoria Daniel Elaigwu. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

OSOKO

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Osoko Modupeola Susan, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Boluwaji Modupeola Susan. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

ASOGWA

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Asogwa Ngozika Lovelyn, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ugwu Ngozika Lovelyn. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

ONIYANGI

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Bilkisu Oniyangi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Bilkisu Khaleel Bolaji. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

IKE

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Doris Uju Ike, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Doris Uju Nkwo. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

SOLOMON

I, formerly known and addressed as Solomon Toritseju Wari, now wish to be known and addressed as Dezlin Toritseju Temiyon. All former documents remain valid.

United Bank For Africa, Technocrime Security Limited and the General public should please take note.

OLUWADAMISI

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oluwadamisi Gloria Olubisi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adewole Gloria Olubisi. All former documents remain valid. Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, O.A.U.T.H.C and general public should please take note.

OLOGUNAYE

I formerly known and addressed as Mr. Ologunaye Tosin Babaponle, now wish to be known and addressed as Mr. Lucas Oluwatosin Babaponle. All former documents remain valid. UNILAG and general public should take note.

GBOGI I formerly known and addressed as Miss Gbogi Felicia Anuoluwapo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Fagbayibo Felicia Anuoluwapo. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Immigration Service and general public should take note.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2011

V

IOLENCE sweeping across Syria killed 25 people yesterday, most of them in a battle between troops and a growing force of army defectors who have joined the movement to oust the autocratic ruler, President Bashar Assad, activists said.

Economic and diplomatic sanctions by the United States, the European Union, Turkey and the 22-member Arab League have so far failed to blunt the turmoil.

Arab officials were to meet yesterday in the Gulf nation of Qatar to review punitive steps by the Arab League, including a travel ban on 17 Syrian officials, among them Cabinet ministers and security officers.

Many of the sanctions announced last Sunday by Syria’s Arab neighbors went into effect immediately, including cutting off transactions with the Syrian central bank, halting Arab government funding for projects in

25 die in Syria •As defectors battle regime forces Syria and freezing government assets.

The worst violence yesterday took place in the restive northwestern city of Idlib.

The pre-dawn clashes between regime forces and defectors killed seven soldiers and policemen, as well as five defectors and three civilians, according to a British-based group of Syrian activists called the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Elsewhere, security forces killed one civilian in the southern province of Daraa, six in the central region of Homs and three others in areas near Idlib, the observatory said.

The U.N.’s top human rights official said last week that Syria is in a state of civil

war and that more than 4,000 people have been killed since March.

Until recently, most of the bloodshed in Syria was caused by security forces firing on mainly peaceful protesters, but there have been growing reports of army defectors and armed civilians fighting regime forces.

November was the deadliest month of the uprising, with at least 950 people killed in gunbattles, raids and other violence, according to activist groups.

In the west of the country, Syrian troops detained at least 27 people in the village of Talkalakh on the border with Lebanon and set fire to the homes of nine activists who were on the run, the observatory said.

Albania buries self-styled king Leka I

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THE self-proclaimed heir to Albania’s royal throne was buried yesterday during a ceremony attended by the country’s top leaders and broadcast live on national television.

Though a parliamentary republic, Albanian authorities held official ceremonies for the self-styled king — who called himself Leka I Zogu — at the Parliament building. They also declared yesterday a day of national mourning, with flags flying

at half mast and a minute of silence at noon.

Zogu, who returned home from exile to try to claim the throne himself, died Wednesday of a heart attack. He was 72.

He was the son of King Ahmet Zogu, a Muslim chieftain who proclaimed himself Albania’s monarch in 1928 and ruled for 11 years during a time that many older Albanians now remember as prosperous and stable.

Albania’s communist

rulers abolished the monarchy in 1946, but, even in exile, the royal family insisted that Leka Zogu was Albania’s legitimate ruler.

President Bamir Topi and Prime Minister Sali Berisha, joined hundreds of other officials and leaders in paying their respect during a ceremony that was broadcast live on public television and some other private channels. Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga also attended.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 4, 2011

Sport Extra

Aiyegbeni sinks Swansea with four goals N

IGERIA's Yakubu Aiyegbeni fired Blackburn Rovers to its second win of the season in the English Premier League yesterday as he scored a brace in each half in the 4-2 win against Swansea at Ewood Park.

Aiyegbeni who scored his 9th goal of the season, opened scoring for Blackburn in the priceless win in 20th minute when he thumped home Gael Givet's pull-back after a well worked move.

Swansea soon restored parity thanks to Leroy Lita as he got up at the back post to head home Mark Gower's timely delivery.

However, Blackburn struck on the stroke of half-time to go back in front as Simon Vukcevic's left-foot volley was diverted into the back of the net by Aiyegbeni.

Blackburn stretched their lead just before the hour mark as Christopher Samba's header back across goal was nodded in by Yak to claim his hat-trick.

The side from South Wales

•Mikel missing in Chelsea's win •Osaze in action for West Brom

By Bimbo Adesina showed their fighting spirit as they hit back through substitute Luke Moore nine minutes later, but the visitors were then reduced to ten men as Joe Allen was shown his second yellow card of the game.

And just a minute later Neil Taylor brought Simon Vukcevic crashing down in the area which allowed Yakubu to bag his fourth goal of the game from 12-yards and settle the contest.

Rovers' second win of the season lifted them up to 18th in the table and just one point from safety, while the Nigerian international was taken off in the 87th minute to rapturous applause from the home supporters.

However, Aiyegbeni teammate during his playing years at Portsmouth, Paul Merson has saluted him after

•Aiyegbeni celebrates

his four-goal display inspired Blackburn to victory over Swansea.

"I played with Yakubu at Portsmouth and he is a very good finisher - and the coolest penalty taker about," Merson told Soccer Saturday.(His first) goal was outstanding and wouldn't be far off Goal of the Month.

(Gael) Givet pulled it back and he side-footed it in the top corner, it was a topdrawer finish," Merson said.

At the Loftus Road Stadium, Osaze Odemwingie returned to West Brom line-up as a substitude in the 65th minutes for Jerome Thomas in 1-1 draw with Queens Park Rangers (QPR).

Osaze who was on face-off with West Brom boss Roy Hodgson over his knee injury last week, outpaced Luke Young down the left flank before Shane Long tucked home his cross from

T

LONDON OLYMPICS QUALIFIERS FALLOUT

NFF to study Eguavoen’s report

T

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri a verdict but would constructively consider the pros and cons of the divides before taking a firm decision.

According to the source, “As usual, we shall get the match report from the coach and then we shall take it from there. We have to first of all get the report from him before any decision can be taken. There is definitely a lot to deliberate on and we are going to look at the overall interest of the country.”

Despite whipping the Junior Desert Foxes of Algeria 4-1, Nigeria failed to qualify for the London 2012 Olympics after their initial successive defeats to Morocco and Senegal.

No Nigerian representatives will be on parade in both male

Results

Premier League Newcastle 0 - 3 Chelsea Blackburn 4 - 2 Swansea Man City 5 - 1 Norwich QPR 1 - 1 West Brom Tottenham 3 - 0 Bolton Wigan 0 - 4 Arsenal Villa 0 - 1 Man United La Liga Racing 1 - 0 Villarreal Gijon 0 - 3 Madrid Bundesliga Bayern 4 - 1 Bremen Freiburg 1 - 1 Hannover Ka'slautern 1 - 1 Hertha Mo'gladbach 1 - 1 Dortmund Wolfsburg 2 - 2 Mainz Stuttgart 2 - 2 Cologne

NFF is legal, Abuja court rules HE Federal High Court, Abuja on Friday ruled in favour of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) against the Nigeria Police, specifically the Officer-incharge of Legal Matters, Mr. Adeniji, seeking to enforce an order of the Federal High Court, Lagos of September 2010 setting aside the NFF elections of August 2010.

Justice Philip Auta ruled that the Interlocutory Orders made

by Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Lagos setting aside the NFF Board elections of August, 2010, which the Nigeria Police sought to enforce, consequent

HE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has initiated steps into knowing the immediate and the remote reasons behind the Dream Team V failure to secure a berth at next year’s London 2012 Olympics.

In a chat with a top brass of the NFF, it was revealed that coach Austin Eguavoen, who tinkered the team in Morocco has been told to submit his match report immediately the team returns from Morocco after which a decision would be made on the Edo-born former Super Eagles’ defender based on the recommendation from the Technical Sub Committee of the NFF. The source informed NationSport that the NFF would not in any way rush at

close range at the back post.

It was, however, a good result for Mikel Obi’s team who was missing in action as Chelsea routed Newcastle 3-0 at the Sports Direct Arena.

Didier Drogba's first-half header and late strikes by forwards Salomon Kalou and Daniel Sturridge earned Chelsea the maximum points, lifting the team into the top four and maintaining its title challenge.

Newcastle's effort to fight back were not good enough as Shola Ameobi hit the bar in the 80th with brother Sammy's follow-up saved by Petr Cech.

and female football event at the next summer Olympics after their elimination in the qualifiers. The female team, Super Falcons got beaten by the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroun while the Dream Team V evaporated the country’s late surge for any appearance with consecutive losses against Morocco and Senegal which brought to nought their last ditched 4-1 troucing of Algeria.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria would be recalled also failed to make it to next month African Cup of Nations in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea after the then Samson Siasia led Technical Crew was unable to qualify from the group which included football lightweights, Ethiopia, Madagascar and Guinea.

upon a petition by NANF (i.e removing the Board Members from their elective offices) did not survive the striking out of the suit No FHC/L/CS/962/ 2010, by the same Justice Okon Abang.

The Judge also declared that the invitation of NFF Executive Board Members by the Nigeria Police to appear for interview in connection with the order made by Justice Okon Abang in the earlier mentioned suit amounts to an illegal and unlawful interference with the Board Members’ right to liberty and freedom of movement as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

In the same vein, the Judge issued an order of perpetual injunction prohibiting the Police by themselves, and all other officers, servants and functionaries and any other person or organisation from taking any further steps or actions towards the enforcement of any order made

by Justice Okon Abang in the said suit FHC/L/CS/962/ 2010.

The NFF was represented in the case by former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN, CON), Dr. Joseph Nwobike (SAN) and Ibrahim Eddy Mark Esq. Friday’s ruling brings to a conclusive end the longrunning battle by players' body NANF, de-recognised by the NFA and FIFPro in 2007, to ‘enforce a court order’, which in their own understanding, still existed, despite the striking out of the original case in the same Federal High Court, Lagos.

71

NFF promises turn-around for Nigeria football

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HE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has promised a positive turn-around in the fortunes of the country’s National Teams, saying the fruits of its hard work and reforms will compel a change for the better in quick time.

Speaking in Abuja, General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu said it was regrettable that the U-23 Men’s Team failed to make the semi finals of the CAF U-23 Championship in Morocco, despite a 4-1 whiplash of Algeria in its last match of the group phase.

“They really left it late, but then, not many people would have expected Senegal to defeat Morocco. That is football, and even as we are pained by it, we have to concentrate on the measures we are putting in place to ensure that things get better for Nigerian football at home and at international level.

“It is sad we would not be presenting a team at the London 2012 Olympics, and the NFF remains shocked at the U-23 Team’s outing in Morocco”, said Amadu.

The NFF scribe, however, urged analysts and commentators to stay within the ambit of facts in this critical period, even as the NFF welcomes constructive criticisms and ideas that will help move the Nigerian game forward.

“I keep saying it: It is painful that we would not be at the African Cup of Nations and the Olympic Games. But it is turning facts on its head for someone to say that in the Year 2011, Nigeria did not win anything or qualify for anything.

“In May this year, in South Africa, our U-20 Team won the African Youth Championship. By that victory, the team qualified to play at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia, where it reached the quarter finals before losing to France after extra time.

“That same team set a new record for an African team at the competition, winning four consecutive matches. The team also, remarkably, won the tournament’s FIFA Fair-Play Trophy.

BRIEFS...BRIEFS...BRIEFS...BRIEFS...

Socrates in ‘critical condition’ ORMER Brazilian soccer star Socrates was in critical condition in an intensive care unit early Saturday after suffering an intestinal infection, his doctors said.

Sao Paulo's Albert Einstein Hospital said in a statement that the footballer, Sampaio de Sousa Vieira de Oliveira, 57, "was in critical condition due to a septic shock of intestinal origin."

The statement added that he was breathing with a ventilator and using a dialysis machine.

Socrates was taken to the hospital late Friday after suffering food poisoning, his wife said.

He was hospitalised twice in August and September this year with bleeding in his digestive tract, and recognised after these incidents that he had problems with alcohol, especially during the era when he was playing.

In a recent television interview, Socrates said he had considered alcohol his "companion," adding that its regular use did not affect his

F

performance on the soccer field.

"Alcohol did not affect my career, in part because I never had the physical build to play this game," he recalled.

"Soccer became my profession only when I was already 24," he said. "I was too thin, and when I was young, I did not have the opportunity to prepare myself physically for the sport."

Socrates played for the Brazilian national team in 1982 and 1986—during the World Cup tournaments in Spain and Mexico.

He also wore the strip of Brazilian club Timao (197884) and Italian Fiorentina (1984-85).

He was one of the founders of a movement known as Corinthian Democracy, which formed in the 1980s.

Under its precepts, all decisions made by soccer clubs, including the contracting of new players and training schedules, had to be approved by a vote of all members.

Klitschko OK after surgery

W

L A D I M I R Klitschko’s promoter Bernd Boente says the WBA and IBF heavyweight champion is recovering well after undergoing an operation to remove a kidney stone.

Boente told German news agency dapd that Klitschko could leave the Duesseldorf hospital after the surgery on Saturday.

Klitschko is scheduled to fight French challenger Jean-Marc Mormeck in Duesseldorf next Saturday. Boente said the bout was still on as long as there were no further complications.

The 35-year-old Klitschko suffered abdominal pains at his training camp in Austria on Friday. He was taken to Innsbruck for treatment before being transferred to Duesseldorf.

http://www.thenationonlineng.net

QUOTABLE “It is an insult for Obasanjo to say that Ojukwu did not show remorse for his role in the civil war. If what happened to Ndigbo had happened to his people, Obasanjo would have taken the position of Ojukwu or worse.”

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2011 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM VOL. 6, NO. 1963

— MASSOB leader Ralph Uwazuruike condemning former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s statement that Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu did not show remorse for his role in the civil war.

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HIEF Obafemi Awolowo and Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu are two gentlemen whose obituaries are difficult to write, even by the best and most dispassionate of writers. Both, as the public must have seen, evoke untiring and unquenchable passion in their followers. Their follies – surely they must have some – are considered extenuatingly as superior, incomprehensible habits of great men, and their copious foibles as nothing more than gentle idiosyncrasies of the gifted. A writer must therefore approach both men with caution, reminded that a misplaced word is apt to be interpreted as malicious, and a mordant description of their leadership qualities could be put down to ethnic prejudice. The more fecund and oratorical Dr Nnamdi Azikwe, strangely, does not evoke the same passion as the two, either nationally or regionally.

It is not surprising that both Awo and Ojukwu stir so much passion. Here were two fierce patriots who aspired to national dominance but became trapped in their regions by the dynamics of the politics of their era. And here were two fearless politicians with strong character who, more than any other politician or post-independence leader, shaped the texture and colour of Nigeria’s post-colonial history. It is not certain that they set out to do this, but in the end, and through different means and by unintended consequences, they affected our lives more than we imagined. The PanAfricanist Zik and the mercurial Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, both played major roles in shaping our lives, but neither came near Awo and Ojukwu. Zik, for instance, was better known all over Africa than Awo, and the eponymous Sardauna infinitely more mercurial than the obviously now iconic Ojukwu, but it is doubtful whether any historian would dispute the matchless influence wielded by both Awo and Ojukwu or the centrality of their roles in Nigerian affairs, particularly between independence and the present Fourth Republic.

Awo was not the Head of State when Nigeria went to war, but he personified the war effort and dominated the bureaucracy on the federal side as inexorably as Ojukwu personified and dominated the Biafran secessionist dreams.

Without the two, it is uncertain the war would have been fought, or if fought, whether the outcome would have been the same. A less charismatic soldier than Ojukwu could never have rallied the Igbo behind the cause of secession as succinctly as he did, for both the secession itself and the ensuing war were neither

Odumegwu Ojukwu (1933-2011)

•Azikiwe

•Ojukwu

inevitable nor the factors that engendered them insoluble. A more reflective leader than Ojukwu would have known that given the state of the nation at the time, and the developments in the Eastern Region, victory was not assured. More critically, he would have known that defeat would be so costly to the Igbo, which until then dominated the civil service and commercial life, that the effort would not have been worth it, notwithstanding the provocations.

It is, however, a testimony to the ingenuity and resilience of the Igbo, and the charisma of Ojukwu, that they prolonged what seemed destined to be a short war.

They were hopelessly outnumbered and outgunned, but they soldiered on for three brave but cruelly bloody years. Had the federal side, which fought a somewhat wasteful and inefficient war, not had a bright mind like Awo to manage its finances, we could not be sure that the largely conventional war would not have transformed into a guerrilla war with all the attendant and limitless possibilities.

And had Awo not joined Gen Yakubu Gowon’s cabinet, we could not be sure the Western Region would support the war effort as unreservedly as it did. And so, in many ways, both Awo and Ojukwu probably affected our history and lives more

than we care to admit. Certainly, much more than Zik, as the outpouring of grief and emotions shows, Ojukwu occupies the most central position in Igbo national life.

The problem with that central position, however, is whether it will last beyond the grief and the burial. Unlike Awo, whose position in Yoruba national life is more ideological than anything else, Ojukwu’s influence is neither ideological nor did it lead to the founding of a new nation like Turkey’s Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Indeed, Zik would have stood a better chance at affecting Igbo history had he not have the misfortune of being rivalled by an equally gifted and charismatic leader who approximated far more exquisitely than he the aggressive and tenacious spirit of the Igbo. Zik was doubtless more philosophical, more reflective, more restrained, and more cosmopolitan.

But perhaps he was too far restrained to aggregate and ventilate the pains the Igbo felt as a result of the flurry of events between 1966 and 1967. And perhaps he was also too reflective and maybe fatalistic to challenge the Ojukwu worldview or to launch himself wholeheartedly into the dominant Igbo perspective during the pogrom. Whatever the reasons were, Zik’s role before and after the war virtually con-

Naming and shaming ‘fat cats’ wasn’t so difficult, was it?

A

FTER much pussyfooting, the government, through the Nigerian Senate, has finally named those it described as ‘fat cats’ benefiting from fuel subsidy payments. According to the Joint Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream, Finance and Appropriation, more than 100 companies, some of them construction companies, benefited from the subsidy payments. It was also revealed that since 2006, when only three companies were involved in the importation of petroleum products and were benefiting from subsidy payments, some N3.65 trillion has been spent on subsidy. Today, the number of companies involved in the subsidy programme has risen to more than 100, with some of them said to be lacking the equipment to store the amount of fuel they received payment for.

The first question the government must answer is why the list of companies involved in the programme rose astro-

nomically from three in 2006 to over 100 five years later. Was the programme a bazaar? Was it not the government that gave the approvals and made the payments?

The first step is naming the fat cats; the second step in the enquiry by the Senate is to focus on the government to find out why it elongated the list of companies involved, how it assessed them, and how it made the payments. Then the Senate must also find out why construction companies not involved in the oil industry found their way into the programme. Finally, the Senate must press the government to provide the calculations to match payments with proven fuel products supply.

The revelations in the Senate are beginning to justify why some of us said the economics of subsidy and the voodoo economics of transferring the subsidy payments to the innocent public are wicked and indefensible. It is no economics at all. If the government is sensible, it must put on hold its lousy plan to remove a subsidy that does

not exist in the first instance, for it would amount to punishing the public needlessly and destroying the economy. There is beginning to emerge abundant proof that the cost of governance is artificially high because the government unwisely made governance ineffective and inefficient.

The National Assembly has told the electorate that it would resist the planned subsidy removal when the government presents it before the legislature. Based on the revelations before its probe panels, we must hope that the legislature would not become a turncoat along the way and find the most implausible excuses to support fuel price hike. On its own, we must also hope that the government would go back to the drawing board to examine afresh its economic plan. There is abundant evidence it has no economic plan whatsoever, and that what it purports to have is unreal, deceptive, crooked and even wicked.

signed him to playing second fiddle to the more swashbuckling Ojukwu. That order of precedence is unlikely to ever change, no matter how historians feel about Zik’s chances of being the preeminent Igbo personality of all time.

Because of Ojukwu’s ideological weakness, the leadership of the Igbo race is still left wide open, quite unlike the Yoruba or the Hausa. The reasons are simple.

Awolowo, for instance, virtually cast the mould for the Yoruba by the force of his personality and character, his sheer brilliance, his ideas, and his resilience in the face of personal danger and political adversity. The latest revelation in Yoruba society and politics, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has seemed to realise that it is pointless trying to rival or ape Awo. Tinubu’s critics denounce him as insufficiently Awoist; and the more truculent among the critics swear he could never replace Awo or be like him. But by his utterances and posture, including the manner he extols the virtues of the sage, Tinubu has appeared to recognise that, like the French who had St Joan of Arc, Napoleon Bonaparte and Charles De Gaulle meeting the different needs of different eras in French history, it is possible to have differently endowed leaders meeting the needs of the Yoruba at different eras.

Zik, with his brilliance, philosophy and exposure, could have laid the foundation for the Igbo, and Ojukwu, with his courage and tenacity, built on it. However, Zik never had the chance, and Ojukwu neither built on what did not exist, nor sadly did he, in spite of his immense contributions to the Igbo race, set the foundation for a modern Igbo ethos. I think someone will still rise among the Igbo who would lay such a foundation for the modern era as the Sardauna did through the Gamji idea and Awolowo did in remoulding progressivism to fit the Yoruba worldview. That person must combine the attributes of both Zik and Ojukwu, and must recognise, as Tinubu does, that every era has its unique needs, and that those needs must be met by, or coalesce around, someone with effective and productive contemporaneous ideology, vision and style.

The Igbo love Ojukwu in spite of losing the civil war and gaining virtually nothing from the effort. But so, too, do Egyptians love Gamel Abdel Nasser in spite of ignominiously losing the Six-Day War in 1967.

Both officers had the kind of iridescent charisma that transcends defeat and adversity.

I believe Ojukwu’s place in Igbo history is unlikely to be threatened for a long time, if not for his productive leadership, at least for its uniqueness and the unexampled courage he brought to bear on the grave issues of the time. He was sometimes given to too much hyperbole, and he was, when the occasion least welcomed it, an annoying and extraordinary showman, but he had heart and that heart was completely yielded to his people in a way no one before him had done. For rising to the challenges his people faced at a difficult moment in their history the best way he knew, he all but guaranteed he would be remembered by Nigerians for a very long time, and especially by those whose reputations and national status were made as a result of the war.

Apology Palladium was unable to write a fresh article last week because he was on pilgrimage to Jerusalem. He regrets the inconvenience to readers. During the pilgrimage he heard and saw things that should shame Nigeria and make all of us doubt how long we can pretend that all is well with our country. His exegetical travelogue will be published next week or the week after.

You can’t afford to miss it.

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